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rating: +1
Info
⚠️ Content warning:
- A mother's death during pregnancy
- Miscarriages
Article: SCP-238-DE - Human-eating infant
Original: May be found here
Author: Dr_Kuttelfisch Dr_Kuttelfisch
Translator: Karpfisch Karpfisch
rating: +1
Item #: SCP-238-DE
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Given that SCP-238-DE occurs on a global scale, undercover agents must be stationed inside most hospitals and immediately brief the Foundation in case of an SCP-238-DE occurrence. Additionally, the databases of the remaining hospitals have to be browsed by webcrawlers for SCP-238-DE cases. If a case of SCP-238-DE emerges, the individuals afflicted have to be transferred to the St. Caesarius Hospital in Foundation care under the guise of a disease within the scope of pregnancy, if possible. All previous attempts to remove SCP-238-DE are to cease, as they inevitably lead to the infected dying.
All SCP-238-DE-B instances have to swiftly be terminated or cremated. The corpse may - under no circumstances - come into contact with plants and/or plant-like biomass in the process.
Description: SCP-238-DE describes a disease that exclusively manifests inside the body of a woman between the ages 18 to 40 years. How individuals get infected by SCP-238-DE is unclear. It is assumed to be a sexually transmitted disease, as the phenomenon is directly correlated to pregnancy. Subjects infected by SCP-238-DE show normal symptoms of a pregnancy at first; early anomalous features do not manifest until the seventh month of pregnancy.
As soon as infected subjects, hereafter referred to as SCP-238-DE-A, reach the seventh month of pregnancy, the fetus begins to curl as usual for a period of two (2) weeks to then however converge into a ball measuring 30 cm in diameter. The fetus (SCP-238-DE-B) separates from the umbilical cord and now fills the whole amniotic sac. No supernatural occurrences follow until the eight month of pregnancy begins.
SCP-238-DE starts to form thin hair-like protrusions on its outer shell, which penetrate the amniotic sac and spread through the whole body like mushroom mycelium, which causes great pain in the subject. Over time these protrusions begin to weaken the liver's and kidney's efficiency by feasting on their body tissue. All organs are affected within one week after initiation of this stage. SCP-238-DE then begins to feed off SCP-238-DE-A, ultimately leading to its death.
At the time when the actual birth should take place, all life signs cease and SCP-238-DE-B, which looks and behaves like a normal baby by now (with the exception of SCP-238-DE-B missing a navel), is "birthed". This happens the same way as ordinary human infants. SCP-238-DE-A's body decays faster than usual corpses, which is due to "mycelium residues" from SCP-238-DE.
SCP-238-DE-B is largely humanoid after birth but, as has been proven in several tests, only possesses an IQ of 60, which is roughly equal to the mental capacity of a chimpanzee. It usually has a lifespan of twelve (12) years, one specimen even survived for 15 years in rare cases. As of yet, SCP-238-DE-B has proven to be harmless, but shows signs of aggression against other life forms, especially humans or other humanoids in the third week. SCP-238-DE-B is in addition unnaturally strong and able to injure humans very seriously.
There has so far been no known way to hinder an infection of SCP-238-DE from continuing without killing SCP-238-DE-A. How SCP-238-DE forms or spreads is still unknown. With the exception of pregnancy, only a few commonalities could be fathomed between victims and thus barely any factors for an occurrence.
Remark: "Let's assume it is in fact a sexually transmittable disease. The question then remains as to where the illness comes from and why men do not get infected, albeit different. Our theory classifies it as a recessive gene on the X chromosome. Due to the duration of the infection until its discovery, we were thus far unable to prove this fact. Though we were able to extract tissue samples, no results could be achieved in their examination. The thing is that if it is actually true, then where does SCP-238-DE form? Do some male persons carry it with them? And how long? And where do they have this infection from?" - Dr. ███████████
Discovery: SCP-238-DE was initially discovered 12/04/2021 in a hospital, after the Foundation became attentive of reports about unnatural parasitic "disorders". The hospital was placed under quarantine, following a Foundation scientist getting infected with SCP-238-DE on site. Three civilians were infected at this time, another four already perished. The remaining infected were submitted to the St. Caesarius Hospital, where they also died a short time later.
