ELIJAH KAMSKI'S RESIDENCE- NORTHERN DETROIT
1, FEBRUARY 2043 - 00:012:58
-WINTER-
If it wasn't apparent, I don't like Elijah Kamski. And much like Hank, I am very wary of him, even as we walk up the snow-covered path leading to his front door. I can't help but wonder why Hank seems so anxious coming here, but it might just be that Kamski had all but nearly forced me to kill the Chloe model he'd set out in front to me three years ago, but I get the sneaking suspicion that it's due to something else. Plus, the heightened blood pressure and heart rate are a dead give away.
"Hank?" I mutter softly, pulling the hoodie closer to my smaller body, "I- I don't like this place".
I can't help but say it, even though it's nearly the same thing I said last time we were here. But the feeling remains, making this experience needlessly more difficult.
"Neither do I kid," he replies, "but this asshole knows shit about androids that can help us figure out where you came from".
But… why?
What good does knowing what model I am if it's not important to the investigation? Or, is it more of the fact that no one knows where I came from, Hank thinking I'm just an amalgamation of someone who wanted a new looking YK500? Either way, there's no getting out of this now… and all I can do is hope that Kamski doesn't find out who I really am.
Right now, my only objective is not letting Hank know.
I can't hurt him again.
"Just stay close and don't touch anything… and stay away from the pool".
"Okay,".
He sighs and knocks on the door, either consciously or subconsciously keeping me behind him… just like he did at the Eden Club and when we found the android in the pigeon-infested apartment building.
It takes a moment but eventually one of the Chloe models opens the door to greet us, either already have been expecting us… or she saw us walking up the path. "Good Afternoon, Lieutenant Anderson," she says, her gaze floating down to me, "And... who might this be?".
She seems suspicious, curious even… almost like I look familiar.
I don't say anything, no surprise to Hank, I just stare at her for a moment… my LED shifting to red. I wonder… could this be the Chloe I nearly shot? Or one that stood by helplessly as Kamski, their owner and keeper at the time, so easily condemned one of their own to death?
Hank chuckles slightly and puts his hand on my back, making me realize I've reverted to hiding behind him. "Say hi, kid. She won't bite" he says.
I look up at her again and wave timidly, "Alex. M- my name is… Alex".
But it's not…
Connor is dead.
You're Alex.
End of story.
"That's a very nice name," she says, bending down to see me better, "My name is Chloe, I'm an RT600, the first android to pass the Turing Test, isn't that interesting?".
So it is her.
I nod despite already having an extensive knowledge on the Turing Test… and, unfortunately, the Kamski Test as well.
"I assume you're here to see Elijah," Chloe says, standing up to face Hank again, "He's busy at the moment, but you can wait inside. I'd hate for the little one to be in the cold".
Hank forces a smile, trying to be professional and ushers me inside, "Thank You".
Inside looks a lot different than it did last time we were here, which doesn't surprise me much. The place looks more lived in, more 'homey' as Hank would put it. But the thing that immediately grabs my attention is a large built-in aquarium on the wall, filled with what looks to be hundreds of fish.
I'm hardly able to restrain myself from running up to the tank since that would probably give Hank enough of a connection between me and Connor. So, like the good little android I am, I walk straight over to the chairs provided and sit down, watching as Hank joins me.
The lieutenant chuckles softly to himself as he sits, and for a moment I'm confused as to why, but I realize with my height, my feet dangle laughable over the edge of the chair.
I feel my face get warm as I cross my arms, trying to pretend that my shortness doesn't bother me, even though it sorta does.
Chloe simply finds it amusing, "I'll be back soon. I'm sure you can entertain yourselves until then".
Hank nods and sighs, the vinyl of the chair squeaking when he moves around, "So, kid. Can you tell me anything about what happened to you before you were almost kidnapped? That plastic prick didn't bother to ask and now I'm sorta curious…".
I don't bother looking at him, just staring down at my hands again. "I- I don't know. One minute, I wasn't, the next, I was".
He furrows his eyebrows for a moment, "You weren't what?".
I shrug.
"I wasn't. And now I am".
"The fuck are you trying to tell me, Alex. You're saying that you were activated yesterday?".
