(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

*Darnell has already been briefed on his newest assignment. He’s going to be testing a new product, a robotic assistant, and “android” as it’s being called, that was designed by a company called Cyberlife stationed in Detroit. Darnell is to put this android through any and all tests he can think of, take it on cases with him, put it to work, and report on his assessment and impressions. It’ll be a very important step in determining if androids will be used regularly by police and investigative services nationwide or not, and will also help determine if these androids might be safe in the homes of regular people. And so, it’s not just an office robot, Darnell’s to take it home and test it there as well. Now that he’s been briefed and knows what he needs to do, he’s been told his android is waiting in his office for him.*

Comments

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *has just barely settled into his apartment in Houston for the summer, was looking forward to the summer with his family, but . . . okay, whatever. He's expecting a machine like he's seen in high-end tech magazines, maybe something like Sony's old Aibos, so he'll head to his office, not...really expecting /too/ much*

Since I've yet to close up my compy.

[socrowdedinhere]

*Darnell will step in to find a man standing near the window. He turns when Darnell steps in. He's relatively tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, a soft, clean shaven face, and a nice suit on. The suite across the back reads "Android" over a blue triangle with "RK800" below it, and the front has bare the same blue triangle on the right breast, with "RK800 on the left breast and a smaller number beneath that. The left arm has a bright blue band, and even more striking is the small, glowing circle of blue light on the man's left temple.*
Android: Hello, Master Detective, my name is Conner. I'm the android sent by Cyberlife. *he steps forward, offering his hand for a friendly shake.*

Re: Since I've yet to close up my compy.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *blinks, /gaping/* Wait.../you're/...ah... *automatically accepts the offered hand* I-I mean...pleased to meet you...Connor? I'm Darnell. Special Agent Darnell Barrett, Master Detective in service to Her Majesty the Queen. *it all rolls off the tongue easily...and is a good filler for when he's not quite sure what else to say*

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *his grip is firm, but not too firm. His hand feels like flesh, and is warm like a human’s hand.* It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I look forward to working with you. *his voice could almost be described as soft, a soothing quality to it, and certainly not mechanical at all! Not a hint of anything synthetic, or pretecorded. His speech, intonation, everything sounds natural, as one would expect from a human being.*

[neverasked4this]

((I knew the set-up didn't sound right, but was too tired last night to think to look. Visually correct from facing him, but Connor's armband, temple light, and number are on his right and the triangle on his left breast. I'll edit the doc. ^,^ also, this isn't in England, so I need to edit Darnell's greeting.))

Darnell: Ah...me too. And no "sir." Just Darnell is fine. *glances down at Connor's hand before letting it go and just...studies the young man for a moment* I was, ah, told I'd be testing some kind of robotic assistant...? *surely this guy isn't it! That kind of tech isn't even possible! ...is it? No, this must be some kind of prank. His MCF coworkers like to give him crap when he's home each summer from his UK assignment*

[socrowdedinhere]

((Right, right. Was going on memory and trying to tag quickly. XD;;))


Conner: *nods* Thank you, Darnell. *to the imolied question he gives another slight nod.* That is correct. I am to be your assistant, your partner if you will, to test the feasibility of CiberLife contracting with various law enforcement agencies. I also understand this is to be a test for domestic purposes as well, to ensure androud assistants would be safe for the average consumer.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *stares at him, taking in every detail* You're...you're really - *"a robot?" but that would be rude* - um, not human? I'd never have guessed.

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *actually smile* I am a state-of-the-art android, designed to function in a way to present as human. It is meant to ensure that I do not come across as threatening and can be easily relatable to those I interact with.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *the smile draws a little grin from him in return and he nods* I'd say you're on the right track, Connor. Here, have a seat. *will motion Connor to one of the chairs facing his desk, and he'll take the other one* So...tell me about yourself? And feel free to ask if you have any questions too. *HE HAS PLENTY - what's the light on his temple, what do the numbers mean, what are his earliest recollections - but he'll restrain himself for now* Oh, and can I get you anything? Coffee, water... *a small frown* Um.../do/ you eat or drink?

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *will shift to take a seat. While his movements are very human they are also very... efficient. What most humans might make two movements to accomplish, Conner does with one if it’s possible. In a single motion he’s turned the chair even as he’s turning to sit in it.* Thank you, but I do not. I am sustained by a battery of proprietary specifications that will keep me functional for the next seven hundred thirty-one years. I will occasionally require refreshment of my Thirium fluid, which many of the engineers simply called blue blood. I will let you know when I am in need of maintenance. As for myself, I am the RK800 prototype android. I am designed to be proficient at collecting and analyzing evidence from crime scenes, and have been programed with basic interrogation techniques. I am also caple of domestic functions, such as cooking, cleaning, and home repairs. I can also perform sexually if so desired. *You asked about him, Darnell.*

[neverasked4this]

