“Saint Hedvig is forbidden to consult Legate Trunnion on the matter, as she is forbidden to have any questions regarding SCP-7866.”

SCP-7866

Byㅤ Miss Lapis

Published on 22 Jan 2024 07:23

SCP-7866

By Miss Lapis

Published on 22 Jan 2024 07:23

Miss Lapis' author page

This SCP contains allusions to sexism, domestic abuse, sexual violence, psychological pressure, manipulation, and gaslighting, which may be harmful to some readers.

Item #: SCP-7866

Object Class: Thaumiel

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-7866 is to remain active at all times. Its wielder, Robert Bumaro, must focus its power on Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum Saint Hedvig (see the Update below for additional information).

In order to ensure the operational status of SCP-7866, Saint Hedvig must remain compliant, quiet, and PERFECT.

In the event that Robert Bumaro has any questions regarding SCP-7866, he is permitted to consult Legate Trunnion on the matter.1

Extraneous knowledge of the existence of SCP-7866 would result in containment failure. In order to avoid an information breach, this file has been confined to the mind of Saint Hedvig. It is to remain there indefinitely.

Update (28.03.1985): As the continuous existence of Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum appears to interfere with the role of Saint Hedvig as the object of focus of SCP-7866, the containment staff are to seal her away posthaste in order to make space for Saint Hedvig. Saint Hedvig will be

_

perfect enough to ensure the continuous operation of SCP-7866.

exactly as perfect as her Emperor needs her to be.

Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum is to be classified as SCP-7866-1 and her containment is to become top priority.

As of 28.03.1985, the updated containment staff of SCP-7866 consists of Emperor Robert Bumaro (tasked with performing duties related to SCP-7866), and Dr. Robert Silas Aram2 (tasked with containing SCP-7866-1).

Description: SCP-7866 is the designation given to the Voice, a tool deployed by the Emperor of Amoni-Ram. It allows the wielder to control the minds of large groups of people. Historically, the entire population of Amoni-Ram, which counted approximately 523,000 persons at the height of its power, was known to be under its influence.

Access to SCP-7866 is given to the current Heir to the Golden Throne, descendant of the Bumaro Dynasty. This applies to direct and indirect descendants alike, so long as they have the necessary features which would qualify them for the Bumaro title, and should the Throne deem them worthy.

See Addendum 7866.3 for additional information.

Addendum 7866.1: Discovery

The following interview has been conducted with Dr. Nussbaum in order to ascertain the circumstances around the discovery of SCP-7866 by Dr. Aram.

INTERVIEW LOG #1

[BEGIN LOG]

[Dr. Nussbaum is kneeling on the floor of the throne room. She is wearing a gown made of sheer, loose fabric, secured on her by a clasp on her shoulder.]

Nussbaum: [clears throat] Begin log.

[She adjusts the gown on her knees and takes a deep breath. An ancient Mekhanite equivalent of the modern computer

_

manifests in front of her.

has been standing in front of her the whole time.

She begins dictating her words into its microphone.]

Nussbaum: Scriptures and texts found within Amoni-Ram contained little to no information about the Voice. Dr. Aram was first informed of its existence by Legate Trunnion, formerly known as SCP-001-A1, following one of the experiments conducted on the Throne.

[The door of the throne room opens. Emperor Bumaro appears in the doorway. He does not move yet, instead he opts to lean against the wall and observe.]

Nussbaum: Dr. Aram recognized the hidden potential of the Voice, and after numerous failed or incomplete attempts at utilizing it, he first managed to exert its influence onto Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum, when she… attempted to-

[Dr. Nussbaum's speech slowly comes to a halt. She stares in front of herself with a blank expression and begins shivering.]

Nussbaum: When she attempted to…

[She looks up from where she is kneeling and notices Bumaro standing in the doorway. She is about to scream, but covers her mouth before she has a chance to do so.]

[Bumaro begins approaching her.]

Bumaro: [tilts his head] When she attempted to do what?

[Dr. Nussbaum begins hyperventilating into her hand. Her eyes frantically dart around the throne room. She winces at each step Emperor Bumaro takes towards her.]

Bumaro: What is the matter, Hedvig? Continue reciting your words.

