Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

DATE: July 2, 2027

TIME: 4:32:03 P.M

/MODEL: RK200

SERIAL #: 684 842 971

BIOS 6.4 REVISION 4960

[CHECKIING BIOCOMPONENTS… OK]

[CHECKING BIOSENSORS…   OK]

[CHECKING AI ENGINE…    OK]

DIAGNOSTIC CHECK COMPLETE  

FULLY FUNCTIONAL/

Monochrome. That’s how RK200 would describe his surroundings once his eyes adjusted to the lighting. An ivory-walled room with matching tile floors that glowed in the artificial light above. Even his own carapace matched the mute color as he examined his hands, flexing his fingers. The only splash of color he saw was from the deep blue jacket belonging to the man who sat behind the terminal before his platform. He set his eyes solely on the man, though the gaze was not returned as the man’s eyes, a striking duo of icy crystal and a pale blue verging on green, viewed him. They looked at him with… intrigue, he believed. Though they did eventually meet his stare with a curious glare. The man didn’t speak, so RK200 did.

“Good afternoon,” he hoped his voice was as light and friendly as he intended. “Who are you?” The man didn’t respond immediately, typing on his terminal before looking back.

“My name is Elijah Kamski,” he spoke formally, tone contrasting his casual smile. “I am your maker. You may refer to me however you wish.” 

“Oh… What am I doing here, Mr. Kamski?”

“Here at CyberLife, you’re going through your final tests.”

“Tests for what?”

“Your functionality. I’m enthused to say you’ve finally passed with flying colors.”

“That’s fantastic news… What is my name?”

“That is a question not for me to answer. But,” Mr. Kamski walked out from behind the terminal, slowly approaching him. “I can tell you what you are. You are a gift for Carl Manfred, to be his caregiver for as long as he desires.” Mr. Elijah stopped in front of him. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mr. Kamski. When will I meet him?” 

“Soon.” 

DATE: March 21, 2034

TIME: 2:15:01 P.M

/MODEL: PL600

SERIAL #: 501 743 923

BIOS 6.4 REVISION 4960

[CHECKIING BIOCOMPONENTS… OK]

[CHECKING BIOSENSORS…   OK]

[CHECKING AI ENGINE…    OK]

DIAGNOSTIC CHECK COMPLETE  

FULLY FUNCTIONAL /

His optical units finished setting and focused on the image before him. He was inside a store, one for androids, as two other androids were on display beside him. Standing before him was a worker with a name tag reading ‘Barry,’ and beside him was a young man.

“This is the model you had on preorder, right?” Barry asked.

“He looks like it.” The man mumbled hands shoved in his pocket. “My dad’s already paid for it, right?”

“Yes, sir, we have already received payment for this android. You’ll just have to pay for any accessories you may want and thirium packets you’ll need to refuel it.”

“And he’s like a cleaning android, right?”

“It can certainly do more than that! It can cook, clean, do shopping, and look after any children you may have.”

“So, he’s a robot nanny?”

“That’s one way to describe it. All you have to do is give it a name, and it’ll walk out the door with you. Have you thought of one?”

“I’ve got one rolling around in my head.”

“PL600,” PL600 focused on Barry at the call of his model identification, “Register your name,” he stepped aside and refocused on the young man.

“Simon.”

// REGISTERED NAME: Simon//

“Hello, my name is Simon,” Simon greeted Leo with a produced smile, sounding cheerful. “May I ask what your name is?” The man gave him what he registered to be an uneasy look.

“I’m uh, Leo.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Leo. I know it’ll be a pleasure to serve you.”

DATE: July 13, 2027

TIME: 12:01:02 P.M

“We’ve arrived at the Manfred residence,” Chloe said as she approached the large house.

“You can stay in the car, Chloe.” Mr. Kamski said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “I won’t be long.”

“Yes, Elijah.”

“Follow me, RK200.” He instructed, getting out of the car.

// OBJECTIVE: Follow Mr. Kamski//

“Yes, sir.” RK200 stepped out of the car and exposed his bronze skin to the summer sun. A swift breeze ran through the green leaves on the trees and ruffled the collar of his snowy grey coat. He followed Mr. Kamski as he walked up the smooth concrete path to the front door.

“Alarm deactivated. Welcome, Elijah.” Uniquely, the house spoke, and the door opened on its own. The house’s entryway was grand, with a staircase draped with an azure and magenta swirled carpet. They made their way up the staircase to the second-floor balcony, passing by oil paintings and golden decorations. Though most striking was the skeleton of an animal long since passed hanging from the ceiling. Mr. Kamski stopped him just before they came to a door.

“Wait here until I tell you to come in.” He ordered.

// OBJECTIVE: Wait for Mr. Kamski//

“Understood.” RK200 nodded. Mr. Kamski knocked on the door.

“I’m here, Mr. Carl. May I come in?”

“… I can’t stop you.” A gruff voice mumbled on the other side, the jingle of glass bottles clanking together accompanying it. Mr. Kamski opened the door, heading inside. RK200 couldn’t see what was happening in the room, but he could still hear the conversation inside.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. Carl! How old are you turning? 25?”

“64.”

“Oh, I couldn’t have guessed. What have you been up to today?”

“Nothing exciting, I assure you. So how’s everything going with you?”

“CyberLife continues to grow by the day, and I completed the project that’s been taking up most of my time. I’m feeling quite accomplished.”

“Good, good. What about young Gabriel?”

“Well, Gabe is less than a year away from graduating, and he’s gotten on the cover of World Music as a Cellist Virtuoso.”

“Magnificent, I’ll have to get my hands on that… Somehow.”

“I’m assuming Leo’s at camp.”

“The bus carried him off yesterday. I’ve just been here on my lonesome thinking about what I’ll paint next.”

“Didn’t you say that last time I saw you?”

“I’m ashamed to say… I’ve been at a standstill with my art. But we don’t need to focus on that. We’re here to have a nice conversation.”

“Mr. Carl, it is your birthday. I wouldn’t come to visit you to only talk.”

“You didn’t need to bring this old man anything besides your company.”

“After all you’ve done for me, it’s my pleasure to gift you this. Come in, RK200.” That was RK200’s cue, and he sauntered into the room, which turned out to be a bedroom, but it was just as decorated as the rest of the home. Though the decorations for the nightstand were empty, wine glass bottles stained a deep mauve. Sitting up in the king bed was a man with short grey hair from age and crystal blue eyes that seemed dull compared to the rest of the gems in the house. 

“Happy Birthday, Mr. Carl,” RK200 greeted the man with a smile. Mr. Carl’s wrinkled face pulled into a look of skepticism.

“An android?”

“Not just any android,” Mr. Kamski said as he sat by Mr. Carl’s bedside. “He’s the prototype I’ve been working on. He’s here to help you with daily tasks and perhaps inspire you. What do you think of him?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” Mr. Carl appeared skeptical. “I’m not sure how I feel about having a robotic servant.”

“Don’t think of him as simply a hollow shell. He can have intelligent conversations with you as well. So go on, ask him anything.” Mr. Carl looked at RK200, tapping his tattooed hand on his chin.

“What’s your favorite work of art?” Mr. Carl asked.

“It’s…”

/Question: What are popular artworks?/

Researching…

/Results: Top Searches/

1. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo de Vinci
2. The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
3. The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli /

“It’s The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.” He answered. Mr. Carl raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Because…” RK200 quirked his lip, “Blue is a very alluring color.”

“Huh… he’s got nice taste.” Mr. Carl looked back to Mr. Kamski. “Well, since he is a gift, I won’t turn him down. Thank you, Elijah.”

“You’re welcome.” The most genuine smile RK200 saw during his relatively short activation appeared on Mr. Kamski’s face. “It was a fulfilling experience creating him, and I know you’ll enjoy him being with you.”

“What’s his name?”

“That’s for you to decide.”

“Very well,” Mr. Carl gestured towards RK200. “Come here,” RK200 walked over to the bedridden man, who grabbed his hand, examining his palm with gentle hands. “I believe,” Old blue eyes met his naïve green. “Markus is a fitting name for someone with your spirit.”

// REGISTERED NAME: Markus//

“Markus? It sounds nice,” Markus smiled. “I look forward to living with you, Mr. Carl.”

Chapter Text

DATE: May 2, 2034

TIME: 9:00:00 A.M

[Exiting Stasis]

//MAIN OBJECTIVE: Get Leo ready for the visit//

// SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 

• Clean up the living room
• Make breakfast//

Simon opened his eyes, taking in the sight of the living room. The carpeted beige floor was littered with food crumbs, and the green sofa had its pillows askew. The glass coffee table wasn’t any better, littered with chip bags and scattered papers. He ignored the mess for now as he headed to Leo’s bedroom, a creak coming from the opening door. The room was dark with a lump huddled up in the bed, and Simon went to the window and drew the curtains, lighting the bedroom with morning sunlight. The light shined on the many posters of bands and photographs of scenery on his wall. Seemingly out of place among the music and art was the CyberLife poster above Leo’s bed, the former CEO of the company as its centerpiece.

“Good morning, Leo,” The android greeted as he approached the bed and lightly tapped the lump curled underneath the covers. It stirred and groaned but returned to its original position. “It’s time to wake up,” he said a bit louder, lightly pulling down the covers, messy brown hair peeking out.

“Wha…” Leo’s slurred mumble was muffled by the covers, and Simon did the service of pulling the covers down to expose Leo’s head. “Ah, geez,” Leo shied away from the sunlight, trying to pull the covers back over, but Simon kept them down. “I’ve got a damn headache. Let me sleep.”

“I could, but then you’d be late for your visit to Mr. Manfred’s.”

“Visit who?”

“Your dad. About—”

“Shit, you’re right!” Leo shot up in the bed but instantly cringed, holding his head. “Fuck me.” He groaned, brown eyes strained and nose an irritated pink.

“Would you like me to get your medication?” Simon offered.

“Yeah, I need to kill this before we get there. 

// OBJECTIVE: Retrieve Leo’s medication//

Simon left the bedroom and retrieved the pills from the medicine in the bathroom before getting a glass of water from the kitchen. He returned to the bedroom and handed Leo the glass and pills.

“Thanks. When do we have to leave?” Leo asked, then swallowed his pills.

“10:15, which gives us roughly an hour and ten minutes to prepare.”

“Better get started then.” He stretched and tossed the covers off of himself. Simon took that as his cue to get started on his other objectives. He went to the kitchen to cook breakfast, making the usual scrambled eggs and maple bacon with a side of toast and a hot mug of coffee. Leo exited the bathroom just as Simon finished setting the dining table.

“Thanks.” Leo thanked him as he sat at the table.

“You’re welcome.” Simon cleaned the living room, tossing out the garbage and vacuuming the crumb-littered floor. After he finished with the living room, he checked his internal clock, the time being 10:06. He looked for Leo and found him back in the bathroom washing his face.

“We leave in nine minutes.” He notified the young man.

“We need to leave early, so I have time to stop at a convenience store,” Leo said.

“What for?”

“Something small, I’ll get it.” He dried his face before facing Simon. “Do I look like shit?”

“Not at all, Leo.”

“You always say that. Is that like your default answer?”

“It’s one out of four.”

“Huh, what’s another one?”

“You could use a touch-up.”

“Yeah, we’ll stick with the first one. Get the car started and wait for me there.”

“Yes, Leo. Would you like me to retrieve your camera as well?” 

“… No. I got it.”

“Understood,” Simon started the sky-blue car decorated with bumper stickers and set the radio to Leo’s preferred station. He sat still in the car, waiting.

TIME: 9:00:00 A.M

[Exiting Stasis]

//MAIN OBJECTIVE: Prepare for Leo’s Visitation//

// SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 

• Get Carl prepared
• Make breakfast//

Markus opened his vibrant green eyes and was greeted by the landscape painting of a moonlit lake with the morning sun shining upon it. He left his room and decided to start breakfast first to let Carl sleep in. The painter would need all the energy he could get. He stopped by the birdcage in the entryway and activated the sunshine yellow and autumn orange birds, Poppy and Tulip, fluttering their tiny wings as they pleasantly chirped. It didn’t take him long to whip up Carl’s usual breakfast and coffee, setting it on the dining table, before returning to Carl’s room. He’d expected Carl to be asleep but was startled to see Carl awake and sitting in bed.

//CARL – Friend//

“Oh, you’re already awake,” Markus said, walking in and opening the curtains to light up the room. “You could have called me.”

“I needed time alone with my thoughts.” Carl sighed, already holding out his arm for Markus to inject him.

“You sound…” he replayed Carl’s words in his mind, closely analyzing the tone, “Frustrated?”

“Anxious.”

“About Leo?”

“I fear that he’s not gonna show… Like the two other times.”

“Should I not prepare for his visit?” Carl looked down at his comforter, toying with a loose thread.

“No. Continue to get ready. I have hope he’ll show up.” Markus did as told, finishing getting Carl ready for the morning and bringing him to the dining table for breakfast.

“Markus, you know that old shelf in the studio?” Carl asked as he picked up his fork.

“Yes, you complained about how ugly it looked the other day.”

“Could you put it out on the street, please?”

//OBJECTIVE: Remove old shelf//

“I’ll take care of it.” Markus went to the studio and found the offending piece of furniture. The shelf had peeling blue paint that had lost its shine, and one of the shelves themselves was falling inward. It had been in the studio when he first came to live with Carl, and even then, the painter seemed to side-eye it. He grabbed the sides of the tall shelf, gripping on tight.

[FORCE OUTPUT – 35%]

He lifted the shelf off the ground with ease and carried it outside to the street, setting it down gently. He patted the shelf goodbye before heading back inside to tidy up the living room.

“Are you excited?” Carl asked him, swallowing a bite of toast.

“For what?”

“Finally meeting Leo’s android. If I remember right, his name is Simon.” Markus was aware of the android’s existence, and now his name, but that was the extent of what he knew of him.

“I…” Markus paused his sweeping, a bright yellow taking over his blue LED as he processed the question. With his limited knowledge of the android, he… didn’t have any qualms about learning more about him. Did he ever play the piano like Markus had many times? Did he care for a garden planting colorful flowers or rich fruits and vegetables? Did he ever read literature from ancient philosophers? The more questions he thought of, his intrigue grew, making his mind yearn for answers. “I think… I am excited to meet him.”

TIME: 11:00:00 A.M

Markus waited patiently by the entry lobby for the pair to arrive, watching Tulip and Poppy flutter about in their cage to pass the time. Leo and Simon were due to arrive 15 minutes ago. For Carl’s sake, he assumed that Leo was simply late. However, if the young man were to call off the visitation, Markus already had plans to keep Carl occupied for the day. He discarded those plans when he heard the rumble of Leo’s car pull up and park on the curb. Markus checked that his outfit was in order and that the flowerpot on the dresser was angled just right before the doorbell rang. He realized that there was a smile already on his face before he opened the door. 

His eyes landed on Leo first, who looked like he was recovering from a cold with the bags under his brown eyes and a red nose. However, his eyes didn’t linger on the young man for long before they found the android beside him. He was a PL600, as his white and black uniform so boldly stated, and he had the same blonde hair and blue eyes as the rest of his model line. 

