Members of staff may request termination of instances prior to transfer at the discretion of the Ethics Committee. (Word Count: 1.2k words)
Item #: SCP-8737
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8737 is to be stored in a low-security archival container. Level 2 preservation procedures must be followed regarding its usage in research.
Instances of SCP-8737-A must be stored in individual containment aquariums marked with the previous identity of the instance (if known) and the most recent cognitive analysis results. Instances that maintain a sapience quotient below 3.55 for 2 consecutive months are to be considered non-anomalous and transferred to standard biological resource storage; the research lead may suspend this transfer if necessary for experimentation, and members of staff may request termination of instances prior to transfer at the discretion of the Ethics Committee.
Description: SCP-8737 is a narrow booklet composed of four sheets of paper, measuring 20 centimeters in height and 8 centimeters in width. Each page is coated in an uneven layer of wax, and signs of water damage are visible in regions where the wax has worn away. The cover depicts a horned, faceless humanoid in three poses superimposed at the center of the page. The seven remaining pages each contain an image of the same humanoid in a different pose, with seven characters of Daevic script written in a column below it. The inscriptions on each page have been translated into English below.
Note: Due to the inherent ambiguity of Daevic culture, not all phrases have a definitive translation into English. Any words with uncertain translations are marked in brackets.
- To [die/submit] is to [fall/sink]
- To [fall/sink] is to see
- To see is to [understand/receive/accept]
- To [understand/receive/accept] is to [bear/carry]
- To [bear/carry] is to learn
- To learn is to know
- To know is to [die/submit]
Material analysis has revealed that the chemical composition of the ink used to draw the pose on the final page of SCP-8737 does not match the ink used in the rest of the document. Further examination discovered a square of paper had been attached to the final page, covering the image which was originally in the document and allowing the currently visible pose to be drawn over it. Due to the fragility of SCP-8737, it is not possible to uncover the original drawing without compromising the integrity of the document.
Of the seven poses, six of them have been deemed impossible for a typical human to perform without permanent injury; pages 1, 3, 4, and 5 require at least one joint to be hyperextended past safe bounds, page 2 requires hyperrotation of the spine, and page 6 requires the arms to bend in locations which lack joints to allow the motion. Attempts to perform these poses, either by subjects with hypermobility in the relevant joints or by subjects forced into the poses in spite of resultant injury, have resulted in no observed anomalous effects.
The pose on the final page of SCP-8737 is the only pose which is possible for a typical human to perform. When the pose is performed while within close proximity (approximately 2 meters) of SCP-8737, the performer will immediately transform into a mature member of Enteroctopus dofleini, designated as SCP-8737-A.
Addendum A: Discovery
SCP-8737 was purchased by Mobile Task Force Mu-3 ("Highest Bidders") during an auction held by GoI-12 on 23/05/2023. The item was purchased in a set along with other purported Daevic artifacts which the seller claimed were recovered during a dive several kilometers south-west of Amchitka Island; a search to find the original location of the artifacts is ongoing.
Addendum B: Testing Log
The following logs detail the experimentation performed on D-28763, who became an instance of SCP-8737-A after performing the seventh pose in SCP-8737 during initial testing.
Date
SQ
Notes
14/07/2023
4.13
The subject achieved a low score on all physical sections of the test in comparison to human subjects and non-anomalous members of Enteroctopus dofleini. The results for the cognitive sections of the test were within the accepted standard range for human subjects.
15/07/2023+
4.51
The subject achieved scores on the physical sections of the test similar to the scores it achieved on the cognitive sections. The subject has been observed engaging in extraneous physical activity outside of testing, including attempting to tie knots in available flexible material (vegetation, rope).
16/07/2023
4.49
A waterproof keyboard connected to an SGD has been installed in the enclosure. The subject has struggled with typing on the keyboard, but appears to be adapting quickly. Testing schedule adjusted to weekly.
23/07/2023
4.50
The subject has gained full proficiency with the SGD, capable of generating complex sentences comparable with its previous vocabulary. The subject requested a Rubik's Cube be added to its enclosure, which has been granted.
EXTRANEOUS LOGS OMITTED FOR BREVITY
20/08/2023
4.34
The subject was slower to perform tests despite showing no decrease in physical dexterity or control. Observers noted that the subject did not interact with any items in its enclosure following the test, and instead remained stationary in a patch of vegetation for the rest of the day.
27/08/2023
4.31
The subject continued to under-perform in all cognitive tests; the subject required three minutes to recall its date of birth. Researchers noted that the subject has begun to writhe its tentacles when outside of testing; when asked about the behavior, the subject responded that it was "unconshus - unconcheus - not voluntary".
03/09//2023
4.25
The subject failed to remember its name. Sedentary behavior outside of testing has continued; attempts to promote activity by changing the available items have failed.
10/09/2023
4.23
The subject has begun to regularly refuse meals. When asked why, the subject moved to the SGD and made multiple attempts to communicate before wrapping tightly around the keyboard and crushing it, rendering it non-functional. Afterwards, the subject moved to a patch of vegetation and remained sedentary for the rest of the day.
17/09/2023
4.19
Due to the subject refusing multiple consecutive meals over the past three days, a decision was made to feed the subject via entubation for the safety of the subject.
24/09/2023
During morning rounds, it was discovered that the subject had automutilated several sections of its body during the night. Due to the necessary medical attention, regular testing was cancelled. Subject containment procedures have been updated to include increased observation, and most visually obstructive features of its tank have been removed.
01/10/2023
The subject has continued to attempt self-destructive actions despite multiple actions taken by containment staff to improve the mental state of the subject. Subject containment procedures have been updated to include restraints.
EXTRANEOUS LOGS OMITTED FOR BREVITY
03/12/2023
The subject has not displayed self-destructive behaviors in the past six days. Attempts to conduct tests failed due to subject unresponsiveness.
10/12/2023
3.12
The subject has begun to eat voluntarily. An attempt was made to conduct the sapience quotient test; the subject did not respond to many sections, resulting in a highly inaccurate score.
17/12/2023
3.37
The subject's activity levels outside of testing have risen; it now interacts with all object available to it on a regular basis and actively engages in hunting behaviors when provided with live meals. Its scores in the cognitive tests remain far below human averages.
24/12/2023
3.39
The health and activity levels of the subject have stabilized. Its scores on all tests have remained steady and are comparable to non-anomalous members of Enteroctopus dofleini.
31/12/2023
3.36
Following the test, the subject was shown a picture of its body prior to transformation. No meaningful response was observed.