ISB Enforcement Agents: Enforcement Agents provide the ISB with "specialized muscle" for certain operations, typically lending their assistance and expertise to Investigations, and sometimes to Internal Affairs. The Enforcement branch is the only branch authorized to hire freelance agents (such as bounty hunters) in order to complete an objective. These services are usually employed by the other branches when extra assistance is required, or when the ISB doesn't wish to dirty its hands, and needs some form of plausible deniability. Enforcement agents are then authorized to employ the services of "non-indoctrinated" operatives for the duration of a mission, or until told otherwise. In such cases where an Enforcement Agent's services are required, he/she falls under the authority of the agent in charge of the specific mission, but the "hired help" (typically) is not. When not operating in conjunction with Investigations or Internal Affairs, Enforcement agents typically pursue their own cases with a great amount of latitude and autonomy. In this regard, they are very similar to bounty hunters, as they select suspects or known criminals, and pursue them at their own pace while conducting their own independent investigations. In the eyes of the Investigations branch, Enforcement agents are an unknown quantity, and are typically considered a "loose blaster." Internal Affairs, meanwhile, views them as very susceptible to the seedy, semi-criminal sphere in which they travel, and consequently are always investigating agents in this branch. The number of Enforcement agents in the ISB probably is equal to or less than 5% of the total personnel of the ISB. Despite this, these agents are responsible for as many, if not more, apprehensions and convictions as the Investigations branch alone. It is, therefore, rather easy to see why Enforcement agents are so dangerous to criminals and rebels alike. Unlike most Imperial Bureaus, Enforcement agents have very few guidelines or restrictions on how to conduct their operations, and, hence, typically have no immediately discernible (Imperial) pattern. They do not always adhere to ISB doctrines, are known to hire individuals of less than reputable legal status, and frequently associate with known criminals. This does not even mention the fact that many Enforcement agents bend/break many laws in the conduction of their operations. In addition to their unpredictability, these agents are among the best-trained agents the ISB has to offer, and are thus well-suited for almost any situation they may encounter. Also, these agents are given badges which serve to protect them from local/system laws, and ensures the support of any local government in whose jurisdiction they may be operating. Finally, the Enforcement agents are allowed a very "liberal" expense account, through which the ISB pays new "employees," equipment rentals/purchases, bribes, and even reparations to civilians or establishments for damages sustained during an operation. These factors add up to a very dangerous, independent, and unpredictable opponent for criminals and rebels alike.
By Thomas Hill Copyright ©
1997 - 1999 Chris
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