We awaited our cavalry at the chapel's entrance, who arrived 
promptly. Four more good men and the biohazard suits made us all 
feel more secure, but | don't know if it did any real good. The nine of 
us went back to the hall, cataloging the bodies as we went. Suffice 
to say, sir, | was a mite spooked at the number of dead bodies in the 
room, but it wasn't until | stepped in a liquefied puddle of what had 
been brains that | started to get truly worried. We didn't take notice 
of it before, but the parts of them that were skinned off were all 
facing a single direction, like moss on a stone. We had a hunch that 
we were only getting closer to the origin of this disaster. 


The flayed portions all faced the end of the hall, pointing to a single 
wooden door. A woman was laying upon the ground, her legs 
skinned, and pointing toward the door. Her gown had a large rip in it, 
revealing a rather nasty - and fatal - wound on her stomach. Even if 
whatever blighted this place didn't get to her, she would have, in all 
likelinood, died from the blood loss. What was most important to us 
though, was her look of complete dread as she stared at the door. 


We were almost certain that the door would suddenly give way to an 
eldritch abomination that would crash down upon us as soon as we 
went near it. Our squad leader ordered us to keep our rifles aimed 
for the door, and to be prepared to open fire if things got nasty while 
he opened it. That quarter of a second it took for the doors to open 
seemed to capture an eternity, and even now, | still don't entirely 
know what to make of what was there. 


We saw the machine. We expected it to be rather large, but not 
quite as big as the room. It came in three segments, each as big as 
a typical walk-in closet, and connected to the center piece by tubing 
of some kind. It appeared to be very user friendly, sporting a dial 
with five possible settings, set on ‘coarse’ at the time, and a key that 
presumably activates the machine when you turn it. 


There were three men in monkish robes, arms up in defense of what 
had already killed them. The door of the machine's left compartment 
was Closed, but the right side's was open, with a large red pool 
seeping out of it. The inside was akin to the inside of a meat locker, 
for a lack of a better comparison. The organs, bones, muscles, ... 
what | have to assume were nerve endings, hair, and skin were all 
neatly separated and organized into piles along the output stalls 
floor. The rest was just a blur after we found it. We packed the 
machine into the truck, along with some other objects of interest, 
and retreated to headquarters. 


Mr. Carter, | have reason to believe that the device is capable of far 
more than we think. | have a hunch that the Church was using it in 
an attempt to exorcise some anomalous beast. If it was able to 
completely separate the innards of an anomalous creature, with little 
to no damage to the organs, the anomaly might have been 
separated as well. I'm not asking for its destruction, of course, I'm 
asking you to use it carefully, and understand its functions before 


you let it loose. | don't know what you plan to do with it, but if we 
intend on giving it the usual treatment by putting it on the list, 
appropriate measures should be taken to protect the buyers. 


Lot #: 50621-914 


CLOCKWORK MACHINE 


Minimum Bid: $368,000,000 


Almost certainly the pride of the auction, this clockwork titan of 
ingenuity comes in three pieces, each anchored to the center piece 
by sturdy copper tubing. Sporting a very user-friendly interface 
easily operated by even the most inexperienced layman, the 
applications of this wondrous appliance are boundless. 


Unusual Qualities: Upon placing any object into the machine's 
‘Intake’ booth, the owner will have the option to modify that object 
with five different settings to choose from: 'Rough’, ‘Coarse’, '1:1', 
‘Fine’, and 'Very Fine’. 


« Rough: Reduces the object placed inside to component 
elements, and separates them into individual piles. 

¢ Coarse: Neatly takes apart the object, and separates the parts 
into categories. 

* 1:1: Replaces the object with a random item of equivalent 
function and value. 

¢ Fine: Grants an item a random, although remarkable, 

improvement related to its function. 

Very Fine: Randomly and radically alters an object in an 

abstract fashion, loosely related to the item's general purpose. 


Care Instructions: This exterior of the piece should be cleaned 
once every week like any other metal appliance. The intake and 
outtake booths may also be cleaned. Under no circumstances 
should the device itself be disassembled. 


Disclaimer: Marshal, Carter, & Dark holds no responsibility for the 
improper handling, loss of valuables, or results of any exchange 


Brianna 


Diary Entry: Lucja Czajkowski, 
1900 


Translated from Polish: 


Where does everyone go? So many floors. 
How many are here now? So hard to keep 
track. Was working with Sasha at 202. We 
were speaking and then she was gone. 
Overseer says not to worry. | ask him again 
and he beats me. | don't know why. He has no 
face. 


| search for her today but can't find 202. 
Numbers keep moving. 


It hurts behind my eyes. Blood comes from my 
nose and ears. Overseer Say it's normal. | 
cannot let them see me cry. Or they will use 
the punishment rod. 


No more. | am dying inside. 


