The Twelve Rules is the framework of the Parallel World that the team at CERN discover. They don’t know this until Max Rivette returns from there. He is soon thrown in a secret prison run by the CIA in Geneva

PREAMBLE TO THE TWELVE RULES OF SOCIETY

Recorded at the Congress of Free Communities, Geneva, at the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour on the eleventh month of 1919.
When the guns at last fell silent, the nations of Earth lay in ruin.
From the fields of Europe rose a single cry: Never again shall the lives of men and women be spent for the profit of a few.
The war had stripped civilisation bare. Kings and ministers stood discredited, their banners stained with the blood of millions.
The people, long deceived by talk of honour and empire, looked instead to one another.
In the ashes of cities and the quiet of the camps, they began to speak — first in grief, then in reason.
In every land there were those who carried a clearer light: workers, teachers, healers, soldiers returned from the front with eyes unclouded by command.
Guided by voices both seen and unseen, they travelled to Geneva to seek a peace that could not be broken by treaties or borders.
There, in the winter following the Armistice, representatives of the free communities met.
They came not as diplomats but as equals — men and women who had suffered, laboured, and dreamed.
Over many days they spoke, not of vengeance or reward, but of how a people might live without masters and without war.
From those councils came a covenant: twelve simple rules by which humankind might govern itself justly.
They were written in plain language, that none might misunderstand them; bound to no flag, that all might claim them; and sworn before the whole of Earth, that no generation might forget.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the delegates stood together in the hall and swore an oath of peace.
The bells of Geneva rang, and word spread across the continents.
The old order, built upon greed and command, was ended.
In its place, a new society began — free, equal, and indivisible.
Thus began the First Year of the New Era.
And these are its Twelve Rules.

RULE 1 — LAW

These twelve rules shall be the only laws binding upon persons, communities, regions, and nations.
No authority may alter, add to, or remove these rules.
All other decisions shall be made by the people through their assemblies.

RULE 2 — COMMUNITIES AND REPRESENTATION

Every person belongs by choice to a community.
Communities may freely join together to form regions and nations, and may leave them at will.
Every person shall have equal voice in the decisions that affect their life.
Communities may appoint delegates to carry their decisions to wider assemblies.
Delegates must act only as instructed by those who appoint them and shall be recalled at once if they act against their charge.

RULE 3 — GOVERNANCE WITHOUT RULERS

Communities, regions, and nations may create councils to coordinate their common tasks.
These councils shall not make law. Their duty is to carry out the decisions of the people in accordance with these rules.
Delegates and administrators must obey the exact instructions of the people and may be recalled immediately if they depart from them.
All records of council actions and the use of resources shall be open for any person to examine.

RULE 4 — FREEDDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL

Every person may leave their family, community, region, or nation at any time.
No person or body may command another save in the just enforcement of these rules.
Every person is free to speak, to believe, to gather, and to know all matters of public record.

RULE 5 — NON-VIOLENCE AND THE PREVENTION OF HARM

Every person has the right to live free from physical harm.
No community, region, or nation shall begin war or raise arms except to repel direct attack.
Where a clear and reasonable danger of harm is foreseen, communities may act to prevent it.
Such action must rest upon evident proof, use only the least restriction needed, and remain under public oversight.
Any citizen may appeal against restraint before their community’s tribunal.

RULE 6 — LAND AND THE EARTH

No person or body may own land.
Communities may hold land in trust for the common good.
Personal goods within one’s dwelling belong to the person.
The resources of the Earth belong to all and shall be tended for the benefit of all.

RULE 7 — INDUSTRY AND LABOUR

Every person has the right to engage in safe and useful work.
Industry exists to serve need, not profit.
The fruits of industry shall be shared fairly among all.
All work shall respect the natural balance of the world and shall be guided by the judgement of the communities it serves.

RULE 8 — HEALTH

Every person is entitled to the highest attainable standard of health.
Communities, regions, and nations shall provide care freely to all who need it.
The means of health shall never be owned for gain.

RULE 9 — KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING

Every person has the right to education and to the pursuit of knowledge.
Learning shall be free for all ages.
Science and art belong to all mankind and shall not be withheld or sold.

RULE 10 — HOUSING

Every person has the right to a secure and decent home.
Communities shall ensure that all are housed.
Dwellings may not be bought, sold, or held for profit.

RULE 11 — FOOD AND WATER

Every person has the right to nourishment and clean water.
Communities shall maintain the means to provide these to all people.
None may own or control the sources of food or water.

RULE 12 — THE ABOLITION OF MONEY

Money and trade for profit are abolished.
Goods and services shall be given according to need and received according to purpose.
Systems of exchange may exist only to maintain fairness and record, and shall never create privilege or debt.

DECLARATION

These Rules are founded upon peace, equality, and mutual care.
They bind no one to obedience beyond justice, and they release all from want, servitude, and fear.
Let them be carried to every land and written in every tongue, that the world may never again descend into war.