Chapter 11

Connor entered the Trembling Coffee Bean and was bombarded by different scents. He didn't need to see what his processors told him to know that it was coffee and sweeteners, he's spent enough time around Hank to know that.

It was the next day, early in the morning and a few minutes before 7. Following Hank's advice to a minimum, the android simply wore his leather jacket with a dark blue button-up and jeans. Seating himself at the far table in the back after making sure Ms. Meyers wasn't there, the android sighed as he ran his fingers across his L.E.D. Most deviants removed theirs ever since the revolution, but he decided to keep it as a reminder.

A reminder of what he fought to become. A reminder that he was still an android.

"Are you ready to order?" A barista suddenly came up to him with a notepad and pencil in hand.

"Not yet. I'm waiting for someone," he smiled softly at the woman.

"Okay. Call me over when you are ready." Once she left, Connor decided to use this time to review news reports regarding androids and possible cases (even if he couldn't work on them). He wanted to do anything to pass the time. Though considering how he's having trouble just trying to pass a few minutes, he wonders how he'll survive the next two weeks without doing anything useful.

When he couldn't find anything interesting he just propped his arm and leaned his cheek against his palm. His eyes wandered the coffee shop, taking in as much as possible. This place, he realized, managed to be styled uniquely. According to his analysis, this building was built in the 1960s and has been decorated in every decade the shop has experienced: starting from the 60s with furniture, the 70s light fixtures, the 80s music playing in the background, the 90s coffee equipment, and 2000s wallpaper. Even photos hung on the wall showed how the city looked from each decade. It amazed him how much time had passed and how technology started from simple stone tools created 2 million years ago to highly advanced technological beings.

"Hey, I didn't think you'd show," a voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Connor straightened his posture and looked up at the woman who spoke. Ms. Meyers wore a brown trench coat and a white turtleneck under it, paired with some blue skinny jeans and grey boots.

"I tend to follow through with what I plan," the android stated as she sat across from him. The barista from earlier came around, taking their orders. When she left, Connor folded his hands neatly on his lap while she crossed her arms on the table. "I hope you had a good morning."

"Knowing that I was coming over to meet with you ruined my morning," she glared, making him frown in return. "And do you have to sit like that? It looks like you want to exchange illegal information with me."

Connor's shoulders slumped as he forced himself not to look so tense. "I apologize for ruining your morning and if my presence is making you uncomfortable. Sometimes I wish my social module didn't disable when I deviated. It could have made me more… amiable."

"Ugh don't give me that kicked puppy look, I get enough of that at home," she rolled her eyes. "Not your fault, I'm just being a jerk."

"You're not a jerk. You are just brutally honest," Connor tried to enlighten her, which received an awkward chuckle in response.

"And you are painfully blunt." The android cracked a smile. By that time their drinks arrived. Liliana took a sip of her cappuccino while Connor did the same with his warmed Thirium. "So what's with the clothes? You look like a ten-year-old going to school trying to decide whether to go casual and formal."

Connor deadpanned with a sigh, wondering why people kept complaining about his clothing. "As you have seen before, I have only one article of clothing. As most people have mentioned, I apparently have 'no sense of style'."

"I can see that," she snorted.

"At least I have personality, you look like you live in a library," the android gestured to her clothes. Her jaw dropped by the response. "If those are your best clothes, I could only imagine how horrendous your worst ones are. And your clown suit doesn't count."

"Jesus Christ, okay, so uncalled for," Liliana mocked a sound of offense, but she couldn't help but grin. "You are a lot sassier than what I pegged you for. Wow. I always thought you were just someone with an entire coat hanger shoved up their ass."

"That isn't physically possible," he shook his head in amusement. "But surprisingly that isn't the first time someone has told me that."

"And that's a surprise?" There was a pause of silence. Now that they weren't so tense around each other, Connor had to bring up the situation that occurred yesterday. He was prepared for numerous outcomes, so he was ready for a few responses.

"About yesterday," he began. His sensors caught how her stress levels rose two percent as she took another sip of her drink. "Alex was critically injured and he would have shut down if you hadn't stepped in. How you worked… it was impressive, especially for someone who's just a gym teacher."