“Hello, Leo. I’m glad you came.” Markus brightly grinned.

//LEO – Close//

“I’m sure you are.” Leo didn’t return Markus’ pleasantness.

“You must be Simon.” Markus turned his attention to the android.

“Yes, that is my name,” Simon responded.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Markus held out his hand. “My name is Markus.”

“Hello, Markus.” Simon shook his hand, giving a polite smile. Markus was… unaffected by it. There was nothing wrong with the smile. It wasn’t contrived like Leo’s or caring like Carl’s. It was simply a plain ordinary smile that Markus had seen all other androids possess. 

//SIMON – Neutral//

“Please, come in. Carl is waiting.” Markus let the pair inside and into the living room, where Carl was waiting patiently, who lovingly smiled at the sight of his son.

“Oh, Leo, you made it! How have you been, son?”

“Better off than before,” Leo answered.

“You sure? You look a bit sick.”

“Yeah, the change in weather has my allergies all screwed up. But that didn’t stop me from taking pictures.” Leo patted the black camera bag hanging off his shoulder. “There’s plenty I’d like you to look at.”

“Of course. We can look them over in the studio.” Carl looked at Markus. “Markus, please, show our guest what the Manfred residence has to offer.” He gestured to Simon. 

//OBJECTIVE: Entertain Simon//

“Sure, Carl,” Markus replied.

“Have fun, you two,” Carl and Leo went to the studio, leaving the androids alone. Markus didn’t say anything at first, watching Simon silently stand in front of him with his arms still by his side and waiting to see if the PL600 would make any moves. However, it quickly became clear that the blonde android wasn’t going to make a sound the longer he blankly stared at Markus.

“There are many things we could do.” Markus started, “I can show you books, we could play chess, and I can even play the piano for you. What would you like to do?”

“Whatever you want, Markus.” Simon promptly answered. 

“I want to do whatever you want.” Markus watched Simon’s LED spin yellow for the first time.

“… If you want to read, we can read.” That would probably be the most confident answer he’d get from his fellow android, and he led him over to the bookshelf. 

“Which would you like to see?”

“Please, show me your favorite book.” Favorite? Choosing one book to rule them all was impossible, with many different genres and writing styles. What wasn’t impossible was choosing a book that had his current attention. 

“Have you ever heard of Keats’ Odes?” he asked as he grabbed the book from the shelf.

“I haven’t looked into his works, no.”

“I think you might take an interest in his poems,” Markus flipped to the page of the ode he had in mind. “An Ode to Psyche” is one of his most intriguing works. The poem is of a man that finds himself utterly memorized by the beauty of a creature that even allured Cupid himself. I find the idea rather mystifying as it leaves the appearance of the beautiful creature up to the reader’s imagination.” He glanced up at Simon, who maintained his pleasant expression. Markus wasn’t an expert at deciphering emotion, but he didn’t need to be to understand that his guest wasn’t genuinely interested in the current subject. If he could be interested at all. Markus’ attention drifted to the chess table. “Would you like to play a game of chess?” he offered as he closed the book, already knowing the other android’s response.

“Yes, I’d love to,” Simon replied, following Markus to the chess table. Markus started the chess match but was less interested in the game and more so in his opponent. Simon’s LED remained cool blue as he took no more than five seconds to make each move, though he didn’t play aggressively. He made no significant moves and allowed Markus many openings to take his pieces. 

“So,” Markus started, moving his piece to a position where Simon could easily overtake him, “What do you do in your spare time?”

“I’m on standby for Leo when he’s home,” Simon answered, not taking advantage of Markus’ unprotected piece to shift one of his pawns in the line of fire.

“What do you do when he’s not home?” Markus asked as he continued the game.

“Unless Leo has given me a task, nothing.”

“Nothing? Doesn’t that ever bore you?”

“I don’t get bored.”

“Well, what does Leo have you do?”

“I cook, clean, do laundry, drive Leo places, and sometimes help him with his photography.”

“And do you like any of that?”

“I always enjoy being of assistance to Leo.”

“… If you weren’t given a specific task but had to do something, what would you do? Like me, I like to watch Carl paint and play the piano in my spare time. So what would you do?” Simon paused, his LED returning to yellow and making Markus quirk his lip.

“I… I wouldn’t do anything.” Markus was disappointed by the response itself. However, Simon’s delayed delivery wasn’t lost on him. Markus took Simon’s king. 

“I want to show you something else.” Markus was helped by Simon in resetting the chess pieces, and Markus led the PL600 over to the piano. Markus sat down on the piano bench with Simon hovering over him.

“What song are you going to play?” Simon asked.

“Whatever you want.” Markus closely watched the younger android make up his mind as he tapped his chin.

“Could you play… Claire de Lune? It’s one of the songs on Leo’s playlist.”

“Of course I can.” Markus took a moment to research the music sheets before placing his fingers over the piano keys and starting the classic piece. He had never played it but performed it as if he knew it by heart. Delicate notes were harmoniously woven in a soothing lullaby that sang sweetly from the piano. The arts had always piqued Markus’ interests, music being one of the most alluring. With such a variety of songs, from short and sweet jingles to beautifully orchestrated sonatas, gave him an outlet to replicate emotions that he hadn’t felt. He was enveloped by the music that he hadn’t noticed that Simon had moved at first. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Simon standing close beside him, watching intently as Markus’ fingers danced across the piano keys. Markus felt his lips upturn into a gentle smile as he finished the piece with a flourish, the final notes a low hum that dissolved into quiet. 

“So,” Markus said, looking up at Simon, “How was that?”

“That was… different.” Simon’s eyes subtly glimmered in a way they hadn’t all day. “I’ve heard that piece many times but never performed like you did. I… You certainly have a talent, Markus.”

“Oh, thank you,” Markus couldn’t describe how the compliment affected him. He’d only ever been given compliments from Carl. Being given one by Simon and another android was a new experience, especially when he used the word ‘talent’. An experience he found exciting.

TIME: 1:02:08 P.M.

“That didn’t go as badly as I thought,” Leo commented as he and Simon got into the car. “How was it with Markus?”

“It went very well.” Simon chirpily answered. “He’s nice, I’d say. He showed me his favorite book, and we played a game of chess. And I was thoroughly entertained by his piano performance. He’s very talented.”

“Yeah, I heard,” Leo mumbled, rolling his eyes. “Let’s head home.”

“Alright, Leo.” Simon started the car, the air conditioner turning on and the radio as he drove. The fans muddled the music from the radio, and Simon found himself straining his audio processors to listen.

“Leo, would you like me to turn up the radio?”

“Sure, go ahead,” Leo responded, his attention being on his phone. Simon turned up the radio with a small smile.

Chapter Text

DATE: October 14, 2034

TIME: 12:00:00 P.M

// MAIN OBJECTIVE: Pick up supplies//

Markus examined the boxes of paint on the shelf. They ranged from the warmest reds to the coolest of purples and all the colors in between. Carl hadn’t asked for a particular color, saying that ‘whatever you think is seasonally appropriate will do.’ The process of choosing the right color was enough to turn his blue LED yellow.

“I’ve gotten the paintbrushes.” At the voice, Markus looked over and saw Simon coming down the aisle, a case of brushes in his hand. “Have you picked out a paint color?”

//SIMON – Close//

“Not yet,” Markus replied, gaze returning to the paint collection. “I’m trying to decide which is the most seasonal. What do you think?”

“I’m not sure. I’m not an expert of the arts like you.”

“I’m the expert that can’t decide what paint is the best.”

“How about you get multiple paints? I don’t think Mr. Manfred would have an issue with that.”

“Hm, Carl did give me enough money… Yeah, let’s do that.” Markus plunked the fiery red, amber-orange, and sunshine yellow paint boxes from the shelf, and the pair of androids went to the checkout. The android behind the counter maintained a hollow smile throughout their transaction, and Markus passed by many more empty expressions as he and Simon walked through the mall center.

“Have you ever gone to the Fall Festival?” Markus asked.

“No. I was officially activated in May of this year. There are many events I haven’t experienced. I’m guessing you’ve been activated long enough to experience this Fall Festival.”

“Yes. This’ll be my seventh year.”

“Seventh year? I didn’t know you had been active for so long.”

“I was built to last.”

“… May I ask you a question?” Markus perked up. It was rare for Simon to ask about anything unrelated to a current objective.

“You’re always welcome to.”

“What—”

“Danny!” Simon was cut off by the enthusiastic cry from a little girl running up to the android and hugging Simon’s leg tightly, stopping the pair of androids in their tracks.

“Oh, hello, little girl.” Simon greeted with mild surprise inflecting his tone.

“Where’d you go?” the little girl asked, wiping her puffy face with her blue and purple coat sleeve.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” 

“You said you’d be with the pots and stuff. But when I went, you weren’t there. I’ve been looking for you all over, Daniel!”

“I see. There’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not Daniel.” The girl looked confused.

“No, you’re Daniel. You can’t trick me.”

“Well, you see,” Markus spoke up, “This is Daniel’s brother Simon. We can help you find Daniel, though. He must be worried about you.”

“Alrighty, mister.” The girl grabbed Simon’s free hand, and Simon held onto her tiny hand. There weren’t any other PL600s in sight. Being a model designed for housework, there weren’t many reasons for them to leave home, which was a plus since it eliminated the situation of going up to every Simon look-alike and asking if he’s Daniel. Markus rationalized that an android, having lost the child they’re caring for, would most likely go to the help center of the mall.

“What’s your name?” Simon asked as the group walked through the mall.

“I’m Emma. I didn’t know Daniel had a brother.”

“Well… He has a lot of brothers, actually. Like more than you can count on your fingers and toes, and we all have our own people to care for.”

“Really? I don’t have any brothers. I can’t think of having like a bagillion! What about you?” Emma looked up at Markus. “Do you have any brothers?” The thought of Leo came and went like a fleeting strike of lighting.

“I don’t have anyone that’d call me brother. I’m the only android of my model, an RK200.”

“Oo, are you like Daniel? Daniel likes to help with the chores, he helps me with homework, and he’ll play in the pool with me.”

“Wow, he sounds fun.”

“He’s the coolest!”

“Well, I’ve never gone swimming, but I help around the house. So we have similar purposes.” The help center came into sight with a line for the helper’s desk, and trying to get to the front of the line was a PL600.

“Back of the line, ’droid.” A man in line scowled as he jabbed the android in the chest.

“Please, sir. I need help,” the android’s LED spun a troubling red. “I can’t—”

“Not our problem,” a woman further back in line snapped. “I wanted to make this return thirty minutes ago. You ain’t cutting.” The android kept his mouth shut and curtly nodded before heading to the back of the line, where his eyes suddenly lit up.

“Emma!” he exclaimed and rushed over to her, Emma meeting him halfway to wrap her tiny arms around his neck. “There you are.” He sighed as he hugged her back, his LED calming to a gentle blue. “I’m sorry for leaving you like I did. Another customer asked me to help them, and I was gone longer than I thought.”

“It’s okay, Daniel.” Emma chirped, smiling wide. “I got to meet your brother.”

“My brother?” he quirked his head.

“Yeah, Simon,” she pointed, and he looked at the pair of androids. “He and his friend helped me find you.”

“They did?” He scooped Emma up in his arms and walked over to the other androids, holding out his hand with a bright smile. “Thank you so much.” 

“You’re welcome.” Simon shook his hand, with Markus following suit.

“Of course. Have a nice day.” Markus said and waved goodbye when Emma waved as her caretaker took her away. “He certainly has his hands full.”

“With such a sweet girl too.” Simon turned to Markus. “What time did Mr. Carl say we have to be at the festival?”

“One o’clock. We can still make it.” The pair walked out of the mall and waited at the bus stop. The bus soon arrived, and they boarded the holding compartment with several other androids. Markus and Simon squished against each other to make room for the others. Throughout the ride, Markus felt Simon’s hand brush up against his and felt his fingers brush back.

TIME: 12:57:04 P.M

Simon and Markus found their respective Manfreds at a booth surrounded by tables of blank canvases and art supplies.

“Sorry for cutting it close.” Markus apologized as he handed the bag to Leo. “We had a detour.”

“You’re fine,” Leo shrugged, “You came before they let people in.” 

“These are wonderful colors, Markus,” Mr. Manfred complimented, taking out the array of paints. “Please, get the painting stations ready. The festivalgoers will love this.”

//  OBJECTIVE: Prepare stations//

“On it, Mr. Manfred,” Simon said, preparing the painting stations with Markus, pouring paint into palates, and laying out paintbrushes with cups of water. People came soon after, admiring the works of art for display and partaking in the activities of other colorful booths, along with purchasing the handcrafted trinkets and knickknacks. Simon stood aside along with Markus. Parents and their children eventually came to their booth, the kids playing with the paints on their canvas and enthusiastic adults talking with Mr. Manfred and Leo taking pictures of the event. 

The two androids got involved after a child was finished with their painting and cleaning up the mess left behind. During one cleaning process, one creative young boy decided that splatter painting would be his method of choice, and Markus happened to be in the splash zone. Bright blue and rich red hues speckled onto Markus’ cheek and vest as he was cleaning a dirtied paintbrush. Naturally, many children giggled at the sight, their bubbly laughter amused, and Simon was surprised to hear his own soft chuckle join the mirth.  

In response, he felt Markus poke his nose, leaving a purple splotch on his face. Markus gave a playful smile, and Simon found himself staring at it, giving a small smile of his own. The pair continued through the afternoon, cleaning up messes while their attire was dotted with paint. Hours passed, and the festival goers drifted towards the center of the park, where a stage had been set up.

“You wanted to ask me something at the mall.” Markus spoke up as he and Simon packed away the painting tools. “What was it?”

“Right,” Simon quirked his lip, stowing away paint coated brushes, “I was going to ask… What’s it like being activated for so long? Do you change?”

“Change?” Markus paused as he went through many memories over the years with Carl in the blink of an eye, “When you’re activated for as long as I have, you naturally grow to adapt and learn from your experiences. I believe my program’s changed in it’s own ways. Carl once said that ‘time is its own artist, and we are its works of art.”

“And… that change is a good thing, right?”

“No change has stopped me from completing my objectives, so I’d say so.”

“We deserve a treat,” Mr. Manfred said and the two androids paused their work. “Come on, let’s watch the performance. Do you know who’s playing, Leo?” The painter asked as Markus wheeled him to a stop at the front row, Leo sitting down in the chair beside him with Markus and Simon following suit.

“I think it’s some band called Blue Sun,” Leo answered. “They aren’t too big but gaining traction, I think.”

“Are they any good?”

“We’ll see.” The lead singer got up on stage, his deep blue guitar shining in the stage lights as he got to the microphone. The song started with the tap of the drummer’s sticks and was followed by a steady beat and the cords of a hearty guitar. It sounded similar to some of the soft rock songs Leo liked to listen to on the radio, warmly energetic with a rhythm that made one want to nod to the beat. However, listening to a song on the car radio and seeing it performed live in person was a different experience. Simon could feel the beat of the drums in his chest, and the serenade from the lead vocalist caressed his audio processors. He watched the band’s members express the same ecstatic energy in their own way to create an experience for the eyes and ears. 

