November 11th, 2038

AM ?:?:?


In the human world, he'd been counted out. Reported missing. Grouped in with the other deviants on the run.

But androids…they knew better.

The threat that was Connor had never been dismissed. The potential run-in with him was a nightmare that lurked in the back of their ever-processing minds, the possibility of an encounter at every turn.

His eyes narrowed like blades, his sights barreling down the length of the pistol and impaling the rebel leader at the end of it. His lips formed a hard line, jaw tense – deep contours where the muscles strained the most.

If you were on the receiving end of his wrath, you'd be just as horrified as the leaders of Jericho were.

Lucky for you…he was here to save you.

And once that overwhelming sense of relief lifted its blinders, something dawned on you that serendipity hadn't allowed you to bring into question. You were paralyzed by the thoughts creeping up from the depths of your consciousness.

Was this the real him? Or a trap you were about to fall into – another RK800 that had to get you alone in order to kill you?

"Put the gun down, Connor." Markus eased his hands, "There's no need for this. You're one of us now."

"You think just because I'm deviant means I'm like you?" Connor huffed through his nose, "You wouldn't know proper negotiation techniques if they slapped you in the face."

Markus's fists curled at his sides, "Why are you here?"

"I stuck to the shadows of this city until I could safely make my way to Jericho. I wanted to reason with you and put a stop to this. However, my primary objective has changed." His nose twitched, "I don't have much to say anymore."

"What, you came to rescue her?" North snickered, "What do you even need from her?"

"My needs or wants have nothing to do with it." A braced pain almost broke through his dangerous alter-ego, "I love her…and right now, she needs me more than ever."

Your lips pursed, and you bit the flesh behind them. Wanted to run and dive into his securing embrace, but couldn't.

"Is that why you've been so willing to turn on your own kind, Deviant Hunter?" Markus cocked his chin.

"That's a little hypocritical, don't you think? I remember those operators at the Stratford Tower…romanticized with freedom, and then left behind to be martyrs. But that's enough chitchat." He looked at you, his eyes softening just a bit, "Come on. Let's go."

Your heart was pounding, and your chest rose and fell in a rapid succession.

If this wasn't your Connor, you would deliberately be handing yourself over to someone who wanted you dead. Jericho hadn't been the friendliest, but you didn't think they'd go so far as to kill you. From the sounds of it, they needed you.

"It doesn't look like she wants to go…" Markus took a step forward with his hands raised, "Perhaps she's begun to see reason."

"No-" You shot, "It's just…"

"Please. Just trust me." Connor urged.

His eyes were so pleading, so familiar. They were home.

You tried to make sense of it. Tried to come up with a good enough reason to shuffle the possibility of him being another imposter aside just for the sake of having something to be hopeful for.

How could an imposter get Anthony's clothes, after all? Unless they'd killed your Connor, and-

You ran into his arms, which received you with urgency. A protective grip encased you, one hand still aiming at the leader of Jericho. Connor took a step forward, the gun switching between the three heads as he positioned you farther behind him.

"What's your plan, now?" Markus asked, the flaps of his coat raising over his wrists as he put his hands in his pockets, "You thought you'd stroll into Jericho, take her back, and leave? All by yourself?"

You clung to him, squeezed him so hard and buried your face in his chest. His hand pressed against the back of your head. Markus and North were moving forward, you and Connor retreating in single steps as you watched them close in. You had to pull yourself together. Had to get ready to fight, even if it seemed like there was no chance of survival…

"If I wanted the three of you dead, I could've done it by now." Connor growled, "I thought I would be merciful, but it appears I've made a mistake."

"Easy, killer."

You lifted your eyes. Watched Markus and North look around…and then two red dots highlighted their chests.

These surprise entrances were beginning to be almost comical.

"Thought we'd be holed up out there for hours." Liera snickered, "Fancy seeing you two here, not that I'm surprised."

She was different – in fatigues, a jacket, regular boots, and a shemagh. She wasn't in her super-suit with the neural-link helmet…just a watch with its face turned towards the inside of her wrist.

"Likewise…" You tried not to gawk.

"I see you didn't take my recommendation to wear the MILITIA gear…" Grenier mumbled from your other side.

"Didn't have time…" You smiled nervously, pulling away from Connor to wipe your cheek.

"Oh, look who it is!" North swung her arms open towards Liera, "You're the woman from the protest, with the EMP launcher."

"You're the Teen Vogue knockoff android from the riot. With the ambush-"

"Don't give me that-"

"-And I'm gonna be the woman to put a bullet in your head if you don't watch your step."

Markus, Josh, and North relaxed, putting their hands down.

"Please, this doesn't have to end in violence…" Josh tried to calm everyone down, "Let's put the guns down, and-"

"All of this, just for her?" Markus interrupted him.

