"Reconnecting"
St. Mercy Hospital
It had taken only a matter of minutes to get Gavin loaded up in the back of an ambulance and transported to the hospital for immediate medical attention. The man hadn't regained consciousness during the hasty drive out to the hospital even with a pair of paramedics fussing all over him, and he failed to awaken when the team of doctors assigned to treat his condition began to examine his wounds and assess his overall condition. Word of the shooting spread quickly, and the cop bar hiding the illegal rage room was immediately raided by all of the clean cops in the city. Knowing that a dirty cop had shot a clean cop in the back after being busted had fueled the incentive to close the notorious investigation behind the illegal establishment and get every dirty cop stripped of their badges and put behind bars for the next several decades.
Hank had no choice but to return to the Central Precinct to report directly to Captain Fowler and explain everything that had happened while out on patrol. It didn't take long for Hank himself to feel guilty for how he had treated Gavin just minutes before he had been shot despite the harsh criticism being warranted. There was no excuse for Gavin to not report such a location for its illegal activities, probation be damned. Even so, Hank didn't want to see Gavin or anyone else injured in such an atrocious manner.
Lucas had gone to the hospital and managed to persuade the deviant receptionist at the front desk to allow him to check on Gavin once the emergency surgery to extract the bullet from his spine had been finished. The deviant detective was the first to be shown to where Gavin was resting, and he wouldn't be the last. Tina was at the hospital in record time with Chris struggling to keep pace with her, then shortly thereafter Sarah Lee, Lance and Ben all stopped by for a visit.
The very sight of Gavin resting in the private room laying over a special type of bed to keep his spine, neck and head in total traction while the doctors waited for the swelling along his spinal column to reduce itself was painful. It looked as if the man had been placed in a type of torture device despite it being for his own good. The need for the emergency surgery had resulted in Gavin's unkempt beard being shaved away for easier maintenance of the respirator to keep him breathing while under the knife, and without the facial hair everyone could see how pale and drawn his features had become while enduring his lengthy depression.
Empathy made it hard for Lucas to look at the man resting on the other side of the observation room's window. To make matters worse, his ability to perform remote biometric scans allowed him to see the catastrophic damage to Gavin's spine and spinal cord. There was no denying that the bullet had inflicted maximum damage and severed Gavin's spinal cord leaving him paralyzed from his hips down for what seemed like the rest of his life.
"I... I need to step outside for a minute." Lucas admitted as he closed his eyes for a moment and addressed Tina in a low voice. He knew that she wasn't going to leave her best friend's side until he was going to be discharged from the hospital. "Do you need me to do anything to help you or Gavin?"
Tina anxiously bit at her fingernails as she stared at Gavin with tears in her eyes. She knew him better than anyone else, and she knew how hard he had been fighting to redeem himself. To see him taken down by a bullet and lose his career because a dirty cop got a lucky shot left her feeling an internal rage she hadn't felt before.
"Very well." Wisely the deviant accepted her silence as her current answer and decided it'd be best to give her some space. He politely stepped back from the window and made sure Tina had plenty of room to watch over Gavin and have space for her racing thoughts. "I'll be outside monitoring dispatch."
The heaviness in the air as Lucas walked down the corridor was soul crushing. Seeing so many cops and detectives showing up at the hospital to give Gavin some moral support was a positive sight. Yet knowing how many of those same cops and detectives were hypocrites who were gossiping about Gavin, expecting him to continue to fail while accusing him of being one of the truly dirty cops who had been busted that night, caused Lucas to clench his hands into fists at his sides. He wasn't sure why, but Lucas felt angry on Gavin's behalf.
Whispering voices and ducking faces of the surrounding cops all confirmed the shame and guilt being shared on that tragic evening. A night that was supposed to be about celebrating a new beginning with everyone having a fresh start with the chance to make the new year better than the last, had been utterly destroyed by one dirty cop's selfish decision.
Lucas ignored the cold side-eyes he was receiving from the less understanding cops lining the corridor and passed through the front waiting area to get to the parking lot outside. The cruel indifference of the world was made all the more prevalent as Lucas's perplexed gaze was drawn upwards to watch a freshly burst firework glowing overhead as the rest of the city in the distance cheered and sang to welcome in the new year. As the red colored embers graced the black night sky Lucas felt his anger growing hotter at the unfairness of the people around him celebrating, laughing and cheering all night long while one of his colleagues was left to try to recover from a crippling injury that he'd endure for the remainder of his life.
"This isn't right. Detective Reed... Gavin... protected me from being shot, and now he's a paraplegic."
As he stood with his back pressed against the cold wall of the hospital Lucas sensed someone approaching him and quickly looked up expecting to see Hank. However, the person he saw was someone entirely different but welcome all the same.
"Connor." Greeting his big brother in a low tone Lucas shook his head slowly and turned away from Connor's gaze with misplaced shame. Additional flares of colors filled the sky and echoed with distant pops over the river. "You must've heard about what had happened tonight."
"I'm aware that there was a shooting at a call where you, Hank and Detective Reed had responded." Connor confirmed as he kept his own head down and hoped the dark beanie, temporarily blond hair and fake glasses would make him look enough like a human to keep people from seeing how similar that he and Lucas appeared when they stood beside one another. "Are you harmed?"
"I was not damaged, and Hank was not injured." Forcing himself to look at Connor again Lucas extended his hand and discreetly retracted the artificial skin over his palm to allow direct contact with Connor's system. "Gavin was... not so fortunate."
"Complete severance of the spinal cord along the L-4 lumbar vertebrae." Connor confirmed as he checked through the data that Lucas had provided. "Total paraplegia starting at the pelvic bone and extending down to the distal phalanges."
