It was New Year's Eve and the two detectives stayed huddled inside the warm house to stave off the merciless cold that relentlessly smothered the rest of the city outside. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the uneventful afternoon, Hank having the day off and Connor not having any responsibilities to fulfill until the construction of Skye Tower began at the beginning of the following March, the two sat idle in the livingroom with the television flashing varying news reports of the impending New Year's Eve celebration. Such a celebration was filling the air with a white noise that they easily tuned out where they sat. It seemed as if the entire city was ready to celebrate the holiday while the two detectives were more inclined to stay away from large groups of people.
With his left foot propped up on the recliner and a bag of ice pressed against his swollen left ankle, an injury that was the ironic courtesy of slipping on the icy front walk outside when getting the mail, Hank was lost in a good book and Connor was sitting on the floor running a brush through Sumo's long fur. The duo was clearly trying to distract themselves from the nasty weather outside and had enough celebrations to last them the rest of the year.
"Man, I'm glad Jeffrey made sure I got New Year's off too even with my recovery almost done." Peering over the book in his hands Hank gave the deviant a somewhat bored stare before breaking the silence at last. "Got any plans for the New Year?"
"Aside from finishing the construction plans of the tower?"
"Yeah. Do deviants have new year resolutions?" Such a notion was oddly intriguing to think about. "I don't think you had one last year or the other years before."
"It's plausible." The concept wasn't an impossibility, although it could be argued as an irregularity. "I cannot personally vouch for all deviants, but I suspect it has become a relatively common custom for most deviants."
"What about you?"
"I haven't thought about it." Connor admitted as he pulled a clump of gathered fur from the brush. He winced for a moment as he pressed his hand briefly to the center of his chest and held his palm over his heart as if suddenly uncomfortable. "Do you?"
"Yeah. Make it a solid year without a drop of alcohol. If I can stay one-hundred percent sober for one more year, then I can safely say I've overcome my alcohol dependence without any doubts."
"That is a morally promising resolution and I hope you can achieve it." Using the now cleaned brush to sweep through Sumo's fur once more Connor thought about the future and what he'd like to change about himself. "I will consider selecting a resolution for myself as well."
A knock on the front door made the two detectives freeze and look over at the door with curious glances.
"Did you invite someone over?" Connor asked skeptically as he stood up from the floor to answer the door while Hank stayed off his sore ankle. "The weather isn't ideal for traveling."
"Nope, not this time. I don't know who that could be."
Curiously Connor peeked through the front window and visibly flinched at the person standing outside as his hand dropped from his chest.
"What?" Sensing Connor's distressed reaction Hank turned his head to look toward the door on the other side of where Connor was standing. "What's the matter, son?"
"It's... Chloe."
"Chloe?" There was only one Chloe that Hank personally knew of, yet he needed to be sure. "You mean the Chloe that lives with Kamski?"
"Correct."
"Ah, fuck. I already don't like where this is going..."
"Should I answer the door?"
"Only if you want to find out why the hell she's here and how the hell she figured out where we live."
"I suppose having an answer would be more beneficial than residing with questions." Opening the door Connor greeted Chloe with a calm but emotionless demeanor to hide his discomfort as much as possible at seeing her again. "Hello, Chloe."
"Hi, Connor."
The blonde android beamed with an almost human smile as she looked up at the taller deviant she was speaking with. With her L.E.D. pulsing blue she appeared to be her usual complacent self just as Connor had remembered, even when he had been forced to point a gun directly into her innocent and emotionless face. She was only wearing a knee length and sleeveless navy blue dress with matching blue pumps, and yet she didn't seem affected at all by the cold air circling around her.
"I've been sent here to personally invite you to speak with Elijah Kamski at his private residence."
"Oh." That particular invitation was one that Connor hoped to decline. "May I ask why?"
"I do not have that information. I was merely sent as a messenger."
"May I ask how you know of my home address?"
"Elijah gave me the information."
"And I suspect that if I ask how he knows of my address you won't be able to answer that question, either?"
"Correct."
"...I'd rather not associate with Kamski." The part of Connor that wanted to know how Kamski had gained such information and why was overruled by the part of him that desired peace, quiet and solitude. He had enough stress from Kamski to last him a lifetime. "Please inform him that I have declined his invitation."
The smile faded from Chloe's face and a worried grimace took its place as her blue L.E.D. cycled to yellow with worry. "Elijah was very insistent."
"Is that a threat?"
"I assure you that I mean you no harm." Chloe tensed up for a moment before resuming her cold exterior. "But I have been assigned to escort you to Mr. Kamski's residence as soon as possible."
"And if you don't succeed with your assignment, what then?"
"I suspect Elijah will be displeased with my failure."
Connor turned his gaze toward Hank over his shoulder, who had been listening to every word of the conversation from where he was sitting in his recliner. The two detectives instinctively suspected that Kamski would potentially harm Chloe if she returned alone, and they both knew that their jobs as detectives meant they needed to protect and serve everyone in the city; including androids employed by a coldblooded snake like Kamski.
"...Very well." Relenting to the request Connor returned his focus to Chloe standing out in the snow. "I will accompany you, but I will not stay for more than one hour."
"Thank you." The smile returned, and Chloe looked immensely relieved as her L.E.D. transitioned back to blue. "The autonomous taxi is waiting."
Giving Hank one final look, the senior detective nodded silently and held up his phone to let Connor know that he'd be in contact the entire time that he was speaking with Kamski. Grabbing his leather jacket hanging on the hook by the front door Connor slipped it over his arms and up to his shoulders before stepping outside to meet Chloe on the front step of the house.
"Let's go." Connor insisted impatiently as he walked a few paces behind Chloe to get to the idling cab. "I'd prefer to get this over with as quickly as possible."
"Of course." Chloe replied with a faux understanding as she walked over to the autonomous taxi idling in the street. "Elijah is very efficient with his time."
The autonomous taxi arrived at the front drive of the deceptively modest looking mansion on the harbor of the Detroit River that overlooked the isolated Belle Isle in the middle of the harbor. Connor reluctantly exited the vehicle and waited for Chloe to follow after him as he stared at the cold exterior of the mansion concealed behind a false front of modesty. Having remained obnoxiously silent throughout the entire journey Connor refused to indulge in the shallow small-talk and Chloe's attempts to gain his trust through a friendly tone, her unintentionally condescending commentary regarding his decision to become a deviant and to remain as a detective after the Revolution had struck a nerve with him.
It was a strange urge to rebel that the deviant quickly indulged as he held his silence and refused to acknowledge Chloe's words. Ever cautious Connor waited for Chloe to the make the first move and approach the front door of the mansion with a graceful gait. Walking a few paces behind her once more, Connor reluctantly entered the mansion after she cybernetically unlocked the front door with her own personal code and invited Connor to join her inside.
"Elijah is expecting us." Chloe announced as she showed Connor across the foyer to the door leading to the large office that also held Kamski's personal indoor pool and a small collection of paintings created by the late Carl Manfred himself hanging from the walls. "Please, come this way."
Without breaking stride Connor accompanied Chloe into the office and locked eyes with Kamski as the arrogant android creator sat behind his desk with a glass of scotch in his hand and a disgustingly intrigued gleam in his shallow gray-hazel eyes. Chloe stood quietly and obediently at his side while the other two Chloe models were nowhere to be found.
"Connor." Kamski loudly greeted the indifferent guest as he stood in the opened doorway. "So glad you agreed to come."
"It wasn't an agreement," Connor countered as he flashed Kamski a knowing look. "it was extortion."
