A/N: Well, this one was fun to write. It's not exactly what I chose the first time around — I changed one detail that I thought would feel better in this story, because my first playthrough isn't exactly the best model to follow 100% (I got Kara and Alice killed by accident the first time and even though I've replayed the game several times since, I still feel bad about it). I hope you enjoy!
shir0ch4n: I've tried other dialogues, but that one is my favourite haha. It is rather sassy, which is what makes it fun. And about Josh... he'll live, if that's what you mean, but not everyone will. It's a revolution, after all.
Chapter 2: We Are
"We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces; nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history."
—Daisaku Ikeda.
Two hours is not enough time to make a perfect plan, and there are many ways in which this can go wrong. Still, by the time eight o'clock rolls around, the small group of four has reached the entrance to the docks, where the warehouses are located. Simon, North and Markus — the newcomer — are standing next to him, surveying the area with varying degrees of precision, depending on what their programming allows.
Josh is still voicing his discomfort at the plan. It's crazy, he insists, and will continue to do so until they've returned to Jericho — that is, if they survive the mission in the first place. Simon, professional as always, asks the newcomer what their next move is. It makes sense that they all defer to him on this one — it's his plan, after all.
Markus seems to take it all in stride, and though they've gone over the mission before, he doesn't mind repeating their goal. "We need to find the CyberLife warehouse. That's where they keep the spare parts and the blue blood." And, knowing the company, they probably have their name plastered all over their destination. It shouldn't be that hard to find, even if it definitely will be dangerous.
North takes the lead, leading them through a maze of containers.
A drone cuts them off, forcing them to immediately hide behind the nearest containers unless they want to be spotted. They're barely two minutes into this mission and they've already encountered unexpected trouble. It's not enough to make the PJ500 quit — but it does mean they need to find a solution to this problem.
"Now what do we do?" he asks through their open communication network, well aware he cannot speak aloud lest they are heard by the humans and androids patrolling the area. He wouldn't have to ask in the first place if they'd taken more time to plan this properly. As it is, they have to make it up on the spot.
"I'll find another way," North replies, and is quick to start moving, eager to find an alternative route to their destination. She starts climbing over some containers, and Simon is the first to follow. Josh and Markus are next, and they all carry on jumping and climbing as if that was what they were originally designed for.
The CyberLife warehouse eventually becomes visible in the distance — as predicted, its logo is plastered on the side in big white letters that make it impossible to miss. There is still some distance to cover, though North finds a container that is about to be moved by a crane, and she grabs on to the edge quickly. Josh copies her movements, absent-mindedly noting Simon's alternative, longer route — running on top of more containers on their right.
Markus stops when he realises the two options in front of him and hesitates. North calls him over, and after another second's hesitation, he follows her, grabbing on to the edge just as the crane starts moving them across the gap. They jump off before the container can be lowered and return to their previous method of climbing and jumping, getting closer and closer to their destination as they do so.
The group stops just in front of the warehouse, still atop of a bunch of containers, when they spot another patrol droid flying past them.
They really should've expected that. Patrol droids are everywhere these days.
"CyberLife warehouses… They have everything we're looking for," Simon points out, hope and eagerness in his voice at being so close to retrieving the supplies they need. Josh knows the feeling, but he keeps quiet as North voices his previous thought.
"First, we have to get rid of that drone."
"Leave it to me." Markus stands up, analysing his options. He moves suddenly — fast and without hesitation —, climbing atop of a container, grabbing the edge of another as a crane moves it across the gap, and waiting for the right time to let himself fall onto the drone they're trying to sneak past. He struggles with the machine in the air, trying to break it apart before it can set off the alarms.
Eventually, the two crash to the ground, and the rest of the group is quick to jump off their hiding place and rush to see if the newcomer got hurt.
"You okay?" Simon asks.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He nods.
"Good job, Markus," North congratulates him.
