Danger Close

Stabilized

Continuing in READER'S perspective.

From the moment you had sent Connor away with nothing more than a firm demand, you hadn't moved.

Actually, you couldn't move.

Even then, it was more along the lines of not wanting to move.

At least an hour had passed since Connor had left the apartment, the distant chime of the elevator doors closing still ringing in your ears as if it had just happened moments ago. You still remained on the lounge, positioned almost exactly as before - other than your hands now splayed open in your lap with the palms upwards.

This was worse than a worst case scenario.

It was a Neural Link. One of the most sacred things between a Pilot and their Titan. One that would develop, strengthen, and grow over time. Developing a synchronicity, understanding, and promise between partners which kept you both alive on the battlefield. One that kept you alive during war.

But Connor was far from a Titan. He was designed to look just like a human. And supposedly, Androids were fragile; bled blue among the other things they were meant to do, to function and mirror a human.

Though seemed to lack the disgusting flaws of a self-proclaimed alpha species of humans.

Titans were meant for Battle. War. To dominate the opposition. War Machines that you were able to control when embarking them, 'Piloting' them when united as one. Eliminating any hostiles and capable of destroying hundreds, thousands of lives.

They were monsters.

Just like you.

But Connor?

No. Not Connor. He was nothing like you.

Nothing like the humans that Cyberlife had successfully imitated. At least visually. Nothing like the horrors that you'd faced and experienced. Nothing like the nightmares that kept you awake every night.

Connor was innocent. And now, you would be the cause of his ruin.

The mere thought of hurting him made your stomach turn, and your palms seemed to blur and double as you breathed heavily. You weren't linked to a Titan, but to an Android. How it happened was beyond you, but his AI and system must have been just as complex and sophisticated as the structure of a Titan's mind and chassis.

Just what was the extent of their processors? Just how much of a human did they immitate? Programming or not, did they have the same amount of receptors as people did? Maybe more?

The questions continued to spin and repeat in your mind at blinding speed, so much that everything was now beginning to fade in and out of focus. Your hands clenched repeatedly in your lap, but lifting your head to look at the mess of a bare apartment only made things worse. Legs trembled as you forced yourself onto your feet, one step proving to be extremely difficult as your knees wobbled upon trying to move.