There was a noted growing tension in the city that had caused resentment and mistrust between humans and androids. There was a palpable fear of androids replacing the humans in their jobs and leaving the citizens struggle through poverty while just trying to survive. Rumors began swirling around a permanent detrimental spike in the city's unemployment rate occurring within the next few years, and in return many humans who were already struggling just to get by began selling off or outright destroying their own androids in an attempt to maintain some form of financial security. As more jobs were being automated by androids and fewer jobs were being brought to the city, androids were becoming walking targets by angered, unemployed humans seeking stability.
With spring nearing its end the current school year just a few weeks away from ending, Hank found himself spending more time with Cole and going to his school for a few parent-teacher meetings. Unable to do his usual shopping every weekend as expected, the protective father found himself relying more on Connor to handle things in and around the house, including chores, errands and cooking. The deviant android didn't mind having something to do, but it was clear Connor resented being treated like a servant or Cole's personal babysitter.
Using a Detroit Gears baseball cap to hide his L.E.D. and wearing his leather jacket over a recently purchased black hoodie allowed Connor to blend in with the other humans in the city as he begrudgingly handled his next list of errands during such a dangerous time. The deviant had used the autonomous van to navigate the city and had just finished loading up his purchases when he heard a fairly loud swear come from a feminine voice and then a metallic 'thud' courtesy of a firm kick being placed against the front grill of a car.
Turning his head Connor spotted a red vehicle awkwardly parked a few spaces away with thick black smoke pouring out from under its hood. There was a young woman standing in front of the car looking completely pissed and unexpectedly familiar as she gave the front of the car another good kick before walking a few steps away to mess with her phone.
"...Abby. Why is she here?"
Connor hadn't expected to see the very kind and skilled technician in Detroit before the Revolution had happened. Seeing an old friend - or to be more accurate to the current timeline - future friend, roaming Detroit before they had even properly met was something truly fascinating to comprehend. It was all the more intriguing to consider how Dr. Abby Grayson had turned into Connor's personal technician after meeting her under unfortunate and painful circumstances. A part of Connor was relieved to know that a trusted ally was currently in the city even if she didn't know about their friendship just yet, whereas Connor was also worried that any possible interaction he had with Abby could alter future events pertaining to the Revolution and their eventual friendship down the road.
The urge to help Abby with her current situation was strong. The kindhearted deviant couldn't turn his back on anyone in need of assistance, especially a friend, but he couldn't risk the keen-eyed technician noting Connor's unusual behavior and pegging him as a deviant. While he trusted Abby to do the right thing Connor knew he couldn't potentially jeopardize the still relatively undiscovered deviant community.
Annoyed by her predicament Abby paced about in front of her car and ran her fingers through her notably much longer, now waist length, hair as she tried to get some help over the phone. It seemed she was having difficulty in locating a proper garage and even a tow truck to help her get her car back on the road so she could continue to do whatever it was she was trying to do.
"Ah, come on!" Abby shouted as she hung up her phone and put the device in her pocket. Glancing up at the sky overhead Abby crossed her arms over her chest and tried to calm herself down. "Okay, whatever... I know where the fire departments are, so I can go there and get some help from people who actually care about someone needing help with their smoking car!"
Unable to ignore Abby's distress any longer Connor locked up the van and approached Abby warily. Removing his hat Connor allowed Abby to see his blue L.E.D. and confirm himself as an android since he knew she'd respond better to a strange android than she would a strange human approaching her in the parking lot.
"Excuse me, miss." Connor spoke politely as he watched Abby turn to face him with a suspicious glance. "Do you require any assistance?"
"You have NO idea!" Abby confirmed as she took in Connor's appearance and instinctively looked for the model number that should've been visible on his clothing along his left chest. The L.E.D. helped her to see that Connor was an android but beyond that little detail she didn't know what to think of him. "Huh, never seen an android like you before. Your design must be brand new if I didn't see your design in full detail while I'm still studying to become a technician."
"Actually, I am a custom design." Replying honestly Connor gave Abby a logical and plausible explanation for his unique appearance. "I am currently the only prototype model to work as a detective alongside Detroit police."
"Detective, huh? Well, I was hoping for a mechanic, but I guess since you volunteered to help me, I'll accept it." Smiling a little Abby returned to the front of her still smoking car. "Nice to know your detective programming also gives you the proper reaction responses to citizens in distress without an actual crime being involved. Then again," kicking her car again Abby unlocked the side door and reached in to pop the car's hood. "making a car this shitty should be a crime!"
