Anomaly 2122-L: "Zeitgeist"

Summary

Anomaly Number: 2122 Risk Level: Low Type: Object Appearance: When triggered.

Description

Anomaly 2122-L was recovered by Agents during Test 0074-S-S: "Egress". The object is a gold-plated pocket watch showing moderate wear, measuring 74 mm in diameter. The face of the pocket watch is covered by a case, with a hinge at the bottom and winding stem at the top. When the winding stem is pressed inward the case opens, revealing the "face" of the watch. Where a watch face would normally be found, a glass covering holds the skeleton of an as-of-yet unknown creature. The interior of the watch appears to be taken up entirely by the skeleton, yet the clicking of gears is heard when the watch is wound. No screws or seams that might give access to inner workings are visible. The watch bears no name or makers mark, save for the word "Zeitgeist" engraved on the inside of the cover. Anomaly 2122-L exhibits the ability to alter time, possibly being related to Anomaly 0001-S, the main temporal anomaly exhibited in Rosewood. When the winding stem is pressed inwards time is reset to five minutes prior. Once used in this way, the watch must be wound continuously for five minutes in order to reexhibit this anomalous property. Only the person pressing the stem recalls what transpired during that time; no others are aware of this happening. Afterwards, the watch will be found open in the hand of the user, regardless of its previous location.

Protocol 2122

Anomaly 2122-L is to remain in locked storage at ████████. It is only to be removed for testing with the approval of a Deputy Director or higher. Update: Anomaly 2122-L is currently in use by Agent █████ for Test 2033-O: "Visitor".

Test log

Test 2122-L-1

Test 2122-L-1 ^{August ██, 19█. █:█ PM.} Conditions: Standard testing room (single table, chair, lamp) adjoining viewing room, observed through one-way mirror. Participants: Agent ████ Record: Agent ████ was given Anomaly 2122-L and a sealed envelope. The envelope contained a piece of paper with the phrase "Run round red roses." printed on it. Agent was instructed to wait ten minutes before opening the envelope, memorizing the phrase, and activating Anomaly 2122-L. After five minutes had passed, the Agent correctly stated the phrase. No observers saw the Agent interact with the envelope at any point, nor was the envelope found to be tampered with in any way. This test confirms that the user of Anomaly 2122-L retains all memories of the five minutes, while also remaining undetectable to others.

Test 2122-L-2

Test 2122-L-2
^{August ██, 19█. 11:█ AM.}
Conditions: Standard testing room (single table, chair, lamp) adjoining viewing room, observed through one-way mirror.
Participants: Agent █████, ███████
Record: Agent █████ was provided a knife and instructed to make three cuts on ███████'s left arm before activating Anomaly 2122-L. The Agent did not act, but claimed to have followed instructions. No traces of blood were found on the knife, nor were any incisions or scars present on ███████.
Anomaly 2122-L was reset and placed on the table, out of reach of ███████. Agent was instructed to make three cuts on ███████'s left arm as before, but to then give ███████ Anomaly 2122-L and have them activate it. The Agent moved to make the cuts, but stopped when ███████ began pleading not to be cut again. Anomaly 2122-L was present in their hand, though it's movement from the table was unseen by observers. When reviewing the video footage, Anomaly 2122-L disappeared from the table and appeared in ███████'s hand within a single frame. As before, no blood was found on the knife nor were wounds present, though ███████ claimed they could still "feel the pain." Further testing into lingering mental effects required.

Test 2122-L-3

Test 2122-L-3
^{August ██, 19█. 12:█ PM.}
Conditions: Standard testing room (single table, chair, lamp) adjoining viewing room, observed through one-way mirror.
Participants: Agent █████, ███████
Record: Agent █████ was given a M1911 pistol containing a single round and instructed to kill ███████, confirm the death, and then activate Anomaly 2122-L. The Agent did not fire the pistol, but claimed to have followed instructions. The pistol showed no signs of being fired and the bullet was removed unspent. ███████ showed no effects from their supposed death.
Testing was set to continue, but Agent █████ requested that they be excused. Further testing is currently on hold pending Deputy Director approval.