Code Enforcement: Wetware

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Both as a cop and in life, Lieutenant Mel Cruz is consistently dealt a crap hand. She's a jaded officer coming to terms with the wreckage of her romantic life, a near fatal injury, and an acerbic new captain. Following her transfer to a new unit, she desperately tries to hold her life together while rebuilding her career. Oh, and she's a Scouting Officer for the Code Enforcement branch of the Exonet Maintenance Bureau. To put it in Luddite, she's a cyborg law enforcement officer, and digital systems are her beat.

Follow our protagonist on a journey of healing and found family, as well as terrifying and profound explorations of the nature of humanity and sentience. Lieutenant Cruz will have to adjust to life in the sticks of the Jovian system, build relationships with her colleagues, and still manage her weekly caseload of digital crimes. A.I.s and humans alike will feature prominently in a story where the characters must weigh the measure of non-human life. And behind the innocent facade of this backwater mining port lurks something new and dark that's eating out the heart of Ursa Miner Station.

Updates every Monday: Be prepared for snark, LGBTQ+ themes, occasional violence, and lots of cyber-everything in a relatively hard sci-fi shell!

(In short, mix 1/2 cup 'Ghost in the Shell' with 8oz of 'The Expanse', crack and add one 'Neuromancer' without yolk, dice and stir in some 'Dick Tracy' until it reaches golden noir, then bake at ~2150 AD. Sprinkle 'Orion's Arm' to taste and serve with a platter of 'Hitchhiker's Guide' on the side)

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: MichelleTheBelle

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 441
Views: 83,021

Chapters(101 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(6)

Entitled InfracaninophileRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It initially felt a bit rough, but boy does it start off after a few chapters. The stakes become exponentially higher the further we go along. I'm absolutely enjoying the ride intellectually, though I believe it might happen much faster than described. Anyway, hard thought provoking science fiction at its best. Highly recommended.
HanDieboRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I really enjoyed this book! I liked getting to know a detailed and defined universe with a cast of characters that were well fleshed out, with tangible personalities that made them feel real. And the author’s way with language and overall wordplay was fun and made technical concepts reader-friendly.
The concept of malicious AI that is introduced is particularly relevant - as humanity is grappling with what this sort of technology will develop into and may look like/behave like in the future. The idea that technology can be both “friend and foe”, and not simply a tool for humanity to exploit, is presented in a fresh and unique manner.
However, what I liked most about this book was how detailed, nuanced, and lovingly the human component was described in this universe. Yes, technology is everywhere (and inescapable) - but so is humanity! There’s something to satisfy every reader.
This is a read definitely worth your time - plus with a dedicated posting schedule and guarantee of more to come - what’s not to love?
Michael.HammorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm really digging the writing style. This story feels familiar and flows easily. There are zero speed bumps and the immersion is 100%. I can't wait to see what happens as the story develops. Is this going to be a Slice of Life ramble or will there be an earth shattering climax that leaves us drained but satisfied?
lynncyclopediaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The character interactions are awesome—it feels like people have their own stories and agendas, which makes it very intriguing and sets things up well for plot points to come. The dialogue feels like conversations that might happen between two people (in the given setting anyway haha). The main character has some reasonable flaws that help round her out and make her feel real, and she’s smart and interesting and seems capable while still having relatable problems and reactions to them.
I don’t read a ton of sci fi but it’s clear the author does because the setting feels so realistic and has been very self-consistent so far. Great job!!
I like how the development is progressing and the pacing feels right. The chapter lengths are also quite good to help keep everything moving along. The author is doing a great job striking a balance between show and tell, with a focus on showing which I find makes for a very compelling narrative style. Syntax and sentence structure are both good and I’ve spotted very few tiny grammar things. Sometimes I find I don’t totally understand a joke or the words used in a sentence but I think that has more to do with my own lack of experience in the genre.
RollingPeachesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
In my personal opinion it starts uncaptivating… but already a few chapters in in snowballs into a fast paced well written book! And I find myself being drawn into the story again and again.
The characters are by and large well defined and believable thus bringing life and character to the story.
Hero FodderRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Mel Cruz, a 34-year-old Scouting Officer for the Code Enforcement branch of the Exonet Maintenance Bureau, is introduced in a state of disarray. Emerging from torpor, she is disoriented and grappling with the physical and emotional toll of her cyborg enhancements. The world she inhabits is a stark contrast to the vibrant, interconnected life she once knew on Luna. The stakes are established as she prepares to start anew on Europa, where she will face not only the challenges of her job but also the ghosts of her past.
Mel receives her assignment to the Ursa Miner Station, where she learns of a rogue AI, Rusteater, that has been wreaking havoc. This revelation propels her into action, setting the stage for her confrontation with the AI and the ensuing chaos that will unfold.
As Mel navigates her new environment, she faces several obstacles: the distrust of her new colleagues, the haunting memories of her past, and the growing threat of Rusteater. Each obstacle forces her to confront her own flaws, particularly her struggle with vulnerability and her reliance on technology.
"Code Enforcement: Wetware" is a gripping exploration of identity and technology set in a richly imagined future. Lieutenant Mel Cruz's journey from disorientation to empowerment is both relatable and compelling, making her a character readers will root for. The narrative's blend of action, intrigue, and emotional depth keeps readers engaged from start to finish. While some plot points could benefit from further development, the overall experience is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will resonate with fans of gritty, character-driven stories.
Overall Score: 4/5 - A compelling narrative with strong character development and world-building.
Style Score: 4/5 - Engaging prose with effective use of literary devices.
Story Score: 3.5/5 - A solid plot with some pacing issues and unresolved threads.
Grammar Score: 4.5/5 - Generally well-edited with minor errors.
Character Score: 4/5 - Well-dev