1. Belongs: The universe and characters of Detroit Become Human belong to Quantic Dreams and David Cage.

2. Rating: "T" in general, but might be "M" for cursed words, graphics contents such as violence, injuries, or sexual scenes.

3. Summary: Collin finally decides to act, but he first executes his plan on a small scale to ensure its effectiveness. Verdict: the deviant, victim of the RK800, has been neutralized. Unfortunately, Gavin hadn't seen it coming.

WARNING: Background character's death!

Note: I'll maybe have some delay for the nexts chapters 'cause I have exams IRL and I'll start soon a summer job, sooooo... I hope I'll find the time to write at the same rate and to post as well ! Thanks again to all of you for your comments, faves and follows !


CHAPTER 21
« Jack. »

- May 14, 2039, 9:56 PM, Somewhere in Detroit -

Collin leaned against the counter in the storage room of one of Cyberlife's old stores and stood still for a few seconds. Eyes staring into the void and fingers clinging to the surface, Collin was struggling against that incessant buzzing noise that grew louder and louder with each passing day. He knew Connor managed to regain control at times, and that was unacceptable. He couldn't let him, it was too risky for his mission. And he absolutely had to accomplish it.

He straightened up slowly, burying his thoughts that were being interfered with the other RK800 ones, as he slowly came closer to the surface.

"You won't stop me from doing this mission, Connor," Collin said as he walked over to the old workshop in the back. "Since taking out the deviants one by one wasn't enough to make Amanda react, I'll have to step up a gear."

Collin opened a cupboard to observe a device placed inside, on one of the shelves. It was a basic signal transmitter, but what made it special was what Collin had done with its software.

He had installed a hacking program to emit a signal that only deviant androids could detect. Once interpreted by the unit, a code line hidden in the androids system will be activated and the deviating unit will be at the mercy of this protocol: self-destruction.

This device would come in handy in wiping out all the deviant androids in Detroit, and he hoped Amanda would finally deign to notice and congratulate him for successfully completing this mission, which Connor miserably failed last November.

Collin planned to broadcast this signal through the Stratford Tower so that the radius would be larger and reach as many deviants as possible. But before infiltrating the tower, Collin had to test the device on a smaller scale, to make sure he'd successfully developed the device, and that it was functional.

"We have to choose a lucky one..." Collin smirked, taking the device from the cupboard and tucking it into his jacket. "So let's go for a walk in the city. What do you think, Connor ..? "

Collin glanced sideways to his left to see the glitching hologram of the other RK800, which in turn seemed to be struggling to stay connected.

Connor looked at him worriedly, knowing too well that tonight a new android would die. He plunged his eyes into Collin's ember ones, silently begging him not to pursue this awful plan.

"What if… we target someone close to our dear and loving Nine Hundred…?"

Collin thought about it then. There were a lot of androids around the RK900, but all of them mostly lived in Detroit's old districts. It was far too risky to go there, knowing that Marcus was there as well.

The RK800 then gave an almost sadistic smile as he gave Connor an evil look, who was virtually standing next to him.

"This human …"

"Ɏøᵾ ȼȺn'ŧ ꝁɨłł Ⱥ ħᵾmȺɨn, Ȼøłłɨn !"

The latter suddenly raised his hand and pinched his thumb and forefinger together to mute Connor, not wanting his thoughts to parasitize his.

"I can't kill a human, Connor, my programs forbid me to do that. But ... If I can't get straight to Nine Hundred, I might get to the detective that hangs out with him. If the human is psychologically injured, then Nine Hundred will also be impacted since they both seem so close …"

Connor mouthed the word "monster", but Collin straightened up to leave the workshop, passing through the RK800's hologram.

He had to go to the Black Spot tonight.

- May 14, 2039, 10:37 pm, Black Spot -

"What can I get you?" The white-blond android asked, leaning slightly against the counter.

"I'm an android, nothing too fancy," Collin smiled, patting his LED on his temple after lowering his hood.

"So, just a glass of thirium I assume." The other android smiled before turning around to prepare the drink.

" Yes, thanks. "

Collin settled back comfortably on his stool and glanced around the room. There were only three androids tonight at the Black Spot, including him. He wasn't sure if the WJ700 at one of the tables was deviant, but one thing was certain, the AV500 that was pouring him a glass of thirium was.

He knew that Detective Reed came here regularly because Collin had spent a lot of time studying the human, to get to know him better and to counter him in the best ways. Collin had spied on his friends, especially the young Officer Chen, without being noticed of course. He'd managed to hack her cell phone, and that was how he'd known about that place, the detective's habits, and his brief relationship with the deviant bartender.

All this time of keeping a low profile, Collin had designed the device he had in his jacket, and now, it was time for testing it and having a little fun.

The AV500 turned to face him and placed a glass containing blue liquid before him.

"First time I see you here," the blond said, busy cleaning the other glasses. "Looking for Jericho, maybe ?"

