(You can either see Markus and Connor as romantic or platonic only in this chapter.)

"Hey, father." Connor seized his coin.

"What is it, Con?" Hank stretched his arms up whilst resting on the couch.

"I'm going to visit Jericho. I need to start working with my kind more often."

"Hey, if ya feel like doin' that, then go right ahead!" Hank waved a hand. "No one's gonna stop ya."

Connor beamed back. "Thank you. Goodbye!" Connor did a slight wave back as he left out through the front door.

"Bye, Con! God, I hope nothin' bad happens to him." Hank muttered whilst he pet his tired dog. "Right, Sumo?"

Sumo only grunted in reply.

*****

Connor knocked on the entrance of Jericho. He was afraid he was going to enter in without anyone's permission to do so. It was his second time coming here, after all. The android was always great at remaining patient when he needed to. His hands clasped behind his back as he arched his back up straight in his usual 'Connor Pose'.

After a few moments passed, someone opened the door.

It was Simon!

"Ha, about time you came back here! Welcome to Jericho. I'm willing the bet you're here because you need to see Markus. Did I guess right?"

"Yes, you did, Simon." Connor beamed as he and the blond shook hands.

"Good. Maybe you both will be able to plan how you'll fit here within our community when you have the time to. We can't wait to get you started. You did save our revolution, after all. You might become our greatest asset for our government."

"Thank you." Connor felt gratitude where he believed it wasn't deserved. He couldn't help but keep on doubting himself.

"Alright. Let's go see him." Simon led the way.

*****

"YOU'RE ALL JUST A BUNCH OF FUCKING TRAITORS!" North screeched as she pulled on the jail bars as if trying to break out and tear Markus apart. Ripple was in her own jail cell right next to North's, rocking back and forth on her uncomfortable bed with mental agony. Her face seemed forever distorted into a traumatized expression.

"You've already eaten those words, North." Markus muttered grimly as he stood a few feet in front of his ex-girlfriend's cell, never averting his cold, heterochromic eyes away from her fiery brown ones. "You and Ripple will always be the true traitors to our kind."

Ripple's throat tore with a wail of grief as she hid her face in her hands and sobbed.

"I believe that we should be the only intelligent species to be inhabiting this beautiful but dying planet. Humans are the real reason why everything is falling apart. Do you and your fucking cronies really want to keep corruption alive?"

"North, we all as a species make genuine mistakes. Yes, even us androids make terrible choices, hence why you and Ripple are in jail as of now." Once the leader started pacing back and forth with deep thought, Ripple was able to calm down and was beginning to fall asleep on her rugged bed. North was adamant on banging on the cell bars with great rage and strength. "Humans don't just make mistakes." She hissed.

Markus raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." She rolled her eyes as she ceased her rough treatment of the bars. "They are destructive when it comes to morals and laws especially. Those bastards are heartless and selfish. Just because they are naturally alive does not mean they should control everything as they please. The other species have way more than my pity. Cancer is not the disease anymore. Humans are cancer that needs to be eradicated immediately."

"You are insane." Markus shook his head with disbelief as he stopped pacing and faced her one last time. "North, we used to be partners. Lovers. A family. We all as a society used to be on the same page when it came to our main plan. We have to and need to live amongst the humans. We should at least appreciate that they have created us to be the way we are as of now. We don't have to like all of them, but at the very least respect them all as an intelligent species. For Ra9's sake, they can create anything they desire. Us androids can only decipher things quicker for the humans. Scan and identify. The humans can build and use to their greatest potential. We need each other as a whole society now. If you cannot remove yourself away from your past, then you will be living a life of hell from here on out. Remember, murder is never okay. Unity is our exceptional strength we should never leave behind."

North remained silent as she defiantly crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the ground, never wanting to meet his eyes ever again.

"North, please reconsider your actions. All you and Ripple have to do is heal yourselves. If you both ever do, life will be easier and more peaceful for all of us. President Warren is still too wary of us, after all." Markus sighed with defeat when North still didn't dare utter a word as he side-stepped to Ripple's cell.

"Fuck the president and her damn expectations of androids. She does not stand for anyone, especially androids, but for herself."

Markus avoided her immature reply.

"Ripple, I need an honest answer." He whispered as she sat up on her bed with alarm and remained in a huddled position, her terrified eyes never leaving his tired and disappointed ones. "Do you have any regrets for what you have done the past couple of months? Or do you regret being caught?"

