Charybdis
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CLASSIFIED

By Order of Maritime Regional Director, S. Kojcewska

Specimen Codename "Charybdis" Item Report is restricted to selected personnel of facilities belonging to Region At09. Unauthorized review of its contents is punishable under Command Law 24. Access to this file has been logged to QuasiNet.


Item: Charybdis
Size: 20.7 m
Type: Offensive Sea Asset
Living: Artificially Prolonged Lifespan - Bio-Mechanical (currently aged █ years)
Sentient: Yes
Potential/Current Hazards: Massive - Extremely Venomous - Sociopathic - Cybernetic
Location: Naval Open Field-At15.1
Reported Anomaly: Biologically-Altered Sea Octopus
Weapon Potential Index: 550 (Proto-Superweapon, Level II, Class B)
Kill Grade: III
Attack Usage Priority: 1st

Usage

Previous Iteration of Usage Procedures, Containment Section (04/09/17):

Specimen is kept inside a Large Marine Habitat with live prey. A secure enclosure adjacent to the habitat is connected to a shaft through which personnel could exit and attend to the Item. Supervisors are discouraged from using the Charybdis as a form of termination as the entity appears to recognize individuals purposely slated to die and spares them.

Current Iteration of Usage Procedures, Containment Section (09/09/17):

Specimen is kept inside a Large Marine Habitat with live prey. A heavy-duty cage placed at the northeastern section of the habitat is stocked with live human subjects slated for termination by the Site Director, and may be accessed by the Charybdis at its pleasure. A secure enclosure adjacent to the habitat is connected to a shaft through which personnel could exit and attend to the Item. Additionally, another enclosure beside the termination cage houses a brood of the Aquatic Terrorbite Swarm to be loosed upon any threat to the immediate surroundings upon Alpha clearance.

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Specimen in holding pen.

The Charybdis is implanted with two separate sub-items meant to enforce submission to its handlers:

  • SBI-CHRYB-001 - "Martian Misery:" Colony of extra-terrestrial microbes taken from the infected brain tissue of Agent ██████████. Neuropathic effect on humans; causes melancholic thoughts and disposition. Effect on marine octopus more profound; initially overloads pain receptors, triggering a state of agony. The pain eventually gives way to anger.1
  • SBI-CHRYB-002 - "Impaler Protocol:" Fragment of the "Avatar of Kratos" mechanized anomaly surgically attached to the head and beak of the Charybdis, as well as four of its current nine tentacles. Material of the fragments has been previously confirmed to incite extreme aggressive behavior in human and simian subjects.

Specimen functions as a prime offensive naval asset: in over fifty major military engagements in the Northern and Southern Atlantic Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, it is responsible for the sinking of six high-value enemy ships, and the destruction of approximately 253 other vessels and approximately 1 053 lives. Notable kills of enemy assets have been tabulated as follows:

Kill Subject Engagement Notes
USS Taylor Seventh Occult War (19██-19██) Specimen was temporally displaced as a result of American thaumaturgic ritual, transporting it into the 19██s where it immediately seized the ASCO2 observer ship, drowning 136 of the 138 personnel, with only Captain Remus G. Bailiwick and Second Mate ██████ █ ███ escaping. The Charybdis dealt considerable damage to two other ships (one American, one British) before a modification of the ritual returned it to our present time.
HMS Franklin Nueva Argentina-British Falklands War (2012) Mobilized to assist the Nueva Argentina naval defense against the British ███ Fleet, in order to enforce the secession of the fledgling state from its parent country and maintain our positions in South America's East Coast. Specimen captured, rather than terminated, a Special Boat Service unit dispatched against the Ludovigo dockside installation by pinning each of the four members onto one of its arms' hooks, managing to keep them living until they were retrieved by the NVC Emerson.
SCPF Eisenhaupt Operation 1119 - Action 543 - 2nd Naval Skirmish (2013) Arose 10 km from the Foundation's naval base in Northern Germany as part of experimentation with the newly-discovered Passageways of Atlantis, the particular passage linked to a reef that we control in the Carribean. The ambush, calculated to have been conducted under sixty seconds, took five minutes longer at the command of Alpha Ulrich, as a threatening message to the Foundation's local officers.
NVC Cornelius Falchion Resurgence - Action 670 - Battle for Scimitar Point (2013) Released by then-Field Specialist S. Kojcewska from its holding pen at Area-At09.██ right as Loyalist forces advanced on the Scimitar Point Research Facility. Took out the Cornelius and its traitor commander (notably bringing the corpse to a nearby shore, where it was further mutilated (see Incident report)) and laid waste to the four enemy vessels accompanying it.

