Hi everyone!
The response to the last chapter was incredible, thank you so much to everyone who is following along with this emotional tale!
Special thanks for reviews: Red 'Allen' Walker, Subtle Shenanigans, Sakin2003, Shinobi Saru Corp, sarahlucylu, erikam1015, time2read, FrostAndSnow, MagicalWitch92 and one Guest!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Detroit: Become Human, I am just a mere human having fun with the brilliant characters brought to life within.
I'll give you all a head's up now: you might need some tissues for the end of this chapter. Just saying. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: This Is For You
It took Hank another five days to come to a decision on Markus' offer; and most of that was due to him slipping into another days' long drinking session. Finding Connor's coin (which Hank had swiftly come to the conclusion was all but a memento), had caused him to slide back into the same dark spiral which he had barely dug himself out of before. When he had ran out of alcohol again and sobered up slightly, Hank realised that sitting and drinking himself into oblivion was the last thing Connor would have allowed him to do. So, he did the only thing he could which Connor would approve of.
New Jericho was not what he expected at all.
It had now been all but two weeks since the uprising, and Detroit was still a war zone in some areas. The wreck of the Jericho was still smouldering even now, and the remains of the recycling camp were taking time to be removed. The army presence was unmistakeable, soldiers patrolling every street with their weapons primed. This was mostly to keep the uneasy peace between the several thousand androids which were scattered across the city and the fifty or so thousand humans who remained. Many had refused to leave despite the evacuation order, and tensions were still high. Despite the fact that Markus had led his people to a peaceful revolution, the natural prejudice against androids wasn't going to go away any time soon.
As a result, finding a settlement for the people of Jericho was incredibly difficult.
The only solution they had currently found was to allow all the androids to use a cluster of abandoned warehouses as a temporary measure. It wasn't comfortable or really that hospitable, but it was only short-term until a firmer plan was in place. Or at least that was what Hank had been told when Fowler briefed him about the meeting he was about to walk into.
He pulled up in front of one of the buildings, eyeing it up suspiciously as the rain continued to pour outside. It was now early evening and the sun was just beginning to set, causing Detroit to slowly fade into darkness. With an aggravated sigh Hank exited his car and slammed the door behind him, hoping that the noise would announce his presence. He didn't have to wait long before three androids appeared from the warehouse. What Hank hadn't expected, was that they would be armed.
As recollection set in their eyes, they all lowered their guns. Hank had to wonder where the hell they had found them: and whether the nature of the Jericho people had changed now that they had their freedom. "Apologies, Lieutenant Anderson," spoke one of them, a young woman which Hank was fairly sure came from the Eden Club. "There have been many attacks on our people in recent days: we have had to become much more defensive of our home."
Hank nodded in reply. That explains the guns. "Yeah, I can imagine it hasn't been easy for you folks. Suppose I should be glad that you consider me a friendly face. Markus is expecting me, don't suppose you could take me to him?"
The woman nodded briefly and turned away. Hank needed no other invitation to follow her.
His eyes scanned over the vast area of the warehouses, noting how all the androids had done their best to make it at least seem homely. Various scraps of fabric and splashes of colour broke up the monotony of the corrugated iron walls, while some areas were illuminated by disused barrels set alight. Despite not needing to sleep, Hank could see that tents and blankets were scattered across the floorspace, all clustered around charging units for the androids. Many of them were huddled together and speaking quietly, but Hank could see his arrival had caught their attention.
The whole scene reminded him of a refugee camp – bile settled in his throat at the comparison. This wasn't what all the androids had fought and died for. It wasn't what Connor had died for.
How the hell are they living like this?
It wasn't until they were walking for almost ten minutes that the young woman came to a halt and gave Hank a small smile. "Please wait here for a few minutes, Lieutenant. I will go fetch Markus and let him know of your arrival. Feel free to speak with anyone here, you will find no hostility among our people."
He gave her a narrow stare. "Okay, sure… You really believe that I won't get a few nasty stares and threats while you leave me here?"
Her smile was incredibly soft and her voice lowered as she answered him. "We are all aware of what you did the night of our freedom. No-one here will ever forget seeing a human bring back one of our saviours."
Hank's stomach contents rapidly soured at her statement and he gave a tight nod, thankful for her help. She left him with a smile and marched away, no doubt looking for Markus. The Lieutenant was suddenly very glad for the time alone: he needed to get his emotions back under control. He thought he would be ready to hear shit like that, to be among the people that Connor had sacrificed himself to free. Fat fucking chance, you idiot. Nothing was going to prepare you for this, not two weeks after you watched him die.
