 Item number SCP-658 Object Class Euclid Special Containment Procedures Any small instance of SCP-658, measuring no more than 50 cm in the largest dimension, when not involved in experimentation, is to be stored alone, with in a steel box, preferably kept closed, via simple low-tech means, such as tying with strings or duct tape, or weighing down the lid. Boxes with external mechanical or electronic locks are to be avoided for this purpose. Boxes with mechanisms accessible from the inside must not be used. Larger instances of SCP-658 are to be destroyed as soon as possible. Unless exposure is necessary for sake of experimentation, every instance of SCP-658 is to be kept at least 3 m from all electronic devices, as well as all noticeably complex mechanical machinery. When in doubt as to whether an item belongs to such a category, personnel are to err on the side of caution. Devices affected by SCP-658, when not used for experimentation, are to be destroyed. Machinery affected by SCP-658 must not be connected to an electrical outlet for any amount of time. Description Each instance of SCP-658 is an autonomous robotic device. Size and weight varies widely. Specimens as small as 5 mm, or as large as bm, have been observed. Bottom half of each specimen contains four spider-like, highly flexible legs, and a single eye. Appearance and structure of upper half is different in every SCP-658. SCP-658 remain active at all times, despite appearing to lack any power source. While behavior varies between instances, when otherwise unoccupied, most tend to explore their surroundings. SCP-658 are capable of running at varying speeds, climbing up even flat vertical walls, and swimming. SCP-658 are capable of reproduction, achieved through impregnating other machines. Machine in this case is essentially defined as any complex man-made mechanism. This includes items as disparate as wristwatches, typewriters, personal computers, motor vehicles, and, though rarely, other SCP-658. Impregnation is carried out via a poorly understood process that requires only momentary physical contact. As a result of the process, an embryo will appear inside the machine, hereafter referred to as host. The embryo initially appears to be a featureless lump of plastic and metal, measuring 1 mm, but develops and grows quickly within its host. As an embryo expands, it connects and incorporates increasingly more of its host's internal mechanisms into its own structure. The embryo partially takes on the task of maintaining the functions of its host, whose users usually fail to notice anything as a miss, and believe that the host machine is working no less effectively than usual. However, visible minor glitches and anomalies, as well as external deformation, tend to appear toward the end of the gestation. The embryo will also break down some of the host machine's internal components, both for the purpose of constructing its own body, and for weakening the host's structural integrity and preparation for birth. At the end of the gestation cycle, which takes a varying amount of time depending on the nature of the host, the embryo, now developed into a mature SCP-658, exits its host by ripping it apart. The new SCP-658 immediately assumes the behavior typical for other SCP-658 instances. In particular, it is immediately capable of reproduction. Size, form, and behavior of the new SCP-658 depend on the host machine. See log below. Excerpt from document 658L, log of past impregnations. Post. A mechanical wristwatch. Gestation period. 18 hours. Notes. Resultant SCP-658 measures 1.5x1x0.5 cm. Upper half of the SCP-658 is occupied by a mass of clock hands, jutting out in all directions. SCP-658 walks ceaselessly in a circle, the radius of which increases with time, currently 1,056 meters. It attempts to climb or damage any obstacles in its path, and resists any third party that tries to change its course. Post. Standard-issue pistol of security guard C. Gestation period. Three days. Notes. Resultant SCP-658 measured 10x4x5 cm. Immediately upon emergence, object fired at researchers, injuring Dr. L and Dr. B, and fragile objects in vicinity. SCP-658 was capable of firing ceaselessly for approximately one minute, then took approximately two minutes to replenish its ammunition through unknown means. Destroyed. Post. Computer keyboard. Gestation period. Six days. Notes. Resultant SCP-658 measures 31x9x1 cm. Object has an assemblage of keys with letters and numbers as its upper half. The keys depress themselves rapidly every 30 seconds. Spelling out the message, ask, we will answer. When any complete sentence is typed on its keys by a third party, SCP-658 stops and remains immobile for an hour before resuming prior behavior. Post. Action figure depicting the popular character with electronic components. Gestation period. 10 days. Notes. Resultant SCP-658 measures 5x2x2 cm. Object's legs appear human-like. Upper half of object occupied by an imitation of a bald human head without eyes. Head is capable of vocalizations. Nearly all of these are imitations of things spoken in its vicinity. Post. A color TV. Gestation period. 14 days. Notes. Resultant SCP-658 measures 45x45x20 cm. Upper half of object occupied by a single video screen which constantly displays shaky, colorless footage of an unmoving human figure suspended in mid-air within a featureless room, tentatively identified as data-expunged. Post. An instance of SCP-658. Gestation period. Approximately 30 days. Notes. Rather than destroying its host, the embryo seems to have fused with it permanently. Resultant combination of SCP-658 has been described as resembling conjoined twins. Objects are capable of impregnating machinery as usual, with two embryos implanted instead of one. Post. Entire public address system of site- W- Gestation period. Unknown. Notes. Time and place of original impregnation unknown. In this incident, the SCP-658 pregnancy displayed capability to spread along electrical wiring somehow. On 19 instances of SCP-658. 40x20x15 cm. All emerged simultaneously from loudspeakers throughout the site. The objects were typically outfitted with a chaotic array of speakers, broadcasting various arbitrary transmissions at full volume. The song Happy Birthday recurred among the transmissions with unusual frequency. Outburst of SCP-658 eventually subdued, but at least four specimens escaped into the wild. Lesson complete. If you missed the previous orientation, go watch SCP-657, Death Predicting Man, right now. Or for the complete course, watch this playlist.