I don't bother responding, partly because I don't want to, and because what does it matter? I was still almost kidnapped regardless of the day I was activated. Tony and Rossco need to be stopped, right now that's all that matters. I don't matter to this investigation, I don't understand what Hank is putting so much effort into knowing more about me. I don't matter to him, I'm just another android, a victim. He's going to pawn me off to Jericho after all.
He doesn't pry after that, thankfully, and the room is nothing but quiet while we wait for Kamski to show himself, which is taking quite a bit longer than it did last time we were here.
To pass the time, Hank busies himself with his phone, either playing games or doing work from the field. I, however, don't have the luxuries of entertainment, aside from the fish tank of course. Despite my appearance, I'm still the most advanced prototype in existence (with the acceptance of Richard of course) I won't stoop that low and let my childish inhibitions take over and compromise my identity.
But the fish…
They're really pretty.
"If you want to look at the fish," Hank says suddenly, "Go look at the damn fish. Just looking at you squirm is making me antsy".
I blink and look at him, "What?".
"In case you've forgotten, I'm a detective, I can tell you wanna go look at the fish," he continues, "You've been eyeing it ever since we got here. You like animals, I'm guessing?".
I shrug, reluctant to answer since now Hank suspects my activation date was yesterday, definitely not enough time for a small child to develop interests and dislikes. "I'm unsure, I've only ever met Sumo,".
Hank hums and nods, "Well now's your chance to meet some fish. I know a few breeds or whateverthefuck you call 'em. My son liked fish, wouldn't shut up about them. I suppose you saw the ones in his room?".
How can he talk about me so calmly? Has he actually gotten over my death and moved on?
Connor died, not you.
And that was 3 years ago.
Of course, he moved on.
You were just an android.
A replacement.
Who's to say he hasn't just gotten another?
"Kid?".
Hank taps my shoulder and I jump, my LED flashing yellow.
/!STRESS LEVEL:35%!\
I should feel happy that Hank is doing better, mentally and health-wise, even though he doesn't exactly look it.
But…
I just…
I don't know.
I don't know how to feel.
I don't know what I want anymore.
I just want my dad back.
"S- sorry," I mutter, taking a breath and pulling my hands up through the sleeves of my hoodie so I can hold myself to provide myself a bit of comfort. "I saw the fish, they were very pretty. Your son must have been a very lucky man to have them".
I don't mean to say that last part, but I can't help it.
Despite Connor's life once being my own, I can't help being jealous of what I once had.
Hank looks slightly shaken by this, but I can't read his expression no matter how hard I try.
"Yeah," he finally mutters, coldly, "I guess he was".
A few seconds of silence pass before I slide off the chair and wander over to the fish tank, not very interested in it anymore. Instead, I just press my forehead against the glass and close my eyes, praying to ra9 that Hank won't ask any more questions.
He doesn't, and even if he was, Chloe comes back before he can say anything.
"Elijah will see you now, but this time I must advise against using violence. You're lucky that he's willing to see you after last time" she says, smiling when she looks down at me, "follow me please,".
Last time?
Nothing happened last time.
Unless?
"Come on, Alex," Hank says, standing up and walking towards Chloe, "Let's go met your maker".
Per Hank's advice, I stay hidden behind his legs as Chloe leads us through the house. "So, Chloe," Hank says, trying to make small talk and be polite, "How are your sisters?".
Sisters?
Androids don't have siblings…
"Oh, Callie, and Cate are doing just fine, thank you for asking. Both of them love their new jobs".
He grumbles a little, "Glad to hear it,".
She smiles down at me again, an odd knowing smile, "What about you Alex? Do you have any brothers or sisters?".
I shake my head.
"A mom and dad? Most android children have parents".
I swallow the nonexistent saliva in my throat and shake my head again.
"No,".
But…
Hank's my dad…
No, Hank was Connor's dad.
You're not Connor.
You're Alex.
"Oh," Chloe says, her smile fading.
"That's kinda why we're here," Hank says, pausing alongside Chloe when we walk up to a closed door, "We can't figure out what model he is, finding out could help the investigation".
She nods.
"I see. Well, Elijah is right in here, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to call," Chloe says, opening the door to the smaller room. "Elijah, our guests are here".
