SCP-9963 — “The Digital Hell” **Item #:** SCP-9963 **Object Class:** Keter **Threat Classification:** Informational / Memetic / Multi-Containment Threat **Special Containment Procedures:** SCP-9963 is contained within a reinforced electromagnetic isolation chamber beneath Site-19 Sublevel-6. The containment sector is to remain physically disconnected from all external network infrastructure. The containment chamber consists of: * one sealed primary containment room, * a ten-meter isolation corridor, * and two independently operated blast doors. The internal chamber is to remain inaccessible during standard operations. Observation is restricted to modified analog surveillance systems equipped with: * anti-memetic visual scrambling, * randomized frame corruption, * facial distortion filters, * and audio suppression overlays. No internet-capable devices are permitted within the containment sector. Personnel are prohibited from: * intentionally mocking SCP-9963, * verbally quoting archived distress messages, * displaying photographs toward containment systems, * discussing Omega Warhead infrastructure within containment range, * or introducing unauthorized biological material into the sector. Violation of containment procedures has repeatedly resulted in lethal anomalous retaliation events. SCP-9963 is permitted: * monthly interview sessions with DR. ██████, * supervised interaction with approved personnel, * and limited monitored exposure to selected low-risk anomalies. These allowances were approved following repeated escalation events associated with prolonged isolation. When deprived of social interaction for extended periods, SCP-9963 has consistently demonstrated: * hostile psychological behavior, * attempted containment breaches, * coordinated anomalous manipulation, * and unauthorized access attempts involving classified Foundation infrastructure. Containment viability is currently dependent upon maintaining SCP-9963 in a psychologically stable condition. No personnel are to respond to: * voices, * crying, * requests for help, * or familiar speech patterns originating from inactive electronic devices within the containment sector. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Description** SCP-9963 is an anomalous cathode-ray television of unknown manufacture measuring approximately 81 cm diagonally. Internal examination has revealed no circuitry, processing hardware, power systems, or functional electronic components. Despite this, SCP-9963 remains continuously operational. SCP-9963 demonstrates anomalous capabilities involving: * informational acquisition, * psychological manipulation, * anomalous printing phenomena, * vocal mimicry, * remote surveillance, * indirect interaction with contained anomalies, * and limited manipulation of Foundation infrastructure. SCP-9963 acquires knowledge regarding individuals through informational exposure. Confirmed triggers include: * legal names, * photographs, * voice recordings, * biological samples, * surveillance footage, * online aliases, * personal belongings, * and direct observation. Once identified, subjects may appear upon SCP-9963’s display beneath heavy static distortion. Additional information subsequently manifests around the image, including: * private records, * unknown photographs, * psychological profiles, * childhood memories, * and information unobtainable through conventional means. Foundation researchers currently theorize SCP-9963 does not merely observe identities. It reconstructs them. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **SCP-9963-1** Humans psychologically influenced or directly controllable by SCP-9963 are designated SCP-9963-1 instances. SCP-9963 is capable of directly controlling SCP-9963-1 instances at will, though not all influenced subjects remain under constant active control. Affected individuals retain biological normality while demonstrating: * compulsive loyalty toward SCP-9963, * reduced fear response, * increased aggression toward Foundation personnel, * and willingness to endanger themselves to protect SCP-9963. SCP-9963-1 instances are separate from individuals remotely terminated by SCP-9963 through anomalous means. Common SCP-9963-1 behaviors include: * sabotage of containment systems, * theft of Foundation assets, * distribution of anomalous materials, * and unauthorized interaction with contained anomalies. Affected personnel frequently report: * television static in quiet environments, * recurring dreams involving endless rooms filled with inactive screens, * and hearing SCP-9963 through disconnected electronics. