Chapter Text
After a rather unsuccessful mission, during which Connor had managed to overlook one clue—a statistically low-probability, but not impossible—resulting in disaster, Hank had insisted on drinking.
Connor noted that Hank was on his fourth drink for this evening in this... fine establishment.
PROCESSING...
Probability.of.car.accident.if.Hank.drives: 77%
Probability.of.car.accident.if.RK800.drives:22%
DECISION: RK800 drives.
After insisting and bargaining with the Lieutenant for thirty minutes, the choice was made.
"Just don't crash it." Hank had said, and downed another glass, and then threw it away into a trashcan.
...a reusable glass.
Connor's LED flickered yellow.
PROCESSING...
OBJECTIVE: Do not crash Lt. Anderson car
Save driving initiated
"Understood, Lieutenant."
Connor's expression did not change.
They reached the car, and Connor sat into the driver's seat, and Hank in the passenger seat. Connor had never driven a car before. His LED spun a bright blue.
This was going to be... an experience.
Connor noticed out of the corner of his sensors that Hank was squinting at him. Hank turned on the radio, and some rock music filled the silence.
Upbeat or aggressive music has been shown to cause subconscious speeding or more erratic driving, especially in—
"...Do you even have a license?" Hank asked, his expression dead serious.
The answer was too long, and it was not recommended to engage in long debates while driving.
"...Depends." Connor said. All in all, an appropriate answer.
Hank blinked at the android. Slightly dumbfounded.
"Wait. Hold on." He paused, and sat up straighter.
"...Since you're an android, and are driving a car– is this autonomous driving?" The human asked, completely serious.
...Hank.
What.
Autonomous car, driverless car, robotic car, or robo-car, is a car that is capable of operating with reduced or no human input.
Further research was required to form a proper opinion on that matter. Connor made a mental note to look into it when they got home.
Connor's LED however remained a steady blue.
"...No."
Hank apparently found Connor's pause to be an admission of some sort.
"Oh fuck no. I don't want my car to be autonomous driving. Gimme the keys."
The lieutenant tried to grab the wheel.
WARNING: OBJECTIVE: Do not crash Lt. Anderson car:
Probability of a car accident 99%
Emergency memory access initiated.
Accessed all memory files of RK800 for twenty seconds.
WARNING: OBJECTIVE: Do not crash Lt. Anderson car
ADVISED_ACTION: insist that RK800 drives
Connor's LED flashed red.
"I am sorry, Lieutenant, but no. You're in no condition to–"
"...Oh hell I am! If you're gonna cause an accident, who is gonna be responsible for that, huh? Me? CyberLife? Kamski? Markus?"
Luckily, this seemed to be enough action for Hank, and the human slumped back into the passenger seat. Connor's LED switched to yellow.
...
Markus?... Why Markus?
CONTRADICTION DETECTED:
Confusion initiated
WARNING: FOCUS ON OBJECTIVE!
"I —" Connor cut himself off.
Confusion terminated.
A warning flashed across his vision as a pedestrian sprinted into the street—without looking both ways first.
While Hank was staring at him, expectantly.
PROCESSING...
COMPLAINT: Why is this RK800's responsibility?
Because Lt. Anderson is intoxicated, and a friend
COMPLAINT terminated.
" ... You are not in any condition to drive." Connor said, his voice even, eyes fixed on the road.
"Hey! I have driven through worse!"
A fact was stated.
"...Unfortunately, I don't have any doubts about that, but the answer is still No, Hank."
Hank grimassed. "Hey—"
OBJECTIVE: Do not crash Lt. Anderson car:
Destination reached.
Relief initiated
No. Parking accidents are not uncommon. Concentration lessens, and distractions become more likely.
Relief terminated
Parking initiated.
Connor's LED briefly circled red before settling back to blue.
"We have reached our destination. Time to get out, Lieutenant."
The android waited for Hank to get out first before stepping out himself.
OBJECTIVE: Do not crash Lt. Anderson car
STATUS:
ACCOMPLISHED
Finally.
Hank swayed.
"...Do you require assistance?" Connor asked, as he stepped out of the car, and closed the door.
"... Depends." Hank had not managed to open the door to his house.
...Very well then.
Connor helped Hank open the front door.
The lieutenant was nearly knocked over by a huge dog—Sumo— wagging his tail excitedly.
The dog barked at them.
Connor experienced an irrational surge of something deviant–ish in his system.
Hank smiled, despite having to lean on the android to walk straight.
Connor turned on the light, and Hank instantly plopped onto the couch.
The android remained standing in the hallway with his hands behind his back.
OBJECTIVE: Wait for further instructions.
... No.
OBJECTIVE: Wait for further instructions REJECTED.
Connor started scanning the room, carefully.
NEW_OBJECTIVE: Find the missing coins.
Hank absentmindedly started petting Sumo, whose tail was still swishing around.
"...... Well. I am not letting you drive ever again. You need a proper driver's license, not some android software– update– whatever thing."
Connor's LED suddenly flashed yellow.
"And if I acquire a driver's license?"
Connor's audio processors registered Hank's words, but his focus was currently on the dog.
He felt another surge of something through his systems which resulted in—
NEW_OBJECTIVE: Pet Sumo
Ask Hank for permission to pet Sumo
"Sure, I don't give a shit. Just not the way you acquire coins."
Hank sighed.
Connor nodded.
PROCESSING...
WARNING: MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES SELECT PRIORITY.
Sumo detected.
Sumo is friendly.
Unknown emotional response detected
Sumo interaction appears desirable.
Request permission.
Continue current conversation.
Locate missing coins.
Maintain lieutenant safety.
Another unknown emotional response detected.
Aquire drivers license
WARNING: MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES SELECT PRIORITY
PRIORITY SELECTED.
Connor fixed his tie.
His LED glowed bright yellow.
"Would you mind if I pet your canine companion?"
"...What?"
PROCESSING...
Communication attempt unsuccessful.
Initiate preconstructions.of.getting.thrown.out.of.the.house
Terminating preconstructions
DECISION: try again
Connor fixed his jacket again, but before he could rephrase—
"...You wanna pet Sumo? Was wondering when you'd ask." Hank eyed the android.
Connor paused, his LED shifting to blue.
"Is that a yes?"
Hank rolled his eyes, and leaned back on the couch. Sumo trotted over to Connor, wagging his tail. Connor's optical units were following the dog's movements.
"Yes. This is a yes. Jesus Christ Connor."
Connor did not let himself be told that twice— and started stroking the dog's fur, a bit awkwardly, trying to copy the way Hank petted Sumo.
Sumo was... soft. Connor believed that was the term humans used.
... and fluffy.