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==Clearance Levels==
There are two types of clearance level - an older colour-code system and a newer phrase system.{{Fn|2b}} The phrase system acts as a method of encryption.{{Fn|5}}
===Colour-code System===
The highest level of clearance is '''Vermillion''', often used for incredibly secret information by [[Inquisitors]].{{Fn|1}} The lowest known level is '''Cyan''', however there may be unmentioned lower clearance levels.{{Fn|2b}} More levels may also exist between '''Scarlet''' and '''Magenta'''.{{Fn|2b}}
Usually, battle-plans are rated at '''Magenta''' level.{{Fn|2a}} [[General]]s of the [[Imperial Guard]] are given signet rings, allowing them to decode encrypted messages with clearance levels.{{Fn|2b}} [[Inquisition]] [[Procurators]] are given the '''magenta''' clearance level as well.{{Fn|4}}
'''Sepia''' and '''Emerald''' have been known to be used for ship audio logs.{{Fn|3}}
* '''VermillionVermilion'''{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2b}} * '''Obsidian'''{{Fn|2b}}{{Fn|5}}
* '''Magenta'''{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|2b}}
* '''Scarlet'''{{Fn|2b}}
* '''Panther'''{{Fn|2b}}
* '''Esculis'''{{Fn|2b}}
* '''Cryptox'''{{Fn|2b}}{{Fn|5}} ==Trivia=={{Trivia}} * In [[First and Only (Novel)]], [[Dercius]] states "cyan, scarlet, it goes up, magenta, obsidian and vermilion". This implies that the order from highest to lowest is '''vermilion''', '''obsidian''', '''magenta''', '''scarlet''', and '''cyan'''. However, this does not account for the possibility that Dercius may not know about potential levels higher than vermilion, and the quote is vague as to whether there are levels in between magenta and scarlet.** The existence of other levels, such as sepia, means that Dercius's list is not exhaustive. * In [[Xenos (Novel)]], [[Eisenhorn]] is stated to have magenta-level clearance, due to his rank as a [[Procurator]]. However, he is later promoted to [[Inquisitor]], and at the start of [[Malleus (Novel)]], he recieves a message that is obsidian-level. This also implies obsidian is above magenta, and that Eisenhorn could only access obsidian-level clearance after his promotion. * The same message in [[Malleus (Novel)]] has both an obsidian clearance and a "Cryptox v2.6" encryption. As this matches the phrase "Cryptox" mentioned by Dercius in [[First and Only (Novel)]], it is likely that the colour system is for rank-based clearance, and the phrase system is for encryption method.
==Sources==
**{{Endn|2b}}: ''Part Four: A Memory''
*{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 485]], pgs. 105 & 120
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Xenos (Novel)]], chapter 8
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Malleus (Novel)]], prologue message
[[Category:Imperial Categorisation Systems]]
