PAM

The Predictive Analytic Machine or P.A.M. for short, is an extremely sophisticated supercomputer wired to a modified Assaultron unit, currently installed at the Railroad HQ in 2287.

Background
The development of the Predictive Analytic Machine, abbreviated P.A.M., was green-lighted in 2067, commissioned under the P.A.M. Initiative. This was a joint project between the Defense Intelligence Agency and the military to develop an advanced supercomputer capable of accurately predicting the future, utilizing the most sophisticated algorithms and mathematical formulas known to man. Her prediction models depended on the data fed into her systems by her human operators. P.A.M. was primarily intended for use in performing complex modeling for war. She was eventually wired to a modified Assaultron, granting her increased mobility. This made it easier for P.A.M. to be dismantled and relocated in the event of an enemy attack.

Although the project had suffered numerous setbacks and other misfortunes during the duration of its course, P.A.M. managed to correctly predict that Chinese nuclear warheads directed towards the United States would soon be deployed. With this information at hand, the military was able to mobilize its own fleet of ballistic missiles and raise the DEFCON status to the highest level in preparation for an upcoming invasion. Although the Great War only last two hours, the nuclear exchange had silenced the majority of the larger pockets of human civilization across the globe. Due to its isolated location, the Switchboard never took a direct hit, sparing P.A.M. from the wrath of atomic fire. With her human operators now deceased, the computer's systems began to shut down, leaving her in a dormant state for over 200 years.

It was only when the Switchboard was discovered by Railroad operatives that P.A.M. would sense the presence of another human, following over a century of inactivity. The organization's technological experts were able to reprogram the computer to support their cause. P.A.M. would soon prove herself to be an important asset to the success of the Railroad's cause in the Commonwealth.

However, the Railroad contingent stationed at the Switchboard had secretly been under the observation of enemy Institute spies. A squad of synths was soon dispatched to storm the facility and exterminate the Railroad presence there. Despite the heavy casualties, the survivors of the attack managed to save P.A.M. from being claimed by Institute forces, thanks to her robotic frame. She was eventually relocated to and installed in the organization's current headquarters in the catacombs of the Old North Church.

Now a vital asset of utmost importance to the Railroad's cause within the region, P.A.M.'s advanced mathematical capabilities and large databases of information about the region ensure that operations are carried out efficiently, with little to no chance of failure, plus avoiding deadly destruction and annihilation at the hands of the Institute. Due to the fact that the human race is a extremely complex set of variables, P.A.M. constantly requires herself to revise her algorithms in order to ensure accurate prediction models, especially when wild cards like the Sole Survivor are taken into account.

Other interactions

 * P.A.M. provides the player character with her own Jackpot missions and occasionally provides information about other Railroad missions.
 * P.A.M. will not initiate Railroad radiant quests once the quest Tactical Thinking has started, but will talk again if that quest fails (for example doing The Nuclear Option (Railroad) or The Nuclear Option (Minutemen)).
 * Even after the completion of Tactical Thinking and the total destruction of the Railroad, P.A.M. will still give out some Railroad radiant quests to the player character, such as Variable Removal quests.

Appearances
P.A.M. only appears in Fallout 4.

Bugs

 * Selecting the "Maybe later" response may lead to it not giving any more quests and the player will not be able to speak to it beyond the initial greeting.
 * One can use the console command to fix this.
 * Responding with the "not interested" reply after P.A.M. briefs you about a mission may lead to her constantly being busy and not initiating dialogue, even when you are prompted to speak to it by Drummer Boy.
 * P.A.M. will sometimes send the player to Far Harbor prior to the start of Far From Home as well as Nuka-world prior to starting All Aboard for a radiant quest.
 * If P.A.M. is reprogrammed and brought back to the Prydwen after the completion of Tactical Thinking, the quest Variable Removal will still be given.
 * One can use the console command to fix this.