///PRT-IPS 30072011///
///PERSREF: 100233-112003///
Parahuman Phenomenology and Foreign Memory Transference
PRT Case File No. 78, pending
Doctor Jessica Yamada, PhD, ABPP, NBCCH-PS
While we understand to some degree how a parahuman's ability affects their emotions, personality, and even brain structure, we still lack an understanding as to why. Specifically, why powers manifest in ways that manipulate a hosts perception of their being or reality. This case study of Patient M does not offer and answer, but gives clues and evidence that is of paramount value to the field.
M is a member of the Wards. They triggered in May of 2011 and joined the Wards shortly after. M's primary parahuman ability takes the form of a selectively-permeable, skin-tight projection that is capable of withstanding almost all punishment (addendum: M's projection failed when encountering Case File No. 01). They also have a minor precognitive aspect discussed further below.
M was referred for intensive therapy by their Ward captain on 21st June, 2011 based on his observations, both power-based and conventional, of M's mental state. During this therapy it came to light that the precognitive aspect of M's power was tied into the memories of another person. The presence of the Foreign Engram (FE), present at the moment of M's trigger event, caused M to temporarily believe they were the FE itself, or the personality contained within. M described the feeling of these memories as “dysphoric”, which is telling language in itself.
The FE claimed (or M claimed on its behalf) that it originated extradimensionally, from another Earth not unlike Earth Aleph. Earth Ammonis (hypothetical) allegedly contained a story that the FE remembered regarding certain events that M would subsequently attempt to prevent, with some success. Though initially M claimed the memories came shortly before events occurred, they revealed during therapy the memories were fully present from the time of their trigger event.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
It should be noted here, M is a natural trigger rather than one of the recently revealed artificial triggers; it is highly unlikely their memories were tampered with as with the Case File No. 53 now known to be tied to artificial triggers. The FE was confirmed to be physically present in M's hippocampus by a PRT-verified medical Thinker as well, so a falsehood can also be ruled out. This is likely to be a novel case, though not necessarily unprecedented.
Memory transference in parahumans was recognized with Case File No. 70, the Twin Cases. It was theorized that the bodies and minds of each are being held extradimensionally when they are not fronting (Fleischmann 2007, 42). Despite this, the twins are capable of intracommunication without too much issue. Wilkens (2008, 3) hypothesized the communication is facilitated by by the coronas pollentia and gemma, though no EKG or medical Thinker followups were carried out to determine this.
In this case, the extradimensional aspect is present in the apparent origin of the FE. This alone is not enough to directly tie it to the parahuman ability. Similar detachment is present in M's recollection of FE memories as in precognitive predictions and, like with Twin Cases, such recollection occurs as easily as regular thought; though subject to memory impairment, at least with M.
The FE itself, if artificial in nature, was remarkably detailed. M was able to recall events spanning from an apparent age of four through to age twenty-nine, when the memories ceased. The FE also recalled the year of its final memories as 2024, thirteen years from the present day. Time manipulation is also a well-known parahuman ability, present in many parahumans; though a span of this length, if true, would be unprecedented.
The unique nature of this case makes study difficult, hence the use of the term in the title "phenomenology". In this case, it refers to Patient M's lived experience with their memories, the sole source of information. M was also reluctant to share any of the FE's memories before therapy, as they felt it was unbelievable. In that regard, the author recommends the description of this case file be circulated with allied agencies to encourage others that may feel the same to come forward.
Addendum, Dr. Alan Vines:
Currently, this case file needs more study. Patient M, the prototype, has declined so far to work with researchers; their only communication regarding this file being through Doctor Jessica Yamada. Currently, foreign parahuman studies institutes have been forwarded the file for review, as well as to see if there is non-English literature on the subject that may have been missed. Follow on review scheduled for 1st October, 2011.
///PRT-IPS 30072011///
///PERSREF: 100233, 112003///
– PROTECTED L –
