Connor was told to take it easy after what happened the night before. He wasn't expecting anyone to call him- especially not so early.

"Is Connor Anderson there?" The voice asked. Quiet, obviously a woman's.

"Speaking." He muttered, slowly stirring a cup with his spoon.

"Great, I need to talk to you."

His eyes narrowed, and lip turned up a little, "Who is this?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is Chloe. Kamski."

If he wasn't awake then, he was definitely awake now.

"Kamski? You have my phone number?"

"Yes, you said we should keep in contact, and I gave you my number. You gave me yours..."

Connor didn't remember that at all, but opted to swallow nervously. "Yeah. Right. Sorry."

"I've been meaning to call you, but I needed to ask... Are you free?"

"Today? Yeah."

"I need you to come over as soon as possible, so we can talk."

He lowered his voice, in case Daniel was nearby. Though, he really doubted it, seeing that he shouldn't have been awake yet, "About the deviants?"

"Yes."

"All right, I'll come over."

"Fantastic. I can call a cab to come pick you up, if you want."

Connor rolled his eyes. Right, like he'd ever want to go in one of those stupid taxis ever again

"Don't worry. I'll just walk."

"You'll... walk?"

"Yes."

There was a pause. He heard shuffling on the other end before she started talking again.

"It's freezing cold outside."

"Oh, thank you for telling me. I almost left the house stark naked."

"It's also out of town."

"I know... I've been meaning to get some exercise."

"Connor."

"Chloe. I'll be fine."

He put his phone on his shoulder, looking around his room for a pair of sweatpants.

"Can you drive? Is your car working?"

Oh yeah, that was an option.

"Sure."

"I want to see you drive up."

"Got it."

__________

It was a nightmare trying to convince his roommate- a normally paranoid bastard now showing how concerned he was- to let him leave the house. He could handle himself. Sure, last night he wasn't so lucky, but he was just caught off guard.

Connor ended up just walking out.

Hank didn't come along with him. Last time he saw him, he accidentally killed him because he took too long, and he knew that Hank probably would've held a grudge. Besides- they were chatting about deviants. And while Connor still wasn't sure about his side, he knew that Hank would've spoken for him. Would've told Chloe about the many failures he's had.

Asshole.

"Tryin' to take er jobs," he muttered, though nobody else would hear him.

The rest of the drive was quiet, and there was luckily no traffic. Music was playing at the beginning of the ride, but after hearing that it wasn't something he was into, he turned it down until he couldn't hear it anymore.

There was no visible driveway. He parked out in the area in front of her house, just hoping that he wouldn't get in trouble for doing so.

He had to put on an extra coat before he left his car, and knocked on the door.

Her android was the one to answer it.

"I'm here to see Chloe Kamski?"

"I'll tell her you're here Please wait in the lobby." The android smiled, and Connor felt weird seeing an android of all things do that, "Welcome back, Connor."

"Thank you..?"

He almost seemed... happy.

Connor didn't think much of it. He was let inside a lobby, and given more time to look around than he did the first time he was in there.

Until he spotted two other people with him.

"North?"

She was previously sitting still in a chair, arms crossed and eyes closed. But when Connor called out to her, her head perked up in surprise, and she looked tempted to jump up and out of her seat.

"Connor?" 

"Connor?"

The other one was blond, holding a vase that was on one of the podiums. When North said his name, the stranger turned, and Connor finally got to see his face.

"Daniel?"

But before his brain could start theorizing why his roommate has been lying about his outings this entire time, the blond gave him a puzzled look and responded.

"I'm not Daniel."

"You're not?"

"No, I'm Simon... you know my brother?"

And suddenly, it all made sense.

"Oh... You're Simon"

"Yeah." He pursed his lips, "I know."

"No, you... Yeah. I know your brother."

He seemed to relax, "Oh, how is he?"

"Simon. Focus."

"Come on, North, we have time-"

She held up her hand, "Connor. The fuck are you doing here?"

