Alone.
Watching Cole intergrate into the role he was created for was a turbulent venture. Connor would watch him make mistakes, watch on in silence as others corrected and taught him as a human. It was difficult, like an irritation on his skin.
It made him question if he was begining to experience feelings again. He was certain he wouldn't. Cole didn't have to come to him often. Except when the youthful AI met Markus.
The Markus listed in his reference files as a friend. The same Markus who was thrown out of the precinct for causing a scene by screaming in Cole's face and shaking him.
Connor had watched on passively as the leader begged him repeatedly, why. Why. WHY? Screaming and shaking the detective. Demanding answers that weren't going to come. The leader had shoved Cole away in disgust. A shove enacted with such force it set the young adult over the desk onto the floor.
Connor's response came plain as day, ' He needs to be down graded in your system settings, I'll take care of that. The only other thing that I can recomend is to stay away from Markus Manfred.'
'Connor, I don't think they like me. '
'They will with time, they are just mad because you took over who I once was. Just stand up and get back to work. There is no reason to make a scene. '
'You made a mistake by making me take this role.' The replica son shouted at the older counterpart. His projection in the mind palace stomping it's feet while the physical form couldn't get up. Body entangled in debris from his desk and the desk chair. Richard and Hank were helping to pull him out. Even though Hank was still was mad at the kid, he still had to make sure he was okay.
'This was the role that you, Cole Anderson, were created for, it is the role I took on because I thought your father cared about me. When he simply thought is was a thing. Now get up and perform your functions like a human. Your feelings are wasted on me. Go back to Kamski's after work and power down. That will make you feel better.' The voice of the AI seemed loud, still hollow except a distortion that confused the younger AI's processors when the word "thing" fell from the elder's mouth.
Irritated, Cole snaped back to reality as Richard and Hank pulled him to his feet. "You alright, kid?"
"I'm fine give me a few minutes. " Cole bristled in frustration as he brushed himself off. Hank moved to let the kid stand on his own. Cole walked out of the precinct to get some air.
The lieutenant sighed and just went back to doing his own work. Looking at Richard. "What the fuck did this kid do to systematically piss off every motherfucker in his life?"
"Whatever it is, it will be over soon I'm sure. " Richard sighed looking at him and settling in to work again.
