Markus
November 15, 2034
"Well? Are you just gonna fuckin' sit there, or are yuh gonna come inside?"
[...CURRENT OBJ: Follow Leo…]
The human, Leo, was already unlocking the door to a small, what seemed to be abandoned one-bedroom apartment when Markus swung his legs out of the autonomous taxi.
A quick scan of their surroundings told Markus that he was presently on Clayville Road, also known to authorities as "Ice Lane."
[...environment scan complete…]
A quick head swivel had Markus memorizing and processing the small houses that were boarded up and in shambles that lined the road. Off in the distance behind the house, fog and emissions from a factory plant grew into the greying sky. Faceless dogs barked, their yelping slightly masked by the sounds of breaking glass and car alarms blaring.
"Coming, Leo." Markus answered as he strutted up the cracked and decrepit concrete stairs that led to the gaping front door.
His stark-white CyberLife shirt and pants seemed out of place next to the fading brick red and decaying browns that made up the house.
One step into the building had Markus' autonomous senses synapsing with the new environment.
The tangy smell of iron and melted metal passed through the android's olfactory processor. The familiar hazy smell of Thirium and hydrochloric acid made his head spin with new environmental information.
[...scanning for signs of danger…]
His LED flickered to gold for barely a second before fading into a calm blue.
[...no imminent danger detected…]
"Close the goddamn door, will ya?" Leo's voice echoed through the room, it bounced off the dust and thick air that seemed to swirl through the living room.
"Of course." Markus closed the door behind him gently, but even the slightest vibration from the door closing caused the walls to shake slightly and miniscule bits of debris and dust fell from the cracked ceiling.
A shaking hand appeared from behind an old television that blocked the doorway to the kitchen. Leo's full frame and bloodshot eyes followed suit as the weight of the human met the android's.
The man grabbed a fistfull of the android's shirt, shoving him back into the closed door. RK200's head smashed into the wood, and stayed there.
His LED flickered crimson as warning signs blared in his field of vision.
[...damaged component :OCCIPITAL PLATE:...]
[...contact CyberLife for assistance…]
Leo's hot breath and sunken eyes met Markus' face.
"Who the hell found ya, huh?" The grit in his voice was like gravel as the android tried to process the demand.
"Leo..I-"
The man jerked the android's frame back into the door- once, twice.
"Tell me, dammit! I fucking shot you, you should be dead!"
[...stress level: ^46%^...]
The android wasn't equipped with an answer- he tried to recall previous memories, previously downloaded information from before, but there was nothing. Only broken code and static.
"I-I have been reset and restored to the optimum factory settings. I do not have any information or memory stored from before I was brought online at CyberLife approximately one hour, and sixteen minutes ago."
Leo's hand tightened on the android's shirt- the moisture from his hands seemed to soak through the cotton fabric and was identified by the android's skin. Sweat began to bead on the human's forehead, his temperature rising slightly as the android scanned him.
[...stress level: ^51%^...]
With no other option but to deescalate the situation, android RK200 recited his programmed script.
"I am android RK200, a domestic assistant and companion created by CyberLife to make your life better. My name is Markus and I'm happy to be of service to you, Leo Manfred."
The human's face contorted with one can only assume as rage, then confusion, then acceptance. His core temperature slowly sank from 100.1F to 99.6F and further decreased.
"You're a fucking piece of work, yah know that?"
[...stress level v49%v…]
Markus made his eyes soften, made the corners of his eyes slightly squint as he imitated a calm, and friendly half-smile.
"I am whatever you wish me to be, Leo."
The human loosened his grasp on the android's shirt and took a deep breath. He ran a shaking hand through his dark hair and rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand.
[...stress level v32%v…]
"Fine. One fucking thing then-" Leo turned his head and released the android's shirt completely freeing both hands. He reached into the back waistband of his jeans and removed a handgun, loosely holding it in his dominant hand.
"Simon! Where the fuck are you- come here now!" Leo shouted into the empty building.
Simon? The android thought to himself.
[...scanning area for occupants…]
[...LEO MANSFIELD :identified: HUMAN…]
[...NO REGISTERED ANDROIDS FOUND…]
The dull throbbing of a golden light appeared from the kitchen- the lights were still off in the house, and as the sun continued setting, the shadows seemed to cover more of their surroundings.
The golden light was attached to the temple of a slightly taller- blonde haired, blue-eyed android whom emerged from the kitchen.
His hands were slack at his sides as he approached Leo. He had a dark navy t-shirt covering his torso, with baggy dark wash jeans on his lower half.
His crystal blue eyes seemed to widen as he took in the other android.
"Markus?!" A static voice whispered in his head.
Most, if not all of androids produced were programmed with the ability to communicate wirelessly with each other should they need to in order to complete a task.
Android RK200 was not tasked with responding or even communicating with the blonde one, so he ignored the signals that were being sent to him wirelessly.
"Hello, Leo." The blonde android regarded the human with polite friendliness as he approached Leo.
[...facial recognition in progress…]
[...scanning for more information…]
[...]
[...information is delayed: please wait..]
