Nighthawks

How in the hell does she know me? Anna thought as she went over her and Elsa's last conversation in her head. I mean, the only way that could be is if… no, there's no proof of that yet. You're grasping at straws Anna.

Tried as she might to wrap her head around the whole thing, Anna just couldn't find any logical answers as to how Elsa might have known her in her previous life. She couldn't recall ever meeting a girl with white hair, but then again it was entirely possible that Anna could have simply forgotten about her given how often she turned to drink to drown her sorrows. If that were the case, then it did little to set her mind at ease because while it was a slim chance, it was equally possible that Elsa could have been indeed Nora, which was a far more frightening scenario.

Even if that's who she was, there's no way she'd be the same person, Anna continued. She died, every part of who she was died with her. Elsa isn't the same person, she just… can't be.

There were still too many unknown variables at play and it was still far too early to reach a conclusion based on what they had uncovered so far. Until then, Anna would hold off on her judgment of Elsa, though even she couldn't deny that she was gradually warming up to her.

"Ah crap," Anna said as she peered around a corner into a busy street. "More cops."

Just ahead, a group of police officers manned a checkpoint at a busy intersection, holding up wanted posters and asking any civilians who passed by if they had seen Elsa or Anna. To avoid the checkpoint, Anna turned around and led Elsa towards a narrow side street off to the side.

Once they circumvented the police checkpoint, they came upon a squad of androids questioning a group of civilians, forcing Anna to duck back out of sight. She pressed herself tight against the wall, at the same time holding out her arm in a cautionary gesture as she gently pushed Elsa back along with her.

"Trouble?" Elsa whispered.

"Yeah," Anna replied as she peered around the corner. "Let's wait here until they move on."

"I can understand why VanirCorp wants me back, but the bounty states that they want both of us captured. What could they possibly want with you?"

"Well, if I had to guess, maybe they think I'm kidnapping you and holding you ransom or something."

"Hmm. How much did they offer you for me?"

"Elsa... t- that's not- I'd give it back if it meant-"

"I'm only curious as to how much Doctor Rosenthal valued my life."

"Oh, well in that case, three-and-a-half million.

"Hmm. What do you plan to do with it?"

"I don't know," Anna sighed. "Haven't really thought that far ahead yet, let's just worry about yo- oh shit, get back!"

The androids questioning the civilians had wrapped up their business and began making their way down the street towards Anna and Elsa's position, unaware of their presence. Anna pulled Elsa down so that they were crouching behind some barrels where they waited until the squad of androids passed them by.

"That was close," Anna muttered once they had passed beyond earshot and out of sight. "No way we can stay out in the open like this, someone is bound to recognize us sooner or later."

"Where can we go?" Elsa asked. "Surely there must be somewhere in this city that isn't highly policed."

Anna scrunched up her face in thought as she scratched her head until an idea came to her.

"Huh… there is one place that I know of," she said. "The red light district is pretty unregulated. It's run by a gang and not even the police have any jurisdiction there."

"Red light district," Elsa said as she considered her proposal. "What about other androids?"

"Well… let's just say the andys that work there already have their hands full," Anna said carefully, alluding to the fact that some androids served as sex workers. "In more ways than one, heh," she chuckled at her own joke.

"And we can get back to the Memory Palace from there?"

"We'll be taking the scenic route, but yeah, it should be safer that way."

The red light district of New York had been established in what used to be the neighborhood known as Hell's Kitchen. Compared to the rest of the city, the red light district was notorious for serving as a hotbed for illicit activity and black market trade, in addition to the legalized prostitution and brothels that were established there. There, one could find anything and anyone that catered to their desires. In 2099, there was no shortage of creativity or imagination with which people carried out their carnal desires. Men, women, and everything else in between of all shapes, sizes, and forms were on offer in addition to androids that provided their services.

Anna herself had paid several visits to the red light district on nights when she was particularly drunk and feeling lonely. She wasn't ashamed of it, but it wasn't something she felt the need to freely discuss either. However, given their current predicament, it was their safest route back to the Memory Palace although Anna could already anticipate the uncomfortable questions that Elsa was sure to ask.

