The Magnus Archives - The Magnus Protocol 19 – Hard Reset

Episode Date: June 6, 2024

CAT13RBC1137-21031684-11042024 Transformation (canine) -/- growth (Crystalline)Incident Elements:- Animal Peril/Threat- Metallophobia- Body Horror- Mentions of: Therapy, Implied Mental BreakdownTranscripts: https://shorturl.at/gzF15This episode is dedicated to Dove Halber, thank you for your generous support! You can a complete list of our Kickstarter backers https://rustyquill.com/the-magnus-protocol-supporter-wall/Created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall  Directed by Alexander J NewallWritten by Alexander J NewallScript Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims  Executive Producers April Sumner, Alexander J Newall, Jonathan Sims, Dani McDonough, Linn Ci, and Samantha F.G. Hamilton Associate Producers Jordan L. Hawk, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius d’Raven, and Megan Nice Produced by April Sumner  Featuring (in order of appearance) Shahan Hamza as Samama Khalid Lowri Ann Davies as Celia RipleyBillie Hindle as Alice DyerAnusia Battersby as Gwendolyn BouchardSarah Lambie as Lena KelleyRyan Hopevere-Anderson as Colin BecherDialogue Editor – Nico VetteseSound Designer – Tessa VroomMastering Editor - Catherine RinellaMusic by Sam Jones (orchestral mix by Jake Jackson) Art by April Sumner  Check out our merchandise available at https://www.redbubble.com/people/RustyQuill/shop and https://www.teepublic.com/stores/rusty-quill  Join our community:  WEBSITE: rustyquill.com  FACEBOOK: facebook.com/therustyquill  TWITTER: @therustyquill  REDDIT: reddit.com/r/RustyQuill  EMAIL: [e-mail]   The Magnus Protocol is a derivative product of the Magnus Archives, created by Rusty Quill Ltd. and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share alike 4.0 International Licence.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone, it's Kareem, the voice of Simon Fairchild and the Eternal Tabin Keeper. Today, I'm here to tell you about The Programme. The Programme audio series is a science fiction anthology podcast, set in a world where money, state and God are fused into a single entity. Every episode is a standalone story featuring ordinary people inhabiting this extraordinary world. And for them, it's not this future that is terrifying, but our present. The Programme is sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but it is always smart. Find out more about the program at www.rustyquill.com or www.programaudioseries.com

or search for The Program Audio Series wherever you listen to your podcasts. Have fun and see you later. This episode is dedicated to Dov Halber. Ceaseless Watcher dedicate this now to my dearest sister, a true disciple of the Eye, haunting my waking nightmares even now, and the best sister a girl could ask for. RustyQuill presents... RustyQuill presents... The Magnus Protocol

Episode 19 Hard Recent The the the the the the the the the the You need topping up or? No, I'm good thanks.

Looks like you raided the empty photocopy of the building this time. The papers? There seems to be more of them every time I come in here. You're lucky Lina hasn't noticed. She's pretty uptight about how much stuff we print. Celia, what is all this? Just research. She's pretty uptight about how much stuff we print. Celia, what is all this? Just research. Is that... alchemy? You recognise it? Some of it.

This one's something to do with transference. And this one... Yeah, it's all about spiritual substitution of elements. Although, it looks like it's incomplete. You're what? An alchemist now? Hardly. I ran into a bunch of this when I was looking into the Magnus Institute. Turns out they were pretty deep into all this stuff. What's got you looking into it?

Just curious. Speaking of, how's the research into the Institute going? I don't know. I think I'm going to drop it. Really? Yeah, Alice keeps saying I'm getting obsessed and don't tell her I said this, but I think she might have a point. I've never been good with loose ends. If you're sure. Seems like you were handing it okay to me. You think? Well, either way, I've got enough cases filing up. I doubt I'd have the time anyway. Tell me about it.

Speaking of, I should probably get back to it. Enjoy whatever this is. Will do. Oh, and if I find anything to do at the Institute, I just keep it to myself, yeah? Oh, I mean, I wouldn't go that far. To my esteemed colleague and friend, honourable Fellow of the Royal Society Robert Boyle, from the Bureau of Robert Hooke, Curator of Experiments of the Same, regarding enactment of that most regrettable protocol in the service of God, King and Country against the fellow Isaac Newton, penned in the year of our Lord 1684. I write to you now with intelligence of the gravest nature and a proposal most severe.

