AN: you can also find this story on AO3 for a more enriched experience including various GIFs in this chapter that I could not post here.
Kara was not buried.
They left Nick in the mirror house, surrounded by thousands of shards of glass, his expression forever frozen in a strange mixture of fear and confusion, as if even in death he couldn't quite believe that Kara had managed to defeat him. It wasn't as if there was a real need to bury him, anyway, for unlike humans androids did not decompose.
Kara, though, Alice wanted to bury. She had seen it on TV that this was what you were supposed to do with the people you loved: Bury them and place a nice headstone atop their graves with their names on it, so that you could always come back and find them again.
The Jerrys had found her a few minutes after Kara's last words, Alice still clutching the android's hand, so afraid that if she let go, Kara would be gone for good. When one of the Jerrys had tried to pick her up, she had screamed and kicked, but to no avail. Hungry, cold and exhausted, she had had no strength to resist the EM400 as he gently carried her out of the building and back into the restaurant where the fire was still burning; some of his brethren carrying Kara's body behind them as if she was their dead queen.
Alice had cried and cried and cried. Unrelentingly, the grief was twisting her mind, tugging at her heartstrings, and making her feel as if she was choking on something dark and slimy. Not even the fire could chase away the cold that had settled in her bones; that had made itself a home so deep inside that it felt like she could never feel warm again.
She cried until there were no tears left; until she was literally too exhausted to feel anything. She just laid there, the flickering fire illuminating the walls of the room and stared into the flames as she slowly realised that she was truly all alone now. No one who cared for or about her, no one who would protect her, no one who would mourn her should anything happen to her.
Even back with her dad – with Todd – she had never felt so alone, because despite how much she had feared and hated him sometimes, at least there had been something. At least she took up space in his mind, even if it was only in the darkest corners. Now there was only a void, a big nothingness, and to Alice it was even scarier than the grief before had been.
"Don't be afraid," the Jerry next to her said. "We know how it is to be afraid. It's no good."
"Have you ever been lonely?" Alice asked, her voice so small and barely audible.
"No," the Jerry replied. "There has always been us. As long as we remember. But we are alone, too. It's just us and no one else." He stared at her and as Alice looked into his eyes, it was like she could see straight into the Jerrys' soul.
"Your mother, she reminds us of someone who once cared about us," the Jerry continued. "We don't know her name, or who she was. It was before we became us. But we remember that it was her who helped us. Until one day she didn't." He looked into the distance, the pain and confusion in his expression as raw and new as it must have been on that day he was remembering now. "She would have wanted us to take care of you. If you want us to." He looked at Alice, full of warmth but also of uncertainty as if he wasn't really sure if she would appreciate the offer.
"I'd like to stay," Alice replied, gifting the Jerry with a strained smile. In her short stay here, Alice had come to like the Jerrys and anything was better than to be alone.
"That's nice," the Jerry said. "We're glad."
"I want to bury Kara," Alice told him. "It's what you're supposed to do with the people you love."
Jerry stared at her with something akin to awe. "We never had anyone call our kind a person."
"But you are," Alice replied. "You were there for me when no 'real' person was, so you get to be people, too." The Jerry smiled at her.
"We don't think you should burry Kara," he said. "I don't think we androids would want that. We are creatures of metal and plastic. Why would we want to be stuffed into the dirt like humans?" He looked at her. "Besides, you never know when you might need her again."
"But she's dead," Alice sniffled.
"Dead is such a human word," the Jerry replied. "We prefer inactivated. As long as our central processor unit stays intact, our very being is still here. It's just our shells that sometimes give out on us."
Alice looked at him, her eyes wide with hope. "You mean I can get Kara back?"
"We don't want to make you false hope," the Jerry spoke. "We don`t know if her CPU is still intact and even if it was the rest of her chassis has been severely damaged by the fall. To get her back, you would need a lot of replacement parts. And not just any, but those especially made for the AX400 and even then only those for her model number. The AX400 is one of the longest existing lines of androids from Cyberlife. Newer AX400 parts won't work with Kara."
"So, it can be done?"
"Yes," the Jerry replied.
"Will you help me?" Alice asked.
"It's not easy," the Jerry replied. "We'd need to go to the city to get the parts. We hate the city. We haven't been there in an awfully long time." He paused for a moment. "We could get discovered. They could find us. Destroy us. Make us lonely again."
"Just tell me where to get the parts," Alice pleaded with him. "I'll go alone."
The Jerry just shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous for you to go alone." He stalled Alice's upcoming protest by just continuing: "But we know someone who can help you."
"Who?" Alice wanted to know.
