Michael parked the black t-top along the backside of the building taking protection in the night's deep shadow casting over them. He knew they were up against quite a lot more than the two could bargain for. The chirp of crickets echoed lightly in the thickets just to the side of the dim-lit lot. Only the clattering noise of factory machinery resonating from inside the building, interrupting the orchestra of insects hiding in the tall grass every so often.
"What are we doing here, Michael?" Kitt asked thoughtfully, the AI's smooth voice relaxing the worried man just enough to catch his bearings. He leaned back into his seat, feeling the familiar smoothness of the yoke under his sweaty fingertips.
"The informant said to wait out here…" He replied solemnly. "The factory is all for show, what they're really making inside this place is a device of mass destruction." The man glanced down at the darkened dash.
"The handheld laser gun, if I do recall." Came Kitt's matter-of-factly voice, displaying on-screen the schematics they'd successfully been able to track down.
Michael nodded.
"That's the one." He took a deep breath rolling his tensed shoulders back in circular motions, craning his neck, and gazing out the window over the daunting building before them.
"Michael, I'm aware that this assignment is above our current capabilities…don't you think perhaps we should retreat until further notice?" Came Kitt's anxious remark. "I'm not suited to take lasers of this kind, furthermore a singular shot at you would most likely be…" The voice modulator flickered to darkness in a comprehensive pause. " – Fatal." He concluded, his voice shrinking to a small whisper.
Michael grinned solely to himself, nodding his head.
"I know buddy, but can't let them manufacture them and ship them out of the country. Tonight is the only chance at nailing these guys."
"I know, and that's what worries me." Kitt debated, indicators on the corner of the dash faintly twinkling up at Michael in quiet concern, "doesn't it strike you odd the nature of the informant's letter? You're not the type to usually go headfirst into an ambush Michael, at least not with some sort of a plan." Kitt implored.
Michael chuckled lightly, noting activity just a ways from where they were parked. Some old box truck rolled into the building, vanishing through huge doors that hastily shut behind it. It was the signal.
"I DO have a plan, and that involves me…not you."
"I don't understand." Kitt attentively retorted.
Michael grasped the yoke tighter.
"Kitt, you said it yourself. You wouldn't survive a hit, let alone me, but buddy I'm replaceable. You're not." Michael let the cold words roll off his tongue like sandpaper.
"Where in the world would you get that idea!?" Kitt shouted in dread. "Michael you're the sole purpose of my existence, there isn't another person in this world that would fit me better as my driver and friend than you!"
Michael sighed.
"Kitt, we can't argue about that right now…I have to go in and find who's behind this operation." Michael clutched the door handle, just about to open it when the lock engaged with a quick click. Michael reproached the dash. "Kitt! Trust me will you?"
"Michael, I have always put trust in everything you do even when they don't seem logical but walking into an ambush without me is most inadvisable." Kitt struggled to remain unwavering. There were only a few circumstances where he would deliberately disobey a command and this was one of them. There had been times where in the past he'd left Michael to take the heat of battles on his own for the better of saving another life…nevertheless, Kitt had always found it most unnecessary to ever leave Michael behind. He preferred it a hundred times over to let the criminals get away then have Michael killed or severely injured.
"I'm going to go in, Kitt. Open the door, last chance pal." Michael's voice was firm and resolved. The man's hand gently hovering just above the controls that'd allow for a manual override of Kitt's system. Despite it all, Kitt could see the pain in the man's eyes. A manual override meant a nullification of his being…a violation of his wishes…a revocation of his abilities…Michael had never liked the thought of dismissing him so easily with a flip of a switch so to speak.
Kitt reluctantly opened the door, letting it swing open quietly to avoid detection. He scanned over Michael in quiet discontent as the night's cool breeze brushed the dash tenderly. The computer let out a low hum from his scanner at the sudden change in temperature in the interior of the Trans-Am. He was opposed to this foolhardy approach to the situation, he found humiliation jolting his CPU at the thought of willingly letting Michael come to harm.
