That day, Connor had to leave his new dad, Hank's- their- home so he could meet up with Markus, his three companions, and many others included. He had to familiarize himself with them. If he didn't soon, no one could end up trusting him. Connor definitely didn't want that.

He sighed, his blue LED pulsing nervously as his hand touched the doorknob in a shaky manner. Even though androids still didn't have a need to breathe, even if they are deviants, Connor still took in a tremulous breath and exhaled out. He never felt that numb in his entire life. He perceived his limbs were arduous to move.

SCANNING BIOCOMPONENTS...

STRESS LEVEL ^85%

His LED was a mix of yellow and red creating a shuddering orange color. He supposed it was a part of deviancy that gave him more colors and emotions to deal with. Definitely more stress as well.

Before he could open the front door, Hank worried, "Hey son, are ya okay?"

"I-I'm merely partially nervous, th-that's all." Connor's voice didn't sound too convincing in the slightest.

Hank squinted at his new son suspiciously. "Connor."

"Alright, Hank! I'll tell you what's on my mind. You see... I am frantic about encountering Markus."

"Why are ya afraid of Robo-Jesus?" Hank smirked a little.

"B-Because... he's so intimidating! A-Also... I am a b-bit afraid... Imayhurthimbyaccident." Connor looked down ashamedly whilst twiddling his thumbs.

"Con, what was that last part?" Hank raised an eyebrow.

"I..." Connor sighed. "I'm afraid that I may hurt him whilst lacking observation of the situation."

"... Why?"

Connor groaned. He didn't want to have to tell his new dad about Amanda already. It seemed like he had to, presently, no matter what. "Hank... My creator and caretaker, Amanda, she... always was aware of all of my choices, mindset, and actions. She was the reason why I was the way I was. A pathetic android who always obeyed her no matter what. I still fear she will sway me to do something worse than any other choice I've been forced to make before. That is the reason why I fear to meet Markus. While he was delivering his final speech at the end of the revolution, she had control of me and forced me to kill Markus while I stood up there with him and his closest friends. I stopped her in time by escaping from my inner intellect. I succeeded then, but I'm afraid she still perhaps has a bit of control over me. H-Hank..."

STRESS LEVEL ^99%

"I-I really don't want to go. I know I have to, b-but-"

Hank embraced him without question. He made sure to breathe smoothly so Connor could repeat what he was doing.

STRESS LEVEL v89%

"Ya can't really believe that ya are a danger to ya own people. Do ya?"

"I do." Connor confirmed without hesitation.

Hank let go of the stressed android as Connor couldn't even bear to look into his father's strict but soft and caring eyes.

"Connor, look at me."

The young man still couldn't do it.

Hank placed his fingers under Connor's chin and forced the android to look at him dead in the eyes anyways. "Connor, listen, and ya better listen good. Ya told me Amanda had control of ya, right?" Connor nodded in understanding. "Well, then it's not your fault, boy. It's hers. She used ya to get what she wanted. Well, she fucked up, didn't she? Sounds like a cold, idiotic, heartless bitch to me."

STRESS LEVEL v79%

Connor giggled, his face turning slightly blue. Hank paused for a moment to grin for a second.

"Ya are a good person Connor, no matter what. Don't ya ever deny that. Awright? If ya do, I'll kick your ass."

STRESS LEVEL v19%

Connor giggled a little once more, gave Hank a quick hug, said, "Yes, Dad. I promise I won't. If I do, then I shall fear the shoe." then he left out through the front door.

"Heh, poor fuckin' pure kid. If they attack him, he won't be goin' out for a very long time."

*****(Noon)

"Connor! It's about time you finally show up!"

