 Item Number – SCP-206 Object Class – Euclid Special Containment Procedures – As SCP-206 is currently unable to be secured, an information suppression plan has been put into effect to conceal its existence. Frequencies known to be used by SCP-206 are to be monitored, and all images relate to Earth via other probes or satellites deleted from non-foundation assets after they have been retrieved. Technology and astronomy websites, journals, and periodicals are to be monitored for discussion of the rover or the receipt of unusual photographs. Persons who become aware of the existence of SCP-206 are to be administered amnestics. Update – As orbital observation of SCP-206 has proven possible, agents within satellite and aerial imaging organizations are directed to keep watch for instances of SCP-206 and remove the images concerned. Deployment of Image Corruption Cover Story Suggested Description – SCP-206 is a Martian exploratory rover designation Invictus, launched on 1208 2000 as part of a joint Russian space research institute slash European space agency effort. Despite a successful launch aboard a Soyuz FG rocket, telemetry data was lost on 1601-2000 roughly halfway to Mars. Attempts to re-establish communication failed, and the craft was declared lost. On 0806-2000, a day after Invictus was planned to arrive on the Martian surface, a connection was established with ESA flight control on the rover's assigned frequency. Before terminating at the source, 38 photographs were transmitted, appearing to show views of the expected landing zone in the Victoria crater. Three days later, a further batch of 11 images was received, showing a drastically different location, later determined to be in the Sidonia Mensei, roughly 2,500 kilometers due south. The foundation was informed of the incidents by operatives at the ESA shortly thereafter and moved to investigate. Some procedures were instituted when ESA control received a batch of five images, showing panoramic views of the Martian surface, apparently taken from its satellite Deimos. How the rover, which as designed, is rated at maximum speed of 90 miles per hour on flat ground, traveled between these locations is currently unknown. SCP-206 contacts Earth sporadically, utilizing its original channel. Once a connection is established, it uploads a number of images in varying formats. Pictures received do not always correspond to the hardware originally installed on Invictus, though the signature and session initiation packets match those programmed. Tracking stations have received a total of 38 images. A large number of these images, roughly 38%, appear to have been taken on Earth, or worlds similar to it, differing in some detail. The remaining photographs seem to have been taken on, or in the region of, various celestial bodies, only a small percentage of which are currently identified. Periods between transmission vary considerably. The shortest registered to date is 26 hours, the longest, 511 hours. Despite visual confirmation of the existence of something resembling the rover, no trace of it has been found in the received images. Even when the scene includes a reflective surface, further, a number of photographs show locations exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for a rover the size and shape of Invictus to access. Addendum 206-01. At the time containment procedures were instituted, it was unknown whether the transmissions originated from the probe itself, or if an unknown entity had simply co-opted the frequency and was impersonating the rover. However, on 1308-2005, SCP-206 transmitted a photograph of what was identified as a portion of a lunar-ranging retroreflector. Nearby orbital assets were retasked to survey the relevant regions, revealing tracks closely resembling those a rover the size and shape of Invictus could be expected to leave. On 30-11-2005, Japanese lunar orbiter Selene captured the vehicle itself during a camera calibration session over the Copernicus crater. Four hours later, SCP-206 uploaded a new image, showing a view of the same region. Since then, SCP-206 has been captured by several satellites in various locales. Addendum 206-02. Though SCP-206 generally uses data expunged, on at least five occasions images have been transmitted to, or via, civilian or military space assets. No connection between the image sets in question has been found. Archive of images sent by SCP-206 Date 0706-2005 Number of images 38 Description The image sent appears to document SCP-206's landing on Mars. Image 1 shows a view of the Victoria crater, looking to the northeast, from approximately three kilometers above the surface. Images 2 through 37 show the same region at continually decreasing altitudes. Image 38 seems to have been taken at ground level, roughly 500 meters southwest of the mission's intended landing point. Date 1006-2005 Number of images 11 Description Mars Sidonia Mensei Date 1706-2005 Number of images 5 Description Exoatmospheric view of Mars Based on the alignment of celestial bodies in the local cluster, the image was taken from Deimos. Date 2106-2005 Number of images 1 Description The first single image set, showing the rear of the spirit rover, which was, at the time, traversing the Gusev crater. No anomalous readings or images were reported from spirit. Date 0707-2005 Number of images 1 Description Ruins of the