"Bring them in," he calls.
So, thanking Chloe once again, Hank leads me inside the room, still shielding me from his eyes.
There, in the corner of the room, in a far too large chair, sits Elijah Kamski, a wine glass in hand, still wearing the robe I saw him in last.
"Kamski" Hank practically growls.
"Well, well. Lieutenant Anderson," the man says, rotating the chair to face Hank, "fancy seeing you back here".
"Just cram it you little snake, I'm not here to start shit, I'm here on business".
Clearly, Hank doesn't want to deal with him today, nor do I.
Something must have happened between the time I died and returned.
"I highly doubt that, but carry on. What is it you need?" Kamski says, gesturing to the air.
"I'm investigating a new case, kidnapping and a possible chop-shop too. I have an android here that nobody can identify, no model or serial number. I was wondering if you and your techno-magic shit could help us figure what he is".
"Very well," he says, standing up an tightening the rope around his waist, "Show me this so-called mystery android. A man like you may have just been too drunk to identify it,".
Hank tenses at that, and I grab his hand when he balls his fist, clearly ready to throw a punch. He looks down at me with a heated expression, which slowly softens when I give him (what he called) 'the puppy eyes'. "Fine," he mutters to me, "but he says one more thing and I'm knocking him clean off his block".
With that Hank sighs and ushers me out from my hiding place behind his legs.
"Alex, Kamski. Kamski, Alex. Now hurry the fuck up and tell me what you know, I do have work to do".
Kamski doesn't move…
In fact, he just stands stock still in the middle of the small room, staring at me with wide eyes.
It's…
It's not possible for him to know who I am…
Right?
Suddenly, Kamski shoots forward grabbing me by the arm and pulling me away from Hank. "Where did you get him, and how?".
Of course, I can't help but to yelp and tug my arm away, scurrying back to the lieutenant.
"Don't fucking touch the kid," Hank hisses, giving Kamski a good shove back, "Tell me what you know and we'll leave you be".
Elijah recovers and clears his throat. "That," he says, pointing to me, "Is an RY300, the very first and only model of its kind in existence. A project long abandoned, years before Cyberlife fell and years before I left. The real question is, how on earth did you acquire it? How is it standing here fully awake and conscious?".
Hank just looks back at Kamski with a blank expression, as if he were trying to process what the other man just told him. "That's… is that even possible?".
"He's standing next to you is he not?" Kamski says, taking a step towards me again. This is absolutely fascinating… how, how are you even here? The project was abandoned nearly 12 years ago, you were never even fully activated with a sentient conscious. Last traces of the RY300 project were locked away in the old Cyberlife warehouse on the outskirts of town".
"The outskirts of-" Hank mutters, looking down at me, "Christ, those fuckers got a good ways away, I found you about three or four miles from there, Alex".
I nod numbly, not exactly wanting to recount my experience in the back of the van.
Kamski inches closer, "You're arm is damaged, I assume this has something to do with the so-called kidnapping?".
I'd nearly forgotten about my arm, my self-repair program working in the background as everything began to unfold. "Yes, sir".
He nods and stands back up, looking at Hank expectantly, "We need to run tests, figure out how he came to be".
"What?!" Hank yelps, "No, no fucking way am I letting you anywhere near him, after what happened with Connor, I wouldn't trust you around any other android".
What…
What happened with Connor?
What does Kamski have to do with anything?
Elijah just smiles at that and crosses his arms. "Well, you need answers, I have them. So, I'm afraid if you're ever going to get any footing on this investigation, you're going to have to comply with me,".
"No, I'm not falling for this shit again. Come on, Alex.. we're leaving,".
"Okay," I mutter, taking hold of his hand as we both begin to leave the room.
Surprisingly, Kamski doesn't stop us…
At least…
He doesn't stop us until we're barely out the door.
"You know, the glitches won't stop," he says.
I freeze.
"His programming is new and highly unstable. If you let me examine him, you might just be saving his life".
And now Hank stops, his grip tightening on mine.
"Hank?" I whisper, fear rising up in my chest, "Hank, I don't want to die".
He takes a breath.
I shouldn't have said that.
"I know more about his model than anyone else, I'm the only one who can help you".
"Hank," I say again, whining this time.
