Disclaimer:
Knight Rider was created by Glen A. Larson.
Author's note:
Story is slightly AU in that it takes place in the late 90's, though
there is no RC. And it is *not* Knight Rider 2000. Acknowledgements at end of
story.
Summary: FLAG
are trying to stop an evil, greedy mechanical genius from holding the world
hostage. KITT goes to stop him and gets
more than he bargained for.
Rating M (Some profanity, nudity) - Drama
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KNIGHT
RIDER
K.I.T.T 'N CABOODLE
Creed Deacon, a regular bad ass, sat in the
bunker with his hired hands, Trey Anex, Castaway Ares, Agenco Eve, and
mistress, Mary Blue. Through the window of their secured bunker, they watched a an oblong cube on wheels, a tank with no gun barrel,
riding bumpily across the Californian Mojave desert.
"'Junior' is ready," Deacon announced proudly, gesturing
melodramatically, as if he was showing off his new born son.
"Very cute," Trey sneered.
A small turret like gun protruded from a hole
in the middle of the contraption.
'Junior' fired a disintegration ray.
Its target, a large boulder was seen to instantly disintegrate.
"Cute indeed!" Castaway agreed.
"With this," Deacon scoffed with a smug smile, "we'll
have the world by the balls."
"How
does the thing work, exactly?" Agenco inquired. "It's not a laser?"
"No," Creed said, glad questions were being asked. He was eager to show off his 'baby.' "It works by molecular recomposition. The molecules of that rock are still there,
but are now being scattered by the wind.
Junior is a high class disintegrator, if you will."
Mary Blue watched the film intently, quite
horrified at what this thing could do, but never let her shock show. Unbeknownst to the others in the room, the
scantily clad Femme wasn't just another pretty face and sexy bod. The information on Deacon being 'up to
something' had leaked to her organisation - from an informant. However, this informant had been killed
before he could discover exactly what Deacon was 'up to.' It was hard enough to sneak herself into
Deacon's intricate spider's web, being done up like a professional whore, then
to turn on the fake air-headedness, charm and obedience a shallow man expected
from a mistress. Quite frankly, the man
made her sick. She knew she'd be killed
- at the very least, held hostage if they found out who she really was, but
without this information on what Deacon's plans, Bonnie Barstow knew the world
would be at this sadist's mercy.
It had been at least two hours after Deacon had
shown off his 'baby' when Trey came to him.
"You're not gonna like this, it turns out that FLAG got wind of our
little operation."
Bonnie hid her nervousness by looking innocent,
appearing to be a dim-witted, pretty bimbo.
"I
thought the informant was eliminated," Deacon spat.
"He was - but obviously his little message got to FLAG - and they
know we're up to sumthin'."
"Well that's just great ... I go to all the trouble ... Well you
know what they say ... No peace for the wicked ... Well if FLAG wanna know what
I'm up to, let them come and find out! I'm sure Junior is up to a field
test."
Trey gave a humourless smile at Creed's
reference to his machine. Bonnie went
cold and a shiver traversed her body, but a true professional, she kept her
cool.
Deacon stood up and walked over to her.
"Don't you worry, Marykins, darlin.' No one can touch us, not with the power I
have now..."
He traced a finger down her face. She wanted to bite it. He drew her closer and kissed her. Although Bonne wanted to resist, to do so would be to blow her cover and jeopardise her life
and FLAG's operation. She wanted to
retch and bite down as hard as she could when she felt Deacon's slimy tongue
slide down her throat, but pretended like she was having the time of her life,
and when he broke away form her, she flashed him a big white 'toothpaste ad'
smile and kissed him on the cheek.
"Was it good for you too?" she purred, proud of herself for
making it look so good, despite the unpleasantness in her mouth.
"Sure was, Delicious."
He grabbed her breast.
"Oo! Y' cheeky thing!"
Bonnie smiled, giving him a pat on the cheek, inside feeling violated
and wanting to kick the guy where it would hurt most.
Creed grinned.
Bonnie flicked her hair, then reached into her
pocket and popped a piece of Big Red chewing gum into her mouth and talked as
she chewed. "Hun, ya mind if I go
do some shoppin'? I mean I like
seriously gotta get me some new rags."
"Sure, baby ... But just remember, nothing
about Junior leaves this room."
"Babe, it's our little secret, you me and the boys."
"Just as long as you remember that. You remember what I had our 'boys' do to the
informant..."
"Deak, like ya don't have ta threaten me,
already. Y'know I won't blab. I mean like you've promised me more than any
girl could hope for ..."
She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Love ya, babe."
"I
want you back in three hours."
"No problemo, Sweetie."
Bonnie slung her hot pink scarf over her
shoulder and left the room, employing a sexy hip walk, but not before she heard
Deacon whisper, "hah, beautiful, sexy and stupid..."
//That's what you
think.
Bastard.//
Of course Bonnie had no intention of
shopping. Although she had thought of
buying some more cinnamon chewing gum to get rid of the awful taste that
lingered in her mouth, though right now, her main prerogative was to get back
to FLAG, and as long as Deacon thought she was a dumb brunette, she would be
safe. She entered the shopping complex
and looked in a few clothing boutiques, to shake any James Bond Villain
Wannabes and only left the complex when she was certain she was not being
followed, spat out the chewing gun in the nearest garbage bin, and made her way
to the waiting concealed FLAG mobile unit, which set in motion the second she was
aboard.
Needless to say, Bonnie was grateful to be back
safely in the big black truck, clad in more conservative attire, and to have
given her toothbrush a fair beating.
"Too bad it doesn't come with a warranty..."
"I
apologize profusely,"
Bonnie did too.
"All in the line of duty,
"Bonnie, if I had an Oscar, I'd give you one."
She smiled again. "Thanks,
"I'm glad you're back safely too, Bonnie," KITT said. "I was worried about you in the hands of
that ogre."
She smiled.
"Thanks, Kitt. You know it's
really nice to come back to people who care."
"Yah. That
Deacon sounds like a real piece of work all right," Michael snorted,
hating the thought of anyone taking advantage of Bonnie. "So, how do we stop the bastard?"
"Well, we have a plan," Bonnie said, trying to hide the fact
that although confident in the plan, she was worried.
* * *
She brushed some hair away from her face as she
tinkered inside KITT's hood.
"There," the technician said, standing upright "I've finished installing a
similar laser device like the one we used to try to nail Karr. Only this time it's more powerful, a wider
beam, and you'll have three shots at most.
A good thing is that 'Junior' isn't half as fast or as manoeuvrable as
you or Karr."
"Thank goodness for that," KITT said. "Now that would be scary."
"But," Bonnie said, "the
drawback is, IT can fire off more shots in less time and its armour is half a
meter thick, protected by a shield, somewhat similar to your Molecular Bondage
Shell, but not as strong. However it's
impervious to aerial attack and conventional weapons. So far I haven't been bale to crack into
Deacon's code to shut it down. You'll
need one shot to pierce the armour and the other two to blow it to kingdom
come. Not much of a margin of error, I'm
afraid. They'll spot you on their
scanners, so you'll have to be quick. I
suggest silent mode for your approach ... The laser will create a drain on your
systems, Kitt, as you're not designed to operate weaponry and it'll take too
long to configure your systems for a more substantial weapon."
"You did your best, Bonnie," KITT said, "And I'm happy to
at least have a crack at the thing. From
what I've learned about it, it's one nasty piece of work!"
"Believe everything nasty you've heard about it, Kitt," Bonnie
said.
"And one more thing,"
"Understood,
Michael stood with his hand on KITT's hood.
"Michael," KITT said when Bonnie had left, "I didn't want
to express my misgivings in front of Bonnie, seeing she worked so hard on the
laser and suffered most unpleasant experiences in the hands of that brute, but
I'm not sure I can pull it off."
"We gotta, Pal. From what's been goin' down, this laser's the
only weapon that can stop that thing."
"I
know, but that horrible machine can stop us too ... I mean one shot and
..."
"I
know, Kitt, I know ... I'm not too thrilled about the thought of my molecules
scattered all over the Californian countryside either."
"Did you have to put it like that?"
"Well it's true, isn't it?"
"Michael, sometimes I wonder if you can read my mind."
"Intuition, Buddy. Ready to roll?"
"It's facing that monstrosity I'm not sure I'm ready for."
"Keep your spirits high, Buddy."
"I
intend to."
The back entrance to the FLAG
"Kitt, what are y' doin'?"
"I'm sorry, Michael, but if I get hit by that thing, you'll be
vaporised too." He continued to reverse.
"Oh, no y' don't..."
KITT showed no sign of changing his mind.
"Kitt!"
The car pulled out. Michael chased him part of the way.
"Kitt! You get
back here! Right
Now!"
"I
can't jeopardise your life, Michael, - you know that."
"I'm gonna override you, Buddy," Knight warned.
"I'm sorry, Michael, I can't let you do that."
"Kitt! ... Kitt!!"
The black Trans-Am sped down the highway,
reluctantly ignoring Michael. The
defeated human retreated back aboard the black truck, which had always reminded
him of the TARDIS form Dr. Who - always seeming bigger inside than out. He sat down with a thud, half furious with
KITT, the other half deeply respecting his friend's concern for his safety.
Bonnie smiled at KITT's outright show of
independence, and was confident in his abilities, but was worried about him and
hoped more than anything that he made it back safely. Her thoughts were with KITT all the way. She didn't think she could forgive herself if
he didn't make it.
* * *
Michael wasted no time hiring a car, for which
FLAG footed the bill. From the side, the
silver
"
However Michael had more pressing concerns on
his mind right now. He wasn't going to
sit idly by and let his friend's life be jeopardised without him. As always
* * *
He activated Silent Mode, not that that would
do any good against their scanners, but it would give him a little advantage.
KITT suspected Michael wouldn't be 'sitting on
his butt,' he was unaware of his friend's exact motives. He went over and over his mission in his
CPU. It seemed simple enough. Track down the machine, shoot, then
skedaddle, although he felt somewhat awkward without Michael in the driver's
seat for such an important mission and hoped his human companion wasn't too mad
with him.
KITT's scanner picked up the machine over the
next rise. It was now or never. He Turbo Boosted over the
rise, landing less than half a kilometre away from the machine.
"It's that FLAG car!" Castaway yelled, in the secured bunker.
"Perfect ..." Deacon smiled.
"I wondered when we'd flush Knight out ..."
"There's nobody driving!"
"Damn!" Deacon hissed.
"Well no matter - first we'll deal with that snazzy car of
his."
Creed wasn't the only one in the bunker with a
beef against FLAG. He activated
'Junior.'
