Chapter Seven
Connor replayed the meeting with Wren again. He traced her face, even with the slight static of his memory. She was beautiful, even with the bruises and cuts on her face. She moved toward him, her head titled slightly. He itched to touch her, even to just hold her hand. Connor interweaved his own fingers and lowered his head.
Hank slowed the car to a stop and rolled down the window. A CyberLife guard approached the window. Hank cleared his throat. "Hi. Um, Lieutenant Hank Anderson and Detective Connor Anderson here to see Mr. Kamski. He's expecting us."
The CyberLife guard regarded them. After a moment, he waved them through. Hank dipped his head and rolled up his window as the gate slid beneath the ground. Hank drove forward. "Those fucking masks are creepy. Can't see any facial expressions."
"Their masks allow them to scan like an android, though their capabilities don't match up with an android's," said Connor. "He scanned us before letting us through."
"I know what the masks are for. They just look stupid. Like a fuckin' stormtrooper or something."
Connor's lips twitched. Hank parked before the CyberLife Tower. They exited the car and took the elevator up to the forty-third floor. Connor led the way, his shoes clicking on the hard floor. He entered Kamski's open office. Kamski sat at his desk. Dark circles ringed his eyes. His lips slid into their usual smirk when Connor and Hank entered the office.
"Welcome back, Connor and Hank."
Hank grunted as Kamski stood. "Awfully friendly."
Kamski ignored Hank and picked up a tablet, which he handed over to Connor. "I figured it would be safer to give all the information on our cyborg friend here, rather than sending it to you. This will be harder to hack and trace. Everything I could find is there. It was pretty challenging to find this information, so those who controlled CyberLife after me definitely didn't want that getting out."
"We'll guard it with our lives," muttered Hank.
"Oh, I'm sure you will," said Kamski, leaning against his desk. "It contains information that I'm sure you'll be very interested in."
"Do you have information regarding our other case?" Hank demanded.
Kamski's lips tightened for a moment. "I'm afraid I'm not quite finished. There is something I'd like you to see, but you'll have to wait for the full diagnostic on the androids' processors. I believe they were hacked, but I haven't fully finished dissecting them, as Connor was most insistent that the case regarding your cyborg friend is most important. Follow me." Kamski led the way out of his office. Connor froze as the back of his neck tingled. Hank cast Connor a glance before following Kamski.
Connor cleared his throat and filed in behind them, clutching the tablet. They took the elevator to sublevel forty-four. Kamski brought them to a large room that looked like a cross between a science lab and a surgical operation room. Laid out on three steel tables were the android bodies. Their skin was deactivated and they wore no clothes. On the last two androids, their abdominal panels were open, revealing the wire machinations within.
Connor swallowed as he neared the most recent body, the one Wren tried to scan.
"As I said, I'm still trying to examine their processors," said Kamski, gesturing to the wires attached to the back of the android's head. "But I found something interesting on these two." Kamski gestured to them. He lifted the closest one so that Connor and Hank could look at its back. Branded near the waist was an image of a hurricane eye. The Greek letter Tau sat in the middle of the eye.
"Do all of them have this?"
"Yes," said Kamski. "Whoever is doing this is branding these androids with their symbol, most likely postmortem, though there is no real way to tell with androids."
"Could be some sort of gang or organization," said Hank, folding his arms.
"Or a single killer who's proud of their accomplishment," said Connor, straightening. Kamski lowered the body back onto the table. Connor met Kamski's gaze. "Thank you for meeting with us today."
"And for… doing this," added Hank.
Kamski blinked, and then nodded. Connor and Hank left the CyberLife Tower and returned to the car. Connor withdrew his phone.
"Whoa, whoa, what're you doing?" Hank demanded.
"I'm going to tell everyone that we have the tablet and should meet," said Connor.
"Let's take this slow, alright? You saw what they did to Wren. Son, that was our fault. We need to be discreet about all this."
Connor tensed. He pressed his lips together and looked away from Hank, but lowered his phone. His biocomponents knotted, and he swallowed. "You're right."
Hank faced the street again. "You never told me what she said."
Connor's brow pinched. "What do you mean?"