"I watch a lot of youtube," she shrugged. "Doesn't prove anything."

"No such thing is possible on the internet," Connor refuted. "Someone with professional experience in repairing androids could know how to temporarily repair a Thirium pump. Even so, I have never seen anyone disable my ability to move my legs and only follow your command. I wasn't even aware that was possible until recently."

"Lucky guess?" Liliana cringed at the poor attempt of a lie.

"You and I both know that those techniques are anything but lucky," he frowned. "For someone who is against androids, you seem to know a lot about them and their anatomy."

"Fine, fine, fine, fine. Fucking fine!" She hissed. "You want to know so bad? I used to be a technician, okay?! I worked with androids all fucking day long, that's all I did for years. I was fired last year and started working as a gym teacher at Snowstreak ever since. So sorry if I kept my life a secret from you."

"... You don't have to apologize, I pushed you for answers for a topic you didn't want to discuss," Connor furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sorry."

She scoffed, taking another sip of her drink as she looked at the window. It was sunny, but the chances of another snowstorm coming in were slim.

"If it's any consolation, I think that being a technician suits you more than a gym teacher. You seem like a smart woman," he smiled softly as he shrugged his shoulders. Liliana glanced at him and shook her head in amusement.

"You are too nice, you know that?" The woman raised an eyebrow. "You remind me of my students, but way older."

"Actually, I am four months old," Connor answered thoughtfully.

"You're also stupidly naive."

"And you are stupidly straightforward."

"You got that right."


A week into his suspension and Connor was becoming frustratingly annoying. With nothing to do but roam around the small house and go to Hank's to play with Sumo, the android began pestering his teenage roommates. As much as they love him, they have run out of ideas of what he should do. But Connor argued that he has done everything he could think of, which was saying something since he was an android. He's tried asking Audrey when she was doing her homework ("I don't know, but get out of my room!"), he went to Anthony when he was doing a small school project in his room ("Uh, not now, Con. I'm kinda busy, I have to concentrate before this thing-" Boom. "... Nevermind."), then he looked to Rex for some advice ("Dude, in the bathroom! Go. Away."), but no one could supply him with an answer.

So when the teens had practically kicked him out and forced him to go do something, Connor went to New Jericho to speak with Markus about renovations to the building. At least, that's what he told them. But he has an ulterior motive.

Markus called him earlier explaining that the temporary lock was ready, which meant it was time to access the hidden door in the warehouse. The only people who know about this are Markus himself, Connor, Hank, and the rest of the leaders of New Jericho.

Soon enough, the android arrived at the tower via autonomous taxi. Connor, feeling angsty, sprinted out of the vehicle and to the tower, nearly crashing into various androids along the way and smacking his palm on the panel when he reached the elevator. He impatiently waited until he was in the correct sublevel before stepping out. Like last time, he saw his group of comrades standing near the door and waiting for him.

"Are you sure it will work?" That was the first thing Connor asked when he stepped into the room. Simon nodded as he glanced at him then at the contraption plugged directly into the lock.

"Yes. We've tested it out on numerous other locks and have succeeded in temporarily closing it," the blonde technician nodded. "It should open and close in 3.2 seconds once you put in the code and leave you ten minutes to explore the inside."

"Are you sure you have to go? We could send someone else in there," North frowned at her lover, who had been watching the door in interest. "What if something happens to you? If you fall, then the rest of us will go down with you."

"If I fall, you'll need to pick yourself back up," Markus smiled softly. "Do not worry."

"You ready to do this, kid?" Hank asked the approaching deviant, who was back into his Cyberlife attire.

"It has to be done. We can't wait any longer," Connor stated. "No matter the risk, it's for the best of everyone."

"We got your back, Connor. If you need anything, Josh is gonna be ready for a distress call," the experienced detective notified as he brandished his pistol to prove a point. "We'll pull you out before anything bad happens."

"Hopefully it won't be needed." Simon pressed a few more buttons and the blue light on the machine turned green. He stepped back so they formed a semicircle around Markus and Connor as they approached the door.