His eyes scanned the area, seeing there were many more injured androids here. He was surprised to see so many after that much time had passed. "They all fell foul of the humans," declared a voice from several feet to Hank's left. A sharp turn saw him come across a familiar face, though much of it was obscured behind the curtain of her blue hair. "Our people have been in desperate need of blue blood and components since the uprising, but every time we manage to scavenge some, we end up with just as many injured replacing those we help. It's a vicious, unending cycle."
The bitterness in her voice was unmistakeable, and Hank couldn't blame her. His own view of humans was pretty damn skewed right now. Her eyes raised to meet Hank's gaze, and he was surprised to see a slight warmth to her own. "It has been a while, Lieutenant," she said softly.
Now knowing there was no animosity there, he approached and sat next to her. "It sure has. Do you still go by Traci or…?"
She smiled slightly broader. "Wow, I'm surprised at that question."
Hank shrugged. "I'm not completely callous, despite my reputation. It was mostly from the fact that I'm sure there are dozens of Tracis now living here, and I figured you wanted to be a little more individual now that you are free."
A shy smile was his answer. "I go by Amelia now, Lieutenant."
He nodded with a slight smile. "Amelia, huh? Nice name. What about your girlfriend? How is she doing?"
Amelia's eyes dimmed. "She died about a week ago, with one of the groups who went out looking for supplies. A group of humans stabbed her sixteen times."
Hank winced in sympathy. "Damn, I'm sorry, Amelia."
When she looked back to him, her eyes seemed infinitely sad. It still made his heart skip to see so much emotion from someone who began life as nothing more than a machine - but evolved to so much more. "And I am sorry for you too, Lieutenant. Connor did not deserve what happened to him." That caused Hank to withdraw back into himself, and his eyes fell to the small fire in front of her. She paused for a couple of seconds before speaking again. "We never forgot what he did for us, in letting us go. I only wish I could have told him that myself."
A tight nod was the only answer Hank trusted at that moment, his voice still jammed somewhere in his throat at the memories the conversation had evoked. The weight of his pistol on his hip suddenly seemed to triple and Hank had to fight hard to ignore it. Desperate for a distraction, he turned his attention to the metal Amelia was currently twisting and filing in her hands. Upon closer inspection, he noticed there were several more pieces scattered on the floor at her feet. Necklaces, bracelets, rings…they were all beautifully crafted. "When did you take up making jewellery?" he asked, glad to have shifted the conversation to safer ground.
Amelia's face changed to one of surprise, and then happiness. "When we first came to Jericho. After we fled, we came across a young girl who was homeless. Even though we had nothing to pay her with and she could clearly see we were androids, she gave us a small bracelet to take with us. She just said, 'sometimes kindness can inspire'. It was quite true, and we didn't forget her. The emotional impact on me was profound, so I took inspiration from her. It is…therapeutic. It helps me forget."
Hank could see that, just from the sheer number of items lying at her feet. "Considering you haven't been doing this for very long, you are very talented. All of them are beautiful." She blushed lightly, and then rubbed her hand over a small, silver band on her other hand. The gesture was not missed by Hank; seeing another being swallowed by grief didn't make him feel quite so alone. "You made that for her, didn't you?"
She nodded sadly. "It helps to have something tangible, sometimes. I don't feel quite so alone when I can touch something, rather than think all I have of her is memories."
Hank could empathise with that all too well, his mind drifting to the photograph of Cole in his house as his hand found Connor's coin in his pocket. She's definitely not wrong there.
Footsteps disrupted their discussion, and Amelia's face changed as she saw their new company. "Markus."
The name caused Hank to snap back to the present and he stood when Markus offered him a hand. "Lieutenant," Markus greeted with a warm smile as Hank grasped the offered appendage. "Thank you for coming to our home."
Hank nodded back at him. "I'm certainly surprised by the invitation, Markus. I take it this is a conversation for closed doors, however?" Appreciative of Hank's perceptiveness, Markus nodded and directed the human to follow him. The android leader led him through to a separated section of one of the warehouses, one which Hank soon realised was set up more like an old office space. Various papers and handwritten notes were scattered over various desks, and Hank quickly twigged they were not alone in the room. He recognised the two androids standing at the other side of the room from the news broadcasts of that horrible night. As much as he had tried to avoid all reference of it, Markus's speech had made headlines all over the world. It had only hurt that much more when Hank thought that Connor should have been there, seeing the birth of their future.
From what he'd seen so far, though, he was almost glad Connor wasn't here. It would have broken his heart to see what had befallen them.
What am I even thinking? I'd give anything to have Connor back, even though what is happening here would crush him.
North and Josh both gave Hank a nod as Markus closed the door behind him. "Lieutenant, it's good to see you," Josh smiled at him.
