@bitterbadge sent: sacrifice : my muse jumps in front of your muse, sacrificing their life for your muses life.
It was made clear long ago that Hank didn’t like to see Connor dying. Even if he always came back with his memories uploaded in a shiny new model, it wasn’t easy on the Lieutenant to witness. The two had come to care for each other more strongly than expected. It was because of the old man that Connor had even been able to experience what deviancy was. Freedom was hard and confusing at times, as he was programmed to follow orders and knew nothing else, but he was liking this new life he was being introduced to.
But that was all coming to a screeching halt. An android who had gone off the rails had pulled a gun on Connor, and he knew that this would be the end. After his betrayal, he knew Amanda wouldn’t bother with him anymore. Death would be final, like it was for so many other androids. For a moment, Connor could only stare down the barrel of the gun. His hands were tied. There was nothing he could do in this situation except try to talk the android down, but it was clear that it didn’t want to talk. His gaze was then on Hank, his LED flashing a bright red and his brows pulling together in a way that expressed sadness. Yes, he was sad. Sad that this was goodbye. Sad that this would be his final moments with Hank. No more missions. No more bantering back and forth or watching late night football with Sumo on the couch. No more anything.
The shot was fired, but instead of blue he saw red. Deep, crimson red. And then there was Hank, lying on the floor in the pool of red that only continued to grow. It was his own blood. Overcome by emotions he hadn’t ever felt to this degree before, Connor reached for his gun that had been knocked away from him and fired at the other android, shooting it square in the head and resulting in it dropping to the floor. Connor, too, was on the floor. On his knees, he knelt down beside Hank, grabbing him by the shoulders and lifting his upper body onto his lap. Blood was leaking from the corners of his mouth, indicating just how lethal the wounds were. Connor could see just by using his built in program to scan the wound from the bullet. It was, in fact, fatal and had punctured a vital organ. It was only a matter of minutes, if that, before Hank would bleed out and his life would be lost.
There wasn’t much time, but Connor acted quick in getting into contact with the police, informing them of the situation and that paramedics were required immediately. For the first time, Connor found his hands trembling. One of them cradled Hank’s head in his lap, the other reaching for the wound to press against it and attempt to slow the bleeding. “Hang on, Lieutenant. Paramedics will be here shortly.” But there was no response; only shallow breathing that was beginning to cease altogether. It was probably for the best that he didn’t try to waste what little energy he had left for speaking. Connor’s eyes met Hank’s own half lidded ones. Those familiar, tired eyes that had seen and endured so much. Those same eyes that crinkled at the corners and held a certain warmth when he smiled and laughed. He could see the life draining from them, and soon it was as if he was looking past Connor rather than at him.
“Hank?” Connor pulled him further up into his arms, giving him a slight shake. His weight became heavier. “Stay with me.” There was no response. Not even so much as a blink or breath. Suddenly, the android was met with an overwhelming feeling of dread, and when he activated his program to look into Hank’s eyes again, he was met with a result he never wished to see:
[ HANK ANDERSON: DECEASED ]
A few seconds ticked by while the realization settled in. Hank was gone. Hank was gone and he was never coming back. From here on out, he had no partner, no companion, no friend. An unpleasant feeling settled within him; something he wished he never had to feel with being a deviant. It was overwhelming and in a way, he supposed it...Hurt. Tears welled up in Connor’s eyes, face burying against the top of Hank’s head as he held him close. “I’m sorry,” he spoke, words muffled from being pressed against his hair. “I failed you.” He was supposed to aid and protect Hank, and Connor had always been confident in accomplishing his missions. But here he was, laying dead in his arms.
