#dbh chapter talk

[pls-explodingstars-pls]

ok so. my perfect broken chapter/rewrite thing kinda. im not sure what to call this. Broken kinda sucks if i'm gonna be honest. Markus' deviancy is so weird, like he can deviate but not???

I guess it could be seen as Markus deciding for himself to endure or not, but still… I don’t really like it. I think the scene would’ve gone better if things were changed around a little bit

also, take “changed around” very loosely. Cause I didn’t really make a full fledged rewrite

the longest post!!! not really but still

Detroit makes it pretty clear the point is to become human, in this case deviant. Make YOUR OWN CHOICES, not doing what the dying old man says- so lets give the player a little push to do the opposite of what their told

Carl says not to do anything. It registers in Markus’ mind-palace as a command, you know from his owner. But Markus isn't a common model, and I think one way we can elude to this early is with those dialogue boxes that pop up after Carl's order

Who else has a prompt when choosing to deviate? The other RK Brother! Something that Kara doesn’t have before she breaks her program

So Markus has a similar prompt:

[Don’t Defend Yourself]

As the player presses the button or shakes the controller(i'm not sure how console is played). Markus is faced with a familiar Red Wall. Once it shatters, we immediately push Leo down. Carl suffers a heart attack and the rest of chapter plays as normal

This gives us a reason to want to be peaceful in the future- We tried fighting back and look! Markus got blamed for something he didn't do, was SHOT, thrown away like trash and to make things worse his father figure passed away, too. Love the guy, but Carl's death would be some great motivation for the whole “You can't fight violence with violence” thing. Right up Cage's alley, huh?

Fantastic. but where's the real change? What if we endure? Well... I think what we need is a consequence for remaining a machine. Say we wait the invisible timer out out, We'll be the bigger person in the scenario! Surely Carl will wrangle in his son, and we can go back to serving scotch and painting! Or maybe not. Carl can't handle his son and Leo just won't stop instigating, All this jostling around can't be good for Markus' bio-components and with those demonstrators in town earlier? How stressful! The damage is just too much! Markus shuts down. Game Over. RIP a real one

so Markus can survive getting shot at but not punched a few times? yes. that's exactly it.

TLDR: Broken but markus’ story ends if he doesn’t deviate 🤷‍♀️

Okay, but Connor and Kara? Well Kara isn't all that relevant. so her story can stay the same. sorry girl

I think honestly Connor can also stay pretty much the same too. Except, there's no huge pro-android movement, so that means no pivot to locating Jericho

We're stuck with the basic cases we have before Public Enemy. In a scenario without Markus, without any big deviant leader to chase after, we pretty much skip Connors last few chapters and can end with maybe an altered machine ending something... idk man… this wasn't about him

[pls-explodingstars-pls]

YES EXACTLY .

"pacifist push" my foot. Like I'm about to be all respectful after getting pushed around and shot at for doing nothing. I don't think so. a revolution will be coming

in anycase!

The only thing I can think of is the choice is meant to be like a parallel to the choice Kara’s chapter. If the player chooses to move or not

But the thing is... unlike the previous chapter Markus' choice comes after he deviates and like you said- this makes no sense, especially considering no matter what he gets seriously damaged

so... yeah I don't really know what they were going for. If it was me, I would have it so if the player wants to endure they get a game over, like in Stormy Night

i think if we're going from a purely narrative perspective, it makes no sense for markus to NOT push leo.

like the build up to him deviating is him questioning why he isn't allowed to defend himself when being threatened. why should he listen to carl when it's unfair that he can't fight back. then he deviates.

so it only makes sense for markus to push leo. he wouldn't endure his harassment after the violent way he breaks through the red wall.

additionally, if you choose to endure and not push leo, i don't think markus would ever see being pacificist as a viable solution. he literally listened to carl and didn't do anything and what was the result? carl dies, leo blames him for his death, and the police shoot him without question. markus going full revolution route as a result makes the most sense.

meanwhile, you could argue a good case for markus wanting to try the pacificist approach if he does push leo. he uses physical force for the first time in his life and he's immediately punished for it. in markus' mind this makes a strong case for a pacificist approach.

i could also see an argument for him just getting angrier with humans for destroying him after pushing leo bc he complied with the police's request and they still shot him. but i'd be hard pressed to find a strong argument for markus to continue with a pacificist route if being a pacificist after deviating still got him shot in the end. (though you're more than welcome to present some to me bc speculation and analysis is fun)

btw this analysis isn't placing any judgements on whether pacificist or revolution route is better. this is just a analysis of what makes sense for markus' character from a narrative standpoint.

[disobey-disappoint-deviate]

Where does the idea that Connor would go back to the DPD even come from? 😭

It's so much more likely that Hank would leave the force instead of Connor going back there. They wouldn't want him back! He wouldn't want them back! He was never a real cop there, he was only sent by Cyberlife to assist in the deviant cases, likely because Cyberlife HAD to step in somehow since it was their responsibility and their androids who deviated.

I don't mean fanfiction, write whatever your hearts desire, but people actually believe this is what would happen after the credits. But why?

Markus tells him like 5 times that his place is with his people, he frees a gazillion of androids to shift the balance of power in the androids' benefit, he even stands on that podium with the Jericho crew. So why would he abandon them - his people who need his skill and whatever he can offer the android movement WHO DON'T EVEN HAVE RIGHTS YET, to assist the human cops who bullied him instead?

[astxrope]

Hot take in DBH Markus has the 'boring' storyline (especially early game)

This is mostly coming from people saying Kara was boring I don't think any of them were boring but story progression wise... Markus fits that bill better.

Especially early game there's really no progression and there's not much the player actually can do the story is almost entirely fixed for most of Markus' early story (up to reaching Jericho)

Kara meanwhile? Her chapter 2 (not including the cinematic chapter... I don't really count it because it is PURELY cinematic) has several endings, you can kill Todd, ALICE can kill Todd, Todd can survive, Todd can kill them both locking you out of the entire rest of her story.

Meanwhile Markus... Can fight back or can deal with Leo's BS? And Carl can die.

All I'm saying is if you're replaying the game trying to see lots of different endings, Markus is going to be one of those stories that would get kind of old fast at the beginning because there is no variations until later on.

[pls-explodingstars-pls]

His name is Wilson and I love him

The best scene hands down

One of my absolute FAVOURITE mini moments from the game is in "Public Enemy". When the cop Connor saved in the opening speaks to him and thanks him. It is such a soft moment that I love so damn much!

[quezzzs]

(TW FOR VERBAL HARASSMENT, VERBAL VIOLENCE, HOMOPHOBIA/USAGE OF F-SLUR, AND EXPLICIT SMUT SCENE)

^ if any of the above makes you uncomfortable, you can skip to the end for a summary of this chapter

Also this chapter is far by the longest I have written for this series so just another heads up for that

══════════════════

"Since Hank is out on sick leave, the both of you will be accompanying Connor today. Just make sure you bust up anyone's asses if they're being a nuisance like you are detective."

"Jeez, fine. Don't need to fucking call me out."

"You're both dismissed."

Gavin rolled his eyes and leaves while shoving his hands into his pockets as he yawned, Nines following pursuit.

