Chapter Text
You jumped down into what you saw as a graveyard. You carefully walked over the broken pieces of androids. It hurt to see everything, but it was a sight you had gotten used to. You suddenly noticed an android who was in rather good condition. You pulled out your mini tablet and did a quick scan. He really only needed a few repairs to work properly, ones you could quickly do.
You took note of the androids model and began to look around, finding a leg. You were just about to remove the broken leg he had when he suddenly sat up. You let out a little yelp and fell back. The android looked around before he focused on you, you smiled and waved. He started crawling back.
“No, wait!” You got up. “I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to help.”
He looked confused, grabbing his head. You then remembered one of the pieces that needed replacing was to fix his hearing.
“Hold on.”
You went off to find the missing piece you’d need. When you returned he had already replaced his leg and found another. He got up and stared at you, noticing the piece in your hand. You smiled and handed him the piece. He took a moment.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Seems like you’re almost good to go.”
“I ran a self diagnostics.”
“Figured. You just need a new eye.”
He nods and stares at you, looking rather perplexed. You only smiled again, feeling weird.
“You’re human.”
“Yes.”
“Why are you here?”
“Oh, I’m just collecting parts.”
“Parts?”
“I repair androids, and this is the best place to scavenge for spare parts. Although this isn’t such a good place to be in.”
“You repair androids? Why would Cyberlife look for spare parts and not just make new ones.”
“Oh, I don’t work for Cyberlife. My work is kind of on the down low. No one really knows I’m here.”
“I don’t understand?”
“Right, so, I’ll be brief, I’m on the clock here.” You took a breath. “I find broken androids here and fix them up. I know androids who are here have been wronged and I just don’t want this to have to be there end. So many of you are still alive, like you, you just needed a few repairs. I come here to save androids and get parts. I was going to take you back with me, but, you’re really fine so you can go off on your own if you want. Just make sure to fix your eye and get that LED off.”
“You… you’re human and yet you come here to help androids.”
“Yeah… I was going to ask you to help me gather parts, but, you’re free, so, do whatever you like. I need to get back to work.” You turned away.”
“Wait. I want to help you.”
“Really?” You were happy. “Awesome, that would be great. Can I connect my tablet with you, that way you know what parts I really need.”
You handed him some extra duffel bags you had. He took it and got the list off your tablet, since the two were connected you’d know when he found a certain part since he would be able to mark it off and it would register on your tablet.
“Oh, and another thing.” You hand him a small bag.
“What is this?”
“Anti-gravity devices that allow the androids who can’t walk to float, they can control their movements of course. I told you, I come here to save androids, so, if you come across any who are still alive, tell them that I can help them, if they want of course. If not, please help end their suffering, and if you do could you also… ask if you can take some parts from them. I need the ones on the list but gathering others is important too. I’m sorry this is all probably very strange for you.”
“It is, but I understand what you are asking of me.”
“Good. We got about two hours before my window is up. So,” You pointed off in a direction. “By the edge that way there is a rope ladder, meet me there in two hours, along with all the androids you find.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you so much. I’m y/n by the way.” You held out your hand and he took it.
“Markus.”
“Thank you, Markus.”
The two of you split up, going to search through different areas. With his help it was much easier to get all the parts you needed. You also got an alert of whenever one of your anti-grav devices was activated. You were glad.
You gathered a bunch of extra parts, along with helping other androids. You checked the time and saw you had about half an hour left. You decided to go through one more area then head back. When you rounded a corner you saw an android crawling around. His lower half was missing and you noticed the trail of blue blood he was leaving. You ran over to him, telling him that crawling was only going to kill him faster.
“I can help you.”
“Can you?”
“Yes, if you let me, I can fix you, get you back in working order.”
He grabbed your hand. “Please.”
“Of course.”
You grabbed some stuff from a tool kit you had to temporarily close off the parts of him leaking blue blood. You used your tablet to quickly scan him and take not of the parts he’d need. You took that and ran it against your inventory, you were happy to know you had everything back home. You relayed the info which made him smile. You reached for an anti-grav device but noticed you were out. You swore under your breath, but then laughed.