Josh's head hung in defeat, closing his eyes and shaking his head in what seemed like disappointed disbelief.

"Out there, in the field…My Captain gave me a set of orders. I intend to follow those through." Liera answered, "And so does my team."

"Always do." Grenier smirked.

You were pulled back to the riot – when Captain Allen could barely move and the two of you had just begun being escorted back to safety.

"Don't let them get her…"

You figured this isn't what he had in mind. Wondered how he got permission to send the Marauders here – unsupervised…

Or were you all being watched?

Liera slung the rifle, letting it rest at her side. Grenier and Connor, however, still held their aim.

"First things first…"

She shot her right hand forward – her "skin" disappearing from her prosthetic, an occurrence that Connor's mimicked. Her metal fingers wrapped around his plastic wrist, jerking him down to her level and causing his gun to faulter. You were ripped from his arm, coming to his aid as he cringed in pain, a slight gasp slipping through his lips.

"What are you-" Liera didn't budge.

She didn't even acknowledge you as you tried to pry her off.

A shuffling from behind had you turning – Markus and North lowering, ready to pounce.

"Ah-ah-ah…" Grenier warned, his bot floating over his shoulder, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

They looked at each other out of the corners of their eyes, Josh still standing by as what seemed a defeated, neutral party.

"You…" Markus squinted, "You're not entirely human, but you're not an android, either. What are you? Who, are you?"

"I'm a blurred line. And who I am, is none of your concern." Liera released Connor, putting her hands on her hips, "You're the original after all. Good."

"You probed, my memory." Connor hissed, "How? Why? And who else would I be?"

Liera returned to an armed stance, "We'll talk about it once we get to the safehouse. Right now, we need to get out of here. We're running out of time."

"Running out of time?" North huffed, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"How do you think we found Jericho?" Liera shot, her face contorting into an indirect insult like she was answering a stupid question, "And if we found it, who else do you think found it?"

Her rifle lowered, but only an inch, "Captain Allen was briefed on a raid being led by Special Agent Perkins and a team of US Army military personnel. They'll be here any minute, so if I were you, I'd stop asking questions and get your asses out of here."

"Perkins?!" Josh's arms unfolded, his posture going rigid.

"A raid…" North's words barely had any sound to them.

"We have to tell our people." Markus, however, snapped immediately into action, "We need to evacuate-"

A radio screeched from Liera's watch.

"Lasti-" Jack was breathing heavy, his lips smacking, "It's go time."

"Copy that." Liera nodded to you, Connor, then behind her, "Let's roll."

"What about us?" North growled, "What are we supposed to do?"

Liera shrugged, "Well, if you want anyone to make it out of here, Jericho's gonna have to get blown out of the water."

She drew a line across her neck with her hand.

"What?" Markus, Josh, and North echoed each other.

"If you're good little androids…" Grenier reached in his pocket, retrieving a cell phone…

A familiar, dated model. Not the same color as the one Marco had, but-

"I'll give you a head start before I detonate the blocks of C4 stuck to the bottom of this ship."

"C4?!" Markus's face twisted into fear.

"If it moves and it shouldn't? Use duct tape. If it's not moving and it should? Use WD-40. If it's in your way and you need it gone? Well…" He put his thumb on the dial button, "You put C4 on it."

"Lastimosa we've got positive contact, repeat, positive contact." Sage warned.

Liera lunged forward, grabbing your wrist, "Package secure, moving out."

The trio charged with leading Jericho didn't even try to stop her. She looked over her shoulder, guiding you past Connor and Grenier, looking Markus in the eyes with a cocky smile.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you."

You looked at him, too. Heard the words under his breath.

"May RA9 save us all…"

Your heart dropped. You blinked, your thoughts caught on a knot in your chest. You stopped, pulling your wrist free, standing in the doorway face-to-face with your previous captors.

"RA9 isn't going to just save the androids, Markus." You ignored Connor, urging you to keep moving, "RA9 is going to end this crisis on both sides…"

"Come on, we don't have time for this-" Liera grabbed you again, yanking you into from the drafty cabin into the icy winter.

You'd barely had time to catch your breath after you were dragged from the door to the edge of the ship. The blizzard had subsided into flurries, but the wind was still frigid.

Grenier looped his gun over his back, hopping over – clinging to a rusted ladder to begin his descent. A small boat floated on the choppy waves, a single person sitting on a bench in front of a motor.

"Watch it, Greenie." Liera called from over the edge, "There's lots of ice."

"Yeah, yeah…"

It was a long way down, and a cold night's swim.

Liera turned to you, "Your turn."

Your eyes went wide, your courage abandoning you until a hand gripped yours with fervor.

"I'm right here. You can do this."

