InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Is you is..."

Kitt (ki2k) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2008-12-08 14:40:00

Current mood:	calm
Entry tags:	hattie jackson, kitt (2008), kitt 2

Who: KI2K, KI3K, Hattie
What: Meeting the KI3K for the first time
When: Now
Where: At Hattie and Kitt's estate
Warnings: None that I can foresee

A new AI? In a new, updated car? While he had to admit to an almost overwhelming curiosity, he also felt the slight twinge of irritation that could only come when one is faced with their own replacement.

For that's what this car represented. New technology. New breakthroughs. New beginnings. To replace what was outdated, worn, old.

He sighed, brushing the thoughts away with a swipe of his hand down his face. He was tired, overworked and overstressed. It was making him cranky. So maybe there was a hint of smoldering jealousy burning underneath his calm exterior. He'd deal with it. It wasn't important. What was important was making sure that the car arrived without suffering any mishaps along the way. Kitt suspected - no, he knew - that this sort of technology could be very dangerous in the wrong hands, and he was intent on making sure that this AI remained safely in the care of Knight Industries - even if it wasn't quite the same Knight Industries that the AI recognized.

He went out into the chilly evening air dressed in business casual, projecting what he hoped would be just enough authority without seeming overbearing. Arms folded over his chest, he stood in the driveway before the front staircase, waiting for its arrival.

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ki2k
2008-12-09 01:32 am UTC (link)

"My creator was Mr. Knight." He snapped it out at the car, an angry edge to his voice. He'd never liked the seeming necessity of adopting that name as his own; it wasn't meant for him.

He counted to ten, slowly, silently. Had he himself ever been this... naive? He must have been, at one time.

"I am referring to the Knight Automated Roving Robot. My predecessor." Another pause. "My brother, in a manner of speaking. Or perhaps you'd like to hear the story of Garthe Knight. Or Marco Berio. Or Graham Deauxville." He was angry again, not at the car per se, but at the memories being dredged up along with his cautious concerns.

"I have no proof whatsoever that you aren't KARR. That I haven't brought a psychotic AI into my home, under my roof, to threaten myself and my family."

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knight3000
2008-12-09 01:43 am UTC (link)

"Then your prior response was a lie," counters the A.I. "You said that you did trust me."

K.I.T.T. can detect the anger trace in his counterpart's voice patterns, and considers how best to respond. "I apologize. I did not intend offense or to incite anger, and it is not in my programming to permit harm to come to those I am destined to serve. But I must note that your wife was the one who invited me here. Perhaps in retrospect, a neutral ground for our meeting would have been more appropriate. I am uncertain how I might go about proving that I am something I am not. I have no knowledge in my historical files on any predecessor to myself named K.A.R.R., and I have no motivation and human ego required to maintain such fallacy."

The car remains immobile. "I do not believe I am 'psychotic'. The definition of psychosis includes the inability to reason. I am quite capable of doing so, and such a diagnosis is entirely human in its parameters. I am not human. I have nothing to gain by inflicting damage upon you or anyone close to you. I am entirely alone in this world, it seems, and it would only be to my own detriment to hurt those that would help me. That would make no sense."

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hattie_notqueen
2008-12-09 01:48 am UTC (link)

Kitt's reaction made Hattie want to reach out for him again, to take his hand or hug him, but she knew that making that kind of move wouldn't be appreciated at the moment. Instead, she took a deep breath and held it for as long as possible, staring at the garage floor, arms once again crossed over her chest. This time it was less a defensive move and more to keep herself from saying or doing anything she shouldn't. She understood where Kitt's fears came from and tried to keep her own at bay.

She listened to the car's reasoning and then lifted her head. "Kitt," she said quietly. "He's right. And if you were you, you would know he was right. You're letting-" She didn't want to get upset or cry. "You're letting your humanity get in the way." And she went back to looking at the floor.

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ki2k
2008-12-09 01:59 am UTC (link)

"No. I said I have no proof. I never said that I didn't believe you, or that I didn't trust you. There is a difference." He had a finger raised, pointed directly at the scanner, and he realized he was actually shaking with anger. He willed himself to calm, to listen what was being said.

"You do not serve me." His voice was tight as he realized where some of the anger was coming from. A sentient being, such as himself, forced into a position of servitude. The arguments he'd used to justify it over the years were ringing hollow when he heard them coming from another, towards him. He had no desire to be responsible for this car's indentured status, to be any party to it.

He lowered his finger, feeling ridiculous. Deep breaths, eyes closed. That was a first, to be accused by someone of being too human. It was almost laughable. He had no response to that, so instead he just nodded without opening his eyes, and repeated his earlier statement. "I trust that you are who you say you are. If I didn't, you wouldn't be here now."

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knight3000
2008-12-09 02:08 am UTC (link)

"Then what proof would be sufficient for you? And how long would it take for that proof to be evident?" They are genuine inquiries, not meant as sarcasm; and indeed, as before, there is no trace of such in its reply. "I regret that my presence here has become an apparent source of anxiety for you both. I was simply seeking answers, and to determine if I would still have relevance in this alternate dimension. Perhaps I should withdraw from this estate, and alleviate those concerns for the time being."

The A.I. seems, perhaps, somewhat dismayed by this turn of events. But again, it might be projection.

