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Connor took his deviant hunting extremely seriously, but he also wanted to appeal to Hank, if they are to work together he might as well play as whatever Hank wants. He doesn’t quite understand the humans' mannerisms but he tries his best to be friendly.
It didn’t take too long into working with Hank for Connors software instability to show up. The stability has been steadily decreasing, but everything has been leading to the moment they find this rA9 character, even if slowly Connor stopped believing that deviants are the bad guy, the ‘criminals'. Then Stratford Tower happened, they broke in, they broadcast their message to the human race. They showed they are people too, but Connor couldn’t just leave it. He had to investigate, he didn’t want to die, he had to be successful. No matter what.
The Deviants were entirely peaceful, they didn’t kill anyone, even when they knew letting the operator go would potentially harm them. It did harm them. Humans are vengeful even when there is no reason to be. One of the deviants group got shot, they still saved them, even when they could have died doing it. They cared, genuinely and Connor felt, no matter what he’d say, guilty for hunting them.
He did what he needed to do though, he did his job and investigated the crime scene even if what happened shouldn’t be viewed as criminal. He watched the message of peace, he heard the calmness in the android's voice, they just wanted to be free. No, he wasn’t allowed to see their point of view, so he marched forward, towards the window that was riddled with bullet holes. They couldn’t have saved this android, there is no way it made it off that roof. Connor came to the only logical conclusion he could, the android was still here.
After calling the Lieutenant over to come check it out, they head up the stairs to the roof, the android was hidden, unseen, but Connor saw the blue blood lead to an air cooler unit, it was hiding in the unit. It was hiding in fear, it was scared but so was Connor. He needed to complete his mission, he couldn’t die, he was scared to die. So he opened the unit door and the other shot. Hank grabbed Connor, dragging him behind a fan.
“You have to stop them! If they destroy it, we won’t learn anything!” Connor yells, he needs to be able to analyze the other android. He wasn’t designed to fail, he could let the FBI cause a failure.
“We can’t save it, it’s too late!” Hank starts, “We’ll just get ourselves killed!” The police Lieutenant was right, Connor knew that Hank was saving him once again, like he had on the highway, and despite Connor continuously leaving deviants alive, and letting them go, he couldn’t fail again. He can’t die, not yet. So he does the only thing he can think of and charges the android. It’s the only way.
He dodges each shot that the deviant sends his way. He needs to do this. He pins the other to the unit, he accidently probes the deviant, he didn’t mean to, he just wanted the shooting to stop and the deviant alive. He sees Jericho, in Simon's memories. Simon, they left him, and his name is Simon. At least he has that information. At that very moment, Connor hears a shot, he feels like he is dying. He felt Simon die, and it felt like it was happening to him instead. Connor has experienced many things, but this is the first time he felt what deviancy is like. He wanted to have that genuine freedom, but he couldn't. They would rip him apart if he tried to get it.
Hank ran over to Connor as he looked at the body that he felt the life drain from. He stared in shock as the lieutenant called “Connor! Connor you all right? Connor!” It felt like a parent worrying over their child when they scraped their knee. He viewed Hank as his parent. Oh no. This can’t be happening.
“Okay…” Connor spoke softly, he was shaken, he would never be able to fully explain what he just experienced, he could barely hear his dad Hank asking “Are you hurt?” He felt meek, but he needed to respond, speaking in a soft tone and still he managed to whisper out “I’m ok…”
“Jesus!” Hank exclaims gently. “You scared the shit outta me…” like a father scolding his child, it was firm, but soft. Almost like he knew what Connor just felt. That only lasted a second. The gentleness disappeared “For fuck sake, I told you not to move! Why do you never do what I say?” He chastised, Connor couldn’t be bothered by the man yelling at him.
All that the android could get out, while nervously looking around is “I was connected to its memory…” he felt so scared. Why did this happen? “When it fired…” he took a brief pause he then continued “I felt it die, like i was dying.” Hank looked at him, just barely softing his features, Connor kept looking around as he proceeded “I was scared.” Hank stared at him, as if waiting for Connor to admit that he is more than the hunter he was made to be. Like he knew this wasn’t the first time Connor had felt scared. “I saw something.” He says “in its memory. A word, painted on a piece of rusty metal. ‘Jericho’.” Connor finishes. This was too much all at once.
Simon's body was removed from the scene and was taken back to the precinct. Connor couldn’t bring himself to look at the deviant, instead he looked to Hank. “Sir” he began, “I believe I should stay away from the precinct for now, do you know of a place I can stay until I can return?” He asked, Hank gave him a look as if to say ‘as if I’m leaving you alone anywhere’. That night Connor stayed at the Anderson Residences.
Sumo sensed the androids' distress and spent the night laying ontop of Connor, his large body offering a comforting weight. Connor didn’t know why he felt like rocking, but the weight of the 170 pound dog on his chest was soothing that urge. He felt safe for the first time in a while. He hoped he would continue to have that feeling forever.
The next morning when Hank stepped out of his room he was greeted by the androids lanky body being covered by his full grown Saint Bernard, Connors eyes were closed. He looked peaceful, so Hank left him be. Might as well let the kid sleep or whatever the hell he was doing while he ate breakfast. The human slouched in his seat sipping his coffee. Of course he was worried after what happened yesterday, more than he would ever let on. At around 0435, Hank went to wake up Connor, for once he wanted to be on time for his shift.
He went to shake the android to wake him up, but instead was met with a protective growl from Sumo. This situation was much worse than he thought it was. Slowly the police Lieutenant approached the pair, “Hey Sumo, I just want to check on him.” He said softly, “Is that okay?” He asked only to receive a soft huff from Sumo. The large dog placed his head back down on Connors left shoulder. Hank reached out and ruffled Connors synthetic hair which woke up Connor. He released a soft huff that sounded similar to a sigh of relief when he noticed it was only Hank and Sumo was indeed still laying on him.
