Retiree, page 27
“Detective Crabtree, how would you describe Alana One’s personality, when you first met her?”
“Inspector Graves was aptly named. She took her job very seriously, was very professional. You could say that she had a cold exterior. The only times I saw her display intense emotions of any kind were when the subject of Detective Rhys arose. She was really angry about his death.”
“When you first met Alana Two, the newly resurrected Inspector Graves, was she different from Alana One?”
“Objection! Counsel is leading the witness.”
Rodriguez crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, “Sustained.”
Bob rephrased the question, “How would you compare Alana Two to Alana One, in terms of personality?”
“At first, I didn’t see any difference, except that when she came out of the shopital, she did not know that Rhys had been killed. She had to roll-back to a ten-week-old save. When we walked by the reception desk, she picked up an apple and started munching on it, and by the time we got to the exit, she was already starting to act differently.”
This drew some subdued chuckling from the audience, and several rapid bangs of the gavel. Watching from the sidelines, Alana now understood what Bob meant by the ‘apple defense.’
Bob asked, “How was she different?”
“When I told her about Detective Rhys, she seemed very saddened. Not angry.”
Judge Samuels asked, “Did she know about the precise circumstances of Rhys’ death at that point?”
Brett shook his head, “No. No, she didn’t. But she was different in other ways. She started talking about personal subjects flippantly, things that Alana One never brought up.”
“What kind of things?”
“Well, not to put too fine a point on it, saucy things? Her dialogue seemed to become more...liberated. She had a better sense of humor, was easier to get along with. At one point, I remember telling her that she had become uncharacteristically empathetic. I was particularly surprised when she signed guardianship papers for Sandy Mathers, to take care of her while Mister Smith filed that case.”
Bob asked, “Did you notice any changes when Alana One swapped bodies back with the defendant after the defendant was waylaid by Aaron Stone?”
“Oh, immediately. I missed them at first, but I wasn’t looking for them. But they kept nagging at me. Several days later, I confronted the Chief Inspector when I saw that her behavior had changed so much that I thought she was an imposter. In fact, I was in the process of arresting her when she confessed everything to me.”
Rodriguez cautioned, “The witness has just admitted to a potentially incriminating action, abetting the actions of Alana One. Are there extenuating circumstances?”
Brett answered, “We were on our way to Chief Bennett to tell him about it when we were called into a confidential meeting. I understand that the Inspector informed the Chief later. She was transferred to SD to pursue her case shortly thereafter. I don’t think I can discuss that any further, as it’s related to other investigations.”
Bob said to the judges, “The court records from Chief Bennett’s time on the stand should mesh with and confirm what Detective Crabtree has just stated.”
Rodriguez nodded, “I agree. Proceed.”
Bob glanced at the internal chronometer on his virtual interface, and saw that the hour was getting late. Unable to think of any other way to drag things out without earning the ire of the bench, he gambled that the court would dismiss early, “Actually, I have no further questions for the Detective.”
True to form, Prosecutor Beame declined to cross-examine.
Rodriguez asked Smith if he had any more witnesses to call, and Bob said that he had finished with his presentation. The judge looked at the clock on the wall, and then had a quick discussion with his bench-mates. He then turned and said, “There will be a thirty minute recess, after which the court will reconvene for closing arguments.”
“Shit,” Bob mumbled as the judge gaveled the court into an extended bathroom break. Alana was escorted back to the holding cell, leaving Smith and Beame to contemplate how they would conclude.
Thirty minutes later, punctually, the court reconvened.
Beame was extremely straightforward in his closing statement, “We are a nation of laws, not of men. This cyborg was born from original sin. The First Cyber Commandment is clear. It must be destroyed.” Beame sat down, beaming, as if he somehow knew that he had won the case.
Judge Rodriguez said, “The defense may now offer their closing statement.”
Bob stood. He had lost his swagger. For the first time since Alana had known him, he was displaying what could only be described as sincerity.
“When our New American Republic was founded, it was done so on the principles first laid down by the original United States Constitution. Those being that the government existed to serve the people, and not the other way around. Both blueprints still provided for a system in which those accused of crimes can argue their cases before impartial judiciaries. The system itself is not statutory. Judges can follow their own will, tempered by precedent and by the law as it is written. Simply because a law is dressed up in pompous language declaring it to be born of some form of divine, immutable wisdom does not mean that it is so. Laws are written by man, interpreted by man, and applied by man.
“In this case, your honors, there was no precedent. There is no legal term for, ‘original sin,’ as the prosecution calls it, in the NAR Constitution, nor in the US Constitution before it, nor in the English Common Law from which all derived. Modern societies have long-ago rejected the concept of persecution of progeny for so-called, ‘Sins of the Father.’”
Smith gestured toward Alana, “As she sits before you now, my client, Detective Chief Inspector Alana Graves, has broken no law whatsoever. Any transgressions on her part were committed without her knowledge by what were, in reality, other people. Any intent to violate laws came from changes in their personalities brought on by extraordinary circumstances that happened after they were saved. Her surrogate interrogation supports that. The testimony of everyone brought before the court supports that. Alana Two, as we’ve called her, is her own woman.”
