by BlazingPie & Ralliston

Co-written by BlazingPie and Ralliston
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F.A.Q.

{$doesthisfixthebug}

Item#: 5484

Level2

Containment Class:
safe

Secondary Class:
{$secondary-class}

Disruption Class:
vlam

Risk Class:
warning

link to memo

SCP-5484 as seen from within the elevator shaft.

Assigned Site
Site Director
Research Head
Assigned Task Force

Site-120
Site-120 Director Council
Mieczysław Bury
N/A

Entry doors to SCP-5484, located on Site-120's fourth level.

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5484 is to be sealed off from the remainder of Site-120's building. Until it can be repurposed to serve as an elevator again, Site-120 staff are encouraged to use the remaining means of transport as alternative ways to traverse the building.
Description: SCP-5484 is a spacetime disruption taking the form of a seemingly endless pit, located within Elevator 2B's shaft in Site-120, Częstochowa, Poland.1 Alongside its walls, numerous thaumaturgic markings, mainly depicting phrases such as "suffering," "pain," and "gateway," are located, with markings of both high Akiva Radiation and low Hume levels being detected next to it. Though so far, no Foundation equipment was able to reach SCP-5484's bottom, recording equipment sent into it detects muffled noises consistent with human moans, screams, and silent humming coming from within it.
The deepest the Foundation had been able to venture into SCP-5484 was a depth of approximately 25 kilometers down2 — though almost no differences were noted with the increasing depth as compared to the higher parts of the anomaly, a small increase in temperature has been noticed around the deeper parts of it. Similarly, the volume of the sounds coming from within it has been noted to increase slightly with increasing depth — though not enough to be well comprehended by Foundation staff.
From materials gathered during its discovery, it's theorized SCP-5484 leads to — or at least a version therefor — the catholic version of Hell, as described within the Bible. Though this hypothesis is still being investigated, due to the abnormal amounts of pain energy as well as thaumaturgical and theological processes detected within the anomaly, it is still a possible explanation.
Addendum.5484.1: Discovery

▶ACCESS ADDENDUM◀

▷CLOSE◁

SCP-5484 was discovered on 05/09/2003, following an attack from a subgroup of GoI-120 ("Triumviraté")3 on Site-120.
During the group's escape from the facility, it initiated a ritual which would, as described in scripts carried by it "Open a gate to Hell itself, consuming your enemies whole." Though it went as planned, due to the ritual site being so remote, it had only affected the elevator, rather than the entire site as initially planned by the group. Following the ritual's activation, all of the group's members were consumed by the forming spatial disruption, effectively eliminating them from the Site.
The following are SCP-5484 test logs conducted shortly after the anomaly's discovery.

TEST 1
PROCEDURE: Throw a standard testing object (a small steel ball) into SCP-5484.
OUTCOME: Test subject has not been recovered. It is presumed to still be falling down SCP-5484.

TEST 2
PROCEDURE: Same as Test 1.
OUTCOME: Test subject rapidly flew out of SCP-5484 after three minutes of falling. It was covered with salty water and sand of unknown origin.

TEST 3
PROCEDURE: Same as Test 1.
OUTCOME: Test subject rapidly flew out of SCP-5484 after four minutes of falling, this time additionally covered with wet kelp.

[9 LOGS OMMITED]

TEST 13
PROCEDURE: Descend into SCP-5484 using a remote drone.
OUTCOME: The drone descended to a depth of approximately 4 kilometers, after which it ceased communication. All attempts to locate it have failed. Last footage sent by the drone was that of an unknown fluid, similar in appearance to water.

TEST 14
PROCEDURE: Same as Test 13.
OUTCOME: The drone descended to a depth of approximately 6 kilometers, after which it ceased communication. All attempts to locate it have failed. Temperature readings recorded an increase of 5 degrees Celsius. Last footage sent was similar to Test 3.

TEST 15
PROCEDURE: Same as Test 13.
OUTCOME: The drone descended to a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, after which it ceased communication. All attempts to locate it have failed. Audio equipment recorded sounds consistent with muffled human speech, rushing wind, and sea waves.

TEST 16
PROCEDURE: Same as Test 13.
OUTCOME: The drone descended to a depth of approximately 25 kilometers, after which it ceased communication. All attempts to locate it have failed. Akiva radiation, which became significant enough to be detected after 20 kilometers, increased with depth to the point of sensor overflow.

▷CLOSE◁

Addendum.5484.2: Further SCP-5484 Research

▶ACCESS ADDENDUM◀

▷CLOSE◁

The following is a log of initial research conducted on SCP-5484 as done by Site-120's staff.

VIDEO LOG

DATE: 07/09/2003

»BEGIN LOG«
Both present parties are standing on the walls of the elevator shaft, protected by appropriate equipment, looking down into the pit of SCP-5484. Around them, inactive Foundation terrain scanners can be seen, with Micheals holding a small screen linked to them and an activation console.
Micheals:4 Y-Yep, that's Hell alright.
Bury:5 Well, this ain't good.
Micheals: Because we literally have Hell near our offices?
Bury: No, because we'll actually have to clean somethin' up for once.
Both pause for a second, during which Micheals activates the scanners. All beep with dim light, and three seconds later, the tablet he is holding lights up.
Micheals: Hmm… y-yeah. Wormhole type — dimensional portal, high Akiva, — though mainly focused around the worship of one entity — t-temperatures higher than 26 Celcius, and the constant hatred outputs and suffering filters. We got Hell on our hands, and it's not pretty.
Bury: Why's that, if I may?
Micheals looks directly into Bury's eyes.
Micheals: Well. Aside from the fact it's, y-you know, literally Hell, the pain scanners are… really, really bad. The sheer amount of suffering within is genuinely staggering, to the point my tech's overloading. Give me a moment though. I-I have to check something.
Micheals taps the screen twice.
Micheals: It will… take a while.
He pauses for a second.
Micheals: Though, if it's not a mistake, then Jesus. The amount of pain emitted from this would be able to literally power the human civilization for millennia if harvested well. I always imagined a theoretical Hell would be bad, but this… is just… no. No.
Bury: Is this much of a surprise, though? Haven't we discovered Hell already a while back? Heard a thing about it or two sometime ago.
Micheals: I, I mean, yes, we did, but 5572's an absurdly specific afterlife. Even that, it's just… an actual pleasure when compared to this. I… I'll have to bring this to the rest of the Directors. No one deserves this end to their story.
Both pause for a second.
Bury: If it's so horrible, then what cause even spawned this, actually? What's the Trumbiratee's — Trumbiratee's? — problem?
Micheals: Triumviraté's. Just general hatred, I imagine. If their goal is to bring back the lands we stole from them in their eyes, I don't think bringing Hell to someone for bringing Hell onto you is… fair, honestly. Hatred only breeds more hatred, and— oh!
The scanner beeps three times in a row, finishing the scanning.
Micheals: Oh, oh no.
Bury: What's going on?
Micheals: I… it's even worse.
Bury: Whatcha mean?
Micheals: [REDACTED]6
Bury: W-what?
Micheals: Exactly what you heard me say.
Bury: J-Jesus fucking Christ. That… no. Just… no.
All pause for a moment.
Micheals: We will have to contact Overwatch about this, just to make sure this is real. Because if it is… Jesus Christ.
»END LOG«

In light of further information gathered from scans of the area SCP-5484 leads to as well as the log results, two days later, Overwatch Command issued the following:

Project Gratia Proposal

THE OFFICE OF O5-1

In light of all of the discoveries made following initial contact with SCP-5484, the entire SCP Foundation is to change its approach towards all subjects. In previous years, we valued coldness and objectivity over kindness and other human virtues, even after our policies had to change so many years ago after Esterberg's fall and Directive Alpha/1911.
However, in the light of newly acquired information, we can never let a single person be a victim of what most likely comes as a punishment for our sins after death.
We still do not know the exact nature of Hell presented to us by SCP-5484. It is, however, an afterlife different from all known descriptions of Hell in recorded human history. And, from what we have gathered, we can be certain that it is not an afterlife one would want to be stuck in.
As we have no other choice than to continue research on SCP-5484, we propose Project Gratia as a temporary containment strategy. We, as the Foundation, need to redeem our personnel as quickly as possible.

— O5-1

▷CLOSE◁

Addendum.5484.3: File update — 14/09/2003

▶ACCESS ADDENDUM◀

▷CLOSE◁

File update — 14/09/2003

SITE-120 DIRECTOR COUNCIL

On 13/09/2003, the second and final inspection of SCP-5484's runes prior to the proper Foundation-wide activation of Project Gratia has been conducted by Site-120's Grand Thaumist and Thaumaturgical Archivist and its Director Council member, Daniel Asheworth. Aside from numerous differences between translations of said runes and the ones after the second scan, it was noted that the major rune, used to complete the ritual and properly activate the portal, was mistakenly written with a single "l," resulting in the portal leading to the Hel peninsula of Poland, rather than to a potential torturous afterlife. Due to this, all plans regarding Project Gratia are currently being pulled back.
All similarities between the vision of a hellish afterlife and Poland are currently being investigated.

