Item #: SCP-340-DE
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-340-DE is to be scanned for unusual behavior and/or SCP-340-DE-1 events on a regular bi-weekly basis. For this purpose, three exploring submarines from MTF DE25-𝔖 "Steel Whale" are provided. Furthermore, continuing sonar observation is to be conducted via Outpost-1, which is disguised as a probe oil platform and located in the near vicinity to SCP-340-DE.
If an SCP-340-DE-1 event occurs, all shipping traffic located above or in a radius of approximately 200 m must be redirected. Additionally, it is to be ensured that all scheduled research projects of other organizations than the Foundation in the affected area are intervened in advance or, if applicable, defused via disinformation campaigns.
All other unexpected incidents are to be recorded inside Document SCP-340-DE-ECI 1.1 cons. and immediately reported to responsible authorities. This includes, for example, sudden aggressive behavior towards submarines or also unexpected locomotion. Appendix from the 23.4.200█: Special attention is to be payed to the secretion of plutei1; according procedures are currently in development, and a solution is being sought.
Description: Concerning the phenotype, SCP-340-DE resembles the diadematidae (Diadema setosum), whose DNA profiles match one another significantly, but also notably differ in certain areas. SCP-340-DE is located at the coordinates ██° ██′ █″ N, █° ██′ ██″ O, Entenschnabel, North Sea. The anomaly measures 164 m in diameter, with a volume of 2309000 m3. Solely the anus, the surrounding perproct and spines penetrate the surface of the seabed, with the majority embedded inside the continental shelf. When an SCP-340-DE-1 event commences, a larger part of the periproct pushes up onto the surface of the shelf, causing the pre-applied, flexible spines to unfold. The anomaly's body does not close flush with the seabed, but precipitous walls remain that allow other organs like the ambulakralien a certain margin.
The shell consists of calcium carbonate in the modification calcite and features a blue-purple iridescent tint. The pedicellariae (Purification feet) on the surface are not three-fold, contradicting other echinoidea, but five-fold in presence and extremely flexible to reach the whole surface of the anomaly. Five additional pedicellariae are fused with the inside of SCP-340-DE and, serving as management for stocks and food.
The water vascular system, a collection of hollow huses filled with fluid, fulfills the same functions as other sea urchins, but they also appear to support the complex functions of the pedicellariae, also serving the defense according to the Foundation (See research report SCP-340-ECI-1.1). If the system is not of need, the strands will wrap around the lower gastrointestinal tract, which probably serves a defensive purpose. The tubes furtherly serve to transport required SCP-340-DE-2 instances to their respective hunting regions outside the carcass, which succeeds via shortly laterally displaced plantar warts or also the oral cavity. Later on, the killed prey will be transferred from the mouth area near the hollowed shelf floor to the teeth. Instances of SCP-340-DE-2 are described in more detail below, to further illustrate, refer to Document SCP-340-DE-ECI/NOL 1.1 at the end of this file.
On the bottom, the spines of the anomaly have lost their original function, and have misshapen into diverse columns measuring 12 m in diameter, stabilizing and holding the corpus high enough above the ground that even larger prey can be led to the digestive area. On the top, several spines have developed a special function. In case of need, they are swiftly flexible to the center and therefore shield both the anus as well as the surrounding periproct. The latter appears to feature so-called simple eyes, i. e. a property of photosensitivity. This organ is therefore assumed to be a kind of "eye", capable of sensing certain changes in environment. The presence of other kinds of sensory perceptions normally not found at natural sea urchins is highly unlikely.
The inner hull consists of arc shaped ribs, providing SCP-340-DE stability. Oval storage units are present on the walls in between, on which the hunting-respective hunting units, designated SCP-340-DE-2, are attached by unknown means. Organisms of different Earth periods are present therein, dating back to the ordovician, marking the development of the echinoidea. To date, it is unknown if the present anomaly experienced a singular, extremely evolutionary skip, or if other influences are present. In any case, the theory that SCP-340-DE already stored organisms before hundreds of millions of years inside itself, which were also significantly larger than any specimens of the family of mollusca, suggests that it is just as old.
