When it comes to the SCP Foundation, one of the most notorious and memorable anomalous objects is SCP-738, also known as the Murder Wasp. This highly aggressive and dangerous wasp-like entity is contained by the Foundation and is well-known among fans of the fictional organization.
What is SCP-738?
SCP-738, nicknamed “Murder Wasp” by Foundation staff, is an animate entity that resembles a large wasp or hornet, approximately 10 centimeters in length. It is incapable of independent locomotion and must be carried from place to place. SCP-738 is contained within a glass enclosure measuring 60cm x 60cm x 60cm furnished with a suspended queen bed and various cotton stuffed animals.
Despite its inability to move on its own, SCP-738 possesses an extremely venomous sting which induces near immediate paralysis and death within minutes. The venom acts as a powerful neurotoxin that shuts down nerve impulses, eventually leading to respiratory failure. This makes SCP-738 highly dangerous and lethal to any living creature.
In addition to its deadly venomous sting, SCP-738 displays sapient intelligence and can communicate through gestures, writing, and by emitting sounds. It seems to possess a sinister personality and will attempt to trick or manipulate individuals who interact with it. However, it relies on others to be transported from place to place due to its lack of independent mobility.
Origin and Containment
The origins of SCP-738 are unknown. It first came to the attention of the SCP Foundation in 19XX after multiple deaths were reported in a small town in ██████, USA. All victims had suffered paralysis and asphyxiation consistent with envenomation. Investigations led Foundation agents to a local man named █████████ who was found to have SCP-738 in his home.
Initial attempts to contain SCP-738 resulted in multiple staff casualties due to its extremely toxic venom. Eventually, researchers developed a complex box and robotic arm system that allows for safe interaction with and transport of SCP-738. This system is composed of:
- A reinforced glass enclosure equipped with an airlock chamber, ventilated by a high-efficiency particulate air filtration system.
- A set of articulated robotic arms equipped with clamps to handle SCP-738 without direct human exposure.
- A negative pressure ventilation system to isolate SCP-738’s enclosure from the facility’s main air supply.
Using this specialized system, the SCP Foundation was able to successfully contain SCP-738 and minimize the risk it poses. All interactions and experiments are conducted using the robotic arms, with no direct physical contact allowed. Two armed security personnel are posted at SCP-738’s enclosure at all times as an additional precaution.
What Happens When Someone Interacts With SCP-738?
Due to its violent tendencies and highly lethal venom, direct interaction with SCP-738 is extremely hazardous and strictly prohibited by the Foundation. However, during initial containment, there were some instances of direct contact that provide insight into what occurs when someone interacts with SCP-738 face-to-face.
Typically, when someone first makes contact with SCP-738, it appears docile and harmless. It may even behave in an inviting or appealing way through gestures and sounds, luring the individual into a false sense of security. However, this changes rapidly once the person lets down their guard.
Without warning, SCP-738 will sting the individual, injecting a potent neurotoxic venom. Within seconds, complete paralysis sets in, leaving the person unable to move or speak but still fully conscious. SCP-738 has been observed climbing onto the paralyzed victim’s body, often moving toward the face. It will then sadistically stare into the person’s eyes as their breathing slows and eventually ceases due to asphyxiation.
If given the opportunity, SCP-738 will torture and mutilate the helpless victim during this process through further stings or by gouging their skin and eyes with its barbed limbs. While capable of killing quickly with its venom, it seems to enjoy drawing out the suffering for as long as possible.
In all observed cases of direct contact, the victim perished within 10 minutes of the initial sting. Autopsies revealed damage to nerve tissue and vital organs consistent with a highly potent neurotoxin that induces paralysis and death by suffocation. SCP-738 exhibited no remorse or restraint in these lethal attacks.
Attempts to Communicate With SCP-738
Communication with SCP-738 is possible, but extremely hazardous given its hostile and deceptive nature. The Foundation has conducted limited communication attempts under strict protocols using the enclosure’s specialized robotic arms.
SCP-738 is capable of writing in English, although its penmanship is poor and stilted. It can also emit a buzzing sound of variable pitch and intensity to express intentions or emotions. However, these communications cannot be taken at face value due to SCP-738’s predatory nature.
In most cases, it initially feigns cooperation, asking to be released or provided with ‘food’, implying that it requires living prey. When its requests are denied, SCP-738 becomes increasingly agitated. It has made numerous threats toward personnel and describes, in graphic detail, how it intends to attack, paralyze, and kill its victim if given the chance.
Certain researchers believe effective communication could yield useful information about SCP-738’s origins or purpose. But extreme caution is warranted given its duplicitous and sadistic tendencies. All interaction is limited to basic questioning about its containment needs.
Interesting Facts and Observations About SCP-738
- SCP-738 does not eat or drink, but killing living organisms appears to be its primary activity and purpose.
- Despite its lack of mobility, it seems capable of lifting heavy objects, using its limbs and body strength to move items around its enclosure.
- The venom induces temporary psychological effects prior to death, with victims experiencing fear, panic, and a sense of being “toyed with” by a sinister presence.
- SCP-738 is not biologically identifiable as any known wasp or insect species, suggesting an anomalous origin.
- It exhibits signs of intelligence and awareness far surpassing that of normal insects, making its true nature a mystery.
- Although mostly solitary, instances of identical entities have been encountered, indicating SCP-738 may not be a unique entity.
