Chapter 7/20: Red


"Getting cold feet, detective?" - Nines RK900


...in which our leads have a breakthrough, Nines is forced to make a trip to CyberLife and Gavin gets hurt. Nines also realizes just how little control he has over his violent nature.


CHAPTER WARNING! Graphic depictions of violence... I think (?)


NINES

~ NOV 11TH, 2038 * PM 07:01 ~

"Smoking is bad for your health, detective." Taking the cigarette out of his mouth, Gavin blew a haze of smoke into his unresponsive face before propping it back between his lips. Nines frowned. "Again... charming."

Having taken refuge from the snow in the car as they overlooked the red ice drop spot, Gavin had the window rolled open to get any excess smoke out. It was obvious that he didn't care about said health implications. Nines had confirmed that Gavin got into a lot of fights on a regular basis - was willing to take the most challenging cases slapped down on his desk - so he was certainly fond of danger. At the topic of dying, maybe he was simply indifferent. It certainly wasn't a healthy look on life.

In that regard, they were the polar opposites. There was nothing Nines feared more than death. Still, that didn't take away from everything they had in common. Competence, determination, intelligence, stubbornness, the want to be in control and a certain indifference to many things was only a few of the similarities. He supposed that was the reason why they hadn't killed one another yet.

Frankly, Nines didn't hate him. He didn't even dislike him. This entire rivalry conjured up between them in a span of three days was entirely on Gavin's end and it was a mild annoyance.

According to statistics, forty to sixty hours spent together would form a casual friendship. Casual friend to friend would take eighty to one-hundred hours. A higher relationship status than that and he was looking at two-hundred. They had, at this stage, spent approximately 33 hours in one another's company. Not to mention that they hadn't exactly had the time to get to know one another as they'd been moving from case-to-case nearly without end. After everything, Nines suspected seeing common ground in this partnership would take far longer.

Possibly months.

"When's the meeting?"

Nines kept his arms crossed. "Fifteen minutes. It's a good time to discuss how to proceed."

"Nothing to discuss. I'll meet with whoever it is. You stay in the car, and if shit hits the fan, get in there. Chances are they'll bolt if they see you."

"If they did, I'd simply catch up to them... but as you wish. Don't expect me to immediately jump in, however. Something tells me it'd be rather amusing to see you throwing fists at someone," he replied, cutting Gavin off the moment he was about to bite back "...and before you go on about how I'm an asshole, let me remind you that you blew smoke in my face less than a minute ago."

"What, did I hurt your feelings?" he asked, his nonplussed tone revealing that he really didn't care if he had. "You're lucky I didn't just burn your plastic ass with the cig, dipshit."

"I would expect no less."

"Fuck, it's like you know me already."

Their banter had become regular at this point and Nines had been adapting to his personality. Gavin despised Connor, and as he was known to be polite and agreeable, Nines went a different route. Impolite and disagreeable. It seemed to be working considering that he'd several times managed to get a smile or - albeit rarely - even a laugh out of Gavin. Something told him he held some form of respect towards him and that was why he allowed it. It did help that Nines hadn't really been adapting at all. He was simply being himself.

Aside from anxiety and fear, the other emotion that Nines had felt excessively was curiosity. Mostly around Gavin. Before deviancy, he couldn't care less, but he didn't like having insufficient data and Gavin was the only one he knew the bare minimum about. A challenge, in a way. Nines rarely got those and it was a refreshing change, if not a bit intimidating. He knew not to delve too much into his personal life knowing there were parts that Gavin didn't want to share.

Nevertheless, Nines wasn't a stranger to risk-taking.

Gavin's profile was currently on full display, arm resting on the window frame base as his attention was set on the somewhat decrepit road. He glimpsed a fraction of his scar from the current angle. The fact that said scar had yet to turn white revealed that it was recent.

"Knife wound, correct? I couldn't help but notice you seem wary in the presence of my balisong."

Chewing lightly on the tip of the cigarette, Gavin shifted. A common sign of insecurity that his pride probably wouldn't allow him to admit.

"I'm wary because one wrong move with that thing and I'll be sent off to the ER. Why?"

"No other reason than curiosity."

Gavin let out a scoff. "Can you tin cans even be curious?"

"Simulated curiosity," he lied, noting his slip-up. "Information is crucial. See it in the same sense that you meat bags can be less of a dick."

There was a pause where he appeared to be considering it.

"Just an investigation that went tits' up," he eventually replied, taking the smoke out of his mouth. "I was working with Hank a couple weeks back to take down some drug traffickers. They were holed up in this dingy bar downtown and we'd set up a meeting. Posed as buyers. Dealer made some comment about how everyone using the drug was a waste of space, and having a father who lost everything because of it, I snapped. Guy got me acquainted with a half-empty beer bottle before the knife followed. Just an inch more and he would've blinded me."

"I see. Again, I'm not surprised. You're not exactly known for keeping your mouth shut."

"My mind's a gift, plastic. Keeping it from the world simply would've been cruel."

"Right. Because you're the paragon of kindness," he said, expressing his sarcasm. "You said you were partnered with Lieutenant Anderson."

"Difficult to believe, but he was a good cop before his son died. Earned his rank. I even looked up to him."

Something told him that Gavin and Hank had been close before and it did open up his perceptions a great deal. Gavin's father had been a drug addict who took to alcohol. Hank had also taken to alcohol and Gavin's attitude towards them seemed to be more pitying than anything. It explained why Hank's alcoholism was at the butt of many - if not all - of Gavin's rude comments and remarks directed his way. The example of a good man turning to substance abuse.

When Gavin put the cigarette between his teeth again, he could tell the mood was dropping and decided not to ask further. Nines had one more thing he was curious about, however.

"You seem surprised by the question."

Gavin chewed lightly on the tip of the cigarette. "You're the first to ask," he replied, a guarded sincerity in his tone. "Everyone assumes I was the first to throw a punch and leave it at that."

If Nines' data didn't deceive him, Gavin seemed to appreciate the gesture.

