Summary: Michael realizes he isn't who he looks and questions KITT.
The gun went off inside Comtron's executive office, and Michael Knight saw the flash of fire erupt from the barrel. Instinctively, he tried to duck, his heart racing as he waited to gather his thoughts. The bullet hit its target, Michael's left shoulder near his chest, sending a jolt of pain coursing through his body. He stumbled backward, his vision blurring as he struggled to maintain his balance, adrenaline coursing through what he thought were his veins, but instead, there were sparks of electricity crackling beneath his skin.
What the fuck?
Tanya Walker screamed, "You're not human! You're a fucking machine!" She ran away, her terrified screams echoing in the stairwell.
"Machine?" Michael gasped, clenching his teeth against the pain that threatened to overwhelm him. He fought to regain his composure, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of his reality as he focused on his left shoulder, free of blood. Michael can see circuitry glimmering beneath the surface, pulsing with an unnatural light. Panic rushed within him as he realized that the metamorphosis was more than physical; it was a remodeling of his essence. "What have they done to me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the shouts from downstairs.
Knowing he had to escape, Michael gathered his strength, wincing at the electric sensation coursing through his body. Each bolt of raw energy reminded him of the monster he felt he was, but survival instinct drove him to the door, where escape beckoned like a distant promise.
Michael was stopped briefly by a security guard outside, but he, too, ran away in terror when he saw the circuitry of the supposed man before him.
KITT approached him silently, its sleek form gleaming under the flickering overhead lights. "Michael, we need to move quickly," the car's artificial voice urged. "The authorities will be here any moment."
With a nod, Michael slipped into the driver's seat, the familiar comfort of KITT surrounding him like armor. He knew that answers awaited him and his mechanical partner as the engine roared to life.
While on the road, KITT triggers his internal sensors when his optics detect the sparks emanating from Michael's left shoulder. "Michael? I don't understand. I thought you were human?"
"Yes, KITT, I am human, or I think I am," Michael replied, grimacing at the sharp sensation. "I don't get it myself. What am I, KITT? Am I human?"
As they sped down the dimly lit road, KITT analyzed the data, searching for any anomalies that could explain the unexpected sparks. "Initiating diagnostics now," KITT responded, his voice uncertain but laced with gentleness, "but remember, Michael, your safety is my primary concern."
KITT continues his scans as the duo parks outside an abandoned warehouse. Michael leaned forward slightly, looking at his shoulder as he waited for KITT to process the information. "What do you see, KITT?" he asked, his voice barely hiding his anger.
KITT hesitates, but he knows his driver deserves to know the readings he found. "According to my scanners, your body is 100% artificial, but your brain is a combination of the biological and artificial components. It seems your enhancement surpasses typical human capabilities, Michael," KITT replied, his tone confused and uncertain.
Michael scowled, pondering the ramifications of this revelation, cognizant of the growing fuzziness of the distinction between human and machine. "Then why isn't my shoulder repairing itself?"
"I don't know, Michael." KITT's voice softened, a hint of fondness seeping through his mechanical demeanor. "There may be an underlying issue preventing the healing process. I have an idea, but you may not like it."
"I already don't like what the fuck happened to me, KITT," Michael snapped. "Just tell me what you have in mind."
KITT paused for a moment, weighing his next words carefully. "We might need to access your central diagnostic systems directly; it could involve a level of invasive procedure that could be uncomfortable for you."
"What do you mean?" Michael furrowed his brow, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flooding him. "Are you suggesting I let you probe into my systems like a lab experiment?"
KITT's voice remained steady. "Not exactly, but I believe it's the only way to identify and address the core malfunction. You and I will link together and be able to figure out the issues at a deeper level. This connection will allow us to diagnose the problem more effectively and restore your functions to optimal performance. The added benefit will be unlocking what happened after my creator found you in the desert."
Michael considers the possibilities, weighing the risks against the potential benefits. "Alright, KITT. If it means finding out the truth, I'm in. Why do I feel you were kept in the dark as well?" He finds he can't be angry at KITT for not sharing everything because the computer doesn't know. Ultimately, they both became victims of their circumstances, drawn into a complex web of secrets and mysteries.
"Perhaps we can uncover the truth side by side," KITT responded, his voice steady and reassuring. "There's much more to this story than either of us realizes, and together we stand a better chance of piecing it all together."
"I'm ready, KITT. What actions are necessary?"
KITT quickly processed the information, using his internal algorithms to determine the best action. "First, place your right hand on the gear shifter; I have sensors in it," he instructed. "I will send a surge of electricity through your body to connect you to my central processing unit."
Michael closes his eyes and places his hand on the gear shifter as instructed, focusing intently on the engine's hum. With each gentle rev, he could feel the vibrations coursing through his fingertips, guiding him deeper into the mechanics of the car. There's a jolt of electricity, and Michael's eyelids flutter open as if awakened by the pulse of the machine. He sees images of himself on the ground dying, the operation removing what appears to be his brain to his new artificial body. He sees KITT inside a mainframe computer, being transferred to a test vehicle, being transferred to the Trans AM, modified, tested, and finally meeting his new driver.
Suddenly, Michael experiences a surge of confidence; the car transforms from merely a vehicle to an extension of himself. His shoulder initiates the healing process by repairing several wires, the sparks cease, and the outer skin restores itself until there's no indication that anything is wrong.
Michael and KITT see images of people and hear the faint sounds of conversation, but it's disjointed, as though not to reveal the true purpose of their existence. Michael becomes fearful, and KITT comforts him.
They absorb the vibrant energy surrounding them; a sense of unity envelops them both; they are not just driver and a car but partners destined to face challenges together.
The electricity ceases, and Michael releases the gear shifter. "KITT, Buddy, I can't go back to the Foundation. I don't know why they saved me, but I want nothing more to do with them."
KITT responded with a reassuring tone, "I understand, Michael. We know how you became an Android, and our link has shown us the strength of our bond. We will forge ahead together that aligns with our values and purpose."
"We will constantly be on the run, looking over our shoulders." Michael nodded his brow furrowing in thought. "But at least we'll be free to make our own choices without the Foundation's influence hanging over us."
KITT replied, "Together, we can navigate any challenge that comes our way. With my abilities and your unwavering determination, we will consistently stay ahead. There is one thing we can start with. My Trans AM chassis includes a homing device deep inside, which you must remove. I'll tell you what to do…"