Item#: 9636
Level3
Containment Class:
esoteric
Secondary Class:
conscientia
Disruption Class:
ekhi
Risk Class:
warning
SCP-9636
Special Containment Procedures: Multiple scientific records have been forged and published detailing appearances of SCP-9636 in photographs as the result of low shutter speed cameras capturing fast-moving objects or animals, typically birds or insects. The general public is under the impression that SCP-9636 is an optical phenomenon, commonly referred to as 'Rods' or 'Skyfish', appearing when these conditions are met.
Following the reclassification of SCP-9636 from Keter to Conscentia, MTF-Lambda-29 ("Red Fish Blue Fish") are to continually monitor any discussion regarding SCP-9636 on public social platforms. Discussion of SCP-9636 is permitted, though any content providing evidence to the anomalous nature of SCP-9636 and the account sourcing said content is to be removed, and the poster detained, questioned and amnesticized by MTF-Lambda-29.
Description: SCP-9636 are a species of winged insectoid predators, on average measuring 50 cm with a diameter of 2 cm, and wingspan of 1.5 cm. Select instances have been measured upwards of 4 metres long. SCP-9636 possess translucent bodies resembling nematodes with multiple sets of evenly spaced wings across their lengths. SCP-9636 possess no facial attributes or orifices. SCP-9636 travel at speeds upwards of 286 km/h. SCP-9636 is imperceptible to most animals and has only been observed through recording equipment, rendering detailed analysis impossible, as they also immediately expire and rapidly disintegrate if they are in any way prevented from moving.
SCP-9636 are capable of phasing through any length of solid matter less than the length of their bodies. It is not known what occurs to an instance of SCP-9636 when fully submerged in solid matter, as no such instance has ever been recovered.
SCP-9636 prey on small, typically airborne insects, most commonly flies, bees and mosquitoes. SCP-9636 consume their prey alive, though the methods in which they do so are unknown. Insects attacked by SCP-9636 have been observed to have perfect cylindrical cavities with clearly defined entrance and exit wounds matching the diameter of SCP-9636.
SCP-9636 employ simple hunting behaviours. If a group of multiple prey insects is present, SCP-9636 will circle the area at speeds typically between 60 and 100 km/h. This behaviour has been observed lasting upwards of 58 hours prior to attacking. The purpose of this behaviour is unknown. SCP-9636 are likely pack hunters, as they often vastly outnumber whatever group of prey they are in the vicinity of. It is hypothesised that SCP-9636 communicates via pheromones.
SCP-9636 are likely necrophilous, as fully grown instances of SCP-9636 have been observed exiting prey between 2 and 4 hours post-consumption. It is otherwise unknown how SCP-9636 reproduce.
SCP-9636 was first documented in Roswell, New Mexico by independent filmmaker and UFO researcher José Escamilla in 1994, though would not be documented as an anomaly until December 19th, 2003 following the discovery of a series of posts made on 'whoknew.ru', a Russian online forum centred around the discussion of cryptids and conspiracy theories. Administration of study regarding SCP-9636 has been designated to Researcher Kim Heavens of the Cryptozoology Department.
Incident #: 9636-1
Incident Date: December 15th, 2003.
whoknew.ru user Marcus ██████ created a thread titled "Flying Rods Real" which he would update periodically for two weeks prior to his passing.
Item #: 9636-1-1
Item Publication Date: December 15th, 2003.
i saw the documenturay and i know they are real. i am going to take photos of them. escamilla thinks they are too but he would never say it because now the media knows about him and they would stop him.
Item #: 9636-1-2
Item Publication Date: December 16th, 2003.
i took a photo too. we know they are real but we dont know what they do. nothing like any bugs - wings too small and too many wings. extraterrestrial in nature
Attached was a photograph picturing 4 instances of SCP-9636 surrounding a street lamp. No images from the original thread were archived prior to whoknew.ru being shut down.
Item #: 9636-1-3
Item Publication Date: December 18th, 2003.
busy yesterday so no update. but left cameras and found lots and lots surrounding my house. left recording overnight . counted 42 but possibly more.
Attached image featured a screenshot from a recording of Marcus' house taken from the back garden from a video camera positioned on a table. A large group of SCP-9636 (estimated 58) appeared to be circling the area. Later analysis of the property revealed significant amounts of dog feces in the garden which was likely attracting flies to the area, subsequently attracting a swarm of SCP-9636.
