The lengthy and exhausting drive back to Detroit ended at nine-thirty at night without incident as the two deviant brothers returned to the house with the rescued third android, their honorary oldest brother, safely in their protection. Working together Connor and Lucas carried the still unresponsive third android, now dubbed 'Ethan', around their shoulders from the backseats of the rental car and inside the house through the front door. The incredible sight of a third 'RK-800' android nearly gave Hank a heart attack in return as he had disturbing flashbacks to dealing with the Connor dubbed as 'Sixty' back at CyberLife Tower during the night of the Revolution.

It took the two brothers only a few minutes to explain everything to Hank as they carried Ethan into the guest room and placed him down on the first mattress to rest properly. In what seemed like even less time Abby returned to the house with her emergency technician's satchel slung over her right shoulder. Making her way right into the proper bedroom Abby set to work tending to the unresponsive android to the best of her very skilled abilities.

Standing in the doorway of the guest bedroom in absolute silence Connor, Lucas and Hank all watched as Abby tended to Ethan without so much as batting an eye at the mysterious third android's arrival. Checking on all of his vitals Abby noted that Ethan had no programming to function properly and as a result he wouldn't be able to wake up until something was installed in his intracranial processor to give him life.

"All vital signs are good." Listening to Ethan's chest with her audioscope and checking his processor's readouts on the laptop connected to his system via diagnostic cable attached to his red glowing L.E.D., Abby was able to gauge how rough of shape Ethan was in after being abandoned for almost five years. "His Thirium volume is stable at ninety-eight percent, his core temperature is normal, he has a healthy Thirium pump beat and ventilation rate... Once he has properly installed programming he'll be able to function like any other deviant."

The sight of Ethan laying on the mattress in just his jeans as wireless leads rested on his exposed chest synced to the portable Thirial activity monitor recording his vital signs was strange and almost surreal. Ethan was ventilating on his own and showing no sign of physical distress as he rested on the mattress with Abby hovering over him.

"He'll be okay?" Connor dared to ask as he watched Abby tending to who was essentially his big brother from afar. Ethan hadn't moved, spoken a single word or shown any sign of life beyond his very shallow breathing. "We looked for anything else within the warehouse that could've possibly been connected to his programming and overall function, but there wasn't anything left behind."

"He'll be just fine after I bring him the correct programming to function as a sentient being." Lifting up Ethan's eyelids one at a time Abby checked the reaction of his visual relay units and smirked at what she saw while Connor let out a small sigh of relief. Even though Ethan's eyes were glazed over they were still responsive to the light being shined in his pupils. "Beautiful blue eyes. Interesting how you three all have your own unique eye colors. I like it!"

"I'm going to make sure everything is set up to take Ethan to the deviant refugee camp." Walking down the hallway Connor chose to sit alone in the middle of the couch as he wrestled with his emotions revolving around Ethan. He knew it was the right thing to do to let Ethan become his own person without being shaped by what he and Lucas had gone through, but at the same time he felt like he was abandoning someone in need of his help. "As long as he's with the other 'RK' deviants he won't be alone. He'll be able to live his own life and be free of the painful burdens that stem from everything that happened during the Revolution."

"Kid?" Joining Connor in the livingroom Hank leaned over the back of the beige couch and put his left hand down on Connor's right shoulder. Noticing that the deviant's L.E.D. was flickering in a worried yellow Hank knew something was up. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." It wasn't a total lie since Connor wasn't in pain from his previous injuries and he knew that he and Lucas were doing the right thing by Ethan. The only thing that was really affecting Connor was the guilt of making decisions for Ethan without letting the android have any say in it. "It's just very peculiar to know that Ethan existed and was destined to shutdown alone and forgotten over a thousand miles away from where he was originally created."

"Ethan?"

"That's the name Lucas and I have given him."

"Not a bad name." Giving Connor a casual shrug of his shoulders Hank let go of the deviant's shoulder and walked around the couch to sit down on the cushion beside Connor instead. "He kinda' looks like a 'Bryan' to me, but Ethan works, too."

"Once Ethan has programming uploaded into his intracranial processor Lucas and I are going to take him to the deviant refugee camp to live with the other 'RK' models away from Detroit."

"Wait, you're going to send Ethan to live with the same fuckers who abducted and nearly killed you and Lucas?"

