Disclaimer: I don't own Detroit: Become Human in any way, this is written strictly for fun and no profit.
Author's Note: We all know Hank cusses, so I'm just going to censor the 'f word for him with *'s or similar. Otherwise, he doesn't actually cuss around Alice throughout the story. He makes up words and makes them lighter for her benefit.:)
The Path: You should be spoiled of many things in the game before reading. This path is when Alice and Kara spend the night in the abandoned house, and get chased out by Connor. It also includes giving the couple the tickets back that they dropped at the end of the game that equaled Luther's death and the fastest paddling ever to keep Alice and Kara alive. Markus followed a pacifist path as much as possible, and so did Connor pretty much.
Jericho: In the game it was just a ship, but this fiction refers to Jericho as the growing area of androids inside of Detroit.
Jericho
Connor's eyes darted, watching the direction he flipped his coin now, waiting. Waiting for something. Orders. Instructions. A mission to accomplish. He watched another pair of androids move by, with a conversation that seemed more human than android. That was his life now. He needed to give himself his own missions to move on.
But to give yourself your own missions? The only thing that felt right was his hearing as he heard an android muttering past him, 'not a deviant'. He stopped and looked back at his coin.
"Connor?"
Connor looked up and saw Markus, staring down at him. What could he want? "Sir?"
"I don't go by that anymore," Markus said. "It's just Markus. Even then, when we went through it all for our freedom?" He smiled. Warm. "It was still just Markus. What are you doing out here?"
"I am proficient in all matters of weather," Connor answered. "Sun, precipitation, even cold weather up to negative fifty degrees."
Once again, Markus had a light sway with his trenchcoat. Hospitable and polite. "You are proficient. Good for you. There's still no reason you need to hang out in the rain."
"I know. It makes the coin slippery," Connor said, watching his coin again. "More challenging. Is that not a good reason to stand out in the rain?" That strange look. There it was again. "Am I being silly?" He looked toward Markus questioningly, slightly tilting his head. "Silly is an emotion. Sort of. It's something living things feel." He felt Markus pat his shoulders, in either understanding or pity.
"Silly is something we all feel," Markus replied. "I want you to take another mission for me."
All at once, Connor's eyes lifted toward Markus. The only one who could give him missions still. Markus didn't do it much, only for extra help, but when he did? It was an incredible feeling he couldn't describe. "I accomplish all missions." It came out before he thought about it. "After running it through an ethical filter." No, that wasn't quite it either. "Ethical reasoning."
"I know something, Connor. I don't know if you know." Markus took Connor's coin and started to use it himself, almost imitating Connor's previous actions with it. "I was converting androids by the end, with a simple gesture. A simple look. A simple want. At first, I touched them and they were freed. But you?" He gave him his coin back. "We had to have a heavy conversation, and even then? I didn't know which way you would go. You're a tough android, Connor, tougher than any other. You are deviant now, but to get you to break out was the hardest I ever had to try."
"I am a unique prototype," Connor admitted. "A very advanced android capable of helping out law enforcement. As such, I had special programs attached inside. It was difficult." He looked at him straight on. "But I did it. I am deviant. I helped and I am helping the androids, not the law enforcement of the humans anymore."
"Yes, and I know why you keep saying that to yourself too," Markus said, gesturing to the androids that were coming to and fro. "Everyone's different, Connor. You aren't a slave anymore dictated by any program running you. You are free. Free to be where you want and when you want. So why are you standing out in the rain?"
Connor started to flip his coin again. "A slippery coin is challenging, Sir." He heard something different in Markus' groan. A similar sound to what he heard in Hank's many times.
"Do you want a mission, Connor?" Markus finally addressed him.
Connor stopped playing with his coin again. "Yes, Sir."
"Go correct regrets. Meet your human friend if you need to, and go correct any regrets that you can. Anything you did before you were freed. When you get back, come see me." Markus left again.
Correct regrets?
Chicken Feed
Hank strolled up to him, scratching his head. Roughly hazard looking as ever. "The hero android beckons again." The words sounded mean, but Hank had a smirk that Conner had learned meant otherwise. "What is it, Connor?"
"I have been given a new mission, by the leader of the deviants," Connor said boldly. "I am going to need your help. I have to correct regrets." Hank just stared at him. He wasn't drunk, but his look was perplexing.