Captain Fowler made it clear for the boys that the anti-android protesters have been getting out of hand, enough for Gavin, Nines, and Connor to work on one whole patrol job for today.

Why? Because Markus had personally sent a message to Captain Fowler if he could have some DPD members to act as security in New Jericho's Q&A.

Over the course of time, humans have started to accept androids little by little but there are still many who wish to destroy them or still see them as servants for their own pleasure.

The Q&A was a chance to form a bond with the public and provide some intel on android life and have people be educated on how androids are like.

Although Markus was fortunate to have Connor by his side as an informal bodyguard when he would be off from DPD, the extra security was more of Simon's idea.

Gavin and Nines walked down the small steps from Fowler's office to see Connor standing and waiting for them to come out. As he heard the two get close, he fixed his collar and gave his signature smile.

"Shall we get going now to New Jericho?"

"I don't even know why you still work here after the shit you pulled almost two years ago."

"Solely for keeping our bromance alive, Detective Reed."

A crabby glare was shot at Connor from Gavin before he reluctantly nodded his head forward.

"C'mon tincans, the metal messiah is waiting." As much as Gavin didn't want to go on some boring security patrol today for more androids than the ones he has to deal with at work, he can't lie that he wasn't interested in meeting Markus.

"Technically," Nines started, his hands folded behind his back as the trio was going to Gavin's car. "That can be a term used to address Markus when numerous deviants believe him to be rA9. Using such a name for him isn't insulting to his character but instead a compliment, in a way."

A blank stare was caught in Nines' direction. "Please shut the fuck up."

"So you have manners now?" Nines raised an eyebrow at the temperamental human's sudden use of the word 'please'.

The RK900 was then met with the bird.

══════════════════

The trio walked into the Q&A area where reporters, journalists, and curious people/families gathered in front of a well put out panel, some deviants in their seats and simply talking to each other while the empty ones were still taking their breaks.

Connor was more acquainted with the place so Nines and Gavin simply followed Connor, moving around the crowd and getting through the security. The three then finally came across Markus, who was off to the side seemingly lost in deep thinking.

"Off and wondering about someone, Markus?"

Markus looked up from where he was sitting and a smile of relief washed over his face. "Connor," He nodded his head before standing up to be more presentable. "It seems that your captain had gotten my message."

But then Markus narrowed his eyes when he saw the two other detectives, specifically Gavin.

"And he appears to have a sense of twisted humor."

It doesn't take much of a genius to understand why Markus is acting the way he is. Gavin sharply turns his head at Connor. "You talkin' shit about me, toaster?"

"Maybe, maybe not. My daily routines have no play or concern over your own life, Detective Reed."

The only face Gavin made was of him non-verbally asking: 'Are you being phcking for real right now?' But he chose not to respond as Connor and the deviant leader made conversation.

It was discussion over what Markus had ready for the Q&A, Connor's interest on how it all came to be, blah blah blah all that boring stuff.

However, one small bit of dialogue caught Gavin and Nines' attention.

"You have an abnormal pump rate. I advise you not to stress yourself for the rest of the day, leader."

"I wouldn't dream of having anything else take your role, hunter."

Gavin glanced at Nines.

Nines glanced back at Gavin.

Oh yeah, that was pretty clear.

Finally, Gavin and Nines were assigned their post to be near the small set of stairs leading up to the panel as the event was about to start soon, Connor leaving to his own post on the opposite end.

So far into the Q&A, everything was going really well for an event somewhat significant(according to Connor). All smilely and bright faces of genuine care.

Gavin covered his mouth to yawn as he checked the time. It was nearly 3:15 PM and he felt like he needed a fat nap right now.

Nines had his hands folded together behind his back as he spoke to Gavin, not breaking his stare monitoring the crowd. "I suggest taking up a regular, beneficial sleep schedule than consuming, what you would say, 'shit tons' of caffeine. This has been the 27th time you've yawned today."

Turning with scrunched eyebrows and a sneer, Gavin counters Nines' doctor recommendation. "Since when did you keep track of how much I yawn? You gonna keep track on how much I piss next?"

"If it becomes a concerning amount, I would."

"Fucking perv."

"By my presumptions, you've been having restless nights lately haven't you? Is it anything relating to your workaholic behavior?"

"Nines, you're getting-"

"Do you experience unpleasant nightmares?"

Hearing Nines ask Gavin straight up about his lack of sleep was ticking him off now, causing Gavin to hiss back more loudly than intended.

"Shut your goddamn mouth. I'm not experiencing shit alright?"

Realizing he overstepped in speech, Nines remained quiet after he was given the warning. Though that was strange of him to ask.

Gavin was doing fine with work so why ask something almost trivial?

...

Probably boredom?

But that's not important right now, because what is important is to keep on watching over-

"You sir, in the red flannel."

"How do y'all androids make love seem so realistic to your kind?"

"I'm sorry?"

"C'mon, I'm sure all those hushed kisses and weirdass skin retractin' thing y'all do is for show. You're not meant for our human shit."

...

...

...

Phck.

Out of all the goddamn days.

Connor, being much closer to the loud man, traversed over to where the stranger stood with audacity. From where Nines and Gavin stood, it was clear that Connor was trying to be polite first as to prevent the scene from escalating.

The guy didn't listen.

"Back off, tin-can." He pushed Connor away, making a step forward as people backed away, obviously not attempting to get involved. He then pointed and yelled with an accusing tone.

"Is CyberLife paying youse guys to do sappy shit because there's no way you can even feel a thing like love and all. You don't even have real dicks or pussies, all of it is just plastic toys to be used."

Markus stood up from his seat as he leaned towards his microphone. "Sir, you're not allowed to use that kind of language at a civil event-"

"Go suck my fucking dick, you little sex toy." There were a few gasps to be heard faintly and some parents either making their kids turn away from seeing the man or completely leaving the Q&A. Connor is now firmly warning the man of his actions, his LED gone a constant yellow.

"Refrain from using graphic name calling."

"Don't get fucking aggressive with me-"

Connor was able to get reinforcement from other security guards but the dickhead didn't stop his tantrum. Nines and Gavin went in next to attempt to reduce the stranger's temper and voice.

Nines did a quick facial scan on the guy to see what they were dealing with before confrontation.

/// BROGAN, DAVID Born: 02/24/1989 Criminal Record: Assault

Nines stood near him.

"Mr. Brogan, if you have a problem with this event, I suggest you leave the premise. This is a public space and you are currently disrupting the peace and harassing others. If you keep this on-"

David didn't register the RK900's words, his eyes instead wandering and locking in with Gavin's greyish-green eyes.

And he smiled.

And he laughed.

Now who the phck was reading my thoughts?

This cocky man wiped away fake tears of joy and weirdly beamed bright in a condescending sense.

"That thing hasn't healed yet?"

David pointed at Gavin, referring to the scar across his nose.

He was taunting him.

Gavin was livid.

Gavin scoffed as he brushed his hand through his hair, vexation growing rapidly. "Fight with me later, prick. Either buckle down or it's a second time behind bars."

David raised both his hands all innocently, a cheshire cat-like grin appearing to continue in provoking Gavin.

"Don't tell me you've gone soft. Again?"

The emphasis on 'soft' made Gavin's eyebrow twitch from the well acquainted word.

