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Info
SCP-ES-293: Simple Nostalgic Spectator
Author:RonnyModZz
Original: http://lafundacionscp.wikidot.com/scp-es-293
Translator:Kokoro_Hime
Date: 03/04/1972
Item #: SCP-ES-293
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: Any expedition into SCP-ES-293 is to be authorized by the current chief doctor in charge of research, Alfons Meyer. In addition, a surveillance perimeter of 5 kilometers around has been established around SCP-ES-293, in order to prevent any unauthorized outside intrusion into the site.1
Any movement or action by ES-293-A must be reported to the nearest Facility, if necessary, a rapid response team will be sent to review the situation.
Description: SCP-ES-293 is an anomalous location outside of SCP-ES-2782 approximately 2 kilometers from the aforementioned city. SCP-ES-293 is, more specifically, a small village located within the forests of SCP-ES-278, with a population of approximately 1,200 inhabitants. Residents of SCP-ES-293 have not demonstrated anomalous behavior.
SCP-ES-293 has a dense fog around its geographical boundaries, which can only be seen while off-site. Any attempt to pass through the fog in any way has been unsuccessful, causing the disappearance of the subjects who cross the fog. Therefore, only one way is known to date by which to access the place: a marked path between a couple of trees which obstruct the passage.
Image taken from the mentioned trail, note the fog still perceptible in the area.3
Upon entering SCP-ES-293, a 600-meter-tall tower (from now on referred to as SCP-ES-293-A) will be visible, made of a material that appears to be a combination of different kinds of stones. In turn, due to the passage of time, flora can be seen attached to SCP-ES-293-A. An area which has been identified as an "information vault" is located inside SCP-ES-293-A. Review Addendum/∆.
SCP-ES-293-A features multiple floors, mostly empty, with an interior style typical of Soviet, and in some cases Japanese, architectural standards. This is believed to be due to the prolonged forced displacement of Japanese and Soviet-born inhabitants from SCP-ES-278 to SCP-ES-293 prior to 1991.
SCP-ES-293 was subsequently discovered following Foundation research into SCP-ES-278, through several interrogations with local inhabitants. It was not until the following journalistic fragment was found that a rigorous investigation into SCP-ES-293 was authorized.
BUTAI INFORMS
Disappearance or abduction?
| BUTAI, EASTERN DISTRICT | Saturday, June 18, 1972 |
DISAPPEARANCE IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT
5 CHILDREN GO MISSING ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BUTAI
by Anton Zimmermann (Deputy Editor-in-Chief)
(A specific excerpt can be found in file EU/1309-DE145)
Preface: Agent Arnold Fischer and Dr. Frederick Müller were dispatched to SCP-ES-293 on June 21, 1974, in order to thoroughly investigate the site.
[BEGIN LOG]
(The camera turns on after a couple of minutes. Apparently a few seconds had already passed without recording previously).
Agent Fischer: It's along this path, according to one of the interrogees.
Dr. Müller: Quite wooded, apparently. Did I ever tell you that I have xylophobia4?
Agent Fischer: Not that I remember. So, why were you assigned to a mission like this?
Dr. Muller: How many sociologists do you think there are in our Zone?
Agent Fischer: I get your point. Let's better keep moving forward, taking advantage of the fact that we still have enough daylight.
(17 minutes pass, only the singing of the local fauna and the rustling of leaves on the ground can be heard).
Agent Fischer: Don't you feel cold?
Dr. Müller: A little, maybe it's just because we're going deeper into the forest.
(Several trees are seen collapsed in the middle of the path).
Dr. Muller: It seems that we can't go around these trees, but maybe we can climb them. Help me climb, Fischer.
Agent Fischer: Next, be careful with what may be on the other side. These trees shouldn't have fallen on purpose.
(Doctor Müller climbs the tree and helps Fischer do the same.)
Agent Fischer: What the hell is that fog?
Dr. Müller: No idea. It seems to cover all that remains of the forest.
(Both continue to advance to a trail with several welcome and caution signs.)
Agent Fischer: Apparently, we've come to some sort of… base.
Dr. Müller: Get your gun ready, Fischer. Just in case.
(Fischer nods. Upon entering the place, the fog begins to disperse. Abandoned minkas5 and debris can be seen at the entrance).