"She signed something, and she told you something when the two of you interfaced, because you were so shaken up that you didn't talk to me for the rest of the night. What'd she say?"
Connor narrowed his eyes. "She signed 'They're listening'."
"'They're listening'? The hell's that supposed to mean?"
"She interfaced with me to show me that as soon as she returned to Prometheus, they performed surgery on her. She scanned her systems and found an anomaly in her audio processor. She believes that Prometheus is either tapping into, streaming, or recording what she says and hears."
Hank sighed. "Jesus. That explains why she shut you up about the letter, and why she was so dodgy. She's literally on fucking speakerphone."
Connor nodded, his chest tightening. "She still wants out, Hank. She tried to hide it while we interfaced, but I felt it. She's scared."
Hank glanced at Connor before focusing back on the road. "She looked pretty scared. I want her out too, kid. I just want to be smart and careful about this. I told you that emotions always screw everything up."
Connor clenched his jaw and lowered his head.
…
Later that afternoon, he received a text in the group message.
Tina: Hey, so tomorrow's Christmas… I know not all of us celebrate it, and some of us have families, but… do any of us wanna meet tomorrow for a holiday celebration?
Tina: u guys are basically my family, so…
Connor squeezed his eyebrows together. He began to type a response, but Markus beat him to it.
Markus: Actually, I was going to invite you all to Carl's. He said he'd enjoy some more human company so that he's not the only one eating. I didn't want him to be lonely in case Leo doesn't show up.
Tina: Carl?
Markus: Yeah, my dad.
Tina: oh ok cool
Tina: I mean I was gonna host bc I want Chloe to come
Markus: Chloe can come
Tina: you're so kind ily
Markus: Thanks, Tina
North: Gross. I just barfed in my mouth.
Tina: androids can't barf
Tina: wait can they
Connor: We cannot.
Tina: I trust Connor to never lie to me
North: I never said I actually barfed.
Tina: and wtf are u saying gross to?
Tina: I saw u giving marky-mark the googoo eyes
North: shut up
Markus: Marky-mark?
Tina: shhhh don't question it
Markus: I've learned not to at this point.
Hank: Jeeeeezus you guys text a lot
Tina: keep up old man
Hank: You wanna try that again?
Tina: no sir
Hank: Thought not
Gavin: will there be food at this event
North: No, you trashcan.
Gavin: well damn
Josh: Yeah you're just going to sit around with us and talk about coding and rA9.
Gavin: is that what androids talk about on a daily basis?
North: You literally hang out with an android every day.
Gavin: I do?
Markus: Uh… Connor?
Gavin: oh!
Gavin: that's not hanging out
Gavin: that's work
Tina: You guys! She's so!
Tina: ugh she's so damn soft and cute and I just wanna put kisses all over her sweet face
North: Who? Chloe?
Tina: my cat
Tina: Chloe too
Gavin: GAY
Tina: uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Tina: hate to break it to you
Tina: but I am
Gavin: no you're not
Tina: u right
Tina: well pan
Tina: but you get the idea
Hank: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP TEXTING THE DAMN GROUP. I'LL SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW.
Tina: put the group on do not disturb!
Hank: middle_finger_emoji
Tina: gasp
Tina: rude
Connor cracked a smile and rolled onto his back. He frowned and opened texted Tina privately.
Connor: I never apologized to you for my behavior at the last meeting. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken out my anger on you.
Tina: hey, it's ok. I know this is hard for u.
Connor: My behavior was still unacceptable.
Tina: really, Connor. It's ok. I understand. You're just trying to protect Wren however u can. I was trying to protect Chloe, so… I know. ?
Connor: Thank you for understanding.
Tina: thanks for apologizing
Tina: did u talk to Kamski?
Connor: I did. I think it's best if we speak about him in person.
Tina: yeah that's true
Tina: do u think that guy… the asshole… who came to Jericho… who yelled at u… starts with an R…
Connor: I know who you mean.
Tina: yeah do u think he was telling the truth?
Connor: Yes, I do.
Tina: shit
Tina: I hope she's ok
Connor: So do I.