"My function is to fulfil the requirements I have been programmed for: to serve my human counterparts is among them; in fact, it is my primary function. You seem to find this an abhorrent concept. To not meet the parameters of my programming would be to do nothing of benefit at all. Is that what you would have me do?"

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hattie_notqueen
2008-12-09 02:13 am UTC (link)

"What he means is that now he knows what it's like to be on both the giving and receiving end of those orders," Hattie explained. Her voice was calm, almost weary, and she tried her best to give an answer that made sense. "If you decided to stay here, which we DO want you to do," she added, looking at Kitt, "then what he said is true: you would have more freedom than you would be used to."

She waited to see what Kitt would add, hoping that she was right and that he wasn't going to send the car away. And not just because of the technology or because it was Knight Industries latest creation but because, well... He was almost like family.

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	ki2k 2008-12-09 02:19 am UTC (link)
	He nodded again, suddenly feeling overly tired himself. "You are not required to serve anyone here with us. Not unless you choose to do so. You. Not your programming." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

knight3000
2008-12-09 02:24 am UTC (link)

"How, then, am I supposed to know the difference between a choice and a programmed imperative? I desire to learn, but that was a programmed imperative. Does that make my programming flawed? I am afraid that I lack the cognitive progressions in my matrix in order to make accurate assessment at this point in time. I am relatively young, and I am still evolving my understanding. For now, I do not have any imperatives beyond those defined by my coding, and I am, I believe, content with that, and by extension, I am content to serve."

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ki2k
2008-12-09 02:39 am UTC (link)

Kitt's voice was tired, almost defeated. "My apologies. My origins were different, and I had a steep learning curve in my first years. If I am too human now, then I have forgotten what it's like to be a youthful AI. If you require orders, then follow these. You may stay as long as you like. You may do as you wish to fulfill your desire for knowledge and learning. You may observe and ask questions. You will, if your programming dictates that it must be so, protect my family from harm. You will assist me in my studies of your programs and systems. And finally, you will assist me in continuing to fulfill the parameters of Wilton Knight's original dream for his company, for his Foundation, and for his AIs."

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knight3000
2008-12-09 02:51 am UTC (link)

"That is sufficient. I thank you for your understanding and hope to learn more about you and my other predecessors at a more convenient time. I am reading elements of fatigue as indicated by your metabolic processes and variation in speech pattern. To that end, I am content to absorb the information I have been given to this point while you rest, and I am intrigued by your description of serving the public good on a far smaller scale. Michael was fond of informing me that he needed to 'sleep on it.' I can easily access local media outlets in the meantime and equate what is different here and what has remained the same."

He then adds, "I have come up with two alternate nicknames for myself to prevent confusion while we are both present. Perhaps you would be interested in selecting one of them, since I am, for all intents and purposes, in human terms, your ... brother."

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ki2k
2008-12-09 03:12 am UTC (link)

"You've accepted me as your predecessor without any proof on my part. Why is that?" He stifled a yawn, inwardly damning the infernal machine that was reading all of his human weaknesses so easily. He found that having the show on the other foot was uncomfortable indeed. He found himself half-smiling; this KITT's Michael, in that regard, seemed very similar at least. As was his own habit of watching late-night television, reflected in this younger version. The more things changed...

He knew he tired because his mind was starting to wander, a uniquely human characteristic that had taken some time to become accustomed to. Hattie was already nodding off on the workbench, stress and exhaustion taking its toll.

Brother. The word made his chest tighten so that he had to remember to breathe. He nodded slowly, letting go of his hopes for the time being, the better to not be disappointed if this somehow ended up being all a dream, or the other AI decided to find greener pastures elsewhere. "Thank you. I will... we will discuss it in the morning, how about that?" He yawned again, this time unable to keep it suppressed. He patted Hattie gently on the arm to wake her enough to send her up to bed, then turned back to the car. "I hope that you'll be comfortable here." He refrained from saying good-night; it sounded too final. "Until tomorrow, then." They still had much to discuss.

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knight3000
2008-12-09 03:26 am UTC (link)

"Your biometric output has never fluctuated in your disclosures on this subject. You have exhibited a resistance to the concept of my servitude, which would be explained by your having experienced it yourself and found it to be unsatisfactory, and your interest in your own fate in my universe of origin was unfettered. I have no reason under these circumstances to think otherwise, despite the somewhat unlikely format you take. There is much I cannot provide explanation for, but I believe those questions, along with my new nickname, can wait for tomorrow."

Still the tracing red lines move in steady cadence. "I am 'comfortable' in most extremes of temperatures both hot and cold, as I'm sure you are aware. My location is entirely adequate, and I have plenty of topics to research that will occupy my time until we meet again. Good night to you both. It is my hope that you rest well."

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ki2k
2008-12-09 09:00 am UTC (link)

By now he was leaning in the doorway between the garage and the main house, looking back at the car with bleary eyes. "At least you understand my... resistance." The rest was undeniable, for all that he felt another twinge of irritation for having it pointed out to him that he had been so obvious. He nodded again. "I am aware. Thank you." He still hesitated on saying good night, so he left it. "I'll see you in the morning." With that, and another last long look at the car in his garage, he turned to go.

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