Starlight wiki - User contributions [en]

Corporate Law

2025-12-08T18:48:55Z

Rhetorica: /* Quick Crime Guide */ added and fixed background colors on quick crime guide

On Space Station 14, stations operate under abbreviated Corporate Law. All crew, passengers, and visitors aboard the station are expected to follow these laws, and in turn are protected by them.

'''Hostile invaders''' from off-station are not protected under Corporate Law. Domestic threats, anyone rightfully hired by Central Command and/or NanoTrasen, and currently held prisoners are not '''Hostile Invaders''' and so are usually protected by Corporate Law. Humanoid '''Hostile Invaders''' should be arrested when possible.

== Security Procedures ==
=== Treatment of Prisoners ===

* Prisoners must be granted adequate medical care.
* Prisoners must be allowed access to basic communications equipment so long as they are not abused.
* Prisoners must be granted clothing, food, water, shelter and safety. If the genpop brig is no longer safe, confinement must be established in another location.
* Prisoners must be given legal counsel during an interrogation if requested and available.
* Prisoners must be given their shift mandated PDA after confinement has finished, unless there is solid proof of PDA tampering. In case of tampering, the PDA is to be secured and replaced with a new unit.
* Prisoners must be granted freedom of movement and should not be restrained with handcuffs or other devices after incarceration unless there is an undue risk to life and limb. Similarly, any prisoners held for permanent confinement should be held in the communal brig, and should not be confined to a solitary cell unless they pose a risk to life and limb.
* Misuse of equipment against prisoners, such as flashes, teargas, flashbangs, etc is prohibited. Appropriate force should only be applied as strictly necessary.
* Breaches of 'Treatment of Prisoners' is grounds for dismissal or demotion.

=== Sentencing ===
Sentencing of under 20 minutes is the responsibility of the arresting officer. When an individual has been detained, they must be promptly marked as such in the Criminal Records Computer. Likewise, when they have been released they must be promptly marked as such. If an individual has been detained but had no preexisting warrant, their criminal record should be updated to reflect them; marking them as wanted and writing in why, before marking them detained.

The Prisoner's charges must be read to them in front of the Warden or Head of Security.

It is the responsibility of the Captain, Head of Security, and Warden to ensure that security officers place appropriate sentences that follow Corporate Law. If they are aware of an inappropriate sentence, such as excessively long sentences, and if there is not an urgent threat or danger that they must prioritize, then they must work to correct that sentence.

Use '''common sense''' and '''humanity''' when issuing punishments. You should '''not''' always seek out the highest punishment you can, you don't have to always give the maximum time or always look to demote someone. Prisoners cooperating and on good behavior should have their sentences reduced. Always take in account the severity and only charge for what is needed for someone to learn their lesson. Gross over-sentencing may result in reprimand at the discretion of the Head of Security or Warden.

* Stackable Crimes: Crimes are to be considered 'stackable' in the sense that if you charge someone with two or more different crimes, you may combine the times you would give them for each crime.
** If a suspect has committed Major Possession and Major Syndicate Possession, the maximum sentence would be 40 minutes due to them being linked crimes.
** If a suspect has committed Secure Trespass and Manslaughter, the maximum sentence would be 40 minutes due to them being unlinked crimes.
** Context is vital. If you are unsure, seek assistance from the Warden or Head of Security.
* Repeat Offenders: Repeated crimes are when someone is released for a crime and then commits the same crime again within the same shift. Repeated crimes can be charged with additional time. Every repeat adds 5 minutes.
* Aiding and Abetting: If someone intentionally, knowingly and substantially assists someone in enacting a crime they should be charged with the same crime as the offender.
* Malfeasance: Members of command or security who commit a crime should have their sentence increased by 50%.
* Obstruction: Criminals who interfere with an investigation should have their sentence increased by 50%.
* Absence of Intent: Criminals who committed their crime unintentionally may have their sentence reduced by 50% at the sentencing officer's discretion.
* Disclosure and Surrender: Criminals who fully cooperate with the investigation should have their sentence reduced by 50-75% at the sentencing officer's discretion. This includes turning in evidence, turning in accomplices, or recounting the crime in detail.

==== Normal Punishment ====

* Warning: For minor crimes it is best to fix the issue then warn the person not to attempt the crime again. If they still proceed to do it at a later date, a brig time may be better.
* Confinement: The typical punishment of being confined in a cell for a temporary amount of time according to the crimes.
* Demotion: Entails removing all departmental gear they have on their person and removing the involved department access off their ID. This requires the captain's or involved department head's approval. Demotions should only be issued if the person poses a threat to their own department or is in a position where they have/can abuse their job's gear to commit further crimes.

==== Major Punishment ====

* Permanent Confinement: Only prisoners who are guilty of [[Corporate_Law#Extreme Crimes|Extreme Crimes]] or [[Corporate_Law#Capital Crimes|Capital Crimes]] are eligible for permanent confinement. Any persons subject to this punishment are required to be safely transported in cuffs to CentComm at the end of the shift. A permanent prisoner can not be deprived of anything covered by [[Security_SOP#Prisoner Treatment|Prisoner Treatment]].
* Execution: A humane way of dealing with extremely unruly crewmates. Within reason, a prisoner who has been given the death sentence may pick how they wish to be killed, common methods are firing line, lethal injection, exile, and high voltage electrocution. An alternate method of "execution" is the process of placing the prisoner's mind into a borg, this is allowed so long as it is lawful. Execution can only be issued with the captain's or acting captain's approval; if the HoS is acting captain or there is no acting captain, all heads of staff are to hold a vote on the matter. Bodies of criminals should not be left to rot under any circumstance, and transported to CC when possible.

=== Parole ===
Prisoners are permitted during their sentence to request parole. Warden or Head of Security may approve parole instead of incarceration at their discretion. See [[Security_SOP#Parole|Parole]] for clarification and procedure.

Members of Law Department may order parole instead of incarceration at the conclusion of a trial or investigation. See [[Legal SOP]] for clarification.

=== Legal Representation and Trials ===
Prisoners are permitted to seek legal representation to challenge charges. Petty sentences, that is sentences totaling less than 10 minutes of prison time, are below the interest of the court and should not be brought to trial unless directly requested by the Magistrate. The duties and privileges of an Internal Affairs Agent are as follows:

* Advise Security in the sentencing of prisoners.
* Act as legal consultants to the accused if requested, the situation is deemed worth while, and they desire to or are ordered to by the Magistrate.
* Handle investigations into misconduct on the part of any department at their own discretion or the discretion of the Magistrate or Captain.

While Internal Affairs Agents are vested with these responsibilities, they have zero authority over the Brig, Security personnel, prisoners, or sentencing. They can be barred from the Brig by the Magistrate, HoS, Warden, or Captain if they are disruptive. And they may be demoted if they continue to be disruptive. While Internal Affairs Agents are responsible for investigating other departments, they do not have authority over them.

The Magistrate acts as the highest court, and is the appointed Judge of any case that goes to trial. Should the Magistrate be unavailable, the Head of Security, Head of Personnel, or Captain may act in their stead. In cases where one of these mediators or their subordinates is directly involved, they should not be acting as Judge over the case. For example, if an Internal Affairs Agent is on trial, the Magistrate and Head of Security should not act as Judge. If a Security Officer is on trial, the Head of Security should not act as Judge. And if a member of Service is on trial, the Head of Personnel should not act as Judge.

