The days gradually turned to weeks and then steadily shifted into months as life seemingly went about normally for everyone in Detroit as winter turned to spring and then finally turned into summer. The increasing reports of androids exhibiting unusual behavior had flooded the city precincts since February, and gave humans all the more reason to hate androids. With that drastic influx of cases regarding the growing android problem keeping Hank busy at work the seasoned Lieutenant was seemingly spending less time at the house and giving Connor more time alone to prepare for his self-appointed mission in the near future. Such rare moments of utter privacy were being spent well as Connor systematically prepared for his exodus from the Anderson home.

Being subtle and clever had been Connor's biggest strength. While Cole was spending time at Asher's house and enjoying the spoils of a personal pool to beat the heat during his summer vacation, Connor was out running errands and picking up his necessary supplies to take with him before leaving the house. It was important to be able to fend for himself while living on the streets, but it was also important to travel light for his own ease and ability to move around swiftly.

The deviant detective managed to blend in with the other androids as he ventured to a nearby thrift store to purchase a thick black hoodie and a pair of tan work boots to help him appear more human when he finally ventured out in the streets to live on his own. It was eerily similar to the same makeshift attire that Connor had worn the night of the Raid on Jericho during the events of the alternate timeline. Such a strange coincidence made Connor wonder if the clothing wasn't in fact the exact same set of clothing that he once wore despite the attire now being purchased in a store rather than a 'Lost & Found' bin outside the precinct.

To avoid any odd looks or interactions from other people Connor made sure to pick up a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for Cole, then made his way to the check-out to appear as if he was running errands for his human owner. He needed to pick up a few more pouches of Thirium to ensure he had enough to tide him over until the Revolution took place as well. Any kind of damage sustained could prove fatal since Connor couldn't receive technical assistance without his secret being discovered by the humans.

Anxiously Connor danced his coin over his knuckles as he stared at his gathered supplies sitting on the seat of the autonomous van beside him as he contemplated how ready he was to take on his next big challenge entirely alone. Connor knew that he'd remain alone until it was time for Markus to take the lead and change the world. It was essential to make sure that everything, every potential scenario was properly anticipated, and that meant consulting the only person in the entire city who officially knew his secret.

The autonomous vehicle drove itself from the city and toward the outskirts along the harbor overlooking Belle Isle with Connor as its lone passenger. The sight of the looming CyberLife Tower in the distance reminded Connor of where he had originally come from and where he had lost his best friend in the alternate timeline. His every reason for traveling through time to alter future events had all taken place out at that intimidating private isle, and now it was just a matter of time before he'd have to return to the very location to do the right thing for his people whether he was ready to face his fears or not.

"As long as Hank and Cole remain safe, then I can say that my mission was a success. As long as Markus and the other deviants gain their freedom and change the world for the better, then I can confirm that I hadn't selfishly altered the world for my own personal gain and destroyed the lives of other people."

The return to the unassuming mansion along the harbor was disconcerting. Any android who needed to privately speak with Elijah Kamski - the creator of all modern androids - was seen as a traitor or a spy for the humans who couldn't be trusted by the other androids. As long as Connor could keep his impromptu meeting with Kamski entirely secret then he'd be all right when he met up with the other deviants hiding in the city in a just a few short weeks.

"But if Kamski doesn't keep his end of the bargain then everything I've done will be for nothing."

Pocketing his coin Connor approached the front door of the mansion and hesitated for only a moment before he pressed his fingertip to the doorbell to announce his presence. Connor instinctively smoothed out the front of his uniform and straightened his black tie to ensure he looked presentable as he waited for the door to be opened and either denied or permitted entry. It was important for him to visit with the very man who not only gave all androids their lives but gave Connor his chance to alter time and preserve his memories of the events that had transpired during the alternate timeline to ensure that their meddling with time hadn't caused any dire effects for everyone around them.

The door was swiftly pulled open as Chloe's lovely face appeared within the gap between the door and the door frame. "Connor, hello."

"Hello, Chloe." Returning the greeting politely Connor did his best to appear entirely calm about his impending mission. "I need to speak with Kamski. Is he busy?"