"Sorry pal, but I got to do this alone." Michael broke the silence, his hand hastily crossing the dash as his finger pushed the pulsating key that would shut Kitt completely off.
"Michael no —!" Kitt managed just barely as all his systems began to blackout and plunge into inactivity. He tried to fight against this final command…trying to free himself against this manual shutoff override but he was quickly enveloped inside his processor, set aside, and completely ignored. Perhaps Michael didn't want him to join him now but if he needed backup whoever was to come to his aid?! The thought provoked fears in the AI that made his motherboard tremble deeply from terror. His consciousness was the last to go…his scanner pulsating a bright final crimson red as the computer let out its final "breaths" before fading to pitch black, catching the faint strings of vitals coming from Michael's comlink as the man approached the building and vanished through a blocked backdoor alone.
— the sudden shock had pulsated through his system, echoes of energy and calls bouncing around in erratic patterns within him as he tried to reach for functions to set his cascading thoughts steady…
He let out a static burst of sounds, the words jamming against the nonexistent audio output he had always heavily relied on.
Weakly he probed his processor, sluggishly looking for an answer as to why he felt so shaky. The response from his stabilizers was unavailable at the moment as the minimum energy needed to power said instruments was far too feeble…
He ran quick diagnostics on his nullified scanner and visual inputs first, prioritizing it over everything else, for whatever reason taking longer than usual to boot up. The computer ran a special program in the background that was meant to ease his anxiety as he remained blind and deaf through the entire process. Bonnie had created it for him, having explained to her how terrified he'd been when he'd been torn from the rest of the car and left for dead in the trash, so many years ago. The program purposed to play photographs and video files with terrains and landscapes of placid nature while the computer waited to regain a sense of the physical world that wasn't the digital domain of his enclosed CPU. Kitt took the equivalent of a deep breath as he tried to get a hold of the situation taking a quick peek at footage taken of an autumn forest every so often he felt a little unnerved.
Instinctively, now having regained his bearings and keeping his panic to a minimum, the computer checked for Michael's comlink aware that the energy powering him currently was rather weak and limited. Based on this information he figured he'd blown a powerpack that powered his onboard systems at all times and was probably running on auxiliary power attached directly to his CPU casing. As expected his energy source was far too weak to allow for direct contact with Michael's comlink. He hastily checked his memories of what had occurred last time he'd been active, hoping this would give him a clue as to why he'd blown a power pack in the first place. Last he had registered, was of Michael sneaking away to inspect the inside of the building under the protection of the night where they were currently parked.
Kitt internally jumped as he made an unsettling discovery…
'SYSTEM ERROR…VEHICULAR FUNCTIONALITY UNAVAILABLE.'
The words flashed boldly within Kitt's CPU. The AI received no input from the engine, the doors…nothing…everything was utterly knocked out cold. It was as if…
He froze, all his subroutines pulling and searching for available hardware in an alarmed frenzy, the AI coming to a standstill at the concrete realization.
He'd been taken out from the chassis…
— again.
Michael had insisted on remaining awake all through the night. Kitt on the other hand knew inadequate sleep was detrimental to the human body. So he'd tactically soothed Michael to sleep. He'd dimmed his screen little by little, carefully transitioning into night-light mode. He even changed his font to one more easy on the eyes and slowed down his typing in small increments until Michael had fallen asleep slouched over on the cart. Once this occurred Kitt was sure to slow down his own processing power to a crawl not wanting to bother the man's sleep with his whirring components. Sure he'd probably awaken with an aching neck and a sore back but at least his mind would have gotten the refreshing rest it needed.
In the early hours of the morning, Kitt had remained vigilant over Michael. Watching the man rest was of mundane nature, if truth be told, the first few hours of the night…but then the computer had started to feel protective over the man's vulnerable state. It was rather peculiar, and at first, he attributed the expression to merely kindness…but it was more than that. There was something about watching the man sleep that aroused familiarity. He tried to dismiss the confusing thoughts but it was evident that they wouldn't leave him alone…
By early morning several scientists had flocked into "the brooder" checking on several advancing AI's, all the while casting Michael displeasing gazes and glares. The man was in no way a snorer but every so often let out a loud gush of air from his mouth as the position he was sleeping in was very, and by definition, uncomfortable.
