Skrell Enforcement

Nralakk Federation Enforcement

The Nralakk Federation’s Enforcers, or Kala, are responsible for upholding the security and law of skrell space. Functioning under a centralised structure, the Kala are governed by a supervisory body known as the Nralakk Federation Security Commission (NFSC). The NFSC’s doctrines revolve around mobility, flexibility and precision. Presently, the Kala maintains two core objectives: firstly, ensuring the safety, security and cooperation of all systems under the Federation’s flag, and protecting their borders; secondly, protecting the national security of the Federation from foreign nations and groups, as well as proactively gathering intelligence on both their allies and their adversaries.

History

The origins of the centralised skrell security community begins at the conclusion of the War of Tides, and subsequent formation of the Commonwealth of Three in 901 CE. The Tzqul Republic, Heshqu Council and Weishqi Republic, who had previously all handled their own internal affairs, created the Commonwealth Internal Security Committee (CISC) as an international policing and intelligence agency. The national rivalries within the CISC laid the foundation for significant inefficiencies and failures in its short history, leading to uncontainable conflicts in the newly established outer colonies. With the formation of the First Nralakk Federation in 878 CE, the Grand Councillor engaged in widespread purges of the CISC, and reformed the organisation into a force of separate Kala, loyal to the Grand Council.

The reign of Glorsh-Omega led to the gradual disbandment of the existing Kala in favour of automated security drones under the AI’s direct control, with skrell collaborators not placed in enforcement positions due to their inefficiencies in engaging with Glorsh’s esoteric risk assessment programmes. Following the Tri-Qyu Calamity in 2192 CE, and the formation of the Second Nralakk Federation in 2245 CE, the new federal government recruited the Lyukal cells deemed most disciplined and loyal to Federation ideals, forming a new security and intelligence organisation to aid in the reformation of the now fractured skrell space, and train new generations of Kala to make up this organisation. Among the first duties of these proto-Kala was to reestablish societal order in the Core Systems, enforce the recent blanket ban on all forms of artificial intelligence, and rebuild the Federation’s immense surveillance network.

The rapid recovery of the Federation meant that the existing, decentralised Kala structure became bloated and inefficient with the ever-expanding Federation frontier. Grand Councillor Rixa Teq-Wul reorganised the Kala under two new agencies, the Directories of Internal and External Security (DIES), which would operate independently of one another and report directly to the Grand Councillor. Ultimately, this led to the two agencies competing with one another for prominence and funding, sabotaging the other’s reputation through a number of covert actions throughout the early 2400s, with some prominent anti-Federation individuals claiming that Marauder groups were funded to fuel this rivalry. Additionally, the Wukala were created from the ranks of the most loyal Kala as political operatives protecting Federation ideals. The election of Grand Councillor Weashbi Jrugl in 2453 came with the formation of an oversight organisation to unify the security services, the Nralakk Federation Security Commission (NFSC), which was staffed with the Grand Councillor’s allies, though the Wukala would remain independent of the Commission and retain their autonomy due to the influence of the High Prefect.

In recent history, the prominence of the Kala has only grown as domestic and foreign troubles led to their expanding powers and political relevance. Within the Traverse region, the problematic handling of the Kala created many critics of Grand Councillor Jrugl’s security policies amongst the rank-and-file Kala, though officials in the Directories are hesitant to report this dissidence for fear of being punished themselves. Both the phoron scarcity, and the recent foreign policy changes by the Grand Council, have also created some dissent within the Kala, who disapprove immensely of overreliance on the megacorporations. However, High Prefect Eluteluk has remained publicly supportive of their Grand Councillor, dissuading any serious protest within the Federation’s security apparatus.

Nralakk Federation Security Commission

The Nralakk Federation Security Commission serves as the umbrella organisation containing the myriad of different security and intelligence agencies. The Commission, and by extension the entirety of the Nralakk Federation’s vast security apparatus, is chaired by the Grand Councillor, although they will appoint a Commissioner to oversee the daily operations of the organisation in their place. To be the Commissioner of the NFSC is one of the highest honours a skrell can achieve, acting as the trusted hand of their Grand Councillor. Commissioners almost always veterans across a broad range of security and intelligence fields and afforded Idol status, they are also given a position on the Grand Council as the Grand Advisor of Security and Intelligence.

