User:APMK/Lore: Paracausal Monitoring Division

Introduction

The PMD Half-Lidded Eye (Full)

The PMD Half-Lidded Eye (Simplified)

Many Eyes, One Vision. - Motto of the PMD

The Paracausal Monitoring Division (PMD) is the most recent addition to NanoTrasen's Emergency Response structure. While some of its roots reach as far back as the Phoron War, this department was formally established in 2564 with the goal of investigating unexplained phenomena and the so-called "Galactic Awakening". Serving as Central Command’s paranormal equivalent of an Emergency Response Team, the PMD operates across a broad array of fields — from Xenoarchaeology to Emergency Response — seeking to explain the inexplicable. Despite the recent beginning to it's operations, the PMD has already made a name for itself in the more unstable areas of the Frontier, as some of it's most notable deployments have been in the wake of significant catastrophes.

History

We are here to learn. - Unattributed

During the Phoron War, NanoTrasen faced a wide array of threats beyond the comparatively mundane assaults of the Syndicate, even as early as the 2490s. Although at the time many of these events were considered to be misinformation, misinterpretation, or incidents of mass hysteria amidst rising tensions on the frontier, some Central Command branches elected to form small investigative units to track and follow up on such accounts. As these units operated on short notice and in isolation, very few were able to produce any useful insights at the time. Although these early attempts were far from successful, the meager infrastructure first developed by them would eventually inspire the PMD’s modern structure and procedure.

Modern Day

Whilst the 2560s have observed many new and unexplained phenomena across the frontier, the establishment of the PMD remains an oddity even among frontier megacorporations. Considered by some a "pet project" of high-ranking executives, the division's establishment has been undertaken in a slow, uneven manner, with some sources suggesting it's sparse implementation has been largely due to internal resistance within the corporation. Nevertheless, this nascent branch of operations has been tasked with not only providing adequate responses to unusual events - but also to investigate the financial opportunity that might be seized through exploitation of these new phenomena.

Beginning from the barebones infrastructure of their mothballed investigatory units, in early 2564, Central Command began screening their extant ERT and DDO assets for any skillset, knowledge or ability relevant to the investigation of so-called "Paracausal" occurrences. These employees were recruited into the PMD as the first Paracausal Anomaly Response Agents and Analysts, tasked with ensuring that the PMD, and by extension NanoTrasen, have the most up to date knowledge of paracausal phenomena possible.

Although the PMD's methods and limited proprietary equipment suggest some progress has been made on their goal, the highly classified nature of nearly all PMD operations makes it difficult to gauge it's true extent. Whilst some employees believe they will one day be responsible for the "next Phoron", many point to the lack of similar endeavors by other megacorporations, and even NanoTrasen's own reluctance to invest in expanding the PMD's barebones infrastructure, as proof of the contrary.

Due to the PMD being encountered almost exclusively through rare sightings of their emergency responders, known as PARA, many NanoTrasen employees are under the misguided impression that they exist as a paramilitary force. In reality the PMD functions as a scientific initiative, with much of it's funding going to R&D: especially the containment and study of paracausal items. PARA response teams are just as likely to encounter hostile paracausal entities as they are to simply retrieve an anomalous item or gather evidence of an event. In either case, PARA's unique expertise has occasionally proven invaluable, especially in times of crisis, making them one of the PMD's few tangible benefits to the corporation.

Structure

The PMD functions as a subdivision of Central Command, operating under the same umbrella as the ST-ERT. Considering their dual role as a research initiative, it can be safely assumed that the PMD operates with a certain degree of autonomy in regards to how they conduct their heavily classified research. As with ST-ERT teams, Central Command branches are meant to possess a dedicated PMD team in their assigned area of operations. These teams are generally meant to be based out of a local containment facility. However, due to the difficulty the PMD experiences with acquiring and training new recruits, as well as the hardships of establishing secure containment sites, very few Central Command facilities have access to a significant PMD presence.

Ranks

The PMD hierarchy illustrates just how much of the Division's work centers around containment and exploitation.

