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| SCP-XXX-2 in transition to SCP-XXX-3 |
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Item #: SCP-XXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Vials containing samples of SCP-XXX-1 are to be hermetically sealed and kept in refrigerated storage. Specimens of SCP XXX-2 are to be contained in sealed holding cells and monitored for transition to XXX-3. These cells are to be monitored remotely and inspected daily for damage. In the event of a breach by SCP XXX-3, the damaged holding cell and the surrounding area are to be sterilized via a controlled thermobaric explosion.
Description: SCP-XXX is a pathogen suspected to be artificial in nature, though a source has yet to be accurately determined. In its culture state, designated SCP-XXX-1, it is a thick, metallic gray paste, similar in color and sheen to mercury. Its semisolid state renders airborne transmission impossible; to date, all instances of infection have resulted from direct, unprotected handling of SCP-XXX-1 or injuries caused by SCP-XXX-2 and-3.
When a living being becomes infected with SCP-XXX (usually through direct exposure to subcutaneous tissue via cuts and scrapes), it begins the transformation to SCP-XXX-2. This transformation manifests externally as flu-like symptoms (soreness, exhaustion, nausea) that subside over the course of two (2) to three (3) days. During this period, SCP-XXX converts the subject's bone and muscular structure into an amorphous mass, superficially resembling SCP-XXX-1. Despite being essentially homogeneous, the mass within SCP-XXX-2 still performs all the functions of the replaced systems, such as maintaining structure, allowing movement and reflexive actions, and protecting vulnerable organs from damage.
The subject's nervous system remains intact, though somewhat displaced by the subject's internal changes. The autonomic nervous system seems to maintain the density and structure of the mass, allowing SCP-XXX-2 to maintain the appropriate shape. Theoretically, it is possible for specimens of SCP-XXX-2 to live fully normal lives without ever becoming aware of their condition. Research staff are expressly prohibited from testing this theory.
SCP-XXX-3 manifests in one of two ways: SCP-XXX-2 becoming aware of the nature of their condition or SCP-XXX-2 attempting to undertake a physical activity they are unaccustomed to. Either situation causes the autonomic nervous system to momentarily cease its usual functions as SCP-XXX-2 attempts to consciously exert control over their own body. Rarely, this results in [REDACTED], but in the majority of cases, this leads to a complete structural collapse of the subject's internal support systems. It is hypothesized that this a result of subjects being unable to maintain the level of conscious control needed to keep their natural shapes. This frequently leads to the death of the subject through internal hemorrhaging and bruising (due to unprotected organs striking the ground) or suffocation (caused by the lungs and esophagus becoming unable to expand due to sudden weight) . In rare instances, subjects will manage to regain some control over their own structure, which very frequently leads to massive lacerations and blood loss as the panicked subject inadvertently pierces their own skin from within as they fight to control their shape.
On the rare occasion at subject survives this collapse, they are designated SCP-XXX-3 and are to be relocated as described in Containment Procedures, above. Specimens of SCP-XXX-3 rarely survive longer than two or three days due to their new physiology rendering eating and drinking difficult (if not impossible), but observation has suggested that SCP-XXX-3 retains at least some of its human cognitive abilities. The amount varies from subject to subject (the transformation from SCP-XXX-2 to -3 often results in trauma directly to the brain), but subjects have been shown to attempt to move towards persons and objects familiar to them, to retreat from examples of phobias specific to the subject, or even attempting to [REDACTED].
Addendum: Specimens of SCP-XXX-3 often become violent and hostile as their condition persists. This mental degradation was initially attributed to a combination of brain damage and psychological trauma associated with the transformation, but even the most coherent, undamaged specimens of SCP XXX-3 tend to exhibit extremely violent behavior within a week of their transformation. When enraged, SCP XXX-3 will begin lashing out at nearby personnel by shaping their forms into pseudopods or bone-like spines. SCP-XXX-3 will go to incredible lengths to reach their targets: subjects have been seen secreting portions of themselves into spaces as small as half a millimeter (.5mm) wide in order to create an opening large enough to accommodate their mass. (See Incident Report XXX-I9, below)
Incident Report XXX-I9
Before this capability was discovered, a specimen of SCP-XXX-3 breached containment by exploiting a small imperfection in the wall of its holding cell. The specimen was able to secrete itself into the cracks and expand itself, weakening the structural integrity of the cell until it was able to breach the wall and escape. This resulted in the deaths of two guards and Assistant Researcher █████, as well as serious injuries to four additional personnel. While being treated for these injuries, personnel were discovered to have already begun the transformation to SCP-XXX-2. Infected personnel were terminated.
