Detroit, Michigan - CyberLife Tower; Belle Isle: August 15th, 2038
The day CyberLife's most advanced prototype dubbed "Connor"; RK-800: 313 248 317 - 51 was activated.
It was the day that Connor, formerly the android sent by CyberLife, was brought into the waking world to fulfill a singular purpose of hunting down deviants. On that particular day the prototype had successfully completed all of its initial tests and missions without even the slightest of errors. Connor proved itself to be worthy of its reputation and the vast fortune spent in its design, and with that promising beginning came high expectations for the prototype to never fail in its mission; perfection wasn't just expected, it was demanded.
Detroit, Michigan - 1554 Park Ave, 70th Floor: The Phillips' Apartment: August 15th, 2038
Connor's first mission was simple enough. Act as a hostage negotiator to save the life of an innocent nine year old girl by the name of Emma Phillips. The hostage taker was an android gone deviant named "Daniel" who had reacted poorly upon learning that the father of the family; John Phillips, had seemingly elected to replace him with a superior model of android. Overwhelmed with emotions that left him confused and unstable Daniel panicked in response and located John's gun in the master bedroom of the lavish apartment and proceeded to shoot John twice in anger while the wife, Caroline Phillips, looked on in horror from the kitchen.
Realizing the gravity of his mistake far too late Daniel rushed to Emma's bedroom and took the little girl hostage while Caroline called the police. Panicking, scared and with nowhere to go, Daniel kept Emma as his hostage even after shooting and kill two responding police officers while leaving a third officer wounded on the apartment's rooftop. Retreating to the rooftop pool of the apartment and standing on the edge of the roof overlooking the streets seventy floors below Daniel had only two options: Surrender or jump.
The arrival of Connor as the hostage negotiator was unexpected as he too was an android as opposed to being a human. However, being a cold machine rather than a fellow deviant at the time made it impossible to empathize with Daniel's fears and desperation.
Upon his arrival Connor stumbled upon a small fish that had leapt from its tank onto the floor and decided to save it despite the little animal's life not being a priority. Little did Connor know that simple act of selfless kindness had just set change into motion and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
After managing to successfully tie a tourniquet around the bleeding arm of the wounded officer while talking Daniel into surrendering, Connor managed to save Emma's life but failed to save Daniel's life in the end. From the neighboring rooftops Daniel was shot multiple times by the responding S.W.A.T. team and was forced into shutdown.
Falling to his knees and covered in his own blue blood Daniel spoke to Connor one final time and left words that would haunt the young android for the rest of his existence.
"...You lied to me, Connor."
Detroit, Michigan - 3rd Avenue, Jimmy's Bar: November 5th, 2038
Nearly three months of additional testing and adjustments after the successful hostage negotiation confirmed that Connor was ready for his next assignment.
Entering the human exclusive bar was a risk but one Connor calculated quickly and logically. Having been assigned to work with Lieutenant Henry "Hank" Lucas Anderson of the Central Precinct of the Detroit Police Department, the advanced prototype managed to finally track the elusive and somewhat rogue detective down after checking four previous bars. To ensure an amicable relationship Connor managed to get on Hank's good side by remaining patient, respectful and of course by buying Hank a drink for the road to show that he was willing to overlook Hank's less than professional demeanor.
While unorthodox the duo managed to locate the crime scene of a human having been murdered by a deviant and locate the suspect with an unusual, yet effective, investigation. Connor managed to get a confession from the deviant suspect and earn a modicum of Hank's respect in the process. This respect came in the very impactful form of Hank pulling his gun and pointing at fellow detective Gavin Reed when Gavin threatened to shoot Connor simply for trying to follow his own assignment in the interrogation room.
The first successful case would prove to be the first of many investigations the duo would share together, yet at the time Connor viewed the partnership as a merely temporary arrangement and nothing more.
How quickly that point of view shifted.
Detroit, Michigan - Central Station Police Department: November 6th, 2038
Reuniting with Hank the following morning after the bizarre but successful investigation Connor located a case revolving around a deviant reportedly assaulting a human male and going on the run with the human's daughter. While his persuasion toward Hank in getting the gruff Lieutenant to aid in the investigation was met with anger and a threat against his very existence, Connor could call his methods successful in that endeavor as well. The unlikely duo tracked down the reportedly dangerous deviant to a cheap motel where she had been seeking shelter for the night with the same little girl she had apparently kidnapped, who had no one else to look after her.
