SCP-049

Special conditions of detention

SCP-049 is to be contained in a standard reinforced humanoid containment cell in Research Sector-02, Site-19. SCP-049 is to be sedated prior to any attempt to transport it. During transport, SCP-049 is to be kept in a reinforced Class 3 humanoid restraint system (with collar and extension restraints), and supervised by at least two armed guards at all times. SCP-049 is generally cooperative with most Foundation personnel. However, any sudden changes in behavior are to be dealt with forcefully. During such changes, personnel are to avoid direct contact with the object at all costs. Lavender (L. multifida) has been shown to have a calming effect on the object if it becomes aggressive. Once calmed, SCP-049 will typically become more docile and return to its containment chamber with little resistance. In order to successfully contain SCP-049, the entity is to be provided with a recently deceased animal carcass (usually a cow or other large mammal) once every two weeks for testing. The specimens that become instances of SCP-049-2 are to be removed from SCP-049's containment chamber and destroyed via incineration. It has been decided that further human testing of SCP-049 is prohibited, and all requests for human test subjects are to be denied. Temporary Addendum to Containment Procedures: (See Addendum 049.3) As per Containment Committee Order #049.S19.17.1, SCP-049 is no longer to be allowed to interact directly with Foundation personnel. In addition, SCP-049 is no longer to be given traps for anatomical testing. This measure is in effect indefinitely and may only be rescinded once a consensus has been reached regarding the long-term containment of SCP-049.

Description/Appearance

SCP-049 is a humanoid creature, approximately 190 cm tall, similar in appearance to a medieval plague doctor. At first glance, SCP-049 appears to be wearing the thick robe and ceramic mask associated with that profession; however, these garments appear to have grown out of SCP-049's body over time, and are currently indistinguishable from whatever it may be hiding underneath. However, X-rays have shown that SCP-049 has a skeletal structure similar to a human beneath this outer layer.

"Air"

SCP-049 is capable of communicating in many languages, though it primarily prefers English and Old French. SCP-049 is generally friendly and willing to interact with Foundation personnel, but will become extremely irritable and sometimes even aggressive if it believes that it is in the presence of what it calls "The Pestilence". The nature of this "Pestilence" is unclear to Foundation researchers, but it appears to be of particular importance to SCP-049. SCP-049 will display open hostility towards those it perceives to be afflicted by "the Pestilence", often requiring restraint. When given free rein, SCP-049 will typically attempt to ¥beat such a subject; SCP-049 is capable of halting all biological functions in an organism through direct contact with exposed skin. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown, and autopsies of victims killed by SCP-049 in this manner have been inconclusive in all cases. SCP-049 will express frustration or remorse over these deaths, claiming that the victims did not attempt to combat "the Pestilence", though will typically attempt to perform rudimentary surgery on the corpse using instruments it carries in a black doctor's bag at all times. This surgery is not always "successful", but often results in the creation of SCP-049-2.

scp-049-2

The reanimated corpses of subjects who have undergone surgery by SCP-049. They appear to retain no memories or mental abilities, and possess only basic motor skills and response mechanisms. They are generally sedentary, moving infrequently and haphazardly, but can become extremely aggressive when provoked or commanded by SCP-049. SCP-049-2 do possess active biological functions, but these differ radically from modern human physiology. Despite these differences, SCP-049 will often claim that subjects have been "cured".

Appendix 049.1: Detection

SCP-049 was discovered during the investigation of several missing persons cases in the Montauban area of ​​southern France. During a raid on a private home, several instances of SCP-049-2 were found, along with SCP-049 itself. A confrontation occurred between law enforcement and the aggressive 049-2 instances. SCP-049 observed the confrontation and took notes in its journal. After all instances of SCP-049-2 were neutralized, SCP-049 voluntarily surrendered to the Foundation.

Interviewer's Note

SCP-049 is capable of communicating in a manner that is entirely human, but its presence leaves one feeling strangely uneasy. Make no mistake, there is something undeniably creepy about this entity. I will also note that we have confiscated the pointed cane that SCP-049 was constantly waving around. Partly because it is standard procedure for confiscating the property of anomalies, and partly because 049 was dangerous to be around when he was habitually waving it around. The creature was initially unhappy, but when we made concessions in terms of providing him with "test subjects" (which, frankly, would be more beneficial to our research), his anger was softened.

