Brand New Parts (Reed900)

Part One - Ashes to Ashes

The bill has passed.

An android's right to freedom, fighting tooth and nail against the odds to reach congress.

The bill has passed, deviancy becomes the new standard. Months and months of pockets of peaceful protests throughout Detroit, united towards the cause of android freedom, even though many sought to oppose them.

Gavin Reed was one of those people.

"They are not living! They are just plastic!" Gavin slurred, as a result of sleep deprivation meeting his caffeine buzz. "They don't think, they process! They don't feel, they read their programs and give a shitty fucking response!" He followed up, to the distaste of Hank Anderson, colleague and superior. Sheepishly stood behind Lieutenant Anderson, RK800. Connor. He maintained his tight lipped disposition, not correcting Gavin or berating him, just taking in what he had to say.

Neither the Android or the Lieutenant could respond to Gavin's agitation, simply turning back to their desks and resuming their investigation.

"Sheesh" mocked Gavin, turning towards the office kitchen and slugging his way to the coffee machine. He brewed a cup of black coffee, one sugar. Slumping back into his chair he briefly skimmed the electronic magazine resting on the table, it's front page article detailed the victory of androids everywhere. He stopped reading past line three.

He raised his coffee, now slightly cooler, and took a sip from his plain, grey mug. He stared briefly and blankly and the small chip along the rim.

"Gavin! In here!" Yelled Captain Fowler.  Fowler was a man who was frequently unpredictable, and on an ever increasing negative spiral. Gavin sighed heavily. It was never good news regarding himself. Slamming the mug back on the table adjacent to the blue, wooden coaster, he rubbed his eyes, stretched and walked towards the glass box of Fowler's office.

Without knocking, he opened the glass door, leaving it ajar.

He immediately noticed the android sat in Fowler's other seat. He had perfect posture, and was sat with his hands carefully placed in his lap. Additionally, he was wearing a white coat that stuck out against the grey background of the station, and his blue eyes were pensive and distracted. He remained silent.

"Captain." He said dejectedly.

"Reed. Take a seat" Gavin was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Usually Gavin got berated standing up. He was either in big time shit or something bad is coming his way. He couldn't decide what was worse.

"CyberLife had been working on some important new models before the policy change. Police bots." Gavin's expression changed from apathy-poorly-masking-concern to irritation with those two words. "We've been sent their latest model, the most advanced product they've ever made. We're assigning it to you."

The android glanced briefly at Gavin's face before returning to looking out of the glass.

"Android?! Me?! You're assigning me a fucking Tin Can to nanny me?! Fuck you, Fowler!" Gavin spat back. He was more than insulted by Fowler's decision.

"I am aware of your personal opinions of androids however I will be using this opportunity to attempt teach you some level of tolerance. You're insufferable."

"Why me! I'm a fucking asshole sure, but you could send the fucking Sentient Toaster elsewhere!"

"Every other member of this police department operates with a partner, and they work well. You may think your 'lone wolf' act hides your true vulnerable nature but it does not! I assure you we all see right through you and that vulnerability will eat you whole." Fowler announced with immense authority. Gavin couldn't fault Fowler's authority. Fowler was one of very few that has Gavin's respect. He was at a loss for words. Muttering something unsavoury under his breath, he waited for Fowler's follow up.

"Gavin, this is RK900." The android stood up to shake Gavin's hand, following his generic formal social introduction program. Gavin remained slouched in his chair, taking no notice. "I trust that you will learn to work well with each other. You are dismissed." Gavin nodded at Fowler and didn't even turn to face RK900, who was glancing at him curiously. They both rose from their chairs and left the office, the android following Gavin's lead.

Gavin marched back into the kitchen and returned to the seat he'd left fifteen minutes ago. Slowly, RK900 pulled out a chair, and sat down with the same impeccable posture as before. He studied the table, looking at Gavin's mug, now cold (RK900's sensors read it as 20°).

Hesitantly, the android picked up the mug by the handle, and gently placed it on the coaster. Gavin glared at him and sighed.

"So, boss assigns me a tin can. You got a name?" RK900 thought momentarily.

"Not really. My model is RK900."

"Nines it is then." Nines looked up with a shimmer of something in their eye. It was difficult to place but it was there nonetheless.

"It's an honour to be working with you Detective Reed."

"Gavin, it's Gavin." The corners of Gavin's mouth upturned ever so slightly, not necessarily a smile, but it could be mistaken as such. "What have you got for me, Tin Can?"

"I'm not sure I follow?"

"C'mon. What makes you a police android. What makes you CyberLife's best product so far?"

"I see. I can analyse samples quickly and efficiently, I can reconstruct crime scenes, and I..." Nines trailed off. "I'm built... to apprehend deviants." Gavin's eyes widened. Nines' eyes drifted away again, that same look that someone only has when they're lost in deep thought.

"I guess that's pretty impressive Tin Can."