://i have no heart

[toyboy]

[ it's dark. his internal chronometer reads 9:45pm. it had taken less than an hour to wrap up the hostage situation, and he'd left almost immediately after to catch a cab back to the cyberlife tower.

the reason why he's currently standing on a curb, under the harsh glare of a street lamp, is obvious without words: the cab parked nearby, smoking under the hood, is the culprit. he had called a second cab fifteen minutes ago, but had been warned that it might arrive late. there was currently high traffic congestion in this part of the city, and several cabs were stuck in the backup of vehicles. this was partially due to the streets around the phillips' apartment building being blocked off for several hours.

a moth had broken free from the allure of the street lamp to orbit around his head— it bumped into his LED twice, attracted by the glow. connor stepped sideways, and it followed him.

he waited for his cab to arrive. he didn't didn't think about daniel, or emma. he waited. ]

Comments

[toyboy]

If it can't be stopped, it could mean an uprising. There are millions of androids in circulation.

[ do the numbers, and the problem becomes clear. connor considers for a moment, his gaze distant, and then continues. ]

I was eventually going to be released to the DPD to investigate the issue, but now I suppose my successor will be the one to do it.

[heavymetalgears]

Hm.

( Hank's following along with the implications that he would be traveling with a potential deviant outlaw - or at least that's what he thought that's what Connor was talking about. The comment about an uprising became more of immediate concern for Hank, in that such an organized event could mean a lot of people getting hurt. Deviants, right, those were considered androids that killed their owners? Or was it... was it just that they refused an order? )

What exactly are you concerned about, Connor? You think you'll kill me?

[toyboy]

Me? No, It's extremely unlikely I'm capable of deviancy.

[ still, there's a change in the tone of his voice, a thread of insecurity that he perhaps can't even identify himself— the way someone says something they're completely convinced of only because they have to be convinced of it, otherwise their entire worldview falls apart. ]

But I would be a liability to you in that situation. Once the root of deviancy is found, I assume CyberLife will release a firmware update to patch the issue. But if the problem is hardware side, there may be mass recalls.

Of course, I'm only making conjecture. The situation could resolve itself. Or things could get worse in ways I haven't predicted.

[heavymetalgears]

( Hank had a hard time believing androids who deviated would allow for a patch update or to return themselves to get "fixed." If it was between this deviancy and a return to factory settings, why would an android reset? Of course, what the fuck did he know? Hank eyes Connor with a thin mouth, his contemplation heavy on his brow. I would be a liability to you in that situation. So, did that mean Connor would kill him in that situation?

Maybe he shouldn't bring him around his parents. What a fucking asshole that'd make him if he put his parents in danger. )

I don't understand any of that.

Why do you think it's not likely you'd deviate?

[toyboy]

To put it simply: Whatever happens, the media attention and CyberLife's investigation into deviancy will make it more difficult to hide me.

[ his programming tells him that there's likely to be an upheaval in the current social structure, although there's no way of knowing what kind of upheaval, or what things will look like after it's over. the infrastructure of society revolves almost entirely around androids now, at least in the states.

but the question hank asks is, at least, easy to answer. connor's eyebrow twitches. ]

I'm CyberLife's most advanced prototype.

[heavymetalgears]

( The last remark makes Hank give Connor a side glance before he rolls his eyes. This was coming from an android that willingly and knowingly walked himself into a fucking trap because some asshole told him to. )

Yeah.

( He then thinks about Connor being dickless, as if that small neglect in anatomy would make Connor's comment even more disputable. Hank pushes aside his thoughts, he can't get caught up in unhelpful narratives that wander unchecked within his mind. )

Okay. Well, the only thing we need to hide is that fucking thing on your head. Otherwise... you pass as human.

[toyboy]

[ connor watches hank roll his eyes like he's waiting for him to say something— when he doesn't make any further comment on his statement, he lets it pass. or maybe he doesn't understand his exasperation?

he blinks when hank mentions the LED, and it flickers as though it's acknowledging its own presence. ]

I'm sure you know it's illegal to remove an android's LED for the sake of passing it as human.