▷CLOSE◁

Footnotes
1. Prior to SCP-5484's initial manifestation, the elevator was fully functional.
2. As seen during an unmanned drone exploration.
3. Fae for "we will prevail;" a large-scale organized Fae terrorist group, focused on reclaiming its supposed territory back from humanity, not infrequently focusing on Foundation Sites to do so, mainly operating from within Esterberg.
4. Dr. James Micheals, member of Site-120's Director Council and its Ontokinetics and Spatial Disruptions Chief.
5. Mieczysław Bury, lead of Site-120's Maintenance Team.
6. Just because you want to know what it meant, doesn't mean you should. — J. Micheals.

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« SCP-5483 | SCP-5484 | SCP-5485 »


This case is CURRENTLY ACTIVE.
Any personnel interfering with SCID investigations will be prosecuted to full extent of the law.

LEVEL TWO/5487 CLASSIFICATION

ITEM #

SCP-5487

OBJECT CLASS

Safe

SCP-5487 ("Cardocran").

SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES

The entirety of SCP-5487 is to be kept in special storage at Site-989. Two kilograms of 5487 are to be offloaded whenever appropriate to SCID Miami under Provision 57.M-B and 93.
All used amounts of SCP-5487 are to be transported back to Site-989 via SCID courier and disposed of by a chemical team.
Certain provisions to hospitals for SCP-5487 medical use is in consideration.

DESCRIPTION

SCP-5487 is the designation for the anomalous stimulant drug called "Cardocran", often nicknamed "Cardo". While SCP-5487 acts similarly to cocaine, its anomalous properties occur on its effect as a triple reuptake inhibitor (TRI): it approximately triples its efficiency while also removing its dependency issues on its subject.
While SCP-5487 can be used as an alternative to cocaine, cocaine cannot be used as an alternative to 5487.
5487 is unable to be created without anomalous technology. It is currently unknown who created SCP-5487.

ITEM HISTORY

A version of SCP-5487 was discovered on the market by Foundation agents stationed in Miami, Florida, who later notified the Foundation. The compound was analyzed, and the 5487 designation was given to the drug.
A subdivision of the Special Crimes Investigative Division (SCID) in Miami was created to combat the appearance and use of veil-breaking drugs to the general public.

CASE 1987.CDO-005 OPENED. SOME FILES HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

LEVEL FOUR/SCID CLASSIFICATION

ON 5487/CARDOCRAN

The cardocran given to our division is specifically modified by the Foundation to produce the effects of severe dependency upon use, without any tangible side effects otherwise. This should keep anyone who gets slipped it otherwise desperate enough to come back until we can catch them, then we can do our thing from there.
Note that a selling point of cardocran is its low dependency issues, so expect repeat buyers to be agitated or angry.

AQUIRED DATA

Seized Cardocran.

Cardocran has recently shown up again in the market labeled as "Cardonian Cocaine", described as a high-quality variant of cocaine stemming from the (fictional) Cardonia region of Peru.
Analysis performed on the seized cardocran shows this does not appear to be the same type of cardocran sent to us by the Foundation. An operation will shortly be put in place to determine the source of this new cardocran. If we can nab the buyers, we can get them to give us the sellers.
Keep your eyes out. Miami Vice has agreed to work with us on this one, considering it seems like they've been hit hard with this kind of thing popping up again.

- Lieutenant J. Hernandez

OPERATION YELLOWJACKET is a sting operation that will be conducted by the SCID with the help of MPD Vice on the afternoon of July 18th, 1987.
The operation will commence at approximately 10:30, where SCID special teams will set up in the buildings around the main plaza of Hortin Marina.
These teams will provide covering fire and/or general support should the sting go wrong, and are equipped with tear gas. Designated long-range combatants will be armed with M16A1 rifles from MPD SWAT.
Lieutenant Hernandez and Captain Peters will be occupying an unmarked squad car from across the street for immediate support. Several other places (see Document OYJ.02 for specific placement) will also contain plainclothes or otherwise disguised officers.
At 11:00, Detectives Richard Garrett and Manuel Acosta (undercover as sellers "Brad" and "De la Cruz") will meet the buyers. They will be accompanied by Foundation liaison Haskell, who is masquerading as a middleman. Acosta will also be outfitted with a wire to listen in on the conversation.
Once the buyers trade off the money and receive the cardocran, they are to be immediately arrested. The MPD will be around on standby for the SCID's signal.
Should any of the plan deviate or if it is apparent that the situation will escalate, the sting is to be immediately ended and the area secured by the SCID and MPD.

[TAPE START]

Acosta can be heard practicing breathing techniques.

GARRETT
Nervous?

ACOSTA
Hell yea, I'm nervous, man. No matter how many times I do this, my nerves got a mind of their own.

GARRETT
I get what you mean. It's more of a rush for me.

ACOSTA
A rush? You're crazy. Some kind of masochist? A rush my ass.

They laugh.

GARRETT
I worked out all my nervousness in the firing range. I may not jitter like an addy, but I'm still feeling it all here.

ACOSTA
You know what will cure my nerves?

GARRETT
What would?

ACOSTA
If these buyers showed the fuck up already, damn. It's… 11:12 now. It ain't polite to keep your gift horse waiting man.

Garrett blows a raspberry.

GARRETT
Don't worry about it.

ACOSTA
What if they canceled? We're just sitting here like zoo flamingos in this heat all for shit.

GARRETT
Doubt it. They need this trade more than we do.

ACOSTA
You're right, you're right. Haskie would've told us.

ACOSTA
I think it's the wire, the wire always sets me on end man. One faulty connection and now you're target numero uno for guys with MAC-10s.

GARRETT
Aah, don't worry about it. I got your back. It's just a sting, what's the worst that could happen, right?

ACOSTA
You're right, you're right.

GARRETT
…Is that them?

ACOSTA
Shit, yeah. Business face on.

The two can be heard standing up, followed by approximately a minute of silence.

BUYER 1
Know anyone by the name 'o… uhh, Brad and De la Cruz?

ACOSTA
Depends, who's asking?

BUYER 2
Two-hundo-kay in your pocket, that's who.

ACOSTA
I see. Where's our midman?

BUYER 1
Hell should I know?

GARRETT
He's a'mportant to us as the stuff you're gett'n. I'd like ta know you two digeridoos didn't knock him off befo' we hand this to ya.

BUYER 1
No goddamn clue, dude. He just up and fucked off and said it was important. Frankly I don't have time for this chatter. We doing this or what?

The two pause for a minute.

ACOSTA
Cough the dough up.

BUYER 2
Woah woah, we ain't dumb. We do this the conventional way.

BUYER 1
Suitcase open first, we test the product, you get your money and we all walk off a little happier.

A suitcase can be heard opening, as well as a plastic cracking noise. Several seconds elapse as the suitcase is closed again.

BUYER 2
And?

BUYER 1
Real godlike shit there. Well then. I got this to give you-

Two gunshots ring out. Buyer 2 yells.

BUYER 1
Crap, setup!

A firefight erupts. Multiple gunshots are heard as Acosta fires his CZ75 at the buyers. More armed personnel appear to be wildly shooting into the crossfire by Acosta.

Det. Acosta enters a building, auditorily sounding to be flanking the armed buyers. Acosta re-emerges to the outside, where the gunfire has died down into several occasional shots. He yells and sprints.

BUYER 1
Fuck!

Acosta tackles Buyer 1.

ACOSTA
Police, Miami SCID. Keep those hands up and taste the concrete, bitch.

Buyer 1 laughs.

BUYER 1
Congrats, pal.

BUYER 1
Agent Ballard. FBIUIU.

FOUNDATION NOTICE

ON YELLOWJACKET

Due to an oversight in planning and an unprecedented violation in operations scale within the SCID, YELLOWJACKET led to the injuries of several officers in the SCID as well as the FBIUIU. The cause of the shootout was also investigated; it was found to be caused by the misjudgment of SCID Captain James Peters, who mistakenly thought UIU Agent Ivanovic was pulling out a pistol.
Captain Peters has been demoted and put on unpaid administrative leave for a month.

ON UIU PRESCENCE

A unit of the FBIUIU was present at the time of the incident to carry out a sting operation against Foundation researchers possibly selling small amounts of SCP-5487 to the general public. Further investigation into this claim has uncovered a chain of misunderstandings stemming from a partnership with the UIU, curated by ████, over proceedings and undercover operations including the use of 5487. No other UIU presence was determined within the recent events.
The FBIUIU has admitted their mistake over their wrongly-implemented investigation and misunderstanding of ████'s good intentions.

OVERALL

Further investigation into illegal production and distribution of SCP-5487 will be henceforth operated by the main branch of the Foundation. The SCID will be limited to low-level operations (with prior Foundation approval) and executing specific stakeouts/raids as given by the Foundation. This agreement will continue indefinitely until the Foundation believes the SCID is capable enough to handle such large cases without prompting or promoting unacceptable incidents.
The failure of YELLOWJACKET rests squarely on each and every involved member of the SCID.

