Hallowed Halls: Sector Rangers

[TAC]

Hallowed Halls
Hearing: The Sector Rangers

The Sector Rangers have been a part of the Republic establishment for generations. Created in a time where anarchy was the rule, they were the Republic Senate's answer to growing crime rates and local judiciary system rights proponents. Although steeped in mystery to the masses, they are nonetheless a force of good in the galaxy.

In recent years, however, the Senate's financial support of the Rangers has waned. In the past centuries planetary governments has strengthened their own interplanetary laws and enforcement agencies, taking pressure off of the Republic to perform such a task. Still in its relative youth and primarily an economic union, the Senate was happy to shift these tasks to others.

Today, the Sector Rangers continue their work, but at a much smaller support from the Republic than they once enjoyed. While the Senate recognized basic citizen rights, the majority of their enforceable rules revolved around econonics and trade policy. Further, all Republic members recognized the same basic citizens rights, so most cases were handle by planetary security forces.

The need for the Rangers continued, however, both for enforcement of trade policy and for high level or cross-galaxy crimes. Called to a hearing every year, the Rangers fiercely defended their mission and their work.

Facing a more polarized Senate then ever, the Rangers prepared for their annual review. A panel of three Senators, appointed by the Chancellor, would hold their review before passing them on for final review by the full Republic Senate.

Senator Axia Elizabeth Vanbar of Humbarine (@Alhon), Senator Adèle-Luisa Palliser of Kuat (@The Star of Chaos), and Senator Tycho Drayson of Taris (@Jira) would be seated in a well polished hearing room near the main Senate chambers, spaced out along a long, crescent table that sat opposite a much smaller, but majestic, square table. Here the Sector Ranger's Director (@Mr.BossMan) would defend their institution before the panel, whose word would hold incredible weight in the full-Senate vote that would decide the Rangers' continued relationship with the Republic. As the Ranking Member, Senator Vanbar would chair the meeting and represent the panel before the full Senate.

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Diana Cross sat in front of the three senators in silence as she laid out all of her paper work. Her table was small and crowded and the older woman wondered if this was intentional or not. Every year she came in here and made her case to the Senate, as if a case needed to be made. In truth Diana hated this bureaucratic non-sense. If these three senators could not accept the need for the Sector Rangers, and provide the necessary funding to continue Ranger operations, then the Republic will take the hit it deserves.

After organizing her folders Diana looked up at the digital clock hovering above the three Senators. Troy had two minutes to be here or he'd be late. She bit her tongue hard, it was a stupid idea bringing him along, all Troy would do is embarrass the Ranger Service and Diana. She cursed herself at her own ignorance, at the time she thought it was wise to bring in an actual Ranger; so he could shed light on a Rangers day to day duties. Troy was an accomplished Ranger she didn't doubt that, but the man was...different. He was a wild card an uncontrollable factor and anything Diana couldn't control was a problem. And if he was wearing that silly ass hat of his...

Suddenly she heard the doors open behind and did not look back. She knew it was Troy arriving fifteen seconds until deadline. The veteran Ranger pulled up a seat directly to the right of Diana, who did not even show him the courtesy of looking at him.

"You're late Mr.Walker" she said to him in a hushed whisper, her disdain evident in her voice.

"What, How you figure? I had ten, eleven seconds to spare, easy." He said in reply with a cocky smirk on his face. It took everything in Diana to not slap that man where he sat. But looks are everything.

And now it was time for the Senate to start asking their questions.

 

[Axia Elizabeth Vanbar]

“This session is now called to order.”

There was little warmth in Axia’s voice as she said the words. The papers before her suggested she was looking directly at one Troy Walker, purportedly a fine example of what the Sector Rangers had to offer. For the moment, she saw only a man who played fast and loose with punctuality.

“For the benefit of the Record” she continued “the Republic Senate investigatory hearing of the Sector Rangers is now in session. These proceedings are now being recorded and I remind you that any testimony given today is subject to Republic law.”

“I am Senator Axia Vanbar, of Humbarine. To my right is Senator Tycho Drayson of Taris and, to my left, Senator Adele-Luisa Palliser of Kuat. As the ranking member, I will chair the hearing, the purpose of which is to consider present and future relations between the Republic and the Sector Rangers, pending a vote by the Senate. We are to hear testimony from Director Diana Cross and Sector Ranger Troy Walker and the panel welcomes them both.”

Axia paused, pleased that the formalities at least had been dealt with. She spared a glance at her two colleagues, one an unashamed aristocrat, the other an uncomfortable revolutionary. The Senate, it seemed, attracted all kinds these days.

