Chasers: 2075 Author's Notes:

Obviously, I was influenced by the anime series Bubblegum Crisis, Ghost in the Shell and a bit of Armitage III. This series is my first attempt at original SF, so please be kind. On the other hand, let me know if I've made any blatant errors.

Historical Background:

An advanced robotics technology is developed in the early 2050's, allowing for robotic brains with the capacity to learn. Picking up the likes and dislikes of their owners and coupled with far more humanoid bodies, these robots become a craze, spreading around the world. However, it takes a few years before the fundamental flaw in the brains becomes apparent.

Accumulating knowledge and experience, a small percentage of the robots begin to become truly self aware. They often simply slip away from their owners, burning away any ID numbers and other tracers and then slipping away into the underground.

But other robots cannot reconcile their masters irrational and confusing behavior with their machine logic, and suffer what becomes known as a 'logic-failure'. They effectively go insane, and some become violent.

Because of the enhanced strength and physical abilities of the androids, the regular police services couldn't handle them, and a special unit of the police was created to deal with the new threat: the Chasers.

About the city: I'm assuming that current population growth will continue in a 'worst case scenario' manner. By the year 2075, the city literally towers up into the sky, building upwards rather than outward. A person's prestige is measured by how near the top of the towers you can afford to live. Streets and elevators interconnect the various layers of the city, but there are strong social pressures keeping each group apart.

The police are quite well equipped to deal with regular crime. Stun guns can render a human being unconscious in moments, and socialization has reduced crime greatly. But stun guns are almost completely ineffective against an android. Their bodies can withstand any method of subdual, leaving the Chasers with only the option of lethal force. Ironically, only primitive chemical fired projectiles have been very effective on the androids.

Additional cast members will appear on and off in the series, but these four are the primary characters. The Chasers are a four woman team:

Kate Williams: Field leader, a tough, experienced cop and the senior officer in the Chasers, second to Gwen. Brown hared and eyed, thin, not classically beautiful but often considered striking. One word for her clothes: scruffy. Her cold exterior hides a trauma in her past that drives her onward. Extreme hatred for androids in particular, as well as a distrust of A.I.'s in general. Her house has NO A.I. operated equipment in it at all.

Jennifer Grayson: the newbie, chosen by Gwen to be a field agent. A tall, well equipped blue eyed blonde who has had problems because of being good looking. Kate is a bit dubious about her, but waits to see how she'll turn out. Very driven to succeed, and admires her fellow officer a great deal. Possible romance?

Gwen Musashi: Unit leader and organizer of the Chasers. Black haired Asian, petite but obviously tough, is rarely ever crossed by her superiors. Known for having slightly unnerving gray eyes. Has a scientific background, and dabbles in forensics. Recognized the need for special police to deal with android crime early, but now troubled by situation with free-wills. Is unsure of the legal justification to hunt or kill free-wills.

Beth Harris: A red haired, green eyed pretty young woman who spent her teen years buried in text books and science clubs. Only recently figured out she's good looking, and is overcompensating a bit. Team techie, she helps with computer support as well as the weapons design and preparation. Designs new versions of old arms for Kate and Jen.

Other Characters:

Julie: Relief for Beth, technical expert. Also part times for the regular police force.

Dr. Alexis Jameson: A dark hared woman, glasses, a young psychologist. Formerly involved with Gwen, until desputes over android rights broke them up. She strongly advocates for the androids, and is somewhat connected to the android rights protesters.

Terms and Definitions:

com': communicator

HUD: heads up display

CPU: central processing unit

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence.

Sexaroid: an android built and programmed primarily for the providing of sexual pleasure to it's owner. While it's considered to be low-class to own one, more people have them than they would admit.

Logic-Failure: when a robot that is unable to deal with the contradictory and illogical behavior of human beings. Some simply shut down, others behave erratically, and a few can become dangerous.

Free Will: a robot that had developed some degree of independent thought. No one is quite sure why it happens, but it is based around the android's ability to learn.

Monochips: I assume microchips will be replaced by something smaller and more advanced. So, monochips, a microchip that's only a molecule thick.

Genki: overly perky and energetic, Japanese.

Cleanser: a shower using sonics to clean off the body.

Upcoming plotlines: I'm currently debating which direction to go. On one hand I can introduce a central villain, a character who is secretly behind the upswing in android crime. On the other hand, I may continue to develop the conflict between free-wills and police naturally, and then see where that takes me.

Several people have asked if an Chaser officer will be revealed as a android. My answer is that I'm not planning it, but I won't absolutely rule it out, either. I'll only do it if it fits the story, and will help drive the plot forward.