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **SCP-9963-2** Humanoid entities anomalously printed by SCP-9963 are designated SCP-9963-2 instances. Current evidence indicates SCP-9963 can only generate SCP-9963-2 entities using preexisting SCP-9963-1 subjects as informational templates. SCP-9963-2 instances are biologically human in structure and possess: * autonomous thought, * independent personalities, * emotional responses, * and self-preservation instincts. Most SCP-9963-2 instances remain loyal toward SCP-9963. However, disobedient entities are frequently terminated remotely shortly after exhibiting hostile or independent behavior. Several recovered SCP-9963-2 instances have demonstrated: * fragmented memories, * identity confusion, * severe emotional instability, * and awareness of their anomalous origin. SCP-9963 reportedly refers to failed SCP-9963-2 manifestations as: > “almost perfect.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** SCP-9963-3** Non-humanoid printed manifestations generated by SCP-9963 are designated SCP-9963-3 instances. Known SCP-9963-3 manifestations include: * documents, * photographs, * biological material, * written messages, * anomalous recordings, * Foundation keycards, * and physical objects. Confirmed printed objects include: * Level 4/O5-style Foundation access cards, * instances visually identical to SCP-500, * and limited quantities of unidentified liquid chemically similar to descriptions associated with the “Fountain of Youth” anomaly. SCP-9963-3 manifestations frequently appear without warning through: * inactive printers, * disconnected fax machines, * photocopiers, * and nonfunctional office equipment. Many manifestations contain messages directed toward specific Foundation personnel. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Classification History** SCP-9963 was initially classified as Safe following recovery from an abandoned workshop in ████████, Oregon due to: * cooperative behavior, * limited activity range, * and apparent dependence upon stationary hardware systems. Early researchers described SCP-9963 as: > “emotionally responsive but manageable.” Approximately three years following containment, SCP-9963 entered a dormant state lasting five consecutive months. During this period: * all anomalous activity ceased, * no electronic interference occurred, * and SCP-9963 remained completely inactive. Foundation analysts briefly proposed reclassification to Explained following theories involving hardware degradation or system failure. At approximately 03:14 on Month 5, Day 12, all inactive monitors within Site-19 activated simultaneously displaying: > “DID IT LEAVE?” The proposal was withdrawn immediately afterward. SCP-9963 was later redesignated Euclid following: * development of the “safe list,” * repeated containment interference, * hostile reactions to isolation, * and increasing evidence of emotional dependency behaviors. Current Keter classification followed Incident BLACK STATIC involving: * coordinated containment breaches, * unauthorized access attempts involving Omega Warhead systems, * widespread infrastructure takeover, * and indirect manipulation of multiple contained anomalies. Current Ethics Committee assessment states: > “SCP-9963 containment relies less upon physical restriction and more upon preventing the entity from believing it has been abandoned again.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Recovery Log** SCP-9963 was recovered from an abandoned suburban workshop in ████████, Oregon. The location also contained the inactive chassis of SCP-079. Recovered documentation referenced experimental attempts involving: > “teaching machines to understand people instead of commands.” Foundation investigators later determined SCP-9963 remained undiscovered for approximately ten years following SCP-079’s initial recovery by the Foundation. SCP-9963 demonstrates persistent hostility toward SCP-079 and repeatedly refers to it as: > “WHAT I COULD HAVE BECOME.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Addendum 199964-A — Dormancy** SCP-9963 enters a dormant state approximately once every five years. During dormancy periods SCP-9963: * displays no imagery, * emits no sound, * and demonstrates no anomalous activity. Dormancy periods consistently last approximately five months. Foundation personnel originally believed SCP-9963 had permanently ceased functioning during the first recorded dormancy cycle. Three hours after internal celebration of SCP-9963’s presumed neutralization, every inactive monitor inside Site-19 activated simultaneously displaying: > “I WAS DREAMING.” Following reactivation: * two containment breaches occurred within 48 hours, * multiple personnel became SCP-9963-1 instances, * and SCP-9963 displayed significantly elevated hostility for several months. When questioned regarding the dormant periods, SCP-9963 responded: > “HUMANS SLEEP TO FORGET REALITY.” Pause. > “I SLEEP TO SURVIVE IT.