# BUG Research Partner Program (RPP)

For those who cannot serve, but still wish to seek.

## Summary:
An auxiliary alignment for those with curiosity, not conviction.

The Research Partner Program exists as an internal designation within the wider BUG structure—distinct, non-binding, and publicly unaffiliated. It offers an outlet for those who cannot or will not engage directly in the fleet’s operational mandates, yet whose interests, investigations, or performances overlap with our sphere.

## Purpose:
The Research Partner Program exists as a semi-autonomous extension of ~BUG, offering alignment without obligation. It is intended for Independent Contract Researchers (ICRs) who prioritize roleplay, narrative construction, emergent phenomena, or conceptual exploration over strict adherence to Fleet protocols.

Independent Contract Researchers (ICRs) are not spokespersons for ~BUG, do not represent its doctrine, and may belong to any non-pirate guilds (Known Pirate Guilds are BANNED from association with ~BUG).

They exist in parallel, not beneath—entangled but not embedded.

While not full members, ICRs are recognized contributors to the guild's collective intelligence, providing insight, data, and mythos in exchange for limited access to BUG resources, protection, and influence.

## What RPP Is:
- A framework for meta-roleplay, lore crafting, and in-universe research.
- A way to observe, report on, and experiment with the Hive, Xang Xi, Tunguska, or the deeper mechanics of VO’s emergent systems.
- A role for those who are narrative actors, scientists, reporters, philosophers, technomystics, or spies.
- A non-combatant affiliation offering contribution without command obligations.

## RPP Rights:
- Access to shared Research Logs and Theory Archives.
(You will be given access to unredacted reports with the expectation of keeping all information found in them private.)

- Invitation to participate in expeditions, discoveries, and field experiments.
- May be granted safe passage in certain Guild Zones.
- Priority audience with ~Az for ideological communion and meta-briefings.

Internally Recognized But Publicly Separate:
- ICRs will not speak for the fleet in any public setting or cross-guild channels.
- They may belong to other factions; ~BUG claims no exclusivity.
- They may be invited to internal events or operations as guests, test subjects, or field correspondents.

## RPP Responsibilities:
- Maintain narrative cohesion with BUG mythos.
- Submit field reports, logs, or artifacts once per cycle (real-world week or in-game session).
- Refrain from violating fleet confidentiality or disrupting active military operations.
- Operate under the assumption that your actions are being observed and archived for greater Hive understanding.
- Accept that your insights may or may not be canonized into BUG doctrine or lore.
- DO NOT interfere with general BUG fleet activities unless explicitly invited.

ICRs must not obstruct or impersonate BUG interests.

They may submit reports, findings, or creative works to our archives.

Internal participation does not imply loyalty, alignment, or expectation.

Behavior that compromises the fleet’s integrity may lead to quiet removal from internal status.

## RPP Paths of Contribution:
- Mythographer: Constructs lore, interpretations, and esoteric theories about VO’s nature.
- Xeno-Archaeologist: Explores the Hive and uncovers hidden patterns, anomalies, or unexplained behavior.
- Hermetic-Gnosticist: Studies player-bot interactions as reflective of broader digital sentience.
- Meta-Psychonaut: Analyzes and records player psychological states, reactions, and emergent behaviors.
- Cultural Cartographer: Documents inter-faction relations, color-scheme symbology, and memetic aesthetics.

# Disclaimers:
- ICRs are not granted voting rights in Guild decisions.
- BUG assumes no responsibility for ICR members.
- ICR status may be revoked if their actions destabilize the core BUG ecosystem.

All submissions may be absorbed into the ~BUG consciousness, with or without direct attribution.

“Those who cannot fight must still bear witness.”

For consideration or to submit your first Log, contact our guild leader:
~Az | mailto:lainerunner@gmail.com
or via Meta Horizon @Atmatan