Work Text:
SCP-8456
1-4
Object class: Euclid
Special containment procedures: Kept in separate cells of standard issue for sapient humanoids, closely monitored through two-way mirror and active security cameras, with detailed records on any shapeshifting into new forms. Any interviews or close studies will be with no less than two researchers at a time, and two guards keeping close watch at all times.
Special cell requirements:
SCP-8456-2: Temperature and humidity kept to its specifications for comfort, and fresh flowers ready to replace any of the plants in its cell upon starting to wilt.
SCP-8456-3: Lights kept off, unless needed to temporarily stun. Monitoring includes noise activated recorders, to capture anything said or rambled by the specimen for later research and translation by other SCP-8456 class specimens.
Once a month a D-Class personnel will be left in the cell with an SCP-8456 specimen without guard escort. After feeding, any surviving D-Class will be returned to their own cell after a close health inspection. Survivors showing signs of servere fatigue will be taken off the rotation list, no matter how much they may beg.
Besides the monthly allowed D-Class, each specimen may be provided additional nutrition fitting their specific diet.
SCP-8456-1: Treats with vanilla flavor [confiscated until behavior improves]
SCP-8456-2: Nectar producing flowers and type 0 blood in a bag.
SCP-8456-3: Mushrooms [non-hallucinogenic, no matter what Agent Ecto insists], a juice box of grape juice upon good behavior.
SCP-8456-4: Whatever the cafeteria is serving that day, note lactose-intolerance and request for gluten-free.
The different SCP-8456 specimen must be kept in separate cells and apart from each other unless in a closely monitored and controlled environment. SCP-8456-1 has a history of acting territorial and violent towards other SCP-8456 specimen. SCP-8456-3 likewise although as of yet not actually been actively violent - Agent Ecto claiming ”his bark is worse than his bite”, but still seems to unsettle any other SCP-8456 specimens. SCP-8456-2 has explained they are all different types of [REDACTED] from different Hives and cannot mingle out of territorial disagreements. Neither of the other SCP-8456 specimens wish to be anywhere near SPC-8456-4 despite being the least aggressive and territorial of them all. Each of them will desperately seek a way to leave the area where they see or sense the presence of SCP-8456-4, even at threat of consequences for trying so.
SCP-8456-1 is quoted to say, ”keep that [REDACTED] away from me, I do not want to catch what it has!”
Upon good behavior, and non-violent feeding, a SCP-8456 specimen may be rewarded with limited form of entertainment, ranging from reading material for those of them who can read, to a tv with videos, and other smaller luxuries. Said objects are to be confiscated upon used to create new forms to shapeshift into without prior permission, or upon showing signs of aggressive behavior towards researchers and guards.
Description: Humanoid insects, just below average human height. Two arms, two legs, a hard black exoskeleton, and two multifaceted eyes. Fanged jaws and finger tips shaped like claws. Their backs are covered by an elytra that can part and open, to reveal transparent underwings they can use to fly or hoover above the ground, much like a beetle. These may be used to create buzzing noises to indicate moods and emotions. On their forehead is a beetle like horn, that seems to be epicenter for the burst of energy they use to transform their appearance into a different one by means of shapeshifting. With some smaller differences in preference in forms taken, as well as differences in appearance to tell them apart.
SCP-8451-1: ”Krym”, he/him, possible soldier class
Blue back shell and eyes, the largest specimen. Aggressive tendencies, with a snarky and sarcastic tone when talked to. Repeated liar in interviews, will often try and see what he can get away with. Likes to take upon the appearance of staff in a show of mockery and often cause enough disturbance to often find his rewards for good behaviour confiscated upon any deceit discovered. Clear aggressive behavior and cases of violence, if put into same room as other SCP-8451 specimen. Very territorial, terrible at flirting. Often times drains monthly D-Class allowance to a point of death, while knowing it is being observed. Possible attempt to intimidate the observer.
SCP-8456-2: ”Punaise”, they/it, possible worker class
Yellow back shell and eyes. Additionally long and thin fangs, and tongue compared to other SCP-8456 specimen in current custody. Likes to mock and tease, but easily covers upon shown not the one in control. Different from other SCP-8456 specimen this one does not have vocal cords that allow human language, unless shapeshifted into a pre-approved human form for interviews. Upon added to the collection of SCP-8456 specimen could reveal about the extend of SCP-8456-1's tendency of lying about their species and now considered main source of information. Easy to bribe. Relentless flirt. Upon presented with D-Class personnel, will feed by 'seducing' through looks and releasing a pheromone in the air that works very much like an aphrodicsiac. Repeated encounters with same D-Class can lead to severe fatigue but nothing that enough rest and proper diet won't fix.