“Okay, we’ll do this the old fashioned way.” You helped him onto your back. “Please hold on tight.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
You made your way over to the rope ladder at the edge of the graveyard. You saw all the other androids who were there. Some seemed worried when they saw you but calmed down when they noticed you carrying one of them. You explained to them that you had a bus at the top and that you’d be taking them home.
“What happens then?”
You turned around and saw Markus walking towards you with three androids behind him.
“I fix you all up and from there you can do whatever you want. I’ll help in anyway I can. We should get going.”
Markus agreed with you and you went up first. You opened up the bus and helped everyone on board, putting the bags on the front seats. You started up the bus, setting it to drive home. Markus was at the front waiting for you.
“The trip home is like two hours.” You noticed his eyes. “Oh wow! You have heterochromia!”
“What?”
“It’s when your eyes are two different colors. It’s pretty cool.”
“Oh, thank you. So, what do we do now?”
“Well, it’s a long trip. I like to use this time to check over each android. I make a list of the parts needed and help any in critical condition. You can rest you know.”
“No, I want to help.”
“Thanks.”
The bus started moving and Markus looked out at the graveyard. You noticed his LED was gone and that he seemed unhappy.
“I know. I can’t get everyone, but tonight I definitely have twice the usual amount of androids, all thanks to you.”
“Why do you help us? What do you get out of this.”
“Nothing, I just want to help you. You guys are more alive than most humans care to admit. You deserve to be free, to live. I want to help those who’ve been hurt get the chance to be happy.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“Thanks.”
You grabbed your tool kit and tablet, heading to each seat at the bus, scanning each one and temporarily patching them up. Many thanked you for your help.
“How long have you been doing this?” Markus asked.
“Almost six months now.”
“How do you know about repairing androids?”
“Well, I used to work for Cyberlife. I was the floor manager, watching the androids be created. It was my job to know about all the parts so I’d understand any malfunction. The job gave me creeps, it felt wrong, so I left. This was about two years ago though, I wish I had started helping sooner.”
“What you’re doing now is still important.”
“Thank you, I just want to help. Speaking of, how are you? You have working parts but you still have other injuries don’t you?”
“Yes.” He pulls up his shirt and you see the huge crack.
“Ouch. I have all kind of spare parts so I can fix that up, you’ll be as good as new.”
“Again, thank you. I don’t know many humans like you.”
“That sounds like a compliment.” You smiled. “But I owe you too, your help tonight, it will help me fix up more androids than I originally thought.”
When you finished taking not of all the androids on board you plopped down in one of the front seats. Markus sat down next to you, looking out the windows. It was late at night and the streets were pretty empty.
“What did you do? Before?”
“I took care of an old man.”
“That’s very sweet of you. We humans become so fragile over time, it’s rather sad.”
“How come?”
“Well, you guys are much more durable. Capable of living a much longer and greater life than us humans. Which reminds me.” You got up and grabbed a bag under one of the seats and tossed Markus a bag of blue blood. “I think you need that.”
“Thank you, but it would be best for me to consume some thirium once I am fully repaired.” He tossed it back.
“If you say so.” You sat back down and checked your watch. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
Markus looked at you perplexed. “What did you have in mind?”
“Just wake me up when we get to my house. You’ll know when cause the bus will stop and others like you will be around.”
You yawned, leaning your head back and drifting off to sleep. You were always rather tired so it was easy for you to fall asleep. You ended up leaning against Markus, your head on his shoulder. He didn’t move you though, letting you sleep.
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When the bus came to a stop Markus gently woke you. You were groggy and rubbed the sleep from your eyes. You apologized for falling asleep on Markus, he didn’t seem bothered. You got off the bus, greeted by four other androids who were waiting.
Markus got off the bus and saw you giving instructions. The androids smiled at Markus and got on the bus, getting the bags and helping the other androids out. He followed you towards the big house that was surrounded by trees.
“It’s best for me to live so far away from the city. No one really bothers me here, so, you’re safe.”