Link to article: fragment:scp-8718-1.
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||~ **RAISA NOTICE:** You are currently reading an outdated version of SCP-8718. All iterations have been codified and all staff are to study all iterations of SCP-8718 in detail prior to any operations on the African continent.|| [[include :scp-wiki:component:anomaly-class-bar-source |item-number= scp-8718 |clearance= 2 |container-class= euclid |disruption-class= vlam |risk-class= warning ]] ------ **Special Containment Procedures:** Efforts to contain an instance of SCP-8718 are to be prioritized. Mobile anti-electrical containment cells are to be dispatched to all Mobile Task Forces engaging the Southern African Anomalies Agency (S3A) to assist. Use of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponry is authorized for use when engaging SCP-8718. All damaged or destroyed instances of SCP-8718 are to be salvaged and studied. Provisional Site ZA1 is to be reinforced and all staff are to be equipped with sidearms. **Description:** For the purposes of clarity, all augmented specimens of SCP-8718 are henceforth reclassified as SCP-8718-1. SCP-8718-1 is the collective designation for botanotech constructs developed by the Southern African Anomalies Agency that take the form of a mass of mobile vines. The full sensory and martial capabilities of SCP-8718-1 (organic, anomalous or otherwise) are not known at this time. SCP-8718-1 combines nanotechnolgy with an anomalous species of vine native to the Republic of South Africa suspected to be from the genus, //Ceropegia//. The species is currently unidentified, but is visually similar to //Ceropegia ampliata//. Thaumic augmentation of the constructs has been confirmed. Extreme caution is to be exercised when dealing with SCP-8718-1. ------ +++ Addendum 100130B On 1 October 2030, SCP-8718-1 specimens were prepared for transport to Site 101, Louisiana, United States. The specimens were placed in individual glass tubes in a non-conductive bio-gel to maintain the sterility and safety of the specimens. SCP-8718 instances were to be transported to Johannesburg, South Africa and then on to Site 101, via secure cargo flight. No distress calls were received prior to the disappearance of the transport vehicle. On 3 October 2030, a second batch of SCP-8718 specimens were to be transported to Cape Town and then on to Site 101. This batch of specimens was transported via truck convoy with drone and MTF support, but disappeared during transit. A distress call was received from Theta-4 agents protecting the convoy, but no wreckage was found at the location. Spent shells found at the location indicate a gunfight. All members of both transport teams are to be considered missing in action until further notice. At 15:31, 3 October 2030, an emergency security meeting was held at Provisional Site ZA1 to assess the disappearances of specimen transport teams. [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Meeting Log 100130B1 -- Excerpt of Security Briefing." hide="- Close"]] > +++ Meeting Log 100130B1 > **Time:** 15:31, 3 October 2030 > **Location:** Provisional Site ZA1, Director's Office. > **Staff present:** Director Anthony Cull, Theta-4 Security Chief Diana Tran, Valkyrie Unit X62V A.K.A Sister Sifvar. > **Note:** Valkyrie Unit X62V recorded this interaction using its built-in security recording systems. This recording is protected under the Valravn contract for Provisional Site ZA1's security briefings to ensure transparency between both organizations[[footnote]]Current intel suggests that the Valravn Corporation intends to deploy these clauses in all future contracts.[[/footnote]]. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **Cull:** I don't need excuses, I need to find out what happened to those teams, Tran. > > **Tran:** We have searched all nearby towns and done three flyovers. South Africa has a huge crime -- > > **Cull:** //Don't// talk to me about crime rates. You're a Foundation trained MTF Security Chief. I don't care if there's a parabotany qualification behind it or not. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to find these people. The O5 are watching in all the wrong ways. This could be very bad for both of us, Tran. > > **Tran:** Crime, plus the S3A being involved leaves too many leads open right now. The team sent on the ground could have been waylaid by an organized gang. > > **Cull:** Don't give me that! The S3A are a backwater //organisation// at best, so if you expect me to believe that you're not able to handle them in a gunfight, you're wrong. And don't suggest these disappearances had anything to do with gangs. I know you're used to wrangling plants, but the Gardeners aren't that fucking useless, are you? > > **X62V:** If you checked your fucking emails you'd see her requests for resources. > > **Cull:** You are on a contract! Don't you tell me how to manage my staff. > > **X62Vr:** Exactly. I'm on a contract, so don't talk to me like I report to you. I don't. Valravn will pull this contract in a heartbeat. > > **Cull:** Excu -- > > **X62V:** Tran requested to extend the parameters of my search as well as more MTF support two days ago. After the first batch went missing. Open your fucking emails and approve it. > > **Cull:** Valravn wants to charge us to extend the perimeter of your search by //miles// in every direction to help find these plants. And MTF Command poking around in here isn't necessary. The S3A are not a goddam threat. > > **Tran:** And the missing team members. > > **Cull:** What? > > **Tran:** They want to charge us to extend the perimeter to find the SCP instances and find the missing team members. > > **Cull.