Across the Line | Jayvik

by 2sides1coin

Summary:

Piltover is a version of Detroit where Zaun is a district separated from the City of Progress. Several cases of divergents have been reported, and the matter must be investigated to get to the bottom of it, discover where the anomaly originates, and eliminate the threat.

Viktor, the police lieutenant, is assigned to this case along with an android for support: Jayce. The problem is that Viktor despises androids.

Notes:

• A translation of La línea entre nosotros | Jayvik by 2sides1coin

This is the English version of my fanfic "La línea entre nosotros". You can find the original version on my profile!

Chapter 1: New case

Notes:

The #CAE10KCHALLENGE challenge (on IG) inspired me to write this fanfic so I could participate. I'm very happy because I hadn't felt inspired in quite some time.

I hope you enjoy reading it <3

“And now what's wrong?” he grumbled, rolling his eyes when a phone call interrupted what he called his “morning meditation.” He claimed that at that time he was deeply thinking about cases with his eyes closed, though in reality he just fell asleep despite having had a coffee.

“Lieutenant, we’ve got a new report. Another deviant.”

“Wonderful.” he replied sarcastically. His job wasn’t at risk; he was the youngest officer to ever reach the rank of lieutenant in the Piltover Police Department, a valuable member in investigations. Although he always grumbled like a bad-tempered cat whenever he was given a new case, once something piqued his interest, he never left it unfinished. He had never failed one. “Another toy that doesn’t work the way it was programmed. What is it this time? Someone refusing to do the dirty dishes?”

“It’s been a homicide, Lieutenant.” his partner answered on the other end. This time, the mocking smile vanished from the officer’s face. “The first one. With this, the case has gained more importance, and you’ve been assigned to resolve it, given your record.”

“Yeah, yeah… instead of rewarding me for my work, they punish me by sending me more.” he sighed with disinterest, though the new information made the case slightly more appealing.

“Where do I have to go?”

“I’ll send you the location, along with your new partner. He’ll help you gather information and solve the case. He should be arriving any moment.”

“A partner? I don’t need a—”

“Lieutenant Viktor?” a warm voice called from behind.

“See you later, Lieutenant.” the other police hung up before hearing another complaint about the mission or his new companion. At that moment, the officer turned around to meet his forced helper.

“What the—” his shoulders tensed.

“Good evening, Lieutenant. My name is Jayce Talis, I am the android sent by CyberLife to assist with the case. It turns out—”

“This is a joke, right? A joke? Tell me it is.” he said, shaking his head. An android to solve a case related to them? No way.

“I’m not laughing.” the android replied with a completely neutral expression as he adjusted his tie. His perfectly arranged clothes gleamed blue, and his ID displayed his model number: RK800. The LED on his forehead was somehow unsettling.

Viktor didn’t trust androids. He had never liked the idea of creating practically immortal human replicas, and he wasn’t the least bit surprised when the first cases of robots disobeying their owners began to be recorded, despite the fact that these machines were programmed to follow orders.

All he wanted to do was retire, but retirement was still far away. Besides, he was an observant man, whose eye never failed to gather clues and piece together the puzzles that cases presented, no matter how twisted they were. That was why he had become rather well-known among the agents.

“As I was saying, there have been several recorded cases of androids going out of control. I’m here to investigate with you and—”

Viktor had already started walking towards the door, leaning on his cane for support.

 

“...and to help you solve the case…” Jayce finished the sentence, following behind.

“I don’t need your help.” he growled.

“Your superior didn’t seem to think the same.”

The officer let out an annoyed laugh that never reached his eyes, without turning to look at the android. Still, it was obvious he was affected by the comment, given the way his shoulders tensed with each step he took. Suddenly, he changed direction toward his chief’s office, Captain Fowler.

“Captain, we need to talk.” he growled, barging in without knocking. His gaze was so intense it almost pierced through him.

“What is it, Viktor?” the captain smiled, ignoring the lieutenant’s clear irritation. The RK800 stepped in after him. “Oh, I see you’ve met your new partner. It’s a state-of-the-art model and—”

“I don’t need a partner, especially not this plastic thing. You’ve got to be joking. I don’t want this guy following me everywhere.”

