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Info
SCP-983-KO: "Makara"
Author:thd-glasses
Translator:fluxman
Based on: 🌊 Chŏnghæjin 🐋 bySalamander724
Font Source:
Image Source:
- https://pixabay.com/ko/photos/3473335/
- https://pixabay.com/ko/photos/279862/
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chilean_AS-332_landing_on_USS_America_(LHA-6)_in_August_2014.JPG
- Others made by the Author
| Updated | JUN/30/2022 |
| Clearance Level | III - Confidential |
| Item # | SCP-983-KO |
| Object Class | Keter-Uncontained |
| Containment Lead | Administrator Herbert "Gordon" Lee |
| Research Lead | Dr. Choi Hwayeong |
| Mobile Task Force | MTF Sierra-35 |
Special Containment Procedures:
Photo of SCP-983-KO taken from afar.
Special Containment Procedures:
SCP-983-KO is currently uncontained. Marine Task Force Sierra-35 ("Pirate Hunters"), based on Site-140, has been organised to pursue SCP-983-KO. The task force includes the 3rd Squadron in the Indian Ocean and the 5th Squadron in the Pacific Ocean, with the SCPS McGrave and the SCPS Admiral Gordon serving as the respective flagship carriers. Marine Task Force Sierra-35 has the authority to request support from nearby Foundation naval assets as needed for the pursuit of SCP-983-KO.
The primary objectives of the current research team are to trace the origins of the current owner of SCP-983-KO, GOI-0531, and to investigate the physiological or mechanical characteristics of SCP-983-KO. Permission by the Foundation Pacific Command is needed to view all collected data regarding GOI-0531 and SCP-983-KO.
Description:
SCP-983-KO is an entity capable of aquatic navigation with the anatomical structure of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). A significant portion of its body is replaced with wood and metal; its size, reaching over 70 metres in length, is far larger than any recorded member of its species. Its interior contains spaces capable of accommodating at least several dozen individuals for entry and habitation, which does not appear to impede SCP-983-KO's activities. Due to these characteristics, whether the entity is a biological specimen of the humpback whale species or was artificially made is unclear.
On the back (or top) of SCP-983-KO is a wooden structure resembling an Asian wooden ship, particularly a Korean ship. This structure is divided into 4-5 compartments, which sync with the movements of SCP-983-KO's body. Each compartment features hatches on the top and sides that can be opened to deploy masts, weaponry, or other equipment.
SCP-983-KO can operate on the surface or underwater with personnel on board. While it sometimes uses sails to navigate using wind on the surface, it primarily moves through the propulsion generated by the movement of its tail fin. It is believed that even when SCP-983-KO submerges, the survival of the personnel inside is not affected, though the mechanism that allows this remains unknown.
Currently, none of SCP-983-KO's crew is identified. The crew, designated as GOI-0531, appears to reside entirely within SCP-983-KO, with no reports of their activities outside the entity. It is almost certain that they can control SCP-983-KO's course, but the internal structure and mechanisms that enable this remain unknown.
GOI-0531 actively uses SCP-983-KO for transportation and combat. In previous encounters, they have employed various combat tactics, such as firing antiquated gunpowder weapons through external hatches on the structure, releasing aquatic creatures that seem to have a symbiotic relationship with them for attacks, or directly ramming SCP-983-KO into targets.
Using these combat capabilities, GOI-0531 not only evades the Foundation's containment attempts but also actively seeks to attack and neutralise numerous marine anomalous entities, including those under Foundation management. GOI-0531 has destroyed many anomalous entities before the Foundation could secure them or posed a threat to their safe containment. A thorough analysis and preparation against the anomalous properties and combat capabilities of SCP-983-KO are essential to prevent further losses.
GOI-0531 is generally unresponsive to Foundation pursuits. On occasions when they have engaged with the Foundation, typically during their attacks on anomalous entities, as mentioned earlier, they have managed to retreat swiftly without sustaining significant damage. As a result, the Foundation's information regarding SCP-983-KO remains highly limited and often inaccurate.
On June 2022, a Foundation personnel was rescued by GOI-0531, allowing him to board SCP-983-KO and observe its interior before returning. This document will be updated with newly discovered information after the subsequent report analysis.
Addendum 983KO-LOG-95
Last photo of the crashed aircraft.
Photo taken on the deck of SCPS Admiral Gordon.
