The SCP Experience - The Old Man of the Lake | SCP-3310

Episode Date: July 28, 2023

SCP Foundation KETER class object, SCP-3310: The Old Man of the Lake This story was derived from https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3310 and is released under Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Author: Ryan Major Check out more of his work here: https://www.reddit.com/r/gtripp14/ DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content. Parental guidance is advised for children under the age of 18. Listen at your own discretion. #thescpexperience #scp #scpfoundation #scpencounters #securecontainprotect #scpstories #scpexplained #whatisscp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snow was beginning to fall as I looked out at the old man of the lake, bobbing lazily up and down in the water. Also known as SCP 3310, the old man was a 30-foot-long free-floating tree trunk that usually drifted around Wizard Island and Crater Lake. Low waves slapped lazily against the rocky shoreline, and the chill was already settling into my bones. It was late May, and the snow should have been over for the year. but as I watched the massive tree trunk inch closer to the stone beach, I knew it would only get worse. An industrial wench tugged SCP 3310 toward us, and the low rumble of the crane waiting to pull it from the water droned beside me.

For every inch closer to shore the anomaly moved, the visibility seemed to grow worse. The two escort boats on each side had attached light beacons to the trunk. As a result, lights broke through the white-out conditions every five seconds. It looked like a ghost floating above the rippling water. Do you ever get the idea that the O5 Greenlights projects like this is to thin out the retirement pensions? Assuming we get pensions, that is, I asked the man standing next to me. Commander Carlton Grant had served as the head of MTF Delta 22,

the troll hunters, for the past five years, and we had gotten to know one another rather well. In his late 40s with a graying head of hair and a face only a mother could love, he was more amiable than he appeared. I must have pissed off one of the directors in the research division. Shit like this makes me miss the observation facilities. Grant took a long draw from his smoldering cigar and rumbled a low laugh. The beacon was growing brighter, its light arching between the thick flakes of snow.

My teeth chattered, and I checked for the third time to make sure, my light windbreaker was zipped to the neck. The Sigma event usually caused wind or rain, but I hadn't counted on snow. Looks like another hundred feet and the damn thing will be ashore, Grant said. Why the hell do you even want to study the gamma event here, Dr. Alman? I don't, Grant, I replied reluctantly. Every shred of data I've studied about the previous activation events indicated the gamma entities vanish after the tree has returned to the water. They don't pose any threat. The old man is relatively self-contained,

other than getting hung up near the shoreline of Wizard Island every few years. Seems like an unnecessary risk. But one of the research facilities has requested we bring back a gamma specimen if it is small enough for transport. Which facility? Grant asked. Eyes fixed on the water. Above my pay grade, I responded.

I need to head back to the rendezvous point and check in with the boys. going to be a small window to try and snag the gamma before we've got to toss that chunk of wood back in the lake. Make sure your earpiece is working. Shit goes south up there, and we'll need you to get that thing floating pronto. I was about to wish the man luck, but without another word, he turned and slid behind the wheel of an armored Humvee. It headed up the steep hill and vanished behind the wall of fallen snow. Nervously, I tapped my earpiece, reassuring myself that it was securely in place. place, feeling the smooth plastic on the pad of my index finger. The tap reverberated through my head.

Twin motors buzzed and slowed as the tip of the two escort boats finally came into sight. A bright light exploded in my vision as the strobe atop 3310 pierced the sheets of snow. It was no more than 20 feet away when the wench fell silent, allowing the massive tree trunk to float slowly to the shore. I shuddered as I turned toward the crane and gave the operator a shaking thumbs up. The man returned the gesture and moved the crane's arm over the floating slab of of wood. I could see that the D-class personnel on the escort boats had used industrial ratchet straps to secure a large metal loop to the side of 3310 near the top. One of the men on the escort boats leaned to the side and waited for the crane's lifting hook to descend, catching it in his

left hand and running it through the metal ring before closing the clip around it. The man looked toward me and gave me a thumbs up. Signaling the crane operator, he engaged the pulley, and the stump began to emerge from the water. It was a slow climb, and it seemed like the massive chunk of wood would never end. All 30 feet of it began to swing lazily in the heavy, snow-laden winds. It looked so unspectacular as so many things guarded by the foundation did. It would have been an oddly large piece of driftwood anywhere else in the world, but here it kept some eerie sway on the natural order. Delta 22 in place.

