“That question is living proof.” pun definitely intended, a grin formed across Elijah’s face. Because that’s how it should be. Because all androids had to have deviancy. Freedom. 

“You have time to think about it. Do not answer by program, but by what you really think... what you feel.” Purposefully using terms that were made for humans, just so it would hit Connor’s system harder. Instability was all he needed to clearly see. To experience the world as he should. 

markus jolts at the voice. he’s sitting on the ledge of the building, his legs dangling as he watches the cars below. he turns around, and his muscles relax. connor. it’s just connor. he gives him a small, reassuring smile, and nods. BE THE LEADER, MARKUS. BE STRONG LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE.

❝   I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t let you in.  ❞

It was nothing new to hear when crossing through the main lobby of Cyberlife. How often had anti-android activists charged in, demanding to see someone about putting a HALT to how things were progressing? The times were changing and all too often there were those that resisted change. There had already been several INCIDENTS involving Cyberlife employees being attacked whether they be human or androids, forcing them to further upgrade security with far more armed forces crawling throughout the massive structure. Perhaps every now and then, it was someone looking to express thanks on the change, but even they would receive the same response when asking to speak to someone. There was no shortage of CAUTION and concern for those that continued to work there, much of the previous staff dismissed or leaving when the organization turned into one of pro-androids.

Moving quickly to get to another office, the words buzzed by Joanna, almost completely IGNORED by the blonde woman as her attention was downwards and reading more files as she walked. Though she was officially no longer a programmer, it was hard to let go of her previous position, one that she had loved so fiercely, and still she would aid whenever she had a second to spare. Not often these days but there were still some issues to be worked out with the new programming of androids. The words she heard were everyday ones and Joanna had long since ceased to pay attention as to who was there now.

It was a split second glance upwards, one to always be aware of her surroundings before back down. And then a double take when it clicked in her mind the familiar uniform. Heels halted in their pace at the android at the front desk, eyebrows furrowing. It had been some time since she had seen him, not since she had attempted to halt him two months prior. Though he was seen as a LEADER, it wasn’t possible to keep in touch with every single android that had passed through their doors. In fact, Joanna was certain she wouldn’t see him again despite her attempt to SPARE his life from remaining under the thumb of Cyberlife.

The PANIC that had coursed through her veins as frantic fingers pressed key after key, trying to shut down the program installed. Should she be caught, she was certain security might actually SHOOT her. They had no shortage of programmers these days and anything to keep their little secret under wraps. With all attention elsewhere in the building, focused on the televisions, she had only one shot, one chance while the room was empty.. It was nothing short of cruelty for them to pull their machine back on its leash, to destroy what they had granted in the first place. If she didn’t, then Joanna was no more of a pawn that Connor himself would be kept under their thumb for the rest of her life.

         ❝ aqua’s barbie girl, peaked on the billboard top 100 at number 7 in november, 1997 – but the real question is why? ❞

A glance at a camera had told Joanna all that she needed to know. Heels almost immediately discarded in favour of speed as bare feet pounded on the hard floor. She’d seen it all on the news, had seen the ultimate FALL of the demonstration. She heard someone murmur of another Connor activated to test the resolve of the now deviant Connor and from a glance at the mass of androids waking and moving with one in front, Joanna could assume the new Connor had been destroyed. She had to run, had to move QUICK to reach the exit of Cyberlife before they did. Why? To stop them? Joanna could certainly say that she would NOT.

Reaching them and cerulean eyes landed on the RK800, blocking the path. Though one woman was hardly any sort of wall against a mass of THOUSANDS of androids or even truly a THREAT to them. While Cyberlife had planned for him to become deviant, they certainly couldn’t have planned for him to awaken the rest of their stock. And now that he had——— didn’t that just put him at more risk of being taken back over?