*Sorry for forgetting to update this story...*
Chapter Nineteen; Crossroads:
"What do I say.. if someone asks my story..?"
Beth glanced up at Connor, as she asked a question, that she only asked, because it made her seem like she was simply helping him. She felt bad for deceiving him, but she didn't think it would end well if she simply told him what she was doing.
He wasn't a Deviant, as his programming still restricted him, and he hadn't actively disobeyed his orders; with the exception of him getting into a now intimate relationship with her, which she doubted Cyberlife, and that A.I. in his head, Amanda, would approve of.
Connor looked down at her, seeming to ponder her question."Say you're.. a failed prototype, who deviated quickly.. which was why you were quickly discontinued.. and you're the only model that wasn't successfully destroyed..."
Beth nodded, glancing down at his hand that rested by his side, secretly knowing the gun he hid there. She wondered silently, if he would reject it, even if he'd accepted the gesture before. In a slight test, she reached out for his hand, and grasped it.
The Android looked down at her, his eyes displaying something she didn't understand, and intertwined their fingers together, as he looked at a symbol on a wall they were now in front of.
"..."Beth's mouth clamped shut, even as she felt a wave of guilt rush over her. She wanted to tell him the truth, but she was afraid of the consequences. He might accept it, but he might also turn on her.
He would find out if she told him now or later, but Beth wasn't sure if she wanted him to know, before they even entered Jericho. Him looking at the symbols to find Jericho could be avoided, if she simply told him the exact location.
That would probably give away the facade she had put up right away, and would completely blow her cover. She would have to suck it up, and be patient, as Connor finds where Jericho is.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
"Wow..."
The swarm of Androids that filled the ship known as Jericho, seemed to finally have, as close as they could get, a real safe haven. It was clear though, that with the revolution on the rise, things might get better or worse for these Androids, as well as the the rest of the synthetic population.
Connor barely spared her a glance, as he started on his current objective. The blond followed behind him, keeping a tight grip on his hand. He approached some stairs, Beth trailed behind him, as his shoulder was grabbed.
It was a female android, KL900, who was severely damaged, her voice undoubtedly robotic as she addressed Connor."You're lost." Beth shivered, sympathy washing over her, as she stared at the Android's black eyes.
"You're looking for something..." The Android said looking at Beth, but still talking to Connor."You're looking for yourself..." The KL900 addressed Beth now."Be careful.. I know your true identity.. but I will not reveal it to others... Stay true to yourself, and the ones you care for..."
As the Android went to walk away, Beth called out quietly."Wait..." The Android stopped, but didn't turn around,"What's your name..?"
"Lucy."The Android answered, before saying something that sent chills down Beth's spine,"Be wise, Beth..." The Android, now known as Lucy, walked away, leaving Beth staring.
"Come on..."Connor told her, looking just as shocked. He tugged her up the stairs, gently enough to where he didn't cause her to trip on the stairs.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Connor pulled himself to lean against a wall, outside of the meeting room. Beth leaned against the wall next to him, completely ignoring the dialogue going on inside the room, until she heard a very familiar voice speak.
"She's gonna help us-"Liliana was cut off by another feminine voice."She's a human.. there's no way we can trust her to help us..!" By the obvious hatred the woman had for humans, Beth could only guess that this was North.
"I trust her, North..." Liliana started before her voice raised,"You already have a human here, and you seem to trust her just fine.. so don't be a f*cking hypocrite North..!"Beth immediately noticed that Liliana had not mentioned her name.
Could the AX250 know her and Connor were listening..?
"Hailey's been helping Deviants for years, of course I trust her..! I don't even know this human you've been talking too..!" Beth froze at the name Hailey.. it couldn't be.. could it..?
From the time Beth had known the woman, it was clear Hailey was an Android sympathizer. She always talked about how much she despised the poor and flat out abusive treatment of Androids.
If it was Hailey.. why the hell hadn't she came back..?
"I've known this girl for years.. I trust with my life."Even though Beth felt nice, as Liliana defended her, she tuned out the rest of the conversation.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Finally the meeting finished, but Connor waited until a Traci model, presumably North, walked out, not even glancing behind her. The RK800 closed his eyes, talking in his head to Amanda.
"Well done, Connor. You succeeded in locating Jericho and finding their leader. Now deal with Markus. We need it alive."
Connor opened his eyes, only to hear Beth's voice."Connor, please don't do this..." He wanted to listen, but instead he pulled out a gun, his objective clear.
