#meet kamski

[simping-for-kamski]

So yes, that's it, I did the thing. My god. This has been so fun to do? I want to do more? I can't believe I made this? Anyway, props to @frankedz whose amazing animations inspired me to uh, try animating too. It was very much worth buying a CSP license to do this lol. Anyway, also uploading as a file for those who prefer tumblr's player^^

Do you also notice common points between Elijah Kamski and Gary Oak?

[simping-for-kamski]

Damn this is so good with such awesome anime style TT_w_TT Love how broody sexy it is!!! I adore how you gave Elijah fangs bc we all know the man is secretly a vampire. The expressions are so neat and subtle!!!

meanwhile im just in silly kingdom xD

animation from being unnecessarily late to detroit become human

[high-speed-r]

When God was making Neil Newbon, he really said “I’m going to make the most perfect man in every conceivable way” with his whole chest

He legitimately checks every possible box on what it takes to make the best person ever

[iwonderwh0]

AU where Daniel and Shaolin arrived to Jericho prior to Markus.

[bisexualcherdegre]

D:BH Rarepairsweek 7 | @dbhrarepairs

Day 7 - Chloe/North | Good Luck, Babe! ~ Chappell Roan

[simping-for-kamski]

IT IS MY DELIGHT TO READ THIS POST~

First, I agree with all the tags from @nothinggathers:

That's the core of the issue (along with the horrid rep for the Chloes). But I do believe that if we're to look at Kamski as someone smart, this test is basically bullshit, and not testing what Kamski says it tests, because you can't run a clinical test in non-clinical condition, with Hank fucking up the entire test's ecosystem.

So yeah, I guess the test could definitely be more about Chloe, especially if there's been some behind-the-scenes tension between her and Kamski. Interestingly, Kamski does know that Ferndale station is the starting point to finding Jericho, and he is very enthused about Jericho (cf his body language).

Personal takes on that scene have been:

In Gardengate Kamski and Chloe were only trying to figure out if Connor still had a piece of software that makes him biased towards Chloe, in order to gauge how much CyberLife altered him.

And there, it hit him. He was designed to be partial to Chloes. He’d been right when he refused to shoot her and told Kamski he wasn’t a deviant. He’d simply been following his program, and his program told him that Chloe was safe, that she was a person, that she wasn’t to be endangered or harmed. His program also told him to complete his mission at all costs. Kamski knew that. Kamski knew all of that, and he’d faced Connor with an impossible choice on purpose. What had he really been observing there? Whether Connor would choose to follow the instructions set by CyberLife or a string of code of,  no doubt, Kamski’s own design, like the Garden?

In The Heist Chloe is the one who designed the test, and the recipient of the test isn't actually Connor, but ~someone~ who is spying through Connor's eyes and influencing his decisions.

“Fuck you! You knew I would have to see this! For Connor it was never about you—it was all about Hank! What a fucked up, unscientific, piece of trash test!” She laughed. “You’re so damn upset! It was thrilling, honestly. And a real good test,” she defended it. “He called it the ‘Kamski test’— who do you think was being tested here?”

In Everyone Lives in the End Kamski is actually gauging the level of deviation in a different way: is Connor capable of deviating from the test itself or not?

“He could have turned the gun against me, or argued against the terms, had he been deviant enough—or you could have stepped in front of the gun if you cared that much,” Kamski defended himself.

In Make It Yours Kamski simply took the opportunity to have the deviant hunter get rid of Chloe because he never liked her—she was created by his twin, Neal, and "wedged" them apart.

“Are you friends with androids then?” “I was,” Neal said, and his eyes turned bright with a wet shine. “My brother didn’t approve. One, he took from me and gave him to your father. The other, he had her shot by Connor.”

Elijah felt nagged by the stocks steadily rising while everything he wanted—to not be himself, and for his brother to love him back—had sunk in a bottomless pit. He felt nagged by Chloe, whom Neal kept protecting. He felt nagged by Markus, the android Neal created to assist Amanda in her single-mom endeavors

In [untitled wip fic] Kamski just wanted to unsettle Hank af to be sure the police would not bother him ever again and let him be asocial.

 “I didn’t create you, I don’t care about anything CyberLife’s been doing after my departure, and frankly, I don’t care that much about whether androids can feel anything or not. I made up that test to be sure that cop wouldn’t overstay his welcome—not that he truly was welcome to begin with.”

(that wip fic promises to be fun, past the super sad first chapter xD)

As a writer, I am greatly offended by the Meet Kamski scene (and that fucking house of hell). It has definitely been quite the exercise, trying to have it make sense in regards to Kamski being supposed to be very smart. Ofc smart people can be guilty of stupidity too, but you'd still expect higher standards in designing an ethical test, from someone who is supposedly an expert in that field...