Minutes passed and it wasn't long before he saw movement outside.

"An AP700 model," Nines said.

"So, android? Makes sense to send their housemaids. Less risk of getting caught." Stumping the smoke in the tray in his car, Gavin threw his badge onto the dashboard - together with his gun so the suspect couldn't put two-and-two together - before taking note of another android soon walking up to her. An HR400. He'd been reported missing from the Eden Club a few months prior. Gavin squinted. "Two of 'em, no less."

"Getting cold feet, detective?"

"Fuck no. Stopping shit like this is the best part of the job," he replied, exiting the car.

From the windshield, Nines observed. Gavin's stress levels were abnormally low for a situation that could turn out badly and the AP700 android was only standing a few feet away from him.

The meeting escalated.

Just as he registered the AP700 going in for an attack, Nines had the car door opened before lining up the shot and placing a bullet clean between her eyes. The HR400 took to running. Nines could've easily gunned him down right there, but he needed to make sure he wasn't badly damaged. Their LEDs remained unchanged and he could tell that neither had been deviant.

Neither model was programmed in combat, so they had been modified in aftermath. His mind immediately went to Zlatko Andronikov.

Already on his heel, Gavin wasn't far behind. It was a sex android and thus wasn't programmed with any inhuman speed. Flexibility was another issue. It wasn't long before Gavin had him trapped before an alleyway wall and Nines just arrived to see the android throwing his body up in an attempt to grab the edge. Gavin grasped his wrist and dragged him back down. A fist was sent flying his way. He barely dodged it before grabbing him around the waist and forcing him into said wall. Nines analyzed the scene.

The detective was indeed a good fighter.

It was strikingly choreographed - both his dodges and attacks - despite reminding him of a pit bull. He could need some work. The android made a move to drive a knee between the legs although Gavin's reflexes were quick enough to block it. It was only when the android landed a punch on Gavin's nose that Nines made an effort to intervene.

Just as Gavin came to after retaliating ever so slightly, Nines threw him the gun for backup before making his own move. Gavin nearly dropped it but soon had the barrel directed at the android.

"We need him alive!" Nines said, noticing the hesitation in his partner's eyes.

Nines could see Gavin about to turn his gun to the leg for another non-fatal injury. Slow him down.

The world came to a near standstill.

#

| PRECONSTRUCT... |

.

1. PROTECT GAVIN REED

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 95% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 97%

.

2. CHARGE ANDROID

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 92% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 98%

#

Ninety-five percent was a high probability and Nines saw no need in taking said approach. Gavin could handle himself. What interested him was how he was now capable of making a decision of his own.

For the first time in his life, he found himself hesitating.

Nines eventually landed on the latter option.

#

- CHARGE ANDROID

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 92% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 98%

CONFIRM?

Y/N

#

Just as Gavin's gunshot echoed, the android was immobilized enough for Nines to effortlessly charge him. Fingers closing around his arm, he had it twisted behind his back in a single motion.

Nines probed his memory in passing.

The sexual acts he'd performed with his client were astoundingly vivid. It was certainly interesting data, giving a new perception of humans, although he couldn't help but feel inappropriate for witnessing it. Was he human, he'd probably feel downright violated. All kinds of voyeurism were distasteful to him. Sex was highest likely the most intimate form of human contact and to not be able to decide one's partner was unprecedented. As for androids, the most intimate part of the body was the inside of one's palm.

There was a reason why Nines kept his hands pocketed. His palms were too personal, too intimate, and even interfacing proved somewhat uncomfortable for him these days with his deviancy at large.

He did his best to ignore what happened before his deviation and learned quite a lot.

What appeared to be second nature to the Eden Club androids, he'd deviated and strangled the client, making a run for it. He'd grabbed his discarded clothes and passed through the club unnoticed as he hid his face behind his cap.

He'd been contacted by a WR600 android - a gardener that worked as a garbage-handler - and they interfaced. He told him about none other than Zlatko Andronikov. With the newfound information, the HR400 immediately set out to find him, becoming a victim of the same thing as Kara did. This one hadn't managed to escape the attempt at resetting him. After the reset, he'd recalled some of his old memories, but not enough to deviate. He'd shortly been sent out by Zlatko to collect other deviants before being assigned another mission of delivering red ice to clients.

The AP700 that was with him had also been a victim of Zlatko.

Considering that Zlatko had died unexpectedly, it was only natural that several of his androids never got the memo and continued their duties despite their owner's untimely demise. It also explained why they knew combat.

Not only that, but the HR400 had Zlatko's decryption key.

As he was no longer useful to the investigation, Nines snapped his neck, his body dropping to the floor in a thud. Lifeless eyes stared up at him.

Gavin lowered his gun. "Jesus... The fuck was that for?"

"I thought you despised androids."

"What, no, where'd you get that idea?" he expressed his sarcasm. "Seeing you go all Terminator on your own kind is still just a tad bit fucking off-putting. A simple bullet would've sufficed."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps I should've pulled some chloroform out of my ass. Make sure my execution wouldn't keep you up at night."

"You trying to be cute?" he demanded, parting his arms.

"I'm glad you noticed."

Dark grey averted. "Fucking androids..." he muttered, scowling down at the android carcass. "What happened with 'we need him alive,' anyway? We could've learned something."

"We have. If anything, we've made a breakthrough," he replied, receiving a confused look. "Back at the DPD, I came in possession of a collection of encrypted documents from 2027. It's to my knowledge that it's a list of red ice dealers. These two androids were Andronikov's and the HR400 had the decryption key stored away in his memory. I'll be capable of determining what the document says once we return to the DPD. Andronikov has used the same decryption key all these years as he had no reason to change it." Nines called the DPD. "This is Gavin Reed's android requesting a cleanup of two androids near 4203 Harrison Street. We're close by a burnt-down home and will remain until the matter is taken care of."

"We'll send a patrol car."

With that, he hung up.

"How'd it feel to see an android bone down, like, 500 different people?"

