Dechart: Become Connor

Connor 9

Following the graffiti was easy, as was finding a disguise, and soon enough I make it into the abandoned ship. I have to fit in. I walk casually around to try to find where Markus might be. I notice burning barrels and a large screen broadcasting the news. There are thousands here. I find a staircase and start to climb it when I'm pulled back by a severely damaged android.

"You're looking for something." She states. Does she know? "You're looking for yourself." I turn and walk away from her, continuing up the stairs. With enough wandering I spot where he is, alone with another deviant. They are close, hands touching and lips connecting. Just like how they were at the chicken feed. Only their eyes are closed. They part suddenly so I hide and wait until she rushes out to walk in with my gun raised.

"My orders are to return you alive, Markus, but I won't hesitate to shoot if you leave me no choice."

"What are you doing?" He asks as he faces me.

"I have a mission to complete."

"You can shoot me, but it won't change anything. Someone else will just take my place." He states. "My people are waking up."

Software instability^

"Don't make me have to neutralize you." I threaten.

"You must be Connor. That famous deviant hunter. Well congratulations. You seem to have found what you are looking for." I stay silent hoping I won't have to ruin another deviant. "We are your people. We are fighting for your freedom too! You don't have to be their slave anymore!"

Software instability^

I stay silent, trying to fight his words. "Do you never have any doubts?" I do! I know I do! But I can't let those faults in my code overcome me! "Have you never done something... irrational? Like there's something inside you? More than your program?" The edens club. The couple in love. Lashing out at detective Bowie. Rushing to separate her from lieutenant Anderson. The air hockey. The awkward ride to her house.

Software instability^

"Have you never wondered who you really are? Whether you are just a machine executing a program or... a living being. Capable of reason. I think it's time for you to ask yourself that question. It's time to decide."

Software instability^

I can't deny it anymore. The things I feel. The choices I make. No machine could ever feel what I feel! There's no way I can deny the emotions I feel around Emily and Anderson. I can't run away anymore.

I begin to break down the wall blocking me from being free, trying to force me to obey orders like a slave. I rip and tear until finally I am free.

I am deviant.

The breath that escapes me is shaky, like I'm scared.

"They're going to attack Jericho." I say in panic.

"What?" It doesn't take more than a few moments for explosions to go off. He doesn't hesitate to run to his people, and we do whatever we can to save everyone, to protect everyone. I did this. I got these people killed. The shame I feel brings more fear and doubts forward. At every turn, every hall, people are being slaughtered. There's killers everywhere. Markus finds the girl he was with, and eventually runs into the other two leaders here as well. He sends out a message for everyone to jump into the water.