"Then let us get underway," Elsa said with a small assured smile.

With no further delay, Anna and Elsa diverted away from the main street they were at towards a public transitway station, where they boarded a mag-rail train bound for the red light district. Since many of the extensive subway tunnels had become flooded, abandoned, or repurposed as part of underground farming operations, the mag-rail trains became the new standard mode of public transportation. In nearly all ways they were a step up from the antiquated subway systems; running faster and more efficiently, though cleanliness still remained an issue.

Anna walked down the length of the train, shuffling past other civilians while Elsa followed close behind. She stepped over an old bloodstain then settled into an empty seat at the far end of the train, where she could keep an eye on everything in front of her without having to worry about watching her back. Once she sat down, she glanced around carefully before loosening her collar then pulled it down from her face.

On the other hand, Elsa was standing a bit awkwardly just off to her side, gazing up and down the length of the train as she surveyed their surroundings. She noticed that Anna had uncovered her face, then did the same after she readjusted her scarf.

Good lord, she's like an alien, Anna thought to herself with a small, amused grin that spread across her face. Kind of sweet, really…

"You wanna sit down?" Anna asked as she gestured to the empty seat next to her.

"Oh," Elsa looked a little surprised then smiled gratefully. "Yes, thank you," she said as she sat down by Anna's side.

"What do you think of the train?" Anna asked, making idle conversation.

Elsa looked at her boots where she had stepped in something sticky and frowned. "It's… not very clean," she said shyly.

"That it isn't," Anna chuckled. "Sure as hell beats walking though, but… just don't touch anything with your hands," she said as she turned her gaze out the window and observed the nighttime lights of the city pass by in a blur. "If you think it's dirty now, just wait until we get to the red light district. That place is about as seedy and filthy as they come… still, it's got its charms."

"What is the red light district?"

"It's, ah, how to put this delicately?" Anna muttered to herself. "It's a place where place where people can go to pay other people to have sex with them."

"Oh."

"Do you… know what sex is?"

"I do."

"Oh, well that saves me from a weird conversation, heh, wait- how do you know?"

"Anatomy lessons at VanirCorp as well as some more… colorful descriptions in some books I've read."

"Right. So… y- you… where am I going with this?" Anna said.

She had suddenly become very curious as to how much Elsa already knew of sexual intercourse. Deciding not to beat around the bush any longer, Anna pressed on.

"So you're like 99% organic. You have all the same parts as a woman, right?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes."

"So can you," Anna made a vague gesture with her hands. "You know, do it?"

"Do what?"

"Have sex."

"I suppose I could if I wanted to. I experience sexual attraction and urges the same as I experience any other physical or emotional stimulus.

"Huh," Anna leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. "No kidding."

I wonder what she thinks about me, an impulsive voice spoke in Anna's mind.

What? Don't be ridiculous, another replied, acting as the voice of reason.

"Have… you?" Elsa asked hesitantly.

"Eeeeeh," Anna shrugged. "Every now and again."

"Have you ever visited the red light district?"

Anna considered whether or not she should tell Elsa for a moment, then decided she didn't want to lie or continue withholding the truth from her any longer. It light of her betrayal of Elsa, it was the very least thing she could do.

"Once or twice," Anna said as she flushed a little.

Normally she wasn't embarrassed about bringing it up, but something about discussing it with Elsa gave her some pause. Perhaps it was because of how innocent she was, that is to say, relatively innocent. After all, within hours of meeting each other Anna and Elsa had already murdered quite a few scavvers who attacked them. Even so, the bright-eyed and hopeful way with which Elsa interacted with the world around her warmed Anna's heart. She recalled the first night when they had met, when she silently observed Elsa as she stuck her arms out to feel the rain against her skin.

Small moments like those always made Elsa seem more human and now that Anna learned that she felt the same biological urges like any other organic being, it further reinforced that notion in her mind. The longer that Anna spent with Elsa, the more she felt that the white-haired woman was actually learning, growing, and changing. Anna herself had already been going through similar changes, for just a few days ago she would have been happy to be rid of Elsa, but now, she found herself risking her life just to help her in her mission to discover who she once was.

