This article is classified "Partly real, partly fictional"
Introduction
============
Visitors to the planet Earth are encouraged to avoid the International
Cut-throat Corps, known to locals as "The Boy Scouts". This
organisation is devoted to world domination and is to be considered a great
danger to hitchhikers.
Membership
==========
The organisation consists of adolescent Earthling males separated into
groups known as "packs". Each "Pack" is led by a "Den Master", an adult
Earthling who is dedicated to the ideals of the organisation. The
adolescents of the International Cut-throats of Earth are all trained in
various military practices.
Training
========
Each trooper is ordered to construct a gruelling obstacle course in which to
train. They are then introduced to combat with training in no less than
six ancient forms of "Indian Wrestling". Participation in sports is
encouraged by the ICoE.
Conditioning Of Troops
======================
The troops, if they withstand this physical training, are forced to vow
allegiance to their Den Master. They are also told to obey the laws of an
organised religion of their choice, but because of their complete dedication
to their den, allegiance to a religion is largely a cover for an uncaring
and dehumanising group. This vow is to be always kept by the soldiers. The
vow is of great importance to troopers, and forces them to obey commands to
kill family members of authority figures with their little knives. This
takes a great deal of mental conditioning as well as a lot of
perseverance, insofar as the knives are very small.
Rank System
===========
After these vows are taken a trooper will receive his knife, a possession
often synonymous with social standing and honour in the pack. The knife is
not to be used, even in self defence, unless ordered by the Den Master. The
knife is the main weapon of the ICoE Troops. Those who stop their training
after attaining the knife remain grunts, while those who wish to be promoted
and presented with further commendation may learn special skills in such
categories as Aeronautics, Stage Magic to fool the masses into believing
the troopers to be gods, Law Enforcement, Mechanics, etc. This provides
the ICoE with the kind of specialists an organisation needs if it's going
to be taking over a planet.
Leadership
==========
The ICoE is lead by a mysterious board of directors under an unknown system
of government. This board, not ready to seize control of Earth at the
present time, keeps it's troops trained but inactive. This does not mean
that the board will not eliminate any hitchhiker who makes trouble (in
other words, any hitchhiker).
Encounter Strategy
==================
If an encounter with an ICoE troop is not preventable, follow these steps:
1) Make fun of the trooper's outfit. This will cause him to
question his loyalty to the beasts that force him to wear
such a uniform.
2) Run into a room with a light switch and turn it on. The
trooper will be required by his oath to switch the light off.
3) Ambush the trooper once he has turned off the lights and
cannot see. Proceed to tie the trooper's hands with his
handkerchief and take his hat (ICoE members will not admit
defeat until their hats are taken: their motto is "As long as
there is a hat, there is hope". This is why bullies can be
seen trying to take troopers' hats).
Special Note
============
Any readers with a paper-like appearance should steer clear of the ICoE's
"Jamborees", where animal-like figures made of papier-mache' are often
beaten with sticks for recreation.
Summary
=======
In general, the ICoE is to be considered a dangerous organisation to all
earthlings, and specifically hitchhikers. Deal with the ICoE's powerful
but limited power much as one might deal with chained dog: wander around
and harass it all you want as long as it's bound, but if it finds an
opportunity to get revenge, run like the wind.