SrGunk & Zyn Box

Initial discovery of SCP-XXXX, involving it attempting to interact with passengers of the cruise ship ██████████.

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: A perimeter under the guise of a marine biology restoration project boundary is to be established around the secluded rocky formations where SCP-XXXX is frequently sighted. At least one Foundation vessel, crewed by three researchers and one security personnel member, is to regularly patrol this perimeter during daylight hours. Any unauthorized individuals attempting to enter the boundary are to be turned away with the explanation that the delicate nature of the research conducted necessitates that the area remain undisturbed.

SCP-XXXX is to be fed twice daily with a 400 kilogram soft mixture of squid and octopi. Medical checkups are to be conducted in a bi-monthly basis by a Foundation cryptozoologist. Personnel assigned to SCP-XXXX are to make note of any shipwreck remains it shows particular interest in.

Documents produced by SCP-XXXX are to be recorded and kept in Locker 221 at Storage Site-26. Requests for interaction with SCP-XXXX are to be approved by the head researcher for the SCP-XXXX project (currently Dr. Deland).

As of ██/██/████, a series of buoys with attached signposts and bells (see Addenda) have been set up to facilitate communication with SCP-XXXX as it recovers. The signs are to be regularly repainted when faded, and the buoys checked for damage once per month.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a young Physeter macrocephalus (Sperm whale), measuring six meters in length with no recorded growth since its initial containment in 20██. Computed tomography (CT) scans reveal an unidentified organ replacing SCP-XXXX's phonic lip structure,¹ resulting in its inability to vocalize. SCP-XXXX is still capable of normal breathing consistent with that of non-anomalous whales.

SCP-XXXX's primary anomaly is its ability to spontaneously produce standard 750 ml industrial glass bottles (measuring 296mm in height and 86mm in diameter with a resealable cork) as a form of communication. These bottles are expelled from SCP-XXXX by means of regurgitation and are observed to materialize from its unique organ through unknown methods. Said anomalous expulsion is accompanied by a sound similar to that of a large ship's foghorn.

Each bottle produced by SCP-XXXX is found to contain a piece of rolled up parchment paper, with each instance possessing a message crudely written in black ink. SCP-XXXX is observed to have a rudimentary understanding of written English language and is able to participate in conversations through its anomalous ability.

Observations of SCP-XXXX's travel patterns indicate that it has a particular interest in human watercrafts, and will attempt to scavenge shipwreck pieces that possess writing on them, such as nameplates and lettered sails. Of note, SCP-XXXX seems to be especially protective of the remains of a marooned pirating ship, which was later discovered to be holding ship manifests from a boarded and looted whaling vessel. Investigation is undergoing regarding any potential connection between said whaling ship and SCP-XXXX.

Interview Log-XXXX-05: The following interview was conducted by Agent Farshen in accordance to SCP-XXXX's bi-weekly interaction, and represents one of the earliest SCP-XXXX-initiated play sessions. Messages conveyed to SCP-XXXX were written on a 60cm x 90cm dry-erase board, and hung from the side of the Foundation vessel for SCP-XXXX to observe. Documents produced and procured on this interview are transcribed verbatim; it is noted that prior to this interaction, all attempts at communication with SCP-XXXX had consisted of one-word short exchanges.

Agent Farshen: HEY THERE.

SCP-XXXX: HELLO NEW BOAT

Agent Farshen: HOW IS IT HERE? LIKE IT?

SCP-XXXX: GOOD I LIKE BOAT TALK IT FUN

Agent Farshen: WE GLAD TO KNOW THAT.

SCP-XXXX: I LIKE HERE YOU WANT PLAY

Agent Farshen: WHAT WE PLAY?

[SCP-XXXX submerges for ten seconds. Upon resurfacing, SCP-XXXX forcefully expels air and water through its blowhole. Agent Farshen, who is visibly taken aback, is drenched as a result.]

Agent Farshen: [Verbally] Holy-[Pauses] What?

SCP-XXXX: YOU FUNNY BOAT I LIKE YOU

<End Log>

Interview Log-XXXX-19: After a period of regular interviews, the following interview was conducted by Dr. Deland following sudden observation of SCP-XXXX's drastic decrease in appetite and change in behavior. At this point, the Foundation had managed to introduce approximately thirty new words to SCP-XXXX's "vocabulary".

Dr. Deland: GOOD MORNING

SCP-XXXX: HELLO

Dr. Deland: YOU GOOD?

SCP-XXXX: IS GOOD I TALK MORE NICE BOAT NO HURT NO BAD SHARP BOAT

Dr. Deland: WE SEE YOU NO EAT, YOU PROBLEM?

SCP-XXXX: TIRED MUCH ITCH WHEN EAT I NO LIKE ITCH

Dr. Deland: ITCH?