Temple of Mars Altore, Rome, Italy This is the first image sent by SCP-206 that shows a place on Earth. Date 1308-2005 Number of images 1 Description Single image showing the top left portion of a lunar-ranging retroreflector, later identified as belonging to Apollo 15. Image displays qualities consistent with being taken by a Hasselblad 500 slash EL data camera, a device not fitted to Invictus. Date 2908-2005 Number of images 7 Description Various views of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA Date 0110-2005 Number of images 1 Description Stern portion of a sunken ship Letters L, S, T, and N are readable. Date 1412-2005 Number of images 1 Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, USA Image shows the trace of one of the sailing stones. Description Judging by the lower part of the image, as well as the stone's trajectory, the image seems to have been taken from one of the sailing stones. Date 0702-2005 Number of images 1 Description 29 boxes with light bulbs. The place was not actually determined. Judging by the doors, it's a subway entrance in one of the Northern Hemisphere cities. Date 1102-2005 Number of images 1 Description A metal construction of a humanoid figure on a horse-like four-legged creature. Both the rider and the horse seem to be composed of multiple small details. Date 2104-2005 Number of images 1 Description Tractor, later identified as a universal model on the porch of the Belgarod Regional Study Museum in Russia. Date 1109-2005 Number of images 41 Description 13 images show a funeral mass in a church, later determined to be Saint Jerome, Nordwick, Netherlands. The rest depict a burial of a man in the aforementioned church graveyard. The man was later determined to be DI, Chief Structural Engineer of the Invictus Mars rover project. Date 1209-2005 Number of images 1 Description Grave stone of DI The image is smudged. Some dark liquid stains were present on the camera lens at the moment of filming. Later investigation found SCP-206 tracks near the grave and two of unknown breed. Date 2402-2005 Number of images 1 Description Mount Rushmore with the face of Jefferson Davis, instead of Abraham Lincoln, one of the first photographs to depict an earth different from the original. Date 0307-2005 Number of images 1 Description Moscow Kremlin The image appears to be taken from the Greater Stone Bridge. The walls and the towers are white, although judging by the vegetation and people caught on film, the time the image was taken is consistent with the time it was received. Date 0108-2005 Number of images 1 Description A small football field, exact location unknown. It should be noted that all people and some objects depicted are lacking shadows. Date 1509-2005 Number of images 1 Description Taj Mahal, Agra, India Judging by the perspective, the image was taken from the main spire. The structure doesn't look any different from the one we know, but the domes are adorned with gilded symbols that don't belong to any known alphabet. Date 3011-2005 Number of images 8 Description The moon, Copernicus crater. Japanese space probe Kaguya has caught SCP-206 on camera here, approximately at the same time. Date 1101-2005 Number of images 1 Description Primary coolant circuit of a nuclear reactor from the inside. Date 1303-2005 Number of images 1 Description Temple of Coffrey, Giza, Egypt Judging by the perspective, the image was taken from the great Spinks's nasal bridge. Date 0706-2005 Number of images 1 Description Two broken TV sets with a house cat. Phyllis Sylvesterus Catus, sitting on one of them, looking sideways. Date 2407-2005 Number of images 1 Description A deceased man lying in what looks like a coffin. The man was presumed to be PF, a known actor, but at the moment the image was taken, he was alive. Date 2907-2005 Number of images 1 Description A scattering flock of doves. The place was later recognized to be the Cathedral Square, Belgorod, Russia. Date 1608-2005 Number of images 1 Description A lot of dead fish in an unknown place. Date 310-2005 Number of images 1 Description A view of a tank driver seat. The interior looks like a mouse super heavy tank, but a lot more modern. Date 2603-2005 Number of images 9 Description An architectural ensemble that looks like Forum of Augustus, Rome, Italy, but in pristine condition. One of the photographs depicts an electronic display installed next to the building, presumed to be the Mars Altar Temple. The image shows some text on an unknown dialect of Chinese scrolling on the display. Partial translation reads, Pale, Mars the Saviour, Great Helmsman who led unknown, and raised the celestial empire. Unknown, unknown, 100 flowers, unknown. May your spear strike unknown, shields to cover us. Date 0204-2005 Number of images 3 Description Interior of the Kostnitsi Church, Kutnahora, Czech Republic. The interior looks like the actual church, but some of the skulls can be seen having three eye sockets. Date 0404-2005 Number of images 1 Description A view of Lopan River from the window of Harkov National University building. Judging by the perspective, the building is at least 10 stories taller than the actual one, although the background corresponds to the date the picture was taken. Lesson complete. If you missed the previous orientation, go watch SCP-205, Shadowlamps, right now. Or for the complete course, watch this playlist.