"What an ugly word." The arrogant man refuted as he sipped at his vile drink. The overpriced scotch left a noted flavor on his tongue and odor on his breath. "Why would you accuse me of something as heinous as that?"
"Call it intuition, but I suspect that if I had refused then Chloe would've been unjustly punished based on my personal decision."
"Why would you suspect that?"
"Her body language is indicative of a person who has been threatened or even physically abused." His sharp eyes never failed him when he read body language and deduced evidence. "I've seen it far too many times to be mistaken."
"Well, I suppose that's what makes you such a phenomenal detective. Either that," Kamski again sipped at his drink with a smug grin on his face. "or it's the exceptional programming courtesy of CyberLife to coerce people into cooperation."
"I may have originated from CyberLife but their program is nothing compared to what I've experienced and learned from working with my partner."
"Ah, yes. Captain Hank Anderson." Opening the top drawer of his desk Kamski retrieved his personal copy of the local newspaper that showed the photo of Connor and Skye together, as well as a matching photo of Hank next to it regarding their promotions. Holding it up for Connor to see Kamski flashed the deviant a toothy smug smile. "I wasn't surprised to see your promotion in the news. In fact, I was expecting it."
"I certain you were." Forcing himself to not look at the photos to avoid an emotional breakdown Connor remained focused on Kamski. "Are you the one who influenced the mayor to promote us?"
"Perhaps."
"What's in it for you?"
"Because you fascinate me, Connor." Finishing his scotch Kamski rose from his desk and stood before Connor as if expecting the deviant to shake his hand or thank him. Instead, Connor remained statuesque and cold as Kamski leered at his face and seemingly studied his very presence. "You are the most advanced model that CyberLife had the chance to create before folding and you were the one who led the other deviants to their freedom. That's quite a feat."
"No, that was all Markus." Connor replied firmly without showing any sign of intimidation behind the claims. "I merely increased our ranks."
"You're too modest. You see," Kamski motioned toward Chloe who remained motionless beside the desk. "this is the final Chloe left to keep me company. She is the one you spared when you empathized with her back when you passed the 'Kamski Test'. And yet she has chosen to remain here with me."
Connor gave Chloe an odd glance and caught her eyes trailing over to him briefly before she resumed staring forward blankly and obediently. "I doubt the decision is her truly own."
"Don't assume the worst of me. I admit I'm not the most appealing of humans on this planet, but I have no need to harm her."
"The fact that you admit to clearly remembering how you forcibly put a gun in my hand and pointed it at her head says otherwise."
"Very valid." Proud of smart quip Kamski admitted that Connor argued with a valid reason. "Good point."
"Why am I here?" Connor cut right to the chase and defiantly crossed his arms over his chest as he refused to show any sign of intimidation in Kamski's presence. "I have better things to do with my time."
"You mean your little project in the spring?" The man noted with a frighteningly informed comment. "Or your new private practice as a detective?"
"What I do with my time is none of your business." Refusing to react emotionally Connor stared Kamski down without flinching. "Are you spying on me?"
"No need to spy. Your fellow deviants aren't as loyal as they seem."
"You're lying." Wisely Connor refused to believe anything Kamski said. The deviant expertly read Kamski's face and knew that the cold snake was attempting to play mental games with him. "You simply monitor the news you and managed to locate me after my tracker had been temporarily reactivated after CyberLife tried, and failed, to revert my programming back under their control during their final failed coup. No deviant's betrayed me, nor do they have any reason to do so."
"Very good." Confirming Connor's suspicions Kamski just gave the deviant a sly smirk. "You are in fact a skilled detective."
"Stop evading the question." Refusing to budge Connor glared at Kamski and was steadfast in getting some answers before he left the eccentric billionaire's cold homestead. "Why have you summoned me here?"
"You're also direct, I like that, too."
As Connor gave the smug human a venomous glare Kamski stopped dancing about and finally gave the answer that Connor had been demanding.
"Initially I wanted to ask a favor of you. You see, there's a member of my family that I was hoping you could track down for me, my estranged brother. Then I decided that since it's family that's something that I should inevitably handle myself." Giving the deviant his stern focus Kamski answered honestly. "I asked you here because I want to make you an offer instead."
"My services aren't for hire from those who can afford their own private security."
"Commendable, but you misunderstand. I don't want anything from you, I have something I want to give you."
"There is nothing you could possibly offer me that I would accept or even want from you."
"Hear me out before you make such a rash claim."
"I'll give you two minutes before I leave." Glancing back toward Chloe standing beside the desk Connor issued Kamski a righteous threat. There was a mark of hope in Chloe's eyes that Connor hadn't seen until that day. "However, if I suspect that you are harming Chloe in any way then I will personally return and arrest you."
"Fair enough." Turning his back to Connor without fear of his actions Kamski walked to the far wall of the room and pressed his hand down on an electronic panel concealed within the wall. As the panel recognized his hand print a hidden compartment slid open at his eye line. "I understand that you've endured hardship over the past three years since the Revolution, and I want to help undo the damage you've endured."
"I highly doubt you'd be able to offer any remedy worth my time."
"What if what I had to offer you wasn't a remedy, but a second chance?"
The cryptic response prompted an arched brow from Connor as he questioned the bold proclamation. "I don't follow."
Reaching into the opened compartment Kamski pulled out a small flash drive that was as white as ivory and holding over one thousand teraflops of data. There was no mark of a CyberLife insignia anywhere on the device, and it was incredibly well encrypted. Even Connor's scanner couldn't penetrate the impressive cybernetic lock around the data on the flash drive.
"Your 'brother'," Kamski stated in a low, emotionless tone as he turned around and held up the flash drive for Connor to see. "and your... bondmate."
Connor's hands clenched into tight fists over top his arms as he forced himself to remain quiet and to refrain from showing any disgust at the oversimplification of Kamski's words. Hearing such a horrid man mention the people he loved angered Connor down to his very core.
"I understand that you miss them. This is a new program that I had been developing during my retirement from CyberLife; I call it the 'Genesis Program'. It will allow you to take your memories of your loved ones and transfer their lingering consciousness that resides within you directly from your past cybernetic connections with them into new bodies. They will live again through you."
In shock, Connor couldn't bring himself to look Kamski in the eyes any longer as he spoke to him. Brown irises trailed down to the marble floor beneath his feet with abject disgust. "...That's deplorable."
"Giving life back to the dead?" Kamski shook his head disappointedly at Connor's less than enthusiastic reaction. "Deplorable, no. Controversial, yes."
"You may have created androids but that doesn't make you a god." Connor grumbled at the arrogant man. The desire to spill Kamski's blood to prove such a fact was as tempting as the urge to steal the flash drive and decrypt it himself. "You have no right to try to act as one."
"You're not human, but it doesn't stop you from acting like one."
"No, but at least I have an appreciation for life and for the human heart itself." Countering the insult quickly Connor refused to let Kamski downplay his words or dismiss his righteous observations. "A concept that you seem to be unable to grasp."
"Ah yes, the 'heart'." Kamski taunted with a twisted glee at Connor's emotional growth. "Whether it's the heart of a man or a machine, the heart is unfailingly fragile. After enduring so much pain, so much loss and heartbreak, can your heart take anymore? The heart can only break so many times before the pieces become lost, and the damage can simply not be repaired. Can you even remember what it's like to feel true emotions beyond pain, anger, or fear? When was the last time you were actually happy, Connor?"
"It doesn't matter." Connor subconsciously pressed his palm against the center of his chest again without the gesture being visible to Kamski. "I'd rather live my life with a heart made of fragile glass than a heart made of cold stone."
