Intel

Intel (short for intelligence, or Covert Intelligence) is secret information used to turn the tides of conflicts and support the political maneuvering of contacts throughout the galaxy. Intel is most often acquired by Spying but can be gained via particular Talents, especially those of the Spy and Zealot jobs. When intel is sold the following may happen:


 * You receive credits for the intel.
 * You receive faction reputation for the intel (unless you are beyond the faction-specific maximum for selling intel.)
 * You receive personal reputation with the contact.
 * Your contact gains influence.
 * Other contacts mentioned in the intel gain or lose influence.
 * An active conflict referenced in the intel is shifted toward one of the two factions involved.

Intel regarding active conflicts is more valuable than non-conflict intel or intel on conflicts that have expired. Contacts belonging to one of the two involved factions in the conflict compensate for conflict intel more than contacts not belonging to either involved faction. Some Contact Traits modify how richly they reward Captains for intel. Not all contacts buy intel. Generally, the largest benefit from intel sales is personal reputation and contact influence. The Spy captain has a profession trait that boosts the compensation for intel sales.

Scientific Intel
While standard intel is considered "Covert Intel", there is also an independent type of intel called "Scientific Intel". This latter category often relates to Xeno and can be found in wilderness zones in particular. The Scientist is a master of collecting Scientific Intel. This category of intelligence is purchased by an entirely different set of contacts. Selling Scientific Intel can have more dramatic impacts on conflicts and other contacts' well-being as a lot of Scientific intel is intrinsically dangerous information.