A/N: Hello again all! Little bit later than expected, but better late than never! We get angsty in this one, hehehe.

Enjoy!

"This just in: at exactly 2 AM several CyberLife stores in Detroit were raided. Police report that most shop windows were covered with graffiti demanding rights for androids and other obscure slogans. We'll keep you updated as more information comes in."

"Different locations were hit with what seems to be a coordinated terrorist attack. Two policemen were found in a state of shock near one of the CyberLife stores. According to our sources, they confirmed the attackers were a group of androids. This is an alarming situation. Could our machines now be turning against us? Is this the start of a terrorist attack, right here in the United States?"

"Well," Iris turned to the group of androids beside her, "besides the terrorist analogy, I don't think it's a half-bad broadcast."

Josh nodded in agreement. The large screen now occupying the main area of Jericho shifted into street interviews from tenants in the Capitol Park area. Some agreed with the pro-android sentiment; some vehemently against.

The quartet was inside the office they kept their meetings in, but it wasn't hard to distinguish the facial expressions from the gigantic screen in the main area.

"How many newcomers do we have?" Markus looked through the group.

Josh answered, "250."

"And how many losses?"

"30," North replied bitterly. "We lost 30."

"How're we doing on parts and thirium?" Iris piped up.

Josh grabbed his newfound clipboard, used for all medical inquiries. "We could get a few more thirium pumps for the AR200's, but otherwise stable."

Iris hummed in acknowledgement. They were stable enough to take care of 270 total androids in Jericho. Lovely, considering on their first day here there were only nineteen in working order.

"What do we do next?"

North's question was met with silence.

"We can't just wait around for the humans to take more of our brothers and sisters apart!" Her fist slammed against the table. "We need to do something, fast."

Josh replied calmly, "We're not disagreeing with you, North. We just—"

"You weren't there. You didn't have a gun pointed at your head and watched our people get slaughtered in the streets. The humans need to pay."

Iris kept her mouth shut. She knew there was nothing she could say to help the situation. Underneath the table, she picked at a hangnail furiously.

"We aren't going to fight violence with violence." Markus stood tall and set his hands atop the table. "That is not what we do. If we want humans to listen we keep using pacifist methods. This time, we'll take to the streets in daylight. Show them how many of us will fight for our freedom."

Iris stared. "That's suicide."

He shook his head. "Imagine. Hundreds of androids, walking through the streets of Detroit. Simple as that. We should be allowed to walk freely as the humans do."

"They'll force us to disperse," Josh argued. North nodded in agreement. "They would harm us."

"Maybe." Markus brought his gaze across the room. "But we're cooperative, unarmed, and non-hostile. What would the common people think if they see their own leaders harming peaceful protesters?"

Iris chewed at the inside of her cheek. "It's risky, but it could work as our next move. When do you want to start?"

"Tomorrow. 2 PM. We can settle the details tonight after rounds."

With that, the other androids stood from their seats. Iris shot up and stretched out her back.

"Sounds like a plan." She gave her middle a good twist—she really needed to find a comfier chair set for this room—and trailed behind Josh and North to head out.

Josh was going to check in with Lucy, Iris knew. The two made a great pair of medics when they get wounded newcomers. North was probably going to check on the recruits for the demonstrations. They had more and more volunteers each day. Iris would check in on James and the other child androids. There were four altogether, something Iris was upset about. To think, there were humans in the world who would toss out a child on the streets when they got pregnant. Or worse, the child would run when the parents became abusive. Either way, Iris made a section in Jericho where they could play together.

She was almost through the door's threshold when a hand grabbed at her bicep. She looked to Markus with a cocked head. "Something wrong?"

His eyes found hers. "I think you should sit this one out."

"What?"

Iris's brows furrowed tightly as he continued. "Someone needs to stay behind in Jericho, keep everyone safe."

"Bull. You know Lucy helps out when we're not around."

