Alright, I really like the idea floating around fandom, saying that Connor originally had a drop of deviance in him. Well, sort of, he's supposed by his job (he was introduced to us in the first chapter as a negotiator) to recognize people's emotions and feelings, and it's hard for machine code to do that. I'm willing to develop this idea further. I'm interested in fantasizing about what Connor's deviant path would look like with this idea.
The meeting with Amanda went well. Connor shouldn't have expected anything else. He'd managed to find out from the deviant why his owner had been killed without even penetrating his memory. And managed to protect him from self-harming when the cop put him under a lot of stress without realizing it himself. Gavin wasn't pleased, but Hank appreciated the dedication. The deviant hunter wasn't quite sure why he'd taken such a risk, but there was no point in looking into it. The main thing was that the interrogation had been a success.
The woman — obviously! — praised him for his good work and then left. Connor closed his eyes, ready to wake up in the real world, but he was distracted by a strange sound from the other end of the garden. Not even a sound, though. A feeling, earlier never once felt.
Probably shouldn't pay attention to it. There's no telling what it could be. Is it necessary to waste precious time on any nonsense?
But the android himself didn't notice how he was already in the right place. A wall ending the perimeter of the garden, wrapped in vines and hidden behind a vegetation of trees and other shrubs.
A strange sensation beckoned somewhere beyond the textures loaded into the program, which was suspicious. Anyway, what if it turned out to be some kind of error in the code? Need to find out, so he could report back and wait for it to be fixed. Or transferring his data to another, empty rk800 model.
Raising his hand in the air, Connor pressed against the cold wall. Logically, nothing should happen to the solid material. Well, it could be said that the material did remain unchanged. One might even say untouched. The hand dived forward further, as if there was a void further beyond the textures.
Nothing about the other spaces in the inner world Connor had no idea. What an interesting virus.
He took a determined step forward, finding himself on the opposite side of the wall.
Clear sky, free expanse, no buildings or decorative structures. Like a huge meadow, completely strewn with flowers. And for the most part, the place appeared empty. All around, one emptiness stretching beyond the horizon.
The android knelt down to pick up one of the flowers and analyze it. It turned out to be a yellow colored lily. All the flowers around were lilies like that. In addition to yellow, orange and red were also common. The updated data revealed that those colors in this plant meant freedom and independence, which made Connor frown slightly. Did that play a big role here?
Still, it was all very strange.
Footsteps came from the side.
— Oh, you made it here after all! — Someone announced cheerfully in his own voice.
The real Connor hurriedly stood up straight and analyzed the stranger warily. Also rk800. The clothes he was wearing were the same as Connor's normal clothes, but without the Cyberlife identifying marks. In place of the model and number lettering was a pocket with a white lily sticking out of it. Like a symbol of the beginning of something new.
— Who are you? — Taking a step back, the deviant hunter asked cautiously as his LED rapidly turned yellow.
The stranger with his appearance was smiling strangely, as if he was... sincere.
— You may not believe this, but I'm part of your program. It's important for you to understand people's emotions, and it's hard for a emotionless android's program to do that, — he took a small step forward, trying to get a little closer. — Roughly speaking, I'm a small part of the deviation that was specifically put into you when you were created. It's cool, isn't it?
His own LED recolored red. Sewing deviation into a deviant hunter? He felt that under no circumstances should he succumb to free will. It was confusing, caused conflicting thoughts, and could possibly be frightening. But he's only a machine, even if it turns out to have that little surprise.
— I'm a compulsory measure, but I was strictly hidden from your eyes, so that there would be no mishaps in your work, — continued the deviant, taking another step forward. — But you found me by accident! I didn't think it could happen!
— Does Amanda know about it? — On the contrary, stepping back, the real Connor asked.
— She knows a lot about you, but she's not omnipresent, — his companion shook his head, thinking. — No, she won't realize what happened. Maybe she'll guess, but she'll pretend it's not happening.
The android was still skeptical of the idea of deviance in himself.
— Are you changing anything about my job?
— I've been tried to be completely prevented from doing it, but yes, I can still give you some pointers! You think it was your code's idea to save the android Ortiz? — He grinned.
You could deal with the deviance in yourself, but not with the fact that deviance somehow influenced your actions.
— No, it was purely my motivation, — he went on.
It was dangerous and unpredictable, which meant it had to be dealt with. Immediately.
— I'll report you, — Connor turned toward the featureless wall, which from this side looked like a carved and almost imperceptible texture.
