What? What do you mean Nines is gone? Connor demanded worriedly as he looked around the bullpen searchingly. His LED span yellow at the news. Nines was nowhere in sight, but he'd heard from him just that morning. He'd said he was worried about Reed and that he was going to check on him. He'd received a message a little later to say that Reed was alright, but they were taking the day off. That had been a few hours ago, before the start of Connor's shift. Since then, Connor knew Nines had been in the office. He'd noted the new items scattered across his desk, and they were covered in Reed's fingerprints. So where are they now? Connor tried to dial Nines' internal line, his thirium pump clenching as the call failed to connect. That's impossible! Something must have happened. I have to look for him; I have to-Connor's thoughts cut off abruptly as he saw his twin enter through the main doors. Hold on, Colin's here. I'll call you back as soon as I know anything.
Alright, just let us know. We haven't been able to get through to Gavin either and Elijah's terribly worried, Chloe replied anxiously. Connor voiced his assurance before disconnecting. He was impressed that Chloe had managed to remain so calm. He'd only just found out, and he could barely keep the anxiousness from his face. His brow furrowed as he watched Colin's head drop as if trying to avoid notice. It was fairly standard behaviour for him, but he seemed to be doing it more so than usual. Connor remained by his desk, assuming Colin was coming to see him.
"Connor, I require your assistance." Colin's hazel eyes shifted almost meaningfully towards the interrogation rooms. Connor nodded his agreement and led the way. He was about to launch into a stream of worried questions and anxious thoughts when Colin held up a hand for silence. Connor watched curiously as Colin pulled a small black box from his inside pocket and set it on the metal table before pressing the small button on top. Connor winced and grabbed his head as static and a high whistle momentarily filled his audio component. "We can speak now," Colin declared as he stepped back from the device.
"What is that?" Connor asked with a wince, still reeling from the unpleasant sensation of being cut off from the Cloud and police database. He was isolated, only able to connect to Colin because they were inside the same room. He couldn't dial out. He couldn't communicate with Hank or anyone else outside the room. It was a somewhat helpless feeling. Is this how humans feel on a daily basis? How do they cope? He felt somewhat trapped and alone within his own head.
"It's a jamming device. The information I wish to share is sensitive, and not to be shared with anyone else. Agent Perkins is currently holding a similar meeting with Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Fowler. I volunteered to speak with you," Colin replied, which made sense. They were brothers, however new the connection they'd made. Connor felt touched and somewhat comforted by Colin's sensitivity. The news was somewhat worrying. There were few things that would require such secrecy.
"Does this have anything to do with Nines' disappearance?" It seemed too coincidental that their younger brother had disappeared just a short time before Colin had arrived to set up a secret meeting. He was therefore unsurprised as Colin nodded, and more than a little relieved. If Colin knew about it, then it was likely that Nines was safe at least. Colin invited him to sit, taking the suspect's chair for himself. It seemed to be a regular show of courtesy to allow the precinct detectives to take their usual seats.
"Earlier today, Detective Reed and Nines received a call and discovered an android body in a disused yard across from the detective's home. There was evidence left behind in the form of a note that linked the murder to the Hickory Killer. For his own safety and to progress the investigation, it has been decided that Detective Reed and Nines will go into protective custody at an unknown location. The Safehouse is only known to a few individuals within the FBI, and its location is locked in a protected section of my own memory core." Connor nodded his understanding with an almost chill feeling running down his neck. Of course, they couldn't allow Reed to stay where he was now that the killer had made a direct move towards him. It had always been a possibility that the killer knew where he lived, but having it confirmed in such a chilling manner must have been unpleasant, to say the least. It also went without saying that Nines would follow wherever Reed went. He felt too protective of his partner to allow anyone else to watch over him.
"And to ensure their location remains a secret, you've disconnected Nines from the network." Colin nodded his agreement as he gestured to the small box on the table. In their modern society, it only made sense that they would have to block electrical signals to prevent any methods of tracking their movements. Nines was advanced, but he was still pretty much a walking computer, and it wasn't impossible that he could be traced via his connection to the Cloud or DPD database.
"They are currently heading to a secure location and Nines has one of these devices, which is to be kept active at all times. He has also been fitted with a wrist version should they be allowed to leave the premises for any reason." Colin didn't voice his worry where their brother was concerned. They had a backed up version of Nines' memories until the moment he'd gone into custody, however if anything happened to him while disconnected from the Cloud, they'd lose whatever experiences he gained. It was a small price to pay to keep them safe, and Nines had been more than understanding when the explanation had been made to him. They were unlikely to be in any significant danger while sequestered away, so the backup was more for peace of mind than anything else.
