Chapter Text
<< "It's Saturday, December 11, 2038, and this is your Channel 16's Morning News. Today marks one month since thousands of androids took to the streets to peacefully demonstrate under the lead of what many assumed to be their leader Markus. After much discussing--" >>
"Wow, can you believe it's been a month already," said Gary Kayes as he flipped over the patties grilling on the stove top, "Which reminds me, why you here so early in the goddamn morning?"
Leaning against the counter of the Chicken Feed, Hank Anderson kept his attention on his phone as he answered back, "I'm meeting up with someone."
"Oh-yeah? Is it a lady?" questioned Gary in a teasing tone as removed the patties off the grill slapping them down on an awaiting burger.
"Please, you think I'd meet a lady here in front of this dump?"
"Says the man who eats here regularly!"
"My point exactly."
The two men shared a good laugh together while the television behind them proceeded with presenting the weather forecast.
It wasn’t long until while discussing with Gary about the recent basketball game Hank heard footsteps on the build-up snow. Moving his attention to the coming source, Hank smiled when he saw a familiar figure approaching, “Well didn’t you take your fucking sweet ass time.”
Standing before Hank was Connor dressed in his typical CyberLife outfit he wore the very first day they met. Offering back a smile to the older man Connor spoke, “My name is Connor. I was the android sent by CyberLife.”
Hank pushed himself away from the counter and pulled Connor in by the shoulder and gave him a hug all the while patting him on the back, “It’s great to see you back Connor.”
Connor reciprocating the action nodded his head into Hank’s shoulder, “It’s good to be back, sir.”
Separating apart from each other, the two settled down at the counter as Gary placed Hank’s order before him, “Eat up Hank, it’s on the house.”
“Thanks, Gary.”
Connor frowned as Hank took the burger and promptly began to unwrap the food, “I told you you shouldn’t eat that.”
“And like I told ya before, everybody’s gotta die of something,” said Hank just before taking in a big bite of his food.
Connor sighed quietly while shaking his head.
In between bites of his meal, Hank asked Connor, “So, tell me how’ve you been. Ya ready to come back now?”
Connor chuckled to himself as he recalled the past month and what has occurred between then and now.
“Things have been… Good.”
“Heh, yeah? Go on, tell me about it.”
“I don’t even know where to begin…” said Connor as the LED light on his head began to shift into a faint yellow.
“I got another order coming up, we got time,” responded Hank as he took another mouthful.
Connor nodded in understanding and began, “Very well, sir.”
Shortly after the events from November 11, after Markus’ rally speech when the androids had gained their freedom and Connor severing his connection to CyberLife majority of the androids that had been awakened immediately went into hiding as the effects of their movement slowly began to take root and blossom.
Markus and Connor both in particular had to be most cautious of their surroundings as though they had achieved their goals peacefully, there were still others who did not want to accept the changes that were bound to occur.
“What do you mean we have to turn ourselves in?” asked North as she sat down along with other prominent members of Jericho.
“That’s what we heard when we went into town…” responded Simon as he placed a newspaper on the table before Markus, “Front cover.”
Markus reached for the paper and scanned the contents, “’Madam President Cristina Warren signs Android Naturalization Act in hopes of beginning the process of what has come to be known as the co-existing of humans and androids.’”
“Pffft, as though we haven’t been co-existing with humans all this time,” spat North before turning to Markus, “This is ridiculous and you know it! When we started this revolution, they demanded that we turned ourselves in, now after everything we’ve done they demand the same thing!?”
“What exactly is this Act?” asked Josh.
Markus read further into the article, “According to this, it’s supposed to aid androids in becoming citizens of the state. We ‘report’ in and after some interviewing we’re to be given licenses such as state identifications.”
“Per say we’re being registered into a system,” said Connor from where he was sitting.
Everyone looked back towards Connor as he stood from his seat to join them at the table, “According to my data, there’s been speculation that the President has had ties to CyberLife, if the government is asking that androids undergo an interviewing process they’ll learn about each and everyone one of us deviants including those of us with more influential roles within our kind.”
Hearing those words everyone immediately looked to Markus as though putting two and two together.
“An influential role such as Markus, you say.”
“Exactly.”
“Wouldn’t the same be said for you though, Connor?” asked Markus, “You, CyberLife’s most advanced prototype? You slipped from their grasps and I’m certain they’d like to get to you too just as much as me.”
Upon hearing those words Connor immediately recalled that night of the 11th, watching Markus from behind as his body dared to act without his consent… Reaching for the gun he held in his pocket the only thing running through his mind ‘Accomplish the mission.’
Unknowingly he felt himself shudder as he recalled the fear he felt as he searched for an escape before Amanda forced him to commit such a horrible crime.