Tina: alright I'll talk to u tmwr
Connor: Goodbye, Tina.
Tina: kissing_heart_emoji
Connor's lips twitched. Heaviness weighed on his chest. He closed his eyes.
«Enter stasis?»
[Yes]
…
Connor strode toward Carl's mansion, decorated in twinkling lights. Snow glowed in the warm light. Connor's mouth quirked. Wren would've loved this. He entered Carl's mansion with Hank. Everyone else was already inside, gathered around on the couches in the living room. Holiday music jingled in the background. Tina and Chloe danced to the piano music, twirling around and laughing. Josh played chess with Carl, while North leaned against the piano while Markus played "Jingle Bells." Gavin watched the chess match while nursing a neat glass of Scotch.
Tina grinned when she caught Connor's eye. She kissed Chloe's cheek and hurried over to him. Tina slung her arms around Connor, who widened his eyes a fraction, but returned the show of affection. Tina withdrew, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you came."
Connor dipped his head. "Me too." He flashed a soft smile at Chloe, who waved and joined Tina, her hand sliding into Tina's. Connor's chest tightened. His fingers ached for Wren's.
Hank embraced Tina and looked around the living room. "Fancy."
Tina's eyebrows shot up. "I know, right? I can't believe I'm in Carl freakin' Manfred's house."
"It is pretty cool," said Hank. He walked over to the chess match to introduce himself to Carl. Connor drifted over to North and Markus, who continued to play the piano lightly.
North's lips twitched as Connor approached. "Hey. You get the info from Kamski?"
Connor dipped his head. "I did. I haven't had a chance to look over it yet."
"Everything okay, Connor? You look…" Markus trailed off.
"Sad," said North. "Worse than you did last time we saw you, and you looked pretty beaten up when Rhett left."
Connor looked around, pursing his lips. He looked back at North and Markus. "It might be best to speak about this alone."
"Let me show you my latest painting," said Markus. He stopped playing the piano. Tina pouted at him, but Markus pressed play on the sound system, and the house warmed with holiday jazz. Markus, North, and Connor entered the art studio.
Connor shoved his hands in his jacket pockets. "I saw Wren."
North's eyes widened. "What? When?"
"A few days ago," Connor muttered. "She's…" His throat constricted. "They're watching her. We can assume they're watching us, too. She couldn't really talk to me because she thinks they've found some way to spy on her."
Markus's brow furrowed. "Then maybe it's best if we don't talk about her in the open as much as possible."
The corners of Connor's mouth tightened. He flicked his eyes to North, who folded her arms. "We might have a way of making things more… discreet." She turned to Markus. "I'll talk to him first thing tomorrow."
Their eyes held fast to one another. They communicated through their processors. Connor waited for them to finish whatever secret conversation they discussed. A few canvases leaning against the wall to his left tugged at his chest. He left North and Markus to examine them. He felt hollow. North placed a hand on his arm.
"What's wrong, Connor?"
Connor tightened his jaw. Aside from seeing Wren, beaten and unable to truly talk to him? Aside from their lack of progress in saving her? Connor closed his eyes for a moment. "Wren's birthday is in two days." He met North's gaze. "We're not making enough progress. I have to save her. I can't fail."
"We won't fail," said North.
Markus joined her and placed an arm around her. "We've tackled bigger obstacles than Prometheus. We can do this, Connor."
Connor swallowed and nodded, the tension tingling from his limbs. Markus patted Connor's shoulder and the three of them rejoined the party. When they stepped through into the living room, however, Markus stopped.
A young man stood in the living room, rubbing his forearm. Connor scanned the man, tensing.
«scanning» [Complete]
[Manfred, Leo]
[Date of birth: 03/21/2010]
[Criminal record: None]
Carl rolled his wheelchair forward. "Leo. Welcome, son."
Leo's eyes flicked around the room, noting all the strangers. They rested on Markus. Leo dipped his head to his father and stepped toward Markus. "Hey, um… I never got to apologize…"
Markus placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "It's okay."
Leo's lips twitched. He nodded quickly and placed his hands in his pockets, looking around at everyone. "You guys didn't mention guests."
"This is North," said Markus, gesturing to her, "my girlfriend."
