SCP-6856 : Look What I Can Do
Information
On-site geothermal power plant, Site-56, Nevada
Name: Look What I Can Do
Author: crashb
Rating: 152/154
Created at: Wed Aug 24 2022
Item #: SCP-6856
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures
SCP-6856 is to be contained at Site-56, Nevada. SCP-6856's containment cell is to be constructed of LI-900 silica insulation tiles, but otherwise should adhere to standard humanoid containment specifications. Faux interiors and other cell decorations are permitted in SCP-6856's containment cell.
SCP-6856's work chamber, located beneath Site-56's on-site geothermal power plant, is also to be constructed of LI-900 silica insulation tiles. The work chamber should only be accessible through an antechamber, which may contain lockers, vending machines, and other items requested by Dr. Olivia Stratton. The only fixtures permitted in the work chamber are a temperature gauge with a clearly-labelled maximum of 500 °C, a heat-resistant security camera, a heat-resistant intercom system, and SCP-6856's harness.
SCP-6856 is to maintain eye contact with the temperature gauge during work shifts. As an enrichment measure, Foundation-approved radio programs may be played in the work chamber while it is occupied by SCP-6856. Foundation personnel are not permitted in the work chamber while it is occupied by SCP-6856.
Description
SCP-6856 is a 23-year-old human male capable of raising its body temperature at will. The object also exhibits an anomalous resistance to the adverse effects of heat. SCP-6856 has a maximum temperature of roughly 500 °C.
SCP-6856 was recovered from Idyll, Nevada in the aftermath of a house fire. Local police noted SCP-6856's unusual resistance to heat, and Foundation personnel embedded within Idyll were alerted. Upon initial containment, SCP-6856 was fully cooperative with the Foundation, and continues to comply with Foundation requests and regulations.
Because of SCP-6856's established history of cooperative behaviour, the object has been selected for a pilot project. SCP-6856 possesses an existential fear of climate change, and has expressed an interest in using its abilities to generate clean energy. This proposal was determined to be of mutual benefit, so a specialized "work chamber" was constructed at the facility's on-site power plant. Each day at 0800 hours, SCP-6856 is escorted to the work chamber by two (2) armed guards. SCP-6856 remains in the work chamber for an shift of eight (8) hours with a lunch break of one (1) hour. SCP-6856 is well-adjusted to this routine.
Video camera footage starting at 1437 hours.
SCP-6856 is in its harness, staring at the wall-mounted temperature gauge in the work chamber. The gauge's needle is gently swaying near the gauge's maximum value of 500 °C. SCP-6856 is radiating with heat; this glow causes some mild distortion in the video feed.
Dramatic music plays over the intercom.
Intercom: You can do it, Private! The unit is en route. Just don't blink!
Intercom: Is there an ETA, General? I don't know how much longer I can hold out…
Intercom: Keep your eyes on the anomaly, Private. That's an order!
Intercom: I'll try, General.
The sound of soldiers moving can be heard over the intercom. Through the distortion, SCP-6856 can be seen to close its eyes.
Intercom: Go, go, g—
The ambience and dialog abruptly cuts, replaced by a monotone, feminine voice.
Intercom: Attention. SCP-6856, please monitor the temperature gauge.
SCP-6856's eyes remain closed.
Intercom: Attention. SCP-6856, please open your eyes and look at the temperature gauge. Your attentiveness is crucial to helping the Foundation avoid a localized outage.
SCP-6856 opens its eyes.
Intercom: Thank you, SCP-6856. We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.
Triumphant music plays over the intercom.
Intercom: -e did it, General! Another disaster averted!
Intercom: Never underestimate the Foundation, Private.
Video camera footage starting at 0758 hours.
SCP-6856 and Dr. Olivia Stratton are in the antechamber. Dr. Stratton is seated at the research desk, while SCP-6856 is seated at the bench in front of the lockers.
Dr. Stratton: No pains, aches, or cramps?
SCP-6856: Nope.
Dr. Stratton ticks the final box on the pre-shift checklist and stands from her chair.
Dr. Stratton: You're all set. I'll leave you to it.
SCP-6856: Thanks, Liv.
