Chapter Text
I sighed, threading a hand through my (H/C) locks. I glanced between my hand and the building before me. I'd been suspended for "irrational behaviour ", and I wasn't sure if I was ready to endure the endless ridicule from Gavin fucking Reed. I shook the thought from my mind harshly before quickly rushing into the establishment. I nodded a greeting at the assistant android at the desk. As soon as the doors to the office shut behind me, all eyes snapped in my direction. I wanted to run. I wanted a hole to open and swallow me. Swallowing hard, I walked to Fowler's office, prepare to go deaf from his shouting.
A full hour later, I stepped out of the office and wandered to my desk, keeping my head low. Feeling my gun safely back in its halter and the badge in my pocket brought me an odd burst of joy that seemed scarce in previous weeks. That was when the asshole decided to saunter towards my desk. I'd already started working on some files, and I tried to use them as a way to ignore him, however, this seemed to irk him.
"Welcome back. Smoke any red ice in your suspension?” Reed mocked.
“Fuck off Gavin" I muttered, not even sparing him a glance as I began typing again.
"What? Can't handle the truth? You and your brother are a disgrace to your father's name." He continued, my fists clenched and I sent a glare at him.
“Reed. Back. Off." I hissed, dangerously quiet.
"Why should I be scared of a drug addict, (Y/N)?" he challenged and I slowly stood up., tempted to punch him. "Reed, leave her alone, you fucking prick." A gruff voice rung out from behind me, causing me to spin on my heel to see Hank making his way towards us, glaring daggers at Gavin.
"An alcoholic and a druggie. Perfect partners." Gavin remarked with a smirk before stepping backwards and back to his desk. I rolled my eyes and looked over at Hank.
"Hey, Hank. Thanks...." I mumbled, smiling awkwardly.
"Hi, kid. Don't mention it. Don't want ya getting suspended again. Think I'd go crazy if you left again."Hank grumbled. "Aww, you can't of missed me that much." I teased with a grin
"I didn't. Until they assigned us with a new partner."He responded, crossing his arms.
"New partner?"I enquired, jumping as a voice rung out from behind us.
"Lieutenant, there's a new case for us to see to." I turned to the voice and was pleasantly surprised to see a new recruit. He had fairly thick eyebrows and beautifully crafted brown eyes. Soft looking lips and a few freckles scattered over flawless skin. What piqued my interest though, was the flashing yellow LED embedded in his temple. But oddly, I wasn't surprised.
"Hi..... who are you?" I questioned softly. Something about his aura was strangely intriguing.
"My name is Connor, I'm the android sent by Cyberlife. I was assigned to you and Lieutenant Anderson." the robo-cop responded, offering an awkward smile.
“Well, welcome to the team Connor." I winked with a smile, causing Hank to scoff in reaction.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Manfred," he stated, "though we do have a case to tend to." I rolled my eyes before glancing back to Hank.
"Whatever, let's go. Get your asses to and in the car." Hank muttered with a shrug and I laughed lightly before heading to the back entrance to the car park, purposefully shoving Gavin's shoulder as I passed
"Lieutenant Manfred, may I ask you a personal question?" The android asked and I shrugged.
"Go ahead" I turned slightly in my seat, to see and converse better.
"Why were you put on suspension? Your public files say it was for irrational behaviour but I can't access your private file to find the exact reason." Connor explains and instantly my soft smile falls.
"Connor, it's none of your business. Why do you care anyway?" I snapped.
"Because I don't want our case being thrown away because you don't know how to behave in a potentially dangerous situation. I deserve to know" Connor responded with an odd sharpness
"Tough shit. I'm not telling you squat." I growled before turning back around and watching the snow fall on the road ahead of us.
"Where are we heading anyway?" I asked Hank
"Stratford Tower, Some deviants infiltrated the tower and broadcasted a speech about android equality. Surprised you haven't seen it." Hank replied and I huffed.
“You know I don't watch that much TV." I fake pouted before grabbing my phone out to zone out of the car.
I gawked at the screen. HE was the one who was leading this? I couldn't stop the smile from sliding on my face. That smile dropped however when Connor walked over.
