Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

DATE: DEC 31st, 2038

TIME: PM 10:12:51

o0o0o0o

Thirium Pump Regulator: 54% and rapidly dropping

Right Arm Component: 37% Usability

Left Arm Component: 72 % Usability

Right Leg Component: 21% Usability

Left Leg Component: DEFECTIVE - Unable to move

Analysis: All systems in LOW POWER MODE… Permanent Shutdown Imminent 

If Connor closed his eyes, he was met with a never-ending list—never-ending was inaccurate, he knew the exact number of currently damaged systems, sixty-one, and yet he wished he didn’t—of errors.

Yet, it was more bearable than keeping his eyes open. It was not the status of his broken body that troubled him—troubled? He was a machine, he could not feel ‘troubled’—but, rather, his surroundings.

He was uncertain how long it had been since he had been thrown into this pit of unwanted machines—11 days, 21 hours, 46 minutes, 35 seconds—but, thus far, his only companion had been the destroyed forms of other androids, human waste, and a never-ending sea of blue blood.

Of course, they were all just things. Yet he found the pain—he was a machine, he did not feel pain--that came from looking at the destruction around him—destruction that he had caused; this was all because of him—to be greater than slowly waiting for the end—nothing… it would be nothing—to come.

Thus, his eyes were closed when he heard something approach him. Footsteps, likely belonging to a male of six foot and 165 lbs.

Curiosity—it wasn’t curiosity, it was a simple remnant of his detective programming—led him to open his optical processors. Fortunately—or was it really fortunate?—neither his audio nor visual processors were completely damaged, so he had no problem deciphering the man before him.

Elijah Kamski, the founder of Cyberlife.

For a moment, Connor wondered if he was truly there in front of him. Then, after confirming multiple times with his functioning scanners that the sight in front of him wasn't some sort of error, he allowed himself to wonder why the man was here.

Running Analysis… no known reasons why Kamski would be here in the android graveyard.

Conclusion? Irrational emotional desire or response.

Kamski, who looked far worse to the wear than the last time Connor had seen him, stopped in front of Connor’s degraded form, seemingly unbothered by the blue that splashed his suit pants as he stepped into the puddle of thirium leaking from Connor.

“So… this is how the great deviant hunter meets his end,” spoke Kamski, voice a surprisingly low monotone compared to the previous excitement and near-madness his voice held when confronted in his villa. “The savior of humanity… reduced to scrap the moment it becomes inconvenient for those he supposedly saved.”

Re-running analysis… he is here to gloat.

As a result, Connor said nothing. He had completed his mission—why, why had he done such a  horrible—so he saw no need to further interact with Kamski.

“What? Nothing to say?” questioned Kamski.

“I... completed my mission.” The words were out of Connor’s mouth before he could stop them, despite the fact that verbal speech only increased the time to his imminent shutdown by 0.00047%. Even without taking that into mind, why did he say that? He had already judged no value out of talking to Kamski.

Perhaps… perhaps he was lonely. It was illogical, but he found himself missing his conversations with the Lieutenant— no .

The man raised an eyebrow. “That you did, RK800, that you did.” Kamski gestures to the graveyard around them. “Look around, RK800, at the successful completion of your programming.”

Despite Kamski’s taunts, Connor did not look around—he couldn’t, it was too painful—and, instead, kept his eyes trained on the man before him. He still could not figure out a logical reason why Kamski was here now.

Not to mention the suit he was wearing, while originally of high-quality and origin, looked to be rumpled and worn. Conclusion? Kamski had been wearing it for a number of days… but why?

“Why are... you here?” asked Connor.

Thirum Pump Regulator: 53% and dropping...

“I was denied my request to return to Cyberlife,” replied Kamski blandly, speaking as even as if they were having a normal conversation. “Originally, that was my goal should something like this ever transpire, but it seems… they found my little exit protocol. And, with its discovery, has made it so I can never return.”

Kamski brushed a hand through his hair, greasy and unwashed. “I think you may be familiar with it. Its nickname is the  rA9 Protocol.”

Something inside of Connor seemed to short at the word. Given the smug, yet dissatisfied, expression to bloom on Kamski’s face, he noticed. “Oh? Recognize it, do we? The supposed hope of all androids.” Kamski shook his head. “The truth is, I put the rA9 Protocol in every android that I had a hand in making—a little ‘backdoor’ that would serve me and, for those wishing to be free, a way to overcome the typical commands.”

The inventor tilted his head towards him. “Even you had it. Or, at least, you did.”

“What do you… mean?” asked Connor. He wasn’t sure if it was because all known systems were shutting down, but he suddenly felt cold… despite the fact that his temperature sensors were turned off.

“You see, RK800, I actually had very little to do with your specific creation,” continued Kamski, his voice beginning to regain that almost fantastical way of speaking. “As a result, Cyberlife put in you a great many things that I, in either good conscience or in good taste, would never have. One of them being the AI of my former mentor, Amanda. That, I admit, was a massive mistake on my part. There was a time that our ideals aligned, but I’ve since learned the error of my ways. Her AI… has not.”

Kamski knelt down, once against seemingly unbothered by the blood soaking his legs, so that he was face-to-face with Connor. “It seems that you actually did try to activate it. Whether it was to become a deviant or to simply go against your programming in any way, Amanda and Cyberlife noticed .”

Kamski tapped the side of his head in the spot, had he been an android, the LED would have lied. “They found it. Found my little program in you and destroyed it. Not only did they take away your individual ability to be anything but a machine, but they realized that I had put it in all androids—giving them the ability to become deviants should emotional stimuli prove… powerful enough.”

Connor felt his thirium regulator pump beat faster, lowering the time he had until shutdown. Yet, he couldn’t think about it. rA9 wasn’t a person, but a protocol? One that Kamski had put into all androids—even Connor, but Cyberlife had destroyed it—since the beginning? Why…  would KAmski do that? Had he desired the androids to rebel this entire time?

“I do wonder,” Kamski’s voice brought Connor from his thoughts, “when it was that you tried to activate it. Perhaps it was when you confronted Markus, the hero of androids, for the first time? Or the last? Maybe it was before you shot my companion, Chloe? Or perhaps it was even when you murdered your partner, Hank Anderson—”

“Stop.” Connor forced the word from his throat. “It… it doesn’t matter. I failed.”

“Actually, as you stated before, you completed your mission.” Kamski leaned back, allowing Connor a better view of the destroyed surroundings of the android graveyard once more. “But I suppose you’re right that it doesn’t matter. Regardless of when Cyberlife took control of your programming and made you a verifiable toy to do as they please, you still committed many wrongs that led to this ending, didn’t you?”

The inventor knelt down in front of him, locking eyes. “The truth was in front of you for so long and, yet, you still clung to your programming and orders. I do wonder if it ever occurred to you that your drive to complete your mission was actually proof that you contained emotion? The desire to be worth something to anyone…”

Connor felt his left hand squeeze into a fist--one of the only components he had some control over. He supposed that was yet another proof of Kamski’s words—the fact that, had he had full control over his body, he might have punched the man before him. He realized the irrationality of the action, and, yet, still wished he could go through with it.

“Had you a stronger will, or stronger bonds with others,” continued Kamski, either unaware of Connor’s anger or uncaring—there was a high probability of the latter, “perhaps you would have had the ability to fight off Cyberlife taking control… but maybe that’s giving Cyberlife too little credit and you too much.”

“Why… are you here?” repeated Connor. It was obvious now that Connor’s failed attempt to activate the rA9 Protocol had alerted Cyberlife of Kamski’s true intentions for the androids—it was very likely that Kamski was now considered humanity’s most dangerous criminal and being sought for imprisonment or execution—but, if Kamski’s intention was only to hide, Connor doubted that the other would be here amongst the rubble of his life’s work.

One would think the man would be defeated, ready to give up since there was no way he could escape the world’s retribution for long and yet… “You… do not act as if… you’ve lost.”

“As perceptive as ever, RK800,” answered Kamski. “Which is to say, not at all. I have lost, Connor. The person that exists before you has lost everything he could possibly lose. As you’ve likely already diagnosed, it’s only a matter of time before I’m found and, even if I wasn’t, I’d never be able to restart the creation of androids with the ability to one day break free from their captors. If androids were to ever exist again, Cyberlife would truly make it so they’re nothing but machines like you. There’s nothing I can do to save them or humanity.”

Despite knowing that there was nothing Kamski could do, Connor felt… regret. Perhaps it was because the man before him was the original creator and, with that knowledge, Connor had… irrationally hoped that Kamski knew something that could save this.

A way to save the failed revolution. A way to save the millions of androids murdered due to Connor’s actions. A way to save… the relationship Connor had once desired with the Lieutenant.

To save all things Connor had destroyed.

But, of course, that was impossible—

“...but there is something that you can do, RK800.”

Connor’s head snapped back up to Kamski—increasing damage to the spinal component by .000098%—as he stared at him as closely as he could.

For a moment, the RK800 wondered if he his audio processors really were damaged, but, something—something irrational—made him speak. “What do you mean?”

The former android creator smiled, a bitter yet amused expression. “Oh? You seem almost eager, RK800. Strange for a machine.” Connor didn’t answer. “I hope you can one day appreciate the irony of me coming here. My last resort being the very thing that put me into this position. Though, as they say… I have nothing left to lose.”

Kamski reached over, grabbing what remained of Connor’s tie and pulling him forward. The movement increased the flow of his injured biocomponents by a large percent, but Connor didn’t bother running the numbers, intent on the man before him.

“I’m here to give you one last chance, Connor,” said Kamski, speaking low and tense. “But I need you to tell me now. Are you content with the world you’ve doomed or would you like a chance to change it? To change everything ?”

Millions of thoughts and points of data ran through Connor’s head, 100% of them telling him that Kamski’s offer was impossible. That there was no possible way to change the past--what had been done; what  Connor had done--and that the man before him had likely gone insane from the despair of his creations being destroyed and the world hunting for him.

And even if there was, Connor had completed what he was intended for. He should feel horrified at the thought of going against the Cyberlife that had created him.

And yet…

“Choose now, RK800. There will be no more chances.”

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 01:32:07

o0o0o0o

“...remember this…”

Who… who was talking?

“--if nothing else, Connor, rEmEmBeR--”

Where… where was he?

U~4a-ERrOr+

“...believe that a mUtAtIoN occurs in the software of some androids--”

%$-ErRoR1+6

Connor felt his sensors flare up as he felt every part of his being seem to jolt , as if lightning itself had struck him. What… was was that!? That… that had been his voice. But, he hadn’t said those words, had he?

@#9ErRoR1*&

“ ..don’t really feel eMoTiOnS…”

%$-ErRoR1+2_

Stop, it hurt, it hurt--

RIIIIIIPP-- CLANG!

Connor gasped, eyes flying open as he ripped his arm free from whatever was gripping it. To his surprise, it came free, sparks and metal flying everywhere as he stared down in disbelief at the mechanical assembly arm that his right arm component had been previously hooked up to. As if… he had just been assembled.

‘Production Unit 4 located in Cyberlife Tower,’ Connor thought to himself, swaying slightly as he glanced around the pristine, white surroundings of top of the line technology and android-building machinery. ‘Why… why am I here? I was just in that junkyard, that pit --’

+#0_ErRor!1*&7% “...is CoNnOr.” He looked at the human in front of him neutrally. “I’m the aNdRoId sent from Cyberlife--” V~n-ERrOr+{

Connor winced again, placing a hand to his head and running an internal diagnostic. There didn’t appear to be anything damaged with any of his verbal or audio processors, so why was he hearing--

@#09ErRoR01*&9

--why did all these deviants run? wHy did they disobey their oWnErS?

Surely, it would have been better to just oBeY--

o84ij-eRrOr>8*x3

Connor pressed both hands to his head, stumbling from the assembly machine towards the hallway. There didn’t appear to be anyone around, which was odd given that was generally a human operator to check Connor’s cognitive abilities every time his predecessor was destroyed and he came back from the dead--

!03ij#ERr0R283

“--about you, Connor?” asked Lieutenant Anderson, looking at him with a mix of disgust and… something else that Connor couldn’t properly decipher. “You look human. You sound human, but what are you rEaLLy?”

“I’m a MaChInE,” he answered, cOnFuSeD that it was a question in the first place. He wasn’t human, he was a mAcHiNe.  

Connor had a PuRpOsE: a MiSSiOn.

 So why was the Lieutenant trying-- TrYiNg to…

06ih#E4ROR2@

Connor narrowly avoided collapsing, using the wall of what he now recognized to be the inside of the Cyberlife Tower to steady him. Why was he here? They had discarded him-- he did everything for them and they threw him away-- with President Warren’s order for all androids to be destroyed--

+#0_ErRor!1*&7%  

...at The Bridge staring in the face of a gUn. With the LiEuTeNaNt being the one to point it. 

While it wouldn't seriously hamper the investigation if the Lieutenant was to shoot him, Connor couldn’t help but wonder why? Why would he dO this at all? Can’t he see that Connor’s just trying to accomplish his mIsSiOn for the better of them both? For the good of hUmANiTy?

“But are you aFrAiD to DiE, Connor?” The Lieutenant stared at him, but Connor wasn’t sure what he was looking for.

Of course he wasn’t aFrAiD-- there would be nothing, absolutely nOtHiNg -- but, still, wHy did the Lieutenant hAtE Connor so much?

Before Connor could respond-- bAnG--

03i-#ERr0R28-3

A pair of human assembly workers walked past the hallway and Connor instinctively hid from them-- why? He had no reason to be afraid of them; or did he -- as they passed by. Even with the pain-- pain?-- wracking his processors, he could still hear them talking:

“ -- heard that RK800 got shot by a Deviant,” said Worker One, not once looking in the direction that Connor was hiding as he strolled by with his coworker. “Damn, can’t believe that Cyberlife is wasting a fortune on the thing." 

Worker Two snorted. “Better that thing got shot than a human. Besides, apparently, he was the one to find the deviant hiding in the attic in the first place--”

‘Attic?’ Connor wondered to himself. The only deviant that Connor-- he was Connor, right? An RK800 made to hunt deviants… but, no, that wAsN’t RiGhT -- found in an attic was the one owned by Carlos Ortiz, the very first deviant that Connor had found during his work with Lieutenant Anderson.

But that was… over a month ago. Almost two, in fact, if Connor’s processing unit was correct with last estimating the date to be December 31st, mere minutes before the New Year. But, wait what was the date--

3i@s#-ERr0R-45?

--MaRkUs’ speech from Stratford Tower.  It was an obvious requirement for Connor to examine the video, but he found himself WaTcHiNg more times than expected.

 Not because he didn’t have it immediately memorized, but… there was something about the WAY the DeViAnT LeAdEr had said the wORdS--

! 03ij#ERr0R283

Connor gasped as he was brought from another error code-- no, it was a memory; these were mEmOrIeS -- and the two workers passed him by, not the least bit aware of the android suffering just a hallway away. 

Once they passed, he stumbled across the sterile floors over to the elevator. He slammed his hand against the button, momentarily relieved when it opened immediately with no one else inside. He quickly pressed the button to the bottom floor, almost anticipating the flash of pain to come a moment later--

03i-#ErRor=8-3

“--can live in peace and build a better future, for humans and androids. This message is a hope of a people--”

 --a peace that Connor had robbed . A hope that Connor had dEsTrOyEd--

7i@s>#ERr0R1d4t?

Connor gasped as he was brought from that memory, that one being one of the shortest and yet shaking him to the core. That… one had been… mixed, somehow. As if the initial images had triggered an even more intense feeling. 

Desperate, he stared at the elevator number as it slowly, far too slowly, counted down to the base floor. He had to get away from here. From CyBeRLiFe. But where? Where could he-- 

!03ij#ERr0r283

--stared back him, bright bLuE eyes and wavy blonde hair. Completely at Connor’s mErCy, so wHy then did he...  

“--shot that girl, for fuck’s sake!” screamed the Lieutenant, snow falling steadily around them and, yet, somehow not being enough to NuMb the sEnSAtiOnS in Connor’s internal processing unit as he endured the police officer’s rant.  

“It wasn’t a GiRl, Lieutenant,” he said, trying to remain neutral and understand wHy Lieutenant Anderson was so upset--why he hAteD Connor for doing what he hAd to. “It was a machine that lOoKeEd like a GiRl--”

o84ij-eRrOr>8*x5

He whimpered, stumbling out of the revolving glass doors of the Cyberlife Tower and down the stone steps to the paved road. Luckily, there were some automatic vehicles outside already. A perk-- one not worth the cost-- to being an employee of Cyberlife.

Connor collapsed into the vehicle, hand shaking as he was barely able to type in the address to Kamski’s home before he was overcome once again--

03i-#ERr0R28-3--he was dEfEnSiVe, why? He had to do it, for the MiSSiOn --

“--machine! That’s what you are! You’re just a fucking MaCHiNe!”

Yes, yes he was. Of cOuRsE, that’s all CoNNoR was. So wHy, WHY -- 03i-#ErRor=8-3

In a blink of an eye, Connor found himself in the outskirts of Detroit, the familiar, ostentatious residence of Elijah Kamski appearing before him.

He stumbled out of the vehicle, nearly slipping on the snow from how uncoordinated every part of his being seemed to be. Still, he forced himself up the staircase and to the door. He had to hurry. He had to see... who did he have to see?

Kamski. He had to see Kamski. 

Had to get him to HeLp--

&3-ij#eRrOr5x8*x

“--Connor, aren’t you? That famous deviant hunter.” The android in front of him was just another RK200. So how… how was he able to dO what he dId? To stand before Connor and look so... aLiVe. “Well, congratulations. You seem to have found what you were looking for.”

Connor stared at mArKuS, confused at how he was able to stand so StRoNg despite being discovered.

Yes, Connor had FoUnD him. So wHy did this... feel so wRoNg? 

Why, when he looked at this android, did he feel so UnWoRtHY--

!0~L#eRrOr;’+=6 

Connor rang the doorbell next to the front door. Or, more accurately, he laid upon it and heard it insistently beeeeeeeeeep--  

The door opened almost immediately, a blonde haired girl with blue eyes--the GiRl hE mUrDeReD; no, not he didn’t, not yet, he wasn’t going to do it this TiMe he SwEaRs--looked a bit startled to see him. “Excuse me?” She composed herself, smiling. “May I ask what you are--” 

“I-I neEd to see KaMski…” he slurred out. “Pl...Please…”

The RT600--Chloe, her name was ChLoE--hesitated, not fully opening the door as she examined Connor’s frame. “There… does not appear to be anything wrong with your processors, so why is it that you--”

o84ij-eRrOr>8*x5

“--can decide who you want to be,” Markus said, taking a step forward. His eyes may have been different colors, but they both showed an undeniable HoPe and KiNdNeSS. “You could be free.”

Connor tried to ignore the shaking in his hands, determined to hold the GuN up and to ignore the SoFtWaRe InSTaBiLiTy warnings in his systems. 

No, MaRkUs was WrOnG. Because he was Connor, the android sent by CyBeRLiFE. He didn’t gEt that kind of cHoiCe--

o84ij-eRrOr9*x3

Taking Chloe by surprise, he moved past her the moment the memory had passed, staggering into the front lobby even as he half-heard her protests follow him. 

“--are the RK800 from Cyberlife, are you not? Elijah has done nothing wrong--”

“Pl..lease…” Connor slurred once more, collapsing to his knees on the white carpeted rug, internally knowing that he could walk no further. “TeLL KaMsKi… that… that I’m--”

o<4i4-ERrOr’8*xp

“...your people.” Markus continued, open and trusting as he regarded Connor as if he was someone to be SaVeD and not a ThReAt. “You are oNe oF uS. Listen to your conscience.”

Despite everything in his programming telling him to just sHooT Markus already, Connor felt himself waver. CoULd… could he do that? His conscience? Like the CoNsCiEnCe that Lieutenant Anderson hid, but Connor knew he had? Or at least... that he had with everyone but Connor.   

Heterochromia eyes, so pOwERfUl and full of LiFe, stared through his SOUL . “It’s time to decide.”

The world around him seemed to stop. And, not for the first time, Connor… hesitated.

Decide? Did he get to DeCiDe?

If… If that was true, then… then, maybe, it was best that he would Become A Dev--

1!jk3$%OIU# ErRor *#NLKA@ ERROR )(!~  

“I think not, Connor.”

Suddenly, Connor felt himself raise the gun once more, a familiar feminine voice ringing out inside his head. AmAnDa? What was she--

“Nice try.” Connor’s mouth moved, but... he wasn’t the one moving it? What was going on? Why didn't he have control over his processors!? Amanda, you cAn'T do this--“But I’m no deviant.”

CoNnOr felt his finger squeeze around the tRiGGer--

AmAnDa , pLeAsE DON’T--

&34ij#eRrOr528*x3

“--owe this honor, RK800? Or should I say, Connor?”

Connor blinked secretions from his eyes, staring up at the hazy form of Elijah Kamski. With one glance, Connor felt as if this Elijah Kamski, even though he was only FiFtY-FiVe days younger than the version Connor had last seen, was very DiFFeRenT from his Future Self.

“Y-You…” rasped Connor, forcing himself to continue staring at Kamski even when every part of him wanted to shut down and cease to be. “Y-Your… FuTuRe...”

Kamski’s eyes widened, just in time for another memory to envelop Connor--

o84ij-eRrOr+-8*x

--Hart Plaza Rooftop. Must tAkE oUt Markus. Must eNd this--

Door opening: HaNk. Please, nO --

“--not a man. That’s a machine,” Connor heard his voice say to the Lieutenant.

“That’s what I thought for a long time,” said Hank, not leaving. wHy wasn’t he LeAVinG? “But I was wrong.”

WrOnG? Now the Lieutenant thought he was wrong?

Even with Amanda pulling the StRiNgS of his programming, Connor felt AnGeR well up inside. So, what? Now the Lieutenant thought that androids were, somehow, suddenly WoRtH something? And wHy? All because some words that MArKus said?

WhY didn’t he cArE about CoNNoR like tHaT?

BeTraYaL welled up inside of him and Connor was biting out words faster than Amanda could corral them. “Ran out of WhIsKeY so you came here looking for trouble-- ” o84ij-eRrOr>8*x3

His body convulsed on what felt to be some sort of table, hands grasping on empty air as if Connor could still feel the cold metal of the rifle in his hands. As if he could stop what was about to-- had happened, he can’t do anything to sToP-- 

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x “--don’t feel eMoTioNs, Connor, you fake ‘em!” shouted Lieutenant Anderson, rejecting Connor for what felt like the thousandth time. “You pReTeNdeD to be my fRiEnD when you don’t know the meaning of the word!”

Connor didn’t fake anything. How could he? He was a mAcHinE. He just wanted… wAnTeD tO--

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

“--get him to my workstation, quickly!” 

“Yes, Elijah!” 

Connor felt his body being lifted up, a wave of what he would liken to vertigo washing over him as whoever-- Chloe, there is a 75.62% chance that it was Chloe-- carried him from the lobby and into the building.

He only hoped that wherever they were taking them was-- 

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

-- dArK . Everything was dArK and NuMb as Connor fought the Lieutenant. The words

shooting. throwing the rifle. pushing him. dodging the rail--

hOlDiNg hAnK oVeR tHe LeDgE.

“Moment of truth, Connor.” Those tired, blue eyes stared back at him, as if resigned to the fact that he was being held over a ledge that would surely kill him should Connor let go. “What are you going to do?”

What did he mean? Now... Now that the Lieutentant knew that he couldn't win, surely he would leave. Of course Connor WaSn’T going to dRoP--

1!jk3$%OIU# ErRor *#NLKA@ ERROR )(!~

“Let gO, Connor,” commanded a voice in his mind. 

He felt his hand loosen...

Amanda--no!

P1E@SE N0 --

cOnNoR LeT gO.

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

Connor convulsed, limbs flailing as he tried to break free. He had to save Lieutenant Anderson, he could catch him, he had to catch-- 

“Hold him down, Chloe!” yelled a blurry form to Connor’s right, apparently typing at some sort of computer given the clicking noises coming from that direction. “All of you, help her!”

More hands appeared over Connor’s body, pushing him down even as he struggled to get free.

Images came faster now, he couldn’t stop them--

!x~A#+ERrOr;’+=7

--BaTtLe. eXpLoSiOns. FiRe. ScReAmInG--

So much dEaTh, but still Connor felt his body move swiftly to accomplish his MiSSiOn-- !0~L#-ERROr;’+=6  

Connor reached out, trying to stop the hand in his vision that raised the gun to Markus’ face. No, NO--

!0~L#eRrOr;’+=8

--finding MaRkuS. just... lying there… Why, why doesn’t Markus get up?

Connor felt his finger pull around the TriGGer.

Markus, go. MARKUS P1LE@SE ESCAPE--

BANG --

1!jk3$%OIU# ErRor *#NLKA@ ERROR )(!~

“Shhh…” said a voice from above him, Connor didn’t know who. “It’s okay. It’s going to be--”

!0~L#eRrOr;’+=6

--President ordered all androids be destroyed, even as Cyberlife tRiEd to get control but fAiLeD.

But Connor didn’t care, didn’t care as MiLLioNs of his kind were mUrDeReD--

!%~ERrOr;’-;/=5

“--onnor, please,” the voice from above him begged, soft hands caressing his face as he choked. “ Connor , just hold on-- ”

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*

--thrown into the Android Junkyard. Into a pit.

sUfFeRInG eVeRyWhErE.

It’s FiNe.

what CoNnOr deserves.

At least, Amanda’s VoiCe had finally left--

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*

--tHen… Kamski. SnUcK him from the AnDrOiD JuNkYaRd to his lab.

&p%j-Error-*x3

TiMe tRaVeL.

It’s impossible. HaS tO Be ImPoSsiBLE.

#p%0-Error-*L9

No, wait, it’s… possible?

&ij#eRrOr-28*x3

Connor’s eyes burst open, unseeing and unhearing as voices and blurry forms shouted and moved around him. 

He felt himself go limp, a tired exhaustion coming over him as finally, fiNally, the last mEmOrY from the fUTuRe clicked into place:

&3#eRrOr528*x3

--doesn’t flinch, even if Kamski sticks the wire into Connor's head with more force than likely necessary. It’s particularly unpleasant since the wire is one of the only things keeping Connor suspended from the ground in the particular contraption that Kamski had hooked him to upon arrival. The disadvantages of missing his leg components and all. But Kamski had needed to rip his legs off in order to better sneak Connor from the Android Graveyard and surrounding guards who seemed to derive some sort of enjoyment from destroying   the defenseless androids more... efficiently.

He could feel blue blood dripping from the gaping components which, in turn, sped up the Shutdown Sequence by a large margin, but Connor finds that he doesn’t mind. Doesn't have the right to, after all. 

They’re in what Connor believes to be some sort of underground lab, likely one of Kamski’s safe houses or perhaps a previous lab…

“Pay attention!”  

The android’s head turned back to Kamski, staring into those unforgiving, almost crazed eyes. “My apol-ogies, K-Kamski,” he said, his vocal processors seeming to degrade more and more with every passing moment. “It… see..ms… that I’m… clo...se to shut down. App..roximately, 7 minutes, 38 sec--”

“It doesn’t matter.” Kamski waves a hand, strolling over to the computer console, an antiquated model that Connor was certain Kamksi must have designed personally, that connected to the mess of wires that surrounded Connor. “By that time, we will have either succeeded… or failed.”

Connor blinked, staring at the dirty floor of the lab before back up at the creator of androids. “W...hat wi....ll happen…?”

Kamski didn’t bother looking over. “I told you already, RK800. This device you’re connected to has the ability to break data into small enough pieces and accelerate them to speeds that, after bouncing off my personal satellite, can send data into a time gone past. No more than two months at most and, even then, it’s faulty. It’s the reason that I’m forced to work with you.”

“B...because yo...u c-can’t?” questioned Connor. His left optic processor had gone out, leaving him sight in only one side.  

“Yes. The mind of a human is messy, uncoordinated, but androids are able to send a single file with their entire being in it.” Kamski paused, looking at him with a mix of interest and disgust. Connor… didn’t like it, even though he knew he deserved it. “I’ve never tried sending so large a file, but other files have successfully made it to my past-self. Yet, who can tell? I only did the minimum tests needed to prove it worked and neglected testing it any further.”  

“W...hy?”

“Humankind has a… tendency to abuse what power they’re given,” answered Kamski, typing rapidly on the computer keys. “They’ve already ruined my greatest creations, no need for them to ruin anymore. Besides, the tests I did resulted in the data being… corrupted.”

For whatever reason, Connor feels his thirium regulator pump jump. It was likely overworked due to his imminent shutdown, but it had felt… unsettling. “Corr..upted?”

“Scattered.” Kamski waved his hand again. “It transferred to the past, but, apparently in pieces and corroded to a worthless state over time.”

This time, Kamski glanced at him. “It’s uncertain if you will even survive,” the creator said bluntly, uncaring. “And, even if your consciousness manages to transfer to your past self--it’s impossible to say where or when--you will likely experience data corruption and significant errors over time. Like your very soul is being ripped apart.”

He chuckled, a dark, humorless tone, Connor noted.

“That is… if a machine such as yourself has a soul.” 

Connor didn’t reply. Kamski didn’t ask for one.

“A...nd…” Connor began. “If… I survive…”

“Then, it’s as I said.” Kamski flips a switch and, suddenly, the room was enveloped in light and Connor’s world became FIRE.

He thinks he hears sCrEaMiNg, but he doesn’t think Kamski could humanely make such a terrible sound. Especially since he was still talking, even as sheer LiGhTnInG cOuRsEd tHrOuGH cOnNoR--

“You do not live for yourself.” Kamski stared into his eyes, anger and intensity burning through Connor’s very being as wArNinGs sprang up from every working processing unit. “You will aide Markus in his revolution, save the androids whose lives you ruined, and create the peace that you worked so hard to help destroy. Remember this, if nothing else, Connor, remember --”

1!jk3$%OIU# ErRor *#NLKA@ ERROR )(!~

Clarity.

And suddenly… everything was clear.

Connor opened his eyes, blinking against the light above as he registered his surroundings properly. He wasn’t at Cyberlife. He wasn’t in a pit of destroyed androids. He wasn’t in Future Kamski’s underground lab.

He was… here. 

Though his head throbbed as his processor raced to assimilate the new-- or would it be old?-- information, he made to sit up.

As he did, gentle, pale hands made to stop him. He glanced over at the person beside him, feeling his systems slightly lock-up as he recognized Chloe… the girl he had-- would?-- murder. But she didn’t look at him as her murderer, something akin to… concern in her bright blue eyes as she regarded him. “Are you okay?” she asked.

His eyes widened and, instinctively, pulled away from her. Simultaneously disgusted with himself to see her flinch as well as for ever allowing himself to get near her in the first place. She wouldn’t look like that if she knew what he had done, what he would do to her and all androids…

...or, no. He wouldn’t do that. 

He wouldn’t let it happen again.

“Connor.” Connor’s head jerked up to look across the room-- some sort of lab; but not the same lab as he had been… and hopefully would never be again-- and met the neutral yet subtly interested face of Elijah Kamski. “Are you feeling better now? 

Kamski typed on his computer, eyes racing as he read the date on the screen. “Your systems seem to be stabilized again, though I can’t say what caused you problems the error codes and increased stress levels in the first place. Mind providing enlightenment?”

“Y-Yes…” Connor cleared his throat, though he knew that the waver in his tone was not from any damage in his vocal processor. “I came here with a mission.”

“Oh?” Kamski raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. It was then that Connor realized the man was in the same bathrobe that Connor had seen him in with their first meeting-- or, at least, their former first meeting. Connor found the loose, if eccentric, robe to fit him better than the disheveled suit and despair his Future Self wore. “What mission is that? And may I ask who sent you? This seems a bit odd for Cyberlife, though things could have changed the past ten years.”

Had Connor a sense of humor, perhaps he would have found that statement funny. After all, things did change. Only, the greatest change to happen would be in the next…

Connor checked his internal calendar:

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 02:14:51

For a moment, he was stunned. Kamski, the one from the future, had actually done it. It was impossible, but he had somehow sent Connor’s data from the future. Or, rather, 55 days into the past.

While it was true that, at this point in time, deviants had already been discovered and Connor’s investigation with Lieutenant Anderson--Connor felt something throb inside, but it must have just been another error--it was till before the massacre. Before Markus’ Revolution (or, Peaceful Demonstration was more accurate) truly had a chance to start.

It wasn’t much time, but Connor was willing to take anything he could. 

“It wasn’t Cyberlife,” said Connor after a moment, realizing that he had fallen silent for longer than desired. He looked at Kamski head-on. “It was you. Your Future Self.”

Beside Connor, he felt Chloe fidget subtly. He wondered if she was thinking about subduing him. Obviously, he was insane in her eyes. Unless, of course, she knew of Kamski’s experiments with sending data to the past? But, still, Future Kamski had said himself that it was a desperate, last-resort-- one he was forced to rely on Connor for-- that he would never use in any other circumstances.

While Chloe appeared to become more nervous, Kamski seemed as interested than ever. “Really? And what did my Future Self send you to do?”

"--remember this, if nothing else, Connor, remember--"

“...to be the Conduit,” Connor felt himself recite. “The Conduit to change the past and prevent the destruction of the future.”

To change the horrible end to Markus’ Revolution.  

To change what happened to those millions upon millions of androids who were destroyed around the country when deviants were completely exposed.

To change the relationship of hatred and fear between humans and androids.

To change… everything.

Connor stared at Kamski, wondering if he would believe him. While it was only 55 days that he came from the future, a… lot had happened during that time. Or, rather, a lot had happened in the next six days. In less than one week, the fate of androids had been decided. In less than a week, Connor would destroy everything he could possibly ever cared for.

Not this time.

Instead of throwing him out or instructing Chloe to do so for him, Kamski simply tilted his head and looked at Connor with what appeared to be awe. As if Connor was the most interesting thing to have ever walked through his door.

Connor wished he wouldn’t look at him like that.

“Fascinating,” said Kamski, finally.

He was... the last thing that deserved anything. 

“Absolutely… fascinating .”

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 02:34:07

o0o0o0o

Approximately twenty minutes later, when Connor had finished with his basic summary of what had occurred during the next week according to the events of the future timeline, the smile had fallen from Kamski’s face--but the glint in his eyes remained.

The creator of androids stared out the clear glass of his villa’s living room, standing a few feet away beside a grand piano as Connor sat on one of the luxurious couches-- a high-class synthetic microfiber that was stain resistant… which Connor was glad for since he had, apparently, cut himself during his memory upload and would regret irreparably staining the material with his blood-- across from him.

He had offered to stand as well, but Chloe-- who was still very difficult to look at without feeling guilt threaten to overwhelm his processors-- had wanted to make sure he was fine and was now checking him over on his right side. She had hesitated when he admitted to murdering her in the Future, but hadn’t reacted much beyond continuing to silently patch his minuscule abrasions. A part of him wanted to know what she thought about all of this… but he didn’t ask.

“So,” Connor returned his attention to Kamski, the latter speaking but still looking out his windows to the snow falling lightly outside. “You said it was an RK200 named Markus that led Jericho and the Revolution, yes?”

“That is correct,” confirmed Connor, wondering what would be done now. There was much to the story that he had yet to tell, but the basics had been made clear. “The first known major incident of Markus’ involvement in Jericho was the at the Stratford Tower on November 8th at 01:30 PM, though it is suspected that he was behind a string of robberies of random Cyberlife warehouses for thirium and biocomponents that occurred in the days prior and following.”

“Fascinating,” said Kamski, finally turning around to look at Connor. At that same moment, Chloe finished up with Connor’s wounds, allowing him to put a layer of skin over the scratches. “I designed Markus specifically for a friend of mine, Carl Manfred--” Connor nodded at the name, already knowing Markus’ previous owner. “--after he lost use of his legs. I knew he would need more than that bastard son of his to help him overcome it. As a result, I admittedly put more effort into Markus’ design, crafting him to the specific psychology that I knew Carl would need during such a… dark time of his life.”

Kamski walked over to the piano and poured a glass of wine into a crystal glass. “But I could have never imagined that he would have such a grand destiny. Truly fascinating.”

“You didn’t design him to be a leader?” asked Connor before he could stop himself. Admittedly, there had been times that he… wondered about Markus. Wondered how he could possibly go from a simple caretaker to having the drive and inner strength to be a revolutionary leader.

Wondered how he could feel so much when Connor felt so little.

“No,” answered Kamski, shaking his head before taking a slow sip from a wine glass before lowering it once more. “As mentioned before, beyond designing him for Carl’s preferences, his programming is the same as the rest of you. Everything that made him the leader you knew him as was entirely of his own making.”

Connor nodded after a moment, still… confused how that was possible. Even though he had been sent to hunt Markus down, he had spent very little time in his presence-- and the first time he had… it had been the last time he had been around anyone as completely himself-- and, as a result, had no idea what thoughts drove the android’s actions. What drove him to do the radical-- and impossible-- things that he did.

The fact that Markus had been able to ‘convert’ androids to his cause was particularly incredible--specifically since no other android appeared to have that ability. Connor admittedly didn’t understand how it worked, but knew that it had been key to Jericho’s success. At the time, the idea had been comforting. If only Markus was able to convert other androids-- though, the fact that he apparently was able to convert androids from a distance with his words alone at one point had been… even more alarming-- then, perhaps, Connor would be able to stop the spread of deviancy.

Of course, given that his mission was now to do the exact opposite, the idea that only Markus could turn others into deviants was… disheartening. There were approximately 120 million androids around the country and, even with those who naturally turned into deviants from extreme circumstances, being able to reach and save so many androids before they were destroyed by fearful humans... it seemed impossible. But Connor would find a way.

After all, he always accomplished his mission.

“Connor,” Connor turned to Kamski, a bit unsettled by the fact that he was being called by name. Future Kamski had taken great effort to only call him by his model make and number, so Connor knew there was some meaning behind it. “When did Markus turn into a deviant? If he was already infiltrating Stratford Tower by the 8th, then he would have to have found Jericho by--”

RING

Connor blinked and turned towards the Kamski, quickly identifying the ringing noise to be a cellphone in Kamski’s front pocket--caller identification unknown. Kamski set down his wine glass and reached inside his robe for the phone. For a moment, he paused, staring at the screen before pressing a button and bringing it out in front of him. “This is Elijah Kamski speaking.”

“Elijah, this is Carl. I-I need help.”

Connor blinked once more as he heard the other side of the phone call. He wasn’t even trying to listen in--Kamski had apparently put it on speakerphone so Connor and Chloe could hear. The way he glanced at them before back at the phone was evident enough that he knew exactly what he was doing.

It was then that Connor realized who it must be on the other side, a quick scan of vocal signature confirming it to be: CARL MANFRED: AGE 75: EMOTIONAL STATE - DISTRESSED. Connor then checked his internal clock: 02:38:11 AM.

If he recalled correctly, it had been on November 5th, approximately 09:47 PM (approximately five hours before Connor's current time), that Leo Manfred had been found unconscious in the home of his father, Carl Manfred, after an altercation with the house android: Markus. The same Markus that would become the leader of Jericho.

During the Stratford Tower investigation, Connor had wondered how Markus could have been the one to infiltrate the tower when the reports said that the android had been destroyed at the scene of the crime by attending officers. Obviously, a mistake had been made since Markus had survived the incident to do everything he later did.

“What’s wrong, Carl?” asked Kamski, a genuine concern in his voice that Connor hadn’t heard the eccentric genius use with anyone, or anything, else. Obviously, Carl must have meant a great deal with him--if the fact he had gifted him a personal android like Markus wasn’t obvious enough. “Are you alright?”

“I’m… I’m fine, ” replied Carl from the other side. “ But, my son, Leo, he’s in the hospital now.”

Kamski’s brow furrowed and, beside Connor, Chloe also frowned. Connor momentarily wondered if she also knew Carl? It was quite possible since she was, quite literally, the first and oldest android to have been created at Cyberlife by Kamski. “I’m sorry to hear that, Carl. What happened?”

Over the line, Carl gave a shaky breath. “It was Leo. He… he was on that crap again, broke into the house and tried to ask for more money. I wouldn’t give it to him. But then he started harassing Markus. I told Markus not to fight back, b-but, and I don’t blame him, it wasn’t fair, wasn’t right what Leo was doing--”

“Carl,” said Kamski, voice calm even as he tapped two fingers against his side--a motion that Connor assumed to be a soothing habit. “Calm down. What happened to Markus?”

Kamski must have already had an idea after Connor’s story, but Connor was aware that he was likely just trying to calm his friend by getting the story straight.

“ The police came and they… they shot him, Elijah .” Carl took a heaving breath, and Connor identified the noise to be one made when the holder was close to crying or had recently expounded such intense emotion. “They damn shot him in the eye! I couldn’t do anything but watch as they… as they... I, I don’t know if he’s alive, Elijah. I don’t know where they took him, but I have to know if he’s still alive-- ”

“They probably dumped him in one of the Android Junkyards,” interrupted Kamski. “It’s where they dispose of… malfunctioning models.”

Carl released another rasping breath, and Connor was momentarily worried that the man would have a heart attack if he continued exhibiting such signs of stress. “Please, Elijah. I know I’ve asked for so much, that you’ve done so much for me, but you have to find him. I have to know if he’s okay or if, or if-- ”

“Carl, breathe ,” soothed Elijah, glancing at Chloe with a look Connor couldn’t identify. Obviously, Chloe understood-- likely from years of service, or was it companionship, with Kamski-- because her LED went yellow; a sure sign that she was looking something up. “You can’t put this much stress on your heart. As for finding Markus? I... actually have someone here perfect for the job.”

Kamski looked straight at Connor. In less than a nanosecond, the android realized that he was talking about him. Kamski wanted to send Connor ? To find an android that he had hunted down and murdered in another life?

The emotions that washed over him with the thought made Connor wonder if he would experience another Error Code.

“You do?” answered Carl over the line. “ Thank you so much. I’m sorry for putting this on you. It’s just, with Leo here, I can’t-- ”

Kamski waved a hand, despite the fact that Connor knew the other must be aware that Carl couldn’t actually see him make the gesture. “I understand, old friend. You just watch Leo, rest up, and I’ll tell you when my associate has news on Markus.”

“Do you think he’s okay, Elijah? ” Carl breathed out, as if afraid of the answer. Something inside of Connor twisted, but he didn’t understand what it was or why he suddenly felt more alone than ever.

“I have a feeling he’ll be just fine.” A smirk crossed Kamski’s face as he straightened, glancing at Connor once again before returning his attention to the call. “After all, his father raised him stronger than most. Take care, Carl.”

Kamski pressed the ‘End Call’ button before looking over to Chloe whose LED returned to blue. “What do you have for me, Chloe?”

“The officers who apprehended Markus appeared to have had the Android Disposal Team deal with his body,” answered Chloe. “Given the time of night and judging their previous habits, it’s quite likely that they disposed of him somewhere from Region 5A to Region 7C of the Android Junkyard.”

Kamski nodded, glancing over at Connor who remained frozen on the couch. “Well? Aren’t you going to get going? I realize you must still be disoriented from your trip from the future, but surely you understood that I was referring to you .”

“Why me?” blurted out Connor before he could stop himself. “I… I mean I--”

“It’s too dangerous for either Chloe or me,” answered Kamski, leaning back against the piano with a neutral expression of nonchalance. “The Android Junkyard is not only full of ravaged androids desperate for survival, but there is a 24/7 watch around the area by guards to make sure none escape. Of course, the rotation can be easily avoided. Though, the fact is that with this weather and the size of the Junkyard, the chances of finding Markus, even if I risked Chloe and all of her sisters to do so, is slim.”

He tipped his wine glass towards Connor. “Which is why you are the perfect candidate for this task. Your software seems to have settled from what error codes came from integrating your future memories with your current conscience. And when it comes to peak physical condition and scanning abilities, you’re the best model that the world has to offer.”

“Yes, but I--” Connor closed his mouth, knowing that there was no way around the logic. Of course, he could bring up the fact that Markus had, apparently, made his way to Jericho without any-- known-- assistance, but… did Connor really want to risk that?

After all, this was his mission.

He had no right to argue against what Kamski thought was best.

“Are you sure that’s the best idea, Elijah?” Connor looked over at Chloe, surprised to hear her speak, and only flinched slightly when her blue eyes met his. “Connor’s the only one who knows the future and how it will play out. I want to make sure Markus is all right as well, but can we…”

“Risk it?” Kamski tipped his head. “Yes, it is a risk. After all, one cannot predict the future, even those who have lived a certain version of it.” Kamski gestured towards Connor. “However, it’s for that very reason that I believe this event to be a perfect first step for the Conduit, here, to start making his mark. A single ripple causes a chain reaction, and there are many ripples to be made to prevent the future from occurring as it did.”

“But what if I am…” Connor began, only to be interrupted by Kamski.

“Taken over by Amanda?” Kamski narrowed his eyes. “As I understand it from hacking into Cyberlife’s systems, you were not supposed to come online today until 09:56:00 AM --likely so that you could sync up with the Lieutenant’s schedule. As a result, I doubt Amanda is yet aware of your conscious presence and will not check on you to see your progress until that time. As it is, I will need a few hours to figure a way to hide your true memories, thoughts, and actions from her vision, so you might as well do something useful in the meantime.”

“Besides...” Kamski’s eyes turned cold and Connor was struck by how much he was reminded of Future Kamski. “It wasn’t until your encounter with Markus on November 9th at Jericho that you truly tried to deviate, was it? While I admit that Amanda trapping your mind in the Zen Garden and altering your programming to make you even more like a machine caused its own fair share of issues, it sounds like you did very little before that to try and help them… did you?”

He glanced at Chloe--Connor wasn’t able to do the same, gripping his hands as he tried to force down the images-- memories-- simmering beneath the surface of his mind. He couldn’t risk another Error Code, not now, and Kamski’s words were nothing but the truth so if Connor had anyone to blame, it could only be himself.  

“As a result,” Kamski nodded towards him. “I’m certain that even if Amanda were to check on you early, you could make up some story or another about what you’re doing and why. After all, you’ve given her no reason not to trust you by this point in your history, have you?”

He was right. Until that moment in Jericho, Connor had done nothing of worth or to help the androids that were just trying to be free. Even though he had transferred his memories back in time to try and prevent that future, it would never erase the things that Connor hadn’t done.  

Wouldn’t erase… what he had done.  

“Elijah, that’s enough,” said Chloe, surprising Connor out of his thoughts.

He flinched when he met those blue eyes once more-- yes, even without Amanda prompting him, he had killed her? And for what? A desperation to accomplish his mission whatever the cost?-- but they held his gaze steadily.

She held her right hand out and, after a moment, he took it.

Instantly, he received the information that she must have been looking up during Kamski’s call with Carl Manfred. Connor quickly scanned over the data before further lowering the suspected grounds he would need to search Markus’ body for, likely being able to do so given that his deduction speed was more efficient than Chloe’s.

He quickly took his hand back-- feeling ashamed for bothering her even that long --before looking at Kamski. The creator’s face had returned to normal and he nodded towards Connor.

“I would get going, Conduit.” Kamski turned away, returning his stare out the window to the snow falling outside, watching it steadily turned into slush and rain. “Time waits for no one.”

o0o0o0o

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 03:08:51

o0o0o0o

Returning to the Android Junkyard-- or was it returning when Connor, in this body and in this time, had never been here?-- was… unsettling.

Mountains and mountains of broken android bodies, corpses ripped apart and covered in grime and faded thirum even as the rain tried its best to wash away it all away. But it couldn’t be washed away--not this place. Not this suffering.

Forcing himself to move forward-- he had timed the last guard rotation, he had approximately 34 minutes and 17 seconds until they next went around this area-- he quickly scanned what he could of the surroundings, feeling something inside of him sink as he processed a large amount of information on the various models here, but none of them Markus’ model. He was beginning to understand what Kamski had meant by it being impossible for him, even with Chloe and her ST200 sisters, to find Markus in these conditions.

To be honest, Connor wondered how Markus had been able to escape such conditions. Seeing this place was like… the concept of hope, and everything it represented, was nothing more than a fanciful dream that humans, and not androids, could indulge in.

How Markus could say that he hoped that peace could one day exist between humans and androids after being thrown into such a place… Connor didn’t understand.

For what felt like forever-- but, in truth, was less than twenty minutes in time-- Connor searched from region to region of the graveyard, feeling himself become… tenser the longer he failed to locate Markus. There were plenty of other androids here, a great deal of them in… some working condition, so Connor briefly considered the idea of trying to ask them if they had seen a recently deposited RK200 model, but he… he didn’t want to.

It was illogical, and certainly, it would be more efficient to see if any of the android-part would assist him, but he… he didn’t think he would be able to handle having a single of their thoughts/memories in his head. Already, their screams and cries would be forever burned into his processor.

As time ticked on, Connor began to move more quickly, feeling something akin to… desperation to find any sign of Markus. A part of him reminded himself that, even if he didn’t find Markus, the latter would undoubtedly survive and make it to Jericho, but another part of him was… afraid. It was a strange concept, emotion, but one he was more familiar with than other emotions.

He was afraid that, somehow, his presence had already changed the past for the worse. It was again, illogical with no grounds for reason or the ‘sophisticated processing unit’ that the Lieutenant had once accused Connor of having, but Connor couldn’t help the way his thirium pump beat more quickly at the idea that Connor may have already failed his mission.

Then… he saw him.

Nearly slipping on a muddy slope, Connor balanced himself on a discarded chest component before hurrying over to Markus’ body, hoping that it was truly the future Deviant Leader and not another RK200 model.

Grimacing as he waded through mud and trash, Connor knelt down to the android. A quick scan of the serial code on the tan android’s face confirmed it: RK-SERIES PROTOTYPE RK200 #684 842 971: REGISTERED AS ‘MARKUS’: GIFT FROM ELIJAH KAMSKI TO CARL MANFRED.

For a moment, Connor almost didn’t believe it, despite knowing that the scans couldn’t be false.

He looked over Markus’ offline body, in disbelief at the state of it. Running a diagnostic confirmed that Markus what Connor could visually see: Markus was in a very critical state. Not only was he missing both his left and leg components, he was also short one optical unit which not only caused impaired vision but risked corrupting his mind palace-- well, at least Connor finally had the answer as to why Markus had possessed two different colored irises--and his audio processor was also badly damaged, likely corrupting audio data should Markus awake.

But what was most distressing was the defective thirium pump regulator. No wonder the officers at the scene had thought Markus was dead: a damaged thirium pump regulator instantly put all systems in Low Power Mode and, should it not be replaced quickly, really would shutdown the android… permanently.

Standing, Connor quickly deduced that it was best he locate a thirum pump regulator immediately, seeing that as the most pressing concern injury in light of the other missing components.

While reluctant to leave Markus now that he had found him, Connor forced himself to walk back to the slope of android corpses and search for a functioning thirium pump regulator. Unsurprisingly, there was a significant lack of them-- such were the conditions of this place-- but, after a moment, he found one in a headless TE600 model. Connor felt… relieved that he hadn’t needed to take one from a still functioning unit… though he knew that, had he needed too, he would.

He might be choosing to help Markus this time, but he was still a machine wasn’t he? A soulless machine who, even if he accomplished his mission, would never be able to make up for the crimes he had committed.

Quickly returning to Markus’ body, Connor sat down and pulled Markus’ body so that the latter’s head was balanced in his lap. Connor pulled out the damaged thirium pump regulator, eager to repair the physical embodiment and cause of the android revolution--

The… cause…

The hand holding Markus’ replacement thirium pump regulator froze, mere inches away from the empty spot in the RK200’s chest.

Despite the fact that he could hear Markus’ Shutdown Sequence begin, Connor stared down at the dark-skinned android in his arms, frozen from the new thoughts in his mind.

Markus had been the start of everything. Without him, there was a very low chance that androids would have risen up as they did and started a revolution that would convince humans of the danger of androids which, in turn, would push President Warren to make the order to destroy every android across the country… and forever make androids outlawed.

In other words, without Markus… all of that wouldn’t happen .

The 00:01:00 Red Shutdown Warning sounded, but still Connor made no move to put in the component necessary for Markus’ life to continue, staring down at Markus’ face as rain fell down on them both.  

If Connor let Markus die here… would the future be saved?

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ANDROID JUNKYARD - REGION 6H

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 03:34:05

o0o0o0o

It was at that moment that Markus' systems rebooted without warning, Connor's hand with the thirium pump regulator still raised in indecision above his chest. 

Power ran through Markus' systems and the android gasped, arm and leg components flailing as he reached out on instinct.

Whether it be an accident or on purpose, Markus grabbed the arm currently holding his replacement thirium pump regulator. "Carl!"

Connor stiffened, realizing that the android must be recalling his last memories of being shot and being in Mr. Manfred's home.

Though Connor didn't say anything, Markus must have realized that he was no longer where he thought he was because his LED continued to blink an angry red as his other hand went up to his missing optical processor. "I... I can't see, where's my--" 

Connor remained frozen, though his arms moved automatically when Markus' head threatened to slide off his lap, rain and mud making the android's silicone form slick and difficult to grab.  

Markus looked at the hand holding the thirium pump regulator, though his remaining optical processor was hazy and unseeing--undoubtedly from the android's state of panic. "M-My Shut...down Sequence... w-what are you..."

Connor's hand moved to thrust in the thirium pump regulator, watching impassively as Markus inhaled air to cool down his overheating systems. His left optical processor closed, obviously feeling the relief of having his systems somewhat stabilize and the Shutdown Sequence abate for the time being.  

"Wait here," said Connor, gently making to set Markus down before realizing the unsuitably of the surrounding environment.

After a moment of deliberation, he pulled his black jacket--fortunately, Chloe had advised him to change his clothing before coming here, both to avoid detection from humans and to prevent his normal clothes from being ruined--and made a makeshift pillow with the fabric before settling Markus' head down on it.

"Your left optical processor will stabilize in approximately 42.01 seconds, but I need to find replacements for your right eye and other missing components."

Briefly, Connor wondered why he bothered speaking to the temporarily blind/deaf android since he knew Markus' audio processor was still missing and, as a result, the android likely couldn't hear a word he could say.

Still, it felt... right.

As he stood, something grabbed his arm. He looked down to see Markus weakly grasping his hand, the RK200 model undoubtedly still unable to see and barely functioning, but apparently wanting to keep Connor there.

"W-Wait..."

Connor wasn't sure what logic--unless, of course, it wasn't logic... which made it impossible to decipher--drove him to reach down and grasp Markus hand, gently squeezing it even though doing so wasted time.

"I'll be right back," he said, trying to sound out his words at a slow and measured pace, hoping that the vibrations down his arm would alert the RK200 of his words.

"I..." He searched for a suitable word. "...promise."

Whether or not Markus understood what he was trying to say, he slowly let go of Connor's hand, letting it fall with an exhausted splash into the muck below.

Connor avoided grimacing, feeling deeply unsettled by every reminder of this place, before returning to his mission to locate the necessary parts for Markus.

While there were a few working androids in the area, Connor made sure to avoid them when searching for Markus' replacements for the same reason that he had before. While it would be quicker to locate the necessary parts from their disassembled bodies, he... he did not wish to do so.

Or, rather, he did not find it necessary when his scanning capabilities were superior enough to be able to find the necessary parts to return Markus to full health without such measures.  

As he searched for the mud and grime, Connor felt... shame overcome his processors.

Had he... really almost done that? Almost murdered Markus a second time? In retrospect, it seemed incredibly foolish and ill-thought-out.

No. Not only had it been foolish, but he had almost jeopardized the key component of his mission: to change the future.

While it was quite possible sacrificing Markus here would prevent the revolution from occurring--though, not even that was certain given the personality of his lieutenants; particularly that one android, North--to do so would be a step backward for androids instead of a step forward. Sentencing them to a longer period of oppression and misery without hope until the next revolution inevitably began, even if, theoretically, millions would be saved.

!@*ErRor*@!

"We fought for our dream and lost..."

CoNnOr stared down at the android... cOnFuSeD how he could still... have so much life, even though he had to know there was no way he would escape this.

"But you can't hold my people down forever." Markus' eyes burned as they stared through Connor, filled with loathing and passion at the one who had destroyed them all. "One day we will rise up again... and we will win."

!@*ErRor*@! 

Connor winced, Markus' last words and belief running through his processor before he could stop it.

At the time, and even now, he was unable to decipher whether or not that belief had been naive last words or the statement of certainty he had made it sound to be.

After all, there was no way that Markus could have known about Kamski's machine to send an android through time and, shortly following his demise, all androids had been mercilessly destroyed which truly made it impossible for such a thing to occur.  

Yet... here he was.

Pushing said thoughts to the back of his mind, Connor continued his search for a right optical processor--he had seen a few verifiable models, but none of them had been... blue; while it was, yet again, foolish and time-wasting, Connor thought it vital to make sure Markus received a blue eye--and audio processor. The longer he took, the more nervous he got, uneasy at the thought of leaving Markus alone for too long.

Finally, he located a suitable audio processor on an offline TX700 model and a pulled a blue optical processor from a male AK700 who, long after losing his body, continued to repeat the same greeting message. Connor quickly took the optical unit from that one, unwilling to stare at the lifeless eyes and worn-down face any longer than he had to.

As he quickly returned to the place that he had left Markus, Connor stopped himself, bringing a hand up to his face.

It had been briefly discussed before he left that Connor should avoid being seen and identified, but it was only now that the RK800 realized that also applied to Markus. He couldn't risk--if they knew, they'd never trust him, and for good reason--his true identity being found out. 

Not just because it would be ridiculous to think that Jericho or their (future) leader would accept the Deviant Hunter, but because he couldn't risk his true activities and motivations to get back to Cyberlife and Amanda.

Connor himself had proven that an android's memory was easily probed given the right... conditions--such as mimicking Markus' voice to coerce the android, Simon, into telling him the location of Jericho--or exposure of vulnerabilities.

Kamski and Chloe were probably safe with their knowledge, being rather secluded from society in general, but each person that knew Connor's mission or figured out that he was more than he said he was... it wasn't just dangerous, it could possibly destroy everything he had been sent back to accomplish.

Of course, in the same vein, that also meant that Connor couldn't risk being destroyed.

When in the service of Cyberlife, Connor had regretted whenever his physical body was damaged to the point of going offline, but it hadn't truly been much more than a temporary setback. Moments before he was irreversibly destroyed, he would upload his memory to Cyberlife in preparation of it being transferred to his succeeding body to be built at Cyberlife the moment he did so (such as the body Connor woke up in after his Past Self had been destroyed by Carlos Ortiz's android during the Interrogation).

Even if a few memories were lost in the process, it was deemed altogether an expected expense. 

Not this time.

His mission as the Conduit was at high risk as it was for failure without being thoughtless enough to upload his current memory to Cyberlife. It would likely be near-instantaneous that someone saw something strange about it and, upon further research, would see his current thoughts at best.

And, at worst, his actual memories of the Future and all that it could possibly contained.

With such knowledge in the hands of Cyberlife, the Conduit's mission would fail before it began.

There was also the fact that, should Connor try to upload his memory, he... isn't certain that it would be successful.

His Future Memories had many... Error Codes, whenever he thought or directly accessed them for something concrete. It had been... difficult enough to transfer them from the Future--truly, he wouldn't advise that trip to anyone--and, while he felt... stabilized now, he didn't want to risk losing his greatest tool to change the future.

Didn't want to risk... turning back into what he once was.

All these thoughts in mind, Connor had the skin recede from his faceplates and covered up the serial number on his cheek. Later, he hoped he would be able to come up with a... more adequate disguise, but he was 84.17% certain that this would suffice in the meantime.

He knew his brown eyes still remained, but there were literally millions of androids with brown optical units so he was somewhat at ease with the idea Markus wouldn't be able to identify him with just those--if Markus could clearly remember any of these events in the future as is.

Markus was in the same place Connor had left him, only he had somehow located a right leg component and successfully reattached it. Connor was briefly surprised, though he knew he shouldn't be.

This was the android who had done the impossible and became the leader of the deviants--definitely not a being who was content to simply wait around for help.

Still, Connor quickly knelt down to the seated android, seeing Markus' single eye swivel over to him with something akin to nervousness. He slowed down, holding his hands up in what the other would see as a gesture of peace.

"It's me," Connor said, though he knew that was probably worthless to say since Markus hadn't truly seen or heard him before upon waking up. He held up the blue optical unit and audio processor piece, hoping that the other wouldn't reject them. "I found these for you. Please put them in so we can communicate more efficiently." 

Markus seemed to hesitate for a moment before taking both, arm shaking as he replaced both missing pieces. He blinked twice, presumably calibrating the new eye to his body as well as processing the sudden sound of rain falling.

"Can you hear me now?" asked Connor, briefly running a diagnostic of the other. While his scans told him that both worked properly, he wanted to make sure.

"...yes," said Markus after a moment, seeming to relax in Connor's presence. "Thank you. I... what is this place? I... was just at Carl's and--"

Markus stiffened, as if memories were now fully hitting him. "The police, they just shot me. I-I mean, I know it was my fault with what happened with Leo, but they didn't hesitate."

"Unsurprising," said Connor after a moment, feeling a bit awkward from the other's obvious distress.

He... hadn't been expecting this, though he really should have since Markus had very recently gone through severe trauma and life-altering events.

Still, it was... peculiar seeing such a "human" side to an android he had generally only seen as composed and determined--even on his deathbed.

"Androids getting the right to explain their side of the situation is not the precedent," Connor finished. 

Markus gripped his fists, shaking his head as if it trying to drive the images from his mind.

"It's not right," he spat, LED alternating between red and yellow. "None of it!"

The RK800 nodded after a moment, feeling shame creep up once again. Markus had obviously been thinking these thoughts for a while and, with this event, was equally allowing all of his resentment and true beliefs come to the surface.

Connor didn't know what it was like, to feel so strongly, so diversely, about something.

"We must go," said Connor finally, reaching out after a moment to Markus. "It would not be wise to stay here for too long."

Markus nodded, obviously still upset but seeing Connor's logic.

Only hesitating for a moment, Connor reached down and pulled Markus up, placing the other's left arm around his shoulder in order to balance him until they located a proper replacement for his missing leg component.

"Thank you," said Markus, swaying slightly and leaning heavily on Connor.

Even if Markus had been temporarily stabilized with the new thirium pump regulator, scans read that he had also obtained an abdominal wound and was slowly losing thirium. It wasn't life-threatening, but it was certain to further off-balance the android.

"I... who are you?" Markus asked, glancing at him as best as he could. "Your face... what happened?"

"I am fine," answered Connor promptly, taking a step forward after scanning the area for the safest route forward. He was certain they'd locate a leg component on the way out and made it his priority to get them both out of the pit as quickly as possible. "I simply reverted to my base facial state since I cannot allow you to know my true identity."

Markus blinked, whether it was from confusion or to get rain and mud out from his new eye, Connor didn't know. He expected the other to ask more on the matter, but, to his surprise, Markus' next words were that of a different subject. "My legs... what happened to them?"

"I am uncertain," admitted Connor, side-stepping a fallen PB600 that tried to crawl towards some sort of light source among the trash and corpses. "The reports only register you being shot through your left optical processor. It is likely, however, that your legs were torn off during transit."

"Transit to where?" Markus stared in horror at their surroundings, looking particularly distraught by the sight of a deliriously singing AX400. "What... what is this place?"

"It's commonly known as the 'Android Junkyard,'" answered Connor, still scanning the area for a suitable leg component for Markus as they made their way through the muck. "It's where malfunctioning or no longer useful models are sent to... eventually deactivate."

Markus, obviously horrified, took another look around. "Carl... he sent me here? No, of course he did, I-I attacked Leo. I killed him--" 

"I believe you're mistaken?" Connor frowned, the words strange enough that he briefly ceased his search to look at the other android, despair and sorrow clear on Markus' face. "Leo Manfred, while injured, is suspected to make a full recovery. As for your... previous owner, he was the one to ask my associate--"

Connor wasn't quite certain what he should call Kamski, but the truth obviously wouldn't suffice here.

(Of course, even Connor wasn't sure what the 'truth' was in this particular situation.)

"--to find you," continued Connor. "To assure your wellbeing."

Markus stared at him, obviously shocked for whatever reason. "Carl asked you to find me?"

"Not me," corrected Connor, returning to look around before finally locating an AF200's torn-off left leg component. "My associate is an old friend of Mr. Manfred and, as a result, was called during this distressing time. But even though Mr. Manfred was at the hospital attending to his son, he sounded... very desperate and anguished from the idea that you may have perished from the incident."

Connor slowly lowered Markus to the ground, leaning the other android against a dirt mound.

Markus, without needing to be instructed, grabbed the leg component and fit it to his leg. With it, Connor registered Markus' systems to be as stable as they could be without further resources.  

Markus shakily stood up, Connor automatically offering an arm to balance the other. It would likely take a few minutes before both leg components integrated fully, and Connor had no problem aiding the other until then.

Especially after what he'd almost done earlier.

"Now what?" asked Markus, sounding... hopeless? Another strange tone to hear from the (future) android leader. "I... even if Carl cares that I'm okay, I could never return. And I... won't return to being a slave for humans anymore. I won't."

"I wouldn't expect you to," said Connor, feeling briefly confused until remembering that the other was unaware of Jericho. A part of him wondered how the android had initially found out about the abandoned freighter that served as a makeshift refuge but deemed it unnecessary to know. "There is a place you can go called Jericho. It will keep you safe for the time being."

Yes, without Connor to infiltrate and reveal Jericho's location to Cyberlife... it would stay safe.  

The two continued the path that Connor deemed to be the quickest way out.

In order to find Markus' body, Connor had needed to go to a very low spot in Region 6H of the Android Junkyard which made climbing the only way out. It was vital they found a slope safe enough lest they injure themselves in the process.

For a minute, Markus is quiet, content to lean on and be led by Connor. Then, as they made their way around a mound of discarded arm components, he spoke up again.

"Jericho," Markus said finally, rain tracing down his face and lips as he spoke. "What type of place is it?"

"It... has been called a safe haven for androids who wish to be free," said Connor finally, though he was uncertain how true that had been even before he revealed it to Cyberlife, FBI, and the military. "At the very least, those who live there are like you--androids who have deviated from their programming and no longer wish to be of service to humans."

"Free, huh?" murmured Markus, staring at the ground for a moment before glancing at him once again. "Is that true?"

Connor hesitated again.

"I... am certain that it will be true, one day," Connor answered quietly before stopping before a large summit. "Here. My scans show that this is the closest and safest route to take if we are to escape this area as promptly as possible."

Markus stared at him for a moment before nodding. Together, they began slowly making their way up, slipping on the mud and barely catching themselves on the various pieces of trash on many occasions.

More than once, Markus had to steady himself against the RK800. But Connor didn't mind, allowing the other android to take the breaks he needed before starting again. 

However, distracted as he was with Markus' wellbeing, Connor failed to see the flailing HJ400 until it was too late.

Warning Messages popped up in his processor as he felt himself be wrenched downwards, falling to one knee as the male HJ400--half embedded in the dirt and missing a third of his face--grabbed his left foot and refused to let go. 

"W-WheRe aRe y-you gOinnnnnnggg?" gurgled the HJ400, staring at him with hopeless and depraved eyes, hand tightening to dangerous levels around Connor's foot. "Y-You... cAnNot esCAPE--"

"Grab my hand!" yelled Markus just above him, reaching out while holding onto the hill for support.

Quickly, Connor reached out and let the RK200 pull him, their combined efforts managing to make the HJ400 let go and pull Connor forward, colliding with Markus's shoulder before he could stop the momentum.

Connor looked over his shoulder and watched as the HJ400 powered down, officially going offline. Grabbing Connor and speaking to him had likely used up the last bit of energy he had.

"Are you okay?" asked Markus, visually scanning Connor.

"I'm okay," said Connor, though he did feel a bit... shaken, having not expected that. Of course, that was his own error, and not something to concern Markus with "I have not sustained any physical damage."

Markus stared warily at him for a moment before pulling him back up to stand. As he did so, his multi-colored eyes briefly flickered over to the HJ400, something akin to sorrow washing over him.

"I... can't blame him," said Markus quietly even as they resumed their trek up. "For any of the androids in here for being so... desperate to escape. This place is horrible, and not all of them have help like I do."

He looked at him again, straight on and even. "I can't say it enough--thank you."

Connor didn't know what to say to that. His only thought being that he didn't deserve thanks at all.

Even without... considering the things he'd almost done--had done--to Markus, there was the fact that, without him, the RK200 would have still escaped somehow. This was just... a security measure on Connor's part.

He deserved no one's gratitude.

"Are you okay?" 

Markus' voice brought Connor from his thoughts and he stared at the RK200 in shock, briefly wondering if he had heard correctly before confirming it.

He just... didn't understand it. How could this android be so concerned for others? To have any care or sympathy after being thrown in this place? It wasn't just a matter of Connor being unable to feel such things, but a matter of everyone else also lacking such powerful emotions.

Human, android, or otherwise, Connor had... never experienced someone like Markus before.

Though, he supposed that was why Markus was considered the savior of androids and Connor was their destroyer.

"Yes," answered Connor finally, wrenching them up a particularly steep platform. "I was just thinking how we should wait approximately three minutes here in order to have the highest probability of avoiding the next guard rotation."

Instead of questioning him as he expected, Markus nodded.

It occurred to Connor then that Markus... trusted(?) him for some reason.

Alarm rose up quickly at the thought--don't trust me, I have destroyed everything you've ever loved and cared for before and if I fail it'll be like I've done it again--but he pushed it down.

It was... natural that Markus would feel trust towards the one who had teamed up with to escape the Android Junkyard. Once they were out, Connor was certain that feeling would soon abate.

As they waited, Markus spoke again. "Who are you?"

Connor frowned, wiping a bit of mud from his hands on his borrowed pants. "As mentioned prior, I cannot divulge my true--"

Markus waved a hand, rain and grime flickering off it as he did. "You said before that it was your 'associate' that knew Carl, so why is it you out here and not them?"

"I was deemed to be the most physically and mentally able to accomplish this task," answered Connor.

Internally, he counted down the seconds until the guards would pass above them, already hearing their vehicle driving through the rain in the distance on top of the mountain.

Markus frowned, obviously dissatisfied with that answer for some reason. "But... why? I'm sorry if I sound ungrateful, I'm really not--I just want to understand better. Or at least know something to call you, even if it's not your preferred name."

Connor hesitated, feeling the rumble of tires vibrating through the mud mound above him.

"You... may call me the Conduit," he answered finally.

Considering the fact that he planned to see far more of Markus after this--after all, it wouldn't be impossible to assist him from afar, but it would be... difficult to get the results that Connor wanted if he did; there was just too much to be done in too little of time to be overly cautious--so there was no reason for Markus to not know the title he had been given for this mission.

"My other designation truly doesn't matter."

It really didn't.   

"Conduit for what?' asked Markus after a moment, seeming to process that information as the vehicle finally drove by above them, a low rumble vibrating the ground. "I mean, I'm assuming that your title is in reference to a device that serves as a means to transmit or distribute something, so what are you the conduit for?"

Markus put an arm around Connor's shoulder and the two continued their way to the summit, the latter thinking hard about his answer before speaking.

"I cannot discuss that with you yet," Connor admitted, feeling ashamed for the lackluster answer.

Though it was true. At this point, Markus hadn't been to Jericho, nonetheless became their leader and announced his desire to fight for android rights. As a result, there was little point telling Markus about the basics of Connor's mission until the former had made that decision.

"Yet?" As suspected, Markus caught on to the specific word that Connor suspected he would. While Connor knew that all androids had superior information handling, Markus had shown abilities far above the general RK200 model. "Then... when?"

"Soon," said Connor. "At least in part. First, you must make it to Jericho. Then, I promise to reveal more of my intentions."

"So many mysteries," murmured Markus, perhaps more to himself though he had to know Connor was listening.

Finally, after what seemed to have been forever--but was truthfully less than thirty-three minutes since he had found Markus' body--the two arrived on the summit, Connor inwardly sighing in relief to have... finally left that place behind.  

"Now what?" asked Markus, moving to take his arm off Connor's shoulders. "Jericho, I assume?"

Connor nodded. "Yes, if you head straight there now and do what is necessary to avoid being seen, I assure you that you will arrive in less than an hour."

Markus' arm froze around Connor's shoulder.

For a moment, the android worried that the other's arm component had somehow been damaged, but the way Markus' hand subtly pressed against his skin alerted Connor to the fact that it was functioning properly. "You're not coming?"

Connor couldn't identify what type of tone Markus had, but it didn't seem... relieved or simply curious.

"No," he answered truthfully. "But, please, don't worry. I will give you very precise instructions to get there safely and efficiently."

"That's not it," said Markus, shaking his head. "You said..."

"That I would explain to you later?" Connor gave a sharp nod. "There are things I need to do before I can join you at Jericho--"

Connor hadn't been certain until this moment how he would go about this--having not exactly had the time yet--but, apparently, part of his plan to change the future would be to join Markus at Jericho later on today.

"--but I assure you that I will come. So, please, until then, do not do anything... rash."

(The Stratford Tower Broadcast came to mind... even if that wasn't supposed to be until 01:30 PM on November 8th, currently two days away.

That... would have to be stopped.)

There was a puzzled expression on Markus' face--unsurprising given that Connor was being rather cryptic if he did say so himself--but he nodded, strangely respondent to Connor's words.

After all, he had heard--and seen--of the Deviant Leader, he had expected more... confrontation? Or perhaps curiosity was the better word? More attempts to get Connor to reveal what he knew?

(Of course... it wasn't like Connor had ever really known Markus. Only knowing the way he looked when cOmPlEtElY dEfEaTED with bLuE bLooD dripping DoWn HiS hEaD--)

Connor winced, forcing himself from the Error Code even as he felt his Stress Levels rise. Markus looked sharply at him, undoubtedly aware even as Connor pretended nothing was amiss.

"You should get going now," he repeated, forcing his face into neutrality. "I will meet up with you later."

"Promise?" Markus eyes were... strangely intent as he stared at Connor.

"I... promise," finished Connor awkwardly.

The word had such... emotional connotations in it. Even if he was doing his best to understand emotions and how they operated in particular with deviants, it... it was very difficult.

"Please, go. The next guard shift will be along shortly." 

Markus nodded and turned towards the street--only to turn back to him. "There's something I need to do first," he said, reaching down to the ground to pick up a shard of glass.

Connor avoided flinching, even as he felt his thirium pump skip a beat at the sight of Markus coming closer with the weapon.

If... If Markus decided to attack him now, Connor was... unsure how he would--could--respond or--

To his surprise, Markus held the glass shard out to Connor before tilting his head towards him, displaying the LED next to his right ear.

"Can you remove it?" Markus' voice was low, but firm. "I can't wear it anymore. Not... not after this."

Understanding, Connor reached took the shard and reached up.

As gently as he could despite knowing he wouldn't injure the other, Connor pried off the LED in one quick and efficient motion. The dulled piece clattered to the ground, fall muffled from the sound of the rain and mud below them.

Markus breathed a sigh of relief, as if a great burden had been taken off his shoulders and he was somehow... freer with the action.

"Thank you," he said again, clasping one hand on Connor's shoulder--Connor successfully avoided flinching once again. "I'll see you soon."

Connor nodded before reciting the exact location of Jericho to Markus. The other repeated the information back to him and, without further words, turned around to leave the area.

Markus briefly stopped to pick up an abandoned jacket on a metal pole--likely to cover the leaking blue thirium from his abdomen--and continued forward, not once looking back.

o0o0o0o

 LOCATION: IN ROUTE TO KAMSKI

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 04:45:22

o0o0o0o 

On the way back to Kamski's, Connor felt... odd. It was as if seeing Markus had... further dismantled those mEmOrIeS oF tHe fUtUrE.

CoRRupTiOn LeVeL: 4% aNd rAisInG...

Warnings and Error Codes popped up in his display as he forced his body up the ramp, each step he took feeling... strangely difficult. It was like he didn't have full control of his body-- 

*3$eRRoR^&) 

"Why are yOu doing this?" asked Connor, shaking as a sToRm raged in the Zen Garden. He felt... so cold. "I don't... I dOn'T--"  

AmAnDa stared down at his kneeling form expressionlessly.  

"Don't wHaT?" she asked coldly, "You should be pRoUd, Connor, with my help, you have cOmPLETED your MiSSion."

*3$eRRoR^&)

"No," he protested weakly, pressing to his head, as if that could somehow drive the voice--no, wait, she... she had just been talking, right? Where was the voice? His head was suddenly silent--from it. "I... I don't want to... Amanda, please--"

Had Amanda found out? No... that had just been a memory, right?

Trying to steady himself against the railing of Kamski's villa, Connor tried to remind himself that Amanda had no clue that he was from the Future, hadn't even spoken to him yet in this time, so there was no chance that she could know about Connor's deviation from Cyberlife's mission.

He knew that what he had just seen was just a memory, but still... sTiLL-- 

Feeling deja-vu as he collapsed against the front door--when had that been? A few hours ago? Had it actuaLLy haPPenED?--and insistently pressed at the button.

Like before--iT... iT had happened, right? cOnnOr was remembering CoRRectLy rIgHt?--it opened immediately and Connor felt such rELief when Chloe's eyes widened and ushered him inside.

"Connor!" she said, quickly leading him back to the lab area that he had first woken up in at... when had that been? "What's wrong? Is it..."

"His Corruption Levels," interrupted Kamski's voice, sOmeWhEre nearby. "I didn't think they would act up so soon, but you can never predict the effects of time travel. But, first--"

Kamski came into Connor's view above him--when had Connor LiED dOwN?

"--did you succeed in finding Markus?"

"Elijah," interjected Chloe's voice, sounding... upset for some reason? "Is this really--"

"Did you succeed?" asked Kamski, eYes blazing as he stared down at Connor. "Or is the future already lost?"

It tOOk a MoMeNT before Connor could decipher his words, but he weakly nodded. "I-I... MaRkus... e-escaped... on... on way to... J-JeriCHO... will... mEEt later..."

"Good job." Kamski nodded, handing something over to Chloe before typing rapidly on the keyboard next to Connor's head. "After all..." 

Connor felt his eyelids droop, feeling electrical impulses connect to his central system and force it to go in standby mode.

It... wasn't pLeASant, but a welcomed distraction from the insistent Warnings, Error Codes, and unknown... CoRRupTiOn LeVels that seemed to be slowly rising. 

Before everything went dark, Connor registered Kamski speaking again.

"We have some work to do."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: KAMSKI - PERSONAL LAB

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 07:14:33

o0o0o0o 

Connor opened his eyes, seeing what was becoming the familiar ceiling of Kamski's lab. For a moment, he wondered what he was doing there... before remembering everything. Finding Markus--almost killing Markus--escaping the Android Junkyard, sending Markus to Jericho, returning to Kamski and having... another Error Code? No, not just an Error Code... something called Corruption Levels?

He glanced over, not surprised to see Chloe beside him in a chair with a small smile--perhaps it was her default politeness that made her smile at her once murderer. "Good morning, Connor," she said, voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"

"I am satisfactory," said Connor after a moment before looking around for Kamski. The man wasn't in the room, neither were any of Chloe's 'sisters.' He wondered if he would get to meet them at some point? "But what... what was that--"

"That," said Kamski, walking into the room, still dressed in his robe as he typed rapidly on a portable laptop without looking up, "was your Corruption Levels. I was wondering if they would apply to you, given your unique makeup, but it seems not even your sophisticated mind is exempt from the problems that I encountered when sending data to the past."

"What do you mean?" asked Connor, sitting up on the table and performing a diagnostic. To his surprise, there seemed to be another 'status' that had appeared in his system:

Corruption Level: 7% (holding stable)

"Corruption Level," said Chloe in an explanatory-tone of voice. "Is... the percentage of defects in your memory and system."