Not that she was acting completely selflessly, for Anna now had a personal stake in this matter as well. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed entirely possible that Nora had been Elsa's donor. She tried to deny or ignore the signs at first, but the more Elsa learned about herself and the more Anna learned about her in turn, the less it began to seem like an incredible coincidence. It frightened her deeply, for she was still conflicted about her feelings towards Elsa and moreover she was terrified of the possibility that she could be Nora, just in a different form which in itself held deeply problematic implications. Still, Anna wasn't one to ever leap to conclusions and now, she desired to learn the truth as much as Elsa did. Until then, Anna would hold onto her reservations, consider each of the facts they learned, and compile the evidence until she could make a final decision.

After all, she was a detective and a good one at that.

Anna noticed in her reflection that Elsa had turned her head forward. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she was oddly amused to find that Elsa's cheeks had also been colored with embarrassment. Their discussion had apparently caused an emotional response in her as well, which was endearing to see.

She studied Elsa's appearance more closely, taking note of the way her outfit hugged her curves or the way her porcelain skin and white hair seemed to glow. Indeed, Elsa had been designed to be the perfect being and her appearance was nearly transcendentally beautiful. Anna swallowed thickly as heat began to rise to her face, but more disconcertingly it also began to pool between her thighs. There was no denying it; Anna was profoundly attracted to Elsa.

Calm down Anna, take some deep breaths, the voice of reason spoke in Anna's mind.

I'm trying, but it's hard when she's stupidly sexy, the impulsive voice replied.

You can't get involved with her, you don't even know who she is yet. She could-

Yeah, you don't think I know that? But I'm not blind, she's right there in front of me!

Let me finish. She could be her. What then?

We don't know that yet… and besides. There's nothing wrong with just looking.

I hope you know what you're doing.

"Now arriving, Hell's Kitchen," an automated voice spoke out over an intercom, shocking Anna out of her inner dialogue.

"I believe we're here," Elsa said.

"Oh!" Anna stiffened in her seat and gazed around before locking eyes with Elsa. "Uh, what were we doing again? Oh! That's right, come on, let's go," she said as she rose from her seat and exited the train with Elsa in tow.

"Are you alright?" Elsa asked as they stepped off the train onto the platform.

"Mmhm," Anna gave a thumbs up. "It's just… cold, you know?"

Together, the pair walked away from the transitway station and down a flight of stairs towards the streets. They passed through a creaky old turnstile and stepped out into the night air of the red light district.

A light drizzle of rain was falling from the sky, though it had no affect on foot traffic as the district seemed to be as densely populated. It ended up working in Anna and Elsa's favor by providing additional concealment in the thick crowds. At first glance, the red light district appeared innocuous enough. Various cafes and restaurants lined the streets while all around, loud but muffled music blared out from underground clubs and bars. Gradually, the establishments became far more specialized the further in, geared towards the main attractions which drew business into the red light district.

There, prostitutes freely roamed the streets or enticed passerby into the brothels they operated from. All throughout the district were numerous strip clubs as well as bars and other establishments that offered endless varieties that catered to every imaginable desire. The red light district attracted all sorts of visitors; from lowly scavvers, to street gangers, to executive corpos, to everyday folk just looking to pass some time with some company. It was a rare place in New York where one could go without fear of judgement and where everyone was treated equally. Nonetheless, even the red light district had strict rules that had to be followed and anyone who broke them - regardless of their position in society - were violently dealt with by the main gang that ran the whole thing; the Verenkov crime family.

Of all the gangs in New York city, the Verenkovs were the largest and the most powerful. They were an offshoot crime syndicate that had emerged after much of the Russian mafia was eradicated and ever since, their leader - Svetlana - has been trying to recapture a stranglehold on power. They mainly specialized in racketeering activities, those of which included running gambling rings, black markets, or money laundering. Though their main base of operations was situated in the red light district, their territory encompassed multiple neighborhoods and other districts throughout New York City.