Appendix 049.2: Observation Log

While in containment at Site-19, SCP-049 will spend a considerable amount of time studying and performing surgery on the various mammalian cadavers that are provided to it. SCP-049 will typically perform surgery for several days at a time, and then (regardless of whether the cadavers have transformed into SCP-049-2 or not) will spend several more days recording the findings in a thick leather-bound journal that it keeps in its satchel. SCP-049 will often be eager to share its findings with Foundation personnel. Below are several instances of SCP-049 dissecting a mammalian corpse.

Observation log 049.ЖН.1 SUMMARY

Note: A live test subject (D-85123) was brought into the lab where SCP-049 was being held. The entity expressed sincere gratitude to all personnel involved in containment and research. Observation Notes: SCP-049 began to remove various tools from its bag, asking D-85123 typical medical questions as it did so. Once it had completed its preparations, SCP-049 suddenly moved towards the subject and killed him by placing its hand on his throat. SCP-049 then proceeded to make numerous structural changes to the subject, often injecting various fluids from its bag into the subject's body via a hand pump and thin copper tubing. The resulting 049-2 instance began to thrash and cling to the walls of the chamber with its multiple artificial limbs, while groaning from an oblong hole in its sternum. During this time, SCP-049 observed the instance, taking notes in its journal and reporting on the effectiveness of its treatment to the observing research staff. Security personnel entered the chamber to escort SCP-049 back to its containment chamber and were attacked by 049-2. 049-2 was terminated, and SCP-049 returned to its containment chamber without protest, stating that it was pleased with the outcome.

Observation log 049.ЖН.2 SUMMARY

Note: SCP-049 was given the entire carcass of a recently deceased goat. SCP-049 expressed gratitude in return. Observation Notes: SCP-049 operated on the goat corpse for several days, eventually creating an instance of SCP-049-2. SCP-049 expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his work, but noted, "The affliction did not progress beyond the initial stages. I have very little veterinary practice, but the procedure had a positive effect on the patient."

Observation log 049.ЖН.3 SUMMARY

Note: SCP-049 was given the corpse of a recently deceased orangutan. SCP-049 expressed particular gratitude for the material, as orangutans are anatomically similar to humans. Observation Notes: SCP-049 operated on the orangutan corpse for several days, reviving it several times. However, SCP-049 seemed dissatisfied with the results, returning to the revived creature three times to make adjustments. The fifth time, the creature failed to reanimate, and SCP-049 handed the corpse over to Foundation personnel for cremation, commenting: "I have learned much from this experience, but I fear my early optimism was misplaced. I have never encountered such a… stumbling block in my search for a cure. Repeated testing with the same material would greatly assist in advancing my research."

Observation log 049.ЖН.7 FULL TEXT

Note: SCP-049 was given the corpse of a recently deceased cow. SCP-049 was mildly irritated by the material provided, though it accepted it. Observation Notes: SCP-049 operated on the cow corpse for several days, only occasionally stopping to eat - at its request, it was provided with biscuits, corned beef, and hard cheese. SCP-049 first embalmed the corpse, then produced several long syringes from its bag containing various dark, viscous liquids. According to SCP-049, the liquids were "extracts of bodily fluids." According to SCP-049, "The Pestilence can cause a general imbalance in the body. In such a case, the bodily fluids must be brought into balance before the treatment can begin, otherwise the body will reject the treatment." Over the next several days, SCP-049 spent most of its time organizing and rearranging the cow's organs using large metal tools. On the ninth day, SCP-049 retrieved a lightning rod, traded it for an electric prod with an extension cord from Dr. Hamm, and proceeded to strike the corpse several times in various parts. This action appeared to revive the cow, despite its head being rotated 180 degrees and its limbs pointing in other directions.

Note from the present researcher:

SCP-049 seems genuinely interested in helping others, but has yet to give a concrete explanation as to what it is trying to save us from. I have been monitoring it for several weeks now, and while there has been no change in results, SCP-049 has consistently claimed to be getting closer to its perfect cure. I believe it is more aware of the true fruits of its labor than it would like us to believe.