"Shut up, kid," he says, "let me think".
"It's nothing serious, just a look at his code" Kamski continues, "Perhaps implement some patches, see what I can complete and fix. You wouldn't want to condemn another android to an untimely demise now would you, lieutenant?".
That's…
That's such a low blow…
Asshole.
Hank huffs out a sharp breath and releases my hand, turning sharply to the short, pale man. "You do one bad thing to him, or hurt him in any way, I'll fucking kill you myself. We clear?". He lifts his hands and grabs Kamski by the robe, nearly lifting him off the ground, "And don't you ever, ever talk about my son like that, okay? Or it'll be the last thing you do you fucking bastard,".
"You have my word. Nothing will happen. Now, I'll be in my lab, Chloe will show you the way".
And with that, Hank lowers Kamski to the ground and lets him leave the room before looking back towards me, frowning when he sees my LED flashing red.
"It's okay kid," he says, "just grown up talk".
I nod even though I know very well undisguised threats aren't considered 'grown-up talk'.
"Is he going to hurt me?" I ask. It's the only thing I can really think about considering I don't know much about Kamski aside from what the media has provided me. I don't trust him in the slightest either, and who's to say the test he's going to run on me won't reveal my alternate programming?
I can't let that happen.
"He better not," Hank replies, "But… if he can prevent you from having another seizure, then we gotta take a risk if it'll help you in the long run".
I should have held my tongue, but… my childish programs seem to kick in and give voice to my confusion and concern.
"Hank?".
"What…"
"I… w- why do you care? Why are you helping me?" I ask, tears unintentionally finding their way into my eyes, "I don't understand…".
Hank stiffens and kneels down in front of me, clearly conflicted on how to handle this situation, "Christ, kid. The hell you talking about? You're an important part of this investigation, so I have to care, and you're just a kid! Plus, I'm an officer, and as an officer, it's my job to put the men who tried to hurt you away so they don't hurt anyone else".
I shake my head and push his hand away when he tries to reassure me.
"Just stop…" I mutter, unable to continue this ruse.
"Alex…".
I can't do this...
I can't keep lying like this.
"Kid… tell me," Hank says, wiping away a tear with his thumb.
"I'm… I'm," I say, choking on a sob between words.
You need to tell him…
You can't keep doing this…
"I'm *sobs* I'm not your son, Hank," I finally mutter, "You can stop pretending now, you can stop treating me like I am".
He blinks.
"What?".
"I know that what happened to Connor hurt you but you can keep using me to replace him, Hank!".
"What the fuck are you talking about?!".
He's getting upset, confused… scared maybe.
Good.
"I'm just part of this investigation, you need to stop treating me like I'm more!" I continue, feeling my stress beginning to build as I cry, "You aren't my dad,".
Hank
Angry \/
"You're right, I'm not your dad, and you sure as hell ain't my son, " he says, pulling away and stands up to tower above me, "But I never fucking said you were. What brought this on, eh? And how the fuck do you even know about families anyways, huh? You're just some scrapped project that nobody cared enough about to finish or even look after. You don't know what it's like to be loved, you don't know what it's like to have a dad!".
Hank regrets it the moment he says it, I can see his regret in his tired eyes.
But the damage is done.
"Alex, I-".
But I don't let him finish, instead, I just turn tail and run out of the room, ignoring Hank when he tries to call after me.
You did the right thing, Alex
He'll be fine without you.
He's held it together for this long.
He can do it for a while longer.
I don't pay much attention to where I'm going, so that's why I run directly into Chloe when I try to make it through the maze of a house.
"Oh! Alex what are you-? Oh, sweetheart what's wrong?" She asks, holding me when I instinctively wrap my arms around her legs and hide my face as I sob.
It's not like I'd answer her anyways, I'm too busy gasping and crying to pay much mind.
Hank shuffles up to us, wheezing slightly from trying to catch up with me. "Christ you fuckers are fast," he mutters, "Alex, come on… I didn't mean what I said, I got upset and-".
"I think it's time you leave, Lieutenant Anderson," Chloe says, giving him a harsh look.
He blinks, "What?".
"I will be sure Alex is cared for during testing, but I think it would be wise for his stress levels to remain stable, and I don't think that would happen with you around".