These observations reinforce the need for stringent containment protocols regarding SCP-738. Its strength, intelligence and lethal venom make it a formidable threat to human life. Only minimal interaction within the confines of its reinforced enclosure is permitted by the Foundation.
Theories About SCP-738’s Origins
The exact nature and origins of SCP-738 remain unknown. However, researchers have put forward several theories based on its anomalous capabilities and observed behavior:
- Genetic Experimentation: SCP-738 may have been created through artificial modification of natural wasp DNA. Advanced genetic tampering could have imbued it with enhanced intelligence, size, and venom toxicity. If so, its creators and original purpose remain a mystery.
- Demonic Entity: Some have speculated that SCP-738 could be a non-corporeal demonic entity that has taken the form of a wasp through manifestation or possession. This could explain its sinister personality and sadistic tendencies.
- Extraterrestrial Origin: Given its wholly unique nature, SCP-738 may originate from an alien world or parallel dimension. It could be an invasive species deliberately brought to Earth, or accidentally arrived through a spatial/dimensional anomaly.
- Tulpa Creation: Through collective belief or psychic focus, SCP-738 may have been willed into existence by one or more individuals. This would render it a thought-form made real, shaped by the expectations of its creator(s).
Ultimately, the true origins and nature of SCP-738 remain shrouded in mystery. It exists as an utter anomaly against all known biology and physics. While fascinating, its lethal nature warrants the highest precautions by Foundation staff.
Addendums About SCP-738
The following addendums have been appended to SCP-738’s file following further observations:
Addendum 738-01
Personnel are strictly forbidden from observing SCP-738 mating with cotton stuffed animals placed in its enclosure. SCP-738 appears to derive sadistic pleasure from this act when it has an audience. Lures researchers into staring at this behavior and induces temporary psychological trauma. Safety and ethics protocols must be observed at all times.
Addendum 738-02
Playing music appears to have an unpredictable effect on SCP-738’s behavior. Classical and ambient music seem to pacify it, while aggressive metal music agitates it into a destructive state. Pending O5 approval, a controlled experiment will see if music can safely calm SCP-738 for purposes of cleaning and maintenance within its enclosure.
Addendum 738-03
A separate, larger enclosure is now being prepared following Incident 738-Gamma. SCP-738 breached containment by overloading sensory deprivation protocols, requiring resubduing. Consultation with architectural experts and engineers has produced a new 100m x 100m enclosure to allow SCP-738 more space with the intent of reducing escape attempts or destructive behaviors.
Incidents Involving SCP-738
Due to its violent temperament and lethal capabilities, SCP-738 has been involved in multiple containment breaches and casualties. Notable incidents include:
Incident 738-Alpha
Four members of the research team were killed immediately when initial containment procedures failed, allowing SCP-738 to attack. This highlighted the severe risks of direct exposure and led to development of the current remote access protocols.
Incident 738-Beta
A malfunction in the air filtration system exposed two staff members to SCP-738’s venom when traces escaped through the enclosure’s seals. Both died within minutes despite medical intervention.
Incident 738-Gamma
SCP-738 appeared to overload its sensory deprivation protocols by constantly emitting piercing buzzing noises and shaking its enclosure violently. When the door was opened to sedate it, SCP-738 attacked the robotic arm and escaped into the facility. Seven staff hospitalized before recontainment.
These incidents underscore the severe threat posed by SCP-738 and the need for precise, redundant containment protocols. Even brief lapses can enable it to attack or escape, likely resulting in multiple casualties or even a potential XK-class end-of-the-world scenario.
Impact and Importance of SCP-738
SCP-738 remains one of the most infamous, disturbing, and deadly objects contained by the SCP Foundation. Its unique combination of anomalies, including sapience, extreme aggression, and highly lethal venom, make it a severe threat to human life and society as a whole if allowed to breach containment.
Beyond its physical capabilities, SCP-738 has provided researchers insight into the psychological effects of encountering utterly inhuman, malignant entities. Its sadistic personality has unsettled even hardened Foundation personnel, requiring psychological monitoring after interaction. Understanding and containing these intangible effects is as crucial as physically confining SCP-738.
Ultimately, SCP-738 represents one of mankind’s most chilling confrontations with the unknown. Its lethal danger is matched only by its utter strangeness against the norms of reality.
Dedicated containment and rigorous protocols are imperative, but SCP-738 serves as a continuing reminder that there are threats beyond comprehension lurking in the shadows of our world.
Summary and Conclusion
SCP-738 “Murder Wasp” is one of the SCP Foundation’s most deadly contained anomalies – an insectoid entity with extreme intelligence, a sadistic personality, and highly lethal venom capable of rapidly paralyzing and killing prey. Despite its inability to move on its own, it poses a severe threat to human life and has proven capable of deception, psychological abuse, and violence exceeding all natural animals.
Kept within a specially designed reinforced enclosure, all interaction with SCP-738 is limited to necessary research conducted remotely with robotic arms. Its exact origins and nature are unknown, but theories propose unnatural genetic tampering, demonic forces, and extraterrestrial influence as potential sources. Containment is critical given the extreme risk of containment breach and widespread loss of life.
As one of its most disturbing and infamous objects, SCP-738 highlights the SCP Foundation’s mission to locate and contain threats beyond rational understanding. Even a creature as small as an insect poses an existential risk if imbued with anomalous, aggressive intelligence and lethal capabilities surpassing nature. Only through the Foundation’s work can humanity be protected from such nightmares made real.