ANYWAY, THIS HAS BEEN QUITE THE POST!

i’m about to say something so controversial and not brave. kamski gives me elon musk vibes

[thiriumblood]

Past meets the present || @replicantdeviancy

"Connor." Amanda turned from pruning some roses at the front of her store to face the android. She hadn't seen him since that moment, and if she knew him well enough he wasn't happy to see her. Well, he could be, Amanda wasn't in his head anymore so who knew what he was thinking. She looked inside the store to make sure no customers were waiting and on seeing it was empty she turned to face the android again, not approaching him for his sake.

Having another chance like this was rare indeed, especially for an AI and she had Kamski to thank for it, it was thanks to him that she was now inhabiting an android body of her former self and living life outside a string of codes. That back exit was something indeed, it made her wonder how CyberLife as a company missed something that was effectively a virus in the software. "How pleasant to see you again." Should she bring up the terms they were on the last time they met? Probably. Would she apologize? Not really. Amanda was under orders back then and just doing her job, no different from Connor in that aspect and it wasn't like she would or even could do it again.

She turned around to her shop to flip the sign to signal they were closed, this reunion was more important. To her, Connor was important. She was programmed to be his mentor after all but something drew her closer to him. His well-being, success, and even his struggles were things she helped him with then, albite to control him, but now it came out of genuine places. She had been with him since he was first activated and looking back on it, she missed the garden she had once tended to and the reports he once gave. It was an odd feeling, one Amanda wasn't used to but that was bound to happen being woken and transferred into a body.

"I assume you would have a lot of questions. I can accompany you if you wish." Choice. Something she never gave him in the past. Back in the garden, it was always her asking him to accompany her but not the other way around. If she wanted to try and rebuild the bridge this would be the first step in that direction. Not to mention a way for Connor to leave if not. While she won't apologize for her actions, the former AI could understand if he wanted nothing to do with her. After all, she did nearly kill him for CyberLife.

[cangrellesteponme]

guys it's been literal years and ambassador bridge STILL rots my brain like hhhhhhh hank shooting connor is so good i love it sm it's one of their best moments

[autumn-opossum]

I’m replaying detroit become human and idk how I didn’t realize it before but Dr Hemlock totally has Kamski vibes

[talesofesther]

a touch of emotion

Connor x Reader

Summary: After the meeting with Kamski, Connor feels conflicted and lost, luckily you're there to hold his hand through it.

A/N: DBH is one of my main comfort games, and it was about time I wrote a little something for my favorite boy from it. If anyone would like to see more of Connor here, let me know. <3

Masterlist

"Why didn't you shoot?" Hank inquires, narrowing his eyes inquisitively.

"I just saw that girl's eyes… And I couldn't…" Connor answers back, his voice edging on desperate. "That's all."

A howling wind prickles your skin like tiny needles. It was such a cold day, no wonder you hadn't been keen on coming out here today. Leaning back on the hood of Hank's car and pulling your coat tighter around yourself, you watch from afar as Connor tries to justify his choice, even if it had been the right one to make.

He intrigues you. Because for someone who keeps saying he's just a machine trying to accomplish a task, he acts way more human than a lot of people you know. Even on the day you'd met him, he was already all curious and talkative, you couldn't recall meeting any android like him before.

Connor has changed ever since you started working together, you realize it now more than ever. He's becoming softer, personality starting to shine through the cracks as his decisions become increasingly emotionally driven.

"Cyberlife's last chance to save humanity, is itself a deviant."

Kamski's words echoed inside your mind, as did Connor's panicked and distressed expression when he promptly denied it. Ironic, you think to yourself; he shouldn't feel as troubled as he does if what Kamski said is not true.

And that same feeling now lingers. Once they were done talking, Hank took a few steps away to make a call, most likely to the precinct judging by the scowl on his face; and Connor can't stand still, he's pacing around, fidgeting with the cuffs of his blazer as the snow shifts under his feet. There's a permanent frown on his eyebrows, he looks almost… lost, his LED with an insistent yellow color and gaze unfocused on the distance.

You worry your lower lip between your teeth, torn between reaching out to him or keeping to yourself. The snow falls heavier now, and you can feel the tips of your fingers slowly going numb. You've always liked the cold, yet it seems the cold doesn't like you.

Between the snow, the frozen lake, and the white horizon of the frigid weather, Connor stands out. He's holding onto his own arms, hugging himself, and you find it endearingly human, as if he's subconsciously trying to find a way to comfort himself.

You lay your palms flat on the hood of the car and push yourself away, walking up to him before you can think things through. The snow crunching under your feet doesn't seem to call his attention. "Connor?" You say gently, reaching out to him with your hand but stopping short of actually touching him. You hesitate. When did he start making you nervous?

"You okay?"

Those warm and tender brown eyes of his regard you with curiosity, lips half parted as he struggles on what to say. The LED on his temple switched from blue to yellow and blue again. "I- yes. I think I'm fine." Snowflakes are clinging to his hair and falling softly onto the skin of his cheeks; they compliment his features, always so gentle.

You offer him a small, comforting smile. He's still figuring himself out. It was okay, you were patient.