Hank gave them both a subdued greeting. "It's…been a while." He then turned his attention back to Markus. "All right, I'll admit to you managing to grab my interest, Markus. Fowler said that you are looking to set up protection for your people. What I don't get is, why a human? And more specifically, why me?"
Markus sighed deeply before looking Hank in the eye as he answered, the wisdom and age which the lieutenant saw there catching him completely off guard. "Our people are already in desperate danger, Lieutenant. Though there are fewer humans left in the city, many of those who remain are actively targeting any androids they see in the streets. We must find supplies to save those of our own in need, but every time we try, we end up with more injured or dead."
North jumped in at this point, but with a noticeable bite in her voice. "The humans are trying to keep us herded here, hoping that we will all just die out. We know there are CyberLife stores all over Detroit which have exactly what we need, but currently the price for venturing out is just too high. In the past two weeks we have lost almost three hundred of our people, and many more have been injured."
Taking that as his cue, Josh spoke up. "We need to start building bridges, try and find some common ground with the humans. Markus thinks the best way for that to happen is for a human to become directly involved in the workings of New Jericho. If the humans see that one of their own is helping us out, we hope it might calm some of the hostilities. We also need protection. With you being law enforcement and well connected, you are the best person for the job."
Hank eyed them all suspiciously, his sight settling on Markus. He could tell there was more to it from the android's gaze, but Markus was keeping it quiet. Something he doesn't want the other two to know? "Uh huh, sure. So why go to a washed-out cop who spends all his time downing bottles of alcohol? I could point you in the direction of plenty others better equipped to handle this," he probed, keeping his focus on the leader.
Markus stood up straighter, sensing that Hank knew there was more to it. "Our people already trust you, they all saw what happened that night. There isn't another human that they will let close enough. You are currently the bridge between both races."
The human scoffed. "A little profound, don't you think?"
A chuckle from the RK model was his reply. After a couple of seconds he smiled knowingly. "North, Josh, I'll catch up with you both later. I want to speak with the Lieutenant alone for a while." Josh acknowledged his wishes with a short nod and left. North hung around for a couple more seconds, giving Markus an inquisitive look. He kept a passive face, but Hank watched in interest as the skin on their hands fell away, revealing the white plastic beneath as they connected. The gesture seemed so intimate and Hank could only imagine what was going on in those few seconds before they parted. When it was over, North seemed satisfied and left, but not without giving Hank a small look in passing.
Now alone, Markus made sure to shut and lock the door, ensuring it would stay that way. He turned back to the human and relaxed his posture. "All right," Hank started, his eyes narrowing, "now that we don't have an audience, do you want to tell me the real reason you brought me here?"
Markus sighed again, and let his eyes relay the sympathy he had been hiding. "What I said before is true, you are the connection between our two races, but the reason I asked for you is much more…human." Hank cocked an eyebrow. "I know your pain, Lieutenant. I saw it the night you brought Connor back to us. It's still plain as day in your eyes."
The answer was not what Hank expected at all. He took a couple of seconds to steady himself before glaring at Markus. "And how the hell did you come to that conclusion? How could you possibly know my pain? And what right do you have to say this is something that will help me?"
His voice was venomous, but Markus took no offense. "The human I lived with, Carl, he treated me like a son. He was ill, he had limited time; and I took care of him. Over time, I came to love him as a father. When he died in my arms…I have never felt anything like that." Hank's posture eased as he heard the emotion in Markus' voice. "I felt torn open: all I loved and knew in the world was gone. His son accused me of causing his death. I was shot, torn apart, and dumped in a junkyard. Waking up in that place, the grief so raw in my chest as I fought to discover if I even wanted to keep living…I'll never forget it." Markus' eyes fell to the floor as tears stung at his eyes. "I found my purpose here, with the people of Jericho. It wasn't anything like I expected, I never wanted to become their leader, but I found myself again."
Markus turned his gaze back to Hank, seeing the man trying to keep a tight rein on his emotions. "I may not know your exact pain…but I know the opposite side. If your actions didn't say it that night, your words and voice did." He took a deep breath before continuing. "You loved Connor." Hank flinched at hearing the truth spoken so openly. "I lost my father, you lost your son. While the pain is not identical, I know what it is like to lose someone you love, someone who was your whole world."
It took Hank a couple of goes to find his voice again. "And people say androids can't understand emotion," he scoffed to himself. "They've no fucking idea what they are talking about. Okay…so that's a reason, but that still doesn't feel like all of it. Why take such an interest in me?"