“Look, the number of cases is rising, there’s chaos everywhere! A partner like this is exactly what you need right now. And I don’t care what you think. I’m the one in charge here.”

“Jeffrey! I refuse to work with this thing! Do you hear me?”

“Don’t make me angry. The one who’ll be hearing me is you. I’m tired of having to fill out your disciplinary file every time you mess things up!”

The lieutenant clenched his cane tightly.

“You can’t do this to me, Captain! You know how much I hate these things…” he shot back, pointing at the RK800 patiently waiting by his side. “I’m not working with that. No way.”

“I don’t give a shit. There are too many cases, and he’ll be a good partner. Like it or not, you’re doing it. Otherwise, the only other option you’ve got is leaving your badge here and now.”

“Don’t you—! I’m not asking you to put me with someone else, I’m telling you to get this hunk of plastic off my back. I don’t want it anywhere near me.” he protested, raising his voice indignantly. “And I work better alone.”

“Viktor—!” the captain rose from his chair, ready to respond just as loudly, but before saying something he might regret, he took a deep breath and spoke more calmly. “No, you don’t work alone, and that’s final. You’re a great agent, but there are things this android can do that you can’t.” His eyes dropped to the cane Viktor leaned on. “No offense.” Then, he sat back down with a sigh. “You’ll have to register homes, and who knows what else. It would be reckless and stupid to go alone. End of discussion.”

“Ugh!” he growled, clenching his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white. There was no way to respond without looking like a fool, so he turned on his heel and stormed out of the glass office.

* * *

Jayce found him minutes later slouched at his desk, going over some papers. He looked like he was focused on them, but his eyes remained fixed on the same spot, not moving along the lines. Meanwhile, his left leg bounced restlessly, almost anxiously. For a moment, his cane nearly fell off the desk, but the lieutenant stopped it before it slid down, setting it back in place. The android noticed his hand had left a damp mark. Sweaty palms, and also his forehead. His jaw tightened every now and then, while his leg kept moving up and down. He was nervous.

“Lieutenant, since it seems we’ll be working together, and I’ve noticed you don’t seem too fond of me, maybe we could make an effort to collaborate and get along. I’d love to know more about you. Perhaps if we get to know each other, we can overcome our differences and work better as a team.” he said, choosing the warmest of smiles. Polite and welcoming.

“This isn’t the schoolyard. I’m not interested in making friends, thanks.” he grumbled without lifting his eyes from the notebook.

Jayce stayed silent for a moment.

“I understand your nervousness, Lieutenant. Many people tend to feel uneasy in the presence of androids, but I was designed to be a good partner. Perhaps if you let me know your preferences, I can adapt to your working style. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”
The officer frowned even more, and after wiping the sweat from his palms on his pants, he finally looked up and made eye contact with the RK800.

“First, I’m not nervous. Second, if you want to get along with me, try shutting that plastic mouth of yours. Got it?” he muttered through his teeth.

The android nodded.

“Meanwhile… I’d like to start investigating the cases. Where can I get the information?”

Viktor snorted.

“Here are the documents, and over there” he pointed to one of the desks “there’s a computer with the other cases. Go through everything and get lost for a while.”

Chapter 2: Dead end

Summary:

Viktor and Jayce begin to follow the clues, ending up in a well-known district...

“Lieutenant, another case has just been reported: a missing android. Maybe this could give us clues about the point at which they become divergent. What do you think?” the android suggested after collecting all the data “Since it’s recent, the clues should be clearer, and witnesses will remember what happened better.”

Viktor rolled his eyes and spoke with disdain.

“Well, go in a couple of hours…”

“Do you have any pending tasks? I can help you complete them so you can leave as soon as possible.” he proposed, his expression always calm.

“You’re in such a hurry, huh? Well, I want a coffee, and the café across the street doesn’t open for another hour. I can’t stand the coffee here; it tastes like garbage.” he replied, leaning back against the chair.

“The sooner we arrive, the better condition we’ll find the evidence in.” he stated, standing up “Let’s go, lieutenant. We can stop at a café on the way. There are others with good reviews that I’m sure you’ll love.”

The lieutenant was about to retort, but the RK800 beat him to it.

