The mere fact that Telford was really apologizing was surprising for Eli. Especially, to someone that he clearly didn't see as a fellow sentient being. Just how embarrassed had he gotten? What really happened during their very short time in the future? It made him wish he could just ask about the whole events from the beginning. Though felt that right now wasn't the wisest time to do so. And that if he just stayed quiet, he would find out what David did. And he was completely right about it, he felt somewhat annoyed with his words. David stated,"I just wanted to apologize for how I had acted earlier."
"I shouldn't have gotten physical with you by dragging you out of the office or saying what I had.",he continued, looking Ash dead in the eye. His tone didn't sound the least bit insincere. Gotten physical? He had gotten physical with the shorter man? What in the actual Hell for? Eli tried to not think of those thoughts as he stood there. Resisting the urge to stand between him and Colonel Telford. Fearing that he would do something stupid if he did so. Him or Telford? He wasn't entirely sure but knew it was wise to stay put.
Ash felt that his apology was sincere. As his body language didn't seem like he was lying. Or that he was entirely uncomfortable in the moment. If he was, he was hiding it pretty well. Though he guessed he didn't want the rest of the folks in the room to see him as weak. Or possibly didn't want to come across as childish to Ash and the rest of them. But the whole thing he had done to him a few minutes ago already messed with him.
David probably wished he could erase that event from his memory. Along with Ralph and Oliver's. Who were entirely tense as they watched this unfold. Ralph mostly.
"It's okay, David. Things have been really tense with what happened earlier today.",Ash informed. Doing his best to sound forgiving as well as understanding. But not like he was patronizing in the slightest bit. Knowing full well how David might react to something like that. There was no way in Hell he would provoke him again.
"I accept your apology, Telford.",Ash stated. He held out a hand for the other man to shake. A gentle smile on his face as he did so. It was something that he felt would be polite. Polite but not in the least bit dismissive or nasty. Hoping it would ease things between the both of them. For not at the very least. And he was so very grateful that it was working. As David took his hand and shook it with a nod of his head. A similar smile on his face as he did so.
He was also taking extra care to not cause him further harm.
It was actually kind of silly how gentle he was being. But Ash guessed he was on thin ice for what he had done. And he probably didn't want to push his luck anymore than he just had. Which was somewhat fair in his eyes. So, Ash didn't press the issue any further. Or press his own damn luck. As he feared what David would do to him next if he were pushed.
With that, they let go of each other and Telford left the room.
"Well, that was a lot nicer and easier than I expected.",Ash stated. Turning to see that some folks were looking quite a bit surprised with what happened. At least Ralph and Oliver seemed to be. Mostly Ralph. Who all but had his mouth open in shock like a cartoon character. Eyes opened so very wide as well. It nearly made Ash giggle as he stared at him. Instead he calmed himself and gave him a warm smile instead. Ralph informed,"Ralph certainly didn't expect that at all. He thinks we're lucky it went so well."
"Lucky? Why are we lucky?",Oliver questioned. It seemed like an odd choice of words in his mind. Lucky? Why on Earth would they be lucky that David came by? He somewhat guessed that it was because of David's attitude. And the way that he had dragged Ash through the hall. To Oliver, he also didn't seem to be the type to readily apologize. Ralph answered,"He just seemed so mad at all of us earlier."
"Ralph felt he would hurt Ash to get his point across if he had to.",He continued. It seemed pretty fair in both his lovers' books. Especially, with how hard he grabbed Ash's wrist. Didn't care that he was a sentient being with feelings. Or that he was pleading with him to stop dragging him so quickly. Eli stated,"David was the one that was lucky that Ash accepted his apology at all."
"Why did he even do that for in the first place?",Eli questioned. Dragging Ash down a hall by his wrist? Just what in the Hell had prompted all of that for? And what in the Hell had David been thinking when he did that? How and why in the Hell did...looking at Ash, he raised an eyebrow in confusion. Wishing that he had been able to help him in the future. Either by being there through the communication stones, or his older self could make Colonel Telford stop. Ash answered,"We were all talking and Everett's older self sort of acted disrespectfully towards him."
"He treated David like he was some sort of tantrum throwing teenager.",he explained. Though to be fair, David was sort of acting like a bratty little kid. In his opinion he was doing so. All but stomping his feet, rolling his eyes, and giving annoyed grunts when asked to do something. Though the way that Everett had handled it wasn't all that good in his book. Nor was the future version of Eli's ignoring him. Still didn't excuse the epic tantrum that he threw. But it explained why he had done it. Ash sighed,"David got super fed up with how he was being treated."