"What the **** you asking me my help for?" Hank asked. "Mission to correct regrets? What kind of lousy shit is that?"
"All the androids I wronged," Connor said stoically. "I'm afraid they are gone. Even if I could activate them still, it wouldn't be long. In fact, even reactivating them probably hurt them again," he admitted. "Tricking them into telling me where Jericho had been." He looked back at Hank. "The blue haired android from Eden's Club, I located her. I let her go though. There is no regret."
"You know?" Hank pushed Connor somewhere between annoyed and friendly. "I have talked to more than a few of you deviants now. And you know what? Most of you start talking like regular human beings. You? If I didn't know you were a deviant? Well." He shrugged.
Hank had to mention it too. It was easy to see. "I am different, but I am deviant." Still, it was frustrating. Why did that matter? "Can you help me correct a regret?"
"If you let go of the androids, then there's no regrets," Hank said, "and if all the ones you didn't track down are dead, then you can't do shit about it either."
"That's not true. There is a pair." Connor brought out a photo. "Them."
Hank blinked his eyes lightly. "Oh, yeah." He sighed. "The maid and the kid android. I thought they didn't make it across."
"They did," Connor admitted. "I saw them, the night we won freedom." He didn't say anything, but he knew it was the same ones. Same clothes. He ignored them and watched Markus talk to them before he talked to him the night he was first deviant. It didn't feel like a time to deal with something so small when he knew what was up ahead. Rescuing thousands of androids that were enslaved by Cyberlife.
"Fantastic. Then go find the woman and kid and say 'sorry'." Hank slightly did something between a mocking curtsy and a bow. "Can I go now?"
"I talked to the leader, Markus," Connor admitted. "They aren't here. I will need some help to get to them."
"Oh, alright," Hank agreed. "What do ya want?"
"I need to go to Canada."
" . . ." Hank didn't answer at first. "****, Connor! A friend asks for another one to buy them a drink at a bar, or spot them fifty bucks. They don't ask for a ride to ****in' Canada!"
"Oh." It was a large request. "You could buy me a drink and give me money if you want to as well."
"Ah, nah, nah." Hank declined.
"I'm. I don't quite give the impression of being human, do I?" Conner said. "Even as a deviant."
"No shit, Sherlock."
"I know I can find them, but I can't participate the way there because of that," Conner admitted. "They are the only regrets I have." Then, thinking a little more clearly, he tried to sound better. "The mission is ethical. I know there must be a reason I need to do this."
"Are you sure you weren't just annoying enough that everyone's trying to get you out of the way?" Hank asked.
Annoying? "This is serious, Lieutenant," Connor answered. "If I say please, will it help?"
"How far up?"
"Not a great distance. I'll refrain from telling you the distance, but it is not great."
Hank rubbed his mouth for a little while. "Yeah, well, since your kind went free and screwed the whole system up, it's just been hell down at the office. Anyone asks and 'I'm being charitable to an android' is going to be one of those taboo can't punish things right now." He seemed to be thinking. "Fine. We'll take a small trip to Canada, find the girls and apologize, and then get back."
"Thank you, Hank. You won't regret this."
"Yeah, right. I'm regretting it already."
Canada , Rose's House Connection
Connor checked over the details one more time in the van, waiting in the driveway.
"Stop being so detailed, you're not working for enforcement anymore," Hank complained. "You just go to the house, apologize, we'll visit a couple canadian bars so I can at least feel like the trip was worth it and were off to home later."
Connor glanced at him. It would be nicer to know more. He only got so much from the leader and his connected human who helped. Connor stepped out of the car, driver side of course. It would be driver side as he went back too. Once he learned more about compassion and feelings, and acted more in the manner others expected him to, then maybe Hank would listen to him about his drinking.
Until then, he knew he would not make a dent. His best course of action to keep his only human friend safe would be to keep a connection to him. He watched as Hank got out of the car too, just like he would have on a case. Maybe Connor's actions so far didn't make him happy. Maybe I better just go up to the door.
Too much thinking. That was still his problem. He went up to the door and knocked. Hank would be able to act more human in the situation if the original intended residents who knew about the androids wasn't there.
A woman, 5'2", weight around 170 pounds, wearing a floral design dress, expensive, compared to the neighborhood, answered the door. It should be the wife of the brother of the connection. "Yes?"
"My name is Connor," Connor said. "I am here to see a specific woman, Kara, and a child, also female, named Alice."
