A/N: I decided to redo this a little. Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Takes place AU after Disrupt
Chapter One
Six and I walked into the District Police Station and asked for Captain Maldonado's office. We turned over all of the necessary documentation for our weapons and an MX escorted us. I knocked on the door and it swung open.
Her office was made of glass, looking out over the floor. The wall screen behind her desk had information scrolling across it. Captain Maldonado got up from behind it and walked around. She was a short woman dressed in a black business suit with reddish hair in a bun. She looked very competent and like she wouldn't put up with any shit. I liked and hated her already. I looked at Six and he looked at me, with that look he got, the look that told me she wouldn't put up with any of my shit. She came around her desk with her hand out.
"I'm Captain Maldonado." She and I shook hands. She looked at Six funny when he held his hand out, but shook it. She walked back around her desk and sat down, indicating with a gesture of her hand to take the seat in front of her. I sat down, Six stood behind me and we waited.
"I'll be perfectly honest here, Agent Casper. I'm not real comfortable with a former CIA agent being hired without going through proper channels. Your record is outstanding. Your other capabilities I'm still having trouble grasping and I'd prefer if you kept under wraps, but I read the reports of the hostage situation that involved Councilman Johnston's niece. You saved most of the hostages with minimal loss of life. However, I would have preferred to choose my own replacement for Detective Vogel. I'm also not comfortable with your android. He's too close to the XRN model we had issues with." Yeah, I liked her.
"Captain, I can understand your feelings regarding the way I was hired. I would have preferred to go through proper channels myself. This type of situation implies that I wouldn't have been able to secure this position on my own. But I can also understand the council's caution with increased activity from various organized criminal organizations. I'm not saying that your group can't handle it, but I have skills that could supplement what you have now, if needed. I can also understand about the XRN. I've read the reports, but I assure you that Six isn't like her."
She looked at me for several minutes. "Alright, Agent Casper. Detective Casper. One of the conditions that I asked for was for your android to be checked out by Rudy Lom. He's in charge of our lab."
"Understood, Captain. However, the information that Lom acquires is eyes only for you, your superior, the tech, the CIA's tech and me."
She got out of her chair and indicated that Six and I were to join her. As we walked out her door she told us that she would introduce us to everyone and then I needed to take Six to Dr. Lom.
"Sure, Captain." I looked at him and he shrugged his shoulders.
She walked over to an occupied desk. The man stood up. I think. He was short, about six inches shorter than me, had brown eyes, an olive complexion and a shaved head. He was dressed in a suit, the jacket on the back of his chair, but looked like he was in shape, though. "Detective Richard Paul, this is Detective Casper and her partner, Six. She's our new detective." I shook his hand and told him it was nice to meet him. Six held out his hand and said the same thing.
We were introduced to Detective Valerie Stahl. Chrome. No one had to tell me, I could spot them a mile away. She was shorter than me with long brown hair, brown eyes and perfect skin and teeth like all chromes. I hated chromes. Six tapped me on the shoulder when her hand was out. I shook it and smiled. The chrome shook Six's hand and turned back to what she was doing.
"Detective John Kennex, Dorian," to a tall dark-haired man that walked to the desks and a shorter man with dark skin and blue eyes, "this is Detective Casper and her partner, Six. She's our new detective." I was impressed that she considered the DRN as part of her squad and not just another robot.
Kennex was a few inches taller than me with brown hair, green eyes and looked like he just rolled out of bed. He was dressed in black pants, boots, a black shirt and jacket. He didn't look happy but shook my hand then Six's. I held out my hand to Dorian, he looked at it and then shook. Dorian was shorter than me with short black hair, a happy looking face, dressed in black pants, black shoes and a blue coat. His eyes were incredible. Six held out his hand to Kennex then Dorian. Dorian shook his hand and looked at Six. "You're an android," he stated.
All motion seemed to have stopped. "Yeah. Android, droid whatever you want to call me, but my name is Six."
Six didn't look like an android. I was so happy. Not even high end bot makers could tell he was an android. Martin had done a good job with his body. He was tall, six –two, thin but muscular, long black hair, hawkish nose, tan skin, brown eyes. He looked Native American, not homogeneous, like MX's. I had wanted him to have green eyes, but Martin laughed in my face and told me to get out of his lab. He also didn't have the face thing that other law enforcement androids had. His eyes changed to purple when he was communing with the electronic universe.
