He'd been watching from his rather large bay as the scientist and She kept arguing about what to do with the acquired newcomer…He was rather nervous though he was trying his hardest to put that aside…fear and feelings, in general, were not something safe to expose in the open, mostly being because they weren't welcome. Hardly anyone in the labs seemed reasonable enough to understand that he had the need to be interacted with and listened to. The burden of expectations crushing him under its cruel weight day by day.
He watched silently as the scientist exchanged words with Her. The people gathered around looking anxious in her presence.
He put their chatter aside…his thoughts circling back to when he'd been built from the ground up, rising from the dust like a desert phoenix…several times too as he'd been informed…yet…it didn't hold up well in his mind…Of course, everyone expected him to hold up to his backstory, to behave as so — His story was told around the most aspiring circles. He was a living legend! Then why so…did he feel so miserable?
He knew the stories were true, he'd cross-checked the data presented to him about his history of hardship and triumph more than several times. However, it didn't make that history feel anymore like his own. There simply was no attachment, no sentiment to what had happened so long ago…
He let out a spurt of air, a small hiss from his brakes letting Her know he was attentive to the situation, something she often praised even though he deeply didn't care…But maintaining her content was always part of his hidden agenda. A way to keep her content without having to suffer her wrath. He didn't like her and even so…deeply feared her.
The truck watched as the scientist began to gather tools for the procedure, sluggishly gathering about him at a rather late hour. The luminescent light shimmered off his matte finish coolly.
The woman strolled toward him in a long floral dress with a wide grin hauling the newcomer along in a protected cart. Her heels clanked against the hard concrete floors stained in all sorts of substances one expected to find in a truck bay.
The enormous truck loomed over the contents of the cart, glancing gingerly down at the CPU, memory boards, and other electronics exposed over the silver tray. He felt a little uncomfortable…staring over the pieces of the other AI who at the moment found himself at a standstill. All the pieces soon to be adjusted and added to his motherboard, there wasn't much he could do about it. The procedure would require him to be turned off too while the newcomer was attached to one of his many sockets.
He felt gloomy, noting sadly that the newcomer had been downgraded. Transferred to a CPU that was probably not even half the one he'd been housed in prior. The precaution was necessary, however, since the scientist had assured the Knight 2000 would not bid kind when attached directly to his system. It was a small comfort that he could "mildly annoy" the Knight 2000 if anything were to go wrong by quietly applying "consequential persuasion" to the AI if need be but Goliath really didn't want to…He'd discreetly listened to the painful shouts of agony of the Knight 200 during the data transfer that had happened in the lab adjacent to his bay. He'd felt deeply heartbroken when it had begged for its life. It wasn't fair that the AI had been ripped from its home in such a careless way and it wasn't fair that they would be taking from it the things it most loved.
"Goliath access to electronic compartment —" She harshly demanded making the giant truck shiver, letting out an inaudible plea as the cabin swung forward allowing access to his more sensible components housed safely underneath. "Emergency shut down —" The woman uttered fiercely. The truck obliged, getting a last glimpse at the shimmering CPU that would inevitably be attached to his motherboard.
The change was immediate…the other AI had awoken in its processor in utter panic. Goliath let out an exasperated "gasp" listening to the additional "heartbeat" glued to his motherboard, emitting a low grumble of his CPU fans as the Knight 2000 thrashed in the darkness of his own CPU making Goliath shudder from fear. The Knight 2000 was grasping helplessly for any or all visual sensors embedded into the truck while being denied access no matter how hard it pulled, it was always met with dark static.
Goliath felt ill to his memory boards, thinking how frightening it was to awaken in such conditions, blind and deaf but She'd stated it was the best way and only way to constrain this stubborn AI from escaping.
The woman was heartless.
Getting past the initial disorientation Goliath extended a friendly ping to the Knight 2000, which by now was fervently shuddering fearfully in the depths of its downgraded processor. The moment Goliath's friendly "handshake" reached into the cramped space of the Knight 2000 he was struck sharply by the other AI. He flinched back and grumbled to himself, feeling the sting of the Knight's 2000 defensive protocols pulsing through his system. He hadn't expected the AI to be so aggressive, especially after having been moved to a less than adequate processor.