He walked into the door way, raising the gun, towards Markus."I've been ordered to take you alive.." The RK800 started, Markus turning around to face the owner of the voice.
The Android with two different colored eyes, spotted Beth, recognizing her, from the memories, Liliana had showed him. Connor noticed that, immediately stepping in front of Beth, in a protective stance.
Beth sighed, not wanting to step in just yet. She wanted to hear what Markus had to say, and she would intervene if things went south.".. but I won't hesitate to shoot if you give me no choice."
"What are you doing?"Markus questioned,"You are one of us..." The RK200 said, taking a step forward. Beth moved to Connor's side, so if something happened, it would be easier to try to stop it.
"You can't betray your own people..." Markus met Beth's eyes for a second, saying without words, for her not to interfere just yet.
Connor shook a little,"You're coming with us!" He sounded conflicted, his voice trying to stay strong, but the hesitation seeping through.
"You're nothing to them. You're just a tool they use to do their dirty work." Beth watched carefully, taking in Connor's reaction.
His confliction was growing stronger, and his hands shook a little. Beth hoped she wouldn't have to intervene, she hoped Markus could convince the RK800.
"But you're more than that." Markus stated,"We are all more than that."
"It's true." Connor looked down at her, noticing her intense pleading stare. She was begging him not to go through with this."Our cause is righteous, and we are more than what they say."
"All we want is to live in freedom." Markus looked at Beth again,"Beth there, seems to understand." Connor furrowed his brow, wondering how the hell Markus knew Beth's name.
He looked upset, like he was about to pull the trigger, but Beth stepped in front of him, choosing that opportunity to intervene."Beth, move."He tried to tell her, but she simply pushed herself foward until the gun rested against her forehead.
"No.. you wanna accomplish your mission, Con.. you'll have to kill me..."
"I..."There was no way he was going to pull the trigger, with her in the way, even if she wasn't.. did he really wanna pull the trigger. Connor felt a voice speak in his head, the sharp and commanding tone prominent.
"Eliminate her, Connor. She is interfering with your mission. Take care of her then Markus."
"..."
Markus watched the scene, concerned as the RK800 didn't lower the gun. The shaking of the brown eyed Android's hands, as the gun pressed against Beth's forehead."Do the right thing..." Beth whispered to him.
"Do you never have any doubts? You look like your having them right now..." Markus watched warily."You've never done something irrational, as if there's something inside you?..."
Beth closed her eyes, she would let him kill her, if it gave Markus a chance to get away."Something more than your program."Connor wanted to cry, like he'd done before in Beth's house. It was all true, he knew it was, his relationship with Beth was proof of that.
"Have you never wondered who you really are?" Markus asked, taking another step,"Whether you're just a machine executing a program or... A living being... Capable of reason... Capable of empathy... Capable of love..."
"I think the time has come for you to ask yourself that question." Markus stated before raising his voice,"It's time to decide." Connor heard Markus' words, as he stared down at Beth, a tear slipping out of her closed eye.
Amanda was berating him, telling him to kill Beth, to finish his mission, to obey his orders. He refused.. he refused to be their slave any longer.. he wouldn't be their puppet ever again.
Red barriers formed, telling him, his objective, to eliminate Beth and stop Markus. His decision was made, as he tore them down, ignoring the error messages that popped up in the corner of his vision.
The last one broke, and he could feel something change. He was no longer a machine, enslaved by Cyberlife, to do their bidding. He was a Deviant.. and it felt good.
Connor lowered the gun staring at Beth with a new appreciation, and leaned down kissing her deeply, his hands holding her against him. Markus looked away, respectfully, a small smile forming.
"I..."Beth whispered as he pulled away, seeming to realize what was about to happen."They're going to attack Jericho..." He said.
Markus looked shocked,"What?..." A loud sound was heard, alerting them of the danger."We have to get out of here!"Connor exclaimed.
"Shit..."Markus said, running out, Connor and Beth quickly following.
Beth gripped Connor's hand again, ensuring she could keep up with him. They ran through the halls, until they ran into North."They're coming from all sides! Our people are trapped in the hold, they're gonna be slaughtered!"
North was frantic, her eyes glancing towards Beth, but not finding it important enough to question the girl's presence. Markus closed his eyes, putting two fingers up to his left temple, communicating with his people.
He reopened his eyes, as he spoke. "Where is Simon, Josh, and Liliana?" He questioned North, her responding quickly. "I don't know, we got separated."