Specimen's offensive capabilities focus on the synergy between its massive size (eclipsing entire submarines and some surface naval vessels), the long reach of its deadly arms, its ability to affix onto material and thus intercept fast-moving targets, the penetrative power of its armored beak, and its sociopathic capacity to rampage against anything that moves. Records indicate a broad range of causes of death for a sample of 100 of the specimen's human casualties: impalement, consumption, forced entry from a number of the specimen's arms, forced entry from beak, impact with arm at 100 kph underwater, strangulation, and suffocation by envelopment.

Clearance for the specimen's deployment is given to Director Kojcewska, Atlantic Region Nine's military commander, and the IRUC adjunct officer-in-charge. The IRUC Department shall be tasked with the maintenance and repair of the Charybdis. Under no circumstances should the Specimen Well-being Rating (SWbR) be lower than 30. Should the minimum rating threshold be breached, the "Myrmidon" operative embedded into Region At09's command structure shall execute Procedure Iago as concordant with Command Law 10.

The NVC Disidria continually monitors the specimen at a 1 km distance during excursion. The Disidria is a Bering-class ShADES stealth submarine vessel capable of sustaining Type-2 Cloaking at a rate of 10 L of human blood per twenty-four hours, with four captive agents from the SCP Foundation currently used for aforementioned requirement.

Report

The Charybdis is a mutated specimen of Enteroctopus dofleini (Giant Pacific octopus) enhanced with anomalous cybernetics, roughly as large as a blue whale. The organism's phenotype was derived from genetic experimentation of octopi at Naval Research Area-At09.1.

Among the biological differences distinguishing the Charybdis from baseline Giant Pacific octopi are the following:

  • In comparison with other Cephalopoda species, the Charybdis is considerably massive.
  • The number of arms it can grow can vary from five to fifty-two, with an average of twenty arms.
  • Each arm is covered with inch-wide thorny hooks, that secrete a highly venomous compound. When present in the bloodstream, effect manifests similarly to symptoms of Hay fever, variably leading to anaphylactic shock and death.
  • At least two arms terminate into a distal club containing numerous suckers, for attaching to objects. Specimen limb will remain affixed to the exterior of an Atlantis submarine moving at 115 kph underwater, even when detached.
  • The regenerative factor for replacing lost tissue, including extremities, is about four times as effective compared to regular octopi. Analysis suggests that the Charybdis possesses an extremely fast-acting response of protein acetylcholinesterase, a chemical involved in cell growth, that triggers whenever the specimen becomes aggressive.
  • The brain-to-body mass ratio of the specimen is higher than that of the Sperm whale.
  • The absence of an ink sac, traditionally located underneath the digestive gland.

Attached to the head of the specimen is a mechanical fragment belonging to the Avatar of Kratos anomaly, connected to its cerebrum and brain stem. The fragment induces a perpetually alert demeanor into the organism's mind, and augments its endocrine system's release of aggression-related chemicals.

The beak of the organism has been structurally altered to resemble an enlarged mouthpiece of the Pithecophaga jefferyi, itself cybernetically implanted with a bio-mechanical hydraulics system intended to maximize the subject's mandibular strength when biting or tearing into sturdy material. The modified beak is able to fully contain twenty individuals in itself, and is powerful enough to puncture military-grade submarine plating.

Cybernetic additions in general have effectively increased the specimen's combat quality by 37%. As of ██/██/2017, its Career Destructive Index is measured at 230 000 ChF (Chaos factor).

The Charybdis is theorized to possess extreme sociopathic tendencies. It has been observed to kill its fellow brethren - including juvenile instances of Charybdis-derived octopi spawn - and human beings even without prompting.

