"Turn right at the next intersection." Nines' instruction was cool, but on the inside, he was anything but. Reed's vitals were low and level, suggesting he was still unconscious. At least they'd been fairly gentle. Though he'd been frightened, he hadn't experienced any significant pain. There had been a brief scuffle. He could tell that much from his adrenaline and fluctuating energy levels. A drug had been used in combination with physical domination in order to subdue him. The drug was curious. A slow working toxin. It was closely related to chloroform, perhaps a mixture of two drugs. It was unfamiliar. Whatever the case, he was certain Reed would suffer upon waking.

"Alright, and then?" Tina turned as instructed, nodding along as he directed her to go straight. Miller was equally anxious, foot tapping as he gripped the handle by his head. He was worried about Reed. They'd worked together for many years and had pretty much become partners after Jack died. He was also worried about Tina's driving as she put her foot down. No way was she letting those sickos touch Reed! Mission be damned! It had been a stupid plan. The moment they got to wherever it was they were going; she was going to go in and kick their asses. Then she was going to kick Reed's ass. Then she'd find Hank and give him a piece of her goddamned mind. It was supposed to be his job to keep him out of trouble like this!

Nines was sitting in the middle backseat, a slim belt across his waist keeping him down as he rested his hands on the two front seats. He wanted to see everything, to scan the road ahead and see as much as possible. The vehicle was still moving. He knew it was a vehicle due to the speed, probably some form of truck. It had to be large enough to conceal at least two humans and multiple androids, at least four since they'd clearly wanted the humans alive. The signal was moving towards them, and Nines intended to keep it that way. They were likely on the lookout for tails, but it was unlikely they'd look at cars that were already on the road as they pulled onto it.

There was a curious sensation in his chest. His thirium pump was thumping faster than usual. It was unpleasant. His artificial stomach swirled, though he had little within it at the moment. It was clearly linked to an emotional response of some sort. Fear? No, he was not scared. He had little reason to be afraid for himself. Worry? That was more likely, and not entirely unreasonable where Reed was concerned. Perhaps it was a mixture of both. He was worried about Reed and scared that something may go wrong. He didn't want to lose him like this, not when he'd finally allowed him close. His LED span between red and yellow at the thought.

"Officer Chen, take the next left and then slow to forty miles per hour," Nines instructed as he ran his preconstructions. In comparing Reed's trajectory to their own, he estimated that once they were on the correct route, he'd be able to see the vehicle as it turned onto their road. It was simply a matter of keeping Tina's car far enough back so as not to be noticed. Once he found the correct vehicle, he'd let her know. His body leaned as Tina took the turn and slowed, drifting into the flow of late evening traffic.

"You still got eyes on them?" Though Miller's question was technically inaccurate, Nines nodded his agreement. The tracker was still working. Both of them were, in fact. They may have deactivated Reed's phone, but it seemed they hadn't expected him to be wearing any other form of tracker. This was supposed to be a secretive meeting. Perhaps they believed Reed would be unprepared for an ambush...

"They're coming onto the road now. Maintain this speed and trajectory." Nines shifted his silvery gaze to the side windows on the right. In the small holographic HUD in his vision, he could see a small map of the surrounding roads. Reed's little red blip was heading towards their own, which he'd marked in blue to represent himself. Through the window, he could see various cars turning onto their street. None of them were the right one. Too small and too close for now. There. It was a large van, keeping suspiciously close to the speed limit. "The blue van. Maintain your current course. Do not alert them to our presence," Nines added as he pointed out the van that pulled onto the road. It was in the next lane over, ahead of them by two cars.

"They might spook...we're a marked car," Miller said grimly as he looked out of the side window, making a point of not paying too much attention to the van. Nines nodded his agreement as he moved to sit behind Tina. If they looked too closely and noted his model, they may realise something was wrong. He heard Tina take in a calming breath. She wanted to rumble them before they could take Reed wherever the hell they were going, but she didn't want to blow the mission. "What do we do if they turn off again?" Miller thought it likely the van would choose a different route if they noticed a squad car.

"Let them. I'm connected to Sergeant Reed, so I can track them. Let them move onto a separate street. That may be safer in the long run." Nines scanned the van. It was a standard model, very old though. It always surprised him when he saw old petrol run cars, though this one had been converted to run on a less toxic form of fuel. He couldn't scan the interior, but his connection to Reed told him he was still stable and unharmed. He was still unconscious, and his body temperature was dropping. Is it a side effect of the drug or have they removed his jacket? He certainly hoped they had only removed his jacket.

