Acquisition 1862-004: 1V (Static Phenomena)

Object_1862-004 · Level 1 Restriction

Investigator's Overview

On the 4th April 1862, object 1862-004 was discovered. Four days later it was well within organisation confines. Every four days, for twelve days thereafter, a peculiarity surrounding the object would occur. The number four is bound to this object. I've referred 1862-004 to the Occultory Department for further investigation. It has been three days since object analysis began. I would suspect, given the apparent nature of this object, that more conclusive results will be made available come tomorrow morning.

Edit: It is the fourth day since referral to the Occultory Department. Results inconclusive. The watchmaker, however, has made a new appearance at the public offices; despite his body being cremated and spread into the River Thames, as per the recommended cleansing ritual. He insists he has no knowledge of the object, nor of his work on it, and furthermore, fails to recall his rapid decline in sanity. He is adamant that he arrived at the behest of the Organisation, to fulfil a contract of analysis of the intricate systems inside an antique relic of curiosity. He now remains in confinement for further examination and psychological evaluation. Termination order has been placed following the examinations and evaluations.

Containment Order — 1V (Static Phenomena) Classification

Object 1862-004 detained in facility Aelder.G4-73 section [REDACTED]. All witnesses of the object during its discovery terminated. Watchmaker, ordered to deconstruct the object (unsuccessful), terminated. Object currently resides in containment under veil. Security present, briefing minimal. Current investigator pool: 4 personnel (3 with permission to observe; 1 with permission to analyse, instruct, and grant permissions surrounding the object).

Circumstances of Discovery

Reports of a navvy discovered buried within unearthed sections of the excavation site reached Agent [REDACTED], after witnessing a commotion amongst the navvies that had grounded any further work. His hand, still relatively fresh and free from decay, hung out of a mound of earth in the route of the digging for the underground railway. Agent [REDACTED] observed an unsettling humming that came not from the object, but from within himself, whenever observing the object. Object in question appears to be a pocket watch; the watch face bears the year '1844' in the middle, with roman numerals for the hours — except for the fourth hour, which reads alone in arabic numerals.

Our agent commissioned a photograph promptly after discovery of the hand holding 1862-004 before law enforcement officers arrived. Agent [REDACTED] swiftly retrieved the object before its confiscation in the criminal investigative proceedings. Police attended the scene thereafter. Inquiry was made as to the location of the pocket watch; the navvies raved about it, referring to it as 'The Devil's Timepiece'.

Upon removing the body from the mounds of earth, the navvies were much afeared to find it was a colleague of theirs; whom had gone missing only hours ago, and was presumed to be shirking his duties at a local public house. Several more agents arrived at the scene to extract 1862-004 from Agent [REDACTED]. He had seemingly vanished from the face of the Earth. For four days thereafter our agents searched high and low to no avail.

Four days later our missing agent — with 1862-004 in hand — arrived at facility Aelder.G4 at approximately four minutes past the fourth hour in the afternoon. He was in a heavy stupor — utterly confused as to where he was, and how he had arrived there. It took several security personnel to restrain him, and even more to release his iron grip on the pocket watch. Alas, the object was retrieved safely and placed into emergency containment. A termination order has been issued for Agent [REDACTED], following a psychological evaluation to attempt to ascertain the chronology of events in his mind.

Analysis Summary

Object 1862-004 initial analysis completed. The pocket watch appears to have a curious effect on time itself, and a strong resonance with the number four.

Fr. Crowhurst conducts the preliminary analyses of 1862-004

Object to remain in sealed cage in the centre of a 10m² room, locked on four latches with four padlocks, all of different makes with different keys. Each key to remain with personnel reflecting the clearance level of each key. Inside the room, four security personnel to stand at all times within each corner. Personnel that attain the relevant permission to touch the object must wear the designated gloves provided in the casing below the cage, completely saturated in the liquid inside the bucket by the cage. Personnel must carry a dated photograph of themselves taken at the booth outside of the doorless entrance in case of time slippage. Under no circumstances should the personnel that intends to touch the object handle any of the keys. Under no circumstances should they speak, laugh, cry, or express any significant emotion when handling the object.

Sketch of the occult symbol etched on the back of 1862-004 — Sketch of the occult symbol etched onto the rear casing — four-sided shapes interlocking and overlaying

Field Notes

Pocket watch found during tube excavations, in the hand of a navvy buried in the dirt
Runs backwards under certain conditions
The worker found with it was a missing colleague, presumed absent without leave
Navvies refusing to work — digging underground is digging a pathway to Hell itself; the watch was their proof
Signs of decay signify the buried navvy had been there for longer than should be possible
Watch face bears the year "1844" — all roman numerals except for the number 4, in arabic numerals
Fine etched occult symbol on the back; four-sided shapes interlocking and overlaying
Composed of silver casing with no sign of tarnish despite its apparent age
When attempted to open for analysis, the watchmaker became sick with madness — insisted he was trapped in his workshop for days, surviving on rationed water and ale
Termination order issued for all excavation workmen who witnessed the hand, as well as the watchmaker
The watchmaker re-appeared some days later despite cremation, with no knowledge of the watch or the events that transpired