Jangoagogo's Proposal: SCP-4796

Item #: SCP-4796

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-4796-1 is to be contained within a comfortably sized room in the low-security research wing (C wing) of Site 81. The room should be outfitted with a bed, computer workstation, television, kitchen, and bathroom. Each hour, one Foundation researcher with a Level 2 security clearance will enter the room with SCP-4796-1 according to the weekly schedule generated by Dr. Underwood, Research Head assigned to SCP-4796. Once the relief researcher has entered the room and it has been ensured that the primary entrance has been properly shut and locked, SCP-4796-1 is to begin rubbing their right ear. Upon confirmation by the relief researcher that SCP-4796 has been transferred to their person, the designation of SCP-4796-1 will be transferred to the relief employee and the employee relieved of duty is to exit containment.

In the event that a containment breach of SCP-4796 occurs and is transferred to a non-scheduled Level 2 Foundation researcher, the affected staff member is to refrain from rubbing their right ear and immediately report to Site 81 containment specialists. From here, the unscheduled instance of SCP-4796-1 will be escorted to SCP-4796’s primary containment at which point SCP-4796 will be transferred to the Foundation researcher scheduled for duty. In any case in which the affected Foundation personnel during a containment breach has a Level 3 or higher security clearance, they are to immediately find a Level 2 Foundation researcher as soon as possible and begin vigorously rubbing their right ear until they have successfully transferred SCP-4796 from their person.

+ Special Containment Procedure Addendum 1, in effect as of 05/23/2019

In the event of the activation of Code White or higher containment breach protocols on Site 81, the entrance to the primary containment of SCP-4796 is to remain unlocked until at least one additional Level 2 Foundation researcher enters the containment of SCP-4796-1. Please refer to Dr. Underwood’s revised scheduling system now designating four additional contingency shifts for duty as SCP-4796-1 to determine which Foundation staff are expected to be present in SCP-4796’s primary containment during a lockdown event on Site 81.

Description: SCP-4796 is a continuous anomalous auditory phenomenon that is consistently reported to resemble the buzz of a fly near the right ear of the affected person. SCP-4796 has only been reported to affect a single SCP Foundation researcher or administration staff member with a security clearance of Level 2 or higher at a time. Thus far, no occurrences of this auditory phenomenon have been reported by either Foundation staff members not fitting this description or by non-Foundation persons. SCP-4796 is reported to persist regardless of any other auditory interference and manifests itself only in the right ear of the affected staff member, henceforth designated SCP-4796-1.

While SCP-4796 has not yet been successfully neutralized, it may be transferred to a suitable nearby Foundation staff member by SCP-4796-1 rubbing their ear while in the same room as said staff member. Transfer will not occur if no other suitable Foundation staff member is present in the same room as SCP-4796-1 while all entrances to the room are shut. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that any suitable Foundation staff member that is fully deaf in their right ear may also have SCP-4796 transferred to their person. In such all cases, the affected staff member has reported being able to hear SCP-4796 despite an inability to hear otherwise.

While all instances of SCP-4796-1 have reported hearing SCP-4796 clearly, ultra-fine pressure transducers have not detected any pressure modulations corresponding to the reported buzzing sound near the right ear of SCP-4796-1. Additionally, there is no apparent or detectable physical manifestation of SCP-4796 corresponding with its occurrence. Research regarding the potential for local reality field manipulation and disturbance corresponding with the occurrence of SCP-4796 is ongoing. The only side-effect reported by instances of SCP-4796-1 due to SCP-4796 is a growing level of annoyance and frustration as effects persist. No anomalous side-effects due to SCP-4796 have been reported or observed.

SCP-4796 appeared to originate at Foundation Site 81 on ██/██/████ at ██:██ ██ EDT when it's occurrence was first reported by Dr. ████████, Dr. ████████ and Dr. ██. Prior to initial containment, the effects of SCP-4796 were reported by 13 Foundation staff members, of which 3 had a security clearance of Level 2, 5 had a security clearance of Level 3, 3 had a security clearance of Level 4, and 2 had a security clearance of Level 5. As it is currently unknown how and why SCP-4796 appeared, SCP-4796 has been designated as a Keter Class anomaly. Additionally, as it is currently unknown if there are any anomalous effects related to SCP-4796 that may not be readily apparent, exposure to any Foundation staff above a Level 2 security clearance is prohibited.

