missiondeterminant | [Open Post]

[Connor tries not to flinch away from the machine as it moves, allowing it to pull him off his feet and reminding himself that this is all part of the plan, it's fine, they're lowering suspicion by going along with everything. The plug in the back of his neck doesn't hurt--it can't, of course--but it definitely registers as uncomfortable, and even more so as the reset begins and he can feel the code running; he's designed to be extra aware of this type of thing, at least if it isn't initiated by CyberLife itself, so as to be able to fight off hacking attempts and the like by anyone that would try to stop him in his mission.

But this entire simulation is made by CyberLife, something he hadn't accounted for, and as his system tries to block the changes being made it keeps encountering blocks of its own. Connor redirects some processing power to the task, but he needs to keep enough devoted on staying aware of his surroundings. The reset, or more specifically the connection and transfer of information, is making Connor's eyes flutter and his head twitch just as Zlatko said, which adds a layer of difficulty to deal with but he should still be able to deal with Zlatko, who is... Not coming closer, like expected. That's definitely a problem.

He sees Kara move suddenly, and does so himself at the same time; a hard twist to the left, as much as he's able to, he does manage to pull his right wrist free. But as he immediately reaches to try to pull the plug out he finds it won't move, the emergency release that should exist for use during a power outage just completely not there.

Don't panic he tells himself, stress spiking up again both at the realization that he's stuck and that Zlatko has just shoved Kara down, unfazed by her attempt to knock him toward the well. Connor turns all his processing power inward, devoting it all toward stopping the reset, but nothing is working and the reset percentage keeps going up as Zlatko advances on Kara.]

Did you really think it would be so easy?

[Zlatko asks, reaching down to grab Kara's arm and pull her upright.]

Just wait your turn like a good little android, and then everything will be all better. You don't have any more worries.

Edited 2018-08-20 22:20 (UTC)

[ Was he always this strong? He easily lifts Kara up, which only adds to her climbing stress levels. This is going so, so wrong. She kicks ar Zlatko with all her strength, but he seems-- amused. ]

An android who wants a brother. So touching.

[ Kara tries to twist out of his grasp, peripherally aware thag Connor is struggling too. All the while, there's an undercurrent of revulsion for the thought of being reset. To be erased, to be made someone's perfect servant again--

Will that make Connor the perfect hunter? ]

Connor! Fight it, get out of there!

[Connor's only sparing just enough power to keep his audio processor on and aware of what's going on around him, all other processing strength shifted inward to fight the reset now that he knows he can't physically get out of this. So he hears what's going on, hears Zlatko's comments and Kara's voice, but he has to just try to ignore it and focus.

But he can't fight the reset directly so instead he shifts his efforts to protecting his memories. He knows that won't be perfect, because the duplicate of himself in CyberLife Tower had his memories but was not a deviant, but it's the only thing he can do; as he works all he can hear is a voice that sounds distinctly like Hank's, asking him, Why do you always rush into these sorts of things, Connor? What's wrong with you? A voice that sounds more like his own wonders instead, How could you have been this stupid? What's going to happen to Kara?

He doesn't know the answer to any of the questions, and he tries not to dwell on them, frantically preserving his memory archive even as he feels other protocols beginning to reset. And, slowly, he starts feeling less afraid, and really less anything at all.

The readout on the computer says 100% Complete, and suddenly the machine sets him gently on his feet and retracts its grip on him, leaving him to reactivate his external sensors and open his eyes, as mission objectives flash in front of him.

/Mission Objective: Apprehend Deviant/
/Mission Objective: Serve Zlatko/

Mission Conflict >> Selecting Priority

/Mission Objective: Apprehend Deviant/
/Secondary Mission Objective: Serve Zlatko/

Connor turns his gaze calmly toward Kara, then toward Zlatko, addressing the latter evenly.]

I'll handle the deviant from here.

[ It will, in fact, make Connor the perfect hunter.

There's a weird sort of finality in seeing the end of Zlatko's plan. The Connor she knew is gone, so her processor can shove away her fear of losing him. She's be impressed with how her stress lowers if she weren't so focused on watching Connor for what he's going to do. ]

My name is Kara. [ She says it like it'll protect her somehow, like it can stop all of this from happening. ]

Yes, you'll keep your name. [ Says Zlatko. ] Connor, see that she stays put while I get the machine ready for her.

