We watch as the suspect drags McCanon from her seat into view of the camera. Then he looks up at the camera and points down. If I had to guess he wants the camera to look down at McCanon. We hear McCanon moan, and then she starts speaking.
"What are you doing? Leave me alone. Somebody help me, please." McCanon pleads.
We can hear more moaning. Kelly started to look away, but the suspect gently pushed her head back to look at him.
"Oh, no, don't." Kelly said.
There was silence for a time. That was until the suspect pointed his gun at her head, and that I realized that this little show is over. Kelly began speaking again, real fear was in her voice.
"How did you know I was a…" Kelly started to ask.
There was another scream as the suspect fired his gun point blank at Kelly's head. The suspect must have fired at least ten plus rounds into her head. Kensi has a blank expression on her face, while I'm gritting my teeth at the barbarism that is being displayed on the television.
"My God." I say in disgust.
We can see electricity steaming from her head and we can hear trying to talk but it comes out in a garbled mess, and moaning. Her mouth opens wider and closes to the position it was at before being shot a few times, and her eyebrows wiggle up and down a few times. The moaning continues for a few more minutes, and stops when the suspect pushes her face into full view of the camera with the barrel of his gun. The camera stays on McCanon's face for a few seconds, and the slowly pans up; coming to resting on the suspects face. The suspect takes his glasses off, and looks right into the camera. The look on his face is one of satisfaction, and pleasure. He looks back at McCanon with a toothy smile on his face. The screen fades to black, and snow is dominating the screen.
"This has been unedited material from video files as sent to us by the murder suspect. Here to comment on the footage is Ms. Julia Blanchen, an activist in the movement to drive out robots." The reporter said.
I stand up as the reporter started speaking again. I hear a noise. I look at the door and it's open. I look to the spot where Kensi was standing and it's empty. I didn't even give her a second thought. It's late, or what can be considered late for here on Mars, so shut and lock the door, and then get undressed and go to take a shower. I crawl into bed, and let my mind wander to all the things that had happened since arriving on Mars.
Firstly I was in a shootout with my new partner against a suspect that kill a robots. I don't like robots, but to outright murder the robot? Then I meet my squad for a debrief/brief for the current case, and then finally the suspect reaches out to the public with footage of the murder. That last part doesn't usually happen, but when you have been on the police force for fifteen plus years you don't bother to look twice at somethings. I drift off to sleep, but it's fitful at best.
I see the night, as I did every night since the incident, that Jess was killed over and over again. And then I wake up screaming from my nightmare. I look at the clock and its six o'clock in the morning. I have an hour and a half until I have to be on the job. I feel a shooting pain run through my right leg starting at the knee. There's not much I can do, but for some reason I grab my knee and ride out the pain. After the pain stops I get out of bed, and get dressed in sweat pants, and a zip up sweatshirt. I place a towel around my neck to catch the sweat. I run to work, seeing as how I don't have a car. It's not far, and I need the exercise.
Occasionally I throw a few punch combinations, exhaling as I punch. My run takes me through a park. I get to a spot where I can look out over the city, and it's gorgeous. The problem I have is off in the distance I see a replica of the Statue of Liberty. I'm tickled that they built one here. I look at the ceiling, or is it the roof, and I can see what looks like a clock, per se. Where the sunlight would stream through, I see roman numerals from I to XII. A fascinating way to tell time her on Mars, but I'm still distracted by the monument.
"It's amazing. They're everywhere you look. You think they could build something else." I grumble, and then head into work.
I'm towel drying the sweat off my head when I walk into work, and it looks like a ghost town; nobody is in. Not the desk jockey's, not even the brass. The only person in at the moment, even though it look like he had a rough night, is Eddie. I can hear him yawning as I walk into the locker room.
"You're here pretty early, Detective." Eddie says.
"Hmm?" I grunt.
I hear Eddie grunt as he is sitting up.
"She's gone already, the bade-totting terror in hot pants." Eddie says.
"Huh?" I say, wonder who he was talking about; then I realize that he was talking about Kensi.
Eddie grunts as he lays back down, pulling his coat over him, using it as a blanket. I walk over to my locker grabbing a few things out of my locker so I can take a shower, but Eddie continues to talk to me as I do so.
"Hey you want some free advice? Try not to get your partner killed this time. And here's one more thing. When she puts on her visor, whoo, watch out." Eddie says.
Next thing I see is Eddie sitting up and throwing a key at me.
"Oh, and before I forget, here. She's clean, gassed, and waitin' downstairs. And welcome to your new home." Eddie says, with a grin.
