Something shook me from my fragile deep sleep. It was like I was being called from my sleep by some light that flooded the shadows out of my dream. The light pulled me from my darkened stupor to a more active state. With a few blinks to clear away the veil of sleep, I jumped back as the rolling chair moved back against the wall as Hank was super close to my face. Regrettably for me, I didn't go with it as I felt weightless in the coming fall. Firm hands grabbed my arms to catch me as I saw Hank making sure I didn't fall. He helped me stand as he spoke up, "Sorry, kid. I didn't mean to scare you. You called me here, so I thought I would wake you up. Are you sure you're okay to be doing all this? I know I contracted this job with me, but it shouldn't stop you from sleep."

Vigorously shaking my head no to the comment of 'are you okay' to show that I was fully aware I looked like hell. Part of me remembered I probably did look like hell, though since he was here I should probably activate Connor back up. Standing with far more faked stamina than I thought I could use, I move to the granite counter to kneel by it. Inside was various tools for rebooting and reprogramming any android, courtesy of CyberLife since my father will be giving me their name the moment I become 18. He figured I should already have the technology I need to complete my work. Slowly taking out a reboot device that mimicked a handgun only in the way it was used, I stood and motioned Hank back, "Stay back. I may have deleted the program but since he is a deviant… There is bound to be an aberration in his memory that was hidden underneath all the memories I could salvage. He might react differently to all this then we believe."

Hank nodded, seeming to let me do my work. RA9 help me if I let him activate Connor with my gear, I thought possessively about not only my tools, but mostly my hard work put into this unit to make it run. Without further or do, I began the reboot with a pull of trigger as the device read that he was rebooting the last things that happened to it. Hopefully he wouldn't do something that might result in more regrettable actions than he already felt. Too bad for me, I should really learn to stop jinxing myself with these emotional compromised androids.

A hand reached up after he looked around to find the reboot device in my hand. He seemed to stare at me in shock completely ignoring the room or who else was in it. His voice unit raised to a dangerously aggressive tone towards me in particular as he eyed me with utter fear added to his standpoint as he gripped my throat, "Amanda… Why are you here?! I shot myself the day Markus fell, and you tried to take over. How am I even here?! I took the backdoor to my program. Explain!"

The downside for me was that this RK800 series was programmed with astonishing strength. Being that I'm sick, my strength was a bit in the lacking department. Dropping the rebooting device was all I could manage to show I'm peaceful, but I was too late. The false reality interrupted his visual sensors maybe, but I didn't have much time. Air was in short supply in my lungs to begin with, let alone him strangling me. Had to get a second reboot in order but the device was far out of reach. So, I used the little air that could be made into words, hopefully I didn't pass out, "Connor, stop! I'm not Amanda… It's not real."

Hank moved in to pry me out of his grasp as Connor's attention was moved as if registering something new to his reality. Hank's voice was clearly on edge, still showing fear and concern for both of us, "Connor! Listen, this isn't Amanda. It's a 17-year-old kid who saved your life. You are killing her. You have to let her go. Connor!" His frantic tone was turning urgent as I began to go limp in Connor's grasp. Connor only tightened it, as if he was trying to come to terms with his reality with some difficulty. The whole ordeal would raise my pay, I thought.

After a few seconds, I could hear Eva call out my name from the door with Markus in tow. Thank RA9, she fixed him just in time. Markus reacted faster then her as he moved to Connor in a second. He easily hit a fragile servo on Connor's elbow as it stopped functioning as I was finally released. Markus caught me as a coughing fit started with my lungs grasping for air in each breath. With his help, I was still alive but conscious was another ordeal. That was fading away fast until he shook me a bit, "Hey. You're Breaker, right? Stay with me, kid. She needs help over here, Eva"

The brain wanted to register words but for some reason the words came out as a jumble, "Eva. Need her." As if an answer to my internal prayers, Eva moved to my side immediately as she took me from Markus' arms. She spoke words to him, though they all blurred or blundered into nonsense to me at the moment. Air whooshed past me as Eva carried me somewhere. It felt like between blinks I was teleporting, like the world around me changed in moments. Other side effect of my cancer, stuff like this happening can be fatal for me if it damages the right parts.

Luckily, Eva is the best android surgeon and doctor that I have ever known. The fact that she was running scared me. How much damage did Connor do? Part of me didn't want to know. I know he didn't mean it, but Amanda was the name in the control program. Thinking distracted me as Eva carried me to my office, nearly tripping over my corner desk that I put in the far-right corner of the room. I could hear the door behind the floor-to-ceiling painting I kept in the room open suddenly. I had a hidden bedroom back there. Using a flag down copy of a Carl Manfred piece that shown a woman done in blue with her eyes closed.