I pray that my words do not further estrange you from me, and that you believe me when I assure you that the suggested action is profoundly necessary for the continuation and preservation of good science. We have much discussed the great divide between Isaac's experimentations and your own essential works, and so I have oft found myself at odds with you, for though much of his work is dubious in its moral principle, his studies have always proven most illuminative and have many times assisted my own researches. I fear, however, his most recent works have disturbed this precarious equilibrium, turning instead to most improper, perhaps blasphemous ends, and

I find myself left with no recourse other than to make it known to you in the hope that I might reawaken our previously close concord, which has lain dormant these long years, in service of a wholesale rejection of his creation which, I am of the firm opinion, has finally erred towards the abominable and must be halted. I recall with much shame that it was myself who pressed you so vociferously for restraint last time this protocol was enacted. It was I who begged patience, certain as I was that my work on Micrographia might have rendered a remedy for that most awful plague. It was I who warned that to enact a protocol

against the great city of London itself was a step beyond the rights of our position, but you were, as is so oft the case, correct in your steadfastness, and I confess purgation of all that most dangerous and unfit knowledge was both necessary and good. It was only through the protocol that we were spared from that dread omission, and I fear that such an act is once again required, though it is my fervent hope that on this occasion there is still sufficient time to limit the breadth of the poisonous act. As well you know, despite Isaac standing as a fellow within the estimable society, his experiments persist in prying into such knowledge as we both know to be anathema to good

science. His work on the vegetative propagation of metals has proceeded unabated these recent years, and I am now most certain that the fruits of his labor will lead to tragedy, death, and damnation, if they are left to mature unchecked. I have of late been a somewhat more frequent visitor to Isaac than you may have suspected, and I fear that, of the many sins I have committed in my time upon this earth, this may be one of those I come most to regret. I had, of course, no knowledge of the perilous extent of his experiments,

and had I known such I would never have deigned to further associate myself with him, but his most recent letters promised work of a quite astonishing nature and, may God forgive me, my curiosity could not be assuaged without witness. Upon his insistence I visited his laboratory in Trinity in a sanguine mood, though this was immediately disturbed by the damnable presence of that stunted dog he keeps, worrying my coattails as I approached the threshold. As is his want, Isaac failed to notice my approach, preoccupied as he was with his work, and it was only by declaring myself most forcefully that he could be sufficiently

distracted to acknowledge my presence. Foregoing the customary pleasantries, he instead proceeded straight to his laboratory wherein I saw he had a glass flask of great proportions, at least thirty gallons or thereabouts, within which there was an element of such overwhelming radiance that to look upon it directly was to dazzle the eyes and throw the mind into confusion. Composing myself, I queried Isaac on the nature of this creation, whereupon he explained with customary disinterest that he had finally perfected the work of Wilhelm Homburg to produce what he termed the Arbor Philosophorum Perfecta. I was naturally most intrigued, but despite my questioning he refused to elaborate,

instead passing me a smoked glass that I might gaze upon his creation with greater clarity, and when I did so, I came to understand that what I was looking at was a small tree ensconced in a clear solution. At first I presumed it to be merely another work of dendritic silver as we have seen before, albeit one of surpassing quality and finesse. However, I soon came to realize this was something altogether grander and profoundly abhorrent. Its branches were exquisite and delicate, swaying slightly from small eddies in the liquid, and they shone with every spectra. I must confess that to look upon it one was filled with profound wonder at its exquisite elegance. I professed as much

to Isaac and he replied quite solemnly, as are all of the Lord's living works. This struck me as somewhat incongruous and gave me a moment's pause, for though impressive, the tree was quite clearly mineral in nature, and as such must be lacking in that essential vitality that only the Lord God can bestow. I presumed his words an unfortunate jest, but he then asked me if I would taste of its fruit. I refused, of course, assuming the offer another of his odd japs, But his face was grave. He then opened the flask and reached inside, muttering as he did so. De ligno autem, scienzie boni et mali, ne comedas in cocunque, en em dei comedris,