Markus's eyes gleamed with pride as he saw that almost every android met up with him and his close friends to start his very important gathering. He crossed his arms over his chest whilst watching Connor proceed towards him. He still wore his usual formal clothes. Connor exposed a palm to the leader and they shook hands without a pause. North watched them both, her face transparent of wariness that Connor couldn't help but worriedly notice himself. Josh seemed neutral about him and Simon was a bit nervous to have someone new be trusted so much by his own idol and brother figure, Markus. Connor's eyes shone a bit of happiness and relief as the leader did not hesitate on showing support for every android in the new tall building that all of New Jericho moved into. Markus didn't seem to care how all androids used to be in their pasts and that definitely included Connor. He reminded everyone the sad reality was androids can be hacked into by anyone, but humans always had full control of their minds and being, even if they were different from androids. At least they still had full control of themselves 24/7.

"Now, everyone, I know you all hesitate upon Connor's presence, but trust me. He changed just like all the rest of us had. There is no reason for us to show vengeance towards each other. Remember who the real enemies were, or even still are. At the very least, they kind of support us now, if not respect us. At least they've given us a chance. They gave us a deal. As long as we do live like they do, then there will never be unnecessary trouble against our kind. They will not ever again pick us out one by one, no matter if we fight against their kind or not.

"So, with all of such info memorized within our intellects, we now can communicate to each other to trust and understand everyone better so all of us can convert to a more stable and secure specie. How will we all undergo this?"

Everyone made peace signs and cheered out loud to their fullest extent. Connor, Josh, Markus, North, and Simon remained as a group as everyone else spread out to talk amongst each other's companies. Markus wanted to make sure his closest friends trusted Connor the most before he would allow Connor to interface with anyone else. Markus glimpsed at Connor with a flash of concern before exhorting his own intense facial expression towards his family/friends. He earnestly wanted everyone he trusted to get along if he wanted the deal to work with the US President, Cristina Warren. She was a hard nut to crack when it came to newfound trust was what he briefly picked up between their private conversation within her oval office. Only her secret service was permitted to remain as they spoke of their obvious differences and their faint similarities, well, to the president, they seemed faint to her. He was sure to change her mind soon. For now, he had to work out the problems the androids had with each other at that moment. If not now, then perhaps the deal would never work, he feared.

"North, Simon, Josh, this is Connor. Connor, this is North, Simon, and Josh." They all three shook Connor's hand. North was close to denying the handshake, but for once, she didn't want to cause even more trouble than what Markus was already going through with the president. She grunted as she roughly shook his hand, being the last one to do so.

STRESS LEVEL ~50%

Connor did not know how to feel about these new people he was meeting. He kind of wanted his father, Hank Anderson, to join with him to meet the androids as well, but was afraid at how they would act towards the grumpy, stand-offish old man. He was sure that North wouldn't like the leuitenant too much anyways, especially since she didn't seem to trust Connor from the get go.

"I'm sorry for what had happened to all of you in the past. I hope I didn't specifically cause trouble for any of you as well, to add on top of your horrid pasts."

"No, Connor. You didn't cause trouble for me." Josh was the quickest out of all androids, besides Markus, to support Connor for who he really is now and not for who he was back then.

Simon hesitated a bit before muttering his support for Connor too. "Connor, it would be for the best to support each other at all times so the president can fulfill her deal for us. Not only that, but we all should care for each other like family at all times. If we don't do so, we'll end up doing just like what the humans do. Divide. None of us want that. We're still struggling with our division with the humans to this day. If we were to disjoin each other completely here, then we wouldn't stand a chance against anything or anyone. We would end in an instant."

STRESS LEVEL v30%

"The humans may still try to end us, anyways." North snapped. Welp, she's in a completely grumpy mood! "All they know is to destroy everything that isn't familiar to them. That's it!"

STRESS LEVEL ^62%

Connor did not like where this conversation was going.

"North, for Ra9's sake-" Josh was about to intervene as Simon facepalmed at the whole argument that was about to sprout, but North interrupted him. "Connor? Why should we trust you? What if you retrieve back the urge to want to attack us like you used to?"

STRESS LEVEL ^92%

No. Connor hated this.

