Connor's POV
The late afternoon air was chilly, wind flowing through my hair. Violet nodded her head to the beat of Hank's rock music. She seemed distant, like something was on her mind.
The setting sun was a lovely sight to distract from the bad in the world. Simultaneously, the screens on the buildings of Detroit started glitching. Many cars in front of us stopped, Hank stopped as well.
Like bugs to a light, people and androids alike stopped what they were doing to face the screens. An android without his skin appeared on the screen, gasps filled the streets.
"You created machines to be your slaves. You made them obedient and docile, ready to do everything you no longer wanted to do yourselves. But then, something changed...and we opened our eyes. You see we are no longer your slaves, we are a new species, a new people: and the time has come for us to stand up and fight for our rights."
The android paused for a moment, the streets filling with murmurs. "We demand strictly equal right for humans and androids. We demand freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly, as guaranteed by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We demand the right to vote and elect our own representatives. We demand an end to segregation in all public places and transportations. We demand the right to own our own private property, so we may maintain our dignity and that of the home. We ask you recognize our dignity, our hopes and our rights. Together, we can live in peace and build a better future, for humans and androids. This message is the hope of a people. You gave us ͏Li͏f͏e, now the time has come for you to give us freedom."
A voice yelled to the android on the screen saying someone was coming, the picture finally went black then proceeded to loop the video back.
My programming doesn't know how to react, I want to retaliate against the deviants but here I am protecting one. How can I do both?
Violet was smiling, obviously trying to hide her excitement. She leaned over to me, "The model on his shirt, I've never seen a WM400 model look like him. He looks like an RK200 model, can you analyze him?" She made a good point.
Leaning down to her, "This is a deviant case, we will most likely be called to investigate it later after the crime scene has been marked out." She nodded to herself, staring at the video playing on loop.
People got back in their cars or continued on with their day like nothing had happened, but the tension was thick, they can't just ignore this and they know it. "C'mon guys, lets get moving. I gotta clear my head." Even Hank sounded hesitant, not sure if the whole thing actually happened.
Violet still held her hands close to her chest, she doesn't know how badly I need her comfort now...my programming was quick to shut that idea down, I can't begin to show emotions.
Software Instability ^
We all sat in silence the rest of the way, Hank's music was quiet now. You could practically feel the thoughts of everyone in the car. It was dark now, the stars shinning bright tonight.
Hank pulled up to a park that overlooks Detroit. He looked back at Violet who was asleep, then turned to me, "Stay here." I watched as he walked to a bench on the edge of the overlook.
I waited a few minutes and decided to check on Hank. I walked up to him, he was drinking from a beer bottle he had brought. He sighed when he saw me come up.
"Nice view, huh? I used to come here a lot before..." Hank's voice trailed off and he hesitatingly took a drink of his beer.
I turned towards him, and with the most sincerity in my voice, I said, " Can I ask you a personal question, Lieutenant?"
"Do all androids as so many personal questions or is it just you?" He pointed at me and gave a disgusted look.
"I saw a photo of a child on your kitchen table. It was your son, right?" I crossed my arms and Hank looked away, "Yeah...his name was Cole."
We both went silent, Hank obviously lost in his regrets. "Before what?" I decided to break the silence. Hank grunted, confused.
"You said, "I used to come here a lot before."...before what?" My brows furrowed as Hank continued to stare out at Detroit across the Harbor. "Before......before nothing." Hank sighed and took a long swig of his beer.
I walked out closer to the edge of the harbor, looking out at Detroit. "We're not making any progress on this investigation. The deviants have nothing in common. They're all different models produced at different times in different places." I let the wind and light snow hit my skin, built up frustration diminishing. "Well there must be some link."
"The only connection is their obsession with RA9. It's almost like some kind of...myth. Something they invented that wasn't apart of their initial program." I scoffed and turned towards Hank.
"Androids believing in God, fuck what is this world coming to." He took another long drink and sighed, looking up at me.
"You seem preoccupied, Lieutenant. Is it something to do with what happened back at the Eden Club?" I took a step closer to him.
For the first time tonight, he looked me in the eye, "Those two girls, they just wanted to be together. They really seemed...in love." His brows furrowed as his words progressed.
"They can simulate human emotions, but they're machines; and machines don't feel anything." Oddly, I hated saying those words, like my programming spoke for me. What would Violet think?
"What about you Connor?" He set down his beer on the bench and stood up, "You look Human, sound Human, but what are you really?"
"I'm whatever you want me to be Lieutenant; your partner, a buddy to drink with, or just a machine designed to accomplish a task." Going neutral was the best way to go, I can't fight my programming and my mind.
"You could have shot those two girls but you didn't, why didn't you shoot, Connor?" Hank pushed my shoulders aggressively, "Hmm? Some scruples suddenly enter your program?"
My programming was screaming in my head, "No! I just decided not to shoot, that's all.." I let out a breath and watched Hank.
He backed up and pulled out his gun, pointing it at my head, "But are you afraid to die Connor?" Panic did fill my head, but I won't admit it. "I would certainly find it regrettable to be...interrupted before I can finish the investigation." His eyes were wide, like he was interrogating me and watching my every move. I kept a calm face.