"Had he not put himself between the shooter and myself, he wouldn't be paralyzed right now. It's my fault."
"No, it's the fault of the shooter, a faulty Kevlar vest and Gavin choosing to put himself in the line of fire." While he wasn't unsympathetic to Gavin's situation Connor could see the many errors that had led to such an atrocious outcome. "You merely responded to an emergency call and kept your eye on the victim being tended to in the back of the android ambulance. You chose to prioritize a victim of assault who couldn't defend himself rather than hover over two detectives of whom you already knew could defend themselves when necessary."
"I still feel as if I should've been able to avoid this incident all together. If I had just kept a closer eye on my environment and-"
"Stop." Connor urged as he put his hand on Lucas's shoulder and helped his little brother feel grounded as he reflected on the previous discussion that he had with Carl before leaving the manor. "You're not responsible for the actions of other people or the consequences of another person's actions. You're only responsible for yourself and whether or not your choices will have a positive or negative impact on the world."
"What about the impact have on Gavin's world?"
"That's yet to be seen, and ultimately that's up to Gavin to decide for himself."
Lucas gave Connor a humble nod and quickly looked past his brother's shoulder with an alert gaze. Upon Hank's arrival Lucas tensed up out of fear of what he was going to have to tell the man and what the man might have to say to him in return.
"Lucas." Hank gave Connor an awkward glance but kept his tone civil as he acknowledged the second deviant. "Connor. Seems like everyone who gives a shit about the police's affairs knows what's going on right about now."
"Detective Reed's prognosis is... grim." The despondence in Lucas's tone matched the dullness of his eyes. "What does Captain Fowler expect of us?"
"The usual bullshit that follows this type of mess." Hank confirmed as he rubbed his palm over the back of his head and rustled the gray locks out of place. "We need to talk to Fowler and tell him what happened, then we need to talk to I.A. and tell them what happened, then we're going to talk to Fowler and I.A. at the same time to repeat what we already told them once before, and then we're going to have to deal with a bunch of random check-ins for the next couple of months from the higher-ups who just want to make sure their asses have been properly covered."
"What of Gavin's next of kin and emergency contacts?" It was clear Lucas needed a little distraction and was looking for anything to preoccupy his thoughts. Even the fireworks on display overhead weren't enough to pull his thoughts away from the gloom around him. "Do they know yet?"
"Uh... Tina's it." The admission made Hank reevaluate who he considered his family and next of kin, and he gave Lucas a thoughtful glance. With the new year already underway it seemed only appropriate to keep his past in the past his mind on the present and the future. "Reed doesn't have a family. At least not a biological one he wants anything to do with."
"Of course." Lucas had an idea of what Gavin's family life was like as a child and felt bad for the man. "That seems very sad and lonely."
"It is, and it's none of our business of why he wants to keep his family at a safe distance at all times."
A part of Connor wondered if Hank was talking to him as well as Lucas when it came to finding a way to help Gavin with his personal issues.
"Fowler needs you to report in at the precinct." Hank gave Lucas's upper arm a quick pat then handed him the keys to the Oldsmobile. "I'll stay here to make sure no one bothers Gavin. Especially one of the dirty cops he just helped bust."
"Should I bring you anything when I return?"
"Just get back here in one piece."
"Consider it done."
"And make sure Ben and Joel are the ones to check over Reed's busted vest." The seasoned Lieutenant tagged on as he spoke from years of experience in dealing with dirty cops trying to hide their tracks when they fell under investigation. "I don't trust anyone else to make sure that our gear isn't entirely compromised."
"Will do." Accepting the keys Lucas acknowledged Hank's orders and proceeded on his way. "I'll pick you up when I'm finished speaking with Captain Fowler."
"Yeah, cool. See ya' in a couple of hours."
Hank put his hands to his hips and casually looked over at Connor standing silently in place. The fact that the deviant hadn't run off or tried to disappear into the night seemed like a promising evolution in their currently difficult to process friendship. With a keen eye Hank took in Connor's altered appearance and then let out a small, amused chuckle as he finally spoke to the deviant in a respectful, non-antagonistic manner.
"Good to see you back on your feet again, kid. Although," he stared at Connor's hat and waved his hand over his own hair as he spoke. "I'm not diggin' the new look. You as a blond makes you look like a Swedish clothing model or some shit."
"I'm not sure how to respond to that." Connor admitted as he gave Hank a confused look then took note of what the man was wearing. Seeing the old coat back with its rightful owner helped Connor feel as if he made the right decision. "Your coat still fits."
"Yeah, it's still warm too." Hank confirmed as he tucked his hands into his coat pockets out of sight. It seemed odd to be talking with someone he was still processing as alive and not dead. "I'm, uh, I'm glad it helped you. I was really worried about you when you disappeared."
"I'm sorry for leaving the house." Embarrassment flushed Connor's cheeks a pale blue coloration in an instant. The blue on his face almost matched the blue fireworks glowing in the black sky over the hospital. "I just didn't know what to say to you."
"I was actually talking about when you walked away from me when we met up at the 'Chicken Feed' the morning after the Revolution." That detail prompted a surprised glance from Connor as Hank began speaking about their past encounters. "It's fine though. You're a free man and you can go and do whatever you please. You know, as long as it's within the confines of the law."
"Right... The law."
"Hey, I'm not going to rat ya' out or tell you what to do." Hank spoke with such casualness that it seemed as if he had thought about what to do with his knowledge of Connor being the vigilante for quite some time. "I just want you to be safe. Do whatever you want as long as you're safe and it's something that you really want to do and not what you think needs to be done. Do you understand?"
