Department Standard Operating Procedure: Command

These are In-Character Guidelines Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are general guidelines and may be used as justification for administrative action and/or IC punishments, such as being fired from your position. They are not meant to be followed to the letter, because circumstances and context may permit you to break SOP. However, the fact that SOP is malleable is not an excuse to ignore it entirely.

Captain

Higher alert levels overwrite SOP of lower ones.

Duty:

The captain is to command the ships operation from the bridge, they may involve themselves directly, it is however advised to let the XO handle most departmental problems.

The Captain must ensure the combat readiness of the vessel.

CONDITION 3 - RELAXED OPERATIONS

1. The Captain may not change the alert level to circumvent any laws or Standard Operating Procedure Guidelines. The alert level must always be set to the appropriate level.
2. The Captain is subject to Space Law.
3. The Captain is not permitted to perform regular Security duty. However, they may still assist Security if they see a crime being committed.
4. If a department lacks a Head of Staff, the Captain should make reasonable efforts to appoint an Acting Head of Staff, if there are available personnel to fill the position.
5. The Captain may only promote personnel to an Acting Head of Staff position if there is no assigned Head of Staff associated with the department. Said Acting Head of Staff must be a member of the department they are to lead with the exception of cases where none are available. When this is the case, a crewmember from another department may be appointed to the position, under the condition they resign when a more suitable candidate becomes available.
6. The Captain may not fire or demote any Head of Staff without reasonable justification (ie: incompetency, criminal activity, repeatedly breaking Standard Operating Procedure, or otherwise any action that endangers/compromises the ship and/or crew) or during an engagement with hostile forces.
7. The Captain must have the approval of at least two Heads of Staff to modify the AI’s lawset. The Captain must order the AI to state their new laws immediately after uploading them. This Guideline is null if the ship lacks two Heads of Staff or if the change is merely to reset the AIs laws.
8. The Captain is to ensure that Space Law is being appropriately enforced by the Head of Security and their officers.
9. The Captain may only order the execution of a crewmember in compliance with Space Law.
10. The Captain is only allowed to carry their designated command glock, telescopic baton, and their ceremonial weapons such as their ion sabre or similar.

CONDITION 2 - STANDARD OPERATION

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The captain may request basic security gear (Pepper Spray, Stunbaton, Taser) for protection of themselves and the bridge; such equipment must be returned after CONDITION 3 is resumed.
2. The captain may outfit bridge staff with stun batons or pepper spray if they deem it necessary, such equipment must be returned after CONDITION 3 is resumed.

CONDITION 1 - GENERAL QUARTERS

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 AND 2 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The Captain must stay on the bridge at all times to oversee the engagement, delegating off-bridge tasks to the Executive Officer.
2. The Captain may carry lethal weapons to protect the CIC from potential harm, but will be held accountable for their actions after the alert level has been lowered.
3. If not in combat, the captain must announce the reason for entering General Quarters, and delegate resources to fixing the reason for the alarm, they may order the XO to do so in their stead if needed.

CONDITION ZEBRA - AIRTIGHT DOORS ENGAGED

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3,2 AND 1 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The captain is to don a space-capable hardsuit, preferably their own, and needs to maintain a constant supply of oxygen.
2. The captain must announce the reason for entering CONDITION ZEBRA, and delegate resources to fixing said reason, they may order the XO to do so in their stead if needed.

Executive Officer

Higher alert levels overwrite SOP of lower ones.

Duty:

The Executive Officer must ensure smooth operation in and between departments.

Though the Executive Officer has the authority to do so, it is advised not to directly interfere in a head’s department, they should instead consult with the relevant head.

CONDITION 3 - RELAXED OPERATIONS

1. The Executive Officer must inform the relevant Head of Staff when giving a crewmember a job in their department.
2. The Executive Officer may not grant themself or anyone else all access.
3. The Executive Officer should not grant someone access to an additional department if said department is staffed (e.g. don’t give Shaft Miners access to Science while Scientists are already doing research). However, the Executive Officer can transfer crewmembers to other departments in compliance with Guideline 1.
4. The Executive Officer may not fire or demote any crewmember without authorization from the relevant Head of Staff, unless they have violated Space Law or Department Standard Operating Procedure.
5. The Executive Officer is free to utilize paperwork at their discretion.
6. The Executive Officer should report to their desk when a crewmember requests it.
7. The Executive Officer is in charge of Supply, however, it is recommended to let the Quartermaster handle things.
8. The Executive Officer is bound to the same Guidelines regarding ordering crates as the Quartermaster and Cargo Technicians.
9. The Executive Officer is not permitted to perform Security duty.
10. The Executive Officer is only allowed to carry their designated command glock, telescopic baton, and their ceremonial weapons such as their ion sabre or similar.
11. The Executive Officer must follow the same Head of Staff promotion/demotion Guidelines as the Captain, in addition to seeking approval from the captain.
12. The Executive Officer must assign squads to needed duties, and is to ensure crew members are in squads that are appropriate for their normal jobs.