KITT saw the machine swing around in his
direction and knew he had been detected.
Evasive manoeuvres were in order. KITT avoided the first blast. He was hoping to get off the first shot. No such luck.
Fortunately the cumbersome thing wasn't nearly as agile as him. KITT skidded and aimed the laser right on
target, and something unexpected happened - a wide blue beam shot out from the
rear of the machine. KITT felt nothing
as the wave of energy hit him. It didn't
even tickle his sensor, however he was sure it wasn't just a pretty light show
and that it didn't spell good news for him.
He instantly checked his systems, but none seemed to be affected. KITT fired the laser and could have gasped
when no beam shot out. He tried
again. Still nothing ... And the machine was turning to face him. KITT tried to pull out, and realised with a
shock, he was immobilised. His wheels
were revolving as fast as they could, and doing nothing more than kicking up
sand and dust. The harder he tried, the more strain it caused. Again KITT tried to fire, but it wouldn't
blast and he could feel the laser overheating inside his hood, any more and
it'd blow. KITT was in a panic now. Nothing he did seemed to move him an
inch. He couldn't even call for help.
Inside the bunker Deacon's mouth curved into a
cruel smile.
"You'd almost think it's alive the way it's struggling."
"Like doomed prey in the mouth of a predator," Trey said, his
cold eyes flickering.
"Well it'll soon be out of its misery ..." Deacon smiled,
"but first ..." He activated a video screen, and transmitted to FLAG.
"I know you're there, Miles ... Now watch this... We've captured your
super car and immobilised it ..."
Both
"And I intend to destroy it."
"No!" Bonnie exclaimed, and instantly regretted displaying in
her voice how valuable KITT was.
Deacon looked somewhat surprised. "So you were the other spy, Mary dear
..."
"Yes and it's Bonnie."
"So was it good for you too?
Great tush, Hun."
Bonnie stared at him coldly, unfazed. "Let Kitt go," she said. "Please. He's-"
"You expect me to show mercy ... for a car? The thing is simply in my way and you know
what I do to anything in my way."
"Yes, you've made that quite obvious,"
Creed Deacon smiled, and began to push down on
the button.
"Wait .."
"Now you're just playing for time, old man. You have nothing I want." Deacon pushed the button.
"KITT!!
NO!!!" Bonnie screamed in horror.
* * *
Junior's concealed weapon compartment instantly
flapped open and a small turret poked out.
KITT tried desperately to break the immobilised hold, but it was no
use. Fear gripped him. Was this it?
Was he about to trip the Light Fantastic? Was there an Afterlife? Were there such things as Past and Future
lives? As the merciless orange beam streaked
toward KITT, his last thought, above his fear was gratitude that he had left
Michael behind on this one. At least his
friend was safe.
"Goodbye, Michael, Bonnie, Dev-" KITT whispered, seconds
before impact, and then the Knight Industries Two Thousand vanished.
* * *
Tears welled in Bonnie's eyes and streaked her
pale cheeks.
"No ... No ..." She shook her head. "I can't ... bel...ieve he's go..one ... Nooohhh ..."
Her voice trembled. Bonnie gasped
and covered her mouth.
Right now Bonnie wished that she wasn't such an
experienced technician. Otherwise she
may have had some hope that Deacon had played a phoney image, but she knew
better. She tried to quieten her sobs,
as
* * *
In frustration, Michael Knight returned to the
FLAG Mobile Unit. He had been unable to
locate KITT or call
He felt strange driving the De Lorean look
alike into the Unit, but was eager to learn of KITT's progress. He saw Bonnie with her back to him and
resisted the urge to say 'Honey, I'm home...'
Bonnie barely seemed to notice him. Truth was, she
couldn't bring herself to tell him what had happened.
"Any word from Kitt?" Michael asked. "When he comes back, I'm gonna spank his
circuits real good!"
Usually Bonnie would've smiled, but not
today. She couldn't bare
to face Michael.
"What's up?" Michael asked.
"You pissed off with me, or somethin'? ... I'm sorry if I sounded
hard on Kitt, before, but it was kind of a shock, y'know ... him takin' off
like that ..."
Bonnie sighed and turned to him. Michael had to know.
"What's the matter?" he asked, instantly concerned when he saw
her bloodshot eyes. "You get fired
or somethin'?" He realised that
didn't even make her smile. Bonnie was
far too valuable to FLAG to let go, although she appreciated his effort to try
and cheer her up.
"How's Kitt doin'? ..."
Bonnie could hold it back no longer. "THEY KILLED HIM, MICHAEL!" She thumped herself into a chair, covered her
face and burst into tears, feeling as though they'd murdered her only child ...
and very close friend.
Bonnie's words hit Michael like he'd been
rammed KARR at full throttle, though not her anger or rage - that wasn't
directed at him.
Michael shook his head. "No ... Kitt can't be dead ... He just can't
..." He couldn't believe that.
"But if he's damaged you can fix him, right?"
Bonnie sniffed, looked up and shook her head."
There's nothing left ... to fi..ix ..." A tear
splashed onto her knee, on which she rested her chin. "Play ... that ...
video," she said, pointing her voice and finger shaking.
Michael inserted it into the machine. Bonnie did not want to look.
It finally hit home with a piercing blow when
Michael saw KITT's body disintegrate. He
shook his head in disbelief, his eyes wide, then took Bonnie's hand and gently
squeezed it. Bonnie threw her arms
around Michael and held him tightly, sobbing quietly. He embraced her gently, wishing he could ease
her pain, but he ached as much as she did.
* * *
Michael sat alone in the silver
"You ain't got nothin' on Kitt," he spat, but he
knew it was hardly the car's fault. It
was just a machine and KITT had been so much more. Michael slammed his fist down on the hire
car's dashboard. KITT had been the best
friend and partner he'd ever had. He was
never as close to anyone as he had been to KITT. Knight knew he had to focus. He'd be no use to anyone if he let KITT's
death cloud his judgement, but nevertheless, he was gonna get Creed Deacon good
for what he did - and he'd be damned if he was going to let KITT's sacrifice be
in vain. This had gone beyond FLAG business. Now it was personal. It was for KITT.
Bonnie busied herself by constructing a new
laser.
"He died doing his duty, Bonnie."
"I
know ... but that doesn't take the pain away ...."
He gently patted her shoulder. "Believe me, I know."
* * *
A blinding flash of light
followed by a flash of pain, and then blackness. Was this the Afterlife? *Was* there an afterlife for cars sentient or
otherwise? KITT wondered. Silicon Heaven
or Silicon Valhalla he'd heard it referred to in some science fiction shows,
but did it truly exist? KITT realised it
was quite hot here, then a gentle, pleasant cool
breeze washed over him. KITT activated
his optical sensors and took in his surroundings. Trees, grass ... Was this what Heaven looked
like - silicon or otherwise? He looked
ahead and saw a large naked Ancient Greek grey stone sculpture, which he
recognised to be that of Hades, Lord of the Underworld - Lord of the Dead. The statue seemed to have kind eyes, and that
was comforting. Maybe this was the
Elysian Fields, the Afterlife the Ancient Greeks believed in? Suddenly KITT became afraid and felt cold and
alone. Was he truly dead? The sound of a horn honking made him
gasp. He looked around and saw a green
kombi van speed past, decorated with coloured Peace symbols ... A road ... Wait
a minute... McDonalds? ... KITT
definitely knew he wasn't in Heaven now.
Silicon or otherwise. Silicon Hell perhaps?
... If such places even existed ... No, he was still on Earth, same time, but
how in Hades did he get here? Was this a
dream? It definitely didn't feel like
one. On a roadside in
the middle of a town. The town's
name was on one of the shops in the street.
KITT made a mental note to tell Bonnie of it. He tried to perform a systems check, but it
didn't work for some reason. He then
tried activating his scanner, but that wouldn't work either. He deduced that machine had damaged his
systems. KITT began to get frustrated,
then frowned. Something was most
definitely amiss. KITT looked at
himself. "Oh my Goodness!..." KITT gasped.
"I have to find Michael..."
Part of him wished he was dreaming.
* * *
Michael arrived in
"Kitt, go into Surveilan- ..." Michael stopped and sighed as
he climbed out of the car and slammed the door shut. "Stupid car,
doesn't even have a decent tape deck ... let alone Surveillance Mode ..."
Michael made sure he activated the central
locking.
Bonnie had equipped Michael's wristwatch
communicator to detect the signature of Deacon's machine and the Mobile Unit
was on its way. Michael was going to
miss talking with KITT through that communicator, but for now, he focused
himself on the task ahead. He couldn't
detect 'Junior's' electronic signature, but something was definitely going down
here. The watch detected something
faint. Not much, but at least it was a
lead. He walked over to a string of
shops and, fast food joints and other slightly more up market restaurants.
"Michael!"
Knight spun to the sound of the raised voice
and saw a tall, slender woman, clad in a long black body hugging dress, curly
wavy dark auburn hair bouncing as she rushed toward him from across the street.
// Must be my lucky day ...//
"Oh, thank goodness I found you..."
The woman seemed relieved and out of
breath. She grabbed Michael's arm and
lead him into the nearest restaurant.
"What's goin' on here?!" Michael
demanded, disliking being pulled about.
He jerked his arm free.
A young waiter, not older then twenty
approached them. His name badge read Sabian. "May I take your order, please?"
"Just bring us two freshly squeezed pineapple juices please,"
the woman said rapidly, sitting down.
Sabian nodded and left.
Michael sat down opposite. Not wanting to create a scene, he lowered his
voice. "Now what's this all
about?"
"You may not believe what I'm about to tell you, Michael, but Kitt
wasn't destroyed."
"What?! But ...
How do you know? Do you work for Deacon?"
The woman took a deep breath. "No ... Kitt wasn't destroyed, because
.... because I'm sitting right here. Don't ask me how, but that machine altered my
molecular structure and-"
"What
... You're tellin' me that you're
Kitt??"
"Essentially, yes."
Michael eyed the woman, not convinced in the
least. "You seriously expect
me to believe you? ... You come out of the blue and..." he shook his head. "This is bullshit!...
I don't believe this!... Go back to whoever sent you, Deacon, I presume and tell
him that this lil' fishie ain't bitin'."
Knight's frown conveyed his anger. "How stupid does he think I am,
anyway? To think that I'd fall-"
"Your pineapple juices, Madam, Sir..."
Sabian set them down. "Would you like anything to go with
them?"
"Maybe later," Michael said.
Sabian left to attend another table, clearly
not wanting to get into what he perceived to be a domestic squabble.
"So you're Kitt..."
