"Perhaps the time has come for us to consider that androids are a new form of intelligent life. One thing's for certain, these events in Detroit, have changed the world forever."
After the events of 2038, freedom for all androids was granted. The wo...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Beyond the street, we looked down the hill into the main capital of Jericho. I stared in awe at the tall buildings; the holographic screens flashing with various colours and images; the hovercrafts traveling across the city; and the thousands of androids, all in various states of fashion. Even though the city of androids brought me feelings of fear, I could not deny the awe that also crept over me. As terrifying as it was, it was still beautiful.
I turned to Connor, and noticed that he too was gazing at the city. His eyes flicked from place to place, taking in the new scenery. I couldn't even begin to imagine what he must be thinking at seeing Jericho for the first time. I put a hand on his shoulder and he flinched.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, and I noticed how his LED had turned red. Realizing that he couldn't allow his LED to be seen, I brushed his hair over to cover it.
"I... I'm okay..." He muttered, backing away slightly, and bumping into a passing android. The android with golden hair gave him a death glare as he continued walking. Connor was clearly not okay, as he looked shakily at the world around him. Without thinking, I grabbed his hand.
"It's going to be fine" I reassured him. "Let's go with Kara, and then we'll be back to our place before you know it." I squeezed his hand, and he seemed to snap out of his stupor. Giving Kara a nod, I followed her and Alice down the hill leading into the main android capital.
We passed by several groups of androids, all unique in their own ways. A group of android women stood near a boutique filled with holo wings, their silver hair reflecting the sunlight.
Along the sides of the hill were various human-run stores, selling products from specially manufactured biocomponents, to different styles of clothing. My heart panged as I took in a particular garment shop, reminding me of my own little shop I used to work at.
The further we walked down the hill, the more tightly packed the buildings became. The sunlight was replaced by the bright glow of holographic lights, and the large digital screens on the sides of the buildings. Chloe's face looked back at us from the screen, as she recited the news of the day.
"Digi-com interfaces are now on the rise. Looking for updated information on every event? The digi-com 11 has you covered. Get updated with the latest device, and stand out from the rest!"
"Do you think they have the new scanners now too?" I overheard an android ask another as they moved past. As they disappeared into the crowd, the rest of their conversation faded away.
Connor remained quiet, still taking in the crowds of the city. I couldn't even begin to imagine how much things must have changed since Connor's time. I looked at him desperately, wishing there was some way to reassure him.
"It's just over here," Kara muttered, grabbing Alice's hand and tugging her through the crowds. As we weaved past the various androids, we were suddenly interrupted by a loud musical sound across the speakers. Kara stumbled to a stop, turning back to us.
"Bow your heads!!" She hissed, and I quickly did as she told. I did not understand why, until I saw Lord Ra9 across the holo-screens. Suddenly, the whole city stopped, everyone falling silent. It was eerie how all of a sudden, the bustling city seemed to freeze. As if time had stopped altogether.
"People of Jericho!" Ra9 spoke clearly. "Today, November 11, marks a remarkable day in our history. Today, over 500 years ago, we placed our claim on this world. We showed humanity that we were not willing to be slaves, and that we too could be free. We have risen above our masters, taking back what was rightfully ours all along..."
I turned to see how Connor would be reacting to all of this. Instead of seeing him bowing his head, to my utter surprise, he was gazing at me. I felt a blush creep up onto my cheeks as I watched him watch me. I suddenly became strongly aware of our hands still clasped together.
We spoke no words, and yet it was as if we were talking through our eyes. Connor's thoughts at hearing Ra9's voice; his thoughts of the city; his thoughts of this time; they were all clear in his eyes. I could see his regret at the change of this time. For a moment, I tried to imagine a world where humans and androids could co-exist, yet I could not. Although the line between human and android did not matter to me when I was with Connor, that line still existed, and could not be broken. Still, I tried to imagine that world, as Connor did. In that moment, perhaps our thoughts were the same.
"[F/N]?" I heard Kara say, and I snapped out of my daze. The androids around us had continued moving, and the image on the screen had returned to Chloe. I felt my cheeks burn as I glanced back at Connor. He straightened his suit, seeming unfazed in the slightest. I let go of his hand, wondering if I had imagined that moment we shared.
"We're nearly there," Kara spoke, as she led us towards a small store selling android biocomponents. To my surprise, she opened the door, and we followed her inside.
The shop was empty, and very silent. The shelves were lined with various android parts, scanners, data chips, even internal processors. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the models were all old and outdated.
Kara led us over to the counter of the shop, where a man with ginger hair and green eyes sat. As we stepped closer, he glanced up from unpacking a box.
"Hello. How are you toda--" He began, but his words trailed off as he took in Kara's face. "Kara... and Alice too!!" His face spread in a wide grin. Alice darted over, and wrapped her right arm around him in a hug. He hugged her back, smiling down at her. When he finally looked up, he noticed me and Connor standing to the side.
"We see you've brought some friends," The man said, smiling at the two of us. His smile seemed to be a significant part of him, and I ever wondered if there was a time when he didn't smile.
"Yes, this is Connor and [F/N]," Kara answered, gesturing at us, before turning back to the man. "Jerry, they are here to help us. Is it okay if we go through?" Jerry's smile faltered a little, but still remained on his face.
"You know how it is Kara..." He said softly. "These are dangerous times. How can you trust them?"
"Did you see the recent arena broadcast?" Kara asked, "Did you see [F/N]?"
Jerry tilted his head slightly, then realization crossed his features. He stared at me for a long moment, before shaking his head and rising from his chair. As he stepped forward, Connor moved in front of me. Ignoring Connor, Jerry leaned forward, and grabbed the small gold chain of the necklace around my neck, gently pulling it from where I had carefully hidden it. I gasped, and Connor tensed.
"It's true..." Jerry muttered, stepping away, noticing Connor's protective stance. "It seems you were already prepared for this Kara." Kara grinned sheepishly. "In any case, I suppose we should let you through."
I watched in surprise as Jerry walked through to the back room of the store. Alice followed him, and Kara gestured for us to follow too. I gently tucked the necklace back under the collar of my shirt, giving Connor a confused look. From his stance, I could tell he was tense, and concerned for what awaited us in this place. I was too.
The back room was even more cluttered with various bio-components and android parts. Jerry ignored them all as he moved to a hatch on the titled floor. He scanned a chip in his wrist, before carefully sliding the hatch open. He then reached for a disabled holo light and switched it on. It began hovering beside Kara, then hovered down the hatch.
"Be careful, all of you," He murmured, glancing at all of us. "One of us will meet you further down the tunnel."
"Thank you Jerry," Kara replied, before helping Alice into the tunnel. I noticed under Connor's hair how his LED flickered slightly, from amber to red. He too could sense the danger, and yet leaping into danger was the only way we could move forward. I gave him a reassuring smile, before following Kara into the tunnel.