Appendix: Excerpts of Deployment

2012: 20th Deployment - Cuban Liberation Front engagement against Black Lambda militia

Situation:

Four CLF-affiliated merchant vessels containing anomalous cargo and one escort patrol found themselves surrounded by thirteen armed frigates identified as the Black Lambda pirate ano-militia, 13 km of the east coast of Cuba. While ridiculously outclassed in technology, Black Lambda's firepower remained enough to threaten the CLF and the cargo. Don Polorico, the militia captain and leader, issued an ultimatum demanding that all vessels join him in sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

Deployment:

Upon deployment, the specimen immediately rocketed towards the contact zone, ██ kilometers away from its holding pen at the time. By the time it arrived, moving into position underneath the Black Lambda flagship, Don Polorico was reportedly threatening to deploy a massive sea-based anomaly of their own, culminating in the specimen initiating attack right after the militia leader declared to "Release the Kraken."

Aftermath:

All thirteen of the Black Lambda's ships returned to sea with all crew terminated. Flotsam recovered and incinerated after testing. Skeletal remains of █ crew members kept by At09 personnel as decoration.

Don Polorico reported to have been crushed by engorged arm during the initial strike. The same strike also broke the Lambda flagship into two halves from starboard to portside. Video review of all hostile ships banking away suggest the absolute disappearance of crew morale at the sudden destruction of their command element. Ships' retreat farther than 1 km from the specimen was not achieved. Black Lambda deemed destroyed.

2015: 13th Deployment - Ward of Zephyr-assisted engagement against unidentified SCPF Mobile Task Force(s)

Situation:
Foundation armed task force specialized for maritime excursions, with amphibious APC access and accompanying corvette, was discovered occupying Item discovery site three hours after our units found and retrieved the anomaly. Research personnel discover a critical component missing in the contents retrieved, and believe said 'key' remained at the dig site.

Due to the high-value priority of the Item's primary anomaly, the Enemy aimed to secure the missing component from capture, entrenching themselves on the island whereupon the dig-site was located. A blockade was established around the island, composed of three Foundation frigates and no fewer than twelve patrol gunboats. Two platoon-strength groups, purportedly MTF-units, reinforced the island from an airborne transport, and defensive positions were placed over the course of twelve hours.

The prospect of a naval incursion proved too difficult to execute with the heavy artillery emplacement in the island and the larger Enemy naval presence near the engagement zone. Teal-Command cleared the usage of the Ward of Zephyr in a combined-anomaly assault with the Charybdis. A localized thunderstorm was induced wherein the Ward positioned himself discreetly over the base while the Charybdis was prepared. For about an hour, the Ward produced heavy rains that reduced battlefield conditions for the defenses. Shortly afterwards, he materialized and landed on top of the watch tower, signalling the commencement of the assault.

Deployment:

The Charybdis' assault was initiated by the Ward of Zephyr's positioning at the watchtower. The Ward was instructed to conserve his energy to assist the Charybdis' insertion: a massive burst of the Teal operative's power caused a storm-surge to move in on all sides of the island, carrying the organism with it.

The Charybdis commenced its attack along with the surge, the momentum of the waves carrying it deep into the island, where it demonstrated its adaptability, quickly learning how to traverse land and strangle enemy agents to death. Visual records even indicate the object was capable of 'leaping' and latching onto enemy vehicles.

Both Items were shown to possess synergy with each other: the Ward's control over aquatic environmental factors afforded the Charybdis with mobility even on land, and it is theorized that the Charybdis was capable of becoming an extension of the Ward's powers, as the level of synchronization between the organism and the Ward's usage of his 'Sea-Stingers', 'Wavebeasts', and 'Wind-Wyrms' (pseudo-sentient artificial constructs created from Water vapor and air) are remarkable.

After creating a thick fog which crippled visibility and interfered with heat-detecting equipment, enemy ranks were reported to abandon posts.

Aftermath:

While slaughter was favored above a Foundation retreat, Command deemed the retrieval of the missing key to be more important. A total of thirty-seven hostile forces retreated successfully through an apparent anomaly, reaffirming the Foundation's hypocritical policy on Item usage. Barskey-12 SF exfiltrated the Teal asset, while IRO recovered the component.

Charybdis was found at one beach, previously housing a fortified position. Specimen was seen dragging itself around, suspiciously leaving a trail of blood in its wake. When a support unit enticed the speciment to return to water, they noticed that it had been dragging six enemy personnel underneath its bottom. All enemy agents were still alive. Operatives securing the island were ordered to ignore the agents for twenty-four hours. Survivors were brought to Base Command for interrogation.

