The freighter was huge.

There was no way to determine the layout. Besides the name "Jericho," the ship had no distinguishing features that would specify exactly what type of ship it was. Going by Kate's description of its large compartments divided by hallways, it was likely that the ship transported smaller cargo such as vehicles and furniture. Because of that, security would likely have been tight on the ship during its working life, and it would make navigating the interior extremely difficult.

Simon and Seph had spent a deal of time discussing different ways of gaining entry. If they entered through a discreet location, they would run the risk of hitting a dead end and not being able to gain access to the cargo hold at all. The other option was to enter through the front entrance, and hope they could disguise themselves well enough as humans to pass unnoticed. Simon had his doubts for both. The first option, although safer, had the greatest room for failure. The second was the most practical, though the consequences of failure were far worse. He could see that Seph was determined for this to work, and Simon knew despite his fear of the risks, he wanted to be as close to Kate as possible.

They borrowed clothes from the workshop in the house, trading out the last of their conspicuous android uniforms. Simon wore deep blue pants and black shoes, and wore a gray fleece jacket that had been hung in Kate's closet. Seph chose faded blue pants and a gray t-shirt, borrowing a heavy black hoodie from Kate. There was a minor issue regarding their LEDs, and what to do about their hair which was unmistakable for their models. Though Simon had no reservations in removing their LEDs, Seph withdrew at the suggestion, pressing his palm to his LED and vehemently refusing. It was only after agreeing to leave their LEDs in place that Simon noticed Seph was gripping the elbow of his replaced arm, and Simon understood. With some degree of trepidation, Simon offered him a baseball cap which Seph pulled his hood over, and Simon wore a heavy peaked winter hat which rested low enough to cover his forehead and temples.

Everything had been fairly easy in the planning. Even leaving was simple enough, at least for Simon. Kate was obviously exasperated when she informed them that she would be going the day before the rally, leaving them only one chance to navigate the freighter with the least suspicion. As a final touch to hide their identities, Simon and Seph altered their hair color, with Simon adjusting his to a deep brown and Seph brightening his own dark hair into a lighter auburn. Kate seemed perturbed by the change in appearance, and seemed even more hesitant to leave when her taxi arrived. When she'd let Simon go, he watched her exit through the front doors to join a red-headed young man in the cab which Simon guessed from Kate's explanation was Luke. After the taxi left, their own wasn't far behind. Simon led the way to it, pausing only when he noticed Seph wasn't following him. There was a startling moment of humility when he noticed Lauren stepping away from Seph, the telltale blue lines indicating their disconnecting interface.

Simon and Seph went over their plan one more time in the taxi during the drive. It sounded simple in theory. Enter the freighter. Map the general layout. Find the android storage area. Deliver rA9 to a single working android. And find a backdoor exit from the inside which had a greater chance of success than approaching from the exterior. They were confident in their decision. That was all very different once they were standing in front of the looming steel cargo ship at the docks.

There was a steel shipping pod in front of what appeared to be the main entrance to the freighter. A few people moved around it, guiding an electric cart which was full of damaged biocomponents. Simon didn't analyze it very carefully. His attention was on the group moving into the ship, the familiar mess of brown hair following them. As they filed down one of the hallways, the shape turned, and Simon could just make out the curve of Kate's face looking back at him before she too disappeared into the depths of the ship.

Seph was already moving in front of him, his hands buried in his coat pockets. Simon immediately followed. They skirted the edge of the entrance, maintaining their distance from the people around them without making it too obvious. Seph walked with a powerful confidence, heading directly through the open hatch and into the hallway within. Simon wasn't quite sure if the confidence was genuine or if he was simply adept at feigning it. It made his own attempts to hide his anxiety that much harder.

The hallway was lined with hatches, some which were open and others that were closed. The rooms inside were empty, though he and Seph glanced at each one as they walked by them. Voices and laughter echoed up ahead, and Simon felt his thirium pump hammer as two men moved down the hallway towards them. Simon bowed his head slightly and raised a hand to the tip of his cap to be sure that the red glow of his LED was sufficiently hidden. When the men passed, his frantic relief was stunted by a sharp message from Seph.

