Portfolio: Bremen Defense Force

Writer’s Note: This portfolio was originally published in Jump Point 4.10.
With the launch of the UEE’s “Militia Mobilization Initiative,” the role that militias play in protecting the Empire has come front and center. The current directive aims to help arm civilian militias, so they can protect their homeworld and system against Vanduul incursions and outlaws. One system where militias have played a prominent role for centuries is Bremen — home to the famous Bremen Defense Force, which is the longest constantly active militia in the UEE.

Bremen was a relatively quiet and safe frontier system following its discovery in 2441. That all changed with the onset of the Second Tevarin War. The armadas of Corath’Thal utilized insurgency tactics to wage an unpredictable and shifting war against Humanity. With little idea as to where or when they might attack next, the UEE needed to raise a massive and expanding force in order to protect the populace, one that they struggled to properly feed. It was then that the fertile soil of Rytif (Bremen II) became the main producer of rations for UEE forces.

With this responsibility came both great wealth and an unexpected degree of danger. Bremen’s location meant the chance of a Tevarin attack was relatively low, but residents still noticed an uptick in Human threats. These outlaws were smart enough to avoid targeting military convoys, instead concentrating their attacks on civilians enriched by the system’s booming economy.

Philippe Lattimore almost lost his life in one such outlaw attack. The spry octogenarian was a veteran of the First Tevarin War who attempted to reenlist in the Navy when the second one began. After his application was politely denied, Lattimore took it upon himself to patrol the system. He spent his days responding to distress calls and meticulously documenting his experience. One day he answered a distress call only to be overwhelmed by outlaws still picking apart their latest catch. He barely survived the attack and although it was a close call, it didn’t deter him. In fact, it only made him more resolute to stop what was happening in Bremen, and he realized one thing: he wasn’t going to be able to do this alone.

In 2605, Lattimore met with Arcturus Koerner, Rytif’s largest landowner and de facto governor, to ask for funds to create the Bremen Defense Force (BDF). Legend has it that Lattimore spoke, uninterrupted, for over an hour about his recent experiences. He presented the detailed reports he had compiled while on patrol, highlighted the system’s current crime stats, and argued that it was vital for the people of Bremen to stand together to keep their system safe. Once done, Koerner only had one question, “How much do you need?”

Weeks later, the Bremen Defense Force was up and running. Under Lattimore’s leadership, the system’s crime rate was quickly cut in half and remained that way for years to come. Being a member of the Bremen Defense Force became a major point of pride for those ineligible or unable to fight for the UEE Navy during the war. A proud tradition that carries over to this day.

Peacetime Problems
Following the end of the Second Tevarin War, the UEE armed forces’ demand for foodstuffs from Rytif was greatly reduced, yet the landowner collective known as Bremen Mills didn’t slow production. They had become an economic powerhouse in the Empire’s grain market, and had quickly shifted their focus to supplying food for the public. Security for these food shipments were of the utmost importance, and Bremen Mills quickly realized that subsidizing the Bremen Defense Force was cheaper than hiring full time private security forces.

This arrangement worked relatively well until the grain market crashed in 2640. Bremen Mills suffered a severe financial hit and was forced to cut funds to the BDF. In addition, millions of jobs related to the grain market were lost, and Bremen saw its population dwindle. Suddenly, the BDF was on a precipice. Lacking funding and losing members, many thought it didn’t have a chance to survive.

Though he had stepped away from running the militia’s day-to-day operations due to failing health, Philippe Lattimore once again got heavily involved to save the BDF. He made appeals to private citizens to donate time or equipment and called upon local businesses to provide financial support. Now, more than ever, he argued, Bremen was in need of a strong militia to protect its people during the insecurity of these tough economic times.

Many resisted until in 2642 the Advocacy’s Travel Safety Advisory System (TSAS) upgraded the system’s threat level to “Medium,” its highest threat level to date. Worried that Bremen’s safe reputation was on the line, the public and private sector rededicated themselves to ensuring the system’s security. Since the Bremen Defense Force was already so deeply ingrained, the powers that be figured it would be quicker and cheaper to get it running at full capacity rather than expanding Rytif’s anemic police force.

Public and private funds once again were funneled to the BDF and a widespread ad campaign to recruit volunteers was kicked off.

