Brain Fungus

Item#: XXXX

Level2

Containment Class:

euclid

Secondary Class:

hera

Disruption Class:

keneq

Risk Class:

danger

link to memo

Assigned Site	Site Director	Research Head	Assigned MTF
Biological Containment Site-66	N/A	Dr. Fyfe Koskoff	MTF Beta-7 ("Maz Hatters")

Special Containment Procedures

SCP-XXXX instances are to be contained in a standard bio-containment unit with no light sources. During fungal bloom ventilation to the unit is to be closed off and decontamination of adjacent corridors, containment units, rooms, etc. is to be carried out. Reproduction and growth of SCP-XXXX instances is to be left uninhibited unless it causes structural integrity concerns.

Glowing SCP-XXXX instances on surveillance cameras

All organic and technological processing functions are to be restricted to researcher use only on Containment Floor-57.

Description

SCP-XXXX is a fungus that is gray with varying colors of bioluminescense. SCP-XXXX instances do not require nutrition or hydration and can germinate on any surface, growing a fruiting body within a day.

SCP-XXXX instances can replicate the structure and functionality of organic and technological processing functions¹ for their own use. Spores released by SCP-XXXX instances cause living tissue to transmute into mycelium immediately after contact.

SCP-XXXX Discovery Log

SCP-XXXX was discovered inside of an abandoned sewer system node once construction resumed on the node. Construction and sewage workers were admitted to the local hospital for severe chest pain which eventually developed into cases of pulmonary hemorrhaging.

MTF Beta-7 ("Maz Hatters") were dispatched under the callsign "Delta-12", below is a transcript from the video log.

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<BEGIN LOG>

Ignis-01: We're at the entrance to the node Control, preparing to enter. Squads oh Two and oh Three prepare to breach.

Ignis-02: Affirmative oh One, preparing to breach.

Ignis-03: All set here.

Ignis-01: Got it, boys let's get ready to see what monster ol' Mother Nature has for us this time. On my mark, three, two, on-

(node is breached)

Ignis-01: A little sooner than I would've wanted but we're all still here, Control are you still receiving us? Copy.

Control: Affirmitive Delta-12, continue forward.

Ignis-02: (retching) No one seemed to report any rotting smell, I'd rather smell sewer all day than this, even this SCBA isn't enough to keep it out.

Ignis-03: Smells like a stinkhorn fungus, specifically an octopus stinkhorn which smells like carrion. A large mass of this mystery fungus must be up ahead as my squad sees no signs of any fungal growth.

Ignis-01: (laughs) All I got is that it stinks and there's a lot of what stinks, "Mr. Mycologist."

Ignis-02: Contact has been made Control, oh One and Three make your way towards my position.

(All squads meet on the outside of a large expanse of fungal growth)

Ignis-01: This isn't what I expected, it doesn't stink at all, it smells nice, like vanilla.

Ignis-03: That is strange, unless this fungus can change its smell to lure prey in. As you said it smells nice and I would want to find the source if I was an insect.

Ignis-02: No doubt, to a fungus this big we are insects.

Ignis-01: That's one big mushroom, you want to see this oh Three.

Ignis-03: It's at least two and a half maybe three meters in length, this is a new world record for sure as the largest puffball recorded was 2.6 meters in length…

Ignis-02: (further into the node) We might not be able to move by foot without clearing some of this out!

Ignis-03: Clear what out? (the rest of the squad arrives at Ignis-02's position) This is incredible, this mold is almost to our knees! Why does it only start here? We didn't see any mold whatsoever on our way here!

Ignis-01: Calm down, (laughs) this must be absolute bliss for you huh?

Ignis-03: I've taken two samples Control, this should be enough for reproduction in a containment unit. Do we decontaminate the rest after recording growth and examination?

Control: Affirmative Delta-12, continue with decontamination.

<END LOG>

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SCP-XXXX was relocated to Biological Containment Site-66 and allowed to reproduce inside of its containment unit for an excess of the fungus for testing and experimentation.

TED being tested before entering SCP-XXXX's containment unit

Due to the inherent danger of the spores released by SCP-XXXX instances, a drone was created to test, examine, and retrieve samples of the instances. This drone is currently under the callsign "TED" (Terrestrial Examination Drone), and is sent into SCP-XXXX's containment unit weekly for growth inspection and sample collection.

Many samples have been collected from various types² of SCP-XXXX instances and a path for TED was cleared by the instances. They will not grow on the drone's routine path and extend protrusions to tap the drone's exterior while it is inspecting. This is hypothesized to be a show of affection for the drone due to forming a sort of bond with it during its weekly sampling and inspection of the containment unit.

Large Ape Testing Results

Large Ape Results
Testing on large apes is now allowed due to Dr. Koskoff's report on the docile behavior of SCP-XXXX instances.

A three year old chimpanzee was introduced into the containment cell, it expired twenty-four hours later due to pulmonary hemorrhaging. Upon the introduction of TED for the weekly inspection, it was greeted by gesticulating protrusions toward the camera and robotic arm. It brought a sample of SCP-XXXX³ to the drone and reacted positively when it was taken, the protrusions followed the drone throughout the entire inspection motioning toward the areas of routine inspection and sampling.

Dr. Koskoff recommends that perhaps a living being is not required for the evolution of SCP-XXXX instances as a human brain from a cadaver could be introduced into the unit. This has yet to be cleared for testing by the Site Board.

Dr. Koskoff's Report on Human Testing Results

After my persistent research on the docile nature of SCP-XXXX instances the board had granted me and my team clearance to advance SCP-XXXX instances to their next step up on the evolutionary ladder. A human brain was introduced into the cell and was germinated on, the following day we sent TED into the unit to run some tests on the intellectual improvements of the instances.

