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Info
Article: SCP-065-PT — Hard-to-Kill Armadillo
Author: 
lulatred
Translator: 
L200
Image: Image made by user 
Rammal.
More information
I would like to thank everyone who helped to criticize this article at Discord and Lammar for the beautiful drawing.
Item #: SCP-065-PT
Object Class: Safe
Threat Level: White ●
Special Containment Procedures: All SCP-065-PT instances must be kept in the Artificial Habitat 065-A, located at the Vivarium Center of Site PT10. The location has an area of 200 m², with a height of 4.5 m, and can only be accessed by members of the 065-PT-10 Group.
The habitat seeks to replicate the climatic conditions of the central area of the Midwest Region of Brazil, where the entities were initially found, and must also contain plant species native to the aforementioned region, in addition to having a source of fresh drinking water and ant and termite colonies, to feed the instances. Once every three days, varied fruits must be introduced into the habitat to contribute to the maintenance of a balanced diet for all entities.
Weekly, the habitat must be analyzed in order to identify any problems in the equipment that keep the site functioning, such as the systems for lighting, running water filtering, temperature regulation, etc. In addition, the same analysis must verify the proliferation of ant and termite colonies throughout the habitat, in addition to verifying the general condition of the plant species in the habitat. Given the self-sufficiency of the system present in the habitat, its cleaning must be done only to guarantee the maintenance of the equipment present at the location.
The group directly related to the object, designated 065-PT-10, is currently formed by three independent detachments, each of which is necessary for the research, containment and/or maintenance of the containment of SCP-065-PT instances.
065-PT-10-A is responsible for researching, testing and analyzing the anomalous characteristics of all entities currently registered and contained in Site PT10, in addition to being responsible for the study of the individual carapaces, also contained in the same site, and of Document ZKA-065-A.
065-PT-10-B is divided into two subgroups, both aimed at maintaining the well-being of instances. The first, B-1, aims to maintain the specimens themselves, performing any veterinary procedures with them, when necessary, and having their own wing in the Veterinary Center of Site PT10 to carry out such procedures. The second, B-2, has the function of maintaining the systems found inside Artificial Habitat 065-A, in order to preserve the environment where the specimens are contained.
065-PT-10-C is aimed at locating, securing and containing SCP-065-PT instances not yet contained in Brazilian territory. This detachment has subgroups in the vast majority of the sites of the Lusophone Foundation, working together with personnel infiltrated in the most diverse private and public institutions of environmental preservation. 065-PT-10-C also aims to establish contact with members of the Hunting Club of the Fauna and the Flora willing to assist in searches for the entities, following the guidelines of the Treaty of Eventual Cooperation CCFF-FL 026.
When a total of fifteen SCP-065-PT instances are contained in Site PT10, and consequently occupying Artificial Habitat 065-A, Protocol 065-HA-02 should come into effect, enabling the construction of an artificial habitat identical to the aforementioned one, being also able to support only fifteen specimens in its interior.
The individual carapaces must be kept in Light Containment Room 06, at Site PT10. Given the research being performed with the objects, they must not be cleaned, and the plant and fungal species found in them must not be removed. In the same room, in a standard metal file, Document ZKA-065-A must be kept. Only members of Group 065-PT-10 have access to the containment room.
Document ZKA-065-A was digitized and may be found in the terminal systems found in the observation room of Artificial Habitat 065-A, which can be accessed by members of Group 065-PT-10. Any attempt to copy and/or export the document's files to any other unauthorized terminal or server will be automatically logged and suppressed.
Illustration of SCP-065-PT-K, produced by PoI 13921, taken from Document ZKA-065-A.
Description: SCP-065-PT is the designation given to an anomalous species of the genus Priodontes, physically similar to the species Priodontes Maximus (Giant-Armadillo). There are currently thirteen registered specimens that make up SCP-065-PT, named SCP-065-PT-A to SCP-065-PT-M. All instances have the same anomalous traits, these being the presence of a carapace of as yet unknown composition, which was shown to be indestructible, and presenting a still undetermined longevity. The instances also appear to develop their organisms indefinitely, with the largest specimen recorded measuring 1.59 m in height and 2.13 m in length, while having a mass of 975 kg.
