Prologue

Monday: August 16, 2038 11:00 A.M.

- ANDROID SAVES HOSTAGE -

It was all over the media. A little girl by the name of Emma Phillips was nearly killed yesterday by her family's android.

"Did you hear about the hostage situation last night?"

"I heard the mother and daughter survived, but the father...that's just awful an andriod shooting a human being."

"I thought they weren't supposed to do that."

"Apparently they sent an android to handle the situation."

"No way! That's fucking crazy."

"Yeah it shot the other one before it could fall with the little girl."

"Holy shit..."

No one seemed to believe any android would be capable to kill another android, but then again androids typically don't go rogue or deviant as professionals call it. Androids follow orders. Even the ones any human being would question in doing.

"Charlie. Charlie Lawrence." I looked up from the paper offering a small smile to the nurse.

"Dr. Hawthorne will see you now." She said holding the door open for me.

Cyberlife, the manufacturer of androids, never commented on the growing issue and I guess they won't have to. Since this new android is their statement. Their answer to their problem.

"How are the prosthetics treating you?" My doctor asked examining my arm. Her dark hair was already loose from its typical updo alongside with her clothes looking slightly wrinkled. It was only 11 in the morning and she already had her hands full.

"Arm still works like it's supposed to." I answered. "But I need a new eye. This one is starting to malfunction."

Bella examined my eye before taking it out. As always it stung like hell.

"Sorry" She said as she examined it before tsking at the small device.

"You burned through this one as well. It should've lasted at least another 2 years."

"Blame my profession. Some drunk asshole punched me last week. Must've damaged the eye."

She only hummed in distaste as she went to fetch a replacement.

"Any certain color?" She asked.

"You know I don't care about that sort of thing, but a newer model would be nice." I was joking of course, but Bella always took things literally.

"Suit yourself." She came back with a brown eye that looked state of the art. She gave me a quick count down before inserting it and I could already tell a difference.

"This is technically a prototype, but it has a built in scanner to check things like I.D's, blood types, and other things. I figured if anyone would have the best use of it."

"Thanks Bells. I swear you're the best genius I know." She smiled before finishing up my check up.

"Thank my sponsors for allowing me to use my skills as a doctor for people. Rather than fixing machines. Speaking of which what happened with yesterday's incident?"

"I wasn't working last night if that's your question, but I got the full report this morning. I also read it in the paper."

"Charlie." I looked over at Bella as her blue eyes meeting mine. "Are you sure you want to keep working for the DPD? You have prosthetics but that doesn't make you invincible. It's only a matter of time before I can't fix you anymore."

"I'm fine Bella. This is exactly the kind of job I want to do. And at this point I can't see myself doing anything else. I've been at the DPD for seven years already. Hard to jump into a new line of work. Especially with how high unemployment is these days. " I chuckled.

She shook her head but smiled anyway.

"We'll be careful. Not a lot of good cops out there anymore."

"Can't promise anything, but I'll let you know how the eye works, Doc." I winked at her as I was about to let myself out.

"By the way you free this weekend? My super hot Canadian friend Erik is coming to town. He wants to meet you." She smiled wickedly as she asks, but she knows my answer.

"Too busy this weekend." I say. "Maybe YOU can take him out to dinner."

She blushes as I take my leave.

The cool summer air hits me as my phone buzzed.

Hank: Hey kid Antony's funeral is August 21st. This saturday at 2. Swanson funeral home. Jeffery said to wear our uniforms.

Okay I'll drive us there if you want. : Me

Get a beer after? I'm sure Antony would want us too. Instead of mourning over him.

Hank: Read my mind kiddo. You almost done with your appointment?

Just got done. : Me

I'm swinging by Chicken Feed on the way back. I'll buy. :)

Hank: Fuck yeah I'm starving

Be back in thirty. : Me

I sighed, turning on the ignition of my car. I do love being a cop. Catching killers and busting up drug syndicates are perks of the job. Attending your coworkers funeral every once in awhile.

Not so much.

"Welcome to Detroit." I thought before merging onto the street twirling my ring between my fingers.