The next idea that Markus came up with received wildly differing opinions.
North found it unbelievably exciting.
Josh thought it's going to be too risky.
Simon, well. He had to try and mediate between the two, as he usually did. They were polar opposites in the full meaning of that word, and at times it was hard to avoid conflicts.

The concept was simple - they were going to infiltrate Stratford Tower to send a message. A message not only for humans, but also other androids, if by any chance they'd be able to hear it- to give them hope. To let them know that they're not alone, and there is someone fighting for their right.
The plan that would lead to it, however, was nowhere close to being easy, though. It was a complex labirynth full of dead ends and dangers, all sorts of things that could go wrong and moments where only dumb luck could help them.

But somehow, they made it to the top, and when Markus spoke, Simon could swear he can feel shivers going down his spine.
This is the leader we've been waiting for, he thought, sitting by the controls desk. This is who'll lead us to freedom.

But there wasn't time for pondering. It didn't take the security long to reach the top of the tower, and they knew they didn't have time. They had to go, and they had to go now.
Before long, the agents bursted in through the door, and with no mercy they'd likely show for human beings, started shooting everything in sight with painful accuracy. And Simon wasn't fast enough.

He felt a sharp, warning pain as a bullet tore its way through a layer of his skin, the protective shell of hard plastic, then the wiring. He stumbled, and realized he wouldn't be able to walk.
He fell.

How did he find himself on the roof, he wasn't sure. But there they were, him sitting on the group, thirium leaking from the wounds and internally; Josh and North arguing about how should they follow and in the middle of all that, Markus.
They didn't have much time.

Their words were cruel, but he knew they were right. He couldn't go with them. If he stayed, they could find out the location of Jericho, and that would put everyone in danger. What did one outdated PL600 matter in the face of all that?

But there's always a choice, and Markus seemed to agree. He handed him a gun, and Simon only caught a glimpse of the three of his companions drifting off with the wind, as he struggled to find a place where he could wait out the incoming danger.