Console



A console is a PPC agent's workstation, found in almost every response center.

Consoles are used to receive missions, send and receive messages, set disguises, and open portals. They also have the basic functions of the average personal computer.

The console is infamous for giving off a loud and shrill BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! whenever a new mission arrives.

Structure


The console is built into one wall of every Action response center. Its appearance varies per response center when it comes to the exact size and arrangement of its components. Some consoles recall the earliest wall-sized computing machines; others appear somewhat more modern, if still bulky and immobile.

There may or may not be space to either side of the console depending on the size of the RC. Jay and Acacia's console had just enough of a gap between the console and one wall for a person (e.g. Makes-Things) to hide in—but it was right next to a speaker, so Acacia never used it.

They are physically wired to function per the specifications of a given department. If the agents in a particular response center switch departments, the console has to be rewired by someone from DoSAT.

Computer Terminal
The main part of the console houses the plastic screen (or screens—Jay and Acacia had one each ) where new missions and other messages appear. The display resembles that of an 80s computer.

The terminal also includes a desktop and keyboard, with space below the desk for feet (or stashing gear, or hiding from one's partner).

Indicators & Peripherals
There are various dials and indicators around the console's computer screen, including lights that flash different colors for different alerts, and associated buttons below the lights.


 * Red: New mission alert (possibly assassination missions only) - press button to acknowledge the job
 * Green: Crossover alert/DIC coordination acknowledgement alert - press button to receive message(s) from Untanglers
 * Blue: Press button to acknowledge coordination linkup
 * Unknown color: New message alert - press button to print message

Other built-in peripherals include speakers (whence come the ear-splitting mission alert BEEP!s), a CD/DVD slot, and a printer.

The BEEP!
Mission alert BEEP!s are loud and annoying; it's the law. Although DoSAT can be threatened persuaded to lower the volume, a BEEP!'s volume will always increase if a mission is ignored. They have been known to be heard well outside of their response centers and to BEEP! in words (usually profane) should they be left unacknowledged long enough.

If an agent happens to be playing music when an alert comes in, the alert takes precedence and will cut over the music.

According to the Laws of Narrative Comedy, the probability of a console BEEP!ing increases in direct proportion to the amount of sleep its agent needs. Consequently, the console is vulnerable to heavy damage by fire, heavy metal objects, fists, or all of the above.

PunchGuardTM is sometimes used by DoSAT in an attempt to prevent damage to consoles, but its effectiveness varies.

Some consoles have been suspected of developing limited sentience, or at least a strong sense of self-preservation. A console with a history of violence inflicted upon it to get it to shut up may respond to vocal commands (i.e. shutting up when told if violence is threatened) or actively modulate its own volume to avoid problems. This may be due to tinkering on DoSAT's part; if it is, though, they're not telling.

When receiving messages rather than missions, consoles will [Bing!] or [Bip!] instead of [BEEP!]. When a message is left unacknowledged, there will be a steady [Bip. Bip. Bip.] sound and a flashing "new message" light.

PPC-issue TARDIS consoles use the Cloister Bell instead of a beep.

Disguise and Portal Generators
Both the disguise generator and the portal generator are part of the console. There's a dedicated panel for setting disguises with the aide of a visual "skin," like in The Sims.

Other Functions
While consoles were clearly designed with missions in mind, they have other uses. Inter-Console Electronic Post is used for communication purposes, whether between agents, agent to Flower, or between Flowers. They also appear to have at least limited Internet access, and share a local area network. They can play music, movies, and games.

Modified Consoles
Some agents have modified their consoles to suit their tastes.

RC 999's console has a scaled-down replicator (TNG-era) as an additional segment next to the disguise generator.

RC 2771a's console is barely recognizable as such thanks to Agent Mithiriel. It has a wooden housing that resembles a hand-carved sideboard and a keyboard with carved-oak keys, with a panel that can swing open to reveal the mission read-out at the touch of a butterfly-shaped switch. It's all obscured by lace-trimmed silk and tasteful flower arrangements. Mithiriel also got it to play a delicate ripple of harp music instead of BEEP!ing as a mission alert, but this modification didn't last.

RC ∞'s console is modeled to resemble the Dark Mirror from the Twisted Wonderland continuum (itself resembling the Magic Mirror from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs). It doesn't have a siren; instead, the BEEP! is read aloud by a scary-looking face appearing on the screen.