The Golem of Monte Cristo, or, Garpon, Ruler of Beasts 2: Battleground Vesuvius
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Registered Phenomena Code: 802
Object Class: Beta-Purple
Hazard Types: Aggression Hazard, Animated Hazard, Geological Hazard, Transmutation Hazard, Auditory Hazard, Titanic Hazard
Containment Protocols: Since Incident 03/02/2020, RPC-802 is contained in a soundproofed Beta-level storage locker on Site-313. Any personnel who speaks Turkish or are of Turkish ethnicity are forbidden from entering the anomaly's storage area or interacting with it in any way until how it activates can be ascertained.
As RPC-802 is partially a historical archival document, any handling of it must abide by the Department of Historical and Pseudohistorical Studies Archival Collections Management Policy. Disassembly of the object for the purposes of cleaning and maintenance is permitted.
In the event that RPC-802 reactivates, testing personnel are to physically restrain it until it can be disassembled. As the entity cannot absorb or directly harm living organic tissue, it is recommended that containment personnel remove as much clothing as is feasible before attempting to engage it. RPC-802 can be deactivated by physically separating its components, or striking it with sufficient force to knock individual layers of the anomaly's paper matrix out of alignment.
Should RPC-802 become too large to physically restrain, engagement with directed-energy or vibrational weaponry is recommended. As the entity will always attempt to move in the general direction of the island of Montecristo, defensive operations should be prepared with its presumed eastward trajectory in mind. Tactical planning manuals dealing with RPC-802 breaches and RPC-802-1 are currently under production based on information gathered after 03/02/2020, and will be released for ASF and Containment use when complete.
Direct application of RPC-310 has proved effective in the containment of RPC-802-1. However, due to the substantial difficulties in controlling that entity, and the collateral damage inevitably caused by its activation, the practicality of this solution is limited.
Description: RPC-802 is an anomalous mathematical apparatus constructed by Leonardo Da Vinci sometime between 1503 and 1505. The anomaly consists of a cube-shaped framework of pine wood, measuring 69.3cm3 containing 33 smaller wooden sub-frames which themselves support a matrix of interlocking sheaves of cloth paper. The sub-frames are constructed to allow for the easy removal of individual sections of the paper matrix with minimal risk of tearing or catching. All materials used in the construction are non-anomalous, and the anomaly demonstrates physical and chemical wear consistent with its year of manufacture.
Documentary Evidence of RPC-802
Golemic/Hebrew Mystic Tradition: As the anomalous properties of RPC-802 have only recently been discovered, research into its exact history is still fragmentary. Liner notes from several of Leonardo's notebooks dated 1503-1504 mention Da Vinci consulting papers by "Alemanno", believed to be Yohanan Alemanno (c. 1435-1504), Italian Jewish philosopher. While it is unclear if Alemanno and Da Vinci ever met, Alemanno is known to have been familiar with the esoteric works of Solomon ib Gabirol (c. 1021-1070), a neo-Platonic Andalusian Jewish philosopher who 11th-century sources claimed had produced an intelligent anomalous construct for household work.
A later passage dating from 1505 includes a crude rendering of the Hebrew word אמת. Surrounding text reads "why think in words when patterns will do? Alas, that such terrible things [sic]". The obverse of the page bears a passage which appears to have been partially scratched out or rubbed off. The legible section reads "soil and stone remember […] blood of the holy."
Connection to Monte Cristo: Several passages of Da Vinci's works indicate that he had a close working relationship with the scholars of local Benedictine orders, and was aware of the existence of the Monastery of St. Mamilliano on Monte Cristo. A liner note near several sketches of crude stone sculptures or rough forms for sculptural works states "Mamilliano- They say he slew a monster in the name of Christ. Could the roots of the place still contain such a blessing?"
Each paper layer of RPC-802 has been inscribed with a complicated set of geometric patterns which are theorized to represent some form of symbolic language based on mathematical logic. These patterns have proven extremely difficult to transcribe or copy in any form.
The trigger by which RPC-802 activates is currently unclear, though it is known to relate to the physical presence of a person of Anatolian Turkish ethnicity speaking the Turkish language. When RPC-802 activates, all non-living, non-gaseous matter within a 2.4cm radius of its outer surface becomes animate, creating an airtight spherical structure around the anomaly. Any matter in contact with this new outer surface slowly becomes animate as well, causing the anomaly to continuously grow in size. RPC-802 will use this shell of anomalous matter to become mobile, rolling on a linear path towards the island of Montecristo, Italy. While rolling, RPC-802 will avoid obstacles, and has demonstrated the ability to climb near-vertical surfaces as well as substantial resistance to extremes of pressure and temperature.