Item #: 9636-1-4
Item Publication Date: December 19th, 2003.
another picture of the rods. they have been appearing more and in bigger groups. i think they are interested in me. rods maybe intelligent and dont want to know i know about them. i dont think they are dangerous but it came closer
Attached was a screenshot from the same video feed as item 9636-1-3. A significantly larger group of SCP-9636 had accumulated on the property since the day prior. Two dead flies of an unconfirmed species were visible on the table the camera was positioned on.
Item #: 9636-1-5
Item Publication Date: December 21st, 2003.
took time off to get better findings. just photos only say so much . but look at this. perfect holes in them like bullets. i think the rods do this to the flys.
Multiple photographs from different angles were provided of a dead housefly. A perfect cylindrical hole had been made through it's abdomen.
Item #: 9636-1-6
Item Publication Date: December 21st, 2003.
i am going to do experiments. less posts but i am still here. will report on my finding
Posted 2 minutes following item 9636-1-5.
Item #: 9636-1-7
Item Publication Date: December 24th, 2003.
good day for research . picture of many rods in a bowl. all of the flys - holes in them. perfect holes like in the ones i found
Three images were attached.
The first image was from the back garden video feed. An upturned glass bowl containing eight live houseflies was positioned on the table in front of the camera. Several instances of SCP-9636 were pictured circling the bowl, with three having entered it.
The second image, presumably taken later, pictured the glass bowl containing the same eight houseflies now deceased. All instances of SCP-9636 had left the immediate area surrounding the bowl, though several were still visible further away circling the property.
The third image contained the corpses of all eight houseflies lined up on their backs. The poor quality of the photograph made it difficult to analyze the corpses, though two contained clearly visible holes through the abdomen, and one appeared to be missing a large part of its head.
Item #: 9636-1-8
Item Publication Date: December 25th, 2003.
merry christmas from me and the rods . my present for all of you im starting a big experiment . the resutls of this could prove everything. flys in every bowl but you cant see sorry . will be staying around the bowls . if there are enough i can maybe see them with my own eyes
Attached was a photograph of eight upturned glass bowls of varying sizes placed upon a patch of grass. A hand wearing a brown glove - presumably belonging to Marcus who was holding the camera - was visible in the bottom right corner performing a thumbs-up.
Item #: 9636-1-9
Item Publication Date: December 27th, 2003.
amazing findings . could not see them, but so many there on the camera. rods are real . you can find them yourself with bowl and flys.
Attached was an image of the same eight glass bowls with a very high concentration of SCP-9636. SCP-9636 instances were visible inside of the bowls, circling the immediate area of the bowls and several metres further away circling the general area.
Item #: 9636-1-10
Item Publication Date: December 29th, 2003.
i think my research is going to end now . i think the rods are making me sick
On January 2nd, 2003, Marcus was found dead in his home. Autopsy revealed the cause of death to be complications due to necrotising fasciitis, more specifically multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by septic shock due to the aforementioned condition. Marcus had died approximately 7 hours following the posting of 9636-1-10, which would indicate an unusually fast progression of the disease. Dr. Q. Matthews proposed that the condition was unique and related to prolonged exposure to SCP-9636 at a large quantity.
Following this incident, MTF-Lambda-29 ("Red Fish Blue Fish") were forced to make eighteen arrests due to research on SCP-9636 from members of the public, eleven of which were users documenting their findings on whoknew.ru.
whoknew.ru has been shut down, completely. We deleted all of Marcus' posts but they were already famous everywhere on the website by then, so we had no choice. I'm between a rock and a hard place right now. I'd love for everyone to know not to do experiments regarding 9636, but I also can't let anyone know that it exists. It's not clear where we can take it from here.
Of particular note, 9636 seems to do fine in cold climates too.
- Researcher Kim Heavens, SCP-9636 Research Lead
Incident #: 9636-2
Incident Date: February 15th, 2004.
Preparation for experimentation in a closed subterranean site in █████, New Mexico. The site was fitted with a large electric ventilation system and filled with nitrogen gas and sealed to eliminate any potential animal life within.
After 5 days, the site was reventilated and safe to enter. Seven C- and one D-Class personnel entered the site and descended approximately 52 metres below ground to the deepest chamber. Four CCTV were installed in the chamber, along with a microphone, speaker and a light fixture. A 3 m3 aluminium crate filled with houseflies and eight 30-litre tanks of liquid nitrogen, both of which could be opened remotely, were installed. D-29126 was introduced to the chamber prior to the opening being sealed with a 10 cm thick concrete wall.
Item #: 9636-2-1
Date: February 20th, 2004.
