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RANK

(various episodes) By Murray Smith and Ross Mallett

The ranks in the series can be divided into three main categories: Federation military, Federation civilian, and other. Before proceeding, the distinction between rank and authority should be emphasised; because those of equal rank can be in different positions of authority. Travis, for example, held the rank of Space Commander, but was given the exclusive and absolute authority to destroy Blake, Servalan requesting that all personnel give the former 'maximum co-operation'.

1. Federation military: The most frequently mentioned ranks in the series, due to the frequency of the encounters the crews of Liberator and Scorpio had with the Federation military. The following suggested system of ranks is based on the military ranks of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter called the United Kingdom or UK) at the time of the series' appearance; because the ranks in the series seem to be mostly based on ones existing in the Army and Royal Marines, with contributions from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. This contrasts with the system of UFP Starfleet ranks in Star Trek, which appear to be based on those in the United States Navy. The ranks are (in ascending order):

2. Federation civilian: There appears to be a civilian ranking system in the Federation, from what we see regarding the crew of the London, a Civil Administration ship. The ship's commander is Commander Leylan, his first officer being Sub-Commander Raiker. The former, in addressing Raiker and Artix, places 'Mr' before their names, indicating that they are officers, though junior to him.

Tynus may have been a civilian Base Commander, as he describes himself as a Commander Technician, subordinate to Security, which controlled 'all sensitive stores'. Civilian law enforcement bodies were rarely alluded to, but Commissioner and Investigator appear to be ranks within such a body. As a bounty hunter on Gauda Prime, Blake was temporarily appointed as a law enforcement officer, rank unknown.

3. Other: Hunda, in command of the 4th column of freedom fighters on Helotrix in 'Traitor', holds the rank of Star Major; and his second-in-command is a Sergeant Hask. As with the Rebel Alliance in the 'Star Wars' films, such groups presumably gave their members such ranks in order to confer legitimacy upon themselves.

RASHEL

(B-3: WEAPON)

Referred to by herself as a "bond-slave", she was taken by Coser from the Federation's Weapons Development Base to the unnamed planet on which he hid. She annoyed Coser by continually addressing him as "sir", despite his insisting she didn't. She later seized IMIPAK and marked Servalan with it, allowing Blake to escape. She remained behind on UP-Weapon with Blake's clone.

RATIONING

(A-1: THE WAY BACK)

Dev Tarrant mentioned ration cuts when he outlined plans to disrupt food production in the dome city on Earth. No further mention was made of food or other rationing, or any indication as to whether or not it was confined to certain planets like Earth or widespread throughout the Federation.

RATS

(B-3: WEAPON / B-12: THE KEEPER)

Rashel told Coser that she had overheard a freighter pilot saying that rats were to be found on all the colonised worlds. Rats were seen on the planet, and one was killed in the night by a large predatory creature. Rats were also seen in the dungeon cells on Goth.

In Shadow Vila said that he thought of Orac as "a rat in a box".

RAVELLA

(A-1: THE WAY BACK)

Dissident living in the domed city on Earth who persuaded Blake to venture outside to Foster's meeting by telling him Foster had news of Blake's family. She may or may not have deliberately cultivated her acquaintance with Blake for this purpose. She was seen working with Dal Richie, but what her relationship with him might have been was unspecified. She was one of the dissidents seen to be killed by Federation troopers at the meeting.

REAL TIME

(D-4: STARDRIVE)

One of the features of Dr Plaxton's photonic drive was its ability to propel a vessel at previously unimaginable speeds in "real time". Referred to by Vila and Atlan. No proper explanation given.

RECORDER SENSOR

(D-4: STARDRIVE)

A facility of the visual sensors on Scorpio, allowing playback facility at 10,000 frames per second. The space chopper which destroyed three Federation ships was visible on just three of these frames.

RECYCLING MACHINE

(C-4: DAWN OF THE GODS)

Present on the Liberator, and mentioned by Tarrant with a view to putting Orac through it.

RED ONE MOBILISATION

(B-13: STAR ONE)

Immediately ordered by Servalan once she heard of the alien battle fleet waiting beyond Star One.

REEVAL

(C-13: TERMINAL)

Aide to Servalan on the planet Terminal. Like Toron and at least two others there, she appeared to be of a race of tall, slender, blonde humanoids. Together with Toron she monitored Avon's progress to the underground complex where Servalan was waiting, and like him was killed by attacking links.


Reeval with Toron


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