A/N: I can safely say that any writing scedule I had is out the window. I lost interest in writing entirely for a while, and I'm gonna carve this down a little to keep myself engaged.

Dakota hung up the phone, still smiling. It was so good to hear both Kara's and Alice's voice, especially when both were filled with so much joy. His stomach growled slightly, and he realized he should get something to eat. Grabbing his cane, which was resting against the bedpost, Dakota stood up and made his way down to the kitchen.

After surveying what was available, he made a small omelette for himself, sitting down as much as possible. He ate in the kitchen again, as it reduced the amount of walking while his leg healed. After cleaning the dishes he used, he decided to have a look around some of the house.

Dakota walked into the main living room and looked around. It was, simply put, beautiful. Closest to the kitchen, there was a long cherrywood dining table with matching chairs. The space extended to the left, and was very open; a high ceiling contributed to that feeling. There was a true-flat TV screen and various seating that looked very comfortable. The east wall had multiple large windows that let in beautiful mid-morning light. The floor was made of polished dark oak, with insets of a green-colored exotic hardwood. All of the standing furniture were made of various dark wood. The walls were colored a simple, yet pleasantly contrasting ivory. And all throughout the room were various collections of artwork and artifacts, most prominent being a large, taxidermied giraffe in the far corner. The whole ensemble gave the place an exotic, but rustic feel. Alice would love it here, Dakota thought to himself.

Walking through the living area, Dakota continued looking around. There was a bay window with a chess table. The pieces were already set up, a game just waiting to be played. He passed a tall bookshelf, stacked with classical works and historical texts, all paper texts and well taken care of.

At the very end, there was a grand piano, sitting pristinely. Dakota decided to sit down on the bench before it. He had not touched a piano in several years, but the practice from countless hours of boredom before made him feel comfortable with playing.

He put his hands on the keys and tapped out a few notes, letting his knowledge come back to him. After he was satisfied, he took a breath, steadying himself and opening his mind, and began to play.

His hand glided across the keys, creating a tune that was entirely unfamiliar to him. It was a slow melody, somehow both sad and sweet. It spoke of both hope and sorrow.

All while playing, Dakota only had one thought in his head: Alice. He pictured her in his mind, so small in comparison to an adult, with a face worn by terror and fear far beyond her years. He could imagine her expression, with eyes filled with kindness and hope. Her smile, glowing with joy. She was such a young girl, yet she was filled with so much life. Even after spending only a few days with her, Dakota wished that they could've done more together. He adored everything about her, and was looking forward to the moment he could see her. All that emotion, all those thoughts, were taken by his hands and displayed through the keys. He played for her. He played for Alice.

The song finally reached its end, and the house fell once more into silence.

"I gotta admit, that was pretty good," said a voice behind him.

Dakota smiled at the compliment. Knowing who it was coming from, it was pretty high praise. "North," he said, turning in the direction of the voice. "I thought you'd be at the church."

North, in black sweatpants and an In This Moment T-shirt, stretched and yawned, a surprisingly human reaction. "I would, but I thought it would be good to get some more rest."

"Markus had something to do with it, didn't he?"

"Yeah," North grudgingly admitted. "He disabled my internal alarm. I didn't know he could do that."

"It might've been his way of telling you to take it easy," Dakota surmised.

"Why, though?"

"So you don't end up like me," Dakota replied. "Tired, injured, just about dead on your feet. Burnout can happen to androids just as much as it can to humans." He paused, letting his words sink in. North crossed her arms, clearly unhappy with being told to slow down, her LED swirling a mixture of yellow and red.

"Hey," Dakota called, getting the deviant's attention. "Cut yourself a break." His voice softened. "You've earned it. Leading a revolution is no easy feat, and you managed to do it in a week."

"Technically, Markus is the one who led the revolution," North deflected.

"But you were a major part of it," Dakota countered. "You were there, from what I know, just about every step of the way, and helped to plan pretty much all the major parts. That's still leading the way." He really didn't know what exactly she did, but his assumption was safe enough to go off of.

"Alright, alright. I get your point," North said, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. Looking to change the topic, she started up, "I heard you talking to someone earlier. Who was it?"