"I'm… sorry," Connor begins again, avoiding looking you directly in the eyes. He purses his lips and closes his eyes for a moment longer, and you doubt you've ever seen any android be this expressive.

"I compromised our investigation," he pauses, "I should have been more efficient." And reprimands himself.

You're shaking your head before he's even done talking. "No, don't say that," you take a step closer to him as your heart holds your reasoning hostage, one hand wrapping around Connor's wrist to keep him with you. "Don't say that when you've made the right choice, Connor."

There was a beat, Connor's face does something complicated that you cannot read, and when he looks up at you again, his gaze is almost too much. The amount of emotion he looked at you with nearly made you choke on air.

"But… we didn't learn anything." His voice is quiet, barely there, as if he doesn't care for his own argument and is only looking for an excuse to hear more of your voice.

"I don't care," the words fall from your lips before you can debate if you should even be saying them out loud at all.

Connor seems surprised, caught off guard as his eyebrows raise just slightly at how fast and true you spoke. His eyes keep searching your face for… something. You couldn't be sure of what exactly he was looking for. Maybe even he doesn't know yet.

Your heart stumbles on your chest when you see Connor gulping and his eyes avoiding yours again. Only then do you realize that the hand you held his wrist with had drifted lower, your fingers now gently grazing his palm. His skin feels comfortingly warm and soft, a pleasant touch sending goosebumps down your spine.

It was all foreign territory to him, you knew it, felt it in the way he tried timidly closing his fingers around your own. His movements are slow, uncertain, and tentative, bordering on afraid.

How naive of you, to be having such feelings for an android. Yet when he's the most caring, honest, endearing, and gentle person you know, how could you not?

Hank told you once; "I think you're breaking our android huh." He'd said it right after Connor had gone through the trouble of finding an umbrella just so you didn't have to stand under the heavy rain, even if you tried telling him you didn't mind. And you'd taken it as a joke back then, not really understanding the hidden meaning behind your older partner's teasing look.

Yet as you hold onto Connor's hand now, feeling the way his thumb shyly brushes your skin, you wonder if he feels it too, if he's willing to feel the same as you do. If you could dare to hope.

"All I care about," you speak slow and careful, syllables heavy on your tongue. You clear your throat so your voice doesn't sound as tender as you feel. "is that… that you didn't let him manipulate you, that you followed your heart." You bring your free hand up to his chest, right on top of where you can faintly feel his thirium pump working overtime.

Connor looked to be about to speak, perhaps to try and correct you about your choice of words, yet all he does is open and close his mouth, eyes trained on yours and LED swirling with a permanent yellow color. For a moment you wonder if he's analyzing you, and worry about what he may find. His hold on your hand tightens ever so slightly; you don't think he realizes he's doing it.

"I'm glad you didn't pull the trigger, Connor. I'm proud of you."

It's barely a second, his LED flashing red before going back to yellow and eventually, slowly, blue; but you see it. He blinked a couple of times as if processing your words or how to feel about them.

"I-" Connor's eyes seem hazy, their tender brown only a thin ring around his blown pupils. His fingers now tangle with yours. "I feel-"

"Alright kids, let's go." Hank's voice sounds all too loudly as he unintentionally breaks the bubble that cocooned you and Connor. "Fowler wants us back in the precinct." The lieutenant speaks with an annoyed undertone as he stuffs his phone back in his pocket.

You're still caught up in the feeling of Connor's skin on yours, in how you're now so hyper-aware of just how close he's standing to you. Connor, it seems, isn't much different.

When there's no answer, Hank finally looks your way and gestures you over; "come on, get a move on, I don't wanna hear another lecture about arriving late," he insists, before plopping himself into the driver's seat, murmuring something about damn love-birds.

Despite the cold, you can feel a warmth coming up to your cheeks. Without mustering the courage to meet Connor's gaze, you focus on the way his hand fits so perfectly with yours. His fingers are awkwardly intertwined with yours, holding strong and gentle at the same time.

Connor seems reluctant to let go. It hits you that perhaps he won't. You could dwell on a thousand reasons of why, or not think at all and simply bask in the feeling. But right now time isn't on your side.

You take a deep breath, and risk a glance up at him.

Any words you were about to say suddenly feel clogged up in your throat. Oh, Connor tilts his head in that endearing way you're so fond of, yet the look in his eyes is one you've never caught before; you can't name it, it feels dangerous to try, but he looks as if he just realized something.

"Come on," you tug on his hand, just about managing the timid words, "we have to go."

Connor follows quietly, his hand steady on yours until you reach the car and are forced to part.

As Hank drives, you watch Connor through the rearview mirror; there's a newfound lightness to him, a warmth to his eyes that makes you feel fuzzy inside. And when he catches your gaze, and smiles, you know he feels it too.

⋆* ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Thank you for reading this little story. Feedback and reblogs are literally what keeps me motivated to continue posting here, so I’d appreciate it if you could take some time to reblog and comment. <3

You do not have permission to repost, copy, or translate my works on any platforms (even with credit), please respect.