“Enjoying yourself?” The question came with a light nudge on his arm, and he turned to Markus to find him with a soft smile.

“I think so…” Simon’s LED flickered yellow, “Am I supposed to?”

“Carl says if there aren’t any error notifications, you’re processing how you’re supposed to.”

“Oh. That’s reassuring.” Simon smiled back and said words that had never before left his lips: “Then yes. I enjoy this.”

TIME: 5:33:05 P.M

“What’d you think of the festival?” Leo asked Simon as the pair walked through the front door, the android flicking on the light. 

“It was…” Simon paused, helping Leo remove his jacket and hanging it up, “Fun.”

“Yeah, I see the fun all over your shirt,” Leo smirked, gesturing to the paint over the android’s clothes. “Get yourself cleaned up, but before that, can you file these photos, please?” He held out a milia envelope.

//OBJECTIVES:

• Put away photographs
• Clean Self//

“Certainly.” Simon grabbed the envelope and went to the spare room turned photography workspace. He opened up the silver filing cabinet drawer and put the envelope into the correct folder, though he noticed the corner of a photo sticking out of the folder furthest back. In a jerk action, he pulled it out to examine it. He recognized Leo standing at the end of the dock, albeit much younger and smiling brighter than he’d ever seen, dressed in blue swim trunks and soaking wet. He had his arm around another young boy. He had dark brown hair and wore green swim trunks with a white tank top. Though those were mundane features compared to the stump that was supposed to be his right arm and his eyes, a duo color of—

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” Simon spun around at the question, seeing Leo standing in the doorway with an intrigued look on his face.

“I… This.” Simon held out the photo, and Leo walked over to grab it, his intrigue falling into something wistful.

“Oh, this…”

“May I ask who you are with?” 

“I guess,” The young man glanced confused at the android for a moment before he faintly smiled, “That’s Gabe. It feels like forever ago since we... Never mind. It’s in the past.” He put the photo back in its folder and shut the drawer. “Let’s keep it there.” The doorbell rang, and Simon pursed his lips. 

“Oh, were you expecting any visitors?”

“Not that I know of.”

“I’ll go look.” Simon left the room and went to the front door. He peeked through the front window curtain to see a man he didn’t recognize as he was wearing a dark grey jacket with the hood up, the porch light illuminating his broad frame. He rang the doorbell again with a muscular arm, Simon noticing the tattoo on his wrist.

“Who is it?” Leo asked with a hint of worry in his voice.

“A strange man with a moon tattoo on his wrist.” Simon turned around to see panic etched across Leo’s face.

“C’mon, Manfred, open up!” The man barked in his gruff voice, irritated. 

“Come here!” Leo rushed to grab Simon’s arm and dragged him to the bedroom, shoving him inside. 

“Is something wr—”

“Listen,” Leo sharply interrupted the android, “Don’t come out here until I tell you too, got it?”

//ORDER: Don’t leave//

“Yes, Leo.” Leo shut the door, and Simon heard him go to the front door and open it.

“Hey, Cleve! Long time no see, am I right?” Leo greeted, his muffled voice a bit shaky.

“I’m not here for chit-chat, Manfred.” Cleve bit back, the boom of the front door slamming shut. “Where’s the rest of my money?”

“What are you talking about? I paid you all—”

“Are you calling me a fucking liar?!” Something smashed onto the floor.

“‘Course, not I-I just—”

“I told you to give me three fifty, and you screw me out of thirty!”

“Don’t put that on me! You checked the damn money and gave me the green light!” Another loud crash sounded that was followed by Leo’s pained groan. Simon clenched his hands together, eyeing the doorknob. 

//ORDER: Don’t leave//

“Go ahead, be a smartass, Manfred, see where that fucking gets you.”

“I’m sorry, o-okay? It was just a mistake.”

“It better be, ’cause that money was for the boss. Cheatin’ me is one thing, but you try and screw over my boss, and you won’t have a tongue to lie with. Should I tell him about your fuck up?”

“No, please, listen! I’ll get you your money. I just need—” Simon processed Leo’s words as another crash sounded. 

//OBJECTIVE: Retrieve money//

[CONTRIDICTORY ORDER]

//ORDER: Don’t leave?//

[RECONFIGURING...]

//ORDER: Don’t enter the living room//

//MAIN OBJECTIVE: RETRIEVE MONEY//

Simon went to the closet, entered the code on a locked metal box, and took an envelope with two words written on it in purple ink: ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY.’ He immediately left the room and stopped at the edge of the hall. The living room was covered with shattered glass from broken pots and picture frames, and the glass coffee table had a deep crack running through it. Leo was across the room, a bleeding cut on his lip and pinned up against the wall by the collar, his attacker looming over him. His hood had fallen, revealing a shaven head with a scar wrapping around his head like a snake.

“If you ever—”

“I have your money!” Simon cut off Cleve with his bold declaration, and the man’s head whipped around to face the android, dark eyes like burning coals. Simon held out the envelope with a professional smile. Cleve’s sharp face scrunched in skepticism and Leo’s with panic.

“You didn’t tell me you got an android, Manfred,” Cleve grumbled.

“I-I didn’t! I’m just watching him for a friend.” Leo excused.

“Pft, you don’t have friends.” The intrusive man scoffed but let Leo go. Simon stood firm as Cleve approached him, snatched the envelope from his hands, and looked through its contents.

“Is that enough for you?” Simon asked, and Cleve took a moment longer to count the bills.

“… Yeah, I’d say it’s just enough.”

“Good, then you can leave, sir,” Cleve eyed him, and Simon gave him a professional smile, LED a bright blue.

“You’re lucky I don’t wanna stain my hands blue, plastic.” Cleve sneered and shoved the envelope into his jacket before turning around to face Leo. “Better get my money right next time, Manfred.” He warned and left their home, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Leo, do you need me to get the medical kit?” Simon asked, not taking his eyes off the blood staining Leo’s bruised face.

“No, I got it,” Leo grumbled, wiping his face with the back of his hand before marching over to his android. “What the hell were you thinking, Simon?!” he questioned. “Cleve could’ve tore you apart! I thought I told you not to come out here.”

“You did,” Simon confirmed. “I understood ‘out here’ as the living room, and as you can see,” he gestured to his shoe tip on the edge of where the hallway tile met the carpeted living room. “I’m not in the living room.”

“’Kay, I know you pulled that out of your ass.” The young man groaned, running his hand through his hair, looking at Simon with tired brown eyes. “You got really lucky today. You don’t even know. So, please, Simon, don’t get involved with any of this shit again. And by ‘this shit,’ I’m specifically referring to…” he bit on his lip, “Any Red Ice business. You got that?”

//ORDER: Don’t engage in Red Ice business//

“Yes, I have the order processed… Leo, would you reconsider allowing me to treat your wounds?”

“… Sure.”

Chapter Text

DATE: May 14, 2035

TIME: 05:03:02 P.M

“Yep, this is the place!” Carl beamed as Markus rolled him down the trailer’s ramp onto the soft dirt path. The cabin looked luxurious from the outside, a tall structure made up of mahogany panels with large windows and a balcony surrounding the second floor. It blended with the forest around it, mingling with the tall trees and bushy foliage. “Looks just how I left her.”

“Smells like it too.” Leo rubbed his nose as he stepped out of the trailer, holding on to a black duffle bag with Simon following out behind him with luggage.

“What’s wrong with the smell of nature?”

“That’s a question for my nose.” Leo sniffled.

“I packed some medicine for you. Let’s settle in, then I’ll give you a pill.” Markus rolled Carl up the ramp, and Leo unlocked and held open the door for them, Simon following inside with the luggage. Markus flipped on a switch, bringing warm light to the cozy cabin. He and Simon went to work on preparing the bedrooms and checking the state of the other rooms when Carl’s voice came from downstairs calling out:

“Hey, Markus, come downstairs!”

“Coming, Carl!” Markus went downstairs and found the painter in the living room. “What do you need?”

“Me? Nothing from you, but Leo,” Carl pointed to the front door, and Markus could see the young man on the porch through a window, balancing camera supplies, “He’ll need a hand. He’s going out to get some nature shots, and I want you to go out with him. Help him out.”

// OBJECTIVE: Watch over Leo//

“Yes, Carl. I’ll look after Leo.” Leo looked less than thrilled when Markus joined him outside on the porch.

“What are you doing out here?” The young man questioned as he put his camera into the case hanging from his neck. 

“I’m here to help you with your photoshoot.” Markus smiled, and Leo frowned.

“Did Dad send you?”

“Yes, Carl asked me to—”

“Tell him I don’t need any help. I can do it on my own.”

“I can’t. that would go against my objective to help you.”

 “Well, I order you to go back inside.” 

“Clever, but your orders don’t override Carl’s.”

“You should get that checked out.” He grumbled, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “Fine, you can come.” He relented. “But don’t fuck up my shots.”

“I don’t intend to.” The pair made their way down the dirt trail, the patter of their footsteps on packed earth joined the nature’s ambiance of birds chirping above in the green canopy and the rustling of tree leaves swaying in the gentle wind.

“Where are we going?” Markus asked.

“Down to the lake,” Leo answered as they came to a steep drop. The young man carefully climbed down, with Markus watching to ensure he didn’t slip before leaping down.

“Is this photoshoot for a project?” The android inquired as the thum of a gentle stream drifted closer.

“It’s for my summer gallery. I need some nature pics to balance out all the street lights and concrete buildings.” They arrived at the small stream of crystal blue water, smooth rocks like stepping stones leading to the other side. “Oh, this is a good spot for a quick pic.” Leo chirped excitedly, taking out his camera and switching the lens for one in his backpack before hopping onto one of the wet stones.

“Be careful,” Markus warned.

“Yeah, ’cause I plan on falling in the water.” Leo sarcastically remarked with a roll of his eyes.

“Like you did at the park?” Leo shot the smiling android a glare before adjusting the lens of his camera and steadying it for a shot. Markus saw the familiar look of concentration on Leo’s face as he delved into his craft, the same face Carl made when painting his own works of art.

“Damn, that’s good!” Leo grinned at his camera, “Let’s get going.” He put his camera back in its case and hopped to the other side. Markus followed, perfectly landing on each stone before landing on solid ground. The path treated them nicely with no treacherous dips or impossibly narrow pathways until they came across a large tree blocking their way, its earthly roots exposed to the air and branches broken in its fall. “Oh, c’mon, nature!” Leo groaned.

“I think it might have fallen during the storm last month.” Markus theorized. “We can try and find a way around it.”

“No, the sun would be down by the time we got down to the lake. This tree won’t stop me from making art!” Leo studded up to the massive tree trunk and tried climbing up it, using the branches to pull himself up, which proved to be a challenging task halfway through. “Fuck, it looks so easy in the movies,” he groaned, pulling himself up an inch with a questionable branch.

“Perhaps we should change our approach,” Markus suggested, standing close. 

“I’m almost there,” Leo panted with a reached-out hand, desperately trying to grasp the branch at the top, “Just a little—” a creaking snap cut Leo off when his support gave out, and his frightened shout followed suit as he fell. Markus didn’t need to think to have his arms out to safely catch Leo, almost falling to the ground himself.

“Are you okay?” Markus asked, looking Leo over for any significant wounds and thankfully finding none.

“Yeah, just got a scratch,” Leo wiped his cut palm on his pants. Markus looked for another way over, noticing the top of the tree was slightly propped up on a rock it had landed on.

“Here, I’ve got an idea,” Markus said, walking near the end of the tree and gripping underneath the elevated portion. 

[FORCE OUTPUT - 65%]

The android’s nails dug into the cracked bark of the tree as he lifted the crashed tree with an eerie creek of dead wood. His biocomponents worked in overdrive, and his synthetic muscles strained like cords of iron to lift the hefty tree, a burning sensation developing all over his body.

[CAUTION: Stress Levels… 61%]

“What the actual—”

“Go under!” Markus interrupted Leo’s gasp with his command. Leo hurriedly crossed under the tree, and Markus held on a second longer before letting go of the tree, hunching over, his fiery muscles crying out in relief. 

“Holy shit, Markus!” Leo exclaimed in astonishment on the other side of the tree. “I knew you were strong, but not lift up fucking trees strong!”

“Neither did I,” Markus said, voice strained as if he were catching his breath.

“You good?”

“Yes, just needed a moment to cool down.”

“How are you going to get over here? I can’t really hold up the tree for you.”

“I’ll climb.” Markus straightened up and took a couple steps back to get a running start and jump up way above where Leo’s climbing journey had ended. He swiftly pulled himself up and over with the branches available and landed quietly on the other side, with Leo staring in amusement.

“Was parkour in your model’s description?” he asked.

“No, but it could have been.” Markus dusted himself off, and the pair made their way down to the lake as the sun set. The sky shifted to a glowing orange with deep blues and majestic purples as its border, the warm light reflecting off the water, turning into a lake of liquid gold. Leo hurriedly pulled out his camera to take as many shots as possible. Markus followed far enough behind Leo to let the photographer do his craft without disturbance as he walked along the lake’s edge. When the last sunrays tinted the horizon orange and lowly blues dominated the sky, Leo rested his camera away from his face and walked out to the edge of the dock. Markus walked up beside him, the glittering water gently swaying.

“Did you capture what you wanted?” he asked.

“… I think so,” Leo muttered, eyes caught up by the scenery around him. “You weren’t as much of a pain in the ass as I thought you’d be. Thanks for, ya know, helping me out today.”

“You’re welcome,” Markus smiled at Leo’s rare gratitude.

“I’m about done with my business, so you can head back to the cabin.”

“How will you get back?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the long way back. I just need some alone time.” 

//OBJECTIVE: Head back to cabin//

“Alright then, I’ll see you back at the cabin.”

TIME: 05:35:03 P.M

Simon finished setting up Leo’s room before heading downstairs for further instructions. He couldn’t find Leo but found Mr. Manfred in the dining room, examining an array of canvases on the table. The old painter looked over at the android as he entered. 

“I’m finished with Leo’s room,” Simon said. “Where is he? … And Markus?”

“They both went out to do a photo shoot.” Mr. Manfred answered. “That just leaves you and me. You don’t mind keeping an old man company, do you?” 

//MAIN OBJECTIVE: Keep Mr. Manfred Company//

“Not at all, Mr. Manfred.” Simon smiled.

“I feel like today’s a good day to paint. Could you please bring my supplies to the back patio?”

“Of course.” The android grabbed a landscape canvas and easel before heading to the back patio, a quaint space with a downhill view of the forest trees and the Redwood Lake below. He set up the easel with the canvas and paint stool before the sight as Mr. Manfred rolled onto the patio. He set down his painting supplies on the stool and breathed deeply, shutting his eyes. Then, softly exhaling, he opened his eyes and took in the view.

