Reed me until 900 - #5

The morning at the station was filled with a buzz of activity as officers prepared for the day. Gavin and RK900 made their way to Fowler's office for a briefing. Fowler, a stern-looking man with a weathered face, was already waiting for them, his gaze flicking between the two as they entered.

"Finally! How long do I have to wait for you two!" Fowler began, his voice gruff. "I've reviewed the reports from last night. Good work on identifying the pattern. Now, let's talk about what we've got."

RK900 stood with military precision, his LED a calm blue.

"We have identified several commonalities in the locations where the android children were taken. Each site is near an abandoned or rarely used building. This suggests the perpetrator is familiar with these areas and is using them to avoid detection."

Gavin, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, added,

"Yeah, we've got a radius that suggests the bastard's got a hideout somewhere within a specific area. We're gonna check those spots today."

Fowler nodded, glancing at Gavin.

"I want you both to be careful. This guy's dangerous. And Gavin, try not to piss off your new partner too much. He's doing a hell of a job."

Gavin rolled his eyes.

"Sure thing, boss."

Fowler's eyes narrowed slightly before he turned his attention back to RK900.

"Keep an eye on him, RK900."

"Understood, Captain," RK900 replied, his tone steady and devoid of emotion.

The briefing concluded, and they headed towards the elevator to begin their day. Gavin, as usual, couldn't resist throwing a jab at his android partner.

"So, you gonna annoy me all day with your perfect calculations and emotionless comments?" Gavin asked, smirking.

RK900 didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped into the elevator and waited for Gavin to follow. As soon as the doors closed, RK900 pressed the stop button, causing the elevator to jolt to a halt.

"What the hell?" Gavin snapped, glaring at RK900.

RK900 moved closer, one hand resting on the wall beside Gavin's head, the other hovering near the stop button. The proximity was almost suffocating, and Gavin could feel his heart racing as he felt trapped between the android's hands.

"There is something you need to understand, Detective," RK900 said, his voice low and even. "Professionalism in our work is paramount. Personal grievances should not interfere with our mission."

Gavin could feel RK900's breath near his ear, the android's face mere inches from his. It was unsettling, and the tension in the small space was nearly unbearable.

"Don't... do that," Gavin managed to say, his voice shaky.

RK900 pulled back slightly, his eyes boring into Gavin's.

"Understood, Detective."

With that, RK900 released the stop button and the elevator resumed its ascent. When the doors opened, RK900 stepped out first, leaving Gavin standing there with his heart pounding and his legs feeling like jelly. He quickly composed himself, anger bubbling up at the way his body had reacted.

"Damn plastic prick," he muttered under his breath, following RK900 out of the elevator.

The drive to the first location was uneventful, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension. Gavin focused on the road while RK900 scanned through the data on his tablet, his LED occasionally flickering as he processed information.

"First stop is an old factory on the outskirts," Gavin said, breaking the silence. "Let's see what we can find."

The factory was a dilapidated building, its windows broken and the walls covered in graffiti. They stepped out of the car, RK900 immediately scanning the area for any signs of recent activity.

"There are traces of movement," RK900 observed. "Footprints in the dust suggest someone has been here recently."

They moved through the building methodically, checking every room and corner. Despite their thorough search, they found no significant clues. Gavin's frustration grew with each empty room they checked.

"Damn it, where is this guy hiding?" Gavin muttered as they returned to the car.

RK900 remained calm. "The pattern suggests he operates within a specific radius. Based on the locations of the previous abductions, I have identified a potential area of interest. It includes a large abandoned factory near the centre of the radius."

Gavin nodded. "Alright, let's check it out. But be ready for anything."

The abandoned factory loomed ahead, a massive structure that had once been a hub of activity but now stood silent and foreboding. They parked a short distance away and approached cautiously, RK900 scanning for any signs of movement. Suddenly they spotted a white van, hidden behind the factory walls.

"We should wait for backup," RK900 advised.

