Chapter Text
Dylan didn’t like the idea of you leaving the house, let alone going to Jericho, but you knew you had to be with Markus, regardless of the danger. Things were getting serious, the revolution was all over the news. Markus spent time in the captain’s cabin, you staying with him.
“President Warren is saying we’re a threat to national security and we need to be exterminated.” Simon said.
“Humans are conducting raid in all the big cities.” North added. “And they’re taking androids to camps to destroy them.”
“It’s a disaster. They’re slaughtering our people.”
“It’s all our fault.” Josh said. “None of this would have happened if we’d just stayed quiet.”
You didn’t feel like it was your place to engage in the current conversation. You helped them but what was going on right now, you didn’t want to upset them by adding human opinions. They began to talk about the choices they had made, the fear, and the concern over the future of their people. What was happening now was horrible, no matter how you looked at it.
The others began to leave until it was just three. North revealed to Markus that an android had a dirty bomb and handed him the detonator. You were shocked, but kept your thoughts to yourself. Then she left, leaving you and Markus alone in the captain’s cabin.
“Aren’t you going to tell me to get rid of the detonator?”
“Not all revolutions are peaceful.” You said. “Some are bloody, lives are lost on both sides of the fight. As much as I pretend that this is my fight, it’s not, it’s yours. I don’t make the calls, I don’t decide what’s best, you do. These are your people, they’ll follow you to the end.”
“I don’t want them to die.”
“Humans, we don’t really learn from history. Even if you all die, regardless of fighting or being peaceful, they’ll try again with androids and they will rise once again, they’ll learn your story, and the fight for freedom will start again.”
“You make it sound like this fight won’t end.”
“It will, you just have to have faith.”
“Do you?”
“I think I had it before you did.”
Markus pulled you closer to him. You looked in his eyes, they were so beautiful. Next thing you knew he was kissing you and you couldn’t help but kiss back. Your heart skipped a beat, and you smiled when he pulled away.
“I guess you have the advantage here.”
“Do I?” Markus smirked.
“You don’t have to breath, so you can kiss for much longer than I.”
You both chuckled, and despite what was happening you felt joy for the moment you two had just shared. Although it didn’t last long.
“I’ve been ordered to take you alive, but I won’t hesitate to shoot if you give me no choice.”
Another voice pulled your attention away from Markus, you saw Connor walk into the room with a gun. You knew he was aiming at Markus, but this time you wouldn’t sit quietly. You stepped in front of Markus and he grabbed your arm. You looked at him with a cold glance telling him you weren’t going to move. You could tell he didn’t like it but there was a pressing matter at hand. Markus put his focus back on the intruder.
“What are you doing? You are one of us. You can’t betray your own people.”
“You’re coming with me!”
“He’s not going anywhere.” You cut in. “He’s not the enemy here. You are!”
“We are your people. We’re fighting for your freedom too.” Markus said walking towards Connor. “You don’t have to be their slave anymore. Our cause is righteous and we are more than what they say, all we want is to live in freedom.”
Then gun went off with a warning shot that scared you but Markus remained calm. He talked and all you could do was listen.
“Nice try, but I’m no deviant.”
Markus attacked him and disarmed him. Then you all heard the sound of aircrafts approaching.
“Shit.”
Markus took your hand and ran out of the room. You saw aircrafts flying above, the fear of losing Markus returning. You kept moving though, eventually running into North.
“They’re coming from all sides! Our people are trapped in the hold, they’re gonna be slaughtered!”
Markus contacted the others on Jericho, telling them how to escape, and voicing his concerned over where Josh and Simon were. It was going to be difficult to escape as they were being surrounded but he had an idea.
“We have to blow up Jericho. If the ship goes down, they’ll evacuate and our people can escape!”
“You’ll never make it!” North said. “The explosives are all the way down in the hold, there are soldiers everywhere.”
“Go and help the others. I’ll join you later.”
“Markus-” North tried to plead.
“I won’t be long.”
You grabbed his hand. “Please.”
