Reed me until 900 - #9

The cold night air bit at Gavin's cheeks as he stood outside the precinct, waiting for the final go-ahead on the operation. The team was gathering for the raid on the warehouse, each officer tense and focused, knowing the stakes were higher than ever. Gavin felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, but he also felt a strange sense of calm; tonight, they might finally end this madness. He also felt tired... didn't get much sleep before his android partner drove to get him for the operation.

RK900 stood beside him, his LED a steady blue as he assessed the team and equipment. Despite his impassive exterior, Gavin couldn't help but notice the way RK900's gaze lingered on him as if trying to reassure the detective without words.

"Ready for this, RK?" Gavin asked, trying to inject some levity into the situation despite the gravity of what lay ahead.

"Affirmative, Detective. All preparations are complete," RK900 replied, his tone firm but lacking any sense of doubt.

Gavin nodded, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety.

"Alright then, let's do this."

The team moved out on Fowler's orders, the convoy of police vehicles slicing through the city streets with determination. Gavin and RK900 rode together, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding and the hum of anticipation. It was a comforting presence amidst the chaos of the mission.

As they neared the warehouse, the night seemed to grow darker, the shadows deeper and more menacing. Gavin tightened his grip on the steering wheel, glancing at RK900, whose eyes were fixed on the road ahead, scanning for any threats.

"We're here," Gavin announced as they pulled up outside the warehouse, the rest of the team fanning out around them. "Remember the plan. We stick together, and we take this bastard down."

RK900 nodded, stepping out of the vehicle with a grace that belied his size. The air was thick with tension as the team assembled, officers moving with a practised efficiency that spoke of years of training. Hank and Connor joined them, Connor's LED flickering yellow in sync with RK900's blue as they exchanged silent acknowledgements.

Hank clapped Gavin on the shoulder, offering a grim smile.

"Let's catch this son of a bitch."

The team approached the warehouse, the massive structure looming over them like a sleeping giant. The air was heavy with anticipation, the only sound was the crunch of gravel underfoot and the distant wail of sirens.

Connor and RK900 led the way for their smaller team as other forces took different routes, their sensors scanning the area for any signs of life or traps. Gavin followed close behind, his heart pounding in his chest as they entered the building.

The interior was a labyrinth of corridors and storage rooms, each more cluttered and shadowy than the last. The air was thick with dust, the remnants of a once-thriving operation now reduced to decay and neglect.

As they moved deeper into the warehouse, the team spread out, each pair taking a different section. Gavin and RK900 took the left wing, their footsteps echoing eerily in the empty halls.

"Stay close," Gavin murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

RK900's gaze swept the area, his sensors picking up every detail.

"Detective, there is a possibility of ambush. Proceed with caution."

The tension was palpable as they navigated the maze of corridors, every creak and groan of the old building setting Gavin's nerves on edge. He could feel the weight of RK900's presence beside him, a steady anchor in the storm of uncertainty.

As they rounded a corner, Gavin paused, his instincts screaming that something was off. The air was too still, too silent. Before he could voice his concerns, a loud clang echoed through the hall as a metal gate slammed shut behind them, sealing them off from the rest of the team.

"Shit!" Gavin cursed, spinning around to assess the situation. "We're trapped."

RK900 stepped forward, examining the gate with a critical eye.

"The locking mechanism is controlled remotely. Attempting to override it could trigger an alarm or additional traps. There is also a possibility of a virus..."

Gavin's frustration bubbled to the surface, but he forced it down, focusing on the task at hand.

"Alright, let's find another way out."

They continued through the winding corridors, their path twisting and turning like the coils of a snake. The further they went, the more the air seemed to thicken with a sense of foreboding. Mannequins, remnants of the warehouse's past life, stood in rows like silent sentinels, their glassy eyes watching the intruders with an eerie indifference.

"This place is a damn maze," Gavin muttered, wiping sweat from his brow as they pressed on.

RK900's sensors were on high alert, every sound and movement was catalogued and analyzed.

"We must remain vigilant, Detective. The layout suggests deliberate design to confuse and disorient intruders."

Suddenly, a figure darted out from the shadows, lunging at them with a desperate ferocity. RK900 reacted instantly, his movements a blur as he intercepted the attacker, subduing him with efficient precision, he caught the baseball bat in the man's hand with his own one, and with a quick kick to the leg, brought the attacker down.