Research Addendum: The following represents conjecture based upon limited data gathered during a single containment breach. Research is ongoing.
When the object encounters the island of Montecristo it will immediately cause the entire mass of the island to a depth of approximately 1km to become animate. The process begins with the lowest depths of the island, which become porous and skeletal. This serves to negate the explosive effects of the sudden displacement of several dozen cubic kilometers of water due to the movement of the island's geological structures. Over the course of the next half-hour, the island mass will detach from the sea bed, reforming into a vaguely humanoid shape with the land surrounding the ruins of the Monastery of St. Mamilliano acting as the "head" or "peak" of the structure. RPC-802 will move across the surface of the island as it changes shape, eventually taking up a position within the walls of the monastery ruin.
When in humanoid form, RPC-802 is redesignated RPC-802-1. This entity demonstrates limited sentience, and will aggressively engage any vehicles or entities which move within line of sight. RPC-802-1 attacks by physically striking at targets with its limbs, though its great size and speed of movement also generates concussive shockwaves capable of causing significant damage. The entity seems unwilling to leave the geographical location of the original island for any length of time, and will move back towards it if drawn away. When active, RPC-802-1 can be deactivated by disrupting the function of RPC-802 directly. "Boarding" RPC-802-1 is difficult, but the entity will make no attempt to shake off or attack personnel moving about on its surface. RPC-802's spherical coating can be easily broken and will not re-form itself while RPC-802-1 is active.
Addendum: Incident 03/02/2020: RPC-802 Containment Breach: During initial investigation of anomalies discovered in the Crypta sub Vesuvia on 03/02/2020, RPC-802 was accidentally activated by Research personnel. Members of the Order of St. John the Hesychast had been unaware that RPC-802 possessed anomalous properties, and had stored in in a disused wine cellar with several other minor anomalies considered to be non-threatening.
The events of 03/02/2020 are still being analyzed to construct a full timeline of the situation. As an interim measure, this document presents excerpts from interviews by the currently-ongoing Incident Investigation Team.
Junior Researcher Aydin is responsible for the initial activation of RPC-802. He has received no formal reprimand for the incident, as the nature of the anomaly was not known at the time. The initial interview was conducted in Italian.
Aydin: …They showed us to this old, uh, sort of crawlspace? Dusty, spiderwebs, looked like it hadn't been touched in years. Brother Joe- uh, Brother Giuseppi, he pointed out a few minor anomalies they just left on shelves. There was, uh… I think a maquette for a statue of Venus that was always warm to the touch, um, a little clockwork thing that he said rang whenever you brought it near unripe olives- mostly junk, really. So I'm moving in with Brother Giuseppe and he says something about one of the anomalies on the wall to our left- I think it was a sundial that always cast a shadow as if it was noon. And I get distracted, and bam- smash my toe into the corner of one of the shelves. I was wearing pretty thin shoes so, uh, naturally I swore a little in pain, not thinking- I said, uh, "Orospu çocuğu!" And then as I'm regaining my balance there's a thump from behind us and this, uh- this ball of wood and dust drops off a shelf and rolls out the open door. I think the monks tried to chase it down but…
Cpl. Ricci was one of several local ASF members on guard duty at the temporary cordon placed around the Monastery of St. John the Hesychast. The initial interview was conducted in Italian.
Ricci:…The weather was just terrible that afternoon. Not quite a medicane, but just awful. Blowing wind, and walls of rain. We were out at the checkpoint around the Monastery when we hear shouting behind us- the monks and a couple researchers were chasing this, this- ball of stone and mud, about the size of a child. The dogs went crazy. It came rolling past us, went through the razor wire we'd set up. One of the tanks was in the way. They didn't event have time to bring the gun around. It went up one side, across the roof and down the other. Tore a strip out of the armour and… just like that it was gone. Before we could even fire a shot, we lost sight of it…
On 03/02/2020, Eloise Marchand, a Containment Division transport pilot, was tasked with moving RPC-347 from Site-███, France to Sant'anna-Crotone Airport, Italy, for subsequent delivery to its normal containment area on OL-Site-1010. She was operating an Alenia C27J bearing false Italian Air Force markings with three ASF guards on board. The initial interview was conducted in French.
Marchand: …about four thousand feet above sea level, maybe 20 kilometers south-southeast of Montecristo when the call comes through that they were tracking some kind of anomaly moving along the seabed towards the island. Must have been about 5 o'clock. I remember the sun going down. We were the closest platform that could keep watch given the state of the weather- some really nasty crosswinds.
[REDACTED]: You weren't concerned about your cargo in the storm?
