Laws and Customs in the City
Control Rating
On the GURPS scale (see GURPS 4th Edition Basic Set, p. 506), the City falls into the category of CR5, with the exception of the tax burden described. Additionally, street-level commerce functions more freely than described, though the economy is strictly controlled by IAM (though the City governors are thought to play some role in the economic decision-making process).
Legality
Weapons. All weapons, even makeshift knives and clubs, are classed LC0 for ALL CITIZENS, and the unlicensed possession of lethal weaponry may be punishable by termination. Exceptions to this rule are provided for law enforcement (COPS and GOONS), personal protection (with ORANGE or higher clearance), and "special operations" as determined by IAM. Heavy weapons such as explosives, armored vehicles and artillery are restricted to "military-class law enforcement," chiefly the GOONS. Non-lethal personal weapons may be carried by citizens with RED-level clearance and are considered LC2.
Music. Vocal music, songs, chants, or other music with lyrics are forbidden within the City structures. Only instrumental music is allowed for entertainment purposes only. "Entertainment purposes" means the use of music is legally confined to those who use it as a form of entertainment or as accompaniment to some other entertainment. While it is not in and of itself a treasonous act, listening to music without purpose is highly suspect behavior. Vocal music is LC0, while instrumental music is LC3.
Literature. Reading printed literature for purposes not related to work has been identified by IAM as a singularly suspicious activity. Whether an individual's reading habits amount to subversive activity depends entirely on the subject matter being read. For example, a cook reading a book about plants may be work-related, whereas a farmer from Delta Sector reading a book about cooking is clearly subversive. Printed literature is technically LC3, but is treated as if LC4, unless the subject matter is subversive, in which case it is LC0, unless the individual is permitted, by clearance or administrative rank, to possess such materials, in which case the materials in question are LC2.
Drugs. All drugs, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals capable of altering the physiology of the brain are LC2 for anyone below RED-clearance. Infrared citizens are required to take a daily dosage of medications designed to assist in the voluntary repression of subversive thoughts and behaviors. Additionally, an Infrared may be required to take additional drugs according to his or her occupation. For citizens who possess RED clearance or better, all pharmaceuticals are LC4. Additionally, RED or higher citizens may opt out of the daily medications.
Nanotechnology. If there were a category stronger than LC0 (say, LC-1), IAM would classify nanotech in that category. While it is rumored that nanites and microbots perform maintenance tasks in IAM's processing and memory core, such details are highly classified (Ultraviolet Only) and therefore restricted from discussion. It is probably not even a good idea to think about nanotechnology - not while you're in the City at any rate. Possession of nanotechnology or literature related to technology will result in immediate termination of you and your clone series.
Law Enforcement
There are two offices primarily responsible for the safety and security of the City. Primary law enforcement on an individual basis is performed by Civil Order and Patrol Service (COPS), who operate on foot and on hovercycles throughout the city. The highly-trained officers of the Grave Order and Offensive Nuisance Service (GOONS) combat gangs, control crowds, manage riots, and perform other functions of mass pacification. GOONS operate hover tanks and other heavy equipment in the pursuit of their quarry. Additionally, Civil Uniform divisions such as Dept. 23, while they do not have arrest authority, are charged with routing subversives and other treasnous activities. As such, many of their duties fall into the category of "law enforcement," though they are not officially considered as part of the Civil Uniform law enforcement hierarchy.
Economics
The economy is essentially capitalist, but the market is strictly regulated and controlled. IAM is the central economic authority, though the City governors are thought to play some advisory role in the determination of economic policy and practice.
While there is no "free market," consumers have a great deal of variety and options in their chosen lifestyles, as long as those lifestyles are not in some way subversive or otherwise forbidden by law. IAM understands that variety and choice are prime motivators for humans, but finds the historic free-market method inadequate to perform this task.
Citizens with RED-level or better clearance may own and operate businesses. Some citizens of YELLOW and higher clearance, usually with Administrative Rank of 2 or better, will provide funding, direction, and other resources for those interested in starting a business. Many Yellows and Greens also operate business organizations consisting of several individual operations, usually in the same category of business function. This segment of business financing is not regulated, but is considered a private interpersonal business transaction.
