Dechart: Become Connor

Connor 7

As I explore the room at the news tower, evidence leads me to believe a deviant had let them in. I'm pointed to the kitchen where the androids are stored and I try to provoke a reaction from the deviant. It works, but my pump regulator is yanked from my body and a knife is stabbed through my hand into the counter. I can feel it again, the life draining out of me. 'You're nothing!' I know I don't have Emily anymore to help me, so I reach over any pull the knife from my hand, falling to the ground. The pump is so far, I don't have the energy or time, I might not make it. I might die. As I crawl desperately, I call for Hank to help. He's all I have. I need him.

"Connor!" I look up to see Emily rushing to help me. She replaces the part and I gasp as my system is regulated. I have no time to waste, though.

"It's deviant!" I yell and chase after it. It has already descended down the hall to the elevator, an automatic rifle in hand. I have a choice, protect Hank and Emily, resulting in my own death, or stopping the deviant myself. I know if I move quick enough I can save everyone, so I pull the handgun from the nearest officers holster and smoothly fire a bullet right into the deviants head. It drops lifelessly and I know I have done what I can, so I walk to the elevator to leave.

"Hey!" I hear Detective Bowie call for me, then I feel her pull on my sleeve.

"What is it, detective?" I ask as I turn to face her in the elevator.

"You're hurt." She observes.

"I don't feel pain, Detective, and the damage will be easily repaired by cyberlife." I tell her .

"You could've died!" She exclaims.

"I'm not alive." I remind her. Before I could react she slaps me hard across my face.

Software instability^

"Yes you are." She growls. I go to protest but she pulls out a knife from her belt loop.

"Detective-"

"I can't do this anymore Connor. I don't want to live. I'm done." She whispers, holding the knife to her throat. I feel my heart race as blood trickles down past her collarbone.

Software instability^^

"What are you doing?!" I snap, grabbing her wrist and forcing the knife from her grip.

"What does it look like?" She asks with tears streaming down her face.

"Why?" I question harshly.

"Why stop me?"

"Because you don't deserve to die!" I yell with determination. I won't let her die. She can't.

"You're just programmed to say that shit. You don't care and neither does anyone else." For someone reason, I'm unable to speak. I wanted to correct her. Tell her I do care, that I want her to be alive. But there's no way I want that. I don't want anything. I don't feel anything.

Software instability^

The door opens and she pushes me off of her to leave, but I'm still just stuck. I can't conclude why this is happening, why I've been... having these absurd thoughts. Everytime I'm with her or Anderson it almost seems like I'm feeling things. It's impossible. I'm nothing but a machine. Machines can't feel jealousy or anger or regret. I wasn't jealous I was just continuing my mission. I had to notify them of the report. It was just... inconvient that their lips were so close together. Almost touching. Who knows what would've happened if I didn't stop them! They could've gotten intimate! Not that that bothers me! Right? It would just make this investigation more difficult!

Software instability^

"Connor?" The lieutenants voice cuts through my thoughts.

"Yes, lieutenant?" I answer.

"Are you... where Emily?" He asks awkwardly.

"I'm unsure exactly. She seemed upset, so she most likely went to her house."

"Upset? Why? What happened?" 'You don't care'

"She... started doubting her value." I try to be as vague as I can. Why?

Software instability^

"And??" He edges.

"And she left."

"You didn't try to stop her?!" He scolds. I didn't know what to say.

"I... no." I admit.

"Jesus Connor!" He pulls out his phone, to call her I assume, and she denies the call. "Shit!" He tries again and again but eventually it just goes straight to voicemail. He grabs the collar of my shirt and pins me against the wall. "If something happened to her, if she's hurt in anyway, I'll fucking kill you myself." He threatens. I find it in my better judgement to not bring up my state as a machine, seeing how upset it seems to make people.

"I'm sure she's fine, lieutenant." I say.

"She fucking better be." He spits, letting me go. I straighten myself out and the doors open for us to step out. We leave the building and head to his car, silently driving off to the station.

"You made eye contact before you went to kiss her. Is there any reason for that?" I question randomly. Where did this come from?

"What? Does it bother you?" He asks. I can tell he is smirking. Of course it did!

"Why would it bother me?" I counter.

"Why are you still thinking about it?" He counters. Why am I still thinking about it?

Software instability^

"I.. don't know." I answer honestly. When we arrive at the station, we say our goodbyes and he drives off.