LITMIR.BIZ

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turned out to be a beautiful day, and Chris, leaving the university library, where he usually worked on weekends, decided not to resort to the air bus, but to walk, just like yesterday. He walked, looking at the huge buildings rushing into the sky, glass faces shining in the sun, and thought about the rulers of the past. This time he was replaying the events of the early 21st century in his head, trying to build a scenario in which the superpowers of that time would be able to declare a moratorium on the development of space programs. In this situation, would it have been possible to prevent that terrible catastrophe and preserve the world in its previous form?

      Suddenly, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles appeared in the air. They had the shape of a flying saucer, on top of which there was a glass dome with a camera; it rotated 360 degrees and, with the first scan of the cornea, recognized a person from a database. Having identified the object, the drones flew up from different directions, emitting warning signals and, blocking a section of the street, ordered all people in this area not to move. Then the guards arrived in flying cars. By law, in such a situation, citizens of the Continent had to squat down and, with their hands behind their heads, look down. People caught in the machine’s field of vision followed the order to demonstrate obedience to the order to the drones equipped with weapons, as well as to the guards. The military had no right to use brute force or weapons against anyone who complied with these conditions.

      Having landed near the sidewalk, the guards rushed towards the guy, at whom the red beams of the drone lasers were directed. Unlike the others, he was ordered to stand with his hands folded behind his head.

      Coming closer, one of the guards said:

      – Gustave Dreyfus, you were seen in the company of Stefan Routh, who was arrested yesterday for collaborating with the rebels. We have also received information that you are downloading prohibited literature. Therefore, I ask you to follow us to the station.

      The guards said Gustave Dreyfus? But Chris only knew Gustave Dreyfus. They studied at university together! However, Chris did not dare look at the suspect. Only when he heard the young man answer that he was not guilty of anything and that all the charges against him were fabricated, did Chris finally become convinced by his voice that it was really his classmate who was being arrested. To the surprise of the other citizens who continued to squat, Taffer stood up and said with a smile:

      – Forgive me, but this is some kind of misunderstanding. I know this man. Gustave and I study at university together. I assure you, he is not guilty of anything.

      The drones quickly responded – two of them aimed lasers at Chris, letting the guards know who dared to disturb order. Having once again scanned the young man’s retina, they transmitted to the guards all the information about Chris and his family on the monitors built into the glasses.

      Gustave looked with delight at his classmate who decided to stand up for him. The first guard quickly handcuffed the suspect and led him to one of the flying cars, while the second headed towards Chris. Having learned that the young man had the highest degree, he hid the weapon and, coming closer, asked:

      “Chris Taffer, why did you disobey orders and stand up?” Don’t you know that this is strictly prohibited?

      – Forgive me, but I wanted to say that I know Gustave and he is not guilty of anything. I am well aware of the Code of the Continent – I spent a long time studying the process of its writing and the biography of the authors and would not dare to break it if it were about a person unfamiliar to me.

      – Chris Taffer, in the future, do not interfere with the guards in performing their duties. You have the fifth level, and you must show special responsibility so as not to lose it.

      Gustave was worried about his comrade and, while the guards were pushing him into a police car, he looked at his classmate with concern. Chris took two steps back, knelt down again and put his hands behind his head. After the guard aircraft and drones disappeared from sight, the people got up and continued on their way.

      Chris’s mood was ruined. Injustice happened before his eyes: the guards arrested Gustave simply because he knew one of the rebels.

      Arriving home, he barely audibly greeted his mother and went to his room. It was the first time a man had been captured before his eyes, and he was still impressed. What was most striking was that the arresting guards did not bring charges, as was required by the code, based only on assumptions. Chris decided to help Gustave and go to tomorrow’s trial.

      The mother called for dinner, but Chris, citing fatigue, remained in the room. Realizing the burden placed on students during final exams, Barbara decided not to insist. But when he first refused to watch the ruler’s speech, he became seriously worried.

      After knocking, she walked into the room and saw Chris sitting silently, looking at one point.

      – What’s happened? “Barbara decisively clicked the remote control, moving the second floating chair, and sat down next to her son. “And don’t say it’s nothing special.”

      Chris was silent for some time, still looking at one point.

      “I saw how Gustave Dreyfus from our university was arrested. And it was unfair! Mom, how could they seize Gustave just because they allegedly found prohibited literature on him and he was seen in the company of someone suspicious! The guards did not even allow Gustave to say a word in his defense! This is against the law, you understand!

      Barbara hugged her son and he rested his head on her shoulder.

      “Don’t worry,” his mother stroked Chris’s hair, just like when he was a child. Now her son is taller than her and much broader in the shoulders, but still needs his mother’s warmth, consolation and protection. And this is good, because for Barbara, Chris is still her boy, and she will help her son and protect him as much as she can. “It’s just a misunderstanding,” Barbara continued, kissing her son on the top of his head. “The authorities will definitely sort everything out, you’ll see!” Now, just before the elections, the situation is such that the government must be vigilant. But the rebels will definitely be caught, and Gustave will be released, because he is not guilty of anything.

      “Mom,” Chris raised his head and looked at her seriously. – I’ll go to court tomorrow. I need to make sure that justice is served.

      “Of course,” Barbara smiled.

      This was all Chris: compliance with laws, citizens’ rights and justice was always important to him. As a child, unlike other children in the yard, he always cleaned up his toys without being reminded, and once, when a neighbor’s fat son started attacking a frail boy with his fists, Chris did not hesitate to rush to his defense, despite the fact that he himself was younger and weaker bullies. That’s her Chris, and she wouldn’t want any other son.

      – Let’s go have dinner. “I made your favorite potato casserole,” the mother stood up decisively and patted her son’s hair. “You’ll see, everything will work out.”

      Chris nodded. My mother’s words made my heart feel lighter. She’s right: this incident is just an unfortunate misunderstanding. It happens. Someone slandered Gustave, but the authorities will sort it out. If anything happens, it will be possible to testify.

      The cheerful Chris followed his mother into the kitchen. There was an appetizing smell of potato casserole, the soft light was on, the smart home system, reacting to the emotional outburst, turned on soothing melodic music, and Chris finally calmed down. He shouldn’t have gotten upset. The government is acting wisely and is absolutely right to increase security measures. You can expect anything from the rebels, but Gustave will be released tomorrow. Everything will really be fine.

      The next day, after class, Chris went to court. He needed to see with his own eyes how Gustave would be acquitted and justice would prevail. But despite the fact that the accusations of connections with rebels and downloading illegal literature were not confirmed, the court decided to expel Gustave from the university for meeting

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