Imperial Remote Operations Tournament Rules

The Neural Optimal Man-Machine Interface (NOMMI) is a complex implant in the neural system, serving primarily as a means to facilitate
easier interfacing with computerized systems. However, it also allows the Imperial government to improve the health of those carrying
such implants by subtly altering their physiology and controlling parts of their nervous system. Not only that, but it can be used to
record evidence of crimes for court cases and track criminals across the entire globe. Once installed, the implant cannot be removed.

Among the masses, these NOMMI implants are called simply "plugs," for the flat circular indentation surrounded by a raised border at
the upper end of one's neck - the only external indication whether one possesses a plug or not. Many choose to wear their hair longer
solely for the sake of hiding this fact. Plugs are free to install (at the tender age of 0.5-1.5 years) and completely "optional."

You're not some sort of national traitor that has something to hide from the Empire, are you? Then there's no problem, right?

Plugs are notable for being durable, very easy to clean and generally hassle-free. Damaging the "outlet" requires only slightly less
force than would be enough to snap one's neck. Replacing a damaged  outlet always requires surgery, but is also free and carries few
repercussions, so long as the nervous system itself remains intact.

On to the tournament proper. The rules have been reworked time and again, at times only partly, at times from the ground up. One thing
has remained constant: all IRO tournaments end up at the War Palace sooner or later, where the main action happens. Here's a general
outline of how these things go:

All Imperial citizens have the right to participate. They must meet the following requirements:
-16 years of age
-software version X.X.XXX.XX.XX (varies by year, always older than what most have, to make the tournament inclusive)
-must have gone through the standard medical screening in the last 3 months
-must have passed aptitude screening

The last point is where most would-be Operators are stopped dead in their tracks. Passing aptitude screening involves a number of
tests, but the most important of these are the physiological and neurological tests. One checks to make sure the Operator-to-be can
handle the physical strains associated with the post-operation state, while the other determines if the applicant's brain has a large
enough amount of white matter, neuroplasticity and bioelectrical impulse relay speed to allow them to operate at a proper level.

Only 0.71% of the population is projected to be capable of passing the aptitude screening and only a meager portion of these
individuals go on to pursue Operating.

All those approved to participate in the Imperial Remote Operations tournament are sent out notifications of when and where the
preliminary stage will be held. In most cases, these are held during the first half of the day and the facilities vary from dedicated
hubs to run-down, abandoned buildings. Due to the nature of Remote Operating, the place is not of great import, as the equipment is
all that is needed.

The number of sites that host prelims varies from region to region, from city to city. A high degree of accessibility is ensured by
sending free public transport tickets along with the notifications in the mail to those living in smaller settlements.

Each IRO tournament preliminary stage site has 47 participants on average and allows each participant to first undergo a tutorial
to familiarize themselves with the feeling and basics of controlling six "pieces" of infantry and one vehicle. Customization during the
prelims is minimal to allow a more even playing field between the inexperienced and the veterans. In spite of this, the sheer advantage
provided by experience is nigh impossible to mitigate, and fresh blood is relatively rare. Fortunately, most "veterans" of the
tournament do not attempt it a second time if they have not managed to take at least 3rd place in the War Palace, the final stage.
Participation in the IRO tourney takes a lot of time and balancing participation with any sort of other commitment is damn near
impossible. If such a huge investment of time is not justified by a substantial monetary reward, continued participation becomes
cost-ineffective. Alternatively, "a waste of time." As a result, allotting a smaller number of participants to each prelim site has
proven useful in adding fresh new Operators to the tournament each year.

The top 10 in each preliminary stage match get to advance to the municipal stage. If the #1 has not previously participated in the IRO
tourney, they get 1 free First Stage perk. More on perks later.

Once the prelims are done and the potential War Palace attendees are determined, the real fun begins. A  number of minor competitions
called "Cups" are held throughout each municipal area, those living outside of it are given temporary housing (dorms, duh) and a
monthly check to subsist on. It ain't much. Each Cup is a fierce competition to place third or better: third place yields one
First Stage perk, second place either two First Stage Perks or one Second Stage perk, and first place either one Third Stage perk,
one Second Stage perk and one First Stage perk, or three First Stage perks. The number of participants in each Cup is unlimited
(well, limited to the number of "hammocks" they've got), but the schedules of various Cups typically conflict with each other,
especially the better ones.

The Municipal Stage has an optional Mass Confrontation at the end, allowing participants to risk outright disqualification should they
fail to reach the top 10 or top 10% (whichever includes more individuals), but rewarding those who prove themselves worthy with a
permanent, passive bonus to all pieces for the rest of the tournament and the leader with a one-of-a-kind vehicle on top of that, the
only one of its kind in the entire tourney.

After the Mass Confrontations have all been settled, the Regional Stage begins. It begins and ends with a single engagement, in which
all Municipal Stage participants not outed by failure in the Mass Confrontation are placed into one of ten teams. For the sake of the
Regional Stage battle, HUDs and communications are enabled and largely necessary for any sort of success. Team vs team combat
invariably winds up full of stupid mistakes and most kills are a miscommunication problem. This Stage is universally reviled.

Finally, the War Palace, sometimes called by the de facto name "National Stage." The War Palace proper is a complex of facilities,
among them a literal palace accommodating 300 Operators. There are simple housing buildings, a medical building (located centrally,
right behind the Palace), recreational buildings and, of course, the War Room. The War Room includes 300 fully equipped hammocks, a
multitude of monitors on the walls and 299 terminals to personally choose which part of the current engagement to observe in detail.
Fun fact: the 299th terminal is placed on a podium and is particularly lavish. It's usually called "the loser's seat," since missing
your chance to be the first is downright shameful. No half-measures in the War Palace.