Chapter Text
Connor could be a very patient man and in most cases, he was able to wait but in this case, he couldn't wait to get home. The Android was getting antsy. He didn't like feeling useless or tied down and that is exactly what he felt sitting waiting for the observation period to be over. The wire lead to where his LED was left him feeling out of place. While waiting for the observation period to end, Hank and Connor passed small talk back and forth to pass the time and ease their nerves about the situation. Neither liked being in medical facilities no matter if it was for a human or an android. Thankfully after the specified observation time was over, Rebecca returned and the technician allowed him to go home after giving him a clean bill of health. Hank hoped it was for real this time. He could take rushing a loved one to the hospital only so many times. He had reached his limit.
The technician ran another quick diagnostic and proceeded to remove the wires attached to the android. Rebecca checked over the work carefully and gave an empathetic and approving smile. "I removed the issue and there doesn't seem to be any lingering effects or fragments of code. Connor, you're free to go home"
She made a few more notes in his digital chart "If you have any more issues please let me know, but I don't see anything that'll give any troubles." With that, she stood and took her leave.
Connor, finally feeling better, for real this time he just wasn't saying he was okay, was eager to be released. Hank excused himself while Connor dressed himself. Changing from the disposable plastic patient scrubs of the technical facility and into his proper clothing.
"How are you feeling?" Hank asked with a smile. He could tell the android was genuinely feeling better but still wanted to check in with Connor. Connor could imagine what Hank was getting at. He had lied about his systems before but this was different. "I assure you I am functionally optimally." Hank placed a sturdy hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know kid. I can tell. You look better."
"My aesthetics haven't changed."
Hank shook his head and held back a chuckle. "Ah. Forget it."
They headed towards the car and headed home. The quiet drive was rather pleasant as it was the perfect time of day to see all the holiday lights the city had to display. Connor enjoyed the different colors and variations each home had in their decorations. It not only looked nice but also showed a bit of something about the residence of each building. Some liked a little bit of everything while others would pick one theme or color. Finally getting home, the tired duo settled in for the night. Before Connor could even say it, Hank spoke up giving the android a heads up for the following day. "So you know, we aren't going to work tomorrow. You need to rest."
"I assure you I'm able to-" Connor was cut off by Hank.
"Nope."
"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I go to work?"
"After everything we both been through we deserve a break. Let's take a long weekend Kid. Just because we're physically fine doesn't mean we can't call out. Sometimes people just need a day or two off. And you deserve that just as much as your human coworkers."
"But-"
"Connor. You can make your own decision if you really want to go to work then go. You're an adult. I can't make you do anything. But I'm not arguing anymore either. I just think it'll be a good idea for you to take a long weekend and I'm sure as hell not going in tomorrow."
The conversation was interrupted by Sumo. Sumo greeted the duo happily with an eager stride. After pets from both, he settled by the back door, asking to be let out. Having been in all day the poor dog was ready for fresh air and to do his business. Connor let the saint bernard out while Hank put food and water in the dog bowls on the floor. Connor stood at the door waiting for the dog to finish what he needed to do. Connor stayed at the door watching the dog roam and dig around the yard while also watching the snow start to fall. He didn't know it was supposed to snow tonight, usually, he checked the weather but the days' events had left him off guard. It was a pleasant surprise however. While Connor didn't enjoy the cold or being out in the snow, watching it fall was a different story. It looked nice, especially against the backdrop of Christmas decorations. There weren't any decorations in the Anderson yard but from where he was standing, Connor could see lights from the neighbors.
"Connor? What are you doing? You're letting the cold in!"
Connor was brought back to the moment by Hank's complaints. He linked a few times before turning to Hank. "I'm sorry Lieutenant. I just noticed it was snowing."
"Ugh, all the more reason to stay home tomorrow." Hank tried to avoid the snow and cold where he could but there was plenty of both in the Detroit winter and it was impossible to avoid it completely. Connor could imagine why Hank hated the winter. It was a patch of ice that started a chain of events that result in his son's death. Connor didn't comment on Hank's displeasure for that reason. He did however voice his own opinion.
"I like the look of snow as it falls but I rather avoid being out in it myself." He knew he couldn't avoid it completely, just like Hank couldn't but he could choose to stick close to the warm allure of a fireplace at home or the heating vents of the precinct
"Then let's stay home tomorrow!" Hank used the weather in his favor for his previous argument. Connor thought about it. He didn't like missing work. He wanted to be seen a reliable and also enjoyed being a detective. He didn't want to take time off. But as a cold freezing chill drifted inside as Sumo rushed in, shaking snow off his fur, the idea of staying home by the fire seemed very tempting. Maybe Hank was right, he did need time off.