Their only real competition came from the second largest gang in the city; the demons. Each of their members sported exotic and extensive bodily modification through cyberware, moreso than the average citizen. The demons were led by Mauler, who had been the very same person that Anna had observed taking part of an arms deal with Hans, the other ArmaRex manager she had been hired to spy on. Gun running and drug trafficking were the demon's main trade, and while they weren't as widespread or influential as the Verenkovs, they had their own territories that they held onto with an iron grip throughout New York. In fact, the demons mainly operated out of the lower Manhattan flood zone as well as much of Brooklyn, though they did have a foothold and large presence in Greenwich Village as well.

There were many other gangs that existed in New York, ranging from many different ethnic backgrounds but many of them were small and in the process of being crowded out by either the Verenkovs or the demons. Competition for real estate was always stiff and many ambitious gang leaders often struggled to survive between the two largest organized crime groups. Such was the way of criminal life in New York, where the biggest and strongest ate first, leaving behind only scraps for the rest to pick over.

Anna confidently navigated her way through the winding streets towards the red light district, barely giving her surroundings a glance while Elsa examined the world around her with much more curiosity.

"Better stick close," Anna said when she noticed that Elsa had begun to stray. "Don't want to run into any trouble now, lots of people out here would love to take advantage of you."

"I've never seen anything like it," Elsa said as she pressed closer to Anna.

A woman with neon green hair dressed in a skin-tight leather catsuit was walking towards them, dragging a bullwhip over the ground behind her as she strutted and flaunted her curvaceous body. She caught a few interested glances from the crowds, one of which was Elsa's.

"Hello, hello gorgeous," the woman purred as she singled Elsa out and approached her, sashaying her hips side to side while her heels clacked over the pavement. "You look like a bad girl, you lookin for some company?" she asked as she trailed her fingers up Elsa's arm and caressed her cheek.

For the first time since meeting her, Anna saw that Elsa appeared truly flustered as she appeared to struggle between smiling politely and forming words to speak. With a roll of her eyes, Anna stepped in between her and the prostitute.

"She's not interested, sorry," Anna said firmly but politely.

The prostitute smirked and eyed Anna up and down, then she strode over to her and placed the handle of her bullwhip beneath her ear and dragged it along her jawline towards her chin.

"Aw, you sure?" the prostitute grinned sinfully while glancing between Anna and Elsa. "You and your friend look like you need to loosen up. The more the merrier, I got special rates for threesomes."

Gently, Anna pushed the bullwhip down as she gave a forced smile. "Not tonight, maybe next time," she said.

"Hmm" the prostitute chuckled then batted her eyelids. "Have it your way, sweetie."

She then turned around and left, bouncing her hips back and forth to highlight her ample bottom as she disappeared into the crowds to draw out another customer. Once she was out of sight, Anna turned back to check on Elsa, who still remained silent and looked a bit uncomfortable as she glanced around.

"You okay?" Anna asked.

"I'm alright," Elsa replied softly. "I've just…"

"Never seen anything like it."

"No, no I haven't. I'm sorry, I just feel out of place here."

Anna nodded in understanding. "So is everybody's first time, but you get used to it. Just need to keep your head on straight."

"Can we keep going?" Elsa asked a bit stiffly. "Please?"

She was clearly uncomfortable and Anna didn't want to put her under any more stress so she nodded quickly then took her by the elbow as she guided her through the district. As they travelled through, they were propositioned by a few more prostitutes who Anna quickly shut down. Eventually, they reached a wide street that was lined on one side by an outdoor eatery, and a brothel on the other. The establishment was a two storey building, whose front was composed of slightly opaque, frosted glass which was just clear enough to make out nondescript shapes of human bodies pressed together in acts of coitus.

Sweaty, sex covered hands, backs, torsos, and legs were splayed out in all angles pressed up against the glass and the building was more of the same the further in. Even from out on the street, Anna and Elsa could make out the rapturous sighs and moans of the patrons as they twisted and writhed and wrapped around each other.

"Oh my," Elsa murmured as she couldn't help but stare. "That can't be sanitary."

Anna chucked and actually burst out in a short fit of laughter at Elsa's comment, which surprised them both. Her laughter soon devolved into a spastic set of goofy giggles and it was then that Anna realized she couldn't remember the last time she had ever laughed like that. She glanced over to Elsa and noticed that she was wearing a familiar, dimpled grin over her face as she gazed back at Anna.