SCP-065-PT instances use their carapaces as a defense mechanism. Given the shape of these, the specimens bend down and retract their heads when they feel threatened, protecting their bodies almost completely, however the rest of their bodies are still vulnerable to any kind of damage. The same material that makes up their carapaces appears to be the same material found on the top of their heads and tails, but this theory has not yet been confirmed.
The instances of SCP-065-PT-E to SCP-065-PT-M have several marks on their carapaces, in addition to some of which have plant and fungal species, which theoretically developed a mutualistic relationship with the instances. The aforementioned marks involve discolorations of certain areas, paintings from different periods and compositions, and damage marks. Specimens present in the carapaces appear to develop normally, even though they do not have access to soil nutrients. Studies are being carried out on both the live instances and the individual carapaces to determine how such a process occurs.
In addition to the live specimens, through searches in the region, four separate carapaces were found, possibly from deceased instances over time, designated SCP-065-PT-1 to SCP-065-PT-4. Such objects show that even after the specimens die, the carapaces retain their anomalous characteristics. Given the damage marks found on three living instances, an extensive series of tests were carried out on these objects in order to find a way to damage them. All tests conducted so far have not been able to damage the structure of the objects by conventional means. If it is possible to do so, this document will be updated accordingly.
Discovery/History: The first three instances of SCP-065-PT were recovered after traffic accident records near kilometer 568 of the BR-163 highway, located in the state of Mato Grosso, on 27/01/1998. These records presented different causes for the accidents, however they were all consistent in the statement that "giant armadillos" were observed at the time. Foundation personnel infiltrated in the Highway Police in the region were unable to locate the objects on the same day as the accident, but containment teams found them the following day on the banks of the Arinos River, which crosses the aforementioned highway.
The extraction of the first three specimens was carried out without any complications, being followed by an extensive search in the region for more instances. On 11/03/1998, during one of the searches through the Arinos Rives, between the municipalities of Itanhangá and Brianorte, Foundation personnel identified members of the Group of Interest "Hunting Club for the Fauna and the Flora" shooting at two instances of SCP-065-PT. Initial contact with the members of the CCFF took place at the same time, without any conflict.
After securing and containing the two specimens, contact between the regional administrative council of the Hunting Club of the Fauna and the Flora and representatives of the External Affairs Department of Site PT10 established on 06/04/1998 the Treaty of Eventual Cooperation CCFF-FL 026. This treaty determined that the CCFF would assist Foundation personnel in the search and containment of SCP-065-PT instances and individual carapaces, under the condition that club members could neutralize only one of the entities.
On 24/02/1998, the CCFF revoked their condition to contribute to the aforementioned treaty, but would still assist the Foundation in containing the instances. Members from the CCFF stated that "[…] the excessive expenditure of equipment, observed in the hunting of the animals, was still ineffective against them. The invulnerability of the specimens makes them irrelevant to the Club and has been a reason for internal conflicts among our members, therefore the Administrative Council took the decision to completely stop hunting these animals." Thus, the terms of the Treaty of Eventual Cooperation CCFF-FL 026 were updated, simply determining the joint efforts of the Foundation and the Hunting Club for the Fauna and Flora to contain SCP-065-PT instances.
From 15/02/2000 to 23/05/2002, a total of five instances of SCP-065-PT were recovered, all from the Arinos River region, in the state of Mato Grosso, with the assistance of the CCFF. On 29/05/2002 the CCFF highlighted the existence of one of the members who had left the club due to conflicts involving SCP-065-PT instances, and who could possibly have specimens in their possession. The club claimed to have no knowledge of the ex-member's exact whereabouts, registered as PoI 13921, so searches were carried out across the region to determine their location.
The corpse of PoI 13921 was found on 03/07/2002 on the banks of the Arinos River, less than a kilometer from their residence, where three instances of SCP-065-PT and Document ZKA-065-A were found.
Addendum: Document recovered after containing the instances found in the abandoned residence of PoI 13921, located near the Arinos River, Mato Grosso. The transcribed document is a record of the interaction of PoI 13921 with the aforementioned instances, in addition to containing other personal information about them. Below are transcribed the most relevant parts for the study of SCP-065-PT, but the complete document can be consulted at the terminals of the observation room of Artificial Habitat 065-A, and may be accessed by members of Group 065-PT-10.