Josh doesn't say anything, simply walking towards the CyberLife crates that are bound to contain all the supplies they need. Still, he does appreciate what the newcomer has just done for them. Getting rid of a drone mid-flight isn't easy, regardless of your previous programming. He's just saved their mission from a possible threat, and that is deserving of praise.
There are, however, more important things that need their attention. Like the CyberLife crates that are waiting to be emptied, their contents begging to be taken to Jericho.
"Quick, open up the crates and fill your bags. Take as much as you can," Simon orders, and Josh doesn't need to be told twice. He stands still as the PL600 opens his backpack and North hands him packets of blue blood to place within them. Once that particular crate has been emptied, Simon and he move on to another crate, the former stashing thirium packages in his own backpack while Josh keeps them in his pockets, before moving on to yet another crate.
Of course, their mission can't be that easy.
Another android shows up at the platform, interrupting them. They all turn to stare at the GJ500, wearing a uniform, that could very well ruin their mission and doom his own kind without even knowing it. "You are trespassing on private property." He moves closer to them, standing at the centre of the scene. "Your presence constitutes a Level 2 infraction. I will notify security."
Before they can try to persuade him, someone else — a human, most likely — yells, "John!" He's getting closer, heading their way. "Goddamn machine. Where is it this time?"
Yes, definitely a human.
Markus moves first, grabbing the GJ500 — John — and pulling him along, hiding both of them behind one of the crates they just emptied. The rest of the group follow his lead and hide, Josh's LED flickering yellow, recalculating their probability of success. His stress levels rise considerably, and the new figure he gets once the calculations are over do nothing to help.
John stands back up, probably released by the newcomer, and moves to stand between the human and the hidden androids.
"There you are! What the hell are you doing?" the human demands, and for a moment, Josh fears the GJ500 will rat them out and get them killed.
But then, the unexpected happens. "I was inspecting the platform. Everything is in order."
"Good. Then I'm going back to the control station. I'm soaked. Take the drone to maintenance and make a report," the man orders him before leaving as soon as he's got an affirmative reply. John doesn't move, however, staying in his place until they all leave their hiding spots, little by little.
Josh wants to thank him — for saving their lives, their mission, for risking his own to do so —, but they don't have time, not yet. First, they need to fill their bags. That's what they came here for. That's what they're risking everything for. And as long as they remain at the docks, they're still in danger.
"Let's finish up and get out of here," Simon orders, and the PJ500 agrees. The less time they spend here, the better. "Try to find some blue blood. We still don't have enough!"
He opens another crate, before chucking the knife towards the PL600 so he can open yet another one. Blue blood is hard to find, and infinitely precious for any android — it is, after all, the easiest resource to run out of.
Markus hoists himself up the platform, heading for the bigger blue crate. He opens it, only to find three AP700 androids, all waiting to be shipped off to a store, waiting to be sold off to human families to take care of their homes. Josh pauses, bags of thirium still in hand, and watches.
The newcomer reaches for one of the AP700's hand, opening up a connection. The android's LED goes yellow as he looks around himself, as if he were seeing the world around him for the very first time. The other two androids are converted as well and react in the exact same way, in awe of their surroundings, as unspectacular as they are.
A non-violent deviation. It's the first time Josh witnesses one, and he's mesmerised, for a moment, before he blinks, his own LED going yellow for a split second, quickly returning to a normal blue as he carries on with the task he's supposed to be doing. He finishes emptying the final crate — backpack and pockets full, before turning back to face the rest of the group.
"That's all we can carry. Let's go," Simon speaks up. North and Markus jump off the platform, ready to head out — their mission's over, they've got what they came for. The androids at Jericho will be saved.
Josh is about to follow them when the GJ500 pleads, "Take me with you."
The group turns their attention to him, well aware that the request is no small thing. Jericho is a place where androids are free — where only trustworthy androids are allowed to attempt to find their way there. It's not as easy as simply asking for a lift.
"He's on their side. We can't trust him," North tries to reason with Markus, but her words rub Josh the wrong way.
