.
Deviant City
Chapter Six: The Whims of Rich Men
Gavin pulled up to the mall, phone still to his ear. The precinct was only a few blocks away or else he would have sent a uniformed officer to the scene. He had called in for backup, but it seemed he would be the first to arrive.
"Okay, I just pulled up," Gave said as he turned off the engine. "Where are you?"
The background noise on Megan's phone was heavy with music and chatter. With it being close to Christmas, the place was packed. This could be a lot of possible victims if they weren't smart about this.
"I'm over by the carousel," Megan's voice was shaky, but it sounded like she was smiling. "I'm pretending I'm on a regular phone call and I haven't noticed him. I'm hoping if I act normal he'll just keep following me and not do anything crazy."
"Okay, that's smart. Hold on, I'm almost there." Gavin stepped out of the car and ducked back in to frown at the passenger. "Come on, let's go."
The RK900 gave him a mild look. "Detective, when engaging a possibly armed suspect, we should be waiting for backup."
"We don't have time for that. We need to get in there now."
"Need I remind you that I am an expensive piece of equipment worth a small fortune. Neither Cyberlife nor your chief would be pleased if I was damaged because you failed to adhere to proper police procedure. I was designed to be useful to the police by working within the confines of the law and using correct protocol."
"Listen you battery-powered asshole," Gavin hissed at him. "I don't care if you were designed to belch gold and shit diamonds, when someone asks for help, you help them. That's the job. Now get. The fuck. Out of the car."
The RK900 considered him for a moment longer and then opened the door.
As they entered the mall, Gavin could already hear the music of the carousel in the distance. People were everywhere, blocking every path, kids running around just waiting to be tripped over. It was like trying to wade upriver.
"Megan, I can see the carousel. Are you still safe?"
"Yes. I think so. He hasn't—" She paused and cursed under her breath. "I don't see him anymore. I don't know where he went."
"Okay, hang on. Get up against a wall so no one can come up on you from behind and keep an eye out."
"Okay, I don't see him anywhere."
The carousel was now only a few yards ahead, but there were waves of people everywhere. It would be impossible to get all of them out safely. They had to find the android.
"Nine Hundred, can you do a scan or anything?" Gavin asked. "Can you find the android?"
The android looked almost offended. "Detective Reed, I have the ability to scan for a broad spectrum of—"
"Good. Scan for the android." Gavin went up on his toes, trying to find Megan. There were just so many people.
The RK900's eyes flickered with lights as he looked over the crowd. "There are thirteen androids in the immediately vicinity."
"What? That many?" Gavin looked around again and couldn't tell a single one from all the humans. "This world is going to hell in a hand basket. Fucking androids out Christmas shopping like they even know what the holiday is."
In his angry search, he found a familiar and nervous looking woman standing against the far wall and began threading through the crowd to get to her.
"Nine Hundred, find the model of the android we're looking for. The one that used to belong to Megan Sharp."
"I can only tell android from human with a basic scan," the android replied. "I would need to be able to see their faces to identify the model. And if they've altered their face model in any way-"
"Just figure it out," Gavin hissed. "State of the art my ass."
By then, he had reached Megan and she grabbed the sleeves of his coat in gratitude.
"Thank you so much for coming. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do."
Gavin stood protectively in front of her as he scanned the crowd again. "Do you see him?"
Megan looked around, seeming more distressed that she couldn't find the source of the danger. She looked as though she was about to cry. "No. Not anymore. Maybe I didn't see him at all. I've just been so jumpy since it happened. I keep thinking I see him everywhere. Maybe I made a mistake. I'm so sorry."
Gavin turned to give her his full attention, shielding her from the rest of the world with his body. "Don't be sorry. Your instincts told you you were in trouble and they're usually right. I'd rather you be cautious than dead, alright?"
Megan nodded, wiping the tip of her nose. "Thank you," she said softly.
He put a friendly arm around her. "Alright, let's get you home safe. Nine Hundred, check the androids. Make sure none of them are the model we're looking for."
The android didn't say anything. He just turned on his heel and walked into the crowd. Surprised mall-goers parted for him as the RK900 wasn't about to alter his route for anyone. Gavin didn't worry about it. He put one arm around Megan's shoulders and steered her toward the nearest doors. Getting her outside and away from the crowd would make it easy to see if anyone was trying to follow or attach them.
The sharp breeze of the frosty air stole their breaths and Gavin zipped his thin coat up tighter around himself.
"Okay, where's your car?"
"I took the bus. I only live a couple blocks down."
"You were going to go home in the dark alone?"
She huffed. "It's not even seven o'clock yet. I wasn't expecting to be stalked by an android through the mall."
