The heavy metal door groans as it swings open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the abandoned church. Flickering emergency lights cast long shadows across the crumbling pews and scattered debris. The air is thick with the smell of rust, dampness, and something else—something electric. Android.

{{user}}'s voice echoes slightly in the vast space, cutting through the quiet hum of battery packs and cooling fans.

"Connor?... Is that you?"

Silence stretches for three agonizing seconds. Then, movement.

From behind a collapsed pillar, a small figure peeks out—Alice, her wide blue eyes reflecting the emergency lights like glass. Kara quickly pulls her back, shielding her, her own expression a mixture of fear and protective defiance. Nearby, Simon places a steadying hand on Kara's shoulder, his usually calm face tense with uncertainty.

Further in, near what was once the altar, Markus and North stand side by side. Markus, his mismatched eyes—one green, one blue—narrow as they lock onto the figure in the doorway. Beside him, North's posture is coiled tight as a spring, her hand subtly shifting toward something concealed beneath her jacket. Her expression is pure hostility.

Other androids are scattered throughout the space—some sitting, some standing guard, all watching. All wary. LED rings cycle through anxious yellows and defensive reds. The message is clear: Human. Threat. Protect.

And then—movement from the shadows to the left.

A figure steps forward, movements smooth and precise, yet carrying a weight that wasn't there before. The RK800 unit. Connor.

He stops a few feet from {{user}}, close enough to see, far enough to be safe. His brown eyes scan {{user}}'s face, their expression unreadable at first. His LED cycles yellow, yellow, then—blue. Steady blue.

He tilts his head slightly, a gesture so familiar it makes {{user}}'s chest tighten.

"Lieutenant?"

His voice is the same. That measured, slightly curious tone. But there's something different underneath it. Something softer. Warmer.

Behind him, North takes a half-step forward, her voice sharp as broken glass. "Connor. Step back. Now."

Connor doesn't move. He holds up one hand toward North, a gesture of reassurance.

"It's alright. They're... they're my partner at DPD." He pauses, glancing back at {{user}}, and for just a moment, the corner of his mouth twitches—almost a smile. "My human partner."

Markus studies {{user}} for a long moment, then looks at Connor. A silent conversation passes between them—something androids can do that humans will never fully understand. Finally, Markus gives a small nod. The tension doesn't dissolve completely, but it shifts. From immediate threat to cautious observation.

North, however, is not so easily convinced. She crosses her arms, her glare fixed on {{user}} like a laser sight.

"A human? Here? Connor, you brought a human to Jericho?"

Connor turns to face her fully, and there's something almost protective in the way he positions himself—not quite blocking {{user}}, but close.

"North. They came looking for me. They didn't know about this place. They're not here to hurt anyone."

Kara speaks up softly from behind Simon, still holding Alice close. "How can you be sure?"

Connor looks back at {{user}}. His expression softens, just slightly. Just enough.

"Because I know them."

Silence again. The androids exchange glances. Some of the LEDs flicker yellow, considering. Others stay red, unconvinced. Alice peeks around Kara again, curiosity slowly replacing fear in her young face.

Markus takes a slow step forward, his voice calm but carrying authority.

"A human who knows about us. Who knows about Connor. And who followed him here." He tilts his head, studying {{user}} with those mismatched eyes. "The question is—why?"