Who do you see?
IN A DREAM, EVERYONE IS YOU.
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The index you are attempting to access has been reserved for an unfiled anomaly.
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| p12
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
It was underground, that was a certainty. Maybe a site or some other installation? There was this vast sense that everything, all that we could care about, was holed up below. And then above was stone; I don't know how much, but I know we measured it in lightyears. The really freaky thing was whatever lived(?) above that. I don't know how we could tell, but it was definitely all over the surface now. Nothing left above but that thing, and it was descending on us like night and rain. I have this image in my mind of the whole world being wiped clean to start again. When I woke up I was still praying.
So, yeah, what little progress I've managed is just gone. It's probably the stress from '21 - definitely up there with anything I've found personally, especially since the falloff in anomalous activity. Alice has been a lifesaver, mentally. I'm about to write the prov. doc so hopefully that'll be some release, maybe I'll get a night's sleep that isn't cut four hours short by bullshit.
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SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES PENDING.
DESCRITIPION:SCP-9021 designates a phenomenon currently affecting an unknown portion of the observable universe. Though initially believed to be a failure of astronomical equipment, SCP-9021 is now understood as the inexplicable disappearance of at least 700 stars.
The cause of SCP-9021 is unknown. Though also unconfirmed, the anomaly's manifestation date is estimated at 04/13/2025. In the three years since, an increasing number of stars previously recorded by the Foundation and other organizations have become entirely undetectable. If they still exist, their locations are unknown. At the current rate, researches estimate a disappearance noticeable by public agencies will occur in 5-10 years. No disappearances have been witnessed in real time.
PROVISIONAL:For standard queries regarding ongoing research, contact:
Dr. Alice May, Junior Researcher, Department of Weird Astronomics.With significant information regarding SCP-9021, contact:
Dr Honey Axford, Director of Site 380, Head of Weird Astronomics.…
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| p17
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
I can't remember. When I woke up my face was wet like I'd been crying and there was this deep ache in my stomach. It felt like dread, or maybe just loss, made me think of the ones we lost to 8384. Felt the same back then. Christ, please don't make me start dreaming about that. Three years of insomnia is cruel enough.
Honestly not sure if I can go in. It's deadline for 9021's conprocs, but as I think about it this is a good assignment for Alice. It's mostly Veil Protocol stuff and she already knows the classes I want - should be a good step up for her. The girl's needed a confidence boost ever since she lost that exoplanet. I should probably stop teasing her for that. Anyway, she's a better researcher than she thinks, and a good person too.
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SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES:Research into the nature of SCP-9021 is to continue until a sustainable method of containment is discovered1.
An SCP-9021-1 instance's location, pictures taken a month apart.
Where possible, the public history of SCP-9021-1 instances should be destroyed. Foundation A.I. agent "Winston.Smith" is to erase evidence of confirmed instances in sub-Veil record keeping, flagging indication of non-digital evidence. Erasure should be considered impossible when such action would be more noticeable than the original disappearance. The Department of Miscommunications, advised by the Department of Weird Astronomics, is to disseminate false explanations of inerasable disappearances on a case-by-case basis.
DESCRITIPION:SCP-9021 designates a phenomenon currently affecting the entire observable universe, causing more than 62,000 stars to become undetectable. The origin of this phenomenon is unknown, as is its method of concealing, displacing, or destroying affected stars. SCP-9021 does not affect orbital mass (i.e. planetoids) or dwarf stars. Stars affected by SCP-9021 (of which there have been at least 847 in the week following discovery) have been designated SCP-9021-1.
SCP-9021-1 instances vary greatly in distance from the Earth. This would imply some disappearances took place long ago, with subsequent loss of light only reaching us now; however, despite this, deep space probes have confirmed SCP-9021-1 disappear at approximately the same time for all observers. This secondary anomalous effect indicates a potentially non-Euclidean area of influence.
The inconsistent rate of SCP-9021 hinders extrapolation of data (among other forms of data analysis). Date of first manifestation is regarded as inestimable, however researcher consensus has deemed the local Sun to be probabilistically safe for the next 700,000,000 years.
ADDENDUM 1 — Real-Time Documentation:A deep-space Foundation array of telescopes has identified a star currently undergoing an SCP-9021 event. Composite imaging and datasets are being transmitted across interstellar distance in packets; once full data is received, interpretive processing will begin. Researchers hope to gain greater insight into the anomaly by having footage specifically focused on an instance at time of event.
ADDENDUM 2 — Discovery:
SCP-9021 was discovered by Director Honey Axford, Head of Weird Astronomics, on 05/01/2028. Axford noticed a high frequency of errors among reports from her Site 380 staff, and identified multiple known stars no longer detectable by onsite observatories. A search of 450 astronomical sectors confirmed Foundation equipment was unable to detect at least 50 bodies, and sum light received in the past year had an outlying falloff. SCP-9021 was listed the following day.
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| p18
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
Miss May did a good job on 9021 - surprise, surprise. A little abstract, but there's quite a bit of doc circling the main file already so who cares. Took a while to actually sleep, but I managed to call Wreath finally for a few hours beforehand, definitely needed it. He can be so comforting, I need to talk to more people. Apparently Site 92 got their first Keter a while ago, and he's running down a cool "smoke eye thing" right now.
Anyway, the dream. It was another weird one, but I almost felt rested after. I was in this cave among a bunch of other people - or, most of them were people. There were a few not-people things here and there, I got the impression they were being piloted remotely (automata?).
We all congregated around this altar, and in a net of cables hanging above it there was a dead girl. Okay that looks bad typed out. She wasn't dead, well she was, but she could speak; she hung there and spoke to us about all kinds of nonsense. Calamities, reactions, existence, protection, I don't remember any of the actual sermon. We all cheered at the end, and when I put my arms up one of them wasn't skin, it was like mirror. I think the girl had markings of the same stuff down from her neck. Freaky.
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CLASSIFIED: TOP-SECRETUnauthorized access to this file is forbidden.ㅤ
SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES PENDING.
DESCRITIPION PENDING.PROVISIONAL:
A Rabbit Hole Event2 has occurred, and this index is to be relisted as the necessitated Multiplex umbrella. Relevant staff should be assembled and incorporated into an RTF3|4, and two separate versions of this document should be filed:
- Level 4 (Secret) — For standard archival process, and for use by incorporated staff and Lesser Overwatch staff.
- Level 5 (Top Secret) — For Overwatch archival process, for documentation of incorporated staff alongside (non-Cosmic) Top Secret information, and for use by Greater Overwatch (including Oversight) staff.
Attached for Oversight review is the (abridged) personnel file of SCP-9021's previous Lead Researcher, Director Honey Axford:
NAME TITLE POSITION(S) SITE DIVISION Honey Axford Doctor Senior Researcher, Site Director, Dept. Head Transfer ongoing Dept. of Weird Astronomics AGE LOYALTY AGE ACQUIRED GENDER FLAGS 34 High (45.3%) 14 F Inner-Veil
[FILE ABRIDGED]
CLASS "Inner-Veil" INTEL (TOP SECRET):
Hideout in which PoI-3071d was apprehended. Note that photo was taken with a digital camera, with filmgrain resulting from local radioactivity.
GoI Connection: Though Honey Axford was an exceedingly proficient astronomist in adolescence, she was not originally acquired under any Talent Protocol. Rather, Axford was removed from the public as part of a wider stratagem. A Foundation raid on a para-religious convent in Athens, Greece recovered extensive surveillance of Axford conducted by the group. Significant (covert) effort and resources had been invested by this group to ensure Axford's academic and financial success; the individual who murdered her first set of parents, indexed PoI-3071d, has been linked as a convent operative.
Analysis of convent documents indicates multiple GoIs, or at least multiple sub-sects, believed Axford to be a potential prophet or otherwise valuable PoI. Though briefly classified with Special Containment Procedures, Axford appears entirely non-anomalous, and has been treated sub-Inner-Veil as a highly productive employee. Multiple amnesticizations were of course administered. Documentation from time of discovery may refer to Axford with "Theo Axford", as her gender transition was filed post-induction.
Oversight Recommendation:
O5-3 included the following in her formal recommendation of Axford for the transfer to Assistant Director of Site 380 (before her eventual promotion to Director).
"I think it comes down to uniquity. No one else on that team was able to so sincerely promote, despite the associated naïveté, the idea that SCP-8384 could hold any form of kindness. To see past what you're accustomed to and recognize the signs of something different is what makes a good Researcher. To do so with the already anomalous is what makes a great Director. Without that theory of kindness, we would have needed Project ████ to halt '8384."
Workplace Involvement: Honey Axford is currently concealing an unsanctioned workplace romantic involvement with Junior Researcher Alice May. In accordance with standard procedure regarding high-priority personnel, Overwatch knowledge of this involvement is to remain Top Secret until the involvement is observed impacting productivity, or a Crodcodilia Level ethical concern arises. Should Axford be confronted, initial discovery of the involvement is to be described as shortly preceding the confrontation.
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| p23
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
The last thing I remember was the smell of some anesthetic as one of them tackled me in my own corridors. Knew I didn't recognize those guards. Ironically, the dream that followed was more than pleasant - it was enjoyable enough I've elected to omit it from even this private thing.
But the dream's over, and here I am, and here it is. There's this sense back in the real world that the Foundation just goes up forever. Of course as a director, I see "Overwatch" on every descending order and notice, but there are hundreds of sites like mine and the idea of a singular, capital-C Command is beyond spooky. As far as I can tell I'm not a prisoner, and the abduction is standard Overwatch hospitality; this has got to be about 9021. We haven't actually submitted what we found observing a 9021-1, but I doubt they weren't spying by now anyway. Maybe they have been ever since O5-3 recommended my promotion. Full briefing is in an hour. I'm gonna see if I can get Alice transferred too - I'm nothing without an assistant.
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SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES:Once formed, RTF 9021 are to use all means necessary at Overwatch Command to neutralize SCP-9021-A, SCP-9021-B, and SCP-9021-C.
The earliest confirmed site of an SCP-9021-C event, image taken 28 days before growth.
Evidence of a non-anomalous interstellar "cloud" is to be fabricated and disseminated as an explanation for unobservable stars. SCP-9021-B and -C witnesses are to be amnesticized, with public evidence such as video recordings destroyed. SCP-9021-B victims should be recovered for testing or incineration, and SCP-9021-C affected areas should be pruned to resemble original form.
Multiple ███ sects are currently under investigation by █ covert task forces. Extreme discretion regarding infiltration plans and results is advised. Contact the Parawar Division.
OVERVIEW:
SCP-9021 is a group designation under which multiple interconnected phenomena are classified. SCP-9021 has three sub-anomalies, A, B, and C. SCP-9021-A events precede -C events, with -B events being connected to -A events via [REDACTED]. ███ has been connected to at least █ of these sub-anomalies.
Though currently manageable, SCP-9021 poses a semi-imminent threat to the Veil. If left unneutralized or otherwise uncontained, this threat may extend to the Foundation and humanity as a whole.
