Retrieval was a branch of Alliance Intelligence's Counter-Intelligence department. Working closely with Security, Retrieval was responsible for taking individuals targeted by Security as suspected infiltrators and proving their innocence or guilt. To do this, Retrieval would carry out a surveillance operation, interview family and friends, place listening devices, and, in some cases, interrogate them. Suspects who were found innocent were freed with no stigma attached to them. Guilty suspects—or those whose innocence was not proven—were either imprisoned, "turned" into a double agent, or simply killed. While Retrieval did not terminate suspects unless absolutely critical, they had no compunctions about doing so if the act meant saving the Alliance from being damaged by leaked information.