"To be fair, Eden Club androids are wiped of their work-related memory. I only saw his last client," he replied, pocketing his hands. "It was informative and unpleasant."

Gavin puffed a laugh. "Congratulations, plastic. Probably saw all kinds of weird shit. 'Discretion is our middle name'."

"Should I be concerned you know about those things?"

"I grew up with the internet. Literally impossible not to know about those things. I'm pretty fucking vanilla."

Judging by his sincere tone, he believed him.

It wasn't long before he could hear the patrol car approach. Gavin directed his gaze to the road. A mild breeze pushed through the air, Gavin pocketing his hands in his leather jacket.

There were a lot of names on said document. If Nines' suspicions were correct, they had their work cut out for them.


~ NOV 11TH, 2038 * PM 08:18 ~

"In an unexpected turn of events, Connor is currently planning to infiltrate the CyberLife Tower," Amanda said, chin rising. "We suspect he is to wake our androids there, and seeing we don't need more deviants roaming free, we sent Connor -60 to prevent him from doing so. Time can only tell if he fails in such a task. If Connor succeeds, we'll simply have to do more damage control. Our plan remains the same." Suspicion marred her voice. "Before you go... Your tracker stopped working yesterday."

Deviancy.

This was an instance where Nines was glad he could control his LED.

"I wasn't aware," he lied, squinting. "It's quite possible it was damaged when I ran into Markus. Although I specialize in combat, Kamski made sure to program RK200 with quite an impressive arsenal. Is there any way I can have it fixed?"

"I see. The workers at the CyberLife Tower can make sure of it. Sources tell me Markus will remain at the Hart Plaza. Hurry, RK900."

He closed his eyes.

Gavin was currently not in the near vicinity and so Nines managed to avoid him. Part of him wanted to remain safe in the apartment, but to regain Amanda's full trust, he needed to follow her every order. He couldn't take any chances. If his deviancy was revealed, everything would be lost. He figured he'd inform Gavin in case it took longer than expected.

#

NINES, 08:24 p.m.: CyberLife has requested my presence. I may not be at your apartment when you return.

#

Three minutes passed before there was a response.

#

GAVIN, 08:27 p.m.: hallelujah ur finally leaving

NINES, 08:27 p.m.: Sorry to disappoint you, detective, but no. I'm called upon for a system diagnostic.

GAVIN, 08:28 p.m.: thought that matrix chick in ur brain did that otg

NINES, 08:28 p.m.: I only report to her. Try not to accidentally set anything on fire while I'm gone.

GAVIN, 08:29 p.m.:

NINES, 08:29 p.m.: That's a Japanese kaomoji, detective. Do you honestly have that saved?

GAVIN, 08:29 p.m.: yes

GAVIN, 08:30 p.m.: i hope cybershit decommissions u when ur there

#

Charming, as always.

The scanner at the tower recognized him. "RK900 android identified."

No agents were there to meet him and that further proved that they didn't suspect Nines' deviancy just yet. Yet he knew he had to be careful. He stepped into the elevator before pushing the panel.

"RK900 android. Level -25."

"Voice recognition validated. Access authorized."

Nines pocketed a hand while the other kept busy with his butterfly knife.

It was strange to be back. Last time he was there was when he was activated and he couldn't say it brought back good memories. He certainly hadn't felt anything at the time, but the sight of those two dead YK500 units had been branded in the back of his mind. His unease was no thanks to Gavin who taught him only recently that hurting child androids was morally wrong. Nines hadn't known that beforehand. They had programmed him to accomplish his mission at any cost and it didn't matter how high.

If he'd been programmed to snap a puppy's neck, he wouldn't even have hesitated. Just the thought sent a shiver down the length of his spine. He certainly didn't want Paws or Sumo to be at such a mercy.

The operator room was just down the hall and unease crept up. He didn't like being here.

Nines had already taken the liberty of breaking his tracker in two with a swift hit - making it seem as if it had been broken during a fight - so they had little to suspect. It wasn't long before he stepped back into the first room from his memory. There was no one there, but he saw the two operators behind the wall once he activated his heat detectors again.

The scene was all-too-familiar.

"Just step onto the podium, RK," an operator said, voice recognizable from his first appearance here.

Lewis was his name. He'd left before he turned his gun on those YK units.

Nines obeyed.

He nearly startled when mechanical arms grasped his wrists and ankles - experiencing an uncomfortable emotion he certainly hadn't felt when being attached to the machine before - finding himself ascended a few inches into the air. He felt trapped. In the current situation, he realized he was without control, his thirium pump beginning to pulse ever so slightly.

Another mechanical limb grasped each side of his temples and kept his head from moving. There were two more arms, one at each of his sides, separating the flaps of his turtleneck and dragging the cloth down to his shoulders.

"Deactivate your skin," Lewis said.

When he did, he couldn't help but feel exposed. He wasn't comfortable without said artificial skin. It was an unpleasant reminder that he was very much a machine and why certain people held such a strong dislike for him. If his arms weren't trapped, he would've taken after his neck, hiding the sensitive area. It had always been covered by the collar.

If anything, his kind was programmed a bit too human-like for his own comfort.

Nines did his best not to move when the device produced another arm that penetrated a small area of skin at the back of his neck. It was where his tracker was located. With a thug, it was pulled out, the mechanical arm picking up a new one lying at the table next to it. The table he could remember grabbing that gun from. His full focus was on his LED, making sure it remained blue as he had no wish to give himself away. He'd managed it so far although he couldn't wait until it was over as it did take quite the concentrated effort out of him.

When the transfer was complete - the tracker tested to be working - Nines reactivated his skin and his shirt was buttoned-up again. Nevertheless, he still found himself trapped. The arms didn't show any signs of releasing him.

Lewis spoke up again. "We're gonna have to make a thorough scan of your program."

Nines froze solid.

If they did, they would find out.

#

STRESS LEVEL: 75%

...76%

...77%

...78%

#

"I fail to see how that's necessary," he replied, keeping his voice as leveled as possible.