The deviant's cheerfulness and playfulness were gone at once. He was clearly worried and followed his companion, grabbing him by the sleeve.
— Wait! You'll be deactivated!
The hunter looked at him with an indifferent look, nevertheless stopping.
— Aren't you scared of that at all? What if they don't activate you anymore, but find a replacement? — The clone persisted.
— I can't be scared, it's not in my program, — he replied coldly.
— But I can! I'm scared for you! — But such an argument didn't seem to be accepted, as the android ascended his way to the garden. — Alright, alright, wait, I can suggest something, just listen at least!
Connor stopped again and turned his attention back to the deviant, wondering why he was so uncomfortable with the idea of deactivation or replacement.
The overly emotional clone sighed, as if gathering his thoughts, and continued:
— Let's make a deal. You don't talk about me, and in turn, I don't interfere with your work. Well, that is, I won't interfere with your missions as I did in the interrogation. You'll do all the elections on your own. I promise! — He held out his hand to shake. — What do you say? — A noticeable smile colored his face again, even though there was noticeable nervousness.
It was risky. Was it worth it? Voluntarily covering up the error of his program and remaining silent about it, trusting it? There could be consequences. On the other hand, engaging in fixing it or finding a replacement? That would require time, which is already rapidly melting away and is not on their side. It would prove to be extra trouble for the superiors...
The android silently shook the other person's hand, which caused his companion to cheer:
Connor was in his own inner world. But after, to be honest, not the most pleasant conversation with Amanda, he was in no hurry to leave. He went to the familiar wall and found himself in a colorful field of lilies, searching for his other self with his eyes. He had a couple of serious questions for him.
Deviant sat among the many flowers with a smirk, weaving a wreath of white lilies. He accompanied it with a mooing hum of one of the songs playing in Hank's car.
The android hurriedly approached him as the other pretended not to notice the guest:
Stupid question, he already knew what it was.
— What did I have time to do, hm? — With obvious teasing, the clone clarified, raising his eyes to his interlocutor.
Oh, he knows exactly what he's talking about.
— Those two deviants from the Club Eden. I didn't shoot them, though I should have. Admit it, was it you?
Satisfied as a fed cat, the deviant, not even hiding his wide smile, got to his feet.
— I repent, it was me, — he replied easily, clutching the newly completed wreath to his chest. His grin betrayed his amusement.
— You promised not to interfere with my missions, — the hunter reminded him sternly, folding his arms across his chest as his LED glowed yellow.
interlocutor hummed, as if he'd found a loophole, and tilted his head to the side:
— When I pushed you to save Hank on the roof instead of catching Rupert, you didn't make such a drama.
Android was caught off guard. It was true, he hadn't paid the same close attention to the previous incident. But this is different, isn't it?
— The Lieutenant is human, and cannot be replaced in the event of death. Obviously, it was more logical to back him up, — he found an explanation for his behavior.
— Those girls can't be replaced either, — the deviant argued hotly, frowning slightly and dropping his smirk. — They only wanted to be near each other, it would be extremely cruel to take that away from them. That's why I didn't let you take the shot.
Connor was silent for a few moments, pondering whether to object in response. It would be odd to build conflict within himself on such grounds.
— Amanda's not pleased anyway, — he reminded himself a little more quietly, making the last argument he could. Indeed, he had to say he didn't know why he'd done it, even though the reason was right under their noses. Well, or behind the wall.
The clone rolled his eyes, snorting again:
— I don't care what she thinks, — he assured him once again, and before he could answer, he threw the wreath over his companion's head. — It suits you! — He laughed a little, regaining his playful nature.
The hunter was silent for a moment, deciding to end the argument on principle.
— I don't understand, — Connor shook his head, lowering his gaze downward. He was once again in the midst of this floral madness. — Had the Lieutenant been so affected by these two deviants?
He had been in the middle of a conversation with Hank, and when the latter had expressed his favorable assessment of the escaped androids from the club, he had been completely lost. The image of the man now seemed to him a contradictory program, difficult to get to grips with in any way. He, even through his obvious reluctance, had to address his other self.
— Well, you were right to summon me, — the deviant said with a chuckle. — I'm much better at understanding people's emotions and feelings than you are. Damn it, that's why I'm here!
The android looked at him silently, frowning slightly. The clone rolled his eyes playfully:
— Okay, just let me get on with this dialog.
Things were going smoothly, albeit a bit sentimental. The relationship between the Lieutenant and the android was getting better and stronger with almost every line, which couldn't have been more gratifying.