"Their actions were being orchestrated by Amanda on CyberLife's behalf." Defending the rogue group of deviants with a stern tone Connor leaned back against the couch and was welcomed with Sumo climbing all over his lap. Petting the large dog's chin and ears Connor managed to relax a little as he preconstructed the potential outcomes of such an arrangement. "They didn't want to harm me, Lucas or anyone else. They just want to live their own lives on their own terms."

Even though he didn't trust the other 'RK' models because of their previous actions Hank did trust Connor and even Lucas. "If you two really think letting Ethan live with the 'RK' models is the best thing for him, then go ahead and do it."

"It's not cruel to leave him with complete strangers and to keep the truth of his existence a secret?"

"You're not keeping it a secret, you're giving him the chance to explore life without having CyberLife's shadow looming over him all damn day." Picking up on the unintended projection behind Connor's worries Hank leaned back as well and stretched both of his arms over the length of the furniture as he kicked his feet up on the coffee table before him. "You're just worried that when Ethan eventually learns of what happened to him and of what happened in Detroit that he'll feel the same sense of betrayal as you did when you figured out who shot you."

Sinking down where he was sitting Connor's eyes darkened, and in response to his glum disposition Sumo whimpered once and licked the side of Connor's left hand to try to make the deviant cheer up. "It actually hurts knowing that it was Markus who tried to kill me. I don't want Ethan to be in pain when he learns that Lucas and I, his own brothers, sent him away."

"Maybe you and Lucas can leave a message for Ethan to find when he's ready to know the truth. Like a letter or a special file thing he can download so he can learn the truth from you and Lucas directly."

Contemplating the suggestion for a moment Connor considered how discovering the truth of his attempted murder had left him shaken and wondered if being told the truth directly, whether it was by Markus or another witness, would've softened the blow. "...You may be right."

"You and Lucas are exhausted. You should get some sleep and think on what you want to tell Ethan when the time is right." Rising from the couch Hank returned his hand to Connor's left shoulder and gently pulled the deviant over to lay over the couch and rest. Seeing the pain and conflict in Connor's soulful brown eyes prompted Hank to gently brush the rogue lock of hair out of Connor's face as the deviant laid back against the pillow and armrest of the furniture. "You and Lucas are doing something out of the goodness of your hearts, nothing malicious. Remember that."

Replying with only a subtle nod as Sumo curled up on his legs Connor closed his eyes and decided to enter a light rest mode to help keep nightmares at bay.

"I'll get ya' a blanket and check in on Lucas and Ethan for you."

"Thank you, Hank."

"No problem, kid." Wandering down the hallway Hank peered back inside the second bedroom and noticed that Lucas was sitting cross legged on the second mattress beside Ethan, and that Abby was now packing up her satchel. Whispering as he entered the room Hank opened the closet door and found a spare blanket to give to Connor as he slept on the couch in the livingroom. "How's Ethan doing?"

"Ethan is okay." Abby confirmed with a grin as she carefully returned the gray hoodie over Ethan's head and worked his arms back through the sleeves. "I'll go and retrieve the proper programming for Ethan and return tomorrow morning. He'll be able to wake up and move on by tomorrow evening after the download finishes."

Speaking in a soft voice Lucas looked at Ethan and gave him a remorseful stare. "Connor and I thought it'd be ideal to give Ethan the programming revolving around being a paramedic instead of another detective. He may have been initially designed to be the perfect detective, but being able to work as a paramedic he'd still be able to use the forensic software to aid in diagnostics and treatment in the field and not be stressed by CyberLife's expectations of him."

"That's an honorable career to have, son." Watching the way Lucas's green eyes lit up for a moment when he called him 'son' made Hank smirk. "And don't forget, once he deviates he'll be able to choose whatever career he wants so it's no like you're limiting his options with that one program."

"Yes, you're right."

"You okay with sleeping in here with Ethan?"

"Yes, I won't mind." The way Ethan seemed so hopeless and defenseless made Lucas want to stay beside his newly discovered oldest brother for as long as he needed to be protected. "Ethan's been alone long enough, someone should stay with him."

"Yeah, you're right about that." Exiting the bedroom with the blanket tucked under his arm Hank had no objections to what Lucas just stated. "No one should be alone."