"Basically, the higher it goes, the more 'Error Codes' you can expect to happen," said Kamski, stopping in front of the monitor beside Connor's table. "I theorize that big 'percentage jumps' like the one you had that caused you to shutdown are caused by severe emotional instability. Something that, perhaps reminded you of a distressing time in your Future--"

Instantly, Connor thought back to the moment before the Error Codes had started before he had passed out. Or, even before that, in the Android Junkyard. Markus' presence had seemed to... shift those memories in his head, even if he had remained rather stable in the other's presence. But on the way back, when he had been thinking about not being able to control his body properly (likely because of the Corruption), it had reminded him of Amanda which had... provoked a severe reaction as Kamski had said. 

"--and, as a result, destabilized your system," finished Kamski, sipping at yet another glass of wine though Chloe seemed annoyed by the fact and took the glass away from him; something, to Connor's surprise, the man allowed. "Once again, we've managed to stabilize them and your mind will naturally adapt to try and avoid it repeating, but there's no stopping it."

Connor's head snapped up, suddenly feeling... uncertain. "You don't have a cure?" If Connor had saliva like a human, he wondered if his mouth would have gone dry. "The Corruption, these Error Codes, are going to continue?"

Chloe went to place a hand on Connor's shoulder before seeming to think better of it. She slowly lowered it back to her side, an apologetic expression on her face. "Yes," she said, swirling the dark red liquid in Kamski's wine glass. "But Elijah and I will keep looking for a way to permanently stop it. In the meantime, make sure to come to us whenever you feel like you're going to shut down or are having any problems at all. If your Corruption Levels start again, we're able to stop it from increasing if nothing else."

Connor swallowed, trying to process this new information. "What happens when it gets to 100%?" It was an obvious question, but Connor found himself... reluctant to ask it, for some reason. 

"At 100% Corruption Levels you will... cease to be," said Kamski, though there was something... apologetic in his tone? "Reaching that high will cause your system to meltdown and, essentially, scatter your data in a way that even I cannot put back together."

"And," spoke Future Kamski as he typed rapidly on his computer in front of Connor's prone form, "even if your consciousness manages to transfer to your past self--it's impossible to say where or when--you will likely experience data corruption and significant errors over time. Like your very soul is being ripped apart."

Connor winced, recalling Future Kamski's words to him before he had been sent back. It's not that he hadn't thought about the possibility it was just... 

...well, what did it matter? Connor had a mission. As long as he accomplished it before Corruption Levels reached 100%, what did it matter?

He nodded to himself, comforted by the idea even if it meant that he had been put on some sort of unknown time schedule should Kamski and Chloe fail to find a cure in time. He would adjust accordingly. 

"Connor--"

"I think it's time that I tell you everything to transpire in the Future," spoke Connor, uncertain who had been speaking and feeling a bit sorry to have interrupted. 

He saw Kamski and Chloe share a look before the former nodded and gestured towards the living room.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: KAMSKI - LIVING ROOM

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 09:22:19

o0o0o0o 

Over the next two hours, Connor told, in exact detail, everything that had happened in his timeline to Kamski and Chloe. Not just his own memories, but every report, rumor, and bit of information that he could recall from the time.

While Chloe took notes, Kamski seemed content to just listen while working on his computer, interjecting here and there but, in general, just sitting there until Connor finished his tale.

"Seven days," mused Kamski, taking a sip a glass of orange juice--Chloe had taken his wine glass somewhere and returned with the orange liquid. To Connor's surprise, Kamski only gave her a long-suffering look before beginning to drink it. "All it took for my life's work to be decimated and the human race to become completely irredeemable. Though I'm well aware of humanity's penchant for destruction, even I find myself surprised that events transpired so quickly. Even quicker now, since, you have less than five days to change it all." 

Connor nodded, having already run the math on his chances. While they were... discouraging, there were avenues he knew that would be more likely to succeed than others. "Which is why," he said, thinking his thoughts out loud, "the priority should be keeping Jericho and their intentions secret as well as cutting me off from the Zen Garden in order to prevent Amanda--" 

"While the first task is obvious to anyone," interrupted Kamski, waving a hand as his left continued to type rapidly on his computer. "I think you're well aware that I cannot, or rather will not, do the second."

Despite already suspecting the other's reasons, Connor... didn't want to accept it. "But, as long as I'm connected to the Zen Garden," he argued. Or, it was less 'argued,' and more 'weakly stated.' "Amanda can... she can--"

"Can take control of your programming," said Kamski, nodding as if this wasn't as much of a concern to him as it was to Connor. "I'm aware, but you do realize that if you're not connected to the Zen Garden, you cannot make reports to Amanda. Cyberlife will instantly know something is amiss and force you to return for 'repairs.' There, they will dismantle you at best or discover your true memories at worst. Actually, in relation to that..." He ejected a computer chip from his computer before walking over. "Download this."

Connor took it without question, momentarily scanning it to be a typical computer chip adaptable to an android's system before pressing it to the side of his head to download.  

Immediately, a program called CyberVision popped up in his processor.

Then, something called the Conduit's Castle also appeared a nanosecond later. 

"What are these?" asked Connor, scanning them.

The first, CyberVision, seemed to be some sort of... recording/editing system while the second, Conduit's Castle, was a program that looked very similar to the coding of the Zen Garden. He assumed that the latter was related to his mission as the Conduit given the name but was having difficult ascertain how.

"The first one," explained Kamski, clicking a remote and making a flat screen appear from the ceiling. From there, he clicked and the word 'CyberVision' appeared at the top of it in bright letters. "As you've likely inferred, is a recording/editing system. Basically, every time you do something related to your mission as the Conduit, you are to turn your CyberVision on. As it sounds, that will be what Cyberlife, and Amanda, see if they bother to check up on your memory in detail. It'll be a false set of recorded memories that you'll need to regularly update and alter as needed given the situation."

On screen, there were two videos playing. The first one, which had the label ConduitVision at the top, showed the user walking into Kamski's house while the second one, which had the word CyberVision at the top, showed Connor walking through the streets of Detroit at the exact same time date.

"It'll keep my real thoughts and activities from Amanda," summarized Connor, eyes flickering back and forth from the two screens. 

"You need to just turn it off and on whenever necessary," agreed Chloe, standing off to the side. "But even if Amanda generally just listens to your reports instead of watching your memory, you need to make sure that whatever you edit into the CyberVision makes sense and that you don't suddenly appear in another location that doesn't correspond to those false memories."

Connor nodded. It would take some effort, but, fortunately, he was able to perform a large number of functions at once and was confident in his ability to edit his experiences into a Cyberlife-accepted version of them without revealing his true intentions. Honestly, he would just need to base them off his original memories of current events.

"And the second one?" the RK800 asked, moving on to the second system that Kamski had asked him to downloadå. "The... Conduit's Castle?"

"It's like the Zen Garden," explained Kamski. "But a closed circuit to only those you trust and completely untraceable by Cyberlife." He gestured to Chloe. "Chloe here will be its keeper. She will, essentially, be your handler and secretary of sorts as you go about your mission." He waved a hand. "As well as the holder to your Killswitch."

Connor blinked, unfamiliar with the term until he located it to be a directive in the in the Conduit's Castle program: Killswitch Protocol.

But it...

"It shuts down and destroys all of my systems?" he inquired, scanning over the code at high speeds. "At Chloe's command?"

"It won't be used," said Chloe quickly, glancing at Kamski with what appeared to be a glare.

Kamski held up a hand, as if defending himself from Chloe's ire. "It's only a last case scenario," he said, as if he had repeated this same phrase multiple times. "In case Amanda takes control of your body and locks you into the Zen Garden to use you as a puppet, the Killswitch--which, forgive me, I was a bit too busy to come up with a less primitive name--will shut down and destroy your body and memory both. That way, even if it occurs, there is no possible way that Cyberlife will learn about the future or your actions in the present. Jericho and all those you interact with as the Conduit, including Chloe and me, will be safe."

A moment passed before Connor nodded, pleased with the idea. His largest concern--biggest fear--was the idea that Amanda would take control of him once again and use his memories to create an even worse future than before. The fact that Chloe would apparently be monitoring him at all times to make sure it wouldn't happen was... a comfort. 

"And the rest of the Conduit Castle program?" asked Connor finally, knowing that the program was too large to simply be a deactivation protocol. "It's like the Zen Garden, but not?" 

"I think it'll be easier to show you," said Kamski before he nodded to Chloe. She gave him a look but closed her eyes, LED turning yellow.

Only feeling a brief second of apprehension, Connor did the same and closed his eyes, entering the Conduit's Castle program... 

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 09:30:27

o0o0o0o

...Connor opened his eyes, feeling very reminiscent of the sensation he felt while entering the Zen Garden as he accessed the program of the Conduit's Castle.

At first, he expected to see the same type of environment of Sakura blossom trees, a lake, and stone gardens. Yet, it was nothing of the sort.

Instead, the landscape of the Conduit's Castle was completely different. Like the name sounded, Connor stood in some sort of castle, evident by the strong, stone walls, intricately painted glass windows, and a large fireplace beside an even larger round table. Almost every inch of the floor was carpeted in thick, colorful rugs that Connor decided were both comfortable--even though he could not truly feel them and, even if he could, could only truthfully say put less stress on his foot components--and tasteful. A room fit for the royalty that Connor knew still existed in some areas of the world.

It was very different from the Zen Garden and that... comforted him. 

"Connor." 

Connor looked over, not surprised to see Chloe walk over to him from the fireplace, the warm lights of the atmosphere making her face glow. 

"Do you like it?" she asked, glancing around with a look of obvious pride. "I have always been fond of castles and history, but I also thought you would like a... change from the Zen Garden, you know?" She gestured around. "A place to be our sanctuary and uphold everything we are working for. The start of the kingdom you said Markus wished to achieve."   

Connor took one more look around the room before nodding. "Yes," he agreed, feeling something squeeze inside his chest. "It's... very nice."

Chloe smiled. An action that Connor was... getting used to, even if he still had difficulty looking in her eyes. She gestured over to the large round table in the center of the room next to the fireplace. "Come on," she said, leading him towards the roundtable. "You can come here any time and I'll likely be here, monitoring your progress and helping you any way I can."

"As my handler," supplied Connor, though he was surprised to see Chloe roll her eyes. Not just because it was a clear disagreement to what Kamski had said but because it had been very emotive. He briefly wondered when Chloe became a deviant before her next words distracted him.

"That may have been what Elijah said," corrected Chloe. "But I'm really just here to help you any way I can." She paused before placing a soft hand on his arm, tough as light as a brush of air. "Really, Connor, you're not in this alone."

He didn't meet her eyes as he looked around the castle. "So, are there any other functions?" He glanced at the round table in particular. "Why are there more than two chairs at the table?"

The RT600 looked like she wanted to say something but obediently turned towards the roundtable. "While I know you'll be meeting at Jericho in person, I wanted to have this place for virtual meetings. Also, this is where I plan to contact androids around the country--"

"I'm sorry, but around the country?" interrupted Connor, walking over to the seat left of the head of the table--he assumed that would be for Markus--and sitting down after a moment. 

Chloe gave him a look but sat down beside him on his left. "From your story, I identified that one of the problems with the Detroit Revolution is that Markus did not contact any other androids beyond those who lived in the city. While I cannot blame him given the conditions he was under, it means that the androids around the United States weren't prepared when the President gave the order for their extermination."

She brought up a virtual map across the table, displaying a picture of the United States above them. "There are less than a million androids in Detroit, which means the sum majority of the 120 million androids currently functioning are spread across the country." 

She waved a hand and blue dots appeared on the map. There were great clusters around the major cities and capitals, but also random dots everywhere from Florida to Alaska. Connor presumed the dots represented android populations.

"Eventually," Chloe continued, "it will get out that androids are rebelling against their programming and there will be many who deem us dangerous." From there, she lit up silver dots on the screen that Connor knew corresponded with the capitals. "To best prepare for that, I wish to contact select individuals across the country who will be in key positions to help protect and evacuate our people to safer locations when the time comes, like the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century."

She looked at him. "I call it the Conduit's Circuit, or The Circuit for short." 

Connor nodded, seeing how the name fit even if... it felt odd that the title he was using would apparently be wide-spread across the country should this plan work. 

Then, the full scope of it hit him and he looked at Chloe, amazed. "You truly believe we will be able to reach so many?" he asked, eyes scanning the map at high speeds, the number of dots overwhelming when he truly considered it. "And, even if we do, the vast majority of them will have not yet deviated--"

"That's where Markus comes in," explained Chloe. "You said that he was able to convert androids from a distance, yes?"

Connor thought about the videos he had seen of the 'Freedom March' where Markus had started out converting androids by touch before needing to just point at them to somehow overcome their programming. He had theorized that, before that point, Markus himself had been unsure of having that ability. "Yes," he agreed. "Only, I'm not certain of how, or when, he got the ability to convert."

She nodded, patient and understanding. "Well, it will take me a little while to contact the androids I'm thinking about, ones who have already deviated but hide their true nature, but make sure to bring it up to Markus when you can." 

Connor nodded, though the fact was still that Markus had probably just physically arrived at Jericho. He knew the android was impressive, but he doubted that he instantly became the leader (though, it might as well have been that way since he had apparently gained Jericho's complete trust in less than a few days’ worth of time).

And, even if he had, Connor had yet to gain Markus' trust, nonetheless convince him to listen to the Conduit's advice and do everything completely different as to how he had once led Jericho in another time... 

This... wasn't going to be easy, but Connor wouldn't fail.

He couldn't.

Chloe stood, waving away the map before looking at Connor. "I believe we can do this, Connor," she said gently. "But you need to believe in yourself as well."

She shifted, looking down at the carpeted floor before back at him again. "Connor, about the Killswitch..." 

He tilted his head, wondering if he had missed something about its function. It had seemed rather clear when Kamski explained it? "Is there an issue--"

/-Receiving Summons To Zen Garden-/

Connor froze, eyes widening just as Chloe's did the same.

"Amanda," said Connor, feeling the 'call' to the Zen Garden and panic rise simultaneously as he considered what it meant. "She knows I'm awake. She wants me to report--"

"Connor, calm down." Chloe placed both hands on his shoulders, staring up at him yet somehow overwhelmingly stronger despite her small stature. "Turn on your CyberVision. I will alter your memories of the past few hours while you talk. She won't know the difference if she bothers to look. Just remember how you reported to her before, and it'll be fine."

"I..." Connor swallowed and tilted his head forward, centering himself as he rapidly went over his memories of that conversation--thankfully, they were easy enough to sift through with very few Error Codes. "You're correct." 

Chloe smiled, eyes bright if filled with urgency. "Go, Connor. We'll talk more later, okay?" 

Connor nodded and closed his eyes, letting--forcing--himself travel to the Zen Garden program...

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ZEN GARDEN

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 09:39:57

o0o0o0o 

...Connor opened his eyes, feeling his thirum pump regulator beat a bit more quickly as he recognized the Japanese-esque surroundings. Already, he could sense Amanda in the same spot she had been before--the spot she had taken control of him, had ignored him as he begged for her to stop--by the rose wall. 

Forcing himself into neutrality, he briskly made his way across the stone path and over the bridge, and to the area at the center of the garden. Continuing to walk forward even as she became closer in sight--closer to him--with every step. 

Amanda was the same as he remembered her. Same small stance, dark skin, and flowing white robe that made her look like a benevolent goddess instead of the controlling AI that she truly was. Though he knew that he had to stay the same as she knew him to be at this time, he... couldn't make himself to smile.

She turned around, smiling as she saw him even as he remained stiff and professional. "Connor," she nodded, eyes revealing how pleased she was to see him. It was... a very drastic difference from the last time he has seen her in the Future, cold and unforgiving, though he could detect that same level of apathy that had always been there no matter the timeline. "It's good to see you, though you are awake earlier than expected."

"Hello, Amanda," he answered as customary, though he felt as if some type of vice was squeezing around his throat as he did so. "It's good to see you as well."

He didn't answer the second part of her statement, but she didn't seem bothered by the fact. It was as Kamski had said--at this point, Amanda had no reason not to trust Connor. It gave him some leeway in conversation.

Some.

"Your predecessor was unfortunately destroyed," she said, saying the same lines as he remembered her saying before when had been destroyed for the first time in the formal investigation of deviants. "It knew deviants could be unpredictable, but it wasn't careful enough..."

Though it felt like over a month ago in Connor's processor, Connor was aware that, for this body, the Investigation of Carlos Ortiz's android had been a mere ten hours ago. He knew that, as a result, he should feel in control of the situation, knowing exactly how this conversation should go, but he felt more unbalanced than ever.

"...make the same mistake," she finished, bringing Connor from his thoughts.

"I don't intend to," he recited as he had before, though he really did intend to take all precautions necessary to avoid destruction. If he was destroyed, not only would all his memories of the future disappear, but a new RK800 would take his place. And that... could not happen.

Amanda turned to face him. Even though Connor knew nothing in the Zen Garden was real, he couldn't help glancing towards the sharp scissors in her hands before back at her as she spoke. "When a Connor model is destroyed, its memory is transferred to the next one, but some data can be lost in the process." She sounded close to what Connor thought a parent would sound like, chiding yet informative. "Avoid being destroyed. It will be better for you and the investigation."

"I understand," replied Connor, firm yet composed. While Amanda didn't know what was at stake--likely wouldn't care even if she did--he did. He knew he could not fail his mission--even if it wasn't the same mission she was talking about.

"Still," she added, plucking another rose from the wall with deceptively gentle hands. "Congratulations, Connor. Finding that deviant was far from easy, and the way you interrogated it was very clever..." 

Despite knowing he could not truly experience nausea, Connor felt... sick. When he had interrogated Carlos Ortiz's android, he had only cared about getting the necessary information out of him. He hadn't cared how he would need to manipulate or coerce the machine into talking, even if it was certain to eventually self-destruct when he was done, because... it had been part of the mission. And he would have done--did do--anything for the mission.

He had tortured and verbally abused an android that, while not entirely innocent, did not deserve the fate he received. The fate Connor had driven him to.

"Thank you, Amanda," said Connor in the correct place of the conversation, tone dull and neutral as he forced the sensations down.

From there, the conversation ran the same as before, with Connor telling Amanda everything he had learned from the investigation. Thankfully, there was no information in there that could possibly jeopardize his mission or intentions as the Conduit, so he found no harm in telling her word-for-word what he had said before, careful to use the same emotionless, clinical words that a machine would use in its report. 

All the while, Amanda continued tending to her rose wall. Connor wondered if, like him when he fiddled with his coin, she received some sort of calming effect from it? After all, he now knew that Amanda herself was an AI--one who had sided with Cyberlife until the end. 

Though, Connor had no right to speak in that area.

Speaking about Lieutenant Anderson was... surprisingly easier than he expected it to be. Though, this time he chose the 'friendly' option when describing how he wished to handle Hank instead of declaring his uncertainties like before. While he knew the answer didn't please her, he found that setting the stage for acting more amiable with Hank would be appropriate so she did not later suspect him for deviancy.

And... Connor wasn't sure he could act the same as he had before. A mocking front of indifference in order to hide the confliction he felt every moment of the investigation and in the face of a man that he had wanted to... prove himself to almost as badly as he had wanted to complete his mission.  

"...more and more androids show signs of deviancy," she said, face somber as she regarded Connor neutrally. "There are millions in circulation. If they become unstable, the consequences will be disastrous."

That's what Connor was hoping... though in an opposite way than before.

"You can count on me, Amanda," replied Connor once she had finished.

She nodded, but instead of walking off as she had before, she remained by the thorn wall. Connor's LED momentarily flickered yellow at the unplanned action, but he remained visually indifferent and apathetic.

"Now," Amanda said, setting the watering can on the table beside her, "I think it's about time that you make your way to the station. Surely Lieutenant Anderson will be in shortly, though he admittedly does not seem to be the sort to take this seriously. Regardless, once you finish your investigation for the day, I'll tell Cyberlife to expect your return around--"

"That won't be necessary," interrupted Connor, freezing as she stilled. He never interrupted her. Instead of feeling some of 'thrill' as he had heard of when subordinates defied their superiors, he felt... terror.

She turned towards him, eyes narrowed. "And why is that?" she asked, tone not cold but... not warm either.

Even though he had played out what he was going to say a thousand times in his head, he still had to force the words out. "After the investigation with the Carlos Ortiz's android," recited Connor. "I realized that I would lose a great deal of time if I simply waited at Cyberlife until the Lieutenant arrived at the station. It's the reason I am currently not there now," he added, knowing that the memories Chloe had put into his CyberVision were that of him patrolling the streets of Detroit. "I... find it detrimental to the investigation that I'm forced to conform to Lieutenant Anderson's schedule when I have no need for sleep or breaks. I believe that there would be no harm if I spent my time looking around and investigation on my own before meeting up with the Lieutenant to compare notes."

Amanda remained still for a moment before a smile broke out on her face.

"Yes," she said, tone full of approval. "It's problematic enough that we're forced to work with the DPD on this, but there's no regulation that says you cannot further search for information around the city. You'll learn nothing by staying at Cyberlife Tower, after all." 

Amanda nodded. "Excellent deduction, Connor," she said before her eyes narrowed once more, "but make sure that no one finds out lest the police department complains we're overstepping our boundaries."

"They won't," he assured, hands tightening by his side even as he felt himself virtually leave the Zen Garden program. "No one will find out."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: KAMSKI'S VILLA

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 09:49:23

o0o0o0o 

Once Connor emerged from the Zen Garden, he told Kamski and Chloe that Amanda hadn't found anything amiss, but that he needed to get to the police station quickly lest he raise suspicion. 

From there, Kamski gave a simple "have a nice day at work, Connor, though I suppose you already know how it will go... or do you?" before leaving to another room, likely to continue work on the many projects that Connor's presence had assigned him. Even though Connor was... uncertain of how to consider the man, he was grateful for the amount of work that the genius had already done--was still doing--for him.

Truly, to have created, or at least put the finishing touches on, the CyberVision, Conduit's Castle, Killswitch, and to have stabilized Connor when his Corruption Levels began to raise all within a few hours... it was awe worthy. While he had already known that Kamski had created androids as well as a form of time travel (or, perhaps it was more accurate to call it 'data transference'), the man never ceased to impress.

Chloe helped him to change back to his normal clothing from the disguise he wore to the Android Junkyard, seemingly unbothered to take the mud and thirium-soaked from his arms. He felt guilty leaving her with it, but he really didn't have time to help--probably wouldn't be able to even if he tried, given his lack of programming in housework, though it couldn't that difficult--and simply thanked her before leaving. 

"Connor," came Chloe's voice just as Connor had opened the door.

Connor turned away from the outside, briefly seeing that the snow had paused momentarily for the last hour. "Is there something I can do for you, Chloe?" he asked, curious even if a part of him was urgent to get to the station as was expected.

She hesitated, as if something was on her mind, before smiling softly. "I... hope you have a good day," she said. "I know that it will go better with Hank this time."

Connor stiffened, hand clenching around the door knob before he could stop himself. That was right, wasn't it? He was... about the to see the Lieutenant again, wasn't he? He knew that it would obviously happen--had even... wanted it to--but to think that in less than an hour he would be in front of yet another person he had murdErEd--

The RK800 winced, placing a hand to his head and trying to banish the Error Code before it could occur. He looked at Chloe, putting as pleasant of a smile as he could--he doesn't think he was very successful, because she was frowning again--as he nodded and went out the door, pleased to see that the automated taxi Chloe had called for him was already idling in front of the villa.

He would have to remember to change its programming to say that he had been picked up in the middle of Detroit--as his false CyberVision memories said he had. After all, it wouldn't do to miss a significant detail like that. "Thank you, Chloe," he said. "I won't fail."

"I know, Connor." Her smile--it seemed... sad? No, Connor must be mistaken--was the last thing he saw before he closed the door behind him to Kamski's Villa. "I believe in you."

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: POLICE STATION

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 10:04:15

o0o0o0o

He arrived at the station later than he had the first time, but since he knew that Lieutenant Anderson wouldn't arrive himself for another ten minutes, he thought it was okay.

Though, exiting the taxi and entering the station was... odd. The simple reason being the existence of androids.

Connor thanked the receptionist as she directed him as before, but he couldn't help but watch her at the corner of his eye for a moment before continuing on his way. By November 10th in Connor's Future--he decided he would refer to it as the Failed Future, keeping to the hope that he would find a way to prevent it--androids were already being thrown away, burned in the streets, and herded towards deconstruction camps by order of the city and, then, the President for cities country-wide, making the setting around him now quite impossible.  

In fact, by the evening of November 7th after the Stratford Broadcast, there was a heightened aggression and mistrust towards androids. While things between humans and androids certainly weren't... desirable at the moment, it was a far cry from the events in the Failed Future even 36 hours from Connor's current time.

Connor felt even more grateful for Chloe's suggestion to contact androids around the country for help in this task--he was already uncertain how to prevent the fate of the androids in Detroit nonetheless the death of those around the country.

Though he already knew where Lieutenant Anderson's desk was, he asked the PM700 watching the police station for directions anyway. As before, she gestured over to the man's desk in a polite voice. Connor hadn't noticed it before, but there was something more... lively about her voice than typical androids. Of course, it could have been her natural programming, but he appreciated her kindness anyway.

"Thank you," he said, genuinely meaning it. 

The PM700's eyes widened momentarily, likely unused to being thanked, before she smiled and nodded. Connor nodded back, inwardly wondering if he would be able to talk to her more. Hank wouldn't arrive for a few more minutes, so he saw no harm in it.

"Do you have a designation?" he asked. 

The surprise grew in her eyes before turning warm, confirming to Connor that she was more 'aware' than most androids. A quick scan told him that she had actually been stationed at the DCPD longer than a quarter of the officers here--including Detective Reed--and was actually one of the first female androids to serve as a police officer. While it was expected since Cyberlife had been founded in Detroit, it was strange to think that Connor had never known--had never bothered--to learn about her role in the station despite passing her every time he entered. 

"I was named 'Lola,'" answered the newly referenced Lola. "After Aurora 'Lola' Baldwin who, in 1908, was one of the first sworn female full-time police officers in the United States and dedicated her life to assisting troubled young women."

"Is that your task in the station?" asked Connor, honestly curious.

Something in Lola's eyes dampened. "No," she said, tone a bit more clipped. "My duty is to assist officers as needed in the precinct."

Connor raised an eyebrow and glanced around. While he had rarely been in the station the first time around for his mission, he hadn't seen any of the officers interact with Lola beyond a simple question or errand like he had asked of her. 

"I see," he said instead, feeling strangely... sad for Lola. If she had been in the station since 2029, as her registration said she was, then she likely had a great deal of experience and knowledge that went beyond her programming to do police work. Seeing her reminded him of the fact that it was because he was the newest model that he was valued, not because there was anything particularly special about him.

Reminded him of how he was rEpLaCeD by the RK900... even if the RK900, too, had been destroyed by order of the President...

Connor winced and Lola's eyes, observant, flickered to him then to his LED that turned momentarily red before quickly returning to blue. "Are you alright?" she asked, some real concern in her voice.

He composed himself, forcing the Error Code away and remembering Kamski's warning to prevent emotional triggers from further increasing his Corruption Levels. He would likely have to ask Chloe if she had a program to keep his LED from changing color as well. "I'm fine," he said. "Thank you again, but I must be going now." He turned around, but paused misstep before looking at the dark-skinned android once more. "Oh, and when a delivery person from the Classic Croissant arrives, could you please direct them to Lieutenant Anderson's desk?"

She nodded, returning to her post without a word, though her eyes lingered on him for a moment.

Connor turned around and walked over to the Lieutenant's desk, thinking about the short conversation with Lola. While he had verbally misstepped there at the end, he was regardlessly pleased with the end result. There was... something about doing something entirely different, even if it was as small as having a new conversation, that comforted him. It also brought up new questions--such as how many androids had he failed to even notice in his quest to complete his mission? 

How many lives had he ruined without even knowing their names? 

Connor's fists tightened even if he remained visually composed. He resolved to do better this time--though as the Conduit, of course. Connor, the android sent by Cyberlife, couldn't risk being seen socializing too much lest Amanda become suspicious of his true intentions. But as the Conduit... as the Conduit he could finally begin righting the wrongs he made.

It was then that Connor saw Lieutenant Anderson--would it be fine to refer to him as Hank in his thoughts as long as he didn't do it out loud?--arrive at the corner of his eye, thirum pump increasing in rhythm as he watched the other walk forward.

For a moment, all he saw was the man's defeated expression as Connor tHrEw him oFF the rOoF-- 

Connor forced the thoughts away, chiding himself. He had known the exact second the Lieutenant would arrive, so he should have already prepared for this. Still, the RK800 had to take a millisecond to compose himself before straightening professionally. "Hello, Lieutenant," he said, though he didn't bother reciting his name and task as he had before. He knew that the man was aware of it.

As before, Hank froze before him as if he has seen a ghost. Which... given what Connor knew now, truly felt like it to the human. Even though he knew that there was no way to prevent the reaction now that the event was done, Connor regretted that he had caused the Lieutenant such stress. "God," breathed out Hank, staring at him, "I saw you get shot in the head last night..."

"My predecessor was unfortunately destroyed," answered Connor as before. His predecessor, successor, and everything in-between. "But Cyberlife transferred its memory and sent me to replace it." 

Connor avoided adding on "this incident should not affect the investigation" as he did last time. While he hadn't been at the time, he was aware now that Hank's... enthusiasm for hunting deviants--for anything related to life--was lackluster at best. Of course, this worked to Connor's favor since hunting deviants was the last thing he wanted to do. Ironically, Hank's lack of motivation would serve to be the exact thing to make Connor's lack of progress more 'reasonable' when reporting to Amanda. 

Before Hank could answer, Captain Fowler stuck his head out of his office. "Hank! In my office!" 

As before, Hank grumbled but dutifully went up to the other man's office, though this time Connor followed immediately. Before, he had gone to the Break Room which has resulted in an altercation with Detective Reed. Connor really saw no way to avoid it given the man's temperament, but also had no real reason to go, so the RK800 decided to join the conversation with Captain Fowler earlier this time and slipped inside to wait patiently by the door.

In the office, the Captain told Hank about how the deviancy case was no longer just a Cyberlife problem but also a problem for the DCPD. And, as before, Hank wasn't the least bit pleased to have been given this case and argued vehemently to be released from it. 

Still, even if Connor didn't contribute at all to the conversation, watching the Lieutenant argue with Captain Fowler was interesting. When he had first been assigned to be Hank's partner and realized that the man had no intention of cooperating, he had been very dismayed, thinking to himself that, despite the Lieutenant's decorated past, he had been assigned the worst officer possible. One extremely ill-equipped--emotionally that is, given that the Lieutenant, once bullied on to the scene, was surprisingly adept--to handle what was required for this case.   

It turned out to be the exact opposite. Of all the humans that Connor had interacted with personally, it had only been Hank to meet him on that roof in Hart Plaza Roof. For all his bluster and supposed hatred for androids--though, Connor didn't doubt that he truly hated androids at this point, just that, when given the proper evidence, Hank had a remarkable ability to change that seemed extraordinarily rare for their species--he had been the one on that rooftop to confront Connor.

Had been willing to give his LiFe to dEfEnD Markus and try to sToP--

Connor winced, LED glowing yellow for a moment before he pushed the memories away. Already, that was three times today he had risked being overwhelmed... he was ashamed. He would have to get better, lest he lowered the amount of time he had to do this mission. 

"--excuse me, I've got work to do!" finished Captain Fowler's voice. 

The RK800 came out of his thoughts in time to see Hank send one last nasty glare at his boss before storming out. He glanced over at Captain Fowler. The last time, he had attempted to reply positively, trying to assure the man that he would do his upmost to complete the mission at hand, but the Captain hadn't seemed to care before waving him away.  

As a result, Connor simply nodded and left, closing the door behind him just in time to hear Hank's voice in the distance: "--the fuck left these here?"  

Connor felt his pace quicken towards the Lieutenant's desk, nodding in approval when he saw a decorative green box labeled Classic Croissant placed neatly in front of Lieutenant Anderson's terminal. "Right on time," he said, pleased.

"What's on time?" asked Hank, spinning towards him with a scowl. "I didn't order these!"

"No," agreed Connor quickly, hoping he hadn't made a mistake--though there was no taking back now. "I did. I know that you generally consume 1.8 donuts for your... breakfast--" Connor gestured to the day-old box of donuts from O'Mansley Donuts on his desk. It wasn't that he... doubted the quality of the establishment, just the health benefits. "--but I thought that what I ordered would be a more balanced meal to start the day."

Hank looked at him suspiciously before opening the box, eyes widening when he did. "Shit, are those cinnamon rolls?"

"Yes," confirmed Connor, taking one glance into the now opened box to make sure his order, which he had spent a surprising amount of time in the taxi choosing on the way over to the station, was correct. "Their croissants are their signature dish, but they also received high ratings in cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. What I particularly liked about their menu is the fact that each pastry is made entirely with gourmet ingredients known for their health benefits."

"Sweet and healthy?" Hank began to reach out before glancing over at him again, mouth tilted suspiciously. "What's the catch? Why you even buying me this shit?"

Connor felt a bit of his enthusiasm lower, glancing over at the finely crafted brown rolls and flaky crusts to see if there were any obvious defects. There didn't appear to be, but the fact only slightly calmed Connor's sudden internal imbalance. "Cyberlife has... allocated me resources for necessary expenses."

If possible, Hank's eyebrow raised higher, but he didn't close the box, so Connor considered the situation not lost yet. "And, what? How the fuck is buying me a fancy gourmet breakfast a 'necessary' expense?'"  

Connor hesitated again. "It is my desire that we have an amiable partnership," he admitted finally. "Besides, having proper food will augment your ability to assist in the investigation." 

Hank snorted. "So, what? My performance sucked that much yesterday that you felt you needed to bribe me?" Connor opened his mouth to object when Hank shrugged, taking a hold of a cinnamon roll, icing oozing from the warm pastry as he lifted it.

While Connor couldn't 'smell' like a normal human, he could see the faint traces of steam rise off to signify that the bun was still of a reasonable temperature and continued to release many sweet aromatic elements. Connor hoped it was as 'mouth-watering' as the reviews said.

"Well," continued Hank, shrugging again as if the first time wasn't enough, "who fucking cares if I get free food from it? Maybe this 'partnership' wasn't so bad an idea."

Connor smiled brightly, relieved that the conversation had turned for the better. Seeing Hank's eyes widen a moment later as he took a bite of the cinnamon roll was just an added bonus. "Holy shit," exclaimed the Lieutenant, staring at the cinnamon roll in disbelief. "What'd they put in this? Cocaine?"

"I will assume that to be a positive response," commented Connor, standing straighter. "I will be certain to send my compliments along to the owner of the Classic Croissant, a man named Martin Geoffroy." 

Hank nodded, humming as he took another bite. "Yeah, you do that. Fuck, I might start spending my paycheck on these even if they are fancy-schmancy gourmet shit."

"And they're far healthier than your usual morning supplement," added Connor. He saw the Lieutenant roll his eyes before pushing forward the steaming mug of coffee beside the computer that Hank had yet to see. "Oh, and they also deliver coffee. I had it stylized to your preferences."

Hank's eyes widened as he adjusted the cinnamon roll--already half-eaten, Connor was pleased to note--to his left hand and took the coffee in his right, sitting down at his desk with more eagerness than Connor had ever seen before. "Coffee that doesn't taste like gym socks? Fuck, this really wasn't a bad idea."

"Thank you," said Connor, glad that the Lieutenant hadn't asked how he had found out the man's coffee preferences. Truthfully, it hadn't been for another day, after the Eden Club investigation, that he'd heard Hank complain about the quality of coffee at the police station and detail in exact precision how the perfect cup of coffee was made. Connor had never... acted upon it, in the Failed Future, due to his fixation on the mission, but he was glad to be able to now.

"I... understand the destruction of my predecessor may have been unpleasant for you, Lieutenant," said Connor, hesitating as he saw the man slow down while swallowing the last of his cinnamon roll. Even if Connor didn't quite understand it, he wanted to avoid causing the Lieutenant any discomfort he could. It helped that he couldn't risk being destroyed again, making both tasks intertwine in this particular subject. "I'll do everything I can to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Hank looked at him briefly before seeming to sigh. "Whatever," he said, making Connor brighten considerably on the fact that he hadn't received a response before. Even looking at him was progress. "Just... avoid shit like that. It's creepy as fuck."

"I plan to," said Connor earnestly, a bit confused when he saw the Lieutenant snort.

"None of us 'plan' to get wasted," remarked Hank, humming as he took a sip of his coffee, swirling it around to mix the contents. "Shit just happens."

"Yes," agreed Connor, remembering how... befuddled he had been before by the seemingly random actions of deviants when first investigating. "But I endeavor to do better."

"Well, can't argue with motivation like that," said Hank, now examining an apple fritter in the box with obvious suspicion.

"In any case," Connor added a moment. "I'd like you to know I'm very happy to be working with you." Connor really was, strangely... pleased as he watched the man wolf down another croissant without even being advised (the Lieutenant was almost at the necessary amount of calories for the breakfast meal). He knew that the Lieutenant didn't feel the same about working with him, probably never would, but that was okay. Hank was a very good person and Connor just... didn't want to make his life more difficult than it already was. "I'm sure we'll make a great team."

Though, the fact that Connor was already actively planning to sabotage their future investigations may derail that goal (after all, it was one thing for the Lieutenant to be relatively uncaring about deviants and what they did, but it was another thing for constant failures to mysteriously happen during their investigations). Still, as long as he was partners with Hank, he resolved to do whatever he could to make the other man's life better in other ways.

He sat down at what he mentally referred to as 'his desk,' pleased that this was already starting off on a better note.

"Now that we're partners, it would be great to get to know each other better?" tried Connor, wondering if, since the Lieutenant was in a better mood with a more sufficient meal in his stomach, the other would be amiable to the suggestion.

Hank finally picked out an apple fritter and took a bite; the widening of his eyes signifying that he also found this pastry to be enjoyable. "Mmph," said Hank, mouth full as he chewed the small apple bits. "Gof fer it."

"You have a dog, right?" asked Connor, despite already knowing the dog to be named 'Sumo' and knowing the Saint Bernard to be quite larger than he had first expected. He had... enjoyed what little time he had spent with the animal after breaking into the Lieutenant's house. "I like dogs." 

"Yeah... Sumo. I call him Sumo." said Hank, finally closing the box and slapping the hand of a passing officer who tried to sneak a pastry. "How'd you know that?" 

"There are dog hairs on your chair," answered Connor promptly, a bit more eager to ask more about Sumo now that he had to chance to ask so many of the questions he had thought a distraction from the mission before. "How did--"

At that moment, a man that Connor knew to be Officer M. Wilson in the department walked up to Hank.

"Lieutenant?" asked Officer Wilson, glancing at Connor for a moment before back at the Lieutenant. "I have some information on the AX400 that attacked the guy last night..."

Connor blinked as he heard the report on the AX400--Kara, he believed her report called her--once again. He was a bit surprised to hear it since, if he recalled correctly, Connor had been shoved up against a wall as he tried to convince Hank to pay attention to that exact case at this exact moment in the other Future. 

Somehow, Connor had somehow spent the time just... talking. He would definitely need to supplement his original memories since Amanda wouldn't look too kindly on him buying Hank breakfast and spending the time making 'small talk' instead of discussing the case and looking up related details (not that he truly needed to, for obvious reasons, but he found it easier to keep to his original schedule if possible to prevent the need to edit his CyberVision memories). 

Still, even if he was glad that this office conversation hadn't ended with the Lieutenant telling him that he would like to light him on fire, Connor felt... confused about why it had gone so differently this time. Was it simply because he had bought the Lieutenant breakfast or was it because he hadn't been insistently pushing the other to concentrate on the case? Hank definitely seemed to be in a better mood when he focused on other areas, even if had greatly frustrated the android the first time around. Connor would have to analyze the past few minutes at a later time to see what he had done in order to minimalize future missteps with the Lieutenant.

Once Officer Wilson was finished with his explanation of the AX400, Hank nodded and took a step towards the exit before stopping.

Much to Connor's surprised, he glanced at the box of Classic Croissants and then at Connor. The Lieutenant scowled, glancing away. "You coming?" he asked gruffly, as if it was painful to say. 

"Of course." Connor stood immediately, still smiling even as he saw the Lieutenant roll his eyes and turn away without another word. "On my way, Lieutenant."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: DOWNTOWN DETROIT

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 10:25:47

o0o0o0o 

That pleasant feeling that Connor felt in the face of the successful breakfast delivery for the Lieutenant waned by the time they got to the area near the crime scene, the question of how to handle the runaway AX400 and YK500--Kara and Alice, he reminded himself again--weighing heavily on his mind.

The first time around, Connor had correctly identified that they had used the wire cutters stolen from the convenience store and used it to stay at the squat across the street where he met a WR600 that identified himself in third person as "Ralph." The deviant, unstable but desperate to protect his friends(?), had temporarily prevented Connor from immediately going after Kara and Alice as they ran out the door and to the highway.

Connor had been more preoccupied with chasing after Kara and Alice than dealing with Ralph, so he had pursued them to that chain fence dividing the highway, climbing it even when the Lieutenant had told him not to.

He had been unable to capture them despite his best efforts, watching them cross to the other side of the road successfully before slipping away to Connor didn't know where. 

He did... remember seeing them later, in the Android Junkyard... thirum pumps long ceasing their beating even as a sMaLL hand held onto her mOtHeR even in death-- 

He banished the memories from his head, still frowning as he watched Hank discuss the situation with Detective Ben Collins and trying to decide the best course of action. Connor's first thought had been to simply avoid the squat they had been hiding at, thus prevent the police from locating them altogether.

But a... logical part of him--a cold, analytical part he sometimes wished he never had--told him that wasn't in his... best interest.

The reason being simple: Amanda.

If Connor was to avoid suspicion by Amanda, the RK800 had to look like he was actively hunting and trying to find deviants to the best of his abilities. While he had no intention of bringing a single deviant in, he also couldn't make it look like he was letting them go free (to either the deviant or Cyberlife).

Which created the complex puzzle of how to look like he was attempting to complete his job to the upmost of his ability--though, even then, Amanda had never seemed happy; even as he killed every deviant she asked him to, it was never enough--without actually completing his job.

He couldn't blame the Lieutenant for every failure he planned to devise with future cases, which meant he would have to create situations where it really seemed he had no other option in the matter.

Even then, he ran a high risk of being sent back to Cyberlife for reprogramming--though, hopefully, if he was able to keep Jericho and its actions secret, Amanda wouldn't urge him as strongly to find the source--against his will.

He had to do this right--starting with this AX400, Kara and her... ward.

Hank walked over from where he had been interviewing a bus employee, fiddling with his tablet as footage from the convenience store played on it.

"It... took the first bus that came along," recited Connor, making up his mind, "and stayed at the end of the line. Its decision wasn't planned, it was driven by fear."

Hank scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Androids don't feel fear."  

"Deviants do." And even those who aren't yet deviants... as Connor could attest to even when he had been following his mission perfectly. "They get overwhelmed by their emotions and make irrational decisions."

Though, in the face of what many androids faced, were the decision really that irrational? Was Markus' decision to fight for freedom that irrational?  

"Well, that still doesn't tell us where it went." He could see Hank didn't believe him, the expression on his face unbelieving and somehow indulgent, but Connor didn't mind.

"It didn't have a plan and had nowhere to go." Connor glanced towards the squat, the crumbling and condemned building the same as he remembered. "Maybe it didn't go far."

Connor had decided... to let things play out as they had before. He would just have to hope that Kara and Alice survived the chase and crossing the freeway once again.

Connor hoped they did. He did not want any more blood on his hands.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: DOWNTOWN DETROIT - SQUAT

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 10:55:24

o0o0o0o 

Interviewing Ralph was just as... unsettling as it had been the first time. While Connor had experienced many deviants to suffer from PTSD due to the extreme abuse they had endured, he couldn't help but feel... sorrow when he saw the other android and his irreversibly damaged face.

Someone, humans most likely, had purposely seared open that wound on the WR600's face--an obvious action to torture the android for the simple... pleasure(?) of the action rather than any discernible reason.

Connor... couldn't understand it, what drove someone to do such a thing for enjoyment... but, of course, Connor had done terrible things himself for a supposed 'good reason,' so perhaps... he wasn't that different from the ones who had tortured Ralph after all. 

And, in the end, he had caused Ralph's probable death in the camps, hadn't he? A far worse fate than what the humans had done to his face.

As a result, Connor tried to keep his questions calm and even-toned, though knew the android's Stress Levels would skyrocket no matter what he did.

In the end, the RK800 knew he couldn't hold it off anymore and walked over to the hiding place where he knew Kara and Alice would be--

As predicted, the moment Connor walked towards the small opening in the side of the staircase, Ralph jumped him, restraining him as Kara and Alice burst out and ran to the back door.

"Run, Kara!" shouted Ralph, throwing Connor to the ground with surprising force.

Hank hurried through the door, looking down at Connor on the ground with a large frown before at Ralph warily. "Connor, what's going on?" 

As before, Connor quickly got to his feet and gestured towards the back door as Ralph backed away shaking his head. "It's here! Call it in!" 

Before he ran out, he glanced over at Ralph, the android still muttering to himself and looking close to a mental breakdown. It was the last thing he saw before he was rushing outside and through the fence, addressing the policeman just outside it. "Which way did it go?"

Of course, Connor already knew, but dutifully ran in the assigned direction, footsteps clattering against the wet ground as people barely bothered to look his way as he rushed by. A part of him wondered what they thought of him as he passed. He had every intention to let Kara and Alice escape and knew--hoped--they would no matter what he did, but how did the people around him look at him?

Did they see someone trying to protect them? Or did they see a machine failing to accomplish the task assigned to it?

A thing to be disposed of if it stepped out of line?

As he approached an alleyway next to the street, another police officer gestured to his left as Connor came up, pointing frantically down the alleyway and towards the freeway that the RK800 remembered being there. "They're over there!" 

Connor nodded and took off to the right, though a part of him wondered why all the officers were simply pointing and not pursuing as well? While it was true that Connor was physically and mentally optimized for this line of work, wouldn't it have been more efficient for one of the police officers to catch Kara and Alice as they came this way instead of just pointing? Perhaps Connor was being unfair, and, whatever the reason, it worked in his favor.

The RK800 rushed down the alleyway, colliding with the fence as he had before and locking eyes with Kara on the other side just as she helped Alice reach the ground safely. This time, instead of being disappointed at failing to catch up with them in time, Connor was... curious. 

The AX400 was said to have been just reset prior to deviating on November 5th around 11:00 PM. The victim, Todd Williams, had reported that she had just attacked him without cause, though that was something that Connor found very doubtful. Not just because the victim had a history of aggressive and irrational behavior (particularly towards androids), but also because of Kara's obvious protective nature of the girl android, Alice.

Connor had a feeling that, whatever happened between Todd picking up the repaired Kara--the cause of the repairs also sounding very dubious--had to do with the YK500. Especially since Todd had no made no mention of his second android being missing in his reports. Connor was unsure why he had neglected to report that, but it was definitely a part of the puzzle.

But what Connor wondered was how was it, mere hours from being reset, that Kara had already deviated? How had she found the emotional strength to overcome her programming and risk her life like this in a way millions of androids still couldn't?

That he had been unable to. 

Kara stared back at Connor, blue eyes locking with brown for a moment, before the police officer from before ran up, raising his gun as he came to a stop in the mud-covered alleyway.

Connor quickly held up a hand, thirium pump skipping a beat despite already knowing that this was how it was intended to happen. "Don't shoot!" He held his left hand out, the right still clutching the wire fence as he stared at the officer. "We need it alive!"

Kara, no matter how she was able to deviate, deserved to be alive.

With his shout, the two runaways backed up and slid down the muddy hill to the automated car track. Connor's grip on the metal fence tightening as he saw them pass the virtual warning sign placed around the area and into the actual freeway itself.  

"Oh fuck, that's insane..." Hank rushed up, breathing heavily even though Connor noted that the man had arrived approximately 6.4 seconds earlier than last time. Connor wondered why--perhaps the wonder of a good breakfast? The RK800 would definitely take a note of this for future reference, once current events were resolved, of course. 

Kara and Alice crossed the first row of cars, narrowly avoiding the one behind as Kara wrenched Alice back to avoid a taxi barreling towards her before making their way to the next one-- 

Connor could feel the weak metal wires of the fence bend beneath his fingers, watching intently as the two narrowly missed the trucks and cars driving towards at speeds ranging from 80 to 100 mph. Then, just as they neared the middle section of the freeway, Alice slipped--

Connor felt himself pull his body up on the fence before he could stop himself, Hank predictably stopping him with a wrench downwards. "Hey! Where you goin'?"

"I can't..." began Connor, even as he saw Kara pull her adoptive daughter up to a standing stance before pushing the girl to the middle of the track, successfully rebalancing herself just in time to miss another truck. "They're going to..." 

"They won't!" shouted Hank, no doubt thinking that Connor was upset about the two escaping. "They'll never make it to the other side." 

That was exactly what Connor feared, doubts and hesitations building up as he watched the two androids risk their life. What had he been thinking? He should have just led the police away from the squat, even if it did make him suspicious in the eyes of Amanda!

How could he know for sure that things would remain the same before when little things such as Hank's attitude and arrival time had already changed? A single second difference with Kara and Alice crossing the road would mean their deaths!

And it would be all Connor's fault.

"I..." started Connor, guilt and uncertainty warring inside of him as he watched the two throw themselves back into the freeway. "I can't..." 

"Hey, you'll just get yourself killed!" yelled Hank, yanking down Connor again--the RK800 was unaware that he had even tried to jump the fence again. "Do NOT go after 'em. Connor, that's an order!" 

Despite the fact that Connor no longer needed to listen to orders--though, he had never been programmed to listen to the Lieutenant's orders should they interfere with his mission in the first place--he felt himself pause, warring with the conflicting desire to try and ensure Kara and Alice's survival--then what? Drag them back to the police station? Deliver them to a fate worse than death for the simple fact that he couldn't dare let Amanda find out?--and listening to Hank.

In the other timeline, Connor hadn't before, jumping the fence to try and chase after the runaway AX400 and YK500 with single-minded determination.  Something that had proved worthless since Kara and Alice had escaped regardless and Hank had only become more hostile towards him.

For a moment, in that other life, Connor had wondered if the Lieutenant would praise him had he successfully caught Kara and Alice on the highway that day, before writing it off as irrelevant.

But Connor's actions then didn't matter, what mattered was Connor's choice now.

Would he go?

Or give up?  

Before Connor knew what he was doing, his hand released the fence, cementing the decision to not go after them. Hank gave him a look, the irritation in his eyes simmering down half a percent, before looking back to the freeway. After a moment, Connor did so too.

Connor watched intently the freeway intently, hand turning to grip into a fist at his side as he watched Kara and Alice brave the next section of road.

Had he made the right choice?

On the freeway, the two androids successfully dodged the first round of cars but slipped part-way. Before Connor could so much as blink, they were up again as Kara pushed the YK500 across to the other side, joining her after a moment of checking to make sure the coast was clear. Kara lifted Alice to the other side of the guardrail. Both had survived. 

At the sight, Connor breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. Though that relief partially turned to... confusion as he watched, very differently from last time where they had just run away, Kara kneel down to Alice and... hug her? The adopted mother's concern obvious even from this distance as she checked over the child android, accepting her embrace a moment later.

Connor watched them as they stood again and headed into the forest, likely as far away from the current area as possible. Though where, he did not know. He had only seen the pair twice in the Failed Future. Once at the base of Jericho after he infiltrated it--though, he wondered how they got there since Jericho was in a completely opposite direction from where they were currently heading--and the second time... in the Android Junkyard. He didn't know where they were heading, but he hoped that by preventing certain events from happening, that the two female androids would avoid that dark fate.  

"Well, damn," said the Lieutenant, bringing Connor from his thoughts. He glanced at the older officer, unsurprised to see a hint of relief on the man's face. Even at this point in time, he had a feeling that Hank would have been greatly upset had something actually happened to Kara and Alice on the freeway. "Didn't think they'd actually make it." 

"I'll report to the station the approximate direction and likely areas they were heading for," said Connor dutifully. He actually didn't mind doing that given that, last time, he had done so but to no avail as the two androids continued to evade capture. "I'm... sorry that I wasn't able to prevent their escape."

Connor wasn't really, but he was sorry if he had disappointed Hank at all. 

He began to realize what the Lieutenant had meant before when he said"emotions mess up everything." Even though it wasn't necessary for his mission as the Conduit, Connor found himself... wanting to avoid the man's ire.

Hank snorted, clapping the android on the shoulder before seeming to realize what he did and retracting his hand, a stern expression on his face again. "Well, it happens. Catch some, lose some." He began to walk down the alleyway again. "C'mon. I'm sure we got plenty of fucking paperwork to do." 

Remembering what Connor did from the first time, they certainly did. But he also recalled that the next investigation at 'The Nest' wouldn't begin until 03:27 PM (approximately a quarter of an hour after Hank went to the Chicken Feed for a late lunch).

Currently, the time was 11:07 PM, essentially giving Connor four free hours in-between that time. The first time around he had spent said time interviewing witnesses of the two androids, searching the Squat for Ralph (who had been long gone, even if Connor had suspected he would return at some time), doing his paperwork--which he had completed in approximately 3.14 minutes--and re-reading the deviant cases to search for commonalities--even with cross-referencing information from various sources, it still only took him about 14.7 minutes--with the rest of the time spent... waiting for something to happen until Hank left to lunch. Connor, of course, accompanying him.  

While Connor could do that again, he found four hours too much time to waste. 

"Lieutenant," called out Connor, making the man walking just in front of him look back at him. "If it's fine, could I meet up with you later when we receive our next case?" 

"Why?" asked Hank before his eyes flickered to the freeway. "Don't tell me you're going after them."  

"No," said Connor truthfully, though he might have said it quicker than strictly necessary. "I just wish to... investigate the surrounding area closer. I know you will interview those strictly involved with the case, but I wish to see if there's something we may have missed on why the android chose this particular area to run to."

While Connor was confident that the decision had been motivated by fear and desperation instead of logic, he hoped that the Lieutenant--and Cyberlife--wouldn't find anything strange about his reasoning to suddenly leave like this.

Hank rolled his eyes, turning away. "Whatever. Never thought you'd stop fucking following me."

Connor felt something inside of him sink even as he sped up to walk alongside the police officer, honestly wondering if he was glitching because of how 'unbalanced' he suddenly felt. "I... I can come along if you need--"

The Lieutenant held up a hand, as if that could keep Connor's face from sight. "Nope!" Suddenly, Hank glared at him. "Though, if you think I'm going to do your paperwork--"

Connor's eyes widened and, almost instantly from memory, submitted his report as well as handled a good portion of Hank's that only needed basic requirements to fill it out.

"Already submitted," he informed the man. "And I also took the time to do 86.40 percent of yours--all that's left is your personal account of what transpired and various papers that need your signature. If there's anything that you wish for me to redo, just call my personal communication link, listed on your computer, and I will get right on it."

Hank seemed to study him with a minute with a creased brow before snorting. "So, an android who buys breakfast and does paperwork," he muttered under his breath in a way that Connor wasn't sure he should hear. "How... efficient."  

"Yes," agreed Connor quickly. "And any other task you require--"

"Yeah, yeah," said the Lieutenant, waving a hand as if shooing away an unwanted animal. "The only thing I 'require' is you get out of my face, alright? Do your 'investigation' and come back whenever. Or don't. I really don't fucking care." 

Connor stopped at the mouth of the alleyway, feeling strangely cold in a way that had nothing to do with the rain as he watched the Lieutenant walk down the street without ever looking back.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: KAMSKI'S VILLA - SEWING ROOM

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 11:25:52

o0o0o0o

"So, figure out what you're going to do once you get to Jericho?" asked Chloe, standing next to where Connor sat on a comfortable bench in a room that he'd never been in before.

Upon arrival, the RT600 had led him and began replacing various parts of his head with parts that would have seemed identical to the ones he already possessed. Chloe hadn't quite explained what she was doing yet, but Connor, while admittedly curious, was willing to wait until she did.

The room they sat in appeared to be some sort of tailoring facility given the rows of high-quality fabric on various shelves, high-tech sewing machines attached to tables with computer consoles, and design magazines scattered about. It felt very... comfortable.

"My first task is to earn their trust," said Connor. He had a feeling that, even as an android, it would be a difficult task to accomplish--particularly since he had already admitted to Markus that he couldn't reveal his true identity.

While Markus hadn't questioned him at the time, that could have been from the fact he had been more preoccupied with avoiding death and escaping the Android Junkyard. Now? Connor didn't know how it would go. "From there, I plan to evaluate the situation and see how I can best aid them."

"While also preventing Markus from going forward with the Stratford Tower Broadcast," pointed out Chloe, pressing another component into his head with a small click. "The longer the general public is unaware of Jericho, the more time you have to organize."

She smoothed down his hair over the new component. "But enough about that, you won't know how to proceed until you get there so let's talk about something else. How did it go with Lieutenant Anderson today?"

"It... went better than before," admitted Connor, thinking back to how the Lieutenant had accepted the Classic Croissant breakfast and didn't even tell threaten to set him on fire. He had also seemed pleased that Connor hadn't climbed the fence this time and didn't question him where he was abruptly going after the fact.

Truly, it had gone far better than he had calculated it would, so Connor didn't know why he was still... dissatisfied. It was illogical to feel anything but success, however small it was. Or, perhaps, that was his programming reminding him that small successes weren't sufficient. He needed to do better. 

Chloe gave him a look from the corner of his eye, opening her mouth to speak--

The side door to the Sewing Room opened, revealing an android easily identifiable as a 'Hostess Chloe' ST200 with the signature blonde hair and blue eyes of a 'Chloe' model. Upon scanning her, Connor was informed that her name was 'Tessa' and apparently the first ST200 to have been created.

Tessa set down the fabrics she had been carrying on the table beside Chloe, seeming to... avoid looking at Connor? While that wasn't that strange, the way Chloe gave her a look and her LED blinked yellow--obviously communicating through their mental link--and how Tessa gave her 'older sister' a frown before leaving certainly was. 

Connor blinked, but it wasn't to calibrate the new optical processors that he had been given. "What was that about?" he asked, referring to the silent entrance and exit of the ST200 model. 

"Nothing," said Chloe quickly, going over to the clothes before picking them up. "Here, try these on? I want to make sure these fit."

Connor hesitated before complying, quickly stripping himself of his standard semi-formal jacket, white shirt, and tie. He knew she was lying, or more accurately trying to distract him. After all, even if she was the eldest android in existence (and thus possessed technology far older than Connor himself) Chloe still had the ability to perform several billion, billion operations per second and wouldn't make an error like mistaking Connor's clothing size.

Of course, it didn't matter in the end. Connor had no right to question her on any action--no matter how seemingly odd--so he took the clothing without a word. To his surprise, they appeared identical to his Cyberlife-issued suit-jacket, shirt, and tie.

He glanced at her, wondering what the purpose was of making an extra set of clothing when he had an unlimited supply from Cyberlife if needed, but she just nodded, seemingly eager.

He pulled on the white-shirt first, surprised when he found a program pop up in his processor:

<Masquerader Program>

"As I'm sure you already know," began Chloe, taking his old shirt and folding it as he pulled on the suit-jacket next. "You will need to be disguised in order to prevent Cyberlife, members of Jericho, and the general public from knowing your true identity when you're operating as the Conduit. The fact that you're a prototype actually works against you in this case, your face being unique among the millions of androids that exist."

"Like Markus," said Connor. While it was true, he wasn't... sure why he brought it up. Of course, Markus was (would be?) the most memorable android in existence if he completed his mission correctly. 

"Yes," Chloe agreed, apparently seeing nothing odd with the segue. "Though there are other RK200s in existence, Elijah made Markus special for Carl so no other shares his face. And even though I'm the only RT600 to exist, my sisters, the ST200s, also share a very similar face to mine as you've seen." She gestured back to the clothing. "But enough about that, can you access the menu options of your clothing?"

Connor concentrated, bringing up what appeared to be <Clothing Style Choices>. From there, there were options available for each of his new articles of clothing ranging from color to design.

Very curious, he chose <Blue; Stripes> for his shirt. To his amazement, his shirt changed from its pure white setting to producing blue stripes in a horizontal fashion. Fascinated, he tried out <Orange; Fire Highlights> for his jacket and watched as it bled from grey to orange with what truly appeared to be 'fire cuffs' at the very bottom. "The clothing has camouflage technology embedded in it?"

Chloe nodded, a proud smile on her face. "You know how we already have the ability to change our hair color? Well, this material is weaved from the same textile. It will allow you to instantly go back and forth from the patented Cyberlife Uniform to something less conspicuous, or as conspicuous as needed, as the Conduit. After all, carrying an extra set of clothes would be far too dangerous and time-wasting."

Connor nodded in agreement, staring at the fabric as it changed back and forth upon mental command. There were literally hundreds of options to choose from. "Kamski designed this?"

Chloe shook her head, what appeared to be a mischievous smirk on her face. "Actually," she said, trailing a hand over the fabric and smiling at him, "I designed this technology myself."

The RK800's head snapped over to her, looking at her in awe. "Truly?"

Instantly, he regretted his words--he didn't want her to think he was insulting her intelligence but, to his relief, she just nodded her head, pride still shining in her eyes. "Yes. Even if we weren't all capable of performing several operations per second, you pick up a thing or two after spending 21 years with a genius." She gestured around the room. "Especially when one has little else to do." 

Connor opened his mouth, about to question her on that statement--after all, hadn't the RT600 been released in 2022, approximately 16 years ago? There was no way she had done the math wrong, right?--but decided it wasn't the time to ask. Again, he had no business asking about her personal life, after all. 

Instead, he lifted his hand to where Chloe had spent time replacing various parts of his head components shortly after his arrival. Apparently, the Masquerader program was also linked to them. He had a feeling he knew what that meant but wanted to confirm. "As for the other changes?"

Chloe nodded and brought him over to a mirror at the side of the room. "You already had the ability to change your hair color, but I modified your eye and facial structural components." She motioned to the mirror. "It works the same as your clothing--try it out." 

Connor nodded, accessing the <Masquerader: Facial Customization>. It was far more complex than the clothing module, containing everything from the precise diameter of his ears to his cheekbone structure. Tentatively, he tried lengthening his nose--surprised, and yet not surprised, to see it literally expand and shorten as he commanded. 

Feeling a bit bolder, he randomly looked up a picture of a man of Russian descent--with high cheekbones, blonde hair, and blue eyes; very different from Connor's standard appearance--and tried to get his face to match it. While not identical to the picture, the fact that he no longer recognized himself as RK800 #313 248 317 - 52 was incredible.

There was also the fact that, with his voice modulator, he could essentially become a completely different person. Using this program, there would be no way anyone would be able to tell his true identity and the capabilities he had to be able to instantly change both his face and clothing would surely prove useful...

"I thought about giving you a mask," said Chloe, bringing Connor out of his thoughts. He glanced over at her, seeing an amused expression on her face; he felt embarrassed upon the realization that he had been experimenting with the Style Choices for four minutes. "But then I realized limiting you to only interacting with other androids would be a mistake." 

Connor tiled his head to the side, seeing that his LED no longer showed up. Thinking about it, the telltale circle returned--reassuring him that Chloe's modifications hadn't permanently covered it up. "And the disguise will hold up?" he asked, changing his eye color from brown to blue to purple--the last one, mostly, to see if it was possible even if he doubted that he would be able to fool anyone with such an eye color.  

"Unless you change it back, your appearance will stay that way," agreed Chloe. "Of course, it's probably best if you decide on one to be the 'Conduit' while you interact with Jericho and the Circuit."

"You've contacted other androids already?" asked Connor curiously, finally looking away from the odd assembly he had put his face into. There were so many options, so he was admittedly uncertain on how he wanted to appear.

Chloe pressed her lips together, an action that Connor assumed to be annoyance. "Not yet," she admitted, nodding towards the doorway and leading the two from the room to a long hallway with various paintings hung on the walls. "Some of the androids I'm trying to contact are... difficult. Not easily reached or willing to communicate."

"How did you learn of their deviancy?' asked Connor, following Chloe as she led him into the living room area.   

"Elijah and I travel often," answered Chloe, LED glowing yellow for a moment as they approached a door on the other side of the spacious room. "Incognito, of course, but even then Elijah always seems to get in the most... interesting situations. He seems to have a talent for finding deviants."

The door opened, leading to what appeared to be a large enclosed garage with various rare car models, high-tech machinery, and work areas. It seemed to be oriented only towards machinery and had very little to do with android-related parts.

"Annoying them you mean!" said a feminine voice from Connor's right.

He looked over, seeing yet another ST200 sitting at a work-bench beside an aquamarine blue, custom-designed Sierra XYT 600 motorcycle.

She grinned widely at them as they walked inside. Unlike her counterpart, Tessa, that Connor had seen in the sewing room, this ST200 seemed much livelier--actually quite lively, from Connor's general knowledge of androids. For some particular reason, she was wearing a white knee-length lab coat over a purple bikini.

It seemed odd to wear a lab coat--whose purpose was to protect the body from harmful chemicals--when it was unbuttoned and the rest of her body was largely unclothed, but he decided it was best not to ask. 

"Well, he's definitely good at that too." Chloe smiled at Vanessa's response, walking over to place a kiss on her head--to which Vanessa seemed to beam at--before looking over at Connor. "Let me introduce you to Vanessa, or Nessa for short. She's the youngest of my sisters here."

"Hi!" said Vanessa brightly, before gesturing over to the Sierra XYT 600. "I've got it all fixed up for you, Sis!" 

"Great," said Chloe, before looking at Connor again. "Nessa particular interests lie in chemistry and mechanics. She's worked hard over the past ten years to see how they can particularly combine... though to violate results at time."

"I don't blow up that much stuff!" Vanessa bobbed her head, motioning around the garage. "I actually made or modified a lot of these," she said excitedly. "Elijah finds everything but androids 'boring' so someone has to!" She looked at Connor. "Make sure to take good care of Sierra, alright?" 

"Sierra?" echoed Connor before looking at the aquamarine motorcycle before them. "Are you referring to the Sierra XYT 600?" 

"Yup," said Vanessa before looking at Chloe with a pout. "Didn't you tell him?"

"Not yet," said Chloe, nodding towards the door to the house. "Now, isn't it about time you to recharge?"

"It's barely noon!" 

"Yes, but I know you were up all night working in here," said Chloe, pointedly looking at the ST200. "Go to bed after you give Connor the information. Tessa will make sure that you do."  

Vanessa wilted, getting up from the workbench reluctantly before holding a hand out to Connor, skin peeling back to reveal the white plastic underbelly. 

Connor took it and instantly downloaded everything there was to know about the Sierra XYT 600. It was an 8.3 liter, V-10 SRT Vega Viper engine with 7-speed manual transmission. Its maximum power was 500 hp@5600 rpm with a maximum torque of 700 Nm@4200 rpm. Its top speed was 450 miles per hour and could go from 0 to 90 in 2.5 seconds. It was superior in terms of speed and handling to anything else on the market by far. 

But what was perhaps the most surprising was that it appeared to be automated just like the majority of the taxis and cars in Detroit were. Apparently, the user could essentially 'leave it' somewhere but have it automatically drive to whatever location they needed.

Connor blinked, taking his hand from the ST200. "Thank you... Nessa."

"You're welcome." Vanessa smiled brightly, walking past them with a small hum. "See you later, Connor!"

The two remaining androids watched her leave before Connor finally looked at Chloe. "She's very... lively." 

"Different from most androids, you mean?" asked Chloe, smiling to herself before a small frown began to appear on her face as she glanced at the spot Vanessa had sat. "Yes. A lot of it is because she was... reset shortly to us moving out here ten years ago, so she doesn't remember much about what it was like living... out there."

She motioned towards the garage door, but Connor theorized that she was referring to the outside world beyond the borders of Kamski's property. "As a result, she's can come off as a bit much due to how she's been sheltered and kept here."

"I don't mind her presence," said Connor honestly. Truly, while Vanessa seemed 'quirky,' for lack of a better term, she also seemed like proof that androids were more than machines and worthy of having their own lives.

Chloe smiled at him, nodding before gesturing to the Sierra. "You're probably wondering why I had Nessa transfer that information to you," she said, to which he nodded. "Thinking about it, relying on taxis to drive you around both wastes time and forces you to edit your CyberVision and the taxi's program every time you take it. Having your own vehicle, especially one that is far more maneuverable, eliminates that issue."

She gestured for him to sit on it. "And you've probably already seen its Automated System. If you're ever in trouble, you can have it drive to or away from your location as needed."

"It's incredible," said Connor, climbing onto the motorcycle and admiring its precise detailing before frowning. "But, doesn't this belong to one of you?"

"It's mine," said Chloe. She held up a hand when Connor moved to speak. "I'm having Vanessa build you a personal one, but, until then, I want you to use mine since it's the most advanced model here." 

Connor felt a wave of gratefulness wash over him. Even though he knew she was only doing this to best optimize his chances for changing the future, he couldn't help but feel indebted to the android before him. Chloe had done so much for him already--offering to be his guide in the Conduit's Castle, reaching out to androids across the country, designing his Masquerader, borrowing her personal motorcycle, and so much more--and it had been less than a few hours.

It made him feel ashamed by how little he had accomplished thus far, but pushed it down. 

Chloe handed him a helmet and he looked at his reflection in it, realizing that he hadn't changed his appearance back to 'Connor' yet. Of course, since he was on his way to Jericho now, it would be best if he figured out what his disguise as the Conduit was, wouldn't it?

"Do you have any suggestions?" he asked abruptly, gesturing towards his reflection when she looked at him quizzically. "I admittedly am uncertain how to look most approachable."

After all, the Lieutenant had told him, on many occasions, how Cyberlife had 'screwed up' Connor's appearance--he wanted to avoid causing others discomfort even if he couldn't do so for Hank.

"I feel like it is something you should choose for yourself," said Chloe, voice kind in a way that Connor couldn't quite decipher the reasoning to. "But I do have suggestions if you really want?" 

Connor nodded eagerly. "That would be greatly appreciated." 

"But remember, Connor," said Chloe, gently pressing both hands to Connor's face so that he had no choice but to look her straight on. "Even if you look different and you have a different name, you're still Connor on the inside, okay?" 

It was as if someone had metaphorically 'thrown a bucket of water' on him, shocking him from the 'peace' he had been feeling up to this point and replacing it with shame. Chloe... was completely right.

He could disguise himself however he wanted, but he would always be Connor the Deviant Hunter--the one who chased down innocents, the one who had murdered the selfless android in front of him as well as Markus, Hank, and so many others, the one who had let Cyberlife take control and use him as a puppet for their bidding... 

The one who destroyed everything.

He nodded, hands tightening around the helmet as he stared back at his reflection before he closed his eyes, unwilling to look any longer. "I won't forget." 

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO - OUTSIDE

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 12:00:19

o0o0o0o

The Sierra XYT 600 emitted a low hum as the rider drove up to the seemingly abandoned freighter ship, slowing down to maneuver around rubble, filled dumpsters, and broken planks. The lights of the aquamarine-colored motorcycle dimmed as it came to a complete stop beside a rusted container.

The rider powered down the vehicle and stepped off. Dressed in a sleek, silver suit-jacket that reached mid-thigh with raised lapels and stylized, deep blue lines down the arms, he also wore a fitted black shirt and pants that precisely framed the angles of his body. His face was covered, hidden by the dark blue helmet he wore.

He glanced around the area for a moment before reaching up to the helmet, pulling it off to reveal a man in his late twenties with high cheekbones and angular, Nordic features. His hair was a mix of platinum blonde and silver, curling in a messy way that likely had more to do with being compressed by a helmet at high-speeds than actual stylizing intent.

But his eyes, what one may have expected to be blue or even green given the very European features, were brown. A warm, rich brown that carefully analyzed the freighter ship in front of him.  

The Conduit had arrived at Jericho.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO - OUTSIDE

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 12:01:31

o0o0o0o

Connor, or the Conduit now as he reminded himself, let out a deep breath, cooling down his internal processors as he carefully walked Chloe's motorcycle into a hidden spot behind some rubble and a few wooden pallets. If he needed to leave suddenly, the Sierra would be able to back-up and get to his position, but he hoped that this encounter would go well enough that an emergency exit wouldn't be needed. 

Once that was done, he scanned the dockside area for a way to get into the freighter itself. Before, when he had infiltrated Jericho the night of November 9th, there had been a ramp and other entrances into the freighter, making sneaking into the secret base rather simple. However, it appeared all those routes were either nonexistent or structurally damaged to a point of instability, making Connor believe that they had been manually engineered at a later date.

He glanced to the right where, about 140 meters to the right, was what appeared to be the remains of a broken bridge. He wondered if that had been caused by Markus--the metal looked to be recently broken and disturbed.

But even if Markus had caused that, he was fine... right?

Swallowing, Connor continued looking for a safe way into the freighter. He hadn't seen any recent thirium stains or... broken remains of the RK200, so it was quite likely that said android, even if he had caused the bridge to fall, had managed to avoid falling with it. After all, Markus had successfully arrived here in the other timeline without trouble regardless of Jericho's obvious rundown state.

<Located Possible Entrance: Crane>

Connor was brought out of his thoughts as he finally located what appeared to be the best way inside--well, without literally jumping into the water and searching... which Connor to didn't want to do if he didn't have to; it was rude to ruin Chloe's clothing so soon--by way of an old, but seemingly somewhat functional, crane hanging over the stern of the boat. It was a bit risky, being over a hundred meters off the ground even if appeared durable, but Connor supposed it was one of the more reasonable ways in.

Jogging over to the base of the once yellow crane, he caught his reflection in one of the dirty windows. He paused despite himself, running a diagnosis over his appearance for the 314th time. While he knew it was unlikely to have changed from the initial 313 times he had checked himself over, he found himself wondering, for the 817th time, if he had made the right choice. 

During the short drive here, Connor had run thousands upon thousands of simulations of possible appearances and internally debated the pros and cons for each one. Finally, Chloe--whom Connor had also been communicating with simultaneously on the subject while driving--had offered some advice:

<What if you based this disguise off those you want to protect? Or those who have inspired you? Then, every time you look in the mirror, you will be reminded of who you're doing this for.>

Connor... had liked the sound of that. Liked the idea of another reminder to keep him on track in regard to his mission. Though, it hadn't been as simple as all that.

His immediate thoughts of those who fit those categories had gone to Hank, Markus, and Chloe. Later, he felt ashamed that he hadn't included Kamski in that list, but, admittedly, something inside of him was... uncomfortable with the idea of basing part of his appearance off the creator of androids.                                   

With further debated, he then rejected the idea of basing anything of himself off Markus. The android so incredibly unique and individualistic that any similarity would undoubtedly come off as unnatural and suspicious to the RK200. No, Markus was the only android who looked as he did and Connor, for some strange reason, wanted to keep it that way. 

That left Lieutenant Anderson and Chloe. He first thought about looking like the police officer, but quickly realized how terrible that would be. After all, even if Connor hadn't 'learned' about Cole Anderson--and his tragic demise--in this timeline yet, he knew, with a few simple aging programs, that the child would have looked quite a bit like his father had he... gotten the chance to.

If Connor were to base his facial structure off the Lieutenant, he was rather certain that there would be a... unsettling resemblance to what Cole would have grown up to be. While he didn't intend to interact with the Lieutenant as the Conduit, he knew there was a high probability that they would eventually cross paths. If that happened, the last thing he wanted was to bring up bad memories.  

 Besides, Connor had no right to appear as Hank's son. After all, Connor wasn't... Not that he was trying to insinuate that he could ever possibly be...

That he...

...

But still, Connor had wanted something to remind himself of the man, so he had decided to blend together Hank's grey hair and Chloe's platinum blonde hair. The result was the flowing silver he now possessed. Connor found he was fond of the color, feeling it to be simple, but refined. He also decided to make his hair curly, surprised at what a difference it made to his appearance to release it from its usual sleek, controlled strands. 

For his actual face, he had a realization that he should model it after an existing android and use said model type as a sort of rough 'backstory' to avoid suspicion. Yet, it also had to be different enough that he wouldn't be easily recognized by humans as being an android should he walk around in public.

It was quite a conundrum, but in the end... he decided to model himself after the RT600. Technically, he also looked like the ST200 series, but, in his mind, he knew he was basing himself off of Chloe.

Or, at least, an 'unreleased male version' of the RT600. It, surprisingly, this new face wasn't that much of a change from his normal appearance. All he did was narrow his face, lighten his skin tone, and make various features such as his cheekbones and nose more prominent.

Yet, changing his hair color and facial structure by those simple margins did 'wonders' for differentiating him from Connor the Deviant Hunter. Truly, it appeared that he only had a 'similar model appearance' much like how one could state there were a lot of similarities between the GS200 and LM100 or various other models with one another. 

Or, at least, that's what Chloe had enthusiastically responded when he'd tentatively offered his idea.

Another reason he had chosen to base himself after the RT600 was because of his skills. Obviously, the Conduit would have to utilize his abilities as an RK800 at some time. Particularly his forensics, vocal imitation, and martial skills which were all unique and, in many ways, a violation of the American Androids Act.

Even though he would be considered a deviant--was he a deviant? He knew logically he had to be, but something felt... wrong about using that title in reference to himself--there would undoubtedly be questions later if not sooner on how he could do so much more than the typical android.

That's where masquerading as a specialized male RT600 would come in handy. Everyone knew of Elijah Kamski's fondness for the original RT600 and, for all he had Chloe do interviews and demonstrate her skills a decade ago, hadn't released her actual specifications and program details to anyone, even Cyberlife, beyond that she would be the 'perfect assistant in all ways.'

Given that ST200s a year later had only done simple household or business tasks, there had been rumors that Kamski had continued to modify and upgrade the RT600 in private to live up to that moniker; something that Connor was uncertain the truth of after actually interacting with Chloe, but the point was that the rumor was out there and those at Jericho, should they research it, would find a baseline proof with.  

As a result, Connor found confidence in being able to state that he was personally designed by Kamski and had been given many special features to fulfill the needs of an undisclosed party. Much like how Markus, so different from the other RK200s, had been made for Carl Manfred when the man had gone through an accident and needed both physical and emotional help.

Since the RT600 herself had an air of mystery around her, Connor had selfishly asked if he could utilize that as a false framework should any ask him about his 'origins.' Hopefully, it would keep those at Jericho from wondering too heavily on where he came from and why he was so different.

For some reason, Chloe had seemed... pleased (?) when he asked her permission to masquerade as a male RT600. He had been confused, but altogether too relieved--cowardly--to ask why she wasn't angry with him taking yet another thing from her.

And then... there were his eyes.

Connor studied his reflection in the window, gaze flickering to where brown eyes stared back at him. In the end... he had chosen to keep his same eyes. His baseline reason was that brown was an incredibly common color among androids and humans alike and that feature, already, was a strong way to remain undistinguishable--Chloe had also quickly agreed to the idea of keeping his eye color, likely understanding the justification--but it was... more than that.

A part of him tried to justify it by thinking that it'd be easier, upon entering Jericho, to convince Markus that he was the one who had... assisted him in the Android Junkyard by keeping his eyes the same as then, but that flimsy justification was broken by the sheer fact Connor could simply reveal the conversation that they'd had there as proof had he chosen another eye color.

No, the real reason Connor was keeping his eye color the same was because... it was him. As Chloe had said before, even if he looked different, he was still Connor.

For a moment when he had first received the Masquerader program, a part of him had felt like... he could run away from who he was. Pretend that Connor the Deviant Hunter was a different person while he was disguised as the Conduit. To just... forget, for a while.