SCP-4796 Supplemental Information and Addenda

+ SCP-4796-1 Interview (Dr. Nishida, 04/07/2019 4:36 PM EDT)

Dr. Nishida, the current instance of SCP-4796-1 as of 4:36 PM EDT on 04/07/2019, is a Junior Researcher at Site 81 and has been exposed to SCP-4796 a total of 11 times prior to current exposure. Dr. Nishida agreed to undergo exposure to SCP-4796 for an additional 5 hours beyond the standard hour of exposure time required for a shift as SCP-4796-1 and in addition agreed to be interviewed about her experience as SCP-4796-1. The following is the full transcript of the interview.

<Begin Log>

Interviewer: Please state your name, security clearance, and role as a member of the SCP Foundation.

SCP-4796-1: My name is Dr. Ichika Nishida, I have a Level 2 security clearance, and I am a Junior Researcher at Site 81 assigned to the theoretical study of the physical and temporal manifestation of SCP-2540.

Interviewer: As SCP-4796-1, how many times have you previously been exposed to SCP-4796, and for how long have you currently been exposed to SCP-4796?

SCP-4796-1 appears to be visibly irritated when referred to as SCP-4796-1.

SCP-4796-1: You know, I really don’t like being referred to as “SCP-4796-1.” There’s something dehumanizing about it. But to answer your question, I’ve been exposed I believe 11 times prior to this and have currently been exposed since 11 o’clock this morning, so about 5 and a half hours at this point.

Interviewer: How would you describe the effect of SCP-4796?

SCP-4796-1: Just like everyone else says, it sounds like a buzzing noise from a fly or a gnat that’s flying right by my right ear. And it’s just non-stop no matter what I do.

Interviewer: In your experience, what feelings or emotions does exposure to SCP-4796 elicit?

SCP-4796-1: Mostly annoyance and frustration, but I also find it pretty creepy. But mostly annoying. Very annoying. The longer I have to listen to it the more frustrated I get and the more I just want to gouge my ear out.

Interviewer: What do you mean by “gouge your ear out?”

SCP-4796-1: Oh, sorry, no. I don’t actually mean that. I mean—I don’t think the sound itself is anomalous like a cognitohazard or anything, it’s just very, very annoying.

Following this statement, SCP-4796-1 closes her eyes, drops her head into her left hand, and is seen reaching towards her right ear as if to rub it, but stops short of her ear and pulls her hand away. She then re-positions herself, looks forward, and sighs, now appearing noticeably more perturbed than before.

Interviewer: Please avoid rubbing your ear, Dr. Nishida.

SCP-4796-1: Yeah, I know. Just go on to your next question.

Interviewer: At any point as SCP-4796-1, have you made any attempts to obscure SCP-4796, and if so, what have those attempts entailed and to what degree of success have you had in such attempts?

SCP-4796-1: Well, apart from rubbing my ear, I’ve made a lot of attempts to cover up the buzzing noise. Of course, every single attempt has failed completely.

Interviewer: Can you describe some of these attempts?

SCP-4796-1: Yeah, sure. I’ve tried plugging my ears with whatever shit I could, I’ve blasted music through my headphones, I’ve tried to pop my ears, I’ve even screamed into a pillow to try and drown it out. But no matter what, I can still hear 4796 just as loudly and just as clearly. I’ve given up at this point and just use my shifts to do yoga to take my mind off the sound as best I can and try and reduce the frustration it causes.

Interviewer: How well does that work?

SCP-4796-1: It’s alright. I’d recommend it. I’m still very much conscious of the sound, but I definitely do appreciate getting a chance to do some yoga during work. Although, after doing this for multiple hours at once, nothing seems to help anymore. You can only do so much yoga.