Michael scoffed.
"It's true, Michael ... How can I convince you?"
"Oh, I dunno - maybe you could Turbo Boost over that crowd over
there?" Michael pointed outside.
"Very funny ... Michael, we've no time to argue. Our mission is of the utmost importance. We have to inform
"...So," Michael said. "If you really are on my side, which the jury's still out on,
why are you pretending' to be Kitt?
I don't appreciate you tryin' to impersonate him. You know he wasn't just a car to me. He was my best buddy."
"Thank you , Michael."
"Stop
it!"
The woman looked exasperated. "What can I do to prove to you that I am
who I say I am? I can give you technical
data ... - My number plate reads Knight. K-N-I-G-H-T … Serial
number -- Alpha-Delta-227529. "
"Any computer buff could dig that up... along with other technical
stuff on Kitt." A short pause
followed. "All right, Kitt," Michael said, still
unconvinced. "If it really is you -
what was the first thing - the very first
thing you ever said to me?"
"What would you like to hear?"
"The first thing you ever said to me."
"That was it, Michael ... To which your response was 'what the hell was that?'"
Michael almost smiled at the impersonation and
realised that was exactly what had transpired.
"Do you believe me now, Michael? ... We didn't get along at first
... but we soon grew to like each other through our many adventures and
skirmishes, we became friends and always came through for one and other, even
though we don't always agree."
Michael sat back. "My God, you really are Kitt."
"I'm glad we've cleared that up."
Knight looked at the striking woman before him
and sighed, shaking his head. "This is one crazy development."
"Tell me about it."
KITT sipped some juice and then took another sip. Very sweet and pleasant and KITT had been
unprepared for the taste - he'd never had taste buds before.
"You know what, Kitt?"
"What, Michael? Do you have
a plan?"
"You know you actually sound like him, come to think of it... You
have his ... slight
There was a pause before KITT spoke. "You're right, Michael... And you mean I
have my slight
Michael smiled.
"Sorry, slip of the tongue."
Although he genuinely believed KITT was sitting opposite him, he felt
awkward taking to him this way ... or was it her now?
"Quite all right," KITT said, taking another sip of
juice. "So, do I still look like
Darth Vader's bathroom?"
Michael smiled.
"No, now you look like his penthouse."
"Oh, so I've moved up in the Universe."
Michael chuckled. "Glad to have you back, Buddy."
KITT smiled.
"The feeling's mutual, Michael."
Michael sipped his juice. "How did you know you liked pineapple
juice?"
"I
didn't," KITT said, "It was the first thing I thought of - and
freshly squeezed doesn't have all those nasty chemical preservatives that are
bad for the human digestive system."
Michael chuckled. "Kitt, you should have been a
nutritionist."
KITT smiled and sipped more juice. "Quite pleasant, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is ... So Kitt, now that we're here, are you
hungry?"
"Come to think of it, I feel like I haven't recharged my power
packs in an aeon."
Michael smiled.
"Me too, Buddy. I suppose we
should order something."
"Although we really should get on with the mission."
"After lunch."
"Whatever you say, Michael. You're the driver."
"Very funny, Kitt." Michael summoned Sabian.
"Can you bring us two double hamburgers, please?"
"Sure, anything else?"
"Wait a moment," KITT said.
"A hamburger?"
"Trust me, Kitt, nothin's as good as a
good ol' fashioned burger."
"Michael, the thought of ingesting the innards of some poor
creature that was once happily walking about is none too appealing."
Michael's expression said that he didn't know
what to say. Neither did Sabian.
KITT looked down at the beige laminated
menu. "Let's see .... Perhaps a salad ... Greek?"
"Excellent choice," Sabian said. "One Greek salad for the lady and one
"Uhh, on second thought ... make that two Greek salads, hold the
olives, " Michael said. "No burgers ..."
"You got it," Sabian smiled and rushed off with the
order. Michael had no idea whether KITT
would like olives or not, but didn't want to chance it - and it would be a
while before he could bring himself to eat a hamburger again.
"It's strange, Kitt," he said.
"I've never thought about you eating before ... Come to think of it
- vegetarian suits you."
KITT smiled.
"Thank you, Michael."
Michael found he rather liked this quaint
restaurant KITT had practically dragged him into. The food and service were great - the fast
service a bonus, given their limited time budget.
* * *
Deacon fumed like an old Chevy's exhaust.
"What??!!"
he bellowed, loud enough to set off
"I
checked its circuits thrice," Trey said.
"It changes the molecular structure all right - that boulder
materialised as an Ancient Greek statue on a roadside in
Creed Deacon sat down and slapped his
head. "Ahh @#$%....”
"So ... it's back to the drawing board
..." Agenco scoffed. "I've
invested millions in this project, Deacon.
Millions! And now your
little 'Junior' brat turns out to be worthless!"
"It's a minor setback," Deacon snapped, angry at his Agenco's
insubordination.
"You call this minor!? FLAG
can still stop us ... This ... This isn't what I had in mind. I want my money back, Deacon. Do you hear
me?!"
Deacon reached into his draw, grabbed his gun
and emptied its contents into Agenco's chest.
The bloodied man fell down, dead before he hit the floor.
"Anyone
else want their money back?" Deacon asked, calm.
No answer.
Creed smiled and put away his gun. "Good.
Well, needless to say the late Agenco's share will be divided amongst
us."
That brought a smile to Trey and Castaway's
cold faces. Deacon knew it would,
although he had other plans for their money.
"All Junior needs is a slight
adjustment. Leave that to me. A bit of tinkerin' here and there..."
"But Creed," Trey said, "we got another problem. Knight's in town. He was spotted in
"A
lot happenin' in that bloody town ...
Castaway - find Knight and kill the
bastard."
The blond man grinned. "Thought
you'd never ask."
* * *
KITT found the pleasant fresh crispy Greek
salad, refreshing, tangy and most filling.
Michael had insisted on ordering a dessert for both of them named '
"There's no telling what this will do to a human's digestive
system," he said with a smile, "but trust me, it'll be
delicious."
KITT couldn't help but smile. "You're in the driver's seat Michael."
"Very funny."
KITT had of course heard of the pleasures
chocolate bestowed upon one, and it had piqued his curiosity, but hadn't given
it too much thought, as he never even considered he'd have the opportunity to
sample its mysterious pleasures.
KITT began to eat the rich dessert and by the
first mouthful, scarcely able to believe how sweet and divinely delicious it
tasted.
Michael smiled.
"I've always thought you'd like chocolate if you were human."
KITT swallowed and smiled. "Michael, I'll never doubt you
again."
"Can I quote you on that?"
KITT gave him a look, then
began to eat more '
"I'm sure she'll be ecstatic."
Michael finished his own chocolate puff and signalled Sabian to bring
the bill.
"I'm sorry I can't pay my share, Michael," KITT said. "I
have no money."
"S'okay, KITT. It's not
often I get the chance to take you out to lunch."
KITT smiled, as Michael gave Sabian the $25.50,
and then he took another note out of his wallet. Here you go ... You've made my fiend and me
very happy ... He... She's never had chocolate before ..."
Sabian gasped when he saw Michael had given him
a one-hundred dollar note. He could
scarcely believe his eyes. "Are you
sure, Sir?"
"Sure I'm sure," Michael said with smile.
"I
... thank you ..."
"De Nada."
"You're so kind ... It's not often one meets people like
you." Sabian was also quite
relieved. There were a few overdue bills
he could pay with this ... though he felt guilty - and not about the 100 dollar
bill.
Michael smiled.
He could tell the kid really needed the money.
"You better go and serve some more customers," Michael said,
"otherwise your boss'll get mad."
Sabian smiled.
"Yes, Sir, you and the lady have a real good day now."
KITT smiled at being called a lady. He'd been called a few things, in his time
but never that.
Michael Knight watched the happy young waiter
go, glad he could help and glad he made the boy happy, but he guessed not quite
as happy as he was to have KITT alive and ... well ...
* * *
"Thank you for lunch, Michael," KITT said, as they walked out
of the restaurant.
"Don't mention it, Buddy."
He was still getting used to KITT's new body.
"It was very kind of you to give that waiter such a large tip. I think I would have done the same. That chocolate was scrumptious!"
Michael smiled.
"Bit don't eat too much of it, otherwise you won't be able to fit
into that slinky dress anymore."
KITT's head shook. "Actually it's most uncomfortable. I feel like a cat's scratching post."
Michael laughed. "Well as for the waiter's tip, I'm in a
good mood ... Havin' you back, and all, even if you look a little...
different."
"Still basic black." KITT indicated the dress and smiled.
So did Michael.
"So, Kitt, where's Deacon stashin' the thing?"
"I
scanned a very large lead lined bunker approximately 15.5 meters from where I
was ... attacked by that awful thing ... It must be where they're hiding."
"That's a good start. But
how do we get in?"
"That's what we're going to have to find out - and we still have that
beast to worry about." KITT's
expression made it obvious, that encountering that thing was most
unmeritorious.
"I
know how scared you must've been."
KITT nodded.
"Thank you, Michael, it's good to know you
understand... I'm glad we found each other."
"Ditto, Buddy Boy ... or is it Girl now?"
"Michael!"
Knight smirked.
"Now I suppose we have to get down to business... Bonnie
reconfigured my watch to detect 'Junior's' energy signature. When I got here, I got a faint reading ...
and then you showed up."
"Are you still getting the reading?"
Michael checked his watch. "Yes ... and it's a little stronger
now... KITT ... it's you!"
"Me? ... The machine must've left a residual energy signature when
it transformed me."
"So our meeting wasn't a co-incidence... Good ol' Bonnie..."
"I
suggest we meet up with
"Bonnie was working on a new laser and deciphering 'Junior's' code
the code when I left."
"That's good news at least ... But we need to get to Deacon without
being detected."
Michael's head jerked when he thought he saw
someone watching them.
"What is it, Michael?"
"I
thought I saw something..." Knight was about to turn his attention to KITT
when he saw Sabian a head on the sidewalk.
The youth began to quicken his pace.
"Somehow I don't think he's a waiter." Michael followed him.
Sabian began to run. So did Knight.
"Hurry, up, Kitt!"
"What do you expect me to do, Michael? Go into Super Pursuit Mode?"
"Ha. Very funny," Michael said as he ran with KITT.
"Wait," KITT said, continuing to run with Michael, "I
have it." The shapely figure bent
down and tore both sides of the black dress to the top of the thigh. "There.
Much better.
This dress is most constricting and impractical. I can now utilise my lower limbs." KITT revealed long, slender feminine legs.