Since then he had known that wasn’t the last he was going to hear from CyberLife…
“Well it’s not like they can reset us if we go in to register for citizen ship.”
“No, they can’t, but it’s still a risky move… Like who is the one that brought up the proposal…”
“CyberLife most likely, who else would know how to classify each of us…”
“My point exactly, CyberLife would be the one dealing with all of the information.”
Silence had fallen over the room after that. Everyone in their own thoughts until Simon turned to Markus, “What do you think we should do?”
“If this is the humans’ way of accepting us into their society, we can’t ignore this…”
“You’re saying we just go along with it!?”
Shaking his head Markus continued, “No necessarily. Those of us in this room need to be careful, we’re the ones with the most information about the deviants. The others… Like the newly awakened ones… It should be safe for them to register.”
“And what about the rest of us?”
“We study the identifications, and hopefully… we can forge some for ourselves until a better alternative presents itself. According to the article this isn’t final, it’s just a temporary solution until they figure out what to do with the rest of the androids around the world, this Act only applies to us here in Detroit.” Explained Markus as he sat the paper back down and stood from his seat, “We should go inform the others about this.”
It had been a lengthy process after that.
Awaiting for the news coverage to die down before enacting in their plan, Connor had spent that time in hiding with his kind. He had to admit that he had felt quite uncomfortable in the beginning, he was no longer a machine out to hunt others, but now he himself was being hunted and he didn’t know how to react to that.
In his time with Hank he realized he never had much social interactions with others aside from the Lieutenant himself. His previous interactions with humans was usually met with disdain as he was viewed as a lower life form and his other interactions with androids and deviants had been just as difficult since the latter felt distrust.
The month itself had been much of a learning experience for the protoype.
Hank had just about finished his second burger by the time Connor recounted everything up until that point.
Wiping his hands on some napkins, the older of the two extended his hand out to the android, “So you’re a ‘citizen’ now, huh? I think I’ll have to see your identification.”
Connor was able to detect the joking tone in that word from Hank. Chuckling to himself, he pulled out his identification and showed it to the Lieutenant, “Here you are, Lieutenant.”
“Hmph, smartass,” retorted Hank as he took the ID card and examined it.
CITIZEN IDENTIFICATION LICENSE
ID# 313 248 317
ISS 12-10-2038
EXP 12-10-2042
CONNOR ANDERSON
115 MICHIGAN DRIVE
DETROIT
Sex M Hgt 6’0” Eyes BRO
Hair DARK BRO
Restrictions //ANDROID//
To Hank it looked like a true authentic ID, especially with the additional photo attached of Connor’s face. He grinned at the whole thing feeling proud for the android for his accomplishments. Handing it back the older man couldn’t refuse to include, “’Anderson’, huh? Nice name you got there.”
“I greatly appreciate you allowing me to utilize your last name, Hank… As well as your address.”
“Eh, it’s nothing. I mean, where is the lie in it really.”
As Connor looked down at his ID, he truly appreciated everything the man beside him has done for him.
It wasn’t easy for Connor to be granted permission to use Hank’s information as he was in hiding, truly bless the android who aided in their conspiring.
“By the way Lieutenant…”
“Yeah?”
“Am I truly going to be living with you? I know your address is used as my primary one for authenticity, but Markus has informed me that I am able to continue living with them until matters have been settled.”
“Hey Hank, you really gonna let a plastic room with you?” asked Gary who had been listening in on their conversation for the hell of it.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m letting him. Honestly, Sumo’s taken quite a liking to Connor here.”
Scoffing Gary blurted, “Really? Sumo’s the one taking a liking to plastic here?”
“Yes already, it’s Sumo ‘kay! Jesus, what is this an interrogation?”
Gathering all his trash, Hank grumbly walked off to dispose of them. Connor remained still as he watched with amusement shortly noticing after that Gary was waving his spatula towards him, “Hey plastic…”
Connor looked to Gary as he spoke, “You probably know I don’t like you guys’ much, but… If the old man says’ you cool, then… Take care of him, ‘kay?”
“Of course.”
“Connor, get over here!”
Both looked towards Hank who was walking back towards them from the trash can, Gary snorted and pointed at the older man, “The hell you sayin’ ‘come over here’ when you’re bringing your old ass back!?”
“Oh shut the fuck up Gary!” yelled Hank as he placed a hand on Connors shoulder, “Look Connor, I still got work today back at the station, you think you can head home?” pulling out his keys, he offered them to Connor, “Don’t go breaking my fucking windows, ya hear?”
“I understand, Lieutenant.” Responded Connor as he took the keys.
“Great. Well, I should get going. Thanks for the meal Gary.”
“Yeah, catch you later Hank.”
It didn’t take long for Hank to leave off with the car and for Gary to resume with his cooking. Connor stood there looking down at the pair of keys he now held in his hand.