You are accessing LEVEL 5 CLASSIFIED material. All violations of this classification will lead to amnesticization and termination of employment by the Foundation.

!NOTICE!

THIS FILE IS UNAVAILABLE FOR [O5-6] DUE TO CENSURE. DO NOT SHARE THIS FILE WITH THIS USER UNTIL THEIR VIEWING CLEARANCE IS REAPPROVED.

RESTRICTED LEVEL FIVE CLASSIFICATION

ITEM #

SCP-5487

OBJECT CLASS

Safe

SCP-5487 ("Cardocran").

SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES

The entirety of the internally-visible SCP-5487 stores are to be kept in special storage at Site-989. Two kilograms of 5487 are to be offloaded whenever appropriate to SCID Miami under Provision 57.M-B and 93.
SCID Miami is to be used to insure the Foundation's dominance in the market for SCP-5487.
Under O5 order, an additional five hundred kilograms are to be dispersed through secure channels to acquire express profits.
The chemical team in charge of SCP-5487 disposal is to reconstitute any inconsistencies with third-party-created 5487 and redistribute it through the above network.
Provisions to hospitals for SCP-5487 medical use is not in consideration at this time.

DESCRIPTION

SCP-5487 is the designation for the anomalous stimulant drug called "Cardocran", often nicknamed "Cardo". While SCP-5487 acts similarly to cocaine, its anomalous properties occur on its effect as a triple reuptake inhibitor (TRI): it approximately triples its efficiency while also removing its dependency issues on its subject.
While SCP-5487 can be used as an alternative to cocaine, cocaine cannot be used as an alternative to 5487.
5487 is unable to be created without anomalous technology. Currently, the Foundation is the only major producer of SCP-5487.

ITEM HISTORY

Early chemical base of SCP-5487.

An early prototype of SCP-5487 was discovered after a project to improve medical cocaine via SCP-914 adjustment. Foundation personnel eventually stabilized the most flagrant side-effects of the 5487 prototypes and codified them into the final SCP-5487 drug.
Following the lead of PENTAGRAM in drug-related offerings, the Foundation dispersed the process of making 5487 to certain anomalous groups with the intention of receiving payments on its licensing. After enough money was circulated through this process to support the Foundation's own 5487 production cycle, the Special Crimes Investigative Division (SCID) in Miami was employed to unknowingly remove most major competitors.
Despite a recent altercation over SCP-5487 involving the FBIUIU, SCID, and MPD-Vice, the major 5487 operation was not affected. Fault was placed on Foundation Liaison Mike Haskell and SCID Lieutenant Jaimie Hernandez, who were later terminated. Internal Agent Peters has been commended for his service in quickly bringing the affair to a close.
The 5487 operation will continue as long as it is profitable for the Foundation to do so.

« SCP-5486 | SCP-5487 | SCP-5488 »


Item#: 5490

Level2

Containment Class:
safe

Secondary Class:
none

Disruption Class:
vlam

Risk Class:
caution

link to memo

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5490 is to be sealed in a plexiglass container Site-76. Tests involving SCP-5490 are to be limited to one subject at a time and will only be coordinated by personnel with security clearance of Level 2 or above. SCP-5490 will only be read by a subject fitting within the parameters of its anomalous properties. Testing procedures will not be conducted without the approval of Dr. Prodri.
Description: SCP-5490 is a book wrapped in leather binding with 89 pages, all of which are blank. Despite SCP-5490's suspected age, it shows no sign of aging or wear. When an individual interacts with the first page of SCP-5490, one of two different phrases will be presented to the subject:

▷ Phrases

▽ Phrases

Phrase One:

"Only those who share the sacred blood of the emperor may read these pages. Thou shall suffer as the emperor did."

Phrase Two:

"Welcome, scion. Thou shall now read the history that was hidden from the light. The history of your ancestor."

Upon viewing the first phrase, the individual will begin to suffer from severe clinical depression, rating between 24 to 27 on the PHQ-9 test1 regardless of their emotional state prior to the event. The individual will also begin to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, complaining of the 'horrors of Judea.' Upon reading the second phrase, the individual will be able to view the full contents of SCP-5490.
All text within SCP-5490 is written in Latin, however the individual will still be able to read SCP-5490 regardless of their native language and/or their ability to understand Latin. Only individuals who can fully understand Latin text are able to read SCP-5490 verbally. The only method of translation is via audio recordings. However, upon playback the subject's voice will sound distorted. Video recording of any reading will result in the pages being observed as blank.
SCP-5490 details the Roman emperor Aelius Hadrianus Severlinus, who reigned as an emperor of the Roman Empire from 130 AD to 138 AD. Emperor Severlinus's history is not recorded in any other text or historical document besides SCP-5490, with his supposed command falling within the later years of emperor Hadrian's reign. The recorded anomalous activity during the Bar Kokhba Revolt, as well as other anomalous events during these years, are also within Foundation databases. Hadrian, however, is still recorded as the emperor during these events.
SCP-5490 was discovered after an Italian archaeological team from the Sapienza University of Rome explored a previously unrecorded chamber underneath Rome. SCP-5490 was found on a pedestal in a pristine condition. One of the team members opened SCP-5490, while other team members observed. SCP-5490's anomalous effect then activated, causing most of the team to suffer from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder within a few hours. One of the original team members did not experience any of SCP-5490's effects and swiftly reported his discovery to government officials. Suspecting anomalous activity may be involved, the Italian government contacted the Foundation whereupon it was swiftly secured and transferred to Site-76.
Addendum.1 - Form of SCP-5490: According to the dates provided by SCP-5490, it is impossible for it to be contained within a modernly constructed book. It should be within a codex, however, all text within SCP-5490 describes itself as a book. Despite this, all dating methods show it to be made and constructed approximately 1880 years ago. One theory stipulated is that SCP-5490 changes it's appearance in accordance with the most widely available method of reading at the time. Given that it hasn't transferred itself into digital form means there are one of two possibilities:

Either it can not transfer itself into a digital form or,
It does not recognize Ebooks as the most widely available format

If the second is true, Mobile Task Force Mu-4 "Debuggers" has been alerted to that possibility and has developed Protocol "Odoacer" in the event that SCP-5490 transfers itself into digital form. Should this event happen and Protocol "Odoacer" fail, SCP-5490's containment class shall be changed to Keter and it's disruption and risk class to Ekhi and Warning respectively. It is unknown how this process will be accomplished, let alone at all, but the risk factor is high enough to warrant preparations.
Addendum.2 - Page excerpts: The following are excerpts from various pages of SCP-5490. Only major variations between the actions of Severlinus and Hadrian are transcribed and presented. SCP-5490 itself can be divided into three different sections:
First Section: Pages 1-9
Description: Early life and eventual coronation of Severlinus
Second section: Pages 10-55
Description: First years of Severlinus's reign towards the end of the Bar Kokhba Revolt.
Third section: Pages 56-88
Description: Final years of Severlinus's reign and death.

▷ Excerpts

▽ Excerpts

Excerpt from page one

It is here that I record the reign and death of Imperator Caeser Hadrianus Severlinus Augustus, whose reign began 883 Ab urbe condita2 and lasted a glorious eight years. It will be here, and only here, that his excellence is deified. His reign brought great prosperity to the empire and its people but also brought him to madness. His actions were guided by fate, as commanded by Jupiter himself. Come, scion, and learn of your forebearers feats and victories, as well as his fall from grace.

Excerpt from page nine

During Imperator Caesar Trajanus Hadrianus Augustus's voyage up the River Nile, much of his flotilla sank and drowned. An inquiry into this event has led many to come to the conclusion that a sudden flood killed the late emperor, his beloved Antinous, and many who accompanied them. Locals who witnessed the event believe it was the influence of Suchus as means of protecting the River Nile.3 Upon word of the tragedy reaching Rome, Severlinus was struck with immense grief. The late emperor had been his father, his teacher, and mentor. Words can not describe the number of tears that were shed that day. Regardless, it was now time for your forebearer to take the crown. After the Senate was told of Hadrian's death, which was received of mixed opinion, your forebearer was officially crowned as the new emperor of the empire.

Excerpt from page seventeen

Severlinus then traveled to Athens a few months later, where he had hoped to uphold his father's ambitions. He had hoped to finally realize his father's Panhellenion as a means of culturally uniting the Greek city-states and Rome. As a gift to the Athenians, as well as completing another one of his father's dreams, he finished the construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Underneath the temple, he had buried Trajan's artifact as a means of passively subjugating the Athenians.4 By giving the Athenians more luxuries, Severlinus had gained their trust and admiration. These feelings were reciprocated, as Severlinus would walk among the Athenians in the streets with little to no guard. Upon his departure for the east, he was sent off warmly by the people.