It didn't take long for the van to veer off onto another street. Nines watched the blip on his internal map, giving Tina directions to remain one street away. They didn't want to get spotted should the van return later. It was his plan to keep one street between them at all times from then on unless they entered an abandoned area. He sent a location update to Connor, who returned with his own. They weren't far off, just a couple of blocks across from the van on the opposite side. It put him at ease somewhat to know that they had the van closed in on both sides. He didn't know for sure, but SWAT should also have been able to follow the signal from Reed's trackers.

"It seems they are heading for the Kingston Mall," Nines reported as the van headed straight for the large building on the outer edge of the city centre. Tina made a turn to get them on the same road, staying far enough back that they were out of sight in the darkness with their headlights off. She trusted Nines to direct them. Miller hummed thoughtfully from the seat in front.

"Makes sense. The place has been abandoned for years. It has a lot of space. It's derelict, and few humans would ever go inside." Tina nodded her agreement. Humans wouldn't set foot in that place. It had closed after a mass shooting a few years back, and without upkeep, it was falling apart. Nothing there but ghosts and falling debris...The perfect place for a new android group to set up without notice.

"Slow down...We may need to park a little further back and walk. Considering the area, and that they don't know they were followed, we should be able to close in without notice." Nines watched the red blip stop for a while. They'd likely driven into the underground parking lot and were getting ready to move inside. The red blip moved, but it was slower than before. Whoever had Reed, they were carrying him on foot now. His vitals suggested he was still unconscious. Tina stopped the car on the roadside. There were no buildings in the runup to the mall. It was one long open road, four lanes wide. It used to be a big place, with both outdoor and indoor parking.

"Do you think there are cameras?" Miller asked cautiously as they stepped out. Nines' LED blinked amber as he looked around, zooming in and out across the empty lot with his night vision engaged. There were outdoor security cameras, however there was no power going into them. The mall had been shut down and abandoned years ago, so the grid had been shut off. That doesn't mean the AHL haven't set up their own source of power on the inside.

"The outside cameras are inactive...Follow me." Nines led the way along the side of the road, keeping to the right. They were lucky that the lights had lost power over the years as well. The open lot was dark. As he checked in with Connor, he found that he and Hank had taken a different route. They were coming in from the far right, also on foot but heading down to the basement parking lot. "We'll take the main entrance, but be careful." There wasn't really anywhere to hide when walking across the parking lot, but he was watching the building carefully and there was no sign of them being watched. The whole place was shrouded in darkness.

"Where are we going?" Tina asked quietly as they paused at the main entrance. There were no doors, just a large open walkway that led into the main mall, which rose twelve floors to a dirty glass ceiling. Some panels were cracked and shattered, while the rest were filthy and covered in creeping ivy. The interior had been a pristine white and cream once, but it was all faded grey now, cracked and covered in more creeping vines. Most shop fronts had been smashed or removed, along with everything inside. The building really was a shell. Cold. Empty. Even the metal escalators were rusted and trapped in place by creepers.

"Fifth floor..." Nines replied quietly as he watched the red blip. Reed was awake now. Awake and suffering. His vitals fluctuated and pulsed. From the pattern, Nines could tell that he was cold, weak, afraid, and in significant pain. His jaw tightened at the thought. He wanted to run straight up, but that could be risky. The whole mall was open. Running up the escalators would put them in plain view of anyone inside. As he listened, Nines could hear various movements. The androids on the fifth floor were not the only occupants of the building.

"Hey...Stairwell." Miller nodded further inside and along the wall to the left. That was likely their best course of action. Nines held up a hand as he received a call internally. It was Connor. Tina and Miller waited, both of them looking around cautiously for any sign of movement. It was difficult for them with their limited vision; however, their eyes had adjusted well enough to the darkness. They may not be able to see everything with Nines' clarity, but they could easily make out the shapes of the escalators and walkways.

SWAT are flying in now. They'll drop on the rooftop within the next five minutes. Hank and I are in the stairwell on the east side. Connor's mind and focus were clearly on the mission. His tone was all business, with none of the softness and care it usually held. Nines joined Tina and Miller in scouring the area. The route to the stairwell was clear. They just needed to be quiet while moving across. No lights and as little sound as possible.

