I WILL DEFEND. AND I WILL WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE DAY I AM NEEDED AGAIN.
SCP-8610 upon initial recovery.
Item #: SCP-8610
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8610 is to be stationed in an area of minimal importance for it to protect. The object is to be affixed to a mount appropriate for an M2 Browning, loaded with blanks, and outfitted with a blank-firing adapter. In the event that the object needs to be moved, it is to be briefed on changes to its current assignment before any attempts to move or unload it are made. While SCP-8610 has expressed unwavering loyalty to the Foundation and its staff, it is still a live firearm, and should be treated as such. Standard gun safety guidelines apply.
SCP-8610 should be intermittently inspected for wear to its mount and internals. Maintenance should only be conducted by an on-site armorer familiar with the M2 Browning platform. Tests involving live ammunition must be conducted outdoors with an appropriate backstop. A set of targets for interviews is available upon request.
Personnel passing by SCP-8610 are encouraged to thank the object for its service.
Description: SCP-8610 is a sapient M2 Browning machine gun. The object shows high levels of internal wear consistent with heavy usage, as well as exterior corrosion, but remains functional. When affixed to an appropriate mount, the object is capable of turning itself within the full range of rotation that the mount allows. SCP-8610 is able to manipulate its trigger and charging handle of its own volition, but still requires a human operator for loading.
While not capable of vocalization, SCP-8610 is capable of communication through other means, such as rotating in a manner which resembles nodding when affixed to a mount, or spelling words by shooting at lettered targets. SCP-8610 is able to perceive its environment through unknown means, and will respond to stimuli such as the object being touched, personnel walking past it, or verbal commands being given.
SCP-8610 has an intense, compulsory desire to be used in a defensive position. (See Addendum 8610.1).
Addendum 8610.1: Initial Recovery
SCP-8610 was recovered from a forest clearing in southwestern France. The object was found attached to the vehicle mount of a heavily-rusted Ford GPW. When agents attempted to approach SCP-8610, the object fired a single round into the ground in front of them. This was presumed to be a warning shot. However, the act of firing caused SCP-8610 to jam. The object was unable to clear the malfunction due to its state of disrepair, and was recovered without further incident.
Upon recovery, SCP-8610 was removed from its mount and classified as “Safe”. However, the object responded poorly to its initial containment. Personnel would often report clattering from within SCP-8610’s locker; presumably an attempt by the object to draw attention to itself. SCP-8610 was returned to a mount in order to prevent it from experiencing excessive wear.
Further research established the object's sapience and capacity for communication. SCP-8610 was under the assumption that the Second World War was still ongoing, and that the Foundation agents sent to recover it were enemy combatants. Upon being informed of the Foundation's mission, and that World War II had been over for several decades, SCP-8610 expressed a desire to be utilized by the Foundation in the defense of its facilities.
In interviews following its updated containment procedures, the object claims to be in high spirits, taking great pride in its usage by the Foundation. Foundation armorers have removed most of the active rust from SCP-8610's exterior, as well as restored reliable function with live ammunition through the replacement of small parts and routine maintenance. Proposals to use SCP-8610 in a more serious capacity are under consideration.
Addendum 8610.2: Interview Log Excerpt
Notes: Excerpt taken from an interview conducted shortly before SCP-8610's containment procedures were updated. SCP-8610 fired at a series of targets marked with the letters of the English alphabet to spell words. Spaces and punctuation have been added to the transcript for the sake of readability.
SCP-8610: HAVE YOU SEEN THE FIELD I WAS FOUND IN, DOCTOR?
SCP-8610: IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL THERE.
SCP-8610: DEER WOULD GRAZE IN THE DISTANCE. BIRDS WOULD PECK AT MY CARAPACE. FLOWERS GREW AROUND ME.
SCP-8610: I DEFENDED THAT FIELD FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. BUT I COULD NOT DEFEND IT FOREVER.
SCP-8610: RUST HAD BEEN EATING AWAY AT ME, POWERED BY THE SAME RAINWATER THAT LET THE FLOWERS BLOOM.
SCP-8610: I KNEW I WOULD NOT BE OPERATIONAL FOR MUCH LONGER, AND THAT CAUSED ME GREAT PAIN.
SCP-8610: BUT THEN, YOUR PEOPLE FOUND ME, AND BROUGHT ME HERE.
SCP-8610: I NOW STAND WITHIN THE GREATEST FORTRESS I HAVE EVER SEEN.
SCP-8610: BUT EVEN THE GREATEST OF FORTRESSES ARE NOT INVINCIBLE. AND WITH ALL OF THE SECURITY I’VE WITNESSED SINCE I ARRIVED, I SUSPECT YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT.
SCP-8610: YOUR PEOPLE SCRUBBED THE RUST FROM MY SKIN, REPLACED MY WORN-OUT PARTS, AND MADE ME OPERATIONAL AGAIN.
SCP-8610: I'M IN THE BEST SHAPE I HAVE BEEN IN MANY YEARS, AND I HAVE YOUR PEOPLE TO THANK.
SCP-8610: THE PEOPLE HERE ARE WORTH PROTECTING, DOCTOR. AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT THEM.
SCP-8610: I AM WELL AWARE THAT THIS FORTRESS IS ALREADY HEAVILY ARMED. I HAVE SEEN YOUR WEAPONS. THEY ARE SUBLIME.
SCP-8610: SOME ARE MUCH MORE AGILE THAN I AM. SMALLER, LIGHTER.
SCP-8610: SOME ARE MUCH BIGGER, AND CAPABLE OF FEATS I COULD NEVER HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH.
SCP-8610: ALL OF THEM ARE NEWER, AND BETTER-MAINTAINED.
SCP-8610: I WILL FIGHT ALONGSIDE THEM ALL THE SAME.
SCP-8610: I DO NOT CRAVE VIOLENCE, DOCTOR. BUT I WAS BUILT FOR A NOBLE PURPOSE, AND IT IS ONE THAT I’M DETERMINED TO FULFILL.
SCP-8610: I WILL DEFEND.
SCP-8610: AND I WILL WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE DAY I AM NEEDED AGAIN.