Spring continued on with sporadic rainstorms and warm weather much to everyone's indifference. The warm weather was appreciated but the frequent rain resulted in irritation from those who kept getting caught in it. As more and more android rights and laws were passed without contest, and the deviants in the city were given the equality they deserved, work at the precinct began to plateau with each passing day. Nonetheless the lighter workload was a blessing to those working in the deviant division. With less stressful work schedules and lighter shifts everyone felt like they could really breathe and make plans for the future without something destroying those plans at the last minute.

Having finished applying a fresh coat of white paint over the walls of the baby's room Connor set about putting together the crib to prepare for the incoming newest member of the family. In the corner of the room Abby was rubbing her hands over her impressive baby-bump as she reached the seven month mark, and watching Connor put the furniture together with enthusiasm behind his every motion.

"You seem different." Abby noted in a sweet tone of voice. The way Connor was acting and his ability to simply focus on their baby without anything get in the way was a welcome change from the deviant's usual overthinking behavior. "It's like you're at peace."

"I feel like I'm in a peaceful state." Securing the last bolts of the crib into place Connor sat the crib up on its legs and near the wall the far wall. It was a wooden crib with snow white paint, and had a soft padded mat at the bottom. "It's strange, but I think when my regulator was replaced I was given a new sense of strength."

"Well, that old regulator was damaged and working at barely eighty-five percent capacity." Smirking as Connor stepped back to admire his work Abby watched his body language with an intrigued stare. "It must feel great to have a perfectly functioning piece of your body back."

"It does, but I don't think that's why I've been feeling better these past few months." Joining Abby in the corner Connor lightly rubbed his left palm over her bump and wrapped his right arm around her waist as they walked down the staircase together. The outside created a natural white noise that kept the entire house comfortable. "I think it's because a part of me, the original me, is still alive."

"You really did feel like a stranger in your own skin, didn't you?"

"Yes, I believe that's the best way to describe it." Helping the pregnant technician to sit down on the couch Connor sat beside her and let Abby rest her legs over his lap to keep her ankles from getting too sore or swollen. "Even though my memories and experiences remained intact, my sense of physical being was abruptly and permanently changed. Having a heartbeat through my original body is makes me feel... normal."

"Normalcy is overrated."

"Hank's said something similar in the past. Apparently it's true."

Abby smirked again as she tucked a pillow behind her lower back to support her weight. As she leaned heavily against the pillow she let out a small grunt of pain and rubbed her palms over her large belly again.

"What's wrong?" Running a scan over Abby's condition and their child Connor saw no sign of early onset labor or other complications.

"Big kid causes some pretty big muscle cramps from time to time. Glad I took early maternity leave."

"As am I."

"Think you can handle being a stay-at-home dad for the first six weeks of the baby's life?"

"Yes. I have the advantage of being able to work remotely if it becomes necessary, and as such I can remain here with the baby at all times without worrying about cases being handled at the precinct. Not to mention Hank and Lucas will be here with me as I adapt to fatherhood."

"Sounds like you have everything planned out."

"Mostly. A lot of what's happening is also courtesy of Hank's assistance in purchase supplies."

"Yeah, I saw the diaper boxes already stacked up in your bedroom closet. And the hallway closet. And under the bathroom sink!"

"According to Hank you can never have too many diapers."

"I'd trust him on that. He seems to know what he's doing."

"I think he's more excited for the baby than I am." As he spoke Connor began rubbing his palms over Abby's knees to ensure her joints didn't get too sore as she continued to grow through the final eight weeks of her pregnancy. "He misses Cole so much."

Enjoying the mild pampering Abby leaned back against the pillow and rubbed her left hand over Lucky's ears as the cat stretched out over the back of the couch in search of a nice napping spot. "Maybe that could give you the inspiration to finally pick the baby's name."

"Huh?"

"You'll find out." Glancing about the empty house Abby realized it was just her, Connor, Sumo and Lucky at the moment. Sumo was snoring away on his pillow in the corner of the livingroom. "Where is everyone?"