The anomaly uses the "stored" species both as food for itself and hunt. Once integrated into the wall compound, captured prey can no longer decompose, and function as retrievable "tool" for the anomaly. Material harvested after the hunt, which shows strong tissue damages in a capacity that further usage would be pointless, it is usually immediately crushed by the ring-shaped teeth and transported into the lower gastrointestinal tract. Contained species, especially predatory fish and comparable predators, are therefore "re-activated" if the need arises, and transported by the water vascular system through the throat into the targeted area. From there, they will go in search of prey on their own accord. Killed animals are retreated back into the body later on, and recycled accordingly.
When an SCP-340-DE-1 event commences, the anomaly will become more nervous, manifesting in increased movement of the periproct and surrounding spines. The event, encompassing the active hunt and later digestion phase, begins with the appearance of attractive prey in the vicinity to the anomaly. SCP-340-DE-1 obviously recognizes both which SCP-340-DE-2 instances are most effective at hunting at hunting them, as well as how many units are needed to ensure success. Next, the they are unlocked from their anchorages through the water vascular system's tubes, and swiftly transported near their prey. It is of high likelihood that different species can cooperate and interact with one another during the hunt. How the anomaly controls the SCP-340-DE-2 instances is, until now, unknown.
The origin of SCP-340-DE is hitherto unknown The greatest similarities lead to the diadematidae, but this species, even when excluding tectonic plate movement, still occupies a territory in other waters, such as the Indian ocean, the shores before Japan or even Kenya, as well as around the Seychelles. presumably, the anomaly has moved on in time due to changes in climate or geographic conditions, however, it is unclear why it located so north or how it could survive ice ages, for example. Further research into these subjects is pending.
On the containment of SCP-340-DE
This anomaly was already familiar to the SKP, and was observed by the latter via patrols of warships. Following the end of the war, SCP-340-DE was taken over by the Foundation. Evidently, the Sonderkommando für Paranormales was not aware of the creature, both due to own experiences during operations via research boots, as well as due to analysis of historic documents, which are seemingly about the increasing maritime accidents in the area around the anomaly. Apparently, the SKP efficiently erased all historic reports about such occurrences, at last also from its own files as the war intensified.
Research Report SCP-340-DE-ECI-1.1 from 13.5.200█
[Remark: The goal of this exploratory mission was to further understand the biological makeup of this anomaly, create a register of SCP-340-DE-2 instances as encompassing as possible, and, if possible, take samples of species most diverse, unfortunately leading to failure.]
[Test Parameter: Around 12:00 at the 13.5.200█, the remotely controlled submarine "Urchin", which was coordinated by Site-DE25, arrived at the 200 m perimeter of SCP-340-DE. Following successful system checks and a control circuit around the anomaly, course was set for the south-west side, when arriving at the first destination (around 30 m before direct contact with the anomaly's outer shell), another diving procedure commenced via descent to SCP-340-DE's bottom.]
After five minutes of sinking, the second headlight battery of Urchin is activated, revealing the surface of the anomaly to be significantly scarred and more cleft than near the surface. Several spines appear to have broken off.
After another six minutes, the first reaction can be detected by SCP-340-DE. Urchin is being pressed downwards by a fast flow change. One of the pedicellariae becomes visible through the headlight, shooting towards the submarine, and finally reaching it. Cameras solely send unclear and blurred recordings.
SCP-340-DE retreats shortly thereafter. Urchin continues to descend. Further dive near the oral cavity proceeds without incidents, though, circumventing the columnar support structures proves unproblematic.
Finally, the mouth is approached, no more columns are visible. Urchin rises and turns in a way that illuminates anomaly's teeth. They appear fresh and bright at the edge of the corpus, but become more weathered and ailing as the center is approached.