You have to stay calm. If you panic like this, it will draw attention.

Simon closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a breath. I'm sorry. I'll try.

The hallway climbed a short set of stairs, then opened into a wide cargo hold. It was busy with activity. Simon followed Seph under the overhead walkway as he gazed around him. The center of the room was sectioned with tables which looked to have been recently cleared. Several people moved in between them, carrying different assortments of items and calling out to eachother. Other people were huddled in groups, talking amongst themselves or relaxing with a bottle of water. The calm bustle of movement and noise gave an odd eeriness to their situation. As if everyone was aware that two androids had entered the room, but they simply didn't care.

Seph moved along the pathway under the catwalk, gazing around him. This must be one of the central cargo holds. I'm going to scan the area and see if I can draw up a blueprint from known freighters. You find Kate.

Simon nodded at him. I'm on it.

Large square CyberLife containers lined one side of the room, and Seph peered into them as they moved past them. Simon's gaze however was fixed on the room, and he anxiously scanned the scattered groups of people. He felt his thirium pump hitch when messy brown hair caught his attention. Kate was standing at the foot of a metal stairway which led up to a catwalk above. Luke stood with her, one foot on the first step as he seemed to be engaged in conversation with her. A subtle relief fell over him at this small achievement. He sent a silent message to Seph.

I see her. She's not alone.

Keep an eye on her. If she leaves, let me know.

Simon didn't need to be told. His apprehension was quickly giving way to fascination as he distracted himself in the way Kate was speaking inaudibly against the noise of the room. She made small gestures as she spoke, every so often casting quick glances around her while Luke replied. Simon slowly skirted the edge of the room, his view of her disappearing and reappearing between the steel pillars and moving people. As he watched, a subtle familiar feeling welled up inside of him. He recognized it as one that used to bring him confusion and a sense of helplessness. It was from a time when he was in a completely different kind of hiding. Now that he was feeling it again, it changed into something more exciting. More precious. And he felt his fear fade a bit.

He was nearly parallel to her when she glanced up again, and there was a brief moment of shock as they made eye-contact. Simon stopped but didn't turn towards her. As dangerous as it was, the silent acknowledgement was also subtly intimate. Kate's hazel eyes brightened, and then she quickly ducked her head, returning to inaudible conversation.

Simon couldn't help the slight pull at his lips. It's good to see her socializing again.

You'd better not be teasing her. I'm not getting caught because you're swooning.

I'm just watching.

Where are you? I think I may have found a matching blueprint.

I'm here. Simon sent him a beacon to his location. As he did, he saw Luke tilt his head slightly and begin heading up the stairs. Kate followed behind him, throwing another frantic glance at Simon as she ascended.

Simon watched her. She's heading up the stairs.

I'm on my way.

The stairway was somewhat exposed, and the catwalk above was empty. As Kate stepped onto the platform, Seph moved beside him. Kate threw him one last nervous glance before turning down a hallway deeper into the ship.

Seph looked at Simon. Stay close. Act like you know where you're going.

He headed for the stairs, his hands still in his jacket pockets. Simon noticed that the pockets seemed to protrude slightly, and he guessed as he followed Seph up to the catwalk that he had gathered some biocomponents while he was scanning the area. The catwalk turned towards a wide platform which supported a windowed room where several people were seated in couches. Simon gazed curiously at them, then felt a pang of terror as he recognized Taylor among them.

He turned his head, pulling his cap down and forcing his thirium pump to stay steady. As he did, an internal ping from Seph rang in his head.

What was that?

Simon drew in a deep breath. Taylor is here. We need to avoid her. I'll let you know if I see her again.

Just keep your head down and act busy. It's going to be fine.

Seph walked ahead of him, the peak of his cap turning left and right as he continued to scan. Simon was beginning to worry that they would lose track of where Kate had gone when loud noises echoed up ahead. He stood taller to see further down the passage, and noticed that the area was cluttered and bustling with movement. A large hatch was opened in the wall of the corridor, and Simon realized with a jolt that people were hauling the mangled bodies of androids in electric carts.