"He just snapped when your future self ignored him and dragged Ash out of the room. Yelling like an asshole.",Oliver chimed in. It thoroughly annoyed him that David had dragged Ash. Treated him like he were nothing at all. This nearly made him wnat to scream at the top of his lungs at him. Tell him off for everything he had said to him. To tell him that he was a terrible bastard.
But that would be more of a hindrance then a help.
Especially, when someone like Rush deliberately misunderstood Ash. And he felt it had been deliberate. As he seemed to despise the androids so very much. For what? He really didn't understand and really didn't want to.
Nothing about that terrible jerk mattered to him. He had decided to not speak to that man ever again. At least until he absolutely had to. Like if they had to use the communication stones or something like that. Like maybe helping them do a supply run with the gate. Though he hated the idea of having to help Nicholas. Even if it meant helping Eli and the rest of the calmer humans.
Which he felt they were going to be for a long while.
RA9...how long were they going to be on the Destiny for? He had no idea if he were being at all honest. Some of them didn't want to go back to their time. Not with how they had left things. With the military out for their asses. They were quite possibly going to die if they went back there.
Oh who in the Hell was he kidding? They would definitely be shot on sight if they went back. And that's if they were lucky at all. If not then it was going to be...to be...something that he really didn't want to be thinking of. Something that he felt he should never speak out loud to anyone around him.
Or tell the damn humans who might be safe.
As they were still barely getting to know each other. Sure, Eli and Matthew seemed to be safe. Even the nurse, T.J seemed to be a nice woman. Despite the way that she put her foot in her mouth not that long ago. And this young woman that was named Chloe, who might be the inspiration for Ash's Moms and the other androids like her, might be nice too. Though something in him was a little hesitant to accept they weren't out to harm him.
And out of the three humans in charge, Everett was alright. For a human that was in the military at least.
Though, in his opinion, Young was still on thin ice because of this. Being in the military kind of made him an asshole to Oliver. And Ralph was a little terrified of the man. But a lot more terrified of David then Young. Mostly because of his treatment of Ash and the way he dragged him.
For a moment, Ralph wanted to go after him. To be at the ever living shit out of him for it. Then he realized it would just get them more hurt. And that David would use this as an excuse to be rid of them all.
There was no way in Hell he would give David any reason to harm any of them.
Also it wouldn't be all that wise after David seemingly sincerely apologized to Ash. That definitely would screw them over. And Ralph didn't want to lose any more friends. Along with a lot of good folks who were on board Destiny. Who definitely didn't deserve to be hurt. Not after everything they had been through.
"It seems so strange that he had gotten so angry so quick.",T.J muttered. None of the androids spoke about this. As they barely knew Colonel Telford outside of what he had done to them. Along with how he had been treating a majority of them as well. To them, he seemed like a hot headed prick with no morals. Chloe nodded her head in agreement of this. And seemed to be pretty deep in thought over it. Eli stated,"He was stressed from what happened earlier today and his worries were being dismissed."
"I kinda can see where he was coming from and why he got so angry so quickly.",Eli continued. Though he had to admit, this wasn't entirely like him. Normally he wouldn't just jump to hurting someone else. He would just bark orders at everyone and confine people to places. Like he did with Greer sometime ago. This did seem a little over the top for him.
Then again, he was and is very stressed out with the androids. Also it sounded like his and Young's future selves were being total assholes to him."
"And he did apologize sincerely to Ash for how he was treating him.",he reminded. Feeling a little bit strange about defending David like this. As he highly doubted he would do the same. Not because he hated Eli or anything like that. It just really didn't seem in line with his personality. Or any of his actions as of late. Ash chimed in,"Yeah, and he said it in front of everyone as well."
"Maybe he's just lashing out because he's been feeling cornered lately?",Ash offered. It seemed highly plausible in his eyes. As a lot of androids that he knew had done that, too. So humans doing the same didn't seem all that hard to believe. This whole mess only just happened earlier in the day. Maybe only a couple of hours or so. And he didn't even know what time it was. Or if it was night or not.
Which felt a little unsettling to him.
"Just out of curiosity, what time is it?",Ash asked. He knew it was a rather sudden change in topic. But he really wanted to know how long they had been there for. It had to at least be more than ten hours. Maybe twelve or so. Chloe answered,"I think it's at least ten at night."