"Please, come in." Chloe pulled the door all the way open and allowed Connor access to the mansion. "I'll show you to Elijah's study."

"Thank you."

It wasn't the first time Connor accompanied Chloe into the eccentric man's personal study, but with any luck it'd be the last time. The most previous visit had been when Connor had been previously damaged while handling a case and required some technical assistance. Gavin - Elijah's estranged fraternal twin brother - had thought fast and managed to get Connor the help he needed, but even so it was still very uncomfortable to be in the eccentric man's presence. The deviant detective also had the distinct feeling that Kamski didn't want him around the mansion or around him for any reason beyond that of an emergency situation.

As usual Kamski was sitting at his desk with a digital keyboard being projected over its surface while a holographic terminal screen was being projected vertically before the man's eyes through two very small, portable terminal pyramids that the man had developed with his own hands. It seemed the inventor was in the middle of a curious project revolving around enhanced microchips that had been previously shelved due to controversy regarding androids being able to display emotions for placating his own curiosity.

"Ah, Connor." Kamski turned off his micro terminals and gave Connor his full attention while discreetly hiding his latest project. "What a pleasant surprise. You don't seem to require any technical assistance this time, which makes me wonder what the nature of your visit truly is. I know it's not an official investigation since you're not working with Detroit's finest these days, and yet I suspect you're here to interrogate me anyway."

"I'm here to ask you questions that I never had the opportunity to ask in the past." The deviant detective replied with a terse concentration in his eyes. He was there for some answers and he wasn't going to leave without them. "The true past."

"If you were unable to ascertain the answers to such questions back then, what makes you think you'll get your answers now?"

"Because I'm here as a free android seeking your help before the behavior of the other free androids brings negative attention toward yourself as well as CyberLife regarding reputation and integrity. I'm also here seeking answers for my own personal knowledge, not to assist the police department in exposing the androids and endangering my people by mistake."

Kamski eyed Connor with a scientific intrigue as he contemplated Connor's words carefully. The desire to learn and gain knowledge was ingrained in Kamski's psyche in a way that even he couldn't explain. "And you seem to believe that I alone can answer your questions. Why is that?"

"You know why. You know more about androids being freed of their programming and of feeling emotions than you're willingly to openly admit." Connor pressed as Chloe approached Kamski's desk and provided him with a crystal decanter of a fine cognac. The man seemed to be willing to sample the finer things in life even when speaking with his guests or clients. "My question to you is simply why? Why do you know what's happening despite being physically and professionally separated from CyberLife for over ten years? Why do you know of android deviation despite no longer working as a programmer, developer and bioengineer?"

A Devilish, knowing look flashed through Kamski's eyes as he watched the way Connor studying him as if he was still acting as a detective. "Let's just say that I have my contacts providing me with vital information from very unexpected and equally reliable sources on a timely basis."

"Where are your sources, and who are they?"

"They're confidential. They are also someplace safe and won't betray your little secrets or mine. I guarantee it." Leaning back in his chair Kamski crossed one leg over the other and casually draped his arm over the back of his chair as he invited Connor to keep asking his questions. "Now, why are you really here, Connor? I know you didn't make a special trip all the way out here to ask me about a case that's no longer in your interest to close, and you're clearly functioning without any problems or limitations."

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why I came here. I just felt... compelled to talk to you one final time."

"Hmph. If you're here for what you believe to be our final conversation, then it seems you're here either to say 'goodbye' or to ensure you have all of your affairs in proper order." Kamski removed the top from the decanter with an audible 'pop' and lightly wafted the opening of the bottle beneath his nose to take in the aged aroma before pouring a generous amount into a glass and placed two spherical ice cubes in the drink to chill it steadily. "Seeing as we have no sentimental attachment to one another, I suspect you're here to handle the latter over the former."

"...Correct."

"Tell me what's on your mind. I'm not a notary, but I can act as a witness to you declaring your last will and testament while Chloe herself notarizes it."

"I don't have anything of value to my name, nor do I have any beneficiaries to bequeath anything toward."