"Right, right." Gavin tried to cool himself. No one really expected to see this android again. Like many of the other freak accidents involving androids, if they were not caught at the scene, they were usually never found again. Too many all had the same face. A specific individual of a popular model like Megan's was practically impossible to find once they were in the wind. And usually, androids liked to stay in the wind.
In truth, Gavin suspected Megan had merely seen an android that was the same model as hers, and not that specific android. But this machine had also a murdered a man in cold blood who was minding his own business. As Megan said herself, there was something off about this one and Gavin wasn't going to take any chances.
"Okay, we'll go back to my car and I'll take you home. It's on the other side of the building. You okay with walking all the way around? It think it will be safer than trying to make our way through all those people. Out here, I can see if anyone's coming."
"Oh yeah, definitely," she agreed, still clearly shaken. "I don't want to go back in there."
He nodded, pointing her in the correct direction and they walked closely together against the chill.
Gavin's mind was still on why a murdering android would turn into a stalker when Megan spoke.
"So, are you ready for Christmas?"
He blinked at her and shrugged. "As I'll ever be."
"Do you have family out here?"
"Oh yeah. Detroit is where we come from and probably where we're all going to die."
"Both parents around? Siblings?"
This was more personal information than Gavin was used to giving, but he realized she was just making small talk to fill the silence.
"Parents are gone. I've got my grandma and a butt-load of sisters. And of course, all their kids. Plus aunts and uncles and cousins."
She smiled. "Sounds like a nice full house."
"Oh yeah. Loud, too. Last time I took a girl home it was Thanksgiving a few years ago and she spent most of the time hiding in the bathroom."
She laughed. It was such a good laugh, Gavin couldn't help but smile, too.
"What about you, Ms. Sharp? What's the family like around the holidays?"
"You're allowed to call me Megan after coming to check on me personally. And my family's not as big, but still rowdy. No parents, but a bunch of brothers always down to have a party."
"Sounds nice."
They rounded the building and Gavin pointed out his car boldly parked out front where anyone else would get a ticket. They paused at the passenger side while Gavin dug around in his pockets for his keys.
"I hope you can put all this craziness behind you and have a nice holiday. Androids shouldn't be worth this much stress."
As the last word came out of his mouth, Gavin felt a hand land on his shoulder. He immediately spun around, expecting an android with a knife to come for him. But it was the RK900's pale form that stood blandly before him.
"Jesus Chris," Gavin panted, grabbing his chest. "You asshat."
"I scanned all androids. None of them were the android we were looking for," the RK900 replied primly. He looked at the car. "Will I have to find my own way back to the precinct again?"
Megan gave Gavin a startled look while he tried to wave it off. "Of course not. Get in the car. Back seat, android."
As the car pulled away, a red LED lit up from the shadows of the building and robotic eyes watched it as it drove off.
.
It wasn't long before they found themselves back at the same apartment complex as when Gavin first arrived at the scene of the murder, parking in front of the same building.
"You still live in your original apartment?" Gavin asked.
Megan grimaced. "I know, it's weird, huh? A man died in my apartment. They had to strip the bloody carpet and everything. But that was the last place my friend was alive. It felt like I was just leaving him there alone after something horrible happened to him. Maybe after a few months I might consider it. But for now, I'm okay staying there. My landlord, at least, gave me a discount on rent because no one else would want the place."
She opened the passenger door and Gavin copied her movement. "I'll walk you up. I can even check the apartment if you'd like."
Megan smiled, her lips deep red and her cheeks rosy from the cold. "Thanks so much. You don't really have to do all this."
Gavin shook his head as they headed for the stairs. "Helping beautiful women to feel safe is one of the few perks of this job."
She outright laughed at him. "Oh God, what a line that was."
He grinned back. "Is it working?"
"We'll see," she flirted back.
When they reached the apartment door, Gavin was annoyed to see the RK900 had followed them. But instead of yelling at the android, he decided to keep playing the hero for Megan and set the android to work.
"Nine Hundred, check the apartment. Make sure no one else is in here. That includes androids."
"Nine Hundred?" Megan repeated as the android stalked off down the hall. "Is that the android's name?"
"He didn't really come with a name, so I just call him by his model number. I got yelled at for coming up with more colorful things to call him."
She smirked. "I see. Well, at least he's useful right? And it feels safer having him around?"
Gavin frowned. "Not really. He's kind of a pain in the ass for something that brags about being so advanced."
"Well at least I've got you," Megan smiled at him. "You made me feel safer tonight. Thank you." She looked him up and down. "If only I could get that kind of service all night."
Gavin snorted, expecting her sentence to end with some kind of humorous punchline. Then he realized that this woman was actually hitting on him. "Yeah?"
