anogio

SCP# 2208 - The Cosmic Sextant

Item #: SCP-2208

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-2208-a is required to be stored in SCP-2208-b, in a locked glass display cabinet , within a locked room fitted with surveillance cameras. Researchers should, under no circumstances, handle either SCP-2208-b, or SCP-2208-a with bare hands. Any personnel caught handling SCP-2208-a is to be administered amnesiacs , removed from site immediately, and monitored until the end of the next lunar cycle, before being returned to duty.

Researchers handling SCP-2208-a, must be restrained using handcuffs and anchored to the floor of the containment room, to minimize the risk of physical effects from SCP-2208-a.

Description: SCP-2208 comprises two items, SCP-2208-a, and SCP-2208-b. SCP-2208-a appears to be a brass sextant, approximately 20cm in height, by 25cm in length, by 9cm in width. Samples taken from SCP-2208-a, have been confirmed to be unremarkable terrestrial brass alloy. It's lenses are composed of a crystalline substance unknown to mankind, and appear perfectly smooth when viewed under an electron microscope.

SCP-2208-b is a wooden box, confirmed to be North American Mahogany, with brass inlay, precisely 12cm high, 25 inches wide, and 22cm long. The lid of SCP-2208-b is has brass hinges, a brass latch, and a small brass plaque, engraved with an inscription, which is appears to be cuneiform, but in a mode which is currently indecipherable. The interior of SCP2208-b is cut to fit SCP-2208-a perfectly, and is lined with purple velvet cloth.

SCP-2208-a was found, stored within SCP-2208-b, in a glass display case within the [DATA EXPUNGED] maritime museum, in [DATA EXPUNGED] England, United Kingdom. The Foundation became aware of SCP-2208 after the mysterious disappearance of several museum staff, and the discovery of one survivor (SCP-2208-a-1), who was found with severe radiation burns, in [DATA EXPUNGED], China, by local residents, who stated he had "Appeared out of thin air in the centre of town." , less than 30 seconds after his observed disappearance. Foundation Retrieval Team 448-D ("Bag and Tag") were dispatched to recover both SCP-2208 and SCP-2208-a-1. SCP-2208-a-1 was administered medical attention on site, and interrogated, but expired en route to Site [DATA EXPUNGED]. After post mortem examination, which confirmed massive Gamma radiation damage, SCP-2208-1a was incinerated, and amnesiacs administered to SCP-2208-a-1's family, and known associates.

SCP-2208-a has two effects, the first of which, is memetic in nature.

When in proximity to SCP-2208-a subjects will feel an overwhelming urge to touch it, stating that "The greatest ocean of all is calling.", and commenting frequently on the aesthetically pleasing qualities of SCP-2208-a. Subjects who touch SCP-2208-a will develop an immediate knowledge of navigation by sextant, and have been observed to know the precise locations and movements of all stars within 100 light years. Subjects also become agitated at being in their current location, and develop an urge to explore other places. Subjects will then attempt to use SCP-2208-a to navigate a course away from wherever they happen to be. This action triggers SCP-2208-a's secondary, physical effect.

Upon use of SCP-2008-a, a wormhole will open, by means which is currently unknown. The user will then attempt to traverse the wormhole to the plotted destination, which leads to the disappearance of the user, and the immediate closure of the wormhole. SCP-2208-a appears to be unaffected by the effects of wormhole, and unable to traverse them, always being left behind, thus rendering the user unable to return.

In some cases, the user displayed the effects of being exposed to similar effects of a hull breach into vacuum, and has been sucked through the wormhole. No personnel present have reported feeling those effects, leading to the conclusion that only the user is affected. Both SCP2208-a and SCP-2208-b are also unaffected .

The radiative memetic effect of SCP-2208-a is partially dampened by containment within SCP-2208-b, though not completely nullified. When SCP-2208-b is closed, containing SCP-2208-a, and placed inside a glass cabinet, or arbitrary size, the effect is completely contained. It is assumed, due to this, that the disappearances of the museum staff, prior to Foundation containment, were due to the cabinet being opened for cleaning.

