SYNTHETIC [Connor/RK800]

Chicken Feed

Lieutenant Anderson demanded that he eat something before they investigated the next crime scene. Connor didn't protest, recognizing that humans needed to eat regularly. As Lieutenant Anderson crossed the road to get to the food truck, Connor mused about what eating food was like. 

He'd read that it tasted good and drove away the uncomfortable contractions that arose when one was hungry. Some even claimed it had emotional benefits, and eating often made people happier. As a machine, Connor didn't require food. It was neither a need nor a desire. 

The workers within the food truck happily greeted Lieutenant Anderson. He must have been a regular customer. Connor crossed the road, hardly noticing the rain that dripped in his hair and soaked his jacket. Connor stood behind him, an action that was met with irritation.

"What is your problem? Don't you ever do as you're told? Look, you don't have to follow me around like a poodle!" Hank said. 

When his statement was met with a blank stare from Connor, he sighed and turned his eyes back to the open window of the food truck. 

"I thought now might be a good time to review what we know about deviants." 

"No, now is not a good time to review anything. Now is my lunch break, so just go into standby and cut me some slack, okay?" Lieutenant Anderson said. He accepted his burger and soda with appreciation, walking over to a table with its umbrella open. 

"Don't leave that thing here!" The worker said loudly, motioning to Connor. 

"Huh, not a chance! Follows me everywhere..." Lieutenant Anderson replied.

Connor did just that, accompanying him to the table. "I don't want to alarm you, Lieutenant, but I think your friends are engaged in illegal activities."

"Well, everybody does what they to, to get by. As long as they're not hurting anybody, I don't bother 'em."

Connor accepted the answer. "Your meal contains 1.4 times the recommended daily intake of calories and twice the cholesterol level. You shouldn't eat that." He said, concerned with Lieutenant Anderson's poor choices.

"Everybody's gotta die of something..."

Connor nodded, "Is there anything you'd like to know about me?"

"Hell, no. Well, yeah, um... Why did they make you look so goofy and give you that weird voice?" 

"CyberLife androids are designed to work harmoniously with humans. Both my appearance and voice were specifically designed to facilitate my integration."

Lieutenant Anderson nodded, "Well, they fucked up." 

After a short moment, Connor spoke again. "Can I ask you a personal question, Lieutenant?" After a brief nod, he continued. "Why do you hate androids so much?" 

"I have my reasons." Lieutenant Anderson replied solemnly.

"Maybe I should tell you what we know about deviants?" 

"You read my mind. Proceed."

"We believe that a mutation occurs in the software of some androids, which can lead to them emulating a human emotion-" Lieutenant Anderson cut him off before he could continue. 

"In English, please."

"They don't really feel emotions, they just get overwhelmed by irrational instructions, which can lead to unpredictable behavior."

Lieutenant Anderson seemed to understand that all too well. "Emotions always screw everything up... Maybe androids aren't as different from us as we thought." He hums. "You ever dealt with deviants before?"

Connor's mind thought back to the rooftop, with Daniel holding Emma to his side. "A few months back. A deviant was threatening to jump off the roof with a little girl. I managed to save her."

"So, I guess you've done all your homework, right? Know everything there is to know about me?"

Connor considered how to answer. "I know you graduated top of your class. You made a name for yourself in several cases, and became the youngest lieutenant in Detroit. I also know you've received several disciplinary warnings in recent years and you spend a lot of time in bars." He said softly.

"So, what's your conclusion?"

"I think working with an officer with personal issues is an added challenge, but, adapting to human unpredictability is one of my features." 

Connor winked a little, indicating he was receiving information. His LED flashed yellow. "I just got a report of a suspected deviant. It's a few blocks away. We should go have a look." He stood up fully, no longer leaning against the small table. "I'll let you finish your meal. I'll be in the car if you need me."