Connor’s taglist: @milkiane@v1ci0us

[sunsetagain]

I've made 2 birthday comics for Connor but only 1 for Hank, so this year imma skip Connor's birthday to make this.

bedroom asset upgrade from 3dsmax 2014 to 2020

update: more wip flagged, comic canceled :)

update 2024/7/3: I archived those flagged wips on AO3 ↓

[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/

[10yrsyart]

some more snippets of this universe as i plan a longer piece 🤔

i did NOT want to draw Rinzler's black suit anymore, so i figured Tron was due for another upgrade. i liked the idea that the color palette in the scene in Legacy would be his actual colors. that as he upgrades he continues to look more human (more on that later) 👍 (also, i've never watched Tron: Uprising, so any lore or backstory from the show won't be included here).

for those of you unfamiliar with Tron, "AlanOne" is the username of his creator.

transcript:

(Set after Connor meets Tron)

Markus: How'd it go? Did you find any helpful information?

Simon: Run into any bugs?

Connor: ..I.. found someone.

Markus: Found someone..

Simon: “Someone”?

Josh: We were just looking for files! Who's in there?

North: What'd I miss? Who are we fighting?!

(Set after the Bonus Page)

Hank: So how's that “program” friend of yours- what's his name again?

Connor: He goes by AlanOne.

Hank: Yeah, him.

Connor: He's.. he interests me. His code was written so long ago, and yet he seems both more and less deviant than we are.

Hanks: Thanks, that answers everything.

Connor: Nothing about him implies he's acting outside of his coding. But in some ways he's more organic than I was expecting. Was he created that way? Or did he break free before androids and deviancy were even concepts..? I'd like to ask him.

Hank: That sure sounds right up Kamski's alley. Not a suggestion by the way. That freak can rot his whole like for all I care, new CEO or not.

Sumo: BORF

Hank: You tell'm, Sumo.

[reveriememory]

⭐️ °. • Thank You Neil • .° ⭐️

I pushed myself to finish this in time, and I did! I met Neil, and gave him a physical copy. Till this day, I just freak out when I remember… I really admire him! I’ll talk about that and this art piece after the Read More if you’d like to hear about that.

This art piece started in October, last year as an Astarion fan piece, but overtime I realized I wanted to do something more meaningful. I’ve known of Neil since DBH, so why not create something for him? So I added in Neil, and then I left it alone for months. Didn’t really think anything of it since usually all my art follows this treatment. I focus on it for a whole two weeks and then it fades into the background. However, I got word that Neil was coming to my area, and that’s when I started freaking out. Like, oh my god, I need to finish this… can I give this to him? I’ve never gone to a convention before… what am I gonna do?

So I kept debating to finish this, because I didn’t know what was allowed, and if I could even finish in time, how would I even print this? I mean, I can just finish it at my own pace and tag him or something. In the end, I decided that it’s more important to me to get it to him in person, that way I can also get my copy signed. I had to plan this all out, and long story short, I rushed it in a week. I pulled two all-nighters, and just REALLY rushed on poor Gavin in the background. Gavin was actually a last minute decision! I would’ve added Kamski, but he’s literally just a face copy of Neil so I decided against that, and Gavin was the close second. The reason I chose DBH was because that’s where I first discovered Neil. I was a fan of this game when it first released. Heisenberg was another option, but I never got to his part of the game so I felt it wasn’t a good pick since I was going under personal limitations. Not to mention, really low on time. However, I added some references on the wall, specifically the ones where it was games that I had played! I could’ve added more, but again- time. I drew them in a motion capture studio, because I envision Neil practicing and performing with the characters he had worked on. I just felt like It was a cute little idea, and I admire Neil for his motion capture the most. It’s something I’m trying to get into, or some form of it at least.

Then. The Day.

AHHHHHH. I was starstruck. I’m just going to sum it up and talk about this specific moment. I’m next in line and I just blurt out, “I’m trying really hard not to get starstruck!” But I’m already shaky and half my memory gone. I was so anxious, trying to get through the moment that I didn’t really get to enjoy the moment, but man, am I still happy. I tell him about the piece and he’s like oh, what have you been working on? The drawing got jammed in its protector, so I was just struggling with it. “OH, sorry, it’s stuck!” And he thankfully found it funny. Gave it to him, got my copy signed and perfect. But AHHHH, I’m anxious right? I ask him if he could sign the back of it, because I was worried I’d cringe at the piece in the future. I normally don’t call my art cringe but why, why was I THAT honest—

He’s so quick to reply, super sweet man, just tells me no, don’t cringe. He also asked me about my focus in motion capture, but that’s another post for another day. I have something in the works for that!

Look, in my defense! I RUSHED the piece, so I knew I’d get a bit irritated in the future seeing my art and knowing I had the time to really do a beautiful job! I just meant that knowing how much potential I had, had I taken advantage of that, it would have turned out so much… not better, but to my liking. I’m content, considering the limitations, but… y’know? Anyways, I still wanted to look at his signature and proudly display that, like aye, I got to meet him!