[ This can't be how it ends. This can't be where she stays, lost and not knowing it because she's been reset again. Zlatko lets her go, confident that she won't be able to escape now, and Kara, refusing to give up, makes a break for the stairs to the first floor. ]

[Connor stares at Zlatko impassively, with the externally obedient look he gives people when he has no plans to do as asked. He'll serve Zlatko if his orders don't conflict with Connor's mission objectives, but wiping the deviant's memory is counterproductive to learning about deviancy. Therefore he's not interested in helping with resetting her.

But before he can decide whether to pretend like he's obeying or to tell Zlatko why he won't, Kara's making a break for the stairs and Connor's chase programming kicks in, sending him rocketing after her and abandoning Zlatko in the basement. But the tight corridors give Kara an advantage as Connor collides with the wall and has to make sharp turns, which means he only catches up with her once they're on the first floor and he reaches out to grab her arm.]

Stop.

[ Who's not paying attention to what Zlatko is doing because she's too busy trying to survive this nightmare mostly intact? This one specific AX400 who cut her own hair and goes by Kara. Connor hits the walls and Kara keeps going, throwing obstacles behind her as she goes, slamming shut doors and moving tables and chairs and that ugly ostritch down in the hope that she'll make it out of this house.

She reaches the kitchen and sees the back door and has a moment to feel hopeful, but Connor catches up to her. Of course he does, he was built for this, and the only reason she escaped that one time is there were speeding cars for both of them to avoid. His fingers close around her arm, and Kara graba the nearest object -- a frying pan in this case, and swings it at Connor's head. ]

[The frying pan breezes by his face as Connor practically bends backward to dodge, although he maintains his grip on her arm and reaches for the hand holding the frying pan.]

This is unnecessary. There are Class-4 errors detected in your software, and you need to be evaluated by a technician. Stop resisting.

[He won't use more force than necessary, but that doesn't mean he won't use it at all if he has to. It only seems fair to give her a last chance to stop.]

Edited 2018-08-21 01:35 (UTC)

[ What does that even mean? There are classes of deviants?

Not that it matters at all. Connor is too strong to fight against, and struggling just wastes processing power. Kara drops the frying pan and tries kicking him in the stomach, but she doesn't have enough leverage to be effective. ]

Fight your orders! [ Please fight your orders...! ] Amanda doesn't control you anymore! You don't want to hurt me, CyberLife does!

[Ow, don't kick him, even if it isn't very hard; he feels a flare of annoyance at the unpleasant jostle of his regulator, no damage taken but reminding him of the time Gavin punched him. That dick.

...Connor firmly ignores the sudden realization that he isn't supposed to feel any sense of anger, and refocuses on his goal. Kara's yelling at him, telling him some nonsense, and he patiently waits until she'd finished before correcting her-]

I'm not planning to hurt you. Calm down. We're just going back to CyberLife.

[Where they'll... Probably take her apart but that's not Connor's problem. He has no interest in harming her, and that's the truth.

Zlatko finally catches up to them, looking red-faced, although Connor isn't sure if it's from emotion or just the exertion of running. Who cares anyway. Connor is also ignoring that his secondary objective is to do what Zlatko wants, and does so especially pointedly when Zlatko begins ranting out orders.]

Listen to me! Bring her into the basement!

[Connor waits until he's done, unimpressed, before responding--]

My orders are to return deviants to CyberLife. Allowing her to be reset is counterproductive to my mission.

[ In the midst of all the stress, Kara wonders if maybe letting him take her to CyberLife is a good plan. But then, they're supposed to find the exit together. If he stays like this, they'll never make it out of this simulation.

...at least he won't let Zlatko reset her. This is all going decidedly not according to plan, and Kara's track record in this kind of situation is... not great. Death, injury, and arson lie behind her, and she'd like to avoid all of those if possible. She looks around, still as Connor's grip on her stays steady. The only thing she can do is throw kicks, but that didn't help her at all.

--that pot is still on the stove, steam wafting up from it. A quick scan tells her it's at the boiling point and still has a ways fo go before it cools down despite the low burner setting. She might be able to burn Zlatko, and maybe catch Connor off guard.