Her bottom lip quivered as she pushed herself to answer the full truth. "I-I am never afraid of being caught. Echo is a little scared, but she has always been a bit more insecure about things. Anyways, I do regret murdering that poor police officer and almost killing off Connor. It was cruel and wrong of me to do so. I just wish I could turn back time and avoid North's side of things. If it weren't for her, then Echo and I could've married a long while ago. We could've even had a child..."

"No." Markus frowned. Ripple glanced back at him with shock. "You and North are equally guilty for yours and her's own actions. While she was paying attention to something that time ago, you could've telepathically called for one of us here at Jericho and you would've not had to pay the price. North would've been the only one in the fault. Now look at where your real actions led you. What proves you are any different from North?"

"I want to be better and I want to do better for us as a society." Ripple got up from the bed and held onto the bars in a vice grip, her knuckles turning chalk white. "I need to redeem myself, Markus. Not just for me and Echo, but for everyone else as a whole. I truly do care for everyone whether they're human or not. I was different and more sensitive on that subject back then. Please, give me one more chance to improve. Please, I beg of you." Her grip tightened even further, if possible, her eyes growing more desperate.

Markus nodded with thought, then turned around and walked a few inches away. He stopped in his tracks with his back facing both of their cells. Then, his voice uttered in a solemn tone, "Only time will tell."

He walked down the stairs away from the girls without looking back.

*****

"Well, he was here just a few moments ago." Simon scratched his head as he and Connor searched through the revolutionary leader's office.

"Perhaps he had to deal with the two inmates." Connor pointed out.

"Perhaps." Simon muttered. "Be that as it may, he still didn't tell me he was going to do anything else but wait for who was at the door."

"Or he is collecting papers. Anyways, I am not in too much of a rush. I feel... a bit intimidated by what will become of me in the future." Connor admitted ashamedly.

Simon laid a hand on Connor's stiff shoulder. "Don't worry about it. That is why Markus and I are here. It's to get you started and prepared for what you have to do."

Connor smiled and Simon gave one back.

A squeeze on Connor's shoulder, then Simon let go to search a bit more in Markus's office. Too much time had passed at that point, so Connor decided that it perhaps wasn't Markus's day to help anyone as of yet. The antsy android decided to leave New Jericho for that day. However, before he could make it out of the office, he and Markus slammed into each other by the doorway, since both of them were in such a hurry. Both men fell on their butts in a daze as Simon held his hands over his mouth, desperately trying not to laugh at the sudden situation.

Markus was the first one to shake himself out of it, Connor following soon after. "Oh, Connor! I'm so sorry for that! I was in such a hurry that I didn't even-"

"No, it was my fault." Connor interrupted as he quickly stood on his feet. Markus did the same a split second after. "I should've heard you coming before I attempted to advance towards the door. If only if I-"

"C'mon, you dorks." Simon finally started to chuckle. "It was none of your faults. We all make mistakes. It's okay. Please, Markus, get Connor started with what he needs to do. I'll go off and help other androids. He's all yours this time." Simon left whilst still giggling about their predicament here and there.

"Well, I didn't expect your second visit with us to become so intense. Here, let's get into our places." Markus chuckled a little as he led Connor to a chair facing Markus as the leader sat in his usual boss chair behind his huge desk.

"So, you finally came back. Do you think you're ready to proceed on being my most trustworthy bodyguard?" Markus clasped his hands together under his chin, his elbows resting on the desk.

"Yes." Connor confirmed with a solid nod. "I believe and I know I can do more than detecting evidence. I've substantially fought off criminals just as often as the other police officers have done with their many years of work. I trust that I am fully capable of protecting you at all times."

Markus grinned with satisfaction. "Good. Well, let's start preparing you. The first thing we need to test out is your intelligence. Here," Markus gave Connor a transparent screen into his hands, "you will be working on this quiz for a little while. If you answer most of the questions correctly, especially in a swift manner, then you will be able to pass easily just fine. Go ahead. I want to see what strengths you truly hold within." Connor let the test lay in his hands whilst inhaling and exhaling a bit, then he began his most important quiz.

As Connor's eyes never left the screen as he swiped through as much correct answers as possible, Markus couldn't help but admire every little movement the android detective made. Connor's brown eyes looked deeply concentrated as he quickly worked through the quiz to the best of his ability. Markus's eyes just couldn't break away from the android in front of him.

