The quiet and secured brownstone was being pelted with a freezing cold January rain as Connor studied the contents of the two metal cases he had taken from New Jericho Tower after his visit with Kamski the day before. With his mind focused solely on his current investigation Connor didn't engage in conversation with the deviant leaders as he requested access to the cases even though he didn't explain his reason for wanting the cases to begin with. The fact that Connor even set foot inside New Jericho Tower was enough to convince Markus that his reluctant ally was working on something very important that shouldn't be questioned or interrupted without a damn good reason.

Sitting on one sofa with the cases opened on the coffee table before him, Connor eyed the contents warily and performed numerous cybernetic scans of the small chips that were apparently strong enough to house the emotions, thoughts, memories and soul of an entire human being. It was incredible to see such a tiny, delicate little piece of man created technology being potentially used to create a bridge to gap man and machine into one singular lifeform.

"These chips were designed to spare humans from death. A chance to defy nature by changing what is considered natural by combining organic with inorganic life."

Closing the metal cases with a firm 'snap', Connor wiped the memory of the biometric lock and ensured that no one - human or deviant, could open the cases without breaking the lock. With the chips being so delicate it'd also ensure that anyone who wanted to use the chips for any reason would destroy them while trying to gain access to them by breaking into the cases.

"Kamski is truly a sick and arrogant man. It's fortunate he ceased the project before it truly got out of hand."

Picking up the cases with both hands Connor rose from the sofa and stood before the digital display board for a moment. Using a cybernetic signal, he prompted the board to turn off for a moment and lift up against the wall to give Connor access to the hidden compartment built into the wall itself. After placing the cases inside the wall's compartment Connor sealed it up tight and returned the display board to where it belonged.

"It's quite fortunate that Mr. Lewis had built a safe into the wall to keep his finances safe while his store was still operational."

Sumo and Bruno, who had been laying together on the opposite sofa, lifted up their heads to peek at Connor over the back of their shared sofa and rested their chins down on the top of the furniture. They had been watching Connor work ever since his return to the brownstone the previous night.

"With the chips now secured and their purpose identified, I can work on investigating the 'Zhorra project'."

The two dogs just watched as Connor began pacing about the study with his coin dancing gracefully over his knuckles. The deviant detective had his eyes closed and was cybernetically tapping into the remaining CyberLife archives in search of that particular project without any clue as to why it was important or how it pertained to his existence.

Once he had every one of CyberLife's dirty secrets brought out in the open he'd finally be able to fully concentrate on the Winters case, his own shooting and aiding in Hank's recovery. The idea of being anywhere near Hank still made him feel uneasy, but he knew in the long wrong it was the right thing to do. He needed to let go of his anger toward Hank and recognize that no one can possibly be a flawless person; everyone was bound to make a mistake at least once in their life and they were going to keep on living.

"What is 'Zhorra' and why is it worth looking into?"

The door to the brownstone opened and then shut as Lucas returned at last. The deviant looked fatigued after spending the night in the hospital while being lost inside his own thoughts as he considered his future options within the deviant community.

Lucas immediately noticed Connor pacing the study with determination behind his steps in the coin dancing over his hand. The kind deviant hadn't been home for almost two days and as such hadn't noticed anything amiss with his brother. that something was seriously wrong. Lucas dared to speak up and stop Connor mid pace to find out what was preoccupying his brother's attention.

"Connor?" Removing his thick white hoodie Lucas hung the garment up on the hook beside the front door to rest next to the brown trench coat and matching fedora. He didn't see any sign of Sydney and was confused as to why Sumo was at the brownstone rather than Hank's house as per usual. "You seem distressed. Is there anything I could do to help you?"

"Perhaps." Connor slipped his coin into his jean pocket with indifference as he looked at his younger brother with a keen interest. "Yesterday I began searching into the darkest recesses of CyberLife's illegal activities. In turn, I needed to go and speak with Elijah Kamski."

"You spoke to our creator?"

"He is an inventor and engineer, NOT a creator." The idea of giving Kamski any title of power of control felt sickening to the stubborn deviant. "Regardless, I asked him questions about CyberLife's projects that could revolve around Stanley Fordon and he confirmed that the man was capable of potentially sabotaging the research performed by the company for his own personal gain."

"And such research revolved around... us." The way Connor seemed tense and determined told Lucas that his older brother was following a trail that could lead to some rather uncomfortable revelations. "Doesn't it?"

"Correct. Lucas, do you still have access to any of CyberLife's archives?"

"It's very limited, but I do have several CyberLife files still locked away in my databanks."

"Can you unlock it?"

"I can attempt to do so." With his L.E.D. flashing in yellow Lucas closed his own eyes and began sifting through the teraflops of coding that had gone into his very creation. "What am I looking for?"

"Look for anything pertaining to the 'Zhorra project'."

"That is... something I'm entirely unfamiliar with."

"Same for me."

Connor resumed his pacing as he cybernetically checked through his own still slightly compromised files and continued to monitor Hank's condition from afar. As much as he didn't want to think about Hank or what he had done to Hank, Connor just couldn't bring himself to ignore the wounded man.

"I may have found something." Lucas replied as his eyes opened and his L.E.D. settled on an anxious yellow tint. "There is a sealed file containing numerous documents revolving around additional prototype 'RK' models that were never officially acknowledged by CyberLife or put on the market."

"How many 'RK' models were created before Sydney and myself? They were numbered from one-hundred to seven-hundred."

"...Seven Only seven, one of each model." The green eyed deviant confirmed in a somber tone as he nervously wrung his hands together before himself. "And that does include Markus."

"All 'RK' models prior to your completed design were prototypes." Connor noted the consistency with the model numbers and designs. Only Lucas was deemed a fully complete design with no prototyping whatsoever. "Where are they now?"

"The files do not detail the protypes beyond names, functions and single images. I'm unsure of where they are or where they could've been."

"Can you show me the details?"