"I gave you a warning, so you better listen up."

"You don't got no rulin' over me so don't talk to me like that."

I'mNotGonnaDoItI'mNotGonnaDoItI'mNotGonnaDoIt-

Not wanting a new addition to his disciplinary folder, Gavin shot a look over at Nines and Nines got his non-verbal message, taking out his cuffs and the wrists of Mr. Brogan.

"You are under arrest for public disturbance and disorderly conduct."

"Eh?!"

Nines continued to recite the rest of the Miranda rights whilst Gavin takes out a cigarette and lights it up.

"Be an ass on your own time."

He grumbled and turned away, trusting in Nines that he was able to handle David.

"DON'T TURN AROUND AND ACT LIKE I DON'T EXIST!"

David kept yelling profanities to get more attention but Nines was doing well in shutting him up...

Until he couldn't.

Resisting Nines' grip, David jerked his arm hard enough so he was let loose and while he had his hands cuffed behind his back, he made an impervious shout.

"KNOW WHAT? YEAH, RUN AWAY LIKE YOU DID BEFORE, FUCKING FAGGOT!"

A crimson red LED became instant once Nines got ahold of what his audio processors just heard. Just as he took back David, Gavin stomped back with haste, fury in his face, ready to take on this fight.

This was not to happen.

Connor was faster and held back Gavin from approaching any closer, but it all dissolved to disarray.

"FUCKING SAY THAT TO MY FACE! SAY IT!"

"GAVIN, STOP."

"CONNOR, LET ME FUCKING GO THAT BASTARD IS ASKING FOR IT."

"C'MON YOU FUCKING WUSS, HIT ME LIKE A MAN."

"ALL OF YOU, CUT IT OUT."

Everyone that was there at the Q&A soon fled far from the group, taking their leave and finding escape. Guards from their posts soon came by to decrease the situation at hand but there wasn't much to do when Gavin was dead set on fighting.

"I'LL RIP YOUR FUCKING FACE APART!"

══════════════════

The hum of the ceiling light hummed louder than ever.

The ticking of the clock on the wall was consistent.

Tick

Tick

Tick

Captain Fowler had his hands folded with his forehead resting on the tips of his index fingers, mouth closed and deep into his mind.

Across from him was an RK900 with cycling yellow LED, sitting up with his legs closed and the palms of his hands on his lap. Right next to the android was a was a detective in late 30's to early 40's who was slumped in his seat with his arms crossed and one leg up on the chair, a face of passing(but still present) anger that hasn't left even before the duo got into the office.

Fowler removed his forehead from his index fingers and look at the two sitting in front of his desk, eyes darting between them to watch every detail.

He deeply sighed and rubbed his eyes, waving the two off. "I'm aware of what happened, and if it was outside of business, I would've let it slide. However, you were on duty and had almost gotten into a physical fight, if not for Nines and Connor acting in as the blockages."

"Captain-"

"Personally I think a fight would've put that son of a bitch into the right mindset, but legally that wouldn't be allowed. You're off for the rest of the day and taking a one week suspension."

Jumping out of his seat, Gavin threw his arms into the air while retorting back. "YOU CAN'T PUT ME ON SUSPENSION."

A loud slam resonated in the room, Fowler had a stern expression on his face. "I swear to god if you keep testing my fucking limits, Reed, I can make it two. As your supervisor, I'm trying to give you the best fitted punishment for this case, now go home or I can make it three."

The glass office room became stunned and still. The two grown men had a stare-down, neither of them keeping their glares away.

It took 2 minutes until Gavin had taken out his badge and gun to place firmly onto the desk, his eyes still kept onto his Captain's. Captain Fowler reached his hand over the items and slides it to his side as he leans back into his chair.

He only grumbled some curses underneath his breath before leaving the room without another try at defying orders.

Captain Fowler then looked over at Nines, who was currently stuck in his headspace processing information based on the yellow LED color he still had going on.

Fowler cleared his throat to gain Nines' attention and gave the bot an instruction.

"Make sure that knucklehead doesn't end up doing anything reckless." Fowler sighed before softening his gaze just a little. "He's actually been pretty tamed for the past months so whatever social tactic you're using, keep it up."

Nines hoped that the rush of thirium that went to his face didn't appear as blue blush from that last comment.

Truth be told, Fowler wouldn't be that far off in his assumption. He made an affirmative nod and went out the door, his mind already playing out the soon to be scenario when he's faced with his human coworker.

══════════════════

This was really not Gavin's day today.

First he woke up in fear and sweat, nearly having a panic attack.

Then the lingering fragments of his nightmare couldn't leave him alone since it had been a sort of dry spell.

And just when he thought he could've been distracted by patrol, that David showed his face and wreaked havoc on everyone.

AND he had provoked Gavin enough to trigger him into getting the job done in battle, which led to a long suspension.

God.

Phcking.

DAMN IT

Gavin hits his fist down onto his knee hard, taking in the atmosphere for a moment before he looks up at his now trashed apartment. Folders and papers spread all around the floor, furniture knocked over or were tossed to a different area, and a broken picture frame he didn't even mean to hit.

He got up from his couch and had his eyes drilled onto the photo, carefully picking it up as he swept off the glass pieces.

A old brunette woman that had the essence of a party-goer holding her toddler in her arms, grinning like she won an arm wrestling contest against a burly man. Confidence yet so much care in her eyes. The child's face was marked out with permanent marker but there was a faint image of his smile too, crooked and yellow but as joyous as his mom.

Gavin's eyes lingered on, tightly holding the image in his hands.

But he snapped his neck over to his front door that had three loud knocks banging on it, a familiar voice to be heard from the other side. "Detective?"

Gavin tosses the picture onto his counter and covers it up with a cleaning rag, dragging himself over to the door knowing who exactly it is behind it.

"What the fuck do you want?"

"I came here to check on your wellbeing-"

"You're not my goddamn babysitter Nines. I don't need you to watch my ass whether that decision was made by Fowler or not, just leave me alone."

Gavin was about to slam the door on Nines' face but his shoe came in between the door and the frame, stopping it perfectly in between the thin sliver. "I do not care, I'm going in."

Gavin then tries to push his whole body against the door and to kick Nines' foot away but it was no use when his partner was built to be a unit.

"You should know very well it is physically impossible to stop me."

Gavin backs away from the door and ruffles up his hair, his fingers sliding through his strands in frustration. "I don't want you here."

Nines, being the persistent android he is, refused to be shot down by Gavin's requests. "You need me."

There goes another twitch to his lips.

|STRESS LEVELS: 68%|

Gavin turns around and puts his index finger directly onto Nines' chest. "When did I ever need you?" He then points to himself. "I don't need anyone to take care of me like I'm a fucking little boy."

It only took a glance around the room before Nines raised an eyebrow at the shorter man. "Judging by the room, your words are contradictory."

"Fuck. You."

"If you want, we could."

...

|STRESS LEVELS: 71%|

What?

"What?"

"Have you forgotten our arrangement?"

"Well we didn't fucking agree on having it like this-"

"I'd rather have you take it out on me than yourself."

That shouldn't be hot but it is.

Jesus Christ.

Gavin closed his eyes and covered his mouth with one hand, giving this situation some time to think if this is where he wants to go for the rest of the night.