ex eo morte morieris. Even I, steeped in worldly matters as I am, recognized the Lord's words to Adam, and was much dismayed at the implication. Isaac then plucked the delicate fruit with unloved hands and held it before me. I began to not only doubt Isaac in that moment, but even fear him, for I knew he had finally transgressed the limits of anything within the bounds of mortal philosophy. Until that moment our encounter had been, if not typical, at least explicable. Mayhap Isaac had made a legitimate discovery, and was merely indulging in some grand performance before providing some less grotesque explanation. But such was not to be, for no sooner had I seen the fruit upon his palm than he dipped

it into the waiting mouth of that cursed dog I had failed to see skulking at my feet. Isaac's eyes never left mine, but I could not help but watch as the wretched canine swallowed it. There was a moment's stillness within which Isaac watched me closely, for my reaction was seemingly of more interest to him at that moment than the fate of the animal and my reaction was terror. The dog remained motionless at first seemingly unaffected by its unnatural feast but as the moments passed I espied a growing torpor in his manner with slowed breathing sagging posture and drooping jowls. It lay down as if to sleep,

whereupon it grew even more peaceful and still. I almost believed it dead, poisoned by my companion but then I saw something far more distressing. The creature was taking root. Strands of its mottled brown hair were extruding downwards between the floor, seeking the dark earth below. Then too its back began to sprout, radiant branches unfurling and thickening before me, reaching upwards towards the sunlight with a seemingly insatiable desire. The dog then opened one eye and stared at me. And this was the most disturbing thing of all, for that orb was also shimmering with that unnatural light. But more than that, it looked upon me, and it knew me not as a beast knows its master, but as one man knows another. And though such a creature must by all natural law lack that essential and ephemeral anima that is

required for such awful knowledge, I tell you here, Robert, it saw me and it knew me. I felt myself grow insensible at that violation, and before I could restrain myself I had grasped a heavy instrument with which I might dash its skull upon the floor. Isaac, however, intervened, and for the first time since feeding the animal that cursed fruit, he spoke and bade me to remain calm. He then reached back to the flask with a smaller cup and decanted a portion of the solution into it. Then, seemingly without concern, he poured it upon the rapidly growing monstrosity. There was a brief hiss and a release of steam which occluded my vision entirely, quickly followed by a slight tugging at my trouser legs from which I recoiled in horror, fearing the creature had reached out to claim me in its insidious grip.

But when the vapor cleared, I found myself cowering from nothing more than that mange-ridden dog. No longer sprouting and burdened with knowledge, it was reduced to a mere beast once again. Isaac laughed at this ignominious display and suggested I step away to recover so that I might better appreciate that which had been revealed to me. I instead took my leave and hurried out of not just his chambers but the entire college as fast as I was able. Thus it is that I find myself writing this account for

you that you might better understand my concerns. No doubt you agree with me that I have witnessed something which is far outside that which we could in good conscience and understanding describe as good science. For if such a transmutation can be elicited from a lower creature devoid of soul or reason, I tremble to consider how it might affect the children of Adam, blessed as we are with greater faculty and insight for both good and evil. Though it pains me to speak so poorly of one so well regarded as Isaac, I fear this latest excess is beyond what can be called conscionable. His work must be curtailed for the safety of all. I remain opposed however to any notion

of violence against his person. He is a prominent figure and his work, though misguided, is not wantonly evil. I propose that we enact the protocol but limit it only to his laboratory, destroying his research and correspondence, for if we can end this digression from good science and divert him with more virtuous work, we might yet take possession of a newly ardent ally in our vigils. This is of course on condition that he never discovers our intervention, nor is left to work in such solitude again. Robert, my dear compatriot, I implore you to consider my plea despite our recent disagreements, for if you fail to act

I will instead be forced to intervene alone, and by God's grace I know not if I hold the fortitude to do what would need to be done. Pray reply with all celerity for I fear that time is short in this matter. Yours with the utmost respect and gratitude for the sake of London, England, and for all of Christendom. Robert. Alice? Yeah? Do you have a moment? Apparently. What's up? Can we talk in the break room? Look Sam, I really don't have time to mess around tonight. It'll only take a

sec. What's wrong? You're doing your twitchy eye. You only do that when something's up. Are the computers listening to us? What? As in, are they monitoring our conversations or something? Freddy can barely boot up without throwing an error so I seriously doubt it's monitoring your loo breaks. Typical Colin to have a complete breakdown just to get out of fixing the damn thing. Alice.

