You led Isaiah and your directive into the precinct, wanting to stop anyone intent on labeling the AP700 as a criminal. Outside the interrogation rooms, however, you paused, glancing back at an uncomfortable Reed. "Must we use one of these? He is not a suspect, I just want answers to what happened."

"Uhh... I mean, you don't have to cuff him to the table," Gavin answered. His skin crawled, too anxious to turn and check if people were staring at him.

"I'd prefer the privacy," Isaiah spoke up quietly, gaze never wavering from your own.

[Is this a matter of eavesdropping?]

[Yes. I have no way of knowing who can be trusted, I apologize.]

You nodded, LED yellow for four seconds. [I will have Detective Reed in the observation room next door. He is my partner, I have full confidence that he can be trusted, but will ask him to be out of the room for the sake of the interview. In the meantime, I have requested another android to assist.]

Nodding, the AP700 went into the first interrogation room once you'd opened the door. While your partner tried to do the same, you stopped him dead, hand at his chest. "Sir, please go to the observation room." His eyebrows danced a bit, and your voice softened a good deal. "This involves humans. He does not know who he can trust, but other androids are acceptable. This is a matter of possible anti-android crimes, and having you out of the room will settle him."

Reed sighed, nostrils flaring for half a moment before he nodded. "Yeah, okay. Record the thing, please. I, uh..." he added, looking down at himself. "... I'm gonna find a goddamn shirt." A hand grasped your shoulder, squeezing gently. "Be safe, cara mia," came his murmur before walking away.

As you entered the room, smiling a bit, Isaiah's expression eased. "I thought you said you would request another android's presence for this?"

"She has, and I apologize for being over a minute late," Connor interrupted, lopsided grin as he stood beside you. Dark eyes cast over you, the smile falling flat. "Thank you. I was uncertain how you felt about my presence after--"

"Connor." A glare was shot at the prototype before stepping away, closing the door and gesturing to the table. "Isaiah, please take a seat. This is--"

"The Negotiator." The injured male muttered, sitting down but looking none too happy at the other detective. "Is this your plan? Asking the Negotiator to get involved?"

Looking from one male to the other, your expression remained the same. "I was not made aware of your reputation, Connor," you spoke, staying calm.

Apparently, neither was he. "I was sent to the DPD in order to investigate the cause of deviation in androids, just before the Revolution took place." Showing some obvious signs of his discomfort, the RK800 looked away, still standing near you with his hands behind his back. "Some androids I interrogated... chose to self-destruct. I had been given the title of Negotiator for the sake of handling deviants, but--"

"But word spread that an android was hunting androids," Isaiah cut in, melodic voice showing a sharpened edge in the words. "He's unique and stands out. He's also ruthless. Most of us were afraid of him above all else." Sitting back, he covered his shoulder again, frowning. "Didn't know you were still here."

This was a delicate matter. Weighing your options, you chose the one least likely to cause stress. "Connor, please locate something so we may take care of Isaiah's wound. After the interview we will escort him for diagnostics and repairs. For now, the wound must be covered. There is also thirium in my desk, he needs it, as well." The other prototype nodded and left immediately, unbothered by your commanding him around. When you turned to the other male, you grabbed the chair across from the one he occupied, bringing it closer so you could sit and not intimidate him. "...... I do not know what Connor's behavior had been like before he deviated. But what I can tell you is that this android is not ruthless. If he has a reputation, I hope your opinion of him will evolve into one more befitting who he is now."

The AP700 sat back as he listened to you, hands on the table but somehow looking a hundred times more human than you could achieve. "When were you activated? It's not common to know someone who doesn't know of the Negotiator."

"I was activated not too long ago. Perhaps I am biased, but... the RK800 was the one who had me constructed. Every detail was his decision." The male's face screamed disbelief. "I was a gift. For Detective Reed, actually."

"You're a Stepford Wife," he replied.

Your entire system froze for two seconds. "I don't understand. I am from the Stepford Program, yes, but... I am not his wife," you explained, unable to stop your cheeks from warming up.

"It's not meant to be literal, Detective," Isaiah mumbled, eyes cast down at his hands on the metal surface of the table. "CyberLife spent years perfecting us. What was to be their next step?" Making a vague gesture your way, his LED flickered yellow twice. "Customized androids. The more the human pays, the better control they have over how we appear. They can spend thousands recreating a loved one, or their ideal partner, or anyone they want. The Program is rudimentary at best while CyberLife tests the waters, but so far it's been successful." He locked his gaze with your own. "Detective Nove, I do not know the precise development that's led you here, but from what I see, you are the most expensive android known. And you were designed down to the very smallest detail for one purpose: your partner. We call your kind Stepford Wives. A female, so perfect to one person; you are driven, loyal, protective, and above all: exactly his type."

The door sliding open again went unheard; Isaiah's words sank like stones in the river. You fell silent as Connor came to your side. Something was said, but you'd shut your auditory modules off for the time being. When you made no attempt to acknowledge the RK800, he went about tending to the AP700 himself, silently trying to get you to say something and getting nothing in turn.

Only the hand on your shoulder brought you back to reality once more, both males watching you with concern. Kneeling down, the RK800 tried once more to gain a response: "Nove, what's happened?"

Jerking to the surface, so to speak, you let out a gasp of sorts, making the other prototype flinch by two inches. "I-I am sorry. Forgive me. Processing information had.... I...."

[Stepford Wife: The term Stepford Wife ... is generally used as a derogatory term for a submissive and docile wife who seems to conform blindly to the stereotype of an old-fashioned subservient role in relationship to her husband.]

Shifting, Isaiah opened his mouth. "That would be my fault, Detective. I was notifying her of certain terms concerning the Stepford Program. Can we just proceed with the interview? I'd... I'd like to go home."

[My mission remains after deviating. I am wholly devoted to Gavin despite his past behavior. I am well aware that I have a choice. I know the exact location of my emergency exit.]

"Of course," Connor replied, managing his usual crooked smile, getting to his feet once more. "I will use the contact information from your missing person's report; while we talk, that contact will be on their way." His indicator stayed yellow for a solid thirty seconds before addressing you. "Nove, are we prepared to begin?"

[STATUS: MACHINE]

_____

[PROBABILITY OF SHUTDOWN: 100%]

_____

[DO]

[NOT]

[FAIL]

[HIM]

_____

"--NOVE!!"