"I left my watch in my room but, I'm pretty sure that's what time it is.",she added. Seemed like it was about the right time to Ash. But it was way too difficult to tell. His own system couldn't even determine the time. In fact it went sort of haywire the instant they had boarded. Like Destiny was messing with his internal workings or something. And he wasn't entirely sure if it was the ship or not. Ash questioned,'Does that seem right to you guys?'
'I guess. I'm not entirely sure of it myself.',Oliver admitted. Time was starting to be a difficult thing for him, too. His own system was acting quite a bit odd. It probably was messing up for Ralph as well. When asked, Ralph informed,'Well, Ralph isn't entirely certain of things either. His system isn't really all that normal.'
'Ralph just thought that he was just his normal self.',he added. Then again he hadn't felt normal in any sense of the word for a good stretch of time. Not since those nasty teenagers cornered him in that park. And they had done...had...he couldn't allow himself to linger on these thoughts. As it worried Ash and Oliver so much when they were together.
They didn't need to know about any of his issues right then.
'Well, that's another thing to bring up with Markus and the other three.',Oliver informed. Another worry to bring up. The fact that Lucy was being held hostage was horrible. This was nowhere near near the same level. And how were they even going to be handling that news? In his mind, they had to save her. They had to at least try to do so. Who knows what they were doing to her?
If they were even keeping her in one piece or not?
The very idea of Lucy possibly being in pieces sent shivers down his spine. Vivid images of Lucy in pieces invaded his mind. Her head on a table far away from her body that was on another. And, more than likely, she would be cut up then put in various plastic boxes. To be put away and to be never seen once again. At least she wouldn't be seen by other androids ever again.
Or way worse, she would be melted down.
That was a fate that none of them could think of. And they refused to try to. If they wanted to stay sane they wouldn't do so. Well, if Oliver wanted to keep his sanity he wouldn't.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?",Eli asked. Looking a little bit confused by the trio's expressions. Ash never realized just how weird this sort of thing would look to humans watching. A sheepish grin came to his face at this. And he explained,"We were talking between each other in our heads. It's a form of communication that we use rather often."
"It's a whole lot easier than using radios.",Ralph chimed in. Gently placing his hands on either side of Ash's shoulders. As if to back him up or something like that. This didn't really come as a surprise to T.J. How else were they going to avoid being caught by the military? Or the police? It probably made talking a whole lot easier and safer. Which was something that Wallace also seemed to understand quickly. Eli questioned,"That's really cool. Is this something that everyone can do?"
"Oh yeah, everyone can. I think it's more common in deviants than in non-deviant androids.",Oliver explained. Feeling a little prideful that Eli had found it interesting at all. As he somewhat felt that he would be bored by it. And a small voice in the back of his mind thought it was a trick. To get him to tell him their weaknesses. And gather information to use to hurt every single one of them. Which he squashed down to the best of his ability. That voice wasn't just wrong, it was just being paranoid.
There was no way that Eli would do anything like that.
He really didn't seem like the type to just hurt others like that. Not unless they actively harmed him or people who he cared about. There was zero facts that supported Eli being a threat. He had gone out of his way to help them after all. Treating them like they were sentient beings. Speaking on their behalf as well. Even acting like a shield of sorts to protect Ash.
The guy was really unlikely to just betray them.
Not after everything they had been through that day. It just really didn't seem to be like him in the slightest. Oliver had hoped he wasn't misplacing his faith in the man. And that he was actually as trustworthy as he portrayed himself to be. Ralph informed,"As far as we can tell, no one can hack it."
"At least no one that doesn't work for Cyberlife.",a voice informed. One that was irritatingly familiar to the group of androids. Turning to the door, they spotted Connor in the doorway. Wearing the same bummy clothes from earlier. It seemed he hadn't the time to get out of them. Connor asked,"What were you guys doing earlier?"
"And why was there a third RK model running around with that Colonel?",he asked. It was a little surprising he would be asking them this now. And asking them instead of the Jericho leaders. But, Ash figured it was better they answered his questions. After all they were the one that body swapped with other androids. It was logical that he ask them what was going on instead of someone who had no idea about it. Ash answered,"We were using a device called the communication stones, Connor."
"The RK900 had swapped with Oliver at random.",he continued. As none of them seemed to have any control over how it happened. Far as he could tell it was a seemingly randomized thing. Looking Connor in the eyes, he noticed that he was scanning the room. Looking at each human with a confused expression. He briefly glanced over at Eli to see him mirroring that expression. Ash stated,"Sorry for not introducing you guys. Connor, Eli. Eli, Connor. This is the android that I was telling you about earlier."