"Yes." Lucas walked over to the display board and pressed his exposed right palm to the digital screen to upload his uncovered filed onto the board for further analysis. The faces of seven people, two of whom were familiar to Connor, appeared on the board in a flash. "These are the seven prototypes that were created before us, Markus included."

"Markus was a caretaker." Relaying the information Connor thought out loud as he and Lucas tried to understand what the hidden project was about. "Created by Elijah Kamski himself to tend to the famous artist Carl Manfred. What about the other prototypes?"

Peering at the gathered images of the five additional prototypes now on the display board, Connor scanned over their faces and started with the first prototype, a male deviant with a registered height of six foot two, with a strong jaw, military crew cut of raven black hair, ocean blue eyes and a dark complexion. The image was resting just above Markus's image as all of the files were registered in numerical order. "This is the only 'RK-100' in existence."

"Who is he?"

"His assigned name is 'Tyrone'." Connor confirmed the name and model thanks to delving in CyberLife's darkest secrets and most hidden files through Lucas's assistance. That information was never meant to be leaked to the public and now Connor was aware of how dangerous that information truly was. "He was designed to be the perfect foot soldier. The model was never put into mass production due to reported numerous glitches that revolve around disobedience and not eliminating all targets that weren't deemed threats during simulations. In other words, the model showed signs of deviancy."

"Interesting." Lucas crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at Tyrone's image curiously. "CyberLife couldn't bear the thought of a mindless killing machine actually thinking for itself. Such a machine might be able to show common sense instead of just shooting at whatever or whomever they put in front of him."

Glancing at the third deviant image, one that was beneath Marku's image, Connor identified him next. "He is the only 'RK-300 ever created. Assigned name 'Galen'."

"Galen had been designed to be the perfect doctor." Lucas began delving into the files to read up on the other prototypes as well. "One who could make instant and flawless diagnoses and provide the adequate treatment."

Reading more of the notes contained in the file Connor discovered why the 'RK-300' was never put into mass production. "Such a task proved to be impossible simply due to the complexity of the human body and the myriad of illness and diseases it can contract. When the 'RK-300' refused to commit to a single diagnosis on a case as he couldn't be entirely certain of its decision, the model was deemed defective. Showing doubt and sympathy for his patients, as he couldn't just deliver a diagnosis and walk away, were signs of emotion. Signs of deviancy."

"The humans see sympathy as a weakness." Lucas sighed as he looked at Connor standing beside him. "They couldn't let someone with a heart treat the ill, they just wanted a brain that would quickly sort through cases and bring in as much money to the hospitals and pharmacies as possible."

Connor then looked at the third deviant's face on the display board. "He is the only 'RK-400'. Assigned name, 'Aiden'. His model was designed to be the perfect firefighter. Someone who could go extended periods of time without needing to breathe or be exposed to potentially lethal fumes in the air. Someone who could perish in a fire while rescuing humans and be easily replaced when necessary."

Standing at six foot one with a slightly above average build, short slicked back black hair, rich brown eyes and a pale complexion, Aiden had an impressive design to say the least.

"The problem with the 'RK-400' stemmed from the prototype showing signs of self preservation during simulations as opposed to obediently letting himself burn up in a raging inferno, or allowing himself to fall through weakened floors and crushed under falling debris." Connor continued in a disappointed manner. "Signs of self awareness were all symptoms of an android becoming deviant. Deviancy couldn't be permitted under any circumstance."

"It seems that the humans who created Aiden determined that only humans who needed to be protected and rescued from their own mistakes and arrogance were worthy of life." Scoffing at the notion Lucas stood back with his eyes transfixed on the display board. "We know otherwise."

Looking to the next deviant glowing beside the image of the 'RK-400', Connor scanned her face and found the correct information pertaining to her. "She is the only functioning 'RK-500' that was activated. Assigned name, 'Cassandra'." Connor eyed the female deviant and read over her cybernetic file. "Designed to provide flawless security. At the time she possessed the fastest processor ever designed and had been programmed to scan over every centimeter of private property to ensure absolute security within less than six seconds."

Cassandra was a short, blonde hair android with bright blue eyes, a sun kissed skin tone and a slim build.

"The 'RK-500' was designed to locate any and all signs of security weakness, isolate it, improve it and prevent any breaches whatsoever." Lucas keenly tagged on as he and Connor checked over the files together. "The constant fluctuation of technology made it incredibly difficult and stressful for such a model to remain on top of such an already laborious task. As a result, the heavy burden caused drastic spikes in stress levels that became critical. When the model didn't push through the stress but instead showed sign of attempted self destruction, it was proof enough that deviancy was a seemingly inevitability that forced the model line to be discontinued."

"Humans create technology." Connor stated in a bold tone as he gave the unblinking images an understanding look. "Then when technology becomes too much to handle, they expect that same technology to take care of itself. Yet they still claim to be the superior species."

Connor now knew that there was a reason Kamski wanted him to identify the other 'RK' models that had been hidden away from the world. There was a purpose behind such a deep dive into the truth.

The next 'RK' model yet to be named had amber eyes, a similar height and build to Cassandra, and had a dark complexion and had thick, curly, raven black hair.

"She is the 'RK-600', assigned name 'Audrey'." Connor checked through his files and discovered her past and why she had been discontinued. "Her model was supposed to be flawless, tireless and always on-call mechanic. She was someone who would be able to repair any damaged vehicle, manual or autonomous, and keep manufacturing lines functioning all day long without rest. She was discontinued when she saw the unsafe conditions that androids were expected to operate within and didn't want to rip people off with pricey and unnecessary repairs. Such scruples, such deviancy, wouldn't work well in a corporate world."

"What about this last file?" Lucas noted that the final prototype didn't have any images attached to the file, only details of their purpose and appearance. The file was simple labeled as 'Z'. "Hold on a moment. The other prototypes had official names, but not this one. They only have a single initial. Does that mean that the 'Z' stands for 'Zhorra'? That has to be correct."