"Stay down!" Gavin barked, his weapon trained on the subdued man.

But before they could secure him, another figure appeared, this one wielding a taser. The sharp crackle of electricity filled the air as RK900 was hit, his systems briefly overloaded by the surge of power.

"RK!" Gavin shouted, rushing to his partner's side as RK900 collapsed, his body momentarily unresponsive.

The second attacker charged, and Gavin barely had time to dodge, his reflexes honed by years of experience. He grappled with the assailant, fists flying as they struggled for dominance. Gavin's heart raced as he fought, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, a shot was heard... and the attacker fell down while the other one, who was subdued earlier started to laugh like a maniac.

Suddenly, the acrid scent of smoke filled the air, thick and suffocating. Gavin's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening. Someone had set the warehouse ablaze, the flames hungrily devouring the dry timber and debris.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Gavin muttered, his mind racing as he turned back to RK900, who was beginning to stir.

"Our master will bring us to the future!" The subdued attacker suddenly stood up, rushing into the distant flames... which burned him to death in agonising screams and maniacal laugh.

Reed ignored the man, more worried about his android partner as he kneeled next to him.

"Detective… leave me," RK900 said, his voice strained as he struggled to regain control of his systems. "Your safety is the priority."

"Not a chance," Gavin snapped, grabbing RK900's arm and pulling with all his might. "I'm not leaving you behind."

The heat was intense, the flames closing in as Gavin dragged heavy RK900 through the smoke-filled corridors, his lungs burning with every breath. The crackling of the fire was deafening, the roar of the inferno a constant threat.

Just as Gavin thought they wouldn't make it, a beam collapsed from the ceiling, threatening to crush them both. In a surge of adrenaline, RK900 regained his mobility, pushing Gavin out of the way as the debris crashed to the ground.

"We must hurry" RK900 urged, his systems finally stabilizing as he took charge, lifting Gavin and carrying him towards the exit with a strength that belied his earlier vulnerability.

They burst through the doors, stumbling into the cool night air as the warehouse continued to burn behind them. The rest of the team rushed to their aid, firefighters and paramedics converging on the scene.

"Jesus, what happened?" Hank demanded, his eyes wide with concern as he helped Gavin to his feet.

"Fire… ambush…" Gavin gasped, coughing as he tried to catch his breath. "RK… he saved us."

RK900 stood beside him, his LED flickering blue with the effort of keeping his systems online. Despite the chaos, his focus was solely on Gavin, ensuring his partner was unharmed.

The team worked quickly to contain the blaze, but the damage was done. Several suspects had been apprehended, but the mastermind remained elusive, the fire destroying vital evidence in its wake.

As the adrenaline began to fade, Gavin found himself leaning against the side of an ambulance, exhaustion washing over him like a tidal wave. RK900 joined him, his expression unreadable but his presence a reassuring comfort.

"Detective Reed, are you injured?" RK900 asked, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.

Gavin shook his head, still trying to process everything that had happened.

"I'm okay, RK. Thanks to you."

Fowler approached them, his face a mask of frustration and relief.

"You two did good work, even if it didn't go exactly as planned. Get some rest. We'll need you for the debriefing and interrogations tomorrow."

Gavin nodded, too weary to argue.

"Yeah, sure. Feels like déjà vu, huh?"

RK900 offered a small nod, his gaze lingering on Gavin for a moment longer than necessary.

"Shall I drive you home, Detective?"

Gavin hesitated, but the thought of RK900's steady presence was strangely comforting.

"Yeah, alright. Let's get out of here."

As they left the smouldering ruins of the warehouse behind, Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. The mastermind was still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for his next move. But for now, Gavin was grateful for the partner beside him, android or not.

Back at his apartment, Gavin paused at the door, glancing back at RK900.

"Thanks, RK. For everything."

"Rest well, Detective. We'll find him." RK900 met his gaze, his expression softening ever so slightly. "And... it was you who saved me... this time."

With those words, Gavin stepped inside, but before he closed the door, he quickly turned around.

"Come in," he didn't ask, as he knew RK900 would say something stiff. He just told him to come in.

He could see RK900's blue LED flickering for a second. He then closed the car and slowly - like a predator stalking his prey - he walked inside Gavin's house. And the door closed behind them.