The Prose and Poems of Lori Dee

[Lori Dee]

Beyond the Flames
(Ronald Olson's Story)

Ronald said that he recalls seeing the explosion as the ship left the hangar. He said it isn't like you see in the movies with a thunderous roar and shock waves pushing things over. There is no air in space. Sound cannot travel through space. Shockwaves do not travel through space. It is a silent flash of bright light, then whatever was there isn't.

The station was immediately put on lockdown. No one was allowed in or out. Mechanics were locked in the hangar bays. Office personnel were sequestered in the administration area. Security personnel were the only ones whose keycards would open any doors. Outside the hangar was only debris from what was once a spacecraft. A very expensive spacecraft.

Security officers did a sweep to see if anyone was injured then locked the doors behind them. The Security Supervisor must have been taking a nap. He arrived with bed-head hair and looking like he needed coffee. They began reviewing video footage, zooming in on various scenes, taking notes, and marking files for permanent storage so they could not be overwritten by anyone.

After 45 minutes, they gave the word that Administration personnel could leave, but the hangar bays were to remain locked down. Ronald said he could see the Supervisor and his boss talking about something up high through the Security Office window. Then the two of them huddled around the Security Logs terminal verifying who logged in and what location and at what time.

Everyone had a keycard that gave them access to areas they were authorized to be in, like their living quarters and workspace, but nothing else. Admin personnel had no access to Security offices or the Maintenance bays. Mechanics had no access to the Admin area. If there was a need for someone to go to another area, a security officer had to accompany them and open the doors for them.

When used, each keycard logged the person entering, leaving, date, time, and location. If someone went to an area without video coverage, the keycard would still log that that is where they went. Moving about the station was impossible without a keycard, and failure to have your card with you at all times was grounds for immediate termination. "Dems da rulz."

One by one, each apprentice was taken to the Security office and interrogated. When they had given their statement, they were required to "sign" it with a thumbprint. They were then taken to their private quarters and locked inside with a security override.

Eventually, they came and got Ronald. Their questions were rather simple. What time did you leave your quarters today? When did you report for work? Did you leave at any time? Did you go get something to eat, or use the bathroom? When? And so on.

Then the questions shifted to be more specifically about the incident. When was the last time the craft was inspected? Who inspected it? Were the logs updated? Who updated them? When was the last service? Who performed the service? Was the software updated? Was there a version change?

Once they had Ronald's statement, they escorted him to his quarters and locked him in. The next step would be to check each statement and verify that the facts match what is recorded in the logs. A packet of all of the supporting evidence was put together and copies were made for the company owner, the insurance company, and the company files. The original was locked so that no changes could be made and was held until the investigation was completed. After another hour or so, A security officer came by and unlocked all the doors and the lock-down of the station was lifted.

Ronald was in a state of shock. He walked out to the hangar and sat on the metal steps that led up to the security office. He kept going over the checklist in his mind wondering what he could have missed. He was always so thorough, it was not likely he missed anything. So... then what happened? Engine malfunction? Electrical fire? Did it get hit by a pirate missile? What?

He was getting a headache and went back to his room. He pulled a couple of logbooks from the shelf. Everything checked out. He had to admit that he had no clue. He took a shower and laid on his bed hoping his headache would ease.

And fell asleep.

[Lori Dee]

Beyond the Flames
(Ronald Olson's Story cont.)

Ronald said he wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but he was awakened by a lot of noise from the Hangar. He stepped out of his room and went to take a look. A security officer stopped him from entering.

A FAT (Forensic Analysis Team) had arrived and was scouring the hangar. FAT is a group of robots that are controlled by the AI of the Justice Computer. Their job is to gather anything and everything associated with a crime scene and transport it to a lab for analysis.

Above him, Ronald could see one of the FATs in the Security Office downloading the evidence packet and scanning log files to add to it. Outside, a "Sweeper" craft was scooping up debris from the explosion. There wasn't much else he could see from where he stood, so Ronald went back to his quarters and went back to bed.

The next morning, Ronald had just finished breakfast when he was visited by three security officers. These were not officers from the company. They wore Justice Ministry badges. Ronald was placed under arrest and escorted to pre-trial confinement at the Hall of Justice.