SCP-XXXX: ITCH BAD YES I HURT NOT MUCH MAYBE BUT I NO LIKE

Dr. Deland: WE SEE YOU ITCH?

SCP-XXXX: OKAY PLEASE STOP ITCH

<End Log>

Addendum XXXX-01 12/06/20██: Recent examinations of SCP-XXXX indicated significant lacerations and abrasions along SCP-XXXX's unique organ and nasal passage, causing potential risk of permanent damage to SCP-XXXX's airways. It is believed these injuries occurred as a result of SCP-XXXX's frequent communication with Foundation personnel.

To prevent further worsening of these injuries, Dr. Deland has recommended that direct communication with SCP-XXXX be drastically limited until SCP-XXXX shows signs of recovery.

Addendum XXXX-02 01/13/20██: In recent weeks, SCP-XXXX has grown increasingly agitated due to the limitation of play and contact sessions with Foundation personnel, and has repeatedly attempted to continue using its anomaly to attempt to converse with staff. This has prompted the development of an alternate form of communication for it to use while it recovers: a series of anchored buoys have been installed near its usual resting area. These buoys are clearly marked with waterproof placards labeled, "yes", "no", "play", "tired", "hello", and "goodbye", and equipped with bells that will ring different tones when the buoys are nudged.

Addendum XXXX-02 04/26/20██: In part due to a regular treats and rewards system, Foundation personnel were able to convince SCP-XXXX to limit its anomalous communication as it recovered. In the most recent play session, SCP-XXXX appeared to attempt to "thank" its handlers, ringing the "hello" buoy in rapid succession upon Foundation arrival and then promptly regurgitating a variety of items onto the ship deck including a sea captain's hat, two tattered flags (one black, one red) bearing a skull and crossbones design, and what appeared to be a blunted tip from a 14th century two flue harpoon. When questioned as to whether the Foundation was meant to keep the items, SCP-XXXX repeatedly rang the "yes" buoy, and expelled a single bottle with the message, "YOU ME BOAT FRIENDS NOW".

Discussion of resuming interviews with SCP-XXXX, or at least introducing more communication buoys, is ongoing.

NOTE: MAKE PIRATE/WHALING RESCUE BACKSTORY CLEARER.

---

Author Post/Credits

Co-authors: SrGunk, Zyn

Reviewers: Dr Mistopheles, undeuxtrois-says-hi

Image taken from: here
Under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Discussion

Preliminary edits:
- SrGunk: reformatting the first interview into prose (✓) (first interview is reformatted to fit new addendum)
- SrGunk: edit the dialogue in the third interview so the interviewer doesn't over talk (✓)
- Zyn: revamp containment procedures (marine enclosure, shipwrecks)
- Zyn: new finale addendum (hoops, hope)

- SrGunk: Regarding whale hearing; I've found THIS image and a few vids and articles trying to look at how whale hearing works since, as you have said, simply speaking to it is probably hard to believe. Apparently they just hear through their skin, with the sound channeled through those acoustic fat pads and eventually reaching its ear bones. So to give it a bit more realism and probably make it sound more science-y, I've thought of using an underwater speaker system. What do you think?

Zyn: I'm not really sure about the speaker system, since it's impossible to learn how to write a language from just hearing that language be spoken. I think it makes more sense for the Foundation to stick to writing placards?

Okay, I've fixed up the containment procedures and tidied up the clinical tone in the description a bit. I would like to confirm some other changes I would like to make, to make sure you're okay with them first. Here's what I'm thinking:
- put the addendum content outside collapsibles. Personally, I think that the article doesn't need collapsibles. The interviews at least shouldn't be hidden because they're good stuff.
- add a bit more information on the whale's unusual behaviors
- tweak the interview so the Foundation is using visual cues, not spoken words

And then after that, I'll finish up the addendum at the end about the whale's recovery. Thoughts?

SrGunk: As per IRC discussion, I'll have the following done;
- Discuss more on its behavioral aspect in skip description (quirks, etc.)
- Interview revisions to fit the new method of communication via A3 placards.
- do note that i am also in agreement with the intended changes
- it's whale time my doods

SrGunk: Got rid of collapsibles and minor interview log edits, will do more soon (state how the interview is done, etc.)

Zyn: Awesome! I wrote a paragraph about the behavior, edited the first addendum, and added some outlines for the rest of the addenda content that I would like to add. Please let me know if any of it needs tweaking!

SrGunk: I though of using medium/large sized protable whiteboards instead of bristol paper, also a good way to reduce foundation resource cost. Im sorry if it sounds clunky as i was having a hard time trying to word it out. I'll be home earlier tomorrow and would be glad to help on anything more if you need me to! And the addendas all seems fine to me!

