Cherreads

Chapter 43 - SCP - 044 "World War II Era Molecular-Fission Cannon"

SCP - 044 "World War II Era Molecular-Fission Cannon"

Object Class: Safe

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The large, metallic shell of SCP-044 looms in the research bay, its massive barrel pointing skyward. The room is filled with the hum of machinery, ventilation fans whirring constantly to disperse dangerous gases. Dr. Stevens and Agent Ramirez stand nearby, observing the preparations.

Dr. Stevens: (adjusting his glasses) So, just to clarify — we're loading a truck into the muzzle today?

Agent Ramirez: (nodding) Yep. The biggest thing we've tried so far. The old diesel pickup, nearly nine tons of metal.

Dr. Stevens: (shaking his head) No wonder the specs say it's a one-of-a-kind. This thing's a beast. And we're about to see what it really does.

The technicians carefully maneuver the truck into position, secured with harnesses. The muzzle of SCP-044 is fitted with a reinforced cover, and a series of ventilation ducts are in place to vent the gases.

Technician: All systems are go. Ventilation is functioning at maximum capacity, and the muzzle cover is sealed.

Dr. Stevens: Excellent. Ramirez, get ready to record every second of this.

Ramirez: (checking his camera) Got it. This is history in the making.

The countdown begins over the intercom. The room falls silent except for the faint hiss of gases escaping, the whirring of machinery, and the distant sound of the train tracks outside.

Operator: Three… two… one… FIRE!

The massive barrel rumbles as SCP-044 activates. A bright, glowing red slug is expelled from the muzzle at incredible speed, hurtling toward the target with a deafening blast.

The slug strikes a reinforced concrete barrier, exploding in a flash of light and heat. The ground trembles, and debris is sent flying. When the smoke clears, a crater several meters wide marks the impact site.

Dr. Stevens: (excitedly) Holy shit. Did you see that? The energy yield… that was… incredible.

Ramirez: (voice trembling) The mass-to-energy conversion rate… it's at least 90%. It's like a miniature nuclear explosion, but contained within a shell.

Technician: (checking readings) The internal mechanisms seem to be functioning properly. The internal parts are spinning even when the gun isn't firing — probably some kind of complex resonance effect.

Dr. Stevens: (grinning) This is the kind of firepower you don't see every day. Think of the applications—disabling entire battalions with a single shot.

Suddenly, a voice crackles over the radio.

Operator: (urgent) Sir, we have a situation. The internal chamber just… it's spinning faster than usual. The firing yield is increasing unexpectedly.

Ramirez: (alarmed) That's not supposed to happen. The longer it's in the barrel, the more energy it produces, but this… this is exponential.

The room shudders again as SCP-044 begins to hum with a strange, low-frequency vibration.

Dr. Stevens: (commanding) Shut it down! Cut the power!

The technicians scramble, but the mechanism seems to resist, spinning wildly. The room fills with a deep, ominous hum.

Ramirez: (yelling) I think it's… it's trying to fire again!

Dr. Stevens: (shouting) Cut the feed! Shut it down now!

Suddenly, the chamber erupts in a blinding flash of red light. The room is momentarily engulfed in searing heat, and then silence.

When the smoke clears, SCP-044 stands still, the barrel smoking but silent. The technicians stare in awe and fear.

Technician: (nervously) Did it… did it just overload? Or…?

Dr. Stevens: (breathless) No, it's… if that had gone off, it would've been catastrophic. Whatever's happening inside, it's… unpredictable.

Ramirez: (shaking his head) The energy release… it's more than we can control. We need to review the safety protocols immediately.

Dr. Stevens: (determined) Or maybe… we need to understand what this thing is truly capable of.

Outside, the distant sound of trains and wind continues, unaware of the silent threat—and power—contained within SCP-044.

End.

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