~Connor~

Hesitantly, Connor stepped forward because seeing Simon always reminded him of Daniel. Just one of many promises he was unable to keep and a reminder that regret was real. That was before and this was now.

"Likewise," Connor responded as Simon shifted to the side.

Markus was walking towards them, looking as determined as ever with Josh by his side. Though old Jericho was gone, remnants of it remained. A replica of the original Jericho had been constructed in its place just off the docks. It was the size of a sailboat and suspended between the hands of a statue that represented RA9. The sight itself acted as an altar. Connor admired it, though he had not contributed to it. He would eventually need to pay his respects to show the others that he supported them.

Simon's smiled at him as he had done a million times before, and it helped for a bit. The voices of his fellow androids were everpresent. The skeptical few that hated Connor were always the loudest. He was glad Hank could not hear them, he might have gunned them all down. The name-calling was a small price to pay considering he was responsible for the fall of Jericho. It was also one of the reasons Connor left. To maintain some semblance of mental peace.

"Connor, it's been a while, my friend," Markus greeted, retracting his skin to shake Connor's hand. It was a sign of mutual respect. "Lieutenant. Detective."

"Markus, you should come to visit, when you're not so busy," Connor paused as Josh mentally interrupted him.

"Is there no other way?" Josh asked.

"We've talked about this, and we're all in agreement," Markus replied while carrying on a conversation with Hank.

"Markus, this won't take long," Hank informed, pulling out his documentation pad.

"Of course, the androids are there in temporary holding just over there." Markus pointed to a glass building just off the port.

"Connor, you're injured?" Simon noted, speaking with him secretively. "We might be able to help."

"Perhaps, later," Connor insisted, nodding in gratitude.

Connor watched as Hank reviewed the charges for the androids in question. As part of the agreement reached with President Warren all androids that had been accused of causing harm to humans were required to report to city hall. They were not under arrest but had to be questioned and detained until the circumstances of their deviancy were notated.

Reed sat back and observed. Connor could hear him mumbling something but could make it out with all the chatter in his head. Reed's crossed arms and scowling face only made the androids watching them from afar more resentful. It was probably the one thing that Reed and Connor had in common. They were both hated. The FBI had not made things any better by setting up stations around the state, threatening to step in if things got out of hand.

Connor grimaced as the voices grew louder. Hank glanced at him, he quickly fixed his face.

"Silence," Markus shouted.

"Thank you," Connor replied appreciatively.

Connor did not hate them. They were displeased by his departure from Jericho, his partnering with a human, taking a job with the police department and so much more. He hoped to show them that he was trying to make amends.

Markus escorted them to the glass building, it was a new construct. A greenhouse Connor scanned. Inside the greenhouse, it smelt of freshly cut herbs and citrus. Hank and Reed seemed shocked as the fragrances hit them. The greenery distracted them from the twelve androids standing in a perfect line. Their faces were cold, but their thoughts were loud. Markus told them to cooperate. Connor snapped to his right where North sat perched on a large crate eyeing them glibly.

Hank gestured for Connor to take the lead. Connor promptly began listing off each android's crimes and the possible punishments that had been implemented by a committee of humans with the assistance of Kamski. Punishments that by law, Connor had been enlisted to disclose. Manslaughter warranted permanent deactivation. If human life were taken in self-defense, deactivation would be determined later for an undetermined length of time. Assault received ten years of deactivation; property damage resulted in community isolation. Earning wages was something that was still up for debate. All other crimes received lesser or similar consequences.

"Connor," North called out despite Markus's warning. "You really think this is in the best interest of our people?"

"I believe we should do our best to keep the peace," Connor replied, eager to keep their interaction brief.

"You should be on our side. That means being here to fight with us, not allowing them to take more of us away." North's tone was crisp, as hatred painted her pretty face.

Connor kept his eyes glued to Hank. "I am where I want to be." He reminded himself and everyone else of that.

"Then, you're foolish. No matter what happens, humans can't be trusted." North caught Connor's attention as she grabbed a small metal object and aimed it at Hank's head.

North was testing him, but he knew with a simple flick of the wrist, that she could cause severe damage or even kill him. He stepped forward as she flung the object towards Reed instead. Connor caught it between his fingers, he scowled at her. It was petty, but North was purposely aggravating him. The two of them had never gotten along. He had hoped she had been elsewhere.