North beamed at him as she shook Leo's hand. Everyone took turns introducing themselves to Leo. Carl and Leo embraced, both grinning. Connor glanced at Hank, who pursed his lips and crossed his arms, averting his gaze from the reuniting father and son. A sharp twinge erupted in Connor's chest. He walked over to Hank.
"Would you like to leave?"
Hank raised his eyebrows. "We haven't been here very long."
Connor pressed his lips together for a moment. "I…"
"Would you like to leave?"
Connor nodded. Hank shrugged.
"Alright. We'll leave."
Connor said goodbye to North. She squeezed his arm and assured him that she would let the others know. Hank thanked Carl for his hospitality. The two of them left without much ceremony. Connor's biocomponents twisted, but the weight on his chest lifted as soon as he stepped out of the house.
"Thanks for, uh, noticing," said Hank as he drove home.
"Of course," said Connor. His lips twisted for a moment. "Though I was uncomfortable there, too."
Hank sighed. "The holidays were always difficult when Cole passed. I'm sorry they're shitty for you, too."
Connor bowed his head. "It feels rather empty to celebrate family and love when our family isn't complete."
"Yeah. I know, kid."
"Wren's birthday is in two days."
Hank parked the car and shut off the engine. "Yeah."
Connor did not exit the car immediately. He looked at his hands, folded in his lap. "I got her a present before…"
"So did I."
Connor's brow puckered and his eyes stung. "I researched what boyfriends get their significant others…"
"Please don't tell me you bought her a fucking ring."
Connor frowned at Hank. "Why would that be bad?"
Hank rubbed the back of his neck. "No reason. What'd ya get her?"
"A necklace."
"Maybe… Maybe we can have a little birthday celebration for her. I got her a bunch of movies that she still hasn't seen. I don't know. Might be corny to do that."
Connor's lips twitched. "Maybe not."
"You know she'd be making fun of us right now, right?" Hank said.
Connor cracked a smile. "There's a high probability."
Hank grinned. It faded after a moment. "I'm gonna visit Cole's grave tomorrow. Won't be long, just…"
"I'll go with you," Connor offered.
Hank nodded. "Yeah. Sure. Come on, we should go inside. I bet Sumo's whining up a storm."
…
Connor and Hank trekked through the snow the next day and stopped at Cole's grave. Hank crouched in front of it and placed a little toy superhero on the tombstone. Hank straightened and sniffled.
"He always loved Iron Man. I think he would've liked you."
Connor's mouth quirked. "He sounds like a great kid, Hank."
Hank sniffed again. "Yeah. He was."
They stood in silence for a few minutes. Connor scanned Hank's vitals every few seconds to make sure the cold did not affect his temperature too much. Then, Hank patted Cole's tombstone and headed back toward the car. Connor followed.
The drive home remained silent. The snow outside whipped past them, glittering in the patches of sunlight. Hank turned down his street and Connor jerked forward with the slam of the breaks. "Who the hell's at my house?" Hank demanded.
Connor narrowed his eyes and peered through the windshield. He scanned the license plate and widened his eyes. "That's James Blanchard's car."
Hank looked at Connor. "Wren's brother? The fuck's he doing here?"
"I suppose we'll find out," said Connor. Hank pulled up to the driveway and parked the car. When they exited the car, James and Shannon Blanchard stepped out of their car. For a moment, the four of them stared at each other.
Hank waved them over. "Might as well come inside."
He exchanged a glance with Connor before unlocking the front door. The four of them entered the house and stood in the middle of the room.
Hank rubbed the back of his neck. "Can I get you guys anything?"
"Can we talk to Wren?" James asked. "She hasn't answered any of our calls."
Connor's thirium pump dropped. He looked to Hank, unable to speak.
Hank rubbed his fingers. "Er…"
"We thought Wren wanted nothing to do with us because of Charles and how he treated you both when you visited," said Shannon, her eyes welling with tears. "So we came to tell her that he's out of our lives. I'm divorcing him."
Connor's eyes stretched a fraction.
James peered at Connor under a furrowed brow. "Where's my sister?"