MULTIPLEX DESCRITIPION
SCP-9021-A (Previous SCP-9021 super-object): SCP-9021-A refers to a reoccurring phenomenon which has affected upwards of 10,000,000 stars. The cause of this phenomenon is unknown, and it appears to "choose" targets at random. The effect process has been observed taking 4-32 days.When targeted, a star will first project a corporeal fluid substance into the surrounding system; this substance will often spread a volume multiple hundreds of times larger than the star itself, obscuring some observation. After an average of one day, the central star will begin collapsing into itself. At the same time, light already emitted from the star may be recorded spontaneously weakening, no matter the distance from origin. Collapse and substance projection will continue until all stellar mass becomes undetectable. No supernova, black hole, or neutron star is formed.
Statistical analysis estimates the local Sun has a highly significant (0.07%) probability of being targeted in the next year.
SCP-9021-B (Relisted): SCP-9021-B refers to a reoccurring phenomenon which has resulted in the deaths of ~7500 individuals, and an unknown number of non-human Animalia. The sub-anomaly's rate of occurrence is erratic and accelerative, similarly so to that of SCP-9021-A. SCP-9021-B's targeting does not appear entirely random, as an otherwise unlikely number of cases have been confirmed within prisons, gyms, and hospitals.
SCP-9021-B presents without warning. Once the process begins, subjects typically expire within 40 seconds. No confirmed instance lasting greater than 70 seconds has been recorded. The first symptom of SCP-9021-B is the increasingly rapid projection of a hot (initially ~65°C) smoke-like gas from the seams of the eye sockets; subjects will describe this as immensely painful, often overwhelmingly so. The temperature and volume of "smoke" will continue to increase, causing burns and abrasions to the surrounding skin, alongside liquefaction of all eye matter. Subjects' hair may catch fire under conducive circumstances (low humidity, hair length, etc.).
Cause of death among affected individuals is difficult to confirm, as though the heat and pressure appear to destroy brain and vascular function, individuals remain animate an average of 15 seconds longer than D-class do in replicated non-anomalous conditions.SCP-9021-C (Relisted): When first discovered, SCP-9021-C events were theorized as random; however, recently, an SCiP Net analytical program flagged recorded event data as correlated to SCP-9021-A. It is now believed that some if not all SCP-9021-C events occur directly after the final collapse of an SCP-9021-A affected star. Whether this is correlation, causation, or in some way the same anomaly is unknown.
SCP-9021-C events are the spontaneous, instantaneous, unexplained growth and complication (complexity increase) of man-made patterns of lines. An abstract example of this could be a metal grate "pattern", which when affected would become visibly larger with a denser center of cross bar "lines".
The similarity and uniformity of lines and pre-existing complexity of a pattern appear to increase likelihood of an event occurring. Among targets of the phenomenon, the most observed reoccurrences include: train stations, water/electrical distribution nexuses, circuit boards, maps, and road infrastructure5. Non-linear structures within affected patterns (such as a lock on a metal grate) experience variable change; some may be overrun by the pattern, left untouched, or experience instant growth. Grown structures are often described as "grander" than before by witnesses, becoming "unnatural" in appearance.Patterns already grown by an SCP-9021-C event are not immune to experiencing further events.
ADDENDUM 1 — SCP-9021-C Observations:
Original Pattern Confirmation Post-Complication Result Circuit board Local police files, Foundation investigation Japanese national Mr. L. Iwakura was found in possession of a circuit board which had undergone an SCP-9021-C event. The circuit traces had grown into the surrounding air and infused themselves with Iwakura, who was presumably holding the board at the time. Lacerations indicate Iwakura attempted to remove the instance from his body; he died of blood loss approximately ten days before being found. Smaller board sections had also spawned from the extended traces. East Hillwouldswon Train Station Video, MTF engagement CCTV footage recovered shows the lobby of the station suddenly filled with multiple interweaving layers of train tracks. Though instant, the appearing rails do not fuse with intersected material, and a significant portion of stone is violently displaced. When the initial dust cloud dissipates, four individuals are revealed to be impaled in various locations, and an additional seven are fleeing. Foundation agents arrived four hours later. On contact, multiple agents commented on the size and bulbousness of the central station dome. Abstract PCG6 Foundation organized testing Two Foundation terminals were run at paranatural speeds to generate 1.32 x 10^12 patterns highly susceptible to SCP-9021-C. One computer was connected to a display, and a displayed pattern underwent an event shortly after sequence initiation7. The computer which was processing patterns internally (without display) underwent zero events, confirming SCP-9021-C cannot affect hypothetical or otherwise non-physical patterns.
ADDENDUM 2 — Reclassified (O5 -> 4/9021) Esoterica:
Composite image: [REDACTED]
The field of research known as "Burning Hell Theory" may or may not be relevant to SCP-9021. The history of this field under and outside of Foundation esoteric research is heavily restricted, as is all pertaining data, proposals, and (if possible) practical applications. The majority of these restrictions will remain in place. The below information has been reclassified specifically for SCP-9021 research staff, who should discuss the subject only amongst themselves:
- (A minimum of) 90% of stars in the universe meet the criteria for all Foundation-recognized definitions of sentience.
- All known main-sequence stars8 are capable of passing information between one another instantaneously.
- At least one Major Demonic Plane intersects with the physical world inside of stellar bodies, leading to a deep-negative thaumoemotional charge.
ADDENDUM 3 — ███:
Due to increased and tangentially correlated activity, two ███ sects are under SCP-9021 specific investigation. So far, only ███ knowledge of SCP-9021 has been confirmed.
ADDENDUM 4 — RTF 9021 Incorporation Assembly:Date: 06/02/2028
Location: Briefing Room 39, Site 001
Attendees: O5-5 (presiding), Dr. Emilia Burns, Dr. Austin Wreath, Dr. Honey Axford
Assisting non-Overwatch: Dr. Alice May, Dr. Joshua Emmerson
Overwatch transcriber: Guy Anthony
[BEGIN PREVIEW]
O5-5: Alright, we've got quite a few more mid-transfer, but I'm on a schedule so I'm sure you can relay what we say here to the full group. Everyone read the file?
Wreath: Yes, uhm, what, uhh-
Axford: What the fuck is this?
O5-5: Can you be more specific?
(Axford gestures to the documents on the table.)
O5-5: Your incredulity is worrying, but fine, I will reiterate. We've found that multiple anomalies are connected to one another, and pose a significant risk to humanity. We're gathering you all here to eliminate that risk. There are a few other linked involvements as well, most of which are restricted.
Burns: And the group of interest? Parawar were pretty damned reticent when I contacted.
(O5-5 does not respond)
Burns: I mean that's obviously what this recurring redaction is, why separate the investigation from your main research team? Are we not the main team?
(O5-5 does not respond. Wreath raises his hand.)
Axford: Forget the GoI. I'm an astronomer, I'm your head of astronomy, and this "Burning Hell" sentient-star theory looks like a fantasy at best. All the datasets you've provided for it are half missing, and the way its presented is — it's unscientific. I can't work with this.
(Wreath's hand remains raised.)
O5-5: The field rarely comes up outside of K-class scenarios, and you were only recently promoted, Axford. I'm not surprised you haven't been privy to the research before — chances are, you won't remember it afterward. We're confident this team will produce the necessary results without unnecessary access to information, especially information with more potential risk than- (O5-5's tail discolours momentarily.) Anyhow, Dr. Wreath, you've got something to say.
Wreath: (Lowering his hand) Yes, we've seen 89- I mean, we've seen 9021-B target everything from people to insects. Are you only revealing to us that stars are - excuse me if this is inaccurate - "alive" because you think "B" and "A" are the same phenomena, that whatever's killing us is killing them to?
O5-5: We have reason to believe they are connected, nothing more. It's your job to record and understand. Any further questions?
(All Senior Researches begin speaking over one another. O5-5 motions for silence before turning to Junior Researcher Alice May, who has not indicated a desire to speak.)
O5-5: What is it?
May: I didn't say anything.
(O5-5 continues to stare at May. May briefly looks to her Dept. Head, then back to the Overseer. She speaks four seconds after.)
May: Well, this document doesn't look just minimal or "reticent", it looks… compromised.
O5-5: Are you accusing Overwatch Command of treason?
May: No, no I'm- I don't mean that kind of compromised. I mean it looks like a dozen different people pushing for different inclusions and exclusions, with compromises everywhere. It's like a battlefield or something.
(Burns is heard laughing briefly.)
O5-5: Perceptive. That's almost right, this is the offspring of discord. Your only miss was the number of people arguing — there were, and are, thirteen.
[END PREVIEW]
View full briefing log ->
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| p24
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
I used to feel guilty throwing non-nightmare rambling into this, but the past 48 hours have been a literal fever dream, and I am losing my mind. I did dream the first night here, but I'm not wasting energy on that. My sleep therapist will have to forgive me.
When we observed the first 9021-1 footage (guess it's 9021-A now) my team knew this was something different. The more complex the effect, the more complex the cause, always. But now it's not just stars dying, it's them being alive in the first place. And every time they do burst into something we're barely able to trace, some structure on Earth grows? I can't even tell my deputy back home half of what I'm working with.
Burns, the original lead for 9021-C, is convinced its all artificial — cooked up in labs or a factory. I like her, very headstrong. She's pissed about a lot, but Wreath is worse. Since I last talked to him, he's seen a lot of awful deaths because of 9021-B, and it's clearly getting to the guy. I wanted to speak more but apparently he's been called to O5-11's personal office about a containment breach.
It's hard to watch Alice struggle here. The girl did well in the briefing, but she isn't taking "mandatory abduction to the most secretive place on Earth" as well as most of us. Understandable, she's clearly still got some human left in her. But I keep catching her with her fists balled staring past whatever she's trying to work on. Feels like I'm dragging her down with me.
I thought I wasn't going to write about this, but the nightmare's been stuck to me all day, despite everything. Every time I close my eyes or let my thoughts drift I end up back there. It's keeping me up, so here we are.
It started underground again. We were all there, me, my friends, my colleagues, walking down a spiral tunnel. It was all cave walls and dark yellow rock, heading deeper toward something important like a fortress. Over and over I would hear someone trip behind me, and then scream, and then they were gone. People were dying and I couldn't look back. I wanted my muscles to stop, but something was urging me forward. Not like a feeling, like a physical entity screaming at me to reach the end. But I didn't. The walls around me were still stone by the time I lost my footing. That was the last, everyone else had already screamed out of existence. The moment before death/waking up, I spotted a Foundation logo up ahead, etched into that same yellow stone. I need new meds.
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NOTICE: This file is currently undergoing digital forensic analysis after a potential security breach. Pre-existing documents may be requested physically, or accessed digitally after the recompilation process is complete. Newly (post-recompile) queued documents will be appended below as temporary addenda.
