From Your Wires to Your Core

Following the Trail

Reed stared intently at the screen of his terminal, ignoring the burning fatigue in his eyes. The grainy footage showed the female android, Avery, heading up yet another darkened street. She left her apartment and headed into town...Seems to be a familiar route. She isn't looking around for signs or directions...He occasionally glanced across at Nines, who seemed more focused on him than the video on the screen. Of course, he'd already watched through it and recorded everything. He was mostly waiting for his input so they could share theories.

"Well, she clearly knows the area and where she's going...She feels safe. See how she isn't checking around?" Reed added as he nudged the screen with his pen. Nines nodded as he glanced at the screen, mainly for Reed's benefit. He'd thought the same. Avery was a fairly basic model, built without the advanced sensors of the RK series. She wouldn't be able to scan the area without using her optical processors, like a human. The fact she never turned her head suggested she felt at ease. He couldn't detect anyone following her, either.

I have the next video feed. This is when she enters our catchment zone. Nines began the next feed. This one was clearer, and Reed could make out Avery's neat, brunette ponytail and slim figure. She was dressed nicely, in a short pleated skirt and a strappy top with a small jacket over the top. She walked in high heels, enhancing her shapely legs. She looks like she's ready for a night out...or maybe a job...Reed felt a grim sense of recognition as he watched her enter their catchment zone. She was close to one of the drug drop points, right in the middle of the red-light district.

"Uh-huh..." Reed hummed as he watched her slow and stop on the corner. That explains the lack of friends and family...She's trying to keep a low profile. Probably doesn't want anyone to know what she's up to. She remained standing idly on the corner with her hands in her pockets, waiting and looking around. He zoomed in a little. She didn't have an LED. Interesting...That means most of her clients might not even realise she's an android. Especially if they're not familiar with all the different models.

A car pulled up. Reed tapped the screen wordlessly, and Nines nodded his agreement. He'd already looked at and recorded the licence plate. The car pulled away with Avery inside. Reed couldn't get a good look at the driver in the darkness. Nines fast-forwarded the video by about twenty minutes and the car returned. Avery stepped out, tucking her purse away in her handbag before she waited once more. A few minutes later led to another car, and then another. She had a total of five clients that night, none of whom took her away for very long. She was working there for around four hours when a car pulled up further down the street.

"Shit..." Reed sighed as he watched a grey clad figure climb out the back and head into the alleyway with a rucksack. Seeing potential clients, Avery started to walk towards the car, sashaying her hips. Come on...turn around...walk away...Reed already knew she wasn't going to, but it didn't stop him from wishing. She reached the car and leaned down at the window. Her lips moved as she spoke. "Any idea what she's saying?" Reed asked as he eyed Nines, who remained across from him in his chair.

She is attempting to make a deal for her services...They are uninterested. Gavin nodded and returned his attention to the screen. They watched the third man return. Avery straightened up with a shrug, seemingly unbothered by their rejection. The third man paused as he opened the door, folding his arms and talking to her. There wasn't a clear view of his face. He wore a hood to hide himself as much as possible. Avery seemed cheerful as she gave him her attention. She has revealed herself as an android...He recognised her model from the Eden Club...They changed their minds, and have agreed to her usual rates.

"I take it..." Reed already guessed Nines' answer.

She does not return. This is the last image we have of her directly. The car, however...Nines skipped to a new recording, which followed the car as it drove through the city. It travelled east and left the CCTV footage heading out of town into one of the older warehouse districts. Of course, they wouldn't take her from such an obvious place if they could be traced.