I hadn't really been paying attention to my heightened stress levels, but I know I need to lower it if I don't want to have another 'seizure' and risk shutting down.
"I can't leave without him, he's still part of the investigation and I need to take him to New Jericho after we're done here".
"I'm very capable of taking him there myself. I'm due for a visit anyways," she continues, "Now, I must advise you again to leave. I will send you a message later on about the results of Elijah's tests. Alex is in good hands I'll need you to trust me on that".
Hank is silent for a moment, and I can tell that he angry and arguing with himself over what's right and what his gut is telling him to do. "Fine. But only for his sake, alright? Not for anything else," he says, pointing a finger in her face before looking down at me, "I'm sorry, kid but maybe you're right, maybe splitting ways is for the best. My boss already assigned me to a different case, Gavin and Richard will be taking over your case from now on, alright?".
I choke on a sob and finally look up to him, "W- what?".
"That's what took me so long to leave the office, Fowler was switching me to a non-android case, has been debating taking me off homicide for a while, guess this was the final straw for him,".
I don't know what to say to that, Hank loves his work in homicide and I know for a fact that he wouldn't give up his position without a fight, but I guess that the fact that a child android Hank already grew needlessly protective over was enough to push him to a breaking point.
"I'm sorry," I mumble between hiccups and sobs, "I didn't mean to hurt you,".
He gives me a broken smile, "Neither did I, kid. But sometimes people hurt others without really meaning to,".
"I know," I reply, understanding first hand what that means.
Hank sighs and pats the top of my head.
"I'll be off now. Just… just take care of yourself, Alex".
"I'll show you to the door," Chloe says, pulling away from me to show Hank out.
He simply nods and follows the blonde android out of the house, looking back at me once more before disappearing into the snowy Detroit wilderness.
As it turns out, the testing Kamski was referring to was only a simple full system diagnostic, and a few calibration exercises, much like ones I experienced during a technician's visit. It's not harmful in any way, it just shows and highlights broken and missing pieces of code, so most likely he will be the one to find out I'm not exactly who I say I am.
It takes a few hours, and I'm not surprised to find the room slightly darker when I finally come to, Chloe standing at a terminal nearby.
"It's about time you woke up, did you have a nice rest?" she says.
I grumble and nod, pulling myself up, "Yes".
She nods, humming as she continues typing.
"I assume everything went well?".
Chloe doesn't respond at first, her typing ceasing for a moment.
I blink, looking around the room, realizing that Kamski is nowhere to be seen.
But… wasn't he the one conducting the test?
"I'm qualified to run tests if that's what you're wondering. Plus, I thought you'd be more comfortable seeing a familiar face".
Oh…
"So you know who I am?" I ask slightly downtrodden.
She nods and smiles softly, "Despite us only having met once, you aren't very good at keeping things hidden".
I sigh, having got that line more than once from Hank.
An unintentional whine escapes my throat when I think of him, and how out last exchange went. Part of me is relieved, and another is disappointed because, for one, I got what I wanted, gotten Hank to understand that I'm not his son. But at the same time, I hurt Hank again by calling him out for his instinctive behavior.
I don't think he meant to do so, but… i just couldn't let himself get attached.
"I gather that Hank doesn't know yet?" she asks.
"No. I don't think I want him to know either," I admit, tossing my legs over the side of the table, "I can't put him through that pain again,".
Chloe just sighs, "Sooner or later, Connor… he'll find out, most parents do, whether you like it or not. Hank is still your dad".
There's a heavy moment of silence between us, the only sound in the air is the whirl of machinery.
She clears her throat and returns to the terminal, clapping her hands to change the subject.
"So, the results of the test. You're fine, all the important lines of code were completed as Elijah had mentioned, but… there are some lasting problems with your model that I was unable to fix, or at least, I tried to,".
I blink, my stress picking up a few notches.
"What does that mean?".
Once again, Chloe doesn't respond right away, she simply smiles an almost plastic smile and walks over to me, "Let's take a walk, okay? I'll explain more on the way… I assume you're familiar with the new body upgrades for YK500s?".
"Hank briefly explained the basics of the program, but it would be ideal to learn more".