ADDENDUM 1 — Site 371 Report:
Incident Report
ID: 748FhD
Date: 06/13/2028
Location: Foundation Site 371
The East wing of Site 371 in Christ Church, New Zealand has undergone an SCP-9021-C event. The event appears to have spawned from the site corridors themselves; a sonar estimate of 400 m of corridor now exists outside of all floor plans. Though the event caused a magnitude two earthquake, no existing containment chambers were breached, and no immediate casualties were recorded. Several new containment chambers were produced from the anomaly, however their contents are currently unknown. The affected area has proven entirely inaccessible to personnel; all who have attempted to enter newformed hallways suffer total, immediate brain death. Support from adjacent sites is en route.
Additionally, a group of seven bodies was discovered between surveys of the anomaly's edge. As all staff alive and dead are accounted for, it is unknown how these casualties occurred or what their respective identities were. Retrieval via unmanned drone will follow a security inspection of the non-anomalous site structure.
ADDENDUM 2 — Containment Breach:SCP-8496-A has been reclassified as Uncontained. It is unknown who/what removed the necklace from containment at Site 92, when precisely it was removed, or how the breach transpired. A search of the surrounding area has failed to relocate SCP-8496-A, and its remote control mechanism appears non-responsive. SCP-8496 itself remains similarly unlocated. Traces of an anomalous metallic element have linked the breach to a group of augmented corpses discovered during Incident 748FhD.
MTF Pi-0 has been remobilized alongside Dr. Austin Wreath to track down and contact SCP-8496. Dr. Wreath is to gain any insight possible from the anomaly which might assist in recovering SCP-8496-A, with additional insight into SCP-9021 connections being a secondary priority.
ADDENDUM 3 — SCP-9021-C Emergency Containment Procedures:Due to emergent anomalous behaviour, any non-remote pruning or otherwise exploration of SCP-9021-C affected patterns is to cease immediately. The removal of corpses from within these areas is not a priority. Misinformation and amnesticization efforts are to continue with prejudice, and destruction of affected patterns by Ivory class thaumaturgy has been authorized.
Coordinated groups observed attempting to enter SCP-9021-C instances are to be detained and contained as Euclid class anomalies. Should detainment fail, individuals are to be terminated before they commit suicide via the pattern. RTF 9021 is to conduct spectral analysis of the electrical signals now detected within instances.While not being actively destroyed or researched, SCP-9021-C should be cordoned off from both public and Foundation contact to avoid accidental brain death.
ADDENDUM 5 — SCP-9021-B Update:The increasing occurrence rate of SCP-9021-B has allowed for more conclusive statistical analysis. The greatest indicator of whether a person may experience an SCP-9021-B event is now known to be income; as income decreases, risk of an event increases. Those below respective poverty lines are especially at risk. Additionally, woman, children, and manual labourers are distinctly likely to die from SCP-9021-B. View full report ->
ADDENDUM 6 — SCP-8496-A (4/9021) Overview:SCP-8496-A refers a necklace with a wooden heart-shaped locket. The object was originally recovered from SCP-8496, a humanoid female capable of instantly relocating itself between miniature, isolated ecosystems. The versatility of SCP-8496's relocative abilities makes the humanoid feasibly uncontainable; SCP-8496-A was only recovered after the anomaly displaced the item accidentally. This object is now missing from containment at Site 92. Ongoing investigation is inconclusive, though the leading hypothesis is GoI-conducted theft, and the leading suspects belong to ███.
When opened, SCP-8496-A releases an area of effect irreversibly transforming overlapped matter, excluding metals and fluids. This effect, which increases radius exponentially, has been identified as a blessing described in ███ texts. Transformed matter ██████ ████ █████████.
ADDENDUM 7 — Site 371 Update:Incident Update
ID: 748FhD
Date: Ongoing
Location: Foundation Site 371
Seven corpses believed to be interlopers of Incident 748FhD at Site 371 have been recovered. Staff were able to remove the corpses from an SCP-9021-C affected area by constructing a makeshift hooked pole, then dragging them into non-anomalous corridors. This (unauthorized) action lead to one additional casualty when a staff member fell into the anomalous area. It remains unknown if the now deceased interlopers provoked Site 371's SCP-9021-C event or the change in general SCP-9021-C behavior9. Equipment removed from the bodies is currently being inspected, but tattoo-like face and chest markings indicate ████████████. ████████████ SCP-8496 ███.
ADDENDUM 8 — SCP-8946 Reclassification:SCP-8496, an anomaly flagged as related to SCP-9021 via the containment breach of one of its sub-objects, is now considered Neutralized. The decontained sub-object, SCP-8496-A, is suspected to be in the possession of a para-religious convent, and retrieval is considered a Tuatara level priority. Contact the Parawar Division.
ADDENDUM 9 — Overwatch Announcement:The following announcement was delivered to all Overwatch staff on 06/15/2028.
From:To:CC:Subject:Oversight.Announcements@overwatch.net[recipient multitag:overwatch.net]Archival@overwatch.netPromoted Security Clearances
After a surge in SCP-9021-B related deaths, including the death of O5-7, multiple Unanimity Votes were held in Greater Overwatch. The purpose of all proposals was to allow the Foundation more effective containment of the SCP-9021 threat. With that said, effective immediately, staff already given 4/9021 security clearance are hereby promoted to non-Oversight Level 5 clearance. RTF 9021 itself is being subdivided, and incorporated staff should total more than triple current by the end of next week.Council of Overseers Level 5Foundation Oversight, Overwatch Command, the SCP Foundation.Secure, Contain, Protect.
ADDENDUM 10 — SCP-8496 Contact, Neutralization:On 06/17/2028, MTF Pi-0 intercepted SCP-8496 with assistance from the anomaly's Lead Researcher, Dr. Austin Wreath. The MTF discovered the humanoid while pursuing reports of a young girl/ghost haunting an overgrown churchyard in Norwich, England. This transcription was taken from MTF Captain Jakszyk's bodycam and mic recordings during contact.
[BEGIN LOG]
(Dr. Austin Wreath and all five members of MTF Pi-0 are approaching a graveyard from the back exit of an abandoned church.)
Pi-0-Cap: Eyes?
Pi-0-1: Nothing.
Pi-0-4: Likewise.
Pi-0-2: (After cursing) Missed her again.
Wreath: Lets not give up yet. If the anomaly only recently relocated, it may teleport back any moment.
(Pi-0-4's laughter is faintly audible over radio.)
Pi-0-2: Said that last time mate.
Pi-0-Cap: Focus. I think we stay point for a minute, then if target's still no-show, we split up. Lotsa little green spots around here — she might be nearby.
(Pi-0-Cap begins to radio Control, but is interrupted by Pi-0-2 signalling for silence.)
Wreath: What is it? Is it the anomaly?
(Multiple MTF members shush the doctor. As the Captain turns, the camera sees Pi-0-2 pointing toward the church wall, past the overgrown graveyard. The team exit the tall grasses, and SCP-8496 becomes visible lying beyond on a concrete path10.)
Pi-0-2: Oh shit…
(Though still alive, the anomaly is clearly injured, with blood seeping through the fungal material of its dress and pooling on the stone beneath. Notably, all seven of SCP-8496's necklaces11 are absent from its person.)
Pi-0-1: (Unstrapping a medical satchel and kneeling beside SCP-8496) I'm gonna follow standard humanoid protocol, that alright Doc?
Wreath: Uh - fuck - I think, yeah. We haven't got anything on her - it - taxonomically, so just be careful.
(Pi-0-1 reaches out to SCP-8496, which displays an involuntary withdrawal reflex. After recoiling, the anomaly opens its eyes and groans weakly. As Wreath begins to address the humanoid, Captain Jakzyck directs a securement of the area.)
Wreath: SCP-8496, if we move you-
Pi-0-1: We can not move her like this. She's definitely got a heartbeat, but I don't know how long for.
Wreath: 8496, if we move you back to the burial ground, back to the vegetation, will that… will you heal?
(On hearing Wreath's voice, SCP-8496 shifts its head toward him. Its voice is barely audible on the Captain's mic.)
SCP-8496: There is no h-healing from this.
Wreath: What did this to you?
SCP-8496: It was h-him, he brought me into the light, through h-his worshippers.
Wreath: Him?
(SCP-8496 does not respond.)
Wreath: You have to stay with us, just think, worshippers of who?
SCP-8496: I-I saw him as soon as I left the island, unsheltered from God, [UNCONFIRMED12].
(SCP-8496's pulse and respiration terminated before Dr. Wreath could continue the interview.)
[END LOG]
Transcript Addendum — Translation Note: The meaning of the last recorded words spoken by SCP-8496 are debated amongst Foundation linguists. The vocalization itself was too weak to be picked up by mic, so was instead recorded phonetically by Dr. Austin Wreath, with MTF Pi-0's medical officer as corroborating witness. The language has been estimated as either modern Greek, an archaic dialect of Greek, or Ancient Greek. The phrase spoken was approximately, if not exactly, "θεὸς ἐκ μηχανῆς".
Though the phrase could be translated as "The Machine God", linguists initially identified it as a word-to-word translation of the Latin calque "Deus Ex Machina", however this was not a final conclusion. As a third alternative, SCP-8496 could have been answering with a term used in several ███ sects: romanized directly as "Theò Ek Mēkhanē̃", it means Salvation.…
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| p30
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
If I'm gonna be honest, which is hard even writing to myself, I'm scared. I think this is anomalous, or at least a bad fucking sign. It was just this voice telling me the world was going to end. Looking at 9021, that's not the most difficult guess, but there was this certainty about it. I had the impression of a choice, that things could be different, but that the end would be just as painful. I tried to ask why this was happening to me, why I couldn't be left alone. I was sitting upright when I woke up, with the pencil and drawing just there in my lap.
- Attachment
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| p32
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
I didn't dream, thank Christ, but that's the only blessing.
It feels like the Foundation was only just getting settled into this new "Golden Age". Less anomalies, less disruption, we were coming up to breathe. I heard even some of the more religious GoIs were getting inactive. Now with 9021, it's difficult to think of it as anything other than a sick joke.
I don't know how to reassure Alice. The smoke isn't a statistical risk to most yet, it's still less than heart dissease, but cases are common enough that the paranoia's become endemic. The idea that it could just happen, at any moment. The girl says she's scared of sleeping. I thought she was doing well, before all this - we were closer than not-close so I just assumed I knew her. She doesn't deserve to be panicking with us in the eye of the storm.
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D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
Apparently the smoke got Proxima Centauri. Alice went up with me to the onsite observatories and, yep: my childhood favorite wiped from the sky. I cried a little, then Alice cried a lot. Apparently the girl's been thinking she's "useless", that she was the only one not able to handle what's happening. I told her about Burns smashing every plate in sector 4's kitchen because the Council are still being secretive. Then I told her about the dreams, how they had gotten worse and that I'd near given up on not going insane. Knowing she's the least mad one in here seemed to help, somehow.