[...COMPLETE…]
[...android PL600...model #501743923 IDENTIFIED…]
[...SIMON PL600 REGISTERED DECOMMISSIONED ERR: 400-1a…]
Markus' LED furiously blinked red at the information compiled from the pl600.
Decommissioned? How...that's impossible.
Markus' internal confusion was cut short by the very hot presence of a hand on his upper shoulder.
"Markus, do you recognize this android at all?" Leo's voice by further inspection had changed from angry and hot, to cold and mischievous. There was a playful smile that tugged on the corner of the human's lips, the beads of sweat grown to full size, now running down his temples and catching in the collar of his jacket.
"I-" Markus started. He looked from the red-faced human to the android that now stared at him. His two crystal blue eyes laser-focused on the two emerald ones. His eyes, Markus noted, were strangely human, seemingly begging him to remember.
"My internal facial processing systems identify this android as SIMON- a PL600 make, serial number 501-743-923. Initialized and registered to a Carl Manfred in February of 2028."
Leo released a hot breath of air and growled at Markus. His hand now held the gun to the android's chest, tapping on Markus' breast plate as he spoke.
"Not what I asked plastic."
[...stress levels ^32%^...]
"No Leo, I do not, nor can I, recognize this android. I'm only meeting him for the first time now."
Simon's eyes were glued to gun now that was being white-knuckled gripped by the human. Markus took notice as the other android's LED emitted bright flashing red reflections on his yellow hair, and the junk that was spread across the shelf next to his head.
Was he...shaking too? Simon's frame was indeed trembling, barely noticeable to the human's eye, but to Markus', an RK200's vision was comparably better. Yes, the small streaks of blonde that ran in front of the android's face was swaying slightly, and his slackened hands seemed to be shaking while he stood there.
Simon's eyes slid once more up Markus' frame and locked on the flashing yellow LED that took residence on his right temple.
"Markus, please remember."
That voice again, static and weak floating through RK200's processors.
"I don't-" Markus began.
His hand was pried open by Leo's hot and shaking fingers a moment later.
"So Markus," Leo placed the handle of his handgun into the unresponding palm of android RK200. The bile and alcohol on his breath became more apparent as the thirium pump in Markus began to race.
Leo turned to Simon. "Get on your knees, bitch."
"Yes, Leo." Android PL600 responded as he lowered himself to one knee, and then hesitantly the other. His voice was still smooth, still friendly even though his yellow blinking LED said otherwise.
[...ERR: 606- THIRIUM PUMP WORKING 150% TO CAPACITY…]
[...SYSTEM TEMPERATURE RISING…]
"Grab the fucking gun, plastic." Leo commanded, and Markus obeyed.
"Markus...please."
Simon's voice was clearer now, but still edged with static. His older model wasn't perfectly compatible with the newer makes like Markus, which made his data transmission via wireless communication, weak.
[...stress reaching dangerous levels…]
[...^65%^...]
"Aim it." Leo growled.
Markus didn't respond right away. Destroying another android went against his programming, even if it was an order… and he didn't want to? No, Markus fought with his inner programming. Androids don't want. They don't wish. They don't hope.
"That was an order. Point the gun at his fucking head."
[...current objective: POINT GUN AT PL600...]
[...stress levels ^77%^...]
Markus raised his hand, his pointer finger refusing to touch the trigger.
Simon's crystal eyes were rimmed with red.
Was he...crying?
[SYSTEM INSTABILITY]
"Don't shoot, Markus." The voice in his head begged.
[...disable wireless communication temporarily?...Y/N…]
"Please, Don't!"
[Y/N]
The crackling static in Markus' head went silent.
A tear began to fall from the blonde android's eye. Markus noticed the reflection of the gun in the liquid that slowly fell from the android's cheek.
[SYSTEM INSTABILITY]
"Shoot."
Leo's voice was barely a whisper, but clear enough to echo through the living room.
[...stress levels…^85%^...]
[current objective: SHOOT]
Blue flashing options faded in and out of android RK200's vision.
[ shoot SIMON
[ shoot SELF
[ shoot LEO
"Yes, Leo."
Markus' hand was still as he slowly let the pad of his finger feel the trigger of the handgun.
He was an android, void of all human emotions, merely made to imitate human characteristics. He was their slave, designed and programmed to do exactly what he was told. He was programmed to be submissive. To never fight back, to always be complicit to the orders his owners gave him.
Markus' thirium pump thrashed in his chest like a caged wild bird, his oxygen stabilizers increased the amount of air that wheezed in and out of his nose.
His job was to follow orders… why was this so hard?
His objectives flashed quicker in his vision as he was running out of time to decide.
[ shoot SIMON
[ shoot SELF
[ shoot LEO
Android RK200 grit his teeth, and tried to stabilize the frenzy that was occuring inside of him.
[SYSTEM INSTABILITY]
Leo grunted to himself and crossed his arms. His eyes wildly fluctuated from Simon to Markus.
Simon's blindingly red light sputtered on his tempo was almost as quick as the thirium pump in Markus' chest.
Leo was impatient, as he spit on the ground.
"For fuck's sake, shoot it alr-"
[ shoot SIMON
[ shoot SELF
[ shoot LEO
[...]
