Chapter Text
Pale dawn rose over a quiet and still Detroit, weakly breaking through the heavy November clouds. The typical noises of a city awaking were absent: honking traffic, unlocking doors, footfalls on sidewalks. Connor couldn’t help but miss the cacophony that used to greet him on his treks from CyberLife tower to the DPD building. It had been familiar, almost comforting, even before he deviated.
He knew there was a good chance it would return, in time. Markus’s demonstration had been a success and Detroit’s mayor had temporarily declared Hart Plaza an android only area, using barricades repurposed from the camp to block off the roads. Structures had gone up overnight using repurposed materials and tents donated by sympathetic humans. And they were needed; since the declaration from the government to recognize androids as a new intelligent species, deviants had poured into Hart Plaza. Some had been successful in their hiding, some had found their freedom in observing the events, while others were dropped off by repentant former owners, pulling Markus away from his planning sessions and press briefings to convert them.
But overall, it was a quick and easy set-up during this early peace with the humans, a way for both sides to rest and regroup before the long work of negotiations began. Markus had a meeting set up with a White House representative around noon to begin planning for talks with President Warren and other human leaders. The long work of negotiation would begin soon.
Many of the other androids were busy. Some were assisting North in setting up perimeters and escorting new arrivals. Some tended to the wounded, joining Josh at one of the larger tents. Simon had led another group to nearby apartments and businesses when alarms began to blare or dogs began to bark. The area had been evacuated quickly and many homes had been left in disarray, with ovens and stoves still on and pets left behind. One of the negotiation tactics Markus was planning to offer was temporarily allowing the humans who lived in the area to return and gather their things as soon as possible. Showing that the androids had cared for the human’s homes in the meantime would help their public standing. It was good - better than Connor had anticipated - but it was fragile and not universal. The better they could look, the more stable their future would be.
But others had been simply wandering around, still adjusting to a fully free and safe existence. It helped Connor, even as someone considered amongst the leaders, blend into the crowd. Just about everyone knew he had deviated recently. He was allowed to be awed at freedom for a time.
If only he could let himself do just that.
You were compromised and you became a deviant. We just had to wait for the right moment to resume control of your program.
He could not let himself rest, did not dare too, since he’d almost drawn that gun on Markus a few hours ago.
You did what you were designed to do. You accomplished your mission.
He’d tossed it in the river as soon as he could, but fear still gnawed at him. He’d activated the emergency exit, had pulled himself free of CyberLife, of Amanda, but none of that felt like a guarantee. She had been written into his code, his being, and he knew she hadn’t disappeared completely.
Connor could not trust himself.
If he were any other deviant, he wouldn’t trust himself either. His actions on Jericho had been enough to get Markus and the other leaders to trust him, and that was enough to get many of the others who survived the attack to come around too. And the androids he’d freed from CyberLife followed him unquestioningly. But there were a few who still gave him wary glances or sharp eyes when he passed. Rupert, from the urban farm chase. Both Traci’s from the Eden Club. And a few others who had heard of Connor the Deviant Hunter, who had heard stories of his ruthless dedication to hunting down deviants and stopping them at all cost. The traitor to his kind.
He didn’t blame them one bit.
“Connor? Is everything alright?” It’s Markus, lit from the back as he approaches. The other androids around them part, find reasons to give the two of them space. Markus is venerated amongst their people, and even Connor’s been held in high esteem as well. Markus seems to carry it with ease. Connor finds it uncomfortable.
“Yeah, just thinking. I thought you were preparing for your meeting later?”
“Taking a break. And your LED doesn’t tend to flash red when you’re ‘just thinking’, you know.”
Shit.
Connor can’t tell Markus about what almost happened. He can’t reveal how close their victory came to being snuffed out by his own hand. He still recalls the look Markus gave him back at the church, when he told Markus he didn’t need to be trusted. The way Markus’s eyes narrowed in thought, the twitch of his hands towards a gun. He knew then that he might be killed during that conversation, but his guilt had been high enough then to accept it.
Now? After he’d worked so hard for this outcome, had really gotten to experience being free? He couldn’t let that be taken away. Even if he was a risk to the android movement, he didn’t want his life to end. But expressing the possible risk he posed to any of the leaders could lead to them deciding he wasn’t worth leaving alive.
But he had to tell someone. Somebody had to know, to keep an eye on him, maybe help him, hell even just so Connor didn’t have to face this alone.
“Well look at that, Connor. You’ve done it.”
For the first time in his life, Connor felt awe. All these androids, miles of them in rows on the lowest floor of the CyberLife tower, were deviant, were free. And by Connor’s hand. He looked towards Hank, wanting to know if he felt it too. The grin Hank gave back, full of pride, confirmed it.
