Council of Commanders
Fortrop is governed by a highly centralised, highly militaristic regime, where a group of officials called the "Commanders" holds ultimate authority. They use advanced surveillance technology (i.e. The Watchers) to maintain control and enforce order on the stations.
Structure
The Council consists of 6 Commanders, each responsible for a specific domain (Security, Infrastructure, Science, Civil Affairs, Intelligence and Economy they're elected for 5-year terms.
There is something of an unspoken hierarchy in the Council.
Commander of Security
- The Commander of Security holds the most power and often acts as the tie-breaking vote in the Council of Commanders;
- Security is responsible for maintaining order, enforcing laws, and overseeing The Watchers. They manage the military forces and The Under Deck. They ensure that any and all dissent is swiftly dealt with, utilising both human troops and Watchers to maintain a certain, specific, level of control over the population.
Commander of Intelligence
- The Commander of Intelligence controls the collection and analysis of information. This includes espionage, counterintelligence, and cyber operations.
- They work closely with Security to monitor potential threats and dissent within the Fortrop.
- Intelligence is responsible for data gathered by the Watchers and other surveillance technologies, analysing patterns and identifying risks.
Commander of Science
- The Commander of Science leads the research and development efforts. This sector includes laboratories, research stations, and technological innovation hubs.
- Their responsibilities range from medical research and biotechnology to engineering advancements and space exploration. Most often, however, their efforts are swayed to developing new technologies for military use.
Commander of Infrastructure
- The Commander of Infrastructure oversees all physical and technological structure on the Fortrop;
- This includes the maintance of habitats, life support systems and transportation networks.
- They ensure that essential services like water, power, and waste management are operatonal. Infrastructure also encompasses the construction and repair of facilities.
Commander of Economy
- The Commander of Economy oversees the financial and economic stability of the Fortrop. This includes resource allocation, trade, and the management of production facilities.
- They are responsible for ensuring that the Fortrop remains self-sufficient, managing industries that produce goods and services necessary for survival. The Economy sector works to balance scarcity with demand, often making difficult decisions about resource distribution,
Commander of Civil Affairs
- The Commander of Civil Affairs is responsible for managing the general welfare of the population. This includes housing, healthcare, education, and social services.
- They oversee housing sectors and ensure that basic amenities are provided, albeit at minimal standards or below. Civil Affairs also handles public relations and propaganda, aiming to maintain public morale and loyalty to the regime.
These six Commanders make decisions through a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Commander of Security has the final say.
Laws
Laws are meticulously documented both physically and digitally and then stored in the Central Archives, a facility located in the heart of Nexus (Nexus Station). Access to these archives is highly restricted, with only designated officials given access codes which are changed every month.
The Watchers monitor every corner of the spacecraft, collecting data on every action and interaction. They serve as the primary method of detecting and recording crimes, feeding this information to human and AI analysts who work in tandem with the military to maintain order.
The military, acting as the physical enforcers of the law, patrols the streets, responds to incidents, and ensures compliance with legal directives.
Legal Framework
All activities are monitored, and deviations from the legal norms are quickly identified and addressed (chased down). Crimes are categorised into petty, serious, and capital offenses, each with corresponding punishments.
Employment is heavily regulated, with the state controlling most aspects of labor, including wages, working conditions, and dispute resolutions. Employment laws are designed to maintain order and productivity, with non-compliance leading to penalties ranging from fines to forced labor in The Under Deck.
Commerce is monitored to prevent fraud, monopolies, and black market activities. Legal trade is encouraged under strict regulations, while illegal trade leads to severe consequences, including imprisonment and solitary confinement.
Financial transactions are tracked by the Watchers, ensuring transparency and preventing embezzlement, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Offenders face hefty fines, imprisonment, or, in severe cases, exile to Station 15 (though, this is unknown of by the general population).
Disputes are resolved through a combination of military courts and AI arbitration. The Watchers provide evidence, ensuring "fair" and "accurate" judgments. Legal representation is state-appointed when available (which is almost never), and the process is judged by the Commanders.
Punishments are swift and severe, designed to maintain order and deter criminal behavior; they range from fines and community service to imprisonment, solitary confinement, exile, and execution.
The Under Deck
The Under Deck is the best of the worst. It's the first level of punisment. People end up in the Under Deck for crimes such as:
- Petty theft;
- vandalism;
- public disorder;
- minor assaults'
- repeated non-compliance with regulations/ authorities.
Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement is reserved for more serious offenses and is often used as a method to break the spirit. Going into solitary, the person doesn't know for how long and once they're in, they don't see another person until their release.
- Major theft;
- security fraud;
- subversive activities against the government;
- smuggling contraband.
Station 15
Station 15, an abandoned station used as a dumping ground for undesirables, is a fate worse than solitary confinement. Those sent to Station 15 are often forgotten, left to a slow, inevitable death.
To the public it's written off as an "indefinite stay in solitary confinement".
- High treason;
- murder;
- espionage;
- acts of terrorism.
Death Penalty
Capital punishment on Fortrop is reserved for the most egregious offenses and is carried out swiftly to serve as a deterrent.
- Multiple homicides;
- attempted coup;
- sabotage of critical life-support systems;
- major acts of terrorism.
The How:
- Good, old, public executions are rare but still happen occassionally, especially with high-profile criminals or when an example needs to be set;
- Ejection into space is one of the more common methods, it's not for public view;
- Lethal injection, while kept as an option is rarely utilised.
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