SCP-939 Intelligence Test 1 (Compassion)

Area-XYZ Research Division

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(SCP-939 Intelligence Testing) ; (12/14/2022)

Conducted by Dr. Dolf Simons

Authorized by Dr. Natsume

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 Equipment/Material(s) Used:

1x Hammer

3x Gas Masks

1x Camera

1x Head Mounted Camera

 Personnel Involved: 

2+ HRT of Recruit+: HRT Operative Gold and Haddock, HRT C.Q.S Ellis

1+ HRT of Supervisor+

~1 D-Class: D-3687

SCP(s) or UA(s) Involved: 

~2+ SCP-939

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Purpose of Test 

To gauge a range of the level of intelligence in SCP-939 through a series of tests.

Hypothesis  

Is it possible to establish the true level of intelligence of SCP-939? I think it is through several well-thought-out tests that we may be able to establish a baseline intelligence for the species. I think a new set of procedures could be set into place. One that relies on understanding how these creatures think.

Equally interesting is the future range of research this could provide the foundation with. Can they be somehow trained? We have seen vicious bloodthirsty creatures such as lions, sharks, and snakes trained. Now without a doubt, this is an outlandish idea. But is it without consideration? Has it been proven that they are nothing but mindless creatures? This could prove that very question.

I believe that the 939 will be able to demonstrate a level of intelligence not yet understood due to the understandable fear of SCP-939. I believe through this test we will see SCP-939 demonstrate a form of compassion to each other and attempt to aid the injured instance, in their own way.

Test Procedures 

We've seen many animals such as wolves caring for their sick and injured in their own way. Packs will guard the injured to protect them from other opportunistic hunters. Groups of Orca will be seen protecting injured members of their pod, bringing them food. However, it should be remembered this is not always the case, sharks who hunt in groups are known to cannibalize injured members. 

But I think a quote from Margret Mead, a renowned anthropologist and an inspiration to me. She was asked what the first sign of civilization was.

Mead said that the first sign of civilization in ancient culture was a femur (thigh bone) that had been broken and then healed. 

Mead explained that in the animal kingdom if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink, or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety, and has tended the person through recovery.

I want to follow her example very literally. When presented with another of their species with an injury will they aid it, will they ignore it, or will they cannibalize it?

The experiment I'm proposing is to injure a specimen of SCP-939, nothing life-threatening, something that given time could heal. A broken leg for simplicity and safety.

A specimen will be isolated from the group, its leg will be broken. The current strategy to do so will be to pump in a tranquilizer to neutralize and then separate a single specimen of 939. Then using blunt force, the leg will be broken.

Then it will be reintroduced. Now here I'm considering dividing into two experiments to study the reaction of a singular SCP-939 and a group.

The introduction should be a little after a 939 feeding so that the group/individual is less excitable and in a state of calm. The injured 939 will be reintroduced to the group/individual and the reactions will be documented.

Now the ethical concerns are without question extreme but without a very specific scenario, I believe they are not going to be able to display the evidence to prove my theory.

Observations

HRT was briefed 30 mins beforehand and D-3687 was retrieved soon after. D-3687 was briefed and while they centralized concerns about hurting SCP-939, D-3687 was assured the SCP-939 instance would be provided medical assistance post-test.

D-3687 was provided a D-class Biosuit and entered without issue. While it was difficult to break the SCP-939 instance’s leg, D-3687 succeeded and was able to depart without further incident. 

Upon deactivation of the gas, the SCP-939 woke and began snarling and growling. The injured one was immensely agitated and made clear it was aware of its injury. Upon fully waking the SCP-939 proceeded to attack the glass and snarl. Far more aggression than some of the security, or I have seen in them post-reawakening.

Post-test the instance was provided medical attention to set its broken bone. A full recovery is expected within a few weeks.

Analysis

This test is interesting. Upon waking the aggressive reaction of the SCP-939 is notable. While they are indeed an aggressive organism in general they seem to have demonstrated far more active aggression this time around. It was especially noted that the instances focused their assaults on the viewing window closest to D-3687.

Conclusion

This experiment is odd to me. I think the results show some form of compassion for what happened to their companion. This however was demonstrated in higher-than-average aggression toward the attacker. This seems to me almost vindictive in nature however I can only read their body language, not their minds. Further experimentation will be required to further flesh out what exactly it is we saw here. As well as whether this is consistent. 

Additional Notes 

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Signed, 

// RP Mod: Jigsawjr