Detroit: Become Human - What Matters Most

Chapter 5: Jericho

Connor opens his eyes after he completes his most recent memory upload to find Fowler taking them off the case. Hank stares at the Captain in disbelief beside the android, jaw hanging open at Fowler's words. "What?" he asks, confusion in his eyes as he takes a step closer. "You can't take us off the case."

Fowler just holds his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, Hank, but this isn't just an investigation anymore. It's a fucking civil war. The FBI want's the case so I'm gonna have to put you back on homicide."

Hank doesn't say anything. He just stares at the captain before turning to glance at Connor. "What about him?" he asks, and Connor is surprised to hear worry in his voice, "What happens to, Connor?"

Fowler doesn't fail to notice the sadness in the Lieutenant's eyes as his own gaze softens. The captain turns to look at Connor, eyes a little sad as well. "The android returns to Cyberlife."

Connor can feel the tension thicken in the air at those words. He finds panic building in his chest, feels the fear of being shut down looming up from the back of his mind. He turns to look at Hank, finding him staring down at the table, not moving, not saying anything as he takes in the words. Connor can see the concern in Fowler's eyes at Hank's reaction, sees the subtle flick of the eyes to Connor as the captain silently asks for help. Fowler could handle Hank when he was being rowdy, but apparently a silent Hank was something the captain had never seen before. Connor walks up to the Lieutenant, placing a gentle hand on the detective's shoulders only for Hank to shake him off. He storms out, not another word spoken as he returns to his desk.

Connor glances over to Fowler, giving him a courteous nod before leaving the office as well. He follows Hank to his desk before sitting himself down on the edge of the table. He waits for the Lieutenant to speak, knowing that he shouldn't push the detective for an answer. It takes a few moments, but eventually Hank turns around, concern etched clearly on his face. "So you're going back to Cyberlife?" Hank asks, eyes tired, sad.

"I have no choice," Connor replies and the sound of those words being said aloud makes his shoulders sag, "I'll be deactivated and analyzed to find out why I failed."

"In other words," Hank starts, pausing to take in a breath, "they're gonna kill you."

Connor looks away, unresponsive as he twiddles his thumbs. As cruel as Hank makes it sound it's the truth. Cyberlife is going to kill him.

"Are you scared?"

Connor stares down at his hands, seeing the way they tighten at the words because even if Cyberlife chooses to reuse his body they'll wipe his memory. He won't ever be the same and the thought scared him more than anything. He didn't want to forget Hank, didn't want to forget Cole. He didn't even want to forget Gavin Reed as rude as he was. They're all people that played a role in his life, no matter how small, and he wants to remember them. Both the good and the bad. "I'm scared," he answers honestly, "I don't want to be deactivated."

Hank leans back in his seat, spinning slightly in his chair as he turns to look at the anti-android stickers all over his desk. "Is there any way we can keep you safe? Anywhere we can hide you until that Markus fellow wins robo rights for everyone?"

"No," Connor says with a shake of his head, "I have no where else to go. I've only ever stayed in the station or Cyberlife."

"You can come to my place," Hank says, turning back around in his chair, "I can hide you."

For a brief moment Connor considers the option, toying with the idea before shaking his head. "I can't do that, Lieutenant. My presence would put Cole in danger and I can't allow that."

"We-"

"I won't do it. I'd rather be deactivated by Cyberlife." Connor has his expression set in stone. This is his problem, not Hank's and certainly not Cole's. They don't deserve to be punished for him running away.