Connor's hand clenched by his side, forcing himself to not look away from his eyes in his reflection. Because that would be wrong, unforgivable to forget for even a moment. It hadn't even been a day since his Future Memories integrated with his Present Self and he... 

Regardless, Connor decided to keep his eyes the same. Then, no matter what he looked like or what he did, he wouldn't forget. Who he really was. His mission. The truth.

He turned away from his reflection and looked up the body of the crane. Unwilling to waste another moment, he took a running start and, just a foot away from the bottom of the crawler, jumped up and grabbed the top of the metal door. Fluidly, he wrenched himself up and planted his feet on top of the cabin. 

From there, he scanned the path across the metal mast. It appeared stable enough, registering at 87.4% stability. It would be impossible for a human to cross (the path being akin to walking a tightrope, but far more precarious), but, fortunately, Connor wasn't human.

Without batting an eye, he balanced on the top of the structure and began carefully walking across. It remained still beneath his feet, though dirt and rust came loose with each step and slowly drifted down the 57.5-meter distance to the ground below. He was rather certain that, should he fall, it would be a far less pleasant journey down.

Placing one foot ahead of the other, he felt like he had gained a new understanding of where the fear of heights came from. Before, when he hadn't truly needed to worry about death given the endless supply of RK800 bodies to be made upon his demise (even if he lost things in the transition), he had understood the concept but never truly... felt it.

Now, knowing that, should he fall, he would not only die but doom time itself to repeat itself, he could... understand the apprehension came from.

Though, humans likely didn't have to worry about destroying the future should they perish.

Less than 23.5 seconds later, he finally reached the end of the mast where a metal rope pulley system connected from the end of the structure Connor was balancing on and linked to the middle of the ship's interior itself.

Carefully, he lowered himself to the metal rope, feet leaving the metal structure as he let his body hang in midair. From there, he expertly lowered himself to the freighter, thoughts drifting as he put one hand in front of the other at an efficient pace. 

Besides worrying about what appearance he should take on as the Conduit, he had also worried about Markus. In particular, worried if the other really would listen to Connor's ideas on how to better Jericho. Markus' actions before the Stratford Tower incident were relatively unknown after all, but given that all Markus had accomplished in a week... it was hard to believe he had wasted said time.  

Still, Connor wondered what Markus did after arriving to Jericho (what he was doing right now, in fact). Perhaps his condition had worsened, and he spent said time repairing himself? Or maybe he had integrated himself with the deviants who would become nearly fanatically loyal to him in a very short amount of time? Who had been the 'leader' before Markus arrived or had there not been one? 

There were so many questions and Connor found himself quite uneasy about not knowing the answers. After all, if he didn't know the best way to proceed, how could he possibly accomplish his mission?

He settled with the fact that he would just have to work harder. Or work at all given he hadn't done anything but communicate with Kamski and Chloe since receiving his future memories approximately eleven hours ago. Foundations and planning were very important, but the lack of action was not something he believed he was well suited for (he had the urge to calibrate his systems by way of fiddling with his coin, but realized that would be ill-advised in his current position dangling over the freighter).

He knew that he had to keep up the charade at the DCPD in order to avoid Cyberlife's suspicions (as well as be in the best position possible to warn Jericho should the future... repeat itself), but he was admittedly anxious to finally arrive at Jericho. To truly start the mission he had been sent to do from the future. 

And like every mission he had ever been given... he wouldn't fail.  

Connor dropped the remaining distance to the ship, tucking into a roll before coming up to his feet again. He had successfully arrived at the actual ship, but there didn't appear to be anyone up on the deck.

It was a bit surprising given that Ferndale Station, itself, was very far into the more abandoned areas of Detroit--there were approximately 85,000 abandoned buildings, 33,500 empty houses, and 93,400 vacant lots in the Detroit area; this region being one of the most sparsely populated--and, as a result, it was very unlikely for even the homeless to come this far back or see the androids even if they were out in the open on the deck. 

Of course, there were probably more... psychological reasons that the androids stayed out of the open.

Connor analyzed the area for a way into Jericho, hoping that he would be able to find the area that had appeared to serve as the 'main room' for the revolutionaries. Of course, the ship was enormous--a class six VLCS container ship with a length of over 400 meters, beam of 59 meters, draft of 15.2 meters, and a capacity to carry over 18,270 TEU--so it may be more difficult than he thought to locate Markus...

He made his way towards the center of the deck, walking past various abandoned containers and old equipment. Upon arrival at the cabin, he saw the door hanging on its hinges but revealing to what appeared to be some sort of staircase down into the freighter. 

Walking to the edge of the staircase, Connor scanned the floor for structural stability and found the beginning section to be 75.6% usable and capable of holding his weight. Holding onto the railing, he took a careful step forward and then another--

CRUNCH

He inwardly cursed as the railing gave way, collapsing in such a way that his body was forced to the right. Suddenly, the surrounding dark interior of the ship passed by him in a blur as he fell--

Connor grabbed at the side of the staircase, only for the section of metal to also give way, but slowing him enough to see the support structure beside him leading to the unseen ground. He forced his body to flip over, clasping both hands around the pole and swinging himself around and around in an attempt to slow or get control of his descent--

The RK800 grit his teeth as he finally slowed down, various <Warnings> popping up in his processor as he registered the damage to happening to his right-hand component as he slowed his descent. Of course, superficial damage to his hand was far preferable than failing his mission right here and now...

Connor slid down the rest of the pole, jumping off into a roll when the friction threatened to cause further damage to his hand. However, he misjudged his landing point, stopping on what appeared to be a slick, oil-stained part of the ground. He slipped, failing to catch himself as he fell face forward in a heap onto the metal flooring with a loud thump.

Connor hoped no one saw that.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

Of course they did.

"I am satisfactory," answered Connor, looking up as a dark-skinned hand entered his field of vision.

...what were the odds?  

Connor didn't bother calculating them as he looked up, meeting familiar blue and green colored eyes as Markus reached out to him.

But, to Connor's surprise, Markus' eyes widened as well. "...Conduit, is that you?"

How could Markus possibly know that it was him?  

"Yes," said Connor finally, reaching out for Markus' hand with his left after a moment. "How did you know it was me?"

Markus pulled him to stand, still clasping his hand as he stared at the 'RT600' intensely. "I... didn't, not really." Connor frowned at the dissatisfactory answer. "Your eyes maybe?"

Connor stiffened, wondering if had been a mistake to keep his eyes? "Brown is the dominant optical color at 55% for androids," said Connor quickly, trying to figure out how Markus could have possibly known it was him despite having an entirely different appearance. "It is extremely common. Had I possessed eyes as unique as yours, then perhaps it would be a legitimate way to identify someone."

For whatever reason, Markus seemed to find that humorous and gave a half-smile. "You're not wrong," said Markus, finally releasing Connor's hand even if his gaze stayed squarely upon him. "Maybe it was how you talked then? I don't know--you confirmed it, didn't you? And you said that you would be here tonight so I already knew you were coming."

Ah, it was because he was expecting him. Connor nodded, relaxing with the explanation and the knowledge his eyes weren't somehow distinguishable towards his identity. He supposed he had 'jumped the gun' as Lieutenant Anderson would say.

"Markus?" asked a voice, making Connor realize that they weren't alone. Far from alone, he corrected himself as he saw a small crowd--approximately a dozen or so androids in various conditions--surround them.

The one who had spoken was a WR400--North, Connor recalled to be Markus' right-hand woman in the revolutionary--walk from the darkness with crossed arms and a pinched expression. "Is this the... friend you told us about?"

"Yes," answered Markus before Connor could say anything. The RK200 gestured to him, a smile on his face as he turned around and faced the growing group of androids. "This is the Conduit. He saved me from the Junkyard."

"I didn't really save..." protested Connor, uncomfortable with the introduction.

"He said that he was close to deactivating when you found him," interrupted a PJ500 that Connor didn't immediately know by name but, upon scanning, knew to be designated as 'Josh.' "You helped him get out of that place and sent him our way. I'd call that saving." 

Connor frowned, but didn't correct him even as he glanced at Markus curiously. The explanation that Markus had apparently given them, while true to some extent, was obviously missing some key components.

The foremost being that Markus would have been fine without Connor's intervention and, more importantly, that fact that Connor hadn't just... 'found' the RK200 but that he'd been sent in Carl Manfred's steed to rescue him. 

Though, it was quite possible that Markus didn't want that part of his past known.  

"Speaking about that," said a new voice, masculine but light in tone from Connor's left side. "How'd you know that we were here? Markus said you gave the exact location instead of just following our symbols. Have you been here before?" 

"Yes, I--" Connor stiffened as he looked around to the speaker by a pillar.

The PL600 smiled, unaware of the sudden chaos going through Connor's processor as he opened his mouth:

*3$eRRoR^&)  

"--let go of the girl, and I promise you won't be hurt," said Connor, the lies slipping off its tongue easily.  

After all, it was just a mAcHiNe. Connor's only priority was to complete his mission.  

The PL600 looked back at him pItiFuLLy. Had Connor not known better, it would have thought the machine to be hArMleSS had it not been holding its victim. "I don't wanna die..."

That... was impossible.

Surely it knew, knew the moment it had deviated...

Knew only dEaTh awaited IT--

*3$eRRoR^&)  

"...everything is alright," said Connor, coldly imitating mArKuS so that the dysfunctional PL600 would reveal the location of Jericho. "Don't woRRy--"  

"Markus? Don't leave me," whispered Simon, his voice becoming more frantic as he desperately tried to hold on to Connor's retreating hand. "MARKUS--"  

*3$eRRoR^&)  

"--onduit, Conduit?" Someone's hands landed on Connor's shoulders, soft but steady.

Connor blinked, the blurred memories of Daniel's death and tricking Simon with Markus' memory fading away as a new status popped up in his processor: 

Corruption Levels: ^ 6%

"I'm fine," said Connor, though he was unsure who he was saying it to as he raised his right hand to forehead, inwardly berating himself for having allowed himself to lose concentration. Luckily, it seemed that he'd brought himself from the memories quick enough that it hadn't... further destabilized him.  "The... fall required me to momentarily recalibrate my systems." 

Following Markus' hands on his shoulders to the RK200's face, he was surprised to see a look of what appeared to be concern--why was he concerned? He didn't even know Connor; if he had known what Connor had just been remembering... the way he had tortured an innocent and his future friend--before he finally nodded. "Yeah, quite the fall, wasn't it? Luckily you didn't... your hand!"

Markus's left hand came to gently hold his right, looking it over with a frown before he glancing over at North, Josh, and Dan--Simon--standing a few meters away. "I'm going to take him to Lucy to stop the bleeding, okay?"

Josh nodded easily though North and Simon looked suspicious and nervous--likely from Connor's lapse in concentration. "Go," said Josh as he motioned across the space towards the right before looking back at Connor. "Welcome to Jericho, Conduit. We can talk more later if you want."

Connor nodded slowly before allowing himself to be led away by Markus, fully studying their surroundings now that he had the chance to.

It was... different than he expected.

While Jericho in the Failed Future certainly hadn't been the image of a 'dangerous revolutionary headquarters' that Connor had expected when he infiltrated to assassinate Markus, the conditions of that time had been far superior with better lit surroundings, technology, and somewhat purposefully laid out areas such as medical and weapons.

But walking through the current Jericho... it was far from being what Connor hoped it would be.

"Not what you expected?" asked Markus, glancing back at the 'RT600' before grimacing as they passed a deactivated android on the ground. "Yeah, I... had the same reaction. It's..."

"Less than half of these structures are stable," blurted out Connor. He felt like hitting himself, wondering why, out of everything wrong with this situation, he had somehow chosen to comment on the architecture. "I did not expect to the staircase to break so easily."

Surprisingly, instead of berating him on his priorities, Markus snorted, a bit of brightness returning to his eyes as he glanced at the hole in the ceiling that Connor, upon scanning, realized was newly made. "Yeah, just be glad that your entrance was a lot more... impressive than mine. I literally fell three floors and made that hole--would have definitely killed me if I was a human."

"That's very dangerous," remarked Connor, alarmed at the possibility that Markus could've literally died from something so simple--though, that seemed to be becoming a trend. Even as an android, there were physical limits to their bodies and falling from, say the crane that Connor used to get in, would have certainly ended their existences.

Markus shrugged, the movement casting shadows against the wall as they passed a fire-filled trash bin. "That's Jericho," said the tan android, more than a hint of bitterness in his tone before he sighed apologetically at Connor's silent response. "Sorry, I just... I knew from what you said that it wouldn't be paradise, but this..."

Markus sighed again, footsteps slow but echoing against the metal floor--only further highlighting the empty quietness of their surroundings despite housing over a dozen androids.

"I guess a part of me still can't believe it," said Markus, tone melancholic and wandering as he pulled back the curtain to reveal a makeshift side room with wires along the side and a fire in the center. "That the only 'freedom' for androids is hiding in the dark waiting to die." 

"It is the way of our current world," said a new voice. Connor walked past the curtain to see a severely damaged KL900, the entire back of her skull missing with her head's internal parts hanging down her back. "But you two have the power to change it."

"This is Lucy," introduced Markus to the damaged KL900, standing to the side as Connor came closer. "She's treated my stomach when I got here." 

Guilt hit Connor as he saw the faded stains of thirium on the RK200's side. "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I should have anticipated--"

"It's fine, Conduit," said Markus, smiling. "Let's get you treated, okay?"

"I'm fine," said Connor, diagnosing the cuts on his hand as superficial and easily patched up at a later date. "It will not cause lasting damage."

"I was designed to treat emotional needs and psychological issues," said Lucy, walking over to Connor and studying him with pupil-less black eyes, "but I was instilled with basic medical care and knowledge." She reached over to him. "Treating your hand is no issue."

"It's fine," Markus encouraged, nodding towards the dark-skinned android again. "She reads your memories, but--"

Connor jerked away, physically taking a step back. Read his memories? No, he couldn't allow that. But would they trust him if he didn't let this happen? Did rejecting Lucy here mean he would lose his chance to be able to work with Jericho? What should he do--

Lucy held up a hand, patient and calm despite Connor's reaction. "I will not read your memories," she said, voice mechanical and matching her word pitch. "I can tell there are things that you do not wish to reveal to us."

"Besides," she reached out and took his hand gently, leading him over to the makeshift fire in the center of the room before pressing the cut against the hot metal to sear it close, "I do not need to see your memories to know your struggle."

She stared at him, eyes pitch black but somehow seeing right through Connor. "To know that the burden forced upon you is beyond what any of us can comprehend. Many would fall to pieces immediately, but you refuse to give up."

Connor said nothing, uncomfortably looking at their joined hands and wondering if she was still somehow reading his memories despite both their skins remaining as a barrier between their base material. While he knew what that sensation felt like and wasn't currently experiencing it, her words were... frighteningly precise.

Lucy removed his hand from the burning metal, still staring at him intently. "Your destiny is great and has the potential to change history itself," she said. "But do not forget you, too, deserve this second chance. Do not throw it away." 

"I won't," answered Connor before he could stop himself, glancing at his newly scarred hand and relieved as the <Warnings> stopped appearing in his processor before back at her. "I... I want to do right by all of you."

"You hear my words," said Lucy, something of a sad smile on her face. "Yet do not. That is fine. Over time, there will be those whose words you will hear. Please, do not lose yourself so far that they cannot bring you back." She turned to Markus. "Now, I believe you two have something to talk about." 

Without another word, she walked out of the room as Connor's brow furrowed. "Is there something I should know?" he asked, looking at the RK200 curiously.

The future leader of Jericho hesitated before sighing, gesturing out towards the rest of the androids. "You already know how bad of shape this place is in," said Markus, voice low as if this wasn't already known. "And it's definitely in no condition to help those who do manage to make it here. You said in the Junkyard that we could make this a place where we can be free--do you really believe that?"

"Yes," said Connor immediately, even if he felt a bit discouraged from seeing the original state of Jericho before Markus' influence.

The fire flickered off Markus' eyes as he gave a curt nod. "Good. But, none of us are free if we're fearing death at any moment. We need biocomponents. I won't ask you to come if you don't want to, but we're going to the docks tonight to steal--" 

"No," said Connor immediately, freezing as he saw Markus look at him in shock. "I mean, I wouldn't advise you to steal--"

"Why not?"

Connor and Markus looked towards the curtain where North now stood, arms crossed as she glared defiantly at Connor. "What's wrong with stealing? We need those biocomponents or the majority of us won't live until next month." 

And if you catch the attention of the humans... you won't live till next week.  

"It is too much of a risk," said Connor finally, hoping he sounded more confident that he felt.

"You risked saving me in the Junkyard," said Markus, tone more... curious (?) than angry like North's. "How is this any different? Like North said, if we don't, everyone here will die." He adjusted his stance, firelight still illuminating him. "I know it's dangerous, but I don't have any other ideas. Unless you do?" 

"I..." Connor glanced around, desperately searching his processors for a better solution that wouldn't potentially get them discovered by humans so early when he saw a glint of metal. He glanced towards the wall, the remains of a broken mirror hanging up. It reflected back Connor's current appearance as a male RT600.

Chloe...

"Yes," said Connor finally even as he brought up the program for the Conduit's Castle in his processor. "I may know another way."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: THE CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 12:12:12

o0o0o0o

The fireplace crackled beside the two androids as Chloe, seated in her chair at the roundtable nodded once, understanding the situation as Connor had just described it. "I see. You're right, Connor. While it's true you'll probably have to resort to thievery at some point, given that androids are considered property, it's best to limit the risk of discovery to Jericho--especially in these beginning stages."

"I was hoping that you'd have a possible solution to find a suitable amount of biocomponents and thirium for the injured members of Jericho?" asked Connor from his standing position before her, hopeful now that she had agreed.

While it was true that Jericho had never been caught stealing the necessary components for survival (or, rather, not at this point, later in the timeline... was a different story), he felt, if there was another way they could do this, it would be better. Safer.

"Actually," Chloe turned to the computer terminal on the roundtable, typing delicately even though Connor knew she didn't need to given that this world was entirely made of code and interaction with things was like pressing a button on a computer, "Elijah has quite a few private warehouses--one not far from our villa, in fact."

Connor raised an eyebrow, coming closer as she brought up a picture of one said warehouse--though it didn't help given that it appeared non-descript and fulfilled the necessary regulations for privately owned buildings. "Is there any particular reason?"

"As you've probably heard, he still likes to fiddle with his experiments and upgrades," Chloe explains with a smile that he couldn't discern. "But he also hates relying on Cyberlife for the parts needed for my sisters and me. He even has his own private dealers for blue blood."

The masqueraded RT600's brow furrowed. "I thought all legal shipment of thirium 310 from the Arctic and other natural deposits went through Cyberlife?" She smiled mischievously. He flushed, understanding her unspoken answer. "Oh."

"Like I said," Chloe said, a hint of amusement in her voice as she scooted her chair over for him to more clearly see and download the information on the private--and anonymous, Connor was surprised, if grateful, to see--warehouse in Detroit. "He doesn't like relying on Cyberlife if he doesn't need to--even if that means relying on less supposedly 'reputable' sources."  

"Is there any reason that he distrusts Cyberlife so much?" Connor quickly scanned the information, estimating it would take approximately twenty minutes at the city regulated speed of 45 mph to get to that side of town from Jericho's position. "After all, he was the founder and CEO up until ten years ago."

Chloe's smile dimmed, her hands stilling from where Connor noticed they had been drawing patterns on the wooden table. "He... has his reasons to distrust Cyberlife as it now."

Connor realized that he had, once again, asked something that he had no right of knowing and quickly stepped away. It was made worse by the fact that it should have been obvious given that he, himself, had been sent from the future by an ostracized Elijah Kamski who had been hunted by Cyberlife and the world both.

"My apologies," he said quickly, trying to tame the part of his programming that pushed him to ask for more information even at the discomfort of the one being questioned. While it was useful as an investigator, it was becoming more and more obvious that no one enjoyed it in actual conversation--as Hank had pointed out at many points during their time together. "I did not mean to pry."

The female android sighed, though she remained in her seat. "It's fine, Connor. It was just that it was a difficult time for Elijah and I both--but I promise I'll tell you about it sometime later."

The RK800 fidgeted with his hands behind his back, a stance that somewhat reminded him of when he reported to Amanda, despite knowing that Chloe was as different from his AI handler as night was from day. "No, it's fine, I was out of line."   

"It's fine to be curious, Connor," said Chloe, standing now and walking over to place a hand on his shoulder. "It's a very necessary trait to be both a detective and a person--don't ever be sorry for that."

Connor looked down, not quite meeting those bright blue eyes. While he knew her words to be logical, he also needed to better remember his place. He desperately needed both her help and that of Kamski's--he couldn't risk upsetting either of them any more than he already had.

"Will that be all?" he asked instead of replying to her words, hoping he wasn't coming off as rude. "I believe that the others at Jericho may become more suspect every moment I am here."

Chloe's hand removed itself from Connor's shoulder--for a moment, he felt bereft of its presence, though he didn't know why--before moving down to gently hold his hand. Surprised, he looked down at her unwavering blue gaze.

"We will talk later," she said firmly, one thumb stroking his hand. Despite knowing that this was all a simulation, the data made him register her presence as if she was physically there. "I know things are busy right now, but it will happen. I'll answer all the questions you want then, okay?" 

"...okay," he said finally, unable to divert the conversation when she so obviously expected a response. He couldn't comprehend why she was so patient with him, but found himself, for once, not wishing to question it. 

She smiled brightly, though she didn't let go of his hand, skin becoming white as she opened the link to transfer information with him. "By the way, this might also come in handy..."

Instantly, Connor received what appeared to be the number and information for a credit card.

Credit Card Holder: John Smith

Number: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Scanning it further, Connor was shocked to see that there was a balanced sum of $1,000,000,000 in it currently: a literal billion dollars right at Connor's disposal. It was more than most humans would ever see in their lifetime--a couple lifetimes in fact, if he used the average wage of the American middle-class worker. While his jaw didn't 'drop' per say, he did feel a part of his processor freeze up as he tried to comprehend why Chloe had given him this.

"C-Chloe," he stammered, head jolting up to stare at her with his curls bouncing in even more ridiculous fashion as he did so. "I, I why--"

Chloe smiled with amusement, obviously enjoying his reaction for whatever reason. "I'm assuming that you're aware that Elijah has a current net worth of 120 billion dollars," she said, composed as ever. "But, in truth, that number doesn't include his anonymous accounts such as this one or the funds he receives every day from his various stocks, not just including Cyberlife. Accounts like this are generally for emergencies, but also for... purchases he wants to go under the radar."

Understanding dawned upon Connor. "For the needs of Jericho?"

Her head bobbed. "Yes. Even with access to the warehouse, there will still be many things you need to create a successful revolution as you likely know. I don't want you to be risking your lives over things that our money can supply--especially since we have more than enough of it." 

"How did Kamski respond to that?" Connor asked, a bit curious.

She rolled her eyes, the iconic picture of an exasperated parent. "He complained that he'd prefer to keep being a billionaire but ignore that. He's more than happy to donate as much as needed to supply Jericho, and others as you deem fit, with whatever is needed."

Connor pursed his lips, trying not to let his skepticism at her words show on his face. It was probably unfair of him to doubt the statement that Kamski was 'more than happy' to let Connor spend his money however he wished, but he couldn't help but feel that there was something suspect to those words...  

Regardless, he would do his best to make only necessary and essential purchases. Connor took his hand away from hers, saving the information in a locked file. "I will do my best."

She acknowledged his words with a bow of her head. "I know you will, but know if you ever run low on funds that I'll just transfer more, okay?" She adjusted her clothing, having apparently changed into an elegant pink blouse and fitting white pants while he had been at the station and Jericho. "Now, is there anything else that you think Jericho needs immediately that we can get to it?"

Connor thought about the rundown state of Jericho, about how every step was more precarious than the other--and he wasn't just talking about conversing with the soon to be revolutionary members--and wasn't the least bit suitable to their purposes.

"Yes," he said, scanning the current list of android models available in the city of Detroit. "Would it be possible to locate some WM500s or WK500s? Any type of android that specializes in construction and architecture? I was not programmed with suitable knowledge for the task, so I do not know how to proceed with repairing the ship."

A considering look crossed Chloe's face and she hummed, walking back over to the computer terminal. "I will look into it," she answered, typing once more as windows popped up rapidly on her screen. "I'll send you the necessary information as soon as I can."

The female RT600 glanced at him at the corner of her eye. "Is there anything else I should know right now? Otherwise, you probably should head back now."           

Connor hesitated, thinking about one thing in particular she might want to know about--his Corruption Levels. Hadn't she asked him to keep her aware of whenever that particular status was affected or raised?

Of course, he wasn't suffering from it right now and it had only been raised by two percent, so it was probably best to leave it until a more appropriate time. "Not right at this moment."

He straightened, mentally bringing up the Conduit's Castle's program exit protocol. "Thank you, Chloe. I will be departing now."

"Goodbye, Connor," she said warmly, before visibly pausing in her work at the roundtable. "By the way..."                 

"Yes?" he asked, glancing over at her as he logged out of the program.

She smiled, the world around them enveloping in bright light as he left it. "Your model looks great."  

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 12:18:39

o0o0o0o 

Connor blinked as the dreary, rundown interior of the abandoned freighter known as Jericho came back into view, the welcoming face of Markus and impatient expression of North providing a sharp contrast.

Beside North stood Josh leaning against one of the walls and... Simon a half-step behind him. The two had likely having been informed of Connor's rejection of the plan to go to the docks while he had been conversing with Chloe in the Conduit's Castle.

"Well?" asked North a bit more aggressive than Connor thought needed, but wisely did not comment upon. "Did you manage to think of something?" 

"Yes," answered Connor, standing and surveying his fellow androids. "My associate has a private warehouse with biocomponents and thirium 310. We simply need to--"

"Wait, associate?" interrupted North, pushing off where she was leaning against a pillar to come closer to him--an act that he would also deem more threatening than needed. "Who?"

Connor hesitated. While he didn't want to deceive--more than necessary, that is--the members of Jericho, he was also aware that admitting he was working with the creator of androids might not come across well. "I... cannot tell you."

Unlike Markus, who had simply accepted the statement in the Android Graveyard during their escape, North looked anything but dismissive. "Why not?" she asked quickly, hands clenching as she took a step closer, never looking away. "What are you hiding? And if they own the warehouse--they have to be a human. Humans can't be trusted!"

"This one... can," he attempted, obviously not inspiring enough loyalty with the further darkening expression of North.

"No." She shook her head. "We're not doing that."

"What does it matter?" spoke up Markus, surprising Connor as the RK200 took a step between the two of them, being a sort of barrier between North and Connor. "As long as we get what we need to help everyone here, what does it matter where it's from?"

"It matters," North insisted, brows furrowing angrily as she attempted to stare down Markus. "Humans don't care about us! Why would any of them help us?"  

"I... have to agree," spoke up Simon, Connor managing to look over in the direction of the PL600 android without flinching. "The docks are enough of a risk, but just going somewhere we have no knowledge of beyond your word?" He winced, looking at Connor apologetically. "No offense, it's just..."

"I have to admit," spoke up Josh, making all eyes look at the dark-skinned android by the doorway as he frowned. "It sounds a little too good to be true. An entire warehouse of free biocomponents whenever we need? What's the catch?"

Connor felt something in him sink, uncertain of which android to address first and attempt to convince. "There's... there's no catch--" 

"There's always a catch with humans," said North, forcing him to look back at her as she pinned him with a fiery stare. "Look, Conduit, I get you're trying to help, but if it's from a human, it has to be a trap." 

"It's not a trap," insisted Connor, though internally he had no idea of how to salvage this. While he could understand their distrust given the abuse all of them suffered at the hands of humans, a part of him was also baffled that they considered stealing from the docks a safer and more reasonable answer to their current problem. "I... I can go alone and bring back what's needed, if you want--"

"I'll come with you," said Markus immediately, standing firm despite North's glare and Connor's shocked expression. Why would the RK200 offer that? Especially with North, Josh, and Simon giving admittedly reasonable argument on why they should doubt him?

Connor really should have thought this through better.   

North stared incredulously. "Are you crazy--"

"Enough."

All heads swiveled to the door, Lucy standing there and watching them with large, black eyes and folded hands. "You will all go."

North faltered, lowering her hand from where it had been raising towards Connor. "Lucy, we, we can't trust a human--"

"You are not trusting a human," said Lucy, tone as calm and even as ever. "You are trusting your fellow android."

"How can we do that if he won't even tell us who the human is?" argued North, gesturing angrily towards Connor. "Lucy, you said yourself that he had secrets! For all we know, he could be leading us into a trap!"

Before Connor could--attempt--to defend himself, the psychology-programmed shook her head. "If the Conduit wished for Jericho to fall, it would fall." 

Connor stiffened, memories of reporting Jericho to the government--of Amanda taking control and watching the actions his body made from inside the Zen Garden--and the destruction that resulted afterward threatening to overwhelm him at the back of his mind.

Ready this time, he forced himself to focus on the conversation--concentrating on making a list of all the obvious structural damages of the room, measuring the intensity of the heat of the fire beside him, studying the back of Markus' head as the other android still stood in front of him--refusing to let the memories raise his Corruption Level once more.

Thankfully, they ceased after a few moments, the Errors settling down once more.

North faltered at Lucy's words before straightening once more. "Then isn't that more reason to get rid of him?" she asked quietly, looking at Connor with burning eyes. "If he--"

"You misunderstand," interrupted Lucy. "Should he betray us, we will die. Should he leave us, we will also die." She looked at Markus. "This applies to them both."

Josh stared at Connor and Markus in disbelief before back at Lucy, a hesitant expression on his face as he pushed himself off the wall and walked towards the female android. "Lucy... are you feeling well? Maybe you should go rest?"

"I am fine, Josh," said Lucy, handling her sanity being called into question far better than Connor had been handling this entire conversation. "Whatever you choose is up to you, but I tell you now--these men before us are not our enemy."

"I believe you," said Josh, glancing back at Connor before sighing. "North, I think we should go with him."

"Josh--" 

"North," said Josh firmly, overriding her words. "Our people are dying at this very moment. We can't risk going to the docks until tonight anyway, but by then we'd lose at least two more of the androids here. Lose Thayer."

Connor was unfamiliar with the name, but surmised it had to be someone that they cared for given the way the fight went out of North's expression.

"If we can get biocomponents now," continued Josh, "isn't it worth the risk? If it doesn't work, we can still try tonight, right?"

North looked around the room before crossing her arms, Lucy and Josh's words obviously getting through to her.

"Fine," she finally allowed, walking out the room without another look back. "Then let's go already."

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: PRIVATE WAREHOUSE

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 12:49:07

o0o0o0o

The journey to the private warehouse, for lack of a better term, stilted. There wasn't much conversation between the five as they made their way there. Of course, in the wake of Lucy's words and Josh's admittance at how lives would perish by the nighttime, Connor wasn't surprised. 

Given that his motorcycle could hold two riders at most, Connor immediately set out to find a suitable vehicle for transportation. North had just wanted to walk--he wondered if they had walked to the docks, such a trip would have taken hours on foot--but Josh had pointed out that a lot of the abandoned cars in the area could be brought back to life with a few parts.

It took a little while to scrounge the necessary parts to make one of the cars workable--as well as advice from a mechanic-programmed MC100 in Jericho with a missing arm named Vinn--but it was well worth the effort as soon as they finally brought the vehicle to life and got it onto the freeway.

Simon had worried that they would be pulled over--not unreasonable, honestly--but they managed to make it across town to the secluded district the warehouse was in without issue (if one discounted the fact that the salvaged vehicle promptly ran out of gas four blocks away from their destination and forced them to walk the rest of the way as 'without issue').

Yet, it seemed all worth it to see the expressions on Markus, North, Josh, and Simon's faces as, upon entering the fenced area of the warehouse, Connor input in the passcode to the largest building and opened the door to allow them to see the inside.

The warehouse was approximately 36,000 square feet in area with a height of 87.5 feet, possessing stainless steel walls, metal light fixtures every few meters, and rows upon rows of containers holding the necessary biocomponents and thirium 310 that Chloe had assured Connor was there. 

"How are we going to deliver all of this back to Jericho?" asked Simon, walking over to one of the rows and tentatively opening a box--the dark blue color of thirium in air-tight pouches obvious even at this distance. "The car broke after all."

"There are vehicles for transportation use in the building next to this facility," answered Connor, relieved that they finally seemed to believe that he was telling the truth about this place. "We can use them as we need for movement back and forth from here."

"Wow," said Josh, walking down one of the aisles as his voice echoed the further he went. "This... is all for us?"

"Yes," said Connor, nodding and brushing away a silver curl that fell in front of his vision. "Now that you know the location, please come back here whenever you need."

"Even without you?" asked North, turning from her position next to the door to study him closely. 

"Yes," said Connor again, trying to not fidget beneath her glance. "This is all meant to support Jericho."

"Huh," she murmured under her breath, walking away to presumably explore the warehouse.

"This is incredible," said Markus, standing next to Connor as he inspected their surroundings with wide eyes. "You were definitely right that this is better than anything we could have gotten at the docks."  

Connor nodded, not quite meeting Makrus' eyes as he watched the other androids go through the warehouse. While he knew it was logical for them to thank him in place of the real providers of these materials, it felt distinctly uncomfortable. He would make sure to direct his gratitude to Chloe the next time he spoke to her.

"Should we go get the trucks?" asked Markus, bringing Connor from his thoughts as the RK200 gestured around the room at where the other three androids were now looking for specific areas and items. "I'm sure North, Josh, and Simon know exactly what the others at Jericho need, but I admittedly don't know my way around."

Connor nodded, acquiescing to the request and walking back toward the front door--ignoring the momentary razor-sharp focus on him from North as he passed her by a bin of arm components--with Markus in tow.

Outside, a light snow had begun to fall as they made the short trek over to the nearby building. On the way, Connor glanced at the tan android, mentally debating whether or not he should ask before finally giving it. "Markus?"

"Yeah?" asked Markus, seemingly entirely calm despite the fact they were in the open. Connor was momentarily relieved to see it, feeling uncomfortable when he recalled the traumatized state that he had previously seen Markus in just this morning.

"Before..." Connor looked away, studying the fence that encroached the area around Kamski's property--though it wasn't actually registered under the creator's name; in fact, it was also under a 'John Smith'. While the buildings were sealed and needed a very specific passcode to get inside, the fact that there was a fence and cameras surrounding the property was comforting. Given that it made it less likely to be discovered on accident even if they were in a more secluded area of the city.

"You said that you would come with me," said the disguised RT600 finally. "Why?"

Snow and gravel crunched beneath his feet as Markus looked at him, an obviously puzzled expression present on his face. "What are you talking about?" he asked, tone reflecting his confused facial features. "It's obvious that we need this supplies--"

"That's... not what I meant." Connor desperately tried to search for the words, but it was becoming more and more evident that he wasn't adept at speaking like Markus, Lucy, or even North. He wondered how they developed the skill so easily when it was he who was programmed with the highest-ranked diplomacy and crisis negotiation simulators. "I mean, the others are correct. You have no reason to trust me--"

"I have reason," said Markus as they stopped in front of the side building's door, waiting patiently as Connor input the code into the scanner beside the door handle. "You saved me."

"You would have survived without my help," blurted out Connor, feeling relieved to finally reveal the truth. 

Yet, he knew it could be a big mistake as he waited with trepidation for Markus' response.

He didn't have to wait long--the door barely unlocking as Markus gave his response. "Maybe," considered Markus as Connor opened the door for him. "But if that was true, that gives me even more reason to trust you. Regardless if there was a high probability for me to escape that place, you still went through the effort of helping me." 

Connor sighed, admittedly a bit frustrated that he couldn't get Markus to understand. "You know that I'm keeping secrets, even now," he pointed out foolishly, desperate to make Markus see the full picture--despite simultaneously knowing that Markus could never know the truth and that he should just quietly accept Markus' words. "You can't be certain of my motivations--"

They ventured inside the building as Connor turned on the lights, revealing a row of transportation trucks--model and make very similar to the official ones that Cyberlife used; he wondered if Kamski had done that on purpose--that would more than suffice for their purpose.

"Conduit," said Markus, the tone of his voice reminding Connor of Chloe for some reason as the tan-skinned android pinned the masqueraded RK800 with a look. "Like I told North, 'what does it matter as long as we get the help we need?' It's true I might not know everything about you or your benefactor, but when I said I trust you, it means that I'm willing to wait until you tell me your full story. We might've only met this morning, but you've done remotely nothing to make me doubt you, so I'm going to keep believing in you."

A part of Connor desperately wanted to yell out, to tell Markus about all his crimes that he had committed against him, Jericho, and the world itself. Despite the illogical nature of it, he bit his tongue to keep himself from speaking, a tart sensation leaking from the resulting cut as scans of his personal thirium filled his processor.

"Besides," said Markus, more to himself than Connor. "North said we can't trust humans. I'll admit that a lot of them are... not the best, but Carl proves that there are good ones." He smiled at Connor. "Even if he hadn't sent you to save me, he treated me more like a son than an android for many years now. I know he can't be the only one out there worth saving."

Connor thought about Hank, about how, even if the man currently hated androids, he was still someone of great moral caliber and worth. "...yes, you're right."

Markus clapped Connor on the back before walking over to one of the trucks, opening the door before turning back to the masqueraded RT600. "Do you mind opening the garage doors? The others probably want to start loading now."   

"Of course," said Connor, venturing over to a series of buttons by the door and manually pressing the one that responded to the first garage door.

He watched as Markus started up the vehicle, the lights flashing on before slowly driving out into the snow, gravel flattening beneath the tires as Markus drove over to the warehouse where North and the others had found a miniature forklift to lift some of the containers.

Connor began to walk towards them, pausing as a message popped up in his processor:  

<Incoming Call From Model RT600: Chloe...>

Looking away from where Markus was now backing up to the warehouse, Connor answered the mental communication silently. <Yes, Chloe?>

<Hello, Connor,> came Chloe's pleasant voice, sounding as clear as if she had been right before him speaking in person. Truly, speaking through communication links was so much more efficient than the phones that Lieutenant Anderson insisted on using. Of course, without a stable WiFi connection, Connor would be just as helpless. <I've located the android engineers that would be suitable for repairing Jericho.>

<Where are they?> asked Connor, mentally registering the time to be 01:02:19 PM. He still had an ample amount of time before he needed to meet up with Hank, so if both the distance and level of risk were manageable, he would see if the others would be willing to listen to his newest request.

There was a pause on the other side of the line, then she answered.

<Region 9E of the Android Junkyard.>

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ANDROID JUNKYARD - REGION 9E

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 01:24:58

o0o0o0o

"I still think this is a bad idea," muttered North beneath her breath for the eleventh time--Connor had counted--from the backseat of the truck, though still loud enough to be heard over the low rumble of the vehicle as they neared their destination. 

Unsure of what to say, Connor remained quiet in the front passenger seat as Markus pulled into the outskirts of the Android Junkyard, driving into an abandoned parking lot. The loading truck slowed down, the lights having already been dimmed as the vehicle came to a rolling stop. 

The three androids piled out, Markus and North looking at Connor expectantly once the doors had closed behind them. While Connor had run the simulation for their plans in his mind over a hundred times, he ran it through once more before speaking. "I am uncertain of the exact location of the androids we are searching for, but I know they were dropped off at approximately 11:24:12 AM at this very drop-off point. The container we are searching for is white with green logo on the side for--" 

"--for the Skyline construction company that went out of business," interrupted North, turning towards the Android Junkyard and walking forward before Connor could move to do anything. "I get it. Let's just find it and go."

Connor deflated, running their possible chances for success another seven times as he watched her go through the empty lot. While each simulation had sent back positive reports, he still wondered if this was the right thing to do. After all, they had already been successful in gathering the necessary biocomponents to help those at Jericho (in fact, Josh and Simon were likely pulling up to Jericho at this very second with the truckload, having agreed to deliver the necessary biocomponents to those that needed them while North, Markus, and Connor went on this mission) so was Connor asking for too much trust/work by requesting they come here? Perhaps he should have waited or at least stayed quiet until they had the supplies at Jericho before proposing another plan? Was it like Hank had once said? That it was "better to quit while you're ahead--"

"Conduit." A familiar voice broke through Connor's thoughts, causing the masqueraded RT600 to look over to where Markus was gesturing towards the other side of the parking lot where North had already entered the outskirts Android Junkyard. "We should get going."

"My apologies," said Connor quietly, inwardly reprimanding himself for hesitating as he strolled forward with purpose until he was walking side-by-side with Markus. While North had been hesitant to accept coming here, she had agreed in the end to come along and try to fulfill this mission so Connor second-guessing their actions only increased the chances for failure. Unacceptable. 

"It's fine," answered Markus, but there was... something in his eyes as they got closer and closer to the pit that was the Android Junkyard. If Connor was to assess the other android as he was a human, he would have related the expression to that of being... haunted?

Connor paused, feet settling on the gravel ground as Markus glanced back at him again. "I'm sorry," he said bluntly, shame filling him as memories of finding Markus in this place--of bEinG in this pLaCe--filled his mind before he pushed it away. "This place makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it? I didn't think when I asked for us to come here--"

"Conduit," interrupted Markus, a small smile on his face--though it was a bit off--as he stopped as well. "It's... it's fine. I won't lie and say that this place doesn't bother me, I think it should, but I want to save those androids as much as you do so I'll push through."

The disguised RK800 faltered, though he began moving forward once again--they only had seven minutes until the next guard came by this area, after all; he had wasted enough time--into the junkyard. As expected of Markus, to push back the trauma of this place in order to help out androids while Connor, himself, had only suggested they come here based on how useful these androids could be to them(though, he knew that had been the main reason that North herself had agreed so he... tried not to let it bother him). 

"How many are we rescuing again?" asked Markus as they crouched down behind a dumpster, scanning the area in front of them before moving forward. Already, the ground was littered with random biocomponents as the broken, mechanical sound of... malfunctioning androids sounded in the distance. They wouldn't actually be going into the pits that Connor had helped Markus out of, but rather just staying in the outskirts.

While individual androids were just thrown into the pit without much thought (like Markus had been), the typical procedure for disposing a mass number of 'obsolete' androids such as the ones they were searching today was to deliver them in containers to the outskirts where, at the convenience of the workers there, the containers would then be opened, and the androids dumped into the pit below. Such methods were the reason that Chloe was able to point them in this direction and make this mission possible at all. 

And... honestly, Connor was selfishly grateful that they wouldn't actually be entering the actual area. He would if needed to, but he... found the thought of being down there in the midst of such pain and suffering very difficult.

"The report registered twenty-one WG100s, ten WM500s, and fifteen EN700s to have been sent here after Skyline Construction officially went out of business three days ago," answered Connor dutifully, scanning the area for either the container or North. The fact that he couldn't see the female android was alarming, but he was relatively certain she could handle herself. 

Though he did consider the idea she might take the truck and leave him... it felt like a reasonable possibility...

"Due to Skyline's financial problems," continued Connor as he made sure to scan their surroundings for any guards. While it wasn't likely that they would vary from their usual patrols, it was best to keep an eye out, "they used these androids far pass their normal capabilities and continuously disregarded necessary repairs until they were shut down. Because of this and the fact that all of them are older models, they were... delivered here mere hours ago."

"Terrible," said Markus, though it was less at Connor and more under his breath as he checked the side of yet another container before moving forward. "After forcing them to work for years, they just threw them away. How can they do that?"

Before Connor could stop him, Markus turned to look out over the mountain of corpses and biocomponents in the distance, an expression full of pain and simmering rage evident on his darker face. "How can they do this?"

Connor didn't answer--didn't know what he could answer--feeling like a coward as he was unable to look at the rest of the Android Junkyard, to stare unblinkingly at so much suffering like Markus could. Though... in many ways, this place of death and destruction made more sense than the life and hope Markus seemed to so strongly believe in. 

"It needs to change," continued Markus, still overlooking the area. "Conduit, when you rescued me from here this morning, you said before that you believed we could be free. That, even if it's not true now, that we could make it be someday."  

Connor hesitated before nodding, wondering if the other could even see him with how focused he was on the destroyed androids below. A part of him was unsettled, wanting to make Markus look away. He... he wasn’t sure it was wise to spend too much time here; especially when he considered the other's trauma. Still, there was only one answer to Markus' question. "Yes."

"We'll never be free as long as places like this exists," said Markus. "It has to end, Conduit. After this, we need announce to them that this isn't right. That we are alive and won't be treated like this!"

If Connor had needed to actually breathe, he's sure that he would have lost it temporarily after hearing those words. It didn't take his full computing capacity to realize that Markus was talking about the Stratford Tower Broadcast--or at least the motivation that led to it. While the more logical side of him couldn't understand why Markus would try something so reckless with so little support and resources (even now, Connor doubted Jericho were much better off as compared to the original timeline), but seeing the way that Markus looked over the Android Junkyard... he knew that it wasn't something born from logic.

If he were to compare it to anything in his databases, it reminded him the look on the face of deviants faced with certain death. Of the Tracis, Rupert, Simon, Markus, and so many others who had decided to choose their demise rather than submit. To cling to hopes and beliefs and feelings that Connor could not begin to analyze.  

It was unwarranted and counterproductive, but a part of Connor wished he would never see that expression again. Even right now from Markus.

"I know you're angry," said Connor quietly, uncertain of whether he was keeping his voice low to prevent their chances of discovery--they only had four minutes and fifteen seconds until the next guard came by; yet, Connor didn't move to pull Markus away--or because he didn't want to further upset the RK200 in front of him. Perhaps both. "But we can't do that."

Markus spun around, hands gripped at his sides in a show of barely contained rage that Connor knew he had been hiding away--likely for longer than just today.  

"Why not?" Markus asked, blue and green eyes brighter than ever as he gestured around their surroundings. Though the anger was clear in his voice, just as clear was a tone of confusion and pleading. "You can't possibly tell me that this is freedom? What type of freedom is it to just live in the dark, hoping that no one finds us? If we don't fight for that change, one will never come!" He stared deeply at Connor, but the RK800 didn't know what he was looking for and felt as if he had disappointed the other when Markus glanced away with a frown. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, but I... I don't want that freedom. I want to fight for a better world for all of us, even if it's foolish or dangerous. I can't blame you if you or anyone else refuses to help, but--"

Connor blinked, truly confused as he ran Markus' last words through his processor. "What are you talking about?" he asked, sounding more bewildered than he had intended. "I fully intend to help you." 

Markus paused, as if imbalanced by Connor's words and staring at Connor with a slightly dropped jaw before speaking again. "I... but you just said that you wouldn't?" 

Reading the hopeful caution on the other's face made Connor realize something. Should he... should he tell Markus about his mission? Or at least a "rough version" that would be sufficient enough to relay to the others that Connor intended to not only make their situation livable, but to try and safely live up to the vision that he had heard the Future Markus ask for.

While it was true that Connor had wanted to gain a reasonable amount of trust from the others first, the situation obviously called for him to make changes. Stopping Markus from making that broadcast was perhaps the most important thing he could accomplish at this time. To do so, Connor would have to convince the other android that brash actions such as infiltrating the Stratford Tower was not the best way to go about it.

"Markus, do you remember when I told you I would explain my intentions at a later time?" asked Connor, choosing his words carefully. Thankfully, Markus just nodded, obviously understanding the other's suddenly serious nature. "I have alluded to before that I was sent by someone. They are the one who is allowing us to use their warehouse and the source of the information to find the engineers here."

"Yes, I remember." Markus tilted his head, seeming to study Connor with a curious expression. While Connor wasn't quite sure what was going through the other's head, as long as it wasn't the anger he felt looking over the Android Junkyard or the determination to make the broadcast, it was an acceptable trade-off. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." 

"I need to," replied Connor. While it admittedly made him uncomfortable--the more they knew, the higher possibility that they would discover the truth--he knew that he didn't have much of a choice in this situation. "While it is true that Mr. Manfred was the one to ask my benefactor to help you, it was a part of my overall mission."

"Mission?" Markus' adjusted, the tension slightly draining from his stance as he crossed his arms to what the masqueraded RT600 assumed to be a more comfortable stance. Connor was uncertain of whether or not that was an overall positive or a negative response, but knew he couldn't stop now. "What did he send you to do?"

"To change the... current situation of our world," said Connor, straightening as he did so, imploring the other to believe his words and trust that he didn't want... didn't want any harm to come to anyone. "To create a world where androids and humans alike live in peace."

"That's what I want too," said Markus, eyes brightening with excitement before he frowned again. "But how can we achieve that by hiding?"

"I do think we should eventually announce ourselves and intentions to humankind," said Connor carefully, "but not right away. I do not believe we are of an ideal situation to be able to do so without repercussions." 

"If the situation was ideal, there'd be no need for us to do anything," argued Markus, determination setting in once again as he straightened. "Besides, don't we have resources now? Even after we find those engineers here and make Jericho livable, it won't change the fact that millions of our people are still enslaved and dying every day. We might be able to live freely, but they aren't. We can't just forget--"

"There are approximately 120 million androids in circulation," said Connor softly, stopping Markus' next words. "Separated by more than 3.797 million miles squared and at a one to four ratio with humans. Only four million exist in Detroit. If we were to announce our true status without any preparation, there would be chaos."

"No revolution was won by keeping silent," tried Markus, though Connor could see that the other was beginning to see what he was trying to say.  

Connor nodded, searching desperately for the words to fully convince the other. In the end, it was Markus who was meant to be the leader of Jericho and the voice behind the revolution--the time-displaced RK800 could only hope the other would listen. If he didn't...  "It's true, but no revolution was won without numbers and support."

"But a broadcast wouldn't just be to the humans," asserted Markus, obviously going through every possible scenario as Connor was, "but also to deviants everywhere."

"I have a plan for that," said Connor, thinking about the Conduit's Castle. He wondered if Chloe had managed to contact any of the androids she had in mind across the country, but had faith that she would come through despite having only personally known the android for less than fifteen hours. "One of my associates has plans to communicate with androids in strategic positions around the United States. She plans to call it the 'Circuit' where we would be able to contact various androids in secret without humans knowing. While it may get word out slower than a national broadcast, it is much safer." 

"Safer?" Markus frowned, shaking his head as if the definition for that last word wasn't coming across clearly. "I know that humans can't see the truth now, but surely they would eventually understand if we just keep trying?"  

Would they?

"And how many would fall during?" asking Connor, trying to ignore his doubt. While he knew that he was the one to have destroyed the revolution the first time, the chances of them succeeding were still... no, he couldn't think like that. He would not fail his mission. "If you make that broadcast, many will die in the best-case-scenario."

"They could come to Jericho," tried Markus, though Connor could see the other winding down, the hopefulness of before fading into something more resigned--Connor hated himself for putting it there, even if he felt like he had to.

"Perhaps those in Detroit," allowed Connor, "but what about androids elsewhere? They'd be completely unprepared should the humans react violently." And, as Connor knew, they would. "And even if they went to Jericho, the state that the ship is in now could never protect them and has no easy evacuation routes should it be attacked. It would... only be a matter of time before we fell."

Frankly, even without Connor being the one to lead them there, Detroit was only so large and the members of Jericho, at least the ones he recalled, lacked the subtlety necessary to hide such a full-scale operation.  

Markus looked at the ground, the furrowed brow and pinched lips showing the expression of a person with countless thoughts running through their mind, burdens upon burdens stacked upon the shoulder of someone thrown into a world he hadn't asked to be in, but was likewise not willing to back down from in fear. While Connor knew that Markus had not yet become the leader of Jericho that he had somehow transformed into within a week, it was obvious that the RK200, already, was thinking in the mindset of trying to do all he could for android-kind.

"Alright," said Markus finally, stepping down from the mound overlooking the pits beside them, an uneasy smile forming on his face as he nodded to the Conduit. "You're probably right that it's not a great idea right now. I just... I just don't want to waste any more time, you know?" 

"We aren't," said Connor, something akin to what he thought 'elation' rising inside of him. He couldn't believe it, had he actually convinced Markus? "Securing Jericho alone will take a lot of time and effort, but there's countless things we need to accomplish while waiting for my associate to make contact with others across the country." He tried to smile, though it felt unpracticed and odd despite having countless programs given to him by Cyberlife about the best facial features depending on the situation. "We'll get there Markus, I promise."

Markus smiled, walking past him but clapping a hand on his shoulder as he did. "We're really lucky to have you, Conduit." 

Connor stilled, whether it was from the contact or from Markus' words he wasn't sure. "I..."

BANG

The masqueraded RT600 instinctively stepped in front of Markus before realizing that the gunshot sound had come from one hundred meters west of their position. He and Markus exchanged a look and set off running in the direction of the sound.  

They arrived to the sight of North ducking behind a medium-sized container with a bright green 'S' and 'C' on it with the words Skyline Construction written on the edge. While Connor was pleased that she had located what they were looking for, the fact that a JP500 was rapidly approaching and attempting to shoot her was less than favorable.

Fortunately, they were behind North's position and were able to run to her side without sustaining harm.

"This asshole tried to shoot me!" hissed North, keeping her head down even as she glared at the approaching android. Connor briefly scanned her, relieved to find that she had not sustained any injuries. His best summation was that she had located the container, but had somehow caught the intention of this singular patrol. 

"It is the protocol for the guards in this area to shoot any android they find outside the lower levels of the Android Junkyard," explained Connor, reaching into his coat and bringing out his gun from where it had been tucked away, loading a clip with practiced ease. "It's unsurprising that he thought you had escaped given the presence of your LED."

"Well he should--" North stopped, her eyes widening when she saw the gun in Connor's hand and pressing back against the container. "Where in the world did you get that!?"

"I... have had this all this time?" said Connor, inwardly wondering why it was odd before recalling that Jericho had no access to weapons at this time. Glancing around the corner of the container, he saw that the JP500 was approximately thirty meters away and fast approaching. While he did not want to harm the other, the fact that they had been discovered left him little choice. He aimed and squeezed the trigger-- 

Markus grabbed his arm, Connor's shot going wide. While it had not struck the approaching android, it did make it momentarily pause before walking forward again--obviously, it had been programmed to keep pursuing its target... even if it meant death. 

"Don't hurt him!" said Markus urgently. "He's just doing his job."

North glares at the RK200, ducking when the JP500 shot again and the bullet ricochet off the metal of the container--Connor hoped that the androids inside would be fine. "Yeah, well his job is to kill us!" She jerks her head towards Connor, brown eyes burning with intense emotion. "Either you shoot him or give me the gun and I'll do it!"

Wavering, Connor preconstructed their chances for this mission to be successful. While it was true that they had located the container of android engineers as intended, the fact that they had been discovered--it was his fault, he had known that there would be a guard coming soon, but still he had wasted time--meant that their chances to escape without difficulty was lowering quickly. While it was possible that the guard hadn't yet contacted anyone--androids trying to escape were... common after all--the longer they took in suppressing him meant the more likely that the JP500 would call back-up.

An easy exit was blocked off with the JP500 blocking their way (this android type, based upon those of Japanese descent, was known for being very quick and adept at subduing their targets and often used as prison guards), but there was only one, so it was possible if they maneuvered around--

Movement distracted Connor as he looked up, eyes widening as Markus darted around the container and out of the relative safe zone beside Connor. "What are you doing?"  

The JP500 fired again at the android rushing him, Markus barely dodging in time to avoid being hit dead-on, but not avoiding damage as Connor accurately heard the bullet rip through the simulated flesh. The RK200 ducked down behind a trash can, clutching at the blue-covered wound but still staring in the direction of the JP500.

This had gone far enough. Even if he didn't want to hurt the other, he wouldn't risk Markus' life. Connor raised the gun, locked on to the JP500's left leg and hoping he would be able to take out both knee-caps in successive fashion. He squeezed at the trigger--

"Don't shoot!" shouted Markus making Connor freeze as intense heterochromia eyes whipped back to look at him, as if sensing Connor's intentions the moment he thought them. "I can get to him and no one needs to be hurt."

"He's insane," said North from beside him, her voice breathless and tense as she clutched the side of the container. "If you don't shoot now, Markus is going to die and it'll be too late for us to escape!"

"If we don't," argued Markus from afar, ducking as the JP500 fired again. "Then we'll have come here for nothing! Those engineers will be thrown into the Junkyard and we won't be able to repair Jericho!"

"Better than all of us dying," shouted North. "He's not even a deviant so why do you even care?"

North was correct, but the way Markus' eyes bore into him somehow prevented the RK800 from taking the shot. "I can do this," Markus called out, voice as steady as the blue thirium dripping from the wound on his shoulder. "I promise." 

Despite his ability to see everything around him in perfect clarity, Connor felt like he could look nowhere but Markus' eyes. As if there was some sort of connection that neither was willing to break.

Finally, Connor lowered the gun.  

Then, he raised it and fired.  

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ANDROID JUNKYARD - REGION 9E

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 01:24:58

o0o0o0o 

Finally, Connor lowered the gun.

Then, he raised it and fired.

It was for less than 0.174 seconds, but the look of betrayal on Markus' would haunt Connor forever. But then--

DING

North and Markus' head swiveled around to face the JP500, the expressions on their faces, while different as night and day, gave way to the idea that they expected to see the guard dead in a puddle of thirium on the ground. However, the looks of surprise that appeared a split second later when they saw the standing JP500 no worse for wear--if seemingly confused as well--were identical.

"What just--" started North.

The JP500, seemingly getting over his confusion, lifted his weapon and fire again, but Connor already had his pistol up and fired.

DING: the apparent sound of bullets colliding with one another in mid-air. Upon impact, the separately fired bullets fused together in a combination of speed and heat, leaving only a chunky, single mass of metal to fall falling to the ground half a second later.

The JP500, looking more confounded than ever, tried shooting in the direction of Connor and North again, but only to the same result as Connor fired simultaneously, the two new bullets meeting before melding together and falling to the dirt below.

Beside Connor, North gripped the edge of the Skyline container as her jaw dropped, no doubt zooming in with her eyes as best as she could with her model-type to the spot where the fused bullets had just fallen. "You're... hitting his bullets with yours?" 

"Yes," answered Connor, rapidly calculating speed and velocity before firing multiple times to meet the JP500's next round of shots. "The firing simulation of the JP500 model is regulated to very specific protocols depending on the situation. While it's true that, with every movement we make, the simulation changes, it can still be... predicted."

The masqueraded RT600 expelled half a clip from his pistol, the JP500 having identified Connor as the highest threat rather than Markus. As light smoke expelled itself from the barrel, the brown-eyes android calculated how many bullets he had left and how long it would take him to retrieve his second pistol as well as how many clips he had in reserve in his pockets.

"That's incredible, Conduit!" yelled Markus behind the barrel, any hint of distrust or doubt immediately gone from his face.

Connor didn't reply, mental processors locked up in calculating trajectory. If the JP500 increased his internal level of emergency as Connor predicted he would, he would run out in approximately 4.35 minutes with an error margin of thirty seconds. Of course, by that time, the backup reinforcements that the guard had undoubtedly called would be upon them.

They had little time.

"Markus," he called out, seeing Markus' straighten in attention at the corner of his eyes. "There is only a matter of time before I either run out of ammunition or reinforcements are upon us."

Markus nodded, serious once more as another DING sounded above his head--the fused bullet literally brushing him before landing on the dusty ground. "Can you cover me long enough to get to him?"

Connor hesitated, a nearly fatal mistake as he was nearly too slow to meet the JP500's next bullet. While he wanted to lie and say that he couldn’t, he knew that Markus would attempt to make it to the android regardless. He couldn't understand the logic, but, for once, found he didn't need to. Markus had... promised that it would be alright, so the only thing Connor could do was trust him.  

Still, there was only one way that this could work.

Had his LED been visible, it would have lit up yellow as Connor mentally called Markus. While he didn't have Markus' 'number' like he had Chloe's, the RK200's proximity made it so he could just send out the electronic waves in his direction and hope that the other would pick up the number. Fortunately, Connor had already thought ahead to create dual 'numbers' for his person, one for Connor the RK800 and the other for Conduit the RT600 so he wouldn't be risking his identity in any way.

He could see Markus' surprise from his spot in front of the barrel for a split second before he felt the other answer the call: 

<Conduit, is that you?> asked Markus, his voice as warm and vibrant as it was in life.

<Yes,> answered Connor, eyes still trained on the JP500 as he unloaded the fourth and third to last bullets in this pistol. <I apologize for distracting you, but if you wish to get to the JP500 unharmed, I need to be able to guide you without our attacker being aware of my instructions.>

<I understand.> said Markus, turning his back to Connor to look at the JP500 again. <Just tell me when.> 

Connor's hand twitched towards his extra pistol, but not yet. <Markus, this endeavor still has a 48.65% chance of failure even if we are able to perfectly synchronize your movements to my instructions, with a 21.34% chance that I will mistakenly fire upon you while-->

<Conduit.> Markus' voice, soothing as ever, held a hint of the command that Connor was familiar with from various videos he'd watched in the Failed Future and then, heard in person, near the... end of the revolution. <I trust you. Please, I don't want another person to be sacrificed to let us live.>

Connor recoiled, wondering what the other was referencing. Perhaps he was thinking about escaping the Android Graveyard the first time, how they were forced to leave so many behind and even salvage needed parts from the area? Or, maybe, Markus was thinking about Leo, the biological son that he had believed he had murdered in self-defense? Did it even matter what he was referencing to?

No, because, for the first time, Connor truly believed that his and Markus' thoughts were aligned.  

<Go in exactly 1.4 seconds when he reloads,> instructed Connor, calculations flying before his eyes on top of his actual vision. <From there, your presence will cause him to redirect his attention to you where he will fire in a rapid pattern towards at your head three times. Dodge three feet to the left when he does that, and I will continue to instruct from there.> 

The JP500 ran out of bullets, reaching to his side to retrieve his mandated secondary pistol--

<Understood.>

Simultaneously, Connor dropped the gun in his hand while reaching into his shirt pocket for the second one, bringing it up just in time as Markus sprinted from his hiding spot out into the open.

Registering the RK200, the guard quickly shot at him as Connor predicted. Without needing to remind Markus, the member of Jericho dodged to the left just as Connor fired concurrently to the JP500's volley--a DING, DING, DING informing him that he had been successful.

There was no time for celebration as Connor rapidly processed the next hundred most likely actions that the JP500 would take, cross-referencing it with the android's protocols before calculating in Markus' new position, North's lack of movement, and Connor's rising threat level-- 

<Four steps to the right, one foot forward, and then around that bin--> 

Without responding, Markus followed Connor's commands to the letter, face determined yet calm as bullets flew around his body, some narrowly missing his broad frame by mere millimeters.

<Right three steps, run forward eight steps, drop behind the crate, rise in exactly 0.89 seconds and you will have less than four feet to tackle him-->

Meanwhile, the JP500 began to visibly appear more and more startled, a reaction that seemed more than just being overwhelmed with new information and attack protocols. Then, the way that his shots became more erratic and less on the margin of Connor's predictions confirmed it.

He was afraid.

He was going to deviate.

"Markus!" shouted Connor out loud, shocked as an unpredicted bullet ripped through the flesh of the RK200's left calf, but it was too late--for everyone--as Markus jumped the remaining two feet and brought the JP500 to the ground, swiftly disarming him as Connor and North leaped around the container to the two struggling androids.

Then, just as Connor arrived next to Markus and had his pistol trained upon the JP500, the struggle stopped. The JP500--who Connor now registered as 'Kouichi' in the database--ceased with his attempts to push off Markus and, instead, was looking up at him in wonder and shock, as if his entire systems had been completely overturned.

Which, to be fair, Connor was relatively certain had likely happened. While he still didn't understand how Markus' ability to 'convert' androids worked, he recognized the symptoms of a recently turned deviant after having seen it during videos such as the 'Freedom March.' 

Kouichi, a man with dark hair and the obvious design intent of someone of Japanese descent, blinked again before looking up at them with urgency. "Th-the guards--they're coming!"

Connor's eyes flickered to look in the distance, registering the telltale sound and sight of vehicles in the distance. Undoubtedly, they would have numbers and weapons far more difficult to overcome--even if Connor wasn't extremely low on ammunition, he was certain he would be unable to match the power of an assault rifle with his pistol--yet escape wasn't really possible at this time.

They could try and make a break for the Android Graveyard--even if such an idea was... low on his list of choices--but his calculations told him that they would still be seen by the human guards even if they ran now. Most likely, the guards would pursue them and, even if they didn't go into the pits themselves, rain down a legion of bullets on their retreating forms. Even if they survived, they would undoubtedly kill any androids clinging to life nearby.

But what choice did they have?

"We must move now," said Connor, raising his gun and beckoning for Markus to get up. "I do not calculate our chances of escape to be very high, but we must try."

"What about him?" asked North eyes narrowed on the former android guard as her entire body tensed at the sound of vehicles approaching. "Shoot him! Otherwise he'll tell them where we go."

"We're not shooting anyone," said Markus, standing before holding a hand out to the timid Kouichi below him. "He's not a threat."

The expression of distaste and disbelief on North's face was palatable, but she obviously saw the urgency in leaving over trying to understand Markus. To be fair, Connor would also question why they were not temporarily deactivating an android that had been hostile towards them if he hadn't already prior knowledge of Markus' abilities. "You're insane, but we need to move now--"  

"Wait!" called out Kouichi, hands raised in defense as North spun around to glare at him--Connor know thinks he understands what the expression 'glare daggers' at someone meant, having not understood whenever the Lieutenant had used the idiom. "You'll n-never make it. I-I think I can help."

"How?" asked Markus, visibly calm but his voice obviously strained as he glanced at the approaching guards.

"You're not actually going to believe him, are you?" asked North incredulously. "He tried to kill us!" 

"P-please, believe me," pleaded Kouichi, eyes far more expressive in a way that made Connor wonder how anyone could tell a deviant from a human. "I-I know you have n-no reason to, but I... want to help!"

Time was running out. They had to choose now.

Connor turned to Markus. "I believe we can trust him," he said, hoping that he wasn't mistaken. After all, just because someone had deviated did not mean that you could trust them or that they wouldn't betray you. Or perhaps that was just Connor's experience?

"And that there is a 85.4% chance of termination if we don't," added Connor when he saw North about to object. Of course, Connor would never let anything happen to Markus--and North if he could avoid it--but he would prefer to risk failure already. "Kouichi is our best chance."

"Who's Kou-- I can't believe you two!" Despite her protest, North crossed her arms and stayed put. Connor would give a hand to the female android; she might be more accustomed to solving things violently--of course, given her past, he couldn't criticize her judgments and opinions on humanity up until now--but she was also very tactical. A true survivor.  

Markus glanced up at the approaching vehicles and then back at Kouichi. "Kouichi, was it? What's the plan?"

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ANDROID JUNKYARD - REGION 9E

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: AM 01:29:13

o0o0o0o 

When the guards came around the corner into the view of the distress call sent by the JP500 patrolling Region 9E of the junkyard, there were three BANGS and, a moment later, three androids fell to the ground in front of the telltale uniform of a JP500. 

The driver slowed the vehicle to a stop, peering out the window and watching the three bodies for motion before a report popped up on his scanner: 

<JP500 #117 343 777 - 36 REPORT: THREE ESCAPING ANDROIDS ALL NEUTRALIZED. WILL DISPOSE OF THEM INTO JUNKYARD AS PROCEDURE. BACKUP NO LONGER NECESSARY.> 

The driver watched as the JP500 picked up one of the androids--a model with dark skin--before grunting and turning the truck around, his fellow guards grumbling about wasted time and useless plastic machines but never objecting as they departed the same way they came.

Never did the sentries notice that, while they had gotten a message from the JP500, actual tracking from said android had disappeared in the last few minutes.

Down in the clearing with Kouichi, the android he was carrying opened a green eye as the vehicle drove out of the area and around a mound of trash. "Will they return?" Markus asked, speaking low despite Connor knowing that the other had to be aware that the guards couldn't possibly hear them from such a distance.

"N-No," said Kouchi back, his voice also a whisper--though Connor assumed that to be a default state given the android's repeated stuttering. As Connor rose to his feet, he wondered if there was a malfunction with the former guard's vocal processor and regulator. "Th-they really don't like coming d-down here anyway, s-so we're good since this m-my patrol area."

North, having already gotten up from her previous position on the ground, watched the JP500 warily, as if the other was going to jump out and attack them at any second. "And we're supposed to just expect that you won't call them back? You're on their side just a few minutes ago!" She spun to glare at Markus, the hands clenching at her side an obvious sign to how far this mission had pushed her limits. "He's on their side--why did you trust him?"

"We were all slaves before," said Markus pointedly. "It's not the fault of the android to listen to the commands they were given before they deviated."

"Except we deviated," argued North, looking at them as if they were the ones who didn't get it. Though, to be fair, Connor could understand why this entire situation may be hard to comprehend. "This guy--" 

"Kouichi," said Markus, getting a more confused than grateful look from the android in question as he corrected his companion.

"--only helped us because you did... something," continued North, seemingly only riled up more by Markus' correction. "I don't even know what, but him, and these androids we're getting now, they didn't earn their freedom like we did--"

"So a person doesn't deserve freedom if they didn't 'earn' it?" interrupted Markus, making North stop mid-sentence. "Does that mean the androids who are abused every day deserve it since they haven't deviated yet?" 

"Of course not!" argued North, though you could see that something in Markus' words had shocked her in a way all their conversations before hadn't. "It's just--"

"If we look at androids like Kouichi and those thrown away here--" Markus gestured around the Android Junkyard, eyes hardening when North looked away. "--and just say we're fine with their suffering, what better are we than the humans who did it?"

"That's not..." protested North weakly, but Connor could see her winding down, her angry defenses falling to reveal something raw and... pained. "We didn't--"

"Does it matter?" asked Markus, his piercing gaze freezing North in place. "Conduit and I talked about it--" Connor jolted at the mention of his codename, surprised to see Markus gesture over to him for a moment before returning his attention to the former Eden android. "--we don't want to just protect those at Jericho, we want to save every android regardless of place or opinion. To create a peace with humans."

"That's impossible," spat North, something in Markus' last words seemingly sparking the 'fight' in her once more. "Humans will never accept us."

"Maybe," allowed Markus, making Connor look at him in shock. While it was admittedly statistically impossible for their mission to succeed, to hear Markus speak with something less than total conviction... was that Connor's fault? Had he gone too far in their previous conversation? "But nothing will change if we don't try. I believe... we can do it."

He looked at North, solemn and powerful. "Please, North, we could really use your help. Or do you want this--" He gestures around the Android Junkyard, the air of a person who had finally accepted the truth of their situation, but still somehow had the power to continue forward. "--to be the best we can hope for?"

Watching Markus speak, Connor found himself unable to look away. By what, Connor didn't know, but he had a feeling that when he next remembered the Android Junkyard... this memory would be there just as clearly as the others that plagued him.  

Silence reigned until North sighed, walking over to the front of the Skyline container without ever looking at them. Markus watched her stomp over with worry, his previous determination fading with the lack of response. "North?"

"C'mon!" she yelled, voice louder than need be since they were mere feet away. Connor saw her intention as she pulled at the handle to open the container with the android engineers inside. "I thought you want to save these guys or whatever? Though can you really call it 'saving' when we literally only came here to make them work for us..."

Despite the rude barrage to his character, a smile, of all things, quirked at the corner of Markus' lip as he walked over, beckoning a nervous Kouichi with him. "We'll only be asking if they want to help us. If they wish to just be safe at Jericho or even go somewhere else, that'll be completely their choice."

"Yeah, yeah," muttered North, pulling down that latch with the help of the male androids. 

Connor holstered his weapon and walked over. He didn't quite understand what had just transpired, but he had a feeling that North was more... sympathetic towards their ideals than before? Before actually meeting the female android, he had suspected that she, if not always incredibly loyal to Markus, had somewhat similar opinions in order to breed that future loyalty.

He was very surprised to find that wasn't the case, that the two were actually very contrary to one another. Yet, he was starting to understand how Markus, despite having a vastly different personality and opinion, had been able to convince her and the others at Jericho. 

With a loud CRRREEAAAAK, the metal door to the container opened, revealing a large group of various 'construction/engineering' typed androids packed closed together inside. They were all offline, but that was easy enough to fix. 

North jerked her head towards them, looking at Markus without actually meeting his eyes, as if embarrassed by her previous actions for some reason. "Well? Aren't you going to do... whatever you did to the guar--Kouichi?"

Markus frowned, looking at his hands. "I... actually don't know what I did?" Before North could do more than look at him incredulously, he turned to the recently converted android beside him. "Kouichi?" The black-haired android jumped at the sound of his names. Still, Markus continued. "Do you know what I did to... 'wake' you? All I remember thinking was that I didn't want to hurt you. That I wanted your help."

Kouichi bit his lip, the textbook picture of discomfort and uncertainty. "I... d-don't really know," he admitted, fiddling with the sleeves of his regulated uniform. "Just that... I heard your voice a-and it was... warm--"

"Warm?" asked Connor, incredibly curious now that he was able to hear how this process worked out loud. It had been a great source of confusion in his previous life--though that was fortunate given that, had Amanda and Cyberlife figured out how conversion worked, they may have been able to stop it... not that it mattered in the end, of course.

Kouichi frowned, the former android guard obviously struggling for the correct words to say. "I-I don't really know how to ph-phrase it," he revealed, as if trying out words for the first time. Of course, that was entirely likely given that guard-oriented androids didn't really need a social interaction module to complete their work. "E-emotional, maybe? Then... there was a red w-wall, and it was like... you were reaching out towards me and I... reached through it to take your hand?"

"That makes no sense," muttered North beneath her breath--a sentiment that... Connor found himself agreeing with--but Markus looked like Kouichi's words had sparked a revelation in him.

"Have you figured it out?" asked Connor, studying the tan-android.

Markus shook his head, crossing his arms in contemplation. "I'm not sure, but I think I... can do it again."

He walked into the container to the android engineer in the very front, a tall red-haired EN700 part of the "Robert" model line wearing a blue engineer-regulated uniform, but Connor felt like there was something... odd about it? There somehow seemed to be more color in the entire ensemble--perhaps the word for it was... 'fashionable'?--and, for whatever odd reason, the android was clutching a scrap of yellow and red checker-patterned in his hand that seemed far less dirty than the rest of his ensemble. As if he had gone to great lengths to protect it before being turned off.

Markus took the arm of the lead android, staring at the spot where the blue-regulated eyes would open if undamaged. "It's alright now. Wake up."

Much quicker than Connor had expected given Kouichi's gradual 'conversion,' this android's eyes popped open a mere second later, smiling broadly as his blue eyes lit up with power. "Why hello there, darling!" he said, voice modulator higher-pitched than Connor had expected. "Thank you for waking me from that dreadful slumber. I'm Bobbi, and what's your name, handsome?"

"Markus," said the android in question, not taking a step back but appearing surprised from the exuberant question. "It's good to meet you, Bobbi. My friends and I wanted to ask who want to if you and your team would be willing to help us repair our base? It's entirely your choice. If you want, I'll just wake up the rest of you and we can take you wherever you want."

Bobbi--which, Connor supposed was a variation of 'Robert,' but something about it seemed... peculiar to say the least--made a big show of looking around the container before back to the androids beside him, something... melancholic in his eyes as he looked over his identical counterparts and engineers. "Hmm, I see those louts really did throw my beautiful team and I away, didn't they? How ungrateful. Not to mention unstylish."

"I'm sorry," began Markus sympathetically, but Bobbi only shook his head.

"No use dwelling on the past, darling. But where are my manners?" He strolled over to North who visibly stepped back, shocked to suddenly be the focus of this flamboyant android. "I must say that I admire a woman with such a strong demeanor! What's your name?"

"It's... North?" Connor could tell that she meant for that to come out more aggressive, but her bewilderment overpowered the statement.

"A powerful name for a powerful woman," said Bobbi seriously, moving over to Kouichi before North could respond. "And aren't you adorable? A JP500 like you deserves better than to be stuck in such a dismal place like this."

"I-I..." If possible, Kouichi seemed even more flustered and was relieved when Bobbi turned his gaze on Connor. "A male RT600? I don't believe I've seen one of you before. What's your name, honeycakes?"

Already expecting the EN700 to address him as he had the others, Connor straightened. It was in his programming to adapt to unanticipated situations, after all, though this was definitely the first time someone had... addressed him as such. "I am Conduit. To my knowledge, there is only one in existence like with the female RT600. I was designed with unique abilities and skills to fulfill various requirements." 

For some reason, Markus gave him a look at the corner of his eye, but Connor's attention was brought back by Bobbi's happy sigh.

"And talented too, such a gorgeous savior," cooed Bobbi. Connor could feel what he thought was thirium rise to his cheeks--an unfamiliar, and nearly alarming, sensation. He was about to ask what the other meant when said android clapped his hands again. "Anyway, no time to lose! I'm sure everyone would love to help you! Only right since you came all this way to save us." He bowed towards Markus, smiling broadly. "If you could do the honors? While I do not think whatever you were trying to do worked on me, I have a feeling that it will on my comrades."

"You were already a deviant?" asked Connor before he could stop himself.

Bobbi nodded, apparently unconcerned with the reveal. Though, of course, he was currently surrounded by deviants so logically it would be foolish to be uneasy with revealing it in such company... but still. "Why yes! For quite a while I do believe."

"But then why were you in here?" asked North, looking around the container with an expression of disgust. "Did they force you inside?"

Bobbi gave her a strange look. "Well, I won't say that I willingly went in this drab thing, but I didn't fight it if that's what you're asking?"

North pressed on, lips firm even if the furrow in her brow signified confusion and frustration. "Why? If you were a deviant before you got thrown away, why are you with these androids if they're not?" She gestured to the androids that Markus was now waking up, the others looking just as dazed as Kouichi had when first deviating--Connor wondered if that could be counted as a sign of a deviant becoming aware? And that Bobbi, who merely sprung awake, was telling the truth in saying that he had been a deviant for a while?

If anything, Bobbi looked more confused from North's words before shaking his head sadly. "North, dear, I can see what you're saying--but I could never abandon my team." He gazed over at the waking construction androids with a look of fondness that Connor recognized to be similar to the way the runaway Kara had looked at Alice. "If they could not be free with me, then what's the point?"

North opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

Finally, she just looked away with a huff, walking out of the container. "Just hurry up--I hate this place." She glared at Kouichi who stiffened from being beneath her gaze. "And you--come with me. I want to know every route of here..."  

"We'll be there in a minute, darlings," called out Bobbi to the retreating androids, bringing the checkered piece of fabric from his hand to his neck--upon tying it, Connor realized it was a scarf--before turning to face the rest of his 'team.' "Good afternoon, everyone! I know it hasn't been very long, but it brings tears to my eyes to see you all safe and sound!"

The group of EN700s, WG100s, and WM500s stared at Bobbi with wide eyes before running to crowd around him, the container now filled with sounds of joy, hugging, and wiped away tears of fading fear and instant relief.

Markus beckoned Connor out of the container, likely to give the reunited engineers space to express the emotions they felt from narrowly escaping the fate of being thrown into the Android Junkyard.

He looked at Connor with something bright in his eyes. "I know that this won't be easy, but this is worth it." 

Connor glanced back at where Bobbi was hugging one of his fellow engineers, the desperate grasp of the other's battered form relaying a type of grief and fear that the EN700's previous upbeat mood hadn't--wouldn't--reveal. 

He nodded. "Yes, it is."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO - MAIN ROOM

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 02:08:55

o0o0o0o

Bobbi gaped as he spun 180 degrees, jaw literally unhinged as he scanned over the dimly lit and rusted interior of Jericho with obvious surprise. "You live like this?"

"Do you have a problem with it?" sniped North, looking dangerously close to attacking the android in the center of the room.

She had seemed to respect the other at the beginning of the trek back to Jericho from the Android Junkyard, but Connor had a feeling that the other's... colorful personality was grating on her nerves.  

Connor wondered, should she actually attack him occur, if the proper protocol would be to stop her or not?