Incident Report 238-DE-06:
On the 23/9/2021 at 7:30, Dr. Sandra ██████ entered the containment cell of Maria Föhr (A female civilian infected with SCP-238-DE in the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy) to examine the SCP-238-DE infection on her. Dr. Sandra ██████ complained about stomach ache around noon and visited the infirmary, where an SCP-238-DE infection was detected inside Dr. Sandra ██████, which, however, spread faster than usual. Dr. Sandra ██████ ultimately perished two hours later due to the effects of SCP-238-DE.
Addendum 1:
Remark by Site Director █████
"It is peculiar that SCP-238-DE spread faster in the scientist than usual, but also not too outlandish. After all, normal diseases also evolve over time and we have no idea how this works in case of anomalous ailments. It is unlikely that Dr. ██████'s infection is correlated to her stay at Miss Föhr's place. All victims have been arbitrary so far and has just been a matter of time until it eventually affects Foundation personnel. The evolution of the disease should be investigated, even if this proves to be difficult, as the St. Caesarius Hospital announced 5 days ago that the last infected person perished in their custody."
Incident 238-DE-17:
On the 2/6/2022, another incident occurred involving SCP-238-DE. Three (3) female staff member of the Foundation inhabiting workspaces outside SCP-238-DE's containment area got infected with SCP-238-DE. After this was discovered, all were transferred to St. Caesarius Hospital. One employee died the same day, another employee the same week. It was attempted to surgically remove SCP-238-DE from the last employee. The surgery failed at the cost of her life, as the spread of SCP-238-DE-B's hairs had progressed too far.
Addendum 2:
Remark by Site Director █████
"I know there are a lot of theories and claims on the subject of SCP-238-DE. I'll say it again. We could not find a connection this time either. I have no clue how so many people can become infected at the same time. It is weird that all were working in the Foundation. And all in Site-DE6. And no one got infected outside of the Foundation at that time. But I repeat. We've investigated everything. There is NO connection. Apparently, it cannot be a sexually transmittable disease either. It has been an arbitrary infection again. None of them even came into contact with the infected. No clues, no connections, no NOTHING. All were infected and we have no idea how. This disease takes its toll on me."
Addendum 3:
Using some intelligence tests, it was attempted to determine the mental abilities of birthed SCP-238-DE-B specimens:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Listen to a name | SCP-238-DE-B-254 was called "Dennis" over several weeks. It reacted after two and a half weeks when spoken to or called. |
| Learning sign language | Attempts were made over several weeks to teach SCP-238-DE-B-254 the sign language. SCP-238-DE-B-254 became proficient in it after around one month. |
| Eating with cutlery | Under the influence of sedatives, SCP-238-DE-B-254 was allowed to eat in the presence of other scientists. Following a short observation and some practice, the subject ate with fork and knife. |
| Inserting geometrical forms into fitting holes | A bunch of building blocks in different forms and a box containing differently shaped holes were made available to SCP-238-DE-B-254. The instance played with the blocks and the box for some time and actually managed to insert some shapes into the fitting holes. |
| Recognizing itself in the mirror | SCP-238-DE-B-254 was placed in front of a mirror. Even after a longer observation SCP-238-DE-B-254 still showed no signs of recognition. In fact, it seemed unable to perceive its reflection. If this is due to the reflection or the mirror itself is unclear. |
| Recognize glass (Due to the last test's results) | SCP-238-DE-B-254 was placed into a glass labyrinth and observed. It seemed to have had great difficulties and attempted to advance forward by touch. SCP-238-DE-B is seemingly not able to recognize glass. |
Addendum 4:
Several scientists have expressed their worries regarding the tests and containment of the SCP-238-DE-B instances. Dr. Lurch, Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. ████ have opposed and initiate a petition to release said anomalies from containment, as they are "innocent children". I would like to remind you all here again that it is anything but innocent to bite off Dr. Kirot's face. These organisms are, despite cooperation, still dangerous. And even if not, remember what we are here for. - Site Director █████
Addendum 5: Interrogation of Dr. Koch on the 11/05/202█
Interviewer: Dr. Rogers
Interviewee: Dr. Koch
<BEGIN LOG>
Dr. Rogers: My name is Dr. William Rogers. The date is 11/05/202█. I sit here with Dr. Koch in interrogation room 05-B in Site-DE██. With me in the room are Agent Defferts and Agent █████. Dr. ███████████, Director █████, O4-3 and O4-8 observe from an adjacent room.