Diary Entry: Randolph T. Metzger, 
1902 


The M-Machine has come online well ahead of 
schedule. Janus Doors are locked to their 
intended destinations. An endless supply of 
raw materials. 


| desire outfits of finest silk? The machine 
creates it. | wish for toys? And toys it shall 
produce. The M-Machine can conjure forth 
every possible consumer good. | transmute 
flesh into bread and blood into wine! 


when using this item. Especially when used on the 'Fine' and 'Very 
Fine' settings, the end result of "refinement" could prove hazardous 
to the user's health: proper precautions must be taken to prevent 
loss of life or limb. Placing already ‘gifted’ items, living beings 
(including the user), and remains inside the machine is greatly 
discouraged and will void the warranty. 


Interlude - Excerpt From An Auction Catalog - Marshall 
Carter And Dark, 2012 


ANIMATED CONCRETE 
STATUE 


Lot #: 50621-1783 


ANIMATED CONCRETE STATUE 


Minimum Bid: $20,000,000 


This lovely objet d'art was constructed in 1987 by an anonymous 
artist out of concrete and rebar. It is 2 meters in height, and painted 
beige with darker shading around the stomach and buttocks, as well 
as a striking red and green pattern around the face. 


Unusual Qualities: In addition to its striking avant-garde 
appearance, this one-of-a-kind statue is both animate and quite 
bloodthirsty. Although it cannot move while being watched, the 
statue will attempt to strangle or break the neck of any human being 
it encounters while unobserved. 


Care Instructions: The object will cause any enclosed structure it is 
housed in to become soiled by a slurry comprised of feces and 
blood. It is recommended that cleaning take place at least twice a 
week by a team of at least six persons, no fewer than three of which 
should maintain direct line of sight to the object at all times. Persons 
on "watch duty" should inform the other members of the watch team 
before blinking. 


Disclaimer: The object will be provided to the customer in a sealed 
steel-reinforced portable safe. Marshall, Carter, and Dark assumes 
no responsibility for any injuries or fatalities that may occur once the 
safe is opened. 


Lot #: 50621-668 


THE GENOVESE BLADE 


Minimum Bid: $7,000,000 


In addition to its paranormal properties, this particular object also 
has historical value for those who collect artifacts related to famous 
crimes. A thirteen-inch chef's knife with a single-beveled edge and a 
rosewood handle, this item was originally discovered in a heavily 
damaged condition. It has been lovingly restored to its original 
quality by our team of experts, and will now serve both as an 
unusual conversation piece and a useful tool in its own right. 


Unusual Qualities: The item has the unique psychic quality of 
suppressing any attempts to interfere with violent actions taken by 
its user. 


Care Instructions: The blade of the knife should be kept clean, 
away from moisture, and lubricated carefully against rust. The 
handle should be polished on a regular basis with any wood care 
product of your choice. 


Disclaimer: This item is provided as a historical curiosity only. 
Marshall, Carter, and Dark do not endorse criminal behavior of any 
sort. 


Lot #: 50621-1057 


THE IDEA OF A SHARK 


Minimum Bid: $149,000,000 


An unusual piece of dadaist art created by an anonymous member 
of the "Are We Cool Yet?" avant-garde art movement, this particular 
item is a five-meter-long animate empty space in the shape of an 
adult tiger shark. Although completely invisible when immersed in 
water, this item has been injected with a non-toxic orange dye to 
make it visible for our members during this auction. 


As stated by the original artist: "Panic means that the idea of a shark 
can be more dangerous than an actual shark. It can even be more 
dangerous than no shark at all." 


Unusual Qualities: Although behaving like and in almost all other 
respects an actual shark, this item is massless and incorporeal, 
except when attacking or consuming meat. 


Care Instructions: Marshall, Carter, and Dark recommends that 
this item be kept in a saltwater tank made of at least six-inch-thick 
transparent acrylic. At least five kg of raw meat and fish should be 
provided at least three times daily. It is recommended that a non- 
toxic dye be injected into any food consumed by this object in order 
to maintain visibility, if desired. 


Disclaimer: As the feeding and care of large marine creatures is a 
complicated task best carried out by experts, Marshall, Carter, and 
Dark cannot assume responsibility for the continued survival of this 
item once it has been taken into possession by the buyer. 


Creator Information 


The image used in the SCP-178 article is the art piece "Untitled 2004" by touma 
Kato: he photograph was taken by gene Rr ffOM this post: All rights are 
reserved by the artists. 


A note of caution: SCP-173 is a secondary use of the image of the art piece 
"Untitled 2004", which was created by youmi Kato: |he concept of SCP-173 
does not have any relationship with the artist's original concept of "Untitled 2004". 