Some balked at the system’s main defense force not being a wholly government-run operation, but it was impossible to argue with the results, as the system’s threat level soon dropped back to its previous level. This action also reinforced the tradition of Bremen relying on militias instead of normal police forces for their security. This was a unique practice when compared to other systems, and one that revolutionaries would eventually take advantage of to help bring down the Messer regime.

Revolutionary Road
Over the years, a number of other militias rose to prominence in Bremen, though none ever achieved the sophistication of the BDF. The system’s reputation for being relatively safe persisted and remained a point of pride. It was only because of this that the Messer regime didn’t insist that a more centralized, and controllable, security apparatus be installed. With the rising Vanduul threat on one front and the cold war with the Xi’an on another, the Messer regime didn’t see a reason to change a system that was working for them. Yet, it was the Bremen Defense Force’s decentralized nature that allowed anti-Messer activists to exploit it to their benefit.

According to reports released during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Messers ran several concurrent operations that implanted loyal agents into the militia to monitor its activity. The militia stayed non-committal to Messer regime policies and deflected pressure to take sides on anything not directly related to Bremen. They changed their motto to “Bremen Above All,” and instructed volunteers to not discuss Empire-wide politics while on duty. To avoid like-minded individuals consistently pairing up, patrol partners were randomly selected at roll call.

Actions like this helped the militia maintain their autonomy through the centuries of Messer rule. As the tide of public opinion turned against the despotic rulers, a brave faction within the BDF, unbeknownst to other volunteers, began to use the cover of the militia to smuggle anti-Messer activists through the system. This activity reached a fever pitch following the Massacre of Garron II in 2792.

The events of this time in the militia’s history were captured in The Bremen Beltway, a harrowing account of what it was like to work this part of “revolutionary road.” The book compiled interviews with former militia members and anti-Messer activists, journal excerpts, and declassified government documents to paint a picture of the extreme danger involved with smuggling revolutionaries through the system. Most of the activists were first smuggled from their system of origin into Xi’an territory and eventually into Nyx. That made Bremen the port of reentry into UEE, and a particularly perilous part of the journey. Without this secure gateway back into the Empire, many believe the overthrow of Imperator Linton Messer XI would not have happened nearly as quickly as it did. This only highlights the importance of high ranking BDF officials guaranteeing the revolutionaries safe passage through the system.

For nearly three and a half centuries, the Bremen Defense Force has been the standard that all other militias are held up to. Comprising a coalition of dedicated volunteers and funded by both public and private interests, the BDF has placed the security of their system above all else. When RSI looked to include militias in the design process of the Polaris, the BDF was their first call. Militia members consulted on the design and were among the first to purchase the new capital ship for their fleet. BDF officials can’t wait to put the Polaris to use, in the defense of the system they believe is their responsibility over anyone else to protect

Anmerkung des Autors: Dieses Portfolio wurde ursprünglich in Jump Point 4.10 veröffentlicht.
Mit dem Start der "Militia Mobilization Initiative" der UEE hat sich die Rolle der Milizen beim Schutz des Imperiums in den Vordergrund gestellt. Die aktuelle Richtlinie zielt darauf ab, zivile Milizen zu unterstützen, damit sie ihre Heimatwelt und ihr System vor Übergriffen und Gesetzlosen der Vandule schützen können. Ein System, in dem Milizen seit Jahrhunderten eine herausragende Rolle spielen, ist Bremen - Heimat der berühmten Bremer Verteidigungskräfte, der längsten ständig aktiven Miliz in der UEE.

Bremen war nach seiner Entdeckung im Jahr 2441 ein relativ ruhiges und sicheres Grenzgebiet. Das änderte sich mit Beginn des Zweiten Tevarin-Krieges. Die Armadas von Corath'Thal nutzten die Taktik der Aufständischen, um einen unvorhersehbaren und wechselnden Krieg gegen die Menschheit zu führen. Mit wenig Ahnung, wo oder wann sie als nächstes angreifen könnten, musste die UEE eine massive und wachsende Kraft aufbringen, um die Bevölkerung zu schützen, eine, um die sie sich schwer tat, richtig zu ernähren. Damals wurde der fruchtbare Boden von Rytif (Bremen II) zum Hauptproduzenten von Rationen für die UEE-Truppen.

