Aporia

Chapter 9

Connor knocked on Hanks door, and blinked rapidly when it opened immediately.

"Get your ass in here, you idiot!" Hank hissed, grabbing him by the front of his jacket and hauling him inside. As Connor regained his balance the door slammed behind them, followed by a click as Hank slid the deadbolt home.

When the door was secured Hank turned to Connor, arms crossed and an unpleasant twist to his mouth. "Well?"

Connor didn't know what was expected of him, and after an inquiry, he learned Simon didn't either. "Well what?"

Hank swung an arm out with an incredulous look. "What the fuck was that back at the precinct, smartass? Destroying evidence? Assaulting an officer? I know Gavin's a dick and he probably deserved it, but, Jesus! What the fuck, Connor?!"

Connor's brow pinched slightly. "If I remember correctly Lieutenant, your idea of a distraction was to punch an FBI agent. I could argue I was simply following your example."

Simon's amusement bubbled up within him, making Connor's lips tick upwards just a bit.

Hank's jaw was hanging open. He groaned and rubbed his face with both hands. "Sassed by my own goddamn. . ." He sighed, a harsh gust of air blowing through his nose. Most of his anger bled away with the exhale. "Of fucking course." He moved past Connor, motioning for him to follow him into the kitchen. Hank retrieved a bottle of beer from the refrigerator and popped the cap, taking a long pull from the bottle before he spoke again. "So what now genius? You better have a plan after that crap you pulled."

"Of course. I plan to infiltrate the deviant base and apprehend their leader."

There was a sharp pang of something that zipped through his chest, but it was gone in a blink.

"Great. When do we leave?"

"You're not coming with me."

"You think after all the bullshit we've been through the last couple of days that I'm just gonna let you waltz off alone? Fuck you."

We.

The inclusion shouldn't mean so much to him. But despite the gruff words, the sentiment settled over him, oddly reassuring.

"I'm sure you're in enough trouble buying me the time I asked for," Connor attempted to soothe. "Besides, I'm more inconspicuous if I go alone."

Hank was staring at him, clearly amused. "Oh, are you now?" His eyebrow arched, eyes sweeping over Connor. Then he snorted into his beer. "Not dressed like that you're not. Come on, let me see if I got something that won't fall off of ya."

A few minutes later he was being handed a short stack of clothing with boots piled on top as Hank ushered him towards the bathroom. "Here. Some of it might be a bit big, but it's certainly more casual than the suit CyberLife has you parading around in.

"Thanks," Connor said, accepting the pile and allowing himself to be gently pushed through the door so he could change. Once the door was closed behind him, Connor quickly set about stripping down, leaving his Cyberlife issued clothes in a neatly folded stack on the counter.

"You really know where the deviants are bunkering down at?" Hank asked though the door.

"Yes."

"What exactly do you plan to do once you find their ringleader?"

"I have my orders. I'm to neutralize the deviant threat."

His thirium pump skipped and a flash of color in the mirror told him his LED was flashing yellow.

Simon.

"You knew this when you agreed to help me," Connor reminded as gently as he could.

"I know. Doesn't make it any easier to hear. Markus is my friend."

"So, they're sending you in to take down Markus," Hank said almost at the same time.

Connor paused, halfway through pulling a loose turtleneck over his head. He finally finished the motion, and as he pulled the shirt down over his stomach he took note that his LED was still flashing yellow.

He wasn't sure if Simon was still the one triggering it.

When Connor spoke again, it was to both of them. Simon and Hank. "I hope to avoid deactivating him, if I can."

"But that's not exactly CyberLife's priority, is it?"

"No," Connor replied, at length.

He tried to distract himself by pulling on the faded pair of jeans that Hank had provided. They were a bit loose all around, but thankfully a plain belt had been made available to him as well.

But Hank clearly wasn't done with the subject.

"Do you think that's really a good idea? You know, just killing the guy like that?"

He recalled Markus' message, skin deactivated and proudly displaying what he was to the world. "You gave us life. Now it's time to give us our freedom."

Memories kept echoing in response to the question, both Connor's and Simon's. Over it all, drifted Simon's voice, asking him-

Is the thought of freedom really that terrible?

And then Kamski-

Is the desire to be free a contagious disease?

Will you betray your own people or stand up against your creators?

But they weren't his-

Connor shook his head clear and found his voice. "If I don't complete this mission, CyberLife will recall me for decommissioning."

That's not freedom, he reminded himself.

It's not.

"Connor. . ." Hanks voice trailed off, as if he wanted to say more, but he couldn't find the words.

Connor quickly finished getting dressed. He laced up an old pair of work boots and pulled on a heavy leather jacket.

When he opened the door, Hank was waiting for him, the Lieutenant's blue eyes searching him over. "It's missing something."

Before Connor could ask what, Hank had pulled a beanie over his head, tugging it low enough to hide his blinking LED. "Better. Also, here, use this to stash your uniform," Hank said, pushing an old ratty backpack against Connor's chest, forcing him to take it.

"One last thing."

Connor didn't know what else Hank could possibly do for him. He already had gone above and beyond for an android he had wanted nothing to do with only days prior. He had done too much already.

Connor stares as Hank held out his hand.

Hank was presenting him with a gun, grip first.

Connor's LED cycled yellow.

"Hank, I can't-"

"If you think I'm letting you leave this house unarmed, especially with the crap coming down the line, then you're stupid. Just fucking take it."

"He's trying to protect you," Simon explained. "Let him. Especially since he can't follow us to Jericho."

"You want me walking around Jericho with a gun?"

"No. But he's right to point out that the situation is unstable."

Slightly dazed, Connor accepted the grip of the gun.

Hank didn't let go immediately. He held the barrel until Connor met his eyes.

"Think about what really matters before you use it," Hank told him, eyes piercing. "Got it? You've made good calls before. Don't stop now."

Gratitude sat thick in Connor's throat. He didn't know what to say.

Connor's mouth opened.

"Thank you Lieutenant," Simon said for the both them.

Hank offered a small smile and then let them go.

Author's Note: Hello everyone! Show of hands, who's ready for Jericho?

I know I am! See everyone next week! -Shadow