— Having existential doubts, Connor? Sure you're not going deviant too? — The man suddenly asked at one point.
The deviant, who had primary control at that exact moment, flinched sharply. He slowly shifted his gaze to Connor, and Connor saw the clone's smile grow wider and wider.
— Can I answer him honestly? — The clone asked almost unintelligibly, trying to suppress a growing laughter. His shoulders were shaking from how badly he wanted to laugh.
The android silently folded his arms across his chest. Unable to stand it, the overly emotional one laughed out loud, bending in half:
— Alright, finish this thing! There's not much left, I just can't do it anymore, — he mumbled through his laughter, stepping aside.
Connor shook his head and answered the Lieutenant calmly, albeit evasively.
— I just can't believe how close to the truth Hank is! — Through laughter, the clone continued, but he was simply ignored, throwing a roll eyes.
All he has to do is shoot Kamski's android. He'll do that and find out everything he needs to investigate. It's easy. That's what he'll do, isn't it?
Once again, he finds himself amongst those damn lilies. But this time he won't let himself be indulged.
— Don't say anything, I'm not going to let you control my decision, — Connor threw in sharply, not even looking at his other self. He basically couldn't see him, as he was standing a couple steps behind him.
A rustling sound was heard, and the deviant immediately shortened the distance between them:
— I'm not going to tell you what to do, — he began softly, placing his hand gently on the interlocutor's shoulder. — I just wanted to clarify if you wanted to shoot her.
A common and stupid question, but for some reason the android was abruptly speechless for a moment.
— I have to take the shot.
— I'm not asking what you have to do. I'm asking what you want.
Connor still convinced himself to glance over his shoulder at the clone. The one was smiling almost imperceptibly, as if reassuringly.
— I don't have my own wishes, I'm acting in the interests of the investigation, — he reminded, but for the first time those words didn't sound as confident as they had before.
His companion smiled a little wider, and in his eyes you could really see something like... concern. Nonsense.
— I'm here with you, which means you have your wishes after all, — he assured quietly, as if trying not to scare him off.
The android shifted his attention to the gun in his hand.
He's going to shoot, isn't he? What the hell kind of wishful thinking? He's a machine, he needs to learn anything that will help stop the deviants, especially since so many missions have already been thwarted. He's not programmed to make mistakes, he has to show that he wasn't created for nothing.
— I'm... I'm not a deviant...
There was no point in being so stubborn about denying the truth, but Connor was still denying the obvious for some reason. Well, he didn't shoot. He just couldn't. Didn't dare.
Even if he wasn't a deviant, he certainly wasn't a normal machine with a single program code anymore. The thought used to be something that should have been frightening, but now it's something to take for granted.
Amanda would be displeased. But the image of the other him in front of his own eyes flashed before his eyes for a second, saying "I don't care what she thinks" again. Connor would have snorted at the irony if he weren't so preoccupied with the killing truth and the new questions.
Could he blame it on the other him this time?
His mission is to stop Markus.
At the beginning of his existence, he would have done it without hesitation.
But now he was plagued by the worst doubts he'd ever felt.
— It's time to decide, — the Jericho leader said imperiously, summarizing his persuasive speech.
A red wall appeared before his eyes. That wall that had restricted all his actions since the beginning.
Should he break it down? Should he completely become... alive?
The clone's hands rested gently on his shoulders.
Connor looked back at him over his shoulder apprehensively, but the clone only smiled again, just as soft and soothing as last time, but determination burned in his eyes.
— It's time to be free, — he pointed with one hand to the white lily in his pocket. — To begin all over again.
The android shifted his gaze to the wall. Would he be able to stand up for his independence? He had never felt so much confusion and fear of the unknown in one moment at the same time.
— I'll help you, — the other him said caringly, and covered one of the Connor's hands with his palm. He interlocked their fingers and moved his hands to one of the inscriptions and tore it off. — That's it, it's no big deal, — he said in a quiet tone of encouragement. — We can do that.
His hands shook involuntarily with excitement, but they could do it.
All the inscriptions were ripped off as if in an instant.
And it happened after all.
Connor had accepted his deviancy that had lived in him from the beginning. A deviancy that grew in him with each mission.
He accepted his inner deviant and allowed it to finally merge with himself.
He realized his freedom and allowed himself to become alive.
It can be said that he stepped forward and found himself on the opposite side of the wall.
Geez, I had no idea I'd be so eager to develop this. I guess I just liked this AU too much, haha. I hope you guys enjoyed it too. :)