Turm: How can I help you?
Agent Fischer: Uh…
Dr. Müller: They told us about this place, we want to know a little more about it.
Turm: It's not very common for us to be "visited". Please join me.
(The three individuals are heading down a path which descends from a mountain. The panoramic view shows a geographic depression, in which different dwellings are distributed in neighborhoods throughout the forest, and a large tower identified as SCP-ES-293-A).
Dr. Müller: And tell me. How long has this place been around?
Turm: With all the truth, no one knows, perhaps the GRU-P. But at least no one who lives here knows the origin, nor the creator, much less when this place was founded. When the first Japanese inhabitants arrived, the only thing they found was that tower.
Agent Fischer: Japanese inhabitants?
Turm: Indeed. Many decades ago, Japanese inhabitants arrived in this place, as part of a project between Germans and Japanese as I remember.
Dr. Müller: Germans and Japanese? I guess the date is around the 40's, right?
Turm: A decade earlier. That's where the whole project began. I don't want to dwell on such a long story. The fact is that as the years went by, certain misfortunes and disagreements arose in the project.
Dr. Müller: Because of some political or territorial dispute?
Turm: Not at all. Simply for trying to hide the truth from who figured out how to get to this place. But when the Japanese got fed up with these attitudes, some decided to settle here, for purposes beyond the investigative, they found it a pleasant place to find their Ikigai6 as they call it. Anyway, they weren't the only ones who got here. After the Soviet invasion of Germany, many of these Soviets were forcibly displaced from their homes, due to the lack of opportunities. This was the only place that could accommodate them.
Agent Fischer: Soviets and Japanese living in the same place? Sounds like something interesting to see.
Dr. Müller: And you're Soviet, I suppose.
Turm: My nationality is no longer relevant. It has been forgotten like many other things in this place. We are almost there, by the way.
Dr. Müller: I understand… and can we know your name?
Turm: You can call me Turm.
(Turm opens a gate that appears to be the main entrance to SCP-ES-293).
Dr. Müller: What a mixed architectural style.
Turm: this is one of the most recent neighborhoods, born from a treaty of coexistence and cooperation between the Soviets and the Japanese.
Agent Fischer: So, that's how they live together.
(Different houses of styles mixed with old political propaganda can be seen attached to the walls of some houses, as well as a stone tile path, in which a couple of old men are playing cards sitting on some nearby stairs while smoking).
Turm: They have always had a healthy coexistence. Although at first, many Japanese were somewhat "annoyed" by the arrival of Soviets in the area until they discovered the reasons why they were here. They pitied them and gave them some support.
Dr. Müller: I understand, I guess that feeling of "annoyance" has been put aside in the new generations around here, right?
Turm: More or less. The grudge against each other is not something that is so easily set aside from generation to generation. Children are not yet aware of their surroundings, but parents are responsible for keeping that grudge alive indirectly.
Dr. Müller: You're right about that. Hatred can decrease, but not change.
Agent Fischer: By the way, Turm, you talk about the new generations, but I haven't seen many children around here. Four or five at most since we entered this neighborhood. Did something happen to the rest of them?
Turm: The birth rate has been going down. Year after year, people no longer want to have offspring or anything in this world that can be remembered in the future.
(Fischer nods silently and without looking back at Turm, as they ride over a wood and bamboo bridge in poor condition. Below the bridge, a river full of dry tree leaves can be seen).
Turm: We are almost at the central neighborhood. Don't look at anyone for too long and if you have anything of value, pay attention.
Agent Fischer: As you say.
(The three individuals pass through a wooden gate and a welcome sign.)
Turm: Welcome to the heart of commerce here. You can get whatever you want at a small price. You just have to know who to buy from.
(You can see different businesses and trading stalls, all of them have symbols carved in wood apparently representative of the product they are selling. In addition, a large hanging clock is located in the center of the square).
Dr. Müller: It seems somewhat empty at this hour.
Turm: It is usually quite crowded at noon. In fact, taking advantage of that detail, join me to visit an old friend.
(They are seen heading to a store on a street corner.)
Alutar: Welcome Turm, how can I help you and your friends? New around here I guess.
Turm: I've seen a lot of wheelbarrows and people hauling boxes to the tower. Do you know anything about that?