We are heading for the west stairwell. We'll make our way up to the fifth floor from there. SWAT should move in the moment they arrive. The androids will hear the helicopter before they land. Nines calculated their attack pattern, and Connor agreed. The mall area was quiet. Too quiet for a helicopter to fly in without drawing attention. That meant they had to be ready to get Reed out before the androids had a chance to either kill or move him. Nines' body stiffened as he heard a pained roar. Tina's hand on his forearm stopped him before he could rush in.

"Nines..." Nines nodded his agreement as he touched her hand in thanks. He had to keep a cool head and complete the mission.

"Move out." He led the way along the wall to the swinging fire door. It was heavy. Stuck fast after years of disuse. "We need to move quickly. I can't do this quietly." Nines placed his hands on the door in preparation. Miller and Tina nodded as they drew their sidearms and readied themselves to rush in. If anyone came to stop them, they'd be more than ready to take them down. Nines shoved the door and moved through, holding it for the humans as they entered the large stairwell. Tina led the way, gun already raised as Miller followed. Nines pushed the door shut with another creak before following behind, keeping his gun levelled at the lower door. Someone must have heard it. Any minute now, someone would come and check. "Quickly!" Nines urged as he covered the lower stairs. He listened as Tina and Miller ran up the next set before hurrying after them.

"Wait-wait!" Tina hissed, stopping and crouching a little to look higher. Nines increased his audio sensors, listening carefully. The lower door was pushed open, and a voice called up. Tina flinched as the door above her on the third floor opened. They were now part way between the second and third floor. Tina drew back against Miller at the wall. He rested his shoulder against her back in support as they both aimed upward, ready to fire. Nines aimed downwards, listening as dull steps approached the stairs.

"Who's there?" The demand from below echoed in the silence. Steps clicked above and Nines slid back away from the railing as a shadow appeared above.

"Eighty-Nine, is that you? What the hell, man? You almost gave me a heart attack!" There were more steps, likely Eighty-Nine moving to look up. There was silence. The androids were likely speaking internally now that they knew who to connect with. Nines listened hard for any sign of movement. He held up a hand in warning, knowing that Tina and Miller would be getting anxious. He was worried, too. Firing their guns would draw attention. Ideally, he'd like to get close enough to shut them down, but if they both closed in from either side, he'd have no choice but to take them one at a time. If he did that, one of them would have time to send an alert to their friends. Thinking fast, Nines started up his espionage software and called Eighty-Nine directly with a false model number.

Eighty-Nine, intruders have been spotted in the front parking lot north of your location. Can you confirm? The android below accepted the call. Nines knew he would be thrown off by the unfamiliar contact, but hopefully, news of an intruder would be enough to distract him. He silently made his way up past Tina, knowing the android upstairs would likely make his way down.

Understood. I'll scour the area right now. Nines felt his lips twitch as the door below creaked open loudly as Eighty-Nine left. One down...With the lower android gone, Nines took his chances. After sneaking up the next set of stairs, he peered around the corner. He could see the android's shoes. He was waiting on the next level. Nines sprang into action, using all of his speed to rush him. He didn't waste time with grappling. His hand went straight for the throat and forced an interface. His software was more than enough to force the lesser model, a GJ200, into stasis.

"Hurry, I don't know whether he managed to send out an alert before he entered stasis," Nines called softly before heading up to the next level. He could hear Tina and Miller behind, though they tried to be quiet. Nines could hear Reed's cries as they reached the door to the fifth floor. He was in a lot of pain and distress. His vitals didn't look good. His heart was racing, adrenaline pumping, and he still hadn't recovered from the previous drugs.

"Not so fast, Terminator...We rush in there now and it could all be over," Tina warned as she grabbed his dark sleeve. His lips twitched slightly. He'd never been called Terminator by anyone besides Reed. Strangely enough, he didn't mind when it came from Tina. He knew without looking that she was just as worried as he was. She may not be able to see his vitals, but she could hear his choked breaths and grunted cries of pain. Nines nodded, taking a breath despite not needing air. He opened the door slowly and cleared the walkway. No one was keeping an eye out. They clearly thought they were safe here. Why wouldn't they? They were in a secret base, with guards on the lower levels.

"...e what I want to know! That's all you have to do, Sergeant...Then it will all be over." I know that voice...The room was just a little way down the hall. An old store of some sort, though there was no sign of what it had once been used for. "What did you find? Tell me!" A slapping sound and a pained grunt told Nines he'd just struck Reed. He could hear his shaking breaths. He was shivering.