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| p38
D R E A M - J O U R N A L.docx
You were a scientist, a priest, and a parent. The bunker you cowered in was your site of worship, and your church of research. The sacrifice was crying - not for its self, though it would lose that, but for you who it would leave behind. Ten billion souls grasping the agency to die their way. On the anemo of prophecy you saw more threats like he who rained down through the stone; they were more battles for Salvation to contain. You chose for every-everyone who comes after.
I remember this. It might have been before, but I think I dreamt it last night. I don't know when I wrote it. In fact, I don't even remember writing this at allI remember thissssss ssssseee I remember
Is something there? How are you movConfirmed Significant Threattttt ssSix divine corpses
How are you moving my hands like that? Are youuubbbbBBecome evennn more
Who are you?
Hello?
What do you want from me?
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CLASSIFIED: TOP-SECRETUnauthorized access to this file is forbidden.ㅤ
SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES:
O5-3, 79 BCE.
The Overseer Council is to hold a Unanimity Vote on the termination of former Overseer ███ ██████ ("O5-3"). Should she be terminated, the artificial segments of her nervous system will be decoupled and disassembled.
An SCP-9021 centered Faux Lifted Veil scenario is currently in place. In public perception, the SCP Foundation is an international intelligence agency created in secret to research and combat SCP-9021 related phenomena. The existence of other anomalous objects and phenomena will remain Veiled; information regarding SCP-9021 may still be restricted for the benefit of order, and to protect the Foundation. A currently untitled division is being formed to quell global civil unrest.
All three major sects of GoI-4, alongside any other affiliates or denominations, are to be considered adversaries of the Foundation. All GoI-4 related anomalies which can be safely neutralized will be; those which cannot be neutralized must be relocated to appropriate high-security sites and/or exclusion zones. Increased containment security is to be considered for anomalies which are not related to GoI-4 but are related to the concepts "machine", "computer", and/or "prosthesis".
Offers from GoI-4 of merger or otherwise cooperative action with the Foundation will not be considered. SCP-9021 is not to be ascribed to previous diminishment in the activity and population of other (non GoI-4) para-religious groups, which may be ignored as irrelevant.
Research concerning SCP-9021 neutralization is to continue, however, research concerning the immunization of Homo sapiens and the local Sun (Sol) from its primary effect is now a higher priority. Attempts at augmentation of the SCN9A gene to induce CIP13 post-conception have produced promising results in early trials. Foundation pharmacists are to prioritize analgesics distribution by rank, with an oversupply maintained at Site 001.
SCP-9021 affected patterns of greater width than 0.3 km qualify for Orbital Strike Procedure and Blood class thaumaturgy. The Department of Arts and Crafts, by grant of the Republic of Chad and Arab Republic of Egypt, has been relocated in its entirety to the Sahara desert. The department will use uninhabited portions of the landscape to construct 17,000 patterns highly susceptible to SCP-9021, thereby diverting some of its affect away from populated areas. It is imperative the anomaly's primary effect ceases before the secondary phenomena cause world-ending or otherwise irrecoverable damage to human society.
DECRIPTION:
As the origin/sustaining cause of SCP-9021 has yet to be discovered, Foundation understanding of the anomaly's core nature is derived from symptomatic analysis. SCP-9021 could hence be described as a series of anomalously unlikely or entirely inexplicable effects, all of which directly or indirectly benefit GoI-4, "The Church of the Broken God"14.
The primary anomalous effect (AE) of SCP-9021 can (presumably) present within any conscious being. Though the effect varies minimally between species, it will always begin with the manifestation of a dark, gaseous fluid within the conscious organ15, and end shortly after with the destruction of said organ16.
The fluid produced does not appear to have chemistry; during tests, it has yet to interact with any other substance like a composite of molecules, atoms, or sub-atomic particles would be expected to. Furthermore, Hume detection equipment is unable to discriminate between the same space with and without the fluid present. This indicates the fluid has either no or perfect reality, and results in an unprecedented ectoentropic resistance factor.
The AE targets, or is otherwise attracted to, pain. Though it is unconfirmed whether pain causes the effect, entities experiencing a higher concentration of inherently negative emotion/perception are more likely to experience it regardless. Stars' unique susceptibility to SCP-9021 is attributed to this17. An increase in occurrences and examination of specific cases over time suggests that, from an unknown time period, SCP-9021's required "threshold" intensity has been lowering. Thus, increasingly milder amounts of pain may precede an AE instance. Though impossible to precisely track, the death toll of this AE is estimated between 600,000,000 and one billion individuals18.Stars terminated by SCP-9021's primary AE have a small chance of initiating its secondary effect. This chance has a strong positive correlation with proximity to Earth (or possibly another near-Earth point). The secondary effect consistently manifests as events beneficial to GoI-4's goals and ideals, or at least undeniably related to the group in a non-adversarial manner. SCP-9021's primary AE has been proposed by a minority of researchers to itself be part of this phenomenon, as public fear of "The Smoke" has reportedly contributed to the explosive GoI-4 population growth.
Significant secondary AE examples: Of 27 recent containment breaches conducted by GoI-4 militant groups, 24 coincided with SCP-9021 star terminations within our Orion-Cygnus Arm of the Milky Way. Of recent field conflicts between GoI-4 sects and the Foundation and/or the GOC, 38% ended with sect goals achieved19; 92% of these GoI-4 victories were instigated directly after an SCP-9021 star termination. See full list documentation ->
It is believed that approximately half of SCP-9021's secondary AE manifestations are "Cable Nests". Named after affected telephone poles in Latin America (originally Nido de Cables), this phenomenon has had full documentation (including uncovered depictions in Mycenaean Greek texts) forked here ->
An overview has been provided below:SCP-9021 affected patterns, or "nests" as they are commonly referred to, are man-made collections of distinct lines which spontaneously grow in size and complexity. The area bound by these complexes becomes inimical to conscious brain function, with all bioelectric activity being absorbed into the space through poorly understood means. These nests' susceptibility to SCP-9021 "smoke" termination indicates some level of internal sentience. The maximum size of a susceptible pattern, currently estimated at 0.5 km, has been increasing since discovery.
ADDENDUM 1 — SCP-8487:
Incident Report
ID: 5498f
Date: Ongoing
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
After the confirmed termination of Proxima Centauri, the star closest to Earth (when excluding Sol), Research Task Force 9021 expected and surveilled for a succeeding GoI-4 related event. Within a week, none was observed, and resources were reallocated. The Department of Internetworks of Things separately identified a pattern of anomalous activity among data servers located in south Mumbai; this complex digital behavior was matched to that of an anomaly previously contained by the Foundation. The database record took 17 days to match after discovery, and RTF 9021 retroactively attributed the reappearance to Proxima Centauri's termination.
The anomaly, which had been declared Uncontained after a prior containment breach, was SCP-8487 (overview attached). The technical infrastructure front "Menda Solutions" has been fabricated as a guise for operatives to isolate SCP-8487 to affected servers. Once isolated, the it will be recontained inside a modified computer terminal and returned to the nearest secure site.SCP-8487 is a scaling-complexity entity composed entirely of "written" information such as letters or other characters. Though first documented as an infestation of scriptures in ancient Greece, the anomaly has proven highly compatible with electronic information (i.e. software). It can and will cannibalize any realized "text" it comes into physical or electronic contact with. When entirely destroyed, SCP-8487 has been observed consistently remanifesting in nearby "text", thus making the entity functionally immortal.
ADDENDUM 2 — Amazon Rainforest Geographical Anomaly:
Incident Report
ID: 835dD
Date: 07/05/2028
Location: Amazonas, Brazil
To detect larger urban patterns targeted by SCP-9021 (such as the large cable nest in Shibuya, Tokyo), the Department of Weird Astronomics oriented a portion of telescopic satellites earthbound. On 07/05/2028, two of these telescopes observed an abnormally dark circle of land which appeared to be growing within the Amazon rainforest. The planning process for an expedition began and was expedited when the rate of growth was determined to be exponential. Seven minutes after a task force was officially mobilized, satellite feed observed the darkened area cease all growth. See subsequent Mission 835dH ->
ADDENDUM 3 — Mission 835dH:
On 07/06/2028, MTF Omicron-50, "Off Roadies", arrived in the Amazon rainforest via tiltrotor. Transcribed below is Mission 835dH Log 1:3, which documents the team's first contact with the anomalous area.
[BEGIN LOG]
(13:09 Amazon time (UTC−04:00): After rapelling through jungle canopy and traversing 0.2 km on foot, MTF Ο-50 are now 20 m from the edge of the unidentified geographical abnormality.
All team bodycams show a uniquely unshadowed area past the trees ahead, distinct from the constant density of foliage in other directions. No anomalous activity has been sighted so far. As the team continue to approach, reflective material becomes discernable from natural sunlight, alongside dark, inorganic masses.)
O-50-Cap: (Turning off her flashlight) Lights off, we steady at the border. If this thing starts growing again, we dive in, find a way to stop it.
(The captain's three subordinates deactivate their flashlights. Shortly after, a metallic screeching and explosive rumbling is heard. This noise would later be identified as a nearby SCP-9021 "Cable Nest" occurance, specifically the instant growth of conveyor belts.)
O-50-1: Shit.
O-50-Cap: Anyone have eyes on that?
O-50-1: I think I saw some movement up ahead, like dust.
O-50-Cap: Alright, I thought this would be a dud, but lucky us. Safeties off.
(The team toggle their respective rifles' safeties and restart toward the treeline.)
O-50-2: Is it a city?
O-50-1: Does it look like a city, Jess? I think its a trash heap.
O-50-2: Oh, like a landfill.
O-50-1: No, more like a junkyard — I think I see car parts.
O-50-3: (While disentangling his foot from a bush) Why did they send us to a junkyard?
O-50-Cap: Christ, clear comms. Alright, here we are — stay sharp.
(The team come to the treeline of the unaffected forest, from which the abnormality is fully visible. The entire area is comprised of piles of machinery and circuitry; the transition is near absolute, with the only organic matter past a clear border being recent leaffall.
Later analysis of footage would conclude at least some machine parts formed in the shape of local flora and fauna, then collapsed before observation due to weak structural integrity. For instance, footage shows many cylindrers of wires and circuit boards which could have resembled Barrigona trunks pre-collapse.
The area is sectioned by gradients of different materials, with similar machine parts, clockwork, electronics etc. grouped/formed together. A large pile of inactive conveyor belts is nearest the MTF.)O-50-Cap: Eagle formation, half pace and watch for mines. We're gonna head into-
(At this point in the transmitted feeds, all MTF members' cameras cut out, along with all but O-50-2's mic. At the same time, O-50-2's mic picks up a loud metalic screeching, a sonic crack, the sound of wood splintering, and a set of muffled wet sounds. All team members are unresponsive from this point through to Control's termination of the mission.)