The sculpture, its likeness, and the photograph have not been released under any 
Creative Commons license. Only the text of this article is released under Creative 


Commons. This sculpture and its likeness may not be used for commercial 
purposes under any circumstances. Izumi Kato has graciously chosen to 
allow the use of the image of "Untitled 2004" by the SCP Foundation and its 


fanbase for non-commercial purposes only. 


Six Little Mice 


Six little mice scampered ‘cross the floor 
"Eddy, are you seriously reading the news right now?" 


| look up from my copy of TIME to glare at Justin. "Come on, man. 
This Hartle thing's cool, the scenery here hasn't changed for two 
hours, and we're still not anywhere near the screamer." 


"The kid, you mean," Dean said. 


"| mean the screamer. Could still be a decoy, you know." | turn the 
page. It's ridiculous, but | have to hold the magazine way too close 
to my face to make out the text, even with my headlamp on. Stupid 
Can and its stupid darkness and its stupid stairs!"| wish they'd let 
me bring my iPod." 


"But we gotta keep our ears out!" Emmy pipes up. | don't even have 
to look up to know she's smiling like an idiot. 


"For what?" | snap. I'm just getting to the good part of the article, too, 
but all this talking is ruining my focus. Stupid language centers. "The 
screamer's a broken record, the mask isn't known to make any 
sound, and the only other noises in this stupid place are us." 


"... We're not noises, Eddy." 
"It's an expression, Em." 
"No it isn't." 


"Oh my god, are you two seriously arguing about this?" Justin 
asked, taking a hand off his rifle to massage the bridge of his nose. 


"No," | said. 


"Yes," Emmy said at the same time. 


"Stop it, all of you," Agent Johnson snapped. 
"Yessir," we all said with varying levels of non-enthusiasm. 
One got his little tail slammed in a door 


We got to the next landing, but as | turned the corner, | felt a jerk as 
my safety line caught. "Dammit, line's stuck again. What's the point 
of these things?" 


Emmy turned, mouth already open to start lecturing me, but then her 
eyes got real big and she started screaming. | jumped probably a 
foot in the air, and jerked my head to follow her gaze over my 
shoulder. 


Cold terror froze me in place as | looked into the non-eyes of that 
damn mask. It wasn't even looking at me; it was looking at my copy 
of TIME. 


There was no escape from the big bad cat 


| finally managed to get my muscles moving, but it didn't matter. My 
line was caught, and it was too close. 


The last thing | feel is searing heat cutting through cartilage and 
bone. 


Five little mice left to make him fat 


Five little mice scampered ‘cross the deck 


| pushed past Emily and opened fire on the mask. Every part of my 
mind was screaming (like Emily; Emily was screaming) that | should 
run, hide, huddle with my head between my knees because it was 
my last chance to kiss my ass goodbye. But | couldn't. | had a team 
to protect. How could | face Edward's wife (Justin's wife, Dean's 
wife, Sam's wife, Emily's wife...) if | just ran away from something 
like this and left them all to die (are brains supposed to steam like 
that?) without doing anything? "Cut your lines and keep going!" 


One had his little head torn off his neck 


| didn't hear the answer over the sound of my gun, and | don't even 
know if the mask is taking damage (it's covered in splashes of 
molten lead now; will that slow it down?), but | hold my ground as it 
charges forward. 


There was no escape from the big bad cat 


As my head rolls down the steps, I'm at least able to see that my 
team has gotten away (for now; maybe they'll make it, so I've got to 
have faith in them), so at least | can hold onto that hope until my 
consciousness fades. 


Four little mice left to make him fat 


Four little mice scampered ‘cross the bowl 


Dean had gotten Emmy's hand, so | just focused on running. We 
had to get away. Floor after floor after floor after floor after floor 
blurred by. | was at the front of the group, but | could hear their 
footsteps behind me. | didn't dare look back to check for the thing 
that had gotten Eddy, but | prayed that Agent Johnson got the thing 
and was going to be okay. 


One ran ahead and he fell in a hole 
"SAMMY!" 


My brain registered Justin shouting my name before | actually 
realised | was falling. | hadn't even seen the hole in the staircase. At 
first, I'd thought that I'd just hit the flight beneath us, because | tend 
to assume that Euclidean geometry works until proven otherwise. 


"SAMMY!" 
There was no escape from the big bad cat 


It was proven otherwise. The light at the top vanished a while ago. 
There's no way anyone's gonna be able to reach me before | bite it. 


| wonder if I'll hit something or starve first? If Eddy were still alive, 
we could've bet on it... . 


Three little mice left to make him fat 


Three little mice scampered ‘cross the shed 


"SAMMY!" | lunged for the loose end of his line. | came up two 
inches too short. Woulda fallen in after him, if it weren't for Dean 
grabbing the back of my flak jacket. | waited for the thud. | waited to 
hear him shout something as he hit the flight below. 


It never happened. 
One couldn't take that his friend was so dead