Seph wasn't stopping. Simon followed nervously behind him. He messaged him.

What are you doing?

This is likely the scrap yard. Don't stop moving until we know for sure which android should receive rA9.

There was no emotion in his tone, and Simon chose not to express his own even though the sight of the dismembered androids was filling him with horrible dread. It was a strange sort of morbidity to know that these were merely shells, and that before their shut-down they had likely been mindless machines without fear or pain. The dread came from not knowing for sure, and that he and Seph were looking at their own fate should their plan fail.

Simon turned with Seph under the bulkhead, and felt his anxiety grow as they entered a wide room filled with a variety of shelving and storage containers. Androids were in stages of transportation, some organized against the walls while others were in pieces. People called to eachother, moving in between the shelves and guiding working androids into separate groups. There was less space to move in here, and Simon stayed close behind Seph as if he would protect him.

Seph suddenly slowed, and Simon nearly ran into him. When he straightened, preparing to send him another silent question, he saw what Seph was looking at. His thirium pump nearly stopped.

There was no question of it. This was the pit of androids that Kate had described. Heaps of them were piled into mounds where humans and androids were moving in paths cleared between them. A steel ramp ran along one side, and electric carts rolled down to the messy pit below. Men threw biocomponents into the carts, calling to eachother and some arguing about what should go and what should be left behind. The androids themselves had varying levels of acknowledgement and function. Most were shut down. Some wandered aimlessly through the pathways. Others were attempting to gain the attention of the humans with queries and errors. But the ones that were the most unnerving were the androids that attempted to scramble up the ramp to the platform above. They never seemed to make it further than the top of the ramp where they would slow and stare at their surroundings. The humans passing by either ordered them back down into the pit, or shoved them over the side.

It was several seconds before Simon realized Seph was signaling him. He tore his eyes from the pit.

Simon, stay focused. Help me look.

Seph was already moving along the edge of the platform, and Simon quickly strode after him.

There are so many, Simon messaged him. So many androids and people.

That works in our favor. We're less likely to be noticed this way.

Is it safer to find a more secluded area? Or can you interface in the open?

Seph slowed up ahead of him and turned his head slightly as if thinking. We'll have to take one to a secluded area. I don't want to risk an unstable connection and if the android deviates quickly it will look suspicious.

Simon scanned the pit as they headed to the ramp. I don't see Kate.

We found what we came for. Focus on looking for a suitable android.

I need to find her first─

Something bumped into his shoulder. When he looked, he saw a flash of brown hair whip behind him.

"Don't turn around." Kate's voice was low. "There's a room about four doors back down the hallway. Left side. There's androids inside that are staying here. Be careful."

Simon's thirium pump hammered as he saw her dart away out of his peripheral vision. It took everything in him not to watch her leave. Seph had slowed up ahead, and he turned to look behind him.

Simon?

Simon drew in a breath and nodded in the direction that Kate had gone. Seph's blue eyes narrowed in attention.

She just told me there are androids being held in a room a few doors down the hall, Simon messaged him. She said they're staying here.

Seph gazed at him for a moment, and Simon could swear his LED was spinning yellow underneath his hood. Did she say why?

No.

Again, Seph seemed to be frozen in thought. Then he moved forward. Let's hope we're not noticed.

Simon followed him with a bit more energy, eager to be away from the activity and haphazard mess of androids. He could feel his anxiety lifting as they neared the large hatch, and he glanced around him. A nervous jet hit him when he saw Kate on the far side of the platform filling a cart with biocomponents. A young woman with her black hair twisted in a braid was talking to her as they both moved back and forth from a shelf to the cart. Kate muttered something to her, and the woman burst into laughter. Simon could see Kate's cynical smile as she heaved an armful of biocomponents into the cart. When she looked up, her hazel eyes locked with his. Only after she gave him a startled glare did Simon realize he had been staring. He drew in a breath and closed his eyes as he looked away, following Seph out into the steel corridor.

Which room is it? asked Seph. Simon moved up ahead.

About four hatches down. On the left.

Most of the hatches were open a few inches, and the rooms inside were empty. Only one was closed completely, and Simon paused outside of it. He gave Seph a nervous glance, and Seph returned it with determination in his deep blue eyes.