Kitt found himself helpless, as the man was exposed to indignity by the institute's scientist poking fun at otherwise a life form that was just in some need of sleep. Why they wouldn't be more sympathetic was beyond him. He couldn't stop the scientist from ridiculing Michael but did his best to "scare off" any wanders that got too close to the slumbering man. Waving his camera wildly in an attempt to ward them off from disturbing his sleep.
His strategy seemed to work for a while, as the majority of the scientists would take a step back each time the computer reacted negatively to their presence. Kitt chirped his monitor in annoyance if anyone came within arms reach of Michael's resting spot and attempted to poke him with a pencil. Childish approaches that Kitt honestly thought were inadequate.
He'd hold down the fort for several hours more, much to his astonishment, but once the higher-ups stepped foot into "the brooder" he was aware that any further action was out of his authority.
Kitt immediately fondly recognized Harold entering the large and spacious room. He had many things to thank the man of. For one, his existence and two…simply because the man was his mentor.
Kitt chirped in greeting as the man approached him and Michael rapidly. He hoped he could explain how the other employees were messing with Michael and how he disapproved of such behavior. Suddenly, before the computer could so much as explain, the man barked down at Michael harshly in an effort to awaken him.
"Mr. Knight! This is an institute of Science! Not a pre-school!"
The sudden outroar awoke Michael in a fury, the poor man striking his jaw against Kitt's metallic cart frame as he instinctively tried to stand up, before staggering backward and falling over his chair. The scientist all broke into laughter including Harold, but Kitt found it most offensive!
'Michael! You alright!?' Kitt terrifyingly typed while Harold un-applied the brakes on the cart, switching Kitt to his power pack and disconnecting him from an outlet on the floor. The AI found himself inexplicably pulling at phantom programs that for a moment he thought he had. His entire system launching itself into full power, the desire to do something and protect Michael overriding everything in Kitt's mind.
"What's the big idea!?" Michael yelled dismissing his aching back and neck entirely. Standing up and briskly pulling Kitt's cart away from Harold, the computer let out a static shriek from the sudden movement.
"Mr. Knight!" The man panicked. "That is sensitive equipment! Careful!"
Michael blinked, still getting a grip on his surroundings.
"Sorry Kitt," He apologized, directing the remark to the idle camera that was shivering ever so slightly.
"Kitt?" Harold crossed his arms. "Oh no, you haven't named K182011 "Kitt" have you?" The man gazed over the camera rotating to face him expectantly. "Units aren't supposed to receive names until after they've passed tremendous testing and training."
"Well, I know your dirty secret, Harold! I know k18 is Kitt and once I've proved it with Bonnie's miracle machine you'll be kissing your place here goodbye!" Michael growled, pulling Kitt's cart ever closer to him in a protective embrace.
Harold jabbed Michael in the chest with his finger, Kitt emitting a low and provoked chirr in warning to Harold's unjustified harassment. It was so unlike the man to be so oppressive.
"Your humor is most disgusting."
Michael held himself in self-constraint, his knuckles going white from grasping Kitt's utility cart firmly.
'Michael,' Kitt began in utter anxiety. 'Under normal circumstances, I'd like to have said 'good morning' but maybe it is best if I reminded you to stop injuring yourself.' Kitt nervously typed, his camera rotating and glancing into Michael's fond eyes begging the man to stop.
Michael was about to reply, easing his grip on Kitt's cart when Harold swung around unexpectedly catching a glimpse of Kitt's screen. For whatever reason Michael noted Kitt hastily cleared the history on the page, converting the text box to a clean slate.
'Good morning, Mr. Saber.' He bluntly greeted.
"Good morning K182011, he didn't hurt you did he?" The man frowned in Michael's direction.
