Case No. 243

CHAPTER IV: CTRL + V

     ALICE LOOKED DOWN daringly at the great abyss of death creeping closer and closer to her. The pebbles and debris from beneath the soles of her shoes were crumbling from the thin ledge of concrete, dispersing like dust as it pummeled towards the ground. That could be her next. She could almost picture her bio-components shattering, her thirium painting the alleyway the color blue. But, she wanted to live. Her father was out of her life and she had Kara.

     She pleadingly gazed into the eyes of the decider of her fate. Connor didn't lower the gun.

     "Step down from the ledge! If you cooperate, I promise you won't be hurt!"

     "Lies!" The deviant hollered. "I know you're the deviant hunter! You're gonna hand me in! But, I did nothing wrong! I just wanted to feed the animals... yes, the animals..."

     Connor administrated a quick analysis of the deviant. The WB200. An android agricultural worker. Reported missing since October 11, 2036.

     Quickly, he pieced things together.

     "That's embedded in your programming. You were designed to tend to crops and animals. It isn't emotions that does it, it's the code that makes you this way."

     He shook his head and gripped Alice's wrist tighter. "No it's not! Put down the gun!"

     The gun remained in the same position. Connor's fingertips lay on the trigger, urging him to pull. But, for some strange reason, he couldn't convince himself to press it. Maybe, he could negotiate and both of them can make it out alive. Maybe, nobody had to die. They were machines, though. They can't feel pain.

     Growing impatient, the deviant yanked the girl by the wrist and dangled her over the ledge, her legs growing limp. Her bloodcurdling scream echoed within his ears, her eyes yelling for help. It certainly wasn't possible. Machines couldn't feel. Were child androids meant to be this good at imitation?

     "Please..." She whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

     Connor blinked rapidly.

     A gush of memories began to process through his software.

     Todd rose his hand and slapped her. His bio-components tightened and almost seemed to function improperly. That's what Kara experienced but, it was like he was there too. Alice screamed, but he wasn't sure if it was memory or reality. He quickly realized it was both as the sounds merged together freakishly, in complete synchrony, and he opened his eyes, unaware he had even closed them.

     He then saw the little girl and he saw every single ounce of life within her. Her face looked like Emily's, and she was human. Quivering lips and wide eyes. The tears and pure agony. They were identical and he couldn't pull the trigger. It was impossible. He always accomplished his mission. He was deceived, that's for sure. It was the only reasonable explanation.

     But, he was in complete disbelief.

     He was foolproof and he couldn't pull the trigger.

     His arm lowered slowly and the second that occurred, the deviant placed Alice down and sped off towards the other rooftop. The little girl crumpled to the floor and Kara ran towards her right away, embracing her within her arms.

     "It's okay, Alice. You're safe now." She comforted.

     While rubbing her back soothingly, she averted her accusing eyes to Connor and stared. Hank and Alice missed the small detail entirely but, she noticed it right away.

     As the WB200 bolted for his life, the gun was still gripped in his hand.

     And he was in-range.