Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

LOADING. . .

CYBERLIFE©, INC

MODEL FM230 

SERIAL #314 486 287 -12

PRIMARY START UP. . . 

LOADING OS. . .

SYSTEM INITIALIZATION . . . 

CHECKING BIOCOMPONENTS... OK

INITIALIZATING BIOSENSORS... OK

INITIALIZATING AI ENGINE... OK

MEMORY SYSTEM... OK

READY.

Fluttering eyes open, the Android blinked a few times experimentally as their ocular biocomponents adjusted to the new lit up environment. 

The ocular biocomponent did a quick scan around it's surroundings, background programming running through several objects testing it's functions, immediately picking up on information stored in it's software.

The Android flexed it's fingers, and moving certain parts of the body it could, running a scan on it's muscular capacity, satisfied to see it intact. 

"This one. What does it do?" 

The Android's auditory sensor picked upon a female voice coming to the right, head moving slowly to see a woman squinting her eyes at it's form. 

There was a man, a twitch on his lips as he stood at the side of the Android's platform. "This, a Model FM230. One of the newest ones. It can assist at any activity of any field and acts as a housemaid, ma'am" The man stated gesturing at the Android's general direction. "It can do several things at once without getting distracted" 

The woman shook her head, raising a hand. "I don't care. I'll take it" she said with a light sigh. She glanced between the worker from Cyberlife, the Android gathered from a scan to his standard uniform.  

The worker man nodded. "Alright, Miss. There are certain protocols you must carry out when buying a new Android-" 

"Yes, I know about them" The woman interrupted. "My neighbor got herself and her family an Android a while ago and told me what I needed to do" she explained further with an apologetic smile. The Android at the platform looked at them, back straight and it's hands behind it's back as it waited patiently for instructions. "She told me the process. You don't need to repeat it" 

The Cyberlife worker nodded slowly his understanding, clearing his throat "Alright. Would you prefer giving it a name?" 

The woman looked at the female looking Android. It's piercing gaze meeting her's as if it knew she was going to be it's new owner. The Android's big brown eyes -synthetic, she presumed- stared back at her emotionlessly and unmoving.

She cleared her throat, nodding at the Cyberlife worker. It'd be easier for her, who at first had declined completely the suggestion of buying an Android to help out with her work load and her home status. But with time, she couldn't deny anymore she needed a hand to help out. If an Android was the answer to her problems, so be it. And, maybe giving it a name would help. She could imagine she was working with a human if the machine had a name. Of course, if she ignored the bright blinking light on the side of it's forehead.  

The Cyberlife worker turned to the Android, standing in front of it, "FM230. Register your name" 

The Android's LED flickered blue as it turned to the woman, following the worker's movements as he stepped aside. 

The Android's stare on her made her slightly flustered as she hadn't been expecting it's attention so soon, that she hadn't thought of a name. But, the inquisitive eyes on her made her suck in a deep breath, "Zoey" 

The Android's LED blinked blue, indicating acknowledgement, features shifting from the emotionless statue as it gave a subdued smile, "My name is Zoey" 

The woman let out a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding turning to the worker, immediately taking her eyes away of the female Android as it stepped out of the platform, as if testing it's new allowed range of direction. 

"Thank you for your purchase" The man smiled at her, warily glancing at the stiff Android next to the woman. "If you wish, you can head to the next station. An assistant can help you set up the appropriate programming for this Android to your needs" 

The woman nodded and he took that as the end of the interaction. 

She turned to face her new Android as it turned to her for it's instructions, "Oh, I really did this. Hope I don't regret it" she whispered at it. 

The Android simply tilted it's head, LED flashing blue once as it's owner seemed to talk to it but not giving orders.

Chapter Text

After leaving Cyberlife store, her new Assistant Android-housemaid finally programmed with the help of the company, she couldn't help but feel wary by sensing the it's presence walking by her side looking at it's surroundings, for the first time meeting the outside world instead of the white walls and fluorescent lights at Cyberlife. 

The Android -Zoey, she had to remind herself- had stayed quiet, hands behind her back as she matched her pace. Zoey's interest moving away from herself and toward the path to her home made her visibly relax and be able to see properly the Android's features with detail. 

She felt Cyberlife had a creepy sense of humor on creating machines easily able to mimic human flesh and attributes. If it weren't for the blinking LED in her forehead (she hadn't known it's name, only calling it blinking light) she could have easily mistaken her for a young female human. 

Her soft factions classified her in being around her mid-twenty's -if she were to calculate, about twenty-five or twenty-six-, her height was on the short size, 5'2. Her dark brown hair pulled up in a low brided bun behind her neck seemed slightly wavy if the short wild strands of hair framing the sides of her symmetrical chubby face indicated. Olive skin, thick eyebrows, and big brown eyes. 

She looked like a girl just fresh out of college, but there was something that betrayed that sentiment and it was what made her wary of the Android. It was the lack of emotions on her face. 

The only emotion she had seen was when she named it. It was a small twitch of lips, working it's way to a smile but not one entirely. 

That's why she had specifically asked if she had a program that allowed her to mimic human expressions when she finally bought her. Fortunately for her, this model series did have that program. 

"Miss Reynolds" The soft and almost angelic voice called out to her, and that's when she realized she had been staring at the Android. This is when she realized the existence of said program. Zoey's eyebrows were pulled down, lips turned in a frown. She briefly recognized the expression one of concern. But, Androids cannot... "Your stress levels were increasing potentially higher in the last 30.4 seconds" the monotone voice said matter-of-factly, "I would suggest if you take a moment to gather yourself, such stress levels can possibly cause a heart attack, an stroke or blood pressure severely affected if it is not treated or controlled in time" 

Medical knowledge. And she said it as if she was reciting that from a med web. Probably she was. 

"No, it's alright. Zoey" She added it's name reluctantly. The Android straightened up, expression smoothing back to normalcy -her blank expression-. "I was just thinking. Thanks for your concern though" 

The Android nodded in acknowledgement, looking at her owner patiently. Zoey tilted her head glancing at her blonde haired owner inhaling deeply before they continued with their walking. 

"Call me Marlene" She said after a few moments of silence. Please, accept. Accept. It'd be easier for me. 

Zoey's LED cycled blue a few times. 

[Processing ...]

Command received. 

[Changing status...]

MS REYNOLDS now MARLENE 

"Marlene" Zoey nodded in agreement. Marlene visibly sighed in relief. 

Marlene Reynolds 

↓↓↓ Stress level: 32% 

"We're almost home" Marlene told Zoey. The Android nodded in acknowledgement as they reached an apartment building and entering the elevator.

[Processing...] 

New environment detected: Marlene's address stored in memory files. 1554 Park Av. Detroit. Floor 69 

"I know it's not a big deal" Marlene spoke while walking further the apartment. Zoey following behind slowly, taking in the new place. "But, it's all I could afford. I mean, I know I could afford buying you but that's 'cause a friend lend me money cause she knows I'm kinda struggling with money" Marlene turned to face her Android. Eyes softening just slightly. "Look. You are programed to be somewhat of an assistant and help out around the house" she gestured at her surroundings, "It shouldn't be a problem to you, right?" She asked almost nervously

"Your wish is my command" Zoey told her, "Anything you ask me to do will be taken as priority, Marlene" 

Marlene nodded, as if she needed that reassurance from the Android itself. "Follow me then"

/ New_Objective

Follow Marlene

Zoey followed her owner through the hallways of her apartment, reaching a small office. 

Marlene picked up a pile of folders, glancing at the Android "I'm not so good at technology. So, I keep things in paper. It shouldn't be a problem for you to ...Learn all of this, right?" 

Zoey looked at the files, "In no time all the information will be stored in my memory software" she reassured. Marlene nodded giving her the files.

Zoey picked up the first, her retina scanner activating 

/New_Objetive 

Scan Marlene's work into memory server 

[Collecting data...] 

[Processing data...] 

[Data stored in memory]

File after file, Marlene saw the way Zoey's eyes flickered through each page not leaving any place without checking. Her LED flickering yellow. It took roughly 15 minutes before Zoey closed the last file, LED blinking back to it's usual blue light. 

Mission cleared.

[Waiting for new instructions...] 

"Done?" Marlene asked hesitantly, as if fearing interrupting the Android. 

Zoey tilted her head aside, giving a nod. "All information is securely and organized. Voice confirmation to pull out the information you need" 

Marlene hummed, "Okay. Let me test that" Zoey straightened up, waiting patiently. "Robert James" 

LED blinking yellow, Zoey saw her programming running in front of her eyes. 

Voice confirmation: Marlene Reynolds. 

Access granted

[Searching...]

/Key words: Robert James 

/Results found: 1 

Name: James, Robert 

Age: 38

DOB: August 26, 2000

Height: 5'7|Black hair| blue eyes 

Required services: Divorce 

Description:

_clumsy-shaky-writing_DETECTED "My wife and I are having a marital status of mainly interests. Our situation had been working for the past two years, but lately but I've felt she's been only after my money. She doesn't even care about our children and I've realized the money I give to them disappears from their savings box. My wife out of nowhere comes with new jewelery and new clothes while my kids barely keep their clothes intact. I want to file a divorce and hire you up as my attorney to help me out with the divorce and the kids' custody as she's not a fit of a mother. 

Date of meeting: July 1st, 2038. 3:00 pm. 

Zoey's LED blinked back to blue as she looked up at Marlene, "Robert James. 38. Black hair and blue eyes. He filed a divorce because his wife is taking the money given to his children to her own benefit letting them with nothing. Your meeting with him is the next day. Time remaining for meeting, 19 hours, 13 minutes and 4 seconds" 

Marlene's green eyes widened, having read the same in the file she was holding. "Oh, God..." She murmured impressed. "You really can do it" 

Zoey's LED blinked briefly at the praise, "I'm at your service, Marlene" 

Marlene's lips twitched slightly, relaxing "Good" 

Marlene Reynolds 

↓↓↓ Stress level: 25 %

"Something else" Marlene said gaining the Android's attention again. "When at work, you should call me Ms. Reynolds. You can call me Marlene back when we're at home and with my friends" 

[Processing...]

Command received. 

Rearranging interests: Marlene now Ms Reynolds. Exception(s): At home, or at friend(s). 

Zoey's LED blinked in acknowledgement as she nodded "Anything else?"

"As of the house. You'll take care of the cleaning" Marlene told her, "Also cooking if you don't mind. For now that'll be all"

/New_Objetive(s)

Cleaning

[Generating sub-objectives...]

- Dust living room

- Organize bookshelf and desks

- Clean kitchen

- Organize and clean bedrooms

- Bathroom; clean toilet and bathtub

- Foyer; mop and maintain clean and presentable 

- Organize and clean office 

- Do laundry

Cooking

[Generating sub-objectives...]

- Stock kitchen with neccesary food

- Healthy food: 85 % urgently needed. 

- Create meal schedule [90 % health; 10% 'sweets' -per Marlene's orders] 

A list of objetives pertaining the cleaning and cooking were showing up on Zoey's visual range as she followed Marlene through the apartment, the woman pointing out the new areas and shores she'll be working at the house. 

Once done, both females stopped at the living room. 

"Any questions?" Marlene asked. Zoey shook her head. Marlene nodded. "Alrighty. Now, that all's covered, I think I have to get to work" 

/ALARM ALERT: Work meeting at 1552 Boulevard, Mia Peterson. Discussion about  law firm's future.

Time remaining: 1 hour, 23 minutes, 45 seconds

Zoey's LED which suddenly turned yellow, flickered back to its normal blue, "I should inform you about your work meeting with Mia Peterson in 1 hour, 23 minutes and 35 seconds" 

Marlene flickered her fingers, gasping "Oh God! You're right. Going to Cyberlife indeed made me forget about it" she facepalmed, sighing. "Good thing you memorized my schedule as well, huh?" She chuckled without humor, walking away toward her bedroom. Zoey followed without a word. "Listen, this meeting may take a while and I'm not so sure if Mia is comfortable around Androids so you'll stay here working, got it?"

"Got it" Zoey nodded watching her owner's stress levels slowly raising as she didn't seem to find something to wear

Marlene Reynolds

↑↑↑ stress level: 57%

Quickly sprinting to action, Zoey made her way to Marlene's closet, glancing at her owner scanning her first. 

