Case Notes 4

Electric Sheep

Case Log: Fenn’s Initiation into the Underground

Fenn finds himself sandwiched between two individuals in the cramped van, facing Styles in the opposite seat. The van is dark, with blacked-out windows and a barrier separating them from the driver.

The Ride to the Meeting

The woman to Fenn’s left reaches under her seat, pulling out a box as she explains they’re going to meet “friends.” She hands Fenn a sack and requests he put it on; when he complies, she secures it tightly with cable ties around his head, binding his hands behind him as an extra measure. Fenn resists but is quickly overpowered by a blow to the chest, as his captors argue that these precautions are necessary against a Blade Runner.

Feeling the van’s movements, Fenn senses they’re heading east and downhill toward the riverfront. Once they reach the river, the van changes direction, but he can’t tell if they’re moving north or south.

Arrival and Introduction to the Underground

After several tense minutes of silence, the van stops, and Fenn is led outside. The sound of rain and city life surrounds him as he’s marched up ten flights of stairs - Styles murmurs that the lift is broken. Inside, Fenn is seated on a wooden chair, hearing faint voices and the persistent sound of rain, along with the hum of an advertising blimp overhead.

Styles breaks the silence, asking, “Do you know who we are?” Fenn denies any knowledge, and a woman nearby scoffs, “He’s not very bright for an N9.” Styles finally reveals their identity: The Underground - a network of free replicants dedicated to protecting their kind, including Fenn himself. They see Fenn as a potential ally and ask him to call Willa to distract her from the case. Fenn argues that Willa does not deserve to get hurt, she’s only following her own “programming” - he will only comply if they promise not to use lethal force against her. Styles gives his word that they won’t fatally harm Willa, so Fenn makes a call to Willa falsely telling her that Leah has been located to a Railway Depot outside of the city.

The Truth about Leah and the Nature of N9 Memories

As rain trickles through a skylight above, another member explains their mission regarding Leah:

Escape for Leah: They intend to secure Leah’s safe passage off-planet to escape Wallace Corporation’s influence.
Memory Manipulation by Wallace & Lilith Tyrell: Wallace and Tyrell enforce control by manipulating N9s’ memories, embedding trauma as a safeguard against rebellion. Leah’s memories are based on Lilith Tyrell’s life, with memories of a loving family. If a replicant rebels, these memories are altered, and Leah’s would show her daughter’s death, forcing her to undergo recalibration to restore stability.

The Aurelian: The Blind Leader’s Arrival

An older, blind man arrives, clothed in flowing fabrics, and engages in a heated exchange with Styles, reprimanding him for capturing Fenn instead of focusing on Leah. Known as The Aurelian, he approaches Fenn, gently cutting his bonds and taking his hands.

Question of Identity: The Aurelian asks if “Fenn” is his own name or one given to him. Fenn admits it was assigned to him, leading to a moment of self-realization as he decides to adopt a new identity: Merrick. This renaming serves as a symbolic baptism into the Underground.
The Truth about Sandor’s Death: Merrick inquires about Sandor’s killer. The Aurelian reveals that Leah had begun questioning her place, seeking guidance from Styles. Sandor grew suspicious, confronting Leah at the Snake Pit and raising his gun against Styles. In response, Leah fired, killing Sandor. As Merrick describes the man who attacked him recently, the Aurelian suspects the assailant was sent by Wallace Corporation, indicating a further-reaching conspiracy against the Underground.

The Underground’s mission now hinges on locating Leah and returning her to the Moonbus for departure that night, a task carrying high stakes for all involved.