Dr. Gatlin Hayes

Profile

Once ██████ Biological Research Corp. disbanded due to unknown reasons, Gatlin Hayes had applied to the Foundation in hopes of “getting a job that's somewhat similar to last time.” Due to their exceptional research work, they were accepted.

Hayes is best identified by SCP-963, which is attached to the nape of his neck by a needle puncturing his skin, secured in place with medical tape. This is, however, often covered from view.

Hayes is a very shy and secluded person who is very soft-spoken and keeps words to a minimum. She tends to keep to herself very often, and in a leadership role she will usually only interact with her team as minimally as possible. When not observing SCPs or working with a team, they have been known to partake in something their coworkers have dubbed "office rot," where they will stay in their office for extended periods of time. Hayes is far from confrontational, and if a person were to do something that upsets him, he would mostly keep quiet about it and process it later. He is, however, always willing to help others out and will always make time for a person if they need him. Hayes will also prioritize personal wellbeing over work (despite his working habits) and will take breaks often. 40% of his time spent "rotting in the office" is him taking breaks. Higher-ups and other coworkers allow him to do so due to SCP-963’s anomalous effects, as well as him being known to “get the job done anyways.”

When better known, Hayes is much bolder. They are much more hot-tempered and more willing to rant and vent if they are around people they know well. It will, however, take a significant amount of convincing and trial and error to get him out of his shell.

Due to the way SCP-963 functions, it is advised to staff members to not put too much stress onto Hayes. However, they "rot in the office" a very large portion of the day, so interaction with other staff is minimal.

When asked to analyze anomalies, she is much more eager to do so than she is to interact with fellow staff themselves. Members have noted that the articles and reports she writes are often much more humanizing than an average article, even if the SCP is an inanimate object. Hayes has expressed compassion for both humanoid and non-humanoid SCP’s.

SCP Classification

Special Containment Procedures

[UPDATED 2/11/████] Due to prolonged exposure to SCP-963, Dr. Hayes’s body has become heavily reliant on the biological material produced and distributed within SCP-963. For that reason, SCP-963 must NEVER be separated from Dr. Hayes. Dr. Hayes will now be regarded as a permanent subject to the ongoing SCP-963 TEST and will continue to be allowed to work whilst continuous testing.

SCP-963 is to be on the person of subject Hayes at all times and should not be removed unless it is requested to do testing on the item itself. SCP-963 is inserted into the nape of the subject’s neck and kept in place with medical tape. The subject is also advised to wear items of clothing that cover or protect SCP-963 (ex: turtlenecks or neck coverings).

Description

SCP-963 is a 11.3 cm long item composed of two parts in one:

A container holding 50 mL of biological substance. Within the substance is various cells that function and behave the same way a human stem cell would, with the added ability to alter the cell division rates and DNA of other cells.

A fine point needle that, when inserted under the skin, will distribute the cells to the body.

Once distributed into the body, the cells will lay dormant, or perform minor tasks like injury and ailment repair. The item seems to pause all aging, repairing any damaged or dead cells from time of insertion to ongoing date.

Testing with subject Hayes has concluded that the cells’ main anomalous effect is triggered by a significant release of chemicals. In this specific case, a large release of cortisol (stress hormone) in the brain will trigger the cells to begin slowly altering the structure and biological make-up of the body, acting as a line of defense. Various attributes will change, including (but not limited to):

Height

Weight

Skin (texture, structure. For example: human skin becomes an exoskeleton, similar to an insect’s)

Limb structure (including the addition of extra appendages)

Facial structure (omitting or addition of eyes, nose, or mouth, elongation, complete change of composition to look more animal-like, etc.)

Chemical composition (Ex: newfound ability to produce corrosive acids, lethal venom, or bodily chemicals that can cause bioluminescence.)

Senses (Heightened or dulled sight, smell, taste, or hearing.)

Changes in the body are recorded to have caused slight to moderate pain in the person when progressing. Most common symptoms recorded from subject Hayes are a burning sensation on the skin (indicating a change of the skin), aching limbs (indicating a change of the limbs structure), nausea (indicating chemical changes), and migraines (response from heightened senses).

If cortisol levels are significant, SCP-963 will instill a "full reaction" by evolving the body into what is known as the "Apex Form." In this form, approximately 90% of the body is altered by or added by the cells within SCP-963. All forms mimic lifeforms found on earth, like plants and animals. However, there have been instances where SCP-963 will cause an individual to morph into an organism not recognizable as any life form on Earth. Depending on the severity of the changes, abilities like clear speech and fine motor skills may be lost. User’s main string of consciousness remains intact.

His most recurring form is a 10 ft tall bird-like organism with large black wings and a body covered by serrated, sharp feathers. The face resembles a humanoid, but the form possesses no nose or mouth. Despite this, speech is still possible, yet limited.

Nearby researchers are encouraged to record any new Apex Forms upon initial sighting. Dr. Hayes is encouraged to alert anyone if she observes a new change that is not yet recorded.