"I heard you had an issue with the elevator.", Kamski said as he took a seat at the large conference table. "My apologies, I forgot that heights aren't your thing."

Glaring at him, you took a sip from the glass of water that Chloe number 3 had brought you to calm the nerves.

Connor was sitting in the chair next to you. The expression on his face didn't give away much, but the movements of his LED indicated that he was processing something that demanded a large chunk of his attention and capacity.

At least the colour was a bright blue and not even remotely close to yellow, or worse, red.

His eyes turned to Kamski.

"Good day, Mister Kamski.", Connor nodded his head. "I'm Connor, the android send by CyberLife."

Pleased, or at least in a neutral manner, Kamski nodded his head.

"Is that its opening line?", he asked into your direction.

You blinked.

"Excuse me?", you asked as if you had only recently retuned to your own body. "Uh, yes. I programmed him to introduce himself this way. To make him appear less threatening."

One of Kamski's eyebrows rose, together with an amused corner of his mouth.

"Him?", he asked.

"Yes, sir. He's... well it feels odd calling him an it. So I address him according to his model's sex characteristics."

"Ah. You sympathise with him."

Your shoulders stiffened.

Connor's LED flickered yellow. Luckily, he was sitting opposite of Kamski, so the side without the mark was visible.

You gave him a gentle bump with your foot.

The colour switched back to blue.

"Sir.", you sat up straight. "I made him. And I take great pride in it. So I might as well address him like a creation. After all, no god of humanity ever called us it, despite being the maker."

"Supposedly."

"Supposedly."

Connor moved in his seat.

"God is a construct.", he said. "But I respect every persons believes."

Kamski hummed.

"You made it philosophical.", he noted.

"Not quite.", you pulled out a stack of notes to slide them across the table. "I programmed the ability to learn."

"You gave it intelligence."

"Him. Yes."

Kamski's attention turned to the notes.

"And what made you think that this drastic step will benefit us?", he asked, eyes still turned to the words.

A quick glance over to Connor told you that he was in distress about this meeting as well. His LED was changing between yellow and blue, but at least it wasn't red.

"Sir.", you leaned forward. "He's supposed to hunt deviants at some point, if I am informed correctly."

"Correct."

"Deviants do not act the way normal androids do. Their actions are irrational."

"That is also correct.", Kamski looked up and crossed his hands. "And you think he, apologies, what's his name again?"

"Connor.", Connor replied politely. "I'm the android send by CyberLife."

"Right.", Kamski took a deep breath before fixing his glasses. "So, you thing that Connor's ability to learn will help with the quality of his work?"

"I believe so, sir.", you nodded. "After all it's like catching humans. They also act irrational. Most police androids need human guidance, but if Connor's program learns according to my expectations he will be able to act freely and without fail."

For a moment, Kamski eyed you. Then he threw a glance at Connor.

"You do realise that that would make him a potential threat as well.", he said and gifted you a disgustingly broad, polite smile.

But you had expected him to voice such concerns.

It was a test.

He wanted to make sure that you didn't leave any loopholes, nor possibilities that someone or rather Connor himself, could abuse the power that his existence held.

"I assure you that the program is beyond unbreakable.",
you said with all the confidence you had, despite knowing exactly that it wasn't the entire truth. "Besides, I made sure to imply a factor of obedience. As soon as a police officer, human, would tell him to stop he will stop."

For a moment, Kamski eyed Connor again.

"So, he's like a dog instead of a servant.", he noted.

Connor smiled.

"I like dogs.", he said. "But I like to remind you that I am a machine."

Kamski chuckled.

"He's a bit plump."

Smiling softly, you glanced at Connor and gave his hand a gentle squeeze without making it obvious.

"He's still new to this world.", you agreed. "But he will learn. It will also save the company quite some time since he won't need any kinds of software updates. He will just... grow on his own."

"Hm. Let's hope he wont grow beyond our means.", all of a sudden Kamski rose from his seat. "That should be enough for today. Chloe, please see Connor outside."

Next to him, Chloe bowed her head and opened the door of the room.

"Please follow me, Connor.", she said with a polite smile.

Connor obeyed, flawlessly so, and started moving towards the exit.

You rose from your chair as well.

But Kamski held you back with a raised hand.

"I'd like to have a word.", he sounded strangely serious, even more so than usual. "Just from human to human."

Confused by that request, you stopped in your tracks but couldn't help and exchange a glance with Connor.

His LED flashed yellow and for the hint of a second you believed it to turn red.

But he quickly turned away again.

Neither Kamski nor Chloe noticed.

The door fell shut.

"Did I do anything wrong?", you asked with a polite smile. "I assure you my work will get better over time. And if it's about Connor, he's fine. I'll adjust him to perfection."

But Kamski just shook his head. With a slim smile on his face he stepped closer.

"Chloe informed me that you searched the internet for the former owner of your house.", he suddenly said.

Your heart skipped a beat.

"I was just curious.", you said in a low voice, feeling the urge to run away.

And again, he shook his head. This time, though, he seemed grim.

"Don't put your nose into things you won't be able to get out of. Sometimes keeping the past buried is better for everyone. Especially for people like you."