TAG for 'Knight of the Drones'

by elfin

The rhythmic constant of the Semi as it journeyed from San Francisco to the Foundation's Nevada base had rocked Kitt into a restful state, most of his systems now offline and recharging.  The lights in the back part of the truck had been dimmed for him and for the most part his neural nets were quiet, inactive.

He noted the opening of the door from the forward section, the living area and bunks, and smiled to himself in a binary series of '1's when Michael stepped through.  He remained silent though, thinking that his driver had probably left something behind when he'd said goodnight, and so when his driver's side door was opened and Michael slipped into the seat, Kitt was surprised.

He brought his voice modulator on line.

"Michael, is everything all right?"

He felt his partner's hand brush the dash.  "We need to talk, Kitt."

Despite his constant claims to the contrary, Kitt had experienced the strange sensations he referred to as 'feelings' from the outset.  And Michael's quiet declaration scared him.  He was, however, able to keep that to himself, so that his voice was steady when he asked, "What about?"

"About you ejecting me from the car before that missile hit us."

He had expected this.  Guilt slid alongside his fear.  "I'm sorry, Michael," and he meant it, "but you saw the state of me after the attack.  I knew what was going to happen if the missile was fired directly into my tail pipe.  You would not have survived and I couldn't allow you to remain in the car to be killed."

"You sacrificed yourself to save me."

"That is the reason for my existence."

He could sense Michael's frustration in his voice tone and movements.  "We're partners, Kitt.  We're supposed to be in this together."

"And we are.  But it is against my core programming to allow any harm to come to you.  I had no choice.  I am very sorry."

Michael was silent for a time, although his fingers continued to stroke the top of the dash, a rather intimate touch Kitt privately revelled in.  He fully expected Michael to continue his argument, hoped he would accept his apology, what he didn't expect was an apology in return.

"No.  I'm sorry, Kitt.  You saved my life.  You did what you're programmed… what you're designed to do.  And here I am blaming you for something that wasn't your fault."  He paused, smiled.  "I just want you to remember something.  You're my partner, I'm very, very fond of you, and getting yourself killed should never, ever be part of our strategy."  Kitt was incredibly touched.  "Do you understand?"

"Yes."  What else could he say?  "Thank you, Michael."

A pat to his dash, and Kitt thought Michael would leave then.  But he didn't, he stayed for a while, not speaking, fingers at rest.  Kitt too remained on line, wondering if this was what Wilton Knight had intended, hoping that it was.