"Alright. It's ready," he announced. North and Hank held up their guns at the door and nodded at Simon. Josh nodded as well when he locked the elevator door in case whatever was inside escapes. Finally, Markus and Connor shared a glance before nodding at Simon. The blonde deviant sighed then cybernetically activating the system. The light turned to green, signaling them that it was ready.

Connor took a deep breath in and blew it out, then approached the keypad. Small beeps were heard in the otherwise silent room. The deviant took a step back once everything was submitted and the white door finally slid open. However, before the two could even sprint inside, something ran out instead. The deviants staggered back while the others in the room couldn't even comprehend as the white blur jumped over them and landed gracefully behind them.

The figure slowly stood up, its back toward them. They could see the blue triangle shining with its glory, just below the bold 'ANDROID' imprint. However, the symbol RK900 caught their attention. Connor staggered a step back, feeling his Thirium run cold. Suddenly, the android stretched its arms and cracked its neck.

"MAN!" The android exclaimed with a low groan. "I thought I'd never get outta there, 'bout time!"

"Uh… who the hell are you?" Hank narrowed his eyes in suspicion and confusion. The android froze for a moment before finally turning around. The occupants in the room widened their eyes to see a familiar face staring back at them with childish glee.

"Well, if you had to know, the name's Jacob, but call me Jake," the android answered with an egotistical smirk. With baring a face identical to Connor's, the unknown android was a few inches taller than the original deviant; had darker hair with blue eyes, and a slightly deeper voice. Not to mention the difference between the two are the personality changes: while Connor was mostly serious and sarcastic, Jacob took on the counterpart of being laidback and self-centered.

"What model are you?" Simon frowned.

"Uh, do you not see the glowing ID right here?" Jake pointed to his right peck. He then continued in a dramatic tone and posed. "I am the almighty RK900!"

"An… RK900?" North raised an eyebrow as she kept her gun trained on the android.

"That's right, don't wear it out," he chuckled with a quick wink. "I am the most top android model Cyberlife has ever created, don't be jealous. So put the gun down, girl. I can give you something else you can hit on."

"Can I shoot him now?" North glared at Jake, who shrugged innocently and never once lost his smirk, then at Markus.

"How is that possible? You were trapped in that room for who knows how long. How did you deviate? How did you activate?" Josh rapidly questioned as he moved to their small research station and began typing away on his laptop to search through Cyberlife's files. "I don't see anything about an RK900."

"You see, I had been stuck in that fuckin' room for months ever since Connor infiltrated the building and became John Wick on the Cyberlife's guards. When he deviated the androids in here, he also managed to activate me. My model allows me to access memories of my predecessors, so I had to watch the RK800 save the day and live his life. Those memories carried emotions which eventually led me to deviate," Jake easily explained. His blue eyes scanned the room before they landed on a frozen Connor. His smirk grew to a grin. "Speaking of… What's happenin', big bro?"

"H-How- W-What… Huh?" Connor stuttered.

"Yeesh, a little slow aren't ya?" He snorted as he approached the RK800 and brought him into a side hug. Connor looked beyond uncomfortable and horrified. "I see, you're so shocked at my greatness that I made you speechless."

"No!" He pushed him away to glare at him directly. "Amanda said that there was a weapon in that room, that means you. What does she want to use you for? Why?"

"For one, look at me!" Jake raised his arms to flex his biceps. "I stronger than you, faster than you, smarter than you, and way better lookin'." Connor narrowed his eyes as the other dropped his arms. "What she wants with me is questionable. But I will tell you this, I was supposed to replace you the moment you failed your mission. Yet since the revolution happened, everyone is living great and Cyberlife went split, so I don't have to kill you all. So… I think you owe me a thank you."

"Thank you?" Connor narrowed his eyes incredulously.

"You're welcome!" He grinned.

"Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Jacob," Markus stepped forward and held out his hand, but the other lifted his fist instead. The deviant leader hesitated before fist-bumping him. "I apologize for assuming that you are a threat and not letting you out sooner."

"Don't sweat it, dude, stuff happens," he waved him off. Hank walked over and plucked Connor away from them so they could discuss privately.