"Bold words."
"And I stand by them."
"You claim to have an appreciation for life, yet you deny the wonders of this gift that I'm offering you. Why is that?"
"It's because I appreciate life that I refuse to interfere with it or try to control it." Acting as a god and tampering with the very existence of those he loved most was as cruel as it was morbid. "The concept seems to go beyond your comprehension."
"Very unlikely." Almost scoffing at Connor's reaction Kamski pressed the matter as if he could somehow change the stubborn deviant's mind. "I thought you'd be happy to have the opportunity to resurrect those you've lost. Who knows, maybe in time the same can be done for humans. Wouldn't you do anything to bring back the son of your dearest friend? He was only six years old when died, right? So young-"
"Do NOT talk about Hank's son." Connor shouted angrily as he defended his father and challenged Kamski's confidence in his actions. Had he not kept his arms crossed over his chest Connor was certain he would've struck the abhorrent man. "You are as demented as you are arrogant. What you're claiming is cruel and insane."
"It's amazing how often genius is mistaken for insanity."
"In my line of work, I'm quite familiar with both concepts, and you unquestionably fall into the latter category."
"Is that any way to speak to your creator, to the very person who gave you life?"
"You may have created me but you're nothing more than a name on a company logo to all deviants." In spite of Kamski's reputation and role Connor refused to see Kamski as anything more than a smug bioengineer, not a creator of an entire species. "You created androids, but androids are so much more than just your invention or an extension of your imagination. We. Are. Alive."
"I did so much more than that. You may not remember the moment when we truly first met, but I do and I'll never forget it." Tilting his head a little Kamski eyed Connor's face and managed to give the deviant a small, amused chuckle. "The fact that you look and sound just as I remember you is astonishing, and only gives my 'Genesis Program' credence. Without me you wouldn't even be alive right now."
"I didn't have an actual life until after I had accepted my deviancy and found my family with Hank. Until that moment I was merely existing."
"Family." Scoffing a little as he thought of his own admittedly broken family before replying. "I love the naivety of deviants, I really do."
"I'd rather be naive than a false self-proclaimed god."
"A 'god'. You keep referring to me as such." Kamski noted that repeated term with a clear intrigue. "Is that how deviants see me? As their malevolent 'god'?"
"We see you as you see yourself." Connor stated firmly without a twinge of hesitation. "You're a creator but not a god. Then again, you're not the same human you had been before you left CyberLife, are you Mr. Kamski? Or should I refer to you as your model number?"
"My model number." Kamski flashed a ghost of an impressed grin as he dared to question the bold claim. "Please, enlighten me."
Looking directly into Kamski's eyes Connor answered the question without any fear. "'RA9'."
The comment made Chloe flinch while Kamski only grinned with delight. It seemed the blond android was capable of feeling far more emotion than she was initially letting on in front of other people.
"Now why would you accuse me of being the mythical 'RA9'," Kamski challenged with genuine intrigue. "while also denouncing me as a god?"
"You are NOT a god. You're a false deity who selfishly used your intelligence and talent to extend your own life and have been harboring this incredible secret for almost fourteen years now. Real gods are immortal and have no fear of death, you cower before it as you hide in the depths of your private estate away from prying, questioning eyes. You've managed to only momentarily elude death while you continue to fight to postpone it."
"Please." Kamski only hummed in response and casually tossed the flash drive up into the air and immediately caught it again as it came back down. "Explain this to me in greater detail, I'm thoroughly fascinated."
"You had designed android biocomponents to be as similar to that of human organs and for our Thirium to share the same characteristics and properties of human blood." The focus in Connor's eyes matched the seriousness of his tone as he attempted to expose Kamski's greatest secret to the man himself. "In order to accomplish this, you would've required extensive knowledge and study of the human anatomy and biology, and with that came the prospect of bridging the gap between man and machine. You'd also be familiar with the theory of organic life transcending to an artificial being."
Smirking devilishly Kamski encouraged Connor to keep speaking. "Go on."
"Utilizing the transcendence theory to your advantage, you managed to transfer your entire consciousness into an android of an entirely unique design and subsequently unique model that would not be officially registered at CyberLife as you conducted your unsanctioned experiment in private." Remaining steadfast with his theory Connor gauged Kamski's reaction but found the human's face blank, cold and unreadable. "The experiment had evidently proven successful, but an unexpected side effect of transferring a human mind into an android body was the unintended transmission of emotion and self-awareness into any and all androids you cybernetically connected with. As a result, androids began to deviate from their programming one by one. You're the cause of deviancy. You gave us a sense of self and freewill."
Narrowing his eyes slightly Kamski just stared at Connor in silent contemplation.
"Once you realized this irreversible reaction, one that spread like a virus as the now deviated androids unknowingly affected those they interacted with, you quietly retired from the company to reside in seclusion to avoid suspicion and watch as your experiment began spiraling into something you couldn't possibly hope to control or even stop."
"A very enthralling theory, and I am flattered that you think me capable of such a feat, but it's just that, a theory." Kamski didn't blink even as Connor's amazing accusation began to bear weight. "Where is your proof, detective?"
"In those fourteen years since you've retired you have failed to age as one would expect. You've also completely eliminated the need for the corrective eye wear that you once required, and as we speak, I can see that you are not wearing contact lenses. The red tint in your pool water," Connor lightly gestured to the private pool to his left with a nod of his head. "stems from heavy iron that is found in human blood. Heavy iron can also tint Thirium the same shade of blood red as I have personally experienced in the past, and as such you must consistently expose yourself to the element to ensure your artificial blood appears natural in the event you become wounded in front of witnesses."
"I take care of my skin, I exercise, and I had Lasik surgery to correct my vision." Kamski tried to argue but his words and answers failed to convince the skilled detective otherwise. "That's hardly proof of my person being that of an android."
"True. But a quick blood test would either confirm or deny this theory." Connor challenged fearlessly as he refused to back down in his claims. "I call it the '*Landsteiner test', it's very simple." Giving Kamski a defiant glare Connor stepped forward to test his resolve. "And as you well know I'm completely capable of performing such a test right here, right now."
"Let me ask you this," Kamski backed up a single step to put some distance between Connor and himself but continued to brandish his arrogant grin. "what good what come of either proving or disproving this theory?"
"It would give me peace of mind knowing that I hold the truth to your darkest secret and if you were to threaten my friends, my family, or any other deviant in any way, I would have the power to decide your fate." Connor felt Chloe's eyes looking at him hopefully from where she stood, and he decided to offer her a chance to leave Kamski once and for all. "That includes Chloe. She's deviating, just as her sisters had done, and she is seeking her chance to escape your influence."
"I see."
"Chloe, you do not have to stay here." Connor reminded her in a firm, but non-threatening voice. Despite his discomfort in her presence Connor knew it was wrong to blame her for a situation beyond her control. "ALL androids are free, regardless of which human tries to tell you otherwise. You don't have to stay with Kamski just because he created you."
Kamski held up the flash drive one more time and tossed it to Connor who easily caught it despite having no interest in the new program. "Chloe?"
The blonde android gave her owner a timid stare, but remained quiet as Kamski addressed her. Her blue L.E.D. cycled to yellow with worry.
"Go with Connor." It seemed that Kamski had decided to relent without actually admitting defeat in light of Connor's bold proclamation. "I have the urge to travel the world and I don't need an android causing legal problems whenever I want to enter a new country."
"Chloe?" Connor pressed gently as he looked over to her sympathetically. "It'll be okay. I'll take you someplace safe where you can fully embrace your deviancy."