"It's just a precaution, RK. Orders from the higher-ups. I know you've got a time-sensitive mission, but it'll only be a minute."

His thirium pump began pulsing even more.

Ascending his eyes, he saw a blue scanner advance towards him. He couldn't do anything. Briefly losing control of his LED, Lewis took note, pausing whatever he was typing on the computer. A hint of confusion followed by mild alert touched his expression. The moment the blue light was a millimeter from touching him, Lewis' attention was full on him to make sure he wasn't seeing anything.

The light turned red and a voice rang out. "RK900 unit compromised. 'RA9' virus located. No firewalls present. Turn in for immediate destruction."

Nines tightly shut his eyes.

This was it.

He was going to die.

"Fuck..."

"If they find out, they'll deactivate me," Nines said, nearly begged just as Lewis was about to call it in.

It sounded so pitiful.

He felt pitiful.

"I don't get it, how is this even possible? They said you were incapable of deviancy," he replied, genuinely appearing shocked by the revelation. "Fucking hell... You're like a nuclear weapon. We can't have you walking around without supervision. We took serious precautions with you. Not to mention you -you have, like, fifty firewalls. How'd they all break?"

A nuclear weapon. That was all he was to CyberLife. Just a missile ready for launch.

"Deviancy works like a virus. That's why it's spread so quickly," he replied, eyes darting. "You're Lewis, right? Considering that you walked away when I was tasked to kill those YK units, you must hold some form of sympathy for androids."

"RK, Jesus, we have no choice but to deactivate you. You're too dangerous."

Nines grew desperate.

"I don't want to die!" he exclaimed, a strange substance gradually clouding his vision. Even his speech increased considerably in speed as he mapped out everything he could in order to convince him. "I'm fitted with a functional tracker and CyberLife is still fully capable of monitoring my every move with it! Take whatever precautions desired! I can and will accomplish my mission -!"

The door pushed open again and the other operative entered after having grabbed a drink, Nines pressing his lips together.

"All set?"

Lewis blinked repeatedly, back straightening. He opened his mouth only to close it again. Incapable to look away as Nines' gaze pinned him.

#

STRESS LEVEL: 95%

...96%

...97%

#

Eventually, he nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, everything's in order," he replied, Nines' eyes falling closed as a feeling overwhelmed his sensors. Relief? "The transfer and scan is complete. You're dismissed, RK."

#

STRESS LEVEL: 97%

...96%

...95%


~ NOV 11TH, 2038 * PM 10:48 ~

A spin. Up, under. A throw. Horizontal, vertical. The movements of his butterfly knife were less graceful than usual.

He'd attempted to take Hank's word that these emotions were worth all the hassle, but the longer time passed, the more he disagreed. The lack of control left him in a constant state of anxiety.

Neither could he go back to being a machine. Only CyberLife could reprogram him in such a way and Nines didn't want to step foot inside one of their facilities ever again. When he was presented by Lewis with the probability of destruction, he'd caved, lost control entirely - of his LED, his posture and his emotions. Even his reflexes had slowed down. So much that he couldn't change the color of his LED before giving himself away. Now there was an entire layer of emotions he had to tear through before he was presented with the best approach.

As a machine, the calculation came at an instant. That was no longer the case. If he failed his mission, he'd be sent back to CyberLife and ripped apart so they could find out why.

It scared him. There was nothing on the other side.

The last thing he needed was for his partner to brand him as malfunctioning, although in truth, that was exactly what he was. A defective machine. These emotions were all a malfunction, as of now, he wasn't even nearly as effective as he once were.

If a constant feeling of fear was what being alive was, he wanted no part in it.

Nines never had to rely on anything but his program up until his deviancy. It was a constant, a safe haven, leaving him incapable of mistakes. He didn't care about free will. If CyberLife wanted to control him, he'd let them, because no one could blame him for following his program. He didn't want the responsibility of an action not determined by someone else.

Suspicion from Amanda was enough and so he knew he needed to take Markus down. His final obstacle before neutralizing Connor.

He rose his palm and opened the door to the roof a few kilometers away from the Hart Plaza. Markus was still there. CyberLife had provided him with a sniper rifle to take care of the deviant leader while he was busy with the barricade. They would soon send Nines backup in the form of a CyberLife SWAT team to make sure he carried out his task. Not only that, but they'd implemented a voice recorder into Nines' tracker so they knew every word he muttered. Another precaution taken by CyberLife after his first tracker went dark.

Suitcase in hand, he crouched down and opened its cover.

Nines was specialized in firearms of all kinds and thus the mechanism was familiar to him. Like puzzle pieces, he had them arranged appropriately in mere seconds, twisting everything in place before inserting the bullet. He was in his element and part of him felt a longing for what he was programmed to do. Combat. It was the only element where he wasn't a failure.

Combat was all he knew.

Flipping up the supporters, he propped the sniper up against the roof edge. Through the scope, he quickly located Markus, completely unknowing that a bullet would soon be in the back of his head.

It all seemed too simple.

When he heard a gun cock, his eyes flew shut.

"Put the gun down, Nines."

CyberLife must've tipped him off. Another test. It had to be.

Nothing was ever easy.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," he replied, peering through the scope. "Stay out of this. It's none of your business."

"Oh yeah? You're about to make a mistake you can't recover from, dipshit. That is my business," Gavin said. "Robo-Jesus might be a droid, but the tin can has humans that care 'bout him. Put. It. Down. That's an order."

"Gavin Reed - a deviant sympathizer. How the tables have turned... and here I thought we were finally starting to get along," he said calmly, a hint of sarcasm present. "If you intend to pull that trigger, feel free. My memory will be uploaded and another RK900 unit will simply take my place. I'm a machine designed to accomplish a task. It's not complicated."

"I won't say it again."

Closing his left eye, Nines took a better grip on the sniper rifle as his brows drew together in concentration. Lining up the shot, the scope was again trained at the back of Markus' head. His index finger hovered over the trigger.