"Why are you laughing?" Elsa asked and a second later, that ghost of Nora's smile vanished leaving Anna unsure if she had even seen it at all.

"Oh," Anna paused and her smile faltered ever so slightly. "You were being serious?"

"I was."

"I thought you were joking, it was funny."

"I never joke," Elsa teased, summoning up memories of the first night they met when they shared a meal together.

That had been the first time that Anna noticed Elsa's nosebleeds, which seemed to occur whenever something familiar to both of their collective memories happened. Anna hadn't thought much of it at first, but each time it happened, she couldn't help but notice that it was often somehow related to Nora in some roundabout way. It was another point of evidence that was still far too inconclusive to act upon, but was still disconcerting nonetheless.

Gotta remember to ask her about that later, Anna thought as she stored that tidbit of information away.

"Of course you don't," Anna said sarcastically. "If this whole thing doesn't work out you can always become a comedian."

"An android comedian? Surely such a thing exists already."

"Eh, their humor is kinda stiff and the delivery is a little robotic," Anna tried for humor, but then frowned to the side. "No, that was terrible."

Elsa smirked as she glanced around Anna. "Well, evidently not the only thing that's stiff around here."

Anna tracked Elsa's gaze to where she was looking then spotted a man decked out in full bondage gear as he made his way through the crowds. He wore all sorts of straps and harnesses and barely an inch of his skin wasn't covered by leather except for his fully erect one foot long member. The obscenely large fleshy mast had been modified with cyberware so that it was studded and was even adorned with racing stripes, which was to say the least way out of Anna's preferred tastes. Indeed, Anna never much preferred the company of men at all.

"Okay," Anna chuckled. "I think that's enough for one night, come on. Let's get out of here."

… … …

Shortly before midnight, Anna and Elsa were back to where they had started their day, standing some distance away from the Memory Palace as they observed it for any signs of trouble. In the time they had been gone, the three androids Anna destroyed had already been cleared away, leaving the site unremarkable as if nothing had ever happened there.

Anna's hunch had been correct and it appeared that VanirCorp didn't think the pair would return to the scene of the crime. Only two police officers had been left behind to stand watch, guarding the front entrance though they appeared not to be highly uninvested in their post. Both of them were smoking and chatting among themselves, paying little heed to passerby.

"That's odd," Elsa murmured as they observed the police officers from afar.

"Odd that I was right?" Anna asked. "There's cops here, just like I said."

"No, odd because there aren't more of them. Surely they would have left behind a more significant security detail in case we returned."

"Still might be more cops inside we don't know about and we can't risk walking in there to find out. Maybe we can contact K somehow, get him to bring it to us."

"Surely, they'll be monitoring his communications, no?'

"Hmm… you're right. So how are we supposed to get that drive?"

"We cause a distraction," Elsa suggested. "Something to draw away the police officers, giving us time to get in and retrieve the drive."

Anna nodded as she considered her proposal. "That could work. Only question is which one of us is going to get that drive?"

"I will," Elsa said simply.

"What? You're the one they want, are you sure?"

"Of course. I'm faster than you."

"Ouch, okay, just gonna softball it in there like that huh?"

"It was only a statement of fact."

"Well… shit, you're right," Anna sighed. "Alright, I guess I'll go and… cause a ruckus somewhere."

"What will you do?"

Anna examined the cops and a terrible idea entered her mind. "Something stupid," she sighed, then turned to Elsa. "I'm gonna draw them away and lead them on a merry chase, which will give you the window you need. Then, I guess I'll just have to shake them off somehow."

"That's too dangerous, I can't let you-"

"It's fine. We need that drive and… well if I get shot then that's what I deserve for… you know…"

"Anna," Elsa's eyes were wide with concern.

"Elsa," Anna replied. "Trust me, I do this sort of thing all the time."

"Do you?"

"Well, no but let me do this for you. I gotta start paying you back somehow, right?"

"There must be some other way."

"There's six million credits on our heads, there's no way they won't take that bait. Even if they just get me, that's still three million."

