The sound of the packed courthouse was still echoing in Connor's ears long after leaving the witness stand, and exiting from the house of justice. Having given his testimony after being summoned to the trial on the third day, and going into a heartbreaking amount of detail regarding the hit and run that nearly killed him - as well as the night of the Raid, Connor was left shaking and feeling like he just exposed the most vulnerable side of his heart to the entire world. Taking in a deep and calming breath as he returned to the park where he had been struck by the car Connor stood along the water, and listened to the city going about its business behind him. Unable to return to the precinct and unwilling to go home just yet, the empathetic deviant closed his eyes and crossed his arms defensively over his chest as he became lost inside of himself.

Despite wearing the gray blazer and matching gray vest to layer up and look more presentable during the trial, Connor still felt chilled by the cooling autumn air. September had just begun and yet it seemed the warmth from the passing summer had already disappeared entirely. The passing breeze caused the rogue lock of hair that hung down over Connor's left eye to dance about gently over his forehead, and with his arms pressed over his chest Connor was certain his black tie would've been jostled about in the breeze as well.

"...I did the right thing."

Whispering to himself as the setting sun transitioned day to night, Connor tried to ground himself in a more confident reality.

"I needed to tell the truth. I needed to face Perkins directly. I needed to let the world hear my words. It was the right thing to do."

"It's never easy facing the demons of your past." A familiar Bostonian accented voice spoke to Connor as he approached the lone deviant standing alongside the river. "But once you face that particular evil head-on you'll find a new strength you otherwise never thought you'd feel."

"Director Jayden." Turning to face the aged F.B.I. agent as his unexpected company joined him at the riverside Connor gave him a respectful nod. "You're still in Detroit."

"I am. And again, just call me Norman." Standing beside Connor in a supportive manner Norman looked out over the river and sighed. "I'm flying back to D.C. once the trial is over, and thanks to your testimony I have a good feeling that the final verdict will be delivered tomorrow."

"I'm just glad I was able to help the trial progress in the correct direction."

"You're still being too hard on yourself."

With a slight tilt of his head Connor acknowledged that statement in a polite manner. "...I've been informed of that very character flaw numerous times already."

"Then you know it must be true. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do everything as perfectly as possible, but perfection itself is unobtainable."

"Yes, you're right."

"I had to learn the hard way that relying on tools and trying to work on cases alone will only slow you down, and hold you back. In fact, I nearly killed myself because I was so determined to handle things by myself without trusting another person to help me."

"You're referring to an over reliance on the A.R.I. program and the addiction to Triptocaine."

"That's right. I was going through withdrawal problems during that damn case back in 2011, and it nearly got me killed a few times when the symptoms got too bad. I was lucky though. I managed to get to the warehouse where the 'Origami Killer's' would-be last victim was located just seconds after his father arrived, and I was able to protect them both from the killer. The killer himself wasn't so lucky..."

"I've researched the case shortly after you and I parted ways two days ago. The primary suspect had been the kidnapping victim's own father due to the precinct investigating the case feeling the pressure to identify and capture a serial killer. They nearly arrested an innocent man."

"Yeah, and his innocent son would've been left to die a horrible death."

"...I also noted that the victim had an older sibling that had been killed two years prior to the incident. That's what had apparently made the killer target the victim to begin with. He fit the killer's own demented criteria and need to watch a father succeed in saving his own child's life."

"Scott Shelby was a very sick man. He never got the help he needed, but now that he's dead he'll never hurt another living soul."

"And... You were the one who killed him." Turning to face Norman more directly Connor's blue L.E.D. cycled to yellow for a beat before returning to blue. "How did you... cope with such an action?"

"Booze helped for a while, but not enough to make it worth becoming an alcoholic on top of an addict." Astute and becoming more intuitive over the years Norman stopped relying so heavily on logic and began to trust his instincts more and more. "You've had to kill in order to survive, haven't you?"

The silence that followed the question answered everything.

"It's never easy when you have to make the decision to pull the trigger or not. Choosing one life over another seems cruel, and choosing to protect yourself rather than letting yourself die somehow seems selfish."

"Isn't it selfish to do anything that harms another for your own self benefit?"

"Only when you're intentionally harming someone. Otherwise it's just making tough choices and surviving."

"...I see."

"Who'd you kill?"

Feeling his heart race as his blue L.E.D. flashed to red Connor was reluctant to answer such a dark question.

"I'm not looking to arrest you for anything, I just want to help you. It helps to talk to someone who's impartial and doesn't have any bias knowledge about you when it comes to shit like this. If you want to tell me I'll listen."

Letting out a soft sigh through his nose Connor nodded and told Norman of the confrontation with the guards in the CyberLife Tower resulting in two deaths, then the final confrontation with himself; with Connor number sixty, and of how he had to kill the dangerous android before he forced the entirety of the deviant race into execution and extinction. Although the three men survived their wounds Connor also admitted to his assaults of the three hunters in the forest as a means of truly clearing his conscience once and for all.

