Runner

Shadowtalk term for a law enforcer who pursues a criminal once identified, rather than sticking to one area or dealing with multiple cases. When a true Runner is assigned to a case, they will follow it relentlessly until it is resolved.

Subcategories

• Licensed Runners are those who have the authority (at least under some interpretation of the law) to pursue a foe outside their jurisdiction. These are in the minority, as most Runners are doing so illegally.

• Freerunners are Runners who do not acknowledge extradition treaties, or limits of jurisdiction. This normally means cops who have followed a perpetrator to other planets, where they have no authority - possibly even breaking local laws to enforce some idea of justice. This term is especially used of FCI agents, who tend to assume universal dominion (and are often treated as if they have authority even outside the federation)

• Sky Runners, a division of the Calibrate Shaft Patrol, who can police the whole planet from low orbit, and are responsible for chasing down fugitives who have fled to a different city district.