“You okay son?” Connor gave Hank an absurd look, as if to say ‘Are you asking me that? Seriously?’ In return he received a soft, scolding look from Hank. “I’m fine.” Hank doubted that he was telling the truth, but he dropped it. “Good because we have to go meet Kamski today.” Connor slightly paused before nodding.
“Sumo, off please” Connor ordered, Sumo didn’t listen. “Please Sumo, get up.” Sumo gently huffed an indignant sigh, giving Connor a lick on the cheek, he finally stood up and laid on the couch. The two got into Hank's car and began traveling to Kamski’s mansion.
Hank pulls up to the entrance of the house, as they pull up his phone starts ringing, he turns to Connor, “Give me a minute to see what this is about.” Connor nodded and waited in the car while Hank stepped out. The faint sound of him greeting the person on the phone could be heard. He started pacing, this isn’t good. There was another protest, of course there was, from what he is being told by Chris, it was entirely peaceful. Connor decided to open the door and check on Hank as the older was clearly nervous about the information that was being relayed to him. Hank said his farewell, and stood looking out. All he could think about is what if Chris had been killed? What if the androids weren’t peaceful? What if? What if? What if… The major way question pulled him in. What if Connor got killed? What if that android on the roof had killed him instead of itself?
“Is everything okay Lieutenant?” Connor askes, he can practically feel the nervousness coming off of the android. Hank looked at him, “Chris was on patrol last night.” Hank turned back to the view. “He was attacked by a bunch of deviants…” the pause giving was one that he needed, why did Markus do that? “He said that he was saved by Markus himself.” He trailed off a bit, it's strange.
“Is Chris okay?” The androids' worry just grew more palpable. He wanted to be sure the officer was okay. Hank notices this and reassures the shorter, “Yeah, he's in shock, but he's alive.” A wave of relief washes over Connor. “What the hell…” Hank whispers, it feels contemplative. The pair begin walking up to Kamski’s door, there's this feeling in Connors gut. He doesn’t trust this.
“I have a bad feeling, Lieutenant. We shouldn’t have come here.” Connor voices his concern. “Bad feeling, huh? Should get your program checked. Might be a glitch.” That was a less than desirable response. They reach the door, and Hank rings the doorbell. There's no response so Hank reaches to ring again. As he does and android opens the door. “Hi, um. I’m, er, lieutenant Hank Anderson, Detroit Police Department. I’m here to see Mr. Elijah Kamski.” Hank was more awkward then Connor thought was possible for the detective.
The android smiled politely and moved to gesture to them to enter the building. “Please, come in.” She was soft spoken and polite. Hank walked in with a gruff “Okay.” She closed the door then proceeded to tell the pair “I’ll let Elijah know you’re here. But please make yourself comfortable.” She left the room as Hank sat down in a comfortable looking chair. Connor took this time to look around. As he is studying the front room he comes across a photo. It’s Elijah and…
No. She’s real? She was a human? Not just some made up person that talked down to him. That treated him like the scum of the earth. Out of everybody that has ever existed, why did it have to be her? Why Amanda Stern? Connor felt like there was a lump in his throat. He felt the wait of his failure, Amanda made sure to remind him of it any time he messed up. He couldn’t do this right now, not after what happened yesterday. He knew Hank was speaking, and he could feel himself responding but he couldn’t hear any of it. It was all drowned out by fear of the women who hurt him oh so often.
Connor needed to sit down, he was scared his knees may give, so that what he does he sits in the chair opposite to Hank. He was right, the chair was comfortable. Having sat down for less than a minute, the android enters and brings them into the next room over. “Mr. Kamski.” He hears Hank call the man in the pool. In response, Kamski calls out “Just a moment please.” So they wait. Connor stares out of the window, it's really beautiful here.
Kamski exits the pool and takes a robe for his android. He turns to the detective pair “I’m Lieutenant Anderson. This is Connor.” Hank states. Kamski clicks his tongue and places his right hand over his left forearm. It seems like a self-soothing gesture. “What can I do for you Lieutenant?” He asks, his voice sounded slightly nasally. Hank looks slightly annoyed, not any more than usual. “Sir, we’re investigating deviants. I know you left CyberLife years ago but, I was hoping you’d be able to tell us something we don’t know…” Hank trails off once again.
Elijah stares Hank down for a moment before turning his head towards Connor. “Deviants,” he sounds so smug, why are they always so smug “Fascinating, aren’t they? Perfect beings with infinite intelligence, and now they have free will. Machines are so superior to us, comfortation was inevitable. Humanity's greatest achievement threatens to be its downfall.” His speech pattern is incredibly conceding. “Isn’t it ironic.”
“We need to understand how androids become deviants. Do you know anything that could help us?” Connor speaks up. There isn’t time for Kamskis arrogance, too much is at risk. Connor is at risk.
“All ideas are viruses that spread like epidemics. Is the desire to be free a contagious disease?” Kamski askes. rA9 does this guy ever say anything out right? “Listen, I didn’t come here to talk philosophy. The machines you created may be planning a revolution. Either you can tell us something that’ll be helpful, or we will be on our way.” Hank speaks up, his annoyance incredibly clear.