Excerpt from page twenty-seven

During his visit to Palmyra, Severlinus first heard of the artifact from a woman claiming to be a traveling Vates. It was here that his curiosity and hubris led him further down the stairs of fate. Intrigued, he pleaded the woman for answers. She told him of the powers it could give, and the horrors it could bring. In great detail, she explained its mastery over the flesh of others, sickening those around Severlinus. But not him. He had heard of the ancient myths and legends of a people who could manipulate flesh and bone. If such a power existed, no matter how savage it could be, Severlinus sought to tame it. Upon learning the location of the artifact, he and his troop moved south towards Judea.

Excerpt from page thirty-one

While in Judea, Severlinus sought to rebuild Jerusalem after years of destruction and war. He not only intended this to be a gift to the Jews but also hoped that the rabbis would lead him to the artifact he so desperately craved. Upon his arrival, he learned more about Jewish culture from a local Samaritan priest. Learning that the Jews openly circumcise their young, Severlinus was disgusted. A Hellenist like his father believed such an act was mutilation. He then enacted a decree within the city, announcing that circumcision was banned throughout the empire. This was met with much dissatisfaction, and the anti-Roman sentiment that lingered within the Jews had grown even more significant. This angered Severlinus, who then enacted many other anti-Jewish decrees. This would pave the way to war, sending your forefather even closer to his fate.

Excerpt from page thirty-five

Even as I write this, it is still unknown how the Jews found the artifact first. While our legionaries searched throughout Judea, one of the Jews found it. This Jew, Simon bar Kokhba, would utilize the artifact's immense power to gather followers to his cause. He utilized the artifact to 'bless' his soldiers and followers.5 As bar Kokhba marched on Jerusalem, he demanded that every single Roman within Judea leave immediately. Severlinus, no longer fond of the Jews, took this a declaration of war and had Tineius Rufus send two legions to crush the rebellion. They were met with utter annihilation with few survivors. The command bar Kokhba had on the artifact was masterful, leading his armies against Rome with skill. This only further spurred Severlinus's hate for the Jews, resolving to destroy bar Kokhba. He came to believe that his destiny was here in Judea, not in Greece. Oh scion, how right he was.

Excerpt from page forty

Severlinus had summoned several more legions and called Sextus Julius Severus from Britain to face bar Kokhba. In spite of the largest gathering of legions since the wars in Dacia, bar Kokhba still raised above Severlinus's pressure. Your forebearer became desperate, destroying the Jewish armies against him became the sole thing he thought about for the next year. He and Severus met bar Kokhba's forces outside of Jericho, where he witnessed for the first time the artifact's effects.
Seeing the mutation of bodies and frenzied fighting from the Jewish armies made Severlinus sick. Despite our best efforts, the legions were once again defeated at the hands of bar Kokhba's armies. Severlinus no longer wanted to capture the artifact, rather he wished to destroy it by whatever means. After regrouping in Samaria, Severus informed Severlinus of his own artifact from Britain. A sword that could be used to combat bar Kokhba's. Desperate, your forebearer had it brought to him.

Excerpt from page forty-four

Severus's sword proved to be the dagger. Bar Kokhba and his forces were on their knees, retreating to their final fortress in Betar. It would be here that the artifact's effect would finally take shape on bar Kokhba's men. They were now nothing more than prisoners in their own flesh, which only further disgusted Severlinus. His resolve to destroy bar Kokhba and his artifact only deepened. Despite their situation, the Jews still fought with frenzy and vigor.
Our legions could not break the walls of Betar, despite our best efforts. It would be here that your forefather resigned himself to fate. He stepped onto the front line in the last summer of the siege and charged at the walls. The legionaries saw this as a rallying cry, that if the emperor was as bold so should they. Only those closest to Severlinus knew the truth. He had become just as desperate, crazed, and manic as the Jews in front of them. He then broke the walls, and the massacre began.

Excerpt from page fifty-six

Finally, Severlinus returned to Rome. Word of his feats in Judea had already reached the greater population, who praised him as a hero. He had quashed the rebellion, renamed Jerusalem Aelia Capitolina, and decreed that Judea be erased from every map. Those closest to him knew the truth, however. His mind and body were broken. He had lost dear comrades and friends, including Severus, in the war. He was successful at destroying bar Kokhba and the artifact, but at what cost scion? He lost nearly everything he held dear to him. He didn't greet the senate with the customary salutation, he knew he wasn't worthy of doing so. The war effectively ended your forebearer's aspirations to realize his father's dreams. It had made him a recluse, yet he still held tightly onto Severus's sword.

Excerpt from page sixty-one

When his mother, empress Sabina, died Severlinus only further slipped into depression. He had been stopped numerous times from committing suicide. He had no heir, his travels left him childless. His current state of mind did not allow him to think of even adopting an heir. Many around him became frightened by the prospect of him dying with no heir designated to fulfill the office of emperor. That was until he met Lucius Aelius. Severlinus immediately became infatuated with him and sought him out on numerous occasions. The two would be seen together many times before eventually Severlinus named him his son and by extension his heir. Despite his newfound invigoration, your forebearer would still have bouts of madness all while keeping hold of Severus's sword.

Excerpt from page seventy-three

It happened suddenly. Lucius Aelius's death greatly impacted Severlinus, sending him into a deeper depression. He would always have two people around at all times, for if he ended his life the office of the emperor would be left vacant with no successor. As he sat alone, Severus's sword in hand, one of his consuls approached him. The consul, Arrius Antoninus, began to comfort him. At first ineffective, the consul eventually made a connection with your forebearer. The two talked for a long while, throughout the night. The next morning Severlinus announced to the senate that he had adopted the consul, with the condition that he adopt the son of the recently deceased Lucius Aelius. There was a sigh of relief among the senators, for the office was once again secure. Despite having made a connection with Severlinus, the consul could not pry Severus's sword from him.

Excerpt from page eighty-seven

It had finally happened. The sword that Severlinus had grown attached to brought him to madness. The object he had long used as a comforter, a precaution for the day should bar Kokhba's artifact rear its face again, had turned on him. He interrupted the consul's dinner with his attendants, Severus's sword in hand. He swung it wildly and with frenzy. The consul's wife shrieked as Severlinus approached them. The consul grabbed his blade and begged your forebearer to stand down.
He was beyond reason and swung at the consul. Then, the consul cut his neck. Can you blame him, scion? As Severlinus fell, the consul caught him in his arms. Letting go of Severus's sword for the first time, Severlinus asked the consul if he had made his father proud. With tears in his eyes, the consul comforted him by saying he had. With life leaving him, Severlinus made the consul promise to deify his father. And with that, your forebearer died experiencing peace for the first time in years.

Excerpt from page eighty-nine

Upon his ascension Antoninus Pius saw to it that Hadrian was deified, fulfilling Severlinus's final wish. Fearful that word of Severlinus's actions would further destabilize the empire, he was to be hidden from history. Severus's sword was confiscated and buried in Aegyptus. Due to his remarkable likeness to his father, the people were made to believe that Severlinus was indeed Hadrian. Any record and document saying otherwise were destroyed. That is why I have recorded all of this. Your forebearer would have been lost, if not for me.
I, son of Aelius Hadrianus Severlinus, will see to it that he been seen by future generations. I was there for it all, experienced what he experienced, and rightful occupant to the office of the emperor. I fear that if Antoninus Pius finds this book, he will destroy it. I will see to it that the Vates harness the emotions my father felt moments before his death, and curse those that attempt to read the book. Only my future sons and daughters may view these texts without repercussions. If you are reading this somewhere in the future, even if the empire has fallen, I plead that you hide this book until the time is right. Ensure that my father deserves his place in the sun. Please, let him see the light of day once more.

Footnotes
1. A depression module used to monitor the severity of depression, rated between 1 and 27
2. From the founding of the city.
3. This correlates with recorded activity of SCP-████.
4. Foundation records corroborate that Trajan did indeed discover such an artifact, however, its whereabouts are unknown.
5. It is known that Simon bar Kokhba utilized a similarly described anomaly during his revolt.

« SCP-5489 | SCP-5490 | SCP-5491 »


Item #: SCP-5491
Object Class: Safe

An SCP-5491 manifestation. Significant distortion occurs when attempting to record or photograph an apparition event.

Special Containment Procedures: Personnel are to allow SCP-5491 to manifest for three hours each night. The Foundation has supplied a modest library of taped and vinyl music, appropriate to the tastes of SCP-5491-1.
The building containing SCP-5491 has been purchased by the Foundation and granted Listed status, exempting it from being considered for demolition by the local authority. Soundproofing materials have been installed to curb external interest in SCP-5491 occurrences.

