Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

Rooftops

It took a few days to get their next big case, but finally they were back on the streets where they belonged. Or in the air in Reed's case. He grunted as his feet hit the cement edge of the small ledge that lined the roof. The landing was jarring, leaving him almost teetering on the edge before he managed to lean forward and stumble onto the flat rooftop. He tried not to dwell on what would have happened if he'd tilted a little further back. He didn't have time. They were at least twelve storeys high. Looking up, he could see their suspect already approaching the next ledge. A whine of objection slipped out as he pushed himself onwards.

"Hey! Stop right there!" He was breathless, unsure he'd actually be able to make another jump like that. Where the phck is Nines? He didn't have time to look back as he raised his gun and took a shot at their suspect's leg. He hit the mark. Blue splattered the cement, but it barely slowed him down at all. It was like the bullet hadn't done any damage. Maybe it hadn't. If he'd shot too wide, he'd likely only caught synthetic skin and muscle. He need to hit the actual joint if he wanted to put a dent in the damned thing.

The android didn't miss a beat as he hopped onto the ledge and dove to the next rooftop. Reed didn't have time to think before following. If he stopped to think, he'd hesitate, and hesitation was dangerous when jumping rooftops. Not that I should even be doing this shit! Fowler would probably kill me if he found out about this! He put all of his strength into the leap, chest fluttering fearfully as his body sailed through the air between buildings. His weight followed through with his feet as he landed, bending his knees and falling into a roll to spread the impact. He was on his feet again in an instant, only staggering slightly as he regained his balance and followed his quarry.

The android was a model he didn't recognise, but judging by its speed, it could have been built for sports. Possibly even some form of combat. So far, he was betting on sports since the thing hadn't tried to engage him physically. A human would be no problem for a military unit, even while armed. Nines was proof enough of that. He didn't have time to look around for him. He just hoped he was following. The android was already heading for the next slightly higher rooftop. Shit! It was pretty fucking high this time. He wasn't stupid. He knew his height would limit him more than the android. Tucking his gun away with blind determination, he reached the edge and put all of his strength into the leap.

The android had already disappeared from view over the edge, and Reed was just behind. He knew it was a mistake the moment his feet left the cement. His jump was just shy of the edge. He grunted as his fingertips barely scraped the ledge. It was just enough to catch his weight and leave him dangling precariously. Phck-phck-phck-phck-phck! He shifted his weight from hand to hand, gradually inching his fingers further onto the stone. The problem was that even now, holding his weight, he didn't have the angle or strength to heave himself up. He tried not to kick his feet too much as he turned his head from side to side, looking for a potential way up or down.

"Well-well-well...Look how the tides have turned." Reed's green eyes widened slightly as he looked up to see their smug suspect leaning on the waist-high wall with folded arms. He was right next to his trembling fingertips. His heart sped up as the android moved to lean his chin on one hand while the other slowly tiptoed along the wall to rest against his trembling fingers. "I wonder...how many fingers will you have to lose before you can't hold on any longer?" The android's LED circled blue as he teased him. That was probably one of the most disturbing things about it. This android was perfectly relaxed and okay with killing someone, watching them plummet over a hundred and fifty feet to splatter on the street below. Reed felt bile rise in his throat at the thought.

"Hey! Phck! Don't-you-" He cut off, writhing fearfully as the android methodically pried his little finger up. He hissed at the ache it caused, almost losing grip trying to keep hold of the ledge. Reed scowled and cursed under his breath as he tried to readjust his grip. He was relying heavily on his right hand since the android was trying to remove his left. He lifted his hand, taking a helpless shot at swatting his assailant. The android laughed as he stepped back, the weak swing missing entirely. Reed cursed again as he managed to heave himself high enough to catch the edge once more. His arms and fingers were getting tired. Where the phck is Nines?