(ON HOLD) The Forgotten Android (Connor x Reader) Detroit: Become Human

Chapter 12: The Rebels

Beyond this hidden garden, I could see the tall skyscrapers of Jericho. It seemed that this place was only accessible through the tunnels, meaning we were currently sealed off from the rest of the world.

Even though this place was sealed away, the sky was still open, and throughout the garden were various birds, making soft tweeting sounds from the trees. Connor gazed at them as we passed, seemingly intrigued.

"Do you like birds Connor?"

He gazed at the birds for a long moment, before replying, "I'm an android... we don't have any particular likes or dislikes."

I sighed, feeling my shoulders slump. It seemed no matter what I said, Connor always reverted back to his former 'machine-like' state. The androids of this time were quite clearly different from the ones of his time, and Connor still could not accept his 'human' qualities.

Yet, there had been many times when I had heard Connor talk about his personal feelings. The times he felt alone, or the times he was afraid... he had made those times clear. But when directly asked about it, it was as if he forced his human feelings away. As if it was wrong to feel, or think, or want anything.

Previous words that Connor had spoke to me echoed through my mind. "Back in my time, androids were created to serve humans. If androids showed behavior outside of their programming, it was a bug known as deviancy."

Is this what Connor was afraid of? Was he afraid of showing deviancy, the thing that he was most programmed to avoid? If that was true... then could Connor ever change?

"Before... you mentioned something about 'deviancy...'"

Connor flinched, before forming his face into a slight frown. "What about it?"

"Well... is expressing things you like and dislike a trait of that?"

"Yes, it is."

"What about personal feelings, thoughts, or desires?"

"Those are deviant traits too," He replied, with a finality that told me he did not want to discuss this further.

"You've mentioned that you felt alone before..." I continued after a moment, "Doesn't that make you deviant?"

Kara giggled ahead of us, seemingly listening into our conversation. To my surprise, Connor glared at me, and pulled his hand from mine. I immediately missed the warm comfort of it.

"No, I'm not a deviant," He replied simply, straightening his tie. "The things I say... they are only words programmed into me."

"Oh..." I muttered, shoving my hands into the pockets of my apron. We walked in silence after that, and I wished I hadn't brought up the subject to begin with.

As we continued through the old buildings filled with plant life, we began to reach a new place. The buildings seemed to weave tighter together, until the beautiful gardens had vanished, replaced by grey brick walls. Our footsteps began to echo on tiled flooring as darkness filled the space. Connor's LED lit up the walls, casting amber hues.

As we progressed further into the space, I saw another shadowy figure up ahead. Seemingly on instinct, Connor moved in front of me, but I soon saw that the figure was simply another Jerry. Seeing the two Jerry's interacting with each other was a very odd feeling.

We continued to follow the new Jerry further up the corridor. I was beginning to wonder how far we would have to walk, until the walls were suddenly filled with colours. Various geometric shapes and colours splattered across the floors, the wall, the ceiling. I soon realized that the shapes were coming from arched windows on either side of the walls. Not only did light filter from outside, but the light from Connor's LED caused reflections to appear everywhere. I couldn't help but look in awe.

"Are those windows?" I asked in curiosity.

"Yes, they are," The new Jerry replied, smiling kindly at me. "They're a special kind of window, called 'stained glass.'"

"Wow..." I muttered, trying to peer through the windows. Through the mosaic of colours, I could not see the outside. Kara giggled.

"You remind me of Alice when she was 'younger.'"

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Alice muttered, and Kara laughed again.

"I can't help it," I admitted, "I've never seen windows like this."

"They aren't commonly used," Connor interrupted, "Throughout its history, the term 'stained glass' has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings."

I looked at Connor in surprise, and I heard Kara mutter, "Show off," from up ahead.

"So this is a church?" I asked, imagining the spiral shaped buildings in the capital of Jericho, where androids went to pay respects to Ra9.

"Yes," Jerry replied, "This is 'our place.'"

Before I could ask any further questions, we reached the end of the corridor, coming to large wooden double doors. Another Jerry guarded the door, and when he saw us coming, he unlocked it with a bronze key, and held the door open.

The other Jerry walked in first, followed by Kara and Alice. Connor and I glanced at each other, before stepping in at the same time.

Beyond the doors, what would have used to be a church was now transformed. Various beds and old mattresses were against the walls, and what seemed to be about a hundred people were milling around, some sitting on the mattresses and talking, others serving food, others looking after small children.

"Welcome to our little group," Kara say, gesturing around the room. "Or as we like to call it, the HRP: Humanity Rebels Project!"