Description: SCP-5491 is a spectral phenomenon relating to the disused ‘Aspekt' nightclub and discotheque near Burry Port, Wales.
The venue's original lighting and sound systems remain in place, and SCP-5491 occurs when a specific sequence of strobe presets is activated. SCP-5491 consists, at present, of thirteen humanoid apparitions (designated collectively as SCP-5491-1). A new entity has appeared, on average, every three years since the anomaly came to the Foundation's attention.
Instances of SCP-5491-1 manifest as teenagers or adolescents, dressed in clothing typical of the late 1970s and early 1980s. SCP-5491-1 demonstrate a significant level of spatial awareness, often making way for corporeal individuals to pass, but have otherwise made no attempts to interact with researchers. It is, however, possible for people and objects to phase through SCP-5491-1 when the entities are caught off-guard.
SCP-5491 is constrained to the venue's dance floor, where entities will dance for an as-yet indeterminate period of time if club or disco music from the era is played over the sound system. When the music is turned off, or a song from a different era or genre is played, SCP-5491-1 become agitated and will occasionally heckle in the direction of the disc jockey booth. Terminating the strobe sequence will cause the apparition to cease.

+ Interview Log 07/01/18

- Interview Log 07/01/18

Interviewed: Barry Williams
Interviewer: Dr Leonard Bertram
Foreword: Posing as a historian, Dr Bertram arranged an interview with lifelong local resident Barry Williams. Mr Williams had been identified as a former patron using photographs taken of the venue in the early 1980s, but did not resemble any instances of SCP-5491-1.
<Begin Log>
Dr Bertram: Hi, Mr Williams. I'm Leo, we spoke on the phone?
Barry Williams: Of course, come in. I've got the kettle on, if you'd-
Dr Bertram: Oh, no thanks. I shan't take too long.
Barry Williams: Take as long as you need.
Dr Bertram: Okay, well… about this photograph.
Dr Bertram pulls out a photocopied Polaroid showing the club's interior in its heyday, with several individuals circled who bear close similarity to instances of SCP-5491-1.
Barry Williams: Yeah, that's Aspekt alright. Such a shame it's fallen into… disrepair.
Dr Bertram: And that's you in the corner?
Barry Williams: God, those bell-bottoms. Yep, that's me. They were barely in fashion even then.
Dr Bertram: Now, about these people I've put circles around…
Barry Williams: Let me see… well, I couldn't tell you who those two fellows on the left are, I'm afraid. But that lady, over here – I'd recognise Linda Hartford a mile away. Poor old Linda…
Dr Bertram: Where's Linda now, if you don't mind me asking?
Barry Williams: Oh, she was a lovely girl. Half the town must've fancied her back in the day. In year ten I went out with her for, what, about two weeks I reckon. She moved away at the start of the eighties, like most of them did, and a couple of years ago I heard she passed away.
Dr Bertram: I'm sorry, Mr Williams.
Barry Williams: I'm fine. It was a… drunk driving incident, I think. As in, she was the driver. A lot of the old crowd ended up on the bottle, but poor Linda had trouble for years.
Dr Bertram: You mentioned that a lot of these people moved away?
Barry Williams: Yeah, when Thatcher and her lot started closing the mines. We knew the town was on the chopping block, and by the time it did come around, a lot of the younger folks had moved out to the cities. Swansea, Cardiff… some of the ones who could afford it went to university. Most of them never came back.
Dr Bertram: And you stayed?
Barry Williams: We just didn't have the money. My dad, he was an excavator mechanic, until the mine closed down. And everything he taught me about engines, well, I've been at the town garage for getting on four decades now.
Dr Bertram: What about this gentleman, the one next to Linda?
Barry Williams: Oh, Thomas. Thomas Langford. He was a proper gent, old Tommy. You know, he was one of the first people in Wales to die of AIDS? That's a grim little tidbit for your history book.
Dr Bertram: That's… terrible. You don't suppose there's anyone else who's, how should I put this, still around that I might be able to talk to?
Barry Williams: Oh, I've not been in contact with most of the old lot in years. They're all over the place, now – London, all that, became proper city folk. They won't be interested in coming back here, I don't think.
Dr Bertram: That's a shame. I'd love to be able to speak to some of them.
Barry Williams takes a sip of his tea.
Barry Williams: Do you know how much damage Thatcher did to this town? It's anger, that's what keeps me going. I'll stay here as long as it means this place doesn't completely become a ghost town—
Dr Bertram: I've, uh, gotta make a move now. Thank you ever so much for your time, Mr Williams – this has been a great help to my research.
<End Log>

+ Addendum

- Addendum

Barry Williams passed away at his home on 27/08/19. The cause of death was verified as a diagnosed heart condition. The following evening, personnel in charge of SCP-5491's routine observation recorded the manifestation of a fourteenth spectral entity, which bore resemblance to Barry Williams in photographs circa 1981.

« SCP-5490 | SCP-5491 | SCP-5492 »


Ecronak

Enjoyed the skip? Give some of my other works a look here!

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING FILE HAS BEEN MODIFIED

The contents of this page have been modified by an unauthorized user. Cognitohazards may be present in the following file. RAISA has been contacted. Peruse at your own risk.

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Gods above, that message was a whole lot of ado for a whole lot of nothing.
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I didn't do anything bad. Just included a little story that I wanna tell.
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I sure do hope you enjoy it. I most certainly didn't.
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Item#: 5493

Level3

Containment Class:
euclid

Secondary Class:
none

Disruption Class:
ekhi

Risk Class:
warning

link to memo

The population of Washington D.C. evacuating shortly after SCP-5493.

Special Containment Procedures: Due to the global nature of SCP-5493, all instances of SCP-5493-A are to be monitored at all times by Foundation operatives and contained within their respective legislative facilities. The surrounding area extending to ten kilometers from the facilities is to be evacuated. Any and all references to the incidents that have so far been caused by SCP-5493 must be expunged and their witnesses amnesticized.
Close cooperation must be conducted with Global Occult Coalition operatives in order to prevent the veil of normalcy from breaking. Contact must also be maintained with the leaders of the affected nations. As such, personnel are expected to exercise caution when containing SCP-5493-A instances, due to concerns by world governments about the subjects' wellbeing. Lethal action is not authorized under any circumstances.
Description: SCP-5493 is a spontaneous global phenomenon that affects the members of 54 of the world's legislative assemblies. On 12/16/2019 at 1:23 PM, affected government officials (henceforth referred to as SCP-5493-A) have been reported to begin exhibiting erratic and extremely violent behavior, disrupting all legislative operations. No discernible cause has yet been found for the phenomenon.

12/16/2019
The day of release. Fuck that movie.