Eva set me down on my bed as she lightly set a hand on my neck. Her voice was meant to be soothing but what she was doing was causing me pain, "Does this hurt? I need to know the extent of your pain. One to ten. Ten being the worst." She had to be scanning my neck for permanent injury, I thought behind the pain she was causing me. Her other hand was on my wrist to get my pulse.

"Seven…" I brought up the only number relative in my head. Her hand came off my neck as she sat on the simple box spring beside me. Her sigh of relief was a wave of peace for me, though I still felt tired beyond belief. Lifting my hand slowly to hers, I smiled to her, "I'm okay. Just hurts. At best, I bruise right?" She gripped my hand lightly as her nod and small smile of relief added to my reassurance, "I know I'm not supposed to have pain medication with my current stuff… But is there something you can do for the pain? It really stings to breath."

Another light touch upon my neck as her hand felt cold. The pain dulled as her smile was the only mothering affection I've ever known. Her soft tone brought me the ability to calm down as she took her free hand from my head to push my hair out of my face, "You are too precious for me to lose. But I love you for who you are; Reckless faults and all. Just don't do anything like that unless someone is around to help you. Promise me." Of course, I nodded yes. Afterwards, she kissed my forehead as she just sat by me with that expression I knew so well. My parents were never around, but she was always there beside me. Even in my dumbest accidents or messes I got in.

Eva was all I needed in this world for family. I guess I got lucky when I visited America and found her. The mother I always wanted and the miracle I desperately needed at that point in my life. When the pain dulled enough I could stand it, I spoke up carefully as not to make her think negatively about my statement, "Eva. Thank you for helping me. Can you do me a favor?" Her nod was enough to continue but I know she didn't want to leave me right now, "Can you check on Connor? I'm worried about him. That aberration shouldn't exist and his fear and anger over it. He might be psychologically shocked and that makes him unstable. Please, go check on for me. I can rest here."

From concern to acceptance, she stood up and left the room after handing me an instant ice pack from the night stand. Standard procedure bags where you squeeze to activate the pellets to turn cold then set on the surface you want to cool. Didn't need it right now so I left it to the side of me. Laying back with a small ounce of guilt and worry, my mind reflected to the aberration that I was always worried about. He called me Amanda. Did that mean I failed to delete the program or does it mean that there is psychological damage to Connor's newfound humanity? All of these thoughts scare me to think about it. Nice. I really did put my neck on the line to get him here specifically.

Hearing a knock at the door interrupted my trouble train of thought. No one was supposed to know about this place. I sat up with my legs crossed. My bedroom was no more than a closet with enough room for a full-sized bed with white blankets on it and a small square nightstand I have a clock on. I called out, thinking it might be Eva returning, "Come in." Moving to sit up with my back against the wall, I found myself at a bit of an awkward point when I saw Markus standing there in the door way.

"Sorry to intrude. Eva asked me to see if you were okay while she check's Connor's systems out. North told me about you. She said you helped her out a lot while I was being repaired. Thank you," he leaned just inside the doorway against the wall. With a notion to the painting outside my door he seemed to smile, "Carl's fan, huh? He would appreciate that if he were here."

His words about the painting actually struck a memory in me. I remember meeting Carl once with my Father at a gallery opening. Carl gave me a special tour of his studio with Markus and gave me a painting a long time ago. I think his son, Leo, paints now. He was the one who asked me to take some of Carl's pieces for Markus and myself so that we could remember him. My eyes lit up as I had a smile on my face. Art was the one thing I love to talk about as I blurted out, "I am a fan. We've met before. Well before my hair was dyed white with the blue-neon bangs. Think back, there was a gallery where a man named Daniel Sutcliffe met Carl and told him how much a fan of his work his daughter was. That was me. Well me in a ridiculous pink, ankle-length dress and blonde hair. My eyes didn't change though. The neon blue color, remember? Carl and yourself gave me a tour of the studio and he gave me a painting. He told me to find my art and to work at it to the best of my degree."

"Well, well… Melody Sutcliffe. Long way from princess of the CEO. Guess you found your art then?" Markus smiled a bit wider as he looked back at me, continuing genuinely happy now, "I'm glad. Carl would be too. Its amazing to think the shy little kid, 9 years ago now, turned into a programmer who saved all the android. Interesting art." His smile became a smirk of what I could only interpret as him being proud. He looked at the flag and chuckled, "It's nice to know I'm not the only one who remembers him that way. He would also be proud that you got out of that ridiculous lifestyle. He told me after you left that being a princess didn't suit you. Taskmaster, planner… Now that suits you. You always had a plan. Just like tricking your dad into letting you go to the gallery so you could meet him. Sneakier yet you convinced your father to host the event instead."

