"Markus? I want to go home now."
[DATE: 17 AUGUST 2020, 2:41:19 AM]
Markus lays still next to Connor in their bed, automatically awake as soon as his systems register his name coming from a familiar voice. He sighs and blinks up at the ceiling before turning onto his side, where he's met with Connor staring sharply back at him.
"I know, Connor, but we can't yet. We need to find out how to first, "
"But I want to go home now, " Connor repeats, nonplussed. A complicatedly emotionless expression adorning his face. Markus feels a shiver run down his spine as Connor's voice lilts more into angry confusion at the end.
"We're stuck here Connor, but only temporarily. I swear that I'll do my best to get us out, but you have to try too, " Markus says gently.
Connor's eyes seem to darken and Markus grimaces as cold demeanour washes over his friend.
"We don't have any idea how that android sent us here. We don't have any clue as to how Cyberlife developed dimensional technology. Furthermore, despite me being able to perform self-checkups every minute, we don't know if this is all just some programmed simulation to punish us for going deviant-" Connor sits up from the bed and his body moves mechanically to the side before he's pushing off the bed and onto his feet.
"This is all real Connor. Why would Cyberlife even go through the work to create something like that-" Markus tries to reason with him, but is cut off. Connor turns towards Markus and raises a finger to point at himself.
"They did it to me. They've done it before and I can't trust whether or not this entire situation is something that's actually happening. Why can't you understand that? How do I know you aren't real either? I've told you before that they had installed an entire backdoor into my system where they could simulate weather conditions and pressure. There's next to nothing that can prove that anything I'm-we're going through."
"Connor of course we're real- " Markus stops himself and takes in a deep breath to cool his systems. "Even if this is a simulation, we have to try our best to get back to our Detroit, right? If we don't try at all we lose all reasonable chance to get home. I'm sorry for what Cyberlife put you through and I'm sorry that I am unable to prove anything at the moment. I can promise to you that I am here though, can't I?" Markus says. He raises a hand towards Connor and slowly, his plastisteel skin melts back from an almond brown to white and grey.
Connor takes a shaky step back and his eyes snap to the outstretched hand. Carefully, Connor raises his own hand and his own skin begins to pull back.
Before they touch, Connor takes in a sharp breath and mechanically walks out of the room. Markus sighs and lays back down awkwardly. They'll deal with whatever that was later then.
"Alright, sir, here is your tower ID card, just hold it against the scanners near doorways or elevators and you should be able to get in. Fair warning, it doesn't give you access to all of Stark Tower and it monitors where you enter and exit." Ms Potts says. Markus can tell that she's already focussing on something else.
"Tony should actually be asleep right now- don't get used to it though, you'll probably have to coax him into rest later."
And with that last piece of advice, Ms Potts sends Markus into the Thunderdome.
Markus is let into the bedroom and immediately taps a button on his tablet in order to open the blinds in Stark's bedroom. He puts on a bright smile and stands next to Stark's bed.
"Good morning Mr Stark, My name is Markus and I will be acting as your caregiver. It is currently the seventeenth of August, the current time is nine-thirty in the morning, and the weather today is partly cloudy at-"
Tony groans as light hits his face.
"Ugh, ok kid, please just call me Tony? And who already gave you access to my penthouse? Shit, Jarvis? Did you just speak through Markus? Cause I swear to god he has that morning information routine way too spot on-"
"No sir, Mr Manfred is just an experienced caregiver. You seem to have forgotten that you were the one to download the bedside manner skills into my programming,"
"JARVIS, close the blinds for god's sake!"
"I apologize Sir, but may I suggest you get out of bed? You have many meetings to attend to today, and Markus has already prepared your breakfast," JARVIS scolds. Markus feels a sharp memory tugging at his mind when he notices how expressive JARVIS sounds.
Tony groans and lays there for a moment, face pressed against his pillow. He mumbles into the cloth before pressing himself up on his arms and looking up at the ceiling, carefully ignoring Markus.
"What's for breakfast, Riff Raff?"
"I have made a fried egg with tomatoes, hummus, and garlic pita bread for your first meal of the day. I have also prepared a blueberry smoothie with some supplement powders mixed in, though I'm sure you'll find it to taste-" Markus says as he moves through the doorway, Stark tiredly trailing behind him.
Markus swears he can feel JARVIS's pleasure radiating off the walls.
In the same morning, Connor is at a different sector of Stark Tower, standing stiffly in front of a man who introduces himself as Harold Hogan. The name files into his brain for further examination later.
Hogan has a sort of intimidating look about him as he explains different procedures and etiquette to Connor. With every sharp question the man asks, Connor responds promptly and quickly.
"-And if someone were to attack Parker, you know what to do?" Hogan asks, serious. Connor nods.
"I will eliminate the danger and bring Mr Parker to safety-"
Connor is cut off by the stern 'No' the man interjects with.
"First you get Peter to safety, and then you eliminate the danger. Got it? Anything happens to the kid and I swear to God I will punish you myself,"
Connor nods carefully. Harold Hogan's relationship with Peter Parker seems to be closer than he first thought. Good to know.
"Of course, I apologize for my mistake,"
Hogan stiffly smiles. Worry and suspicion still lining the man's face. Connor thinks through different social responses in order to appeal himself to the man. Hogan's attitude reminds him of Hank. Connor smiles brightly at Hogan.