"Even if that means fighting gang members, prowling the rooftops, and even threatening the life of a corrupt F.B.I. agent?"
"Absolutely, especially the part about threatening corrupt pieces of shit. As long as you have a damn good reason to do all that anyway."
"I do." For the first time in a long time Connor actually sounded sure of himself. He had no reason to deny that he found satisfaction in protecting the city and by acting as he felt without waiting for another person's approval. "To be honest, I've missed working as your partner."
"Yeah?" A faint smirk appeared as Hank took a step closer to Connor while they finally stopped trying to avoid one another. Being able to just talk without any sign of hostility or resentment was a massive breakthrough in their attempts to mend their rift. "Well, that makes two of us. Lucas is about as good as I could've hoped for in a new partner after you vanished, but he's still not you."
"Of course not, we're two different people entirely." Curious about how Hank's perception on deviants had changed Connor asked the man a question befitting anyone wanting to stand out from their own sibling. "What's the biggest difference between us that you believe is worth mentioning?"
"Aside for your eye color? Your smart mouth and his docile demeanor." There was no malice in his words as Hank replied to Connor and gave him an honest answer without any judgement or hesitation. "Now that I think about it, I kinda' miss having someone to constantly ask me questions and tell me annoying facts against my will. Especially when I'm trying to eat."
"I'll tell Lucas to give you a rundown on the history of android innovation next time you're on patrol together." A ghost of grin manifested over the deviant's lips before fading away as quickly as it appeared. He needed to return to the manor now that he knew his brother was safe, and that he could resume his role as a protector without needing to worry about upsetting Hank again. "Could you please keep me informed on Gavin's condition? I'd... like to know how he's doing."
"Sure. Are you going to go after the dirty cops at that illegal bar?" Hank knew that Connor had something on his mind he just didn't know what. "We already busted 'em, and they're not going anywhere. So don't worry about that."
"No, I have another idea in mind."
"To help Gavin?"
"If possible, yes."
"And why would you want to help Gavin Reed?" The wise Lieutenant challenged with a knowing look. "He's the one who shot you in the neck, and he's the one who tried to set ya' up at the abandoned plant. By all account you should want to see him off the force."
"That's what a human would want to see; not a deviant." Connor clarified as he stepped back and away from the hospital's entrance to make room for an emergency team gathering outside who were waiting for an ambulance to arrive. "We deviants see situations like the one you've mentioned differently."
"I guess so. And how do you see Reed's situation?"
"Despite his past as a bigot with strong anti-android tendencies, he's still a clean cop who cannot be corrupted or bribed." The deviant explained with logic and clarity that could only come from a truly unbiased heart. "The man's flaws as a person shouldn't contaminate his successes as a detective. He never compromised any of his investigations or other opened cases, he refused to accept bribes from public officials, and despite his reluctance to accept deviants as equals he still chose to risk his life to protect Lucas this very night. Those are all good reasons to want to see him remain on the force."
Hank studied Connor for a heartbeat longer before he nodded in approval and agreed with Connor's assessment. Another eruption of fireworks broke through the night sky above and seemed to shatter what would otherwise be an impenetrable silence and darkness that would've forged between the two detectives yet again.
"For now, I'm going to return to where I've been seeking shelter." Connor stated calmly as he decided it was time to leave the hospital and disappear again before anyone less friendly recognized him out in public. Backing away slowly Connor turned on his heels and continued to address Hank as he glanced back at the man over his shoulder. "If you want to talk again, you can reach me through Lucas."
"Yeah, thanks." Slowly Hank prepared to turn away from the deviant and head inside the hospital, but he remembered something important as his fingertips brushed against something distinct in his coat pocket. "Oh! Before you go... Catch!"
Connor stopped short and watched as Hank pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it in his direction. Without needing to even look Connor reached out and snatched the item out of the air and instantly recognized it as soon as he felt its cool surface press against his palm.
"I've been keeping it safe ever since I, uh, found it at the church." Hank didn't want to mention locating who he thought was Connor's dead body and danced around the details admirably. "I thought you'd like to have it back."
The old quarter rested face up in Connor's opened hand and gave him a sense of self he hadn't felt since the night of the Revolution.
"I think it's a good luck charm or something like that."
"Good luck?" The very concept of luck was so human that many deviants didn't give it much thought, but it draw curiosity out of Connor. "How so?"
"When you first showed up in my life and started flipping that thing around, it annoyed me so much I wanted to smack ya', but I didn't. Then you managed to escape death even with the odds stacked against ya'." Hank recounted thoughtfully as he watched Connor seamlessly roll the coin along his knuckles and fingertips before flicking it back and forth between his palms. "After I found it, I found a reason to not give up on myself as a detective and soon after that Lucas entered my life."
Such a kind observation caused Connor's hands to momentarily shake, but he never lost his focus or dropped the coin.
"Keep it on ya'." Hank urged as he finally went on his way into the hospital to check on Gavin with his own eyes. "Maybe some of that good luck will rub off on ya' permanently."
Catching the dancing coin between his index and middle knuckles, Connor watched as Hank stepped inside the hospital and then watched for a brief moment as the medical team gathered around a newly arrived ambulance to tend to their latest emergency patient. It was business as usual for everyone that night, and Connor had his own business he needed to tend to.
"I will."
Connor slipped the coin back into his pocket for the first time in months and decided it was time for him to find his own way through life without fear of the past. He couldn't allow his own doubts affect his judgement when he knew there were so many people who still needed his help.
