by Joe Nobody
The drone appeared out of nowhere, hovering just outside the garage’s outer wall, less than 15 feet from the hood of her car.
She froze for a moment, the unusual sight taking her breath away. Eventually recovering, she studied the machine, trying to determine any hostile intent. The German sedan’s glass and steel provided a barrier of safety. Despite the device’s aggressive shape and unblinking lense-eye, she didn’t feel threatened.
Inhaling a calming breath, she opened the car door, gradually exiting to stand beside her fortress on wheels. She was ready to dive back inside if the buzzing menace displayed the slightest ill will.
“Hello, DA Sanders,” the computer-generated voice attempted to engage in social amenities. “I saw on television where you expressed a desire to speak with me, and thought I would introduce myself.”
Something in the mechanical voice’s statement struck Karen as funny. Notwithstanding the circumstances, late hour, and totally startling encounter, she blurted out a chuckle and then smiled.
“You could have called my assistant and made an appointment like most people,” she grinned. “But I understand why that might be a bit uncomfortable, given the situation.”
“You’ll have to forgive me, I didn’t mean to startle you, but the concept of walking into the DA’s office and introducing myself didn’t seem wise. I have similar aversions to phone calls and emails, if you know what I mean.”
“I understand,” Karen nodded, relieved the Archangel seemed to be of a reasonable intellect. Still, she didn’t move from behind her open car door.
“So how can I help you, Ms. Sanders?”
“I think you can help the people of Harris County,” she replied. “I think your drones might be the answer to a systemic problem that has plagued our city for decades, and I would like to work with you. Cooperate. Join forces, if you will.”
“Go on, please. I’m intrigued. This is unexpected.”
“Your activities over the past few months have given my office a much needed out. Before you got started, I couldn’t pursue bad cops without significant risk to both the police and my office’s effectiveness. I’m sure you appreciate why.”
There was a pause, Karen unsure if the drone’s connection had been dropped, or if the device was malfunctioning. “Are you there? Can you hear me?”
“Sorry, Ms. Sanders, I was thinking. At times, I’m not very quick on my feet, as it were. So what do you have in mind?”
“At first, I believe it best that we take baby steps and operate on a clandestine basis. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I get the sense that your motivation isn’t to destroy our police force, but simply to improve a system that is failing the people. If my analysis is accurate, then couldn’t we do a better job if we worked in concert to accomplish the same goal?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” the machine conceded. “If I trusted you, it could be an effective partnership.”
Again, Karen had to smile. She was beginning to like the Archangel, finding the honesty refreshing. “Trust is earned, sir. It is a two-way street that requires the repetition of honorable responses over a period of time. I’m at risk as well, given that a significant portion of the electorate hasn’t decided if your drones are good or evil. Folks might not vote for a district attorney who harbors the devil.”
Again, another long pause. Then she remembered another question. “By the way, what should I call you?”
The response was immediate, but initially unclear. It took the DA a moment to realize the computer was struggling to translate laughter. “I guess Archangel is as good as anything. Batman has already been taken.”
“And this is not Gotham City, for sure,” Karen replied, joining in the humor. “Okay, Mr. Archangel, is there a chance we can work together?”
“There is always a chance, Ms. Sanders. And if it helps, please call me Gabriel… it’s the only Archangel’s name I know. What do you propose?”
Karen hadn’t really thought that part though, the meeting completely unforeseen. She decided to just blurt out an honest first thought. “I would appreciate seeing any videos recorded by your devices before you released them to the general public. I promise you I will use the evidence appropriately, regardless if it incriminates or supports the police. You’ve got the entire department paranoid as hell now, looking over their shoulders at shadows and frightened of every mid-sized bird flying overhead. If I use your recordings to take care of business quietly, behind the scenes, it will help all involved.”
“And if I give you the recordings, and you don’t take action?”
“Then by all means do what you’ve been doing and release them to the media,” she countered.
“I don’t hate the cops, Ms. Sanders. As a matter of fact, I’ve gained more respect and understanding of the issues facing law enforcement than I had before I started flying little robots all over the city.”
Nodding, Karen acknowledged, “I realized that a short time ago as well. But you’ve caused their department no small amount of controversy and bad blood. A lot of people are convinced that you’re anti-law enforcement.”
The drone-voice didn’t respond right away, the background hum of the propellers and motors the only sound in the empty garage. “I wasn’t the cause of the police department’s grief. No more so than a news reporter can be blamed for covering a natural disaster. I only exposed what was happening. In the end, transparency will put the public on law enforcement’s side. They’ve been a secretive, isolated entity for so long, and now that has to change. I’ll admit that when I started this enterprise, I despised all cops. I’ll also confess to having a single-minded purpose to expose and discredit the police. All cops… every stinking one. Over time, I learned the truth. From above, I watched and learned. Policing doesn’t have to oppose or shun the average citizen; it should embrace and integrate the public. We have to get back to Peel’s Principles, and as long as you are moving in that direction, I will cooperate.”
Karen nodded, the statements coinciding with her beliefs on multiple levels. Before she could respond, the digital voice continued. “I have to ask, ma’am, why don’t you just build and deploy your own drones? They’re not that expensive or difficult to operate. I am sure the city of Houston can afford them.”
The District Attorney was ready for that question, having already explored the possibility. “Because after a time they would simply be absorbed and corrupted by the system. The genius of your actions has been the neutrality of a private citizen controlling the oversight committee. It’s been more potent than citizen review boards, or outside audits. It is simply a high-tech form of what the founders set up as checks and balances… a way to keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. We lost those safeguards in law enforcement a long time ago, and now you are providing a chance to get them back into working order.”
“Okay, Ms. Sanders,” Gabe replied through the computer interface. “How do you want me to deliver the product?”
“To my private email. I give you my word I will keep our confidence. I hope to receive the same in kind.”
“Oh, don’t worry, ma’am. My friends wouldn’t appreciate my socializing with lawyer-types. I won’t say a word. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to take my wife out for a night on the town. It’s our anniversary.”
“Nice to finally meet… errr… talk to you, Gabriel. I look forward to our confidential partnership.”
And then in a flash, the drone was gone.
Karen stepped to the wall, peering out across the lights of Houston while deep in thought. “Maybe together we can make things better for all involved. But first, I’m going to go home, pour a glass of wine, and take a hot bath. Dealing with these robot drones is tough work.”
THE END
Table of Contents
Chapter 1Peelian Principle
Chapter 2Peelian Principle
