Escape Pod Escape Pod 1029: Graduated Justice: An Amelia Li Mystery
Jan 22, 2026
Detective Amelia Lee navigates a high-stakes mystery in the Mars Dome. A shuttle disaster leads to a presumed death, but Amelia uncovers a trail of deception involving counterfeit identities and corporate greed. She faces pressure from her job while managing her malfunctioning prosthetic leg, Charlie. At a graduation ceremony, shocking truths emerge as the presumed victim, Rosa Diego, reveals her elaborate scheme for a life insurance payout. In a surprising twist of compassion, Amelia chooses empathy over consequences, redefining justice.
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Prosthetic Named Charlie Talks Back
- Detective Amelia Lee describes leaning on her desk and rubbing nano-repair gel on her prosthetic leg while rookies stare.
- She explains Charlie, her named prosthetic, communicates with her and causes odd sensations due to a misfiring experimental interface.
Corporate Priority Shapes Policing
- A shuttle cabin window depressurized and a passenger was presumed lost, creating a corporately monitored priority case.
- The investigation reveals sparse video and suggests rushed corporate incentives can shape police priorities.
Clues: Graduation Card And Porthole
- Amelia inspects the cabin and finds a small shattered port window rimmed with a bloody smear and a graduation card.
- She pockets the card as evidence, then Charlie freezes during a reboot leaving her temporarily immobile.