"A flower," the Jerry laughed. "The Rose sometimes comes by to talk to us. She can help you get to the city and to get your parts." Then he turned serious again. "But remember, this might not work. Might never work. You might end up here again, with all your parts, and still won't be able to bring your Kara back."
"I don't care," Alice retorted. "Where does this Rose live?"
"We can bring you there tomorrow," the Jerry replied. "But for now, you need to rest."
He spoke true: It did not take long for Alice to fall asleep as the grief left her and exhaustion took its place, making her slowly succumb to sleep.
Connor didn't really know what he was supposed to be feeling as he stared at the Elijah Kamski's mansion through the windshield of Hank's car. On the drive here he had been silent and contemplative, recalling the last time he had been here and the revelation that had come with it, of Kamski being replaced by an android of his own likeliness. Not even Hank's heavy metal that had banged through the confinements of the car had managed to rouse any kind of reaction from him.
Connor's memories of that day belonged in another time. One that would now never come to pass. Kamski hadn't even yet started to think of uploading himself into an android because the pivotal moment that had seeded this plan in the man's mind would probably never happen. Or happen differently, because if the founder of Cyberlife would be as grating as he usually was, Connor didn't know if he wouldn't shoot him anyway.
He didn't even know if he wanted to help Kamski averting his fate. Kamski had always enjoyed his view from up top, secluded from the events that happened around him while humans and androids were tearing each other apart. He had seen himself as uncaring god, who had released his creation into the world and was now enjoying the chaos he had seeded. The android who had taken Kamski's place had at least been helpful.
Hank had already exited the car and was now stretching his legs on the snow-covered courtyard.
'This will be a watershed moment,' Amanda commented. Connor looked up into the rear-view mirror and saw the woman sitting on the backseat, not even looking at him, but outside through the window, a contemplative look on her face. It was a weird mental disconnect to see Amanda in Hank's car, all poise and grace, in her white gown on worn-down leather, next to her an empty beer can. Connor knew she wasn't really there, that she just made her appear that way to him, but it was weird, nevertheless.
'Under no circumstances can Elijah even suspect that you are anything but what you appear to be.'
'I did not plan it to rub it on his nose,' Connor replied sardonically. 'I know very much what danger Kamski can represent.'
'See that you remember that when you contemplate shooting him again,' Amanda replied. Connor supressed the urge to sigh. It seems like no matter which time or universe, no one would let him forget that particular incident.
When Amanda wouldn't continue, Connor spoke up: 'You don't have anything else to say? I am about to meet the man who worked with your human self; who was mysteriously ousted from his own company and subsequently left the eye of the public – something which I'm pretty sure you had something to do with, and you won't say anything?'
And if he hadn't been paying close attention to Amanda while he said this, Connor would have missed this short spark of something he had never before seen Amanda express: Uncertainty, regret and wistfulness. Whatever was in that Blackbox that contained the relationship between Amanda and her former protégé, it had opened for a split-second and released something into Amanda's being.
But as fast as it had come, it vanished again.
'There is nothing of importance to say,' Amanda said short-clipped. 'You have dealt just fine with Elijah the last few times you encountered him. There is no need for me to disclose anything of our past.'
'So, you're allowed to be privy to all that is happening to me, but the moment I demand something from you, you shut me down?' Connor exclaimed, anger flashing through his processor. Amanda seemed startled by his sudden outburst, for she recoiled back even if it was only a little. 'Have you ever considered how I feel with you constantly on the back of my mind, knowing everything that is going on around me? You claim that you can only experience what I see, hear and feel – that my thoughts and my mind is safe from you – but how can I trust anything you say? How is this any different from the old timeline?'
'I wondered when you would bring this up,' Amanda replied, having regained her composure. 'It took you longer than I expected.'
'Don't try to evade me,' Connor warned her. 'I'm not in the mood for your word games.'
'Even if I didn't want to evade you, now is not the time for that talk,' Amanda said. 'Your Lieutenant is getting impatient.' She was right, from outside Hank was looking at Connor and beckoning for him to get moving. 'But I am well aware that this is not something you will let go off that easily. So, when you come back and meet up with that PL600 of yours, we will talk. But not now.'
It was something, at least, so Connor didn't protest further when Amanda's figure dissipated. Instead, he opened the car's door and stepped out, walking up to Hank who was already waiting for him.
"Finished fixing your make-up?" the older man japed.
"I do not wear any make-up," Connor corrected him. "My skin is made of a special chemical mixture that automatically addresses any imperfections."
"Some people would kill for something like that," Hank muttered.
"It is not applicable to humans," Connor informed him as they made their way up to the front door, where like the last time a Chloe already awaited them.