Carl Manfred's Residence
It had taken until dawn for Markus to awaken from his rest mode after spending New Year's Eve out at the tower with the other deviant leaders. Markus hadn't been informed of the tragic shooting or of how close the shooting had been to one of his friends until he spoke with David the following morning. Fear for how close Lucas had been to being shot in the line of duty, and the fear of how long it took for the illegal rage room to be discovered, had left Markus all the more driven to change the city for the better during his campaign run for mayor. The number of cops who had participated in such a disgusting display of violence, hatred and bigotry was as loathsome as it was disappointing. Yet another disgrace that the city would have to overcome during its efforts to improve its reputation and rebuild the strong community it once bore long before androids were implemented into everyone's day to day life.
The deviant leader stood in the middle of Carl's personal studio and watched the sun rise through the glass walls of the private space. The urge to fight back and protect his people was so strong that Markus couldn't sleep a minute longer. He needed to think, to plan and to prepare for the future regardless of what challenges presented themselves along the way into a bright new future.
"Markus?" Connor called out to his friend as he entered the studio. The reclusive deviant was feeling better, and he knew it was time to move on. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking." Slowly Markus turned around and gave Connor a small nod of approval. Seeing Connor awake and wandering about the manor was reassuring in a way that he couldn't describe. "I heard about what happened last night. The shooting, the rage room..."
"It's being handled by Lucas and Lieutenant Anderson." Responding quickly Connor reassured his friend that the investigation wouldn't be brushed aside. "They'll ensure that every cop guilty of participating in the illegal activity is prosecuted and stripped of their badges."
"That's good. Our people need to know that there are good cops who won't look the other way on the behavior of the bad cops." Markus crossed the studio and eyed the painting that he had created the same day he was forced to deviate in order to survive. Carl never moved it, and Markus didn't know what to do with it. "Can I ask what you're going to do?"
"Today, I'm going to ask for a favor to help the detective who had been wounded protecting Lucas. After that, I'm going to resume my watch over our people."
"You're certain that you want to keep doing that?" There was a noted worry in Markus's voice that was unmistakable. "You don't need to keep putting yourself at risk to protect us. We can tell our people that you survived and are now our chief of security at New Jericho. We can tell them together."
"I can do far more good for the city as a whole by continuing on my journey without being confined to a single tower. I know that now regardless of what I decide to do or not do that I'll always affect the world around me. However, I will always have the ability to decide if my actions are going to be positive or negative."
"That's pretty insightful." Impressed with the response, Markus needed to know how Connor came to such a thoughtful outlook on his life. "Can I ask how you came to that conclusion?"
"From speaking with Mr. Manfred. He is... quite wise."
"Carl's a man of the world and its people." Markus confirmed with a coy smile as he realized that Connor had been able to talk to Carl in private. "I'm glad that you two had the chance to really speak. Carl's helped me a lot in my lifetime, and I know that he can help countless others."
"May I ask where he is right now?"
"Sleeping. He and Leo returned around two in the morning, so he needs to sleep." Sighing to himself Markus glanced about his home and realized that he really didn't want to leave the manor considering how far away, cold and impersonal New Jericho Tower was in comparison. "When are you going to leave?"
"Now. I just wanted to check in with you and with Mr. Manfred so that I could properly thank him for his advice."
"I'll pass along the message." Markus extended his hand and retracted his artificial skin as Connor's palm connected with his own. The two deviants were able to share a handshake that allowed them to exchange information to confirm there were no secrets being kept between them. "Should I tell Lucas anything when he stops by to pick up his painting this afternoon?"
"No, I'll talk to him myself." Connor confirmed with a confident nod. He had no reason to avoid his own little brother. "We're okay."
"Good to hear. I'll keep you in the loop on my campaign announcement." Slyly Markus uploaded a cybernetic preview of what to expect. "It should be very interesting for everyone in Detroit."
"You're going to announce for bid for mayor tomorrow?"
"What better time than the start of a new year to remind the world that deviants are alive and are people who deserve respect and recognition? Besides, the number of humans who will be nursing their hangovers on New Year's Day who may not take to the shock of a deviant running for mayor too well is just a little too high for my comfort. It's easier for everyone to wait until tomorrow when fewer people are feeling rundown."
"Hopefully they'll appreciate how considerate you are once they sober up." Taking back his hand, he pressed his fingertips to his right temple to shift his hair color from brunet to blond then slipped on his fake glasses and beanie to head out into the city in disguise. "I'll remain in touch. Contact me any time you need me, and I'll be there for you."
"I know you will my friend, good luck."
The mentioning of good luck made Connor momentarily grin as he went on his way to resume his own tasks in the city. Perhaps the concept of luck and fortune itself weren't such human concepts after all.
There was no sign of fear or hesitation as Connor passed through the sitting room of the manor as he stole a passing glance at Lucas's painting. There was no reason to fear the Zen Garden or being trapped within his own Mind Palace any longer, but that didn't mean the residual trauma of dealing with Amanda's manipulation or her attempts to confuse him had faded in its entirety.
Connor had a lot of work to do, both professionally and personally, and he wasn't going to give up on his self-appointed mission until it was accomplished.
Markus could only watch as his friend exited the manor feeling renewed and reinvigorated. To know that Connor could overcome such extreme odds stacked against himself and was still able to push forward without any prejudices, grudges or fear gave Markus hope that the rest of the deviant community could be and will be just as resilient over the next coming year.
"Markus?" David called down to the deviant from the second floor landing to catch his attention. When he met Markus's eyes David nodded and directed the deviant leader's attention elsewhere. "Carl's awake. He wants to speak with you."
"I'm on my way."