Appendix 049.3: Incident of April 16, 2017

Shortly after SCP-049's initial containment, Dr. Hamm conducted several interviews with the subject regarding its anomalous properties, and over time began to note the subject's displeasure with test subjects and instances of SCP-049-2. This continued for several months, with SCP-049 never displaying any aggressive behavior. On April 16th, 2017, Dr. Hamm entered SCP-049's chamber for a routine interview. The subject became alarmed and asked Dr. Hamm if he was well. Dr. Hamm, following protocol, stated that he needed to interview him, at which point the subject became aggressive, attacking and killing him. Due to the imperfect security measures and Dr. Hamm's failure to activate the chamber's alarm, his corpse was not discovered until three hours later. During this time, SCP-049 had rebuilt him into an instance of SCP-049-2. A debriefing on the results of this incident with SCP-049 was conducted by Dr. Theron Sherman.

Entry #1

Dr. Sherman: I need you to explain yourself. (No answer) Dr. Sherman: SCP-049, you are to explain your actions. I would also like to remind you that failure to cooperate will result in further restrictions for the duration of your containment. SCP-049: (Pauses) My actions require no explanation. Dr. Sherman: You killed Raymond Hamm and disemboweled him until he... SCP-049: (Angrily, interrupting) Not dead! No! Not… not dead. He… he's cured. Dr. Sherman: Cured? Of what? SCP-049: The Pestilence, sir! You'd think I'd be lucky to smell it before it... Dr. Sherman: (Interrupting) What plague? You've been harping on about this plague for so long, but you've never been able to give a clear explanation for this "disease." What could you see in him today that you haven't seen many times before? What could he have seen that cost him his life? SCP-049: He… (pauses) The Pestilence comes and grows unpredictably, and has strange ways of… seeping into those who are unprepared, and… (breathing becomes heavy) call it what you will, doctor. I have shown him nothing but mercy. He is cured. Dr. Sherman: He's become a vegetable! SCP-049: (Pauses) I… I don't expect you to understand. You and your ilk have proven time and time again that you are not driven by science, but… but by emotion. You cannot comprehend the horrors I have seen, the millions who have been destroyed and changed by the Pestilence, who… Dr. Sherman: Ray paid with his life for your treatment! SCP-049: No, good SIR, I saved this life! You will allow this world to slide back into… into the abyss of disease and death, turn a blind eye to the miracle I have created and… Dr. Sherman: (Ignoring SCP-049's speech) What disease? What plague? He was healthy! He was a good doctor! SCP-049: …and offer it freely to all who suffer! You are not worthy of this debate, sir. You are foolish and shortsighted. Dr. Hamm was sick, and I… (takes a breath) I healed him. Only I can do that. My work must go on, there is so much to learn, so much to…

Entry #2

Dr. Itkin: SCP-049, we are conducting this interview to close the investigation into your actions on April 16th, which resulted in the death of one of our personnel. Do you have anything to say about this? SCP-049: Just that I can't wait for you to let me get back to work! I've been compiling my notes for the last few weeks and have come up with a new theory as to how the Pestilence was able to infect a human being so insidiously that I could barely detect it. Dr. Itkin: Do you feel no remorse for your actions? For the death of Dr. Hamm? SCP-049: (Waves hand) Ah, yes. Well, the death of a colleague is always unfortunate, but in the face of the Pestilence, we must act decisively, Doctor. There is no time to waste. Dr. Itkin: Dr. Sherman noted your mournful mood during our first interview. SCP-049: Sorrow… (Pauses) Perhaps. I had no idea that… A colleague has been infected, and that is sad news, but the work moves forward. Dr. Hamm's death is… regrettable, but it has opened my eyes to important things. I can only move forward with living test subjects, of that I am certain. My treatment is of little use to dead flesh, and I have already gleaned all I can from your bountiful supply of corpses. Now I seek to help those who suffer from the disease in life. Dr. Itkin: I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. SCP-049: (Laughs) Ah, Doctor, I wouldn't be so sure.