 Item number SCP-271 Object Class Cater Special Containment Procedures SCP-271 is to be stored as long as possible in containment unit exclamation point 12 on a meter high stone pedestal SCP-271-1 which will be flooded with water and sealed off in a hollow 5 centimeter thick sphere composed of glass saturated with iron. Permanent neodymium magnets will be mounted around the standard sized room to suspend the sphere in air and repel unwanted intruders. The room will be lined with pyrolytic carbon to contain the magnetic field generated by the magnets. The door to the room is to be left unguarded and disguised as an ordinary genitorial closet and kept locked by an unobtrusive password box mounted in the wall down the hallway and around the corner that appears to be a thermostat. Dr. Viggs to change the password on a monthly basis. All study is to be observation only until further notice. In case of unauthorized access, electromagnets in the room are to be activated by remote to destroy the glass sphere so that recovery may be simplified. Description SCP-271 is a small disk, composition unknown but metallic in nature, a little more than 4 centimeters in diameter and engraved with a number of symbols that may or may not represent an unknown alphabet. These symbols are infectious to their environment over time, gradually appearing as if invisibly carved into nearby objects. They are capable of escaping through any hole, however minute, but have been demonstrated to be unable to penetrate non-gaseous fluids. Objects that carry the symbols for a sufficient time begin to change on a molecular level to the same material as the SCP. Both the engraving and petrification processes are extremely painful to biotic organisms. The only known method for purging the symbols is the destruction of the object and it is not possible to do this to SCP-271 itself. At this time, both SCP-271 and SCP-2711 are thoroughly coated with the engraved symbols and seem to swim slightly. Dr. Vig and other observers have described them as looking like the far side of a heat wave or not quite all there. The symbols also appear to have fractalized somewhat. Studies with vision enhancing equipment have revealed miniature symbols inside and around the larger carvings on both objects. SCP-271 was a previously unknown SCP, recently acquired from a shrine belonging to the Church of the Broken God by Mobile Arm Task Force 12 when data expunged. It was previously stored in a room of its own, which documents note was to be kept sealed until the assembly was ready. The platform is original. On account of the extensive writing on the room in which it was contained, the shrine itself was pulverized. However, due to rapid retaliation by enemy forces, the remnants of MATF-12 are forced to data expunged. Contact has been re-established, but the nature of the SCP and the enemy seekers prevent easy recovery and it is currently considered more advisable for the SCP to remain hidden if comparatively unprotected than to attract attention by launching a very expensive recovery mission. MATF-12 has been ordered to conform itself into CU exclamation mark 12, the exclamation mark denoting their atypical existence outside of a secured SCP foundation area. Addendum, SCP-271 is not to be brought into the presence of SCP-882. Emergency bulletin, reports from other embedded sources indicate that as of right now, the church is aware of CU exclamation mark 12 and the location of SCP-271 and is planning an imminent assault against the unit. SCP-271 is to be kept out of enemy hands at all costs. CU exclamation mark 12 has been ordered to mobilize and prepare for evacuation. A recovery team is being prepared for immediate deployment under the direction of Agent DuPont. A more detailed report is to follow. Lesson complete. If you missed the previous orientation, go watch SCP-270, Secluded Telephone, right now. Or for the complete course, watch this playlist.