Zyn: I agree with the whiteboards! Those would probably also be a lot more waterproof, on the off chance someone dropped them. I will happily assist with edits to make the material less clunky! I'm a lot better at editing than I am at generating new content, anyway. d:

I will be a bit busier than usual for the next two days (friend of mine needs to get a new desk so me and a couple others are going to help) but I should be able to work on the draft in the evenings. I'll try to have the addenda content finished by Wednesday night!

SrGunk: No rush Zyn! Very excited to put the finalized draft up for review!

Zyn: Whoops, turns out I got back way later than expected from my day trip with my best friend. Will see if I have time tomorrow, otherwise Friday should be good. When do you think you'll be online/in chat during the next few days?

SrGunk: I should be free all day on Saturday and Monday, and most of Sunday! But usually im around somewhere around 6pm till 11pm everyday, all in GMT+8 time.

Zyn: Cool, I'll be around for some of Saturday and Sunday, and Monday after work. Let's try for Saturday.

Zyn: Sorry, Saturday was kind of crazy. I will try to be around Sunday afternoon/evening. Monday evening for sure. I think I can have the addenda content done before we next meet in chat.

Zyn: Yeah, it'll need to be Monday. I got suddenly swamped today.

SrGunk: I too am swamped with school work so no worries!

Zyn: Okay, added some addenda content. I would like to go through the interviews for clinical tone and formatting, and then I think we're good to go with getting draft reviews!

SrGunk: Hey! Sorry for my absence, as I'm studying architecture im actually swamped with plans and stuff, things are only piling up as i go but I'm finding time! I'd gladly put the draft up for review on the forums if it isn't there yet!

Zyn: No worries! I've made the finishing edits and I think we should be good to go. I'll see about bringing the draft to chat sometime tomorrow; hopefully it's well-received. Do you think you'll be online over the weekend? Ideally we would both be online at the same time when the piece is posted.

SrGunk: I'm actually online in IRC atm! The ban's lifted and im back, also, I'll be online mostly on weekends, tomorrow Sunday as well! However i'd be mostly pop in and out considering all my tasks.

Zyn: Looks like I missed you in #thecritters today—we'll try for tomorrow!

Zyn: Okay, been getting some reviews in chat. I'll be making fixes as they are brought to attention. Best of luck with school!

SrGunk: good lord! Ive been swimming with requirements this week, it just wont stop coming. I know it's not cool to suddenly go MIA but i really have been caught up with so much work massive sorry to you Zyn! I hope to be back by tomorrow since i can get a bit of a breather by then.

Zyn: No worries, I've been swamped in work as well. Take your time!

Zyn: Wow, totally forgot to work on this since my workplace suddenly got super busy. That's the start of the academic year for ya! I'll see if I can find some time to make the last edits (shouldn't be a lot, but it's sort of an inspiration-based story beats edit so can be tricky to find something I'm happy with) in the next week and then move forward with crit.

Zyn: Turns out I got sick with a cold. :[ Anyway, I've taken the day off tomorrow from work to relax and catch up on stuff and run some light errands. Might get some writing done, who knows. I hope your studies are going well! We can come back to this whenever you happen to have the time.

Zyn: …yeah, looks like I really dropped the ball on this. I've been thinking up some ideas on why the whale exists, and I've come up with the premise that it was a creation of some sea witches or the like who tried to use it to lure whaling ships into ambushes. Might need to revamp the pirate backstory a bit to accommodate that though.

Notes

From forum thread/PM: http://www.scp-wiki.net/forum/t-12267239/a-message-from-moby

Have the whale live in an area full of shipwrecks so its tie to pirates is clearer. Maybe pirates robbed and sank a whaling ship that was harassing this whale, and the whale was curious and grateful and so would watch the pirates whenever they returned to the wrecks for salvage. I personally would not keep the whale in a tank because even if it doesn't grow, the Foundation doesn't know for sure that will always be the case. Keeping saltwater tanks is also crazy hard enough for small fish, so a more natural containment area makes more sense.

Have the whale be told upfront that the Foundation thinks that its talking ability is hurting it. And then have it ask if it can say one more thing, the Foundation says says, and it replies with something like "please keep playing with me". Then the Foundation designs a set of hoops with words on them for the whale to swim though when it wants to talk. Simple things like "yes", "no", "play", "tired", "food", "hello", and "goodbye". And then you can end on a note that on one day, the whale swam through the "hello" hoop [some double digit number] times in succession, and was discovered to be recovering quite well.

Addendum XXXX-00: SCP-XXXX claims to have been of past contact with multiple seafaring individuals, it is uncertain who these individuals are and whether these individuals have knowledge of SCP-XXXX's anomaly. SCP-XXXX claims to have only done attempts to communicate as of late, its claims are yet to be verified.

Footnotes

1. A structure corresponding to the human nasal cavity, but acting similarly to human vocal chords. Used by Odontocetes for sound production.