Dr. Koch: O4? Directly the highest of the highest, it seems to me.
Dr. Rogers: If they were the highest ones, we would have tugged you in front of the O5.
Dr. Koch: Why are they watching us? Is my case of such importance?
Dr. Rogers: We'll come to that later. First of all, I want you to make a statement about the incident.
Dr. Koch: I have nothing to tell you.
Dr. Rogers: Well, fine. (Takes a clipboard and reads) On the 10/05/202█, a containment breach occurred in Site-DE██. After MTF units have brought the situation under control, the doctors Thomas Lurch, Daniels Hoffmann and Viktor Koch were revealed to have used their chance in the arisen turmoil to escape with the three instances of SCP-238-DE (SCP-238-DE-B-254, SCP-238-DE-B-255 and SCP-238-DE-B-256) that were in containment at that time. Dr. Hoffmann was deadly injured by SCP-238-DE-B-254 in his approach and died. Dr. Koch could be apprehended. However, Dr. Lurch escaped with the instances in a cage. (Looks up again) What were you planning to do with the instances?
Dr. Koch: We didn't try to use any "chance" or anything. It was a containment breach and we tried to survive. Daniels had noticed the three SCPs by chance and we took them with us to save them.
Dr. Rogers: Do you know what contradicts your assertion?
Dr. Rogers produces a laptop he plays a video on. It shows Dr. Lurch, Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Koch unlocking the entrance to SCP-238-DE's containment area, and taking along the three instances.
Dr. Rogers: You didn't run into the instances randomly. And if you only wanted to save them, then where's Dr. Lurch now?
Dr. Koch: I have the right to remain silent.
Dr. Rogers: You don't. YOU and two other doctors have abducted three potentially dangerous KETER CLASS SCPs. Should I introduce you to other class representatives?
Dr. Koch: What do you want to do? If I don't talk, then you're out of luck.
Dr. Rogers: (produces a folded slip of paper) Do you recognize him?
Dr. Koch: No?
Dr. Rogers: (unfolds it and holds it in a way that makes Dr. Koch able to read it) Now?
Dr. Koch: (blanches) Where did you get this from?
Dr. Rogers: This paper was found inside the bureau of Dr. Hoffmann.
Dr. Koch: (mumbles) Idiot…
Dr. Rogers: Would you care to share with us what the (looks at the paper) "Bright Brotherhood" is all about?
Dr. Koch: I don't.
Dr. Rogers: Uncountable lives are now endangered because of you three. Also the instances. If you actually care about the well-being of others, you should tell us the truth of what happened.
Dr. Koch: (hesitates) A… few weeks ago, as we started to oppose the containment of SCP-238-DE-B… Well, we… We deemed it inhumane to imprison infants just because they are how they are… We tried to find something that helps us… Law sections, human rights organizations, all sorts of things. Two weeks ago, Thomas came across a group. (points to the paper) He came to us with such papers last Monday and told us about it.
Dr. Rogers: Where and how did he come across it?
Dr. Koch: He didn't talk about it. All I know is that this group advocates the freedom of everyone. Even anomalies. Their aim is to create a world everyone can freely live in.
Dr. Rogers: And how does that tie into SCP-238-DE?