15/12/97
Evângelo told me today that he found a new prey in the region, near the river. Looks like there's more than one too, which is always good. He found them with Maurélio and Sandra, who arrived with a face I had never seen them do before. I don't know the details yet, but it looks like they came back with no bullets left, but also no heads in hand. At least they didn't come back with any part of their faces missing, either. What do you think it is? Maybe a giant tortoise or maybe a stone snail? It might be my chance to get something to hang on my wall, but from the state the others have arrived in, I'm sure it won't be easy.
16/12/97
They are armadillos. Remember the ones that appeared every now and then in the backyard? To pick mangoes off the ground? These are very similar. But bigger. Much bigger. The size of a bull, from what I saw in the photo. And not only that, they also have bushes growing on their backs, and huge mushrooms of different colors. But there's a problem: they stop any bullets. Yes, apparently none of the shots went through the things, and they fired a lot. Some folks will see if they can find them tomorrow, to see if they're as hard to kill as they say, and I think I'll go with them.
17/12/97
Really, it won't be easy. They not only stop any bullets, they also don't show their belly much. From what we saw today, they spend most of their time lying down, eating or even sleeping. Seems like the heads also have the same issue, at least at the top. I think to strike them down you have to be very patient or very lucky. And I'm not the least bit patient or lucky. Maurélio suggested taking an axe to try to break the thing's shell tomorrow, but I don't think it's gonna get anywhere.
18/12/97
Nothing came of it. I couldn't help but laugh at Maurélio's face when the axe's handle snapped in two, but none of us was luckier than him. I think he's gonna give up. I feel like if I wait for any of the critters to raise their heads at anything, I can get a clear shot. Evângelo wanted to try something this week, but he didn't tell me what it was. Remember the day you killed one of those armadillos that appeared at home? And came with its shell in hand? How'd you do that? You told me it was with your hands and a stick, but to this day I still don't believe it.
21/12/97
Evângelo took a chainsaw today to try to cut the critters' shells. It was anything but good, as the strap broke and halfway through it cut his entire arm. I think Evângelo's gonna leave that now. On the other hand, I think I almost hit a shot today, or at least I came very close to hitting it, because the critter got hella scared. I tried to do the same thing later, but it wasn't as successful.
27/12/97
Some folks from another clubhouse came today, to try to hunt the armadillos, one of them even brought a harpoon gun. I keep doing the same thing as before, but still without leaving a single scratch on their shells. I think I'm gonna take a break, I need to think better about what to do to bring these critters down. The Council is starting to get irritated by this story, as we're wasting a lot of bullets on the armadillos. Is there anything left at grandma's place? You told me you left anything important there. I think I'll check it out next month.
13/01/98
I was surprised when I got there, it looks like time didn't do that much damage to the house. Besides that, I also found your shotgun, as well as several packs of bullets. I should go into town tomorrow, to see if it's working or if it needs fixing something. I should take the opportunity to visit my mother downtown, it's been a while since I spoke to her.
06/02/98
Today I went back to the club. It seems that no one has forgotten the armadillos so far, but no one has managed to take any of them down either. There is also a discussion, one of the members from São Paulo is suggesting using a land mine to kill the critters. A land mine? Why don't we just call the military to kill an armadillo? Or how about throwing it into a volcano? What a stupid idea. What's the fun in that? What's the pleasure of it? These folks want everything to be a breeze. I'll see if I can find Evângelo to find out what he's been doing.
18/02/98
Someone placed a bet today. Not a bet, but a kind of prize for whoever manages to kill the armadillos with a firearm or cold weapon. No explosives, no poisons, no acids or that sort of craziness that the outsiders suggested. I think it is money, but it's not defined. Maurélio's who placed it, he told me that for sure no one is gonna make it. I'm determined, I know I can do it, I just need to wait for the right moment. Remember what you always told me? "With a machete you can cut branches, leaves and bushes. All with a single blow. But a tree is impossible to cut down with just one blow of a machete, or two, or three, but you know you can cut the tree down. It may take days, weeks or even months, but you know that at some point the tree will fall." Persistence. Persistence is everything. I'm going to prove it to them and I'm gonna put the shell of one of these things in the middle of the room. I know I can.
