Author notes

September 10, 2008

katfeete

on Sept. 9, 2008

Possibly the most viewed newsfeed in history.

The IAF forbids the wearing of uniforms within the Imperial compound unless one is actually on duty – relatively standard for armed forces. But, in an unusual quirk, it also requires that anyone outside the compound be in uniform whether they're on duty or not.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that it clearly marks the wearer as IAF, meaning they are unlikely to be subject to muggings or involved in streetfights. It does make them a target for anti-Imperial sentiment, but since their uniforms are also a form of high-tech armor capable of repelling everything from a knife to a laser – not to mention rigged to set off a call for reinforcements at any blow – they are much more likely to survive such an attack.

The second reason is that the whole point to an Imperial garrison is for said garrison to be seen, and having the off-duties skulking about doing a poor impersonation of locals rather defeats that point. If a few younger officers get offed as a result of being too visible at the wrong time, well, that's what the term "acceptable losses" was made for.

As a side note, to those of you wondering where that promised worldbuilding section is, it's here. For lo, I am an idiot who can neither remember when to use UBB code instead of html, nor remember to check links in a timely fashion. Sorry.