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 finally activated and sent out on its first mission.
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 android 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.
Little did Connor or anyone else from CyberLife know that they had unwittingly unleashed their own impending downfall by allowing Connor to function and fulfill its designated purpose. With the activation of a single android who'd prove to be far too stubborn for its own good, the corrupt and unscrupulous company had effectively sealed its own fate.
All it took was once chance encounter and one little decision to change the course of human history forever, and that power fell into Connor's opened hands without the android even noticing.
Detroit, Michigan - 1554 Park Ave, 70th Floor: The Phillips' Apartment: August 15th, 2038
Connor's first mission was simple enough considering the complex nature in which it had been designed: 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 it 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 for Connor to empathize with Daniel's fears and desperation.
Upon its arrival, Connor stumbled upon a small fish that had leapt from its tank onto the floor and Connor decided to save it despite the little animal's life not being a priority. Little did Connor know that one act of selfless kindness had just set world affecting change into motion and there was nothing it 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 its existence, even after the success of the Revolution and gaining freedom.
"...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 its 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 it was willing to overlook Hank's less than professional demeanor for the sake of their investigation.
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 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 its 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 hotel 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 it even had the chance to climb over the same fence and continue the pursuit Hank grabbed on to 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 its zealous nature Hank used his authority and began showing shades of the once respected detective he had been before personal tragedy struck and pushed him down a self-destructive path of alcoholism. The way he reacted in keeping Connor from harm had seemingly caught both detectives off guard. "That's an order!"
Connor did as it was told and refrained from climbing the fence to continue the pursuit. That resulted in the android being only able to watch as the deviant it has been pursuing fled from the city.
Peering 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. The advanced prototype was supposed to track down and help destroy all deviants, but it was also expected to work alongside Hank and act as its junior partner.
Obeying one order always seemed to contradict another in its conflicted mind. In time, Connor would soon discover that such contradiction was the result of emotional responses and gut instincts calling the shots.
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 it 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 that Connor had willingly attempted to put itself in just to accomplish its assigned mission was 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 a filthy 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 from which he had initially fled from, and pushed Hank over the edge of the roof during his escape. Connor found itself 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 on to Hank's hand and pulled the Lieutenant back up and over the edge of the roof to safety before he fell to what was assuredly his untimely death. 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 it should've been faster and more efficient, but Hank refused to let the android take the full brunt of the 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 handler, Amanda, regarding the failure of the chase Connor was informed of a homicide that had taken place at an android 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 it could begin chronicling the scene of the death.
Unable to reach Hank through his phone or locate him at the precinct, Connor had chosen 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 doorbell 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 had suspected the worst.
"Lieutenant Anderson?!"
Breaking the glass of the kitchen window with its elbow, Connor took a few steps back and made a running leap to get through the now opened window and inside the house. As it 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 its discreet investigation into Hank's personal life back at the precinct, Connor managed to soothe the massive dog by addressing Sumo by his name and by speaking in a calm tone.
Fortunately for Connor, that large dog wasn't aggressive and just seemed more curious about Connor's unusual arrival than anything else.
After getting back to its 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 to get a response.
"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 it, Connor managed to carry Hank into the bathroom, place him into the bathtub, and then 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 of getting him out of his drunken stupor, but he sobered up enough to recognize Connor and listen to what the android had to say.
Being helpful in its own way, 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 had 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 fatal 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 and felt as if his life wasn't worth living any longer.
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 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 in his life 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 its 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."
"You were lucky." Opening the chamber of the revolver Connor noted a single bullet that was ready to fly down the barrel once the trigger was pulled. "The next shot would've killed you."
Returning the gun to the floor where it had found the weapon Connor rose to its 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, deviated "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 its 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 it couldn't force itself to override - kept Connor from pulling the trigger. Kneeling on the rainy ground just as icy snowflakes began to fall, Connor didn't resist when it was approached by its elusive suspects and had its gun kicked out of its hand.
The blue haired deviant told Connor her story, told it 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 it 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, but it let her go free.
Watching as the two "Tracis" climbed over the fence behind the property and fled into the night, Connor felt Hank walk up behind it 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.
"Huh." 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 it tried to understand why it hesitated and never pursued the two fleeing deviants.
Defying its 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 a small and vacant 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 air and icy snow covering the ground 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 where he sat, 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.
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 a few questions of his own 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 it stared into Hank's 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 it 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 android for a moment. Whether he backed down from the android in shame or frustration, Hank couldn't say for certain.
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. Such peculiar behavior had left Connor perplexed and unsure of what it needed to do next to accomplish its mission.
"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. Being alone was Hank's instinctive response to anything even remotely emotionally taxing or difficult to explain. The last thing he needed to do was try to explain the complexities of human emotions to an emotionless, cold machine.
