Hey guys, TheDoctor1998 here with another chapter. This time, it's SCP-003, the Biological Motherboard.
Now, on with the show!
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Doctor Nori appeared on the screen. "Good afternoon everyone, my name is Doctor Nori, and today we're going to be studying SCP-003, AKA the Biological Motherboard."
"Interesting." Alador muttered. He was well aware of circuitry and biological components, abomination goo was partially biological after all, and he was interested to see how this Biological Motherboard would stack up to his own inventions.
Item #: SCP-003
Containment Class: Euclid
Secondary Class: None
Disruption Class: Ekhi
Risk Class: Warning
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-003 is to be maintained at a constant temperature of no less than 35C and ideally kept above 100C. No living multicellular organisms of Category IV or higher complexity may be allowed to come into contact with SCP-003.
"What?" Ed said in confusion, tilting his head.
"Taking a wild guess here, but I think it's anything bigger than a germ or something." Em shrugged.
In event of total power failure, if SCP-003-1 begins to increase its mass, assigned personnel must engage in skin contact with SCP-003-1. Ideally, personnel may use their body heat to return SCP-003-1 to above the critical temperature; however, skin contact must be maintained even in event of SCP-003 reaching activation temperature, lasting at minimum until SCP-003-1 advances fully to its second growth stage.
"Huh, they really don't want this thing cooling down." Amity said, analyzing it. "Maybe the Motherboard doesn't work if it's overheating?"
"Guess the two of us can make sure of that on our own, eh Batata?" Luz said, winking at her girlfriend.
Amity only blushed at Luz's flirtatious behavior.
Personnel who enter SCP-003's containment area must first be examined for body parasites of Category IV or higher complexity, and sterilized if such organisms are present. All personnel who have come in physical contact with SCP-003-1 are to immediately report for sterilization afterwards.
Viney immediately noted that down. "Guess it's infectious as well?"
SCP-003-1 must not be removed from SCP-003-2 except in case of emergency procedures detailed above. Any significant change in SCP-003-2's rune activity (including pattern, frequency, or color) should be reported within three (3) hours of occurrence. Cessation of rune activity must be reported immediately. SCP-003-2 must be supplied with power via the source designated Generator 003-IX at all times.
"A rune device." Alador muttered. "I haven't seen a working example of such in years."
"Runes?" Luz asked her future father in law, interested in magic as she is.
"An ancient form of magic, similar to human circuitry from what I understand." The inventor explained. "While they appear similar in nature to your glyphs, there is a significant difference. Glyphs draw power from the Titan's ambient magic, while runes need to be charged with the internal magic of witches and demons. That said, it's not very practical these days, and is usually only used for relatively simple tasks."
"Like when principal Bump locked Hexside down when we met." Willow said in realization.
"So that's what that was." Luz breathed, remembering when Bump was supposedly trying to dissect her. Thankfully, after a talk with the guy, it became clear that he was just trying to scare her into revealing herself to protect the students.
She couldn't really blame the guy. She was an intruder into a place full of kids, after all.
Description: SCP-003 consists of two related components of separate origin, referred to as SCP-003-1 and SCP-003-2.
King blinked. "Okay, that's a new one."
SCP-003-1 appears to be composed of chitin, hair, and nails of unknown biology, arranged in a configuration similar to that of a computer motherboard. Testing reveals SCP-003-1 to predate earliest known circuit boards by a factor of thousands of years. SCP-003-1 is considered sentient but not actively dangerous except under certain conditions.
For once, the audience wasn't really creeped out. For those who came from the Isles, as well as a certain half-human, objects made of living creatures were par for the course.
Even Camila wasn't creeped out for once. Organic technology was a staple in a lot of science fiction shows she watched.
SCP-003-1 was found on a stone tablet, SCP-003-2, on which it currently resides. The runes on SCP-003-2 are not part of any known language, and emit pale, flickering light patterns.
"Just normal rune magic, then." Lilith noted down. "I am curious to see why and how the humans made it though."
SCP-003-2 is controlled by a (non-biological) internal computer, the contents of which are mostly inaccessible without risk of damaging SCP-003-2. SCP-003-2 is capable of controlled emissions of radiation, including heat, light, and anomalous radiation types. SCP-003-2 contains an internal power source of an anomalous nature, which appears to have been losing power since several centuries before discovery.
"Makes sense." Alador said, noting it down alongside Lilith. "Rune magic needs to be regularly charged in order to function. There must've been a large amount of magic stored in there for it to function for so long, though."
"But how are the humans charging it?" Lilith wondered. "Did they make a generator capable of making magic?"