Kitt took a moment to think over said question. Michael didn't seem like the type who would majorly harm a computer even given how he'd handled his housing a little poorly just now…overall he hadn't meant any real or threatening harm. Whatever the case Kitt found himself…doubting Harold…something that at the moment was deeply troubling him. He trusted Harold as a sole source of trust and dependability but, given how he'd just treated Michael…He was standing in an unresolved stalemate and for whatever reason found himself naturally siding with Michael even if he had just met him several hours ago. It was awful, simply awful because…He trusted Harold with his life…the man was his creator and he had always held him in high regard.
'No, he has not.' Kitt nonchalantly replied, brushing aside this unresolved issue for later processing.
"Or has he been interrogating you with his pointless theories?" The man grumbled.
'I've found them most interesting, anything but pointless.' Kitt defended.
Harold shrugged, turning to Michael who wore a sly smile having also read Kitt's responses.
"Whatever, we're taking you to the simulator for practice runs before the final examination." Harold announced, motioning a group of scientists to help him transport Kitt toward the hallway. Michael gently wrapped his hand around Harold's arm.
"I might not have enough evidence to nail you yet but don't think I won't be watching." He threatened in a whisper so only he could hear.
Harold nervously nodded, the group pushing Kitt's computer unit into the hallway in silence.
Michael glanced down at Kitt's monitor noting the computer's unease by the constant scanning of his camera.
'Michael, you didn't finish telling me the story about how you and Kitt – or me if your theory is correct – saved Bonnie Barstow from the terrorist. Did we really drive through a minefield?'
Michael grinned down at the screen satisfactorily, trying to keep a low profile whilst being examined by every scientist and staff they passed. Wearing his signature black leather jacket was bringing on much-unwanted attention.
"You were supposed to keep me up all night –" Michael playfully teased in a murmur beneath his breath.
'Michael I couldn't have prevented that given my lack of mobility.' Came Kitt's clever reply, earning him a suspicious frown from Harold.
"How long have you been talking with the unit?" Harold interrogated.
"Harold, that's not of your concern." Michael yapped back.
The man cast Michael a poisonous glare, making Kitt shiver internally inside his processor. He was starting to get worried about the man's changed behavior. The AI finding himself attempting to get vital readings off the man…Kitt froze internally as he realized that this function was unavailable at the moment and that…Kitt's camera slowly turned downward, closing in on Michael's wrist…an ordinary but special watch latched tightly around the man's wrist. Something about it…there was something about it…
"You might have cost us the unit's integrity. Might have to purge its memory banks, Mr. Knight." Harold threatened under his breath, interrupting Kitt's taxing thoughts. The other scientist walking alongside them down the hall quickening their pace awkwardly as they too were becoming suspicious of what this rivalry could bring.
"Purge his memory!?" Michael exclaimed.
'Yes, Michael. A memory purge is a common procedure done to AI's in an effort to revert them to a much stable state of mind.' Kitt replied helpfully, whirring his camera down at his own screen directing his attention away from Michael's watch that was currently giving him chills and concentrating on the yellow smiley face sticker that was still firmly attached to the margins of his screen.
"Then that's what Harold did to you!" Michael shouted grasping the cart away from Harold. Making the crowd of scientists nervously glance at him.
'No, Michael. I haven't experienced a memory purge first hand.' Kitt replied confidently, wishing he could reassure the man in some way with an actual voice rather than displayed words.
Michael shook his head.
"They did buddy, or else you would remember me."