After a few minutes, a small passage way, formed through an aborted teeth tooth plate, allowed entry into SCP-340-DE. Images show another liquid than seawater, large flakes of indeterminable kind become visible. The liquid's viscosity is greater, Urchin progresses with greater difficulty, necessitating elevation of the engine power. A gripper arm takes first samples at the same time.
After the submarine has sent images of the ambulacral/intestinal structure winding upwards, it tilts north-east and heads for the internal wall. Eventually, instances of SCP-340-DE-2 can be seen. They consist of organisms from different time scales, among others a yet unknown huge mollusca, a plesiosaur, and different species of smaller marine life, such as an ordinary swordfish. All are attached to oval chambers on the wall, which string together like fish eggs.
Urchin extends a short drilling arm to extract a sample from the gelatinously looking chambers. The permanent cameras intended for continous transmission are getting released from the submarine, before extraction commences. As the drill approaches the buble, Urchin is suddenly pushed away by a violent movement on its backside, with the vehicle rotating around its own axis. The last image sent by the research submarine shows a barely overlookable swarm of sea life. Feed cuts off afterward.
[Post-Note: Lighter plastic parts of the submarine have been found swimming on the surface a few days later and subsequently analyzed. They showed signs of extreme force, appearing matt and already slightly polished at the breaking points, suggesting it had passed through the digestive system of SCP-340-DE.]
Incident SCP-340-ECI/NOL 1.1
[Foreword: This document is an audio transcript of the onboard radiograms or direct conversations on the bridge, which were automatically recorded. The underlying event occurred on the 5.5.1977at ca. 02:12 on the German trawler "Nolde", located almost directly above SCP-340-DE. Although the anomaly was observed at that time, the relatively small ship was not noticed. It is unknown why the captain went fishing this far away from dry land, but the "Nolde" was modified equipped to such a degree that the three-headed crew would have survived several days on sea. Along with captain Helge Udolph, the two boatswains Peter Schult and the Swede Gustav Ollson were also onboard. Preparation of the nets was completed as the incident began.]
Schult: Three aft outside. Man, man, man.
Ollson: All outside here. Foul weather.
Schult: And how it stinks … Like a mixture of slaughterhouse and hobo boots.
Udolph: [From the bridge] What's stinking?
Schult: Well, the sea I'd suppose, Gustav is at the bow after all.
Ollson: Dickhead. But I smel' that, too. I have never experienced something like this.
Udolph: Keep your cool.
Schult: Oh great, now it's also boiling! Methane, I say ya! Gustav, come over here!
[Apparently, the "Nolde" was severely shaken at this time by the events described by Schult.]
Ollson: [screams] Heel!
Schult: Stretch nets! I'll take winsh … Düvel! What … Helge, someone is hanging in there, I mean he's alive! A guy, I mean!
Udolph: Then help in, Jesus Christ!
Schult: [manically screaming] Oh shit, shit, Gustav! Help me, the guy's dead. GO AWAY!
Ollson: Coming!
Udolph: What's the matter? Gosh, what's over there?
[Judging from the sounds, Udolph rushes through the room and rests in front of the door.]
Ollson: HJÄLP MIG2!
Udolph: Gustav! Peter!
[Screams and multiple violent punches become audible, probably aimed at the door of the bridge.]
Ollson: Open up! Open UP!
[Apparently, the captain does not open the door, instead attempting to reach the radio device. More screams can be heard from his radio. Then, shattering glass is heard.]
Udolph: God help me! From the sea! From the SEA! Go back, you bastards! Loud unidentified, smacking sounds, then Udolph weakly] What can I do about the fact you drowned?
[Two more screams are heard thereafter, which depart and finally become silent. "Nolde" was recovered two days later, showing notable damages to the upper deck, with the crew remaining missing. The Foundation engaged in police investigations, ensuring the incident to be known as tragic accident to date. "Nolde" itself was thoroughly examined and subsequently destroyed.]