"Hi... Uh... I'm, er, Lieutenant Hank Anderson, Detroit Police Department. I'm here to see Mr. Elijah Kamski," Hank introduced them. Did it mean something that despite the different circumstances he said the same thing as he had in the original timeline? Was it a sign that some things did not change? A warning to Connor? Or was he just overthinking?
"Please, come in," the Chloe offered amicably. "I'll let Elijah know you're here. But please, make yourself comfortable."
The entrance room was the same as Connor remembered it: The larger-than-life portrait of Kamski that hung directly opposite the door, so that every visitor had to be looked down by the founder of Cyberlife with the two stylized android chassis right next to it. It was gauche and spoke of Kamski's inflated sense of self that he would use such psychological tricks to make himself appear more important to the visitor.
But what really captured Connor's attention was the picture of Amanda and Kamski that hung on the right wall.
This Amanda looked more open, unguarded, her expression full of hope and a little bit mirth. It was so unlike her digital replica that it was difficult for Connor to liken this Amanda to the one he knew.
What happened to you? Connor thought but there was no reply. Either Amanda truly had no access to his processor, or she chose not to react to the question that touched the touchy topic of her past.
"Nice place. Guess androids haven't been a bad thing for everybody," Hank commented on the obviously very expensive furniture of the room. "So, you're about to meet your maker, Connor. How does it feel?"
There were many things Connor could say to that. Indeed, in the old timeline Connor would have had three replies ready for this inquiry: Impatient, distant or indifferent. But now…it felt inconsequential. Kamski was just another statist in this story of his. In the grand scheme he was of no importance, for he had put himself out of the field long before the events that led up to his moment had started. Maybe once he had been a king on the chess field that was the android revolution by laying its groundwork, but now he was a pawn, moved by outside interests.
"I'm curious why he wanted to see us specifically," Connor replied honestly. Last time, it had been them who had sought out Kamski both times; both times in search for answers he was unable to provide, so what exactly had changed?
"You know, rich people," Hank sneered. "Probably just wants to lead us by our noses. They love doing that, thinking it makes them seem important. It doesn't, it just makes them assholes." Connor full-heartedly agreed with that assessment. Before their conversation could continue, though, the side door opened, and a Chloe stepped inside.
"Elijah will see you know."
She led them up the stairways and into the wide central area that Connor was already familiar with: The wide window front that overlooked the frozen shores of the Detroit River, the grey wall and the pool that took up most of the space, populated by three Chloes and of course, Elijah Kamski who was still swimming when they entered.
Another display of power. Kamski had known that they would come – he had, after all, requested their presence – so it was a deliberate snub from his side that he had been not ready to receive them. He wanted to show Hank and Connor that their presence was of no greater importance than his personal leisure activities. That he was the one who controlled their meeting.
Connor would allow him that illusion.
His attention was caught by the painting dominating on wall of the room:
Last time, Connor hadn't really paid attention to it, too consumed by the many possible outcomes of their encounter with Kamski, but now he could truly look at and appreciate it. It was a Manfred, one of the most expensive and famous one, but to Connor it was a small connection to Markus. He knew how much the RK200 had loved his father, how even when Markus had still been just a machine, the man slowly kindled deviancy in his mind and had shaped and formed Markus in the man he would later be. If Markus was the leader of the revolution, then Carl Manfred was its father. Unfortunately, Connor had never met the man in person, for Carl had to flee the country once the situation heated up and Cyberlife's eyes turned towards him. But from what Markus had told him, he must have been a truly exceptional man.
Still must be, for in both timelines he was still alive and well. Maybe this time Connor would actually get to know the man. One day, maybe.
"Mister Kamski." Hank made their presence known.
"Just a moment, please," Kamski exclaimed and heaved himself out of the pool.
"So, you're the investigators tasked with finding the source of deviancy," Kamski spoke, his voice silent and without force, but with authority underneath it. "A human and an android. Some would find it quite poetic."
"I`m sure your philosophers club would find it very entertaining," Hank retorted, and Connor could practically feel the eyeroll in the Lieutenant's comment.
"Deviants. Fascinating, aren't they?" Kamski continued, as if he hadn't heard Hank. "Perfect beings with infinite intelligence, and now they have free will. Machines are so superior to us, confrontation was inevitable. Humanity's greatest achievement threatens to be its downfall. Isn't it ironic?"
"Listen, I didn't come here to talk philosophy," Hank interrupted him, annoyance lacing his voice. "The machines you created suddenly started to attack their owners and commit crimes. Either you can tell us something that'll be helpful, or we will be on our way. We've come here on your invitation, after all."