** Right... Well. It's still far too expensive and this is going to turn into an administrative hell if I start approving those kinds of things. Now get back to work and find the team. > > **END LOG** > ------ [[/collapsible]] ||||~ Provisional Site ZA1 Security Briefing || ||~ Outcome|| Search efforts to continue.|| ||||~ Action Points|| ||~ Security Chief Tran || Current resources to be redistributed to optimize search efforts while maintaining site security. || ||~ Valkyrie Unit X62V "Sister Sifvar"|| No change to current perimeter of focus. Drone patrol route frequency increased.|| ||~ Civilian Staff || No formal action required. || ------ +++ Addendum 101130C On 11 October 2030, Doctor Hollis, two fellow researchers, and three technicians, instructed by Doctor Morgan to assist Doctor Hollis with setting up an aeroponic research station, were rushed to the medical bay of Provisional Site ZA1. All 6 staff members were unconscious, showing signs of electrocution. Emergency steps were taken to stabilize and resuscitate the staff members. ------ > +++ Incident Log 101130C1 > **Time:** 15:31, 11 October 2030 > **Location:** Provisional Site ZA1, Medical Bay. > **Staff present:** Doctor Hollis, Junior Researchers Kane and Babatunde, technicians Paulson, Smith and Al-Adil. > **Note:** The below long has been transcribed through combining footage from security cameras and the recorded audio logs from a call technician Paulson was on with Doctor Morgan. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > //Doctor Hollis and the technicians are seen assembling more growing towers in the background. The cultivation team members tend to SCP-8718 instances already implanted in growing towers. Paulson is updating Doctor Morgan via phone call.// > > **Paulson:** Yeah, they're coming together just fine, but I'm worried about these towers. I've checked the pumps out too and it's basically all just plastic. > > **Morgan:** It's what we have. Plastic is fine for growing. > > **Paulson:** It's low-grade. Hollis says it'll lead to leaching, whatever that means. The pump motor is flimsy too. Also just plastic. > > **Morgan:** Hmmmmm... Hollis complained yet? > > //The security footage glitches momentarily and visuals are lost before being restored. When footage restores, Paulson is seen moving further away from Hollis.// > > **Paulson:** Of course, she has. And she's right. This is fine for now, but these towers aren't even very stable. I guess I can forge a frame, but that's going to take time and I don't know if she's going to be happy waiting. > > **Morgan:** Fine. I'll see what we can do. But she's using them now right? > > //Paulson's phone experiences audio interference and the security footage glitches again.// > > **Paulson:** ... //unintelligible//... use it for now, but wants t... //unintelligible//... > > **Morgan:** Nick, you're breaking up. Say that again. > > **Paulson:** She's fine. Says we need to transplant them into new grow-- > > //The security footage begins to flicker rapidly and brighten. Paulson's audio interference increases and cuts off the call. The security footage continues to brighten and flicker until a flash is seen from one of the plants Hollis is working near.// > > //Electricity arcs from one instance of SCP-8718 to another, hitting Researcher Babatunde in the shoulder before jumping to another -1 instance. Researcher Babatunde collapses, twitching. Hollis attempts to get out of the way, but is struck in the stomach and collapses. The electricity continues to arc between the plants, striking several staff members present before the security footage cuts completely.// > > //When security footage restores, all staff in the aeroponic research station are unconscious on the floor and emergency staff are entering the room.// > > **END LOG** > ------ > Upon resuscitation, no members of the team showed signs of psychological distress, and all staff have made a full recovery with neither Doctor Hollis or Doctor Morgan's respective departments suffering a loss in productivity during this period. Both doctors are to be commended. The cause of the electrical surge was not identified at the time, but it was theorized that SCP-8718 reacted to the heightened quality of the soil conditions provided. All team members reported back to work two days later and were assigned to the hydroponics lab. Doctor Hollis and Doctor Morgan released new policies regarding aeroponic cultivation of SCP-8718 to prevent electrical arcing between the towers. All aeroponic and vertical farming research is on hold until protective equipment arrives. ------ +++ Addendum 101530D At 11:11, 15 October 2030, Valkyrie Unit X62V "Sister Sifvar" performed a routine inspection of the perimeter and upon return immediately requested access to the aeroponics research station under the protection of a plasma barrier[[footnote]]X62V did not elaborate on how it was able to ionize air in localized fields. Arrangements should be made by Foundation staff to more closely understand SCP-8503 and its capabilities.