"Look, uh, you guys might wanna sit down." Hank led the way to the kitchen. James and Shannon sat across from Hank and Connor, who tried not to keep eye contact with Wren's family.
"Is… Is Wren hurt? She didn't break up with you, did she?" Shannon reached across the table and gripped Connor's fingers. He flinched and met Shannon's gaze. Her eyes were the same color as Wren's.
Connor's mouth dried. He licked his lips. "We can't tell you everything because it would endanger you."
"Endanger us? What's going on?" Shannon withdrew her hand from Connor's.
"Look, uh, it's not easy to explain, okay?" Hank said.
"We didn't find Wren the way we told you," said Connor, meeting Shannon's and James's gaze. He clasped his fingers in front of him. "We found her because she tried to assassinate Markus."
James raised his eyebrows. "The android leader? Is this some kind of joke?"
Connor turned to Hank, his forehead creasing. Hank cleared his throat. "Look, just… bear with us, okay? Your daughter nearly died in that car wreck. She didn't miraculously survive or anything like that. CyberLife found her. They… amputated her limbs—"
"What?" gasped Shannon.
Connor parted his lips. "They saved her life, Mrs. Blanchard."
"They turned her into a cyborg. Some secret organization of the government called Prometheus trained her to be an assassin. She was programmed and brainwashed to follow their orders. She had post-traumatic amnesia, and they preyed upon that. They blocked her memories. But that night, when we stopped her, she deviated. She broke free of their control. We faked her death so that she could try and figure out who she was. She wanted to start over and bring down Prometheus. So we helped her." Hank turned to Connor, who held Shannon's gaze.
"The longer she was apart from their control, the more she remembered. We eventually discovered who she was and found you."
James glowered. "So you and my sister… That was just a fucking ploy?"
Connor widened his eyes. "No—"
"Where is she now?" Shannon breathed.
Connor clamped his mouth shut and swallowed before muttering, "Prometheus found her. They forced her to return."
"We're… We're working on trying to find a way to get her out."
"Do you have any proof of all this?" James pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Not really," muttered Hank. "I mean, Connor interfaced with her—"
"You did what?" Shannon barked.
Connor blinked. "Interfaced. Androids can share information, like memories, when they touch and interface. Because Wren had cybernetic limbs and implants, it allowed her to interface with me. I could download those memories to a tablet, but it would take a while—"
"No, it's okay," breathed Shannon. "I… I believe you. I think."
Connor relaxed. He held James's gaze for a moment. "It wasn't a trick. I love Wren, and I won't stop until I free her from Prometheus."
James nodded once. "Okay."
"The two of you cannot tell anyone about this. Not little Izzy, not Charles, not any girlfriends or anyone. Prometheus is watching us and they're still watching her. They'll hurt her if they think anything's wrong on our end. Got it?" Hank said.
"Yes, of course," said Shannon. James nodded.
Connor frowned. "We might have proof of CyberLife's involvement."
"What do you mean?" Shannon queried.
"Kamski has helped us a little bit," said Hank. "But we shouldn't talk too much about it. We have a meeting tonight. You both can come if you want more answers."
"Deal," said James. "Where is it?"
"We'll pick you up from your hotel," said Hank.
James nodded. "We're staying at the Crowne Plaza."
"Alright." Hank and James exchanged phone numbers. Hank and Connor walked James and Shannon to the door.
Shannon turned to Connor. "What were you… I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude…"
Connor furrowed his brow as Shannon struggled for words. "It's alright."
"What were you before… the Android Liberation Movement? Wren never told me your model number or anything… I've never seen an android like you."
Connor's lips twitched. "RK800. I was a prototype detective android."
Shannon's face softened. "So… You'll find her? You'll bring Wren home?"
Connor parted his lips as he gazed at her. "I…"
Hank patted Connor on the back. "He always accomplishes his mission."
Shannon smiled and dipped her head. She followed James outside and to the car. Hank closed the door behind them.
"Jesus Christ, that was… unexpected."
"Yes…" Connor frowned. "That wasn't true."
"What wasn't true?"
"I don't always accomplish my mission."
"What're you talking about?" Hank scowled and folded his arms.