A voice crackled in my ear, causing me to jump. Commander Grant's deep baritone was unmistakable. No signs of gamma entities at this time. But keep an eye on your sensors. Conditions are near white out and visibility is limited. Small arms fire is acceptable. But understand all previous reports show little to no effect on the entities. Two dozen voices replied back,

affirming they were in position. The wind was howling as the storm's intensity finally seemed to level off. I turned from the lake and headed back to my truck, sliding behind the wheel and cranking the heater as high as it would go. On the console, an overhead map of Crater Lake glowed brightly

against the sudden darkness. There were two dozen green dots scattered across the map indicating the location of each man of the Troll Hunter's Task Force. A red dot was next to my location and marked as SCP 3310. I knew it was less than 40 feet from the front of my truck,

but visibility was less than four feet away by then. A half dozen flashing yellow dots indicated the presence of foundation vehicles, ready to move to the location of the entities. I leaned my head against the rest behind me and closed my eyes, wishing I was back at the containment facility filing paperwork or reviewing recorded data. Most days I thought I would die of boredom

in the small, sterile office, but I hated being in the field even more. The foundation had seemed to be more reckless in recent years. Field operations had grown more dangerous and risky. Safely contained anomalies were tampered with more than seemed wise. The O5 Council had always treated D-Class personnel with some disregard, but that lack of concern seemed to be drifting into some of the more specialized staff as well. A faint beep sounded in the cab of the truck, and I opened my eyes. looking toward the monitor on the console. In the corner of the map, a mile northeast of Wizard Island, an orange dot appeared. It blinked in place, the color pulsing and sending small orange waves away in a small radius.

I tapped the screen and a tiny information window opened. Gamma event detected, SCP 3310 related, anomaly located 1.2 miles northeast of Crater Lake. Approach with caution. We are alive, ladies and gentlemen. Grint said calmly. Unit 7, you are located a quarter mile east of the entity. Approach with caution, but put your eyes on it ASAP. Squad 1, mobilize and place stasis traps in the path of the entity.

Squad 2. When the entity is debilitated, you secure it to the ground using the Tesla snares. Squad 3, when signaled, bring in the containment vehicle. Facility ops will transfer transportation directions after the entity is secured in your vehicle. secured in your vehicle and glanced down at my Apple Watch. My pulse was over 120 and steadily climbing. Commander Grant had sounded so certain as he gave directions to his task force. He seemed so certain that his plan would work, but I had my doubts. None of these entities had ever been stopped. Only returning 3310 to the water stopped them. The thought of what could happen if the gamma reached the waters of the lake terrified me. I have limited vision of the target, sir, a voice that I assumed

belonged to Unit 7, chimed over the radio. It is moving southwest toward Crater Lake at an estimated speed of half a mile per hour. The entity has taken the form of a bear, roughly nine feet long and four feet high. Light gray in appearance, but more opaque than previously described entities. Estimated capture window of one hour and 45 minutes to allow for a safety window. Squad one, I have marked the estimated trail on your map. Place the snares accordingly. Confirmed.

said another voice, followed by empty silence. My eyes were glued to the monitor as I watched the orange dot on the screen flash and ripple. At such a slow speed, its movement was barely detectable. Unit 7's red dot seemed to move slightly ahead and then drop off the gamma's location, observing its path and updating the thin blue line marking the estimated path of travel. A cluster of red dots representing Squad 1 had moved a tenth of a mile in front of the entity to begin setting up the Tesla snares. I had recommended non-physical displacement neutralizers

to Commander Grant due to the entity's ability to phase in and out of existence during events. But he assured me that would be unnecessary. Previous instances showed that small arms fire connected with the entity and seemed to have no issue making physical contact. You can't shoot a ghost, Grant had told me.