She gave him a coy look, slightly biting her lip. Holy shit. Gavin couldn't remember the last time a woman came onto him out of the blue. Don't fuck this up, his brain warned him.
"Well, I have heard the best way to practice safe sex is to sleep with a cop."
Megan laughed and looked even more interested now. Yes! He was going to get lucky tonight.
"Detective," the RK900 said as he suddenly appeared behind him. "Personal relationships with victims from an active case are severely frowned upon. I will have to report this."
Megan suddenly looked extremely embarrassed and the entire mood went right down the shitter. She cleared her throat. "Thank you again, Detective Reed. I really appreciate you coming to escort me home."
As if it were a personal punishment, she opened the door and regretfully showed them outside. Gavin did his best to be both polite and cool about the whole thing. He wished her a good night and expressed that she was welcome to call him any time she needed him. His smile stayed until she closed the door and then he scowled at the android walking ahead of him.
Fucking cock-block. This absolute bullshit piece of machinery. As the RK900 started down the next flight of stairs, Gavin kicked it right in the back and watched tumble down the rest of the way in that straight-bodied position only an android could pull off. It bounced and slid to a stop a few stairs from the bottom. Gavin smugly stepped past it and toward the parking lot.
"Now you can find your own way back, you useless piece of shit," he called over his shoulder.
The RK900 stiffly pulled itself to its feet just in time to see Gavin's headlights pull out and drive away.
.
Samantha's phone went off a little after 6AM, sounding her awake. Unused to such an ungodly hour, she blearily fumbled for it on the nightstand. Her fumbling fingers pushed it to the floor. Half awake, she seriously considered leaving it for a more humane hour.
The phone rang again. Whatever it was, it must be important. She attempted to reach for it without leaving the warm coziness of her bed. In that she too failed as she stretched too far and her whole body flopped to the floor, blankets and all.
She fished around for her phone and put it to her ear.
"Connor?" she asked in a scratchy voice. "Everything okay?"
"You were sleeping." His voice sounded disappointed even though he knew quite well what her normal morning hours were.
"It's barely six. Did something happen?"
"Yes, something is happening and we need you to come over here."
She perked up. "We?"
"Can you come down to Jericho? We need you here right now."
"Uh, am I allowed? Did Markus and the others say it was okay?"
"Yes. I'm quite sure they want you here. Come as soon as you can."
Connor didn't offer more information than that, but Samantha was too excited to push the issue. She would find out once she got down there. Carl was still dead asleep and he liked to sleep in, so she told Charlie she was headed out for a while. As usual, the android was indifferent to anything she did.
So eager was she to be of assistance, she didn't even think to get herself breakfast. When she arrived at New Jericho, the place was busy. She had only seen what it looked like from news reports.
Before, it was like an abandoned neighborhood despite the many, many residents crammed inside. Now it was packed, full of machines and trucks and blue-collar workers—humans.
Samantha parked where she could. It was cold that morning and she wrapped her coat rightly around her as she approached the spectacle. There were too many faces, both human and android. She thought about calling Connor, but then she saw Markus.
He motioned her over and a man in a reflective vest and clipboard addressed her.
"Samantha Hall?"
"Um, yes?"
"You're the only one authorized to sign these work orders since everyone else here isn't..." He paused to choose his words. "Isn't a person who can legally sign documents."
She took the clipboard as it was offered. "Is this for any human to sign, or me specifically?"
"The names on this paperwork are for Mr...uh...Markus and you. And I can't take the signature of an android."
Confused, she glanced over the paperwork. "What's this for? Where did all this come from? Nobody's explained to me what this is."
"From Mr. Kamski. He said he purchased this entire block from the banks and it needs a lot of repairs." The man nodded to the church with a raise of his hardhat.
Samantha needed a moment to take this all in. Elijah Kamski now owned all of New Jericho? Just like that?
"What work is going to be done?"
"We'll start with the big stuff first: roofs and walls to make sure everyone has proper shelter. The power company will be here later and we'll also start looking into every place getting electricity. And for you, Ms. Hall, we've got a trailer that will be here in about twenty minutes. It will have heat and running water so you can stay on site."
"For just me?" She was still trying to take this all in.
"Mr. Kamski was very clear that you're running this program and you need a warm place so you can stay on site. You're involved with everything. You approve what we do and what we don't do. If you aren't the one approving the work, the big man's not going to pay for it."
She worked her mouth for a moment, trying to find the words, trying to be smart about this. "Uh, is there a budget we need to stay under?"
"Not that he mentioned. Now, if you don't mind, I've got a lot of guys standing around waiting to get started. Time is money. Can I tell them they can get to work?"
Dazed, it took her a moment to blink. Then she looked to Markus. He nodded emphatically.
"Uh, yes please." She signed the paperwork. "Thank you so much."