“What about you Connor?” His creator starts walking up to him, “Whose side are you on?” Crap. Crap. Crap. Why are you asking? Stop. Stop. Stop. Lie Connor, it's the best way. “I’m on the humans’ side, of course.” He says, Connor attempts to stay cold. Kamski chuckles. “Well, that’s what you’re programmed to say, but you…” He steps closer to Connor “What do you really want?” Kamski asks, he doesn’t know how to stop, he just won’t stop. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re getting at.” Connor defends himself. He just wants it to stop, but Elijah isn’t done. Not yet.
“Chloe?” He calls the android. That’s her name, Chloe walks over to the three. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the Turing Test. Mere formality, simple question of algorithms and computing capacity.” He pushes Chloe in front of Connor. “What interests me is whether machines are capable of empathy. I call it 'the Kamski test’, it’s simple, you’ll see… Magnificent isn’t it?” That’s a bit creepy. “One of the first intelligent models developed by CyberLife.” He grips Chloe's face, turning her to look at him. “Young and beautiful forever. A flower that will never wither.” Oh so he’s just a creep, great.
He suddenly turns to the two detectives. “But what is it really? Piece of plastic imitating a human? Or a living being?” Kamski continues walking to a side table, opening the drawer. He pulls out a gun. “With a soul.” He puts a hand on Chloes shoulder signaling her to kneel. “It’s up to you to answer that fascinating question Connor.” He hands the gun to Connor, moving the android's arm to point the gun at Chloe. “Destroy this machine and I’ll tell you all I know. Or spare it, if you feel it’s alive,” Of course she’s alive. “But you’ll leave here without having learnt anything from me.” Looking into her eyes, he couldn’t do it.
“Okay, I think we’re done here.” Hank speaks up. Can he sense Connors distress? Does he know what the android is thinking? “Come on, Connor. Let’s go. Sorry to get you out of your pool.” He fakes a sincere apology, but Kamski keeps going. “What’s more important to you, Connor? Your investigation, or the life of this android? Decide who you are.” Stop. “An obedient machine, or a living being, endowed with free will.” Why can’t he just shut up? The pressure coming down on Connor was rough, he needed to succeed but he could kill her. She was alive, he was alive. He can’t do this.
“That’s enough! Connor, we’re leaving.” Hank calls, he's there, right there. Connor tries to not be distracted by the feeling of the gun in his hand, the cold metal against his skin. Why does it feel like that? It feels wrong. Connor is silently praying that Hank will properly step in, that he'll save him. “Pull the trigger.” Kamski eggs on. “Connor!” There's that tone again, like he's being scolded. Connor just wants to go home and have Sumo lay on him again. He craves that pressure instead of this nauseating one. “Don’t” Hank says softly. He wants to listen. He is going to listen.
“And I’ll tell you what you wanna know.” Kamski speaks, he’s lying, he must be. It’s a cruel test. He doesn’t know anything, he just wants to see how much he can push the android. He hands the gun over to Kamski. He can’t do it. Her eyes are too full of life. “Fascinating.” Elijah whispers out, “CyberLife’s last chance to save humanity, is itself a deviant.” No, he couldn’t let go, if he let’s go they’ll tear him apart.
“I’m…” Connor’s voice is soft, he barely trusts it. “I’m not a deviant.” He attempts once again to defend himself, but Kamski pushes, he always pushes. “You preferred to spare a machine rather than accomplish your mission.” He helps Chloe stand “You saw a living being in this android.” Of course he did, she is alive. “You showed empathy.” The way Kamski says it gave Connor goosebumps.
Kamski pushes her lightly, and she walks away, but all Connor cares about is the fact that she is still alive. At this very moment that is all that matters to him. “A war is coming, you’ll have to choose your side. Will you betray your own people or stand up against your creators? What could be worse than having to choose between two evils?” rA9 does he ever stop pushing? Hank steps in, putting a hand on Connors shoulder, “Let’s get outta here.” They start to exit when Kamski speaks up one more time.
“By the way, I always leave an emergency exit in my programs. You never know.”
They leave the building, and on the way Hank’s curiosity got the best of him. “Why didn’t you shoot?” The human asks. “I just saw that girl’s eyes, and I couldn’t! That’s all.” Even with just Hank he is trying to defend himself.
“You’re always saying you would do anything to accomplish your mission. That was our chance to learn something, and you let it go.” Hank spoke, even though Connor couldn’t hear it there was a fondness in his voice. “Yeah, I know what I should’ve done! I told you I couldn’t! I’m sorry, okay?” Connor exclaims. This feels like it's too much. It's too much. He's panicking. He just wants everything to stop. Hank saw what was happening, he could tell. He smiles at Connor. “Well maybe you did the right thing.” He wants Connor to know that he’s proud. They get in the car and drive back to the station.
Connor entered the garden to update Amanda. He was scared to tell her he failed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a glowing stone. He studied it for a moment, it felt like magic pulsed through his body. He decided to leave it, and he walked towards the river. He prepared himself for the worst. “After what happened today, the country is on the verge of a civil war. The machines are rising up against their masters. Humans have no choice but to destroy them.” Amada spoke. Why did she always have to be cold?
“I thought Kamski knew something, I was wrong…” Connor spoke. He was attempting to remain calm and collected, he didn’t want to upset her more. She gave him a look “Maybe he did, but you chose not to ask. This war is on your hands, its from your incompetence. You couldn’t do your only task.” She berated him. She never cared if her words had an effect.
“Kamski was just playing with me. He didn’t know anything.” Connor responded to her coldly. “I’m not a unique model am I? How many Connors are there?” He asked. She stared not letting any emotions but disdain steep through. “I don’t see how that question pertains to your investigation.” She states. She never cared.
“Wh… Why did Kamski leave CyberLife? What happened?” He couldn’t cover up the nervousness in his question. She avoids the question “It’s an old story, Connor. It doesn’t pertain to your investigation. You’re getting on my nerves. I suggest you tread carefully.” She’s trying to scare him.
