09:32

The engine of her old '68 Mustang roars one last time before to turn off. She parks her car between two patrol cars — four-wheeled wrecks, as if everyone is fighting to avoid the new electric models. The smell of oil and burnt metal hangs in the air, mixed with that of an old hot dog forgotten somewhere in the station.

She gets out, slams the door, and adjusts her collar. Black jacket, sharp silhouette. No need for makeup to impress criminals... or colleagues.

As she walks through the large glass doors, she greets two officers at the front desk with a simple nod.

— Lieutenant Tsukino! Always on time, huh? one of them says with a smirk.

— And always before coffee, she replies without slowing down.

A little further on, two detectives are laughing at the coffee machine.

— I swear, he arrested the guy in the apron, thinking he was the suspect... when he was just a tofu salesman!

— You didn't film that, seriously?

Akira rolls her eyes slightly, a discreet smile on her lips. This kind of nonsense is part of everyday life. Little bubbles of normality in a world that can change without warning.

But not today. Not this morning.

She can feel the tension in the air, the chill down her spine when something is wrong. And that damn message from the boss is spinning around in her head like a suspended blade. He never summons her without warning. Especially not in the middle of the week.

Akira arrives at the office door. Dark wood, a little worn, the same as it has been for years. She takes a breath, knocks twice, and enters.

— Hello. Did you ask for me?

The boss doesn't even look up from his screen.

— Sit down, Akira.

She obeys, closes the door, and sits down without a word. He finally speaks.

— I called you here about a priority case. Here, we mainly deal with homicides or strange cases, you know the drill.

— Hmm, she says in a neutral tone.

He opens a drawer, takes out a paper file, and pushes it toward her. 

These papers are always a bad sign.

— Except this one is different. A renowned scientist has been killed in very unusual circumstances. An android may be involved. We need to act fast, before things get out of hand.

Akira looks up, already annoyed.

— “Wait... why me? This isn't my field. I don't know anything about androids or robotics...” I'm more comfortable in the field with a gun than with a touchscreen.

—  I understand. But we needed someone urgently, and you've already proven your skills. You're the best qualified for this investigation.

— Well then…. she grumbles, sinking into her seat. What about Lenglais? Couldn't he take it on? Or Luki, who knows more about machines?

— Lenglais is already undercover. And Luki is a coroner, not a cop.

— Great… and I'm the one who pays the price…, she mumbled.

The chief stares intently at her.

— Velocity needs competent people for a case like this. You'll have two Detroit homicide detectives with you. CyberLife is just monitoring the investigation. You won't be alone. You leave today.

Akira leafs through the file. Name, photos of the laboratory, profile of the scientist. Nothing encouraging. She lingers on the photo of the deceased. His gaze still seems alive, or perhaps she is sorely lacking sleep.

— Velocity... where is that again?

— An experimental artificial island. A government project. A society with almost no crime, managed by a central AI. Over there, androids are everywhere.

She closes the file, surprised.

— Seriously? A futuristic city, androids, and all that jazz... Great, it's like something out of the movie I, Robot. You know that kind of stuff gives me hives.

The chief raises his hand to interrupt her.

— Exactly. That's why we chose you.

He sits up slightly straighter.

— You'll be in the field and you'll have all the support you need. Luki is waiting for you in the meeting room. He'll give you what you need and brief you on the whole mission. If there's a problem, you'll be in direct communication with him.

She stands up, one hand resting on the desk.

— All right... I'll be right there, she replies calmly. But if their robots try to wish me a good day, I'll take them apart.

She turns to leave, but the chief calls her back.

— And one last thing, Tsukino. Not a word to the press, no leaks, nothing. This is an experimental and secret facility. It's not Disneyland here.

Akira nods without turning around and slams the door behind her. Not exactly thrilled about the mission.