Apocalypse In A Box

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: When not in use, SCP-XXXX is to be kept in Vault 142 175 containing two Scranton Reality Anchors, and connected for a continuous feed for any possible audio or video transmissions. SCP-XXXX and its output are to be checked every 24 hours for changes/recordings.

Under no circumstances is any footage from a non-fiction source to be used for testing, even if mixed with footage from a fictional one. Non-fiction is considered to include anything which necessitates a heavy amount of suspension of disbelief, such as plays and professional wrestling.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a shape-changing cable converter box. Its mean volume is approximately 8000 cubic centimeters, and it's weight is between 2 and 8 kg. The manufacturer, serial number, remote control access means, and inputs and outputs change with each new iteration.

SCP-XXXX has a data access port for its onboard memory. When a memory source containing a video clip is added, the cable box changes. It then begins showing a marathon of episodes of the program the clip is taken from, but the episodes quickly deviate from the originals. The episodes often incorporate a subplot which culminates in a tragic, sometimes cataclysmic, ending, regardless of the show's tone.

History: SCP-XXXX was first discovered by an individual complaining about the disappointing mid-season finale to Season 2 of the program Battlestar Galactica, in which the Cylons found, overwhelmed, and hauled off the surviving human females for "The Farm" while executing all the men by blowing them into space. As this was before the mid-season finale had aired, this was deemed an elaborate hoax when a few clips were posted as proof. The Foundation soon examined the home of [REDACTED] and determined the cable converter box (carrying a Texas Instruments branding and a serial number that didn't exist) had generated the recording. The hoax story was aided by several Foundation members explaining (disguised as forum users) how the obvious doctoring had been done, and the true finale being completely different left the story forgotten.

Its properties were discovered when a thumbdrive was inserted with a season 2 episode of Battlestar Galactica, and the same final episode was produced, with only minor variations, although the serial number altered by two digits. It was held for examination and experimentation.

After the initial tests, the decision was made to see what happened if clips from different programs were used.

08/26/2006: The Hilegan Theorem
Dr. Hilegan theorized that one possible explanation for the various transformations was that the box was, in fact, swapping places with its counterpart within another reality, where such a program existed, rather than creating the images itself from some kind of software or artificial intelligence. Marks on the box did not remain between transformations. The decision was reached to keep SCP-XXXX within range of a Scranton Reality Anchor when not in use.

Dr. Hilegan speculated that a means might be found to send a message to another reality, but all such attempts were forbidden, as it was feared that, if the supposition were correct, then what was seen in these programs was what was regarded as standard entertainment for that reality, which suggested a warped sense of the value of life that could put our reality at risk.

The following test occurred due to an accident, and thus was the first test involving clips only from a single non-fiction source.

Test: 09/03/2006
Source: A USB drive with the Crocodile Hunter and L.A. Law
Resulting Configuration: Unchanged from previous iteration
Broadcast: Documentary footage of the Crocodile Hunter - later inspection showed the L.A. Law clip was corrupted and unplayable.
Finale: Steve Irwin is stabbed repeatedly in the chest by a sting ray and soon dies.
Comments: None, see below.

It was reported within hours of this experiment that the real Steve Irwin had, in fact, died in a sting ray attack. Footage of this had been filmed, and when retrieved by Foundation personnel, precisely matched that recorded from SCP-XXXX.

After internal review, it was decided that for safety, tests would no longer use any non-fiction sources to avoid any further incidents. It was also decided to test what effect a Scranton Reality Anchor might have in light of Dr. Hilegan's theory.

Note: This test was conducted using a Scranton Reality Anchor
Test: 09/25/2006
Source: USB Thumbdrive with clip from Friends episode "The One with All the Jealousy"
Resulting Configuration: Unchanged from previous iteration
**Broadcast: At exactly 3:13 into the episode, a tremor is felt by the characters. The color shifted to a reddish tinge which the characters comment on, followed by a deep, multi-tonal voice speaking an unidentified language.
At 3:47, the screen goes blank, but audio continues. Audio is of raised voices, screams, further unidentified voices speaking the unknown language, sounds of breakage and destruction.
At 5:12, a powerful wind is heard.
At 7:24, the wind ceases. Crying is audible.
At 7:58, crying ceases and a scream and roar is heard, followed by the sound of snapping bones.
Starting at 9:01, the only sound identified is heavy breathing and mutliple heavy footsteps. This continues until the end of the episode.