Everyone wanted to get a better look at Six, but Maldonado spoke up. "Get Six to Dr. Lom, Detective," she looked at Dorian. "Kennex, why don't you and Dorian take them to Rudy." It was phrased as an order. She turned to us. "When you get back we'll have everything set up for you." She walked back to her office.
Kennex looked like he wanted to say something, but looked at Dorian. Dorian was staring at Six. He gave Dorian a little push and then we all left to go visit Dr. Lom. I'd done a background on him. He was very competent, which is why Martin hadn't gone ape shit when he found out Six would have to be looked over. He was, however, sitting outside the lab now, waiting on us and probably pissed we were taking so long.
We followed Kennex and Dorian to a car. Six and I got in the back while Kennex took the wheel and Dorian the passenger seat. I sat back against the door, put one of my legs over Six's and settled in to watch the show I knew was coming. It didn't take long.
Dorian turned and looked at Six. Six raised one of his eyebrows. "Just ask, dude. I can see the questions practically shooting out of your eyes," Six said. Kennex was checking us out in the rearview mirror. Checking Six out mostly. Dorian's eyes widened. "Your eyes change color. What's your model?"
"My eyes change color when, according to Casper, I'm communing with the electronic universe. I'm the only one of my kind, so I don't have a model. I'm just Six."
I broke in. "So, do you want us to call you Dorian or something else?" I asked. Dorian was still staring at Six. "He's good looking isn't he? He's straight, man. Sorry you won't be able to get your freak on. " Six punched me in the arm. "Stop being a dick, Casper."
"Sorry, Dorian. The first part of my question was legit. Do you want us to call you Dorian or something else?"
Dorian looked at Kennex and Kennex looked back at him then me in the rearview mirror.
"What else would you call me?" Dorian asked.
Six groaned. "Man, you just did not ask that question. She'll nick you to death."
Kennex looked confused and pissed. Six noticed because he touched my leg even though he was still looking at Dorian in a kind way.
"'Nick me to death?' Why would she do that to a fellow officer?" I was happy that he thought he was an equal with the rest of his department.
"What he means is that I'll call you all kinds of names like Vinnie, Tony, JT, etc. So, is it Dorian or do I get to pick and choose?" I asked him.
"Dorian is fine," he responded as he turned around and looked out the windshield. His face was glowing blue and I knew he was running all that through his programming.
"Nice color, Dorian," I told him. Kennex shot me a heated glance in the rearview mirror. I held up my hands in surrender. "I'm totally serious about that, Kennex. I would never make fun of Dorian for being an android."
The rest of the ride to the lab was silent. We pulled up in front of an old church building and got out. I saw Martin waiting in a car a block away and he got out when we did. Yep, he was pissed. "Not my fault, Martin," I told him.
"Dorian, Detective John Kennex, this is Martin. He's going to be assisting Dr. Lom when Six gets checked out," I explained.
Martin didn't look like the mad scientist that he was; he looked normal. Normal for a man with a genius IQ. He had a pocket protector, dressed in a suit, glasses, with white, pasty skin, short hair and a bowler hat on his head.
"Our captain didn't say anything about this guy," Kennex said.
"She knows, Detective. Martin created Six, so he's kind of protective of him."
Martin spoke up, "Let's get going. I have other things to do today," he ordered us and turned toward the lab. We followed him like little puppies. He gestured to Dorian to go first. Kennex stepped up and opened the door. He gestured for us to go first. We followed Dorian into the lab. Martin relaxed as he looked around, probably because it looked like his lab, except he didn't have stained glass. I could see the wheels spinning. I looked at Six and he just laughed.
"Rudy?" Dorian called out as we walked over to a workstation. We heard, "Be right there, Dorian," from the back. Dr. Rudy Lom walked out. He looked almost like Martin, except no bowler hat and younger.
"I'm Dr. Cornelius Martin. You must be Dr. Lom. I've heard of you," Martin held his hand out. Dr. Lom looked star struck. Kennex looked uneasy at this. This is probably the look he had on his face when he met Dr. Vaughn. That hadn't turned out well.