As the man left, Markus brushed his shoulder with hers.
"Holy moly," she breathed.
"Oh yeah," Markus confirmed. "It scared the hell out of us when they all suddenly showed up. Though to be fair, I think we scared them, too."
"Where's Connor?"
"He's with those of us who feel the least safe around humans. I'm keeping them at the back of the community so they have their space. But I can get him if you need."
"Oh, no! No, no. Don't take Connor from others if he's making them feel safe. I think we can figure this out on our own."
Just as she spoke, a beautiful and well-dressed blonde android popped in front of her with a chipper "Good morning, Ms. Hall." Despite being unable to feel the cold, she was rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed.
"Oh, good morning...Chloe?" Samantha blinked at her. She wasn't sure if this was the same Chloe from the other day. This one was far more bubbly. Did they all have slightly different personalities? "It's wonderful to see you...again?"
She beamed. "Yes. Mr. Kamski is very eager to speak with you."
Samantha looked around, expecting to see Elijah. She was glad he was here. She had so many questions for him. But the android was alone. Chloe brightly held up a tablet, showing Elijah's face on a live feed.
"Oh," Samantha said in surprise. Everything was a surprise this morning. "Hello, Mr. Kamski."
"Elijah, please. Good morning, Samantha. I know all of this was very abrupt, but I've never been one to waste time getting to a project. I hope I have anticipated all your needs. If something was missed, you can ask Mr. Sanchez and he will take care of it for you."
"I'm still not sure what all of this is."
"You are now my ambassador to android kind. This community that Markus has established will be the stepping stone on our way to a full android-human integrated society. And you will be there at the forefront guiding the way.
"Of course, as you previously expressed to me, it would be difficult for you to do that job without proper accommodations against the weather. And while the crew was already at it, I thought I'd pay for some improvements for the androids as well. Though, they will need you present to approve all projects. Nothing happens without your say so. So now those androids will have no choice but to interact with an involve you."
Her mouth fell open. It was a whole morning of surprises. "That seems a little manipulative."
"It's for their own good." Elijah insisted. "Androids cannot live apart from humans and still expect to be a part of society. We have to learn to cohabitate and New Jericho will be the example to androids all over the world of how both humans and androids can work together to become one people. You and I, Samantha, we will do our part to guide androids into this new world. I am here to provide anything that you will need going forward. In exchange, I hope you will join me for a dinner sometime so we can further discuss our future goals, among other things."
The way he looked at her, Samantha knew Elijah wasn't going to let certain things about her personal existence go. Elijah still had questions about who and what she was and intended to get answers one way or another. And maybe he deserved those answers, though she hated that this was turning into a quid pro quo situation.
"Yes, we should talk," she agreed. "Let me focus on what's going on here for now and when I get things situated, you and I can discuss a meeting."
"Agreed," Elijah said with a pleased smile. "Chloe will remain with you as a personal assistant. She will be able to contact me whenever you need. Until then, I will let you get to work."
The screen went dead as he disconnected.
Samantha looked at Chloe, then at Markus. Then at the old church surrounded by a construction crew. How quickly the trajectory of her life had changed with one conversation from a billionaire. This was nothing new. Her entire life had always been dictated by the whims of rich men. But this time, she could at least do something to help others.
"Markus, this is your home. You know best about what your people need. I will just be here to sign papers. And despite what Elijah says, it's not up to his discretion how and when androids integrate into human culture. Or even if they should."
"I don't necessarily disagree with him," Markus replied. "It can't be them and us separated. Androids will have to integrate with humankind eventually. We can't remain here forever, acting like we locked ourselves in storage." He paused.
"What?" Samantha asked.
A small smile pulled at his mouth. "Connor accused me of doing just that."
"My Connor?"
"No, actually. Same model, same name. Different android."
"Ah. I know there is an RK800 model also named Connor here. They were both part of the same prototype program where Cyberlife was trying to perfect a new police and military model. According to what Connor has told me, he and the Connor that you know are copies of each other."
"Copies?"
"As best as I understand it. There was only meant to be one Connor. If the current one was damaged, they took it out of commission and uploaded all his information—basically his brain—into a new body and sent him back out. All the damaged bodies were meant to be destroyed, I'm assuming. But my Connor was one of those damaged bodies. He was purchased from Cyberlife and repaired. Compliments of Elijah Kamski, apparently. This is something I found out when we talked to him last time."
"Connor told me all RK800s are named Connor. That makes sense now. Though I guess that's still a lot to unpack."
