(Not) Alive - Machine | Detroit Become Human [finished]

11010 - Calibration

Hank Anderson's shelves were full of information he enjoyed scanning.  Books in the library, CDs and vinyls, photos hanging on the walls and even potted plants, everything was good to get back to its previously forgotten functions.  He learned that Hank liked jazz and heavy metal, that he was interested in car mechanics, that he had been part of a football team when he was young and that his potted Etcheverria was slightly lacking in water.

He knew from Angie that he could also analyze things by bringing them to his very sensitive sensing tongue, but he could also know a lot of useful information about everything around him just by focusing on them.  Thanks to this, he regained control over his environment, he felt less helpless.

He had, among other things, a very clear vision of the neighborhood and even of the city.  He knew where the warehouse where he had spent so many lonely days was.  Going back didn't attract him in the least, Angie was right after all, androids needed comfort too, but it reassured him to know that he could easily take refuge there, or quickly find another hiding place thanks to the functions unlocked by Mr. Kamski.

The two humans were chatting in the kitchen, letting him try out his new toys.  Could he scan them too?  There was only one way to find out.  He stared at Lieutenant Anderson and concentrated. A list of information was then imposed on him: Hank Anderson, human, born September 6, 1985 in Detroit, 6.3 ft, 209 lbs, blue eyes, lieutenant in the Detroit City Police Department, former decorated member of the Red Ice Task Force, divorced.

He also had access to his service records and a number of press articles about him.  His medical file, on the other hand, was locked, accessible only with the explicit consent of the person concerned.  He then returned his attention to Angie.

Among other things, he learned that she was born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was 27, graduated from police academy 5 years earlier, and had been off work for about 8 months the previous year.  Like Hank, he didn't have access to her medical file, but he knew very well what happened, he had seen her scars.  He felt vaguely responsible for it without knowing why.

For her too, there were press articles, and quite an impressive number for such a young policewoman.  And she had also written a book?  She had never spoken to him about it!  He was about to start a quick read when the lieutenant interrupted him.

- Are you okay, Connor?

- Yes. Why ?

- I don't know, you just stood there doing nothing, like when you sent a report to Cyberlife.  You don't do that anymore, right?

- No, of course not, he reassured him.

- Come see, Connor, Angie called out, I have something for you.

He walked over to the kitchen table, curious to see what she wanted to give him.  When she found it in her pocket, she brandished the object in front of him, between thumb and forefinger.  It was a coin.  He didn't know what he had expected but he felt disappointed.

- Do you want me to go buy something?  He asked cautiously.

Angie laughed, upsetting him a bit.

- No, idiot, it was yours.  I should have given it back to you sooner.

She must have read the incomprehension on his face because she looked puzzled.  She obviously expected him to recognize this quarter dollar.  Should he?

He reached out to study the object more closely but she didn't give him time to grab it.  In the blink of an eye, the young woman rolled the coin between her knuckles with surprising agility.  He watched her juggle, speechless.

- Your turn !  She exclaimed suddenly throwing the coin in the air.

He caught it by reflex, it landed on the tip of his index finger, where it began to spin in unstable balance.  Suddenly, he bounced it, before rolling it onto the back of his fingers.  His hand moved by itself, like gestures repeated over and over again that had become automatisms.

It was pleasant, in a way.  By reflex he threw the coin in the air, then it fell back into his palm, he felt the exact weight, recorded in his program.  Finally he passed it from one hand to the other, catching it between two fingers.  The message "calibration complete" then appeared.

He stared at the small metal disc for a moment.  Humans must have felt the same feeling when they stretched after standing still for a long time, he felt really good.  He returned his gaze to Angie who hadn't missed any of his actions.

- Thank you, he said, I didn't know until then but I missed it.

__________

- You kept it all this time?  Connor added after a pause.

Angie hadn't expected this question. Wasn't it a little strange that she had kept a single coin for so long?

- Yes ... Well, no, it's Hank who ... she stammered.

Arms crossed over his chest and a smirk on his face, this one wasn't helping her.  She glared at him.

- He had confiscated it from you, she said accusingly, to stop her superior's little game. But at least we had a memory of you, when you disappeared, she added more gently.

- Can I keep it?  Connor asked.

- Obviously, it's yours, boy, Hank replied.

Angie confirmed with a nod.  The android juggled the coin again for a few minutes, before putting it back in his pocket and sitting down across from the two humans.  He took a breath, clenched his jaw as a determined expression entered his face.

- I made a decision, he began.

Angie leaned over him, showing him that he had her undivided attention, even though she felt a slight trepidation.

- I want you to take me to visit the police station.

She sighed, it was just that!  Well, for him it was a big step forward but for her, who knew he was in absolutely no danger at the police station, apart from possibly some sarcasm from Gavin Reed, she felt relieved.  She had been afraid that he would tell them that he wanted to leave, she knew it would happen eventually, that he would want to stand on his own feet one day or another, and she wasn't ready to let him go of her life yet.

- Okay, if you feel ready.

- Yes, I'm tired of letting fear rule my life and as you said, this is surely the place that will bring back the most memories.

- Um, we could go this afternoon.  Hank?

The latter sighed theatrically.

- It supposed to be our day off, I remind you.  I wanted to take a look at Jimmy's ... it's been awhile since I've been there, guys are gonna start to worry.  Anyway, you know the way, you don't need me.

- Your drinking buddies don't need you either, Angie replied a little more sharply than she would have liked.  Would you let us face Fowler alone?

- Pfff ... You know very well that he barks but doesn't bite.  Besides, he already knows Connor, it's not like you're bringing your lover to the station for sightseeing.

He had particularly insisted on the word "lover" to annoy her.  For the second time, Angie gave him a murderous look.

- Fine, then we'll go without you, she said, pushing back her chair, exasperated by his innuendos.  You coming, Connor?

Irritated, she grabbed her jacket before heading for the exit.

__________

Connor alternately looked at Angie and Lieutenant Anderson.  What was wrong with them?

- You should follow her, the man said to him, nodding towards the door.

He nodded and got up to take his jacket and beanie from the coat rack as well.

- See you tonight, Lieutenant, he said.

Then he took a deep breath to cheer himself up and walked out to join Angie at the nearest cab.