"He took a risk for us," he reminds her. "We can't just leave him here." His help was the difference between the failure of their mission and its success. It was the determinant factor in their lives, as well as that of the injured androids at Jericho, waiting for their return. John is the only reason this insane, high-risk plan might actually work. Leaving him behind is not just being ungrateful — it's a betrayal.
Simon sides with North. "We can't bring them back with us. It's too dangerous."
He wants to argue. He wants to remind him that this plan itself was far too dangerous, and both him and North were quick to agree to it, despite the risks it presented. How is taking John — and the other androids Markus awoke — back to Jericho even more dangerous than heading to a highly secure area where they could easily get killed and at the same time guarantee the deaths of the injured androids back at Jericho? It just doesn't make sense to him — both are highly dangerous situations, yet one is worthier than the other? Why? What makes it so?
Before he can say anything, Markus speaks up, his tone firm and decisive, leaving no room for discussions. "They come with us." He turns away and starts walking off. Josh does the same, but just before he turns around, he manages to catch a glimpse of John's smile.
Maybe the newcomer isn't as bad as he thought.
"I know where we can find more spare parts."
John's revelation brings them to yet another halt, all of them interested. Simon, who was at the head of the group, quickly makes a few steps towards him, definitely curious about the offer, and asks for clarification.
"The trucks," the GJ500 says, as if the answer were obvious. "They're full of biocomponents. They run on autopilot, but they can be driven manually with a key." Markus steps forward as well, asking where the key is. In reply, John moves forward, pointing at a small building marked Gatehouse A. "Down there, in the control station. There are two human guards. You'll have to get the key without being noticed."
"This is suicide, Markus. Our bags are full. We got what we came for, let's go before they catch us," Simon points out, and Josh has to agree. Running into humans is too dangerous — it has been a possible risk all along, but to willingly go looking for it is insane.
North, of course, disagrees. "This is a truck full of spare parts! There'd be enough for all of us! We can't pass this up!" she points out, and while she has a good point, the idea still makes Josh feel uneasy. They've taken too many risks already and have been lucky enough so far that everything has gone relatively according to plan. But there is a limit to everything, even good luck.
Besides, Simon is right. They've got enough for everyone already. This isn't just a high risk — it's an unnecessary one.
"And if we get killed, our people will have nothing. We can't take that chance. It's too risky!" he voices his concerns. An unnecessary risk that could jeopardise the mission they might as well have succeeded already is insane — is suicide, as Simon said. For the good of Jericho, they should leave now, while they are still undetected, while they still have the chance.
Instead, Markus orders, "Wait here. If I'm not back in ten minutes, go without me."
"Markus…" Simon tries to stop him, but the android's already on his way to the station.
"I'm coming with you," North states, making the newcomer stop right in his tracks.
"No, I'm going alone. It's not worth it for both of us to risk losing our lives." And with that, he heads off towards Gatehouse A.
Josh watches him go, shaking his head. He doesn't like this — risks are one thing, unnecessary risks are another. Yes, having a truck full of spare parts would be great, but they already have enough to heal all the injured androids that are waiting for them back at the ship. They don't need it. And if everything goes wrong…
He doesn't even want to think about it.
"It's going to be fine," North tells him, but the words are sharp as opposed to comforting. They're supposed to be a reassurance but feel more like a reproach — as if she resents him for not agreeing with her on this important issue. But maybe she doesn't — maybe he's just projecting, or simply misinterpreting her tone. Either way, he decides not to take that personally. This mission has them all on edge, and perhaps it's simply a case of misunderstanding and misinterpretation on his part.
"I just don't want our work to be pointless."
"Markus got us this far, didn't he?" Simon points out. "I'm sure he can do this. We're not going to fail the mission."
The PJ500 takes a good look at him, beyond curious about the android's words. "Since when do you have so much faith in him?" Since when do you have so much faith in a random newcomer? he wants to ask instead, but he doesn't for several reasons. One, it wouldn't be polite to refer to Markus that way. Two, the android's also more than just a newcomer. Three, an android's value does not depend on how long they've been at Jericho.