Dr. Stratton: No problem.
Dr. Stratton pushes her clipboard under her lab coat and begins to leave the room.
SCP-6856: Hey, uh, did you donate blood recently?
Dr. Stratton: No. Why do you ask?
SCP-6856: The band-aid.
SCP-6856 gestures towards Dr. Stratton's left knee.
Dr. Stratton: Oh, this is just a scrape. What, you thought someone was taking blood from my leg?
SCP-6856: Well, isn't that mainly what they're for?
Dr. Stratton: Band-aids? They're mainly for, like, scrapes and paper cuts and stuff… have you ever used them before?
SCP-6856 folds its arms.
SCP-6856: I guess I normally only see them when you guys are performing those tests. Plus, my mom and I used to donate blood every month.
Dr. Stratton: Every month?
SCP-6856: Yeah. She said it was our responsibility to help the people around us.
Dr. Stratton: Well, on behalf of the medical community, thanks for your service. When did she get you to start doing that? Seventeen years old?
SCP-6856 shrugs.
SCP-6856: Ever since I can remember. Probably four or five?
Dr. Stratton: What?
Dr. Stratton is visibly concerned.
Dr. Stratton: That's way too young. How did you not faint? Did they just take less blood? How-
Dr. Stratton is interrupted by the buzzer signalling the start of SCP-6856's work shift.
Dr. Stratton: Never mind. I'll let you get started.
SCP-6856 watches Dr. Stratton leave the antechamber. SCP-6856 remains sitting until the noise from the buzzer ceases. SCP-6856 stands and begins to remove its garments, stowing them in one of the antechamber's lockers. Now fully undressed, SCP-6856 proceeds into the work chamber.
SCP-6856 straps itself into the harness at the center of the work chamber and turns its gaze toward the heat gauge prominently mounted upon the wall. The gauge's needle rises as the anomaly begins to glow.
Video camera footage starting at 1202 hours.
SCP-6856 is seated in the antechamber, at the table in front of the vending machines. The object is eating its sandwich when Dr. Stratton enters.
SCP-6856: Oh, hi, Liv. Uh, is everything okay?
Dr. Stratton: Yeah, no, everything looks good. Do you mind if I sit here?
SCP-6856: Oh, go for it.
Dr. Stratton: Thanks.
Dr. Stratton unwraps her own lunch. There is a pause.
Dr. Stratton: I was, ah, just hoping to continue our conversation.
SCP-6856 nods, its mouth full of food.
Dr. Stratton: So, did you really donate blood every month with your mom? Because that's really, really unusual. Especially if you were that young.
SCP-6856 shrugs.
SCP-6856: It seems pretty normal to me. And it makes sense, right? Like, our bodies can make more blood, so we should give as much as we can to those in need. Even if it's a little unpleasant sometimes.
Dr. Stratton: …uh-huh. No, when you put it that way, that- that does make sense. Did you learn that from your mom?
SCP-6856: I guess so.
SCP-6856 keeps eating.
Dr. Stratton: Sounds like your parents gave you some old-fashioned religious guilt.
SCP-6856: It was just me and my mom. And she wasn't religious.
Dr. Stratton: Hm. So where does that line of thinking end for you? Because you can't just go around sacrificing your life for the good of others. At some point, you've gotta- you have to take care of yourself.
SCP-6856: Well, no. Not really. Right?
SCP-6856 gestures at the antechamber. Dr. Stratton remains silent.
SCP-6856: I'm trying to help save the planet. You've given me this opportunity, here, and I- I'm taking on some responsibility.
Dr. Stratton: Right. No, it's very admirable, this whole project is- you had a good idea.
SCP-6856: It wasn't my idea. But thanks.
Dr. Stratton: Huh? Your file says the geothermal project was your idea. Or, it's implied.
SCP-6856 shakes its head.
Dr. Stratton: But it had to be your idea. I remember that we started building this room before you came on-site. The Site Director wouldn't have approved the project without knowing you'd cooperate.
SCP-6856: I came here straight from Idyll. The project was explained to me a couple days after that. It seemed like a pretty obvious idea, so of course I'd cooperate.