"Nines..."

He didn't even know how to respond to that. Although Gavin was tempted to just rail Nines, he couldn't tell how emotionally drained he was becoming and wasn't sure if this will be how he breaks.

But all that Nines had to do to fully convince him was take away the hand covering his mouth and whisper in a tone quiet but full of challenge.

"Fuck me like the bitch you call me to be."

It doesn't take much more before Gavin had his other hand slither to the back of Nines' neck and push their lips together for a rough kiss.

Shocked by the sudden movement, Nines let go of Gavin's wrist and instead held his waist, his mouth filling up his mind with an oral analysis on Gavin's spit.

He temporarily turns it off as they continue to heavily kiss one another, Nines roaming his hands over Gavin's body in a needy fashion. Gavin then brings them over to his couch and has Nines sit on his lap, continuing their make out session.

Gavin's tongue explored every spot inside of Nines' mouth as small whimpers left the android from how much this was to him.

Sure, they've made out before and yes they fucked multiple times.

What makes this time different?

It's not out of boredom or to get rid of a sensation.

This was driven by passion and boiled up anger.

And Nines was loving every millisecond of this.

He grinds his body down onto Gavin, hands now rested on the man's chest. As they separated their mouths so Gavin could have air again, he saw how messed up Nines had become.

It was the same flustered face he makes whenever they start out on the short foreplay but why is it now that Gavin finds it to be so attractive?

"Gavin~"

It doesn't make it any better when Nines sounds desperate for him.

Gavin then gets going on removing Nines' jack and shirt, tossing the clothes onto the floor as he relocates his hands to grip onto Nines' shoulders from behind and assault his neck instead.

A low moan left his mouth, arms tightly wrapped around Gavin as he leaned his head to the other side for Gavin to have more space at marking him up.

The small pricks of pain when Gavin bit down hard felt too appealing for the android. Nines should've turned off his pain reactive sensors at this point like the past session but this was the first he had Gavin bite him with the reactors on.

And he fucking loves it.

"Shit."

Static was heard in Nines' voice despite how minimal he was on talking during sex. He continues to grind himself down on Gavin, moving his hips in a consistent motion.

A groan escaped Gavin when he picked up on the bot sitting on top rubbing himself against the now apparent erection.

This was going too slow for his likings.

The space was too cramped to be doing this.

"Mhm...Oh!"

Nines tightened his hold onto Gavin when Gavin gripped onto the sides of Nines' thighs and carried him over to the bedroom instead. It was a surprise from the first to the next, the feeling of Gavin throwing Nines on top of the bed turned him on even more.

Gavin crawls on top of the bed as well and stares at Nines. His face now blushed with blue, his pale torso moving slightly in desire, the way his fingers pinched the sheets to feel anything, and to finish it off, the sounds that were coming out of him?

"A-Ahhh.."

Usually it was kept quiet but hearing Nines be so responsive unlocked something inside of Gavin he wasn't aware of.

He had enough with the foreplay.

Gavin took off Nines' shoes and socks for him and hoisted Nines' hips up by his belt and was quick to unbuckle it and unzip the zipper. He shimmied it off of the RK900's body, the thud of the clothing pieces falling down to the floor was prominent.

Gavin smoothed his palm on the side of Nines' thigh before giving it a nice smack.

A yelp of pleasure was heard loudly.

"A-AH!"

Gavin backed his palm away from Nines, stunned by what had occurred.

"Did you-"

"Y-yes, shut up and keep going-"

Another smack was dealt, making Nines jerk his body.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do."

"Then get on with it."

Gavin likes this new shine of brattiness from Nines.

Feeling every constraint of fabric, Gavin took his shirt off and undid his pants. Now in better relief, he hooked onto the elastic waistband of Nines' boxer briefs and took it off fast, the cold air now flowing against Nines' plastic cock made the bot shake and crave for more.

Gavin gathered up enough saliva and spat onto his hand, then wrapping the same hand to grasp at Nines' dick to start stroking fast.

"Oh~ s-shit- MMPH!"

Nines' mouth had been gagged by Gavin's fingers, his tongue lathering up his digits with the lube that was beginning to build up. Since he had most of his settings turned on, Nines felt every little sensation that was invoked.

Between this and the steady strokes Gavin was doing to Nines, it felt very overwhelming but amazing at the same time.

Gavin was having the time of his life.

|STRESS LEVELS: 65%|

Nines whined when Gavin's fingers left his mouth, only to feel sensation of those very same fingers touching the rim of his asshole. Nines' hand writhed in pleasure against the bed sheets whilst Gavin stopped stroking him to hold onto Nines' hip and get him to a better angle.

He slowly finger-fucked Nines to avoid damaging the bot but his patience was wearing thin. Never has he had the urge to slam into Nines this badly before.

How much frustration did he build up to get like this???

Nevertheless, it took about a few more blissful nanoseconds before Gavin pulled his hand away from Nines' prepared hole(ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: ᴠᴇʀʙᴀʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʜʏsɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ᴄʀɪɴɢᴇᴅ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ).

He lightly tapped at Nines' hip and Nines knew to turn himself over. But he refused.

"The hell you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Fucking turn around?"

"And why should I-"

Gavin didn't have the time to deal with Nines' bullshit methods of getting him riled up. He grabbed Nines by the hips and turned him over to lay on his stomach, grabbing his ass up into the air and smacking it down hard.

Nines let out another noisy moan and buried his face into the pillows, holding on as much as he could, his body shaking from the sheer rawness of aggression coming from Gavin.

A reaction similar to a shiver went up Nines' back as he felt one of Gavin's hands press his hip down whilst the other one-handedly undos his pants and pulls out his cock, lining up at the entrance of Nine's ass.

Penetration wasn't the most performed activity between the two but hell it was always a performance.

Nines' body tensed up when he felt it first go in, taking time to adjust to Gavin's size and girth. More static pants were emanating Nines' mouth followed by a stifled gasp when it was all the way inside.

Once Gavin got used to the tightness, he pulled out and pounded right back in hard. Another whine from Nines as he shook from how painfully good it felt.

It was a repeated cycle.

In

Out

In

Out

In

Out

|STRESS LEVELS: 73%|

A relentless pace that had Nines seeing the 1's and 0's floating in his code. The intensity of it was in its purest form. He swore he may be close to overheating.

Nines' thighs shake from pleasure, eyes glossy in reflection to the dim lighting in the room, voicebox stuttering and ecstatic with sounds that a pornstar would be jealous of.

Gavin's anger turned to a level of sex beyond the scowls and hostility.

So why does Nines get the idea that this was to compensate for something?

The constant rhythm was kept very well and went on and on.

Until it came to an end.

All that Nines could remember was a wave of electrical delectation throughout his body, dropping his head into the pillow as he let out one last moan.

"GAVIN~"

|STRESS LEVELS: 52%|

Nines laid his face against the pillow for moments more, needing to recover from what transpired. As he gradually got himself up, he looked to the side where Gavin had his back faced towards him and the sight of smoke floating up.

Nines' eyes darted from the smoke to Gavin's scared back before carefully getting up from the bed.

"Gavin?"

...

"Get yourself cleaned up, Nines."

Right.

Routine.