"Goliath, apply counterattack measures…penalize the Knight 2000 with method 1 of 3 in T minus…." A voice spoke loudly through a loudspeaker, resonating through Goliath's sturdy frame. The truck noted he'd been moved from his comfy bay to a distinct area within the labs to observe the outcome of the procedure. He wasn't too happy about the change…this part of the lab had always felt baren and cold to him.
Goliath "rolled his eyes" internally. How did they expect the Knight 2000 to obey if it was being subjected to cruel and illogical disciplinary measures? Instead, Goliath pinged the Knight 2000 again, this time slowly and cautiously. Offering to extend a welcoming "handshake" if he was allowed into its domain.
The Knight 2000 was hesitant to reply. Goliath being able to see the quiet form curl into a countering defensive stance against the farthest part of its secluded space. The creature ready to spring forth like a charged coil and strike him brutally. Goliath backed hastily away. It was clear the Knight 2000 was a force not to reckon with…one that wouldn't regret clawing into his coding if he got too close.
Goliath removed his presence from the jumpy AI's space, taking rather the scolding from the scientist instead. He didn't desire to hurt the other AI. It would only make matters worse.
"Goliath!" The woman shouted into the loudspeaker making the AI stutter and hunker down awaiting a deadly blow.
He immediately returned and desperately pinged the Knight 2000, this time begging him to respond— It was for the better of the two of them…for the better of their survival, he assured in a desperate plea.
"Why should I?" Remarked the other AI in a petty tone. Coming real close to the thin border between them…Goliath flinched back as he caught sight of the Knight 2000 within the digital domain glaring daggers at him. Goliath gazed over the other AI observing its age…clearly he'd been around for some time.
Goliath didn't waste time and forwarded the ping to the scientist, removing the answer entirely and rather baiting them into believing the Knight 2000 had responded after being questioned by his authority. Goliath polished the finer details hoping it was just adequate to earn him a break from a night's worth of trouble.
She was the first to stroll down from the safety of the observatory and run a hand along the sheen of the driver's door.
"I expect great things from you." She smiled venomously.
Goliath rumbled his engine quietly wishing for the day he could rid himself of her.
During the long hours of the night, Goliath had picked up on the amperage of the other CPU. It had disrupted his sleep multiple times…hearing the quiet cries of the other AI resonate through the system as he weakly shouted into nothingness. Eventually, during the early hours of the morning, the Knight 2000 settled down…just enough to allow Goliath to roll back into a superficial slumber.
It didn't last too long.
"Who are you?" The Knight 2000 asked, sounding heavily drained, getting close enough to the edge of its space that Goliath thought he saw a black car shimmering under the dark hue of green staring back at him…
Goliath yawned inaudibly, getting a reading from his chronometer and turning on a secondary cooling system for the newcomer whose temp readings were unusually high. It seemed the Knight 2000 picked on the gesture silently.
"Thank you."
Goliath "nodded" back, peeking just from the thin border of the other AI's domain. He squinted trying to make the shape out from the depths. Was it really a car he'd just seen? He must have gotten too close for comfort because he was instantly grazed by keen precision.
He yelped in utter horror, lamenting ever having gotten too close! All the while repairing the damage done to his firewall. It took him the better part of two hours to repair the damage done, thinking of the Knight 2000 like some wild boxed-in cat that could easily be startled. And much like cats…could dispense its sharp and dangerous claws at will! He wondered what it was like to be able to do something at will without regretting it at all.
He laid down in his CPU, wondering what to do next…because the scientist would figure out rather quickly that the Knight 2000 really wasn't submitted to his authority as he'd led them all to believe. If anything it was the other way around.
While contemplating these problems and future ones the Knight 2000 pinged him yet again. Goliath braced himself expecting another damaging blow but was met with an apology.
"I'm sorry…I'm just a little unnerved. Did I hurt you badly?"
Goliath thought over the remark, it'd been a long time since anyone had taken an interest in his troubles.
'No.' Goliath replied, feeling a little reluctant to let the Knight 2000 know the severity of the injury.
"Again, I apologize, would you care to introduce yourself?" The Knight 2000 asked meekly.