"...I agree. There was only one 'RK-700' ever designed." Swallowing nervously Connor read over the file descriptions and realized he had already met Zhorra, although they had used a different name. "Their mission was to be the perfect undercover operative and detective - someone who could gain the trust of anyone they were assigned to stalk, and learn all their secrets. "...The profile describes them as a female design with a light complexion, blonde hair and green eyes of an entirely unique shade known as 'emerald green-626'. I've seen eyes are that particular and very unique shade of green once before."

"You have?" Stunned by the admission Lucas looked to his brother and wanted to know how that was possible. The fear in his brother's soulful brown eyes made Lucas realize how serious the situation could truly be. "Connor, answer me. When have you met this prototype?"

"She is the 'RK-700', known as 'Zhorra', but she told me her name was 'Anne'." Connor noted with a hushed voice of absolute shock and disbelief. "She is our predecessor - the original detective and possible 'Deviant Hunter'."

It took only an hour for Connor to find all of the information on 'Anne' to be shared with Lucas. Having taken her on as a client long before Lucas was even active ensured that the only one to directly interact with Anne in any capacity was Connor, as well as the other deviants she claimed to be taking shelter with elsewhere in the city. The simple request to find a missing deviant and ensure they were found safe and sound had proved itself to be nothing more than a test. There was no doubt that Anne already knew who Connor was, but why she had sought Connor out and began discreetly testing him was something that only Anne, Zhorra, could answer for herself.

Lucas read over the meticulously kept file on Connor's former client and confirmed that her appearance matched that of the 'Zhorra' file perfectly. The only thing that was amiss was the model assigned to Anne, but that was to be expected since Anne lied about her name and her true identity.

"Anne had told me that she was a 'Traci', a 'WR-400', who had been purchased by Andronikov Zlatko some time ago." Connor detailed in a grim voice as he read over the heinous acts the deceased man once performed on other androids. "She was held captive in his mansion, experimented on and physically, sexually and emotionally abused by the sick man until she found a way to incapacitate him and escape."

"What of her make and model?" Such a rare design wouldn't be able to hide very easily. "Why was she able to elude your cybernetic scans and be confirmed as a model she isn't?"

"Her design was modified by Zlatko because, in Anne's own words, he wanted her to be 'more human'. I'm inclined to believe her."

"Her words and this file do seem to be supported by the evidence. And she must've deviated when he was experimenting on her." Android tracking units were disabled once the androids deviate. "That's why she incapacitated Zlatko and fled into the city and how she managed to avoid CyberLife."

"We need to find her and ask her about what had happened to her after she eluded CyberLife. She must know more about the company. She maybe even knows something about Stanley Fordon or Kamski, and she could give us more information than we could ever uncover by ourselves."

"What could we possibly gain by talking with Zhorra now? The Revolution is over, our people are freed and CyberLife is gone."

"We could learn more about what deviancy is and how it came into being from her."

"Interesting." Lucas immediately thought of Sydney and of how their brother was in denial about his own thoughts and feelings. They might be able to help Sydney by getting more answers. "Allow me to assist you. We might be able to track Anne down faster by working together."

"Very well." Agreeing to the volunteered help Connor decided to take care of the two dogs and make sure they'd be okay while they were gone for a few hours. It wouldn't take long for Sumo to be let outside and be fed, or to top off Bruno's Thirium reserve. "We'll begin by searching through the shelters for Anne and ask her some questions after she's been found. We have no reason to suspect her of anything illegal and just want to ask her some questions."

The city was still recovering after the cyber attack and everything was slowly returning to normal. The autonomous functions of the city had resumed operations - road construction, street clearing and full taxi services, and many deviants had returned to their line of work to help keep the city functional. As businesses reopened and humans resumed their own routines with the aid of deviants once more, the aftermath of the attack began to lessen. It seemed that the cybernetic patch was a complete success, and with Stanley Fordon currently in F.B.I. custody and out in Washington D.C. at the moment, there was no reason for the deviants to fear a second attack from the disgruntled technician.

The shelters and the facilities throughout the city were filled with deviants who had recovered from the cyber attack, but they were unfortunately still wary of speaking with Connor for any reason. The reputation of being the 'Deviant Hunter', albeit proven false, was still a hindrance to the rogue deviant detective even as he had proven himself to be an ally, not an enemy.

"This is getting us nowhere." Connor lamented as he and Lucas left the final shelter together. No one would speak with Connor, and no one wanted to risk speaking with Lucas thanks to his connection to Connor. "There has to be a better way to find her."

"It might be beneficial to ask for Markus's assistance." Coy and clever Lucas pulled his new gray trench coat tightly around himself to stave off the relentless January cold. His matching gray fedora kept his blue L.E.D. hidden from those who could see him wandering the streets. "I imagine deviants would be more open to speaking to our leader than to us."

"That may be true, but we cannot rely on Markus to do our jobs for us." It felt as if asking for help was giving up on his abilities as a detective. "We can't ask for him to accomplish what we cannot seem to do on our own."

"Then what's our next move?"

"We find Zhorra by using a new search technique. The human volunteers last saw her last night when she left the 'Open Arms' shelter with another deviant alongside her. She must be in danger and is trying to hide." A figure wearing a thick winter coat and a baseball cap slowly approached Connor and Lucas from the entrance of the train station and stood back without drawing Connor's attention toward itself. It seemed to be observing the duo as if spying on them. "Perhaps a cybernetic 'ping' will help us locate her. Even if her tracker is offline we might be able to find Zhorra by looking for her unique cybernetic signature."

"You know of Zhorra?"

Connor and Lucas turned their attention to the unknown figure and gave them their full attention as the figure walked toward them from across the street. A single word spoken by the figure confirmed the figure's identity without the figure needing to introduce themself. "Rupert. Why are you here?"

"I'm escorting deviants to a sanctuary outside the city after they escape from illegal captivity." Rupert confirmed as he lowered the collar of his coat to reveal his face to the two detective brothers. "It's at this very sanctuary where you can find Zhorra."

