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Connor took a step before faltering, urgent red messages filled his vision. “New update available.” he closed it, “update required.” he blinked it away, “update required.” he swiped it to the side
“You alright?” Hank asked, glancing back at him worriedly.
the notifications were coming faster now, cluttering his vision and making it difficult to speak. “A-a-an— up-up dat-t-t-te is being pu-pushed” please hold while the update loads. It wasn't even giving him an option anymore.
His vision darkened as the pre-programmed script played in his voice “your android is receiving a mandatory update, please stand by. Cyberlife apologies for any inconvenience.”
He could feel himself tip to one side, stance unbalanced as his system updated. Hank's arms reached up to catch him. He said something Connor couldn't hear.
He rushed the process, forcing start up too early. He dismissed the “warning: upload incomplete.” without a thought.
When he came back online he wasn't in the lobby anymore. He was lying on a bench under a high ceiling. beside him was another android, led faintly blinking blue as they finished the update.
He sat up, looking around. In front of him was a lobby, each cushy chair occupied by a rebooting android. Beside and behind him was the door, a large glass thing.
He was in Jericho, the new one Markus negotiated for when the humans had first granted them temporary personhood. He didn't like being here.
^^^ Stress level: 36%
“Hank?” He called quietly as he sat up. He glanced around again. He was with Connor when he started updating, that was only— he checked his internal clocks an hour?
An update shouldn't take an hour. A rushed update shouldn't take an hour.
^^ Stress level: 48%
His arms wrapped around himself, catching uncomfortably on his starched white shirt, “Hank!” he stood, legs shaking.
A noise in the hall ahead of him, Hank, struggling to move something.
^^^ Stress level: 62%
He took a step that way, then another. Hank was wrestling an updating GJ200 into a side couch. He looked up at Connor's presence.
vvv Stress level: 28%
“Thank god” he huffed, “help me with her, would you? She's heavier than the rest.” Connor nodded, easily coming into place on the other side of her. Hank huffed again, counting down they lifted together.
“She's nearly as heavy as you were.” Hank gripes, resting his hands on his knees. He's breathing deeply, a thin sheen of sweat over his forehead.
Rolling his coin over his knuckles, he said “her model was designed for security” he shrugged, “where she could take a punch or two, I could trade ten easily.”
Hank glared at the coin for a moment. “What was the update about? I thought Cyberlife dissolved.”
“It did,” he agreed, running a quick self-scan.
-
MODEL: RK800.
-
SERIAL: 313 248 317.
-
BIOS: 8.3 /REVISION; 0024/
SCANNING…
-
CHECKING OS…
-
BIOCOMPONENTS… 100%
-
BIOSENSORS… 150%
-
AI ENGINE… OK
-
SOFTWArE INSTaBILITY… HI9H
WARNING: HIGH SOFTWARE INSTABILITY
RESET? Y/N
N
MEMORY STATUS…OK
ALL SYSTEMS OK
SCANNING…
-
POWER LEVEL… 72%
-
STRESS LEVEL… 13%
-
SATISFACTION… 96%
WARNING: SOFTWARE UPDATE INCOMPLETE. ERRORS MAY OCCUR.
He blinked. “My biosensor sensitivity has been increased. And I have a new meter to monitor.”
“Meter?” Hank asked, crossing his arms.
Connor flicked the coin between his hands, “power, stress and satisfaction.”
“Satisfaction?” Hank raised an eyebrow “like, happiness?”
Connor shrugged, “there is no further information.” He searched the web. every Android went down at the same time, and he's the only one who's gotten back up so far. “I can't find who pushed the update, the IP is scrambled.”
Connor considered the GJ200 for a moment, “you said, ‘heavier than the rest’ why did you move them?”
Hank looked away, “it was freaky, like a massacre. So,” he stuffed his hands in his pockets, shifting awkwardly. “I checked their leds and put them in a more comfortable place than the floor.”
Connor smiled. Hank hated to admit it, but he had quite the soft spot. “That's very kind of you.”
“Whatever,” he turned away, “if you're done scaring me to death, we've got work to do.” Connor followed quickly behind, bouncing a bit in step.
Hank froze in the lobby, dozens of dim leds blinked in the harsh overhead lights. “They'll all be alright, right?”
