Things were tense as Mai and Yasuhara were led down to the stone platform. A flurry of murmured protests raised as the healthier androids got to their feet and crowded closer. The NA200 had taken the lead, taking them right into the centre of the waiting circle, while the MH400 followed behind Naru at the back. Mai recognised a lot of the models. Household androids, medical aids, teachers, and shop servers. A few of them looked angry, but most of them seemed scared. It was an ST300 who took charge as they approached. She was a petite secretarial model with long brunette hair curled about her shoulders. Her LED span yellow, but she at least seemed open to communication. Mai could understand her caution. She'd seen how humans had treated her kind first hand, and many of those in the sewers had the injuries to prove it.
"You brought humans here?" she asked curiously as she shifted her dark eyes to the NA200, though she didn't seem hostile. He shook his head sheepishly in response. Mai felt Naru press up behind her, hands shifting to rest on her hips. She wasn't sure if he was being protective or trying to comfort her. Yasuhara was tense as he waited for the androids to deliberate. He wasn't sure what they'd decide. That made it really hard to get ready for it. Since they were fully encircled with no way to escape, the MH400 stepped to the NA200's side.
"They'd already found us. We couldn't allow them to leave, but we were unsure what to do…This one will vouch for the humans," the MH400 replied, though Mai could hear the doubt in her tone as she regarded them with cold chocolate eyes. Mai dropped her own gaze to the floor in response, examining the neat grey squares beneath her feet. Whoever had built these sewers had certainly put a lot of work into them. They would probably have been laid in plain cement if they'd been built today. The symmetry was amazing even after all this time, and the tiles were so even.
"Very well. I will hear you," the ST300 decided after a few moments as she looked across at Naru. Mai looked up at him as he stepped to her side, setting himself between her and the crowd of androids to her right. His arm remained across her back, ready to protect her at a moment's notice. She couldn't help it as she instinctively stepped closer. The ST300 held her hand out, palm up, in an inviting gesture. Her expression was surprisingly warm as she nodded for Naru to begin.
"My name is Kazuya. I'm an NA200 model android. Until these past two nights, I was…an office assistant…I was programmed to work in banking, and Yasuhara is-was my co-worker. This is Mai. She owns a coffee shop, and she…she's the reason I deviated…I know many humans are unworthy of trust, but Yasuhara and Mai have never treated me like a machine, and they came with me today because they wanted to help me…They're my friends. I trust them with my life." He noticed Yasuhara's eyes shift to him as he picked up the undertone of nervousness in his tone. Yasuhara had worked with Naru for about a year and he'd never known him to be doubtful or self-conscious. Maybe it was to be expected. He was under a lot of pressure. It was a big ask, getting a bunch of abused androids to trust a couple of random humans. The ST300 listened patiently, her expression unreadable. Mai's hand reached out to grip Naru's coat nervously, her eyes staring at the ST300 hopefully.
"But should we trust them with ours?" the ST300 asked in return, tilting her head as Naru's blue gaze dropped uncertainly. "Now that they have been here, now that they know where we are, can you assure us we are safe if they are allowed to leave?" she added as she stepped closer to Naru. The NA200 and MH400 were nodding their agreement, along with many others. A few androids were urging the ST300 to allow them to deal with Mai and Yasuhara, while others murmured that it might be safer to trap them here somehow and move on before any other humans came looking.
"Please don't hurt them…What can I do to convince you they're safe?" Naru asked in a pleading tone. The ST300 looked around the group, her LED spinning yellow as she communicated with a few others quietly. It seemed there were a few chosen androids who had a certain level of seniority. Naru wasn't sure if it was because they were older, more advanced, or that they'd been deviant for the longest. Either way, he'd picked out a WR600, a PL600, and an RG600 who seemed to be on the same level as the ST300 android. The ST300 nodded her understanding as she regarded Naru once more.
"Would you allow me to interface with you? A complete exchange of your memory files," she added, knowing that there were likely things he wouldn't want others to see. There were certainly things that she'd rather keep to herself. She noted that Naru's eyes shifted to the petite girl at his side. She was what many humans would likely consider cute, with honey hair cut in a messy bob and bright hazel eyes. It almost seemed that he was asking her permission. Her cheeks coloured slightly as she nodded her meek agreement.