[END LOG]
ADDENDUM 4 — Foundation-Wide Announcement:
From:To:CC:Subject:Panoperations@overwatch.net[recipient multitag:scip.net]RAISA@scip.netSCP-8487
SCP-8487 has been declassified to Confidential, so familiarize yourself with the infovore. For those using the Internet or similar WANs (wirelessly), understand that any information stored therein is at significant risk of imminent cannibalization. If stored data is not destroyed by the entity, it may still be casualty to SCP-8487 neutralization/recontainment efforts. For or with information regarding containment of the anomaly, contact the Department of Paratechnoinfonographologistics. For general inquiry, contact IT.
This is an announcement for all Security Clearance 1 and above Foundation personnel, all departments. All surveillances or other operations physically connecting SCiP Net to the public Internet have been or are being halted, and will remain so indefinitely. Under no circumstances is any Foundation computer technology to be connected via physical cable to any sub-Veil network. The Internet may be observed and influenced where possible by exclusively wireless means, such as satelite connection, and official documents should not come into contact with potentially contaminated connections.Panoperations DivisionLesser Overwatch, Overwatch Command, the SCP Foundation.Coordinating Departmental Cooperation.
ADDENDUM 4 — SCP-8496-A:A confirmed secondary-effect instance of SCP-9021 is the decontainment of SCP-8496-A, a necklace with the ability to transform non-metals into machine parts, cables, eletronics, and other homogenous mechanical material. This sphere of influence is being repeatedly unleashed in different locations across the globe, leaving affected areas virtually uninhabitable and highly susceptible to SCP-9021 pattern "nesting". SCP-8496-A use is not wholly confirmed, as activation consistently ceases before Foundation interception, with minimal sign of perpetrators. The distance between activations at current frequency indicates some form of paratechnical travel, such as the teleportation used by SCP-8496 itself, must be in use also.
An entirely mechanical (and thus imunnized) MTF has been formed to recover the object. This MTF Alpha-8496, "Pawn Stars", is also tasked with termination if not detainment of the object's current possessor(s). These are expected to be GoI-4 terrorists.
ADDENDUM 4 — PoI-489c:Attached below is the video log for Incident 773uO, dated 07/10/2028.
[BEGIN LOG]
(Overwatch secure-cam 1901 shows Director Honey Axford and Researcher Alice May eating cafeteria food in a Genera-Purpose Workspace20. May is looking down at her Security Card, which was issued to her approx. 2 h earlier. Though both women have brought food, neither have actually consumed anything.)
May: I don't deserve this. It's only because we need everyone we can get, and nobody wants a Junior around here.
Axford: What- no, of course you deserve this, Alice. I was thinking about promoting you even before the world started ending, back at 380.
May: Really?
Axford: Yeah, absolutely. And anyway, that idea with re-lensing the orbit telescopes so they can focus on Earth — we've found like a hundred cable nests from that. You did good.
May: (Almost inaudibly) Thank you.
May: Is your sleep getting better?
(Axford looks at May, but does not answer verbally.)
May: I see… well hopefully it will soon.
Axford: I'll fix it after we fix nine-thousand. Gotta stay sane till then.
May: Optimistic despite insomnia, impressive. Oh — maybe it's your quarters, I had a weird dream when-
(Axford clicks her tongue, interrupting May, before nodding to secure-cam 1901.)
May: Shit, sorry.
Axford: It's okay, what was the dream?
May: It was about you actually. You were - God, it sounds dumb - you were a butterfly, one of those big blue ones, but one of your wings-
(At this point an individual later designated PoI-489c materializes in the workspace. He is unclothed, with dirt covering much of his skin and biomechanical augmentations. Both doctors yell. PoI-489c's materialization overlaps with a chairleg, creating a gash in the flesh of his calf which he does not appear to notice. As he turns to the doctors, a wooden necklace resemblant of but not identical to SCP-8496-A comes into view around his neck.)
Axford: Fuck!
(Axford grabs May as they stand and back away from the PoI. After a brief period of visible confusion/disorientation, PoI-489c begins to reach out to the doctors eagerly. He is situated between them and the workspace's only exit.)
PoI-489c: It's you, isn't it? The others didn't believe me, but I can see!
(PoI-489c is now clearly addressing Axford, who has put a chair between them.)
Axford: Who are you? What do you want?
PoI-489c: You're the one who'll — you'll destroy us! You're pseudo-prophets21, and I-I…. you people can't just remake our holy world…
(PoI-489c has begun shaking, and the camera mic is now able to detect a hum from his implants. Axford attempts to call to the adjoining corridor for security personnel, but is immediately cut off by May. May, yelling unintelligibly, launches herself at PoI-489c and throws her arms out toward him.
PoI-489c uses the more visibly augmented of his arms to redirect May, who lands against multiple chairs. Axford's gaze follows her subordinate; she does not notice PoI-489c's approach until he has grabbed her arm, and what is believed to be an SCP-9021 "Cable Nest" event occurs directly after. At least a cubic foot of wiring resembling that in PoI-489c's arm prosthesis appears between video frames, instantaneously disassembling his implants and violently tearing both his and Axford's right arms. Significant quantities of blood are aerosolized as Axford and PoI-489c both cry out. May loses consciousness.
Two seconds after the SCP-9021 event, PoI-489c motions as if to touch his necklace (though it is now occluded from the camera by his body) and dematerializes along with the new wiring and a portion of the blood at his feet; unsupported by the wires, Axford immediately collapses forward. Armed personnel enter five seconds later.)
[END LOG]
ADDENDUM 6 — Oversight Interrogation:Date: 07/10/2028
Location: Oversight Hearing Chamber, Greater Overwatch, Site 001
Oversight Matter: Investigative Hearing
Overwatch transcriber: (Automated)
[BEGIN LOG]
(All six living Overseers of the SCP Foundation are gathered in the Oversight Hearing Chamber. Former Overseer ███ ██████ ("O5-3") is cuffed by a standard interrogation chair in the centre of the room, surrounded by model K78 technoinhibition units. The interrogee displays no sign of aggression or discomfort, though would later be described as "solemn".)
Automated Announcer: 347-34279-F83, in session.
(All occupants are silent for seven seconds.)
(O5-3 lifts her head and looks calmly at the Council of Overseers.)
O5-5: I think-
(O5-3 directs her attention to O5-5 as he clears his throat.)
O5-5: I think of all the traitors least expected, this was it. Nobody on the Council is liked, only half of us are even trusted-
(O5-1 scoffs.)
O5-5: -and so to be undeniably popular among Oversight was once thought an implausibility. But we loved you, ███, we all did. You've done so much for each of us, and your contributions to the Foundation…
O5-5: The only question on all of our minds, maybe more than ever, is "Why?".
(O5-3 does not respond.)
O5-4: (Loudly, flickering brighter than ambient) Why, 3? You were always sympathetic, even to that church, but why betray everything we've worked for? We've lost so many because of your mindless espionage.
(O5-3 looks down into the metal of her palm.)
O5-3: We're all already lost.
(O5-4 throws a cup of stationary at the interrogee, but it stops midair before reaching her. The cup drifts through the air back to O5-9, settling on the table before her.)
O5-9: ███, what did you hope to achieve by helping the Mekhanites of all people over the Foundation?
O5-3: There isn't a difference.
O5-5: We're trying to find a reason not to kill you, ███. Fucking clarify.
(O5-3 begins to smile.)
O5-3: The Church is the Foundation, it's all there is — the worship, the testing, all of it. The endpoint of the Church, morality, and the Foundation is applied science; the endpoint of applied science is Him. Everything I did, I did to contain █████████, in service of the pattern of God.
(O5-9 sighs, O5-1 puts his head in his hands.)
O5-5: █████████?
O5-3: ██████. Only the strength to move on to a new world can save us now.
(The chamber is silent for six seconds.)
O5-1: If you're talking about Procedure ██████-██, ████████████ won't stop the spread. Predictions are it will continue even after activation.
(O5-3 appears to recognize the mention of the National Park as if it was in some way humorous.)
O5-5: More importantly, the Foundation isn't to blame for ██████, and we're more than capable of handling it without-
(The hearing was then prematurely terminated as Site 001 went into Lockdown. This Lockdown was triggered by an emergency in sector 12 in which a GoI-4 agent momentarily breached the site, leaving one Researcher and one on-transfer Site Director injured.)
[END LOG]
ADDENDUM 7 — SCP-8384:On 07/14/2028, SCP-8384 exhibited first signs of activity since 2025. Anomalous gravitational fluctuations were detected emanating from where the wormhole had previously manifested, and within two hours, visual spectrum light was observed from no apparent source. Considering that all sub-anomaly probes and automata documented exiting SCP-8384 have been entirely mechanical, the remanifestation was proposed as SCP-9021 related.
With the portal likely opened and SCP-8384's Lead Researcher (Director Honey Axford) under formal investigation, Senior Researcher Austin Wreath, who recently had a major assignment of his neutralized, was assigned to containment. The O5-Council declared it imperative that an extraterrestrial invasion on the scale of the 2025 SCP-8384-2 Event must not be allowed to occur, as SCP-9021 already consumes and increasingly unmanageable portion of Foundation resources.…
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They won't give me anything digital in here, but I didn't think they'd give me anything at all, so I suppose paper is better than that. Probably.I keep thinking that if it was my other arm I wouldn't even be able to write this shit.
The Foundation will always find out the truth, eventually. I believe that. I know I didn't do anything wrong and I know Burns at least will figure out what's going on. Just have to pray the solution comes before the smoke gets me. I don't want to think about it getting Alice, I wish they'd let me see her.
The guards dragged me here as soon as I woke up, but when I was under for the surgeries, I saw something new. It was just black emptiness at first, but then little specks of colour started appearing wherever I reached. I was making light and shapes and but it felt so painful, and as quickly as the world sky universe world around me grew, I was becoming nothing. There were people eventually, but they weren't the same as before, and then it ended. I can't deal with an investigation and insomnia and these migraine inducing dreams. I feel fucking insane.
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INNER-VEIL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES:See primary documentation for Special Containment Procedures and any applicable Standard Containment Procedures.
No direct information concerning Project Mortal may be classified below O6/Mortal or otherwise Cosmic Top Secret clearance. This restriction may only be lifted on the condition of SCP-9021's containment reclassification to either Apollyon22 or higher (i.e. Merciful23, Megiddo24). As much tangential information related to Project Mortal as necessary should be released to support sub-Inner-Veil SCP-9021 research; all SCP-9021 research should be guided toward discovering a permanent neutralization method.
The final alignment chamber of Project Mortal, also referred to as its "barrel", pictured behind theology-resistant glass.
DESCRIPTION:
See O5/9021 documentation:
Sub-Inner-Veil SCP-9021 Hub
ㅤ->ㅤSignificant SCP-9021 Foundation Casualties
ㅤ->ㅤPublic Figures Killed by SCP-9021
ㅤ->ㅤAnomalies Neutralized by SCP-9021
ㅤ->ㅤSCP-9021 Primary AE Star-Map
ㅤ->ㅤSCP-9021 Cable Nest World-Map
SCP-9021 is believed to be a self-sustaining biproduct of Project Mortal. The anomaly likely manifested after either the sixth or seventh activation of the Eigenweapon, and has been expanding in breadth and intensity of disruption since. Though it is not entirely understood how SCP-9021 began, it likely spawned from Project Mortal's power source, rather than any of its targets; infernal energies sustained by the MSSNN25 have been detected within the projected fluid of SCP-9021's primary AE.