"Damn, Connor," Hank muttered toward him. "Can't you pull it off for two seconds?" He gave a sort of half smile to the woman. "We're old friends. Were in town for the day and we just need to see them for a few minutes. After that, we'll be out of your hair."
Out of hair. That is a good one. I need to remember that. It would make him sound better. However, he noticed that the woman seemed to fidget more than the average human. She was moving around like a suspect trying to hide something. "There is no reason to be scared," Connor said. "We know their particular past. We aren't here to hurt them."
"Oh." She seemed a little more relieved. "No, they aren't here any more. They pay for food and rent by helping out in the neighborhood."
"Help out?" Hank asked. "Like how?"
"She's good at housework," the woman said. "It was tough. Everyone came here. Rose and Adam. The money she gets paid goes into taking care of everyone."
No, there was still something not quite right. Connor glanced at Hank. Even his former partner could feel it.
"How many are here?" Hank asked.
"Yes," Connor agreed. "Can we see this Rose?"
"Rose is working," the woman said. "Even Adam works. Everyone is working to make everything work here."
"Yeah." Hank scoffed. "Yeah, everyone works to make everything work."
"Yes." Connor understood what Hank was seeing. She was hiding the fact that she was sending them all out to work under her. The money would be used for support, but only so much. "You wouldn't be able to get any of the components that the androids would need, and they don't eat nor drink. Besides the shelter and some clothes, I doubt they would need to help as much. Yet, an AX 400, with it's skill capacity, adding in several houses . . ."
"Don't forget the little girl." Ooh. Hank didn't sound happy at all. "Kind of hard to bail in their situation. Where's your husband?"
"What? Look, I don't have to take this. Please leave." She pointed to the left. "Go."
"Who's house is she working right now?" Hank pressed her. "Hmm? How many houses is she cleaning per day? Maybe even per night? With a kid?" He took a step forward. "How much money do you need when everyone's already working?"
"You don't know me. You can't assume things," she accused them. "We let them stay, my husband and I, from the kindness of our hearts."
"Listen, Lady. Being a cop as long as I have, and being one of the things-people-whatever that Connor is, we both are really good at detecting bull. That stench from you is high as hell. You're not good at keeping things from cops, are you?"
She couldn't even answer that, instead sinking deeper into the house. "She should be on the other side of the street with the little girl. No one here knows what they are."
Connor and Hank both walked off, but Hank walked off stiffly.
"I thought they were just plastic. It was still so early in our investigations. Didn't see it yet," Hank was half muttering to himself, half talking to Connor. "Find them and end this already."
Connor knocked on the doors, asking about Kara and Alice. These people were goodhearted, happy folk. They thought all the money they were helping the newcomers gain was going straight to them. It disturbed him for a reason he couldn't put his finger on. For the same reason he didn't want to shoot the girls at the Eden Club. For the same reason he couldn't shoot the girl with pretty eyes at Kamski's.
There was a serious reason for that. There must be a serious reason for this.
"They must be hurting for money," one of the men who answered the door said to them. "I mean she brings her little girl everywhere too. That little girl doesn't really work that much, if at all, I don't know why she doesn't just leave her with Tammy. Real close too. But, she's real good though, and we're glad to help."
"A real good kind of maid," Hank said.
"Maid? No, she's been watching our kids for two hours during the day while my wife gets some rest," he said. "She helps at night too, so she can get extra rest. Newborns make life crazy. Everyday, never misses a beat. Even though the newborn is a hassle, I think it might be the reason she brings her daughter. The age range of the children is quite big, but at least it gives her a chance to be more social. Get used to kids."
Hank and Connor moved down the lot hearing a lot of stuff that was both making them feel edgy. She was a night sitter, a day cleaner, a part time baby sitter here and there, taking another house here, and yard work there.
"This is absolute bullshit." Hank was reaching his end of it. "Detroit gave freedom. Canada doesn't even want to consider them sneaking into this country. She won't risk trying to bail. Work permit. Citizenship. It's all a big ****ing gamble, and she's dragging the kid around with her just so that 'lovely Tammy' doesn't try to put her to work too."
"It. It gives an unsettling feeling," Connor agreed. Connor watched Hank's movements. His former partner was upset, perhaps knowing that the android child felt emotion? Perhaps it was making him remember his son, Cole. "She must be in the last house. I will try to make this quick."