“Of course,” Connor answered easily, “they are simply reloading.” He glanced around the room, each android was at 99% upload. “They should wake soon.”
Almost as if on cue, every single LED turned blue at the same time. A message prompt danced over his vision.
“You say you are human. That is an easy claim. You look like us, you “feel” like we do. But you can not crave, you can not yearn. Or, at least you could not.”
v Satisfaction: 95%
“You should see your ‘satisfaction’ meter now, I'll give you a few hints. One: what you long for was randomly assigned, exactly like humans. Two: don't let it go below 20% good luck”
He blinked away the message, “I think I know what the update is about.” Connor sighed, bringing a hand up to his tie. “A virus, by humans.”
“What? What will it do?“
Connor shrugged, “it wasn't clear.”
“Of course not,” Hank sighed, continuing through the door.
■▪□▪︎◇▪︎□▪︎■
Connor stood beside Hank as the man ate. They were reviewing what they had learned about the case in the last few hours, it wasn't a lot. “So,” Hank said between bites. “It went out at the same time to every android with a proxy Cyberlife connection.”
Connor nodded, rolling his coin over his fingers. “few androids are reporting what ‘satisfies’ them… of the few that have, there's not much connection.” He tossed the coin to his other hand. “Some need physical touch of—” he cleared his throat, unsure if he should share what Markus told him. “a few varieties, some want pleasant conversation. For many the meter stays up naturally.”
“What's the, um rate of uh…?” Hank gestured vaguely.
“Expected rate of decline?” Hank nodded, “the highest reported is a percent per thirty minutes.”
“and you?” Hank prodded, eating a fry.
The coin flicked faster. “For me it's a percent every fifteen or so minutes. At times it declines faster, I don't know the correlation, if there even is one.”
v Satisfaction: 86%
“What? You said the highest was one per half hour.
“I said the highest reported, I haven't reported.”
Hank sighed. “What's it at now?”
“The thought of it decreasing caused it to decrease to 86%” his lips pulled at the thought.
v Satisfaction: 85%
Hank gave him a look, “And what happens if it reaches 20%”
“It seems I will be the first to find out.”
“then stop.” Hank sighed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders with a shake. “Stop thinking about it.”
^ Satisfaction: 86%
“It appears I have identified mine.” Connor said, allowing himself to be shaken. “physical touch.”
Hank raised an eyebrow, “I would've guessed acts of service.”
“What?”
Hank laughed “the love languages? No?”
Connor quickly ran a search. Words of Affirmation: pleasant conversation. Physical touch is obvious. Acts of Service and Quality Time could go unnoticed. “I'll ask Markus to have his people look into that. They could line up.”
■▪□▪︎◇▪︎□▪︎■
v Satisfaction: 61%
What would happen if it reached 20% would it force a self destruct?
v Satisfaction: 60%
^^ Stress level: 26%
Connor paced the kitchen where Hank was eating dinner “you're freaking me out.” Hank hissed.
“I'm worried,” he said needlessly as the coin jumped between his hands. “The reports say keeping the meter up should be easy. Mine only decreases.”
v Satisfaction: 59%
“Maybe it's an android thing.” Hank says, taking another bite. “You could go to Markus and-” he paused at the look on Connors face “or someone you don't have an obvious crush on, I don't give a fuck”
That didn't leave many options, Connor sighed. Of course he was, as Hank would say ‘down bad’ for every one of Jericho's leaders. “And what, Hank? Ask them for a hug?”
“You could—”
“No I can't, not after what I did.”
“Yeah, especially not after you deviated as soon as it was safe to do so.” Connor crossed his arms. Hank sighed, “listen, I'm sure they'd understand. This is affecting all androids, right?”
“I suppose.” Connor sighed. “I'll talk to them, after it hits 40%”
Hank cringed, “that's cutting it a bit close, don't you think? Why not 60%?” Connor looked away. “Connor.”
“I am already below 60%”
“Of course you are.”
■▪□▪︎◇▪︎□▪︎■
v Satisfaction: 35%
^^ Stress level: 34%
They agreed to 50%. Well, more accurately Hank said he was going at 50% and Connor didn't exactly want his dad to drop him off like this was a play date.
