Connor x Reader - Altering algorithms (DBH)

Chapter 15: I am afraid.

Hank shot me a questioning glance and then looked back at the screen. "Think that's rA9?"

Connor used the opportunity to answer. "Deviants say rA9 will set them free. This android seems to have that objective."

The lieutenant now turned to him. "D'you see something?"

"I identified its model and serial number..."

Hank raised one eyebrow and inquired, "Anything else I should know?"

For a second, Connor seemed to hesitate but then responded. "No. Nothing."

Afterwards, Hank once more walked away. I also strolled through the room, watching Connor inspect a hat on the ground. Concurrently, I checked a wall with many holes in it, surely derived from gunshots. Blue blood was right next to it. I waved my partner over pointed towards the liquid. He nodded and analyzed it.

"It's the same as the one in the hallways before."

I quickly thanked him and put a hand up to my chin. Still lost in thought, I traced my steps back to the large screen. Next to it was the control field for the CCTV. Remembering the security camera, I examined the different recordings. After a while, Connor joined me, standing right next to me so that our shoulders were touching. I sighed, frustrated because I was now distracted by the comfortable warmth emitted from his body. Grimacing, I stared back at the screen.

"They didn't break in?" Connor turned to Chris, who was standing behind us.

"No, no sign of forced entry."

The android stared back at the images. "There are cameras in the hallway. The staff would have seen what was happening... Why did they let them in?"

I pressed my lips together into a thin line. "That's what I was asking myself too..."

Hank once more joined us, chiming in. "Maybe they didn't check the cameras..."

Meanwhile, Chris informed us about another thing. "We stored the station androids in the kitchen. There's no evidence that they were involved but we didn't know what else to do with them." We all glanced at the entrance to the kitchen.

We investigated the broadcast room a little more and eventually used the stairs to get onto the rooftop. I guessed we would take care of the androids in the kitchen later on. Connor, who walked in front of me, opened the door, whereas Hank and I followed him outside, beeing greeted by more falling snow.

"They made their way up through the whole building, past all the guards and jumped off the roof with parachutes... Pretty fucking impressive I'd say."

Out of the corner of my eyeshot, I saw Connor analyzing another pool of blood, which spattered across a container.

"Is it the same android again?" I asked, hence my partner nodded. We moved forward and I approached the bag, which was evidently laying on the ground. Kneeling down next to it together with Connor, I scanned the object with my eyes.

"How'd they manage to smuggle in a big bag like that?" Hank inquired, inching closer.

"They didn't... Someone brought it in for them." Connor answered, examining the bag from different angles.

"Isn't it weird that they had everything planned out perfectly but made a mistake by bringing one left over parachute?" I posed the question and faintly exhaled some air.

Hank had already disappeared into the distance, as Connor deducted, "Unless one of the deviants was left behind."

I gasped, looking at him. That was a reasonable explanation indeed. The damaged android most likely was still hiding here.

We got up again and while I inspected a few guns close to the bag, Connor seemed to analyze the footprints.

"It was correct, only three of the four deviants jumped down the roof." He expounded, standing next to me again. I nodded, staring off into the distance. As soon as I recovered from my frozen state, I noticed that Connor had already vanished beind a few containers a few feet away. Shaking my head with a weak smile, I hurried after him.

Once Connor entered my sight again, I cautiously watched him open the door or one of the bunkers, suddenly being shot. I sharply inhaled some air, as he fell onto the ground, my eyes widening. The deviant stumbled out of the container to the side, as Connor tried to sit up.

More gunshots echoed through the air, as I arrived next to my partner, hauling him up and rapidly dragging him to safety behind a large object. My breathing quickened, as we both collapsed behind the container. On the other side, I noticed Hank glancing at us, fortunately having found shelter as well.

Conner turned to me, clearly alarmed. "(Y/N) you have to stop them! If they destroy it, we won't learn anything!"

I gawked at him, rethinking his insane demand. "No way! We'll immediately get killed if we rush in. It doesn't matter anymore Connor!" I replied, worry in my gaze.

Out of nowhere, Connor revealed himself, sprinting off into the direction of the deviant.

"Connor, stop!" I yelled after him, yet he didn't listen.

I watched in horror as he dodged several shots, eventually vaulting over the container the deviant was hiding behind. I saw him press the android's arm against the wall, his own hand turning white. Abruptly, another gunshot rang through my ears, as I spotted the blonde deviant shoot himself.

With shaking legs I got up, gathering all my strength to run after Connor. Hank arrived at the same time, walking around to face our partner.

"Connor! Connor you all right? Connor!"

The android's LED was blinking red, as I hesitantly inched closer to stop next to the grey haired man.

"Okay..." Connor muttered.

I carefully put my hand onto his shoulder, holding my tears back.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" The android supported his body by leaning onto the container behind him, staring off into seemingly nowhere.

"I'm ok..."

Hank stepped a few feet away, now angrily turning towards Connor. "Jesus! You scared the shit outta me... For fuck's sake, (Y/N) told you not to move! I'm used to you not listenin' to me but even (Y/N)?"

He disapprovingly shook his head, as I still stared at my partner, extremely worried since his LED was continuously flickering red, which had never happened before.

"I was connected to its memory...when it fired... I felt it die..." Connor stopped several times, the panick visible in his eyes. I gently looked back at him, as his hazel brown eyes searched mine.

"Like I was dying."

Hank squinted his eyes from afar, a skeptical expression covering his face. Meanwhile, I merely felt a single tear sliding down my cheek. The death experience was no joke, I had learned that during my childhood as well.

"I was scared..." Connor admitted, staring directly into my eyes.

Not caring about our surroundings, I fiercely embraced him, pressing my face against his shoulder while gently carressing his back.

"I'm so sorry you had to witness that..." I muttered into his jacket.

This time, his arms quickly found their way around my waist, as he held me, almost shaking.

"God Connor, what did we agree on about trying to value your life? I was so scared I might lose you!" My voice broke, as I spoke into his shoulder, trembling unlike him. I tightly gripped onto the material of his clothes on his back, feeling the need to pull him close in order to make sure he wouldn't run off like that again. More tears left my eyes, as I quietly sobbed into his shoulder, still trying to comfort him .

I wanted to say a lot more, yet reality soon kicked in, causing me to softly break the embrace. Wiping one last tear away, I slightly sniffed. Connor stared at me with a pained expression. His LED gradually turned back to blue, as he stepped away from me.

"I saw something, in its memory...a word... painted on a piece of rusty metal...'Jericho'." He told Hank and me.

I gulped, gaining back my composure. "I assume that's a clue..."