Cybernetically Markus reached out to North out at New Jericho Tower and brought her up to speed on their upcoming plans of action as he stepped out of the studio and made sure the lights were off.
'North, we're going to announce my bid for mayor tomorrow. I'll need you to be at my side tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, are you in?'
'Like I'd miss the chance to watch you make history for a second time.' North replied honestly as she eagerly awaited some news on everything happening. 'What about that shitty cop bar downtown? Do you know what's happening with them?'
'Lucas and Lieutenant Anderson are going to make sure everyone associated with the rage room burn.'
'Good.' Focused on business as usual, North kept her thoughts on everything important and began planning for the city well in advance. 'And what's the first thing that you're going to do when you become mayor?'
'Clean out every dirty cop in the city.' Markus confirmed as he ascended the staircase to make his way to the manor's second floor to speak with Carl. 'Then again, I need to actually win before I can do anything.'
'You're going to win, Markus. Don't forget, not only will every deviant in the city be able to vote for you, but the humans who actually have some common sense will be doing the same.'
'I like your confidence. We'll talk more when I return to the tower this afternoon, I love you.'
'I love you too. See you in a few hours.'
Graciously Markus ended the private line of communication and entered Carl's bedroom. The sight of the elderly man already awake and looking tired from his late night out was a little amusing. It reminded Markus of the stories Carl had previously shared with him about his past life as a reckless partier that only learned his lesson the hard way after he survived the car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
As he sat down on the edge of the bed Markus smiled at Carl and rested his palm on the back of the elderly man's forearm. He wasn't afraid to show his father how much he respected and cared for him. Markus had always seen Carl as his father, and that was never going to change no matter how much Markus himself changed as a person endowed with emotions, freewill, a soul and a beating heart.
"Good morning, Carl." Markus greeted as he joined his father for a private conversation. "Seems like your dinner with Leo went well. I have some good news of my own I want to tell you about. I think you'll be proud to hear it."
Detroit Central Police
The bullpen had started off as energetic and hectic when New Year's arrived just a few hours beforehand, but now the entire floor was as eerily silent and still as a cemetery. No one really knew what to say or do regarding what had happened to Gavin being shot, or about the forty-one confirmed dirty cops who frequented the bar and used the illegal rage room in secret. The only solace that the precinct could take in the tragic incident and the revelation of the dirty bar was the proof that no one in the Central Precinct - beyond Gavin himself - even knew of the bar's illegal practices. Due to the fact that Gavin had been the one to lead Hank and Lucas to the bar's secret entrance, and with Hank and Lucas vouching for Gavin's efforts, Internal Affairs decided to dismiss the charges against Gavin under the guise of the man unofficially working undercover to collect information on the bar to build a case against the other dirty cops and detectives.
Gavin being able to avoid any further punishment while on probation was only a small comfort considering the man would be unable to resume his role a detective even once he was discharged from the hospital. While Gavin could continue to work a desk job and handle cases within the precinct itself, he'd be barred from examining crime scenes, field investigations and patrols due to the risk of his sudden physical limitations putting him at risk.
Quietly Lucas helped Tina to clean up Gavin's desk and put his things in his private locker down in the locker room to be picked up later. Lucas knew he wasn't responsible for what had happened to Gavin, but he still felt compelled to help him in some way even if it was from a distance. No one blamed Lucas for the incident, not even Gavin, and yet the dark emotions attached to the incident were enough to make him feel as if he was at fault in some manner.
"Okay, this is it." Tina sighed as she opened up Gavin's locker's digital lock without needing to get the combination from Captain Fowler beforehand. She and Gavin trusted each other enough to let one another into their respective lockers without any fear of theft. "We'll put everything here until Gavin gets back."
"Are you sure he wouldn't want us to bring everything to his apartment instead?"
"I'm sure. The only thing he wants us to do at his apartment is keep Lucky fed and cuddled." There was an attempt to humor behind her words but Tina's own sorrow for Gavin's condition left her unable to even fake a smile. "I'll just take her back to my place for a while. That'll make things easier for everyone."
Lucas quietly agreed as he held the cardboard box in his arms so that Tina could neatly unpack and place each item from Gavin's desk inside the lock for temporary safekeeping. There were no framed photographs of loved ones or anything expensive that Gavin kept on his desk, but they were still all his personal possessions and deserved to be treated with care.
The man's usual coffee mug, extra phone charger, spare glucose meter and insulin secured in a leather pouch, a bottle of aspirin and his spare weapon were all secured inside the locker. The locker itself only contained Gavin's workout clothes, a couple of extra pairs of shoes, a winter coat and two clean towels. The man lived a minimalistic lifestyle both on and off the clock.
"So..." Tina stated firmly as she closed Gavin's locker and locked it up. The digital code was sealed and wouldn't be opened again until Gavin's own thumbprint was used to unlock it. "Care to tell me the name of the asshole who shot my best friend? Or is that something that you and the Lieutenant have to keep quiet for the sake of professionalism?"
"While we were encouraged to remain silent on the details of the investigation into the bar, which includes what happened to Detective Reed, Hank and I personally find it illogical to not allow our own colleagues in on the information since Detective Reed is one of us." Lucas stated firmly as he neatly broke down the cardboard box to return to the upstairs storage closet. "If you truly wish to know, I'll tell you."
"I want to know." The fiery look in Tina's eyes expressed more than her voice ever could. "I need to know so I can figure out which cops I can still trust and who ran in the same social circle as that fucker who shot Gavin."
"...Gerard Calder." Lucas confirmed in a low voice as to keep any potential eavesdropping to a minimum. "It was Officer Calder."