[[/footnote]] it is able to generate. Doctors Hollis and Morgan approved the request, monitoring the investigation through security cameras under the supervision of Security Chief Tran. The below log was provided unedited by the Valravn Organization shortly after the events of the below incident log. > +++ Incident Log 101530D1 > **Time:** 14:17, 15 October 2030 > **Location:** Provisional Site ZA1, Aeroponics Research Station > **Staff present:** Valkyrie Unit X62V "Sifvar". Security Chief Tran, Doctor Hollis and Doctor Morgan - monitoring from the security office using security cameras. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > //The research station is unchanged from the previous incident. Several growing towers were toppled as the staff collapsed from the electrical arcs. A number of SCP-8718 instances have died on the floor, while some crackle occasionally. Those instances still in their growing towers are seen in a state of good health due to automated systems. X62V enters and begins a slow sweep of the room.// > > **Tran:** Are you going to tell us why this is so urgent? > > **X62V:** Not yet. But something feels wrong about how all this happened. > > **Hollis:** We're still in the early stages of learning about 8718. It's going to sound strange coming from me, but I kind of expected an electrical plant to arc like that. > > **Tran:** You didn't say anything, though. > > **Hollis:** And be the one holding back progress with my unfounded concerns? > > **Morgan:** What? You didn't say anything because we had an argument? > > **Hollis:** You were right, though. There was no cause for concern. It passed the control checks. This //was// an unexpected event. > > **Morgan:** You're supposed to -- > > **X62V:** Shut up. All of you. I'm trying to concentrate. > > //Footage thus far has shown X62V picking up various specimens and scanning them.[[footnote]]X62V did not share the results of the scans and the Valravn Organization has not shared the footage.[[/footnote]] X62V taps a fallen growing tower with its foot.// > > **X62V:** Morgan, how much gerry-rigging went into this place? > > **Morgan:** Not all that much. We had eight towers up before Hollis complained, but I know those towers did have weight added to the bottom. Sandbags, I believe. > > **X62V:** I see. What's this roof made of? > > **Morgan:** What? > > **X62V:** Morgan, just answer me. > > //X62V continues its sweep of the room, heading towards the unfallen towers Doctor Hollis was working at. Its eyes constantly move between the roof and the towers.// > > **Morgan:** Fiberglass reinforced plastic. Why? > > **Tran:** X62V, what are you thinking? > > **X62V:** ... > > **Hollis:** Let her work. > > //X62V arrives at the towers and begins inspecting them without touching the specimens. It maneuvers out of the view of the security camera behind a growing tower in the corner beneath the camera and remains obscured by the blind spot.// > > **Tran:** X62V, why are you out of view? Respond. > > **X62V:** The sandbags actually seem to be pretty sturdy. I don't think they swayed or anything. I figured maybe the specimens in the towers got too close to one another and caused a discharge chain reaction. > > //The entire time X62V says this it is looking up at the security camera in the corner of the room. It zooms in on the dome camera itself. Small root structures can be seen in the tinted glass casing protecting the camera.// > > **X62V:** Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was an accident. I'll head back now. > > **END LOG** > ------ X62V returned to the security station a few minutes later requesting an emergency security briefing with Director Cull. It provided no further information and Director Cull denied the briefing. Security Chief Tran attempted to debrief X62V regarding the investigation of the room, but X62V provided no further information. ------ +++ Addendum 102130E Doctor Hollis and Security Chief Tran noted in the days that followed that X62V's demeanor was notably withdrawn and quiet. The frequency of X62V's foot patrols increased without request from Security Chief Tran. MTF agents were assigned to follow her, but X62V became notably angry at the agents shadowing her. Its requests to have the MTF tails removed were denied and X62V began stealth patrols to avoid the assigned agents. The Valravn Corporation was queried regarding this behavior and the above log was shared directly with Overwatch Command at 02:09 EST, 21 October 2030. Overwatch Command ordered a security briefing immediately with X62V, Director Cull, Researchers Hollis and Morgan, and Security Chief Tran. > +++ Incident Log 102130E1 > **Time:** 09:30 SAST, 21 October 2030 > **Location:** Provisional Site ZA1 > **Staff present:** Valkyrie Unit X62V "Sister Sifvar". Olga Brandt, head of the Valravn Valkyrie program. Security Chief Tran, Doctor Hollis and Doctor Morgan. Remote: Overwatch Command. > **Note:** At X62V's request, a secure location off site was chosen for this meeting. MTF agents maintained an armed perimeter around the tent. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **X62V:** I want to apologize for how quiet I've been these past few days. It wasn't a decision I made lightly, but a rudimentary step such as keeping quiet can go a long way. > > **Cull:** Your discretion is appreciated. > > **X62V:** And I'm sorry for needing to contact Valravn command for this, but I don't believe the immediate threat was clear enough to everyone involved. > > **Cull:** I don't really see how root struc -- > > **X62V:** They're in the roof. And the walls, probably. We're being watched. > > //Silence passes for a moment before Tran rises.// > > **X62V:** Please don't react to this information. > > //Tran freezes, waiting.// > > **X62V:** If they know we know -- and I'm not sure they don't -- things are going to change quickly. > > **O5-1:** Please explain your concerns in more detail, X62V. We need to be sure of this. > > //Tran returns to her seat.// > > **X62V:** For the past few days I've been making more frequent patrols, specifically at night. I've been concerned about how easily our teams disappeared en route to Johannesburg and Cape Town. All the shell casings from the second site were standard Foundation MTF rounds, which means they were overcome by //something// that lacks the need for guns. > > **Morgan:** They probably used their thaumaturges. > > **Cull:** We're placing an awful lot of sto -- > > **O5-1:** Please continue, X62V. > > //X62V points to a television that has been set up at the meeting point. Its eyes flicker momentarily and the screen begins playing night vision footage from Turret 3. No movement is seen aside from plant-life moving due to wind.// > > **X62V:** As you can see, nothing special, right? > > **Tran:** Let's not drag this out. What have you found? > > //The footage zooms in on a spot behind some bushes where two diminutive, glowing eyes can be seen making direct eye-contact with the camera.// > > **Morgan:** A wild cat? > > **X62V:** A small-spotted genet, to be precise. And before you ask, it's been watching us every night since the incident with the S3A at the gate. > > //The footage begins to cycle through several logs with differing dates depicting the genet paying attention to the turrets and the walls. The spot pattern is confirmed to be identical across all versions of the footage.// > > **X62V:** There are other animals I've spotted watching us, but this one is the most frequent. There's also a porcupine around here somewhere that seems pretty interested in your walls. > > **Cull:** Olga, are you there? > > **Brandt:** You know this. > > **Cull:** Did you know your Valkyrie was malfunctioning? > > **Brandt:** //Laughs.// > > **Cull:** //Chuckling.// Olga? Can you maybe elaborate on what she's saying? > > **Brandt:** I believe X62V was clear. We support the assessment. You're being monitored by the S3A. > > **X62V:** And it started really being a problem after the last attack on the Site. > > //The screen switches to footage showing the first S3A investigation team's attack. X62V zooms in on an agent dropping a small packet on the ground that had previously gone unnoticed. It repeats this process with several other agents.// > > **X62V:** I believe they were planting instances of SCP-8718 which have since infiltrated the site using the structure itself. I don't know what these small plants can really do, but it looks like the S3A may have more cards to play than you think. > > **Cull:** I-- I don -- This is not evidence! Roots in a camera don't mean anything. Even with thaumaturgy -- > > **Brandt:** And I would like to remind you, that the value of this anomaly cannot be understated. Natural energy growing in your backyard transcends so many different political lines and interests. I have it on good authority from the 108 that the management of this is being closely watched. > > **O5-1:** Please standby for Overwatch Command's vote. > > **Cull:** ... > > **END LOG** > ------ > [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Excerpt of O5 Council debate." hide="- Close"]] > **Note:** Arguing can be heard through the remote connection to Provisional Site ZA1 as Director Cull is questioned further by Researcher Morgan. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **O5-5:** So... > > **O5-4:** Don't. > > **O5-5:** They're in the fucking walls, Four! > > **O5-7:** We need to start establishing the worth of the site versus the worth of the anomaly. We may want to employ more extreme means to secure samples here on American soil. > > **O5-2:** It's a naturally occurring source of permanent electricity. We //must// secure this anomaly one way or another. > > **O5-11:** Two is right. We need a response. > > **O5-6:** A diplomatic one. > > **O5-5:** Diplomacy? We're being monitored from inside one of our own facilities and you want to negotiate? > > **O5-6:** We have to de-escalate this. We've got a GOI in our facility without us noticing and you're trying to go to war about it when we don't know where any of this is coming from. It's not helpful. We have no idea where they could possibly have got this kind of tech. We have no idea who's backing them-- > > **O5-5:** What are you talking about? > > **O5-6:** Five, think for a second! A few months ago, the S3A was a literal backwater of ritualists fighting ghosts and asking us or the GOC for help for anything more dangerous than that. Now they have lightning wielding thaumaturges, shapeshifters and plants that can connect to security cameras! //Something// must have changed, and very fucking quickly. Unless this is an S3A from another dimension, my money's on a silent backer. > > **O5-11:** I'm inclined to agree. We should watch how the other GOIs react to all this. This isn't going to just affect us. > > **O5-4:** The Gardeners need to be brought to task about this. It's embarrassing that Valravn found the issue and we didn't. > > **O5-6:** We weren't even looking for it. And this all happened under Cull's supervision. These Valravn transcripts are fucking shocking. Look at X62V's requests for access to the security footage! There's seven of them and he ignored them all. > > **O5-11:** We can deal with that later. This isn't over. > > **O5-6:** Well, I stand by my point. Diplomacy opens avenues that previously weren't available. Especially if there's an unknown player at the table. > > **O5-5:** Can we get MTFs on standby? //Please.// > > **O5-11:** Hammer Down on the back of The Bigger Boat? > > **O5-4:** Fuck off, Eleven. Don't encourage him. We can't mobilize Hammer Down; the GOC will shit themselves. > > **O5-2:** My conversations with al Fine suggest that they already have forces mobilizing under cover of the fighting in Sudan. They're trying to shut down known Ways. Apparently all this thaumaturgy the S3A is showing off has them nervous. > > **O5-4:** And once they see this... > > **O5-5:** Does it sound like you're coming around? > > **O5-4:** We //don't// need Hammer Down, but we need to find out where they're hiding. > > **O5-11:** The City Slickers haven't found all that many leads, but the S3A is definitely working with the South African government, or at least the military. Wherever they're coming from is still a bit of a mystery. > > **O5-4:** That's probably why al Fine is trying to keep control of the Ways in Africa. Still, it's one site. How much is this worth? The plants aren't //going// anywhere. > > **END LOG** > ------ > After this meeting, Overwatch Command ordered all facilities housing O5 Council, Ethics Committee or RAISA leadership to be investigated for potential S3A infiltration. > [[/collapsible]] > ------ ||||~ O5 Council Meeting Adjourned: 04:26, 21 October 2030, EST|| ||~ Outcome || Threat level maintained.|| ||||~ Action Points|| ||~ MTF Theta-4 || Investigate the structure of Provisional Site ZA1 for entrenched SCP-8718 specimens.|| ||~ Valkyrie Model X62V "Sister Sifvar" || Use of deadly force granted. Detain all suspected shapeshifters. || ||~ Department of External Affairs || No action to be taken. || ||~ Research Staff || Research to continue, but all staff are to cooperate with the Gardeners' investigations. All research staff are also to revise evacuation and lockdown procedures in the event of further escalation. || ------ +++ Addendum 102130E2 At 11:26, following the security briefing given by Valkyrie Unit X62V, Overwatch Command received a communication from the S3A. > ------ > **To:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **From:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **Subject:** //Ceropegia anomalia// > ------ > > To the esteemed Administrator and O5 Council of the SCP Foundation, > > The Custodial Council of the Southern African Anomalies Agency once more requests access to the Foundation site established for the study of //Ceropegia anomalia.// > > //Ceropegia anomalia// remains a South African anomaly and the continued refusal of the SCP Foundation to work in good faith with the S3A in its use, preservation, and study remains a point of severe concern for the S3A Custodial Council. > > We request immediate access to the facilities to avoid steps being taken to establish control of the anomaly. > > We look forward to your immediate and positive returns. > > Kindest regards > The S3A Custodial Council > > ------ ------ +++ Addendum 102130E3 After the meeting, a drone was sent into the crawlspace above the aeroponics research station. Due to Provisional Site ZA1's modular design, it was determined that any threat SCP-8718 posed to the integrity of the site as a whole was low, but staff were evacuated from surrounding buildings into the central cultivation lab. At Doctor Morgan’s behest, Doctor Hollis was forbidden from assisting with this reconnaissance due to concerns for her health and safety. Doctor Morgan accompanied SC Tran during her inspection. Doctor Hollis also raised concerns of an escalation in the behaviour of SCP-8718. Considering the time period since the perimeter breach by the S3A investigation team, the growth seemed inconsistent with lab findings. ------ > +++ Video Log 102130E3VL > > **Date:** 14:07, 21 October 2030 > **Location:** Outside the aeroponics research station. > **Staff present:** Security Chief Tran, Researcher Morgan and Theta-4 security team. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > //The drone is inserted into the crawlspace of the roof of the aeroponics lab via a small hole cut by technicians from the exterior and hovers idly as Tran completes checks.// > > **Tran:** Alrighty. This shouldn’t take long. The lab’s not even 60ft wide. > > **Morgan:** It can move. Remember? > > **Tran:** Sifvar said there were //roots// in the camera; here’s hoping it embedded itself. > > **Morgan:** Since when is she “Sifvar” to you? > > **Tran:** Since you’re not Cull and I don’t have to get into an argument about what constitutes a person. Now be quiet. > > //The drone hovers forward slowly, providing a 360 degree view. Tran takes a moment to run an infrared scan on the length of the crawlspace. No specimens are detected.// > > **Morgan:** Weird. This crawlspace runs the length of the station. We should be able to see something. > > **Tran:** Maybe it’s just not that big? > > //The drone moves forward slowly, needing to navigate past wiring obstructions and ventilation shafts, running periodic scans. No signs of movement or life are found. The uniformly spaced ventilation shafts obstruct the drone's progress, but are easily navigable.// > > **Tran:** Pretty uneventful. Coming up on the camera that covers the room they were in. > > **Morgan:** I don’t like this. > > **Tran:** Just because Hollis said the growth seemed anomalous, doesn’t mean this thing was going to be huge. > > **Morgan:** Those thaumaturges were basically planting magic seeds. There’s got to be – told you. > > //The drone moves over a ventilation shaft and reaches the section of crawlspace above the room the compromised camera is in. The ventilation has been torn open with leaves scattered in the shaft and in the roof. The surrounding area is pierced with holes. The holes are empty, and infrared scans show plant matter surrounding the camera and its wiring. The wiring has been stripped open and scans show root structures connecting to the exposed wiring that have been left behind.// > > **Tran:** I hope I'm not looking at what I think I'm looking at. > > **Morgan:** I’d say that’s where the roots //were//. How big did this thing get? > > **Tran:** Scans say this mess is about six feet wide. And whatever made this is definitely not here anymore. > > **Morgan:** Shit. > > **Tran:** We need to check the oth – SHIT! > > //Tran is cut off as a loud cracking sound is heard over the microphone. Gunshots follow and she begins yelling orders.// > > //Footage from security cameras shows SC Tran and her forces holding a firing line between two buildings as researchers evacuate to a safe room. She and five agents fire on a roiling mass of vines roughly 8 feet in diameter. Electricity arcs off the vines, causing small explosions in the air between it and the operatives, largely negating the effects of gunfire. No direct hits on the mass are confirmed. The mass of vines quickly coils around nearby rubble and whips it at Tran. She is struck in the head and collapses. The vines immediately latch onto her ankles and pull her in.// > > **Gardener 4:** Where’s the fucking flamethrowers? > > **Morgan:** Where's your thermal rounds? > > **Gardener 2:** GET DOWN! > > //Gardener 2 grabs Morgan and pulls him out of the way of a second launched bit of rubble.// > > **Gardener 4:** We need to fall -- > > **Intercom Systems:** ALERT! PERIMETER BREACH! ALL MTF OPERATIVES – > > //An arc of electricity leaps across the courtyard and strikes one of the loudhailer towers, cutting off the announcement. The source of the electricity is a figure in heavy assault gear standing on the walls. Both of the figure’s forearms crackle with electricity. They quickly descend a ladder and disappear from sight as more S3A uniformed teams appear on the walls.// > > //Some S3A agents flicker into view after deactivating invisibility shrouds. Multiple S3A agents are seen wielding blunt electrified weapons. Sirens can be heard approaching in the distance.// > > **Gardener 4:** FALL BACK! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! GET TO THE ARMOURY! > > //The investigation team begins to retreat, focusing fire on SCP-8718-1. More armed Gardeners start exiting buildings and engage the S3A attackers. The SCP-8718-1 instance retreats behind the research station and swings itself up onto the roof, then heads to join the S3A agents.