tagshow
An image of RPC-878 captured by an Authority UUV.
Registered Phenomena Code: 878
Object Class: Alpha-Purple
| Hazard Types:Additional Properties: |  Contact |
 Radiation |
 Teleportation |
 Aquatic |
Containment Protocols: RPC-878 is currently contained at OL-Site-878, disguised as an oil drilling platform owned by the front company "Schopenhauer & Schmidt". RPC-878's containment chamber is to be fitted with lead barriers to prevent the spread of radiation. A 20km exclusion zone extends from RPC-878's location; civilians are to be barred from entry and trespassers amnesticized by patrolling officers. Termination is only permitted when absolutely necessary. Experiments conducted on RPC-878 require authorization and supervision from personnel with a clearance level of 4/878.
Description: RPC-878 is a shrine depicting the Buddha made of a glassy deep blue and highly radioactive stone, now termed as "jhanite", 44.5km off the coast of Digha, India, 14 meters deep, nestled in an underwater cliffside cave, also made of jhanite. Unlike other radioactive stones, jhanite only becomes radioactive when wet, and becomes safe to handle when dried. In addition, radiation emitted by jhanite can pass through water unhindered, while being impeded by air. When dry and stimulated with electricity or heat, jhanite produces a pulse strong enough to repel liquids, though when humans are subjected to the same force they only feel a light pressure in their chest.
The area surrounding the cave is barren and littered with jhanite stones. Coral and aquatic vegetation is sparse due to extreme radiation. The cave housing RPC-878 is home to a species of extremophilic and bioluminescent coral which displays a vibrant color pattern as well as Buddhist jewelry and several human corpses1. Most corpses are clad in diving gear, though a few are dressed in religious garb. The bodies are extremely well preserved.
The jhanite that makes up RPC-878 emits lethal levels of alpha radiation, averaging at 720 Sv/h. It is to be noted that this radiation would spread and pose an active environmental risk if not for Authority intervention, due to RPC-878 replacing indigenous stones and sediments with various forms of jhanite. Lead barriers and constant cleanup efforts keep the amount of jhanite manifestations manageable. Radiocarbon dating has confirmed RPC-878 to have been active since 1979. Since its assumed activation or creation, the jhanite manifested by RPC-878 has spread by 7 kilometers. Currently, the radiation reaches out 13 km around the initial point.
Humans who expire within RPC-878's area of effect will be surrounded in a blue flash of light. The remains will reappear in the cave's roof in a state of stasis. This phenomenon occurs regardless of how the subject expired. Notably, the bodies are still warm despite being dead.
If any organism makes contact with RPC-878 or attempts to remove one of the artefacts or corpses from their location, they will be transported to an unknown aquatic cave made up mostly of jhanite. The cave houses the ruins of a city with architecture mostly resembling ancient Indian buildings, most carved out of jhanite2 and decorated with pillars and reliefs depicting humans living with various forms of aquatic life from whales to giant shrimp and the goddess Maṇīmekhalā3. The cave is bright as it is filled with bioluminescent vegetation and coral. The city resembles one of ancient Indians, some buildings being built off massive coral reefs. In the center of the city, is a four sided structure resembling RPC-878 facing each cardinal direction, referred to as RPC-878-A, estimated to be 326 meters tall and 128 meters wide, and carved through its base is a large temple in honor of Maṇīmekhalā. The alpha radiation levels within this cave only reach 9.2 Sv/h, though more pressing is that due to unique properties of the water RPC-878's pocket dimension reacting with the jhanite, the neutron radiation levels reach 343 Sv/h, making exploration and documentation of the cave dangerous. Within the temple there is no radiation to be found. Bodies found within this pocket dimension4 are suspended above the ground, all having a calm expression. The cadavers found within the temple5 however are decayed unlike those outside. It is unknown if it's possible to leave as when tracking devices are used to track personnel who are teleported by RPC-878''s anomalous effect they appear to still be in the cave to Authority sensors, and there has been no exit found yet. This implies the cavern is off world or in a pocket dimension6.
Discovery: The Authority was alerted to the existence of RPC-878 after several professional divers participating in a charity event went missing. MST Alpha-2 was tasked to investigate the area. Agents on the scene noted the significant amount of ionizing radiation in the water and the sudden shift of color on the seabed. Agent ████ was the one to find RPC-878's cave and the shrine itself. The teleportation effect and pocket dimension were discovered as agents attempted to move the corpses from the area.
Addendum: Using modified UUVs7 to explore and record RPC-878's pocket dimension, researchers have been able to put together a history of the city from ancient carvings on the walls, all written in ancient Pali. Most of these inscriptions describe the daily life of those who lived in the city, named "Diviya Ābhā"8. There were new citizens arriving to Diviya Ābhā every month they were still safe. A notable figure from the texts is Priestess Amala, an alleged leader of their community. She would perform rituals every day in search of "The Final Truth." According to recovered texts, RPC-878-A was once responsible for keeping the city from flooding. In the temple there is a calendar that shows no specific date, acting more as a countdown to an event taking place on the 15th of Vesākha.9