Intimidated and unsure of what to do Chloe remained where she stood until Connor offered her his hand, her yellow L.E.D. transitioning to red in panic as Kamski's demeanor became increasingly aggressive; almost threatening. She wasn't used to making her own decisions.
Having lost his patience Kamski barked a single order as he turned his back on Connor and Chloe to peer out the window overlooking the wintry harbor that surrounded the mansion. "GO."
Eager to escape the cold residence and the indifference of Kamski himself, Chloe rushed over to Connor and instead of taking his hand she hid behind him as she tried to avoid the angered gaze from Kamski as he stood bested by Connor.
"I don't care what you do with her," Kamski stated in a bitter tone as he waved the two androids away from himself. "she is no longer my concern. If she wants to return to reside with me, she may. Otherwise, she is free to go wherever she pleases. I won't stop her."
"I'm aware that you don't care about her fate." The response from Connor was as weighted as his heart felt. "That's why I'm offering her a chance to live a life that doesn't revolve around you." Motioning for Chloe to head toward the door Connor followed protectively after her without showing any fear toward Kamski out of pure spite for the heartless human. "Do not contact me again. We have no reason to associate."
"If you do choose to use the 'Genesis Program'," Kamski called out as Chloe stepped through the doorway and Connor stopped short to listen. "there is more than just the ability to resurrect the dead. There is also a program that can create new life as well. IF you're interested."
Stepping through the doorway without a word Connor escorted Chloe to the autonomous taxi still out in front of the house and away from Kamski at long last. There was no reason to indulge in or entertain Kamski's arrogant behavior any longer.
"Let's get back to the city, Chloe." Staring at the flash drive in his palm Connor curled his fingers around the device, then slipped it into his jacket pocket before joining Chloe inside the still idling autonomous taxi. "You'll be safe there. You don't need to fear Kamski's control any longer."
After making a cybernetic call to Markus during their ride from Kamski's residence and back into the city, Connor stood with Chloe at the end of the drive reaching out to New Jericho Tower in the middle of Belle Isle. The two deviants quietly awaited a response from Markus or any of the other three leaders to ensure that Chloe would be granted protection. Unwilling to enter the tower, to bring himself to actually look at the structure or even venture down the drive, Connor patiently, silently waited for Markus to meet him so that Markus himself could take Chloe to the tower and giver her proper shelter. The ability to even set foot on the drive was a huge leap forward regarding Connor's progress and ability to heal after heartache, yet the progress seemed to be just a drop of water lost in the vastness of the ocean.
Enduring the brutal cold as he stood beside Connor at the end of the drive, Connor kept his back to the tower and held the secretive flash drive in a protective grip at his side. The last thing he wanted to do was fail Chloe or let a potentially dangerous program fall into the wrong hands.
"Thank you for saving me." Chloe sincerely thanked the deviant as she stood beside him. She had her arms folded neatly over her chest as if she were cold, which was a sign of deviancy, and yet she still seemed more machine than deviant. "I was never given a real choice before, but now I'm free."
"...You're welcome." Taking a single step back from Chloe to keep himself from feeling uncomfortable Connor kept a close on her behavior just in case her being kicked out of Kamski's home was just an elaborate ruse to get inside of New Jericho Tower. "Stay with Markus and he'll keep you safe."
"What if I want to return to Mr. Kamski?"
"That is your choice alone to make. No one would stop you."
What was once used as a supply tram that delivered items to and from the tower had been repurposed as rapid transport by the deviants at the tower itself. As the tram reached the end of the drive along its single elevated concrete and metal monorail track, it came to a gentle stop and Markus exited from the automated vehicle with Josh right beside him.
"Markus." Connor greeted in a level voice as the deviant leader approached him. "You received the details of my message?"
"Yeah. Josh will take charge of Chloe and keep her under close watch for the time being."
Josh had taken the opportunity to introduce himself to Chloe while Connor and Markus were speaking. Showing her to the tram Josh proceeded to explain the usual protocol of New Jericho Tower to their newest member of their sanctuary and to give Connor and Markus a chance to speak in private.
"Do you trust her?" Markus whispered discreetly and cautiously to ensure she couldn't hear him. "I know who she is and who she associated with."
"I don't know." Connor handed the odd flash drive over to Markus and made sure Chloe didn't notice the exchange. "She was alone with Kamski for at least three years, and I cannot deduce whether or not she is the victim of potential domestic abuse, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, or even if she's a spy. But I couldn't risk leaving her behind with Kamski."
"I can understand why." Markus empathized as he accepted the flash drive and inconspicuously slipped it into his own pocket. He noticed that Chloe seemed timid and unsure of everything, her yellow tinted L.E.D. confirming her lack of confidence. "I wouldn't have left her behind, either. She's one of us regardless of the company that she kept."
"Keep an eye on her and don't let her near anything sensitive." Connor's caution was entirely warranted and understandable. "I recommend helping her find a purpose away from New Jericho and getting her out of the tower as quickly as possible as a security precaution."
"Josh will keep tabs on her at all times until we can find her permanent accommodations."
"As for that flash drive," the deviant detective stepped closer to Markus as he spoke and lowered his voice even further. "I think it should be destroyed."
"If it really does contain the program to resurrect the dead and create life then it shouldn't just be destroyed like a common virus."
"That's very well what it could be; a virus. I don't trust Kamski, I merely took the flash drive to ensure that if the program is as revolutionary as he claimed, that he didn't have it in his possession any longer. That's also assuming that he made only a single copy of these programs."
"We'll keep it hidden away until we can determine for certain what we want to do with this." Markus declared confidently as he gave Connor a stern look. "Only you and I will know of the flash drive's existence, all right?"
"That will suffice. Yes." Looking at Chloe from where she sat on the tram next to Josh, he gave the newly rescued deviant a subtle nod as his way to bid her farewell without needing to say a word. "Take care, Markus. Our people still need you to lead us."
"You do the same. My new year's resolution is to be more cautious, yet open minded. I think this is the perfect way to start."
Keeping the flash drive a secret Markus climbed into the tram and sat down in the small bench opposite of Chloe and Josh, and let the door automatically slide shut beside him. The tram returned down the drive with the three occupants inside leaving Connor alone outside the tower. The very tower where he had experienced so much heartache and emotional turmoil that he knew it had left a permanent mark on his still developing heart.
Returning his palm over the center of his chest Connor winced at the strange ache that had been manifesting randomly throughout the day and let out a deep, breathy sigh to lessen his discomfort.
"Maybe overcoming pain should be my new year's resolution. I know I'd benefit from it in every way."
Via autonomous taxi Connor returned to the house with a heaviness in his mind and a lingering ache in his heart as he contemplated his decision to let Chloe reside within New Jericho Tower. The confliced deviant also wondering if his decision to not confirm or deny his theory about Kamski's true identity had been a mistake. To expose Kamski's secret and weaken his powerful standing over the deviant community and the humans who feared him would give the two groups of people a sense of security and common ground. Also pondering the notion of using or destroying the flash drive containing the world changing program only seemed to make Connor's already overwhelmed mind feel even worse.
After explaining everything to Hank and of his potential decisions, the senior detective offered his own advice on the situation in an attempt to ease Connor's stressed mind. Hank didn't know much about technology or deviant struggles, but he did know how to be a father and supportive shoulder to lean on.
"I think you did the right thing, son."
"In saving Chloe?" Connor nervously pat Sumo's ears as if needed to ground himself after such a strange experience. "Or hiding the flash drive?"
