IC-0748

“	I have every confidence in your dedication to unveiling IC-0748’s secrets, even if it means entering the timeless realm of endless clicking.	”
	~ Abe Stern

Description

IC-0748 appears as an ordinary ballpoint pen but exerts subtle temporal effects on its user's perception of time when clicked.

IC-0748 was initially retrieved from the Office Sector by Dr. Stern on January 7, 1991, after it reportedly slipped from the pocket of IS-0223. Although it resembles a standard pen, IC-0748’s anomalous effects became evident during Dr. Janet Ross’s investigation, leading to its current containment echelon as ‘Sanc’ (known and controlled). Its designations as HL (Harmless), TL (Temporal), and PS (Passive) confirm it as a low-risk object safe for handling at all GATE clearance levels.

Audio log

Dr. Derek Manse reporting, Research Director. As far as temporal phenomena at GATE are concerned, IC Oh-Seven-Four-Eight seems to be exceptionally mundane. The candidate appears to resemble an ordinary ballpoint pen in almost every way, shape and form and had it not fallen out of the pockets of IS Oh-Twenty-two-Three it would surely have found its way to lost-and-found. Fascinated by its curious effect on spacetime, Dr. Ross took it upon herself to research the candidate further. Her results indicate that initiating the push button of the pen … that is IC-Oh-Seven-Four-Eight … causes the person holding it to experience small inconsistencies in his or her perception of time, ranging from … minor delays or skips in memory or perception.

Emails

Subject: RE: Observed Temporal Effects of IC-0748

From: Abe Stern <[email protected]>

To: Janet Ross <[email protected]>

[email protected] Janet, A minor point of order regarding your recent IC-0748 work: the clicking. It’s possible you’re unaware, but the rhythmic click-click-click has been echoing down the hall for … well, for an excessive amount of time now. I believe I was even able to detect temporal distortions in my own sanity.

[email protected] Abe, I admit, I *may* have temporarily lost all sense of time and auditory sensitivity in pursuit of our temporal mystery pen. I just had to be sure I wasn’t imagining things—the effect really is subtle, right? But point taken; I’ll keep my clicks to a responsible minimum (say, every other second). Also, next time you hear the click-click-click, take solace: it means we’re inching closer to figuring out what IS-0748 actually wants. (Or … it’s lulling me into a trance of perpetual clicking.) At least we’re making strides on the understanding-front, if not yet the volume-control front.

[email protected] I have every confidence in your dedication to unveiling IC-0748’s secrets, even if it means entering the timeless realm of endless clicking. But as a small favor to those of us still bound by mortal perceptions of time—and sound—how about a bit more space between clicks? On a related note, if I hear that rhythm one more time, I might have to classify IC-0748 as a PY for its newfound “psychic” ability to drive half of GATE to madness. Fair warning: if this keeps up, I may start logging “click fatigue” as an official side effect in your report.

[email protected] Point taken, Abe. I’ll dial back the click frequency for collective sanity—and feel free to log us all as ‘incidental test subjects’ for IC-0748 if it helps.

Source

IC-0748 slipped out of the Coworker's back pocket after Abe Stern fed it a slice of tuna pizza. It appears to be a one-of-a-kind as none of its other "gifts" show any sort of paranormal abilities.

Trivia

• IC-0748’s area of effect remains under study, as it appears to influence only the immediate user while bending light in a way that produces a faint shimmer, noticeable especially in photographs. Practical applications of IC-0748 remain unproven, and its reclassification into an IS designation is unlikely.
• There seem to be no practical uses for IC-0748. As it appears to be as ordinary in its abilities as it is in its appearance, a reclassification into an IS is unlikely.