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9 (4/5)-POINT PROFESSION• CLEARANCE: MJ5

For the most part, these individuals focus on developing their psychic potential in order to contribute to NDD. PSIRES Operatives are difficult to keep; they have a high susceptibility to burnout, psychic as well as physical. They have recently started to cross-train with Security to investi- gate psychic threats, which pushes them to the breaking point.

Qualities: Heavy Indoctrination (NDD) (–3), Implant

(Sentinel), Psychic

Skills: Computer Programming +1, Research/Investigation

+1, Science (Parapsychology) +1, Trance +1

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Paranormal Research (PARRES): The smallest of all sub-

divisions inside the Directorate, this group focuses on the least understood of all areas of Directorate interest. Its primary duty is to be a liaison with allied occult organizations and to broad- en the knowledge of occult and mystic practices. PARRES is ded- icated to making such knowledge a useful resource of NDD while minimizing safety risks.

Operatives in this subdivision are devoted to research only and do not risk involvement with the paranormal. NDD believes strongly that manipulation of paranormal energies can only lead to endangerment of the organization. Any individual engaged in active paranormal practice or participation without authorization is dealt with swiftly and severely.

PARRES work was almost completely phased out two decades ago, but a handful of loyal researchers insisted on the importance of continuing the study of the paranormal, if only because Aegis and other organizations seem to make much of this type of activity.

DIVISION 8: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT (SRD)

Division Pseudonym: SRD, D8 Deputy Director: Thomas Fagan

Scientific Research and Development (SRD) strives to master the sciences and apply them to the benefit of the Directorate. This includes the development of scientific research programs within numerous military and civilian organizations, as well as in-house research for more delicate projects. SRD personnel strive to blend knowledge gained by studying the EBEs with the rest of the human sciences.

SRD interacts with EI regularly in the pursuit of scientific advances and their implementation within NDD. Further, con- siderable overlap exists between the jurisdictions of IA, EI, P&P, and SRD. Thus, these divisions all work closely together.

Numerous research programs are scattered around the USA, hidden in sponsoring corporate organizations and military installations. Projects deemed potential security risks are per- formed by SRD itself and kept under tight security within NDD facilities at all times. Most of these projects are MJ7 clearance and above.

Over the past thirty-eight years, SRD has worked to blend EBE science with that of a more mundane, terrestrial nature. Although NDD had high hopes of learning much from the Reticulans, they have been exceedingly reticent about releasing information regarding their scientific advances.

The alliance with the Gna-Tall has proven to be far more advantageous. Their work in gravitronics theory has been essential for SRD’s recent technological advances. Unfortunately, much of the information they have generously provided remains beyond our current level of comprehension.

Naturally, SRD has not revealed this to the Gna-Tall, lest it be perceived as a potential weakness within NDD.

In keeping with SRD’s mission, work continues on theoretical applications for the disruption of psychic ability, microwave dis- tortion fields, and electromagnetics. In the event that either of the NDD’s EBE allies opts to dissolve the alliance and becomes an independent agency and/or opposing force, SRD is develop- ing new methods for both attack and defense targeted specifi- cally at those species. These projects, classified MJ9 clearance, are at the exploratory stage only. If successful, SRD will work closely with R&D to provide appropriate mechanisms for use.

SUBDIVISIONBREAKDOWN

BioGenetic Research (BIOGEN): The scientists of BIOGEN

work constantly to develop biological and genetic understanding of all EBEs. This subdivision is making headway in several areas, but information to be gained from terminated EBEs is limited, and living EBEs have not always proven completely cooperative. Working closely with corporations that specialize in the human genome and identifying markers, BIOGEN has been able to accumulate a vast quantity of information about biogenetics.

Frequently, BIOGEN requests and receives volunteers from the array of NDD agents, and P&P is particularly interested in learning more about psychic ability as a genetic trait. To date, genetic understanding of the Gna-Tall is very limited, and of the Reticulans even more so, as both groups are markedly reluctant to part with much information about their physiology, most likely out of a viable concern for physical vulnerability. BIOGEN has, however, gleaned some data about mental and psychic functioning from P&P’s CERRES program.

Pharmacological Research (PHARRES): The scientists of

this subdivision work on understanding chemicals and their effects on both human and EBE physiology. This pharmacologi- cal knowledge is used to develop physical and mental enhance- ment drugs as well as healing compounds. PHARRES frequently consults with P&P’s CERRES to develop mind-control drugs while avoiding the side effects the CIA/MK groups encountered.

Working through EI’s Watchmen program, PHARRES per- forms most of its testing on convicted felons. In the past, how- ever, PHARRES has used contacts in the U.S. military to conduct research in field environments. The subdivision was able to gather a tremendous amount of data during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Southern Focus in this fashion.

Scientific exploration of pharmacological substances has led to the development of a variety of useful compounds. Many of the earlier compounds were dedicated to mind-control purpos- es and research on mental functions. Recent advances have pushed forward on a number of fronts.

PHARRES has been able to develop substances to block pain and to artificially increase a person’s healing rate. Once the body’s recovery mechanisms were unlocked, PHARRES was also able to create medicines to defend against microorganisms

and to increase protection against biotoxins and radiation. Currently PHARRES is examining ways to bolster the body’s nat- ural responses to changes in pressure, to allow pilots to turn at greater than 11 g and improve SCUBA divers’ ascension rates. These substances remain in the experimental stages and are not ready for field deployment.

General Science (GENSCI): This subdivision monitors the

worldwide scientific community for breakthroughs that would be of interest to the Directorate. GENSCI is also tasked with choosing the proper time and place to “leak” helpful scientific knowledge, as directed and coordinated by IA.

Being responsible for all sciences not under the purview of pharmacology or biogenetics means that, at any given time, General Science has more than 100 projects under its supervi- sion and control. Many of these projects, such as the recent bio- glove design, are conducted on NDD bases. However, some lower security projects, or research easily dismissed as “eccen- tric” or “fanciful” thanks to the work of IA and DDS, are con- ducted in plain sight.

Many of SRD’s best operatives are culled from programs at prestigious universities where they have been denied the sup- port of their peers. Provision of funding for their research is a convenient method of determining whether they are amenable to the goals of NDD.