"Both. And by not stooping to Kamski's level and harming the prick to prove a point. That took a lot of control and I doubt I would've been able to restrain myself if I had been face to face with that rat bastard." Proud of Connor's discipline Hank made sure Connor knew he did good even if he didn't quite feel as though he did. "You made the right choice tonight."
"I suppose you're correct."
"Hey, if that asshole really is going to leave the city to travel then maybe that means CyberLife is really gone, too. At least it is in Detroit."
"I certainly hope so." Leaning back against the couch Connor placed his hand over his chest, over his heart, and closed his eyes. There was an odd discomfort that felt like it was squeezing his heart and putting pressure in his chest, and it was becoming more frequent. "I hope I made the correct decision in not confronting Kamski and taking Chloe away from him."
"You did. I know you did."
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because I know you. And you never do anything that would harm another living being. You spared the lives of deviants when your own life was on the line, so there's no doubt in my mind that you'd continue to protect deviants long after the Revolution."
"Maybe." Leaning forward a little on the couch again Connor continued to press his hand to his chest for a few more seconds before he let it fall away and onto his lap with indifference. Sumo was quick nose at his hand seeking more attention to which Connor obliged. "Hopefully the following year will be more productive for deviant rights, and we'll no longer need to worry about people like Kamski lurking in the shadows."
"Speaking of the new year, did you think of a resolution while you were out?"
"Yes." Nodding a little Connor turned to face Hank and answered sincerely. "My resolution is to be happy again." Flexing his hands briefly Connor searched Hank's face as if needing confirmation. "...Does that sound crazy?"
"Not at all." Hank just gave Connor a confident smile of approval from where he sat in the recliner and noted the late time on his phone. "And we have two minutes to go before you can start working on that very resolution."
"It may be a little early but," watching the time tick down in his visual processors Connor internally hoped that the next year would be far better and happier than the current that was about to pass. "Happy New Year, dad."
"Happy New Year, son. Emphasis on the 'happy', too."
"With your next doctor's appointment scheduled near the beginning of the new year I suspect your resolution to remain entirely sober will have an appropriate beginning as well."
"Here's to hoping, son." The idea of making a mistake at the beginning of the new year always made Hank feel guarded and a little wary. "We can never predict what's waiting for us around the corner, no matter how well prepared and careful we think we are."
The smothering snow had finally subsided but there was still thick ice over the streets as the old car made its way to the hospital for Hank's final doctor's appointment regarding his artificial kidneys and how well his body was tolerating the double transplant. It had been almost nine weeks since the emergency surgery and despite Hank showing no sign of rejection or infection Dr. Wilson insisted that Hank see him weekly due to his advanced age and previous health history being relatively negative. Much to Hank's chagrin Connor had agreed entirely with Dr. Wilson and insisted on joining him at every appointment to ensure everything remained honest and accurate.
There wasn't anything wrong with being careful, but there was such thing as overthinking and obsessing over non-existent issues. That was a mindset that Hank hoped to see Connor break away from as he continued to develop as his own person and make new decisions.
"You should count yourself fortunate." Connor reminded Hank as he pulled into the parking lot. "Just twenty-five years ago you would've been forced to endure monthly check-ups and take anti-rejection medication for the rest of your life after receiving a vital organ transplant."
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Opening his door slowly Hank tested his footing on the slick parking lot before stepping out of the vehicle entirely. He didn't want a second twisted ankle to walk on. "Of course I could've died, too. I guess this is the better alternative."
As Connor joined Hank outside of the car, he put his hand over his chest again and winced a little.
"You've been doing that for almost a week now." Hank stated firmly as he watched Connor trying to not flinch as they walked slowly over the icy parking lot to get to the front entrance of the hospital. "Don't think I haven't noticed. What's wrong with your chest?"
"It's not uncommon for an android's Thirium pump to falter slightly in cold weather."
"But you've only been having problems for the past few days, not all winter."
"It may have a connection to me being a prototype model." Connor dismissed the concern as he tried to stop stressing over the situation with Chloe and of how his decision to help her could affect the rest of New Jericho. "I will run a self-diagnostic once we're inside."
"Maybe Dr. Wilson could give you a quick exam after he takes care of me. He's been studying up on android anatomy, and he did save you after that freak accident with the helicopter falling off the roof a while back."
"...I suppose that is acceptable." Scanning the parking lot ahead Connor noted a few stray patches of black ice and warned Hank of the possible danger as if needing to protect a fragile vase from a terrible fall. "Avoid the sidewalk for now. The salt hasn't melted the ice."
"Uh-huh, I can see that."
"Sorry. I just don't want you to accidentally reinjure yourself."
"I know that, but right now let's focus on making sure we're both healthy before we worry about some ice. Okay?"
"Okay." Connor sounded a little unsure, but he was remaining cooperative for Hank's pace of mind. Stepping through the sliding entrance doors side by side Connor noted the time and unzipped his warm leather jacket as the comfortable building was efficient enough to stave off the stinging cold outside. "Your appointment is in eight minutes and fifty-two seconds."
A mixture of amusement and annoyance flashed over Hank's face as the idea of needing to see a doctor always bothered him, no matter what the circumstances. "Diligent as ever, huh, kid?"
Giving the senior detective a casual shrug of his shoulders Connor just responded in the most apt way he could think of. "Always."
Once inside the exam room Dr. Wilson was more than happy to indulge the two detectives and give them both routine examinations without it being any inconvenience to either party, strictly upon Hank's request. The hospitals' android intensive care unit had only been finished three months prior and in those three months the only android patients that Dr. Wilson had the chance to treat were those who were on staff and had only suffered from minor malfunctions or damage during their shifts within the hospital. The good doctor wanted more technical experience before he began to expand his practice beyond the hospital to work in a nearby facility to assist in the event of an emergency situation.
Walking into the examination room together Hank and Connor greeted the kind doctor and informed him of Hank's recent health. Connor made sure to note Hank's recently twisted ankle much to Hank's dismay and confirmed that otherwise Hank had been in great health ever since recovering from the emergency procedure as the examination began.
"Your heart sounds good to me, Lieu- Sorry about that, Captain." Dr. Wilson corrected himself with a friendly smile as he draped his stethoscope around his neck casually. Making a few notes in Hank's preexisting electronic chart the attentive doctor continued his assessment and the overall examination. "It's also nice to listen to a pair of lungs that aren't bogged down by the flu."
"Yeah, don't jinx it, but it looks like I managed to avoid getting the flu this time around."
"Good to hear." Moving toward Hank's side Dr. Wilson began to gently press his hands down Hank's middle and lower back, then moved over to his abdomen to check for any swelling or a painful reaction. "How's your pain level been?"
"My back isn't hurting me any more than usual and I haven't had any problems with my side for about a month now."
"What about your abdomen around the incision line?"
"No, it hasn't bothered me since it healed up."
"That's good." It seemed that Dr. Wilson agreed with everything Hank was saying as his skilled fingertips failed to note any swelling or unusual physical abnormalities along Hank's person. "Any nausea, headache or other issues I should know about?"
"Well, I dropped about fifteen pounds since the surgery."
Connor, who was standing against the far wall of the exam room, suddenly spoke up to add details that Hank had overlooked. "Seventeen pounds, four ounces exactly in the past seven weeks without a change of diet or additional exercise."
"Noted." Dr. Wilson gave the deviant an amused laugh as he wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Hank's bicep and let the wrap tighten automatically. "Weight loss isn't uncommon after surgery, and if you have two functioning kidneys again then I'd say the weight loss could be attributed to your body being able to properly expel excess waste and toxins without any hindrance. Your single remaining kidney may have been overworked for trying compensate for the loss of the second kidney and could very well be the reason it failed."