CONDITION 2 - STANDARD OPERATION

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The Executive Officer may carry basic security gear(Pepper Spray, Stunbaton, Taser) for protection, such equipment must be returned after CONDITION 3 is resumed.
2. The Executive Officer may temporarily grant themselves additional access to deal with problems that could affect the combat readiness of the vessel.
3. The Executive Officer may demote or detain a crewmember if they are significantly, maliciously or otherwise, hampering the combat readiness of the vessel, they are to be handed off to security as soon as possible, where they must be dealt with according to Space Law.
4. The Executive Officer should not enforce undue standards of paperwork. Expediency should take precedence over bureaucracy.
5. The Executive Officer may order any legal crate if such is needed to ensure the combat readiness of the vessel.
6. The Executive Officer is to ensure operation of squads, and must coordinate their efforts with their pager.

CONDITION 1 - GENERAL QUARTERS

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 AND 2 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The Executive Officer may carry lethal weapons to deal with threats to the ships combat readiness, but will be held accountable for their actions after the alert level has been lowered.
2. The Executive Officer may have any access during the entirety of the combat engagement to carry out the orders of the Captain, or to respond to threats affecting combat capability of the vessel, though it is advised not to do so personally.
3. The Executive Officer may demote and or detain a head of staff if they are significantly or maliciously hampering the combat readiness of the vessel, it is required to seek captains approval before doing such.

CONDITION ZEBRA - AIRTIGHT DOORS ENGAGED

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3,2 AND 1 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. The Executive Officer is to don a space-capable suit, and needs to maintain a constant supply of oxygen.
2. The Executive Officer needs to assign damage control squads and coordinate with engineering to deal with damage or breaches.

Bridge Staff

Higher alert levels overwrite SOP of lower ones.

Duty:

Bridge Staff control the Helm and Tactical consoles, they are to engage the enemy on the captain's orders.

They also chart routes and perform jumps, they dodge incoming fire and coordinate attacks with each other.

CONDITION 3 - RELAXED OPERATIONS

1. Bridge Staff may not fire the weapons systems without prior authorization from the captain.
2. Bridge Staff may not fire on friendly or neutral ships.
3. Bridge Staff may not jump the ship without specific orders to do so.
4. Bridge Staff may only use their designated console unless the other Bridge Officer is not on the bridge.
5. Bridge Staff may not waste ammunition. Only fire it while targeting hostile ships that are in range.
6. Bridge Staff may not move the ship if doing so will leave behind crewmembers.
7. Bridge Staff must announce that they are moving the ship into combat and give ample time for crewmembers to get on board.
8. Bridge Staff may leave the bridge, in which case it is advised to inform others.

CONDITION 2 - STANDARD OPERATION

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. Bridge Staff are permitted to detain unauthorized crewmembers on the bridge, however, Security must be notified immediately and the prisoner must be turned over to them.
2. Bridge Staff may request non-lethal security equipment such as stun batons or pepper spray, which must be returned once the ship reverts to CONDITION 3.
3. Bridge Staff need to ensure that suitable safety equipment is near and ready to use in case of emergencies.
4. Bridge Staff should ensure that at least one person is on the bridge at any time, they are not to leave the bridge unattended.

CONDITION 1 - GENERAL QUARTERS

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3 AND 2 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. Bridge Staff may fire the weapons systems freely.
2. Bridge Staff must report promptly to the bridge and take their post.
3. Bridge Staff are permitted to FTL jump during combat if they believe the ship will not survive. This Guideline supersedes any orders given by the Captain or Executive Officer.
4. Bridge Staff may not leave the bridge at any time during combat.
5. Bridge Staff may not leave the Helm unattended during General Quarters, always ensure the ship is ready to evade incoming fire.
6. Bridge Staff are not to activate the brakes before jumping, to ensure that the ship is able to maneuver once the jump is completed.

CONDITION ZEBRA - AIRTIGHT DOORS ENGAGED

ALL REGULATIONS CARRY OVER FROM CONDITION 3,2 AND 1 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

1. Bridge Staff are to don a space-capable suit, and need to maintain a constant supply of oxygen.
2. Bridge Staff need to ensure the ship stays out of combat to prevent further damage to the hull, unless otherwise ordered to engage the enemy by the Captain.