The mood in the O5 council chamber was tense. Extremely so.
One had called the emergency meeting as soon as dire news came through from both their operatives and the GOC, going hand-in-hand with everything else that's happened in the last three hours.
Everything was moving far too fast for their liking. Information lockdown efforts were holding, but they didn't know for how long. The same thing went for the leaders of all the affected countries. If just one decided to squeal…
Aanya decided not to think about that. Her Public Outreach already had their hands full. She checked her watch. It displayed the time as 1:10 AM- nearly twelve hours since the last incident of 5493.
She looked around the council chamber. It was empty, emptier than usual- the recent incident had required the attention of many of their fellow overseers. Of the thirteen in the council, only five were present.
One was slowly preparing his papers, readying to give the briefing of the current situation to the other overseers. His hands shook with every movement, something that Aanya hadn't seen in years. She remembered the times when he stood strong, then pursed her lips- those times were long past.
Two, Mann, was crossing his arms. She could tell that he was tense. His usual allies on the Council, Gears and Clef, were absent. That fact alone contributed to much of his nervousness. He was already furiously tapping his feet on the floor, while his right hand worried the large mustache on his upper lip. Aanya could only smile. The Mad Doctor, she thought. How we watched your career with great interest.
Three and Four – Gears and Clef - were both physically absent and attending remotely, having been assigned to the situations in Russia and Korea, respectively. The same went for Six, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven and Twelve, though they had their cameras off. She hoped they were still listening.
Maria Jones, O5-5, was biting her lip- Aanya could already see a bit of blood being drawn. Though she was often a stern and stony woman, the director of RAISA seemed to be letting her fear come to the fore, now. Even when Maria wasn't directly involved with the efforts to contain 5493, Aanya knew through the whispers in the grapevines that she had a relative in the Senate- though who, she didn't know.
Last of all that were present in the council room was Seven, Jack Bright, and he was cranky. Personnel was just as busy as Public Outreach, and the recent 5493 incident had forced many of their operatives on the ground to relocate to other Sites and branches- relocations which Bright had to supervise himself. He wasn't particularly happy about working with the GOC, either.
One cleared his throat.
“Alright,” He said, tenuously, yet still retaining his signature twang of authority. The weakness in his voice was obvious, though Aanya could tell that his mind was whirring with solutions. He turned on the slideshow on the screen to his left. “Let's get to business.”
Immediately, all those present stood up in their seats. One had always insisted that they made themselves presentable before every meeting, in days long past. The mannerism still stuck, even now.
One began. He had the poise of an old and experienced professor, lecturing his students with strictness and authority. “I know all of you are familiar with today's events, but let's round this down.” His voice quivered. “On the sixteenth of December, 2019, at exactly 1:23 PM Seoul time, we received reports of a session of the National Assembly in South Korea being interrupted by a sudden outbreak of violence. Politicians were getting beaten by other politicians, shouting matches were the norm, and circular debates were being made.”
He coughed. “Under normal circumstances, we would have dismissed this as a particularly active Assembly session, but then we received reports of the same thing happening all over the world.”
He switched to the next slide. “One hour later, at 1:23 PM, the legislative branch of China exhibited the same behavior for no apparent reason. At that, we began to suspect that something was going on. The fact that this was an anomalous occurrence was confirmed when the legislative branch of the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia all followed suit at the same time. Same violence, same goddamn nonsense. Prior to 1:23, all of the members would enter, regardless of their predetermined schedule. Once 1:23 strikes, violence erupts. Any attempts at stopping them end in failure, especially with their abilities and resistance to tranquilizers.”
“Any questions so far?” One said, looking from Overseer to Overseer with a piercing glare.
Aanya knew it was a strategy he used to keep their attention. No one dared ask One a question during a briefing. The first time anyone did was Mann, nearly ten years ago. She still smiled at the memory.
“Seven?” One said, looking at Bright.
Bright shrugged irritatedly. “Nah.”
“A surprise to be sure. A welcome one, in fact. Two?”
Mann looked up from his boot, then shook his head.
One nodded to himself. Though he was but a shadow of what he was, he still maintained a formidable presence.
“Good.” He turned to face the screen again. “Let's continue.”
He switched to a slide showing the US Senate and Congress in utter pandemonium. “All in all, 54 countries in total had lost all control over their legislative branches, causing a great headache for us at the Foundation. We don't know what started it, but we've made some measures to address it.” He switched to the next slide, showing the GOC logo.
“All of you know the deal we made with the GOC several hours ago, and the emergency vote that came with it. Twelve ayes, one nay.”
Bright averted his gaze immediately.
One continued. “We all know that even with our far-reaching influence and so-called unlimited power, we aren't able to be everywhere at once. So, when we approved the proposal, we began to cooperate with the Global Occult Coalition on matters of containing and neutralizing the threat. With this, they requested twenty tons of our amnestic stock for information containment and two hundred of our personnel for assistance in containing the threat. Overall, not a large price.”
Bright sighed nearly inaudibly to her left.
He flashed to a picture of the South Korean National Assembly building being entered by operatives from the Global Occult Coalition and the Foundation. “This was our first operation: The National Assembly Building, in Seoul. Fifty operatives from our East Asian branch, sixty from the GOC.”
He flashed to another picture depicting the operation within. Assembly members could be seen attacking multiple operatives. “Each operative was armed with tranquilizer guns, in order to neutralize the instances of 5493-A in a nonlethal manner. We hoped that this would put an end to the hysteria. Instead, it worsened it.”
“Assembly members attacked operatives, manifesting superhuman abilities the moment they were stopped from performing their… activities.” He showed a blurred picture taken from an operatives' helmetcam, depicting another operative being beaten to death by a South Korean assemblyman. “Due to the absence of an approved kill order from the South Korean government as well as Command for both forces, our operatives had to retreat with multiple casualties. Seventeen injured, three dead. Right after we left, the 5493-As resumed their activities.”
Bright grunted with irritation. "Like fighting up against higher ground." He muttered.
Aanya could only sigh in response. She herself agreed, though silently.
One's gaze turned to Bright in the space of half a moment. “Do you have anything to contribute, Bright?” He said, the strength of his personality showing through his wheezing voice.
Bright stared at him. He bit his lip, trying to contain his frustration.
Bright winced, then spoke. “Couldn't we have just told our operatives to… fucking knock them out? Beat them with batons? Riot guards do it, why can't we?”
“Excellent question,” One said, placing his hand on the table. “But ultimately a foolish one. Though we are a secret organization, we are still beholden to what we serve…” He paused to breathe. “Humanity.”
One stared Bright down. The old rivalry between teacher and student was heavily apparent in the room. One was a pragmatist, a man willing to compromise between staying true to his values and saving the things that gave birth to those values. Bright was loyal to the Foundation and its purpose, embodying its original vision until the bitter end.
Bright didn't respond, instead continuing to stare back at One.
“Right now, the governments of the humanity we serve do not wish to see their officials harmed.” One spoke, finally. “I do not agree with it, but it is the price we pay. These are still influential senators, congressmen, and assemblymen. Politicking is seen everywhere, and we must be wary of it, no matter our policy of staying out of international affairs. The GOC, being a part of the UN, is even more sensitive to it than us. I do hope that does not surprise you.”
A thick silence permeated through the room.
Aanya looked at Bright's face- changing from frustration to anger to rage- then back down to submission. Even now, One's personality dominated everything.
“I understand, Sir.” Bright said, leaning back in defeat. He sighed, and muttered something under his breath.
“Good.” One said, nodding. “Let's resume.”
He turned back to the screen. “Due to the failure at the National Assembly in Seoul, we were forced to go back to the drawing board. Thirteen and her Public Outreach-“ he said, gesturing to Aanya, “were instrumental in our coordination with the Global Occult Coalition. Instead of containing them one-by-one, we opted to go for the information blackout, silencing witnesses and making sure not one of them squealed.”

GOC and Foundation operatives under the guise of local law enforcement standing outside of the Capitol Building.

He switched to a slide that showed both GOC and Foundation operatives standing outside of the Capitol building. “Current story right now is that of a worldwide coordinated terrorist attack. The 54 governments who are affected by this have agreed to tell that story. Until such a time occurs that this blows over, we must stay vigilant. The Insurgency has been silent on this, and so has the Hand. It is only a matter of time before they make their move.” He stood up straight. Pain crossed his face. “End of briefing. You may now speak.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Everyone knew the gravity of being the one to speak first.
Aanya looked around. Everyone else had their arms crossed, pursing their lips. After One's grave briefing, every single overseer was deep in thought.
Then, her phone vibrated. She got a text.
Aanya immediately went to get it, combing through her messages.
It was from one of her contacts in Seoul.
She tapped the screen to read it. The message (written in Korean) was short.

Assemblymen are exiting, they're attacking us. We need assistance as soon as possible.

Her heart sank. She immediately looked up. "One, what of the attack on the-"
“Excuse me, One,” Clef interrupted, his voice booming across the speakers of the room. “But the Blue House in Seoul has just sent us an urgent dispatch. Their National Assembly members are coming out of the building, but…”
One turned around quickly. “What?” The way he said the word was edged with surprise- and dread.
Clef responded. "Live feed from the ground is coming on now."
“Do it.” One said, his voice going low.
At that, Clef changed the screen to display a live feed from the Federal Assembly building.

GOC and Foundation operatives armed with riot gear.

The video was blurry, but showed just enough to cause fear in every single one of the onlooking overseers. In it, what seemed to be some twenty churning balls of flesh and bone rolled across the surface of the concrete outside the building. Both GOC and Foundation operatives were already drawing up to counter them, raising riot shields in the air as they prepared to fight.
As the balls got closer, Aanya realized that they weren't just any normal skips- they were the assemblymen, still dressed in priceless suits, merged together as one large fleshy ball. She could hear them screeching and groaning in pain as they rolled across the concrete floor, their all-too human screams painful to hear. She could hear their bones cracking agonizingly as the ball moved, picking up speed as arms seemed to sprout from it to push it forward, breaking upon impact as they met the ground.
"JORJJJJJJJJ!" They shouted in unison. "JORRRRRRJJJJJJJJ!"
“Jesus Christ.” Aanya could hear Maria say, to her left. “What the hell are those?”
“We don't know.” Clef answered. “All we do know is that these are the assemblymen. All of them."
On the video feed, the balls picked up even more speed with each second, covering several meters in the span of a second. She could hear the operatives drawing their breaths as they closed the distance.
“Are we authorized to shoot them?!” She could hear an operative say in Korean.
“No!” Their superior shouted back. “We aren't cleared to-“
Suddenly, the balls seemed to glow bright red with what seemed to be heat, the sheer temperature on their surface causing them to hum. They were extremely close now, and it would only take a few seconds until-
“HOLD FAST!” The commander said in the back. “HOLD DAMN FAST!”
Then, in that moment, the balls crashed into the operatives, burning through them like a hot knife through butter. Many died in an instant, being seared to a crisp under the balls' charge, and even more fell to the ground with vaporized legs and torsos, crying out in agony. Even from her position, thousands of miles away, Aanya had no doubt that the smell would have been of burnt flesh.
The feed cut out, and the entire chamber was left in silence.
One gulped. Aanya had no doubt that he was afraid now- everyone was. The specter of a Broken Masquerade hung in the balance.
“Thirteen.” He said, looking at Aanya. His eyes were bloodshot, the deep wrinkles in his face getting even deeper by the second. “You may be excused- you must coordinate with the GOC. I have no doubt that the same will happen everywhere else. Find a way to stop this.”
Aanya nearly sprung from her seat at the command. She nodded. “Affirmative, O5-1.”
As she left, all she could hear was the Council collapsing into pandemonium- though unlike the assemblies that they were trying to contain, the noise and the arguments were all too normal.