Gavin shook his head. "No time. I'm going in to check it out. You stay here and keep an eye out."

RK900's LED was still calm blue.

"Detective, it is unwise to proceed alone. The suspect is dangerous."

"I can handle it, you stay here and wait for our people" Gavin insisted, moving towards the building.

As Gavin entered the factory, the atmosphere inside was even more oppressive. The air was thick with dust, and the only sounds were the creaking of the old structure and his own footsteps. He moved through the shadows, his senses on high alert.

Suddenly, a figure lunged at him from the darkness, and Gavin was knocked to the ground. Before he could react, the suspect was on top of him, a knife glinting in the dim light.

"You shouldn't have come here," the suspect hissed.

Gavin struggled, but the man was strong, and the knife was getting closer. Just as he thought he was done for, a blur of motion caught his eye. RK900 moved with inhuman speed, grabbing the suspect and throwing him off Gavin with ease.

"Do not touch MINE partner," RK900 said, his voice cold and emotionless, his LED still blue.

The suspect tried to fight back, but RK900 subdued him quickly, pinning him to the ground and securing him with handcuffs. Gavin, still on the ground, watched in a daze as RK900 efficiently handled the situation.

RK900 turned to Gavin, his expression unchanging.

"Detective Reed, are you injured?"

Gavin tried to push himself up but felt a wave of dizziness. "I'm... fine... F*k you really are the most plastic of them all..." he mumbled before everything went black.

When Gavin came to, he was lying on the ground with RK900 kneeling beside him. The android's hand was on his shoulder, and he could hear the distant wail of sirens as backup arrived.

"Detective Reed, you lost consciousness," RK900 said. "Medical assistance is on the way."

Gavin blinked, trying to clear his head. "You... saved me."

RK900's LED remained steady. "It is my duty to protect my partner."

"Ah.. yea right.. And here I was starting to warm up to you and feel grateful. And here you are... a cold machine" Reed seemed angry.

As the paramedics arrived and began to check Gavin over, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Frustration, gratitude, and something else he couldn't quite place. He watched as the suspect was taken away, still processing what had happened.

The backup team swept through the factory, and it wasn't long before they discovered a hidden room. Inside, they found several android children in various states of disassembly. The sight was horrific, and even the seasoned officers were shaken.

"This guy was trying to create something," one of the technicians muttered. "Looks like he was piecing together parts to make some kind of ideal android child."

Gavin, his head still throbbing, stood beside RK900 as they surveyed the scene.

"We need to get these kids back to CyberLife for analysis," he said, his voice tight with anger.

RK900 nodded. "I will ensure the evidence is properly documented and transported."

"They're kids... not evidence" Gavin couldn't stop himself from saying that.

After the scene was secured and the android children were taken, Fowler ordered Gavin to go home and rest.

"You've done enough for today, Reed you idiot. Go home and get some rest."

RK900 insisted on driving Gavin home, and Gavin was too tired to argue. The ride was silent, and Gavin's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

When they arrived at Gavin's apartment, RK900 turned to him.

"Detective Reed, please be cautious with your health. Your well-being is crucial for our work."

Gavin frowned, feeling a strange mix of emotions. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine."

As he turned to leave, RK900 grabbed his hand, pulling him back and looking down at him with an intensity that made Gavin's heart skip a beat.

"Ensure that your body does not sustain further damage. It is not optimal for our operations."

Before Gavin could respond, RK900 reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Gavin's forehead. The touch was unexpected and sent a shiver down Gavin's spine.

With that, RK900 released him and got back into the car, driving away without another word. Gavin stood there, staring after him, his mind racing. It took him a moment to gather himself and head inside, his thoughts still a chaotic mix of confusion and frustration.

He slumped onto his couch, pouring himself a drink and trying to make sense of everything that had happened. RK900's actions were baffling, and Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the android than met the eye.

"Maybe that fucking diode of his is... broken?"