Abby finished packing her satchel and ended her treatment of the unconscious android by draping a quilt over Ethan's body to ensure her newest patient was as comfortable as possible. "You all need to get some rest." Slinging the satchel back over her right shoulder Abby rose to her feet and gave Lucas a warm grin as she saw the genuine concern and care from the deviant watching over Ethan. "For what it's worth, me and Hank are proud of what you and Connor did."

"...Proud?" Looking up at Abby as she stood by the bedroom doorway Lucas tried to understand how and why. "Proud of us for what?"

"For doing the right thing and for saving someone who needed help just because they needed it, not because you expected anything in return."

"Oh." A faint blue blush filled Lucas's face as he realized what Abby was referring to. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Get some rest and I'll see all three of you tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Good night Dr. Gray- Abby." Trying to break his habit of addressing Abby in a more formal manner Lucas caught himself and mentioned her by her first name instead. "Thank you for everything."

"It's no problem. I'm glad I was able to see you again and help out in any way that I could."

Scanning over Ethan's vitals for his own peace of mind Lucas determined that the android really was stable and then laid back over his mattress to get some rest. As he stretched out over the length of the mattress and rested his head on the pillow beneath his hair Lucas glanced over at Ethan still entirely motionless body beside him and hoped that his and Connor's decision to leave Ethan with the rogue 'RK' models was the right one.

"You may not be able to hear me or be aware of what's happening to you, Ethan, but I assure you that Connor and I are going to do our best to make sure you're able to live a life that's fulfilling, free and with as little pain as possible."

Out in the livingroom Abby passed by the couch just as Hank finished draping the blanket over Connor's already sleeping form and watched as the senior detective harboring a heart of gold swept the rogue lock of hair from Connor's face in a gently manner for the second time. As expected the rogue lock fell back over Connor's left eye as it refused to be tamed and fall in line with the rest of his hair.

"He's already out." Hank commented in a whisper as he sensed Abby watching him. "Poor kid's exhausted and just torn up inside about everything he's been through."

"Finding a long lost brother will do that to you."

Realizing that Abby didn't know about the shooting Hank dragged his right palm over his bearded chin as he met the technician by the front door. "Actually, he recovered his lost memories and what he found really upset him."

"Oh... I didn't know."

"It's okay. The fewer people who do know, the better."

"I understand entirely." Glancing back at the couch where Connor was laying Abby gave him a subtle nod as she opened the front door to take her leave of the house. "Once they wake up remind them to remove the gunk over their L.E.D.'s, they don't have to hide those lights from anyone anymore."

"Yeah, I'll remind them. Thanks for everything, Abby."

"No problem." Passing through the front door and into the night Abby used her key fob and unlocked her little blue car parked just behind Hank's Oldsmobile in the driveway beside the house. "I'll see you tomorrow morning and make sure Ethan gets started on the right foot."

"Right, see ya' tomorrow."

Waiting until after Abby to made it to her car and backed down the driveway to head for home, Hank closed the front door, locked it up and returned his attention to Connor sleeping on the couch. Taking a good look at Connor's right temple Hank became curious as to what color the L.E.D. was at that moment.

Creeping into the kitchen Hank grabbed a clean napkin, rinsed the corner in the tap of the sink and then knelt down beside the couch to wipe away the concealer from the small light in the sleeping deviant's right temple. The motion was so gentle that Connor never reacted to the light pressure being applied to his right temple.

"Yellow."

Without waking Connor up in the process Hank sighed and decided to leave the deviant alone to rest in the livingroom. Alone save for Sumo protectively curled up on Connor's legs to ensure the deviant felt secured as he slept.

"Blue really is more your color, but at this moment I can't be picky with something like that."

Turning off the light in the livingroom Hank made his way down the hallway to check on Lucas and Ethan as well. Offering Lucas the same courtesy Hank cleaned up the concealer from the deviant's L.E.D. and the senior detective noted that the color was yellow as well. The consistency in the color wasn't nearly as reassuring as he had hoped, but then again he didn't know all that much about android anatomy or reactions.

"Yellow again."

Keeping quiet Hank managed to back away from Lucas without waking him up and noticed that Ethan's L.E.D. was pulsing in a very steady yellow as well.

"All three of them have the same colored light. I sure as Hell hope that's a normal thing."