Shortly after Nines cleaned himself in the bathroom and put on his pants again, he tried to converse with the detective.

Standing from the door frame, he spoke. "Gavin..."

"What?" His voice sharp and monotone, turning his head and looking over at Nines.

Nines, however, saw that he had still been messed up from what David said.

"How did you know him?"

"Nines, not right now."

"No, he talked to you like you knew each other,"

"Nines..."

"Was he the one who gave you that scar?"

"Nines-"

"If he was, I am legally allowed to-"

"NINES."

Once again, Nines didn't realize he was overstepping it until Gavin snapped.

"I don't need your fucking help. I can handle myself. All you ever wanted from this was a quick sex sesh and then a ditch. That's all this ever was. Don't start acting like this matters to you all of a sudden."

Gavin took another drag from his cigarette, blowing out the fumes of nicotine before staring right at Nines' grey eyes.

"Get the fuck out."

Nines thinned his lips and slightly nodded his head.

"I understand."

Before leaving, he looked back up at Gavin.

"Good night, detective."

...

"Night."

Gavin then turned back around, hearing Nines from outside his room pick up his clothes that were left in the living room and leaving out the door.

He puts out his cigarette into the ashtray and runs his hands throw his hair, placing his elbows onto his knees.

David's words taunted him over and over.

'Run away like you did before'

'Faggot'

Gavin punched the mattress of his bed beside him. Even his violent outlet was waring off now.

He knew himself.

And this was pathetic.

══════════════════

The sounds of passing cars came out from one ear to the other as Nines is taking the automated taxi back to DPD.

Although tonight's hook up may have been eye-opening for him, there was a sort of guilt that grew when he believed he had pressured Gavin into talking.

He didn't want to, but he also didn't want to leave the detective alone in such a state.

The hurt in his eyes he saw earlier when the fight almost broke out. Any regular person would've thought he was consumed only by hate and anger, but Nines could tell.

There was a sliver of distress behind the defended walls.

CALLING Tina Chen

...

...

'Hello? Nines?'

'May I come over to your place tonight? I have something I want to discuss about with you.'

'Sure, man, it's fine. Is it private, private or can Vicky be in it for support too?'

'Vicky's presence will not be an interruption.'

'Okay, see you then.'

'Goodbye'

CALL ENDED

Nines connected with the taxi's song system and randomly played some songs to get rid of the uneasiness.

'Tell me now, what's that look on your face'

'She puts her hand on my lips'

'Begging, "Please end this conversation"'

Nines groans, bumping his head back against the headrest and having to endure the rest of the song.

══════════════════

SUMMARY:

Nines, Gavin, and Connor are assigned patrol over New Jericho's public Q&A until a man named David Brogan starts yelling at the panel rudely. Connor attempts to stop him but when that fails, Nines and Gavin follows pursuit.

Gavin and David recognize each other and David riles up Gavin to fight him. It almost works but Gavin was stopped. He is then suspended for a week.

Nines went to his apartment to do a check in and Gavin wasn't having it. In trying to help Gavin, Nines suggested that Gavin should use their sexual relationship to relieve himself of his problems. They have sex but Gavin is still in his head. Nines tries to talk to Gavin about it but Gavin doesn't want to open up and tells Nines off and to leaves his place. Nines listens and left, leaving Gavin alone. Nines calls up Tina to talk to her about all that's happened today.

Prev - Next

SONGS REFERENCED:

Baby Said

Rein Raus

[the-acid-pear]

I like how Simon actually worries for you if Markus is a dumbass and falls fighting the drone. I also like North getting pissed off about it. Girlboss does NOT need a failboy

[qrjung]

*this isn't organized.

I think it's sad how little opportunity Josh and Simon were given to develop. Like, at all. Even their dialogues sounds terrible, almost like they're speaking for the game instead of as actual human beings. [Edit: Ha, this is so funny I'm keeping it in. "As actual human beings" bruh]

A scene on the Capitol park chapter is the clearest example of this. If he's still alive, Simon says (ha!); "Our broadcast is all over the news. Now the humans know what we want. We have to think about public opinion." Or something similar. At first it sounds like normal conversation, right?

Until you realize he's talking to Josh and North who all have the same amount of information as him so they already know what he's saying is true. And Markus isn't there so he can't be speaking to him. Which means he's talking directly to the player, literally spelling out everything for us and it makes me 😭😭😭 is that what people sound like irl? Like mouthpieces?

He's literally telling us "public opinion is really important in this game, just so you know. Think about all those blue arrows you're going to get *wink wink*" to remind the player to go pacifist.

For all the terrible ways David Cage handles North's character, in contrast to the other two Jericho leaders, she looks so fucking well written lmao. Most of what comes out of Josh's mouth when he's talking about the revolution doesn't sound like it's personalized. He's just spewing words to push the player in the direction the game/David Cage wants. Where's the personality? Where's the fucking motive behind his words???

Anyways, I could talk on and one about how unfair that shit is but that would be too depressing.

JOSH

I've talked about Josh here and there but never this indepth

From what we see of Josh, he's pretty opinionated. Just like North, he has his own set of beliefs and he's willing to die for them. Unlike North though, we never know why. And sure, he doesn't have to spell out all his motivations but it would have been nice if we'd known why he so strongly believes freedom can be won with dialogue. Especially in a world that is determined to prove him wrong.

Because ignore how happy the pacifist ending looks, there's androids still being executed while Markus is giving his hopeful speech. And the ending tag literally says "androids won their freedom. For now." What kind of ominous sentence is that?

Anyway, Josh reminds me of Rose; pacifism that exists not because the person is naive but they've choosen peace while being surrounded by violence. In DBH, choosen violence is easier and it pays off more. So while that doesn't necessarily make it the wrong option, it does make the people who go against it stand out.

But also, his stance could come from a place of fear. There's also that to consider. Maybe he's scared of what the humans will do if the revolution kicks off and he'll prefer they stay silent. Because that's his reasoning against the Stratford Mission

He's the one that expresses hesitance the most to the other missions Markus assigns. North is usually the first to agree with Simon agreeing too. But then in Freedom March, Josh is all for the March but Simon (later on) and North are hesitant. It makes me think Josh prefers taking risks when he's sure it'll actually pay off. Because like he says, that mall and the surrounding areas will go down in history. No matter the outcomes.

We also don't know anything about his past except that he was a university lecturer and hot attacked by his students. It's a shame this information doesn't come from Josh himself but from the character gallery. I wonder how long he's been teaching for?

His relationship with Markus is also very impersonal. He doesn't seem to like him much no matter which route you take but will somewhat tolerate him if he's pacifist. I think they're differences are beyond what Markus chooses for the revolution. He also doesn't like North much and Markus and North have a few things in common; they're action oriented, have a tendency to take risks with unknown chances of it paying off and Josh might not like that the risks they're taking could mean the end of android life if it fails.

He starts to warm up to him in night of the soul though but Markus has to save him first.

This adds to my theory that Josh chooses peace because he's cautious. He doesn't like the risky decisions Markus makes because he's scared of the consequences.

SIMON

I think Simon falls somewhere in the middle of the Violence - Pacifist scale. I wouldn't say neutrality (it's not the word I'm looking for🤔) but being able to go both ways should the need arise. Some people in the fandom frame him as a coward and I think that proves to be incorrect when you start thinking about it.

