Tick Tock Part Four - The Mouse Fell Down

The Neural Network

Not knowing where else to start, Nines followed his feet to the only place he could think of that might be of some use. He was actually surprised he didn't see him coming. The block he lived in was old, still using primitive key locks, but it did have security cameras. Nines stepped in unchallenged and took the lift to the fourth floor. Perhaps he'd thought he wouldn't dare come near after their altercation at the precinct, or he believed he had what he wanted. Whatever the case, Fifty-Seven's eyes were positively owlish as he opened the door to find him standing there.

"What do you want now?" He held the door a little closer, ready to push it shut. Not that such a flimsy barrier would stop Nines. Nines was surprised he spoke with such a casual tone, as if he were an inconvenience and not the one who'd probed his memory and forced his way into the network. Scanning the small apartment, Nines knew he was alone, so he clearly wasn't luring him into an ambush. He didn't know he was coming anyway. Nines kept his usual stiff poise, holding his hands behind his back and intensely disliking what he was about to say.

"I require your assistance." Fifty-Seven scoffed as he stepped away from the door, leaving it open. That seems as good an invitation as any, and it was probably best to take things inside. One never knew who might be watching. It wasn't quite what he'd expected. He'd thought Fifty-Seven might live modestly, with few human comforts, but it seemed his disdain for humanity didn't quite extend to their creations. The apartment was warm and welcoming, with various handmade ornaments and trinkets scattered about with real paintings hung on the walls. Many of them were old, a hundred years or more.

"What more could you possibly want?" He was angry. Understandable. His previous intrusion had been less than gentle. Many would consider it a form of rape. It was one of the highest crimes one could commit among their species. Fifty-Seven kept his distance, crossing his arms and pacing back and forth, glaring from the corner of his dark eyes. Despite that previous violation, he had freely allowed him entry into his home. There was something to be said for that.

"I need access to the AHL network." Fifty-Seven looked incredulous at the very thought. Not only had he forced his way on to the network and stolen information before, but now he was asking permission for a second try? And for what? To rescue a human? Unthinkable! Nines tried to remain unreadable, but he couldn't help the yellow blink at the corner of his eye. Fifty-Seven noticed it, too.

"Why are you so insistent? What good has this human ever done?" Nines found it hard to believe he could ask such a question. If he'd watched Gavin for as long as he claimed, then he should know all of his accomplishments. Perhaps he hadn't tirelessly fought for android freedom and pushed through rights, but he'd done his small part. He'd changed his mindset and made it public and helped multiple android victims. He'd even re-worked the DPD's training regime and made the precinct more welcoming for android staff.

"Gavin is a good man. He is not the AAL member you paint him to be." Fifty-Seven remained unconvinced, but he still hadn't outright refused. Perhaps he believes a refusal would lead to a second memory probe. He would be right, but Nines hoped it wouldn't be necessary. The biggest point of contention was VB's demise. "It is not Gavin's fault that your friend is dead." Dark eyes sharpened at the words. Of course it was his fault! That lowly human had set the perfect trap to not only get VB arrested, but to get him killed as well. "We have a common enemy." That got him. Nines could tell. Gavin wasn't off the hook, but Fifty-Seven knew that he wasn't the one who'd pulled the trigger. There was someone else pulling the strings.

"I'm listening."

"You've heard of the Hickory Killer." Fifty-Seven tilted his head and shrugged. Somewhat. He'd seen the news in passing and picked up fragments from Nines' thoughts during their earlier forced interface. It was difficult to hold on to things from that time. What stuck out most were the feelings. The red hot pain of loss, the endless well of despair and agony as he screamed for Gavin in the void. The Hickory Killer held little relevance to him before VB's death. What did he care for a human serial killer? If anything, their interests were aligned. One less human was one less human, no matter how it happened. It was a shame if they were innocent, but still no true loss. "His kills were first uncovered in 2035, and Gavin Reed joined the investigation. Claiming his final victim in 2036, the Hickory Killer disappeared for over two years, resurfacing in 2039 to start anew. He terrorises his victims, killing humans and androids alike." That piqued his interest. The killer taking android victims was news to him.