Mit dieser Verantwortung kamen sowohl großer Reichtum als auch ein unerwartetes Maß an Gefahr. Durch die Lage Bremens war die Chance auf einen Tevarin-Angriff relativ gering, aber die Bewohner bemerkten immer noch einen Anstieg der menschlichen Bedrohungen. Diese Gesetzlosen waren klug genug, um nicht auf Militärkonvois zu zielen, sondern ihre Angriffe auf Zivilisten zu konzentrieren, die durch die boomende Wirtschaft des Systems bereichert wurden.

Philippe Lattimore hätte bei einem solchen Gesetzlosenang fast sein Leben verloren. Der spritzige Oktogenarier war ein Veteran des Ersten Tevarin-Krieges, der versuchte, sich bei der Marine wieder zu engagieren, als der zweite begann. Nachdem seine Bewerbung höflich abgelehnt wurde, nahm Lattimore es auf sich, das System zu überwachen. Er verbrachte seine Tage damit, auf Notrufe zu reagieren und seine Erfahrungen akribisch zu dokumentieren. Eines Tages beantwortete er einen Notruf, nur um von Gesetzlosen überwältigt zu werden, die immer noch ihren letzten Fang auseinandernehmen. Er überlebte den Angriff kaum, und obwohl es eine knappe Entscheidung war, hielt ihn das nicht ab. Tatsächlich wurde er nur entschlossener, das Geschehen in Bremen zu stoppen, und er erkannte eines: Er würde das nicht allein schaffen.

2605 traf sich Lattimore mit Arcturus Koerner, dem größten Grundbesitzer und De-facto-Gouverneur von Rytif, um nach Mitteln für die Gründung der Bremer Verteidigungsmacht (BDF) zu fragen. Die Legende besagt, dass Lattimore ununterbrochen über eine Stunde lang über seine jüngsten Erfahrungen sprach. Er präsentierte die detaillierten Berichte, die er während der Patrouille erstellt hatte, hob die aktuellen Kriminalitätsstatistiken des Systems hervor und argumentierte, dass es für die Bremer wichtig sei, zusammenzuhalten, um ihr System sicher zu halten. Einmal erledigt, hatte Koerner nur noch eine Frage: "Wie viel brauchst du?"

Wochen später war die Bremer Wehrmacht in Betrieb. Unter Lattimores Führung wurde die Kriminalitätsrate des Systems schnell halbiert und blieb für die nächsten Jahre so. Die Zugehörigkeit zur Bremer Verteidigungsmacht wurde zu einem wichtigen Punkt des Stolzes für diejenigen, die während des Krieges nicht für die UEE-Marine kämpfen konnten oder konnten. Eine stolze Tradition, die bis heute anhält.

Friedensprobleme
Nach dem Ende des Zweiten Tevarin-Krieges wurde die Nachfrage der UEE-Streitkräfte nach Nahrungsmitteln aus Rytif stark reduziert, doch die Grundbesitzergemeinschaft Bremen Mills bremste die Produktion nicht. Sie waren zu einem wirtschaftlichen Kraftpaket auf dem Getreidemarkt des Imperiums geworden und hatten sich schnell auf die Versorgung der Öffentlichkeit mit Lebensmitteln konzentriert. Die Sicherheit für diese Lebensmitteltransporte war von größter Bedeutung, und die Bremer Werke erkannten schnell, dass die Subventionierung der Bremer Streitkräfte billiger war als die Einstellung privater Vollzeitkräfte.

Diese Regelung funktionierte relativ gut, bis der Getreidemarkt 2640 zusammenbrach. Die Bremer Werke litten unter schweren finanziellen Problemen und sahen sich gezwungen, die Mittel für den BDF zu kürzen. Darüber hinaus gingen Millionen von Arbeitsplätzen im Zusammenhang mit dem Getreidemarkt verloren, und die Bevölkerung Bremens schrumpfte. Plötzlich befand sich der BDF auf einem Abgrund. Fehlende Finanzierung und der Verlust von Mitgliedern, dachten viele, es hätte keine Chance zu überleben.

Obwohl er sich aufgrund gesundheitlicher Probleme vom laufenden Betrieb der Miliz zurückgezogen hatte, engagierte sich Philippe Lattimore erneut intensiv für die Rettung des BDF. Er appellierte an Privatpersonen, Zeit oder Ausrüstung zu spenden und forderte die lokalen Unternehmen auf, finanzielle Unterstützung zu leisten. Bremen brauche mehr denn je eine starke Miliz, um seine Bevölkerung in der Unsicherheit dieser wirtschaftlich schwierigen Zeiten zu schützen.