"Iris." His tone was sharp. "I just—"

She yanked her arm from him, taking a generous step back. "What's going on, Markus? I thought we were in this together."

"Just," he took a manual breath. "It won't be safe."

"Jumping out of a building isn't safe, but you had no problems with that."

"That was different. Please, don't argue with me."

Iris scrunched her nose in disagreement. "A—? Seriously, Markus? I'm going. I want to go."

"And I don't want you to. As head of Jericho, I have the last say."

She huffed. "Wow. You're seriously pulling rank on me." She knew her hands were shaking by her sides when Markus stepped forward to lessen the space between them, but she didn't realize how much until she waved a finger accusingly at his face. "That's not fucking fair and you know it."

"I'm sorry, but you can't be there. Androids only."

Her jaw clenched. "Fuck you, Markus."

The loud cling! of the door hitting the wall reverberated through Jericho. Iris knew there were eyes trailing her every move, but she could not care less. She just needed to put as much space between her and her friend as possible.

"The wonder ball goes round and round! So pass it quickly, you are bound!"

The small stress ball Iris found in one of the old offices flung through the hands of the children, landing into hers.

"If you're the one to hold it last!" They sang together as Iris tossed it to Kaia, who flung it straight at James. "That's it for you, the game has passed."

"And you—!"

"Are!"

"Out!"

"Aghhh!" The newest child—Damon, with dark skin and full lips—threw the ball in the air dramatically, but it did land in his hands. "No!"

Kaia laughed jovially, black hair falling off her shoulders with the movement. "You're out!"

"No fair!" Damon heaved a deep sigh, but took a large scooch back from the group.

Thalia, with blonde hair and chestnut brown eyes, grinned deviously. "Those are the rules! Fair is fair!" She was two paces out from the group on the floor. "Kick their butts, Kaia!"

"You guys can't ever beat me!" James grabbed the ball from the ground and lifted it high above their head. "I am the wonder ball champ-ioooon!"

The kids and Iris laughed and the three who were still in scooted closer together. They began the chant again.

"The wonder ball goes round and round!"

The ball flung faster and faster.

"So pass it quickly, you are bound!"

Kaia screeched and threw it at Iris's head, nearly missing an eye.

"Agh!" She course-corrected the ball and tossed it to James. "If you're the one to hold it last…"

James. Kaia. Iris. James.

"That's it for you, the game has passed."

Kaia. Iris. James.

"And you!"

Iris. James. Kaia.

"Are!"

Kaia. Iris—

"Out!"

"No!" Iris threw herself dramatically onto the floor, clutching the ball tightly in hand. "Oh, no, no no!" She let her hand slowly open, the ball rolling from her grip. "I really thought I could win this one. You guys are far too talented."

"It's okay, miss Iris." James took the ball from its spot on the ground. "All I need to do is kick Kaia's butt, and you can play again!"

The comment earned a snicker from Iris, still in her death pose. Arms and legs splayed out, tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. Really, any movie star would be proud of her commitment to the bit.

James circled the ball between their palms, staring at Kaia. "Ready?"

Her hazel eyes gleamed proud, and she gave a curt nod.

"The wonder ball goes round and round! …"

The pair jovially threw the stress ball back and forth, Iris still in her death pose and Thalia and Damon watching the tossing speed increase intensely. Iris smiled on the ground, hearing the squeals of play.

That is, until she heard Markus's voice ringing through Jericho.

"Excuse me, everyone!" His voice boomed.

Iris sat up, the children faltering in their movements as they stared at the leader. No; leaders. Josh and North flanked him on either side. "I'm sorry to interrupt everyone, but we have an important announcement."

Markus waited for the sounds of Jericho to die down before continuing. "As some of you may know, Jericho will be holding a freedom march through the streets of Detroit tomorrow. To gain the attention of the humans, we need as many androids as possible. I understand if you want to stay in Jericho. We will not force anyone to join us.