"Sounds like self defense to me." Norman was just as impartial and unaffected by the story as Hank had been. "You had to protect yourself from armed guards, and then you had to protect your people. As for the hunters... I mean, they did commit crimes and even more than you realized. Not saying I approve of your methods, but I understand why you did it."

"I've been told as such by the other people I've confided in, but it doesn't help with my guilt."

"That's because you care about other people." Norman was getting an expert read on Connor since the deviant's emotional responses were as normal and healthy as the average human. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, not anymore."

"I can understand that what I've done is forgivable, and I know that the people who know the truth don't think any less of me, yet I still struggle to forgive myself. I wish I knew why."

"You'll find that answer in time. Trust me, you'll find the strength to forgive yourself soon enough. Tomorrow's verdict will be historical and in the best way possible." Norman then stated seemingly out of nowhere. "You should head back to your home and get some rest."

"Yes, you're right. I'll be expected back at the courthouse as a witness, and I imagine I'll be asked to act as security as well."

"I already hailed a cab." Motioning to the autonomous taxi idling on the street just outside the park Norman began heading toward the cab he had mentioned. "I'll drop you off."

"I live several blocks from your hotel."

"It doesn't matter. Every cent I spend is coming from Uncle Sam's wallet, not mine."

Accepting the invitation Connor easily caught up to Norman and walked at his side to the street. "Very well."

Accompanying Norman out of the park Connor's heart began to lighten as he received further confirmation that he had no reason to feel guilty for what he had done. For reasons Connor couldn't explain, being told he was right by someone who barely knew him was entirely reaffirming, if not comforting. A truly abhorrent individual, Richard Perkins, was going to be charged with his crimes and those he had harmed would finally get their justice.

He had done the right thing.

The following morning was hectic as the courthouse became readily packed with witnesses and police officials as the whole city, if not the entire country, awaited the final verdict on the disgraced former agent. As expected Connor's presence was requested yet again in the event he was summoned to the witness stand for a second time, and Hank had been given special clearance to act as private security for the deviant. Wearing his gray blazer, gray vest, white dress shirt and black tie Connor truly looked presentable. Meanwhile, Hank was wearing black protective body armor with 'Police' on his back and upper left sleeve. Sitting beside Connor as the deviant sat in the lobby and waited for the prosecution to give them either a request or dismissal, Hank stayed entirely supportive and calm on his best friend's behalf.

Norman had also been in the lobby waiting for further development, and not being able to watch the trial more directly was making him angsty. The lack of monitors was the court's way of ensuring none of the witnesses could alter their statements in the event additional evidence was provided and create any form of contradiction. In return all witnesses, those for the prosecution and the defense, were kept in the dark.

"You're doing fine, kid." Hank whispered as he used his right fingers to tug at the Kevlar vest strapped over his chest. "Before the end of the day that asshole is going to be marched out in cuffs, and he'll spend the rest of his days inside of a small iron box. You don't have any reason to be worried."

"I can't help it." Resisting the urge to go for the coin tucked in his vest pocket Connor looked at his best friend and mentor for a sense of guidance. "I have a bad feeling about today."

Whenever a detective had a gut instinct it usually turned out to be spot-on accurate. "I hope it's just your nerves..."

"So do I."

Overhearing the comment Norman took the bad feeling seriously as well. "What's got you on edge, Connor?"

"I... I don't know." Looking over at the F.B.I. director Connor tried to understand where his wariness was stemming from. "It just feels like there's something heavy in the air. Like there's a type of sabotage waiting to happen."

"I'll make sure my team outside is keeping the doors properly secured. No one in or out without proper identification."

The door to the private lobby opened and a bailiff appeared in the quiet space. "Sergeant Wolf. You're being summoned to the witness stand."

Standing up from the small bench Connor smoothed out the front of his clothing and accompanied the bailiff to return to the courtroom as instructed. Hank and Norman both followed after him, Hank acting as a bodyguard and Norman using his phone to issue commands to his patrolling team outside to remain alert. As the deviant was escorted back to the witness stand Connor was sworn in and took the stand, while Hank hung back a few feet from the stand to keep an eye on the courtroom as a whole. Norman stayed in the back of the courtroom to watch everything unfolding from afar, and hover his thumb over a pre-typed text in his phone in the event he needed to send a quick message.

"Sergeant Wolf." The prosecutor approached the deviant witness once more and stood before the stand. Tall and with her long raven black hair pulled back in a neat bun, and her bright brown eyes focused on her task, Prosecutor Maeko Noriko addressed the deviant in a firm tone. "Yesterday you testified that during the Raid on Jericho the soldiers were not taking deviants as prisoners as former agent and defendant Perkins claimed, but were in fact hunting deviants down and shooting on sight. Correct?"

"Yes, this is correct."

"The defense has argued that the soldiers were only shooting those who resisted arrest. Can you provide some form of evidence to the contrary of such details."

"Yes, I can."