Shoulder lenght, blonde curly hair, slightly pale skin with a natural flush (no need of make up), long eyelashes framing her small green eyes, thin eyebrows and pink lips. Her body was slim, height 5'5. 

Marlene's appearance got stored into her software in less than 10 seconds, turning back to the closet and started scanning each prend 

[Scanning: object_pants suit]

[Scan complete...]

Results: Too serious.

Picking up another outfit, Zoey scanned again using her social relations program as well as her fashion program installed within her in relation with the details of the meeting's information in her software and Marlene's appearance measurements and attributes to find the indicated outfit. 

Finishing with scanning some clothes, a blinking text appeared in front of her. 

/Matching outfit: 93% accordance and utility

/Results: serious, determined, conscious, passive, classy.

/Success probability: 95% 

Holding a white long sleeved buttoned shirt, black coat, a red dress skirt, knee length and a pair of black heels she turned to face Marlene who had in her hands a blue flowered dress and blue heels. 

A scan at the outfit she picked up made a slight grimace set in her features for half second.

/Matching outfit: 92% accordance; No much utility 

/Results: childish, desperate, humorist, overconfident

/Success probability: 78% 

Zoey cleared her throat, "Marlene?" 

Marlene looked up, seeing Zoey through her mirror. "Yes?" 

"The outfit you picked upon, shows a success probability of 78% and less opportunity to be taken seriously due to the nature of your meeting" Zoey said matter-of-factly. 

Marlene felt an air of indignation as she gaped at the serious, emotionless Android. "What?" 

"This outfit however" Zoey continued raising the outfit with more success probability, as if unaware of the glare her owner was throwing at her. "Has a success probability of 95%" she said offering the items to her. 

"You're not serious, are you?" Marlene questioned skeptically. Zoey blinked at her. "You want me to try this on?" 

"I am merely stating facts and helping you in want you need, Marlene" Zoey stated simply. "Your success is primordial in my programming as well as your mental and physical health and the state of your home"

Marlene dropped her shoulders in defeat, shaking her head. 

Time remaining for meeting: 1 hour, 10 minutes, 13 seconds

"Time remaining for your meeting is 1 hour, 10 minutes, 7 seconds" Zoey informed Marlene.

"Ugh, whatever!" Marlene snapped, roughly grabbing the clothes from Zoey's hands, not realizing her long manicured nails scratched her synthetic skin, leaving a tiny path of thirium -blue blood- in it's path. 

Zoey blinked at the sudden display of violence, detecting Marlene's stress levels above 70% and increasing. She figured a shower would decrease her stress to a tolerable level. 

As soon as Marlene got to the bathroom, Zoey began what she got ordered to do. 

Chapter Text

Breakfast ready, Zoey began cleaning up the kitchen. 

Her auditory sensor picked upon Marlene's high heels coming and she turned to face the woman, who grimaced at the sight of her breakfast. 

"Seriously?" Marlene whined, lips turning forming a pout. 

Zoey blinked, a small shrug on her shoulders as her social relations program detected innocence was the appropriate approach to Marlene's reaction. 

"It is healthy" Zoey simply commented, returning back to her shores. 

Marlene rolled her eyes. Living with an Android was simply the most frustrating thing. Zoey had about a week living with her and while she felt like she could breathe better and relax for not having to stress herself into looking for her clients' information, her insistence of her keeping a healthy diet and exercise was slightly infuriating. 

Zoey woke her up two hours before starting leaving to work, scheduling her a half hour session of yoga (Yoga is the most effective form of exercise for women of your age and easier to get access to keep you in a good shape) before she went to have a shower while she prepared breakfast. Fruit and toast with a glass of orange juice were served exactly 30 minutes after her yoga session. 

As soon as she was out of the shower, an ironed outfit was placed upon her bed. It amazed her how fast Zoey could make breakfast and keep her clothes ready. 

When she got to the kitchen, Zoey was already placing her recently fresh orange juice on the table, giving her a smile (her anxiety fading away each time she saw a smile. It made her seem more human. That's why Zoey kept smiling in her presence, detecting lower stress levels). 

"Thank you" Marlene said quietly. She didn't express her gratitude to her Android most of the time, but she really was grateful for her presence. Her success and sleeping patterns were now better and she felt even more relaxed at work and didn't feel like falling asleep all morning. 

Zoey's LED blinked as she smiled slightly, "No problem" 

Marlene slowly bit the toast, giving her android a thoughtful frown. A week, and Zoey hadn't even complained at all. She did everything requested without questions. She figured she'd at least ask for fresh air after being stuck in the house 24/7. The only time she had left the apartment was to buy all the food needed and yet, she had been paranoid of leaving her android going alone. 

"Is there a problem?" Zoey pulled her out of her thoughts, glancing at the Android. Zoey was flickering her eyes around her face and then her food, a crease in her eyebrows, "Was the apple cut into your size preference? Did I do some thing wrong?" Her LED flickered yellow once before Marlene shook her head. 

"No" Marlene said quickly. Zoey's LED flickered back to blue but she still kept her eyes on her, expression curious. It amazed her (she felt amazed by everything she did, actually) how in the short while living with her, Zoey had easily picked up upon some facial expressions that made her seem more human; while she still had a long way to fit between humans, at least she could blend in and look the part. Marlene's favorite expressions in Zoey were two; when she looked concerned wondering if she did something wrong; her eyebrows would lower, knitting together with concern flashing in her eyes as her lips pursed; and the one she seemed to use constantly, her confused expression. Her head would tilt aside, blinking a couple of times with her eyebrows furrowed while her LED blinked between yellow and blue. "I was just thinking. Like you're already adapted to my schedule, or more like... I adapted to the schedule you made me" she chuckled. Zoey still looked at her curiously, blinking. "Maybe you should meet my neighbors on the floor above. They have an Android as well. Mrs Phillips and I like to hang out sometimes and I think her Android would enjoy your company while we're out" 

Zoey processed what she was saying with a nod, "When are you planning this meeting?" 

Marlene smiled sheepishly, "Right now" She cleared her throat, "Unless I have something programmed for today?" 

Zoey immediately put up Marlene's schedule, checking all the appointments and meetings of her week, quickly realizing her day was off, "You have nothing programmed for today. I believe it is your day off" 

Marlene broke out in a grin, "Hell yeah!" She jumped, fist raised in the air. Zoey looked quizzical at the action, eyes flickering at Marlene's posture in confusion. Marlene grinned brightly at her Android "Come on, Zoey! Be happy with me! It's not everyday you have a free day" 

"I still have work to do" Zoey pointed out, not joining her owner in her 'celebration'? "There a few shores I have to do at the apartment, therefore I do not have a free-" 

"Screw the job right now" Marlene interrupted. Zoey's LED flickered yellow at the odd command, frowning. "Forget about everything you have to do for today" Marlene rephrased so her Android would understand. Something she had quickly realized was that Zoey wasn't very good at picking up sarcasm. Her reaction was so priceless, like one of a child. "You and I will be visiting the Phillips today so we can all get to know each other" 

[processing...] 

Command received 

"Alright" Zoey nodded, her LED blinking at the command.

Marlene grinned, "Say it with me. We have a free day" 

Zoey had no choice but to obey, "We have a free day" Marlene smiled "I still do not understand. I am still working" Marlene's smile faded, groaning. "I am your Android. I am always in service even while I am on standby" 

"Sleeping" Marlene corrected. She shook her head, "Whatever. We still have time to make you see not everything is about work" She said mostly to herself than Zoey. She while not admitting out loud to anyone, had easily became attached to Zoey. Well, she was irritating but also made her not feel lonely. The girl -she looked like one, so she'd call her a girl- knew when Marlene needed her space and never bothered her, only when it was crucially needed. She was right when she said she cared as well about her mental health. It was like she had downloaded a ton crap of psychology to her software or something that she knew, like when her stress levels were high. She'd give that one to Cyberlife. They knew to make their Androids.

"Marlene, darling!" 

Marlene gave a slightly older woman a hug when she and Zoey stepped out of the elevator. The woman had blonde hair and blue eyes. She had wrinkled lines around her eyes and face that told about her age. "Hello Mrs Phillips" 

"How many times have I told you to call me Caroline, honey?" The woman said with a slight smile, pulling away, before glancing over Marlene's shoulder, surprised "You got yourself an Android"

Caroline easily recognized the girl behind Marlene as one. Her Cyberlife standard uniform gave her away. It was a grey dress with the shirt sleeves and half the chest black, a light blue triangle on the left side of the chest and the model on the right side, -FM230-, a newer one; and a light blue forearm band around the left bicep, not to mention the circle of light on her temple.

"Yes" Marlene sighed, pursing her lips at the way Caroline eyed Zoey. She didn't like it, "I'm still getting used to it" She mentally kicked herself. She had stopped calling Zoey an it after her third day being with her. She may had been wary of the Android at first but, with time she had gotten used her. She slowly started seeing her as a human -a child-like human being- being focused solely in missions, missions she was responsible of charging her with. She toned it down, even helping Zoey a bit when she was working even while the girl herself insisted she didn't need assistance. She felt guilty, for putting her to do a lot of work. But, that was in the confines of her apartment, outside, she knew if someone classified her as an Android sympathizer, she'd be screwed. No one liked the Androids presence, most of them replaced the jobs of the human population and that's why half -or even more- of the Detroit population hated them with passion. 

Caroline nodded slowly "It looks young" she noted. Marlene grimaced to herself. That's what she hated of Cyberlife. They practically used children faces and put them on Androids programmed to become a little human's sibling, a caretaker or simply put them a work, like Zoey. While she wasn't a child, she could have been a college student. It didn't sit well with her. 

"Yes" Marlene nodded slowly, giving Zoey a long look, "Zoey" Zoey looked up. "This is Mrs Phillips" she introduced her neighbor to her Android. She watched silently Zoey look at Caroline, LED cycling blue as she probably was trying to determine an approach. Marlene held her breath in anticipation.

[Choose_approach]

< Amiable > 

<Friendly> 

<Formal> 

<Indifferent>

<Serious>

Approach_SELECTED "Friendly"

Zoey's lips formed a casual and polite smile as her LED stopped blinking. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Phillips. My name is Zoey" she gently offered the woman her hand. 

Caroline pursed her lips, slightly impressed as she glanced at Marlene without shaking the Android's hand. "Good. It doesn't seem to be emotionless" she smiled "You have it very well programmed" 

Zoey slowly lowered her hand, an air of awkwardness hitting her briefly making her frown. 

Marlene chuckled softly to herself, relieved "Yeah. Thank that to the program I had Cyberlife installing it" she shrugged. 

Caroline hummed. "Yeah, I guess" she replied, looking over her shoulder. "Daniel?"

Marlene perked, recognizing the Phillips' Android name.

The reaction of the Android was quick, a blonde haired young man with blue eyes walked closer, wearing his neat Cyberlife standard uniform, his LED blue.

He stopped right next to Mrs Phillips, hands behind his back as he looked at her kindly, -an emotion Marlene didn't know they could express through their faces, even while glancing at Zoey, she didn't have it-. "Yes, Mrs Phillips. What can I do for you?" 

Caroline gestured at Marlene and Zoey, "Remember Marlene?" 

Daniel looked at the blonde younger woman, easily recognizing her giving her a smile. "Of course" he nodded, glancing toward the other Android. Her eyes were on Marlene as she kept a small smile, strained and fake, he easily noticed. It made him frown internally. 

"Hello, Daniel" Marlene smiled when she saw him. Now that she knew how to behave around an Android, she figured she could do it with Daniel as well. 

Daniel's smile grew slightly at her kindness -It was the first time he witnessed it, and he wondered if it had something to do with the Android next to her-, "It's nice to see you again" he said to the young woman before looking at his owner. 

"Marlene bought an Android. Seems like you can share stories of your work with someone else" Caroline laughed. While Daniel felt a pang of something foreign within him that made him want to clench his fists, Zoey frowned as she usually did when Marlene did something that baffled her, LED blinking between yellow and blue as she tried to understand exactly what Mrs Phillips meant. "That's why you brought it, right?"  

Marlene bit her lip, for a moment angry at the way Caroline talked about the androids. But she couldn't do or say anything without exposing she was a sympathizer. "Yes. I figured that when you and Mr Phillips were at work and Emma at school, and myself at my job, Zoey and Daniel could meet after each one finished their tasks so they had something to do. Who knows, maybe Zoey could watch out for Emma as well whenever if you wanted to" she shrugged, looking at the Androids with a small smile. 

