"I understand the destruction of my predecessor may have been unpleasant for you, Lieutenant and Sergeant," Connor began, leaning on a desk across the way from the duo. "I'll do everything I can to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Seán said nothing as he continued to look over the files he had been handed this morning. Hank kept his arms cross, looking at his case board.
"In any case, I'd like you to know I'm very happy to be working with you. I'm sure we'll make a great team."
It took all of Seán's willpower to not laugh at that moment. The way its voice fluctuated was so... human. Yet, in-human at the same time. Like Connor was trying too hard.
"Now that we're all partners, it would be great to get to know each other better." Again, almost human. That smile on their face pushed their cheeks up awkwardly like they hadn't ever smiled before.
"Is there a desk anywhere I could use?" Connor asked, looking between Hank and Seán.
"No one's using that one," Hank pointed at the desk that Connor was leaning on, then folding his arms once more. Seán watched as Connor turned to look at the desk, then walked off like he still hadn't finished exploring.
Seán scoffed a little, leaning around Hank's case board, "Can I have a donut?"
"Knock yourself out," Hank said, pushing the mostly-empty box towards Seán. He grabbed a chocolate one, closing the box and biting into the donut. He hummed a little in satisfaction, continuing to chew as he switched over to the case file that was just handed to him by Fowler.
An android- an AX400- had gone missing from the plaintiff- Todd Williams'- house last night. Todd had just finished giving the report a few minutes before Seán got in this morning. The AX400 (who went by Kara) assaulted Todd and ran off. Relatively simple, right?
Connor finally came and sat down, making small talk with Hank.
"You listen to heavy metal?" Hank said as Seán tuned back in.
"Well, I don't really listen to music as such, but I'd like to," Connor said.
Seán laughed a little, "Technically he is heavy metal. Every time he walks he listens to heavy metal. By listening to him talk-."
"Seán shut the ever-loving fuck up," Hank grumbled. Seán looked up, seeing a hint of amusement in Hank's eyes as they scanned the computer.
"A lot of people don't appreciate having androids around," Connor said. Seán felt his back tense up and could hear a sigh come from Hank. "I was wondering, is there any reason, in particular, you despise me?"
"Yeah..." Hank answered for both of them. "There is one."
The air hung awkwardly for a moment before Connor spoke again, "If you have any files on deviants, I'd love to take a look at them."
"Terminal's on your desk. Knock yourself out."
It took a moment for Connor to read through all of them. "243 files and the first one dates back 9 months. It all started in Detroit, and quickly spread across the country." Connor took a moment, "An AX400 is reported to have assaulted a man last night. That could be a good starting point for our investigation."
"You're right," Seán mumbled softly, watching as Connor stood quickly and approached Hank.
"Uh, Jesus..." Hank mumbled, turning to the case board.
Connor leaned in, "I know you didn't ask for this investigation, Lieutenant, but I'm sure you're a professional."
"Why don't you go fuck yourself," Hank said, turning to the android.
Connor leaned in even further, "I've been assigned this mission, Lieutenant. I didn't come here to wait until you feel like working."
Seán's jaw dropped open as Hank pushed out from his desk, grabbing Connor and slamming him into the partition. It shook, sending some of Seán's things off his half of it.
"Listen, asshole. If it was up to me, I'd throw the lot of you in a dumpster and set a match to it. So, stop pissing me off or things are gonna get nasty." Connor dropped to the ground quietly.
"Lieutenant, Sergeant," Chris said as he was coming up, "Uh... sorry to disturb you. I have some information on the AX400 that attacked the guy last night. It's been seen in the Ravendale district."
Seán waited for Hank to speak up. After getting nothing from the older man, Seán stood, "Thanks, Chris. We'll check it out."
Hank sent one last glare before he walked next to Seán and out to the garage.
The sky drizzled as they arrived. As Seán stepped out of the car he shivered, looking around. The rain clung to his skin as he slammed the door.
"I'm going to start looking around," Seán said, turning towards Hank. Hank nodded, so Seán walked off.
The first thing he approached was an area that looked tarped off, but the tarp had been ripped in some spots. He peeked in, feeling a slight headache come on as Chase joined him.
"What are we doing?"
"Looking for an AX400. She assaulted her owner last night and was spotted here."
"Alright."
Seán moved the tarp a tiny bit, watching as a woman dug into her forehead. Something fell out, an LED.
"It's her!" Chase said. "Get her!"
"Wait," Seán said, watching her closely.
"What do you mean wait? She's right there!" Chase insisted.
Seán watched as the woman turned to the car's door, opening it.
"Alice... Wake up, Alice," The android said softly. Seán could barely hear her.
Someone spoke up from in the car, but Seán couldn't tell exactly what they said.
"No... No, it wasn't a nightmare. How do you feel?"
"I'm cold," Seán finally heard. A child?
"Well, at least your dad won't hurt you anymore," The android whispered. "That's all that matters."
The pieces clicked in Seán's head. Todd was abusing them? And he mentioned nothing of the child. Did he want her back?
"What are we gonna do now?" The child asked softly.
"That android we saw yesterday, he gave me an address, he said we could get help there," The android said.
What address? What the hell...
"The train passes just on the other side of the road, the station can't be far. You feel okay to walk a little? Let's go then."
With his mind made up, Seán watched as the two stepped out of the car. He listened as the kid complimented the android, she couldn't have been older than 10.
The two approached him, and he waved a little. They stopped dead in their tracks, and Seán watched the blood drain out of the kid's face. Must be the uniform.
"Shh, I'm here to help you guys. I'm not going to arrest you," Seán whispered.
"How can we trust you?" The android asked.
Seán hesitated, "Uh... you can't really. My name is Seán, what's yours?"
"I'm Alice," The kid said, smiling a little.
The android's lips pursed, "Kara."
"Okay, Kara and Alice. What you're going to do is go towards the train station. I'll call in the officers around here and lead them in the opposite direction. That should get you to the station," Seán explained.
"I-... Thank you," Kara said softly. She reached down and pulled on the fence, allowing Alice to crawl through. Seán gently pulled her up, then held the fence for Kara. As soon as the two were up, Seán gently pushed them towards the station.
When they were far enough away, Seán began to walk, looking for someone he could pin the blame on. Another AX400, this time with a baby and it's parents, was walking down the street.
Holy fuck I'm going to be in so much trouble, Seán reached down and grabbed his walkie, "Suspect spotted on the corner of Fishbach and Nelson, walking with two adults and an infant in a stroller."
All Seán could hear was the pounding of footsteps as officers from around him came running. Connor reached the android first, scanning it.
"Wrong one! Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am, sir." Connor dusted the AX400 off, approaching Seán.
"I thought it was her," Seán lied, looking at the android as the family moved off.
"Humans often make mistakes. She won't get far though. We'll find her sooner or later." Connor said, leading Seán back to Hank's car.