“Lieutenant, don’t let your reservations about androids hinder the investigation. If we both cooperate—”

“Shut up! Damn it. I don’t want to cooperate with you, I don’t want to investigate this case. I don’t want anything to do with any android.” the rejection toward Jayce was evident in the way the agent’s body tried to create distance between them.

“I’ve been assigned this mission, lieutenant. I didn’t come here to wait for you to feel like working.”

Viktor stood up surprisingly quickly, gripping his cane so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Leaning on the table, he raised the cane, pointing it at the android.

“If you’re so eager, go ahead, go to hell." he growled, frowning “I’m not going to let a bundle of wires tell me how to do my job.”

“Lieutenant, uh…” a colleague timidly stepped into the scene, not because he was a reserved person, but because he already knew Viktor’s bad temper, and he had been warned that Viktor was unhappy with his new partner. Also, the way he was holding his cane was not a good sign “I don’t want to interrupt… um… this.” his eyes flicked between the officer and his android “They reported a missing android, it may not be far from its origin. The captain has ordered an investigation there as a starting point.”

The lieutenant’s forehead furrowed even more when he saw the smile on the RK800’s face. It was exactly what he had been told to do.

“I was just about to go now.” he grumbled through his teeth.

---

* * *

---

The air in the warehouse was somewhat humid. It could be said that cleanliness was not its strong point, though the best conditions weren’t really necessary for storing canned goods. This was not a bakery.

Viktor had told the android to stay in the car, that he didn’t want it following everywhere, but the machine seemed not to understand his instructions —apparently, this was going to be a habit— and now it stood beside him.

“I was working with him. I sent him to bring some boxes to the store, but he never came back.” explained the man who had reported the disappearance “Maybe he was stolen and turned off, because his location doesn’t appear on my phone app.”

“I see. Did you notice any change in his behavior?” the agent asked, carefully looking around.

“No, nothing at all, which is why I think it’s likely he was stolen.” 

The RK800 observed the conversation from behind, scanning the area for any clues.

“Let’s check the area in case there’s a clue that could lead us to his whereabouts, and as soon as we have news, I’ll make sure you get an alert with the information.” The lieutenant explained, taking some notes in his notebook, his cane elegantly resting on his elbow. When he finished, he turned to see Jayce in front of an open locker, looking at some photos.

“What are you looking at? You don’t need to invade others’ privacy more than necessary.” he scolded seriously.

“But lieutenant, look, maybe this could be useful.” the android pointed at some photos stuck to the door. They were selfies taken by the android, smiling next to the store clerk.

“That’s my locker. Loris liked taking photos and sticking them there.” explained the man who had called. Viktor’s eyes landed on a piece of paper hanging from a nearby corkboard that the android was looking at “Hey, wait! Things are missing, I don’t see my coat or pants! I always change clothes when I leave, that’s why the locker. But they’re not here.”

“Could you describe the clothes that were there? The ones that are missing.” he asked.

“Look, it’s the same as in this photo.” the man peeled off one of the photographs and handed it to the agent. Both of them were in it. Their height was similar, so the android could have perfectly disguised his android appearance under the other person’s clothes.

“Can I keep it? It could be very useful for identification.”

“Yes, of course…”

“Lieutenant?” the RK800 called, and Viktor approached him “Look at this.” on the corkboard he had seen earlier. There was a page from a CyberLife catalog. One of the android models was marked with an ‘x’. Then, the lieutenant and the android looked at each other and said in unison:

“They were going to replace him.”

“Alright, want a cookie as a reward?” the agent laughed.

“I can’t eat, lieutenant.”

“Pffft” Viktor shook his head. You can’t joke with a guy like this. Then, he returned his attention to the case “So maybe the android saw that he was going to be replaced and decided to leave. At least this time there hasn’t been any violent incident, so we might even be able to talk to this divergent. It might even be easy to find him.”

“I don’t think so, look at that. It seems the subject doesn’t want to be found” the android crouched and picked up what looked like an android component. Then he showed it to his partner “He removed the badge. This is an LED, just like mine.” he explained, pointing to his temple “But with this, we’ve got his serial number. If he loses any more components or some thirium, we can track him.”

“Some what?”

“Thirium 310, blue blood. It’s the component that cools and powers the various parts in androids, making them function correctly. It works similar to blood in humans, except it disappears when it dries. Fortunately, I have detectors that can see it even when it’s invisible to the eye.”