Viele widersetzten sich, bis das Travel Safety Advisory System (TSAS) der Advocacy im Jahr 2642 die Bedrohungsstufe des Systems auf "Mittel", die bisher höchste Bedrohungsstufe, erhöhte. Aus Sorge, dass der sichere Ruf Bremens auf dem Spiel steht, haben sich der öffentliche und der private Sektor neu ausgerichtet, um die Sicherheit des Systems zu gewährleisten. Da die Bremer Verteidigungskräfte bereits so tief verwurzelt waren, wären die Kräfte, von denen man annimmt, dass es schneller und billiger wäre, sie mit voller Kapazität laufen zu lassen, als die anämische Polizei von Rytif zu erweitern.

Wieder einmal wurden öffentliche und private Gelder an den BDF weitergeleitet und eine umfangreiche Werbekampagne zur Gewinnung von Freiwilligen gestartet.

Einige sträubten sich, dass die Hauptverteidigungstruppe des Systems keine vollständig von der Regierung geführte Operation war, aber es war unmöglich, mit den Ergebnissen zu argumentieren, da die Bedrohungslage des Systems bald wieder auf das vorherige Niveau zurückfiel. Diese Aktion stärkte auch die Tradition Bremens, sich zur Sicherheit auf Milizen statt auf normale Polizeikräfte zu verlassen. Dies war eine einzigartige Praxis im Vergleich zu anderen Systemen, die Revolutionäre schließlich nutzen würden, um das Messer-Regime zu stürzen.

Revolutionäre Straße
Im Laufe der Jahre stiegen in Bremen eine Reihe anderer Milizen auf, die jedoch nie die Raffinesse des BDF erreichten. Der Ruf des Systems, relativ sicher zu sein, blieb bestehen und blieb ein Punkt des Stolzes. Nur deshalb bestand das Messer-Regime nicht darauf, dass ein zentralisierter und kontrollierbarer Sicherheitsapparat installiert wurde. Mit der zunehmenden Vanduul-Bedrohung an der einen Seite und dem Kalten Krieg mit den Xi'an an der anderen Seite sah das Messer-Regime keinen Grund, ein System zu ändern, das für sie arbeitete. Doch es war der dezentrale Charakter der Bremer Streitkräfte, der es den Anti-Messer-Aktivisten ermöglichte, sie zu ihrem Vorteil zu nutzen.

Nach Berichten, die während der Wahrheits- und Versöhnungskommission veröffentlicht wurden, führten die Messers mehrere gleichzeitige Operationen durch, bei denen loyale Agenten in die Miliz eingesetzt wurden, um ihre Aktivitäten zu überwachen. Die Miliz blieb unverbindlich gegenüber der Politik des Messer-Regimes und lenkte den Druck ab, bei allem, was nicht direkt mit Bremen zu tun hatte, Partei zu ergreifen. Sie änderten ihr Motto in "Bremen Above All" und befahlen den Freiwilligen, im Dienst nicht über die kaiserliche Politik zu diskutieren. Um zu vermeiden, dass sich Gleichgesinnte ständig zusammenschließen, wurden die Patrouillenpartner bei namentlicher Abstimmung zufällig ausgewählt.

Solche Aktionen halfen der Miliz, ihre Autonomie über die Jahrhunderte der Messerherrschaft hinweg zu bewahren. Als sich die öffentliche Meinung gegen die despotischen Herrscher wandte, begann eine mutige Fraktion innerhalb des BDF, ohne es zu wissen, die Tarnung der Miliz zu nutzen, um Anti-Messer-Aktivisten durch das System zu schmuggeln. Diese Aktivität erreichte nach dem Massaker von Garron II im Jahr 2792 eine Fieberhöhe.