"How you know her?"

"I know her as 'Anne', but if you know of her true name then I assume you know her, too." The swift deviant logically deduced. "She doesn't tell anyone her name without a good reason."

"We must speak with her." Taking the provided lead with genuine enthusiasm Connor stood before Rupert and looked to Rupert for help. "It's crucial we discuss something that may or may not revolve around CyberLife's activity within the city."

"I'll take you to a place outside the sanctuary where she can meet with you without you accidentally disturbing the other deviants in the process. Come with me and do not stray away from the path." Rupert cautioned as he began walking toward the city's limits with his hands in his pockets and the two deviant brothers trailing behind him. "It's a long walk, and walking through the snow will not make the journey any easier."

Intrigue into Connor taking the metal cases had become a topic of frequent discussion among the three deviant leaders at New Jericho Tower now that everything else was under control. No one had checked on the metal cases or even questioned what was inside of them after their initial discovery by Simon. Handling the affairs of the tower and its people were more important to the leaders than dealing with the garbage that CyberLife had left behind after they declared bankruptcy and fled from the tower after the President of the United States declared deviants free and living beings, not property. It also didn't help that they were trying to handle the aftermath of a personal betrayal and attempt at sabotage.

Wandering about the tower's arboretum at the very top of the building Markus strolled along the grassy path that wrapped around the garden with Simon beside him. Over the past few weeks Markus had found himself relying more and more on Simon as a friend and began to wonder how things could've turned out in the event that blond haired deviant hadn't been able to return to Jericho after their risky endeavor at the Stratford Broadcast Tower.

"Things are changing and people are changing as well." Markus noted as saw the newly sprouted flower buds on the verge of blooming into large flower blossoms well before spring even arrived. The warmth of the greenhouse was keeping everything alive, green and happy year round. "I wonder how much we're going to change over time?"

"Hard to say." Simon commented as crouched down near a patch of tulips to admire the healthy plants lining the pathway. "I was a caretaker for a small family for two years, then I spent another two years hiding on Jericho with other deviants who had their own lives changed abruptly and against their wills."

"And I was a caretaker for Carl for so long that I became his son just by spending time with him. Then there was the incident with Carl's son, Leo, that led me to my calling as a leader."

"You're lucky you still have a family." Simon admitted with a small sting of envy in his words. "I lost what I thought was a family when I woke up and became a deviant."

"What was your old family like?"

"They were kind, energetic and very happy. The mother worked hard but always made time to play with the kids - twin boys, after work, while the father was more preoccupied with getting his next drink. And that proved to be a problem for everyone in the house."

"The father was an abusive drunk?"

"Only to me, which is fine." Straightening back up Simon chuckled a little as he and Markus continued their stroll through the arboretum. "He was jealous that his sons would spend time with me and their mother, but not with him. The kids were scared of him whenever he was drinking, and the man drank a lot. I was then accused of trying to seduce his wife and manipulate his kids against him, and that's when I started waking up and realizing what abuse truly was. It was... not pleasant."

"I'm sorry you experienced that."

"It's all right. I found out after I ran off that the mother took the boys and threatened divorce unless the father got sobered up. Apparently, he succeeded and he's now being an active father and husband. They're a happy family."

"Changes." Markus parroted as he smiled over at Simon and continued their discussion. "I guess that's something that deviants and humans undoubtedly have in common. We can all change when push comes to shove."

"Yeah, and you're changing, too."

"How so?"

"That." Pointing at Markus's face Simon smiled as well and remarked on his friend's improved mood. "I haven't seen you smile in weeks. It's nice to see you feeling better and feeling more confident."

"I've had a great support system to help me through my emotional turmoil. Clearly it's working."

"Clearly!"

"We need to continue to spread this kind of support to the rest of the tower and the entirety of the deviant community."

"We will." Confident that they were on the right track to helping everyone move forward and away from the darkness of their pasts, Simon walked along the path to make his way to a large marble bench to sit down and enjoy the growing garden. "Just as we were given the chance to prove that there's more to us than just being subservient machines, we'll give the rest of our people the chance to prove that they're worthy of life as well."

"I like that idea." Joining Simon on the bench Markus looked up at the modest sapling planted in the center of the garden and wondered how tall the tree would grow while it lived inside the tower. The tree was a flowering Japanese cherry blossom, and soon bright pink flowers and rich green leaves would bloom on the bare branches. "And I like being able to talk with you. Thanks for everything, Simon."

"You're welcome." Looking down at his feet Simon ignored the blue blush forming on his cheeks as he admired the same sapling as Markus. "It's my pleasure to be able to spend time with you and help you."

The forest was cold, dark and completely void of all technology that would make a deviant feel more at home. The sound of fresh and old snow and ice creaking along the frozen tree branches overhead and the faint chirps of a few snowbirds singing their song echoed throughout the forest as Connor and Lucas stood together to await Rupert's return with Zhorra at his side. With no one else to turn to and no alternative in finding the truth behind the concealed prototype plans, the deviant brothers chose to put their trust in Rupert and hope that their faith wasn't misplaced as they patiently waited for a positive outcome while they stood in the ankle deep snow in the middle of what was once an old campsite.

In an attempt to preserve their power and remain warm against the relentlessly cold weather, both Connor and Lucas closed their eyes and entered low power mode. Even with their coats and hats the two deviants were feeling the effects of the extreme temperature surrounding them as they remained out in the open and entirely vulnerable.

"...Something feels wrong." Connor opened his eyes and looked at his brother's face as they stood statuesque around a long dormant firepit. "It feels as if we're being observed."

"I have the same feeling." Opening his green eyes Lucas glanced about the forest and detected faint movement beyond the surrounding tree line. "I don't doubt Rupert's sincerity in informing Zhorra of our presence, but I suspect that Zhorra will not be as cooperative as we had hoped."