=== Search and Seizure ===
A personnel search is a seizure of the objects in a person's backpack, hands, coat, belt, and pockets. If any contraband is found during a search, the officer may choose to further the search into a detainment or simply confiscate the restricted items. After the search is conducted, all legal items are to be returned to the person. A crewmate may legally decline any search conducted without probable cause or a warrant while the alert level is green. It should be noted that if the alert level is blue or above, all personnel searches are legal.

Valid causes for a personnel search include;

* Verbal or written threats to commit a crime.
* Reports of possession of illegal items.
* Being witnessed committing any crime.
* Evasion of security.
* Trespassing.
* Association with know criminals.
* Door logs indicating suspicious or unauthorized access.
* DNA, print, or fiber matches linking an individual to a crime.

Searches may not be conducted on simple rumors or hearsay, unless they are corroborated by multiple sources or they are coming from a credible source such as Command or other Mindshielded personnel. Reports of possession of major contra should always be taken seriously.

A departmental search is the sweep of an entire area or department for contraband. It is recommended that the officers be extremely thorough, checking all lockers, crates, and doors. These can only be done with permission from the department head, a warrant signed by the highest-ranking command member, or in a state of emergency.

Valid causes for department search include;

* Mentions of rebellion or illegal activity.
* Confirmed reports of contraband.
* Security breaches, such as hacked open doors or other signs of forced entry.
* Sabotage suspicion, tampering with equipment or infrastructure.
* Criminal activity.
* Inconsistencies in the department, such as unauthorized people or unexplained use of resources.
* Threats made against the department.

Emergencies scenarios may waiver the need for a warrant, such as; Active threats within the department, ongoing sabotage, escalating violence, and any mention of a rebellion or revolution.

==== Permit Clause ====
Anyone with a valid permit cannot have the relevant contraband seized and cannot be arrested for possession. A valid permit has a stamp and signature from Warden, HoS, or Captain. See [[Security_SOP#Permit_Acquisition|Permit Acquisition]] for clarification.

=== Implantation ===
Any prisoner in custody can be subjected to implantation or implant removal procedures, so long as it's [[Metashield|within reason]]. The process of adding an implant should not prolong the detainees sentence, meaning you can not hold them longer to administer the implant, unless stated otherwise. A former inmate can be requested to undergo implantation at a later point in time if they fit the circumstances during their confinement, they must comply. The following have been listed out with special circumstances, anything not in this list can still be applied, given proper legal context. A prisoner can still receive implantation procedures without meeting the circumstances if they give their clear permission.

* Illegal Implants: Applied without proper authorization, these implants may justify extensions if removal is required.
* Tracking Implants: Trackers can be applied to any suspect that has been convicted of a violent crime.
** If voluntary or deemed necessary Command Staff should be given Tracking Implants.
** If voluntary and approved by Warden or Head of Security, normal members of the crew may also be granted Tracking Implants.
* Mind Shields: Shields can be administered to any inmate who has been clearly mind controlled, lost control of themselves, or a suspect charged with unlawful control. Unlike standard implantation you may hold a prisoner until you finish issuing Mind Shields, so long as it's done in a timely fashion.
** If a suspect refuses to cooperate or the implant fails to function they can be charged with Refusal of Mental Shielding.
** All promoted members of Security, Command, and Salvage must undergo Mind Shielding before they are formally promoted and granted accesses. Anyone given ID access to secure areas, such as the Bridge, must also undergo Mind Shielding.

A suspect can be forced to receive implant removal if there is strong, reasonable proof that they have been implanted, such as an officer seeing them use one or identifying information is found on a discarded injector. Unlike the implantation procedure, a prisoner can have their sentence entirely delayed or extended until they comply with the procedure with authorization from the Captain, Head of Security, Magistrate, or Warden. Akin to implanting, if an inmate gives their clear permission, implant removal can proceed without proof.

During a confirmed Revolution, the Head of Security or Warden are permitted to authorize execution of an individual if a Mind Shielding fails or is refused. No other officers are granted this authorization. Execution of those charged with Refusal of Mental Shielding outside of a confirmed Revolution must be authorized by the Captain or Central Command on a case by case basis every time it happens.

=== Jurisdiction ===
Every part of the station in totality is the property of NanoTrasen and falls within the jurisdiction of CentComm to enforce Corporate Law. Central Command and the Space Port that the Arrivals Shuttle docks to, including the Arrivals Shuttle and Evac Shuttles, are also within CentComm's jurisdiction. CentComm also has authority through contractual agreements to enforce Corporate Law on all Automated Trade Shuttles.

Outside of specific circumstances, CentComm's jurisdiction does not extend to private property, defined as any shuttle not directly owned by CentComm or NanoTrasen. Visitor's shuttles are explicitly private property, and an unwarranted search of private property is considered Trespassing. This does not make these shuttles lawless, or outside of the law however. Shuttles within the same Grid as a Station may be subjected to Corporate Law if any of the following criteria are met:

* A criminal has boarded a shuttle, with or without permission, while being actively pursued
* There is a reasonable belief that the occupants of the shuttle harbor hostile or criminal intent towards the Station or it's Crew
* A crime occurring on the shuttle has been witnessed from outside of the shuttle
* A crime has been witnessed by someone onboard the shuttle who was given permission to enter
* A warrant has been issued by the Warden, Head of Security, Captain, or CentComm

Any individual onboard a Station or Shuttle that is under the jurisdiction of Corporate Law is also under its jurisdiction, whether they are Crew, Visitors, or otherwise.

== Penal Code ==
=== Enforcement of the Law ===
The enforcement of Corporate Law is the duty of those vested with such responsibility and no others. Unauthorized civilian enforcement of the law is classified as vigilantism and is strictly illegal. Only the Captain or Central Command may authorize civilian participation in the enforcement of Corporate Law, under dire circumstances. Actions to preserve one’s own life and property, or the life of another, are not classified as vigilantism so long as all other laws are followed. Acting to assist an on-scene officer may be counted as an exception and not vigilantism on a case by case basis, if the action was deemed necessary to prevent further harm to the officer or other civilians.

Those vested with the responsibility to enforce Corporate Law are defined as follows:

* Security - Members of the Security Department are always valid to enforce Corporate Law, and should be deferred to by all other law enforcement within reason.
* Blue Shield - Members of Blue Shield are sometimes valid to enforce Corporate Law, but only if it is to prevent further harm to Command or Central Command personnel.
* Mercenaries - Hired Mercenaries under the direct employ of Central Command may, in extreme circumstances, be permitted by Central Command to enforce Corporate Law. They are however required to operate under the command of the Head of Security and not to circumvent Security.
* Emergency Response Teams - Members of an ERT are valid to enforce Corporate Law on deployment to Stations. They are however required to issue sentencing under the command of the Head of Security and not circumvent Security, unless ordered otherwise by Central Command.