One little slip was all it took for the runaway deviant, Kara, to be discovered by the police trying to find her. Connor gave chase and managed to catch up to Kara and the little girl, Alice, after they ducked down an alleyway and scaled a chainlink fence to cross a busy highway. Before he even had the chance to climb over the same fence and continue the pursuit Hank grabbed onto Connor's shoulder and pulled the determined android down from the fence and back to the grass to safety.
"Stand down!" Barking at the android for his zealous nature Hank used his authority and began showing shades of the once respected detective he had been before personal tragedy struck. The way he reacted in keeping Connor from harm had seemingly caught both detectives off guard. "That's an order!"
Watching through the fence as Kara braved the highway and successfully made the journey while keeping Alice safe the entire way had filled Connor with a sense of internal conflict. He was supposed to track down and help destroy all deviants, but he was also expected to work alongside Hank and act as his junior partner.
Obeying one order always seemed to contradict another in his mind...
Later that same afternoon Connor had asked Hank about the Lieutenant's barking order to stand down at the fence and was left somewhat perplexed by the given answer. According to the senior detective, in his own succinct words, he didn't want to see Connor get killed; whereas Connor couldn't understand such a concept such as death since he was an android and therefore not alive. As an android Connor couldn't be killed, only destroyed. Hank was an anti-android bigot as well, making his entire negative reaction to the danger Connor had willingly attempted to put himself in just to accomplish his mission all the more illogical on Hank's part.
Being informed of yet another deviant hiding out in what was supposed to be an abandoned apartment building the unorthodox duo began their next investigation and again located a deviant hiding out in the apartment to avoid detection. Hank was left far behind when the deviant took off on foot and Connor gave swift chase over rooftops and even over the back of a moving train in an attempt to catch him.
The chase came full circle when the suspect returned to the very rooftop he had initially fled from and pushed Hank over the edge of the roof during his escape. Connor found himself facing another conflict of priorities: Continue the chase and catch the suspect or save Hank despite the Lieutenant having a very high chance of survival in comparison to locating the suspect again if Connor let the suspect go?
Making his choice Connor grabbed onto Hank's hand and pulled the Lieutenant back up and over the edge of the roof to safety before he fell.
Hank was more embarrassed than anything, but he made his gratitude known in his own subtle way. Unable to truly thank Connor for saving his life all Hank could think to do was apologize for falling and letting the suspect go free.
Connor attempted to take the full blame, stating that he should've been faster and more efficient, but Hank refused to let the android take the full brunt of responsibility for their mutual failure during that particular investigation.
The two detectives walked away unharmed but the suspect had escaped custody and disappeared into the city.
After reporting back to CyberLife and his handle, Amanda, regarding the failure of the chase Connor was informed of a homicide that had taken place at a sex club known as the "Eden Club" downtown. A male human patron was found dead of suspected foul play by one of the android models, a "Traci" he had rented for evening pleasure. The suspicious death of a human at the potential hands of a deviated android required Connor's immediate attention, but without being officially instated as an investigating officer with the Detroit Police Department the investigating android needed his partner to go to the club with him before he begin chronicling the scene of the death.
Unable to reach Hank through his phone or locate him at the precinct Connor chose to go to Hank's home and find the human in person. There was no response to his knocking at the front door or to the door bell ringing on that rainy night, which prompted Connor to investigate the property more thoroughly. Peering through the kitchen window at the back of the house Connor saw Hank passed out cold on the kitchen floor and suspected the worst.
"Lieutenant Anderson?!"
Breaking the glass window with his elbow Connor took a few steps back and made a running leap to get through the now opened window and inside the house. As he fell to the kitchen floor with a loud 'thud' Connor was unexpectedly met face-to-face by Hank's loyal Saint Bernard, Sumo. Remembering the dog's name from his investigation into Hank's personal life at the precinct Connor managed to soothe the massive dog by addressing Sumo by his name and speaking in a calm tone.
Fortunately for Connor that large wasn't aggressive and just seemed more curious about Connor's unusual arrival than anything else.
Getting back to his feet Connor glanced about the kitchen and noted the layout of the area with a keen eye. The bottle of whiskey and the gun on the floor were all dire pieces of evidence that spoke volumes of Hank's current emotional and mental states. Kneeling beside the unconscious detective Connor confirmed Hank's stable vital signs and the heavy amount of ethanol on his breath.
