Connor took Hank's sudden interest in the case as an implication that he should stop talking. Following the success of the revolution, Hank had been kind enough to share his home with Connor, kind enough to convince Captain Fowler to keep his job at the DPD, and kind enough to assist the android with all of the new emotions that had come along uninvited following his deviation. It was only natural to want to return the favor, even in something as small a gesture as a gift. While the gift he had in mind was for Hank's lovable St. Bernard, he would appreciate the gesture regardless. From the amount of times that Connor had to replace a part from a too-often-recurring suspect chase-the ones that left Hank gasping out the suspect's rights while Connor by experience stood idly by-the amount of funds he had managed to save stood at little to none.

Probability of convincing Hank: 10%

He deflated.

Rain tapped a solemn beat against the windshield, rubber blades swiping them away in two long streaks approximately every three seconds. That, and the low hum of the car's radio being the only sound that occupied the space between them. At least Hank had fallen out of the habit of blaring his music to a point that Connor needed to deactivate his audio processors, but it was still preferable to heavy silence.

Hank's attention was focused on the road. One arm locked on the wheel, the other propped up against the windowsill, leaning his head into a curled fist. He hadn't attempted any sort of conversation since they had left the precinct.

Objective: Befriend Lt. Hank Anderson (Completed?)

Lt. Hank Anderson: ^Friend?

Objective: Make conversation with Hank

Processing topics...

Processing...

Processed.

Conclusion:

Weather: Temperatures satisfactory for early morning hours. Advising Hank to wear a heavy jacket inadvisable. Does not own umbrella. Suggest purchase?

Speeding: Inadvisable

Probability of altercation: 58%

Case: Discussed shortly before departure. No new details to include.

Connor's lips parted, and then abruptly closed at Hank's sudden inquiry as though his lame attempt at conversation had nudged the older man into voicing his own concerns. His eyes briefly flicked to Connor in the passenger seat, releasing a puff of air through his nose. "LED's been yellow since we left."

Stress levels: ^34%

Approach: Truthful

"I am not certain of the answer you are looking for." Truthfully, he didn't. "I have no excuse, other than I am not sure how Markus perceives me. It was my fault for the attack on Jericho." The leaders of Jericho had been kind to him, but that was what brief time the group had actually exchanged more than a few words. Connor assumed that he was some sort of anomaly, an android that had arrived on the freighter with the intention to stop what they had risked everything to build, only to break into the Cyberlife tower and aid in their success for the revolution after a quick meet and greet with their leader.

Accessing Memory...

Accessing...

Accessed.

Your place is with your people.

"Markus and I are not the same. I am not like other deviants." Connor reasoned. "I deviated from my original programming, but following the peace rally, my first thought was to leave and to return as your partner. It just felt like the right place to be." It wasn't a full truth, but it was a fraction of it. He just silently hoped that Hank would take it as a well enough answer. "Seeing Markus is just some sort of crucial reminder of that. A defective deviant." Connor paused before correcting himself. "More defective."

"Connor."

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Shut the fuck up."

"Okay.."

"Look," Hank sighed inwardly. "You're not defective. You're one hell of a partner, and one hell of an officer. You can be really fucking annoying sometimes kid, but I think you did the right thing."

"The right thing by not staying in Jericho?"

"If coming back to the DPD is what you wanted to do with your freedom, then yes that's the right choice to make, but I meant helping androids. It couldn't have been possible, if you hadn't raided the Cyberlife tower and freed all those androids. I'm sure Markus hasn't forgotten that." Hank assured him.

Connor wasn't too sure of the truth behind that, but he didn't argue. He knew his place. With Hank. In the back of his mind, if it came between Hank or androids... he wouldn't hesitate, as badly as that sounded to him. Androids had looked at him with disdain and he'd joined the revolution too late. Thirium and human blood both stained his hands and Connor didn't feel a part of either, but with the very eccentric and openly aggressive police lieutenant, his position was clear. Nothing had really changed except now he had chosen his own purpose. Hopefully one that would lead to something good.

Connor stood by the car, waiting for Hank to heave himself from the driver's seat. The afternoon sky was clad in grey, dark clouds overlapping, a gentle drizzle tapping almost soundlessly on his shoulders, drenching his uniform. Wind blew the stray hairs hovering above his forehead, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the lieutenant squaring up his shoulders, turning his collar up against the wind, grumbling complaints incoherently. He could just barely make out a comment somewhere along the lines of "plastic fuckers don't have to worry about this shit".

He trailed after Hank inside. Androids that had recently awoken were being shown around by human volunteers, filling out applications, registering their own names, and receiving clothes to replace their Cyberlife issued uniforms. The bewildered expressions of several androids, somewhere a mix between confusion and lost hadn't gone unnoticed. Defying one's programming with little understanding of anything else must have proven difficult. Connor knew that feeling all too well. Except before he hadn't identified it as a feeling.