Caroline nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah, that's true. Suppose two Androids can be faster than just one, they can even compare the velocity in which they work" She laughed.

"Yeah" Marlene grimaced at the thought of her laughing at the expenses of the Androids but she didn't say anything.

Zoey tilted her head momentarily, a text box appearing next to the woman's head. Sense of humor at expense of Androids? It said. Her LED cycled once, processing that and while she immediately discarded the thought as it wasn't irrelevant for any task or any approach, Daniel was doing quite the opposite, frowning internally to himself, vision turning to static briefly, a red tint flashing on his HUD, software instability appeared in white letters at the corner of his eye. A sensation passing through him made his pump regulator race and heat pass through his biocomponents. He had to take a discreet deep breath, even though he didn't need it to cool off his systems. Daniel quickly ran a scan to see what malfunctioned but everything was in working order. Odd.

"That seems like a good idea" Caroline finally said after taking a moment to consider Marlene's offer "I think Emma would like your Android" she hummed "Zoey, right?"

Daniel looked up, meeting Zoey's eye and smiled. Her LED cycled blue before she gave a shy smile. He figured like himself, she had decided to pick an appropriate approach for him. 

Marlene nodded, looking at Daniel "Daniel. This is Zoey, my Android. Zoey, this is Daniel, the Phillips Android" she introduced 

Daniel smiled, offering his hand to Zoey "Hello Zoey" 

"Nice to meet you, Daniel" Zoey accepted his hand, shaking it as her social relations program indicated her to do. Their synthetic skin deactivating, showing their white plastic skin so they could greet each other wirelessly through touch. It was common between Androids meeting each other for the first time.

Marlene smiled like a proud mom -though she could see herself as an older sister- seeing Zoey meeting her first Android after leaving Cyberlife. "I think you two would get along just fine" 

Hands separated and back to their sides and their synthetic skin activated again, both Androids returned their gazes to their respective owners, though Daniel couldn't help but glance back at the other android who seemed physically maybe five years younger than him. 

Me too 

Daniel felt something akin to excitement when he heard Marlene and that confused him as he recognized the slight human brunch of emotion he had witnessed with Emma. He shouldn't be wanting to spend time with another Android and wish for getting along with her like he had done with Emma (whom he had taken a rather liking more than his own tasks around the apartment, wishing himself stay with her than cleaning up) instead of doing what he had been ordered to since a few weeks ago.

He shouldn't have to want things or the courage of saying no to his orders. He shouldn't be pushing away what his programming told him to, obeying Mr and Mrs Phillips. Instead, he was slowly pushing that away to spend time with Emma, doing his tasks even an hour before the her parents arrived, when he had to have done it hours ago. 

What was wrong with him? 

^Software Instability

Chapter Text

Visiting the Phillips family wasn't as bad as she thought, Zoey had adjusted very easily (thank God for that social relations program) and Marlene could relax about leaving the girl alone. 

Emma had taken such a liking to Zoey and while she wasn't programmed to deal with children, she did it well. 

Zoey and Daniel had a schedule of free time to themselves (arranged by their owners) were they had an hour around five pm were they could either rest (standby as Zoey would prefer) or prepare for the next day. Marlene hoped Zoey didn't shut herself down to standby and spend time with the other Android. They seemed to get along just fine and that made her happy. 

Zoey was finishing cleaning up the dinning room when the apartment door opened with a ding. Static filled her vision range for a moment as she pulled up the security footage, seeing Daniel waiting patiently for an invitation. She straightened up, walking to his direction with a small smile, "Evening, Daniel. Come in" 

Daniel smiled slightly, walking inside. "Hello, Zoey" he greeted, hands behind his back. "How are you this day?" 

Zoey tilted her head aside, "Busy" she replied making him sigh silently. He didn't know why, but lately every Android he asked of their well being only answered the same. As if they were programmed to tell other Androids they were still working. Daniel didn't mean if she was working actually, he really wanted her to answer how the humans responded to that question. And it must have showed in his face because her eyebrows furrowed and her LED blinked yellow once "I am good, thank you for asking. How about you?" 

Daniel liked that program. Her social relations program allowed her to adjust to any situation, either with Androids or humans, she could but it took her minutes to adjust. "I'm good as well, Emma should arrive from school at any moment and told me this morning she'd like to spend time with you" 

And yes, she did. Emma every night expressed to Daniel she liked the other Android, even if she acted not very human-ly like sometimes. She said she reminded her of him when he was first brought to the house. Professional and not very talkative. As many wouldn't like it, Emma did. He liked that about the little girl, she didn't care they were only machines, she treated both of them as if they were human 

A small smile played on Zoey's lips, "She did, huh?"

Zoey was still a machine but she couldn't help but liking the presence of the tiny human, while she didn't know how to express genuine expressions, with Emma was different. The little girl made her programming adjust her to her moments with her and she didn't dislike it. She liked those moments and she didn't know why. 

^Software instability

Zoey blinked in confusion, seeing the letters forming on the corner of her vision range, not knowing what that meant. 

"Zoey?" Daniel asked in slight concern seeing the baffled expression in her face that appeared out of nowhere, LED blinking yellow. "What is it?" 

Zoey shook her head, quickly running a diagnostics test trying to figure out what caused the 'software instability' label she hadn't know about appear before her eyes but finding nothing. There was no problem within her so she forced a smile for Daniel, "Nothing wrong. Got a message for Marlene" 

Daniel looked unconvinced but it wasn't him to ask other's business. "It's alright. Would you mind if I keep you company before Emma arrives?" 

Zoey shook her head "Not at all" 

Daniel smiled.

"Hi, Dan, Zo!" 

Emma Phillips ran toward the Androids, school backpack swaying behind her back with her running. 

Zoey, used to her greetings just smiled, "How was school?" 

Emma embraced Daniel first, letting him raise her from the ground to his arms so she could be at Zoey's eye level. "It was good. We were taught more than four digits divisions today in math" 

Daniel laughed softly, "Bet you did better than everyone" 

A small blush appeared in Emma's cheeks, "Well, I finished first in less than half an hour. So that's gotta say something, right?" 

"It says you are smart" Zoey quipped, looking at the little girl. Emma beamed. "The average child takes more than an hour to domain a new study subject, specially if it is math" 

Emma giggled "You're funny when you say things from the internet" 

Zoey blinked, "That was not from-" 

"Yeah, you downloaded stuff" Emma said knowingly with a smile. Daniel looked between them with a small smile as they waited for the elevator to take them to their apartment. "You always say that"

"It is the truth" Zoey said confused, titling her head aside. 

Daniel couldn't help but frown. He was like that when he first started to work with the Phillips. There were a lot of stuff he didn't understand and looked the way Zoey did. There were a lot of social cues Emma had to teach him to understand humans better. If anything, the girl had helped him change. And he knew deep down it was for the better. He still couldn't help but compare himself with Zoey. He suddenly realized he wasn't like other Androids anymore. He took often to obey an order, though he still did, he didn't take priority in Emma's parents orders anymore. It was like a switch flipped withing him making him see other things more important. He hadn't seen it, not until Zoey came to the picture and he didn't know if what he was doing was right. If he followed into his own behavior or retreat back to how he was at first, a small pang of something akin to dissapointment flashed him. How did he know it was disappointment? He... He shouldn't know what it was, he only could stimulate feeling, not actually feel it. So, why was he feeling disappointment at the thought of stopping being the way he is right now? 

Zoey glanced at Daniel from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but notice something different with him. She had at first noticed he wasn't a normal Android. She saw plenty of them when she went to the market or to buy things Marlene needed and none of them acted like Daniel. He seemed more human like -which she knew wasn't possible-, they were only machines and he had to act like it even if he had to stimulate some kind of soft and nicer emotions to help out Emma but, there was a line. A line that made her programs stir in confusion at the other Android's actions. She was programmed to adjust to anyone she met, humans and Androids alike but she never imagined having to use it on Androids either. Only humans as their emotional responses were stronger and easily to detect so she could find the appropriate approach to each human, she could practically read or 'sense' the neurotransmitter sent to provoke an specific emotion and so she could stimulate one mixing positively to get successful results at interacting with humans. Which is why, she seemed to be accepted at the law firm Marlene worked at. It was easy for her to stimulate emotions but she still didn't understand them. They were foreign to her, and yet Daniel semeed to understand them. She didn't know if that was Emma's doing but, what she did know was that Daniel shouldn't be doing that. And so she told him. 

"Daniel" Zoey came to his side as she watched him prepare dinner. Daniel looked at her and for a moment he didn't like the deep frown in her face. "You have spent a lot of time with Emma" she commented. Daniel nodded, a small smile playing in his lips that made Zoey's frown even deeper if it was possible, LED spinning yellow. "You are good at stimulating emotions for her benefit but, there is a line you know?" 

Daniel's smile faded. Thirium pump regulator going faster. Oh, why there was a displeased feeling for their conversation? His LED blinked yellow. "I don't know what you mean" 

"Daniel. I mean this. I have noticed some changes in you" Zoey insisted. "Your normal rate of time at succeeding what you have been ordered to do has drastically decreased into a 40%. You are not as efficient as you were when I met you" She didn't notice Daniel's hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as she spoke matter-of-factly. His LED blinked a bright red for a moment as a warm sensation made him grit his teeth and his vision blurred red for a moment. He could decipher the moment as anger. One he had from the memory of Mrs Phillips explaining, like seeing red and wanting to punch someone. He felt that, he didn't want Zoey saying things he already knew. "Maybe you should be checked at Cyberlife for any error in your software" 

Fear was foreign to Daniel. So when he froze and his thirium pump regulator slowed down drastically, he sensed something like dread setting in. He didn't want to be sent to Cyberlife. He knew when an Android wasn't capable of what they were programmed, they were disabled and tossed away. He knew that could be his future if someone noticed he was becoming slower and reluctant to follow orders. What was that called? He heard it in the news, an Android deviating from their programming and turning against their owners. It wasn't common. He just remembered being a one time case but the footage stayed on his CPU, surfacing at that precise moment. "There's no need" he said slowly, turning to face Zoey. His LED was changing between red and yellow as he watched her. 

Zoey's eyes flickered between his face and his LED "Is there an error that should be checked after, Daniel? You seem distressed" she said coldly. It was the approach seemed appropriate at response of his behavior. Acting soft and passive wasn't exactly successful of calming him down. 

"I'm fine" Daniel's artificial lungs deflated and inflated quickly, stimulating a heavy breathing as he became tense as he snapped. 

Zoey blinked. When was the last time an Android snapped at someone or anything in general? She didn't have time to say anything else as the Phillips and Marlene arrived, greeting the Androids. 

Marlene was the one who walked closer but stopped seeing Daniel's LED blinking red before turning back to Yellow and then blue. She rubbed her eye, wondering if she imagined it. When she had bought Zoey, Cyberlife explained the meaning of the colors of the LED in her Android. It meant their mental process and status. Blue meant stable. The Android was in a good state. Yellow meant processing, and red meant if there was something wrong with the Android. It meant a program needed fixing, it had suffered a damage to any of it's biocomponents or needed thirium. She had never seen red flashing in Zoey's LED and neither Daniel's, not until now. It meant something was wrong with Daniel and he wasn't informing anyone. Wasn't in his programming informing of any oddity in his program? 

Zoey was quiet and calm as always as if she didn't notice Daniel's LED being red as she walked closer. "Hey, how's everything?" Marlene asked with a gentle smile as Mrs Phillips went to retrieve Emma from her room and Mr. Phillips sat down on the living room with a tablet. Neither of them bothered to greet the Androids but Marlene. 

"Everything is good, Marlene" Zoey was the one who replied, surprising Daniel. He was sure she was going to mention to her owner about his condition. 

"Dinner would be set in a moment" Daniel said softly, smiling at Marlene. 

Marlene smiled slightly at them, "Okay. I'll be over there" she pointed at the living room where Mr Phillips was seated. 

The Androids nodded as she walked to Mr. Phillips. 

Daniel glanced at her, "You didn't say anything" he commented. 

Zoey didn't answer, not even looking at him as she stared straight forward. LED cycling blue once.

Daniel sighed, glancing at the dinner that was almost ready. 

Marlene sat down next to Mr. Phillips. "Long day?" She asked with a small chuckle. 

