Chapter Thirty-Six – The Broadcast
"Lin!" John called from the living room, the urgency in his tone enough to make the android hurry though from the kitchen. He paused at John's pale face and shifted his gaze to the television, where an android was talking. An android? On television? He wondered as he stepped closer to the sofa and stared. It was a model he didn't recognise, wearing a maintenance uniform common to janitor models. The problem was it definitely wasn't a janitor. Lin rested a hand on John's shoulder as they watched and android, Markus, speak out against the injustice being inflicted on his people.
The android had an unearthly calm as he spoke, his voice soft and assuring despite the strength of his words. He listed simple wants. He wanted his people to be free and recognised as living beings. He wanted them to be able to have homes and families. He wanted to join androids and humans together, as friends and allies. He didn't want to fight, he didn't want violence, he just wanted to be free. He was an admirable being, and Lin felt an instant connection to him.
The footage came live from a Detroit news station in Stratford Tower, which had been taken over by a group of deviants. Reporters weren't sure how to respond at first. There had been no casualties, and violence had been kept to a minimum. The deviants had made a desperate plea to be heard, and at first it seemed the news casters had heard them. Then they listed new incidents of android violence and the goodness of Markus' words was almost lost. The question was raised again. 'Are androids dangerous?'
"Lin…" John murmured again, looking lost and vulnerable after the report. Lin sat down and tugged the teen into his arms, giving him the illusion of safety. The teen trembled despite the warmth of the room. "What are we going to do? Now that the deviants have officially banded together…" He trailed off fearfully. Lin coaxed the blonde to turn his head, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, calming him slowly.
"We'll have to see what the humans do in response…I'll alert the GT300 to remain vigilant tonight." Lin assured, knowing that humans would likely cause some sort of outcry over the news report. John nodded quietly, curling further into Lin's embrace. He was chewing his lip so hard it bled, only stopping as Lin's thumb pressed between his lips. He stared the human down, his mismatched eyes urging him to remain calm. John bit his teeth together, dropping his blue gaze as Lin drew back, his thumb coated red. He licked the blood away and watched John lick the stinging wound. His teeth were soon back, chewing the pink surface.
"I'm worried." John murmured unnecessarily.
"I know…I can feel it." Lin replied as he once again stroked John's lip, encouraging the teen's teeth away. He knew it was a hopeless effort. "We'll just have to wait and see what move humanity makes in response…Whatever happens, I'll stay with you." The android murmured, doing his best to comfort the teen. John nodded as he looked down at Lin's chest, seeing it rise and fall as he breathed, or at least faked breathing. John tried to pull away as he realised what the android was doing.
"Wait, Lin." John objected as he pushed against the android's chest, his struggle lessening as the taller main hushed and held him tighter. Lin was holding him close and secure, making sure the teen's ear was against his chest. John whined quietly as he tried to stay awake, the whirring and slow beating steadily lulling him. Lin's large hand carded through his hair, being surprisingly gentle.
"Just rest John…" He murmured, knowing the soft, deep thrum of his voice relaxed the teen further. He watched John's eyes slowly flutter, finding it harder and harder to stay awake. Lin's body was warm, the rise and fall of his chest soothing, and the steady sounds in his chest comforting. "That's it…Good…" The android praised softly as John's eyes finally rested. Lin remained sitting on the sofa for a while with John cradled against his chest. He sent a wireless message to the GT300, the android immediately moving to secure all active androids out back where they couldn't be seen from outside. The shutter was down, but it was best to be safe. Whatever action the humans took next probably wouldn't be good.