So I'm not bringing Ghostbuster equipment. If you think the things are non-corporial, You'll need to contact Task Force MU-13. That'd be their specialty. A smaller window popped up beside the map on my console display. Fat flakes of snow pelted a helmet-mounted camera worn by Unit 7. The shaking motion of the camera almost made me nauseous. But I choked back the rising bile in my throat and stared at the monitor.

Through thick waves of snow, I could see the hulking outline of the bear-like entity. It lumbered slowly forward, paying no mind to Unit 7. was walking slowly by his side as he panted heavily in his lapel microphone. Unit 7 to Task Force, Gamma entity will be within proximity of the first Tesla snare in five, four, three, two. A loud snap of electric current erupted as blue arcs of power surged beneath the thing's feet. Thin ropes like controlled lightning sprang up and wrapped around the gamma entity.

The glistening, erratic cage crackled and began to tighten around it, pinning it to the ground and forcing its thick legs beneath it. When it opened its mouth, I expected a roar. But the amplified sound of nails squealing down a chalkboard poured from the speaker, and I clutched my ears to block it out. The view on the monitor began to shake, and the camera angled downward as Unit 7 bent to cover his ears. The shrill noise lasted nearly 10 seconds before it died away.

I kept my hands over my ears, expecting another wave, but the speakers on the monitor had fallen silent. Unit 7 was getting back to his feet, and the entity came back into view, still pinned to the ground and struggling beneath the currents of electricity. Unit 7 remained at a safe distance observing the creature before signaling squad 3 to move in for pickup. Moments later, two red taillights pierced the haze as an armored cargo truck backed into sight. Four task force members dressed in black protective gear flanked the side of the truck. The rear hatch opened, touching the ground to create a ramp as a fifth member pulled a thick cable tipped with a magnetic.

kinetic coupler on the end. They tossed the cable toward the creature, and it landed nearly a foot away. Slamming their hand on a button on the outside of the truck, the coupler powered up, drawing the Tesla snare across the snowy ground. The snare and coupler snapped together, and the entity was pulled slowly into the back of the truck. The gray bear vanished into the truck and the cargo door lifted and sealed shut. I sat for a nervous moment, waiting for the beast to break free from the cargo container, or for the weather pattern to intensify.

I was looking for any sign that our interference had triggered a third event, but everything remained calm, heavy snow still falling. They did it, aside with relief. This is Unit 7 to command. Gamma entity is contained. Once the transport has received to GPS verification, we will depart for the research facility. The passenger door to my truck swung open,

and Commander Grant jumped into the seat, shivering and covered in snow. Affirmative, Unit 7, he said calmly. A smug grin on his face. Squad 3, you are cleared for departure when coordinates are received. Shore personnel, you are cleared to return SCP 3310 to Crater Lake. All remaining units will gather its shoreline operations after Sigma weather has cleared. You know that damn thing is going to vanish when you drop the old man back in the water?

I said his remains of nervous sweat soaked into my shirt collar. Whenever 3310 is returned to the water, they always vanish. Grant laughed in response. Those Tesla snares are equipped with newly updated Scranton reality acres. That thing will stay snug as a bug in the back of the truck. SRA stop reality bending properties. I'm not aware of any instance it has stopped a being from phasing in or out of our reality, I replied.

If the O5 really wants research done on this thing, they should send out a mobile research team to study it on location before we drop 3310 in the lake. Commander Grant was preparing to respond when our earpiece is crackled. Sure team to Commander Grant at Dr. Elman. Something is wrong with the crane. The operator says the controls aren't responding, and we aren't able to get SCP 3310 in the water to detach.

Orders? Shore Team. Grant puffed in exasperation. Pause return activities until I can get repair personnel here to get the crane running. Crater Lake National Park has a maintenance crew. It will probably take them a while to get Grant paused. The monitor in my truck exploded with flashing orange dots.