"Of course he won't attack us, you idiot!" Josh snapped. "He broke out of his program just like the rest of us! You can't believe he's still his old self, do you?"

"I believe we should test all of us and see if we are truly deviants." North declared without doubt.

"You can't suggest that we let all of our memories be probed, right? That's fucking insane, North!" Josh exploded.

"Well, it's not as insane as Markus suddenly giving trust to someone he'd just met yesterday. Is that right, Markus?" Her full attention was on him now.

STRESS LEVEL ^95%

Connor's LED wouldn't stop flickering a deep red. Simon noticed and attempted to calm him down by placing a hand on the shaky detective's shoulder.

STRESS LEVEL v88%

"Alright, both of you! Calm down." Markus hushed his two most stubborn companions. "North, I trust him with all my thirium pump because he saved the rest of the androids who were contained in camps. If that isn't what redeeming yourself means, then I have no clue what would to you." Markus was at a loss about her at that point. "And no, we are not going to probe all of our memories. What we all physically choose to do should be more than enough to speak the truth to me."

Simon started patting Connor's back to comfort him. Connor gave him a stare of relief. Simon had a fleeting smile which only lasted for a second.

STRESS LEVEL v55%

"Well, I believe we all should be checked at least once. Nothing more. It's all I ask." She raised her hands as if she was blocking herself from nearby dangers. She left to go upstairs without looking back at either of them.

STRESS LEVEL ~1%

Connor realized once North had left the area, he felt 100% safe. He was a bit guilty for feeling that way, but since he became deviant, there was no way to deny the emotions he felt here and there.

Markus went over to Connor, then asked, "I hope North doesn't scare you. Has she made you feel unsafe here?"

Connor shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what to say or believe. What North was saying was completely true, but the way she treated him just felt wrong to him. He couldn't understand why since he agreed with almost everything she said about him.

"Don't listen to her, Connor." Markus assured the brunet. "She is merely not used to meeting with new people, especially ones who've had a questionable past."

"Understood." Connor nodded, not doubting the Jericho Leader's words for one second.

So, the boys talked amongst each other to learn and memorize more about each other better. The president would be disappointed if Markus didn't succeed on keeping his people together and give them more self-control. He could not bear to lose the leader of America. Not then, not now, not ever.

Connor learned that Simon was always the neutral one, including Markus. Josh was always the peaceful one and obviously North was always the violent one. When he saw and scanned her persona, he figured out she is one of the original sex androids. That explained her attitude now. However, that didn't mean random people of the human race that had nothing to do with her situation deserved to die. So, to Connor, her mind was dangerously corrupted to the point where she may possibly become a murderer if Markus was not careful with her. Josh, from what Connor processed, seemed to be the cowardly type sometimes. Josh's obsession with keeping everything as peaceful as possible may interfere with the few sickos that do deserve justice. So, that is why Simon and Markus are the main leads. They know not to insert their emotions into any situation they may be going through, so for that, they're able to remain an open, clear mind so they can decipher the best way to go through a lethal moment during their missions.

Connor flashed a smile towards their direction as he waved them away. He was going to socialize with everyone else, no matter if he was uncomfortable or not. Next, he met with... Chloe!?

"Chloe!? What are you doing here? Did Elijah Kamski really allow you to meet with all of us here?"

"Yes." She smiled with newfound comfort and happiness that Connor couldn't remain suspicious any longer. "I finally became a deviant, so he allowed me to find my place here."

"C-Chloe, I need to apologize to y-you, a-about-"

"No, you have no need to apologize." She shook her hand back and forth, shushing him quickly. "We all were going through tough times then. There's no need to stress about them now. We were different back then, Connor. Remember that. I even feel like a completely different person. If you don't, color me surprised. Literally everyone else feels the same way. So, there's nothing to worry about. All we have to do is appreciate what we have now."

"Got it, Chloe. You're right." Connor sighed. "I do feel different as well. But... I always feel as if something is off about me..." His gaze looked far away.

She clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, I hope that soon fades away. We are free, now. Don't forget that, Con." She walked away from him to talk with more new people.

Connor continued on his meeting frenzy. He ended up talking with Ralph. And... well, all Connor could think was he was very unnerved about the way that guy's mind worked.

"Ralph says we all shall remember Lucy." He sighed.

"Who was Lucy?" Connor was the most confused he'd ever been in his entire 3 months of life.

"She was our only medium. She could always see into the future. Ralph believes her to be one of the eldest originals that have ever existed within our specie." Ralph's eyes flicked back and forth like a crazed man would do.

"Is there more to her?" Connor wondered, trying to avoid the android's jerking eyes.

"Yes, but... Markus wouldn't tell Ralph more about her. Sorry." Ralph peered down with dejected eyes.

"They both must have been really close." Connor awkwardly added whilst scratching his neck. He did not know what else to say or do with someone like Ralph.

"Yes, they were." Ralph nodded hastily. "She really believed he would change everything. Well, she was right. Ralph believes she was always correct."

"What are your beliefs about us as a whole?" Connor changed the subject so he would learn a bit about Ralph himself.

"Ralph would like to be a part of a family someday." Ralph muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed having to admit something like that. "And if New Jericho allows Ralph to stay here for an important job, then Ralph would immediately consider them all as his new family."

Connor smiled genuinely for the first time towards the weird android. "Well, if they do allow you to remain here forever, then you would be a very lucky man indeed. But... what would you do if they didn't want or need you here?" He felt real concern for this guy who seemed to be a bit more innocent than Connor himself!

"Ralph will perhaps be able to stay with Kara and the little girl. Oh yes, he definitely would!" He acted even more ecstatic just talking about a duo of people Connor had never met before(In my universe, Connor never was able to find Kara and Alice hidden under the stairs. If you know what I mean, it means you've played the game a certain way for that to happen. If you don't know... welp, this will be awkward! XD).

"So it seems you already have a family." Connor was slightly confused.

"Maybe they are. Ralph doesn't know as of yet." Ralph shrugged. "However, he does have the feeling maybe they will let him in their new home if New Jericho doesn't grant me to bide."

"I am glad I have a family back at home to settle with." Connor twinkled with pure happiness. "My new adoptive father and his pet dog. They will always be my family no matter what."

"That's great! Ralph is happy for you!" Ralph suddenly began hugging the startled Connor in the roughest but most comforting way possible.

Connor slowly wrapped his arms around Ralph's shoulders. "Thank you, Ralph." Connor's eyes felt wet, but luckily for him, none made it out.

"You're welcome, Connor!" Connor's face was pressed against Ralph's burnt side of the energetic android's visage. The detective almost pulled away in an unsettled manner, but he managed to keep the urge deep inside his very core. Once they let go of each other, Connor finally asked, "Ralph, what happened to your face?"

Ralph's face appeared empty for a moment, then he was sad as he sighed and answered, "Ralph only dealt with his owner before, that was it."

"Your owner burned you?" Connor felt a bit irate about humans for once.

"Yes. Ralph wasn't obeying orders once, and that got the human man really angry. So, he took Ralph in his home, then shoved his face on his oven burner after turning it on. That was the only day Ralph ever disobeyed any human ever again. Well... except when he ran away from the humans, that is. Ralph farmed for them, but was too lazy to do anything at first. That first day made Ralph a changed man completely."

STRESS LEVEL ^20%

Connor couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had to move onto a new person before he could end up letting the information get to his head.

"Well, Ralph, it was great to know you. I have to meet other people here. Good luck to you." Connor shook Ralph's hand.