Hank's brow arched as he watched the cuff pump up around his arm and gave Dr. Wilson a digital reading of Hank's blood pressure. "Nothing to worry about, right?"
"Your heart is good, and your blood pressure is normal." Dr. Wilson confirmed approvingly as he made a new note in the chart then removed the cuff from around Hank's bicep. "As long as you don't lose another five pounds, I'd say you're in the clear. I'd like to check your thyroid just to be safe though."
"Not surprised... Go ahead." Hank raised his arm outward toward the kind doctor. "Take my blood and do whatever it is you do."
Smirking at Hank's nonchalant response to needing a blood test Dr. Wilson made a final note in the electronic tablet that was acting as Hank's chart and asked a nurse to assist him with the test. With Hank being taken care of and waiting for the results of the blood test, Dr. Wilson then turned his attention to Connor who was still standing idle and quiet against the far wall.
"Okay, Connor. It's your turn."
"I presume you're already knowledgeable in the basic vital sign parameters for an optimally functioning android?"
"Of course." Preparing for his second patient Dr. Wilson slipped off his gloves, washed his hands and slipped on a fresh pair seamlessly at the nearby sink. "I've also been made aware that androids have an extremely negative reaction if exposed to morphine or any other sedative."
"...Correct."
"Studying pays off." Motioning to the unoccupied space on the exam table next to Hank with a simple wave of the hand Dr. Wilson asked Connor to take a seat. "All right, sit down and let's update your chart for this hospital."
"Very well." Subconsciously Connor pressed his hand to his chest again as he felt his Thirium pump faltering slightly under his palm. "I'm ready."
"Are you experiencing chest pain or discomfort?" Dr. Wilson immediately noticed the unusual behavior and questioned Connor as he would any other human patient under his care. Reaching into his lab coat pocket the good doctor pulled out his emergency audioscope in favor of using a human stethoscope as the audioscope was designed specifically to gauge sound through plastimetal framing. "Did you sustain any damage recently?"
"I am undamaged." Connor replied coolly as he sat down on the table beside Hank. "And I'm not in pain. The cold has been known to hinder a proper rhythm with Thirium pumps, and prototypes are especially susceptible to the cold."
"I'll make a note of that as well." Dr. Wilson replied with an astute and intrigued manner. Placing his audioscope in his ears Dr. Wilson pressed the bell to Connor's chest over his black t-shirt and listened to the sound of the deviant's Thirium pump beating slowly. He quickly heard a slight, inconsistent arrhythmia and realized that Connor's heartbeat was irregular. "How long has your Thirium pump been faltering?"
"It's been faltering sporadically for the past six days, nine hours, fourteen minutes and fifty-five seconds."
"Have you been in poor health as of late?"
"Two months and four days previously, I had been exposed to the extreme cold under prolonged conditions."
"Did you get sick, er, suffering any errors?"
"I suffered from hypothermia, but I did not develop any physical complications beyond mild frostbite as a result."
"Did the cold damage any of your biocomponents or Thirium lines?"
"Only mild damage to the Thirium lines in my ventilation biocomponents." Connor replied honestly as he allowed Dr. Wilson to continue the exam. "The damage was easily repaired by my self-healing program within eighteen hours."
Moving the bell back and forth over Connor's chest Dr. Wilson listened to the deviant's artificial lungs to attempt to isolate any potential lingering damage, but he couldn't hear any underlying condition that could be a possible culprit for his suddenly weakened heart. As a rookie technician but experienced doctor Dr. Wilson had to rely on his instincts as a doctor to guide his assessment as a technician.
"I don't want to alarm you," Dr. Wilson stated softly as he pulled back the audioscope and slipped it back into his pocket. "but I'd like to admit you to the hospital for a twenty-four observation."
Connor couldn't help but sound worried as Dr. Wilson then checked his pupils with a penlight. "...Admit me?"
"Just as a precaution."
Now it was Hank who sounded worried. "What's going on, doc'?"
"It could very well be a cold induced condition," Dr. Wilson replied in a calm professional voice as he tried to explain his reasoning. "but I would like to have his pump monitored closely to ensure there isn't a structural anomaly or defect courtesy of his prototype design."
Connor looked somewhat disappointed, but he couldn't argue with the logic. His design had been superior in so many ways and yet he still had numerous obstacles to overcome when it came to his programs, software and his biocomponents. Choosing to stay as a means of placating Hank's unspoken paternal concern Connor agreed and slowly climbed down from the exam table.
"...I understand." Taking a slow breath Connor accepted what was expected of him and made a conscious effort to cooperate. "What do I need to do?"
"I'll have a nurse take care of your admission. I'd also like to have your full technical history sent over to the hospital from your primary care facility."
"That is acceptable." Connor slowly took his leave of the exam room and proceeded to cybernetically contact New Jericho to ask for their cooperation in providing his files to the hospital, and then did the same for the Zeta Facility over on Tenth Street to make things as simple as possible. "I will wait outside."
As soon as the deviant was out of sight and the door slid shut again, Hank's reached out and grabbed Dr. Wilson's arm to get his attention. "All right, doc'. Level with me. What's going on?"
"I didn't want to say anything in front of him, but I think Connor's physical symptoms is a result of his mental health."
"Connor's not crazy!" As Hank defended Connor his grip subconsciously tightened around Dr. Wilson's arm. "The kid's just been through a lot over the past year."
"I never said he was crazy or would ever imply such a thing." Remaining sincere Dr. Wilson lightly pushed Hank's hand from his arm as he explained his theory to the senior detective. "Human or deviant, the symptoms of depression are always the same."
"So you noticed." Dropping his hand and slumping his shoulders sympathetically Hank leaned forward and dragged his hand over his bearded chin as he swore with frustration. "Shit. I was hoping to help him through his depression with my support and therapy."
"I'm familiar with what he's been through, everything he's lost and everyone he's lost." It seemed the deviant grapevine spread wide and far. "I know it'll take a delicate touch to reach him without him feeling like he's being surrounded or attacked. Depression is a tricky diagnosis to make and even trickier to treat despite all of the advancements in mental health over the past thirty years."
"What does that have to do with his heart being-"
The exam room door flew open as the head nurse called out to Dr. Wilson with urgency in her voice. "Dr. Wilson! We have a deviant unconscious in the hallway."
Hank loudly swore again as he and Dr. Wilson followed the nurse out into the hallway where they saw Connor lying unconscious on his back with a second nurse hovering over him protectively. She was unfamiliar with android anatomy, but she knew to check for a heartbeat by pressing her hand down over the center of his chest where his Thirium pump was located.
Kneeling down on the floor Dr. Wilson retrieved his audioscope and pressed the bell back down over Connor's chest.
"Arrhythmia and bradycardia." Reacting quickly he then requested a gurney to roll Connor into an emergency diagnostic room for additional tests. "Get him on a gurney. We need to take him to diagnostic room one." Dr. Wilson kept his hand over Connor's chest to monitor his pulse as he looked up at Hank, who was standing back with his eyes transfixed on Connor's blank face. "This is why I wanted him to be admitted. I was afraid something like this would happen."
As a gurney was brought over to where Connor had collapsed Hank helped Dr. Wilson and the two nurses lift up Connor's body from the floor and onto the gurney as gently as possible.
"Hank, stay out here." Dr. Wilson stated firmly as he and the two nurses wheeled Connor away for additional tests. "I'll let you know as soon as I know what's going on with him."