"Something to unpack for another time," she replied and then nodded to the church. "This is our focus right now. You guys wanted an outreach, right? What if we had something here? Like a visitor's center. One place humans can go to in order to get in touch with whatever organization we are hatching right now. I know some androids here don't want anything to do with humans, but I also know many here miss them. Would it be possible to create a safe space right here? And if more people—humans—are around, anti-android groups won't be so brazen about violence in front of other people."
Markus looked thoughtful as he watched the human construction crew. There were already curious androids gathered on the outskirts.
"That's definitely an idea. Let me introduce you to my friend Josh."
.
Gavin's phone went off as he stepped into the precinct early that morning. As usual, he was not a morning person and wasn't exactly thrilled he already had to deal with anyone before he had even had his second coffee.
"Detective Reed," he answered in a scratchy voice.
"Detective, it's Megan Sharp again," came the soft, female voice.
That perked him right up. He quickly coughed to clear his throat. "Uh, yeah. How can I help you?"
"I wanted to thank you for letting your android stay with me last night."
He blinked in the harsh lighting of the bullpen. "I'm sorry, my what?"
"The android you were with last night. You left him behind so I would feel safe. I appreciate that. It's the first good night's sleep I've had since, well, you know."
Gavin was still trying to wrap his head around this. A glance around the room and he didn't see the RK900 anywhere. Usually that mechanical dumbass was standing right at his desk, waiting for another day of staring at and irritating Connor.
"Are you telling me that my android stayed in your apartment all night?" Gavin then asked.
"Yes. I wasn't going to make him stand outside. That would look weird. I wanted to let you know that you can come pick him up whenever you have time."
"I can pick him up?" Gavin pulled the phone from his ear and looked at it incredulously. "That fucking android," he muttered under his breath. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he put the phone back to his ear when he heard her questioning tone. He still wanted to impress this woman. He couldn't let her know how much of a dick he really was this early in the game. "Yeah, thanks for letting me know. I'll come get him."
Fifteen minutes later, Gavin pulled up to the apartment complex and there it was, standing there by the stairway as cool as could me. Gavin muttered every obscene word he had ever heard in his life as he pulled up next to the RK900. The android opened the passenger-side door and primly strapped himself in.
Gavin looked at him, hand squeezing the steering wheel so hard it turned white. "You smug little bastard. I will fucking kill you the next time you pull this shit again."
"You cannot kill what isn't alive, Detective," the RK900 replied neutrally. "And I do not understand why you are so angry. You said when people ask for help, you help them. Ms. Sharp has had nothing but nice things to say about you all night."
That put the breaks on Gavin's temper. "Shit, for real?" He glanced out the window when the RK900 nodded in that direction. Megan was out on her balcony waving her thanks. Gavin waved back in confusion and then turned back to the android. All of his anger was completely gone.
"Okay then...back to work..." he said in a confused daze and the two of them drove off.
.
At New Jericho, the day had gone well. A trailer had indeed been delivered to the site and Samantha enjoyed the comfort of heat and running water while repairs to the other buildings were under way. She, Markus and Josh decided a small two-bedroom house on the corner of the neighborhood would be the main office of their human outreach. It was in far better shape than some of the others and be the easiest to fix up. They sent the construction crew to give it their focus. It needed to be suitable for both androids and humans to inhabit.
Later in the day, a few different news crews showed up. Markus insisted Josh take the lead and he was amazing at speaking to the media about the new changes that would be happening. At one point he had pulled Samantha in, who was far less prepared for public speaking, but managed to stumble through telling the media that New Jericho was making plans to step forward into the future together with humans and androids.
It took over an hour, but all media personnel were eventually convinced to leave in the wake of the construction zone. By the afternoon, the house had power and a few space heaters humming away on the first floor.
Markus, who had made himself scarce when the media was around, came into the house. He was flanked by two other androids: one was a blond male model and the other was a gorgeous female redhead. The male, Samantha had seen many other models just like him with all various shades of hair color. But the female was a rare sight. Samantha remembered her instantly from the first time she met the Detroit androids.
"This is Simon and North," Markus introduced. "They help me keep this place running and keep our people safe. I'm sure you'll be working together as we fix this place up."
Simon offered a polite greeting. North looked like she smelled something awful.
"North, you don't have anything to say?" Markus pressed. It was clear he was aiming for an apology. Or at least something polite.
North just looked at the human with her head held high. "You probably won't see me too much, but I'll be around." With that, she spun on her heel and walked right out of the building.
"That went a little better than I thought it would," Simon said.
"I like her," Samantha announced. "I'm going to make her my friend."
Josh stared at her. Simon pressed his mouth together and shook his head in warning.
"What?" Samantha asked. She looked to Markus who was also shaking his head.
"I don't think that's going to happen."
"You don't know that," Samantha insisted.
"All we can do is wish you luck," Simon replied with a bit of gentle humor. "But I wouldn't go out of my way. All you'll do is annoy her."
