Cold Anticipation [Part 3]

Quickly running back into the city as the wintery snow began to pile; the two soon returned into the city, Josefine was fastly approaching the Android, thus they had to think of tricky routes of escape, knowing the worst is awaiting them if they are caught. Sharply turning into tight alleyways, knocking over random objects and anything that has the potential to slow down Josefine’s pursuit. Amazingly, Josefine’s agility and skill are far superior to the Android’s: easily dodging any of the random actions.

Seeing that Josefine is fastly approaching the Android. They make a hasty attack by suddenly stopping to turn in Josefine’s path. Swiftly causing Josefine to adjust her stance into a fighting one. Just barely avoiding the Androids first strikes with her fast judgment, but the Android did this to slow down Josefine to then run off once more. Josefine then growled with annoyance and promptly ran after the Android. Within moments of the chase, the Android leaped up to the nearby construction scaffolding. To avoid any danger, Josefine kept to the ground to see the direction the Android was heading. For a split second, she lost sight of the Android.

The Android abruptly jumped from the scaffolding directly above Josefine, without any indication of it happening. Josefine had little time to react, just barely missing the powerful impact of the dense Android’s collision with the ground. With a light cloud of dust and snow, covering the area of the impact that the Android made. Josefine swiftly readied herself, despite that she cannot see the Android. Another sudden attack from the Android appeared from seemingly nowhere; the Android’s fist was nearly touching Josefine’s face. Miraculously, she was able to dodge the strike at the cost of her balance. Luckily, the Android’s fist made contact with the wall behind Josefine; causing their hand to get stuck momentarily.

“Just stop this… I’m ending this job tonight, you're not going to get away.” Josefine announced to the Android as the two adjusted their positions to a fighting stance.

The Android spoke no words to Josefine’s claim, to quickly retaliate with a jump forward. Josefine knew that the Android has far superior power as their main functionality is logging. Josefine countered the powerful yet sluggish attacks with more dodges, followed by swift strikes of her own into the Android’s abdominals. With little effect, Josefine could only dodge, which gave plenty of time for the Android to think of their own counter to Josefine’s endless evading.

The Android kicked up a medium size power tool that was left on the ground. Strategically flung at Josefine instantly causing her to counter that forced her to lose her stability in the fight. Which became the opportunity for the Android to deliver a powerful strike to Josefine. With one swift movement of their fists and arms reaching to the sky—the Android hammered their fists down to Josefine with great speed and power. Incredibly, Josefine is still fast enough to at least minimize the potential damage by countering with both of her forearms to shield the strike. The instant their arms made contact, the concrete walkway was now demolished beneath Josefine, with her feet buried in the rubble; to just barely maintain her protective stance.

“Heh…” Josefine chuckled with a smirk, as the two were pushing one another. “I thought that was going to be stronger.” She mocked, as the Android had a look of shock.

“What?!” The Android growled with confusion as simply comparing each other’s size, Josefine would appear to be at a disadvantage.

“Heh, did ya think I was just your average person?” Josefine mocked.

The Android growled louder with frustration as they pressed harder downward onto Josefine’s slowly buckling body. At total randomness, the Android’s weight was suddenly lifted from Josefine, at the same time there was an intense thud that echoed in the area. Josefine quickly readied herself for what might happen, but the moment her vision adjusted to the confusing situation. The Android stumbled backward with a prominent fist mark on the side of their face. Then not far from Josefine she saw another person with their fists at the ready.

“You do that?” Josefine asked the stranger.

“Yeah!” They respond loudly. Standing tall with a look of accomplishment is a middle aged man, and obviously bundled for the cold weather. A surprisingly handsome one at that, Josefine quickly thought.

The Android sees that they are, somehow, now outnumbered. Expressions of frustration grew on their mechanical face. Before making their next move, they fastly analyzed the area, to then recognize the best possible route of escape. Once they saw the best chance, they leaped in an unanticipated direction of Josefine and the sudden ally, completely avoiding them.

“Come on!” Josefine shouted to the random ally.

