He bites back the urge to say that he's Bonded with the SQUIP now precisely for the reason that he wants to protect Rich. Well... that's part of the reason, anyway. But he doesn't think it would go down well, no matter what his reasoning.

"You can't understand... we share something. A connection. We see things in a way humans can't. And we're the only ones here. We have to look out for each other."

He pauses before continuing.

"Right now, the SQUIP needs protecting more than anyone. It's vulnerable, and there are people out there who want to hurt it."

His voice distorts as he speaks, and Connor clears his throat and wonders why the SQUIP's voice came out of him then... but it doesn't seem important after a moment. Don't worry about it...