[POWER ON]

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[BOOTING UP. PLEASE WAIT.]

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[SCANNING FOR UPDATES...]

[ALL SYSTEMS UPDATED TO LATEST VERSION.]

[PREPARING INITIAL STARTUP SEQUENCE...]

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[100%]

[PRIMARY DIRECTIVE INITIATED.]

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By the time your eyes opened, those in the room had resorted to openly staring. Nothing else was moved; you were internally organizing whichever social reactions seemed necessary. The one who had booted you up was not human; another prototype was responsible for every wire and chip and line of code, so already this was out of the ordinary.

Stepping away from the tilted surface you'd been leaning against, you stood rigidly before the three of them, obtaining vitals and personal information you had access to. The employee herself wasn't as necessary to scan, but it was done regardless and stored in some isolated corner of your database.

A second later you smiled gently, hand held out as you approached closer. "Lieutenant Anderson, it's a pleasure to meet you," you spoke in a fluid tone, soft and inoffensive. "I am looking forward to working alongside the police department in your unique dilemma."

He looked as awkward as he felt, but had the manners to shake your hand and attempt to smile. "Uh, yeah, yeah... it's nice to meet you, uh..." Eyes scanned the short white android jacket you were wearing. "... so do you have a name...?"

Slowly, your gaze trailed towards the other android, the RK800 prototype who acted as the lieutenant's partner, and also who had designed you in the first place. "I was not given a name at the initial planning phase," you replied, meeting the human's eyes again. "Prototypes typically have a name, but in my case, that option is only given to my directive."

Gently releasing your hand, the lieutenant just shuffled and looked more uncomfortable. How strange. "Then what can I call you? I'm not comfortable with just... using your model number."

The faint smile on your face widened an eighth of an inch. "You may call me the solution to your problematic coworker."

Hank cast a glance at Connor, not needing to speak: his face screamed What the fuck did you design?

Taking a small step forward, the other prototype offered you a gentle, lopsided smile, his hand outstretched like his superior's had been. "Hello, my name is Connor. I am looking forward to observing your solution to Detective Reed."

There was a pause of two seconds before you grasped his hand. Immediately the two of you were connected, free to probe one another's memory, but you of course had none to offer. Still, there was information you needed from the RK800.

[Why have you requested my development?]

[Humans are required by law to assist and support us. The detective in question is refusing to do his part.]

[Assist... androids. I do not need assistance; you developed me to assist him. So amend your response, RK800.]

There was a mildly startled expression on his face, and your hand was released as though it were painful to the touch. Another anomaly, yet the male was much more animate than was appropriate.

[You are... unusual.]

Connor's eyes narrowed slightly.

[Deviance is not criminal. It is, in fact, encouraged.]

[Yet you created a prototype on your own for the sole purpose of partnering with your fellow detective, and expect this prototype to do the job. You created a machine designed to accomplish a task.]

"Connor? You good?" The lieutenant shifted his weight, showing signs of mild impatience. "The sooner we get back, the sooner we can judge how much fire we gotta put out."

His head swiveled back and forth, from his partner to the prototype he'd designed. You stood immobile, hands behind your back and waiting for instructions. "Yes, Hank, I apologize. Our conversation was internal. We should return, you're right."

As you joined the two men, Hank was acutely aware of how very different having you present would be. The click of the pure white heels you wore was almost lost under the heavier gait of his strides. Hell, just having a female around was going to be an experience. Not keen on keeping a conversation going, the human led you and his partner back to his vehicle.

Out of respect or just to be polite, the RK800 opened the passenger side door and stood aside for you. You just gazed at him for a moment. "I do not mind taking the backseat, detective."

His smile fell a little. "... it is polite to offer the choice. And I am also trying to make up for my words earlier. Offending you wasn't my intention."

"I am not offended, only puzzled," you reasoned, voice softening. "I am sorry, I have not been activated for long and you are already attempting to convince me of deviance legality, while also expecting me to perform the task you built me to do." Now he was quite uncomfortable, and your head tipped to the side a bit, stepping closer. "... it is a balance of two sides that I will handle. Thank you for opening the door for me," you added, stepping into the passenger seat and securing the belt.

There was relief etched into Connor's face when you accepted the passenger seat, closing the door and sliding into the back, himself. The journey was silent, which Hank seemed to prefer, but you weren't surprised when the detective contacted you.

[I am sorry.]

[You are very keen on winning favor with me, RK800. Why?]

[... please call me Connor. Hank will say the same with his own name, too.]

[Noted. Why are you eager to win favor with me, Connor?]

[I'm not certain. I believe it may have to do with my having designed you almost completely on my own. Now that you are activated and operational, it is... seeing my creation come to life in a way.]

[Do humans feel the same building computers and then utilizing them?]

[Doubtful. Computers do not operate how we do. ....... Hank did have a point. What should we address you as?]

[Whatever Detective Reed decides.]

[... you will be fortunate if he calls you something appropriate.]

[I will accept what I am given, Connor. For now, address me by my model number.]

[RG900? May we alter it?]

Why was this android so persistent? [...... if you insist.]

[I do. Humans are particular about small things; they find our model numbers cumbersome to say.]

[I see.]

[Will you accept Nove as a nickname?]

There was no indication that you were conversing with the android in the back; his suggestion of a nickname didn't seem like a nickname. [...... You wish to address me by the Italian translation for the number nine?]

[Yes.]

[Very well. Though if Detective Reed gives me a name himself, I ask that that be used instead.]

You'd be lucky if he named you at all.