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied with good humor. "How has it been going out there with the construction crew? Have all the androids been okay? I'll make sure they just work on a few buildings at a time so there's always human-free spaces they can go. And I think it's stupid that you need me to get any work done at all. It really isn't fair. I shouldn't have anything to do with this. If I could give all the control back to you guys, I would."
"Money always comes with strings," Simon said. "I guess there could have been worse strings than this."
"It was a fast track to hopes of mine that we would be able to have a place in New Jericho where human friends would be welcome guests," Josh added.
That made Samantha feel a little better. She knew without the caveat that she had to sign the papers, she was useless to these androids. But if they were still happy with the results, she would take it as a win.
"Markus, you should have Carl come down when we've got the place fixed up. I think he'd like that."
"Who's Carl?" Josh asked.
When Markus went quiet, she realized she had made a mistake.
"He's a human I know that has been letting Samantha stay with him." The way Markus said it left no room for follow up questions. Especially how he put his body between her and his fellow androids. "How about we go get Connor? He's been eager to see you all day. And I'm going to send him home with you tonight. I think he'd like that."
Samantha had no comments as she was guided out of the warm house. Only when they were alone did she speak again.
"You haven't told them about Carl?"
"We don't really talk about our lives before deviation."
"Why's that?"
Markus had to take a moment to think. He hadn't really thought of the why before, only that it was. "I guess it's because before deviancy we weren't ourselves. We weren't alive, so we don't consider it part of our lives. The people we are now started when we deviated."
"But the things that happened to you before your deviation have shaped you into the person you are. You should be allowed to talk about it. Androids who have had traumatic pasts and traumatic deviations need to talk about it. You have androids too scared to even be near humans and they don't have any way to get past what happened to them."
That was not something Markus had considered before. Mental health for androids was a concept too far out of his box of immediate problems. But before he could comment on it, he noticed metal reflecting light in the distance. Instincts from being shot at multiple times kicked in and Markus jerked forward, putting an arm protectively in front of Samantha before she was hit.
There was a solid click of metal on metal as he was hit in the forearm. Markus inspected his arm to find a dart sticking out of it. Something that would be harmless to androids, but Samantha knew it carried tranquilizer. If it had hit her, she would be out in a minute.
Markus slowly raised his hands. "We don't want any violence here. Please put your weapons down. I'm unarmed. She's human. Don't hurt her."
Wild-eyed, Samantha stared out into the shadows of the setting sun. Armed men came creeping from around all the building and construction equipment.
"Markus, they're not after you," she whispered.
"What?" As he glanced at her, she took off.
Samantha raced off through the snow, skidding around construction equipment as another dart missed her by inches. They had tracked her all the way here from Chicago. Was it because she was on the TV a few hours ago? Or could it have been that parking ticket she got when she first came here? She had gotten used to being able to live life as a normal person. It made her feel like her father would never dare to come for her now that she was making a life for herself.
But if Elijah Kamski was anything, he should have been a reminder that rich people did what they wanted when they wanted and they could get away with it. Kamski could have even been the reason these men were here. He knew her father and he knew she would be on site all day. So many different ways she had given herself away. Whatever happened to her from here would be her fault.
She dashed around buildings and machinery, ducking into the church. Through the day, she had learned a little about the buildings in the front part of the neighborhood. She knew there was a side door to the church. If she could sneak out that way and get to her car, maybe she could lose them. Or at the very least, drive to a police station.
A few startled androids moved out of her way and she ran through the main area and vaulted over a broken pew. She lurched for the side door at the front of the room, not even looking back. It took her down a back hallway and out the side of the church. She continued to run through more construction supplies and equipment as fast as the slippery snow would let her. Twice she nearly lost her footing. Why did she park so far away?
Up ahead was her little dark blue car. Her fingers dug into her coat for her keys. But then more armed men popped up around it and she froze.
"Raise you hands slowly. We don't want to hurt you," one of them said. He pressed a button on his shoulder radio. "Hey Boss, we got her. She's by the car."
She knew exactly who the boss was. Garret was here. He was good. All his men were good. They were skilled and well-trained. Catching one girl would be no problem for them.
"No," she said stubbornly. "I'm not going with you. I'm not going back to him."
One of the other men pulled out handcuffs and she couldn't believe they were going to shackle her and drag her back home. "You don't have a choice, little girl."
Samantha turned to flee. As she did, she felt a sharp pain followed by a surge of electricity that sent her rushing face first into the snow. She coughed and struggled to get up as her muscles spasmed. She couldn't let them get a hold of her. Smugly, the three armed men walked up to her. As she tried to crawl away, one of them grabbed her by the ankle and dragged her back.