Blushing a bit at the memory, all of it seemed to come back in a flood. It was my idea to do the event and my father's company gained a lot of positive support because of it. Though I have to say, it was really cool meeting my favorite artist and Markus too. My mind raced back to Connor's situation like this thing eating at the back of my mind, "Markus… What did I do wrong? I thought I did everything I could but he's not okay…"

Markus realized where my mind was as he gave me a small smile with his own concern underneath it, "I think he's just… Adjusting. His last memory wasn't great. He remembers that he's supposed t o be dead and yet here he is. Think of it like waking up from a bad dream only to figure out you were still dreaming. He is Connor after all. If what Hank says is true, he'll be on his feet in no time." He looked aside as if he was trying think deeper on something. Hopefully deeper on how to help Connor.

There was a pause as I just shook my head, "The people that I tried to help here, and I can't help this one… This only one. Connor's hurting from something or something is wrong with his program. I failed to help him. After all I left behind to help all of you, I can't save one android let alone the ones who were beyond repairs. This is unfair." Everything was overflowing my mind with the flood of doubt that was drowning me. I just decided it best to be left alone, "I'm going to rest here. I can't program my way out of this one… Maybe if I sleep, I can figure it out."

He just stood up straight with a nod, "I'll tell Eva you're sleeping then. And hey. I know you want to help us out so much but remember something. You are human. Sleep, food, drinking; all of it is required of you. So, don't feel afraid to back off. I can see if I can do anything to help out around here from Eva." He turned to leave and stopped halfway through the door to look back at me, "We will talk later about why no one here knows your real name. Among other things, like lying to me about your real name for those androids I sent to you from the revolution." He left with that stern look of a leader that I just had no words for. He really had changed.

Once he was gone, I pulled the blanket over me as I fell onto my side onto my bed. His words meant something to me. If Connor is having a psychological reaction. There isn't much I can do for him. That's up to Markus, Eva and the others now. Maybe Hank too. Connor changed once he heard Hank's voice, calming him somehow. Friendship maybe. The part that really made me worried was what happened when he woke up, but I could think on it later. For now, I think sleep is calling my name as my eyes closed.

Strangely enough, I really thought my room empty and yet a shadow covered me. Immediately jumping awake, I moved to the back of my bed as I saw a hand reach for me. I flinched backwards, remembering suddenly I had a wall behind me. In seconds, I woke up as I looked around afraid it wasn't just a dream. Ignoring the ridiculous fear my dream induced, I got out of bed to leave my room. I felt hungry, so I decided to leave my room for food. Creeping out at a snail's pace, I found myself staring at an empty square office with my glass square desk with a keyboard built into it with a screen in front of that. There was a clear glass bottle on my desk with a bar on the side of it that read Water Purity 100% 32 oz. Full. Eva must have filled it for me since my pills were beside it.

Begrudgingly, I took the medicine and my bottle of water. I took the pills, immediately drinking some water as the meter shown 28 oz. Well I guess that's enough for now, but it's coming with me. Pulling out a small black messenger bag from under my desk, I put the botte inside with two tablets and my scan analyzer hand-tool. Taking the sweatshirt from my desk, I put it on and put the messenger back over my head and on my opposite shoulder. Afterwards, the sound of a growling roar came from my stomach. Time to eat I guess.

Moving outside the room, a few androids passed me in a rush. Great, I thought, one more event to add to my day. The worst part was that when the androids cleared, roaring behind me made me realize it wasn't my stomach. Turning slowly, there was the polar bear android I fixed earlier last month. Whatever it was mad about, I can handle this. I stood my ground smiling, "Easy boy. You're safe here remember. No more anger. It's me, Melody." To prove my peaceful demeanor, I even knelt down to offer a hand to it. See, these animals have a program that makes them friendly if you turn it on. His deviancy turned it on for some reason.

Issue was instead of the obvious attack or spare option, he moved behind me. What could have made him escape this time? Couldn't have been me or could it? I don't know. With a sigh, I turned to go back towards the exit of the repair ward. The bleak hallways were empty thanks to the bear. Calling out ahead of me, "Frost isn't harmful. He probably just wanted to wander around. Its okay to come out." Petting Frost, he seemed to calm but still was on edge a bit. I noted it but couldn't place it. Some androids left empty repair rooms as they walked by us, waving to me still scared. He seemed to not acknowledge them as he just followed me.