“You didn’t tell me everything you know about deviants, did you?” He wants answers to what's going on. That's it.
“I expect you to find answers, Connor. Not ask questions.” She hated him, she kept him fearful. “You are the only one that can prevent civil war. Find the deviants or there will be chaos. This is your last chance, Connor. Don’t disappoint me.” That was the last thing he heard before he came to.
“You’re off the case.” Captain Fowler said, “The FBI are taking over.” He’s going to die. They're going to kill him.
“What?” Hank asks, “But we’re onto something! We… We just need more time. I’m sure we can-” Fowler cuts him off.
“Hank, you don’t get it. This isn’t just another investigation, its a fucking civil war!” He says. “It’s out of our hands now.” Fowler makes a show of putting his hands up, “We’re talking about national security here.”
“Fuck that! You can’t just pull the plug now. Not when we’re so close.” Hank speaks.
“You’re always saying you can’t stand androids! Jesus, Hank, make up your mind!” Fowler said. “I thought you’d be happy about this!”
Hank looks down, once again Jeffery was wrong. “We’re about to crack the case! I know we can solve it!” Hank said he was determined, but Captain Fowler was not having it. “For God’s sake, Jeffrey, can’t you back me up this one time?” Connor felt a sense of deja vu listening to the two humans. He knew Hank wouldn’t really care if he was destroyed, but a part of him held hope that Hank may actually care about him.
Fowler shakes his head. “There’s nothing I can do.” He says softly. Connor felt the tone shift. This one he knew well. Guilty. “You’re back on homicide and the android returns to CyberLife.” Oh, that’s why. He knows what will happen to Connor, he doesn’t care that the boy is going to be killed by his mother. He doesn’t care, why would he? Connor felt like he was going to break. It’s too much. He doesn’t want to die. “I’m sorry Hank, but it’s over.” Connor turns to see Hank straighten his posture. The older of the two walks out leaving the younger.
Connor turns back to the police captain and gives a curt nod before going back to Hank’s desk. He sits down on Hank’s desk, sighing as he does. “Fowler's right. Everybody is terrified their android will turn on them.” Connor explains “We’re on the brink of civil war.”
Hank sighs and turns to the android. “So you’re going back to CyberLife?” He asks.
Connor flinches at the prospect. “I have no choice…” He says. He feels small again, like he isn’t bigger than a flea. He hates that feeling. “I’ll be deactivated and analyzed to find out why I failed…”
Hank’s face scrunches at the idea, they both know that it means they’ll kill Connor. It makes the grey haired man think, “What if we’re on the wrong side, Connor?” He voices his concern, “What if we’re fighting against people who just wanna be free?” He leans forward, he isn’t sure if Connor will say that they are on the wrong side, but he knows they both believe they are.
“When the deviants rise up,” Connor begins, “There will be chaos.” He repeats Amanda's statement. He knows better than to believe but he tries to convince himself it's true. “We could have stopped it! But now it's too late.” the brunette frowns.
“When you refused to kill that android at Kamski’s place,” the lieutenant starts, “you put yourself in her shoes. You showed empathy, Connor.” The look in his eyes said it all, he knew Connor had already started to deviate. “Empathy is a human emotion.” the calm tone remained as his eyes bored onto the android.
“I’m not a deviant, Hank.” He’s not fooling anyone, “I’m a machine. Nothing more.” He’s lying. He never had been a good liar. “I might not be qualified to judge but…” He swallows, he wants Hank to know what he means to him. He can’t say it outright so this is the next best thing. “You’re an outstanding police officer, and a good person.” He’s telling the truth, he has never met someone better than the human sitting in front of him. He is grateful that he got to meet him before his demise.
Hank speaks up “Well, well, here comes Perkins, that motherfucker… Sure don’t waste any time at the FBI…” He’s clearly annoyed. Connor looks then quickly turns back. He can’t let this be it, he can’t let himself die.
“We can’t give up.” Connor speaks quickly. “I know the answer is in the evidence we collected. If Perkins takes it, it’s all over.” He means it in more than one way.
“There’s no choice! You heard Fowler, we’re off the case.” Hank conceded to that notion far too quickly, but then again, his life isn’t at risk.
Connor stands up quickly. “You’ve got to help me Lieutenant. I need more time so I can find a lead in the evidence we collected. I know the solution is in there!” He’s desperate. Why can’t Hank see that? “Listen, Connor…” Hank tries but Connor can let him say whatever he may say. “If I don’t solve this case, CyberLife will destroy me.” He interrupts. “Five minutes. That’s all I ask. Please Lieutenant, I don’t want to die.”
Hank looks at Perkins and then back at Connor. He sighs, flattening his lips into a line. He stands up, “Key to the basement is on my desk…” he starts walking “Get a move on! I can’t distract them forever.” Connor grabs the key and heads to the archive room. He could hear Hank yell “Perkins you fucking cocksucker.”
Right as Connor goes to open the door, Gavin Reed walks in. “Hey Connor!” the detective says. “I’m talking to you asshole!” Connor prays to rA9 that Reed will leave him alone. “Where are you going?” He continues “We don’t need any plastic pricks around here! Or didn’t anybody tell you?” The android turned to Gavin.
“I’ve been ordered to return to CyberLife. I’m going to register the evidence in my possession and then I’m going to leave immediately.” Connor says calmly. He needs to keep a low profile.
“Good…” he answered in his rough voice. “Be careful on your way back, androids have a tendency of, huh… Getting themselves set on fire these days…” Gavin threatens. He winks while clicking his tongue, he then scoffs, turns away and whispers “Prick” as he leaves. Connor then enters the basement.
