5. SERIOUS ISSUES

5.1 Shipboard Government

Visitors stay aboard the Leviathan for periods typically ranging from weeks to months. During this time they are part of our shipboard society and need to be aware of how it is governed. The shipboard government that manages our society consists of two branches, the Starship Council and the Starship Advisors. This governing structure can be bypassed by the Command Triad only during emergency situations.

The Starship Council is comprised of nine people elected annually from the adult human and Sentrob crew members. It meets regularly in the large briefing room complex on decks E57 through E60. The Starship Council dispenses justice and discusses issues affecting the whole crew. It holds occasional meetings with the entire crew; some of these meetings are also open to visitors. Visiting scientists who will be onboard the ship for more than a year can be elected to the Starship Council.

The Starship Advisors are nine adult humans or Sentrob appointed by the Starship Council with approval of the sentient computer. Starship Advisors serve for multi-year terms and dispense advice to the Starship Council, individual crew members, and visitors. They monitor the spiritual health of the shipboard community and offer suggestions on how to maintain and improve it. Starship Advisors also deal with personal matters. Visitors having problems with or complaints about shipboard society are encouraged to consult the Starship Advisors. Visitors themselves are eligible for service as short-term Starship Advisors; visitors deemed good Starship Advisor candidates by crew members or Levia will be approached privately to determine their level of interest in this form of service. Starship Advisors act primarily as individuals but do meet as a group at regular intervals.

While the shipboard government manages shipboard society in general, it is assisted by the Command Triad which oversees the day to day operation of the ship. The Command Triad consists of the two co-commanders and the sentient computer Levia. It runs the Command Service directly and manages the commanders of the Propulsion, Support, Hanger, Science, Medical, and Recreation Services. The Command Triad occasionally participates in Starship Council meetings, usually offering advise on ship operation, and must get the Council's approval for most missions and changes of schedule. However, if an emergency situation arises, the Command Triad can assume sole control of the Leviathan ; over the wishes of the Starship Council if necessary. The Command Triad receives its orders from the Star Guard Network and while it can overrule the Starship Council it is encouraged by the Star Guard Network to work in accordance with the Starship Council's wishes whenever possible. Command Triad members are not eligible for election to the Starship Council or appointment as Starship Advisors. All other service branch commanders, however, can serve in either of these two governmental capacities but not both at the same time.

5.2 Maintaining Order

Order is maintained aboard the Leviathan by the security staff of the Support Service. The human and Sentrob security staff is assisted by robots called patrol-robs. Patrol-robs perform routine patrol of all public areas of the vessel, and during emergency situations guard all sensitive areas of the ship. Human and Sentrob security staff perform occasional patrols and spot inspections of all public areas of the Leviathan. Most visitors' requests for security assistance will summon a human or Sentrob security staff member. In addition to the patrols performed by the security staff, the sentient computer performs constant surveillance of all public areas of the vessel. Visitors are reminded that neither Levia nor the security staff is allowed to spy into any human's, Sentrob's, or alien's quarters. Furthermore, no robot, human, or Sentrob security staff member can enter a human's, Sentrob's, or alien's quarters without their permission. The only exceptions to this rule are human or Sentrob security staff performing special investigations under orders of the shipboard government or medical staff summoned to offer emergency assistance.

Besides upholding shipboard regulations prohibiting trespassing of unauthorized personnel into restricted areas of the ship, the security staff also handles general complaints about the behavior of individuals in public settings. In addition, the security staff investigates all reported instances of criminal acts such as theft, vandalism, and foul play. Visitors must obey orders given them by human and robot security staff members. Visitors with complaints about a member of the security staff should see the commander of the Support Service, their Shipboard Guides, or a Starship Advisor.

The most common violation committed by visitors is trespassing. Visitors are expected to know where they are welcome and where they are prohibited. Unintentional trespassing will be reprimanded as follows: a warning will be issued on the first offense, the visitor will be confined to Zone B/Visitor Section and Zone C/Garden Section for a set period of time on the second offense, and the visitor will be confined to her or his quarters for a set period of time on the third offense. Visitors caught intentionally trespassing will be confined to the Visitor and Garden Sections for the duration of their stay aboard the ship.

Visitors are prohibited from the following areas unless on a guided tour: all control centers, all weapons control facilities, both sentient computer cores and emergency computer facility, all hydroponics bays, main cargo holds, security facility, smallcraft hangar bay deck, all life support machinery rooms, Sentrob quarters and lounges, resident alien quarters and lounges, and all of Zone G/
Engineering Section. All of these areas are clearly marked to warn visitors from entering. In addition, I as sentient computer will remind visitors if they are about to enter a prohibited area.

Visitors are welcome in the following areas: visitors quarters, visitor and crew recreation facilities, visitor and crew medical facilities, garden bays and aquarium bay, worship facility, large dining/ reception area, smallcraft hangar observation corridors, and lounges for visitors, crew, scientists, and observation. Visitors must be invited and usually escorted into the following areas: science labs, lecture hall, sentient computer audience chamber, Sentrob quarters and lounges, and resident aliens’ quarters and lounges.

5.3 Getting a Fair Shake

Violations by visitors worse than trespassing are rare aboard the Leviathan. However, visitors need to be aware of the procedures used by the shipboard government to dispense quick yet fair justice. Both the Starship Council and the Starship Advisors participate in the shipboard justice system.

Humans or Sentrob apprehended while committing criminal acts will be confined to quarters or to the security facility depending upon the severity of the crime. Humans or Sentrob caught committing criminal acts or accused of the same must appear before the Starship Council where the incident in question will be discussed. Prior to appearing before the Starship Council, a Starship Advisor will be assigned to the accused to assist in facing the Starship Council and answering the charges. After hearing the case, the Starship Council will meet in private to decide upon a verdict and sentencing if necessary. During the Starship Council's deliberations, the accused will remain in confinement. After a verdict is reached, the accused will appear again before the Starship Council to hear its decision and be released or assigned punishment suitable for the crime. Punishment is usually carried out immediately and appeals for a rehearing of the case are rarely granted.

Most minor crimes are punished by a combination of set period of confinement to quarters, public service, and counseling by the Starship Advisors and mental health specialists. More serious crimes are punished by a set period of confinement to the security facility, public service under guard, and counseling. Persons convicted of willful murder, wanton destruction, or acts of terrorism will be transported off the Leviathan to an appropriate rehabilitation facility. If quick transport is not available or attempts at rehabilitation are not successful, the Starship Council may authorize to place the convicted party in stasis until transport can take place.

Visitors should be aware that monitoring of all public areas by the sentient computer is often sufficient in itself to prove the guilt or innocence of the accused. Also, memory logs of any rob witnessing criminal acts can be used along with the testimony of human or Sentrob witnesses. The veracity of statements made by all participants in justice sessions of the Starship Council is monitored by the sentient computer.

Visitors should be aware that crimes committed by resident aliens may be treated differently than humans or Sentrob. Such crimes found to be the result of cultural misunderstandings may receive lighter penalties than similar crimes committed by humans or Sentrob. However, repetition of such crimes by resident aliens will usually result in their transport off the ship.

5.4 Keeping Track of Milestones

All births, deaths, marriages, and divorces occurring aboard the Leviathan are reported to the sentient computer for inclusion in each human's and Sentrob's legal records. Updates of all legal records are regularly transmitted to the Human Commonwealth Office of Public Records on Earth.

Return to Starship Leviathan Earlier Versions Gallery.