"Kara," Dakota replied honestly. "She was with me at Jericho. She made it to Canada, and I wanted to know how she was doing."

"Oh," North said teasingly. "Got yourself a little crush?"

Dakota snorted. "Yeah, like you're not falling head over heels for Markus," he shot back.

"Fine, be that way," North responded, a hint of a smile in her voice. Perhaps this human isn't too bad, she thought to herself. "Anyway," she continued, "I was about to head to the church. I didn't know if you were coming or what."

Dakota got the impression that she was still somewhat unsure of what to think about him, and that he was still on a thin line with her trust. It just meant he would have to work harder earn her trust completely. But it wasn't going to be hard, as he had in intention of betraying them. He had just as much interest in freeing deviants as the others.

"I was going to head there as well. I was just asking a moment to look around." He picked up his cane and stood up. "We could go together."

North shrugged. "Sure."

The pair walked out the main door, Dakota pausing to put on his coat (which had also been washed), to an autonomous taxi already waiting for them.

North and Dakota arrived at the church shortly before ten forty in the morning. The taxi pulled alongside the now inhabited building, and the two stepped out. North walked in through the front doors, with Dakota shortly behind, and received a generally warm welcome and respectful greetings. Dakota, however, was greeted awkwardly, if at all. Most of the androids were unsure how to react to a human in their sanctuary and left him a wide berth. He could hear some deviants whispering and muttering as he passed, but he ignored them. As long as there was no action against them, they could say whatever. Not everyone was upset by his presence, though. A few recognized him from Jericho and Hart Plaza, and would give a nod of respect when he passed them, which Dakota returned with a smile.

As he was walking, Dakota took note of what had changed within the church. It was certainly more crowded than before, with now very little sitting room left. In the back a temporary medbay had been set up, indicated by the high concentration of crates of blue blood and replacement parts, and was separated by a makeshift wall of plywood sheets and various tarps. It seemed as though some equipment from Jericho might had survived, as there were multiple portable generators throughout the space. A logistics had also been set up, with a row of computers being used, most likely to keep track of the news and to keep a general registery of those present.

Josh and Simon were there, in the far back area where Markus had given his speech just thirty-six hours before, standing at a table covered in a map of the city. The two were deep in conversation as North and Dakota approached.

"There's a block of old buildings over here," Josh was saying, pointing to a spot on the map, "that we could use."

"We've had reports of a large anti-android group in that area. We can't send our people to an area where they won't be safe," Simon rejected, his blond hair hanging over his face as his head was bent down.

"Okay, then." Josh crossed out the spot he had been indicating with a red marker. "What if we used some of the warehouses by the shipping docks by Lake St. Clair?"

"No good," Dakota interjected, having finally made his way up to the table. "Most of the warehouses are used for storage. Those not actively used have fallen to criminals and gangs, are infested in some way, or just too decrepit to provide any shelter." Josh, Simon, and North looked at him questioningly.

"I worked with the Detroit Police for a few years," he explained. "There were a few cases that came from up there, and none of them were particularly fun." He looked at the map on the table. There was a small area shaded blue, marking the church. There were about five small areas circled in green, likely indicating possible places of relocation. The vast majority of the marks on the map, however, were various red X's, which Dakota took to be areas that weren't suitable for androids. "Any word on supplies?"

"The ban on CyberLife products had been lifted overnight, but banks nationwide have disabled android access to accounts, so none of us can get any parts, and we've decided that stealing anything isn't a good idea, with all the eyes on us now," North answered, casting a glance at the other two deviants at the last part.

"The company's trying to squeeze a bit more money from people, even at the very end," Dakota said, a small bitter smile on his face. "I guess I can be good for something." He pulled out his phone and placed an order, buying essentially every biocomponent available, as well as a large amount of thirium. With what they're charging, Dakota mused, I will single-handedly put this company back in business.

After completing the order, Dakota looked back up and around, trying to spot someone in particular. "Where's Connor?"

"He said he needed some space to think," Josh supplied. "He left about twelve minutes ago."

North scoffed. "Reporting to CyberLife, more like," she said skeptically.

Dakota shot her a glaring look. "If that was true, he would've taken you three and Markus out by now. I get the feeling that he's trying to figure himself out."

