(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

*Connor has a mission, he is to find Lieutenant Anderson. He’s been to four bars already and is heading to the fifth when the world around them lurches. He’ll lose sight of everthing around him and when he can see again the city streets are gone and the darkness of the forest is all that is around him.* 

Comments

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: ...It’s called slavery. When a person owns another intelligent being, it is called slavery. It is a sick, but unfortunately legal practice in this kingdom. Some are there to be sold as punishment for a crime, some for debts they cannot pay, and most simply because they are what they are.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: .............. *just...nods, not sure how to respond to that, though he can't help but keep looking back at the market until it can't be seen anymore, though he makes sure to keep up with Terris and not slow him down*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: ...Does it bother you? Seeing the slave markets?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: It is . . . not something I would have ever expected to see. *he can't admit to being "bothered"...but there's a soft uncertainty in his voice*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *takes that as the “yes” Connor can’t bring himself to say. He’ll head up to a guard post and smiles, greeting the armed and armored man there.* Captain Tekel.
Tekel: Terris! Good to see you. What brings you?
Terris: I need to speak with General Ius.
Tekel: *opens the door and motions Terris in.* He’s up on the wall.
Terris: Thank you. Come on, Connor. *normally he’d make introductions, but not out here. He even carefull shifts Connor with an arm around his shoulders to ensure the distinguished android tells remain hidded. He’ll lead Connor up the stairs.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

((...the distinguishing** android tells remain hidden**))

Connor: *easily allows himself to be led as Terris chooses, still scanning and noting everything and everyone around him*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: *is a distinguished man, dark hair with a little salt at his temples and a scar along his left jaw. He turns and gives Terris a smile, stepping up to meet the amin with a quick hug, hands clasped between them.* Terris. What can I do for you?
Terris: Zerik. Someplace private to start with.
Zerik: Of course. *he’ll take them down the wall a ways an into one of the towers. What is it?
Terris: *motions at Connor and will pull the hood back on Connor’s cloak.* This is Connor. He’s an android.
Zerik: *takes Connor in quickly, and frowns in confusion at the styled hair...and how could anyone miss the glowing ring?!* What?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *will hang back when Terris greets his friend, staying out of the way, then follows easily as the general leads the way into a room, taking in everything as they go* An android. A machine built by humans to accomplish specific tasks. I am a Connor series model RK800 manufactured by CyberLife, serial number 313 248 317. *opens the cloak enough to show off the credentials embroidered on the right breast of his jacket*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *will catch his very confused friend and step away, lowering his voice and telling Zerik a quick summary of last night and this morning, his summary of what he learned from Connor and what he needs from Zerik.*
Zerik: *finally turns back to Connor, studying him.* So... you need a human handler? Or at least orders from a human? How do you determine which human you’re to take orders from?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *hangs back, taking in the surroundings as he listens to the two converse, or as much as he can hear without getting closer. At the questions* Correct. I am not designed to function completely autonomously. I require a human handler for guidance and to ensure my compliance. *the last question gives him pause, and he looks faintly...lost...* I...I do not have instructions to answer that question. Technically, I have been assigned to Lieutenant Hank Anderson of the Detroit Police Department. However, if I understand my current situation correctly, it is not possible for me to reach him at this time. Therefore, I suppose . . . that my instructions would dictate that I default to the most senior authority in law enforcement, had I any instructions at all on the subject.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: Then you will follow my orders. *his tone is that of a man who expects obedience* Tell me of your skills, I want to know what you’re capable of, and how much you know of this world.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *the first comment has him straightening, squaring his shoulders as he pulls off the cloak and fully faces his new handler* I am a protoype in a testing phase. I am currently the most advanced model CyberLife has yet produced. I am designed to serve law enforcement as an investigator, interrogator, and negotiator. I can inspect crime scenes, analyze evidence in real time, reconstruct likely events based on evidence, interrogate witnesses, negotiate hostage situations, and while I cannot make formal arrests, I am permitted to detain suspects for my human partner to arrest. As needed and desired, I also have programming that covers some domestic chores for my partner such as cooking, laundry, and house cleaning. As for how much I know of this world - *can't quite keep from giving Terris an uncertain glance * - I cannot help but notice that this world's technological level is far below what I would expect, and that you have more than one species of intelligent life. I am only truly familiar with humans. Terris said that his kind, amin, are various types of animal people, and that there is a race called j'har. I can only assume them to the elf-like peoeple I've seen in the market and in Terris's drawings. Also, slavery is practiced here, and it may depend on a crime, on debt, and on mere species. *though he's not sure how much he understands any of that*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: I see. While your skills in and of themselves will be useful, I can do little with that until you understand the world you are in. I am putting you under Terris. You will accompany him and learn from him all you can about this world and the peoples in it. He will teach you what is law and what is right. You are to return here with him in one month. Until I direct otherwise you will not identify yourself as an android. You will also take any measure I or Terris deem necessary to keep this confidentiality until I decide otherwise. You will follow Terris’s judgement on this as well, if he reveals you as an android, then that person is authorized to know. Are we clear? I would hear any protests now if you have them.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *troubled frown* How would you have me identify myself, General? I cannot say that I am human. It is strictly forbidden for me to pretend that I am or even to allow it to be believed by omission. I am required to display clear markers at all times that I am in public - my LED, my model number, the android symbol, and an arm band. *pointing to each on himself as he names them, then glances at Terris* Terris had me cover up to protect him. Apparently, my mere presence is an endangerment to him.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: Tell me something, Connor. Are the humans in your world ever cruel to other humans? Because if they are then that is all the reason I need to have you in disguise. You tell them you’re something they know nothing about, *he points to indocate the people of the town* and out of their fear for their own safety they will rip you apart to make sure you never get the chance to hurt them first. Doesn’t matter if you would hurt them or if your directives from CyberLife would allow you to even defend yourself. Terris is going to talk with another friend today to see if any ideas can be found for getting you home, and if CyberLife cares about getting you back at all you’ll have to put aside orders that came from another world and follow the ones that apply here. *his tone becomes that of a general snapping orders.* Now make your choice soldier, are you going to obey me or not?!