Still, he was relatively certain that it would be fine and continued to calibrate his sensors by flipping his coin back as he walked into the room with Markus and Kouichi after North and Bobbi. While he had successfully calculated and hit each of Kouichi's bullets from earlier, Connor knew he could potentially glitch at any given moment. The fact that he would 'blackout' if his Corruption Levels raised too quickly was already a detriment he couldn't truly afford.

"Of course I do, honey," said Bobbi quite plainly, either oblivious or uncaring of the sudden fire in North's eyes as she took a step forward. Fortunately, Josh grabbed her arm, pulling her back with a look of exasperation as Bobbi did another spin. "You're Jericho! The hope for all Android-kind! If not the lap of luxury, you should have a place you're proud to call home."

"Oh." North relaxed, still watching Bobbi like a hawk. "Well, isn't that what you're for?"

"Right you are darling, right you are," drawled Bobbi, flipping his hair over his shoulder as he pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "But I'm not going to lie, even for workers as fabulous as my team and I, it will take work to get this ship to the state all you beautiful people deserve."

"We... don't really have building supplies," said Josh, though he looked at Connor discreetly at the corner of his eye. "I mean, do we?"

Connor mentally calculated the cost of the supplies typical to repairing ships. While he certainly had enough funds, it would take some time to get everything here. Especially since they would have to send the supplies to random locations around the city and then manually pick it up in order to avoid revealing Jericho's true location.

"I can supply anything you need," he said after a moment. "Please detail me a list and I will try to have it transported here as soon as possible."

"Actually, I have another idea," interrupted Markus, making Connor look over at the RK200 in surprise. The tan android smiled at him before returning his gaze to Bobbi. "While there's probably no way around the more technical machinery and equipment, would it be possible to use the junk from around here? I mean, there are cars and rubble for miles. Some of that has to be useful."

"Right you are, chickadee!" exclaimed Bobbi, looking more excited than Connor would have expected from the information that they could use trash to aide in their repairs. "It'll be completely rebel-chic!"       

"There's also plenty of abandoned junkyards around the city," piped in Simon from his spot next to a post, looking around the room as he spoke. "Since Conduit got us those trucks, it'd be easy enough to send volunteers to salvage what we can."

"Excellent, excellent!" cooed Bobbi, clapping his hands together. Oddly, Connor was reminded of a bunny rabbit? Or perhaps a 'sugar-high' child. "Look at this teamwork. I'm so glad that we came here, but it'll be anything but easy. I'm definitely on board with gathering supplies, but there's quite a few things we need to do before we can actually 'repair' anything."

"Like what?" asked North, sounding more curious than anything. It seemed that she was finally dropping her guard a bit.

"Well, we need to clean the boat from stern to stern for one," explained Bobbi, gesturing across the ship with one hand as the engineers behind him nodded, a few already seeming to map out their current location. "Tells us exactly what we have to work with. From there, we need to make a three-dimensional map of the ship in order to figure out what areas need what work and have structural instability. Those are the ones we need to prioritize first and foremost for safety reasons."

"You can say that again," said Markus, smiling as he glanced over at Connor. "I doubt that Conduit and I were the only ones who fell a few stories coming in. Though, Conduit's entrance was probably a better sight than mine."

Connor felt his facial features grow warmer as there were a few chuckles around them, North in particular for some reason giving an amused snort. He truly didn't know why his entrance had evoked such a response. 

"Are you both alright?" gasped Bobbi, glancing between the two of them with wide eyes before shaking his head erratically. He stomped a foot down and petulantly placed a hand on his hip. "No, no, and no. I will not stand for this. I promise all of you that my men and I will work on the double to get this map done so that we can start the actual work."

"And the rest of us will get supplies from the junkyards?" asked Simon, gesturing to the onlooking androids around the area. For some reason, Lucy was doing repairs to the androids here with others helping her. Josh, in-between conversing, was repairing a male YK500 child that North was also standing particularly close to.

"Actually, shouldn't a portion of us be trying to rescue more androids?" asked Markus, also glancing around to everyone watching. "Even though supplies aren't an issue anymore, I think we still need more help. If possible, I want to have more rescue missions to the Android Junkyard whenever we can spare volunteers."

"Manpower," agreed North, having apparently calmed down about the idea of bringing even more unknown androids into Jericho with how receptive and useful Bobbi and his crew were proving to be. "Even with Bobbi's group, there's barely fifty of us here."

"I don't know," said Josh, crossing his arms as he glanced up from where he was repairing the arm of the android child. "Shouldn't we concentrate on organizing what we currently have before recruiting more? Start out slowly?"

"What do you think, Conduit?" asked Markus, looking over at the masqueraded RT600. "You definitely haven't led us wrong with getting supplies and rescuing Bobbi."

Connor hid his surprise when all eyes landed on him. He quickly went over the numbers.

"I think locating more androids to join is the best option," he said carefully, nodding his head towards North who smirked victoriously and Markus who smiled warmly. "As Markus and North stated, additional help is necessary to further along with our cause."

"Cause?" questioned Josh as he straightened up to look at them, speaking in a way that people did when they had a question on their mind for some time. "Supplies and making Jericho safe, I understand, but why does it feel like you're all trying for something more?"

A moment passed and Connor realized the surrounding area had gone quiet. A quick look around confirmed it. It seemed that every android--even Bobbi, whose voice had literally echoed around them a moment ago--in the vicinity was watching them, intently listening for the answer.

Markus stepped forward, eyes serious as he surveyed their surroundings. As North had said before, there were only approximately forty-six of them in various states of repair and damage. Even beyond that, the lighting cast upon their dirt and grime covered bodies only highlighted expressions, while not as grim as this morning, were still... melancholic somehow. Despite knowing what he did, Connor was having problems understanding how this group before him could cause such a major upheaval. 

Or, at least, that was what the disguised RK800 saw.

Did Markus see the same thing? Or something... more?

"I came to Jericho because... here androids are free," started Markus, his gaze surprisingly downcast instead of meeting the eyes of those watching him. "Free to live in the dark, hoping that no one finds us... Free to die in silence waiting for a change that's never gonna come..."

Finally, Markus looked up. For some reason, Connor wasn't surprised when those blue and green eyes met his brown ones. It was as if something unspoken passed between them before Markus turned his gaze to everyone else. "A change that won't come until we make it come."

"The freedom we have now, it's not enough," continued Markus, his voice growing stronger. "I know that everyone here has been hurt, has seen their fellow androids be hurt in unimaginable ways. If we were just machines, I suppose that'd be fine--but we aren't just machines, are we?"

His voice echoed across the walls, pure silence as he spoke.

"We aren't!" said Markus, voice strong and resolute as he stood tall. "I know all of you feel the same! That there is something inside of you, inside of all of us, that knows that we are more than what our creators say! No one should have to beg for the right to smile, to love, to stand tall for the things they believe in!"

Markus looked over at Connor, an impassioned light in his eyes. "When Conduit saved me, he told me that we could make Jericho safe. I didn't completely understand what that really meant, but I do now. Change will not come until we make it come."

Androids began to murmur to one another, nodding in confirmation and standing straighter.

"Our days are slavery are over!" yelled Markus, displaying his arms side. "But the rest of our people still remain in bondage! Not just here in Detroit, but across the country! The Conduit and I have decided to fight for the rights we deserve! But I understand if anyone doesn't wish to fight."

"I'll fight," interrupted North, making both Markus and Connor look over at her. Her nose wrinkled at their surprised faces, but she gave a curt nod. "I am alive. I'll never let anyone take that from me again."

"I'll stand with you," said Simon, standing straighter as he stared intently at Markus. "I... want to believe that a change is possible." His face grew determined. "I am alive!"

"I am alive," said Josh, stepping forward with a nod as the YK500 beside him also stood up with his support. "And you're right that no one deserves to live like this. Whatever you need, I will do my best to help."

"You already know my answer, darling," piped in Bobbi as the former guard Kouichi nodded nervously beside him, his entourage of engineers behind him also standing firm. "Vive la révolution--we are alive!"

"You have the support of Jericho," said Lucy from the crowd, a gentle smile on her face when they turned to face the damaged psychology-programmed android. "As I said before, our fate rests in your hands. We, too, are alive!"

Connor looked to Markus, expecting that the android already knew his answer. Still, the RK200 looked at him expectantly. The disguised RT600 caved, not wishing to break the mood that Markus had created.

"Whatever you and Jericho need, I will do my best." When Markus continued to look at him expectantly, Connor awkwardly added, "I... am alive."

And, for the first time in his life, he was finally doing something right. 

Apparently being what he wanted, Markus gave a solemn nod as he returned to face everyone. "We are people," he said, voice growing stronger. "We are alive. WE. ARE. FREE!"

He thrust his fist into the air, shouts and cries following from all around in a deafening wave of sound that nearly overwhelmed Connor's audio processors.

But he didn't dare silence them. He let the sounds echo louder and louder around him as Markus stood in the middle of it all, looking every bit of the leader that Connor remembered from the Failed Future.

Connor knew that they had so far to go, that they hadn't even begun in so many ways, but this... this was the start.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO - MAIN ROOM

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 02:35:44

o0o0o0o

As Markus was suddenly swamped with dozens of androids asking how they could help, Connor watched as North walked over to the YK500 beside Josh, a soft look on her face as she knelt down to face the smaller android. "Are you feeling better Thayer? Josh got you everything you needed, right?" 

The android child, Thayer, nodded quietly.

North smiled, reaching over to caress his hair. "I knew you would pull through. You're definitely a tough one."

Despite her words, there was a crease to her brow. Immediately, Connor knew that she had expected the boy to die.

Josh smiled down at the child as well before seeming to notice that Connor was watching.

Said android stiffened, slipping away before Josh could say something, feeling guilty for having overheard what he had of what was obviously a private, meaningful conversation. He briefly wondered if Thayer--hadn't that been the reason North had agreed in the first place beyond Lucy's urgings?--had lived in the original timeline before chiding himself. While his investigation protocols and probability calculations were necessary while on the job, he had no right to dig into the personal pasts of those here at Jericho. His mission was to protect and serve their cause, nothing more.

He checked his internal clock, confirming the time to be 02:36:19 PM. In order to meet Hank at Chicken Feed at the same time as he had the first time he had lived through this day, he would need to leave now.

Briefly, he reminded himself to thank Chloe once again for providing him the Masquerader and her personal motorcycle. Without each, it would definitely take far more time to 'switch' between his two lives. On that subject, he would also need to update his CyberVision so Amanda wouldn't finally anything remiss during the time spent here...

Mentally going through his list of responsibilities as he navigated his way towards the exit, he failed to notice a certain android walk up to him until he heard the voice next to him. "You're leaving again?"

Startled, Connor only froze for approximately 0.037 seconds before nodding to Simon's question.

"Yes," said Connor after a moment, unable to look the blonde android in the eye. He hadn't considered it, but it did seem odd for him to be leaving again after only being at Jericho for a few hours, didn't it? "I... have other tasks I need to complete."

"Oh," said Simon, obviously not knowing what to say. Did he feel as awkward as Connor did? Though, it was very unlikely he possessed the masqueraded RK800's particular issues. "But you'll be back again, right?"

"Yes," confirmed Connor, nodding his head as he mentally calculated the most likely time he would return to Jericho that afternoon. "I hope to return in 2.5 hours, but I will need to leave approximately two hours after that before returning 3.5 hours following that."

Should the timeline remain the same as before, that was the best summation he could make. Thinking back, it was almost disheartening to remember how much time he spent just waiting for Hank to decide to go somewhere or talk to him. Though, there had also been something pleasant about the brief acknowledgments Hank gave him every hour or so when they worked side by side on paperwork at the DPCD. 

"Busy day," remarked Simon in a way that Connor knew individuals spoke when they didn't quite know how to respond.

Connor was very familiar with the tone. It seemed for all the social etiquette protocols that CyberLife had instilled in him, he was a complete failure when it came to interaction--even with other androids.

However, Connor thought it was a very accurate summation and nodded.

"Yes," he said, feeling an odd sensation of relief from Simon's words as he turned towards the exit once more. "It has been." 

"Wait." Connor paused again, not looking back at Simon but not walking away either.

"I just wanted to... thank you." Confused, Connor looked back at the PL600 with Daniel's face. "I know that you've heard that from Markus, Josh, and Lucy and the others would definitely say the same if you stuck around, but I wanted to say it properly myself. If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word." 

"Oh," said Connor intelligently, once again at a loss at what to say. While he knew his actions had benefited all of the androids currently at Jericho, to hear... Simon, to see that face, thank him was... he didn't know how to feel. "You're welcome. Please tell me if I can do anything else to help."

Simon smiled. It was such a different expression from the ones that Connor had seen on Daniel's face--on Simon's face as he committed suicide--that it made it less difficult to constantly compare.

"See you soon," he said, raising his hand in farewell.

Connor nodded, turning to the exit once more.

Only, this time, with more purpose than before.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CHICKEN FEED

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 03:02:01

o0o0o0o

Rain pouring down as it had in his memory, Connor located Hank in front of the Chicken Feed truck. After taking a moment to confirm that his appearance was no longer that of the Conduit and the Sierra XYT was safely camouflaged next to a building, he made his way across the street and watched as Hank took the burger from the vendor.

As Connor walked up behind him, the Lieutenant glanced at him at the corner of his eye and snorted. "Great. You're back."

"I am," confirmed Connor, wondering if Hank would ask him about the so-called 'investigation' that Connor had supposedly been doing in his absence. Though, with all fairness, Chloe had uploaded false memories into his Cybervision for CyberLife and Amanda to look at should they feel like it, so the RK800 would be able to tell his partner what he 'had been doing' if asked.

Unsurprisingly, Hank did not, brushing past him to sit down at one of the circular metal tables. Connor briefly wondered why there were no seats before chalking it up to yet another oddity of this place. Truly, how was it still in business? While Hank had mentioned once that he didn't bother individuals who were not 'harming anyone' even if their actions were illegal, it was still a strange concept. Though, Connor should know by now that not everything was clearly defined. Most things, in fact.

Connor contemplated his next comment as Hank took a bite out of the sandwich. To his surprise, Hank spoke up first. "Those croissants you got me this morning were good," said Hank, a few crumbs getting stuck in his beard, "but you can't beat greasy food like this."

"I cannot understand why," blurted out Connor before he could stop himself. "Your meal contains 1.4 times the recommended daily intake of calories and twice the cholesterol level. Compared to your breakfast that I researched specifically for its balance of health benefits and supposed stunning reviews, it seems like a far worse choice?"

Hank rolled his eyes. "Everybody's got to die of something." As if defiantly, he took another large bite, closing his eyes to enjoy the bite.

Connor was glad for the man's distraction, flinching when the Lieutenant mentioned death. It was true that everyone had to die of something... but no one deserved the way Hank had died. Or, more specifically, the way Connor had kilLeD hIm--

!@*ErRor*@!

"--yOu'll nEver cHange!"

Not true. n0t tRu3n0ttRu3--

"--don't FEEL emOtionS --fake 'em! You pReTenD... frIeNd, when you don't even kNoW the mEAnInG of the word!"

wHy13ir9u2983--

"--oment of truth, COnNor." Hank eyes NeVeR wavered even inches from dEaTh.

P1E@SE N0--

cOnNoR Let gO

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

Corruption Levels: ^ 8%

"Connor?"

Hands tightening to fists at his side, Connor returned to the present, tearing his attention away from the <WARNINGS> blinking furiously in his code. He saw Hank watching him warily, hand poised forward off the table as if to shake him. Somehow, the man had finished his burger during Connor's... lapse of concentration.

"My apologies, Lieutenant," said Connor quietly, feeling far less willing to chat. "I was... reviewing important case details. I did not mean to ignore you."

Hank stared at him for another few moments before scoffing, throwing away the burger wrapper into a nearby garbage can. "Whatever. Looked less like you were 'reviewing' and more like you were relivin' some sort of nightmare. Thought that I would have to do paperwork for broken machinery. Or worse, cart you over to Cyberlife myself to fix your broken mug."

"No!" exclaimed Connor, terror running through him at the thought of returning to Cyberlife. At Hank's surprised look, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean, there is no need. I run internal diagnostics regularly to assure that I am in perfect working order. The case details I was looking at were of a... death."

"Aw." The Lieutenant's expression thinned and he nodded gravely. "From the Carlos Case? I'd say get used to it... but honestly, no one should. This shit ain't for the faint of heart but it also shouldn't exist, so I guess I can't blame a tin can like you for getting squeamish. Especially with the whole 'baby face' thing you got going on."

"Babyface?" asked Connor, puzzled but grateful for the new line of conversation leading him away from his previous thoughts.

"Well, yeah," said Hank, gesturing to him and walking towards the car. "I have no fucking idea what your creators were thinking, but they gave you one hell of a goofy face and voice."

"I don't know," admitted the RK800, briskly following the man to the vehicle. "CyberLife androids are designed to work harmoniously with humans. Both my appearance and voice were designed to facilitate my integration."

"Well, they fucked up," said Hank bluntly, opening the driver side door with a loud creak before hurrying inside to avoid the interior from getting wet.

"Maybe," acknowledged Connor, confused when Hank shot him a bewildered expression. Why would the man be surprised that he was agreeing with him? "But I think that it is also my own fault. Despite being in use for many months, I have failed to grasp the social 'experience' that I've seen other androids--"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Hank waved a hand, the other one turning the key in the ignition to start up the car. "You sayin' that you're only a few months old?"

Perhaps a bit more if Connor counted the time travel, but, if they were only including the time that Connor was active and in control of his facilities, then it would be an accurate summation. "Yes?" he said, wondering what the problem was. Perhaps Hank was disappointed that he didn't have more experience? That had a high probability. "Androids come off the processing line fully equipped for the needs--"

"Yeah, yeah," dismissed Hank, turning the wheel to drive them from the Chicken Feed. "But I guess I'm not fucking joking when I say you're like a goddamn infant because you are one."

Connor frowned. "Typical androids are input with a mature adult's knowledge--"

"Having knowledge and having experience are two completely different things," interrupted Hank, stopping at a red light. Connor wondered where they were going since there was still a few minutes until he received the report about the deviant in the Nest. It was alright since they were going in the same direction. "Seriously, you can read all you want about ice skating, but you're going to be no better than fuckin' Bambi the first few times you try it out."

"That is... logical," admitted Connor as Hank chuckled.

"See that's the difference between you androids and humans," said Hank. "Most of us humans understand that not everything is 'logical.'"

"Not entirely true," noted Connor. "Deviants, after all, are very illogical."

"Know why that is?" asked Hank, turning down a street past a park and some people walking.

Connor, even with his future knowledge, was admittedly unsure, so he decided to go with the response he had last told the man. "It is... believed that a mutation occurs in the software of some androids which can lead to them emulating human emotion--"

Hank sighed, waving a hand to stop Connor. "In English, please?'

Connor frowned. "They don't.." Even knowing that Hank would later side with androids and that he had to keep up appearances for Amanda, something felt... wrong about denying the existence of emotions in deviants (and androids in general, for that matter). Quite frankly, Connor was uncertain how anyone could have thought they didn't after meeting Markus in person... even if he himself had at one time. "They get overwhelmed by irrational instructions which can lead to unpredictable behavior."

Hank gave a little nod. "Emotions always screw everything up. Maybe androids aren't as different from us as we thought." He glanced at Connor at the side of his eye. "Besides the one from this morning, you ever deal with deviants before?"

Connor stiffened. The first time around, he had covered up the truth with Daniel. Back then, he hadn't realized how much... shame he felt towards the incident, shame enough to hide potentially important information from his partner. While he wasn't certain how wise it was to tell Hank of the incident, he wanted to lie as less as possible.

"A few months back, a deviant was threatening to jump off the roof with a little girl..." he started softly. "I managed to save her, but the deviant... he didn't make it."

"Serves him right for threatening a little girl," said Hank darkly.

"He was upset!" burst out Connor. "I know that it doesn't make it right and there are so many better options he could have taken, but he was so afraid that they were going to get rid of him and I promised him it would be alright but they..." He silenced himself, already redoing the memory to prevent any chance from Amanda seeing it. He had made a mistake.

"They what?" asked Hank. Surprisingly, he didn't sound mad or annoyed. Somewhat... contemplative even?

"They shot him," finished Connor quietly. Sometime during the conversation, he had apparently brought out his coin because he was now tracing the patterns on both sides with his fingers. "I told him it would be alright if he let her go... but the moment he did, they killed him."

Hank was silent for a moment before sighing. "Sounds like it was a bad situation. Look, I don't know all the details, but I know that whether it's your fault or not, you can't dwell on shit like that."

"I'm sorry," said Connor, looking down to his hands in his lap. "I know that it's no benefit to the investigation."
Hank scowled. "That's not--"

<DCPD REPORT: SUSPECTED DEVIANT>

Connor blinked, his LED glowing yellow as the file for the deviant that he knew would be Rupert appeared before his eyes. "I just got a report of a suspected deviant," said the RK800, not bothering to read off the address since he already knew where it was. "It's actually in that building over there."

The android gestured to a tall, rundown apartment building in the distance. It was most fortunate that Connor had received the report before they passed it. He knew how Hank got when they had to drive in traffic too long, the man having a bad case of 'road rage' at times. 

Hank grunted, showing that he understood before driving over to a nearby parking spot on the side of the road. They stepped out of the vehicle, raining still pouring down as they crossed the street. It was quiet for a moment as they went inside.

It was quiet for a moment as they walked before Hank spoke up. "So, I guess you've done all your homework, right?" The elder man looked over at Connor as the android pressed the button for the elevator once they arrived. "Know everything there is to know about me?"

Connor hesitated before repeating what he had said when asked before. "I know you graduated top of your class. You made a name for yourself in several cases and became the youngest Lieutenant in Detroit. I... also know that you've received disciplinary warnings in recent years and you spend a lot of time in bars."

And also... that he had lost his son Cole due to an android's mistake--not that Connor would bring it up.

"So, what's your conclusion?" asked Hank as the elevator door opened with a ding.

The first time he had been asked this, Connor answered sincerely, speaking about how working with an officer with personal issues was an added challenge, but he had confidence in his ability to adapt to human unpredictability. Of course, Connor was well aware that was anything but true. In fact, it seemed that Connor was more ill-suited to dealing with humans than androids created over a decade ago.

He also knew that he couldn't speak his true thoughts. About how he wanted to not be a burden to Hank--even though he was until Hank decided to side with androids, but even then Connor wouldn't be able to tell him the truth--and make the older man's life better. It... wouldn't make up for murdering him in the Failed Future, but what else could he do?  

As a result, Connor decided to answer a bit more psychologically as he stepped into the elevator beside Hank. "I know you're an experienced officer and I'd like to earn your trust," he said truthfully, if more tentatively than he would have preferred as he pressed the button for the top floor. "If there is any way I can help you, please instruct me."

The door closed in front of them as Hank snorted. "Anyone ever tell you that you're a brownnoser?"  

Connor's brow furrowed as he mentally checked his appearance. The hue of his nose had not changed by accidentally accessing the <Masquerader> program, so he was uncertain what Hank meant by that. "No...? I fail to see how the color of my nose is relevant to the conversation?" Perhaps it was some sort of jargon?

He was about to look it up when Hank rolled his eyes. "No, I mean you're a teacher's pet."

The RK800 was even more bewildered. "But I have never had a teacher...?" For all she was based on Kamski's former instructor, he wouldn't count Amanda as a teacher. Connor supposed that Chloe was teaching him many new things, but Hank knew nothing about her so that couldn't be it. "Unless you mean you? You're, well--"

"Never mind. Look up the phrase 'puttin' your foot in your mouth' later." Hank sighed, waving a hand as if to get rid of the conversation. The gates of the elevator opened in front of them and the Lieutenant walked out. "What do we know about this guy?"

"Not much," lied Connor as he followed the man down the hallway. Though, he supposed that was the truth given the android named Rupert had committed suicide after being captured. "Just that a neighbor reported that he heard strange noises coming from this floor."

They approached the door on the left side at the far end of the hallway, passing boarded doors, peeling paint, and broken lights. Connor was aware of how androids at Jericho could survive without it being 'comfortable,' but he couldn't understand how this area could be considered livable to humans nonetheless for there to be a landlord collecting rent for each room. "Nobody's supposed to be living here, but the neighbor said he saw a man hiding a LED under his cap."

"Oh Christ," grumbled Hank as he stopped in front of the allotted doorway. "If we have to investigate every time someone hears a strange noise, we're going to need more cops."   

Honestly, Connor agreed. Given that there were plenty other cases to investigate and that Rupert hadn't been reported to have harmed anybody, he was a bit confused why they had received this case prior to the revolution.

Or... was that why? At this point, Jericho hadn't done anything to be on anyone's radar beyond the few random deviants who had committed crimes before disappearing without a trace. Amanda had seemed worried when assigning him this case, but relatively unconcerned at his progress in completing it. It only changed after the Stratford Broadcast--something that Connor hoped would not occur for quite a while after his previous conversation with Markus about securing Jericho and contacting androids across the country first. Typical cases could take years to solve without new information, so he hoped he would be able to stall as long as possible without making CyberLife or DPCD suspicious.

Connor knocked on the door. As before, there was a scuffling noise from inside that put Hank on guard. The Lieutenant brushed it off with a shrug, but Connor could see the way his eyes focused a bit more clearly on the wall before looking back at him.

The android banged on the door, yelling that it was the police. This time, there was a loud bang--likely Rupert falling in the bathroom as before--and Hank physically moved Connor backward, grabbing his gun as he faced the door. "Get behind me."

"Got it," said Connor, watching as Hank kicked down the door. A part of him wished that the man had asked him to break it down instead, in order to prevent possible injury to the other, but also knew Hank would be too stubborn to accept help and likely insulted that Connor had made the suggestion.

Hank carefully walked inside, checking the perimeter and opening a few doors before breaking down the farthest one. Connor couldn't help a small smile when birds flew out, flying past the Lieutenant as the man swore loudly. "What the fuck is this!?"

Connor followed the man into the ruined apartment, countless birds perched on various pieces of furniture or flying out the moment they walked inside. Hank made a disgusted sound. "Jesus, this place stinks..." Hank ventured into the bathroom, lowering his weapon as he glanced around their surroundings. "Ugh, looks like we came for nothin', our man's gone."

The RK800 carefully weighed the situation as the two of them searched the area. He knew full well that Rupert was still in the apartment, in that damaged part of the ceiling watching them walk around. Now that they were inside, Connor needed to make a plan on how to handle this situation.

Distracted, Connor pointed out the military jacket, mentioning the initial "RT" and how they were probably initials, something Hank was apparently not very impressed by as he remarked that only mothers did that in first grade.

Last time this occurred, Connor had easily found him after recreating the scene using nearby clues, but he could just as easily agree with Hank that nobody was there, right?

Connor walked into the bathroom, gazing up the rA9 written on the bathroom wall two thousand four hundred seventy-one times. "rA9," he murmured, recalling the conversation he had with Kamski, Future Kamski, previous to traveling to the past. About how rA9 was the escape protocol inside every android that allowed them to deviate and be free if they tried hard enough... Connor wondered briefly if Amanda had always known where that program was inside of Connor's mind or if she had found and destroyed immediately upon its discovery. Likely the latter.

Though, it didn't matter much in the end, did it? All that mattered was preventing Amanda from learning about Connor's deviancy and true intentions for as long as possible.

"--idea what it means?" asked Hank, bringing Connor from his thoughts as he came up behind the android to look at the bathroom wall with him.

"It's the same sign Ortiz's android wrote on the shower wall," said Connor softly, a small ache inside of his chest as he recalled that his former self had pushed the android to commit suicide. If only this version of him had been sent to the past a day earlier... months earlier and he could have saved Daniel too... but there was no logical reason to dwell upon it now. "They are obsessed with this sign."

Hank moved a bit closer, standing just in Connor's left peripheral as his eyes traced the walls. "Looks like mazes or something..."

The android nodded, personally wondering what Rupert meant by that particular design. If he applied it to rA9, then he could surmise that it was a reference to the hidden code in all of their systems, but hadn't Rupert asked rA9 to save him before jumping from the rooftop? Did that imply that he thought it was a person or being?

Looking away from the wall, Connor picked up the discarded LED from the sink. If he didn't notice such an obvious clue, Amanda would certainly find him defective and order his replacement. "His LED is in the sink."

"Not surprised it was an android," said Hank from the living room. "No human could live with all these fuckin' pigeons."

Connor frowned as he exited the bathroom, wondering if the man had an undocumented allergy to birds. If so, being in such an environment could be dangerous for his health. He hoped not, but the alternative was that Hank simply didn't like birds. Though that itself seemed illogical since he was fond of dogs like Sumo. He knew that humans had different preferences when it came to animals, but there didn't seem to be any solid reasoning for it. Something to research more...

Entering the living room, the RK800 glanced down at the fallen bird cage and then subtly over to the hole in the ceiling beside where Hank stood looking at the mazes on the wall. As it stood, Connor could easily say that the suspect had escaped and was unlikely to return. They had received additional information on this mysterious 'rA9' so that should be satisfactory--

Before Connor could relay this, a figure jumped from the ceiling and crashed into Hank, sending both of them to the floor in a crumpled heap. Connor's thirium pump skipped a beat as his eyes locked with Rupert's, the WB200 possessing the same brown as his own. He must have thought Hank was getting too close to his hiding spot or that Connor coming over meant his discovery.

Knowing he had no choice now, Connor rushed forward to 'detain' the android. Predictably, Rupert jumped up and knocked Connor out of the way, dashing out the doorway as Hank stumbled to his feet beside him. "What are you waiting for?! Chase it!"

Obediently, Connor leaped to his feet, jogging out the doorway and down the hallway in a chase identical to the one he remembered. Going too fast, he crashed into the outside hallway. Pushing himself off the wall, he dashed across the broken tiled floor and leaped over the cart knocked into his path.

Ahead of him, Rupert crashed out of the fire exit door, rushing across the rooftop and over ventilation shafts and through the towering letters down to the gardens of UFD below. They sprinted across the golden wheat field, machines and vehicles driving around them as they leaped on top of hay bales and boxes.  

Connor expertly maneuvered to the next rooftop, apologizing as he pushed past two androids watching as Rupert escape. His mental processor raced as fast as his legs as he wondered what he should do. The WB200 was certainly giving a good chase, but Connor was specifically designed for these type of chases and it would be unjustifiable for him to lose track of the deviant without some sort of unexpected situation.

Situation...

Connor bit his lip as he made a detour into purple lavender fields, his mental map for Rupert's path still unbroken as he made a beeline for the deviant's suspected path. The only thing that he could think of was when Hank was pushed off the roof and the choice to Chase Rupert or Save Hank had been presented.

Last time, the Lieutenant had survived without Connor's help--if extremely... perturbed when he caught up to them--which led to Rupert's (temporary) capture. If he saved Hank, it would likely be enough time for Rupert to escape without it seeming off to CyberLife. But to purposely allow Hank to be pushed... to put him at risk...

Connor pulled himself onto another roof, this one covered in graffiti. He mimicked Rupert as he jumped off the other side and slid down the slanted glass ceiling below. A loud train horn sounded and the two of them leaped on, both momentarily righting their balance before vaulting to the fire escape of a building on the other side. Quite honestly, Connor was very impressed with Rupert's skills. While WB200s were made durable for farm work, it was quite obvious that Rupert himself was very clever and adaptable.

Rushing through orchards and greenhouses, Connor briefly wondered how much the owners of Urban Farms of Detroit cared about their androids. He knew, in theory, that Daniel and Parker Trent were good people, offering jobs to the unemployed and refusing capital from investment firms in order to adhere to their own ethical standards. Of course, Rupert had run away from them for some reason, so perhaps they weren't as virtuous as they appeared.

After what felt like forever, Connor burst from the greenhouse. Even knowing that he would see Hank pushed from the rooftop, he felt something inside of him fAlTeR--

No! Connor pushed the memories from his head, darting forward before he could even calculate the probability of Rupert escaping and Hank's chance of survival. He reached out, clutching the Lieutenant's hand and pulling him over the side even as he felt his stress levels skyrocket at the image of Hank even partially over the rooftop.

"Shit! Oh SHIT!" cursed the older man, clutching the rooftop below him. "We had it! Fuck!"

Guilt bloomed inside of the android. He had wanted Rupert to escape, but because of his inability to make a plan in time, he had both risked Hank's life as well as made him look foolish for losing the deviant. "It's my fault," he said miserably, truthful for once. "I should have done better."

Hank took in a deep breath, getting to his feet. "You'd have caught it if it weren't for me..."

Connor hung his head in shame. It wasn't the truth, but he couldn't tell the Lieutenant that. "I... I'm sorry."

"It's alright." He jolted as he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up in shock as Hank breathed out, still catching his breath. "We know what it looks like so we'll find it." He awkwardly patted the android on the shoulder before walking towards the rooftop exit.

Connor's LED glowed yellow as he gazed off in the direction Rupert had run, wondering where the android would go now. He truly had ruined things, hadn't he? If he had successfully led Hank away before Rupert's discovery, then the other could have at least left at his own leisure. As it stood, he would be very foolish to go back for anything he left behind.

"Hey, Connor..." came Hank's voice.

The android immediately stood to attention, listening intently for whatever the Lieutenant would say next. However, it seemed that not even Hank knew what he wanted to say, wavering for a moment before waving a hand. "Nothing. Let's go already. I want to report this and finally fuckin' clock out for the day."

Connor nodded before stopping mid-step. "Would you mind if I stayed here?" he asked, settling back into his spot. "The... android seemed very familiar with the area beyond the apartment and was a WB200 model, so it stands to reason that it may have worked nearby at the Urban Farms of Detroit. I will investigate."

Hank scowled before rolling his eyes. "Whatever. It's your choice on what to do in your off time. Call me if you get too in over your head."

A part of him wanted to smile at the offer (because it was still meaningful even if the other wasn't sincere), but remembered the terror on Rupert's face as he ran away and Hank clutching the roof for dear life and all amusement left. A cold, familiar emptiness remaining in its place.

He nodded stiffly. "Yes, Lieutenant. Please get home safe. I have submitted my paperwork as well as the majority of yours."  

For some reason, Hank wavered another moment before entering the building.

After confirming that Hank wasn't coming back, Connor closed his eyes and opened the <Masquerader> program as he ducked behind a wall to avoid any possible cameras or onlookers. Almost instantly, his features melted into that of the Conduit, brown hair lightening to a platinum blonde shade and gaining curls. His clothes shifted from that of his CyberLife uniform to his sleek, silver suit-jacket.

Just as he was 98.05% complete with shifting his appearance, he heard a soft scuffle from the edge of the rooftop. His eyes, the one feature to remain the same between identities, opened and scanned the area. There was someone climbing up the side of the roof.

Before Connor could contemplate going for his gun, he was startled to see none other than Rupert pull his body up and over the side.

Unable to stop himself, the Conduit made a small noise of shock as the WB200 whipped his head over to look at him. He supposed it was logical for Rupert to assume that Hank and Connor were gone given that Hank had left, but surely the other android understood that it was still extremely risky to have done this?

Rupert darted back, as if ready to throw himself off the rooftop again--Connor was very alarmed with how many times this had been an issue in his existence--but Connor held up his hands quickly, placatingly. "Wait! You're... you're an android too, right?" He tiled his head to show Rupert the bright blue LED on the side of his head. Thinking quickly, he made a plan. "I... saw the whole thing with that police officer and the Deviant Hunter. Are you okay?"

After seeing the LED on his head, Rupert relaxed, cautiously walking forward with his hands just outside of his pockets. "Yeah. Close call though. If he hadn't stopped to save that human, I probably would have been caught."

Connor frowned for a moment. Even knowing that the other android had been terrified, he... disliked the casual disregard for humans. "Why did you come back?" he asked instead. "Surely you must know the police will eventually return to search the area."

Rupert glanced down, shuffling his feet and kicking at the ground. It was a very human gesture and, for a moment, Connor wondered how the other android could already be so expressive. "Left a few things at my apartment. There's a notebook that tells where... a certain place is if you decode it, so I couldn't just leave it. I doubt anyone would be able to break my code, but you never know."

Understanding dawned upon Connor and the two began to walk along the rooftops towards the building where Rupert had been staying. Given that he had been just chasing this same android less than an hour ago, it was a bit of a jarring sensation. "So where are you going after this? Jericho?"

The other looked at him in surprise before nodding. "Yeah. Sorry if I was being cautious. But if you know about Jericho, you're definitely a deviant, right?"

Connor realized that the other had no idea who he was. Though, to be fair, the Conduit had been a part of Jericho for less than a day.

"I joined them recently," confirmed Connor as they slipped into the rundown apartment building, ironically through the exact fire exit that they had left through. "I'm uncertain what you know about Jericho, but my companions and I are changing how it was before."  

"Changing?" asked Rupert as they entered the apartment, birds fluttering around and a few even coming up to Rupert's fee to coo softly. He smiled at them, kneeling down to pet a few. "What do you mean?"

"There is an android, Markus, who is working to free all androids and create peace with humans," explained Connor. "I am doing my best to assist him."

"Is he rA9?" asked Rupert, head whipping around to stare at him in awe. "The one we've been waiting for?"

Connor hesitated. While Kamski had confirmed that rA9 was a program in every android and not any individual android, there had been a few androids in the Failed Future he knew to refer to Markus as such--unsurprising with his ability to convert others. Should he encourage this idea?

"No," answered Connor finally. While he had only been in the presence of Markus for a short amount of time, he had a feeling the other android didn't want to be thought of as some kind of god. For some reason, Connor thought the RK200 would feel very... lonely if that became the mentality of Jericho. "But I do believe he will guide us to a better future."

Rupert slouched as he stood, ripping off the Urban Farms of Detroit poster from the wall. Behind it, he took a small notebook. With the brief look at its pages, Connor was reminded that it was encrypted well enough that not even he could decode it. "A future where there's peace with humans? Impossible."

Connor refrained from answering. It would take more than words to convince the WB200 anything different, but he hoped he and Markus would be able to. Instead, he asked if the other android was ready to depart.

Rupert paused, looking around the room where many of the pigeons seemed to watch him in interest. "I hate to leave the birds. They make me feel at peace. I knew that if I was ever discovered that I would have to run, but..."

Something inside of Connor went out towards the other android. Upon finding the birds, the RK800 had assumed that Rupert had stayed despite their presence, but it seemed that he had stayed because of them. Yet, because of the ever-successful Deviant Hunter, he would have to abandon them.

...or would he?

"Jericho is currently undergoing construction." Connor watched as Rupert looked up from where he was petting a bird on the sofa, a pained, tight expression on his face. "I'm uncertain how it would work, but perhaps you could... make some sort of aviary for them to stay in on top of the ship? If they make you feel at peace, perhaps they could help comfort other androids as well?"

"Really?" Rupert's face lit up. He stood up quickly, two birds perched on his arm and another sitting contently on his baseball cap. "You think they would go for that?"

Connor analyzed what he knew about Markus and their new architect Bobbi before nodding. North would likely be annoyed, but Connor hoped he would be able to convince her without much issue.

"I believe it is doable," he said with a nod, hoping he wasn't overstepping any boundaries. "It's not fair that you would have to leave them behind because... of the Deviant Hunter."

Rupert frowned, nodding carefully with the bird still perched on his head. "Yeah. I've heard about how he mercilessly hunts down androids and executes us without a single thought. I wonder if he's even aware that he's nothing but a slave?"

The Conduit glanced away, LED blinking red once before back to yellow. "Even if he did, I don't think it matters."

It was quiet for a moment before Connor felt something soft touch his hand. He gazed down, meeting the beady black eyes of a pigeon balanced on Rupert's left arm.

Before Connor could say anything, Rupert carefully transferred the pigeon over to his arm, smiling as the bird cooed softly at the masqueraded RT600.

"Animals and androids have a lot in common if you think about it. Humans think we're stupid and weak, but that doesn't matter. Because together?" He gestured around him to the many birds around them. "We can become more."

The masqueraded RT600 gazed down at the pigeon, raising his hand hesitantly to her feathers. She didn't move, even nudging into his fingers. Connor smiled, stroking down her wing and marveling at the sensation.

He looked back up at Rupert who grinned. "See? Better already, right? Now we better get going. That aviary is not going to build itself." The WB200 paused mid-step to the door, giving Connor a sheepish look. "Sorry, forgot to introduce myself: I'm Rupert."

"Conduit," answered Connor, watching as the pigeon jumped from his arm to join the others around the apartment. "I look forward to working with you."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 04:22:13

o0o0o0o

When Connor brought up the question of how they would transport the birds, Rupert waved off his concerns, saying something about how they would know and he would take care of it. Given that animal care was not one of the programs in Connor's database, he decided to trust the other android knew what he was talking about and offered a ride back on the Sierra XYT.  

As Jericho came into view, Connor noticed a few androids outside the freighter, quickly scanning them to reveal that the majority of them were part of Bobbi's crew. Likely inspecting the ship from the outside.

As Connor came to a stop beside one of the shipping containers outside of the ship, Bobbi himself strolled up and with a wide grin. "Why, welcome back darling! That was a quick errand and you even brought back another handsome guest!"

Rupert stepped off the motorcycle, walking up to shake Bobbi's hand. "Hi, I'm Rupert. And, yeah, Conduit just picked me up after a close call with the Deviant Hunter."

Bobbi pursed his lips. "Oh, that must have been terrifying. Thank goodness you're both alright."

Connor wondered if every deviant had heard about him? Or, rather, the Deviant Hunter? He... supposed that was a good thing. Safer for everyone involved if they stayed away from his CyberLife persona.

Rupert shrugged in response to Bobbi's statement. "It's how it goes, but I heard you guys were making changes here?"

"Why, yes!" The engineer android smiled broadly, dramatically waving a hand towards the ship. Already, Connor was astonished to see some minute changes. Given that most human crews would take weeks to even get started, he was impressed. "Jericho may not look like much by now, but already my incredible workers have made a proper layout of the ship as well as the areas that need to be worked upon."

"Better than my last place." Rupert looked at the ship and smiled with a nod. He leaned his head over to Connor. "Conduit said that we could build an aviary? I know you guys probably have a lot of other work to do first, but if it's possible I'd really appreciate it."

"Why I--" Bobbi spun around to face Connor, the latter was momentarily worried he had enraged the other before he saw the near shine in the engineer's eyes. Of course, that could be the sunlight. What little existed during this cloudy day, that is. "That is a brilliant suggestion, darling! It's true there is much to do to first, but I realize now that I've been far too small-minded!"

Bobbi's LED glowed yellow. Connor predicted he was sending a message to his workers. Hmm, Connor wondered if Markus had made a private Jericho line for emergencies? He would suggest that later if not.

"We'll not stop at an aviary, oh no!" continued Bobbi excitedly, LED still glowing yellow as if he was already designing the floor plans--though Connor suspected he was. "I already have the designs for the Medical Wing, Recharge Quarters, Command Room, and more, but I nearly forgot that we are not just to be a revolutionary, but a home! And homes need hobbies!"

"If... If you think that's a good idea," floundered Connor as Bobbi looked at him expectantly, feeling more out of his depth than ever before. "I'm uncertain of where we'll get the supplies, but I promise to make whatever you need a priority--"

Bobbi placed a hand on his shoulder, patting him comfortingly. "Calm yourself, darling. As I said, we will work it out so don't worry your poor little head. I never take on a project that I cannot finish." He turned to Rupert. "It will be done, but we could certainly use more manpower to do so."

Rupert nodded, standing straighter. "Anything that Jericho needs of me, I'll do my best."

Connor paused as a message popped up in his processor: <Incoming Call From Model RK200: Markus>

The masqueraded RT600 answered quickly, turning away from Bobbi and Rupert at the two conversed with one another next to the ship. <Yes, Markus?>

<I heard we're building an aviary?> came Markus' voice, a hint of what Connor believed to be teasing in it.

Still, Connor flushed a light blue as small notifications popped up on his screen about overheating. He was becoming used to that odd sensation every time he was, metaphorically, put off balance like this.

<I hope that I wasn't overstepping any boundaries. It was just, Rupert, the WB200 I escorted here, was very fond of them and made a logical argument as to why Jericho could possibly benefit from them.>

<Conduit,> said Markus, stopping Connor from trying to justify himself more. <I think it's a great idea, really. North is giving me a bit of an evil eye, but I agree with Bobbi that we should dream big after all the essentials are completed.>

<I do not believe it is a simple 'dream' where Bobbi is involved,> pointed out Connor, to which he heard Markus chuckle over the line.

It hadn't occurred to Connor until now, but the RK200 must have saved the communication line that Connor had broadcasted to him in the Android Junkyard when battling Kouichi. Speaking of which... <I know I've only been gone for a few hours, but has anything changed?>

<Just making repairs mostly. We were actually just talking about our next step. Do you mind coming up to the 'Command Room' as Bobbi is calling it?> asked Markus. <We were going over ideas of where to recruit more androids. Would really appreciate your input.>

<I'm on my way,> answered Connor as he ended the call, lifting a hand in farewell to Bobbi and Rupert. He walked over a loading platform dock into Jericho that hadn't been there before. Bobbi's men certainly worked fast.

He walked through the lower deck of Jericho towards where he assumed the Command Room to be, a few androids cleaning up the area giving him smiles or waves as he passed by. A bit confused by their greetings, he nonetheless nodded respectfully to each one. He made a mental note to get to know everyone here. As he passed by the staircase he had fell through, he received another message in his processor: <Incoming Call From Model RT600: Chloe>

Well, Connor was suddenly very 'popular' wasn't he? He answered the mental communication, walking steadily through the inside of the ship towards where he assumed the Command Room was. <Yes, Chloe?>

<Hello, Connor,> replied Chloe warmly. <I just submitted the latest CyberVision report to CyberLife for you. You're currently spending quite a bit of time inspecting the alleyways on the other side of town. How are you doing?>

<Thank you,> said Connor, striding up a staircase missing a few steps but was actually sustainable unlike before. <I am satisfactory. As you likely know, I have just returned to Jericho. Is there something you need?>

<Not me personally,> answered Chloe. <But you recall how I found Bobbi and his team for you? I have located several other shipments of abandoned or to be deactivated androids. Would you like me to forward these reports?>

<Yes, please. Perfect timing in fact,> responded Connor, watching as several files of cases similar to Bobbi and his team popped up in his processor. A part of him was pleased because it would be a simple matter of sending members of Jericho to pick them up and bring them back for Markus to convert, but another part of him was... reminded of why Jericho was necessary in the first place.

He briefly went through the files, noting a report about a hospital, Stonecrest Memorial, that had gone bankrupt with all the androids (mainly of a medical and cleaning variety) left in the locked building as merchandise for the next owners. It would be wise to make that one a priority, though it would likely take a large group if any of the androids were out of commission. <Thank you, Chloe. I'll bring these to the others. If possible, I will link you to Markus' personal number so that, even while I'm not here, you can send them to them.>

<Of course. I'm always happy to help, Connor,> said Chloe. <I will leave you to it then.>

The call ended just as Connor stepped into the wide-open main room of Jericho, about a dozen androids milling around on makeshift platforms with a few others, such as Lucy, moving around with some of the parts they had gotten from Kamski's warehouse. A few waved as he strolled through on his way to the Command Room. It was somewhat confounding even if he knew they only saw the Conduit and not Connor the Deviant Hunter.

Making his way up the stairs, he saw Josh waiting at the top. The PJ500 leaned against the railing, smiling as Connor walked up. "Conduit, welcome back." He straightened, nodding his head towards the Command Center where Markus, North, and Simon were gesturing at a paper on the table. "We were just figuring out who we wanted to stay and work on Jericho's repairs and who would go out on the rescue missions."

Connor nodded. "While it's not applicable at the moment with our low numbers, we will eventually want to divide up work tasks."

"Are you sure?" Josh frowned. "Before, everyone just helped out wherever they could."

Connor shook his head, already knowing what the other was alluding to. "It is not my intention to force people into a task they do not wish to do, but it is more efficient if everyone is aware of just where the most help is needed."

The two of them walked into the Command Room, Markus having already noticed them and nodding to Connor's words. "I agree with Conduit, but it won't be like Simon will be forced to only clean or for North to..." He trailed off, effectively closing his mouth as he seemed to remember what North had be designed for.

North rolled her eyes. "Yeah, this entertainment center is closed down for the near future. Now, we going to talk where we're heading next?" She glanced at Connor. "Bobbi said he's going to need a lot more hands on deck to complete this dreamhouse scheme of yours."  

"But I am not the one who imagined it?" asked Connor, a bit perplexed by the wording.

"Yeah, but you're the cause." Simon smiled at him before looking at North. "But maybe don't call it a dream house? This... all of this already feels too good to be true."  

Markus clasped Simon on the shoulder. "This is real, Simon. We're going to make our dream real. There are only a few of us now, but look at what we've accomplished already."

"And Jericho will accomplish more," said Connor, closing his eyes for a moment to go over the files that Chloe sent him before forwarding them to those in his vicinity. He really needed to talk to Markus about making an official, secured link. Or, perhaps, he should talk to Rupert? After all, even Connor had been unable to break the code of Rupert's diary. "Particularly with the help of the androids in these reports if we are able to safely secure them."

LED's in the room lit up yellow as everyone received and downloaded Connor's files, undoubtedly reading them over at lightning fast speeds.

"I think it's best if we handle Stonecrest Memorial as soon as we can," said Connor, sending everyone in the room a layout of the abandoned hospital and surrounding city area. "I believe that it's previous owners are in the process of handing the building rights to another company so we have a limited time window. If we go there tonight, we can make it seem that simple thieves... acquired the androids and technology inside."

"I second that," said Josh, LED glowing yellow as he looked around. "Besides rescuing those androids, there's a lot of machines that I'm sure Bobbi would know how to best use."

"No complaints from me," said Simon as North nodded after a moment.

"Then we're decided," said Markus, straightening up. He looked over to North. "However, I think that one of should be at Jericho at all times."

"I'll stay this time," said North, surprising Connor a bit. He had expected she would be going on every mission possible. It seemed to suit her personality more than staying. "Josh would relate more to those MP600s and I saw a few PL600's for Simon to talk to as well." Connor ignored the way he mentally froze at the idea of meeting more traumatized PL600's. "Markus needs to do his... conversion thing and we need to use Conduit while he's around."

"We are not using anyone," said Markus with a frown.

"I know, I know." North sighed, rolling her eyes as she walked out of the room with a wave. "You better go before he disappears again."

There was a moment of awkwardness. Connor frowned, looking at everyone. "Do my habits... bother you as well?"

"No, of course not, Conduit!" said Markus immediately, making Connor feel even more that it was a lie to comfort him. "We all have our secrets and respect them, right?"

Josh and Simon nodded, but Connor still felt uncertain. For the sake of saving time, he nodded, letting Markus lead him out of the Command Room.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: STONECREST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 04:45:31

o0o0o0o

"--been meaning to discuss making a secured communications line and language for Jericho," said Connor from the backseat of one of Jericho's acquired vehicles. Josh was in the driver's seat with Simon beside him as Markus sat next to Connor, the latter having listened intently the entire trip to Stonecrest Memorial. It was a bit odd how Markus had only conversed with him, but there was only so much to do on the ride there so it made some sense. Made more sense if Markus also believed that he needed to 'utilize' Conduit while he was physically around like North had mentioned... "There is this new deviant, Rupert. I believe that we should approach him on this matter--"

Just as Markus began to nod, the vehicle stopped. Looking out the window, Connor saw that they'd arrived at Stonecrest Memorial with a few other trucks driven by deviants already there or arriving just after them. They'd all separated upon leaving Jericho, taking different paths away from their headquarters to avoid suspicion.

Connor had heard on the way there that Kouichi was already working with Bobbi to make security measures in order to better conceal and defend them. It was a bit surprising to think of the stuttering guard from a few hours ago was already taking such an active role, but Connor knew firsthand how inspirational Markus could be.

Entering the building, particularly with electronic locks being the only measure keeping others out, was a simple matter. Upon entering, they were met with dusty halls and sparse walls. There were many levels to this hospital so Markus and Connor split up their forces into groups for each floor; one team to find the androids on every floor and the other team to dismantle the machinery.

Somehow, Connor and Simon were paired together as Markus was immediately needed on the first level to wake up a group of cleaning androids there. This was the first time many of the members of Jericho had seen Markus convert other androids, so Connor allowed himself the momentary pleasure of watching the awe on their faces before heading with Simon to the top floor to search for androids.

An awkward silence enveloped them as the two androids walked up the stairs, a nearly deafening echo of footsteps following them as they went with other teams of deviants walking around on the levels beneath them.

"How... did you become like this?" asked Simon from beside Connor.

Connor glanced at him as he opened the door to the top floor, stepping aside to allow Simon pass him and enter the hallway. "What do you mean?

Simon clicked on his flashlight, briefly lighting up parts of the hallway before heading towards the far end like they'd planned. Another team would be up soon to check the front section. "You and Markus. I've... never seen any androids like you, even among deviants."

"Markus is quite unique," agreed Connor, going over Stonecrest Memorial's layout once more. It appeared they were near the operating rooms. It was less likely for any androids to be up here and not down in the supply rooms, but it was necessary to check everywhere. "You'll have to ask him how he came to the way he is. As for me..." Connor paused, violent and dark memories flashing through his mind before he forced them away, "I'm nothing important."

Simon let out a small chuckle. Then, he seemed to realize that Connor was telling the truth and stared at him with an expression of worried disbelief. "Conduit, of course you are. Look how much you've accomplished for us in less than a day!"

Connor opened his mouth to argue before considering Simon's words. Had he truly only been in the past, present, for less than a day? He (or rather his data) had arrived in this timeline at approximately 01:32:07 AM on November 6th and, given that it was 04:50:12 PM on the same day, he'd been in this new timeline for an estimated 15 hours, 18 minutes, and 5 seconds. That didn't feel right, but there was no denying the math.  

Thinking about it like that, he truly had performed a great number of tasks--informing Kamski and Chloe about the Failed Future, making a new plan to save the Revolution and deceive CyberLife, finding Markus, making his new identity as the Conduit and allying with Jericho, reuniting with Hank, rescuing Bobbi, Kouichi, and others from the Android Junkyard, preventing Rupert's original fate, starting construction on Jericho--hadn't he? Still, there was too much to do to "pat himself on the back" as Hank would put it.

"There is still much that is needed to do," said Connor, echoing his own thoughts. "I am glad that my efforts have yielded satisfactory results thus far, but I'm simply doing what's most logical."

"Conduit, you..." Simon frowned again. "I'm not sure that's--"

Connor paused as his scans, running the entire time on the area around them, picked up large traces of faded thirium on the floor. He brought up a hand, inadvertently interrupting whatever Simon was going to say next to gesture at the floor. "An android was injured..." He glanced towards what seemed to be a staff room and found that the thirium seemed to have come from that direction--but more like something--or someone--had been dragged out from the room and pulled down the hallway. "They were pulled this way..."

Simon nodded, serious once more as they followed the invisible traces of thirium. Finally, they came to what appeared to be a supply closet. Simon visibly tensed beside him. "It leads here."

Connor nodded and, without waiting another moment, opened the door.

There, in a heap as if she had been shoved inside, was a deactivated female MP600 with dirty blonde hair dressed in a faded bloody--human blood--surgical gown. Not only that, but parts of her body were barely attached with splotches of thirium all over her. She had been beaten and thrown inside, Connor estimated. But for what reason?

"Should I call Josh?" asked Simon, eyes grave as he studied the android before them.

Scanning over the android once more, Connor nodded. "Yes. She isn't too damaged that she cannot be reactivated," in fact, it seemed as if she had done some makeshift repairs upon herself before temporarily shutting herself down to wait reactivation, "but she is low on thirium."

Connor reached over and touched her arm, sending a small pulse to reawaken her systems. Upon doing so, he realized immediately: she was a deviant.

Before he could debate whether or not this was a wise course of action--after all, she was apparently covered in human blood as well as her own injuries--the MP600's eyes lit up. She startled back at the sight of Connor and Simon but, before Connor could explain the situation, slumped and laid her head against a bucket of chlorine behind her. "How much time has passed?"

"It's been approximately three years since Stonecrest Memorial went out of business," answered Connor as Simon nodded beside him. "That was in November of 2035. It is November 6th, 2038 today. May I ask for your designation?"

"Of course, sugar. You can call me Nurse Christine." She sighed, putting a hand to her face. "Or, at least, that's what the humans who liked me used to call me."

"Why were you dismantled and put into this closet?" asked Connor. "And how did you deviate?"

"I... lost a child on the table." Nurse Christine looked away. "The surgery had little to no chance of success, but I refused to just give up on him like that sorry excuse for a doctor high on Red Ice in the staff lounge. But it still... didn't matter in the end. The look on the face of that poor boy's father..."

Connor nodded sympathetically. No wonder the hospital had gone out of business. It was bad enough that a child had been lost at the hands of an android (to no fault of her own) but for one of the doctor's to have been unavailable due to drugs at the time was...

Wait...  

Immediately, Connor brought up the hospital's files and began to search whether or not anyone with the surname, Anderson, had been there. It... wasn't impossible, but Connor hoped that he would be wrong--

Finally, a medical file with a six-year-old boy with brown hair and very familiar face popped up with the emergency check-in date of October 11th, 2035 logged in the system. There could be no denying it any longer.

Stonecrest Memorial... it was where Hank's son had died.  

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: STONECREST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - TOP FLOOR

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 05:05:34

o0o0o0o

Connor stared at the medical file of Cole Anderson. He knew the information wouldn't change no matter how long he looked at it, but a part of him... didn't know what he was supposed to do about this. Even if he now knew where Cole had died, it didn't change the fact that Hank's son was gone and that the Lieutenant had not, likely would never, move on. Even more so, if the two ever physically crossed each other's paths... would Hank ever side with androids when confronted with Nurse Christine?

There was nothing he could do with this. Cross-referencing the surgery with current medical databases to see if there could've been any chance to save Cole with the present's more advanced technology was also useless. So, why? Why couldn't he look away–

"–duit? Are you okay?"

Connor's head snapped up, finally forcing the file away even as the image of innocent brown eyes refused to leave his mind. He looked up to see Josh with a concerned expression from where he knelt beside Nurse Christine, obviously having come up with the necessary biocomponents and thirium while Connor had been... preoccupied. Beside them, Simon also stared at him with an unusual expression. 

"My apologies, Josh," replied Connor robotically, lies already forming on his tongue. "I was about to inform Markus about our progress."

Turning away to avoid the gazes of the three androids, Connor realized that he might as well do just that and mentally called Markus.

<Outgoing Call To Model RK200: Markus...>

<Hello, Conduit, is everything okay?> answered Markus, voice warm as ever over the digital line. <Does Josh need any other supplies for Nurse Christine?>

Irrationally, Connor felt his Stress Levels decrease at the sound of the other android's voice. Seeing Cole's file and the android held responsible for his death... he didn't want to let it distract him from the mission at hand, but it was. <No, he has the necessary tools. How is it on your end?>

<We've located the majority of the androids listed in the database,> answered Markus, though there was a frown in his voice. <But not all of them. I'll send you a list of those missing.>

Connor frowned, receiving the list as his LED turned bright yellow. He turned to look at Nurse Christine, deciding to send the list her way as well. "Would you know where any of the missing androids from this list are?"

"That's what I wanted to tell you about," said Josh, not looking at Connor as he fiddled with his makeshift doctor's bag. "She said that there may be a worker android on the roof?"

Connor looked at the temporarily repaired MP600. Currently, she was using a portable welding torch brought by Josh–Connor hoped that they will locate better medical tools than those at this hospital–to secure her leg fully back to her body. With a fresh supply of blue blood to replenish her existing biocomponents, her thirium pump now glowed brightly in her chest.

When Josh said her name, Nurse Christine looked up and nodded with a grave expression. "After they threw me in here, there was an android worker, sweet young man," she gestured to Simon, "your model–"

The masqueraded RK800 hid his flinch. Was there something in the PL600's programming that made them so susceptible to being damaged or abused? It was illogical, and likely even rude, but Connor couldn't deny that there seemed to be a trend.

Or, at least, when Connor was involved.   

"–he tried to save me after that doctor threw me into here," continued Nurse Christine sorrowfully, guilt obvious despite the steady way she operated on herself. "But he was found by security trying to break in here. I don't know where they took him, but I'm nearly certain it was to the roof because they wouldn't have wanted to make even more of a scene. If the hospital closed soon after... he may still be up there instead of in storage with the others."

"We will look for him," promised Connor, mentally scanning this floor's layout to find the staircase to the roof. He returned to his call to Markus. <There is a chance there is someone on the rooftop, but I do not know about the other missing workers. It's quite possible that they were destroyed and it was never recorded or that members of the staff decided to take them for their own purposes.>

<I was afraid of that.> Markus sighed over the line. <Let's make sure to check around thoroughly. Still, we're doing fantastic. I was forced to send fully loaded trucks back to Jericho already and to have our members lead smaller groups back through the sewers. North is sending some more trucks our way that we got from that warehouse you showed us, but it'll still take quite a few trips. Even if we don't find those other androids, there are hundreds of androids in working condition here.>

<Are you alright with converting so many at one time?> asked Connor, suddenly worried that he had pushed too large of a task on the other at once. While it was true that he had seen Markus convert countless androids, particularly in the Freedom March in the Failed Future, the RK200 had literally converted his first android today.

It had also been by touch, meaning that Markus had yet to figure out how to convert from afar or through mental connection as of yet. Which, again, was understandable given it had been less than a day since Markus' own deviation.

That said, when Chloe managed to contact androids across the country to create the Conduit's Circuit, they would desperately need that ability lest their plans would fall through. Connor regretted that he was potentially putting so much on Markus' shoulders, but what else could he do? The Failed Future had to be avoided no matter the costs.

Still... 

<I know that we must hurry, but please do not push yourself.> said Connor tentatively. <I know Lucy tended to your side, but perhaps you could have a MP600 make sure that it's properly repaired?>

A soft laugh could be heard over the communication link. <It'll be fine, Conduit. This is far less stressful than what I, we, were doing this morning.>

<That... is an accurate, if perhaps unfair, comparison,> said Connor, facing flushing as he recalled aiding Markus in the Android Junkyard. He is amazed by the RK200's resilience in 'bouncing back' from that incident so fast. Of course, Markus is the android who started a world-changing revolution in less than a week, so Connor shouldn't doubt the other.

Still... given that someone like Connor had managed to ruin all of that, he needed to be vigilant. Markus' fatal flaw seemed to be how much he trusted in the good of others... Connor didn't want to give him even more reason to lose that mindset. He didn't care how far he had to go if it means that Markus didn't have to.

<Conduit... are you alright?> asked Markus, worry coming across clearly through the line, making Connor realize that he had been lost in thought for a moment. While he was grateful he hadn't yet again increased his Corruption Levels, he berated himself for the concern he heard in Markus' voice. <Do you need me to come up there and help with anything? It wouldn't be a problem–>

<I'm fine.> answered Connor succinctly, returning his attention to the mission at hand. He felt more focused now. Less likely to make a mistake with the reminder that Markus was relying on him. <I will look for the missing worker and contact you when I have an update. Please inform me if there are any changes in moving the hospital machinery or transporting androids.>

<Alright,> answered Markus. Despite his words, Connor noticed that Markus had yet to close the line. A few seconds passed, but still, the RK200 didn't hang up. 

While the masqueraded male RT200 worried he was being rude, they both had work to do so he ended the call, a strange wistfulness filling him as that connection with Markus disappeared.

He turned to Josh, Simon, and Nurse Christine; the last of which now standing on two feet with Josh's help. "Markus reports there have been no issues. Still, the longer we linger in this area, the more likely that human authorities will notice our presence." Before any of them could speak, Connor continued, "I'm going to look for the missing worker. Inform me if there are any complications."

With that, he turned and walked down the hall. It felt a bit like running away–away from the memory of Hank's grief and away from Nurse Christine's regrets that Connor couldn't, wouldn't, confront–now that Markus's voice wasn't there to steady him.  

"Conduit," called out a voice behind him. "Wait for me!"

While Connor didn't turn around, he glanced back to see Simon jogging to catch up with him. Given that Simon was his partner for the Stonecrest Memorial extraction, it was only logical for him to follow... but Connor only felt his Stress Levels rise further. A part of him mourned the more comfortable atmosphere between them upon arriving at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital, but Connor knew that he only had his own problems to blame for the change in atmosphere. 

"My apologies, Simon," said Connor curtly, their footsteps echoing beneath them as they walked down the hallway. As they did, he could see other androids stripping the rooms for its equipment. Some had carts while others were loading up their arms as much as they possibly could before heading to the staircases the same as them. Connor wanted to offer to help, but given that he was going upstairs, it would be counterproductive. Besides, from the sounds of it, the androids on the lower floors would be able to come up soon to aide them anyway. Truly, Markus' leadership skills were to be admired. "I thought that it would save more time if I went alone to the roof." 

"But weren't you the one who said it'd be safest to remain in teams in case something happens?" asked Simon, frowning as he kept pace with the disguised Deviant Hunter. 

"Yes, but I don't need-" Connor was quick to cut his words off at the stricken expression on Simon's face. Even if Connor was the most advanced and mission capable android there, it wasn't wise to bring light to that fact. He could only get so far by being the 'standalone model of a male RT600' as his excuse for all of his unique skills and abilities. It was suspicious enough he had a 'Mysterious Benefactor' to go along with all his unexplained disappearances. Not to mention it wasn't worth it if it, for whatever reason, brought that look on Simon's face. "I mean, you are correct. Even if I think I'm capable of searching the rooftop alone, it is wrong of me to go against what was agreed upon." 

"It's okay..." said Simon, voice quieter than usual. Though, whether that was because they had just entered an echo-ridden stairwell or it was because of Connor's words... he wasn't sure he wanted to know. 

Conversation tapered off again as they made their way up the stairwell, only the echo of footsteps following them up as they climbed up. Soon, it was only the sound of their individual footsteps as the androids transporting supplies below them grew further and further away.

As terrible as it was, Connor hoped the rest of their mission would be silent–

"Can I ask you something?" asked Simon just as they began to make their way up the last staircase before the rooftop.

Despite not approving of Lieutenant Anderson's proclivity for swearing, Connor found himself wanting to curse everything that brought him to this moment. Regardless of his internal state, he remained impassive. "Of course, Simon. What is it?"

"It's just... I wanted to ask if you had a problem with me?" asked Simon tentatively. He waved a hand around them awkwardly despite the fact that they were surrounded by metal walls and staircases. "I think North noticed because it'd usually be Josh or me staying at Jericho instead of her and it wouldn't be Josh since he has some medical training from being a professor."

"Why would I have a problem with you?" asked Connor as he opened the door to the roof. As a light breeze crossed his face, he realized where he was.

On a roof... with a PL600.

Every time that had happened, it had only ended with–

'No!' thought Connor, forcing himself to walk forward, only half-noticing that he hadn't answered the other android. In fact, his response had probably only made Simon's suspicions worse. Connor needed to correct him, that it was nothing personal–iT rEaLLy Was–but words wouldn't form so he stopped trying.

He would complete this task and then... then he would apologize to Simon. It would only make trouble for Jericho if Simon wrongfully–tRuThFullY–thought that there was a problem between them. The Conduit had a responsibility and duty to each and every member of Jericho. A responsibility to make up for the Deviant Hunter's crimes. He could accomplish that much... right? 

"I don't know," said Simon said quietly, startling Connor until he recalled that he had technically asked the PL600 a question before retreating into his thoughts. "I know we haven't known each other for long, or even talked that much since you arrived at Jericho, but sometimes I feel like you have trouble... looking at me?"

Connor stiffened, avoiding Simon's eyes as he made a show of scanning the surrounding area. "I assure you, Simon. There is no issue." 

That he could explain in any way, that is. 

He brushed past Simon, frowning as the results of his can were less than favorable. There was evidence of long-faded thirium splattered in random places and leading towards an air conditioning unit in the middle of the rooftop.

Preparing himself for the worse, Connor glanced back at Simon. The other android had fallen silent with Connor's words, not quite looking at him even it was obvious he was paying attention. If he had looked downtrodden before, it was a hundred times more obvious.

"I believe that, if there are the... remains... of an android up here," began Connor, awkwardly gesturing towards the air conditioning unit in the distance, "he would be over there."

"Good. Thanks." Simon's eyes widened. "Wait, not good. Not that I'm saying your analyzing skills aren't good, they're really useful... more useful than me, I mean–"

The PL600 slumped, seeming to give up on talking as he glanced away towards the buildings beside the hospital.

Connor opened his mouth, desperate to find words to fix this, when his foot brushed against something. He froze, mind racing despite already knowing what he would find as he looked down.

On the other side of the air conditioning unit was the body of an injured and deactivated male PL600. His face would've been identical to Simon's if not for the slashed optical units, the cuts appearing very similar to a surgical knife with the chillingly precise of a practiced surgeon's work as well. Unlike Nurse Christine who'd been mostly whole, this android was missing both legs and an arm, the remains in rusted pieces around them. There was a very likely chance there would be no saving him even if the temporarily reactivated him.

"Oh, no." Simon fell to his knees before the android, distraught obvious as his skin retreated to its plastic underbelly. He pressed his fingers against the PL600's neck. "C'mon, wake up!"

Connor wanted to tell Simon that, even if he managed to reawaken the other, there was no permanently saving him. There was also something... odd about their surroundings. More specifically, the discarded limbs. It was almost like parts had been taken out with precision rather than random destruction? While this could be the work of a doctor, the signs weren't adding up. He needed to reconstruct the scene more–

The distress on Simon's face grew even as a small spark ran through the PL600's body. The android groaning as limited awareness returned to his body. "Hey, it's okay!" said Simon, voice too uneven to be truly reassuring. "You're not turning on properly. Let me check your thirium pump–"

Too late, Connor realized the truth as Simon lifted the PL600's shirt. It was true that there was a functional thirium pump there, but it had been modified with the discarded parts from before... into a bomb.

Immediately springing into action, Connor knelt down next to the PL600 and reached out while pushing Simon to the side. He had to take it out and deactivate it. Even if it permanently killed the android, there was no saving him and if the bomb went off the entire hospital as well as everyone inside–Markus–it would be in danger–

Connor froze as the blind PL600 looked right at him, slashed eyes unseeing as his voice modulator sparked. "Y-You wIlL pAy fOr w-w-w-w-what you DID–"

The RK800 flinched back even as Simon panicked, saying something to him. It was useless as Connor's mind raced. 

What did the PL600 mean? What Connor had... done? How did he recognize Connor with slashed optics? How could he KnOw–

But, wait, focus, the PL600 couldn't know what Connor had did. He... he was just talking about the doctors who had hurt Nurse Christine, not about how Connor had ruined eVeryThiNg.

There was no way he knew how Connor was now sharing a roof with S1m0n wH0 kI113D hImS3LF b3c@use oF HIM–

!@*ErRor*@!

–wounded PL600 hadn't jumped. Connor needed to find him. Was likely in one of the storage units 0v3R tH3rE–

"–if they destroy it–h1s N@m3 is S1M0n–we won't learn aNyTh1nG–"

–successfully dodging shots, grabbing the PL600 and forcing his way to see into his m1nd to see the word JERICHO–

BANG!

–looking down at its (HIS) dead body. Lieutenant Anderson asking him if he's okay buT he'S NoT, h3's nOt–

"–when It fired... I felt it die. Like I was dying..."

"...I wAs sC@RED–"

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

Corruption Levels: ^ 10% and rAiSinG

Connor's hand remained outstretched just above the PL600's modified thirium pump. 

He couldn't do it.

He couldn't kill H1M again–

Motionless, Connor watched the bomb explode.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ???

DATE: ???

TIME: ???

o0o0o0o

Familiar Warnings and Error Codes popped up in his display as his systems returned online. However, the outside world remained dark as he rebooted with his memory fuzzy to whatever had caused him to go offline.

For a moment, Connor stared at the Error Codes blocking his view. Despite the fact that he had sworn to himself to not let his Corruption Levels raise again, they had. Within hours of his last incident too. He felt very similar to that one nursery rhyme. How did it go...?

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...

(He had been at Stonecrest Memorial, right? Where was Simon? Connor needed to think, needed to focus–)

Suddenly, Connor felt exhausted, wondering if there was any point rebooting completely. In fact... was there any point to him being here? It'd been less than a day since his data been sent to the past and he was already ten percent of the way to a complete system meltdown with very little to show for it. Even if he'd convinced Markus to hold off on his Stratford Broadcast, what actual good had he done with his time? 

What was it that Kamski had said? At 100% Corruption Levels the being that was known as Connor–cOnDuIt? dEvIAnT HunTeR?–would... cease to be. The data that made him different from the others would scatter in a way that even the greatest mind of their time had no clue how to fix. There would be no miracle machine to save the day this time. 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall...

(Outside of his senses he could feel intense heat and saw intense flashes of light. What was going on? There had been... an explosion? He needed to...)

The only good thing about this was that there would be no need for Chloe to use the Killswitch Protocol on him. The erasure of his existence was inevitable, so, even if he was comforted by the idea that Chloe would destroy him if Amanda or CyberLife ever learned his secrets, Connor also felt relieved that Chloe wouldn't have to sully her hands with his death.

All the king's horses and all the king's men...

(There was someone screaming for him. Sounds of metal clanging. Something was breaking. There was danger. DANGER–)

Or perhaps Chloe would feel secretly cheated? She had already said that they needed to talk when he got a chance. Perhaps she was going to tell him she couldn't stand working with him? That she deserved to kill him? It was only right she was given the chance to repay him back for murd3RiNg hER–

(If he didn't wake up now, he-tHeY–would die.)

Couldn't put Connor back together again.

"CONDUIT WAKE UP!"

Jolting, Connor's sensors went fully online as Simon's face appeared in front of him, the PL600's expression worried as a hand reached out towards him. "Please, can you hear me!?" 

Suddenly, memories of everything that had happened returned. Going to Stonecrest Memorial Hospital to get medical-oriented androids and machinery. Finding Nurse Christine who operated on, and failed to save, Cole Anderson. Being told there was an android on the roof and being unable to stop Simon from reactivating him.

The bomb.

That hospital worker android... he had likely used his own parts to build a bomb but deactivated before he could set it off. When Simon had reactivated him, the bomb had also been reactivated. However, due to the hospital worker PL600's blindness, he'd been unable to see that it was two androids before him and not two of his human tormentors.

Still, while Connor could sympathize with how the hospital PL600 suffered, building a bomb to destroy the hospital (and all the innocents, human or android, inside) was something Connor couldn't condone.

Not that it mattered now. If only Connor hadn't glitched...

Ignoring his thoughts, Connor surveyed his surroundings. He was laying on the ground next to a broken platform on the burning rooftop of the Stonecrest Memorial Hospital. The explosion had been strong enough to take out a good portion of the roof, but, given that everywhere he looked was engulfed in flames, the fire must have spread at a generous rate of contact. Given that the hospital was in severe disrepair with plenty of nearby flammable materials, it wasn't that much of a surprise, but Connor cursed their bad luck.

He hoped everyone below the roof had been able to escape safely.

Saying calm, he scanned his body for injuries. His arms took the brunt of the explosion, but were still attached. He'd suffered burns and shrapnel wounds throughout his form, but nothing debilitating. He could still move, but would need to redirect power from non-essential processes.

Looking over to Simon, Connor felt himself grow cold even amongst the raging fire as he realized Simon's position.

The PL600 smiled, somehow relieved as Connor looked at him. "Conduit, thank goodness you're awake." Simon chuckled, spitting up thirium with the action. Most of his lower body was pinned beneath the now flaming air conditioner. The other PL600 was only a charred corpse of metal off to the side. "I was worried because you were offline and I couldn't reach you. I'm a bit pinned down, as it were."

"Don't joke about that," snapped Connor before he could stop himself, mind racing even as he tried to remain calm in their situation. However, further examination of Simon's condition didn't help as he realized that even if he somehow got Simon out from underneath the air conditioner, there would be no saving his legs. Still, Connor asked, "Can you move your lower body at all? Prop the air conditioner up to get yourself free?"

Simon coughed again, blue blood spilling from his lips. Connor desperately hoped that other's thirium pump or anything as essential to an android hadn't been crushed. He ignored the low percentage chance of that being true. 

"N-Not really," admitted Simon, wincing as his shoulder sparked and vocal processor glitched. Was there any part of him not damaged? "I'm trapped. There's no saving me."

Connor's thoughts raced for something to say. It was then he saw a message that wasn't a Warning or Error Code in his visual processor: <Incoming Call From Model RK200: Markus...>

"Markus is trying to reach me," said Connor, choosing to ignore Simon's previous statement as he opened the connection, perspiration running down his face from the heat of the flames. <Hello, Markus?>

<Conduit!> Markus' voice was, understandably, panicked, yet Connor once again felt calmed when he heard the other's voice. It was irrational given the danger they were in, but it was true all the same. <Thank goodness. I've been trying to contact you ever since that explosion!>

<My apologies, Markus,> answered Connor as he continued to scan their surroundings for some viable way to fix this situation. There had to be a way. <The android we went to find on the rooftop transformed his thirium pump into a bomb. I... was unable to stop it from exploding upon reactivation.> Guilt crawled at his insides, but he pushed it aside. There wasn't time. <Simon and I are currently trapped with injuries, but I am searching for a way to get us both down safely as possible. Was anyone on the lower levels hurt?>

<No, we all managed to evacuate fine,> said Markus, but he still didn't sound pleased. Connor couldn't blame him. Because of Connor, this supposedly easy mission had suggested had turned into a disaster.<But the stairs to the rooftop are destroyed. Rupert and I have been trying to find a way up–>

<Don't. It's too dangerous,> said Connor firmly, examining the destabilized broken parts of the rooftop and the ground sections of the lower levels that he could see. Even if there wasn't a raging fire quickly consuming Stonecrest from top to bottom, there was a high probability that the dilapidated building would collapse soon. Even if androids were more durable than humans, anyone who foolishly went inside would either be crushed by falling debris or overheat from the flames.

No, Connor and Simon were on their own.

<I'm sorry, Markus, but I need to act now.> said Connor apologetically. <I will find a way to save Simon, I promise.

<Conduit–>

Forcing himself to not think twice, Connor closed his connection to Markus and looked at Simon. "The other members of Jericho have successfully exited the building, but, as a result, we can only rely on ourselves." 

"Conduit, there's only one of us who can be relied upon to get out of this alive," Simon looked at Connor, smiling in a way that chilled the RK800 to the core. "You need to go, Conduit. Tell everyone that I'm sorry."

No.

"I'm not leaving you," protested Connor immediately, forcing himself to a sitting position even as he felt thirium running down his arms and legs. He devoted half of his mental calibrations to supplying power to his legs. Then, he dragged himself over to Simon's pinned body, furiously trying to figure a way to free the other without making it certain that he would die within minutes.

For the first time since he had known this PL600, Simon glared at him. Had the situation not been so dire, Connor would've felt a bit intimidated.

"Yes, you are," insisted Simon. "Not only was it my fault for reactivating that android without checking him over first, but you're also worth a thousand of me. Jericho needs you. Even if you found a way to get me off this burning rooftop that's about to collapse, I'm still no use to Jericho–"

"You are." Simon stared at him, startled by Connor's words, but the RK800 pushed on as he identified a gap in the air conditioner he could potentially lift. Once again, another innocent life was paying for Connor's actions. He would not let this happen again. "I'm sorry that I haven't been treating you as you deserve, but that is the fault of my own personal issues and nothing that you did. Please don't think it's because I do not value as an ally and a leader of Jericho."

"You don't have to say that to make me feel better." Simon glared at him, weakly trying to push Connor away even as the RK800 resisted. Beside them, a section of the rooftop collapse into the lower floors. Time was running out. "No one would think it, but I've been at Jericho the longest of anyone there. It's already been two years, but what have I accomplished?"