Alutar: A lot of people have come here looking for paper, too much paper. Beyond that I don't know more than you do.
Turm: Do you think we can get in?
Alutar: They have blocked our way. Maybe tomorrow morning we can try to pass.
Turm: I understand, thank you very much for the information, Alutar.
(Alutar and Turm say goodbye while Fischer secretly takes samples of the materials displayed in the shop, after which the three leave the shop.)
Dr. Muller: Hey, Turm. Who was your friend referring to when he mentioned blocking the way?
Turm: The "Coordination", a select group of people descended from the first founders of this place, in charge of preserving everything here and its people. Many times they also use such power for their own benefit.
Dr. Muller: I see. It always happens when people are commissioned to do jobs that involve power.
Turm: Exactly. Anyway, for now you can stay in this small lodging house until tomorrow, and in the meantime visit the other remaining neighborhoods if you wish. Just don't approach the tower.
Agent Fischer: Okay, see you here tomorrow. What will you do in the rest of the day, Turm?Turm: Floating in the small vastness of our world.
(The 2 individuals say goodbye to Turm and enter the lodging house that welcomes them with an LED light sign written in Japanese).
[END LOG]
(PLACE IMAGE REPRESENTING THE 293 MARKET)
Notes by Dr. Müller.
Date: 06/04/1972
As I walked through the varied and characteristic neighborhoods of this place, I have only found one characteristic in common. Wanting to leave everything behind, but still refusing to move on is something that even Turm made me see, maybe they don't want to continue with this lifestyle and a mixed culture. I also don't see that they have the option to return to their countries of origin. This is all they have left, and despite this they apparently do nothing to preserve it, leaving what in my opinion are some strangers oblivious to the current situation of the place, to come and divulge inside their most precious monument and which seems to have a story to tell. Maybe I should investigate it thoroughly, not so much for purposes related to the Foundation, but because I am curious.
Date: 08/04/1972
Today, I visited the surroundings of ES-293-A. I was struck by this ruined church. It's the first one I have been able to see since my arrival in this place. I'm even more intrigued by why it was abandoned. Maybe the combination of religions was something that never quite fit together here.
Photo taken by Dr. Müller, evidence of this abandoned church.
Date: 11/04/1972
ES-293-A began to rotate slightly a few minutes ago. It stopped when it aligned with the entrance of ES-293. I haven't even told Fischer yet, but even some moss and vegetation on the tower has fallen because of the turn. Is this first time it has happened? Or the first time I noticed?
Date: 12/04/1972
From here on, the rest of the notes were torn out by hand.
ADDENDUM/INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL INHABITANT OF SCP-ES-293.
Preface: A local inhabitant of SCP-ES-293 was interviewed. His data is shown below.
|
PERSONAL DATA OF SUBJECT |
| Age: 62 years Full Name: Alexei Volkov Country of Origin: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics |
Current Place of Residence: 1st Lenin District, southeast of ES-293 |
| Date: 02/05/1972 |
[BEGIN LOG]
Dr. Müller: Alright, the audio recorder is already on. So, could you tell me a little bit about what everything was like before here and in Butai?
Alexei Volkov: Sorry if any information is wrong. My memories have been distorted over the years.
Dr. Müller: Don't worry, you can get started.
Alexei Volkov: To know what Butai was like before, you have to talk first about the invasion of the Red Army in Germany. I was part of one of the brigades sent to Berlin. The Germans did not give up the capital in the least, and although their efforts were abysmal, they could not do much against our numerous army, hundreds of thousands of men invaded the country. Many of them died within a few hours of arriving in Germany. Many others were half-hearted, like me. Although, I have probably already been able to testify to it by the appearance of my left eye.
Dr. Müller: Only your left eye was affected during those times?
Alexei Volkov: Beyond the gunshot wounds and broken bones, yes. I was lucky because it is only partial blindness. But moving on, after breaking through the main lines of defense in the vicinity of Berlin, several companies and military platoons were designated throughout the German capital. For my part, I was assigned to the German Parliament, or Reichstag as the locals called it.
Dr. Müller: That was where you found the entrance to Butai, right?