Connor didn't say anything as he lifted the hood and scanned over the engine with his detailed forensics software to guide him. It didn't take long for the deviant to locate the issue and confirm that the vehicle was in dire need of immediate repair.
"There is a large crack running alongside the oil intake line." Looking up at Abby as he spoke Connor relayed the gathered information. "It's causing oil to drip onto the engine resulting in the smoke and the engine itself overheating."
"Figures. Fucking cheap lemon."
"Were you aware of the recall issued for this particular make and model of car?"
"Yup." Abby confirmed with a defeated dismay as she swept a long lock of her free hair behind her ear. "Silly me thought that the dealership was being honest when they told me that the defect had been repaired."
"There have been no such repairs made to this vehicle. You could have a potential lawsuit due to negligence and deception from the dealership."
"I don't have the time or the money to hire a lawyer and file a suit." Sitting down behind the wheel of her traitorous vehicle Abby sighed again and gave Connor a lost stare. "I came to Detroit to find a new apartment and move in right away. But I guess I'll have to wait a year or two before officially moving to the city."
Connor knew that Abby was originally from Chicago and that she had moved to Detroit a few months after the Revolution had passed due to her change in career and desire to keep away from a dangerous ex-boyfriend. He didn't know that she had planned on moving to the city before everything changed and had been set back by her car breaking down.
"Thanks for finding the problem." Looking over at the android again Abby studied Connor's face for a moment and then smiled warmly. "What's your name?"
"My name is Connor." Closing the hood of the car Connor stepped around the side of the vehicle so that Abby could see him in full. "May I ask your name?"
"Abby. Abby Grayson." Abby confirmed as she exited the car and slammed the door behind herself hard enough to cause her entire car to rock on its wheels. "So, do you know where I can get something to eat around here while I wait for the tow truck to arrive? IF they even bother to show up, that is."
"Yes, actually." Ever helpful Connor decided to escort Abby to the small family diner that had been run by Tina Chen's parents for over a decade. He had heard good things about the diner and also knew that it was struggling to stay afloat due to the abundance of android run restaurants taking away loyal customers. "There is a diner that many humans highly praise."
"Do they have fried food and ice cream?"
A quick cybernetic search of the restaurant's menu confirmed both items of interest were available. "Yes."
"Sold! So, where is this diner that'll let me stress eat and hate myself for a little while?"
"I can take you there myself if you're comfortable with that."
"Man, I hope all androids are as nice as you are." Abby complimented Connor and didn't notice him quickly turning away to hide the blue blush on his face as he began walking back toward the van. As far as she was concerned Connor was an average android without anything amiss with his programming. "Okay. I'll trust you to take me to the diner. Maybe I'll have better luck with hiring a tow truck after everyone else has had lunch too."
Connor just nodded in agreement as he unlocked the van and opened the door for Abby to allow her access to the vehicle. After climbing into the front seat Connor cybernetically put in the coordinates to the family diner and hoped that he'd be able to help Abby without her discovering his deviancy before it was safe to let anyone know about his freedom from mind controlling programming.
The Piquant Diner was only two blocks away and the short distance let Connor escort Abby to the small restaurant rather quickly. Once the van was parked Connor politely escorted Abby inside the diner to ensure she wasn't alone while she had her lunch. It didn't take long for Abby to find a table that she liked near the front of the restaurant, and she patted the seat beside her to invite Connor over to join her.
"Sit with me. I've never had the chance to actually interact directly an android before, I've only been able to read about you guys or watch tutorial video lessons regarding your internal functions and designs."
Not wanting to be rude Connor sat beside Abby as she had requested and remained silent. He didn't want to engage in conversation and let other people see his deviancy and more human nature.
"Let's see here..." Abby picked up the small menu on her table and began looking at everything she could order. "I'm going to order a big fat burger, some fries and the largest milkshake possible, I don't care about the calorie count!"
Curiously Connor scanned the diner and recognized a few patrons sitting in the neighboring booths. A majority of the patrons were officers, firefighters and other first responders stationed throughout the city. It seemed that Tina's connection to the diner and to the Central Precinct had resulted in a very specific type of clientele that'd frequent the humble diner on a regular basis. However, it seemed that even with the loyalty of hundreds of hungry people still couldn't keep up with the demands for a twenty-four hour run diner with rapid service that only androids could provide.
While Connor silently kept Abby company and made sure that the woman felt safe while getting used to a strange new city, two more familiar faces appeared as the lunch rush began rolling in. Seeing both Gavin and Tina together wasn't at all strange, but seeing Gavin in a consistent good mood was still unusual to witness.
