Colonial Inquisition

Colonial Governmental Department

Perhaps there is no other organization given so so much broad authority over the people of the Colonies than the Colonial Inquisition. Founded before the Exitum in the year 555 B.E.C. the Inquisition is an ancient order of warriors, spies, and guardians of the Lords of Rhea. The Inquisition was originally founded as an intelligence agency to help learn the whereabouts of possible Extranus agents in the Kronal government after the sedition of Cardinal Moltar Benetis. Since that time the Inquisition has evolved into something much greater and with much more influence than originally intended.
After the Great Schism and the split of the people of Kronus between the Cult of the Patriarch and the Lords of Rhea the Inquisition transitioned more to a religious police role, keeping a watchful eye on possible Extranus agents and attempting more converts to the cult. After the purification war and the Exitum of Kronus the Inquisition became an official part of the government, gaining its own department under the Ecclesiastica Divinius. The official role of the Inquisition in the Colonial government is to gather intelligence, keep the peace, and as always, be vigilant of the ever present Extranus threat. The Inquisition is given immense power, being able to detain, arrest, and interrogate essentially any Colonial citizen, no matter their rank or position. Even the First Consul of the Colonies cannot check the ever increasing power of the Inquisition, though officially being a part of the the Consul's civilian government the Inquisition falls under the direct authority of the Ecclesiastica who have the final say on all religious matters. Because of this, at times, the Inquisition has been viewed with some skepticism, people wondering how the Inquisition managed to gain so much power and how they are able to constantly increase it. This skepticism is only heightened when taken into account the fact that the Inquisition also is a quasi-military organization with the ability to field a fleet of warship. Though their fleet is small compared to that of the Admiralty, some may believe it is dangerous to allow a single organization to wield such influence and power over so many aspects of Colonial life and government.
Though people are often wary and sometimes outright frightened of the Inquisition, it is in fact this organization that has saved the Colonies from not one, but two, Extranian rebellions and has kept the Extranus in check since the founding of the Colonies. Ever since the Hadeum disaster, the Inquisition has viewed advanced technology as not only a threat to their religion but also to the safety and survival of the human race. Remembering that the homeworld was destroyed by unchecked technology they view it with incredibly suspicion and have actually outlawed the research and development of certain theoretical technologies, specifically weapons and large scale experiments.
Like the rest of the Colonial Government the Inquisition is a heirarchy of ranks, titles, departments, regional offices and petty officials. The two major specialized offices of the Inquisition are the Officum Notitia, and the Officium Custodia, the latter being the official security for the First Consul, and the former being the biggest intelligence gathering organization in the Colonies.

Structure of the Inquisition

ORGANIZATION CHART NOT AVAILABLE
If there is one institution you do not want to receive a visit from, nor hear about them poking into your life it is the Colonial Inquisition for if they have gone through the trouble to learn your name and know your residence most likely you will never see that place again, and no one will ever utter your name again.

Type

Governmental, Department

Inquisitorial Positions and Ranks