The private interpersonal business transaction is actually key to the proper functioning of the economy. IAM has chosen not to interfere in any manner in any businesses conducted between individuals. The transaction between a hot dog vendor and the hot dog purchaser is not regulated, controlled, surveyed, or otherwise attended to by IAM. If the hot dog purchaser feels cheated or otherwise dissatisfied, even if this is due to the hot dog vendor selling substandard hot dogs, the only course of action is to no longer purchase those hot dogs. There is no "consumer complaint division" of the City. Unless the hot dog vendor is guilty of subversive activity in relation to his selling of substandard hot dogs, no crime or other variance has been committed. This leeway obviously creates an area in which potentially subversive activity may occur. This activity is what many might consider "crime," but it is in fact activity that is desired by IAM and beneficial to the City.
Crime
The only important crimes, as far as IAM is concerned, are subversion and treason. Activities which do not victimize other citizens at all are not considered criminal. Even private interpersonal business transactions involving banned or controlled items is not considered criminal if no one is harmed or victimized in the process. Drug possession and usage, for example, is not a crime, even though many drugs are restricted. (Drug use may be subversive, however, and if found to be subversive, is a crime.)
Minor crime. If potential harm might derive from a transaction, the transaction may be considered a minor crime; if the harmed citizen files a complaint, there will certainly be an investigation. The sale of a single weapon, for example, would be a minor crime. The unlicensed possession of any type of weapon is a minor crime. Some minor crimes may be punishable by termination.
Major crime. Activities which directly cause harm to citizens, or which might result in harm to a great number of citizens, are considered major crimes. The sale of multiple weapons to a single individual is a major crime. The use of weapons against other citizens is a major crime.
Example: Prostitution is not a crime but is a profession licensed and regulated (albeit lightly) by the City. However, a prostitute who services a number of Commies is likely a subversive. If her treason cannot be proven, but there is proof she is knowingly servicing commies, then her prostitution may be considered criminal, as it is in violation of her license (which by regulation restricts her from any private interpersonal business transactions with known Communists). Comparatively, a hot dog vendor who serves known Communists would not be committing a crime, as the food vending license does not restrict serving Communists or other known subversives. (Feeding Commies is not subversive activity, but fucking them is.)
The Court and Penal System
Some may think immediate termination is harsh punishment for a crime. But a far worse fate is becoming caught up in the court system. The Civil Uniform Justiciar Office is second only to the Department of Water and Power is vastness and complexity. This department combines all the functions of law enforcement, judicial function, and penal operations necessary. As such, it is a complex, even labyrinthine, bureacracy that intimidates even Complexity-6 LawBots. A citizen who is charged with even a minor crime might find himself tied up for years in hearings, trials, and other processes.
Once charged with a crime, an electronic device is implanted in the citizen, making it possible to track their every movement within the city. Generally, those charged are confined to movement within a certain area. There are sometimes a shortage of court offices in the areas of confinement, so the citizen is unable to attend hearings or meet with attorneys. This can result in administrative charges being brought against the citizen. Even if the citizen is confined to an area with ample justiciar resources, the entire process from charge to conviction can take a minimum of five years. Even then, conviction is all but assured, as CUJO has a 99% conviction rate, though only 24% of cases ever reach trial stage, while 64% achieve a confession of guilt and 12% of cases are dropped due to the death of the charged citizen. (Yes, that means about 10% of cases proceed to trial with a dead defendant.)
Once convicted, the citizen will be permanently stripped of all security clearances, administrative ranks, and any other privileges. Additionally, their clone series will be destroyed. The tracking device will remain implanted and the citizen will be required to take a number of medications to control his thoughts and behavior. Such a citizen finds himself something even less than Infrared: an Infrared with social stigma even among Infrareds. Those few who find themselves in such circumstances have often been heard to moan, "I wish they'd killed me when I did it."
Associated Skills
- Law (Civil Uniform Code): Know letter of law and functions of Civil Uniform Justiciar Office.
- Area Knowledge (The City): Know customs, even legal customs, of a particular area; -2 to rolls to know letter of law in any given area.
- Savoir-Faire (Bureaucracy): Navigate the inner working of CUJO, as well as the other divisions of City government.