The Hall of Justice is not as you might imagine. It was not a large building somewhere, it was an entire city. It was like New York City with huge skyscrapers and many other smaller buildings. The largest building was a fortress and housed the Justice Computer. Humans were not permitted inside the walls at any time. The JC security robots patrolled the grounds, automated defense weapons and shields and an extensive array of sensors made the fortress impenetrable. All maintenance performed within the walls was accomplished by robots under the direct control of the Big JC.

The smaller buildings would still rival some of the largest currently in our time. They housed various labs, maintenance buildings, transport services, human security force barracks, Prosecutor offices, Defense Offices, Pre-Trial Confinement facilities, as well as living quarters for the multitude of people who lived throughout the city.

Pre-Trial Confinement was not a jail cell. During its design, emphasis was placed on security obviously, but also on comfort. The city builders firmly believed that an accused person of any class was innocent until proven guilty. And innocent people are not held in jail.

The PTC was more like a nice hotel. Not exactly five-star, but not lacking much. The rooms were spacious enough and had all the amenities so that one could live there in comfort for weeks if need be. It is important to note that people accused of crime were not always low-life thugs. There were also government officials, CEOs, and celebrities. The JC did not differentiate white-collar crime from homicide or theft. Crime was crime and the accused were innocent until judged by JC.

Ronald found his accommodations to be more than satisfactory. The bathroom was stocked with everything from fresh linens to hygiene products. In the bedroom area, the dresser was filled with clean neatly folded clothing. In the living space was a small entertainment system that offered games, reading materials, movies, and a communications terminal to stay in touch with family and friends.

All under the watchful eye of security cameras and sensors.

[Lori Dee]

Beyond the Flames
(Ronald Olson's Story cont.)

Ronald received a video call from his "attorney".

The term attorney is an archaic holdover from times when your representative in court practiced law. It was determined that they don't actually practice law. Legislators practice law by writing it. Judges practiced law by applying it. Lawyers just did their best to represent their clients within those confines.

Under the new system, your "attorney" is nothing more than an evidence technician. They represent their client by gathering evidence to support the client's position of "not guilty". They organize the evidence into a file that is submitted to the Justice Computer for the Defense. The Prosecutor is the same job except they submit evidence of the crime that the suspect is accused of. Prosecutors and Defense technicians go to the same school and receive the same certifications. They can work for either side at any given time because all they are doing is submitting evidence.

Ronald's attorney was an attractive young woman who appeared to be fresh out of college. Her credentials indicated that she was a bit older than she looked. She introduced herself as "Olivia" and informed Ronald that he was charged with multiple homicides. She told him that she was awaiting discovery (when the prosecution shows what evidence they have), and as soon as she has that file she will be in touch to go over their defense. She gave him a nice smile and was gone.

Ronald told me that at that moment, the reality set in. It hit him hard. Multiple homicides. Five people died in that explosion. He knew he wasn't responsible for their deaths. He didn't even know what caused the explosion. If it had been an equipment malfunction, then the service checks would have alerted him. He would have noticed something was off when he did the test flight. The delegation's pilot would have noticed something during his pre-flight checks.

It made no sense. His mind raced with possible scenarios. Could it have been a pirate attack? Could the SynLok 385 engine have suddenly failed catastrophically? It has never happened before, but is it possible? Could something in the electronics have caused a plasma overrun condition affecting the fuel supply? No, the shielding would prevent that.

He wasn't hungry and went to bed without eating. He tossed and turned all night. He had to have faith that the FAT would discover some clue that would explain what malfunction occurred. He just had to relax and wait until the lab analysis came back. Olivia will be able to answer his questions.

He finally fell asleep for a couple of hours before his agitated mind woke him up. He showered and dressed, then ordered a big breakfast. He was starving. His breakfast arrived just as Olivia called. She said she had the main evidence packet but they were still waiting for the FAT lab report. She promised to call as soon as that was in.

Ronald began pacing the floor. The PTC room was quite nice but Ronald doesn't like being cooped up. It isn't that he needs to go anywhere, he just needs to know that he can if he wants to. Being locked in was starting to weigh on him. He began noting the locations of the cameras that watched him but did so as not to be obvious about it.

He looked at the door trying to see if he could tell what type of lock it had. He tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge. A security guard must have been outside his door and heard him try to open it. The guard asked if he needed something. When Ronald said "No," the guard told him to step back from the door.