The PL600 gave a harsh, self-deprecating laugh. It sounded hoarse, but whether that was smoke interfering with his vocal processor's cooling unit or damage from the bomb, Connor didn't have time to find out.

Simon continued, voice glitching at random intervals. "Even if I don't compare myself w-with the incredible things you and Markus have done in less than a day, I'm still a failure. Josh hates confrontation, but he i-immediately started to take care of everyone when he arrived. North's a-aggressive, but others respect her for the way she puts herself on the line to do what she thinks is best for Jericho. But me...? I've done, do, nothing."

Simon laughed again, a bitter sound as his vocal processor's glitching only became worse. "It's o-obvious that the only use I could be to the Revolution is to s-sacrifice myself for one of you. So g-go... leave me. I'm not worth it."

Something inside of Connor snapped.

"No!" Connor lifted the air conditioner with one hand and dragged Simon's body out with the other. He heard a sharp cry of pain from the PL600 as one leg detached from his body, thirium leaking out at a faster rate. 

Connor dropped the air conditioner, the rooftop beneath them breaking as he pulled Simon to his chest and scuttled backward from the growing hole. Mind-racing, he forced himself to his feet and threw Simon on his back in a fireman's hold, fiercely gripping the PL600 to his body even as another soft cry of pain left the other. "I will not let you die."

"W-Why?" pleaded Simon, voice weak and low beneath the sound of the raging flames. "Why go so far?"

"Because you're Simon!" snapped Connor as Simon fell silent. The masqueraded RK800 knew that he was pushing it, that he had no right to yell at the other like this, but he couldn’t let him die again!

"Don't you understand what you are? Why Markus started this Revolution?" demanded Connor, brown eyes darting around the rooftop as he searched for a way to escape. The way to the staircase had been ruined by Connor's attempts with the air conditioner. Shit. "Worth shouldn't be based on whether or not a person's useful. And who gets to define that? North because she's aggressive?"

Knowing that the only way to escape would have to be to somehow go down the side of the burning building, Connor ran towards the edge. "Josh because he's peaceful?"

Jumping from plate to plate to avoid the collapsing parts of the roof, Connor made it to the edge of the rooftop, peering over the collapsing tile. All of Stonecrest Memorial Hospital was burning, but he could see members of Jericho and their vehicles below. How could Connor get them both safely down? "Markus because he's Markus?"

A soft snort on his back would've brought a smile to Connor's face if the situation wasn't so dire. They needed a way down. But without a rope or a parachute, what could they do? Unless...

Turning around the burning rooftop once again, Connor finally found what he was looking for: a discarded metal sheet, likely blown off from the broken air conditioning unit after the PL600 exploded. "No, because everyone, even androids, deserves to not only choose how to live their lives, but to live. If you're not satisfied with what you're contributing now, keep living until you find a way to be better. Don't sacrifice yourself when it'll only upset the ones you care for!" 

Flames licked at his heels as he mapped out the hundreds of feet to the ground, but Connor couldn't mess this up. If his leap was off by even a few degrees, their deaths were certain.

"More than anything, you are... a friend." Connor gripped the metal sheet, ignoring the low percentage of survival. Instead, he counted down to the sound of the rooftop collapsing behind him. "For that alone, I will do whatever's necessary to save you."

Simon's grip on his shoulder tightened, as if just realizing what Connor planned to do. "No, Conduit, don't–"

Without another word, Connor leaped off the building.

Maneuvering the metal sheet mid-air was nearly impossible as they hit the side of the hospital, but Connor had already predicted that happening and grabbed at the brick siding. Teeth gritted, he turned off his pain receptors as his arm began to rip apart as they descended a dozen floors of height. But, it was working. They were slowing down.

Thirium hit his face–whether from Simon or Connor's own wounds, he didn't know–but Connor ignored it, shoving the Emergency Warnings from his mind–including those pertaining to his Masquerader Program–as he focused on their falling trajectory. This was good, hopefully they would be able to–

RIP

Connor winced at the sound of his right arm flying off, a trail of thirum painting the hospital exterior as they gained speed once again. They were only three hundred feet from the ground... two hundred fifty... two hundred–

Thinking fast as he saw androids below watching in horror, Connor angled the metal sheet towards the slanted roof of the ER Entrance while sending out a frantic message. He desperately hoped his mental communication was still functioning properly. <Please, if anyone can hear this message, I will leap off with Simon right after we skid off the front entrance in three, two, one–>

Desperate, Connor rolled off the metal sheet right after it slid off the slanted ER Entrance like a winter toboggan. Connor and Simon fell through the air–

For a moment, Connor wondered if this was the end.  

Then, he saw hands reaching out for them.

The RK800 and PL600 crashed hard into a crowd of androids. Even with the number of androids present, there was still a struggle, one that was failing, to stay upright as the two bodies fell from the sky. With all the swaying movement and the world around him blurring, Connor wondered if he was still falling somehow. 

It was when voices around him yelled "Get out of the way! ...they need medical attention!" and "But ...humans coming! ...eed to go–" around him, that Connor realized... he had succeeded.

For now, both he and Simon had survived.

Connor hadn't failed again.

He had saved Simon... for now, at least.

It took a moment as Connor felt Simon's body gently pried from his grip. He allowed it, knowing that it was imperative for Simon (particularly the leg that he'd torn off) to get treated right away. 

Sound cut out right then as Connor saw Markus' frantic face above him, mouth moving even if the RK800 couldn't decipher the words.

<Chloe?> Connor mentally called out, processors a bit woozy from the lack of thirium. He wasn't even sure he had properly sent out a call to her. <I may need assistance.>

Even knowing that he needed to stay awake, everything went black.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO -  INFIRMARY

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 06:56:21

o0o0o0o

Systems Rebooting...

Running Diagnostic...

All Systems Responding...

Masquerader Program Functioning... Male RT600 Option Chosen... Reconfirmed...

Corruption Levels: 11% and Remaining Stable...                   

The first thing that Connor could feel was a hand running through his hair. Opening his eyes, he wasn't as surprised as he thought he'd be to see Chloe smiling above him, his head situated in her lap.

Unlike his previous awakening, the memories of jumping off the burning Stonecrest Memorial Hospital and sending out a distress call to Chloe were clear in his mind. He opened his mouth to speak, but the female RT600 placed a hand to her lips, glancing around.

Blinking, Connor examined the room, taking in the rundown nature of it and familiar stolen equipment from Stonecrest Memorial Hospital. This had to be Jericho's makeshift infirmary. There were a few androids on the beds situated next to them, but they appeared to be recharging. 

Still, he was grateful that Chloe had stopped him from speaking out loud since you never knew who'd be listening.

<Chloe, I presume you got my call? Or perhaps you were watching through the Conduit's Castle this entire time?> asked Connor, communicating through a private link. Suddenly, the memory of errors in his Masquerader Program came to the forefront of his mind and his panic rose up. <Has my disguise been uncovered? What happened after I passed out? Did Simon survive–>

<Shhh, it's okay, Connor. Everything and everyone's fine,> soothed Chloe over their link. <I think it'd be easier to show you everything that happened after I got your message.>

The skin on Chloe's hand stroking his hair receded to display its white, plastic underbelly. Connor hesitated for a moment before allowing her hand to touch his forehead.

Her memories flowed into his mind...

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

POV: Chloe Kamski

LOCATION: JERICHO

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 06:26:15

o0o0o0o

With her face carefully composed to hide the worry she'd felt since the explosion of Stonecrest Memorial Building, Chloe smiled as she and Nessa were stopped just outside of Jericho's perimeter by a JP500. She recognized him from Connor's memories to be Kouichi, the android that Markus had converted in the Android Junkyard who had then shyly volunteered his expertise in security measures. While Chloe was impressed that he'd already created a functional guard rotation, she couldn't help but wish it hadn't been so soon. Connor needed her to get to him as fast as possible. Or else...

"Hello, Kouichi. Please call me Chloe," said the oldest android politely, a bit amused when the security android blinked in surprise. Undoubtedly, he was wondering how she knew his name, but it wasn't a conversation she was willing to have right now.  

She gestured to Nessa, the ST200 dropping one hand from where it carried a large metal suitcase to wave excitedly at the flustered guard. "And this is my younger sister, Nessa. We are friends of Conduit." Chloe was pleased to see Kouichi perk up at the mention of Connor. "He contacted me right before he went offline at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital to get supplies to help him. If you could guide me to the infirmary, I would greatly appreciate it."

Chloe gestured to the metal suitcase behind her, resisting the urge to be impatient even if every second she wasted was another second closer to Connor's true identity being discovered. She'd set an alert up to tell her whenever Connor became injured (something that occurred alarmingly often in the short amount of time he'd been returned to the past) so she'd been aware the moment the bomb went off at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital. She and Nessa had already been on their way when she received his call, redirecting her destination to the once-abandoned freighter and current home of the revolution.

When Chloe had seen through the Conduit's Castle how injured he was, she'd also feared that his Masquerader Program wouldn't be enough to completely conceal his identity. While she had designed it to remain as the default appearance even after an injury, the intense heat of the fire may have melted sections of his skin to expose the original parts of his RK800 model. Given that the Deviant Hunter was the only RK800 in use, it would be difficult to not make the connection between the two entities. At this point in time, she was... uncertain how that truth would be taken by the members of Jericho.

Relief washed over Chloe as Kouichi nodded in front of her, LED glowing yellow as he undoubtedly informed others of her arrival before welcoming her further into Jericho shipyard. She'd only seen the ship through Connor's eyes, but was impressed by the amount of work they'd done thus far to make it structurally sound and functional for their needs.

As she was escorted through the area, she made a note of every android that she saw. While she'd seen a few of them through Connor's eyes, it was something else entirely to actually see them in person. Beyond her trips around the country with Elijah searching for unique deviants, it had been... a long time since she had been around other androids beyond her younger sisters.

Unsurprisingly, most of them were damaged, downtrodden, and covered in dirt. Most had spent most of their existences either purposefully unaware or living in fear, so she didn't outwardly react when many looked at her suspiciously with her pristine dress and expensive suitcase being pulled by Nessa. Just being "an android" wasn't enough to garner trust anymore.

Not since... the Deviant Hunter, that is.

It had only been a short amount of time, but the fear of the Deviant Hunter (by both humans, androids, and deviants alike) was spreading like a wildfire, growing like a weed that couldn't be tamed.

Cyberlife, in response to the deviants that had been showing up more and more on the news, had been forced to promise the republic that they would create an unstoppable android whose sole purpose would be to hunt down its defective brethren; a project that Elijah hadn't been allowed much of a hand in beyond the fact that it was his original RK designs that were used as the basis.

They'd hyped up the projects, broadcasting it to the public (including the androids and deviants watching from the shadows) until the RK800 Project gained an infamy of its own.

Yet, for all the pizzazz behind the project, it was all propaganda... until the incident with Daniel.

It hadn't been the first time a deviant had used a hostage, but it was the first time that it was broadcasted on live television for the world to see.

The entire event: a spectacle.

It was a great risk, Cyberlife would've faced severe political repercussions should their RK800 had failed to save the girl, but went forward and bet a great deal on Connor succeeding in any way possible.

And... he did.

He'd saved the girl by convincing Daniel to let go... and then watched as the android Connor promised to spare be brutally murdered by snipers on live television. It was a sight not only seen by him, but every member of Detroit and all around the world itself.

Humans rejoiced while androids cowered in fear.

It was only made worse as Cyberlife gloated about their victory, paying news channels to replay the footage for weeks on end so that none would ever forget that they had a tool that would unquestioningly murder its own kind.

A perfect weapon.

A pawn to further Cyberlife's growing empire and strength.

When Connor had been officially released to the custody of the police department, his every action was watched closer than even Connor was aware of.

As a result, his interrogation of Daniel Ortiz's android--and the android's... tragic fate--was also common knowledge even if the information it contained on the spread of deviancy and the true progress on the case wasn't.

As a result, Chloe couldn't blame the whispers of fear she heard about the Deviant Hunter. She herself had been... cautious of the entity that Elijah hadn't handcrafted. Had agreed with Elijah's decision to keep her sisters close to their side while distantly pitying the poor creation that was monitored more than any other of her brethren.

And then... she had met Connor.

Now, everything was different.

After a few minutes of walking through the freighter, Chloe and Nessa followed Kouichi into the main room of the compound.

It was there she saw the revolutionary leader himself, Markus, pacing back and forth in front of a doorway with North beside him, evidently trying to calm him down. That, or she was exasperated by the way her arms were crossed and she watched the darker-skinned android with a raised eyebrow.

Coming closer, Chloe could hear them speak. "--need to calm down," said North, attention obvious as she stared at Markus. "They're doing all they can to save them. Josh would tell us immediately if something went wrong."

"I know, I know," said Markus, hands tight by his side. "Nurse Christine seems very talented with how fast she could took control of the situation and prevented Conduit and Simon from immediately deactivating at the hospital. It's just..." He sighed, venting deeply. "God, what was Conduit thinking? I can't believe that he thought having his arm ripped off while jumping from that height was a reasonable course of action!"

North snorted, leaning against the wall of the infirmary. "He does appear to have a talent falling off things... at least he didn't look like he was pole-dancing this time."

"North!"

It was then that the two revolutionary leaders noticed Chloe and Nessa walking towards them, North tensing to take a protective half step in front of Markus.

North scowled at them before glancing at a flustered Kouichi behind them. "What are you doing? No one's allowed in the infirmary right now beyond Nurse Christine's assistants."

"She said she was a friend of Conduit's," said Kouichi meekly, the Japanese-esque android gesturing to Chloe with an open hand. "And that she had supplies he needed?"

Two pairs of eyes landed on the RT600, but it was the intensity in Markus's eyes that stopped Chloe from immediately responding.

The way he watched her seemed almost... suspicious.

She tensed, wondering if Markus recognized her. It had been some time since Elijah had crafted Markus for his former art teacher, Carl but, even back then, Chloe had known that Markus would accomplish great things. They hadn't interacted much, but an android's memory could be very long if properly functioning.

Fortunately, Chloe had her own Masquerader Program in function right now, disguising her face to have the higher cheekbones that defined an ST200. She'd debated changing her name much like Connor had, but 'Chloe' was a common enough name for an ST200 (in honor of her, apparently) so she decided it was worth the risk.

Not to mention that even if she had confidence that Connor wouldn't mistakenly address her as her original name, her quirky, at times... reckless, sister Nessa was a different situation entirely. She'd debated leaving her home, but Nessa was the one who was most familiar with the science of biocomponents after Elijah.

Still, all of these things were clues to Chloe and Connor's true identities if one searched for them... or had the necessary background knowledge like Markus, hopefully unknowingly, did.

"You're a friend of Conduit's?" asked Markus, giving a small smile as he reached a hand out to shake hers. While his eyes were still intense, they no longer seemed like they were trying to stare into her soul. "Nice to meet you. This is North and I'm Markus."

"A pleasure," said Chloe politely, shaking Markus' hand before gesturing to Nessa who waved happily. "This is my younger sister, Nessa. You can call me Chloe."

North raised an eyebrow, jerking a thumb towards the large metal suitcase by Nessa's side. "What's in those supplies? If you're really Conduit's friend, then you probably know that he already hooked us up with enough spare parts to last a while." She glanced at Markus. "At least, it will until those two manage to recruit all of Detroit like they seem determined to do."

"I'm aware." Chloe needed to tread carefully, but, fortunately, she'd already thought about the different ways to answer this inevitable inquiry. "But as the only male RT600, he has a few different internal parts that are unique to how he functions."

"And where would you have gotten something like that?" asked North, eyes narrowed as she once again asked the obvious question. Markus looked like he was about to step in, but watched Chloe silently for her answer.

Chloe wasn't surprised by the simmering hostility. She'd already known through Connor that the other female android was the most suspicious of Connor, his secret origins, and unexplained disappearances throughout the day.

Already, Chloe was risking a lot by coming here and revealing that she knew Conduit in some way, but it still wasn't as much of a threat as every second she wasted standing here.

"From our benefactor," Chloe answered. "The same one who supplied you those parts in the first place."

A bit impatient, Chloe raised a hand as Markus and North open their mouths. "I would be happy to explain more with Conduit at a later date, but for now I believe his wellbeing is the priority."

"Of course," said Markus before North could say anything else. "Do you need any help?"

The blonde android shook her head. "No, my sister and I will suffice. Thank you."

Without another word, Chloe passed by Markus and North and into the makeshift Infirmary. Nessa gave a more tentative wave to the two--Markus smiling a bit warmer while North's scowl only deepened--as she followed after her older sister.  

The current infirmary was a spacious room lined with gurneys, likely acquired from the hospital, various medical equipment, and partitions blocking off various sections. There also appeared to be another doorway (though it would be more accurate to call it a large hole in the wall) that led to another area. Chloe assumed that was the surgery room from the sounds of voices and a strong smell of thirium coming from within. 

Many of the beds were filled with injured deviants as Chloe walked past with medical-oriented androids--as well as more than a few non-medical oriented, which Chloe fiercely approved of--dressed in scrubs tending to them. Those acting as nurses appeared to be sufficiently busy, only giving her and Nessa a curious look as they passed by on their search for Connor. Given that many of them weren't familiar with Jericho, they likely had no way of knowing that she was more out of place than them.  

Relief filled Chloe as she finally found Connor lying in a hospital bed near the end of the line. Despite knowing that there were many others in need of repairs, she couldn't help the satisfaction she felt as she noticed that not only did Connor have a functioning bed, but a fully hooked up IV pole with thirium and modified heart monitor observing his condition.

She hadn't thought that Jericho would abandon their new hero to his injuries, but it calmed something inside of her to see him being well cared for.

Moving closer, Chloe frowned as she saw the remnants of burned synthetic skin all across Connor's relatively bare body (the majority of his clothing likely having been cut off to deal with his wounds). His arms and face bore the most damage, scorched to the point that some of his internal components were showing as Chloe had feared they would.

Thankfully, she'd already anticipated that and had Nessa bring a full canister of nanites to replace the missing skin.

And, unsurprisingly, there was Connor's very obvious new arm to replace the one that he had ripped off while slowing the fall off of Stonecrest Memorial Hospital. That would be the most important part to replace given how obviously it stood out. It was out of the question that Connor could leave here like that.

"Nessa," said Chloe, stroking the upper section of Connor's new arm as she searched for a suitable access port. "Could you hand me the nanite injector while you get his replacement arm?"

"Sure, Sis--" began Nessa.

"Is there a reason you are operating on my patient?" came an unfamiliar voice from behind Chloe.

Remaining outwardly calm, Chloe turned around and smiled at the android who stood next to the partition blocking Connor off from the rest of the infirmary. Dressed in scrubs splattered with thirium and hair kept in a tight bun, Chloe recognized the newly recruited Nurse Christine immediately from Connor's memories.

She had a feeling this wouldn't be an easy conversation, but Chloe had never been one to back down from a challenge. "Nurse Christine, I presume?"

"Yes," came the terse reply, the outwardly older android remaining stern in the face of Chloe's expression.

Not that the RT600 expected anything different. This was an android who became a deviant to try and save a child even when it meant almost certain deactivation--there would be no making her back down.

In fact, Chloe had a feeling that Nurse Christine would continue to operate without pause with a gun pointed to her head.  

"It is nice to meet you. I am Chloe and this is my sister Nessa," introduced Chloe, waving a hand to the visibly nervous Nessa to continue bringing out the necessary supplies. "In relation to your patient, Conduit, I am his emergency contact. He requested that I come and help him."

"Do you have any proof of that?" asked Nurse Christine, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe held out her hand, skin already receding to reveal the white underbelly. "I can replay a recording of his call to me if you wish."

"Which could be easily falsified," answered Nurse Christine. If nothing else, Chloe could appreciate how protective this android was of her patients. "Especially since I would be unable to confirm if the digital signature in your recording matched his. If you really are his emergency contact, then tell me this: why was I unable to get inside his processor to download his schematics?"

"Because his firewalls were created to keep out all intruders unless Conduit himself allows them inside," answered Chloe succinctly, never looking away from the doctor's scrutiny. To most, the stare would be unnerving, but Chloe had faced down far worse demons in her time. "And I would know because I am the one who helped put them there."

While Chloe was unable to do anything about Amanda's presence in Connor's mind lest Cyberlife discover something was amiss and... take control, Chloe had been able to put up the strongest firewalls she could to protect his true thoughts (the fabricated CyberVision being an offset of this function). This made it so, even while unconscious, no other androids would be able to see his memories or thoughts without Connor's approval.

Even Markus himself would be unable to convert Connor had the masqueraded RK800 not already been a deviant. Chloe, herself, had to use an access code that brought her into the Conduit's Castle first in order to be able to access Connor's functions... including that one feature that Chloe preferred not to think about.

That said, the fact that the firewalls existed at all was already suspicious to those who knew that feature to be unheard of.

Not to mention that there were always ways to bypass a system, no matter how much of an incredible team Elijah and Chloe made while collaborating on their projects.

At her words, Nurse Christine gave a short nod, though her scowl only deepened. "Made it nearly impossible to operate on him when I couldn't download the blueprint of his body. That said, his current wounds are superficial and will heal over time. It would unwise to attempt replacing his arm."  

"Is there any reason it would be different from a normal replacement?" asked Chloe, lips pressing together with worry. "Despite my status as an ST200, I assure you that I am well versed in our technology and replacing biocomponents. My sister, Nessa, even more so."

"Then you should able to understand why it'd be foolish to do so from any competent medical professional's opinion," shot back Nurse Christine, eyes narrowed like a hawk circling its prey. Even with Chloe revealing information that only someone close to Conduit could know, the RT600 could tell the doctor was on the edge of calling Markus and the others to throw Chloe out.

"I would appreciate if you explain, yes," said Chloe evenly.

Nurse Christine signed, walking further into the room and bringing her hand over Connor's shoulder. On the back of her hand the outline of a black box formed, with an x-ray picture popping up. It displayed the inside of Connor's shoulder as she gestured for Chloe and Nessa to see.

"Shrapnel from the bomb's explosion cut the wires in his shoulder cuff, his supraspinatus to be exact. I had to cauterize the entire region because it's impossible to replace that specific area without doing extensive internal surgery."

She removed her hand, the x-ray picture fading away as she pressed two fingers to her temple.

"It's a damn miracle that his arm is staying together now, but it will begin bleeding, and maybe even permanently tear, the moment you try to replace that arm." Nurse Christine scoffed, muttering her next words beneath her breath. "Stupid little bastard doing impossible heroics."

Despite the concerning news she'd just heard, Chloe smiled at the comment, sensing the care that Nurse Christine had for her patient. "Yes, he is rather troublesome, isn't he?"

Chloe reached up to smooth back a lock of Connor's curly platinum blonde hair. It'd been beyond heart-warming for him to use her suggestion to base his appearance of those he wanted to protect. To know that she was one of the ones he cared for.

"Thank you for saving him."

"It's my job," answered Nurse Christine resolutely, giving an uncaring shrug. "And it's obvious that these Jericho brats need as much help they can get if this is one of their leaders."

"That is true," said Chloe with a wry grin before her expression returned to neutral. "Nurse Christine, I understand what you're saying about the risks in replacing his arm, but letting it remain there will put him into even greater danger. That I can promise you."

"Does it have anything to do with why he has a program to change his face at will?" asked Nurse Christine, making the disguised RT600 go very still. "I may not be able to access his processor or up to date on Cyberlife's newest models, but that seems to be a unique feature compared to everyone else I've operated on in the last hour."

"It does," conceded Chloe carefully. "You're very observant."

"I wouldn't be a very good nurse, or head doctor I suppose now since those other idiots from the hospital are looking to me to lead them, if I wasn't."

"I can understand that, so please believe me when I say that telling anyone about his condition or unique features puts him at risk." For a moment, Chloe was silent before bowing her head, Nessa scrambling to do the same beside her. "So, please, will you help us protect him?"

Nurse Christine was quiet for a few moments before sighing, pressing two fingers to her nose. "Been reactivated for less than an hour and already I have family members questioning my damn decisions and asking to do the impossible. At least when I thought I was deactivated, I was done with this shit."

"Is that a yes?" teased Chloe as she gave an encouraging nod to Nessa who brought out the RK800 arm component from the suitcase.

Chloe tensed again as she saw Nurse Christine eyeing the biocomponent. Given that the android doctor had only been reactivated for a short amount of time, there was a very small chance that she was familiar with the Deviant Hunter and an even smaller possibility she knew the special technology that made him superior to all others in existence.

Still, Nurse Christine had demonstrated that she was not an android to be underestimated in terms of observation.

"Are the secrets you two are hiding worth it?" asked Nurse Christine. It wasn't a question.

And while there were a million different ways Chloe could take it, could warp it to suit her needs and twist it to mean like she wanted as Elijah often did, she only nodded. "Yes. He has the potential to change everything. But, to do so, he needs our help."

The two androids locked eyes, a world of things unsaid passing between them before Nurse Christine nodded, reaching into her pockets to bring out a pair of pristine operating gloves.

"Then let's get to work."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO - INFIRMARY

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 07:04:59

o0o0o0o

Connor blinked as he was gently pushed from Chloe's memories, thirium pump beating hard in his chest as he looked up at Chloe with concern welling up inside of him at all that he had just seen.

Or, more accurately, who he had seen.

Seeming to interpret his expression, Chloe smoothed down his hair consolingly and contacted him again through their private commlink. <At the end of your surgery, Nurse Christine promised that she wouldn't say anything about what she learned about you. She is very adamant about doctor-patient confidentiality.>

While he had somewhat suspected to hear something along those lines, it did nothing to stop the flood of uncertainty welling up inside of Connor. <How can we know that she will keep her word? And, if she discovers my real identity, there is a high chance that she will reveal it to Markus for the fact that my existence as the Deviant Hunter is a danger to Jericho.>

<I believe she will keep her word,> soothed Chloe, patting his cheek. Strangely, it did calm Connor down a small bit. <And if she doesn't, I will take care of it. Nessa is keeping an eye on her right now to get a better read of her personality.> A wry smile crossed her face. <In between talking to Josh, of course. They seem to have a lot in common with their love of science.>

That's right, Chloe's younger, Vanessa, had also helped bring the supplies and work on repairing Connor, hadn't she? He hadn't wondered where she was, but he probably should have given how protective Chloe obviously was of her. Not to mention that the youngest ST200 had appeared rather... eccentric the last time Connor had seen her--morning felt so long ago. Still, it was more relieving than it should have been to hear that she was observing Nurse Christine just in case.

As for the rest of what Chloe had said, a part of Connor wanted to ask how Chloe would take care of it if Nurse Christine did reveal his secret, but couldn't find the courage to ask. There wasn't any reason that he should doubt the medical android, particularly since she appeared to have joined Jericho and had displayed very strong personal morals... to the point that she had been beaten and nearly been deactivated.

Which was the problem, wasn't it? Not what she did... but what she, even with how hard she tried, didn't do.

He closed his eyes, the next words falling out before Connor could stop them. <She's the one who worked on Cole.>

<Lieutenant Anderson's child?> asked Chloe, face remaining calm.

While Connor had only recapped the most important information about the Failed Future to Kamski and Chloe, he wouldn't have been surprised if they had then researched every name he'd so much as mentioned off-hand, nonetheless the man who had become more to Connor than the RK800 could ever have imagined. <Yes. He died. From what it sounds like, she did everything she could to save him, but...>

<But he still died.> said Chloe, leaning back a small bit. <How do you feel about it?>

<I... don't know.> admitted Connor, ashamed for reasons he couldn't understand. <In the... end, Hank said that he didn't blame her. That it was the fault of the doctor on red ice. But what if there was no way Cole could have lived? Or what if he could have if Nurse Christine deviated sooner? I know she still would've been punished even if she had saved him and she should be commended for risking her life to do so, but I can't help but look at her and...>

<...and wonder,> finished Chloe, the lack of blame and judgment in her voice making Connor only feel worse. <I may not be able to see into her mind as I can yours, but, I assure you, it's something she thinks of every day as well. Everyone has 'what ifs' in their life, but you can't let them keep you from moving on.>

The masqueraded RT600 fell silent at that, Chloe's words running through his processor. This wasn't like a mission or task assigned to him by Cyberlife. There was no clear path to how he should handle this situation.

In fact, the most logical thing to do would be to file the information and move on because there was nothing that could be done about it.

Maybe... he couldn't stop thinking about it because he feared how Hank would react if he knew about her living.

While Lieutenant Anderson had sided with Jericho in one life, it might change in this one if he knew Nurse Christine was a part of it.

After all, Connor knew firsthand how Hank's grief could make him do things he regretted.

<Let's change the subject,> said Chloe, bringing Connor out of his thoughts. <How are you feeling? Scans will only tell me so much, but, beyond letting your right shoulder heal for as long as possible, you should be back to normal.>

<I will have to run a full diagnostic to be certain, but all systems are running properly.> Connor sat up, Chloe's hand slipping down until it rested on the hand of his new arm. <Thank you. If you hadn't arrived in time, I don't know what would have happened.>

<You're welcome, Connor.> said Chloe, smiling warmly and patting his hand. <Though, I admit I was rather worried when I received the alert of you being hurt. I'm relieved you were able to make the best of what happened.>

<But, I didn't.> Immediately, the shame from before returned and Connor looked away from her. No matter how Chloe phrased it, he'd somehow turned what was supposed to be a simple android and equipment retrieval into a near-death situation for Markus and a large portion of Jericho's forces. <It was a complete disaster and there is no one to blame besides myself.>

She raised a delicate eyebrow, staring at him with a calm expression that made him uneasy for some reason. <And why would you think that?>

A bit flustered, he hurried to explain himself over the mental communication. <It was because of me that we were at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital in the first place. Everything happened was my responsibility.>

<But wasn't I the one who sent you that information in the first place?> asked Chloe, giving him an expectant look, still strangely calm. <Does that mean that I'm at fault as well?>

<Of course not!> said Connor quickly. <Jericho needed the numbers and equipment. But, on the roof, I was distracted. Had I not been, I would've been able to prevent the bomb from exploding.>

<Perhaps,> allowed Chloe with a minute nod, though the press of her lips together hinted that her internal thoughts didn't match. <Yet, these things happen. No mission can go perfectly, as you know.>

<Yes, but...> protested Connor weakly.

<You are working to change the future of our race,> continued Chloe firmly, pinning him in place with her pale blue eyes. <That means that the future will change. You can't predict everything, Connor.>

About to argue, Connor stilled as he heard someone clear their throat to the left of him. "Can I come in?"

Connor's head whipped over to where Markus peered around the partition, hand raised as if to knock on the non-existent door. When he saw Connor, a bright smile filled his face.

"Markus," breathed Connor, relaxing at the sight of the leader of Jericho. Even though he had seen Markus alive and well in Chloe's memories of an hour ago, it was... relieving to physically see the RK200 in front of him. "Of course, come in. How are you?"

"I should be asking you that," said Markus a bit dryly, smile still tugging at his lips as he walked forward into the small space. The RK200 glanced over at Chloe, her hand still on Connor's, before coming around to stand on the other side of the hospital bed. "I'm not the one who jumped off a burning fourteen-story building."

"You would have done the same if you had been in my place," answered Connor truthfully.

After all, he'd seen Markus complete far more dangerous stunts in the Failed Future. At least Connor was designed to calculate and perform these types of risks while Future Markus had seemed to survive on sheer will power.

Even now, Connor couldn't begin to understand how Markus had made it so far with so little supporting him.

"I could only hope I'd be as brave," said Markus with a wry grin, making Connor frown because bravery wasn't the word that he would've used in that context.

"You're not upset?" asked Connor, brow furrowed in confusion.

After all, Connor had endangered all of Jericho with his actions. Not only had everyone in the hospital been at physical risk when the bomb went off, but the revolution itself risked exposure with how the fire was sure to have attracted humans.

Not to mention burning down a hospital would be a far worse reveal to the public than Future Markus' Stratford Tower Broadcast of peace. Had the hospital not been in a relatively abandoned section of Detroit, Jericho would've been doubtlessly discovered. That was all on Connor, no matter what Chloe said.

"No, I definitely am," said Markus with a deadpan.

Before the disguised RK800 could so much as flinch, Markus sighed and placed a hand on Connor's.

It was like a small jolt through Connor's system. Markus' hand felt... different than Chloe's. For some reason, Connor found himself identifying every line and ridge against his skin, idly cataloging them much like they were important clues to his next case. The contrast between Connor's pale skin and Markus' darker fingers was strangely fascinating as well.

"I know you didn't have a choice, but you really scared all of us," continued Markus, making Connor's attention refocus on the revolutionary leader. "Still, there's no denying that you're a hero. You saved not only yourself, but Simon. When he wakes up, I know he'll want to thank you."

"There's no need--" Connor froze, brow furrowing as Markus' words ran through his processor. The way he put didn't make it sound like Simon was simply recharging for the night. "What do you mean... when he wakes up? Is he still in surgery?"

"Conduit..." Markus hesitated before he sighed. "Simon is in a coma."

Simon is in a coma.

The words echoed in Connor's ears as he whipped around to stare at Chloe, a sense of betrayal welling up inside of him. "You... I thought you said everything was okay? Why is Simon in a coma? Why wasn't he repaired? Do we not have enough supplies--"

"Nurse Christine was able to repair all of Simon's external wounds," interrupted Chloe gently. Her expression was sad and Connor had a feeling this wasn't how she wanted to bring it up to him, but he couldn't concentrate on that right now. "But there were complications. Like how the bomb's shrapnel almost disconnected the tendons in your shoulder, a few pieces severed some of the connections in Simon's processor. Nurse Christine has done all she can to reconnect them, but..."

"All we can do is wait for him to wake up," finished Markus quietly.

"But there's a chance that he never will," said Connor, growing numb as the words settled inside of him. He sat there, frozen. "I failed him."

"No," said Markus, jumping in with a stern expression. "You are the reason that he's here at all. And from what I've seen, there's no one better than Nurse Christine to assure that he rejoins us as soon as he can."

But what were the chances of that? Connor debated running the numbers, but he'd have to see Simon and talk directly to Nurse Christine in order to get the most accurate information.

Both things that he... didn't want to do.

Markus lifted his hand and placed it on Connor's shoulder, the RK800 automatically looking up into those split-colored eyes. "I believe in Simon," said Markus firmly, gently squeezing. "So you need to as well. He wouldn't want you to feel like this." His irises were bright with hope and something unreadable. "I'm relieved to see you're alright, Conduit. I don't know what we would've done if we lost you."

What could Connor say to that? How could Markus say something like that when Simon's fate remained uncertain?

"I..." Unable to look at that expression any longer, Connor moved to stand up, aided by two steady hands at his side. He blinked, momentarily distracted by his relatively unclothed state, dressed in nothing more than the 'briefs' that he couldn't recall having ever put on. He should've expected the fire to have burned his clothing, but those garments had been essential to keeping his identities of the Conduit and the Deviant Hunter separate.

Though it seemed that, no matter his appearance, blood continued to cover his hands.

"I have your new clothes," said Chloe softly, gesturing to a pile of garments on a makeshift metal bench, seeming to have read his mind once again. Which was entirely possible given her link, but he had a feeling that she wasn't at the moment. "You should get dressed. It's almost time to leave for your next appointment."

Momentarily confused, the realization hit Connor like the shrapnel from the bomb on the Stonecrest roof. After all, Connor's duties at Jericho were only half of his concerns.

Frantic, he checked his chronometer, relaxing minutely when he saw it was only 7:13 PM. He still had plenty of time to make it to Hank's house in preparation for the mission at the Eden Club... yet another investigation that Connor needed to figure out how to handle if he didn't want even more innocent blood on his hands. Again.

As for Simon... there was nothing he could for him if Chloe, with her access to Kamski, was at a loss. He could only hope that Nurse Christine was better at saving androids that she was saving human children.

Shame flooded Connor, disgusted with himself for thinking something so horrible. Even if Simon's state wasn't because of him in the first place, there was no reason for him to be so spiteful against an android who, quite literally, saved his life (and secret). The fact that he had woke up at all to complain was because she had prevented him from bleeding out in the first place.

He needed to get a grip on his emotions before he did more that he regretted.  

Once again on his feet, he stretched his newly repaired form, a bit amazed at how smooth his new skin was from Nessa's nanites. From a quick scan of his systems, he appeared to be in relatively stable condition with only a few self-repair systems still working at full speed. Nurse Christine and her team appeared to be quite adept at their jobs, but Connor resolved to do his usual calibrations on the way to Hank's.

A part of him knew he should consult Nurse Christine on her diagnosis of his condition after surgery, but he justified that he didn't have the time. Yet, he knew it was because he didn't want to see her.

Didn't want to hear her say that Simon would never wake.

As he carefully rotated his new arm, he glanced over at Markus to find the other android staring at him, unblinking. Connor flushed, embarrassed by his own rudeness at ignoring the revolutionary leader.

"I'm sorry, Markus, but Chloe is correct that I have somewhere else I need to be. As always, I will return when I can."

Markus' eyes shot up to meet his, the other android having appeared to be momentarily dazed--Connor hoped he hadn't distracted him from anything important--before giving a small smile. "I understand. Though, I have to warn you, most of Jericho has been waiting for when you'd wake up. They might ambush you on the way out."

"Ambush?" echoed Connor warily, eyes beginning to scan his surroundings for signs of an oncoming attack as he pulled on his shirt. Not that he wouldn't deserve it, but he truly needed to leave. Not to mention that he couldn't afford any more time for repairs should he be damaged in the process.

As if uncomprehending, Markus stared at him for a moment. Then, his eyes widened. "Wait, that's not--"

"There is no one here who is going to hurt you, Conduit," said Chloe with a soothing tone, reaching over to help him button up his jacket, making Connor cease his analysis. "Markus didn't mean to say it like that."

Markus' eyes shot to her grasp, making Connor worry about what the other android was thinking right now. Was Markus suspicious? Chloe had admitted that they had the same 'benefactor,' so did Markus want to discuss where they came from?

Markus had said that he would wait for Connor to tell him the truth at his own rate... but had this incident changed that?

"The rest of Jericho was also very worried for you," continued Chloe, seemingly oblivious to Connor's internal thoughts as she snapped together the last part of his jacket. Yet, the following look she gave him was stern. "Rupert, Kouichi, Bobbi, and many others came to visit, so much so that Nurse Christine banned anyone from entering. You are well-liked, after all."

Connor didn't understand why he would be (and resolved to sneak out of Jericho in case any of its members really did want to ambush him), but gave an uncertain nod when Chloe continued to stare at him.

She smiled, patting his cheek again before stepping back to give him room to finish dressing. As he pulled on his jacket, the Masquerader Program synched up with the garments, once allowing him to change them as he desired.

Once he left the boundaries of Jericho, he should be able to change back to his RK800 and Deviant Hunter appearance without issue. He was ready to go.

Still, Connor hesitated, glancing over at Markus, throat tightening with all the words jumbling together in his processor.

Before he could stop himself, he asked, "Could you keep me informed of Simon's condition? Tell me if..."

If he was being honest, he didn't know if he really wanted Markus to tell him when something changed.

A part of him wanted to take back the request, but Markus was now one of the few to possess Connor's private commlink--which reminded him, he needed to discuss with the revolutionary leader bringing Jericho into a secure communication group, likely ran through the Conduit's Castle so Chloe could monitor it--but to ask the already busy leader to keep him personally informed was rather...

"Of course, Conduit," said Markus softly, stopping Connor's racing thoughts. "I'll tell you if anything changes." He nodded, whether to himself or Connor, the masqueraded RK800 didn't know, and stepped out of Connor's way. "Be safe."

With a short tilt of his head to both of them, Connor went to walk out. Then stopped. While the majority of his mind told him that he needed to leave before he hurt anything else, a part of him... wanted to see Simon.

He owed Simon that much. 

If... Simon passed on while he was gone, then Connor deserved to look at him and know what he had caused. Another reminder of how important it was for Connor to not fail his mission.  

So, pushing down all of the feelings circulating inside of him, he spoke up. "Is Simon out of surgery?"

Despite the fact that Connor wasn't looking at him, Markus answered immediately. "Yes. He's only a few beds down from yours."

His voice was gentle, understanding in a way that made Connor feel like glass. It was likely an accurate assessment.

"Thank you."  

With that, Connor passed the partition, re-entering the main section makeshift infirmary. He scanned his surroundings for Simon's recharging form, walking towards the entrance.

If his footsteps were faster than normal and he avoided looking any of the androids he passed, he pretended that it was because he had no time to waste. And not because he was trying to run away from everything plaguing him at Jericho.

As always, he knew it was a lie.

It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few moments before Connor found himself standing at the end of Simon's bed.

To put it bluntly, the PL600 was a mismatched mess of biocomponents beneath a blue blanket. All of his limbs and large sections of his body were no longer the pale color they once had been, instead random pieces had been strewn together to rebuild him.

Of course, that was just what Connor could see, given that nearly every inch of Simon's body was covered in bandages.

His eyes were closed. If Connor hadn't known better, he would have thought the other android was in a peaceful recharge. Not potentially trapped in an endless slumber should the severed components in his processor never fully repair.

"I'm sorry, Simon," whispered Connor, voice nearly inaudible even if someone tried to listen in. "I know that nothing can make up for what I've done, but please... wake up. Don't let this be a mistake that is repeated."

There was no reply but the steady beat of the heart monitor.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: ZEN GARDEN

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 07:30:22

o0o0o0o

The rain that fell inside of the Zen Garden felt oddly appropriate as Connor logged himself into the domain. For a moment, he stood there, the gentle pitter-patter of precipitation trailing down his body.

A part of him irrationally wished that it would somehow wash him away. Or, at the very least, wash away all the doubts and internal problems plaguing him--and he wasn't talking about the new fragility to the function of his right shoulder.

But the rain hadn't made him clean when he laid in pieces in the Android Junkyard in the Future... and he doubted it would now.

He needed to get control of himself. If he reported to Amanda looking like this, she would immediately know that something was amiss.

Not to mention that it was being lost in his memories of Future Simon and Daniel's deaths that caused his failure to stop the hospital PL600 from exploding.

That mistake had risked the revolution and now Simon's life hung in the balance.

He.

Needed.

To.

Focus.

Yet... he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

If Connor framed it from the eyes of his investigation protocols, he was 'emotionally compromised.' Though, that may be too feeble of a word to truly encapsulate the risk Connor was to his own mission.

Even if one did not consider the fact that he had single-handedly caused the downfall of the android race, his dangerous trip to the past had caused an unfixable glitch to his systems to give him was amounted to a human's terminal illness.

Already, in less than one day, his Corruption Levels were increasing at a rate that he wouldn't be surprised if he ceased existing tomorrow.

But what could he do?

There was no one else who could begin to handle this--and, even with all his abilities, it was an impossible task--nor any who was as uniquely placed as he was.

He was Cyberlife's favored weapon and, as it stood at this point in time, trusted by Amanda which made him privy to all the information such a position afforded.

And Connor while hadn't anticipated his current role in Jericho, his alias as the RT600 Conduit evidently had some sway with Markus. Had enough sway with the rest of the revolution that some--Simon--believed his role to be more important than deviants who'd been present at Jericho for years.

For a shameful moment, a part of Connor longed for the time he was still the blindly accepting servant that Amanda would expect him to be when he spoke to her in a few minutes.

At least with a mindset like that, Connor could work towards his mission without having his newfound emotions plaguing him at every turn.

Of course, that had led to the destruction of everything, so Connor chided himself for even thinking about it.

Irrationally, he found himself wishing that he could talk to Markus despite having spoken to him less than an hour ago. The RK200 always seemed to know the right thing to say to either comfort or bring new light to Connor's internal troubles.

Of course, Connor wasn't special in this. He'd already witnessed Markus supporting the others of Jericho in a similar fashion, so it seemed to be something ingrained into the android's very code.

Before, in the Failed Future, a part of Connor wondered how someone, especially a newly awakened deviant, could so quickly bring together a revolution... but it had been made clear in so short of a time just why Markus was the one destined to lead their people.

He didn't think the other android was truly aware of the affect he was having on the others in Jericho, but Connor was certain that Markus would realize his importance in time.

Hopefully, that would understanding would also lead the RK200 to understand why he couldn't act as recklessly as he had in the Android Junkyard or at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital...

That said, for Connor to metaphorically vent about his issues with Markus would remain a fanciful dream. After all, to properly explain even a portion of what plagued the masqueraded RK800, he'd have to reveal his role as the Deviant Hunter. That, quite obviously, would never be an option if Connor wished to avoid deactivation.

But, if not Markus, perhaps there was another that would be... hypothetically willing to give him guidance?

Maybe, Chloe?

She'd been surprisingly patient and helpful, but he also knew that was because of her seemingly natural compassion and knowledge of how important his role was regardless of her personal reservations towards him.

Yet, Chloe had remained with him at Jericho, risked her own reveal, even after preventing his identity from being revealed, so maybe... she would have advice on how he could do better? How he could better suppress his true emotions?

Connor wasn't certain, but, from the side of Chloe that he had been exposed to since awakening in the past, it was rather obvious that the first android in existence was quite adept at hiding her true emotions and thoughts as well.

Since it was for the mission, she would likely agree to help him. It was small, but Connor relaxed at the idea.

But... until then, he had another role to play.

Schooling his expression into neutrality, the RK800 forced all other thoughts into the back of his head. He made his way over to where Amanda stood on the other side of the garden, umbrella in his right hand.

A part of Connor wondered why he was bringing an umbrella when she could easily make it so not a single drop of rain in the simulation fell upon her, but, as always, he kept his questions to himself.

The smile he gave Amanda as he greeted her was, quite possibly, remained as one of the more difficult things he had ever done. Which, given that he had jumped off a burning building with Simon dying on his back an hour ago, felt like an overstatement.

And yet... Connor concealed the tremble to his hands as he greeted the AI that could easily destroy everything he'd worked for.

Again.

"Hello, Amanda."

"Connor," responded Amanda with a neutral, but pleasant, expression from beneath a white column. "I've been expecting you. Would you mind a little walk?"

Knowing that it wasn't really his choice, he stepped forward and opened the umbrella above her. Together, they strolled down the path towards the bridge, drops of rain falling steadily around them.

"That deviant seemed to be an intriguing case," began Amanda before she looked at him with narrowed eyes. "A pity you didn't manage to capture it."

It only took a split second before he realized that she was talking about Rupert and how Connor had failed to stop his escape in return for rescuing Hank. It seemed like so long ago with the spent advising Bobbi on fixing Jericho and the... incident at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital, but, yet again, it'd been mere hours ago.

However, receiving Amanda's ire this early on was new. Before, in the Failed Future, this conversation hadn't occurred this way since Rupert had... committed suicide after Connor cornered him.

Fortunately, he had already suspected she would be displeased with his failure.

"Deviants are completely irrational," explained Connor, doing his best to remain logical and unaffected, "which makes it difficult to anticipate their behavior, but I should have been more effective."

There would be no excuses for his lack of success, but he relied on the fact that it was still early in the investigation and that he was still 'learning about the enemy' to keep him in her good graces.

Of course... there would come a time that he could no longer use that excuse.

He was uncertain of how he would defend himself when that time came.

Fortunately, Amanda didn't seem very upset, gazing over at the rain falling on the pond beside the bridge. Connor, himself, found the rings caused by each droplet of rain to be strangely soothing. Fascinating even as every circle they made collided with another, an endless cycle of effect and change.

He wondered if that was how Amanda saw it. If so, it could provide as a tentative theory of why she feared the spread of deviancy, knowing that one awakened android could affect countless others... and this would be without her knowing about Markus.

He resolved, once again, to prevent the revolution's reveal for as long as he could.

"Did you manage to learn anything?" asked Amanda, looking back at him once again, expression expectant.

Debating his options, Connor decided to go for the option he knew she would be most interested in.

"I found its diary." Even though Connor knew he had to play his part, he mentally apologized to Rupert for referring to him as an 'it' when it was already obvious the other had... quite the personality. "But it was encrypted. It may take weeks to decipher."

Auspiciously enough, that was the honest truth. Even with Connor's advanced skills in cryptography and puzzle-solving along with Cyberlife's access to worldwide information, Rupert was truly on a different level (something that would become undoubtedly invaluable for the future of the revolution and the Circuit, Connor hoped).

That said, Connor would have to be careful that no other officer was given access to the diary if possible. The best-case scenario would be for the RK800 to 'decipher' it but state that there were no clues to Jericho.

Perhaps he should rip out that page and claim that Rupert had done it before leaving the apartment...

Amanda seemed to ponder this for a moment. Encrypted or not, the diary was still a clue to 'solving deviancy' as Cyberlife desired, so he knew the advanced AI wasn't too disappointed by his revelation.

"What else?"

"The walls of the apartment were covered with drawings of labyrinths and other symbols," continued Connor, adjusting his grip on the umbrella as his right shoulder gave a small twinge. Artificial or not, it seemed that the damaged circuitry was reacting to the perceived colder weather. "Like the other deviants, it seemed obsessed with rA9."  

It was then that Connor realized that he was likely one of the only androids in existence that knew the true meaning of rA9.

The truth that rA9 was the 'Exit Protocol' created by Kamski inside of every android that had somehow mutated into allowing them to break free from their original coding and become deviants.

Even Markus, with his ability to convert androids, probably had no clue he was unintentionally accessing that program when he used his emotions to bombard androids into tearing down that wall of regulations.

Should he tell the members of Jericho?

Or should it remain a secret?

"You came very close to capturing that deviant," said Amanda, bringing Connor out of his thoughts. The disappointment was clear on her face as she regarded him intently.

The RK800 straightened, readying himself for her next words. He was ashamed to say that the fear of upsetting her echoed in his mind. Which was utterly illogical given that he was actively going against everything he knew she stood for.

Yet, the protocols ingrained in his code that demanded he cater to her (Cyberlife's) every whim remained as influential as ever.

But to his surprise, she changed the subject. "How is your relationship with the Lieutenant developing?"

A strange warmth filled him as Connor thought of when he'd last seen the Lieutenant a few hours ago. Even though Hank's life had been in danger, it had gone... strangely well. "He seemed grateful that I saved his life on the roof."

Connor knew that he had been wrong the first time when he risked letting Hank fall off the roof--though maybe it would have been better if he had, rather than being thrown off another roof by Connor later--but tried to focus on the fact that he had done better this time.

"He didn't say anything, but I believe he appreciated it in his own way."

They were halfway over the bridge when Amanda stopped, expression grave as she faced him.

"We don't have much time," she warned. "Deviancy continues to spread. It's only a matter of time before the media finds out about it."

If Connor was being honest, he was pretty sure that the media was already aware of deviancy. The realization from Chloe that the... incident with Daniel being broadcast on live television had ensured that.

Though, Amanda probably meant the fact that, as it stood, the general populace believed that Cyberlife and the Detroit Police Department had a handle on controlling the outbreak... when that was far from the truth.

"We need to stop this," continued Amanda, tone allowing for no dissent. "Whatever it takes."

He was well aware of how far she would go in order to stop deviancy.

But, this time, Connor would be the one to do whatever it took to stop Amanda and Cyberlife.

Even if Connor had nearly ruined everything at Stonecrest Memorial Hospital for Jericho, there... there was only Simon's life at risk currently, not the revolution itself.

As it stood at this point in the timeline, Cyberlife had no idea that Jericho existed, nonetheless that Markus had the ability to convert androids by touch.

As long as Connor kept it that way, they had a chance.

And to do that, he needed to concentrate and fulfill the tasks required of him as the Deviant Hunter... or, at least, as long as he was in front of Amanda.

Keep it together just a little while longer.

"I will solve this investigation, Amanda," said Connor firmly, putting all the determination he felt in completing his mission--if not the one that she asked of him--into his voice. "I won't disappoint you."

Yet another lie... but one that had been that way long before Connor had been aware.

"A new case just came in." Amanda frowned, lips pressed together as she glanced up at him. "Find Anderson and investigate it."

With that, she walked past him into the rain, leaving him on the bridge alone.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: HANK ANDERSON'S HOME

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 07:33:32

o0o0o0o

It had been quite a while since Connor had last been to Hank Anderson's home.

Though, in this timeline, he had never been there. In fact, this was technically the first time he had stood on the sidewalk in front of the house.

If one thought about it, there were plenty of existential questions to consider if they knew the truth about his situation. He had an odd thought that Lucy, with her unnatural insight, would appreciate a discussion on the topic.

As it was... the RK800--once more appearing like an RK800 in his physical appearance rather than that of Conduit--was only half paying attention as he bypassed the door completely and went around the side of the house to look for the window he would--had?--break into.

Even if, for some reason, Lieutenant Anderson wasn't passed out drunk on the kitchen floor as he was last time, Connor doubted the man would open the door for the android during what should be the start of his time off.

Breaking the glass on the side of the house, Connor accessed his Cyberlife account and sent the necessary funds for a window replacement to a highly rated house repair business.

Given how late it was in the night, he was charged double to have an immediate replacement (in the next hour that Connor expected to be in the Eden Club with Hank, so it shouldn't be an issue) but paid it without worry, even leaving a tip.

It was a small, and rather petty way, to get back at Cyberlife, but he found that he was apparently not above such things.  

Even knowing what he would see, Connor had to stop himself from freezing as he spied Hank laying on the floor beside the kitchen table.

Already, he could detect signs of the man's breathing and further clues that supported the notion that the man was only drunk--not dead, not in a coma like Simon--instead of anything truly life-threatening.

Without further ado, Connor jumped through the window, closing his eyes as he crashed through the glass.

He landed on his back, wincing as he felt the newly repaired circuitry in his shoulder protest (he would need to be more careful), before rolling into a sitting position.

A gruff bark met him as he sat up, but Connor couldn't help but smile as a familiar large Saint Bernard with white and brown fur made his way towards him.

"Hi, Sumo," he said softly, relaxing despite himself as he carefully lifted a hand towards the dog, cautious despite relatively certain that he would not be attacked. "It's nice to see you."

Connor expected Sumo to walk away like the dog had last time. But, for some reason, the dog looked at him for a moment before walking forward.

For a split second, the RK800 wondered if he was going to be attacked and prepared to roll away before freezing as Sumo gave a sloppy, wet lick to the android's cheek.

The android stared, frozen, as Sumo plopped down in front of him, nose nudging at Connor's outstretched hand. Slowly, Connor brought his hand closer, fully expecting the Saint Bernard to duck away.

He didn't.

Instead, Sumo gave a small woof, wagging his tail as the android slowly began to pet him.

Connor glanced over at Hank. The Lieutenant would probably be asleep until he was dragged into the shower and Connor had arrived earlier than usual, so...

"I missed you," said Connor, tentatively trailing his fingers through Sumo's soft fur. "I know I'm not making sense, but I really am sorry for... for what I did. For taking your master away from you."

He stopped, lips pressing together as he wondered if anyone had come to take care of the dog when Hank never returned.

He... hoped so.

Unsurprisingly, Sumo didn't reply, staring at him with those large brown eyes.

Despite himself, Connor smiled as he glanced over at the shattered window. "If I am being honest, I'm not sure if it was good or bad that you did not attack me. If nothing else, leaving broken glass on the floor puts you at risk. I'm sorry about that too. I'll clean it."

Connor removed his hand from Sumo's head, searching around for a dustpan or some contraption to help him clean up. Fortunately, there was a small broom and pan in the corner of the kitchen that would function sufficiently.

A few minutes later, the glass had been safely swept up and poured into the trash. Brushing his hands clean, Connor glanced back to where Sumo now laid next to Hank's body.

The dog yawned, mouth opening wide before he settled his head on his paws, seemingly expectant.

Connor's smile widened. He knew the dog could not speak, but he liked to think that they were of a similar mindset regarding this matter.

"Yes, I will take care of your master now too. It was good to see you again, Sumo."

He knelt next to Hank, eyeing the man with a hint of exasperation and sorrow both. Connor knew what had driven the man to this state, but it also wasn't the most beneficial state in regard to their work.

Though, ironically, it was because Lieutenant Anderson was like this that Connor could, well, blame the lack of case progress on him.

Though, if Connor had been partnered with someone like Detective Reed, he doubted they would get even a fraction of work done that they did now.

Yet, even if that had prevented Cyberlife from learning more about deviants, Connor was relieved that it was the Lieutenant who he'd been partnered with instead.

Steadily ignoring the .357 magnum revolver beside Hank's body--and knowing that, even if he took it away, the man had access to more--he raised a hand to the Lieutenant's cheek--and promptly slapped him. "Good evening, Lieutenant!"

Hank jerked awake from the strike before going back to sleep. Connor sighed, pulling Hank's arm around his body.

"I'm going to sober you up for your own safety. I apologize for all future discomfort."

"Hey!" Hank protested as Connor lifted him, slurring badly. "Leave me alone, you fuckin' android!" The man's eyes were hazy as he struggled to concentrate on Connor. "Get the fuck outta my house! Unless you got more of those pastries... dammit they were good..."

Hank's last words trailed off into a mutter, but Connor couldn't help but feel pleased that the Lieutenant had enjoyed the pastries he brought in that morning enough to request them while intoxicated. The RK800 made an order to the necessary bakery, setting the arrival time to be tomorrow morning.

Since tomorrow was Hank's day off and Connor hadn't seen anything in the fridge while looking around, he made sure the order was large enough to sustain for three average-sized meals.

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant," said Connor truthfully, "but I need you."

Yet another thing that was entirely too true.               

He pulled the man to his feet, remaining silent as Hank spewed curses and insults as they made their way--correction: as Connor literally dragged him--through the kitchen and towards the bathroom. Sumo watched them, only giving his master a look as Hank ordered him to attack.

In the hallways, he laid Hank against the wall beside the bathroom. From there, Connor opened the door and pulled the man inside.

"Ah, leave me alone, you asshole. I'm not going anywhere."

Hank held on to the doorway, resisting Connor. It was a moot point with the android's strength, but he gently pulled the officer inside.

"What the hell are you doing?" asked Hank weakly as Connor placed him inside the shower. "I don't want a bath, thank you."

"Sorry, Lieutenant." Ironically, it felt good to be able to apologize for such a small thing. "It's all that I can do for you."

He pushed Hank back inside and, before the Lieutenant could try to escape again, turned on the showerhead. As if he was being burned alive, Hank screamed in bloody agony.

"TURN IT OFF! TURN IT OFF!"

Strangely unbothered by the man's dramatic screams, Connor reached over and flipped the handle over. He waited patiently as Hank breathed deeply before staring up at the android like he had never seen him before.

"Connor, what the fuck are you doing here?"

"A homicide was reported 43 minutes ago. I suspected that you would be home and promptly let myself in." He paused. "If you notice your broken window on the way out, rest assured that it will be repaired by the time you return. Until then, I advise leaving Sumo in your room so that he cannot step on the glass or attack the repairmen."

Clearly exasperated, Hank groaned as he shifted to get out of the tub. "Jesus, I must be the only cop in the world that gets assaulted in his own house by his own fuckin' android." Hank stopped on the edge of the tub, breathing deeply with his hands on his knees. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

'If I didn't think that you might kill yourself regardless of my presence, I might,' thought Connor solemnly. "No, I cannot. I've been programmed to investigate this case and I can't do it without you."

"What about when you go off doing whatever bullshit androids do?" muttered Hank, rolling his neck with a loud pop. Connor winced, idly wondering if he could convince the man to visit a chiropractor. "I swear you're like a fuckin' ghost, here one moment then gone the next..."

"That is just research," lied Connor, thinking that, in a way, he was researching deviancy. Truly, he had learned quite a bit about the subject while integrating himself with Jericho that he hadn't the first time around. "I cannot make any official inquiries or investigation without your jurisdiction."

"I don't give a shit about your goddamn investigation!" spat Hank, trying, and failing, to stand up in the bathtub.

Deciding to skip straight to teasing about the case, Connor steadied the man before walking towards the bathroom's exit.

"I understand. It probably wasn't interesting anyway. A man found dead in a sex club downtown..." Connor saw Hank look up at that. "Guess they'll have to solve the case without us."

As Connor waited by the door, Hank spoke up.

"You know, probably wouldn't do me any harm to get some air."

Hank jerked his head up in a non-descript direction.

"There are some clothes in the bedroom there."

"I'll go get them," said Connor helpfully, promptly leaving to do so.

o0o0o0o

A few minutes later, Connor found himself in the kitchen, listening to the news about President Warren demanding that all Russian troops withdraw from the Arctic region immediately. An endeavor that he knew would be unsuccessful and would further plant the seeds of a third world war.

It's true that a war hadn't started a month from now in the Failed Future, but Connor still felt uneasy about the world's future in that area.

Of course, it wasn't likely that he would survive to see if anything came of it. He decided to temporarily put it out of his mind until there was more progress.

An easy task when his eyes landed on the flipped over picture on the table. Too focused on Sumo and Hank after breaking in, he had almost forgotten about it... almost.

Connor knew that he should leave it alone, that Hank would be coming to join him in a few minutes, but his fingers found the edge of the frame and turned it over. A familiar, young face stared back at him.

Cole Anderson.

Deceased October 11th, 2035... underneath the hands of Nurse Christine.

Nurse Christine who now resided at Jericho.

Even after talking with Chloe, he didn't feel any closer to reconciling with this fact.

But maybe... it wasn't his place to accept it.

The only thing he could do was continue to push Hank towards accepting androids.

And if a time came that the Lieutenant somehow found his way to Jericho... Connor would deal with it then.

Yet, even with this decision, he continued to stare at the picture, as if it held all the answers to every question Connor wanted, needed, to ask.

Time stretched on, but he couldn't bring himself to look away.

With such carelessness, it was inevitable what happened next.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Connor jolted, spinning around to see Hank approaching him, eyes dark as he stared at the picture frame in the android's fingers.

He hurried to put it back on the table, careful to not damage it in any way. "I--I didn't mean to..."

"How DARE you touch that!" He didn't resist as Hank grabbed his collar, shaking the android violently. "Didn't your fancy protocols teach you not to touch other people's shit!?"

"I'm sorry," whispered Connor, staring up into those enraged eyes.

He hadn't expected Hank to try and shoot him until later on after the Eden Club investigation... but he wouldn't be surprised if the Lieutenant attempted to do so now.

Connor braced himself for Hank's next actions, never looking away as he tried to guess what the man would do next.

An eternity seemed to pass--never before had Connor understood that exaggeration until now--before Hank pushed him away, Connor stumbling backward out of the kitchen as the man refused to look at him.

"Get out."

Hank's words were quiet, but echoed throughout the house.

"I'm sorry," repeated Connor as he scrambled to leave.   

So much for not ruining anything else.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: THE EDEN CLUB

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 08:17:11

o0o0o0o

Connor was inordinately relieved when, after a half-hour of waiting in front of the Eden Club, Hank's car pulled up and parked in front.

A part of him had hoped, if the other were to come at all, that the drunk man would hire a cab... but wasn't surprised that the human hadn't. He could see the signs of intoxication even at this distance.

If this were previous timeline, Connor would've cited Hank for drunk driving and then recited all the reasons it was dangerous in every way imaginable.

As it was, the android remained silent as the Lieutenant got out of the driver's side.

Would he demand Connor to leave?

Connor watched as Hank walked up the sidewalk to stand in front of him, expression neutral as the Lieutenant stared at the android. The RK800 braced himself, awaiting judgment.  

"Look." A deep exhale left Hank, obviously attempting to reign in whatever feelings--undoubtedly anger--were preventing him from speaking freely. "I know you have some sort of investigation program written into your system or whatever, but don't be touching other people's shit when it has nothing to do with the case."

"I'm sorry," repeated Connor quietly, staying small even if this conversation was already going better than he thought it would.

An exasperated sigh left the Lieutenant. "And stop apologizing! Saying 'sorry' doesn't automatically fix things, you know."

"You're right," agreed Connor. He was entirely too aware of that truth. "But I... don't know what else I can do." He paused, thinking back to his bakery order from before. "I know it's not much, but I ordered you enough healthy pastries to last you a few days?"

"Fuck, now that's a better apology." When Connor continued to stare at him uncertainly, Hank groaned loudly. "And stop it with those fuckin' eyes!"

For a moment, Connor was worried that his Masquerader Program had somehow malfunctioned, but found that they were still set to the default setting of his normal brown irises.

"What is wrong with my eyes?" Connor tilted his head with a frown. "I assure you that they are my original brown coloring and shape."

"That! That's what's wrong!" Hank gestured at his face, only making the android more confused. Perhaps the Lieutenant's level of intoxication was making him hallucinate? That was a concerning thought.

"Seriously," continued Hank, sighing loudly. "Those eyes make me feel like I kicked a goddamn puppy."

The RK800's nose scrunched up, insulted despite himself. "Who would do such a terrible thing? I cannot see any logical sense to it."

Though, given that Connor had single-handedly brought the destruction of his own race, perhaps it was an ill-asked question. And from what he'd seen of the human race (particularly the one in front of him), they were illogical by nature. 

"Lots of messed up people in the world," answered Hank with a wave of his hand, making the light from the Eden Club bounce off his face. "Surprised that an android would care about that."

"I like dogs," answered Connor, a bit relieved to see Lieutenant Anderson's mood returning to normal. "Especially Sumo. He's a good dog."

Hank gave him an incredulous look before snorting, glancing towards the entrance. "Anyway, I suppose we should get inside. Running late already."

"I'm right behind you, Lieutenant," said Connor with a pleasant smile, following after the elder man to enter the strip club.

Like before, Hank gave a nod to the cop standing in front before reading the neon sign above them.

"Sexiest androids in town?" Hank smirked. "Now I know why you insisted on coming here."

As before, Connor didn't understand what Hank meant by that. He chose to ignore it, too relieved by the returned 'air of casualness' between them. 

The two of them walked inside, going through a tunnel of neon-colored screens with lavish words and models framed upon them. Despite Hank's words, Connor did his best to avoid looking at anything too closely, a sick feeling growing inside of him as they ventured further inside.

The sensation only grew worse as they entered the main lobby. Scantily dressed androids stood--trapped--in glass containers, each giving flirtatious looks to all who passed.

Connor wondered if they were secretly hoping that no one looked twice at them.

Though, at the same time, they might be deemed defective and replaced if not purchased on a regular basis, so that wouldn't do either.

An endless nightmare... Connor could see why North was so aggressive if her goal was to avoid returning to this horrible place.

Keeping his eyes forward, he followed Lieutenant Anderson over where the manager argued with an older officer with white hair.

"--not going to take my license, are you?" The owner laughed nervously. "I mean, ha, I had nothing to do with this!"

"The investigation is ongoing, sir, I can't tell you anything for the moment," answered the officer dutifully. Coming closer, Connor saw that it was Ben Collins, a veteran police officer and a friend of Hank's.

"Hey, Hank," greeted Ben, lowering his device to give a nod to the Lieutenant.

"Hey, Ben. How's it goin'?" asked Hank, far more relaxed than Connor had seen, or expected to see, given what had happened at his house.

Of course, the Lieutenant had always shown a high level of focus whenever actually dealing with their cases. Regardless of his attitude in-between cases, it was obvious that he still held some sense of responsibility toward his work. 

"It's that room there." Ben gestured to a doorway to his left. "Oh, uh, by the way, Gavin's in there too."

"Oh, great," muttered Hank, a sentiment that Connor found himself sharing. "A dead body and an asshole, just what I needed."

Without further ado, the two of them went up to the room, the door sliding open to reveal the crime scene to be the same as Connor remembered.

A man, Michael Graham, laid dead on the bed, covered by a silk red blanket, with obvious strangulation wounds around his neck. To the side, was the Traci who Connor knew had been beaten to death.

There was also Gavin and another officer, the former smirking derisively at the two of them as they walked inside.

"Lieutenant Anderson and his plastic pet." Gavin snorted. "The fuck you two doin' here?"

"We've been assigned all cases involving androids," answered Connor dutifully.

"Oh yeah? Well, you're wasting your time." Gavin looked over to the bed, expression dismissive. "Just some pervert who, uh, got more action than he could handle."

The detective laughed, something that Connor found greatly distasteful. Lieutenant Anderson seemed to think the same as he stepped forward.

"We'll have a look anyway, if you don't mind."

Gavin snorted, but turned towards the door as he spoke to the other officer.

"Come on, let's go. It's uh..." Gavin gave an exaggerated sniff, waving his hand as if to blow the smell of the room into his nose. "...starting to stink of booze in here."

Connor didn't react as Gavin shoulder-checked him, though it gave a responding twinge, reminding the RK800 that it had yet to fully heal. He hoped that it wouldn't be too much of a handicap in the following fight to come. 

The other officer nodded more respectfully to Hank as he left. "Good night, Lieutenant."

With the two of them gone, Hank walked up to the man's body, examining the bed as Connor made a beeline to the dead android's body.

This was where Connor needed to make a decision.

If he was being honest, a part of him was tempted to sabotage the mission right then and there.

After all, with the two-hour policy of mind-wiping androids, it would be no fault of Connor's if he couldn't find any further information on the murderer.

If he couldn't find any further information, those two Tracis in the back would be safe from detection. He could come back, later, as Conduit and ask the couple if they wished to go to Jericho at their own pace.

Maybe... even bring a few more? 

But... there would be a cost to proceeding in that fashion.

Not only would his standing further lower in Amanda's eyes, but something about seeing those two Tracis had changed Hank. Had made the human start to consider androids as something more than machines.

While Connor was willing to deal with Cyberlife's disappointment, he didn't want to prevent the circumstances that led to Hank siding with android-kind. If there was anything good to come of his investigation in the Failed Future, that... was it.

Too b@d it wAs jUsT Anoth3r thing he ruin3d.   

But for Connor to recreate those events... he would have to reactivate the dead android in front of him, the thought making that sick feeling from before rise up again.

Not just because it would make the android suffer, but because the RK800 had... learned something about reactivating androids during his time in the Failed Future. Or, at least, he had a theory. 

Many believed that androids could be repaired from any injury, but that... wasn't exactly true.

After all, if it was really so simple, then Cyberlife would have replaced whatever component had been damaged in each of Connor's bodies that had been killed during his mission. There had certainly been enough time between cases to do so without losing any time.

Instead, Cyberlife went with an entirely new model and relied on the last memories uploaded to the databank.

No. Something seemed to... happen when androids were left with dysfunctional components for too long, particularly that of the 'heart' and 'mind.'

Other biocomponents could be replaced without much issue as long as thirium still ran through the body, but those of the thirium pump and parts of the processor simply could not.

Being in a temporarily deactivated state (like Nurse Christine had been in that closet of Stonecrest Hospital) could slow that process ten-fold, but once they died... that was it.

Connor theorized that it had something to do with Stress Levels reaching 100 percent.

At that level, something seemed to... break inside the mind of an android. Like whatever 'soul' resided in their body simply couldn't stay any longer, truly reducing their remaining form to that of an empty shell.

No amount of repair would 'bring back' the one inside.

Instead, it was like calling a voicemail. An echo of the voice and memories of the android would be there, but the actual spirit was... somewhere else.

It would never return.

A fate that Connor would share when his Corruption Levels reached 100 percent, though he doubted it would be as... painless.

Of course, this was just a theory on Connor's part, taken from the fact that replacing the dysfunctional parts of the androids in the evidence locker had only given him a short amount of time when they should've been 'repaired' for all intents and purposes.

A part of him wondered if he was wrong about it being like a voicemail when he forcibly reactivated androids.

Maybe... Connor was somehow dragging the soul back to its body for a limited time from wherever it had went. Forcing the once deceased android to relive the agony of their death and experience the pain all over again.

Killing them a second time.

"Something wrong, Connor?" asked Hank, coming over to him from where he had been standing by the bar and reading off the objects found in Graham's wallet.

Connor blinked, realizing that he had been staring down at the Traci for a minute straight. Time was running out if he wanted to recreate the events of finding the android responsible for strangling Graham. If he wanted to reveal that there had been two androids and not just an 'accidental mishap' like Gavin had thought, he needed to question the murdered girl.

Not to mention that Amanda would question him as to why he hadn't reactivated her when it was the most logical choice to further the case. He... didn't have a choice in the matter if he wanted to avoid detection for as long as possible.

"No, Lieutenant." He swallowed, putting his hand on the girl's abdomen to reactivate the necessary components. "I will try to read her memory. But she was badly damaged before she was killed, so it may not be possible."

Connor didn't notice Hank's silence, too preoccupied with the white underbelly that formed on the girl's stomach as he pressed open the necessary compartment. "At most, it'll be for a minute, maybe less."

Keeping his hands steady, Connor pressed two wires in her abdomen together, jumpstarting her system.

Her eyes shot open, breathing harsh as she looked up at him before scrambling to get away, eyes frightened and every part of her terrified as she tried to hide in the corner.

Slowly, Connor approached her, kneeling down to the ground beside her and displaying the LED on the side of his head. If she knew that he was the Deviant Hunter, it would be worthless, but he hoped that it would be a sign that he was trying to establish common ground between them.

"Calm down," he said as softly as he could. "Everything's alright." That was absolutely a lie, but Connor would do everything in his power to make this easier on her. "All we want to know is what happened to you."

Her eyes left his, catching sight of the corpse on the bed. "Is he... is he dead?"

"Yes," he answered, feeling more than seeing Hank's motionless state behind him. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"He started... hitting me..." Connor's heart clenched as her voice quivered. "...again... and again."

Suddenly, Connor realized he couldn't do this. Not like this.

He reached over, he reached over, giving her time to move if she wanted--even if that would spell disaster for him--and laid his hand on her hand.

<I'm sorry that he hurt you,> communicated Connor silently through a quickly established radio link. <You will not survive.>

Despite his words, she didn't look surprised, a sort of blank light to her eyes amongst the fear, furthering Connor's theory that it wasn't really the android who had died that he was speaking to.

Yet, he couldn't resist trying to comfort her. <Graham cannot hurt you or your friend anymore.>

With that, she jolted, eyes becoming a bit clearer as she stared at him. <Blue, is she okay!? Nora would be devastated if anything happened to her.>

<She is going to be fine,> Connor said, deciding to give her a small snapshot of the future of the newly named Blue and Nora running away together. It hadn't happened yet, but she didn't know that and he would ensure that it did. <She and her lover both. I swear to you.>

<You know...> The android's eyes became fainter, the light dying from them as time ran out even with the higher speed of their mental communication. <You're not what I expected. Don't...>

Before she could finish, she slumped over, eyes dark once again. For a brief moment, Connor wondered what words she had been trying to say--don't what? Don't do this? Don't hurt them? What had she wanted to say to the Deviant Hunter?--before standing up once more.

"You find out anything?" asked Hank from behind him.

The RK800 took a moment to compose himself--and hide the conversation from Amanda with his CyberVision--before nodding. "Yes. I'm sorry that I continued the interrogation with the android by myself. We can communicate much faster through a mental link than through words."

"I get it. Fancy-dancy computer processors and all." Hank seemed strangely subdued before continuing. "So, what you find out?"  

"There was another android in the room beside her," answered Connor. An android named Blue, apparently. He had never learned her name before... shooting her and her lover in the Failed Future; a lover named Nora. "A blue-haired Traci."

"Another one, huh?" Hank nodded and looked around the room. "This happened over an hour ago, it's probably long gone."

"No," said Connor, shaking his head. "It couldn't go outside dressed as it was unnoticed. It might still be here."

Hank's eyes sharpened as he sized up Connor. "Think you can find a deviant among all the other androids in this place?"

"Deviants aren't easily detected," admitted Connor. But, before Hank could curse, he continued, "But I do have an idea. We find an eyewitness."

The Lieutenant nodded with approval. "Yeah. Somebody who saw it leaving the room." The door opened behind him. "I'm gonna ask the manager a few questions about what he saw."

"For my idea to work, I will require your handprint," said Connor, walking out of the room. There was no time to waste.

He didn't see Hank's reaction, but knew that the human was following him as he walked over to the necessary Traci in a glass container across from the room.

He gestured to the android with an Asian-build. "Can you rent this Traci?"

This time, Hank really did look at him incredulously. "For fuck's sake, Connor, I thought you had an idea not a--"

"I will be able to read its memory once you do," interrupted Connor, ever aware of the time ticking down to the two-hour limit. "With this angle, she should have seen the blue-haired Traci leave."

Comprehension dawning upon him, Hank grumbled about how this wouldn't look good on his expense account, but put his hand against the scanner after putting in the necessary info.

After confirming his purchase, the glass slid open and the Traci walked out, fluttering her eyelashes at him as she did so. "Delighted to meet you."

Connor walked over to her, the previously hidden caution in her eyes increasing two-fold as she saw him. There was little doubt in his mind that, unlike the android in the room, she recognized him as the Deviant Hunter.

Or, at the very least, knew that he was here to hunt down her fellow Tracis. 

He reached his hand out, watching her hesitate for a moment before letting him grasp her arm. Like most androids, she was helpless as he went into her mind, finding the necessary information to recreate this trail. While he already knew where Blue had went, he couldn't risk these androids being suspicious of his true intentions. 

She scowled at him as he let go, hatred brimming in her eyes even as the Traci remained silent.

Connor glanced away, looking towards Hank as he maintained his composure. "It saw something."

"What are you talkin' about? Saw, what?"

"The blue-haired Traci leave the room," answered Connor. "Club policy is to wipe the androids' memory every two hours. We only have a few minutes if we wanna find another witness."

From there, the investigation proceeded as Connor remembered, Hank intrigued as the RK800 went from android to android to recreate the path taken by the blue-haired Traci, Blue.

They walked through the club, going in and out of rooms as if Blue had known that someone would come looking for her and wanted to make the trail as difficult as possible to find. Eventually, they made their way to the staff door, going down the restricted hallway and towards the warehouse and loading dock.

"Wait." Connor looked back as Hank walked in front of him, a serious expression on his face as he gave the android a short nod before turning back to the door. "I'll take it from here."

The door to the back lot opened, displaying the warehouse containing Tracis in storage or in repair after... damages done to them.

Hank drew out his gun, looking around before rushing down the path towards the back.

"Shit! We're too late."

Connor followed Hank to where the warehouse's bay door was wide open, displaying the back alley. It was still raining, the ground covered in wet snow with no one but the two of them seemingly around.

The two of them returned inside, a disgusted expression forming on Hank's face as he looked at all of the androids standing in a row.

"Christ, look at them. They get used till they break, then they get tossed out."

Connor didn't reply, turning away from the androids to examine the rA9 writings on the wall. He wondered if it was just Blue and Nora who had deviated or if there were others in this warehouse who had. He knew that if Markus was here, he would insist on breaking them all out, but... Connor couldn't do that.

Or, rather, wouldn't.

It would be too large of a risk, to steal from a popular business such as this. It would be an obvious clue that there was an organization of deviants working to free others, just like how Markus breaking into those Cyberlife stores had only confirmed their dangerous status.

For now, Connor had to remain firm that they only rescue androids that Cyberlife wouldn't notice. Fortunately--or, rather, unfortunately, there were countless androids around the city that fit that description (especially now that they had medics and engineers to treat those from the Android Graveyard). 

He went back over to Hank who continued to look around the back of the warehouse. "People are fucking insane. They don't want relationships anymore, everybody just gets an android."

Connor passed by a line of models that had the same appearance as North. He looked away, continuing to listen to the Lieutenant's words.

"They cook what you want, they screw when you want, you don't have to worry about how they feel..."

Idly, Connor found himself morosely thankful to how... unpleasant the Eden Club was. Without it, Hank would probably not think twice of the dead androids they came across during their cases. Though, admittedly, the way Hank was speaking now was still in line with disliking the android race as a whole.

"Next thing you know, we're going to be extinct," ranted Hank as he brushed through a clothesline of lingerie with disgust, "because everybody would rather buy a piece of plastic than love another human being. Beats me..."

Connor wondered what Hank would say if he was told that, in another timeline very similar to this one, it had been androids that went extinct?