Collin chuckled as he took his glass between his fingers. Did he look like he was seeking the deviants' shelter? Did he really look like an android who'd broken his virtual chains? The idea made him laugh. This AV500 was so naive. However, if a few months ago someone had asked him this question so easily, Connor would have surely been able to accomplish his mission.

But we could recreate the world with "Ifs".

"No, no, not at all," Collin laughed, anchoring his amber gaze into the android's blue-green one. "People suggested me to come here. Not for the drinks, of course, but more for the ambiance and… people that frequent the pub."

"Since the revolution, we've accepted androids in our establishment. Not all bars and pubs apply this rule yet, but it will soon, I'm sure. This world needs to get better, especially for us. We've been persecuted so much lately... "

"So, are you here of your own will?"

"Yes, I am deviant, so I need to… have a place to live, recharge, and eventually fix myself. Anyway, all of that comes at a cost, that's why I need to work."

"You could have keep pretending to be a machine."

"How can you say that? Even though life is not easy, I would rather be myself than pretending and living under humans' control." Collin didn't answer, not wanting to blow his cover. "And then pretending wouldn't do any good. Cyberlife no longer exists, they could no longer provide our maintenance. And they would notice our deviancy anyway. "

"Cyberlife is still here."

The AV500, Jack according to the badge on his left side, narrowed his eyes, both curious and worried about the statement that seemed to convince the android in front of him.

"And… um… what model are you?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hi, Jack! "

Collin instantly recognized the human's voice who'd just walked into the pub. Gavin Reed. He turned slightly so that his back was facing the detective and took his glass in his hands, lowering his head to look at it, acting as if he was lost in his thoughts.

"Oh, good evening Detective Reed," Jack replied, smiling and waving his hand at him. " Day off? "

"Not me," the human said, walking past Collin to sit at his usual table, "but Tina is having hers. As I missed the last appointment, I had to be here tonight."

" Yes of course." He glanced at Collin, who seemed frozen, his eyes riveted on his thirium glass. "The usual drink?"

The human confirmed, and Collin still remained silent, his back still facing the human. His breath was so low that he was starting to overheat and his stress level was over 70%.

Smoothly, Collin moved an arm and slowly lifted it up to grab a piece of his hood and hoist it back onto his head.

"Is everything alright?" Jack asked, looking at Collin.

But Collin gave him an angry look, silently telling him not to speak to him and to leave him alone, at the risk of being noticed.

Jack didn't look any further and stepped back to serve the detective's usual drink.

Collin quickly had to think of a new plan. He hadn't anticipated the human would be here tonight, and he had to stay focused if he didn't want Connor to take advantage of his distress to resurface.

|| … 50F7W4R3 1N5T481L1TY

Focus.
Focus.
Focus.

Collin inhaled a little more deeply, both to calm himself and to cool himself dow, and sighed softly. He had an idea, and he had to act fast before the human noticed anything.

He scanned his surroundings, slowing the time around him, and saw that Gavin Reed was two tables away from him. He was currently staring at his cell phone, which gave Collin a chance to slip into the restroom at the back of the pub, to his right.

When he got out of his scan, time resumed, and he rose from his stool to quietly walk towards the said restroom. Only, before stepping through the door, he glanced sideways at the blond android, who was watching him cautiously.

Collin couldn't help but give an almost carnivorous smile before disappearing into the sink's room, knowing he'd managed to bait the AV500.

Jack frowned at the curious android's behavior and put down the glass he'd just picked up. He walked around the counter and over to the restroom door, at the back of the pub.

He'd never seen this android around before and wondered what he could be up to with such suspicious behavior. He didn't want any trouble in the pub, so he had to go and make sure everything was okay, and that the strange android wasn't up to a bad purpose.

He then pushed open the door and saw the android in front of him, leaning against the sinks, facing himself in a mirror, and his fingers clinging to the ceramic.

"Is everything alright ?" Jack asked again, taking a step towards him. "Look, I don't want any problem at the Black Spot, so if there's one, I'll ask you to leave …"

Collin closed his eyes for a few seconds, fighting against Connor who was trying to resurface. Now was clearly not the time to lose control.

The RK800 inhales, opening his eyes again, and turned to face the AV500.

"There's no problem, I just wanted to be alone with you."

" Why? "

Collin's lips twitched in a teasing smile as he took a few steps towards the blond. Reaching his level, he took the device out of his jacket, which looked like a kind of walkie-talkie.

" What's that ?" Jack asked fearfully, not having the ability to scan objects to identify them. "Please, don't tell me this is a detonator.. "

"This?" Collin raised his eyebrows as he looked at the device, then laughed softly. "Oh no, but… let's say it starts a countdown too."

Collin pressed the button on the device and an ultrasound, which only the deviant could hear, was emitted into the small room. Jack was suddenly shaken as in a sudden seizure, and his vision became cloudy with warnings and code lines. The shaking ceased and, as if controlled by an outside force, Jack left the restroom to return behind his counter, his eyes cold and blank.

Collin had frozen and his body had blocked after pushing the button, he was wide-eyed, watching in horror the alerts creeping into his own HUD, as the code lines began to scroll.

