Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. It was another few weeks of time-warping where I didn't realize how much time had passed! This is the end of part two. I'll try to start posting part three soon! I've really hit a wall with my writing lately (with all my projects), but I'm hoping to find some motivation and inspiration again soon.
Thank you so much for reading!
52 Detroit 11.12.2038
12:15 am
Hart Plaza
Connor
I'm still shaken from the close call I had a few minutes ago. For a second, I was certain CyberLife was going to regain control over my programming. I'd come to myself after seizing control back to find I was holding a gun. Had I not won control, I would have shot Markus. I probably would have died after that. I doubt North and the others would have taken that well. Or perhaps I would have shot them too, the perfect machine, accurate and unfeeling.
I don't understand CyberLife's motives. Amanda made it sound like they knew this was going to happen or perhaps they saw this as a way out of the mess. They couldn't control the deviants but if they had control over me and I was the new leader of them... I can't help but wonder if my freedom is permanent. I feel like my mind is my own, but a fear continues to niggle at the back of it.
My thoughts stray to what Clara had told me—I had been what turned the tables to favor the androids. I would never call myself a hero. I'm the reason so many androids died in Jericho and I proved myself to be a liability just moments before. I could have ruined everything these androids fought so hard for. I find myself shrinking back from them, afraid they can see the guilt written across my face in blazing letters.
Markus catches my eye and comes over. "Come join us," he says, his tone light, friendly. He trusts me completely, but I wonder if that's wise.
"I'm not sure I should," I tell him.
Markus shakes his head, though, dismissing my words. "You're one of us. Today is ours, and your place is with your people." He puts a hand on my shoulder and propels me forward toward the others. I expect them to look at me with distrust, but their faces are open, happy. They don't look at me and see the detective who had been working against them for so long; they see someone who helped set them free. I try to let go of my tension and feel the same joy they do.
…
The sun is rising in the winter sky. It's still fairly early, but Hank is already waiting at the Chicken Feed for me. He paces, his face grave with worry. I wonder if he's slept at all. I'd found Clara again before she'd left to try to get a few hours of sleep. She couldn't stop grinning but seemed shy about being around the androids.
"Meet up tomorrow?" she had asked, her voice filled with hope.
"Definitely." I don't know exactly what the future holds for me, for my people, but I know I want Clara in it.
Hank turns and sees me. We stand a moment. He smiles and I smile, too. Then he's striding toward me and pulling me into a hug. The gesture surprises me. Hank has never shown any sort of affection for me before, but now he is warm, and I put my arms around him. The motion feels natural, and I realize how much Hank has come to mean to me.
"You did it," Hank says, pulling away and placing his hands on my shoulders. I can see pride in his eyes. "I knew you would."
"I'm not sure what happens now, but we're free," I say. I know it's going to be a long process. We might be free, but we aren't equal yet. We don't have rights yet. But maybe the humans will hear us now, listen and negotiate.
"What are you gonna do next?" Hank asks me.
I haven't thought it through past this morning. "I don't know," I tell him truthfully.
"Well, you know, you don't make a bad partner. Maybe Fowler can pull a few strings."
"I wasn't under the impression he thought highly of androids," I say, doubtful.
"Well, he can't really do much if you keep showing up for work," Hank says with a grin. "Do you have somewhere to stay?"
I think of Clara. "I'm not sure yet."
"Well, my door is always open if you need somewhere," Hank tells me. "Sumo seems to like you."
"Thanks, Hank. That means a lot to me."
He waves my words away. "Go meet that girl of yours," he tells me. "And think about the whole partner thing."
"I will," I tell him sincerely. I enjoyed my time working as Hank's partner. I was created to be a detective and to aid humans in investigations, but my love for solving mysteries and searching for clues transcends programming.
It's a little early to meet Clara, but suddenly I can't wait any longer to see her. I get a taxi to her house, knocking without hesitation. She answers right away, already awake and dressed, eyes lighting up as soon as she sees me. I'm barely through the door when she throws her arms around my neck, kissing me fiercely. There's no hesitation anymore as I kiss her back. It's as natural as breathing, and even if I don't need the air, I need this, this feeling, this connection. Without my programming to get in the way of human emotions, I feel everything. It's heady, and I feel a little dizzy, but I can't get enough of it.
When we finally pull apart, Clara keeps her hands at the back of my neck, her fingers soft against my skin. Her blue eyes are full of light and happiness, and I think, perhaps, the same happiness is reflected in my own eyes.
"I know this is just the beginning," Clara tells me. "But I want to be with you. I don't care about judgment. I don't care if it's a challenge. I love you, Connor."
My heart swells at her words. I've never heard them before, not said to me. I didn't think it was possible for someone to feel that way toward me or for me to return those feelings, but I feel the same with everything inside me.
"I love you, too," I tell her even though I'm just learning what love is. I don't know what else this feeling inside of me could be. I put a hand to her cheek, skin fading to white. She closes her eyes and puts a hand over mine and we stand like that, connected in a way only the two of us could be.
I don't know what the future holds. I know it won't be easy. Not for deviants, not for Clara and me. But right now, with Clara here with me, it doesn't scare me. I feel as if we could accomplish anything with this connection between us. For the first time since I was created, my future is my own and it looks bright.
