On 25Aug2020 1033, Jeff Zeitlin wrote:
> A world's System Defense Force that is _not_ part of (or cannot be co-opted
> into) the sector/subsector "Colonial" fleets would be analogous to the
> State Guard; one that can be so co-opted by Imperial order is analogous to
> state detachments of the National Guard.

I reckon that a world that wants to ensure that its fleet isn't ever
co-opted by the Imperium needs to do two things. Firstly, don't have
starships (i.e. no jump drives in your ships). Secondly, make sure all
your SDBs of whatever size are of a size and shape that's incompatible
with all of the Imperium's tenders and carriers so they can't be pressed
into service as fighters or riders.

Meanwhile, the Imperium probably offers Standard Data Packages for SDBs
that just happen to fit nicely on some of their tenders, or at least
onto some LASH vessel that it intends to use as an SDB ferry in the
event of a major war.

--
Rupert Boleyn <xxxxxx@gmail.com>