Remote Activator

The remote activator, also referred to as a portal device, is one half of a pair of devices essential to the work of the PPC.

Portal Generator
Embedded in the console in each response center is a portal generator, which, as the name suggests, opens a portal from HQ to a target world or location defined by the user. It is also possible to home in on specific characters, canon or otherwise. Use of portals within HQ is limited to emergencies, so the generator is most often used to access Word Worlds to begin PPC missions.

Once a mission has begun, the agent team is not permitted to return to HQ until it has been completed (exceptions can be made for emergencies, which unfortunately do not include things like "running out of Bleeprin"). This is because of the danger of "losing their place": when agents enter a Word World, they modify it just by being there; and when they leave, the fic's Words may return to their Sued version of normal and any work the agents have done made useless. It can even be impossible to find a way back into the fic. The danger can be much reduced if only one agent leaves the fic, letting the other remain behind.

Remote Activator
The remote activator itself is a handheld device linked to the portal generator back in HQ. As the name suggests, it can be used to remotely activate the generator, allowing for portals to be opened within the mission&mdash;either to travel around the Word World, or to return to HQ at the end. Remote activators have been known to malfunction and drop agents&mdash;or Mary Sues being transported&mdash;off in unexpected places.

According to one description, the remote activator is cylindrical, with three numbered dials around the circumference and a large button on one end. The dials are set to define the location, and the button is pressed to open the portal. However, as other descriptions involve setting portals to lock onto locations or specific people, either this describes a simple version of the RA (the one in question was sent to a recruit to allow him to reach HQ), or the dials are very, very versatile.

The remote activator, like other pieces of iron-based technology, does not work in the home of the Discworld elves. It is possible to portal in, but not out.

In the description given above, the remote activator code for HQ is 112.

According to other descriptions, RAs have a "Home" button which opens a portal back to HQ.