"I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"I'm confused." She admitted, "And now, concerned."

"I got called over by Ms. Kamski herself. Why are you guys here?"

"Same reason?"

"She told us to wait."

"I'll do the same, then."

He suddenly felt very underdressed. While he looked like he just rolled out of bed, even wearing socks with sandals to prove how much of a mess he was, North was in uniform. And while he just met him, he could comfortably say that Simon seemed to be very cleaned up as well. In his defense- which he knew wouldn't be asked about- he thought it would just be him and Chloe. And while they weren't the closest of friends, Connor made the assumption that she wouldn't care about what he wore. That there wasn't a certain dress code.

But, of course, he was wrong.

"Anyone else coming to join the party?" He asked.

"Not that I know of."

The door opened and Connor's curiosity allowed him to see who walked in, thinking it was Chloe. 

Instead, he faced someone he thought he'd never see in person again. He must've been thinking the same thing, seeing that they both had the same expression on their face.

"Connor." His voice was flat.

"Markus." He replied in the same tone.

"You... know Markus?" North asked carefully.

"We've met."

"Unfortunately."

"Please, contain your excitement."

"I didn't think we'd be seeing each other again."

"And yet, here we are."

The door opened again, and Connor thanked whatever God came to mind that the conversation wouldn't continue. It felt weird saying shit like that to Markus... but he couldn't place why.

Chloe stood there in a flowy, pink robe. It was transparent, but only showed that she was wearing a full piece bathing suit underneath.

"Great. You all came."

"You invited all of us at the same time?"

"Yes." She looked over at Connor, "I'm glad you dressed for the occasion."

"I just woke up. Didn't realize there would be... anyone else."

"Oh. I didn't mention that?"

"No."

"Well, we shouldn't waste any time. I'm sure you're all busy."

The other 3 nodded. Connor did as well, but only because he didn't want to mention that he actually had this day off.

"Great, come on in. I'll serve drinks."

Nobody was sure who started the argument Markus and North were muttering

Chloe asked for their thoughts about deviancy, to start it all off.

"Aren't we all on the same page?"

"Are we?"

"Okay... everyone supporting deviants, raise your hand."

Connor expected Markus' hand to shoot up. Maybe Simon's, seeing that he just met him.

But he didn't expect North's.

And apparently, North didn't expect his response.

"Connor?"

"What? I don't." He shrugged.

In all honesty, he didn't have a side. But, if forces to choose one, he was definitely on the human's side.

She crossed her arms, "That's not what Hank told me."

Markus made a similar motion, "That's not what you told me last night."

"Hey hey- don't phrase it like that." Connor warned, "That's not what I was talking about at all, anyway. You weren't even listening to me."

"You weren't talking about changing the devaint's strategy to help them succeed?"

"I was saying that you needed to stop Leo from destroying everything. What I said at the bar doesn't count, since I don't remember it happening."

"I can-"

"Hank told me that you're sympathetic to their cause." North interrupted.

"Hank's trying to get me fired."

"I'm seriously finding that hard to believe-"

"Guys, calm down. Connor... explain your side."

Though he didn't appreciate all of the attention, he gladly started talking.

"It's just illogical. They don't feel, they just... they get overwhelmed with irrational instructions." He recited proudly.

"And who told you this?"

Connor looked smug as he responded, "An android."

"Was he deviant?"

"Well, no-"

"Right." He turned back to Chloe, "We aren't exactly sure, but I'm sure that you can tell that Connor here doesn't, either."

"He's a state of the art prototype. He would have a better theory about deviancy."

"Doesn't mean he can't be wrong."

"But it makes the most logical sense, it... it has to be a virus- something given to them."

"And how could you know that?"

"Because it's not..." He groaned in frustration, "These things don't just happen. Robots don't just wake up one day and decide that they want to be free."

"And yet, they are."

"No, it's- they can't be! If I start shit-talking my Alexa, she isn't going to just... stop. That's not how these things work!"

It wasn't.