Dr. Stratton: That doesn't make any sense to me.
SCP-6856: I don't know what to tell you. Agree to disagree.
Dr. Stratton: Heh, fine with me. Glitch in the matrix, I guess.
SCP-6856: What?
Dr. Stratton: "Glitch in the matrix." Have you never- ah, never mind.
Dr. Stratton finishes her lunch and stands up.
Dr. Stratton: Thanks for indulging me, it's been a nice chat. See you tomorrow.
SCP-6856 puts its food down.
SCP-6856: Uh, yeah, see you.
Dr. Stratton leaves the antechamber, greeting the guard on her way out. SCP-6856 folds its arms. SCP-6856 stares into the distance, leaning back as it does so. Eventually, SCP-6856 stands up from the table, leaving the remnants of its sandwich behind. SCP-6856 paces back and forth for some time, before stowing its clothes in the locker and returning to the work chamber.
Video camera footage starting at 1700 hours.
A buzzer can be heard, indicating the end of SCP-6856's work shift. The light emanating from SCP-6856 diminishes, along with the video distortion. SCP-6856 enters the antechamber from the work chamber, opens its locker, and begins to dress.
Now fully clothed, SCP-6856 proceeds towards the exit, but slows near the research desk. SCP-6856 stops and takes an unfilled pre-shift checklist from the desk. SCP-6856 turns the paper over in its hands.
SCP-6856 runs the edge of the paper against the palm of its hand. SCP-6856 repeats this motion with increasing intensity. Eventually, SCP-6856 stops abruptly; a small cut can be seen on its hand.
SCP-6856 raises its hand to eye level and inspects the cut, which continues to trickle blood. SCP-6856 stares intently at the cut, slowly rotating its hand to examine it from all angles. SCP-6856 replaces the pre-shift checklist on the researcher's desk and opens the antechamber door, greeting the guard outside.
SCP-6856: Hey, do you have a band-aid?
Guard:
SCP-6856: Thanks. Uh, yeah, sorry.
Video camera footage starting at 1026 hours.
SCP-6856 is in the harness in its work chamber. SCP-6856 closes its eyes.
Intercom: Attention. SCP-6856, please monitor the temperature gauge.
SCP-6856's eyes remain closed.
Intercom: Attention. SCP-6856, please open your eyes and look at the temperature gauge. Your attentiveness is crucial to helping the Foundation avoid a localized outage.
SCP-6856's eyes remain closed. SCP-6856's brightness rapidly increases, obscuring the details of the harness.
Intercom: Attention. SCP-6856, open your eyes and look at the temperature gauge now. Withholding your cooperation may lead to punitive measures being takkkkhhhhZZZZZZZZZZ
The intercom continues to malfunction. The room is now mostly obscured by light. In the final moments of recoverable footage, the insulating wall panels begin to warp and melt.
Item #
Explosion at Mesa Ridge General Hospital
SCP-6856
Object Class
Euclid
Special Containment Procedures
Physical restraints are insufficient to contain SCP-6856; accordingly, psychological containment procedures have been implemented. SCP-6856 is contained within a standard secure IDYLL neighborhood. No thermometers capable of displaying a temperature greater than 500 °C should be present in the neighborhood; otherwise, containment adheres to standard IDYLL protocol.
Apart from the object's "mother," only trained Foundation staff with IDYLL clearance are permitted to interact directly with SCP-6856, and only when in character. As per IDYLL protocol, tranquilizers and amnestics are to be kept on hand in the event that SCP-6856 learns of its own containment.
Description
SCP-6856 is an eighteen (18)-year-old human male capable of raising its body temperature at will. The object also exhibits an anomalous resistance to the adverse effects of heat.
As a newborn, SCP-6856 was recovered near the epicenter of an explosion at Mesa Ridge General Hospital in Nevada. The explosion was estimated to have a TNT equivalent of twenty-five (25) kilograms. Foundation researchers hypothesize that the explosion was produced by temperatures in excess of 100000 °C. Upon initial recovery, SCP-6856 appeared unharmed and had a mass of 3.3 kilograms.