Keep a lookout, said Seph as he placed a hand on the yellow hatch. Simon gazed up and down the hall. Luckily the hallway was practically roaring with the acoustic banging and shouting of activity from the scrap room. The way leading towards the cargo hold was clear. Several men were chatting and laughing as they moved an electric cart from the scrap room further into the ship. When they were sufficiently distant, Simon leaned towards Seph.

Let's go.

Seph gripped the door mechanism in both hands and twisted it. The latch retracted, and there was a heavy creaking as he slowly pushed the door open. Simon threw one last glance around the hall, then followed Seph into the dark room.

Five inactive androids stood in formation against the wall of what appeared to be a cleared bunk. Simon gazed at them as Seph shut and latched the door behind them. The androids made no indication that they were even aware someone had entered the room. Each stared straight ahead, their faces blank and their LEDs a calm blue. Besides an occasional blink, they seemed lifeless.

Seph moved next to Simon, also gazing at the androids. Simon looked at him. "Will one of these work?" he said.

Seph's eyes focused as he seemed to scan them. "Two WR600s, an ST300, and a WB200. They don't look physically damaged."

He stepped next to the ST300 and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned towards him, her face still strangely blank.

"Run a diagnostic," said Seph. The ST300's gray eyes flickered.

"Error," she said in a static voice. "Biocomponents #3976v, #5602j, #7403v, and #5603r have been removed. Please contact CyberLife."

Seph let go of her shoulder, and she turned away from him to stare at the wall again. Seph moved to the next android.

"Run a diagnostic."

"Error. Biocomponents #2037f, #6024j, #4824v, #2848v, #7496f…"

Simon watched in apprehension as Seph analyzed the androids one by one. They were each missing some variety of biocomponents, or had their biocomponents replaced with something else. One of the WR600s was completely unresponsive, though the light of his LED indicated he was still functioning. Finally Seph took a step back, running a hand over his face.

"The ST300 might be the best candidate for processing rA9 successfully," said Seph.

"It's a very common model," said Simon. "I'm not sure that Kate would be able to keep track of it easily among all the other androids."

Seph crossed his arms over his chest. "The WB200 then? It's not missing any vital components."

Simon gazed at the android, a nervous shame burning through him at what they were proposing to submit it to. It was difficult to tell if the chosen android was going to be given a curse, or if they were leaving the other androids to continue existing in a hopeless nightmare. Simon felt his shoulders drop.

"The WB200," he said.

Seph nodded. Then he moved forward and touched the android's arm.

"Wait." Simon frantically stepped towards them, and Seph paused. Simon threw an exasperated glance at Seph, then looked at the brunette android. "What's your name?"

The android blinked. "My name is Thomas."

Simon sighed, closing his eyes and allowing a few moments to pass. Then he looked up at Seph and nodded to him. Seph gave him a nod back, and then grasped the android's wrist.

The skin from both androids withdrew from their arms, and Simon watched Thomas' LED spin yellow. His brown eyes fluttered as he seemed to process the information that Seph was sending to him, and his eyebrows knitted and relaxed. After several seconds, Seph withdrew from the android. Thomas stared at him, his LED calming to blue. Then Thomas turned and faced the wall blankly as if nothing had happened.

Seph looked at Simon. For the first time, Simon saw worry in his eyes. "Now we wait," said Seph.

"What did you send to him?" said Simon.

"I sent it the same information I gave to Laur─"

There was a heavy creak as the latch to the door engaged. Simon spun quickly, a terrifying burst of energy igniting his circuits. Before he had a chance to react, the metal door swung open.

"Whoa." A man stepped into the room. "What are you doing?"

Simon was frozen in shock. He cast a look to Seph who was standing rigid. The man let out a sigh.

"Look, I keep telling you guys that these bots are staying here." The man moved next to Simon and analyzed the androids as if checking for damage. "These are my fackin' projects. Didn't you see the sign on the door?"

Simon opened his mouth to speak but couldn't manage a response. The man looked at him, and Simon watched his blue eyes narrow.

