SCP-4320

Info

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SCP-4320: When You Look Up At The Sky Tonight
Author: pr0m37h3um
I had this idea during the blood moon maybe a week after watching Arrival. Turns out it's hard to write a super ambitious article like this only a month after writing your first one. Here's hoping it'll do well. I feel good about it.

Thanks to Nerdibbles, poppychips, my good friend Rhi, and my first semester British Literature class's student teacher.

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BY ORDER OF THE OVERSEER COUNCIL

The following file is Level 3/4320 classified and contains Level 4/4320 classified information. Unauthorized access is forbidden.

4320

3/4320 LEVEL 3/4320 CLASSIFIED

Item #: SCP-4320 Object Class: Euclid

NOTE: This page contains supplementary documentation and an updated description and containment procedures for SCP-4320. Changes from the original version of this page are indicated in blue.

Special Containment Procedures: Foundation Webcrawler 4320 is to monitor and track all mentions of and information regarding SCP-4320 and its subdesignations in order to isolate and properly monitor SCP-4320-2 individuals.

Mobile Task Force Pi-32 ("Moonwatcher Watchers") are to seek out and gather information on SCP-4320-2 individuals of interest to the Foundation, attempting to apprehend or recruit them if necessary.

Currently, the Foundation employs 39 37 SCP-4320-2 individuals (1 administrator, 19 site staff, 14 13 field personnel, and 5 4 long-term D-Class personnel) and is aware of the identity, personal details, and whereabouts of 13,827 more, 82 of whom are known to be affiliated with major Groups of Interest. An additional 354 of these individuals have been made aware of the Foundation's existence and agreed to indirectly assist in efforts to suppress public knowledge of SCP-4320 under Procedure 4320-Apollo.

Under no circumstances are members of SCP-4320-2 to be allowed in the vicinity of SCP-4320-1.

Description: SCP-4320 is the collective designation for two three separate but interconnected anomalies:

• SCP-4320-1 is a second major natural satellite of the Earth. Despite being the same approximate size as the planet Mars and with a orbital semi-major axis distance only 1.72 times that of Luna, SCP-4320-1 has no apparent effect on its surrounding celestial neighborhood. Unlike Luna, SCP-4320-1 is not tidally locked relative to Earth.
• SCP-4320-2 is a group of individuals comprising roughly 0.00025% of the world population. SCP-4320-2 are defined by their ability to see SCP-4320-1 while others cannot.
• SCP-4320-3 is a humanoid civilization that inhabited SCP-4320-1 at an indeterminate point in the past. See Mission Report 4320-A for further information regarding SCP-4320-3.

SCP-4320-1 is a natural satellite in orbit of the Earth only visible to members of SCP-4320-2. However, travel to and visibility of SCP-4320-1 is possible by those individuals who are not SCP-4320-2, but these individuals will only report being able to see SCP-4320-1 while within a variable distance of its surface (the distance varies with each individual, as well as with several other unidentified variables). Additionally, they will not report SCP-4320-1 'appearing' in their vision, only that "it was always there but only [at that moment] did [they] notice it" (Captain Mendez, MTF Pi-32). Any artifacts or samples taken outside of SCP-4320-1's 'visibility radius' will not exhibit its anomalous properties.

SCP-4320-2's collective ability to see SCP-4320-1 regardless of distance appears to occur on a genetic basis, with offspring of SCP-4320-2 having roughly a 25% chance of being SCP-4320-2 themselves. 'Carriers' of the SCP-4320-2 gene can also pass it on to their own offspring, who also have a chance to inherit SCP-4320-2 status. If both parents of a child are SCP-4320-2 or carriers of the corresponding gene, the offspring is exponentially more likely to inherit the ability themselves, as are their eventual offspring.

SCP-4320-1 has an argon-rich nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere similar to that of Earth's and large bodies of freshwater. Scattered across the surface of SCP-4320-1 are the remnants of what appears to be a highly advanced humanoid civilization (see Expedition Log 4320-A for more information). No life has ever been detected on SCP-4320-1, but robotic entities have been encountered, including what appear to be maintenance drones. In addition, these cities are perfectly livable, and appear to have been lived in for several hundred to possibly even thousands of years, but contain powerful spatial-temporal anomalies (see Expedition Log 4320-A and Interview Log 4320-A for further information). It is presumed that the maintenance drones have kept the cities from falling into a state of disrepair, but how they have continued to function for as long as they have (samples date them as having been manufactured between 5000 and 10000 years ago) is unknown.