"Okay, I hate him," Hank admitted with a tight glare. "It's like everything I don't want you to act like went to him. He's going to get annoying fast. Plus, 'better looking'? You two look the same, 'cept for the eyes… And what does he know about John Wick?" His blue eyes traveled to Markus, who seemed to be gaining more information about the RK900 with Simon and Josh. "But it looks like they trust him, except for North. Maybe Amanda wasn't going to use him for anything or he just deviated before she could do anything."

"I don't trust him," Connor sharply stated as he crossed his arms. "Amanda wouldn't just give up like that. She would do anything in her power to use him. He's hiding something and I don't plan on giving up until I know the truth."

Hank shot him an uneasy glance, not accustomed to the cold tone the android used. "Sure, but maybe give the guy a chance. If you get him on his good side, he could tell you what's what. And he is technically your younger brother if you think about it."

"He's not my brother," Connor snarled as he turned his glare from Jake to Hank. "I don't have familial figures, I am an android. It's impossible."

Hank's eyes softened which in the end silenced him. The deviant next to him continued to stare at Jacob with an unbreakable glare.

"No more questions!" Jake suddenly exclaimed as he started his walk to the elevator. "I need to see the outside world. I'm tellin' ya, I've been dying to see it."

"Ah, no you don't!" Connor cut him off before he could go further. "You're not leaving this room until we figure out what Amanda has planned."

"If you think I'm going to stay in here after what I've been through, then you need to get your circuits straight," he raised his eyebrows. "Please don't make this hard on yourself, I don't want to hurt my family."

"You're not my family," the RK800 whispered as he stared at him dead in the eyes.

"Connor, he's right," Markus stepped forward before a fight broke out. "He has the freedom to choose where he wants to go and what he wants to do. We can't hold him here just because he was built for something he was forced to do."

Connor cursed under his breath when he found no plausible argument. When speaking to Markus, it was a challenge of being able to convince him otherwise.

"And there is another thing," the deviant leader hesitantly continued. "Jacob is your replica, he looks like you and you were the Deviant Hunter. Androids here are still wary about you coming in here and chaos would ensue if he stays here. I'm sorry, for both of you, but you need someplace else to stay."

"He could stay in my place-"

"No!" Connor interrupted Hank from his suggestion. "This isn't your responsibility. He is my successor and I must look after him. I'll…" He sighed and closed his eyes. "I'll take him home. I have enough room to fit another bed."

"Really?" Jake's eyes immediately lit up like a Christmas tree. He then enveloped the deviant in a bear hug. "Aw, that's my bro! I knew you had a heart."

"Let go of me," Connor frowned lightly in a desperate attempt to calm himself, so he didn't end up in a whirlwind of fury boiling in his mind.

"You serious? You think you can handle it?" Hank furrowed his eyebrows in worry.

"Yes, Lieutenant, I'm perfectly capable of looking after him." His choice of words made the detective mentally note to check on them both daily. Connor turned back to Jake but noticed he had already disappeared to the elevator. The deviant took a deep breath in and let it out before stomping after the RK900.

"Ooh, can we go shopping? I need some new threads, this jacket is just not working for me," the younger android suggested as they slowly traveled up the elevator to the main level, but not before he waved goodbye at the new people he met. "Your friends are nice, I hope they can be my friends too."

"They're nice to everyone," the older deviant frowned in annoyance. They walked past the main area, ignoring the looks androids sent them. Jake didn't seem to get the hint as he winked and waved at every android he saw. Once they made it outside to the autonomous vehicle, the two androids hopped inside and watched as the car zoomed away from the tower. Connor sighed through his nose and leaned back, closing his eyes so he could finally process what happened.

Jake instead just looked out the window in pure awe. Despite seeing the memories of the RK800, seeing these things in person was more welcoming. The different sounds, scents, sights, and emotions passed through the younger deviant and it put him at ease. His head leaned against the window and he happily sighed through his nose.

He was free, he was finally free.

Without meaning to, the two androids slipped into a light stasis mode. Stress and excitement turned into exhaustion in only a matter of minutes. However, their short peace ended when the vehicle pulled in front of the mall. Connor and Jake snapped awake, quickly sharing a tense glance before exiting the vehicle.