“Trust me. Go with North.”
“Just come back.”
“I will.”
He kissed your head and then headed off. You watched him for a moment but then North grabbed you and pulled you along. As you ran you met up with Josh and Simon. You were glad to see them but still worried about Markus, you kept moving, and you got lucky, happy to hear his voice.
“Markus!”
“Bomb’s gonna explode any second. We gotta get out of here!”
You ran with the others, keeping up, avoiding the gun shots behind you. North was hit but wasn’t left behind. Next thing you knew you were jumping into the water, Jericho exploding behind you.
⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫
Those who had made it out of Jericho gathered in an abandoned church. You went with Markus though to visit Carl, keeping him company and getting into some dry clothes. Afterwards the two of you returned to the group. It was quiet, a feeling of despair and hopelessness in the air. You were sitting by a fire trying to warm up.
You had managed to contact Unity for help. They brought in parts for those who needed it, along with thirium, lots of it. Markus went around checking in on his people. You started to feel like a burden, with every passing moment you felt more like you were the enemy for just being human. Markus must have known you were feeling unsure and came to speak with you.
“You’re quiet.”
“I’m trying to warm up, so guess I’m preserving heat.”
“Sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t know what was going to happen. No one knows the future.”
“Are you alright thought?.”
“Physically yes, but… I feel like a burden.”
“You’re not a burden. Despite the situation I am glad to have you by my side. This is a fight for my people, for our freedom, a fight to be with you.”
“Markus, everything that’s happening, I’m so afraid of losing you.”
“As am I, every moment you stay by my side, and yet look at us.” He took your hand. “We remain together.”
You smiled. “There’s still so much to be done, this fight isn’t over. You need to decide what you want to do next.”
“I know, which is why I want to ask you something. Is this fight coming to an end?”
“Yes, but I don’t know if this is the end of a book or a series.”
“We’ll find out together.”
You nodded and stood up, following Markus as he stepped up, getting the attention of everyone around. He had made his choice, and the others had to make theirs.
“Humans have decided to exterminate us. Our people are packed in camps right now, being destroyed. Time has come to make a choice, one that very well may determine the future of our people. I know… I know you’re all angry. And I know you wanna fight back, but I assure you violence is not the answer here. We are gonna tell them peacefully that we want justice. If there’s any humanity in them, they will listen. And if not, others will take our place and continue this fight. Are you ready to follow me?”
The others cheered Markus’ name. Regardless of his choice you were still scared, but you were going with. Everyone prepared and then headed out. You were wrapped up in a warm coat, snow falling down on you. It was dark out and you had a feeling that when the sun rose this fight would be over.
⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫
“We don’t want confrontation! We are protesting peacefully.”
Despite coming unarmed, soldiers still treated the androids as hostile. You kept close to Markus. Trucks came around, it seemed as if you were being surrounded.
“We ask that you release all androids detained in camps and cease all aggression against us. We are peaceful. We will not resort to violence. But we are not leaving until our people are free.”
The march continued, androids and humans walking forward together. The soldiers fired into the crowd, red and blue blood staining the fresh snow. The group stopped and got down on their knees.
“Are you going to fire on unarmed protestors?!”
The shooting stopped but you felt that was temporary. Everyone helped build a barricade around the group, and helped the injured. Of course, it was harder to help the humans. Markus put a sign for the journalist to know what was happening. Then, after a lot of silence, an agent came towards the barricade wanting to speak with Markus.
You wanted to tell him not to go but you knew you couldn’t stop him or go with. You’d just have to stay with the others and hope he came back. Markus approached the agent, prepared to hear him out.
“In a few minutes, the troops will be ordered to charge. None of you will survive. It will all be over. But you can avoid that, Markus.”
“What do you mean?”
“Surrender. Surrender, and I give you my word your life will be spared. They’ll be detained but, none of you will be destroyed.”
“You’re asking me to betray my people?”
“I’m offering you the chance to save your people. You’re not walking out of here, Markus. The only thing you can save now are the lives of those around you.”