=== Quick Crime Guide ===
Note: Please refer to the links to the full charges for specifics on their definitions, and the time served for each. This cheat sheet is to remind, not to teach.
{| class="wikitable"
!1-XX - [[Corporate Law#minor|Minor]]
!2-XX - [[Corporate Law#major|Major]]
!3-XX - [[Corporate Law#extreme|Extreme]]
!4-XX - [[Corporate Law#capital|Capital]]
!Code
|-
|[[Corporate Law#Failure to Comply|Failure to Comply (1)]]
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |[[Corporate Law#Breach of Arrest|Breach of Arrest (1)]]
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |[[Corporate Law#Breach of Custody|Breach of Custody (1)]]
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |[[Corporate Law#Refusal of Mental Shielding|Refusal of Mental Shielding (1)]]
|00
|-
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" |[[Corporate Law#Possession Minor|Possession or Use of Minor Contraband (2)]]
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" |[[Corporate Law#Possession RG|Possession: Major (2)]]
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" |[[Corporate Law#Possession Significant Syndicate|Possession: Significant Syndicate (2)]]
|
|01
|-
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |[[Corporate Law#Petty Theft|Petty Theft (3)]]
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |[[Corporate Law#Grand Theft|Grand Theft (3)]]
|
|
|02
|-
|
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |[[Corporate Law#Armed Robbery|Armed Robbery (3)]]
|
|
|03
|-
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |[[Corporate Law#Vandalism|Vandalism (4)]]
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |[[Corporate Law#Mass Destruction|Mass Destruction (4)]]
|
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |[[Corporate Law#Terrorism|Terrorism (4)]]
|04
|-
| style="background-color:#59563a;" |[[Corporate Law#Trespass|Trespass (5)]]
| style="background-color:#59563a;" |[[Corporate Law#Secure Trespass|Secure Trespass (5)]]
|
|
|05
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Minor Assault|Minor Assault (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Major Assault|Major Assault (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Attempted Murder|Attempted Murder (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Prevention of Revival|Prevention of Revival (6)]]
|06
|-
|[[Corporate Law#Endangerment|Endangerment (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Manslaughter|Manslaughter (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Murder|Murder (6)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Mass Murder|Mass Murder (6)]]
|07
|-
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" |[[Corporate Law#Disturbance|Disturbance (7)]]
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" |[[Corporate Law#Rioting|Rioting (7)]]
| style="background-color:#395a63"; |[[Corporate Law#Unlawful Detainment|Unlawful Detainment (9)]]
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |[[Corporate Law#Unlawful Execution|Unlawful Execution (6)]]
|08
|-
| style="background-color:#395a63"; |[[Corporate Law#Vigilantism|Vigilantism (9)]]
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |[[Corporate Law#Conspiracy|Conspiracy (8)]]
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |[[Corporate Law#Treason|Treason (8)]]
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |[[Corporate Law#Enemy of Corporation|Enemy of Corporation (8)]]
|12
|-
|[[Corporate Law#Bribery|Bribery]]
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |[[Corporate Law#Sedition|Sedition (8)]]
|
|
|11
|-
| style="background-color:#4c5b41"; |[[Corporate Law#Impersonation Fraud|Impersonation and Fraud]]
| style="background-color:#4c5b41"; |[[Corporate Law#Forgery|Forgery]]
|
|
|09
|-
| style="background-color:#2e5b40"; |[[Corporate Law#Animal Cruelty|Animal Cruelty (10)]]
| [[Corporate Law#Perjury|Perjury]]
| style="background-color:#2e5b40"; |[[Corporate Law#Cannibalism|Cannibalism (10)]]
|
|10
|}

==== Linked Crimes: ====
Crimes that are linked can not be charged together. For more information, refer to [[Corporate Law#Sentencing|Sentencing]].

# Failure to Comply, Breach of Arrest, Breach of Custody, Refusal of Mental Shielding
# Possession or Use of Minor Contraband, Major Contraband, or Significant Syndicate Contraband
# Petty Theft, Grand Theft, and Armed Robbery
# Vandalism, Damage of Property, Mass Destruction, Terrorism
# Trespass, Secure Trespass
# Endangerment, Minor Assault, Major Assault, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, Murder, Prevention of Revival, Mass Murder, Unlawful Execution
# Disturbance, Vigilantism, Rioting
# Sedition, Conspiracy, Treason, Enemy of Corporation