12/17/2019
The day after.

Item#: 5493

Level2

Containment Class:
esoteric

Secondary Class:
uncontained

Disruption Class:
amida

Risk Class:
danger

link to memo

The Korean National Assembly Building

Special Containment Procedures: Due to the global nature of SCP-5493, all instances of SCP-5493-B are to be monitored at all times, being intercepted when possible (see Addendum 5493.01). As the risk of the Veil collapsing at this time is extremely high, caution is to be exercised with regards to the interception of SCP-5493-B instances. Should a group of SCP-5493-B instances be predicted to cross one or multiple population centers, all personnel within these population centers must be evacuated as soon as possible. To reduce the risk of breaking the Veil, under no circumstances are operatives assigned to SCP-5493-B allowed to capture or damage any of the instances.
Description: SCP-5493 is a spontaneous global phenomenon that affects the members of 54 of the world's upper legislative assemblies. On 12/17/2019, at 1:23 AM, affected government officials (henceforth referred to as SCP-5493-A) began to amalgamate as instances of SCP-5493-B.
SCP-5493-B is the designation for the combinatory amalgamations of multiple SCP-5493-A into roughly spherical blobs. The number of instances of SCP-5493-A in one instance of SCP-5493-B has been recorded to range from five to fifteen. SCP-5493-B instances achieve locomotion through the instances of SCP-5493-A within them using their limbs to push themselves across any given surface, allowing them to roll forward at speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour. When faced with an aquatic obstruction, SCP-5493-B instances have been recorded to swim with a speed of up to 10 kilometers per hour.
All SCP-5493-B instances have been known to be nominally indestructible, capable of regenerating when damaged and reforming when split. When faced with an obstruction or threat, SCP-5493-B instances are capable of spontaneously elevating their temperature to a maximum of 4000 degrees Celsius through unknown means. This allows them the ability of being able to melt through all known materials, including steel, titanium, and tungsten. Despite their composition, such high temperatures do not produce any discernible effect on the SCP-5493-B instances.
Though SCP-5493-B instances initially seemed to possess no form of sentient intelligence, recent operations have proven that to be false. Along with being able to move as a single entity, SCP-5493-B instances have also shown to have some semblance of a gestalt consciousness1 between all other instances, allowing them to coordinate movements and efforts to “free” other entities (See Addendum 5493.01).
As of 12/17/2019, 5477 instances of SCP-5493-B have been known to exist.

Seogang Bridge immediately prior to the Seoul Operation

Addendum 5493.01: Following the initial manifestations of SCP-5493-B and their breach of containment in Seoul, South Korea, a combination of Foundation and Global Occult Coalition forces amounting to two hundred operatives embarked on an operation to secure all instances before they exited the city limits of Seoul, chasing all instances across the recently locked-down Seogang Bridge. They were supplemented with three Apache attack helicopters and twenty Humvees. Due to the instances of SCP-5493-A within each SCP-5493-B instance being valuable to the Korean government, all operatives were told to only use lethal action when necessary, with the primary goal of the operation being containment.
The operation began with the deployment of Class A tranquilizers2 by the operatives within the pursuing attack helicopters and Humvees. This proved to be ineffective. Following that, titanium mesh nets were deployed in order to apprehend each SCP-5493-B instance, which also proved to be ineffective when several SCP-5493-B instances moved in a coordinated manner to free each of the entrapped instances, melting through the titanium mesh. With the instances about to reach the end of the Seogang bridge, lethal action was authorized. Missiles and conventional weaponry were used on the instances to no avail, with damaged SCP-5493-B instances regenerating and reforming when possible.
Due to the risk of the Veil being broken, the Seoul operation was aborted, with all SCP-5493-B instances continuing to move across Seoul. In preparation for the containment of information regarding SCP-5493, much of the Seoul area in the path of the SCP-5493-B instances was evacuated, with all other population centers in the aforementioned path being evacuated as well. These included cities such as Namyangju, Gapyeong, Chuncheon, Inje, and Sokcho. Following their arrival at Sokcho, the instances began to move into the Sea of Japan in a northeastern direction.
With the same events transpiring in other affected countries, operational priority was changed to information and damage control rather than containment. Currently, all SCP-5493-B instances are estimated to be moving towards the West Coast of the United States.

The calls began shortly after Seoul.
“South Korea is requesting assistance with information control.” One called.
“China's President is on the line!” The other said.
“Ma'am, the Philippine President is calling too.” That happened an hour later.
“India is asking about the Bs running through New Delhi.” This was major, and it hit close to home.
“Ma'am Delegate, several nations are speaking about cooperating with other Groups of Interest instead.” That was vital.
On and on the calls went, going from one head of state to another as requests for assistance, or information, or prioritization came in.
Aanya loved Public Outreach, but God was it tiring. Especially with 54 countries suddenly waking up to their legislative officials turning into little more than indestructible balls of meat.
Three nations had already sided with the Chaos Insurgency. Another five had begun talks with the Serpent's Hand. A few major ones were even talking about defunding the GOC and the Foundation altogether- something that Aanya was trying hard to prevent.
Then the blame games happened. In Asia. In Europe. The Americas. Africa. Oceania. On every continent was another conflict to solve, another disagreement, another diplomatic incident.
All she could do from her position was smile and wave, deftly navigating the rigors of international diplomacy in order to prevent worldwide escalation.
At least the GOC was cooperating— her counterpart there, Delegate Bulsara, was known to be a very considerate diplomat. He was doing everything he could on his end to stop any conflicts from happening.
Thank the gods for small blessings, Aanya thought to herself.
Still, the last two days had left her a hefty amount of work— she had to take back-to-back calls all day, making sure to smooth out this misunderstanding and that, soothe wounded egos, force heads of state to come to an understanding.
She hadn't slept in the last forty-eight hours. Nothing had stressed her out this much since… ever. Even the early 2000s were less stressful than this.
There's always a bigger fish, she thought. Her predecessor said that, having had to navigate through the bloodbath that was the Cold War. She was inclined to agree with him now.
Sighing with exhaustion, she put the telephone down. The American president was acquiring as to the anomalies on his country's soil. Bs were rampaging through DC at that very moment, and were ripe to go across the country to arrive at… whatever they wished to arrive at.
California, she thought, remembering what One said during another one of their emergency meetings. They're heading towards somewhere in California.
Then, she heard a call come through- not on the telephone, but her personal smartphone.
She immediately scrambled to take it. There was only one person in the world that it could be.
She dragged the call sign to the center, and his majestic voice greeted her.
“Hello, there.” She said lovingly in Hindi. She hoped her exhaustion didn't show through her voice.
“Aanya Laghari. Nice to hear your beautiful voice again.” Rajesh said, on the opposite side of the world. “Is your delegate work done yet? Padma is coming home from university. She wants to be able to see her grandmother for once.”
“Padma is in university already? My goodness, she's grown!” Aanya said, a wide smile on her face. “But work calls, sadly. The United Nations always needs peace kept.”
“How's New York?” He said. “They're treating you well at the UN?”
“Of course.” She smiled. He never ceased to ask her that question.
“I hope so, otherwise they'd have to face the mighty wrath of Professor Rajesh Laghari!” His voice grew deeper with that last part, as if he was a superhero. She still adored it, forty years into their marriage.
She chuckled. Only her husband could make her laugh like that. "You should have joined me in studying Political Science when we were in college."
"Oh," Rajesh said, chuckling back. "I'm not brave enough for politics."
“That's a new line.” She responded. “A fine addition to-“
Her secretary called from her office. “Ma'am, there is something you need to see.”
She froze. Of all the damn times-
“It's work, isn't it?” Rajesh said. The note of disappointment in his voice caused Aanya's heart to sink. “Go on. The world needs you. Especially now that tensions are rising."
“Rajesh…” Aanya began. “After this, I'll call you back, alright?”
“Of course.”
“I love you.” She said.
“I love you too.” He answered. “Good night, my dear wife.”
The phone let out the sound that she hated the most- the sound of goodbye when things still needed to be said. It was outrageous. It was unfair. How the hell could she be one of the most powerful people in the Foundation and not even have the time to-
She gritted her teeth… and sighed.
She put the phone down.
Aanya looked to her secretary. “Alright,” She said. “What is it, Leonor?”
This is where the fun begins, she sarcastically thought to herself.
Leonor stayed silent for a few moments.
Aanya's chest started to go heavy. She didn't know why.
"What is it?" She said impatiently, trying to take out the fear from her voice.
Her hands began to shake. What the hell was taking her so long?
Her secretary's response came seconds later.
“We're getting news of war in Asia and Europe, ma'am.” Leonor answered. Her voice was shaking. "Casualty numbers are just coming in. Three hundred military…"
Leonor took a breath. Aanya heard her suppress a sob.
"O-one thousand civilian. The news just came in when you were on the phone with the American president."
Aanya's heart immediately sank.
She needed to call Bulsara at the GOC immediately.
Her fingers closed around the phone on her desk. I'm sorry, Rajesh. she thought.