Dr. Koch: Daniels, Thomas and I were at a meeting about babies. We told them about SCP-238-DE and they seemed pretty interested. They promised to help us and provide those poor creatures a refuge. That is, if we could somehow bring them to them. Over the last days, we tried to find a way to do this unnoticed. Then yesterday, during the breaches of SCP-███-DE and SCP-███-DE, we thought that THIS is our opportunity.
Dr. Rogers: How did you imagine this would end? Leaving your whole life behind, only for three scips?
Dr. Koch: No, we wanted to take them away unnoticed and then come back.
Dr. Rogers: And you think no one would have been in evidence?
Dr. Koch: Thomas said, we shouldn't worry about that. He'd have a plan for that.
Dr. Rogers: Yeah, absolutely. Do you also know what it entailed?
Dr. Koch: No, I didn't ask. Everything happened so fast.
Dr. Rogers: Well, the SCP-238-DE-B specimens were replaced with human babies of identical appearance. He smacked a sedative into the three and they haven't even noticed the whole chaos until they woke up and were found by us through their screams. He apparently hopes for us to not take notice and that the aggressive behavior would decrease.
Dr. Koch: HE WHAT???
Dr. Rogers: You three really care about the well-being of others, don't you?
Dr. Koch: I…had no idea… This brainsick [EXPLETIVE].
Dr. Rogers: Do you know where he got those babies from?
Dr. Koch: No. I hadn't even known about this plan. He carried some box around, but we had no idea what was inside.
Dr. Rogers: And you didn't think for ONE second that you might be filmed?
Dr. Koch: Thomas said we shouldn't worry about it. If no one witnesses the kidnapping no one would inspect it either.
Dr. Rogers: Dr. Lurch seemed to have been pretty sophisticated when planning. What a pity that they directly bummed into the MTF.
Dr. Koch: That was just crappy timing.
Dr. Rogers: That's one way to phrase it. But if I'm informed correctly, Dr. Hoffmann was already killed by SCP-238-DE-B-254 when you reached the surface?
Dr. Koch: That happened in the elevator. Dannis was afraid and became wild. It wasn't his fault.
Dr. Rogers: Sure. And when SCP-171-DE breaches again, she only wants to play, right?
Dr. Koch: You can't compare the two in that way. SCP-238-DE-B are only BABIES. We can't lock them away, because they are how they are.
Dr. Rogers: OK, I think we can discuss the release of some Keter Class anomalies, then. Your arguments walk with a limp. One of you was KILLED by the very creatures you tried to protect. I don't care about your moral worries. I want to know where Dr. Lurch went with the SCPs. NOW.
Dr. Koch: Even if I want to I wouldn't be able to tell you. Thomas knew where we had to go. We wanted to simply follow him. But when we met the MTF units above, we went parted ways. He escaped with Dennis. The other two instances were secured.
Dr. Rogers: I'm aware of that. If you are allegedly unaware about Dr. Lurch's whereabouts. Then - at the very least - tell us where this meeting took place.
Dr. Koch: Inside the ███████████ ████, in █████████. But that's of no use for you. Security is a top priority for you. Those guys never meet twice at the same location. They are of the Foundation, which is why they were interested in hiring us.
Dr. Rogers: As an informer?
Dr. Koch: (remains silent)
Dr. Rogers: How long has this "brotherhood" existed?
Dr. Koch: No idea. I only know that they're already in the possession of some anomalies. Many others in freedom. They already had several contacts inside the Foundation. You can blame them for more than one containment breach in the past.
Dr. Rogers: And you don't think that Dr. Lurch has anything to do with the incident yesterday?
Dr. Koch: No. Surely he wouldn't…
Dr. Rogers: That's enough. I will address this with site management and the O-4 Council. You're under arrest till then. (gestures the guards)
Agent Defferts and Agent █████ both escort Dr. Koch outside of the room.)
<END LOG>
Remark: The O4 Council contacted the O-5 Council to brief them about a potentially hazardous group of interest. Dr. Koch was, following a disciplinary hearing, degraded to Class D (D-2736).