Unable to rouse Hank through vocal prompts alone Connor gave Hank a firm slap to his face while calling out to him.
"Wake up, Lieutenant!"
Angered and confused by getting struck Hank tried to fight back against the android as Connor hefted him up to his feet and dragged him out of the kitchen and into the bathroom to get cleaned up. Ignoring the protests and hollow threat of trying to sic Sumo on him Connor managed to carry Hank into the bathroom, place him into the bathtub and turn on the cold shower to sober up the drunken detective in a swift and uncomfortable manner.
Hank had a very negative reaction to the effective method but sobered up enough to recognize Connor and listen to what the android had to say.
Being helpful Connor waited for Hank to finish being sick due to his heavy drinking and then change into clean clothes, and promptly examined the rest of the house curiously. Making friends with Sumo by gently petting the large dog's back and going back over the scene in the messy kitchen Connor made a dreadful discovery. Sitting atop the kitchen table was an overturned picture frame holding a simple photograph.
It was of a little boy named "Cole Lucas Anderson".
Easily running a check on the name Connor discovered that Cole had died approximately three years prior from serious injuries sustained in a serious car accident. Hank had been driving but it wasn't Hank's fault; a truck had skidded on a sheet of ice and struck Hank's car before the Lieutenant had the chance to react. While Hank had suffered a few fractured ribs and cuts, Cole had suffered some significant internal trauma that had ultimately taken his life after the surgeon on call at the hospital was discovered to be high on a potent drug known as 'red ice' and couldn't operate.
An android medical technician acting as Cole's doctor had done everything in its ability to keep Cole alive until another surgeon could be located, but it still wasn't enough. The little boy succumbed to his wounds on that cold autumnal night.
In a tragic instant Hank had lost his only son.
Unfortunately, the excessive alcohol problem now made sense. Hank was still struggling with his grief and was struggling to numb his pain with whiskey while also making hollow efforts as a now heartbroken detective. The most disconcerting item in the kitchen was the revolver left on the floor that had been laying precariously close to Hank's limp right hand when Connor had found him.
The Lieutenant's hatred of androids originated with the android who failed to keep Cole alive. Every ounce of pain in Hank's heart could be traced back to that one tragic autumn night. The drinking problem confirmed Hank's lack of desire to keep himself healthy. And the gun confirmed that Hank was ready to give up everything and die.
Picking up the dropped gun Connor stared at it for a moment before shouting to Hank as the Lieutenant finished up in the bathroom and asked him a very disturbing question. "What were you doing with the gun?"
"Russian Roulette!" Replying without any shame Hank didn't even try to hide his suicidal tendencies. As he spoke Hank was unknowingly feeding Connor vital information about himself that was pushing Connor's mindset away from his loyalty to CyberLife and toward a far more moral purpose. "Wanted to see how long I could last... Must've collapsed before I found out."
Opening the chamber of the revolver Connor noted a single bullet that was ready to fly down the barrel once the trigger was pulled. "You were lucky. The next shot would've killed you."
Returning the gun to the floor where he had found it Connor rose to his feet and turned around in time to see Hank dressed in his clean clothes but looking as haggard as ever. In a way it was humbling to see Hank looking less than fit but still willing to do the right thing.
It was fascinating to see someone so defeated by life still willing to keep living whenever someone asked him for his help.
Detroit, Michigan - Riverside Park: November 7th, 2038
Having successfully located two female "Tracis" who had successfully deviated hiding in the "Eden Club's" basement and storage area, Connor and Hank gave chase and fought back when the two rogue deviants attacked them in response to their investigation and pursuit. Managing to track down and trap the two deviants in the rear of the club's opened delivery area Connor pulled his gun and took aim at the two deviants fighting for their lives and attempting to climb a fence to escape the area, but something inexplicable - something he couldn't force himself to override, kept him from pulling the trigger. Kneeling on the rainy ground just as icy snowflakes began to fall Connor didn't resist when he was approached by his elusive suspects and had his gun kicked out of his hand.
The blue haired deviant told Connor her story - told him how she was afraid for her life and merely defended herself, and how she just wanted to get away from the disgusting humans who were abusing her at long last. Despite everything in Connor's mind telling him that the deviant wasn't truly alive, that she had no way of feeling fear or anything else she had stated, Connor not only believed her, Connor let her go.
