Chapter Nine
Kitt sat patiently waiting in the parking lot for Devon and April. He passed the time by observing different people.
Humans are very interesting to watch, Kitt thought to himself, as a young couple holding hands passed by.
Kitt's attention shifted to a cute little brown-haired girl wearing a pale yellow dress holding tightly to the string of a pink helium-filled balloon. She was happily skipping alongside her parents. As they walked past another family, seated at a table nearby, a young boy noticed the girl's helium- filled balloon. "Mom, can I have a balloon?" the boy begged the lady seated beside him.
Just then, Kitt detected a large black semi approaching his area of the parking lot. He automatically scanned it to determine if it was the Knight Industries Mobile Unit. The white embossed 'Knight' insignia on both its sides indicated that indeed it was.
The semi parked in a discreet location near Kitt. Slowly the back cargo door opened and a ramp lowered into position.
Ordinarily this would be the cue for Michael to steer Kitt onto the ramp and into the semi, but instead, another car backed out of the truck and onto the ground. The car was a jet black Pontiac Trans Am, nearly identical to Kitt.
After parking the Pontiac, April stepped out of the car and approached Kitt.
"Kitt, please tell Michael that Devon and I have arrived," April instructed.
"Will do, April," Kitt said cheerfully. He was glad April and Devon were here to help.
"Michael," Kitt called through the com-link on Michael's watch. "April and Devon have arrived," he said.
"Thanks Kitt," replied Michael. "Be right there," he added.
A few moments later, Kitt and Michael were inside the semi with April and Devon.
"April, Devon glad to see you made it here safely," commented Michael.
Devon smiled, "As always, Michael," he said joking.
"So what have you come up with?" Michael asked, casually slipping his hands in his back pockets.
Devon and Michael looked at April, who was holding a clipboard of papers in her hand.
"Michael," April began. "I have prepared a formula to apply to Kitt's windshields that will not effect the strength and protective abilities of his windows. Once this formula is applied, it will prevent the black light's energy from passing through the window to you. In fact, it will reflect the light away from Kitt."
"Is there any danger in that?" Michael asked.
"No, Michael," April answered. "The black light's energy is absolutely safe."
"So, I just leave Kitt here for a quick paint job... take a few days off...maybe play some tennis and racquet ball...." Michael rambled on, ignoring the looks of amusement Devon and April exchanged. "I'll need a car in the mean time though," he quickly added.
"Michael," Kitt interrupted. "I don't believe that is exactly what Devon has in mind."
"Oh?" Michael asked, moving closer to Devon. Visions of playing tennis, golf and rock climbing suddenly vanished. "What do you have in mind?"
"Michael, as you know," Devon began. "It is the Foundation's laboratory that develops the technology we incorporate into Kitt. Each function that has become a part of Kitt improves our ability to fight crime and protect the innocent. It stands to reason that this advancement in technology may not remain exclusively ours forever and be used solely for the benefit of mankind. As technology progresses and the criminal element becomes aware of these advances, they seek to obtain them for their own purposes."
Michael nodded in agreement. "So far we've been able to keep improving Kitt's abilities and stay ahead of the game."
"Yes, Michael, we've been very lucky. With the exception of 'Goliath' I have to agree with you," replied Devon. "However, the fact that Wilton Knight's son Garth was able to steal Kitt's protective formula and apply it to that semi, 'Goliath' illustrates my point. Thankfully we were able to finally destroy 'Goliath' and stop Garth, but we won't continue winning the battles if we lose our advantage. Our advantage is technology. We need to keep looking ahead to the future: pursuing leading edge technology. We don't want to stagnate and lose our edge."
"I understand; but Devon, what do you have in mind?" Michael asked.
"Our latest technology involves Robotics," April explained.
"You mean like 'R2D2' and 'C3PO' in the movie Star Wars?" Michael asked incredulously.
"No, more like 'Andrew' in the movie Bicentennial Man," answered April, smiling as she walked over to a 7 foot wooden crate lying on the floor beside Devon.
"You mean you actually have 'Andrew' in there?" Michael asked, cautiously.
Kitt scanned the wooden crate. "There is a body in that crate, Michael. Its form is human, but it does not register any vital signs: it is not breathing nor is there a heart beat," stated Kitt.
"What? You really have a robot in that crate?" Michael asked as he stepped closer to examine the contents of the crate.
Devon lifted the lid of the crate and removed the protective wrappings to reveal the crate's contents. Inside the crate, appeared to be a sleeping man. He was so lifelike that Michael unconsciously took a step back.
"It's okay Michael," April assured him. "This man is an example of the latest technology in robotics."
"Whoa! Hold on a minute!" Michael declared. "This Andrew is going to replace Kitt? Is that what you are saying? My new partner is Andrew the robot?" Michael asked.
"Not exactly, Michael" Devon said. He moved closer to Michael and placed his hand on Michael's shoulder as a comforting gesture.