"You new here or something?" the man asked.

"I'm sorry," said Seph. Simon felt a fist grab the back of his jacket as Seph pulled him. "We didn't realize these weren't meant for disposal."

"Oi, oi." The man grabbed Simon's arm. He looked in between Simon and Seph, his auburn eyebrows tensing. "Who are you?"

"We volunteered to work," said Seph.

"Really?" The man looked carefully at Seph, and Simon felt his thirium pump begin to pound. "Volunteered?"

"Yes. I'm sorry we didn't see the sign on the door." There was another pull. "We're going to leave."

"That's funny." The man chewed on his lower lip, and looked at Simon. There was a sudden sweep.

Simon jumped and took a step back. He gazed in a numbing terror at the man who was holding Simon's hat in his hands. The man's curious eyes were now narrowed in fierce shock. He stared at them.

"And what the fuck are two androids doing here dressed like humans?" the man asked.

Simon breathed heavily as panic coursed through him. He cast a glance at Seph whose face had sharpened into a calculating glare. Seph's expression was all Simon needed to know that he had run out of ideas. Simon raised a hand and took a step towards the man.

"We belong to one of the members here," said Simon. "She was worried we'd be sent to the scrap yard if we were identifiable as androids. I'm sorry for the deception."

"You were ordered to pretend to be humans?" The man let out an incredulous laugh and shook his head. "Who's your owner?"

I can subdue him Seph's voice rang in Simon's head.

Simon struggled to think clearly. He hitched as he scrambled for a response. The man tilted his head slightly as he gazed at him.

"I said who is your owner?"

Move out of the way. I can take care of this.

"I─" Simon drew in a deep breath. "Katherine."

"Katherine who?"

Simon, move.

Panicked thoughts chased eachother in Simon's head. Before he could make a decision, he felt a shove from behind.

"Whoa─ back off!"

There was a flash of metal that Simon instantly recognized. He grabbed at Seph's shoulders. "Don't!"

"Let go, Simon!"

"What the fuck is going on?"

"Will!"

The familiar voice made Simon instantly freeze. He looked sideways from where he had Seph pinned, his back to the gun protectively shielding the other android from harm. He felt his thirium pump nearly stop.

Kate stood in the doorway, her hazel eyes wide with terror. The young woman with black hair was standing next to her in a mixture of shock and confusion. Kate breathed heavily.

"Will… Will, I can explain."

"What is this?" The man was rigid in a firing pose, the pistol held in both hands. He looked behind him at Kate.

"Will, just─ just put the gun down," said Kate.

"These are your androids?" said Will. He looked up at Simon nervously, training the gun on him. "What the fuck is wrong with them, Kate?"

"Are they glitching out?" the young woman asked.

"No, they're not…" Kate let out an exasperated breath, and Simon could practically see the anxiety charging through her body. "They're not machines. They're different. I can explain. Just put the gun down and I can explain."

Seph grabbed onto Simon's shoulder, and Will took another step back towards the door, straightening his arms as he aimed.

"Shit, shoot them!" the woman cried.

"No!" Kate moved forward but grunted as the woman wrapped her arms around Kate's shoulders.

"Kate─"

"Will, don't kill them! Just listen to me! You don't know what they are. They're not machines. I'm telling you."

"What are they?" Will looked back at her, his eyes bright in confusion. Simon watched Kate in a startled numbness, feeling as though each second was on borrowed time. Kate gripped the young woman's arms which were still wrapped around her. She closed her eyes.

"They're deviants," she said.

The reaction was different among everyone. Will gave a small shake of his head, his eyes still narrowed. Kate looked as if she'd surrendered everything. Her body was limp, her shoulders dropped as she held the woman's arms. Seph glared in between the four of them. The woman's eyes brightened in terror, and then she pulled Kate back.

"Fuck… oh fuck they're deviants?" said the woman.

"The fuck is a deviant?" said Will.

"They're alive," said Kate, fighting lightly against the woman. "They're alive. I'm not a fucking lunatic."

"Will, shoot them!" The woman struggled as Kate bucked.

"No! Please!"

"They're dangerous! Will, just kill them!"