You stared at him for a moment, ignoring Liera's impatient pacing as her neck swiveled like a spotlight searching for hidden threats.

"O-Okay…" You gulped.

You sat, swinging your legs over the open water – your feet blocking the boat from your view. You turned around, boots catching a rung and hands grabbing the bars bolted to the deck. They were freezing against your skin – almost sticking to them.

You held your breath, and started climbing down.

"Where's Miller?" You heard Grenier from below.

You wanted to close your eyes, but realized that wouldn't be the safest thing to do. So you'd stared at the side of the ship, passing a white-painted "R" chipping from steel. It seemed like too long ago. Too long that you'd been cold, and wet, and blasted by gusts of winds that interrupted the peaceful snowfall.

"On his way back, he's planting the last block." Jack answered.

"So you guys weren't really done?"

"Talon tried to get him to stop. Hypothermia and all that."

"He's going to freeze to death before we make it out of here…" She mumbled.

Their voices had gotten closer as you made your way down, but you didn't dare look. Your arms were getting tired, your legs shaky. If you'd had a proper night's sleep, hadn't just controlled a riot or been knocked out and captured behind enemy lines, this may not have been as hard for you. Descending a ship of this size was no easy task – but with unmet basic human needs getting in the way, it made it feel impossible.

"He's got his winter set on and he's done this plenty of times, Sage." Jack argued, "If he says he's good, he's good."

"We'll see about that."

Your foot slipped, a tendon popping in your arm as your body tightened to prevent falling. Your teeth locked, holding on with everything you had.

"Oh – hey, I gotchya-" Grenier reached out, grabbing your waist to help you, and taking your hand as you stepped down and into the boat.

You stumbled before being lowered on a bench, hugging yourself between muscle spasms and bone-chilling shivers.

The boat was a white thing with fancy gadgets and leather seats, and a cooler big enough to fit half a bar in. It looked oddly like…

"Isn't this Captain Allen's boat?"

A picture on his desk – one with his daughter holding a fishing rod, and his wife behind them in a sunhat.

"Get your life vest on and buckle up." Liera's boots hit the deck as she dropped from a few bars up, the boat rocking in response, "Coop, we good to go?"

Connor followed, lifting from a crouch, eyes finding you immediately.

"Ask her." He yawned, nodding to Sage.

"Almost-" She jumped up, watching the screen of a wrist computer, "Here he comes."

"Who?" You asked, holding your arms out so Connor could put your life vest on.

A black line in the water went taut, a curtain of water falling from underneath.

"The craziest son-of-a-bitch on this team." She snorted.

Liam's arm reached up, and Sage caught it with a strong arm. Jack helped her pull their squad member out of the blackness, a splash marking his exit. Wet slaps from a pair of fins announced he was on board.

"Hot damn," Liam pulled a mask off, shaking the water from his beard, "Who needs coffee when ya got 20-degree water to swim in?"

"Cut the heroic rubbish." Sage hissed, draping a mylar blanket around his shoulders and putting a stethoscope to her ears, "I should have you put on medical suspension for this."

She held the other end on his wrist, glaring at the face of her watch.

"Doubt Cap would appreciate you reportin' an off-the-record act of treason." He snickered.

Your brows creased, knitting themselves together, "Pardon?"

Connor scooted closer to you, putting an arm around you. Your question seemed less important after that.

"Your vitals are good…" Sage shook her head, snapping a bag and giving it to Liam.

"Thanks, Doc."

"Tch…"

"Excuse me-" You interrupted, irritated by their lack of acknowledgement, "What was that about treason?"

"Nothing." Jack answered for them, pushing a button on the boat's console, "We'll explain everything once we get-"

The engine roared to life, but it wasn't enough to drown out the hovercraft swinging around on the other side of the boat. Wasn't enough to mute the screeching tires of trucks holding armor and circled-star brandings, or the marching of boots as they paraded from their innards.

Grenier detached the boat from Jericho, and Jack spun the wheel with frantic turns. Floating ducks, without much room to get away. You were finally able to close your eyes, and block out the world. Wrap your arms in the warmth of Connor's jacket, and press your face against a shirt that you'd cried in many times before. And just like Anthony, he ran his hand down your back, and hugged you tight.

Connor squeezed you, lowering your head, "Stay down…"

The boat slapped against the water as it picked up speed, ramping up and slamming down on either side of the waves. Numbness spread from one cheek to the other, arctic sprays burning your face as the hull left a white-water trail. It was an odd mix with tears of relief, hot and stinging.

"C'mon, go faster…" Liera muttered.

You jumped in Connor's arms as gunfire boomed from the other side of Jericho. The others all looked to the source, their chins snapping and faces hardening in a synchronized, trained response.

"30 meters out." Liera reported, looking up from her own wrist-mounted screen, "Grenier?"