"Not necessarily." Alador answered, willing to explain the more scientific aspects of lesser known magics. "Some rune devices are designed to be able to take in other forms of energy and transform said energy into magic, though it's generally speaking not as efficient as simply fueling it up with actual magic."
It is considered probable that SCP-003-2 was created for the purpose of containing SCP-003-1. Partially interpreted data recovered from SCP-003-2 may refer to a past and/or potential future LK-class restructuring event caused by SCP-003-1.
A feeling of dread came into the theater. If a rune device with that kind of power and durability was made to contain the Motherboard, how dangerous was the Motherboard in the first place?
SCP-003 was located by remote viewing team SRV-04 Beta. It appears possible that SRV-04 Beta was deliberately contacted by SCP-003-2. Other organizations have also been alerted to SCP-003's existence, possibly by similar means. Despite this activity, SCP-003-2 does not appear to be sentient, based on its lack of reaction to M03-Gloria analysis and procedures.
"Must've been some kind of alert." Hunter guessed.
"Oh, you mean like that time Captain Avery found that ancient ship that was containing genetically engineered monsters!" Gus excitedly said, snapping his fingers.
Camila shuddered when she heard that one. Those things were way too similar to the Xenomorphs for her liking.
When SCP-003 drops below the temperature of 35C, both components react.
First, SCP-003-1 enters a growth state characterized by an exponential increase in mass. This growth state consists of two stages. In both stages, SCP-003-1 partially fuels its growth by converting matter around it, starting with any surrounding inorganic material, including atmospheric elements, then nonliving organic material, including cells of dead skin, hair, chitin, enamel, keratin, and other biological materials.
"Fascinating." Alador mumbled. "Concerning, but fascinating nonetheless."
The first stage is always the same. SCP-003-1 will first increase its mass, then take a form similar in shape to an ophiuroid (brittle star) of fifteen meters in diameter (including what appears to be a central processor of three meters in diameter). It will form sensory organs that appear to scan its surrounding environment, and will partially convert the area around it to an unidentified anomalous substance (SCP-003-2 seems immune from conversion).
"What in the world is a "brittle star?"" Darius asked the humans.
Masha answered by taking out their phone. "Brittle stars are a type of starfish, 5 legged things that live underwater. Brittle stars have way longer and thinner appendages than normal ones, though." They showed a picture of one to Darius, who was slightly disturbed at the Earth creature.
Eberwolf only stared in fascination. He then quickly used some of his magic to morph his body, mimicking the five tentacles by growing them on his back, much to the discomfort of his friend.
The second stage describes a growth alteration which occurs when SCP-003 comes into contact with living organic material; SCP-003 appears to "template" itself off of the organic material, and will attempt communication with organisms that match its initial "template" or "templates".
"So that's why those Foundation guys want their people touching it if it grows." Steve said, snapping his fingers.
"What do you mean?" Raine asked his fellow rebellion member.
"Well, whatever it is, they don't want it getting out. If it can talk with its "template," it stands to reason that they want the template to be human."
In its second stage, SCP-003-1 may pause, slow or change its growth, and will also convert inorganic and nonliving organic elements into functionally similar structures while anomalously altering their physical makeup.
While growth is consistent in the first stage, in the second stage SCP-003-1's growth rate is diminished by 20-90% so long as SCP-003-1 remains in contact with living organic material. The percentage is determined by the complexity of the organism(s) in contact with SCP-003-1; SCP-003-1 appears to devote a large amount of processing power to analysis of living organic material.
"But why though?" Amity asked herself. Thanks to her father's lessons, she knew that machines don't do anything without a good reason.
During each of SCP-003-1's growth stages, SCP-003-2 releases bursts of radiation that temporarily inhibit SCP-003-1's growth, or reverse this growth when the temperature of SCP-003-1 rises above 100C. Similar radiation emissions have been replicated or recorded via other anomalous means.
"So that's what the rune device is for." The abomination scientist muttered, writing the data down.
"At least we know why the Foundation likes to keep this thing hot." Darius said, now realizing the reason for the absurdly high temperatures.
SCP-003-1's biology has been the subject of extensive study. Significant elements have been identified similar to SCP-, SCP-1512, and SCP-2756, the latter two of which have no further confirmed connection with SCP-003-1 and no known connection with each other, and none of which are fully understood (technically, even less understood than SCP-003, thanks to the extensive cross-disciplinary research on the SCP-003 objects). To date, no convincing analysis has been put forward which satisfactorily explains SCP-003-1's connection to these SCP objects or others, nor its connection to modern technology beyond appearance (and potential mimicry via unknown mechanism).