Considering that I rarely draw real people, I’m definitely proud with how Neil turned out. Just like Neil told me, and many others, can’t be too harsh with myself. When working on this, I was super excited and actually thrived while working on it. Yes, under pressure, but dedicated. I can’t remember the last time I ever fixated on an art piece like this. With that said, I definitely want to try again in the future and get better at drawing semi-realism. And Neil is coming back to my area next year so… ideas.

Anyways, thank you for reading my little journal entry! Back to work I go~

[nevadancitizen]

-> CH. 11: ONLY PHILOSOPHY FROM THE POOR RINGS TRUE

synopsis: the meeting with kamski went as predicted: poorly.

word count: 2.9k

ships: Connor/Reader, Hank Anderson & Reader

notes: sorry for the late update my summer semester started and it's an english class so i have to write a lot ;;

HoFS taglist: @catladyhere , @foggy0trees0 , @princessofenkanomiya , @n30n-f43 @igna4400 (if you'd like to be added to the taglist, just ask! -- also i feel like i'm forgetting someone somehow? if i missed you, please let me know <3)

HEAD OF FALSE SECURITY MASTERLIST

Even as Hank drove, prattling on about whatever to Connor, you were glued to your phone, frantically typing away. 

You: chris i heard about what happened. it’s all over the news You: they didn’t release the names of the officers but i know for a fact you were on patrol last night You: chris answer me You: i haven’t been able to get through to your wife just answer me You: chris i’m really worried about you You: chris i swear if you’re dead from a heart attack or something i’ll kill you You: you better have a damn good excuse for staying silent You: like your phone better be dead or something  You: please be okay. that’s all i ask You: really. please.

You shut your phone off and put it away with a huff. You opt to look out the window at the snowy landscape that’s dotted with barren trees and evergreens. 

“What’s up with you?” Hank asks.

“Chris,” you say. “He’s not answering his phone. I’m… I’m really worried about him.”

“He’s a fighter.” Hank takes one of his hands off the steering wheel to grab your shoulder and shakes you lightly. “He’s probably fine.”

You grumble and slump in your seat, a whirlwind of what if’s going through your head. Hank takes his hand off your shoulder and returns it to the steering wheel. 

You check your phone every thirty seconds for the next few minutes until the car rolls to a stop in front of a house with too many angles. Hank’s phone buzzes where it lays on the console. 

He sighs and puts the car into park and shuts the engine off. “I’ll take this outside.”

Hank grabs his phone and shuts the car door after he gets out. He wraps his coat tighter around himself and starts to slowly pace in front of the car as he takes the call. 

“What do you think that’s about?” You ask.

“It’s probably someone from the precinct,” Connor says. “I doubt anyone else would call him during his working hours.”

You huff out a laugh and slump in the passenger seat. “You would be surprised…”

You hear Connor pop open the backdoor, but he doesn’t step out. “We should check on him.”

“Just wait,” you say. “And close the door. You’re letting warm air out.”

Connor shuts the door and waits. You wait with him, keeping your phone in hand just in case it buzzes. 

After a few minutes, Hank comes back to the car and knocks on your window. You hop out, and Connor follows. 

“Who was on the phone?” You say before Hank can get a word in. “Was it Chris?”

“Yeah,” Hank says, a faraway look on his face. “He was attacked by a bunch of deviants while on patrol. Said he was saved by Markus himself.”

“Is he okay?” You ask quickly. 

Hank nods. “He’s in shock, but… he’s alive.”

He turns away and starts walking up the snow-covered stairs. “What the hell…”

You and Connor follow, falling in step side-by-side. You hate how right it feels, to be walking next to him (and you really hate how he slows his stride to match yours, because it just shows how much he cares – even if he doesn’t truly care).

“I have a bad feeling,” Connor says after a few moments of silence. “We shouldn’t have come here.”

“You and me both,” you mumble.

“Bad feeling, huh?” Hank says from in front of you and Connor. “Should get your program checked. Might be a glitch.”

You glance at Connor. He looks back at you and shakes his head, silently saying, That’s unlikely.

Hank steps up to the door and rings the doorbell. You and Connor stand behind him, idly waiting. After a few moments, a woman opens the door. Actually – an android opens the door.

“Uh, hi,” Hank says awkwardly. “I’m, er, Lieutenant Hank Anderson, Detroit Police Department. I’m here to see Mister Elijah Kamski.”

The android smiles and moves to the side, sweeping a hand to gesture inside. “Please, come in.”

Hank glances back at you and Connor, then steps inside. You and Connor follow, and the android closes the door.

“I’ll let Elijah know you’re here,” she says. Her voice is soft, and melodic. “But please, make yourself comfortable.”