"So this is the android cop then?",Eli asked. He was tempted to make a Terminator joke about it. But he doubted that any of the androids present would laugh about it. And got the feeling it probably would be insensitive to him. Eli wanted to not make anyone uncomfortable with this. Connor walked over to them with a small smile. In a polite tone, Connor confirmed,"Yes, I'm the android cop."
"It's very nice to meet you, Eli.",he added. Holding out his hand for Eli to shake. Which he took with a small moment's hesitation. Eli stated,"I'd say that, too. But I've heard of the things you've done to the other androids."
"Like leading the military where your fellow androids were hiding.",Eli continued. His tone was calm. And Ash could tell he was trying so hard to be polite. Trying very hard to be kind towards the android cop. Gently shaking Connor's hand to avoid being a jerk. Pulling his hand back with a polite smile. Then he added,"I'm guessing everyone else has somewhat forgive that though?"
"Well, some of us have. I think.",Ash chimed in. Doing his best to keep the anger out of his tone. But, unknown to him, he was doing a terrible job at it. T.J decided against saying anything. As she knew it wouldn't help anyone in the moment. Instead, she quietly motioned for Chloe to follow her. Feeling this was a private moment between the five of them. And that they shouldn't be there. Chloe didn't seem to need more of a hint and followed after the older woman. Not saying a word as she followed her out of the infirmary. Both deciding to take a walk instead. Connor informed,"Yeah, Markus and the other leaders have."
"For the most part, I'm forgiven and some of them trust me.",he added. Giving a slight tug on his shirt sleeve. Or rather Hank's shirt sleeve as he stood there. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Hoping that none of the other androids in front of him would notice. Unfortunately, they did. Oliver questioned,"Who's clothes are you wearing, Connor?"
"I borrowed these from Hank last night.",he answered. Feeling more then a little insecure in the borrowed clothes. Taking the hat off before slipping out of the jacket. Both of which he let drop to the ground next to him. Going to pull off the rather large sweatshirt he was in. Ralph noticed there was something that was a little off. As his shirt was looking more bulky than he normally was. It made him raise an eyebrow until he realized something. Pointing to his own chest, Ralph asked,"Are you just wearing those clothes over your cop uniform?"
"Why in the Hell are you wearing your cop clothes under all that bulk?",he asked. Looking more than a little bit confused by this. Feeling it wasn't all that wise and it could harm him. Possibly make him overheat to the point he stopped working. Connor answered,"It makes it a whole lot easier for me to go back to my other job."
"It looks pretty damn uncomfortable, Connor.",Eli pipped up. Part of him wondered if androids over heated like humans did or not. As he had yet to see any of the androids around them sweating. Then he realized that this was a really weird thought. Thinking of and picturing androids sweating. Probably not sweat but saline or whatever that weird blue gunk was. Which was something he should ask later about. If he wanted to be sure they had enough of their 'blood' to help out. Just in case one of them got a terrible injury in the future.
Which was sort of weird to think about. Though it was probably less weird than watching an android 'strip' out of hobo looking clothes.
Or whomever they used to belong to.
"It kind of is if I'm being entirely honest with you guys.",Connor admitted. He felt like he was over-heating a litlte bit. But not enough that he was concerned about shutting down. At least he kept telling himself this as he folded Hank's pants. That he wasn't in danger of shutting down thanks to the layers of clothes. He added,"It had made for a pretty decent disguise in Jericho."
"Or maybe folks were too busy trying to survive to really pay attention to your face.",Ash snarked. Rolling his eyes as he turned away from Connor. It slightly surprised Eli with the tone of his voice. Obviously he was still upset with what happened not too long ago. His utter betrayal of the entire Jericho. And that people were probably had been murdered during that time. Some that were probably were his friends or people that he cared about. So, Eli couldn't blame him for being so hurt and treating him like this.
It was far more civil than he actually expected.
With this, he noticed that both Chloe and T.J had left the room. Probably wanting to give them all some privacy. Or something to that effect. He would probably ask them about it later if he thought of it. And elected to not comment on them leaving the room. Instead, he stated,"Yeah, that probably was the reason. It's kind of like Super-Man's glasses disguise."
"It's a little strange no one seemed to notice that.",Eli added. The whole outfit looked a little bit silly in his book. It probably didn't really hide who he was to those androids. So either they were being polite about the whole thing. Or they weren't actually paying attention to Connor like he thought they did. And the clothing disguise was sort of like Super-Man. But it had worked in the comics and in any other media, too. Which was sort of strange in his mind as he looked at the folded laundry. Eli found it was a little weird but didn't say anything. Camly, he asked,"So what have you been up to in the past few hours, Connor?"