Connor pressed his lips together for a moment. "With the deviants… I failed to catch many of them. I don't always accomplish my mission."
"Yeah, you do," said Hank. "You let those deviants go because you showed empathy. Because you're a good person. You always regretted being the Deviant Hunter anyway. You set all those androids at the CyberLife Tower free, didn't ya?"
Connor nodded. "I… I just hope I don't fail to save Wren."
"You won't. I promise, kid."
…
Connor sat in the front seat with his hands folded in his lap. Shannon and James sat in the back while Hank drove them to Jericho.
"Who all will be there?" Shannon asked.
"Markus, North, Josh, and the Human-Android Division with the Detroit Police Department. We're Wren's closest friends," Connor replied.
"So… Markus forgave Wren for trying to kill him?" James muttered.
"She never really tried to kill him… She took North hostage. She shot Connor in the shoulder, so I shot her in the arm. Markus helped her deviate." Hank shrugged.
"You shot her?" Shannon squeaked.
"Er, just in the arm. She was okay."
Hank parked the car. He twisted in his seat to look back at Shannon and James. "Remember, whatever is said in this building, stays in this building."
"Of course," said Shannon. "We don't want to endanger Wren."
"And we don't want to warn Prometheus that we're on their trail," added Connor. "It might make freeing Wren harder."
James nodded. "Okay, we get it. We won't tell anyone. We won't even talk about it at home."
"Good," said Hank. They exited the car and took the elevator up to the office where the others waited. The chatter faded into silence when Shannon and James entered the room. Hank gestured to the Blanchards. "Everyone, this is Shannon and James Blanchard. Wren's mom and brother. They were worried that Wren hadn't answered any of their calls, so… We told them the truth."
North folded her arms. "Are you sure they're her family? What if they're Prometheus agents?"
"They're Wren's family," said Connor. "I've met them before. I scanned them as well."
North jerked her head. She softened slightly as she regarded Shannon. "Yeah… I see it."
Connor led Shannon and James to two empty chairs. Tina approached them.
"Hi, I'm Tina. Wren and I were roommates."
"Oh, Wren talked about you," said Shannon, brightening. "And which one of you is North?"
North widened her eyes but stepped into Shannon's view. "I am."
"Wren talked about you two a lot."
Connor left them to connect the tablet to the main screen. Josh sat with him and turned on the screen.
Josh handed the remote to Connor. "Let's hope there's something useful on here."
Connor nodded and faced the now-silent room. He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked toward the screen. He clicked on the top left file. He scanned the information before the humans finished reading the first paragraph.
"The model of android was a Sicilian 001."
"Sicilian? I've never heard of that kind of android before," said Chris, leaning forward.
"Wren told me about two Sicilian androids at Prometheus," Connor murmured. He narrowed his eyes. "It was a prototype. Apparently, CyberLife designed them for 'enhanced interrogation techniques and combat.'"
"So, torture," muttered Gavin. "Great. So, what was this classified special-ops android doing in a CyberLife truck in some Podunk town in Maine—no offense—who just so happened to ram into Wren's car?"
Connor squished his brows together. Disposable. SICILIAN 001 to prove successful, CyberLife will not fall. SICILIAN 001 to fail, it will remain a secret. Connor raised his head. "Because the Sicilian android doesn't exist. If they succeeded, which they did, then CyberLife wouldn't have to take the fall for it because they were just a prototype, a malfunction."
"Did someone take the fall? Who created the Sicilian?" North queried.
Connor scanned through the files. "Ellis Hughman. He designed the Sicilian androids but after Wren's accident, he disappeared."
"Suspicious," Josh frowned. "But that still doesn't explain why the Sicilian android was there in the first place. Unless they really did target Wren."
Connor pulled up a video file. It showed the cliffside from the CyberLife truck's point of view. Rain sheeted through the darkness.
"Sicilian 001 reporting," said a male voice. "Awaiting update."
"Target is approaching. Prepare to accelerate in three… two… one."