On June 22, 2022, Senior Chief Petty Officer Harold Hwang and Petty Officer Second Class John Watkins Smith, members of the Underwater Exploration Unit of Marine Task Force Sierra-35, were aboard a Super Puma anti-submarine helicopter deployed from the 5th Squadron's flagship, SCPS Admiral Gordon, tracking SCP-983-KO's sonar1 signal. However, the helicopter crashed due to severe weather conditions. After the crash, Hwang, seeing Smith unconscious and sinking, removed his life vest and dived in to rescue him, but both personnel went missing.
The 5th Squadron, conducting a search and rescue operation on the surface, detected a sonar signal indicating the resurfacing of SCP-983-KO approximately 5 minutes after the disappearance of Hwang and Smith. The signal quickly faded, but 65 hours later, it was detected again in waters 130 nautical miles from the initial location, after which SCP-983-KO surfaced.
SCP-983-KO released a small raft carrying the two missing Foundation personnel, remained briefly on the surface, and then submerged again, evading further tracking. SCPS Admiral Gordon retrieved the raft, successfully rescuing the two officers. After a few days of hospitalisation, both individuals recovered their health and returned to their duties.
Below is the hand-written journal that Officer Harold Hwang wrote during his absence, describing SCP-983-KO and its passengers.
— #1
I'm currently inside SCP-983-KO. They were the first to find us while awaiting rescue after escaping from the helicopter with John. The people who greeted us at the maw of 983-KO seemed relatively young, some even able to communicate with me. They called themselves "Chŏnghæjin", so that's what I will call them for now. It's shorter that way.
John was unconscious, but he was mostly fine. The ship doctor inspected John and then guided us into a cabin for rest. They gave us warm drinks with nuts floating on top, which looked like Job's Tear tea. Of course, I should stay vigilant, but there was no reason to deny it, considering I had no idea when we would get out, so we graciously drank it.
The leader of Chŏnghæjin came to the cabin and questioned me. I couldn't understand what he was saying, so we had to get help from a young sailor for translation, sometimes conversing via writing in Chinese and English. It was a short conversation. To summarise:
- He is the Grandmaster of Chŏnghæjin, Jang Bogo.
- We will be sent back at an appropriate time after John recovers
- He told us to stop with the interference and pursuit when we returned.
I asked him if he was the warrior Jang Bogo from Silla himself, to which he replied with a short "yes". It was hard to believe, but time was cut short for more questions.
— #2
This structure is too strange to call it a submarine. Unorthodox bulkhead structures aside, every door and window, inside and outside, are completely open or closed with a simple door with hinges. However, the inside is completely dry. There aren't any obvious light sources, but the inside is illuminated enough for people to see and walk around.
The cabin where John and I stayed was on the floor connected to the maw. From what I saw from the corridor, there are passages leading upwards. I assume the upper floors are the structures reserved for combat that can be seen from outside. It must be tough, having to climb up in an emergency.
The cabin isn't very big, but it's enough to fit two single-sized single bunk beds in a row. (The bed in the sketch is opposite to mine, which is John's. I didn't draw him here.) Roughly judging from how small the interior is, not everyone can use this kind of room. This one seems to be reserved for high-ranking officers or guests.
The inner walls and floor are composed of the whale's tissue. Its ribs were visible under a thin layer of muscle. Sometimes, I can see blood vessels and muscles pulsating. On the opposite are artificial walls and ceilings, with an intricate truss structure supporting them.
How the flexible muscles and rigid wooden walls intertwine is a marvel of engineering. The walls fit perfectly within the space, supported by protruding fat and muscles, combined tightly by ropes and strings, similar to how they build a Dhau.
I must stop now. The sailors brought us food: roast fish and some porridge.
— #3
John woke up and ate with me. Seeing him stepping on the fleshy floor and becoming startled was a sight. The sailor who came to pick up our plates brought another middle-aged sailor who wanted to ask us some questions. Having to go through translations wasn't easy, but to summarise:
These are his questions and my answers.
- This vessel doth rescue two marooned mariners. Who are you that descended from above?
- I'm an officer in the Navy. I frequently board aircraft because of my job.
- By "aircraft", do you mean the contraptions that soar about your vessel?
- Yes. Nowadays, they are commonly used by the Navy.
And these are my questions and his answers.
- The way you dress or speak makes me think you're not people from this era. Is that true?