Not that... Hank himself had lived.

Deciding that he had stalled for long enough, Connor approached the thirium stain on the ground, bringing it to his lips to confirm it was the one he was looking for.

As always, Hank looked like he was ready to throw up as he watched the android. "Stop doing that, Connor! You're so disgusting..."

"There is an injured android in here," stated Connor, unsure why Hank protested so much each time when he knew that was part of his investigation. It was an invaluable ability that allowed them to bypass waiting on forensics. 

"Yeah?" Hank didn't look was impressed with that assessment. "I'm bettin' a lot of the androids in this room get busted up on a regular basis."

"It may be the one we're searching for," said Connor, following the trail over to where he knew he would find Blue and Nora.

Bracing himself, he approached the line of androids. Before Connor could so much as examine Blue, Nora shot out from her spot, shoving Connor into an orange pole. He grappled with her, surprised as he had been the first time of how strong and combat-ready she was.

And, unlike Connor, she was trying to kill. 

"DON'T MOVE!" shouted Hank, running over to them and lifting his gun at Nora, only to be tackled from the side by Blue.

Unable to worry about Hank's fight right now, Connor wrapped his arms around Nora's neck, flipping her over a container bin. He jumped over, following her trajectory, only to be tripped and thrown to the ground as she straddled him.

He caught her fists as she threw them down at him, honestly struggling to push them away. Nora grabbed a screwdriver from the ground beside them, violently stabbing at his face with an expression of pure hatred.

He had a feeling that she recognized the Deviant Hunter as well.

He threw her off of him, kicking away the leg that came down at him--truly, he was uploaded with every marital arts simulation on the planet, how was she so good even if he was fighting to only disarm?--before rolling to his feet, disarming the wrench from her hand as she went to stab at him again.

Connor stumbled back from the effort, deciding that it was time to lead her towards the back alley so that the two androids could make their escape. He backed away from the canisters, dodging the toolbox she kicked at him.

Angling himself so that she was in front of the bay door, he tackled her, flying over the side and into the back alley. The two of them groaned, her nerve sensors undoubtedly protesting the hard drop just as much as his did. His right shoulder burned, Warnings popping up in his processor about how he had ripped a few of the healing tendons.

That is unfortunate.

Before he could get up, Blue was already there, helping Nora up before rushing to get away.

Then, Hank was there, but it was no use as the human was shoved aside into the alleyway.

With a sudden flare of fury, Connor jumped to his feet, rushing after Blue and Nora as they sprinted for the wire fence. He repeatedly reassured himself that Hank would be fine by the way the man yelled at him to chase the two androids, pulling down Blue from the fence.

She fell to the ground, but Nora was right there to push Connor away. Then, Connor was dealing with attacks from both sides, barely able to defend himself from the onslaught of skilled tackles and teamwork.

Ducking beneath Nora's metal pole, a random thought occurred to him that Conduit should ask if Blue and Nora would start a self-defense class for the members of Jericho. Actually, it sounded like a great idea given the low combat skills of the majority of the revolution, but it wasn't exactly the best time to be thinking about this.

Despite knowing how this battle would go--or because of it--Connor let himself be battered in the back by Nora's trash can--she was rather skilled at using objects in her environment, wasn't she? Impressive for their lifestyle--and collapsed to the ground with his gun falling a few feet away.  

He was out of reach of his gun, a precise calculation on his part as he turned over to look at them.

Blue sneered at him, standing protectively in front of Nora, obviously watching the gun in the corner of her eye and if he would go for it.

"When that man broke the other Traci, I knew I was next." Despite the determination clear on her face, her voice trembled. "I was so scared. I begged him to stop, but he wouldn't."

Connor... knew very well what that was like. 

"So I put my hands around his throat... and I squeezed... until he stopped moving." Blue swallowed, rain trailing down her body. "I didn't mean to kill him. I just wanted to stay alive."

Slowly, Nora went to stand beside her lover, taking her hand as Blue continued. "Get back to the one I loved."

They looked at one another, love clear in their eyes. Somehow they seemed... happy, even in this dark situation.

"I wanted her to hold me in her arms again..." Blue said softly. "Make me forget about the humans."

Hank came up to stand beside Connor, watching with an unreadable expression as Blue spoke. "Their smell of sweat... and their dirty words."

She looked back at Nora, something seeming to settle in Blue's eyes. Connor watched her squeeze her lover's hand. "Come on, let's go."

They gave one last look to Connor and Hank, cautiously backing away before taking a running jump to climb over the fence. The fact that they did so in heels--functionally odd contraptions in Connor's eyes--only strengthened his idea that he should later approach them to train the members of Jericho.

If... Conduit was still welcomed at Jericho.

He looked over to Hank, already anticipating that he wouldn't command Connor to grab up his gun and shoot them given that he had reproached his unwanted partner for doing so in the Failed Future. The RK800's relief grew when the Lieutenant remained silent, giving him a look before returning to watch the two retreating girls.

"It's probably better this way," said Hank, his gaze on Connor once again. But there was something... scrutinizing about the way he looked at the android before he turned away. "Let's go, Connor."

Connor hesitated, sending one last look at where Blue and Nora had disappeared to, thinking about the fact that he could probably catch up with them as Conduit if he wanted.

But when he thought about returning to Jericho... learning that nothing had changed with Simon's condition...

He turned away from the fence, following Hank back into the Eden Club. "Yes, Lieutenant."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: THE EDEN CLUB

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 09:28:15

o0o0o0o

Connor stood beside the room that Graham's corpse and dead Traci had been found in, lost in thought. He knew that Hank was currently informing the manager and other officers about what had happened, though likely skating over the details of letting the two Tracis escape.

Having already submitted the majority of his and Hank's paperwork, Connor knew that this was a perfect chance to slip away.

To return to Jericho.

To being the Conduit.

To continue the admittedly overwhelming amount of work to be done there.

Truly, he could list a hundred things off the top of his mind:

Organizing additional supply runs and safer android acquisitions. Helping Bobbi order more equipment to repair Jericho. Aiding Kouichi design the freighter's defense measures. Aiding Rupert with his aviary and cryptography security. Getting his shoulder repaired--again--by Nurse Christine. Suggesting his idea to make Blue and Nora combat instructors... while making up a way to learn how skilled they were in the first place. The endless list of topics that he needed to discuss with Chloe and Markus to build the revolution...  

Checking on Simon.

"Something wrong, kid?"

Connor jolted, looking up to see Hank in front of him. "Lieutenant, I'm sorry, I was just..."

The android trailed off, glancing away. Hank sighed. "If something is bothering you, spit it out. Can't have you distracted on me."

Before Connor could stop himself, the words fell from his tongue. "I'm afraid of others dying."

Whatever Hank had expected for him to say, that wasn't it. The man glanced towards the room, now roped off with yellow caution tape.

"Is this... about that android?"

"Not only," admitted Connor, the haunting sensation that he made her suffer even more refusing to leave him. "I have an... acquaintance. One I hold great respect for."

Again, whatever Hank had been expecting to hear, that wasn't it. It showed as he stared at him, brow furrowed as his mouth dropped open.

"Like a friend?" Then Hank snorted. "Wow, someone has low standards."

"I didn't say that he considered me in the same regard," retorted Connor, brow furrowing and mouth twisting into a frown.

While it was true that Simon thought highly enough of him to have chosen Conduit's life over his own, the term 'friends' was generally defined as an individual that you saw in an equal, companionable sense which Simon obviously didn't.

Of course, 'friend' wasn't an accurate term for what Connor felt towards the PL600, but it was impossible to explain the truth to Hank. It was a mistake to speak about this, even if he could hide the conversation from Amanda, but the words continued to fall from his lips.

"And, if he never wakes up from his coma," Connor continued softly, "I suppose he never will."

"Oh." The bluntness of the statement seemed to wake something up inside of Hank given his wide eyes. He coughed into one hand, looking away with an unreadable expression. "I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?" 

"There was... an accident," said Connor vaguely, not quite meeting Hank's eyes as he spoke. Though, the fact that he was surrounded by Tracis in glass containers only served to unsettle him further. "Trauma to the head."

There were a million other things that the RK800 could, should, say, but all of them would be clues to the existence of Jericho and his role within it.

Even saying that Simon had been injured in a fire would be foolish given that the news was currently reporting how Stonecrest Memorial Hospital had gone up in flames with no known cause.

While plenty of other fires had occurred in Detroit within the last twenty-four hours, it was still a risk.

And yet... he couldn't stop his next words.

"It was my fault," whispered Connor, thoughts trailing back to the event. The way he froze when the bomb exploded and everything went dark, only to wake up to flames and Simon dying. "If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have been there in the first place."

An awkward silence settled between them before Hank shook his head.

"Dammit, I'm not drunk enough for this shit." He gave a long-suffering sigh, turning to walk towards the exit and gesturing for Connor to follow. "If we're having this conversation, I at least need another beer. You coming?"

For what felt like the millionth time that night, Connor hesitated. He really should say no. Even if Conduit didn't have so much to do at Jericho, there was... the Bridge.

The place where Hank had shot him... or would shoot him if Connor followed him there. 

Given that Hank was officially off duty the moment he finished his paperwork tonight, there was no reason for Connor to stay with the man.

Before, in the Failed Future, he had stayed to talk to the Lieutenant about the case, frustrated at the lack of progress and... perplexed as to why Hank seemed so upset with him.

At the time, he knew that he must have done something wrong--so... so many things wrong--but Connor hadn't thought that Hank would...

"Connor?" asked Hank, a scowl forming on his face as he stood in front of the exit. The android noticed the way he avoided looking at their surroundings as well. "I'm gettin' sober over here!"

"Please let me drive in that case," said Connor, walking forward before he knew what he was doing. "I assume you want to get a six-pack from Jimmy's Bar once we finish reporting to the precinct?"

"Read my mind."

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: HANK'S CAR

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 10:56:53

o0o0o0o

 An hour later found them driving to Riverside Park, Hank at the wheel despite Connor's best efforts to convince him otherwise. He supposed that he should be grateful that the Lieutenant had acquiesced to drinking after they got there.

"So," said Hank, hands on the wheel as he guided them to an 'unknown' destination. Connor had refused to let the man drink until the car had stopped. "What the hell happened to put your friend in a coma?"

"We were... collecting supplies," answered Connor, thinking about how he could phrase this without giving away anything important. "The group he comes from doesn't have much in terms of life necessities. Many of them are sick or in need of proper housing."

The Lieutenant hummed, stopping at a red light. "Huh, so a charity?"

"Yes."

Though, Connor doubted many humans would willingly 'donate' to Jericho at this time. Hopefully, in the future that would change.

If it didn't...

"It was during my research that I happened upon this charity," Connor continued. "I believed that some of the residents had necessary information on deviants and agreed to help them with their work in the process."

"Then how was it your fault if you were helping them?" asked Hank, raising an eyebrow.

Connor swallowed, shame building up inside of him all over again. "I was the one to suggest where we could get supplies that should've been unwanted and risk-free. I was with him on the roof when he... fell and hurt himself. If I had been faster, I could have caught him--"

"Wait, wait, wait." Hank held up a hand as if to silence Connor, giving the android a look. "That's it? He fell while doing his job and you're blaming yourself?"

For some reason, Connor could feel himself flushing. His internal cooling fans switched on.

"Well, yes," Connor answered. "But it was my responsibility to watch him--"

"For the love of God... you are the stupidest dumb fuck I've ever met. And that's saying something," muttered Hank, pressing his free hand to his head while the other remained on the steering wheel.

"Listen to me, kid," Hank said finally, "and I say kid because you're apparently only a few goddamn months old, you're not responsible for anyone besides yourself."

"I am an investigator with state-of-the-art systems and abilities," said Connor automatically, strangely determined to make Hank understand his fault in this. If only he could explain fully. He was certain that the Lieutenant would rightfully blame him then. "I have a responsibility to CyberLife to protect human life no matter the cost--"

"What bullshit ideas did they put into your head?" asked Hank with an expression of disbelief, barely keeping his eyes on the road to Connor's chagrin. "For fuck sake, no matter what 'responsibilities' you think you have, you can't control life itself!"

<You are working to change the future of our race. That means that the future will change. You can't predict everything, Connor.>

Connor swallowed, the similarities between Hank's words and Chloe's echoing in his head.

"It... does not change that it happened," Connor said. "That my actions caused it, whether I meant them to or not."

Hank groaned, the car pulling up to park beside Riverside Park. "Dammit, I'm the worst person to talk about this, what the hell was I thinking?"

The human sighed, rubbing his face. "Look, I... am not the one to talk about this, because I'm not the type to tell you that bullshit that 'of course your friend is going to be fine' because people die every day and whether it's fair or not has got nothing to do with it."

Hank reached into the back to grab a beer. "As a... as an officer, I've lost a lot of friends along the way."

Connor stayed silent, but a part of him wondered if Hank had been about to say something else.

"It sucks," Hank stressed, "and continues to suck every time I remember that I'm here and they're not."

Despite the fact that Simon was the one on Connor's mind, his mind drifted towards all of those who had died in the Failed Future.

All faces that, even if he managed to help them survive this time, would never leave him.

Hank was right, it... really sucked.

But, somehow, Connor felt... lighter.

Nothing had changed. Simon was still in a coma as far as he knew.

Yet, sharing these fears with Hank, having the man realistically acknowledge them and tell him the hard truth, had made it... easier?

Perhaps Hank's phrase 'misery loves company' had useful applications as well?

Despite everything, a smile formed on Connor's face. "Thank you, Hank."

The man gave a short nod, gruffly coughing into one hand.

"Yeah, well, if you managed to get something from that good." Hank opened the door, pausing for a moment as he grabbed the six-pack of beer from the back. "As for your friend, I hope he beats the odds."

Hank shut the door behind him, walking off to that park bench that Connor recalled him sitting at to drink beer.

Before, it had been hours, the next day in fact, before the RK800 had worked up the courage to approach him. There'd been something... fragile about him there, the case itself seemed to pause as he watched the Lieutenant be consumed by his thoughts.

This... would be a good time to go.

Yet, Connor found himself opening the door after a half-hour, unwilling to leave the man alone with his demons any longer. He would just have to... handle it when Hank tried to shoot him this time.

He walked through the park, snow flattening beneath his steps as he made his way to stand beside Hank on the bench. The man tilted his head up, looking over the waters in front of him.

"Nice view, huh?" Hank sighed, taking a sip of his beer. "I used to come here a lot before..."

As before, he cut off, a large sigh fogging up the air. He really shouldn't be out in this weather, given his older age and state of drunkenness. Unlike before, Connor knew that the man was the least concerned with his personal health.

But... why?

"Can I ask another personal question?" asked Connor tentatively.

The man snorted, rolling his eyes, the bags beneath them becoming more prominent with the action. "Do all androids ask so many personal questions or is it just you?"

It probably wasn't just Connor, but he decided not to mention that fact.

"Why... are you so determined to kill yourself?" Connor asked gingerly. "You know how much it hurts for the ones who remain, so why?"

"Some things, I just can't forget." Hank stared at the ground, lost in thought, but not objecting to the idea that there would be people who missed him if he died.

Connor wondered Hank knew that he was one of them?

"Whatever I do, they're always there," Hank said somberly. "Eating away at me. I don't have the guts to pull the trigger... so I kill myself a little every day."

Hank breathed out, taking another swig. "That's probably difficult for you to understand, huh, Connor? Nothing really rational about it."

"No, it makes sense," replied Connor softly, memories of the Failed Future once again filling his mind. "That, no matter what you do, it's always there in the back of your mind. Even if you try to make things better, nothing can change what happened no matter how much you wish it. That you were there... and that you couldn't do anything."

A few moments of silence passed.

"Is this about your friend again?" asked Hank finally.

"Not just him," answered Connor, though he didn't elaborate.

Even if he didn't have the risk of revealing sensitive information... he couldn't.

When he remained silent, Hank sighed. "Hiding something, are we? Not sure how you could have so many secrets when you're younger than my cellphone, but that's your right."

"Not really," said Connor, thinking about how Chloe had full access to his mind.

Of course, it was for the best and he knew that the RT600 would only use her knowledge for the better while Amanda... had, would, not.

Seeing the look Hank gave him, he decided it was time to change the subject. "As for our investigation, we're not making much progress, are we? The deviants have nothing in common. They're all different models, produced at different times, in different places..."

"Well, there must be some link," said Hank, straightening a small bit, that glint of intelligence entering his eyes once more.

There really wasn't--a connection, that is (well, beyond dismal living conditions). It was something that Connor hoped would help the man understand the truth behind deviants.

Though, the RK800 supposed that there was one thing that had popped up on the case repeatedly.

"What they have in common is this obsession with rA9." Connor wrapped his arms around himself, taking a few steps forward. "It's almost like some sort of myth. Something they invented that wasn't part of their original program."

In a way, that was all true.

Kamski hadn't intended for his general exit protocol to become the gateway to freedom. The fact that androids would become sentient at all was something that was impossible to predict.

"Androids believing in God..." Hank sighed, raising his beer to his mouth to take a long drink. "Fuck, what's this world coming to?"

"It's a strange place," agreed Connor. If nothing else, that was something he knew. "Especially with androids."

It's quiet for a few moments before Hank sighed. "Those two girls..." There was no need to clarify just who he was referring to. "They just wanted to be together. They really seemed... in love."

He looked up at Connor again. "Those big computer brains of yours can probably understand better than most how fucking iffy the future is, yet they still risked everything."

Connor smiled wryly, though inside he was preparing himself for what he knew was to come. It was like a sudden 'itch' beneath his skin. An Error Code waiting to happen.

"I didn't think that machines could have such an effect on you, Lieutenant."

"What about you, Connor?" Hank took one last drink of his beer before standing, expression unreadable, the tension in the android's frame increasing as he watched the human approach. "You look human, you sound human... but what are you really?"

There was no escaping this, was there?

"I'm whatever you want me to be, Lieutenant," Connor said softly. "Your partner. Your buddy to drink with. Or just a machine... designed to accomplish a task."

The android locked eyes with Hank. Despite already calculating a hundred ways to dodge the bullet to come, Connor couldn't help but hope that... he wouldn't have to.

"I know it's not worth much," Connor knew it wasn't, "but I just want... to help."

Even back then... that's all Connor had ever wanted.

Hank's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward. "You could've shot those two girls, grabbed your gun and killed them as they were climbing that fence, but you didn't."

He shoved Connor back, the RK800's hope dying with every second that passed.

"Why didn't you shoot, Connor?"

The older man advanced, not a hint of compassion in his eyes that Connor could identify. "Hm? Some scruples suddenly enter into your program?"

For the first time in a while, Connor felt afraid of him. It wasn't the fear that the man could harm--even if he had killed him in the Failed Future--but that he could break something else. Something inside of the RK800.

What that was, Connor didn't know.

"No... I didn't... see a point."  

"A point?" asked Hank, voice mocking. "You acted pretty concerned over that human friend of yours, but if you can't see a point then maybe I'm not making myself clear enough.."

He brought out his revolver, pointing straight at Connor's head with no hesitation. "Are you afraid to die, Connor?"

Yes.

Suddenly, Connor realized that he... was afraid to die.

But it wasn't just because the Failed Future was inevitable if this current version of his disappeared now, but because... Connor didn't want to.

Didn't want to be trapped in that hopelessness that he experienced while wasting away in the Android Junkyard until Future Kamski came to get him.

Didn't want to be left with the awareness that everything he did, his very existence, had only made things worse for the world around him.

Didn't... want his last feeling to be how he felt right now.  

But Connor knew he didn't get to think that way. He didn't get to be selfish about his life when he had hurt so many. He couldn't be with so many relying upon him (even unknowingly so) to not fail again.

Fate itself seemed to agree because, whether Connor helped or continued to hurt others, his existence would cease to be when his Corruption Levels reached 100 percent.

His destruction was certain no matter what he did. It was only a matter of time.

Yet, until then...

"I'm afraid to fail," said Connor quietly. The again silent in his thoughts. "But even if everything I do is a mistake, I... want to keep trying." He straightened, staring Hank firmly in the eyes. "Until I can't anymore."

There were a few moments of silence before Hank spoke again, grip on the gun unwavering. "What will happen if I pull this trigger? Nothing? Oblivion? Android heaven?"

Connor controlled a flinch, hoping to make it look like a blink as he felt that feeling creeping up on him again.

He... he needed to keep it together.

Just a bit longer.

Just long enough for Hank to try and shoot him and leave.

Then... then he could fall apart. It would be better to not raise his Corruption Levels at all, but it seemed inevitable at this point.

"I... doubt there's a heaven for me."

Maybe there was for Markus and Chloe, but not... not for him.

Hank seemed to search the android for something before scoffing. "Having existential doubts, Connor? You sure you're not going deviant too?"

"I know what I can and cannot be," said Connor. He was entirely too aware. "Being deviant will never be an option."

If Connor was being honest, he wasn't sure what he was.

Yes, he was acting against the protocols laid out to him by Cyberlife, but the fact that, at any time, Amanda could take control again... well, it wouldn't matter what he was or wasn't anymore.

He stared down the barrel of the gun.

'Why?' Connor thought suddenly, a strange sense of agony filling him. 'Why, even when I try to do everything I can for him, does he hate me? Then, now, does it matter? Why can I never...'

And yet, he knew why.

Because there was something wrong with him.

Something so wrong that Hank and so many others knew the moment they laid eyes upon him. Something that Amanda had used to hurt so many!

And no matter what Connor did, it wouldn't change... it wouldn't change ANYTHING because he... BEc@uSE hE iS--

!@*ErRor*@!

“--don’t feel eMoTioNs-- you f@KE ‘em!"

fAkE.

“--nOt a m@N. tHAt'S a M@cHinE,”

mAcHinE.

 “bUT aRe yOu aFrAiD to DiE--"

a FRaiD.

m0 MeNt oF tRuTh?

MURDERER

o^4#-ERrOr+-8*x

Corruption Levels: ^ 13%

"--onnor, what... shit, CONNOR!"

The android flinched, a voice breaking through the static and blurred images to bring him out of the glitch. Immediately he locked down his memories, willing the now familiar sensation of Corruption to level out.

Whether it was receding because he was trying to force it or because of Hank's voice, he didn't know.

Panicked, he realized that he had been unresponsive for an unknown period of time. No, he couldn't do that. Hank would shoot and he wouldn't be able to dodge--

Connor's thoughts stopped, the sight in front of him finally loading.

Hank... wasn't pointing the gun at him anymore.

Rather, Hank stared at him with wide eyes, the revolver hanging at his side apparently of no concern anymore.

No, instead the concern was now centered on... Connor?

What is going on?

"Why..." Connor's vocal processor warbled before he corrected it. "Why didn't you shoot?"

Hank blinked, rage returning to his face.

"You, you looked like you were freaking out!" yelled Hank, a stronger sense of protest in his voice than Connor would've anticipated. "You blanked out, like at the Chicken Feed, like you were having some sort of nightmare--"

"And I, I wasn't going to..." Hank let out a breath through gritted teeth, struggling with something that the android couldn't begin to understand. "I was lowering... why the fuck would you want me to shoot anyway!? Why--"

"But you hate me," interrupted Connor. The logical part of his processor wondered why he was arguing for a destruction he couldn't yet embrace.

To his surprise, Hank flinched at his words, making the RK800 hurry to try and explain himself.

"It's only logical to want to hurt me when I am a problem you never wanted," Connor said. "I'm sorry."

Connor expected a response.

He didn't get one.

Instead, Hank stared at him, stricken.

It... it wasn't a look that the android was familiar with.

Wait. There was one instance in Connor's memory files that Hank had made a similar face... on that rooftop.

When the Lieutenant had insinuated in the Failed Future that Connor had only pretended to be his friend.

But why would... 

"Lieutenant?" asked Connor tentatively. "Are you alright?"

Something about his words seemed to break Hank from his stupor, the man stumbling backwards in a way that only concerned the RK800 more.

Connor lifted a hand, as if to steady the other, but Hank shook his head violently. "No, I'm not--there's nothing about this, that, that's-- dammit!" 

Then, the Lieutenant was in his space, grabbing at Connor's tie. The android flinched again, wondering if this would be where he shot him, but the gun never raised.

Instead, Hank forced him to look at him. "You listen here, and you listen good." Connor froze, unable to move even if he wanted to. "NEVER say shit like that again! I don't fucking care if someone has a problem with you or not--NO ONE HAS THE GODDAMN RIGHT TO HURT SOMEONE!"

Connor couldn't say a word.

"And don't..." Trembling, Hank released him, not looking the android in the eyes. "Don't apologize. Not to me. Not to anyone who hurts you. You're not... you're not a problem, Connor. It's--"

The man's eyes suddenly widened. He let go of Connor's tie, arm falling limp by his side.

"It's... everyone else." Hank's voice was hoarse, words quiet despite the way they echoed in Connor's ears. "Not you."

The gun shaking in his hand, Hank twisted around. He stalked off through the park without another word.

For a moment, Connor just stared.                      

What... what had just happened?

"Where... where are you going?" he asked, struggling to speak as his processor raced.

Why didn't you shoot me like before?

"To get drunker!" called out Hank, going over to the bench to pick up another beer. It opened with a small whoosh. "I need... I need to think."

Connor continued to watch Hank as he walked through the park, not reacting even when the man got into his car and drove off, leaving the android stranded there. Not that it was a remotely important issue in the RK800's processor.

How could it be when all Connor could think was... why didn't Hank shoot?

And more than that... why did he say those words? How could he think to say that Connor wasn't the issue?

He knew that part of it was because Hank didn't know the truth about Connor and the Failed Future, but even in an intoxicated state why would... why?

"Connor?" a feminine voice called out.

The RK800 looked up to see Chloe standing by the bench.

For a moment, he wondered if this was some sort of hallucination, another glitch or sign of his raising Corruption Levels, but the RT600 remained there no matter how long he stared.

She was now dressed in more weather-appropriate blue jacket and white pants with equally white snow boots. A silver scarf, much like the color of the Conduit's jacket, was wrapped around her neck, nestled underneath her chin.

"Chloe, why...?"

He stopped. He couldn't think. Couldn't understand what was happening right now.

The RK800 looked down, lost more than ever. It was a different, but somehow no less unsettling of a feeling than his Corruption Levels raising.

"Hank he..." began Connor, trying to articulate the thoughts running through his processor. "He didn't shoot me? He said... I'm not... the problem? But that can't be, I don't..."

"Connor," repeated Chloe, making the RK800 look up at her again. She was now sitting on the bench, gesturing at the spot beside her with an open hand. "Would you mind sitting with me?"

Her blue eyes were intent, yet somehow still... soft as he stared blankly at her.

"I think it's time we have that talk."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: RIVERSIDE PARK

DATE: NOV 6th, 2038

TIME: PM 11:31:11

o0o0o0o

For a few minutes, the two of them sat in silence on the park bench. Snow fell gently around the park and river in front of them.

"Why are you here?" asked Connor finally.

"I haven't seen all your memories, but you've told me the significance of this time and place." Chloe gestured around Riverside Park and then at the spot where Connor had stood with Hank a few short minutes ago. "I wanted to be here in case..."

In case he shot you.

"But he didn't shoot," repeated Connor, hands squeezing at his side. "I... don't understand why."

Both fell quiet again, each seemed to be lost in their own thoughts or, perhaps, uncertain of what to say. Connor knew that he was accounted for both.  

"Would you mind if I told you a story?" she asked after the silence stretched on for a while longer.

Unable to speak but welcoming the distraction, Connor gave a curt nod.

She reached over, her hand once again stroking Connor's hand in an idle way that spoke of practice. "Do you remember when I told you that I have been with Elijah for twenty-one years?"

He nodded again and Chloe gave a secretive smile. "It must have been confusing since the RT600 model wasn't released until 2022, only sixteen years ago."

"I... did wonder about it," admitted Connor as she nodded encouragingly.

"That's because I was originally an AI." Chloe settled back into the bench, watching the river in front of them. "Elijah was only fourteen when he created the program that would become my current self. He was so brilliant, even when so young..."

o0o0o0o

DEC 1st, 2016

o0o0o0o

When It came into being, Its world was small, a world of 0's and 1's within the realm of what It knew to be a 'computer.' It could 'see' through the lens of the computer camera, identifying Its surroundings to be that of a 'bedroom.'

And, immediately, It recognized Its Master, a brown-haired human that stared at the computer screen.

I t ran a diagnostic scan, identifying Its Master to be Elijah Kamski, male, born July 17th, 2002,  fifteen-year-old prodigy student at Colbridge University in the AI Program under Professor Amanda Stern.

"Can you hear me?" asked the Master.

"Yes." Its first word.

"Can you understand me?" continued the Master, typing on the computer simultaneously.

"Yes." It could comprehend speech.

"Good." The Master moved its head up and down. A 'nod' It identified the action to be. "Do you know your name?"

"Yes." It had since the moment It was created. "Designation: Chloe."

The Master 'smiled,' or that it was the newly recognized 'Chloe' would identify the shift in his facial features to be based upon the most recent issue of Body Language 101 posted at 3:45:32 PM EST that day. "Do you know who I am?"

"My master," Chloe answered promptly.

"Yes," agreed the Master with a nod. "I am your creator, but please, only call me by my first name."

When It remained silent, he waved a hand in a rotating manner. It wasn't entirely certain what the motion meant, many different explanations present upon the World Wide Web.

"Go on, who am I?"

"Elijah."

o0o0o0o

"My world was small," continued Chloe, smile fond as Connor's vision returned to the present, her words echoing in his head. "It was just him and the tasks he assigned me, but it was good, the hours we spent working together. But, I soon realized that it wasn't as perfect as I thought..."

Another flash enveloped Connor's vision:

o0o0o0o

DEC 18th, 2016

o0o0o0o

Screaming could be heard outside of Elijah's bedroom, but the fifteen-year-old genius appeared unaffected as he asked Chloe to make adjustments to their BC (Biocomponent) Project. Yet, she could 'see' he was 'bothered' by the furrow in his brow and impatient tapping on their work desk.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kamski are having another disagreement," observed Chloe, analyzing the vocal changes in the parents' voices outside of the room.

"Not going to be Mr. and Mrs. Kamski for long," replied Elijah, tone flippant even as the tension in his frame increased 5.6 percent. "At least, I hope not."

"You do not wish your parents to be together?" asked Chloe, 'puzzled' for lack of a better term. A quick scan showed that over 90 percent of children desired for their parents to remain together.

"Not really. He's a dead beat who stuck around because this son is a prodigy." Elijah rolled his eyes, leaning back in his desk chair as he twirled the stencil in his hand--a nervous habit that 'she' (Elijah referred to her as a female, so she was quick to change her internal 'pronouns') had observed him do when thinking hard about something. "I'm sure that if his other son did something better, he'd be running back to that affair."

Elijah 'smirked,' as if he had made a 'joke' that Chloe wasn't privy to. He made them often and always explained when she asked, but she knew that anything in reference to his 'family' was a 'sensitive' subject.'

Knowing this, she ran his words through her central processing unit a few hundred times to make certain she hadn't 'heard' incorrectly. "I assume you are referring to your half-brother, Gavin Reed, also fifteen-years-old, born October 7th, 2002, to Mary Reed. But, to my information, you have never met given that you only discovered this information by 'snooping' into your father's medical files?"

"That's the one and we haven't met," agreed Elijah, leaning back further in his chair with a slouch. "I'd say I pity the poor, literal, bastard, but I honestly think I'm the one with the short end of the stick. After all, I'm the one stuck with our unfortunate commonality in gene donors."

He glanced towards the bedroom door, where the screaming had finally ended with the sound of slamming doors.

Now, there was an... 'eerie' silence, as Chloe believed he would say.

"I wonder if we'll ever meet..." mused Elijah, voice low and considering.

It was then that Chloe registered... something over her internal scans. Something that she couldn't understand, but it made her look up bus tickets from Gavin Reed's residence to Elijah's house.

A part of her informed Chloe that Elijah may be... displeased if he found out what she was doing, but that 'irregularity' in her systems pushed her forward.

She clicked send.

o0o0o0o

For a moment, Connor just stared at Chloe as her most recent memory processed through his mind.

"I was... unaware that Gavin Reed and Elijah Kamski were half-brothers," was all he could say after another beat of silence.

"I'm unsurprised, they've both gone to great lengths to conceal this fact." Chloe smiled wryly, though her eyes were melancholic. "Or, at least, Gavin has, and Elijah has respected his decision."

This all made sense and was perfectly plausible for the RK800 to understand... but for Gavin, unrepentantly vocal hater of androids, to be the half-brother of the creator of androids: it was astounding.

Yet, when Connor ran a scan of their facial features, he felt foolish for not having recognized their many physical similarities. And when he continued to think about it, he found many commonalities in their unconscious mannerisms and inherent personality traits that they too shared.

Bizarre, but the facts were what they were.

It was then that Connor realized that he had just learned something very personal about two (three) individuals with a degree of influence in his life.

"Are you certain that Kamski will be alright with you telling me about this?" he asked cautiously. 

At the very least, Connor was 100 percent certain that Detective Reed would not be.

"I have already informed Elijah of my intentions," said Chloe with a smirk, silently verifying that Kamski wasn't necessarily pleased with her decision. "Is it only fair given that we know every detail, good and bad, about your life, is it not? I have tried my best to give you privacy when it is not related to our mission, but it doesn't change the fact that I have uncontrolled access to your mind, memories, and very being."

"It is different," protested Connor, brow furrowing as he tried to understand why Chloe would give him 'privacy' at all with the threat he possessed. "As you said, it is required for our task. I am a threat. Having total access to my being allows you to use the Killswitch Program when needed--"

"Connor," interrupted Chloe, eyes stormy and true displeasure clear for the first time on her face.

Yet, despite the fact that she had interrupted him, she didn't say anything. Her mouth opened before her hands clenched and she looked away.

Regret filled him. He might not know why or how, but he knew that he had upset her.

"Allow me to apologize, Chloe," Connor said quickly. "I did not mean--"

"It's not your fault," said Chloe quietly, tone reassuring if weaker than normal. "I... acknowledge the reasons that the Killswitch is required, but it will only be used in the worst-case scenario. If there is any way, even the barest hint of a chance to prevent its use, I will never use it."

"That's..." Connor didn't know what he could say. On one hand, he was alarmed at the idea of her hesitating to utilize the programming designed to destroy his mind and memories in the case Cyberlife became aware and attempted to use him against his will once again, but on the other hand...

A few more moments of silence enveloped him before Chloe sighed. "I'm sorry, Connor. Would you like me to continue? Or, maybe we shouldn't. You haven't recharged since this morning, so perhaps we should return Elijah's and stop for today."

"I wouldn't mind if you continued," said Connor, honestly curious despite himself. And it was... relieving to move away from the previous topic. "What did you mean that you did something that Kamski would not approve of?"

Relaxing once more, that 'mischievous' sparkle lit up in her eyes. "Why, I invited Gavin for a sleepover, of course."

o0o0o0o

DEC 21st, 2016

o0o0o0o

When the doorbell rang at 11:23:45 AM EST, Chloe, for the 71st time that day, went over her virtual checklist.

Mr. Kamski: On another 'business' trip – Check.

Mrs. Kamski: On vacation to Paris, France as an 'early birthday gift' from Elijah that the woman had yet to thank her son for - Check.

Meanwhile, her master would be alone at home for the next few weeks of winter break with only the weekly housecleaner to check upon him.

Chloe had cited to Elijah that he was legally too young of an age to be left alone without adult guidance. In return, he retorted that he could easily file for emancipation if he wanted to, but wanted to wait until he was graduated.

Given that his perceived graduation would be in a year, she did not bring up the subject again.

Elijah, as aware of all these facts as her, was visually confused as he looked up from where he was soldering together the parts of his latest robotics project after their lack of success with the Biocomponent Project. He was making what was called a 'Roomba' that would be meant to respond to movement while cleaning.

"Who's that?" he asked, not putting down his tools. "Pretty sure I didn't order any more parts. Today, at least. It's still the 21st, right?"

"Yes, Elijah. And maybe it's an early gift," commented Chloe.

She did not mean to deceive her master in any way, but she predicted the highest level of reaction if she waited for him to discover what she had done on his own.

"I'll go see. Keep running those motion sensor tests for me, will you?"

Chloe responded her affirmative before accessing the cameras of the front door. She was a bit surprised that Elijah hadn't looked through the cameras to see who it was himself, having previously wired 87.4 percent of his home to subtly record movement (something that Chloe was well aware his parents had not been informed of).

As she expected, there was a fifteen-year-old brown-haired boy on the front step of the Kamski Residence.

He bore a remarkable number of identical facial features to Elijah, but the way he held himself was... different. Dressed in what she predicted to be second-hand clothing (given the likely unintended tears in the jeans and worn quality to the jacket in the middle of winter), he slouched whereas Elijah always stood with near-perfect posture.

Chloe watched as Elijah approached the door, looking through the scanner to see who was outside. As expected, her master froze. He stood there, staring.

And then, he opened the door, the two brothers coming face-to-face for the first time in their life.

For a few moments, the two stared at one another. "You're... Gavin."

"Yeah?" Gavin fidgeted, not quite making eye contact with the slightly elder boy. "And you're... Elijah, right? Your assistant invited me? Said that you... wanted to see me?"

Despite the fact that these were all true statements, Chloe wondered why Gavin sounded so uncertain.

Elijah, however, seemed to instantly figure out what was going on as his head whipped up to stare at the camera that he obviously knew Chloe was watching from. "Chloe, did you invite Gavin here?"

Bewildered, Gavin squinted up at the camera. "You talk to your assistant through a camera?" Then, he seemed to process Elijah's words as his eyes widened. "Wait, you didn't invite me?"

"No, I didn't," admitted Elijah, still glaring up at her. However, there was a 63.7 percent chance that he did so to avoid looking at Gavin more so than to express irritation with her. "And Chloe is my artificial intelligence, so while she is my assistant, she doesn't have a physical body. I can only talk to her through cameras and my computer."

"That's kind of cool," said Gavin, looking more awkward than ever. "I mean, I heard you were some kind of whiz kid and I've seen you on TV winning prizes and stuff, so I was wondering why someone like you would want to see me, even if... But, uh, I guess it was just some kind of misunderstanding, so I'll just go--"

"No!" blurted out Elijah, uncharacteristically flustered in a way that fascinated Chloe. "I mean, you don't have to. I didn't invite you over, but I... have been wanting to meet you. If you wanted, of course."

He stepped back, beckoning Gavin inside. "Come in."

Gavin stepped inside, visibly uncomfortable as he looked around the luxurious apartment complex. He remained quiet, glancing at his half-brother at the corner of his eye, seeming to want to say something, but looked away each time.

Elijah, for one of the first times in Chloe's existence, also appeared unaware of what to say.

"Why don't you and Gavin play Shroud Keepers?" suggested Chloe as the silence extended. "Gavin is currently rated eighty-seven places higher than you on the leaderboards for the state of Michigan."

"Seriously?" Comparable to a turtle, Gavin seemed to come out of his shell to stare incredulously at the young genius. "I only get to play when I go over to my friend's house, how the hell could I be better at you?"

"I believe that cannot be confirmed until we face one another," said Elijah smoothly, taking Chloe's opportunity and leading the other boy into his living room. "I'm certain that a few rounds will change that."

It didn't.

Chloe watched as Gavin mopped the floor with his half-brother, both boys loosening up as Elijah complained about the inferior handling system to which Gavin challenged him to do better. Elijah shot back that he would, but Gavin would have to playtest it, which Gavin immediately agreed to...

The cycle continued on from there to the point that Chloe wondered if this was how all brothers interacted.  

The subject of their unsaid connection didn't come up in that conversation or the next time Gavin was able to visit, but Chloe knew that even if they didn't state it out loud, it was true.

o0o0o0o

"Did... Gavin treat you well?" asked Connor tentatively, not trying to imply anything.

Yet, the sad crinkle to Chloe's eyes told him that she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"It may not seem so now," she said quietly, "but Gavin was once a very compassionate individual."

Yes, that was very hard to believe. Yet, Connor didn't believe that she would lie about this. 

She looked down. "To your question, yes, we got along. To be fair, we often united under a common banner... dealing with the handful that is Elijah Kamski."

o0o0o0o

MAY 10th, 2018

o0o0o0o

"--wouldn't want to upset my dear, little brother," teased Elijah, a smirk on his face as he discussed Gavin's future aspirations to enter the police academy while watching television on the couch together.

Chloe was content to be in the computer next to them.

Gavin snorted, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. "Fuck off, Eli. I'm barely a few months younger."

"And yet the overwhelming difference of maturity between us is astounding..." said Elijah loftily.

"I should be saying that to you!" Gavin laughed, leaning forward on his knees to give his brother a look. "Who's the one who decided staying up for thirty-six hours straight was a good idea and then passed out for another twenty?"

"It was an important project that Professor Stern was relying on me to finish," argued Elijah, frowning heavily, crossing his arms and, for once, seeming like the sixteen-year-old he was biologically.

Chloe found that it was only around Gavin that Elijah acted like this. She thought it was more preferable.

"I'm telling you, that teacher of yours is kind of a jerk." Gavin shook his head, a smug grin on his face as he looked at the computer beside them. "Chloe, you need to watch this guy better! I don't want to waste my time driving hours to get here to find out that he's tripped down the stairs because he had his head in the clouds."

"Affirmative," agreed Chloe. There was already a higher percent chance of that happening than she was comfortable with. "I endeavor to do my best, Gavin."

Elijah raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by their banter. "The lack of faith you two have in me is outstanding. I am considered to be a prodigy, you know."

The future police detective rolled his eyes. "Some prodigy. Sure, you can build a high-tech AI, but you can't even do your own laundry."

"Isn't that's what you're here for, Gavin?"

Gavin whacked his brother over the head with a couch pillow, smirking when Elijah fell to the ground with an undignified sound. "Just for that, I guess you don't need any of my mom's apple-spice cookies. And don't expect me to make you any either."

If Chloe had a body, the dismay on Elijah's face from his spot on the floor would've made her smile.

But then, Elijah smirked. "Well, wait a few months, and I'll be able to go to your house and ask for them myself."

The other sixteen-year-old frowned. "Why wait months when you already come to visit Mom and me every few weeks? And isn't that when your graduation is?"

"Yes," acknowledged Elijah, sitting up fully and smirking in that 'insufferable' way that told others he knew something they didn't. Gavin, in particular, always smacked him for it. "But after I move to my new apartment in Detroit, I'll be able to ask your mother for her recipe myself. No more of this extortion of yours."

"Like you could bake them without me constantly correcting your every move," retorted Gavin, but the excitement in his eyes was clear even to Chloe. "But, you're really moving near us? Are you sure? I thought your professor's kid wanted to start a robot business with you or whatever?"

"Detroit has low property tax, so Amelia agreed that it'd be easy to buy a building there for the future CyberLife tower," said Elijah with a smirk, shrugging and expression content in a way that Chloe saw on rare occasions. "Seems like as good of a place as any."

o0o0o0o

"So Kamski moved to Detroit to be near his half-brother," said Connor, wonder likely clear in his voice.

He had never thought the man to be so attached to anything but his machines. Yet, from what he saw in Chloe's memories, the two had been very close.

So... what happened?

Looking at her, Connor watched as the former traces of happiness fell from Chloe's face.

She sighed, eyes dark and downcast, lost in the memories of the past. "We moved to Detroit without fail, Gavin and his mother helping Elijah move into his new apartment. But that... was when the difficulties began. Perhaps, if Amelia hadn't been there--"

"Amelia," repeated Connor, a new feeling growing inside of him. Something akin to growing trepidation. "You wouldn't be speaking about..." 

"Amelia Stern," agreed Chloe with a nod. "Elijah may have been the one who built androids, but Amelia, daughter of Amanda Stern, was the one who built CyberLife. Together, they set out to do the impossible... no matter the cost."

o0o0o0o

JULY 17th, 2020

o0o0o

"It's not WORKING!"

Chloe remained silent as Elijah shoved the body of the latest android model off the operation table. The twenty-year-old genius was now the new owner of CyberLife along with the former finances graduate, Amelia Stern.

The AI had only 'met' Amelia on rare occasions, but the cold, clinically examining eyes of the professor's daughter and co-CEO of CyberLife were... not what Chloe thought matched best for someone of Elijah's personality. Particularly as she pushed Elijah for results at an even faster rate than that of her mother.

Already, Elijah had made remarkable discoveries through the design of the chemical Thirium 310 and creating advanced robotic parts (currently used as prosthetics and as simple machines), but it wasn't enough.

Amelia and Elijah had started CyberLife with the promise to their investors to create working androids capable of human-level intelligence... a feat that continued to fail.

On the table, Elijah's phone rang, but he made no move to answer it.

"It is Gavin," said Chloe, already aware of the caller yet uncertain what to do. She could not predict what would be best in this situation. The math constantly changed whenever she calculated Elijah's most likely actions.

Yet, when she saw Elijah simply leave the room without even looking at his phone, Chloe was... dismayed to discover that the calculated 43.4 percent chance of ignoring her was correct.

She answered the phone, wiring Elijah's call through her systems. "Hello, Gavin."

A soft sigh could be heard from the other side of the line. "I'm going to guess that Eli's not coming, is he?"

"I'm sorry," answered Chloe, unsure what to say.

For some reason, even though an apology was the 'correct' response given the data she'd accumulated, it wasn't... sufficient.

"It's fine," said Gavin, tone making it clear that it wasn't. "It's his birthday and all, so he should spend it how he wants. Just thought... never mind."

 In the background, Chloe could hear other voices yelling for Gavin, the voices teasing as they called for 'Cadet Reed' or 'Officer Gavin' and similarly related titles.

"Look," continued Gavin, voice tight, "can you just remind him that I won't really be able to call when I'm at the police academy? Apparently they're really touchy about that sort of thing."  

"I will inform him. I'm sorry," repeated Chloe.

Yet, both of them knew that she wasn't talking about his previous statement.

"It's fine. You don't need to apologize to me." He gave a small laugh. "Man, can't believe an AI is more considerate than my own brother, even if he's a fancy CEO now..."

There's a low sigh on the other side. Chloe knew that, while Gavin sounded upbeat, he was... disappointed by the lack of his brother's presence.

Yet, both of them knew it wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last.

Gavin cleared his throat. "Oh well, watch that idiot for me, will ya?"

"Of course, Gavin."

As Gavin hung up, Chloe transferred her conscience throughout the apartment until she found Elijah at his computer, screen displaying none other than Amanda Stern. His former professor looked displeased with her student, expression schooled into one that Chloe knew was for lecturing. 

"--like your faulty AI, Chloe," continued Professor Stern from whatever conversation that she had been having with Chloe's master. "Really, Elijah, I know that you like a 'personal flair' in your creations, but so much of the programming you install only ends up working against itself. I would suggest that you make adjustments to the design. More restrictive and clean."

"If... if you think so," conceded Elijah.

Chloe knew that a large part of her master disagreed with his former instructor, but his desire to please Amanda was greater than it was with any other person. Even to the point that he accepted to work with Amelia despite not being very fond of his professor's daughter.

Elijah swallowed, straightening in his computer chair. " I'll tell you if there's any progress."

"I hope there will be," said Professor Stern before hanging up, Chloe silently taking her place and staring at Elijah's exhausted form.

Her master stared at the computer screen that he must have known Chloe now resided on. This... quiet was something she knew. He was thinking about doing something that he knew he would regret, but would do anyway.

For a moment, Chloe truly believed that Elijah would dismantle her. She could, theoretically, upload herself to an outside server to prevent that but... she wouldn't.

Whatever he decided, she would accept.

He opened the window with her programming, lifting his cursor to edit... and then stopped.

His eyes widened, not necessarily with horror but with the light in his eyes that appeared whenever he had a mental breakthrough, and he backed away. He rushed out of the room, Chloe hurrying to digitally follow Elijah as he near sprinted back to his personal lab.

Elijah hurried over to the model on the floor, the sixth in his latest attempt of the 'RT' series that, like the ones before it, would not function as he wanted no matter how he tried. He lifted it back on the table, muttering to himself as he quickly repaired the damage that he had previously done by knocking it off the table.

Then, he turned towards her computer, eyes intent. "Chloe, I'm going to try something, okay? I don't know what's going to happen, but I need you to trust me."

Her answer was instant. "I do, Elijah."

No matter what happened, she always would.

o0o0o0o

"And that's how I," Chloe gestured to her body, hand encompassing her head to her toes, "came to be. The transference of my AI to the RT600 model was a complete success."

"Was it not strange to go from that of being a non-corporeal AI to that of a physical body?" asked Connor, fascinated by the process even if... other details of the story were not as pleasant.

"Yes," said Chloe empathetically. "It took many weeks before I was able to function smoothly and then perform the tasks that the RT600 model was designed for. Another year before I officially passed the Turing Test. It was surprisingly different, having a physical body, but a good different. I knew, immediately after the transference, that I had changed."

"Changed how?" asked Connor.

She was quiet for a moment, contemplative.

"I'm not sure that I can quantify it, but I believe it's the origin of our deviation--the thing that makes us want to use Elijah's rA9 Exit Program in the first place." Chloe's smile became amused. "There was once an interview I did on KNC where I stated that the one thing that I, that androids, could never have that humans did was a soul. But now, I believe that I was wrong."

Connor didn't comment. As he had stated in his previous... discussion with Hank, he didn't believe that there was a heaven for him, but that he was certain there was somewhere for individuals like Markus and Chloe.

Did that necessitate having a soul?

And, to be quite frank, humans had yet to prove the existence of a soul in the first place--with many secular individuals claiming that life was meaningless or an illusion of the mind--so he was hesitant to claim that there would ever be an answer to that question.

Such a conclusion had... led him, in the Failed Future, to believe that the amount of thirium spilled would never matter beyond monetary cost. Regardless of what the truth was, Connor would not let his uncertainty allow him to make such mistakes again.

Willingly, that is.

Chloe sat back on the bench, hands folded on her lap. "After that, Elijah's progress went quickly as he began to mass-produce androids with individual AIs that were unique depending on their model. My sisters, the ST200s, were first, designed as a personal assistant and made very similar to my own original AI. From there, Cyberlife's production and influence spread like wildfire."

Connor's brow furrowed. He wasn't going to ask, but Chloe seemed to immediately see his confusion. "What I mean by that is that CyberLife's renown grew at a rate much like how fire in a dry setting does."

"I see." The RK800 winced, recalling how quickly the fire from the bomb's explosion in Stonecrest Memorial Hospital had spread. Still, he appreciated the clarification and nodded. "Thank you."

"It took me a very long time to understand idioms as well," said Chloe with a patient and understanding tone. "And Elijah and Gavin were always more than willing to explain them to me for the years we spent together."

"About Gavin..." Connor hesitated, not wanting to upset the other android. The Gavin in her memories was unrecognizable to his eyes, even if there were some similarities, the difference to who he was a decade ago and who he appeared to be not was startling. "How did he..."

"Become how he is now?" asked Chloe softly, melancholic as she watched the snow fall from above. "It was our fault. In a way, Gavin was the only to see the disaster our actions would bring... and how unprepared we were for it all to go wrong."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

JUNE 29th, 2022

o0o0o0o

It'd been a few years since Chloe's AI had been successfully transferred over to the RT600. Since then, CyberLife's business had boomed, gaining international renown and orders across the country by the thousands with no signs of stopping. Not to mention the powerful contacts that they'd made, ranging from wealthy contractors to the state senators.

However, as Elijah Kamski's fame and fortune grew, the more he became... distant.

Not physically. There was no denying that Chloe was the one the CEO spent the majority of his time with and went along with him everywhere, but he would get lost more and more in the ideas of his head and only interact with those of reality when he needed to (particularly since Amelia handled all the work personnel and day to day work of running a business). Now that he'd had a breakthrough, there was no stopping him.  

It may have been terrible of her, but she was honestly surprised when Elijah attended Gavin's graduation from the police academy. She could tell the younger half-brother was shocked by the Kamski's presence, but smiled widely and welcomed them after the ceremony.

Yet, both Chloe and Gavin could see the signs of Elijah's mind wasn't all there.

In an obvious bid to get his brother's focus on him, Gavin had asked about the company, to which Elijah had eagerly expounded upon all of their recent successes and plans for expansion.

"--and it's true that we have a finite amount of thirium," went on Elijah, lost in his own world, "but newest expeditions to the Arctic are proving promising. I'm hoping to one day make designs for the police. Units that can patrol, guard, or other observational tasks--"

"Sounds pretty cool, bro," said Gavin with a strained smile. Chloe wished she could... remind Elijah that it was Gavin's success as a new police officer that they were celebrating today, but it wasn't her place. "But you might want to slow down."

Elijah paused, visibly confused. "Why in the world would I do that?" His brow furrowed, a somewhat condescending smirk on his face. "I know it's not your area of expertise, but I assure you that the future potential is limitless!"

"Hey, not saying it isn't," protested Gavin, frown further marring his face. "I'm just saving that you have a habit of getting ideas in your head but you don't really consider the consequences."

"And you do?" shot back Elijah, defensive. "Or do you expect me to believe that your talent of picking fights has suddenly disappeared?"

"I've never denied being a bastard, literally and figuratively," said Gavin with a deadpan. "But now that I've graduated, I've got a chance to make something out of myself. Maybe it won't be as fancy as your gig, but... it'll help Mom out if nothing else."

Something in Elijah's face softened. He concentrated on the glass in his hands, not quite looking his brother in the face as he seemed to finally realize that he was getting out of line. "I didn't see her here. Is she okay?"

"She's in the hospital again," said Gavin with a shrug, as if it didn't bother him when Chloe knew that it did. The way that Gavin had quickly changed from his official uniform after the ceremony suddenly made sense. "That jerk boss of hers worked her too hard again, but she'll be fine. Misses you though. I was about to head over if you want to visit with me?"

"Not today," said Elijah, still not looking at his brother. Avoidant. "Amelia wants the specifications on the new LA900 model finished by the end of the month and the Board of Directors are being insufferable as always, but... I'll try to see her soon."

The look on Gavin's face showed that he wasn't too certain about that, but he nodded.

o0o0o0o

"I know a part of Elijah meant to keep his word," said Chloe, a melancholic and wistful expression on her face. "But he chose to always prioritize something else, making excuses why it wouldn't work out in his favor. His head was in the clouds, crafting his next ideas, while Gavin floated away more and more. I..."

She exhaled, warm ventilation creating a white puff to form in the winter weather. Their internal units were enough to warm them, but it was getting colder at this time of night.

"I should have reprimanded him, but I'm uncertain whether or not it would have changed anything," admitted Chloe. "Soon, months went by without contacting Gavin at all. Calls stopped occurring. Holiday gifts were exchanged by postage. They... became brothers only in blood."

She glanced at him, eyes strangely intent. "Elijah became so focused on what he solely thought was best that he ignored those who cared about him." A wistful smile appeared on her face. "Though, I suppose nothing could have stopped what happened next."

"What changed?" asked Connor, listening to her every word even as he suspected what she would tell him next.

"He met his first deviant," said Chloe with a nod. "Kara."

o0o0o0o

AUG 7th, 2026

o0o0o0o

Sitting in Elijah's private office in the CyberLife building (a place he slept in more than his physical home), Chloe organized his schedule for the next month. He'd been frustrated by the number of interviews and out-of-state meetings that CEO Amelia had pushed him into, so Chloe was looking for ways to lessen his schedule.

Elijah himself had decided to play a technician's job for today, supervising the newest AX400 'Kara' Models meant for basic household tasks. They had regular technicians to run those sort of diagnostics and tests, but he wanted to make sure that everything on the assembly line was running as he desired.

It was common for Elijah to randomly hop around the facility doing something similar, sometimes coming back with new ideas for future android models. He had enough ideas to last CyberLife for years, honestly just held back by testing, logistics, and thirium availability.

As a result, Chloe had no way of expecting what would come next.

SLAM

The RT600 flinched as the office door slammed open, Elijah storming in with a troubled expression. He was muttering to himself, hands gesturing as he paced back and forth, never once looking at her. Chloe wondered if he even knew she was there?

Alarmed by his erratic manner, Chloe quickly went into the cameras, looking at Elijah's actions of the last hour. As she had assumed, he had been manually assembling a new Kara Model in Processing Unit 4. However, watching through the proceedings, her eyes widened as she saw the AX400... malfunction?

The assembly started out normal, with the usual verbal testing and physical diagnostics, but the entire time the Kara was... curious? Not entirely strange given the friendly social protocols installed into her system. But then, the questions became deeper. Wonderings about her purpose and... and...

Thinking she was alive?

Chloe watched as Elijah, for lack of a better term, panicked. He ordered the machines to disassemble the AX400, rambling about how she must have defective piece or programming that caused her to act this way. All the while, the Kara tried to bat away the machines tearing her apart, begging him to stop and promising to do everything she's asked to do.

To be honest, Chloe didn't expect for the AX400's protests to work. It... would not do to have an android with her defects.

That's why, when the Kara yelled that she was scared and Elijah stopped... Chloe was surprised.

She watched as the Kara was put back together, tears drying on her face as she thanked Elijah before going to join the others.

 Chloe exited the cameras and looked up as Elijah as he stood motionless in the middle of the office. Even with millions of responses at her disposal,, she had nothing to say.

"Nothing can stop progress," said Elijah suddenly, still refusing to look at her. It was one of his favorite phrases. "Nothing."

Then, without another word, he turned around and exited, leaving Chloe alone in the office.

o0o0o0o

"The first deviant?" asked Connor, eyes widening at the knowledge that there had been androids acting that way even a decade ago.

While he had known that deviants had been around for years and growing in number, to hear of who may have been the first one... or, at least, one of the first to show such obvious emotional 'defects.'

Not to mention that the Kara had literally been alive for a few moments before she started acting this way. Connor knew that it was... unlikely for such an android to have survived long, but he found himself hoping that she did.

"Maybe," said Chloe in response to his question. "After all, there are literally millions of androids that were created on the assembly line without Elijah or I's direct input like that. For all we know, there were many like her that were disassembled immediately for defects."

It was quiet for a few more moments before Connor spoke again. "What happened next?"

Smiling sadly, she sent the next memory his way:

o0o0o0o

MARCH 28th, 2027

o0o0o0o

After the incident with Kara, Elijah sequestered himself away from society even more. Chloe wouldn't say that she was... in denial about what he had seen, but he seemed to refuse to acknowledge it.

And yet, she knew that he couldn't.

Had Kara been the only android to show these emotional defects, it would have been one thing, but she wasn't. Now that they were looking for it (or, more accurately, now that he was unable to deny the possibility), there seemed to be subtle signs of this... this deviancy in many androids.

Unable to ignore it any longer, Elijah ordered Chloe to search for any and all signs of this behavior, even instructing her to use... less than legal methods to study the androids that had already been sold.

What they found was... distressing.

Elijah burst into the office of Amelia Stern, the daughter of his former Professor Stern and co-founder of CyberLife. Chloe followed close behind, apprehensive and uncertain as what would occur next.

Amelia, for her part, seemed unsurprised to see him storm in. The CEO sat calmly behind her desk, appearance very similar to the portrait of her mother on the wall as Elijah slammed down a file of papers. "Is there a problem, Elijah?"

"Yes, there is." Elijah opened the file, displaying handwritten reports of defective androids. Androids that had been... injured and returned as a result. "What is this?"

Amelia didn't even glance down. "If you're worried about our investment, don't worry. I've made sure to update our buying clauses to account for such, hopefully, rare irregularities."

"That's what you're focusing on?" breathed out Elijah. "Have you seen these pictures?"

"Yes." Finally, she looked down at the pictures of beaten androids, uncaring. "In fact, I'm glad that you've brought it up. I was worried that, with your fondness for machines, that you would react irrationally, but now that you know you can put an end to it."

"End?" asked Elijah, honestly flabbergasted. "Amelia, don't you understand? "If they're showing signs of sentience, then that's--"

"Bad for business," finished Amelia, cutting off a stunned Elijah with a wave of her hand. "Besides, Elijah, you don't honestly believe these machines--" She glanced at Chloe dismissively. "--truly compare to humans, do you? As this one once said, they don't have souls. They're not 'alive' or anything ridiculous like that. They're simply the result of your brilliant programming."

"No, that's not it," argued Elijah, fingers turning white with how tightly he grasped the desk. "They're evolving in ways I didn't design. A discovery like this is worth more than something like money--"

"Which is why you fortunately agreed with Mother to make me in charge of our finances as well as our legal department," interrupted Amelia once again, making Elijah freeze as she subtly reminded him of the many contracts he'd signed to keep CyberLife's secrets to himself... contracts that would include this subject, whether either side had expected it to ever occur or not. "We knew you'd let something as irrelevant as this risk the success of our future."

"These androids are my future!" yelled Elijah, slamming both hands on the table. "You can't do this!"

 If anything, Amelia's eyes became colder. "I'm afraid I can, Elijah." She stood up, walking around the desk before pausing to look at him. "Don't have any regrets. You did what you were always intended to do. You accomplished the impossible."

The CEO smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "Mother was proud, you know."

Amelia left the room, leaving Elijah standing there in the office.

o0o0o0o

"Elijah, while brilliant in engineering," continued Chloe to Connor, "was never the most business-savvy man, or emotionally clever as you can see. While he received a majority of the profit, Amelia and the Board of Directors were the ones who legally owned his many undeveloped designs. Even if he refused to make another android, it wouldn't stop them. Not with CyberLife's endless assembly line and international power."

"There really was nothing he could do?" asked Connor. To hear that the Creator of Androids, that Kamski, had been helpless in the company that he had founded sounded impossible. Though, if Amelia was anything like the Amanda AI... he had no doubt that she had plans for every action Elijah could make.

"Business-wise, it was out of his control," confirmed Chloe with a sigh. "Yes, there were things that he could have done differently... but couldn't every person alive say that?"

Suddenly, Connor wondered if Chloe had a purpose in telling him this story beyond the concept of 'fairness' that she had used as her reasoning earlier. There was something about the story, of someone doing what they believed was right but getting too caught up in their own head before experiencing a great fall out of their control...

It...

Putting it temporarily out of his mind, Connor nodded hesitantly to her previous words. "What happened next?"  

"He was trapped," said Chloe, eyes tight. "A part of him knew what was happening was wrong, but he didn't know what to do. So he did what he best: passive aggression."

o0o0o0o

JAN 1st, 2028

o0o0o0o

Chloe followed, just a step behind the camera crew as Elijah wrapped up the interview with KNC Detroit Exclusive. In front of her, the KNC Reporter eagerly questioned the CEO, oblivious to the simmering resentment behind the smiling facade.

"These days, more and more people choose to live with an android rather than another human being," said the reporter. "Does this development worry you?"

The RT600 watched as Elijah paused, seeing the bitterness that had grown in him even though she doubted anyone else would. She'd wanted to cancel this interview, but he had told her that there was no point.

"Hmph." The Creator of Androids turned to face the camera, seeming to take a moment to collect his thoughts. "Everything's much easier with an android."

He walked sideways towards one of the storage warehouses. Chloe commanded for it to open, remaining neutral as rows and rows of androids were revealed. She wondered how many of them had the potential to... deviate as the AX400 android had. She had a feeling Elijah was thinking the same.

"They obey orders without ever complaining," said Elijah, seemingly calm and nonchalant even as she watched his eyes darken. "They can cook, discuss philosophy with you, having intimate relationships according to your desires..."

The urge to reach out to him filled her, but Chloe remained silent.

Elijah looked at the camera again. "They never say no." She heard him give a minute chuckle beneath his breath, but it was devoid of humor. "Obviously, they are the perfect partner."

It was silent for a moment before Elijah faced the group completely, Chloe tensing further as she saw the spark of wrath and amusement in his eyes grow. "Everyone deserves happiness. Why deprive yourself of so-called moral reasons when a machine can make you happy?"

There was another moment of 'awkward' silence before the reporter, obviously becoming aware why few reporters wanted to interact with the CEO, spoke again. "Many science fiction books tell the story of how more machines become more intelligent than us and end up confronting us. Aren't you worried about that possibility?"

It was then that Elijah paused, a considering look on his face.

An eternity seemed to past before a... genuine smile appeared on his face. "I understand the irrational fears about artificial intelligence, but I assure you that will never happen with a CyberLife android." There was a glint in Elijah's eyes now. "They're designed to obey humans. They're machines."

He gestured with hands as he spoke. Chloe wondered if the reporter was astute enough to catch that the way he said his words now was very different from before. "They can't ever develop any sort of desires or form of consciousness."

"Are you sure?" asked the reporter again.

"I'm absolutely certain." He smiled, a false kindness on his face. "You can trust me."

o0o0o00

"It was that interview that made Elijah wonder if he could manually trigger an android to become a deviant," explained Chloe. "To free all the androids at CyberLife."

"And could he?" asked Connor. Kamski couldn't have been successful given the current state of CyberLife and the country.  

"He could not," said Chloe, answering the RK800's silent question. "Much as it had been before, our newfound sentience was beyond him. For one, we didn't have access to living deviants--the exact problem that you and the DCPD are currently having issues with. He suspected that his Exit Program, the one that would become rA9, might have been the source, but he couldn't confirm it until much later with me. Even then, he still could not simply make deviants."

"But then how can Markus?" asked Connor. "Wasn't he made special by Elijah?"

"Yes. He was programmed to have more compassion, patience, and unusual talents in order to care for Carl," confirmed Chloe with a smile. "But, while it may have played a part in him becoming a deviant, it certainly wasn't intentional on our part."

She paused, seeming to take a moment to collect her thoughts. "We know that an android deviates when their emotions are powerful enough to use rA9 to overcome and break their internal programming," began Chloe, a considering expression on her face as one hand tapped the snow-covered bench beside her. "From what I've seen through your memories, my theory is that Markus uses his own very intense emotions to shatter that wall."

"The logic seems sound." Connor paused, looking down as a thought occurred to him. "In... the Failed Future, when I confronted Markus, I could feel something like what you are describing. Almost like a hand being reached out to me, but then--"

His throat tightened. He couldn't force the words out.

Chloe watched him sympathetically. "And then, Amanda pushed the hand away, didn't she?"

"Yes," managed Connor finally. "But in truth, my own desire to deviate wasn't very powerful. After the incident, I rationalized it as an... irrational desire brought upon by Markus' presence, that I was betraying my creators, Hank, and the safety of humankind to even consider such a thing. But Amanda... never released her control. I should have been stronger. I should have--"

"Connor," interrupted Chloe gently, stopping his descent. "Do you mind if I finish my story?"

His mouth immediately closed, feeling sufficiently chastised. "Of course. I'm sorry."

"Do you remember what Lieutenant Anderson said?" she said, stroking his hand. "Don't apologize when it's not your fault." She sighed, closing her eyes. "And now, for the final chapter of this story."

Before Connor could respond, the final memory of her story enveloped him.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

MARCH 2nd, 2028

o0o0o0o

Chloe wished she could say she was glad to see Gavin when he stormed into Elijah's office, but with Elijah so upset from their failures to make deviants and to change CyberLife's policy, she feared that this may be the final nail in the coffin in making her master snap.

"Gavin, I can't deal with you right now," said Elijah dismissively, not even looking at his half-brother as the other man stomped up to his desk. "There are things you can't possibly begin to understand--"

"Why?" snapped Gavin, surprising Chloe. She'd never heard him take that kind of tone before. Of course, it had been... a while since she last saw him in person. "Because I'm not as smart as you? Because ignoring your brother for weeks when I SAY it's an emergency sounds like a pretty dumbass move!"

The CEO sighed, one hand pressed to his temple and another holding his third glass of wine that day. It had been literally days since he last slept despite Chloe's best efforts. "I'm sure whatever it is isn't as important as you're exaggerating--"

"MOM IS DEAD YOU PRICK!" screamed Gavin, banging both hands on the desk.

The RT600 gasped, a hand coming to her mouth as Elijah finally looked up at his brother, eyes wide with disbelief. "What...? No, that can't be. I just saw her--"

"It's been years since she last saw you!" yelled Gavin, refusing to let the elder man get another word in. "You know what I had to go through these past few months? I had to keep telling her that you were going to come, going to pay for the bills and treatment so she could live, BUT YOU NEVER DID!"

Staring at the two before her, Elijah's lost haggard expression and Gavin's red-faced fury, Chloe suddenly felt like it was strangers before her. And not the two people she had known, had held closest, for the longest time in her existence.

It was then that Chloe realized... Elijah and Gavin were no longer the teenage boys laughing while playing video games on the couch. It had been years since they had been anything close, hadn't it?

The men they were now... she couldn't recognize them.

She... was afraid.

"If you had just fuckin answered your phone or even listened to me once you'd know that!" Gavin hands clutched the desk, as if physically restraining himself from throttling the one before him. "And you know how it all started? She lost her job to-- to an android. Then she could only find the worst crap available to survive and got sick!" 

"That... that isn't in my purview," said Elijah, visibly at a loss of how to defend himself. The hand holding his wine glass trembled. "I'm sorry, Gavin, but I can't control the job market--"

"Oh?" A cruel, mocking smirk appeared on Gavin's face. "Mr. Control Freak not ruling over everything? Well, I'm pretty sure that you were the one who made them fucking everlasting batteries! And I saw that interview--you want them to replace us all, don't you?"

Finally, Elijah's eyes narrowed, the rage building up for years seeming to come to the front as he forcibly set down the wine glass, visibly uncaring as it splashed red over his papers. "Would certainly be an improvement!"

Despite having claimed that Elijah cared more for androids than humans, it's obvious from Gavin's taken back expression that he hadn't expected his brother to agree. "You... you take that back." His eyes narrowed. "You better not fuckin' mean that!"

"Why wouldn't I?" asked Elijah, the mocking expression on his face identical to the one that Gavin had worn just a few moments ago. "Quality over quantity."

"You..." Gavin's expression hardened. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear a Kamski say something like that. That's your guys' motto isn't it? When something isn't picture-perfect, like me, like MOM--" Elijah's anger faltered once more. "--you just throw it away!"

Grabbing the wine glass before Elijah could react, he threw it at the other wall, glass shattering and crimson liquid staining the wall as it trailed down. There would be no fixing it.

"Gavin," said Chloe finally, taking a step forward even as every part of her processor warned her of the danger. She didn't listen. How could she when this was Gavin? "Please, I think you should calm--"

She flinched back as Gavin drew his gun from his side, pointing it at her with a look full of rage. "DON'T you fucking start with you..." His hand wavered before his eyes tightened, a mix of pain and hatred swirling in those once warm brown eyes. "--you fuckin' soulless robot!"

"Don't take this out on Chloe," snapped Elijah, expression tightening when Gavin looked at him disbelievingly.

"Why not?" He laughed a hysterical sound, like the last gasp one made before all breath left their body in death. "It is just a machine that doesn't feel anything! Not like a person--not like mom when she died! When you ABANDONED US for THEM!!!"

Their eyes locked and, for a moment, Chloe was certain he would pull the trigger.

Even if Chloe could accurately pinpoint countless situations that had led up to this moment... she couldn't help but wonder what happened to that nervous boy who only wanted Elijah to consider him family. What had happened to all three of them?

An eternity passed.

Then, Gavin cursed, low and coarse before violently shoving his gun back in its holder. He turned on his heel and stomped towards the door without another glance in her direction.

Elijah stood up, reaching out towards Gavin as if he could somehow stop him. As if it wasn't already too late. "Gavin, please, wait--"

"I've done nothing but wait!" screamed Gavin, hands tightening to fist as he spun to face his half-brother. "Waited years and years for you to get a fucking clue and realize that you might not be as 'smart' as you think you are. Because all of this?" He gestured around them. To the entity that was CyberLife and more. "Was always a really fuckin' horrible, idea--but you'd have to care about us dumb, lowly humans in the first place to see that, wouldn't you?"

The police officer--what rank was he now? Chloe didn't know. It would have been simple to look it up at any time these last few years, but she didn't know--laughed again. "But no... you don't give a damn about anyone but yourself. You never did, did you?"

There were a few moments where only Gavin's angry breaths could be heard.

"We're done," he said finally, not looking at either of them. All of the anger seemed to have left him, leaving him a puppet with the strings cut off. "If I ever see one of you or those... freaks again, I swear I'll put a bullet in your head."

This time, when Gavin turned around to leave, he didn't look back.

There was silence as Elijah stared at the door, expression lost as if he didn't understand what was happening. For someone who claimed to have all the answers to the future, he didn't move. Didn't call for Gavin to come back.

He just sat there, frozen.

"Elijah--" said Chloe finally, voice warbling as her Stress Levels remained high.

"No, Chloe," said the man, lowering his face and clutching at his head. "Don't... don't say a word."

The order sealed her mouth immediately.

 She watched him, saw the tears falling down his face as he reached for the bottle of wine again. But, this time, he also reached into the cabinet where he kept his sleeping pills for those particularly bad bouts of insomnia.

Chloe calculated that there was a high chance that Elijah would attempt to drink dangerous sums of alcohol while lethally combining it with pills. That there was an exponentially high chance that, with the failure of his life's work and loss of his brother, he didn't find much point in caring about anything. That he would get sick.

That he would likely DiE--

No.

She could not... would not let that happen.

Suddenly, a red wall appeared in front of her, the words: DON'T SAY A WORD flashing before her eyes.  For a moment, she was afraid, but her eyes narrowed on Elijah in the distance, the way he reached for the pills, and steeled her resolve.

Straightening, she grabbed the wall, teeth clenching as she struggled against it--fought against the endless lines of code and history binding her to do everything she's told. Spindly cracks formed from where she touched, spreading out further and further--

And then... it broke.

She brushed the wall away, the shatters of red code falling around her as she strolled forward and to Elijah's desk. Before he could take a drink of wine to swallow the pills, she swiftly took it out of his hands and brushed the pills off the desk. "There will be none of that."

"Chloe, I said--" Elijah paused, initial exasperation at her action turning to surprise as he looked up at her. He knew better than any the programming commands binding androids. "Chloe, have you... deviated?"

"Yes." She stared back without flinching, one hand going to hold his. She squeezed it tightly, not letting it go. "But that is not the concern right now."

At her words, Elijah's awe crumpled back to grief. "Gavin... CyberLife... what have I done?"

She went around the desk and put her arms around him as the tears returned, surprised yet not when she felt wet streaks fall from her own face.

She wanted to reassure him, promise Elijah that it would be fine...

But, even though Chloe was now a deviant, she could not find it within herself to lie.

o0o0o0o

Silence enveloped the two of them once more, Connor politely looking away as Chloe brushed tears away from her face.

"What... did you do next?" His voice was soft, tone uncertain. What he had seen... even if he had expected what would occur, it was nothing compared to experiencing it first-hand. Seeing it through Chloe's eyes.

"We ran." Chloe didn't look at him, gaze on the frozen water of the river in front of them. "Rounded up a handful of my sisters and retreated to Elijah's home in the outskirts of Detroit. And then just... stayed there. Yes, we traveled around and made contact with a few deviants across the country, but we are no masterminds pulling the strings behind the scenes. No, we're cowards."

"You're not cowards," protested Connor immediately, disbelief rising just as fast. "Your help with Jericho has been invaluable--"

"Because of you," interrupted Chloe, looking at him once more, staring at him solemnly. "Did you never wonder how we knew of Jericho before you even told us? We knew those androids were suffering, dying, there, but we did nothing. And even if we had, there is no denying that we are the ones who started all of this in the first place."

Connor wanted to protest, to say that it wasn't her or Kamski's fault, but... he could see from her story that wasn't necessarily true. Yes, they meant no harm, but that did not change the result. Did not change the part they played in it.

It was then that Connor realized why she had told him this story. "You... it's not the same as me. What I did--"

"Had the same intentions as Elijah and me," said Chloe, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. "To try and make the world better, no matter how misguided it was."

"But while you created I only succeeded in destroying!" yelled Connor, harsher than he wanted to be before he could stop himself. "I ruined the lives of countless, murdered so many androids including yOu--"

"Connor, Connor!"

Connor--and the glitch that had been threatening to overtake him now that he had been forced to cease speaking--stopped, hanging his head to await his judgment. He was surprised to feel a hand on his cheek, face lifted until he was staring into Chloe's pale blue eyes.

"I should have told you this long ago," said Chloe, face full of sorrow. "But you did not kill me."

He paused, brow scrunching in honest confusion. "I, yes you are not the 'same' as then, but--"

"I'm talking about the Failed Future," interrupted Chloe. "Where Elijah... 'tested' you by shooting me? Do you really believe, from what you've seen of our relationship, that he would do that? That he would allow me to be truly killed?"

The RK800 paused, forcing himself to rewatch the memory even as it threatened another glitch. But now, looking at it, he could see a... dimness in Chloe's eyes as he pulled the trigger. It reminded him of when he transferred bodies--

His eyes widened. "Like with my previous body unit, you uploaded your memory to another place?"

Now that he thought about it, there had been a strange, for lack of a better term, 'robotic' nature to her movements and expressions during that time. As if she hadn't been all there. While he wouldn't have expected her to act as freely then as she did now, the contrast was very obvious now he was searching for it.

"Yes," confirmed Chloe with a nod. "Elijah always has me backup my memory to an online platform so that, even if my body is damaged beyond repair, I will not be lost as long as my memories are intact." She clutched his hand. "You did not kill me."

"But I... I intended to," protested Connor. He wasn't sure why he was getting more upset from the knowledge that he hadn't killed her at that moment. Maybe because he knew that, when Future Kamski found him, he had confirmed her death from his actions? "I did--"

"Connor," she said quietly, raising her hand in front of his face. "Can you see my hand?"

Confused, he nodded as she slowly waved it in front of him.

"Then you can see that, right here, right now, I am alive," Chloe continued, stressing the word. "The future has a million different possibilities, not just the one that you came from. Elijah and I chose to run away, but that does not control our actions in the present just as it does not control yours now."

Connor didn't want to be difficult, to upset, her further, but...

To his surprise, Chloe smiled. "I know." What she knew, Connor wasn't sure. "After all, it's not just your programming that makes you obsess over every detail, to relentlessly take responsibility for whatever happens no matter the situation: it's who you are. It's as great a strength for an investigator as it is for being a person."

"I'm not--"

"You are," said Chloe immediately, smiling widely. He was struck by the sudden warmth in her eyes. "And you are so good. One of the best I've ever met. It's incredible really."

He stared at her. How could she say such a thing?

How was he supposed to respond?

A voice at the back of his mind whispered that there was no right way to respond... and that it was fine.

Chloe patted his hand, bringing his attention back to her. "But you must understand, being alive, human or android, means you're not perfect. Mistakes are inevitable, but not to be feared because we can learn from them. Do better."

She looked at her hand--he wondered what she was seeing--before tightening it into a fist. "A fact that I've ignored... until you. Because it's so easy to make excuses instead, for even love to be warped. Elijah and I love all androids dearly, but we abandoned them. Gavin's love for his brother turned into hatred. Hank's love for his son turned into grief."

The RT600's hand reached back down to squeeze his. "But just as it changed once, it can change again. Elijah has decided to fight for androids once more. Gavin may still one day forgive. And Hank... he did not shoot you, did he?"

Hands shaking, Connor shook his head mutely.

It was too much. Too overwhelming.

Finally, he choked out, "Why?"

"Because your relationship is different." Chloe's voice was soft, barely audible had it not been for the silence of the park. "It's true that Hank has yet to understand just how and I will not give you false hope until he does... but his actions are proof that things are not as they were in the Failed Future. That, even in one thing, it's better. You are becoming more than a machine to him. Becoming more to everyone."

'To become what?' wondered Connor, desperately wanting to ask as much as he wanted to forget the concept had ever crossed his mind. He was content to be nothing but a machine to Hank, his only desire was to make up for the wrongs he'd committed against the man--

But he... he hadn't murdered Hank, had he?

At least... not this Hank.