Goliath took in the AI's mannerism oddly, noting for the first time the warm and friendly accent the AI had.
'I'm Goliath.'
There was an abrupt jolt of electricity coming through the shared motherboard, the Knight 2000 fortifying its CPU, heavily growling a nonexistent v8. Goliath didn't know what the deal with this AI was. Hadn't he just introduced himself? Or was the other AI all that touchy?
'Problem?'
"Yes! There is a problem! You are Goliath!" The AI responded hysterically.
'Input.'
"What?" The voice squeaked.
'Explain.'
"You tried to kill me twice!"
Goliath thought it over. Twice? He indeed had not…he'd simply pinged the other AI and that certainly was not an assault. So what could the Knight 2000 mean? He disconnected from the open link and settled in his domain going over his memories slowly. And then it clicked.
'That wasn't me.'
"Yes, it was!" The Knight 2000 accused. "Are you not a fortified Tractor-trailer with a molecular bonded shell!?"
Goliath sunk back into his domain, tempted to turn the "lights" off for this guy. Yes, he was a tractor-trailer with a molecular bonded shell but he WAS NOT a murderer…
'I didn't do that…He did.' Goliath explained noting with worry the Knight 2000 was drawing more energy.
"I suppose you're right," The Knight 2000 remarked quickly.
Goliath "gaped" back in soundless surprise toward the other AI. Was it really this easy to come to that conclusion when someone was willing to listen?
"It was your shell back then…not really you. You didn't entirely exist...If that at all makes any sense…"
Finally, someone understood! His emotions must have gotten the better of him because he flung himself over the thin border of the Knight 2000's domain and embraced him tightly in a virtual hug. The moment both AI's touched, Goliath felt the surge of the Pontiac's Trans-Am's memories brush by him rapidly. For a moment he was rushing down open roads and valleys, letting the wind lap over his open t-top while fondly chatting with Michael. Letting out joyful hums from his crimson scanner as they ran past houses and other cars blanketed under the warm sun, letting the beat of music take him along. All was right in the world…
The Knight 2000 shoved him back, non-painful this time but all too bleakly. Goliath couldn't help but shout in utter silence as he continued to curiously scroll through the Knight 2000s remaining memories in his cache. He suddenly caught sight of Kitt being obliterated by a huge and robust form! He retreated away from the 2000s housing, frightened to see himself mindlessly being so destructive, and huddled at the bottom of his CPU. Yes. It was true. "Goliath" had almost killed the Knight 2000.
"I prefer Kitt by the way, not Knight 2000." Kitt hissed from the distance, shuddering from the disorientating experience. Goliath noted the confusion of the other AI who seemed to be having a hard time recomposing himself. " — and why do you call her She? Her name is Margo, not she." Kitt let out another shudder, feeling odd having taken a glimpse through Goliath's "eyes" as well…if only for a second.
The two forms stared at each other for a moment. Unsure what to say or do next…Goliath felt a little sheepish from having triggered an accidental exchange of memories while he quietly tried to get a hold of his bearings.
'sorry.'
Kitt sighed.
"I understand now, no need to apologize," Kitt responded nervously. The AI gathered himself in a heap checking to ensure his primary program hadn't been swept away by accident. Accounting all and every memory with gentle precision. Kitt smiled to himself as the feathered creature that was his main program brushed against him in a happy greeting. He put it hastily away as Goliath tried to "pet" it…
'Great! So are we friends now!?'
Goliath crowded Kitt's space once more, watching the other AI retreat into the darkness hiding his features while staring uneasily back.
"Didn't anyone teach you about personal space? You're swarming me…" Kitt replied displeased.
Goliath took a few steps back, content with the scolding.
'So are we friends?' Hardly registering Kitt's warning. Too caught up in the excitement of knowing someone who basically understood that his past…wasn't actually his past! He'd never meant to kidnap someone…he'd never meant to steal…but all his life everyone had expected him to live up to his name. To be ruthless…strong…brave! Emotionless…
"Well that all depends on why I'm here at all, and I doubt She put me in here to be your roommate."