"I was working with someone named Lisa Park.",Connor answered. And it wasn't really an easy experience at all. She wasn't outright hostile towards him. But she didn't treat him much like a person. Or even really talk to him all that much if he were honest. It was like she was sort of terrified of him. Even though he hadn't fired on anyone when he went through the gate. He was trying to help everyone to find cover. He added,"She's a little bit quiet and stern."
"But, I suppose she's a really nice person to work with.",Connor added. Not wanting to sound like he was trash talking her. Or that anything she did to him was all that terrible. After all, she was just a little cool towards him. Not too friendly but not rude in the slightest bit. Just somewhere shy of civil if he were being a total asshole about her. But, not outright hostile or anything. In fact, she was downright pleasant compared to some folks he knew.
Way more kind to him then Amanda had ever been. Then again anything was better than how Amanda had treated him. Though it was nice that she couldn't get in his head anymore. Or seemingly couldn't get into his head anymore? As far as he could tell, she wasn't dragging him back to where she was. And he couldn't tell if it was because of them all being in the past. Which would make sense. Her reach is only so far from Earth. And this was by far the furthest he had been from it. Or if it was something inside the Destiny that was cutting him off from Earth?
Either way, he was finally 'free'?
It really didn't feel like he was free in any sense of the term. But he guessed it was about as free as he could get. And that he should be grateful for what little freedom he was having. He just wished that Lisa would be easier to understand. Maybe become her friend as fast as he became Hank's...okay, maybe not like that. As Hank and his relationship was much different then just friends if he were being completely honest.
Way, way different if he were being honest.
"At least you're not working with that Rush fellow.",Oliver chimed in. That probably would be way worse than this Lisa. Way worse. And Oliver guessed she was being stern because of something Connor did. And that he had been reckless in a task that she assigned him. Or said something really stupid that she didn't like.
More than likely he had said something really stupid.
"The Nicholas Rush? He's actually here on this ship?",Connor questioned. That made Eli raise an eyebrow in confusion. The Nicholas Rush? Why did he put so much emphasis on Nicholas's name? Just how famous was he in the future? Was he as famous as this Elijah Kamski guy he heard about? Or was he just weirdly familiar with the man? It seemed to be confusing to Oliver as well. The other android nodded his head at this. He asked,"Yeah. Where have you heard about this professor?"
"From Elijah Kamski while Hank and I interviewed him.",Connor answered. It was literally unprompted as well. As he was one of three folks who had encouraged Elijah's career. According to the former CEO, he definitely was. Along with a woman and some other professor. Which he felt was the man standing in front of him at that moment. Connor continued,"Mostly how he encouraged his work indirectly and was one of the reasons why we exist."
"As he encouraged Elijah to go into robotics and the like.",he explained. It seemed a little strange in his mind. That he was silently encouraging him without telling him the reason. From the way that Elijah described it, it was rather indirect. And an off-handed suggestion that Connor found a little weird. Which made him wonder if it was because of this time in the past. Rush meeting the androids after they ran from the military. Or something to that effect in his mind.
That was another thing that was messing with his mind.
"There's a strange feeling we have stumbled upon something.",Eli muttered. Holding his chin in his hand with a thoughtful look on his face. Rubbing his chin as he thought this over. Possibly thinking similarly as Connor about the whole thing. And it was probably making him wonder about timelines in ways he didn't want to. In a quiet voice, he added,"It really isn't good nor is it bad. But, it's something strange to be thinking about for a while."
"How about we don't or it's going to mess with us for a good long while?",Ralph suggested. Not liking the idea of overthinking the timeline. Or how they came to be either. As it was starting to hurt his head to entertain the idea. And from the look on Ash and Oliver's faces, they wanted to not do that either. So it felt like the wisest decision to not speak on it. Oliver agreed,"Yeah, let's not speak about it until later. Way later."
"For now, how about we talk about something a little less...heavy?",he asked. Not wanting to sound like an asshole towards Eli. As it wasn't fair to make him seem like a jerk. Or that his question was really stupid. It was a decent one. Even if it was a little heavy and strange to think about. Ash chewed on his thumb as he seemed to be unable to stop. Quietly, he mumbled,"I kinda want to talk about it. I think it's interesting."
"We could see if we came to be and this is coincidental.",he mumbled. Then he glanced up at everyone as he moved his hand. Letting it drop to his side as he continued,"Or did we inspire Rush to inspire Elijah because we came in the first place?"
"Really interesting to think over and talk about, I think.",Ash stated with a polite smile.