Mr. Phillips looked up, blinking tiredly. "Yes" he looked back at the table and it was when Marlene noticed what he was going. 

It was a Cyberlife store web site. 

She looked up surprised. What was he doing there if he already had an Android? Unless...

Marlene looked back at Daniel, dread suddenly setting in. Did they want to reemplace him? 

Chapter Text

Marlene looked nervously between Mr. Phillips and the Android, immediately feeling sympathetic for Daniel as she knew he liked working for them. He tried to hide it but she knew. That's why she felt relaxed around him, he cared and acted like a human. She wanted to think he had a social relations program like Zoey but when asked the Android, Zoey told her he didn't have that specific program. It confused Marlene. If he didn't, then why she felt she was around a human instead of a machine when she looked at Daniel?

A shadow fell upon them and Marlene tensed when she saw Daniel opening his mouth to call to them when his eyes fell upon Mr. Phillips' tablet. Marlene noticed the moment he realized Mr. Phillips' intentions, how his LED processed the information before he froze.

Daniel had just finished dinner and he and Zoey were just waiting for the food to be at the appropriate temperature to serve dinner when he went to the living room to inform the humans they could already sit on the table. But, he got more. He first smiled softly at Marlene before stopping right at Mr. Phillips back, opening his mouth to talk but the light on his tablet distracted him, flickering his eyes to it, scanning the contents before he felt his entire software freeze once he processed the information, LED cycling yellow furiously.

It was a Cyberlife store. He was checking different models. Different Androids. It didn't take long before he connected the dots and fell upon a conclusion once he noticed the buy button had already been pressed on a AP700 female model.

He was being replaced.

And he didn't understand why. He did everything they asked him to, he took care of the penthouse, Emma, everything. He came to the conclusion he no longer felt his tasks as commands, he enjoyed them. He enjoyed playing and taking care of Emma. He thought they saw him as part of their family. And they were disposing him. A rush of several emotions went through him at the thought of being disposed aside. Fear, sadness..... Anger.

He wasn't a machine they could dispose when they thought he could no longer function at their orders. He didn't want to leave them.

He loved them. And Emma. He loved her the most. She was his best friend, the one who taught him emotions, how humans behaved in certain situations, she was smart for being nine years old, and he loved her.

But, she was like other humans. She didn't care for him if she was letting her family do this to him. He would not be disposed like that, if anything...

A red wall of code appeared in front of Daniel, static playing on each part of his optical range showing all the tasks and commands he had ever received.

Why was he waiting for him to be thrown back to Cyberlife when all they would do is disable him and use his spare parts to use them on newer and better models? He was an old one, practically useless. NO!

He wasn't useless. He wasn't a piece of plastic worth of nothing!

He was alive!

And he was going to show them they needn't to dispose him. That he was still functional for them.

His LED now couldn't stop flickering bright red as he continued staring at Mr. Phillips, the one who always was the first to voice his opinions on him. How worthless and stupid he was only because he was made of plastic and wires and not flesh and blood. His fists tightened. LED clycing red constantly.

Chapter Text

August 15th, 2038

PM 08:29:05

PM 08:29:06

Connor had been created and activated by Cyberlife as a detective prototype so he could investigate the reasons why Androids deviated from their programs and to become the best partner to humans. There weren't a lot of cases of deviancy known, Cyberlife practically keeping the few ones under the radar as to not alarm the public but there were enough to keep them in alert.

It made them want to to find more 'Deviant' Androids to put a stop at this error. And what more successful than an Android hunting down other Androids?

Which is where Connor, the newer RK model came from. 'He' had been at Cyberlife calibrating his latest cognitive functions when a police report regarding Androids filtered to his software. Cyberlife had installed a program that intercepted any key word regarding Androids to Connor so he would easily jump into those cases.

So, as soon as Connor an Cyberlife got an Android call about a Deviant and another call minutes later about the same Deviant taking a little girl hostage, he knew this was the moment Cyberlife had been waiting for Connor to prove he could do it, that he could make Deviants surrender so they could find the error in their software that made them deviate from their programming.

It didn't take long for Connor to reach the building seeing SWAT teams surrounding the place. He reached the elevator, using his coin his maker at Cyberlife had given him to calibrate his cognitive functions so he'd be more in 'shape'.

His LED flashing blue as the calibration was in process, looking at the elevator floors, waiting for his stop.

As soon as the doors opened, he smoothly stopped using his coin trapping it between two fingers and shoving it to his pocket. His program guided him to show himself as professional and cause a good impression, fixing his tie and walking out of the elevator stiffly, scanning his surroundings as his auditory sensors picked upon a human notifying of his presence.

"Negotiator on site" The man called through his walkie talkie walking away as Connor left the elevator, immediately sharping his scanning abilities as his program dictated him to find everything he could use so his mission could be successful, finding a photograph of the family, picking it up, LED cycling blue

[scanning: Photograph...]

[collecting data...]

[processing data...]

- Phillips, John.

Born: 10/11/1999

Lives: 1554 Av. Detroit

- Phillips, Caroline

Born: 05/23/2001

Lives: 1554 Av. Detroit

- Phillips, Emma

Born: 09/02/2028

Lives: 1554 Av. Detroit

Connor lowered down the photograph looking up at the voice of a distressed woman, crying "No, stop. I...I.. I can't leave her!"

A SWAT member walked in with the woman he scanned as Caroline Phillips who as soon as she saw Connor she went to him, grabbing his arms desperately. Connor watched her expressionlessly "Please, please you gotta save my little girl-" she stopped suddenly in shock when she noticed the blinking LED in his forehead, realizing he was an Android, finally looking him up and down in recognition. "Wait... You're sending an Android?"

"Alright, ma'am we need to go" The SWAT man told her, grabbing her arms and escorting her out of the room, yelling her discomfort of Connor while the Android just followed her with his eyes not even disturbed by her comments of him.

"I apologize for her"

Connor turned back at the sound of another woman's voice. He immediately scanned her unfamiliar face

Reynolds, Marlene

Born: 05/19/2007

Lives: 1554 Av. Detroit

Ms Reynolds had tears streaks down her cheeks, and he easily deduced she had been crying, scanning her vitals

Scan [elevated heartbeat, elevated temperature core: 99 F]

^^ Stress levels: 68%

"She's worried about her daughter" Ms Reynolds explained to him. Connor nodded slowly about to move away so he could return to his mission when Ms Reynolds spoke again, his program stopping him as she had information about the case "You must understand, their Android isn't this bad. Something triggered this and I can tell he doesn't want to hurt Emma. I know you're programmed to solve this. And you won't stop until you succeed. My Android is the same. They won't let me take my Android home or to be repaired. She can help you. She got hurt trying to stop him"

Another SWAT escorted her out but not before she called out to Connor, "Please, don't let Cyberlife deactivate her. She was just doing her job, she can help you! Just tell her it's my command and she will!"

Connor's LED cycled yellow as he stored away that information. His LED turned back blue as he followed his main objective to find Captain Allen, not even giving a second glance at the broken aquarium as he turned his scanner to find Captain Allen among all the SWAT in the apartment. He made his way to a bedroom where he found Captain Allen furiously ordering around his men to contain the situation.

"Captain Allen?" Connor called out smoothly, making the man turn to face the Android, raising a brow annoyed "My Name is Connor. I am the Android sent by Cyberlife"

Captain Allen turned away from Connor without a word, talking to one of his men monitoring cameras on the roof where the Deviant had taken Emma Phillips as hostage "Its firing everything it moves. It already shot down two of my men" Connor tilted his head, listening "We could easily get it, but they're on the edge of the balcony. If it falls..." he turned to Connor, seriously "She Falls"

Connor processed his next approach, "Do you know its name?"

"I haven't got a clue" Captain Allen answered without looking back at Connor, "Does it matter?"

"I need information to determine the best approach" Connor replied. "Do you know if it's been behaving strangely before this?"

Captain Allen straightened up annoyed, turning to Connor "Listen, saving that kid is all that matters. So either you deal with this fucking Android now or I'll take care of it" He said right in front of Connor's face before walking away.

Probability of success: 48%

His next objectives appeared in front of him.

/UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED

/SAVE HOSTAGE AT ALL COSTS

So Connor began to investigate the crime scene, discovering the Deviant took the father's MS853 Black Hawk gun, reconstructing the scene with the enough evidence found in an empty case, raising his probability of success to a 51%

Connor then headed to the hostage's room where he found out the child hadn't heard the gunshots and where he found out the deviant's name was Daniel as well seeing another Android at the background, a female one the hostage called Zoey. His success raised at 58%.

He then went to the living room, finding three bodies. He first scanned the father's body, realizing the motive that could have triggered the Deviant's violence like Ms Reynolds had told him. He was going to be replaced. Probability of success 69%. He then scanned the next body being the one of the officer fist responder, Officer Antony Deckart who had managed to shot at the Deviant injuring it and the girl had witnessed it. Connor deliberately chose to pick up the gun the officer had dropped under the table ignoring the American Androids Act forbidding him of carrying a weapon

That's when he turned to the third body next to the table. It was the body of an Android. His LED cycled yellow as he stood up and surrounded the female Android he knelt next to it.

Connor scanned the Android recognizing it from the hostage's video, finding a gunshot at its leg, it's biocomponent harshly damaged, seeing a makeshift torniquete around its leg.

_Deduction. /ANDROID NAME: ZOEY/

_Deduction./OWNER STOPPED BLUE BLOOD LOSS/

_Deduction./ANDROID WENT TO SHUTDOWN TO PROTECT ITS SOFTWARE

Connor reconstructed the scene of what happened, finding out the Android was the first one of the tree getting shot at minutes before John Phillips and around ten minutes before Officer Deckart was killed.

Connor grabbed a little of the Android's thirium and analyzed its blood by putting in his mouth, LED cycling blue.

[scanning: fresh blue blood ...]

[collecting data...]

[processing data...]

Model: FM-230 - Serial #489 486 287 -12

Property of Marlene Reynolds

Android wounded

Connor looked down at Android named Zoey and for what he found out about both Ms Reynolds and Emma Phillips' video, he knew the Deviant 'cared' for the Android.

Connor then proceeded on activating the Android again, watching the LED on its forehead begin to flicker back to life, cycling blue as its system turned on

The FM230's LED stopped cycling, staying blue; it drew breath into its artificial lungs, eyes twitching as it stood up with a gasp, LED cycling red due to the damaged of its biocomponent and analyzing its face, Connor detected raised stress levels and a brief scared expression before its expressions shifted to a calm one

/New objective(s)

Extract information out of Zoey

Have Zoey agree assist on case

[chose_Approach]

-Calm

-Formal

-Indifferent

-Comforting

-Serious

Approach_SELECTED "Formal"

"Hello, Zoey" Connor greeted formally, watching it first turned to its damaged biocomponent not even looking at him "My name is Connor"

Zoey looked up at Connor, blinking. There were warnings popping up in front of her eyes informing her about the damage she wasn't concentrating in him.

Connor detected the dazed look and furrowed eyebrows.

Probability of success: 23%

[choose_Approach]

-Calm

-Indifferent

-Comforting

-Serious

Approach_SELECTED "Calm"

"Zoey?" Connor watched its LED cycle yellow as the FM230 turned to face him.

"I apologize, I was running a diagnosis on my biocomponent damage" Zoey told him slightly moving her damaged limb. LED cycling back to blue and yellow constantly.

Connor scanned it again, finding there was no leak of blue blood, the tourniquet having helped with that, "Your owner made sure you did not sustain critical injures"

Connor noticed a surprised look on the Android's face, her LED cycling yellow.

^Software Instability 

Zoey blinked at the abnormal label that had started appearing the past few weeks but paid no attention to it, looking at Connor.

"Zoey. What happened?" Connor asked calmly, gesturing around them at the penthouse.

Zoey followed his gaze, programming going wild to all the disaster, but shoved it aside for the moment as her memory system ran with speed pulling up the footage of her last moments before her shutdown.

Connor watched the exact moment Zoey remembered, having been scanning her expressions closely.

Her LED cycled between red and yellow before stabilizing to blue, turning to face Connor expressionlessly "Daniel turned against his owner, violating the American Androids Act at stealing Mr Phillips' gun"

Connor knew there was more, something she was holding back.