26/02/98
Every day there are more outsiders trying to take down the armadillos. I think they found a few more of them by the river too. I've been lying for hours, just waiting for them to let their guard down but it looks they're not that silly. The Council is still irritated by this story, but they've done nothing but ask us to let them be.
11/03/98
I had forgotten about them. Of course, it wouldn't be long before the Zoo guys showed up around here. They talked to some outsiders who had two armadillos and took the critters away. They can't take all of them. Or can they? I'm gonna talk to Evângelo about it, he's been here longer than me, he must know what these guys do.
24/03/98
They've been coming back here from time to time, I think they're talking with the Council about the situation. Damn it, how did they see the critters in the first place? The outsiders are trying to hide them, I dunno where, but they also seem pretty determined to win the prize. I won't give up. I cannot give up. Isn't that what you wanted?
06/04/98
As Evângelo said, it seems that the Council and the Zoo made an agreement. We can only hunt one of the armadillos now. Crap. These outsiders haven't given up yet, and with just one of the critters it's gonna be a huge mess. What do I do? Should I give up? But I feel like I'm so close. No, I won't. I have to think about what to do now.
17/04/98
More outsiders keep coming every day. And it seems they all had the same idea as me, everyone is hiding the critters. Maurélio and Evângelo are helping me take them to grandma's place, while the Council gets increasingly fed up. I think the Zoo caught another armadillo today, but I'm not sure. I just hope they don't find me.
25/04/98
Maurélio told me that the Council will be prohibiting the hunting of the armadillos. Looks like the outsiders are starting to leave, and they've given two more to the Zoo. He promised me not to tell anyone that I'm here, and he told me that Evângelo won't say anything either. I should be dropping by tomorrow to hand over my card and never show up for the club again. Never. Isn't that what you wanted? I'm going all the way. I'm going to prove to everyone that I went all the way.
13/05/98
They seemed pretty calm, like they know nothing can get through this shell. I keep doing the same thing as before, shooting each of them five times a day. I think I managed to restore a third of the house today, more or less, and that piece of roof that fell is still a big problem. I started a vegetable garden, but I think I'm going to town to buy some more seeds, and more bullets too. And more things for the house. Persistence. I wonder how Maurélio and Evângelo are doing, but I will only come back with these critters' heads in my hand. And with a hole in those damn shells.
29/07/98
I'm finally done. Well, at least with the house itself, later I have to think about restoring the shed. In the middle of the things I found a picture of you when you were little. I used the photo to heat the stove for lunch today. There's still a lot of paint left, I think I will try to do something with the critters. I've been checking the plants on their backs for anything different, but it seems there isn't. I'll see if I can find a way to put something on there, maybe a strawberry or blackberries.
04/08/98
I painted some targets on the side of the critters' shells, maybe if I hit the same place several times they'll pierce. As there was a little more paint left, I made some drawings on them. On the bigger one I painted that character that was in the book you gave me. Kilroy, I think. Yeah, I think I'll call it Kilroy. I'm trying to plant blackberries on the smallest one, hope it works. By the way, the garden is doing great, but I might end up going back to town every weekend to buy more bullets and food. Do you think I should talk to mom again? I don't think it went very well last time I went there.
13/09/98
I only realized today that the bullets come back. One hit the second-floor window and shattered it. I have to be more careful. The blackberries have started to grow on Lina's back, and I'm doing some more drawings on Manco's shell. I thought I managed to pierce Kilroy's shell, but it was just me, the noise must have been a stick or something, but I feel like I'm close. I have to be.
25/12/98
Merry Christmas. I think I'm gonna see Helena today, I had completely forgotten that she asked to spend New Year's with me. I should find a way to put a phone in this house or something, I don't think being alone so much is doing me any good. But what if the Zoo can hear the calls? No, no phones. I'm just going there at New Year's and I'm coming back, that's all.
02/01/99
I told Helena about the armadillos, but her children were the ones who actually liked the news. You always said you wanted grandchildren, I wonder what you would say about those two. Helena is a bit shaken after everything that happened to her last year, so I thought it was a good idea to call her and my nephews to spend a month or two here. Tomorrow I'm going to start fixing the shed too, and I should get a canoe or something for the river. is it worth it? You never taught me how to paddle, so I think it would be a cool thing to learn to do.