"Bite me, asshole!" Reed's voice was croaked and hoarse. Why did he sound so choked up? Reed coughed a couple of times before yelping in pained surprise. Nines' jaw tightened as he registered the sharp pain Reed was experiencing. He assumed that VB had taken him up on the offer. Tina's hand gripped his elbow in warning. He didn't need to check to know his LED was spinning red. "No! N-no-phck! Stop-d-don't-" Reed's voice cut off with a wet sloshing sound. It was followed by gurgling yells of objection and splashes on the ground.

"What did you find?" The wheezing gasps told Nines that Reed had been released from whatever they'd been doing. Nines nodded in relief as he saw Hank and Connor crossing towards the store from the other side. There were no glass windows left, so when they were ready, they could jump straight into the store. Nines tilted his head as Hank held up a small device. It was unfamiliar, but from his motions Nines assumed it was a grenade of sorts. He nodded and stepped back at Connor's wave, keeping Tina and Miller tucked safely behind.

Hank will throw the shock grenade on the count of three. You and I must remain clear until after that point. Nines nodded his agreement. Whatever it was, it had likely been made to affect an android's internal workings. One...Two...Three! Connor counted, both of them crouching as Hank tossed the device into the store. There was a loud bang and crackling flash, followed by yells and clatters from within.

"Detroit Police! Nobody move!" Hank shouted as he stepped through the shattered doorway with his gun raised. Tina and Miller moved through next, followed by Connor and Nines, when they were sure it was safe. VB was on the ground, twitching as he jerked to sit up. He was reinitialising. There were two other androids there, both of them unfamiliar. "Stay down!" Hank roared as he rounded on VB, who raised his hands with a resentful scowl. Miller and Tina cuffed the other two. Another GJ200 and a BL100. Nines didn't wait for anything further before crossing to Reed, who was strapped to a plastic chair.

"Gavin!" Nines fell to his knees beside his soaked human. His torso had been stripped. The stitches from earlier were bleeding, as well as his lip and a deep bite mark on his shoulder. His hands had been tied behind his back and his ankles had been zip tied to the chair. Nines examined his vitals, pleased to find that he was slowly relaxing now that his friends had arrived. Reed whimpered as his wrists were released, wasting no time in slumping against Nines' chest and grabbing at him weakly. "I'm here, you're safe..." Nines assured in relief as he stroked his sodden hair.

"Phck! I'm glad you're here. That was phcking rough," Reed grumbled, accepting Nines' hand to get to his feet. He stumbled immediately, the drug still affecting his balance. "Ashton's dead...They shot him as soon as they arrived. He took out one of their men, probably still in the van downstairs." Reed's voice was shaking as he shivered, gratefully accepting Nines' jacket as it was draped over his sodden shoulders. His own clothes had been tossed off to the side. His jacket was intact, but the top beneath had been ripped apart.

"We can go over the details at the office tomorrow. Right now, I need to get you to a hospital." Nines' LED span red as Reed scoffed and pushed him off. Nines steadied him as he pushed to his feet. He was still wobbly and unfocused. "You were drugged with an unknown substance and may have water in your lungs." Nines ignored the surrounding movement. He knew Connor had cuffed VB, and SWAT had arrived to clear the rest of the building with yells and gunfire above and below. Tina and Miller marched their guys out and Hank approached Reed from behind to lay a hand on his shoulder. Reed flinched into Nines' chest with a whimper at the unexpected contact.

"Nines is right. Get yourself checked out. That's an order. I'll oversee things here with Allen, and Connor will book these guys at the precinct. You did good, Sergeant," Hank praised as he patted his shoulder in both praise and an apology. Reed scowled resentfully at the order, but he knew Hank was right. He felt like shit, and not just from nearly drowning about ten times. He turned away from the dirty plastic basin of water to lean into Nines' chest.

"Phck, I want to go home."

"Later, Gavin...hospital first," Nines insisted softly, patting his back sympathetically as Reed started coughing into his shoulder. He definitely had a little water in his lungs, and he was shivering from the cold. The drugs, water, and weather had all contributed toward his lowered body temperature and fatigue. He could at least walk, though he was leaning heavily as Nines led him down the frozen escalators. Blue and red lights greeted them at the exit. Nines was grateful that someone had called an ambulance, probably Connor.