The silence was deafening for the five seconds it took Markus to answer. "Because I promised Connor I would." Hank's heart clenched hard as his eyes widened. "He knew there was a good chance he wasn't coming back, and he made me swear to make sure that no matter what happened to him, that you stayed alive. He mentioned that he feared you might take your own life. When it took so long for you to get back to me…I was worried I'd failed." Markus gave a soft smile as he remembered the emotion on Connor's face when he explained everything; it was the last time Markus saw him alive. "Connor wanted nothing more than to protect you, Lieutenant. You weren't the only one who cared."
Seeing that the answer had struck a deep nerve, Markus laid a hand on his shoulder. "I don't expect an answer today, Lieutenant, I know this is going to be hard for you. I do believe, however, that this is what Connor would want you to do." Hank's eyes sharpened at the mention of Connor's name and Markus's smile stayed gentle. "All the people of Jericho have come from nothing and found a sense of home here. Maybe you can too."
With that, Markus stepped away and went to unlock the door. "Markus." At the calling of his name Markus spun back and saw the human warring with his emotions. Despite his best efforts a thin sheen of moisture had forced its way free and was sitting on the edge of Hank's eyes, but he stubbornly shoved it back, turning away for a moment to get himself under control. "Thanks…and it's Hank."
The android smiled.
Fighting desperately against the urge to bury himself in whisky, Hank stayed semi-sober that night. He sat deep in thought, thinking over all he had seen and heard in New Jericho. After his discussion with Markus he had spoken for some time with Josh, learning about all that had transpired in the two weeks from another angle. North had wandered over for a time and added her views, giving Hank a good idea of the balancing act Markus was having to do within his own people. Many of them wanted to fight back and make a stand against the humans (a view North was firmly in agreement with), while others were of the same opinion as Josh and should stick to the peaceful route they had taken. He didn't envy Markus' position, that was for sure.
His final moments had been spent with Amelia; and speaking to her again had been incredibly soothing. Conversing with someone who was also in that grieving process and was tempted to just go and tell the world to go fuck itself was a weight off his shoulders.
Not only that, but he was hoping she might be able to help him even more.
The next day he drove back to New Jericho, parking in a different location now that he knew which of the network of warehouses he wished to go. All the androids on guard paid him no mind as he entered New Jericho and passed on word to Markus of his arrival. The leader was waiting for him at the same office where they had met the day before, North and Josh standing beside him.
All three of them waited patiently as Hank entered and shut the door behind him, taking a moment to compose himself before he spoke. He looked all three of them in the eye as he finally gave the answer they had been hoping for. "I'm in." Markus smiled broadly as Hank continued. "How are you wanting to do this? Humans? Androids? Mixture of both? Tell me what you want, and I'll make sure it gets done."
Markus came up to Hank and shook his hand. "We'll leave that call to you, Hank. This is your team, and we'll trust your judgement. My one condition is that North is part of it."
Hank nodded. "Done. I've got a couple of ideas, and some people I want to involve. When do we get started?"
The group had just left the office to give Hank a broader view of New Jericho when a familiar blue-haired figure approached. Hank regarded her curiously before making a brief apology. "Give me a moment, Markus. There's something I need to do." Markus urged him onward, watching with interest as the human approached the Traci droid.
She was smiling shyly as Hank walked over to her, holding out a bundle of cloth. Hank looked at her in mild surprise. "Finished already? That was quick."
Amelia blushed, which Hank found amusing. "This was important. I just hope it's something like what you wanted."
The human took the fabric and opened it up, his breath catching at what lay within. His eyes rose to Amelia and he offered her a genuine smile. "Thank you, Amelia. This is exactly what I was hoping for." She nodded as her smile grew, watching as Hank handed her back the cloth and studied the item in more detail.
It was a thick silver chain, how Amelia found the materials for this he would never know, at which the heart of it lay Connor's coin. The quarter was held within a metal ring and could be detached by opening a small catch on the underside of the chain. After testing the latch, happy that the coin could be removed at will, Hank reached up to fix it around his neck. The weight was comforting as it came to rest about an inch below his neck, the coin visible through the opening in his shirt. He smiled as he looked down at it, the item giving him a small sense of peace. Now he would always have Connor close to heart.
Hank gave her a brief hug, and Amelia stood stunned before she returned it. "Thank you," he whispered hoarsely in her ear before quickly pulling back. She smiled broadly at him as Hank turned back, noticing the looks he was receiving from the others. Markus was watching him with understanding, North seemed intrigued, while Josh was smiling. Hank turned his gaze back down to the coin briefly before he looked up again, determination set in his features.
Life fucking sucks, Connor, but I'm not giving up. You died giving your people freedom, so I'm going to do my damnedest to see them find it. No matter what, I won't let you have died for nothing. I only wish I could have found the courage to tell you how much you meant to me.
Connor, this is for you.
Whew, that was an emotional rollercoaster again. I hope you all liked this, and I'll be back again soon!
*Smooch*