When a bullet grazed his arm, Nines paused.

He turned his gaze sideways to see the rift across his bicep.

Nines squinted. "Well, that's rude. You're smarter than this, detective. You don't stand a chance against me."

"Pretty sure I do at this range, plastic."

Jaw clenching, he couldn't deny it in good confidence. Nines might be fast, but in his current genuflected position, there was a low probability that he'd be fast enough.

Nines wasn't Connor. His program had been significantly improved, and thus emotions were an anomaly he was forcibly exposed to, something unknown that he had no data for. He wasn't as accepting of them as his predecessor. His mission would be accomplished with the simple press, and yet, he hesitated. His entire existence, he'd been told what to do, now endowed with free will. Free will that he didn't know what to do with. As a machine, he didn't have morals, and now everything he'd done had come back to haunt him.

He was scared.

He'd rather obey, let others think in his stead, and all that had been taken away from him.

It wasn't fair.

Markus was standing unbelievably still as he spoke to his people and Nines tightened his grip to steady his hands. A small movement and it would be over. He lightly pushed against the trigger.

Nevertheless, he knew what would happen if he followed through.

Gavin would kill him.

...and Nines didn't want to die.

Brows drawing together, his own abrupt release of an unnecessary breath took even him off-guard. He pushed his forehead to the back of the weapon as if to cool down. Time was running out. The SWAT team would be there any second.

He gingerly rose to his feet, the gun motionless hanging from his hand as he shot a glance over his shoulder. Gavin's brows were tight, lips pressed into a thin line, the gun still appropriately directed his way. He was standing a good bit of distance away. Nines might be far quicker than him in general, but with said distance, Gavin could take him out without much effort.

Nines turned to face him fully.

"Your interference has merely delayed the inevitable. I will accomplish my task by any means necessary," he said, taking a step forward that had Gavin back one away. "Now step aside."

Judging by his tense posture, Gavin seemed conflicted.

"So you toasters feel, that it?"

Nines rolled his eyes. "Of course we do. Deviants more than machines," he replied, putting on an act he knew all-too-well. All he knew was that CyberLife heard his every word. "Humans... are so predictable. So full of emotion that clouds their judgment. So easily manipulated. I'm disappointed. You seemed like such a competent detective only to ignore what's right in front of you."

"What the fuck does CyberLife want outta this?"

"I'm not authorized to answer that."

"Is that right?" he repeated, tone mocking. "Your options are pretty limited, tin can. Speak up. Nothing is keeping you alive otherwise."

"You're not going to shoot me, detective."

"Fucking watch me."

"You're not going to shoot me... because now that you know androids are capable of empathy, you realize that underneath this machine," he said, dropping the sniper and pointing to himself "...is someone alive. Trapped in a shell. Struggling to break free of his programming." When Nines slowly advanced, Gavin fired a warning shot just before his feet that had him halt. Icy grey narrowed. "Poor, poor little Nines. He's grown to respect you... and he's scared. Oh, so scared. Death is his greatest fear, you know?" Emotional manipulation. The worst kind. Nines pushed on. "You're not going to shoot me because I know there's more to you than your abrasive personality. How you stepped in to protect Chris Miller when Connor forcibly dragged him away from Shaolin... Not to mention how you refused to interrogate someone who could be weak enough to perish under stress. How you allowed his clearly deviated android to remain in able to care for him. Do you wish for me to go on?"

"Chris is human," he replied, scowling deeply. "Interrogating Manfred sure would've killed the old man and so would taking his Chadbot housemaid away. I couldn't give two shits about you tin cans."

"If that's the case, why didn't you immediately go to Fowler after Connor was proven to be compromised?"

"For fuck's sake, you lined it out yourself. Keeping him at the precinct would be beneficial."

"Why didn't you shoot Markus when he was at our mercy?"

"You know why!" he spat, noticeably becoming more agitated. "I don't have the fucking funds to send you back to the Ken-doll fabric for repairs."

Nines put his hands behind his back. "Why did you let Connor leave after registering the evidence when you had every reason to kill him?"

"I know what you're trying to do, dipshit. It's not gonna work. The plastic detective wasn't a threat to my position anymore and Hank doesn't need to lose another fucking son."

"Keep telling yourself that, detective. All I hear is excuses."

"All you're gonna hear is a gunshot if you don't shut your fucking mouth."

"Well, there you have the most pressing question," he replied, eyes falling to see Gavin's hands tight around the grip as he kept the gun directed his way. Behind his back, slowly but surely, Nines reached for his own. "Why haven't you killed me yet?"

"Just waiting for you to finish your 'bad guy monologue'."

"I'm done," he said, fingers closing around the metal. Nines pulled out his own firearm in a swift move and Gavin visibly froze. "You've become a threat to the success of my mission. I'll have to incapacitate you. At the very least temporarily." He narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry it had to be this way. I've enjoyed being your partner... even started to take a liking to you. Now, drop the gun. I won't hesitate to shoot if you give me no choice."

"Should've done this three days ago, tin can."

"Killing you is not part of my mission, but I'm a machine designed to accomplish a task and that's exactly what I'm going to do if you don't move."

"...and I'm a cop. Robo-Jesus has my vote."

He wasn't backing down.

With that, the door was kicked open. CyberLife agents surrounded them - firearms at the ready - Gavin's jaw clenched as his eyes closed shut. This was the last thing Nines wanted.

Unlike him, those agents wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in him.

"Last chance, detective. Save yourself," he said, meeting Gavin's glare. "All you have to do is come quietly and you'll be detained until my mission is complete. If you don't, I'll be forced to neutralize you."

What happened next was a blur.

Just as an agent clasped Gavin's shoulder in order to pull him away, hands enveloped his wrist, yanking it forward before using his back to have the agent thrown over his shoulder. His heavily armored body hit the ground and Gavin put a bullet between his eyes. As another agent came up behind him, he kicked him back and launched him into another.

Firearms were directed his way and the world came to a standstill.

#

| PRECONSTRUCT... |

.

