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Anthony Baxter, the local Sophont Affairs PR Officer, stared at the decapitated android that lay inactive on the floor where it had fallen after its impromptu death-rattle. He didn’t normally get involved in what was essentially police work – his job had more of an administration and public relations tone to it – but it’s not every morning that one finds a decapitated android. His late grandfather, D.I. Tony Baxter, must have felt just as surprised when he found out the truth about Coppélia as his grandson now did.
Anthony had been asked to join officers of the NMPD Sophont Unit at the scene, as the case was so unusual. In fact, nothing like this had ever happened – not in his experience anyway –and the police had decided that it would probably be a good idea to keep him in the loop.