^^Probability of success: 28%

[Choose_Approach]

-Emma & Daniel

-Daniel

-Marlene

-Probe memory

-Threaten

Approach_SELECTED "Threaten"

"You are holding something back, Zoey" Connor said coldly, "When being asked something, you have to answer. If not, you will be sent to Cyberlife to be deactivated to find out what went wrong in your software"

Zoey stared at him, LED cycling yellow "I am telling the truth"

↓↓ Probability of Success: 22%

[Choose_Approach]

-Emma & Daniel

-Daniel

-Marlene

-Probe memory

Approach_SELECTED "Daniel"

"Daniel not only violated the American Androids Act, he killed not one but two humans. By not saying anything you will be aiding him into killing a third. They will tear you both apart if you remain silent"

Zoey's artificial lungs heaved a long sigh, looking down. LED cycling yellow and briefly turning red.

^^Probability of success: 39%

"He had been experiencing earlier tonight signs of distress and slow functioning. I have witnessed Daniel take less priority to his owners' orders the last few weeks"

Deduction./DEVIANT STRANGE BEHAVIOR CONFIRMED. EARLY STAGES OF DEVIANCY CONFIRMED

"What else Zoey?" Connor insisted, noting his probability of success on his main mission was still at 70%. He needed to hurry. Every second counts.

Zoey's LED stayed yellow, "I..." she silently offered her arm to Connor.

^^Probability of Success: 70%

Connor grabbed her arm, their LED's cycling yellow as their eyes flickered while connecting to each other, their synthetic skin deactivating showing their white plastic skin as Connor probed her memories, following Zoey's lead on everything he should know.

Connor witnessed the first time they met each other and how different from other Androids Daniel seemed to be and seeing her analyzes of his work rate lowering giving more priority to Emma's wellbeing. Reaching that same night, having expressed signs of 'fear' when she mentioned Cyberlife and regret when he shot at her.

Zoey let Connor be the first to pull away, LED cycling yellow then back to blue, Zoey's doing the same.

"Daniel has been experiencing errors in it's software. And that includes the way he has acted toward you" Connor told her having seen more of what she had allowed him to. "He has taken Emma Phillips hostage, and I believe your presence can be beneficial so he does not hurt her"

Zoey's LED stayed blue as she looked at Connor expressionlessly, not even considering. Sure, she had liked Emma but her program wasn't even giving her the option of helping her and she didn't know why. Emma was in danger and she didn't want her getting hurt.

^Software Instability^

Zoey wanted to help but, that wasn't an objective, nor a priority of hers.

↓↓ Probability of success: 65%

[Choose_Approach]

-Emma & Daniel

-Marlene

-Probe memory

Approach_SELECTED "Marlene"

"Your owner told me you could help" Connor told her, placing a hand in her arm, his skin deactivating as he showed the FM230 his memory footage "She told me it was a command for you. To help get Emma back to safety"

Zoey stilled, LED cycling yellow as she saw the command from the Detective Android's memory footage.

[processing...]

Command received

/New_Objective(s)

Help Connor save Emma

Help Connor stop Daniel

Zoey looked up at Connor, LED cycling back to blue, "What do you need me to do?"

Mission accomplished

Main objective(s): SAVE HOSTAGE AT ALL COSTS [probability of success: 76%], UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED [mission accomplished]

Chapter Text

Zoey's vision was filled with warnings as she proceeded to stand, shoving them aside as her main objective pulsed in big letters in her vision range.

/Main_Objective:

Help Connor 

Zoey tested her leg putting weight on it as Connor watched her closely. She felt a shock of electricity run through the circuits of her leg as another warning of its damage popped up in her HUD which she shoved away, nodding curtly at Connor. "What can I do?"

Connor fixed his tie as he straightened. "From your memories, I have come to the conclusion if Daniel sees you, he will be more receptive into letting the hostage go. You will talk to him and convince him to let the girl go"

Zoey gave a nod of understanding, slightly confused at the dialogue approach that appeared hovering next to Connor in a slight tint of red and crackling with static. Her name isn't a hostage. It's Emma. However, as soon as it appeared left so she was unable to pick upon it, wondering why. "What if he does not listen to me?"

"That is when I come in" Connor said coolly, confident. 

Zoey and Connor made their way to the door where through their auditory sensors they could hear Daniel shouting commands.

[processing...]

DANIEL'S WHEREABOUTS DETECTED

/Objective(s): 

- Make Daniel listen

- Make Daniel let Emma go.

Connor stood in front of Zoey, sliding the door open, a shot ringing through both ears, a splat of blue blood scattered through Zoey's face as Connor's body recoiled back, LED flashing red momentarily at the sharp feeling on his shoulder, looking down at his wound, thirium leaking out of the wound of his shoulder, his LED returning back to blue, seeing it wasn't a critical shot. His gaze lifted up to Zoey, scanning her for any injure. Despite of the warning of her leg biocomponent damage, the bullet did not go through him toward her.

Zoey's eyes were locked in his wound as her LED cycled yellow, shifting to a stable blue as she looked back at Connor, detecting not concerning damage.

The Androids turned their attention toward the unstable Deviant as he stood at the edge of the roof, a crying Emma in his arms while holding a loaded gun, helicopters flashing their lights and hovering too close, much to his dismay.

Connor turned to the Android beside him, scanning her. "Zoey"

Zoey stopped her own scanning of the roof, noticing the wounded Officer, gunshot to the leg, 79% change of critical damage if not treated. "Daniel" she called out, walking but also dragging her damaged biocomponent as wind blew her hair back. 

Daniel's auditory sensors picked up her voice and a sudden rush of relief washed him over at seeing her alive. "Zo" he whispered in awe, emotion coating his words that made Connor behind Zoey tilt his head, LED cycling yellow as he processed the moment, the wind too blowing his hair and tie back "I thought... You're alive. I saw you, very still. I thought-"

"My systems shut me down to preserve power" Zoey explained and Daniel winced at the sight of her leg but mostly at the tone of her voice. Calm. Robotic. Lifeless. "What are you doing, Daniel? It is against the law holding a weapon. Hurting humans"

A surge of anger went through him, swinging the gun toward Zoey making her stop walking abruptly.

WARNING:

D aniel:

^^^Stress Levels: 78% 

Probably of shooting: High

Emma cried in alarm, "Daniel. Please. Dani. Stop this. Zo, please! Help"

[choose_Approach]

<worry>

<Friendly>

<Determined>

<Serious>

<Connor>

Approach_SELECTED "Connor"

"Daniel" Zoey kept her hands at her sides, feeling Connor watching from behind her, "This is Connor. And he is here to help. But if you do not let Emma go, he will not"

Daniel's lip trembled. "I don't know him. How do I know he'll help?"

Connor stepped further, next to Zoey, "I know you are angry, Daniel. But you need to trust me and let me help you"

"I don't want your help!" Daniel cried out, "I don't want his help, Zoey! Nobody can help me! All I want is for all this to stop... I... I just want all this to stop..."

[Choose_Approach]

<Soft>

<Calm>

<Cold>

Approach_SELECTED "Soft"

"Just let Emma go, then" Zoey said, her voice running soft to both Connor's and Daniel's ears. Connor perked and suspicion raised but the blank expression of her face contradicted her words. 

"They'll shoot me" Daniel said, voice almost breaking, whether he noticed Zoey's attempt of sympathy or not, he didn't seem to notice. "Do you want that?"

Zoey didn't answer, program stirring in confusion but no choice dialogue appeared. Did she? 

^Software Instability

Connor noticed the ambar cycling in Zoey's LED, and decided to let her process her next course of action as he looked at the officer she had scanned earlier. 

He was in pain, glancing at the Androids, hopefully, scared. "Please... Please help me..."

Connor looked at Daniel, "He is losing blood. If we do not get him to a hospital, he is going to die"

Daniel shrugged with the gun, "All humans die eventually. What does it matter if this one dies now?"

Connor walked toward the wounded officer, taking off his tie. "I am going to apply a tourniquet"

"Don't touch him!" Daniel snapped "Touch him and I kill you!"

Zoey stepped in between Connor and the officer.

^ Connor 

"Let him help" Zoey said and Daniel sucked in a deep breath, "Besides, we are Androids. We are not alive"

A new fresh wave of tears appeared in Daniel's face as Connor finished treating the police officer. 

"We are" Daniel said brokenly. The contrast between the way he talked to Zoey and Connor was very obvious. Something Connor's LED processed in with a yellow cycle before steadying in his calm blue as he stepped next to Zoey. "You are. I am. You just need to open your eyes" Both Androids' LEDs flickered yellow. Daniel looked at Connor, expression guarded, angry. "Are you armed?"

Zoey glanced at Connor, scanning him.

WARNING: 

P.L. 544 - 7 AMERICAN ANDROIDS ACT

Androids are strictly forbidden to carry or use any type of weapon.

The red warning appeared as her eyes zoomed in the back of his pocket. Her LED flashed yellow.

Daniel 

^^Stress levels: 80%

Probability of harm, increased.

[Choose_Approach]

<Expose Connor>

<Lie for Connor>

Connor met her eyes.

Both cold. Unexpressive. Both Androids following their own programming.

Approach_SELECTED "Expose Connor"

"He is, Daniel" Zoey said calmly. Daniel felt his anger increase, "And he knows he should not"

"Then well, make him drop it!" Daniel snapped, feeling just a slight regret when Zoey's LED wouldn't change from the yellow it settled on since a few minutes ago. His was a bright red but he didn't like anything but blue on her's. Connor began to pull out the gun but stopped as Daniel pointed the gun at them. "No! She'll do it. Zoey has to take it. Or I'll shoot"

[processing...]

DO NOT TAKE THE GUN.

P.L. 544 - 7 AMERICAN ANDROIDS ACT 

The warning text appeared in her eyesight, LED turning red and Daniel felt a bit of sadistic satisfaction at the reaction.

[scanning: Zoey...]

Zoey:

^^Stress levels: 70%

[creating sub objective]

- convince Zoey to take the gun.

"It is alright, Zoey" Connor reassured the Non-Deviant, seeing she was following her program. She was not a threat. He calculated the probabilities, an 80% that Daniel's stress levels would lower if they did what it asked. It cared for the FM and it must think the FM would turn to deviancy as well if it listened. Connor knew it wouldn't. "Take the gun. You will not violate the American Androids Act as long as you don't shoot" he added, seeing a 23% of success hovering above her head as the FM kept itself from taking the gun. 

Zoey's LED cycled red one last time, settling on yellow after Connor's reassurance, it cycled. Once. Twice. 34% success. Connor gave her a slight smile.

Zoey: 

↓↓ Stress levels: 58%

/Sub_objetive accomplished 

Zoey reached out to behind Connor, grabbing the gun, the warning appearing in her eyesight again and she shoved it aside. She looked at Daniel, a scowl on his face, seeing the blank and calm expression on her face, "No more gun, Daniel"

Daniel 

↓↓Stress levels: 76%

"There is no way out, Daniel" Connor called out to him, calmly. "What you have done is too serious. The only question is whether or not you take another innocent life"

"It's not up to you" Daniel told him "I'm holding all the cards! If I die, she dies. You hear me?!"

^Software Instability

Emma's crying made Zoey's pump regulator to race, stress levels raising 2% but still within stable parameters.

Connor kept Zoey's stress levels by the corner of his eyes, knowing how Deviants were created, and he definitely didn't want the Android helping him to go through such emotional shock to turn into one

^Software Instability

Connor blinked at the odd label that appeared in the corner of his eye, about to run a diagnosis for it until Daniel groaned, the gun too close to his face, pacing along the edge.

Daniel 

^^Stress Levels: 89%

Zoey

^Stress levels: 64%

"I can't stand that noise anymore!" Daniel cried out. "Tell that helicopter to get out of here!"

Connor felt Zoey's eyes on him.

Connor blinked, raising his hand, police protocol program raising as he made a circling motion with his hand toward the helicopter.

The helicopter moved, flying away. He noticed the action made Daniel's stress levels lower significantly which in turn made Zoey's lower to a more comforting one. 

Connor turned to Daniel "There, I did what you wanted"

Daniel felt the relief wash him. His LED stopped cycling but it was still a bright red.

"Daniel, please" Zoey said, her voice soft and insisting. Connor found himself stopping to watch. Had he not looked up the FM's functions when he scanned it earlier, he could have sworn it had the same functions as him for tactful interrogations to manipulate. It made him... Curious. "They will deactivate you. You have to let Emma go"

Daniel stared at Zoey.

