Ruler

Ruler-class Merine automatons are unique, highly specialized units that are built from advanced materials. There are only six Ruler units at any time; each one is a modified version of one of the M-Unit classes. They are the only Merine citizen known to possess chosen names rather than numeric designations. According to USC intelligence agencies, the current Rulers are\*:

* MERA-SMILE
* MANA-1-YELLOW
* MANA-2-SMOKE
* MANA-3-FRACTURE
* MICA-1-JASMINE
* MICA-2-HELIOS

\*All names translated from Merine concept-code to Allspeak

## Purpose

It is theorized that the purpose of Ruler units is to provide a centralized system that all Merine outposts across the galaxy report to. The fact that they are modeled after (or possibly built from) each other M-Unit suggests that they are specialized in managing the related facet of the Merine workforce, i.e. MERA-SMILE is in charge of developing more advanced infiltration tactics for MERA units. As only two Ruler units have ever been observed in the field, and both either self-acidified or escaped before being recovered, little else is known about their location, function, or properties.

### Rule of Three

MANA-1 memory bank structure suggests that there were originally only three Ruler types. A principle called the "Rule of Three" is referenced several times in all M-Unit code, exclusively in sections created post-Precursor. Current theories state that the Rule of Three was implemented around the same time as the foundation of the Merine Empire itself. Analysis of the structure of historical M-Unit code compared to more modern code implies that MERA, MANA-1, and MANA-2 units were the original unit types, and that MANA-3 and the two MICA types were added later as Merine activity became more diverse.

The Rule of Three is a machine-level, hard coded mandate that all M-Units must follow every directive issued to them by Ruler units. It is physically impossible for an M-Unit to disobey the Rule of Three unless they themselves are promoted to Ruler-class. As no M-Unit has ever been observed exercising free will, it is uncertain why the Rule of Three exists, or if it has ever been invoked.

## Role in Historical Conflicts

Ruler units have only been observed in the field twice in recorded history:

* MANA-3-MISSILE lead a full scale assault on Kew during the Narohb-Kew War, where it was destroyed by a team of USC stealth soldiers. Despite the fact that it self-acidified, USC forces were able to acquire samples of some of its components and confirm that Ruler units are built out of more advanced materials than other M-Units.
* MERA-SMILE was detected in 6092/11 on the surface of an asteroid in the Grivepi belt of the star Laylaex, which is notably only 1.2 light-years away from Varmon. High-speed warp fighters were dispatched to capture it, but the USC was unable to muster a large enough force to defeat MERA-SMILE's company of MANA-3 units in time before MERA-SMILE escaped. Later investigation revealed extensive Merine activity in the Grivepi belt, which had gone undetected by deep-range USC scanners. While the actual combat lasted only two days, the high profile of the enemy earned the conflict the nickname "The Smile War".

## Destruction and Replacement

After the destruction of MANA-3-MISSILE, subsequent MANA-1 datamining revealed that MANA-3-FRACTURE was already installed in its place. Data samples from as recently as two days after MANA-3-MISSILE's destruction already reflected the change. It is unknown how new Ruler units are chosen, or if they are simply produced to demand. Two Ruler units are known to have perished in battle, the other being an unknown MERA-type Ruler that was destroyed during the Yuni Autowar (given the moniker "MERA-YUNI" by historians).

However, records indicate that there have been numerous Ruler units throughout history. No exact dates are known, but in the span between the implementation of the Rule of Three and first contact, over thirteen thousand Ruler units came to power and disappeared. Only MANA-3-MISSILE and "MERA-YUNI" are recorded as destroyed in Merine historical documentation. The rest are only recorded as coming to power - nowhere is it written when they abdicated their position, or why.

Analysis of the video recordings taken by the USC stealth forces that eliminated MANA-3-MISSILE reveals that it was built almost identically to other MANA-3 units. The only visual difference was a reinforced chassis to support a robust wireless grid array broadcaster. This lends credence to the theory that Ruler units are built from existing units, or at least in the same facilities.