The Evolver

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept in an average-sized prison cell, closed by two doors which completely cover the wall with no cracks or gaps. When personnel must enter SCP-XXXX's containment chamber, the first door is to be re-locked before the second door is opened. When exiting the containment chamber, the second door must not be opened under any circumstance until SCP-XXXX is securely locked behind the first door. The cell should be thoroughly checked daily for any holes or cracks in the cell walls, floor or ceiling as structural damage in the containment chamber results in a severe risk of a containment breach.

Direct communication with SCP-XXXX is prohibited, and any personnel attempting to communicate with SCP-XXXX are to be restrained by force. Any change in SCP-XXXX's normal behavior is to be immediately reported to Lead Researcher C. ██████ or any other level 3 clearance or higher personnel. Testing of SCP-XXXX is also prohibited because of the risk of SCP-XXXX becoming more dangerous, unpredictable and harder to contain.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a white, visible gas substance that takes the form of a rough sphere. SCP-XXXX resembles a cloud, and is described such by civilians who encountered it before its containment. SCP-XXXX always persists as a gas state, even in temperatures that most other substances would be solid in. It is not yet known whether SCP-XXXX can only exist is a gas state, or if it has extremely low condensation and deposition temperatures, as it has only been recorded at temperatures ██ to -███.

SCP-XXXX is theorized to have some degree of sentience, as it has 2 different behavior patterns. Its primary and most common behavior is its "inactive" state, in which it will drift around in a docile manner showing no anomalous properties. However, SCP-XXXX will enter its "active" state when it detects a nearby living being that it deems would be useful to it (hereafter referred to as SCP-XXXX-1). SCP-XXXX's method of detection and criteria for an entity to be considered SCP-XXXX-1 are both unknown. Once active, SCP-XXXX will take the shortest route to SCP-XXXX-1 if there is one, otherwise waiting for an opportunity for it to reach its target. Upon reaching SCP-XXXX-1, SCP-XXXX will attempt to force SCP-XXXX-1 to swallow it, often simply squeezing itself through the targets mouth, but sometimes using advanced methods to enter SCP-XXXX-1's body. Once inside a targets body, SCP-XXXX will spend a variable amount of time (ranging anywhere from 3 hours to █ days) copying SCP-XXXX-1's genetic information, abilities and potentially [REDACTED]¹. After this process is complete and SCP-XXXX is satisfied, it will forcefully escape through SCP-XXXX-1's mouth (or any other orifice on the body) and flee the area, before returning to its inactive state.

Approximately 3 hours after SCP-XXXX enters and exits SCP-XXXX-1, it "evolves" and learns how to use the information and knowledge it copied. Due to SCP-XXXX being able to grow and improve as it contacts new life forms, it is vital to ensure that SCP-XXXX does not breach containment, and all measures possible should be taken to ensure SCP-XXXX does not come into contact with another SCP Object such as SCP-682 or SCP-3017. In the event that SCP-XXXX does breach containment, recontaining it should be considered a top priority.

Addendum: [Optional additional paragraphs]

Footnotes

1. Note that SCP-XXXX seems to have some control over this process, and doesn't have to copy properties that it doesn't want.