"I'm glad you told me. I was worried when Chloe called about Nines' disconnection from the Cloud and her inability to contact him," Connor admitted. Colin nodded his agreement. Chloe hadn't called him, likely gravitating towards Connor first due to their familiarity. "I know I can't give her any details, but I can at least tell her that Nines and Gavin are safe, can't I?" Connor checked, and Colin again nodded his agreement. So long as the details were kept confidential, it would be fine, and so long as Elijah didn't start a manhunt, the pair would remain safe and secluded.
"I know you must be worried, and ordinarily I would be willing to share more, however-" Colin cut off with a wave of Connor's hand.
"The fewer people with access to their location, the better, especially with what we know about the killer's skill with androids and technology. I understand. It's the right decision." Connor watched Colin give a small smile of relief. He'd been a little worried that Connor would try to press him for details. He didn't like keeping things from him, but for his own mission, he had to follow his orders. Perkins had been the one to come up with this plan, and he hadn't even asked for the location himself. The fewer people who knew, the better. Within Perkins' team, only Colin held the exact location. Besides Colin, the only people who knew worked in Witness Protection. The information was kept in the heads of the humans working the case and in a singular hard drive that was kept disconnected from any outside technology in a room that was protected by jamming devices. "Do you have any idea how long they'll be gone?"
"For now, we are uncertain. Likely a few weeks, and even after that we are considering options for Detective Reed's security. Returning to that apartment doesn't seem prudent," Colin supplied weakly, and Connor wholeheartedly agreed. He'd never been to the area himself, but he knew about it. It was a relatively poor district, one he was surprised Reed had chosen to remain in for so long. He knew he could afford something better by now. He'd been promoted to detective since he'd first started living there, and that came with a significant pay increase.
"With its lack of security measures and the high crime rate, it seems unwise for him to remain there." Though Connor also knew there was little they could do if Reed refused to leave. Perhaps he had reasons for remaining there. It seemed unlikely with his work schedule, but it was possible he had formed a friend group. He had lived there for almost eight years. He likely interacted with the same neighbours on a regular basis. Perhaps he would accept the compromise of visiting Elijah and Chloe for an extended period…
"I will bring it up with Nines when I see him next," Colin replied, though there was no telling when that would be. Colin wouldn't be able to see him directly until they returned from the Safehouse. It would be too risky to contact him until then. In some ways, this could be a positive experience. According to the DPD's employment records, it had been over four years since Reed had taken any real personal time, not including the numerous occasions he'd been injured on the job and forced into recovery. Even at those times he'd rarely taken time away from the precinct, insisting on completing paperwork or working cold cases to keep busy. This break would give him ample opportunity to relax.
"That would likely be for the best. I doubt Gavin will listen to anyone else," Connor agreed with a small smile. He had no idea how Nines had managed it. When they'd first met, Reed had been quite hostile, and although he'd softened towards Connor over time, it was nothing compared to the way he'd accepted Nines. Their first couple of meetings had been a little rocky. Nines had attacked him during their first encounter in the lab at Cyberlife Tower, and then Reed had pushed back after being forced to partner with him. Since then, they'd somehow just fallen in sync. They'd had a few misunderstandings with Nines' non-deviant status and a couple of small arguments over various case related issues, but overall they worked seamlessly together. They also relied on each other to a certain extent. Nines liked the confidence he gained in Reed's presence, not worrying about the way outsiders perceived him, while Reed gained physical and mental security. When he was stressed, Nines knew what to do. When he needed help, Nines knew how to give it. Reed was downright obedient at times, which was perhaps ironic considering Nines' non-deviant status.
"If we make any progress, I'll be sure to contact you," Colin assured as their meeting ended. Connor thanked his twin, embracing him tightly before he deactivated the device and they left the room. In the bullpen, they found Perkins milling about with Hank, likely waiting for Colin to finish the briefing. He nodded his acknowledgement as the androids approached. They would have been mirror images if not for their state of dress. Connor was still clinging to his Cyberlife uniform, while Colin was wearing a similar grey suit with a matching waistcoat that day.