“If I may begin with you Ms Cross, I and my colleagues are very much aware that this is not your first appearance before this panel. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that we would like these proceedings to result in real, meaningful progress for the Republic and your organisation, one way or another. In my own view, the issues requiring consideration fall under three heads. Purpose, Methods and Membership. I would like to deal with the first of those at the outset if I may."

Axia gently pushed her papers to one side, absentmindedly fidgeting with her signet ring as she framed her remarks.

“Your organisation presents itself as ‘a universal police force’, necessary in order to address those criminals and crimes than span multiple jurisdictions. In the Republic’s infancy, such a force was perhaps necessary, bringing a degree of harmony to a union of numerous, drastically different legal cultures. However, in an age where Republic law now guarantees the same basic rights, privileges and processes in many of its star systems, is such a force truly needed?”

“Perhaps you could tell us in your own words Ms Cross, or indeed those of your colleague, what the purpose of the Sector Rangers is in the modern Republic…”

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Troy leaned back in his chair as the older lady spoke. He took off his hat, noting that it was probably the correct thing to do, then he placed it on his knee. This women, Axia, seemed to be a little up tight and way to formal for Troy. That being said the Sector Ranger took in every detail of each senator. It was a habit of his to scan people, something that came with the job. Each of them dressed up all fancy like for the ocassion, it made Troy feel out of place.

He was dressed casually, suit, pants and work boots. Of course he had his hat and tucked around his neck was his silver necklace, which contained a picture of his beloved Rose. He was aware of Diana's presence to his left. The older woman had a look of complete focus, she was tuned into everything Axia was saying. Troy admired her for that, she knew how to take care of business when it came to this political mumbo jumbo. With out her the Sector Rangers wouldn't exist, and Troy would be out of a good job.

Once Axia finished Troy heard Diana clear her throat then she spoke aloud, her voice calm and professional.

"Well Senator, thank you for having us here." She said as she scooted closer to the table, stealing a glance at Troy who gave her an encouraging smile. "Now as for the purpose of the Sector Rangers, it is simple. Our job is to catch high value criminals and bring them to Republic justice. We target the criminals, their enterprises and organizations and ultimately catch them. Now I understand the Republic has changed, even in my own lifetime I understand this and can see it. But just because the Republic has changed and granted its citizens with certain unalienable rights, does not mean these citizens can't go against these rights."

"Actually crime has gone up these past few years; especially in the outer rims of Republic space. The Ranger service is doing the best we can with what we have, but we are very limited. Our ships are out of date and have been for the past twelve years. We are under staffed simply because we do not have the credits to pay our employees. Times are tough for the Rangers, that is why we are seeking aid, more aid than previous years. I fear that if things continue as they are now, the Sector Rangers will fade into obscurity."

"As for our methods?" She looked over at Troy "Mr.Walker can atest to those better than I."

Seeing his signal Troy sat up a little straighter and placed his hat down on his knee, revealing his combed back hair. He took a deep breath and a sharp exhale. Time to get serious.

"Well," he said confidently "I've been with the Ranger service for ten years now. And in that ten years I've personally caught well over my fair share of criminals. Murder's, theives, smugglers, slavers, rapist, arms dealers, drug empires, organized crime I've seen it all ma'am. And I can promise you this, crime will always be around. No matter where you go in this Galaxy you'll find it and you will need people like me to combat it head on."

"You can give people all the rights you want. There will always be people who want more then you can give. And these people will stop at nothing to get it. That is why you need us, but right now ma'am, we need you. The Boss Lady wasn't lyin when she said our equipment is out of date." Refering to Diana when he said Boss Lady. "Our mission is getting harder and harder to do. Checkpoints are having to close down, our prisons are getting over crowded and all this does is help the bad guys."

"My job is to find criminals, arrest them then I send'em to prison. But, my job gets harder and harder everyday."

Troy was done with his rant now. He'd just have to wait and listen for one of these big wigs to talk.

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

"Ms. Troy and Mr. Walker, We, meaning ourselves were wondering if you have any specific figures regarding the financial expenses of both your fellow Rangers, your support staff, and your prisons? This will help the committee formulate a bill in the future and assist us in formulating our position as we present our case to the assembled Senate. Secondly, We wish to ask this, you must have some idea of the ideal cost that you and your compatriots need to operate efficiently, may we, the assembled Senators hear those numbers? Finally, you must have some ideal plan in this modern Republic, it will do you good to allow us, to hear it fully." She says this in a business-like tone, her face impassive, showing nothing after she finishes her questions.

(@Mr.BossMan, @Alhon, and @Jira)

 

[Mr.BossMan]

When the second senator spoke Troy did nothing but sit back and listen. It was almost boring listening to these people speak, they had no emotion in their voice's everything was so professional and business like. To think these people were elected into office was a scary thought. Could you imagine second place?