Watching as the two "Tracis" climbed over the fence behind the property and fled into the night Connor felt Hank walk up behind him and offer his own opinion on the situation at hand. He too had heard her story, heard her emotions and saw her not as a defective machine but as a victim of sexual assault who defended herself in the most extreme manner possible while holding her lover's hand.
Remarking on the situation in a gruff way Hank backed off and didn't continue the chase. "...Maybe it's better this way."
The reaction was unexpected and had left Connor silent as he tried to understand why he hesitated and never pursued the two fleeing deviants.
Defying his orders wasn't something Connor should've been able to do...
It was just past one in the morning and Hank was still trying to use alcohol to numb himself from the cold world around him. Driving to the park to sit, think and drink, Hank found himself unexpectedly joined by Connor as the android exited the warm car to stand alongside him in the cold and snow of Riverside Park. Taking a swig of his ice cold beer Hank complimented the view of the Ambassador Bridge glowing over the Detroit River from the park, and indulged Connor as the android began asking him several questions about the case of deviancy despite Hank being completely uninterested in continuing their very peculiar investigation at the moment.
When the prospect of "RA9" was brought up; the supposed god that deviants believed in, Hank became unexpectedly aggressive toward Connor and pulled his gun on the android. Pressing the barrel of his gun to the android's forehead Hank pushed Connor to answer questions regarding android mortality and their afterlife, and refused to back down until he received satisfactory answers.
What was waiting for androids on the other side? A heaven? A hell? Some sort of afterlife? What would await Connor if Hank pulled the trigger on the gun?
"...Nothing." Connor answered as he stared into Hank's blue eyes without backing away from the gun. There was only a twinge of fear in Connor's voice, yet the android refused to admit to such an emotion as he couldn't possibly be experiencing true emotions. "There would be nothing."
The lack of answers and reaction from Connor made Hank drop the gun and walk away from the deviant for a moment. Whether he backed down from shame or frustration Hank couldn't say.
Unsure of Hank's behavior or his motivation Connor called after Hank as the Lieutenant grabbed another beer from the bench where he had been sitting and walked away from the park. "Where are you going?"
"...To get drunker!"
Hank needed to think and apparently he needed to be even drunker in order to find the answers he was searching for...
Detroit, Michigan - Stratford Broadcast Tower: November 8th, 2038
The morning and afternoon after the incident at the "Eden Club" downtown and the confrontation at the park Markus, the leader of the deviants and protector of Jericho, led a small group of his deviant allies into the city's largest news station to give a message of peace and hope to the city as he sought equality for all androids among their human brethren. The infiltration of the tower had been frightening but none of the occupants inside the tower had been injured during the rogue and unofficial broadcast, but nonetheless Hank and Connor were assigned to investigate the infiltration due to the deviant nature of the unusual case itself.
An agent from the F.B.I., Benjamin Perkins, was assigned to investigate deviancy as well and clearly had a bias against androids and hated that Hank was willingly working alongside Connor. The unprofessional attitude hadn't gone unnoticed and Hank ready to throw a punch at the arrogant prick, but couldn't do anything since the F.B.I. agent had rank over the Lieutenant.
While Hank investigated the control room of the broadcast tower Connor went to speak to the android operators who witnessed the infiltration and broadcast, and began to question what they saw. Discovering that the four infiltrators were let into the room via security footage instead of being locked out Connor knew that one of the three androids who were asked to stay in the tower's kitchenette was in fact a deviant and aided the infiltrators in their plan.
Pushing the androids with angry questions and threats against their lives Connor identified the deviant and in return was attacked. Having his left hand pinned to the nearby countertop with a sharp knife and then having his Thirium pump regulator torn from his body had left Connor wounded, weak and dying.
"H-Hank... I need help!"
Calling out to the only person who could help him Connor managed to free his pinned hand and collapse to the floor as he crawled to the vital biocomponent left on the floor by his assailant. Struggling to get to the biocomponent on the floor Connor rolled from his bloody chest and onto his back to replace the Thirium pump regulator into his abdomen and stabilize his failing pump; his heart, before getting up to his feet to chase after the deviant who had attacked him.
Rushing out of the kitchenette and down the corridor Connor called out to the other officers and F.B.I. agents to warn them of the danger before the deviant managed to get away.
"Stop it! It's a deviant!"
The deviant panicked and grabbed a semi-automatic weapon from a nearby agent to open fire on everyone in the corridor.
