thirteenth rune; frost; video

[deadelfwalking]

[Hello, friends. A cold-eyed elf with a fairly significant skin condition stares at the camera, his jaw set, his mouth a thin, inscrutable line.]

Talk of a council is all well and good, but we have another matter in front of us.

As many of you have pointed out, there is no formal system of law in place. At present, those of you who acted as peace officers have simply continued as you were in your own worlds. If you brought others to justice, if you spoke about justice -- you have continued to see this as your right.

[His eyes narrow, drawing his long eyebrows together.]

But it is not your right. Your laws are not universal. Your morality is not sacrosanct.

We must decide on appropriate conduct as a whole, with consideration given to perspectives outside of our own.

I propose that any code we settle on be simple and direct. For example:

1. Murder shall be abolished. In the case of murder, execution.

2. Theft shall be abolished. In the case of theft, the hand shall be cut off at the wrist. Repeat offenders shall lose both hands.

3. Conspiring with the United Earth shall be considered treason. In the case of treason, suspected or actual, execution.

4. Bodily autonomy shall be respected. Knowing efforts to mind control, telepathically invade, steal, or otherwise forcibly take spiritual or physical authority over another sentient being will constitute assault. In the case of this assault, execution.

And so forth.  These are merely ideas, of course.

[His lower lip twitches, suggesting that he's perfectly aware of the extremes he's recommended. Suggesting that he's just trying to get your attention, to get you to think about how you would define your own terms. What constitutes murder? Theft? Conspiracy? Justice? He's only asking.

Maybe.]

[After several hours, the post is edited with a very carefully recorded text attachment.]

Proposed countermeasures to theft:
public humiliation 
fines
time locked away

Proposed countermeasures to murder:
temporary exile
(where?  to a safe place?  to a random location in time?

General countermeasures
better jail system (?)
compassion (???)
mercy (???)
trials (how?  who receives authority?  who takes what position?  what verdicts should result?)
jail time (general solution?)
punishment via the VR room (?) 

Comments

[ video ]

[hostage]

[Sardonically:]

Sure, why not. Executions for everybody.

[deadelfwalking]

Indeed. Why not.

[hostage]

Get Aristeas working and you can do, like, repeat executions. Kill 'em, bring 'em back, kill 'em again...

[deadelfwalking]

I am not interested in sarcasm. Give me your alternative.

[hostage]

Law's a joke, 'specially here. It comes down to the people you wronged. Whatever they end up doing with you, that's what happens. Ain't no pretend police force and some limp-dick lawyers gonna tell 'em different.

[deadelfwalking]

You would have anarchy, then?

[hostage]

That's what it's always been. Anybody says different is kidding themselves.

[deadelfwalking]

But we are trying to change it, are we not?

[hostage]

How're you gonna change anything? We got, what, three lawyers and a dozen cops? With only like a couple who got any actual power. Versus a few hundred other Transports. And, okay, long as people're convinced they gotta listen to these guys for some reason, then maybe it'll work. But how long you think they're gonna listen once you start giving 'em rules they gotta follow? 'cause it's all good right now, the pigs going after the public enemy. But when the shit comes down on the rest of 'em?

The strongest are gonna come out on top. All the planning in the world ain't gonna make a difference.

[deadelfwalking]

I have no intention of changing anything. But there was talk of establishing a code. I am having that talk. Perhaps people will be more willing to follow rules if they feel their input on the system has been considered.

[hostage]

You just said you were. Anyway, whatever. Nobody's gonna remember this in a week and then it'll be back to arresting and holding people without charges, just 'cause you fucking feel like it.

[deadelfwalking]

No. I said we. Collectively. It was also not me who arrested you or who held you. I would have done neither of those things.

[hostage]

"We" includes you, dumbass.

[deadelfwalking]

Willfully obtuse.

[hostage]

Ain't my fault you dunno how to talk right.

[deadelfwalking]

[squint. such colloquialisms!]

Yes. That is certainly the issue. Take care, Mr. Pinkman.