Date: June 5, 1997 <Begin Transcript> Dr. Marcellus: Hear, O Sextus Pompilius Trio, Legate of Ursa Major! I, Titus Cornelius Marcellus, first citizen amongst the Romans, have heard of your desire for an audience. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company? SCP-2229: O Titus Cornelius Marcellus, most honorable emperor, I, Sextus Pompilius Trio, have long awaited your company. I come bearing good news, for I represent the illustrious people of Ursa Major, who live beyond the abode of the gods. We have seen your empire's glory, and wish to ingratiate ourselves with you to earn your eternal friendship. Indeed, I have brought a most valuable gift! Look thither, and concentrate. (Dr. Marcellus complies. A scroll written in Classical Latin, later found to contain a lengthy reference for manufacturing a variety of machines that utilize Newcomen atmospheric engines, appears at the designated location.) Dr. Marcellus: By Jupiter, what miracle is this? What does this scroll contain? SCP-2229: A miracle, that is what it should be called. Have your wisest scholars look on it; given enough time they will decipher it, though you yourself will not live to see it happen. Certainly, it will occupy them for some time - two millennia, perhaps. In any case, now that you have witnessed the generosity and wonder of my people, will you pay homage to Ursa Major? Dr. Marcellus: In all truth I will consider it. But what can your people, who are so great, want from my empire, which is so meager in comparison? SCP-2229: Whatever your finest goods may be, bring them forth to me twice every year, so that I may receive them as tribute for my people. For now, that is all I ask of you. Dr. Marcellus: Then by all means, I will do so. I have but one request: speak only to me and my successors, and not the unwashed masses of my empire. These plebeians are far below you; by deigning to converse with them, you only injure your dignity. SCP-2229: (Laughter.) Very well! Let it be done. <End Transcript> Afterword: Subsequently, Dr. Marcellus began making regular offers of tribute to SCP-2229. As of the present day, SCP-2229 has not deviated from its initial behavior.

Verifying 4/2229 Clearance… VERIFIED

Accessing Gladius Incident Logs… ACCESS GRANTED

Date: January 5, 2010 <Begin Transcript> Dr. Marcellus: O Sextus Pompilius, I, Titus Cornelius, have brought the first tribute of the year. Ten bales of cloth dyed in Tyrian purple, fifty amphorae of- SCP-2229: Yes, yes, I am sure that your offerings are all quite fine. Let me receive them quickly, so that we can move on to the more urgent matter I wish to address. (Dr. Marcellus focuses on the tribute offerings, and they disappear.) SCP-2229: I am afraid that I have more to ask of your empire than tribute today. Our people, as wondrous as they may be, are not warriors, which we are now in deep need of. O Titus Cornelius, can your empire spare a legion? My people will be deeply indebted to your empire, and you above all will be held in our eternal esteem. Dr. Marcellus: My empire would be hard pressed to do so, for it would mean exposing my people to the threat of savage barbarians and treacherous rebels. Why do your people need a legion, if I may ask? Have they become embroiled in war? SCP-2229: That is not exactly how I would describe it. My people are obligated to fight, but not in a war. No, I would think of it more as a gladiatorial combat, to provide the plebeians of other Heavens their bread and circuses. We have no choice but to satisfy them with our own blood, or with yours. To do otherwise is to antagonize the showmen, who are more dangerous to us with words than any other enemies are with swords. Your empire has warriors; my people have not. I ask of you again: can your empire spare a legion? Dr. Marcellus: What if my empire does not? SCP-2229: What if a client does not honor his patron? What if a slave does not obey his master? What if a lesser does not follow his better? You, Titus, are the emperor, and you of all people know the answers to these questions. I will ask once again, and not once more: can your empire spare a legion? Dr. Marcellus: I offer my sincere apology; the question was most unbecoming. Yes, I will procure a legion for you at the earliest possible opportunity. Still, I must ask, how long do I have to do so? SCP-2229: You have five days. Let it be done. <End Transcript> Afterword: Due to the potential consequences of non-compliance, limited time frame, and personnel requirements for a legion , a proposal to utilize a Bright/Zartion Hominid Replicator to fulfill the demand was sent to the Ethics Subcommittee on Human Cloning. After a day of deliberation, the proposal was approved by a 5-4 decision.