CHAPTER 30
S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S — CLASSIFIED FIELD MANUAL EXCERPT
SECTION 04: ENGAGEMENT AND THREAT MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS
SUBSECTION 04.12: OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE — CONTAINMENT PRIORITY LADDER
CLEARANCE LEVEL: OMEGA-7 (BEHEMOTH AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY)
ACCESS RESTRICTED: SOLARIAN GOVERNMENT BLACK OVERSIGHT DIVISION
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PRIMARY DOCTRINE: THREAT RESPONSE CASCADE
S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S field operations against anomalous entities, including but not limited to Users of the Arts, are governed by a structured escalation protocol designed to preserve strategic assets and minimize uncontrolled collateral loss.
Operational responses are to be executed in the following order of priority:
Containment is to be prioritized whenever structurally viable.
Capture protocols are to be initiated when containment conditions are met or achievable.
Neutralization is authorized only when containment and capture are deemed infeasible.
Termination of the target is strictly reserved as a last-resort directive under full escalation clearance.
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STRATEGIC RATIONALE
This doctrine exists to ensure the Solarian government maintains operational advantage over high-risk anomalous individuals exhibiting extreme manifestations of Divine Energy or Art-based phenomena.
Captured subjects may be transferred to designated evaluation and containment facilities for classification under the following criteria:
Tactical utility potential
Energy scalability threshold
Compatibility with sanctioned enhancement programs
Probability of integration into controlled operational assets (Behemoth Classification Pipeline)
Subjects assessed as exceeding viable operational thresholds may be retained for advanced development initiatives under restricted oversight.
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UNOFFICIAL DIRECTIVE (REDACTED)
Internal operational consensus acknowledges that select individuals demonstrate anomalous potential exceeding standard classification frameworks.
Such individuals are not to be regarded solely as threats, but as potential strategic assets whose value may surpass conventional military utility.
Accordingly, field teams are advised:
> Engagement is not solely an act of elimination, but an act of acquisition.
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FIELD ADDENDUM — DIRECTIVE INTERPRETATION
Operators are reminded that situational autonomy does not supersede engagement protocol.
Statements of intent such as:
> "I'm not walking away until I get answers."
are considered valid psychological positioning markers under close-quarters anomaly assessment procedures, indicating sustained operational commitment and refusal of disengagement until objective acquisition is achieved.
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END OF EXCERPT
STATUS: CLASSIFIED — DO NOT DISTRIBUTE WITHOUT OMEGA AUTHORIZATION.
S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S CLASSIFICATION MANUAL
THE BEHEMOTH HIERARCHY
CLASSIFICATION: OMEGA BLACK
The Behemoth System is the official ranking framework utilized by the Solarian Government and S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S to classify practitioners of the Ancient Arts.
Contrary to public belief, the system does not solely measure raw power.
An individual's rank is determined through the evaluation of:
• Divine Energy Capacity
• Art Quality
• Release Classification
• Bloodline Potential
• Combat Aptitude
• Consciousness Extension
• High Perception Radius
• Command Sequence Proficiency
• Evolutionary Potential
• Special-Case Status
As a result, rank does not always accurately reflect combat outcomes. Lower-ranked practitioners have historically defeated higher-ranked opponents through superior strategy, unique Arts, or special-case anomalies.
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FIRST BEHEMOTH
Designation: Emerging Practitioner
Threat Level: Negligible
Individuals who have awakened an Aspect of their Art but remain incapable of initiating a Release.
While possessing abilities beyond ordinary humans, they remain at the earliest stage of development.
Most practitioners begin their journey here.
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SECOND BEHEMOTH
Designation: Adept Practitioner
Threat Level: Low
Practitioners who possess increased mastery over their Aspect and improved Divine Energy control.
Although lacking advanced combat capabilities, perception fields, and consciousness extension, they possess the foundational requirements necessary for future advancement.
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THIRD BEHEMOTH
Designation: Combat Practitioner
Threat Level: Moderate
The point at which a practitioner becomes a legitimate threat.