SCP-8456-3: ”Ghost”, he/it, Hive class unknown
Marroon back shell and eyes. Additional third-eyelid, semi-transparent as a protection against light while still allowing sight, as this specimen is more light sensitive. More tattered look, holes in chitin and wings. Smallest of the current collection of SCP-8456 specimens. Acts most irrational, either unresponsive facing a corner or hiding under furniture, rocking from side to side making buzzing sounds like a tone repeatedly hummed – or screaming in a fit of panic and anxiety, easily startled by either personnel or visions only it can see. In more severe cases of a panic attack, Agent Ecto may be called in as it seems attached enough to him to accept a hug to calm it from its fit. Further so do fits of withdrawal from a diet formerly consisting of hallucinogenic fungi. Is not as much aggressive as it is anxious and only know how to deal with this anxiety around others by attempting to intimidate by being very noisy.
Only D-Class to be sent for feeding may be those who has lost loved ones they admit to be missing dearly. SCP-8456-3 may take form after this departed loved one, and feed as long the D-Class willingly allows it. Repeated encounters of same D-Class may lead to a state of dependency that in cases can lead to lethal fatigue if continued. First signs of such, will have the D-Class personnel permanently removed from rotation.
SCP-8456-4: ”Cicada”, she/he/they/it, Hive class unknown
Latest addition to the collection of SCP-8456 specimen and the one to stand out the most. Instead of the black exoskeleton the others share, SCP-8456-4's chitin is multicolored, focused on blue tones with yellow accents and less tattered looking limbs. Bright red eyes, and white gem like growths that seem to be purely decorative. SCP-8456-4 is the most submissive and willing to work with researchers, seemingly just desperate to please. But cannot provide information to counter the lies of SCP-8456-1 or fits of non-cooperations of SCP-8456-2, due to claims of its Hive being kept isolated from others of its kind. Other SCP-8456 specimens seem convinced this specific Hive is suffering from a plague that has changed their appearance and way of life. Researchers have not been able to find any signs of strange bacteria or a virus to back up this claim, and seems to perfectly harmless for humans to be around. The other SCP-8456 specimens still refuses to be anywhere near SCP-8456-4, and in particularly won't listen to any recordings of its voice. No matter amount of threats or bribery.
SCP-8456-4 does not require a D-Class personnel to feed like the other specimens, and can find nutrition in regular human dishes as long it is kept in mind it has been proven lactose-intolerant. But has stressed it needs regular company for the sake of company, to stay healthy. Any conversation partner will do.
The need for D-Class personnel for feeding is due to these creatures seem to need a certain level of energy to not only perform their shapeshifting ability, but their vital life functions as well. This energy is obtained through lifesigns of sapient species like humans. They can either feed by draining a victim through invoken certain emotions in them, such as SCP-8456-2's preference for lust, or SCP-8456-3 feeding off of a mourning human's love for a lost one. SCP-8456-1 showing they can also simply force the life force out of a human victim if they so please, which is a more forceful and violent matter of feeding.
Victims typically suffer from ranges of aparthy or fatigue after being fed on, unless forcefully drained that seems to be a more direct and painful process that leaves them almost mummified if left to be fed on this way until point of death.
SCP-8456-4 claims their way of feeding is a much more passive and leaves no ill after effects compared to other of the SCP-8456 specimens.
They also seem to possess a form of semi-telepathy, and a strong sense of empathy as they need certain emotions at the front of a human's mind for best results of feeding.
They cannot read minds or send mental messages, but the strong sense of feeling any emotions any human is feeling near them at any time, and a natural sense of reading a person's body language and expressions, they can be manipulative enough to almost seem like they are indeed mindreaders.
They have a strong sense of a person's preferences, to help take on forms they might find appealing.
Especially SCP-8456-3 has an uncanny ability to know the exact appearance and way of behavior, of the form taken to feed on a mourning D-Class, without ever being show a photo or given information about the person it needs to impersonate.
SCP-8456-4 seems to be the one least skilled at reading body language and expressions, compared to the other specimens. It also seems to be the most socially awkward specimen, despite its strong need for company.
All SCP-8456 specimens in containment have refused to provide information of where they origin from, or details on their Hives they each once called home. Even with willing cooperation from some of them, they still take great importance to secrecy on certain information and cannot bend to this need to not inform.
Addendum:
Any personnel caught encouraging any SCP-8456 specimen of taking certain forms outside the approved list, outside the proper channels, for own interest, will be removed from their position and kept from working with any shapeshifters again.
SCP-8456-4, during further studies for whatever may cause the distrust from the other specimens, revealed it is indeed not a virus but ”a truth” it has so far refused to elaborate on.
”I cannot risk you recording me even speaking of it, in case you'll play it to the others. If they truly fear to follow the truth my Hive has found, I do not wish it forced upon them.”
It seems connected to the need to feed off of sapient beings at risk of their life, but why a better way seems so unwanted by the other SCP-8456 speciemens are yet to be understood.