Interviewer: Following your duty as SCP-4796-1, have you at any point noticed having any lasting or adverse effects due to exposure?

SCP-4796-1: Other than being in a better mood once the buzzing stops, no, I have not.

Interviewer: Okay. And finally, you mentioned earlier that you found SCP-4796 “creepy.” Could you please elaborate on that?

SCP-4796-1: Oh, sure. It's just, both the fact that 4796 just kind of “appeared” at Site 81 one day and that it only affects certain members of the Foundation—it just doesn’t seem right. Like, how in the hell does whatever it is know which of us are and aren’t the "correct" Foundation staff? And more importantly, why in the hell does it only affect us? To me, that means it’s not just some “thing,” but that it’s a thing that’s capable of some kind of thought and probably has some kind of motive. But we don’t know what. That’s what’s creepy to me. This thing infiltrated the Foundation and the only thing we know about it is that it makes some god damned buzzing noise in our ears. I mean—none of it makes any sense, but there has to be a reason for it. And honestly, I’m afraid to know what that reason is because whatever it is, we’re probably already too late. But, I guess that’s why it's a Keter.

Interviewer: Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. Nishida. You may now return to containment and Dr. Suarez will be by shortly to relieve you of your duty.

SCP-4796-1: Finally. Thank you.

<End Log>

+ Addendum 4796-1: Regarding Incident 4796-1 (05/18/2019 - 05/22/2019)

At 11:03 AM EDT on 05/18/2019, an erroneous Code Magenta containment lockdown was issued at SCP Foundation Site 81. Due to a series of severe errors in Site 81 lockdown mechanisms and core software that occurred as a result of unscheduled maintenance, the automated lockdown control system for Site 81 reported to O5 Command the potential for an XK-Class "end-of-world" scenario due to an anomalous entity contained within Site-81. Additionally, all non-automated Site 81 communication systems were erroneously deactivated by the automated lockdown control system. Through the use of SCP-████, O5 Command was able resolve the erroneous lockdown and the lockdown was manually lifted at 6:28 AM EDT on 05/22/2019, 91 hours and 24 minutes following the initiation of the lockdown.

During the course of the lockdown, Junior Researcher Dr. ███████ ██████ was locked within the containment cell for SCP-4796 as the current instance of SCP-4796-1 at the time. Video surveillance footage of the interior of the containment cell showed a deterioration of the mental state of Dr. ██████ as the lockdown persisted. For a considerable portion of Dr. ██████'s duration in isolation during the lockdown as SCP-4796-1, Dr. ██████ could be seen either talking to himself or screaming, and at no point during the lockdown was Dr. ██████ observed to fall asleep, despite multiple attempts to do so. After 24 hours in lockdown, Dr. ██████ could on multiple occasions be seen aggressively rubbing or scratching at his right ear to the point of bleeding. After 63 hours, Dr. ██████ appeared to enter a catatonic state for the next 26 hours. After 89 hours under lockdown, Dr. ██████ began [REDACTED AT THE REQUEST OF DR. JEAN KARLYLE AKTUS] resulting in Dr. ██████'s death at 5:04 AM EDT on 05/22/2019.

Around the time of Dr. ██████'s death, Dr. Elizabeth McCallen reported that she had begun to experience the auditory phenomenon associated with SCP-4796. From this it was concluded that upon the death of an instance of SCP-4796-1, SCP-4796 is capable of being transferred to a suitable Foundation staff member regardless of whether one is within the same room as the deceased instance of SCP-4796-1.

+ SCP-4796 Research Interview (Dr. Underwood, 05/24/2019 9:45 AM EDT)

Dr. Underwood is a Foundation Distinguished Researcher at Site 81 and requested the position of Research Head for SCP-4796. Following the end of Incident 4796-1 on 05/22/2019, Dr. Underwood agreed to be interviewed about his current progress regarding research into the origins, continued occurrence, and nature of SCP-4796. The following is the full transcript of the interview.

<Begin Log>

Interviewer: Please state you name, security clearance, and role as a member of the SCP Foundation.