Troy let out a cough as he spoke aloud. "Ya I think that's a question for the boss lady ma'am." He said allowing Diana to take charge now.

"Thanks Troy," the woman said obviously not pleased to be called boss lady in the middle of a senate subcommittee. "As for your questions senator all of them have been answered on these pieces of paper before me." She said as she waved her hands over her paper and gave an encouraging smile. "In these papers you will find the exact total of all Sector Rangers expenses including Ranger compensation, ship maintaince and repairs, prison funding and expansions, all of our support staff's compensation and everything else you may need to know. Now just for the record I will voice the agency's concerns. Currently the Sector Rangers are receiving ten million credits annually, we would like 13 million this coming year. Which we think is fair, given the rising crime rate along Republic borders and the growing need for Ranger services."

"Now as for what our ideal goal, our ideal plan, Senator. It is simple, what others abandon we protect, ma'am. This has been our motto for generations now and it is still as true as it ever was. We are Sector Rangers all of us have earned that right. We come from all parts of the galaxy and we fight towards a common goal. We want crime eradicated and we want to help the people who can not help themselves. This goal is nearly impossible to attain, but none the less we strive for it. And I dare say ma'am we have done a damn fine job. But if you give us the resources we desire I promise you, we can do even better."

Troy took a glance at Diana after she was done speaking. Not a bad response at all. That's why she was the boss lady and he was the lowly Ranger. A slow smirk crossed Troys face as he took pride in Diana's words.

 

[Jira]

Tycho sat silently through the opening salvos between his fellow Senators and the Sector Rangers. He admired how starkly Walker's gruffness contrasted with the detached poise of his fellow senators. He had to stop himself from giggling as the Sector Ranger's impassioned rhetoric seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Using your passions on my colleagues is like trying to start a bonfire on Hoth. Tycho quipped in his mind.

Tycho shook away the brief glimmer of a smirk and leaned into his microphone, "Ranger Walker, I greatly admire your commitment to defending the rights of the citizens of this Republic. It is vital that we remind every citizen that the Republic does not forget them, and proper policing, in part, serves that purpose well." Tycho paused a moment to gather his thoughts, "However, you are asking for a great sum of money, and I have several questions for you. Primarily, what is the standard procedure that the Sector Rangers follow from the initial arrest of a perpetrator to their incarceration?"

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

"Senator Tycho, We feel that you are exaggerating when you say that 13 million credits is a lot of money. In our budget, one that is responsible for overseeing the funding of Republic programs that span a sizeable portion of the known Galaxy, millions are not a lot of money. Perhaps, in Taris it is, but We feel that these are reasonable requests, with consideration that the Sector Rangers patrol a large portion of the galaxy and need money to support their infrastructure, support staff, and the Rangers themselves will not be a heavy item on the budget for this year. If We so desired, we can write them a check of 13 million as a personal donation for their efforts towards the Republic."

Her tone was that of a mother lecturing an impudent child. If there's something she detests it's someone who can't figure out that the Republic spends trillions to quadrillions on an annual basis and that a few more million will not strain the budget.

 

[Axia Elizabeth Vanbar]

Axia listened to proceedings intently, her attention never wavering. Ms Cross was as warm and amicable as her file suggested, gracious in her reply. Mr Walker was somewhat rough around the edges by comparison, but Axia had seen enough in her time to know a rough diamond was a diamond still, particularly with a little polish.

No, if anything the difficulty stemmed from her colleagues, or rather, colleague.

Aside from her dreadful habit of referring to herself in the third person, Senator Palliser seemed determined to prejudge the hearing’s outcome. Having apparently decided that 13 million Republic credits was small change, she had now set about undermining the gentleman from Taris before he even got an answer to his question.

“The sum requested…” Axia interjected “must of course be viewed in the context of the Republic’s wider budget for Crime and Security matters. It is an important point…” she said, turning to Palliser “and a point well made.”

“However I am sure we all agree that whether 10 million or 13 million, the sums under consideration are indeed sizeable. I am equally certain that we do not need to list the other great and varied projects that could also utilise these funds.”. She paused, smiling gently as she surveyed the room in an effort to keep matters calm.

“Senator Tycho asks about your methods, Mr Walker, and indeed they are of interest to me also. Perhaps you might address his question regarding your procedures?”

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Troy Walker sat up as soon as his name was called, he was getting a bit to relaxed in his seat. They were pretty damn comfortable he wondered if the Senators had better seats then he did, ultimately he figured they did, their Senators they get all the good stuff. Troy flicked his hat out of his eyes with two fingers then he cleared his throat with a cough. He looked to Diana for encouragement and found none in the woman. He'd just have to walk this one on his own.