Supplementary Documentation:

▶[LEVEL 4/4320 SECURITY CREDENTIALS REQUIRED]

Exploration 4320-A Video Log Transcript

Date: 08/21/2017

Exploration Team: Mobile Task Force Pi-32

Subject: Unnamed city center, SCP-4320-1

Team Lead: Captain Juliet Mendez

Team Members: Lieutenants Matt Cyterski and Andrew Butler, Researcher Amelia Zhang, D-17391 (Caucasian male, aged 39, life sentence without parole for drug possession and dealing; selected for expedition due to photographic memory and SCP-4320-2 status)

Notes: Team boarded SCPS Amun-Ra at 0957 hours on 08/17/2017. Liftoff occurred at 1403 hours the same day. Objective was to explore a large city on the surface of SCP-4320-1 in order to gather information on it and its former inhabitants. All MTF operatives were armed with pulse rifles and sufficient ammunition, while Researcher Zhang (xenobiology and ancient cultures) was provided with a digital notepad, and D-17391 received a multitool. All team members received an additional non-lethal sidearm and a lightly armored biosuit with an integrated cognitohazard-filtering visor and respirator. Lt. Butler and D-17391 are both identified and confirmed members of SCP-4320-2.

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[BEGIN LOG]

CPT Mendez: Alright, recorder's running. Sound off.

LT Butler: Butler, check.

LT Cyterski: Cyterski, check.

RSCR Zhang: Zhang, check.

D-17391: D-17391, check.

Mendez: That's everyone. Command, you hearing us?

Command: Roger that, Captain. Lieutenant Butler, what's your status on approach?

Butler: Still on manual, switching to automatic approach and landing once the rest of the crew can s-

(It is presumed that at this moment, Captain Mendez crossed her visibility radius for SCP-4320-1.)

Mendez: Whoa! Jesus fucking Christ, there it is!

Butler: Well, guess that's one. What do you think, cap'n?

Command: Captain, please describe what you see.

Mendez: I really don't know what to say other than it looks kinda like the moon, or Luna, or whatever we're calling it. It's just got these fucking massive circular cities and a couple thin, scattered clouds. I really don't know why I didn't see it before. It's like it was always there but only now did I notice it, if that makes any sense at all.

Zhang: Command, I'd like to report that I can see SCP-4320-1 as well now.

Cyterski: Same here. Mendez got the description spot on, basically.

Command: Roger that, team.

Butler: Command, I'm gonna start taking us in for automated landing, please confirm.

Command: Confirmed. You are clear for automated landing.

(At various points throughout manual and automated approach and landing, the video feeds began to display SCP-4320-1 in a manner that personnel not members of SCP-4320-2 were now able to see it.)

[EXTRANEOUS DIALOGUE REMOVED]

(Touchdown occurred 47 minutes after recording began, and took place in what appears to be a town hall or city center. Log resumes as team exit SCPS Amun-Ra and disembark on surface of SCP-4320-1.)

Mendez: Alright, where are we headed, Command?

Command: Researcher Zhang, before we send you in, why don't you give us a description of what you notice right off the bat?

Zhang: Well, it's strange that all the buildings seem to be integrated into the ground.

(Researcher Zhang indicates a smooth, contiguous transition from the metallic ground to the wall of the nearest building. No seams appear visible between them.)

Zhang: I'm pretty sure that if the buildings and ground are all part of a single structure, whoever built this city would have to know exactly how large every single part of the city would have to be and what purpose it would serve.

Command: Anything else? We're looking for anything we can use to figure out what kind of people - or whatever - lived where you are right now.

Zhang: I really can't say - it is weird that nothing is labelled, though. I can't see anything that resembles writing, but I've only seen this area, maybe there's something I'm missing.