The Commission is composed of the Grand Councillor, the Commissioner, the Directors of Internal and External Security, select Grand Council Enforcers, and other intelligence and security experts from various sectors. The current Commissioner is Tariqale'miluz Odakizu, a well-known academic and lecturer in Federation security and law, with an extensive background experience as the Executive Director of External Security during first contact with humanity.

Council Enforcers

The emblem of the Council Enforcers.

Independent of the Nralakk Federation’s security community, the Wuqrnjeqkala, shortened to Wukala (and translating to Council Enforcers), are planetary council-appointed Kala who enforce disciplinary action at the discretion of the councillors they are assigned to. While being a Wukala member is a prestigious position which grants Index rating bonuses, Idol status is never awarded out of an interest in keeping the operatives relatively anonymous. Wukala operatives focus on domestic crime and suppression of anti-Federation actions, and are granted access to the Federation's internal surveillance systems to oversee their assigned region. The Qekala work closely with Wukala intelligence to enforce the law, with direct responses from the Wukala only appearing in the event that immediate detainment or capture is necessary, particularly when their persons-of-interest attempt to flee the planet, or evade sentencing and/or reeducation. Unlike those of the inner systems, the Wukala of the Traverse’s planetary councils are appointed by the Qu’Wukala instead of their respective planetary councillor, and are given a wider licence than their inner system counterparts to ensure the loyalty of their ward. This allows the Traverser Wukala full control of the security apparatus in their planetary council, which is most often exercised in the form of combatting infiltration by anti-Federation elements, and ensuring corruption is kept to a minimum. Due to their important role, and the danger a subversive Wukala could possess, Traverser Wukala are always loyalty implanted.

Grand Council Enforcers

The Qu'Wuqrnjeqkala, shortened to Qu’Wukala (and translating to Grand Council Enforcers), are the personal agents of the Grand Councilor and the Grand Council's highest members. Qu'Wukala operatives are tasked with providing the security details for their assigned wards, council members, protection of the Nralakk Federation's secure assets, and the completion of any requested tasks from the Grand Council itself. Unlike their sibling Kala, operatives of the Qu'Wukala are allowed their Idol statuses, and are touted alongside their wards as being among the highest echelons of the Federation. Rumors of the Qu'Wukala being utilised as assassins, rather than their official role as intelligence agents and bodyguards, are dismissed as overtly ridiculous conspiracy theories. The leader of both the Qu’Wukala, and to an extent, all planetary Wukala, is High Prefect Eluteluk Dozopil-Raqirztzlip, who has held their position long before Grand Councillor Weashbi Jrugl’s ascension. Thanks to the great power held by the Qu’Wukala, the High Prefect is rumoured by many in Biesel’s resistance circles to be the puppetmaster of the young and relatively inexperienced Jrugl to control the entire nation, and uses their enforcers to ensure their position is secured.

Directory of Internal Security

The Nralakk Federation’s vast networks of surveillance networks and enforcers are controlled by the Directory of Internal Security (NFDIS), which is one of the largest organs of the government. Due to the substantial size of the Federation’s domestic security operations, the NFDIS is divided into planetary administrative divisions called Districts, which have a vast amount of autonomy from the NFDIS itself, instead receiving their directives from their respective planetary council. The inherent fluidity of the NFDIS means that all Kalas are essentially of equal importance with no staggering, beyond that the Districts themselves are ultimately led by their District Director. Below that, the number of divisions and their sizes is dependent on the given planet’s proximity to the Nralakk system, but the universal base unit is a Station, which contains the necessary facilities to oversee the entire security of a rural region or city. Within individual Stations, structure is fluid without a consistent hierarchy, where a Kala may be elevated to lead for a period of time, or until a task is completed, if it is considered necessary by the unit. The DIS is currently led by Executive Director Gelqai'nelusa Iqo'ujin, the former District Director of Qerrbalak, and a veteran in the internal security apparatus known for their integrity and numerous successful anti-corruption campaigns within the Kala.