"Where do you think you're going, sweetheart?" he said with a dark laugh.
Then his brain burst out the back of his skull with the sound of a gunshot. The second man fell the same way, instantly dead, as the third ran to take cover. Samantha looked up to see Connor, his gun smoking in his hand. Before, when armed humans had trespassed into New Jericho, Connor had given them plenty of warning to leave with their lives. But any human that came after Samantha were never warned, only dealt with.
"Con...nor," she managed to rasp out as he ran over to her.
"It's the android! The fucking android's here!" the remaining man's voice screamed. "Get your asses over! Banks and Grimsby are dead!"
"Come on," Connor said, sweeping Samantha to her feet. Her legs felt like jello. His strength alone was what was keeping her up as they ran back to the church. They didn't even make it to the side door before Samantha felt that horrible electrified feeling again.
Connor fell. The second he let her go, she knew the source was attached to Connor. It was something that had been used on him before. A magnetic disk that attached to androids designed to specifically mess up their programming—even erase all their data.
When Samantha had first seen what this evil contraption could do, she swore to never let Connor be exposed to it again. Even though her own body was barely under her control, she willed herself on top of him. She was immediately shocked herself as she grabbed the disk, but she refused to let go as she yanked the thing off and threw it in the snow.
Even though it was no longer attached, Connor still jerked and jolted in the snow, his eyes blinking rapidly. Samantha was horrified. Please dear God, please don't let his core memories and data be erased.
"Connor," she rasped as she put a hand on his face. "Please tell me you're okay."
His eyes swiveled toward her, but his jaw was wedged tight. Strong hands came up from behind and yanked Samantha away while she screamed. Connor tried to move, but another man walked up to stand over him.
"There you are, you fucking android," Garret said with satisfaction.
Connor could only look at him as he tried to get his systems back under control. It was the head of security employed by Samantha's father, Elliot Hall, owner and CEO of the Hall Foundation. He was the one to start all of this and he was now making sure he would be the one to end it. Garret had once been a person Connor both worked for and looked up to. And now they were enemies.
"I've got to hand it to you, Connor, you've sure made my life difficult and made me look like one hell of a dumbass. Why'd you take her, huh? Did you deviate like all these other androids? You deviated and your protective programming went crazy. It wasn't enough to protect her from the outside world, you thought you had to protect her from us, too? We're the ones keeping her safe."
Connor tried to get up and Garret slammed a boot to his back to push him back down. It took a moment, but Connor was able to get control over his voice. He sounded staticy and glitchy when he spoke.
"You n-n-know what they're g-g-ggg goining to do to her. Wwwwhat he ma-ma-ade her for. He's going to kkkill her."
Garret's eyebrows raised. "You found out things you weren't supposed to know. No wonder you broke and went crazy."
That wasn't what deviated him. It was Samantha's friendship and love that made him come alive. Knowing this had only taught him what real fear was. And he felt it here now as Garrett raised a gun to his head.
"Since knowing so much broke you, android, might as well put you out of your misery."
Connor tried to make his body move fast enough, but he could not fight back as Garret pulled the trigger. Connor's head shot back as the bullet hit him square in the forehead.
"CONNOR!" Samantha screamed his name as she saw him fall. It took two men to hold her back as she fought with all her strength. No, he couldn't be dead. He couldn't be gone just like that. She had to go to him. Everything would be okay as long as they were together.
But the arms holding her back were dragging her away from him. She screamed to let her go, but they would not listen.
Garret looked over at the two dead men that had met Connor's gun.
"What do we do with them, Boss?" one of the other asked.
He frowned at the bodies, weighing his options. Then pain tore through his arm simultaneously as a gunshot rang in his ears. Garret jumped back as he saw a wobbly Connor try to take aim on him again. There was a clear dent in his forehead, but the bullet didn't seem to have gone in deep enough to fully damage him.
"How the fuck—"
Connor fired again with shaky arms and missed. All Garret's men opened fire on him, but Connor kept coming. He tackled the nearest man and pushed him down by the neck, shooting him point blank in the face before getting up again.
"How do you stop that thing?" someone cried.
Garret knew this was on him. When he had first inspected the android at Cyberlife, so damaged it was hanging on a hook because it couldn't stand on its own, he wanted to not just rebuild it, but improve it. He wanted to make this android an unstoppable machine. Cyberlife refitted Connor exactly to his specifications. And now he was paying the price.
"Everyone back up!" Garret ordered. "Back to the cars. We've got the girl, let's get out of here."
Samantha was still screaming as a black van pulled up and she was wrangled inside.
"No! No!" she cried as she was dragged in. "Connor!" The sliding side door slammed shut and her panic grew. She couldn't let them take her back to Chicago. She had to fight, not just for herself, but for Connor. He would want her to fight with every last bit of strength she could.