Dr. Underwood: I am Dr. Alexander T. Underwood, I have a Level 3 security clearance, and within the Foundation and I am in charge of research regarding SCP-4796. Prior to this appointment, I was an assistant Senior Researcher assigned to SCP-2740. There, I assisted in experimental research regarding the psycho-anomalous effects of SCP-2740. Around the time SCP-4796 first showed up at Site 81, I had been awarded status as a Foundation Distinguished Researcher. After speaking with Dr. Dorsett, and considering the similarities of my research with SCP-2740 to what was happening with 4796, I requested to take the reigns as research head of SCP-4796 with Dr. Dorsett’s recommendation.

Interviewer: Dr. Underwood, can you provide some details as to the nature and current directions into your research regarding SCP-4796?

Dr. Underwood: I can. While it is known when and where SCP-4796 originated, the cause and reason for its origination at Site 81 is a deep source of concern to the Foundation. Thus, a considerable portion of our research efforts have been forensic and involve investigating all Site 81 data logs from ██/██/████ with the goal of identifying any anomalous occurrences that may coincide with the appearance of 4796. Regardless, we’re still conducting research typical of that done on any entity discovered and contained by the Foundation. On the experimental side, we’re currently focusing on trying to identify potential anomalous effects due to 4796, but to be honest I really don’t think there are any. For that reason, I’ve decided to devote more resources to ongoing experimentation into probing reality fields surround instances of SCP-4796-1 and interpreting data to see if we can detect the manifestation of SCP-4796. Theoretical work into the nature of 4796 has suggested that the detection of reality disturbances due to 4796 will likely be beyond the resolution of our current instrumentation, so we’ve been working on developing a generation of reality probing equipment. At the current time, I believe this is our best bet in to figuring out what’s going on and determining the nature of SCP-4796.

Interviewer: Are there any other directions you have considered pursing?

Dr. Underwood: Yes. I am interested in trying to reverse engineering the 4796 phenomenon by expanding upon and applying our theoretical foundations regarding its manifestation. It’s a longshot, but it’s got potential. Beyond that, I’d also like to—well, I don’t think the Council would approve it after what happened—but I’d like to be able to perform physical and medical experiments on instances of 4796-1 to try and learn more about what they are sensing and specifically how they are perceiving 4796. But, I understand the Council being hesitant about letting me perform those experiments, especially after what happened to Dr. ██████. That poor kid.

Interviewer: In regard to the incident between the dates of 05/18/2019 and 05/22/2019, do you believe that the fate of Dr. ██████ was anomalous in nature?

Dr. Underwood: No, I do not. As all Foundation staff members that have been under the effect of 4796 have stated, continued exposure to 4796 results in a growing sense of frustration and annoyance, as you would expect. However, due to that catastrophically erroneous lockdown, Dr. ██████ was isolated in 4796’s containment as the instance of 4796-1 at that time for a total of 91 hours. That’s 90 times longer than anyone is normally allowed to be exposed to 4796. Being on lockdown that long was difficult for all of us, but spending that whole time alone with 4796 was likely torture for him. While it's possible that other elements may have been at play such as pre-existing psychological conditions, paranoia due to the lockdown, sleep deprivation, or adverse effects due to isolation, I believe that the exposure to SCP-4796 was the primary catalyst for his death.

Interviewer: To be clear, you do not believe that Dr. ██████‘s death was due to anomalous effects resulting from overexposure to SCP-4796?

Dr. Underwood: While it certainly can’t be ruled out given how little we do know about 4796, no, I do not believe is was anomalous in nature.

Interviewer: Dr. Underwood, at any point have you been exposed to SCP-4796?

Video surveillance shows Dr. Underwood look away from the interviewer and smirk prior to answering the question.

Dr. Underwood: Well, because I’m Level 3 personnel, that would be prohibited. So, no, I have not.

Interviewer: In regard to the nature of SCP-4796, the potential “motives” of SCP-4796 has become a common concern among Foundation personnel. Can you speak to your own views regarding the potential of SCP-4796 having a “motive” within the Foundation?