Third-ranked Behemoths possess proven combat records and exceptional mastery over their Aspect.
Limited Release activation becomes possible, though such Releases rapidly consume Divine Energy reserves.
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FOURTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: Advanced Combatant
Threat Level: High
Practitioners capable of sustaining Releases for extended periods.
Divine Energy reserves become substantial enough that lower-ranked practitioners may experience physical distress in their presence.
Strength, speed, and battlefield effectiveness increase dramatically.
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FIFTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: Enhanced Practitioner
Threat Level: Severe
The first major threshold within the hierarchy.
Fifth-ranked Behemoths possess balanced development across all categories.
Many are capable of limited consciousness extension and possess the potential to advance into higher strategic classifications.
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SIXTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: Strategic Threat
Threat Level: Critical
Individuals possessing exceptional combat capabilities and refined mastery over their Releases.
Practitioners of this rank can execute advanced techniques such as Double Step and Triple Step with consistency.
They are considered significant military threats and are routinely monitored by government agencies.
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SEVENTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: National Asset
Threat Level: Extreme
Among the rarest classifications within the Behemoth System.
Seventh-ranked practitioners frequently possess Calamity-Class Releases.
Many are capable of destroying cities under optimal conditions.
Their Releases are heavily regulated and often restricted by government mandate.
Practitioners at this level possess immense Divine Energy reserves and are capable of utilizing advanced Sequences known as Commands.
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EIGHTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: Ascendant Elite
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Veterans among veterans.
Eighth-ranked Behemoths demonstrate overwhelming mastery over Aspects, Releases, Commands, and advanced movement techniques.
Physical capabilities approach measurable limits.
Most practitioners capable of reaching the Ninth Rank emerge from this classification.
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NINTH BEHEMOTH
Designation: Apex Behemoth
Threat Level: National Emergency
The highest rank attainable within the Behemoth System.
Ninth-ranked practitioners represent the absolute pinnacle of human evolution through the Ancient Arts.
Requirements include:
• Extraordinary Divine Energy Reserves
• Exceptional Bloodline Quality
• Extreme Art Mastery
• Superior Combat Intelligence
• Advanced Release Proficiency
• Special-Case Potential
Their presence alone may fracture concrete, warp steel, and overwhelm weaker practitioners.
They are often mistaken for Calamity-Class Existences.
Only a handful are known to exist.
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CALAMITY-CLASS EXISTENCE
Designation: Existential Threat
Threat Level: World Ending
Calamity-Class Existences exist beyond the Behemoth Hierarchy.
They are not considered practitioners.
They are phenomena.
Such entities possess power that transcends conventional classification systems.
Many display characteristics resembling mythological gods rather than humans.
A Calamity-Class Existence can alter the course of civilizations, erase nations, and fundamentally reshape the world itself.
Termination protocols remain theoretical.
Successful elimination has never been consistently documented.
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UNKNOWN
Designation: Unclassifiable
Threat Level: Undetermined
Reserved for entities whose abilities, Divine Energy signatures, or existence cannot be accurately measured using current S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S standards.
Subjects assigned this classification are considered among the most dangerous encounters possible due to the inability to predict their limitations.
S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S THREAT CLASSIFICATION INDEX
CLASSIFICATION: OMEGA BLACK
The Threat Classification Index operates independently from the Behemoth Hierarchy.
Whereas Behemoth Rank measures a subject's overall development, mastery, and evolutionary position within the Ancient Arts, Threat Classification measures the immediate danger a subject poses to personnel, infrastructure, government assets, and civilization.
As a result, threat classification may fluctuate depending on circumstance.
A lower-ranked Behemoth may receive a higher threat classification than a superior-ranked practitioner under specific conditions.
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THREAT LEVEL: GREEN
Designation: Minimal Threat
Subjects capable of utilizing an Aspect but possessing limited combat capability.
Standard security forces are sufficient.