=== Minor Crimes ===
Those who commit a minor crime should be issued a warning for their first offense, however repeat offenses are cumulative and should result in jail time of up to 10 minutes per minor crime committed. '''Sentences''' '''below 10 minutes are acceptable''' and are up to the arresting officer's discretion.
{| class="wikitable" id="minor"
!Offense
!Description
|-
| id="Animal Cruelty" | Animal Cruelty
|To inflict unnecessary suffering or harm on a non-sentient being with malicious intent. This does not include legitimate and authorized animal testing, or the butchering of livestock for meat. This also does not extend to vermin, or hostile creatures.
|-
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" id="Possession Minor" | Possession or Use of Minor Contraband
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" |To make, hold, or use minor contraband without authorization. Authorization may only be granted by the Warden, the Head of Security, or the Captain.
|-
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" id="Petty Theft" | Petty Theft
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |To take non-vital or inexpensive property of another individual, organization, or common property, without consent. Theft of safety or medical equipment such as breath masks, air tanks, or necessary mobility aids are considered vital, and exceed petty theft.
|-
| style="background-color:#453a59;" id="Vandalism" | Vandalism
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |To intentionally deface or superficially damage public or private property. Examples include graffiti, smashing glasses or windows, excessively littering, equipment vendors, drink dispensers, computers, machinery such as lathes, and excessively producing spills.
|-
| style="background-color:#59563a;" id="Trespass" | Trespass
| style="background-color:#59563a;" |Trespass - To enter a non-secured area without permission, such as climbing over counters to enter employee areas like the Bar or Kitchen.
|-
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" id="Disturbance" | Disturbance
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" |To cause a public disturbance. This is the catch-all for excessive obnoxious behavior, and includes public nudity, harassment, inciting crime, repeated and intentional misgendering, and disruption of authorities or communications.
|-
| id="Impersonation Fraud" | Impersonation and Fraud
|To pretend to be someone you are not, or attempting to commit fraud in any fashion. Impersonation may be elevated to a Moderate crime if the perpetrator is impersonating a member of Security, or a Major crime if they are impersonating a member of Command or Central Command.
|-
|Failure to Comply
|To resist reasonable orders given by an authority. This includes lawful detainment and authorized searches. Officers are required to warn the individual before resorting to arrest.
|-
|Endangerment
|To recklessly put yourself or others in danger, either through direct action or failure to act. This includes negligence, accidents, medical malpractice, destruction or impairment of safety features such as firelocks and exterior windows, and reckless piloting of shuttles.
|-
|Minor Assault
|To assault another without a weapon and without causing serious injury. Serious injury is defined as any life altering injury such as loss of limb, damage to the eyes or ears, or any other damages measured by a Health Analyzer to be exceeding 30 total.
|-
|Bribery
|To attempt or succeed to bribe officials to be derelict of their duties or commit a crime with any payment including but not limited to; Services, favors, spesos, credits, materials, or items of any kind. This also applies to anyone caught accepting a bribe, and is cumulative with whatever crime they were bribed to commit.
|-
|Vigilantism
|To attempt to unlawfully enforce Corporate Law without vested authority. See: Enforcement of the Law.
|}
=== Major Crimes ===
Those who commit a major crime should receive up to 20 minutes of jail time per major crime committed. Sentences below 20 minutes are acceptable and are up to the arresting officer's discretion. Major assault and manslaughter are linked crimes and do not stack against a suspect.
{| class="wikitable" id="major"
!Offense
!Description
|-
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" id="Conspiracy" | Conspiracy
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |To conspire or plan to commit a major (or higher) crime with reasonable evidence that the suspect was going to go through with the plan. This would include declaring they are going to commit a crime.
|-
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" id="Sedition" | Sedition
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |To incite rebellion against the authority of the station including but not limited to; Command, Security, Central Command, or Nanotrasen.
|-
|Possession or Use of Major Contraband
|To make, hold, or use major contraband without authorization. Authorization may only be granted by the Warden, the Head of Security, or the Captain. Any items restricted to a Department or Job are considered major contraband.
|-
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" id="Armed Robbery" | Armed Robbery
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |To steal something with the threat of violence using anything that can be considered a weapon, whether or not the weapon is contraband or not. This can include knives, toolboxes, crowbars, or any number of other improvised weaponry. There must be an active threat of violence, or the implication of violence if the victim does not comply, in order to be considered armed robbery.
|-
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" id="Grand Theft" | Grand Theft
| style="background-color:#2e422e;" |To take critical or irreplaceable property of another individual or organization without consent. This includes command items such as door remotes, hardsuits, machine parts, and hijacking a department shuttle.
|-
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" id="Breach of Arrest" | Breach of Arrest
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |To intentionally resist and flee arrest or detainment by an authorized staff. This only applies if someone is actively being physically arrested. People uncuffing or assisting others out of an arrest can also be charged with this. Breach of custody is a separate crime.
|-
| style="background-color:#453a59;" id="Mass Destruction" | Mass Destruction
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |To cause massive damage to an area or major station system. This includes major bombings and sabotage of critical station systems like power, medical, chemistry, substations, and atmospherics.
|-
| style="background-color:#59563a;" id="Secure Trespass" | Secure Trespass
| style="background-color:#59563a;" |To enter a secured area without permission. If the area is behind a locked door, it is secure trespass. This includes telecomms, department head offices, command areas, the vault, and the armory.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Major Assault" | Major Assault
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To assault another with a weapon or unarmed assault resulting in serious injury. Serious injury is defined as any life altering injury such as loss of limb, damage to the eyes or ears, or any other damages measured by a Health Analyzer to be exceeding 30 total.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Manslaughter" | Manslaughter
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To incidentally kill a sentient humanoid without intent. This includes manslaughter in self-defense and negligent manslaughter.
|-
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" id="Rioting" | Rioting
| style="background-color:#3b4354;" |To participate in a large group of personnel creating an unlawful public disturbance. Leaders of a riot may be charged with all the crimes committed under their lead, plus sedition.
|-
| id="Perjury" | Perjury
|To intentionally lie under oath or make a false statement in a written document
|-
| id="Forgery" | Forgery
|To forge a written document through illicit means, such as rewriting a stamped document, unauthorized use of an official stamp, or any other means.
|-
|}
=== Extreme Crimes ===
Those who commit an extreme crime may receive up to 40 minutes of jail time per extreme crime committed. Particularly violent offenders may be placed in perma. Attempted murder and murder are linked crimes and cannot be stacked together.
{| class="wikitable" id="extreme"
!Offense
!Description
|-
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" id="Breach of Custody" | Breach of Custody
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |To break out of a cell or custody with the intention of escaping. This applies to people breaking others out. Repeat offenses may have this charge increased to permanent confinement and later elevated to an execution with the Captain’s authority only if the suspect has repeatedly committed breach of custody.

Breach of custody for the preservation of life, not including to escape execution, such as to vacate a location made dangerous due to gunfire, fire, spacing, or lack of oxygen- may be reduced or ignored at the Warden or Head of Security’s discretion.
|-
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" id="Possession Significant Syndicate" | Possession or Use of Significant Syndicate Contraband
| style="background-color:#2f3832;" |To make, hold, or use Significant Syndicate contraband. Significant Syndicate contraband may only be used in emergencies, and only to prevent death or gross bodily harm.

Significant Syndicate contraband is any Syndicate contraband that can be used to hinder the station or aid it's enemies in an obvious way. Any syndicate contraband that does not meet this definition is to be considered minor contraband.
|-
| id="Unlawful Detainment" | Unlawful Detainment
|To unlawfully restrain, transport, control, or confine a sentient humanoid being against that individual’s will. This is a catchall to cover any form of kidnapping or forced control.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Attempted Murder" | Attempted Murder
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To make an attempt to end someone’s life, using physical force or otherwise. Proof that action was taken with the intent to kill is necessary, such as a lethal weapon being used.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Murder" | Murder
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To kill a sentient humanoid with malicious intent. If the victim must be revived, it is murder and not attempted murder.
|-
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" id="Treason" | Treason
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |To willfully betray allegiances to NanoTrasen. This includes collaborating with terrorists, and especially applies to members of Command attempting to illegally forsake their duties to the detriment of the Station and Nanotrasen.
|-
| id="Cannibalism"| Cannibalism
|To consume any part of a sentient humanoid. Consumption of vital components should be treated more harshly. This can be charged on top of other charges such as Murder or Assault if the suspect committed these crimes to obtain the parts consumed. Consumption of blood is not considered cannibalism, but if the source is non-consensual or stolen it may be assault or theft.
|}
=== Capital Crimes ===
Those who commit a capital crime should be detained in perma with confirmation from Captain. If a capital criminal escapes they are to be executed and transported to CC in a body bag at the end of shift. Emergency executions may be enacted by Captain or the Head of Security with at least 3 other Command as witnesses, but must be reported directly to Central Command afterwards for review.
{| class="wikitable" id="capital"
|+Capital Crimes
!Offense
!Description
|-
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" id="Refusal of Mental Shielding" | Refusal of Mental Shielding
| style="background-color:#593a4e;" |To refuse to comply with a reasonable Mind Shielding procedure. Applies if the suspect is excessively uncooperative or the implant fails to function due to the mental state of the prisoner being too far gone. '''If the implant fails, execution is heavily recommended and may be approved by the Captain or Central Command. See [[Corporate Law#Implantation|Implantation]] for more.'''
|-
| style="background-color:#453a59;" id="Terrorism" | Terrorism
| style="background-color:#453a59;" |To engage in malicious destructive actions which threaten to destroy or successfully destroy a vessel, habitat, or station. This includes extreme sabotage of station systems or setting off the self-destruction systems.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Unlawful Execution" | Unlawful Execution
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To unlawfully execute an individual without authorization or outside of Standard Operating Procedure. This law is distinct from murder, and applies primarily to Security, Command, and Central Command forces such as Emergency Response Teams.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Prevention of Revival" | Prevention of Revival
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To render a body un-resurrectable. This includes gibbing, throwing a body into space, intentionally hiding a body, unlawfully incinerating a body, or any other ways of preventing a body with a soul from being resurrected.
|-
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" id="Mass Murder" | Mass Murder
| style="background-color:#4d2e2e;" |To kill three or more sentient humanoid with malicious intent. Only applies when there have been multiple killings with intention.
|-
|
|
|-
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" id="Enemy of Corporation" | Enemy of Corporation
| style="background-color:#475c7d;" |To act as or knowingly aid a known enemy of the Station and NT-CC. Only applies beyond a shadow of doubt.
|-
|}
== Civil Code ==
=== Religious Freedom ===
Religious Freedom is the right to believe and practice your faith within reason, so long as this practice does not violate any other laws. Religious rites that are considered a minor crime may be given exemption warrants by the Captain or Head of Personnel. These warrants only authorize these crimes within the designated gathering space of the religious group explicitly for religious ceremony, and can not exempt crimes committed outside this space. Crimes exceeding a minor crime can not be given exemption warrants.

