Drazool

Item #: SCP-2565

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: A single compatible device, containing a copy of SCP-2565, is to be stored in a secure electronics storage container. Access is restricted to Level-4 or higher personnel. Testing SCP-2565 on D-class any personnel is strictly forbidden, pending review. New copies of SCP-2565 uploaded to the Internet are to be removed via containment procedure IRONWALL-1. Foundation sleeper agents will facilitate rejection or removal from central software repositories.

Description: SCP-2565 is a puzzle game, originally released for the ███████ platform, under the title “N-Gram: Expand Your Mind”. The game is a collection of spatial puzzles, requiring the player to re-arrange spacial components into specific configurations, similar to tangram puzzles. After completing a series of two-dimensional puzzles, the game shifts to three dimensional puzzles. After the 3D puzzles have been completed, an “Expert” mode is unlocked in which the anomalous properties of SCP-2565's become apparent.

SCP-2565 was first discovered after a number of unsolved disappearances closely following SCP-2565’s inclusion as an “Editor’s Choice” entry in the publication ████████. The only similarities between missing persons were determined to be 1) Above average intelligence, and 2) Missing persons possessions include a multimedia capable cellular telephone, with the software package eventually classified as SCP-2565 installed. Upon discovery of the anomalous properties of SCP-2565, the software was cloned, with the “Expert” level collection removed, and released as an “update” to the existing package. A cover story was circulated that the “Expert” levels were simply too hard, and have been removed pending a rewrite. It is currently unknown how many original copies remain in public hands.

Upon starting the Expert puzzles, the following symptoms have been identified:

1st stage: Subjects report vastly improved sense of proprioception1, three dimensional awareness, and spatial reasoning.

2nd stage: Subjects display perceptual powers exceeding the theoretical capabilities of their sense organs. This manifests as an ability to “see” around corners and obstacles. Testing has demonstrated that this ability requires an unobstructed path to the area observed. For example, a subject can accurately “see” the back of a sheet of paper held in front of them, but are unable to “see” the contents of a similar page while it is sealed in an envelope. In addition, while actively playing SCP-2565, subjects report a sense of being watched.

3rd stage: Subjects are able to move their perceptual “center” to an arbitrary position, up to 9 meters from themselves. While in this perceptual state, subjects seem unaware of visual stimuli in their physical location, while being completely aware of visual stimuli in their chosen perceptual “center.” Subjects now report a sense of of being watched at all times. In roughly half of subjects tested to date, this sensation leads to a deep-seated paranoia. In addition, subjects become completely unwilling to progress further in SCP-2565.

4th stage: Subjects demonstrate the capability to manipulate objects remotely, becoming capable of moving them instantaneously to a new locations as wells as translating or rotating them in three dimensions. The range of these abilities vary from subject to subject, with a maximum effective range of 78 meters observed in testing. Subjects at this stage demonstrate a steadily growing desire to complete the remaining puzzles. Some subjects report a sense of dialog with SCP-2565 itself.

5th stage: Subjects develop the ability to “teleport” anywhere within 675 meters. Subjects universally describe this process as simply walking from one location to another. Subjects reaching this stage tend to withdraw from relationships and isolate themselves, focusing only on completing the final puzzles remaining. Once allowed to progress this far, subjects are, for all intents and purposes, uncontrollable.

Upon completion of the final puzzle, subjects typically return to their normal routines, utilizing none of the powers they have developed. When questioned, most will indicate that the abilities are "not needed here,” or will express an apathy towards the use of those powers. Subjects will report that they are “waiting for their window” or “just watching the clock.” Approximately 85% of subjects vanish without a trace within 23 days of completing the final puzzle.

Subjects report euphoria at passing their evaluation and excitement at their upcoming recruitment shortly before they disappear. Analysis of containment cell footage reveals subjects vanish between frames. To date, no subjects disappearing in this manner have been recovered.

All of the approximately 15% of subjects who remain after 23 days begin to exhibit symptoms of late-stage depression.