Marchand: Truthfully, no? I mean it's a Gamma-Red, sure, but they'd been bombarding it with all kinds of tests back in France. When we took ownership of it it was about the size of a field mouse. I double-checked with the guards- they were all experienced with 347, they were confident we had at least 12 hours before it recovered enough to be a serious threat.
[REDACTED]: I see. Radar logs show you started to circle the island?
Marchand: As best we could given the rain. We saw the coastal patrol ships come in, noticed the bubbling in the water around the island- did that first landing team make it out all right?
[REDACTED]: Bumps and bruises, mostly. One of the local security ships got its prow scraped up.
Marchand: That's a relief. Anyways, we see the approach and then- well, I thought we'd hit a downburst or something. Just this huge wall of wind [smacks table] wham! Everyone's bumping around, we're half upside-down, I hear a crash from aft, and the depressurization alarm goes off…
[REDACTED]: During which time RPC-347 breached containment?
Marchand: Not exactly. It's more like its containment crate did. Whole thing tore off its mounting brackets, bounced around the cargo bay and punched a hole through one side of the hull. Miracle none of the security guys got hurt. And that the plane was still flying.
[REDACTED]: When did you notice, the, uh…
Marchand: The goddamn island standing up? The moment I leveled us off. Thought I was going nuts. One moment an island, another a… a giant walking sculpture. Just this big, silent looming… thing.
Lieutenant Doukakis is a member of MST Papa-1010 "Sophists", the Specialized Team tasked with the containment of RPC-347. Upon the activation of RPC-802-1 and the breach of RPC-347, members of MSTs Papa-1010, Alpha-2 and Echo-1 were scrambled with heavy armament to attempt to disable and contain both entities. The original interview was conducted in Greek.
Doukakis: Our hovercraft and helicopters arrived on the scene at about, maybe, 7pm that night. There'd been some confusion over what we were actually deploying to combat. The ASF coastal patrols were panicking. Heard all kinds of nonsense, but we were certain that 347 had grown huge. The island and 347 were really going at each other- if it weren't for the rain and the wind they would have been easily visible from shore. The island was just, well… just wailing on 347. No finesse, no style. Just clubbing it with gigantic fists, knocking pieces off as fast as it could grow new ones. We're used to loud noises- you have to be when you're dealing with 347, but this was… this was apocalyptic. This continuous grinding, rolling rumble of thunder, but more so. And it could accelerate… considering its mass the island-thing was remarkably fast.
[REDACTED]: Why didn't you attempt to engage?
Doukakis: The sea around them was pretty much impossible to traverse. Huge chunks of dirt and marble everywhere, on top of the rain and the wind and the shockwaves of the two anomalies moving. And they weren't exclusively focused on each other. We lost a couple helis to beams from 347- I think the guys bailed out okay, it happens- and at one point the island reached out and just totalled one of the coastal patrol vessels. I pulled a few of them out of the water myself- the ship didn't have any time to founder- it just went under intact, broke like a kid's toy…
…Clearly a stalemate. I mean sure, 347 was turning blocks of the island the size of houses to marble, but it just sucked them back in- and it didn't have the reach or the speed to keep up with 347. It was like it didn't want to leave its spot, or something. Wasn't much we could do, so we focused on recovering the injured and keeping the area clear…
Approximately five hours after initial contact between RPC-802-1 and RPC-347, The Directorate authorized the deployment of RPC-310 as method to neutralize one or both of the anomalies. Due to continuing severe weather patterns in the area, efforts to mask the presence of the fighting anomalies had proven successful, but the oncoming edge of the weather system threatened to complicate the situation. As RPC-310 was in storage on Site-313 an AEDF Thunderbird-class spaceplane was deployed nearby from Site-███ to carry a Research Division team and the artifact to the area of operations. The flight from Site-███ took 67 minutes, arriving over the target area shortly after midnight, local time. For reasons of operational secrecy, all names have been redacted from this document.
P: We're over the AO in two minutes! We're moving too fast for a safe braking burn at this altitude so if you mess up the timing it'll take at least another hour to make another pass.
A: Got it. Do we have the line and page isolated, [B]?
B: It's, uh… yeah, dividers are locked in. We triggering any of the secondary effects?
C: No time- they've got a goddamn Kaiju fight down there that needs solving.
A: Fuck, I can't believe they actually let us do this.
B: Well they've tried everything else, supposedly- all the Thetas they had handy in the Med.
C: All of them? You serious? Even the
[EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL REMOVED]
P: Sixty!
B: You think [REDACTED] will finally settle that bet if we can pull this off?
C: Shit, I'll pay you fifty bucks if we pull this off.
A: Hell yes. Double-check the line alignment.
B: Already triple-checked. The page stabilizer's working great.
[EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL DELETED]
P: Five! Four! Three!
B: Unshuttering.
