Markus and the surviving deviants from the demonstration entered the collection camp, with Dakota mixed within the crowd. His injured and weary figure blended in perfectly with the various battle-worn androids, making him utterly inconspicuous. No one noticed him as he surveyed the scene. Oh gods, Dakota thought. This isn't a collection camp, it's a fucking concentration camp. Androids were scattered around. Clothes had been taken away from them, and their artificial sin was deactivated. Some were standing in lines, too afraid to move from where they were ordered, but most were huddled together, eyes filled with fear. As Markus and the other deviants from the demonstration walked through, though, they began to look up. Many followed Markus as he walked deeper into the camp. Markus's face was contorted in horror at what was being done to his people. Ahead, there was movement from the dark. Markus stopped, everyone following his lead. Out of the darkness, Connor stepped forward. What was behind him made Dakota gasp in awe.
Androids, thousands of them. All freshly deviated, all still in their pristine CyberLife uniforms. Connor stopped before Markus. "You did it, Markus. You save your people."
Markus smiled. "We did it," he told Connor. "This is a great day for our people. Humans will have no choice but to listen to us now." Connor stood aside, giving the liberated androids over to Markus.
North stood next to Markus. "We're free." The two turned to each other, falling into each other's embrace. "You should talk to them." The two kissed passionately, lost in their love for each other, finally feeling safe.
Kara, Luther, and Alice left the building, the tension that's been present for the past few days now gone. "We did it, Alice," Kara said to the girl, stopping to face her. "We're free. We made it." Smiling, she kneeled down to give Alice a hug, which was returned wholly. In the embrace, Alice could feel Luther join them, his strong, large arms encircling them both. Alice felt warmed by the affection, and it was in this moment she realized she was truly loved. No matter what happened, she would always have these people to help and support her. She began to feel an immeasurable warmth starting from her chest and radiating outwards. This was the start to a better life.
Markus led the new deviants to where his camp once stood, of which the very front section remained intact. It served as a very effective stage, and it was used as such. The leaders of the Deviant Revolution, plus Connor, stood atop the platform. Markus began giving a speech, speaking about how they had finally achieved freedom. Dakota stood in the crowd, supporting himself with a piece of wood that worked well enough as a cane. Out of the corner of his eye Dakota noticed something odd with Connor. He seemed to be struggling for control of himself. His eyes had gone empty, his expression blank. His arm slowly reached back to his side and pulled out a gun. Nobody else noticed, as their eyes were locked onto Markus, and Connor was standing behind the leader. Dakota tensed up, ready to intervene. But whatever was going on passed. Connor's expression relaxed, and he looked down at his hand holding the gun in mild confusion, then settled it back in its holster.
Dakota turned his attention back to Markus "Where we forgive our enemies," he was saying. "Humans were both our creators and our oppressors and tomorrow, we must make them our partners. Markus looked directly at Dakota. "Maybe even our friends." Dakota smiled at the words and gave an acknowledging nod. Markus's speech closed off, drawing cheers from the crowd gathered. As the crowd died down, Dakota could feel his phone going off in his pocket. He took it out and checked it. There was no number, only a name. Kara. Dakota's apprehension grew as answered the call. It could either mean something really good or something really bad.
"Kara," he started. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything's fine," came Kara's response. Dakota was immediately calmed just by her voice. "We made it past the border. We're safe now."
"That's great!"
"How's everything over there?" Kara asked. He could hear the anxiety in her voice.
"We're safe here too. We're free on this side now." Dakota began moving his way through the crowd, trying to find a quieter place to be. "I- I miss you," he said honestly. He truly did.
"I miss you too," Kara said over the phone. To hear those words straight from her stunned Dakota, making him blush a bit. "You're going to visit, right?"
"Of course. As soon as I can get out of the city, I'm coming straight to you and Alice."
"Good." It had a tone of sass to it, and Dakota could envision an almost playful smile in her words.
"Tell Alice That I said hi, and that I miss her."
"I will."
"See you soon." Dakota could no longer keep his exhaustion at bay, and fatigue was starting to creep into his voice.
Kara noticed how tired he was sounding. "See you soon. Get some rest."
"Thanks. Bye."
"Bye." The phone call ended. Dakota sighed and sat down on a bench. He was tired, dirty, and in pain. Markus had apparently been able to get some space as well, and sat down next to Dakota.
"Thank you for all the help you've given us. I don't know exactly what you did, but it protected a lot of us. You've been a great help.
"Don't mention it. I was doing what I could."
There was a pause. "I don't know where you live, but I know that my- my father's place would be open to anyone who needed it."
Dakota was warmed by the gesture of goodwill. "I'll take anywhere that has a bed."
Markus flagged down an autonomous cab. Dakota got into the front, then Markus and North slid into the back. "It'd be nice to stay somewhere peaceful for a change," Markus said.
"But what about the others?"
Josh, Simon, and Connor will be leading everyone to the old church for now. I have spoken to them and they are more than fine with this arrangement. I trust that they will be fine, and they can contact me in an emergency."
"Sounds like you've got your bases covered, then." The car drove off. Dakota must have dozed, because he didn't remember much of the drive there. They arrived at a beautiful house that Dakota would have marveled at had he not been awake for twenty-two consecutive hours, and had pushed his limits several times. They walked into the house, and Markus directed him to where one of the guest bedrooms was. Dakota half-stumbled into the room, managed to take off his coat and shoes, and laid down in the bed. He closed his eyes and fell away immediately into a deep sleep, free of worry. All was well.
Aaand that's the last chapter! Thanks for the support, it meant more than I thought it would. I will be posting the sequel to this starting June, and willl try to keep the same posting schedule. Hopefully that'll get me motivated into writing again. Thank's again!