Bob began pacing back and forth in front of the bench, “The controls in place to prevent accidental cloning are numerous. There are over thirty million retirees walking the streets of the NAR, and they are the fastest growing minority in the land. The number of cases involving the creation of clones over the last thirty-five years is ten in total. Ten. Every preceding case where a clone was created was done with the knowledge of the clone. This case is new, as is this Alana Graves. There was no intent to deceive on her part. She cannot be guilty of crimes committed by her progenitors any more than a newborn can be held responsible for acts committed by its parents.”
Smith then surprised everyone in the courtroom with an act of humility, bowing slightly before the court as he said, “I’m certain that your honors will see this and rule accordingly. Thank you.”
Judge Rodriguez banged his gavel, “The arguments in the case of the New American Republic versus Alana Graves are now completed. I am calling a recess to allow for the tribunal to deliberate prior to returning a verdict. At ten o’clock AM tomorrow morning, the court will announce the time at which it will reconvene.”
The judge banged his gavel again, and the bailiff cried out, “All rise!”
The judges filed out of the courtroom, Alana was led back toward her cell, and the rest of the audience filed out, leaving Bob Smith and Mister Beame alone.
Bob said, “My client is innocent, and you know it.”
Beame stood and walked toward the exit, “We’ll see, Mister Smith.”
Chapter 32
The courtroom was silent. The wall clock read ‘4:12’ when Judge Rodriguez sat down, banging his gavel, “This court is now in session. Without objection, we will now pass down the verdict.”
Prosecutor Beame had lost his air of overconfidence in the wake of the breaking news story about Judge Samuels’ financial ties to the corporation Zumpco and his family ties to its now-troubled J-7 development project. He stood and said, “No objections, your honors.”
Samuels was stone-faced, daring not to shift his gaze to the left or the right, doubtless aware that whatever his vote would be, it would have consequences for his future judicial career and political ambitions.
Bob Smith, on the other hand, was looking confident, although as a cyborg, he could have deliberately locked his face into that expression. He stood and said, “The defense has no objections.”
Alana sat quietly, knowing that the next minute would determine whether she would continue to exist.
“Will the defendant please rise?”
Alana had to admit to herself that she was genuinely afraid. If her knees were not mechanical, she knew they would be wobbling. Even during the war, when she was relaying orders from Aaron Stone to the rebel units maneuvering on Washington, knowing that one slip could bring a radio-homing missile down upon her head, it did not bother her. Throughout her police career, she always had the assurance that no matter how much trouble she got herself into, her insurance would always bring her back, and even if she would occasionally lose a few memories, she would continue to create new ones to take their place.
Rodriguez spoke, “In the case of the New American Republic versus Alana Graves, on the charges of illegal cloning in violation of the First Cyber Commandment, the court finds the defendant not guilty owing to extenuating circumstances. Does the prosecution wish to appeal?”
Beame was clearly unhappy when he half-mumbled, “No, your honor.”
“The court’s full opinions will be published tomorrow morning. But to summarize our findings, we were divided. Even though we are acquitting the defendant in this case, we are doing so because she was actively involved in an investigation into the terrorist bombings that recently struck our nation. We do not believe that this decision should be used as a precedent for future cases.”
Judge Rodriguez banged his gavel and declared, “Court is now dismissed.”
The bailiff called for all to rise, and as the justices filed out, a gaggle of reporters had to be held at bay by security guards. Alana turned and perused the crowd, but did not see any of those who had appeared as witnesses to support her. However, she immediately recognized Detective Rhys. He was sitting five rows back, wearing a blue business suit. Her eyes opened wider than was humanly possible, and she said, “Vira, interrogate the transponder of my current target.”
“The target is named Benjamin Rhys.”
Rhys smiled, nodded, and raised his hand in acknowledgement.
Alana smiled back, but found herself unable to move, unable to react in any other way, almost as if her entire system had frozen. When the population in the chaotic courtroom was finally reduced to a handful of onlookers and security personnel, Rhys stood and approached. He said, “The ferryman’s waiting outside for his tip.”
Alana finally un-budged her servos and walked toward Rhys. She took both of his now-cybernetic hands in hers, “I’m so sorry, Ben. This was all my fault.”
Rhys smiled and said, “I knew the job was dangerous when I took it.”
Alana suddenly embraced Rhys. She wasn’t sure of how she felt about him, beyond their being close friends. Her previous iteration must have had stronger feelings that were lost on her clone. She pulled away but kept her hands on Rhys’ hips, “I was worried that your save had been erased. Nobody told me anything. How do you feel?”
Rhys had clearly changed. His android features did not react the same as his living face. The subtle up-turn of the corners of his mouth when he half-smiled were gone. He brushed Alana’s hair away from her eyes, saying, “I’ll have to get back to you on that. But I’m very glad that I didn’t come back just in time to see you go away. Chief Bennett explained... many things. You and I have a lot to discuss, I think. Are you free this evening?”