"O-Objection!" Defense attorney Elam Anwir rose to his feet as he tried to discredit the statement. Just as tall as the prosecutor, the older man was sporting dark gray hair and wearing thick glasses over his green eyes that were shining bright with desperation. "Your Honor, if the witness is withholding evidence then it's inadmissible until the defense has the chance to examine it."

"Miss Noriko." Judge Dina Cato was always fair and impartial when it comes to her cases. Looking down at the younger prosecutor Judge Cato's dark brown eyes studied the young prosecutor keenly from where she sat. With her own graying black hair pulled back in a wavy bun the elder attorney wasn't about to let anything derail the high profile case. "Is this true? Has the prosecution been withholding evidence?"

"No, Your Honor." Replying honestly Prosecutor Noriko approached the bench and stood respectfully before the judge. "The defense has decided to question the validity of my witness's testimony, and as an android said witness is capable of producing physical evidence from his own memories to confirm his statement as fact. He has the right to prove his testimony is truthful and factual."

A murmuring of curious voices filled the courtroom of those in attendance were skeptical of the claim. The rear of the courtroom was lined with camera operators and reporters diligently taking notes, while those sitting in the benches behind the prosecution and defense desks were staring at the front of the courthouse waiting for the final outcome.

"Order!" Banging her gavel down once Judge Cato silenced the voices in attendance. "Sergeant Wolf," looking at the deviant in the witness stand to her immediate left Judge Cato addressed him directly. "can you provide any evidence to support your previous testimony?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Connor replied honestly as he explained the situation. "I can show the court the recorded images and sounds of what I had personally witnessed during the Raid on Jericho. I can also provide some crude images of when I was struck by the vehicle in the hit and run accident if it's requested."

The court murmured again as Anwir shouted another protest. "Objection! Your Honor, the witness could have tampered with the evidence!"

Taking the comment into consideration Judge Cato silenced the court once more and looked to Connor for confirmation. "Sergeant Wolf, how can we be certain that the potential evidence has not been tampered with to give the prosecution an unfair advantage?"

"Androids cannot physically alter our memories in any way." Answering quickly and sincerely Connor showed no fear in his comments. "They can only be damaged or erased, but never altered to disguise the truth."

Murmuring resumed and Judge Cato silenced it with a single bang of her gavel. "Is there any way to confirm such a statement?"

"You can ask the court appointed technician for such a confirmation if you so desire."

"Bailiff." Addressing the court appointed officer who had escorted Connor to the courtroom Judge Cato requested the presence of such a figure. "Please bring Dr. Cybil Blaise to the courtroom."

"Yes, Your Honor."

While everyone awaited the bailiff's return Connor remained statuesque in the witness stand and refused to look over at Perkins as the man sat in cuffs beside his defense attorney. Perkins was dressed in an overpriced black suit and tie to give the illusion of a respectable person, but the shiny steel handcuffs wrapped around his wrists broke that illusion instantly. Perkins's face was pale and drawn from stress and being forced to live under a magnifying glass, and his slumped posture spoke volumes of someone who had already been defeated.

Connor took notice of Hank standing with his back against the wall and his blue eyes glaring a hole into the side of Perkins's head. Near the back of the courtroom, just out of sight of the cameras, Norman was still watching everything from afar and had his phone gripped tightly in his right hand ready to be used.

After five minutes had passed the bailiff showed the requested technician to the correct courtroom where she was able to momentarily swear in before the bench, and give a logical assessment regarding the validity of android memories. She confirmed that the memories cannot be tampered with unless performed by a third party, and also noted that such a task would only be accomplished by the most skilled technicians in the country. Dr. Blaise also went on to explain that in the event such tampering had taken place there would be a trail to follow as a technician would need to use their personal credentials to access any android's memories under any circumstances, and thus could prove that the memories were untouched.

Having heard all of the details and documented proof confirming that using an android's recorded memories in a court of law was just as reliable as using any security or surveillance footage provided in any other case, Jude Cato made her next decision. "Thank you for your expertise, Dr. Blaise. You're dismissed."

Connor awaited the judge's final decision and remained calm on the outside despite shaking on the inside. He hated being watched and he hated waiting for other people to determine the validity of his words.

"Sergeant Wolf," speaking with only respect to the deviant detective, Judge Cato asked again about the evidence. "how can you show us this evidence?"

"Your Honor?!" Anwir was not impressed and tried to fight against the ruling. "You can't-"

"Order!" Banging her gavel Judge Cato silenced the defense in a single motion. "The defense will be able to ask questions after the evidence is presented. As I was saying, Sergeant Wolf, how can you show the courtroom this evidence?"

"If I have access to a monitor I can show the court my memories of the night of the Raid beginning the moment the F.B.I.'s helicopters swarmed the freighter, and began sweeping the partially sunken cargo vessel."

"Very well. Bailiff?"

The court appointed bailiff located a mobile television monitor in one of the side rooms and secured it to the front of the judge's podium for all to see.