Michael looked KITT up and down. "Kitt,
This Super Pursuit Mode looks a whole lot better than your other one..."
"Shut up, Michael."
Michael smiled, and did not see KITT smile too
as they continued in their pursuit.
Sabian tripped on a block of cement as he tried
to jump a fence. He winced as he fell to
the ground. Michael was upon him in a
flash and grabbed his arm. "Your
boss let you off early today?"
"Let me go..." Sabian gasped.
Michael could clearly see the youth was
terrified and could feel the boy shivering.
"Not until you tell me what you're up to. You work for Creed Deacon?"
"Castaway..." Sabian said.
"He works for Deacon..."
"Why are you helping them?"
"I
don't have a choice."
"So you saw us go into the restaurant and pretended to be a
waiter?"
Sabian nodded, clearly terrified. "Look ... Castaway told me to put
arsenic in your food ... but I didn't. I
couldn't ... I couldn't go through with it ... He'll kill me if he finds
out..."
Michael began to feel sorry for the youth. "All right ... We know Deacon's hiding
in a bunker in the Mojave and about his machine - what else do you know?"
Sabian said nothing.
KITT knelt down to him and spoke gently. "We need to get to Deacon. The machine he built is capable of incredible
destruction. Many lives could be
lost. FLAG will protect you." KITT held his hand.
"I'll tell you," Sabian said.
"Nice, Kitt, a woman's touch."
KITT gave Michael a look.
"There's a back entrance," the youth said, "a latch about
200 meters due East of the bunk-" Sabian was stopped by a bullet to the
chest, blood began to seep through his white shirt.
Michael pulled KITT behind a garbage crate,
narrowly avoiding being shot. Knight
looked around and saw the assassin.
"That's Castaway," KITT said.
"I recognise him from FLAG's files."
The assassin fled the way he had came. Sabian looked
up at Michael and KITT.
"I'm sorr...y..." Sabian held out the $100 note and a tear
rolled down the youth's cheek before his consciousness slipped away.
Just to be sure, KITT knelt down to Sabian and
felt his pulse.
"KITT, scan his ... sorry."
"It's all right, Michael. I don't
need to scan his vitals... I'm sorry."
"That bastard's gonna pay!" Michael spat. "He was just a kid..."
"If I was my old self again, we could've caught him. I'm sorry, Michael."
"It's not your fault, KITT."
"Are you two all right?" came a voice.
Michael turned to see a police officer running
toward he and KITT.
"We're fine, Officer, but..."
The policeman looked down and a wave of sadness
washed over his face. "Sabian
Christopher," he said. "Now
who the hell are you two?"
"I'm Michael Knight, from the Foundation
for Law and Government ... This is my partner, Kitt. Sabian was a lead in a case we're trying to
crack wide open. He was trying to help
us nail the guys were after."
"He got mixed up in the wrong crowd" the policeman said
"Borrowed money from some big wigs to go to Medical school ... They've had
him underfoot ever since."
"I'd be willing to wager they're the same ones he borrowed money
from ..." Knight said.
The police officer nodded. "Good luck, buddy. Much as I hate to admit it, those types seem
way above the law ..."
"Never stopped FLAG before."
KITT and Michael walked to where Knight had
parked.
"Michael, there's something I don't understand."
"What's that, KITT?"
"Deacon, as we know is hardly short on cash ... So why did they
want young Sabian to pay them back? He
could've become a doctor. How could they
use him like that and treat him so badly?"
"Money is power, KITT."
"I
know, but Michael, I still don't understand."
"Neither do I, Buddy."
KITT looked at the
"Ha ha. Very funny, Princess."
Together they climbed into the car. Michael turned the keys and drove to FLAG HQ,
both he and KITT feeling rather awkward to be sitting beside each other.
* * *
"Michael, you're back," Bonnie said. "We got worried when you didn't
call."
"Sorry, couldn't get through."
Bonnie kept her anger to herself - Michael had
picked up a companion, so it seemed. How
could he think of women at a time like this - after what had happened to KITT?... She still ached terribly when she thought about the
unique and beautiful, sleek Trans-Am, but then she thought maybe Michael wanted
to get his mind off KITT's death as much as she did.
"Bonnie..."
"Oh, sorry, Michael... I can't stop thinking about Kitt..."
She shook her head, sadness in her eyes.
"I still can't believe he's gone ..."
"Bonnie-"
"I've almost finished the laser," she said, trying to take her
mind away from sad thoughts. She went
on, before Michael could speak.
"Part of me wants to use it to fry the bastards for what they did
to Kitty."
"Uhh, Bonnie ..." Michael said. "About Kitty ... What I'm about to tell you ... may sound a little strange
... The machine ... well it didn't kill him ... It changed him .. and well ... there's no easy way to put this, but he's right
here." Michael indicated the
shapely woman beside him.
Bonnie stared.
She knew Michael couldn't be so cruel as to joke about something like
this... She found herself wanting to believe him with all her heart, but looked
unsure.
"As Michael said, Bonnie, the machine didn't destroy me, rather it altered my molecular structure."
KITT walked toward her and said, "Remember
a few years ago ... That night when you recharged my components, converted my
engine to run on liquid hydrogen, flushed my systems and adjusted my timing?...
And Michael said 'Kitt don't you dare take advantage of her tonight...' to
which you replied, 'would you get out of here, you yo yo!'"
Speechless, Bonnie nodded and half smiled.
KITT leaned over to her ear and whispered. "And after Michael left, I delivered a
precise charge of electricity into your system..."
Now Bonnie smiled and whispered back,
"felt good too, although I wouldn't admit it then..." And then she
gasped.
"And here all this time I thought you were angry with me..."
KITT said with a smile.
"Kitt ... it is you
..." She threw her arms around his human form and KITT did the same.
"Kitt," Michael said, when the embrace broke off, "what
exactly did you do?"
KITT gave Michael an innocent look, to which
Bonnie smiled.
"I
have to say, I'm ... surprised ..." Bonnie didn't know what else to say.
"I
was as surprised as you at first," KITT admitted, "needless to say so
was Michael ... and thank you, Bonnie, I'm touched that you care so deeply
for me ... The feeling is mutual."
Bonnie smiled and kissed KITT's cheek, and a
tear rolled down her own, a tear of joy.
She ran a scanner up and down KITT's body until
it beeped.
"Got it," she said with a smile. "That machine's energy
signature." The Technician
began to input it into the Knight Industries Mobile Unit's on board computer.
Michael and KITT informed
"
"It's nice, but not as pretty as you, Bonnie."
Bonnie couldn't help but smile. KITT was a real charmer, though Michael knew
better than to suspect KITT of cracking onto her. Their relationship was a unique and special
one.
"Any progress, Michael?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. Kitt and I have found a way to get into the
bunker."
"That's splendid news."
"It's about 200 meters due East of the bunker," KITT
informed. "Deacon isn't aware we
have this information, so at least we have that ace up our sleeves, but none of
this will do any good if I'm trapped in this body."
"And I was just starting to get used to you that way," Michael
said with a smile.
KITT's head shook. "I was wondering when he'd say
that."
Bonnie smiled.
"I may have some good news for you. Since I've input Deacon's
machine's energy signature into our computer, I can contact it, and may be able
to trick it by sending it a false signal, and get it to send a pulse back to us
... and change you back, but the calculations will have to be exact. We'll have to use the new laser array to fire
the beam."
"I
trust you, Bonnie, I really do," KITT said, "but it sounds awfully
risky ... What if it doesn't work?"
Bonnie smiled understandingly. "I understand, Kitt. This will take time to set up. It's a very complex procedure."
"I'm afraid time is one area we're not rich in right now,"
"I'm already on it,
"There's just one thing. I
... well ..." KITT stopped.
"What is it?"
"I
... Please excuse me ..." It seemed as though KITT was having trouble with
the words.
Bonnie could see KITT was embarrassed. "What is it, Kitt?"
"Uhh ... Nature calls?..."
Michael had to try extremely hard not to smirk
or burst out laughing.
Bonnie gave an understanding smile and lead
KITT to the on board FLAG bathroom. She
knew KITT already knew where it was, but it made him feel more comfortable.
Bonnie heard the tap and deduced KITT was
washing his hands... or was it her hands? ... Bonnie had trouble thinking of
KITT as a female, although even as a car, he had a male voice, but wans't male
in the human sense.
Michael noted his friend's unease when Bonnie
escorted KITT back.
"Don't worry, Buddy, you'll get used to it."
KITT clearly did not wish to comment.
"It's only natural."
"I
know, Michael ... But it's like you being transformed
into a car and finding you have a leaky fuel pump ..."
Michael smiled, as did
KITT stayed at Michael's apartment that night.
"Looks different from the inside, doesn't it?"
"Michael, I have seen the inside of your apartment using my x-ray
scanners."
"That's not what I meant."
"You're right ... It looks quite different from this
perspective. Still messy though."
"Gimme a break, Kitt!" Michael said with a smile.
KITT smiled back.
"Just don't tidy up anything, please," Michael said. "I know where everything is."
"Unorthodox logic," KITT said, "but it works."
"Exactamundo."
"I
don't think I'll make much of a house guest."
"Don't think of yourself as just a guest, Kitt. My place is your place. If you're hungry the fridge and cupboards are
open. Get a drink if you're thirsty. You don't have to ask me."
"Thank you, Michael. If I
had a house you'd be most welcome."
Michael smiled, but could tell KITT still felt
somewhat uncomfortable. "You're not
intruding, Kitt," he said. "This body is new to you and we're behind
you all the way."
KITT smiled.
"Thanks, Michael ... But what I really need is a bath. All this running around has made me ..."
Michael tried to suppress a smile. "You smell fine, but sure, it's at the
other end of the lounge room, and Kitt, I said you
didn't have to ask."
KITT smiled again. "Thanks, Michael."
Michael smiled as he watched his friend enter
the bathroom.
Even though he was new at being human, KITT
pretty well knew how to operate human apparatus, but he was glad Michael was
here to support him. KITT had trouble
thinking of himself as a 'she'. He had thought of himself as male, even
though wasn't a humanoid male.
KITT took off the torn black dress,
undergarments and climbed into the bath, surprised at how refreshing the
steaming water felt. He'd been washed as
a car of course and it had felt refreshing and cleansing, but as a human,
submerging oneself felt quite different indeed and quite pleasant - and the
soap lather was so creamy!
KITT emerged from the bathroom, clean fresh and
dry.
"Michael?"
Michael was busy tuning his new TV and video,
looking frustrated. "Yeah,
Kitt?"
"I
feel remarkably clean and refreshed. Thank you."