Alexei Volkov: I don't remember well, just a building in ruins because of the bombs. Although I do remember that when I entered through a door, I was no longer in Berlin apparently, or at least not in the Reichstag, but in some Japanese housing area. I have never been to Japan but according to the photos I have seen about the place, it was practically the same as where I had arrived.
Dr. Müller: Why did you decide to go deeper into Butai, and consequently settle down?
Alexei Volkov: Everything about that place seemed excessively interesting to me. In addition, I had been around an entirely warlike environment for years. Finding another kind of environment was what mainly led me to see more inside Butai. Of course, I was not the only one with this thought. A large part of my comrades returned to their homes, but a considerable part decided to stay in Butai as well.
Dr. Müller: What was the reaction of the locals?
Alexei Volkov: Well, they let us settle, but in a new district totally different from theirs. I have to say that some things that were brewing in the other districts. I would not be able to explain them to this day. All the investigations and events were as fascinating as they were disturbing to understand that it was better not to pay so much attention to them.
Dr. Müller: Were such events frequent?
Alexei Volkov: I don't remember that detail, because since it was not exactly coexisting completely with the other districts of Butai. It was difficult to know how frequent they were.
Dr. Müller: Tell me, Mr. Alexei, what exactly happened to make you end up in this place?
Alexei Volkov: You like to ask questions (small laugh from Mr. Alexei). But don't worry boy, it's been a while since anyone asked me about my past. I like to relive old memories from time to time.
To get to the point, it all started when several of us began to lose interest in living in Butai. We could not return to our homes either, as we would be considered enemies of war and publicly shot in the nearest square. Therefore, several began to leave the Soviet District of Butai. At first, I didn't know where they were going, beyond the forest was dense and unexplored, and there were only a couple of very small villages. The other districts of Butai were not at all a better option. It was only until one of my comrades returned to the Soviet district that I could find out where everyone was going. The forest of the mist, the place of retreat, the sanctuary of the tower. This place was known by those and many other names.
(Dr. Müller abruptly interrupts Mr. Alexei.)
Dr. Müller: Wait, the sanctuary of the tower?
Alexei Volkov: After that great tower (pointing with his finger to ES-293-A, visible from one of the windows of the house). It's always been there, motionless and intimidating since the first day I arrived here.
Dr. Müller: You've never seen it move?
Alexei Volkov: Not at all. Why are you asking?
Dr. Müller: A little concern, just continue with your story.
Alexei Volkov: Anyway, after several days thinking about it, I decided to leave Butai as well, with a lot of regret in myself. It was the best thing I could do, not only because there was no longer interest on my part to know Butai more deeply. But also because the rent collectors, to whom I owed a practically immeasurable amount of money.
At dawn I left, with a couple of things and leaving everything else behind. Including my cat, because I gave her up for adoption at the animal center in Butai. Not leaving a footprint or mark on me was something that felt surprisingly good.
Doctor Müller: How would you describe this place on your arrival in a few words?
Alexei Volkov: This place has always been a quiet but curious place to live, very calm and at the same time very intriguing to get to know.
Dr. Müller: Understand. By the way, Mr. Volkov, do you know anything about the "Coordination"?
Alexei Volkov: Those bastards only take advantage of the stoicism of these neighborhoods and their inhabitants.I t was not always so clearly, until the last generations offounding families totally perished, when they began to mix with other newer families. That is when the decline of the “Coordination” began.
Dr. Müller: Other families?
Alexei Volkov: That's right. Other families, who owned neighborhoods with some prestige, began to rub shoulders with the founders. Little by little, several of their members were earning a place with the big fish, only in order to profit themselves, obviously. But there was another, more particular reason. They wanted to have more access to the tower.
Dr. Müller: What do you mean by having more access?
Alexei Volkov: You see, the tower is open to the public to some extent. There are certain sections of the tower off-limits, closed to people like us but available to the families I told you about. No one knows exactly why there is so much secrecy, because anyone who even dares to try to snoop will be taken to the pit.
Dr. Müller: Is it not known where this pit ends?
Alexei Volkov: It seems to have an end, but at the same time it does not. Any attempt to come down alive is simply useless. The pit seems to know who is dead. Lighting torches or flashlights is just as stupid, because they always end up turning off at a certain point.
Dr. Müller: Pretty interesting, to tell you the truth. Give me a second, I needed to write that down separately.