14/01/99
Helena and the children arrived today. You had to see their faces when they saw the critters. I think Kilroy was really happy, he even got up when the kids climbed on his back. Helena said she wasn't too surprised, but I know she loved it too. I think I'll take a break from target shooting while they're here. Lina's blackberries have already grown a lot, now I just have to wait for it to bear fruit. Damn it, I didn't even think about cleaning the rooms they're staying in, I have to do it now.
26/01/99
Today I let the children give fruits to the armadillos, it seems they really enjoyed doing that. Helena seems calmer too, I think bringing her here was a good idea. I found a few more of your things while I looked around the shed, and we made a fire with everything a little while ago. I wonder what you would say. Anyway, I'll see if I can buy the canoe tomorrow, I think the kids will like that.
18/02/99
I talked about mother with Helena today, while the children played with the armadillos. We don't know what to do, but she can't go on as she is. She says she can manage on her own, but we doubt it. Remember the time the four of us went to that pond, where you tried to teach me how to fish? I know I should miss these moments, but I can't. Maybe it was because of you. Maybe it's because I prefer things the way they are now.
26/02/99
The kids painted a little on Manco's back today. I think it is beautiful. Helena is going back to town next week as the kids need to go back to school and she needs to get back to work. It was nice to have this moment with them, and I hope they can come back someday. We agreed on what to do with mother, Helena said she would call the nursing home as soon as she got home. It's not what we wanted, but it's the safest thing for her. Don't you think?
13/04/99
I'm almost done repairing the shed, and I'm thinking of painting it blue too. Or how about white? I have no idea. Today the blackberries began to sprout on Lina's back, but the sore on Manco's paw seems to be getting worse. I know it's because of the shard of glass stuck there, but I can't get it out now. When I go to town this weekend, I have to remember to buy him his meds. I just remembered that I need to get back to my target practice. I wonder how many bullets are left, I have to see this before leaving.
21/05/99
I think the bandage is working, Manco looks better. I think the blackberries are almost ripe, too. Did I tell you my leg doesn't even shake anymore? This place gives me such peace. Should I have come here sooner? I'm thinking about expanding the garden, maybe even making a chicken coop in the space near the rocks. Next week I'm gonna say goodbye to mother before Helena takes her to the nursing home.
29/05/99
Mother didn't even remember me anymore. She called me Paulo. Paulo? Who was Paulo? Doesn't matter. She didn't want my help when I offered, but even so she did everything so that I didn't join the club. But I can't get mad at her. She doesn't even remember my name anymore. I think I should be feeling something, like anger or sadness, but I can't. Is this right?
17/08/99
A huge hole opened at the bottom of the canoe today. I don't know how. I was going to get mangoes farther down the river when this piece of shit started to sink. And I'll tell you, it's not so easy to fix these things. Should I take it to the city? I dunno. I'm gonna start building the chicken coop tomorrow, taking advantage of what's left of the shed and house work. The blackberries I harvested from Lina's back were delicious. More than normal maybe. What am I talking about? I've never eaten blackberries before.
03/09/99
As I finished the chicken coop, I noticed the amount of bullets scattered on the floor. Would it be worth it to find a way to melt it all down? Like those folks in the books did? I don't know, maybe it's better to sell them at the junkyard. That's another problem, I still have a lot, but I don't know how long it will last. I have to find the chickens with someone from the area fast. Who knows, maybe have goats too? Maybe it is too much work for one person.
05/10/99
It's funny, you know? When you throw a rock through a window, you know it will break. When you shoot an animal, you know it's going to go down. The most I managed was to peel the paint off the targets. I tried to give them eggs today, but they don't seem to like eggs that much. I think Manco's wound is completely gone, but now his name doesn't make any sense. The bullet money didn't do much good, maybe that covered two weeks' purchases at most. I have to think about what to do. Can I sell the leftover eggs?
19/11/99
I visited Helena today, the children really want to come back here. I suggested they spend New Year's here, I think it will be fun. She looks so much better than before, mom would be happy. I wonder how mother is there. I'm thinking about touching up Kilroy and Manco's paint, and I think I'll try planting strawberries on Lina's back too.
