Science Department

There is a lot of legalese surrounding the Science Department. Extraterritorial, exempt from martial law, has to still obey the monopoly of violence, etcetera etcetera. But I won't bore you to tears with a lawbook lecture here. The long and the short is that the Science Department is independent. They have their own land, their own laws, their own security, not having to depend on the Defenders for their safety. Within their compounds, they are untouchable. That is by design, as in every Starseed program, every alien planet being pioneered.   But what about outside their compounds? Well, first of, their scientists travel with superpowered bodyguards. And if you harass them or other staff when they drop by the First City, well, can't say that's a smart choice when they basically take care of your health and safety. So while political pressure may exist, everyone, even the damn Pillagers, are smart enough to not mess with them.   As for us? Well, Homesteaders love the Science Department, really. They know we're their guinea pigs, helping them figure out how to live safely in the wild. So in turn they take good care of us. Home visits by medical staff, extra supplies, financial grants for some outposts that help with their research, that kinda thing. And of course there's the Battle Spears, who drop by on Explorations and make sure to help clear out nearby dangerous critters.   Y'see, they say the Science Department has to be neutral. And they are, they stay out of politics, they don't go pick fights within city borders, and even with us they will let us make our screwups. But they're not the purely-observing kind. Some of them are perfectly willing to act and bail us out. And well, when you find out there's a group of murder bears slowly getting closer to your homestead, it really helps knowing a group of supersoldiers is willing to give a hand.   Of course, therein lies the rub. Why are they willing to help us, but not the army? Why do they not take up arms against those pillaging terrorists, who are nothing but conspiracy nutjobs turned up to eleven? Well, that's because they're neutral. It is not their place to interfere. Battle Spears exist for one reason, keeping their scientists safe. And as much as some folks insist they should raise up their weapons, what do you really think will happen if a group of superpowered individuals decide who needs to go?   Trust me, a lot of folks thought about this a lot, back on Earth and here on Ymir. And they all came to the same conclusion, namely that if the Science Department breaks their neutrality, that is the point where they forfeit their independence. And a political-dependent science department can only go two ways, weaponised against the people through corrupt leadership, or the way of a dictatorship and a civil war.   And yet every day, more people either claim that they must step down, or demand that they step up. And believe me, stay out of that debate, because that is where madness lies. Let us play the role of observer, because we too do not want to get involved in that mess...