Alador hummed to himself, writing things down. "I suppose this Biological Motherboard isn't the only biomechanical anomaly within the Foundation's archives."
"Considering there are, apparently, nearly 3000 anomalies at the very least, I am not surprised." Lilith said, slightly in awe at the sheer number.
Addendum 003-01: Acting on information gathered from linguistic analysis of SCP-003-2's runes and comparative data analysis, Research Team M03-Gloria has managed to establish a link between SCP-003 and [DATA EXPUNGED] for analysis of functions. SCP-003-1 must now be considered sentient, and is to be kept a minimum of 1 km from [DATA EXPUNGED] and the resulting "by-product" at all times.
"Wait, it's aware?" Luz said, her eyes wide.
"Could be some kind of AI in the Motherboard itself." Hunter mused.
Addendum 003-02: SCP-003-2's power loss has been exacerbated by the procedures performed by M03-Gloria. On orders of O5-10, M03-Gloria will continue procedures.
Eda simply facepalmed. "I know it's rich coming from me, but that's just a bad idea."
Addendum 003-03: During M03-Gloria procedures, SCP-003-1 doubled its mass and began rapid structural growth. Temperature was immediately returned to 100C. Growth and mass increase of SCP-003-1 continued for 9 minutes and 6 seconds, at which time a sustained radiation spike was produced by SCP-003-2. In response, SCP-003-1 returned to its normal state in 3 minutes and 39 seconds. New growth dissolved into a dusty residue which was collected for analysis. Both SCP-003-1 and SCP-003-2 ceased all detectable activity. SCP-003-2 did not resume activity until connected to external power source. SCP-003-2's runes glowed uniformly gray and did not resume normal activity for three (3) hours. SCP-003-2 no longer appears to be able to maintain containment area at a temperature above 35C without external power supplied by Generators 003-III through IX.
"Aaand they drained it completely. Fantastic." Skara said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Addendum 003-04: The procedure detailed in Addendum 003-03 was repeated, and SCP-003-1 again entered a growth state. After 10 minutes and 13 seconds, SCP-003-2 once again produced a sustained radiation spike. SCP-003-1's growth stopped for 36 seconds, then resumed at its previous pace.
"That can't be good." King said, already seeing where this was going.
On quadrupling its mass, SCP-003-1 formed a coherent outer shell and body. After appearing to scan its environment and partially converting its environment, SCP-003-1 then breached containment, entering the observation gallery where nine members of M03-Gloria were present. On physical contact with team members, SCP-003-1 encompassed them in rapidly-grown appendages and stopped growth for 15 minutes. SCP-003-1 then resumed growth, and rearranged the component parts of the center of its form to the shape of a three-meter-tall female humanoid, with peripheral "tentacles" shifting to extrude primarily from SCP-003-1's newly formed "hair" and spine. SCP-003-1 then produced rudimentary vocalizations in an apparent initial attempt to communicate with researchers. [DATA EXPUNGED]
"Is it trying to mimic people?" Vee asked herself, noticing that it must be a very rudimentary way of shapeshifting.
"I think it's a bit more than that, Vee." Vee's datemate said, narrowing their eyes in suspicion. This may not be their area of expertise, but they recognized that it must've been preparing for something big.
An unknown individual approached the compromised containment area in company of a full squad of agents. The individual claimed to be acting on orders of O5-10 and attempted communication with SCP-003-1. [DATA EXPUNGED]
"Heh, so you can just sneak in with the right lie." Eda snickered.
"Again, no stealing from the Foundation. Please." Raine told their girlfriend, knowing exactly what she was thinking.
"Please, I'll just have a word with them, that's all." The cursed witch rolled her eyes.
"Eda, you don't really pass off as a normal human." Luz deadpanned. "I mean, trying to pay with a raccoon?"
Eda blinked at her daughter. "How the heck do you know that?"
"I have my ways." The half titan winked.
Following this incident, Agent Jackson of M03-Gloria successfully restored power to SCP-003-2 and activated backup generators to return the temperature to 100C. SCP-003-1 returned to its normal state in 21 minutes and 7 seconds, and was successfully re-contained without incident.
"Oh thank God for that." Camila muttered, unwilling to see what would happen if the Motherboard finishes its design.
All nine members of M03-Gloria affected by SCP-003-1 were afterwards found to be physically unharmed, with no residual effects besides psychological trauma. The converted materials of SCP-003's former containment area did not dissolve and are now under analysis.
"Yup, definitely a terraforming machine." Gus winced, worried about the Human Realm.