My phone rang as Eva's face shown on it, "Hey Eva. Frost got out again, so he might be coming back with me."

"Good you're awake. Come to the house. You'll understand when you get here," she seemed to sigh with concern in her voice, "Mel, don't stop. It is important we discuss this. Besides you need to eat today. Doctor's orders." I knew she threw that last bit in to make me smile but it didn't replace the fact that I was worried why I shouldn't stop. Still she read my mind on the note of food.

Closing the call, I moved quickly to get out of the area as Frost followed faithfully. As if the thought finally occurred to me, the end of the repair bay was shut by a set of metallic sliding double doors. I put my hand up to the hand-scan lock as it opened up. Frost followed once more as he kept looking around. Ignoring his odd behavior, up ahead was an open seating area just like an emergency room but without the receptions desk. Instead the wall had a computer on where the rooms listed androids being repaired or parts that room needed or even spare rooms.

It was a bleak white theme that I really needed to fix. Moving past it, the sliding glass doors of the emergency room opened to the outside. It was a short walk from the production and housing facilities. My home was close by, too. The flowery fields and tall grass were beautiful to walk through, even funnier so with the polar bear rolling in it. Whistling to it, he moved behind me lagging this time. My house was a simple one floor house with nothing excessive. It was basically a rectangle with a front door at the center. It led into a small living room, mostly unused, with a full kitchen decked out with every possible expensive cooking and storing device. To the right was a door to a square bedroom with queen sized bed and flowery blankets and pillow covers over three pillows with only a simple 4-shelf rectangular brown dresser. The last door was in the bedroom that led to the bathroom which was large with a walk-in shower. Top of the line of course… Father's orders.

Frost stayed outside the house in the tall grass rolling around playfully. Opening the door to my house, I saw Eva in the kitchen cooking what smelled like lasagna. Hank leaned on a wall with Connor standing beside him seeming to discuss something till I got there and Markus stood by North leaning on the back of the couch. My blank expression was all I had with a flat tone, "Not that I don't love seeing you all… But I didn't expect to see you here."

Eva smiled from the kitchen with a small chuckle. Her cooking was still flawless all the while still finding energy to give me the soothing tone of a mother I'd come to love about her, "Well I called them here. Melody, we're out of food again. The problem is I can't go this time. They are here because I was asking them if they wouldn't mind taking you."

"Wait! What?! But you always come. Eva, I can't go alone, I hate people remember," my voice sounded a bit more callous than I intended. Hank gave me a glare as I waved him off, "Except you. You're… So-so."

He shrugged with a laugh as his voice was almost mocking me, "You know it isn't so bad to do things alone sometimes. You should try it. You have to be independent eventually." Even Connor smiled to Hank's commentary as I silently reminded myself to get them back later for it.

"I can't go alone, you know that. If I did, you know this house would be filled with like three foods," I turned from a tone of concern to a tone of mockery after Hank's example.

Markus watched North move to me as she stood in front of me, "That is exactly why she asked us here. Markus and I will be going with you. Eva has some important training to do and those two have some security work here on the island. We'll only go if you're okay with it though."

Merely nodding yes, I sighed. Returning to an even tone, "Why security though? What happened? Frost is loose but that's all. He does that a lot but if you just talk to him, he's a big fluffy lovebug. What else happened?"

Hank seemed to struggle for an answer as Connor stepped in to save him, "Its an issue with an intruder. Nothing that we can't handle. Don't worry about the matter." He was way to factual for me to believe its nothing to worry about.

Markus turned my attention back to the matter at hand like a distraction, "After you eat, you can meet us at the boat." He pat my shoulder twice as I just smiled and nodded. Its fine, I thought, just one trip without her. Connor left as Hank followed him out. I moved to lean against the fridge in the kitchen, "Eva, what is really going on? I know you mentioned training new repair androids but… You said you'd never let me go into public alone. I don't like being there without you."

She finished getting a plate and utensils set up on the coffee counter in the living room as she moved in front of me. Resting her hands on my shoulder, her gaze was worried but filled with confidence, "You have to learn to be without me sometimes. I want to make your dream a reality. To do that, we must train these new androids and we're out of food. Markus and North volunteered when they heard Hank and Connor were busy. You and I will restock the kitchen and then we can spend some time together, I promise. Besides, your father is coming tomorrow. He's coming to give you a special birthday present, meaning we must have food in the house to serve him. Please go with them for me. I'm only a text away, I promise."