Connor was faster and grabbed the hand gun from the nearest F.B.I. agent and shot the deviant three times before he had the chance to harm anyone. The death of the deviant left everyone shaken and surprised, while Hank was openly grateful for Connor's quick reflexes.
"Nice shot, Connor."
Relinquishing the gun to its rightful owner Connor wasn't impressed by his own actions and his voice carried that inflection. "...I wanted it alive."
"You saved human lives." Stepping partially into Connor's line of sight Hank emphasized the importance of the moment and his overall appreciation for what his android partner had just done as Connor watched him from the corner of his eye. "You saved MY life."
Turning to give Hank a silent look for just a moment Connor proceeded to approach the previously offensive deviant with his white dress shirt torn open and exposing the bloody blue wound in his upper abdomen to resume his investigation of the mysterious message by the deviant leader of Jericho. The infiltration of the Stratford Broadcast Tower was more important than his own damaged body; damage that CyberLife would frown upon learning that their most advanced prototype had sustained during its mission.
Watching as Connor went about his business Hank and the other nearby officers just watched silently as the android, the very being they had initially believed to be a threat to mankind, just saved every human life on that floor without any worry for his own condition.
There was something about the way Connor moved, the way he talked, even the way he looked Hank in the eyes that spoke volumes of someone being for more than they appeared. There was something inside of Connor, something almost human, that made Hank think that maybe there really was something to deviancy and the pleas for equality.
Maybe deviants really are alive after all.
It was then Connor's comment echoed in Hank's mind like a call for help: "...I wanted it alive."
Alive.
Did Connor see the deviant as a living being? If that was the case, did he see himself in the same way?
Only time would tell.
Detroit, Michigan - Private Residence of Elijah Kamski: November 9th, 2038
Pulling a few strings and calling in many favors Hank managed to locate the private address of Elijah Kamski; the retired founder of CyberLife and possibly the only mind brilliant enough in the entire world that could give him and Connor some answers regarding deviants. Desperate for some form of progress Hank led the way to the door of the deceptively modest looking mansion while Connor followed behind him along the snow covered ground. The freezing, snowy harbor surrounding the mansion had a rather impressive view of CyberLife Tower out in the distance on Belle Isle and hinted that Kamski was still interested in what his company was doing during his absence.
The two detectives were met at the door by an android known as Chloe - the first android to pass the "Turing Test", and one of three identical models living with Kamski in the mansion on the outskirts of the city. After showing them inside the house Chloe went to speak to Kamksi herself while Connor and Hank sat in the rather luxurious sitting room to wait for Kamski to greet them.
Examining the sitting room on instinct Connor noticed the large portrait of Kamksi on the wall and was admittedly impressed with his past accomplishments at such a young age in such a short amount of time. However, it was the image of Amanda, his own handler, that left him perplexed.
Why was she there? Who was she to Kamksi? Was she more than just his mentor? Why was she chosen to be Connor's handler? Could he truly put his trust in CyberLife if he didn't know what they were really doing?
After being shown to Kamski's office Connor and Hank met with the eccentric billionaire in an attempt to get their answers. It was clear that Kamski knew something about what was happening with deviancy and it was just as clear that the two detectives knew that he wasn't going to talk about it so openly.
Taking a keen interest in Connor and his purpose Kamski handed Connor a gun and gave him an ultimatum.
Pull the trigger: Kill Chloe to prove to Connor and everyone in the room that androids are not alive and that he'd be only destroying a machine, and Kamski would answer his question. Don't pull the trigger: Spare Chloe's life and get no answers whatsoever.
Neither outcome seemed to be more beneficial than the other.
"Okay, I think we're done here." Hank had heard enough from Kamski and wanted to leave. Sickened by Kamski's taunts and heartless ploys Hank ordered the android to not play the game; to NOT pull the trigger. "Come on, Connor. Let's go." Turning back to Kamski Hank gave the insufferable man a passive apology for inconveniencing him. "Sorry for getting you outta' your pool."
Kamksi wasn't done yet. "What's more important to you, Connor? Your investigation," he motioned to Chloe on her knees without the slightest hint of remorse for his behavior. "or the life of this android?"
Connor didn't know what to do.
"Decide who you are. An obedient machine," Kamski sneered with a hollow breath. "or a living being, endowed with freewill."
"That's enough!" Hank had lost his patience and wanted nothing more to do with Kamski. "Connor, we're leaving."