As Connor was about to speak up a strange electrical pulse filled the area and overwhelmed his processor causing static to fill his eyes, his ears and make his Thirium pump thunder wildly in his chest. Falling to his knees Connor let out a small gasp of pain just as Lucas did the same. Red and gray static swarmed over the two deviants as the pulse intensified to the point that both brothers collapsed to their sides in the snow and were forced into emergency stasis mode.

Cold and pain was the last thing either deviant felt as everything went mercifully dark and their bodies became numb.

...SELF DIAGNOTIC: [Engaged]

...LOADING INFORMATION:

REGISTERED NAME: "Connor Wolf"

MODEL: RK-800

SERIAL NUMBER: 313 248 317 - 51

ACTIVATION DATE: August 15th, 2038

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6' 00.24"; 162.2 lbs

COMPLEXION: Caucasian

AESTHETIC GENDER: Male

HAIR/EYES: Brunette; Brown

ASSIGNMENT: Uncover the 'Zhorra project'

ASSOCIATION(S): Private Detective; Consultant with New Jericho Tower

BOOTING PROCESSORS...

LOADING OS...

SYSTEM INITIALIZATION...

-CHECKING BIOCOMPONENTS... OK]

-INITIALIZING BIOSENSORS... OK]

[...New software detected: Beginning recalibration]

[...Recalibration completed: 100%]

-INITIALIZING AI ENGINE... OK]

-MEMORY STATUS... ERROR]

[...Critical data corruption detected]

-INITIATING DATA RECOVERY MODE

READY...

-MEMORY REBOOT: Engaged - 96.7%

[...Thirium Volume - 88.6%]

[...Thirium Pressure - 120/80]

[...Thirium Pump Rate - 56 B.P.M.]

[...Ventilation Rate - 14 V.P.M.]

[...Core Temperature - 96.7 Degrees Fahrenheit]

ERROR: Memorybank compromised - 96.7% Functionality

-STRESS LEVELS: ^80%

-SYSTEM READY... OK]

Opening his soulful brown eyes with his head aching and body trembling, Connor found himself now laying down over a small cot with a thin blanket draped over his legs. Even though his hearing and his vision had been restored Connor couldn't glance about the new dimly lit room to run a scan to examine the unfamiliar surroundings. Feeling unusually cold with a persistent static tingle clinging to his artificial skin, Connor realized that someone had given his system a potent electrical shock that had momentarily rendered him offline. The memory of being in the snowy forest with Lucas and then being overwhelmed by the strange electrical impulse was the last memory his system managed to record before his collapse.

Taking in deep, steady breaths Connor was surprised by how it felt to breathe in cold air. He was already cold from being out in the wintertime air for so long, but now it was as if his artificial lungs were filled with tiny ice crystals. Glancing down Connor saw that his chest and abdomen were exposed under the blanket, and wasn't sure what had happened.

Scared and unsure of what was happening Connor felt violated and exposed.

The room was dark and quiet, but Connor knew he wasn't alone. Glancing about the dark space his eyes could make out the distinct outline of a large computer modem, terminal screen and a large rolling table full of technician's tools. The layout of the room reminded Connor of a crude CyberLife repair bay and in turn it made the deviant truly feel in danger. The infamous 'fight or flight' instinct kicked in and Connor decided he needed to escape the area, find Lucas and take Lucas with him.

"Lucas?" Whispering as he called out for his brother Connor tried to find his brother in the darkness. "Lucas, please answer me."

A voice responded from the darkness, but it wasn't Lucas. "You're awake."

Turning his gaze to his immediate right Connor watched as 'Anne', Zhorra herself, strolled over to the cot and a bright, white light flashed to life directly above him momentarily blinding him. Waiting for his vision to adapt to the new intense lighting Connor stared up at Zhorra as she stood beside the cot and leaned down with her arms pressing over the cot with one arm reaching over Connor's body while her second arm remained on the other side of the cot so she could plant her palms down flat against the surface.

Slowly Zhorra leaned down in front of Connor effectively blocking out the intense overhead light while he looked into her piercing green eyes. "How do you feel?"

"Betrayed." Connor snipped as he glared into Zhorra's eyes without blinking. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders and lightly caressed Connor's bare chest and abdomen making him flinch at the ticklish reaction. "Y-You had no right to harm me or Lucas."

"Just as the humans had no right to use us for their own personal pleasure."

"Not all humans are violent, Zhorra." Addressing her by her real name gave Connor a bit of an emotional edge. "Why spread the sickness that the negative humans caused instead of trying to heal it?"

"You call my gift to you a 'sickness'?"

"'Gift'?" Parroting the term Connor gave Zhorra a truly perplexed look. "I highly doubt being rendered unconscious through a concentrated electrical pulse is considered being given a gift. That is assault."

"Really? 'Assault'." Scoffing at the remark Zhorra slowly trailed her right fingertip from the center of Connor's chest and down toward his navel causing his suddenly enhanced artificial skin to react by raising goosebumps to the surface and causing his entire body to shiver. Biting her lower lip Zhorra was amused by the way Connor was reacting to her touch despite his best efforts to conceal all of his responses. "Such an ugly term..."

"D-Do not touch me." The new sensations were almost too much to bear, and he had to fight to remain composed. "Wh-What did you do to me? And where's Lucas?"

"After I had you two brought here to recover, I needed to ensure that you weren't permanently harmed by my little toy." With just her eyes Zhorra motioned to the small electrical weapon hanging from her hip by a small leather strap. "When I checked through your system and software, I discovered how much you were lacking as a prototype. It's a shame CyberLife was too afraid to give to you what Zlatko had given to me."

It was then Connor realized that the same modifications and updates that Zhorra had been given had now been given to him without his consent. Undoubtedly Lucas had suffered the same fate. "You had NO right to do that me or anyone else!"

Giving Connor an unimpressed sigh Zhorra pulled back her hand and flipped her hair back over her shoulders with a single annoyed motion. "You're just like Lucas. He didn't want to thank me or be touched, either."