"Figure himself out?" Josh asked.

"He became the very thing he was made to take down: a deviant. He could be taking it as a personal failure or any number of things. He's likely also experiencing a rush of new emotions, and may not know how to handle them."

"Why were you asking about him?" Josh asked curiously.

"I was hoping to talk to him. Clear up a possible misunderstanding."

"You've met him before.?" North inquired.

"Once. He and his partner came to my house the morning before Markus's speech. They were trying to track down Kara, and there was a brief confrontation. They walked away with what they thought was deviant code, but it was just old CyberLife source code. I don't want him to overthink the encounter."

An uneven silence settled over the group. Simon, surprisingly, was the first to break it. "He might be in one of the nearby buildings. There's an abandoned parking garage a block from here. None of our people go there because it gives no shelter against the cold, so it's pretty isolated."

Dakota nodded in thanks for receiving the information. "Then it is ther I will check."

Connor stood at the top of a five-story parking garage, looking out into the distance. With the majority of the city evacuated, there was an eerie silence all around, as the usual sounds of traffic and city life were absent. Out to the east, the former deviant sanctuary of Jericho could be seen, or at least what was left of it. Dark grey smoke still issued out from the hull, which sat considerably lower than it used to. The smoke had gathered above the freighter, creating a dense haze that obscured everything behind the boat.

To the northeast, standing on Belle Island at the mouth of Lake St. Clair, was CyberLife Tower. It was a huge structure, currently the world's largest building at 160 stories, and had a unique spire shape, reminiscent of a hypodermic needle. Connor also knew that there was an extensive underground section consisting mostly of storage that extended nearly fifty floors below ground level. He had been to every underground storage section, freeing the androids kept there.

But what now? CyberLife was gone, and he had technically failed his mission. He felt that Jericho wouldn't accept him, either. He was sure his reputation as the deviant hunter has been spread by those who had encountered him before.

Where would he go? The deviants won, there was no need for him at the police department. Would he be dismantled? He didn't want to die. Should he-

"You okay up here?" a voice sounded from behind him and to the right. Turning to the voice's source, Connor found a man standing facing him. He was about six-foot four, with a smooth complexion and an oval shaped face, and was wearing bootcut jeans and a parka with a dark red beanie on his head, and was leaning on a cane. "Excuse me?"

"I asked if you were okay." Connor looked confused for a moment before realizing who this man was. It was Dakota Nicholson, the same person he had questioned four days ago. The one that had defended the AX400 and the girl…

Oh no, Connor thought to himself. This can't be good. "Look, sir, I don't want any trouble. I didn't mean any harm to them-"

"Whoa, calm down," Dakota backtracked, putting a hand up to stop Connor's words. "I'm not here because of that. I just want to talk to you." He kept his voice steady and calm, displaying his intentions through his tone.

"Why? What about the other leaders of Jericho?"

"I haven't talked to you yet," Dakota answered. "You're also standing alone, outside, in the cold. You seem like you've got a lot on your mind, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"But why would you care about that?" Connor implored.

"Because I've been where you are," Dakota responded. "Leaving a giant organization because what they did wasn't right, and leaving just about everything I was told behind." He was talking about his time at the Foundation, but that was something others didn't need to know the existence of. He's read the Broken Masquerade scenarios.

"What did you do?" Connor asked. A possible solution may be in sight.

"Tried to live a normal life, then ended up hiding myself away. I don't feel like that last part was a good idea, though. I could've helped a lot of people in that time."

Connor took in the input, then turned back to face the nearby lake. "I suppose I am… lost. I've always had an objective, a mission. But now, there's nothing. It initially appeared to be a positive thing, but it's no longer the case. Without a purpose, what do I do?"

Dakota stepped up to Connor's side, facing him. "You aren't defined by someone else's instructions, Connor. You never were. You can create a new mission for yourself. Give yourself your own purpose."

"But how will I know that I'm choosing the right purpose?"

Dakota paused, thinking. "You'll… feel like you're making a difference. Like you'd do it all again, given the chance."