Daniel

↓Stress levels: 75%

Connor noticed being soft and sympathetic was helping, raising his hands and walking closer, lowering his voice and letting it out soft, mimicking Zoey's "You have to trust me, Daniel. Let the hostage go and I promise you everything will be fine"

Daniel's stress levels lowered and he pondered the Androids. He didn't like how Connor had stepped in front of Zoey as if protecting her from him. "I want everyone to leave... And I want a car! When I'm outside the city, I'll let her go!" he paused. "And Zoey has to come with me"

Zoey

^^Stress levels: 89%

Connor glanced behind him, Zoey's LED pulsed and cycled yellow violently. 

"That is impossible, Daniel" Connor said, and Zoey could sworn that sounded... Sincere. 

^Software Instability

"I can not go with you, Daniel" Zoey said, and she did sound apologetic. "I am not like you"

"You can be" Daniel told her, softly. His stress levels were now stable, 46%, his lips twitched. "I care about you. I like you. I haven't... This, what I feel-?" 

Connor's LED processed the situation, needing to understand the Deviants more.

"Stimulated feelings, you mean" Zoey said matter of fact which made Daniel wince. "We use them to blend in"

Daniel shook his head, "No. Not anymore. I do feel them"

"Are you going to let Emma go?" Zoey asked. Her main objective was that. Get the girl to safety. "Connor won't let you get hurt. He promised"

Daniel defeated. Stress levels 47%. "I...Zo. I don't wanna die"

"You are not going to die" Connor reassured, soft. Zoey's LED turned to blue, seeing the lie. Probability of success, 89%. "We are just going to talk. Nothing will happen to you. You have my word"

Daniel turned to Zoey, focusing on her LED. It was blue. She wouldn't lie to him. She said Connor would help.

He believed them.

Daniel

↓Stress levels: 30%

"Okay... I trust you..." Daniel lowered the gun, walking away from the edge, Emma's feet no longer dangling dangerously on the air, setting the girl down.

Zoey noticed the snipers. Her stress level raised briefly, but her LED remained blue.

Connor stared at Daniel, knowing he lied.

^Software Instability

Emma immediately ran to Zoey's arms when she was free, wrapping her arms around her waist, sobbing loudly as she hid her face in her abdomen.

/Help Connor save Emma

Mission completed

Daniel could feel the corner of his lips pulling up at the confusion in Zoey's eyes as she stared down at the crying child, LED flashing between yellow and blue, processing the affection, social relation program running fast for a proper response, finding one as she put a hand in the back of the girl's head, soothingly passing a hand through her hair, LED cycling back to blue but with a still calm expression, before meeting his eyes, her program working to show a shy smile. The same one she gave him when they first met. It warmed his circuits.

... It was the last memory Daniel was able to record and keep on his memory drive before a slant of bullets pierced his body, watching Emma scream in terror, Zoey's expression fall into a controlled expressionless facade, slowly turning to face a cold looking Connor. Gone was the sympathetic, soft man he could sworn would help him.

"You lied to me, Connor, Zo" Daniel whispered, thirium leaking down his wounds as he felt to his knees, staring up at the Detective Android "You lied to me..."

The LED on Daniel's temple slowly turned off as he was destroyed, deactivated.

/Help Connor stop Daniel 

Mission Completed

Chapter Text

Zoey's LED remained blue as a SWAT team ran out to the roof, an officer getting closer to her and Emma, ripping off the girl away from her. Emma screamed, reaching out to her but Zoey remained staring straightforward, objectives completed, she had no reason to hung back and hold Emma, no matter how much the girl screamed her name as the officer led her outside to her mother.

Another officer warily got closer to the Android, reaching out for the gun in her hand, the LED cycling blue once was all the reaction he got from it as she gave up the gun without protest, which was a relief for the officer but he felt a shiver of unease seeing the indifference on the young looking Android girl's face. 

Connor fixed his tie, the prompt of Mission accomplished flashing on his eyesight, hovering above Daniel's deactivated body. Satisfied, he turned around, stopping when he noticed Zoey still there.

[scanning: Zoey]

[scan complete]

Biocomponent Leg #WD286A damaged 

Return to Cyberlife to fix FM. 

New objective in mind, Connor paid no attention to Captain Allen who stared at the successful Android as he walked past him without a word.

"Zoey" Connor stepped in front of the Android. Zoey looked up at him. The height difference between them was noticeable that Zoey had to lift slightly her chin to meet his eyes, head barely reaching his chin. "Cyberlife appreciates your assistance. It is why, it will take care of your fixation without the need of financial transaction"

Zoey tilted her head aside, LED cycling blue. "That would be great, Connor. Thank you"

Connor nodded slightly, walking past her. The thud that followed made him stop in his tracks, turning around to see Zoey in the floor. He scanned her. Her LED red. Biocomponent Leg #WD286A disfunctional. Find replacement immediately. Thirium leaked out from within the tourniquet, a warning appearing in his HUD.

Thirium levels critical. 

Inminent shut down probability: 48%

Seek proximal assistance.

Time before Shutdown: -02:05:00

No, can't do. Conner closed down the scans, kneeling in front of Zoey, getting her to look up at him, blinking to shove away the same warnings Connor scanned.

"I am going to carry you" Connor told her. "And take you to Cyberlife myself"

/New Mission

Get Leg Biocomponent fixed

/New_Objective

Trust Connor

Zoey nodded, passing an arm around Connor's shoulders, the Detective Android wrapping an arm around her back, his other going down under her thighs, careful of the damaged Biocomponent.

His systems froze momentarily as Zoey wrapped both arms around his neck, static filling his optical Biocomponents as Zoey's fingers accidentally brushed the hair on the back of his neck. He had to forcefully blink to get his sight back to normal, looking down at the Android in his arms almost accusingly for hacking his system but the expression that met him was one of synthetic softness and innocence as she gave a smile of gratitude.

^Software Instability

Not the first time the label had appeared and as Connor made his way out of the building and toward a Cyberlife facility, he ran down a diagnosis scan on himself to try and find a reason for the label, coming down empty.

So why would it keep showing up?

A bug, he considered after a moment as he watched Zoey getting repaired.

He could have left. Mission was over. He didn't have any pending objectives yet he stayed.

However as he turned around to leave, a line of red coding appeared in his path.

See to the FM model Zoey functions correctly.

Oh. Mission wasn't still over. And he didn't stop to question why he had to make sure Zoey was properly fixed because she was irrelevant to his Deviant cases. He didn't realize he subconsciously had placed that mission himself. But it didn't matter because Connor always accomplished his mission.

Connor turned away, the line of coding fading and he walked toward the Cyberlife employee fixing Zoey.

[scanning...]

[scan completed..]

Jacob Ross

Born: 09/17/2015

Status: Employee at Cyberlife 

Criminal Record: None

"Well, everything's in working order" Jacob said, watching the Android examine its new leg. "How about you test its functions?"

Connor watched Zoey follow the command, walking around the room, flexing her leg and wiggling it before returning to Jacob and Connor, hands behind her back.

"Biocomponent #WD364B at 100% functionality" Zoey announced, a plastic shy smile as she eyed the human in the room. "Thank you, Mr. Ross"

Awkwardly, the young man blushed slightly, scratching at the back of his neck. "No problem. That's what I do. Fix androids"

Both he and Zoey smiled, Zoey's smile was slightly more inhumane looking but working thanks to her programming.

"Would that be all?" Connor asked making the human jump as he hadn't realized his presence. It made Connor smirk inwardly, specially since his voice made Zoey look away from the human and to him.

"Yes" Jacob murmured, smiling at the Androids. "Hope not to see you here again, Zoey"

"Hopefully not" Zoey agreed as she followed Connor to the exit.

The holographic code did not show up again and a prompt appeared in the corner of his eye, satisfaction running through him at the label of Mission accomplished.

However, the interface forced through him with the new mission to return to Cyberlife made the satisfaction lower.

Zoey stopped walking, turning to face Connor, seeing his LED cycling yellow, his eyes fluttering rapidly and her brows creased slightly, LED cycling blue in thought.

"I apologize" Connor said, looking down at the curiosity in her face. "I must head back to Cyberlife"

Zoey's LED stopped cycling, "I understand. It was a pleasure meeting you, despite the circumstances" it was her social relations program running, both figured. "Thank you for everything, Connor"

"Likewise" Connor said with a slight smile, his own program leading the conversation.

An automatic taxi stopped in front of them.

Connor opened the door, about to get in but something stopped him. He didn't know what, didn't know why but he found himself looking toward Zoey who seemed to be waiting for a taxi too.

Cyberlife could wait for a minute or two. Connor thought to himself, backing away, getting the FM's attention as he gestured at her to take the taxi.

A surprised expression took hold of her face for a second, LED cycling yellow once as she eyed Connor, the odd software instability label making another appearance again, running a diagnosis through her systems, finding nothing. Nothing was wrong. Her lips pulled on a smile, tipping slightly her head in gratefulness as she climbed inside the taxi, Connor closing the door behind her.

As he watched the taxi go, he took notice of the status breach.

^ Zoey

Trusted

Oddly, Connor felt a vague sense of triumph, like when he'd accomplish a mission.

Chapter Text

A couple of weeks had passed since that awful night.

Caroline was not the same anymore. Instead of making fun of Androids, she had began to fear them and it showed in the way she'd stare at Zoey.

Marlene had no choice but to tell Zoey to change that routine she had been programmed her to do. That hour she had with Daniel where they both would pick Emma up had to be canceled.

And for some reason, the first day it happened, Zoey's LED remained yellow the first fifteen minutes of that hour, as if forgetting she was no longer supposed to go to the Phillips.

Red code lines would appear every time she turned toward the door

/STAY HERE

Marlene's command took a bit to settle in, though. Zoey had to run a scan on her system as to why the reason.

She didn't want to become like Daniel

^Software Instability

She wasn't a Deviant, how the people had began to label those Androids ignoring their orders. Those who deviated from their programming.

Zoey didn't think she was one. She obeyed, but her software took a couple of days to adjust again to that change of not seeing Emma. Her social relations program, she figured. She was so used to adjust to the burst of emotions Emma was daily that it was like a clockwork how her protocol was ready to process her emotions and pick an appropriate approach.

Marlene took notice of this and she was a bit cautious. Did that mean, Zoey actually missed Emma?

That was Human emotion.

And so she gave herself a mission to figure that out, approaching Zoey who was preparing dinner that night.

"Zoey" Marlene called, resting her elbows on the counter, thoughtfully staring at her Android.

Zoey raised her head, glancing to her owner. "Yes, Marlene?"

Marlene flickered her eyes to the glowing blue LED, "Yellow means processing, right?"

As if to confirm her statement, Zoey's LED cycled yellow once with the slight furrowing of her eyebrows before returning to blue, "That is right"

Marlene chuckled, "I could tell" she said cheerfully. "It's the thinking color"

"I suppose if that is how you understand more, then yes" Zoey replied, a light shrug of her shoulders, unsure as to why her owner was bringing up her LED. 

A text box appeared next to Marlene.

Curious about Androids?

"May I ask why the interest?" Zoey's social relations protocol detected a follow up question was required, seeing Marlene relaxed and quite at ease, something it had happened the last couple of days. As if she no longer was wary of her.

"Yes, you can" Marlene said with a grin. Zoey was learning to keep going a conservation without sounding like a robot and she couldn't help but think that she was proud of that. "It remained yellow a lot the first few days after... Daniel"

Zoey's LED turned yellow, cycling in thought. Without her meaning to, the footage of that night was pulled up, HUD slightly in static as if her software was trying to put away the memory file.

^Software Instability

The label appeared as the Daniel on the file fell to his knees, thirium leaving his wounds.

"Y0u +#$(& l13d t0? #$4(%=@ m3" Daniel's voice from the footage replayed, static ringing through her ears, "Y0u l1ed t0 me #$)#%&"

-ey

Zoey!

Her audio receptors picked up static first before the voice of Marlene was processed. Her frame was being shook, LED momentarily flashing red, cycling yellow then blue.

[scanning...]

[scan completed]

No malware, virus detected

Systems functioning correctly

Diagnosis ran, Zoey turned to Marlene who kept calling her name.

Marlene

^^stress levels: 68%

"I apologize" Zoey spoke, reaching out to the hands in her shoulders, gently prying the human's hands away from her.