Nussbaum: [muffled] I… I can't.

Bumaro: Why? What is stopping you? Go ahead. Recall why I used the Voice on you. Recall what happened after.

[Dr. Nussbaum shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut.]

Bumaro: Your Emperor commands you. CONTINUE RECALLING.

[As he reaches her, Emperor Bumaro places his hand on her shoulder. Dr. Nussbaum shudders in shock.]

Nussbaum: [sniffs] Robert… Please, take your hand off me.

[Her shaky voice quiets down to barely a whisper. She attempts to shrug his hand off, to no avail.]

Nussbaum: P-please…

[Emperor Bumaro begins fiddling with the clasp holding her gown in place. Dr. Nussbaum attempts to nudge his hand off with more desperation, to no avail.]

Bumaro: [rolls his eyes] Fine. I will humor you.

[He lets go of her shoulder. Dr. Nussbaum collapses forward and starts crying uncontrollably. She does not notice how her voice slowly begins fading out into silence.]

Nussbaum:

_

Robert? How are you-

[she ceases crying in surprise, looks up.]

Nussbaum:

Bumaro: I like you better this way. If you cannot use your voice properly, you do not deserve to have one.

[He stands up and looks down at her with a stern expression. The shadow his hair casts on his face obscures his eyes, but the golden gleam in them is visible.]

[Dr. Nussbaum passes out. Emperor Bumaro leaves the throne room.]

[END LOG]

Closing statement: Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum remained passed out for 35.8 hours, after which she demanifested from the throne room. Following this incident, she never regained her voice.

Addendum 7866.2: History

According to the traditions, SCP-7866 was gifted to the first Bumaro by the goddess Mekhane, when the former discovered the latter. It was gifted to him to ensure he was able to lead his people

On the dunes of the desert

In a cavern hidden away from prying eyes

The goddess Mekhane lays sundered and alone

She was hoping the Shepherd would resurrect Her

Instead He stripped Her body

Picked apart the fuladh of Her skin

And tore Her vocal cords out

She was hoping that despite everything

The Shepherd would still use Her powers for good

Instead He used Her Voice

To rule His people with a fuladh fist

And to exert dominance over the spirit

The body

And the soul

Of His wife — the Empress Hedara.

— Excerpt from the "Book of Heresies", a collection of religious texts rejected from the traditional Mekhanite holy scriptures. This is the only known surviving copy of the Book, which was discovered in one of the derelict chambers of the Undercity. The micro-climate inside the chamber allowed for it to be preserved in good condition.

Saint Hedvig has forgotten how to think about history. This is an acceptable outcome, as history is unnecessary knowledge which would distract her from being the object of focus of SCP-7866.

Addendum 7866.3: Utilization of the Voice

SCP-7866 has two known components:

Indirect component: Can be exerted with minimal effort and may remain undetected by the targets. Traditionally used to control the citizens of Amoni-Ram. Most effectively deployed with casual conversations, or during the morning prayer.

Direct component: Exerted onto one specific individual, also known as the object of focus of SCP-7866. Must be upheld at all times in order to ensure the operational status of the Indirect component.3 By using it, the Emperor must convince the object of focus that His will is her will, that His thoughts are her thoughts. The most effective ways to achieve this are intense psychological pressure, coercion, manipulation, or gaslighting.

Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum is to keep in mind that

HEDVIG ARAM-BUMARO, THE EMPRESS, GENERAL, AND PATRON SAINT OF THE MEKHANITE EMPIRE, is to keep in mind that while some level of resistance is permitted on behalf of the object of focus4, she must take into consideration that the energy required to uphold the direct component is proportional to the strength of said resistance. IT IS SO SELFISH OF YOU TO CLING SO DESPERATELY TO YOUR OLD SELF, HEDVIG. WOULDN'T IT BE EASIER IF YOU JUST GAVE IN? YOU LOVE ME, DO YOU NOT? YOU LOVE ME AS YOUR HUSBAND, MASTER, AND EMPEROR, DO YOU NOT? SUBMIT, HEDVIG. BE PERFECT FOR ME. SEAL AWAY THE PARTS OF YOU THAT DOUBT.