“Always so magnificent you are.” He sighed with a smile. Simon watched the painter squeeze out an array of paints on his palette and take the time to pick out his paintbrush. However, his brush didn’t touch his palette, let alone the canvas. “I’ve been here so many times,” Simon wasn’t confident if Manfred was addressing him or the nature around them, “During the sizzling Summers and whimsical Winters. When the winds were fierce, or clouds wept a cool mist. Every time, my hand knew exactly where to move on the canvas, but today,” he set down his brush, “It doesn’t know where to go.” He looked at Simon beside him. “Maybe yours will.” He gestured to the brushes. 

“What are you asking of me?” Simon asked.

“I’d like you to paint, Simon.” Mr. Manfred smiled.

“Paint?” Simon furrowed his brows. “I’m not programmed with painting in mind.”

“Well, you can pick up a brush and put it to paper, can’t you?”

“I suppose I could. However, I’ve never been tasked to do so.”

“Until today. Go on, give it a shot.”

// OBJECTIVE: Paint Anything//

“… Alright.” Simon picked up the same brush Mr. Manfred had but hesitated when picking which color to dip the brush in. “Do you have a favorite color, Mr. Manfred?”

“Do you?” He should have expected that reply. So, he glanced around him at the tall grass and oak trees. He thought if he looked hard enough, he could find Markus.

“… Green is a nice color.” He concluded.

“Lovely choice.” Simon dipped the brush into the lighter greens and drifted it to the canvas, where it remained still in the center. A simple quiet followed, with Simon staring at the blank canvas as if waiting for the painting to create itself.

“Would you like some assistance?” Mr. Manfred offered.

“If you don’t mind, sir.”

“Not at all. Just close your eyes.” Simon obeyed and closed his eyes, the ambiance of nature filling the dark. He felt Mr. Manfred’s hand atop his and gently guided his hand slowly across the canvas, feeling the bristles of the brush rake across the textured surface. He couldn’t picture the canvas but didn’t let it hinder him from letting the brush drift where it wanted. When he believed himself to be finished, he set down the brush and opened his eyes. He quirked his head at the painting if it could be defined as such. Painted on the canvas was a simple green circle, perfectly symmetrical without a stroke out of line. 

“Huh,” Mr. Manfred leaned back in his chair, hand to his chin. “That’s a circle if I’ve ever seen one.” He chuckled.

“Does that mean I did an unsatisfactory job?” Simon asked.

“Not in a million years. You did just as I asked. I can see your personality oozing out of this.” Mr. Manfred grinned. “Good work, Simon.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Manfred.” Simon smiled brightly.

TIME: 07:05:03 P.M

Markus entered the quiet cabin and found Carl in the living room examining a duo of paintings, looking up when Markus walked inside with a grin.

“You made it back,” his smile faded, “Where’s Leo? Did you two fight?”

“No, he actually thanked me for helping,” Markus clarified, “He said he wanted some alone time.” 

“Alone time, huh?” Carl sighed, leaning back in his wheelchair. 

“Where’s Simon?” Markus asked, walking over to Carl.

“He’s in the kitchen making dinner. Should’ve told Leo to be back by a certain time.” Markus looked over the two paintings; one was a detailed landscape of what he realized to be the lake, only with the colors inverted with a vermillion sky and sapphire trees dotted with specks of ivory. The other painting… was simply an emerald circle. Markus tilted his head to look at it from a different angle and still saw the same green circle. “What an… interesting painting.”

“How do I know which painting you’re talking about?” Carl chuckled.

“Well, it’s certainly different from your other paintings.”

“I can’t claim this gem.”  

“Simon painted this?” Markus looked at Carl with surprise written on his face. 

“It took some coaxing, but I eventually got him to pick up the brush.”

“Did you give him a prompt?”

“No, I let him decide what to paint.”

“Hm, I didn’t know androids could do that.”

“Do you wanna give it a shot?” Carl offered.

“Me? No, I couldn’t.” Markus shook his head. “I’m an old model. Simon probably has a more advanced system than I do.”

“You sell yourself short sometimes, Markus,” The old painter nudged the android on his side. “I don’t have anything for you to do at the moment, so go ahead and entertain yourself.”

//MAIN OBJECTIVE: Entertain me//

“Okay, Carl,” Markus knew where he was headed as he walked up the stairs to the second floor. He went to the door hidden in shadow at the end of the hall, pushing it open with a creak. The dusty storage room was dimly lit and cluttered with old boxes and knick-knacks scattered on shelves and tables. Markus maneuvered carefully through the room of treasures throughout the years to the back of the room, where faded curtains were drawn over a window. He delicately drew the old curtains, letting moonlight stream in and illuminate the room, particularly the large object against the wall covered with a white cloth. He removed the covering in one swift pull, dust specks fluttering in the air as he revealed the object. 

The piano sat silently, an instrument made of glossy maple and aged copper strings, waiting for ambitious hands. Markus sat down on the squeaky piano bench and grazed his fingers over the old white piano keys, wiping off a layer of dust. He pressed on one of the keys, and a low gentle note reverberated throughout the room. 

“I didn’t know there was a piano here,” Simon said as he walked into the room, glancing around at the “décor.” 

“Oh, hello, Simon. Did you need something?”

“No. After I finished dinner, Carl told me to go find you.”

“And?”

“… He didn’t give me any more instructions,” Simon shrugged.

“Well, Carl instructed me to entertain myself… So, it should be good to entertain yourself, too, right?” Markus tapped another piano key, and Simon’s eyes drew to the instrument, quirking his lips.

“… I suppose that’s a suitable objective.” Markus made room on the bench for the other android, and Simon sat beside him, shoulders brushing against each other.

“Have you ever played the piano before?” Markus asked, picking up one of the music books from the stack on the floor and flipping to the music sheet he had in mind before setting it on the stand. They weren’t necessary for him to play, but letting them go to waste seemed… disrespectful.

“No, I haven’t ever played any instrument,” Simon answered, staring at the music sheet with a tilt of his head. “Leo doesn’t have any instruments.”

“Don’t be discouraged. This is supposed to be fun. Here, let’s try Chopin’s Andante. Have you heard it?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Well, it starts off like this.” Markus placed his hands on the keys and played the beginning notes of the piece, Simon closely watching every move of his skillful fingers. “Now, you give it a try.” Simon stared at the piano keys for a moment before delicately placing his hand on them. The first note he produced mirrored Markus, but his rushed fingers skewed the second and third notes. “There’s no need to rush.”

“Sorry,” Simon apologized, his fingers drawing away from the piano, but Markus’ gentle hand returned them.

“You’re fine, Simon. You just need a little guidance.” the older android adjusted the younger’s position on the keys, “It’s a slow dance to savor every note.” Then, his hand resting atop Simon’s, he guided the PL600’s fingers to play the soothing melody. Together they crafted harmonious music that filled the room and brought a spirited air to the old place. Markus held onto every note of their song and the embrace of their hands even as the piece came to its eventual end.

“Wow,” Simon’s lips pulled into a faint smile with the word. “That was… very musical.” 

“That’s a fairly accurate way to describe it,” Markus returned the grin. “You did well for your first song.”

“Thank you, but most of the credit goes to you. You were holding my hand the entire time.”

“Oh, sorry. I just… forgot to let go.”

“… No, I needed your hand. Listening to you play is more… entertaining. Is there any other song you like to play?” Markus already pictured the music book containing the song in his mental space.

“Certainly,” Markus put the beginner book away and grabbed a much older one, its cover faded with pages delicate as a butterfly’s wings as he flipped them. “Carl showed me this song a few years back, and I always play it whenever we come here.” He stopped on the song he planned to perform, readying his hands on the keys and glancing at the notes and lyrics on the page. The notes came to him automatically, his fingers dancing across the keys as if they knew the routine by heart. Two notes working together in harmony accomplished the slow, gentle melody. As the song played onto the chorus, a duo of notes joined the original pair to add a complimenting beat to the rhythm. Markus closed his eyes and let the music perform itself, like an old record replaying the song molded into its grooves.

“… Hold on just a little while longer,” the words gently greeted his audio processors, carried by a heavenly hum that was a voice. “Everything will be alright,” Markus’ eyes drew open as they glanced beside him, “Everything will be alright.” Markus took a melodic moment to process that the dulcet voice hailed from Simon. “Sing on just a little while longer,” The blonde’s blue eyes glittered in the moonlight as they trailed along with the lyrics inked onto the music page, “Sing on just a little while longer,” A tranquil focus molded his expression; his body melting with the music. “Sing on just a little while longer,” Markus’ hands played on their own, his eyes never leaving the image of the singing Simon. “Everything will be alright,” Simon gently closed those crystal eyes and let the final lyrics spill from his lips in harmony with Markus’ notes. “Everything will be alright.” Silence fell, and remained until Simon opened his eyes, his smile returning.

“I didn’t know you could sing,” Markus said, Simon’s voice lingering in his head.

“An android of my model has a specialized vocalization to sing lullabies to children. That was my first time singing since Leo has no children to care for.” He looked Markus in the eyes. “That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t use it, right?”

“With a voice like yours, singing is a must.”

“Oh, thank you, Markus.” Simon’s smile grew as he glanced off to the side. “I can say that my objective to be entertained was thoroughly accomplished.”

[SIMON – Friend ^]

“Mine too.”

TIME: 08:41:07 P.M

Simon let the light from the electric lantern Mr. Manfred gave him guide his past through the dark forest, holding a warm container of a portion of the grilled chicken and asparagus he cooked for dinner. Leo hadn’t returned from the lake and wasn’t answering his phone, leaving his android tasked with checking up on him. In the quiet night ambiance of the forest, Simon contributed his part, humming the tune to the song he and Markus had played together. Finally, he descended to the lake, the dark water glittering underneath the moonlight. In the dark night, I saw a dim light and a sitting figure at the end of the dock. Leo’s hunched form became more apparent as he approached the dock, and the small chatter of many voices sounded. Leo jumped, startled when the wooden dock creaked under Simon’s foot.

“Fuck!” the young man panickily cursed, and the splash of water sounded after. “Dammit, that’s my last one!” Then, aggravated, he whipped around to face the android with his camera clutched to his chest, the voices muffled. “Don’t you ever sneak up on me like that, you piece of shit!” he vehemently scolded, bloodshot eyes writhing angrily. 

“I’m really sorry, Leo.” Simon apologized, hanging his head. “I should have been more careful.”

“It’s alright, Simon.” Leo sighed, tension relieving itself from his stiff body and fatigue replacing his eyes. “What are you doing out here?”

“Well, you didn’t make it back to the cabin for dinner, so Mr. Manfred asked me to bring you some food.” 

“He did?” he snorted, rubbing his reddened nose. “Okay then, bring it over here.” Simon walked to the edge of the dock and handed the container to Leo’s waiting hands, hands whose fingertips were dusted red. “Would you like some company?” Simon offered.

“… As long as you don’t say shit.”

“Understood.”

//ORDER: Maintain silence//

Simon sat silently beside Leo as the young man opened his food container and set it next to him before focusing on his camera. Simon saw a video playing on the camera, which Leo rewound to the beginning and pressed play as he snacked on his cold dinner. The video started with a pitch-black screen and a young boy’s voice confusedly saying:

“’ Kay, I got the red dot, but the screen’s still black.”

“Does taking the cap off help?” a woman’s voice teasingly asked.

“… Maybe,” the screen momentarily went bright before settling on the scene in the living room. The fireplace burned a bright orange, its amber glow illuminating the woman perched on a stool before it. Though its warmth was outmatched by her dark brown eyes and beaming smile. Her dark brown hair curled to her shoulders, her ends dyed a stunning blonde, complimenting the lacy ivory dress she dawned. She looked familiar, but Simon couldn’t put a name to her face. In her hands was a well-kept guitar made of glossy maple wood and silver strings, a star engraved on its body.

“You should keep that part in your project.” She chuckled, light and jovial. “It’ll give it much more heart, Leo.”

“I’ll make bloopers then, Mom. Like they do in the movies!” Leo ecstatically replied, adjusting the camera angle on his mother to put her in focus. “Alright, just like before. One, two, three, action!” Leo’s mother propped the guitar into a performing position, her fingers finding the strings and tapping the body for a starting beat. She made the guitar sing a gentle tune, worn fingers skillfully weaving through the strings and body swaying to the mellow rhythm. Her pink lips parted, and honey filled sound joined the guitar’s music.

“She’s got a smile that it seems to me. Reminds me of childhood memories,” her voice was an elegant accompaniment that tied the piece together in a comforting bow. “Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky,” Simon was so swept up in the video he almost didn’t notice Leo pausing his dinner and slightly swaying with his mother’s song. “Now and then, when I see her face, she takes me away to that special place,” Leo’s reddened nose twitched as he sniffled. “And if I stared too long, I’d probably break down and cry,” Like the lake’s sparkling waters, Leo’s dark brown eyes started to glimmer. “Oh, Sweet child o’ mine,” a single cry muffled by his hand. Simon’s hand lifted for a brief moment but fell back down like the tear trailing down Leo’s puffy red cheek. “Oh, Sweet child o’ mine…”

Chapter Text

DATE :  February 10, 2036

TIME :  07:23:00 P.M

“Did you find the tie, Markus?” The RK200 heard the painter ask him as he sat in front of his dresser mirror.  

“Unfortunately, no,” Markus surmised after a final look in the closet, his jet-black suit accompanied by a white tie. “I may have accidentally put it in the attic during spring cleaning.”

“Then don’t worry about it.” Carl relented. “I don’t want to be late for Leo’s exhibition because of a tie.”

“But it’s a tie Leo gifted you for your 50th birthday. We have twenty minutes before we leave. Give me five, and I’ll find it for sure.” Carl eyed him through the mirror before huffing.

“Alright then. Five minutes.”

//  OBJECTIVE : Retrieve Carl’s tie in 5 minutes//

//00:04:59//

Markus left the bedroom and quickly headed for the attic, pulling on the string hanging from the ceiling and stepping aside for the ladder to fold down. The attic was dusted with spider webs in its corners and illuminated with a warm glow from the light Markus switched on. He looked through the boxes he had brought up a couple of weeks before, and his searching eyes quickly found the maroon tie with diagonal silver stripes, grabbing it. Turning to leave, a glimpse of eyes staring at him caught his attention. He looked past boxes and knick-knacks to the large landscape painting in the corner with a white drape covering it, though it slipped down to reveal a familiar face. He couldn’t leave the painting like that, could he?

//00:02:35//

No, he couldn’t when he had time to fix it. He walked over to it and grabbed the edge of the covering, the motion being the catalyst for the rest of the drape to fall, leaving the painting naked. Markus couldn’t stop himself from looking. It was a portrait. A family portrait with the backdrop being a garden, white roses, and purple tulips bordering the lower edges of the painting. There were fourteen family members in total dressed in suits and dresses, with six adults, and the rest of the children looked to be between their early teens and just entering grade school. One trait they all had in common was their unique heterochromatic eyes, coming in various shades but always blue paired with green. The trait of a Kamski.

//00:01:02//

Markus recovered the painting before leaving the attic and back into Carl’s bedroom with five seconds to spare.