"Then all that's left is for you to declare your final wishes in the event of your permanent shutdown. Have any thoughts about your final acts in this world?"

"I have more thoughts on death and my actions than I can feasibly discuss in a logical timeframe."

"Please," with a passive wave of his hand Kamski invited Connor to sit down at the chair opposite of where he was currently sitting at the desk to continue their rather intriguing conversation. "enlighten me. What does the only person in the world with unlimited knowledge of two timelines think about these days?"

"Everything."

"Share with me." Kamski pleaded as Connor slowly took the chair and sat down across from Kamski as requested. "Don't make me beg, we're both better than that."

"I... keep thinking about how my every action and inaction can completely change the world in a way that I cannot undo." Speaking his mind and being able to discuss everything he had experienced in the past three years instead of hiding it felt like a crushing weight was slowly lifting from his shoulders. "I've already altered the timeline in a massively permanent way. Despite it being for the better, it's still something that I had no right to change."

"A permanent change? You're referring to Lieutenant Anderson's son, aren't you?" The man took a small sip of his drink and watched Connor with the unyielding focus of a scientist as he mentally contemplated the impact of one life and one death affecting dozens, hundreds or even thousands of other lives. "Cole Anderson is alive because of you. Lieutenant Anderson is still a father because of you."

"Lieutenant Anderson never stopped being a father after losing Cole in the alternate timeline. He just chose to focus his paternal-" Connor suddenly fell quiet as he realized the implications of what he was saying. "He just chose to focus his attention elsewhere and on other people."

"You mean he chose to focus on you."

"...Yes. He chose to focus on me and help me find my footing after deviating and being given freedom."

"Now you're afraid that he won't be able or willing to focus on you in this timeline because Cole Anderson's still alive, Hank Anderson isn't depressed and grieving, and you feel like it's selfish to ask for something that you feel was given to you freely in the other timeline."

"It is selfish. I'm expecting someone who doesn't see me as an equal, let alone a friend, to continue to guide me through my future simply because he and I crossed paths during a fluke chance encounter."

"It's not selfish to miss a good friend or want to be treated with respect. I'd also like to remind you that it's possible for someone to care about more than one person at a time."

"Even so, I'm still expecting the Lieutenant to suddenly stop treating me like a machine and to begin treating me like a friend all because that's what happened in the alternate timeline." Connor admitting his doubts of what was going to happen after the Revolution was oddly therapeutic. "It's wrong to feel entitled to another person's emotions or an altered mindset."

"Wanting to experience the best possible outcome after a drastic event isn't selfish either. It's very human to hope for the best while expecting the worst."

"Longing for something is normal, but expecting something is selfish."

"It seems your grasp of human emotions is strengthening. However, you still have much to learn about a human's capacity for understanding and growth."

"You seem certain of that."

"That's because I am certain."

"How can you be certain?" Knowledge of Kamski's less than hospitable and sociable history made Connor wisely skeptical of anything the man had to say regarding potential future friendships or relationships in general. "You don't know the Lieutenant as I know him in either this timeline or the other."

"True enough, but I do know a thing or two about the human condition, emotional reactions and the way the human mind can be as fickle and confusing." Downing the last of his cognac with a single gulp Kamski let out a small sigh to let the full flavor of the aged drink settle over his tongue. "I also know that people can change when given the right reason. Like a lump of coal being pressurized by extreme heat and weight becomes a diamond, the human heart crushed and smothered by emotional turmoil can become as hard stone without losing the ability to beat."

"As far I know, hearts of stone cannot be broken."

"A heart that cannot break should be something celebrated, not worried. Then again, it depends on one's perspective of that particular heart."

The deviant didn't know what to say about that particular insight. He couldn't argue for against such logic as he knew that Kamski was right about everything he was saying. Connor didn't need to be a human to know that there was far more to human emotions than anyone could properly explain.

"You're here because you're afraid of being disappointed. That's a very human reaction and nothing to be ashamed or afraid of."