Stepping through the sliding glass doors, it was only when his gaze found Markus that he suddenly felt apprehensive. Jericho's leader hadn't changed in the last year, if not more confident than he was before. Standing at a few inches taller than Connor, a feeling of leadership and rebellion practically emanated from him. Often times serious and continuously working-the two of them had that in common at least.

Their partnership had been brief, built on a fragile sense of trust only because he had been an android. However, there was still no denying the clear respect that radiated from androids and human supporters, but there had been an influx in hate crimes after any sort of public appearances shortly after the peace rally. At least with time that seemed to slow down to a certain degree. Fowler would eventually have no choice but to add more employees to their department if they were to keep up with the ever growing amount of cases.

North stood at Markus' side, muttering something indiscreetly in his ear before nodding her head in their direction. Markus turned his head, dismissing the android he had been speaking with-further scan identified them as a PL400 android registered under the name Steven. She scoffed. "Looks like the two DPD specialists want to talk to you." That was spoken loud enough for them to hear, their steps veering over to them, Markus' attitude was much more positive in comparison, the female android's arms crossed over her chest, eyes flicking over the two of them in obvious distaste.

Connor parted from Hank's side. Rather than sticking around to join the questioning, he wandered away to look for anything they could use around the shop instead. "Hello, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?" Markus came to an abrupt halt, eyes following Connor as he walked away. The sudden departure hadn't gone past North unnoticed either, furthering her poor attitude.

Objectives: Inspect Cyberlife Store (Incomplete)

"He not care for us since we won his freedom for him or something?" Came North's biting tone, attempting to force a more casual lilt to it, but it was a futile attempt, the disdain pouring from her lips. Only a single glare from Markus forced her into silence.

Connor listened as he circled the edge of the store.

North: vNeutral

Markus: vUneasy

"North, drop it." Markus scolded gently then addressed Hank. "How's he doing? I was starting to think that he was refusing to step foot in any android service buildings." He noticed. "I'm a little surprised that the two of you are here, considering everything that's happened."

"He's coping." Hank waved his hand dismissively. "The only thing he's wanted to do is solve cases, and that's what he's doing. That's why we're here. Got a few questions to ask ya. Such as whether or not you've had a recall on any sort of android parts. Whether they're causing your androids to malfunction, possess any weird symptoms that might make them aggressive?"

Connor had to applaud his companion's choice of questions. In the early days of their partnership, he hadn't necessarily cared to ask questions, aside from when he had interrogated Carlos Ortiz' android whom had refused to answer during their inquisition. Using his superior programming, he had managed to extract a confession, only for the victim to self destruct later in his cell, not that he would blame him. The android's plight would not be heard at the time regardless. It was only after the Eden Club that Hank had questioned the case in the first place, and then later which side he had wanted to be on. Moving about the outer perimeter of the room, Connor noted the absence of androids. Previously, it had been difficult to control the crowd that had flocked to the stores across Detroit, seeking to explore their newfound freedoms, and now that number had dropped severely. Whether it was because of the large abundance going missing, or that the majority had simply found freedom had yet to be determined.

"There haven't been any recalls on parts, but as I'm sure you are aware that despite my requests, I still don't have full control over android manufacturing. I'm fortunate just to be able to oversee conversion of the androids that haven't awoken, getting them started on a new existence." Markus shrugged helplessly. Being the key to the revolution, Connor could only imagine how frustrating it would be that he was still fighting humans for the rights to his own people's decisions. Though that could also still be seen in certain aspects of human society. "Your best chance may be to talk to the human executives at Cyberlife. There may be something they haven't reported to me yet, but we haven't had any sort of malfunction on parts in the last year either."

"So far the virus seems to be hitting older models. We're all created with a virus protection, but naturally older models have a relatively weaker one." North included, glancing between the two as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. "It's just like a stronger case of deviancy except it isn't necessarily giving androids a choice." A soft scowl etched across her face at that clarification.

"More and more androids are disappearing from Jericho." Markus added. "And there are androids that are simply disappearing without showing any sort of malfunction. Believe me Lieutenant, I would like to know what is going on just as much as you. It's honestly a shame that it's happening so soon after androids are finally finding themselves." His tone held something more somber and considering how much he had helped and fought for his people before, and all of the work he was putting in now.. it wasn't a surprise that he felt helpless to assist his people in whatever was happening to them. "There are dormant androids in some of the shops and the tower that are contracting the virus. At this point I wouldn't rule out anything explanation, no matter how unusual it may be."

North gently elbowed him in the side, glancing to him out of the corner of her eye. "Weren't you going to tell him about what we found in the Cyberlife tower...?"

"At a better time." Markus cut off whatever she had been about to say-much to norths frustration-his eyes trailing over Connor-whom quickly looked away and continued searching for evidence, not that there was much to find in the first place. The store had been cleared out, and besides a few empty supply boxes, nothing else could be found. "In a more private setting preferably."