Command: Alright, that's fine. You are clear to enter when ready.

Mendez: We're as ready as we'll ever be. Let's go.

(Team enters nearest building, MTF operatives leading.)

Mendez: Keep your weapons at the ready, boys. We don't know what we'll find in here.

Cyterski & Butler: Copy that.

(Interior of building consists of a dimly lit large circular area which extends upwards, tapering into a cone as it does. Balconies surround the upper levels of the cone, while the bottom floor is completely barren and shows no way of climbing to higher floors. Notably, both the area and height of the interior are significantly larger than the outer dimensions.)

Cyterski: Well, that's not normal. Ain't there that one skip that does this kinda stuff?

Zhang: You're thinking of SCP-184, but as far as I know, the thing's never been here, or off of Earth for that matter.

D-17391: Hey, guys? Were those there before?

(D-17391 points to the side of the room opposite the door, where 3 open archways now exist instead of the previous (presumably) solid wall. As the team turn to face the archways, at least one cognitohazard filter is triggered.)

Mendez: (quietly) What the hell? (normal volume) I don't know. I don't think so, but… maybe?

Command: Team, please confirm a cognitohazard ping.

Mendez: Uh… yeah, my indicator's on.

Cyterski: Same here.

Zhang: Me too.

Butler: Mine's not.

D-17391: Uh, yeah, I've got the same thing. Is that bad?

Command: Yes, it is very bad. You are advised to proceed together and with great caution. Butler, D-17391, please activate manual cognitohazard filters before you proceed.

Butler and D-17391: Copy.

Mendez: Alright, let's go.

(Team walk through middle archway and enter a hallway long enough that its end cannot be seen in camera feeds. The entire length of the hallway takes approximately 32 minutes to cross, but at no point does the end appear to be getting closer. Instead, a phenomenon similar to the appearance of SCP-4320-1 in the perception of non-SCP-4320-2 team members and camera feeds occurs, as the team reaches the end of the hallway without a discernible exit time. Upon exiting the hallway, team enters a large dome-shaped room, the walls of which)

Command: Team, please describe what happened as you were walking down that hallway.

Mendez: Well, it was long as shit. Took maybe half an hour.

D-17391: The hell? It was only a couple of minutes.

Butler: I'm with the D-Class. Taking a piss would take longer.

Cyterski: Command, do you still have cognitohazard pings on us?

Command: Negative. Could you five do an atmosphere reserves sound-off?

Mendez: Ninety-naught point six percent.

Zhang: Same as the captain.

Cyterski: Same here, too.

Butler and D-17391: Ninety-six point nine percent.

(Team members visible on others' cameras appear visibly confused. No communications are exchanged for several seconds.)

Command: Ok, it seems you encountered some form of spatial-temporal anomaly. We're going to reiterate - proceed with EXTREME caution.

Zhang: Command, I can see drawings or engravings or something on the walls.

Command: Yes, we know. We need you to take a look at them - see if you can figure anything out about whatever civilization lived there.

(Zhang walks to the nearest wall and begins examining the images one by one. The engravings depict several aspects of a humanoid society who, presumably, lived on SCP-4320-1 at some point in time.)

Zhang: So, if I'm getting this right, the bottom row is describing their biology and physiology. I really can't tell if there was actually any difference between them and us. As far as I can tell, they were essentially humans. Close enough even that they could reproduce with humans.

Command: How many rows are there?

Zhang: Three. The second one looks like it's about-

D-17391: Culture. They were highly religious, and were governed by an enlightened elite.

Zhang: …how did you know that?

D-17391: Know what?

Zhang: (pauses) Why were you selected for this mission again?

Command: Researcher Zhang, D-17391 was selected for his ability to see the moon you're standing on and for his photographic memory.

(Zhang mutters unintelligibly for several seconds before standing up abruptly, facing upwards, and turning in a circle, seemingly to capture all the engravings with her camera.)

Zhang: Command, I need you to make sure that this footage is coming through alright.

Command: We don't see flaws with it - why?

Zhang: We have to get out of here. Now.

Mendez: Zhang, what is going on with you?

Zhang: I'll tell you when we get back to the- Where's Butler?