SCP-6856's maximum temperature is unknown. As a containment measure, the Foundation has conditioned SCP-6856 to believe that it is only capable of producing temperatures up to five hundred (500) degrees Celsius.
Memorandum from Dr. Kroft, Senior Researcher
We would like to identify a subject from the pool of available Class-D personnel for an upcoming long-term project. The ideal candidate will:
be female, between the ages of 25 and 40
be mentally stable and sound
achieve a score of at least 65 points on the Milgram Obedience Examination
have suffered a miscarriage or the death of a child, with no children still alive
have a strong conviction in the notion of personal responsibilityProspective candidates are to be made aware that successful completion of the 18-year project will result in the candidate being released into the general population with total indemnity, and with their name expunged from official and internal records.
Please let me know whether you have any questions. Your prompt reply is appreciated.
Memorandum from Site-56 Light Containment
Dr. Kroft, we have identified a particularly promising Class-D named [DATA EXPUNGED] who fits the profile. We'll bring her to your office for briefing tomorrow morning.
Memorandum from Dr. Kroft, Site Director
After a successful 18 years of containment, SCP-6856's IDYLL project has run its course. The anomaly is insistent on "doing its part," as planned.
On your approval, I will authorize construction of a facility on Site-56 specifically built to reinforce the psychological limitations we have placed upon the object. This facility will also harness SCP-6856's energy, but no part of Site-56's infrastructure will be entirely dependent upon the anomaly.
I will also initiate the shutdown steps for the IDYLL neighborhood, including discharging the anomaly's mother from Foundation care and transferring SCP-6856 to Site-56.
Call transcript between Dr. Stratton and Dr. Kroft, starting at 1047 hours.
Dr. Stratton: Is this a joke, Justin?
Dr. Kroft: I'm afraid not.
Dr. Stratton: Because it seems like a joke.
Dr. Kroft: I know, it's hard to wrap your head arou-
Dr. Stratton: SCP-6856's temperature has no known upper limit?
Dr. Kroft: Correct.
Dr. Stratton: So, hypothetically, this guy could melt the entire planet? Like, as though we brought a chunk of the sun's core to the surface of the Earth?
Dr. Kroft: We don't know, Olivia. We don't want to know what it's capable of.
Dr. Stratton: Why wouldn't you tell me about this? Don't you think it's important that I know I'm responsible for a nuclear fucking warhead?
There is a pause.
Dr. Kroft: Genuine human interaction is essential to SCP-6856's containment. A façade like this needs a kernel of truth to avoid collapsing. First it was SCP-6856's mother, and until twenty minutes ago, it was you. It's part of the IDYLL protocol.
Dr. Stratton: I see. So, what, was I supposed to remind him- it of its mom? Do you have a revolving door of older female researchers to babysit him into compliance?
Dr. Kroft: It's a bit reductive, but yes, I guess you could say that.
Dr. Stratton: Christ.
Dr. Kroft: Look, Olivia, you've done good work. Your research hasn't been invalidated, just… re-contextualized. I'm sorry we had to keep you in the dark. Right now, we need to focus on recontainment. Amnesticization is the priority, but first we need to find the anomaly.
Dr. Stratton: Okay… okay. What's the status?
There is a click.
Dr. Kroft: Olivia, you're now on speakerphone. I have the Epsilon-9 commander in the room with me. Commander, do you have an update for us?
MTF Commander: Our aerial recon units found the tunnel exit: glass in a radius around a pocket of cooling magma. There's no trail of glass leading away from it, so current thinking is that the skip deactivated after surfacing. We've started a grid search in the vicinity. If the anomaly is on foot, we'll find it; cover out there is minimal.
Dr. Kroft: Good. We want to salvage this situation, so avoid antagonizing the entity directly. Even if you think you have a clean shot. This needs to be handled delicately.
MTF Commander: Understood.
Dr. Kroft: Olivia, we're going to need your help. The anomaly's mother is en route.
Dr. Stratton: His fake mom? I thought you lost track of her after she was freed-
Dr. Kroft: Nope. We've got her, but she'll take a while to get here. Until then, you're the anomaly's closest emotional bond. Start thinking about how the mother should appeal to SCP-6856 when we find it. We only need a few seconds to tranq the anomaly, but it has to be a sure thing.