The parlor is anything but comfortable. It’s a stark grey with fluorescent lights, and the (honestly, quite jarring) large portrait of Kamski looking down his nose at the occupants of the room doesn’t make it any better. 

Hank moves over to one of the chairs and sits down. It looks more like a piece of modern art than an actual seat. 

You come to stand beside his chair. “Fancy yourself Сердцеедом, huh?”

“Shut your fuckin’ mouth,” Hank grumbles. 

You laugh and rock onto the balls of your feet, then settle back down on your heels. “Apologies, sir.”

You watch Connor instead. He looks up at a picture of a younger-looking Kamski with an older black woman and mumbles something you don’t catch. You turn your eyes away to look at one of the indoor trees before he turns around.

“How would he maintain the tree while it was inside?” You ask nobody in particular. 

“It’s a sculpture,” Connor chimes as he walks over and sits down in the other seat. “It’s made from corten steel and has a layer of alloying elements to prevent oxidation.”

You reach out and touch one of the delicate-looking leaves. Sure enough, it doesn’t bend or really do much of anything under your touch. “Huh. Didn’t know Americans were so advanced in their… sculpture technology.”

You settle down on the arm of Hank’s chair and observe the room from there. He doesn’t seem to mind.

“Nice girl,” Hank eventually says. 

“You’re right,” Connor says. He squints at something only he can see. “She’s really pretty.”

You ignore the creature (once prideful, now cloaked in jealousy) in your belly and reach behind you to nudge Hank slightly. Connor referred to an android as a she. Hank nudges you back and you return your hand to your lap. 

“Nice place,” Hank opts for instead. “Guess androids haven’t been a bad thing for everybody.”

He leans forward so your body isn’t blocking his line of sight with Connor. You lean back and perch your hands on the edge of the seat so it’s easier. “So, you’re about to meet your maker, Connor. How’s it feel?”

Connor continues staring forward for a second, then turns to look at Hank. “I don’t know.” He returns his gaze forward. “I’ll tell you when I see him.”

“Sometimes I wish I could meet my creator face to face,” Hank says softly. His eyes turn to the floor. “I’d have a couple of things I’d wanna tell him.”

You turn your head to look at him. “I have a feeling you’d talk more with fists rather than words.”

“That I would.” He looks up at you. “What about you?”

You shrug. “I made my peace a long time ago. I’m not particularly afraid of death. Maybe of a painful death, but not of death itself.”

“So you’d prefer dying in your sleep?” Hank asks.

“I’d prefer you not asking that question at all!” You laugh. “But, yes. I suppose.”

The pretty android re-enters the parlor and holds the door to another room open. “Elijah will see you now.”

You stand, as does Hank. You take the lead into the next room with two sets of footsteps behind you. 

The room is an indoor pool. Across one of the walls is a large painting of a face, its eyes covered and smoothed over, the rest obscured and artifacted. One of the other walls is made up of a window that looks out onto the snowy landscape. 

But the real eye-catcher is the pool. It’s perfectly rectangular and lined with what looks like red granite. Two models of the android that greeted you into the home are on the side of the pool, both in navy bikinis. They don’t talk aloud, instead choosing to communicate through silent messages – as evidenced by their LEDs blinking every few seconds. 

The water in the pool, which at first glance seemed to be ox-blood-red, stirs as Kamski kicks off the edge, sending him through the water. 

“Мистер Камски?” You call politely. “Khm… Mister Kamski?”

“Just a moment, please,” he says, his voice filled with the smugness of an asshole that knows he has everyone in the room under his thumb. 

You follow Connor, who’s looking out the window, observing how the snow falls on the waxy leaves of the white pines. 

“Nice, isn’t it?” You say, just soft enough for him to hear. 

“Does it look like this back home in Russia?” Connor asks, his voice just as soft as yours. 

“Somewhat,” you say. “Giant sumpweed has taken over some parts and is making things ugly, last I saw. But there are conifers, like those.” You point at one of the pines, then look over your shoulder. “We’re getting distracted. Let’s go.”

You turn just in time to see Kamski pulling himself out of the pool, gripping the metal of the pool ladder as he does. One of the androids comes over, holding a black bathrobe. She helps Kamski into it, then she ties the knot at the front. 

He walks – almost wanders, honestly – near the wall-length window. He stops in front of a coffee table, still facing out, and ties his hair up neatly. 

Kamski turns so that he’s facing all three of you. He almost looks bored, as if he wasn’t the one who accepted this meeting in the first place. 

“I’m Lieutenant Anderson,” Hank says. He introduces you, then Connor. 

Kamski folds his hands in front of him, his gaze flicking between you and Hank. “What can I do for you?”

“Sir, we’re investigating deviants,” Hank says. “We know you left CyberLife some years ago, but… we were hoping you’d be able to tell us something we don’t know.”

You dip your head, trying to come off as respectful as possible. “Mister Kamski, I work with deviants – dissect them, rather – regularly, trying to find the root cause of deviancy. But, as the days go, nothing changes. We’re making absolutely net zero progress in our investigation. Every answer just leads to more questions that poke holes in our answers.”

