(Not) Alive - Machine | Detroit Become Human [finished]

1111 - Machine

Angie took a deep breath before opening the door leading to the roof of the building overlooking the Hart Plaza. Connor was there, he was kneeling near the edge, his eye glued to the scope of a sniper rifle, lit by a huge billboard.  The city lights were reflected on the ground wet by the melted snowflakes. She shielded her heart and quickly approached the android, drawing her weapon.

- Put that rifle down and step away from the ledge, Connor, she ordered.

He tilted his head to show her that he had heard her but stayed in his place without looking back.

- Keep out of this, Angie.  It's none of your business, he told her.

- Of course it is, I respect life, because I've got a conscience... unlike you, she added, whispering, to convince herself.

- Deviants are not alive and they're a threat to humans. They're the reason this country is on the brink of civil war! They have to be stopped.

He really believed in what he said, he was so stubborn!  Or at least he was programmed to be.

- I said step away from the ledge, she repeated more firmly, aiming her gun at him.

He sighed but finally stood up.  She was surprised that he obeyed so quickly, did she have any influence over him after all?  He turned to her, his long gun pointed at the ground and she held her breath.  How handsome he was!  She ached at the sight of that perfect face that looked so stern.

- What are you gonna do ?  He challenged her. You gonna shoot me?!  I thought androids lives mattered to you.

- You said it yourself, Connor, you're not alive, she forced herself to say.  And you know perfectly that I'll shoot you if I have to ...

- After all we've been through... he muttered, capitulating, at least this time.

He dropped his gun and it bounced off the ground, then Connor slowly backed up to the edge of the roof.

- I respected you, Angie.  I thought we were friends.

A wave of sadness then seized the young woman upon hearing these words, she believed it too.  She glanced down the building, inhaling slowly to fight the feeling of dizziness.  She focused her attention on Connor again, put her gun away since he had let go of his, and approached slightly to give more impact to her bitter words.

- I thought so too, but you don't even know the meaning of the word, Connor!  Unlike deviants, you don't feel emotions, you just fake them!  The illusion was perfect for the time it lasted, but it no longer works ...

Who was she trying to convince with her vehement words?  Him or herself?  She blinked so he didn't see the tears rising in her eyes and how the situation was tearing her apart.  But it was wasted effort.

- I'm sorry, he whispered, stepping back again, I didn't want to hurt you.

At the ledge, he let himself fall back, but Angie caught him in extremis by the collar of his jacket and kept him in unstable balance.  If she let him go, he would crash ten floors down.

Despite her recent fear of heights and despite having told him that he was not alive, she couldn't help but hold him back.  Why ?  Why couldn't she convince herself that he was just a machine without feelings? He spread his arms and as if in response to her thoughts, he challenged her.

- The moment of truth, Angie, Am I a living being... or just a machine?

She looked him in the eyes, intensely, tears, that she couldn't hold back, mingling with the melting snow on her cheeks.