Rules of Engagement

Overview

The Ardent’s mission is fundamentally guided by its Constitution. The values of the Constitution, embodying them and being seen to embody them, outweigh all other considerations. However, we recognise that the crew have a right to be safe, and that the material security of the mission needs to be ensured for the mission to be successful; rules of engagement to help manage cases where these two tendencies may conflict.
Whilst these rules must always be followed as far as possible, there will inevitably be instances where further conflicts arise, or where the course of action is unclear. We cannot write rules for all potential scenarios so where there are conflicts the Ardent will be empowered to use its own judgement to take appropriate action on a case by case basis.

General rules of engagement

General Combat

• The Ardent and its crew have a right to use proportionate physical force, up to and including lethal force, to protect themselves. It may choose to not exercise this right depending on the circumstances.
• The Ardent has the right to intervene to defend third parties from physical threats to the same degree as the above.
• The Ardent may use physical measures to ensure the security of the ship, the crew, and the mission, including ensuring material security and protection of classified information. These measures may include physical force up to lethal force, physical force to ensure compliance, and detainment, as long as such measures are reasonable, proportionate, and do not violate Alliance law.
• The Ardent is not a military vessel. However, it does have the authority to use the means at its disposal to create the conditions for operational success; for example, in taking proactive defensive measures to ensure it can operate safely.
• Engagement: in cases where lethal force is being used against sentient combatants, the Ardent crew are required to abide by rules of war. Enemy combatants should be clearly and positively identified where possible before force is used, and their right to negotiate and surrender respected. The Ardent may “strike first” if there is reasonable certainty that they or a third party are in immediate danger of harm from the prospective target. However, the Ardent may not deliberately provoke, escalate, or degrade a situation where lethal force is was not previously required in order to make lethal force necessary.

Alliance Law

• The Ardent and its crew are presumed to be operating under Alliance law and the Ardent’s constitution at all times, even in dealings with those who are not otherwise subject to the Alliance’s legal jurisdiction [see “Law and Constitution”]. 
• However, this rule does not necessarily apply in reverse: those dealing with different legal codes are not necessarily subject to Alliance law and should not be acted against as if they were. Where conflicts arise, it is up to the Ardent’s crew to decide when following local legal jurisdictions is appropriate to the objectives of the mission and in the spirit of the Constitution on a case-by-case basis.
• The Ardent is not a law enforcement vessel. However, accepting that it is operating remotely, it has special dispensation to ensure its crew, and where appropriate third parties, follow Alliance law. It may take measures such as use of physical force, temporary detainment, force to ensure compliance, and collection of sensitive information in cases where the Ardent’s legal jurisdiction applies. This is presumed to be prior to application of due process with relevant agents of the law at such a time where this becomes possible. 

Captives and Fallen Combatants

• Captivity: The Ardent may take enemy combatants captive and subject them to confinement, of nature and duration proportionate to the immediate threat they present, where doing so is necessary to reduce risk to the Ardent. Conditions of capture must be humane where possible and contain a clear, timebound set of conditions for release. Summary execution of captives is not permitted at any time for any reason. Captives must not be subject to cruel, unusual, or unnecessary punishment; torture of captives is not permitted at any time and bodily autonomy must be respected.
• Fallen combatants: Bodies of fallen enemy combatants are to be treated with respect in the first instance and not subject to unnecessary further damage; however, interests of the mission may outweigh this on a case by case basis.
• Looting: Where, during or after combat, the opportunity to take enemy resources become available, this may be permitted if no other rule forbids it and if it accords with mission objectives. The crew are reminded of the reputational risk being party to theft and/or looting may present to the Ardent’s mission.

Rules of engagement for specific opponents

THRONE

THRONE are not subject to Alliance law, and the Ardent is not subject to THRONE law; rather, interaction between both parties is governed by the Treaty of the Day of Peace. This treaty guarantees limited diplomatic immunity, right to dialogue, non-aggression, respect for territorial integrity, and basic rights for individuals in the territory of the other party. THRONE are therefore not to be assumed an immediate physical threat or “legitimate target” on contact, and are subject to the rules of engagement. However, they are always to be assumed to be working against the Alliance’s interests, so approach any interaction with them with extreme circumspection. In the event that lethal force is required to be used against THRONE, bear in mind that you should aim to follow the rules of war where possible. THRONE will likely attempt to use your following the rules against you, but they will also use your not following the rules against you too. (THRONE should also be following these rules but this is not a guarantee). Against THRONE, assume any action taken will be remembered and may be used against you or the Alliance as justification or leverage at a later point.

SHADOW

SHADOW groups are diverse and diffuse. They do not all pose a risk to the Ardent, so no one group should be presumed to be immediately dangerous, but many of them likely pose risk and so any group should be approached with caution. SHADOW groups that are known to provide an immediate and clear risk may be engaged accordingly. SHADOW members are rarely Alliance citizens and some can be considered as “stateless” or outside any legal framework; however, they are still covered by the Ardent’s rule for engagement with sentient beings.

CIRCUS

CIRCUS is a proscribed group under Alliance law, meaning membership is a criminal offence. Members of CIRCUS are to be presumed Alliance citizens unless proven otherwise, and the Ardent is therefore able to detain them on the basis that they are known to be breaking the law, if it so chooses. They are not to be assumed to be immediately dangerous on contact, but should be viewed and approached with high caution. All other standard rules apply.

MOSAIC

MOSAIC is not to be presumed sentient and therefore not subject to Alliance law. Whilst there may not always be an obvious or immediate need to destroy manifestations of MOSAIC, it is to be assumed immediately dangerous in all encounters and lethal force is therefore permitted. The Ardent is to act with extreme care when exposed to MOSAIC, or in a position where others may be exposed to it. The lack of immediate information on MOSAIC means all parameters governing its rules of engagement may be subject to change based on new information gathered, subject to the Ardent’s discretion.