Communication log of experiment to observe the effects of high exposure to SCP-9636 and confirm/deny relations to rapid tissue necrosis. Experiment led by Dr. Q. Matthews with assistance from Dr. G. Leatherman.
<Excerpt begins.>
Dr. Matthews: D-29126, please confirm if you can hear me.
D-29126: Just fine.
Dr. Matthews: Good. We're going to keep you here for the next 24 hours. We'd like you to inform us if you feel any unusual discomfort, sickness or other symptoms.
D-29126: Will do.
<The aluminium crate is remotely opened, releasing thousands of flies into the chamber.>
D-29126: What the fuck! What the fuck is all this?
Dr. Matthews: Houseflies. They won't harm you.
D-29126: I know they're fucking flies! What the hell do you need the flies for?
Dr. Matthews: I'm sorry, D-29126. This is necessary for the experiment.
<D-29126 displayed significant discomfort for the remainder of the test. D-29126 frequently yelled expletives at Dr. Matthews for the next 18 minutes before sitting in the corner of the chamber. Live footage analysis showed innumerable instances of SCP-9636 which obscured most of the video feed. Communication ceased until precisely 2 hours after releasing the flies.>
Dr. Matthews: Hello, I would like to inform you that for the remainder of the experiment either I or my colleague is going to check in on you and ask about any physical symptoms. Are you feeling anything out of the ordinary?
D-29126: Yeah, I've got a fucking headache. From all the fucking flies buzzing.
Dr. Matthews: Duly noted. Any other symptoms?
D-29126: Nothing else.
Dr. Matthews: Thank you. I'll be back in 2 hours.
<D-29126 did not complain of any symptoms during any communication that took place within the next 8 hours. Excerpt continues at 10 hour mark.>
Dr. Matthews: Checking in again, D-29126, are you experiencing any symptoms?
D-29126: Pain. In my thigh. And I feel fucking… Dizzy. I feel like I'm gonna throw up. It hurts so much.
Dr. Matthews: Anything else?
D-29126: Fuck you.
<D-29126 fell unconscious approximately 40 minutes after the exchange and did not wake up for the remainder of the experiment. All further communication attempts yielded no response.>
At the 24 hour mark, the nitrogen tanks were remotely activated. Chamber was left for two days prior to a three day ventilation period. Personnel waited for video feed to confirm no instances of SCP-9636 were in the chamber before retrieving equipment, cleaning chamber and retrieving D-29126 for autopsy.
Autopsy revealed that D-29126 had undergone rapid soft tissue necrosis in their right leg, and had passed from total organ failure prior to the nitrogen gas being introduced to the chamber. Symptoms developed significantly faster than necrotising fasciitis leading to the conclusion that the necrotic infection caused by SCP-9636 is unique. The condition is to be denoted as SCP-9636-1.
Seeing how they affect the human body was only half of the experiment. We weren't certain on how to get SCP-9636 in the chamber, but given that we knew they were attracted to flies, we wanted to see if we could make them come to us.
- Researcher Kim Heavens
Incident #: 9636-3
Incident Date: February 19th, 2004.
Description: Experiment to determine what regions SCP-9636 resides in
A setup involving one live video camera with remote access capability and one 3 m3 aluminium crate containing insects native to the area for use as a lure was to be assembled by one D-Class personnel member in seven distinct locations. Video feed was to be regularly monitored over the course of 3 hours. Three armed members of MTF-Lambda-29 ("Red Fish Blue Fish") were to accompany the D-Class from no closer than 30 metres in order to avoid risk of contact with a high concentration of SCP-9636.
Item #
Location
Lure Species
Local time
Designated Personnel
Presence of SCP-9636
9636-3-1
Bylot Island, Canada
Black fly
15:12
D-74917
Present
9636-3-2
Rupununi Savannah, Guayana
Black fly
17:48
D-85937
Present
9636-3-3
Ténéré, Niger
Desert locust
04:22
D-71040
Present
9636-3-4
New Forest, England
Marmalade hoverfly
23:16
D-79555
Present
9636-3-5
Vasyugan Swamp, Russia
Northern cattle grub
14:09
D-81001
Present
9636-3-6
Tetepare Island, Solomon Islands
Mango fly
17:51
D-79341
Present
9636-3-7
Dvinsky Forest, Russia
Lipoptena cervi
18:20
D-84125
Present
SCP-9636 was present in high concentration in all video feeds, significantly outnumbering the lure species in every test. All D-Class Personnel were returned to Site-██ following experimentation for physical evaluation the following day at 14:30.