"Well Senators I think I'm just gonna lay it all out for you." Troy was a bit irritated at it all. These people didn't give a shit about him or his fellow Rangers. They sat all high and mighty in their comfortable chairs asking questions they had no business asking. "My job is simple, I catch bad guys and I send'em to prison. All cases start out the same, I am contacted by my Sector Officer via hologram and he gives me a case. Then that's it, I work alone more often then not. I personally find leads, interview witnesses, develop suspects, then catch the bad guy. Many other Rangers do the same thing, we almost always ride solo."

He then leaned forward and his voice shifted, it turned into a serious arrogance. "We do this for a few reasons, because we're a bunch of badasses." As soon as he dropped the 'curse' word Diana's head snapped at him and she gave him a look that few men stand. Troy simply ignored her and kept speaking. "The Sector Rangers are a small, unique, underfunded, understaffed and unappreciated organization ma'am." He said staring directly at Senator Axia Vanbar. For some reason he felt like she would listen to him the most, that she would help them the most. It was a weird feeling but that woman reminded him much of Deborah. "Every Ranger I've ever met has earned their badge one way or the other." He then reached for his belt and unclipped his badge, then he held it up to the Senators.

"This badge is what makes a Ranger a Ranger. The training we undergo is harsh, brutal and it beats you down. But if you can't make the cut, then you best stop tryin. Cause the real world, the world outside of these pretty buildings and all this fancy talk. It's ugly, I know cause I seen it. I have dealt with the worst damn people this galaxy has ever seen, me and my fellow Rangers both. And we do this daily. So quite honestly it don't matter how we do our jobs, only that we get it done."

He then leaned back in his chair and sighed, awaiting their responses. He didn't look at Diana he only stared off in the distance. Ya he may of been a little rough, but he said what needed sayin. Weather they like it or not these people are Senators, not Rangers. They don't see the galaxy like Troy does, They just need to believe that it's bad out there.

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

"Mr. Walker, the question that was asked, was this, 'What is the standard procedure that the Sector Rangers follow from the initial arrest of a perpetrator to their incarceration?' We asked for a walk through of a typical arrest and we want to hear one. We then wanted to hear the process in which you arrange for these criminals to go through the legal process. This is important so that we can develop a bill. Your refusal to answer the question leads one to think is rather simple, especially the, 'We are a baddass' comment, is that you use whatever means are necessary to take someone in." She pauses to empathise that.

"We demand an answer to the aforementioned question, please."

The Sentator of Kuat's voice has a dangerous edge to it now.

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Troy looked up at the senator in front of him, his face contorted and Troy had to bite down hard on his tongue. He was about to say something more than stupid when suddenly he felt Diana's warm hand on his shoulder. In an instant all of his anger left him and he stared into Diana's eyes, the look on her face told him 'I'll take it from here.' Troy gave the woman a nod then he leaned back in his chair and remained silent while Diana spoke on his behalf.

"I apologize Senator's, Mr.Walker is good at his job but as you can tell he is a little rough around the edges. He is a prime example of Ranger pride," She said with a smile trying to lighten the hearts of the three senators. "To bad we couldn't him on good day." She then looked over at Troy but Troy didn't return the favor. Instead he simply stayed still and listened to the boss lady. "Now to answer your questions. Standard procedure is something we use loosely in our agency. A Sector Ranger's primary responsibility is to apprehend these fugitives then bring them to trial so they can receive their justice, legally. Once we have the criminal in our custody it is a fairly simple process afterwards. We capture a criminal, put the individual on trial, sentence them and then we incarcerate them. However Mr.Walker was not completely wrong in his previous statement."

Troy then looked up and focused in more on what the boss lady was saying.

"The criminals the Sector Rangers are tasked with finding are very dangerous people. All of them are serious offenders of Republic law and thus are more often then not, very committed to whatever crime they pursue. These people know that if a Sector Ranger is after them, then they are wanted very badly by the Republic. Most of these criminals will do anything to escape Republic Justice, so more often then not these criminals when confronted by a Sector Ranger, will resort to violent means to try and escape. So in actuality there is really no standard procedure, ultimately the Ranger makes a judgment call and he or she must live with that instantaneous decision."

 

[Jira]

He was shocked by the reasoning of his defense, and now had more questions than ever. Tycho felt as if he was a hunter who had cornered an animal who was prepared to fight until the bitter end. It was an unexpected sensation, especially this early into the hearing.