Subjects who are successfully restrained from using SCP-2208-a, retain the memetic effects until the end of the current lunar cycle.

Addendum SCP-2208-1: It has been observed that the mimetic effects of SCP-2208-a will override the subject's sense of self preservation, even when presented with a wormhole to a hazardous location.

Interview Log SCP-2208-a-006
Dr. Slovenka, observing from a safe room, on surveillance monitors, interviews and logs current research experiment.
> Dr.Slovenka: "D-4492, Please unlock and open the glass cabinet."
> D-4492: "Why? Is it gonna kill me?"
> Dr.Slovenka: "Not at all. It is merely a test, to see if you can resist touching it. Please proceed to unlock the cabinet."
> D-4492: "Fine. I'll open it. What did you mean by resist tou…Hey what's in the box, can I open it?"
> Dr.Slovenka: "Feel free, but remember, do not touch what is inside."
> D-4492: "Wow this thing is beautiful! I want to hold it!"
> Dr. Slovenka: "D-4492. Do not touch it."
> D-4492: "The greatest ocean of all calls to me. I must explore it." <Subject D-4492 picks up SCP-2208-a, and looks up through the lens> "There's a planet orbiting Gliese 581! I'm going to be the first human to explore it!"
> Dr. Slovenka: "D-4492! Put it back in its case and close the cabinet! Now!"
> D-4492: "Hmm, it doesn't look very nice. Still, I'll be the first there. Don't worry, I'll be back soon." <Subject D-4492 walks forward six paces and disappears. SCP-2208-a falls to the floor.>
> Dr. Slovenka: "Experiment terminated at [DATA EXPUNGED]. Subject D-4492 behaved precisely as expected, based on the previous five iterations. Please send in Subject D-4493. Beginning Experiment SCP-2208-a-007. D-4493, please attempt to resist picking up the item on the floor, in front of you"

Addendum SCP-2208-2: Excerpt from Dr. Slovenka's personal notes.

"The previous seven subjects all displayed an overriding urge to handle SCP-2208-a, when presented with the opportunity to do so. It should be noted that all previous subjects, are D-class personnel, who have committed violent crimes, and so are noted for their psychological predilection for poor self control. We must begin using personnel who are known to be stronger willed. Subjects who have mastered addictions, such as smoking, or drugs would be suitable."

Addendum SCP-2208-3: Excerpt from Dr. Slovenka's personal notes.

"Curious. Experiment SCP-2208-a-008 ended in exactly the same result. It would seem that subjects must simply be restrained from using SCP-2208-a, when in proximity."

Addendum SCP-2208-4: Research on SCP-2208 has been suspended, following the disappearance of Dr. Slovenka. Upon replaying of surveillance footage, following the disappearance of D-class personnel during experiments, Dr. Slovenka was seen to enter the room, and pick up and use SCP-2208-a. His last words were "Wow, the Moon!", before stepping forward 3 paces and disappearing. Subject D-5001 was left chained to a desk in the room, screaming to be allowed to hold SCP-2008-a, until it was replaced within SCP-2208-b and locked within its glass cabinet, using an automated worker.

D-5001 had to be removed from the site and the location of the site wiped from his memory, to prevent further attempts at handling SCP-2208-a. The next following full moon, all memetic effects of SCP-2208-a vanished from D-5001, and after several days of monitoring, was allowed to resume duties at Site [DATA EXPUNGED].
Telescopes later found Dr. Slovenka's body near the landing site of the Eagle landing craft from the 1969 Apollo Mission. Operatives within NASA, orchestrated a mission to retrieve Dr. Slovenka's body, which was re categorised SCP-2208-a-2.
SCP-2208-a-2, was, like SCP-2208-a-1, suffering from extensive Gamma radiation damage, leading to the conclusion, that transport through SCP-2208-1 generated/located wormholes is not safe for humans. It is, however, theorised, that subjects affected by SCP-217 may be able to traverse safely, but, they will not be able to return.