Bob asked, “So, would you two want to be pioneers in the crusade for cybernetic marriage rights?”
Alana whipped around and stabbed Bob with her eyes.
The lawyer took the hint and started walking toward the exit, “Maybe next time.”
About the Author
Doug Powers was born on Labor Day in a sanitarium. He began writing, poorly, as early as elementary school. He continued learning the trade for decades, taking long breaks to earn a living, further educate himself, or engage in his other creative pursuit, game design. He supported himself as a software quality assurance analyst engaged with companies such as Turner Entertainment Groups and IBM Corporation.
On New Year's Day, 2013, Pangenre published Vegas Apocalypse: The Crash, on which Doug worked as supplemental writer and editor. He also worked with Frederick Noble on the sequel, Vegas Apocalypse: The Cult.
Retiree (2013) was his first solo novel.
Retiree 2.0 (2014) is the sequel to 2013's Retiree.
The Great Outback (2007) was his first completed major work of fiction. It is currently available for viewing free of charge at www.pangenre.com/thegreatoutback.
In 2008, Doug spearheaded the creation of Pangenre, LLC along with Frederick Noble and Ronald G. Moore, and is currently co-owner and editor-in-chief for Pangenre's publications. Pangenre launched in March of 2010 behind the Pangenre RPG System and The Second World War, and has published several other games and game supplements since then.
All of Doug's published works can be found through www.pangenre.com.
Additional books published by Pangenre can be found at www.pangenre.com/books.
Glossary
Ten Cyber Commandments, The: A set of rules governing cybernetic retirement.
1. A Person shall never knowingly Clone another Person or allow a Person to be Cloned; doing so is a Felony.
2. If Cloning has occurred, the most recent Clone must be destroyed; its memories may not be Saved.
3. Resurrected Persons shall be unique; they shall only take a likeness they had when they were alive; they may use any template recorded from the age of 18 years or older.
4. Any Person convicted of a Felony shall never be Resurrected except by Court Order issuing from no lower authority than Regional; they may still be Saved.
5. Any Person who is convicted of a Capital Offense may never be Saved; if they have been Saved, they shall be purged from the Pool.
6. Any Person whose Resurrection eligibility is in question shall be placed in Limbo until those questions are resolved.
7. To be Saved, a Person must pass a full neurological integrity scan administered by a qualified authority; a Person shall pass a diagnostic test before every Save, or the Save shall not be validated; failed scans may be retried once annually.
8. A Person may not be Saved if they are diagnosed with dementia or a serious mental illness as defined in the most current ICD and DSM documents.
9. Persons become eligible for Resurrection beginning at age 18, if they pass their neurological integrity scan.
10. Any person whose death is deliberately self-inflicted shall be ineligible for resurrection. If they were Saved at the time of death, they may remain in Limbo.
Clone: An illegal duplicate of an existing cybernetic consciousness.
Early Retirement: Resurrection into cybernetic consciousness before natural death occurs.
Hard-Killed: A cyborg that is damaged badly enough to destroy both its organic brain and its database.
Limbo: When someone who has been saved dies, but there are complications preventing their resurrection, they are referred to as being “In Limbo.” They are not resurrectable, but their save profile is retained within the system.
New American Republic (NAR): In the wake of the Reformation War, the United States underwent a major reorganization. A revised Constitution was written which abolished state governments, centralizing authority. Although many changes were made, the social structure outlined in and upheld by the new constitution was more similar to its predecessor than not.
Police Ranks: In the New American Republic, police ranks were altered to make them more distinct from military ranks, using a system derived from that used in the United Kingdom. The hierarchy of ranks is shown below, from highest to lowest.
· Superintendent: A high-ranking police officer in charge of regions containing several police districts. In this story, such a role is represented by Superintendent Ruiz.
· Section Chief: A police officer in charge of a single district. In this story, Chief Bennett is a section chief.
· Detective Chief Inspector (DCI): The most senior detective rank, conveying long-service and accomplishment. In this story, Alana Graves is a DCI.
· Detective Inspector (DI): A detective who has been promoted to be in charge of other detectives working on complex cases. In this story, ‘Maggie’ MacGruder is a DI.
· Detective (Det): The entry-level position for a qualified detective. In this story, Brett Crabtree and Benjamin Rhys are detectives.
Pool, The: The massive database that stores everyone’s saved personalities for resurrection.
Reformation War: Alternately called the Revolution, the Rebellion, or Civil War II, this conflict erupted shortly after the introduction of cybernetic resurrection technology. The reasons for it were myriad, as were the motivations of those who joined the rebel cause, but democratization of resurrection technology was the catalyst.
Resurrection: The act of creating a cyborg from a saved personality profile.
Retirement: A euphemistic term describing the transition from biological existence to cybernetic existence.
Saved: Having a stored personality profile that can be used to create a cybernetic body.
Shopital: A slang term used to describe cybernetic ‘hospitals,’ which are more similar to mechanical and electronic repair shops than they are to medical facilities.
