Item #: SCP-CN-282
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: The inject object has been stored in a Level 3A safe in a Standard Inorganic Object Containment Chamber at Site-CN-23. The physical key and password are to be held by two different members of Level 3 or higher personnel. Researchers are not to enter a 3 m radius of the object, to avoid coming under the psychological effects associated with the anomaly. If the object is to be moved, personnel should use remote-controlled mechanisms to do so. Human testing of the object's effects requires the approval of the Site Director. Personnel who inadvertently enter Stage I of the anomaly's effects are to undergo psychological evaluation, and are to be denied access to the object's containment chamber. Personnel who inadvertently enter Stage II or later are to be euthanized.
Description: SCP-CN-282 is a black go stone, made of a material resembling jade stone.
The object's anomalous properties affect human subjects psychologically as detailed below:
When a human subject enters a 2 m radius of the object or makes direct visual contact with it, they will hear a ticking noise similar to that of a clock (this can be seen as Stage I of the object's psychological effect). This ticking sound will continue and cannot be ignored by the subject; this typically causes the subject unease or panic. The perceived volume of the ticking noise will increase with continued exposure. If the subject ceases contact at this stage, the ticking noise will disappear after a certain period of time. However, subsequent contact with the object will cause the effects to develop more rapidly.
If a subject makes direct physical contact with the object, or remains in Stage I for an extended period of time (testing indicates an average time of 1 hour), the subject will report that the ticking noise has stopped, but returns whenever the subject recalls it. At the beginning of Stage II, the subject will suddenly become acutely aware of the fact that they will eventually die, as if the thought suddenly manifested in the subject's mind. This occurs regardless of prior mental state. Upon reaching this state, the psychological effects of the anomaly are no longer reversible, even with amnestic treatment.
Upon entering Stage II, these psychological effects will autonomously develop; this development is accelerated by continued contact with the anomaly. At first, personnel will not report any anomalous effects other than the ticking noise, but as time progresses, the subject will more frequently think about their mortality and express a strong fear of death. As the effects continue, personnel may attempt to divert their attention, pray in accordance with their religious beliefs, turn to self-harm, or even [REDACTED], in order to ease this fear of death, but these attempts will not be successful. Near the end of Stage II, many subjects develop insomnia and fear of darkness.
In Stage III, SCP-CN-282 will become visible to the subject regardless of any intervening barriers, appearing as a black spot in their vision. Seeing SCP-CN-282 will cause the subject to experience a strong feeling of fear, and subjects will typically attempt to escape in the opposite direction or attempt to block their own view of SCP-CN-282 with various objects. As the effects progress, the size of this spot will slowly increase, and subjects report that the ticking noise has returned without stopping. All subjects tested have at this point entered a state of panic, exhibiting symptoms such as biting their own body, striking walls with their fists, crying and screaming, and in extreme cases attempting self-harm, and will act aggressively to personnel approaching them.
In the final stage, the subject will enter a comatose state. Currently, no subjects have recovered from this state; EEG readings have indicated that subjects remain in a constant state of fear, with hormones associated with stress being constantly secreted.
Addendum I: On 20██/██/██, SCP-CN-282 fell from the atmosphere into a field in the outskirts of Beijing. Due to its appearance and material, the Chinese Branch rapidly contained the object. Fortunately, all personnel involved in the containment process did not progress into Stage II; however, it was observed that agents involved in the retrieval process scored lower on routine psychological fitness tests. While Stage I of the anomaly had already been documented, not much attention had been paid to it. After confirming that the object posed no other dangers, SCP-CN-282 was transferred to Dr. ████ █████ for research. Unfortunately, Dr. ████ █████ soon experienced Stage II effects and eventually died during the comatose state. His journal has been transcribed and is available as Document 282-CN-2.
Addendum II: Since 20██/██/██, the apparent brightness of α Ursae Majoris (Dubhe) has decreased by █%. Analysis revealed [DATA EXPUNGED]. The Foundation is currently attempting to prevent the public from noticing this change.
Addendum III: Journal of Dr. ████ █████ (relevant excerpts only)
« SCP-CN-281 | SCP-CN-282 | SCP-CN-283 »