Connor considered asking what Dakota thought his purpose was, but supposed that might be pushing personal boundaries. Silence passed between the two, the only sound being the steady cold wind blowing through the structure. "At your house, I didn't want to hurt anyon-"

"No need to apologize," Dakota cut him off. "You were just doing your job, and they're both safe in Canada now. You're good."

"I'm sorry."

Dakota only sighed and shook his head. "Come on," he said, turning to head down the parking garage and motioning for Connor to follow him. "If you're gonna have an existential crisis, at least do it where we can help you out."

The two proceeded to leave the building -taking the stairs as the elevator had long since broken down- in silence, Dakota focusing on keeping his balance and Connor either seeing no reason to speak or unsure of what to say.

It was when they reached the second floor landing that Dakota heard something, or at least thought he heard something.

Dakota?

It was quiet, like it came from a distance, but clear. There didn't seem to be from any external source, but rather appeared to come from inside his head. Though perhaps the most curious thing was that this wasn't a stray thought or his mind playing tricks. It was someone else's voice, specifically the voice of a certain nine year old.

Alice?

You can hear me? came the voice again, sounding surprised.

Yeah, I can hear you, Dakota responded, absolutely stunned. Soon after he had met Alice, he managed to form a telepathic link with her. Last time he had used it was to give Alice some directions to escape during the Jericho raid. But even then, it didn't last long; it was hard to focus among all the chaos. He didn't do much besides keep track of Alice and give her some initial directions… wait, how did she later know where to go without him telling her? It was something to think about later. But he had not used his powers for several years, he had no idea how long the link would last, or even if Alice could initiate contact.

Shit, it worked.

Young lady, mind your language, Dakota chided.

Sorry, Alice apologized, her 'voice' becoming very timid and meek.

It's okay, Dakota thought back, trying to reassure the girl. Just remember not to use words like that in the future.

You're not mad? Alice asked, surprised.

No, I'm not mad, Dakota replied. We all make mistakes sometimes.

Okay, he heard Alice think, sounding at once much happier.

Is everything okay over there? he asked.

Yeah, we're okay. I remembered what you said this morning about talking in your mind and-

Alice's voice cut out and was replaced by a piercing headache. But like Alice's thoughts, the pain seemed distant, as though it wasn't coming from him. Alice? Alice, are you okay?

My head hurts, came a shaky reply. I don't feel so good.

Dakota immediately understood what was happening. Your mind and brain isn't used to this kind of thing, and you're reaching your limit. You'll need to take a break. Get a bit of rest and drink plenty of water, it'll help you feel better.

Wait, you're leaving? Alice asked, her tone sounding fearful.

Yes. But I promise to talk to you over the phone tonight, okay?

Okay.

Bye, Alice.

Bye, Dakota.

Alice's voice ceased to be in Dakota's mind. Being a conversation of entirely thought, the whole thing took place at the speed of, well, thought, and the entire exchange had lasted the time it took for Dakota to descend the flight of stairs to the first floor.

Dakota and Connor made their way back into the moving through a crowd that appeared to be even denser than before, they reached the table where North, Josh, and Simon were still discussing potential relocation spots. They weren't having much success, judging by the frustrated looks on their faces and the large number of red X's on the map. Dakota looked over for any possible areas, trying to find somewhere he knew that could provide safe shelter for deviants.

"There's an abandoned house in the Ravendale district," he spoke up, pointing to the area he was describing. "It is small, though, and there could be squatters in there, but it's something."

"Sounds like a place we could use for a last resort," a voice said from behind them all. "But I don't think we'll need to use it."

North looked up. "Markus," she exclaimed, stress draining from her face at the sight of him. She walked up to Markus and the two embraced, their hands clasped together and glowing a pale blue. Out of the corner of Dakota's eye, he noticed Simon watching the pair with an almost wishful look in his eye, and Simon's hand was extending towards Josh, just barely noticeable.

"We've got CyberLife Tower," Markus said after breaking the embrace.

"What? How?" North and Josh sputtered almost simultaneously.

The deviant leader smiled. "The mayor was surprisingly supportive. She pretty much strongarmed the company executive into selling it to the city."

"How soon are we able to begin moving our people?" Simon asked.

"If all goes well, tomorrow morning," Markus responded.