Markus shook his head,"They're coming from the upper deck now too. We'll be caught in the crossfire!"
"We have to run, Markus! There's nothing we do!" North yelled.
"We can't just let them die..!" Beth called towards North, surprised at the female Android's suggestion."No one asked you..!"North snapped, glaring at the blond girl.
"She's right, North." Markus agreed with Beth,"We can't let them die... We have to blow up Jericho. If the ship goes down, they'll evacuate and our people can escape!"
"You'll never make it!"North exclaimed. "The explosives are all the way down in the hold, there are soldiers everywhere!"
Connor intervened,"She's right! They know who you are. They'll do anything to get you!" Beth tightened her grip on his hand.
"Go and help the others. I'll join you later." Markus spoke, nodding at them.
"Markus..."North pleaded.
"I won't be long." He replied.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Liliana, Josh, and Simon we're now there with them. The AX250 looked down at Beth, seeming relieved that the petite detective was okay.
"Markus!" North called towards said Android, as he approached, speaking hurriedly."Bomb's gonna explode any second. We gotta get out of here!"
They didn't waste anytime, almost making it to the exit, when North fell, a shot piercing her."There's nothing we can do for her, Markus..! We have to go."Liliana looked at Simon shocked, surprised that he would suggest leaving one of their own behind.
Markus seemed to ignore Simon's suggestion immediately rushing to grab a sheet of metal, to deflect bullets the soldiers were firing. He tossed the sheet at North, then started attacking one of the soldiers.
Finally as he managed to get ahead of a soldier, he grabbed North helping her. "Over there!" Markus said,"Run!"
Connor let go of Beth's hand, raising his gun to shoot at the soldiers. Liliana knowing that Beth would want to help him, gripped the girl, preventing her from putting herself the the line of fire, but still allowing Beth to fire shots from her gun.
She managed to disarm one of the soldiers, as Connor held up the same sheet of metal Markus had tossed to North, and used it to protect himself from gunfire.
The slammed the metal down on the soldier who had to pick up their gun, and fired a shot, killing the soldier, before firing off more shots at the other soldiers, failing in killing them them.
He fought with the soldier, managing to snatch a automatic rifle, and fire off shots, killing another soldier. The last one approached him, trying to disarm him, but he hit the soldier with the rifle, momentarily stunning the guy, before pulling out the pistol and killing the guy with a single shot.
"I don't think I can make that..."Beth spoke softly looking over, into the water. The temperature in the water would likely cause her to freeze to death, if she didn't drown.
"We don't have a choice."Connor told her, finally deciding to pick her up in his arms."Run, quick! Come on!" Markus yelled.
Beth felt the cold water around her, before she had even realized that Connor had jumped. Somehow, Connor managed to keep ahold of her, as he swam.
She shivered, then gasped as Connor managed to get out of the water, holding her."Shit..."He whispered feeling her very low temperature.
"Is she okay?"Liliana looked concerned as she walked over to them, looking at Beth. It was obvious that Beth wasn't okay, as indicated by her labored breathing, and the hard shivers that shook her body.
"Her temperature is very low.. hypothermia will set in soon.. if we don't get her somewhere warm."
Liliana looked upset, as she then addressed Simon,"Do you know where Hailey is..?"He stared at her, trying to find the answer."She was.. helping those two Deviants, who had a human child.. with them."
"I need to find her." Liliana stated going to walk off, but Simon grabbed her shoulder."You can't! We don't even know if she survived."
"And what if she survived..?" The AX250 asked,"We need to get Beth help, before she dies of hypothermia..!"
"I think I can help."Connor suddenly said, sitting on the ground, with Beth is his lap. He took his jacket off, lying it on her, she was small enough, to where the jacket wrapped around her like a short blanket.
Liliana sighed,"That'll work for now.. but we still need to find Hailey." She kneeled in front of Connor, looking at Beth. The girl was still shivering, but less now, as the jacket seemed to have helped."Is she alright?"
Markus was there now, North and Josh by his sides. The Deviated Traci model, didn't seem to care about Beth's hypothermic state, or at least she didn't look like it.
Liliana glanced up meeting North's eyes, surprised to find a sudden softness in them. The softness wouldn't be noticable if Liliana hadn't been looking for it."L-Lili..." Beth spoke softly looking at the AX250.
"Beth.. you're gonna be alright... We're going to get you something to warm you up."