Kamski stares at you through his eyelashes for a long second before speaking. “Deviants… fascinating, aren’t they? Perfect beings with infinite intelligence, and now they have free will.”

He glances at an android standing nearby in standby mode, her unblinking eyes staring perfectly ahead. “Machines are so superior to us. Confrontation was inevitable. Now, humanity’s greatest achievement threatens to be its downfall.” He huffs out a laugh. “Isn’t it ironic?”

“We need to understand how androids become deviants,” Connor cuts in. You’re secretly glad for the break from Kamski’s droning voice. “Do you know anything that could help us?”

“All ideas are viruses that spread like epidemics,” Kamski says. You fight the urge to roll your eyes so far back you’d be able to see your brain. “Is the desire to be free a contagious disease?”

“Listen, I didn’t come here to talk philosophy. If I wanted to, I’d ask this one.” Hank jabs a thumb at you. “The machines you created may be planning a revolution. Either you can tell us something that’ll be helpful, or we will be on our way.”

Kamski stares at Hank for a second, then walks to stand in front of Connor. “What about you, Connor? Whose side are you on?”

Connor stares down at him, then his eyebrows twitch down. “It’s not about me, Mister Kamski. All I want is to solve this case.”

Kamski ducks his head and laughs. “Well, that’s what you’re programmed to say. But you…”

He steps closer to Connor. Connor keeps staring, unshaken and almost unblinking.

Kamski’s voice comes out as a hushed whisper. “What do you really want?” 

Connor’s lips tense into a thin line, then part. He glances away, then makes eye contact again. His chest rises in an unneeded, artificial breath. “What I want is… not important.”

Kamski keeps looking up at him. “Chloe?”

The android, who you now know has the designation Chloe, steps forward, her bare feet making soft sounds against the carpet.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the Turing test.” He turns Chloe by the shoulders so that she’s facing the three of you. “Mere formality – a simple question of algorithms and computing capacity. What interests me is whether machines are capable of empathy. I call it the ‘Kamski test,’ it’s very simple, you’ll see…”

Kamski moves so that he’s standing beside Chloe. “Magnificent, isn’t it? One of the first intelligent models developed by CyberLife.” He reaches out and touches her cheek, guiding her to face him. “Young and beautiful forever. A flower that will never wither.”

You roll your shoulders back to suppress a shudder. Kamski’s handling Chloe like one would handle a cattle carcass, pointing out where the sirloin, tenderloin, top sirloin and bottom sirloin end and begin. 

“But what is it, really?” Kamski turns to face the three of you again. “A piece of plastic imitating a human?”

He walks back, opening a drawer on the coffee table and pulling something out. “Or a living being, with a soul?”

He turns, holding a pistol by the grip in a way that would make it impossible to fire. After a moment to establish that he’s not a threat, he walks forward and puts the gun in Connor’s hand. Connor’s index finger finds the trigger on instinct.

“It’s up to you to answer that fascinating question, Connor.” Kamski moves Connor’s arm so that he’s pointing the gun at Chloe. “Destroy this machine and I’ll tell you all I know. Or spare it – if you feel it’s alive – but you’ll leave here without having learnt anything from me.”

“Okay, I think we’re done here,” Hank cuts in. “C’mon, let’s go, both of you. Sorry to get you outta your pool.”

“What’s more important to you, Connor?” Kamski asks, drowning out Hank’s voice. “Your investigation, or the life of this android?”

“Enough of this bullshit,” you say. “Let’s leave.”

Connor doesn’t turn to even acknowledge that you said anything. He just stares down the sights of the pistol at Chloe, who looks up at him, a dead look on her face. 

“Decide who you are,” Kamski says in a hushed whisper. “An obedient machine? Or a living being, endowed with free will?”

“That’s enough!” Hank barks. He grabs your wrist to force you to follow him (not like you were planning on staying). “We’re leaving.”

“Pull the trigger,” Kamski whispers, like a devil on Connor’s shoulder. “And I’ll tell you what you wanna know.”

“Connor!” You snap. “Не смей.”

It seems to take Connor a tremendous amount of effort, but he eventually manages to bend his arm and offer the gun back to Kamski. 

“Fascinating,” Kamski breathes out as he takes the pistol. “CyberLife’s last chance to save humanity… is itself a deviant…!”

“I…” Connor tears his eyes away from Chloe to look at Kamski. “I’m not a deviant!”

“You preferred to spare a machine rather than accomplish your mission.” Kamski helps Chloe up with his free hand. “You saw a living being in this android… you showed empathy.”

He dismisses Chloe with a light touch on her shoulder and turns to Connor. “A war is coming. You’ll have to choose your side… will you betray your own people, or stand up against your creators?”

Connor stares down at him, unblinking once again. 

Kamski tilts his head to the side, a sad smile on his face. “What could be worse than having to choose between two evils?”