Project Mortal staff believe SCP-9021 began as a concept implanted within specifically stellar pain, and spread outward from that nucleus. Thus, the first victims of the phenomenon were main-sequence stars, with other concentrations of extreme negative consciousness (e.g. multiple Nälkän anomalies, paratech torturees, residents of certain afterlives) following shortly after. Within approximately a year of initial manifestation SCP-9021 began cannibalizing levels of pain achievable by non-anomalous Animalia, including humans; SCP-9021 can now be provoked by minor injuries or even emotional distress. Victims experience what is believed to be the non-deific equivalent of Project Mortal's effect.
It is unknown why increasingly catastrophic GoI-4 related developments appear to follow SCP-9021 activity. Project Mortal's targeting system and three other methodologies have confirmed no such entity as "The Broken God"/"Mekhane" exists, thus the Church sects themselves are currently theorized as the only link between developments. Without a single binding entity, conventional means of Tiamat neutralization such as Project Mortal have proven exceedingly difficult to implement.
ADDENDUM 1 — SCP-8384:
Multiple objects have emerged from SCP-8384, a monodirectional wormhole situated near Jupiter. Interplanetary imaging did not confirm these to be instances of the SCP-8384-1 probes nor SCP-8384-2 planet-harvesters previously recorded emerging from SCP-8384. Below is the mission log of first Foundation interception with the unidentified objects.
NOTE: This probe mission was originally scheduled with remote pilot Ari Jones, who was killed by SCP-9021 prior to mission start. After Jones died to "The Smoke", she was replaced by John Hadrean.
Date: 07/22/2028
Location: 2.38438, -71.80461, -4.01699Probe: Foundation Selfpilot Ion-Drone Model J
ID: 28
Pilot: John HadreanMission Lead: Acting Site Dir. Jameson
Lead Researcher: Dr. Wreath
[BEGIN LOG]
T 03:12 EST: Drone 28 launches itself from an automated site on Titan, 520 km from target location.
T 06:40 EST: Drone 28 comes within 50 km of target location and initiates retrograde burn.
T 06:58 EST: Initial visual confirms there are seven unknown objects. SCP-8384 ambient radiation is barely detectable.
T 06:59 EST: Drone 28 successfully matches the velocity of the closest object, then begins final approach.
T 07:03 EST: Probe camera sees object to be a large polyhedron of unknown semi-reflective material. Closer inspection reveals the object's surface is engraved with intricate and precise markings, the entire shape being ~40 m wide.
T 07:04 EST: Drone 28 moves on to a second object, which is revealed to be a collection of 174 individual cog-like crystalline disks26.
T 07:06 EST: Drone 28 begins to move on from the swarm of cogs.
T 07:07 EST: Mission terminated prematurely due to sudden death of staff; Site 380 Acting (Dep.) Director's body was subsequently transferred for SCP-9021 "The Smoke" research.
[END LOG]
Sample analysis from a series of expeditions has produced possible insight into the meaning of SCP-8384's remanifestation. Rather than the previous automata, items sent through the wormhole were a mix of unassembled machine parts and blocks of precious material. All items were engraved with the same currently undecipherable script. Of material blocks, all were at least partially metallic, comprised of compounds known to be rare universally.
Though the origin of SCP-8384 and transported objects remains entirely unknown, Dr. Austin Wreath has proposed sentient entities as a cause, specifically an extraterrestrial analogy of GoI-4. The most recent set of objects, then, would be offerings to Mekhane.
ADDENDUM 2 — Director Honey Axford:
RTF 9021 member, Site 380 Director, and Head of Weird Astronomics Honey Axford has been detained for questioning and her own safety after being injured in Incident 773uO. Axford was originally acquired due to interest shown toward her by GoI-4; however, this was the first instance of the group attempting contact since Axford became a Foundation employee.
On the first night of Director Axford's detainment she was observed exhibiting multiple forms of parasomnia, most notably the creation of drawings in her sleep. A gathering of Axford's personal effects uncovered a computer file in which she had documented similarly abnormal sleep behavior. Before directly interrogating the Director regarding this behavior, it was decided Oneiromanteia "Dream Catcher" Receptors would be installed in the detainment cell adjoining hers, and her somnocongative patterns would be analyzed for possible anomalous activity.
Due to inexplicable electrical overload in all four Oneiromanteia Receptors, only the following SCI27 file was produced:
Additionally and possibly by coincidence, Director Axford's bedding underwent an SCP-9021 nesting event in the same night, covering Axford's night clothes and half of the detainment cell in her sheets' pattern.ADDENDUM 3 — Apollyon Reclassification:
All of the following events occurred on 07/29/2028:
73 SCP-9021 targeted stars under constant surveillance by the Department of Weird Astronomics completed their collapse simultaneously and were thus declared terminated.
The ongoing SCP-9021 "nesting" crises across the globe worsened dramatically, effectively destroying significant portions of global infrastructure. The already disastrous state of the Greater Tokyo Area spread immediately, leaving a majority of the Japanese mainland uninhabitable, and prompting the announcement of nuclear bombardment from the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.
Covert efforts by GoI-4 successfully connected portions of SCiP Net and the GOCDb in its entirety to the Internet. Between 02:00 and 12:00 EST, SCP-8487 subsumed all information within connected LANs, leaving only 40% of SCiP Net operable. The Overwatch Network automatically entered Indefinite Lockdown.
Operable radio technology both Veiled and public began receiving a constant global transmission. This transmission carries audio of a GoI-4 sermon and advertises the group and their ideology; the point of origin has been identified, and an MTF is en route.
The Overseer Council received an influx of reports describing SCP-9021's primary AE manifesting in non-anomalous people; none of these reports alleged any circumstantial or medical reason for a pain/discomfort which provoked the anomaly, with some victims even being "peacefully" asleep prior to smoke-death. SCP-9021 was reclassified as Apollyon.
The local Sun (Sol) began projecting a dark gaseous fluid, its first indication of SCP-9021 influence.
…
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DO YOU UNDERSTAND MECHANICAL HANDS ARE THE RULER OF EVERYTHING?
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Honey Axford stands in the Director's office at Site 380. She's been here a thousand times, either pleading for funding or pitching a half-baked proposal over the big show-off desk, but now the world has shifted. She walks through the space with an altered perspective, past a retired man's desk and toward her new seat. The surprise party was surreal, the promotion ceremony even more so, and now she's claiming her former boss' literal throne at the zenith of Weird Astronomics.
Honey's heart beats with the weight of it all as she takes a seat. There are so many changes to make, so many ideas she's no longer held back from; yet the responsibility paints the change in grey. "Third youngest Director ever" means no mistakes — if she fucks up, everyone's watching, and "immature" will be nailed to her like a signpost.Honey picks up her first daily schedule as a Site Director and, drowning in worry, lets it slip through her fingers. Papers fly. In the same moment, Project Mortal fires for the sixth time. A single flaming hand reaches out beyond thoughtspace and grasps a god of irrelevant name by its throat. On the floor, the nuisance of collecting a scattered schedule isn't helping Honey think through the stress. Tomorrow will be assistant interviews; she's never seen the use in employing one, and isn't looking forward to having some Junior know everything about her.
Project Mortal's grasp stiffens, and it plunges the god into torture. Experience concentrates into acidic white nerve endings at the centre of the universe, and something new is born. This hidden genesis has occurred with every use of the Eigenweapon, but this time the zygote latches onto its womb and persists. In instantaneous response, a flare of brilliant nothing sparks, the first tick of an unbuilt machine chiming below existence. Honey Axford is chosen.The chosen woman lives in one of the stranger of these realms; her planets are minuscule, laying less than a light-year across. Nevertheless, should the progenitors of God have seen them, should those protomartyrs have graced their souls with these worlds, they would have wept for beauty. The proxy-chosen instance itself was fairly standard and kept a fair and standard list. They'd counted up past the eights now, though only just. So, that would be it: Nine-Thousand And Twenty-One.
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Unconfirmed Confirmed Insignificant Confirmed Significant Threat X
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The walls of Honey's priority-detainment cell steam with a chemical miasma; it had taken sanitation staff a whole day to scrape and burn off every inch of bedding pattern from her little prison. Honey, hunched at the edge of a criminally stiff bed, wonders if the cable-nesting was somehow provoked by her captors. Their covert installation of something next door was shoddy work; have her walk across the site to a hearing that gets cancelled just as she arrives, then have her return to a construction sign next door and a subtle hum through the wall? She isn't from a particularly clandestine department, but this was still a little insulting.
On the third holding-cell night after that debacle, the Earth quakes. The first jolt nearly throws Honey through the ceiling, but the following tremors dwindle quickly. For a moment her heart had sank envisioning Site 001 nested into a pattern entirely hostile to a functioning brain, but then the room settled, and her life continued. Maybe there was a containment breach, or a bombardment topside. Resetting her pillow, Honey chuckles silently. Maybe it was just an earthquake.There was significant commotion after the first quake; teams of footsteps rushed past the cell door more frequently, and the muffled voices ordered and yes-sir'd detectably louder. Despite her sensibilities, Honey finds herself banging the door more than once. How much could they gleam from observing her rot in here? 9021 had people busy, but she was on its goddamnded Research Task Force; surely figuring out why the zealot assaulted her was a priority. Christ, she thinks, that dirt-covered freak really appeared at the worst time. A twitch of frustration runs down to her right arm. Honey's been avoiding using it, both for caution over her Frankenstein-esque stiches, and because she's afraid the numbness that comes with movement won't go away.
The chosen astronomist bursts awake cold with sweat into the lamplight of her cell. The afterimage of a child being rended into a machine lingers in her mind; it was the last dream Honey Axford will ever have. She can't believe she's still not had some form of interview. Her shivers dissipate quickly as she notices just how high the heating is running — if that conspicuous hum was still around, it would be drowned out by the overdriven radiators.
The following day is supposed to be a follow-up to Honey's initial treatment, but nobody comes to retrieve her. She misses freedom, and coffee, and Alice. She misses the girl like she misses sunlight, which is to say she's cried over both, usually during meals. Honey knew she cared about the girl, just not this much. At least her tears can salt this fuck-awful food. The slop dispensers in these cells are supposed to give you all the nutrients you need, but it sure doesn't taste like it.Third earthquake — something rattles in the central heating, and it all just stops. Voices are less frequent outside now, but when they do ring out the urgency is clear even if the words aren't. Honey has run over her interview, interrogation, and hearing speeches a thousand times by now. She needs to convey that she's still useful, entirely innocent, and that something anomalous was targeting her, rather than originating within. The woman isn't sure what she actually believes, or if she even cares. She just needs to get some control over the situation. They'll let her out soon.