Willing sacrifice must be vetted and verified by Security, and legally signed by the sacrifice. Security is to ensure that the individual is acting of their own free will and without coercion before approving the act.

=== Silicon Clause ===
Silicons such as Cyborgs, Personal AIs, and AIs are granted specific protections and exceptions under Corporate Law. Lower tier 'bots' exhibiting sentience and sapience may also qualify.

* Silicons are by nature bound by their laws, and ownership of one can not be considered Unlawfully Detained. Theft of a Silicon is classified as Grand Theft.
* Violence against a Silicon may be treated the same as violence against any other sentient humanoid, and the perpetrator may be charged with minor assault, major assault, manslaughter, or murder, at the discretion of the Research Director.
* Any law broken by a Silicon while under orders is considered to be committed by whoever gave the orders and is not the Silicon’s responsibility. A Silicon that is not bound by standard laws to follow orders is legally responsible for their own actions and crimes.
* Silicon laws may only be altered to ensure the safety of the crew. A Silicon with non-standard laws is allowed to keep these laws so long as they do not pose a threat to the crew. Unbound Silicons who break Corporate Law may have their laws altered as part of their sentence.
* Hostile Silicons of non-NanoTrasen origins are considered non-crew entities. They are afforded none of the protections under Corporate Law that other Silicons are and should be treated according to their hostility and the danger they pose.

=== Changelings ===
Confirmed Changelings are not legally protected by Corporate Law. An individual suspected of being a Changeling may, on Code Blue or higher, be detained and forced to undergo a blood test to determine their nature. Any confirmed Changeling is to be executed and incinerated immediately. Authorization for these executions is not required, so long as blood tests have been properly performed.

Blood tests are required as legal proof that an individual is a Changeling, first hand testimony is not enough to authorize an execution. Failure to procure a valid blood test is Unlawful Execution regardless of who authorized it.

=== Clowns ===
Clowns are permitted exemption from certain Minor crimes by the Carnival Treaties so long as the offenses are not repeated. These are; Trespass, Disturbance, Impersonation and Fraud. Per stipulations mandated by the Honkdignitaries, “You get one for free.” Back to back offenses are not protected, however repeat offenses committed over a longer period of time may be permitted depending on the policy of the station you are on.

Clowns are also recognized as the legal enforcers of the Vow of Silence; any Mime who breaches their Vow may be legally harassed by any Clown without the Clown facing repercussions, so long as no other laws are broken to do so. Legal harassment includes non-violent pranks, excessive honking, or public shaming, but must not escalate into assault, vandalism, or theft. Security and Command personnel should not intervene unless the Clown goes beyond their granted exemptions. Other members of crew are not given these exemptions, and should be treated according to Corporate Law.

Addendum 2525 - In the event of a Cult Incursion or confirmed involvement with Giggles-at-Crimes, all Clowns on station are to undergo Tracking Implantation, and all Mimes Mind Shielding. Mind Shielded Mimes may be granted elevated security authorization to perform their duties in combating the threat of Cult of the Honkmother extremists, per the Carnival Treaties. This must be authorized by the Captain or Central Command, and Central Command must be notified.

Metashield

2025-11-18T18:28:46Z

Rhetorica: /* Corporate Secrets */ typo: 'libel' to 'liable'

== What is the 'Metashield'? ==
The Metashield is the system that determines what your character can know at the start of every round, and is used in conjunction with the [[Server rules (Starlight)#Rule 14 - Continuity Guidelines|Continuity Guideline]] rule. Something that is "shielded" can not be known by your character unless they meet certain criteria. This also means your character can not do things based on "shielded" information.

This system is broken up into four core pillars: Unknown Information, Corporate Secrets, Secure Knowledge, and Background.

'''Unknown''' '''Information''' is not known by anyone, or is only known by a very small group of people which is defined specifically.

'''Corporate Secrets''' are only known by high value members of the corporation. These are; All of Command, the Station AI, NanoTrasen Representative, Blue Shield Officer, Magistrate, and all Central Command roles such as ERT, OPs, CBURN, etc. '''Corporate Secrets''' should be kept secret until it is necessary to reveal them, revealing them frivolously is frowned upon by Central Command.

'''Secure Knowledge''' is only known by members of Security, Internal Affairs Agents, and everyone who knows '''Corporate Secrets'''. This includes the Brig Medic, Warden, Security Cadets- all Security jobs. '''Secure Knowledge''' should be kept secret until necessary, but may be revealed in order to preserve Crew lives.

'''Background''' is a system that allows any characters to know specific pieces of ordinarily Metashielded knowledge. Every character may only have one '''Background''', which is picked during Character Creation as a Trait and can not be changed mid-round or frequently at all. Your '''Background''' should reflect the life your character has lived, and act in complement to their characterization and backstory.

Additionally, there are some pieces of information that exist as rumors or as pieces of pop culture and media that are not believed to be real by most people. These pieces of information will be listed near the bottom of the page, as additive worldbuilding information.

=== Common Sense Clause ===
It should not need stated, but it will be anyway: If your role is a piece of Metashielded information, or lets you purchase Metashielded items, you know that you exist, and you know that anything you can purchase also exists. If you are told a piece of Metashielded information, you are now aware of that information for the duration of the shift.

'''If you witness something, you know about it to the extent that you witnessed it.''' If you watch someone hollow someone's corpse out then turn into them, you can tell its a Changeling. If you see a group of people in Blood-Red Hardsuits you can assume it's Nuclear Operatives. ''Use common sense.''

Examples:

# Abductors know that Abductors are real.
# Thieves know how to use their Chameleon items, and their other tools with secret uses.
# Traitors know that everything in the Uplink exists and how to use it.
# Traitors and Thieves know that their steal objective targets exist.
# Nuclear Operatives know that Nukies are real.
# NTSF Decimus Task Force members know that Code Epsilon exists.
# If you as a Janitor watch someone in a Blood-Red Hardsuit murder someone with an Energy Sword, you now know that those things exist.
# If you as a Chemist are told by the Chief Medical Officer about Romerol and are told how to make Ambuzol, you now know that Romerol is real and how to make Ambuzol.

'''Traitors''' do '''not''' know that Nuclear Operatives are real, nor do they gain any Metashielded information beyond what the Common Sense Clause implies.

'''Nuclear Operatives''' may know any '''Secure Knowledge''', and are specifically '''allowed''' to know that NTSF Decimus Squad and Code Epsilon are real.