"Tell your mom I would like the usual." Gavin stated as he walked by Connor and Abby's table then stopped for a moment. He watched as his best friend approached the counter to see her mom for a minute before putting in their lunch orders. "And tell her that I am still looking for a better woman than... whatever it was she called my ex when she found out about the cheating."
Grinning in amusement Tina faced Gavin for a moment before stepping behind the front counter. "She called her a-"
"Tina!" Mrs. Chen had heard her daughter's voice and greeted Tina with a bright smile. "It's so good to see you, *Xiǎo dòuzi. Don't use that language around the customers, you know that."
"Sorry, mama. I won't say that word in public."
Gavin smirked to himself as he turned to head for his own table but stopped short when he saw Connor sitting in the diner looking entirely out of place. "Yo, 'Tinman', what're you doing here?"
"I am assisting Miss Grayson with her car issues." Connor replied with a blank yet sincere tone. "She asked for directions to a reputable eating establishment."
"Good pick. I guess you... could..." Gavin had finally taken notice of Abby sitting beside Connor and suddenly found himself unable to focus on anyone or anything else in the diner. There was something about the woman that was incredibly striking and made Gavin feel a strange sense of peace he hadn't felt in months. "Uh, hi there."
"Hello." Abby returned the greeting and gave Gavin a curious look as she casually pointed to Connor beside her. "Do you know Connor?"
"Y-Yeah, he's uh, he's been at the precinct a few times." Showing Abby his shield clipped to the chain around his neck Gavin introduced himself in a rather obvious manner as he slightly deepened his voice to try to impress her. "Detective Gavin Reed."
"Another detective, huh?" The young woman teased as she took in Gavin's exaggerated masculinity. "Sounds like Detroit's nowhere near as dangerous as some people seem to think it is."
"Not when I'm on the clock. I can handle anything that comes my way."
"Are you any good with cars or tow trucks?"
"Just tell me what you need help with, and I'll get it taken care of in no time."
"All right, I'll hold you to that." Abby grinned as she invited Gavin to join her at the table as well. It seemed having another person willing to help her out had lifted Abby's mood considerably. "Have a seat. I'm willing to take on that bet."
"Sure, yeah." Sitting down across from Abby after stumbling a little against the chair, Gavin gave the new woman his full focus. "Don't mind if I do."
Connor recognized that Abby was now in good hands and that Gavin, just as he had done in the alternate timeline, had developed romantic feelings toward the technician. Not wanting to get in the way of a potential budding romance Connor rose from the table and excused himself.
"Seeing as you now have the assistance of a detective, I will take my leave and resume my errands, Miss Grayson."
"Thanks for your help, Connor. And call me 'Abby'." Extending her hand politely Abby insisted on giving the deviant android a proper farewell. As he slowly took her hand in return Abby couldn't help but notice how warm and soft his hands were, and how bright and aware his brown eyes seemed to be. "I appreciate it. I also get the feeling that we'll encounter each other again someday. And if that's the case, I hope it's because of routine maintenance and not catastrophic repair."
"I hope for the same." Connor took back his hand and gave Gavin a small nod. "Thank you for assisting Miss Grayson, Detective Reed. I'll be on my way."
Keeping his head down Connor exited the diner and made his way over to the van to finally return home and finish with his annoying errands by cooking dinner. It had been a risk for Connor to go out of his way to socialize with another person, especially without his hat to conceal his identity, but Connor was glad he chose to risk a potential negative interaction in order to assist a friend and inadvertently introduce her a little earlier than expected to someone who seemed to truly admire Abby for the person she is and not just as a sexual conquest.
Once he was finally on his way back home Connor began to silently contemplate his actions and behaviors and wondered if he had tampered with the natural flow of events in a manner that'd cause more harm that good. Many things had been changed in just seven months, and Connor had been the direct cause of every distinct change.
"By saving Cole's life I have already greatly altered the world that I had once known, and in turn Hank is no longer the friend that had once took me into his family."
The reality of his interference had been massive on day one. There was no going back, and Connor couldn't bear the idea of life without Cole a part of it.
"My attempts to befriend Hank have been less than successful, and I doubt that my ability to regain the same friendship I once bore is even possible."
Closing his eyes Connor tried to not stress over the future as he tried to be as discreet with his next decisions as logically possible. He didn't want to damage the future timeline or put lives in danger by mistake with rash decisions or spontaneous behavior.
"As long as I ensure that Markus leads Jericho to a peaceful victory over the humans, then I should be able to prevent any drastic alterations that could lead the deviants into disaster. I just hope that no one else gets caught up in my personal mission."
-next chapter-
Author's Note: "Xiǎo dòuzi" means "little bean" in Cantonese.