He went back to pacing the floor, trying to find something to occupy his mind. He tried solving some puzzles in the entertainment center but soon lost interest. He managed to take a nap and he was grateful for the rest and that it helped him kill two hours of waiting.

[Lori Dee]

Beyond the Flames
(Ronald Olson's Story cont.)

When the call came, it was not Olivia. It was an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a stern face. Ronald wondered if he had ever smiled in his life. He said his name was "Austin" and that Olivia had been reassigned.

Ronald sat in front of the console as Austin began presenting the evidence that had been submitted to the Justice Computer.

* Video and key log files showing that Ronald was the last person to examine, enter, and fly the ship.
* Maintenance logs showing the last service and inspection were done by Ronald.
* Video and audio files of Ronald's admission to the above as facts.
* Forensic Analysis Reports show the destruction of the craft, and subsequent deaths of all occupants, was caused by an explosive device. The explosion originated on the starboard side of the craft behind the avionics instruments panel.

Austin said that Ronald's Defense file was not bad.
* Three apprentices under Ronald's supervision had access to the craft and work area besides Ronald.
* The video files do not show Ronald planting any type of device in the craft.
* The evidence does not rule out that the device could have been planted at any time.
* The evidence does not rule out that the device was detonated remotely by someone else.
* The evidence is not conclusive that Ronald committed any crime.

Austin asked Ronald if he had anything that he would add to his defense. Ronald noted that he did not have access to explosives, nor the knowledge or skill to assemble such a device.

Austin frowned and said, "Sadly, we have no evidence to prove that."

He said he had two days to add anything further to the file, so if Ronald thought of something, he would need to act quickly so the evidence could be gathered and submitted in time. Ronald said he understood.

Ronald's only real defense was that he was not capable of doing such a thing. He would never intentionally harm anyone. He was well-liked by those who knew him. Any witness could testify that he was a good person.

But these are the very types of emotional pleas that were removed from the Justice System over one hundred years ago. Humans are unreliable witnesses. Witness accounts are unreliable as evidence and emotional pleas are never considered.

Those two days dragged on ever so slowly. Ronald could think of nothing that served as verifiable evidence that he did not do this. It is almost impossible to prove that something didn't happen. After two days, Austin called back to see if Ronald had anything to add. He admitted that he did not. Austin said that security officers would come by tomorrow to escort him to his hearing with JC.

Ronald did not sleep that night. Over and over he told himself to relax, and be calm, he had nothing to worry about. Innocent until judged as guilty and he did nothing wrong.

It didn't work. He couldn't relax. He couldn't be calm. He wanted to break out of the PTC room and just run. Get away. Go anywhere as long as it is far from here.

The following afternoon, three security officers arrived and took Ronald into custody. Ronald said that he was so tired and stressed that he didn't remember the ride to the Justice Center. He remembers entering the hearing room.

The hearing room was quite large. The far wall was a screen, the "face" of the Justice Computer. The Prosecutor was to the left of the front table, Austin to the right. On the table was a scanning device used to submit documents and things for evidence. Seated behind the Prosecutor was a group of people that included the owner of the company that Ronald worked for, representatives of his insurance company, and the family members of the Council delegation that had been killed.

Nobody sat behind Austin.

A voice from the screen on the wall announced Ronald's case was to be judged. At the same time, text scrolled across the screen identifying the case, the parties to the case, representatives, date, and time.

The voice then asked the Prosecutor if all evidence had been submitted in this case. The Prosecutor acknowledged that had. The voice then addressed Austin and asked if the Defense had submitted all of its evidence and was ready to proceed. Austin said yes, and the Defense was ready.

The screen then addresses the insurance representative. On the screen was a document showing the insured loss of the craft and liability to the families of the insured. The voice asked the representative to confirm the details of that document and his signature on that document. The representative confirmed that it was accurate.

In some countries where jury trials were utilized, it could take a jury weeks to decide a case. Several days was not uncommon in this type of case. In cases involving lesser crimes, juries might deliberate for only a few hours. It took the Justice Computer exactly 37 seconds. Ronald knows this because it was displayed on the big screen on the wall.

Ronald Olson, charged with multiple homicides, judged "Guilty". Evidence processing time: 37 seconds. Findings:
* Ronald Olson had supervisory responsibility over all personnel working in the hangar.
* Ronald Olson was the last person to inspect, service, and test-fly the craft.
* Ronald Olson has admitted to the facts and does not dispute this in any log, report, or statement.