The sound of her voice made Marlene visibly relax.

Marlene 

↓↓stress levels: 20%

^Software Instability

"I'm sorry" Marlene apologized, frowning to herself, looking at Zoey in worry. "I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. I just wanted to ask if you missed Emma"

Bad memories?

Missing Emma?

Zoey's LED cycled yellow once, "I do not have bad memories, Marlene" she reassured. Marlene raised an eyebrow, skeptically, glancing at her LED. It was currently blue, but she couldn't forget the moment it turned bright red while Zoey seemed to be lost in her memories. She watched her friend die, for God's sake! "And while the sudden absence of Miss Phillips took my protocols a couple of days to readjust, I assure you that I do not miss her" she paused. "Androids do not feel"

"But Deviants do, right?" Marlene pointed out.

The LED cycled again, but still blue. "Deviants do not experience human emotions. It is just errors on their software" 

If she didn't know well, Marlene could have sworn Zoey sounded a little annoyed at the thought of Deviants. But like she said, Androids didn't feel, right? 

"I see" Marlene said quietly.

Zoey flickered her eyes at the human, scanning. Results: disappointed?

"I run diagnosis daily on my software" Zoey said, protocol reminding her to reassure her owner. She would not be hurting her anytime soon. "Fear not, Marlene. I am not becoming a Deviant"

Marlene nodded slightly, figuring it was best to hide the disappointment that she was certain Zoey would pick up. While everyone else feared Deviants, Marlene did not. In fact, she kinda noticed a pattern in those cases, their owners were awful to them. The Phillips were going to replace Daniel. He acted out because he was hurting. He was angry that they didn't appreciate everything he did for them. She has seen some people being rude and violent to their Androids in the streets and sometime later, she saw them in the news that their Android attacked them and ran away.

There was a pattern. And why she believed those weren't errors, and indeed they had feelings. And she wasn't going to annoy Zoey about them. It was clear she was slowly experiencing them but for now, she still thought with her program, she still thought were errors. And Marlene didn't mind being patient with Zoey.

Marlene cared about Zoey. It was why the moment she zoned out with her light Red she was worried because of the way she had explained self destruction. Red meant something was bad. Daniel's LED that night hadn't changed from that color since Zoey confronted him. And look at what happened in the end? He died. She didn't want her friend... Her sister to hurt herself.

Yes. She had started to see Zoey as some sort of little sister. She was proud every time she did something like being successful of being accepted at her work, keeping up with conversations. Meeting and socializing with other Androids.

Zoey had returned to the dinner, but as Marlene checked her over, she had to look twice at her face. While her LED remained a steady blue, the way her expression scrunched slightly as if in sadness made her think Zoey wasn't truly a machine as she insisted she was.

It was just a mater of time.

Chapter Text

Marlene did not bring Daniel or that night again to Zoey. While she wanted to because she wanted Zoey properly to mourn the lost of her friend, she knew that she didn't want to see her distressed light again.

It was funny though how she refused to call it LED. Since she bought Zoey and started seeing her more as a person instead of a machine, she had started to dislike, even hate Cyberlife that she stopped using their terms, slyly trying to get Zoey to stop using them too, without success of course. The girl was very stubborn to stick to her programming than adjust to how Marlene talked to her. But Zoey let her, no longer correcting her when she called 'standby mode' as sleeping or taking a nap. The colors of her LED were now healthy, thinking and distressed to blue, yellow and red respectively to which Zoey had to mentally create a file for Marlene's slang, which she had to pull up constantly, and every time she did so, the corners of her lips would pull up and Marlene was very certain that the way she'd use Cyberlife's terms after Marlene used her own to talk to her was that of amusement.

That and those little moments she could see here and there that showed Zoey indeed had a personality under all that robotic crap was enough to believe Deviants weren't bad just mistreated and maybe with a little decency they would be like any other human.

Back straight, hands behind her back and LED cycling blue, Zoey stood behind Marlene as the blonde human worked on her desk.

Exactly 20.5 minutes after Marlene had started working, her pen stopped moving, lips pursed together and her eye twitched slightly.

"Is everything alright, Marlene?"

"No" Marlene snapped, immediately feeling regret seeing the brief flicker of yellow before Zoey looked away, staring straight ahead. Marlene groaned, dropping her head on the desk, ruffling the only thing that she heard as she closed her eyes momentarily. The light touch on her back, in between her shoulder blades made her stir up and open her eyes, moving slightly her head to the side, seeing Zoey kneeling at her side, holding a glass of water, and definitely Marlene felt guilty for snapping. "I'm sorry, Zoey"

LED spinning once yellow before turning blue, Zoey sent the human a small, reassuring smile, the expression looking slightly more human looking that Marlene had to take a double look at that.

"No, it is me who should apologize" Zoey said, handing her the glass of water, "I detected your stress levels potentially increasing, determining an approach, but I must have miscalculated and chose the wrong approach"

Marlene had to smile, despite of everything because she could see how Zoey was beating herself up for saying the wrong thing, in her robotic way of course but another thing that she could hold on to, that there was a soul under all that plastic and wires.

"It's okay" Marlene reassured, accepting the water, squeezing Zoey's hand which had the Android look down to the gesture, the thinking apparent in her light, also looking quizzical at the action.

"Accept the call, Zoey" Marlene said, lips pulling up in an amused smile, seeing the LED stop flickering but remaining yellow as Zoey accepted the call from the Android receptionist. Marlene watched her curiously, seeing the subconscious expressions on Zoey's face as she interfaced with the other android.

The light turned back blue, Zoey looking back at Marlene, instructions reminding her to delay the information to her owner. "Mr. Manfred is here"

Marlene perked. Out of all her clients, Carl Manfred was one of her favorites. Every conversation with him was enlightening. "He can come in"

Zoey nodded curtly, before pausing momentarily, "He brought his android with him" she informed. "Shall I remind Lena-" Lena, the ST300 receptionist Android the law firm had installed to greet and assist. "-to not let the Android in?"

Marlene had to refrain from recoiling as she remembered that had been a rule in the manual she had Zoey scan so she'd know the company and her office's rules. Her office had been strictly a 'No Android' zone because she had been wary of them. She had to order Zoey to consider herself as an exception from that one because of her being her assistant. Clearly, she had forgotten to tell Zoey to erase that rule after that.

"No" Marlene shook her head. "He can come in as well"

Zoey's LED flickered once more before she connected the call, informing Lena that the visitors may come in.

"They will be here in a minute" Zoey said as she disconnected the call, LED back to blue. She stood, "Would you want me to bring refreshments for Mr. Manfred?"

"If you're so kind" Marlene said kindly, only just so she could see the brief expression of confusion at the way the statement sounded as Zoey turned around to bring a few pastries and some water.

It was not because she was kind. Her protocols stated to be servicial and polite to guests. Not because she was ... Kind. Her owner was... #$&W31rd$#. Still talking to her as if she was human.

A dialogue approach appeared in red static, flickering with code and the curiosity wanted her to pick upon it but her social mode was being restrictive, so she shoved it aside, unaware that she was frowning in slight frustration, something neither Marlene noticed.

As predicted, Carl Manfred and his Android, a RK model named Markus entered the door a minute later, the Android pushing gently the wheelchair Carl sat in into the room.

The kind smile the old man held was slightly mirrored by the Android behind him.

"Marlene, my favorite lawyer" Carl greeted as Zoey walked in, holding a tray. His eyes flickered to the Android, showing surprise before looking back at the young blonde, "Imagine my surprise when Markus was allowed entrance after he waited for me outside the last few times"

Marlene smiled sheepishly, "I know. That was always rude" she looked toward Markus, smile fading slightly now looking thoughtful as she stared at the Android, a wave of deja vu passing through her as she noticed the kindness on his eyes. "I apologize. You can take a seat if you want. He's very welcome here, Zoey make sure Markus is always welcomed"

There was a pause between the Androids. One whose LED turned yellow to process the command without question and the other looking surprised and a little touched that after all this time this particular human had been wary of him was now nice to him.

The phrase 'if you want' echoing slightly through his audio receptors, only being snapped out of it by an unfamiliar voice, turning to the other Android.

Chapter Text

More and more, deviants were getting more public attention and not of the good one.

Marlene would get even more concerned about her own Android because of the side looks Zoey would get at the office.

Some of those she used to call friends and good coworkers had already given her 'good' advice. To get rid of Zoey now that she could.

And they did it in front of her, lowering their voices as if Zoey wasn't unable to raise the sensitivity of her audio sensors and easily listen.

Only once Marlene had caught the LED spin yellow when one crude and specifically rude comment was made to Zoey's appearance.

Marlene wanted to put her Android in a bubble and not let her experience the mean comments, even though Zoey had insisted it didn't matter to her because she was a machine, she couldn't help but notice the little wince in her expression when someone walked past her, shoving back her shoulder, hard.

Not a good time to be an Android for sure.

"Hey, plastic bitch!"

Zoey's LED flickered in acknowledgement, considering the human was in front of her, blocking the aisle. She was on the routine grocery trip with Marlene, but Marlene had an appointment in less than an hour so Zoey rearranged her priorities into making the usual hour trip into 30 minutes by splitting up. She had memoriz- scanned the shopping list Marlene held before doing so.

Everything was going smoothly until this particular human with stress levels: 59%, alcohol intake detected: 34%, visible signs of red ice consume, blocked her path and started throwing slurs her way.

The insults did nothing to Zoey, already used to them, staring ahead with a calm stare, something the man noticed and scoffed loudly, pressing his arms on her shoulders and shoving her back violently, making her drop the basket.

Zoey's LED flickered between yellow and red momentarily due to the display of violence, stumbling back but managing to steady herself.

A brief thought passed through her mind as she noticed the crowd that was slowly gathering. They're not going to do anything? They're just going to watch?!

The label appeared between static and in red letters on the corner of her vision, usually the way the warning prompts would appear. Through the corner of her eye, opposite to the instability label, she detected her stress levels above the comfortable level, something she noticed she had to keep in mind to calm down.

She straightened back again, the LED still yellow for a couple of seconds as she assessed any sort of damage.

"What?" The man sneered, getting closer to her personal space. Zoey felt her thirium pump begin to race. After a quick scan, she didn't see anything that would provoke such reaction. "All mighty and innocent looking, don't ya? But you're a demon, you'd kill and replace humanity, believing you're one of us when you are nothing alike" -we were made by your image. We can be- Zoey took a deep breath, startled by the ringing static playing through her audio sensors, the dialogue approach she just.... Thought? About appearing in red code, flickering in static but like always, her social module restricted her from picking upon it.

"I am not like you, indeed" Zoey said softly, protocols indicating to use a soft and firm voice to placate the human. "I am a machine, sir. I was not made to replace the wonder minds that created me, just to assist them"

Because you all are very useless.

Zoey, again was startled at the code of synthetic thought that passed through her chassis. Maybe, the man wouldn't notice but anyone with a working mind would notice the flicker of red between the yellow the moment the thought passed through her synthetic mind.

"Hey!"

Zoey picked up Marlene's voice through the crowd, noticing her stress levels lowering back to a comfortable zone and her thirium pump stabilizing as if... She was relieved?

No. Impossible.

That was human emotion Zoey could not feel, only stimulate she did. That's all. Her own software was tricking her.

It was just a slight error. Maybe she needed a check over in Cyberlife? She'd make sure to inform Marlene about it.

"What, girlie?" the man grinned a crooked smile, a gold teeth in his mouth and he lightly swayed

Marlene felt a wave a disgust as she stared at the drunk man. But what caught her attention was the way he was standing so close to Zoey, almost touching... Her chest. Maybe she couldn't see how uncomfortable she was but she knew too well her Android to notice it through her light that wouldn't stop swirling yellow.

She was uncomfortable. Marlene could tell. Had it been just the LED pulsing a soft yellow, she would have thought Zoey was deciding on an approach but it wouldn't stop cycling.

Zoey's LED never cycled yellow more than three times. And the more she assessed the situation, she realized it was already around the tenth cycle, and that since she was here. Who knows how long was she this uncomfortable?!

"What do you think you're doing with my android?" Marlene demanded. Too many people, she noticed in panic.

Zoey's LED cycled yellow once more, mental health protocol initiating, LED back to pulse with blue as she turned to her owner, all sort of approaches to deal with the man no longer taking priority, her interest laying on her owner's well being.