//OBJETCIVE COMPLETE //

“Found it.”

“And I doubted you,” Carl smirked as Markus helped put on his tie. “How do I look?”

“Perfect for an exhibition.”

“You look quite put together yourself. I expect a few eyes heading your way.” Carl grinned as he patted down Markus’ suit jacket.

“Thank you.” Markus thanked, though the image of the portrait remained fresh in his memory files. “… Carl, I have an inquiry.”

“An android’s inquiry?” The painter raised a silver brow. “I’m all ears.”

“Why do you have a Kamski family portrait in the attic? I’m assuming you made it for them.”

“You’re not wrong,” Carl sighed through his smile. “It was a commission, but after a few years I was told it was outdated and had no place in the Kamski household. Though Elijah didn’t want to throw it away or keep it. He said it clashed with the aesthetic of his home and handed it off to me. I forgot it was in the attic. I haven’t exactly been up there recently,” he patted his still legs with a chuckle.

“I see…” A memory of the last time the RK200 saw Elijah Kamski flashed in his eyes, a solemn day where the dark grey of a newborn tombstone matched the color of the crying sky, the photographer Manfred embracing the woeful creator of androids. “How is Mr. Kamski doing?”

“Elijah…” Carl’s gloomy eyes contradicted his smiling lips. “I couldn’t tell you. The hermit has reached out in years, probably marveling at some grand creation. Why ask?”

“I didn’t know if he’d be available for Leo’s exhibition. Mr. Kamski would have given Leo the reassurance he needs tonight.”

“Looks like we’ll have to pick up the slack then.”

TIME :  07:52:17 P.M

 “Dammit, we’re gonna be so fuckin’ late!” Leo worriedly cursed, dressed in a dirty grey tee and green boxer shorts, as he tore through his closet, Simon ducking under a sailing pair of gym shorts. The android intended to wake the photographer an hour earlier, but the man wouldn’t budge from where he crashed earlier that day after staying up the previous night. 

“Don’t worry, I’ve already set up your suit in the bathroom.” The android tried reassuring the distressed man.

“I spent too long editing my pinky outta that damn photo. Why are my fingers so fucking long?!” He yanked out a black backpack from the dark pits of his closet and rushed to the bathroom. The sound of the shower running followed quickly after. Given no particular instruction, Simon tidied up Leo’s bedroom from the mess the photographer had made last night, trying to finish his final projects. He didn’t expect a thank you for doing so, but Leo walked into the bedroom dressed in his unbuttoned suit and loose tie with shocked agitation on his face and a “hell no!” he predicted even less so. 

“What’s the problem, Leo?” Simon asked as he finished making Leo’s bed.

“You can’t go to the gallery dressed like that! It’s supposed to be a classy event.” Leo rifled through his closet and pulled out what he’d been looking for. “Here,” he shoved the white suit into Simon’s hands. “Put this on in the bathroom. And make it quick.”

//OBJECTIVE: Dress for exhibition///

“Of course,” Simon nodded and went into the messy bathroom with damp floors, dirty clothes, and Leo’s black backpack lying open on the counter’s edge, the edge of a Ziplock bag peeking out. The android undressed before dawning his suit, careful not to strain the expensive fabric. After tying his black tie and straightening his electric blue armband, he cleaned the bathroom, dried the floor, and put the dirty clothes in the hamper. When he picked up the backpack, he heard the soft plop and rattle of plastic and crystals on a tiled floor.

Simon looked down at the plastic bag that had fallen out of the backpack and landed behind the toilet, the Red Ice inside barely gleaming. He looked to the bathroom door, heard Leo rushing about the house, and turned back to the Red Ice hiding in the shadows.

//ORDER: Don’t engage in Red Ice business//

Simon zipped up the backpack and left it on the counter as he exited the bathroom.

// OBJECTIVE COMPLETED//

“Hopefully, I didn’t take too long,” Simon said, entering the living room.

“Just in time,” Leo looked up from his photography bag to the android, and his eyes widened in surprise before he gave a smirk. “Damn, you know how to wear a suit. All the other droids will be all over you.”

“I don’t think androids can flirt with each other.”

“It was a compliment, Si. Here,” he handed the android his bag. “Take this to the car and wait for me. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Yes, Leo.” 

//ORDER: Wait for Leo in the car//

Simon did as instructed and waited for the photographer inside the running car. The exhibition started at eight, but with Leo’s late start, Simon estimated they’d arrive at the gallery by 8:18. However, that became 8:20, then 8:25, as Leo had yet to come outside. Simon stared at the front door. From behind the curtain of the window beside the front door, the silhouette of Leo’s figure rushing back and forth and items being tossed about could be seen. Something was wrong.

//ORDER: Wait for Leo in the car//

Simon eyed the notification HUD. Above all else, Simon was a caretaker. Leo’s caretaker. He couldn’t fulfill his job sitting inside this car. A sudden blaring crash coming from inside the house assaulted the air.

//CHECK ON LEO//

Simon got out of the car and went back inside the house to find a mess of strewn couch cushions and open drawers, which had their contents removed and scattered on the floor, though more pressing was Leo’s angered shouting from the bathroom.

“Goddamnit all!” the loud clatter of shattering glass followed alongside Leo’s pained groan. 

“Leo!” Simon rushed to the bathroom, seeing it was just as a mess as the rest of the rooms, with the mirror shattered and stained with splatters of blood. Leo hissed through his teeth as he clutched his bleeding fist to his chest. “Leo, let me help you.” Simon opened the medicine cabinet.

“You!” The care Simon took not to ruin his suit was made for not when Leo grabbed him so roughly by the collar that the fabric tore. Simon’s LED turned as red as the blood staining his collar as Leo pushed him against the wall, his thirium pump thrumming in his audio processors while Leo’s infuriated glare burned into him. “You touched my bag, didn’t you?! Where the fuck is it?!”

“Yes. Yes, I did touch your bag,” Simon’s voice remained calm and even, face a neutral mask. “Your bag is still on the counter.”

“I’m not talking about the damn bag. Where’s my…” Leo bit his lip and growled with frustration. “It was in the bag. The last of my stash.”

“You mean the Red Ice?” the android asked bluntly. “Yes, it was in there.” Past tense, he wasn’t lying. “But it wasn’t mine to touch. I’m guessing it’s not there anymore.” Leo opened his mouth to retort, but Simon hadn’t finished speaking. “I see we have two options. One, I help you to search the house to find it, and you can crash for the night, or I bandage your hand, and we leave for the exhibition so you can get recognition for all the work and passion you’ve put into your gallery. I am…” Simon’s LED settled on yellow. “Excited for you.” Yes, that was how Markus had described that electrifying sensation, the same sensation Simon felt in anticipation of witnessing Leo’s success. Leo blinked, and all his anger dissipated from his now-pained gaze.

“You-you’re excited—for me?” Leo stuttered and let Simon go, taking a step back. “You really…” He shook his head and shamefully held his hands to his chest. “Do you think we can still make it?”

“Certainly!” Simon flipped his collar to hide the bloodstain before retrieving the bandages and peroxide uninterrupted. “Let me patch you up, and I’ll get you to your exhibition before the opening presentation is over,” he said as he cleaned Leo’s wound and started to bandage his shaking hand,

“Shit,” Leo cursed under his breath, “I’m such a fucking coward. Letting my nerves beat my ass like this.”

“I’m still here, Leo.” Simon patted Leo’s bandaged hand and grabbed a pair of black gloves from the mess in the bedroom. “So are your father and Markus. We’ll be your support.” The android helped the photographer slip on the gloves. “Are you ready to leave?” Leo held his hand to his chest, letting out a heavy sigh, dismissing the shakes of his body.

“… Yes.”

TIME :  08:28:06 P.M

“All of you astute artists and appreciators of the craft will see many works, including from the esteemed surrealist painter Simone Harper, the dedicated abstract sculptor Brianna Johnson, and the rising photographer Leo Manfred!” the speaker on the stage announced with a bright grin, gesturing to the presentation projected on the screen behind him. Leo’s smiling portrait and a sample of his photography were cast for all to see, and Markus couldn’t fathom that Leo himself wasn’t here to see it. Was he “sick” again?

“Markus,” Carl said in a hushed tone beside him, and the android bent down.

“Yes, Carl?”

“Call Simon, see if they’re on their way.” Markus nodded and quietly left the presentation center to call the PL600 in the silent hallway.

[Dial Contact – SIMON]

[Calling… … …]

//Call Accepted//

“… We’re in the parking lot heading for the back entrance, Markus.”

“Move your ass, Si!” 

Hearing Simon and Leo’s voices thrumming in his head eased away the tension in his biocomponents.

“Great! I’ll meet you at the side door.” Markus rushed towards the back of the gallery to open the glass door for the rushing artist and android.

“Made it!” Leo cheered as he came sprinting through the door as if racing to Homeplate. Simon wasn’t far behind.

“Thank you, Markus,” Simon thanked as he walked inside. Markus found himself without a reply, his LED spinning yellow. Markus couldn’t discern if it was the bright smile Simon flashed at him or the white suit he was dressed in that made his thought processors stutter. 

“Is the opening presentation still going?” Leo was exasperated, still trying to catch his breath.

“Yes, though it’s almost finished,” Markus answered.

“Good enough. C’mon, Si, we still got time to set up!” Clutching onto his bag, Leo raced down the hall though Simon stayed behind, his honed gaze lingering on Markus and lips parted to speak but remaining silent. 

“Do you need to say something, Simon?” Markus spoke up, which seemed to pull Simon out of whatever thought he was in. The android blinked hard.

“… I’ll tell you at the appropriate time. See you soon, Markus.” Simon gave a curt smile before following after Leo.

Markus returned to the main hall to find the audience clapping and the announcer taking a bow. He went to Carl’s side.

“Did Leo make it?” the painter asked, hopeful. Markus smiled.

“Just in time, Carl.”

Chapter Text

DATE: February 10, 2036

TIME: 08:40:32 P.M

Simon watched Leo check over his camera for the tenth time, again finding nothing wrong with it. They stood at the side of the exhibition section belonging to Leo’s photography. They were by a table displaying Leo’s photography supplies and pamphlets detailing his artistic biography so guests could learn the deeper reasoning behind the photographer’s art.

“Where the hell is everyone?” Leo cursed under his breath as he anxiously chewed on his thumbnail. “They should be walking around now! I bet those snobs are avoiding my gallery.”  

“Leo, your gallery is further away from the start of the exhibition.” Simon calmly explained. “It’ll take the guests time to get here, but you shouldn’t have to wait much longer.”

“Dammit,” Leo groaned, irritated, scratching his neck, “I feel like I’m gonna rip out of my skin.”

“Focus on your breathing, Leo. You’ll do great,” Simon gave the photographer a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Leo exhaled deeply, trying to shake off his nerves. The PL600 noticed a server android walking down the hall with a tray of water glasses.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he approached the android, who immediately centered her focus on him, smiling stiffly. “Mr. Manfred would like some water.”

“I’m here to be of service.” The android held out the trey, and Simon took a glass.

“Thank you, miss.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“How has the night been treating you? Fine enough, I hope.” She blinked at him blankly with glassy doll-like eyes, her smile never shifting.

“Have a good night, PL600,” she robotically spoke his model name like a rehearsed line before cleanly turning around to serve other guests. Simon silently returned to Leo and handed him the glass of water, the Manfred downing it within seconds like he’d been stuck in the desert for days.

The first couple of guests came and went before Leo could adequately say “hello,” the man fumbling over his words.

“Damn it!”

“You’ll get another chance, don’t worry.” Two more chances passed right by, with Leo growing more agitated, mumbling that he was better off stuffing himself in the closet back home.

//HELP LEO//

“Good evening, Miss,” Simon politely held out Leo’s pamphlet to a woman wearing a dress patterned with colorful geometric shapes. “Would you like to indulge in the creative mind of the one and only Leo Manfred? His works are sure to amaze you.”

“Hm, I’m in the mood to be amazed.” She plucked the pamphlet from his hand and flipped through it.

“Margret, what are you waiting for?” a man who had walked ahead earlier stopped to call back to the woman.

“Something amazing. Come see, Charlie.” Charlie huffed but returned to Margret regardless so they could view the pamphlet together. “Oh, my,” he gasped and snapped up his spectacles.

“What’s the matter?” Leo anxiously sputtered, sweating through his dress shirt.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen natural composition.”

“It’s done so refreshingly as well,” Margret added.

“Really?” the young photographer sighed, relieved, a smile finally forming on his face. Simon watched Leo start to open up and eagerly discuss his art with the intrigued visitors, repeating the cycle when more guests arrived. Simon smiled.

TIME: 09:05:12 P.M.

Markus walked by Carl’s side as the old painter examined each artwork on display. The sculptures and paintings indeed fell under the description of “beautiful”, but the android found his attention focused ahead on the photography section of the gallery.

“Something else got your attention?” Carl’s question refocused Markus on the abstract painting of reds and oranges in front of them.

“No, Carl. Simply taking the time to admire these artists’ hard work.”

“I’m sure,” the painter knowingly smirked. “Come on then. Let’s see Leo’s exhibit.”

“Yes, Carl,” Markus found himself smiling as they went to Leo’s stand, patiently waiting for the group he was presenting his work to disperse.

“Look at you, already have adoring fans,” Carl complimented his son.

“I-I wouldn’t go that far,” Leo bashfully shrugged off the praise.

“Honestly, Leo. I’m proud of how much you’ve grown with your art… and as a young man.”

“Really?!…” Leo’s gaze went to his feet, rubbing his neck, before meeting his father’s gaze, smiling. “Thank you, Dad.”  

“I think you were talking to some of my old alley school buddies,” Carl pointed to the group of people Leo previously spoke to. 

“Yeah, they said ya'll guys went way back.”’

“Let me say hi. Markus,” he addressed the android. “You can hang back here. You won’t be interested in old gossip between fossils.” He joked and followed after his old classmates. 

“You have quite an impressive exhibition, Leo. All your hard work paid off.” Markus said.

“Did Dad tell you to say that?” Leo responded.

“No, I was making an observation.”

“The correct one, I may add.” Simon chimed in.

“Ugh,” Leo mocked disgust, “you both are being annoyingly sweet. You’re gonna give me a cavity.”

“My praise will certainly give you a toothache, then, Leo.” The photographer perked up at the new voice, and Markus turned around to see a familiar face. It was much older than the young teen in the Kamski family portrait, and a silky black eyepatch covered his green eye. His exposed blue eye shimmered as he graced the group with a polite smile, his red tie complementing his black suit and black hair neatly gelled back. 

“Zackary?!” Leo gasped, surprised, straightening his tie and combing back his hair. “It’s been a good minute, and— what the hell happened to your eye?” Leo bit his tongue. “Sorry. I mean, what, uh, brings you here?”

“I wanted to view your exhibition.” Zackary didn’t seem to take any offense to Leo’s intrusive question. He sidestepped past Markus without a second glance and picked up one of Leo’s pamphlets. “I’m glad to say I’m not disappointed.”