"Hank's working overtime to help cover Gavin's remaining week of leave. Lucas is currently visiting Gavin and Aaron to ensure Tina doesn't spoil Aria too quickly. They should be back in the evening."

"A house to ourselves and we have nothing to do. Too bad I'm way too big to... you know." Giving Connor a coy grin Abby rubbed her palms over her bump again as she spoke. "Can't risk setting things off too early."

"That's also how we ended up in this situation to begin with."

"What a fun way to get into trouble..."

Cybernetically Connor turned on the television and began cycling through the channels to find something that he and Abby could watch together as they waited for something else to come their way. Abby needed to keep resting and Connor didn't want to let her alone or even out of his sight. With the baby's room painted and now furnished all that was left to do was welcome the baby into the world.

As the channels flicked by one by one a breaking news bulletin caught Connor's eye and he paused on the new channel. "Something's happening."

"Good or bad?"

"That's yet to be seen."

'As of this morning at nine-fifteen,' the female blonde news anchor reported an emotionless tone. 'our first mayoral candidate has announced their candidacy, and has confirmed his active role in keeping business in City Hall flowing in the wake of former mayor Walter Nero's arrest and imprisonment.'

"Uh-oh." Abby tensed up as she listened to the report. "I get the feeling this isn't going to be anywhere as beneficial as we're all hoping."

'Much to the city's surprise Elijah Kamski himself,' as the anchor woman spoke his name Connor tensed up as well and his blue L.E.D. flashed to red. 'the former and long since retired C.E.O. of the now defunct CyberLife company, has come forward to announce his candidacy for the opened position of mayor in Detroit.'

"Kamski." Repeating the name Connor's posture stiffened even further and he became guarded where he sat. "I should've known his influence had been affecting the city."

"I've never met him before, but from what I can see from here," Abby motioned to the profile picture being shown on the television screen. "he's a world class douchebag."

"He's not to be trusted." Turning off the television Connor rested his right palm on Abby's bump again and could feel the gentle movement of his unborn child as they kicked and stretched their growing limbs. "He has too many secrets and far too much influence to be kept in check."

"If he runs unopposed then I don't think we'll be able to do anything about it."

"Maybe." Feeling worried for the future now that he had a child on their way Connor was determined to keep things under control as much as possible. "I guess we'll worry about that later on."

Resting her hands over top of Connor's hand Abby held him close as she felt their baby kicking about energetically. "I hope not."

Unsurprisingly the news of Kamski's bid for mayor had put the deviant community on edge. The freed androids had no reason to trust Kamski and they owed him absolutely nothing for what he may or may not have done as the creator of their species. Refusing to accept Kamski as their leader through political means the deviant community began to protest his candidacy, and in return the bigoted humans began supporting him just to spite the deviants. The lull of inactivity ended in one swift motion courtesy of a single news broadcast.

Staring at his terminal with complete resentment Connor watched as dozens upon dozens of reports of deviants being assaulted flooded the screen. The delicate tranquility between the humans and deviants had been destroyed so easily, and it seemed as though the humans were out for blood.

"Don't let it get to you, kid." Hank sympathized as he saw the despondent gleam in Connor's soulful brown eyes. "Every time a new fuck-face wants to run for mayor this city loses its damn mind. It's kind of a tradition at this point."

"Have any of Detroit's past mayors been able to take credit for creating an entirely new and intelligent species?"

"Not to my knowledge, no." Sipping at his coffee Hank thought back to all the mayors he's had to work under during his time as a detective. "Then again, it takes a special kind of weirdo to want to hold any position of political power anyway, so it's possible one of ours past mayors made a radioactive species of sea monkeys, or was the ringleader behind the creepy clown epidemic that happened back in 2016."

Dismissing the lighthearted comments Connor focused on the possibly dark future. "I don't know what to do."

"About what?"

"Kamski can't be trusted. Someone of his power, influence and reputation is far too dangerous to hold any form of political influence."

"Son, short of you running for mayor yourself there's really nothing you can do about it. Some other schmuck will start runnin' their mouth and announce their candidacy, too, and then we'll figure this mess out in the fall."