It couldn't have been.

Right?

"There's always a chance for... unlikely events to take place."

A hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Don't. Touch me." He snapped.

"Its okay to admit that you're wrong," he muttered, though the statement lacked its usual venom. Like he was being sincere.

Like Connor only stuck to this side because he was afraid of admitting defeat.

Connor scrunched his face in disgust, forcefully ripping his shoulder out of his grasp. "I'm not. That's the problem."

"Why can't you just-!"

"Because you can't be right!" He interrupted, voice higher than he'd like to admit, "If you're right about this, Hank would've joined them by now!"

Silence.

With a shaky breath and low voice, he continued.

"If androids really did... start to wake up... Hank would've, too."

Hank wouldn't be killing them. Any of them.

"Hank's your android, right?" Christ, even North sounded sappy.

"Yeah, that's him."

Rupert.

The Tracis.

Oh, God, if he saw the TR400-

Luther.

His name is Luther.

And he's only safe because Hank didn't get the chance to see him.

"Maybe it's a... Gavin situation."

But he was just doing his job.

"No, no. Trust me. I know a deviant when I see one, and that man's not a fucking deviant."

Silence. Again.

"He might need a little more convincing?"

That sad, empty feeling was quickly replaced with his anger again.

"He would've changed by now if he could. Your theories are bullshit."

"Hank just needs convincing."

"Why is Hank the only one who needs time?"

"Not every android is the same... I'm sure there are others just like him."

"Others that haven't been infected yet."

"Connor."

"They can't feel." He snapped, "It's not in their program."

"They're not following their program anymore. That's why they're called deviants."

Connor rolled his eyes, "Yeah. I got that."

He wished Josh was there. He was sane, and Connor trusted him enough to make the right call. Though, he supposed that this was something he had to choose by himself. Join all of his friends because a few 'lucky' androids woke up, or Join Hank and help him stop it... because he had to.

Because Amanda told him to.

The hand was back on his shoulder, and the motion made the room spin.

"Connor, you're looking a little... pale."

He brushed the hand off of his shoulder this time.

He was fine.

This was fine.

"I'm fine." He snapped, "I just... I can't. Deal with this. Right now. I need time to think."

Maybe it would've been easier if the consequences weren't so... severe in his eyes.

"Take as long as you need."

And then he left, gripping his own arms as he walked away. Elijah offered to escort him to his car, but he just muttered that he'd be fine in his own.

Connor opened the front door.

Hank stood there, hand raised to knock, confusion shown clearly on his face.

Connor closed the door.

He only registered what happened a few seconds after. He sobered up, vision clearing when he realized that Hank- the fucking android- must've found out that he was going to be here. Or he must've realized that Chloe would be important in this investigation, and decided to come along as well.

Fuck.

When he ran back to where everyone was moments earlier, he wasn't very relieved to find that they were all still there, and showed no intention of leaving anytime soon.

"Change of plans! Everyone needs to hide if they don't want to get in trouble." He looked back at the door, "Preferably, now."

"What, why?"

Knock knock knock

"Should I answer it?"

She waved him off, "Hold on a second, Elijah. Who's at the door?"

"I don't know why he's here, or how he got here, but Hank was at the door when I opened it."

"Fuck- what is he doing here?"

"I don't know. But if you all plan on leaving, you should do it as soon as possible."

"Who's side are you on?"

"I haven't had the time to decide!"

Knock

Knock

Knock

"I have an idea. I have a back door you three can use to escape. Connor, you're with me."

Chloe marched towards the door, and Connor followed quietly behind her.

"You wanted to see of Hank was deviant or not, right?" She asked hum once the others were out of earshot.

"Well, kinda, but-"

"Follow my lead."

She opened the door. Hank was still there, expression set to look more angry than confused.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Kamski. I was hoping I could have a word with you... if you're not too busy already?"

"Of course not. Come in."

Hank walked in.

"Lieutenant."

"Hank."

"I have to ask what you're doing here, when you usually spend your days off at home?"