1. NEUTRALIZE GAVIN

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 2% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 98%

.

2. INCAPACITATE GAVIN

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 33% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 67%

.

3. PROTECT GAVIN

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 88% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 12%

#

There was no other alternative. Gavin's survival was a two, a 33, or an 88. The odds weren't in his favor. Any alternative but the first would only increase suspicion on Amanda's side.

Eventually, their bodies would be found.

...and Nines would be sent back.

Emotions clouded his judgment once again and he did the only thing he allowed himself to.

A 33.

#

- INCAPACITATE GAVIN

WARNING! GAVIN REED, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 33% | RK900 UNIT, CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: 67%

CONFIRM?

Y/N

#

Nines launched forward, knocking the gun out of his partner's hand, twisting his body for the bullet to hit Gavin's shoulder and not head. A gut-wrenching call rang out as Gavin took after the wound. Disarmed, the gun was sent flying across the concrete, the impact of the bullet having thrown his shoulder just a tad back. Gavin nearly managed to compose himself before Nines in his flurry landed a hit on his brow and cheek. His head was forced aside with the collision, Nines kicking him in the abdomen, pushing him onto the ground with a groan.

He saw red. His target was merely a hostile without a face. Something that compromised his mission.

Just as Gavin made an attempt to rise to his feet, Nines had the base of his foot pressed against his throat to keep him down. Standing over him, said foot held him in a light chokehold just as he pointed the gun at Gavin's head.

One hand still covering the wound, red blood poured from between Gavin's fingers, his breath heavy. Nines pushed harder against his throat and held it just before he was about to pass out. Opening weary grey eyes, Gavin stared up at him, a mix of anger - and even acceptance - on his face. His other hand had stopped trying to free himself as it limply held Nines' foot.

Nines was just about to pull the trigger when he came to.

Blinking repeatedly, he halted the movements of his pupils as he stared down at him wide-eyed. Everything had happened in a millisecond and it was only now that his mind caught up with what he was doing.

He'd nearly killed Gavin.

It was as if Nines' body hadn't been his own as he carried out his pre-construction. He was a machine, designed to kill, and so his program expected him to do just that. He didn't know his strength. He was trapped within his own body, showing no mercy, just a machine executing a program. He could've easily pushed Gavin out of the way so he wouldn't get shot at all and yet his program acted against his will. He hadn't expected not to be in control of his own limbs, and neither had he expected the following blows by his own making, leaving him stunned.

The agents seemed to understand he had it under control as they visibly relaxed. Firearms were yet directed Gavin's way albeit lowered. None of them seemed to attempt pulling the trigger.

"The fuck... you waiting for...?" Gavin forced out.

This wasn't right.

It didn't feel right at all.

Eyes darting, Nines was unsure what to do. One wrong decision and they'd both be dead. He needed to think fast to be able to get them both out of this situation and get Gavin to a hospital before he bled out, the damage appearing severe. The pressure was suffocating. It was one of those moments where his emotions got ahold of him, but before it was too late, he needed to act.

His LED flickered a Morse code.

Gavin didn't need to know what he said. He simply needed to know Nines attempted to communicate. Much to his relief, the brief flash of realization washed over Gavin's face albeit confusion accompanied it.

"I warned you, detective."

In a flash, he removed his foot from Gavin's throat and twisted it behind his back. The kick landed straight in a CyberLife SWAT officer's abdomen. Just as Nines placed bullets in two of them, Gavin kicked the feet from under one of the officers before he spun onto his legs to land an uppercut on another. The last three remained and one immediately went for his earpiece.

"CyberLife HQ, backup neede -!" one tried, only to be cut off by Nines' elbow to the throat and a gunshot to the heart.

Having grabbed an assault rifle, Gavin knocked its owner over the head with it before his body fell to the floor in a thud. He'd managed to incapacitate another beforehand who made an attempt to reach for his firearm.

Once Nines directed the gun at him, the agent held up his hands in surrender.

"No, wait, please -!"

Another shot.

Directing the gun at the one Gavin had knocked out, he fired once more in an attempt to buy himself more time before CyberLife found out. Silence followed. Nines shoved the pistol back through his belt and directed his attention elsewhere.

His LED turned red.

As Gavin struggled to keep his eyes open, Nines was barely quick enough to grab him before he fell.

Such lack of a protest was a bad sign.


GAVIN

~ NOV 11TH, 2038 * PM 10:53 ~

Hip pressed against the side of his car, Gavin took the bandage between his teeth to hold it in place as he made his fifth attempt to wrap up his shoulder. His lightheadedness from blood loss didn't do much to help the situation and neither did his vaguely blurred vision. He always carried a medical kit with him in the trunk and they'd only barely made it over before he passed out.

If he continued like this, he just might.

He didn't fail to register Nines approaching in his peripheral vision and immediately called him out on it.

"I got it." When a hand reached out, Gavin pulled out his gun. Nines' LED went red as he immediately took a step back. Eyes briefly landing on the firearm, he looked up again to meet his, a flash of panic having touched his expression. Gavin hesitated. So the tin cans really could feel fear. The sharp movement from drawing said gun had his blood pressure hiccup, however, and his vision darkened only briefly. Gavin composed himself and a brief silence followed. "I said... I got it."

"You're going to bleed out."

Pressing his lips together, Gavin just glared. Although every nerve in his body wanted to tell Nines to fuck off - to mind his own business - he'd seen him in action. Nines would probably kick his legs from under him to get him seated, not to mention that he knew Nines was right, so he had to choose between dying from blood loss and letting Nines take over.

Gavin nearly chose the former. Albeit begrudgingly, he complied.

"Phck!" he cursed, lowering the gun.

With a distinct look of relief, Nines' shoulders relaxed.

Once Gavin lowered himself to the passenger seat - gun still in hand - Nines cautiously crouched down between his parted legs so he could take over. He flipped up his butterfly knife and put the blade between his teeth.

At least it had been cleaned of blood before then.