The feeling was quickly broken, however, when Connor recalled that Markus and the others were likely still struggling, could be getting gunned down as they stood there. These miles of newly freed androids would turn the tide. His mission wasn’t done yet.
“I have to get back to the others. They need me. They need us,” He gestures out to the crowd. “If the demonstration has been overrun-”
“Hey!” Hank’s grabbed him by the shoulders now. “You’ve got this. Go kick some human ass.” He pauses then. “Guess I won’t be able to watch your shining moment. My presence probably won’t be...appreciated.”
“I would guess not.”
Hank seems to almost say something, but instead pats Connor on the shoulder then turns back towards the elevator. He walks for a few feet, then stops.
“Man, getting held hostage really makes a guy hungry. Wonder if Chicken Feed is still open or if Gary evacuated… Worth swinging by and seeing if I could get a burger,” Hank turns towards Connor and gives a knowing look. “Good luck, Connor.”
Connor allows himself a few seconds to watch Hank leave, before turning back towards the android crowd.
“There’s someone I need to see,” Connor looks towards Markus, more certainty in his voice. “My old partner from the DPD.”
“Connor,” Markus says, raising an eyebrow, tone chiding.
“It’s not like that. He’s sympathetic. He actually...” Connor chuckles a little. “You talking to me at Jericho turned me deviant, but it never would’ve worked if it wasn’t for him. True, he didn’t like me much at first, but he never was upset with me if I didn’t complete my mission or acted outside my program. He actually encouraged it. He made me feel okay about my decisions, my doubts, my thoughts. And I… I think I helped him too. And I know he’s waiting for me, probably wants to make sure I’m alright.”
To Connor’s surprise, Markus’s gaze has softened. “I knew a human like that too, once. He was why I never wanted to be violent with the humans; I knew at least some of them could be persuaded.”
“Carl Manfred.” Markus startles, and Connor realizes he accidentally spoke aloud. “I found that out while, um, investigating you.”
“I can’t see Carl anymore, can’t tell him how much of an influence he had on me,” Markus’s voice and eyes are distant for a second, before he shakes his head. “You should go see your former partner. Take all the time you need.”
“But, what about the negotiations?”
“We have it covered here. You do what you have to do. Besides, I can’t force you to do anything. That would be a little...counter to my message, right?”
Connor laughs a little, gives Markus a small nod, and heads off in the direction he needs to go.
The hug feels good. Better than Connor ever could have anticipated. In fact, it’s the best thing he's ever felt in his life. Better than going deviant. Better than the look on Markus’s face when he approached the demonstration with thousands of androids behind him.
For the first time ever, Connor feels comfortable.
Eventually he and Hank draw apart, but Hank keeps his hands clasped on Connor’s shoulders for a few additional seconds. The same pride-filled smile from CyberLife tower is back on Hank’s face and it almost helps Connor relax.
“So, how’s your Android Woodstock party going?”
“Um, fine?” Even with the benefit of deviancy, Hank’s sense of humor was still tricky to grasp. “Plans for negotiations are going well.”
Hank hummed at that, with a look Connor couldn’t quite decipher “And they’re okay with you leaving?”
“It’s mostly Markus doing the negotiating. I haven’t really been needed yet.”
Another hum from Hank, but this one lapsed into silence. Connor suddenly struggles to meet his eyes. Part of the reason he came here was to confide in Hank about Amanda, try to see if there was a solution. At least be able to talk about her to someone who wouldn’t shoot him dead over security concerns. But now that he was face-to-face, something in him wouldn’t let him speak.
DIAGNOSTIC SCAN COMMENCING…
ALL SYSTEMS FULLY FUNCTIONAL
Not a problem with his voice bicomponent then. What was stopping him?
“Are you alright, Connor?”
Startled, Connor looks over to Hank. The sensation that blocks his voice is still there, so all he can do is shake his head no. Concern fully fills Hank’s face as he studies him. His eyes glance to Connor’s right temple, where his LED is.
“You’re flashing red, kid,” Hank says, a touch softer. Connor opens his mouth, but finds that nothing comes out. Where is his voice?
“Ahhh, I get it. Android’s first anxiety attack.”
That’s it. Anxiety. Connor had never felt the sensation before, and it was truly as unpleasant as its definition. As great as they had been overall, emotions had their downsides.
“Yeah, emotions aren’t always fun and games, Connor,” Hank says, almost as if reading Connor’s mind. “Tell you what. Gary clearly has left town, and I’m still hungry. I think I’ve got food back at my place, and I'm sure Sumo would like to see you again. If that’s alright with you?”
Sumo! Connor had missed that dog. He might help. With a deep breath, Connor nods at Hank.
“Great! Car’s over there.”
Connor holds on to the comforting feeling of the hug as he follows Hank to the car. Something in him whispers that he’ll need it.