"My pleasure. I
bet you're sparkling." He turned
around. "Kitt!" he
exclaimed, looking away. "Put some
clothes on!"
"I'm sorry, Michael," KITT said. "I'm still not quite used to this
body. I never needed to wear clothes
before. Do you have something I could
borrow, perhaps? That black dress is
shot to hell."
"Uhh, sure..." Michael said, finding it hard not to peek back
at KITT's naked, perfectly sculptured feminine body, as he walked into his
bedroom.
Michael opened his cupboard and pulled out a
long pale blue shirt and handed it to KITT without looking while KITT donned
it.
"Thank you, Michael. I'm sorry. I hadn't meant to put you in such
an awkward position."
Michael turned around. "Don't worry about it, Kitt. We're all still
trying to get used to this and don't worry about the shirt being too big. Pyjamas are supposed to be baggy. It makes them more comfortable."
KITT smiled.
"Come to think of it, Michael, I am starting to get rather tired. A
pity I can't just recharge my power packs and keep going."
Michael smiled.
"Well, we need our sleep, Kitt.
It's the human way of recharging our power packs."
KITT smiled. Michael led his friend into the
spare bedroom, where he had a bed desk and computer set up, where Bonnie occasionally
spent the night. Of course it had been
business, although Michael wondered what would have happened if they'd went a
little further, but he knew it wans't meant to happen, and so it hadn't.
KITT lay in Michael's spare bed and rolled
around.
"Mmmm....
I can see how a bed can be so appealing ..."
Michael smiled. "Get some rest, Kitt. You sure as Hades need some. We've all had a long day."
Michael pulled the blanket up. "Just find a position to sleep which is
most comfortable for you."
KITT rolled around. "Mmm ... on my side, I think." He put one arm under the pillow and the other
around it.
"Good," Michael said with a smile. "I need to catch up on some shut eye
too. I'm in my bedroom down the hall if you need anything."
"Thank you, Michael."
"See you in the morning. Sweet dreams, Kitt."
"You too, Michael."
He watched Michael leave and then tried to fall
asleep. It didn't happen instantly and
he wasn't aware of the exact time he drifted off.
At some point during the wee hours of the
morning, Michael awoke with a start when he thought he heard a scream. He started to doze back off when he heard it
again, and then crying ... It became louder.
"No ... No ... NO!!!"
With a start, Michael realised it was
KITT. He leapt out of bed and pelted
down the hall.
"Kitt?"
KITT looked to be struggling against something
furiously. Michael gently shook his
friend. "Kitt.."
"No, please ..." KITT wailed.
Michael shook a little harder. "Kitt...."
KITT's eyes opened and frantically looked around,
gasping.
"M... Michael?..." KITT looked very frightened and confused, his
human face wet with tears.
"You had a bad dream," Michael said.
"A dream? ... It felt so ... so real... I was back in my own
body ... That machine ... It trapped me again ... I couldn't get away ... I..."
Michael could see KITT needed consoling and put
his arms around his friend. In a way it felt awkward, but KITT seemed to be
calming. "Dreams are like
that," he said. "They do seem
real ... We often have bad dreams when we're worrying about something, but that
doesn't mean they'll come true."
KITT nodded.
"Thank you, Michael. Sorry I
woke you, I-"
Michael smiled.
"Don't worry about it."
KITT didn't think falling asleep again would be
easy, despite the fatigue.
"I've got something that might help," Michael said, as he
walked to his kitchen, got a cup, opened his fridge and poured some milk into
it and hated it up on the stove.
When it was warm enough, he added some malt and
took it to KITT. "It's malted milk, " he said with a smile. "Should help you sleep."
"Thank you, Michael. I
honestly hadn't expected you to go to all this trouble." KITT began to drink the warm substance.
"No trouble helpin' a friend, Kitt," he said with a smile.
He honestly knew how KITT felt. When he had his first nightmare, it had been
terrifying, and there had been no one to console him when he woke ... Monsters,
cockatrices and pirates and other scary things after him ... Now he could look
back and shake his head, but for a five year old, such things were terrifying
much as the machine in KITT's dream, but the difference was that this monster
was real.
KITT slowly finished the creamy milk and began
to yawn.
"Best get to sleep. We've
got a lot of work to do in the morning."
KITT nodded gravely. "I'm not sure I want to dream this
time."
Michael smiled.
"Trust me, Buddy. Some
dreams are worth going to sleep for."
KITT smiled gently and laid
back on the pillow.
"Sweet dreams, KITT," Michael said.
"I
hope so."
* * *
That morning, Michael awoke before KITT and
checked on his buddy. He saw KITT's
sleeping peacefully, and his fiend's arms around the boomerang shaped pillow
and he smiled. Michael knew KITT felt
vulnerable and inadequate in this mode and Michael was forced to think how
strange it would be for him if he suddenly became a car, although it could
prove interesting - he could Turbo Boost for once!
Slowly KITT stirred, then stretched and
activated his optical sensors, for a moment forgetting he was human. Awake now, KITT still felt tired and lying in
bed was most comforting and
didn't particularly want to get up.
"Good Mornin' Buddy," Michael said, cheerfully.
KITT looked up at him. "Michael, I just wanted to say that I
apologise profusely for all the times I called you lazy for not wanting to get
up in the morning."
Michael laughed. "You're forgiven."
KITT felt grateful not to be forced out of bed
for another hour, but then it was he who forced himself. KITT had trouble thinking of himself as a woman and longed for his own body back, but
what if he stayed this way? KITT was
grateful when an empty human stomach took his mind off that train of thought.
KITT and Michael finished breakfast. "I spoke to
KITT nodded and took a sip of his freshly
squeezed orange juice.
Michael lent KITT one of his shirts, and a
skirt. KITT tied the shirt in a knot.
"I
saw April do this on numerous occasions," KITT said.
"Looks good."
How good, Michael didn't want to admit.
"And by the by, Michael, where did you get a skirt?"
"Uhh ... It was left here ..."
"By one of your inexhaustible supply of girlfriends, no
doubt."
Michael smiled.
"Kitt ... Just put it on .. We're going to
have to take you shopping to buy you some clothes of your own."
"Thank you, Michael, but-"
"Relax,
KITT smiled.
"I should have known."
"Hey, it's Foundation business."
A pause followed before KITT spoke. "About last night ... I'm sorry, I should have shown more discretion. I'm not used to wearing clothes."
Michael smiled.
"That's okay, Kitt ... Sure it's a nice body, and don't worry. I won't let it distract me."
KITT smiled and shook his human head.
* * *
"How can attire shopping be so darn difficult?" KITT asked, in
annoyance. "We've been at it for
hours and I've not seen a single suitable garment for this chassis!"
Michael chuckled. "Sometimes it's like that. Be thankful you're not shopping for
jeans."
The two walked on down the pavement.
"There!" KITT suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a simple white
dress in a shop window. "It'll fit
these measurements exactly."
Michael smiled.
"Glad you haven't lost your keen optical sensors ... Kitt, this is
a second hand shop."
"Is there a problem? ... This is the only suitable garment I've
seen all day and the money goes to charity."
"I'm cool with it ... just that most women I've been with are fussy
about that sort of thing."
"Vanity isn't a virtue" KITT said, "... and Michael, I'm
not a woman."
Knight nodded.
"Right, you're a man trapped in a woman's body."
"Michael, I'm a car trapped in a woman's body."
Knight smiled.
Despite KITT's assurances that the dress would
fit, Michael had KITT try it on, and they had found a pair of shoes to match.
KITT emerged from the change room.
"Kitt ... I have never
seen a woman look so good for eight bucks!"
KITT smiled and swirled. "And it feels nice too."
During the course of the day, they managed to
find KITT a black and silver jump suit, and shoes to match. Michael tried not to notice how it hugged
KITT's curves.
When they returned to the FLAG mobile unit,
"Grand total, $87, including lunch."
The older man smiled and looked relieved. "Michael, I'm proud of you."
* * *
Aboard the FLAG Mobile Unit, early the next morning ...
"Bonnie and I've been surfing the net,"
Michael chuckled. "I can just picture you hanging
ten..."
Michael perused the brochures. "Shop at Barstow Station ...
"We can explore after we've caught the bad guys," KITT said.
Knight smiled.
"Ya, business first."
"I
still haven't found a way to counter the machine," Bonnie said
apologetically, "but we were given a tip from an anonymous informant who
informed FLAG that Deacon's holding a 'charity ball,' tonight, not too far from
here, to get false support for his 'Junior' program which he claims will help
homeless children.
"The nerve of that guy!" Michael hissed.
"If we blow it wide open, we jeopardise our chance of nailing
him."
"The ball is just a ruse.
He's planning to demonstrate 'Junior's' abilities tomorrow afternoon ...
However, if we infiltrate the ball, we might be able to get some more
information on how to stop the thing ... Though it stinks of a trap to
me..."
"When so we leave?" Michael asked.
"Whoa
... hold your horses..." Bonnie
said, "I have a plan."
"It involves money,"
Not that he valued money above the safety of
citizens, but the stuff was not limitless.
He felt like he was forking out money for his children - and this wasn't
his cash.
"Well some ..." Bonnie said.
"First of all," Bonnie said.
"Michael, Kitt, you're both going to the ball. Kitt you're going to pose as his girlfriend." When she first devised the plan, she thought
KITT could go as his wife, but thought that may bring back the sad memories of
his deceased wife Stevie and knowing Michael's roving eye ... Bonnie almost
laughed when she saw KITT's bewildered look.
"Relax, Kitt. I'm sure
Michael will behave."
"Hey!" Knight protested.
"Now the money part ..."
"Ahh.."
"Relax,
Bonnie smiled.
"Okay," Michael said.
"But you take Kitt shopping.
Last two times I took a women shopping for an evening dresses, one exploded
at everything I suggested and eventually stormed off... and the second one ...
well ..."
"Turned out to be a drag queen ..." KITT added, much to
Michael's chagrin.
Bonnie tried to hide a smile, but failed
miserably. "Sure, I'll take KITT
shopping. It'll be fun... In the meantime
we've got this information on
"Good thinking, '99," Michael said with a smile.
Bonnie tried to stifle a smile as she him and
KITT a beige brochure, entitled Barstow Showbiz History Guide. "This brochure lists quite a few films
that were shot in and around
"Looks like you guys've been up all night ..."
"Almost," Bonnie said with a smile.
"It seems such a waste of time," KITT said. "If I was my old self again, we wouldn't
need to watch these. I could scan those
flicks in no time."
They all sympathised with KITT, but nothing
could be done about that at this stage.
"But that takes the fun out of watching the movies, Kitt."