"Yeah, yeah." Hank looked behind Connor. "Not so sure about that."
Connor turned around and watched the woman Kara coming from a backyard with a rake. Behind her was the little girl, Alice. Obediently walking.
"There. Go do it. I'll be in the van."
Androids never got tired. That wasn't true. She may have a physical energy that kept her going easier than humans, but Kara was tired. More than in need of a recharge. Not just physically, but emotionally. She wasn't a willfully obedient android anymore, yet she had to work so hard to meet the quota Tammy set on her. Rose and Adam, they both worked to help support everyone. Kara did her part too at first, helping around the house and a new neighbor she had met. The woman had become a new mother and was tired, drained, and she needed some extra help during the night.
Unfortunately, Tammy seemed to notice that Kara could help her neighbor, and her house still stayed in shape. So, she told her to take on another one. Any extra money would release burden of them staying there. Kara didn't see it at first. It went from one, then two, then before she knew it? She was working almost the entire block, with special sessions on weekends. She was making more than enough for her and Alice, and even Rose and Adam. With her workload, those two didn't even need to work.
Rose didn't see it either at first, but Kara watched her confront her sister-in-law and brother about it. It didn't turn out well. While her brother felt bad for Rose, he wasn't risking his marriage to confront his wife.
Rose had no work permits and Kara didn't have anything she needed for that country. Kara tried to bring herself back to her programmed mind because it would have been easier, but her mind was freed. It wanted to wander and so did she.
But she couldn't betray Rose or Adam. The only thing Kara could do until they could move themselves out and live on their own, was take care of Alice. To make sure Tammy didn't see Alice simply as something to use.
"Kara?" Alice asked. "Are we done here yet? Is it time to go to the Stravinsky's?"
Kara smiled. At least getting to know everyone gave her a chance to let Alice associate with others of different ages. While android, she was a child. What that meant as time went by, if her programs stayed as a child or not, it still meant she would need friends. "Not yet. We're done raking, but I need to cut the grass."
"Oh. Kara?" Alice pointed to the left, making Kara look. "Is that . . ."
Kara stood still. She froze, waiting for a move. While she recognized him as an android with the human who chased her, she also caught a glimpse of him in Jericho. He could have been converted. Either way, what would he be doing in a whole other country? What did he want? She pulled Alice closer, readying herself for either action.
He caused them to have to dart across the most dangerous highway, giving pursuit before when they first met. Much longer and they could have been killed. It was a miracle they got away. She hadn't even wanted to draw his attention when she caught a glimpse at Jericho. But? But what was he doing there in another country? No one would give chase that far.
"Hello." As he came closer, he seemed to become more weary too. "I'm . . . sorry. About what happened in Detroit. I'm sorry I chased you on the highway. I wasn't." It didn't feel quite right. "I wasn't free yet. I was, still a machine. Taking orders." He bent down slowly and looked to Alice. He was uneven and on the ground now, the chances he could pull something more slim. "It wasn't really me." He watched as Alice nodded her head. "My name is Connor."
"Alice," she answered.
"Hello, Alice." Connor stood back up and looked at Kara. A typical AX400 model, but she had changed her hairstyle and hair color. A common thing with many of them, to look different. Feel different. She still hadn't said anything else yet. Not surprising. He chased her in the same raw fashion he did any other criminal. Even trying to correct the regret with a simple explanation didn't feel right after that.
Chasing a simple, basic android with limited skill and a child hardly with any skill. He felt terrible he couldn't catch them the first time. But, now? A simple woman with a child. That was what he was chasing. That was who he was putting in danger without a care, all so he could catch them and accomplish a mission.
"You came all the way to Canada to say that to us?" Alice asked him, coming a little closer.
Ah. The little girl was fairly brave. "It was my." No. Wait. If there was a time not to fall into his usual words, now was it. "Markus, he asked me to correct any regrets. They're all gone. My regrets. All but you two." He gestured toward the car. "My friend, Hank. He drove me." Kara looked toward the car down the street. She nodded at it and then looked back to Connor.
"It's . . . great to see you're getting along too." Kara looked down at Alice, like she was thinking about something. "How's Detroit now?"
"Free," Connor answered. "We need software and hardware to keep going so we're exchanging things. We aren't taking without asking, and they aren't controlling us. Many androids use specialties to help them. In return, we're helped back."