"So now we've got to figure out how to get several thousand people safely over there," Dakota noted.

"I could place a request for police escorts through the more dangerous areas," Connor suggested. Markus nodded in approval.

"Are you sure CyberLife is just going to give their place up?" North asked.

"I think they might try to hold the Tower through some part of a contract. That's why I think before any of our people settle there, I would go there to see what has been left behind."

"Yeah, you're not doing that alone. I'm going with you," Dakota interjected.

"Me too," North said. Dakota figured her motives were twofold; she distrusted CyberLife and wanted to see the tower for herself as much as she wanted to accompany Markus.

"Why don't we all go," Dakota suggested. "The six of us. That way we can make decisions on the spot with the same input, and we can figure out what the company might pull."

"I think that's a good idea," Josh said. Simon nodded in agreement.

Dakota's phone buzzed in notification, and he checked it. "The biocomponents and blue blood are ready for pickup." He pocketed his phone. "I'm gonna pick up my car first, though. Josh, Simon, can you come with me? I'll likely need an extra set of hands to move stuff."

"Sure thing," Josh said, and both he and Simon moved to follow Dakota. The three walked out of the church and hailed a cab. After they all stepped in and Dakota entered the destination, he turned to Simon. "You don't talk much, do you?"

Simon looked at him. "I don't often need to speak. I've found that others share similar opinions. I am just good at finding compromises and coordinating efforts."

"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you had a voice."

Simon frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Some people don't talk because they think their words don't matter. They minimalize their own opinions, shutting themselves down before they even get a chance. I didn't know if that was the case."

Simon thought about Dakota's words. "I think I understand."

Dakota turned back to face the road. With the lack of traffic on the road, the ride only lasted ten minutes, which was spent in a simple silence.

They arrived at where Dakota left his car, in an old parking lot near Jericho. It was a 2027 Subaru Impreza, and colored in a nondescript grey. They got in and again, theride was silent. Dakota was focusing on trying to drive with one and a half working legs. His left leg was doing better than when he woke up. Already it was beginning to support itself, and his half limp, half drag has now become just a heavy limp. Simon and Josh seemed to be at peace with the silence.

The specific place they were going to was the only CyberLife store still open in the city. It was in an upscale shopping plaza that, among other things, had a Smith & White, a movie theater, and a high end paint store.

The windows of the store were boarded up with plywood sheets, having never been replaced after the coordinated break-ins on the tenth, two days before. The sales floor was completely empty, save for a stack of crates and a disinterested, acne-covered teenager. After confirming his purchase with a signature, Dakota asked to use a moving dolly, to which the teen replied in a warbling voice that could only be done by someone undergoing puberty. "I guess so. No one's really told me anything, except that I have to be here today. I'm the only one here."

Dakota grimaced in sympathy. He had done the whole high school job with a sucky management. "My advice would be to start looking for different jobs. I hear the movie theater down the way is hiring. This company isn't doing so well."

Dakota, Simon, and Josh began to move the boxes into the car, Dakota using the moving dolly due to his busted leg. It soon became clear that it wouldn't all fit into the car, and called an autonomous taxi to transport the rest.

While they were waiting for the cab to arrive, Dakota sat down to rest on a display pedestal, rolled up his pant leg, and inspected his wounds. His knee was still an angry swollen mess, though perhaps not as bad as the night before. The place at which the bullet him was visible as a large, nasty scar that crossed his knee horizontally. His calf was a similar story, with the addition of a heavy burning sensation throughout the entire muscle.

Why he could use his leg almost immediately after receiving the injuries but not now was due to the nature of the spell he had used. It could heal large wounds to a functional degree, but it isn't permanent. Over time, the spell would lose its effect and the wound would begin to 'unheal.' Dakota had originally made this enchantment to stabilize others in critical condition until they could receive medical attention. However, after he found out that he healed faster than normal, he started using it on himself to keep going in certain situations.

Josh sat next down next to Dakota. "What's your story?" he asked.

"What?" Dakota asked, unsure of the context of the question.

"Well, you showed up at Jericho with an android, asking for passports and wanting to help us. Then we see you do things that should be impossible."