"Michael, we hardly have time for fun."
Knight pulled a face.
Bonnie smiled as she picked up the laser disk
of '
"You couldn't resist saying that could you?" Michael said with
a smile.
Bonnie smiled back. "Nope."
However they weren't watching the movies for
entertainment and watched them mostly on fast forward, slowing down when they
needed to survey the terrain, both ground and aerial.
None of them were quite sure what to make of '
Bonnie had been busy grabbing images from the
screen and printing them out.
KITT made a mental note to watch 'Close
Encounters of the Third Kind' fully when this mess was over. It seemed to be quite interesting ... and
couldn't seem to get that tune out of his head. And Bonnie had noticed a science-fiction
movie called 'A.P.E.X' which funnily enough was on television that afternoon,
had scenes of the
"So at least they give us some idea," Michael said, rubbing
his chin.
"A
great idea of yours, Bonnie,"
"We still have one more," Michael said.
"Well I'm all movied out,"
Even in fast motion, watching six movies in one
hit had been quite a feat, given their limited amount of time.
"Sure,
Michael smiled, stood up and stretched his legs
for a few minutes before sitting down again.
"Last one," he said. "Bonnie?"
Bonnie looked at the cover. "'From Dusk Till Dawn' ... Oo no, it's a
horror movie."
"So?"
"I'm afraid you're on your own, Michael. I hate horror movies."
Michael smiled.
"I know ... but come on, it's not real."
"I
know, but it still doesn't help. That's
one thing I'm not afraid to admit, I'm scared of," Bonnie said.
"But what about 'The Haunting?' We both went to see
that."
"For Liam Neeson, I make an exception and as I recall, I dragged
you with me, kicking and screaming."
Michael laughed.
"Anyway," Bonnie said, "Kitt and I have to go look for
that evening dress."
"Chicken."
"Bak, bak, bakeek!"
Michael chuckled.
"Enjoy the movie, Michael," KITT said, standing.
"And if you get nightmares, don't come running to me," Bonnie
added with a smile.
Michael smiled and shook his head, as he
watched Bonnie and KITT get ready to leave.
"They look like old girlfriends who haven't seen each other in
years," Michael said to
"You gotta watch Michael when you're in that mode," Bonnie
whispered.
"I
think he's over that," KITT said quietly, "but you should have seen
him when I first met him..."
Bonnie burst out laughing,
then covered her mouth.
Michael was on them in an instant.
"Are you guys talkin' about me?"
"No," Bonnie and KITT said in unison and both looking oh so
innocent, Michael was instantly suss.
"Well nothing bad," KITT said with a smile.
"I'll bet," Michael said, failing to suppress a smile of his
own as he sat down to watch 'From Dusk Till Dawn.'
Bonnie left with KITT in Michael's hire car.
"Being a passenger is somewhat disconcerting," KITT said.
Bonnie smiled.
"That's because you're not used to it. I don't think Michael would take too well to
being a car either."
KITT chuckled.
"That's for sure. I'd love
to see him ram through ten tonnes of concrete."
Bonnie looked at KITT. "He made you do that?"
KITT nodded.
"What can I say ... We were after the bad guys...
I recall the times you roused him on my behalf."
Bonnie smiled.
"Someone had to! I used to
think he didn't care about you the way I did ... But he had his own way of
showing it.'
KITT smiled.
"I know. I care for him
too."
Bonnie smiled back. "I know you do."
The FLAG technician pulled up the car alongside
a strip of shops.
"These are usually quite good.
Have you any idea what you want, KITT?"
"Well not being much of a fashion critique ... Anything that
doesn't scratch."
Bonnie chuckled. "That's a start. KITT, I think you're an Autumn."
"An Autumn?"
"Autumn colour scheme."
"No argument here."
"I'm starting to get a rough idea, but the final choice must be
yours - you'll be wearing it. This is
very serious business."
KITT smiled.
In the first two hours they hadn't found much
suitable for a ball and the evening dresses they did find weren't the right
sizes, styled or colour for KITT.
The two emerged from yet another shop.
"Did you like the dress the assistant showed you?"
"I
didn't want to say anything in there, not having much fashion sense," KITT
said.
"Did you like it?"
"I
thought it was hideous."
Bonnie smiled.
"That makes two of us. To be
honest, KITT, I'm no fashion guru either, but I know what I like. The trick is to always wear what you like and
feel comfortable in whether it's in fashion or not."
KITT smiled.
"Thank you, Bonnie."
Eventually in a small, quaint boutique, the two
'girls' spotted a lovely light yellow and white dress.
"Do you want to try it on?"
"It's beautiful, Bonnie, but it's over our budget."
"$350 ... Sometimes you have to spend that little bit extra to get
something you really like."
"Should we look for something a little cheaper?"
Bonnie smiled.
"Kitt, she's practically begging you to buy her."
KITT smiled.
"Well we have been looking for the better part of the day."
"And you deserve a beautiful dress ... and after you're back in
your original form,
auction."
KITT smiled.
"You talked me into it ... and you always know how to cheer me up.."
Bonnie smiled too, still amazed that KITT's
feminine voice sounded so much like his own.
It was very comforting.
Bonnie led KITT to the fitting rooms.
"Let me know if you need any help oh ..." she lowered her
voice to a whisper," keep your bra and panties on."
KITT chuckled.
"Being a human is ... very different."
"Tell me about it, Sister," another woman emerged from the
change room in loose Indian attire.
"I was a bottlenose dolphin from the Pleiades in my past life and
before that I was a black Panther."
"I
was a car," KITT replied.
"Really!"
Bonnie only smiled.
"Wow, that's so cool. What
kind were you, if you don't mind me asking."
"Black Modified
"Wow, girl, you're really in touch with your inner self. Namaste."
KITT watched her leave. "A most intriguing female ... Bonnie, do
you believe in past lives?"
"Well ... I've never really had a chance to look into it, to be
honest, KITT, but too many people have had experiences to dismiss it."
"Agreed," KITT said.
"When this is over I intend to devote some time to the
matter."
"You mean you've wondered if you'd had past lives? Kitt, you never told me."
"I
... I didn't know how you'd react ..."
"You were scared I'd dismiss it because you're a machine?"
"Well ..."
Bonnie smiled.
"That's all right, Kitt, I guess it's a pretty wired notion, but
then you're no ordinary machine."
"Thank you, Bonnie. You are
no ordinary human."
She smiled.
"Thanks, Kitt."
"Maybe I was a cheetah, they're the only
animal on Earth with Super Pursuit Mode ..."
Bonnie laughed.
"Maybe."
"I
shall endeavour to share more of my inner experiences with you, Bonnie ... And
perhaps with Michael..."
"Perhaps wait a little longer for him. He's a down to Earth, hamburger and coke sort
of guy."
KITT laughed.
"Tell me about it, Sister ...
Bonnie chuckled. "We'd better get a move on..."
KITT emerged from the change room.
"Kitt ... you look stunning ..."
"I'm glad you think so, it fits like a molecular bondage
shell..." KITT twirled.
Bonnie smiled.
"Do you suppose Michael will like it?"
"More than he likes hamburgers."
They both laughed. Bonnie rather liked KITT being human,
although she wanted more than anything to return him to his original form,
having him like this was like having the best friend she'd always dreamed of
having, going out with and sharing her thoughts, feelings and dreams.
"A
lovely dress," the sales assistant said, as she packaged it in a while
box.
"I
concur," KITT said.
"What?"
"He ... She agrees," Bonnie said.
"Going somewhere special."
"To a ball with Michael."
"Your boyfriend."
"My driver."
"Ooh, kinky!"
Bonnie and KITT laughed.
KITT drove the hired
"Driving like this is quite a unique experience ..."
Bonnie smiled.
"A pity this doesn't have Turbo Boost. You would have liked that."
KITT smiled.
"Somehow I'm not surprised..."
"I'll make up the difference," Bonne offered.
Bonnie insisted she give KITT a make over.
"I
really can't see the point of make up," KITT said, "coloured pigments
on one's skin. Is one not the same
inside?"
"Of course, Kitt, but we have to go all the way on this. Women at those places wouldn't be seen dead
without make up. Sure it's shallow,
but-"
"I
understand," KITT said. "It's
all in the line of duty."
"If you think make up is bad, try pantyhose ... but don't worry -
I'm going to spare you that evil of society.
I promise I won't overdo it ... You have to look just right and besides,
sometimes a little make up's nice."
"I
trust you Bonnie, just don't use too much
polish."
They both laughed.
"Hi girls," Michael said, unable to keep from smirking.
"Get a dress?"
"Yep," Bonnie said, holding up the white box. "How was the movie?"
"Not bad, actually.
There was this cool part where all these vampires-"
"Don't even go there," Bonnie Warned.
Knight smirked.
"Can I see the dress?"
"Not yet. It'll be a
surprise, and besides we're almost ready.
You get changed and I'll fix up, Kitt."
"I
can't believe I'm taking him to a ball..."
Bonnie smiled.
"But remember for the missions sake,
Kitt's a she."
Michael smiled and nodded. "Check her passive laser restraint
system while you're at it."
"Very funny, Michael," KITT said.
KITT showered, washed, dried and brushed his
human hair.
He winced as the brush caught some knots. "Bonnie, I never realised how much a
pain long hair can be."
She smiled.
"I guess I'm just used to it."
"Okay, Bonnie, do your stuff." KITT wore an old shirt.
She smiled.
"Relax, Kitt, this won't hurt a bit."
Bonnie pulled out a golden aerosol can, and
began to spray it on KITT's hair.
"Don't worry, it's not hair spray.
I won't touch the evil stuff.
This is to make your hair shine."
Bonnie brushed KITT's hair again, and tied a
section of dark auburn hair behind, before administering pale foundation to
KITT's human face.
"Now do this," she said, opening her mouth, pulling her lips
tight.
KITT obeyed as Bonnie administered light, silver
metallic gloss lipstick, then a little crystal glitter to KITT's cheeks.
Bonnie smiled as her work of art took shape, as
she began with shades of green, blue and purple eye shadow, accentuated with a
touch of silver mascara to KITT's eyelashes.
"I
bought all this special make up, hoping I'd get to use
it someday," she said.
"I'm sure you will, Bonnie and thank you, you're right. Sometimes a little make up is nice. Thank you, I feel like I've just rolled out of
a sonic car wash."
Bonnie smiled, then produced
a silver hologram dolphin hair clip.
"I picked it up while we were shopping today."
"Dolphins are such majestic creatures."
Bonnie smiled.
"You've got such a kind heart, Kitt."