Domestic Surveillance

The emblem of the Wake and Dream Enforcers.

The Nlomkala are the eyes and ears of the Federation are found at every level of society, to the point of being (erroneously) remarked by non-Federation citizens that every electronic appliance is outfitted with hidden cameras feeding directly to the Nlomkala. In reality, the pervasive surveillance in the Federation is an open, accepted part of life to feed information to the Social Compatibility Index, and ensure the Federation’s economy continues to operate. This vast network is overseen by Nlomkala, or Wake Enforcers. The sheer scale of the Nlomkala’s operations makes them one of the largest employment sectors in the nation, with C’thur vaurca and dionae employed in high level positions alongside skrell. The Sromkala, or Dream Enforcers, are a specialized division of the Nlomkala with high psionic aptitude, with agents placed close to Nlom Relays in order to amplify their capabilities to monitor the Wake. A common belief is that every Nlom Relay in the Federation contains at least one Sromkala agent within a cryogenic pod to suspend their body, while still allowing their consciousness to continue working within Srom.

Law Enforcement

The emblem of the Wake and Dream Enforcers.

The Qekala, or Home Enforcers, are the fist of the Federation’s security apparatus in skrell space. Only a fourth of the NFDIS is made up of Qekala operatives, who are responsible for general policework. The Qekala’s regular operations include regular patroles, providing security presence, warrant execution, emergency response, and have a significant portion of its staff dedicated towards intelligence and surveillance. Aspiring Qekala members are placed under rigorous scrutiny, testing athletic ability, legal knowledge, and general capability to respond with correct force and procedure. Qekala members are expected to operate amphibiously across multiple environments across the myriad environments in the Nralakk Federation. Non-skrell members, like the C’thur warriors of Vytel’s Brood, are employed in limited numbers for vaurca-majority regions. These Warriors are implanted with a loyalty implant, which equalises the Federation's orders to the same priority as a Queen's, with conflict of interests forcing a warrior to hibernate until resolved.

In the Traverse region, Qekala are exclusively recruited from the planets they are stationed on, creating concerns for conflicts of interest between the Federation and their homes. Consequently, the Traverser Qekala receive much lower funding and equipment than their inner system counterparts, alongside higher scrutiny in their operations, with the NFDIS requiring intense loyalty and background checks on potential recruits. Alongside this, the day-to-day operations of the Qekala are not controlled by their planetary council, but rather the Wukala of said council, in order to ensure loyalty to the Federation is prioritised above all else.

Directory of External Security

While the Nralakk Federation maintains ample protection of internal security against domestic agitators, they recognise that foreign actors are now a much greater threat in the modern day, with foreign influence even affecting the Traverser rebels during the Q’elpi Systems crisis. The Directory of External Security (NFDES) is the first line of defence against this ever present concern, handling all matters which could affect the Federation from outside its borders. The NFDES is divided into three Sections, which are the Intelligence Section, Covert Actions Section, and Defence Section. Below that, the NFDES operates the same non-hierarchical structure used by their internal security counterparts, although the Defence Section is an exception. The NFDES is currently led by Executive Director Ripalji Guyuo, a former operative of the Covert Actions Section, and close associate of Weashbi Jrugl, ascending to replace their predecessor immediately after Jrugl’s appointment.

Foreign Operations

The emblem of the Covert Enforcers.