Addendum 003-05: In light of the previous incident, O5-10 was removed from the O5 Council by joint decision of O5-, O5-, and O5-. M03-Gloria procedures have been indefinitely suspended.
"At least the other O5's were smarter than that one." Darius sighed.
SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM M03-GLORIA REQUIRED =
Access Granted. Display Files.
Transcript of Incident Report A21-B Cycle 8. For dissemination to O5 Command and Staff.
Interviewers: , , and
Present: O5-2, O5-5, O5-7, O5-10, and Staff
Interviewed: Dr. Tilda David Moose, M03-Gloria Lead
Excerpt 35A
Lilith started writing down again. Dr. Moose must've revealed some relative information about this thing.
She tried to talk to us. We all heard her voice in our heads, in a sort of half-language we couldn't fully understand. Some of the others passed out immediately. I lasted a little longer, but it wasn't because of mental fortitude. It's just that she was trying to tell us different things.
Eda winced, her being all too familiar with that feeling due to the Owl Beast. Glancing at her sister, she saw her fellow heterochromatic flinch as well, likely due to the same reason.
She showed Jones a replay of all the memories of everything Jones ever felt anything about. All over the course of a few minutes. She ripped three of the researchers apart and put them back together unharmed. She doesn't understand human emotion, or pain. Or very much about how we experience the world.
Yes, I would say the containment procedures are necessary.
"It's like the Collector." King said, recognizing the mentality. The Motherboard didn't understand emotions or pain, just like the Collector didn't understand death.
For some reason, he couldn't help but empathize with the Motherboard now.
Listen, she wants to remake the world. Into a paradise. A paradise filtered through her own alien understanding of paradise, but still, a paradise designed for us. For humanity. She would be happy to make a paradise for any sufficiently complex organism she comes across first. Anything with a complex enough mind to accept her. Say, a dog. Or a housefly.
If she breaches again, we have to be there first.
"But what would paradise be for something without emotions?" Alador mumbled.
What would it be like? I don't know. She showed us images — not quite images. I can see them in my head, but they're not pictures. The closest thing I can think of is what you see when you close your eyes suddenly and tightly, but brighter and more complex. The images had metallic sounds associated with them, and sensory details that we don't have the words or concepts to describe.
The whole effect felt like words of some kind. I believe she wanted to see what we could understand, so she could understand us.
She didn't have time to finish analyzing us. I don't know what would have happened if she had.
Camila had somewhat of an idea of what would've happened, being the sci-fi nerd that she is. And none of the things that popped up in her head painted a good picture of the Motherboard.
Doctor Nori appeared on the screen again. "And that's SCP-003, something which I'm sure is some kind of unholy combination of Mekhanite technology and Sarkic biomagic."
"Mekhanite? Sarkic? What on Earth are those things?" Masha asked, never having heard of either thing before.
"I'll explain in a moment." Yahweh said, intending to finish this viewing.
Doctor Nori was shown in the room with both SCP-003 components, idly writing something down as the Motherboard shuddered a bit before the runes on the device below it flashed, causing the device to stop again.
"So what are the Mekhanites and Sarkites?" Lilith asked, just as curious as Masha was.
"Anomalous religions with technology and magic far beyond anything Humanity as a whole has" Yahweh answered. "The Mekhanites worshiped the concept of technology and a deity known as Mekhane, and had an empire that spanned much of what is today known as Greece. These days they're known as the Church of the Broken God, with various subgroups that worship Mekhane and technology in various ways."
"Interesting." Alador mumbled, already intrigued by the idea of a god of technology.
"The Sarkites, on the other hand, were a civilization that glorified blood, disease, death, and flesh, worshiped a deity known as Yaldaboath, and used their magics to warp life in ways similar to how witches use Abomination magic." God said gravely. "Even with their empire of blood fractured, they're still around with their Sarkic Cults, causing trouble for everyone around them."
Luz froze, thinking back to those fleshy arms Belos attacked her with the first time they met, the same fleshy arms that she once summoned with that glyph combination she found in his journal. 'Was that Sarkic magic? Wait, no, Belos would've hated the Sarkites.'
She flashed some of her glyphs into existence, pulling them into the same formation that she knew would've summoned such an arm. Like before, the fleshy thing appeared from it, though this time she managed to control it with her own will. 'Guess I just needed to know what to do with it before making it.'
"I just hope that there's at least one of these things that doesn't end up being some kind of horrific thing." Camila sighed.
"Well, the next one can be dangerous if mishandled, but is otherwise harmless." Yahweh said, playing the next file.
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And that's a wrap. Next time we'll be seeing SCP-004, the 12 Rusty Keys and the Door. TheDoctor1998 here, signing out!