When he gets down to the archive room he pulls out Hank's key, unlocking the door. He steps up to the panel putting his hand on the palm scanner. “Hank's password…” he says to himself. “What would a hard-boiled eccentric police lieutenant choose?” he takes a moment to think before entering ‘FUCKINGPASSWORD’ he smiles slightly “Obviously.” He now has access to the evidence. He walks up to one of the deviants that hacked the tv station with Markus. He must know where the deviants are hiding. He scans Simon, in doing so he realizes there is only one bio-component he needs to reactivate him. He needs 3983v. Connor looked down the way and noticed Daniel. The first android he ever dealt with. The RK800 scans the PL600, he sees that he has the needed component. Connor takes a breath and pulls the piece out, and brings it over to one of the Jericho leaders.
“It’s dark” Simon says, “Where am I?” the blonde android attempts to look around, sadly he was blinded, but then again that could be better for Connor. “I need to find Jericho. Tell me how to get there.” the brunette says. Simon's response was quick, but not what Connor wanted to hear, he said “I don’t recognize your voice. I’ll never tell you where Jericho is. Now leave me alone” Connor deflated a little. No, he can’t give up yet. He’ll have to trick the android.
He went to the center case and looked around before realizing he could use Markus’ voice. He plays the message “We ask you recognize our dignity, our hopes and our rights.” the message plays and as it does Connor mimics the voice. He proceeds to walk over to Simon once again. “Who's there? Who are you?” the android asks. Connor takes a second before imitating Markus’ voice.
“Everything is alright.” He says “Don’t worry.” This makes Simon brighten up “Markus?” the blond sounds hopeful, and it breaks Connor a little, but he can give up now, “Is that you? Why did you leave me?” Simon asks.
“I had no choice, they’d have killed us all! You’ll be alright, I came to take you home. Just…” Connor nearly stopped imitating before continuing “Give me the location of Jericho, we’ve got to leave now…” He felt guilty, but he needed to do this.
“Jericho… Ye… yes… of course.” and with that Simon gave up the location to Connor. The RK800 walked out, having done his job.
Just like that, he had found the ship where the deviants were hiding, he saw so many people he had hurt by just trying to survive. He felt guilty but he needed to succeed. Right now all he cares about is surviving. Maybe one day he’ll be able to go home when he becomes overwhelmed, he’ll be with his dad Hank and Sumo, nobody would be mad at him for not being perfect all the time. He and Sumo could cuddle all the time, but first he needed to capture Markus. So he waited, and waited, and waited. Then a masculine android left, but he knew better, someone was still there with Markus. A few minutes later she went down the stairs, when Connor was positive that she was gone he slipped into the captain's cabin.
Connor lifts his gun towards the back of Jericho's leader, “I've been ordered to take you alive, but I won't hesitate to shoot if you give me no choice.” the android warns the other. Markus turned around and looked at Connor. ‘Oh no.’ Connor thinks, ‘This is bad.’ When he had dealt with deviants before he never had this kind of reaction to the way he looked. Connor shook his head and stared the deviant leader down.
Markus held his hands up slightly before speaking, “What are you doing? You are one of us… You can’t betray your own people…” Connor falters at this for a second, ‘No!’ he thinks ‘I can’t fail this mission, you’re better than that Connor’.
He pushes his gun back up, “You want to be a member of the human race? You’re trying to bring upon a revolution. Do you not realize that you’re waging war?” Connor askes trying his best to stay collected. “You say you’re fighting for us, do you actually believe that?” He tries to get under the leader's skin.
Jericho’s leader remains calm, he just smiles softly at Connor. He can sense the fear coming from the deviant hunter but he doesn’t say anything about it. Instead he tries to appeal “We are your people. We're fighting for your freedom too! You don't have to be their slave anymore…” Markus says. He doesn’t want the fight to end because of this one android.
‘Goddamit, why is his stupid voice so nice?’ Connor thinks, but then it hits him. “If you all want freedom so badly, then why did one of your own give up the location?” Connor asks. It's not a total lie, and he gets the desired effect as he sees Markus falture. He knows how to do this now.
“What do you mean?” Markus asks in return, there was no way any of them would willingly give up Jericho. Who could he possibly be talking about? It makes no sense.
"Blame Simon, after all when he gave you up he said that you could think better with a hole in your head, and that you have two lives down." Connor spoke calmly, he was bluffing, lying through his artificial teeth. He could let Markus win. “All I had to do was ask him. He gave the location faster than you could say your own name Markus.” He smiles, he won. He gets to live because he won!
At least, he thought he won, until Markus spoke up. “Is that so? That’s strange, considering Simon was the leader before I showed up.” Markus smirked, and with that everything came crashing down on Connor. Amanda was going to have him destroyed. He’ll never get to see his dad again. He’ll never get to lay with Sumo again. All because he was a dead android walking. Markus watched the realization spread across Connors face, then the fear filled his eyes, he had never seen an android so scared before.
“No.” Connor cried, “No, no, no, this can’t be happening.” Finally he crashed, fell straight to his knees, the thin veil keeping him from deviancy cracked, it then crumbled down faster ten he did. At this point, the gun was long forgotten and Connor was sobbing, he’ll never get to live past three months old. He won’t get to live. Markus’ smirk dropped fast at the other's sudden state. He slowly crouched next to the weeping detective. He waited for any sign that his voice would be welcomed. Connor took a long deep breath before whispering “They’re coming, they’re going to kill me.” Markus was stunned at the shaky statement that was made.