Kamksi wasn't ready to back down. "Pull the trigger."
"Connor." Hank refused to stand aside and let Connor do something he'd regret. "Don't."
"...And I'll tell you what you want to know."
Hesitating for only a second Connor let out a shuddering breath and handed the gun back to Kamksi without pulling the trigger. He didn't kill Chloe.
"Fascinating..." Kamski gloated at the reaction while Hank looked relieved. "CyberLife's last chance to save humanity... is itself a deviant."
"I'm..." Pondering Kamski's words Connor refused to accept them and defied the comment. "I'm not a deviant."
"You preferred to spare a machine rather than accomplish your mission." Helping Chloe back to her feet Kamski was as smug as ever. "You saw a living being in this android. You showed empathy." Dismissing Chloe for the moment Kamski gave Connor a studious glance. "A war is coming, you'll have to choose your side. Will you betray your own people or stand up against your creators?"
Connor stayed silent as he stared at Kamski will loss in his increasingly soulful brown eyes.
"What could be worse than having to choose between two evils?"
Hank grabbed onto Connor's shoulder as he put himself between the android and Kamksi, and pushed Connor toward the door. "Let's get outta' here..."
Having heard one final passing comment from Kamski about his programming having an 'emergency exit' Connor readily left the mansion while Hank trailed behind him for a few paces as if needing to keep an eye on the android.
Curious about Connor's behavior Hank asked a question of his own once they were away from Kamski and back outside the mansion. "Why didn't you shoot?"
Connor stopped walking as he turned to face Hank to give him an emotional response. "...I just saw that girl's eyes and I couldn't," his body language was tense and his voice was defensive. "that's all."
"You're always saying you would do anything to accomplish your mission." Challenging the statement Hank gauged Connor's reactions closely. "That was our chance to learn something and you let it go..."
"Yeah, I know what I should've done!" Connor snipped with guilt in his tone as he had a very human outburst. "I told you I couldn't. I'm sorry," standing before Hank with a sense of failure weighing on his shoulders Connor tried to explain himself as much as he could. "okay?"
Hank stared at Connor's face for only a moment before a proud smirk appeared on his face. "...Maybe you did the right thing."
Stunned by Hank's passive behavior Connor fell into deeper confusion and uncertainty as he slowly followed after Hank to return to the car and to resume their investigation elsewhere.
Little did Connor know that his fateful decision would become the solidifying factor in Hank's trust toward him.
Detroit, Michigan - Central Station Police Department: November 9th, 2038
The Android Revolution was drawing closer while Connor and Hank had yet to locate the deviant stronghold known as "Jericho". Connor was being threatened by CyberLife through his handler, Amanda, warning him that if he failed then he'd be deactivated and analyzed to uncover the source of said failure. With his own life, an actual life and not just a basic function, on the line and with time running out, Connor begged for Hank's help. Surprisingly enough Hank agreed to aid the deviant and caused a distraction that gave Connor the time he needed to piece together their collected evidence down in the evidence room and finally find the trail to Jericho.
Striking Agent Perkins to not only give Connor a worthy distraction, but to get his frustrations out on the arrogant prick, Hank unknowingly just saved his partner's life by giving Connor the time her needed to sort through the evidence on his own.
With only a mild delay in the evidence room courtesy of Gavin Reed's unresolved bitterness toward androids Connor managed to slip out of the precinct unseen as he began his final mission at long last.
If he succeeded he'd be permitted to live, if he failed he'd be destroyed.
Connor needed to arrest Markus and stop the Revolution before it began or die trying...
Detroit, Michigan - Ferndale Harbor; Jericho: November 9th and 10th, 2038
What had started out as a promising arrest for CyberLife quickly turned into betrayal.
Accepting his deviancy after hearing Markus's words and recognizing his own past decisions, Connor sided with Markus just seconds before the F.B.I. located Jericho as well. In that time Connor helped save hundreds, possible thousands, of deviant lives during the Raid and easily eluded the pursuing soldiers who were gunning down fleeing deviants in the corridors of the dark ship. Evacuating the freighter ship just seconds before a bomb sank the already sinking vessel into the icy cold harbor Connor managed to join the other deviants in the safety of an abandoned church far away from any humans to reconvene and figure out their next plan of action.
Discussing their options and their limitations Connor made another choice; one to risk it all for his people and to make amends for ever allowing himself to be used by CyberLife. Markus protested that Connor would take on such a risky mission alone, but Connor refused to back down.