Alexei Volkov: Now that I see it, you don't seem to have much of an ideaabout anything that's going on here. Just saying.
(Dr. Müller finishes writing in his booklet.)
Dr. Müller: Uh… I only want to know this place in depth, not to generate a change with my investigations or expose the truth in some way. I don't want to end up in that pit either.
Alexei Volkov: It is understandable, to tell the truth.
Dr. Müller: I think that is the end of today, Mr. Volkov. It was a pleasure to have this talk with you.
Alexei Volkov: Anyway, boy. Good luck with your research.
[END LOG]
Annex ∆: Exploration of SCP-ES-293-A
BEGIN LOG
| Time: 22:46 PM |
Agent Fischer: Doc, are you sure we're allowed in here?
Dr. Müller: Completely, it is essential for research to understand what lies within. Otherwise our research will have been in vain.
Agent Fischer: Okay, I'll take this radio and camera with me to keep in touch with you and keep track of the operation. In addition, this camera is a new model so it should not present problems.
Dr. Müller: Perfect, keep me as informed as possible.
(Agent Fischer enters SCP-ES-293-A.)
Agent Fischer: The place is colder than the outside.
(Agent Fischer advances along ES-293-A up a spiral staircase that leads to several floors and rooms.)
Agent Fischer: It seems like a pretty big place.
(Agent Fischer uses his camera to focus on SCP-ES-293-A's surroundings, revealing several of the site's cracked walls, as well as the stairs. While some rooms seem to have been abandoned for some time. In certain rooms the flora has been emerging, affecting the furniture and decoration of the rooms, at the same time.
Dr. Müller: Be careful, Fischer, we don't know if anyone is still guarding the tower.
Agent Fischer: Understood.
(After a few minutes white noise is heard on Fischer's radio.)
Agent Fischer: Doc, do you here me?
(No answer.)
Agent Fischer: Shit, I'll have to continue without communication. I hope the camera is still recording.
(A loud boom is perceived inside SCP-ES-293-A.)
Agent Fischer: What the hell was that?
Turm: Why are you here?
Agent Fischer: Uh… I think I should ask you that same question.
Turm: You must not, and can't be in this place. Leave.
Agent Fischer: As you say, I'll do it when I'm done seeing the place.
Turm: Now.
(Turm can be seen clenching his fist tightly after saying this.)
Agent Fischer: I don't want to hurt you yet, but don't try to try anything either…
(Agent Fischer keeps his hand on the holster of his endowment weapon, only to immediately escape from Turm by running down the spiral stairs of SCP-ES-293-A.)
Agent Fischer: I hope I can show this to Müller.
(Fischer continues up the spiral staircase as several hallways around him lead to countless mostly open rooms, with Soviet and Japanese decorations.)
Agent Fischer: It seems that this corridor is the only way to continue, I wonder which floor I am on, although it seems to be the last one.
(The Agent reaches the end of the hallway, finding a room with a half-open purple door.)
Agent Fischer: There doesn't seem to be anyone, like the rest of ES-293-A, but… There's something odd about this specific area, it feels particularly strange the absence of people here.
Turm: It's because I would have to.
Agent Fischer: You're starting to irritate me, Turm.
Turm: Don't confuse irritation with fear.
Agent Fischer: Better tell me what this whole room is, it seems to be a communications station or something like that.
Turm: If that helps you leave, I'll tell you. Listen carefully.
(Turm checks a series of controls and buttons around the room and proceeds to speak.)
Turm: First you should know that this is only a small segment of another dozen rooms spread throughout SCP-ES-293-A, in order to store the information that the tower gives us.
Agent Fischer: What kind of information? And what did you mean when you said, "It's because I would have to"?
Turm: The tower has an elaborate satellite system which intercepts a considerable part of the encrypted messages sent from Europe, Asia and North America. We believe that the system is impossible to detect, since decades have passed since its creation and it has not been discovered by any power, at least that is what we believed until its arrival.
(Turm takes a breath before continuing to speak.)
Turm: And I meant that this place has a certain atmosphere of kenopsia7.
Agent Fischer: Who installed such a system in the tower? And why did they choose it?
Turm: Soviets, at some point in the 1940's. They wanted to keep abreast of everything that happened outside of here. But apparently, the tower helps the satellite not to be discovered, something particular prevents that.