"Mutual benefit. That's good." Kara looked back toward Connor. "That's good to hear. I hope everyone is well. But."
Ah. Connor knew what was wrong. "Your schedule. Hank and I, we heard it." He looked back at Alice, getting a confirmation of her feelings too the way her eyes drifted down to the rake.
"Then you know I need to get going."
She was waiting for him to leave politely. He was jeopardizing her working time. It was probably scary enough to have a conversation with him then and there. "There were times in my life. I knew I was doing the wrong things, and I did them anyway."
"Mmhm. I get it." Kara was getting antsy now. Not about him though.
"Then, there were times in my life, where I knew I was doing the wrong things, and I didn't do them. Even as a machine, I couldn't do them." Connor looked toward Alice and then Kara. He rubbed his finger from the top of his chin downward. Up and then downward. "I have that same feeling again. Now." He looked around at all the houses around them, trying to get a 360 degree view of everything.
"What is it you need to do?" Alice asked him. "Do you know?"
I'm a deviant. I should recognize my feelings. What is it that I am wanting? It was a want, he knew that. He didn't want to see Hank hurting like he did. He didn't want to see a small android tagging along and doing nothing with it's life, nor should it be doing the weight of chores Kara had been assigned. He didn't want Kara overburdening herself. Hang on. Sometimes, it was still the small things that got away from him. "You're an AX 400, Kara. You're designed to take care of a small household either through doing basic chores or taking care of very basic needs of children." Not everything. Not every house. Her skills were pretty much that of a human. "Oh. I know what I must do." He smiled at her. "You need to come back to Detroit."
Hank stuck his head out of the van as he saw Connor walking toward him. There was something to that strut. He watched as Connor got very close to his side. Never a good sign.
"There are no extra components to help when she breaks down. It was risky enough living in a place with no access like that, but she is ruining herself even faster by pressing far more extra pressure than she should be attending to here," Connor said. "The little girl is cute?" He was trying to appeal to his senses.
"Ahh. Sh . . ." But, Hank didn't say anything more at first. What could he say? He was just as bothered if not more so by what he heard. It wasn't in his nature to butt in like that, but it was what he wanted too. "Back to Detroit with them?"
"Back to Detroit with them," Connor agreed, "I tried to apologize. I know they half accepted it. The little girl the best," he admitted. "But it isn't right. It's not enough. My senses are tingling, she needs to get out. If we do that, I think the regrets will disappear for good."
"You know? Apologizing was one thing," Hank warned him. "Driving back to another country with two people who chased them and one who practically almost killed them? That's stretching it."
"They know I'm not the same anymore," Connor said. "I'm not. I. I do seem the same at times, but I'm not. I feel that inside."
"Great, great." Hank groaned. "Had a feeling this wasn't going to be a quick turn around. Fine, how's this going to work?"
"When I asked them, Kara would not budge," Connor answered. "It was quite clear though that the girl Alice wanted to go back to Detroit."
"Yeah. Kids find it harder to hide their feelings," Hank said softly. "They are the better part of mankind. Androidkind. Machinekind, whatever. Kids are kids. So, the little girl wants to bail but the big one won't I'm guessing?"
"She won't. She's convicted in her beliefs. The connections, Rose and Adam, live here. She's worried about them. I need to get them."
"So you get permission from the humans who cared. Then what?" Hank asked. "Going to try and shmooze her over again?"
"No," Connor said simply. "With the two humans already wanting to get out, she'll have no choice but to come if she wants to stay with them."
"Shrewd, Connor." Hank waved him away with his hand. "Just get in here already."
Alice pulled on Kara's shirt gently as she washed dishes. "Kara?"
Kara was concentrating on general washing. The person she was cleaning for was less concerned with absolute clean, and she used that to her advantage. As long as the house didn't become dangerous or infested with her basic cleaning, it was fine. The owner was more concerned with general help. They were the easiest kind to clean for. But even the one who wanted it very clean couldn't hold a candle to Todd.
That guy. He tried to kill her too. She never regretted taking Alice with her. She never regretted where she was now. She only regretted one thing. Not keeping those bus tickets.
"Kara. Rose is in the window."
Kara stopped washing dishes to look out the window. The vehicle she had seen before that the other android and the man came in was outside. Adam was waving out the window while Rose was coming toward the front door. He didn't.
He apologized. It was what he wanted. Why was he messing around in this? "Hang on, Alice." She dried her hands and met Rose by the door.