Her call to action had them all looking at Chris, instead.

"Just…hold on-"

"What?" Liera spat, "We don't have time for you to-"

"What about all the androids, what about-"

You unwound yourself from Connor, your eyes narrowing in confusion. He seemed just as lost, too…especially when Liera lost her temper, and Grenier showed fear for the first time since you'd met him.

She grabbed him by the straps on his vest, knuckles digging in the front of his shoulders, "You think I wanted to pull that trigger back at the riot? No." She jabbed a finger in his chest, "But sometimes, we've gotta do what we've gotta do to save the majority."

He bit his lip choking back tears – shaking his head and looking over to the side. Looking at you.

"60 meters out." Sage relayed.

His eyes held such regret, such sorrow. He was searching for grace, almost like he was waiting for you to tell him it was okay…

But you didn't know what it was.

"Come on, Grenier. That things only got a 100-meter range. If you don't hit that button, they all die."

Until you did.

"And what if I kill a soldier?" Grenier turned back Liera, shoving her off of him, "Someone who's just doing their job? Like US?!"

"Don't be stupid – no one will be down that far yet, but if you keep waiting-"

"90 meters…Grenier, you've gotta do it-" Sage choked.

"I know, I know, it's just-"

You jumped up from the bench. Snatched the phone from his hand.

The number had been dialed, but you were the one to hit call…

As cold as the air was, a warm blast soothed your skin. As dark as the night sky had become, it was lit ablaze with fire – the heavens hidden behind a pillar of smoke. The byproduct of a chain reaction, just like the war itself.

Debris pierced the water around you like falling stars, and you were covered by a body much harder than a human's…

And after a moment, you were allowed to stand. Allowed to fall backwards; to drop the cell phone and sit on the bench, watching the walls of Jericho fall.

You thought about Alice. Kara. Luther. Lucy…

All of them.

Sinking the ship would force the soldiers to retreat. You'd given all the androids aboard the burning freighter a fighting chance...only hoping they were still alive, and able to take that chance.

"You did the right thing…" Liera placed a hand on your shoulder, passing you.

Grenier just stood there. Miller, Jack, Sage – they didn't say anything…just stared off into space in a daze.

If it hadn't been so horrific, it would've been glorious. A bright display of infernal hope that painted the water with oranges, and reds, and yellows…colors that matched a crisp sunrise.

"Did Mayumi get him to cooperate?" Liera whispered, trying to sound unbothered.

"Of course she did." Sage muttered, "She never fails…"

You chalked your situational survey up to "inconclusive," unsure if what Liera said was correct. It was an impulsive decision based on an assumption. A repeated behavior that had you on the brink of death more than once.

"Where are we going…?" You whispered, looking up to Connor.

He held a sadness within him that his inhumane characteristics hadn't learned how to hide properly. A vulnerable soul that you'd touched, or blemished…a debate that was also inconclusive.

"…I don't know."

"We left our truck at the rendezvous point." Liera answered from behind.

The two of you put your hands on the bench, twisting as your faces met in the middle to look back at her.

"We're taking you somewhere nobody will come looking for you." She sighed, pulling a hat over her head, "Any, of you…Us. Who fucking knows at this poi-"

"They're looking for Connor, too?" You interrupted.

"Well, yeah, he left the station and never reported to CyberLife…but..." She cleared her throat, "Just, look – you'll see when we get there."

Your fingers dug in the wood, so cold you could barely feel them, "I have a right to know what's going on."

"You barely have rights as a US citizen anymore." She barked, "We just risked our lives, our freedom, our everything to get your ass out of there, so if I were you, I'd be saying nothing but 'thank you.'"

You swallowed hard, neck snaking back in pained reprimand. Your eyes fell, and you faced forward – tucking your hands underneath your legs to keep them warm.

"…Thank you."

You didn't get an answer. There was no "you're welcome." It was still unclear if they were really following orders; still unclear if they actually wanted to risk "everything" on your behalf, or if it was out of obligation. You really hated being a burden on everyone. Hated this special treatment, and remembered how much you despised it when you were married to Elijah.

"Saint Anne's Church." Liera whispered.

Your eyes shot open. Your shoulders rose, and your body jerked as if it'd been hit.

Jericho hadn't been the first victim of your "irreplaceable fire."

You'd faced your past, armed with struck matches and gallons of gasoline; setting every bridge going backwards ablaze to light the way for a brighter future…

But those bridges had started somewhere. They had all connected to one place, one centralized location that marked the beginning of their construction.

"As for who we're meeting…"

An oath-binding proposal made by the world's architect.

"…I'm sure the two of you will have a lot to talk about."


Behind the Scenes

(Links on AO3)


Written to "The One to Survive" by Hidden Citizens