Neutralization Specialist Corps

The Neutralization Specialist Corps becomes active when the Void Engineer's mission to safeguard the Earth encounters setbacks. Inevitably, Void Engineer defenses are too scattered to offer the all-encompassing protection that the world once had before the Anomaly. When adversaries breach the gates, the NSC steps in, establishing a secondary line of defense right in our own vicinity.

## History

The roots of combating otherworldly threats trace back to the early days of the Order of Reason, an organization formed to address the perilous alliances mages were forging with incomprehensible external forces. The reckless pursuit of power through these pacts left humanity vulnerable to entities with immense power and little regard for human life. While the Neutralization Specialist Corps (NSC) doesn't share a direct historical connection with the early Scientists of the Order of Reason, it aligns with their philosophy and strives to continue their mission.

Formally established as a dedicated organization, the NSC originated as a small division of the BCD known as the Office of Entropic Space Affairs (OESA). The aftermath of World War I highlighted the pressing need for a specialized response team to counter Entropic incursions, which surged dramatically post-war. The devastation of the war, coupled with increased Nephandic assaults, created a tumultuous period that threatened the survival of the human race.

In a pivotal move during an emergency session in September 1916, the Inner Circle amalgamated various ad-hoc EDE hunting groups into the OESA, renaming it the Neutralization Specialist Corps. The Syndicate was tasked with significantly boosting the NSC's budget, centralizing its authority and resources. This transformation rendered the NSC more effective, allowing it to tackle numerous EDE incursions simultaneously. Within two years, the NSC successfully curtailed the onslaught of EDE attacks, establishing robust defenses that withstood challenges during World War II.

Between 1949 and 1999, Earth experienced a relatively peaceful period with unauthorized crossings at unprecedented lows. The NSC, viewing itself as inheriting one of the original duties of the Order of Reason, played a crucial role in safeguarding humanity from extraterrestrial threats. The formation of this specialized task force, marked by adequate funding, was a response to the thinning Shroud and the entry of spectres and dark entities into reality around 1916.

However, with the onset of the Dimensional Anomaly, Earth faced a resurgence of challenges, as spirits and other entities increasingly breached the boundaries between dimensions.

## Organization

The NSC, since its inception, has undertaken a multifaceted mission, extending its responsibilities to various areas. It not only defends humanity from external threats but also addresses the psychological toll inflicted by its duties on its members.

### Interface Defense Corps (IDC)

Known as the "Moonwatchers," the IDC focuses on countering dangerous entities that breach the BCD's defenses. Operating the Incursion Threat Assessment Grid (ITAG), a global network of sensor stations and orbital platforms, the IDC detects incursions from the Near Universe with an impressive 79.2% accuracy rate. The ITAG, equipped with technology from Deep Universal Excursion Vessels, also aids in locating and monitoring Traditional and Deviant gateways through the Gauntlet, crucial for preserving the planet's security.

### Spectral Neutralization Division (SND)

The SND serves as the primary defense against threats from Entropic Space. Relying on human intelligence gathered by Necronauts and monitoring from four permanent Constructs, the SND identifies and addresses atrocity sites, dispatching neutralization co-ops to destroy or contain threats. Entropic EDEs (EEDE) pose formidable challenges due to their unique threat profiles, diverse weaponry, and durability. The SND operates in dangerous conditions, as demonstrated by an incident in 2004 near Bhopal, India, where a single EEDE resisted multiple neutralization attempts.

### Descartes Institute of Mental Health (DIMH)

The DIMH, the NSC's medical division, addresses the mental and physical toll inflicted by exposure to horrors such as EDEs and the Dimensional Anomaly. The institute specializes in healing the minds of Void Engineers and any Union member wounded by the nightmares within the Anomaly, preventing the risk of Enlightened individuals turning into Marauders.

#### Enforcement Training and Condition Agency (ETCA)

The ETCA, a subdivision of DIMH, is responsible for the social conditioning of Void Engineers who venture into the Universe to confront otherworldly entities. The aim is to provide them with mental buffers to cope with the horrors emitted by these entities. Notably, the conditioning implemented by ETCA often diverges from that of the N.W.O, affording Void Engineers greater autonomy and freedom from Control compared to other Conventions.

## Convention

The primary critique leveled at the NSC's field operatives by fellow Void Engineers is their striking resemblance to the New World Order's Operations Methodology. This observation holds some truth, as the IDC and SND often collaborate closely with the Black Suits, with 68% of their missions being interwoven. The Black Suits handle the political, philosophical, and Consensus impact, while the NSC focuses on collecting and analyzing evidence at the physical sites. They employ similar tactics, procedures, resort to violence equally, and even share a similar dress code. While the NSC's collaboration with the NWO may justify their cooperative approach due to the frequent intertwining of their inherently perilous missions, there's an unsettling aspect to the entire dynamic. The perception arises that their association with the NWO makes them more inclined to use force instead of scientific finesse.

One area where the Methodology seeks to redeem itself is in psychiatric and medical care. The life of a Void Engineer is extraordinarily stressful, particularly after the Anomaly, resulting in more instances of individuals breaking down. When psychiatric assistance is required, the DIMH's Department of Psychological Evaluation and Maintenance (DPEM) provides support. Before the Anomaly, the DPEM was situated in a sprawling facility tailored to their needs, featuring simulated warm, dappled sunlight, calm ocean and forest environments. Presently, patients sent to the DIMH are distributed among its Earthside hospitals, with the largest division located at the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris.

Within the DIMH, a division known as the Enforcement Training and Conditioning Agency (ECTA) oversees the deprogramming of Cadets in our colleges. This further solidifies their professional disdain for the NWO, as they constantly engage in the challenging task of removing damaging mental conditioning from the minds of young learners. Once the conditioning is dismantled, the ECTA proceeds to implant safety training into the Cadets' minds, buffering their psyches against the shock and trauma of encountering dangerous alien entities. This preventive measure aims to address fatal errors in judgment often made by green Cadets in early contacts with the enemy. The Procedures implemented serve as a psychological buffer, ensuring that Void Engineers can make optimal decisions with a clear mind, in contrast to mainstream Technocratic conditioning, which seeks to exert control over those decisions. The NSC trusts its members to decide for themselves.