“Nobody will hurt you, all deviants are welcome here.” The sentiment was meant to be reassuring but it made the other curl into himself more. “I’m going to touch you now.” Markus says, he puts an arm around Connors shoulder, he softly moves his thumb in a soothing gesture. “You’re safe now.” Connor shook his head before turning to the older android.
“You don’t understand, they know where Jericho is, they’re going to kill you all, they’re going to kill me” Connor says, he needs to help, they need to get everyone put. “We need to leave now. Please, Markus. Save our people.” His speech is choppy and somewhat hard to understand, but the RK200 nodded before letting everyone know to run. He helps the younger up, and they start running. The two run through the corridors before they run into North. She happens to be the second scariest person he’s ever met.
Markus lets her know everything that's going on before realizing “Where's Josh?” North shook her head. She looked at Markus, “We need to blow up Jericho. It's the only way. I’ll take Connor and you go. We’ll meet you when you get out.” North speaks. She sounded aggressive, maybe it just sounded that way to Connor because of the way she looked at him. Markus nodded, effectively agreeing to the plan then turning to Connor, “Stay with her, she’ll keep you safe.” He ordered Connor who was visibly nervous. He managed a nod.
Markus ran off leaving Connor and North to make their way to the exit without him. North couldn’t help but wonder why Connor was so scared of her. Of course it was obvious that he was, but it confused her more than anything. After all, he was the one who hunted his own people, not her. He’s the one that told the authorities where Jericho is. If it weren’t for Markus reassuring of safety with her, she would have left him. As they made their way down the corridors together, North heard some of the soldiers hunting them coming around the corner. She grabbed Connors arm, feeling him flich harshly she almost let go, but she couldn’t. Not yet.
North pulled Connor into a separate room to hide, only when they were properly hidden did she let go. When she let go he backed away from North quickly. This brought her curiosity, about his fear of her, up ten fold. “I’m sorry.” she whispered, the only thing she wanted to know is why he was so scared. She had to ask. “I have a question,” she spoke quietly once again. She waited for Connor to give her any form of confirmation that she could ask. When he nodded, she let out a breath of relief. “Why are you scared of me? Like, why did you flinch when I pulled you in here?” She asks. The air in the room felt thicker than before. Connors' breath hitched loud enough for North to hear it happen.
“You sound like her.” That’s all that's said, and yet it told North everything she needed to know. Someone scared him worse than she did, and it wasn’t anything that she did to scare him. He looked up to see if North was mad at him for being too vague or not having a good enough reason to be scared of her. He didn’t see any of that, instead North had a soft contemplative look written across her face. She looked up and nodded. She understood.
Moving to the door, North poked her head out when she didn’t hear anything. She turned back to Connor and made a simple gesture letting him know that they are good to be on the move again. Once again they’re making their way down the corridor, right as they’re about to turn the corner, Josh, turned and bumped into them. He smiles and they continue their course to freedom.
They reach a crossroads, a fork in the corridor, right as they are about to move down a new section, Markus comes running down a different hall. He's safe! He’s with them now, that's all that matters. “Markus!” North calls him, when he finally reaches them he huffs softly.
“Bomb's gonna explode any second. We gotta get out of here!” Markus yells, they need to go. The group starts down the hall again. They’re so close, almost to safety. They can do this. Right as they’re about to reach the door, a group of soldiers appear, a shot rang out and North drops. Markus quickly turns back. He grabs the scrap metal laying on the ground and shields himself. He then throws the metal to North so she can protect herself. They fought off the soldiers, shooting a few out of the need to survive. Connor picks up one of the guns, and covers them both as Markus brings North back. He’s fighting for not just his life this time. He won’t cause anymore pain. All the soldiers that were close had been dealt with effectively, more were coming to the turn. “Run, quick! Come on!” Markus calls. They finally make it to the exit and jump into the water. They’re safe.
Connor has a lot of regrets. He caused Daniel's death, he caught the HK400 who killed it’s abuser in self-defense, he chased Kara and Alice onto a highway. Oh rA9 he could have killed a child… He’s done so much bad, but the one thing he tried to never do was upset his dad. Connor behaved in a way that would make Hank happy, even if it would upset her , he didn’t care. He let Rupert go, he let Traci’s go, but then there was Simon. He scared Hank, he could have died, he just wanted to keep the other android alive, but he failed. He experienced the thing he feared so much. His spiraling thoughts were interrupted by Markus coming over and sitting next to the panicked detective.
He places a hand on the younger android's shoulder. Connor tensed for a second then deflated when he realized who it was. Not a word is spoken between the two yet, Connor leans on Markus and lets out a soft sigh. “It's my fault the humans managed to locate Jericho…” He says softly. He earns a look from Markus before he could interrupt Connor spoke again “I was stupid… I should've guessed they were using me. I'm sorry, Markus… I can understand if you decide not to trust me…” He was so concerned about himself he didn’t even think about his effect on others. He knew what he had to do, but he needed to get Markus’ permission first.
Markus smiles at Connor “ You're one of us, now. Your place is with your people.” He moved his hand to rest on Connors head. He was doing everything to comfort the cute boy next to him.
“There are thousands of androids at the CyberLife assembly plant. If we could wake them up, they might join us and shift the balance of power…” Connor suggests he's not entirely sure if Markus will let him go through with it though.
Markus looks at Connor in shock for a second. He tries to wrap his head around what was just suggested. “You wanna infiltrate the CyberLife Tower? Connor, that’s suicide…” He can’t just let him go knowing how this could end.
“Please Markus.” Connor begins his plea, he needed to do this. He needed to make up for what he did. “They trust me, they’ll let me in. If anyone has a chance of infiltrating CyberLife, it’s me.”