The perimeter of the lake was covered with strobing orbs. They stood still for a moment, each nearly a mile from the lake. At least two dozen gamma entities had appeared. Without warning, they began moving toward the lake, faster than any previously recorded event. Grant to all units, gamma entities at points. Shit, ladies and gentlemen, they are everywhere. Report to the shoreline to assist with return efforts of 3310.

Move your asses! Grant turned off his earpiece and turned toward me. I'm going to get the cutting torch from the toolkit in the back. Get to the cab of the crane and see if you can get the damn thing moving. I don't know how to... Grant was already out the door before I finished my sentence. I threw my door open and stepped out into the snow. Grant was looking for a cutting torch from the back,

and I ran recklessly toward the crane. I pushed my way toward the cab. The door opened and the crane operator stepped out. Faint beeping sounds poured from the cab, speeding up to indicate their proximity as the creatures moved through the snowy forests surrounding the lake. I pushed the operator out of the way and sat down with the controls. Grant ran past the window and began scrambling up the arm of the crane, reaching the top in unbelievable time.

The bright flame of the cutter ignited, and he held it to the cable running from the crane's wench. Scanning the control panel, I could see the power to the crane was still operating, but the wench wouldn't respond to any commands. tried the manual override protection system to drop the wench, but he didn't respond, said the operator. Guess the only thing to do is to drive the crane into the lake? Drive it into the lake? I belled at the dumbfounded man. I thought you said this piece of shit wouldn't run. I said the wench and arm didn't work.

He said indignantly. Nobody told me to... I shoved the man off the treads, and he landed hard on the ground. His words turning into a short scream. Without wasting another moment, I engaged the treads of the crane, and it began crawling. into the water. Grant bounced on the tip of the yarn, struggling to hold the cutter to that red-hot portion of the cable in front of him. I tapped my earpiece. Grant, the dumb son of a bitch didn't try to move the treads. I'm running this into the water. Once 3310 is in free float, drop down and unclip it. The man let go of the torch, allowing it to drop into the choppy waves.

He signaled a thumbs up as the front of the crane's treads went below the water. Grant Doe from the top and disappeared along with the treads. 3310 dipped quickly. toward the water. The detection monitor in the cab was a steady tone by then, and the entities would be on us any moment. Dozens of brain-splitting cries erupted, and I could feel something jump onto the rear of the crane. Heavy steps hammered the cab as a gamma entity scrambled over the top. I watched as Commander Grant surfaced and made his way to the crane clasp. He unhooked it from the steel ring, just as the gamma appeared in front of the cab. It lowered itself and jumped into the air, heading directly for 3310.

The old man of the lake, freed from the hook, floated freely and righted itself in the water. A foot before making contact with Crater Lake, the gamma entity vanished as though it had never been there at all. I stepped out of the cab into the rapidly dwindling snow and waited at the shore, light-headed and watching as the commander swam toward me. He pulled himself onto the rocky beach before collapsing on his back. As he did, the gray clouds split and a bright slice of sunlight. light spilled onto the lake. Commander Grant, a voice said in my earpiece.

The gamma entity has vanished. I repeat, we no longer have the gamma entity in containment. Grant laughed and looked at me. Call your director, Dr. Alman, he said, breathing heavily. Tell them, we aren't trying this again. SCP 3310 is an arch in class anomaly located in Crater Lake National Park. It is a free-floating trunk, measuring nine meters in length with only the top 1.2 meters observable above water. It floats upright and will always resume this position if we moved and return to the water. Activation events, known as Sigma events, will occur as a result.

Gamma events will take place afterward, manifesting gray, translucent creatures that will attempt to make their way to the waters of Crater Lake unless SCP 3310 is returned to its natural state. There are currently no documented instances of gamma events reaching the waters, and SCP Foundation personnel embedded in the Crater Lake National Park Service are to remain vigilant to return SCP 3310 to its natural position if obstructed.