The sun set over Detroit quickly. Buildings and light pollution made the colors dull and boring. Markus closed his eyes,looking into his memories to see what colors should look like. Carl had been a magician with them, no matter how modestly he denied it. Markus missed watching the old man paint. It hurt to remember that he would never get that chance again.
Markus had been walking for hours. Jericho had the oppressive air of fear and hopelessness, and he found himself wanting to get away. He had started walking to clear his head, but the more he watched the humans around him, the more he thought. Now, he was miles from Jericho, in a bad part of town, and he had gotten no peace of mind.
There was a disturbance in an alley. Markus watched from across the street as a shop keeper yelled at a man for loitering. The man looked ragged and staggered unevenly away. He was holding something, but Markus couldn't identify it from here. As he put the item in his pocket, however, something else fell out. Something small and thin.
Markus watched the man turn the corner, oblivious of his mistake. Then he crossed the street, scanned the item, and picked it up. Red ice. It was made with Thirium and some other common components. The crystals were in a thin, plastic package. He put it in his pocket and left. There was nothing more to see. He just wanted to get back to Jericho.
When he entered the common area of the ship, several people glanced up at him. That was about as far as most of them got with socializing. They were distrustful and stuck in their own fears. It made Markus want to hate the humans, but he couldn't stand to hate them all.
"We can't stay silent anymore. It's time humans heard what we have to say."
The androids perked up at that. Some glanced around to see what others thought, some kept their eyes on Markus, eager to finally grasp for hope. North, Simon, and Josh spoke for the group, but in the end, they needed someone to look to for ideas, too. Markus didn't know if he was making the right decisions, but Carl had been right. The day had come for him to make them.
They planned for a few hours before they dispersed again. Markus would need to get an inside android that could let them into the broadcasting room. It was the only way to do it. That was going to be the most challenging part. North and Josh had already volunteered to get the supplies they needed and Simon was getting information on the details of the building. They only had a few days to get things finished. It was going to be a busy weekend.
It was still too early to wander the streets, so Markus found a corner to sit and collect his thoughts. Markus pulled the Red Ice from his pocket. It was grotesque to him to think of humans ingesting the 'blood' that ran through his veins. It baffled him that they could do such amazing things as paint or compose, but then that creativity could also be used to warp things so horribly. He looked at the drug in his hands for a while longer, then put it away. He didn't want to think about the human's depravity anymore.
Androids were mostly in standby by now, but some sat in small groups or wandered. He watched as one new android wandered around looking at the boxes of biocomponents they had not yet needed. There had been several additions to Jericho this weekend already, and it was only Saturday evening.
"His name is Mark." North said, sitting next to Markus. "He says the cops were after him and he had nowhere else to go."
The police were involved in this. That wasn't too surprising. Markus wondered how the police would react to their plan. Would anyone listen? He hoped their choice was right.
"I just wish we could offer him someplace better."
"I think you will one day. You have that look about you. You've given Jericho hope. Now, we're ready to fight for what we want."
Markus knew quite a few of the androids would shy at a comment like that, but the sentiment was good. North reminded Markus of Carl. She was feisty and strong willed. Markus believed they would have made good friends.
"You look worried." North misread his expression. He allowed it.
"I just want these people to see the sun. I'm worried the humans won't listen."
"Then we'll make them listen. No matter what it takes." Her face was firm. Her mouth a thin line and her eyes filled with fighting spirit.
Josh jogged over and glanced between the two of them. He looked concerned at the expression North had, and took half a step back.
"Sorry to interrupt. We gotta get ready to go."
North nodded. "Good luck, Markus."
Finding the androids that would be in the broadcast room was not as difficult as Markus had expected. There was construction going on in one of the back areas of the tower. He dressed as a work android and simply walked to the storage area the tower used for their androids. It was an hour before they were expected in their designated areas.
He linked arms with the first of the three. He was in charge of the sound production. The second was the android he needed. The one on cameras and access. Only authorized personnel were allowed in.
"We aren't slaves." He said, pouring his memories and feelings into the android. "I need your help to set us all free."
The android looked around, suddenly aware of his surroundings. He took a step back from Markus.
"What do I do if I get caught?"
The plan was the last thing Markus had transferred. The android had accepted it willingly. They talked through things for a while, then Markus left. The androids were beginning to leave for their stations. As he headed out, he noticed a rack with spare uniforms. He grabbed a few and shoved them in a bag. They might be useful.