"I'm so pleased to meet you," Dr. Lom gushed. "I've read all of your papers. I especially liked," Dr. Lom started to say when Kennex interrupted him.
"Come on, Rudy. Check out the synthetic. I've got better things to do than watch while you make googly-eyes at the doctor."
Six looked at him his eyes changing to purple. "Don't call me that again, human."
Kennex started to say something, but I cut him off. "Don't call him that again, human. You dig? His name is Six. You can call him Detective Six, but if I hear you call him one more derogatory name it's on." Dorian moved to stand behind Kennex.
"Casper, stop this at once! I don't have all day while you impress upon him that you are the alpha in any relationship you would have." Martin barked out. He turned to Dr. Lom. "We should have dinner and discuss which paper you liked. Let me know when you have free time and I'll clear my schedule. Now, you need to check out Six so they can get back to work."
Dr. Lom finally looked at Six and turned to Martin. "He's an android?"
"Yes. He has the equivalent to a synthetic soul that was created by Dr. Vaughn. I worked with Nigel for a while. We decided to go different paths, and parted ways. Six was a result of that collaboration. Now," Martin pulled out a portable drive and gave it to Dr. Lom. "Here are his specs. I'm afraid that the DRN and Detective Kennex can't be privy to any of this information, so they'll need to go find something to do. Or at least Detective Kennex does. I would love to talk to the DRN." He looked at Dorian. "Or would you prefer to be called by some other name?"
"Dorian is fine."
"Well, if you don't need me I'm getting lunch." Kennex turned and looked at Dorian. "You coming?"
Dorian looked torn. "That's quite alright, Dorian, maybe another time. In fact, I'll get together with both you and Dr. Lom." Then he turned and walked over to a scanner, looking it over and talking to himself. Six followed and stood by the scanner.
"Casper, get the fuck out and go make nice with Dorian's human," he ordered me. Dr. Lom looked at Six with astonishment. Martin continued to mutter to himself and ignored the entire exchange.
"Fine, asshole. I hope Dr. Lom prods you in uncomfortable places," and stormed out the door. Dorian and Kennex followed. Then Kennex walked up to me and opened his mouth.
"I wasn't kidding, Kennex. You will treat Six with respect or I will kick your ass." I looked at Dorian. "Sorry, Dorian, but I will. I know you would try and help him, but I'll kick your ass as well."
Kennex looked at me like I was crazy. "Get in the car. We're getting lunch. You're buying," turned and slammed the car door after he got in.
Dorian looked at me. "Do you think you could? 'Kick my ass'?" he asked.
"Yes, I can. I'm not a normal human." I got in the back seat. Dorian looked at me then went to the passenger side.
Kennex pulled out and we went to the nearest noodle place. I was checking out the scenery just dying to get the hell out of here. Hopefully I wouldn't have much interaction with Kennex.
Lunch was silent. Kennex kept shooting me dark looks and Dorian looked at me with his blue eyes, like he was trying to figure me out.
"Why are your eyes darker than the MX's?" I asked him as I ate my lunch.
"I don't know. What did you mean when you said that you're not a normal human?" he parried.
He probably didn't know why his eyes were darker. I bet Martin did and I would ask him first chance I got.
"I'm stronger, faster. I'm like you, just human." Kennex stopped eating. "What do you mean you're stronger and faster?"
I gave him a look and started talking slowly. "I'm stronger than you. I'm faster than you."
Kennex looked like he didn't believe me. I put my fist through the table and brought it back up. The skin had already healed over by the time they saw it. The table crashed to the floor. Kennex had the presence of mind to pick up his lunch, while I grabbed mine. The owner looked over at us. "Sorry, I'll pay for that. In fact, just bring us the check." The owner started yelling in Mandarin. Dorian started to say something, but I was faster and answered him back in Mandarin.
"Just bring us the check. I'll pay twice what the table was worth. Don't ban Kennex because I lost my temper, ok?"
Dorian looked at me. "See? Better."
Kennex sat there with his mouth open. "You're gonna catch flies, man," I told him. The owner was still yelling as he gave me the check.
"Thank you," Dorian replied in Mandarin.
I paid and we left. We drove back to Dr. Lom's lab. I hoped Six was done.