*The movements are, for lack of better words, too fluid to be natural, and Darnell can't help but take note. But it's the words that are more disturbing. It's unsettling to talk to someone who looks human but talks about himself as one might a computer or vacuum cleaner. The last has him blushing softly.*
Darnell: Oh, ah, I don't...think that last will come into play. I mean, unless that's something you're interested in, I guess. So...the numbers on your jacket, that's your model number? Is that like...a sports playwr wearing the logo of their team? *it only half-occurs to him that it's because Connor /has/ to be marked wirh his make and model like a car, because it just sits too wrongly with him*

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *slight headtilt at Darnell’s blush.* I apologized if my bluntness embarrassed you. *he glances down at his jacket, pointing to the RK800.* This is my model number, and this *his finger shifts to the nine digit number below that* is my serial number. I am required at all times to keep my model number on display so that I will not be mistaken for human.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Oh...no, it's okay. People can be funny about matters of sexual discussion. In many circles, it's considered...impolite to talk about, especially without prompting. Though I...I guess I prompted it, strictly speaking. *frowns at that* So . . . you look, sound, and act just like a human, but you're still not to be taken for one? That doesn't make any sense. Who requires that you do that?

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: I am designed to interact with humans and to do that with utmost efficiency it was decided that an android that looked and acted human would be the best design choice. However my programming protocols require that I do not pretend to be what I am not. I am a machine. A highly sophisticated machine, but still a machine. *this doesn't seem to bother him at all.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *frowns, shaking his head* No . . . no, Connor, the "just a machine" mentality is a bad idea. You're far more than that. A machine is a tool I use to accomplish tasks. Make a phone call, send an email, play video games on. *pulls out his cell phone and nods at the computer on his desk as examples* They're not self-aware. They can't /think/. I can't sit down and hold a conversation with a machine. That . . . that kind of mentality just lays you open for all kinds of abuse and exploitation.

((Thank Brit for the word! XD;;; Also, randomly, all of a sudden I want him to meet KITT! I'll play this as a separate continuity from RC...cuz I almost had Darnell comment on that, that he knows another "machine" that's definitely more. 9,9))

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *looks confused.* But that is what I am. I am a machine, meant to accomplish tasks, I am just more sophisticated than a cellphone or most computers. I have an advanced AI, advanced ebough to pass the turing test, but that does not change that I am simply base programming meant to simulate humans. ...You are not exploiting me, Darnell, I am a tool for you to make use of, that is my purpose, my mission.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: ……….I'm not, and I promise I won't…but far too many would. *said softly, gazing at Connor in deep concern, clearly disquieted and upset* Who is it that sent you over here, Connor? I think I need to have a talk with them.

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: I believe the heads of CyberLife were in favor of this test.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Oh, I don't doubt they are! I just question whether they've considered, or care about, the long-term consequences of what they're doing. *soft huff, then stands* C'mon. Let's go talk to the chief inspector.


((Connor will know that Chief Inspector Timothy Fanzone is the head of MCF and Darnell's boss.))

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *stands easily and follows Darnell out. Said a bit softly as they leave Darnell’s office.* I’m sorry this arrangement bothers you.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: …….it's not me. I'm bothered for /you/. This has so much potential to go so wrong. I mean . . . let me ask you this. *stops to look at him* For example, if I were to just up and hit you, right now, for whatever reason - or for no reason - would you defend yourself? Are you /allowed/ to defend yourself?

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *considers.* In my role as an officer I am allowed and able to defend myself and others, even to the point of using deadly force if there is no non-leathal alternative, and unless ordered otherwise by my handler or someone with higher authority than you I would be allowed to block or dodge any attacks.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *thinks about that, nods* But that's only because you're trained - or…programmed, I guess - as an officer, correct? What about if we were at home, off-duty. Neither of us would be an officer in that context. Would you be allowed to defend yourself then? And what of an android who /isn't/ an officer. Say he's a . . . I don't know, a chef or a mailman. Or a female android, they'd be /especially/ vulnerable to attack.

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: I do not know. ...I do not understand why this bothers you. I am a machine, a tool. I’m not human, and yet you seem to think of me as one.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: ……even if you're not human, Connor, that doesn't mean you don't matter. You can think. You can reason. You have the capacity to not understand something and /acknowledge/ that you don't understand. You're self-aware. If someone hurt you for no reason or for no fault of your own, that wouldn't affect you? If someone said deliberately cruel things to you, or demeaned you because you're "less" than they are, you'd just take it? That . . . that doesn't seem right. Because people /will/. Humans can be unimaginably /cruel/. We can be cruel to each other. We can be so much /worse/ to those we don't at least acknowledge as equals. Someone is "less than" someone else, and therefore it's okay to exploit and abuse them because "you're not my equal, you're not like me, therefore you're nothing." I don't mean to say /I/ think that, I don't, but…people will. People do. It's not right that your creators have set you for that, purposefully or not. Because that's exactly what's going to happen. They can worry all they want about whether others are safe around /you/, that's not an invalid concern, but…what about /your/ safety?

[socrowdedinhere]

Conner: *he doesn't know how to answer that, so he motions.* We were going to speak with Chief Inspector Fanzone?

*sneaks a quick tag in the parking lot b4 heading back home*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: ..... *nods and gives Connor's arm a quick, supportive squeeze before turning to continue...feeling a sick knot in his stomach for this poor guy, human or not*