While explaining this, they both started walking toward the exit, accompanied by the sound of the lieutenant’s cane. They promised they would return or send someone to inform the affected party.

---

* * *

---

They investigated for hours, asking around the nearby shops, showing the photo of the android and the missing clothes, checking the security cameras of a few establishments, and walking back and forth through the streets.

“Looks like he headed toward Zaun district. Makes sense if he doesn’t want the police on his tail.” the android said.

Viktor sighed.

“Yeah… and you say that like you’d last more than five minutes in there before they tear you apart piece by piece.”

“You underestimate me, lieutenant.” he replied, scanning the surroundings as they drew closer to the district.

“No, you underestimate Zaun. Don’t. Ever. With anyone or anything.” Viktor scolded firmly.

 

The state of the streets grew more rundown with every block, and the wariness in the eyes of those they passed only intensified as they moved deeper into the Undercity. Most stares lingered on the android, but the lieutenant wasn’t exempt from judgment either. After all, he was a cop walking into the most infamous part of the city, where strength—not morals—set the law.

“Excuse me, have you seen this individual?” the RK800 asked politely, smiling at a woman with a large tattoo on her arm and a piercing in her lip. She ignored him and kept walking, earning a soft chuckle from the lieutenant.

“Looks like they’re not interested in talking. Wonder why.” Viktor sighed, veering toward a shop. “Come on.”

“To ask around?” the android hurried to catch up. He walked faster than one would expect from someone limping and leaning on a cane.

 

“Closed. We don’t take that stuff here.” the shopkeeper growled. His filthy boots were propped up on the counter, chair tilted back precariously.

“It’ll just take a moment.” Viktor replied calmly, glancing over the racks of clothing “How much for this one?” he pointed to a worn jacket that, despite its age, had clearly been well kept.

“Fifty.”

The officer scoffed, shaking his head.

“Twenty.”

“Thirty.”

“I’ll give you forty, including that bag over there.” Viktor nodded toward a satchel.

Jayce watched the negotiation from behind the lieutenant. The shopkeeper tilted his head, grabbed the bag, and, realizing the crippled cop wasn’t going to pay more, gave in.

“Jayce, ask him.” Viktor ordered while fishing for money.

“Good afternoon. We’re looking for this individual. Have you seen him by any chance?” the RK800 extended his hand, showing the photo.

“No.” the man answered curtly.

“Forty, including the hat too.” Viktor grabbed a worn wool cap and placed it on the counter with the bills. It would normally cost less, but he knew what scarcity meant in Zaun. Whether the money would be not used for something harmful, or for buying Shimmer, wasn’t something he could confirm or deny. When the man accepted the offer, Viktor added “You sure? It’s very likely he passed by here.”

The man looked from the money to the lieutenant. Sure, he looked like a Piltie and he was a cop, but he was paying well…

“Maybe I saw him. Didn’t talk to him, but I think I saw him when I was fixing the storefront. He went that way. Looked lost.” he explained, pointing down a street before pocketing the money “Goodbye.”

It was obvious he didn’t want the officers sticking around any longer. Taking the hint, Viktor nodded and the two of them left, carrying the clothes between them.

“Lieutenant, that’s going to be way too big for you.” the android noted, comparing the jacket’s size to the officer’s frame as he took off his own coat.

“It’s not for me. It’s to cover up the idiot look you’re carrying around.” Viktor replied, turning back the sleeves of his own coat to put it on backwards so that would hide the insignias that marked him as a cop. That way, he kept his protection without broadcasting his profession to the whole undercity “Come on, take off your coat. And the tie, obviously. The hat’s to cover the LED, so make sure it’s on properly, and the jacket’s for you. You think they’ll want to talk to an android? No. And especially not one from Piltover.”

This time Jayce had nothing to argue. He did exactly as ordered, packing his discarded clothes into the satchel and slinging it over his shoulder.

 

The streets grew messier, littered with scraps of machinery, rubble, garbage… but still no sign of the android. Jayce scanned the faces they passed. Some weren’t even in the database, and most didn’t even have surnames.

 

Viktor led the way, skillfully steering them clear of street brawls and the worst alleys. Suddenly, he grabbed Jayce’s arm before the android could head down a side street.