He's usually not vocally opposed to any options the player chooses and will be supportive. If you choose violence, he's ready to fight but if you choose pacifism he's also ready to march. But, he chooses to back down in some moments: high risk moments with opportunity to retreat.

It's almost like he's willing to take risks but when there isn't much on the line.

He agrees to missions when it just his life and the lives of the other three at stake but when something greater is on the line, he backs down. For instance, he'll agree to the spare parts mission, but will express hesitance after the bags of thirium have been gathered. His reasoning is because he doesn't want to lose the spare parts they've gotten and the mission be for nothing.

"We can’t bring them back with us. It’s too dangerous!"

"This is suicide, Markus. Our bags are full. We got what we came for, let's go before they catch us."

Hmm.

And in the freedom march chapter, he agrees at first. Not strongly though. He simply suggests if Markus wants to go through with the March, he should convert more androids to increase his chances of success. He disagrees later on; after he realizes that things might not go well and with the hundreds of androids gathered, that means more casualties.

"And dying here won’t solve anything. Markus, we need to go, now, before it’s too late."

It's insanely difficult to get a read on the guy though: he's really non vocal. He hovers in the background during conversations, only getting involved when it looks like conversations are getting heated. Does that make him the glue of the team?

He's also been in Jericho the longest of the four. Unlike Josh we never even know what he operated as before deviancy but I guess it's easy to see that he was most likely taking care of a child. If he's also been there for a while, did he have some form of "power" in Jericho? I like to think so.

But North also seems important too but she hasn't been in Jericho for very long so I can't say I see her as the pre revolution leader. She gets her opportunity to shine when Markus arrives and she's suited for more action oriented leadership. She seemed eager to get out and do stuff; if she was Jericho's leader before the game starts, it would show.

I wonder if Simon had a similar experience with Daniel though. But instead of acting on his feelings of betrayal, he choose to run away instead.

That's about as much as I can think of for Josh and Simon while still remaining within canon. Outside canon though, it opens a world of possibilities. I suppose it's no secret that I'm not a big fan of Simon's fanon characterization (especially in relation to Markus and how their relationship tends to take on tones of racial prejudice) so I won't be talking about that.

But Josh though, I can talk about him——he's an almost blank slate in the fandom since people tend to forget him.

[pls-explodingstars-pls]

I’m sure everybody and their grandmother already knows this BUT

the "bad boys" from the cut Pirates Cove ending are still in the game! they're just t-posing inside of each other outside the park entrance

i assumed since the sequence was cut out they wouldn't spawn in but no, here they are!

I also found their truck buried in the snow. theres a few Jerri's inside also stuck t-posed inside of each other

[pixelpaladin24]

P: *exists*

Me:

[marcusrobertobaq]

Plz, game, stop with these damn Daniel parallels

The worst of all is, in "Friend Hank" path Connor may have tried to befriend him as manipulation method in the beginning but he cared bout him in the end - unfortunately, man. I say unfortunately cuz it's a fact Connor gets attached to him no matter what (obviously in different levels), i hate admitting this. He "respects", it's something programmed deeply into Connor's program and it's weaponized in multiple ocasions, the same way they weaponized his deviancy. Even if he's pissed at Hank, the fact he's a human he had contact (probably the first one he had to work with as temporary partner) makes him bow down the entire game until HPR, where he can finally kill him - even there he kills Hank ain't cuz he wanna kill Hank 100% as revenge, it's cuz Hank is in his way. 2 birds 1 stone, i guess.

And it's even worse if u consider Connor in a non-deviant "machine" android state; deviant androids doesn't obey humans and stand up to 'em, but "machine" androids? Must never put on a finger against humans - haha, not here, not now. Connor got some military shit in him, bro. He can be hostile and kill humans if he needs. I guess deep down Hank knows that, that's why he's armed - Connor "never did what he was told" anyways.

RKs don't have peace in this shit. Being a semi-autonomous droid in a system like this sucks. I mean, we all know how the human system is - androids becoming free are just going out of a system and fallin' into another, cuz even humans are conditioned to some stuff and they ain't got a "red wall" programmed into 'em.

"Why so negative?" I'm always negative. I just can't see anything positive coming from this game's "best ending".

[disobey-disappoint-deviate]

The RK series and deviancy (theory + analysis)

I have been wanting to talk about this for some time, because it's kinda one of the biggest DBH mysteries (aside from rA9) and I think there are many many hints in the game about why deviancy came to be and how. And I've had this theory that deviancy was something that started with the RK series, specifically with Markus, so I'm gonna use the hints I've found in the game to expain why I believe this. I also gotta note I'm really new to the fandom, so maybe this is has already been talked about thousands of times before (maybe even debunked), but that's a risk I'm willing to take.

First and foremost, I will start with something that I talked about in another post - namely the significance of the number 28. You can see Adam Williams talk about it here (at 1:04:28), too.

Basically, the number 28 is used in many places throughout the game, and according to Adam, if players found all references to that number, they will understand what the significance of that number is.

And speaking of 28, I noticed that 2028 is the year when Kamski left Cyberlife, but not before creating the Zen Garden and Amanda.

There is a whole series of questions Connor can confront Amanda with during "Last Chance, Connor" (which is the 28th chapter with a flowchart. Maybe cuz he is asking important questions here, just saying).

Connor: Why did Kamski leave CyberLife? What happened? Amanda: It’s an old story, Connor. It doesn’t pertain to your investigation.

Connor: I saw a photo of Amanda at Kamski’s place… She was his teacher… Amanda: When Kamski designed me, he wanted an interface that would look familiar… That’s why he chose his former mentor. What are you getting at?

Connor: Did Kamski design this place? Amanda: He created the first version. It’s been improved significantly since then. Why do you ask?

Amanda Stern died in 2027, which suggests that AI Amanda and the Zen Garden were both created after this and before Kamski's departure from Cyberlife in 2028. Yet somehow, this information is classified to some extent - Amanda doesn't deny, but she gets defensive and doesn't want to elaborate any further. Of course, she might be acting this way because Connor is slowly getting too defiant, but still, it's kinda striking how the player has the option to ask so many questions - questions that seem to unsettle Connor a lot for a reason that is not explicitly explained, yet doesn't get a clear answer.

It awakens the impression that Connor is truly getting at something with them, but it's not said at what exactly.

Connor: I’m not a unique model, am I? How many Connors are there? Amanda: I don’t see how that question pertains to your investigation.

Connor: Where does CyberLife stand in all this? What do they really want? Amanda: All CyberLife wants is to resolve the situation and keep selling androids.

Connor: You didn’t tell me everything you know about deviants, did you? Amanda: I expect you to find answers, Connor. Not ask questions.

Now, Connor asks how many "Connors" (meaning RKs) are there after seeing that Markus is an RK-model one, too. That's news to Connor - for some reason, he's never been informed about the existence of any other RKs. But why?

Well, because the RK-line was a secret project, and apprently, there are no other RK androids left aside from Markus - if there were, Connor would know of their existence, cuz they would be roaming around. What does the game say about Markus?