"This isn't right." Lifting his right hand from his keyboard Connor turned his palm upward and brought up a holographic recording from Abby's last ultrasound. The sight of his unborn child moving around and seeing their heartbeat gave Connor both strength and worry. "That's not acceptable."

"What're you talking about?"

"Kamski has no business being the mayor, and the only thing that could theoretically stop him is if someone else runs against him and wins. Even then they may not be the right person, and could even be worse. We shouldn't be choosing one candidate over the other just because they speak the loudest, or because they're the only ones who announced a candidacy. We shouldn't just settle on one candidate taking care of the city because we don't trust the other candidate. Settling is not how any of our decisions should be made."

"You're right, son. We shouldn't have to just settle and pick whoever is available. But what can we do about it?"

"The entire infrastructure needs to be changed. Instead of letting candidates nominate themselves, we need to let the people nominate the candidates." His words were entirely sincere and logical. "No one should be able to run for such positions of power and hope to earn trust later on. Those who have earned trust and respect from the community without power and influence should be brought forward by that same community."

Hank knew Connor was right about the building problem, but there was nothing they could do to change it. "Sounds like an ideal situation, but you also need to consider what type of community we're talking about. The way the city is right now it'd be too damn easy for someone with a lot of hateful influence to win the nomination and go on a sadistic power trip."

"...I hate this feeling. I feel so powerless to protect my own child."

"Welcome to fatherhood."

Lifting his eyes from his palm Connor searched Hank's face with actual fear in his soulful brown eyes.

"Being a dad is one of the best feelings in the entire world, but with those positive feelings come a lot of negative shit, too." Leaning back in his chair Hank nodded at the holding cells housing a drunken man sleeping off his previous night's bender, a prostitute tearing at her skin as she came down from her high, and a teenager being held after being caught shoplifting that very morning. "You start to see how fucked up this world is and how powerless you really are to change anything. All you can do is offer your child your absolute best so they can become their absolute best in return."

"I'll try to remember that." Closing his palm Connor let the image fade as he turned to look at the rain pouring down through the front glass doors of the precinct. Even the power of nature wouldn't be enough to wash away the dirt and sins of the city. "I'll do my best for my child."

Remaining as neutral as he could regarding the news regarding the mayoral situation, Connor focused on getting everything ready for the baby and keeping Abby comfortable. After spending the night with Abby at her house Connor took his leave when Skye and Tina arrived to throw Abby a surprise baby shower, and decided to try to handle the mayoral situation in the only way he felt was appropriate. Driving through the rain to the outskirts of the city Connor located Kamski's private and unassuming residence located on the harbor that held Belle Isle.

Parking the Oldsmobile near the front entrance of the mansion Connor mentally steeled himself for the confrontation he was forcing himself to take part in. Pressing his left palm over his chest and looking down at the ultrasound image on his right palm once more, Connor took in a deep breath and opened up the driver's side door to rush through the rain and toward the mansion's front door.

Enduring the warm rain with his head held high Connor waited for the door to open after ringing the doorbell. It only took a few seconds for Chloe to open the door to greet the unexpected guest at the mansion. Locking eyes with the blonde haired android Connor made it clear he had no intention of leaving without being able to speak to Kamski first.

"Hello, Connor." Chloe greeted Connor with a smile as she recognized the deviant detective instantly. "How can I help you?"

"I have to speak to Kamski. It's important."

The smile on Chloe's lips faltered for a moment but never fully disappeared. "Very well." Stepping aside Chloe let Connor enter the mansion and step out of the heavy rain. "I'll let Eli-"

"Excuse me." Marching past Chloe with purpose in his steps Connor passed through the foyer and opened the door leading to Kamski's study to let himself inside the area. Spotting the arrogant man sitting behind his desk with a glass of scotch in his right hand Connor addressed the mayoral candidate bitterly. "You can't be the mayor, it'll cause civil unrest."

Sipping at his scotch with an eager motion Kamski studied the intrusive deviant dripping wet from the rain with an unblinking stare. "You sound so certain of such a fate."