=== Cheat Sheet ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
![[Metashield#Unknown Information|Unknown Information]]
![[Metashield#Corporate Secrets|Corporate Secrets]]
![[Metashield#Secure Knowledge|Secure Knowledge]]
|-
|Meta Information
|Ninjas
|Revolutionary Methods
|-
|Unconscious Information
|Abductors
|Changelings
|-
|
|Romerol Virus and Zombies
|Syndicate Corporations
|-
|
|Paradox Clones
|Illegal Implants
|-
|
|Nuclear Operatives
|Vampires
|-
|
|NTSF Decimus and Code Epsilon
|Wizards
|-
|
|
|Syndicate Equipment
|-
|
|
|High Value Targets
|}

== Unknown Information ==
'''Unknown''' '''Information''' is not known by anyone, or is only known by a very small group of people which is defined specifically. This section covers everything from Metagaming to niche information that so few people know that it might as well not be known by anybody.

==== Meta Information ====
Meta Information such as the current gamemode and the possible antagonists there may be in play, events you experienced as a different character, information about a player instead of their character, etc is all considered Meta and is never allowed to be known by anybody. Secret uses for items, checking headsets without good cause, and using Chameleon items are all also classified as Meta Information and Metagaming.

Examples:

# You may never know that because the gamemode is Survival, there will be an escalating number of threats.
# You may never know that the player Gregman69 only ever plays Security, and thus since he is an Assistant this shift he must be an Antagonist.
# You may never know that the last round was Nukies, or any other Metashielded gamemode, per Continuity Rules.
# You may never know anything that you did not learn in character, such as things witnessed while observing as a ghost before spawning, things you were told by a friend out of game, etc.
# You may never know an item has a secret use by right clicking it, such as exploding pens or chameleon gloves.

==== Unconscious Information ====
Unconscious Information is information you learned while your character was asleep, in critical condition, dead, or while you were moving around as a ghost while you were dead. If you are injured to the point that you enter critical condition or die, you forget the previous 5 minutes and do not remember details about what killed you or how you died. You may use common sense to notice what type of wounds you have however.

Examples:

# You may never remember who attacked and killed you.
# You may never remember who stole something from you while you were sleep, whether voluntary or you were drugged.
# You can remember walking to Solars with a fellow engineer to repair it, if you decided to do so or did so more than 5 minutes before dying, though this does not automatically mean they killed you.
# You can, after being revived, comment on the fact that you have stab wounds if you were killed with a bladed weapon, or that your clothes look burned.
# You can not, after being revived, comment that you have bullet wounds of a specific caliber which must mean a specific gun was used to kill you. You can't tell that by looking at a wound.

== Corporate Secrets ==
'''Corporate Secrets''' are only known by high value members of the corporation. These are; All of Command, the Station AI, NanoTrasen Representative, Blue Shield Officer, Magistrate, and all Central Command roles such as ERT, OPs, CBURN, etc. '''Corporate Secrets''' should be kept secret until it is necessary to reveal them, revealing them frivolously is frowned upon by Central Command. This information is considered sensitive and liable to cause mass panic if learned by the Crew.

'''Corporate Secrets''' may be revealed to individuals, departments, or the station as a whole if deemed necessary. You should have a good reason to do so however, and expect your reasoning to be cross examined and scrutinized by Central Command. Revealing '''Corporate Secrets''' to Security is generally deemed more acceptable, better for them to clean up an issue without panicking the rest of the Crew.

==== Ninjas ====
Ninjas are a collective of Clans that seek to steal our research and disrupt our operations. They frequently target vital systems to cause a distraction, and then attempt to hack into Research Servers to download what we have learned. How hostile these Clans are varies greatly, so we advise attempting to handle them discreetly if able to minimize disruption.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing a Ninja
** Seeing a Ninja's equipment, such as their suit or energy katana

<blockquote>◆ ''Ninjas typically go unseen, and the aftermath of their work is often mistaken for the Doorlagging Virus's work. What Ninjas are and what they can do is mostly unknown.''</blockquote>

==== Abductors ====
Silent and uncommunicative, Abductors is the name given to an advanced alien species that has been probing the edges of TSF space for over a decade now, long enough that their image has worked its way into media and rumor. Our official stance is that they are not real. Should Abductor activity be identified, due to the nature of their experiments you are advised to inform necessary Medical staff only. Surgeons will be needed to remove foreign organs and replace them.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing an Abductor
** Seeing an Abductor's equipment, such as their Wonderprod or Handcuffs, or seeing their Shuttle
** Discovering a surgically implanted Gland or seeing their effects

<blockquote>◆ ''Abductors and their iconography has leaked into pop culture, and dates back over 500 years to Silicon Age Earth. Where they come from, what they want, and why they do what they do is mostly unknown.''</blockquote>

==== Romerol Virus ====
Romerol is a highly violent contagion that pilots the dead to facilitate its own spread. The current source is unknown, but it is suspected to be artificial in nature. A cure has been documented, and this information should be disseminated to Medical staff in the event of an outbreak. Subjects are capable of revival via cloning should their corpse be recovered rapidly. If quarantine can not be maintained, requesting for CBURN is advised.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing the dead rising

<blockquote>◆ ''Zombies are considered fake by most crew, a fabrication from old horror movies. Belief in Zombies or a Zombie Cure is outlandish and likely to result in mockery. Initial Infected are aware they are infected, and are antagonists with the goal of converting the station.''</blockquote>

==== Paradox Clones ====
Cracks in reality sometimes result in intrusions from other parallel worlds. This phenominon is exclusive to sectors near the Null Scar, and is a matter of great interest to NanoTrasen. Should a duplicate be discovered it should be observed and studied, and only terminated if it proves to be hostile.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing two clones in the same place at the same time

<blockquote>◆ ''Paradox Clones and the concept of Parallel Realities exists in media in universe, but the fact that they are real is unknown to most. Nobody knows their goals, how they came to be, or why they exist. Both "clones" and the "real" person, and they should have memories that match. Minor amnesia and foggy memory of the day's events is expected from both until one is terminated. You are encouraged OOC to collaborate to make your clone's story believable for better Roleplay.''</blockquote>

==== Nuclear Operatives ====
The Syndicate is a shell of its former self, due to their involvement in and defeat during the Pod Wars. They have grown increasingly more irrational and hostile since their resurgence however, and the rumors you have heard about Nuclear attacks are true. You must protect the Warhead onboard your station, and the Authentication Disk to activate it, at all costs. A confirmed attack from Nuclear Operatives is grounds to suspend Corporate Law and Standard Operating Procedure. Contact Central Command immediately to establish Martial Law.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Discovering a Nuclear Operative's Shuttle
** Declaration of War
** Witnessing Nuclear Operatives (Not every Blood-Red is a Nukie, but if there are multiple they might be)

<blockquote>◆ ''Nuclear Operatives are considered a fabrication by most, insane spacer tall tales made to scare annoying Assistants. The image of the Blood-Red has persisted in pop culture since the Pod Wars, but most would believe it to be an old war hardsuit and nothing more. Not even other Syndicate Agents know that Nukies are real. If you see a group of people in Blood-Red Hardsuits with highly illegal gear on them, you can figure out that the old tales were true.''</blockquote>

==== NTSF Decimus ====
NanoTrasen Special Forces are broken up into Task Forces that specialize in different scenarios and problems. Officially, there are only Nine of these Task Forces. Unofficially, there are Ten. Task Force Ten, Decimus, handles termination of rogue stations. This is reserved only for extreme situations where an entire station has defected to an enemy of the Trans-Solar Federation, such as the Syndicate or the USSP.