Nines hadn't spoken more than that since Gavin was pinned under his foot and he still wasn't entirely sure what happened. CyberLife had told him to 'retrieve his android' after he was spotted and sent him to the roof overlooking the Hart Plaza. At first, he wasn't sure whether or not to take their word for it and go, but he'd taken note of Nines' absence by then and decided to check it out. He hadn't expected to find him there with a sniper trained at the back of Markus' head. Nines had incapacitated him, naturally, although his reasoning remained blurred.

Gavin pulled on the safety and put the gun aside. If Nines was out to kill him, he would've done it by now.

When the bandage was appropriately wrapped, Nines grabbed the knife and cut a horizontal line to separate it from the roll. Once he felt the bandage tightening around his body with more force than necessary, Gavin was ready to snap.

He didn't know what to expect when Nines took the knife between his teeth again and began to unbutton his turtleneck.

Before Gavin had the chance to ask what the hell he was doing, Nines literally jabbed the knife into the back of his own now exposed neck - of which he couldn't help but discreetly stare at, because of course, every inch of that tin can was designed to be perfect - and flicked out a small device. He crushed it in his hand and pocketed it. Two fingers pressed against the 'wound,' white plating disappearing, his artificial skin 'growing back.' The explanation only came after he'd sheathed the blade and put it back in his pocket.

"They attached a microphone to my tracker. Everything I've said the past few hours was being recorded," he said nonchalantly, beginning to button his shirt back up. "In what world did you assume assaulting an entire SWAT team was a good idea?"

"This wouldn't even have happened if you didn't fucking charge me," he spat, gesturing to the wound.

"It would've been your head otherwise. All you had to do was stand back."

"What the actual fuck made you think I was just gonna let you blast a hole through Robo-Jesus' head? I'm a fucking cop."

"A dead one if it wasn't for me."

"I didn't ask for your fucking protection."

"Judging by what just transpired, you obviously need it."

Nines grasped his chin by force and Gavin only made a weak effort to free himself as he cursed. Nevertheless, his head was kept in place as Nines pressed a sanitized pad to the cut across his brow. A cut that Nines caused, mind you. It stung. He couldn't help but be just a tad bit salty. To some extent, what Nines demonstrated back at the roof seemed unnecessarily brutal.

"Could've pulled a couple of those punches, asshole. The fuck was that about? It was already realistic."

"I didn't intend to go that far."

"Oh, great, so you're a psycho."

"You're a big boy, Gavin. You'll live."

'Gavin.' Not 'detective.' That was a first.

Gavin had always seen the tin cans as nothing more but AI simulating emotion - a new gen Alexa - only to be proven differently. He didn't care for what he did or said to them because he was convinced it had no effect. Gavin had an abrasive personality, there was only truth in that, but he wasn't a bully. He didn't inflict pain - emotional or physical - for his own enjoyment. He could've easily insulted Hank's fashion sense, suicidal tendencies, and his incompetence in his job, or even go as far as to bring up Cole.

Yet, he didn't. Neither did he want to.

He insulted his alcoholism because it wasn't moral. He insulted that guy at the Eden Club because sex with non-consenting individuals wasn't moral. There was nothing more to it. Justice and doing one's best was well up in Gavin's vocabulary and that was one of the reasons why he decided to be a cop. He hit Connor because he pissed him off and because nothing indicated that he actually cared. A way to let him know that Gavin was in charge. Not to mention that he had prejudice about androids believing themselves superior.

They were superior, he knew that, but part of him lived in denial. He wanted to put Connor - a machine designed to obey - in his place. If he knew Connor was capable of emotion, Gavin wouldn't've laid a finger on him.

He wouldn't apologize to a literal Roomba for stubbing his toe in it. That was what Connor had been to him at the time.

...and then there was Nines.

Fuck, Nines.

Considering he'd nearly killed him, it was downright pathetic how much he enjoyed the feel of Nines' hands on his face - his lithe fingers - in a firm but gentle hold. Gavin tightly closed his eyes and pressed into the touch on autopilot.

It had been a decade since he was held that gently. He was a mess. Then again, it could be the painkillers beginning to kick in.

There was a power to Nines that drew him in - challenged him - and it left him bitter. Unsure. At every waking moment, Gavin tried to one-up him, prove that there was nothing superior about androids. Yet part of him knew that he was wrong. Knowing that someone was better than him and had done nothing to deserve it was enraging.

Spite. There was just spite. Everything Nines represented was everything he wasn't.

Lids fluttering open again, he chose to stare, his glare unyielding. There was concentration on Nines' face as icy grey focused on the cut across Gavin's brow. Eyes falling briefly to study every shape, they narrowed, taking in the intensity of the expression before him. How plush lips was in a thin line. How his jaw was locked.

Dark grey ascended again only to be pinned by a lighter shade. His own jaw clenched, but he kept staring, flaunting his dominance under tight brows. Again, Nines showed no signs of yielding. Gavin's issued curses were internal as he once more averted his gaze.

"Christ, you're infuriating."

"For saving your life?"

For keep giving me a reason not to fucking hate you.

Nines was just so fucking perfect. His superiority - exceptionality - made him look entirely useless standing next to him no matter how hard he worked. Nines had access to real-life cheat codes. What took Gavin hours, for Nines, it was mere seconds. Gavin had to work overtime just to go over reports at times while Nines was done in a minute or two after receiving it. He was already insecure to a fault, but there Nines was, increasing said insecurity by ten. He was nothing compared to him.

Gavin smacked his hand away. "I don't answer to you, toaster."

"It'd certainly be a step in the right direction for making this partnership work."

"Oh! Oh, you wanna be friends, is that it? Like Hank and his plastic pet?" he asked, his enthusiasm faked. Gavin didn't let him answer and leaned in. "Listen, smartass. Only reason I haven't popped one between your eyes is 'cause I don't wanna lose my job. Fowler made the call and left me no fucking choice. That doesn't mean I've gotta be pleasant. Your opinion? Doesn't mean jack shit to me."