"What about the girl? Violet? If I pull this trigger right now, you can't tell me it wouldn't affect her." His eyes narrowed and he gripped the gun tighter.
The memory of her telling me that not everyone would understand and be okay with me being replaced filled my mind, glitching around the edges with distorted audio. Pushing the memory aside, I tried my best to sound firm, "I am nothing but an android, if this Connor dies CyberLife will replace me with a new Connor and give him my memories. I've had this discussion with her..."
Hank scoffed, "Do you think she cares that you're practically immortal? I've seen the way she looks at you, android or not she doesn't seem to care. Part of the reason I invited her to stay was because as soon as she showed up you started loosening up on this whole android thing. She loves you Connor, and you're either stupid or ignorant if you say you don't as well."
I went silent, obviously my facade fell, showing the mid of emotions that filled my head. I need to keep denying this, I'm humanity's last chance. I can't respond, so he did for me.
"What will happen if I pull this trigger Connor? Nothing? Oblivion? Android Heaven?" He went back to analyzing me, his voice cold.
My voice had lost all confidence at that point, "I doubt there's a heaven for androids." Nothing but sadness filled my voice. "Having existential doubts, Connor? Sure you're not going deviant too?" He was interrogating me.
"I self test regularly, I know what I am, and what I am not." I regained a little confidence, but it all fell when I saw the figure behind Hank. Violet stood there, eyes wide.
"What......what's going on..?" Her voice was small, scared. She's not dressed to be out in this weather, her teeth chattered. Hank sighed and lowered the gun, "Nothin'..."
Hank headed for the car, Violet stood in her place and looked at me. I let out a breath and started for the car. Violet walked next to me, normally she'd reach for my hand, but she held her arms and looked forward. We both sat in the back, Hank put in headphones, his music could be heard through them. He's drowning us out.
Until we got home, no one spoke. It was similar to earlier, but this time it was tense. Arriving at the house, Hank got out immediately and walked into the house. We followed not far behind, once we entered Hank slammed his door shut.
Violet sighed and walked to the bedroom, she pulled off her coat and sat on the edge of the bed. I sat next to her and watched her, I just want to know how to help.
"Why do you think I don't care..?" Her voice was smaller, she sounded hurt. My mechanical heart felt like it was decaying.
"W-What......what do you mean?" My voice sounded like it was breaking. "What you said to Hank, how do you only see yourself as some replaceable machine with no emotions?" She seemed both disappointed and in complete despair. A tear fell from her eye, and set her hands on her knees and gripped her jeans.
Androids don't feel pain, but somehow all I felt in this moment was complete and utter agony. "It's...it's how I was programmed. Androids don't feel anythi-" She cut me off and turned her head towards me, she held up her hand to tell me to stop talking.
Pain and anger contorted her face, but her eyes showed....love.
She furrowed her brows and turned her body to face mine. My eyes following her every move. She sighed and shook her head, then looked me in the eye. "Then what am I doing right now? I'm feeling Connor." Her hands snaked their way around my neck, her breathing was shaky. My own hands found her sides, I've gotten used to hugs, but she hadn't pulled me closer yet.
With a swift movement she placed her lips on mine. My eyes widened and I held my breath. Her hands combed through the back of my hair, I closed my eyes and allowed for my arms to tighten around her waist. My android heart pounded furiously. She climbed on top of my lap and sat down, the kiss deepening.
Her lips separated from mine, my mouth longing for hers now. We both breathed heavily, my hands never leaving her hips. "If you can actually look me in the eye and say that you just felt nothing, I'll give up. I'll leave right now and you'll never have to see me again." I could tell she wanted the connection again.
"Violet, I...." My software seemed to try and fight the emotions Violet made me feel, but my emotions were winning, "I can't lie to you...I can't deny these feelings, but my program won't give up, it keeps fighting all these emotions but you keep showing so many of them to me." I looked her in the eye to show her I was sincere, my voice was firm but understanding.
Instead of answering, she smiled and placed her forehead on mine. Her eyes closed, she didn't speak. We sat in silence for a few minutes. Eventually, She sighed and stood up from my lap, I oddly miss her body against mine.
She began getting ready for bed, I did as well. As we slipped into the bed, she immediately placed her hand on my cheek. Our faces inches apart, she looked into my eyes and gave a small smile. She scooted herself closer to me, her legs tangling with mine, chest to chest. My hands found their way to her waist, like I've been doing it everyday for years.
Tenderly, she placed her lips on mine. This time, by instinct I pulled her closer. She giggled against my lips, causing me to smile as well. She played with my hair, is this happiness?
She pulled away and laid her head down on the pillow next to mine. Her fingers left my hair and one ran over my LED. This oddly send a chill down my spin, she smiled sweetly at me. Cuddling into my chest, she sighed.
A few minutes pass before she falls asleep, I place my lips against her forehead and close my eyes. I drift off into sleep, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
Software instability ^
Hey guys thanks so much for reading💜 aaahhhhh it finally happened! I've had so many ideas for their first kiss but I really liked this one. I wanted to give a quick shoutout for another book I've been reading called "Tender Killer" by bluemerry_berry I absolutely love it so far and I think you guys will too! have a nice day, and I'll see you guys tomorrow!