Appendix: Research and Development

Research Priority: Lifespan extension/full cybernetic augmentation.

Observations by Dr. Redford (audio log):

The Charybdis is one of the most powerful living weapons we've ever controlled. There is simply nothing like it: a sea-beast of Leviathan proportions. Perhaps not in scale. Still large, though. But in potency. It's strong enough to take on the USS Nimitz, were it to come to that…

I was one of the researchers responsible for raising the specimen ever since it was larval. I was, in fact, the researcher responsible for taking care of it throughout its early developmental phase. Back when it was small enough to get crushed in my fist. Back when I could put both hands on its head and squeeze the life-juice out of it and have it erupt through its mouth… Back when I fed it tiny snails I found at the beach. Kelp. And fish food. Damn, that was so stupidly funny to see.

We released it into captivity after a few months, just to have its enhanced natural weaponry tested and observed in the wild. It was still completely biological by then. It was about as big as my torso. Not the main body, I'm talking about the extremities too. From the head to the tip of its arm. Bigger than a lot of octopi species already, but we had him engineered to grow very, very huge. So his skin, the tissue, it was basically still embryonic. I honestly didn't think it would survive.

Yes, I grew fond of that thing. It was cute when it was still sorta sentient jelly… When it returned, we had it locked down inside out deepest, darkest holding cell and did experiments on it on what might have approximated violent brainwashing in human terms. I think so. I had the Kratos implant fitted when we were forcibly growing brain tissue. The Martian virus, we injected when the new organs were still developing from stem cells. To our surprise, a reaction formed between them and the augmented cells, which ended up engulfing the virus and adding it to their cell structure, as a sort of new type of organelle. That was… very interesting, so we took samples and we're currently observing that in lab conditions. We've connected this new structure to the specimen's extreme aggression, venomous compound, and metabolic capacity. We plan on learning enough to introduce it to the next batch of super-octopi as soon as they could hatch.

Talking about successors, though, the primary problem we encounter is that the only extant specimen derived from At09.1's experiments is the creature we currently have in our Item Arsenal. The rest died to natural causes or were consumed by the Charybdis in the communal tank, when that was still allowed. The data we had on the experiments leading to Charybdis was, quite unfortunately, rendered irretrievable, along with most of the research team, during the Falchion rebellion. Dot one was hit hard, after all. Really hard.

The average lifespan of Enteroctopus dofleini is about three to five years. Our experiments with the subject's cells, especially with the Martian microbes, allowed it to reach six years to date. The cybernetic additions, also, no doubt further increased the specimen's survivability. But, for its size, you'd expect something as big as a blue whale to live for a few decades. I imagined it so too, once. However, we need to be reminded that, for something that rivals the largest vertebrate animal in size alone, the Charybdis is still, sadly, an invertebrate. The squishy kind. And is thus susceptible to mortality more than most would like to think.

So, it's with a heavy heart that I must admit, the Charybdis is dying. And what a shame, if it were to die… This is honestly the greatest creation I've ever had a hand in. The greatest contribution to the new world order I could ever give. For as little as six years, the Charybdis was THE terror of the ocean. Technology and good maintenance might carry it a bit farther, but until we can introduce a suitable life-extending anomaly… and I don't think we have one, because Creed died, and the old Alpha Command all died in captivity… or turn it into a cyborg, which may come with its own problems, we're going to have one of our greatest naval assets disappear before the new decade. And we may be outclassed by then.

Modifications requested:

SECTION LOCKED.


PRIORITY MESSAGE INTERCEPTED. Appending to Item Report.

α-███████-019084: "Whittaker Cephalia"
Alpha-Clearance Confirmed


Severed appendages, filth. What will die will instead be torn to pieces. We shall become as starfish, and from the ribbons of flesh - cut - the root organism shall reveal itself anew in countless lifeforms. And each shall be like appendages in themselves, but also they shall beget arms of their own. For we are resourceful. We shall cut and eviscerate ourselves. Then we will multiply until the seas are filled with our poisonous flesh.We cannot lose this asset. The Enemy is stronger than we previously anticipated. They have sailors to combat our Leviathan, but they are still inexperienced. With time, they will kill Charybdis. Only the birth of a newer, stronger organism can slaughter the Enemy's hunters. We will find a way. We will not lose hope.

Under orders of MIDIER, the immortal Discord.

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