I hear him laugh, and grunt as he lays back down to get some more sleep before the day shift shows up for work. I shower, get dressed in same attire that I wore here from Earth: a pair of khaki pants, dress shoes, dress shirt, and a blue trench coat. I exit the building to see my car. It seventies muscle care with air vent in the hood. I get in, start the engine, and listen for a few moments as I enjoy the sound of the car; after I had my fun I pull out of the police station parking lot, and start the case proper. The steering is a little jerky, but I correct the fish tail, and drive away. I'm not sure where to go, but I'll figure it out. As I pull up to a stop light I hear what sounds like protesting. I look over my shoulder to see crowds in the streets protesting. I even see a few robots being surrounded. One person with a bull horn shouts.
"Robots get out. Get out right now! Give us back our jobs!"
"Give us back our jobs!" The crowd shouts.
I see a street sign that seemed familiar. I shut my eyes, and let myself flash back to the conversation I had with Hetty last night.
M.A.M.
Last night-
I hear beeping coming from the keys Hetty pushed as she was bring us a topographically map of the city.
"I'm sorry to have to break you in so soon, so we may as well get started." Hetty says.
"Umm. But, Hetty, is our section supposed to handle this matter?" I ask.
"Hmm? Just what do you mean by that, Mr. Deeks?" Hetty asked.
"Well, you see, the victim was definitely a robot, so I don't see why M.P.D. should get stuck dealing with it. Shouldn't we let some government agency take it off our hands?" I say.
"I wish it was that simple, bit it's the robot's origins that we're interested in finding out about. As you may not be aware, people here consider illegal robot technology and replication to be a criminal offense." Hetty said.
"Yes, Hetty. I guess so." I say.
"Are you going to tell me why you wanted to transfer to Mars? Besides my pestering you, and the possibility of being permanently benched." Hetty said.
"Well, I'd rather not, Hetty." I say.
"As you like, but let me warn you. If you have misguided compassion for robots, you won't make it here." Hetty said.
As Hetty continues with the briefing, I see a name on the screen. The street name was Josephson Street, and it must have something to do with the case. With the briefing finish, I left with Kensi for the night.
M.A.M.
The light turned green when I came back to reality. I turn on to Josephson Street, and follow it until it dead ends. When it dead ends I see a complex with a big building, surrounded by a lot of smaller buildings. The biggest building had a sign out front with the word Conception written on it. I figured this company might know something about the illegal tech, or possibly knows somebody who knows how to manufacture the materials. As I pull into the parking lot I can hear the crowds shouting. Just like they did when I was driving over here. Shouting for the robots to get out, and for them to give back their jobs. I just walk by nonchalantly like they aren't there. I step into the lobby of the building and I'm amazed by the size and scope of the place. I can hear lite conversation, and to my surprise the staff was comprised entirely of robots, but given the fact that there are protesters at their front door, I shouldn't be.
"Wow, what a place." I say admiring the set up here. Then I see a staff member walk past. "Excuse me, miss."
"Why not?" I hear a familiar voice ask loudly.
"Huh." I say, distract from my task at hand by the outburst to my left.
I can barely make out the conversation, but the woman wearing the red getup is Kensi. I listen to the conversation in earnest as I make my way over to them. From the posture I see on Kensi' body it looks like she could jump over the counter and beat the woman senseless.
"I'm very sorry, but I've already explained to you that I cannot allow you to see him." The woman behind the counter said.
"You're telling me he doesn't remember the name "Kensi" at all?" Kensi asks.
"Mr. Granger said that he's never heard of you at all." The woman said.
"Listen don't mess with me, or you'll have a very bad day." Kensi said, hopping up on the counter and grabbing the woman's collar in one hand, while drawing back to throw a punch with the other hand.
"You better get out of here, or I'll call the security gadget." The woman said, holding both of her hands up.
"Yeah, I guess it's useless talking to a Second like you." Kens sad.
Kensi didn't know what hit her, so when I picked her up, and threw over my shoulder she was protesting her removal from the building kicking and screaming.
"Uh, just cancel that appointment." I say, and then exit the building.
I can barely hear Kensi speaking over the shouts of the protesters. Something about How dare you! And I have business here! But I just keep walking until I get to my car. When I get to my car I open the driver's side door, and toss Kensi into the passenger's seat.
"Just what the heck were you think trying accomplish back there?" I ask, as I move her foot from under me.
"You know, you should really should move your car. Or it might get trashed, by those idiots." Kensi says, but I distracted by the moronic protesters standing outside the Conception building.
"Huh?" I ask.
"So, what's next?" Kensi asked, with her feet up on the dashboard.
"Hmm? Well, immigration seems like a likely place." I say.
"Oh, Deeks. I already went there and couldn't find our guy on the list." Kensi said.
"Hmm." I grunt.
"Oh, I doubt we'll find any record of him, because thirty-seven percent of the population isn't registered here. Or I guess you didn't know that." Kensi said.
Kensi is doing her job, but her cavalier attitude is making me grinding my teeth, so I change the subject before I chip the finish on them.