- Each soul beareth its own tale, some enduring long enough to see many a dawn.
- Why appear just now if you were active for that long? Is this your first time seeing an aircraft?
- We have journeyed through the otherworlds and have now returned. Thus, we know not much.
- Your leader claims to be Jang Bogo himself. Is this true?
However, he did not answer this question.
— #4
John fell asleep again. The hour is late, and I am drained, but all this commotion in my mind keeps me wide awake. Jang Bogo fell out of power and died, bringing Chŏnghæjin down with him. But in front of my eyes are Jang Bogo and Chŏnghæjin, who just returned from their trip to the "otherworlds" on a whale. Who are they?
From what I hear, the crew mainly consists of rescued marooned sailors like us two. This "Jang Bogo" figure told us we'd be set free, but we don't know if he will. I told John that we'd be going back home safe, but…
What's important is that we're alive. Suspicion and prospective worrying can wait.
—#5
The young sailor brought us eye masks with breakfast. He said that eye masks are needed because the inside is constantly lit, but they forgot to bring one because it's been a long time since they had visitors. I guess we're staying more than two nights here. This is stressful.
—#6
I asked the young man who came to pick up our plates if we could walk around the ship or talk with other crew members. Regardless of whether our stay will be short, long, or even permanent, gathering as much information as possible from the crew will be helpful.
— #7
Things turned out better than expected. He told many crew members interested in the aircraft wanted to hear my story and led me upstairs into the battle deck. It is the biggest space inside SCP-983-KO, so they use it as a gathering hall when not in combat.
I couldn't risk seen drawing out in the open, so I made this sketch after returning to my cabin. It might be incorrect.
The battle deck consists of three open sections connected by ropes, as mentioned before. It resembles the deck of a Panokseon with a roof on top. Many gunports line the ship's wall, each with a wagon-mounted cannon behind. On the front section are two bigger cannons aimed at the room in front. Judging from how they're tied, they are lifted to point outside when firing.
Two huge retractable masts could be pulled in and out with a chain on a pulley on the top. I could only see one pulley, but they told me another was on the sailing bridge. Many ropes that move the sails can be seen. The gunports and mast holes were open, but neither let water in.
When I showed interest, they even acted out operating the sail. Most of the crew couldn't understand me. So, they brought a little girl and made me wear a hood, which looked like a telepathic device. After some practice, I had the rare experience of communicating via thought alone. However, since only the girl could operate the device, most of the conversation was done thanks to the translation of the young man who catered for us.
The exchange with the crew was a pleasant experience. Unlike their first impression, they aren't savage cavemen. The questions they asked reflected their deep technical insight. They already knew of fossil fuel engines such as the steam engine, so I explained that we've added those to flying contraptions to make planes. They told me that they had seen several manned flying machines in the "otherworld" but were surprised to see such contraptions had already been developed in their home world.
They responded with applause when I told them my job was to search for stranded people or sunken ships riding those planes. They praised me, telling me that, as men of the sea themselves, they knew how hard and important my job was. Thanks to that, I was able to build a good image among them.
Oh, and when I returned to my cabin, the ship doctor was inspecting John. I can see he has significantly improved in the past few days. The doctor told me that we'll be set free by tomorrow. That relieved me, although I can't help feeling a bit attached to this place. This ship and the people on board have a lot of mysteries to be uncovered. I'll make sure to observe them as thoroughly as I can.
— #8
Dinner was served in a small party on the battle deck. A brilliant flame burned in the hole on the front deck. The flame didn't burn wood but could roast fish or boil water, its embers illuminating the whole ship. Their idea of "partying" was taking small sips and bites out of the drinks and food enjoying the atmosphere surrounding this bizarre fireplace. John and I sat in the middle, indulging as much as possible from hunger. The crew seemed more interested in talking with us than eating. "Jang Bogo" sat far away from us, sipping his beverage.
I decided to withhold giving information from my side. I couldn't tell how the relationship between the Foundation and Chŏnghæjin would turn out, so giving out more information than needed for my survival could benefit the enemy. Also, since I couldn't understand half of what they were saying anyway, I would still have been an outcast even if I spilt the beans.
Most of the crew didn't even seem to care I wasn't one of them. Some even tried to teach me how to work, only to be surprised when the older sailor from before told them I was leaving soon.
Anyway, here are some pieces of information that I gathered from such a weirdly friendly atmosphere.