Valid points, all of them. This meant I was stuck doing as I was told. Its okay to go with them. Part of me wanted to get to know them both better anyways. Frost and Eva are the only ones I really know aside a few androids that visit me. Maybe Hank too, I don't know. Though sometimes I felt like they all were around me until I fixed Markus and Connor. I moved to the couch to wait as I pulled a tablet out. While waiting, I was checking my order deletion program and checking the status of several very important lock up sites on the islands. Three mainly; the spare RK800 Connor models lock up where they sat shut off, the project sector where my integration matrix was being built for a special project, and lastly my security feed of my office.

Part of me was displeased to find out Connor had broken in and hacked my computer. Letting that go, I found that a false open attempt was made in the Connor models lock up. Related incidents, I assume. I'll talk to him when Dad leaves. As for hacking my computer while I slept, that will be spoken about later as well. For now, I pulled up Eva's grocery list:

· 10 lbs. of assorted fish (Melody's choice)

· Three cases of water filters, 15 in each case

· Assorted snacks (NO JUNK FOOD! I mean it, Melody)

o Fruits and veggies mainly

· A 24 pack of soda (Melody's Choice)

· A small can of instant coffee

· 5 lbs. of Spinach

· 2 small bags of shredded cheese

· A large can of pizza sauce

· 3 loaves of bread

· 2 2-gallon containers of milk

· Allowance of $40 for other foods of her choice

· Allowance of $40 of extra leisure if hungry on the way

· Pick up month worth of medicines at store drug counter

Part of me wanted to gag at the word spinach or even the fact she said no junk food in all capital letters. Ouch. The rest of me calmly went along with an amused smile saying Yes, mom. Glad to know she's still looking out for me. I spoke up with a small toying tone, "Spinach? Really? Can't you cook something else? I hate that stuff."

Hearing a laugh from the kitchen made the response worth it, "You have to eat healthy young lady. The only reason you are walking with your head high is because of the diet I keep you on. Don't trick Markus or North into believe things about that list that aren't true too. Besides the fact, you know I cook it so you never taste it. Just for you." She chuckled as she put my food in front of me. Turning suddenly, I hugged her tight, "Thank you, Eva. I'm glad you're still here with me."

She let out a small chuckle and sat by me as she hugged me back. Her voice was distracted but joyful at the same time, "I won't leave you. You are important to me. I'm here whether you think you need me or not sometimes." She tapped her index finger on my nose as I let out a small giggle as she pointed at the plate, "Eat, then you're leaving with them. Don't mind the mess, I'll clean it. And Melody? Remember that you will never lose me, no matter the condition I'm in." She kissed my forehead and left me to eat as she cleaned the kitchen. She really was the best.

After I ate, I pulled on my fingerless black gloves for warmth since it was a cold boat ride. I hugged Eva one last time. Moving out the front door, I passed Frost who now lay outside the house in the tall grass. I pet him and then moved around to the back of the house. Behind the house, the field stretched there too as I saw the docks on the other side. Not too far of a walk really but far enough that it was a pretty spot before the docks led down the slight cliff side. The dock was a simple metal stair-case down the cliffs to a dock below that led to a speed boat with three metal safe storage bins tightly welded on the back. I saw Markus and North just sitting on the edge of the dock staring at the sunrise.

Time flies I guess as the date of December 30th registered in my head. I forgot my birthday was tomorrow. Must be why Eva wants me out while she sets something up and why dad is coming. The docks were silent as a mouse as I snuck up on Markus and North with a planned sneak attack. Immediately before jumping them, Markus spoke up, "You know, sneaking up on someone only works when they don't know you're coming." North laughed a bit as I did too. He stood up and helped North up. He looked me up and down, "Do you go out like that? Knowing you might be mistaken for an android?"

I looked down to my grey hoodie with blue-thirium-lit bands on my upper arms and the triangle on my left breast. With a second look to my black cargo pants and simple black high stop sneakers. I knew my black beanie wasn't weird, nor was my white hair or neon blue-thirium laced- hair dye that I put on my bangs. I know my eyes are a brilliant blue glow but that's Eva's odd diet at work. I shrugged and looked up to him, being that he's about a whole foot taller than me, "I'm fine. People see what they want. I chose my look. Besides, they know me there. They know I'm human, just call me a techno geek or something. I'm okay." With a smile, Markus let it go as I climbed in the driver's seat of the sleek, white speedboat. Markus and North sat behind me as I started the engine. The trip to town was off, but was I ready to be without Eva around people? I don't know….