Michael took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay Devon, what is all this about? I thought Kitt was going to get his windows painted. Why paint his windows if we are taking him out of commission?" Michael asked, wondering if Devon realized how crazy this whole thing sounds.
"Here's the deal Michael," Devon explained. "April is going to paint Kitt's windows and afterward you will continue your missions with Kitt the way you always have. However, for the time being, we've decided to take this opportunity to test the viability of robotic technology. We are going to remove Kitt's Central Processing Unit from the car and place it into this robotic body. Kitt's CPU will be the brain that will operate this body."
"Devon, this is beginning to sound like a high-tech version of the story of Frankenstein," said Michael in disbelief.
"The applications of this are limitless, Michael" Devon insisted. "Look, the medical field already uses artificial parts for hearts, lungs and limbs. Doctors are the even removing the movable joints from Mattel's old Barbie dolls and implanting them into human hands for finger joints! Imagine a human brain implanted into a robotic body. A paralyzed person could have fully functioning use of his limbs!" Devon said excitedly.
"But robots are not new technology, Devon," Michael argued. "Kitt's CPU in a robotic body is merely a computerized robot."
"That would be true, Michael, if the robot's functions did not use the latest technology. Take Kitt, for example," explained April. "Your typical black Pontiac Trans Am, no?" pointed to Kitt. "Now, consider that we equip Kitt with scanning devices, analyzers, lasers, high speed turbo boosters, ejection seats, a grappling hook, micro-jamming processors, automatic cruising and voice activated remote control systems and what do you have?"
"I am a fully-functioning mobile computer, state-of-the-art technology, if you will," added Kitt.
"Okay, April," conceded Michael. "I'll give you that Kitt is the latest thing in automotive crime fighting, but why change Kitt into a robot? I like him the way he is."
"Thank you, Michael," responded Kitt.
"You're welcome, old buddy," answered Michael cheerfully, glancing doubtfully at the sleeping robot nearby.
"Listen guys," April interjected. "Kitt's exceptional abilities are only possible because of the programming in his CPU. His programming enables him to respond to commands quickly and accurately using the information in his data files. His data files are extensive and current. Because he must perform quickly and correctly, there is no room for mistakes. One shot of a laser at the wrong time and in the wrong direction could be disastrous. Experience has proven Kitt's programming to be efficient and flawless."
"But if you put Kitt's programming into a robot, he will no longer have the technological advantages he had in the car.... the laser, analyzers, turbo boosters. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Michael asked.
"Michael, you're missing the point," commented Devon. "If we take Kitt's CPU and put it into a state-of-the-art robot, we will have the ultimate in robotics. Implanting Kitt's CPU into this advanced robotic body will help determine the robot's strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness. The purpose is to test the robotic functions using the advantages of a proven, superior computerized 'brain'."
"Yes," April added. "We can refine robotics for the improvements we will need to maintain our edge. Whether that is minor additions or major overhauls to Kitt's automotive equipment or something more."
"Something more?" Michael asked suspiciously. "You mentioned the possibility of implanting a human brain into a robot like this. Is that part of your plan? Or were you just speaking hypothetically?"
"Well, Michael," replied Devon. "I was speaking theoretically, but if it were possible, I don't see why it couldn't be used to our advantage."
"Devon, I thought you were speaking of helping paralyzed people to live normal unrestricted lives. It sounds like you are considering implanting a human brain.... perhaps mine? into a robot," commented Michael, growing uncomfortable.
"Michael," answered Devon. "You know me, of course I would share that type of robotic information with the medical field. As for implanting your brain into a robotic body, I cannot make any promises. It's mere speculation really. Suppose you become seriously ill or injured in a manner that would preclude you from continuing your work with the Foundation. Let us suppose also that you could choose to return to your formerly healthy, vibrant state by having your brain transplanted into a robotic body. Advancements in robotics could make that possible."
"Devon," Michael answered slowly, "I honestly don't know if I'd be receptive to a robotic body. Frankly, eternal life as a robot doesn't have much appeal."
"Oh Michael," April interrupted. "There couldn't be eternal life in a robotic body. Although robotic parts could be replaced, your brain cannot. Life could only be extended as long as the brain remains alive."
"Just a minute here," interrupted Devon. "We are nowhere near performing any brain transplants beyond simply transferring Kitt's CPU into this test robot. What comes out of that remains to be seen."
Michael sighed loudly and stepped closer to the robot in the crate. It was really amazing how 'alive' this robot looked. Michael wondered what was so special about this robot. He thought of the robots he had seen in the movies and on television and felt less than enthusiastic about the prospect of turning Kitt into one of them. Suddenly he felt sad and guilty. What happened to the fun vacation he had promised Kitt? he wondered. "I'm sorry old buddy," Michael sadly whispered to Kitt.