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ITEM #: SCP-343
OBJECT CLASS: EUCLID (POSSIBILITY OF SAFE RATING PENDING REVIEW)
SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES
SCP-343 is contained within a cylindrical cage 3 meters in diameter, within a standard 10 m x 10 m x 10 m concrete
containment room. The cage is constructed of heavily padded (2cm high density ballistic foam) tempered steel, the bars
being spaced at 15cm and with warnings not to touch SCP-343 with bare flesh posted. Real-time video surveillance of
room's contents is to be maintained at all times, with any changes in behavior to be noted in the log. Emergency
containment measures are to be implemented only on the event that SCP-343 leaves its cage, either in total or in part, or
cataclysmic change in SCP-343's behavior. All personnel spending more than 30 minutes inside SCP-343's room are to
undergo comprehensive psychological screening immediately.
DESCRIPTION
SCP-343 is comprised of a variable number of metallic rings (from this point designated as a group as SCP-343-a), with
the appearance of white gold, each 1m in diameter, with a cross-sectional diameter of 1cm, and one cylinder (designated
from this point as SCP-343-b) of diameter 3cm and height 5cm. Cylinder appears to be made of stone, specifically some
form of black-veined white marble, though no samples have been gathered (see below). All parts of SCP-343 are polished
to a high gloss. The rings are interlinked in variable configurations, and all pieces (rings and cylinder) appear
independently motile, as well as not being bound by conventional gravity. The entire mass hovers at a centroid-height of
2m from the floor.
The arrangement, orientation and number of rings varies between observations, though no transition between
configurations has ever been recorded or observed. Whenever there has been an interruption in observation (the observer
blinked, the cameras were switched off, etc.) a new configuration would sometimes (but not always) be in place upon
observation being resumed. This does not appear to be an attack mechanism as with SCP-173, tested with D-level
personnel (see Observation Log --). The number of rings has been noted as few as 3, and as many as 47, with
no discernible pattern to the fluctuations or to the movements of SCP-343-a. Each has been noted to rotate around its own
axis at a steady rate of 1 degree of rotation per second. Given their fixed radii, this keeps them all at a constant rotational
speed (approximately 9 mm/s at their outer rim). Curiously, SCP-343-b (which freely orbits within the mass) has been
documented to follow this speed as well, namely 1 degree of orbit per second. Thus, depending on its distance from the
"core" of SCP-343, SCP-343-b's speed is highly variable, from a veritable crawl near the centroid to around 15 mm/s at the
outer fringes. SCP-343-b's orientation is not variable as is that of the rings, its long axis always strictly vertical. It has been
postulated and to some extent verified (pending higher-precision testing and measuring apparatus) that its orientation
has no relationship with whatever surface SCP-343 is hovering above, but instead is in line with the core of the planet.
Thermal imaging of SCP-343 reveals that SCP-343-a appears to be several degrees cooler than the surrounding air, while
SCP-343-b appears noticeably hot, even warmer than personnel observed at the same time through the thermal scope.
However, no noticeable temperature fields in either direction can be detected by personnel standing near SCP-343.
Early testing proved that SCP-343-a acts on living flesh as though superheated (see Injury Report --), while
SCP-343-b is oddly elusive to being touched. It does not "dodge" as such, but all attempts to initiate contact with it by
probe or technician fail, as though aiming at some other point in space. It has been theorized that the observed position of

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the cylinder is not its actual position, or that it incorporates a localized space distortion; remote probes have the same
difficulty as personnel on site, thus largely ruling out telepathic override of motor control. Paint and other marking
compounds do not 'take' on SCP-343-a, and it was thought they were frictionless until a technician affixed a small clamp
to one successfully (subsequent test as to electrical conductivity revealed that [EXPUNGED]). Current theory is that their
surface finish is of a sufficient fineness as to prevent liquids from adhering due to surface tension. Interestingly, non-
living matter does not react to SCP-343-a as living flesh does, and it was discovered that even a thin covering (in this
instance, latex gloves) was sufficient to avoid being "burned." Possibility of there being an energy field of unknown type
sheathing the rings or of the rings vibrating at some incredible frequency has been taken under consideration.
SCP-343 is able to be moved by pressing on any of its rings, the centroid remaining constant in relation to all units of the
mass. It possesses little discernible weight, but has enough inertia to drift along until braked, probably due largely to its
disregard of gravity. Attempts to push one or more of the rings into different alignments resulted in the unit as a whole
rotating around the centroid, all internal relationships maintained except for SCP-343-b, which maintained its vertical
orientation (although its orbit shifted as per the rest of the system). SCP-343 as a whole continued motion in this new
orientation without apparent consequences or attempts to self-correct.
Twice since acquisition, SCP-343-b's orbit has brought it into contact with one or more of SCP-343-a's units. The
immediate result was a bell-like note in both instances. In the first instance, on //19, the containment room's
walls buckled outwards as though an immense spherical force had exploded within the room. Technicians on site at the
time reported no physical effects beyond loss of balance due to the floor's sudden change in shape. The configuration at
time of contact was recorded and noted (see Report --). The second instance, on //20, resulted in
casualties due to [EXPUNGED]. The configuration at time of contact was recorded and noted (see Report -
-). It is currently unknown if the contact, the audible note produced, or some other factor is the cause of these
effects. Current containment procedures are in place to prevent any accidental "ringing" of SCP-343-a.
ADDENDUM
Many technicians report that, after prolonged direct observation of SCP-343 that they hear what is commonly described as
"someone muttering to themselves" as though from a slight distance (i.e. in the next room). No discernible words have
been reported. No extra-personnel audio has been recorded within SCP-343's presence, excepting the chimes noted above
(playback of those chimes at a later date did not reproduce the effects of the initial chime, unknown if this is due to lack of
sufficient recording technology), and a very faint "singing" note, similar to that generated by airflow against a bell. This
"singing" is soft enough that the human senses are unable to consciously detect it, and it has been theorized that memetic
traits may be hidden in the frequency.
Dr's note: I can conclusively say that we have no idea what this thing is or what it's supposed to do. However, it has proven
dangerous in the past, just not aggressive. We think.