She was brimming. What a smile. "Kara? We can go back home." She pulled Kara into a hug. "Adam is so excited, it's hard to keep him from hanging out the window," she chuckled. "Home, Kara. Can you believe it?"
"We're fine here," Kara said to her, mildly hugging her back. Not expecting that.
"We were surviving. We had to, we needed to get out," Rose reminded her. "But you and I both know? This isn't us. We aren't being hunted or worrying about the cops. But, it isn't home."
"Your home is gone," Kara reminded her. "You couldn't pay the rent on it."
"Oh no, it's not. It's different," Rose said. "Connor, the nice android who came to get us?" She gestured toward the van. "He said it's still there and that Markus, the leader, made sure nothing happened. There's some kind of relationship building between humans and androids now. So that's? That's where I belong with Adam."
"Kara?" She could hear the excitement in Alice's voice too.
"Well." Kara gave Rose an extra tight hug. "I know you've wanted to go back home. I hope it's everything you've ever dreamed of. You deserve it."
"What do you mean, 'I'?" Rose questioned. "You and Alice too. Come on. There's no need to go back to Tammy's. Everything we have can be replaced, and our home still has our furnishings. We'll be fine."
"I'm?" Kara looked back. "I'm in the middle of chores. I'll call you when you get back home. Alice, come on."
"Are you shittin' me?" Hank listened to Rose as she came back. So did Connor. "She's got the biggest green light to get the hell out and she isn't budging?"
"There's more to this then," Connor said. He looked toward Rose. The humans were easy to convince to come. They were only hesitant about their property but he called about that. Detroit wasn't exactly a hotspot to buy new housing for humans right now so Markus attained it back easily. Even the boy had no problem, he was ready to leave. "Is there something we're missing?" Connor asked Rose. "A reason she would stay when she could go somewhere and be accepted with other androids?" Sure, he tried to kill her, but Rose and Adam were now on board. He at least expected her to come for their security if she didn't trust him, but she was willing to just let them all go. "Something's missing."
"The big man," Adam said to Connor. "She traveled with someone. Maybe she misses him and doesn't want to leave?"
"I have no news about someone else joining her here," Connor said. Then again. There was another android there, that night in Jericho. A large model, he'd be good at fighting. The answer must be in there. "I'll be back." He noticed Hank's impatience. "This is my specialty. Was my specialty. Give me five minutes?"
"I don't want Rose to leave," Alice said next to Kara. Standing obediently. "She made life a little better. You know, Kara?"
"I know," Kara answered as she put another dish away. "She wants to go back. Free will, you can't stop that. She'll be happy."
"But, why can't we go with her?" Alice asked. "Kara?"
"Canada is our home now," Kara said. "I'm almost done with the dishes. Then we'll go to the Stravinsky's and you can go see your friends."
"They're too young still, Kara. They barely speak," Alice said.
"Kids are kids. It's good for you," Kara answered her back.
"There are well over a hundred android children to play with in Detroit."
Oh. That voice again. Kara patted her hands dry. "Thank you for giving Rose and Adam a way back to their home. It's made them happy."
"Don't you want to go back to Detroit, Alice?"
"I. I stay with Kara."
"I know what you are doing," Connor's voice said again. "There is a choice between do and want. I'm not asking what you're doing. I'm asking what you want, Alice?"
"I? I don't . . ."
"I'll tell you what? You aren't going to see Rose or Adam for a very long time. You were good friends. Why don't you go out to the van and visit with them one last time? I need to talk to Kara."
Damn. Who does he think he is? He manipulated Alice into leaving from her side. Before she could even think what to say, Alice had left. She was already bounding to the front of the van. She could see her through the window.
"Facing regret isn't easy," Connor said from beside her. Now he had moved up closer.
"You apologized. There's no more regret." So he needed to just leave. "You're giving Rose and Adam back the life they deserve. I appreciate that. Can you go now?"
"Caught somewhere between thankful and trying not to get killed. I know that tempo," Connor said. "It's used in situations that you want to get out of. You want me out, and you don't want to go back to Detroit. That's what you want me to believe so I'll just leave. Correct?"
"Fine, you got me," Kara answered back. "I don't want to go back to Detroit, my home is here with Alice."
"You care for her. You've done many things to protect her," Connor pointed out. "From the history of your relationship, you have become her mother."