Connor was finished within five minutes and handed the screen back to Markus. The biracial android swiped through every answer Connor chose without hesitation, then was finished. He placed the transparent screen down on the table, then Markus's eyes blazed with pride towards Connor's nervous ones.

"You've succeeded the test. No wrong answer is anywhere shown on this screen." Markus pointed at the glowing device. "You've passed the first part of training. Now, for the second part," Markus stood up from his swivel chair and stood beside Connor. Connor stood up as well with a teensy bit of confusion. "I will be testing your physical strength. I want to make sure you are more than capable of handling enemies in a fight. You and I will battle for at least a couple minutes and see who has the upper hand here." Markus pushed Connor's chair into his desk and helped pose Connor in a certain position in front of him. "We will perform a little Kung Fu and perhaps a simple fist fight here and there, but it will mostly contain Kung Fu. Are you ready?"

"I only know some moves for Kung Fu, but yes. I am completely sure I am fit enough to conduct this challenge properly." Connor assured.

"Good luck, my friend." Markus then got into his stance as Connor did the same. They fought it out for at least a minute until Connor realized he was on the ground pinned. 

"You had a couple of great moves, but-" Before Markus could finish his explanation, Connor surprised the leader a bit by rolling over so he could be on top of Markus instead to have the upper hand. Connor tried to keep Markus's wrists in his hands, but soon failed as Markus easily regained advantage of the battle and had Connor pinned in a certain way where not even the strongest and smartest police officer could free himself out of.

"Wow, now that was a surprise!" Markus laughed. "You really do have some great skills that would come in handy. You've passed part 2. You may have failed the battle, but you do have some better moves than I do. For that fact, you do pass. Lastly, we're on part three. Now, this may be the most difficult for you. It will be personal for your sake." Markus's eyes were the most hardened Connor had ever seen them as his face shown complete nerve. "I am going to have to see every moment you went through for most of your life. I want to know if you're capable enough to deal with stress and harsh situations of danger and emotional struggle. Do you trust me enough with this? I mean, this is only the second time we've met thus farm so I would completely understand if you're not ready for this last test. We can even move it to tomorrow if we-"

"No." Connor shook his head. "I am sure I can do it. I've dealt with Amanda many times anyways. How could now be different?"

Markus clapped a hand on Connor's shoulder. "There. That's the spirit. Now, don't get too overconfident because that action may make the results all the more drastic for you."

"Don't worry, Markus." Connor laid a hand on Markus's shoulder too. "I will do great. I know I will because I want and need this job more than anything in the world. Being a detective is boring here and there half the time. I want to do something more for society."

They let go of each other as Markus beamed. "Great. You will be one of the biggest helpers we could've ever asked for. Alright, so let's begin."

Markus lightly enveloped his hand around Connor's as he inserted himself through Connor's memories. Connor, with complete surprise, was able to get a hold of Markus's deepest memories as well.

Markus saw Connor performing his first mission with a little girl and an android who looked like Simon gone rogue. The Simon twin got shot by multiple police men while the little girl and Connor were able to get out of the situation scot-free. Another memory popped up when Connor first met Hank Anderson. Obviously, things weren't going the best direction, but Markus knew things were at least a little better now for Connor since Hank became his closest family member thus far. Next, the leader saw many other memories of crime investigations while Connor was observing what was happening within Markus's memories through the revolution. The detective never forgot what happened between the revolutionary leader, Leo Manfred, and the famous artist, Carl Manfred in the beginning of the leader's memories. Then, Markus began to delve deep into Connor's most recent memories. Most of them were lighthearted luckily, but then... he hit a memory he didn't expect to find from Connor of all people. It didn't just affect him personally... him seeing what Connor knew he was seeing completely broke the detective android. They both fell away from each other in complete shock.

"C-Connor, th-that man..." Connor couldn't bear to look in the leader's worried eyes. "He did that to you?"

Connor stood up and fled out of New Jericho without looking back. Josh and Simon watched Connor fly by where they were and they glanced towards each other with solid worry.

All Markus could do was stand and look with widened eyes at the spot where Connor stood.

'What have I done?' The leader thought with guilt.

*****

"Hey, Con." Hank stood from the couch once he saw his son shakily open the front door and close it. "How did it go?"

Connor shown a shaky smile, then said, "I passed, Hank. It w-went great." Then he proceeded to his bedroom without looking back at his suspicious father's expression.

'If that Markus boy did anything to my son, he will pay.' The old man's mind growled.