Chapter 4
… Rebooting… Rebooting… Rebooting…
… Run automatic self diagnostic:
{ … Central Processing Unit running data simulation… Complete : 100% functional...}
{... Right Optimal Eye Unit testing visual constructions… Complete : 100% functional… }
{... Thirium Levels – 100%... }
{... Core Temperature – 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit…}
{... Communication Processors sending sample signal… locating signal… Complete : 100% functional… }
… Self diagnostic complete… Exit Stasis Mode?... Y/N?
… YES
Connor opened his glassy brown eyes to a grey ceiling above him. After a few seconds of recalibration, the deviant felt something cold pressing against his chest. Sitting up from the couch he was laying on, he watched as a cold towel fell away to his lap. The android gazed around at his surroundings. He was in a house, in the living room to be exact, but nothing about it was recognizable.
"Hey, you're awake!" Connor immediately snapped his attention to the sudden voice. A 16-year-old boy, going by the name of Anthony Castillio, walked out of the kitchen and smiled. His glasses fell slightly down his nose, so he had to push them back up. The boy was 5'7", had a lean build to his body, had auburn hair and wore a dark blue sweater with grey sweatpants.
"Who are you? Why am I here?" Connor shifted to stand but immediately regretted it when he wobbled in his place. Anthony immediately rushed over and helped the deviant back down on the couch.
"Well, to answer your first question, I am Anthony Castillo, but I bet you already ran a facial scan on me," he introduced himself, but he seemed quite excited to talk to Connor personally. "To answer your second question, my friends and I found you all beat up at the back of the school so we decided to bring you here to fix you up."
"And where exactly is here?" Connor questioned, narrowing his eyes slightly in suspicion.
"This is our house, it's 15 minutes from the school," Anthony easily answered. "I gotta say, you were in a pretty rough condition but I patched you up pretty well if I do say so myself."
"You repaired me?"
"That's right! Well, I just cleaned and replaced your Thirium, did some quick repairs on your eye and CPU, but your self-healing program took care of the rest. But it was awesome," he grinned as he pulled up a chair and sat directly in front of the uneasy deviant. "I didn't think you androids come with such complex parts, programs, and processors! I had to look up your model and I couldn't believe that you're Cyberlife's most advanced prototype. Did you know that there are 9 other prototype models in front of you?"
"Yes, they were my successors," Connor nodded, still feeling uncomfortable for having had a random teenager rummaged through his body.
"'Were'?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Cyberlife destroyed them all when they evacuated. They never had a chance to live," he frowned.
"Oh…" Anthony winced. "Sorry, I guess. And I should also apologize for repairing you without your consent, but you did kind of pass out before I tried to ask."
"It's okay, I understand. Thank you for repairing me," the deviant smiled a little. "You seem to know a lot about androids."
"Oh yeah, they're awesome! I've been studying to be a technician, see tutorials on YouTube, read a whole bunch of things, and entered a few robotics programs. Even before the Revolution, I knew there was something more than meets the eye to you guys. You're so unique, it's no surprise you are self-aware," Anthony grinned. Connor stared at him for a moment.
"... You do know who I am, right? You know what I did?" He finally asked.
"Connor, the RK800 model first sent by Cyberlife to work on deviant cases around Detroit and became the first android detective in the world," he explained matter-of-factly. "Yeah, you hunted deviants, but technically you never hurt any of them. You were just doing what you were programmed to do. Nothing more."
"That's what everyone says," he muttered, his eyes falling to the floor.
"Let me ask you this: now that you have free thoughts and emotions, do you still want to hunt deviants that want to be free?"
"No! Of course not," Connor shook his head immediately, his eyes snapping up to Anthony's green ones.
"Then what does it matter about the things you did before? The past is in the past, the future has yet to come but we make the present," the teenager smiled again. "Don't think about what you messed up on, your mistakes aren't new. Everyone has something they regret more than anything, but they decide whether they want to linger on the pain. In fact, our faults make us more alive."
