(Y/N)'s P.O.V.

November 8th, 2038
04:06 pm

Hank, Connor and I stood in a rather small elevator, hence we were all pretty close to each other. After last night, I had been partly anxious about seeing both of my partners together again, yet now it didn't feel like much had changed. As we waited to arrive at a certain floor, Connor flipped a coin around with his hands. His movements were so fast, whereas I sometimes was not able to even follow them with my eyes. It sure was impressive. The steady noises accompanied us all up to the 71st floor, until Hank snatched the object from Connor's hands.

"You're starting to piss me off with that coin, Connor." He growled.

Connor looked at him, shortly furrowing his eyebrows. "Sorry, Lieutenant."

I chuckled to myself, watching how both men acted like always. Hank shot me a questioning gaze, hence I lightly coughed and suppressed laughing even louder. Then, the elevator announced "79th floor," and we stepped outside.

Chris stood right next to us, staring at a tablet but greeting us over his shoulder. "Hi, Hank, detective (L/N)."

Hank moved forward a little further and let his gaze wander across the hallway. "Shit, what's going on here? There was a party and nobody told me about it?"

Chris now turned around and explained, "Yeah, it's all over the news, so everybody's butting their nose in... Even the FBI wants a piece of the action..."

Connor and I remained behind the lieutenant, as he continued. "Ah Christ, now we got the Feds on our back... I knew this was gonna be a shitty day..." He visibly sighed and cocked his head. "So what do we got?"

Chris and Hank started walking down the corridor, Connor and me side by side, closing the distance between the two in front of us and ourselves step by step.

"A group of four androids... They knew the building, and they were very well organized. I'm still trying to figure out how they got this far without being noticed."

We all stopped for a second to listen to another conversation.

"You check the roof?" The second cop shook his head. "Not yet. There's so much to look at."

The first one answered, "Have to make sure we check it out."

It was as if someone forcefully tried to tell us what to do. How hilarious, I sarcastically thought.

As we started walking once again, Chris proceeded with giving us the details. "They attacked two guards in the hallway... They probably thought the androids were coming to do maintenance. They got taken down before they could react..."

Coming to a halt next to the reception, Hank leaned on it with his arms, checking the area behind it. I stepped next to him, glanced around and then returned to Connor's side. We passed an open entrance with a security camera above, meaning that the incident must've been recorded. If people were in the room up ahead, they must have seen the intruders.

"One of the station employees managed to get away. He's in shock, not sure when we'll be able to talk to him..." Chris mentioned, as we kept walking.

"Do you know how many people work here?" I asked, thinking about my idea from before.

"Just two employees and three androids. The deviants took the humans hostage and broadcast their message live. They made their getaway from the roof."

I squinted one eye, as Hank inquired, "The roof?"

Chris nodded, "Yeah, they jumped with parachutes... We're still trying to figure out where they landed, but the weather's not helping... If you want to take a look at the video broadcast by the deviants, it's on that screen over there."

Hank and Chris went up ahead into the broadcasting room, as I watched Connor kneel down next to a puddle of blue blood, analyzing it. He got up again and stared at the wall for a second.

"Well..?" I tilted my head, wishing to know what he had found out.

"A damaged android proceeded into the next room. I will take a look at the prior corridor, (Y/N)." Connor informed me and started walking. I quickly followed him.

"I guess I'll assist you with that then." Shooting a smile at him, we returned to where we had originally come from.

Noticing a trail of blue blood on the floor, we followed it to another stain on the wall. Once more, Connor stood there staring off into nowhere, making me wonder what he was doing.

"One of the deviants got shot here but kept going."

I nodded upon hearing that. It did fit the evidence and since I fully trusted Connor, I did not doubt his statement for even a second.

"I guess that's all here, let's reunite with Hank." I suggested, hence we walked back all the way and entered the broadcasting room. Surprisingly, he wasn't that far up ahead, now stopping next to an unfamiliar man together with Chris.

"Oh Lieutenant, this is Special Agent Perkins from the FBI. Lieutenant Anderson is in charge of investigating for Detroit police." The dark skinned officer introduced both men.

Connor and I walked up to the FBI agent, whereas he cut the android a side-eye. "What's that?"

I showed obvious condemnation on my face while Connor appeared unaffected.

"My name is Connor. I'm the android sent by CyberLife."

Clearing my throat, I added, "I am detective (Y/N) (L/N). Connor is lieutenant Anderson's and my partner in this investigation and has done a great job so far."

"Androids investigating androids, huh? You sure you want an android hanging around?.. After everything that happened..." His cocky grin made my blood boil. He was as utterly obnoxious as Gavin Reed. Hank also shot him a disapproving look.

"Whatever, the FBI will take over the investigation, you'll soon be off the case."

Before Agent Perkins could continue, Hank waved him off with one hand. "Pleasure meeting you. Have a nice day."

We were about to walk away when the FBI agent addressed us with a rather threatening tone. "And you watch your steps." He squinted his eyes. "Don't fuck up my crime scene."

With those words, he left us and so we headed into the other direction.

"What a fuckin' prick!" Hank cursed and I nodded along.

"I thought Gavin was reprehensible but this guy... He's almost worse," I huffed.

Chris raised his eyebrows. "I'll be nearby. If you two need anything, just ask."

Hank now turned to Connor and I. "Uh, let's have a look around... Let me know if you find anything."

I hummed in agreement and watched Hank walk away. Since we already were right next to a big screen with the deviant's message, I stepped towards it and pressed play. The video started and the skinless android gave his speech. I looked at the figure on the screen, impressed by his determined yet calm demeanour. Basically, the core of his message was the demand of freedom and civil rights for androids as well. His request made me smile.

"What're you grinnin' at (Y/N)?" Hank asked from behind me.

I cocked my head to the side, unable to stop smiling. "I think it's nice that this person spoke up for all androids."

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..."