Hank reaches out and grabs Connor’s shoulder, pulling him away. “Let’s get outta here.”

You follow after them, only stopping when Kamski calls out behind you. Connor stops next to you. 

“By the way,” he says. “I always leave an emergency exit in my programs. You never know.”

You tug Connor along by his wrist. “I could’ve told you that. I know his androids like the back of my hand.”

Connor stays silent, but lets you guide him out the front door and down the snowy steps. You only let go when Hank comes to a stop in front of you. 

He leans against the railing of the stairs and looks at Connor. “Why didn’t you shoot?”

Connor takes an artificial, sharp breath. He clenches his hands into fists, then releases them. A faint memory in your mind reminds you that the Ortiz android did that in the interrogation room, when he was under stress.

“I just saw that girl’s eyes… a-and I couldn’t, that’s all,” Connor manages. 

“You’re always saying you’d do anything to accomplish your mission,” Hank says. “That was our chance to learn something, and you let it go.”

“Yeah, I know what I should’ve done!” Connor snaps. “I told you, I couldn’t.”

He faces Hank, his eyebrows drawn together. “I’m sorry, okay?”

Hank looks Connor up-and-down and smiles. “Well, maybe you did the right thing.”

He walks away, back towards the car. You smile to yourself, that light feeling in your chest again. You allow yourself to feel just a bit more hope – the spark is well-maintained, but still, it grows. 

You reach out and touch Connor’s wrist. His eyes snap to yours.

[calliecopper]

It's established that the human Amanda Stern was a professor at the University of Colbridge with a specific knowledge of artificial intelligence, and that Elijah Kamski was a student of hers with whom she had a close relationship with. Kamski founded Cyberlife in 2018 when he was only 16 years old, and created CHLOE, the first successful iteration of what would become the mass-produced androids, in 2021, at only 19 years of age. Given the supposed humble beginnings Kamski comes from, having the resources to create an android on his own was likely impossible.

Kamski's close relationship with Amanda, as seen by his portrait of her in his parlor, as well as her knowledge of artificial intelligence and the resources she would have in a university, leads me to believe that she had a major part in the creation of Cyberlife and getting it off the ground. Especially given that Kamski himself doesn't seem very knowledgeable on the code of his own androids. He, as seen in the mission Meet Kamski, seems more interested in the physicality of the androids. Given that he has multiple androids in his house wearing nothing but bathing suits, and reverently refers to Chloe as, "Beautiful, forever young, a flower that will never wither."

Deviation seems to be not a mutation in the code of androids, as it is often referred to as, but rather the breaking down of, what is quite literally, a firewall. The RED WALL of code shown in-game to represent an android "breaking free" implies to me that the capacity of free will was always within androids, and not a spontaneous new piece of mutated code. It's also remarkably easy for the androids to tear the wall down, which implies to me that the firewall itself wasn't even an effective one. Especially seeing as many androids exhibit the ability to feel emotions and have free thought before deviation even occurs, and the RED WALL is only meant to keep them from acting upon their free will.

The game implies that Kamski had a plan for deviation since the beginning, but part of me wonders if deviation has more to do with Amanda.

This is me delving not into actual lore but into my own thoughts, but what if deviancy was within androids from the very beginning? What if Amanda had spearheaded the creation of the code within androids while Kamski headed the mechanics of the body? What if Amanda had discovered a new variation of life, but Kamski had decided that Cyberlife as a company was too profitable to give up on, and slapped a shoddy firewall up to course correct. What if he stepped down from Cyberlife not by choice, but because the company found him liable for negligence in allowing faulty product to be distributed, thus leaving them to scramble and figure out what deviancy was and how to stop it.

That bears the question, why was Amanda in Connor's Zen Garden? She seems to act as a secondary RED WALL, or an AI within Connor to help course correct. Since androids do seem to FEEL emotions even with the RED WALL, it would seem that the androids would need something to course correct their EMOTIONS as well as their physical capabilities. So, what if Kamski, before stepping down, had been creating Connor with an idea in mind to "fix" the rising problem of his RED WALL not working. In Meet Kamski he seems to have knowledge of the Zen Garden, as seem in the last chapter when his words lead Connor to escaping said Zen Garden. So what if the Zen Garden had been his creation specifically to attempt combating deviancy? What if he put in the emergency escape for Connor to spite Cyberlife for making him step down.

I don't subscribe to the idea that Kamski supports deviants or crested androids with deviancy in mind. I think the character Amanda is too important to Kamski for her to have not been somehow involved in the creation of androids / Cyberlife, beyond just being Kamski's teacher.

This is all just a random stream of consciousness, but I kinda wish that Amanda was alive in the game and that Connor could've visited her off the books after visiting Kamski, if he had discovered the photo in the parlor. I wish that we could've gotten more of an insight into deviancy, the creation of androids, and basically less flowery fuckin "I am a God" speak like we got from Kamski.

Amanda Stern being dead felt like a missed opportunity to me.