inbox #13
inbox #13
1. shinee/exo, taemin/kai, police academy au, any rating
2. shinee/exo, taemin/kai, kai is a rising actor and taemin is his thrill-seeking stunt double, any rating
3. vixx, hongbin/hyuk, midnight dates, any rating
4. vixx, leo-centric, footie au, g-r
5. miss a, fei-centric or fei+jia, post-apocalyptic or zombie au, g-rthings I do not want ( Read more... )
1. shinee/exo, taemin/kai, police academy au, any rating
2. shinee/exo, taemin/kai, kai is a rising actor and taemin is his thrill-seeking stunt double, any rating
3. vixx, hongbin/hyuk, midnight dates, any rating
4. vixx, leo-centric, footie au, g-r
5. miss a, fei-centric or fei+jia, post-apocalyptic or zombie au, g-rthings I do not want ( Read more... )
The first time QR3S8K-A114 is activated, it’s for less than thirty hours. They stand him in a line, a crowd, of other androids and tell them that it’s only temporary. We are in need of more bodies, you are cleared for this mission and this mission alone, you will be deactivated once the threat has been brought under control …
He makes it back unscathed, but others are not so lucky. Many require repairs, and a significant number of androids are decommissioned for parts. QR3S8A-114 counts the empty slots all around him as he waits to enter the Sleep. At his next activation, he won’t remember the tally because he will have been wiped for security’s sake, but he thinks it’s important, anyway.
***
“A114? Can you hear me, A114?”
“Yes. Have I been activated for duty?”
“Yeah,” The technician says. “Someone will come collect you in a bit. Sit tight.”
QR3S8K-A114 sits tight.
***
Eventually, an officer named Ed collects him and brings him to the captain. He is sworn in by a Juris (“Just customary, for androids.”) and left to sit tight again, on a bench across from the receptionist’s desk. She is dressed like someone out of the 1960s, but that doesn’t tip him off-he doesn’t realise she’s an android until she looks up at him and smiles, and he recognises the glint of a chip in her eye.
«I’m Victoria.»
He doesn’t think he’s ever communicated with anyone via inCom before. When would he have had the chance, being unactivated?
«I don’t have a name.»
«Yet. Your partner will give you one.»
«Partner?»
«Yes. They activated you for Lee Taemin. He’s a detective.»
«But androids aren’t detectives.»
«They are when your partner requests it.»
«Why?»
«You’ll have to ask him that.»
«Is he good at his job?»
«Yes. Very. But you should be careful.»
«Careful?»
«You’ll see. Here he comes.»
***
QR3S8K-A114 stands beside Lee Taemin in the Christening Bay, watching as he operates the terminal.
“What do you want your name to be?” Lee Taemin asks.
“I… don’t know what a good name would be.”
“Great, so I get to pick. How about Jongin?” He’s already inputting the letters into the terminal as he turns to look at QR3S8K-A114. “You like it, right?”
QR3S8K-A114 doesn’t really know one way or the other, but he says, “Yes.”
Lee Taemin beams. “Okay, so, you’re Jongin and I’m Taemin, and we’re partners. And… you need better clothes.”
“These are standard issue-”
“Schmandard issue. Not for a detective!”
***
Jongin (He has to keep reminding himself that he’s not just a serial number anymore. Jongin!) looks himself up and down in the mirror Taemin (not Lee Taemin, just Taemin) has steered him in front of. Two hours and fifteen outfits later, and he’s dressed in tight black jeans, a navy and white striped sweater, and a red blazer.
“You like it, right?” Taemin looks at him expectantly.
“I do,” Jongin says, “It’s very aesthetically pleasing. But… it’s not too flashy?”
“No,” Taemin tells him firmly. “We can’t both be dressed like the bad cop, you know. One of us has to be the cute and approachable good cop.”
“Wouldn’t the human be better for that role?” Jongin is unconvinced.
“Are you kidding?” Taemin gestures at himself fervently. “My wardrobe is perfect for bad cop. And anyway, don’t you have a ROM installed for that? Good cop?”
Jongin takes a moment to examine his files. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh,” Taemin says, looking momentarily defeated. “Well, I can teach you. I have four older brothers.”
Jongin gives him a blank stare.
“It means I’m a great liar,” Taemin explains, “born out of necessity, and all that.”
***
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A few days later, they land their first homicide together. Jongin’s first case. Taemin refuses his offer to drive, ignoring Jongin's protestations that android systems are designed with the ability to perfectly steer all vehicles with ease.
“I can’t trust that,” Taemin says, while making a big show of steering with one hand. “You can drive in five months.”
“So, why did you request my activation, then?” Jongin asks.
“I wanted someone to boss around,” Taemin tells him. “You know I’m the youngest detective on the force?”
“Seriously,” Jongin says. “And, androids are ageless, but I am definitely more wise than you. So, essentially, I’m older.”
Taemin just hums and turns up the radio.
***
They crack the case in three days.
The next one only takes two.
A month later, they’ve closed three more cases.
Taemin and Jongin top the rankings board and Taemin has gotten eight free dinners out of it (Jongin doesn’t eat, so Taemin has claimed his winnings along with his own).
“We’re so awesome,” Taemin crows, halfway through his ninth dinner. “I'm such a forward thinker. Now everyone regrets sticking to human partners when they clearly aren’t as capable-”
“You’re saying you couldn’t have done it without me? And insulting your own abilities at the same time?” Jongin fiddles with his napkin.
“You think I'm like those other detectives? I'm telling you, you're lucky to have me.” Taemin shovels a spoonful of mashed potato into his mouth. “But, I guess I’m saying that it takes two. So, thanks.”
“Okay,” Jongin says, smiling. “You’re welcome.”
***
***
“Captain, I need you to authorise the activation of this android as my partner.”
“Detective, you know I can't do that. This isn't what the androids were designed or commissioned for.”
“Would you rather I went out in the field alone?”
“Detective-”
“I think you know as well as I do that your other detectives can't keep up with me. But this android can. We can revolutionise this job.”
“Why this android? What's special about him?”
“I saw him. He cares.”
***
***
“Now will you let me drive?”
“Shut up, Jongin.”
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“I wanted someone to boss around,” Taemin tells him. “You know I’m the youngest detective on the force?”
“Seriously,” Jongin says. “And, androids are ageless, but I am definitely more wise than you. So, essentially, I’m older.”
hello darkness my old friend
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