The blonde chuckles, "Do you always talk so formally? You do know you're technically supposed to be a 12-year-old child, correct?".
12…
Cole would be 12 right about now.
The irony is beside me.
I guess that old saying is true, everything does come in threes.
"I enjoy being polite and formal, although… it must be rather odd seeing a small child acting and speaking like an adult," I say, joining her as she leads me out of the lab, "But I am… unsure of how a child talk. I had very limited interactions with them".
"I'm sure you'll get a handle on it soon enough. Anyways, at one point in time, Cyberlife had planned on creating different bodies for each stage of life. A YK1000 model that would simulate an infant and toddler. Then, your typical YK500 being a growing child, RY300 being an aging teen, then your basic pick of all modern models for adulthood".
I nod, "Why was the RY300 scrapped?".
Chloe sighs again, "From what Elijia could build given the parts he had, your stress regulator is highly unstable and unable to maintain a safe level".
That'll explain why my stress level is always so high all the time.
"During the minimal testing we did, your stress level fluctuated far too much, much like a real pre-teen or... tween as you would put it. But it was far too dangerous to allow for mass production. That is part of the reason why the idea never went beyond the first prototype, Elijah was convinced that in that day and age, people just weren't willing to take care of an older child, especially one that was designed to perfectly mimic a real rebellious child".
"Oh," I mutter, my LED blinking red a few times, "But… you fixed it right? I'm okay now?".
Chloe shakes her head, "I did my best, Alex. I implemented some software patches that may fix the underlying problem with the regulator, but because you're a one of a kind model, we are unable to test and see if the patch was successful. As Elijah says, we're just going to have to wing it".
I nod, taking a shuttering breath.
"Are you going to be okay?" she asks.
"I- I think so," I tell her, pausing slightly in my steps, "Chloe?".
She hums.
"How did I get into this body if it was never activated?"
"Ah, that little one," Chloe says as she bends down and presses a finger against my nose, "Is a question for another time. Now we need to get you to New Jericho for the night, alright?".
I grumble slightly and nod, "Very well,".
"Alright, would you like anything before we leave? A cup of thirium, or perhaps a snack?".
Snack?
"Androids can't eat… unless that's changed too" I state, finding myself hoping that things did change because eating always seemed so enjoyable for humans.
Especially Hank.
"Perks of knowing the co-code writer of most new androids is that you get upgraded with some of our newest programs. So yes, you can eat small amounts of biological and thirium based foods, and all of it will be converted to usable energy, interesting is it not?".
I nod, trying to hold back the eagerness in my eyes, but not much. The trip to New Jericho is still one that I somewhat dread. "Thank you,".
"No need to thank me, sweetheart," Chloe says, grabbing a bluish pack of… something from the fridge and handing it to me (It looks like small gelatinous squares of thirium) "I'm just trying to help a friend".
That phrase bothers me for some reason.
How can this girl want to be my friend when I was forced to hold her at gunpoint and she could do nothing about it?
"What's past is past, little one. What Elijah did was unnecessary and ruthless, and I'll have you know my sisters made him pay for what he did to us" she explains as she leads me once again outside to where an automated car waits.
"Oh…".
"Don't you worry, alright? You'll be okay once we get to New Jericho, then you can decide on what you're going to do".
I furrow my eyebrows as I climb into the back of the car, Chloe climbing into the front. "Decide… decide on what?".
Chloe just smiles knowingly again as the car roars to life and begins to make its way towards New Jericho.
"You'll know what you need to do when the time comes, Alex," she says, "You'll know".
My meeting with Markus is very brief, and perhaps I've forgotten that he is a very busy man. All he's able to do is greet me at the door when Chloe and take me to a room alongside may other that I assume belong to other android children.
"This is where you'll be staying, Alex. Feel free to decorate and arrange the room however you like, and if you need anything just find one of us and we'll help you," he says, ruffling my hair.
I doubt he'll be able to give me my old life back, but I thank him anyway and smile when Chloe, Markus, North and Josh all leave me be, North and Chloe head out on their own while the other's head their separate ways.
And for the first time in my short existence, I'm completely alone.
I sigh and sit on a less than comfortable mattress and reopen my communication line.
/ Richard, I say, I believe I'm ready to talk.