"Sergeant Wolf." Judge Cato addressed the witness calmly as she picked up her personal tablet designed to review evidence. "If you'd please?"

Nodding once Connor closed his eyes as his L.E.D. rapidly cycled in blue, shifted to yellow for a beat, then returned to blue as he uploaded his recorded memories onto the screen, and onto the Judge's personal tablet for all to witness. As the memories played out and everyone could see through Connor's own eyes the way the deviants trapped in the bowels of the ship were running for their lives while the F.B.I.'s little army gunned them down without warning, the courtroom fell painfully silent. No one in the courtroom moved, and a few were even holding their breath.

The screams of panic, the pleas for their lives, and the way the bullets echoed through the metal walls of the corridors down in the depths of Jericho, were as haunting as they were brutal. Hearing and seeing deviants trying to flee the gunfire and get to safety had broken the hearts of those in the courtroom who had been unfortunate enough to witness the memories.

Anwir was sinking down in his seat and Perkins just looked angry, not remorseful.

"...That's enough." Judge Cato responded in a dour tone. Grateful to see and hear her tablet go blank she took in a calming breath and let out a soft sigh. "I believe we can all agree that the defense's claims that the soldiers were only shooting those who were resisting arrest were in fact false. We all heard the radio commands being broadcast to the soldiers confirming that they were to shoot on sight."

Connor's posture slumped with relief and lingering grief as he was forced to relive that terrible night for the third time now. It was still painful to think about and discuss that night despite it being almost a year later.

Noriko resumed her line of questioning with Connor in a notably glum tone of voice. "Sergeant Wolf, your testimony from yesterday also confirms what the F.B.I. records show in regard to Richard Perkins's orders during the night of the Raid. Aside from this act of... genocide," there was really no way for her to call it anything else. "the defendant had also attempted to run you down with his vehicle. Can you provide-"

"ENOUGH!" From the crowd of witnesses a loud masculine voice shouted in protest as a young man wearing a black hoodie, the hood pulled up to conceal his face, pulled out a gun and prepared to open fire at the stand. "YOU'RE ALL TRAITORS!"

"GUN!" Hank shouted as he made a move to put himself between Connor and the gunman. In the process he pulled Noriko down to the floor out of harm's way, the prosecutor ducking under her desk out of sight, and drew his own weapon to fire back. "DROP THE WEAPON!"

Loud gunfire erupted in the courtroom causing everyone to flee in a screaming panic as the young man turned the weapon toward the witness stand, and began squeezing the trigger. Anwir ducked down under his desk and tried to pull Perkins down as well, but the defendant didn't move from his chair and instead watched the scene unfold without even blinking.

The bailiff pulled his weapon as well, but was subdued by a bullet to his right shoulder causing him to drop his gun, and make a rush to the side door to request assistance in the now out of control courtroom.

Connor instinctively rushed out of the witness stand and managed to get Judge Cato down to the floor just as the second fired bullet hit the stand, and the third fired bullet hit him directly in the middle of his chest, right where his sternum would be located if he were human. Falling to the floor in front of the judge's stand on his back, Connor began to cough and suck in a wheezing breath through his clenched teeth as Thirium oozed from his mouth.

"C-Connor?!" Hank repositioned himself to stand between the downed the deviant and the gunman as the gunman continued to shoot wildly toward the front of the courthouse. "DROP THE GUN, NOW!"

"You heard him!" Norman stated as he drew his own gun and pointed it at the gunman. "Drop the- GAH!" Shouting in pain as he took a bullet to his right forearm Norman's legs gave out from the unexpected pain and he fell onto the floor as he lost grip on his weapon. Having already sent the emergency text to inform his team of the need for back-up, Norman slowly raised his hands as if to surrender while the gunman approached him. "...E-Easy. Just take it easy."

"No!" Sounding desperate and angry the young man refused to back down. "This trial ends now! Let Perkins go!"

Hank opened fire only once and managed to wing the gunman in his right shoulder, but the gunman would not be deterred.

"BACK OFF!" Using his left hand the gunman pulled Norman up from the floor the held the wounded F.B.I. director in front of himself like a human shield. As he wrapped his left forearm around Norman's throat the gunman pressed the barrel of his gun against Norman's right temple a threatening manner. "Make another move," the gunman growled as he threatened to shoot Norman for a second time. "and I'll finish off the director!"

"Fuckin-" Realizing he couldn't do anything without risking Norman's life in the process Hank reluctantly placed his gun down on the prosecution table out his reach, and held his hands in the air to surrender. "All right, I'm unarmed."

Turning to look at Connor over his right shoulder Hank could see Connor's right trembling hand reaching for the bullet wound in his chest as blue blood continued to ooze from the corner of his mouth to create a small sapphire puddle beside his head. Judge Cato was still on the floor just behind the stand and she was watching as Connor struggled to breathe with a horrified gaze.