Die Ereignisse dieser Zeit in der Geschichte der Miliz wurden im Bremer Ring festgehalten, ein erschütternder Bericht darüber, wie es war, diesen Teil der "revolutionären Straße" zu bearbeiten. Das Buch enthält Interviews mit ehemaligen Milizionären und Anti-Messer-Aktivisten, Zeitschriftenauszüge und deklassierte Regierungsdokumente, um ein Bild von der extremen Gefahr zu zeichnen, die mit dem Schmuggel von Revolutionären durch das System verbunden ist. Die meisten Aktivisten wurden zunächst aus ihrem Herkunftssystem nach Xi'an und schließlich nach Nyx geschmuggelt. Damit war Bremen der Hafen der Wiedereinreise in die UEE und ein besonders gefährlicher Teil der Reise. Ohne dieses sichere Tor zurück ins Imperium glauben viele, dass der Sturz von Imperator Linton Messer XI nicht annähernd so schnell stattgefunden hätte wie er. Dies unterstreicht nur die Bedeutung hochrangiger BDF-Beamter, die den Revolutionären einen sicheren Durchgang durch das System garantieren.

Seit fast dreieinhalb Jahrhunderten ist die Bremer Wehrmacht der Standard, dem alle anderen Milizen verpflichtet sind. Der BDF, der sich aus einer Koalition engagierter Freiwilliger zusammensetzt und sowohl von öffentlichen als auch von privaten Interessen finanziert wird, hat die Sicherheit ihres Systems über alles andere gestellt. Als RSI versuchte, Milizen in den Designprozess der Polaris einzubeziehen, war die BDF ihre erste Wahl. Milizangehörige berieten sich über den Entwurf und gehörten zu den ersten, die das neue Großschiff für ihre Flotte kauften. BDF-Beamte können es kaum erwarten, die Polaris zu nutzen, zur Verteidigung des Systems, von dem sie glauben, dass es ihre Verantwortung über jeden anderen zu schützen ist.

Writer’s Note: This portfolio was originally published in Jump Point 4.10.
With the launch of the UEE’s “Militia Mobilization Initiative,” the role that militias play in protecting the Empire has come front and center. The current directive aims to help arm civilian militias, so they can protect their homeworld and system against Vanduul incursions and outlaws. One system where militias have played a prominent role for centuries is Bremen — home to the famous Bremen Defense Force, which is the longest constantly active militia in the UEE.

Bremen was a relatively quiet and safe frontier system following its discovery in 2441. That all changed with the onset of the Second Tevarin War. The armadas of Corath’Thal utilized insurgency tactics to wage an unpredictable and shifting war against Humanity. With little idea as to where or when they might attack next, the UEE needed to raise a massive and expanding force in order to protect the populace, one that they struggled to properly feed. It was then that the fertile soil of Rytif (Bremen II) became the main producer of rations for UEE forces.

With this responsibility came both great wealth and an unexpected degree of danger. Bremen’s location meant the chance of a Tevarin attack was relatively low, but residents still noticed an uptick in Human threats. These outlaws were smart enough to avoid targeting military convoys, instead concentrating their attacks on civilians enriched by the system’s booming economy.

Philippe Lattimore almost lost his life in one such outlaw attack. The spry octogenarian was a veteran of the First Tevarin War who attempted to reenlist in the Navy when the second one began. After his application was politely denied, Lattimore took it upon himself to patrol the system. He spent his days responding to distress calls and meticulously documenting his experience. One day he answered a distress call only to be overwhelmed by outlaws still picking apart their latest catch. He barely survived the attack and although it was a close call, it didn’t deter him. In fact, it only made him more resolute to stop what was happening in Bremen, and he realized one thing: he wasn’t going to be able to do this alone.

In 2605, Lattimore met with Arcturus Koerner, Rytif’s largest landowner and de facto governor, to ask for funds to create the Bremen Defense Force (BDF). Legend has it that Lattimore spoke, uninterrupted, for over an hour about his recent experiences. He presented the detailed reports he had compiled while on patrol, highlighted the system’s current crime stats, and argued that it was vital for the people of Bremen to stand together to keep their system safe. Once done, Koerner only had one question, “How much do you need?”

Weeks later, the Bremen Defense Force was up and running. Under Lattimore’s leadership, the system’s crime rate was quickly cut in half and remained that way for years to come. Being a member of the Bremen Defense Force became a major point of pride for those ineligible or unable to fight for the UEE Navy during the war. A proud tradition that carries over to this day.