Simon braced against Seph as the android made another attempt to push past him. Simon twisted with him. "Seph, don't!"

"Just fucking kill them!"

"Don't kill them! Will, please─ please d-don't─"

Simon looked over his shoulder and felt his body lock in terror. Kate was buckling in the woman's arms, her eyes clenched closed.

"D-don't…" Kate groaned. "Please…"

"Kate!" Simon let Seph go and turned.

"Stay the fuck there!" Will shouted at him. "Don't move!"

"I need to help her." Simon watched in frantic horror as Kate sank to her knees behind Will. He fought the urge to run to her. "Please. Please just let me go to her."

"What's wrong with her?" The woman released her grip on her as Kate began to curl in on herself. The woman looked up. "Will, for fuck's sake!"

"Give me a fucking second!" Will swallowed, moving his weight from foot to foot. Kate let out a strained cry as she arched up, baring her teeth. Simon practically burst in electrified panic.

"Kate!" He leaned forward slightly, throwing another frantic look at Will who still had the gun pointed at him, standing defensively between him and Kate. He clutched helplessly at his hair and bent his knees in a desperate need to move. "Please let me go to her! Please, Will!"

Will seemed to be frozen in a strange trance of shock. "What the fuck…"

"Shoot him!" The woman scrambled as Kate began to flail her hands. "Just shoot him!"

Kate thrashed on the ground, her back rising up as she let out another sharp cry. Her arm bent around Will's leg, and he looked down at her.

Everything happened in an instant. There was a blur of blackness as Seph darted forward, and Will yelled out. The young woman screamed and scrambled backwards. But Simon hardly registered any of it. He bolted for Kate, dropping to his knees next to her and clutching at her flailing arms. Panic burned through him as he wove through her thrashing limbs and pressed his palms to either side of her head.

"I'm here," he said, fighting against his anxiety. "I'm here."

Her mind was alight in random bursts. The world around them seemed to fade as Simon put all of his effort into calming the storm within her. It was difficult to manage through his fear. He couldn't help the shaking of his breath as he caught every flashing neuron, every random jolt, each wayward strand of energy and redirected it with strategic shocks of his own. It was chaotic. Far worse than he'd ever seen. A powerful guilt swept through him as he focused on restoring her, wishing he'd simply taken a bullet if it meant he could have prevented this kind of pain.

It seemed an eternity before he felt her mind calm. He continued to follow the pathways of energy as he allowed himself to pull back from her and into himself. Kate's body had stopped thrashing, her teeth no longer bared, and her arms rested on her stomach. Simon watched her breath heavily, her eyes closed and fresh sweat running down her face. He caught the random bursts as they died down, and he risked brushing his thumb over her forehead.

"Kate," he whispered. "Kate, I'm here."

Her chest heaved as she let out a breath, and then her eyes opened. It seemed to take her a moment to find him, and Simon felt a wave of shame fall over him as she met his gaze. Something touched his face, and he realized she'd touched her hand to his cheek.

He felt his breath shake before he knew he was sobbing. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm so sorry…"

He dropped down to her, closing his eyes and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Her hands went up along his back, and he felt her fingers close in his hair. The sensation was so precious. So familiar. But what drove all of his focus into preserving it was that it was fragile. They were existing in a moment between consequences, and he couldn't bring himself to face them. Everything had fallen apart. They'd lost it all so quickly. And he'd let Kate suffer in the process.

He sucked in a breath as he failed to contain his sobs, clenching his eyes shut and pressing his lips to her forehead. He brushed her hair back as she continued to comb her fingers along his nape.

"It's okay," she whispered. Simon pressed his nose to her cheek, his breathing harsh and uneven. Her hand drifted along the side of his neck. "It's going to be okay."

The calm tone of her voice seemed to produce an artificial relief in him. He rose up enough so that he was able to meet her gaze. Her hazel eyes were weary, and she blinked heavily from exhaustion though Simon could still detect the worry in them. He ran his thumbs over her cheeks, wishing he could draw the pain from her. That he could make at least one thing right in the midst of this terrible mess.