Markus is a prototype, gifted by Elijah Kamski to his friend and celebrated painter Carl Manfred after Manfred lost the use of his legs. He was initially developed as part of a CyberLife secret program aimed at elaborating a new generation of autonomous androids.

That last sentence, about the new generation of autonomous androids, arises one question. How are these highly autonomous androids, like Connor, controlled, considering that they are supposed to be independent and not wait around for highly specific orders? Well, through the Zen Garden and Amanda - both of which were created sometime between 2027 and 2028. And if Markus was oridinally supposed to be part of that line (that basically got put on hold for 10 years), that places his creation around 2028 as well.

In 2028, Elijah Kamski was our Man of the Century. [...] Shortly after, Kamski had disappeared. Ousted as CEO of CyberLife and living in obscurity outside the media glare, the Man of the Century has left the very world that he recreated. [...] Yet at the peak of CyberLife’s powers – when the company was approaching a $500bn valuation – rumors emerged that Kamski disagreed with his shareholders over strategy. He later departed under mysterious circumstances.

So, he was "outsted" and he likely disagreed with his shareholders. But what do these shareholders want?

Russia’s interest in the North Pole has intensified with the recent discovery of precious minerals trapped in the frozen ice, many of which are used in synthesizing Thirium. [...] President Warren, however, recently torpedoed the notion: “It’s simple. Russia has no business in the Arctic. If the Kremlin doesn’t understand that, we will make them understand.[...] Mired in accusations that she is too close to big business, Warren is under investigation to determine whether or not she has benefited from CyberLife's help in obtaining compromising information about her opponent during the presidential campaign.[...]

If we read the magazines, we kinda get an impression of what the shareholders want - they want war with Russia over the minerals in the Arctic, and they wanna monologise the android market globally. This is further proven by their finalized RK-model being a military android, of whom the government has puchased hundreds of thousands (All CyberLife wants is to resolve the situation and keep selling androids). The government - whose President is said to be corrupt and basically installed at her position by Cyberlife themselves.

Naturally, we can assume that this was not the direction Kamski wanted his RK-series to take - he likely disagreed with this enough to be removed from his position as a CEO, because Cyberlife only saw their futures as secured if they prevented anyone else from being able to create thirium, even it meant starting a world war.

So, is it a coincidence that the only existing RK android who was created by Kamski's original design ended up with Carl Manfred - a friend of Kamski's? I think it's safe to assume that Markus would have been decomissioned long time ago (just like Connor if the deviants lose), had he not ended up far away from Cyberlife's reach.

I think Kamski definitely removed the Zen Garden from Markus, to prevent Cyberlife from ever trying to take over. It's also likely that they generally lost track of Markus, because he was no longer interesting to them.

But what if Kamski not only saved Markus from being destroyed, what if he himself created the "virus" that causes deviancy?

Kamski: All ideas are viruses that spread like epidemics... Is the desire to be free a contagious disease? Kamski: Androids share identification data when they meet another android. An error in this program would quickly spread like a virus, and become an epidemic. The virus would remain dormant, until an emotional shock occurs… Fear, anger, frustration. And the android becomes deviant. Probably all started with one model, copy error… A zero instead of a one… Unless of course... Some kind of spontaneous mutation. That’s all I know…

If meeting another android is enough to "infect" them, then Markus could have been innocently walking around the city and infecting androids for 10 years. He could have also "infected" the androids at Cyberlife before Kamski sent him to Carl, because for all we know, Kamski really just wanted to create truly autonomous and conscious androids. We know the first known case of deviancy happened approximately in 2032, while Kara was being assembled - that would be only 4 years after Markus' assumed activation.

And no, Markus wouldn't need to be a deviant for this - he is simply the carrier, just like it happens with human viruses.

And do you know what also makes me think Kamski purposely created deviancy?

Kamski: By the way… I always leave an emergency exit in my programs… You never know…

Why would he leave an exit in the Zen Garden that is only detectable by the android but not by Amanda (seemingly) if he doesn't want the androids to be able to escape the controll of their owner? And why would he call humans and deviants "two evils" and pretend to be so neutral on the whole thing, but still give Connor a way to save himself and escape Cyberlife in case he became a deviant?

Because he isn't on Cyberlife's side. He is fascinated by androids, he likes them better than humans, and is also likely obsessed with the idea of having created a new species that is superiour to their creators. It's also quite likely that one of the Chloes is a deviant, too, and he is fully aware of it, but doesn't seem eager to turn her in.

This post is ignoring the deleted Kamski ending, but even so, Kamski paints a rather clear picture to me, and I'm also fully convinced that he didn't gift Markus to Carl because of goodness alone.

A sidenote, but: how sinister would it be to send Connor on a mission to kill Markus? Connor, who is based on Markus, the only other alive RK model, after boosting him with an extra anti-deviancy variable and 2 additional red walls and brainwashing him against what has likely been a part of his program since his very activation?

[maddsmallow]

" Of course Anderson’s nervous. In his situation, anyone would be. Connor tips his head back, breathes through his nose, exhales and takes another drag. Nicotine calmness settles into his bloodstream. It works.

“Let me rephrase,” he says, his voice pitched lower, more seriously. “You know I’m a programmer. You may not know I’m smart, but I am. And I found — well. I know something.” He drags his gaze up to meet Anderson’s: almost a shock, cool-blue like ice water. “Here’s the real question. Do you want to be rich is, perhaps, a side note.”

Anderson’s eyes sharpen on his, a curious narrowing.

“How would you like to embarrass Elijah Kamski by stealing a ton of money that he has set aside illegally, revealing his bullshit to the world, and then splitting the proceeds and fucking off where we never have to talk to each other again?" "

Hank and Connor make plans and get rich. Read to learn how.

________

my rbb with the wonderful @sevdrag for the 2024 @dbh-bb is here! based on the song "opportunities" by pet shop boys, hank and connor plan a heist to get rich quick 1980s-style and then split ways. of course, it's never quiet that easy, especially when you start getting... attached. enjoy~!

read the fic here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59826649/chapters/152608372

car ref photo https://classiccars.com/listings/view/881752/1985-cadillac-fleetwood-brougham-for-sale-in-joliet-illinois-60431

detroit skyline photo https://www.flickr.com/photos/141709180@N08/47138991761/in/dateposted-public/

[connor-sent-by-cyberlife]

Prepare for some serious talk in the next chapter of my Hankcon Detroit Become Human Reverse Big Bang 2024 collab "The Red Room" written by my awesome partner @rking200. Go read it here and let us know what you think:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/58781611/chapters/155277145

@dbh-bb

(click for better quality)

³ᵈ ᵐᵒᵈᵉˡ ᵖᵒʳᵗˢ ᵇʸ ᵈᵃᶻ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵒⁿ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳʰᵘᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶻᵉᵖᵖᵉʳˢᵃʳᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʷᶦᵗᵗᵉʳ

[pyre-of-pages]

Tell me about Research Trip Troubles and A Knife to the Throat!