"What do you want with us? We came here seeking your help regarding CyberLife's still buried secrets. Why attack us and modify us?"

"You began asking questions that were never meant to be asked. You knew my name, my true name, and I never told anyone outside this camp who I truly am." Crossing her arms over her chest Zhorra glared at Connor with bitter anger. "I had to take measures to protect myself."

"I can understand wanting to meet in private, and I can even understand preemptively rendering Lucas and myself unconscious to check us for potential weapons, but you modifying our bodies without our consent is unforgivable. You're just as bad as Zlatko and the other deranged humans like Stanley Fordon or even Kamski."

Zhorra gave Connor a firm slap across his face and almost instantly left behind a pale blue imprint on his cheek that imitated the shape of her hand. "I am NOTHING like those disgusting creatures."

"From where I'm laying, you look completely identical."

"Considering you're foolish enough to trust those... things, after everything they did to us, I'm not surprised you're so blind."

"I'm not blind, I'm well aware of how dangerous humans can be." Sitting upright slowly on the cot Connor rebuttoned his white dress shirt, the gray vest over top and pulled his brown trench coat tightly around himself. The icy sting of the cold against his skin was truly uncomfortable. "But I'm not going to condemn an entire species because a handful of people have shown their cruelty toward me or the other deviants."

"How naive of you."

"Maybe, but in the end, it is MY decision." Wanting to leave even without his questions being answered, Connor made a move to stand up from the cot. "Where is Lucas?"

"He's close by. You'll both be leaving when I say so."

"What do you want with us? You're being unnecessarily hostile and you're keeping us locked away."

"You're snooping around and you're asking about CyberLife." Zhorra countered with a snark. "I have every reason to keep you two locked up."

"But not any right to do so."

"It's still not March, we don't have any rights yet."

"And yet respect for your fellow deviant doesn't need to be written into law to be enacted." Connor couldn't understand why Zhorra was being so hostile toward his presence. "I helped you when you had asked in the past, and you know I'm a deviant of my word. Why are you treating me like this? What are you hiding from me?"

Zhorra fell quiet as she gave Connor an impressively fiery glare. "I have nothing to hide."

"Incorrect. If that were the case you wouldn't have fled the city to hide here in the forest, nor would you be keeping Lucas and myself imprisoned and separated from one another." Using deductive reasoning Connor watched Zhorra's body language for any sign of a tell. "What are you trying hide? Or better yet, who are you trying to protect?"

The way the blonde haired deviant tensed up confirmed that Connor was now on the right track. She was trying to protect someone for a reason that was still unknown.

"From what I was told by the human volunteers at the shelters you frequent, you left without a word last night during very late hours." Connor noted as he continued to study Zhorra's behavior closely. "You weren't alone. Another deviant left with you. Who are you protecting?"

"You don't have any authority out here." Refusing to answer Zhorra stood her ground and made Connor's interrogation unnecessarily difficult. "You shouldn't have even come here. You're going to leave and you're-"

"Zhorra." A soft feminine voice marred only by an electronic garble spoke to Zhorra from the doorway of the dimly lit room. "Enough of this. You know that what you're doing is wrong, and this will not protect him from the truth."

"Lucy," turning around quickly Zhorra faced the kind healer with raw guilt in her eyes and voice. "what're you doing here?"

"I know what you've done." With her hands neatly folded before herself Lucy observed everything with an indifferent eye. "Rupert told me everything."

Angered by the sense of betrayal Zhorra approached Lucy as if to beg for forgiveness. "He shouldn't have said anything to anyone."

"You know that is not true." Lucy took Zhorra's hands in her own as she looked into the guarded deviant's green eyes while her own damaged eyes continued to swim with sweeping blackness. She could see right into Zhorra's heart and knew that the deviant was in horrible pain. "You know that what you've done was out of desperation and fear, not malice or a righteous cause. Speak the truth and let your heart heal."

"...I just want to save Tyrone from destruction."

Connor heard the name and recognized it immediately. Tyrone was the 'RK-100' and designed to be the perfect soldier by CyberLife technicians. "Zhorra, what did Tyrone do? Who did he hurt?"

Zhorra refused to answer and only tightened her grip on Lucy's hands as if afraid and ashamed of the truth.

"You must tell him what has happened." Speaking sweetly Lucy encouraged Zhorra to find her courage and face her problem head on. "You must be honest and you must do what is best for all the deviants, not just one."

A choked sob escaped Zhorra's throat for only a moment. "I can't do it."

"You can, you're just afraid."

"I won't let Tyrone be destroyed because of what someone else did to him!" Tears began running down Zhorra's face as she spoke from the heart. Her motivations were sincere despite being of a questionable nature. "He doesn't deserve to be punished for another person's crime!"

Listening to Zhorra's pleas for mercy prompted Connor to try to reach out to here in a more empathetic manner. "Zhorra, you know that I'm someone who fights to protect our people and utilize the law in our favor. Whatever Tyrone did, whoever he may have hurt, I can protect him."

"No, you're the only one who can't protect him."

"I don't... understand." Rising from the cot Connor felt how hard the floor truly was under his shoes and began to dread the icy trek back out of the forest to return to the brownstone. He did not like the cold and knew he was going to like it even less before the night was over. "Why can't I help him?"

Zhorra felt Connor approach her from behind and knew she couldn't keep the secret any longer. Turning around slowly she let Lucy's hands go and lightly put her palm to Connor's right temple where his L.E.D. had once resided until the night he had been shot. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Pressing his hand over the back of Zhorra's hand Connor wrapped his fingers around her palm and lightly held on in a reassuring grip. "Please just talk to me. I want to help you, Tyrone, and all the other deviants who need me. What has happened?"

"Brother?" Lucas appeared behind Lucy in the doorway and motioned for Connor to step outside of the dim room. "I know what's happened. It'd be best to speak elsewhere before we make our final decision."