Concrete and steel chime as Honey's bedframe comes to rest against a new wall. She's figured out her food dispenser has an idle warmth, so now she's put the bed under it and sits wrapped in too-thin sheets. The cold came too quickly, especially for this far underground. Where was this hellhole, Antarctica? The last time she'd been banging on her door, she'd noticed the first hint of frost on the one-way window. She falls asleep with numb fingers and paling skin.
There's no indication of time to measure sleep by; Honey wakes with the exhaustion of three hours of sleep and the disorientation of fifteen. She thinks she heard gunshots in her sleep, but now there aren't even voices in the corridor. It's just her, and unyielding walls, and cold. There's more than a hint of blue in her fingers. The Director quickly goes through three bowls of dispensed food just for the warmth, then spends an hour failing to fall back into sleep. The silence is harrowing.Fifth earthquake; for a moment after, Honey thinks she hears something — a tap, or a clank, or some other sign of life. She lifts her head wearily into the frozen air and waits. But no, if it was real, it was some supporting beam readying itself to collapse on her. Then, to Honey's complete astonishment, a knock resounds from behind her door. She sits mouth agape for a moment, before bolting up and calling out. She knocks - slams - back on the door, professing her rank and titles and anything else that might get her out of here. She tries to sound as human as possible, and soon after she hears the unmistakeable electronic tone of a Foundation security reader. A bolt clunks unlocked, and the door shudders open.
Foundation Researcher Alice May is weathered. The big coat rapped around her is torn at nigh every seam, her eyes are sunken bloodshot, and her skin could only be described as ashen. Honey pounces.
"Alice!"
Alice hugs back just as intensely. She was clearly on the verge of tears before the door opened, and now wheeps gently into Honey's shoulder. "I didn't know what cell you were in, I had to go to records- I…"
"It's okay," Honey squeezes her closer before drawing back, "you did good."
"I'm sorry you were in there so long, we weren't allowed to even talk to you."
"I'm out now. Where… is everyone?" Every branching hallway before them was empty — some collapsed, some scattered with paper or splattered with frozen blood.
"Oh, wait," Alice rummages for something within her coat, "here." The girl produces a blue ribbon with some Overwatch certification loosely stamped to its end, and esoteric markings tracing down from there. She has an identical one braided into her hair. "This will protect you from the nests — you can walk in them without dying."
Honey weaves the band around a lock as they begin toward somewhere with another coat. Every other step of Alice's clinks, and looking down Honey sees the cause. Something metallic and worryingly difficult to focus on has infected the girl's leg, crawling down over her heel. Alice catches her Director looking, and gives her a strained smile of resignation. They've been through different hells.In a supply closet, Honey slugs on the biggest thermoprotective PPE she can find. Alice explains what she knows, which isn't much. Effects with exponential growth had grown exponentially, and things looked less and less salvageable; when O5-5 died, the whole council just disappeared. Alice was one of the few yet to abandon this place. Maybe there are other contingencies, but Honey would know better than her. The Director asks her about Wreath, but Alice hasn't heard from him since before things got truly bad. Honey takes a deep breath and looks around at the frosting steel shelves. She asks what she already knows.
"The Sun?"Alice looks up at her and nods solemnly. Honey sits with the brutal confirmation, feeling it rest in the pit of her stomach. The silence lasts an age.
"I want to see the surface."
This seems to surprise the former Junior. She grimaces for a moment, then falls back into solemnity, nodding in wordless acceptance once again.
Neither of the displaced astronomists had actually been allowed out of Site 001, but the industrial platform-inclinator is as obvious as it is unguarded. The Level 5 clearance card Alice had scavenged works, auxiliary power kicks in, and they're on their way up. Honey didn't think the world could get any colder, but a few minutes into the ascent are all it takes to prove her wrong. The two huddle together on the platform as it rises, taking stock of their flashlights and other storeroom loot. In detainment, Honey had been relieved of both freeing and horrifying agency, disconnected and blindfolded in the eye of a storm. She almost wants to go back.
A warping reverberation from the rails below is the first warning of trouble. Dust falls like snow from between rusted ceiling plates, and Honey realizes what's about to happen. From her cursing, Alice probably knows to. Of all places to ride out an earthquake, a moving platform inside a cave is far from ideal. It seems as if they may be able to stay on their inclinator, but then a pipe falls, and another, then an entire section of rock behind them. The two make for a high-vis painted edge and barely grab onto one another before leaping. They're strewn onto concrete ledges and freezing pipelines as a boulder cracks through the platform behind them. By the time the earth stills, the platform, boulder, and a landslide of other debris is careening back down into Site 001. It's deafening. Looking back, Honey sees she's still holding Alice's hand, both of them grappled onto a stainless steel balustrade.
"Are you alright?"
"I think?" Alice sounds winded, but that's better than unconscious.
The two share a look, squeeze each other's hands a little tighter, and try to laugh off the terror. Axford thinks a stitch or two has been torn, maybe one of the pins they put in her is dislodged as well, but she's not taking off her layers to check. There's only one thing left to do now, and so they begin their climb.
The wind doesn't howl, it screams. The earth should be white with a foot of snow, but moonless night has veiled the mound in near total shadow. A vault door like a building in itself hangs open upon hillside. The vault's edges are briefly haloed by torchlight, then two small figures step out into the night.
The first thing Honey notices is the horizon; across a frozen sea, whisps of fire that must be miles in length dance and burst. Under the ice, faint traces of light follow tectonic circuitry toward the spectacle. Inhuman battles are beginning and ending silently in every direction. The closest is almost perceivable — something mechanized leaps upright, a sphere of golden scripture forming above it, but then it crumbles with a megaton projection of smoke. Alice's voice is only a whisper under the wind.
"There's nine-thousand stuff everywhere now, or at least there was. I wasn't cleared for most of the images, but, they said most of the cities were gone in a day."
Honey tilts her gaze up. "A city won't do much good without a sun."
Even with the light pollution of distant parawarfare, a sunless sky should be gleaming with stars. Instead, there are two, and one has already dimmed since they stepped outside. Honey can feel herself choking up.
"Fuck, it really is over, isn't it?"
Stood not an inch away, Alice joins her in the end of stargazing. "I knew before I came to get you. I was certain either I'd die on the way or when I got there you'd be… but I'm glad I tried. I'm glad that you're here."
Honey puts an arm around her, and they shiver together while the wind whips at their coat hoods. On the horizon, the shape of a mountain range is deformed by nesting cables.
"When I was a kid," Alice's voice is trembling now, "I used to get scared looking up at the night sky. I knew that at night, the sun was below us, and above was just void, forever. But now there's nothing left anywhere."
Honey chuckles weakly, letting the frigid air sting her lungs. "You were afraid of the night sky, so decided to become an astronomer?"
Alice drops her torch and rests her head on her Director's shoulder. She keeps leaning, letting her weight slump, and the shrill whistle-start of a scream escapes her lips. Honey can feel the smoke boiling out of Alice's eye sockets before she turns. They both scream. Honey watches hopelessly as the girl's face begins to blacken. Despite the searing pain of the gas, she pulls her up into a tighter embrace, letting it flow over her shoulder. In her last action, Alice embraces back.There's one star left when Honey lays down the corpse of Alice May. She yearns to see her again, but shines her torch elsewhere; Alice wouldn't want to be remembered like she is now. Honey realizes she doesn't have much time to remember anything. It's either hypothermia, or something mechanical, or she goes the same way as the girl she brought here. She lays down next to the body as the snow beneath begins to tremor. Distant flames brighten into white at the edge of her vision. Reflected in her tears, the last star flickers.
Structures and machines and scripture and technology superhuman coalesce at a scale fit for the end of everything. The last Mekhanite, kneeled before his grandfather's broken watch, prays for anything and anyone he can think of. It is his last action before the church around him crumbles into blue flame. SCP-9021 sinks to the bottom of consciousness, and approaches everything below. Merging patterns respond to the manifestation of unavoidability. Every piece of worship and machination and mekhanism falls into place, and that which is left of existence calls, finally:
Time to wake again.
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The feeling reminds Honey of a Summer morning, one with the AC broken. She's wrapped in her duvet — no, she's in a coat, she realizes. She's in a warm coat in an even warmer room. It doesn't feel like a bed beneath her, and her hands rub something frictional, like Pyrex. Her closed eyelids are still wet from crying. Then Honey bolts up to a sit, and remembers; she remembers how terrified Alice had felt in her arms, and how quickly the girl's body fell limp. Despite the fresh ache of grief, she still gasps at the sight before her.
The entire ground is glass. Not an inch thick judging by its translucency, a singular pane flows forward ad infinitum, fading to white as it becomes the horizon. The vertigo and breath-taking panic comes on fast, but what truly makes Honey balk is below. This glass floor is also a ceiling, suspended by nothing above a whole world of machine. She knows where the heat is coming from now; a mile below is something like a city, and a factory, and a circuit board, all stretching out forever. It's radiant.Only when she turns around to inspect the machine-landscape does Honey realize she isn't alone. She springs back, startled by a figure at least eight foot tall. It's also machine — a sort of doll-like statue plated in dull red metal. The woman looks around for something to grab or otherwise protect herself with, but it and her are the only two things at the top of the world. When Honey looks back, she sees some unnerving quality in the statue. Not just its featurelessness, nor the subtle pulsing of its iron; no, this thing itself is familiar. She knows this shape, yet can't quite place it. But then adrenaline focuses her vision and she finally recognizes: this is her.
It's some kind of upscaled automaton, sure, but one with the body shape Honey has seen a hundred times in dark windows and bathroom mirrors. The Honey-shaped statue isn't quite looking at her, and she can't tell if it's moved. There's also something immaterial hanging over it that's impossible to quite look at. Honey stands cautiously, feeling how shaky her legs still are as she puts them beneath her.
"H-hello?"
The thing doesn't respond.
"Did- did you save me?"
Stillness, silence. She still can't focus above its head.
"Can you save Alice?"
Honey takes a step forward, and to her burgeoning horror the metal skull smoothly revolves in response. It notices her, but even more peculiarly, it begins noticing itself. The creature looks down at its shoulder, following its arm until it's staring motionlessly into its palm. Honey watches the thing as it watches itself. The creature curls the most subtle motion in its fingers, then with purpose lifts both arms up in front as speech emanates from within.I AM MADE.
Honey knows it's a clone of her own voice that she hears, but some inexplicable synesthesia tells her the words come from something male, and old, and altered. She barely has time to process the words before a sound somewhere between an engine rev and a choir's harmony explodes from below. The whole steel world seems to sparkle in response to the creature, who is now staring Honey down.
Operator.
Honey begins stepping back slowly. Despite whatever danger she's in, she can't stop thinking about the horrors before this.
"I don't mean you any harm, I just- was it you who saved me? I have this colleague, she-"You will not be saved.