Detroit, Michigan - Stratford Broadcast Tower: November 8th, 2038
The morning and afternoon after the incident at the "Eden Club" downtown, and after the confrontation at the park, Markus - the leader of the deviants and protector of their sanctuary dubbed "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 Detroit 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. Nonetheless, Hank and Connor were assigned to investigate the infiltration due to the deviant nature of the unusual case in 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 was ready to throw a punch at the arrogant prick, yet he couldn't do anything since the F.B.I. agent had rank over the Lieutenant and could call all the shots.
While Hank investigated the control room of the broadcast tower Connor went to speak to the android operators who had witnessed the infiltration and the broadcast, and had begun to question what they saw. Discovering that the four infiltrators to the tower 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 existences, Connor successfully identified the deviant and in return was attacked. Having its left hand pinned to the nearby countertop with a sharp knife and then having its Thirium pump regulator torn from its body, had left Connor wounded, weak and effectively dying.
"H-Hank... I need help!"
Calling out to the only person who could help him Connor managed to free its pinned hand and collapsed to the floor chest first as it crawled to the vital biocomponent left on the floor by its assailant. Struggling to get to the biocomponent on the floor Connor rolled from its bloody chest and onto its back to replace the Thirium pump regulator into its abdomen and stabilize its failing Thirium pump; its heart, before getting up to its feet to chase after the deviant who had attacked it.
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 discovered 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 handgun 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 its own actions and its 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 its 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 its white dress shirt torn open and exposing the bloody blue wound in its upper abdomen to resume its investigation of the mysterious message by the deviant leader of Jericho. The infiltration of the Stratford Broadcast Tower was more important than its 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 its 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 its own condition. There was something about the way Connor moved, the way it talked, even the way it 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 itself in the same way?
Only time would tell what was going on inside of Connor's mind.
Detroit, Michigan - Private Residence of Elijah Kamski: November 9th, 2038
Pulling a few strings and calling in many favors, Hank had 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 himself 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 Kamski herself while Connor and Hank sat in the rather luxurious foyer to wait for Kamski to greet them.
Examining the decorations and furniture of the foyer on instinct Connor noticed the large portrait of Kamski 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 Connor perplexed.
Why was Amanda there? Who was she to Kamski? 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 regarding deviancy. It was clear that Kamski knew something about what was happening with the androids in the city, 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 its role in the events transpiring throughout Detroit, Kamski handed Connor a gun and gave it an ultimatum.
Pull the trigger: Kill Chloe to prove to Connor and everyone else in the room that androids are not alive and that it'd be only destroying a machine, and Kamski would answer its questions. 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 sadistic man's 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."
Kamski 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. Kamski wanted his own answers, and he was going to get them one way or another. "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."
Kamski wasn't ready to back down just yet and kept pushing Connor to complete the test. "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 Kamski without pulling the trigger. It 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 it stared at Kamski will loss in its increasingly soulful brown eyes.
"What could be worse than having to choose between two evils?"
Hank grabbed on to Connor's shoulder as he protectively put himself between the android and Kamski, and pushed Connor toward the door. "Let's get outta' here..."
Having heard one final passing comment from Kamski about its programming having an 'emergency exit' Connor readily left the mansion while Hank trailed behind it for a few paces as if needing to keep an eye on the android. What Hank was looking for was something that Connor would later understand stemmed from the man's protective nature.
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?"
"...I just saw that girl's eyes and I couldn't," Connor stopped walking as it turned to face Hank to give him an emotional response. Its body language was tense, and its 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 its tone as it had a very human outburst. "I told you I couldn't. I'm sorry," standing before Hank with a sense of failure weighing on its shoulders Connor tried to explain itself as much as it could. "okay?"
Hank stared at Connor's face for only a moment before a proud smirk appeared on his face. The man continued on his way to his parked car knowing that he had just witnessed the first true emotions that would inevitably lead Connor down a path of justice and righteousness.
"...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 its fateful decision would become the solidifying factor in Hank's trust toward it.
Detroit, Michigan - Central Station Police Department: November 9th, 2038
The peaceful android Demonstration of deviants had been a success, and now 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 its handler, Amanda, warning it that if it failed then it'd be deactivated and analyzed to uncover the source of said failure. With its 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 had agreed to aid the android detective 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 it needed to sort through the evidence on its own. It wasn't easy, but Connor managed to piece the puzzle together at last and find the trail it needed to follow.
With only a mild delay to the evidence room courtesy of Gavin's unresolved bitterness toward androids stopping it due to a needless exchange of words and insults, Connor managed to slip out of the precinct unseen as it began its final mission at long last.
If it succeeded, then it'd be permitted to live. If it failed, then it'd be destroyed.