* Decision: Ronald Olson is responsible for the destruction of a spacecraft and the deaths of the passengers and crew that were aboard at that time.

* Sentence: Ronald Olson is sentenced to permanent imprisonment at Penal Colony A6-2307 in addition to the sum of ~1,763,232 credits in restitution. All assets are currently forfeited as initial payment.
* Judgment RO-AGB-84730-YFK:43A

[Lori Dee]

Beyond the Flames

Penal Colony A6-2307 was not a new or popular facility. In many ways, it seemed to be more of an afterthought. It was a solar observatory that was located outside of Mercury's orbit. It was considered "minimum security" because part of the station was still in use as an observatory. But that was where the "minimum" ended. Due to its remote location in the solar system, there was very little traffic nearby. There were no sightseers and it was far from any of the shipping lanes of the major mining colonies in the middle and outer planets. It received one shipment per month to resupply both the observatory and the penal colony. The chance of escape was zero as no one had ever tried. There was nowhere to go.

Security was still tight on the prison side of the station. Access was controlled by keycards throughout the station, as were most facilities. Security guards monitored everyone at all times. The facility housed a greenhouse where fresh food was grown, and prisoners were expected to work the gardens or forfeit the right to eat. Fresh water was made through several reclamation systems that provided enough fresh water for drinking, bathing, cleaning, and irrigation of the gardens.

I was curious and asked Ronlad how many years it took for him to travel to the station. He said that I clearly did not understand FTL (Faster Than Light) travel. I asked him to explain it to me, but he refused saying that there would always be the risk that I could upset his chronology if he did. I suspect that he didn't want me to "invent" a warp drive or something and then change the course of history.

He did agree to give me an example but would withhold any details. He asked me what I knew about the subject. As I understood the current theories, space is folded so that the starting point and destination are close together. Then a wormhole is used to cross from one point to another. I had seen this explained by folding a piece of paper and then punching a hole through both pieces. He nodded and told me to sit tight and he left the room. He returned with a basketball.

Ronald tossed me the basketball and said that I was still thinking in two dimensions. Space is not a piece of paper that you can fold and then punch a couple of holes through and travel from one hole to the next. Space is three-dimensional. Never forget that.

Now, he said imagine your spaceship is in the middle of this basketball. The air around the ship is space and you need to travel from one side of the ball to the other. Show me how you "fold" a basketball so you can shorten the distance between the sides. I said I would let the air out of it and then fold it. He said if the basketball is the boundaries of the universe, and the air inside is space, how do you let the "space" out? And where will it go since nothing exists outside of the universe? I was stumped. He said when you figure that out, you will be close to the answer.

Ronald said that although time at the penal colony did not involve hard labor, it still bothered him that he had no freedom. It was just the same old boring routine day after day. He said the entire purpose of prison time is to waste your time and keep you away from "society". It is to make "society" feel safe knowing that criminals are locked up where they cannot do any more harm. But Ronald knew that he didn't do any harm. Someone else planted the explosive and he had no way to find out who or why.

Ronald spent years doing his daily chores and thinking. He had to find a way to clear his name. He had to find a way to contact someone who could help him. He couldn't do it locked up here. He needed to escape. He was sentenced to life, so he had plenty of time to form a plan and work out the problem. He loved puzzles, so this problem was a suitable way to keep his mind busy.

Ronald studied everything, the locations of the cameras, the routine of the guards, the routines of the scientists that he could see on the other side of the station. As an observatory, there were plenty of windows that were shielded from heat and radiation. He noticed the monthly shipping vessels, who unloaded them, and what security was maintained when it was in dock. He noticed the small observation shuttles that the scientists used to travel a short distance away from the station to record data from their various tests and experiments. He even developed a code so he could record his observations in his notebooks without anyone being able to understand what he wrote.

The more he observed, the more he was convinced that he could escape. The problem was that there was nowhere to go, and even fewer ways to get there. The monthly shipping vessel was heavily armed and well-guarded to prevent being hijacked by pirates. The only other spacecraft were the small shuttles the scientists used, but they had very limited fuel supplies and were not intended for long-distance travel. They couldn't even make it to Mercury, the nearest planet. And there was the problem of gaining access to one.

[ChrissyRyan]

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Some people are nice
And that includes you!

Chrissy