With no other options, Kara goes for it, twisting enough to land a firm kick on the side of the ot on the stove, sending scaldong thirium toward the men who want to hurt her. ]

[Of all the things Connor expected to possibly happen--Zlatko yelling at him and/or Kara kicking him in the knee both considered likely--what actually happens is not even slightly close. He lets go of Kara in an immediate attempt to dodge the burning liquid, which results in most of it going on Zlatko behind him, but a decent amount still splatters across his chest and arm. It doesn't hurt but error messages flash in his vision, warning him of noncritical damage, although Connor barely sees them; he's far away for a moment, the sight bringing up the memory he'd accidentally unlocked before they fell in the river, and he stumbles a few steps to the side to brace himself on the counter.

Meanwhile, Zlatko has started up the predicted shouting, if not for the actual reason Connor had expected it. But Zlatko isn't burned in the way he should be; the boiling, thick liquid should be doing serious damage, but it isn't.]

You're going to pay for that.

[He promises, storming past Connor without a second look at him, his attention entirely on Kara.]

A reset is too good for you. I think maybe you'll make a better addition to my collection, instead.

[ Connor looks more stunned than she'd expected, and that gives her hope. Maybe enough damage will undo Zlatko's reset. Then it would be two against one who seems a lot stronger than she remembers.

Kara can't help a frustrated cry; she just wants this to stop and has no idea how to make it do that. Zlatko's threat is so cartoonish that it barely fazes her, just another part of this endless nightmare. Although, can she make him waste time talking? He took so much joy from taunting her and Alice when he tried to reset her.

For good measure, she puts the kitchen island between them and prepares to kick him in the groin. ]

Collection? Connor--!

[ Is he back? Should she throw one of these utensils at him? Would that make things worse? He'll prtect her from Zlatko, at least. Even so, she grabs a knife and points it at Zlatko. ]

Edited (swapped italics) 2018-08-21 11:22 (UTC)

[Connor is, unfortunately, not back yet; with less influence from emotion and the experience of seeing the memory previously, he's able to force cancel his way out of the replay. Shaking it off he comes back to awareness of his surroundings, to find that... Apparently both the deviant and Zlatko are still being difficult.

Narrowing his eyes, he stalks forward and tries to get inbetween them, although the kitchen island makes it difficult.]

Stop this, both of you.

[He directs it at both of them, before looking at Kara specifically.]

Put the knife down.

[While his attention is turned toward her, Zlatko puffs up in anger at neither android listening to him, grabbing Connor's arm and pulling him to the side.]

Get out of my way!

[ There's no way she's putting down her only weapon. She doesn't get the chance to protest before Zlatko is interfering, though, and Kara takes a second to rapidly weigh her options. From where she is right now, she could aim to stab Zlatko somewhere that will either disable him long enough to let her and Connor escape, or kill him outright, leaving her only Connor to deal with. She could also do minimal damage so that Connor can take him on instead, as planned. Or, she could let them struggle and leave by herself, but then she'd be running from Connor, who is back to being Amanda's perfect errand boy, and who will probably receive more help from Amanda as a result. There's also the well option, but that would involve more planning and would leave her in the same position as the previous option.

Overall, things are looking grim.

Since it's beneficial to her right now to keep Zlatko alive (words she never imagined she'd think), she scraps the first option and goes for the second, banking on Zlatko coming to chase them sooner rather than later, giving her time to ~~scream and cry internally some more~~ figure out a way to get his memories back. So as Zlatko yanks at Connor, Kara swings the knife at him, aiming to pin his hand to the kitchen island.

How's thar for putting the knife down! >:c ]

[Zlatko is not expecting to be stabbed, let alone stabbed like that, and gives an overly dramatic yell out outrage. Connor takes the opportunity to pull his arm out of Zlatko's grip, stepping out of reach and then immediately ignoring his plight--he'll figure it out--in order to refocus on Kara.]

Enough. I can't allow you to continue endangering human lives, so surrender and make this easier on us both.

[He doesn't want to harm her--why doesn't he want to?--but he will if necessary.]

If I sureender, Amanda wins. We're stuck here forever.

[ Wake up!! (Wake up inside!!)

Zlatko makes to grab for the knife, groaning the entire time, pausing only to yell at them some more. ] Both of you belong to me! Connor, take her to my workshop, now!

[Connor's eyebrows furrow slightly, his head tilting to the side as he considers Kara's words and why he wouldn't want Amanda to win, because he realizes he doesn't. He just doesn't understand why.

But he's distracted from considering it by Zlatko, and Connor turns his frown toward the human.]

