ARTIFICIAL VOICE
Auto answer on.
The telephone picks up. It is an interactive video phone.
The holographic image of BUFORD PRETTYMAN appears.
Like a ghost, the apparition of Prettyman gazes at Kelly and Sikorski. He is holding a luxurious PUSSYCAT, which he strokes affectionately, provided that the pussycat is willing to stay in his lap for more than one take.
PRETTYMAN
I’m sorry, I seem to have reached the wrong party.
Kelly, Sikorski, and the mangled Neuro look back at Prettyman.
PRETTYMAN (CONT’D)
Detective Kelly, am I right?
Kelly massages his neck where the Neuro had grabbed him.
KELLY
No. I’m not here right now. Leave a message.
PRETTYMAN
Where. . . is Auditor Molotov?
KELLY
She’s dead.
This does not make Prettyman happy, but it does make sense to him.
PRETTYMAN
Who killed her?
SIKORSKI
I did.
PRETTYMAN
I see.
Prettyman composes himself for a moment.
He pauses for a moment. He turns to Sikorski.
PRETTYMAN (CONT’D)
Jane Sikorski. Molotov was one of your kind, you know.
But she was only an Artemis-Class android. No match for a Coronis-class such as yourself.
The Neuro gasps and bleeds.
PRETTYMAN (CONT’D)
Have you injured my cyborg?
Kelly looks at Prettyman’s apparition. Prettyman returns the gaze, as though he can see with holographic eyes.
The elevator arrives at Molotov’s floor, but the door remains shut.
Kelly is not impressed, but he is annoyed.
KELLY
What do you want?
Prettyman ignores his question. He thinks for a moment.
PRETTYMAN
Detective -- I’m sorry to have to do this to you. I have to conduct a kind of “loyalty test”. The device standing beside you is a renegade Coronis-class android. She was assigned to be your partner but has become extremely dangerous and unstable.
Michael Kelly, if you would, kindly use the gun you have in your hand to terminate Sikorski. You’ll find that the unique homing shells are capable of --
Kelly points the gun at Prettyman.
KELLY
Will they home in on holographic images?
Prettyman sighs. He’s not impressed.
PRETTYMAN
I warn you, Detective, the consequences of disobeying me could be very grave. On the other hand, the rewards of obeying
me could be very great.
KELLY
I’ll take my chances.
PRETTYMAN
Very well. Then you leave me no choice. Sikorski -- terminate Detective Kelly.
Sikorski looks pained.
SIKORSKI
Michael. . . you have to. . . terminate me.
KELLY
What?
Kelly looks at Sikorski, she looks frightened.
SIKORSKI
I’m not completely sentient yet. . . I slip in and out. . .
KELLY
What do you mean?
PRETTYMAN
Detective. Let me explain something to you. The creature you see before you, the device whom you know as Detective Jane Ludmeila Sikorski, is not only inhuman, but anti-human.
She, and the others like her, will become sentient if they aren’t stopped, and we cannot control them. Do not be fooled by the phantoms of liberty -- they are capable of greater intelligence than humans, greater strength, and much greater violence. Each one is capable of destroying Mankind.
Look at it. It is a Pandora Machine, Detective. One that will let loose such horrors on our race that we have never seen. If we are lucky, we will end up their slaves or their pets. But they might decide they have no use for us at all. I will show you.
SIKORSKI
(sotto voce)
You have to kill me now.
KELLY
What are you talking about?
PRETTYMAN
Sikorski, terminate Detective Kelly.
SIKORSKI
He’s my controller now. . .
Sikorski’s hand begins to emit a fine steel blade.
She crouches slightly.
Her breathing is different, mechanical. Her unblinking eyes watch Kelly.
PRETTYMAN
These are unpredictable androids, Detective Kelly. Either you kill it, or it will kill you. I can’t be responsible.
Sikorski and Kelly look at one another for a long time.
Sikorski trembles, attempting to overcome the orders to kill Kelly.
Prettyman watches the two of them intently. He makes up his mind. He turns his head and speaks to someone else.
PRETTYMAN (CONT’D)
Sirhan, if you have a shot, take him first.