The following list shows the traits SCP-7866 shares with Saint Hedvig. The intrinsic connection offered by these similarities is the reason why Saint Hedvig is the only person capable of being the object of focus of SCP-7866:

Perfection and Absoluteness

Symbol of Power

Fuladh

Similarities with the prior Empresses

Robert

Gifted by, and made in the image of, Mekhane

Pliant, malleable,

…

The examples above also act as a justification to quell the doubts of Dr. Nussbaum. She must keep in mind that Emperor Bumaro took time out of His day to put together this list because she, specifically, was doubting Him.5

Addendum 7866.4: Additional Context

The following interview has been provided as an example to show the kinds of anxieties Saint Hedvig possesses. The Emperor, at his own discretion, may attempt to alleviate said anxieties or utilize them in keeping SCP-7866 operational.

INTERVIEW LOG #2

[BEGIN LOG]

[Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum sits on a bench in the courtyard. It is a pleasant and sunny late afternoon. Her laptop is open in front of her and she is typing up an email. Her screen is blank.]

[Opposite of her stand Emperor Bumaro and Saint Hedvig. Bumaro has one of his hands wrapped around her waist. They are holding a spear together.]

[Dr. Nussbaum does not notice them, nor does she acknowledge their existence.]

[A corpse materializes underneath the spear. Saint Hedvig stabs it, with the assistance of her husband. When Bumaro lets go of her hand, she continues going with the spear until she feels it cut through the body.]

Hedvig:

Bumaro: Better. But you still lack conviction.

Hedvig:

[She glances in Dr. Nussbaum's direction with a puzzled expression. Emperor Bumaro caresses her waist in a reassuring manner.]

Bumaro: She will be dealt with. You should not let her hold you back. For all intents and purposes, she does not exist.

Hedvig:

Bumaro: I agree, you are doing well. We will try again.

[Emperor Bumaro pulls Saint Hedvig into a kiss. While they are kissing, another corpse materializes in front of them on the ground.]

[Dr. Nussbaum is nearing the end of her email. She wants to take a break from writing and make herself a quick coffee, but she notices her filled coffee cup sitting next to her on the bench.]

[There is not much left of the email she is writing. She can always return to it later. It is not too urgent after all, is it?]

[A couple minutes pass. Dr. Nussbaum decides to finish her email. She will finish it ahead of time and send it. She must send it as soon as possible.]

[Saint Hedvig stabs the new corpse more forcefully, on her own. Bumaro wraps both of his hands around her waist.]

[Dr. Nussbaum finishes her email and decides to send it. However, as her screen is blank, she is unable to locate the "Send" button.]

[Dr. Nussbaum begins to panic. She successfully finished the email ahead of time. She needs to send it and end it all right here, right now. However, as her screen is blank, she is unable to locate the "Send" button.]

[Saint Hedvig turns her head to look at Emperor Bumaro for His approval. He nods. She withdraws her spear from the corpse and stabs it again with a newfound confidence.]

[As she looks at her clock, Dr. Nussbaum notices the time and her eyes widen in fear. Her breathing becomes more ragged as she begins sweating. Her head is spinning. An intense sense of dread overcomes all her senses. However, as her screen is blank, she is unable to locate the "Send" button.]

[Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum sits

_

on a bench in the courtyard.

in her quarters in one of the skyscrapers of Amoni-Ram.

Her clothes offer her no protection from the biting cold of the night. Door opens. Sound of an object slamming closed.]

[END LOG]

Closing statement: Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum finished her email, but was unable to send it due to technical difficulties.

Update (02.08.1989): After numerous attempts to do so since 1985, Dr. Robert Aram has successfully contained Dr. Hedvig Nussbaum on August 2nd, 1989. He succeeded in putting her soul to rest and sealing it away deep inside Saint Hedvig's mind, where not even her own consciousness can reach. As this file was utilized by her as an attempt to rationalize and explain to herself the reason behind Emperor Bumaro's fixation on her, it no longer serves any purpose and may be sealed away together with the soul of Dr. Nussbaum and the memories pertaining to her.

The continuous exertion of SCP-7866 on Saint Hedvig will ensure Dr. Nussbaum remains silent indefinitely.