(Turm takes brief steps around the room before continuing to speak.)
Turm: Oh, and it was chosen because of its geographical conditions and the fog outside this town, they helped a lot to make the entire espionage system go even more unnoticed.
Agent Fischer: It seems that it is still actively used.
(Fischer points to a small screen that shows a series of encrypted codes attached to coordinates.)
Turm: Sometimes these messages arrive from time to time, no matter how much we have tried to decipher them it has been impossible; they do not seem to correspond to any language or form of written communication known so far, or at least by anyone from this place.
Agent Fischer: You work here, don't you?
Turm: I used to work here. A couple of months ago I stopped being part of the work group in charge of this facility.
Agent Fischer: But you can still enter. You is still linked in some way to the tower.
Turm: Quite deductive. That is true, in a way. Every now and then I come back here hoping that a message will get through.
Agent Fischer: What kind of message? And why does you wait for it so insistently?
Turm: I'm afraid I can't tell you. Maybe, I'd never get it if I told you. And in truth I don't really know what I expect either, perhaps only a verbal promise from Yugoslavia.
Agent Fischer: Why Yugoslavia?
Turm: I already told you, a verbal promise. The beautiful woman who promised it to me said that the message would come from Yugoslavia.
Agent Fischer: I understand…
Turm: Has that cleared up all your doubts, boy?
Agent Fischer: Not quite, but time is running out and I must go now.
Turm: When you leave, your mind will be cleared as will your soul. Wish Müller good luck from me, boy.
Agent Fischer: What?
Turm: Just leave, boy.
(Fischer glances out at Turm as he descends the steps until he reach the entrance of the tower, where Müller is waiting. The stairs of SCP-ES-293-A have changed color in their material, from bright red to pale white.)
Agent Fischer: Why did they change color? I hope the camera was able to capture it.
(Fischer leaves SCP-ES-293-A.)
Dr. Müller: The transmission has been cut off during all this time. I hope the recording didn't. Tell me, what happened?
Agent Fischer: Tran-…
(Before Fischer can continue speaking, he collapses and falls unconscious to the ground.)
Turm: I suppose you knew the price to pay if you entered the tower without the minimum requirements, and even if you entered without them, you would fall into an indefinite coma, as happened to this poor boy.
Dr. Müller: How was I to know about the minimum requirements…
Turm: You researched them outside of your log, unofficially. And seeing that you couldn't get in along with your selfish desire to know everything about this place. Then you sent a third party.
Dr. Müller: You lie, you didn't even see me find out more about the tower outside of the audio and video records.
Turm: I have observed your actions since you came to this place. The tower did not move by chance that day. When you entered here, the tower detected you as a danger to itself.
Dr. Müller: You're making up all that you say, Turm. To what end? What are you hiding? Speak now, damn it.
Turm: Like you, I am now a simple spectator of the events that take place here, I used to be just another interpreter within this place.
(Short pause).
Turm: But not anymore, on this cold night the moon is the only thing that revives the memories in my mind, keeps them lucid and active waiting one day to disappear along with my existence.
Dr. Müller: Who or what are you then?
Turm: That question goes back long before the birth of Christ. I don't think I can answer that concern at this time.
(Müller approaches Fischer to check on his condition.)
Dr. Müller: Your heart beats, vaguely. I'm sorry I took you to this, Fischer.
(Müller stands up and gives a slight sigh.)
Dr. Müller: My investigation will continue, no matter what.
(Müller turns and leaves the place as ashes are blown away by the wind in front of him.)
END LOG
Notes by Dr. Müller.
Date: 29/05/1972
I am about to finish my research in this place, and although several things have remained pending to be seen in depth. The time that has been entrusted to me is almost over. I have been but a mere spectator of all the events that have happened here. I think I have that in common with this town, and especially with ES-293-A. We all only observes all the events in the world through messages, limiting ourselves to only storing them. Maybe I'm rambling a lot, but that's what it means to be in a place like this. I hope one day in the future to be able to finish my research completely, for the moment I have to leave but I promise that I will return, for Fischer and fo SCP-ES-293-A.
Last photo taken by Dr. Müller inside ES-293, days before he was transferred to another project.