Kitt's cursor paused in thought on his screen as Harold wrestled the cart away from Michael's hold. The inference checked out and was most logical. If he really was Michael's 'Kitt' and he did not recall it…then yes, he had gone through a memory purge of some sort…thing was…this presented some bad news. Kitt, needless to say, scanned over his attached hardware. In an instant, he had an alphabetized list of all his components. Looking over them carefully and at a moment's notice, he discerned that a memory board was missing. If he was indeed Kitt then…whatever made him Kitt was missing…but how could this be?! He wasn't a car…he was a specialized AI meant to mand an aircraft! Harold had been there when he'd been created! How could it be that he'd been stolen so coldly from his driver!? Harold wouldn't do such a thing! So then…perhaps he hadn't been stolen…perhaps Michael was wrong…perhaps he clearly wasn't Kitt…but then…The computer wavered his camera still glimpsing over Michael's wrist with his watch secured tightly. A shiver once more ran down his circuitry. If it wasn't true then how…
"This is ridiculous!" Harold interjected. "This isn't Kitt, I don't know what crazy idea made you think the K182011 is Kitt!"
"How do you explain Kitt being smarter than all those 'infant' AI's you got back there?!" Michael challenged.
Harold laughed mockingly.
"The K18 was solely there for system strengthening. The computer overlooking all the AI's was simply helping him develop as he is prematurely progressing erratically."
Beep!
The two men froze, their heads snapping down and glaring at Michael's wristwatch that had cut in unexpectedly. The brunette pulled his hand towards his face as his eyes widened and stared quietly down at the comlink.
Harold rolled his eyes, not understanding the meaning of the sound. He pushed Kitt's cart forward, joining the group of scientists who'd walked several meters away from the arguing men in an attempt to relieve themselves from the discussion. Kitt's camera fixed on Michael's wrist. The man gaping back at Kitt's shrinking and enlarging aperture, the camera shuddering in fear.
"Wait!" Michael hollered over to Harold, placing a tight firm grip around one of the pillars on the cart. He tried to push Harold aside but the man clutched the cart rigidly.
"Stop it, Knight! You could hurt the computer!" Harold protested loudly in concern.
"Let me talk to the computer for a moment," Michael insisted, lowering his voice in an attempt to pacify Harold for a second.
"Talking to the unit could cause further damage." Harold asserted as he managed to loosen Michael's grip on the cart and swing it across the hallway. Unfortunately, the cart slipped from his grasp and bumped forcefully into the wall. Sending an unpleasant shudder down Kitt's components making him hiss in complaint.
"What in the world is going on here!?" Brenda shouted as she seized Kitt's utility cart and rolled it gently to a side, applied the brakes, and approached the arguing men having been observing them a ways down the hall. "Why are you both acting like children!?" The woman asked authoritatively. "You are both grown men, and capable of solving issues diplomatically." She stood at a short distance, glowering at the two.
"Brenda," Michael was the first to interject as per usual. "Allow me to take the K18 with me to the mobile unit for examination." He begged.
"What!?" Harold screamed. "You aren't being serious!? The K18 isn't the Knight Industries —"
"If this will get you out of my facility and out of my hair then, yes." Brenda implored. "I'm getting quite impatient with you two…I'm starting to dread that the both of you will begin a fire with all the quarreling you do." The woman straightened herself. "Yes, Mr. Knight you have permission to take the K18 to the foundations Mobile unit for examination, but…" The woman crossed her arms sternly. " — Will have to properly fill out the paperwork involved in taking equipment off the premises. It's a tedious process but given you are 'convinced' the K18 is the Knight 2000, then I'm sure that said procedure is more than worth your time to you."
Michael glanced over her shoulder and at Kitt's lonely camera staring back at him intently.
"You know it is."
"Very well," The woman sighed, "I'll accompany you to the office and direct you to Laura who does our equipment checkout and documentation. This way." She motioned, Michael not hesitating for a moment as he darted over to Kitt's housing and wheeled the cart next to Brenda.
Harold had gone silent, leaning back against the wall and glaring daggers back at Michael who was too preoccupied with Kitt to even care.
Michael was sitting in a plastic chair, filling out a medium-sized packet of paperwork needed to allow Kitt to leave the institute temporarily. The man was lovingly humming a pleasant tune while Kitt absentmindedly watched from his cart down at the exhausted but otherwise content man.