He knew what he needed to do to save his people, free himself from CyberLife's hold and protect innocent lives.
Connor would infiltrate CyberLife Tower alone and free the androids who were being held in the tower's storage facility underground. The added numbers would give Markus the power and influence he needed to turn the tide of the Revolution back into his favor.
Detroit, Michigan - CyberLife Tower; Belle Isle: November 11th, 2038
Defying the odds stacked against him and succeeding in his mission. Thanks to his fast reflexes, calm demeanor and unexpected help from Hank during a confrontation with the final of the 'RK-800' models trying to stop him, the true Connor managed to free the androids, awaken them as deviants and turn the balance of power in favor of the deviants against the humans. Leading the newly awoken deviant army from the tower and to Hart Plaza to join Markus during their final battle, Connor kept his word and aided his allies in their just cause for freedom, for equality and to bring about an era of peace between the humans and deviants.
Hank was saved, the 'RK-800' numbered 'Sixty' had been subdued and CyberLife had quickly abandonned their tower in fear. All that was left was a final peaceful stand proving their peaceful intentions. A song being sung from the heart resonated not just through the city, but through the minds and hearts of thousands of humans who bore witness to such an event.
The peaceful Revolution was a success.
During Markus's speech CyberLife tried one last dirty trick to win the day, but unfortunately for them Connor was too stubborn to let them have their way.
Ridding CyberLife from his mind through Kamski's "emergency exit" and leaving Jericho to ensure his allies' safety, Connor was reunited with Hank outside the small food stand known as the 'Chicken Feed' and had been unexpectedly taken in by the gruff Lieutenant as a true friend.
Having a home to call his own and a true friend; not a handler or a superior, Connor felt safe the first time in his life as he returned to the house alongside Hank as they began their lives in a post Revolution world.
That night not only changed the lives of deviants all through the city but the lives of both Connor and Hank for the better.
Detroit, Michigan - 115 Michigan Ave: August 15th, 2040
Sitting outside the small but loving house with his eyes focused on the night sky overhead Connor gently pet Sumo's ears as the loyal dog laid over his lap on the warm summer night. Able to see the stars thanks only to his superior vision allowing him to eliminate light pollution and see what others could not Connor enjoyed the peaceful moment as he reflected on how much his life had changed within the past year. Freed of CyberLife's control and able to pursue a promising career as a police detective simply because it was what he wanted rather than what he had been ordered to do, Connor felt a sense of peace that he believed he'd never experience.
Connor was truly his own person.
Lost in thought and enjoying the calm of the night Connor didn't even react when he heard the backdoor open up or the footsteps approaching him from behind. Knowing that Hank had noticed his curious absence from the house Connor turned his eyes a little to look up at his best friend and the content deviant gave Hank a half grin.
"You okay, kid?"
"Yes. I'm merely thinking."
"Do I want to know what you're thinking about?"
"The past year. We've been through a lot and we've grown so much since the night of the Revolution."
"Oh." Sitting down beside Connor on the cool grass Hank patted Sumo's back a few times and got a happy tail wag in response. "That's for the good, right?"
"Surprisingly, yes."
"Good. That's a relief."
"We've come a long way and experienced many ups and downs."
"Yup." The darker moments of nearly losing his life and Connor doing the same were always at the forefront of Hank's mind. "We've had some damn close calls, too. We've been wounded, sick, threatened and had to make some tough calls along the way."
"We even evolved from uncomfortable partners assigned to work together in the field, to friends and maybe even..."
"Family?"
"Yes." Unsure if that word was acceptable or not Connor was glad Hank said it first. "I mean, it's hard for me to make such a comparison since I don't have a family to call my own."
"Well, I can say that your interpretation isn't wrong."
"That's reassuring to hear."
Rubbing his palm over the back of his shaggy gray hair Hank looked about the backyard and watched the few fireflies still enjoying the waning summer heat flying about the property in a graceful, silent flight. "Can I ask what brought about your little trip down memory lane?"
"Today is my two year activation day."
"Activation day?" That term was entirely foreign to Hank's ears. "What's that?"
"It's the android equivalent to a human's birthday. Remember?"
"...Oh, that's right." Now feeling a little foolish Hank gave Connor a small apology. "We could've done something special for ya' if ya' said something."
"It's all right. I don't see this particular date as something worth celebrating."