"I'm going to check on my partner." Hank stated in a level voice as he took a slow step back toward Connor and kept moving until he was standing beside the deviant laying on the floor. Keeping his motions intentionally slow and telegraphed Hank knelt beside his partner and lowered his hands to Connor's bleeding chest to check on the wound. "I'm here with you, son. You'll be okay."

Grabbing onto Hank's wrist with his Thirium covered right hand Connor looked up at Hank with a terrified gaze in his soulful brown eyes.

"I got you, you're going to be okay." Removing Connor's black tie Hank pulled open the buttons on Connor's vest and then the ruined white dress shirt to expose Connor's damaged chest. The torn open artificial skin was brutal enough, but the fractured white plastimetal plates beneath was a gruesome sight to behold. "Ah, shit..." The bullet was partially lodge into the Thirium pump regulator just below Connor's Thirium pump. Bright blue sparks shone through the fractured the plates as Thirium steadily leaked out of the heavily damaged vital biocomponent. "Hold on, son."

Connor let out a pained groan as Hank used the tie as a bandage and then pressed it down against the wound under his strong right hand. Knowing that what Hank was doing was for the best Connor coughed weakly and closed his eyes as he cybernetically sent out a distress call to Lucas at the Eastern Precinct.

"Eyes open, Connor. I need you to keep awake." Using his left arm Hank supported Connor's upper body from the floor in a comforting manner, and used his right hand keep pressure on the bleeding wound. Forcing his enraged blue eyes to lift and look at the gunman still holding Norman hostage, Hank steadied his voice as he addressed the violent man from afar. "You're in charge here. So what do you want?"

As expected the courthouse was evacuated of nonessential personnel as back-up arrived to handle the now hostage situation. Captain Fowler arrived quickly and addressed one of the F.B.I. agents working on Norman's word to try to keep everything contained. Exchanging what little information they had about the situation taking place inside the courthouse Captain Fowler received confirmation that both Connor and Hank were still in the courtroom, and that Connor had been wounded when he made a move to protect the judge. Those who had managed to keep track of the carnage after they had evacuated the courtroom were eager to tell anyone who would listen about what they went through.

Trying to figure out how they could see what was going on inside the courtroom Captain Fowler requested a stealth camera be used to slide under the locked courtroom doors and get a view of what was going on. The small camera was a long rope like device that could be snaked into small places, and had a strong microphone attached to it just above the camera lens that would record voices speaking in the restricted space.

"We need to get eyes and ears inside the courtroom A.S.A.P., and we need to keep all exits guarded to prevent escape." Taking command since Norman had gone quiet Captain Fowler was eager to bring the hostage negotiation to an end. "Find out who the hell we're dealing with and how the hell they managed to get a loaded gun inside a busy courthouse. Move it!"

"Yes, sir!"

Motioning for the other officers to keep bystanders at a safe distance Captain Fowler noticed Lucas rushing toward the courthouse while keeping his badge visible at all times in his right hand. The detective looked focused as he volunteered to assist in the situation, but Captain Fowler knew that deep down inside Lucas was worried for his family being held captive inside the building.

"Captain Fowler." Lucas pocketed his badge and addressed the commanding officer in an entirely respectful tone as he stood before him. "Connor contacted me from within the courthouse six minutes, fourteen seconds ago."

"Are you in communication with him now?"

"Yes, but the signal is steadily weakening. Connor has been shot and is in critical condition."

"Shit..." Dragging his left hand over the back of his head Captain Fowler sighed and began sorting through his priorities. "We'll get the E.F.T.'s here to take care of him."

"From what Connor's told me there is a single gunman who opened fire after the defense's last attempt to clear Perkins's name failed. He's demanded that the trial end now, and for Perkins to walk free."

"Only one gunman?"

"Yes, sir. One person, a male. They are wearing a black hoodie and have their face concealed to prevent identification, but their voice is masculine allowing us to confirm the gender." Watching the F.B.I. agents rushing toward the courthouse with their weapons drawn Lucas felt a chill run up his spine. "The gunman wounded the bailiff who then escaped, shot twice at the judge; the second shot striking Connor when he protected the judge, he shot F.B.I. Director Norman in his right forearm, and is now holding his gun to Jayden's head. He's threatened to kill the director if anyone tries to interfere with his demands."

"Son of a bitch... What the fuck does this guy want?"

"...I cannot answer that." As he spoke Lucas's voice dipped and his blue L.E.D. cycled in yellow and red rapidly for a moment before returning to a docile blue color. "I just lost contact with Connor."

"What happened?"

"He is now drifting in and out of consciousness. It's taking too much of his power to speak with me cybernetically."

Motioning for Lucas to join him by a squad car parked a few yards away from the courthouse Captain Fowler addressed the deviant detective as if he were an officer on his own roster. "Get some Kevlar and work with tech to get a glimpse inside the courtroom. We need to know what this gunman wants and we need to find a way to rescue all the hostages."

"He's stated he wants Perkins to go free and he's willing to kill Director Jayden to do it."