Connor needed to arrest Markus and stop the Revolution before it began, or it'd die trying. At least, that's what it had initially believed when it set out on what was sure to be its final mission within CyberLife.
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. had located Jericho as well by following Connor's internal tracker. In that time, Connor had helped save hundreds, possibly 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 freighter ship acting as the deviant sanctuary. Evacuating the 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 had made up his mind and wasn't afraid.
Connor knew what he needed to do to save his people, to free himself from CyberLife's hold, and to protect innocent lives.
As risky as it was, Connor would infiltrate CyberLife Tower alone and free the androids who were being held in the tower's storage facility underground. The added numbers given by the freed androids would give Markus the power and influence that he needed to turn the tide of the Revolution back into his favor.
It was the one mission that Connor could not fail, but considering he always accomplished his missions, he had no fear as he set on his heroic task.
Detroit, Michigan - CyberLife Tower; Belle Isle: November 11th, 2038
Defying the odds stacked against him, Connor succeeded in his mission. Thanks to his fast reflexes, calm demeanor, and the 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 rallying against the humans in a peaceful protest. 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 abandoned 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 either in person or by watching the event unfold on the news broadcasts being shown on every news outlet in Detroit.
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 when he had nowhere else to go and no one else to rely on.
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 and calm 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 to do 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 within the house Connor turned his eyes a little to look up at his best friend - his mentor and father figure - and the content deviant gave Hank a half grin.
"You okay, kid?"
"Yes." Connor confirmed with a modest smirk on his face. "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. Since the night you saved me."
"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."
"All right. That's a relief."
"We've come a long way and experienced many ups and downs in that time."
"Yup." The darker moments of nearly losing his life and Connor doing the same were always at the forefront of Hank's mind. The Lieutenant never wanted to see Connor covered in his own blood or fighting for his life ever again. "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. That was a topic that Connor was still too intimidated to properly broach. "I mean, it's hard for me to make such a comparison since I don't have a family to call my own, and I never had one even before we met."
"Well, I can say that your interpretation of what 'family' 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. It was such a calm and soothing night that it'd be a crime to not enjoy it.
"Can I ask what brought about your little trip down memory lane, kid?"
"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 since he and Connor had discussed birthdays before. "We could've done something special for ya' if ya' had said something earlier."
"It's all right." Humble as ever, Connor saw no need to make a big deal about such an event. "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 functionality. 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." As much as Hank hated dredging up painful pasts, he needed to know something particular about the deviant's origins. "What happened to you on that day?"
"Hm?" Pausing for a moment Connor looked up at Hank with a furrowed brow. "Why... do you wish to know?"
"It's not every day that you can talk to someone who remembers the day they were born." Patting Connor's shoulder lightly Hank slowly leaned back where he was sitting until he was lying flat on his back across the cool grass. "Tell me what the day was like. Was it sunny or cloudy? Warm? Cold? Were activated in the morning, afternoon, evening or night?"
"Those details aren't pertinent to my activation." Connor gave Hank a sorrowful stare before he looked up at the hidden stars again. "...Do you remember when I told you about my very first mission?"
"You mean being the hostage negotiator at the apartment, right?"
"Correct."
"Wait..." It only took Hank a few seconds to realize why Connor asked such a question. "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 on to work with 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. That's all I'll ever need anyway, which makes birthday celebrations for me... extraneous."
"You just don't want to make a big deal about your birthday because you're good as you are?"
"Correct. I don't deserve any special treatment or attention."
"You're too modest for your own good sometimes. You need to celebrate your birth- activation day." The protective man 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."
"You're right." As he contemplated his life Connor began to wonder if other people were doing the same thing. Thinking about where a person has come from and where they intend to go is an important facet to any worthwhile experience. "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 around, and I can see 'em stabbing you in the back." Hank admitted in a grim tone as he stared up at the clear yet blank night sky overhead. "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."
"Oh." 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 I'm speaking 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." It was strange to think of how insightful and compassionate Connor was given his limited emotional experiences and young age. The deviant may look like a mid-twenty something detective, but he was just now only two years old in age. "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 someday soon he'd need to do something special for Connor to give the deviant a reason to celebrate his own life, even if he wouldn't celebrate his own birthday. "Don't forget, I may be old, but I can still kick an ass or two."
"Noted." Lying flat on the grass Connor kept his 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 behind them 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 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 to you, but... Happy Birthday, son. Next year, we'll do something special for you."
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.
"Thanks, Hank." Taking in the tranquility all around him, Connor let himself relax and enjoy the simplicity of stargazing on a warm summer night. "I'm glad that I'm still alive to even have the chance to celebrate something as commonplace as a birthday when I'm ready."
-next chapter-