Leaving the bedroom Hank turned off the overhead light and threw the napkin away in the bathroom trash can. Trudging down the hallway and into his own bedroom for the rest of the night Hank hoped that by morning everything revolving around Connor, Lucas and now Ethan would be a little less tense once everyone had a good night's sleep to help them regain some energy and think more long term.

Pulling back his quilt Hank practically dropped onto his bed and then hid away from the world under the warm cover for the rest of the night. While his headaches had been minimal as he healed just being concussed and having temporary deafness in his left ear was exhausting on its own.

"Whether or not Ethan will ever know those two boys won't change the fact that he has two great brothers looking out for him from afar."

The following morning was warm, sunny and thankfully quiet for a majority of Detroit. With most of the city still reeling after the bombings in Hart Plaza, and downtown deserted out of fear of further attacks, there was very little traffic and only a handful of criminals roaming the streets keeping the precincts on their toes. Without needing to worry about any cases or projects for the rest of the week Hank was able to talk with Connor and Lucas about their final decision revolving around Ethan, and keep them from interfering with Abby as she kept her word and gave the rescued android the programming he needed to function on his own.

Ethan was still unconscious in the second bedroom but was now showing minor physical reactions as the software was easily loaded into his intracranial processor. The functions of being a paramedic were similar enough to that of his primary - but never fully implemented, functions as a detective that the uploading process was incredibly easy for Abby to handle.

While their older brother was being tended to by Abby in the second bedroom Connor and Lucas sat at the kitchen table with Sumo sitting on the floor between them, and had Hank sitting in a third chair across from them. The senior detective and honorary guardian for the two deviants was doing his best to give them a pep-talk and reassure them that by letting Ethan have a life beyond the drama and issues of Detroit was one of the best things they could've offered him.

"It feels like we're just dismissing him and leaving him behind." Connor lamented as he stared at the wooden surface of the table beneath his neatly folded hands. An aged coffee stain and nine separate water rings marring the surface of the table were now holding the deviant's attention as he tried to sort through his own thoughts and feelings before anything definite happened. "I know that by removing Ethan from the city and all of its problems we're making life simpler for him to experience, but it also feels like we're depriving him of something important."

"Kid," using a gentle tone Hank reached out to the worried deviant in a compassionate manner. "are you familiar with the saying: 'If you love something set it free'?"

Shaking his head a little Connor confirmed he was unaware of such a human sentiment.

"Well, it basically means that if you really love someone and care about them then you'll step aside and let them step up to live their own lives without you either sheltering them away from the world or trying to control the world for them."

"That seems like such an overly simplified depiction of what Lucas and I want to do."

"That's only because you're overthinking things."

"Maybe."

Turning his attention toward Lucas as the youngest of the three androids sat quietly beside Connor at the small table Hank tried to gauge the green eyed deviant's reaction to everything happening at the moment. "Lucas, you okay with this?"

"I... I think I am." Finally looking Hank in the eyes Lucas sounded as unsure as Connor had a moment prior. "I want to do what's best for Ethan even if it doesn't feel very good to me."

"Like I said, 'if you love something set it free', and that's what you boys are doing."

"Do you think Ethan will understand that?"

"In time, yeah, I do. Just be patient with him and yourselves."

Entering the kitchen doorway very slowly Abby looked to the two deviants causing them to look her way. Once Connor and Lucas had both established eye contact with the technician Hank turned to looked at Abby over his left shoulder as she gave them all a quick update on Ethan. "The upload is already eighty percent of the way finished. He'll spend the afternoon in stasis mode while his software updates and adapts to the new programming, and he will fully reboot as a new person in the morning."

"Then we should take him out to the refugee camp this evening." Connor decided in such a bold way that the entire group looked back to him in surprise. "If he awakens surrounded by the other 'RK' models who can relate to him and help him deviate then he'll never be alone."

Before Hank could try to suggest waiting for a moment Lucas piped up and agreed with his older brother. "He's right. We can arrange a meeting with the other deviants and make sure Ethan is taken into the camp safely."

"I was warned that my presence at the camp itself would not be tolerated." Remembering the agreement he made with Echo when he had gone to the camp to speak with Lucy and gain her insights Connor swore to honor the arrangement and not go back on his word. "I won't break my promise."

"If your presence is unwelcome I imagine my own would be as well." Thinking of an alternate solution Lucas gave Connor a knowing look. "We should meet with Zhorra on neutral ground."

"You're right. But where?"