"Thank you Bonnie. As have you."
Rattatapp!
Rattatapp! "Are you ladies
ready yet?"
"Almost there."
"Whatcha doin'?
Givin' Kitt a full body wash and wax?"
"Ha ha, Michael..." Bonnie called.
She clipped the dolphin to KITT's hair. "Looks lovely."
KITT smiled and looked in the mirror. "Thank you, Bonnie."
"My pleasure."
She wasn't sure how to react when KITT turned
around and kissed her.
"I
don't think I would have made it this far without your help."
Bonnie hugged KITT's human form and kissed his
cheek. "My
pleasure, Kitt."
KITT donned the evening dress.
"If you ever get turned into a car, I'll teach you to Turbo
Boost."
Bonnie smiled and chuckled. "Thanks, Kitty."
The two emerged form the bathroom. Michael opened his eyes.
"Whoa
.... Uhh ..."
"Something wrong, Michael?" KITT asked. "It's not too much is it?"
"Uhh ... no .. no
... Kitt you look absolutely stunning!" he blurted out.
KITT smiled.
"I'm glad you approve."
"Approve? Kitt, you look
great!"
"Thank you, Michael. Your
tuxedo is very suave."
"Thanks," Michael said with a smile, trying to compose
himself. This was still KITT, no matter
how beautiful his human body looked.
//Kitt is a car. Kitt is a car
...//
KITT gathered the dress and sat in the car,
quite intrigued at how such a puffed out dress could be so comfortable and easy
to wear. Michael couldn't help smiling
as he drove to their destination.
"Michael, you find this body desirable, don't you?" KITT didn't look at him.
The question threw Knight and he wasn't sure
how to answer.
"I
noticed how you surveyed my curves the first time you saw me, across the way
from the cafe."
"I'm sorry if it embarrassed you, Kitt."
"Not really. It's an
interesting experience .. Somewhat amusing, actually
... Well let's discuss our mission now, shall we? ... If we can get to one of Deacon's goons,
we may be able to get some information and some way to get to him ... Normally
I'd go straight to him ... But he has that horrid machine and I'm willing to
wager that bunker's well padded. I'm sorry,
Michael ... this form may be sexy, but it can't burst through solid armoured
stone."
"Don't be, Kitt.
It's not your-"
KITT nodded.
"I know ... Perhaps in a way I should thank Deacon ... for this
unique experience, but I'd give my two front wheels for my old body
back..."
Michael smiled. "So would I, Buddy ... Sorry, not that
I-"
"That's all right, Michael.
It's been a rough week for all of us."
Michael and KITT disembarked from the hire car
and walked to the ballroom area.
"He's assuredly expecting our company," KITT whispered,
"but he doesn't know me like this, so that should give us an
advantage."
Michael nodded.
"Be careful, Buddy - that body doesn't have a molecular bondage
shell."
"There's no need to remind me, Michael."
"Sorry. I hope Bonnie
managed to hack us into their invite list ... otherwise..."
"Relax, Michael. I have
every confidence in Bonnie."
"So do I."
"But if it doesn't work, all I have to do is stick my chest out at
the attendant and mesmerise him with my breasts."
"Kitt!"
Michael laughed. "Yeah, that'll
work all right.."
"You men are so shallow."
Michael smiled as he escorted KITT inside.
"May I take your names please?"
"Gil and my girl Tiffany."
The attendant looked down the list. "Ahh here you are, Gil Carswell, Tiffany
Godwyn," he said crossing them off. "Welcome." He indicated the way.
"What a relief," KITT whispered.
Michael smiled as he hooked his arm with KITT's
and entered the ballroom. Out of the
corner of his eye, he saw Deacon collecting some punch and starting to look his
way.
"Sorry, Kitt."
Before KITT could respond, Michael's lips
pressed against his. Although surprised
at first, he understood the necessity.
"Sorry I had to do that," Michael said.
KITT nodded.
"Was it weird for you too?"
Michael smiled.
"Yeah." He didn't want to admit that it felt good
too.
Unbeknownst to Michael and KITT, they were
being watched by their informant from above.
"We'd better split and look for our so called friend."
"Be careful, Michael," KITT whispered.
"You too, Buddy."
Michael kissed KITT's cheek and left, hoping no
disaster would befall them. KITT watched
him leave to search, after he had a glass of punch, to blend in.
KITT thought he'd better do the same and
grabbed a handful of salt & vinegar chips and could see why many found them
irresistible, but he hadn't come here to broaden his palette.
Something atop the stairs caught KITT's
eye. A white male, approximately 5'9
stood atop the stairs, beckoning to him.
KITT jerked at first - even if the man was the
informant - how could he know ... Perhaps he recognised Michael, KITT surmised.
KITT became nervous traversing the stairs. As Michael had reminded him - this mode was
not bullet proof. He surmised that
Michael had often been in dangerous situations without protective measures and
didn't want to think he was becoming paranoid.
KITT followed the man who had started walking toward an open door. He closed it before KITT arrived, leaving
KITT to open the door. He did so, slowly
and entered the room.
"Hello, Kitt," the man said.
"I thought Michael would be with you."
"Trey," KITT said, recognising him. "I must say I'm curious-"
"At how I knew ... 'Junior's' files ... Showed us what you'd been
turned into."
Had the man turned on Deacon or was this a trap
as they had suspected?
Trey approached KITT. "I must say this form's a whole lot more
appealing than your other one."
"Michael thinks so too, actually."
"Well ... I let you in on Deacon's little fancy do. This information isn't free you know."
"I'm listening," KITT said, wearily. "Name your price. I'm sure FLAG will be glad to-"
Trey smiled and shook his head. "You honestly have no idea do you? You're so naive it's almost sweet."
KITT looked somewhat annoyed. Trey placed his hand on KITT's shoulder, then cupped it around a breast. KITT jerked back and slapped him.
"Ooo! Feisty
lil' thing, aren't ya ... If you join Deacon, he'll be more than happy
to-"
"Forget it!" KITT hissed.
"Neither Michael, myself nor FLAG will be
a part of murdering innocent people."
Trey grabbed KITT again,
who this time punched him in the stomach.
"You'll pay for that, Bitch!"
"I've never been called that before," KITT said, trying to
avoid Trey.
He grabbed KITT's dress and stared to reach
underneath it. KITT instinctively kneed
the man in the groin, just as Michael burst into the room. Trey, wincing with pain fled, down the
stairs, clutching his crotch. KITT leant
on the desk for support.
"KITT? You
okay?"
"Yes, Michael... Some men are deplorable!"
"You handled him quite well."
They exited the room in a hurry.
"It was a trap, in a sense.
He asked me to join them..."
Michael shook his head. "Join the Dark Side, Anakin..."
KITT gave a smile. "Does that makes
me Queen Amidala or Princess Leia?"
Michael chucked. "Somethin' like
that. But at least Darth Vader never
tried to crack to Leia."
"Michael, he was her father."
"Oh yeah, that's right ..."
They pursued Trey outside, whose love spuds
seemed to have recovered.
"To the Batmobile!" Michael exclaimed.
KITT chuckled, and smiled at how Michael always
managed to bring humour into, even the direst of situations, as they made their
way to the
KITT stopped suddenly, though Michael kept
running.
"Michael!"
KITT yelled, urgent. "Get away
from the car!"
Instantly, without question, Michael leapt away
and hit the deck, as the De Lorean look alike was blown to kingdom come. He covered his face as debris flew his way,
though fortunately no serious damage was done, apart
form a nick on the shoulder.
KITT ran to him. "Are you all right, Michael?" There
was no mistaking the concern.
"I'm okay ... How did you know about ..."
KITT helped Michael up. "I'm not sure ... perhaps some of my
residual molecules detected the bomb..."
"Or perhaps it was instinct?"
"Perhaps."
"Which way'd he go?"
"
Little did they know, Trey crouched behind a
large Ford Econovan, having recovered his gun and loaded it.
KITT stopped.
"I see something over there."
The next thing the two knew, Trey had burst
forth from his hiding spot, fleeing, firing as he
went. The first bullet narrowly missed
KITT. Trey fired a couple more shots,
missing KITT for a second time, then took aim at
Michael.
"No!"
KITT exclaimed, throwing his human body in front of Knight, taking the bullet
through the human form's stomach.
"KITT!!!" Michael yelled, catching his
friend and laying KITT gently on the asphalt.
Thankfully Trey had used all his bullets and fled the scene, but the
damage was done. Michael looked at his
friend, his mind flashing painfully back to Ralph Muntz, his partner who had
died before him in a parking lot not unlike like this one. He saw the blood seeping through KITT's pale
yellow dress ... Just like it had through Stevie's wedding dress, just before
she had died in his arms ... Michael was not going to let that happen to
KITT. He forced back tears as he saw the
pain in KITT's eyes.
"Kitt, why ... You're not bullet proof, remember."
"I
know ... Michael, I must protect you."
"Kitt, you're not programmed in this mode."
KITT smiled warmly and spoke softly. "Michael ... I ... I love you."
Knight held KITT's human hand, touched. "The feeling's mutual, buddy."
"My ... molecular bondage ... shell ... would be handy right... now
..." KITT's human form said, weakly.
Michael managed a small smile. "We gotta get you to a hospital."
KITT nodded then winced. "Never ... knew it ... was so painful
..."
"Believe me, Kitt, I know."
He didn't want to tell his friends that the pain didn't stop there. He'd been shot - quite a few times in his
life, the mental wounds taking much longer to heal than the physical.
"He's getting away ..." KITT rasped.
"I
don't care, Kitt, I'm not leaving you here."
"Thank ... you ... Michael .. Guess we
can't ... put this dress in the FLAG ... charity ... auction now..."
Knight managed another smile as he pulled out
his FLAG mobile and prepared to dial 911.
Before he could dial, the phone rang.
Michael became annoyed, then confused, only he,
KITT, Bonnie and
"Michael, it's Bonnie. I've recalibrated
the machine's energy signature. I can
change KITT back..."
"Great ..."
"You don't sound too excited."
"Bonnie, Kitt's been shot."
Michael heard a gasp.
"Oh my God! ... Is he..."
"He ... she needs an ambulance."
"Michael, if I don't do this now, we may not get another
chance. The wound should disappear when
he's changed back."
That eased Michael's mind. "How far away are you?"
"We're about twenty kilometres from you."
Michael sighed inwardly, though they weren't
out of the water yet. Knight knelt by
KITT, holding his friend's hand, knowing this wasn't easy on anyone, human or not.
"It'll be all right, Kitt.
Bonnie'll be here soon and change you back, don't worry, it's gonna be
fine."