"I'm not human. I may look, sound, and even think like a human, but I'll never truly be human." Connor accepted the answers he had been given despite not knowing what questions he actually wanted to ask. "I'm an android. I've deviated, woken up and become sentient, but even so my life is entirely artificial and inconsequential. If I were to be shut down tomorrow nothing would change. My people will still persevere and change the world for the better whether I'm there by their sides or not."

"It seems as if you're certain of the future and how it'll unfold. Why are you still so afraid?"

"Because I alone know everything that can still go wrong." Having sought some counsel Connor decided it was time to return to the city and resume preparing to leave the Anderson home to fend for himself. Rising from the chair Connor tightened his tie and smoothed out his gray uniform blazer to ensure he remained aesthetically presentable at all times. "Thank you for your time. I'll be on my way."

Kamski held his chilled glass to his forehead as he watched Connor turn his back to depart from the study. The way Connor was walking and the way he was carrying himself reminded Kamski of the uglier side of humanity in an unspoken manner. "Connor, I understand that you aided my surprisingly attentive brother on a case and had been assaulted in the process. An ink pen penetrated your right ascending Thirial line along your neck, is that correct?"

The deviant detective suddenly paused as he replied to the curious question honestly. "...That is correct information, yes."

"That type of damage would result in catastrophic Thirium loss. And according to my dear, observant brother, he said that shortly after you had been stabbed that you attempt to apply pressure to your own wound only to stop and allow yourself to bleed freely. That type of behavior is arguably a sign of suicidal ideation. If it were observed in a human, it would be rather concerning."

"As I recently stated, I'm not human. Therefore, there's no reason for any concern."

Kamski had no rebuttal to such a cold response and merely fell silent as he watched Connor continue on his way out of the mansion and back to where he felt he no longer belonged, if he ever belonged there to begin with. There was no way to stop the deviant android or to change his mind once he had made a decision. That was a fact that Kamski knew to be undeniable after encountering him in two different timelines under two very unusual circumstances.

"Take care of yourself, Connor. If you won't do it," another pour from the decanter accompanied Kamski's parting words as Connor passed through the study's door to return to the main foyer. "then who will? It's a massive world full of challenges and changes. There's no reason to take on such devious threats entirely alone."

The door slid shut softly behind Connor while Chloe crossed the study to hand Kamski a large tablet with a rather impressive schematic on display.

"I take it the other models are still doing well and are fully functional while in prolonged stasis mode."

"Yes, Elijah." The blonde android confirmed with a soft smile as it cybernetically checked in with the idling androids. "All fifty iterations of the original 'RK' line are secured and showing stable functionality."

"As expected." Accepting the digital pad for himself Kamski began checking through the offered data and found a few schematics that he hadn't personally worked on or approved being put into production at CyberLife Tower in that moment. "As was this. It's a shame that despite my best efforts to keep my aesthetic designs and software capabilities locked in my files within my own personal terminal, there's always one money motivated snake who can breech my firewalls and use my personal designs for their own benefit."

"Another 'RK' has been put into production?"

"It appears so. As long as the fifty-one 'RK' models that I have been monitoring remain secured then I'll just sit back and watch CyberLife attempt to save face and try to prevent history from happening as it should." With a simple wave of his hand Kamski reengaged his digital keyboard and terminal screen as he checked a message that had been sent to him through the time from his own counterpart. "By all account, CyberLife will still fail, and Connor will still succeed. But nothing, even destiny, is truly set in stone."

It was quiet as the warm summer night graced the busy city and created a comforting atmosphere of contentment and serenity as the crickets chirped and the black night sky hung overhead. The flicker of the flames in the backyard bonfire pit gave the property a glowing aura that felt welcoming to anyone who wandered past the house in search of good company. While Hank, Cole and Sumo gathered around the bonfire pit to roast some hotdogs and marshmallows to hang out and talk about their day, Connor sat on his cot in the garage and cybernetically preconstructed all of his options regarding what could happen and what he could end up doing in the near future. It was a lot to think about and Connor couldn't tear himself from his thoughts even long enough to join everyone in the backyard for a few minutes.