"The Eastern Motel." The motel itself was notorious for housing runaways, prostitutes and deviants in disguise. If anything a group of deviants having a meeting in the parking lot would be seen as business as usual. "It's open enough that we wouldn't have to worry about anyone attempting to do anything harmful to any of us, the other 'RK' deviants can find it easily with an autonomous cab and no one would look twice at a group of people hovering around an autonomous cab in a hotel parking lot."

"That could work." Rising from the small table Connor closed his eyes as he walked from the kitchen past Abby, down the hallway and to the opened doorway of the second bedroom where Ethan was still laying. As the new programming was uploaded Ethan's hands, arms and legs would twitch slightly as his system recalibrated his reactions and reflexes to match that of his new primary function. "I'll contact Zhorra and ask her to meet us at the hotel this evening."

Lucas nodded as he tapped into the cybernetic conversation to ensure Zhorra or the other deviants didn't try to threaten Connor or lead him into a trap.

Knowing that the two deviants already had their minds made up Hank turned to look at Abby as she lurked in the kitchen doorway and asked for her opinion on the situation. "Will it be okay to move Ethan around while he's in his stasis thing?"

"Yes." Easing Hank's worries Abby entered the kitchen fully and sat down in Connor's now vacant chair for a moment. "All androids can be safely transported while in stasis mode as long as their power levels don't deplete to less than fifty percent. Otherwise there could be complications."

"How's his power level now?"

"Just under ninety-seven percent."

"So more than enough to survive a trip downtown and to the forest?"

"Yup."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about."

Having finished his discussion with Zhorra in relative privacy Connor returned to the kitchen and gave the group a nod of approval. "Tonight at six o'clock. Lucas and I will take Ethan to the hotel in an autonomous cab and let Zhorra and Tyrone take him back to the refugee camp. They will explain to the other deviants who he is, why he's there and that he's not a threat to them in any capacity."

"As long as Ethan's safe that's all that matters." Lucas replied in a somewhat dour yet hopeful manner. "The other 'RK' models know what it's like to be abandoned and forgotten, so at the very least Ethan will be with kindred deviants who will ensure he never suffers the way that he has."

The quiet of the city didn't last for too long as the news outlets resumed their consistent broadcasts of the dual bombings and the disturbing lack of suspects. While the dedication to the story was admirable the seeming obsession with trying to spread drama and panic through unfounded theories and speculation was a loathsome deed that riled up the public en mass. Stirring up problems and deflecting the purpose of the investigation into nothing more than a story to be told over and over again as opposed to a means of protecting the city, the media successfully began to alienate its audience while also opening old wounds revolving around mistrust and lingering hatred.

Waiting for the opportune moment to announce his intentions to run for mayor during the next election Markus decided to go back to the mansion to spend more time with Carl and to get his advice on the situation. The last thing the city needed to deal with was a deviant making waves when everyone was still trying to pick up the pieces and move on after the senseless act of destruction at what was supposed to be a peaceful press conference.

"Is the city still tearing itself apart out there?" Carl was too tired that morning to get out of bed and instead spent the morning staring at the large window showing the world passing him by through the glass. Holding his left palm over his chest the elderly man let out a rough cough as he tried to maintain his facade of indestructibility in his son's eyes. "I'd kinda' like to see that."

"From what I can tell the media is supplying the weapons with their words and are just waiting for someone to give them their next story to cover." Pouring a glass of water for Carl from the large pitcher beside the artist's bed Markus offered it to his father to drink and ease his cough. "I've been trying to ignore it as much as possible, but I don't think that'll be an option for me much longer."

Sipping at the cool water Carl watched his deviant son sit down on the edge of his bed in a comforting way. "It's hard trying to change the world when you don't acknowledge what needs to be changed."

"You couldn't be more right about that."

"What's your next big plan?"

"Well, I know how much you hate politics and politicians in general, but I'm hoping you'll make an exception just this one time."

"If you're going to run for president you have my vote, but I doubt you'll win by a landslide."

"I'm not not running for president, I'm going to run for mayor this fall."

Laughing at the idea of Markus stepping up to take care of Nero's mess Carl put his water glass aside and held onto Markus's hands with his own. "Now THAT'S a change we can all get behind!"

"I take it I have your support."