"Son of a bitch!" Tina nearly threw a punch at the metal locker beside her, but she managed to restrain herself and walk away before she damaged precinct property by mistake. "I should've known."
"Known?" Such a bold proclamation worried Lucas in a way he hadn't anticipated. "How so?"
"Calder is a real piece of shit." She nearly spat the name with a palpable venom. "A racist, misogynist, homophobe, transphobe, ageist, anti-android fascist and serial cheater who's been suspected of hitting his own spouses and kids over the years. No one's been able to make anything really stick because he found a way to cover his tracks and threaten anyone who could expose him. Miserable fucker doesn't deserve to wear a badge."
"And yet the rumors about his horrendous behavior, attitudes and actions still persist. Why was he permitted to continue to work as a police officer with such a notorious reputation following him?"
"Wish I knew. I bet whoever looked the other way on his bullshit is really kicking themself right about now." Tina pressed her palm to her face as she tried to not think about getting revenge on the reprehensible man or exposing all of his misdeeds to the public. "If not, someone should be. And I volunteer."
"You don't need to stoop to Calder's level to avenge what happened to Gavin." Lucas promised as he put his palm between Tina's shoulders in a comforting gesture. When she didn't flinch away from his touch Lucas spoke up again. "You're better than that, and Gavin wouldn't want you to do anything to risk your career."
"It's still fun to fantasize about kicking some ass though."
"Human imaginations do seem to be quite entertaining."
A small laugh escaped Tina's lips before she quickly recomposed herself. Appreciative of Lucas's kindness Tina reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze.
"It's nearly time for your lunchbreak." Lucas noted as he kept track of the time. "Would you like to go to the hospital to see Gavin while I pick up lunch for Hank?"
"I have a better idea. We'll stop by my mom's diner, pick up Gavin's favorite food and then you can drop me off at the hospital." Tina shook her head as she leveled with Lucas in a less than comforting manner. "He's not the nicest person in the world when he's hurt or sick, and those nurses don't get paid nearly enough to deal with him when he's having a bad day."
"Understood." Lucas didn't mind the slight change in plan and supported Tina entirely. "I'm sure the nurses would appreciate a little back-up today."
Elijah Kamski's Residence
The unassuming manor remained an ominous structure in the eyes of deviants all across the country. Those who did know of the manor - a very small number of very secretive people even knew that Kamski was still in the city - and knew that it was where Kamski resided, always gave the property a wide berth and never mentioned it as if was a taboo subject throughout all of deviantkind. The sight of the manor residing on the same harbor that surrounded New Jerich Tower out on Belle Isle was still menacing no matter how many times anyone visited the property. It was as if the manor was designed specifically to send a chill up anyone's spine and create a foreboding aura to prevent anyone from snooping around where they didn't belong.
Connor couldn't deny that he was feeling that very sense of intimidation as he stood before the front door for what he hoped to be the final time. Had he not been so desperate for help Connor never would've gone back to the manor in general. However, he had limited options, and he wasn't going to let his best chance to help a detective in need slip through his fingers.
As he pressed his thumb to the doorbell Connor removed his beanie, his glasses and allowed his hair to resume its standard color. There was no need to don a disguise in front of people who already knew the truth and knew who he truly was. The moment the door opened Connor locked eyes with Chloe and felt a wave of intimidation wash over him since he had unexpectedly uncovered a big secret of her own and felt like he was looking at someone who didn't deserve to be gazed upon by mortal eyes.
"Connor, welcome back." Chloe greeted with a sincere smile on her face. She opened the door wide and motioned for Connor to step inside. "May I ask why you're here?"
"I need to speak with Elijah again." Getting right to the point and addressing Kamski by his proper name help emphasize the urgency behind the visit. "It's an emergency."
"Emergency?" The L.E.D. in Chloe's temple flashed from blue to red in great distress at his worrying answer. "May I ask what's happened?"
"I'll explain everything to you and to Elijah. Please?"
"Right this way."
Chloe readily opened the side door of the foyer and waited for Connor to follow her as she stepped inside the study. There was no sign of Elijah anywhere, but there was a faint glow radiating another door on the far side of the room opposite of the foyer indicating where he may have gone. It was difficult to map the layout of the manor since it was an entirely unique design that Kamski personally created, but Connor had a hunch that the room led to the man's private laboratory where he continued with his experiments and prototype models and creations in absolute secret and privacy.
Sure enough, Chloe led Connor directly to the door that held his attention and pressed her palm to a small electronic panel beside the door's frame. Her exposed palm unlocked the door and allowed Connor access to the room beyond where Kamski was working.
"Elijah." Chloe called out to the man as she and Connor entered the room together. The blonde deviant watched as Kamski looked up from the delicate circuit board under his fingertips and lifted the hot soldering iron up and away from his latest project. "Connor has returned."
"Detective." Kamski greeted rather coldly as he put his equipment aside and rose to his feet. The man was wearing a pair of safety goggles over his eyes and had music playing softly off of a sound system behind himself. "What brings you to my door? I hope that I'm not under any form of investigation."
"No. My visit has nothing to do with your past activities at CyberLife." Speaking humbly Connor addressed the man with sincere pleading in his voice. "I'm here to ask you about your current projects. Specifically, your potential prototypes regarding artificial organs for humans."
"I see." Kamski removed his glasses and set them aside as he spoke. The focus in his gaze was unlike any other. "Is Lieutenant Anderson unwell?"