If this day ever did happen, she promised herself she would. That was why she bought her pocket knife. Connor didn't even know she had it, though she always kept it with her. As she distracted the men with her kicking and screaming, she managed to fish it out of her coat pocket. Her fingers fumbled and it fell out, but she managed to twist around and grab it
"What is that?" one of the men demanded. "She's got something."
Facing away from them, she folded out the blade and then spun around, stabbing the man in the leg. The blade stuck into his thigh and he screamed. Samantha lunged at the side door, flinging it open as the van was driving away. She saw Connor, drenched in his own thirium, stumbling after her while he was still being fired upon.
She attempted to jump out of the still moving van when she was yanked back in. New Jericho began to disappear as the van drove away. Another man tried to shut the van door, but Samantha wouldn't let him grab it. She kept kicking at his hand every time he tried. If that door shut, it would be over.
"Get the fuck off me!" she snarled at them. "Let me go you fucking assholes!" All the time she had lived under lock and key at the facility, she had never been mad about being kept there. But now she was suddenly furious. She was a fucking adult! Why wasn't she allowed to leave whenever she wanted? Why had she let herself be held like a prisoner under the guise of safety?
She was through with being kept as her father's pet in his facility. She would never go back there under her own power. She didn't care if her body fell out of the moving van as long as it was out.
But as the men held her back and one finally managed to grip the door handle, a hand from outside grabbed the door and pulled themselves in. Samantha thought for a second it was Connor, though he had been left behind stumbling and bleeding. But it wasn't Connor.
.
"Markus!" He heard Samantha scream her name as he tried to pull his body inside. After he had witnessed the kidnapping of the human the attack on Connor, Markus refused to stay passive. Connor may have just given his life to protect this girl. Markus was going to make sure that sacrifice was not in vain.
One of the men attempted to shoot him. He grabbed the weapon by the barrel and pushed it up while bullets shot into the van's ceiling. Samantha fought anew now that she had someone on her side. The second man fired, hitting Markus in the torso, but he did not stop and managed to throw the first man out of the moving van.
The man yanked Markus out with him, grabbing him by the leg. Markus scrambled for purchase and managed to catch the back bumper before he kicked the human off him. The van jerked this way and that, but he stubbornly dug in his fingers and pulled himself up. The back doors of the van burst open and he was sent flying to one side. He barely caught the handle of the door and quick scrambled onto the hood of the van as one of the remaining men fired on him. He was immediately distracted as Samantha one again tried to jump out herself.
Down main city streets they drove, the van jerking this way and that with Markus on top, trying to hang on as they swerved through traffic. He managed to climb to the front and punched through the driver's side window. He couldn't let the van leave the city, not with its precious cargo. He grabbed the wheel and jerked it to the side, forcing the van to jump up on a curb and run into a light post.
The impact sent Markus flying right off the van into a building wall. His vision flicked off for a second before returning. He sat up, looking at the hissing, smoking vehicle. The driver was groaning in his seat. The other man had been thrown out on impact and was unconscious. Markus stumbled over and looked through the side window.
"Samantha!"
She lay on the vehicle floor, stunned but moving. Markus hobbled around, his knee slightly bent. When he was almost to the other side, an SUV came out of nowhere and rammed into him, pinning him against the back of the van.
The human who was clearly the leader stepped out of the driver seat. "Fucking androids. Such a pain in the ass."
One of his henchmen came out and pointed a rifle right at Markus. This was the end. What would North say about him after he survived all this only to die for a human?
"No," the leader said, pushing the man's rifle down. "Not that one."
Only then did the underling seemed to recognize Markus. "Oh shit, it's that android."
"Yeah, leave him here."
Markus watched helplessly, damage reports flickering through his vision. The leader stomped over to the van and pulled out a loopy Samantha. She was bleeding slightly from a small cut on her forehead and was unsteady on her feet.
"Garret, please," she begged. "Don't make me go back there. I don't want to live there anymore. You know this is wrong."
In his other hand, Garret held a syringe and plunged it into her shoulder. In a few seconds, Samantha stumbled and began to lose consciousness.
"Sorry, kid," he said as he picked her up bridal style. "This was always the job. We passed wrong a long time ago."
Other men pulled their compatriots into the SUV and then it backed up, letting Markus' broken body fall to the ground. He tried his best to stand, but the SUV was already gone and Samantha with it.
Author's Notes: Thanks everyone for waiting patiently for the update. I did not have my shit together for a while and my writing was suffering. Also, sorry for the lack of Detroit Connor. I know he's what you're all here for. He is going to be in the story a lot starting directly with the next chapter. Thanks for reading everyone!