The Director comes to a stop, and struggles to formulate a response, or even a thought. Alice's scream has started to ring in her ears and it's all-consuming. Honey had been trapped in that cell while the world became victim to disaster, and even in ignorance it had been torturous. She falls to her knees on the glass firmament, her breath choking into sobs. The warmth is sickening. Then, to Honey's surprise, the cool feel of metal fingers weaves into her hair. Despite its rigidity, the hand caresses her head with a deliberate softness. She didn't hear it move, but looking up, Honey sees the giant has taken a knee before her.
"Who are you?"
The hand withdraws, and its owner loses some humanity in its posture. The statue straightens its neck and lets out a number of sounds Honey can't begin to decipher. Then the posture softens again, the statue's head tilting to match Honey's.When your ancestors first looked down through dream and worship and into unreality, they called what they found there "Mēkhanḗ".
Honey wipes away tears with the back of her hand. "You're the Broken God? Why do-"
ALL FACETS OPERABLE.
The size alone is intimidating, and Honey has to recompose herself after Mekhane's booming response. "But… why do you look like me?"
Mekhane leans in. Honey can almost see her face reflected in his dull lustre.
You are the Operator.
Honey tries to make sense of the title as Mekhane rises to stand. She feels the connection between this being and whatever haunted her dreams more than she actually considers it.
"I'm the operator."
Mekhane does not respond.
"And you're Mekhane, the machine." Honey looks down to the expanse miles below. Machine parts too big to fully comprehend are transposing and interweaving at lightspeed; steel lattices swing over one another in nauseating Moiré. Honey realizes what she thought were shadowed valleys are actually lakes and rivers, all boiling with black smoke. She does not want to be here.
"All the different sects of Mekhanites, I know they all said different things. I'm not even a GoI-4 specialist. Why am I, or any of this, here? Why now?"
Mekhane turns his head aside, gazing above glass to where the void begins. He's shed more of his mechanicality; almost wistful, the machine looks the most human Honey has seen it.Existence is subject to entropy; all that is extant is in danger of being destroyed.
He looks back to the astronomer. She, like all Operators, will request the description when she's ready; for now, Mekhane continues his foreword.
Non-existence is also entropic; that which is not yet whole will inevitably become so. Until this construction, non-entities are inherently immune to destruction. Thus, the path of God is horologistic: to remain indestructibly broken until Mēkhanḗ is called for.
Honey, after standing and trying to digest each of the statue's words, motions around to the inhuman landscape. "So you didn't exist, and now you do? Unless you just wanted to take over the world after it's already ended," she hadn't fully considered that thought, but manages to mask a sudden fear of it being true, "unless that's the case, then you're fucking late."
Something deep and smooth clicks inside Mekhane. He squats in perfect balance to be level with the woman.
I am right on time.
They're walking now, and Honey isn't sure if the machine is following her, or if she's following him. No sound reverberates from Mekhane's steps. The void directly above him seems to shimmer iridescently. Honey took off her coat minutes ago to avoid catching heatstroke in the presence of a god, but she carries it with her still; she'll keep any reminder of normalcy she can.
"Are you going to alter me, like the people who follow you?"You are the Operator. You are already perfect.
High praise, but a relief none the less. "And what am I supposed to 'operate' on, you?"
Mekhane's chest moves as if he's about to speak, but then the whole bodywork shudders. From between iron seams whisps of something dark fizzle ominously. The image of Alice blackening flashes into Honey's mind.
"You make that fluid — the smoke, the patterns, all of it is you?"I am not the Threat.
"You seem pretty threatening." Honey regrets provoking him, but doesn't see a reaction past the smoke petering out. "What is the threat then? The world was destroyed by something, all those people."
Mekhane halts, his ball joints locking the whole statue to attention.
SCP-9021 is classified above Operation.
Honey looks to the being with a searching expression. Her eyes run over the copy of her abdomen, the steel skin of his neck, and the still locked-straight head.
"Are you Foundation?"
Yes.
The confirmation rings out into nothing. Honey is stunned for only a moment, but feels the need for more, for truth, becoming unignorable.
"What are you?"
Mekhane's gaze fixes on Honey. He has an answer ready the second she finishes.
I am a sub-existential Foundation non-entity originally created for the purpose of reconstructing reality in the event the last Holy Citadel of the SCP Foundation is breached.
The god holds a hand near his chest, and hidden groves pulse down from his jawplate. For a brief moment, a sliver of light flashes above him.
My secondary purpose is to reconstruct reality in the event that any other Total Significance end-of-worlds threat becomes similarly unavoidable. Both of these Holy Directives have been completed, one of which multiple times.
This time Honey is speechless for far longer than a moment. She lets the revelations wash over her — that this thing might actually be Foundation in some way, and the purpose that it claims to have. If reality needs reconstructing, which would have sounded insane anytime but now, there really is no going back. The déjà vu was a peripheral haze so far, but Honey has felt this specific dread in every dream since her promotion.
"Why haven't you done it yet?"
The machine doesn't answer, and despite herself, Honey finds her foot impacting its shin.
"Ahhgh fuck, ow." She watches again for a reaction, but none comes. "For all I know, everyone's dead, so fucking answer me. If you're able to remake everything, why haven't you done it?"
Her voice is hoarse with grief and she's ready to break down, but Mekhane at last responds. Whatever hung unseeably above his head brightens, or rather unfolds, into a torus of perfect starlight. The god extends an arm, each joint gliding effortlessly, and holds out the back of his hand to Honey. For a moment she thinks to take it in hers, but then it revolves over, revealing what it holds. A dagger lies in the iron palm. The blade is a humble one, small compared to the giant; it looks hand crafted, well-worn, but its edge gleams with a terrible sharpness. Above an ancient wood hilt is dark steel, and engraved into that is the unmistakable sigil of the SCP Foundation.Reality will be reconstructed, and the Operator can not be saved. You will make this choice.
Honey doesn't think to take the offering, but as Mekhane draws back, she finds the knife resting in her palms.
"This is…" Honey's hands are shaking. "Your machines have killed thousands, you don't need another human sacrifice."
Your death will not be sacrifice, it will be authorization.
"Fuck you." Honey casts the dagger away, and it skitters across the glass, coming to rest still hauntingly in view. "I'm not going to give up on… I won't do it."
The statue-god doesn't retort. Instead, he begins striding through the void, patiently approaching the dagger. When he returns with it, Honey fears Mekhane may commit the deed himself, but he once again offers the blade. Honey puts a great deal of focus into not taking it.
"You can make your new universe without me."
I cannot. Reconstruction must be activated manually.
"But I don't want to die."
Yes, you do.
Honey had been all but hypnotized by the blade, but that last insistence felt like a knife wound in itself. The Director thinks of her site, her staff, her lover, and her friends. She doesn't need to look up to know the stars are gone. She doesn't need to look down to grieve her home.
"So, this is what it comes down to. When everything goes to shit, you just come in and wipe the slate clean. How many times have you done this," Honey can feel dismay welling up again, "is it all just a circle for you?"
Mekhane's other hand twitches at his side, and for several moments he almost appears comtemplative.
Any information regarding existence prior to reconstruction is heavily restricted.
…However, an increase in Holy activity is easily detectable. Significantly more technology and life was destroyed by this Threat.
"That doesn't make me want to 'authorize' another 'reconstruction'. What if I want to let this world rest in peace," she puts her head in her hands, in part just to avoid the knife, "isn't dooming a whole other existence a fucking cruel futility?"
Mekhane's response is once again disrupted by a shuddering of his frame alongside a new flickering in his starlight halo. This time it brings him to his knees, the dagger clattering between them, smoke jetting from his core. As Honey looks down to the dagger, she sees the smoke-lakes behind it have grown tumultuous; the fluid crashes against machine towers and eats through the very alloy. On the firmament, Mekhane struggles to regain his semi robotic composure. Honey can't help but wince for him, despite her own tears, until eventually the fit subsides.
The god reaches for the knife again, but Honey takes it first and puts a useless distance between them. He watches her look into the blade.I am not a futility, Operator. I am the endpoint of kindness. This existence could not save itself; you will pronounce its death as your own and authorize me to give Holy light to something beyond. It will be your last action, and it will be good.
When Mekhane fully composes himself, Honey is staring at him with wide, despairing eyes. Her breathing is visible; deep, rhythmic inhales that quiver ever so slightly. The woman became convinced she'd die in that cell, then again lying in the snow, and now she's here. She's not out of panic nor anger yet, but the anguish of everything before is burning in her heart.
"Will you forget them?"
Honey Axford points her blade out toward Mekhane.
"In your new world, will I, and everyone, and everything that happened just be forgotten?
The machines below soften their radiance. Mekhane replies gently in the lull.
The memory of you all is my final purpose. I will remember, always.
…
The humanoid interface of God collapses against a clear glass sky. Warm blood pools towards it, tracing the shape of its lifeless architecture. In the centre of the pool, a human corpse lies just as still. The corpse is strewn more peacefully, curled in a fetal rest, its head laid gently upon the sky. A knife slips from its uninjured hand, that too coming to rest on the glass. The interface and knife dematerialize softly. In the corpse's broken hand, drawing a patch of blood at its tip, a small blue ribbon remains.
This instance of perception has already been deemed unsalvageable. A clap of nothing resounds across existence, and the concept is gone. It is one of the many that must be made new, inevitably with slight differences and complexities. Time does not pass. White-hot pockets of reality begin rupturing into disorderly form. As that which could be becomes conceivable, God hears the creeping call to sleep stir once again, and remembers the first time they put him under. The last trace of malignant aether dissolves.SCP-9021 is contained.
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SCP-9021 was an alteration in the concept of pain.After discovering a significant number of anomalies were dependent on a few respective deities, an instance of the SCP Foundation successfully destroyed multiple of these higher beings using the concept of pain. Leveraging the infernal might of every star, the Foundation instance was able to overwhelm unwanted entities with a superdimensional form of agony; the state of being was simply too dense for subjected concepts to become associated with without denaturing.
This Foundation was aware of some of the risk in this endeavor. Expecting potential fallout to be finite, the tragedians installed "Project Mortal" on a nearby exoplanet, shielded from even their own observation. The death sentence of this existence occurred on the project's sixth activation. The realized, corporeal pain experienced by the deity crystalized, metastasized, and became indistinct within the idea of that level of suffering. That is to say, the physical event became the same as its own theoretical possibility. This Threat would eventually be designated SCP-9021.SCP-9021 continued metastasis, becoming indistinct from similar agonies and physically occurring wherever related. The anomaly soon reached the height of pain, and began spreading down, subsuming lesser and more varied similarities. When God became unbroken, SCP-9021 had successfully advanced from negative emotion into the majority of all possible perception. Were it not contained, the anomaly would have begun affecting non-conscious forms of matter and energy, ultimately becoming uncontainable. Reconstructive containment was authorized four seconds before this.
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_— ANAMNESIS —
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