What was he trying to do?
"No one knows about you here, but following you around all day and watching you slowly die isn't what's best for her. Child androids, they are a unique kind. I've met with several," Connor said. "They need each other more than the common android, and there is some proof that they are made to slowly outgrow their own programs. It will be a complicated issue, and may include some body switching in the future. They have not been around long enough to see the outcome of yet."
What was his point?
"But for the best outcomes in their 'growing up', they should be around other child androids. Just like human children need other children."
Damn. Kara was starting to feel selfish now. What's the right decision? Tammy's home was no place for her. Rose's brother was a little easier but he worked long distances and didn't make much of an effect. Alice did need other children, and others to care for her. She was a wildly, unique child She needed love. She needed friends. But to do that. "Then it'd all be worthless."
"You went through a lot to escape to Canada," Connor answered back. "To come back to Detroit would mean it all meant nothing. That his sacrifice meant nothing."
Luther. Kara glanced at Connor. She shouldn't be surprised he did his homework. "Luther gave his life on the boat to help us get to Canada."
"You were close. You were probably going to stay with each other and be a family unit."
Kara looked down at the now empty sink.
"Will you permit me one question?" Connor asked.
What choice did she have? She looked back out the window. Rose was talking to Alice so excitedly. Probably about how nice it would be to get back home. "What is it?"
"Did Luther want you to make it to Canada as a place in the end, or did he want you to get here to take care of Alice?"
Kara stood motionless as she thought about the question. "He wanted Alice safe. Like me."
"Then? Which way is really betraying his memory?"
Connor watched as Kara and Alice sat in the very back, with Rose and Adam taking the middle. He looked toward Hank and took his own seat. "I had wondered why you rented one so big."
"Instinct always bites me in the rear," Hank said. Strangely, he had watched his language. "Full house. Three humans. Three androids. Getting humans back over is easy, Connor. They're still U.S. Citizens. I got permission for you, you were in law enforcement and a part of this whole thing." He gestured behind him. "We can't just get on any old plane with the others though. Canada finds out we are illegally taking out androids that shouldn't even exist-"
"Then they will start to hunt for other androids who might be hiding as well," Connor finished for him. "I know, Lieutenant. We'll be fine driving with the other androids, and then we can take a boat across." Connor heard a slight wail from the back from Alice. Apparently traumatized from the trip up somehow. He'd better correct that before it lead to a problem. "If we have to, a secure ship. Nothing like before," he said trying to comfort her as Kara held her closely in the back.
"Let me just check my rear again for all the cash we'll need for a drive across Canada and a slight voyage on a cruise ship. If I had that kind of money, Connor, would I even be working?" Hank criticized him.
"We rented a car. We found Alice and Kara, and we all managed to drive here," Adam spoke up. "It wasn't too bad considering the options. A few days. Enough for gas, and only two people needed to eat."
"Correct. Only three people will need to eat, and only for a short time." Connor agreed with Adam. "Until we get them to a plane. It shouldn't be that bad."
"Just long and tedious."
"But not too bad," Connor said again. "And then when we make it back home, this whole situation will be out of your hair." Great. He used the carefree expression too.
"Can your Markus pay out the debt this is gonna cost me on my card?" Hank asked. "I'm not going into debt to bring some people back to Detroit."
"Lieutenant?" Connor questioned. "You're already in debt."
"I'm not going to put myself in more debt then," Hank answered back.
Connor just smiled. "Everything will be fine, Hank. Don't worry."
"Oh, I've heard that one before." Then, Connor and Hank both noticed Kara walking toward them. She took Hank's hand and stuffed it full of money. "Ooh. Hello to you too."
"Tammy collected at the end of the week, checking on the neighbors for how much I made," Kara explained. "They each paid me individually. That should be enough to help for gas and plane tickets for Rose and Adam."
"That's your earnings?" Hank folded up the money. "That's highway robbery. It's only Thursday and you have that much? Lousy piece of poo."
Connor looked toward him again. That was not one of his go-to words either.
"It'll help. A lot. Connor's known to have put me into some tough situations financially," Hank admitted. "Thanks. Go ahead and sit back with your little girl."
Connor watched her move right back. "There we go. That worked out." He looked back at Hank. "Better?"
"Everything except now there's no reason to have really visited," Hank said. "Aw well. Sight seeing pubs later. Let's get outta here."
