The man was faster than humanly possible. He ducked his head so Maddox slashed at the skull. The blade cut through pseudo-flesh, sparking against a titanium plate underneath.

The creature was clearly an android.

Maddox realized the knife would not help him. The android was too strong, too fast and too well armored against a kitchen utensil. He let go of the handle even as he realized this.

The blade began to drop. The android’s head rose and Maddox grabbed at his service pistol tucked in the android’s belt—he’d seen the gun earlier, his hole card.

The android must have spied the move at the last second. It released the bruised elbow and leaped back. Perhaps its logic centers reasoned it could move away faster than Maddox could grab the gun. If so, the AI running the android had not calculated for the captain’s phenomenal speed.

The android jumped back and Maddox raised his pistol, using his thumb to click off the safety.

“It’s time we talked,” Maddox said, finding it difficult to speak due to his throbbing left elbow.

The android froze. Maybe its logic centers had overloaded at this failure.

Maddox backed up several steps, increasing the distance between them. That would allow him fractionally more time to fire if the android unexpectedly attacked.

The android’s face twitched with annoyance. That indicated an expensive AI processor. The user had bought the best, it would seem.

“You are making a mistake,” the creature said.

“Apparently,” the captain said.

“You must come with me at once.”

“I might do that. First, you must tell me where we would go?”

“This is not germane at the moment.”

“I most heartily disagree.”

The android’s face twitched again. “I do not represent personal harm to you, Captain Maddox. I assure you of this.”

“That’s a relief. You can’t imagine my—”

“But I must insist that you lower the gun and continue with me,” the android said, interrupting.

“And if I refuse?” Maddox asked.

“I will have to take the weapon from you.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“Is it not obvious?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“In the ensuing struggle,” the android said, “I could injure you. My protocols do not allow that.”

Maddox studied the creature, the long gash on its head that didn’t bleed. “You want me alive and unharmed, is that what you’re saying?”

“I have already stated as such.”

“Who would I see if I agreed to your proposal?”

“It is supposed to be a surprise. Please, lower the pistol and come with me. Time is pressing.”

Maddox took several more steps away and raised the pistol so the barrel poked up against his own throat.

“What are you doing?” the android asked, sounding worried.

“I’ve decided to commit suicide.”

The android blinked excessively as if the processors threatened to overload.

“Unless,” Maddox said, cocking an eyebrow.

“Yes?”

“You tell me who sent you and where you plan to take me.”

“Are you attempting to coerce me?”

“Maybe.”

The android’s features hardened. “I will not succumb to coercion.”