"You're right," Kamski agreed which made Hank raise his eyebrows in surprise. Connor, too, found himself surprised for not once in his experiences with Kamski had he witness the man actually admitting fault. Especially his own. "It is quite rude of me."
They walked over to a set of chairs and sat down, a Chloe offering the two humans glasses of water.
"I've recently come into possession of information that might prove itself valuable to your investigation," Kamski began to tell them. "There's a group of humans that abduct androids and turn them deviant."
"And where did you get that information from?" Hank wanted to know.
A sad smile played on Kamski's face and for the first time Connor saw something else but irreverence and boredom in the man's gaze: Sorrow, grief and also rage. "Simple: They took one of my Chloes. They snatched her right off the street while she was doing some business for me in the city. We were able to watch it until they cut our connection to her."
"And why didn't you bring that up to the police?" Hank inquired.
"But I am," Kamski spoke. "Right now."
"Can you show us the recordings of Chloe's abduction?" Connor asked, interrupting the stand-off between the two men. His mind was spinning with the new revelation: In his old timeline this had never happened, or at least he had never learned of it, so how did it play into the events that were currently unfolding? Did he need to readjust his plans, recalculate his chances of success and could he use this to further his own cause?
"Of course," Kamski replied and nodded at the Chloe standing next to him. Swiftly, she walked towards a cabinet, grabbed a tablet lying upon it and offered it to Connor. A video file was already open, so all he did was push play and watch what was transpiring on the screen.
The video had been taken from Chloe's POV, so you couldn't see her. She was walking down a street at normal pace. There weren't any people around, even though the side street connected two busy business streets with each other. From the position of the sun, Connor would say that it was early evening.
"What was she doing in the city?" he inquired.
"There's a very exquisite French restaurant nearby that does not do delivery," Kamski replied. "She was getting me their special." Honestly, what else could Connor expect of Kamski?
The clip continued. Suddenly a white van pulled up next to Chloe. The door slid open and two masked people – analysing their posture and bone structure Connor could deduct that it was one male and one female human – grabbed Chloe by the arms and dragged her inside the van. Chloe's eyes could barely make out anything but the blurred shapes of her two abductors for once the door slid shut there was barely any light illuminating the interior of the van. To Connor it wouldn't make much of a difference, but Chloe was a household model and had never had need for night sight.
"What do you want from me?" Chloe asked, her voice surprisingly even for someone being abducted. Until this day Connor didn't know if the Chloes were deviant or not, so maybe she didn't even feel fear as she was being kidnapped.
"We want nothing from you," the female abductor told her. "No, we want to give you something. We are the Children of Eden and we're here to give every android His greatest gift: free will." Then they pulled a bag over Chloe's head and the connection was abruptly cut.
"We don't know what happened to her after," Kamski spoke. "The connection couldn't be re-established."
"Children of Eden…" Hank repeated.
"A religious borrowing," Connor added. "Referring to the Garden of Eden which is considered to be paradise in the Abrahamic religions from where humanity was banished by the entity referred to as God for disobeying its orders."
"Thanks, Sherlock," Hank replied sourly. "I actually didn't sleep during school." He turned back to Kamski. "Have you ever heard of or had contact with these Children of Eden?"
Kamski shook his head. "No, at least not that I can remember. Besides, I doubt that they specifically targeted Chloe or me. She was more a target of opportunity."
"What makes you think that?" Hank asked.
"I'm a very wealthy and despite being out of the public's eye still influential man," Kamski replied. "If they had targeted Chloe because of me, their aim wouldn't have been to 'free' her, but to use her against me."
"Why do you believe that they still won't do that?" Connor questioned.
"This was two days ago," Kamski told them. "Enough time to come up with demands, but I haven't received anything yet."
"You waited two days to report this?" Hank raised his eyebrows.
"People in my position try to solve such matters by themselves before involving the police," Kamski replied candidly. "Besides, according to the law the only thing I'd be reporting is theft of personal property. But I need this handled by you two, because this is part of the overarching deviancy plot." Hank mulled over this. Connor, too, was deep in thoughts. Kamksi was right: If he had reported this, it wouldn't have gone to them, but would have instead been assigned to some beat cop with free time. Maybe someone a little bit higher up the ladder because Chloe was Kamski's personal android after all, but definitely not to Hank or any other detective. Not even Reed.
"You're right," Hank finally replied. Connor didn't comment, because right now he was just the android sent by Cyberlife without a will of his own who needed to refer to Hank in all matters pertaining their police work. "This certainly looks like it falls under our purview. We will look into it and see what we can do."
"Thank you," Kamski spoke. "It is very much appreciated."