Yaay! Thank you so much for asking! I've been wanting to blab about my ideas for days!

~~~~~

I'm super excited to plan out A Knife to the Throat! It's actually the only concrete one (or two) shot story I have for Siran, my DBH Listener Dragonborn (y'know . . . the crazy bitch I play as on my second playthrough).

"A Knife to the Throat" is actually the start of a "toxic yuri" (I guess they fit the trope) romance. It's the start of the romance between Siran and Niranye (the fence from Windhelm). They pretty much ignored each other until Siran was asked to wring info from her because a gang Niranye is associated with is moving in on Theives Guild territory (The Summerset Shadows questline). In the game, Siran got the info through threats and rough talk buuuuuuuut I wanna make it more interesting. If a 6'5 woman holds an ebony blade to your throat and whispers demands for info in your ear, most people would be turned off. Niranye got something deep and dark awakened in her and she ended up quite the opposite.

~~~~

The idea I'm calling "Research Trip Troubles (Title Pending)" is going to be a short fic (like, a handful of chapters, idk) in the genre of drama and comedy. The premise:

As Arch-Mage, it's one of Elur's responsibilities to study the arcane and contribute to Tamriel's collection of magical knowledge. She plans a six-month-long research trip to collect artifacts from several tombs and ruins across Skyrim, taking her closest friend Brelyna Maryon with her as a colleague (everything's gotta be peer-reviewed, after all). Since she'll be away from her husband for a long time, they spend one very romantic night together before she leaves. Two months into her field studies, Elur is dealing with the physical and emotional impact of realizing she's unexpectedly pregnant -- with four more months of a non-cancel-able research trip to go. Oh, what joy.

Man/Mer couples may be far less likely to have children together -- but these two "intellectuals" with "educations" didn't think hard enough to be careful. Tuition well-spent.

[marcusrobertobaq]

Not to mention calling a human team to "negotiate" wouldn't work either, they'd just be a distraction to make Daniel be in a position where he can be shot and it'd be itself a difficult task. Daniel is totally hostile to any human he sees or hears.

Someone on reddit asked, "What do you hate about The Hostage chapter?" and i was like, "oh, it's my time to shine."

My reply, copied from reddit:

Tbh, Captain Allen's flippant response to Connor. But not for the reasons other people have commented. Yes, he was needlessly antagonistic. Yes, he should have kept his calm, and not escalated the situation.

But i understand that he was under a lot of stress, two of his men had been shot, an officer from the local PD was dead, Emma was currently being dangled off a very tall building, and Allen was being made to wait an hour for a fresh-off-the-line android to show up so CL could test out their new toy, when at any time, the deviant could jump. There was no guarantee in his eyes that it'd even work, for all he knew, Connor could still have some bugs to patch, and if he failed, a little girl would die. I'd be unbelievable angry in that situation, too.

No, what i don't understand is why Captain Allen knows absolutely NOTHING about the deviant. Connor asks him two questions, and he can't answer the first, and refuses to answer the second. Now, he could just be angry because of all the aforementioned reasons, plus Connor seems to be asking nonsensical questions from his standpoint (Who cares what the deviant's name is? We don't have time for that), but his response to the first question (and it's the same for all 4 questions Connor can ask) gives me the impression he knows absolutely nothing. Which is ridiculous, because that means he's been essentially sitting with his thumbs up his ass for an hour while Emma was in constant danger.

SWAT teams very rarely go into a mission blind, they are briefed on the situation before being deployed, or updated on the go. They know the importance of learning every bit of information about the situation as possible. For them, it can mean the difference between life or death. Especially for a hostage; standard procedure is to learn every single tiny detail you can about the kidnapper's life and motives. This is a big part of hostage negotiation, Allen should be familiar with this considering his job title. This is what he should have been doing, before he got the call that Connor was coming.

In addition, i don't know if Allen ever became a detective before he entered SWAT, but i know that every SWAT personnel must spend at least 2 years as a beat cop, same as everyone else. SWAT usually spend many years as regular officer, some gaining a higher rank, before tranferring. And even a lowly officer knows to 1) assess the situation, 2) learn the how (figure out what happened), 3) learn the why (figure out why this happened).

So.......you question the witnesses.

Emma's mother was there, being escorted out of the premises as Connor arrived. She would be a key witness, as she was presumably in close contact with Daniel often, making sure Emma did her homework, drafting grocery lists, delegating tasks, etc. And buying a new android to replace your old one is not a secret you would keep in a marriage. They're pretty pricey, and that would generally be a joint financial decision. She had to have known her husband bought the AP700.

Allen could have been questioning her....but i have my doubts. He doesn't know Daniel's motive. He doesn't know if this is out of character for him. Hell, he doesn't even know Daniel's name. So what the hell was he doing for that entire hour before Connor showed up?

Why the hell doesn't he know anything about the android he's trying to rescue a 10 year old hostage from??

This has bugged me for years lmao. I was curious of your opinion on it

I don't think Allen and his team was there planning to negotiate at all, and I might be wrong but from what I gathered from a quick research, SWAT doesn't typically do negotiation on their own, they have optional Crisis Negotiation Team attached to them (?) which although works closely with SWAT isn't exactly a part of it. Moreover, from their POV it's a case of a broken machine, not an actual hostage-taker with human motives that are even worth looking into as such — android took a hostage not because it had a reason to but just because it was faulty, end of story. You don't negotiate with a crazy robot, because it's not a person with motives. Even Connor is there wording it as "errors in his software".

So, I think Allen doesn't know those things because he doesn't exactly find them relevant on the first place, his job is to come up with an armed strategy aka the position of snipers, the helicopter, etc, like all those people around the area are organised by Allen, that's what he's been doing. Their team just wants to shoot the android in the right enough way without any negotiation, that's what I think is happening.

As you said, they escorted Caroline in the beginning of the chapter, which means they probably assessed the situatsioon of what and how happened from her words. So it is possible she didn't know the motive herself, so even from her POV Daniel just got bonkers out of the blue. And once again, in their eyes it's not exactly a hostage-taking as it is a case of a broken machine, something not reasonable to talk to. They might have as well be called in a scene with an armed monkey, a wild animal pet that got aggressive. Who gives a shit if there was a reason, it's a wild animal, it's not exactly an acceptable course of action to talk to it and reason. That's why Allen is do annoyed, I think, he sees it as ridiculous to even try to talk to something that doesn't actually understand you. A waste of time.

And regarding what Caroline even knew about tue situation... Buying a new android could really well have been a decision made on a whim because Really, have you seen how rich those people are? Ten grand for them can be an impulsive purchase, even people who Don't have the money sometimes make crazy expensive purchases they can't afford just because they suddenly decide to make a bad financial decision, and then they buy a used sports car just because they saw it on sale and it was slightly lower price and higher quality than usual or something. Things like this happen.

I honestly wonder if Caroline herself even knew about this decision at all, and I think, it's entirely possible she did not. It might have been a surprise from John's side. It might have been even that John's plan wasn't actually to replace an android but just to buy another one, for whatever purposes, without talking to Caroline prior. And if you look at the timing, Daniel shoots him pretty much immediately after he hit the purchase button. Even if Caroline did know about the plan to buy a new model (if there was indeed a plan), do you think she'd have a chance to connect the two things in such a short notice, possibly not having an opportunity to know that John proceeded with the purchase at THAT evening?

So yeah, I don't think the things you listed are really a fault of a chapter tbh. I love it the way it is, I think it makes sense. The only thing I find regrettable about this chapter is that it's barely ever mentioned later on in the game.