Tycho continued his line of questioning, "Ranger Walker, you claim that there is no standard procedure to your methodology. I have no doubt that you have made the citizens of the Republic safer in many situations, however, since there is no uniform method in which the way you capture and prosecute criminals, I cannot help but wonder about the potential for innocent beings to face arbitrary justice." Tycho paused for a moment, and grew sterner in his tone. "Therefore, unless you can present me with some quantitative information about your organizations arrest and prison records, I am not inclined to grant your request for funding."

 

[Axia Elizabeth Vanbar]

"Here here". Axia was anxious to keep the hearing on track, a task that was proving more difficult than expected. Between Palliser's goading and Mr Walker's disdain for the proceedings, there were a thousand ways things could go wrong.

"Senator Drayson is perhaps just wondering, as I am Mr Walker, about specifics. You refer to your Sector Officer referring you cases; how does he get them in the first place? Can any Republic citizen report a criminal to you? Can the Senate? Do you need evidence and if so how much? Do you typically apprehend criminals alive or dead, and do you have facilities under your own jurisdiction in which to incarcerate them, or do you rely on those of others?"

Axia paused, hopeful she was illustrating the point. "We appreciate our questions may seem numerous and complex. You, Mr Walker, may even feel some of them are naive. But you must recognise that we and our fellow Senators represent hundreds of worlds. We must be clear in how you operate, so we can satisfy ourselves and our constituents that you are able to protect the Republic's interests."

She put down her pen, leaning forwards slightly so that the two might see her more clearly. "We would not be here if we did not care about your role in the future to come. The Republic is extending you a genuine opportunity, to persuade us of the value of your work. If you could answer Mr Drayson's question, and my own, then you may yet succeed in doing so..."

 

[Mr.BossMan]

"Pardon me, Senator's." The Ranger said as he leaned forward and looked them all in the eye. "I realize now I was out of line. It's just...." He looked over towards Diana and reluctantly spoke the words he knew she wanted to hear "I can be a bit to much sometimes, especially when I care about something deeply. Like I do the Sector Rangers." He then tilted the microphone closer to his mouth and leaned in even more. His brain took over and he knew that he had to make up the ground he lost. Troy Walker would not be responsible for the failure of the whole damn Ranger Service.

"To answer your questions ma'am. Anyone in the Republic can report a crime, then the Sector Officer will personally review this crime and they'll determine if it falls under Ranger jurisdiction or not. And they'll also figure out if it requires a full investigation from us, the Sector Rangers. If a crime is outside of our Jurisdiction or if it is to petty, then that case will roll on down to local or system authorities." Troy then let out a cough in an effort to clear his throat and continued to speak.

"Now as far as evidence goes, of course we need evidence. Otherwise we'd have the power to decide who is a criminal and who ain't. All Rangers are trained extensively in the evidence collection. We are trained to gather as much credible evidence and information as possible. Then once we're done collecting we send all of our data to a Senior Ranger and a prosecutor. Those two will then figure out if there is enough evidence to file for a warrant and hold up in court."

"As far as how we apprehend our criminals, it's simple really. Alive of course, we ain't bounty hunters and a bunch of dead people serves no purpose at all. The only way a Ranger can use force is in defense of themselves and the public. Once a criminal is in a Rangers custody, the Ranger will then transport that criminals to the justice department of whichever system has the best claim to them. Meaning, whichever system will have the best bet of prosecuting the criminal."

Troy Walker then leaned back and took a quick moment of silence. He then spoke aloud with relative confidence, "I hope this clears up any confusion Senators."

@Jira @Axia Elizabeth Vanbar @Adèle-Luisa Palliser

 

[Jira]

Tycho was satisfied with the answers that Walker gave, however some apprehension remained.

"Thank you Ranger," Said Tycho, his eyes fixed on his datapad, "Your testimony has been illuminating on the nature of your organization. I look forward to discussing a course of action for funding you with the Senate."

Tycho turned to his fellow Senators, "Esteemed colleagues, I have nothing else to add this investigation."

 

[Axia Elizabeth Vanbar]

Axia nodded appreciatively to her fellow Senator. Drayson was done and they both knew Palliser had made her mind up a long time ago. The witnesses had taken them as far as they could; the rest would come down to them.

"I believe we now have the answers we need" she declared. "Ms Cross, Mr Walker, the committee is grateful for your testimony. We will now retire to deliberate on our recommendation to the Senate, where the final decision will ultimately be made. You will hear from us in due course, but you are now free to leave with our thanks."

Axia rose from her seat, folding away her glasses and heading through the door to the Retiring Room. Her fellow Senators followed suit, the door shutting behind them with an air of finality.

- Session Ended -​