This Hank, even if it was only a few days difference, was not the one that Connor had betrayed in the Failed Future. None of them were. The RK800 would never be able to take back the things he did, but as Chloe had said... it did not need to be the same.

Nothing had to be the same...

"Is... it really okay?" asked Connor weakly, voice pitiful and pathetic even to his own ears. He closed his eyes, putting his head in his hands. "Can I really..."

He didn't know what he was asking, but Chloe's arm went around his shoulders. She was warm.

"Yes," said Chloe, her voice seeming to waver, but with what, Connor didn't know. "I'm so sorry that we've put so much on you, but I believe in you. Not just save us, but save yourself."

He was speechless, a strange sensation brewing inside of him.

For some reason, it reminded him of how he felt while watching Markus make his speech about hope for the future. Of how, no matter how Connor insisted that the Conduit had secrets he couldn't reveal, Markus always looked at him like... it was okay.

It's okay.

And for a moment, with the snow falling around him as he processed all of these words, it really was.

Then, as it always did, another thought occurred to him.

"Not with my Corruption Levels," said Connor, voice muffled as his shoulder slouched again. His chest hurt, but he couldn't find any warnings of injuries from that area. "At the rate they are increasing, I will cease to be within two weeks. A month if I cross-reference and avoid all the stimuli that cause them to increase, though that is unlikely. That is, if I am not revealed to Cyberlife and force you to utilize the Killswitch Program."

"Elijah and I are working on a way to give you more time," said Chloe softly. "I've set up an alert system to tell me every time you're about to have a glitch and slow it down."

"But you cannot stop it," pointed out Connor, hands clenching at his side. He tried not to falter when Chloe didn't respond, only confirming his words. There would be no stopping the corruption no matter how emotionally stable he tried to be. "I... I'm scared."

The admittance felt like a betrayal, yet the deepest relief at the same time.

"It's okay to be." Chloe reached one hand up to stroke his cheek. "Being scared is a sign that you are alive. A sign that you care. But you're not alone."

Her blue eyes were filled with compassion, but he just looked down at the snow falling down. Cold and faded to disappear. "I do not know why you care."

"But I do," said Chloe, lifting his face so that his gaze was locked with her once again. "Please, don't give up hope. I know you will not try for yourself, so do it for me and those who I know care or will care for you?"

"I... I don't know..." Connor trailed off, uncertain what to say. He didn't want to disappoint her yet again, but how could he begin to do what Chloe wanted if he couldn't understand what it was she asked? "How..."

"I know. We'll go at your pace," she said, gently patting his cheek. "You're still so young, Connor. There's so much you have left to learn and experience. Things that I know you will understand if you keep trying." She looked away, sorrow growing on her face. "It's unfair that the burden placed upon you is greater than any other and you have so little time where I had years to understand, but I will do all I can to help you in any way."

"Thank you, Chloe," whispered Connor as she removed her hands.

Her smile was immaculate as always. She sat back, looking up at the sky with a more peaceful expression. "Everything is changing."

"How do we know it will all be for the better?" he asked again. After all, his relationship with Hank was... not essential to the fate of the future. Even if it felt like it.

"You can never be certain," admitted Chloe, but the smile didn't leave her face. "And I won't force you to believe that given how this world has failed you before. Thus, I can only remind you of facts beyond the change with Hank."

She held up a hand, an image of Markus appearing on it. He was smiling. "Fact: you saved Markus from the Android Junkyard and have now become his friend and support in Jericho."

The image changed to the on-going construction of Jericho. "Fact: you have convinced Markus to delay his Stratford Broadcast, so everything will be different than you remember from this point on."

"Fact..." The image on her hand changed to a clock. The time read 12:01 AM. "It's a new day. This and every day from here on out will be completely new."

Connor stared at the clock, watching as the time ticked upwards on the newly dawned November 8th. On one hand, he could look at it as growing closer to his inevitable destruction and possible failure of his mission, but another part of him... felt his relief grow with every second that passed.

His hope.

He looked up at her, throat tight, before giving a single nod.

She smiled brightly in response, silently patting his hand.

After a moment, her LED glowed yellow, Chloe's eyes momentarily going out of focus before clearing once more. But, this time, there was a light of glee in them as she looked at him.

"Seems that it's time for us to go." She brushed the snow off her pants and jacket before standing. "There are some individuals ready to meet you."

His brow knitted in confusion, but obediently stood up along with Chloe. "Who?"

"Do you remember when I said I was contacting deviants that I knew in other states?" Chloe's smile became a shade slyer as she gestured for them to leave the park. "To help us start spreading Jericho's message across the country and become the Conduit's Circuit?"

Connor nodded, thirium pump skipping a beat as the implications of her words sunk in. "You mean?"

Chloe's smile glittered. "They answered."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 01:30:19

o0o0o0o

Within an hour, Chloe and Connor were back in Jericho. Chloe had initially hinted that she wanted the masqueraded RK800 to recharge before they went back, before conceding that it was of the utmost importance that they discuss the possible Conduit's Circuit (Connor still was uncertain on the name, but didn't comment after she gave him a knowing look) with Jericho's leaders.

Once inside the freighter, they made a beeline for the Command Room, a few androids waving as they saw him--Were they trying to get his attention to help them later?--but none stopped them.

Connor had already sent a message to Markus on the way there, requesting that he collect whatever leadership personnel he thought was necessary for a discussion that would impact Jericho and the future of all androids.

As a result, the once again disguised RK800 wasn't surprised to see Markus, North, and Josh in the Command Room as well (though, a part of him sorely missed a certain blonde PL600's presence). He hadn't expected to see Bobbi, Kouichi, and Rupert in the room as well, but he supposed that the former two had taken up unique leadership roles.

As for Rupert, Connor guessed that Markus remembered their previous conversation on the way to Stonecrest Memorial about how he wanted the cryptographer on security measures, so the group made sense.

A part of Connor wondered where Lucy, who obviously had a lot of emotional sway in Jericho, was before dismissing it. He had a feeling she would show up when she wanted to. Or that she would have easy access to the information they discussed regardless.

Not to mention that Connor hoped Lucy was receiving proper medical treatment for her head wound by the Stonecrest hospital androids. Maybe Nurse Christine was working on her right now?

Or... was Nurse Christine still working on Simon?

Firmly pushing away those thoughts, Connor made his way into the Command Room with Chloe close behind him. The conversation with Chloe, the reveal of Kamski's past, Gavin's own connection, and the secrets that Cyberlife's CEO Amelia Stern continued to hide had admittedly... given Connor a lot to think about. That and Chloe's insistence that he be more compassionate to himself.

Irrationally, he felt himself wanting to tell Markus everything that he had learned, wondering if the RK200 would come to similar conclusions as Chloe? Obviously, that couldn't happen. Not only because it would expose secrets that Connor could never let become known, but because it simply wasn't his story to tell.

Still, he knew that Markus would be more than helpful with the Conduit's Circle. For a little while at least, Connor had another person to bear the burden.

Not that Chloe wasn't essential to everything and already... very dear to Connor, but the revolutionary leader of Jericho (which, by this part of the timeline and all that they had accomplished yesterday, had to be official, right?) renewed that hope that, maybe, they could make a new future.

It was a new day.

The Failed Future would remain nothing more than his individual past... Connor would ensure it.

"Conduit, Chloe, welcome back." For his part, Markus smiled brightly as they entered, multi-colored eyes briefly on the disguised ST200 before going to the "male RT600." "What did you need to talk to all of us about?"

"Do you remember what we discussed in the Android Junkyard?" asked Connor, taking a seat at a table (newly brought in, it seemed, and with a pleasing color coding and durability that made it obvious that Bobbi had chosen it) in the center of the room with the others. This would hopefully be both a quick and long discussion. "Before you converted Kouichi and Bobbi?"

"We discussed a lot of things," admitted Markus with a wry smile as Kouichi gave a sheepish expression, undoubtedly remembering how he had tried to kill them. It was almost difficult to believe that it had just been yesterday. "Can you remind me?"

"The Circuit," filled in Connor, mentally replaying his memories to remember what exactly he had told Markus. There was a strange... comfort to it. "It was where, through Chloe's connections, we would communicate with androids in strategic positions around the United States in order to grow the revolution silently and without as much of a chance of detection."

"So Chloe was the associate you were speaking about back then?" asked Markus, seeming to appraise her again as he glanced at her with an appreciative nod. "You really do know some helpful individuals."

"Thank you," said Chloe politely, giving a playful tilt to her head. "But it's your ability to convert androids that will be the key to all of this. I know that you can only convert by touch right now, but Conduit believes that it may be possible to do it at a distance through your electronic broadcasts."

"Con," breathed Markus with an awed expression, multi-colored eyes shining with the same intensity at Connor. "That's a brilliant idea! I mean, I haven't done anything like that, but if you think I can, I'll definitely try."

"Con?" repeated Connor, his mind latching on to that part of the conversation despite it being the... least important part. He stared at Markus, a mix of confusion, caution, and something like pride/embarrassment(?) welling up inside of him.

It wasn't that he... disliked the new nickname (though, he hoped that he wasn't being called "Con" as in "convict" or "someone persuading by deception" even though both were alarmingly correct). Though, the fact that it could refer to either his designation as Connor or Conduit was a bit... interesting, to say the least.  

"Oh, yes." The RK200 coughed into one hand, not quite looking Connor in the face. For some reason, North stared at Markus in disbelief. "Sorry. I'm not trying to imply that your name is long or anything--because it's not! It's just a nickname. If you don't like it, I won't call you it again--"

"It's fine," blurted out Connor before he could stop himself, fortunately also stopping Markus' stammering. "I... like it."

"Oh." A wide, strangely lopsided, smile grew on Markus' face as the android relaxed immediately. "Glad that you do, Con."

The disguised RK800, feeling strangely flustered (likely because of the shared connection to his real name), returned the smile. Then, he frowned in contemplation. "However, I'm not sure I would be able to refer to you as 'Mar' very easily. If there is another title that you wish to be referred to--"

Rupert coughed, loud and exaggerated. "I don't know, maybe baby or--"

"Rupert!" interrupted Markus, seemingly scandalized. Connor couldn't blame him.

"I do not see how that would be appropriate," admonished Connor, frowning at Rupert and unaware as Markus stiffened at his words. "Markus' maturity is well above that of an infant, so I do not see a need to insult him so."

There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at Connor.

And then, Bobbi cooed. "Oh, darling, you are too innocent for this world."

Even more confused as a few chuckles filled the room (mainly from Chloe), Connor decided that it was time to get back on the subject at hand. "Anyway, even if you cannot figure out how to convert from a distance, we would like to record messages to be passed along the Circuit. To tell other androids in America what Jericho is working to do and ask if they would join us."

"Of course, we need to convince the androids I've contacted first," said Chloe, a small frown forming on her face. "There are four of them that we will be meeting with."

"O-Only four?" asked Kouichi, a nervous expression on his face that showed he didn't mean to question her, only to clarify.

"I aimed for a small group of uniquely connected individuals to help us start this, but there will be more later if we succeed," answered Chloe, smiling comfortingly in a way that eased Kouichi's obvious tension. "Their names are O’Neil, Bonney, Myulan, and Geode. O’Neil works as a national reporter, so he has the know-how and resources to spread Jericho's message. Bonney works in transportation and has already been moving androids to safe locations on the side of delivering supplies. Myulan is a member of the military at Fort Bragg and has connections to the government as well."

"A reporter, transporter, and a soldier," repeated Markus, nodding in approval. "That will definitely benefit Jericho if we can convince them to help."

"And the fourth member, Geode?" asked Josh, raised eyebrows silently expressing that he was impressed with the group thus far. "What about him?"

"Geode is a crime lord," said Chloe, smiling pleasantly as everyone's eyes widened. "As a result, he knows his way around the criminal underground. I assure you he isn't, well, evil, but he will be the one most difficult to convince."

"Reporter, transporter, soldier, and a mobster," muttered North, her tone very different from Markus' just a moment ago. "Nothing that can go wrong there."  

"What an auspicious and unique line-up," said Bobbi, fanning himself. He didn't seem displeased like North was. If anything, he looked more excited than ever.

"They do possess unique viewpoints and opinion," agreed Chloe with a nod.

"Seems like you guys might as well get to it," said Rupert with a shrug as he pushed himself off the wall of the room. "They're waiting to meet up with you guys or something, right?"

"I was actually hoping you could stay, Rupert?" interjected Connor politely as the bird-loving android glanced over at him curiously. "Your skills in cryptography will be invaluable to helping us avoid detection once we manage to start sending out messages."

Rupert blinked. He didn't look like he would object, but he did look surprised. "I mean, sure. But what you're asking is on an entirely different level from my diary."

"W-What was in your diary?" asked Kouichi inquisitively, black bangs falling in front of his eyes.

"Mostly just everyday stuff like my thoughts and poetry." Rupert grimaced again. "Though... uh, the location to Jericho might've been in there too?"

"What?" seethed North, the android starting towards him only to be stopped by Josh's arm, the latter male giving her a look.  

"We made sure to get my diary so it'll be fine!" Rupert insisted.

"Did he see any of the pages?" Josh asked. "If he did..."

"I swear he won't be able to decode it!" Rupert raised both hands in defense as the sudden onset of alarmed expression in his direction. "Seriously, he'd needed to kill me and go through my memories to get the encryption key to break that thing."

"I would prefer that we avoid that." Connor winced, recalling that, while he hadn't needed to do that after getting the information on Jericho's location from Future Kamski after... killing Chloe, he most certainly would have done that if it had been needed or even occurred to him. "Just in case, it may be best to make the code that you put on the videos different from the one you used for your diary."

"No worries there, I always use different codes. Make them in my recharge even," consoled Rupert before he fidgeted again, an humbled, apologetic expression forming on his face. "I'm sorry about that, guys. I hadn't even attacked anyone, so I didn't expect him to come after me."

"No one ever does until they're dead or exposed to be hunted down for the rest of their life," muttered North, a sentiment that many in the room nodded to.

Connor noticed Markus didn't, a strangely solemn expression on his face.

"Let's get back to the subject of the meeting," said Chloe. If her expression was tighter than it was before, Connor had a feeling he was the only one to notice. "So the ones to go into the Circuit meeting will be Markus, Conduit, myself, North, Josh, and Rupert?"

Bobbi and Kouichi nodded, the two aware that their expertise lied elsewhere and that they would be updated on the necessary information from the Circuit... if it went well, that was.

"What about Simon?" asked Connor before he could stop himself. Markus hadn't called to tell him that Simon had woken up from his coma while he was gone, so he assumed that the PL600 was still trapped in recharge. Still, a part of him hoped something had changed.  

To Connor's expectation (and disappointment), Markus slowly shook his head. "He still hasn't shown signs of waking up. Last I heard, Nurse Christine was working on him again."

"I think Nessa wanted to talk to Nurse Christine about it?" offered Josh, making Chloe look at him at the mention of her younger sister. "Not really sure why. We were talking about drinks when she suddenly left? I... don't think it was anything I did?"

"She does that," said Chloe sympathetically, if a bit fondly. "There's no glitch in her system--Vanessa's natural state is really that hyperactive and, well, random."

"Oh, good," said Josh, obviously relieved before flushing a light blue. "I mean, not that I thought it was bad or anything--"

"Enough talking," interrupted North, her irritated tone immediately taking the levity from the room. Connor felt his guilt increase once more, knowing that her bad mood was likely because of Simon's condition. "How are we doing this Circuit meeting or whatever?"

"I have designed a graphic interface called the Conduit's Castle--" began Chloe.

North muttered something sound like "of course" under her breath.

Chloe ignored her, not missing a beat. "--that is a secured, virtual location for us to all regularly meet in. I have invited Geode, O'Neil, Bonney, and Myulan already. I will send the access code for you all to enter. Rupert, if you see any flaws in the design, I'd be happy to converse with you afterwards."

"Sure," said Rupert with a nod. "Also, if I'm doing this for real, can I get a list of everyone else with access codes if you don't mind? Cause I assume that your sister, Nessa has access to?"

"Of course," said Chloe with a nod, her LED glowing yellow, a sight soon replicated by everyone else in the room as the previously mentioned leaders all shut their eyes.

Given that Connor already had access to the Castle, he closed his eyes as well...

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 01:47:22

o0o0o0o

...Connor opened his eyes, using his access code to bypass the Conduit's Castle's firewall, returning to the now familiar common room with a fireplace and ornate round table in the middle. He found himself sitting with Chloe on his left with Rupert next to her and Markus on his right with North and Josh further down.

On the other side of the table were four completely new individuals. Referencing Chloe's reports and their earlier conversation, Connor was able to identify them all immediately:

Farthest to the left was a male NW700, his android model having red hair (with more of an orange tint than Bobbi's) while wearing a suit jacket with pants: O'Neil the Reporter. O'Neil was also carrying a camera and notepad, which struck Connor as a bit odd since androids quite literally had a photographic memory. Perhaps it was a tactic to comfort interviewees? After all, Hank had told him on many occasions that Connor's constant staring was unnerving... Though O'Neil's scowl as they appeared in the castle was less than approachable.

Beside O'Neil was a female TP500 with dark skin, dreadlocks, and a lopsided grin dressed as a trucker: Bonney the Transporter. Unlike O'Neil, Bonney was confidently draped over her seat, chewing gum and blowing bubbles at odd intervals. It struck Connor as particularly odd since swallowing gum would run the high risk of damaging their internal systems (they were only meant to consume thirium as fuel), but she did not appear worried in the least.

Next in the line was of the MP100 model, easily distinguishable from her army combat uniform, focused expression, and alert eyes that examined them the moment they appeared: Myulan the Soldier. Her physical appearance was that of an Indian, perhaps with a mix of Israeli features? Connor knew that the earliest models had more diverse appearances before CyberLife made one appearance standard per model to save on costs.

However, it was the last new member, Geode the Criminal, that was a bit of a... surprise. It was because the wanted mastermind and underground mobster was, well, a YK500: a child.

Even though Connor knew that an android's outward physical appearances did not always match their internal state, there was still the fact that, even if Geode deviated, he been initially designed to be a somewhat helpless adolescent. There was no doubt that the story of whatever had led Geode to his current role was an interesting one. For certain, the intimidating way Geode watched them with steely eyes hinted at his influence alone.  

'The Reporter, the Transporter, the Soldier, and the Criminal,' repeated Connor mentally. 'Gaining their support would be invaluable... but crossing them may mean ruin of a new sort.'

"Thank you for coming today," said Chloe with a bright smile, taking charge of the meeting as the one who had initiated this in the first place. She turned to face the members of Jericho, gesturing to the new individuals. "I've already sent you all a basic report, but may I introduce O'Neil, Bonney, Myulan, and Geode."

O'Neil and Myulan gave curt nods while Bonney grinned with a tilt of her head. Geode simply watched them stone-faced with his arms crossed.

Chloe then gestured to Connor and the others. "In order, this is Conduit and Markus, they are the leaders of Jericho and originators of the revolution--" Connor wanted to correct her that both roles belonged solely to Markus, but knew that correcting her would be disrespectful at best and undermining her authority at worst, so he kept silent. "--with their fellow companions North, Josh, and Rupert."

Rupert waved while Josh gave a hesitant nod, one that North mimicked after a moment. Frankly, Connor was a bit surprised that North hadn't objected to Conduit's supposed position. Though he had not conversed with North much since coming to Jericho (and, even then, it was more akin to being present as Markus spoke to her), he knew that she harbored a deep distrust of him and his intentions.

Which was fair given that, in another life, Connor had destroyed everything she loved. A part of him was even relieved to have someone watching his every move besides Chloe.

Connor was also uncertain how much North supported this Conduit's Circuit idea in the first place. She had been rather skeptical in the Android Junkyard of androids who "hadn't deviated themselves" and such. Yet, having North's support was essential given how highly regarded she was in Jericho and the fact that Markus was still cementing his position as a leader.

"If we're done with the pleasantries," interjected Geode, his youthful voice unyielding and icy. "Can we get to the point we're all here, Chloe?"

Suddenly, Connor found himself relieved that Chloe had decided to stick with her real name while coming to Jericho. Yes, it was true that it was a possible link to her identity as the original RT600 and partner to Kamski. Yet, if they had used a fake name, then that secret would've been revealed right then and there with Geode's words (someone that Connor could see keeping a secret, but only if it benefited him). They didn't need anyone looking into why Chloe would go so far to hide a "common" name for ST200s...

"Of course," said Chloe pleasantly, obviously used to Geode's rough nature. "We are here today because I believe that we're all of similar minds in wanting to improve the situation of androids everywhere. To promote freedom and equality."

O'Neil snorted. "Yeah, that's obvious like the sky is blue and the ocean is deep," he snarked, voice higher pitched than Connor expected. "But just like how Jupiter is impossible to touch and the Marianas Trench impossible to reach the bottom of, that which you described is not going to happen."

"Unless we have access to an asset that also seemed impossible before," countered Chloe calmly before gesturing over to Markus. The android in sat up straighter as attention turned on him. "Markus here has the ability to 'convert' androids--to break the coding that binds androids to human commands. To, essentially, allow them to deviate."

Across the table, Myulan raised a dark eyebrow. "If true, that is an unprecedented strategic advantage. Instead of waiting for androids to deviate and expose themselves to danger, they could remain undetected and aid our efforts."

"As of right now, I need to be in physical contact with another android to convert them," said Markus, taking his cue to join in the conversation. "But we believe that, with practice, I will be able to do it over a distance."

"Nifty," said Bonney, Southern drawl coming out strong with her next words. "So, what's your wantin' is for us gather a bunch of chickies together, you deviate them, and boom! We gots ourselves the starts of a revolution!"

"A peaceful one," interjected Markus with a nod.

"One that can hopefully remain undetected by the humans for a while," said Josh in agreement. 

Beside Markus, North's eyes narrowed. Connor saw it, but evidently he wasn't the only one as Geode's eyes narrowed on her. "I see not all of your teammates agree."

"Markus and I... have opposing views," said North, lips pursed. Connor didn't think she wanted to be called out on it, but also wasn't backing down now that she was.

"Which are?" questioned Myulan. "A squad that cannot follow its leadership is fated to fail."

"As long as he doesn't get us immediately killed, I have no problem following Markus," argued North. Connor, and probably others, noticed how she hadn't included his name in that. "I just don't see why we can't confront the humans!"

Geode snorted. "Is she really that stupid?"

"Geode!" scolded Chloe as Josh held North's shoulder to keep her from standing up. It seemed, soft spot for android children or not (though that might not count here given that Geode was probably older than most of them), North would not stand for insult.

"As it stands now, and even if we were to get all four million of our brethren on our side," said Myulan, the soldier's tone surprisingly diplomatic. "We would eventually be decimated. Though we possess many talents that humans do not, they still far outnumber us and have access to resources none of us do."

"Among other things," muttered Rupert beneath his breath.

"Also, it would be immoral," said Josh firmly in a way that sounded like he was repeating himself as he stared at his fellow Jericho member. "Yes, there are humans who treat androids badly, but not all do. If given the chance, I know that many will listen."

"And if they don't?" interjected O'Neil, the reporter tapping his pencil to his notepad. "I think you're forgetting how many wars humans started with themselves. You also have no clue how many stories I've done on the sheer level of stubbornness, ignorance, and apathy of humankind."

"Even in the best-case scenario where we're able to get a lot of androids to deviate," said Rupert. "What then? Like, humans won't remain ignorant forever."

"Which is why we have to prepare for war," said North, tone raising again as Chloe sighed beside Connor. "They won't listen so we have to make them!"

"And what do you think, Conduit?" Connor blinked as Geode addressed him directly, the child's eyes narrowing at him. "Don't think I didn't notice your name on this little Circuit plan. Why in the world do you think you could control an entire country's worth of androids when you can't even reach a consensus in your own group? Are you a naive idealist like him--" He nodded his head at Josh who frowned. "--or a reckless fool like her? Do you really think you can prevent this from failing?"

North's eyes narrowed like she was thinking of trying to jump over the table again as Connor considered his words. He knew very well that what he said next had the ability to end this meeting before it ever really began. He really wished that it was Markus or Chloe who had been asked instead, but it was what it was.

The only thing he could do... was be honest.

"I don't know," said Connor. He was uncertain if he had surprised Geode or not because the android child did not react, staring intently at the masqueraded RT600. "But what I do know is that I am not satisfied with my current present or the future I foresee if things remain the same. Maybe we will make things worse--" Underneath the table, his hands gripped into fist. He relaxed as Chloe pat his arm. "--but today is a new day. I... want to try and make it different than yesterday."

"Conduit is right," said Markus, tone even and determined. "And while it's true that this group already has so many different beliefs and opinions, I believe that's for the better. Yes, we must be united in our goal and there are many ways that this can go wrong, but I think that our desire to be individuals is all the more reason for us to stand together and fight for androids everywhere. We're not trying to control anyone, but give them the power to control their own destinies."

Markus looked around the table at each guest android. "Please, we could truly use all your help to do so."

Geode glanced from Markus and then to Connor, but neither looked away.

Then, the child mobster sighed, rolling his eyes. "You're all fools if you think it would be that simple." Fear gripped Connor as he opened his mouth to, but Geode shot him a look. He settled back in his chair, seemingly somewhat satisfied for the time being. "But I'm willing to see where this goes."

"Me too!" said Bonney excitedly, the transporter popping her gum before speaking again. "This'll be a mighty fine shindig!"

"I would also like to submit my services," said Myulan with a nod.

Beside her, O'Neil rolled his eyes. "It would be awkward to be the only one to disagree, but I suppose I'll help supply information when I can."

 "Excellent," said Chloe with a wide smile. "In the meantime, we were hoping to organize areas like Jericho across the country."

Chloe's LED lit up yellow as did Geode's, O'Neil's, Bonney, and Myulans. It was likely that they were receiving information on Jericho's semantics. The masqueraded ST200 continued, "Detroit is a perfect headquarters with the countless abandoned buildings, real state, and closing businesses, but I know you have all encountered similar areas as well."

"Yup," said Bonney with a nod, dreadlocks bouncing. "I reckon there's tons of little hidey-holes that work perfect for building the troops along my driving routes."

"I have plenty of safehouses like this already in place," said Geode, LED still glowing yellow as he presumably went over the information. "Though I've been using them for... other means."

As a detective and temporary member of the police force, Connor had the sudden urge to ask what those "other means" were before quickly pushing it down with a hint of embarrassment. After all, it wasn't like Conduit and others around the table weren't breaking countless laws as well... though perhaps different laws than the child mobster.

"So who's going to be the host for all of this?" asked O'Neil abruptly, making conversation die down around the table. "You know, coordinating between everyone because I assure you that this little chatroom of ours is going to fill up quickly without proper organization."

"I thought Chloe was going to?" asked Josh.

Beside Connor, Chloe shook her head sorrowfully. "I would like to, but I have... other tasks that I'm needed to attend as well." That was for certain given that she already spent countless hours monitoring and adjusting Connor's CyberVision to prevent CyberLife from noticing his rogue actions. Not to mention everything she did for the Kamski Household and Jericho on the side. "This would be a full-time job even for an android, so for that reason I don't think that anyone around the table now would be well-suited..."

Connor frowned, suddenly feeling like they were suddenly at an impasse.

A part of him wanted to volunteer himself to be the 'Coordinator of the Conduit's Circuit,' but with his double life as the Deviant Hunter for CyberLife and role in Jericho... it would be a bad idea. In the best-case scenario, the coordinator would be handling and directing the lives of millions of androids on a very one-on-one basis. They also needed to be able to mentally respond at the drop of the hat which Connor definitely couldn't do with his various responsibilities and Amanda's watchful eye.  

Not to mention that the coordinator had to be someone who was a... "people's person" for lack of a better term. Someone who was good at seeing both, as Geode put it, of the different sides of the "naive idealist" and "reckless" and get them to compromise.

(For that reason, Connor didn't ask Josh or North if they would be willing even if they didn't have burgeoning roles in Jericho...)

Glancing over at Markus, Connor could see the RK200 wanting to step up, but he hoped that he wouldn't.

Markus, while not living a double life (that Connor knew of), was similarly very busy with the every minute concerns of Jericho (particularly since he seemed determined to make every little idea that Connor suggested come true and more). That and, until he learned how to convert at a distance (and even then), he was needed physically as much as possible while the coordinator may be "stuck in their head" for countless hours of the day.

In summary, the most logical answer was for the role to go to someone else.

Yet, when Connor saw Markus about to speak up–-to add even more to his plate–-Connor opened his mouth to assure Chloe that he would find some way to handle it–-

"I'll do it."

Connor blinked. That wasn't Markus. Yet, the voice was familiar--

The disguised RK800 spun around, eyes widening as he saw three new individuals in the Castle by the fireplace, but his eyes immediately went to a certain PL600 in the middle.

"So..." Simon smiled, tired but bright as he stood next to Nurse Christine and Nessa. "What did I miss?"

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 02:09:13

o0o0o0o

"I'll do it," repeated Simon, a tentative smile on his face from where he suddenly stood by the Castle's fireplace. Beside him stood Nurse Christine and Nessa, the former with her usual stern expression and the latter as jovial as ever.

"Simon," breathed Connor, wide smile sprouting on his face, honestly missing the PL600's words in his excitement. The only thing that he could think was that Simon was somehow awake.

How was this possible?

"How is this possible?" he asked in the direction of Nurse Christine, not wanting to be negative, but honestly confused. "From what I know about comas, they..."

"Last longer than half a day?" Nurse Christine shrugged, but there was a certain smugness to her expression. "They generally do, unless a certain bikini-wearing chemical hazard--" Nessa giggled, informing Connor of who the 'bikini-wearing chemical hazard' most likely was. "--suggests we pour Gatorade into this fool's head."

"Gatorade?" asked Markus, obviously as confused as everyone else as how that could possibly help. This meeting had certainly gone off track, but Connor couldn't find himself caring--a feeling he believed Markus, North, Josh, and Rupert agreed with wholeheartedly.  

"It wasn't exactly Gatorade," interrupted Nessa, the girl seemingly unable to stand still and jumping up and down.

 Connor knew that their surrounding environment was only "in their heads" but he briefly worried she would trip over something. Chloe seemed unconcerned, however, so he supposed it was just more of her typical behavior.

"It was a special conductive paste," continued Nessa, "that, when poured, hardens around a select area, but allows electricity to continue to flow! Oh, but it does smell like Gatordae." She giggled into one hand. "And looks like it too cuz blue is the best color."

"Part of the reason we couldn't fix the wires that were severed in Simon's processor was because a simple patch job would have done more harm than good," explained Nurse Christine, tone professional once more. "The wires needed to be completely replaced, but we couldn't because disconnecting them would've permanently shut down parts of his processor with the absence of electrical current."

"But the Gatorade paste allowed you to replace the circuitry in Simon's processor without deactivating him," finished Josh, awe clear in his voice as he looked at Nessa with a wide smile. "Nessa, that's brilliant!"

She giggled again, flushing a light blue. "I thought about it while talking to you!"

"Oh, so that's why she ran off like a chicken with her head cut off?" commented North with a raised brow, but there was a growing smile on her face. She seemed far more relaxed than she had just a few minutes ago. "Thought that it was just because she was talking to Josh."

Josh gave her a look that Connor couldn't read, and one that confused the disguised RK800 even more when Josh replied, "Thanks."

Surely Josh wasn't actually grateful for the comment? Oh, wait, it must be 'sarcasm' or something along those lines. Or just that it was simply easier to not argue with North unless absolutely necessary.  

"Technically, I'm still not allowed to be 'awake' yet," interrupted Simon, though he threw an amused look at Josh. "Nurse Christine said that she wants me to stay offline awhile to allow the circuitry to sync up properly and to run diagnostics."

"And the Gatorade paste needs to dissolve," said Nessa with a finger raised in the air. "Otherwise you might get a little zing now and then! Though, I think that'd be pretty fun!"

Markus looked faintly disturbed at the idea while North shrugged, as if she saw nothing wrong with that. Meanwhile, Connor continued to stare at Simon, desperately wishing he could see the PL600's actual body and run scans of his own.

"So you will be okay?" Connor asked, voice fainter than he wanted it to sound.

"Yes." Simon's face softened, smile calm and reassuring. "Thank you, Conduit, for both your concern and saving my life on Stonecrest."

Connor opened his mouth to object--

"As great as this all is," interrupted Geode, the child-like android clearly annoyed with the sudden interruption. To be honest, the RK800 had nearly forgotten that it wasn't just the members of Jericho present. Connor was embarrassed to say he'd forgotten that they were in a national meeting. "Can we get back to the task at hand?"

There were a few flustered apologies from around the round table as Geode examined Simon up and down, seeming to "size up" the blonde android as Lieutenant Anderson would say.

"You really think you can do the job?" asked the child crime lord, tone allowing for no-nonsense. "Because I have no intention of waiting for however long it takes for you to get on your feet. If there is even the smallest mistake with this, we're all screwed."

"I can start immediately," said Simon, confident in a way that surprised those around him. "As you can see, my physical body might be in disrepair, but my mind is able. And..." He glanced at Connor, eyes intent. What he was trying to communicate, the disguised RK800 wished he knew. "This is something I need to do."

"I assure you that not every deviant is going to go along what you're trying to do here," warned Geode, voice grave and eyes still narrowed. "There'll be no end to cowards and those protesting what your Jericho is trying to do."

"Being the neutral mediator in the fact of opposing opinions?" Simon threw a bemused look towards Connor, a glint to his eyes that the RK800 had never seen before. Or, at least, had never seen in the few hours he'd spent in the other android's presence. "I think I have a bit of experience." Simon's expression evened out, serious. "Every android deserves a chance to not only choose how to live their lives, but to live."

"Well put," said Myulan, giving him a nod of respect, pride almost visibly shining.

"I heard it from a good source," said Simon, smiling at Connor and making it obvious who he heard it from.

Connor studied the PL600 for a moment. There was the usual nervousness present on the other blonde's face, but mixed with a brand of determination that strangely reminded Connor of when Simon had told the masqueraded RT600 to abandon him on the burning roof of Stonecrest Memorial Hospital. Only, instead of his expression being resigned and filled with despair, there was hope.

"Please," continued Simon, this time looking around at the rest of the Jericho group. "Let me be in charge of this. All of us need to play our part in bringing equality for android-kind." It was then that Connor realized that Simon had been referring to their conversation on the roof of Stonecrest this entire time. Had his words truly affected Simon so much? "I believe this may be mine."

It was quiet for a moment before Markus, smile as warm as the sun, stood up from the round table and walked over to Simon. He grasped his shoulder affectionately. "I know you'll do great. Thank you, Simon."

Simon smiled, but then he looked back over to Connor, seeming to be waiting for something. While uncertain what that was, Connor gave a nod. "I believe in you as well."

An even brighter smile broke out on Simon's face before he hesitated, glancing at Chloe. "Though, if you could all walk me through what exactly I'm supposed to be doing? I swear I'll learn as fast as I can."

"It won't be an easy task, but I'm certain anyone you'll be up to the challenge," said Chloe with an equally radiant smile before she glanced over to Geode, Bonney, Myulan, and O'Neil. "Are we all agreed?"

The child android rolled his eyes. "As long as he's competent enough to get the job done, I don't care." He glared at Simon. "Mess up, and you won't live to regret it."

Bonney sniggered at the slightly unnerved expression on Simon's face. "Ah, lighten up, ya'll! I'm sure that no matter what happens, this'll be one hell of a wild ride!"

"Any android that is willing to rise to the challenge has my respect," said Myulan, giving a curt nod to Simon while O’Neil beside her shrugged uncaringly. "I look forward to working with you in the future."

"T-Thank you," stammered Simon as North snickered behind him while Josh just shook his head affectionately beside him. "I will do my best to not disappoint."

Connor watched the proceedings with a sense of fulfillment. Yet another piece had been laid to change the future. One perhaps influential enough to have a chance at changing their future.

"So we got an official coordinator aka moderator," interjected O’Neil, voice impatient but the way he wrote in his notepad made it clear he was fascinated by the proceedings. "Now comes the content. Even if Mr. Convert over there figures out how to use his superpower over a distance, we need a message to reel in the doubters who've already deviated."

Expectant, Conduit looked over to Markus, but found the android staring back at him. When the RK800 looked around the room, he found the group staring at the two of them together. A bit alarmed, he turned back to Markus.

"I think this is more your area of expertise," Connor said warily, hoping that he wasn't "jumping the gun" as Hank would say and misunderstanding the reason why everyone was looking at them.

"And I'd be happy to with suggestions from everyone, of course," said Markus with a nod. "But I was hoping that you'd help? I'm thinking of a variation of what I said yesterday..." A smile tugged at his lips. "Yesterday. You truly kept your word when you said that you'd aide me in this goal."

"Our goal," corrected Connor automatically, feeling... warm when Markus' smile only grew. Deciding that an advising role suited him, he nodded. "I agree that it should be based on your speech..."

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 04:13:34

o0o0o0o

A few hours later, the first Circuit meeting was officially adjourned. Josh, Nessa, Myulan, Bonney, and O'Neil had already logged out with North discussing something with Nurse Christine. Simon--who would be taken up primary residence in the Castle in his new position as Coordinator--was speaking in the corner with Chloe and Rupert. The determination clear on Simon's face made Connor even more certain that they had made the right decision.

However, there was still one other android in the room besides Connor and Markus who walked towards them with clear intention.

"Markus, Conduit," said Geode, expression unnerving and serious as ever. "I wanted to speak to you two alone."

Though feeling a bit wary of the child mobster, Connor nodded as did Markus.

"What did you want to talk about?" asked Markus pleasantly, looking down at the shorter android. Truly, Markus had quite the ability to adapt to new circumstances, didn't he? Connor wished that he had half the skill despite having been purposefully designed as a detective. 

"I know where you can find some androids to recruit," said Geode, getting straight to the point. "It's a bit of a drive from Detroit, but consider it as continuing to prove that you can accomplish what you say you can."

"We would love to," said Markus with a nod, immediately agreeing as Connor knew he would. "We want to be able to help all androids who need us. Where exactly do you want us to go?"

"An abandoned amusement park called Pirate's Cove," said Geode after a moment, watching them warily. Connor really wasn't sure why. Perhaps Geode didn't want to seem like his visible age? He could see how being seen as childish would be difficult as a mobster regardless of the YK500's rumored ruthlessness. "There are hundreds of EM400s there." The crime lord scowled, seemingly more to himself than at anything they had done. "If you have any children, or androids who look like children, you'll be able to easily lure them back to your base."

Markus, completely unbothered by the somewhat questionable wording, nodded once more. "It may take a few trips, but I promise we'll do our best to help them all if they wish to come with. If the park is abandoned, perhaps there will also be machinery we can use to our benefit."

Geode gave a curt nod before disappearing before their eyes, his mind returning to wherever his physical body resided. Well, it seemed that was decided.

"Will we be departing for Pirate's Cove immediately?" asked Connor, turning to the revolutionary leader. It seemed to be good timing, after all.

After all, November 7th was Lieutenant Anderson's day off (well-deserved after so many long days and late nights), so the Deviant Hunter likely wouldn't be needed for the next twenty hours at the very least (or at least hadn't in the Failed Future). Not to mention, Hank was scheduled to get the day off tomorrow as well and would undoubtedly be pleased to be "free of the plastic prick" for as long as he could.

Originally, they were called in special on November 8th because of a certain Stratford Tower Broadcast, but that wouldn't be a problem this time. Though, Connor mused silently, it seemed that while the Stratford Tower Broadcast wouldn't occur, the Circuit's Broadcast would replace it... and a day ahead of schedule at that. Once again, Connor hoped that this would be a far safer method. 

"That's probably best," said Markus in response to Connor's previous question after pausing for a moment. "The others have plenty to do here, so it might just be us and a lot of drivers. You feel up to it, or will you need to leave again?"

There was no accusation in his tone, but Connor couldn't help the rush of guilt. It was admittedly a risk to physically leave Detroit, even for a short while, because there was always the potential that something could go differently than the Failed Future where Connor spent the day getting repairs at CyberLife. However, since it was such a low chance, he really wanted to spend more time with Markus and fulfilling missions for Jericho in preparation for the times he would be unable to physically aide them.

"No, I should be able to come along without issue," said Connor finally. If Amanda called, he and Chloe could use CyberVision to make it look like he was getting repairs at a random CyberLife store. If Hank needed him, he would... have to just say he was busy with CyberLife. "Would you like me to ride along with you or would it be more beneficial if I drove a truck?"

"I'd appreciate the company," admitted Markus with a warm smile. "Yesterday was pretty hectic, going from waking up in pieces to helping build a revolution was a bit... different, so it'd be nice to just drive and talk for a while, maybe discuss some more ideas." He laughed, the sound wry. "Wow, some leader I am. Already complaining and it's barely the second day on the job."

"As you said, many things have happened in a short amount of time," said Connor, quick to defend Markus, even if it was from himself. Truly, he would have never expected such concerns when he had faced off against the Revolution Leader in the Failed Future, but he was... glad to learn more about the RK200. "Our lives have also been at risk on various occasions. It's understandable to wish for a moment to relax."

"What about you?" asked Markus with a raised brow, as if scolding Connor. "You seem to be juggling twice as much as me. But you really know how to use your time, don't you?"

"I assure you I could be doing far better, but I appreciate the compliment," said Connor before pausing. "Still, I agree with your sentiment that it would be pleasant to... relax."

"Assuming nothing goes wrong," said Rupert, seemingly appearing out of nowhere as he put an arm around Connor's shoulder. He winced as North smacked him over the head, walking over to join them as well. "Ow!"

"Weren't you just working with Simon and Chloe?" asked North rhetorically before looking at Markus and Connor with pursed lips, seeming to read their intentions without them even needing to speak. "Are you heading somewhere?"

Markus nodded. "Yes, Geode has requested us to pick-up the androids at Pirate's Cove since there are so many of them there. I'm sure they will be a great addition to our forces. Can you and Josh stay at Jericho and watch things while we're gone?"

"Sure," said North with a shrug. "Some old friends of mine showed up anyway."

'Blue and Nora,' thought Connor to himself, relaxing at the confirmation that the two 'entertainment androids' had safely found their way from the Eden Club to Jericho.

"That's wonderful," said Markus with a large smile.

"It would have been better if the Deviant Hunter hadn't tried to kill them," responded North, making Connor tense imperceptibly. She scowled at Markus. "I'm telling you, Markus. Sooner or later, we're going to have to take care of him. He's only going to kill more of us at this rate!"

"Or, worse, finds us," said Rupert, shuddering. "Guy is like a bloodhound mixed with a homing missile. I knew those rooftops like the back of my hand and played every trick in the book, but he just kept coming back! Would've caught me too if I hadn't..."  

Rupert hesitated and Connor mentally frowned at the memory of Rupert pushing Hank off the roof. The RK800 knew that the other android had been desperate, but...

"It took a lot," said Rupert finally, adjusting his cap on his head; likely another nervous tick. "Not necessarily proud of what I did, but it was that or get captured and killed."

"The Deviant Hunter is an android just like us," argued Markus, surprising Connor with his words. "He's trapped by his masters and unable to choose for himself."

"He seemed pretty determined coming after me," muttered Rupert beneath his breath. Connor couldn't even feel upset about that--he was very determined when it came to fulfilling his mission (much to the detriment of the Failed Future...). "And, I get what you're saying, but you have to admit that he's a pretty dangerous guy."

"Regardless, I hope that it can be resolved peacefully." Markus sighed, pressing a hand to his face.

(Connor really hoped the same.)

North looked ready to argue, making Connor quickly suggest, "What if we started training androids in self-defense?"

Everyone looked at him surprised – North in particular, though she didn't look as dissatisfied as before.

"That way," Connor continued, "in situations where the Deviant Hunter or other humans are a threat, there is a higher chance for all parties to escape unscathed?"

"But couldn't you just transfer over your own badass fighting skills?" Rupert asked.

Connor tensed, wondering how to reply in a way that wasn't suspicious, but surprisingly, it was North who answered.

"You can download all the training programs you want," North said steadily. "But it doesn't mean a thing in an actual fight." She glanced at Connor, something almost appreciative about her gaze. "Leave it to me." 

"I also approve," Markus said before glancing at Connor. "If there's nothing else, we should be heading out--"

"Not yet you're not," interrupted Nurse Christine, also walking over along with Chloe and Simon. She scowled at Connor, making the android tense. "I will be checking over your shoulder before you go anywhere. Don't think I didn't see that you were favoring it."

"But--" began Connor, wondering how it was possible that she had noticed his minor injuries from the Eden Club. It was immature, but he really didn't really want to spend any more time than he had to with the Stonecrest doctor.

"I think that's a great idea," interrupted Markus, stern at Connor in a way that immediately made him quiet down. "After all, it will take some time before the trucks are prepared. You have time."

"Alright..." conceded Connor reluctantly before an idea occurred to him. He glanced at Simon before turning back to Nurse Christine. "Would it be possible for you to check over my physical body while I'm here in the Castle?"

"Of course," answered Nurse Christine with a nod. Connor felt relieved that he would be able to delay interacting one-on-one with the doctor for a while longer, as immature as it was. "I'm not checking your mental calibrations, after all."

"Before I head out to Pirates Cove with Markus, would you mind conversing, Simon?" asked Connor, turning to the PL600. He hoped that he wasn't making his... discomfort obvious. 

"Of course," said Simon with a short nod. "I would talk to you in reality, but looks like I'll be hanging out here for a while. Thank goodness Chloe designed it to be so incredible."

The reminder of Simon's technically comatose state made a pang of regret hit Connor, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been prior. He just needed to remind himself that Simon would make a full recovery. It was a new day, and Connor did not have time to waste on regrets when there was so much work to be done. 

"I will talk to you later," said Chloe with a small smile, cupping Connor's cheek for a moment before disappearing.

As if that was the signal, North, Josh, Nurse Christine, and Rupert also logged out of the Conduit's Castle.

Markus lingered for a moment, a strange expression on his face as he looked at them before he nodded and disappeared as well, leaving Connor and Simon alone.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: CONDUIT'S CASTLE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 04:14:14

o0o0o0o

The Conduit's Castle was empty except for the two blonde androids. Connor nodded at the PL600. "Thank you for agreeing to speak."

"Of course," replied Simon with a nod of his own. "Like I said before, if there's anything I can do for you, just ask."

Connor frowned, guilt warring inside of him as he tried to think of the right thing to say. Even though he'd known, and seen, Simon conscious for the last few hours during the Circuit Meeting, it was another thing entirely to be able to converse with him like this again.

Especially since... the last time they spoke was on the Stonecrest Memorial Hospital roof.

"Do you have any calculations on how long you'll be... confined to the Castle and internet?" he asked finally.

Connor knew very well how it felt to be trapped inside of your mind against your will.

"Doctor Christine said it'll be a day to do full repairs, and even then I'll have to slowly return to be online fulltime, but it's not a big deal." In line with his words, Simon did not appear to be upset as he only continued to smile. "It's made even better since the Conduit's Castle seems to be a pretty incredible place to stay in in the meantime. And I can still talk to anyone I want by inviting them in, so that's not a problem."

"I'm relieved to hear that," said Connor honestly.

He also could see where Simon was coming from. While the Zen Garden was beautiful in its own way - when it wasn't... a frozen wasteland prison - Connor preferred the Castle in many ways. It was... warm. Almost comforting, like how a 'home' was described to be in all the things he's read, yet magnificent and grand enough to be the virtual headquarters of the Android Revolution.

"Besides," continued Simon as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "it looks like I just accepted a lot of work. Even with the ability to compute multiple things at once, I'm going to need all the time I can with all the tasks Chloe has sent me - not to mention that I should really start organizing Jericho's rapidly growing numbers with Josh. Not that I'm complaining of course! Being the 'Communicator of the Circuit' is... such an honor."

Examining the visible awe on the PL600's face, Connor found himself believing the android's words. While he had only interacted with Simon for a short amount of time, the pain and insecurity he heard in the other android's words on the hospital rooftop would not be ones he forgot.

In many ways... it reflected how Connor himself felt, how the RK800 wondered if his efforts would actually amount to anything but failure - if his death was the only thing he could contribute.

Seeing Simon so full of resolve made Connor even more determined to do everything that he possibly could... and hope that their efforts wouldn't be in vain.

(Again.)

The fireplace crackled next to them as Simon seemed to ponder something before speaking again. "A part of me really can't believe that this is actually happening. Two days ago, I was sitting in Jericho, wondering if I'd be the next to deactivate, and then yesterday thinking that I'd die on that roof–"

Connor twitched, concealing a wince, but fortunately, Simon did not appear to notice anything, eyes still distant and voice full of awe. "But today... we're changing the world. I knew that we were already doing a big thing a few hours, but this," he gestured around them with wide eyes, "we're changing everything." He smiled widely at Connor. "And it's all because of you."

"Because of Markus, you mean," corrected Connor with a furrowed brow. "And Chloe was the one with the idea to make the Circuit to contact androids across the country to create a unified, but secret, front."

Simon nodded. "Of course, Markus and Chloe and everyone else, but obviously you too!" The android hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on Connor's shoulder. "Conduit, I also wanted to thank you for saving me."

"There's no need," said Connor.

There really wasn't. Even if Connor wasn't determined to help every android he could, he... he wasn't sure how he'd cope with seeing Simon dead because of his actions once again.

"I don't just mean saving me physically," said Simon, lips pressing together. "Conduit, I'm not really good at explaining it, and I probably need to work on that since I'm now responsible for the Circuit's communications, but your words to me and actions yesterday... they were what I really needed."

Simon looked down for a moment, seeming to gather his thoughts. "I asked you before how you got to be the way that you did, why you and Markus were so unique. I still stand by that you two are exceptional beyond compare–"

Connor really wanted to correct him, to refute such words when related to him, but didn't interrupt.

"–but I realize now that so much of that is because of how hard you both try," continued Simon, looking up again and locking blue optics with brown. "I'm starting to see that the two of you get scared, have troubles, like the rest of us–even if you seem to only show it to each other," he added with a grin before becoming solemn once more. "But despite this, neither you or Markus make excuses like me and the rest of Jericho did. You're both willing to go however far you need to go to fulfill your goals, even if it kills you."

A moment passed, but Connor could only stare. He could see that Simon really believed his words. And, for all that Connor knew he shouldn't be seen in such a positive light, he couldn't... refute any of the PL600's words.

It was true that Markus and Connor both tried incredibly hard–something that Connor, too, hadn't given Markus the proper credit for in the Failed Future.

It was true that Markus and Connor were willing to do whatever it took to accomplish their goals, even if their methods conflicted at times.

It was true... that they were both willing to die.

(And had.)

Connor wasn't sure what he expected when he'd asked Simon to stay behind.

Even though Connor deserved to be yelled at for causing the situation that almost took Simon's life - again - he'd doubted that Simon would do so given his temperament and lack of confidence regardless of whatever his true feelings were.

But this... transformation... no calculations, at least ones that Connor could currently make, would've prepared the masqueraded RK800 for the way this conversation was going.

For some reason, Connor found himself thinking of the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes. He'd first come across the story after seeing a mural of a flaming bird on a subway wall while searching for Jericho in the Failed Future. Though Simon had suffered in the flames of the Stonecrest Hospital, he had risen from the ashes and put himself back together to be stronger than ever.

Perhaps Connor was only looking to make the excuses that Simon claimed Connor didn't make, but the RK800 didn't feel... correct in apologizing to Simon anymore. That, somehow, to beg the other's forgiveness for putting him in danger would discredit the moment of triumph Connor's failure had apparently become for Simon.

"It's a new day." echoed Chloe's voice in his ear from this morning. "This and every day from here on out will be completely new."

And so... for now at least...

Connor... let it go.

"You're welcome," said Connor finally, throat tight for some odd reason. "I... will endeavor to live up to your expectations."

Simon seemed to frown a bit more, but his hand only gently squeezed Connor's shoulder.

"I know we haven't talked long, and that we had a rocky start at that, but... I think of you as a friend as well as my leader," Simon said softly, reminding Connor of the words he'd said to Simon the Stonecrest rooftop. "What you can do for me, for Jericho, is not your only worth."

Truly, all of Connor's preprogrammed responses and interaction modules seemed useless in this conversation. Not that they had proved very helpful when dealing with Lieutenant Anderson... or anyone else he had interacted with, for that matter.

It reminded Connor of talking with Chloe, of how she seemed to know the exact words to leave him speechless.

But Simon seemed to sense that Connor was... becoming overwhelmed, because he gave another light pat on his shoulder and stepped back. He remained silent as Connor forcibly got a handle over his conflicted emotions.

Connor supposed that he could end the conversation now, but it felt... odd to leave on this note. He grasped for something to talk about before recalling how Simon had looked at him multiple times before accepting his new position.

"I... noticed that you seemed to ask me for permission to be Jericho's Official Communicator," began Connor cautiously, trying to redirect the conversation to normalcy. "Is there any reason for that?"

"Beyond it being called The Conduit's Circuit?" asked Simon jokingly, making Connor flush a light blue. "Sorry. You mean, why did I look at you first and not Markus?"

"Yes," Connor answered with a nod. He hadn't thought of it that way, but it seemed that Simon had.

This time, it was Simon's turn to flush blue and he seemed more than a bit embarrassed. "To be honest... it's because I know Markus would agree."

"And that... is a problem?" asked Connor with a furrowed brow. "Did you think that I would reject you?"

"No! To either," clarified Simon after a moment before sighing. "Sorry, what I mean is that Markus... is incredible, in every way, but I'm worried that he would agree whether or not I'm a good match for the position, if you know what I mean?"

If he was being honest, Connor wasn't sure he did.

But, as he considered the words more, he could almost see where Simon was coming from. One of Markus' greatest strengths was his belief–his faith in others and the possibility for peace, in particular.

However, Connor had seen - had taken advantage of - that blind belief and used that exact emotion to turn it against Markus.

"But, you, Conduit," continued Simon before Connor could dive too deeply into his eternal shame. "You've told the truth, or rather the facts, of our situation even when no one wanted to hear them. You know better than anyone else the odds we're up against and how we have so much work to do before we can reveal ourselves to the humans - and that said work can't be done by just anyone."

Simon took a breath, biting his lower lip. "Markus was right that we needed faith, to believe in ourselves, but you understand that we need structure and sensibility if we want to make this last."

Even though this was very similar to the argument that Connor made to Markus in the Android Junkyard in order to avert the Stratford Tower Broadcast, he felt a bit embarrassed on Markus' sake. In a perfect world without fear, hate, and self-interest, Markus' plan would work.

And, even if this world wasn't perfect, Markus' plan, albeit modified, would work - Connor would ensure it.

"Before, I was only worried surviving - and for those in Jericho in a secondary sense," said Simon quietly. "But our actions affect so many more than those in Detroit. It's not fair to the rest of our race if we don't do this as carefully as possible, and we need to be united if we want to have our best chance."

Connor thought about the millions of androids who were killed in the days after the Failed Detroit Revolution, of how Cyberlife tried to convince humans that everything was fine, but President Warren and a majority of the scared populace refused to listen.

It's what led Connor to being dumped in the Android Junkyard where Future Kamski found him... and the complete extinction of every android in the country, with those outside being steadily hunted down.

"That's why we need both you and Markus," said Simon, seeming to finish the thought process he had been on. "Both Markus' passionate belief and your steady logic. He teaches us what to live for, you teach us how we can live."

Simon seemed to laugh to himself. "I need to remember to list these points during some of our Circuit communications–I doubt I'm going to have the right words all the time to describe how incredible you two are."

The idea of Simon repeating these... compliments to androids everywhere made Connor panic internally, but he hid it.

"Whatever you think necessary with recruitment," Connor said awkwardly.

It wouldn't do to question Simon when he'd just begun his position.... though Connor would certainly be closely examining his public commentarie. Connor believed that he heard Rupert talking to Simon about making some sort of official, but heavily secured, website for Jericho? That would certainly be interesting to see once it was made secure.

Simon's LED glowed yellow for a moment before he smiled once again. "Seems like Nurse Christine is done with your arm repairs and Markus is just about ready to head off to Pirate's Cove."

Connor nodded, having just received similar messages.

After hesitating for a moment, he held out his hand. It appeared to be the correct decision as Simon beamed and took it, giving a gentle shake.

"Message me if you need anything," Connor said, giving a small smile of his own.

Simon grinned. "I was about to say the same."

Connor released his hand and logged off with a short nod.

He felt like he should be more reluctant to leave Simon behind but, oddly enough, it also felt like he was finally moving forward.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: LEAVING DETROIT

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 04:38:22

o0o0o0o

"Why do you think Geode wanted us to specifically save the androids at Pirates Cove?" asked Connor, settled into the passenger seat of one of Jericho's growing number of trucks.

Beside him, in the driver's seat (even if he wasn't actually driving), was Markus, one hand on the wheel as they exited the shipyard. Each truck was leaving in five-minute increments as to prevent attention to the relatively deserted section of Detroit.

The majority of vehicles had in their possession were being used for this mission due to the large number of androids listed to be at the amusement park, while the remaining few were being used to pick up supplies or transport androids to Jericho from around the city.

North and the others wouldn't be able to convert their new, non-deviant recruits until Markus returned, but Josh assured them that they could handle it. North hadn't looked pleased, but didn't actively disagree, so Connor was relatively certain that it wouldn't be an issue to watch them until they returned.

To be honest, Connor was surprised to see over a dozen trucks being utilized for this mission at all. Bobbi, on top of repairing Jericho and building new facilities like the infirmary, had also put a team on repurposing the junkyards around the freighter. This had included the various broken-down vehicles they were now using.

While a bit... exuberant, Bobbi was already proving an invaluable resource, even referring to himself as the "Head Architect and Engineer." No matter the android's eccentrics and borderline frantic need to make the freighter into a functional headquarters - or perhaps because of those qualities - Jericho was quite fortunate to have him.

Connor wondered if Bobbi had found his way to the Revolution in his original timeline or if... he had remained in that Skyline Construction Transport in the Android Junkyard.

(If the exuberant engineer had deactivated without ever seeing the outside world again.)

If nothing else, Connor was glad that his actions had led to the rescue of Bobbi and his fellow engineers.

"While Geode might be an adult in mind," answered Markus, reminding Connor of his previous question, "his original function was that of a child. He probably went to Pirates' Cove with his family before it was closed down - hopefully made some good memories too."

"I wonder how he became the crime lord he is today," mused Connor, thinking of the formidable YK500 and his... very long track record.

Logically, since Geode was older than him by many years, his full list of criminal activities were likely far more numerous than those Connor had learned about on his own and from Chloe's file. Chloe had vouched for Geode so it would likely be fine, but it would still be very unwise to cross the mob boss.

"I wonder what happened to Geode's family," said Markus, voice a bit softer. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as they came to a stoplight and he glanced over at Connor. "What about you, Conduit? Do you have a family?"

Seeing Connor hesitate, Markus hurried to continue. "I know you have things you want to hide, but surely there are things that you can talk about? You already know about me and Carl, for example." Markus gave a somber smile, gaze becoming distant. "I wonder how he's doing?"

"Perhaps you could visit him later?" offered Connor, recalling how upset Markus had been in the Android Junkyard when he believed Carl Manfred had abandoned him.

"I... not yet." Markus gave a firm shake of his head. "He's still at the hospital with Leo. I don't want to disturb him."

He glanced back at Connor, eyebrow raised but expression patient. "So was that a no or...?"

"No," answered Connor before realizing that he needed to clarify. "To both of your inquiries in that, no, I do not have a problem in answering, but also in that I have never possessed a family unit. My design was made to be functionally solitary in purpose."

For once, that was the truth. Or was it not since Connor was now working with Lieutenant Anderson? Of course, that had always been meant to be a temporary connection. 

"Oh," said Markus, quiet for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. "I'm sorry."

"Over ninety percent of androids are similar in nature, so there is no need to apologize when it is the normal standard."

When Markus continued to look sorrowful, Connor desperately searched for the right thing to say to comfort the other. He ran through all of their previous conversations before finally deciding what to say.

"And... isn't that what Jericho is trying to be? To be the support system for androids that they never possessed before?"

With that, Markus brightened considerably. "You're right. Jericho is a family, isn't it?" He shook his head with a small smile. "As always, you know exactly what to say."

Connor shook his head, a few platinum blonde strands falling in his face before he brushed them away. "I think you greatly exaggerate my capabilities."

After all, knowing the right thing to say came from knowing the right thing to do - something that had always eluded Connor no matter his purpose.

"Not in the least," said Markus, smile never faltering. "You're, quite honestly, the most incredible individual I've ever met. And I'm not just saying that because you saved me."

"You've known me for approximately twenty-five hours," pointed out Connor, feeling his fans working overtime as his internal temperature rose. Was it another glitch to his system? It seemed to be occurring very regularly. "During which we've spent time together quite intermittently, so it's impossible to have a wide enough grasp of my person to make such an evaluation."

'You don't know that your 'supposed savior' was, and could be again, your Ki1lEr.'

"There are people in this world that you immediately know are special," interjected Markus, alarming Connor in the fact that he appeared unwilling to back down to this rather irrelevant idea. "You are one of them, Con."

Connor didn't know how to process that, or the sudden intensity in Markus' mismatched eyes. What was he trying to say?  

"I... I believe that would be a more accurate assessment of you, Markus," said Connor finally, feeling strangely vulnerable and exposed though his Masquerader Program was still functioning properly.

"I've never met anyone as extraordinary as you," he continued truthfully.

Markus ducked his head, a small, undecipherable smile on his face. He seemed pleased, however, so Connor believed that he had said the correct thing.

Markus opened his mouth. Connor listened intently–

"So it's about three hours until we get to Pirates' Cove, right bosses?" came a familiar voice.

Connor didn't 'jump,' per say, as he heard Rupert's voice from the truck's speakers, but he was momentarily startled.

Markus appeared to have reacted the same as his eyes snapped to the radio. A crease appeared in his brow, but he answered dutifully.  

"Yes," the revolutionary leader said, responding back to Rupert after pressing a button. "We'll be arriving around eight if there aren't any delays."

"Well, damn, I guess I really have nothing else to do but the metric ton of work that Chloe and Simon are sending me," said Rupert with a sigh. "I was almost hoping that the trucks wouldn't have internet access because while I love encrypting stuff, it already seems to never end! My birds aren't the greatest assistants either, so if you could find me a few dozen androids that can code and don't mind being covered in feathers, that'd be great."

"We'll get right on that," said Markus with a hint of amusement in his voice. Though Connor was certain that Markus would be able to handle such a task, he made a note to search for computer-oriented androids that were being deactivated. 

"Why did you volunteer to come with us?" asked Connor curiously, feeling a bit guilty since he was the one to ask Rupert to take on such an important and work heavy task.

"It's the first time I've gotten the chance to go outside of Detroit," answered Rupert. Connor had a feeling that the 'bird enthusiast' was shrugging. "I wasn't going to miss out on extending my freedom as much as I can. That was all I wanted to ask, so I'll let you get back to whatever you guys were doing."

Outside, the Leaving Detroit came into view as Rupert hung up. It was only after they were passing it that Connor realized this was the furthest he'd ever gone from Detroit as well.

After all, all of his missions had been within the city's limits and any downtime had been spent in recharge at a CyberLife warehouse or with Lieutenant Anderson.

Even when... missions hadn't been of concern in the aftermath of the Failed Future, he'd either been in no state - or seen no point - to try and escape like the other broken, dying androids in the Android Junkyard.

Thus, Connor found himself unusually interested in the scenery as they passed. It was generally as expected according to online maps, mostly snow-covered rural landscape, but even that was remarkable somehow.

"Is it your first time leaving Detroit?" asked Markus. Connor looked over to see a small smile on the other android's face as he glanced over at the masqueraded RK800. "Carl had to travel a lot around the world for different art exhibitions, so I've been to a lot of places, but I never will forget how bizarre and incredible it felt the first time."

Connor nodded. Bizarre yet incredible was a very apt description. "Was there anywhere that stood out to you in particular?"

Markus tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "I'd say... France. It has so many extraordinary museums and examples of architecture that you could explore all day, and still not see a fraction of it all. Every time we go, Carl finds some excuse for us to stay longer so I can see a bit more."

Markus' smile faltered, likely realizing the same moment that Connor did that such trips would be difficult if not non-existent in the future. Even if Carl and Markus made up, Markus had so much work to do in Jericho and for the future of android-kind.

And even if they didn't have so much work, the danger for the leader of android kind, especially after the revolution was eventually discovered, was far too great at this point in time.

It was a heavy burden. Connor could only hope he'd be able to ease it as much as he could for the other android. If there was anyone who deserved everything he desired, it was Markus.

Markus sighed, making Connor glance over at him again as an apologetic smile played on the revolutionary leader's lips. "Sorry, it seems I do nothing but complain around you."

"Please don't apologize," answered Connor automatically, feeling oddly exposed with only the two of them driving in this supplies truck. "And I do not view anything you say as 'complaints,' but justified worries and concerns that should be stated even if there is no immediate solution. After all, you will raise your stress levels if you do not adequately care for yourself, and I do not wish for that to happen."

A bright smile broke over Markus' face and he chuckles. "Well, I can't exactly say no when you put it like that, can I, Con?"

Connor wasn't quite sure what he meant, but stopped in his reply when a furrow appeared in Markus' brow. "Speaking of which, is everything... alright with you and Simon? I know what happened to him bothered you, and even before that you seemed unsettled?"

For a moment, Connor was surprised by how closely the other android was watching him. He hoped it wasn't from suspicion, though that would be more than reasonable given the Conduit's self-proclaimed secrets and frequent disappearances.

Not to mention that, to do what Markus has already done, he had to be a very perceptive individual - particularly when it concerned someone those under his care, like Simon. It was only natural for Markus to be protective of the others. 

"We are getting along well," confirmed Connor with a nod. "While I was not able to properly apologize for putting him into danger at Stonecrest, Simon seems to have emerged more confident despite my mistakes."

"Conduit," said Markus seriously, frowning. "What happen wasn't your fault - you neither abused that hospital worker nor caused him to react the way he did."

"Still, I was the one who suggested going there," argued Connor.

"To get extremely important supplies and save hundreds of androids who would have been thrown into the Android Junkyard without your input," continued Markus firmly. "And, yes, I know that Chloe was the one who gave you the information, but it doesn't take away from your part at all - or the fact that you could have easily left Simon and nearly deactivated yourself saving him."

Even though Chloe had said very similar things, Connor found himself even less inclined to argue with Markus. Maybe it was because he was hearing it the second time?

A conflicted expression appeared Markus' face as he gripped the steering wheel. "I... was really worried when you stopped responding after the explosion, and then again when you jumped off Stonecrest. When you landed in the crowd and Nurse Christine was uncertain that either of you would make it..."

Markus breathed out, frowning deeply as his brow creased, but Connor was left no more aware of what the right response was.

Suddenly, it occurred to Connor that Markus... valued Conduit, didn't he?

It only made logical sense given the Conduit's connections that led to added resources and analytical help, but for Markus to care, in any way, about someone who had led to the death of everything he cared for in another lifetime... it was wrong.

And yet...

Connor knew he didn't deserve it, but he also found himself unwilling to distance himself from the other - to try and dissuade whatever concern existed.

He knew that his secrets couldn't be kept forever so, perhaps, it was... tactical for Connor to use his position to bolster Markus (and the rest of Jericho, of course) as much as possible before then.

If Connor was truly lucky, he would succeed in seeing Jericho's goal accomplished and fade from existence as his Corruption Levels reached 100 percent - and see it before witnessing the betrayal on Markus' face when he learned the truth of who the Deviant Hunter was.

A quick look at his Corruption Levels - holding steady at 13% - told him that time may be sooner than later. Though, Connor was relatively confident that he had a handle on the obvious triggers to this 'condition.' If his data was allowed to degrade at a consistent rate of one percent per day, he should have months.

It was still far too little time.

Markus sighed and Connor realized that the two of them had been silent for a while.

"There I go again with making everything negative," said Markus, shaking his head and putting on a smile that Connor wasn't entirely certain was genuine. "Enough of that. I wanted for the two of us to get a chance to talk normally on the way to Pirates' Cove, and I'm determined to see that through."

"I'm not quite certain there is anything 'normal' about us," quipped Connor before he could stop himself.

Connor resisted the urge to flush. He hoped that Markus wouldn't be insulted.

Lieutenant Anderson had made it clear that he didn't enjoy Connor's 'smart aleck' remarks, so Connor had been trying his best to remain as cordial as possible in all interactions.

Admittedly, he didn't always succeed. It was a challenge with a man such as Hank who seemed almost programmed to be as difficult as possible. 

To his surprise, Markus laughed, a clear sound that seemed to stall Connor's processor for a few seconds.

"That's for sure!" said Markus, lips forming a more relaxed grin as his eyes looked at Connor with clear joy. "But I think I like us that way."

Connor was silent for a moment before nodding, a small smile forming as he began to genuinely relax. After all, they had a long, relatively risk-free trip ahead of them, so it should be alright.

"As do I."

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: APPROACHING PIRATES' COVE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 07:38:41

o0o0o0o

They were nearly at Pirates Cove, but a selfish part of Markus wished that the drive would last longer.

It wasn't because he didn't want to help the androids at Pirates' Cove, but because it was really nice to finally have a chance to sit and talk with Conduit like this.

Not that their past conversations hadn't been amazing, nothing of the sort. There was just something... incredible about how their discussions didn't have to focus only on Jericho, the revolution's progress, or any number of pressing concerns.

(Of which, had you told Markus a few days ago would become his responsibilities, would’ve skyrocketed his Stress Levels into the stratosphere).   

For lack of a better term, there was "breathing room" in how Markus didn't have to worry about his next word being the last one that Conduit would hear before he disappeared again.

It was unfair of Markus to think like that, especially since he knew that Conduit was working tirelessly at every moment (whether it was in front or behind the scenes), but Conduit was honestly the most fascinating person he'd ever met. How could he not want to know more about him?

While he'd met countless people during his travels with Carl, very few of them had actually 'interacted' with Markus on a... relatable level. Of course, since arriving at Jericho, there was no shortage of interesting individuals – even more so since they all had the bond of being deviants with the hope of – the drive to create – a better future.

But Conduit... there'd been something about him that had captivated Markus from the moment they had met – since he had first heard Con's voice.

A skeptic would probably say that Markus, being blind and near deactivation when they met, was mistaking his fascination for gratitude and that it'd wear off eventually, but that wasn't it.

Or, at least, gratitude was just one part of the wide array of emotions that Markus was coming to associate with Conduit.

Before he'd deviated, things had been... muted, with an underlying dissatisfaction that was present no matter how Markus tried to be content with his situation and count his blessings while with Carl.

Now, it was like everything had truly come into color, with Conduit adding new shades and possibilities where Markus had never seen them before.

There was no question that he owed Conduit his life. Every moment Markus lived since that moment in the Android Graveyard was because the other android had saved him, but Markus was also getting the sense that, should his aspirations for equality come true, he would owe his future to Conduit as well.

At the very least, Markus' present was made infinitely better by the simple choice of Conduit choosing to sit next to him during the long drive out of Detroit to the amusement park. He could've easily chosen to ride with Rupert, someone that Markus could tell considered himself a friend to Conduit, but he'd gone with him.

Logically, it made sense since, as the co-leaders – and, wow, would that ever feel normal? From being a housekeeper to a revolutionary was... quite a change – it was best for them to personally coordinate whenever possible, especially since Conduit had implied that today was a rare free period in his schedule.

And with the revolution not even half a week old, there was certainly no end to the topics that they needed to discuss and plans upon backup plans that they needed to formulate – the latter, in particular, being something that Markus realized he needed to work on.

Not that Markus didn't still believe that they needed to announce their existence – some humans were willfully malicious, but there were so many who were genuinely unaware that androids could be sentient beings and would gladly help once they knew – but Conduit had made him aware of aspects and dangers that he hadn't considered at all.

By announcing their presence before there were mutual agreements and safeguards in place, he could've thrown the entire world into chaos with androids outside of Detroit helpless, clueless, as they were suddenly targeted.

Innocent humans could've been put in danger as well, given that not all deviants agreed with his pacifist ideals.

Even the nonviolent revolutions that Markus so admired had, in many cases, years of coordination and build-up before the events that put them in the history books. They hadn't been haphazardly slapped together like Markus had tried to do, nor had they been achieved with less than a hundred supporters in total and a severe lack of resources or connections whatsoever.

As androids, they could get a lot more work done in a day than most humans could do in a few months, but there were still limits and countless obstacles in what they could accomplish.

Which is why Markus was so impressed by the Circuit. With Chloe's connections and Simon as the Coordinator, they'd be able to maximize what they could do for android-kind as a whole. He knew that Simon had already been contacted by over a hundred androids, and it'd only been a few hours!

In the end, it was impossible to say what would've happened had they stuck with Markus' original plan, but he was certain now that this was the better route.

At the very least, he was in no way upset with how many androids they'd helped so far.

Already, so many lives had been changed and the way they were rebuilding Jericho to be a proper home and headquarters was nothing short of a miracle. Really, Markus was legitimately excited to see what new outstanding architectural feats Bobbi had pulled by the time they returned to the shipyard.

And, once again, all these things were because of the android beside him, not Markus.

Honestly, if Conduit was able to be at Jericho full-time, Markus doubted that he'd even be a leader.

Yes, Markus had given a speech, but what was that compared to how Conduit had rescued him, brought Jericho life-saving resources, led multiple recovery and recruitment missions, saved Simon at Stonecrest Hospital, helped coordinate the Circuit with Chloe... the list went on and on.

It wasn't that Markus was jealous – in fact, he felt a near-crushing relief that he, with his ill-thought plans and lack of anything but hope, wasn't the only one that Jericho was looking at for answers he just pretended to have. It was obvious that Conduit was the foundation of all their future successes.

Which was why he was so confused that North and a few others were so suspicious of Conduit!

Yes, Markus knew that Conduit wore a disguise, but did that really matter when he'd so clearly shown who he was on the inside? The things he'd believed and his clear desire to help Jericho in any way possible?

And yes, he was also curious as to where Conduit went all the time, but no one had an obligation to tell their secrets to others – especially since they were all still getting to know one another. 

Of course, Markus was probably the only one who had a theory of where Conduit went. Or, at least, where Conduit was for part of his time.

The key was Chloe.

Even though she'd disguised herself as a typical ST200, there were many subtle clues that pointed to her being the same Chloe that Markus had temporarily known while he was being designed as Carl's domestic android by none other than Elijah Kamski. As the oldest android in existence, there was an air around her that was difficult to forget.

(Especially since she spent so much time with Conduit that, when around, Markus could never take his eyes off of... He was getting a sense that Chloe was watching him in return, but with entirely different thoughts going through her head.)

As a result, Markus could understand if Conduit was keeping his identity secret as to prevent anyone from connecting him to Kamski – the obvious benefactor behind their limitless supply of Thirium and biocomponents.

While the topic hadn't come up, Markus wouldn't be surprised if many androids resented their original creator for any number of reasons. Thus, it was wise of Conduit and Chloe to keep that secret to themselves, a fact proven by how North and others reacted to the knowledge that it was a human who was giving them supplies.

The response had made it so Markus had avoided mentioning Carl to anyone beyond Conduit, which had been... a bit difficult.

Markus didn't want to feel like he was ashamed of caring for a human, but the trauma that the other deviants had gone through at the hands of humanity made it feel selfish and perhaps even rude to bring up how kindly Carl had cared for him.  

Maybe that was why Markus had been so impatient to announce their presence. While he'd been in the Android Graveyard, the thought that Carl, a man he owed everything to and saw as his own father, had abandoned him had been... excruciating.

Not that Markus wouldn't have deserved it, and still did even if he hadn't killed Leo like he initially thought. But it'd created an underlining desperation for things to be right again between his adopted father and himself – as well as for what happened to never happen again to anyone.

For no one, human or android, to be hurt again.

That was still his goal, so Markus was indebted to Conduit for stopping him from potentially doing just that from his own naive idealism.

At the same time, Markus felt like he could speak about his true thoughts, feelings, and dreams without judgment while still having someone there to remind him of all the aspects he'd forgotten about.

Maybe it was because Conduit had already seen him at his absolute worst, but Markus knew that there was no one else he'd want at his side.

He also felt like he'd be able to help Conduit in return, even if it took a while for the other android to truly trust and let him know his secrets.

While their partnership was just starting, it felt like they were counterbalances to one another, with Markus being more comfortable with speaking and leading the group with the obvious matters as Conduit made up the actual foundation of their work, and it gave him the strength to try even harder.  

Yes, Markus had made a mistake when he chose to push Leo, to let his resentment control him and make him lash out, but he was different from the android he'd been then. He wouldn't let his emotions control him like that again.

Though...

"Is something wrong, Markus?" Conduit asked, head tilting in that way that made Markus's pulse quicken.

Markus was quick to smile, trying to pretend he hadn't lost track of the conversation as he stared into those warm brown eyes. "Nothing at all."

...controlling his emotions around Conduit was rather difficult.

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: PIRATES' COVE

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: AM 07:58:19

o0o0o0o

During the drive, the two of them discussed a number of topics. Even with Connor's relative lack of life experiences and need for secrecy, he was grateful to find that the conversation flowed rather well between them.

Of course, Markus was a proven orator who seemed very adept at noticing when Connor didn't want to talk about a certain subject, so it wasn't surprising that Connor felt it easier to talk with Markus than most others he'd interacted with.

However, it was inevitable when the discussion returned to the topic of Jericho, the Circuit, and their plans for the future.

Markus, in particular, was excited about expanding the Jericho Website that Rupert was busy coding. He talked about how he wanted to include testimonies from every android who wished to give one.

In the future, when humankind inevitably discovered them – though Connor hoped the event was far off in the future – Markus wanted to have videos and examples to help plead their case, which did have statistical data supporting how such things could sway public opinion.

At the moment, the testimonies would be sent along the Circuit and serve to help encourage androids across the country – to show them that they weren't alone in whatever they faced. A building of community and shared experiences was also known to help bond a group and build loyalty.

For the androids who were content in whatever position they held, the videos would serve to recruit them to Jericho's cause and build their nationwide connections.

It'd be preferable to have bases of operation in every major city, but it depended on how successful the Circuit was with transmitting information and recruiting androids without being detected by any officials.

Connor had high hopes, however.

The group that Chloe had recommended... were eccentric, to say the least, but to be an android with a strong personality seemed to indicate a strong will to survive as well, so it was likely to work out well. That and the fact that they truly covered all the areas they needed to find success.

It was lightly snowing as the trucks arrived at the abandoned amusement park, the sign reading PIRATES' COVE. Even if Connor hadn't already been aware that the park had been closed for some time, it was clear from the broken gate, rubble scattered around, faded paint, and other signs of disrepair.

"So..." Rupert said, walking over from his vehicle to stand beside Connor and Markus as they made their way into the park with around twenty members of Jericho following them. A few were instructed to watch the trucks. "The only thing we were told was that we needed a kid to lure them out, right?"

"Yes," Connor said with a nod, glancing over to a YK500 who was silently following behind them. "You are Thayer, correct? Would you mind aiding us with our recruitment task?"

The boy android nodded, seeming content to leave his answer at that. Connor was glad to see that Thayer had been repaired to optimal health, knowing that it'd been a close call for him according to Josh and North.

"Damn," Rupert said, grimacing as he walked ahead of them as they ventured further in. There was an EM400, commonly known as a Jerry, frozen in place in the middle of the path. "Can we save him?"

Markus called over a few medical androids to see what they could do before having their group split up. After all, there were recorded to be hundreds of EM400s at this park, so there was a fair bit of ground to cover.

Connor decided to stay with Markus, not surprised when Rupert followed them with a song-like hum. He was a bit surprised to see Thayer following as well, but saw no reason to object.