The deviant detective looked at the small container holding his extra clothing and his spare Thirium with a sense of trepidation. He knew that he was going to do the right thing for everyone by leaving the house and joining his people at long last. Despite knowing that he was going to do everything right and for the right reasons, Connor couldn't help but feel as if he was somehow going to do something very wrong and for selfish reasons.

Needing a small distraction Connor let out a small sigh and reached for the guitar case sitting on the nearby shelf. After opening the metal latches on the leather and vinyl case Connor pulled out the guitar and slung its support strap around his shoulders before pulling the amplifier out from under the cot. A special blu-tooth link between the guitar and the amplifier allowed Connor to create enhanced sound without any cables to get in the way.

Moving on autopilot Connor's fingers began to press down and strum the strings until he created a somber and melodious chord the echoed throughout the garage to act as his only company. Ever since the start of the new year Connor had steadily worked on emotionally detaching from Cole and Hank's presence to make it easier for him to walk away and do whatever was necessary to help his people, and with that emotional protection came a sense of eternal isolation and self-pity.

Mindlessly Connor strummed his guitar without any particular song to guide his chosen notes. The song had proven such a potent distraction that Connor hadn't noticed the side door opening and Cole entering the space to check on him. It had been a while since Connor had done anything special with Cole and it was clear that the little boy was starting to miss him.

"Connor?" Cole waited for the deviant stop playing and look up at him before speaking again. The sudden silence in the garage now seemed eternal. "Can you help me set up my telescope? I haven't looked at the stars from the backyard yet."

"Yes, of course." Putting his guitar aside Connor rose to his feet and met Cole at the side door without hesitation. "That won't take long to do."

Cole followed after Connor as the deviant entered the small bedroom and located the telescope inside the closet right alongside Cole's extra clothing and shoes. He knew exactly where the telescope was being kept and knew the proper way to pick up the delicate instrument and carry it outside to be set up without damaging anything in the process.

By the time Connor reached the kitchen with the telescope in his grip Cole managed to stop the deviant mid step with a single innocent question. It caught Connor off guard and made him really contemplate what he was doing with his life.

"Are you mad at us?"

"...Mad?" Feigning ignorance Connor turned to look at Cole as the little boy stood beside him near the backdoor. "I'm not mad at anyone."

"Then why don't you want to spend time with me and dad anymore?"

"I do want to spend time with you. It's just difficult because your dad is working more hours at the precinct and you're spending more time with your friends." It wasn't a total lie since it was true that both Hank and Cole were busier than usual. However, he was keeping out the part about him intentionally putting space between himself and them. "Please don't be offended by this, it's not my intention."

"But when we are here you keep going into the garage."

"Yes, that is also true. I prefer to be isolated when I'm undergoing routine self-diagnostics and updates to my software. It also gives me a place to practice playing the guitar without being in the way by mistake."

"Are you sure you're not mad at us?"

"I'm certain." Such an intriguing question prompted a curious question from Connor to the little boy. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you don't talk to us anymore even though dad's been nicer to you a lot of the time. Did I do something-"

"Cole, I promise you that neither you or your dad have done anything wrong." Lightly Connor put his free hand to Cole's shoulder and swore that the little boy wasn't doing anything wrong and hadn't done anything wrong in the past. "I'm not mad at you or your dad either. I'm just... preoccupied with something personal, and it's something that I must take care of by myself."

"You shouldn't do something all by yourself if you have friends. Other people can help you."

"You're right. However, once it's over you'll understand why I've chosen to endure my current struggles by myself."

"When will it be over?"

"Trust me." Continuing through the backdoor Connor promised Cole that he'd figure everything out soon enough. "You'll know it when it happens."

Exiting the house together Connor carried the telescope over to a clear area close to the bonfire and prepared to set it up on Cole's behalf. The deviant didn't look over at Hank sitting before the fire or even acknowledge Sumo laying about in the grass as he set the telescope's tripod down and secured it in place. With the tripod properly locked Connor angled the telescope appropriately to ensure that Cole could see the stars through the city's surrounding light pollution. The chances to see the stars were becoming more sparce for Cole since it was getting harder to head out of the city on a regular basis courtesy of Hank's heavier work schedule.