Peacetime Problems
Following the end of the Second Tevarin War, the UEE armed forces’ demand for foodstuffs from Rytif was greatly reduced, yet the landowner collective known as Bremen Mills didn’t slow production. They had become an economic powerhouse in the Empire’s grain market, and had quickly shifted their focus to supplying food for the public. Security for these food shipments were of the utmost importance, and Bremen Mills quickly realized that subsidizing the Bremen Defense Force was cheaper than hiring full time private security forces.

This arrangement worked relatively well until the grain market crashed in 2640. Bremen Mills suffered a severe financial hit and was forced to cut funds to the BDF. In addition, millions of jobs related to the grain market were lost, and Bremen saw its population dwindle. Suddenly, the BDF was on a precipice. Lacking funding and losing members, many thought it didn’t have a chance to survive.

Though he had stepped away from running the militia’s day-to-day operations due to failing health, Philippe Lattimore once again got heavily involved to save the BDF. He made appeals to private citizens to donate time or equipment and called upon local businesses to provide financial support. Now, more than ever, he argued, Bremen was in need of a strong militia to protect its people during the insecurity of these tough economic times.

Many resisted until in 2642 the Advocacy’s Travel Safety Advisory System (TSAS) upgraded the system’s threat level to “Medium,” its highest threat level to date. Worried that Bremen’s safe reputation was on the line, the public and private sector rededicated themselves to ensuring the system’s security. Since the Bremen Defense Force was already so deeply ingrained, the powers that be figured it would be quicker and cheaper to get it running at full capacity rather than expanding Rytif’s anemic police force.

Public and private funds once again were funneled to the BDF and a widespread ad campaign to recruit volunteers was kicked off.

Some balked at the system’s main defense force not being a wholly government-run operation, but it was impossible to argue with the results, as the system’s threat level soon dropped back to its previous level. This action also reinforced the tradition of Bremen relying on militias instead of normal police forces for their security. This was a unique practice when compared to other systems, and one that revolutionaries would eventually take advantage of to help bring down the Messer regime.

Revolutionary Road
Over the years, a number of other militias rose to prominence in Bremen, though none ever achieved the sophistication of the BDF. The system’s reputation for being relatively safe persisted and remained a point of pride. It was only because of this that the Messer regime didn’t insist that a more centralized, and controllable, security apparatus be installed. With the rising Vanduul threat on one front and the cold war with the Xi’an on another, the Messer regime didn’t see a reason to change a system that was working for them. Yet, it was the Bremen Defense Force’s decentralized nature that allowed anti-Messer activists to exploit it to their benefit.

According to reports released during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Messers ran several concurrent operations that implanted loyal agents into the militia to monitor its activity. The militia stayed non-committal to Messer regime policies and deflected pressure to take sides on anything not directly related to Bremen. They changed their motto to “Bremen Above All,” and instructed volunteers to not discuss Empire-wide politics while on duty. To avoid like-minded individuals consistently pairing up, patrol partners were randomly selected at roll call.

Actions like this helped the militia maintain their autonomy through the centuries of Messer rule. As the tide of public opinion turned against the despotic rulers, a brave faction within the BDF, unbeknownst to other volunteers, began to use the cover of the militia to smuggle anti-Messer activists through the system. This activity reached a fever pitch following the Massacre of Garron II in 2792.

The events of this time in the militia’s history were captured in The Bremen Beltway, a harrowing account of what it was like to work this part of “revolutionary road.” The book compiled interviews with former militia members and anti-Messer activists, journal excerpts, and declassified government documents to paint a picture of the extreme danger involved with smuggling revolutionaries through the system. Most of the activists were first smuggled from their system of origin into Xi’an territory and eventually into Nyx. That made Bremen the port of reentry into UEE, and a particularly perilous part of the journey. Without this secure gateway back into the Empire, many believe the overthrow of Imperator Linton Messer XI would not have happened nearly as quickly as it did. This only highlights the importance of high ranking BDF officials guaranteeing the revolutionaries safe passage through the system.

For nearly three and a half centuries, the Bremen Defense Force has been the standard that all other militias are held up to. Comprising a coalition of dedicated volunteers and funded by both public and private interests, the BDF has placed the security of their system above all else. When RSI looked to include militias in the design process of the Polaris, the BDF was their first call. Militia members consulted on the design and were among the first to purchase the new capital ship for their fleet. BDF officials can’t wait to put the Polaris to use, in the defense of the system they believe is their responsibility over anyone else to protect