Public enemy

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79265

Title

Public enemy

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a futuristic Nyork of the 32nd Century, a highly trained Public Police Officer named Brad Raynor patrols the skies, longing for the excitement of the past. His boredom is shattered when a fugitive breaks into the home of the city's mayor, stealing credits and killing an officer. Raynor must pursue the unstable criminal across the atmosphere, utilizing advanced cybernetic technology and strict ethical codes to bring him to justice without lethal force.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the advanced society of Nyork during the 32nd Century, Kendell Foster Crossen's "Public Enemy" presents a futuristic vision of law enforcement where criminals are treated as sick citizens requiring therapy rather than execution. The story follows Public Police Officer Brad Raynor, a dedicated officer who has spent seven years earning his uniform and three degrees in psychology, sociology, and criminalistics. Unlike the incompetent and brutal police of the past, Raynor operates under strict regulations, including Rule 127, which mandates that prisoners be brought in alive for rehabilitation. Raynor's routine patrol is interrupted when a fugitive named Will Howard breaks into the residence of Mayor Jan Laird. Howard steals two hundred world credits, kills Public Officer Arthur Sommers, and escapes in a city-owned air-car, heading toward the edge of Earth's atmosphere. Raynor immediately engages in a high-speed pursuit, utilizing his cruiser's atomic cannon, nerve-guns, and encephalscopes to track the suspect's brain-wave patterns. Despite Howard's attempts to evade capture by diving into narrow alleys and using the city's infrastructure, Raynor maintains control. After a tense chase through the suburbs, Raynor corners the fleeing vehicle and tracks the fugitive into an apartment building. Using an electronic pick to bypass the lock, Raynor enters and confronts the large, trembling man holding an energy gun. Raynor calmly disarms the suspect, explaining that science ensures the criminal's survival and eventual cure. Bringing the prisoner to the Justice Building, Raynor charges the former mayor, Jan Laird, with negligence for allowing a citizen to become unemployed and unstable, leading to the crime. The Public Justice Administrator accepts the plea of guilty, noting that while Will Howard was the only one to commit direct action, others were merely slightly unstable. The mayor is stripped of his office and appointed guardian to the slain officer's family, serving as punishment while awaiting therapy. The story concludes with Raynor feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He no longer wishes for the romanticized violence of the "good old days" but is proud of his role in saving a citizen through science and law. The narrative underscores the theme that a cured criminal is a saved citizen, highlighting the evolution of justice from retribution to rehabilitation in a technologically advanced society.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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