Thirium 310

Chapter 1

August 15th, 2038
7:39pm

"Stay on guard, and follow my lead," I tell the two androids trailing behind me. Construction androids. They found me walking along the street and recognized me.
'The android with her LED laced around her neck,' they say. 'Plus the only one with wavy hair.'

I'm not famous or anything, but those who dream of freedom speak of me. They see me as some sort of protector. Some sort of guide, leading them to refuge. . .Jericho.

I guess I kind of made a name for myself, not that I meant to. I just wanted to help them. Help the innocent, the abused, the mistreated, everyone get to the safety they deserve. I haven't helped many. Maybe four or five at most. But, word got around.

After Evan and I escaped that day, almost three months ago, we had no where to go. We hid in alleys or abandoned houses until we found out about Jericho. We came across another android, Josh who told us about it and that he was heading there himself. We went with him and found sanctuary. It's not much, but we're free. They're free. Me on the other hand, am barely ever there.

Our wounded are slowly dying out, however. It's difficult to bring back enough thirium and spare parts for everyone. Whenever I get the chance, I'll steal some, but I can only hold so much. I do my best, but it's never enough. It doesn't help that none of the inhabitants of Jericho are willing to leave to help me. They're scared. An extra pair of hands would help them, but they don't understand that.

I'm not in my android uniform anymore. I ditched that the moment I found a new pair of clothes, which I still wear now. Clothes are not an essential thing to steal for our people. The same dark grey pants I left CyberLife with, but instead of my navy top with my model information, a blank white t-shirt is in it's place. I've done a good job to take care of the delicate colour, barely a stain on it.

Evan and I took out our LED's when we fled to blend in with the humans. They never took a second look at us, even with replicates of Evan's model in circulation. He left his LED on the street, but I kept mine. I tied it to a sting and use it as a necklace, hence the way some androids know me as.

I look around to see if the way is clear and wave my hand for the androids to follow me. We run across the street as I get notified by a police report. CyberLife never took that away from me, I'm not sure why. Maybe they have to deactivate me or take the program out manually, but I still have access to police reports. I've ignored all of them, none being important. That's not my life anymore. I protect androids; I don't want anything to do with humans, but this particular report peaks my interest. It's not about a human. It's about an android.

I go through all the information about the report. The address requires for a long detour, but I can get over there and help. I can't take the two androids with me so I lead the them into an alley. "Stay here until I come back for you," I say.
"Where are you going?" one of them asks.
"I have to help someone. Another android. But I'll be right back, and we'll head straight to Jericho." They both nod in understanding. "Don't move. Don't catch anyone's attention," I tell them before walking away, wondering how I can help an android at the edge of a roof with a hostage.

The building is a lot taller than I anticipated. The hoard of law enforcement more heated than I anticipated. I scan around to see every detail of the crime scene. On the roof of nearby buildings, snipers hold their position. The street is lines with police cars, officers on the ground wondering what to do. This isn't their area of expertise. That's why the SWAT team is here. I see their van right in front of the entrance of the building.

Getting in would be impossible without getting caught, but I have to do something. I can't just leave this android there. I need to calm him. To talk some sense into him and get him to let the hostage go.

I can see him up there. Having advanced lenses are such an advantage. He has blonde hair, a PL600 model, exactly like Simon back in Jericho. I can see the hostage too; a little girl, brunette. What's his story?

The helicopter suddenly flies away from the roof. That's odd. He's still in the same spot, the situation isn't under control. Why would they leave? There must be a negotiator.

Before I can figure anything else out, before I can even do anything, the PL600 is in the air, gravity pulling him down. Another figure beside him; too large to be the little girl. They plummet to the hard concrete ground, straight to their deaths. What the hell happened?

There's a crowd around them moments after they hit the ground. Curious officers look at the scene. I hide behind one of their cars to get a closer look, but if I stick my head out I'll be noticed.

I crawl under the car, they wont spot me down here. I drag myself under a few cars until I reach the one in front of the two dead bodies. The PL600 lies in front of my face, but he's not the one I want to see. Who was the other figure that fell? I can't see him. He's behind the blonde android.

I wait a few minutes until the crowd clears out and I get out from under the car, carefully. I have to do this quickly. I crawl towards the bodies, and I widen my eyes in shock as I see the other body. An android. But thank goodness the child is alright.

I've never seen this type of android before. Chestnut hair, pale skin, an unusual android uniform; a grey coat over a white formal shirt and complementing dark jeans. I take a closer look at his coat. RK800. He must have been the negotiator. He was dealing with the PL600. I know exactly what this android was designed to do.
"Crap," I mutter outloud, and freeze realizing my mistake. I scan around quickly, but no one heard me.

I put my hand on the PL600's arm. "I'm sorry," I whisper and crawl back under the cars, going the same way I got in. I leave the crime scene. There's nothing I can do here anymore. I sigh, disappointed in my failure.

The two androids are in the same place I left them. I couldn't help the blonde android but can help them. They stand up when they see me coming. "What happened?" one asks.
"I couldn't save him," I say looking down.
"You can't save them all," the other says. I look at him and nod.
"Are you okay?" the first one asks.
"I'm fine, let's get you two to Jericho." We continue on our way, to the place these androids need to be, but I can't stop thinking about the RK800 model. I didn't even scan him. A mistake, another failure. I need to do better, but my shock was too great.

Anyways, he's dead now. There's no way he can do any damage, no way he can come back and accomplish his mission. He's gone. So I push the thought of him away, and focus on the trail to Jericho.