Kate's shoulders tensed, and she raised herself. Simon slipped his arm around her shoulder and supported her, keeping one hand to the side of her face as he cradled her head in a light scan. "I've got you."

She turned her head, her hazel eyes gazing around the room. Despite his dread, Simon forced himself to follow it, his vision slightly blurred from tears.

Seph was standing with one elbow against Will's neck, pinning him to the wall. His other arm was crossed over his chest, pistol in hand which he was pointing at the young woman. No one moved, although they were all watching what was taking place. Seph's blue eyes were narrowed in a combination of concern and focus. The young woman glanced between them, her face lit in terror. Will watched with wide eyes from where he was pinned. A volatile tension hung in the air, threatening to snap.

Kate clutched the front of Simon's jacket as she pulled herself higher. "Seph… don't hurt them."

Simon's processor was only able to comprehend on a moment's basis. He pulled Kate into him as he straightened, drawing his hand up underneath her arm and threading it into her hair to hold her tightly against him. She brought her knees up, sitting partially on his lap as she curled into his chest. Simon looked back and forth between where Seph had Will pressed against the wall and to the woman he held at gunpoint. It was a paralyzing situation.

Kate's fists tightened on Simon's jacket, and he felt her look up. "Will… Marie. Don't─ don't tell anyone about this. Just let us leave."

The woman let out a terrified breath. "Are you insane?"

"Marie, don't─" Will let out a groan as Seph dug his elbow deeper against the back of Will's neck. Marie cried out.

"Will!" Marie pressed her fingers to her mouth, her brown eyes alight in terror. "Let him go!"

"Seph, let Will go," said Kate. Simon gazed at Seph, his heart hammering. He wasn't ready to lose this brief moment of safety. Seph appeared to share his doubts. He looked down at Kate, his focused face drawn in anxiety.

"Let him go," Kate repeated. "Let him go and put the gun down."

Seph flexed his hand on the gun, then his eyes met Simon's. Simon gazed back at him for a moment, feeling as though everything were caught in a flood that he was powerless to stop. With every ounce of strength Simon had left, he gave Seph a small nod.

Seph released Will, stepping back and raising the barrel of the pistol upwards. Will hesitated for a second, throwing Seph a frantic glance over his shoulder. Then Will pushed off the wall, darting across the room.

"Oh god…" Marie broke into quiet sobs as Will wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to his chest. Simon watched as Will pressed his mouth to her hair, then rotated on the spot and straightened so he was able to watch them with wide eyes. A mechanical flurry caught Simon's attention, and he looked in time to see Seph eject the magazine and toss it across the room. Seph worked the slide, and opened the chamber to release the bullet before throwing the now empty pistol to the other end of the room.

Simon pulled Kate higher up onto his lap as he raised himself into a kneeling position. He couldn't help but watch the two humans gaze back at him in mirrored intrigue. Neither were hiding how each was studying the other, although Will's eyes were still narrowed in bright disbelief. It was clear something was processing in the man's mind, and as terrified as Simon was, he desperately wanted to maintain the stalemate as long as he could.

Kate loosened her grip on Simon's jacket, and she looked up at them. "We're going to leave," she said. "We're going to leave and we won't come back. You won't have to hear from me ever again."

Will shook his head. "What─" He gazed at Simon, and Simon felt a strange peace at how Will's face calmed into fascination. "What are you?"

Simon breathed in deeply to settle his nerves. Then he reached under Kate's knees so he was able to stand up with her, carrying her against his chest. "We won't try to come here again. We didn't want to hurt anyone. We just wanted to save what we could."

"Save what?" Will looked at Seph, then twisted to gaze at the motionless androids standing behind him. He turned back to Simon. "Save them?"

"They at least deserve the chance to make a choice," said Seph. "Like we did."

"A choice to do what?" said Will.

Simon tightened his arm around Kate's shoulders. "To live," he said.

A silence fell over the room. Will studied Simon, his pale blue eyes slightly tensed in a way that made him look as if he were in a daze. Marie hadn't acknowledged them, and she pressed her face into Will's neck.

"Will…" she whispered.