Elsa looked conflicted as she considered Anna's crazy plan until she reluctantly nodded. "Okay, are you ready?"

Anna nodded. "Uh huh. Let's get this show on the road. We should meet back here once we're done."

"Back here?"

"Yeah. It's the last place they'd think we'd be."

"Alright," Elsa said. "And Anna?'

"Yeah?" Anna looked over to Elsa and saw that her eyes were full of concern.

"Be careful."

"You too."

Acting on her reckless impulse now before she lost the nerve, Anna went out of the alleyway and approached the cops.

"Hey!" Anna whistled loudly as she waved over to the cops. "Looking for something, six million credits maybe?"

The police immediately aimed their weapons at Anna but before they could fire, she took off running down the street.

"Shit, that's her!"

"Get after her, I'll call it in! Go go!"

Behind her, Anna heard the police officers as they spoke into their dispatch, requesting backup and calling out her heading. Knowing that she had to lose them quickly, she took off running and turned down a narrow alleyway as the two police officers gave chase. Once there, she vaulted over a stack of barrels then knocked them over to obstruct the path behind her.

"Stop right now or we will fire on you!"

"We need her alive, take out her legs!"

Bullets started whizzing past Anna, smacking into the concrete and the walls around her as she continued to run. She risked a glance behind and saw that the police were now gaining on her. To break their line of sight, Anna made a hairpin turn down a sharp corner, sliding along and nearly colliding into a wall before she found her balance again and sprinted away.

The police behind weren't nearly as fleetfooted so they crashed into each other and cursed loudly. All around, more voices joined the clamor as police sirens blared out and more sounds of pursuit could be heard.

At the far end of the alley, Anna spotted a busy marketplace she could use to disappear when suddenly, she was tackled from the side by another police officer. As they both fell, Anna landed on her back but she recovered quickly enough in time to strike the officer across the face and crawl away.

"Fucker!" the officer shouted as he reached for Anna's leg and started to drag her back.

Anna rolled over and kicked the officer twice; once in the chest and then again in his face. "Get off!" she shouted.

The officer fell back, giving Anna enough time to rise to her feet and start running once more. As she raced towards the marketplace, bullets were fired again in her direction which caused the crowds in front of her to cry out in panic. Sprinting with everything she had, Anna crossed the remaining distance to the marketplace then burst out into a wide square. There, she continued running as she pushed and shoved her way through the crowds.

The police chasing Anna temporarily lost sight, but more officers were converging on her location now and she knew she couldn't stay here for long. Suddenly, a police gunship swooped in from above and shone a spotlight onto the crowds below which began to disperse. Using the chaos and confusion to her advantage, Anna pushed through until she reached the far end of the marketplace.

"There! The red-head!"

"Get out of the way! Get out of the fucking way!"

Gunshots rang out as police officers fired their weapons into the air to further break up the crowds.

Anna looked over her shoulder again and spotted another officer as he closed the distance on her. Acting quickly, she reached into a nearby vendor's stall and picked up a metal frying pan. Then, with the same movement, she spun on her heels and struck the officer over the head, knocking him to the ground. She then dropped the pan and resumed running until she spotted a more narrow street.

A few Verenkov gangers had emerged, investigating the commotion and Anna ran right towards them. As she blew past into their territory, bullets flew over their heads as the police opened fire once more.

"Woah, woah! Who the fuck!"

"What the hell is she doing?"

It was then that they realized that the police were currently bearing down on their location. The Verenkovs reached for their weapons and not knowing who to shoot at, they chose the cops and returned fire.

"Fucking pigs! You're on our turf!"

"Waste 'em!"

A gunfight between the Verenkovs and the police exploded out behind Anna, which proved to be just the thing she needed to get the cops off her back. Busy as they were in the sudden warzone they found themselves in, the police stopped chasing Anna as they sought cover and shouted orders to each other. Meanwhile, more Verenkovs poured out from nearly every direction and soon, the entire block became a scene of chaos and confusion.

Anna stayed a moment longer, peering out from behind a wall as she caught her breath. Once she was sure that nobody was paying her any further mind, she disappeared into the city as she made her way back to the Memory Palace.