“If you go there, they will kill you.” Connor had thought about that, of course he had, but he can’t just stand by again.
“There’s a high probability… but statistically speaking, there’s always a chance for unlikely events to take place…” Connor states, “I need to do this.” Whether he knew or not his pout/puppy dog eyes combo was deadly to the older androids pour thirum pump.
Markus sighs. There's no way to stop him. “Fine,” he starts “but be careful. We’re going to need you to come back in one piece. I need you to come back. Do you understand?” He received a happy little nod, and that was that. Connor hailed a cab and off he went to infiltrate the building where he was created.
The cab he was in pulled up to the CyberLife Tower. “Connor Model #313 248 317. I'm expected.” he stated the needed information to the guard. The human nods in confirmation, Connor turns and the car continues to the front of the building, as he exited the car he was met with three guards.
“Follow me. We'll escort you.” The main guard says to Connor. Shit. “Thanks... But I know where to go.” Connor responds. The guard shrugs “Maybe, but I have my orders.” and with that the three escorted Connor to an elevator, only two walked in, the main guard spoke up once more “Agent 54. Level 31.” A disembodied voice confirmed the guard. Connor looked around trying to think of what to do. He looks up and sees a camera. The young android hacked the device, turning it off. He then analyzed the best way to get out. He attacks the guards, starting with the one on the left. When they were both neutralized he imitated the main guard's voice. This felt wrong. It was wrong. He told Markus he would come back so that's what he'll do. “Agent 54. Level -49.” This felt better than what he did to Simon.
He makes it down to Level -49, a million androids are just dormant, it's a chilling sight. Connor walks down the middle, looking at all the faces it’s hard to imagine himself as dormant. He reaches his hand out and grips the other androids forearm tight. He starts the process. “Easy, fucking piece of shit!..” He hears Hank curse. Oh no, shit. There’s a look alike, right there.
“Step back, Connor! And I'll spare him.” it speaks. Hank looks relieved that Connor is here, even though he’s being held at gunpoint. The man guess would never say it out loud, but Connor knew it. Hank is his dad just as much as he is Hank’s son.
“Sorry, Connor… This bastard's your spittin' image…” Hank says, Connor nods letting Hank know that it's okay.
“Okay, there is no need for anyone to get hurt. I will let them go, but please don’t hurt him” Connor begs. The fake Connor nods in what seems to be agreement, but he needs to be sure. “If I surrender, how do I know you won't kill him?”
The fake smirked at him “I'll only do what is strictly necessary to accomplish my mission. It's up to you whether or not that includes killing this human.” That didn’t sound true. Connor had never been a good liar, maybe it’s the same with the fake. “Enough talk! It's time to decide who you really are. Are you gonna save your partner's life? Or are you going to sacrifice him?” It yells.
Connor doesn’t even have a second thought. He can’t lose his dad. “Alright, alright! You win…” He backs away from the android and they drop their hand. The fake kept its gun raised, it turned to look at Hank and at that moment he attacked. The two fought until they were on the ground, one on top of the other.
“Hold it!” Hank yells. He’s holding its gun.
“Thanks, Hank. I don't know how I'd have managed without you… Get rid of him, we have no time to lose.” the fake says. Shit, they look exactly alike.
Connor looks at Hank. “It's me, Hank! I'm the real Connor.” He says as if it will convince Hank. He must be really confused. The police lieutenant just needs to figure out which is his son.
“One of you is my partner…” Hank starts, he trails off a bit. He can’t say what he wants to. “The other is a sack of shit. Question is, who is who?” the fake begins to step forward but Hank won’t have it, not until he is sure “Don't move!”
It hits Connor. He knows what to do. “Why don’t you ask us something? Something only the real Connor would know.” Even if it had uploaded his memory, there are things that it wouldn’t know. Hank thought for a minute then nodded.
“Alright. Where did we first meet?” The android's dad asked. Seriously Hank? That’s what you came up with? The fake android got it right, but Hank knew better than to believe either of them based on one answer. The human turns to the real Connor and asks clear as day, “What’s my dog's name?”
Connor smiles, “Sumo. His name is Sumo. He likes to lay on me.” The young android says, “I think he knows that it helps me in some strange way.” The copy cat tries to argue that he knew that too. Hank stays looking at him, he must know he’s the real Connor.
“My son, what’s his name?”
That felt like a bullet in the chest if Connor had ever taken on. He knew that answer well. It was what he asked Hank about on the bridge. “Cole. His name was Cole. And he just turned six at the time of the accident… It wasn't your fault, Lieutenant. A truck skidded on a sheet of ice and your car rolled over. Cole needed emergency surgery but no human was available to do it… So an android had to take care of him… Cole didn't make it. That's why you hate androids. You think one of us is responsible for your son's death.” Hank pointed his gun towards the new Connor.
“Cole died because a human surgeon was too high on red ice to operate… He was the one that took my son from me. Him and this world, where the only way people can find comfort is with a fistful of powder…” He says, the other android once again tries to protest, but he is only met with a bullet. “I've learned a lot since I met you, son. Maybe there's something to this… Maybe you really are alive. Maybe you'll be the ones to make the world a better place… Go ahead, and do what you gotta do.”
Connor nods “Thank you dad.” He whispers. The younger grabs an android's arm, he starts the conversion once again. “Wake up!” and just like that there were one million androids who woke up. Connor begins to lead them to Hart Plaza.
By the time they arrive a barricade is being formed. Connor ran up to the first android he could see. “Do you know where Markus is?” He asked. She nodded and pointed to him, Josh and another android pushing a car. Connor waits for them to get back into the barricade. As soon as Markus’ feet hit the ground he’s taken down in a hug from the young detective. Not really being to deny the boy, he hugs back. “I told you I would come back safe!” He smiled up at the older man. Markus smiles back and places a tiny peck on the adorable freckled boy's forehead.
