An Imitation of Love (A Detroit: Become Human Story)

Chapter 16

"At 6AM this morning, a national curfew was declared," President Warren began in her press conference. "Civilian movement will be strictly controlled, the right to assembly is suspended, all electronic communications are restricted, and I have granted enhanced powers to our security agencies. In addition to these measures, all androids must be handed over to the authorities immediately. Temporary camps are being set up in all our major cities to contain and destroy them. I am now asking all civilians to co-operate with the authorities, and rest assured that everything in our power is being done to guarantee the security of our nation."

"Security my ass," Sebastien scoffed. "I never liked that woman."

"She's just doing her job as president," Alexios responded.

"Well, she's doing a shitty job, Lex," Sebastien shook a fist in the air. A couple of days after the attack on Jericho, Markus was now leading them, along with thousands of other androids, through the streets of downtown Detroit. They were making their way towards a detainment camp, in Hart Plaza, housing androids that were set to be destroyed. The camp was guarded by U.S. soldiers and on the outside of the camp a mile long fence of cement blocks and steel rails traveled along the length of the roads. Markus wanted to peacefully protest their release, so they were all going to peacefully protest.

With the few days Sebastien spent with the androids, he began to see them as close friends. He wanted to stand with them. He wanted to fight with them. He wanted them to be safe. Humanity had a long and bloody history with destroying what they didn't understand, were afraid of, or what they perceived as a threat. Unfortunately, the androids fit into all three of those categories. It wasn't fair. None of this was.

The snow fell down in clumps as the temperature continued to decrease in the late night. With help from Alexios, North, Simon, and Josh, Sebastien was bundled up with enough clothing and rations to last a lengthy blizzard. Since he was the only human among them, it was easy enough to get him what he needed. Best case scenario, they'd be there for a couple of days. Worst case scenario, they'd be shot on sight. Markus knew that once they started their demonstration, they were going to stay put until it was resolved, once and for all.

An attack copter flew overhead, shining its light on them all. Sebastien saw soldiers lined up with their weapons ready along the walls of the camp. Humvees and cement blocks barricaded the area. As they continued approaching the camp, Sebastien's heart palpitated in his chest. Alexios took his hand and squeezed.

"I got you, Bash," Alexios reassured him. "Nothing bad will happen to you."

"I know," Sebastien responded. "Still doesn't mean I won't be scared."

"We're all scared," Josh said to him.

"But you won't be alone in this," Simon spoke next. They continued walking softly towards the entrance of the camp.

"Here we are..." Markus said. "The moment of truth."

"Surrender immediately or we will open fire!" A soldier announced through a megaphone. Sebastien squeezed Alexios's hand tighter.

"Stand by!" The soldier announced to his militia. On one side of the giant fence outside of the camp, Sebastien could see journalists and photographers taking photos. Reporters were speaking through microphones and talking to video cameras. He hoped that they would be able to tell the world what was happening here.

"We don't want confrontation!" Markus shouted aloud for the soldiers to hear. "We are protesting peacefully.

"I repeat: surrender now or we will open fire!" The soldier spoke through the megaphone again.

"They wouldn't, would they?" Sebastien whispered.

"Stay behind me, Bash," Alexios moved in front of Sebastien who clung to the back of Alexios's jacket. Alexios readied himself for bullets to begin flying. Two Humvees sped through the streets blocking the road separating the other marching androids from the front group that included Markus, Simon, Josh, North, Sebastien, and Alexios.

"There's no turning back now," Markus said aloud. "We ask that you release all androids detained in camps and cease all aggression against us. We are peaceful. We will not resort to violence. But we are not leaving until our people are free." Markus continued walking towards the camp with the others following behind.

"Fire!" The soldier shouted in the megaphone. A few rounds of bullets echoed through the night sky. Some of the androids fell to the ground. Sebastien's hold on Alexios made his knuckles appear white. He closed his eyes tightly and breathed heavily through his nose.

"Fire!" The soldier shouted again. More bullets pierced the air as even more androids fell to the snow-stained asphalt as the group continued to walk ahead. Markus raised his hands above his head as the rest of the androids followed suit. Alexios raised his hands as well. Sebastien was too terrified to move a muscle.

"Are you gonna open fire on unarmed protestors?!" Markus shouted the question. A news helicopter circled around, shining a light on the unfolding events between the soldiers and androids. The journalists and reporters from outside the fence continued to quickly take photos and report what was happening. They didn't want to miss anything. After a few seconds of silence that felt like hours, the soldier with the megaphone finally spoke up.

"All teams hold your fire!" The soldier shouted. Sebastien let out a heavy sigh of relief. The soldiers all lowered their weapons as Sebastien finally poked his head out from behind Alexios.

"Are you okay?" Sebastien asked him.

"I'm okay because you're okay, Bash," Alexios hugged him tightly. "You were so brave."

"Markus, what do we do now?" Simon asked him, awaiting the next part of his plan.

"We hold out," Markus told him. "As long as we can." They had prepared for this. Sebastien was prepared for this. The many layers he had on was keeping him nice and toasty. The rations would last him for a while. Finding a bathroom could prove difficult though, but he was sure Alexios could sneak them away when he needed to relieve himself.