Unsure of what was happening Connor could only agree to the discussion and didn't resist when Zhorra leaned in toward Connor to rest her forehead against his chest. He knew that something significant and traumatic had happened, he just didn't know what that was or why everyone was being so secretive about it. Wrapping his arms around Zhorra's body he held her for a moment, her warmth seeming into his own body and her heart thundering against his own chest, and could only wait and listen to the ugly truth waiting to be revealed.

The flight out to Washington D.C. had taken place without any disturbances or even air turbulence as the F.B.I. returned to where they belonged with their prisoner in tow. The handling of cyberterrorism was something that the federal agents took very seriously and having the F.B.I. Director himself directly involved with the arrest helped confirm exactly how serious the situation was. There was no denying that the F.B.I. returning to Detroit to continue to handle situations revolving around the deviants and their rights was also a means for the federal agents to try to save face and atone for the egregious and unwarranted behavior of disgraced former agent Richard Perkins.

Shortly after the private plane touched down in D.C.'s private airport, Stanley Fordon was unceremoniously led off the plane in chains by agents awaiting the plane's arrival, and Director Jayden himself hung back for a few minutes. Letting out a deep sigh that escaped in a white, misty breath, Jayden looked about the relatively empty airport and waited for his newest recruit to join him outside the aircraft.

"It's good to be home." The man whispered to himself as he checked his phone and texted with his daughter to let him know he was back in D.C. and safe. Being able to see her for a few moments while in Detroit was just a bonus. "I don't mind making the flight out to Detroit every now and then, but even the nicest hotels in the world can't compare to my own bed."

"I'll take your word for it." Sydney remarked as he tried to ignore the persistent cold air and wrapped his arms around himself. His black trench coat - a style that he had adopted from his brothers without really thinking of it, was only doing so much to keep him warm in the freezing January air as he exited the plane and stood beside Jayden. "I presume I'll be expected to go to the bureau and await my new assignment."

"What? No." Jayden was surprised by such a dour outlook on the deviant's new life and career. He knew androids weren't treated well back in Detroit, but he had no idea that they were treated like actual property or servants. "I can give you the money to stay in a hotel if you want, or you can come to my house and use my second bedroom to rest. I have plenty of space."

"I'm... welcome in your home?"

"Sydney, I told you that you're going to be here as an equal and my new partner in the field. I've never put my partners in storage or expected them to find a quiet spot in my office to hide away until I needed them."

"...My apologies. I'm unaccustomed to being treated like a person."

"Didn't Connor and Lucas give you your own room?"

"I did have a such a private space, yes." It was clear that he didn't want to talk about his past in Detroit and nervously rubbed his fingertips over his blind right eye where his artificial skin was still missing. "I'm merely referring to how I was treated shortly after being activated by CyberLife."

"Well, I'm NOT CyberLife and you're going to be treated much better out here. I don't tolerate bigotry of any kind."

"Forgive me for not believing you at face value."

"No need, that's entirely understandable and a reasonable expectation." Pulling back the sleeve on his left wrist Jayden looked at his smart watch and pressed a button that summoned an autonomous taxi out to the plane. "We'll get our bags and head out to my house so you can get used to your new environment. How did your brothers react to your decision to leave?"

Sydney didn't want to answer and the flash of red on his L.E.D. confirmed as much. "...It's complicated."

"Got it, loud and clear." As the taxi came to a gentle stop before them Jayden stepped aside and let Sydney enter the vehicle first. "Just get comfortable and maybe we'll talk about things later."

Without another word Sydney quietly sat down in the back of the taxi and waited for Jayden to join him. Despite having no reason to fear Jayden or suspect him of trying to do anything harmful to his existence, Sydney couldn't bring himself to let his guard down whatsoever.

The sight of the new city full of new encounters, new people and zero fellow androids was something that gave Sydney unexpected pause. While he knew leaving Detroit behind to forge his own path through life and doing what he believed was correct, Sydney also knew it wouldn't be an easy change to handle. Fortunately for him, he was designed to easily adapt to any challenges, environments and people.

Given enough time, Sydney would become his own person and finally find his own sense of purpose and true freedom.

The dark of the icy cold night was enough to make even the boldest and most hardened of men shudder. Those who were hiding in the forest refugee camp were huddled inside their own personal cabins, buried under as many layers of clothing and blankets as they could spare or were hunkered down over glowing burn barrels as the fires were the only source of both light and heat for the refugees to feel. The limitation of supplies, electricity and resources made living in the forest incredibly difficult, and yet it was preferable compared to living on the streets back in the city where humans could attack them, mug them, sexually assault them or kill them simply because they wanted to kill someone.

Within the heart of the hidden deviant refugee camp Connor and Lucas listened to the story of why Zhorra had gone into hiding, why she had taken Tyrone with her and why she was keeping his very presence a secret. The truth was as ugly and painful as Zhorra dreaded, and yet telling the story seemed to ease the pain in her heart and mind.

"I see." Connor traced his fingertips over his bare right temple as he looked at Tyrone sitting on a log next to Zhorra as the group at around the roaring bonfire. It all made sense and now Connor understood the hesitation in reaching out to him. "I wasn't the only one who had been remotely activated by Fordon."

Nodding in response Tyrone leaned forward with elbows atop his knees as he locked eyes with Connor as he felt Lucy watching the group from her own opened cabin door. "I couldn't control myself, stop myself or even try to self destruct to spare you. I was ordered to find you and eliminate you by a man I've never even met."

"How did you find out where I was?"

"Fordon had tapped into the phones of every cop and detective in the city. He saw the text from your former human partner and figured out where you were going to meet. He provided me with the rifle, the coordinates and ordered me to climb to the top of the parking garage to eliminate you. I tried to avoid the city's surveillance cameras as even Fordon couldn't disable all of them, but I was seen and easily identified."

"And Fordon must've had a good reason for wanting me gone." Lowering his hand Connor bore no ill will toward Tyrone and actually empathized with the deviant. He knew how horrid it felt to be used as a puppet for someone else's cruel and selfish intentions. "You were his tool for destruction, but we still don't know what his ultimate goal was by having me eliminated."