Connor paused as he thought about his words. The teen surprisingly had motivational advice that seemed to light a fire in the deviant. It wasn't a roaring flame, but just enough to bring light through the darkness in his mind.
"We're home!" Before Connor could think of a response, the door opened to reveal two more teenagers. The one who spoke was the 16-year-old, brunette haired, 5'4" Audrey Burns. She wore a brown leather jacket, white blouse, and dark grey jeans while carrying a bag supplied with groceries. The black-haired, 17-year-old, 5'11" teenager with her had a more athletic muscular build, wearing a black shirt and black ripped pants, carrying a bag filled with android supplies. His name, according to the deviant's scanners, was Rex Pane.
"I see Mr. Connor woke up," Rex noted with a nod as he and the girl placed the bags on the dining table. "Sorry, you woke up with Anthony looking after ya. He's a real chatterbox when it comes to androids."
"I assume that you are the other two who saved me," Connor guessed, missing the deadpan expression the boy sitting in front of him gave.
"You're right," the girl nodded proudly as they joined the ones on the couch. "I'm Audrey and he's Rex."
"I don't understand. You all are underaged. How are you living alone? Is there a legal adult in the house?" The detective questioned. The teenagers glanced at each other.
"We… don't live with an adult," Anthony admitted, for once his peppy attitude plummeted to a grim alternative. "We, uh, kinda ran away from home."
"We did run away, there's no point in hiding it," Rex emphasized. He turned to look at Connor with a small glare. "Look, we know that you're a cop. You might charge us for living alone illegally, but hear us out. Our parents are psychos. I'm not just talking about what a dysfunctional family is like, but our parents are like on a whole new level of crazy."
"What do you mean?" Connor frowned as he began to take notes in his mind.
"My parents don't approve of the choices that I made with my life," Audrey began with a depressed tone. "Doesn't sound bad right? Well, it gets worse. They trap me in their basement and leave me to starve for days if I disobey them. They even lied to my teachers when I was out of school."
"My mom kicked me out when she found out I liked androids and was studying to become a technician," Anthony frowned, but he shrugged slightly. "I could care less though, it's my life. When she didn't respect that, I guess she thought it was better for me to get out of her way."
"And what about you?" Connor looked at Rex, feeling his Thirium boil in anger. The oldest teen scoffed and leaned back against the couch. But his laid-back attitude faltered.
"Assault," was all he admitted. The deviant detective stared at the three teens before him in disbelief. His L.E.D. flashed yellow to red, before returning to a worried yellow.
"Why haven't you gone to the police? Your parents should have been arrested the moment you three ran off!"
"We couldn't…," Audrey blinked away her tears.
"Our parents. They all know each other, great friends. They all knew what they did to us and they threatened to kill us if we went to the police," Rex explained humorlessly. "They have connections all over the place. If they go to jail, their other friends will know and will hunt us down. We'll never be safe if we tell the police."
"That's why you can't make a report," Anthony continued, getting a shocked look from the android. "Please. I know you are a detective and the first instinct you have is to stop the bad, but this is something you can't just report and it'll go away. This is too risky and we can't put our lives in danger. Connor, I know this is going to sound really messed up, but we saved your life. Please, you owe us. So don't report us or our families."
Connor felt his CPU run into overdrive. His vision flashed red as he caught himself in a complicated decision. The deviant did quick research upon their parents but found no foul play in their records. Even if they did abuse and neglect their children, the adults would have somehow eliminated all evidence pointing toward them. It would be difficult to pin anything on them without physical evidence.
"I cannot leave three underaged children alone to fend for themselves when their abusive parents could attack them at any moment," Connor sighed slowly. "I will not report this to the police, but I can't leave you alone."
"I mean, even if you are our school's security guard and it might seem a little inappropriate, we do have room for another roommate," Anthony slowly suggested. At once, the other three responded.
"What?"
"I don't think that's okay."
"We barely know him!"
"Hey, it was just an idea," he held up his hands in peace. "But think about it, Connor won't report us but we'll also have our own bodyguard. We won't get caught for living without an adult when Connor is modeled to be in his early twenties. We might not know him but that doesn't mean we can't learn."