For those who would like to be involved with our demonstration, please speak with either me, Josh, or North before 1 PM tomorrow. We have ten of us currently, but each android who helps to fight for our cause counts. Thank you for your attention."

Iris glared at the backs of those already heading towards her friends. Of course, they get to go. They get to help the cause. And what does she get to do? Sit on her ass and twiddle her thumbs until—hopefully—they come back.

It was infuriating.

"Miss Iris?"

She blinked. "Yes, Kaia?"

"Are you going with them tomorrow?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm not." Iris turned herself to join the group of kids and forced a smile on her face. "Someone's gotta keep you guys in line."

God, she could use a cigarette.

"Hey Josh, do we still have that AP650 model optical unit?"

Iris stared intently at Josiah's left eye. The pupil was perfectly black as it should be, but the outer edges were phasing into the blue iris. The same was happening at the edge of the iris; blue melting into white. Like a little melting pot of color.

"Yeah, we should have a few more," Josh flipped a few pages into the clipboard in hand. "I'll be right back, it's deeper in storage."

"Thank you, guys." Josiah sat perfectly still upon the lopsided stool in their medical unit.

Really, it was just Lucy's area, but it had grown three times its size since Iris joined Jericho. They had multiple medical bays set up with sheets for separation, packs of thirium placed in each one, tools for immediate disassembly, heating guns and other sorts of heat induction items to remold broken and shattered pieces. The desk behind Iris housed multiple notebooks that she would jot into—little spark notes to keep her up to date with every new discovery. It was the best they could do for any possible emergencies.

Iris pulled away from Josiah's face, crossing her arms with ease. "I wish you came to us earlier, my friend. Looks like this piece is melting with your regulated temperature, which means the eye only works with older models."

She learned a lot from working in the infirmary. Lucy and Josh were great teachers, and many hands make light work. She pulled away from the two and grabbed at the notebook set on the desk. Something good to keep note of, she deemed.

Sean—Josiah's partner—placed a warm, chestnut tanned hand upon Josiah's shoulder. "I warned him. He's just so stubborn."

Josiah gave a huff in jest. "I thought that's what you loved about me."

"Most of the time," Sean shoved at him playfully. "This was just bull-headed."

"Look, I'm sorry. How was I supposed to know this would happen?"

"That's what happens when you don't check the serial number—"

"Honey, we were on the streets and I couldn't see anything, I figured this would be better than nothing! Who has the time for—"

"People who don't want their eye to burn out—"

Iris shut the notebook with more force than necessary. "Guys, please don't fight in the infirmary. It's okay, we'll take care of you and you'll have a new optical unit in no time."

The pair both gave meager nods, and Sean apologized. "I just want to make sure he's okay."

"Mmhmm," Iris mumbled, tossing the notebook back into her desk. "I get it. But he's a grown android who's allowed to make his own decisions. Let him deal with the consequences."

Josiah gestured to Iris jovially. "Thank you!"

"It's not wrong of me to want to take care of you!" Sean said.

"But I'm allowed to make my own choices, that's the whole point of deviating, isn't it?"

"As long as you don't fry from the inside out, I agree."

"Honey, being deviant means I can make mistakes and it's fine—"

"Guys!" Iris raised her voice. "Didn't I just say not to fight in the infirmary? Leave it alone, bicker in your own room."

She huffed as they both apologized again. She ground her jaw, irritated. Ugh, need another cigarette. Her hand patted at her back pocket, finding the last pack she had. When she opened the top, there was less than half left. "Mother fu—"

The sound of Josh's footsteps filled the room, silencing her curse. She gave a heavy sigh in its place.

He looked to Iris, eyebrows furrowed. "Is… everything alright, Iris?"

She was doing couple's counseling, could barely smoke, and being forced on the bench tomorrow.

"Fucking amazing."