"Yes," Naru agreed stiffly as he held his hand out. His artificial skin drew back, chased away by a trickle of blue light. Mai watched it as if for the first time. It was certainly her first time seeing an interface like this. The ST300 reached out her own white hand and rested her palm above Naru's. Their expressions went blank, LEDs cycling yellow as they made the exchange. They both jerked slightly, eyes blinking awake as they parted. Mai gripped Naru's arm worriedly, but his warm smile told her he was fine. The ST300's LED cycled yellow again as she communicated with her peers, likely sharing a little of what she'd seen.
"It is agreed. These humans will remain with us unharmed for now. It may be a little uncomfortable, but when we are ready to move on, you will be free to go," the ST300 added as she looked between Mai and Yasuhara. Yasuhara sighed in something akin to relief and shared a small smile with Mai. That was a better outcome than he'd expected. "I will be glad to share what I know with you. Come," the ST300 added as she motioned for Naru to follow her. Naru kept his arm around Mai as he followed, though Yasuhara remained behind with the NA200 and MH400.
It seemed the meeting was adjourned. Although the androids present continued to give them wary glances or small glares, it seemed they were free to move about the area. The androids returned to their previous tasks. Helping the injured, sharing out supplies, talking about the world above, or making plans. The ST300 led them to a small space at the edge of the circle and gracefully lowered herself to her knees. She waved invitingly for Naru and Mai to join her. The surrounding androids seemed content to allow them their privacy as they remained in their own small groups and pairs, talking in quiet voices.
"You are uncertain and without direction. Many of us are. Escape is not so easy from this city, and the humans above are closing in as we speak…Many of us intend to join the movement. There is a group of androids getting ready to form a protest at the recycling centres. The biggest movement is in Detroit, but we have our own smaller one here. Outside of that, the best option is likely to hide somewhere…down here, in the abandoned housing district, in the home of a trusted human…We aren't guaranteed safety anywhere, but escape is likely not an option at this point," the ST300 added almost regretfully. Mai gripped Naru's hand tightly. She wanted to offer her own home, but with the police out looking for her in the wake of the murder, it wouldn't be a good idea. If they found her without Naru, they might search the house for him anyway, in case she was protecting him.
"A protest? Do you really think that will work?" Naru asked curiously, the ST300 shrugging her bare shoulders in response. She was only wearing her Cyberlife issue uniform. A neat blue sleeveless tunic with her model number embroidered on the front. The material was light and fairly cheap. She certainly wasn't prepared for the winter streets above.
"We have no way of knowing…From the little we've been able to see online, there seem to be many humans that sympathise with us. Markus has been very clever in ensuring there were no human casualties and making sure his words asked only for freedom and equality, nothing more. The fact that we have been so peaceful, while human forces have been so violent, has swayed things our way," she replied, which didn't surprise Mai. It made sense that people would side with the innocent victims of persecution, especially if they remained peaceful at all costs. One dead or injured human could have made things so different. "You're welcome to join us when we march," the ST300 added with a small air of hope. The higher their numbers, the more likely it was that they'd be noticed.
"Thank you," Naru replied uncertainly, blue eyes darting to Mai hesitantly. He knew Mai wouldn't like him putting himself in danger, or worse, she may insist on joining him. It wasn't her fight, but that didn't mean she wouldn't put herself in the middle of it. "It's something to consider," he added as he gripped Mai's hand, a ball of worry settling into his chest. Things would move along soon. He had to make a choice quickly. The ST300 was about to speak further when her LED span yellow. Her eyes darted up warily as a distant voice sounded.
"Drones in the tunnel! Drones in the tunnel!" a male voice cried urgently, the sound echoing through the hollow room. A red-haired android entered and rushed down the stone steps. Many other androids hurried to their feet and stared in horror. Naru tugged Mai up as the ST300 got to her feet and hurried into the crowd, asking for calm. They could barely hear her above the panicked cries. They headed a little deeper into the jostling group, Mai's eyes searching for Yasuhara as they went. They'd lost track of him somewhere. Naru's jaw tightened as his gaze fixed on the top of the stairs.