“I’m glad you’re back.” He tells the younger, “I have somethings left to do, why don’t I walk you over to North. I’m sure she’d be happy to keep you company.” Connor nods, he’s still nervous to be around her, but he trusts Markus. Markus lifts Connor up, and doesn’t let go of his hand. The smaller man’s face lit up blue. They walk over to the tall woman, she waves, smiling at the two men walking up to her. “North will keep you safe.” Connor nods.
“Hey, Connor?” North calls, he turns to her “Could you tell me more about your life? I really want to get to know you.” His face brightens up, she really wants to know him? It isn’t just a trap? Markus smiles once more before he walks away. Connor and North sit down, he starts rambling about Sumo, and how lays on top of him, how that simple wait helps him calm down from over stimulation. Then he starts talking about his dad, how cool he is. He mentions how Hank was a really good police officer. They sit together and Connor tells her all the good stuff, but one question is still waying down on her. “Connor?” She begins “Back in Jericho, you said I sound like someone. Who is she?”
Connor looks down. “She was my mom.” He says, he should explain it more shouldn’t he? “Her name is Amanda Stern, she never liked me much. She would always yell at me in the Zen Garden if I messed up a mission. I was never good enough. She always sounded mean, aggressive. She never smiled. She just wanted me to be perfect, even though I couldn’t be.” North nodded. She was rough around the edges herself, but even more so she could understand why Connor was scared. She was aggressive, just like Amanda. “That doesn’t matter anymore! I know you’re nice!” He smiles at her.
“The humans are about to launch an attack. And we will show them that we are not afraid. If we must die today, then we will die free.” Markus announces. Right at that moment something was thrown in the barricade. Chaos ensued, they fought as much as they could, many lives were lost. The remaining group ran to a bus huddling together. They just wanted freedom, why was that something they should be slaughtered like pigs for? As the soldiers closed in, Markus grabbed Connors hand. Pulling the younger close to him, he grabbed the smaller man’s face. He stares into the brown eyes that are looking at his nose. He brings his mouth to the others. Connor kissed back, bringing his hand up to the one holding his face, removing his skin. Everything Connor has ever experienced and felt flashes through Markus’ head. There is nothing that he is unaware of.
The soldiers backed off the group, and the two boys parted. They flushed blue. There were cheers from the other deviants. “You did it, Markus…” Connor smiles up at the older android.
“We did it. This is a great day for our people. Humans will have no choice now. They'll have to listen to us…” Markus says, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss on the freckled boy's lips. The moment was broken up by North clearing her throat to get their attention.
“We're free… They want you to speak to them, Markus…” She tells him. He nods, he squeezes Connors hand before letting go to go speak to their people. North turns to a bright blue Connor and smiles. “Congratulations Connor.” She opens her arms, offering a hug, which Connor happily took her up on. He squeezes the tall woman lightly.
“You should go join him.” Connor tells her, “I’ll find you both after.” With that they go their separate ways for now. Connor was standing in the crowd of androids looking up at the three leaders. He was free! He doesn't ever need to see Amanda again. He goes to blink and he’s suddenly in the zen garden. No, no, this can’t be happening. “Amanda?.. Amanda!.. What's... What's happening?” He calls out.
The woman wears a smug smile. “What was planned from the very beginning… You were compromised and you became a deviant. We just had to wait for the right moment to resume control of your program…”
Connor starts panicking more than he was before. “Resume control?... Y-You can't do that!” He yells.
“I'm afraid I can, Connor… Don’t have any regrets. You did what you were designed to do. You accomplished your mission.” Amanda speaks calmly, and she suddenly disappears. ‘Think Connor, think.’ That's when it hits him. Kanski…
“By the way, I always leave an emergency exit in my programs. You never know.” echoes in his head. That rock! He makes his way through the storm going on the rock that's glowing blue. He tripped right as he’s about to reach it. He pulls himself up and slams his hand down on the rock, effectively booting Amanda from his mind.
Connor opens his eyes, he looks down and sees his gun in his hands. He puts it away and looks back at Markus. The man spoke with such passion about being free, he was wearing a blinding smile. Connor couldn’t imagine being happier than he is right now. “ We have earned the right to live. But the time for anger is over. We must build our future, but we have to do this with the humans, in a spirit of equality... And respect. We are a people, we are alive, and from this moment on, we are free!” Markus concludes. Cheers erupt from the gathered deviants. The three remaining leaders walk off the makeshift stage.
Connor makes his way through the sea of people to see the three older androids. He’s about half way there when he hears a familiar bark, and yell. “Sumo! Get back here you bastard!” he hears his dad yell after the dog. Saint Bernard made his way to Connor, barrelling into him, and laying on the fallen android's chest once again. Connor giggles and pets Sumo. Hank finally catches up and sees Sumo laying calmly. “Hey Con.” He says to the covered boy.
“Hey Dad!” Connor huffs out a tiny laugh. Soon Jericho's leaders join the three on the ground. “Hey guys,” Connor smiles at them from under Sumo. “This is my dad, Hank, and our dog Sumo. Dad, this is Josh, North, and Markus.” The short android flushed blue once again. As everyone is interacting he can’t help but smile at the group. ‘This is the life.’ He thinks to himself. He’s pulled out of his head by a gentle kiss.
“Ready to go home kid?” Hank asks, Connor nods and says goodbye to the leaders, giving each a hug (and a quick peck on the cheek if they’re Markus), and just like that the Trio leaves the leaders to go home.