The Shen'Tlar is very similar to Section 18, but Shen'Tlar has been operating for much longer time. Its mission has also changed during the course of its existance. Originally it was created to make sure that the government stays true to the people and that the people remain loyal to the government. Most of the time it worked and prevented dictators from raising to power. Although some do consider it as an organization that limits freedom. Officially, the Shen'Tlar doesn't do harm to Folan citizens, but it's unclear what happens unofficially, although not many people in the Folan empire are against this organization, and those that are have been able to express their opinions freely, thus gaining some support over the years.
Later on the Shen'Tlar transformed into an intelligence agency as well. The former observers of the people became agents and spies against other governments. It is rumored that Shen'Tlar has some influence in every major government and that they have some ties with the other intelligence networks, especially the Section 18. They've also been known to help the resistance in their efforts through unofficial channels, but this hasn't seem to hurt their relationship to Section 18.
Shen'Tlar also works as a police force. It investigates any possible crimes committed against the Folan citizens, although very little of those occur in the Folan Empire. The Shen'Tlar have two representatives in the Folan senate; these people do not lead the Shen'Tlar, but belong in its "board of directors". The main head is always the Folan senate, but the Preator has very little of power over the Shen'Tlar, mainly because the Shen'Tlar is the main organization that is constantly observing the Preator's actions. Praetor does have some power over the Shen'Tlar, but only through the senate. To eliminate the Shen'Tlar you need to have the support of the majority of the senate, the military and the public vote. Shen'Tlar can replace the Preator if the senate agrees or if the people desire so. Senate can be changed if the majority of the people desire that to be happened.
The Shen'Tlar is lead by nine people, in a sort of "board of directors". These people control the several branches of the Shen'Tlar and make all the major decisions together. Research, espionage, police force, telepath control, the people's observation, leader observation and military observation are the branches in the Shen'Tlar. Leader of each of these branches is part of the "board of directors" as well as the ones representing the Shen'Tlar in the senate.
Research branch does some of it own research, usually relating to espionage, telepathic technology or some forms of observation. Usually all the projects are done with the Folan Empire's official research division.
Espionage branch controls all affairs with foreign powers. Not much is known how this part really operates.
Police force makes sure order stays on all the member worlds.
Telepathic control makes sure that telepathic powers are not misused and it also advances and studies the telepathic powers.
Observations departments handle the observation tasks given to them. They observe the ones they have to the way they choose fit, but there are certain rules that they cannot break while making their observations.