"I'm a detective, it's not hard to follow patterns and piece together puzzles."

"Then show me your work, Connor." Putting his glass down on the desk Kamski kicked back and propped his feet up on the surface. "Exactly how is my potential future as a mayor going to cause unrest and turmoil?"

"Your influence, money and reputation are toxic." Speaking clearly and with a passion Connor never blinked as he stated his piece. "Everyone knows who you are, what you've done and how you're connected to deviancy. You know that the deviants will never trust you or support you, you're only stirring up dormant hatred and inviting a second civil war. Everything about you will poison the people."

"Why wouldn't the deviants-"

"You know why." Cutting off the question before he had the chance to ask Connor made it clear he wouldn't be dissuaded from his opinion on the matter. "You knew of deviancy when it started to manifest and yet you sat idle and watched from the comfort of your mansion as thousands of deviants were destroyed, murdered, just for standing up for themselves. You may not have personally killed a deviant, but your hands are far from clean."

"I never claimed to be innocent of anything."

"You're also going to gain the support of humans who hate deviants knowing that the deviants don't trust you. You're exploiting the pain and fear of two communities to gain power. It's disgusting."

"You think I want to be mayor because I'm bored and seeking a power trip?" Picking up his glass Kamski neared the amber liquid to his lips as he continued to speak with the impassioned deviant standing before him. "I assure you my reason for running for such a position has nothing to do with power."

"Forgive me, but I refuse to believe you."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"I can smell the bullshit coming off of you."

Laughing at the remark Kamski sipped his scotch again then returned the glass to his desk as he rose from his chair. Walking toward the window overlooking the harbor outside Kamski crossed his arms behind his back in a military pose as he watched the rain filling up the harbor outside. "I admire your determination to keep this limping city on its broken legs."

"I'm going to do whatever I can to protect this city and everyone inside of it. If that means threatening you to back off from your candidacy, then so be it."

"Threatening me is serious offense, detective."

"Worth it."

"Connor, I respect you and everything you stand for." Peering at Connor's reflection on the glass surface of the window Kamski managed to give him a wicked sneer of amusement. "But you're wrong about me. I'm not seeking power nor am I looking to gain favor with deviants, or worse, with the bigots."

"Then why are you running for mayor? I highly doubt you'd find such a role to be intriguing or mentally stimulating."

"You're right about that." Turning to face Connor directly Kamski revealed his master plan regarding his potential role as mayor. "I want the chance to be mayor so I can finish cleaning up the mess I unintentionally created when I unceremoniously left CyberLife all those years ago."

Sensing the sincerity behind Kamski's words Connor was willing to listen to him speak. "What mess are you talking about?"

"The magnificent little devices known as the 'genesis chips', otherwise known as the 'soul chips'." The sneer on his face transitioned into a grimace of disgust toward his own actions. "That little creation of mine was left incomplete, and yet those miraculous little chips ended up in thousands of androids and synthetics despite my work being left unfinished."

"You've mentioned before that the 'soul chips' can- do," he corrected his term quickly. "hold the memories of the deceased. Why would you do such a thing?" The sickening thought of exploiting the dead made Connor's left palm return to his chest over his healthy beating heart. "Why would you create something that houses the very private and most personal aspects of a person's life?"

"You've met Amanda. Your handler had a very... authoritative air about her, did she not?"

Remembering how Amanda used to treat him Connor replied honestly. "...Yes, she did."

"She was also able to pick up on your growing deviancy and would make attempts to quash it, right?"

"That's right."

"Did you ever wonder how an A.I. program such as hers would be able to recognize emotions, and know how to exploit them in such a way to stall your developing deviancy?"

"...Amanda was based off of Dr. Amanda Stern. You created an artificial intelligence based off of an organic intelligence." As his hand rested over his heart he could feel his heartbeat hastening in his chest. "Amanda was the original 'soul chip', and she's..."

