The Agency arms you with guns and knives and stuff like that. So you're expected to use them, right?

Well, it's more complicated than that. Of course.

The following is from Agency policy document IX01-947/49025 (Eyes Only, No Copies):

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The motto and mission of this Agency is "To Light, To Guard, To Guide." The interest of humanity is of paramount importance to this organization, and the sanctity and protection of human life is a policy driver for all decisions which are made. This should be as true for field operatives as it is for policy makers within the Agency.

1. The taking of life should, therefore, be weighed heavily against the mission of the organization, generally, and individual missions and assignments by field operatives, specifically. Careless, wanton, or needless killing will not be tolerated, and will be subject to review and possible disciplinary action, including loss of field status, and/or termination.

2. Innocent or civilian lives should be impacted as minimally as possible in pursuit of mission objectives. This is both for security reasons (to maintain a low profile) and as an extension of the Agency's mission. Civilian lives are to be protected, and collateral damage kept to a minimum, where possible. Given the nature of the Agency's opposition, however, field operatives are to consider the ramifications, both of long-term security and on civilian lives, when making determinations as to that minimum. Sacrificing a few for the benefit of the many may be necessary, but the justification must be defensible, and field operatives are expected to be creative in balancing mission needs with human concerns. Evaluation of civilian deaths (and deaths in general) during a mission will be a key part of all mission debriefings.

3. The nature of the Agency's operations makes potential conflicts with civilian authorities and national military and security forces inevitable (and, in some mission settings, intentional). Unnecessary killing and violence in conflict with such entities is, except where sanctioned by the mission assignment, to be avoided. This is both to avoid unnecessary death, to maintain mission security, and to maintain positive relationships with such entities for future work. Where such conflict is necessary or sanctioned, mission security parameters should be strictly maintained, to avoid blowback onto the Agency. Interactions with such entities will be a part of all mission debriefings.

4. Field operative are licensed to use whatever means are necessary, including deadly force, against mission opposition and targets, or against organizations recognized as opponents of the Agency. Excessive violence that damages mission security should be avoided.

All the above policies are subject to further revision or clarification by specific mission assignments. Mission briefings should make clear such revisions or clarifications, but it is the responsibility of field operatives to determine such parameters at the time of the mission briefing, and to exercise sound and defensible judgment when in the field.

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Or, to summarize:

• Only kill the bad guys, if you can. If you can't avoid killing others, expect very hard questions to be asked.
• Obey orders.
• Maintain security.
• We're paying you to be clever enough to figure out how to do all that.

Disposing Of The Bodies