Your orders conflict with my mission. I am to take deviants to CyberLife Tower.

[His attention is, briefly, off of Kara, as he expects Zlatko to react negatively to his response.]

[ Because you're both spiteful little shits tbh. To hell with CyberLife!!!

Zlatko yanks the knife out of his hamd, howling in pain. ] Get downstairs right now. You need to be recalbrated to fix your corrupted programming.

[ Downstairs. That reminds Kara of their backup plan - the well. The big, wide, seemingly pointless well in the basement.

Taking advantage of their distractedness, Kara makes a break for the basement, running a few simple what-if simulations to see how she can get this to work.

Zlatko, meanwhile, all but belows something suitably dramatic but that amounts to "fucking deviants". ]

[Connor is about to continue arguing with Zlatko--he's working fine, thank you--but then Kara is running, and Connor snaps into chase mode once again. And, also once again, Zlatko is left in the dust as the androids take off, which is really for the best as far as Connor is concerned because he just keeps getting in the way.]

[ The main problem Kara keeps running into as she thinks up scenarios to stop Zlatko is that in this state, Connor will try to help Zlatko, or at least prevent him being harmed. But she thinks she has a way to work around that.

She makes her way to the corner behind the well, so Connor runs into that instead of possibly falling down the well, then goes around to the other side. She waits until he's about to collide with the wall (or, you know, close enough) and then addresses him. ]

We have to stop Zlatko to get out of here.

[ And right on cue, the human's stupid, angry grumbling precedes him.

Kara leans om that. ] We're running out of time, Connor!

[As expected, Connor pinballs off a few walls in the rush to chase her; first the wall at the end of the stairs, then the corner to turn into the basement, then the corner wall behind the well. Kara's comment earns another furrowing of his eyebrows, but he doesn't argue right away because she's not wrong; Zlatko seems set on trying to interfere with Connor's mission, and the threat about recalibrating shouldn't have felt like a threat but it does. It does even more so as he glances toward the room with the machine in it, and some part of him realizes he really doesn't want to go back into that thing.

The sound of Zlatko's approach draws his attention briefly, but he then turns his gaze back toward Kara and, for the first time, doesn't give an order.]

What are you suggesting?

[ Progress!!! Yes!

He might not want to throw Zlatko down the well, nor will he believe her if she tells him it was his idea to begin with, but maybe-- ]

I'll show you, if you want. You can refine the plan or come up with a better one. Then I'll go back to CyberLife Tower with you.

[ But not for the reasons you want right now.

She takes quick, careful steps toward him, extending her hand as her skin draws back, ready to interface the moment they touch, and she is really hoping he takes her hand. ]

[Deviants are unpredictable. They're dangerous. When cornered they're even more so; they may do almost anything out of desperation, and he knows this.

Yet he still lets Kara reach for his hand, and although he doesn't really reach for hers in response he doesn't pull away, either. And, most telling, he allows the skin on his hand to withdraw, and so if she takes his hand he'll allow the connection even as he stays on guard.]

[With Zlatko approaching and no time to waste, Kara takes Connor's hand and shows him not just the plan, and not just what happened since walking into the mansion, but everything they've been through since waking up in this simulation.

It has to be enough. It has to be, because it's all she can think to do.

When she's done, she pulls back her hand, ready to run off if it didn't work and Connor starts chasing her again.

And Zlatko reaches the corridor to the weird well room.]

I should've just had the bear rip you both apart. [He says. So scary.]

[It's enough.

The flood of memories--or more specifically, the flood of emotions--snaps Connor out of it, breaking the wall as if it was never there, just as it does whenever Connor or Markus converts an android to deviancy. In a moment he's back, almost stunned as everything comes back to him, but he doesn't have much time to get used to it as Zlatko finally catches up to them again.

Quickly he blinks a few times, forcing his expression neutral, straightening up and folding his arms behind his back to stand at attention.]

That is unnecessary. I realized it would be simpler to return the malfunctioning android to CyberLife after it's been reset.

[So do your thing, Zlatko, or don't. Connor glances toward Kara just briefly, not willing to risk a more obvious attempt to communicate through their wireless connection, but he hopes she understands that he's back.

He also takes the opportunity to step a little to the side, around the well a bit toward Zlatko, giving himself and Kara a better position to perhaps shove him into the giant pit in the ground.]

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