Mendez: Butler? Butler's… the fuck?

Command: Lieutenant Butler, please respond.

(It was now discovered that Butler's camera feed and vitals readings had halted broadcasting. Mendez approaches D-17391.)

Mendez: What the hell is happening? Where’s my lieutenant? You knew that stuff about the aliens, so you know what this is, right?

D-17391: I swear to God, I don’t know what you’re talking about! There was never a Lieutenant Butler here! I’ve always known that about them! You guys do too! That was discovered the last -

(At this point, D-17391’s feed stops broadcasting in a similar manner to Butler’s.)

Mendez: Fuck! What the hell is happening?

Zhang: I think I have an idea, but it’s not good news.

Mendez: I don’t give a shit if it’s good news! I just lost my subordinate! Do you think I want good news?

Command: Captain Mendez, we respect your wish to mourn Lieutenant Butler, but you need to abort the mission. Get back to your ship and extract from SCP-4320-1. Researcher Zhang can inform you of her discovery there and you can pay your respects to Butler.

Mendez: Oh, we’re going. And then Amelia here will tell me what the hell is going on on this rock.

(All three remaining team members exited the dome-shaped room the same way through which they entered as fast as possible. Notably, the hallway only took a perceived 2 minutes and 43 seconds to cross, but maintains its lack of a discernible exit point.)

[END LOG]

(//No recording or trace of a recording history matching either Lieutenant Butler or D-17391 were found during debriefing. Additionally, all records of them were missing from Foundation databases.

No prior expedition to SCP-4320-1 had taken place until Expedition 4320-A. The source of D-17391’s knowledge is still unknown.//)

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Expedition 4320-A Mission Findings Report: Researcher Amelia Zhang

Ok, there's a lot of bullshit I need to unpack for this one, so I'll break it down into two sections: what we do know and what we don't know.

Here's what we do know. We do know that SCP-4320-3, the civilization that lived on SCP-4320-1, were a highly advanced civilization who were ruled by an enlightened religious elite with the ability to perceive time non-linearly. That's why all of their buildings are circular (circles have no beginning or end) and integrated directly into the ground on which they stand (the purpose and all future purposes of the buildings was known, so they could be created to accommodate those needs). We know that at some point in the past, SCP-4320-3 went to war with themselves and almost entirely destroyed their planet. We know that the survivors left behind drones to keep the planet in good shape and then abandoned it, travelling to Earth for a better life. We know they hid their planet from prying eyes so that none could profit off their secrets. We know they kept themselves exempt from this rule so that they would never forget their own mistakes. We know they mingled with the native population on Earth, who were of their same species, or at least a very similar one, producing fertile offspring who could see their ancestral home, too. We know that two of these descendants were on SCP-4320-1 on the 21st of August of 2017, and that both of them, along with any trace of their past or current existence, are nowhere to be found.

Here's what we don't know. We don't know why those two SCP-4320-2 disappeared, or where they are now. We don’t know whether D-17391 knew what I was about to say before I said it and then didn’t know what I was talking about when I asked about it (was it some form of genetic memory passed down from when the first SCP-4320-3 came to Earth, or was it his desynchronizing from linear time and perceiving things in the wrong order, or was it something else entirely?). We don't know when SCP-4320-3 came to Earth. We don't know if only SCP-4320-2 disappear on SCP-4320-1 or if they just do it faster (and the Foundation are too scared to find out; they can't risk losing another one of their special D-Class). We don't know if any SCP-4320-3 are still alive. We don't know how long it will take for us to find out, or if it'll be too late when we do. What'll happen that'll make it too late? We don't know.

Here's what we might know. They might be repopulating. They might be removing the last of their legacy, but who knows why they would do that. It might be a punishment. It might be a reward. This stuff gets really foggy when you get into 'mights', so I'll leave it at that.

I can't handle this project anymore. My wife and I just adopted two wonderful kids, and I need to be able to spend time with them. I need a break from all this. I don't care if I get demoted, just let me do something easier. Please. I'm out.

- Researcher Amelia Zhang

(As per her request, Researcher Zhang was reassigned to her new and current position as SCP-4976 Project Director.)