	Title	Description
	Containment Director	The assigned overseer of a PMD research facility. Directors determine what assets are mobilized to anomalous events and — most importantly — coordinate containment and research procedures. Currently, no Director’s identity has been made public.
	Researcher	The backbone of the PMD’s study into the nascent field of Paranatural Science, Researchers may often seem deranged to the outside observer. Most are recruited for their ability to think laterally, allowing them to resist the influence of their subjects and engage in unorthodox methods of experimentation in their search to pry information from items or places of interest.
	Analyst	The unsung heroes of the PMD, Analysts conduct correlational research, compile case studies, review literature and/or documentation, design new equipment, and many other, less tangible — often more fundamental — forms of research. Their findings often help guide the design of practical experiments, and vice-versa.
	PARA	Paracausal Anomaly Response Agents are, for better or worse, the ‘face’ of the PMD. Trained in the suppression of paracausal phenomena and retrieval of objects of interest. Due to the hazardous nature of their work, PARA are occasionally provided experimental equipment or anomalous items that would otherwise qualify for containment.
	Auditor	Although the name itself bears a dubious connotation, PMD Auditors are in fact little more than detectives. Responding to unverified reports or tracking down promising leads, Auditors are responsible for HUMINT gathering. Rarely, they will fill a PR position and may sometimes coordinate workshops and lectures to help NanoTrasen crew liaise with the larger Division.

Equipment

Through the study of certain paranatural artifacts, the PMD has been able to produce a limited range of equipment and weaponry designed specifically to combat supernatural threats.

	Name	Description
	Null Rod	Fashioned out of obsidian, these specially crafted rods possess intrinsic properties which keep them grounded within baseline reality. In the hands of a trained user, a null rod is a formidable tool. Thanks to extensive field research, the PMD has been able to embed the original design's effects into a much wider array of melee weaponry, providing their operatives with more options in the field.
	PARA Armor	PARA body armor is undeniably similar to NanoTrasen ERT gear - evidence of the hand-me-down nature of most PMD armament. Retrofitted for reliability over all else and etched with warding sigils, it has been designed to protect it's user from a variety of unorthodox hazards. The Oculus Malum visor, designed by PMD R&D after numerous losses in the field, effectively protects the user from exposure to visual memetic hazards without hampering sight.
	Ballistic Armaments	Due to the effects of Logic Disruption, PMD assets are trained primarily in close combat. However, when ranged weaponry must be utilized, the PMD favors antique or low complexity firearms. While not as versatile as modern energy weapons, many ballistic firearms remain viable even in the presence of strong paracausal phenomena and may be loaded with specialized ammunition.
	AX99 Handgun	The "standard-issue" sidearm of PARA. Based on the rugged AX59 handgun which had been developed as part of the failed "Advanced Expeditionary Handgun System" program. The AX99 was a modification produced at the PMD's request to capitalize upon the initial design's heavy focus on resilience and reliability even under adverse conditions, with further upgrades made to mitigate the effects of Logic Disruption.

The Six Classes of Paracausal Phenomena

The PMD categorizes paracausal phenomena based on a reference scale, which has been provided below along with examples of eligible events or entities. This list has been internally disseminated to allow for proper classification of a reported emergency. The list is not exhaustive.

Classification	Event Ex.	Entity Ex.	Threat
Styx	Reality Shifting: An item manifests.	Transient effects: Hallucinations, Spontaneous Extrasensory Perception.	Minor
Acheron	Reality Shifting: An item exhibits anomalous traits.	Incorporeal entities: Ghosts, Apparitions.	Minor
Lethe	Reality Warping: A wall begins weeping blood.	Corporeal entities: Animated Statues, Neutral Physical Manifestations.	Moderate
Phlegethon	Reality Warping: An item becomes animate.	Malicious corporeal entities: Hostile Physical Manifestations.	Severe
Cocytus	Unstable Realspace Rifts	Malicious extracorporeal entities: Hostile Transdimensional Manifestations.	Extreme
Oceanus	Theoretical -- Stable Realspace Rifts	Unknown.	Existential

Glossary

• PMD: Paracausal Monitoring Division - NanoTrasen's emergent department oriented towards the defense against - and exploitation of - paracausal activity.
• PARA: Paracausal Anomaly Response Agent - Trained field operatives deployed by the PMD to recover anomalous items or repel paracausal incursions.