Dr. Underwood: Well, this is the big one. It’s what the Council wants to know, and it’s why it was given a Keter Class designation. It’s certainly something my team has had many long discussions over. But, it’s difficult to attribute to SCP-4796 any sort of sentience since we still don’t really know what it is. In my opinion, though, with SCP-4796 there must be something—whether its 4796 itself or something controlling it—that is capable of identifying people, identifying what organization they belong to, and what their role is in that organization. And worse, it has a target: the Foundation and those within it that hold the most knowledge and power. It has a motive. And I have some theories as to what that motive is.

Interviewer: And those theories are?

Dr. Underwood: Well, first and least consequential of all, maybe it really is just a “right ear ghost fly” as we all like to refer to it and it just has no motive. Maybe it was even something we accidentally created here at Site 81 and our forensic analysis of the day it appeared will show that. Part of me hopes this isn’t the case because it’d be pretty boring, but the alternatives are all far worse than boredom. But, again, and unfortunately, because it has a target I don’t think it’s that simple. I think SCP-4796 is attaching itself to us because it’s learning from us. Maybe it’s stealing our thoughts, or our memories, or, worst of all, our knowledge and it’s going to use it against us. I fear this is the truth of the matter. And if that is the case, we’re already too late. Those Level 4 and 5 personnel just happened to be here the day it appeared, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. Or, hey, maybe the timing wasn’t a coincidence. Maybe SCP-4796 showed up exactly when it intended to.

Interviewer: Those are all the questions I had prepared, Dr. Underwood. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss regarding SCP-4796?

Dr. Underwood: No, but I will say this. The day SCP-4796 disappears, that’ll probably be a bad day for the Foundation.

Interviewer: Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. Underwood.

Dr. Underwood: Of course.

<End Log>

+ Addendum 4796-2: Regarding Security Level Reclassification of SCP-4796 (05/25/2019)

By order of the Overseer Council, security classification for this file has been upgraded from Level 2/4796 to Level 3/4796, effective immediately. Although the use of Level 2 Foundation researchers will continue for containment of SCP-4796, they no longer have the appropriate clearance to access this file. Additionally, Class C targeted retrograde amnestics will be administered to applicable Foundation personnel of Level 2 and lower on 05/26/2019 for the removal of memories relating the death of Dr. ██████. Discussion of the reclassification of this file or of amnestics use related to Incident 4796-1 with Level 2 Foundation personnel is prohibited.

All Level 2 personnel assisting Dr. Alexander Underwood in his research involving SCP-4796 shall be given provisional Level 3 security clearance for only SCP-4796. In addition, Site 81 Assistant Director of Research Dr. Isaac Schmidt will directly oversee research regarding SCP-4796 and Site 81 Assistant Director of Containment Emmitt Ivers will take over scheduling of Level 2 Foundation researchers for SCP-4796 containment shifts, effective immediately.

Finally, refusal or failure by any Level 2 Foundation researchers to participate in the containment of SCP-4796 will be met with disciplinary action as ordered by Site 81 Assistant Director of Personnel Dr. William Borely.

SCP-4796 Staff Notes

+ Note from Dr. Underwood (05/24/2019)

Posted at 10:23 PM EDT on 05/24/2019

While I'm glad that the emergency containment procedures for SCP-4796 were updated in light of recent events, I would like to reiterate on the record that continuing with only one staff member in containment as SCP-4796-1 is a bad idea. I understand that the Foundation doesn't want anymore wasted time due to 4796, but we should be ensuring the safety of our researchers first and foremost. I really hope you fix this, Jean.

– Dr. Alexander T. Underwood, Foundation Distinguished Researcher

+ Note from Dr. Stephenson (03/29/2019)

Posted at 4:25 PM EDT on 03/29/2019

The next time one of you assholes decides you're going to skip your shift with 4796 and makes me stay an extra hour, I’m going to make you wish you could spend all day with that stupid fucking fly.

– Dr. Lewis S. Stephenson, Junior Researcher