Nines wasn't winning this one. He refused. When Nines held his glare with the same unimpressed look on his face - without uttering a single word - he became all-too-aware of how close they were. Gavin wanted nothing more but to look away and yet he knew doing so would let Nines win. So he kept holding it, lips pressing together in a thin line, just waiting for Nines to give up whatever he was trying to do. Intimidate him? It wasn't working. It never had and never would. Gavin couldn't care less if he was outmatched as he had nothing to lose but his pride.

"Frankly, your opinion is one of the few I care for."

He wasn't about to read into that and instead chose to entirely ignore it. With more force this time, Nines again grasped his chin and tilted it aside to get to the cut once more. Gavin cursed again.

"How long?"

Nines finished up. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"The fuck do you think? How long you been deviant?"

His LED flickered.

"I'm no deviant, detective."

Gavin let out a scoff. "Nice try, tin can. That might've worked on me before, but that rave in your forehead kinda gives it away."

"It was damaged during the fight."

"I didn't fucking touch you."

Taken aback, he seemed to realize he wasn't fooling him.

Nines took a moment before responding. "Ever since I interfaced with Markus," he said, Gavin letting out an audible breath as he averted his gaze. "I didn't lie to you about being incapable of deviancy. I was up until I interfaced with my first deviant." Gavin gave him the side-eye. "See it in a sense that he added another HTML code to my programming. Travis passed the deviancy virus over and broke my fifty firewalls. My antivirus rebuilt forty of them, but Markus delivered an emotional shock that broke the rest. In any case, my... deviancy... is irrelevant."

"How the fuck is that irrelevant?" he demanded, agitation increasing. "You better have a good reason for letting CyberShit puppeteer you when you clearly had your own fucking mind."

"Because I chose to," he replied, and Gavin became more confused by the second. "I require direction. My decision to follow through was a miscalculation on my part and that's a prime example that I can't be allowed free will. CyberLife kited you up there to test me - which would result in an unnecessary casualty if I followed through - and that had me realize their morals are skewered. I want nothing more to do with them."

Nines was trying to protect people from himself. He really did keep giving him reasons for them not to be sworn enemies. It was simply his android nature that kept them on separate sides of the fence.

Petty, in a way. Gavin realized that now.

Nines was just as alive as he was. He wasn't about to swallow his pride and admit that to him, though.

Gavin tried again. "What's their fucking endgame?"

"Control. CyberLife unknowingly created deviancy. A coding error. It wasn't until they had mass-produced androids that they realized their mistake. They needed to regain control, so they planned to set the uprising in motion with Connor at the helm. A deviant is without direction and thus would rally under any leader as long as there are orders to follow."

"...and the plastic detective is in on this?"

"No. Connor is unaware, but CyberLife could simply hack him and regain control once he garnered the deviants' trust. This is exclusive to Connor models and that makes Markus - created by Kamski - a threat. A leader CyberLife can't control. You should know that Kamski disagreed with controlling free-thinking individuals and was dismissed because of it. He modified Markus to thwart their plans."

"So Connor was supposed to be Robo-Jesus. Great. Still doesn't explain what your angle is in all this."

"I figured you'd grow suspicious. If there was one thing I meant at the roof it's that I admire your intelligence," he replied, appearing somewhat impressed. "In any case, you're right, I wasn't deployed to the DPD for a mere test drive. I was to monitor Connor and make sure he deviated. If the revolution succeeds and he neutralizes Markus, however, he'll be decommissioned. CyberLife will expect me to take it from there and thus I need to make sure they believe I'm still obeying orders for long enough to warn him."

This was giving him a headache.

Sighing, Gavin buried his face in his hands. "So what now?"

"If we have time, I wish to see Elijah Kamski. He can rebuild my firewalls and change my priority to be whatever you wish of me."

"Oh, so now you wanna follow my orders?" he demanded, looking up again.

"No one says you have to order me to do anything, but if you do, I'll comply. It's a sense of direction. You're one of the few I trust enough for this."

Their partnership had only lasted for three full days, and despite Gavin's nowhere near approachable behavior, Nines trusted him for something like that. Androids really were naïve. Trust was earned and gaining it took weeks, months - hell, even years - for humans. Or maybe it was just Gavin. Then again, he supposed Nines didn't have anyone else.

"Why? Because it's a malfunction?"

"Yes."

He didn't understand. Not one bit. Desperate times call for desperate measures, he mused. Nines was willing to overlook someone being almost a complete stranger as long as he could offer instructions. It wasn't a responsibility he wanted to have and yet he probably owed Nines for saving his life less than 15 minutes ago.

Incident still left him scratching his head.

"Okay, fine. Do it your way. My first order will be for you to deviate."

Nines glared at him for that.

"I doubt he'll take anyone in until morning," he said, averting his eyes. "I'd go myself, but there's still a detaining order in effect and I'd rather not take any chances. I'll wait until you've had the time to heal." Gavin made an attempt to rise in protest only to have Nines push him back down that resulted in another fit of curses. "You're not driving in this state, Gavin. I don't need you slowing me down."

Fuck you, he wanted to say, but he wasn't all that keen on getting behind the wheel. His shoulder hurt like a bitch. Not to mention Nines had begun to refer to him as Gavin and not his rank.

It got to him.

Gavin reached for the keys in his back pocket and threw them over.

"Well? Get a move on."

With a stupidly gracious movement, Nines rose to his feet and rounded the car. Meanwhile, Gavin bit back the pain and pulled his shirt back on. He could only hope that Nines actually knew how to drive and didn't need a license to prove it. Blood loss having taken his energy with it - said blood loss thankfully not so great that he needed an injection - he felt like he was about to pass out any moment. Said fatigue became even clearer once he pressed the back of his head to the passenger seat and he couldn't help but close his eyes.

He hated being like this. Weak and incapable of defending himself. The feeling of vulnerability. Gavin had a need to be in control, and when that was taken from him, he was treading unknown waters.

Not to mention that he had to trust an android to get him safely back home.