"That can work," Audrey slowly nodded.
"I don't know. How do we know we can trust him?" Rex questioned as he crossed his arms across his chest.
"He saved thousands of androids from Cyberlife, saved Markus, saved humans from killing themselves, and looks like he can protect us," the future technician listed, which unknowingly made the android flinch. "I know I can trust him."
"Same," the girl nodded. Rex stared at Connor for a moment before sighing.
"What do we have to lose?" The oldest slumped back again.
"I suppose it wouldn't be such a bad idea if I stayed here, as long as it kept you three safe from danger," Connor pondered aloud. "I might have to inform my friend where I'll be living for the time being, but I'll be sure to keep your situation a secret if you'd like. I must inform you, however, that I'll try everything in my power to stop the ones harassing you."
"Then I guess it'll kinda be like your new mission," Anthony smirked.
"You are right. Fortunately for all of us, I always accomplish my mission," Connor finally agreed. A few familiar notifications appeared in his vision.
NEW MISSION… Protect these teenagers
AUDREY — NEUTRAL
REX — NEUTRAL
ANTHONY — NEUTRAL
Connor smiled. These types of relationship notification status appear before his eyes when he usually meets someone that is going to be important in his life. But he wonders how special these children will affect his life.
"I'm taking that smile that you are going to stay," Audrey chuckled. "We bought some Thirium and other robotic supplies in case you needed them while you were healing, but since you're staying I guess that will be for your first aid kit."
"Thank you. According to my partner, I tend to be accident-prone," the deviant smiled softly. "Though I don't fully understand why."
"I guess this will make living with you a little more interesting," she smirked before walking off to put their supplies away. "Hey, why don't one of you idiots show the android around? Or will I have to do everything myself?"
"I got it," Anthony, unsurprisingly, volunteered. He gestured to the deviant to follow him down the hall to the right. Once Connor joined him, he began the tour. "Alright, here's the beautiful hallway. The first door on the left is mine and Rex's shared room, you're welcome to enter anytime you'd like. The second door on the left is Audrey's room, she doesn't like anyone in there. If she catches you inside, you'll have your Thirium pump ripped out."
"Will she really?" Connor asked in concern, not realizing the threat was a playful one. "I've had my pump removed by force before and it was quite unpleasant. I wish to not experience that again."
"Well, she might give you a warning since you're new, but don't do it a second time." Connor nodded frantically. "Anyway, the first door on the right is the bathroom and… tada!"
With Anthony gesturing dramatically to the second door on the right, Connor peered inside the room. It was filled with one black and white bean bag chair in the back corner, a desk with a lamp sitting on top of it, and a twin-size bed on the left side of the room. Despite the small size, it seemed enough room to house one person.
"It's a bedroom," Connor stated the obvious.
"It's your bedroom," Anthony corrected with a broad grin. The deviant detective stared at him in confusion. "Yea, I know what you're thinking. You might be wondering why there is another room here, right?" He didn't let him answer. "Well, it was originally planned that Rex stayed in here, but we decided to stay in the same room for personal reasons. Anyway, when we purchased the beds, we received an extra one so we decided to put it in here. I guess this old room can be put to good use now."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Connor politely declined. "Androids usually don't need bedrooms, as we don't need materialistic possessions to live as humans do."
"And you just said the keyword: usually," Anthony smirked before pulling the shy deviant inside. "That's the beauty of living. You get to customize anything to style your own personality. You may not be human but that doesn't mean you don't have any interests. Tell me, what are your hobbies? What do you like to do?"
Connor was thrown into a loop. Now the question he was asking himself earlier resurfaced. "I… I don't know," he awkwardly admitted. "I don't have anything of my own or do anything of particular interest other than what I was originally programmed to do."
"Oh no!" Audrey suddenly popped her head inside while Rex leaned against the doorway. "This guy has no personality. We have to do something."
