SYNTHETIC [Connor/RK800]

Interlude: Soft Rain

When he opened his eyes to examine his mind palace, it was raining. The sky was a soft periwinkle. The stones reflected it as they were rained on. The blue seemed to coax all the colors of the garden to sleep, invoking a sort of surreal monochrome. Amanda stood next to the stone path instead of on her island. She didn't look as warm as she had during their previous meeting.

"Hello, Amanda."

"Connor, I've been expecting you. Would you mind a little walk?"

Connor opened the umbrella in his hands, holding it above himself and Amanda. While realistically they could both withstand the weather comfortably, it was a polite gesture that allowed Connor to continue to remain on Amanda's good side. They walked leisurely down the garden path, their voices barely above the rain. 

"That deviant seemed to be an intriguing case. A pity, you didn't manage to capture it..." Amanda said.

"Deviants are irrational, which makes it difficult to anticipate their behavior. But, I should've been more effective."

"Did you manage to learn anything?"

"The walls of the apartment were covered with drawings of labyrinths and other symbols. Like the other deviants, it seemed obsessed with RA9."

"What else?"

"I found its diary, but it was encrypted. It may take weeks to decipher."

"You came very close to capturing that deviant..." Amanda mused. "How is your relationship with the Lieutenant developing?"

"He seemed grateful that I saved his life on the roof. He didn't say anything, but he expressed it in his own way."

They turned together, crossing a bridge over the moat. Amanda stopped, capturing Connor's attention. He turned to her. 

"We don't have much time. Deviancy continues to spread. It's only a matter of time before the media finds out about it. We need to stop this,whatever it takes." Amanda said. Connor knew what she was implying. If he had to choose between saving the life of a human and completing his mission again, his decision was to be his mission. 

"I will solve this investigation, Amanda. I won't disappoint you." Connor said sternly. 

"A new case just came in. Find Anderson and investigate it." She said coldly, walking off.