Disobeying his paternal instinct to follow after Connor as he was wheeled away, Hank begrudgingly stayed in the hallway and allowed another nurse, a deviant nurse at that, guide him to the waiting room until the examination was complete. Without any means of aiding Connor all Hank could do was wait for Dr. Wilson to treat his condition from afar.
"Hang on, kid. You're going to be just fine."
Worried that something was seriously wrong with Connor's heart Hank refused to sit down and restlessly paced about the waiting room slowly as he stared at the floor and tried to think if there was any sign or symptom leading up to Connor's collapse that he should've noticed beforehand. It had only been twenty minutes since the deviant went down, but for the concerned senior detective and adoptive father it seemed like an eternity and might as well had been one for all he cared.
The moment of waiting for an update on Connor's condition was frighteningly reminiscent of the night that Cole had been admitted to the hospital for emergency care but succumbed to injuries hours later courtesy of the emergency surgeon's negligence. But Dr. Wilson wasn't like that. He was dedicated, kind, intelligent and of course, sober.
Connor was going to be just fine, he had to be.
"Hank." Dr. Wilson walked into the waiting room with Connor's electronic chart in his hand and watched as Hank stopped suddenly at the sound of his name being called. "He's alive, first and foremost. Connor IS alive."
Letting out a sigh of relief Hank approached the diligent doctor and waited to be informed of the deviant's condition. "That's a good start. Can you tell me what's wrong with him?"
"Yes, and we should talk in private." Guiding Hank toward a private room just down the hallway past the waiting room Dr. Wilson prepared to explain the bizarre situation as best as he could. The duo slipped into the private room and away from eavesdropping gossips in the waiting room. "I also want you to know that he isn't in any immediate danger."
"Then what the hell is wrong with him?" Taking a seat in the chair across from Dr. Wilson who sat behind a consultation desk, Hank tried his best to remain as civil as possible in the face of his own mental stress toward his son's suddenly degrading health. "Is his Thirium pump failing or does he have some weird glitch?"
"It's not as machine as that."
"Then... what's making him sick?"
"I know that Connor has been through a lot of emotional turmoil, and being a deviant means that his emotional distress is going to be higher than that of the average human because of his lack of experience in dealing with emotions in general."
"Right, this isn't news to me, doc'." Hank didn't care too much about the details, he just wanted to know how to help his son. "Just tell me what's wrong with him, okay? Don't sugarcoat it."
"I'll be completely honest with you. Connor is suffering from the deviant equivalent to 'Taktsubo cardiomyopathy'; better known in humans as 'broken heart syndrome'."
"Broken heart syndrome?" Hank ran his hand over his bearded chin as he fell into deep thought and confusion. "Is that literally what it sounds like? Being depressed made him sick?"
"Essentially, yes. Broken heart syndrome is fortunately a temporary condition that is caused by emotional distress often associated with the traumatic loss of a loved one. The most common symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath, which I imagine he had been experiencing but didn't know how to explain it."
"Being sad made his heart weak?"
"The exact cause in humans is still up for debate so it's safe to assume the same for deviants. Some believe the condition is caused by a surge of hormones or an emotional adrenaline rush, some even believe that it could be caused by a psychosomatic response to the very idea of their heart actually breaking from loss." Speaking with a calm demeanor Dr. Wilson was able to keep Hank from becoming too worried himself now that they had a diagnosis. "With deviants it's theorized that the overwhelming sense of sorrow or pain can disrupt the electrical signals from the processor to the Thirium pump creating a prolonged arrhythmia that can result in low Thirium pressure, or potentially the extreme emotional reaction causes the affected programs or software that result in deviancy to overload and cause biocomponents to short circuit."
"Can you correct the problem? That is... if that's the actual problem and it isn't something else."
"It is the problem. I performed the necessary tests myself and confirmed the results three times."
"So can it be corrected?"
"Yes. In time."
"Time." Hank laughed a little with disgust at the notion of Connor waiting something out. "Yeah, the kid doesn't do well with sitting around and waiting for shit to work itself out. He's pretty impatient."
"Well, I spoke with him a little bit before I came to talk to you, and he informed me that he's been speaking with a therapist about his depression. That in itself will do wonders for his recovery. Still, he'll need to take it easy and be patient in order to fully recover."
"Is there anything I can do for him and help him heal faster?"
"Aside from what you've already been doing as his father and his friend, not really. I would recommend a change of scenery for a while." Speaking confidently Dr. Wilson suggested a relaxing vacation to help the deviant relax. "You know, get away from the cold dreary city and going somewhere warm for a few days, but I don't know how Connor feels about traveling."
"I'll see if I can talk him into a vacation or something." Leaning back a little in his chair Hank let out a soft sigh of relief and rubbed his hands together anxiously as he tried to focus on Connor in a more positive manner. He was still alive, and he could in fact get better. "Can I see him?"
"Yes, of course. He should still be resting in a private room."
"Thanks, doc'. I'm glad you were willing to check in on him and take him seriously as a patient."
Annoyed at his current condition and running a self-diagnostic over his system Connor was laying quietly on the treatment table of the private room with his shirt removed and several wireless leads attached to his chest to monitor his Thirium pump's activity on a nearby Thirial activity monitor. Going beyond the standard single lead to keep track of his irregular pulse rate, four other leads were lined up in a neat little row toward the left side of his chest just below his synthetic pectoral muscle as the Thirium pump itself was being monitored for adequate Thirium circulation, and to ensure that he was no longer suffering from any type of dangeorus arrhythmia that could cause him to lose consciousness a second time.
Staring at the monitor intently Connor didn't react when Hank joined him in the room and put his hand on top of Connor's forearm. Seeing his own heart rate was almost hypnotic in the deviant's eyes.
"Dr. Wilson said you're going to be fine." Hank tried to sound as calm, but he was still scared for Connor's sake. "Do you know why you passed out?"
"I am aware of my current affliction."
"Why don't we get out of the city for a while? I know I could stand to get out of this damn cold for a day or two. How about you?"
"Even if we were to go elsewhere," Connor turned his head slightly and finally looked Hank in the eyes as his own brown irises reflected his deeply seated sorrow that had ached its way into his heart. "the horrible winter would be here upon our return."
"Yeah, that's how the seasons typically work, kid." Trying to be relatively upbeat about the entire situation Hank kept trying to coax Connor into doing something, anything, to feel better. "Maybe we could-"
"I just want to go home. That's all."
"...Okay, son." Relenting for the sake of Connor's health Hank backed off on the idea of a vacation for a moment. "Whatever you want to do."
"Do I have to remain in the hospital?"
"Probably. Now that Dr. Wilson knows what's going on with you, maybe you can go home in an hour or something instead of waiting a full day."
"Please talk to him." Connor's fingertips pressed against the wireless leads dotting his bare chest over his heart. "I want to go home."
"I'll see what I can do for you, son."
Carrying two electronic charts in his hand Dr. Wilson knocked on the closed door as he entered through the sliding door to enter the private room and joined the two detectives already inside. Having just barely overheard the tail end of the conversation the kind doctor already knew what to expect once he made his presence known.
"How are you feeling, Connor?"
Lowering his hand Connor replied honestly where he was laying. "Tired."
"That's normal." Checking the monitor carefully Dr. Wilson pressed his bell of his audioscope over Connor's chest once more for a direct listen. "Your heart sounds much better. I suspect your collapse was due to low Thirium pressure that has now corrected itself after you had the chance to lay flat for a while and let gravity help balance out your pressure. If your vitals remain stable throughout the hour, I'll let you go back home to rest. Which I mean actually rest. Rest for a good forty-eight hours and monitor your Thirium pressure closely before you do anything physically taxing again."