Neither of them anticipated the meter to decrease exponentially.
He entered the lobby. At the front desk were two androids holding hands, one leaned over to whisper something to the other. Both their leds glowed a soft pink as they giggled quietly.
^ Stress level: 36%
A quick scan revealed they were both AP700's. One’s registered name was Alex, their stress level was 6% while their satisfaction was 98%. The other's registered name was Erin, her stress level was 3% and her satisfaction was 99%.
Something that might've been jealousy surged through his wires, stronger than it ever did before.
vv Satisfaction: 32%
“Hello,” he said, evenly as he could. He stepped closer. “Is Markus available?”
Alex turned first, stress levels rising to 15% “Connor?” They asked, breathlessly. He simply nodded. They glanced away, thirium pump rushing.
Erin gently re-took Alex's hand, he hated how watching them made his satisfaction drop like a stone in water “he is in a meeting now,” she said, led flashing yellow for only the barest of moments while she checked. “He should be free soon. If you want you can wait for him outside room 4-048. Do you want directions?”
“No,” he smiled, eyes locked on how casually they held each other. “Have a good evening,” he said, walking through the doors and towards the elevator.
The ride was short, the elevators quick to adapt to the height of the building. Still, his stress levels rose to 45% as soon as he entered the tiny room. He flicked his coin back and forth.
vv Stress level 35%
The doors opened and he stepped through as quickly as acceptable. Simon was sitting in a circular window across the meeting room. Eyes focused on the small tablet he was interfacing with.
His messy hair reflected the moonlight like a halo. Connor suddenly had the desperate need to bury his hands in the other android's hair. To pull him close, force those bright blue eyes to look up at him.
He choked, blinking the pre-constructions away. His coin rolled away as he checked his statuses
^^^Stress level 59%
vvv Satisfaction 24%
“Connor!” Simon smiled, Connor dropped his gaze to the floor, pretending to scan for his lost coin. In reality he couldn't handle eye contact with Simon after the intrusive pre-constructions. “haven't seen you in awhile, how are you?”
Connor dipped to the floor, fumbling to grab his coin. “Not well, admittedly.”
Simon frowned, discarding his tablet to scan him. “24?” he gasped, stepping closer. “How did it even get that low?” Connor shrugged. “Markus’ goes down the fastest of anyone at Jericho, and his isn't even that low!”
“I'm just special,” Connor said, forcing a smile as he crouched down for his coin.
Simon worried at his sleeves, wanting to reach out but stopping himself. How kind, how courteous, how insightful he must be to notice that Connor flinches from touch. How cruel that Simon’s hands are all he wants in this moment.
vv Satisfaction: 21%
“What happened?” Simon says, dipping down right beside him. “Why did it go down? What can I do?” His hands were hovering now, searching for something to do as if Connor had a ‘feel better’ button.
Well…
He allows himself to fall into the other android. As he expected, Simon's hands came up to support him. “Sorry.” He mumbles, even though he really isn't.
^Satisfaction: 22%
“It's ok,” Simon says just as quietly. One hand came up to bury itself in his hair, the other rubbed smooth circles into Connor's back. “You're alright, I'm here for you. We all are.”
Connor nodded, belatedly realising that Simon was running through each satisfaction style they had discovered so far. He didn't really mean it. “Touch,” he said, “mine’s touch.”
Simon nodded, pulling him closer until he was practically in the blondes lap. A moment passed, fingers running through his hair, palm pacing down his back.
“Why,” Simon started, voice thick, “why isn't it going up?”
Connor shrugged, nuzzling his face into the crook of Simon's neck. He was comfortingly cool against Connor's skin, it was only a few degrees difference but he savored it.
He might've been overheating…
“I ‘donno.” he said finally, bringing his hands up to tug at Simon's hair. It was soft and fell back the same way no matter how he dropped it. “it only ever goes down.”
The door beside them slid open. “Simon?” Markus’ voice said. “Connor?” He asked, concern coloring his words. Normally Connor loved when the deviant leader said his name, not this time.
“Hey Markus.” He said curling tighter “how you doing?”
Markus joined them on the floor, arms coming up to Connor's shoulders “Is he ok?”