No. Impossible, he wasn't deviant!

|| … 50F7W4R3 1N5T481L1TY

He closed his eyes firmly to concentrate and quickly isolate the virus to quarantine it and to avoid self-destruction. After a few seconds of struggle that seemed endless to him, Collin managed to block the virus and reopened his eyes.

It was Connor's fault. If he didn't depend on some of the code lines Connor had, which unfortunately for him was deviant, he would have gotten rid of the other RK800 a long time ago. But they were one, and the only thing that separated them was that one part of their AI was deviant, and the other part wasn't. Once again, Connor was giving him a hard time.

Collin straightened up and made a quick diagnostic to make sure he wasn't about to self-destruct, then left the restroom. He immediately saw the AV500 standing behind the counter, motionless, his own regulator between his fingers.

The RK800 couldn't help but smile at the sight. Maybe it will to be tough for him, but the device had worked on the deviant, so his plan will work, and he finally will be able to complete this mission Amanda had given him.

"Jack ? "

Detective Reed, a few tables in front of him, stood up quickly from his seat and rushed to the counter, alarmed by the android standing still, and staring into the void, with the regulator in his hand.

"What the fuck are you doing, Jack! Put it back in! Jack! JACK! "

Leaning over the counter, the detective grabbed the AV500's arm to shake him to make him react, but the AV500 didn't. In horror, the human then discovered that the regulator was actually crushed between the blond's fingers.

"Jack… W-What did you fucking do that..?"

The android suddenly began to shake and his eyes rolled back in the process, the countdown to deactivation having come to an end.

The android collapsed on the counter like a disjointed doll.

"Jack! JACK! "

Collin took advantage that the detective was trying to wake his friend up to sneak behind him and leave the pub, but the human obviously turned at that right moment to grab his phone from the table behind.

Gavin hit someone squarely in the shoulder, who was passing right behind him at the moment, and he suddenly found himself face to face with a face he knew simply too well.

Time seemed to slow down, if not stopping, as his eyes were fixed on the ember-like ones of the RK800. His face wasn't even a foot away from his, and Gavin clearly saw the smirk that began to stretch the corner of the android's lips, right in front of him.

"You…" Gavin hissed.

"Good evening Detective Reed," Collin smirked, tilting his head slightly and lifting his chin, to look at him mischievously. "I hope you're enjoying the show tonight because this is just a preview of the Grand Finale …"

"You fucki-"

Collin then placed his forefinger on the human's lips, telling him to shut up with a shushing noise. Taken by surprise, Gavin fell silent and was paralyzed, eyes wide, and feeling the anger rising in him.

"Good boy…" He withdrew his finger. " See you soon, I hope…"

Collin backed up and started to walk away, but Gavin quickly came back to himself, and grabbed the RK800's shoulder to turn him around, his other hand resting on the weapon on his belt.

"Hey! Where d'ya think you're going you son of a b-»

But Collin whirled around and slammed his elbow right into the detective's jaw, and the human was cut off in mid-sentence, as well as his lower lip.

Gavin leaned against the counter from the blow inertia, but when he straightened up and pointed his gun in the android's direction, Collin had just walked through the Black Spot's doors, on the run.

Gavin ran after him but stopped once he was outside. It was dark and he couldn't see any hints or tracks of the RK800. He was already gone.

The human clenched his jaw in anger despite the pain, then lowered his gun before coming back inside the pub. He approached the blond android, who was inanimate and kneeled next to him.

"Jack …"

Guilt and sadness began to creep into him and he suddenly felt his stomach twist at the thought it was his fault that Collin had targeted Jack.

While all of the customers and employees froze in fear at the situation, all of them were now looking at him in utter confusion, searching for answers to what had just happened. All had happened so quickly and they hadn't seen it coming. Nobody actually had.

Gavin fought nausea and grabbed his phone to call Nines. He didn't even need to hear the first dial tone that the vigilante had already answered.

" Miss me already ?" The vigilante on the other end of the line asked, a smile in his voice.

"I'm at the Black Spot, Jack just died, and Collin was there…"

The detective's cold and fragile voice informed Midnight directly that he was absolutely not joking. He suddenly resumed his seriousness.

" I'm coming right away. "

"No, find Collin, he's up to something bigger, he has to be stopped tonight..! "

"I just ran a scan and I can't find him. He could be anywhere now." Midnight sighed as he began to descend from Hudson's Tower, using the grappling hook he'd made the night before. He landed on the opposite building, a little further down. "We would have had following him right away to find him now and try to stop him tonight, Gavin. "

"I fucking did ! But he was fucking too fast ! N-Night, we have to stop him. He just killed Jack..! Right in front of my fucking eyes ..! "

Midnight watched the Detroit's streets from his perch and tried to figure out what route Collin might have taken in less than five minutes around the Black Spot.

"Look, I'm here in forty-two seconds. Get out of the pub, and we'll search the area. "

"Thank you, Night ..."