[ connor gives a pause before raising his fingers to his temple. ]

Not that I can stop you, of course.

[heavymetalgears]

( Honestly, no, he had no fucking clue the LED thing could be removed and that it was illegal to remove it. He was thinking more of Connor wearing a hat. Or a bandaid. Maybe a bandana-no, not that. His confusion dissipates to amusement as his mind works through various visuals of Connor wearing headgear to hide the LED. )

Uh, I don't think so. I'm not trying to take any more off you ... especially after getting you put back together.

[toyboy]

It's not necessary to my functioning. But it's at your discretion.

[ that is to say, he has no opinion. he lowers his hand, considering the situation. but there are too many variables. there's no way to know what situations they might find themselves in, if the lieutenant is even seriously considering leaving the state. ]

Anyway, it might be better to register me under a different model number instead of trying to pass me off as human. Temperature scanners can be used to detect androids from humans, and if we leave the state, or the country, there's a much higher chance that they'll check.

[heavymetalgears]

( Temperature scanners? Hank had no fucking ... clue, but now that he thinks about it, there were a few stores that had face recognition software to connect to customers quickly. He figures it has something to do with that, or maybe it doesn't have anything to do with that. He lost touch with technology a long damned time ago. )

Uh. Okay, so, where do you get a fucking model number from?

[toyboy]

All androids have a designated model number. The information is stored in the android's software. I'm not capable of changing my own, but I could forge a record of purchase any any other documents that would be necessary.

[ for him, it wouldn't even be that difficult. it's almost a shame he can't edit his own software; but in order to make that kind of change, he would need outside help, and even then it would be an extensive cover-up. ]

What kind of android do you think you would own? There are a number of popular housekeeper models that I could pose as.

[heavymetalgears]

Uh.

( He can't help but think he wouldn't own an android. His resistance makes it difficult for Hank to consider what would be more likely. However, without having to think too much about it, he considers Connor's suggestion. )

Housekeeper... ( He doesn't really know what other kinds there are, outside business types like landscapers and retail models. ) I don't know the difference between the models.

[toyboy]

There are a lot, so I don't think you'd thank me for listing them all. But if there's something you want done around the house, there's probably an android for the task.

[ he considers a moment what hank might find useful, halfheartedly wondering a moment what it is that hank wants with him, an android now barred from its proper function. it's undeniable: he isn't very useful this way.

except as a stand-in. ]

There are androids for home security, pet care, yard work... The housekeeper models are some of the most popular, but maybe for a police Lieutenant, a security android would be more fitting?

[heavymetalgears]

( Security? Hank scoffs and shakes his head. He lifts a hand and waves away the idea. ) No, no... I don't need a fucking body guard. ( He huffs and drops his hand to his lap. )

Just ... a housekeeper is fine. Whatever model you think is best.

( He takes in a breath and eyes Connor over before he stands and wipes his palms down his shirt. )

I got some work to finish up, are you good?

[toyboy]

Not a bodyguard, Hank. A security android. Generally used for surveillance when the home owner is away or sleeping. Consumer-model androids aren't authorized to use force against humans.

[ it goes without saying that he is, considering what he'd been doing up until he got scrapped. but of course that's no good for a cover story. he has to blend in.

connor's confusion at the question mirrors hank's. ]

Good? I'm fine, Hank. Is there anything you'd like me to do while you're working?

[heavymetalgears]

The details don't really matter, do they? You're not going to clean my house, and you're not going to survey my home... it's just a model number. So, if .... and this is a big if, there's a chance someone does come to my house to mess with me, you still can kick their ass.

No matter what number you give yourself.

( He scratches at his chin, the coarse beard reciprocating the scratch. )

Is there something you want to do?

[toyboy]

[ connor's lips press together, and a crease appears between his brows. ]

You have a point, but I should still maintain some pretense. Unless you don't intend to let me leave the house.

[ the pretense probably isn't necessary, with a little house like this at the end of a cul de sac, but he's hardwired to want to have some purpose, some function, something to do, no matter what that might be. ]

I want to do my job, but seeing as that's impossible now...