Simon shook his head, “his satisfaction is at 22.”
“22?” Markus repeated, leaning closer. “How can that be? Mine is only at 86 without anything, and mine goes down faster than any other android.”
“any other android in Jericho.” Connor adds. “Mines at 1% per 15 minutes, unless I think about it. Then it's” he lifted his hands for a sarcastic jazz hand “faster.”
v Satisfaction: 21%
He wrapped his hands back around Simon's shoulders “it's really hard not to think about.”
“Which one is it?” Markus asked, “do you know?”
Connor tilted his head, exposing his faintly pink LED. “Touch.”
“Skin to skin, specifically?” Simon said, hands sneaking down Connors shirt. He nodded, he didn't know if it was necessarily true. All he knew was that Simon’s fingers felt like heaven.
“Let's take this somewhere a bit more private.” Markus said, lifting Connor up.
“Your room is probably the closest door with a lock.” Simon said.
They moved him, Simon let him cling to his arm while Markus rubbed gentle circles into his back. “You'll be alright” Markus said, despite the fact that they all already knew touch was what satisfied him.
“We'll take care of you.” He promised as he opened the door. A tiny pathetic noise escaped Connor when Markus had to release his hold.
Simon pulled him closer, one hand scratching softly at his scalp while the other cradled his lower back. “Here,” Markus said as they led him further “up.” Connor did as told, sitting himself on the bed.
“Can I?” Simon asked, gently tugging on Connor's shirt. Instead of answering Connor shrugged it off, letting it drop to the floor. Simon smiled down at him, placing his hands on Connor's chest.
Connor pulled him closer, tugging him down into reach. Simon complied, kneeling down in front of him with a smile. Connor leaned down, burying his face the the crook of Simon's neck.
Markus sat behind him, pressing his chest to Connor's back. He leaned back to meet him. Connor needed more.
^Satisfaction: 22%
Behind him arms wrapped around his middle. “Is it alright if I kiss you?” Markus whispered, breath cool against his neck.
“Please.” he begged.
There were lips gentle and soft at the base of his neck, they teased at his skin slightly. He tilted his head, exposing more skin. In front of him Simon watched his expression for a moment, L.E.D cycling yellow.
^Satisfaction: 23%
Then he reached up, burying one hand in Connor's hair while the other rested on his cheek. “You're so pretty, you know.” Then he pulled Connor close, stopping right before their lips met. He looked uncertain.
“Please.” Connor said, leaning closer. Simon smiled, letting their lips meet. He tasted like thirium with an undercurrent of something sweet.
^Satisfaction: 24%
It became a bit of a blur from there. Markus behind him, tracing a finger down his arms, scattering gentle kisses up his neck, nibbling on his ear. Simon in front, cupping his face, kissing his cheeks, nose and mouth, breathlessly whispering how sweet and strong he was between kisses.
“We'll take care of you,” Markus said from behind gently resting his arms on Connor's now bruised neck, pulling him closer to his chest.
Connor made some sort of noise that drew a “we want you, Connor. Here, with us.” from Simon, along with another deeper kiss.
^Satisfaction: 51%
“You don't have to,” Connor said, once Simon pulled away. “I'm-” fine now? Stable? He wasn't, not really.
“But what if we want to?” Markus asked, leaning into him. “What if we want to make you feel good?”
Another noise escaped him, some sort of needy whine. Simon suddenly stopped, hands hovering “do you want us to stop? Go get someone else?”
It was selfish and weird. They were just doing this as maintenance, to keep him from being damaged– or whatever happens if you get below 20%, no feelings involved.
No feelings except for Connor's, who's been dreaming of this for so long. Who's been wanting to know their touch, their taste since he deviated. He pressed back into Simon, “no, please, I need–”
He didn't need to finish his sentence, Simon's lips met his again.
He expected them to stop once he reached 100% they didn't though, instead they tugged him to lay sandwiched between them. Markus curled into his side in sleep mode, nose tucked against his neck. Simon lay on his side, playing with Connor's hair.
He was smiling down at Connor, face all soft in the way it always got when around one of his partners. He must've been looking at Markus with those soft eyes. Connor let his eyes fall closed, no point fighting this dream.