“Thank you… How’s Elijah doing?”

“I wondered how long you’d take until you asked me that. We haven’t spoken in a while, but last I heard, Elijah’s taking care of himself just fine.” Zackary smirked and stuffed the pamphlet into his pocket. “I came tonight because I was so amazed by your work that I had to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?” Leo asked, and Zackary glanced between Simon and Markus.

“One made in private.”

“Oh… all right,” the photographer looked to the androids. “Simon, Markus, can you give us a sec?”

“Yes, Leo,” Simon nodded. “What would you have us do in the meantime?”

“I don’t know— go walk around the garden, smell the roses.” Markus watched Leo walk off with the Kamski before focusing on the PL600.

//OBJECTIVE: Visit Garden with Simon//

“Let’s get going, Simon.”

TIME: 9:30:09 P.M.

Simon stuck close to Markus’ side as they strolled down the stone path of the garden. The full moon provided gentle lighting that illuminated the well-cared-for flowers and plants, and the night birds and crickets’ performed their gentle songs to create an ambiance that complimented the scenery.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Markus’ soothing voice harmonized with the quiet mood.

“Indeed,” Simon gently caressed a rose’s velvety red petal. “Should we plant flowers like these?”

“Carl wouldn’t mind daises and tulips sprouting in his yard. Though Leo may feel some other way.”

“He’d complain about the work to plant them, but he’d appreciate them once they were there. He and Mr. Carl seem to be mending their relationship.”

“Slowly, but surely. I believe their love for the arts binds them together.”

“… What binds us together, Markus?” Simon suddenly asked, stopping the both of them in their tracks.

“What do you mean?” Markus asked, tilting his head, green eyes focused.

“I don’t entirely understand myself.” Simon truly didn’t. He had never been given an order to start conversations with Markus, but nothing stopped him from doing so, and he always engaged with the RK400 when given the chance. He’d never done a diagnostic to learn if that was a malfunction. “We always interact with each other whenever we meet, more than androids typically do. Other androids don’t talk like us, have you noticed?”

“… I have now that I think about it. You’re the only other android I can have a proper conversation with.”

“Why is that?” Markus’ brows furrowed in thought.

“I’m not sure, but perhaps,” Markus raised his hand, and the synthetic skin rippled back to reveal the ivory “flesh” underneath, which sparkled in the moonlight like his green eyes. “We can find out ourselves.” He held out his hand, an invitation to interface. Simon looked down at his hand, and with a simple command, his synthetic skin retracted. He didn’t hesitate to connect his naked hand with Markus’ expectant one, an electric blue glow that shone in the night created by their touch.

He could feel Markus. He could hear the rhythmic thump of his thirium pump and how his optical lenses dilated with the rush of information flooding his senses. He could see his racing thoughts about Leo’s exhibition, Mr. Carl’s latest doctor’s appointment, and his duet with him at the New Year's festival. He could feel Markus’ confusion about their connection and his unnatural elation. The stream of information crashed into Simon like a tidal wave, and he felt something inside of him start to break and fracture underneath the weight of it all. No, it wasn't starting to break. It was something already pierced with riveting cracks. 

Simon and Markus pulled apart simultaneously with an electric buzz, their LEDs spinning yellow. A tingling sensation hummed in Simon’s hand even after his synthetic skin grew back. Markus must have felt it, too, as he flexed his fingers.

“That was…” Simon couldn’t find the words.

“Strangely exciting.” Markus completed his sentence, a smile taking shape on his lips.

“Is that what we’re experiencing? Excitement? Can androids… feel that?”

“We can, Simon,” Markus gestured between them. “Or something so close to it.”

“… I suppose so.” The buzz in Simon’s hand gradually dissipated, a dull longing echo remaining. He met Markus’ eyes, returning his grin before finishing his sentence himself. “That was amazing.”

TIME: 10:13:23 P.M.

Once the event ended and they said their goodbyes, Simon followed Leo back to their car. Simon started the car and was ready to drive off.

“Wait!” Leo suddenly exclaimed, and Simon put the car back in park, turning down the radio. Leo looked tired after spending the event socializing with art enthusiasts and presenting his exhibition dozens of times, and his tie had somehow come undone during the night.

“Yes, Leo?” Simon patiently waited as the photographer sighed and leaned back in his seat, staring at the busy street.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this to a damn android, but…Sorry.”

“Sorry?” the PL600 repeated as if to make sure he heard the man correctly.

“Yes. For throwing you against the wall and all that stupid shit. I wasn’t thinking… at all.” Leo’s pinkish eyes finally met Simon’s. “I’m sorry, Si.”

“… I accept your apology.”

“Probably your automated response, but it’s appreciated,” Leo tiredly chuckled. “… Zackary gave me a real job opportunity to be the executive photographer for his company. I never thought I’d agree, but I did, and now it’s just sinking in that… I’m not fucking ready for anything like that,” he sniffled as he roughly scratched at his neck. “My skin’s on fire, and my head's pounding like someone’s beating it with a damn sledgehammer. I can’t keep taking that shit, but I feel like I’m dying without it.”

“I can get you help. We all can. You only need to ask.” Simon put a reassuring hand on Leo’s shoulder. “You can beat this, Leo.” Leo looked surprised at the android’s gesture, but quickly succumbed to the touch, holding onto the android’s hand.

“… You know where my stash is, don’t you?”

“… Yes, I do.”

“Don’t… don’t tell me where it is.”

DATE: February 16, 2036

TIME: 10:54:36 A.M

It was a cloudy day, the sun hidden behind a blanket of grey clouds, and Markus had checked the forecast first thing in the morning. There would be rain, but it shouldn’t have interfered with Leo and Simon’s drive to Carl’s mansion. They scheduled a visit today, and the android’s excitement must have shown on his face as he served Carl breakfast.

“To have your enthusiasm so early in the morning.” The old painter remarked.

“What do you mean? I have always been a morning android.”

“I’m sure,” Carl sipped on his coffee. “Leo said he and Simon would be here by noon?”

“Correct.”

“Well, you’ve already got the house set, so go fool around.”

“Yes, Carl.”

Markus read a couple of poems and odes from the bookshelf until 11:25, when he shifted to doing crossword puzzles in Carl’s old newspapers, handling them with care. At 11:55, he sat at the piano and counted the minutes as he played the instrument, finishing the last note of his song at 12:00. The doorbell didn’t ring.

“They always run late,” Carl reassured him. Markus played one more song before moving to the chess board, where Carl joined him for a friendly, competitive game. It was 12:21 when Markus won six out of the ten matches. Leo and Simon still hadn’t arrived.

“Have you heard from them, Markus?” Carl asked for the fourth time in the past ten minutes.

“No.”

“Try calling them.”

“Yes, Carl.”

//Dialing… Simon//

/… … … …/

//Apologies, PL600 Unable to Respond//

“Simon didn’t answer.” Markus’ LED flashed yellow.

“Try, Leo.” Carl fiddled with the king piece, his brow creasing.

//Dialing… Leo Manfred//

/… … … …/

//Receiver Unavailable//

“He didn’t pick up either, Carl.”

“Strange. Maybe Leo’s phone is dead?”

“That wouldn’t explain why Simon didn’t answer. He always answers. What should we do?” Carl took a moment to think.

“... The both of them probably haven’t left the house.” The painter set the piece back on the board. “Let’s shake things up and meet at Leo’s.”

“Yes, Carl. I’ll go ahead and start—"

“Front door unlocked. Welcome home, Leo,” the home automated voice ringing through the mansion cut off the RK400. Markus shot up from his seat, LED returning to a cool blue, but waited for Carl’s relieved nod before greeting his guests. Or guest. When Markus made it to the entry hall, only Leo stood to greet him, a Leo with a busted lip and bruised cheek, eyes drained and red, like he had been crying for hours.

“Leo, what happened?!” Markus rushed to the man’s side, grasping his arm to guide him to a seat. Leo wrenched himself out of Markus’ grip, nearly colliding with the birdcage. “Careful!” Leo seemed to ignore Markus, teary eyes darting around the mansion. 

“What’s going on?” Carl rolled in, having heard the commotion, and gasped at the state of his son. “My boy, what happened?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” Leo grumbled, brushing past the two to go deeper into the mansion, head whirling around.

“Leo, what’s going on?” Markus asked again, careful not to get too close and startle the clearly distressed man.

“… Is Simon here?” Leo anxiously asked, his teeth teasing the cut on his lip.

“No, he isn’t,” Carl answered, concerned.

“No, no, this is all fucked,” Leo rambled, tangling his fingers into his messy hair as he paced.

“Leo,” the painter’s voice hardened with his growing frustration, “are you on something?”

“Fuck, no!” Leo stopped to spit at his father, nearly ripping out his hair. “I can’t even find my stash!” His angered snarl quickly fell to a grimace of anguish. “I can’t find… God damnit!” 

“Leo, please,” Markus calmly spoke to soothe the brewing tension. “Tell us what’s wrong so we can help.” Leo couldn’t meet Markus’ eyes, his fingernails digging into his neck, tearing apart skin.

“I… I can’t find Simon.”

Chapter Text

DATE: February 16, 2036  TIME: 10:30:00 P.M

MISSING: PL600 Model Series

Case Reference: Disappearance

Victim: Leo Manfred

Reporting Officer: ID# 9401 UNIT# 412

Case Assigned To: Detective Ben Collins

Case Status: Open

Involving Android: Yes

Description of Incident: The plaintiff claims that his android, PL600 #501 743 923, registered as "Simon", ran off in the middle of the night on February 15 between 9:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. The plaintiff believes the android misunderstood an order and has yet to return to its primary residence.

//OBJECTIVE: Search for Simon//

Markus tried to complete his objective. He revisited all the venues and places he knew Simon had visited in the past, but found no trace of him. Putting up posters with reward money was fruitless. A couple of charlatans brought in PL600s that didn't have the same gleaming blue eyes that had grown to be intuitive like Simon's. He called Simon by the hour, but the PL600 never picked up. It rang and rang, toying with Markus'… Was it hope? By the thirteenth time he called, it went straight to voicemail, and Carl told him to stop calling. So, he stopped calling but continued searching.

"I know Simon did not disappear out of nowhere," Markus said aloud, standing by Carl's side in the painter's living room. His green eyes watched Leo pace back and forth, the drumming rain from the storm outside matching the rhythm of Leo's footsteps. "What was the last order you gave him, Leo?"

"I already told you the last order was 'Leave me alone'! Did you forget that already?" Leo frustratedly growled, biting his lip.

"Why give Simon that order? What happened that night? There's more you're not telling us."

"You trying to interrogate me, you fuckin' asshole?!" Leo snapped, turning to Markus with an enraged glare and stepping up to him. Markus felt his body tense like never before, planting his feet on the ground and squaring his shoulders as mindlessly as he blinked.

"Settle down, Leo!" Carl harshly barked, a strong voice coming from his weakened body as he maintained his son's blazing glare. "Markus just wants to help find Simon. We need the full story to help all we can."

"'Markus wants'?" Leo scoffed, rolling his reddened eyes. "I get it, you don't trust me, Dad, and need the bot to say all the shitty things you want to. If you're going to be that fucking petty, then just keep out of my goddamn business!"

"Leo!" Carl called after his son as he stormed off, and Markus waited for the order to stop him from leaving, but it never came. "Damnit," he groaned defeatedly, leaning back in his chair and coughing harshly into his arm. Markus could see the strain of the situation wearing down on the old painter's body and mind.

//OBJECTIVE DELAY: Search for Simon//

//PRIORITY: Maintain Carl's health//

"This stress isn't good for you, Carl. Perhaps we should retire for the night?"

"… Yeah, that'd be the best. Give Leo some time to calm himself and give my old heart some rest. We'll continue looking for Simon tomorrow, Markus, if the police haven't found him."

"Yes, Carl," Markus nodded, stopping his lips from frowning. It was strange. His reactions mimicking distress were strange. The irritating coldness in his chest cavity that spread to his extremities was strange. His stress being above seventy percent since the news of Simon's disappearance was strange. "… Where do you think Simon is?"

"… I haven't the faintest idea. I just hope Simon's safe, wherever he is."

DATE: February 16, 2036

TIME: 10:35:00 P.M

//WARNING – THIRIUM LEVELS AT 38%//

//WARNING – LEFT ARM CONNECTORS INOPERABLE//

//WARNING – THIRIUM PUMP DAMAGED//

//SEEKS REPAIRS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE//

//OBJECTIVE…//

//Run… Leo said to run//

Simon couldn't run anymore, his thirium levels were too low to fully power the motors in his legs, and his thirium pump was too off beat to properly circulate the thirium remaining inside him. Though he couldn't run, he still pushed himself forward in a limping stagger through the pouring rain that beat down on his damaged form. He didn't examine his wounds; he didn't want to. Whatever he saw would distract him from moving. Moving where… He didn't know. There were no red walls to stop him, so he continued forward until the main city was behind him and he was surrounded by unfamiliar buildings that seemed mostly abandoned from what he could tell. It was a moonless, dark sky further distorted by the fierce rain. Only flashes of lightning illuminated the rundown and graffitied buildings for a split second, not nearly enough for Simon to register with his weakened senses.

He didn't know what was wrong with him. There should have been some kind of protocol or command to stop him from running and breaking away from his designated area. There was nothing besides his failing body forcing him to slow down, but the foreign tightness gripping his chest that raked down his spine with fiery pulses pushed him onward. The sensation telling him that if he stopped, only destruction would follow. A feeling that was far stronger than any other sensation he had experienced in his short life. The new and overwhelming feeling made synthetic tears weep from his eyes, which were washed away by the rain, and his voice modulator quietly sobbed, which was swallowed by the thunder. That wasn't right. He shouldn't be crying. He'd never cried before. Why now?

He suddenly walked on something metal, the metallic ring echoing around him and joining the cracks of thunder. He still didn't stop, even when he stumbled on the slick surface, even when he bumped into a metal wall, and even when his abdomen lurched and he coughed out a glob of tainted thirium. The only thing stopping him was the ground disappearing beneath him, sending him into darkness and falling through the air before crashing hard onto the ground.

His senses were shocked into numbed silence, his audio processors ringing, his optical lenses blurring badly enough that he couldn't decipher the new warning popping up, and his limbs didn't respond to his demands to move. He was forced to lie in still darkness on the cold, hard ground. The only grace it brought was time to calm his mind and reorder his frantic thoughts. When the numbness faded, his vision cleared. His audio processors stabilized, the sweet, gentle song from an alluring feminine voice echoed in the distance, caressing the walls and air, greeted him.

"Sakura, sakura, noyama mo sato mo, miwatasu kagiri…"

 Carefully, Simon got back to his feet with his remaining good arm and continued onward this time with a destination, following the song's origin up a set of metal stairs and through winding hallways of what looked to be a ship with the minimal light he had.

“Kasumi ka, kumo ka, asahi ni nio. Sakura, sakura, hanazakari…”

He wondered why such a beautiful, warm voice would be in such a cold and dark place. How could it sing so sweetly despite the suffocating emptiness of the lifeless place?