"He's not the human that I'm worried about." Connor approached Kamski slowly and held up his palm to display the visual medical records revolving around Gavin's spine and of the damage inflicted by the bullet. The records were provided courtesy of Lucas's biometric scanning and being able to tap into the hospital's medical records regarding Gavin's current condition. "A different detective was grievously wounded in the line of duty. He protected another detective, and now there's a ninety-seven point four percent chance that he'll never walk again."
"My designs to artificially replicate human organ tissue is advanced but not on par with rebuilding damaged and destroyed nerves." Kamski noted as he took in the damage with his own eyes. His knowledge of human anatomy was impressive to say the least. "I could provide a plastimetal substitute to replace the shattered vertebrae, but I doubt anything can rebuild such significant nerve damage."
"I had assumed as much."
"And yet you still came here to seek some assistance. Commendable." Kamski congratulated Connor on his sincere endeavor to help a detective in need. "I take it you only want to help this detective because he's a friend."
"Actually, no. He's never liked me, but he did protect another deviant detective and ended up with a bullet in his spine despite wearing Kevlar." The admission made it seem as if Connor was ashamed of his inability to protect Lucas himself. "Even so, Detective Reed is a clean cop and deserves a chance to fully recover."
At that name Kamski visibly paled and Chloe's L.E.D. flickered in yellow rapidly as she stood beside Kamski and put a reassuring hand to his arm. The music muted through a cybernetic command and the room suddenly felt as if a bomb had gone off.
"Detective Reed." Kamski repeated the name and looked to Connor with a mask of faux ignorance as he felt Chloe tighten her grip around his arm. "By chance is this man's first name Gavin?"
"It is." That leading question meant that Kamski already knew the answer and Connor was going to get an admission. "You know him, don't you?"
Such a reactions drew suspicion from Connor, and he immediately began cybernetically running a background check on Gavin and Kamski to try to find some common ground between the two men. After delving deeper into the two mens' respective backgrounds Connor was able to unlock sealed adoption records connecting Kamski to Gavin as biological family. The two men were fraternal twin brothers with Kamski being given up at birth and Gavin being kept by their biological parents. It seemed the Reeds were struggling financially and could only afford to care for one baby, and that meant Gavin was the one who was kept with his abusive biological parents while Kamski was adopted by supportive, nurturing people who allowed his knowledge, creativity and imagination to thrive.
The Reed family records also confirmed that Gavin had a younger sister who passed away at the age of ten when Gavin was fourteen years old. Kimberly Reed drowned at a public pool when the first android models created by a now failed technology based company malfunctioned at the public pool when it was assigned to be a lifeguard. Two years later Kamski made history at age sixteen for his educational achievements, advancements in artificial intelligence, creation of biocomponents and the creation of Thirium-310 for use in the manufacturing of the CyberLife androids that world had come to know.
That couldn't be a coincidence.
"...You're his brother." Connor stated with raw shock as Kamski closed his eyes and nodded slowly. Even as he spoke the truth Connor could see that Chloe was trying to comfort Kamski with her warm presence and calming touch. "Twins separated from one another at birth."
"I'm the younger twin." Kamski acknowledged bitterly. "Long story short, I was received the better end of the arrangement since my adoptive parents were caring people, and our biological parents were incredibly abusive." The way he leaned more toward Chloe for emotional support as he spoke didn't go unnoticed. "I've attempted to reach out to Gavin when I was told this information on our eighteenth birthday, but he wants nothing to do with me. I can't blame him for wanting nothing to do with me."
"Considering how differently your lives turned out, I suspect that he's angry at how he was forced to grow up in an abusive household and lose his young sister to a tragic accident. Then to learn that he has a brother who grew up in a far more stable household and went on to perfect the very technology that resulted in his sister's death... I can see why he'd be resistant to associate with you."
"That hasn't stopped me from trying to reach him. Every year on our birthday I send him a card and a polite request to meet somewhere for dinner, but he always declines." Kamski dropped back into his chair as he showed his more vulnerable side for a rare, brief moment. "I suppose I should take this as a sign to stop trying to connect with him. He'd only resent me for my continued health."
"Perhaps now is the ideal time to attempt to reach out to him one last time." Connor offered Kamski some form of advice from his own personal experience as he thought back to when he had been injured and in need of support. "This is the type of situation where having family can be beneficial. When I was at a very low point and even defenseless, I was being aided by someone I consider to be my little brother, and I've since improved mentally and emotionally."
"Deviants adopting their own families is quite a remarkable feat." The comment from Kamski prompted Chloe to put her hands on Kamski's shoulders as she gave her creator and friend a warm smile. "I've witnessed it myself firsthand."
"Then you know it's possible for families to be found even under the strangest and most unexpected of circumstances. Don't give up on him." Connor urged before deciding it was time to give Kamski some space. "He is currently at St. Mercy Hospital if you'd wish to contact him or visit."
Kamski seemed to contemplate the offer all while Chloe discreetly prepared a care package to be delivered to Gavin at the hospital. The brilliant man's eyes were dull with long repressed emotions even as they trailed after Connor as the deviant reached the lab door to depart the manor on his own terms.
"Connor, one moment please."
Despite his desires to leave the oppressive atmosphere Connor hesitated long enough for Kamski to catch up him at the doorway. The way the genius bioengineer was staring at him made Connor righteously nervous. Being viewed as a test subject under a microscope was a horrible feeling that Connor wanted to avoid any all costs considering how CyberLife treated him in the past.
"I want you to have something before you leave, it's up to you whether you use it or not." Kamski stood before Connor in a military manner while Chloe retrieved a locked metal briefcase from a secured cabinet against the far wall. "You're protecting Chloe's secret, and I'd like to protect yours. Do with this as you see fit."
