HUMANS AND PSIONICS

Psionically-talented Humans face a difficult path.  Humanity isn’t exactly accustomed to having people rooting around inside their heads, so the idea that a section of humanity has just that ability doesn’t sit well with the most people.  Anti-psionic bias runs rampant in some areas of Earth, and there are fringe political groups who make “rounding up the mind-readers” a major campaign issue.  In an effort to assuage the fears, the SDA heavily monitors psionically-talented Humans and has a wide range of regulations regarding what they are and are not allowed to do with their abilities.

Psionic-empowered Humans with strong telepathic abilities often find work with the SDA’s 5th Directorate.  They also commonly work as translators or serve to ensure bi-partisan legitimacy in business deals (but only with both party’s consent, and this activity is regulated and monitored by the SDA’s 4th Directorate).  Strong Telepaths are also very valuable to the TAAF, and civilian ones commonly find themselves contracted to serve as a form of emergency long-range communications in situations where faster-than-light communication is necessary.

Psionic-empowered Humans who lack a talent for telepathy find work wherever their talents lend themselves best to.  Some work as bounty hunters, others work as archaeologists, and still others just work in ‘normal’ jobs, keeping their abilities under control.

The SDA uses a drug called ‘purpadrine’ to control psions who are under arrest.  This substance was developed with the aid of the Teuthidoids, who acknowledged that humanity would need a tool to control those who misuse their abilities.  Delivered via subcutaneous injection, this drug suppresses the neurotransmitters responsible for psionic ability, shutting off psionic ability for roughly twelve hours per dose.  One in ten people experience a side effect that has not been able to be removed yet – uncontrollably clenched fists.