// > > **END LOG** > ------ ------ +++ Addendum 102130F4 Distress calls were raised at Provisional Site ZA1 by Director Cull and an emergency upload to Site 19 was activated to protect all information regarding SCP-8718 as S3A agents breached Provisional Site ZA1’s administrative building with force of arms both anomalous and mundane. Use of thermal rounds and extreme force was authorized in defense of Provisional Site ZA1. Valkyrie Unit X62V activated a full red alert response to the invasion and all drones immediately began attacking the assaulting forces. The below video logs detail the incursion into the site as Site 19 staff immediately began recording the incident via emergency live security feed uploads. These logs are to be shared with MTF Command for the purpose of study. ------ > +++ Video Log 102130F4VL1 > **Time:** 14:43 > **Location:** Director Cull’s office. > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > //S3A agents are seen heading towards Director Cull’s office as he attempts to barricade the door with his desk, having failed to acknowledge Tran's alert. The lead S3A agents are equipped with heavy assault armor and rifles.// > > //Behind them, a lightly armored thaumaturge instructs them to break down Director Cull’s door. The two agents at the front kick the door simultaneously and the Director’s desk lurches backwards, knocking Director Cull from his feet.// > > //Cull scrambles for a pistol, but the thaumaturge steps through the door and fires a short electrical arc, briefly stunning him. The pistol is removed by the S3A agents who then take up a defensive position around the door inside the office, while the thaumaturge and Cull engage.// > > > **Cull:** Y-you are in breach of -- > > **Vosloo:** We are in breach of nothing, Director Cull. Don’t try to tell me this is our fault. Now, my name is Arc Captain Ruben Vosloo and you are under arrest by order of the S3A Custodial Council for trespassing on our jurisdiction – > > **Cull:** This is a Foundation facility and under – > > **Vosloo:** WE TRIED TO WORK WITH YOU! WE EMAILED! WE CALLED! WE SENT PEOPLE TO KNOCK ON YOUR FRONT FUCKING DOOR! > > //Director Cull drags himself backwards, toward the window, visibly trembling. The thaumaturge breathes heavily for a few moments before continuing.// > > **Vosloo:** Now, under the authority of the S3A, you are under arrest for trespassing on our jurisdiction, and for the unlawful seizure of African anomalies. > > **Cull:** What are you talking about? Unlawful? They’re anomalies! There is no jurisdiction. They’re fucking anomalies. We put them in cages and learn about them. You’re insane! > > **Vosloo:** Oh, so you just walk into Russia without letting GRU-P know you’re coming? The GOC doesn’t exist? Whatever's left of IJAMEA just lets you in? > > **Cull:** We are the SCP Foundation! > > **Vosloo:** This is a trend then… Color me naïve. Honestly, the Foundation had its chance at diplomacy and if you’re anything to go by, I get the feeling it wasn’t on the table to start with. > > **Cull:** You’re not going to win this. No matter how many thaumaturges you have. We’re going to make you regret this. > > **Vosloo:** The Foundation is stupid if it thinks that's why we're going to succeed. And so are you for not listening. We just wanted to talk and your agents basically fired on our people. You could have taken the damn meeting. > > **Cull:** You invaded – > > **Vosloo:** That wasn't supposed to end up with anyone //dead//. You fired on us! Since the O5 wouldn’t respect us enough to even answer our questions, we needed to see what was going on. And boy, those tests you guys are running are high-tech. State of the art. Seriously, just the very definition of great minds at work. > > **Cull:** We’re the best. The Foundation is the bleeding edge. > > **Vosloo:** The bleeding edge of a joke. We’ve literally got your bleeding edge shooting at electrified botanotech and you want to tell me //you’re// the bleeding edge? The most high-tech thing here is that Valravn bot you brought in. And you treated her like shit the entire time she was here, by the way. Do better. > > **Cull:** Botano— > > **Vosloo:** Take him. > > //The window suddenly darkens as vines crowd in on it. An electrical current shatters the glass and Cull screams. An SCP-8718-1 instance launches itself on top of him. It entangles him fully, wrapping itself around his limbs and hoisting him off the ground, dragging him into its central mass before exiting back through the window.// > > //The thaumaturge looks up at the camera.// > > **Vosloo:** Enjoy the show, I guess. > > //The thaumaturge and the assault team leave the room and head back down the passage to engage the Gardeners for control of the central courtyard. A second instance of SCP-8718-1 appears from around the corner.// > > //The instance arranges its vines into a rudimentary circular cavity for a head and leans forward like a gorilla on two “arms” comprised of multiple vines. Electricity flickers within the facial cavity approximating a round face lacking features. Vosloo looks at it intently for a moment and the face once more disappears and the instance turns and lumbers towards the armory losing its rudimentary structure and moving more like a conscious fluid.