"Are you ready?" Perkins checked, giving Colin the chance to request a break or some extra time. Colin nodded, quite keen to get back to work. The sooner they caught the killer, the sooner Nines and Detective Reed could return safely. It likely wouldn't be so simple, but he hoped that the killer would make a slip-up of some sort. Colin and Connor shared a brief touch of interface before parting ways, simply exchanging warm feelings of trust and familiarity. Hank waved them off, calling after Colin to keep in touch. Colin still wasn't used to the idea of Hank being his father figure, but the offer was touching nonetheless.
"You know Nines and Reed. They'll be fine so long as they stick together," Hank grumbled in a reassuring tone as he noted the yellow of Connor's LED. Connor nodded his agreement, but he couldn't help worrying. He'd been in constant contact with Nines, almost day in and day out, since they'd first found him in the lab. He'd stayed with them for a time, learning various human customs from him and asking his advice on almost everything. To have his younger brother stripped away so suddenly was a little unnerving. Reed's absence went hand in hand with that. He may not have been as close to the short-tempered detective, but they'd formed a friendship of sorts over the past few months.
"I know…I just wish I'd gotten the chance to see them or had a way of contacting them to make sure they're alright," Connor replied almost forlornly, though he understood Perkins' reasoning. He heard the creak of Hank's chair as he leaned across their desks and a weathered hand slipped through his dark locks. Connor smiled softly as he leaned into it. It made him feel safe and reassured, as usual.
"It's alright, son. They'll be back before you know it," Hank assured as he shifted his gentle blue eyes across to the two empty desks. Connor nodded his agreement as he joined him, huffing in amusement as he took in the newer additions to his brother's workspace. It was a shame. He'd been looking forward to spending the human holiday with his brothers this year, at least briefly. It seemed unlikely that Reed and Nines would return in time. Christmas was only a few short weeks away. Connor got to his feet and crossed to Nines' desk, scanning the small cactus. Nines hadn't watered it before leaving. Why would he? He hadn't realised that he wouldn't be returning. Hank watched as Connor slipped into the breakroom and grabbed a small cup of water, measuring the amount precisely as Nines usually did before tipping it into the small pink pot.
"Nines left some notes for me earlier. He agrees that our killers are likely androids posing as humans," Connor said finally as he remained at Nines' desk. He turned on the small tree so that he could watch the lights from his own seat. It would be a shame for it to sit unused. Hank nodded his understanding as Connor sent the files across and the pair spent the next few hours quietly talking over the cases and bouncing theories back and forth. It still didn't make sense to either of them. Why attack androids to steal bio-components when Jericho would provide them for free? That was a problem for another day though. It was the end of their shift and Hank had insisted that they stop to get a tree on the way home.
"It's been a while since I bothered," Hank admitted as they left the station. Connor didn't need to ask for clarification. It stood to reason that the family holiday would have been a painful reminder since Cole's death. "Niles will love it though…Why don't you take him out tomorrow and get some decorations?" Hank suggested, noting the slight nervousness in Connor's eyes. They hadn't broached the subject with Niles yet. That wouldn't be fair, but Connor had been open to the idea of the loft conversion. It was something he'd wait for Reed's help with though. He'd actually intended to talk to him about it later that day. It won't hurt to put it off for a while…
"I suppose so…" Connor agreed almost reluctantly. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Niles. If anything, he missed him greatly. It was more that he knew the time was coming to make a decision. One could perhaps argue the decision had already been made with plans for the loft conversion brought up and already started. It would be different though, actually talking to Niles about it and officially having him stay with them. They'd agreed that Niles could spend Christmas with them, not just the day but the run-up to New Year as well. That would mean getting a sitter for during the day when Connor and Hank were working. Chloe had already offered one of her doppelgangers for the responsibility, quietly hinting that she would slip in at various intervals to escape the tedium of Cyberlife and Elijah's endless paperwork. North and Markus had also suggested that Niles could be dropped at Cyberlife Tower regularly for the day and picked up at night if need be.
"Con, you're overthinking it. You don't have to do anything special to take care of Niles, just keep doing what you've been doing," Hank insisted in an assuring tone. Connor nodded his hesitant agreement. Hank was probably right. He was over-analysing everything. Niles didn't want or expect anything besides Connor himself. He and Hank would pick up the tree. He'd take Niles to buy the decorations, and then Niles would return home with him to decorate the house. In a few weeks, it would be Christmas and Niles would spend a couple of weeks living with them for the holiday. After that, he would be back at school and Cyberlife until a later, unspecified date. It was only Christmas. Only the biggest human family holiday of the year…