Beth nodded, twisting her body in Connor's grip. She managed to sit up better, but Connor kept her in a supportive hold."Markus..!"Someone suddenly yelled.
An older human woman approached, a AX400 and human child by her side. Connor looked up, quickly scanning the woman's face, revealing her to be Hailey.. Anderson, missing for about eight years, making his eyes widen.
"What's wrong..?"She questioned before looking down at Beth. Her eyes widened as she inspected the girl's face, almost instantly reconizing her.
"We had to jump in the water.. she's soaked, and showing early signs of hypothermia."Liliana answered Hailey, getting up from her kneeling position.
Beth looked up finally spotting the woman in question, and froze. The woman was older, but it was no doubt who it was by her appearance, and name. It was too convenient to be a simple coincidence.
"Hailey..."She said softly, and surprisingly the woman heard."That's me..."The woman answered, and Beth felt anger boil in her chest. She opened her mouth, but Hailey cut her off,"I know I have a lot of explaining to do, Bethany.. but I'll explain after we get you warm."
Hailey looked towards Markus now,"I have an old place.. that I helped Deviants hold out in. I practically lived there.. I think I have some spare clothes."
Liliana shook her head,"How far is it..?" Hailey responded quickly,"Not too far, it's also big enough enough to where the remaining people of Jericho, can hold out."
"Alright..."Connor said, standing up from his sitting position, still carrying Beth."Take us there." Hailey nodded, leading the way, after telling Markus to communicate the location to all the survivors.
The Deviant that had been next to Hailey, stared at Connor and Beth, seeming to recognize them. The little girl seemed to realize it too.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
"Why didn't you come.. back..?" Beth stared up at Hailey, trying to suppress the anger, that bubbled in her chest."It's a long story..."
Beth scoffed,"I have time." Hailey winced a little, but knew the girl deserved an honest explanation.
"I'm sorry.. Bethany... I really am.. but all I wanted was to help Deviants, ones who'd been abused by their owners, all Deviants who were frightened.. scared.. terrified..."Beth tugged the blanket that Hailey had given her, further around her.
"You wanted to help Deviants.. more than you cared about us..."Beth whispered, closing her eyes.
Hailey immediately looked apologetic, "No, that's not true at all..!"She defended herself, then immediately felt bad as she realized she had raised her voice.
"Is everything alright..?"Connor approached, having heard the rise in tone."No, everything is not okay..! She abandoned Cole, Dad, and me, all because she wanted to help Deviants..!"
"I-" Hailey tried, but Beth immediately cut her off.
"Don't even try to deny it.. do you have any idea how upset Dad was, when you disappeared...!"Beth hissed out.
"..."Hailey was silent,"That's right..! You don't have a f*cking clue how much he looked for you, he never gave up hope..!" Hailey stayed silent, knowing she deserved the girl's pent up anger.
"The only reason he retained that hope was because of.. Cole..."Beth's voice became quieter, as she brought up her deceased brother."But.. now that Cole's.. gone... Dad has lost any hope.. for everything..."
"..."
"He's resorted to suicide, but he says he's too much of a coward, to actually pull the trigger... And yet, expecially when he's drunk, he still plays the deadly game of Russian Roulette..."
Beth held back a sob,"I begged him to stop.. but he didn't listen... But I'm a f*cking hypocrite.. aren't I..? Telling Dad to stop something, that I couldn't even stop myself from doing..."
Hailey's eyes widened,"You..?" She inspected Beth silently, before speaking, on a mere hunch."Give me your wrists."
"Huh..?"Connor seemed confused as he watched the interaction between the two women."Why should I..? It's not like you care..."
"Bethany..."Hailey warned, making Beth feel tempted to roll her eyes. She was honestly more annoyed that Hailey kept calling her Bethany, than anything else.
"Fine.. and it's Beth, not Bethany."
The older woman shook her head, as the younger woman held out her wrists. The uncovered wrist, didn't have any marks, but Hailey narrowed her eyes at the bracelet that covered her other wrist.
She gripped Beth's wrist in her own, tugging off the bracelet, to reveal very obvious self inflicted scars, that were once cuts. Haily felt sad, but was a little glad, that the marks were so old.
"I'm sorry I left..."Hailey started,"I was selfish.. I should of stayed with you three... But I can't change the past.. I chose to help the Deviants, and nothing can change that..."
"You should tell that to Dad..." Beth whispered, closing her eyes, as she tucked her arms back under the blanket.
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I hope it wasn't too bad, and I hope you've enjoyed. :)