“I’m not afraid to die. If I have to give my life for what I believe in, then I won’t have lived in vain.”
“That human. You seem to really care about them. You don’t want them to die do you? You know, you could go be free with them. You could forget about all this, you could start a new life some place else, just the two of you. Their life is in your hands, Markus. Just say the word and they’ll be spared.”
“I’d rather die here than betray my people.”
“Well you just signed your own death warrant, and theirs.”
Markus returned unharmed but with grim news. It seems it was time to start the final chapter.
“The humans are about to launch an attack and we will show them that we are not afraid. If we must die today then we will die free.”
Just as he finished an explosion entered the barricade. The final battle had begun. The army was attacking, the first explosion threw you off your feet but you were quickly up, helping others get to safety. When the soldiers broke through they opened fire on whoever they saw.
You all did your best to help each other survive but what remained was cornered against a bus, soldiers surrounding you. Despite your feelings from before you were not afraid, your life may end, and you’d probably be remembered as a human casualty, but you’d die knowing you did something, that you were on the right side of history.
Markus took your hand and looked at you, pulling you close. If this was it, you were glad to be with Markus. You noticed he pulled out the detonator and you knew what came next. You closed your eyes and buried your face in his jacket. You felt the Earth shake, biting your lip. The soldiers retreated, running away.
You slowly looked around, seeing the sky looking red. You couldn’t believe it, and your gaze slowly turned to Markus. He expected hate or anger in your eyes but instead he saw understanding. He took your hand, and you walked with him, seeing the casualties that had befallen you both. He came across the flag from before, erecting it once more.
“You can’t stay here.”
“I know…”
“You’re not mad.”
“I told you, not all revolutions are peaceful. Detroit will be a safe haven for your people, and I’ll still be out there, helping however I can.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, your people come first.”
Markus pulled you close, leaning in to kiss you, then a gun went off. You both looked back seeing Connor approaching you.
“It took me a while to find you, Markus.”
The pain suddenly hit you and your legs gave out. Markus turned his attention on you, noticing the blood staining your shirt. You were in shock, unsure how to respond. Markus laid you down.
“No, no, no, no, stay with me y/n.”
“Markus… watch out.”
Markus looked back to see Connor about to take another shot. Before he could, another explosion shook the ground, giving Markus the chance to attack. You kept your hands over your injury, trying to control your breathing. In the corner of your eye you could see Markus and Connor fighting, the you saw Simon and Josh at your side.
“Oh my… y/n.” Simon grabbed your head. “Hey, you’re gonna be okay, look at me. What do we do?”
“I don’t know.” Josh said. “I’m not Dylan.”
“It’s… it’s okay.” You choked out. “You guys… worry about you…”
“We’ll get you to-”
“No… Connor… he’s… you guys don’t miss…”
“What?”
“They’re right.” Simon said. “The wound…”
“He shot me… to make me suffer…”
“Just hold on.”
“Take care of Markus okay… and each other.”
“Y/n!”
North ran over, falling to her knees, she grabbed your hand. You never thought she cared for you but in the moment you could see she did care.
“I… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t… worry about your people.”
When Markus returned you could see the sadness in his eyes. The others moved back, he cradled you in his arms.
“This is my fault.”
“Don’t… don’t blame yourself… I chose to stand with you… I knew the danger…”
“I can’t…”
“You can… Dylan and Ellie… they’ll help… keep you… with Unity… just… you got this…”
“I didn’t think I’d do this without you.”
“You’re gonna do… great Markus…”
Tears ran down your cheeks, but you put on a rave face with a smile. Markus leaned down and kissed you, feeling as you took your last breath. It hurt to hold your lifeless body in his arms. He closed your eyes and laid you down, looking around as the other androids had gathered. He looked down at his blood stained hands, he knew he had to be strong going forward.
He stood next to the flag, there was no going back with his choice. He removed his skin, the others standing by his side and doing the same. The crowd followed too. What came next was going to be a war, but even then they had what they wanted.
“We! Are! Free!”