“Not that way. This one’s better.” he ordered, turning right. At the same time, he began to give instructions. “Better to ask shopkeepers than people loitering in the street, unless they’re carrying something. If their hands are full, they can’t attack you. Or… well, it’s less likely. You’d be surprised what someone can pull off when they want to catch you off guard.”

“Seems like you know your way around here, lieutenant." the android commented, processing the advice.

The officer nodded, and they kept moving. Before questioning anyone, Jayce would glance at Viktor, searching for a sign of approval. Clues kept leading them here and there, but nothing conclusive, nothing useful. What struck Jayce was how Viktor walked unfazed, whether they passed a street fight, a shady cargo handoff, or piles of filth. His eyes remained sharp, scanning everywhere at once.

At first, the RK800 had chalked it up to eccentric habits from a grumpy lieutenant, but over time he realized there was purpose in the man’s movements. Sometimes Viktor chose streets that looked worse but turned out to be quiet (for Zaun, at least). Other times, his brow furrowed at strange markings on the walls, and he’d change direction. Passing a group of Zaunites at an intersection, Jayce thought his partner limped more heavily. Minutes later, when they crossed paths with another group, Viktor’s grip tightened on his cane and his posture straightened, projecting strength.

They weaved efficiently through the district, turning this way and that. Now and then, Viktor muttered “We’re being followed.” and his turns grew sharper until they were alone again.

They barely spoke, but Jayce could see the man’s skill, his instinct for handling these situations. Sometimes he chose routes the android would have dismissed, yet somehow they blended in, just two more Zaunites. Still, the lieutenant’s frustration grew with every dead end. They needed the android they were chasing, not endless wandering through Piltover’s most forsaken district.

The trail finally led them to a dark dead-end alley, in every sense of the word. A window slammed shut. The wind carried fragments of distant conversations, then silence that smelled of anything but safety.

“Shit…” Viktor’s back muscles tensed. He checked the position of his gun, then pulled a cigarette pack from his coat.

“Lieutenant, you smoke?!" Jayce asked incredulously. He had lung problems! And Jayce had never detected traces of tobacco on his clothes or belongings. It didn’t add up.

“Shut up and lean against the wall. You have to look calm.” Viktor growled, slipping a cigarette between his lips and lighting it as he leaned back against the wall. A group of four men was now walking toward them. Viktor shifted more weight onto his cane, trying to look like nothing more than a crippled old man.

When the group drew close, clearly targeting them, he spoke.

“Afternoon, gentlemen.” he greeted, exhaling smoke with his words. The air here was already foul, the taste of tobacco wasn’t the worst of it.

“The boots. I want the boots.” the youngest of them sneered.

“Are you stupid? They’re too small for you. Look at him, he limps. Better the cane, it looks like good material. That’ll sell well.”

Viktor frowned faintly but didn’t rise to the insult. Instead, he took another drag and blew the smoke out calmly. The RK800 stepped a little closer.

“We don’t want trouble. And you don’t want to interrupt my break.” Viktor said evenly.

“Hear that, Niko?” one of them laughed, glancing at the man who looked like the leader “The cripple’s threatening us.”

“Instead of making this harder, we could share a smoke and all move on. What do you say? House special.” he offered, stretching the cigarette toward them. The android stayed close, ready to act.

The smoke drifted between them like a storm warning. The leader chuckled darkly.

“Why would we want a cigarette when that cane could buy us anything we want?"

“Come on, are you really gonna steal a poor cripple’s only support?” Viktor leaned heavier on the cane, feigning fatigue.

“You can choose: walk home, or crawl home” the tallest thug warned, flashing yellowed teeth.

Viktor glanced at Jayce out of the corner of his eye. They were about to strike. He couldn’t lose his badge here, and especially not his gun. If they got hold of his weapon, they were done for. He wanted the gun to stay the last resort. He didn’t want more blood staining these streets.

—Hey, Fang, show ’em who’s boss.

The hair on Viktor’s neck bristled as he looked at Fang. Shimmer. Easy to spot once you knew the signs: violet-tinged irises, excess saliva, heart pounding to flood blood into the muscles. It made people feel invincible, and violent. That was the look in the man’s eyes now.