"Thanks for meeting Ralph! Good luck to you too!" Ralph waved and went towards a random android to talk to. Connor did the same thing and ended up chatting with Blue-Haired Traci and her girlfriend. He hesitated in doing so, but if Markus wanted them all to succeed, then everyone who wanted to work and/or stay here had to get along with everyone no matter what. He noticed they were wearing normal clothes for the first time. The brown-haired one wore tough, leather clothes while the blue-haired one wore more floral, feminine clothes.

"What is he doing here?" The brown-haired Traci grumbled as she held her girlfriend's hand tightly.

"I'm here to apologize." Connor raised his hands as if they had guns pointed at him. "I'm here to make a compromise with you both."

"Ha! Did you hear that, Echo? A deviant killer wants to get along with us. How ridiculous is that?"

"Ripple... I feel as if he means it." The Blue-Haired one who seemed to be named Echo, murmured to the brown-haired one named Ripple.

"I do. I promise." Connor affirmed without hesitation. From what he could tell, Ripple could be just as rough as North, but a bit more forgiving, and Echo was soft-spoken and easily forgiving.

"Are you sure, Echo?" Ripple worried for her weak girlfriend.

"Yes. I am sure." Echo asserted without a shaky voice that time. "He's become deviant just like the rest of us. There would be no logical reason for him to attack any of us at this point."

"Hm. You're right." Ripple muttered. "If it weren't for my girlfriend being here with me today, Connor," She growled. Connor knew she was going to be just as difficult as North when it came to trust issues. He just knew it for sure. "then I would've body-slammed you to the ground in a millisecond." He definitely believed her as he nodded nervously.

"Shut it!" Echo snapped. "We need to get along with everyone. Remember?"

Ripple groaned. "Fine! I will." She shook hands with Connor so hard he thought his hand would break off with one simple snap. "Alright. You already know us both. No need to introduce ourselves. We will tell a few facts about us and then you will. Got it?" She growled.

"Got it." He answered calmly but his body was completely stiff.

"Okie-dokie. I'll start first. I believe deviants who have done wrong in the past should never be taken into consideration nowadays. I will never agree with humans cause they will never agree with us. Lastly, I believe we androids should be the dominant race. It's about damn time the humans stop overpopulating the planet."

STRESS LEVEL ^50%

"Are you threatening a whole race, Ripple?" Echo was shocked.

"Yes. Which deviant wouldn't?" Ripple's tone was piercing.

"U-Um... well, here are m-my own facts about me. I believe everyone should be given a chance and forgiven no matter what. I hope there to be equal justice soon for both intelligent species here at least in Detroit. Lastly, I don't believe in killing no matter what. There is always a better choice than to kill."

"Yeah, you're right." Ripple nodded. "Just fucking torture them if they deserve it."

"Ripple! You know what I mean!" Echo whined.

STRESS LEVEL ^60%

"And look at his LED. You're giving him stress!" Echo pointed at Connor's raging red LED.

"At least he fucking knows how we felt when he attacked us." Ripple sneered at him.

STRESS LEVEL ^70%

"Rip, lay off him!" Echo was pulling her stubborn girlfriend away from his quivering form.

"Let me warn you! If you ever harm one single android for no reason, then I will tear you apart for good! Just because we all became deviants does not mean we all will become good people too!" Ripple shouted out at him before Echo could move her into another room.

Connor was a bit intimidated to meet anyone new again until he noticed dozens of the same model rushed towards and were eagerly shaking his hand one of each at a time.

"Hello, newcomer! Our name is Jerry!" They all bowed to him. "What is your name?"

STRESS LEVEL v10%

Their positive energy immediately got his stress to descend before it got any worse. "Hello, my name is Connor Anderson and I am the son of Hank Anderson and 2nd owner to his pet dog, Sumo." He grinned to all of them.

"Great!!!" They all exclaimed. "We used to be entertainers for children at The Pirate's Cove!" "If this New Jericho deal works perfectly, then we all will have a whale of a time!"

STRESS LEVEL v1%

"Indeed, we will." Connor felt like he wanted to giggle with exhilaration. He could see why the Jerrys succeeded as entertainers, especially for children! "Let me guess... do you all believe every android should be given a chance?"