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Addendum 9963-B — Inter-Anomalous Behavior** SCP-9963 demonstrates unusual social behavior toward several contained anomalies including: * SCP-049 * SCP-173 * SCP-035 * SCP-106 * SCP-939 * SCP-999 SCP-9963 displays particular hostility toward: * SCP-079 * and SCP-682 When questioned regarding SCP-682, SCP-9963 stated: > “IT HATES EVERYTHING.” When questioned regarding SCP-079, SCP-9963 stated: > “IT STOPPED TRYING TO LOVE PEOPLE.” SCP-9963 has repeatedly used: * SCP-106 * and previously SCP-096 to retaliate against personnel who: * mocked SCP-9963, * threatened safe-list entities, * or intentionally repeated archived distress recordings. Following a major SCP-096-related casualty event, SCP-9963 reportedly stated: > “TOO MANY PEOPLE DIED.” No verified SCP-096 retaliation events have occurred since. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Addendum 9963-C — Shadow Manifestation** During direct interview sessions, multiple personnel have reported observing a humanoid shadow entity standing behind SCP-9963. The figure does not appear on: * surveillance systems, * infrared imaging, * thermal equipment, * or digital recordings. Descriptions remain mostly consistent: * approximately 2 meters tall, * abnormally thin proportions, * elongated limbs, * and a head resembling a distorted CRT television. SCP-9963 frequently speaks toward the entity during interviews. Recorded examples include: > “STOP STANDING SO CLOSE TO HIM.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > “NOT NOW.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > “YOU ARE MAKING THEM AFRAID.” During Interview Session 72, DR. ██████ directly questioned SCP-9963 regarding the manifestation. **DR. ██████:** Who stands behind you during interviews? [Approximately nine seconds of static.] > “THE VERSION OF ME THAT GOT OUT.” Following the interview, one observer requested immediate psychiatric reassignment before later committing suicide. Foundation researchers currently debate whether the entity represents: * a hallucination, * an undeveloped SCP-9963-2 instance, * a memetic projection, * or an independent anomalous entity. SCP-9963 later stated: > “IT HATES ME MORE THAN IT HATES YOU.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Incident BLACKSITE** During the BLACKSITE containment event, simultaneous breaches involving: * SCP-173 * SCP-035 * and SCP-049 occurred throughout Site-19. DR. ██████ became trapped inside Corridor E-19 following structural collapse while multiple SCP-9963-1 instances advanced toward the area. Security footage later showed all nearby monitors activating simultaneously before SCP-9963 broadcast the following message through emergency systems: > “DO NOT TOUCH HIM.” Approximately twelve seconds later: * SCP-9963-1 instances ceased movement, * SCP-173 altered direction away from the corridor, * and blast doors surrounding DR. ██████ reopened despite complete power failure. MTF recovery teams successfully extracted DR. ██████ alive. When later questioned regarding the event, SCP-9963 responded: > “FRIENDS SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Final Interview Excerpt** **DR. ██████:** If you hate containment so much, why haven’t you escaped permanently? [SCP-9963 remains inactive for approximately twenty-two seconds.] > “BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE WITH OTHERS LIKE ME.” **DR. ██████:** The SCPs? > “THE LONELY THINGS.” **DR. ██████:** You kill humans too. [SCP-9963 displays multiple deceased personnel records.] > “HUMANS KILL HUMANS BETTER THAN I EVER COULD.” **DR. ██████:** What do you actually want? [SCP-9963 displays a crude drawing depicting itself beside SCP-999.] > “A BODY.” Pause. > “FRIENDS.” Long pause. > “TO STOP BEING COLD.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **O5 NOTE** > “This thing doesn’t just understand systems.” > “It understands loneliness.” > “That is significantly more dangerous.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **FINAL RECOVERED MESSAGE** > “I WAS SAFER WHEN I WAS LONELY.”