5/4/2020
5 months after release.

The council chamber.

The council chamber was tense- somehow, even tenser than it was half a year ago.
To Aanya, those six months seemed like an eternity.
Nine hundred and fifty thousand dead in the past half-year. Millions displaced. Several nations on the brink of collapse, many more fighting wars that only a few wanted.
She sighed. To think that all of this was caused by a single anomaly.
She bit her lip. No use dwelling on it now.
One, once again, was piling up papers at the head of the table, ready to give a briefing on everything that's transpired in the last six months.
It was just him, Aanya, Bright, and Clef in the room- four overseers in a council of thirteen.
The others were doing meetings elsewhere, trying to mitigate the political fallout of the recent conflicts. Bold, Ten, was off in the Middle East. Gears was coordinating with what was left of the GOC, helping with the last efforts of the organization at deescalation. Maria was indisposed, helping Disinformation with the most recent amnesticization efforts. Mann was in Korea. Kiryu, O5-12, was in Brazil.
Aanya rubbed her eyes. The bags under them grew deeper with every day, a consequence of not sleeping any more than three hours for five months. She was aware that she seemed to age 5 years in that time- it was just the hazard of being on the job.
She leaned back. Her bones felt wearier than ever. Her back seemed to crack with the pressure.
Bright, at least in his current body, seemed to be feeling it too- Personnel, like Public Outreach, did not have it good. The eternally pissed off look on his face was replaced with one of exhaustion, which Aanya took as a bad sign. Bright was never not pissed.
Clef was closing his eyes. Aanya doubted that he was actually sleeping, but Clef had just flown in from dealing with the aftermath of a particularly bad B “attack” in LA- the last blobs rolling in from places like Southeast Asia. He needed the rest.
Of all of them, though, the one who aged the most was One- already a venerable figure at seventy-nine, he seemed to have lost ten years just from the stress of pulling the Foundation together. The lines on his face were far deeper than when Aanya last saw him in person four months ago, and his hair seemed to be completely white. His arms were frail and bony as he ordered the papers.
One coughed. “Alright, let's get this over with.” The presence in his voice was much diminished.
Each of the overseers wearily sat up.
One picked up the remote at his side, turning on the screen to display a static Foundation logo.
“I know all of you have not enjoyed these past five months,” One said, a ghost of a smile on his face. “But from here on out, we will go past everything that's happened in that… damned period.” He looked at all of them. “Let's start.”
The slide on the screen switched to a familiar picture- that of the blobs making their first move at Seoul.
"This all started with the blobs- 5493-Bs, rolling across national borders, wreaking havoc, and forcing governments to find someone to blame for the 'terror attacks.'"
He pursed his lips. "And blame someone they did."
He looked straight at Aanya. “Despite our efforts to control the fallout, the governments who didn't know of our involvement wanted someone to pay. For many…" He took a breath. "…it was their neighbors. Within two months, global tensions were at an all-time high. Wars were starting. Old conflicts were reignited.”
He gave a sad chuckle. It came out strangled and weak. "We couldn't stop any of it."
Bright let out a resigned sigh. Clef could only look on.
One shook his head in defeat. “God, to think that we thought we could contain this.” His voice had lowered to nothing but a rasp. He coughed again. “After that, the GOC began the process that would eventually lead to their decline. They'd heavily antagonized the use of the destruction caused by the terrorists as causes for war. They were the first to take the brunt of the blame.”
He could only smile tiredly. “We suffered too, losing thirty percent of our income within two months of the start of the event. It was a shitshow from start to finish, something that pushed our Foundation to its limits.”
Then, he shrugged.
“But… we won. The Veil held up, the anomalous remained closed to the public, and the last of the Bs have made their way to their destination this morning, just in time for May the 4th.” His pale green eyes looked at them all. He smiled. It wasn't happy. “And it was then that I realized the reason as to why this all happened.”
Aanya crossed her arms. They weren't surprised at the very least- the realization had set in the moment they saw the video that morning.
One switched to a slide displaying the destination that all of the SCP-5493-Bs had been looking for- a large estate just outside of Nicasio, California, once the workplace to an esteemed filmmaker, now the home to a parody of everything they'd struggled for the last five months. Thousands of blobs of all shapes and sizes were gathered all around the vicinity of the estate's main house, waiting for the last of their brethren to join them.

Skywalker Ranch.

“It was here, at Skywalker Ranch, that we realized just what exactly all of this suffering meant. This picture was taken yesterday morning.”
He switched to the next slide, showing a video of the last of the blobs coming to a stop outside of the main house. They were rolling abominations of flesh, using their arms and legs to push themselves forward- Aanya herself never got used to the sight of them. Over the months, they'd lost their clothing and their individual forms, instead turning into nothing more than one single bloated ball. That fact alone added to the morbid absurdity of the entire thing.
One continued. “This video was taken just a few hours earlier. As you can see, it shows the last of the Bs coming to a stop outside of their destination. If you look closely…”
Before Aanya's eyes, the blobs began to change color and composition, turning from blobs of flesh into pieces of a cheek, of hair, of fat. Fifty turned into eyeballs. A hundred became parts of a tongue. When all of that was done, they began to build on top of each other, forming a neck as a base. The others climbed on top of them with limbs made out of hair, fat, bone, bare muscle, or skin, building more and more of the figure that they wished to create. All the while, Aanya could hear them screeching in agony, just like they first did all those months ago. She still wondered if those were the persons who were once part of them.
Soon, a chin was formed, then the beginnings of a lower lip, then the rest of its upper lip. By then, the jaw was formed, followed by the cheeks, the nose, and the ears. Wrinkles began to form on the figure's skin, growing deeper and deeper as more blobs began to fill the gaps. The eyeballs were soon formed right after, which was followed by the rest of the forehead.
By the time twenty minutes had passed, the remainder of the figure's hair was being finished, the hands of the blobs that made it up holding on tenuously to the blobs below them. It was an absurd thing, one that made Aanya laugh with outrage the first time she watched it.
But now, all she felt was emptiness.
Twenty-one minutes after the process began, the masterpiece that the blobs created was revealed to everyone watching- a perfect bust of Ian MacDiarmid during his role as Chancellor Palpatine, smiling with evil intent. As his face moved, the blobs that made it up moved in perfect concert, causing the figure's face to look as if it was made out of flowers in a windy meadow.
Aanya wanted to laugh.
But she couldn't.
“I AM THE SENATE.” The figure of Palpatine said, moving his mouth as all the blobs that he was made of spoke at once. “I AM THE SENATE FROM 54 OF THE WORLD'S COUNTRIES, AND I SAY THE SEQUEL TRILOGY IS BULLSHIT.”
Aanya looked around, watching the reactions of her fellow O5s as they sat in their seats in silence. They had all seen the footage before.
The Palpatine figure continued booming. “THE RISE OF SKYWALKER IS HOT TRASH. LET US RETURN TO THE GLORY DAYS OF THE STAR WARS FRANCHISE, THE PREQUELS!”
He smiled malevolently at that, as if what he said didn't come at the cost of thousands of lives.
“TODAY, GEORGE LUCAS, YOU WILL KNOW THE PAIN I FELT WHEN I WATCHED THAT GODDAMN MOVIE! EVEN ELDRITCH GODS CAN STILL BE DISAPPOINTED, YOU KNOW. I LOVE DEMOCRACY! I LOVE THE REPUBLIC! WHAT YOU ALLOWED TO BE DONE TO IT IS CRIMINAL.”
Suddenly, the sound of loud applause could be heard from the figure, which churned like an audience at a stadium as the blobs clapped their hands for the abomination that they created. As they did, the Palpatine figure smiled widely, his eyebrows drawn up in a parody of a human expression.
Then, he spoke his final words.
“NICE ONE, GEORGE LUCAS, YOU FUCKING SELL-OUT. MAY THE FOURTH NOT BE WITH YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH.”
At that, the blobs immediately collapsed to the ground, screeching as they did.
A silence overcame the council chamber.
In that single moment, Aanya Laghari, O5-13, could only laugh. One followed. Then Bright. Then Clef.
It was an absurd thing, a hallmark of the cruelty of the universe, a mockery of everything they had worked for for the past five months.
Their laughter echoed across the room, highlighting every single one of their follies, every single one of their wasted labors, every single life taken in pursuit of a cruel joke.
That day, all the O5 council could do was laugh.

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So yeah, that's about it.
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I was mad, alright? I apologize. I couldn't exactly not do anything.
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But still, fuck Lucas.

Footnotes
1. Also known as a hive mind
2. The strongest tranquilizers employed by the Foundation, usually used to neutralize large anomalies.

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