An SCP-4XXX instance, recovered via magnetics from a swarm surrounding an unidentified SAPPHIRE operative. Engravings not visible.
Item #: SCP-4XXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Containment of SCP-4XXX is in progress. Mobile Task Force Alpha-10 ("Extraordinary Evidence"), as part of current measures against SAPPHIRE, are to (if possible) capture any SCP-4XXX-A they encounter and retrieve SCP-4XXX instances for containment.
Complete strategies for handling the anomalies are not formed; recommended tactics are the use of magnetics to draw SCP-4XXX swarms away from the SCP-4XXX-A, with equipment such as flamethrowers and lasers to be used in cases where the swarms cannot be dispatched. At least one task force agent must avoid witnessing combat as to subvert the mind-affecting properties of SCP-4XXX instances. Recovered instances are to be transferred to the nearest Foundation site.
Connections between the mind-affecting properties of the razors, SCP-4519 phenomena, and similar SAPPHIRE anomalies are being researched.
Description: SCP-4XXX instances are mobile, mind-affecting straight razors, in use by specific SAPPHIRE SPIRAL1 agents (SCP-4XXX-A) for covert assassinations and self-defense. All instances are of identical make and exhibit highly abnormal durability. The following phrase is engraved on the razors' blades:
WHEN IN DOUBT, DOUBT
Instances behave by levitating in swarms that surround SCP-4XXX-A, who can direct all actions the razors take. As the instances can exit the line of sight of SCP-4XXX-A and act without hinderance, it is suspected that the razors display varying degrees of sentience that allow them to continue tasks independently of their controllers, though this could be accounted for by psionics as well.
Mind-affecting properties activate when SCP-4XXX instances are used to kill an individual.2 Subjects who directly view the event in person will, rather than recognizing the full details of what transpired, enter the belief that any scenario they consider to be "more likely" or "simpler" occurred. The scenarios do not have to align with plausible, non-anomalous alternatives. These are simply any alternatives which do not involve SCP-4XXX.3 Evidence disproving the beliefs will be vehemently denied, with common rebuttals referencing how "absurd" the prospect of the anomaly is. The beliefs fade over a period of several days.
No SCP-4XXX-A identities have been determined. The doubt stemming from attacks, the sporadic nature of said attacks, along with the common strategy for the SPIRAL agents to mask their facial features with clusters of the razors, has hindered all information gathering attempts. Captured SAPPHIRE operatives have revealed little new knowledge, suggesting that full details are only available to the organization's higher-ups.
As of March 2019, ten SCP-4XXX-A are believed to be operational in Qinghai Province, China. Combat measures are in progress.
Addendum.4XXX.1: Notable SCP-4XXX Incidents
Date: date/2019
Overview: Foundation scouting crews were attacked by SCP-4XXX-A2, who launched their SCP-4XXX instances as projectiles. Three personnel had their jugular veins severed before SCP-4XXX-A2 retreated into tree cover. Pursuit was attempted but failed, as witnesses argued with non-witnesses over the causes of the deaths.
Believed Cause of Death(s): Spontaneous external hemorrhaging4
Date: date/2019
Overview: Huǒjù zhi Zi5 remnant adherents encountered SCP-4XXX-A1, who was trapped in a crashed van. Testimony from the sole surviving adherent claims that SCP-4XXX-A1 released an SCP-4XXX swarm that stored inside his mouth, esophagus and (hypothetically) his stomach, which quickly terminated the group members.
Believed Cause of Death(s): Traffic accident
Date: date/2019
Overview: SCP-4XXX-A26 arranged their razors into the form of an animate human body. The swarm approached a small group of Huǒjù zhi Zi members but was identified due to the failure of razors in convincingly mimicking human flesh. The thaumaturgic summoning of lava and solar radiation beams dispelled the attack, notably destroying several razors from high temperatures in the process.
Believed Cause of Death(s): N/A — No fatalities
Date: date/2019
Overview: A Foundation transportation truck was destroyed by SCP-4XXX instances arranged into separate swarms, each mimicking the shape of birds when viewed from a distance. Personnel were caught by surprise when the swarms attacked, and the truck was driven off the edge of a cliff face road.
The driver used an experimental magnetics grenade in an attempt at surviving, holding onto the grenade while being magnetically attached to one swarm, but was vertically bisected by several other swarms mid-flight.
Believed Cause of Death(s): Airborne collision between three planes
Date: date/2019
Overview: SCP-4XXX-A5 and SCP-4XXX-42 combined swarms to assault a Foundation encampment, leveling almost all structures present. The survivor of the date/2019 incident7 blindfolded themselves to avoid directly witnessing any deaths and successfully terminated SCP-4XXX-A5 via pyromancy. A magnetics grenade was then triggered by Agent Blaise, attracting SCP-4XXX-A6's swarm to it. However, SCP-4XXX-A6 shot him with a pistol and subsequently bludgeoned him to death with the razors affixed to the magnet.
On deactivating the magnet they formed a makeshift platform from the razors, standing atop it and ascending out of the area. Pursuit of SCP-4XXX-A2 is ongoing.
Believed Cause of Death(s): Nuclear detonation
Date: date/2019
Overview: See Addendum.4XXX.2.
Addendum.4XXX.2: Inversion of Anomalous Properties
On date/2019, Mobile Task Force Alpha-10 tracked SCP-4XXX-A2 to a small SAPPHIRE safe house. A false attack on the building entrance drew out SCP-4XXX-A2, trapping them in a pyromantic rite circle set up by Agent Shen. The fire forced the controller to layer themselves in a protective barrier of razors, which, when the heat intensified, reformed into a razor pillar to elevate SCP-4XXX-A2 out of the region.
At this point Agent Aljer8 triggered a magnetics grenade, melded it into a separated coating of his epidermis, and thew it at an exposed portion of SCP-4XXX-A2's skin. The coating attached to the controller's body and sank the grenade into it. This resulted in all SCP-4XXX instances rapidly propelling into SCP-4XXX-A2's body and lacerating their exterior and their interior organs. Death presumably occurred when the force of the blades pushed the upper vertebrae into the cranial cavity, rupturing it.
To date this is the only incident where the razors have directly caused the death of their controller. In turn this initiated a (presumably unintended) inversion of the anomaly's mind-affecting properties, where a cause of death seen as highly unlikely was accepted as the true course of events. MTF Alpha-10 agents reported a potential eschatological incident in response, and all SAPPHIRE operatives at the scene ceased attacking, having turned disillusioned to their organization's views. They willingly allowed personnel to detain them afterwards. Several have since requested access to manuscripts from various anomalous religious groups.
All witnesses believed that SCP-4XXX-A2 had been "smote by the gods."