- At first, I didn't notice, overwhelmed by how the ship looked, but the crew here is surprisingly diverse. Most were male, but there were quite a few female sailors. Their skin colour was even more diverse. I didn't ask, but this must be the result of taking in stranded people from all around the world.
- I'm certain they aren't from this era, and this group didn't suddenly form in the 2020s. Even the ones who spoke English or Korean spoke like people at least a century ago. When they were talking with themselves, their incomprehensible language sounded eerily familiar. It's more plausible to think this is their regular life than to think this is an act to fool us who've boarded their ship by chance.
- If so, this "otherworld" they claim to have been makes sense. It makes more sense that they've been far away somewhere than to think they've been constantly underwater for over a century. John, who worked in a submarine before, was stern about this theory, and I agree.
- As I mentioned before, they don't eat a lot. If they tried to poison us, they shouldn't have eaten at all, nor should we be fine now. They have lived well past an average human's lifespan. I assume some anomalous life extension procedures affected how much they eat and drink.
Despite all that, It's relieving that their palate is as refined as mine. The dinner was lovely.
— #9
This is my third day on the ship. The sleeping masks indeed helped me sleep. The young sailor from before woke us up, bringing us breakfast. If that young man joined the crew before the ship left for the otherworld, he should be at least three times older than I am. I can understand my friend who told me he feels weird when meeting a longer-living species.
He told us they would give us diving suits or drop us on the surface since we couldn't swim up from the abyss, but they didn't have enough suits. However, they can't find a good spot to drop us off at the surface because the Foundation fleet is searching for us. We can't return because they're searching for us, the sheer irony!
Anyway, they told us they'd look for a time and place where we could be spotted quickly under minimal surveillance as soon as possible so we could make ourselves at home for now. This weird cohabitation seems to be longer than expected.
— #10
Nothing extraordinary happened today. None of the sailors visited except for the man who gave us food and the ship doctor who came for John. Maybe they got what they wanted to know from last night, or it might be because we're leaving soon…
John's reading the bible from Gideon International. He told me he's been doing that to kill time ever since he boarded the submarine. While reading, he keeps sipping the nut tea from before. He seems to be really into it. He grabbed a few pieces of ember and put them in the drink to keep it warm. How resourceful.
I followed suit. As stressed as this situation can be, some warm tea can do wonders.
— #11
I hear a commotion. What's happening?
— #12
This is the third evening on this ship. I witnessed the combat of Chŏnghæjin.
I felt the ship shaking like never before, and the embers floating around the hull became more active. Shouts and whistles signalling the start of battle can be heard everywhere. Amidst the chaos, I snuck into the battle deck with the Chŏnghæjin crew.
The deck was hectic with people pushing blackened copper cannons. I saw the senior sailor I talked with before who was busy in the front giving orders. Everyone on deck was preparing to fire the cannons following his command. The first to be prepared was the front cannons. The cannons were hoisted above the ceiling by chains connected to a pulley through a hatch over the upper deck. Shoutings were heard from the bow of the ship. As the senior sailor repeated it, the twin cannons fired its round with a roaring bang.
After the mind-shaking fire, even before I could adjust, blocking my ears, SCP-983-KO made a sharp turn. Outside the gunport, where the cannon with its rockets aiming, was a giant black figure. Following a commanding shout that echoed through the deck, the twenty-seven cannons simultaneously fired their rounds on the ship's right side.
When the smoke dissolved into the water, the figure was already gone. Someone shouted from the left side of the ship. The figure — whether it moved under 983-KO or teleported — moved to the other side. The artillery squad rushed to aim at the creature, but there was no command from the bow to fire. Instead, 983-KO turned its head towards the creature, but the front cannons were still reloading.
I snuck into one of the empty turrets and peeked outside the upper deck. — A bubble of air surrounded the rotatable cannon. The sight there cannot be described with less than five pages, so I'll save it for here. I witnessed several pulses "fired" from SCP-983-KO's head, directly hitting the figure.
The creature squirmed as if it was dizzy. Then it phased left and right as if it was blinking. However, the creature was too big to move its centre of mass significantly. Chŏnghæjin tried to stop it from phasing away, making it dizzy.
Soon, 983-KO turned around, aiming its left side towards the creature. All the cannons on the left fired their saved rounds all at once.