"Yeah, that much I believe without needing to hear or see anything for myself. We need more information about this guy if we're going to bring him down."

"Sir, you misunderstand."

Giving Lucas a strange look as the deviant pulled a Kevlar vest from the trunk of the squad car Captain Fowler pressed for clarification. "What am I not getting about this situation?"

"The gunman referred to Jayden as the F.B.I. director specifically. The person who is holding everyone hostage must have some connection to the F.B.I. itself. It would explain how he managed to sneak a gun into the courtroom, and why he knows exactly who Norman Jayden is."

"Fuck me. If we're dealing with an inside-job we might be in for a seriously long day..."

Staying on the floor Hank continued to hold pressure against the bleeding bullet wound in Connor's chest as the deviant's bloodied chest barely rose and fell with very shallow breaths. Keeping his right hand in place Hank glanced down at Connor's face as the deviant's glazed over brown irises disappeared beneath his eyelids, only to slowly reappear as the deviant fought to keep conscious for as long as possible. Readjusting his left arm Hank tried to support Connor slightly more upright so he could see what was happening during his moments of full lucidity, while keeping him as comfortable as possible.

Beneath their respective desks Noriko and Anwir continued to cower in silent fear, whereas the judge was watching everything with a stern gaze of pure focus and attention. Sitting idle in his chair Perkins just watched as the gunman continued to hold Norman as his hostage and human shield with no interest in what befell the F.B.I. director who fired him.

"You're not going to get Perkins off the hook this way." Norman spoke up in a level tone as kept his hands raised up and away from his person to ensure he wasn't going to try to fight back. "You just shot-"

"SHUT UP! This is YOUR fault!" Pressing the cold barrel of the gun harder against Norman's right temple the gunman showed no sign of backing down. "If you would've just shown some damn loyalty and stood by your agent's decisions then this wouldn't have happened!"

"Is that what you really believe, or is that what you're trying to convince yourself to be true?"

"Shut up! Say one more-"

"This isn't the way to handle things, and you know that I'm right." Unable to turn his head Norman hissed in pain as the bullet wound in his right forearm throbbed with every adrenaline fueled beat of his heart. "You need to end this now, Lyle."

From where he was kneeling on the floor Hank heard the name and felt a rush of anger wash over him. "Lyle? Portland... You're that rookie officer who was talkin' shit about everyone in the breakroom. You smug asshole!"

Norman held control over the situation to ensure Lyle didn't lash out and do something unpredictable. "You idolized your uncle and wanted to be a cop just like him, right? That's why you're trying-"

"SHUT. UP. It's bad enough that fuckin' machine," he angrily gestured at Connor for a moment with his gun before returning it to Norman's right temple. "is being treated like it's actually worth more than the cheap plastic it's made from. But to throw a good-"

"Good?!" Hank barked in righteous anger as he continued to hold pressure on Connor's bullet wound. From beneath his right palm he could feel the irregular heartbeat courtesy of the damage of the regulator, and he knew Connor's time was running out. "You know what he did! How in the hell can you live in denial?"

"He was just doing what was right!"

"Sounds an awful lot like another group of people who were just 'following orders' when they executed a group of innocent people, and that was almost a hundred years ago! Humanity never seems to learn from its mistakes." As he spoke Hank looked down at Connor's face again and tried to hide his fear as the deviant managed to make eye contact for a brief moment. The ruby red L.E.D. pulsing at erratic intervals was a grim reminder that the deviant's system was struggling to remain online. "We have no right to control who and who isn't deemed an equal just because they're different! But as cops we have the chance to separate the good from the bad."

"My uncle deserves a fair trial!" Ripping his hood from his face Lyle revealed himself and continued to hold Norman hostage. "That machine-"

"Told the truth!" Hank interjected quickly as he refused to let the brash officer get away with anything he's done. "You saw what happened from his own eyes when he was there and a part of it. Why are you unable to accept the truth?"

"...No! It's not true! It's not-"

Norman spoke up again in a calm tone as he vaguely caught sight of a camera being slipped under the doors behind him to scan the room. "Lyle, the truth isn't pretty." Speaking like a skilled negotiator Norman never lost his cool as he maintained control. "It's hard to accept that the man who raised you as a second son would do something so cruel, I get it."

"Shut up!" Bitterly Lyle hissed right in Norman's ear. "You don't know anything about me!"

"I know that your father abandoned you after your mother told him she was pregnant."

"I said shut up!"

"And I know that when your mom was killed by a mugger you had nowhere else to go."

"Shut up! Just shut up!"

"You were only eleven years old." Knowing everything about Lyle's past through Perkins's own personnel file Norman knew exactly what to say and how to say it. "Too young to take care of yourself, but old enough to know what a cruel hand life had dealt you."

"Just shut the fuck up!" Pressing the gun barrel against Norman's temple with such force Lyle swore he could see the fresh purple bruise forming in Norman's skin right before his eyes. "You're supposed to protect your own! Not sacrifice them to make the masses happy!"