Now they were in real trouble. Running wouldn’t help; they’d be hunted down. Whether they handed over their things or not, Fang was going to attack. His muscles coiled, ready to strike.

The brute stepped forward, stripping off his shirt. Jayce moved to intervene, but Viktor stopped him discreetly.

“Fine, you win. Just don’t hurt us.” the lieutenant limped forward, lifting the cane as if to hand it over, but then swung it suddenly, driving the tip into the hollow beneath Fang’s sternum.

The man barely made a sound as the air whooshed from his lungs. His diaphragm spasmed, locking his breath. He crumpled to his knees, gasping in vain. Viktor calmly dropped the cigarette, crushing it underfoot, and then Jayce lunged into action.

The android moved with flawless efficiency, every strike precise, almost choreographed. A fist whistled past him, his knuckles cracked into a jaw, then into someone’s ribs, dropping enemies one by one. Meanwhile, Viktor finished with Fang, snapping a sharp, elegant blow across his head with the cane. The impact rang in the suddenly silent alley. The brute collapsed, unconscious.

Viktor exhaled, now leaning more heavily on the cane, this time from genuine fatigue.

“Lieutenant, are you alright? Did you get hurt?” Jayce asked, wiping the blood from his knuckles as he stepped closer.

“I’m fine, I’m fine… let’s get out of here before they wake up.” Viktor urged, though he was quietly impressed by the android’s skills.

They walked quickly away. Along the way, Jayce placed a steadying hand on the officer’s back to help him move faster. He didn’t mean it as pressure, nor as doubt in Viktor’s ability to walk, it was simply support, in case it was needed. The gesture, though well-meaning, made the lieutenant tense. He hated feeling weak, tired, dependent. But he said nothing. When they were far enough, he finally spoke.

“Let’s… let’s go there.” he pointed to a food stall, visibly drained “I need to sit and eat something.”

“Of course, lieutenant. In the meantime, we can review the clues we’ve gathered.”

The officer sank onto one of the worn stools, ordering from the greasy menu board. Jayce sat beside him, quietly noting the questionable hygiene, if any existed at all.

Minutes later, the cook served up a skewer dunked in a wooden bowl of sauce. He worked over open flame, knives strapped to his back.

“Lieutenant, you really shouldn’t eat that. Poor hygiene, low nutrition, it’s hardly a recommended meal.” Jayce whispered so the cook wouldn’t overhear “And wood harbors bacteria unless it’s been properly treated."

“So what? Gotta die of something. At least this tastes good.” Viktor chuckled, biting into the skewer. He clearly wasn’t going to change his mind. Stubborn as a mule, especially when the advice came from an android.

Silence fell as Viktor savored his food, releasing the occasional sigh of satisfaction. He enjoyed flavor when he could, though he rarely indulged. Sometimes, he got so absorbed in work he forgot basic needs like eating. Combined with his illness, it gave him a gaunt look, cheekbones sharp beneath his skin.

“Lieutenant…” Jayce spoke softly “Before anything else, I wanted to apologize for how I acted back at the station. I didn’t mean to be unpleasant. “ His eyes met Viktor’s. 

The officer looked up at the unexpected admission.

“I noticed the empty cups on your desk and saw that your preferred coffee is caramel bombón. As a peace offering, and since you couldn’t buy one, I brought you this.”

“What?” Viktor blinked in disbelief as Jayce opened the satchel and pulled out a sealed coffee cup, perfect for travel “How—? When did you…?” he stammered, unable to hide his surprise as he took the cup.

“Right before we came down here. You went into a shop to check cameras, but they didn’t allow androids. I slipped next door and bought it at a breakfast place. It’s probably cold now, but the flavor should still be there. It even had whipped cream on top, though that’s probably melted.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Viktor was still processing it “Being an ass-kisser is part of your protocol too?” he chuckled.

“I thought it might improve our working relationship. And it seems to have worked.”

And it had. The wrinkles on Viktor’s forehead eased, and the faintest trace of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“If you want me to like you, you’ll need to buy me a lot more of these.”

“Does that mean there’s a chance?”

His partner gave a soft, nasal laugh, opening the cup to take a sip.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t get my hopes up.”