Seph moved across the room and touched Simon's shoulder before throwing a look at Will. "What you're doing here is sick," said Seph. "It won't last forever. There'll be more of us one day, and you won't─"

"Seph." Simon looked at him, and Seph set his shoulders, avoiding his gaze. Simon looked back at Will who was still watching them in a mild shock. "I'm sorry we threatened you. Both of you."

He turned to the door, and Kate moved in his arms.

"Put me down," she said quietly. "I can walk."

"Are you sure?" he said, but Kate was already pulling her legs free from his arm. He carefully lowered her so she was able to stand though he kept one arm around her shoulders as she wobbled. She nodded.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," she said.

"Oi."

Simon turned at the noise, and saw Will moving towards him. Will threw a nervous glance at Seph, then held something out to Simon. It took Simon a moment to realize Will was holding his winter hat.

Will gazed at Simon, the strange daze still hovering in his eyes. "You'll need this," he said.

A subtle humility swept through him, and Simon gave himself a second to absorb it. He took the winter hat from him, making an attempt to hide the fact that he was scanning him though the look in Will's eyes had no hint of malice. He noticed Marie was watching him carefully, and when he met her gaze he expected her to glare or look away. Instead he was surprised when she stared at him with the same fascination and nervousness that Will did. However, there was a hint of something else in her expression. Something that looked as though she wasn't quite aware of what she was showing. And unwittingly, Simon felt the strength return to him.

He looked at Will, opening his mouth as he debated whether or not he should thank him. Instead he closed it, and gave him a small smile.

Will took a step backward as Seph pushed open the hatch. Simon fitted the winter hat over his head, tucking it down low over his temples before helping Kate move under the bulkhead. He threw one last glance at Will and Marie who had moved back into eachother, their eyes on him. Then he turned with Kate down the loud corridor towards the cargo hold.

Kate's posture straightened the more she moved, though she still drifted in exhaustion. She rolled her shoulders, and Simon released her a bit.

"Let me walk on my own," she said. "I don't want to draw attention."

"You're still weak," said Simon. He watched Seph walk up ahead as if he were scouting.

"Okay, just─" Kate ran her hand through her hair and breathed deeply. "Just don't make it look like I'm hurt or something."

Simon compensated by touching his hand to the small of her back. He pulled the peak of his cap down as they entered the cargo hold, and he moved with Kate towards the stairs. The room was still bustling underneath them with activity though no one seemed to be paying them any notice. Seph descended quickly and stopped at the bottom to wait. Simon went one step ahead of Kate, catching her when she leaned against the rail and stumbled. She recovered quickly, and Simon fought to contain his exasperation as she made it the rest of the way down.

They exited the cargo hold quickly, and Simon felt his anxiety climb the closer they moved to the loading bay of the ship. It was quiet as they descended into the steel room which opened to the dark space outside. Several men stood and chatted idly by the shipping pod which was nearly full of the white shells of androids and biocomponents. The men didn't look in their direction however, and Simon led Kate to the far side of the bay. He threw another glance behind him, feeling his apprehension finally lift as they drew closer to the port. At first, everything seemed dark and lifeless until a blue glow brightened near the lights of the hallway that they'd just left from. As Simon focused on it, he was able to make out the harsh highlights of calm eyes watching him beneath narrowed eyebrows. The blue glow faded, and a puff of vapor appeared from the shadows.

Simon didn't have time to be worried by it. A taxi rolled in front of them, and Seph quickly opened the door. He stood back as Kate approached, and Simon supported her underneath her arm as she slid into the back seat. Seph moved into the front, twisting the seat around as he pressed his palm to the panel.

Simon held onto the edge of the doorframe. Before climbing inside, he turned and looked back one last time at the dark silhouette of the looming ship above him. It towered ominously, a black abyss against a starry sky. He thought of the countless androids still trapped within, wandering aimlessly in the scrap yard with no purpose to their existence. The piles of biocomponents which had once made up the bodies of machines, each with their own potential to think and feel. And Thomas, the WB200 that he prayed would never get the chance to deviate.

But as he climbed into the back seat next to Kate, he couldn't help the overwhelming relief that he would never have to see this place ever again.