There is a pause. Dr. Stratton sighs.
Dr. Stratton: Okay, I think I've got something.
Drone footage starting at 1158 hours.
Arid plains are vaguely visible while the camera focus wavers unsteadily. After a few seconds, SCP-6856 comes into focus. SCP-6856 walks for some time.
[DATA EXPUNGED] comes into frame. SCP-6856 stops in its tracks.
SCP-6856: Mom?
[DATA EXPUNGED]: Hey, kiddo.
SCP-6856 staggers forward.
SCP-6856: Is it… is it really you?
[DATA EXPUNGED] smiles a wry smile.
[DATA EXPUNGED]: Sure is.
SCP-6856: They said… they told me you died… I- I saw you. I saw your body.
[DATA EXPUNGED]: I know. I know.
There is a silence.
SCP-6856: How- why would you leave me? I thought- You left me to think I had-
[DATA EXPUNGED]: You know I love you. I love you more than anything. I was only trying to do what was best for you. I knew you could do great things. I knew the Foundation could help you-
SCP-6856: Are you working with them?
[DATA EXPUNGED] begins to cry.
[DATA EXPUNGED]: I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that. You know-
SCP-6856: How long were you working with them?
[DATA EXPUNGED]: Do you remember when we discovered that you could… that you were special?
[DATA EXPUNGED] approaches SCP-6856.
[DATA EXPUNGED]: I went to the police. And they didn't believe me, but I, I persisted. I knew you were special. And eventually, the Foundation, they reached out… they said they could give you a purpose. They told me they needed your help to- to save the world.
SCP-6856: Mom…
[DATA EXPUNGED]: I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.
[DATA EXPUNGED] collapses. SCP-6856 rushes forward and embraces its mother.
SCP-6856: It's okay, Mom. It's o—
[DATA EXPUNGED] plunges a concealed syringe into the back of SCP-6856's thigh. There is silence.
[DATA EXPUNGED]: I'm sorry.
SCP-6856 begins to glow. [DATA EXPUNGED] screams. The footage distorts. The screams are cut silent. Glass forms in a radius around SCP-6856.
The glow sputters and dies. SCP-6856's naked form collapses onto the glass. His mother is gone.
Call transcript between Dr. Stratton and Dr. Kroft, starting at 1205 hours.
MTF Commander: The skip is en route back to Site-56. We're pumping it full of Class B amnestics; it won't remember any of the last 48 hours. It'll wake up whenever you want it to, Director.
Dr. Kroft: Excellent work, you two. Commander, thank you.
There is a pause. The MTF commander can be heard exiting Dr. Kroft's office.
Dr. Stratton: So, what happens now? Am I supposed to return to my post?
Dr. Kroft: That won't be necessary. We would like you to stay on the project, purely in an administrative capacity. You won't need to interact with the object directly.
Dr. Stratton: You're moving me behind the curtain? Fuck that.
Dr. Kroft: You do have a way with words, Olivia. But this promotion, it's, ah, to borrow a phrase, it's an offer you can't refuse.
Dr. Stratton: I think you'd be surprised.
Dr. Kroft: Welcome to the Fire Suppression Department, Dr. Stratton.
Video camera footage starting at 0745 hours.
Dr. Kyra Grieves is waiting in the antechamber. SCP-6856 is led into the antechamber, accompanied by an armed guard. Dr. Grieves walks toward SCP-6856 and extends a hand.
Dr. Grieves: SCP-6856. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Dr. Grieves, and I'll be supervising your work shifts going forward.
SCP-6856: Oh, okay. Nice to meet you. Uh, what happened to Olivia?
Dr. Grieves: Dr. Stratton has actually transitioned to another project. She didn't tell you?
SCP-6856: Oh, no. No, she didn't.
Dr. Grieves: Ah. Well, I'll be assuming her responsibilities from here on out.
Dr. Grieves takes a pre-shift checklist from the desk and places it on her clipboard.
Dr. Grieves: Okay. How is your mood today? Are you feeling fulfilled, generally speaking?
SCP-6856: Uh, yeah. Yeah, I guess so.
Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.