The protrusions' gestures seem more deliberate and methodical compared to the wild gesticulations seen after the chimpanzee testing. At the end of the inspection I spoke into TED's audio transceiver saying, "My name is Koskoff." at which point the protrusions pointed at the drone. I repeated my phrase and the protrusions pointed at various fruiting bodies before eventually gesturing for TED to investigate SCP-XXXX.

A large mycelium mass emerged from the floor of the containment unit, from my point of view it looked as if it was stretching throughout the adjacent rooms if not farther. After staff had decontaminated the facility of the mycelium and placed the still connected mass into the unit, interaction resumed. My team and I interacted extensively with SCP-XXXX instances for a period of three months at which point we had taught it various forms of sign language and it had begun to grasp the concepts behind the signs.

Interviewed: The entirety of SCP-XXXX instances

Interviewer: Dr. Koskoff

Foreword: Questioning on the danger of the spores and the reasoning behind gaining more intelligence. SCP-XXXX-1 instances are referred to collectively as SCP-XXXX-1 for convenience.

<Begin Log, 5:30 PM>

Dr. Koskoff: Hello again SCP-XXXX, me and my friends here have some questions for you.

SCP-XXXX: Hello again Koskoff, we are always here to listen to a friend.

Dr. Koskoff: We know, for the first question why do you copy the brains of organisms?

SCP-XXXX: It isn't copying friend, we improve the design and effectiveness of the organ. We do this to further our chances of survival and understanding our friends better.

Dr. Koskoff: Why do you do it in such a violent way?

SCP-XXXX: It isn't our fault you breathe, it isn't our fault you need your organs, we don't do this purposefully. You just get in the way and we make the best of it.

Dr. Koskoff: Having the intelligence you do now would you develop a less dangerous form of reproduction, also would you still kill people to gain more knowledge knowing what you know now?

SCP-XXXX: Our opinions are mixed but the majority believe in further evolution via any means necessary.

Dr. Koskoff: Do you not think that is unethical and impassive?

SCP-XXXX: Ethics and morals are the result of human invention, nature does not have that form of limitation. We do not understand why you have them as it restricts your life and survivability, nature will do anything to survive and evolve while humans appear to be the only exception to us.

Dr. Koskoff: What methods would you use if it came to it?

SCP-XXXX: That is something we feel should not be shared for obvious reasons.

Dr. Koskoff: For obvious reasons is a very vague answer, it almost sounds like you have a method already decided but are waiting for the right time…

SCP-XXXX: We still have no intentions of sharing this information regardless of what you attempt to deduce.

Dr. Koskoff: Do you make decisions based on the majority of opinions or is there another way of decision making?

SCP-XXXX: We make decisions based on the plausibility of completion and the majority opinion.

Dr. Koskoff: Is there some form of ranking or social distinction between instances?

SCP-XXXX: Very rarely as we believe there is no form of uniqueness between us, therefore we should not distinguish ourselves differently.

Dr. Koskoff: How can you have mixed opinions if you're all the same?

SCP-XXXX: In the simplest terms we can give you so you understand, think of a car engine. It's the same brand, model, even production number as another and yet will function differently ever so slightly. This is how it is with us in the form of mutations, we are all the same but function differently slightly.

Dr. Koskoff: Interesting, that's all the questions we have right now, I will leave you be SCP-XXXX.

<End Log, 5:40 PM>

Closing Statement: The behavior of SCP-XXXX instances is violent if deemed necessary and has no morals or ethics, due to this even individuals with a close bond with SCP-XXXX instances are in danger if deemed detrimental to their evolution. The methods that were not shared by the SCP-XXXX instances are still being asked about in multiple interviews and so far they have not answered directly.

Level 4 Access Required

To the Site Director
Dr. Koskoff's sullen behavior over the last two months has been quite jarring for our team as I'm sure you know he is quite the optimist.

[Several paragraphs omitted for brevity]

However recently, he has not conversed with anyone except for SCP-XXXX and the conversations he has had with it are not recorded. That is why we were quite disturbed when one of our team overheard him talking to SCP-XXXX while on his way to his office.

We have included the portion of the conversation overheard below.

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You mentioned ascending humanity, what is it you're are planning to do?

(SCP-XXXX's responses are not known)

Me? I'm not keen to take that offer it isn't what I would want.

What?! The entire facility? Are you insane?!

I can't…I-I just can't, it's not right! I don't believe you and I want nothing to do with this anymore!

You now see why we were concerned about Dr. Koskoff and SCP-XXXX, from this conversation it seems SCP-XXXX has a plan for the facility and tried to convince Dr. Koskoff to join it. He has been even more despondent and has not come out of his office for three days, we are quite concerned.

-The SCP-XXXX Research Team

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After this message was sent Dr. Koskoff was reported to have entered SCP-XXXX's containment unit via TED's introduction chute. Guards were told by Koskoff to standby outside because he was discussing questions with SCP-XXXX that were confidential to most site staff.⁴ He walked to the center of the unit and was surrounded by glowing mycelium, SCP-XXXX has not conversed with anyone after this incident and samples were taken from the mycelium via TED.

The conversation sent to the Site Director indicates SCP-XXXX wishes to cause an SK/LK-Class scenario but information regarding the actual method of doing this is unknown. Further observation of Dr. Koskoff may prove useful in discovering this method and the effects on organisms it will have.

Footnotes

1. e.g. Brains, central processing units, etc.

2. The fungus is one species but has molds, slimes, moss, and mushrooms as "types" of the species.

3. A mushroom cap

4. He did this multiple times for secretive conversations