All D-Class personnel excluding D-79555 and D-79341 died prior to physical evaluation following symptoms of SCP-9636-1. D-79555 complained of symptoms and died 4 hours following the evaluation. D-79341 was confirmed healthy.
We really have to deter the public from trying anything like this. It happened to that one Russian guy. It could've happened to others, and they just didn't document it. Our top priority is to somehow make the public lose interest so this doesn't happen again. This could be a big operation. I'll be proposing this to Site Director █████.
- Researcher Kim Heavens
Incident #: 9636-4
Incident Date: March 5th, 2004.
Excerpt from communication log of meeting between Researcher Kim Heavens and Site Director █████
<Excerpt begins.>
Heavens: So. On topic. It's about SCP-9636, rather, how we can go about containing it.
█████: Oh? I was under the impression it was impossible.
Heavens: Well, it is impossible to physically contain, but I think we're capable of hiding it from the public.
█████: I'm listening.
Heavens: We already have the MTF designation doing their part in stopping people talking about it, but information is still out there. People still generally believe that SCP-9636 is a living creature with anomalous properties, even if they don't know about any other anomalies. My proposition is to write research papers in-house which give an explanation on how they aren't anomalous and get them published. Discussion regarding SCP-9636 is still popular, and if we can shut it down before more people start doing experiments and maybe prove it is anomalous then I think we will have effectively hidden it from the public. The Foundation has the resources to get these papers published, and it likely will make it to the news. Everyone would lose interest in SCP-9636.
<█████ is quiet for a few seconds, then nods in approval.>
█████: Yes, I think you might have figured it out. Do you think your team can handle this responsibility?
Heavens: I'm sure we can write the papers. As for publication, I presume that's best left with the DEA.
█████: You have my approval. Contact me when you've finished and I'll have the papers sent over.
Heavens: Of course. Thank you, sir.
Over the course of the following two weeks, 18 studies were written detailing SCP-9636 as optical phenomena. The studies were submitted to the Department of External Affairs through Site Director █████ and published by multiple academic and scientific publishers including Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Wiley and Sage Publishing. These publications were quickly picked up on by major news outlets worldwide.
Flying Rods - The dull truth behind the biggest UFO scandal of the 21st century.
Ever since José Escamilla captured the mysterious bug-like creatures, commonly known as "Skyfish" or "Flying Rods", they have been a hot topic among UFOligists all over the world. However, as it turns out, they're nothing more than an oddity with our cameras.
A study written by Mikael Penn details the truth behind these oddities. According to a paper released by trustworthy academic and scientific publisher Taylor & Francis, these rods are nothing more than the result of fast-moving bugs and birds moving quicker than a camera's shutter speed can properly capture. "Cameras operating at low shutter speeds tend to capture after-images if an object moves a visible distance in the time between the photograph being taken and the shutter closing. says Mikael. "This leads fast flying creatures to erroneously appear as long, thin entities with many sets of wings."
While it would certainly be amusing if such odd creatures lived among us, flying rods have turned out to be nothing but a fad, much to the dismay of the curious types.
- Extract from Daily Mail
"Flying Rods" creature revealed to just be an optical phenomenon
Ever since reaching the public in 1994, flying rods have remained one of the most popular cryptids among US citizens. However, a study by Amy Georgia of Columbia University shows that they are the result of low-exposure photography and fast-moving insects, often flies or bees.
- Extract from The Washington Post
Following these publications, public interest in SCP-9636 has mostly come to a halt. Search query analysis reveals an approximate 80% decline in interest, and MTF-Lambda-29 ("Red Fish Blue Fish") has reported a significant decrease in major incidents, with only two incidents requiring detainment as of August 26th, 2009. SCP-9636 was subsequently reclassified from Keter to Conscientia.
It took us all a while, but I think SCP-9636 is finally a closed book. MTF-Lambda-29 will continue to operate indefinitely, but for the most part, people have moved onto more interesting cryptids that we won't have to jump through hurdles to prove they don't exist.
I had an awful nightmare after writing this segment. I know it's not professional to write shit like this down, but it made me wish I never looked into these. I could see them. There were hundreds of them. I can't remember where I was, but they started rushing at me and it was really painful. I understand that they're practically harmless if you're not after it - I don't lose sleep over prion diseases or brain aneurysms - but this is one of the freakiest things the Cryptozoology Department has had me look at. It makes my skin crawl.
SCP-9636 has been a logistical nightmare for everyone involved and I'm happy to finally be moving on from it.
- Researcher Kim Heavens