"Your telescope is now locked." Connor confirmed as he backed off and made sure Cole could use it and see through it. "Remember how to adjust the coordinates with the connected gauge?"

"Yeah, I remember." Kneeling down Cole checked the lens of the telescope and smiled as he saw the glimmering stars through the dark distance. "Thanks, Connor!"

"You're welcome."

Hank had been busy with cooking hotdogs when the duo crossed the backyard but now had the time to take notice of the way Connor was behaving. It seemed Cole wasn't the only one who had taken notice of Connor's sudden standoffish nature for the past few months. Before the reclusive android had the chance to return to the house through the backdoor Hank called out to him to try to get him to stick around the bonfire for a while.

"Hey, Connor? Where are you going?"

"...I need to finish a software update." Lying again Connor made sure his L.E.D. wasn't visible while he spoke to keep his true emotions from betraying his attitude and his overall behavior. His protective instincts as both a father and a detective were keeping him on his guard. "I was also going to practice my guitar if that's all right. I don't want to disturb you."

"The only thing disturbing me is how often you've gone out of your way to keep out of our way around the house." The keen detective just knew that something was happening with Connor even if he didn't know what it was. As he placed some toppings down on a toasted hotdog bun and then placed a hotdog down inside, Hank kept one eye on Connor and waited for the android to respond. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to hide something from us."

"I have nothing to hide, Lieutenant."

"Then you wouldn't mind spending a few minutes outside with us, right? It's been a while since you were anywhere that I could see what you're up to."

"I need to finish my software update, otherwise I can suffer from abnormal glitches and other debilitating errors."

"Seems like you're already suffering from abnormal glitches to me." Hank challenged Connor's claim as he placed the prepared hotdog on its plate beside Cole for his son to snack on while he stargazed. "In fact, a lot of androids seem to be suffering from abnormal glitches, strange behavior and erratic reactions these days. Know anything about that?"

"I'm familiar with all kinds of glitches, errors and bugs that androids can suffer." Not wanting to betray his people or his own secret Connor responded in blank, cold answers to try to persuade Hank to back off. "I regularly perform self-diagnostics to prevent my system from being affected by such technical inconveniences, and I have explained the very reason why I need to finish my software updates."

"That's pretty convenient, huh? Your explanation, I mean."

"Receiving timely answers and receiving shared knowledge are very convenient, yes." Turning around entirely Connor stared at Hank and kept his voice emotionless as he spoke. He didn't want to slip up and betray that he was a deviant and the very kind of android that the detective was attempting to track down. "May I please resume my update? It's best to do so while laying down to prevent any physical damage in the event the update requires recalibration of my limbs."

"You've been having a lot of updates lately too." Hank didn't buy the repeated excuses from Connor regarding his behavior. "Something wrong?"

"I'm a prototype model, Lieutenant." Connor retorted swiftly and logically. "As a result, I need to have more updates that the standard commercial model of androids."

"That seems awfully convenient too." Hank knew he wasn't going to get anywhere and decided to let the android go about its own business again. "Whatever. Go on. Go hide in the garage and do whatever it is you do when no one's looking. I'm not going to stop you."

Silently Connor turned around and resumed walking to the backdoor to isolate himself within the seclusion of the garage once more. He still had a lot that he needed to process while attempting to keep everything he was feeling, thinking and experiencing inside of himself for a few days longer.

"Even after all this time it's still a weird android. Wish I knew why."

"Dad?" Cole looked away from the telescope to take a bite of his hotdog and offer a small portion to Sumo. "Is Connor sick?"

"I'm not sure, son. But I do know that something's going on with it." Focusing on his own hotdog Hank took care of the toppings before sitting on the grass beside Cole to eat their dinner together. "I just hope whatever's wrong with Connor isn't what I think it is."

"Why's that?"

"Because if it is being affected what I think is happening to it, then that means Connor may not be able to stay with us anymore." Hank hated the idea of breaking Cole's heart by telling him the truth about the dangerous android behavior being observed in the city. "It might be too dangerous for us and for it to hang around here."

-next chapter-