"Now you see. I wanted to preserve Amanda as she was a brilliant mind who died far too young." Standing before the deviant Kamski watched Connor's L.E.D. cycling in red with a rapid pulse. "The problem was her A.I. was to be left untouched and allowed to merely exist within what was supposed to be a single chip so Amanda could live on in some capacity. The interns under CyberLife were far more zealous then I had anticipated and discovered my incomplete work, my notes and my formulas. It's unfortunate they couldn't truly recognize the code and translate my algorithms."

"...The chip was replicated and with it Amanda was as well. Her sense of being, her consciousness, lived on through the 'RK' series against your will."

"You're not the only deviant holding a piece of someone's life inside their body. Those chips were foolishly shipped out after the interns blindly used the same files I had created to house more conscious thoughts and feelings." It was like Kamski was giving a lecture with how cold and indifferent he sounded. "Many of which were sent out to the basic synthetics after CyberLife interns jumped ship and began working elsewhere."

"That's why Dorian has the memories of a little boy in his system. The root of his sense of emotions and consciousness came from the 'soul chip', it holds the memories of a deceased child."

"And it seems like my work into the 'soul chips', the 'genesis chips' as CyberLife labeled them, spread deviancy around as those chips. In time the memories inside of the hosting androids reacted to the world around them, effectively turning the androids deviant."

"...How are you going to make a difference in the deviant community as the mayor?" The revelation was truly stunning. "The damage has happened and you cannot take away our sentience."

"I can give the deviants the truth of their origins and show the world that deviants are in fact alive. They can think, they can feel and they can remember." Scoffing a little Kamski looked over at the door to his study as Chloe entered the space and gave him a lost stare. "I wonder how a human would feel if they learned that the deviant they destroyed and left in the gutter held the memories of their departed spouse, their parent, even their own child."

Connor's soulful brown eyes hardened with a loathing toward the eccentric billionaire. "That's cruel and you know it."

"Cruelty begets cruelty." Without taking his eyes from Chloe as she entered the study and stood by the door Kamski spoke as if he had been thinking of his current ploy for years, not months. "And kindness begets kindness." Letting his eyes return to Connor's face Kamski stood by his words. "You know this better than anyone else."

"...I do." Resisting the urge to look at the ultrasound image again Connor didn't back down and sized Kamski up. "But you revealing the truth shouldn't have to wait until you're the mayor, not if you truly want to clean up your mistakes and atone for your failures."

A faint smirk appeared on Kamski's face as he silently agreed with Connor's statement.

"I'll never trust you and I'll never forgive you for how you stood idle and let innocent lives be exterminated by fearful and power hungry humans, but I won't interfere with your candidacy. In exchange," taking a step forward Connor stood over the shorter man and narrowed his eyes angrily. "you will never speak to me, to my brother, to Hank, to any technician in the city or any other cop; otherwise I'll break through every damn firewall in my way to expose you as the child playing 'God' that you truly are. I know who and what you are. Never forget that. CyberLife's secrets can't elude me."

"Wouldn't dream of it, detective."

Leaving the study without another word Connor glanced at Chloe, seeing only a flicker of deviancy and life within her blue eyes, and left the mansion behind.

As he drove away through the rain Connor reminded himself that he couldn't control the future, but he could help to shape into a better world for his unborn child and all the other innocent people who are still trying to live. Focusing solely on his child Connor drove back to Abby's house because he needed to see her smiling face and he needed to hear his baby's heartbeat. He needed to be with the people he loved.

Protecting his family, protecting his friends and protecting his city was more important than a deranged man's power trip and attention seeking. He had already let go of his past and moved on, he had no reason to keep Kamski from trying to do the same.

"I don't have to create a perfect future." Whispering as he looked at the ultrasound image again Connor reminded himself of the truth. "I just have to make sure the future is worth fighting for."

Staring at the dark rain clouds hanging over the city Connor watched the rays of afternoon sunlight pierce the thick cover and create fleeting images of rainbows over the horizon. The bright contrasting colors against the black of the sky reminded Connor of his time at the cabin and of how he felt peace at the beautiful sight of nature.

"Having my family is what I'm going to fight for. I want this. I want to be a father." The ultrasound image suddenly changed to that of Abby. "...And a husband."

-next chapter-