"You don't even like that one. I was doing you a favor," she jested with a sly grin.

"Do it again, and I'll arrest you for assault against an officer." Connor threatened with little inflection.

"Humans live such short, meaningless lives. They waste, kill, hunt, destroy without consequence." North continued as Markus warned her again.

It did not matter that she was right. Humans were not perfect. They were self-destructive, but that didn't change how he felt about Hank or Chris, or even Reed. No matter how much Hank drank, Connor's feelings for him would never change.

"You're right, but they created us, and they've given you your freedom," Connor face shifted into a scowl that caught Hank's attention.

"They'll never truly change." Her eyes snapped towards Reed. "You think they're your friends. You're nothing to them."

"Connor, please read them their rights," Hank ordered.

Connor stepped forward, his voice somber and firm. "Under the Droid Act, androids have the right to remain silent, anything attained while in custody through probing or voluntary means will be used in a court of law. You have the right to a representative from your community to act on your behalf; if you are unable to attain one, one will be provided to you. Do you adhere to these rights?"

They all nodded.

"We'll be accompanying them to the gates," Simon added, gesturing for North to follow him.

Connor nodded.

"Show Gavin," Hank said that Reed made dirty faces at the androids being escorted out.

"How can you stand there and watch as they take away more of our people." North persisted as Markus gave her a scolding glance before turning his attention back to Hank.

"They committed a crime," Connor said sternly, trying to keep his composure.

"And the humans who've abused us?" North added.

"They are paying for their crimes as well. Both sides are. You are blinded by your own personal experiences. Markus and I were indeed blessed to have caring human companions. Please respect that." Connor said aloud, pulling the attention of everyone in the room.

"They do not care about you. Not like we do. Humans are monsters, Connor. They were bred for violence. What has he done for you? I bet you cook for him, clean for him, and what does he do in return. You should be here...Connor."

"Enough North," Markus screamed, gesturing towards Connor in need of a private conversation. "Lieutenant, may I?"

Hank shrugged and gave them permission to leave. Connor watched as Hank followed Reed out.

Markus led Connor down to the docks, far enough to gain some privacy but within view of Hank and Gavin. The chatter was still prevalent as Connor waited for Markus to speak.

"You seem...better," Markus pointed out as they walked towards the pier.

"I am. And how are you?" Connor's tone was leveled and genuine.

"You know, Connor. You're the only one that ever asks me that, strange, right?" Markus leaned over the railing and examined the waters below. "It is such a human thing to say, is it not?"

Connor nodded, peering over the St. Claire Lake. He waded as the morning light shimmered over the rumination of the towering city behind them. His eyes were shifting back and forth between Markus and Hank. He had already made his choice, so why did it feel like he was missing something here?

"You're always welcome here, Connor. Ignore North; she is still sorting through her feelings." He said, implacably still fixated on the water.

"I find her to be a nuisance, honestly," Connor admitted to Markus' laughter.

"You and several others," Markus turned to Connor with a grim look on his face. "You're avoiding him, aren't you?"

"How could you tell?" Connor asked sheepishly, adjusting his tie as he watched Hank and Reed load up the androids on the transportation truck. Simon, Josh, and North were escorting them to the gates.

Hank looked back to make sure Connor was alright; he smiled gently before the gate closed behind them.

"Besides the obvious, you haven't told Hank," Markus noted, stepping closer to Connor, who was trying not to think about the many things he had not told Hank.

"No," Connor paused. "But I've tried. He's still dealing with a lot."

"You both have that in common," Markus observed.

Connor chuckled as Markus approached him.

"Go see him," Markus instructed, placing his hand on Connor's shoulder. "He just wants to talk and get him to fix that." Markus touched the back of Connor's neck.

"That doesn't sound like Kamski at all," he sighed loudly.

"Just go, he can help you." Connor wanted to believe Markus, he did, but he knew Elijah Kamski always had a hidden agenda.

All Markus' good intentions could easily be skewed as favors secretly conducted by Kamski. But Connor knew better, and he respected Markus. Hopefully, Markus had not been fooled by Kamski.

"Connor, if you need anything, let me know. You and Simon were there for me when Carl died. I'm here if you need anything." Markus embraced Connor, their skin retracted as they shared a memory.

It was a memory that Connor was not sure was real. Parts of it felt real. Markus and Connor had met each before. Something so fuzzy and grainy that neither of them could fully remember.