When the smoke settled, the creature went limp. The battle was over.2
— #13
This is a record of what happened after dinner. Someone knocked on the door while I was writing. At first, I thought it was the young man coming to grab our plates, but it was the senior sailor and Jang Bogo. They took me out of the cabin… and escorted me into the front command room in front of the battle deck.
The area was darker than other parts of the ship, much like the CIC3. The floating embers here gave off a distinctive blue glow. Some of these blue embers clustered around a meditating sailor, forming a bundle reminiscent of a neural network, while the remaining embers drifted through the space, creating various shapes. I believe they took on the forms of small whales and underwater terrain. Since no separate navigation bridge exists, this space seems equipped with a display interface to represent the surrounding information.
Lit blue by the embers, Jang Bogo talked to me. Of course, I couldn't understand him, so the young sailor had to translate. The conversation soon turned into an interrogation.
- Some saw you on the turret. What did you do?
- I was too curious. I wanted to look outside. As a man of the sea myself, I couldn't miss the opportunity to witness the underwater battle of such a special ship.
- Then what did you see?
- The launched pulses knocked down the enemy, and the following was a simultaneous strike. It was perfect.
Since Jang Bogo didn't talk further, it was my turn to ask questions.
- Why did you fight the monster? Were you attacked?
- No.
- Was it your will to hunt it? Was that your target?
- Yes.
- Why?
- For now, I'll say it's to meet the Homa4, and leave it at that.
- If you catch the monsters, can you meet them?
- We're not sure, but that is the only thing we can do.
- What are you going to do after you meet?
However, he didn't answer the question.
When Jang Bogo fell silent, the senior sailor continued the conversation. He first barked a few words at Jang Bogo. Although I didn’t catch the translation, the nervous demeanour of the younger sailor suggested that he was displeased about allowing an outsider—and a member of the fleet that had been pursuing them—into this place. Then, he abruptly turned his head towards me, locking eyes with a fierce glare.
According to the young sailor's translation, his threatening words were… "What's your purpose? You caught the sea god before we could, then hunted us down. You're a menace." …
According to him, it wasn't their intent to rescue us, but 983-KO gulped us on its own. He said he wanted to kill us at first, but Jang Bogo kept us alive as messengers. He angrily went on asking if I had a death wish, ungratefully prying through the battle and asking questions.
I don't know what the best course of action would have been— I bowed down. Facing the floor, I apologised for my disrespect and suspicious actions. I said my life is up to their hands, so they can detain or kill me however they want, but please return John safe because he has nothing to do with this.
I didn't expect Jang Bogo to laugh. He promised us all a safe return, saying it wouldn't be a gesture of goodwill if he didn't return everyone safely. I was bracing for the worst, as this journal was safe in John's hands. But the unexpected favour granted from him made me feel ashamed. The only words I can say was "Thank you".
He then explained the situation above and returned me to the cabin. Tomorrow, at daybreak, I will be leaving this ship.
— #14
It's dawn. This might be the last entry from inside 983-KO. The ship is rising rapidly. However, the drastic change in depth doesn't seem to cause decompression sickness. It must be because the air pressure inside is stable at 1atm, but it's still astonishing. John, however, is feeling nauseous from the shaking cabin.
The vertical soaring manoeuvre is because of the Foundation radar. A slow rise will be easily detected by Foundation sonar devices well before reaching the surface. On the other hand, I now understand how they evaded our fleet.
They're calling us. I have to stop writing.
— #15
The raft is moving away from 983-KO. If their calculations are correct, we'll be soon discovered by the Foundation fleet… The three days inside feel like a dream.
SCP-983-KO put on their sail. Even though they're going to dive down again anyway, doing that must mean a gesture of goodbye, or so I believed.
That's one cool flag.
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Note: The script on SCP-983-KO's sail that Officer Hwang transcribed is classical Chinese in seal script. In regular traditional Chinese script, it reads "四海水路軍 行軍大總管 破神大元帥 淸海鎭大使 張保皐坐船", which means "Flagship of Jang Bo-go, Grandmaster of Clear Waters' Garrison(Chŏnghæjin), Marshal General Crushing Nautical Deities, and Supreme Marching Commander of the Navy of the Four Seas". "Jang Bogo", decorated by government titles from the Tang dynasty and Silla, is thought to mean the leader of GOI-0531, but it is unclear if he is the Jang Bogo, the Silla general himself.