Before Connor asked how the he'll he could possibly know that, Chloe chimed in for him.

"Connor's simply here to keep me company." She replied with a smile.

"Really?"

When Hank looked over at him, Connor shrugged.

"I'm not always at home, Hank."

Chloe stopped walking when she reached the window. She took a deep breath, before turning to face then both.

Her face was stoic and calm.

"What can I do for you both?"

"Ma'am, we're investigating deviants. I know you left Cyberlife years ago, but I was hoping you'd be able to tell us something we don't know."

She nodded along, unfazed.

"Deviants. Fascinating, aren't they? Perfect beings with infinite intelligence... and now they have free will. Machines are so superior to us. Confrenation was inevitable. Humanity's greatest achievement threatens to be its downfall. Isn't it ironic?"

Connor could recognize someone stalling for time in an instant, and it wasn't hard to point out Chloe's. Hank seemed to be catching on as well, but if he did, he didn't bother pointing it out.

"If a war breaks out between humans and deviants, millions could die, Ms. Kamski. It's quite a serious matter."

"All ideas are viruses that spread like epidemics. Is the desire to be free a contagious disease?"

When Chloe looked over at him, Connor refused to meet her gaze.

"Listen, I didnt come here to talk philosophy. The machines you created may be planning a revolution. Either you can tell us something that'll be helpful, or we'll be on our way." He glared at Connor before correcting himself, "I'll be on my way."

"What about you, Hank?" She tilted her head to the side, and walked closer, "Whose side are you on?"

"The humans, of course."

"Well, that's what you're programmed to say. But you. what do you rreally want?"

Hank just scowled at her questions.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see what you're getting at."

They just stared for a long, tense moment

"Elijah."

Elijah, who'd been looking over at Connor for a few seconds too long, was now walking towards Chloe.

"I'm sure you're familair with the Turing test. Mere formality, simple questions of algorithms and computing compacity. What interests me, is whether machines are capable of empathy. I call it the Kamski test... It's very simple, you'll see."

She looked over at Elijah, who stared straight forward.

"Magnificent isn't it? One of the first intelligent models developed by Cyberlife. Young, and beautiful forever." She put a hand on his cheek, "A flower that will never wither."

Her expression changed.

"But what is it really? A piece of plastic imitating a human? Or a living being, with a soul?"

Chloe reached for something in a drawer, holding up her hands to show that she now had a gun, but wasn't planning on using it. With her free hand, she put a hand on her android's shoulder, and pushed him on to his knees.

"It's up to you to answer that fascinating question, Hank."

"What?" Connor snapped.

"Destroy this machine... and I'll tell you all I know. Or spare it, if you feel it's alive-"

"Okay, I think we're done here."

But Connor was just ignored, "What's more important to you, Hank? Your investigation, or the life of this android?"

"Chloe."

"Decide who you are. An obedient machine, or a living being."

"Hank. We're leaving."

"Pull the trigger."

"Hank! Don't."

"And I'll tell you what you want to know."

Elijah's last expression was calm, eyes closed paired with a small smile on his face- the same smile that greeted him just a while earlier. He really looked like he trusted Hank, a fellow android, to realize what he was doing and stop it.

Connor flinched when Hank shot him.

Chloe looked just as surprised as he was. It was a brief expression, quickly replaced with obvious disappointment.

"Test negative." She stated grimly. "You chose your investigation over the life of a another android. You feel no empathy."

Connor left.

__________

"Are you all right, lieutenant?"

No, he wasn't. Hank could see it himself. He was leaning against his car, pouting like a child.

"You shot that man."

"It was a machine that looked like a man."

"You're just a machine." He corrected, then repeated louder, "That's all you are. Just a fucking machine."

Hank looked confused. He furrowed his brows.

"Of course I'm a machine, lieutenant. What did you think I was?"

"I'm not sure."

Then, he got in his car. He flipped Hank off before he drove away. And Christ, did it feel amazing.