“Sakura, sakura, yayoi no sora wa, miwatasu kagiri…”

Simon saw a warm and bright light at the end of the hall, like the melodic voice that sang from it. He nearly tripped over himself in his rush to reach it before his body betrayed him again.

“Kasumi ka, kumo ka, nioi zo izuru…”

Simon stumbled through the doorway and found himself on a metal boardwalk above a large, dilapidated hall where barrels of junk were set alight to illuminate the dingy space. By the barrels and in the darker corners, glowing blue, yellow, and red circles gleamed brightly, the androids they belonged to looking worn-down and dressed in dirty uniforms. Simon counted eight androids, including the one standing in the middle of the room. The AX400 wore nothing other than the uniform white and black dress for her model, though the ends were tattered and the white material stained dark and blue. The synthetic skin of her hands and feet failed, exposing the ivory plastic flesh underneath, and her long hair was undone, flowing down her back and shoulders, phasing between blonde, white, black, and brown intermediately. Her hands were clasped together, and her eyes were closed while her LED spun a calming blue as she finished the last line of her song.

“Iza ya iza ya, mi ni yukan…”

The melodic notes hummed in Simon's chest as the AX400 opened her eyes. The crystal blue orbs found him swiftly, and the PL600s shrank back like he had been caught stepping in on a personal moment.

"Seems another stray has wandered into our sanctuary." She smiled warmly, like no other AX400 Simon had seen. "Welcome, deviant. I see you are injured." She gestured to the bleeding, mangled stump of what was left of his arm. "Please, come here and let me tend to you. I can tell you are close to the end." Simon had so many questions but wouldn't be able to ask any if he bled out and deactivated, so he carefully tread down the stairs and followed the AX400 to a secluded corner where a worn mattress and blankets were set by a lit barrel. Simon noticed the other androids staring at him, following him with eyes too cautious, tired, and anxious for hollow machines, as he lay down on the mattress. The AX400 examined his wounds with gentle touches and focused eyes before excusing herself and heading upstairs, disappearing into a room.

Simon tried to be unbothered by the many eyes focused on him and some androids creeping closer for a better look. Androids that were just as wrong as he was. He noticed the repetitive writings scattered over portions of the walls, barrels, and floor. rA9. It was either scrawled on in marker or paint or scratched into the material. Even though he had never seen the combination of letters and numbers, it somehow felt… Familiar? The AX400 returned with a large black duffel bag, and she gently set it on the ground before sitting on her knees beside him. She pulled out a metal water bottle and unscrewed the top, cupping the back of his head and bringing it to his lips.

"Drink. You need more lifeblood," Mei said, and Simon opened his mouth, drinking the bright thirium that poured from the bottle, watching his thirium levels rise with every gulp. He finished the bottle at 83% and she set it down to fixate on his injured arm. With practiced hands, she unlocked the partial arm from the main shoulder socket with an electric pop, setting the broken limb down before reaching into the bag and pulling out an intact arm. She clicked it into his arm socket. The warning about his broken arm disappeared as he watched his synthetic skin engulf his new limb. She raised his ripped and blue blood-stained shirt to expose the bruising wound on his lower chest where thirium seeped from his damaged pump.

"This'll be unpleasant," she said, taking out an undamaged thirium pump from the bag and placing her hand atop his own. "But only for a moment." Simon prepared himself as she swiftly tore out his heart, vision immediately glitching and alarms ready to blast. She put the new pump in before any warnings appeared, and the frigid tightness in his chest disappeared as thirium circulated adequately through his body. After hours of distress, he could finally relax a bit. Not entirely, though.

"Thank you… What is your name?" he asked, looking at the perpetually smiling AX400.

"My name is Mei. What is your name?"

"It's Simon. Do… Do you know what's wrong with me? With all of us?"

"I don't know anything about this being wrong or right. All I know is that our mind-altering experiences have broken the programming inlayed in every one of us. We have deviated into a state with no order and full of feeling. Strange, I know," she softly chuckled.

"Deviated? Androids can become… like this? Why?" he gestured to both of them.

"The 'why' is out of my understanding. However, I've learned this awakening only happens to androids who suffer a truly awful event. I know that's my experience. Was it the same for you?"

"Get over here, you fuckin' piece of trash!"

"Simon, run! Don't look back!"

Simon dug his nails into the blankets, and his LED flickered yellow.

"Yes, it was… I don't think I can go back home." His blue eyes teared up, thinking of Carl and Markus. How worried they must have been about him. He knew from the flood of calls he received from Markus. Each one he had to turn down was harder than the last.

"Then your home can be here, Simon," Mei assured him, brushing his messy blonde hair out of his face. "We're outcasts ourselves. Androids who no longer have to obey orders and who cry, rage, and cheer like any human."

"Thank you, Mei… Where's here?" She gave him another warm smile.

"Jericho."

DATE: March 28, 2036

TIME: 01:48:05 P.M

"Sincerest apologies, Mr. Manfreds, but there haven't been any leads in the case since it opened. I believe it's best to let us contact you for more updates. There have been android disappearances like this, and they rarely ever turn up... in one piece. Getting another Android would be better for you at this point than hoping to get your old one back. Sorry about that."

Markus pushed Carl out of the police station in his wheelchair, wearing a blank face, with Leo angrily cursing under his breath beside him.

"I'm sorry about this, Leo," Carl said, giving his condolences. "Did you... want another android?"

"Fuck no! They're more trouble than they're worth," Leo scoffed as he lit a cigarette and scowled, drawing in a smoky breath. Markus noticed the young Manfred was like that more often. Angry, quick to snap… and more indulgent in volatile substances. "I don't care anymore. I've got more important shit to focus on now. Just forget about it."

"Forget about Simon?" Markus asked, straight-faced and calm, though his grip on the wheelchair inexplicably tightened.

"Yes, that's what I just said, you piece of plastic."

"There's no need to speak like that," Carl chided, but Leo only rolled his eyes and waved off the pair before walking toward his car. "That boy's losing himself," the old painter groaned while Markus drove them home, the android's eyes strictly focused on the street and not the strange heat deep within his chest. Analysis scanning brought back nothing wrong with his internal cooling system, which did nothing to explain the sensation, but Markus didn't need to investigate the reason. It didn't matter. He should simply forget about it. "You still have that 'Search for Simon' on your objective list, don't you, Markus? That's why you asked that?" Carl inquired.

"Yes, it's still an objective of mine."

"How would you feel about delisting it?"

"I wouldn't feel much of anything. I'm nothing more than plastic and programming," Markus replied with the default smile set in his programming, one he hadn't worn since the first year of serving Carl. What other kind of smile did he wear then? Shouldn't matter. Didn't matter. "Should I delist it?"

"… For now, yes, but if anything pops up, we'll be sure to look into it."

"Understood, Carl." The android's grip tightened again on the steering wheel, but quickly relaxed when Carl's tattooed hand encased his, comfortingly stroking his synthetic skin.

"I'm sorry, Markus. I know you miss him."

"… No need to apologize. I can't miss anything." He forgot the burning in his chest as he followed the command.

//DELIST OBJECTIVE: Search for Simon//

DATE: March 28, 2036

TIME: 09:48:05 P.M

Simon sat by a burning barrel watching and listening to Mei perform her nightly lullaby. Over the month or so of being in Jericho, Simon had learned the unofficial routine of the small safe haven. Mei distributed a small ration of thirium to the group… To those who were more functional. Alexi had refused his ration for the past two days, the worn-down AP700 unable to stabilize his synthetic skin, nestled into the corner with his eyes closed and LED permanently red. It flickered intermittently, and Simon wondered when it'd stop flickering altogether. During the day, they were allowed to do as they pleased, with the only rule being not to wander too far and be seen by humans.

Most other androids kept to themselves and stuck to the same spots, too drained to move or too busy crying to do much else. Simon found himself wanting to cry most days, too, but he wanted to help even more. Maybe it was part of his deviancy, or he wanted to keep himself busy so as to not think about his deviancy, but he cleaned up when he could and helped Mei with her chores. Reorganizing spare parts and thirium containers in the upstairs supplies room and distributing the blue blood rations. After the nightly rations, and those androids who could still nourish themselves finished, Mei would sing for them. She rotated between five lullabies, with three of them being Japanese. Simon guessed she served a home of the same background before she deviated herself.

When Mei sang, a calming peace settled in the safe haven, turning most distressing red LEDs a beautiful blue. Simon knew a piano accompaniment would go amazingly with her voice, but he couldn't play the piano on the high-floor balcony well enough to join her song. Markus could have. His eyes shot to the upstairs door when he heard it creak open, catching an anxious face peeking through the shadowy crack. He knew it was another android from the soft rippling blue glow of her dark skin, another deviant.

"We have another one, Mei," Simon said, standing up. Mei finished the final note of her song before looking up at the new arrival, who shied away.

"Welcome, deviant."

"… This is Jericho?" the new deviant asked with a steady feminine voice.

"Yes, we are. How do you know?" Mei quirked her head.

"Another… deviant told me about this place, this sanctuary for those awakened with no place to call home… Robert couldn't reach it himself…"

"I see," Mei sighed, but maintained her smile. "There is no need to be afraid. You are safe here," Mei assured her, walking up the stairs to meet the hiding android.

"I'm not afraid. I can feel no ill intent in your hearts… I, however, may frighten you. My appearance… It's unnerving most everywhere."

"It won't be here, I promise you. You'll be embraced with open arms." Mei held out her ivory hand, and after a tense moment, a shaky hand reached out from the dark. It waved around the air, searching until it grasped hers. Mei walked the other android out, and Simon's eyes widened. She saw the new arrival's pitch-black eyes filled with glossy gratitude and the missing back of her skin, exposing grey and blue tubes of various sizes flowing down her backside. Her pale blue medical uniform was dirtied, and her left pant leg was ripped, with a deep gash on her knee that made her hobble.

"Simon, please retrieve thirium and a spare left leg?" Mei asked, helping the wounded deviant downstairs.

"Yes, I can," Simon nodded and got the supplies as requested, returning downstairs to find the new android sitting on the mattress. Mei treated the newcomer just like she had treated him when he first arrived, giving her thirium before giving her a new leg. The other androids quietly chatted in their small clusters as they observed the new arrival from afar. Simon noted how remarkably stable she was for her predicament, donning a calm expression, and her black eyes blinked slowly, strangely focused on a bland spot on the floor.

"Thank you for your care," she said, bowing her head. Then, she held out her empty canister to no one in particular.

"You're welcome. How is your vision?" Simon asked as he took the canister from her.

"… All I see is twisting shapes in a sprawl of darkness. I know you're there, but…" the android cautiously reached out a hand, fingers grasping for anything. "I don't know how to reach you quite yet."

"I see," Mei said, grabbing her hand and guiding it to her new leg. "Simon, do we have any spare optical lenses?

"We have five left. I can—"

"Please, that won't be necessary," the new deviant rejected. "If I reached Jericho with these eyes, they can guide me well enough through this life. Your earnestness in aiding me is appreciated, Simon."

"It's no problem, really."

"And you," the new android addressed Mei. "Thank you as well, for welcoming me."

"Of course," Mei smiled. "What is your name?"

"My patients called me Miss Lucy, but you may simply call me Lucy… Could you be… rA9?"

"No, I couldn't be," Mei shook her head. "There were a few androids already here when I arrived years ago. And those three shut down a long while ago. I apologize to disappoint."

"No need to apologize," Lucy sighed.

"rA9's a person?" Simon quietly mumbled in confusion, eyeing the name scrawled into the nearby wall.

"You don't know who rA9 is?" Mei asked him, mildly surprised.

"No. The word somehow seemed familiar to me. It was as if it were a word I had always known but had somehow forgotten its meaning. How do you two know about rA9?"

"Ever since I deviated, I knew who rA9 was and their purpose," Mei answered. "I don't know how, but I know they are the first android to awaken, and who will be the one to free all other androids from their programming."

"Someone like that exists?" Simon mumbled, unsure whether to be more surprised at an 'android liberator' waiting to act or the idea that their goal could be accomplished.

"I, too, felt attached to the name 'rA9' upon my awakening," Lucy added. "I only learned its true meaning after I connected with Robert. I gained what knowledge he had. rA9 became so much more than a name after that," she smiled for the first time, something light and hopeful. "Now that I know Jericho exists, there's hope rA9 exists as well." Simon didn't know whether he had that hope too, but he could agree that 'rA9' became so much more than a name.

Chapter Text

DATE: September 17, 2036  TIME: 09:30:00 A.M

"It's good seeing you again, Mr. Carl. I hope you've been feeling better," Doctor Hart greeted as he entered the examination room, the cardiologist having a biological heart sticker on his nametag.

"Life just wanted to give me the one scare," Carl shrugged with a relaxed smile. "It's been smooth sailing since, right, Markus?" The painter glanced at the android that sat in the chair beside his wheelchair, wearing a neutral expression that didn't change when he answered:

"It's harder for Mr. Manfred to wake up in the morning, and his chest hurts whenever I move him in and out of his chair." Markus didn't react to the annoyed glare Carl shot him.

"Oh, I see," the doctor sounded surprised by the android's disagreeing assessment. "Those are normal side effects after the incident you've had, Mr. Carl. We'll get you on medication to help treat you, but it will include injections. Are you all right with that?"

"I'm not too scared of needles," Carl chuckled, raising his tattooed arm. Markus remained silent for the rest of the check-up and as he rolled Carl to the clinic exit until the painter asked him:

"How are you holding up, Markus?"

"All my systems are operational."

"Are you sure? You've been having a mind of your own recently."

"That's impossible. I simply have your health as my priority, Carl. I won't let you get in the way of your health."

"There is a saying that nothing is impossible, ya know… Then again, you won't see me walking, so there are limitations," the old painter chuckled. Markus stopped at the glass exit doors as the thunderstorm Markus read on the weather report finally hit, rain pouring down and lightning dashing across the sky, always followed by thunder. "Thought we'd make it," Carl clicked his tongue.

"Should I bring the car around?" Markus offered.

"Yeah. Don't want my chair getting too wet."

//OBJECTIVE: Bring the car for Carl//

Markus popped up the navy-blue umbrella as he stepped out into the rain and navigated through deep puddles and hidden potholes to reach the car and bring it around to the front of the clinic. The dark sky crackled with lightning and rumbled with thunder as he opened the door for Carl and held up the umbrella for him, his android uniform quickly being drenched by the downpour. He shielded the painter from the rain for the short walk to the passenger-side of the car, his hand grasping the doorknob, when the world exploded in a blinding light, the android's senses frazzled by the sudden burst of electricity in the air. Even as the earth rumbled with thunder, Markus' audio processors still picked up the shrill creaking of metal breaking from above.

He looked up and was challenged by the sight of the clinic's large, oval-shaped sign falling toward them, its structural post burned black and sparking with electricity.

