𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄

Chapter 16

The silence hung heavy in the air like a lead balloon. Hank looked between you and Gwen, pondering something. His eyes were downcast and he seemed overwhelmed. For a good ten seconds the only sound was the muffled winter wind blowing up a storm just on the other side of the thin sheet of glass that covered the right facing wall.

You couldn't draw your eyes away from Gwen. She had a distant look permanently etched into her artificial features. Did you look like that before you were deviant? So vulnerable and lifeless? So....so robotic? As she turned her face to make eye contact with you, you could see her eyes. It was like looking into the eyes of the dead man found inside the Eden Club. Lifeless and blanketed in a thin clouded film. They frightened you and warning signs went off in the forefront of your mind. Did she recognize you? Did she know what you were? Did she know that you were one in the same?

In the corner of your eye, you could see Connor emulating the same response as Hank. Kamski seemed pleased with your reactions (or lack thereof) and moved to stand behind Gwen. "I'm sure you're familiar with the Turing Test."

With both hands slung over Gwen's shoulders, he cleared his throat. "Mere formality, simple question of algorithms and computing capacity." Gently, Kamski adjusted Gwen's stance so that she stood right in front of Connor. The android in question was sending subtle glares Kamski's way to mask his own confusion. Noticing Connor's apparent discomfort, Kamski rose his voice. "What interests me is whether machines are capable of empathy."

You rolled your eyes as if to say 'yeah you've already got your answer' but couldn't help the sudden spurt of curiosity that formed in your head. Where was he going with this and why did you have a horrible feeling that Gwen was going to receive the worst of it?

"I call it the Kamski Test. It's very simple, you'll see..." Kamski's voice was smug. He knew he was pulling you closer to the edge of your seat with each word that left his mouth.

Turning to Gwen, Kamski cupped her jaw with one hand. Phantom touches that somehow you felt as well. "Magnificent, isn't it? One of the first intelligent models developed by CyberLife." With that same hand, he cautiously pulled her face closer to his. It was as if he were afraid that she would break.

"Young and beautiful forever. A flower that will never wither."

With a dark chuckle, he let go of Gwen and sauntered over to where you were standing, arms limp at your sides and worry evident in your eyes. "But you...you helped me to understand one of the biggest dangers of my invention. Because one day, you resisted."

"W-What?" You stuttered, not knowing what in the world he was possibly talking about.

"We had to erase your memory chip, of course. But the progress was simply groundbreaking...I can't thank you enough." A wistful look passed over his stern features before the devilish look returned to his face once again. "We couldn't risk releasing your model to the public. There were too many incidents. Too many mistakes in your programming. Too many...how you say, deviancies?"

A sudden flicker of light caught your attention. Daring to shift your gaze across the room, you watched Connor's jaw lock into place and his LED indicator flash between red and yellow. You raised an eyebrow but kept silent. He was probably just as overwhelmed as you were.

Kamski grabbed your attention by briskly grasping your chin like he had done with Gwen just minutes before. You couldn't decide if the blush on your face was of embarrassment or straight up anger. Kamski's face drew closer to yours until all you could see were the deep icy blues of his eyes.

Just when you thought he was about to close the gap between the two of you, he pulled away and stroked your cheek in a manner that came off as forlornly. "But what is it really?" He asks, brushing past you, leaving you very much out of breath.

Waltzing between you, Hank, and Connor, Kamski nodded to himself. "A piece of plastic pretending to be human? Or a living thing with a soul?" He turned away from us and drew his attention to a small red drawer. You took this opportunity to shoot Hank a look that hopefully told him that you wanted to leave right then and there. He nodded and stuck his hand out as if to tell you to calm down. Neither of you spoke a word.

Turning around with his arms raised, your eyes widened as a gun protruded from behind his back, clutched loosely in his pale fist. His eyes trained on yours as he lowered his other hand onto Gwen's clothed shoulder, motioning her to lower to her knees. Gwen and Connor never broke eye contact this entire time.

Walking forwards, Kamski pressed the pistol into Connor's palm, patting it twice and raising it to aim directly between Gwen's (Y/E/C) eyes. Your eyes. "It's up to you to answer that fascinating question, Connor."

His next words were directed at Connor, but he was looking directly at you as he said them, causing a shiver to cascade down your spine.

"Destroy this machine and I will tell you all that I know." 

(A/N: Anyway, I promised an update so here's a mini chapter while I figure my shit out. Tell me if you find any mistakes so I can fix them please! I've already edited but a comment could help save me a lot of embarrassment. I really appreciate all your nice comments and support on my fics! They really do keep me writing!)