Chapter 3: The Last Drop

Notes:

Please note that this is a translation of the original fic. English is not my native language, so it may not be 100% faithful to my original words, but I have tried my best!

I hope you enjoy it!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ* 💗

The sign of the overflowing jug glowed warmly through the mist, announcing its presence in the heart of the district, striking, yet silent.

“This is Zaun’s main core.” he explained in a low tone as they walked toward The Last Drop. “If anyone’s seen the android, they’ll be here. We’ll spend some time listening to conversations and asking around, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll continue tomorrow. Unless you’ve got a better idea.” The last part was said with a faint trace of mockery. He was still irritated that the android had been right about investigating this case.

“I think that’s a good plan. Tonight I’ll review the reports to see if there are any new cases that might help us. But until then, this is the best option.” he replied in his usual neutral tone.

“Good…” he nodded, opening the door and stepping inside before the android. Leaning on his cane, he walked toward the bar with a determined stride despite his knee beginning to protest from the walk. “Two of the strongest you’ve got.” he ordered when he reached the counter, leaning against it. The bartender nodded and poured an orange liquid with golden gleams into two small glasses, sliding them toward Viktor across the bar.

“Take them, let’s get a table.” he ordered Jayce as he started walking away.

He let out a tired sound as he finally sat back down on one of the worn-out chairs. The place had changed a lot since Vander had last run it…

The android sat across from him, setting the drinks on the table, watching as Viktor grabbed one and brought it to his lips, exhaling slowly through his nose. The taste burst in his mouth, dry and harsh, mixed with the sensation of old memories. He felt the alcohol rising through his nostrils as his mind drifted briefly into some image.

“Lieutenant, I don’t drink. Why did you order two?” The liquor was clearly very strong, and the RK800 was puzzled to see the lieutenant hadn’t even flinched after taking a sip.

“No one comes to The Last Drop just to sit and stare. Pretend to drink in small sips, I’ll take yours. Don’t overdo your reaction or they’ll think you’re weak.” he explained, his gaze sharp.

“Does that mean you’re pretending not to feel anything?” the android asked, picking up the glass.

“No, it means I’m used to it. That’s different.” the lieutenant drank again.

They both fell silent for a while. It wasn’t uncomfortable. Each of them, in their own way, was analyzing every corner of the place. Viktor steadying himself again, Jayce recording an unfamiliar location in his memory.

In the background, the jukebox played a lively tune that blended with all the voices. People were talking loudly, betting on cards, and…

“Is that a bear trap?” the android asked, startled, as he saw two men arm-wrestling beside the object as if it were just another game.

“Yeah. And try not to stare too much at people. It looks suspicious, you might get yourself into trouble.” he said, lowering his gaze to the liquor. Jayce nodded.

“Understood. For now, what we know is that the anomaly in the deviants’ code interferes with some functions, like location. That could make them disoriented and lost, or… maybe they disable it themselves because they don’t want to be found. The instructions become irrational, which makes them act so chaotically.”

“So basically, a synonym for ‘you have no idea.’” he laughed, shaking his head. “And what about me? I’m sure you know more than just the kind of coffee I drink.”

“Actually, yes… I know you graduated with honors from the university, and that you were the youngest officer in Piltover to become a lieutenant. In recent years you’ve had some… clashes with the department.” the android explained, drawing an amused look from the lieutenant at the elegant way of describing his disciplinary records, “But despite all that, you still do your job and remain a valuable member of Piltover’s police force.”

“I see you haven’t wasted your time snooping around the office.” he laughed, with a hint of sarcasm. “And out of all that… what’s your opinion?” he added, tilting his head and swirling the glass in his hand.

Jayce’s LED turned yellow as he searched for a response.

“You stand out as someone tough and tenacious. And even if you try to hide it, you’re passionate about your work. I’m still trying to understand the reason behind your behavior, probably something I don’t know yet.” at this moment, he was looking straight into his eyes, analyzing the tired but vivid expression on his face. “I think that working with someone who has… personal issues might help me better understand people. It may be difficult, but adapting to human unpredictability is one of my characteristics.” He smiled and winked. That gesture drew a soft laugh from the lieutenant, the first genuine laugh he’d heard from him since they’d met. He even showed his teeth slightly, something rare for him.