C: Monitors up.
P: Go!
A: Sore wa… soreha gāpondesu! Kemono no shihai-sha ga watashitachi o sukuu tame ni modotte kimashita! Gāpon! Gāpon ni shukufuku o!
C: Did it-?
P: Oh my God.
Lt. Doukakis was manning a deck-mounted SASER weapon on an MST Papa-1010 Zubr-class hovercraft when RPC-310 became active in the area of operations.
Doukakis: So yeah. All of that stuff? All those Thetas, or Utilities, or whatever we're calling them now- literally everything we had that was supposed to be for exactly this kind of emergency? Useless. All of it. But 310… anyone who's ever done work on any of the Authority's larger… monster anomalies, let's call them- anyone who's done that has heard of 310. I mean it's a movie script that supposedly summons a giant bird-tiger thing that protects the Earth, right. It's a fun story. Everyone jokes that someday we'll use it to fight something else.
But those crazy fuckers actually went and did it. We got a call that another provisional-Theta anomaly was about to go active in the area and that we should keep our distance. As if we weren't already! Then there's the mother of all sonic booms as something flies by overhead- some kind of jet delivering the script I guess, and then…
Shit, it's hard to describe, you know? Okay, so you know when in a scary movie the camera shows nothing, and then pans away for a second, then pans back and the monster is there? It was like that. One minute rain and fog and towering waves with the island and 347 beating the shit out of each other in the background, and then I blink and it- Gar- uh- 310- is just- just there.
Might have been a trick of the light but it was almost black and white at first- sort of flickering at the edges, but it got more… three-dimensional. More there. You could see every feather, every hair, and those massive, glowing eyes… you got that primal feeling in the base of your spine. You know, at the zoo. You look in the eyes of a wolf or a tiger and you feel a little part of your brain go "this animal could kill me if it wanted to." It was that. And then it throws its head back and…
You have to understand. The Sophists, we deal with the containment of an anomaly that is aggressive and vulnerable to loud noises. We're all a little deaf. We wear hearing protection like you wouldn't believe. We know sound. But the scream that thing let out- it wasn't, like- it wasn't a real noise. It was like all the other sounds in the world had been turned down because this one was more important, more real. Started as this growling, scraping roar, then rose to this horrific shriek. I swear the island and 347 just… stopped. Almost did a double-take.
The Tetractomorph acted first. Just blasted 310. It stumbles back, it's hurt- we're desperately getting out of the way as marble flies off it, blood's pouring into the water, it's chaos. And then it kind of went quiet again. This crackling sound- static electricity. Three-ten's feathers are sort of standing on end, there's lightning arcing between them, building and building- I saw a guy next to me just faint from the intensity of it, it was like you were hearing the sound inside your head- and then it opens its mouth and there's sort of a line- the rain just ripped apart like someone had turned a SASER on it but a million times more so.
It was… quiet. Like so loud it didn't sound like anything anymore. And 347 just melted. Like I know the script says 310 has, uh, "sonic roar" or something but this was ridiculous. One minute there's a huge pillar of angry marble floating there and the next it's just crumbling into the sea.
Then… then the island moved. I'm a little hazy on this part. Just stepped forward and I think punched Garpon across the face? That wasn't a sound in your head. That was a goddamn shockwave. I woke up with the hovercraft half underwater and helicopters falling from the sky. Garpon's screaming and roaring, tearing at the island, mud and blood spraying everywhere. The sea was literally red with blood. My radio crackles- someone's landed on top of the island, somehow. Fuck if I know.
And then suddenly it just… ended. The island just… just folded up. Went back to being an island again. Garpon was in mid-swipe and then it just… faded to black. Went crackly at the edges and it was gone.
I just remember thinking- I remember thinking "the sun is rising." When they deployed Garpon it must have been midnight. One in the morning? And I think I woke up around 6 or 7.
I stayed around to pull casualties out of the water for the next two days, I think. Don't remember too much. But through all of it, like, there's a part of me that's saying "A walking mountain and a goddamn Godzilla knock-off just had a fight to the death and you missed it." Fuck, this job, right?
Local ASF forces familiar with the island of Montecristo were able to deploy by helicopter to the upper reaches of RPC-802-1, locate RPC-802, and deactivate it by repeatedly striking its frame with the butt of a rifle. The anomaly immediately ceased to function. A substantially reduced and weakened RPC-347 was recovered during cleanup operations. Research on how exactly RPC-802 restored the geography of Monte Cristo, and how exactly it returned to being an island without causing a catastrophic seismic shockwave, is ongoing. A large-scale effort to determine how exactly Leonardo Da Vinci was able to construct a major sentient geokinetic anomaly is also ongoing.