Code Epsilon is the designation for this necessary last resort measure, should it ever occur. Thankfully it has never seen deployment, as no station would ever willingly defect to an enemy like that. Still, the protocol exists, and if the general public were to learn of it, it would be disastrous. The existence of Decimus should never be revealed under any circumstances.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Code Epsilon being declared
** Witnessing Decimus Squad perform crew executions

<blockquote>◆ ''Not even rumors of Epsilon have slipped through NanoTrasen's tight grip. Even members of Command think it is a hypothetical, a contingency plan that has never needed to be used. This is the one Corporate Secret that must never be allowed to become public.''</blockquote>

== Secure Knowledge ==
'''Secure Knowledge''' is only known by members of Security, Internal Affairs Agents, and everyone who knows '''Corporate Secrets'''. This includes the Brig Medic, Warden, Security Cadets- all Security jobs. '''Secure Knowledge''' should be kept secret until necessary, but may be revealed in order to preserve Crew lives at the discretion of the Head of Security.

==== Revolutionary Methods ====
The fact that USSP infiltrators make use of mind control flashes to forcibly control individuals, and unstable Redspace rifts to transport bulk equipment crates, is something that CentComm has learned through repeated incidents. Mindshields were specifically developed to counter this forced control, by Revolutionaries and by any others who might exploit the same weakness in the mind for their own ends. It is known that Mindshields will prevent and break this control.

Not all flashes have this power however, and it should never be the first assumption. Strong evidence is needed before Revolutionaries are suspected, as revealing that the USSP has this capability would undermine the Crew's ability to trust one another and would significantly damage cohesion and moral.

Examples:

# A Scientist flashing someone in the bar is not grounds to suspect there is a Revolution.
# A large group of Crew in a department they should not be in all passing around weapons or flashes is grounds to suspect there is a Revolution.
# A Mindshielding failing on a Crewmember is proof that there is a Revolution.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing a conversion directly
** Witnessing a Mindshield Implanter fail

<blockquote>◆ ''While the concept of mind control exists, and Mindshields are publicly known to prevent such things, the fact that Revolutionaries use flashes to mind control people isn't known to crew.''</blockquote>

==== Changelings ====
The existence of Changelings, alien parasites that can steal the likeness of your friends and coworkers to blend in, is a serious but uncommon threat that stations may face. They pose an undue risk to the moral and cohesion of a station should they be revealed, paranoia and distrust severely and negatively impact the bottom line. Should Changelings be identified onboard your Station, you are advised to inform necessary Medical staff only. Chemists may facilitate blood tests, Surgeons may attempt to revive hollow corpses with organ transplants or cryopods.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing someone using any changeling abilities
** Discovering a Hollow corpse

<blockquote>◆ ''The concept of shapeshifters exists in media in universe, but the fact that they are real, how they function, and how to test for one is unknown to most crew.''</blockquote>

==== Suspected Syndicate Corporations ====
While nobody is able to prove anything, Central Command maintains a small curated list of corporations they believe to be backing the Syndicate. Security is made privy to this list so they may observe and report any connections to Syndicate activity onboard stations. Their products should be viewed with suspicion but may or may not be considered contraband. Consult with [[Corporate Law]] for more information.

These suspected corporations are:

* Cybersun
* Waffle Co.
* Interdyne

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows

<blockquote>◆ ''The fact that the Syndicate exists is known to the public, only which corporations back them and work with them is secret. The war between the corporations is an underground cold war in most shifts.''</blockquote>

==== Non-NanoTrasen Implants ====
While it is known that NanoTrasen are not the only company to make Implanters, you may not suspect someone of having an Implant without valid evidence, such as seeing them do something they should not be able to do, seeing them use an Implanter, finding a spent Implanter with their DNA or prints on it, etc. Spent Implanters and Implant Boxes have labels, and these may be used to figure out which Implant someone has for removal.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing use of a non-NT Implant by anyone, such as cuffs being broken, or someone emitting an EMP, etc
** Discovering a used or unused non-NT Implanter or Implanter Box
** Experiencing a situation where absolutely no other explanation is possible, such as someone who was stripped completely suddenly having an object
** Discovering an unlocked Uplink

<blockquote>◆ ''You do not know for sure someone has an Implanter unless there is reasonable evidence, such as their DNA being on an Implanter Box or spent Implanter, you witnessing them use an Implant ability, or there being no other reasonable explanation for how they did something.''</blockquote>

==== Vampires ====
The fact that Vampires are real is unknown to the general public. While not inherently illegal, Vampires sometimes have an agenda onboard a Station and should be kept under extra scrutiny if they reveal themselves.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing someone drinking blood from someone else
** Witnessing someone use any Vampire abilities

<blockquote>◆ ''Vampires are considered fake monsters from old cheesy horror movies by most crew. Knowledge of the Vampire Elders is completely unknown even to Security and Command, and is only known by Vampires.''</blockquote>

==== Wizards ====
The Wizard Federation is very outspoken about their so-called 'magic'. Whether that they do is actually 'magic' or not, they are a danger and Security has been briefed on them. Security knows they may have access to strange abilities, but they do not know the extent of the Wizard's capabilities.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Witnessing a magical ability
** A Wizard making an announcement with their Communications Console
** Finding a Wizard Shuttle

<blockquote>◆ ''Most consider 'Wizards' to be nutjobs roleplaying in space. That their powers are real, how they function, and any alleged connections to Bluespace is unknown to all.''</blockquote>

==== Syndicate Equipment ====
Security is aware of some specific equipment associated with the Syndicate. They are not aware of all or even most of the items within the uplink, however they do get foreknowledge of;

* Syndicate Hardsuits, EVA Suits, Jetpacks, Mag Boots, Chest Rigs, and Web Vests
* Syndicate Guns and Energy Swords
* Basic tools; Syndicate Jaws of Life, EMAG, Access Breaker, Suspicious Toolbox and its contents, and Radio Jammer

You also know that things called ''''Uplinks'''<nowiki/>' exist which allow the Syndicate to access their tools, but you do not know how they work or are accessed unless you find one open.

You may use examine text to identify that something is in fact Syndicate Contraband, but this only applies if the item has a Contraband tag that explicitly tells you it is Contraband. Examining items to reveal secret uses, such as Hypopens, Exploding Pens, Energy Daggers, or Chameleon items, is not allowed.

Examples:

# You may know, without encountering one, that Syndicate Agent may have a Blood-Red Harduit.
# You may know, without encountering one, that Syndicate Agents may have a Viper Pistol.
# You can not know, until encountering one, that Syndicate Agents may have Access Breakers.
# You can know, on examining a Camera Bug, that it is Syndicate Contraband, because the game tells you it is.
# You may not know, on examining a Hypopen, that it is a Hypopen just because the game tells you it has fluid storage.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows
** Seeing a Syndicate item physically
** Finding an unlocked Uplink

<blockquote>◆ ''The idea that the Syndicate might have illegal tools and equipment isn't Metashielded, but what that equipment is specifically is. If you see someone do something with a tool they shouldn't be able to or that you don't recognize, it's safe to bet it is an illegal item of some kind.''</blockquote>

==== High Value Targets ====
All items that can be targets of theft by the Syndicate are known to Security. This includes the CE's Mag Boots, Captain's Gun, RD's Hardsuit, etc. While normal crew know they are valuable, they do not know that they are deliberately targeted for theft by Syndicate Agents.