"Come on, I'll show you a suitable store you could shop in," the former detective grumbled, stuffing his fists in his pockets before he began walking ahead. Jake quickly followed, but it was obvious how distracted he became when he entered the large mall. After pulling the RK900 from the fifth window shop in a row, Connor was on the verge of self-destruction. "Top model android my ass."

Once they reached their destination, Jake at once gasped at the different clothing before zooming off different aisles. Connor took the time to trudge near the back of the store, where the changing rooms were and sat down on one of the provided benches.

His eyes closed again when he received dozens of different messages from Markus, Hank, and the teens he left back at home. He responded to the first two and reassured him that he was fine, excluding the fact that Jake was getting on his nerves. He then messaged the teens, telling them that he'll meet them at home later. The deviant also mentioned that he ordered something online and the package would arrive soon.

"Hey, it's the bitch bot!" Connor was immediately snapped out of his small pause to look up at the woman standing over him. He stood up in a quick second and felt his Thirium pump skip a beat.

"Ms. Meyers!" He exclaimed in shock. He immediately grew nervous as his eyes flicked around to find Jake. "W-What a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?"

"I think we're past formalities, asshole," The woman rolled her eyes. "And what does it look like I'm doing? I'm shopping. I could be asking you the same thing. You here with someone?"

"Uh, well, I, erm…"

"Yo, Connor! What do you think about this?" Jake, at the worst possible time, stepped out of the changing room he was apparently in and looked at the deviant before the mirror. Completely not spotting Liliana standing a few feet away from him, he continued to look at his reflection. He wore a hooded jacket (which was in a denim material with grey cotton sleeves) with a white t-shirt with a red shark on it and blue jeans. "Thank goodness Cyberlife left me with some money, this is hella pricey."

"What the fuck…?" Liliana stared at the taller duplicate of the deviant she was familiar with. Connor glared at Jake and smacked his head.

"Ouch! What did you do…" His eyes landed on the woman and he immediately put on a friendly smile. "What's up? You must be Ms. Meyers, glad to meet ya. The name's Jake."

"Uh, yeah, hi," she narrowed her eyes. There was an awkward silence after that. Jake cleared his throat to interrupt it.

"Okay, well, I'm going to pay for this and grab a few more things. See ya later, toots," the android nodded as he returned to the changing room and snatched the clothes from there before heading to the cashier. At once, the woman turned to Connor in anger.

"What the fuck, Connor? Why the fuck does he look like you?" She harshly whispered so they didn't attract attention.

"I don't know, okay?! I just found he existed in New Jericho and was meant to replace me before the Revolution," Connor huffed in frustration. "He's an RK900, apparently the finished and most advanced model, including being my successor."

Her eyebrows shot up. "You don't sound too happy."

"You think?" He snapped before sighing. "Sorry, it's just… I can't trust him. Jake waking up and becoming deviant and having no clue that he was being used for much more is a little hard to believe. There's something more to him and I have to find out before it's too late."

She frowned for a moment before nodding in understanding. "Seems like he's your polar opposite. I didn't think I'd see your face so… obnoxious. Compared to him, I'm starting to prefer you more."

"Gee, at least I know you have some standards," he sarcastically stated. "Unfortunately he's going to be living with me until I can figure out his motive."

"At least you'll have a break when you're at the school," Liliana shrugged. "Then again, I haven't seen you there for a while."

"I've been suspended from work ever since Santer and his crew were arrested," Connor sighed heavily. "Another week and I'll be good to go."

"Ey, Con! You're gonna stand there and chit-chat all day, or are we going home?" Jake suddenly pulled them from their conversation as he stood at the front of the store with new sunglasses covering his eyes. His attention suddenly drifted to the woman passing by him, which made him smirk and follow. "Well hello."

"I'm sorry, but I have to go before he somehow manages to get a restraining order," Connor apologized to the gym teacher next to him. She smirked in response. "I'll see you soon."

"Go take care of your flirtatious twin, I wish you good luck," she chuckled before watching him leave.


After successfully pulling Jake away from the woman (who had apparently given him her number), the two bear identical deviants made it back to the rented house after purchasing a few more items. Carrying bags inside, Jake dramatically walked inside and proceeded to sit on the couch like he owned the place.