"We can't force him into liking something he doesn't, B," Rex rolled his eyes. Connor assumed 'B' stood for Burns. What made the deviant raise an eyebrow was when Audrey punched his arm. Adult humans usually don't act like this, human kids are more playful. Human teenagers are so strange. Their unusual nature made the android want to study them more.
"We're not forcing him, ya ding dong. We'll show him some things he can do and maybe he'll find something that he likes."
"Don't worry, tomorrow we can look around the city and find your calling," Anthony agreed with a determined nod.
"But I have work. And you have school. It wouldn't be appropriate if anyone saw faculty leaving with three students," Connor pointed out.
"We'll just call an autonomous taxi so we could all meet up here then take another one to cruise around town. By that time, no one would care if we're seen together," Rex decided. He then stretched and yawned. "It's getting pretty late. I'm going to hit the hay."
"Why will you attack cut grass?" The android tilted his head. Rex stared at the deviant in bewilderment before snorting and walking away.
"You're a weird dude. Night!"
"Good night," the rest chorused together.
"I'm going to finish up my homework and then head to bed," Audrey sighed heavily. She waved them off before leaving the room. "Night you two."
"Alright. Are you going to stay the night or…?" Anthony trailed off.
"I will have to return to Hank to inform him of my abrupt move. He shouldn't mind. I'll return here as planned tomorrow after I finish work," Connor notified the teen accordingly. He took one last look around the room before nodding in thanks to the future technician. "And thank you for letting me stay in this room and for saving my life."
"Well you are going to be helping us out, it's the least we can do," Anthony shrugged like it was nothing. He and the deviant left toward the hallway before the teen patted the android's arm in a friendly manner, but considering Hank only touched him, it made the deviant stiffen. The action didn't go unnoticed by the teen, but he decided not to mention it. "Welp, see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Connor. It was great to meet ya."
"Likewise. Goodnight, Anthony," Connor smiled one last time before leaving the apartment entirely. As he stood outside the door, he finally took note of the time. According to his estimates, he was ambushed 6 hours ago. Hank must be looking for him, so as he walked out of the building and called for a taxi, he decided to give his friend a call. It connected after two rings.
'Jesus fucking christ, Connor. Where the hell are you?!' Hank shouted in his head.
"There's no need to worry. I was simply caught off guard of the time, I'm heading home now," he spoke aloud. Once the taxi arrived, he stepped inside and waited for the vehicle to take him home.
'No shit you lost track of time. I fucking sent out an APB for your plastic ass!'
"I apologize, but I was ambushed during my patrol. I was taken in by three teenagers who helped repair me," Connor spoke truthfully.
'Wait, what?! You were jumped? What the fuck happened?'
"When I was walking along my routes during after-school hours, a student came up to me and informed me of another student undergoing a fight. Unfortunately, I have led astray and two other students managed to corner and attack me with weapons. I was able to defend myself temporarily, but they got away. Before I fell into emergency stasis mode, I was rescued by three other students. They took me to their home and repaired my damages."
'So you're good now, right?'
"Yes." Connor stared out the window of the vehicle, mesmerized by the lights shining through the dark city. "... I'm good."
'That's a relief. Tell me when you get here, I want to hear more about these kids that saved you and the assholes who attacked you.'
"... Okay, Hank. I'll see you soon." The deviant absentmindedly ended the call as he continued to watch some citizens walk by without a care in the world. The lights that floated around the city were so hypnotizing. The blues, the whites, the reds, and the yellows. The car ride was silent and smooth. It added that peaceful atmosphere that he never knew existed. Was this something he liked? Does this count as something of personal interest? But what would one call this?
He didn't know, but he couldn't help but prefer the mystery. Connor knows what he likes about this, it's indescribable yet somehow explainable. It's soothing but frantic at the same time. He likes the way the lights move at a fast speed, to make individual colors blend in together.
That's when he noticed a rhythm. It was subtle, but as he continued to concentrate, he combined the different sounds. The soft bumps the vehicle went over, the quiet zooms when another car passed by, the distant honks of impatient drivers. There was something unique, the sense of style and the structural sequence were just as fascinating as the lights. Subconsciously his hand began to tap his thigh lightly, adding another tempo to the unorthodox symphony.