Note: This test was conducted using a Scranton Reality Anchor
Test: 10/12/2006
Source: USB Thumbdrive with clip from The X-Files episode "Paper Clip"
Resulting Configuration: Unchanged/RCA LT147-55-ATB
Broadcast: At exactly 3:13 into the episode, as Mulder, Scully, and Skinner speak in Mulder's apartment, a tremor is felt, and a bright light shines in from outside. A large number of "long-clawed aliens" materialize in the room, and begin attacking the occupants. Despite killing several with their firearms, the three are overwhelmed and killed. Among the aliens is a lone "grey" alien, who remains after the rest leave the room. Further screams are heard from elsewhere. The "grey" inspects the room, pausing as it looks into the camera, then stares into it.
At 4:37, the "grey" changes shape, becoming a duplicate of Dr. Elizabeth Morris, who was in charge of the SCP-XXXX project and was currently watching the video with two other project members. It then spoke the unintelligible language from the previous test into the screen while smiling, then left the room.
At 6:18, the apartment wall is ripped away and Washington, D.C. is seen to be consumed by flames. Unidentified craft are seen destroying military aircraft, and paniced people flee hordes of "long-clawed aliens."
At 21:11, the exterior of Site-15 is seen. The alien that has imitated Dr. Morris passes through security without incident.
At 22:14, the alien accesses a Foundation terminal using an unknown device.
At 24:31, the alien gains access to original design schematics for the Scranton Reality Anchor.
At 37:19, the alien gains access to Vault 142. It uses a fingernail to scratch an "X" on top of SCP-XXXX.
At 37:41, the alien holds a device up to the Scranton Reality Anchor within Vault 142. The Anchor deactivates.

At this time, the Scranton Reality Anchor currently being used in this test ceased to function. Three seconds later, SCP-XXXX changed from its then-current configuration to an RCA model. SCP-XXXX has an X scratched on it by what appears to be a fingernail.

At 37:47, the alien removes SCP-XXXX from its vault, having changed in appearance to be identical to the model originally used in this test. The alien holds a different device over SCP-XXXX which shines a light back and forth over its surface. When complete, it removes a vial from the device containing what appeared to be a small sample of skin cells and oils.
At 39:14, the alien enters a command into a nearby panel. Immediately all doors in Site-15 open. The alien is then transported away with SCP-XXXX, while security personnel attempt to deal with a facility-wide containment breach until the end of the episode.

10/12/2006: By order of Dr. Morris: all further testing with SCP-XXXX is to be terminated.

12/22/2012: 12 seconds of video is recorded from SCP-XXXX while in containment. The camera appears to be lying on its side. The sound of screams and gunfire can be heard. A large reptilian foot approaches the camera, after which the recording stops.

07/08/2014: 9 seconds of video is recorded from SCP-XXXX while in containment. It is of a post-it note stuck to the camera, on which is written "Save us".

09/11/2017: The Orville Incident
A memo was sent to all personnel familiar with SCP-XXXX, informing them that the program created by that SCP had, in fact, been broadcast the night before. The video was identical down to the last detail to that from the test on 10/10/2005. Further comparisons were ordered.

On 11/17/2017, the recorded finale from the initial test played identical to the broadcast episode up until 34:39, the point when the recording had stopped. The actual episode continued with the android being shot and the entire episode was written off as a complicated holographic simulation that had never happened. Two further episodes would air with no sign of any catastrophe or tragic end for the crew.

On 12/21/2017, the decision was made by O5 Command to repeat the experiment which generated the Orville footage originally.

Note: After much discussion, this test was conducted with a Scranton Reality Anchor
Test: 12/22/2017
Source: USB with clips from Family Guy and Star Trek
Resulting Configuration: [REDACTED]
Broadcast: The Orville, an episode which did not match any of those seen previously. The crew is on a routine mission to chart a star system.
At 3:13, the "X" scratched on the surface of SCP-XXXX began glowing, and then shone with a blinding light before the SCP changed to a new form.
At 3:19, the crew of the Orville look up in clear surprise when someone runs onto the bridge that they've never seen before. Dr. Morris is restrained by the crew while she insists they are all in terrible danger.
At 3:87[sic], the lights on the ship turn red, and the voice of the evil android from the episode titled "Firestorm" is heard. It is unintelligible.
At 3:120[sic], the ship is pulled inside of an enormous unidentified alien craft matching no known design.
At 3:482[sic], the crew, despite Dr. Morris' protests, all depart their vessel to examine the alien ship.
At 4:GA[sic], the screen shifts to infrared. For the remainder of the broadcast, we hear screams and attacks, but the assailants are not visible, only the gradually cooling bodies of the dead.
At 5:&^[sic], there is only one animate shape left, apparently huddled in the corner. The only sounds are heavy inhuman breathing and Dr. Morris whispering Psalm 23 to herself over and over until the end of the episode.

12/26/2017: Dr. Elizabeth Morris' family officially report her as a missing person when she fails to appear at the family Christmas party and cannot be reached.

01/09/2018: By order of O5 Command, all further testing on SCP-XXXX is suspended pending further evaluation.

11/19/2018: 18 seconds of video is recorded from SCP-XXXX while in containment. It is of a blank concrete wall, on which has been scratched with some kind of tool, "No hiding place".

04/19/2019: It was discovered that within the past 24 hours, the Scranton Reality Anchor in Vault 142 had deactivated. SCP-XXXX has changed form to [REDACTED]. It has been reassigned to a new vault. Going forward, two Anchors will be employed as a stopgap measure while O5 Command are exploring an alternate Scranton Reality Anchor design.