"If it's the other Connor, I'm already fully aware of it when it tried to shoot me, but if you're just now finding it, then you might want to consider how often you spring clean." The glance they exchanged suggested that wasn't exactly what they were talking about.

"The other RK800 model has already been disposed of. We disassembled it and used its parts to repair damaged androids during the peace march." Markus said. "It won't be coming back a second time I assure you. Connor is the only RK800 model left."

"Well, as much as I enjoy watching the kid's interrogations, I'd hate to have to bring you back to the precinct for withholding information." Hank's attention had turned to Connor as well and in response the android pushed open one of the supply boxes and surveyed the empty contents he knew it already possessed, "Markus, if there is something that could be useful to this case-"

"Anything that I have withheld does not pertain to your case. I would prefer to know what I am dealing with before I decide to involve any authorities." Markus interrupted, quickly diverting the topic. "If there is nothing else, you are free to look around. I had better get back to work." He took his leave, North trailing obediently after, only after throwing a quick look over her shoulder. If he didn't know any better he'd almost think she wanted to say more than Markus wanted to offer. He did remember her as the outspoken one the very few times that they had met up. Connor had mentioned her before to Hank, had stated that she was very openly aggressive, almost like Gavin though hers was more a past history than just naturally being a "prick"-except Hank had added in that bit himself. And that was much more kindly putting it as far as his companion was concerned. Simon and Josh were waiting for them, and he noticed the PL android's eyes light up as Markus approached them. He had explained Simon to Hank as kind-had even considered him a friend. For Josh, well he wasn't sure. Josh was firm in his decisions, and Connor saw him as someone trying to do the right thing, whether or not that would prove beneficial to his side. Truthfully, he didn't know how the group ever came to a consensus, being completely opposite from each other. Supposedly Markus was that deciding factor.

"C'mon Connor. We ain't getting much else here." He heard the lieutenant call after him. Without waiting to see if he would protest, Hank left the store. Moving to stand by the car, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, hand hovering over it to shield it from the harsh breeze and the drizzle as he lit it. Connor joined him outside of the store, and while he didn't show any outward expression, the distracted fidgeting of his coin betrayed his feelings completely.

"You find anything while you were in there?" Hank inquired. "Markus didn't have much to tell us, nothing that he wanted to share anyway." Brows pinching together, he coughed as he released a puff of smoke into the air, forming into a larger cloud as his breath billowed in the cold air.

Objective: Inspect Cyberlife Store (Completed)

Conclusion: No New Details To Include

Processing Topics...

Processing...

Processed.

Bad Habits: Inadvisable.

Chance of altercation: 63%

His coin was returned to his pocket, arms hanging uselessly at his side. "I..." A soft huff of frustration passed his lips, eyes drawn to the glass cube that made up the Cyberlife store looming in front of them. It's design offered little privacy to the activity inside. He couldn't bring himself to meet the lieutenant's questionable expression lest he cave. "No. Nothing. Nothing relevant to this investigation."

"Well you know that when Markus makes an appearance, there's a rise in android hate crimes. Expect a dozen cases on our desks by the time we get back." Hank flicked the cigarette into the road, snuffed out as it tumbled into a sewer drain. "Let's go, kid." The door creaked open, a soft grunt following as Hank slumped down into the driver's seat. Connor walked around to the passenger side.

He wasn't a deviant in the same sense. Designed as an android detective to assist humans and hunt deviants, he was now an android detective tasked with hunting androids. Just as Detective Reed had so blatantly pointed out, while past transgressions were past. he knew that if the androids at Jericho had found out about his original intentions, their easily hospitable nature would cease. If they had found out he had pulled a gun on their leader, and nearly destroyed their faithful efforts in a mere few seconds, after having so much hope that they could be alive, well it was a possibility he didn't want to ponder.

In a way, Connor found himself afraid, of what would happen if he were to turn into the ruthless machine that Cyberlife wanted so desperately for him to be. The machine that Hank despised in the beginning, before Connor realized that he had been used, that he was destined to destroy the revolution deviant or otherwise. If his old self could so easily be snuffed out and tossed into a drain hole never able to find his way back up.

"Connor!" Hank had rolled down the window, leaning across the seat and momentarily snapping him from his daze. "The number of cases are multiplying the longer we've been sitting here, kid. Come on, let's go. We have a few more leads if that's what you're worried about."

"Coming... Lieutenant." Pulling the door open, Connor slid seamlessly into the passenger seat. This time, the radio was turned up to a deafening volume, the window rolled up to lock in the noise. It was drowned out, without Connor needing to deactivate his audio processors.

The detective android prototype only had one concern plaguing his mind, one that pushed out any sort of concern for the case, for the peace rally, the revolution; even a concern over his partner's wellbeing. It proved easy to block out sometimes, but in the back of his mind like some figurative copy of Amanda waiting for him, it was always there. Would he be the one responsible for his entire world crashing down, or would he be made to do it regardless?