Binary Love (18+)

Dune - The Spice

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Itsuki chuckled, turning his head to look at Nova. He was relaxing in a chair, surrounded by screens pieced together to show Arachne's live stream of The Mayflower. The setup was messy; tangled wires trailed across the floor, powering the improvised surveillance equipment. She could hear the quiet hum of tech, but couldn't pin point where the sound was coming from amongst the disarray. It was amazing that he had crammed it all into the back room.

"You're eyes are sore because you barely blinked in the last few hours." Harou huffed.

"Just keeping my eyes peeled, Sir." As if to mock his boss, Itsuki's transparent eyelids blinked slowly, emphasising his large onyx coloured eyes. "I'm taking my job seriously!This illusive drink and bonus you keep promising me is a great motivator, you know?"

"I'll pour that ryujin whiskey away if you don't get started reviewing that footage." Harou's response was good natured, even if it was clear that he was asking Itsuki to get on with his job.

"Are we not waiting for Rosa?" Nova asked.

"Lucy's finished her shift for the day, so Rosa's working on the ward at the moment." He folded his arms, a small frown creasing the corners of his yellow eyes. "She's keeping an eye on Amaruq."

"Oh? Is he not doing well?"

Harou snorted. "He's getting better every day, and more anxious with every moment that passes."

"He says that he doesn't want to be discharged." Itsuki added.

"I don't blame him." Harou crossed his arms, while he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. Nova couldn't help but notice that despite presenting as relaxed, he had stationed himself near the exit. "He got kidnapped and experimented on, but we still haven't caught whoever did it. We can't have eyes on him at all times if he goes back on shift."

"Amaruq would be an easy target and a mistake they would want to rectify. If he remembers who took him it could change everything. That is, if he's been telling us the truth." Mark's voice rumbled beside her, his tail occasionally brushing against the back of her thighs.

"Exactly. Better he stay with us for now." The light reflected from Harou's yellow eyes, the extra glint emphasising his sharp gaze.

"Talking about shifty business, that spider of yours managed film some pretty interesting stuff." Itsuki twirled around in his chair, bringing him around to face his holo screen setup. They flashed with the typical neon colours holo tech emitted, before settling on a freeze frame that showed the darkened voyeur room within The Mayflower.

Each screen represented one of Arachne's eyes, resulting in an overwhelming three-sixty degree visual of the place. It was strange seeing the hedonistic goings on; the various bodies of different species coiled together in high definition.

"Nice choice of room, by the way."

"Shut up and get on with it." Growled Harou.

Eyes wide, as if to protest his innocence, Itsuki quickly muttered some affirmations before speeding up the video.

Suddenly, Itsuki paused the video, freezing the frame where it caught a red headed sexbot skulking in the shadows with another android with short brown hair. He allowed the video to play, showing the Sheila model conversing quietly with the unassuming android, before ushering it to a particular customer.

"At first, I didn't think much of it - it seems Sheila here manages partnering androids with customers - but it's what happens afterwards that caught my attention."

He sped up the video again, until it landed on the brunette sexbot. This time, with a programmed smile and soft giggle, she had returned with the customer she had been assigned too. The male human seemed disheveled - shirt sleeves rolled up, buttons done up incorrectly - and walking abnormally, leaning on the sexbot for balance.