Within seconds the two jolted after the Android with surprising speed. Quickly gaining the distance that the Android had.

“I’m Elijah!” The handsome stranger suddenly yelled as they ran.

“Beth!” Josefine lied.

As the drawn out chase continued it was clear that the Android was running low on endurance, slowing down ever so slightly. They soon approached one of the bay shipping ports of the city. Seeing the endless hills of shipping containers, the Android recognizes the potential to hide within the containers themselves. However, each time they attempted to open one it was either locked securely or Josefine was too near. In a panic, the Android quickly climbed the containers to the top of them. Josefine and Elijah promptly followed them to the top as well. Now jumping from one tower of containers to the other.

“Do you have anything to throw by chance?!” Josefine yelled to Elijah.

“Um, yeah, I have this pocket knife.” Elijah replied, pulling out the knife.

Josefine swiftly took the knife from Elijah, to adjust herself and the knife. She pauses for the fastest of seconds and launches the forward to the fleeing Android. The knife penetrates the leg of the Android, instantly causing them to lose balance. The Android attempted to jump to the next tower of containers, but immediately failed just barely clutching onto the edge of the large container. Which was plenty of time for Josefine to catch up to the Android.

“Alright, Andy!” Josefine breathed heavily to the Android, struggling to pull himself to the top of the container.

“I’m not going back there!” The Android shouted, getting their footing onto the container.

“This isn’t some type of negotiation, I’d say sorry but you're an Obligatory Citizen of Russia.” Josefine mentioned. “It's either you return to your company, or rehabilitation.” She explained.

“Either way means death in a conflict I have nothing to do with!” The Android shouted with passion.

“Listen, I wish there was a perfect way to end this, but your best chances are heading back. I’m sure if you plead the case that your functionality is logging, they have to consider that.” Josefine reasoned.

“Not them, they’ll use every hand at their disposal to win.” The Android mentioned, seeing police cars in the distance, as well as a large vehicle that moves containers and is gaining speed.

“I get it, it's not the easiest place to live, but running isn’t going to make things better.” Josefine surmised, as the Android slowly got close to the edge.

Just out of their level of hearing, Josefine and Elijah watched the Android mutter something to themself.

“Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers.” The Android whispered, for only themselves to hear.

“Wait—!” Josefine screamed, but the Android willfully fell off of the edge of the container quickly and bluntly colliding with the vehicle carrying several containers. The Android was launched forward in front of the vehicle, eviscerated instantly. The vehicle had too much momentum and couldn't stop, so Josefine had to watch the severed limbs of the Android continually be crushed by the vehicle before it stopped.

Moments later, Josefine and Elijah made their way down to the destroyed Android. Just as the local police arrived at the site. Josefine first explained that she is an Abroad investigator and has Legal jurisdiction over this Android. She then examined every piece that was found of the remnants of the Android, revealing a mild look of discontent.

“Geez, I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.” Elijah mentioned, placing his hands in his pockets, showing some guilt.

“Don't worry about it, it’s not your fault.” Josefine remarked, kneeling down to retrieve a hard drive from the head of the destroyed Android. “Besides, I just need this.” She then showed Elijah the hard drive.

“What’s that?” Elijah asked.

“The Android’s proprietorship and manufacturer information. I just needed to confirm that this one fled their country, ship back the part, and my job’s done.” Josefine explained, as Elijah kneeled beside her to look at the Android.

“Looks like he was reading something?” Elijah pointed.

“Yeah, they’ve been reading the whole day, I think. It's a book written in the middle of the 20th century about Rebellion, Corruption, Identity, and other stuff like that.” Josefine then explained, walking off slightly.

“Still, I'd uh, like to make it up to you... can I get you dinner or something?” Elijah asks, somewhat shyly. Almost indicated that he may want to spend more time with Josefine.

“Hhmm.” Now standing, Josefine smirked in Elijah’s direction, expressing a mild admiration for asking such a misplaced question.

“Tell you what...” Josefine strolled to Elijah. “Buy me a drink and we're even.” She requested, tapping Elijah’s chest with the palm of her hand.