There was a steadily growing cloud of smoke in Iris's room as she puffed on her third cigarette in a row. The thought of rationing them out to last longer wavered in her mind, but as she sat cross-legged on the floor, back pressed against the wall, she could not care less.

Iris looked through the ever-growing fog to the ceiling light, a damp yellow ember that could barely do its job. She tapped the butt of the cigarette lightly, the ash billowing to the old mug she'd been using as an ash tray. Beside the mug was her plate of half-eaten food. Some trail mix and a fluffernutter sandwich. Her water bottle was already emptied.

As she looked to the end of her cigarette burning, she mused that maybe she could convince Josh or North to get her some new packs when they went on the next food run. Markus certainly wouldn't. She wasn't in the mood to talk to him, anyways.

It was about 11 at night. Iris knew he'd at least pop his head into the room. It was their nightly schedule. It hadn't changed since the first night.

She left her head droop as she took a puff off the cigarette. She truly hated being mad at him; it felt unnatural. But that didn't change what Markus said, and how unfair it was.

The door creaked as Iris took another long drag. Right on schedule.

Markus surveyed the cloud of smoke—no doubt disagreeing with the way Iris had spent the last half hour—but kept his face neutral.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Iris scrunched her nose. "I don't want to talk right now."

"To anyone, or just me?"

Her arm holding the cigarette molded with the top of a knee. "Both. But mainly you."

The door to their room eased itself shut, and Markus took half a step further in. "I heard you had a disagreement with Josiah and Sean."

Iris fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Minor, if anything. I got fed up with their domestic bickering."

Markus took another step forward and she just knew he was going to take his natural spot beside her. She held up a hand forcefully. "Don't."

His mismatched eyes lost a twinkle of color as he frowned, upset. "Okay."

Instead, he leaned on the desk from across her; far enough away to keep her personal space. He rested his arms across his chest and continued, "Domestic bickering?"

Iris took one last puff of the stick before smushing it on the ground. She nodded. "Yes. Josiah's optical unit was a bust for his model, and Sean thought it was stupid in the first place that Josiah even used it."

Markus stayed silent, offering space to continue. "They kept going back and forth about his choice and its consequences. And I told them to stop, because Josiah is a big boy who can make his own god damn decisions. Whether or not they're good ones, everyone gets to choose. Sound familiar?"

Markus brought his gaze from Iris to the filing cabinet on his right. "That's not a fair comparison."

"You took away my choice. At least Josiah was free to make his."

"Do you not understand why I don't want you to come?" Markus stood abruptly, nostrils flaring with his shortening temper. "All day, you've avoided me over this. Have you even given it thought?"

Iris stood from the floor, offering her own glare. "Have you given it thought that I can make my own decisions? That I'm perfectly aware of all consequences?"

"I just want you to be safe. Why is that a bad thing?"

She took a step toward him; he followed suit. "Because that's not what I want! I chose to be here, Markus. Let me be here, with you, with the others!"

"There was a gun pointed at your face last night!"

The anger in his voice made Iris freeze. Markus's chest heaved with the emotion. She imagined he was reliving the moment he found Iris and North, covered in someone else's blood.

"I couldn't stop it. You could have died last night."

Iris fought to make her voice come out. "And you have. I couldn't stop it either."

"But I came back. It's easy. Take out my thirium pump and trade it for another. But if you… if that happened to you…" Iris took another step to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Markus shut his eyes. "If anything happened to you, I couldn't forgive myself."

"Markus…" Iris brought a hand to his cheek, slowly forcing his face to look at her. Her eyes searched his. "That's why you're doing this?"

He silently nodded.

"I understand that you want to, but you can't always protect me. I'm allowed to make my own decisions, live with my own consequences, or die from them. That's not yours to make."

He pulled from her grasp. "How could I live with myself, knowing that you could be taken from your family in a second? That you could be taken from me?"

Markus stepped backwards, hand on the doorknob. He shook his head again.

"No. You can't be there tomorrow."

The door slammed behind him.