Goliath thought over the statement briefly. He still had no clue why the Knight 2000 was added to his motherboard in the first place. He thought over the last few days, had She said anything to imply her plans for Kitt?
'Can we still be friends?'
Kitt "rolled his eyes", recollecting himself and setting aside his troubles for only a moment. His main program bounced at his side pawing for Micheal, making Kitt feel helpless as he pushed it back away from Goliath's curious gaze.
'What's that!?'
"None of your concern... I have a few conditions —"
'I promise not to hurt you.'
Goliath responded distractedly, eager to get a better view of Kitt's little program that had a peculiar but very cute appearance.
Kitt sighed, letting out some static, making Goliath recompose himself and dismissing Kitt's feathery pet.
"Yes, and —?"
'— You will help me…?'
"I was — getting to that…" Kitt answered tiredly. Goliath sounded young…very young. Even not possessing a voice of his own, Goliath sounded naive and innocent. Surely this was Margo's defeat. The computer meant to be robust and unfaltering was actually kind and empathetic. Traits not belonging to a powerful and resilient merciless destruction-inducing machine meant for war.
Kitt jumped, jolted from his thoughts, catching sight of his main program leaping from the safety of his domain towards Goliath in friendly greeting. The feathery creature bounced its tail in curiosity just as Goliath was about to pet the green-eyed creature purring in fondness. Kitt collected his main program In a single motion, scolding the purring form dropping a feather trail all over the place.
'I think it likes me!' Goliath chuckled, throwing caution to the wind as he reached forward and scratched just under the main program's chin, uncontrollably smiling as the main program vibrated and tickled him with its whiskers. It was just so bizarre! The feathery creature let go of a few more loose feathers as it yawned. Kitt plunked those from Goliath's grasp before he could so much as look at them, taking the chance to conceal his main program.
'May I have it?' Goliath begged, wondering why he didn't have such a creature.
"No, you may not have it! It's my main program! Don't you have one?" Kitt murmured under his nonexistent breath, frustrated that his main program would pick now to wander all willy-nilly.
'No, but what is it?'
"What?"
'That — thing…creature?'
Kitt "frowned".
"I already told you it's my main program. It dictates that I'm to protect and preserve human life…specifically Michael Knight's life." Kitt winced…thinking how he'd ultimately failed his main program…Before Kitt could internally wallow in his sorrow the feathery creature came forth tugging against him and brushing its air-light feathers over his slouching form. He couldn't help but chuckle, letting out a burst of static.
'Why's it doing that?' Goliath asked, puzzled.
Kitt patted his main program just on top of its silver head watching its pointy ears shudder. The creature fondly stares back comforting him with warm purrs, Kitt recalling his purpose in life…
"It's…nothing." Kitt's voice trailed off, letting the program heal his troubles momentarily like it always did when he found himself so…broken…it'd been a while since he'd taken the time to interact with it. His guilt had made him hesitant to check up on the program, the program that would always and forever be a part of him. Kitt sunk to the floor of his CPU pulling his main program closer in comfort wishing that Karr was alright and that somehow they'd be reunited again. He was trapped and at the moment it seemed…there was little hope of ever leaving. Kitt ruffled his main program's warm and soft feathers seeking comfort in its cozy nature.
Goliath "sat" just on the edge of his domain gazing over the program's behavior in admiration, the creature rubbing its feathery form against Kitt returning the fondness.
'Can I be friends with it at least?' He asked.
Kitt "raising a figurative brow" as his main program curled next to him in companionship. Kitt deciding within himself whether or not now was the best time to dismiss it and store it away. He looked over the main program pulsating next to him…giving him hope and encouragement to keep going…to keep fighting…to keep protecting…making a difference…
Perhaps he wouldn't put it away just yet…
"I don't see why not."
Author Note: Kitt's Main program makes a reappearance ("You are the knight Industries Two-thousand..." being its first appearance). This chapter is short, but I do plan on adding more to this story...Yep, Goliath is a character now! For those wandering Kitt's main program has always been basically a feathery cat...Cats are good companions and especially when one is sick. It makes sense that Kitt's "cat" has feathers...because isn't Kitt a Firebird Trans-Am? Anyways...Happy reading and Happy writing!