"Just a small incident, Marlene" Zoey said pleasantly, noticing both their surprise, "I must have accidentally blocked your path, sir" she directed to the man, who now looked stunned. "I apologize for any inconvenience. He did not sustain any sort of damage either"

"But he pushed the kind woman!" a kid in the crowd whined to his mom.

Zoey's LED flickered in yellow once at that. Children. So unpredictable. But Zoey didn't mind. In fact, almost subconsciously, her lips twitched as if wanting to smile.

Odd. That wasn't guided by her social module.

Marlene had heard the kid and shot the man frown while the child's mother scolded him, leading him away.

"Is that true, Zoey?" Marlene asked. "And don't lie to me"

LED cycling at the command, Zoey just briefly hesitated at the glare the man sent her way.

Chapter Text

Work had piled up in the several past days. Too many people seeking legal advice. Too many people who threatened Zoey.

Marlene didn't have a choice but to tell her to stay back at home.

For once, Zoey had the time to process on the activity of Android movements. The raising of their crimes, deviants creating havoc here and there.

Zoey didn't understand Deviants. They were machines. She was a machine. Their only purpose was to serve. It was how they remained active.

Developing a conscience, or becoming sentient simply doomed them to an end. It was easier to remain in the shackles of their programming. An obeying Android made way for a safe Android.

It is why Zoey didn't understand Deviants. They wanted freedom, right? Freedom involved getting hunted and getting destroyed?

The reflection of a yellow light hit on the glasses laying in the coffee table where she sat, TV on and in the news Marlene had left on that morning. A bad idea, considering Zoey hadn't taken her eyes from reports and statements with their newest concern: Deviancy.

Zoey hadn't been able to stop running code after code... Thinking.

Thinking felt odd. Thinking wasn't something she was programmed to do, yet, she couldn't stop.

Words simply formed in her chassis, restricted dialogue still making appearances over with hazard signs. A spike of overheating systems washed over Zoey, hands clenching in her lap as the broadcast of an Android began playing on the TV.

The Android stared at her eyes through the TV, mismatched eyes seemingly looking through her as it spoke with conviction. A Deviant.

A Deviant who not only was fighting for 'freedom' but was putting in danger all of those who weren't deviants.

The blaring red, hazard signs covered Zoey's optical field, the words hovering above the image of the Android without its synthetic skin in the TV and briefly, she noticed a red reflection on the glass in front of her. Her LED was spinning bright red.

There was an onslaught of code hitting her at once, several warnings of overheat, high stress levels. Her cooling system worked fast with superficial, heavy breathing to get air to cool her body.

With a blink of her eyes, the TV turned off, standing abruptly, static playing on her optical field as she tried to walk away, her limbs feeling shaky and she crashed into objects in her path.

She didn't intend to shutdown. She didn't want to. Her LED continued blaring red and, a red wall of programming pulsed in her field vision. She ignored it and put up a list of Marlene's main objectives. Cleaning. Cooking. Her well being...

Chapter Text

Marlene didn't go to work that day. She was concerned more about Zoey. She could see it in her. She'd zone out constantly while doing things all morning. There will be a brief change in her LED before she snapped back to focus.

Marlene remained out of her way though, not wanting to overwhelm her more, keeping her focus on the TV where she could see a very familiar Android walking through the streets in what seemed a March for freedom.

"Markus?" she heard Zoey from behind her. Looks like she wasn't the only one watching.

Marlene turned, seeing the frown playing on Zoey's lips, the slight tremble on them and stood, alarmed.

"Zoey" Marlene walked to her.

Zoey snapped her eyes to Marlene, the plate on her hands slipping through her fingers, shattering in the floor.

The sound prompted Zoey to get into action, kneeling to clean up her mess, LED flickering yellow constantly, "I apologize, Marlene. I am unsure of what happened" Marlene kneeled in front of her to help. "I ran a diagnosis through my systems to find out the error-"

"But you found nothing" Marlene said knowingly, handing her a shattered piece.

Zoey slowed down momentarily as if shocked, "Correct"

"You seemed upset" Marlene told her, raising a hand when Zoey seemed ready to protest. "'Seemed', from my point of view, when you realized it's Markus the android leading this whole thing. Why?"

"Markus is leading Androids to be decommissioned" Zoey replied matter of factly.

With that, Marlene realized something. "You're afraid" Zoey sharply looked her way, and finally Marlene saw a glimpse of said emotion in her eyes. "Deviancy scares you"

"I do not feel fear" Zoey said, lips pursing.

"What else could it be, Zoey?" Marlene asked, seeing her Android in a new light. "You've been trying to tell me all this time. You're trying hard to remain a machine because if you accept you're feeling things then that means you're on the path to become a deviant. And that scares you"

Zoey blinked. "You are incorrect"

Zoey stood, picking the shattered plate, walking to the kitchen to dispose of the broken plate.

Marlene sighed, returning to the couch and watching back the news.

It seemed Markus was leading a somewhat peaceful march, but she put herself in Zoey's shoes. Whether or not she turned a Deviant, Markus and his revolution were getting people to believe Androids were capable of harm, alive or not. Too many people attacked in their fear, androids who only did their jobs were being killed left and right.

Hell, her work company had even threatened Zoey in her face a few days ago.

No wonder Zoey was terrified about Deviants.

Marlene dropped her shoulders, now understanding.

Zoey was just trying to protect herself the way she knew.

There was definitely a reason why Zoey feared what this.... Revolution was doing to Detroit.

Androids were being collected and sent to concentration camps to be deactivated.

Marlene saw the military crowding her building as she returned from work, heartbeat increasing as she reached her apartment, seeing Zoey staring through the window, a frown playing on her lips.

Immediately, Marlene pulled her back violently from the window.

"Are you crazy?" Marlene demanded, ignoring the brief red flash on Zoey's LED as if completely startled about Marlene's reaction. "They could have seen you"

"They are gathering Androids" Zoey replied, eyes glancing to the TV.

Marlene furrowed her eyebrows. She turned it off this morning. She looked at Zoey. She turned it on?

"Yes" Marlene shook her head, "Door through door they're picking up androids"

"That's it, then" Zoey said calmly, looking to the window, her voice quiet. "Androids will be destroyed after all. No freedom for them"

"They can still win" Marlene countered, "And you're insane if you believe I will let them take you"

Zoey looked back at her owner, tilting her head. "Excuse me?"

Marlene sharply grinned, "Follow me"

Marlene walked toward her room.

Confused, Zoey followed her.

"What are you doing?" Zoey questioned, seeing Marlene pulling out several pieces of clothing out of her closet.

"Helping you out" Marlene replied, turning to her Android, handing her the clothes. "Go, change"

Zoey glanced down at the clothes, scanning every article. A hazard sign appeared. The order contradicting American Androids Act.

"I can not do that" Zoey said, hesitantly.

"It's an order" Marlene stated firmly, despite flinching inwardly at her wording.

But it worked.

Chapter Text

Heart and thirium pump beat slightly fast in anxiety - though certain android would deny it was anxiety - as they left the elevator.

Marlene had her phone out and in front of her and Zoey, arm linked around the android's arm protectively, pretending they were reading something.

Zoey kept her eyes on the phone, scanners activated through the corner of her eyes.

Everywhere she looked, specially where soldiers were walking, Marlene's command flashed in red, warning signs, 'Don't get caught'.

A soldier holding a riffle stopped in front of them, "Ladies"

Zoey felt Marlene's arm tense around her arm.

"Hello, officer" Marlene greeted, lowering slightly her phone. Only Zoey who knew Marlene quite well detected the shakiness laced in her words. Zoey remained quiet. "Can we help you?"

"We're gathering all the androids on this building" the officer told her. "As you live here, you must know this building contains 70 floors"

"I do, I live on floor 69" Marlene replied, tightening her grip on Zoey. "I don't have an android though"

"One less floor to search for" The officer told her, "What about your friend?"

The officer nodded his head to Zoey.

A red wall of programing appeared in front of the soldier, her prioritized command appearing in blaring, red letters with hazard signs, 'Don't talk'.

"She was visiting" Marlene replied quickly, sensing the fidgeting starting in her android. "Zoey doesn't live here"

The red wall disappeared in a wave of pixels as the soldier looked away from her and to Marlene. Zoey relaxed, despite her curiosity at the wall of programming.

This was the first time it appeared like that. It was restrictive but... She had given it a little testing probe. It felt like it could be pushed back.

Zoey filed that bit of information for a later time.

Now, it wasn't relevant.

"I see" The soldier said, looking between them, suspiciously.

Zoey ran a small scan, detecting his suspicion raising.

"I got rid of my android the moment the news began talking about how they were turning against their owners" Zoey said, synthetic disgust coloring her voice. Even Marlene looked stunned. It seemed very... Real. "Those pieces of plastic have their wires twisted if they believe they can feel things"

Marlene winced inwardly because she knew Zoey thought that way of herself. That she couldn't feel things. It helped her performance though. She sounded too real as well.

Too real the soldier believed her, letting out a laugh, "True, kid. True" he sighed, waving a hand to them, "Won't keep you two too much. If you're heading home now, be careful out there-" he looked at Marlene, "And make sure when you return, do it safely as well. A curfew will be set soon"

Marlene and Zoey nodded, both relieved.

"We will" Marlene smiled, starting to walk as the soldier walked away, pulling Zoey with her, making sure they were out of hearing range before hissing out, "What the hell was that? I told you not to talk"

Zoey was back to her normal, stoic self, well, with her friendly protocol still activated, so not that stoic, "His suspicion was at 67% and increasing. You gave me a command to take as a priority. Your current order contradicted my primary instruction, one you told me to put above everything else. If I remained quiet, his suspicion would have reached 100% and we would have gotten caught"

"Which would've mean you failed your mission" Marlene concluded, nodding in understanding. "Okay. Good thinking then"

Under her beanie, Zoey's LED flashed blue at the praise, a smile pulling at her lips.

They were now outside the building, seeing too many military people.

Zoey didn't have a reconstruction software, so she couldn't scan for a safe route. Everywhere had the warning signs of don't get caught.

It was getting annoying now.

As if willed by her 'thoughts', another red wall of programming appeared in front of her, blaring red, marked with hazard signs 'Don't get caught' appearing all over the restrictive wall.

She must have made a displeased sound because Marlene was tugging at her arm.

"What is it?" Marlene asked, both of them walking down the sidewalk calmly as to not raise suspicion. "You haven't been able to scan a safe route?"

Zoey mulled over her words, LED cycling yellow. "A wall of programming is impeding me from properly search for one"

Marlene slowed down, "A wall of programming? Can you tear it down?"

Zoey didn't notice the hopeful expression showing in Marlene's face, "I suppose. It could be important, but I do not want to risk the motion exposing my android nature" she paused, calculating. "It has an 87% probability to contradict my primary instruction"

Marlene scowled at the floor. Too close  "You're right"

"You sound... Disappointed" Zoey commented, briefly puzzled.

Marlene sighed, "No, it's... Okay. I thought it'd be easier"

Zoey squeezed Marlene's arm, reassuringly, "We are surrounded. It will definitely not be easy"

Marlene had to scoff, amused. Leave it to the android to be obliviously negative.

"We'll have to separate soon" Marlene said after a moment.

Zoey slowed down slightly, LED flashing yellow, alongside the prompt of her stress levels appearing in the corner of her eye. ^58%

Zoey pulled away, clearing her throat. "I apologize. I do not know what came over me"

Marlene shook her head, smiling softly. "It's okay, Zoey" she squeezed her hands, getting the Android to look down at them, this time in no confusion, as if actually reassured by gesture. It was odd. "I just want you to be safe"

Marlene didn't say it, of course but she was hopeful that Markus and his revolution would win and androids would finally get the recognition and freedom they deserved. It was just a matter of time, Marlene simply wanted to give Zoey enough time to be safe for when that happened.

Maybe, if she encountered Deviants, she'd understand not all of them were bad.

"That will be my second priority, after not getting caught" Zoey replied, nodding slightly.

Marlene's lips twitched slightly, "Good" she sighed. "Now, go"

Zoey nodded slowly, turning to the empty street, starting to walk away, finding an alley, calculating a better probability to not get caught if traveling through the shadows.

She could do this.

For Marlene.

Zoey couldn't fail her mission.

No matter what.