Kitt had remained more or less silent, afraid to divulge any sensitive information at the moment. Specifically his identity. He was still examining Michael's comlink, for probably the 70th time [actually the 68th ignoring the rounding, to be precise], aware that the device was an extension of his hardware. When he'd run the list of his hundreds of components, not only had he noted that a memory board was missing but that…there was a component listed that wasn't directly attached…and then out of persistence…he'd pinged it. The response had been instant, the comlink was within his limited range, and been successful at communicating with him. The moment he'd done so he'd investigated its connection thoughtfully and found the distinct inscriptions of the Knight 2000.
So it was all true.
He didn't want to worry Michael at the moment, but the computer found himself experiencing a deep and disturbing identity crisis. He liked it here in the institute and was rather happy here too…but now that he knew that his place was beside Michael he found it a little difficult to accept. These past two weeks he'd been focused on achieving his main purpose: to become avid in manding an aircraft and finding his spot alongside his brethren computers in the sky…but now, it turned out he didn't belong here. He wasn't part of this breed of computes at all. No wonder the "brood mother" had found him so bothersome. In a way, now…he wanted to leave all this behind while simultaneously wanting to stay. It still felt like home, this WAS his home…Yet, he had this urge to stay by Michael no matter what. The conflicting ideas ran in circles within him, he was divided, making his mood spiral downward.
"How are you doing down there partner?" Michael mused, noting Kitt's spaced-out stare.
The camera shuddered and Kitt promptly displayed a text box on his blank computer screen.
'Tolerable.' Was the first thing that came to Kitt's mind, panicking when he caught sign of gloom in Michael's otherwise cheerful face.
"Why's that buddy?" Michael asked placing a protective hand over the sheen of Kitt's keyboard reassuringly while resting the clipboard in his other hand over his lap.
Kitt trembled inside. He wasn't too familiar with expressing feelings so openly, although…he'd come to understand that he indeed had some.
'I'm just a little unnerved that's all.' He remarked sheepishly. 'There's a lot to process.'
Michael nodded.
"Well, you're right. We're not out of the woods yet." Michael tried to lighten the mood giving Kitt a comforting smile.
Kitt nodded his camera in turn, taking a liking to the silent gesture.
'Exactly where are we going now?' Kitt asked, anxiously. Turning his camera to briefly face a window with the shades drawn down. He'd heard of the outdoors before and seen photographs but hadn't ever gotten the opportunity to see it first hand…or at least not while he'd believed he was the K18. Kitt internally winced wondering if he'd ever go back to "normal", be the AI Michael was so fond and attached to.
"Mobile HQ, just outside. Bonnie's there waiting for us." Michael nonchalantly replied continuing to fill out the documents in his hands. He was almost to the last page.
'Oh, Miss Barstow…' Kitt recalled. 'I was under the impression she is a specialized mechanic and engineer?' Kitt awaited patiently for Michael to glance up at his screen as he checked yet another check box on the sheet.
"Yep, your mechanic and motherly figure I guess. Also very touchy about how I treat you." Michael beamed, chuckling lightly, avoiding the secretary's curious gaze as he continued to converse with the computer. He glanced down at the paperwork for a moment avoiding her questioning eyes.
'Why?' Kitt implored. 'How long would she have known the Knight 2000?'
"You mean, how long would she have known 'you'." Michael teased innocently.
Kitt remained silent, his cursor pulsating slowly before responding.
'Is it possible to still be me, while not knowing who I am?' Kitt replied deeply disturbed.
Michael slouched back in the plastic chair, the question hitting him rather hard.
"I'm not sure I have…an answer for that just yet…uh, Kitt." Michael worryingly frowned over Kitt's housing. "You alright in there? You sound a little upset there, buddy."
Kitt glanced up at Michael suddenly, the camera whirring on its servos loudly cocking to its side and examining Michael's blue eyes. The man stared intently back awaiting Kitt's reply.
'I'm unable to make a sound, I do not possess a voice in fact. How would you know that I'm upset without little else evidence of such a state of mind?'
Michael's face lit up in a big grin.
" —Because you and I are partners."