"I'll think about it in the morning." Came Connor's final reply, not committing in either direction. Hank took it, that was the best they could do for the night and it was progress from his prior 'No'.
Hank rummaged through the fridge in search of something to eat for dinner. He settled on some leftover chicken and rice from a night or two ago. As the microwave hummed and heated his meal Hank called over his shoulder. "Do me a favor Con. Try to find a good movie for us to watch." He moved from the counter back to the fridge grabbing a can of soda for him and a bottle of Thirium for Connor. Connor locked the back door and moved to the living room with Sumo at his side.
"What movie do you want to watch?" He asked. He didn't know what Hank meant by a good movie. That was a very vague and subjective term. It was especially hard to figure out what Hank meant as sometimes he called very bad films as good. Or rather so bad that they were good. Did he want something like that? Or a movie that was actually considered good?
"You pick, put on whatever catches your eye. If it looks good go for it." Hank said casually. Good could be whatever. As long as the show was entertaining in some way he wouldn't complain. He wanted Connor to pick something that he wanted. He deserved to have control of the tv after the last few days they all had.
The microwave beeped and Hank fetched his meal. He handed Connor the blue blood and settled on the couch alongside him and Sumo. Sumo was quick to flop across Connor's lap. The android didn't seem to mind much. He smiled and stroked the animal's head. Settled in for the night, Hank put the past events past him. Connor clearly was trying to as well. With the help of Sumo and a good movie, they might just turn this shitty day around yet. Connor took the Thirium offered to him even though his levels were close to one hundred. He could use a little more to top off his reserves and knew better than to say something to Hank. The older man liked to have his dinner alongside Connor instead of being the only one eating. Since Connor couldn't eat, blue blood was the closest they could get to this. He uncapped his bottle and took a sip of the Thirium. While he cybernetically went through the vast selection of films available for them to watch.
"Find anything good?"
"I believe so." His LED spun yellow for a brief moment before settling back to blue as he selected the chosen film and had it played to the television.
After taking Friday off and having a long weekend, Connor went back to work a few days later. He was feeling one hundred percent and he couldn't hide away from the cold any longer. Hank and Connor reported to the precinct on time Monday morning, with Hank grumbling more than Connor. Connor was happy to be back. Hank? Not so much. "I could've taken another day."
"There's no need for us to stay home and we're needed here."
"Don't be so fucking chipper about it."
"Sorry, Lieutenant."
"Ah shit. No, I'm sorry kid. You're right we have work to do." Hank settled into his chair.
"How about I get you some coffee?" He didn't want to say but he knew that Hank was extra grumpy before his second cup of coffee. Hank gave a grumble and Connor stood to head to the break room. Connor was hoping to have a calm first day back to work, and what kind of drama could one get into in a break room? However, Gavin was also in the room at that moment. And Gavin couldn't make anything calm or easy. Everything was difficult with Gavin.
"Hey, inspector gadget." The detective shouted. "The wonder boy is back again? What did the ice and cold freeze your gears? Not as good as the rest of us, like you thought huh?" Gavin teased. Connor 'accidentally' spilled coffee on him. " Oops. Sorry Detective. Frozen gears and all." Hank had seen the altercation and gave an amused smirk. Gavin huffed and stormed out of the room while Connor cleaned the spilled mess off the floor and fixed another cup of coffee.
As Connor settled in his seat and Hank enjoyed his cup of coffee, a case came in. Connor's LED flashed yellow and his face turned into a hard frown. Hank took notice. "I know that look." He sighed. "What's up now?"
"There are reports of deviants being attacked in the downtown shopping center." Connor explained.
"Ah fuck. Alright, let's go check it out."
The duo headed to the shopping center and arrived at a scene of several humans circling two deviants there were on the ground. Hank called out to them as he approached. "Hey! What the hell is going on here?"
"Mind your own fucking business"
"I'd love to do that but see here's the thing." Hank showed his badge. "My partner and I are with the DPD. And I can't just stand by when I see someone being kicked."
"It's just an android. Not someone. So why don't you and robocop move along?"
While Hank tried to talk to the humans, Connor scanned them along with the android victims.
He started with the humans
Legal Name: Christian Romaro
Date of birth: 10/10/1997
Occupation: Unemployed
Criminal Record: Driving under the influence, Drunk and disorderly conduct
Legal Name: Everet Hooper
Date of birth: 06/07/1992
Occupation: Graphic Design
Criminal Record: Assult, Drunk and disorderly conduct, Indecent exposure
Legal Name: Samual Trenton
Date of birth: 04/22/2000
Occupation: Freelance Biographer
Criminal Record: Burglary, Breaking and entering, Possession of a narcotic
They had quite the colorful histories. Connor moved on to the victims on the ground.