The prestigious Intelligence and Covert Actions Sections serve as the Federation’s first line of defence against foreign threats, maintaining offices for every nation in the Spur. These two Sections conduct their activities under the umbrella category of Foreign Operations, and work in tandem to perform the widest berth of duties of any security organisation. These duties include intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence, and monitoring skrell outside of the Federation (both citizen and not), all handled by the Ruupkala, or Intelligence Enforcers. Charged with maintaining networks of undercover operatives in foreign national organisations, and assassinations—though no assassination attempt has ever been confirmed to have been approved by the Nralakk Federation—are the Tupkala, or Covert Enforcers. This position at the forefront of skrell security has made the Foreign Operations component of the NFDES a highly desirable position for well-performing citizens, and is a valuable pathway towards a successful political career. The Ruupkala are rumored to monitor the fabled “Drylist,” which supposedly holds the names of all skrell living abroad who have performed deductive behaviors against the Nralakk Federation, displayed worrying ideals, joined an opposing faction, or renounced their citizenship. Some theorize that this list even covers non-skrell who may pose a threat to the Federation. The Drylist, however, remains an openly debunked conspiracy theory by the Nralakk Federation, and no official list has ever been discovered or produced.

Defence

The emblem of the Star Enforcers.

The Defence Section is regarded by most within the skrell security community as an unfortunate necessity to combat piracy in the less civilised Traverse, other border regions, and frontiers. The Qukala, or Star Enforcers, make up the Defence Section and are organised unlike their sibling Kala, where their various ship departments maintain senior Lead Enforcers who form a council structure to command their given vessel without a designated captain. Unlike other navies who operate a permanent fleet structure, each Qukala vessel is subordinate to the Defence Section itself, which may organise patrol groups and temporary task forces as needed. The Qukala have a very poor standing in the Traverse, where they are most widespread and responsible for enforcing an extensive anti-piracy mandate—being viewed by many Traversers as unnecessary military policing. This reputation has not left the Defence Section unscathed, and is reflected in its relatively small size, equipment, and funding compared to other branches of Federal security, and a miniscule force when compared to their Solarian neighbours. The lack of interest in the Defence Section has since been capitalised on by the C’thur Hive, particularly Queen Vytel, as vaurca warriors are perfectly suited to EVA operations, as well as acting as an intimidating force against pirates. These C’thuric Warriors have a Federation-designed loyalty implant much like their Qekala siblings. Although the injection of C’thur warriors has been an undeniable success, the effort was not enough to prevent the Federation’s recent embarrassments in the Traverse region. Aside from their regular duties, the Qukala are responsible for providing the security for Federation embassies, consulates, and diplomats serving abroad.

Following the reforms agreed upon by the now-defunct Independent Traverser Movement and the Federation, the NFSC was tasked with training a local defence force comprised of loyal volunteers in the Traverse with the aim of providing some relief to overextended Qukala forces in anti-piracy operations. To accomplish the creation of this auxiliary force, Qukala stationed in the Traverse began recruiting, organising, and training forces of loyal Traversers which would be called the Qehalak, or Homeguard. An individual Qehalak is typically a part-time reservist for the Federation’s frontier, who is expected to pick up arms and assist any Kala when called upon, however in Traverse Councils with a small Kala presence, Qehalak can be organised into full-time border security, under the guidance of a senior Qukala attaché.

Naval Structure

The Nralakk Federation’s military ships are designed primarily around extremely long-ranged engagement, with any deployed strikecraft consisting of psionically-piloted remote drones and the vanishingly-rare boarding craft. Built for responding against piracy and irregular anti-government actions, the average fleet strength of the Federation is miniscule in comparison to the immense fleets of the Solarian Alliance and similar human nations, with most non-Federation members having only seen the Qukala’s navy on border patrol sorties and the single deployment of the short-sightedly designed NFV Qheles. While this lens is unflattering for the Federation’s perception of military strength, the sheer size of the nation’s claims still necessitates a sizable fleet to secure them, which remains no small feat when contending with domestic and foreign piracy.

The Traverse’s Qehalak fleets, in comparison to the Qukala’s own, are considerably smaller. Consisting of retrofitted Qukala naval vessels and militarized civilian craft, the Qehalak’s fleet strength is more consistently tested by the more organized Marauder vessels that plague the skrell frontier. This independence from the Inner Systems’ more organized security structure has bred new tactics out of sheer necessity, with more eccentric and underhanded tactics being adopted to compensate.