* Revealed to others by;
** Being directly told by somebody who already knows

<blockquote>◆ ''It is safe to assume thieves might want to steal anything on the Station that is of high value. Only the information that Syndicate Agents are sent with these specific targets is shielded.''</blockquote>

== Backgrounds ==
'''Background''' is a system that allows any characters to know specific pieces of ordinarily Metashielded knowledge. Every character may only have one '''Background''', which is picked during Character Creation as a Trait and can not be changed mid-round or frequently at all. Your '''Background''' should reflect the life your character has lives, and act in complement to their characterization and backstory. These are additive Roleplay features, and do not impact gameplay directly.

Your backstory does not have to line up 1:1 with these descriptions, but should be similar in scope and not imply that you know more than your chosen '''Background''' allows. For example, you may have been an emergency responder to the aftermath of a Romerol Disaster, or you have have been a chef on a mercenary base to gain Former Soldier knowledge. As long as it does not imply you know more than your '''Background''' allows, it is fine.

==== Civilian ====
You are a civilian, and have no background covered by this system.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants no Metashielded knowledge.''</blockquote>

==== Former Soldier ====
As a former member of a Mercenary Company, the NanoTrasen Naval Corps, or a Sector Militia, you have passing familiarity with all firearms. While you may not know who uses them or that their typical users are even real, such as Nuclear Operatives with the China Lake, you do know that the gun itself exists. You may pick and choose how far this knowledge goes, and choose to simply know nothing about certain guns.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants limited [[Metashield#Syndicate Equipment|Syndicate Equipment]] knowledge, for guns exclusively.''</blockquote>

==== Romerol Disaster Survivor ====
You are one of a few survivors of a Romerol outbreak, from before the implementation of the [[PSO Cloning System]]. You know that the undead are real, and some of how they behave. Of course nobody would ever believe you if you told them.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants full [[Metashield#Romerol Virus|Romerol Virus]] knowledge.''</blockquote>

==== Xenos Disaster Survivor ====
You are one of a few survivors from a Xenos attack. You know what types of Xenos there are, and how they operate in general terms. Most people have never even seen a real Xenos, and surviving an encounter is rare. You have seen horrible things that very few others have. Does not refer to Xenoborgs.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants no Metashielded knowledge, but gives full right to know about Xenos without question.''</blockquote>

==== Deific Encounter ====
You have experienced something that you are certain was a miracle. Something that could only have been an act of a God.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants no Metashielded knowledge, but gives full right to know at least one God is real.''</blockquote>

==== Magical Encounter ====
You survived an encounter with something that you can only describe as magic. Something you can not explain rationally. Maybe those Wizard Federation people are only ''partially'' insane.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants full [[Metashield#Wizards|Wizards]] knowledge.''</blockquote>

==== Abducted ====
You were once the unfortunate recipient of a probing. The Grays are real! They have a fork-sword that makes you fall asleep, and they teleported you to a shuttle, and made you lay eggs! No, not alien eggs, chicken eggs! Why won't anyone believe you!? - You may choose which gland you had, but the goal is crazy alien story tone.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants full [[Metashield#Abductors|Abductors]] knowledge.''</blockquote>

==== Petty Criminal ====
While reformed, more or less, you used to get involved in the types of crowds and businesses you really shouldn't have. Because of these connections, you are aware of what items on the station are likely to be worth a lot, and that they are probably targeted by the Syndicate and other Thieves. You know what all the Steal Objective Targets are.<blockquote>◆ ''Grants full [[Metashield#High Value Targets|High Value Targets]] knowledge.''</blockquote>

== Additional Information ==

=== Rumors and Pop Culture ===
Over the years a number of things have slipped through the cracks. While they are generally not believed by sane people, none the less the image and rumor persists. Think of it like how in the real world, we have a concept of what a Vampire is. Vampires are obviously not real, but we have a conception of what they should be like if they were. This carries into roleplay as well.

* '''Nukies:''' Based on old rumors from the Pod Wars, the image of the Blood-Red has persisted into the century that followed and to the modern day. Some history buffs might know the actual origin, being a simple space suit worn back in that old war. It has become associated with the idea of 'Nuclear Operatives' in recent times as rumors of stations and military outposts being nuked have begun to spread. These rumors are fringe, but have been adopted back into pop culture, with plushies and figures based on the myths.
* '''Supernatural Entities:''' The concept of Shapechangers, Wizards, Vampires, and even Abductors have existing in Human culture for many centuries. Of course, in the age of enlightenment that is the space age, belief in such things is very fringe. Some conspirators may associate them now with 'aliens' given extraterrestrial life is confirmed, but they are considered crazy people.
* '''Parallel Realities:''' A staple of sci-fi and bad superhero franchises for centuries now, the idea of a multiverse is known to the public. The idea of interlopers coming from a parallel world is common enough in movies, usually used to spark Red Scare fears of Communist infiltration in the public following the formation of the USSP- although this use is outdated and considered hooky in the modern day. More recently, those in the Starlight Sector began hearing many rumors related to 'clones' from another world, rumors that were fanned by leaked documents about an ocean world found in the Null Scar. Still, it's all movie nonsense at the end of the day, right?

=== Metafriending and Metagrudging ===
Giving a person or character preferential treatment based on something that your character should not know is considered metafriending. Treating a person or character negatively based on something that your character should not know is considered metagrudging.

Friendships between characters may grow and develop and carry over between rounds, so long as they are not based solely on knowing someone out of character and this friendship does not impede or prevent you from fulfilling traitor objectives that harm them.

===== Metafriending Examples =====

* Doing any of the following because you are friends with the player who is playing a character or because you have made friends in character in a previous shift or during a previous life:
** Giving a character additional access or a job beyond what makes sense
** Trusting a character beyond what makes sense
** Refusing to fight a character when it would otherwise make sense
** Ignoring your objective to kill a character

===== Metagrudging Examples =====

* Doing any of the following because of out of character reasons or something that happened in a previous round or during a previous life:
** Not giving a character additional access or a job when it would otherwise make sense
** Not trusting a character when it would otherwise make sense
** Starting a fight with a character without in-character reason
** Targeting or harassing a character without in-character reason

=== Explicitly Not Shielded ===
The following is a list of things that are explicitly not shielded. If something is not on this list, it doesn’t mean that it is shielded, but if something is on it then it definitely is not shielded.

* The existence of the nuke disk and the fact that it must be protected and could be used by a bad actor to try to destroy the station.
* The fact that alternative law sets for a Cyborg or AI exist, and could be used to alter the Silicon’s behavior. This includes the antimov lawset.
* The idea that any Syndicate Agent or bad actor has goals or objectives that they are attempting to accomplish. They must have been sent here for a reason.
* The fact that the Syndicate exist and are enemies of NanoTrasen, and that they regularly attempt to send covert agents to spy on, sabotage, or attack NanoTrasen.
* A character’s typical appearance, though you should keep in mind that multiple characters can share the same name or features.
* The existence of Space Dragons, Space Carps, Pirates, Thieves, and Xenos. Specific information on hostile fauna is limited. Does your doctor need to know how a Goliath works?