"Start looking on the roof. Hank and I will cover this floor." He said, not even taking his eyes from the screen. I nodded and wordlessly began to head up the stairs. The snow hit my face harshly and I winced, pulling my jacket closer to my body. Two other officers passed me as they head to the door back downstairs. I was alone on the roof. Immediately I noticed some blue blood, staining the pure white snow. I slowly walked closer to it and saw another drop slightly further on, following the trail to a large containment unit. I quietly pulled my gun out and quickly opened the door, only to get the gun knocked from my hand and pinned to the flow. A strong hand holds my wrists above my head and the other had a gun aimed at my forehead. I felt something warm seeping into my clothes, so I could only assume this android was injured- too injured to escape. Stealy blue eyes glared daggers at me as blonde hair fell in front of his face
"Wait! Don't shoot! I want to help you!" I whisper-yelled, and the androids grip tightened.
"Why should I trust you?" He growled harshly.
"The android leading the revolution used to be my dad's. I want to find Markus. I want to get freedom for you all." I explained. "How do I know you're not lying?" He snarled, pushing the gun against my forehead even harder.
"My Dad's name is Carl Manfred. I'm Lieutenant (Y/N) Manfred and my brother is called Leo Manfred. Markus is an RK200 and he was given to my dad by my childhood friend Elijah Kamski. Leo tried to destroy Markus, and when he fought back he severely injured my brother. He was shot by police upon their arrival before being sent to a junkyard. Scan me if you don't believe me."I responded. Judging by his silence and slightly widened eyes, he was scanning me. After a second of analysing me, he pulled the gun away and let go of me, climbing off me and leaning on the unit behind us. I sat up quickly and he extended his arm. I shook it hesitantly
"I trust you. My name's Simon." he said before grabbing my arm and pulling my ear to his mouth before whispering Markus' location. My eyes widened
“There? I thought that place was destroyed years ago?"I gaped at him
"So does the whole of Detroit. That's why its the perfect place. Just know if you're lying and you go without good intentions, you will be dramatically outnumbered." he threatened before we both jumped upon the call of my name. I instantly jumped to my feet and Simon pressed his gun into my hand. I glanced between him and the gun. “Shoot me. Make them think you overpowered me." He whispered firmly before putting his hand over his injury and wiping it on my arm and face. I shook my head aggressively.
“No! I cant!" I responded quietly
"You have to. Don't feel sorry. Just close your eyes, and shoot." he said, trying to comfort me. I nodded shakily, raising the gun as I heard the shouts of my name getting closer. I closed my eyes, looking away, whispering an apology, before pulling the trigger. Then Hank and Connor's footsteps appear behind me. "What the hell happened here?" Hank exclaimed and I slowly lowered the gun, looking at the two to avoid Simon's lifeless body. "This deviant attacked me. I tried getting information from him but he tried to kill me. I had no choice but to shoot him." I lied smoothly, putting the gun in the holster and grabbing the gun that had been knocked to the side and putting it in the back of my pants. Hank sighed, frustrated
"Fucking Christ."He muttered, running a hand down his face, Connor turned away from the body
"You made a bad decision Lieutenant. I could've extracted information on the roof. You should have told me you spotted something before you went after the deviant. Now this entire mission could be compromised. We could've found this deviant leader if you hadn't made this reckless choice."Connor stated harshly, his eyes narrowing as I shrugged with faked nonchalance.
"Connor, it was my life or his. There's only one of me and I don't want to throw my life away by not fighting back. I know you don't know the value of fucking life since a new you are probably being made every hour to replace you if you were to be destroyed. And I'm human. I'm scared of death and I'm scared of the unknown. Just because you don't understand that doesn't mean you have to reprimand me for feeling that. "I snapped back, having to take a long breath afterwards. I began to walk towards the door to the tower, and I could hear Hank and Connor conversing
"Connor, leave it."Hank advised and i could hear frustration and anger in the android's voice
"Lieutenant, how am i supposed to 'Leave it'? She's damaging our chance of accomplishing this mission." Connor responded loudly like he wanted me to hear it.
“She's going through a lot Connor."I heard Hank say before i opened the door and trudged back into the tower.