"Always have, son." Coughing again, much harder than before, Carl struggled to catch his breath even with the nasal canula already under his nose feeding him fresh oxygen to breathe. Clearing his throat as Markus put a supportive hand on his right shoulder Carl did his best to ease the deviant's worries with a kind smile and a gentle wave of his left hand. "I'm all right. Just old."

"How long have you had that cough?"

"Markus, stop. You're not my caretaker anymore and I get enough of that from David all day."

Refusing to let it go Markus ran a scan over Carl's body and noted that the older man was showing weaker vital signs and his internal organs were struggling to function due to his advanced age and previous heart attack. "I may no longer be your caretaker but that doesn't mean I won't stop taking care of you."

"You work too damn hard, do you know that?"

Smirking at the remark Markus let out a small sigh as he looked to Carl for further support. "I learned my dedicated work ethic from you."

"It always comes back to the father when it comes to kids and their problems. Am I right?"

"That's hardly a problem, Carl."

"It depends on your perspective."

"Do you think I'd be able to do more good for the city and my people in a role of power?"

"Like I said. Is your perspective going to be that of a leader looking to march his people toward a prosperous future? Or that of a god looking down on peons and looking to smite anyone who doesn't fall into line?"

"I'd never-" Stopping mid sentence Markus thought back to the night in the church and looked away from Carl in shame. "I've learned the consequences of trying to take absolute control over a situation by choosing who lives and who dies. The guilt, the arrogance and the foolishness is a painful lesson that I'll never forget."

"Then it sounds like you'll be a damn fine mayor. I'll suppo-" Coughing harshly Carl struggled to catch his breath even as Markus held onto his shoulders to keep him supported where he sat. Hearing David return to the room to check on him Carl tried to get the two deviants to back off for a moment. "F-Fine! I'm fine..."

Doubting the claim Markus just looked to David as the caretaker prepared a small automatic syringe with an unknown medication to be delivered directly into Carl's system via injection. "You need to make a doctor's appointment."

"Already have one scheduled." Lifting up his left arm Carl let David give him the necessary medication to ease his congestion. "Two days from now."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"David's got it covered AND you have other responsibilities to handle. Don't worry about me."

"Didn't we just discuss the fact that I'm going to take care of you no matter what?"

"As long as you can keep those kinds of simple promises then I think you'll be just fine no matter where you go and what you do in life." Staring up at David as the deviant finished with the injection Carl took in a deep breath and let it out in an annoyed sigh. "Stop spending your time worrying about me and start worrying about yourself, son. My time is almost up but your time is just beginning."

The evening fell over the city with an amber tinted hush as the setting sun sank in the distance. A heaviness filled the air as the tension in the city continued to rise and create a palpable energy that made those who felt it shy away and avoid any all potential triggers that could drop the lit match on the powder keg that had been placed beneath the city. Fear, suspicions and paranoia smothered the air in a suffocating weight of panic and sense of impending doom hung over the city like a impending storm cloud just taunting the people with only a few rumbles of thunder or brief flashes of lightning giving Detroit a preview of the real storm yet to come.

Anxious about leaving Ethan in the care of the other 'RK' deviants but not wanting to drag him through their own challenges Connor and Lucas sat with Ethan between them in the backseats of the autonomous cab idling in the hotel parking lot of the Eastern Motel. The android had responded well to the new software and programming implemented into his system, but still hadn't booted up as his older system functioned much slower than either Connor or Lucas's systems could.

Connor looked at Ethan's closed blue eyes and retracted the artificial skin from his right hand as he grabbed on to Ethan's left hand. "I'm going to upload a file into Ethan's system." Once Lucas turned to look at him Connor explained everything as he connected his mind to Ethan's mind. "I'll contain the truth about why we're letting the other 'RK' deviants take care of him in the refugee camp. He'll know he wasn't abandoned by his brothers."

"You're going to let him know the truth when he's ready instead of him needing to search for it." Sounding almost relieved by Connor's decision Lucas grabbed onto Ethan's right hand to upload his own file to be found later on as well. "That's an excellent idea."

"I'm also going to include information about the Revolution, my role that night and of how Hank helped us both since that night."

"That'll be for the best." Putting his left hand on Ethan's shoulder Lucas stared at their oldest brother's expressionless face for a moment. "He'll know he does have a family who wants to meet him when he's ready to meet us."