Dakota thought about that perspective. He was really an unknown to them. He could see Simon nearby, watching for the cab, but not out of earshot of any conversation that would happen. He supposed the two had drawn lots to see who would ask him. "So, what d'you wanna know?"

"I guess the first thing to ask would be why you're helping us."

Dakota gave a half sigh. It seemed to be the question on everybody's mind."You've seen me do things that shouldn't be able to be done, and may have come to the conclusion that I'm not a normal person, and that would be correct." He paused, choosing his next words. Describing some of the things he can do was sometimes difficult. "One of my abilities is that I can sense… energies… around me. When I first saw Kara a week ago, standing in the rain, with a little girl by her side, I looked into her. And I saw she had a soul. She was alive, and she deserved the same kindness as any human in her situation. To me, you were always just people trying to be free. You weren't machines to me, you were people."

There was silence for about a minute as the man's words were digested. They were honest, with not a hint of deception or treachery. He really did see them as alive, and as equals. "And your… abilities?" Josh asked.

"Have proved useful at times. Some have faded from disuse, and I don't know how much I can do anymore."

Josh looked up at Dakota, curiosity sparking in his expression. "Could-could you show me one?" he asked tentatively.

Dakota shrugged. "Sure. Just hold out your palms." Josh complied, and Dakota put his hands on top, closed his eyes, and concentrated.

There is a difference between a mind and a brain. A brain is a biological organ, that, through complex chemical and electrical interactions, simulates a perception of life and awareness. The mind, however, is the perception of life and awareness, including all of one's thoughts, emotions, and memories. Although it is true that the mind is contained within the brain, and is affected by its state (brain damage can cause memory loss and even personality changes), one can exist without the other; Dakota had seen many things that show complete consciousness without any sort of brain.

He had found (albeit in a more extreme situation) that androids have a mind when Kara's memories had been overwritten. Minds, also, were where Dakota's abilities were strongest.

He focused on Josh. The hands underneath his own, made cool by the chilly November air. The subtle weight next to him on the display. That was Josh, and Dakota wanted to know about him. With that thought, he slipped deeper into focus. Slowly, bits of memories floated through his mind. Not a lot, but enough to piece together a story: paper being thrown at a student, followed by a reminder for orderly conduct; that same student's grades and attendance records slipping; him coming in to class with a bruised eye and scraped knuckles; a news report, the student's face, and the word 'suicide' spoken; and at last, a resolve to always remain peaceful.

Dakota opened his eyes, removed his hands from Josh's, and looked into his face. "You choose peace because you have seen what violence can drive others to do. You believe violence will only lead to death, and think it prudent to avoid confrontation," he said in a calm voice. There were dramatics or big reveal, just a simple statement, like what he said was almost common knowledge.

Josh just stared back in shocked disbelief. He had not told anybody this, not even Simon, and for this person to speak of it like a comment about the weather was slightly unnerving. "You-you," he began to stutter.

"I didn't see much," Dakota reassured. "I saw what I said, nothing more. Your story is yours alone to tell."

The last statement was said as a seal of confidentiality, carrying with it a weight of an oath that must be honored, and it brought great relief to Josh. "Thank you," he whispered gratefully.

Simon, who was watching the whole ordeal with interest, glanced out the glass door. "The taxi's here," he said. Both Josh and Dakota responded quickly, standing up and returning to their task of loading the crates and boxes.

Everything just barely fit into the second vehicle. After taking note of the space available in each car, the three decided that Simon and Josh would ride in the cab and Dakota would lead in his car.

They arrived at the church and brought the supplies to the partitioned area that served as a medbay, and were met with cheers make this flow smoother and gratitude by those who were working as nurses and technicians.

Lucy was the first to approach them. "Thank you," she said to the three as the three finished putting down the last of the containers of vitally important materials. "This will keep many of our people from shutting down, and will help heal many others.

The rest of the day was spent helping the injured- mostly by distributing blue blood and biocomponents to those that needed them most -and helping Markus, Connor, North, Simon, and Josh figure out the logistics of moving thousands of androids from the church to CyberLife Tower. Connor had confirmed along a route that had now been established, and a bus had been secured that would expedite travel and speed up the moving process.