Sicilian 001 floored it. A small car cut in the truck's path. The truck slammed into the car. Glass shattered. The car spun and hydroplaned into the guardrail before crashing through it and over the cliffside. A door opened and slammed. Sicilian 001 stepped into the view of the truck's damaged camera. The android, who lacked synthetic skin, spoke into a radio.
"Target veered off the cliff. Status unknown."
"Extraction team is coming to aid you."
The video time-lapsed (courtesy of Kamski's editing), to show an emergency vehicle airlifting a body from the bottom of the small cliff. The medical androids checked the body's vitals.
"She's stable, but she won't be for long."
Connor's biocomponents churned. His blood burned like acid. The broken, bloody body was Wren. Shannon whimpered at the brief glimpse of her daughter's body on a gurney. The medical androids loaded Wren into the back of a different CyberLife truck.
The video ended, leaving everyone rather silent.
Connor trembled and opened up a different file, scanning what happened to Ellis Hughman after the wreck. He disappeared once Wren was repaired. Significant payments filtered into CyberLife's funds.
"There's another video file," whispered Tina.
Connor opened it.
It showed Kamski's office. Though a man Connor failed to recognize sat in Kamski's chair. Ellis Hughman, Atlas Montgomery, and the woman who took Wren away stood in the office.
"She'll make a full recovery, though she hasn't woken up yet."
"We'll move her before she does," said the woman. "All evidence has been deleted?"
"All of it."
"I don't need to remind you what's at stake here," said the woman. "Prometheus—"
"Works in the shadows," said the man. "There's not much you can do to me or CyberLife. Not without exposing yourself."
"No, but if you want continued government funding and support, then you best stay on our side. And make sure Mr. Kamski stays away from CyberLife."
"He won't be coming back," snorted the man.
The woman turned to Atlas Montgomery. "I leave the subject in your hands."
"Thank you, Pauline."
Pauline headed for the door.
Ellis Hughman grabbed her arm. "What about the Sicilian models?"
"We'll take them. We'll need your expertise, too."
The video stopped. Connor parted his lips, gazing at the stunned faces of his friends.
"Holy fucking shit," muttered Tina. "Prometheus targeted her."
"It wasn't an accident at all," North agreed. "This explains Kamski's fear of Prometheus."
"My baby… My baby didn't need to be in that wreck? What kind of…" Shannon's nostrils flared. She pierced Connor with her eyes. "You take them down, do you hear me? You destroy them, and you bring my baby girl home."
Connor simply nodded.
…
Connor walked Shannon and James to the doors of their hotel lobby. James turned, looking rather pale. He dragged a hand through his hair.
"This all seems surreal."
Connor nodded. "I didn't expect this."
Shannon looked toward the car, still sputtering with Hank sitting in it. She caught Connor's gaze. "I'm very glad to see that so many people care about Wren. It was touching to see."
Connor managed a small smile. "We'll do everything in our power to save her. I promise."
Shannon smiled sadly. "I know you will." She touched Connor's cheek. "I'm glad Wren has you."
Connor's thirium pump swelled. He patted her arm. "Thank you, Mrs. Blanchard. That means a lot to me to hear you say that."
Shannon dipped her head. She hugged Connor goodbye while James patted Connor's back. They left him in the snow. He returned to the car, and Hank peeled out of the circular drive.
"Whelp, if Prometheus is shady enough to premediate the attack on Wren, then they're definitely shady enough to coerce her into signing a contract under drugs or something."
Connor gritted his teeth and curled his hands into fists. "They can't have covered all of their tracks."
"No, definitely not."
At home, Connor glanced at the clock. Midnight. It was officially Wren's birthday. He sighed and opened a drawer where he kept Wren's birthday gift. He lifted the silver chain up and examined the charm on the necklace. It was a little dinosaur, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a light blue, tanzanite eye. It wasn't much, but… The Internet said that boyfriends should get their girlfriends jewelry, even though Connor never really noticed Wren wearing any. He sat on the edge of his bed, fingering the dinosaur charm. He laid back and imagined it around Wren's neck, and he drifted into stasis.
…
Hey guys, sorry for the later update! I've been swamped with grading papers, writing papers, midterms, breakdowns (haha), etc. Anyway, thank you guys SO MUCH for your support! It means the world to me.