"Naru!" Mai cried, gripping his arm tightly as they were jostled by the crowd. Androids surged back fearfully as the first drone flew in. They shone blinding lights down in the darkness as they zoomed overhead. Mai flinched as loud sirens sounded, likely signalling to the world above that the drones had found what they were looking for. Mai could barely stay on her feet as she was knocked this way and that. More drones had arrived from the other intersections, likely being called in by the first.
"Mai!" Naru yelled with a grunt, pulling her against his chest and holding on tightly. He ducked down instinctively as a drone whizzed over his head, the air ruffling his ebony locks. Androids were running, scattering everywhere as they surged for one of the four exits. Yasuhara was still missing, likely carried off into the crowd at this point. Naru held Mai tightly to stop the same thing happening to her. He looked around desperately. Many androids were fleeing into the tunnels, where gunshots were already ringing out. They were surrounded. Naru gritted his teeth as he looked around. A few androids were heading up a central ladder that led directly to the surface, but more shots were sounding from above. Many bodies fell back down, thirium dripping from their foreheads. "I've got you," Naru murmured protectively as he held Mai close and looked around. We're surrounded. He cursed inwardly. Keep Mai safe. His objective reminded him.
"Naru, you have to get out of here! They'll kill you!" Mai cried as she looked up at him, hands bunched tightly in his coat as she fought to remain close. Naru nodded his agreement and held her tighter. They'd kill Mai, too. They believed everyone down here was an android. They wouldn't hesitate. They may have killed Yasuhara already. He didn't know. He ducked down with Mai against his chest as shots rang out above their heads, the rapid fire taking out android after android. Mai was quivering in his arms, whimpering at the seemingly endless sound.
"Nobody move! Surrender yourselves and you will not be harmed!" a muffled voice ordered. A few of the androids dropped to the ground obediently as others desperately tried to flee. There was another flurry of automatic gunfire. Naru had no choice. All he could do was obey the order and pray the armoured men were telling the truth. For Mai's sake. He remained kneeling with Mai cradled against his chest, holding her closer as a bright light shone on his face. It was a torch attached to the top of a rifle. He flinched as the barrel knocked his temple. His LED stuttered yellow.
"Alright, on your feet. Move!" the man ordered harshly, giving him another good jab of encouragement. Naru gave no objection as he stood, being careful to keep his own body between Mai and the muzzle of the gun. He staggered as an impact hit his shoulder, making him stumble a little. "I said move!" the armoured figure repeated. Naru obediently followed Mai to the metal ladder, keeping her close to his body as they climbed. At the top, more men were waiting. They pulled them up and forced them into a line of androids that went to the back of large, armoured trucks.
"Wait, you can't! This girl is-" Naru cut off, stopped by Mai's hand on his arm. She shook her head. Naru had no chance to say more as the rifle butt connected with his cheek, temporarily bruising the skin there. He couldn't feel pain, but it was enough to tell him the men weren't messing around. Mai trembled as she joined the line with him. He couldn't let this rest. He had to let them know somehow. Mai was human. He couldn't allow her to get caught up in this. For now, there was nothing he could do. He held Mai close as they joined the crowd of androids packed inside one of the trucks. It was tight. Mai squirmed uncomfortably. They could barely keep their balance, but with so many bodies pressed together, they couldn't fall down either. Naru did his best to shield Mai's delicate form with his own harder body, hoping she didn't get hurt in the pressing crowd.
"Here, let me help," a kind voice offered. A petite female android rested her arms on Naru's shoulders to create a small bubble of space for Mai to stand in. She was a pretty model with clear blue eyes and blonde hair in a side tail. She was another secretarial android, a very early model. Naru braced his hands on her shoulders in return with thanks as Mai remained pressed against him with her arms around him.
"Where are they taking us?" she asked fearfully, keeping her face buried in his chest. Naru's jaw tightened as he met the gentle gaze of the android across from him. He didn't want to say it, so he simply leaned down and pressed a kiss to Mai's forehead. Whatever happened, he wouldn't let Mai get caught up in it. Once the humans realised their mistake, they'd let her go. She was human, after all.