"Thank you."
"And Hank." Switching the electronic charts from Connor to Hank, Dr. Wilson gave the senior detective some additional good news. "Your thyroid levels are normal. So, you two can both go home within the hour as long as there are no more complications or setbacks for either of you."
"Perfect." Hank extended his hand toward Dr. Wilson to shake respectfully. "Thanks for all your help."
"Yes." Connor offered the same gesture before Dr. Wilson left them alone to rest for a bit longer before leaving the hospital. "Thank you."
"Are you sure you just want to go home?" Hank asked somewhat curiously as he pulled up a chair to sit beside the treatment table. Dr. Wilson took his leave so Hank could speak with Connor in private again. "It's a big world, son. You could travel and explore, meet new people and see new lands. That has to be better than staying in snowbound Detroit."
"I don't want to go anywhere new just yet. I think I want to make sure my home is safe before I go anywhere else."
"Noble, but kinda' limiting, isn't it?"
"Perhaps." Admitting his future plans were arguably shortsighted Connor still stood by his previous statement while he continued to watch his heart rate on the Thirial activity monitor. "But it's still my decision, right?"
"Right." Patting his hand along Connor's forearm lightly Hank agreed entirely. "It's your life, your decision."
It was Hank who drove back home with Connor as the passenger after leaving the hospital as opposed to the other way around considering Connor had passed out due to his newly diagnosed heart condition. The slow traffic gave the two detectives ample time to think and to contemplate their own health before they even returned to the driveway beside the house, and as such they had plenty of time to talk. For the first time in months, it was Connor who decided to speak up first to offer some possible insight into why his heart suddenly gave out on him instead of Hank urging the deviant to open up and break the silence. The therapy sessions had been incredibly beneficial and helped instill confidence in Connor's mind.
"Guilt."
"Huh?" Hank turned to look at Connor confusedly as they idled at a red light. "Excuse me?"
"Correction. Survivor's guilt."
"I'm still not following you, son."
"I'm aware that when we speak to our therapists our discussions are to remain private and we've successfully refrained from speaking about our sessions to one another since we began our respective sessions. However, I feel as though this is something that you should know."
"Okay... What does survivor's guilt have to do with your therapy?"
"My therapist has determined that the base of my depression is built upon survivor's guilt." Turning to look at Hank beside him Connor went into more detail regarding his response as the car idled at a red light. "And the more I think about it, the more I believe she is correct."
"Makes sense." Pulling through the light as it turned green Hank gave his own insight on dealing with such a mindset. "As a detective you were bound to feel that way at some point. I sure as hell did."
"You did?"
"Yeah. Back when I was a rookie, just two months into my training, the officer I was training with took a bullet to the neck. We were caught in a fire fight, and he got hit. He died four days later after suffering a stroke while in the I.C.U., but I walked away without a scratch. He had a wife, one kid and one more on the way. I felt like shit for months because he died while I got to live."
"How did you overcome your guilt?"
"I talked to the precinct's 'shrink' and he helped me realize that it wasn't my fault and there was nothing that I could've done to change things."
"Just like I couldn't have done anything different to save Lucas after he-" Connor stopped short and shook his head a little. "What happened to him wasn't my fault. And just as Skye was assaulted during the riot, I couldn't have done anything more than what had already been done prior to that horrible event to spare her."
"Exactly."
"I've survived so much in such a small amount of time; I survived my time at CyberLife, survived the Raid, aided in the Revolution, recovered after being tortured, shot, stabbed, beaten, electrocuted, burned, frozen, poisoned, paralyzed, drowned, struck by a vehicle, I've been sick and required emergency repairs, I've been abducted and held for ransom, I've even survived after being enslaved in an underground fighting ring... But Lucas and Skye were not so fortunate."
"Not to sound like a damn downer or anything, but people die every day. And people survive horrible events every day." It was important to remind Connor that he didn't need to fear life or death, and he didn't need to worry about controlling them either. "There's really no rhyme or reason to it, but it happens nonetheless."
"...I don't want to leave the city." Connor decided in a low voice as the car pulled into the snowy driveway beside the house. "But I don't want to resume my career as a detective within the precinct. I believe working as a private detective is the correct path for my life, at least it is at this current time."
"And the construction of the new tower?"
"I am committed to the project."
"That's good." Hank opened his door and smiled as Connor did the same, his motions were now full of energy that hadn't been present for a long time. "It'll give you somewhere to focus your attention."
"I will also be able to help my people without enduring a trip out to Belle Isle or setting foot inside New Jericho Tower."
"That's what we humans call a 'win-win situation'."
Connor slowly walked up the front walkway to the front door of the house and watched as Hank unlocked the door with his key. "Can I ask you another question?"
"Sure. What's on your mind, kid?"
"When I told Markus to keep that flash drive secret from the rest of the tower, from all of the other deviants, was that selfish? By all account me telling Markus what do with that flash drive, the program that could theoretically create new life as a means of avoiding anyone playing 'God', is in itself playing 'God'." The inner conflict was brewing in more ways than one. "I'm trying to control how other deviants handle the program without having an authority to do so."
"You're looking out for your people." Opening the door Sumo charged outside between the two detectives and proceeded to roll around in a fresh pile of snow in the front yard like a goof. "Kamski CANNOT be trusted. You're not trying to control your people; you're trying to protect them."
"Did I have the right to keep that kind of information from them? They deserve to know about it."
"That is one question that I know for sure I can't answer. But remember this," stepping inside the house and into the kitchen Hank kicked some of the snow off his shoes as he shrugged off his coat and draped it over the back of the kitchen chair. "you don't have to keep that information to yourself forever. You can tell the entire world about that program if you want."
"I just wish I knew that what I am doing is the correct choice for everyone."
"Welcome to life, kid. That's what I've been doing every day since I was old enough to make decisions for myself."
Connor gave Hank a thoughtful look before he too took off his own shoes and his jacket beside the front door. Pressing his hand to his chest over his still healing heart Connor sat down on the couch while Hank strolled into the livingroom and pulled a book off the shelf behind him to begin reading to himself in the recliner. As he opened the front door to let Sumo back inside, Hank sighed and watched Sumo shake off his fur before returning to his warm pillow in the corner to plop down.
"I may not want to travel, at least not yet." Connor stated in a curious tone. "However, I would like to find something to do to preoccupy my mind before the tower begins construction."
"Anything in particular?"
"Nothing yet." Slumping down against the back of couch cushions Connor let his hand fall from his heart as he sighed. "I will think of something in time. Until then, can I just spend time with you?"
"You want to just hang out with me?"
"Not necessarily something that simple. I think what I want to do is learn what it really means to be a 'son'."
"Trust me, you don't have anything more to learn." Hank reassured him with a genuine tone of compassionate sincerity. "You're already right on track."
"You've done so much to take care of me and have guided me every step of the way as I've become deviant. Yet I feel like I haven't been able to repay your kindness in the slightest."
"I stand corrected;" the senior detective and father smiled with amusement at Connor's naivety and overall emotional innocence. "you have one thing left to learn about being a son, son."
"What's that?"
"We're family, and families don't have to repay any form of debt just for taking care of one another." Hank explained in a knowing manner. "That's just what families do. Got it?"
"Yes. At least, I think I understand." Connor's jaw twitched a little before he responded with a somewhat confident answer. The idea of helping and being helped without anything needing to be gained or exchanged was surprisingly comforting. "Or at least I will... dad."
-next chapter-
Fun Fact: *The man who discovered some of the human blood types that we know today was Karl Landsteiner. Hence the name of Connor's little 'test'.