Unit CS-01 stood on the rooftop of Barton labs. The sunlight glinted off her metallic skin. She focused her optical sensors on the massive hole cut into the roof. She opened an audio channel to her partner. "Elizabeth, I have arrived at lab building 14, the site of last night's unauthorized incursion. My sensors already detect several anomalies." She began transmitting video of the opening through her optical receptors. "The corners measure approximately 87.3 degrees, too imperfect for mechanical precision. However, the clean nature of the cuts suggest one swing. Highly irregular."
The video footage popped up on Dr Elizabeth Ward's 6th monitor. She adjusted her glasses and tightened her blonde ponytail. "When you first started describing it, I assumed they'd used a plasma cutter. But the incisions show no signs of burn marks." Elizabeth began searching the internet with her special algorithm for any references to similar cuts.
CS-01 approached the edge of the opening and focused her optical sensors on the floors below. Every story of the building below shared a similar, gaping hole. "The perpetrators appear to have utilized the same method on every floor below, terminating in the secure bunker on sub basement 02," CS-01 said in a calm, almost monotone voice.
"Not much help from the web. The only image similarities my algorithm returned are holes cut by the super hero Freya. But that doesn't make any sense. Why would a super hero be at Barton Labs in the middle of the night?" Elizabeth responded, as her third monitor flashed an image of Freya cutting her way into a burning building in Malaysia.
"Running simulations. Contents of the vault are locked behind maximum level security clearance. Possible scenarios for the incursion number eleven million, six hundred twenty three thousand, five hundred and twenty seven. Probability estimate for super hero involvement is roughly one in one hundred and twenty eight, leading to a projection of ninety thousand, eight hundred and nine scenarios that could warrant super hero intervention," unit CS-01 answered.
"Thanks Em," Elizabeth sighed. Elizabeth still hadn't gotten used to the way Emily spoke now. Before the accident, she'd always been the silly, carefree one in their relationship. But now that her brain was half computer, her wife was much colder and more analytical. Elizabeth shook her head. No point in thinking about the old times. "What's even stranger is that the rooftop access door was unlocked. That must have happened afterwards. I can't see why someone would cut a hole in the roof instead of going through an open door."
"Possible scenarios for two independent means of ingress are..."
"It's ok Em. We can save the calculations on that one," Elizabeth interrupted.
"Affirmative. But all scenarios suggest at least two separate groups breaking in."
"Two groups? Dammit Em how are we supposed to figure this out? I'm a cybernetic researcher, not a detective," Elizabeth said, slumping forward.
"Dr. Barton provided clear direction that the cyber soldier unit was to investigate the incident and that the highly sensitive nature of the stolen technology demanded the utmost discretion,"CS-01 stated calmly.
"I know. I know. I guess I'd gotten used to the company mostly using you for PR. The innocent woman who nearly died in a car crash, reborn as the world's most technologically advanced hero. It does wonders for the stock price. But I suppose if you have a cybernetic super hero on your payroll you expect certain things."
"Affirmative. The company sees fit to utilize our capabilities however they see fit."
Even through her robotic tone Emily's annoyance at the work became clear. "Yeah I know it's not the most glamorous work. But it saved your life Em."
Emily was quiet for a moment. "Sensors are detecting no new data on this rooftop. Should I advance the investigation to the interior?"
"Yeah let's keep it moving. Maybe something in there will make more sense. They should have someone waiting for you inside to talk about why all the security cameras and automated defenses were disabled."
CS-01 approached the edge of the opening. A small compartment opened in her wrist revealing a curved, metal hook on a length of carbon fiber cable. The hook shot out, latching onto a steel beam at the edge of the opening. Then she jumped into the hole, slowly repelling down with her grappling hook.
CS-01's circuits gave off a faint, blue glow in the darkness of the sub basement. The circuitry ran through her flesh in large bands. They created sinuous rivers of blue light that crisscrossed her flesh. Even CS-01's shoulder length "hair" glowed blue because it was in fact a highly advanced series of wire sensors reading air flow, humidity and other atmospheric data.
In any case, the effect was striking, at least for Marcy Daniels, who waited for her in the basement. "Oh wow. Wow wow. Emily, I mean CS-01. I haven't seen you since your procedure. You're even more beautiful in person," Marcy stammered as she nervously fiddled with the wooden frame of her glasses.
Elizabeth let out another exasperated sigh. Of course it had to be Marcy of all people. She could see the woman's mousey features and frizzy hair through Emily's displays. "Can you remind her that you're married please," Elizabeth said.
CS-01turned and whispered, "I do not believe Marcy has seen this unit since my reconstruction. I assume she is merely struck by my cybernetic form."
"Em, you were never good at reading people and you're worse now. She's struck by your form alright. She has been since college, and it looks like she still is now," Elizabeth answered with annoyance.
CS-01 turned to Marcy. "My wife, Elizabeth, says hello."