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *troubled frown deepens as Zerik speaks, and he looks out over the town when thw human points, LED swirling a slow yellow. The sudden, unexpected snap actually makes him flinch, LED flashing red for an instant as he braces slightly* I... *"am not a soldier, I'm a detective"...but...if his new handler says he's now a soldier...then he's a soldier. And then the words sink in. His LED resettles to solid blue and he straightens to squarely face his handler once again. He knows the right answer to that.* Sir, I do /not/ have a choice. I must obey you. *and...that...means removing his markers. He shrugs out kf his jacket, clearly uncomfortable at doing so - though his LED remains blue - and folds it neatly over his arm in such a way that all markers are hidden. He's ready for his next instruction*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: *shoots a glance at Terris at the “no choice” comment. He doesn’t say anything, just nods.* Terris will outfit you appropriately and will bring you back in one month for reassessment. You stay in one piece until then. ...Life is a precious thing, Connor. If you find someone in need of help, take them to Terris as quickly and quietly as you can. Those are your standing orders for now. Any questions?
Terris: *will gently take Connor’s jacket, folding it further and slipping it in his travel bag. He’ll then settle the cloak on Connor’s shoulders, giving his shoulders a gentle, supportive squeeze.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: No, sir. I will do as instructed to the best of my ability. I won't fail you, general. *glances at Terris when the amin takes his jacket, and pulls the hood up again to obscure his LED once the cloak is back around his shoulders. He looks uncertain and a bit lost, even faintly nervous, but his LED is blue - be's an obedient machine. He'll operate flawlessly as he was designed*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zerik: You’ll do well, Connor. I’ve no doubt CyberLife will understand considering the situation. Go on now, you’ve things yet to do today.
Terris: *with a gentle touch to Connor’s back he’ll lead the android out. Next stop, the exact middle of town. The building there is very castle like, a mix of wood, stone, stained glass, and large gardens. The gates are open and the soldiers easily welcome Terris with familiarity. They’ll be led to a small private room to be able to meet with someone named Sanrin.* Sanrin has a friend who may... or may not... be able and willing to try to get you home.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *nods* Yes, General. *will easily follow Terris. Stepping into the room behind Terris, he'll shift to one side, setting himself out of the way, hands lightly clasped in fron of him as he looks around the small room, not quite disinterested, but not obviously engaged either*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: Come sit, Connor. *is also sitting when a young man in loose robes steps in.*
Sanrin: Hell-oh! *startle he gives Connor a double take and them can’t help but stare.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *steps over and sits smoothly, looking around. When the robed man comes in and /reacts/, he just blinks and regards him in return*

[socrowdedinhere]

Sanrin: Oh goodness, that’s not normal. Terris, what have you brought me?! *gaping*
Terris: *snerksnort* Sanrin. *I can’t believe you said that!*
Sanrin: *face goes /crimson/* Oh, Life Light. I’m sorry. That was incredibly rude of me.
Terris: Sanrin, this is Connor. He is called an android.
Sanrin: Connor. It’s a pleasure. *offers a hand*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *no real reaction to the exchange, just looking back and forth between them, though he raises a brow a bit at Terris telling Sanrin what he is when so much was made of /not/ telling anyone. When he's finally directly addressed, he stands to accept the offered hand.* Mr. Sanrin, the pleasure is mine.

[socrowdedinhere]

*Zerik did say to follow Terris’s lead on that, taht if he told someone, that person was authorized to know.*
Sanrin: *w-whoa. He smiles and looks between them.* I’m sorry, but what... is an android?
Terris: *Terris will give Connor a moment to answer that, then he’ll explain last night, what he learned of and from Connor, and that General Ius has put Connor under Terris’s care for now to learn more about the world.* I was hoping your friend, Sirrah, might be willing and able to help him...