"You do not have to worry sir, I am trained in multiple forms of combat and defence. I will not hesitate to incapacitate any aggressors,"
Hogan stares at him for a moment, a strange look on his face. Suddenly, the strong look adorning the man relaxes and Hogan sighs.
"I can't believe Tony's hired another weirdo," Hogan says under his breath. Connor is careful not to react. Hogan hands him keys to a car and walks off.
Markus silently waits as Tony showers. Tony had indeed enjoyed the food, but hadn't said anything to Markus at all.
It reminds Markus of his first day with Carl.
He was a gift to Carl. A bit of a spiteful gift to be honest, with the implication being that Carl needed someone to care for him and that he was getting old. They weren't exactly wrong but it was rude anyways.
Carl had ignored Markus for about half the day before awkwardly asking Markus to please stop looking at him what the fuck. Carl had been painting a mural and Markus had kept attentive to the man, awaiting orders. Markus smiled and nodded like a good robot, turning his head down and focusing on the ground.
And that action seemed to startle Carl.
"What are you- Don't hang your head like that! You'll strain your neck,"
Markus remembers his own response clearly, robotic and filled with programmed happiness.
"You do not have to worry sir, I am unable to strain my neck,"
Carl had sighed and put down his paintbrush. He gestured to a clear table near Markus and told him to sit. Markus followed the order. Carl went back to painting. Markus had gone over the two commands in his head, 'Stop looking at me,' and 'Don't hang your head,' before carefully focussing on Carl's project. They didn't speak for the rest of the night. Carl scoffed when Markus told him that it was time for bed but had listened ad settled in for the night.
"Thanks, um- wake me up at seven in the morning tomorrow please?"
"Of course, sir,"
Tony had finished showering and walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He had a toothbrush in his hand and when he looked at Markus, his brows furrowed.
"Were you standing there the entire time? I was in there for like, thirty minutes," Tony asks disbelievingly. Markus can tell that Tony was surprised that he hadn't snooped around.
Markus shrugs and smiles, for once not entirely sure what he's supposed to say yet. He holds his arms out to offer Tony clothes that JARVIS had picked out.
Tony sighs, just as disturbed as Carl had been, and turns to walk towards his bedroom.
"I don't like being handed things," Tony says. Markus nods though Stark can't see it. The information is slotted into Markus' caretaking program save under 'Stark'. No handing things, got it.
Connor pulls up to Peter Parker's apartment. He walks up to the door, his suit is clean and pressed, and knocks on the door.
A kind-looking lady opens the door, she seems surprised but smiles at him.
"Wow, you're tall! Mr Anderson, right?" She asks, and as soon as Connor nods she turns her head back into the apartment and yells, "Peter! Your ride's here, hurry up!"
"-I told Pepper I didn't need to be ridden to school! I can walk there-"
Peter walks out of a hallway and into view. He has a backpack and untied shoes on him. Peter stops when he sees Connor, turns red, and squeaks out a quick "Hello Sir!"
"Hello Peter, My name is Connor, your chauffeur sent by Stark Industries,"
Peter seems to redden further and May Parker wiggles her eyebrows.
"Fancy, Peter be nice,"
Peter's shoulders hunch up awkwardly as he nods sheepishly. Connor steps to the side and Peter exits, being careful not to have his bag accidentally hit Connor.
Their ride to the school is awkward. Well, it's awkward to Peter. Connor thinks things are going smoothly. Peter bounces his leg, sitting in the front seat. As soon as Conor turns the first corner, Peter starts rambling.
"Wow this is weird, I'm sorry! I thought I convinced Tony that I didn't need a, a bodyguard but I guess I ummm didn't," Peter says first.
Connor nods idly, "You have no reason to apologize. He is worried for your safety. I promise to do my best at keeping you safe," Connor hopes he's injected enough assurance in his tone.
Peter laughs a little nervously at that, and his palms run down the front of his thighs. Anxiety, Connor notes silently.
"I never get to sit in the front seat," Peter says as he looks out the car window, "Happy- uhm, Mr Hogan, said it wasn't safe, he's a big softie really- don't tell him I said that,"
Connor straightens slightly in his chair, and Peter's eyes dart over to him as the car stops at a red light. Connor turns to Peter with a friendly smile and what, hopefully Conor thinks, is a mischievous gaze.
"I'll be sure to keep your secret safe, Peter,"
Peter's eyes widen slightly and Connor is confused as to why Peter seems to relax in relief.
"Of course you know! Mr Stark wouldn't have got me a bodyguard who didn't know I was Spiderman! Gosh, I was so worried that I'd have to-" Peter trails off in horror as Connor blinks at him in surprise.
"Oh uh I mean that well um," Peter sputters out in slight hysteria.
The light turns green and Connor begins driving again.
"I've signed an extensive contract to keep you safe and secure, Mr Parker," Connor says robotically, "It is my duty to keep any sensitive information regarding you a secret. You need not worry,"
Peter exhales and sinks into his seat. Silently berating himself and fearfully muttering oh God Mr Stark's going to kill me.
Connor debates on whether or not he should tell Markus. No, he decides, it would be against his job's contract.
[CURRENT MISSION PRIORITY: GUARD PETER PARKER]