The Corruption Universe

A little background on the universe.

I originally wanted to dabble in writing a scifi. I had a character and the idea of doing a murder mystery. So, Violetta was born. But what I did not have was the universe. And so, I did what I always do: I started discussing it with my husband (who also co-writes with me). His suggestion? Ask our eldest son what was wrong with the system and what his suggestions would be to fix it. Our eldest son was a police officer. A damned good one. And that isn't just his mother talking. (Okay, technically my stepson, but blood doesn't matter. We were so much alike, even his chief of police and his friends saw it immediately.) Anyways, he sat with me and his father and we discussed everything.

I took what he said, as well as what I saw and what was not said, and created K'lais.

A world where mental health is as important as physical health. Where those who kill in cold blood are sentenced to death after a fair trail, including psychological evaluations. The military runs everything, healers are just slightly outside the chain of command. They are the only ones who can give commands, or counteract commands, given by anyone of rank. The police departments are an extension of the military.

Everyone earns their positions and place in life. Clearance is given through psychological evaluations. A being's security clearance determines everything.

Healers are evaluated by other healers. Frequently. Negative, harmful psychological beliefs (ex: racism, xenophobia, racial superiorty, bullying, etc) are treated as mental illnesses. Such is not allowed within the military (as well as police service): if they're shown, the being is treated or even given a dishonorable discharge then treated.

Everyone who lives on K'lais for at least a year spends a year in the military. The reason: so the being learns how their world, and military works.

Everything is recorded (within reason, there are no recording devices in places of privacy, such as homes and restrooms). Some locations have fewer recording devices, while others have more.

And the main one: Arguments and conflicts are settled by Duels. There are laws and regulations, including the Irrefutable Rules, that govern Duels. But anyone can be Challenged. Champions are allowed. And Duels can be to the death. Which brings us back to the whole murder thing: why kill in cold blood, when you can kill in a legal Duel?

Every Duel is recorded and submitted to proper channels. Though yields are allowed, they don't have to be accepted. If one knows the Rules, one can find a legitimate reason to ignore it. (Not all who Duel know them intimately, and can find a logical reason that wouldn't require questioning by healers. But those who do? They do it when it's needed, as it's needed.)

And yet, in a world viewed as perfect, where everyone is welcomed, there are still problems. People are still murdered. Injustices still occur. And there are those who fight against all of it, holding their beliefs tight.

The world's motto may be "In service, we prosper", but there is another that rings true.

Survive and adapt.

None of this would have been created without Chris, our eldest son. He helped me in more ways than he'd ever admit. His influence is everywhere in the universe and novels I wrote. And all of it is dedicated to him.

I use past tense because he was murdered in June 2023 doing his job as a police officer. Though his murderer wasn't sentenced to death, he received the most possible. It'll never be enough, but it's something.

And that is how this universe came to be. Why it was created the way it was, and why it's so special to me.