Connor's brow arched as Chloe presented him with the case and opened the lid. Inside the case was a protective black mask that was identical to the very mask he had previously worn. However, this new mask had been improved in a few key places.
"This mask has filters that will keep all impurities out of your system as long as it's being worn correctly. I've also given the material strong refractory paneling that'll prevent anyone from getting a clear photograph or recording of your face in the event that you're unable to disable every recording device in the area."
"...You want me to resume functioning as the city's vigilante?" Such a generous gift was entirely unexpected. "Why? What's in it for you?"
"Because you're doing a good thing for Detroit. The city needs someone to bring them together, not tear them apart." The answer seemed like Kamski was explaining the solution to a complex equation. "I watched as Markus united the deviants and brought many openminded humans together. And I've watched as your actions sent the criminals back into hiding while bringing the good people to light."
"If you're connected to me in any way-"
"I'm aware of the risks. Even so, I'm willing to take the chance to see Detroit return to its former glory." Casually Kamski closed the lid on the case and placed the case into Connor's hands to keep. "As I stated, do as you see fit with the mask. Keep it, toss it, or give it away. I don't care."
Connor took a firm hold of the handle on the case and gave Kamski a blank glance before stepping through the doorway. As he crossed the room and walked around the pool to reach the foyer doorway, Connor called back to the man sympathetically as he went on his way.
"I hope you can make amends with Gavin. He needs a family's love, and he deserves the chance to prove that he doesn't deserve the negative reputation that's begun to follow him."
Kamski for once seemed to listen to another person's advice rather than dismiss it or scoff in their face. As he took Connor's words to heart he looked to Chloe and picked up his now cool soldering iron with a firm grasp. The intuitive and imaginative creator looked down at the circuit board under his hands, then looked to Chloe for a little assistance.
"Chloe, could you locate anatomical charts and diagrams on the human spinal column and entire nervous system, please?"
The man's eyes lit up as the holographic images began to glow all around his work station in full detail.
"I have a lot to learn before I begin constructing my newest prototype."
The Visionary Lodestar Lighthouse: Bell Isle
The view from the lighthouse always gave Connor a clear vantage point over the city and the surrounding neighborhoods. Standing tall on the snowy balcony that outlined the glass dome of the long dormant light, he watched the city in the distance bustling with life as the new year began. Many people were going about their business as if nothing had changed, whereas just as many people were attempting to begin their resolutions to improve their bodies, their minds and break bad habits to begin the new year properly. The humans and the deviants alike were all making efforts in their own ways to begin a new way of life with every intention of making the best of it. It was a respectable act and one that deserved proper recognition regardless of the resolutions being discussed.
As he stood alone and watched over the city Connor held the new mask in his hands and preconstructed the pros and cons of resuming his role as the vigilante. If he managed to protect the city as he had before and bring about positive changes, then his role as the masked vigilante would not have been in vain. But if he failed to protect the city or its people, then everything would have been an exercise in failure that would impact the deviants and their efforts to be treated as equals.
"Nice view."
Connor turned to see Markus now standing in the entryway connecting the light to the exterior balcony. "Yes, it's very pleasant."
"Wish I had thought to check out this place when we first moved the deviants to the tower." The deviant leader admitted as he joined his friend atop the lighthouse to watch over the city alongside him. "It could've saved us both a lot of stress and confusion if I had bumped in to you out here by chance."
"Doubtful, but I do imagine it would've been an interesting reunion." Holding up the mask Connor pressed it to his face without slipping it on and continued to peer out at the cityscape on the other side of the bay. The view wasn't any better or worse with the mask in place, but it did seem a little different. "If you would've discovered who I was before I was ready to admit it, then there's a chance that I would've reacted in a less than passive manner."
"No, you're too much of a guardian to just lash out at someone without provocation." Eyeing the new mask gave Markus hope that Connor wasn't done with his efforts to protect the city from the shadows after all. "You repaired your mask."
"Actually, this is an improvement." There was no need to discuss the mask's origins or why it was given to him. "I'm not sure if I should use it though."
"If you're worried about causing harm, don't be. I trust you with my life." The kindhearted leader confirmed as he leaned against the metal railing atop both of his forearms. His hands were clasped together into a single fist that limply hung over the balcony. "And I say that as someone who knows that you have every right to want to hurt me for what I did to you."
"Revenge. Revenge never solves anything." The memory of how he nearly killed Perkins still haunted him, and the memory of how Gavin's failed attempt at killing the vigilante for personal glory resulted in the fall of his career, were all the warnings Connor needed to never indulge in revenge of his own. "It just allows hatred and fear to spread like a plague."
"So do ignorance, intolerance and corruption." Markus agreed entirely and he thought of the consequences of one's actions. "Those are horrible things that we can stop, and we can stop them sooner by working together."
"We already exposed one mayor for his corruption and illegal partnerships for personal gain." Connor quipped as he reminded Markus of the dangers of accidentally repeating the past rather than learning from it. "Do you really want to run for mayor and risk the city finding out that you consider the vigilante not just an ally, but a friend?"
"Considering all the good that the vigilante has done," straightening up Markus gave Connor a warm smile and lowered the mask from the deviant detective's face with a gentle motion to look him directly in the eyes. "and all the good that you have done and have continued to do even when believed dead, it'd be my honor to admit to our association."
Looking down at the mask in his hands for only a moment, Connor suddenly knew what it was that he needed to do.
"All right." Stepping closer to the edge of the balcony Connor observed the active city in the distance and began waiting for the sun to begin its descent in the horizon. "Then it sounds like we have a lot of work to do to ensure your campaign progresses without any obstacles getting in our way."
-next chapter-