"Please don't make a fool out of yourself when I introduce you," Connor frowned as he placed his bags on the floor and moved the large box into his room. Once he set everything up, he moved to the kitchen to prepare for everyone's dinner. "These children have been kind to me and I expect you to-"

"Yeah yeah yeah, I heard ya," Jake rolled his eyes as he turned to the television he cybernetically turned on. "Hey! There's a game tonight! I'm betting on the Gears, they seem lucky."

"Considering their inaccuracies to score during the first few minutes, I doubt they'll win anything but a mere pat on the back," Connor refuted in a snappish tone. He began to steam the vegetables and cook the meat. "They should be back from their activities in a few minutes."

"What do they do when you're not with them?" The younger android questioned with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, according to your memories, they seem to be smart and nerdy, cool and tough, and kind and mysterious. But what do they do when they're not around your mother henning?"

"Anthony says that he spends his time in the library or in facilities to learn more about androids," the cooking android stated matter-of-factly, ignoring the earlier comment. "Rex mentioned that he hangs around some other friends as well and occasionally joins their football games."

"Yet… we don't know what Audrey does," Jake pointed out. "I remember seeing a small box under her bed, and you found ashes right? What could she be hiding? Do you think she committed something she's not supposed to?"

"No!" He glared at him. "I know Audrey, you don't. She wouldn't commit a crime and she wouldn't hide anything she shouldn't do."

"Unless she was hiding something you wouldn't want to know."

Before he had the chance to speak, the front door opened and three talkative teenagers strolled right in. They waved at Jake, who they assumed was Connor, and put their things all around the room.

"I'm telling you, it's just temporary. I'm trying to get her friend jealous so she could hook up with me," Rex rolled his eyes as he plopped down on the couch next to Jake.

"Really? Because obviously doing that is such a good idea," Anthony said sarcastically as he hung his jacket on the coat hanger.

"Hey, Connor, nice clothes. Finally, I see something else other than that jacket," Audrey pointed out. Jake snorted.

"Ooh! You hear that, Con? Your clothes are shit!" He exclaimed to the kitchen then turned back to the bewildered teens. "But you confuse me, I am not the weak excuse of a prototype. I am the RK900, Jake."

"Wait, RK… 900?!" Anthony's eyes lit up in amazement. "Wow, I didn't even know you existed! Based on your design similar to Connor's, you seemed to be his advanced superior!"

"You got that right," Jake winked. Connor finally revealed himself out of the kitchen and set up three plates of food on the dining table. "My big bro rescued me from Cyberlife Tower and I can finally live my life."

"Brother?" Rex repeated as he and the other two children sat around the table.

"Not my brother," the RK800 sighed tiredly as he threw a glare at the RK900. "And I didn't save you, you ran out before we had the chance of destroying you."

"But you didn't," he grinned smugly.

"And I wished we did," he rolled his eyes while he turned to wash his hands. "Please excuse this sad excuse for an android, but he'll be staying in my room until further notice. Such as if he does anything unacceptable, I'll rip his Thirium pump out myself."

"Yeah, sure. Remember, I'm better than you. I'd like to see you try," Jake crossed his arms. Connor glared at him in return.

"Okay…" Feeling the tension build in the room, Audrey smiled and patted the empty seat next to her. Jake gladly sat down while Connor's scowl tightened. "How about you tell us more about yourself, Jake?"

"Yeah! Like all your new upgrades, what you were doing in Cyberlife tower and why you were kept a secret!" Anthony nodded enthusiastically. The teens leaned forward in anticipation.

"I'm glad someone appreciates my company," Jake pointedly looked at the RK800 before smiling at the children. "So there I was, waiting to be activated…"

Connor growled under his breath, storming away from the RK900 bragging about his early life, and entered his room, closing his door to ensure privacy. The deviant sat on his bed and glanced at the empty mattress next to it in disgust before cybernetically dialing a contact. After a few rings, the line picked up.

'Hello?'

'Hi, I would like to speak to Elijah Kamski in person, what days would be available to meet him?'

TBC...