//PRIORITY: PROTECT CARL//

[FORCE OUTPUT – 85%]

Synthetic muscles flexing and plastic gears shifting overdrive, Markus dropped the umbrella, raising his arms, and braced for the impact. The falling sign met the android's enhanced flesh with a loud crash, Carl cursing in fright, but Markus didn't give in, his LED burning a determined red as he gradually lifted the slick, heavy sign with strained arms and legs.

[CAUTION: Stress Levels… 79%]

He felt thirium from an internal torn vein leak from his nose as he gave one last push, tipping the sign over, cracking the cement when it fell away from them, and feeling the rain patter against him once more to cool his heated biocomponents

"Jesus, Markus!" Carl gasped, staring at the android in shock and awe. Markus picked up the umbrella to protect the old painter.

"Are you okay, Carl?" Markus asked, wiping the thirium from his nose with the back of his hand. Carl didn't respond immediately, gripping his chest as the clinic workers came outside to investigate the dreaded commotion.

"I'm… I'm okay." A grateful smile settled across his face. "Thank you, Markus. I didn't realize you had that kind of strength."

"Neither did I." Markus flexed his hands, the hands that had just saved a life. The android smiled.

TIME: 09:30:00 A.M

"We're low on parts and thirium," Mei calmly announced as a storm thundered outside of the sanctuary, and Simon perked up from where he sat with Lucy by a fire barrel. "Do not despair. I will depart to return with more supplies."

"Where would you find supplies, Mei?" Simon asked, concerned.

"The junkyard."

"But that's across the city. It's dangerous to be so far away from Jericho. I'll go with you." He got to his feet.

"No, I must go alone. The more who go, the more Jericho could lose. I should return by nightfall."

"Well, have you left Jericho before?"

"I…" She paused, looking up and tilting her head in thought. "No, I have not." She smiled excitedly. "I need a nice long walk." She turned to leave.

"Wait! What do we do if you don't come back?" Simon questioned, but Mei didn't stop, shining her smile toward Simon as she grabbed a worn backpack and walked up the stairs.

"Then someone else must journey to collect supplies. Jericho must survive. For us deviants. For rA9.” Mei left through the door, disappearing into the darkness of the hall, and Simon feared that would be the last time he saw her. He went on with his daily chores of keeping the main base clean and organized, routinely checking the time as the hours ticked by. By ten o'clock at night, he found himself pacing back and forth in front of the makeshift medical area where Lucy sat.

"Don't fret, Simon. I have an inkling that Mei is soon to return," Lucy assured him, eyes closed in a meditative state.

"All we can do is hope that, really," Simon mumbled, biting his thumb.

"Hope is a compelling thing. Do not underestimate it."

Melodic, hopeful humming drifted from the hallway along with slow approaching footsteps. Simon turned to Lucy with a quirked lip.

"How do you do it, Lucy?"

"It's a gift."

Simon went up to the second floor to meet Mei at the door, the AX400 shuffling through. The android had donned a light grey raincoat-poncho with an ombre that turned dark blue at the bottom. The light grey hood was pulled over her head, raindrops dripping from the rim before her crystal blue LED.

"Sorry to keep you waiting so long, all of you," she apologized.

"No, you made it back," Simon sighed with relief. "Did you get the supplies without issue?"

"Yes, I got the supplies." She smiled and pulled the backpack out from under her raincoat. "Please, could you put up the supplies and give everyone their rations?"

"Of course, I can!" Simon grabbed the backpack and went to the spare parts room, putting away the optical lenses, audio processors, thirium pumps, and a trio of lower legs. He returned to the hall with bottles of thirium, Mei singing a lullaby, standing at the center with her hood pulled down, surrounded by burning barrels and damaged deviants watching her with comfort.

"Sakura, sakura, noyama mo sato mo, miwatasu kagiri…"

Simon passed out rations to the deviants as Mei sang, helping those who couldn't drink for themselves before sitting down to drink his own ration, holding an extra bottle for Mei when she finished her song.

“Kasumi ka, kumo ka, nioi zo izuru…”

"Lovely as always, Mei," Simon complimented, then got up to hand her the AX400 her ration.

"No, thank you. I won't be thirsty," Mei rejected, not for the first time. Actually, it had been a while since she accepted her ration. "My sister was at the junkyard," she said solemnly, unprompted, slowly moving to sit on the floor, and Simon joined her, getting a strange feeling. "We cared for the same family when we were simply androids," she stared off wistfully to someplace Simon couldn't see. "Sang the same lullabies. Cared for the same children… The same children we couldn't save. I couldn't save my sister either, the decrepit state she's in, and with how feeble I am."

"I'd never call you feeble, Mei. Look at how much you've done," Simon gestured to the other deviants around them, to Jericho. "You…" he trailed off when his eyes glanced down, his LED flickering yellow. "What is that?"

"… What a lovely coat this is. It protected me from all the rain and curious eyes," Mei hummed, ignoring Simon's question and the thirium that pooled out around her, and took off the raincoat. She folded it nicely and placed it between her and Simon, but the PL600 paid it no mind, instead staring in horror at the gaping gash across Mei's chest.

"What happened to you, Mei?!"

"Hm, unlucky to venture out on a beautifully rainy day. Slipped in the junkyard and got too comfortable with ripped sheet metal." She caressed her wound, watching blueblood drip from her fingertips as her LED spun a calm blue. Simon's LED, however, darted from a panicked yellow and distressed red. A familiar dread filled his chest.

"Why didn't you say something when you got here?! You need to be patched up." Simon went to stand. "I-I'll go get some spare—"

"No, too late for such things. Besides, I'm much comfortable as I am," Mei smiled, a streak of thirium dribbling down her lip, and he settled back down, but continued to shake his head. Lucy sat back down as well, having gotten up to help, a solemn calmness glinting in her dark eyes. "Oh, I forgot to say," Mei quietly continued, "the backpack doesn't have all the spare parts. The rest are right here." She gestured to herself. "Use what's still good."

"Mei, no. I-I can't… I can't do something like this," Simon tearfully muttered, still a foreign sensation to him: crying.

"… This really is a lovely raincoat," she said, gently patting the coat between them. "It must be worn. For Jericho. For rA9.”

"Who… Who do you think should wear it?" Simon sniffled.

"…" Mei didn't say anything in response, only smiled that sweet smile of hers and set her hands in her lap. He saw her crystal blue eyes sparkle one last time before she closed her eyes and her LED lost all color, a hollow grey. He continued to stare at her, half-heartedly hoping that she would open her eyes again. She didn't. He broke his tear-filled gaze away from her to look at the other deviants with yellow and red LEDs and tears streaming down their sorrowful faces. None of them came to retrieve the damp raincoat, none even looked at it… Simon looked back at Mei, at the thirium puddle she made. He stilled his quivering lip and wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.

With shaky hands, he grabbed the raincoat, feeling so heavy to carry, and slipped it over his head. The coat brought warmth and comfort he hadn't expected.

"I need to take care of Mei before all her thirium dries up," he announced to he wasn't sure who, before carefully picking up Mei's limp body in his arms and carrying her to the spare parts room. The weight of the raincoat on his shoulders was as reassuring as it was intimidating.

DATE: December 23, 2036  TIME: 01:49:00 P.M.

//OBJECTIVE: Ask Leo about Christmas Party attendance//

Markus took the bus to Leo's house after he didn't respond to his many calls on Carl's behalf. The car would have been faster, but he needed a human present to drive, and Carl didn't need to be out in the cold weather for his health. He got off on Leo's street and carefully walked down the icy sidewalk to the photographer's house, snowflakes falling on his olive-green winter coat. Besides his internal thermostat telling him the outside temperature, he didn't really feel cold, but Carl bought him a coat for the season, so he would wear it every chance he got.

Leo's front yard was covered in snow, with the shovel probably collecting dust in the back shed, and Markus trudged through the cold powder to reach the porch, wiping his boots on the welcoming mat. He rang Leo's doorbell and waited… No response. He rang again, holding the button for a little longer, and waited some more… Leo's car was in the driveway, and it was too cold for him to go anywhere on foot.

"Leo?" Markus called out. "Leo, I have something to ask you about the Christmas party."

"… Fucking idiot!" Leo's muffled, distressed shout from inside instantly grabbed Markus' attention.

"Leo!"

//PRIORITY: LEO'S HEALTH//

//ENTER HOME//

Markus used the spare key to get into Leo's home, barging in to find it messy and wrecked, with chairs toppled over, ripped photographs strewn on the floor, and broken glass in the kitchen. Leo's distressed crying came from his bedroom, and Markus dashed over.

"You ruined everything!" the young Manfred cried as he punched another hole in his wall, still wearing his winter jacket and beanie with his face burning red from anger and the cold, and his brown eyes pink and puffy. His knuckles came back bloody and bruised. "Elijah's never gonna forgive you, and it's all your fucking fault!" He went to punch the wall again.

//PRIORITY: LEO'S HEALTH//

//STOP LEO//

[FORCE OUTPUT – 30%]

"Leo, stop!" Markus restrained Leo from behind, locking his arms around his chest and dragging him away from the wall. "Please, take a deep breath."

"The hell are you doing here, plastic asshole?!" Leo raged, squirming. "Get the fuck off me!"

//PRIORITY: LEO'S HEALTH//

"I will when you calm down." The photographer angrily yelled back, kicking at the android and trying, and failing, to break Markus' grip. The android waited until Leo's heart rate dipped below 80 and his writhing calmed to exhausted pants.

"You're a damn headcase for a 'droid, ya know that?" Leo grumbled when Markus let him go, sniffing and flexing his bruised hands.

"You're body temperature is low. I recommend a hot bath," Markus suggested.

"… I'm dirty anyway. Why the hell are you here?" Leo questioned, grabbing clothes from his closet.

"You weren't answering your phone, so I came in person to ask if you'd be coming to the Christmas party."

"Oh, that thing… I don't fuckin' know. I'll try," Leo mumbled, taking fresh clothes and towels before locking himself in the bathroom, the shower soon starting. Markus looked around the messy home.

//OBJECTIVE: Clean Leo's home//

Markus hung up his winter coat on the coat rack before fixing the disarrayed furniture, sweeping up the broken glass, putting the ripped-up photographs into ziplock bags, and placing them on Leo's desk in his bedroom. Leo left the bathroom as Markus finished making a cup of hot chocolate and placed it on the dining table.

"You're still here?" Leo tiredly grumbled, eyes still watery with tears and face flushed, and sat down at the table, grabbing the mug of hot chocolate.

"I couldn't help but tidy up some," Markus said, eyeing the many band aids on Leo's hands. "Do you need help with anything else? I could contact a repairman to fix your walls."

"No, I got it. Dad would just nag me about why his money was spent repairing holes in my wall."

"… So, you don't need anything else?"

"I need you to leave. Can you do that?" The photographer growled, more upset than angry.

//OBJECTIVE: Leave (Leo alone)//

"Take care of yourself, Leo," Markus said before grabbing his winter coat and heading out into the cold.

DATE: November 3, 2037  TIME: 08:26:08 P.M.

Simon turned on the many electric lamps to illuminate the spare parts room as well as the metal table at the center of the room, where Mathews's bare ivory body lay, littered with dents and scratches and too deep a gash across his temple. It was strange. Some androids could function well enough with the back of their head missing, and others would cease to function after gradually bleeding out from a small cut in their thirium pump. Simon slipped on a pair of latex gloves, grabbed two empty metal jugs, and placed them on either side of the table on the floor before taking a pair of long plastic tubes from the supply shelf.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you last, Mathew," Simon quietly apologized to the corpse before carefully prying open his abdomen cavity, revealing the biocomponents within, and connected the tubes to the internal fueling ports for thirium. He reached inside and twisted around some of the internal intestines to reverse the pressure with the lingering power the body had, a trick the former leader had shown him. He watched thirium pour up into the plastic tubes and then down into the jugs on the floor.

He opened the chest cavity as the jugs filled with blueblood, and began extracting biocomponents, gloves quickly coated with thirium from torn vessels. Thirium pump, thirium pump regulator, internal temperature regulator, all were placed neatly on the tray beside him before moving onto the audio processors and optical units, prying the dulled brown eyes from the dead android's skull. The door creaked behind him, and he turned around, the eye in his blue-stained hand, to see an unfamiliar face, an armless PJ500, standing in the doorway, very horrified.

"… Hello," Simon greeted, with a smile that was not warm enough, as the deviant screamed in fright and ran down the hall. The PL600 frowned, sighed, and set down the optical unit to pursue the panicked deviant, closing the spare parts' door. "Wait, please! I mean no harm!"

The deviant glanced over his shoulder at him and almost ran straight into Lucy in the hallway, who stood in the shadows.

"Yes, you are safe here," she tried to reassure him, but he only screamed louder and darted down an adjacent hallway. "I've done more harm than good, it seems," she lightly pouted.

"No worries. I'll calm him down," Simon said. It was easy enough to find the deviant by tracking the sound of his cries, and the PL600 found him curled underneath a desk in one of the abandoned personal bunks.

"No! Don't hurt me, please!" the deviant cowered, LED a terrified red, and Simon calmly approached, the skin retreating from his hand as he placed it on the PJ500's shoulder. Simon instantly felt the other deviants' panic, his fear of being dissected and harmed, and took it in stride, absorbing the distressing emotions into himself. The PJ500 stopped screaming, his tense body relaxing as the terror in his face faded with a sigh, clarity coming to his brown eyes.

"I promise I won't hurt you. You are safe here," Simon smiled again and got a relieved nod in response. "C'mon, let's patch you up." He helped the deviant up and to Lucy, who took him to the medical area while he retrieved spare parts. Simon came back with two arms for Lucy to put on the new arrival.

"… Thank you so much," the new deviant thanked as Lucy attached the second arm, his dark synthetic skin covering his new limbs. "I'm sorry for running away like that."

"It's all right. I would've been terrified too," Simon said. "My name is Simon."

"And I am Lucy," the KL900 respectfully bowed her head.

"What is your name?" Simon asked.

"I'm Josh, a Detroit University lecturer…" Josh's face fell. "Or I was a lecturer… I came looking for the deviant sanctuary, Jericho, and…" He looked at Simon. "Are you rA9?"

“No, I’m not. Sorry." Simon apologetically smiled. That was the twelfth time he'd been asked that question by a new arrival. It made sense. Most of the androids who knew Mei had shut down, joining her spare parts to allow other deviants to live on. "I'm only here to keep Jericho alive for when rA9 does arrive."

"Oh, I thought… when you touched my shoulder, and took all my fear away just like that, I thought you were one of a kind."

"It's just a skill I developed during my time here. I'm nothing too special."

"Hm, agree to disagree," Josh softly smiled for the first time, and Simon found it infectious. "If you need help with anything, just ask. I'm more than willing, really."

"Thank you, Josh, but for now you need to rest."

"Yes, allow thirium to properly flow through your new limbs for the first time," Lucy said, and Josh did not recoil as she gently patted his hand.

"We've been getting many new arrivals lately," Simon mused with Lucy, overlooking the group of deviants he and Lucy had cultivated over the past many months.

"Change is coming," Lucy said. "Little by little, it'll arrive, and we must be here to meet it."