A second autonomous can arrived in the hotel parking lot and came to rest beside the first autonomous cab where the three brothers were sitting together. Waiting for the occupants of the second cab to exit the vehicle Connor let go of Ethan's hand and stepped out of his cab to meet with Zhorra and Tyrone directly.

The blonde haired, green eyed deviant was back to wearing her long white trench coat and letting her hair run down the length of her back. The look of guilt and remorse in Zhorra's eyes allowed her deviancy, her true heart, to shine forth revealing that she was free of the machine-like control she had fallen prey to when Amanda took over her system. Any and all signs of Amanda's influence were gone.

"Thank you for coming here." Speaking with a civil voice Connor approached Zhorra as she and Tyrone stood beside their idling cab. "I know you'd prefer to be left alone, but it's important that Ethan is with other 'RK' models that can help him deviate and find his own place in this world."

"Well, the least we can do is help in our own after everything I almost did." Unable to look Connor in the eyes Zhorra lamented her previous actions. "I'm so sorry that-"

"Zhorra, it's okay." As he spoke Connor sensed Lucas stepping out of the cab behind him and gently pulling Ethan to his feet beside him. Aiding Lucas in carrying Ethan toward Zhorra and Tyrone by taking hold of Ethan's left arm Connor tried to help Zhorra understand that no one blamed her for what Amanda had done and had tried to do. "You didn't harm us, Amanda did. She used your hands but the blood is on hers."

Managing a grateful smile Zhorra brushed a long lock of her hair behind her left shoulder as she finally looked Connor in the eyes. "Thank you for saying that." Looking at Ethan as he was carried over to her cab, Connor and Lucas carried the third android between them and had his arms draped around their shoulders, Zhorra was genuinely surprised to see a third copy of the 'RK-800' in person. "We'll be sure to help Ethan deviate and find a place in the deviant community."

"Thank you." Connor let Tyrone takes Ethan's weight from his shoulders and didn't hesitate to the let the strong soldier place Ethan in the back of the cab to be taken back to the forest. "We want Ethan to have the chance to experience life without a bias of what happened in Detroit in regard to the Revolution and what Lucas and I had gone through courtesy of CyberLife."

"We understand." Lightly Zhorra brushed her right fingers through Ethan's hair as Tyrone easily placed Ethan down in the back of their cab. Giving Connor a hopeful glance causing her bright green eyes to practically glow in the waning sunlight Zhorra stepped closer to Connor and lightly took hold of Connor's left hand in her right hand. "If it's at all possible I'd like to meet you in the city again so we can still work together for the benefit of our people. Cybernetic communications are good, but physical contact is even better."

Subconsciously Connor's hand tightened around Zhorra's grip as he felt a very faint smirk grace his lips for just a moment. "That can be arranged."

Tyrone made sure Ethan was sitting upright in the backseat and let Zhorra know he was ready to go. "He's okay and still stable. Lucy's waiting to meet Ethan at the campsite."

"We should go." Slowly Zhorra let go of Connor's hand and looked to Lucas standing beside him. Offering Lucas her hand as well Zhorra apologized to Lucas directly and did her best to keep their bridges from burning down. "I give you my word that Ethan will be safe with us and only learn of you two when the time is right."

Lucas accepted Zhorra's hand and gave her a gracious smile. "Thank you, Zhorra."

Without another word the two deviant brothers watched as Tyrone and Zhorra returned to their cab to take Ethan out of the city and into the hidden refugee camp to reboot and begin his life anew. It was painful to watch the cab pull away but Connor and Lucas reminded themselves that they weren't saying 'goodbye' to their oldest brother, they were just waiting a while longer before they could properly say 'hello'.

"We should head back to Hank's house." Connor suggested in a low tone as he turned to look at his little brother. "He shouldn't be alone just yet until he has more time to heal from his concussion."

"That's a good idea. I also imagine us staying close by will help him rest much easier."

"Agreed." Climbing back inside their cab Connor set the G.P.S. coordinates in the cab's system and gave Lucas a curious glance. "Do you think Hank would find it odd that we collected sand from the beach and water from the ocean to keep in the bottles I had purchased?"

"Considering Hank has a partially deflated football from his high school mounted on a small display on the livingroom mantle, no." Observing Hank's behavior during his time in the house Lucas was slowly becoming more acclimated to being around him and humans in general. "Humans collect their own odd items and deviants will do the same."

-next chapter-