Registered Name: Johnathan
Model: ZT500
Serial Number: 839 293 293
Activation Date: 03/15/2036
Warning: Minor Thirium leak in right thirial line, Cranial instability, Internal temperature rising
Registered Name: Howard
Model: WE300
Serial Number: 263 169 267
Activation Date: 07/23/2034
Warning: Dislodged Thirium Pump regulator, Internal Thirium leak, shut down estimated in 1 hour 38 minutes 45 seconds
They needed maintenance urgently. They didn't have any time to waste. One had a rapidly depleting shut down timer already and the other would surely start the shutdown process in due time. This wasn't just an assault. This cruel act of assault and attack was now a life or death situation.
"Lieutenant, both the victims are in need of emergency repairs or else they will shut down," Connor informed his partner.
"They're just machines, who cares anyway! Now leave us be! We haven't done anything." Everet spewed angrily as he went back to kicking the defenseless android.
Connor and Hank couldn't let that happen. They stepped in to stop and restrain the men. Cybernetically, Connor radioed in for extra help and backup. They needed a squad car to transport the men. The android was able to quickly secure two of the men while Hank took care of the third. Chris and Tina arrived to help take care of the men while emergency technicians came to tend to the damaged androids. The detectives moved aside to allow the medical workers to have room. They had to get back to the precinct to work on reports and they were going to have to deal with the men sooner than later as well. They moved around the plaza asking around to see who saw the altercation or to find security footage of what had happened. They wanted as much information as they could before they went back to talk to the attackers. Once they were done here they would check in with the victims but there wasn't any way to know when they would be in any shape to talk. Their systems were at critical levels when the android specialty ambulance rushed them away.
At first, the talk around the mall didn't seem to be of any help to the detectives. As Hank took one side of the street while Connor took the other. Hank wasn't successful in finding anyone who had seen the conflict and attack. But then on the other side of the street, Connor found an android working at the register of the shop. Denise, an SK250 had seen the entire encounter.
"You saw them?" Connor questioned.
Denise nodded "Yes. Howard works here actually. Those men followed him after he left at the end of his shift. I was the one that called the police when things started to get physical." She seemed very upset.
Connor preceded carefully with his next question. "Would you be willing to share your memories of the events?" The victims could be able to give their memories if they were willing to share the file but the more records of the incident the better. Androids had the perks of being able to physically share recordings of things they witnessed. But with deviation, memory sharing could be a very personal thing. Not everyone was willing to have their memories probed or transferred.
Denise agreed. "I'll do whatever I can to make sure Howard's attackers face justice." She held her hand out and deactivated her artificial skin. Connor reached for her with his own skinless hand.
Connor saw through his own eyes the full events of the attack. It was clear the androids were minding their own business and did not provoke the human attackers in any way. The connection suddenly cut off. And Denise pulled away, shaking. "I'm sorry. I... I can't.. no more."
"That is fine, Thank you for your time."
"It was just so horrible... Oh! I'm sorry I should really be getting to the hospital to be there for Howard."
"I'll let you go. Thanks again for your time. Will you come in to police station late to officially file a statement and give an upload of those memories?"
She nodded. "Yes. Of course."
Connor gave her the address of the central precinct where he works and then took his leave. He met up with Hank.
"Any luck?" Hank asked. "Because no one on my end saw shit."
"I met an android that saw everything and is a friend and coworker of one of the victims. She shared her memory files with me and agreed to come to the station to officially make a statement. She said she'll be there after she checks on her friend at the facility." Connor explained.
"Damn that must be rough." Hank shook his head. "Well, that's something at least. Alright let's get going to the facility to see how the victims are doing and see what we can get from them"
The duo arrived at the facility. Connor used the information he gained from the scans to inquire about the victims. He told the receptionists their names and serial numbers. She went to check and frowned as she looked up from her computer. "I'm sorry, both are still in repairs. You can wait if you'd like and the technicians will get you when they're done." There was a lot of damage to fix. Not having the time to wait around and since they weren't able to get any word on the victims' conditions, with them both still in emergency repairs Connor thanked the receptionist and gave her their contact information. With nothing left to do other than head back to the station to work on reports, the detectives headed back to the precinct to continue their work from there.
They got back to the precinct and settled into their seats. Hank was in no mood to deal with the latest round of scumbags that needed to be interrogated. Connor wasn't all too willing either, however, it was part of the job and it needed to get done. Especially for the shake of justice to the androids that were attacked and critically damaged today. Curses could be heard from someone in the holding cell area and Hank prayed that it was the angry baffoons they had caught earlier but any shouting and cursing were still trouble some for everyone.
The Lieutenant glanced at the digital clock displayed on his work terminal. It was already going on one in the afternoon and the duo had missed lunch. There were no signs of a break anytime soon. Hank could tell already it was going to be a long day. He already couldn't wait to get home.