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Androids were
cost effective, not needing time off from work for family issues, were
ruthlessly honest and they operated within their programming. Nothing more and
nothing less. Unfortunately the courts didn’t recognize their legal status and
therefore would sometimes call their judgment into question in court. So, every
android had a human partner, usually two; one for day shift and the other for
night shift.
    Androids didn’t solve the police department’s manpower
issue but it did lessen it.
    Lieutenant Kristopher’s day had gone from great to
terrible in a manner of hours.
    It had started great with the capture of Jagger
Jax; the notorious smuggler and murderer wanted in just about every civilized
port. He had been at the top of the NAPD wanted list for the last year after he
had killed a prominent judge and raped his wife. Of course, it was a feather in
the cap for whoever prosecuted the scumbag and his capture should’ve helped his
standings with the administration. But shortly after returning from Starbase
Alpha, the police commissioner had blasted him on the cost of the bounty hunter,
completely forgetting their conversation a week earlier concerning the same
subject. Never mind, that it was legal and he had approved the hiring of
Spartan.
    He had just been leaving the commissioner’s office
when the distress call came in. Some gang banger had shot one of his men.
Normally, when a ten-thirty call (Officer in Distress) goes out across the
police band, it’s an all force alert with every able-bodied officer responding
but since the officer in distress was an android, the Police Commissioner had
called off the alert.
    The commissioner was a former Squint who had
gotten promoted through political connections and didn’t want to waste
man-hours or the overtime involved and had called off the alert. Their
‘official’ position was that is exactly what the ‘Bots’ are for…to stand in
front of the real cops. The lieutenant didn’t agree with administration’s stand
but his hands were tied on the subject.
    Additionally, Lt. Kristopher also had to juggle
resources for twelve different bomb threats on the government buildings located
throughout New Atlanta. Not to mention finding enough manpower for the increase
in security for the upcoming Presidential visit. And now, his door opened to
reveal two men in dark suits…Feds.
    Lt. Kristopher tossed down the file he was looking
at and gestured to an empty chair. “Have a seat gentleman. What can I do for the
FSA today?”
    The senior agent flashed his badge and
credentials. “I am Special Agent Johnson and this is my partner Agent Smith, it
has come to our attention that you know a bounty hunter that goes by the name
Iaido Spartan.”
    “Yes, I do. He is fully registered. The pickup was
legal. I’ve seen the video on it. He identified himself, produced the proper
documents and used only enough force to affect capture. Nothing the Feds need
to worry about.”
    Special Agent Johnson shook his head. “We are not
here about the capture of Jagger Jax. Actually, I’m pleased that someone
finally brought him in. We can mark him off our list.”
    A puzzled look crossed Kristopher’s face. “Then
what do you need to know?”
    “What can you tell us about this bounty hunter?”
    “Why do you need to know?”
    “He is somehow involved in a recent
murder-suicide.”
    Picking up the file he was looking at when they
entered, Kristopher gestured with it. “I was just reading the official report
of the Sgt. Major’s murder. There doesn’t seem to be any reason for Federation
involvement.”
    “The murder-suicide was…unusual. Judging from
their psych profile and prior service records, their deaths caught our
attention. But, I am not here about the Sgt. Major. I am here about Iaido
Spartan. I understand he served with you during the war?”
    Lt. Kristopher moved to a small refrigerator and
poured himself a glass of orange juice before asking, “Special Agent