Accident Prone - Becoming Human

Overthinking

Diligent and focused as ever Connor stared at the screen of his terminal at a total loss for a lead or even a basic theory to head his most recent case in the appropriate direction. An unusual string of meticulous robberies aimed at numerous electronics stores throughout the city was indicative of illegal deviant behavior. However, there wasn't any security footage to confirm the robberies as reported, there were no witnesses to the crime, no reported deviants being seen in the area of the crimes or even any underground black marketeering of stolen goods in the android community being confirmed by any deviants residing within the city.

While Connor anxiously danced his coin over the knuckles of his right hand Hank watched him with an unspoken worry in his blue eyes. Hank knew that Connor could obsess over little details and set aside his own needs until his work was accomplished, and that nasty little habit of working himself into the ground needed to stop.

Sighing to himself Hank looked at his empty coffee mug then back up at Connor with a stern glance. "Connor, take a break." Hank ordered rather than suggested as he stared at his own terminal screen with an unblinking gaze. "I'll cover for you."

"I'm okay."

"You've been sitting there for almost seven hours without moving." The firm tone of Hank's voice carried authority but not aggression. "Get up. Take a walk around the block. Then come back."

"I'd rather-"

"I know you'd rather keep working, but you need to take a minute to clear your mind. Go." Quickly Hank reached his hand out and grabbed onto Connor's coin with a quick snatch and held onto the coin for the time being. "Ten minutes. Go now."

"I don't-"

"Connor. GO."

Against his will Connor's L.E.D. fluttered from blue to yellow with irritation, but he obeyed Hank's order and rose from his desk with a begrudgingly halting pace. Rarely one to show any annoyance toward his fellow officers, let alone Hank himself, Connor's aggravation was evident to everyone who saw the stressing deviant cross the bullpen and make his way toward the from receptionist area of the precinct.

Letting out a deep sigh Hank leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his bearded chin as paternal concern set in. "...Finally."

How does one explain to an android who had been initially programmed to succeed at any cost that it was okay to make mistakes and that it was okay to work at a slow pace? How does one explain to someone who was built specifically to succeed that it was okay to NOT be perfect? Very few humans understood that reality, an android was less likely to understand it, and Hank knew for a fact that it could be a false reality that could prove itself detrimental to Connor.

Resuming his work on his own terminal screen Hank noted the time on the small digital clock and began counting down aloud to himself as the ten minute long window closed, reaching the final few seconds. "Five... four... three... two..."

Connor returned to the bullpen anxiously and sat back down behind his desk to resume his investigation with a hasty gait guiding his steps.

"One."

Unsurprisingly Connor overheard Hank and his brow furrowed with confusion as he looked to the senior detective inquisitively. "'One'? One what?"

"Nothing." Hank dismissed the question easily as he cleared his throat. "Feel better?"

"No. I feel the same, just ten minutes and eight seconds slower in my progress."

"Remember what I said about the dangers of obsessing?"