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| SCP-XXX-1 |
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Item #: SCP-XXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXX-1 is to be stored a standard commercial-grade lockbox and placed in Storage Unit-03 when not being used for testing. In the even of an emergency, any fully opaque container will suffice.
Description: SCP-XXX-1 is an arrowhead carved in a manner consistent with traditional Native American methods, measuring approximately 2.54cm wide by 6.35cm long. The object appears to be carved from jade, in contrast to the common obsidian arrowheads found alongside it (see Acquisition Log, below). SCP-XXX-1 shows signs of age and weathering, culminating in the smoothing of the object's edges.
SCP-XXX-1's anomalous properties manifest when a living human approaches to within three (3) meters and is capable of visually detecting SCP-XXX-1. SCP-XXX-1 emits a slight psychic 'tug', which tends to culminate in the individual picking up the object. Subjects report this 'tug' as a "sort of subtle, morbid fascination" with the idea of puncturing their own skin with SCP-XXX-1. This urge is described as "slight, but persistent."
If a human1 punctures their flesh with SCP-XXX-1, the arrowhead meets with unusually little resistance as it lodges itself in the subcutaneous. Though the 'neck' of the object remains above the skin, no blood has been observed issuing from the apparent wound.
Once SCP-XXX-1 is embedded in a human body, the host is to be designated SCP-XXX-2. SCP-XXX-1 seems to gradually suppress certain functions of the sympathetic nervous system, particularly the production of adrenaline and the 'fight-or-flight' response. SCP-XXX-1 also affects the somatosensory system, effectively eliminating SCP-XXX-2's ability to feel pain. SCP-XXX-2 is not immediately aware of the nature of these effects, though they often become quickly apparent.
Instances of SCP-XXX-2 that persist for an extended period of time (tests have produced results ranging from 3 to 12 days) almost universally show signs of emotional decline, the varying effects of which have been described as "detached stoicism", "lethargy", and "depressed apathy". This does not appear to be the result of any psychic effect from SCP-XXX-1; rather, it is simply tied to SCP-XXX-2's continuing inability to feel surprise or excitement.
Instances of SCP-XXX-2 who are aware of the object's effects have a tendency to mistake their lack of fear and a pain response for a sort of invulnerability. In addition to attempting dangerous or reckless activities, the absence of pain makes SCP-XXX-2 unaware of the strain on their own bodies, frequently leading to overexertion, torn muscles, or, in rare cases, partial dismemberment (see Acquisition Log, below).
SCP-XXX-1 can be removed with no ill effects (save the initial wound) simply by pulling it from SCP-XXX-2's skin, but some subjects have shown hostility at this prospect. Whether this is due to SCP-XXX-1's known physiological effects or another function of SCP-XXX-1 is under investigation.
Recovery Log: SCP-XXX-1 was discovered by Agent Abrams during a period of leave, during which he visited his hometown of ██████, Ohio. While attending the local county fair, he observed a man who boasted that he was super-humanly strong and impervious to pain. After several displays of impressive (though not anomalous) strength, the man attempted to pull a John Deere 9600-model combination harvester using nothing but a length of chain wrapped around his arms. Though he succeeded in dragging the machine a considerable distance, the man's left arm began to visibly separate at the shoulder near the 3-minute mark. Apparently unaware of his injury, the man continued his efforts until the arm was completely severed, at which point he collapsed and showed signs of extreme discomfort. Upon investigation, Agent Abrams discovered SCP-XXX-1 embedded in the forearm of the severed limb. After questioning the man's family at the hospital, Agent Abrams located the site where SCP-XXX-1 was reported to have been unearthed. Only mundane, obsidian arrowheads were located; no further instances of SCP-XXX-1 were found.