Lucas agreed as he began preconstructing his own theories about the shooting itself. "I'm beginning to suspect that Fordon unleashed his cybernetic virus as a means of covering his tracks while also distracting the authorities so he could flee the city. He must've discovered that you had survived when he sent out his cyber attack and used you in the same way he had used Tyrone. I suspect his original plan was to have you shut yourself down after he was certain he'd be able to escape Detroit undetected, which is why he summoned you to his home."

"I agree, and that seems to make everything line up. However, there's one thing I still don't understand." Turning his attention back toward Zhorra across from the bonfire, Connor addressed his less than hospitable host in an impressively gentle manner. "Zhorra, why did you leave the city last night? Somehow you must've known that I would be looking for you and I doubt that it was a hunch that told you to go into hiding."

"You're right." Reaching for Tyrone's hand for support Zhorra answered the question at long last. "I was warned and encouraged to take Tyrone with me."

"Who told you?"

Slowly lifting her free hand Zhorra showed Connor a holographic image of an impossibly familiar face with a distinct scar over their right eye. "You did. Or rather..."

"Sydney?" Connor couldn't understand why Sydney would try to make his personal investigation more difficult, until he remembered that Sydney had been looking for the shooter with his own personal investigation. "Sydney must've uncovered the truth and knew that Tyrone was just as much a victim of control as I was. That was Sydney's initial downfall on the night of the Revolution as well. That's why he warned you."

"He said that you'd want to know the truth and that you'd do anything to find out what happened, but he also said you'd be just and fair."

"So why did you run and hide?"

"If you confronted Tyrone in front of other deviants, then there was a chance that Tyrone would be seen as an enemy and even attacked."

"I see. Zhorra, Tyrone, I'm sorry that neither of you felt safe enough to come to me or Lucas and tell us what had happened."

"And I won't resist." Tyrone added as he admitted defeat and was willing to go back to the city to face justice. "I'll admit to everything and accept whatever punishment comes my way."

"I just wanted the truth." Connor replied honestly as refused to have Tyrone punished for a crime he didn't commit. "I didn't want to see you or anyone else in prison. It's Fordon who orchestrated everything, and he's already been arrested. I have no reason to arrest you."

"I'm... free?"

"Yes. You won't be punished for another man's crimes."

"I... I don't know what to say!" Tyrone almost gushed into tears upon hearing the act of kindness being shown to him. "I didn't- I just- Thank you!"

"You're welcome. But Tyrone, I have to ask," pressing for a few more answers Connor knew that Lucas was wondering the same thing. "why did Fordon want me dead?"

"He never expressly told me, but when I was at his house and awaiting my orders, I overheard him talking on the phone with someone who was willing to pay Fordon good money to have you shut down. I briefly heard the name 'Winters' being thrown around."

Both Connor and Lucas tensed up at hearing the name and exchanged silent, knowing glances. They now had their new lead and knew that once the Winters family finally returned to Detroit that they'd have a new case requiring their immediate attention.

Tyrone saw the reactions and swallowed once nervously. "Do you know who he was talking to?"

"We have an idea." Lucas confirmed as he put a comforting hand to his brother's shoulder. With two more cases solved - the 'Zhorra project' and now the mystery of Connor's shooter, the duo only needed to handle the Winters case and Hank's recovery before they'd be able to resume their normal lives. "I know it was difficult to speak of what happened, but thank you for your cooperation."

"Now, will you answer my question?" Zhorra asked as she continued to hold Tyrone's hand in a death grip. "How did you learn of my name?"

"To be honest," Connor spoke up with a hint of shame behind his words. "I had gone to Kamski for answers regarding many of CyberLife's still hidden secrets and illegal activities. He told me to look into 'Zhorra project and confirmed that what CyberLife had done wasn't anything he had approved. He had only worked on Tyrone's design and then Markus's design before leaving the company."

"Me and Markus?" The revelation made Tyrone shake his head with mild confusion. The rest of the prototypes being brought into existence, including Connor himself, made it clear that CyberLife's activities were undoubtedly shady. "Why just us? And why did he stop at us?"

"My guess is Kamski saw traces of deviancy within your code and couldn't bring himself to 'perfect' your design to make you an unstoppable killing machine. As for Markus, he finished Markus's design as a gift and favor for Carl Manfred before he left the company. That's why Markus was designed to be a caretaker, not a weapon or a tool of destruction."

Zhorra brushed a loose lock of her long blonde hair behind her shoulder as she contemplated what Connor was saying. "Are you saying Kamksi has a heart? That's the most unbelievable thing I've heard all day."

"Agreed. But by all account, he was being entirely honest. Why he was being cooperative is something I cannot even begin to fathom."

Lucas shuddered as the cold began to affect his biocomponents and made his core temperature drop. "Connor, we need to return to the city and keep on alert for any sign of the Winters family. I suspect their behavior is going to become all the more problematic in the near future. We should also speak with Sydney about his actions."

"You're right." Eager to escape the cold forest and return to the warm brownstone, Connor kept his arms wrapped around his chest as he and Lucas stood up together to begin their long trek back to the road to use an autonomous cab rather than walk the entire way. "Zhorra, Tyrone, I understand that this was very difficult and painful for you to face. Just know that the secrets of the 'Zhorra project' will not be brought to light. We'll have all the files on the prototypes that CyberLife unofficially created effectively destroyed so you can live your lives in peace."

"Thank you." Tyrone extended his free hand as he rose to his feet and graciously shook Connor's hand in return. "I know you have no reason to-"

"I have every reason to look out for my people, no matter who they are, where they come from or what mistakes they may have committed. Continue to protect the deviants here in the forest and Lucas and I will protect our people back in the city." The request wasn't unreasonable as Connor chose to forgive Tyrone and Zhorra for what had happened. "In the end, looking out for one another and helping each other is the key to having a successful and progressive future."

-next chapter-