"Listen to me, young man." Judge Cato stood upright and revealed herself with absolutely zero fear. "I know you're hurting. No one wants to see someone they care about, someone they respect and admire, go through something as ugly as a trial."

"What would you know about it?!"

"More than enough. As a judge I'm the one who has to make the hard decisions that divides families and separates friends. I don't want to destroy anyone's lives, but it's my job to uphold the law. It's the job your uncle was supposed to do, it's the job you had apparently sworn to do, and it's what Director Jayden, Sergeant Wolf and Lieutenant Anderson have all sworn to do. It's not easy," her words were heavy with sympathy as she spoke from her heart. "but it's necessary."

Hank was watching Lyle's body language very closely while Judge Cato kept him distracted. As the emotionally distraught officer locked eyes with the judge speaking to him Hank gave Norman a subtle nod, then looked at Noriko still hiding under the desk. Using his eyes Hank motioned to his gun still sitting atop the desk just above her head to direct Noriko to take the gun and hang on to it.

Despite her fear Noriko silently nodded in return and raised a shaking right hand upward to slowly creep over the surface of the desk until her fingertips brushed against the cold, metal handle of the gun. Very slowly and quietly she took hold of the weapon and pulled if off the table to hold in her hands in case the gun became necessary to use.

"What's happened today is already tragic." Judge Cato continued on as she refused to let someone else take control over her court. "Don't make it worse by letting one detective die, or by taking Director Jayden's life."

"What does it matter? My uncle's going to jail, I'm going to jail for doing this... What's one more charge on top of an already guaranteed life sentence?"

"Lyle." Perkins finally spoke up for the first time since the trial began. Standing up from the table Perkins ignored Anwir grabbing onto his leg to try to hold him back as he walked toward his nephew. "It's over. Even if you don't think the Raid is of any consequence the courts do. Even if you don't think me running over that piece of plastic is a crime, the courts do. It's the courts who will handle this situation, not me, not Jayden and not you."

"...I just want to protect the family!" Beginning to cry Lyle lowered the gun from Norman's head but his grip on the weapon never faltered. "That thing," snarling in anger at Connor again as Hank held him in a protective grip on the floor, Lyle's eyes darkened with pure hatred. "ruined everything you worked for! He put Ben in jail and ruined his future all because of a machine!"

"And how is this going to change anything?"

Crying harder in frustration Lyle's hands began to shake and his grip on Norman's throat began to lessen. "It's not right! I don't want to lose you, too!"

"Lyle, it's over. You lost me when I was arrested and there was nothing you could've done to prevent it."

Seeing his opportunity Norman elbowed Lyle in the chest and snatched Lyle's gun from his hand to aim at the stunned man to hold him at bay. "Don't move!"

Hank motioned for Noriko to slide him his gun and quickly grabbed it off the floor to aim at Lyle from where he was kneeling. As his right hand left Connor's chest the wounded deviant groaned in pain at the sudden shift in pressure but otherwise didn't move. "It's over, Lyle. Get down on the ground, NOW."

The doors to the courtroom were forced open from the outside as Captain Fowler and the other F.B.I. agents swarmed the room like a plague. Captain Fowler cuffed Lyle and led him outside while reading him his rights and gave Lucas the clearance to enter the space to check on the wounded. "You just threw away your future over a stupid act of revenge! I hope it was worth it..."

Lucas rushed over to where Connor was laying the floor and immediately retracted the artificial skin from his left palm and pressed it down over Connor's chest to run a direct diagnostic. "Connor? Open your eyes."

Unable to respond Connor remained entirely limp and almost lifeless in Hank's arm.

"How bad's the damage?" Holstering his weapon Hank returned right palm over Connor's chest while Lucas ran his diagnosis. "He's been in and out of it..."

"Bad." Lucas's green eyes were wide with actual fear as his system confirmed that the damage to Connor's body was catastrophic. "The bullet's nearly destroyed his Thirium pump regulator. His pump, his heart, is unable to beat properly."

Norman had given his subordinates new orders and walked over to the front of the courtroom alongside the judge. Cradling his wounded right arm against his chest Norman saw the look in Connor's eyes and knew that death was close at hand. "Shit." Pulling his phone from his pocket Norman ordered his men to get the roads clear and to ensure a rapid escort to the nearest facility. "We'll get him help, Lieutenant. Just keep holding the pressure."

Perkins just stood beside the defense table with another F.B.I. agent standing guard to ensure he didn't try to run.

"Well, at least you can say you stopped things from getting worse." Norman address Perkins and gave him a terse glare. "You have a very twisted view of reality and I pity you. Hopefully being behind bars will give you a brand new view and appreciation for life itself."

Judge Cato knelt down by Connor's head and helped Hank to hold the deviant in a more comfortable position while the E.F.T.'s were escorted into the courtroom by other F.B.I. agents. "You saved my life, Connor. Thank you." Noticing that both Noriko and Anwir were being escorted out of the courtroom to be tended to by the paramedics outside Judge Cato breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope the bailiff is okay."