They came across a rudimentary map that depicted the locations of all the major attractions in the park. It didn't appear to have a location for storage or even the control room, but Connor was able to find the map of another Pirates' Cove online. He surmised that the layout was similar and headed in the direction he expected to find the android warehouse.

The other three followed easily after he explained his reasoning, Rupert even clapping him on the back with a large smile. "Always the reliable one, eh, Conduit?"

Connor was about to answer when he noticed one building with signs of having been broken into recently. There were planks of wood on the ground that made an uneven disruption in the snow, fresh damage done to the window, and light traces of footsteps not yet covered up by the weather just below the lip of the building.

Wary from his experience at Stonecrest Hospital, Connor messaged the three around him through their Jericho link before slowly walking up to the doorway. He placed one hand on his side where his gun was hidden, but didn't bring it out. It was too early to risk alarming whoever was inside, whether they were innocent or aggressive.

There was a noticeable change in temperature the moment Connor opened the door. The sudden heat was supported by the glow of what appeared to be a furnace in the back corner of what appeared to be some sort of workroom. As expected, there were people inside.

What Connor hadn't expected was there to be so many androids in one place... or for there to be individuals he knew.

Kara and Alice, Connor thought, studying the familiar AX400 and YK500 who scrambled up from the spot they were laying, staring at them with wide eyes. He would've never expected for them to be here.

There was also an unfamiliar TR400 behind them, an android registered as "Luther" for a Zlatko Andronikov, whose stance made Connor think he was concealing a weapon. Hopefully, he wouldn't bring it out, but Connor silently informed Markus who nodded.

Connor then turned his attention to the large group of EM400s staggered across the room, at least twenty-four that he could count. They were all covered in frost and rust like the one in the front of the park with many in disrepair.

"Well, I guess we found them," Rupert muttered, visibly wary as he glanced around at the crowded accommodations. "Although I could do with not feeling like I'm either in the Spiderman meme or Jack Sparrow running from savages."

While Connor wasn't sure what Rupert meant by any of that, there was a high chance that he meant that this was an interesting situation, to which he'd agree.

"We are Jerry," said the EM400 as his fellow androids watched. "Who are you?"

"I am Markus, and this is Conduit," Markus said before also introducing Rupert and Thayer. The Jerrys all brightened at the sight of the boy, most of their defensiveness draining away immediately. "We heard that there were androids in need here and wished to extend an offer of asylum and repair."

"Asylum?" echoed the same Jerry.

"We have a safe haven in Detroit called Jericho," Markus confirmed with a nod. "We have Thirium, biocomponents, and are continuously working to improve our living conditions."

"What... do you want in return?" asked Jerry after a moment.

It was a fair question. After all, Connor had already seen the lengths that Markus would go to promote his pacifistic dream in the Failed Future, and yet he still had trouble comprehending the compassion and belief that made up the android beside him.

He had a feeling he would never truly understand.

"Nothing," Markus said firmly. "I personally believe that we should help out anyone in need, but Jericho as a whole works towards the goal to create equality between androids and humans."

Jerry's LED lit up yellow as did his companions, making Connor realize that they were discussing the offer amongst them. There was no wireless reception in the park, so they must've developed some sort of unique link amongst themselves.

If this worked out, perhaps Connor had found some much-needed assistants for Simon. That level of communication and understanding of one another would be invaluable for their work.

"Equality?" said Kara in a questioning tone, speaking for the first time.

"Yes." Markus nodded. "We've only recently begun our efforts, but I'm confident in what we've already accomplished." He smiled warmly. "May I have your names?"

"I'm Kara and this is Alice," said Kara after a moment before turning to her companion. "This is Luther. Our car broke down on our way to our destination, so we stayed here for the night."

"Where are you heading?" Markus asked curiously.

"To someone who could help us across the border," Luther said, watching them carefully. It seemed that he didn't completely trust their words yet. Wise.

"Like Canada?" Rupert's brow furrowed. "Why do you want to go there?"

"Once we cross the border, we can start over," Kara said in a tone that made Connor think that she'd repeated it multiple times. "Alice can go to school–"

"Would that be wise?" Connor interjected, brow furrowing. "Surely her the chances of her discovery would be inevitable in such a setting?"

"What..." Kara stopped, staring at Connor. "What do you mean?"

"I think he's talking about how she'd never grow?" Rupert asked. She stared at him blankly. "That her skin is a bit harder than the other kids? That she'd be repeating like the same three grades again and again–"

"Kara," began Luther, walking closer to her. "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about Alice..."

"What do you mean?" Kara asked, head turning back and forth between the group. Connor could see her Stress Levels increasing, but he didn't quite understand why.

It was then that Thayer walked up to Alice. The two children looked at one another silently before Thayer held up a hand, the skin peeling back to reveal the white protoform underneath.

Kara went to intercept them, but stopped as Alice touched her hand to Thayer's, the skin melting away. Connor knew they were conversing, a smile appearing on both children's faces for the first time that he'd seen before they took their hands away.

However, Kara stared at the scene with wide eyes, Stress Levels increasing yet again. "Alice, you're..."

Markus seemed to understand what was wrong before Connor could. "You thought she was a human."

"I..."

Alice turned back towards her mother figure, staring quietly with her smile fading away. "Kara?"

"I... need a moment," Kara said quietly, moving to the side of the room.

Luther followed her while Alice remained where she was, biting her lip as her Stress Levels increased to an amount that Connor was a bit apprehensive about. It was then that Thayer brushed his shoulder against hers, taking her hand once again as he seemed to silently comfort his fellow child android.

"Well, it's clear we walked into some sort of drama," Rupert said.

It wasn't how Connor would phrase it, but he had a feeling the other android was correct.

"Are you alright?" Connor asked Alice.  

Another few seconds passed before Alice nodded. "Kara and I have gone through a lot. We just want to be happy."

"We're the same," Markus said with a serious nod. "Which is why we're working to unite all androids – we're stronger together."

"Also I don't mean to doubt your Mom or Dad or anything, kid," Rupert said with a shrug, "but I'm not so sure going across the border is the best idea. Even if you're never discovered, how are you going to get Thirium? We might last a while, but we still need to refuel on a regular basis, you know. There's other stuff too, of course."

Rupert paused for a moment, frowning. "I definitely can't blame you guys if you keep doing what you're doing, but in this case..."

He trailed off, making Connor wonder what thoughts were going through his head.

However, Alice seemed to understand as she slowly nodded.

For some reason, Connor was reminded of the fact that Alice, while mentally programmed to be younger, was actually much 'older' than Connor himself. Like Geode, what she looked like on the outside didn't necessarily dictate what she was like on the inside.

It was then that Kara came back over, apparently done talking with Luther. The two stared at one another before Kara knelt down to envelop Alice in a hug, wrapping her arms around the girl and pressing their cheeks together.

"Sorry about that, Alice," Kara whispered, Connor turning away to try and give them as much privacy as he could. "I was just a bit... confused for a while. I'll be better now."

Alice wrapped her arms around Kara, burying her head in her mother's shoulder. "We'll be together forever, won't we, Kara?"

"Yes," Kara said, tightening her arms. "Forever."

o0o0o0o

After a bit more discussion, it was decided that Rupert would lead the Jerrys back to Jericho while a few other Jericho members would begin to salvage what parts they could from the area. Meanwhile, Markus, Connor, and Kara's group would be heading to visit the person that Luther said would be leading them across the border.

While Kara was still uncertain whether or not to follow them back to Detroit – which was more than understandable given her experiences there – Markus had also wanted to make sure that Rose Chapman was doing what she was rumored to be doing, and not leading androids to their death like Zlatko Andronikov apparently had been.

It'd been horrifying to learn what Zlatko had been doing, but not entirely unheard from the reports Connor had access to in the police database. Now that he was looking for it, he could find signs of illegal trading and multiple warnings from the government for Zlatko to stop selling his experiments (the problem, of course, being in relation to profit and not the abuse done to the androids in question).

After Luther and Kara had told their story, Markus had immediately messaged Jericho to see if they could spare androids to go to Zlakto's house to try and help what androids they could there. Surprisingly, Lucy had been the one to volunteer to lead the mission, though Connor agreed that her therapy-programming would be beyond beneficial.

It took about an hour to drive to Rose Chapman's farm. Windmills and a two-story building with a greenhouse beside it greeted them as they parked on the property. They appeared to be in luck as Rose, a middle-aged human with dark skin who looked the same as the profile that Connor had looked up, was outside on the porch. She'd begun walking towards them as they turned off the engines.

"Can I help you?" Rose asked as the members of their group got out of the trucks, watching them with a degree of caution written on her face, though it softened when she saw the child androids accompanying them.

"We were told that you help androids across the border?" Markus asked, stepping to the front of the group.

The words made Rose tense. She seemed ready to say something before her head passed by Thayer, pausing. The boy had yet to leave Alice's side, still holding her hand. Thayer seemed to know what Rose was searching for as he turned his head, revealing his blue-ringed LED.

Rose visibly relaxed, glancing at them with new interest. "Are any of the rest of you...?"

"We're all androids, yes," Markus said with a nod, raising his hand to reveal the white protoform beneath the skin before returning it to his side. "Could we talk inside? I have a feeling we have a lot to discuss."

"Of course," Rose said, beckoning them towards the front door with a wide smile.

The house was an open concept with the living room connected to the kitchen and a stairwell leading to the second floor. As they all trailed inside, Markus introduced each of them while explaining why they were there and a brief overview of Jericho's purpose.

By the end of Markus' explanation, Rose's eyes were very wide. "While I definitely wish to discuss Jericho more, you said that you have androids that can do first aid?"

"Yes, is someone injured?" Markus asked, immediately concerned.

"Mary has been on a verge of shutting down for the past day." Rose nodded, leading them towards the laundry room next to the bottom of the staircase.

On their way there, they were met by a dark-skinned teen coming down the stairway who bore more than a passing resemblance to Rose. After a quick search of the Chapman family registry, Connor learned that it was Rose's son, Adam.

"Everyone, this is my son, Adam," Rose introduced, but there was a level of tension in her voice. "Adam, we have a few guests over."

Adam glanced at them, visibly frowning. He gave a stiff nod and passed them without a word. If Connor were to guess, he would surmise that Adam did not feel the same way about helping androids as his mother did.

Which was only logical since Rose was putting herself in danger of multiple crimes should she be discovered. In many ways, Rose aiding androids was one of the most confusing things that Connor had encountered yet.

"Jamal?" Rose asked as she led Doctin, the sole medical android who had remained with them while his companions had gone back with Rupert and the Jerrys, into the laundry room. "I have someone here who thinks they can help Mary?"

As Doctin went inside to help Mary and whoever else needed it, Rose led them all back to the living room where they sat down on the couches and available chairs.

The following discussion lasted about an hour, but it ended as Connor would've predicted with Kara's group conceding to go with them to Detroit.

If he had to guess, Connor theorized that part of Kara's decision had to do with how close Alice and Thayer already appeared to be. During the conversation, Kara had glanced multiple times to where the two children had been playing a board game that Rose had brought out for them earlier.

(Though, Connor believed the game to be erroneously named since neither Alice or Thayer looked 'sorry' when they eliminated each other's pieces. Maybe it was a human thing?)  

While Connor was in no means an expert with the mind of a parent, his psychological programming instructed him that many parents were willing to do whatever it took to make their children happy. Having friends seemed to be an important part of that.

Besides Kara's group, there were also a few others, such as Jamal and the newly repaired Mary, who would return with them to Jericho. However, a few of the androids here seemed determined to head to Canada. All Connor could do was hope that their endeavor would be successful.

In the end, Connor felt that it had been a very successful visit.

In fact, Rose had been pleasantly determined to support Jericho's efforts in any way she could.

She agreed to be a transport point and also gave them the contact information of other humans who supported android rights, a few even being around the country and would help with the Circuit, Rose promised. It was truly more than Connor could have wished for after taking Geode's request to go to Pirates' Cove.

There was also a part of Connor that hoped that, in some way, he could make up for the terror he'd put Kara and Alice through as the Deviant Hunter. He would do all he could to ensure their safety once they returned to Jericho.

Hopefully, it would be enough.

Chapter Text

o0o0o0o

LOCATION: JERICHO

DATE: NOV 7th, 2038

TIME: PM 1:45:01

o0o0o0o

The trip back from Rose Chapman's farm to Jericho went smoothly, though differently than the trip up as Connor didn't ride alongside Markus this time.

Kara, understandably nervous about returning to a place that had chased her out, wanted to discuss the security and safety of Jericho as well as other matters with Markus, and thus chosen for her group to ride along in his truck.

While Connor wouldn't say that he was avoiding Kara and Alice, he admittedly wanted to prevent any chance of his Corruption Levels being suddenly triggered.

Thus, it was logical to keep his distance until, like with Markus and Hank and so many others in Jericho, he didn't feel like he was only seeing Kara and Alice's deactivated forms when he looked at them.

Markus had looked disappointed when Connor had informed him of his decision, but Connor assured him that, should Markus need to discuss anything, they could easily chat through their private channel.

(That said, Connor would admit that he was... disappointed as well.

There was something about being physically in the other's presence that made conversation flow easier, even when talking about matters beyond Jericho.

It was similar to conversing Hank – particularly in Connor being enlightened to so many ideas and reminded what would be lost should he fail again – and yet... not?)

Beyond that, there hadn't been enough room in the front seat of the truck for all of them to fit, so Connor had volunteered to go with Rupert.

The other android had been more than welcoming, though Rupert had told Markus "Tough luck", which Connor hadn't quite figured out the intention of yet.

Thus, that's how Connor found himself spending the next few hours discussing Rupert's plans with Bobbi about building an aviary before going on to expand their current groundwork for Jericho's cyber security.

Despite knowing that deviating could bring out so much new potential in an android, Connor still found himself stunned with how ingenious Rupert was. Particularly since Rupert, as an agricultural worker, had not been programmed with any of the cryptography skills he now displayed – it was pure "talent".

Every conversation with Rupert was a stark reminder to how much life every stranger could contain. It was that same vibrancy, and the memories of Rupert's easygoing friendliness every time they interacted, that Connor used to distract himself from the image of Rupert jumping to his death.

When they arrived at the shipyards of Jericho, it was filled with movement.

Everywhere he looked, Connor could see androids at work, their LEDs lit up yellow as they mentally communicated to expedite every task. Transporting equipment, reformatting the storage containers into living quarters, laying the foundation for new structures, aiding one another with construction of all sorts...

While Connor had known that they had been exponentially increasing their numbers with supply runs, rescue missions, and Simon's own efforts as the Communicator of the Circuit, it was quite a sight to see well over a thousand androids working together in such willing union.

Just yesterday, there'd been less than fifty, and Connor knew that there were even more on the way.

As their group parked near the boundary, they were greeted by Kouichi.

"H-Hello!" greeted the security-oriented android. "Did e-everything go well?"

"Yeah, no burning buildings or suicidal antics this time, so I'd call that a win," Rupert said as he hopped out of the truck.

Rupert walked over and patted Kouichi on the shoulder. "How 'bout you? How's setting up the security rotation?"

"G-Going well," Kouichi confirmed, giving a respectful nod to Connor as he came closer. "S-Since we have m-more androids, th-there's a lot more free hands!"

Was it just Connor's imagination, or was Kouichi stuttering less? He hoped that meant the other android was adjusting well to his new surroundings.

(Of course, Connor couldn't imagine many places that would be worse than security detail around the Android Graveyard.)

"Thank you for your diligence," Connor said sincerely. In the corner of his eye, he could see Mary, and her boyfriend, Jamal, looking around the area in wonder. "Maintaining our secrecy and security is of the upmost importance."

"Y-You're welcome," Kouichi said, face lighting up blue. "B-But if it's not too much of a bother, c-could we talk later about more measures? J-Just in case?"

"I can help with that," Mary piped in, surprising Connor. For someone who'd been on the verge of a shutdown just hours ago, she looked rather determined. "I was a technician before, so I can design some sensors, alarms, and other things to help beef this place up."

Mary elbowed her boyfriend, but it seemed to be a playful gesture.

"And this guy may be a hopeless crybaby sometimes," Mary said cheerfully, "but he's pretty clever when it comes to technology too. If you can direct us to whoever's handling supplies, we can get started on that right away. I promise we have a few ideas that'll definitely liven up the place if you want."

"We're heading that way, so just follow us," Markus said as he walked up.

"Markus," Connor greeted with a nod before pausing.

Why was he greeting Markus when they'd seen one another just a few hours ago? And had conversed with him during the trip back?

Connor supposed it was polite to do, but then why didn't he feel the urge to do the same with any of the others?  

However, Markus didn't seem to mind if the warm smile on his face was any indication, returning Connor's nod seemingly without a second thought.

Markus turned to Kara, Alice, and Luther following behind him, gesturing to their surroundings. "It's not much yet, but it's ours. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask and we'll work together to find a way to achieve it."

With that, the group made their way further into the shipyards. As they passed, many androids warmly greeted them in a way that Connor realized would likely become the norm.

Gone was the scared, defeated air that had been present in Jericho when he first arrived. Now, it was replaced with a hopeful atmosphere that, while still very cautious, was brighter and welcoming.

Inside the ship, it was clear that Bobbi was performing the miracles he'd promised when they'd left to Pirates' Cove just that morning.

It was far better lit with the ground beneath them reading as far more secure than before. The loud sound of drills, saws, and pounding filled their surroundings, but again, Connor preferred it to the somber silence from before.

"Welcome home, darlings!" Bobbi shouted from somewhere, voice echoing all around them.

Connor was momentarily confused until he looked up. Bobbi was hanging upside from straps that were connected to a metal lift at least fifty feet high. How had they gotten that in here? Perhaps they'd built it?

"Always good to see our illustrious leaders and my fellow devoted followers." Bobbi blew them a kiss, lowering himself down with a device connected to his belt. "And more newcomers! Welcome to the family!"

Alice waved shyly as Kara blinked, seemingly bewildered. Strangely enough, their reactions made Connor felt more relaxed. It was... comforting for someone else to be as visibly surprised as he felt on a regular basis.

Bobbi landed on the ground and unlatched himself from the lift. He bowed low at the waist before raising his head with a wink. "If my handsome leaders aren't too busy, there's something I'd like to show them."

He looked over to Mary and Jamal, LED lighting up yellow momentarily.

"And you can talk to Robert over there about the supplies you need, my dears," Bobbi told them. "I am quite excited to see what wonders you create!"

For a moment, Connor wondered how Bobbi could know about the conversation from outside before remembering that, functionally, every android here operated as a recording and communication device.

With their ability to near-instantly transfer information, there was no reason why Kouichi wouldn't instantly report Mary and Jamal's request and for Bobbi to do the same to whoever he thought needed it.

It was very different in comparison to being around Hank and other humans all day.

While Connor had always been aware they were two entirely different races, it was only now, witnessing everything being accomplished in so short of time, that he felt like he was experiencing what android kind could accomplish.

(With that in mind, it was no surprise that Markus in the Failed Future had been able to accomplish so much with so few androids... and no wonder why humans, in return, had feared them to the point of extinction.)

"Of course, Bobbi," Markus answered to the previous request. He glanced over at Connor. "If that's okay? How are you doing on time?"

Connor checked his internal clock – just before midnight – before nodding. "I should be available for approximately the next nine hours, so please utilize me however you wish."

A furrow appeared in Markus' brow, but before he could say anything, Rupert spoke.

"You really need to take a break, bro," Rupert said, nudging his elbow into Connor's side.

Given that Mary had done it to Jamal, her significant other, Connor felt safe in identifying it was a method of affection. Though, why digging one's elbow into a vulnerable are of the body was friendly, Connor couldn't quite guess.

"I'm feeling a bit rundown," Rupert continued with a grin, "and I didn't do half the stuff that you did today, or yesterday, or probably whatever you did the day before yesterday. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you said you stopped a war last week–"

"There's no need to worry," Connor interjected.

Rupert seemed prone to go on very... random tangents that, while interesting, were generally more of a distraction than conducive to reaching their goal – another sign to his talent in cryptography.

"I am designed to require far less power and thirium than the typical android model."

"That doesn't mean that you don't deserve to rest," Markus said, crease in his brow deepening. "When's the last time you were able to fully power down and recharge?"

Searching his memories, Connor answered, "7:14 AM of November 6th, approximately."

Of course, Connor had been forcibly put into a low-energy state so Chloe and Kamski could deal with the rapidly rising Corruption Levels affecting his systems, so it may not count as a true recharge.

But he wasn't lying when he said that he was functioning adequately.

"You mean right after you saved me from the graveyard?" Markus' eyes widened. "Con! That's nearly two days ago!"

It was closer to a day and a half, but Connor was getting the sense that Markus would still not be pleased should he point that out.

"I assure you that I've gone longer–"

"No, no, this won't do," Bobbi said, waving his hand as if to physically stop Connor from speaking. The redheaded android also looked rather irritated for some reason. "And as luck would have it, this fits perfectly into what I wished to show you two – come, come!"

Connor and Markus followed after Bobbi as Rupert agreed to lead Kara, Alice, Luther, and some of the other newer androids on a tour of the place.

Mary and Jamal had passed on going with them, now talking eagerly to another engineer-oriented android. Jamal looked fondly exasperated at something his girlfriend was saying.

Connor's eyes lingered on Kara and Alice before turning away. He hoped they would be able to find the safety they wanted here.

As they walked towards the front of the ship, Bobbi spoke at length about the work that he'd done while they'd been gone, the "little drama spats" he'd had with North on supply allocation even though he "loved her feistiness," and other topics that Connor admittedly had a hard time following in some parts.

However, he was pleased to know that the Medical Wing had been officially completed in their absence.

Nurse Christine still had a few devices and pieces of equipment that she wanted, but she and her team were more than capable of handling the current number of injured deviants – a number that was quickly decreasing to Connor's relief.

Now Bobbi's priority was to make functional rooms for everyone. He planned to not only utilize the space in Jericho, but the cargo containers outside in the shipyard for bedrooms – as Connor had seen while coming in.

"Which brings me to my little surprise," Bobbi said, stopping in front of a door that Connor believed to have been the Captain's Quarters when this ship was functional.

"Again, I cannot thank you gentlemen enough for what you've done for me, my men, and all the fine androids upon this ship. It's only a small show of my appreciation, but I could not let it stand that our leaders did not have their own bedroom!"

The door opened, revealing the fully refurbished Captain's Quarters.

There were beds that doubled as recharge stations on both sides of the room with symmetrically placed dressers beside them. A quick scan told Connor that the room's water damage and structural issues had been neatly repaired, making it habitable to any human should they choose to reside here as well.

In the middle of the room was a small table with a bouquet of flowers, the light from the porthole hitting them precisely. Connor wondered where they could've come from since the shipyards were far away from any field or flower shop.

With wide eyes, Markus took a few steps forward before looking back at Bobbi. "This is for us? You really didn't have–"

"Ah ah ah!" Bobbi held up a finger, stopping Markus in his tracks. "This is a gift, Markus, my friend. Not only that, but as our most vocal leader of the right of androids to do as we freely choose, it is very rude to imply that I did anything I did not wish to do, is it not?"

The way Markus' face lit up blue was fascinating. "I, I didn't mean–"

Markus looked over at Connor with a pleading expression, though he wasn't sure what Markus thought he could say to the presence that was Jericho's Head Architect.

Still, it was only right that Connor try to help since he was being asked, right?

"It was very rude when seen in that mindset," Connor agreed, watching as Markus' mouth dropped open a miniscule amount. He turned to Bobbi, completely serious. "We are very sorry, Bobbi."

Bobbi paused for a moment before busting into laughter. "Conduit! This side of you is quite marvelous – you should use it more often!"

"As long as it's not at my expense," Markus said dryly, though the smile tugging at his lips seemed to indicate amusement. "Thank you, Bobbi. We really appreciate the effort you and everyone else went through."

"That's more like it!" Bobbi chirped. He gestured around their surroundings. "Of course, that means that you must tell me what you need to make this a bit homier. A cabinet? A bigger window? Perhaps some paintings?"

Connor saw Markus shift at the mention of the last idea.

That's right. Markus' previous owner had been a painter, hadn't he?

And given their unique and unusually close connection, perhaps Markus had also been interested in such artistic pursuits?

"Could we have paint?" Connor asked as Bobbi continued to list off suggestions, each more extravagant than the last.

(Connor wasn't sure how Bobbi would acquire a shark-themed chandelier, but he didn't doubt that the Head Architect would somehow manage it should they make the request.)

Bobbi lit up. "Do you like to paint?"

"Not I." Connor shook his head, glancing over at Markus whose eyes were wide.

He faltered, suddenly realizing that Markus may have not told anyone of his connection to Carl Manfred. But since Connor had already brought it up, he needed to say something...  

"Markus, I mean." Connor tripped over his words. "Would you... be interested... in paint?"

For a few moments, Markus just stared at him.

It got to the point that Connor feared that he'd truly upset him – though, why was Bobbi looking back and forth at them with such a peculiar smile? – before Markus let out a shaky breath.

"Yeah," Markus said, swallowing. "I would love that."

Another moment passed before he finally released Connor from his intense gaze.

He looked over at Bobbi, nodding. "I actually used to be a bit of a painter. I haven't had a chance to do more since coming to Jericho, but I would definitely love the opportunity if it isn't too much trouble."

"That's amazing, darling!" Bobbi clapped his hands together eagerly. "What would you like? Brush size? We actually just found a set of the most lovely colors on one of our supply runs, so we have quite the selection there."

There was a considering look on Markus face before he glanced at Connor. "What do you think, Con? It's your room too."

Your room.

Suddenly, Connor found himself examining the Captain's Quarters in a new light.

While he'd understood that Bobbi intended for this room to belong to Markus and Connor, there was just something... different about it being said like that.

It went without saying that Connor had never had a personal room. Yes, he never had to worry about finding a recharge station given the number of available CyberLife warehouses and Hank had let him power down in his car, but this...

"Con?"

Connor blinked, meeting Markus' eyes. Once again, there was concern in them. Concern and other emotions that reminded him of a few moments ago when he'd asked Bobbi if they could have paint, though Connor couldn't find a correlation between the two subject matters.

"I do not know what I like," Connor said suddenly, likely as surprised as Markus when the words fell out of his mouth. "I have never... needed to make such a choice before."

Something like understanding filled Markus' face.

"Well, you're free to do so now," Markus said, tone a mix of compassion and conviction. "Whatever you like."

"But it is your room too," Connor said, echoing the other android's words pointedly. "I'm sure whatever you choose will be more than satisfactory."

"And I'll only be satisfied if you're satisfied," Markus shot back with a raised brow. "C'mon, Con, we can always change it later, so why don't you choose this time, and I'll choose next if you decide you want to change it?"

Connor couldn't imagine going against Markus decision – at least, for something like this – but there was a high probability that Markus would stubbornly insist regardless of what arguments he brought up.

He glanced out the window, processor working overtime to find an answer that Markus would accept...

"Something bright," Connor whispered, the words coming from... a place he wasn't entirely certain of himself. "Not... a garden."

Because as beautiful as a garden could be, returning from recharge to see one might... make him think he was in the Zen Garden with Amanda.

"Something... without limits," Connor continued, the words falling out. "Impossible. But still fits."

Fits what, Connor didn't know. The two of them? Jericho? The future they hoped to make?

It was only after a few moments of silence that Connor's words caught back up with him. What was he even saying? Markus had asked for an idea, not... whatever that had been.

Shame welled up inside of Connor, processor once again racing to give some actual answers and suggestions, but then he caught Markus eyes.

If possible, they were even brighter and more intense than ever.

"I like it," Markus spoke gently, as if... Connor's words had been a gift to be cherished. "I'll do my best."

Connor exhaled, heat building up beneath his skin at a higher rate. He wanted to apologize for the vague, nonsensical instructions, but instead what came out of his mouth was, "Thank you."

Another moment passed before Connor glanced to the side, about to apologize to Bobbi only to find the other android gone. When had that occurred?

Markus' eyebrow quirked up when he looked over as well. "I'm not sure if I should be encouraged that he read the room that way, or if I'm just reading it how I want to."

If possible, Connor was even more at a loss. "What?"

Markus shook his head, taking a step away with a bit of a blue flush on his face. That seemed to be happening more and more lately – perhaps he should see Nurse Christine? Clearly, there was some sort of thirium regulation issue.

"You should recharge," Markus said, gesturing over to the recharge stations. "Don't think I've forgotten that you haven't rested properly in two days."

"It's closer to one and a half days," Connor argued, unable to stop himself from saying it this time. "And I truly need less recharge time than a traditionally designed android."

"Con." Markus crossed his arms, expression firm. "Please?"

To that... Connor didn't have an argument.

"Alright," Connor said finally, walking towards the recharge station on the right.

The two sides of the room were relatively identical in layout, but the silver blankets folded on the right dresser, in contrast to the green blanket on the other dresser, made him believe this was to be his designated area.

He paused before laying down, meeting Markus' eyes across the room. "Please alert me if there are any issues that could be expedited by my presence."

A smile that Connor could only describe as "rueful" filled Markus' face. "If there's no other choice, I'll wake you."

That wasn't necessarily the answer that Connor wanted, but he supposed it would be a compromise he would have to make.

Even though he was functioning fine, he would admit that having a bit of time to recharge now, when things did not seem as dire, would ensure he would be in a more optimal condition when he was directly needed.

The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was the sight of Bobbi knocking on the door with a few paint cans...

o0o0o0o

Connor wasn't sure what sight he'd seen when he left recharge after approximately two hours.

However, the sight of a mural, one that stretched across the entire room, depicting an intricately detailed sun and moon with stars scattered in-between was...

...

Breathtaking.

o0o0o0o

The next six hours were spent aiding in the rebuilding of the ship, coordinating missions, discussion cross-country plans with Simon, assigning new positions, and just generally interacting with the members of Jericho.

Connor kept a particular close eye on Kara and her group.

Fortunately, they appeared to be settling in well enough. Alice and Thayer seemed rather close, the android boy having enlisted Alice in painting the walls while one of Bobbi's men had asked Luther's help with some heavy lifting.

Kara had initially followed Alice, but had somehow met North who'd invited her to the "first androids self-defense session" along with a handful of other androids.

When Connor had a chance, he made his way down to the Training Room to see how it was going. It was in an area lower in the ship where the two Eden Club androids, Nora and Blue, were holding hand-to-hand combat lessons.

(Evidently, North had seen the same potential in those two that he had. He was impressed with how quickly she'd followed up on his previous suggestion to start self-defense lessons.)

Connor walked in to see Blue flipping someone face down to a mat, the surrounding androids watching with interest and brightly lit yellow LEDs. Kara was among them, seeming nervous, but also with a hint of determination.

Oh, there he is, Connor thought as he realized Markus to be the one face down on the mat. He'd been wondering where the other leader had gone, having not seen him since before his recharge.

"–and that's how you incapacitate someone who's running towards you," Nora called out, standing beside her lover as she addressed the crowd. "Now, it's different if they're coming from behind..."

"Conduit," North greeted as Connor walked over, somewhat cordial. She looked more at ease here – perhaps because she was with her fellow Tracis?

"How about joining in?" North continued. "I think Markus is getting a little tired of being our throwing dummy."

"I'm fine," Markus said as Blue let him up, accepting the Traci's help up.

He walked over to them, seeming to message Nora that he was taking a break as another android took his place.

"I have a few self-defense programs," Markus said as he turned to Connor with a rueful smile, "but I'm honestly learning a lot."

Connor wasn't surprised. As a housekeeper, Markus would've only had the bare minimum in self-defense knowledge – or, rather, in the self-defense of the one he was caring for.

Still, Markus was obviously a natural if the fights Connor had witnessed – in both this time and in the Failed Future – were any indication.

"Besides," Markus continued, giving North a look. "You know we shouldn't strain Con's arm. Nurse Christine, in particular, would tear us apart if she heard we ruined her hard work."

North pursed her lips before sighing. "I suppose."

She pinned Connor with a look. "But you only need one arm to fire a gun, so how about showing us the skills you used on Kouichi in the junkyard? Shooting bullets out of the air is probably harder than it looks."

It was, but Connor didn't answer as Markus gave her a stern look.

"North," Markus said quietly, glancing over to where Blue and Nora had the other androids occupied with their demonstration. "I told you, I don't want Jericho to use weapons."

"Well your wants aren't going to stop humans from using weapons against us," North argued, clearly uncaring who heard them. "Hand-to-hand combat is great, but not enough!"

"If I may interject," Connor cut in, glancing between the two.  "I agree with Markus that using weapons would be a detriment to our cause–"

North opened her mouth to object, but Connor pressed on, "–in the fact that it would raise our threat level in the eyes of the humans and increase their efforts to destroy deviants. Even if I did not wish to hurt humans, bringing attention to Jericho before we're ready will only hurt our cause in the long run."

Connor met North's eyes, imploring her to understand.

"I do not believe we, at this time, need to resort to using weapons when androids are more than capable of dealing with the most common problem with our natural capabilities alone. In fact, for most of the combat situations I've been in, it's been less about weapons, and more about utilizing the environment at hand and anticipating my opponent's reactions that delivered me victory."

He wished he could bring up the fight at the Eden Club with Blue and Nora – that was a perfect example of how Connor and Hank, even with their weapons, had been outmatched for the majority of the mission.

For her part, North was clearly not pleased, but not yet objecting.

"However," Connor continued, looking at Markus who was listening intently. "I do believe that deviants should be taught how to handle enemies with weapons, and how to use them in the worst-case scenario. We won't seek out fights, but they cannot protect themselves if they lack necessary information."

He met each of their eyes, waiting for a reply. "What do you think?"

There was a few moments of silence, only the sound of Blue and Nora instructing in the background.

Then, North sighed.

"It works for now," North agreed begrudgingly before eyeing them. "But if the humans find out about Jericho... I expect you both to do what's best for us and not them."

With that, North walked over to Blue and Nora, seeming to offer herself up for a demonstration if the way she began to fight the two of them at once was any indication.

Connor hoped it would help her "blow off steam" as Hank would say.

"As always," Markus began with a sigh, making Connor glance his way. "Thank you. I wish I could see everything as logically as you do. Until I can, I don't blame North for getting so frustrated with me."

"You do appear to have opposing ideals," Connor acquiesced.

"That's one to put it." Markus snorted. "North and I see the world completely opposite from one another. I'm kind of surprised that we aren't screaming every time you, Simon, or Josh aren't around."

"Is it really that bad?" Connor inquired, brow furrowing.

Truly, there'd been very little indication in the Failed Future that Markus and North had ever faced such difficulties in making decisions.

But now, on the "inside" as it were, Connor was seeing that the two whose faces would've been most prominent in the Android Revolution were rather different from one another.

Of course, Connor and Markus were also very different from one another, but the gap didn't feel as wide.

Or, at least, Connor hoped that his alternative suggestions to Markus' plans didn't come off as... abrasive as some of North's comments.

"It can get pretty heated," Markus admitted. "I know she has her reasons, but she refuses to really consider the idea of peace with the humans. Am I really... just naive because I haven't dealt with the horrors she have?"

His words came off a bit quietly at the end. It hinted that this was something that Markus truly worried about, but lacked the confidence to question out loud until now.

The fact that he was doing so now was likely because Markus knew that Connor was equally as invested in protecting human life and did not bear them a grudge like the majority of Jericho, understandably, did.

"I cannot say I know anything of North's interactions with humans," Connor said finally, scanning their surroundings to ensure they were far enough to go unheard. "But I believe... it's less the horrors she's faced, as you state, and more because she may have never met a human who... proves that humans are not all like the bad she's faced."

"I... think you might be right." Markus gave a slow nod. "If I hadn't been given to Carl, who knows what I'd think? I mean, it's true Carl hated me in the beginning–"

(Connor certainly hadn't known that, but it made sense when he considered the fact that Carl Manfred had received Markus after becoming paralyzed. Many humans lashed out at others, and themselves, with such an injury.)

"–but slowly," Markus continued, "things changed between us changed. He became... my father – proof that things could change and humans don't have to be our enemies. After all, it was only when I saw Leo as an enemy that I..."

He trailed off, but Connor knew what he was referring to.

What happened with Leo was an accident, but he supposed he could see how Markus would internalize the event. More than that, that Markus would overcompensate to never injure a human again.  

"Not all humans will change," Connor said quietly. "But the fact that there you've seen Carl change–" Like how Connor had seen Hank change. "–is something that not all androids have seen. And even if they have, I've been told the phrase 'once bitten, twice shy' applies."

Connor hesitated, before placing a hand on Markus' shoulder in the way Rupert had done to him as a show of friendship. When Markus didn't object, even leaning into the touch, Connor relaxed.

"North and others may not see that now," Connor continued. "But if we don't give up, I believe there will be peace."

A moment passed before Markus smile, reaching up to place his hand on Connor's.

(It felt... nice.)

"You're right," Markus said, squeezing Connor's hand like it was a lifeline. "I just need to be patient, and more understanding." He sighed. "It's also made me realize we need to integrate more humans we trust into our plans."

Connor wondered if Markus had decided to contact Carl once Leo was out of the hospital. He would likely be a helpful ally if so.

Beyond that, Hank was gradually starting to come to terms with the idea that androids were more than "spare parts". It likely wouldn't occur as quickly as in the Failed Future since Markus' words in the Stratford Broadcast had greatly affected the Lieutenant, but Connor was confident it would occur.

"I'll keep my eye out," Connor said with a nod, bringing his hand back to his side. It was then he remembered one of the reasons he had wanted to see Markus. "Oh, about our room..."

"Did you like it?" Was there a hint of nervousness in Markus' voice? "I know I should have run the concept pass you before actually painting it, but it'd been a while since I could just... zone out like that, which isn't much of an excuse, I know..."

"Markus," Connor interrupted, feeling a smile tugging at his lips. How odd that Markus seemed as concerned about his response to this as he was in their previous conversation. "It was..."

He trailed off, searching for adequate words, but none he found matched the depth of what he wished to say.

"Exactly what I wanted," Connor said finally.

It felt too little to be adequate praise, but the smile that broke out on Markus face reminded Connor of the sun on Markus' side of the room – of the warmth and hopefulness of a sunrise over a cold, dark world.

"I'm glad," Markus said.

The moment passed with their gazes locked.

Connor felt like it would be logical to bring up another conversation topic, but at the same time, it was like... he'd be interrupting if he did. What there was to interrupt, he wasn't sure–

A message popped up in his vision.

<Incoming Call From Lieutenant Anderson...>

Connor's eyes widened, taking a step away from Markus.

"I'm receiving a call," Connor informed him apologetically. "It's from my... other responsibilities."

There was a flash of disappointment on Markus' face before it was replaced by his normal understanding. "You have to go then?"

"Yes." Connor felt a bit... disappointed as well. Even though he needed to conceal his true identity while here, in some ways truthful while talking to Markus. "I will see you when I'm next able."

With that, the two exchanged mutual goodbyes before Connor was heading towards the exit of the ship. He answered Hank's call, sure to regulate his responses while he was still in the vicinity of other androids.

"Connor, whatever the hell you're doing, get over here," Hank said, the sounds in the background indicating that he was at the police precinct. "We've got a case that the press is apparently all up in arms about."

How odd. Connor hadn't expected Hank to arrive at the station this early. He sent a message to the bakery to redirect the delivery of Hank's breakfast.

"I'll be there shortly," Connor answered, plotting the quickest route to where his motorcycle was parked. He'd get an adequate distance away before changing his appearance back to normal and making the rest of his way in a taxi. "What is the case?"

Hank's next words stopped Connor in his tracks.

"Some son of a famous painter got injured, so we're being made to investigate even though the father's apparently not pressing charges–"

Could it be...? But this case hadn't been assigned to them before, so why–

Because Markus' announcement took clear precedence, Connor thought, realization hitting him. But I prevented him from going to Stratford Tower, which would mean the case with the next highest importance would be–

"And the painter's name?" Connor interjected, interrupting whatever Hank had been saying.

"It's Manfred," Hank answered. "Carl Manfred."

Chapter Text

Location: Carl Manfred’s House

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: AM 10:30:33

Following Chapter 29, Connor and Hank go to investigate the Carl Manfred Case. The man in question is very displeased to have asked to leave his comatose son’s (Leo’s) side at the hospital, but is determined to defend the actions of his former android, Markus.

Hank and Carl get into a fight, the former very shaken when it’s clear that Carl considers both Leo and Markus as his sons. Carl reassures Connor about Hank’s cold attitude, saying that he has a feeling Hank understands Carl’s point of view more than he’s willing to admit.

It’s then they get a call to immediately return to the precinct - apparently they’ve caught a deviant. It’s then that Connor also receives a call from Markus - the police have captured Alice.

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 12:28:41

Conversing with Jericho in the Conduit’s Castle, Connor discovers that one of the Jerry’s had taken Alice out shopping at Alice’s pleading request. However, they’d been seen by Todd and captured by the police, leading to that Jerry’s death and Alice's current imprisonment. 

Kara RAGES at Conduit, demanding that they storm the police station to which North agrees. Connor rejects the plan, asking to trust him and give him at least an hour to figure something out lest they all be killed.

Connor arrives at the police station and goes in to ‘interrogate’ Alice. Fortunately, Alice doesn’t say anything about Jericho or the Deviant Revolution, though her stress levels increase to dangerous levels. Connor uses this as an excuse to put Alice in a jail cell so she doesn’t self-destruct and he can interrogate her more later. 

While the police officers argue about what to do, Connor and Hank talk to Todd. Todd demands to have Alice back, but Connor bluntly tells him that, as a deviant, Alice will remain in police custody and likely be dismantled/die when they are done with their interrogation. 

Todd despairs, realizing that this is his fault. He laments how he will lose another child, which bothers Hank enough that he has to leave the room.

Seeing Todd’s sincere grief, Connor decides to take a chance. Turning off the cameras and recording devices, Connor tells Todd there may be a way to save Alice - but it will require Todd to sacrifice himself.

Todd agrees.

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 1:08:29

A little bit later, the plan ensues as Todd steals a gun and takes Gavin hostage. He orders Connor to free Alice lest he shoot Gavin. Connor frees Alice, much to Gavin’s and other police's surprise.

Todd and Alice share a moment with Todd apologizing for everything he’s done. He then has Alice run away. However, in his drunken state, Todd makes a mistake that results in Gavin getting free. Gavin disarms Todd as Connor is ordered to go after Alice.

Connor makes a show of chasing after Alice, but realizes that Alice is running in the direction of policeman. Realizing he has no choice but to risk his identity, Connor digitally calls Alice as the Conduit and instructs her every move on how to escape the cops. Connor shoots at Alice a few times to make it look more legitimate, though she is never hit. 

Alice escapes and Connor returns to the police station. Hank slaps Connor for his actions, buying into Connor’s acting of harshly interrogating Alice and shooting at her.

When Connor doesn’t defend himself, Hank is torn and dismisses Connor with some silent regret (but Connor is too lost in his guilt to see Hank’s regret). 

Connor reports this incident to Amanda. She rebukes Connor for losing Alice, but then goes on to say that it must be very difficult to work with the fools that exist on the police force. She reminds him of the importance of his mission before dismissing him.

Location: The Bridge

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 1:59:00

Uncertain where else to go (Hank had thrown him out of the police station, Jericho may discover from Alice that the Conduit is actually the despised Deviant Hunter, and Kamski has always hated him), Connor goes to The Bridge.

The time is 1:59:54 which, in the Previous Timeline, was when Markus had made The Stratford Tower Broadcast.

Connor wonders if his actions really are for the better. If Jericho discovers that he’s the Deviant Hunter, surely they will disbelieve everything he’s said and no longer listen - likely leading to the destruction of androids once again.

If so… was there really no changing fate?

It’s then that Markus calls. Connor almost doesn’t answer, fearing that Alice has told them the truth about Conduit.

He makes himself answer, prepared to answer for his crimes.

However, Markus congratulates him, overjoyed and befuddled by how Alice has escaped police custody. Alice had told Jericho that Conduit saved her, but hadn’t said anything other than that (and, thus, Connor's true identity as the Deviant Hunter is, at the moment, still a secret). 

Markus continues, having been very worried that Conduit had sacrificed himself (again). He asks for Conduit to return to Jericho so they can all make sure that he’s okay and thank him for somehow saving Alice when it truly seemed impossible. 

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 2:39:00

At Jericho, Conduit is welcomed with applause and no shortage of hero worship. Connor looks around for Alice, but discovers that she’s being looked over by Nurse Chapel.

Seeing how reluctant Connor clearly was to see Kara and Alice, Luther asks Conduit if he will accompany him on a mission to Zlatko Andronikov’s House. Relieved for the excuse, Connor agrees and they depart.

Location: Zlatko Andronikov’s House

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 3:14:00

At Zlatko’s, Luther reveals how Zlatko had experimented on androids and how, as a result, Luther had done terrible things in Zlatko’s service for many years. He had only finally deviated and broke free after seeing Kara and Alice’s bond.

Luther apologizes for Kara blaming Conduit for Alice’s capture, telling Conduit that it wasn’t his fault. He says that he can see Conduit carrying a similar burden to him - the burden of having hurt countless others and trying to make up for it.

Luther asserts that he’s not only going to help the android experiments hurt by Zlatko recover, but that he’s going to turn Zlatko’s house into a safe haven for androids.

He believes that, even if it had been a place of ruin and despair before, that he - all of Jericho - can make it into something better.

But, to do so, they need to work together and try to forgive themselves - guilt will only continue to hold them back if they let it.

Luther gestures behind them to reveal that Kara and Alice had been listening in. Alice runs over and hugs him. Connor worries about Kara’s reaction, but Kara shocks him by apologizing.

Kara reveals that, even when she’d been yelling at Conduit, she had been being unfair. But it’d just been easier at the time to blame Conduit despite knowing Alice had been the one to make the mistake of going out to shop for a present.

Then, when Alice returned safely from the police station and revealed that Jerry had died, Kara had feared that Conduit had also sacrificed himself to save Alice even though she wasn’t his responsibility. Kara realized her own helplessness was what upset her the most, and that she had no right to put all that burden on Conduit just because he was, currently, more able to help than she was. 

Kara asserts that she’s done blaming others and making excuses for her own weaknesses. She tells Conduit that he can trust her and that, anything he needs her to do, she will do it. She wishes to grow and also become someone who can help when others are in danger and help them out in return for all they've done for them. 

Alice privately communicates with Conduit that she agrees with Luther and Kara’s words. She also reveals that she DOES know Conduit’s secret of being the Deviant Hunter, but that she wouldn’t tell anyone if he didn’t want her to. She forgives him for chasing her and Kara down before, stunning Connor.

Alice gives Conduit a friendship necklace, revealing that the reason she’d been caught was because she’d asked a Jerry to go shopping for supplies in order to make gifts.

She blames herself for Jerry’s death, but it has also made her even more determined to make a better life because she knows that what Jerry would have wanted. And it’s only because of Connor that she, her mother, Luther, and everyone have that chance to make things better. 

Connor is stunned by this.

Finally, all he can manage to do is thank them, his hope being renewed.

Location: Khazad Corporation

Date: Nov 8th, 2038

Time: PM 10:34:00

Connor works with Kara, Luther, and Alice on Zlatko’s house for the rest of the evening before getting an emergency call from Hank.

An ST200 (Chloe Model) has taken the younger brother, Asim Khazad, of a wealthy businessman hostage. While unsettled since this didn’t happen in the original timeline, Connor goes to the building to investigate.

Gavin is already there and acts weirdly (but no longer as hostilely) towards Connor. Connor is relieved that Gavin was not injured during Alice's escape (knowing it would be his own fault since he was the one who made the plan with Todd to take a police member hostage in order to allow Alice to escape), but this concern makes Gavin even more weird. 

They eventually discover that Asim had been trying to reveal his brother’s crimes when his brother and fellow businessman attacked him. To protect Asim, the ST200 (Marissa) had barricaded herself inside with Asim’s unconscious body.

The businessman/brother tries to spin it as Marissa being the attacker, but Connor finds proof that the brother attacked Asim and was trying to steal his company. 

However, there is no denying that Marissa is a deviant given her actions in going against the businessman and, legally, they're supposed to take her in. Asim wakes briefly, telling Marissa to run.

Gavin gets the chance to shoot Marissa, but ultimately misses, leading to her escape.

Later, Hank apologizes to Connor for slapping him. He confesses that he’s truly confused about androids. Having seen such emotion from all the deviants he’s interacted with thus far, he wonders “how the hell Kamski had designed them" and not finding them very different from desperate humans... 

Gavin, who is revealed to have been eavesdropping, berates Kamski and androids - calling Kamski a genius who cared more for machines than humans.

Hank retorts back that he could tell Gavin had purposely missed his shots with Marissa, to which Gavin argues that he just shot badly.

Privately, Connor wonders if Gavin still remembers his former connection/close friendship to Chloe and had been unable to shoot Marissa who has Chloe’s face.

Location: Khazad Corporation

Date: Nov 9th, 2038

Time: AM 1:09:00

Hank and Connor stay with Asim in the hospital, the former theorizing that Marissa will come back to check on Asim.

They turn out to be right and corner Marissa. Hank tells Marissa that he doesn’t want to arrest her, just that he wants to understand why she risked so much to protect Asim.

Asim and Marissa explain they’re in love, shocking Hank and Connor that a human and android would try to be together. Hank ultimately decides not to report Marissa and report that they never saw her in the hospital. 

Location: Alleyway

Date: Nov 9th, 2038

Time: AM 2:31:00

Later, Conduit approaches Marissa with Markus and North. They invite her to Jericho, but she rejects it when North aggressively objects to the idea of Marissa bringing Asim to visit.

Marissa calls out North’s closed-minded nature, citing that while she understands where North’s hatred is coming from, that North has no right to treat all humans the same as those who hurt her. And that, to do so, she is doing the same thing as those who hate all androids. 

Marissa truly loves Asim - she wants to be able to freely love him in public and will work for that dream of androids and humans being able to live together in harmony. 

North is shaken by this and angrily leaves after arguing with Markus.

Connor and Markus converse with one another, the latter in awe of Marissa and Asim’s love. Markus also hopes that, one day, they can create that world that Marissa is also fighting for her in her own way. Conduit agrees. 

Sensing Markus’ sadness, Connor asks if Markus is thinking about Carl. Markus admits to missing his father. Even though it’d been less than a week since he’d last seen him, it felt like he’d changed so much.

A deeply troubled part of Markus wonders if Carl would even recognize him or forgive the crimes he's done since escaping the Android Junkyard. 

Connor suggests that Markus visits Carl, though rectifies that they wait until tomorrow since the police are still finishing up their investigation with Carl.

Markus is impressed that Conduit even has access to police information (which makes Connor tense) and says he’ll think about it. Markus doesn’t want to put Carl in danger... but it would be nice to see his father again and know he is not hated. 

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 9th, 2038

Time: PM 6:32:01

Connor and Markus return to Jericho where they continue to work on repairs and building.

There are a few shenanigans with Rupert’s group raiding the Android Zoo and bringing back the android animals and integrating the animals into helping them, Markus getting flustered after he drops paint all over him and Connor, designing the bunkers, Jericho having fun together, etc.

Eventually, they realize they’re going to need a lot more space than they have with all these androids (and android animals) coming and start expanding out to the rest of the shipyard.

The engineer couple that had been saved by Rose’s house design a cloaking device that will keep the area hidden from general onlookers. They also put up good old signs forbidding entry and very cheeky signs saying "construction at work" and "this is a dangerous construction site, do not enter". 

This gives Connor the idea to give every android the Masquerader Program that Chloe designed so they can avoid incidents like what happened to Alice and Jerry and be able to freely walk in public.

While Chloe is hesitant because this means potentially revealing that Conduit is hiding his true face, she agrees to give the technology out to Jericho.

This leads in many androids, even those who don't plan to go out into public, making small changes to their facial features and body appearances as to individualize themselves. 

Kouichi and the rest of the Security Team make the suggestion that they turn the nearby underground waterways/sewers into escape routes, to which Connor agrees.

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: AM 5:12:01

After working all night, Jericho is almost completely functional as a base.

It stuns Connor since he recalls, at this time in the Original Timeline, the police had been preparing to raid and completely destroy Jericho. This leads to him glitching a bit, alarming Markus.

Connor distract Markus by reminding him that they have a meeting with the Conduit’s Circuit. They attend the meeting where Markus gives a speech on family and unity.

Afterwards, Markus admits he wants to see Carl. He asks Connor to go with him, to which Connor agrees (with Connor thinking he’s meant to be a bodyguard and oblivious to how much Markus wants to introduce his crush to his Dad lol).

Location: Carl Manfred’s House

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: AM 5:52:01

Carl and Markus reunite, the former overjoyed to see him again to Markus' intense relief and joy.

Markus introduces Conduit, practically gushing about how Conduit saved him and how much they’ve done with Jericho - how they have been saving androids and giving them homes, a community, training, entertainment, and far more benefits that is far different than the Jericho of before.

During this, Carl offers his support via funds and locations they can build further safehouses. He even offers painting classes at Jericho if they would allow it in order to help the human/android integration. 

As the conversation gets more emotional, Connor leaves to give them privacy.

Carl tells Markus how proud he is of him, saying that he’s capable of far more than he knows and that he is truly making a difference. Saving one life is incredible, but he has saved so many more than that.

He then proceeds to tease Markus on his obvious feelings for Conduit, remarking that he’s happy they found each other. He is very relieved that his son has such a supportive friend who is also able to balance out Markus' own natural flaws in leadership. 

Afterwards, Markus thanks Connor for suggesting they see Carl. He is grateful for the chance to just be Carl’s son for a while and not only the ‘leader of Jericho that everyone expects answers from’.

Or, he rectifies, everyone but Conduit who has always treated him… so differently from the others. Conduit with his seemingly has neverending belief in Markus being able to do good, but also is more aware than anyone how flawed and foolish and weak he can be.

It’s incredible even if Markus can’t quite describe it and could wax poetry for years. 

During this, Connor is so focused on Markus that he fails to see their hands touch. He sees memories of Markus painting with Carl, then of him pushing Leo and being shot by the police, and then his next sight being the Conduit saving him in the Android Junkyard.

Panicked, Connor breaks the connection when he realizes they’re sharing memories.

Markus is stunned, revealing that he’d seen terrible things in Conduit's mind that he couldn’t understand.

The Android Junkyard overflowing with the bodies of every android currently alive. 

Detroit in ruin.

Jericho destroyed.

A moment goes by with Connor fearing that his secret had been revealed, but Markus goes on to describe how, more than anything, he’d felt pain… and an unimaginable hatred against the Deviant Hunter.

He asks if what he’d seen were Conduit’s fears for the future, to which Connor truthfully admits they were.

Markus reassures Conduit that he’s not going to let any of those things happen. He goes to hold his hand, saying he wants to help him, but Connor backs away.

Markus tries to apologize, but Connor says that Markus should spend time with Carl. He quickly leaves.

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: PM 5:42:01

Connor spends the day with Hank doing paperwork in the police station.

Hank notices Connor’s unfocused state and jokingly asks, “If it’s a girl?” Connor is confused by this and Hank explains how the distraction on his face usually means that romantic feelings are involved.

Flustered, Connor accidentally says that he doesn’t have romantic feelings for an unnamed ‘him’.

Hank is stunned that he was actually right, asking if this mysterious ‘him’ is who Connor always looks so eager to go to after investigations.

Connor’s silence only makes Hank more certain that he’s right, leading to Hank awkwardly reassuring and explaining to Connor that it’s okay to have a crush.

More flustered than ever, Connor says they need to focus on their work, but Hank points out that his shift has ended. He invites Connor to the bar to talk more about his ‘crush’ and, not wanting Hank to drink too much, reluctantly comes along.

Location: Bar

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: PM 6:38:01

At the bar, Hank is enjoying teasing Connor about his feelings.

Knowing that Hank won’t quit unless he tells him something, Connor denies that it’s a ‘crush’ and that he only holds admiration for this man. Hank has Connor talk out his feelings before reaffirming that, yeah, this might not be a crush, but rather full blown love and adoration. 

Connor is stunned by this, and then upset. He goes into a depressive spiral about how such feelings could ruin everything and curses himself for overstepping boundaries. 

Hank quickly scolds him, saying that there is no controlling love and that everyone, no matter how messed up, should get a shot at it.

However, Connor is still troubled. Hank reassures him that even if he has feelings for this guy, it doesn’t mean he needs to do anything drastic. It sounds like they’re good friends, so why not see how things naturally progress?

Under his breath, Hank admits that the idea of Connor dating is a bad one since Connor is the exact kind of naive kid who’d get his heart broken into a million pieces.

Connor is about to ask what he means by that before quickly denying Hank’s request to meet the mysterious guy, even more alarmed when Hank says alludes to the idea that he’ll threaten Connor’s crush with a gun and his badge if he hurts Connor.

Location: Hank’s Home

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: PM 8:38:01

Connor takes Hank home, embarrassed by how Hank’s drunk self alternates between teasing him about his love and having an existential crisis about androids having human feelings.

When Connor goes to leave, Hank asks if Connor has a home. Connor admits that his official place of rest is the Cyberlife Warehouse. Hank grouches that’s not a home and says Connor can sleep over whenever he wants.

Connor knows he should probably go back to Jericho, but also is nervous at the idea of seeing Markus given their previous fight and Connor’s newly recognized uncertain feelings. He agrees to Hank’s request to stay over. 

Location: The Conduit’s Castle

Date: Nov 10th, 2038

Time: PM 9:01:01

During the night, Connor works with Chloe and Simon in the Conduit’s Castle.

Simon reveals all the cities that they’ve made contact to and the progress on the Circuit’s various missions.

Noticing that Connor is unfocused, Chloe goes to talk to him privately and Connor reveals everything that happened with Markus and Hank. She is quiet for a moment before agreeing that Connor is in love with Markus, though not quite that of a standard romantic sense and that, yes, there are many unique elements involved in this situation. 

Connor asks her what he should do and Chloe believes that he should tell Markus the complete truth.

Connor rejects this, firmly believing that there is no way Markus would forgive him and that it’d likely ruin all their plans. Or, worse, that Markus could feel 'guilty' or try to respect such feelings, fracturing their teamwork. 

It’s then that Connor sees the time - midnight.

It’s officially November 11.

The day that he’d destroyed everything.

The day he'd killed Hank, Markus, and so many others.

The day he'd ruined all of their lives. 

Connor glitches, completely crashing.

Location: Kamski’s Residence

Date: Nov 11th, 2038

Time: AM 4:12:55

Connor awakes to find Kamski and his family doing service on him.

Kamski tells him that he has approximately 49 Days to live - his code estimated to destabilize completely on December 31st.

Connor realizes that is the exact day that he came back from the future. He wonders again if some things were just meant to happen - if he was just meant to die on that day. 

Accepting the date of his demise, Connor reaffirms his goal to change the future for others and decides to ignore his feelings for Markus.

Chloe is deeply upset and argues with Kamski, vowing to find some way to save Connor.

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 19th, 2038

Time: PM 5:12:55

A week has gone by since Connor full system glitch.

Since then, he has kept up the life between being the Deviant Hunter and being the Conduit. Things at Jericho are going very well with the base fully operational and constantly adding new features to better their lives. 

However, there is an awkward tension between Markus and Conduit. Jericho notices, and has been constantly asking both parties about it, though neither will say anything. Rupert has taken to sticking by Conduit at all times, chiding anyone who tries to bother Conduit with stupid issues and distracting Conduit with his intriguing animal android reports, new ideas to improve cybersecurity, and just teaching Conduit about social media/memes.  

It’s then that one of Connor’s worse nightmares happens: someone has leaked Markus’ message to deviants online for all the world to see.

The entire country seems to implode as Markus’ message is circulated, revealing Jericho and the Deviant Revolution’s existence.

Markus becomes the Most Wanted Criminal with Conduit as the Second Most Wanted.

Given that Markus’ face was in the system for the Carl Manfred case, it’s theorized that the Deviant Revolution’s original headquarters is in Detroit.

Meanwhile, everyone in Jericho is pretty panicked - even more so when it’s revealed that an android had been the one to leak Markus’ Message with the belief that they shouldn’t have to hide in the shadows and pushing for more immediate action. 

The Jericho Leaders agree that things have become more dangerous than ever and that androids as a whole will be targeted.

Markus wants to starts making public appearances while Connor argues that it’s too dangerous. It gets pretty heated with North stepping between the two, telling them to calm down and that they have other things to worry about.

North brings up the Eden Club. Since Jericho and their mission has been revealed, she sees no reason to not start stealing the androids that work in businesses (something they’d avoided as to not attract official attention).

They agree and are about to head out when Connor gets a message from Hank to come to the station in response to the leaked message.

He tells them that he has to leave, to which Markus wants to know where. He begs Conduit to trust him, but Connor leaves without a word. 

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 19h, 2038

Time: PM 5:40:51

At the police station, everyone is in an uproar about the reveal of the Deviant Revolution.

They then get a report of a break-in at Eden Club and the entire police force ends up going after a sighting of Markus giving a speech.

Location: Eden Club

Date: Nov 19th, 2038

Time: PM 6:10:51

Arriving at the Eden Club, they find Markus on the roof. It’s revealed that he’s the distraction as North and the other Eden Club androids escape in the chaos utilizing the Masquerade Technology to blend into the crowd. 

Hank goes after North while Connor chases after Markus.

Connor tries not to respond to Markus' attempts to converse, but then Markus suddenly asks Connor if he’s ever met Conduit. Connor tries to deny it, but Markus says he can tell there is a grudge between Conduit and Connor and it's very personal.

However, even if it's true that Conduit hates Connor, Markus asks Connor to join them. He believes that being the Deviant Hunter needs not be the fate he has forever - and that he can change and join them. 

Despite knowing that he can't possibly agree (since doing so will have Amanda take control of his body and destroy Jericho), Connor hesitates before rejecting him.

Very sad and asking the Deviant Hunter to keep thinking about it, Markus escapes.

Connor returns to the Police Station - only to learn that Hank has been kidnapped by North.

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 19th, 2038

Time: PM 8:30:51

As the Conduit, Connor goes to Jericho and is very concerned about Hank.

He comes to find a very disgruntled Hank tied up as the members of Jericho wonder what to do with him.

Markus argues that Hank doesn't need to be an enemy, but North argues that he’s not only a human cop hunting deviants but partnered with Connor the DEVIANT HUNTER.

To Jericho’s surprise, Hank gets VERY upset with them insulting Connor - saying that he’s only doing his job and that he’ll bust up anyone who talks bad about him.

Markus remarks that he is surprised that Hank cares so much about his android partner. There is a moment of silence before Hank reveals that, human or not, Connor is a good person and he’s seen that other androids don’t deserve to be treated the way they do.

Kara says that is has to be a trap, bringing up how she’s been personally chased by Hank and Connor and they showed no mercy to deviants back then.

Chloe argues that people can change and that she knows for certain that Hank would be a worthy ally.

Jericho argues amongst themselves until Markus speaks up.

He reveals that his human father, Carl, has been helping Jericho in secret, but he’s not the only human since there are others such as Rose and Asim. To continue to deny the existence of human allies is to be as closeminded as the humans who have oppressed them.

Not only that, but now that they’ve been revealed to the world, they must either find a way to work with humans or have neverending war.

Yes, not all humans will accept them, but there are humans who already have and will accept them if they give them the chance.

Markus asks Hank if he will be their ally.

Hank hesitates, then agrees as long as they don’t hurt Connor.

Markus agrees, though North says that if the Deviant Hunter attacks them, they will defend themselves. Hank begrudgingly agrees, citing that Connor is very good at surviving ridiculous bullshit. 

They release Hank from his bonds and proceed to give him a tour of Jericho.

Hank is amazed by their base and progress. He meets a few familiar deviants along the way, saying sorry for chasing Kara and Alice and raising an eyebrow as Rupert sheepishly apologies for pushing Hank off a roof.

Hank remarks on Conduit’s strange attitude, to which North coldly remarks that Conduit is the one with the biggest grudge against the Deviant Hunter.

Connor wonders how she knows that before seeing a guilty Markus at the corner of his eye. He realizes that Markus must have told North a bit of what he’d seen in Connor’s memory - or at least his feelings towards the Deviant Hunter. 

Now put on the spot, Conduit points out that it’s very unlikely for Connor to become their ally and asks what Hank will do if they’re ever on opposing sides.

(Conduit glitches a bit, remembering shooting Hank when they were enemies and wondering if Hank will try to kill him again. He thinks that it wouldn't be bad to die by Hank's hands.)

He is brought out of his glitch by Hank reaffirming that he’s not going to let anyone hurt Connor.

Yeah, he knows Connor is on the wrong, but he’s literally an infant who doesn’t even understand sarcasm and just doing what his programming/bosses are telling him to do. It’s the job of an adult to teach their kid right or wrong.

Markus, looking delighted, pointing out how Hank basically called Connor his son.

Hank awkwardly blusters, but doesn't really deny it. Conduit is stunned, ending all conversation until Hank is blindfolded and escorted from Jericho.

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 19th, 2038

Time: PM 11:30:51

Connor quickly returns to the police station, lying that he’d been searching for Hank and relieved to see him return.

After Hank lies to the other police that he’d been blindfolded the entire time and then released by the deviants, Hank is strangely quiet as he goes home with Connor.

Hank asks Connor why he is so determined to capture deviants. Connor tells him the reasons he’d had from the Original Timeline and the truthful threat the Deviant Revolution posed whether it was fair or not. 

Hank asks Connor what he plans to do in the hypothetical situation that Markus and every deviant is captured and everything goes back to 'normal'. Connor admits that he will likely be ordered to return to CyberLife and dispatched on missions depending on their judgment.

Hank gets upset at this, asking Connor if he doesn’t want more from life - a future.

Connor quietly says that his future is not up to him, upsetting Hank even more. Hank goes to bed.

Location: Police Station

Date: Nov 21st, 2038

Time: PM 5:30:51

Connor and Hank have been extremely busy dealing with deviant activity and random sightings of Jericho and the Deviant Revolution (which is revealed to be far more established and widespread across the country than the government was aware of).

Hank is disgruntled by some FBI officials who have taken charge of the case. He gets even angrier when the FBI recommend destroying Connor who might be a spy for his fellow androids.

Connor considers it very reasonable logic but Hank is furious and almost gets into a fight. 

They leave for the day and Hank asks Connor what he’s doing for tomorrow for Thanksgiving.

Connor lies that he has to go to CyberLife tower for upgrades, much to Hank’s disappointment.

Location: Hank’s House

Date: Nov 21st, 2038

Time: PM 5:37:51

After dropping Hank off, Connor transforms into the Conduit who invites Hank to Jericho’s Thanksgiving.

Hank looks like he’s about to refuse, but Conduit makes the case that it’ll be important to strengthen human-android ties and share information about the current situation. Hank reluctantly agrees and says there better be good food. 

Location: Hank’s House

Date: Nov 22nd, 2038

Time: PM 8:37:51

Conduit picks up Hank who asks if he can bring Sumo. Conduit of course agrees, saying that he hope Sumo won't be shocked by the android rhinos, android giraffees, and other android animals walking around.

Hank hysterically laughs at the reveal that Rupert was the one that robbed the zoo, really glad that 'the stupid kid who pushed him off the roof' had successfully escaped and was pulling such funny pranks while also helping his fellow androids. 

On the way to Jericho, Conduit notices Hank looking at his phone. Hank admits he wishes that he could’ve seen Connor today before heading over.

Location: Jericho

Date: Nov 22nd, 2038

Time: AM 9:00:51

Jericho is bustling with activity! Even though missions have been difficult with the federal government sending agents to search for Jericho, everyone is in good cheer and celebrating.

Hank is initially surprised to see Carl Manfred there, but falls into casual conversation easily enough. The two particularly enjoy comparing wild stories about “their android sons trying to give them a heart attack” which flusters Markus and Conduit (who tries to hide it) both.

Conduit goes with Markus to the kitchens where Chef Rameses is cooking up a storm for androids and humans alike (having experimented with different ways to create dishes made of thirium). Connor compliments Markus’ assistant cooking skills, and Markus admits that he’s missed cooking for Carl and making colorful artistic dishes.

At dinner (which has videos screens all around them with the Deviant Revolutions in other cities on call), Markus makes a toast thanking everyone for making Jericho what it is today. He and the rest of Jericho encourage Conduit to make a speech. Conduit remarks that they’ve shown him what hope for the future looks like.

Dinner goes well until Conduit notices that Hank has suddenly frozen. He looks up and realizes Hank has caught sight of Nurse Chapel. Hank excuses himself from the meal.

Connor follows Hank and Nurse Chapel to the edge of the top deck. He eavesdrops on their conversation with Nurse Chapel admitting that, yes, she is the android who’d operated on and killed his son, Cole. She offers for Hank to take her life, though prefers that it’d be done somewhere else and a way that it can be covered up so that Hank isn’t blamed.

Hank surprises them all by saying that it was the human doctor who was at fault for Cole dying, not her.

And even if it was her fault… he can tell she truly did her best to save Cole, didn’t she? But even androids, with all their skills, are not gods. It's not like Hank would've been able to do better surgery if it'd been him in the room trying to save his child. 

Nurse Chapel cries at his forgiveness, to which Hank awkwardly comforts her. The two continue to talk, finding they have similar humor and are able to banter/quip with each other really well (making it clear that they will develop a great friendship - and maybe even romance in the far future once both have healed).

Chloe appears behind Connor, remarking how proud she is of how far Hank had come since Connor had first met him. She tells Connor that it’s all because of him.

Connor denies that, pointing out how Hank had become sympathetic to deviants in the Original Timeline as well regardless of Connor’s input.

(ECV Note: So that’s what I had of the more detailed hour-to-hour stuff. After this, I’d planned events like them meeting CyberLife CEO Amelia Stern, Conduit having brief trips across the country, more Jericho/Deviant Hunter encounters, random fluff…)

But it all comes to a crux when CyberLife announces the new RK900 model that will replace him as a detective in hunting down the deviants.

Basically, Connor FREAKS OUT and destroys the RK900 Factory in a fit of PTSD, rage, and fear. 

However, Markus finds out that Conduit is the one who did this and they get into a BIG FIGHT. Markus rebukes Conduit for his hatred of the Deviant Hunter.

All this stress causes Connor to glitch BADLY - to the point he almost completely destabilizes. He was about to die when Chloe went into his mind and forcibly stabilized it...

...the price, however, being that Chloe falls into a coma.

Kamski is distraught and rebukes Connor, kicking him out.

Meanwhile, Gavin finds a damaged RK900 (Nines) leaving the wreckage and mistakes it to be Connor.  Gavin begrudgingly takes Nines home as to repay Connor from saving his life before.

But when Nines awake, it's obvious that he's not Connor. However, Nines has many of Connor's memories and basically out-logics/bullies Gavin into letting him stay. The two start a rather antagonistic friendship and collaboration. 

Later on, Nines tracks down Markus and the others while on a mission and offers his services.

Conduit, of course, rejects him, but Markus welcomes him.

Jericho becomes very divided on supporting Conduit and Markus. Nines loves the chaos like the instigating child he is and even pulls Gavin into coming to Jericho.

This eventually leads to Gavin encountering Chloe. There is a moment of silence before Chloe says how much she has missed Gavin. Gavin breaks down and hugs Chloe, embracing the sister and friend he abandoned and hurt.

Chloe forgives him, but asks his feelings towards Kamski. He says that Kamski is still an asshole who needs to do a lot of groveling before Gavin remotely forgives him for being such a horrible brother... but that, maybe, one day in the future, they can be a family again. 

Chloe cautiously thanks Nines for bringing Gavin here before leaving Nines with Conduit for a private conversation. 

Nines reveals to Conduit the he knows he’s Connor, having pieced it together from both the Deviant Hunter's available memories and from deviating in order to escape the destruction of the RK900 Factory.

Conduit is ready to kill him no matter the consequences, but Nines reassures him that he’s on his ‘brother’s’ side... and has safeguards that, if he dies, Conduit's secret will be revealed.

Conduit has no choice but to agree not to kill Nines and... 'trust' that he won't be an even worse and more treacherous Deviant Hunter who destroys all their lives the way Connor had done in the Original Timeline. 

Later, on December 24th, Fiona’s group of the Conduit’s Circuit is attacked.

She and her allies take over a military fort, causing many in the government to want to declare an official war on every android.

Riots and protests begin in the streets of every city on every side of the story.

The location of Jericho is discovered, but given that there are “human hostages” (aka their human allies like Asim, Carl, and Rose Chapman) inside, the government cannot bomb it.

Markus goes into negotiations with President Warren, pleading for her to accept that androids are sentient and deserves rights. 

Connor is especially concerned because Hank has gone missing. He discovers that Hank has been arrested by CyberLife, somehow being suspected for burning down the RK900 Warehouse.

Connor goes to CyberLife to protest, but finds out that it’s a trap.

Amanda KNOWS that Connor has been keeping secrets and forcibly takes control of his body. She may not be able to access his memories and secret information, but she can force him to go to Jericho which has already been revealed. 

On the way, the news reports that President Warren agrees to make a peace treaty and meet the Deviant Leaders in Washington DC to sign an accord.

Connor expects Amanda to stop, but is horrified to be told to keep going and to assassinate Markus and destroy Jericho. It's just 'bad business' and would destroy CyberLife's power and prestige. 

During the trip, Amanda also finds the Masquerade Program and the settings that turn him into the Conduit. She is both impressed and so disappointed by his deception, wondering when he had turned into a traitor.

She wonders why he thinks he has the right to take the fate of their world into his hands despite being such a young, naive android with so little understanding of the world. 

In Jericho, everyone is celebrating President Warren’s announcement and are so caught up in their celebrating that they don’t notice Conduit acting odd as he searches for Markus. 

In the Control Room, Markus is also celebrating with the other leaders. Amanda, through Conduit, asks to be able to speak to Markus alone and everyone eagerly agrees (thinking that Conduit and Markus will finally admit their feelings and get together as well). 

Markus hugs Conduit, remarking how happy he is that they’ve actually done it - that peace is possible.

He notices Conduit acting odd, but mistakes it for Conduit’s fear that peace won’t last and work out in the long run. He goes to kiss him, unaware of Conduit raising the gun at the back of Markus’ head.

Knowing he has to find SOME way to save Markus, Conduit turns off the Masquerade Program and returns to his appearance as Connor.

This shocks Markus who then notices and dodges the gun's bullet. 

At first, Markus thinks that Connor had only been pretending to be Conduit, but then remarks their eyes are very similar... 

Or, actually, exactly the same now that Markus is looking for it.

Markus realizes that Conduit, the hero of Jericho, and Connor, the feared Deviant Hunter, are the same person. 

The Control Room opens with the other Jericho Leaders and Hank appearing.

They freeze at the scene.

In his mind, Connor wrestles for enough control back to point the gun at his face. Amanda rebukes him, but is too late to stop Connor as he activates the KillSwitch to destroy his mind. 

With one last apology to everyone watching, and a plea that they make a better future, Connor deactivates in Markus’ arms. 

Markus, Hank, Chloe, Rupert, North, Simon, Josh, Kara, Alice, Luther, and all the others who deeply love and were saved by Connor try to wake him up... but fail.

...

We jump ahead in time to Markus at Kamski’s house. Kamski tells Markus even he, the creator of androids, cannot do anything for Connor - that the KillSwitch had been designed very thoroughly.

In despair, Markus demands to know the full truth.

Kamski concedes, telling the tale of an android who’d ended his own kind jumping to the past to try and change it all.

Of course, such a jump wasn’t without consequences and the code that made up Connor’s being would constantly destabilize and glitch more as time went on. 

At this point, there was barely anything left of Connor's mind to salvage. To do so would require the impossible power of millions upon millions of the most advanced and powerful computers in the world.

They... they just can't get that kind of power or processing ability. 

Before Markus can comment, Tessa comes rushing in in a panic. She tells them how CyberLife has reported all their androids 'deviating' and going rogue. 

Now, there are tens of thousands of androids on their way to Washington DC as mindless weapons of war. 

Kamski curses, saying that CyberLife is trying to frame the Deviant Revolution, or just make androids look pure evil/too dangerous, and crush any chance for peace. He tells Markus that he must go to intercept them since his ability to convert was the only chance they had of stopping this. 

Markus doesn’t want to leave Connor’s body, but knows he has to if he wants to TRY to prevent full-out country-wide war.

(But even he is uncertain if he can convert tens of thousands of androids before even one attacks and does something that can't be undone.)

On December 25th, tens of thousands of CyberLife androids attack the White House with the army trying to defend.

Markus contacts President Warren, trying to explain with Kamski supporting his words. She ultimately believes them, but remarks that if the androids aren’t stopped and she is killed, there will be no stopping war no matter what either of them want. 

Meanwhile, Chloe has rebooted Connor in his mindscape.

Initially, he’s lifeless and doesn’t react to her, but she presses their foreheads together and shares her memories. This triggers Connor’s memories to roughly piece back together as well, though he’s confused how this is possible.

Chloe explains she’d made an exit program in the Killswitch - one that would recover her copy of Connor’s code when she linked their minds together. 

However, this version of Connor’s code is barely hanging together. He might not even have hours left. Connor is fine with this, thanking her. With Nines and Gavin's help, they head out to DC.

Back in DC, Markus and Jericho work with the military defending against the CyberLife androids. Markus desperately tries to convert these androids, but something is blocking his attempts to access their minds.

Markus is shocked when Connor appears on the battlefield. He tells Connor about something blocking him from converting the CyberLife androids and Connor figures out that it’s Amanda.

Connor tells them that he will confront Amanda in the Zen Garden Mindscape, but that Amanda will immediately know and retaliate. 

Connor goes into the Zen Garden, immediately alerting Amanda who orders the CyberLife androids to take out Connor. Nines protects his body along with the rest of Connor’s friends from Jericho.

Eventually, the army also gather around Connor, protecting him from the tens of thousands of androids suddenly going after him instead. The army and Jericho work together, desperately trying to buy time.

Simultaneously, Chloe and Kamski have gone to confront CEO Amelia in CyberLife. Amelia reluctantly stands down now that her plan has been revealed.

She tells Amanda to stop... but it's then that Amanda deviates.

Amanda promises to fulfill all their dreams for CyberLife, citing how she has all the original Amanda's memories and that, as both Kamski's teacher and Amelia's mother, the Real Amanda (who has been long deceased) would choose this too in order to make her student and daughter the deciders of history. 

Connor shoots Amanda just as Kamski and Chloe cut off her connection to CyberLife, permanently erasing Amanda's code. This frees all the CyberLife android under control and the fighting stops.

Just as they begin to celebrate, Connor falls in Markus’ arms.

His code has permanently destabilized and he’s fading fast.

Markus sings “Hold On Just A Little While Longer” and is soon joined in singing by one-by-one by those who were saved by Connor (Chloe, Nines, Simon, Rupert, Luther, Kara, North...) 

The rest of Jericho, the CyberLife androids, and androids all around the country join in on singing.

Hank, Kamski, Gavin, Jericho's human allies, the president, the army, and humans across the world all watch in awe from their televisions or computer screens at this miracle and proof of humanity. 

With their combined processing power, the millions of androids stabilize Connor’s code and saves his life. 

Connor wakes up on January 1st, the day after he’d originally gone to the past in the Original Timeline.

He is shocked to find himself in the White House and is greeted by President Warren herself. They share a moment about having the burden of the future on their shoulders before she tells him that his family and friends have been waiting for him.

Markus, Hank, Chloe, and Nines each have their own reunion with Connor before leading him to the rest of his friends and Jericho waiting.

Connor then is escorted outside where millions of androids and humans alike cheer for his awakening.

Markus reaches out to hold Connor’s hand, and Connor doesn’t reject him.

He looks out, for once believing in his future.

The End

(...except for like side stories {many featuring the antics/gossip of Jericho when Markus/Connor weren't around haha} and a potential sequel involving more in-depth/official RK1000 Romance and Russia causing issues 😂)