04/01/00
It's a shame to have to see them leave, but Helena said that after she solves the problems at work she would come back here. Maybe even at the mid-year break. Speaking of which, we are in the year 2000. Who would have thought, the turn of the millennium. I mean, nothing has really changed, but even so, it's a historic moment. I guess. The first branches of the strawberries are growing, which is a good sign. I think Kilroy is getting fatter too, specially in his paws. Am I giving them too much fruit?
13/03/00
Maurélio came to visit me today. I thought they would have forgotten about me by now. He said the Zoo took seven armadillos in total, and he's afraid the Council will remember that I left at exactly the same time the fights were going on. He wants me to go back to the club. I said I can't. Not before doing this. I remembered why I came here in the first place. Persistence. I must finish.
22/05/00
I swear I did it. I don't know how, but I did it. It's a tiny scratch, almost invisible, but it's there, I felt it with my finger. Right in the middle of Kilroy's target. I'm almost there, I think this damn tree is finally going to fall.
04/07/00
The hole is getting deeper. The strange thing is that the others still have nothing, I think I'll just start shooting only at Kilroy. I have to tell Helena not to come here on this vacation. I need to get this over with. I am so close.
__/__/__
It's starting to crack. I saw it. I can see the head of this critter stuffed on the wall and its shell in the room. Maybe I can use the shell as a doghouse. My bullets are running out, I need to see how many are left.
__/__/__
They're going to cut the electricity next month if I don't pay. And I have nothing else. When did the chickens die? Did I eat them all? Or was it a fox or some other animal? I'll take the last few shots and start using the kitchen knife, or maybe the shed scythe.
__/__/__
The bullets ran out. I missed some shots, but still. I'm gonna start using the scythe.
__/__/__
I think they cut the electricity today. The nights are pretty cold. Or is it just me? The scythe broke. This reminds me of when Maurélio broke his axe on these critters. All that remains is for me to use the kitchen knives. I'm almost there. Persistence. It's all I have.
__/__/__
I don't think the garden and fruits are gonna sustain me for very long. All that's left is to use a knife. If that doesn't work, I'll try a hammer. Or even stones. Even if I have to use my own teeth, I'm gonna pierce this piece of shit.
__/__/__
I did it. I finally did it. The knife went right through the shell and pierced his back. The critter thrashed and ran across the fenced area. In the middle of that he headbutted me pretty hard, but nothing big. Very little to go. Persistence.
__/__/__
Maurélio and Evângelo came today. The Council told of me to the Zoo. Searches should start tomorrow. They said they're gonna try to keep them from getting here as long as they can, but I know how these things end.
__/__/__
Kilroy is very scared of me. He spent all day curled up in the shell. His blood dried on the knife. I'm going into town today. I have to tell Helena that the Zoo will go after her. I know they will. And I need to be faster than them.
__/__/__
Remember when you first took me hunting? With that same shotgun here? I was scared to death because I hated the noise of guns, but you still put that shit in my hands. You put me in front of the rabbit and told me to shoot. I remember the taste of the blood that splashed in my mouth to this day. Remember when you made me join the club? Remember what you told me the first day? You said I had to hunt the "beasts". You said we had to kill all the "beasts". Didn't matter the size, the color, the shape, nothing. All my life you told me I would be nothing. That I wouldn't get anything. That I was never anything. Because I wasn't "persistent". I didn't kill your "beasts" because I never wanted to be like you. I've run after persistence all these years for nothing. And to think that a "beast" was enough to make me realize that. That the only real beast was you. I got everything I wanted and more. My leg doesn't shake. I have three giant armadillos in my backyard. And what did you have? Nothing. You left Helena and me behind. You left mother behind. And died as nobody nowhere. But I'm also gonna die as nobody nowhere. Will I end this? Do I prove that I can? To prove. Do I have to prove something to someone? They don't care about it anymore. I myself don't want to put his head on my wall anymore. You? Do I have to prove something to you? You're not even here to complain anymore. I can't end up in the Zoo's cages, and the club would never take me back. I'm gonna release Kilroy, Manco and Lina. I'm also going to burn the house down. And I hope you and everything you've ever been burns with it. This shitty shotgun of yours is gonna be the last thing I see.
But I think you were right in the end, dad. Looks like I'm not that persistent after all.