I know, I'm just frustrated. Look, what's brought this on all of a sudden, Sam? I... I know it sounds crazy but... well, it's starting to feel like I'm deliberately being given cases that point to the Magnus Institute. You're right. I am? Yeah, that does sound crazy. I'm not making this up. These days it's like every other case links back to it in some way. Sam, enough! Can you even hear yourself? Look, this place can really get to you if you're not careful. And I really don't want you to go the same way as Colin.

Have you heard anything from him? No. Have you heard anything from him? No. Was that all? Because like I said, I'm up to my eyes over here. Yeah. Yeah, forget I said anything. Great. For God's sake! So just to be crystal clear, you want me to go out, alone, to an isolated location to meet a dangerous external you wouldn't allow in this building, and you won't even consider the possibility of giving me some kind of security?

Correct. I regret that there aren't more resources available to support you, but that is the reality of the situation. This is ridiculous! You're the one who was laying into me for bringing Lady Mowbray here! What happened to unacceptable risks to personnel? I'd like to remind you that you are the one who resorted to blackmail to secure this position. I have completed such assignments myself on many occasions, and this is an essential part of the role.

If, however, on reflection you have come to realize you are unfit for the job, you are as always welcome to resign. I'm sure your family will be able to find you an easier position elsewhere. I know that the OIAR has used Starkwall to provide security in the past. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for some basic support. Starkwall, as with any security force, have an unfortunate habit of escalating situations they become involved in. It's my professional opinion that you will be safer without their presence. So I'm on my own.

Correct. Good luck. Come on Colin, we both know you're in there. Alice, what are you doing here? I'm trying to check up on you, you idiot. You know, like a friend. I'm fine. Just open the door Colin, I'm not talking to you through an inch of ex council chipboard. Hey mate, you're looking...here.

Give me your phone. What? You want inside, then give me your phone. Why? You're going to throw it in the fish tank aren't you? I have to, it's the only way to be sure. I can't let them know how much we know. Right. Listen, Colin, we're all worried about you. You should be worried for yourselves. I know Lena told you to get some counselling and I just thought I'd check.

Are you seeing anyone? Professionally, I mean. No, what I need is to not be seen. And he sees too much already. Doing Mummy and Daddy's stazzy proud, I'm sure. Not that anyone cares, as long as it all balances out, right? Not too much Mercury or the world ends, not too much sulfur, we all go mad. Colin, calm down mate, you're starting to sound... Give me your phone! I'm not giving you my phone!

Colin! Colin! You're starting to sound- Just give me your phone! I'm not giving you my phone! Colin! Colin! Idiots. Idiots all the way down. The Magnus Protocol is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial share alike 4.0 international license. The series is created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J. Newell and directed by Alexander J. Newell. This episode was written by Alexander J. Newell and edited with additional materials by Jonathan

Sims with vocal edits by Nico Vitesse, soundscaping by Tessa Vroom, and mastering by Catherine Rinella, with music by Sam Jones. It featured Billy Hindle as Alice Dyer, Shahan Hamza as Samar Makhalid, Anuja Battersby as Gwen Bouchard, Laurie Ann Davis as Celia Ripley, Ryan Hope Veer Anderson as Colin Becker, Sarah Lambie as Lena Kelly, with additional voices from Jonathan Sims. The Magnus Protocol is produced by April Sumner

with executive producers Alexander J. Newell, Danny McDonough, Lynn C., and Samantha F. G. Hamilton, and associate producers Jordan L. Hawwell, Danny McDonough, Lynn C and Samantha F.G. Hamilton and associate producers Jordan L. Hawke, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetia Sturraven and Megan Nice. To subscribe, view associated materials or join our Patreon, visit RustyQuill.com. Rate and review us online, tweet us at The Rusty Quill, visit us on Facebook or email us at at mail at rustyquill.com. Thanks for listening. Hi everyone, it's Kareem, the voice of Simon Fairchild in The Eternal Tabernacle.

Today I'm here to tell you about The Program. The Program audio series is a science fiction anthology podcast, set in a world where money, state and God are fused into a single entity. Every episode is a standalone story featuring ordinary people inhabiting this extraordinary world. And for them, it's not this future that is terrifying, but our present. The Program is sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but it is always smart. Find out more about the program at www.rustyquill.com or www.programaudioseries.com or search for

the program audio series wherever you listen to your podcasts. Have fun and see you later.