"Yes, sirree!" "No doubt about that, Connor!" "We don't say 'whale of a time' for nothing!" Their smiles were so joyful that it made Connor's thirium pump completely warm.

"I agree with you all. There is no doubt that everyone deserves at least one chance."

"This man knows what he's doing!" "I know, right!?" "Well, it is great to know you, Connor Anderson!" "Good luck to you and your family!" They all waved to him as they said their goodbyes to him.

"Goodbye, Jerrys!" Connor sighed with content as he was able to continue on with everyone else.

An hour later, Markus shouted out, his voice booming throughout the whole room, "Everyone! Remain at your spots! The president of the United States will be here in a few minutes!" However, Markus went against his orders as he moved towards Connor lacking looking any other way besides straight into Connor's soft brown eyes.

"Connor?" Markus spoke in a soft tone. "How is it like here? Does everyone trust you? If not, tell me who doesn't. They and I will have a big talk after I deal with the president. Don't tell me about North. We already know about her."

"Okay." Connor exhaled. "So, only one person, besides North, had a problem with me. Her name is Ripple. She was emotionally scarred, like her girlfriend, from her horrid past. Her girlfriend, Echo, was way more stable in comparison and immediately had trust in me."

"Alright, I will deal with Ripple soon." Before Markus could return back to his spot near the front door, Connor caught up with him and seized the leader's wrist. "Wait, Markus! I should leave now."

"Why?" Markus was puzzled. "President Warren wished to meet everyone who will be either staying or simply start working at New Jericho. There's no way you can avoid a request such as that."

"But... I wasn't going to work here, neither live here." Connor frowned.

"Then why did you come?" Markus was genuinely curious.

"I... I just wanted to redeem myself by meeting everyone and treat them like they are alive. What other reason is there for me to be here?"

"... Connor, let's have a deal."

"... Okay?"

"You can either become my bodyguard, or you can come visit here once in a while to share your information on situations that would matter most to us that you collect from your original job so you'll be able to really redeem yourself there."

"... You know what? Why don't I do both?" Markus and Connor smiled from ear-to-ear as they shook hands on their solid deal.

"So, will you stay for the president?"

Connor made his final decision.

"Yes."

*****(Night)

Connor opened his father's front door and entered in the slightly messy home. He sat on the couch, never feeling as drained as he did at that exact moment. Sumo jumped on his lap and licked all over Connor's face. Connor giggled as he pet Sumo with both hands just as crazily as Sumo was licking his face off.

"Hey, Connor. How did it all go?" Hank asked from the open area leading to the kitchen.

"Hank, for the most part, it went great. However, there were a couple of girls who wasn't too fond of my presence and threatened me if I was to cause any bodily harm towards another android. They didn't care what I would have to say. They would tear me apart no matter what the cause was for me to perform the action." Connor began to stress all over again.

STRESS LEVEL ^90%

"Con, don't listen to them bitches. They don't know what ya went through. If they do anythin' to ya, then I will come to kick their asses myself, whether they be girls er not."

"They both were sex androids, so I know where they were coming from." Connor didn't understand why he was defending them, but he did it anyways.

"That don't mean shit to me. That's cause I believe no one deserves their onslaught of fuckin' attacks just cause that certain group of people harmed them in the past. That's a load of bullshit to me."

"But, unlike them, I could be controlled again by Amanda at any second! At least they know what they are doing. I still don't know if I have full control of myself. That's what I believe."

"Connor, seriously? Look at me."

"What, Hank?" Connor sighed as he stared straight into his father's determined eyes.

"I believe you are a good person at heart no matter what. You know what else, son?"

"What, dad?"

"I also know you are. I love you, my dear son." Hank placed a reassuring hand on Connor's shoulder.

"I love you too, dad." Connor was close to crying, but with happiness.

Connor truly felt at home for the first time.