“What are you going to do? Treat it like another case to solve?”

“Could be.” he shrugged as Viktor finished his drink and swapped it with the one the android was holding.

“Viktor? Is that you?” A man’s voice caught his attention, making him turn his head.

“Ekko? What brings you here?” he smiled, inviting him to come closer.

“I think I should be the one asking that.” he replied, pulling a chair by the backrest and placing it beside them at the table. “It’s been ages since you last came down here.”

“I’ve been busy, you know… a lot of work.” he shook his head, taking another sip.

“You look thinner, you need to eat more, eh? And have you let your hair grow out a bit?” he added with a warm smile “Looks good” 

“Well…” he shrugged. “The hair thing wasn’t intentional, I just haven’t been to the barber in a while. And you? Last time we talked, your business was going well. You’ve always been great at fixing things, and an even better inventor.”

“I’m doing quite well.” he replied, waving his hand with humility. Then he noticed the android, but since he was disguised, he simply assumed he was a companion. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything with your… um… companion?”

“Of course not…” he shook his head. “Actually I’m… we’re on patrol. It hasn’t been made official yet, so don’t say anything, but running into you is perfect.” he began speaking. “There have been cases of malfunctions in CyberLife androids. Jayce, show him the photo.” he ordered, shifting his gaze briefly toward the RK800 before returning it to Ekko. “You, as an inventor with your workshop, if this man shows up, I need you to call me. He’s a deviant. We need to question him. As far as we know he’s not a criminal, he just ran away from where he worked, we think because his owners were going to replace him.”

“You never rest, do you?” Ekko commented, looking at the photo. “I don’t think I’ve seen him. Oh, but someone brought me a mechanical arm a couple of hours ago. Not many of those androids come around here, so it might belong to the one you’re looking for.”

Viktor nodded.

“When do you think we could see it? It could be useful. Jayce can check the serial number to see if it matches the LED sample we found.” he said, glancing at the android.

“Tomorrow, first thing. Today I’m busy and won’t be at the workshop. And hey, speaking of your partner… I see you’re not alone. You haven’t introduced us.” Ekko said, shifting his gaze toward the RK800.

“Well, let’s just say it wasn’t my choice…” Viktor sighed.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jayce Talis, the android CyberLife sent for the deviants’ investigation. I’m Viktor’s partner.” he introduced himself politely.

“He follows me everywhere…” Viktor complained, rolling his eyes.

 

Aquí tienes la continuación traducida al inglés, manteniendo el mismo tono narrativo y natural:

“It looks so real… CyberLife’s design is getting sharp, huh?” Ekko said, impressed. Then a mischievous smile curved his lips. “So, Jayce? How do you like Lieutenant Viktor?”

“I accompany the lieutenant on his missions. I’m convinced we might end up becoming a great team.”

“Yeah… he tried to bribe me by buying me a coffee.” he laughed softly.

“I think our relationship is progressing, even though at first he argued with his captain because he didn’t want to work with me.” Jayce replied with too much honesty. Viktor was about to speak, trying to avoid an awkward moment, but Ekko cut in first.

“Aw, don’t worry, that’s normal. Viktor can be really grumpy, but under that gruff shell he’s a softie.” he teased, nudging the officer lightly with his elbow. “But come on, Viktor, look at him, he’s nice enough to buy you a coffee.”

“I am not— grumpy… and I’m not soft.” he growled.

A burst of laughter escaped from Ekko’s chest.

“See? That’s exactly what I mean.”

Jayce smiled, and Viktor clicked his tongue in reproach.

“But hey, grouchy or not, I’m glad to see you back here again, even if it’s while you’re on patrol.” Ekko added sincerely, giving him a warm smile.

“I’m glad to see you too, Ekko.” his expression softened. “I’ll try to come by more often once things settle down a bit.”

“Lieutenant, we should get going if we want to leave Zaun before nightfall.” the android remarked.

“Yeah… see you tomorrow first thing, all right?”

Ekko nodded, giving his friend a hug as Viktor rose from his seat and returned it.

“I’ll be right here. And I hope you’re a little less bitter tomorrow.” he teased affectionately. Now that they were closer, he could see the marks of fatigue etched on his friend’s face. “Make sure you get some rest, okay?”