"Why not? Tons of people get excited for their birthdays and use it as an excuse to hang out with a bunch of people they like."
"For humans birth and life itself is seen as something miraculous and worth celebrating. For androids it's merely the anniversary of our first moment of being powered on to full function. I remember every detail of that particular day and I can confirm that it's not worth any form of celebration."
"I gotta' know, kid. What happened on that day?"
Pausing for a moment Connor looked up at Hank with a furrowed brow. "...Why?"
"It's not every day you can talk to someone who remembers the day they were born." Patting Connor's left shoulder lightly Hank slowly leaned back where he was sitting until he was laying flat on his back across the cool grass. "Tell me what the day was like."
Connor gave Hank a sorrowful stare before he looked up at the hidden stars again. "...Do you remember when I told you about my first mission?"
"Being the hostage negotiator at the apartment?"
"Correct."
"Wait... Your first mission was also your first day of being activated?"
"...Yes."
"Okay, now I get why you don't want to celebrate your birthday since it's associated with such a shitty experience."
"It was a grim day but it ended with a little girl's life being saved and a good cop being able to recover from being shot and moving onto the F.B.I., so, I don't think it was all bad." Shrugging his shoulders a little Connor gave Hank a coy glance. "Not to mention that day I had made decisions that led me down the path to my deviancy and subsequent freedom."
"You just don't want to make a big deal about your birthday?"
"Correct. I don't deserve any special treatment or attention."
"You're too modest for your own good some times. You need to celebrate your birth- activation day." He corrected his term fairly quickly as he tucked his hands beneath his head to enjoy the summer night alongside the deviant in a more comfortable position. "Well, you should do that at least once in your life."
"Maybe. New experiences are important, after all."
"And finding reasons to celebrate are even more important."
"Do you wonder how life could've turned out if I hadn't deviated?"
"Occasionally."
"How do imagine things would be different?"
"Well... I can see CyberLife still being alive and I can see them stabbing you in the back." Hank admitted in a grim tone. "I can also imagine that Markus would be nothing more than a memory, and I would've finally lost that damn game of Russian Roulette."
Such an answer made the corner of Connor's mouth tic a little. "...Seems like a very bleak and unappealing future."
"Yup. Don't think about the 'what-ifs' in life, son. It'll drive you crazy."
"Speaking from personal experience?"
"Smartass." Taking in a deep breath Hank relaxed his aging back and just enjoyed the pleasant summer night as he spoke with the deviant he had taken in as his own honorary second son. That was something Hank never thought would be possible, especially since at one point he hated androids more than anything in the always changing world. "I'm speaking as someone who once obsessed over how one little thing can change everything and as someone who knows that those kinds of thoughts can corrupt your perception of the world."
"You're saying we should learn from our past without losing sight of our future?"
"Yeah, you got it. You know, for a toddler you're pretty sharp!"
"And for an old man you're still fairly lucid."
"Ha, ha..." Giving Connor's shoulder a playful shove Hank smirked at the comment and contemplated how some day soon he'd need to do something special for Connor to give the deviant a reason to celebrate his own life. "Don't forget, I may be old but I can still kick an ass or two."
"Noted." Laying flat on the grass Connor kept his right hand on Sumo's ears as the massive dog flopped over on his side to press his head down over Connor's stomach in an affectionate manner. The peaceful moment was one Connor wanted to experience for as long as possible. "For what it's worth, I'm glad that of all of all the gruff police Lieutenant's I could've been assigned to work with, it was you."
"And of all the smartass deviants who refuse to accept failure as an option to come barging into my life, literally and figuratively. Motioning to the repaired kitchen window with his hand Hank reminded Connor of the first time Connor arrived at the house over a year ago. "I'm glad it was you and not your 'evil-twin'."
"Never assume..."
"Nice try, kid. I'm too good of a shot to ever have to worry about that asshole ever bothering us again." Letting out a soft sigh through his nose Hank tried to imagine the very stars that Connor could easily see and noted that it'd been far too long since he celebrated anything like a birthday in his life. Maybe there are some things left in the past that should be remembered after all. "It may not mean much, but... Happy Birthday, son. Next year we'll do something special."
The sincerity in Hank's words didn't go unnoticed and with that Connor's sense of peace seemed to grow warmer by the second. "Thank you, Hank. I'm glad I'm still alive to have a chance to celebrate something like a birthday."
-next chapter-