I see you've decided to chase down Lieutenant Anderson. I am unable to tell you if this is a wise decision at this time, but like Schrödinger's cat, until you decide what happens, everything is happening at once. So, let's see what fate has in store for our characters.

~*~

Stuff this guy! I didn't excel in the academy for this bozo to degrade me to the likes of copy and coffee runs. "There most certainly is a chance, Sir." I jog beside the android and Lieutenant. "I've been assigned, and I'll be damned if I don't accompany you on this case."

They finally stop moving as Anderson towers over me. "And I told you, not a fucking chance!"

"If I may intervene," the RK800 says, hand gesturing toward me. "I think it would be best if Detective Gibson accompanies us."

I feel relief when my superior shifts his focus to the RK. "So you're on her side now? Are you fucking serious?"

"Not at all, Lieutenant. I am programmed to accomplish my task, and through a scan of her Academy test results, she would be a help, rather than a hindrance." The android's right eye twitches once again. "There's been an incident at the scene. I must stress that time is of the essence."

And without further ado, Connor took the most direct route to the car park.

"Sure," Anderson scoffs before storming off. "I'm only your superior. What the fuck would I know?"

I zip my lip and follow them to the oldest looking car in the lot. The metallic brown box looked similar to a car I'd seen in a museum as a kid. I bet it doesn't even have autopilot. Sure enough, when I sit in the back I find a leather wheel with chrome dials adorning the dash. I looked at the belt and waited for it to fasten me in ... nothing.

The Lieutenant looks over his should and huffs. "What are you waiting for? Buckle up, kid."

I grab the black belt and look at the metal clasp. Now, what in the hell am I supposed to do with that?

"Jesus! Put it in the red buckle beside you!"

My face flushes as I do as he instructs. Great start, Inara.

We leave the precinct and travel in tense silence. My mind races with the possibilities this case holds. The number of incidents against owners of androids has skyrocketed in the past six months. Of course, Cyberlife has tried to downplay the whole thing, as if they were isolated instances. Surely people knew better.

The engine cut, pulling me out of my thoughts. "We're here?"

"Yes." Anderson points his index finger in my face. "And you are not to move." He waves toward the android. And you too."

Before I could say anything, Connor speaks, "of course. Whatever you say."

The seasoned detective smirks. "Fuckin-A, whatever I say." He slams the door behind him, and leaves me with the robot.

I look at The idol machine before throwing my hands in the air. "Do you know where he can shove his instructions?"

"No." The android's brows furrowed. "Where?"

"...never mind." I decide trying to explain the whole thing would take too long, and hop out of the car, as Connor quickly follows. The whole shanty house was surrounded with police holotape, trimmed with a herd of journalists.

"Excuse me miss, would you be able to confirm that this is an android-related assault?" The closest journalist jerks a digital recorder in front of me.

"I can't confirm anything at this time." I brush her off, flick my badge out to the male police officer on guard.

But as Connor tries to follow me in, the guard holds his hand out. "No android's past this point."

Lieutenant Anderson looks over his shoulder. His skin turns tomato red, and I swear steam is venting from his nostrils. "Is this your definition of not moving, is it?"

"It would seem so, Lieutenant," I said, not daring to give the raging bull any eye contact. "How about we talk about it after questioning the suspect?"

Anderson grits his teeth before huffing, "they're with me." Throwing me a look that could curdle milk, trudging onto the weathered patio.

This house screams condemned. The last remnants of white paint cling on to the sun-bleached timber. The window panes that remain unshattered are caked with so much dirt and grime that I can't see anything through them.

I nervously step into the entryway. My father said that the first crime scene would stay with me, and I have to admit that the scene before me won't fade anytime soon.

Every item of furniture lay on the floor in almost unrecognizable rubble. Blood drips from the walls in a thin line, as if it had been sprayed on. Then I look down to find a large pool of blood. "What the hell happened here?"

Connor kneels beside the viscous substance and dips two digits in. He then lifts them to his mouth ... and licks his fingers. Barf!

"No, Connor! What are you doing?" I can't keep the chastising tone from my voice. What kind of horrible glitch have I just witnessed?

Connor looks up at me, perturbed. "I'm analyzing the evidence. I can check samples in real time."

I look away from the android as the heat leaves my cheeks. Surely the sickos at Cyberlife could've found a less grotesque means of collecting data.

At least it looks embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I should've warned you." It dabs its fingers and thumb together. "It's the blood of the victim, Lucy Carter. She called 911 at 8:34am and reported her AX400 attacking her."

"Is she alive?" I question.

"Mrs. Carter is currently en-route to Henry Ford Hospital. Her condition is critical." The delivery of this news makes me shiver. Connor looks into the distance, as if it's recalling a distant memory.

"Morning, Lieutenant!" One of the detectives on site welcomes Anderson.

The living room is completely barren, apart from one solitary officer. I look over to the ransacked kitchen, then ask, "where is everybody?"

He looks me up and down, before giving his answer to Lieutenant Anderson. "Hey, Hank! The AX400 fled the scene after we entered the premises. We've been unable to apprehend the suspect."

What an asshole! I look at My superior with wide eyes.

He hasn't even freakin noticed, or if he has, he's not letting it on. "Who shit in your cereal, Gibson?"

I take a deep breath. "Oh no one, Sir." I stare down the misogynist, raising my voice every so slightly. "I'd have no reason to report anything, now would I?"

The other detective smirks at me. "Try me, little girl. See what happens."

Hank steps in front of him. "Cool it, Gavin."

The pig rubs at his stubble before winking at me, and walks off. Yeah, sure buddy ...

As Gavin walks off, the Lieutenant turns back to me. "Well, shit on a stick. So greenhorn, what did you want to do? Stay with Connor and investigate clues? Or go with me and question the victim, she might have some insight."

Hm hm, what to do? Decisions, decisions. Don't take too long though, you have until Thursday 22th of November to pick.