Lucas confirmed he was fine as he adjusted his own position to give the E.F.T.'s room to work. "The bailiff's shoulder was grazed. He'll be fine."

"That's good to know. Now," using her hand Judge Cato lightly combed her fingers through Connor's hair like a mother would to comfort a child. "as long as Connor here pulls through we'll be able to say that, all things considered, the trial came to its appropriate conclusion." Glancing up at Perkins as the E.F.T.'s lifted Connor up from the floor to put on their gurney Judge Cato decided to pass her final judgment. "Though this very unorthodox I feel its only right to pass your sentence here and now with a jury of your peers," referring to the other F.B.I. agents and police swarming the area she stood up and returned to her stand and resumed her proper position. "as the witnesses."

Hank and Lucas were too preoccupied with Connor to look away from him for even a moment. The deviant's blazer and vest had been removed entirely, and his white dress shirt had the sleeves cut open to give the two E.F.T.'s access to his arms. An external Thirium line had been started in Connor's right arm, a Thirium pressure cuff was wrapped around his left bicep, an oxygen mask was placed over his face to keep his core coo,l and he had a strong pressure bandage secured over the bullet wound in his chest to stem the bleeding.

"On this date, September 3rd, 2039; I hereby pass my final verdict on defendant Richard Benjamin Perkins." Locking eyes with the disgraced F.B.I. agent Judge Cato carefully considered every piece of evidence, every delivered statement and every file that the F.B.I. had provided, for her consideration. "On the count of attempted murder in the second-degree against the victim; Connor J. Wolf, I find you guilty."

No one was shocked by the verdict, but no one was celebrating, either.

"On the count of mass murder of the first-degree, I find you guilty. On all the secondary charges that have been filed against you, all of which will be discussed further during sentencing, I will reserve judgment. I highly doubt it'll do anything to lessen your current fate." Raising and then banging down her gavel Judge Cato ended the trial with the single swift motion. "You will be taken into custody until a date for your sentencing can be confirmed. Court is dismissed."

With the F.B.I. leading the speeding ambulance to the Zeta Facility the chances of Connor's survival increased only marginally. Still aimlessly drifting in and out of consciousness as his system struggled to register a consistent heartbeat, Connor's life was literally in the hands of the two E.F.T.'s trying to keep him stable. The Thirial activity monitor was unable to give an accurate number to track the deviant's Thirium pump's activity, and just let out high pitched screeches and beeps whenever the pump would manage to fully contract for a single heartbeat.

The E.F.T.'s fought to keep Connor's heart beating during transport but there was very little they could do with the field equipment at their disposal. As a precaution the two technicians placed the two wireless leads of their external pump stimulator on his chest in the event his heart stopped, and needed to be jumpstarted. Unlike a human heart, the android Thirium pump could be restarted with a controlled electrical shock under most circumstances.

In a speeding patrol car behind the ambulance Lucas drove as quickly as he could with Hank in the passenger seat beside him. Norman had to go to the hospital to have his arm treated, but the F.B.I. director made sure the ambulance, and everyone involved in the shooting, were given special treatment for an indeterminate amount of time until he could reunite with the two detectives later on.

As expected the Zeta Facility was waiting for Connor's arrival, and Abby and Barry were waiting for the ambulance to pull into the emergency entrance. Standing outside the emergency entrance wearing her blue scrubs and sporting a pair of fresh purple latex gloves, Abby was ready to do everything she could to save the wounded deviant's life.

"Barry, make sure the emergency repair bay is stocked with fresh Thirium in the event we need to check over Connor's biocomponents more directly."

Cybernetically Barry put in the request and joined Abby at the back of the ambulance. "Everything will be ready in two minutes, Abby."

The ambulance doors opened and the two E.F.T.'s lowered the gurney to the ground. As they listed off Connor's weakened vital signs to the technician Hank and Lucas managed to catch up to the gurney just as it was wheeled through the doorway. Accompanying the deviant toward the emergency treatment room down the corridor the senior detective managed to grab Connor's right hand for only a fleeting moment in a reassuring manner.

"Stay out here." Abby directed as she acknowledged Hank and Lucas. Keeping family at bay when a patient was brought in was instinct drilled into her thanks to her training. "We'll take care of him."

Ready to charge into the treatment room before the door slid shut Hank felt Lucas's strong hand grab onto his right shoulder to hold him back.

"There's nothing more we can do for him, Hank." Speaking in a shaking voice, something that should've been impossible for a deviant to do, Lucas gave the senior detective a petrified stare. "If Connor's going to pull through we need to trust Abby and hope that Connor's as strong as we already believe him to be."

-next chapter-

Author's Note: I'm not super savvy when it comes to law and proper terminology, specifically for mass murder, so take the ruling with a grain of salt. Honestly, how do you charge someone with genocide like that?