Examples:
- First Behemoths
- Most Second Behemoths
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THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW
Designation: Elevated Threat
Subjects capable of causing significant casualties among conventional forces.
Specialized personnel recommended.
Examples:
- Advanced Second Behemoths
- Third Behemoths
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THREAT LEVEL: ORANGE
Designation: High Threat
Subjects capable of overwhelming local military assets and causing widespread destruction.
Behemoth deployment authorized.
Examples:
- Fourth Behemoths
- Lower Fifth Behemoths
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THREAT LEVEL: RED
Designation: Severe Threat
Subjects capable of destabilizing entire cities or regions.
Immediate containment measures required.
Examples:
- Advanced Fifth Behemoths
- Most Sixth Behemoths
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THREAT LEVEL: BLACK
Designation: National Emergency Threat
Subjects capable of causing catastrophic damage on a national scale.
Government intervention mandatory.
Examples:
- Seventh Behemoths
- Eighth Behemoths
- Holders of Calamity-Class Releases
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THREAT LEVEL: OMEGA BLACK
Designation: Existential Threat
Subjects capable of threatening humanity, civilization, or the continued existence of nations.
All standing protocols become secondary to containment.
Examples:
- Ninth Behemoths (Extreme Cases)
- Calamity-Class Existences
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THREAT LEVEL: UNKNOWN
Designation: Unassessable
Assigned when a subject's true capabilities cannot be measured.
This classification is considered inherently dangerous due to the absence of reliable predictive models.
Unknown classifications are to be treated as Black-Level Threats until sufficient intelligence has been acquired.
Examples:
- Unidentified anomalous entities
- Special Cases
- Unrecorded phenomena
- Subjects exceeding established measurement thresholds
Finally...
The Behemoth System — Brief Overview
The Solarian Government classifies practitioners of the Ancient Arts through a ranking framework known as the Behemoth System.
Ranks range from the First Behemoth to the Ninth Behemoth, with the Ninth representing the highest level attainable by a practitioner.
Unlike ordinary power scales, rank is not determined by strength alone. Several factors are considered, including:
Divine Energy reserves
Mastery over one's Arts
Release capability
Combat proficiency
Perception and consciousness extension
Bloodline potential
Unique traits and special-case status
Because of this, rank does not always reflect an individual's true combat ability.
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Aspects and Releases
Every practitioner possesses an Art.
Most utilize only an Aspect of their Art—a partial manifestation of its power.
A Release is the act of unlocking an Art's full potential.
Releases are divided into two categories:
Non-Calamity Releases
Calamity-Class Releases
Practitioners capable of wielding Calamity-Class Releases are among the most dangerous individuals in existence and are typically classified as Seventh Behemoths or higher.
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Threat Classification
Separate from rank is the Threat Classification Index, a system used by S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S to determine the danger posed by an individual.
A practitioner's rank and threat level are not always the same.
Some lower-ranked individuals possess abilities capable of producing catastrophic outcomes, while certain higher-ranked practitioners may pose less immediate danger.
Threat levels range from:
Green → Yellow → Orange → Red → Black → Omega Black
with Omega Black being reserved for existential threats.
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Calamity-Class Existences
Beyond the Behemoth Hierarchy exists a category so rare that it is often treated separately.
These entities are known as Calamity-Class Existences.
Unlike Behemoths, Calamity-Class Existences operate beyond conventional limits and are regarded as the closest thing humanity has ever produced to gods.
They are capable of overwhelming even the strongest Behemoths and represent a threat to entire nations—or the world itself.
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Current Assessment
Following the events in Notash, Agent Wraith, Agent BrimJaws, and Agent Lynx encountered an unidentified child possessing an abnormally dense concentration of Divine Energy.
The child demonstrated knowledge of S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S, a highly classified organization whose existence is known only to a select few.
Unable to accurately classify the subject, Operations Control revised mission parameters.
The objective was no longer immediate neutralization.
It became observation, threat assessment, and intelligence gathering.
For the first time in years, S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S found itself confronting something it could not properly classify.
Designation: Unknown.