"Then who were you trying to see at the Conception Company?" I ask.
"That's private. By the way, I've already done some leg work. Conception was the company that set the standards for the seconds. So, there you go. Uh, but, you know, I still pity 'em. The other manufacture, Hugite, passed them up, and it killed their aspirations, but that's the way it always goes." Kensi said. "Say, does this fancy machine have reclining seats? Huh. Partner?"
"If you're looking for a partner… then stop flying solo." I say.
Kensi puts her feet down on the floor, sighing in the process, and then lets out a giggle.
"Hey, Deeks, as your partner, can I make a suggestion?" Kensi asks.
"Yeah." I say.
"Let's eat. I'm starving." Kensi says.
"All tight." I say.
We get out of my car, and then start walking. We exit the parking lot, heading down a stairwell into what was definitely one of the seedier parts of St. Lowell; the red light district. We aren't even two feet away from the stairs and I see a billboard for an escort service with a picture on a naked woman on it.
It's been a while since I've been in a red light district. I forgot how crazy it could get. I think.
When the billboard had passed from my view, I felt Kensi hook one of my arms with hers. I try to pull away, but she stays glued to my arm. Then I remember her conversation from the day before, Ooh, what a sexy back. I just love broad shoulders, and I leave her be. I look to see a woman in lingerie assisting a customer, while another man was looking at merchandise in boxes behind her. A few shops further down I see a woman dancing, with her goods on display. I see another stand that has face skins for robots.
Another shop show two men looking at a woman that is naked except for a towel, or some item of clothing tied to her forearms, covering her backside from the waist down. I have no idea where we are when I see people staring at me and Kensi. Even a man who is carrying a prostitute wearing a mermaid, or what could pass for a mermaid, outfit. I could hear him moan as we passed him by.
I find myself standing alone on a balcony overlooking the city, as Kensi ran off to get our food. A few seconds later I see something out the corner, and when I turn to see what or who it was; it was Kensi. I get a good look at what she was carrying. She was eating ice cream.
"Ice cream." Kensi said, handing me my cone.
"Junk food." I say, with a sigh. "I thought we were going to get something to eat. Oh, well whatever."
I take my cone and slowly start licking the food that Kensi had bought for us. I take in the view, and I'm blown away. Los Angeles had some scenic views, but those views are nothing compared to the ones here. The towering buildings, the lights, and the setting sun as a back drop. The only problem with it are the protestors. I can still see the mobs from here, but their vocal chants and screams I cannot hear.
Thank god! I don't like robots either, but these people need to grow up and find work elsewhere. I think.
"This is some kind of town. Things are going to get worse with all the remodeled Seconds. There's no way humans and robots are ever going to get along. Besides you can't trust robots." I say to no one in particular.
"You're no different." Kensi says.
"Hmm?" I ask, licking my cone.
"You and that guy are both the same." Kensi accuses.
"What do you mean that, nutcase?' I ask.
"It just seems that both of you have something against robots." Kensi says.
"Well. I'm sick of all these cyborgs, humanoids, and machines that only seem to copy us. Since I'm allowed to make a choice, I choose not to like something that pretends to be human.
Kensi scoffs at my indifference to robot life. I look into her eyes and from the offensive look in them, you would think that I just said death to all robots. Kensi stares at me for a little bit, puts her visor on, and then walks away, with a parting scoff. I start to walk towards her, but I stop myself before taking a second step. I finish my cone, and the head back to my car. Kensi was waiting for me by my car. I unlock the driver's side door, get it in, and then unlock the passenger's side door as I close my door. I remember that Kelly's manager was holed up in bar about two miles from our current location. So I thought we would go question him again; see if anything has changed since the death of his employee.
When we walk into the bar there's music playing softly in the back ground, and the manager is sitting at the bar with his head down, and a drink in his hand. I sit on the stool to his right side, and Kensi on his left.
"Now, you're positive that that woman on the shuttle with you was Kelly McCanon?" I ask the manager. He didn't answer, so I pressed him. "Well?"
"Of course, I'm sure." He said, with slurred voice.
"Excuse me." Kensi said.
"Oh, please tell me you've Kelly, won't you, huh?" He asked Kensi, there was a hint of hysteria in his voice, as he had grabbed on to both of her shoulders. "No stinkin' robot can play a guitar and sing the way Kelly does. I'm her manager. I know her better than anybody. She's the most human woman I know."
I hear the man gasping in shocked surprise, and grunting as he hit the floor at my feet after Kensi punched in the jaw.
"Kensi!" I exclaim.
"You client is history, buddy. Just learn to live with it." Kensi says, and then heads for the door.
"Hey, wait!" I say, following Kensi out of the bar; shooting a parting glance at the drunken wreck of a man left sitting on the floor.