But it is concerning that the PL600 places so much trust and faith in an android he's met less than four hours ago.
"He's done nothing but help us so far. He hasn't failed us yet," the blond android points out.
Our mission isn't over, he wants to say. Things could still go very wrong if we make even a minor mistake.
He doesn't say it.
Instead, he lets silence fall upon the group as they wait for Markus to return. The lights at the control station go out, making them all tense. They don't know what the android is doing — they don't know how the stealth mission is going. All they can do is wait and hope.
Josh hates it.
Waiting is one thing. Waiting for someone else to finish a risky task that may very well determine how their overall mission will end is quite another. The former, he can do with no problem. The latter only raises his stress levels and make him somewhat restless, though he reins the feeling in as much as he can.
Before the ten minutes are over, they see a figure running back towards them — Markus.
North is the first one to meet him, an expectant look on her face. "Did you get it?" When the android silently holds up the key in response, she sighs in relief. "Nice."
And just like that, Josh's stress levels stabilise.
John opens up the back of the truck, and he quickly follows, Simon in tow. The three of them and the three AP700 quickly slip into the back of the truck, with the rest of the biocomponents and blue blood, as Markus and North take the front.
They all remain quiet, just in case, until they make it out of the CyberLife warehouse, and out of the docks. Only then, does the PJ500 allow himself to fully relax. Only then, does he allow himself to inwardly celebrate at the knowledge that their mission was successful — not only do they have enough for the injured androids currently waiting, they also have more, in case new androids show up at Jericho in the next few days. Only then, does he allow himself to admit that perhaps he was wrong.
Perhaps there are some risks worth taking, even if they sound absolutely insane.
Simon is absolutely ecstatic when they arrive at the ship. He strides forward with confidence, announcing, "A truckload! We stole a whole truckload!"
"We got biocomponents for everybody!" he tells everyone, just as excited as Simon is. What can he say — success is contagious.
"We couldn't have done it without Markus," North adds, looking towards the newcomer, who steps forward, a strange expression on his face. Josh would've thought he out of all people would be feeling happy, victorious, perhaps even a little arrogant at being proved right.
Instead, he looks thoughtful, as if he's got something on his mind. Something he's about to share with all of them, by the looks of it. "I came to Jericho because… here androids are free… Free to live in the dark, hoping that no one finds us. Free to die in silence waiting for a change that's never gonna come.
"But I don't want that freedom. And I'm not gonna beg for the right to smile, or love, or stand tall. I don't know about you, but there's something inside me that knows that I am more than what they say. I am alive, and they're not gonna take that from me anymore. Our days of slavery are over. What humans don't wanna hear, we will tell them. What they don't wanna give, we take. We are people, we are alive, and from this moment, we are free!"
Josh looks at this newcomer — at Markus — and he instantly understands why North and Simon place so much faith in him. It's not because he can get things done, and it's certainly not because he's new. They place faith in him because he tells the truth like it is — even if it's a truth they don't want to hear —, and because he's the only one of them actively looking to change their situation. Not only that, he's the only one willing to put himself forward and lead them into a future where they will be free to live as people without having to hide in the shadows of a rusty abandoned ship.
It won't prevent the PJ500 from being sceptical in the future, but perhaps he should give him the benefit of the doubt, at the very least.
But there is no time to celebrate their victory or ponder on the android's speech. They have androids to save, so he and Lucy start preparing the main room of the ship to become a makeshift hospital as Simon, North and Markus bring the supplies over from the trucks. Little by little, the injured androids start recovering energy, recovering life, and with every patient that gets better, the ship becomes a little less bleak.
When the male YK500 opens his eyes after being restored, Josh can't help but smile.
He might be sceptical of Markus and his plans for the future, but perhaps things will get better. And the best example is the child he has right in front of him — the child that has been offered a new chance at life.
Maybe, just maybe, the rest of them will get one too.