He might have to ask Hank what this is. He wants to know what this feeling is called.
Too soon his trance was broken as the taxi slowed to a stop. Connor decided not to linger on the gone emotion before stepping out and heading toward the front door. The android didn't even need to knock before the door was opened and he was yanked inside.
"You are going to kill me one day," Hank sighed. Connor was startled by the accused claim.
"No! I would never kill you, Hank! I can't do such a thing," the deviant exclaimed in urgency, trying to convince his friend that he wouldn't kill him. "Why would I do that? Do you really think I-"
"Calm down, kid. It was just an expression," the older detective reassured. He felt the deviant slump his shoulders in relief before he guided him to the couch. Once they both sat down, he began again. "Alright. Tell me what happened."
And Connor did, or at least some of it. Respecting the teenagers across town, he decided to leave their past out of his explanation. However, when he reached the part of the idea of moving in with them, Hank immediately cut him off.
"Yeah, no. You're not doing that," the experienced man shook his head.
"But Hank, these children need me. They can't live without an adult and they did save my life, it's the least I can do," Connor argued.
"Well, they should have thought of that before they left their parents or whatever for some stupid excuses. Bet you they ran away because of their lovers," Hank scoffed as he crossed his arms. The deviant felt insulted on behalf of the teens.
"Hank, you'll have to trust me on this. They didn't run away because of failed relationships. They need an adult figure in their lives and protection from the real reason why they ran away. Knowing that I let three children alone in danger would be unnerving."
"Connor, you don't even know these kids and you wouldn't have ever known what they were going through if they didn't find you. Are you saying that if they didn't save your life, you would still move in with three random strangers to protect them?" Hank narrowed his eyes.
"It's my job to protect the innocent, no matter the costs," Connor nodded. His friend stared at him for a long time, so long in fact that it made the deviant think if his friend still didn't believe him.
But then Hank nodded. "Okay. Okay. This is your life, you decide what's best. I can't stop you from leaving. When are you moving in?"
"Tomorrow after work. I apologize if I upset you by my sudden decision-"
"Don't apologize," Hank interrupted. "It's on you to make your own decisions. You are an adult, or at least built like one. You have to be independent. I don't know if Sumo's gonna like it though. You've been spoiling him rotten."
"I will miss Sumo," Connor thoughtfully agreed. "But this move is only temporary until I figure out how to assist the children properly."
"Well it's not like you have much stuff to take with you except for your clothes," the man shrugged. "Hey, maybe this move will help ya clear your mind. Speaking of, have you thought about what could be happening to you?"
"No, I have been distracted today. But I believe that an answer to my questions is hidden within New Jericho Tower," the deviant admitted. Hank's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"A way to solve a problem is to look into the origin, that could work. Have you talked to Marcus?"
"Not since the night of the Revolution. I didn't think it was the right call to contact the person who I tried to kill on multiple occasions," Connor frowned. "But it seems like I have no choice."
"Did you eat? Or… need Thirium?" Hank, deciding to change the subject, asked as he walked into the kitchen to fetch something.
"No, that won't be needed, thank you." Sumo, who had been sitting on the couch, hopped down and sat his head on the android's knee, which prompted him to pet the dog. "Is there anything worth mentioning at the precinct?"
"Nah, just the usual stuff. There's nothing to worry about," Hank waved him off. When the man returned, he had a glass of water in his hands. He paused on his way to his bedroom, considering that it was midnight already. "Have a goodnight, son. Please try to get some rest."
"I will, Hank." Connor watched the lights turn off, leaving only the faint blue glow of his L.E.D. Once again Hank used that term. Why? Why would he refer to him when Connor wasn't related to him. The deviant still had no clue and he was too afraid to question the man. Seeing that there was nothing left to do, the deviant laid back on the couch and closed his eyes. His mind wandered and began to play the images and sounds he heard earlier, letting him fall to a restful sleep filled with musical dreams.
TBC...