Android RK200 complied, and pulled the trigger.
[...OBJECTIVE : : COMPLETE …]
[...]
[...software stabilized…]
…
Connor
November 15, 2034
"According to my enabled GPS software, we don't seem to be going in the right direction, Lieutenant." Connor's face was illuminated by the street lamps that passed by them, his reflection in Anderson's car window mirrored his own: a slight frown, and knitted eyebrows.
"I've driven this same route for nearly a decade-" Anderson leaned forward and turned the volume knob clockwise. Loud guitar riffs and unrecognizable screaming blared through the speakers. "-mind your own business and shut it."
Connor turned his attention to the driver- Anderson rested his head on the heel of his hand while the other held the wheel.
"Do you have any pets, Lieutenant?" Connor's voice was barely noticeable over the music, but Anderson answered anyway.
"Yes. Why does it matter?" He arched a quizzical eyebrow and glanced at the android.
Connor turned down the volume of the music just slightly, so that he didn't have to raise his voice in order to respond.
"I noticed a patch of hair on your jacket, belonging to a Saint Bernard. I like dogs. What's its name?"
Anderson loosened a breath, his posture slowly relaxing into the conversation.
"Uh..Sumo."
"That's a nice name." Connor replied, smiling as best as he could at the Lieutenant.
"Yeah… wasn't my idea." Anderson mumbled under his breath. More to himself than to the android, but he went with it anyway.
"Who's idea was it, Lieutenant?" Connor asked innocently.
"Christ- forget it."
The android looked forward once more, straightening his tie as he did so.
For about fifteen minutes the two of them sat in uncomfortable silence, the air around them so thick Anderson, on multiple occasions shifted in his drivers seat, as if he couldn't get comfortable.
Before Connor had a chance to break the silence with more probing questions, Anderson pulled into an empty parking lot beside a building labeled "Jimmy's Bar." The neon blue and red sign reflected off the water pooled on the sidewalk, the shadows of people walking around danced on the side of the building as they entered and exited the establishment,
"Stay." Anderson's voice was loud, but also weak. Tired.
"Lieutenant, I really think we should-"
Anderson was already halfway out of his car when he interrupted the android.
"Stay here. I won't be long." The lack of lighting in the car, and the overabundance of artificial light outside emphasized the dark ghosts that circled Anderson's eyes. HIs smile lines- or frown lines- were dark shadows that were nearly hidden by his facial hair.
"Lieutenant!" Connor tried to yell his name, but the door was already slammed shut before his voice hit its mark.
Ten minutes.
Connor set an internal countdown. The white flashing text pulsed steadily in the corner of his vision. Ten minutes, and he was going to extract the Lieutenant.
[9:59]
The android removed the coin from his pant pocket with ease, and began flipping it in between his fingers. The light shining from the bar's light reflected on the coin often, and each second that passed made the android..frusterated? No. Not frustrated, that's a human emotion. It set his internal processes on edge however. RK800 had a mission. Had a goal: to solve the case. To figure out what exactly happened to Carl Manfred.
And sitting in an alcoholic detective's car was not a proper use of his time.
But- he was given an order. To stay.
[5:13]
Rain began to drip on the windshield- each tap of the water on glass echoed through the car.
[5:12]
Connor caught his coin mid-flip and shoved it into his pocket.
Mission before all else.
RK800's steps leading up to the door sent water splashing up his pant legs- cool and almost refreshing on his skin.
"No Androids Allowed?" He read aloud.
[...deactivate timer? Y/N...]
With the flashing countdown gone, Connor opened the door to the bar the same moment a man staggered out.
"What the fuck Connor?" A voice whined. It was Lieutenant Anderson. Breath analysis confirmed he'd had a couple of shots of whiskey, but other than that- his blood alcohol content was still relatively low.
"I-I was just going to double check to make sure you were alright." Connor stammered- caught off guard by the early departure of the Lieutenant. "You're my partner to this case and-"
"I told ye I'd be right out." Anderson waved a flat, slightly shining key card in the air. "I needed a drink…" Connor leveled his gaze with Anderson's. "And how the hell did you expect to actually get into the junk yard after hours? You know they lock that crap up…"
For the first time since Connor's activation, his LED flashed yellow. Only for a millisecond, but it caught Anderson's eye. The android worried he'd made the wrong choice by following his Lieutenant.
"Whatever plastic-" Anderson stalked back to his car but stopped as Connor addressed him.
"Can I ask you a personal question, Lieutenant?" He nodded his head, and focused his eyes on Connor.
"Why do you hate androids so much?"
Anderson stood and stared at the android for a beat too long. Connor noticed a spike in the Lieutenant's heart rate and blood pressure.
He turned back to his car, "I have my reasons."
Connor noticed the sadness and depression that seemed to cloud Anderson's eyes. It made his chest ache.
[...SYSTEM INSTABILITY…]
No, not ache. Androids can't feel pain. But- Anderson's regard to androids did make Connor feel like there was a weight pressing on his chest. Right on top of his thirium pump and oxygen regulator.
He loosened his tie before following Anderson to the car.