// > > **END LOG** > ------ ------ +++ Addendum 102130F5 By 15:27, a total of six SCP-8718-1 instances were counted at Provisional Site ZA1. An emergency O5 Council meeting was called and all Council members watched the situation unfold. All SCP-8718-1 instances maintained a dual role throughout the invasion, engaging in combat and carrying prisoners. The assault on the Central Courtyard to claim the main researcher center was led by an unnamed African female exhibiting thaumaturgic abilities in line with Arc Captain Vosloo. X62V moved to engage the central S3A forces supported by drones. ------ > **Time:** 15:27 > **Location:** Central Courtyard > **Note:** The following footage was provided by the Valravn Corporation. X62V maintained an open link to Valravn during the engagement for the purposes of research and development[[footnote]] The use of this footage by the Valravn Corporation is protected by their contract.[[/footnote]].Their AIC captured and scanned portions of the conflict, furthering understanding of SCP-8718-1's functioning. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > //X62V runs along the side of the sloped rooftop, firing down at an instance of SCP-8718-1. Minor electrical charges leap forward intercepting its bullets.// > > **X62V:** Shit. > > //X62V leaps from the roof tossing its gun at the anomaly as it swings a large, charged vine in its direction. X62V swivels, avoiding the strike, as metal panels on its shoulders open up, revealing kukri. It quickly grabs one in each hand, and energized heat begins to hum along the blade edges. It swings at the outstretched vine, severing it immediately//[[footnote]]**Valravn AIC scan:** A micro-wire structure, suspected to be made of titanium polymers, runs throughout the main vine structures. Nano-circuitry is present along these structures.[[/footnote]]. > > **Gardener 6:** X62V fall back! We're falling back! Get moving! > > **X62V:** No! Push forward! > > **Gardener 6:** Negative! Three confirmed thaumaturges! We need to retreat! > > //X62V leaps towards the recoiling SCP-8718-1 instance. The entity fires multiple arcs of lightning at it, but its shield of ionized air bends the lightning away. It swings the kukri forward, cleaving another vine off.//[[footnote]]**Valravn AIC scan:** At the base of the vine, connecting to the rest of the plant, small structures suspected to store electrical energy can be seen.[[/footnote]] > > **X62V:** I need back up or this site is lost! > > //A loud humming can suddenly be heard and X62V turns to see a second SCP-8718-1 instance has appeared over the wall and anchored itself against it. Multiple vines swirl forward, unfolding in a rail as electricity builds at center of the mass.// > > //The SCP-8718-1 instance nearest X62V suddenly lashes out with volatile bursts of electricity, and a third instance swings over the walls, crashing nearby. X62V charges the damaged instance, but the newly arrived instance slams it backwards. The SCP-8718-1 instance latches onto the damaged instance as X62V stumbles backwards, and it catapults itself and the damaged instance backwards, firing more electricity to cover its retreat.// > > //The humming reaches a crescendo, and X62V staggers and turns back to the instance anchored against the wall, electricity coursing along it in erratic arcs, drawing nearer to its center mass. With a roaring crack, it fires a super heated projectile and in an instant, X62V "Sister Sifvar" is vaporized in a cloud of fire and blood.// > > > **END LOG** > ------ > > The sonic boom released from the SCP-8718-1 instance firing incapacitated all Foundation operatives in the courtyard and the S3A agents quickly took them into custody. Current speculations suggest the S3A makes use of reactive sound-dampening hardware on their helmets to allow for continued safe operations in proximity to SCP-8718-1. Shortly after, multiple instances of SCP-8718-1 breached the central facility. All researchers and guards were taken into custody and at 16:20, 21 October 2030, Arc Captain Vosloo declared that Provisional Site ZA1 was now in the full control of the Southern African Anomalies Agency. The S3A voluntarily maintained an open feed to Site 19, allowing Overwatch Command direct view of their operations as all wounded Foundation personnel were attended to by medics and immediately escorted from the site. All unwounded personnel were detained, questioned and held in the central laboratory until transports arrived. All Foundation staff were then loaded onto these transports and removed from the site. Immediate tracking of the vehicles proved impossible due to thaumaturgic abjuration. At 19:07, Arc Captain Vosloo severed the live feed and all communication was with Provisional Site ZA1 was lost. ------ ||||~ O5 Council Meeting Adjourned: 14:00, 21 October 2030, EST || ||~ Outcome || Maximum Alert.|| ||||~ Action Points|| ||~ All Staff || All inbound communications from the S3A agency are to be flagged for security screening and subsequent urgent attention of Overwatch Command and RAISA. **No response to S3A communication is permitted pending further Overwatch Command deliberation.**|| ||~ Department of External Affairs || Contact GOC and Valravn - Convey intent to retrieve Foundation agents. || ||~ MTF Command || Immediate war room session required. Place relevant MTFs on standby. All necessary pre-deployment checks to be run to ensure readiness. || ------ [[>]] |||| **[[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8718/offset/2 | RAISA NOTICE! Version updated: Next Iteration --->]]]** || [[/>]]