"Are ... you trying ... to convince ... me or you?"
Knight smiled.
"Thank you ... Michael ... I don't know what I would have... done
... without you..."
Michael gently squeezed KITT's hand. "Don't talk," he said softly. "You'll only strain yourself ... Hang in
there, Buddy."
Seeming to sense his feelings, KITT
smiled. "You're ... doing
everything you can ..." KITT coughed a little. If ... I don't... make it ... Hey, I'd rather
die here ... than never to have ... met you..."
A tear rolled down Knight's cheek. "Thanks, Partner."
KITT's eyes closed, though Michael saw his
human form still breathing and let him rest as they waited for the FLAG mobile
unit to arrive.
Bonnie smashed the speed limit to arrive sooner
and
Together, they gently laid KITT down on the
floor of the truck. Bonnie brushed a
lock of wavy brunette hair from KITT's face.
"You're going to be fine," she whispered, knowing she had to
hurry.
Michael shared her concern, and looked at her
worried expression, just as worried about KITT as he.
"Kitt, I'm sorry, but Michael, has to stand clear," Bonnie
said.
KITT nodded weakly, trying to ignore the
pain. Michael gently squeezed his
buddy's hand.
"You'll be okay," he promised, hoping more than anything it
was one he could keep.
Bonnie rushed over to the controls, pointed the
configuration laser at KITT, adjusting the barrel slightly. She scanned KITT's form, trying not to look
at the blood. She also knew if this
didn't work, it would kill his human body and without a soul, KITT's automotive
form wouldn't be KITT. She checked
KITT's human image on the screen and pressed down the button. A sudden shockwave ripped through the
KITT felt warm and could feel a change, and
hoped more than anything that the procedure would be successful. The pain was gone and KITT deduced that he
was no longer wounded. //It must
have worked ...// he thought to himself and activated his optical sensors. Things took a moment to come into focus. Something was strange, however. Michael, Bonnie and
//Oh no,// KITT
thought. //I've been changed into a mini
minor...//
Judging by the way they were staring at him
KITT knew something was definitely wrong and he looked down.
Paws. Black furry paws. KITT looked at the three humans.
"Mreeow..."
That said it all.
Bonnie covered her mouth.
"Can you reverse the effect?"
"Yes, but I have to reconfigure it again ... And lock the frequency
so Deacon can't detect it. If he does
... Kitt ... I'm so sorry ..."
"It's not your fault," Michael said, knowing KITT would say
the same if he could. Knight couldn't
help but smile as he looked down at his friend's feline form. "Kitt, wag your tail if you understand
me."
Kitt looked at him.
Michael paused.
"Sorry, Buddy ... Hey I can just hear you sayin' 'I'm a cat, not a
dog,' ... Well ... jump up if you can understand what I'm sayin'."
Kitt suddenly leapt up onto Michael's chest and
dug his claws in to prevent falling.
Michael held him, and Kitt retracted his claws. "Well at least Turbo Boost's workin'...
And he's still basic black."
Bonnie couldn't help but laugh. "He does make a very cute cat."
KITT mewed again. Michael put him down.
"It'll take a few hours to reconfigure the laser ..." Bonnie
said. "Meanwhile, chill out, I
guess..." She sounded depressed.
"Bonnie, it isn't your fault,"
"I
know ..." KITT jumped into her lap and gently rubbed his head against her.
She couldn't resist stroking him. "Thanks, Kitt."
He began to purr. Bonnie smiled. "You certainly are cute..."
KITT seemed to smile, and wouldn't've minded
being stroked for all eternity, but Bonnie needed to work and in respect, he left her to it and jumped off her lap and made
himself at home on the sofa.
"
KITT glared at him, his tail thumping
vigorously. Michael couldn't help but
smile.
Bonnie cleared her frustration. She couldn't work clearly if she was
angry. KITT was all right, but what if
the machine had vaporised him? Or worse? Bonnie put
those hypothetical thoughts out of her mind.
They didn't have time for speculation or second guessing - and they
needed KITT - as a
KITT walked over to Michael and sat down. Knight could not resist stroking his feline
friend. At first, KITT seemed somewhat
annoyed, the last thing he needed was to be patronised, but he found the
rhythmic stroking of his soft fur quite therapeutic and pleasant. Michael continued and the next thing he knew,
KITT was rubbing his head against his hand.
Knight smiled and gently scratched KITT's cheek and under his chin. The small black cat could scarcely describe
how good that felt and expressed it in the only way he could - he began to purr.
Michael chuckled. "Like that, huh? ... You are very cute, you know."
KITT looked up at him. //Just keep patting me, huh?//
As if reading KITT's mind, Michael smiled and
continued to stroke him. Then a
mischievous grin came over his face and he began to tickle him. KITT suddenly leapt four feet in the air,
landed on Michael and dug his claws in.
"Ow! I thought you were
programmed not to hurt me!"
//Tickle
me again, buster and I'll...//
Michael chuckled. "Kitt, I think I know just what you're
thinkin’.”
KITT almost shook his head as he made himself
comfortable on Michael's lap, by means of clawing him.
Bonnie smiled from her desk as she continued
working.
* * *
Bonnie smiled.
"Look t him," she whispered, pointing at KITT, fast asleep,
curled up on Michael's stomach, looking well and truly content as Bonnie turned
back to the computer.
"Not much longer..."
* * *
KITT awoke before Michael, stretched and
yawned.
"Almost there, Kitt," Bonnie said, answering his inquisitive
gaze.
She stood up, gathered some things and placed a
saucer on the floor for him. "Sorry
if this embarrasses you, but you need to eat."
KITT rubbed his head against Bonnie's hand,
before lapping up his milk, which tasted astonishingly good - and he hadn't
realised how hungry he was.
Michael woke shortly after and smiled as he
watched KITT finish his milk and sit by Bonnie.
"There!" Bonnie said, at last.
"Done!"
KITT looked up.
"It's all right, Kitt," Bonnie said. "I can assure you nothing will go wrong
this time - and I've moved everything from above the computer and stabilised
the FLAG unit, so if another shockwave comes our way it'll be okay."
She stood, picked up KITT and gently placed him
in the path of the laser.
"Don't be frightened, Kitt," she said gently. "Everything's going to be fine."
KITT looked into Bonnie's eyes and appeared to smile.
//If only all cats could be so agreeable!// she thought.
A white light engulfed KITT, followed by a
bright flash and all shut their eyes.
After the light died down, the humans opened
their eyes.
"I'm afraid to look," KITT said ... Then slowly activated his
optical sensors ... and his scanners ...
"Ohh yes ... Yes!"
Michael smiled.
"Better than sex, eh, Kitt?"
"Michael!"
KITT activated his redlight scanner. "I'm me again! ... It feels
wonderful! ... Not that being a human wans't.
It was an intriguing and enlightening experience."
"I'm sure it was,"
"Great to have you back ... back, Kitt," Michael said,
slapping his hand on his hood.
"Believe me, Michael, it's great to be
back. I could sure use a spin."
"I'm sure you could," Michael said.
A paused followed.
"
The older man looked at Michael, wary. "Tell me what?"
"You remember that
"Yeees ... Oh no."
"Yes."
Miles sighed.
"I don't suppose it can be fixed?" he asked hopefully.
"
"That's what I thought ... Don't worry ... I'll handle it."
"Good man."
"Before you boys go out for a joyride," Bonnie said, "I
have to re-calibrate that laser. I also
scanned the beam they used to immobilise you and disabled it on 'Junior' but
the main firing controls are locked out.
I'm lucky they never detected my meddling otherwise we'll all be up sh
... well you know what I mean."
"I
sure do, Bonnie," KITT said, "but with that awful beam out of
commission, I feel a lot safer attacking that thing."
In under half an hour,
Bonnie had finished tinkering away with KITT's laser.
"There," she said. "All done. I've
added a little extra oomph. You'll be
able to get off five shots at most.
Sorry I couldn't do more, but if you over exert yourself..."
KITT appeared to smile. "Thank you, Bonnie. You did the best you could ... and I've
really missed your delicate hands."
The Technician smiled. "De Nada, KITT. I've missed fixing you too."
"That sounds kinky."
"Michael!" they both exclaimed in unison, to which Knight
smiled.
Bonnie paused before she spoke. "Both of you,
be careful."
"Believe me, we will," KITT promised.
"And Kitt," Michael warned, "if
you take off without me this time I'll-"
"Shut up and get in."
Bonnie and Knight smiled as he climbed in. "That's my pal."
"But I'm warning you, Michael," KITT said. "If we're in danger from that thing, I'm
ejecting you and that's final. Is that
clear?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Very funny."
"But I'll try and make you land on something soft if it comes to
that."
"Let's just hope it doesn't," Bonnie said.
"My thoughts exactly," the Trans-Am said, as he pulled out of
the FLAG Mobile Unit and took off in Super Pursuit Mode.
"Kitt, you nervous?"
"Is it that obvious, Michael?"
"There's nothing wrong with it, Buddy, considering your last run in
with the thing wans't all peaches and cream."
"As I recall there were no peaches and even less cream."
Michael gently patted KITT's dash. "Just wanna let you know it's okay. I'm
nervous too."
"Thank you, Michael, it's nice to know I'm
not alone."
The black
"I've picked up that monstrosity," he said. "Fifteen hundred
meters."
"Auto
Cruise," Michael said. "Silent Mode."
"Agreed."
"Laser okay?"
"It's fine. I've checked it
- several times."
Michael smiled. " Good
... and Kitt, relax, you're stiff as a corpse."
"Did you have to say corpse, Michael?"
"Sorry ... But try to stay calm."
"I
know ... I'm not planning to panic."
"No one plans to panic,
KITT ... And Bonnie jammed that ray... But I know how scared you were ... I
felt the same when Tanya Walker pointed that gun to my head."
"Thanks, Michael. I'm glad
you came along this time."
Knight smiled.
"I came for the scenery."
KITT's keen optics picked up 'Junior' in the
distance.
//Don't
panic...// he told himself and readied his laser.
Meanwhile, in the bunker, Castaway lay on the floor, dead, a knife in him - apparently he and
Trey had a little disagreement. Trey
dusted off his hands. Deacon looked
unfazed.
"He was one of my best men."
"And now he's your best corpse," Trey said, stepping over
Castaway's body.
The computer screeched suddenly. Deacon dropped his coffee cup, barely hearing
it smash as he and Trey raced to the screen.
"I
don't believe this! They fixed that blasted
car!" Deacon was beyond furious.
Trey stepped back.
"We gotta nail 'em," Creed growled.
Trey sat at the controls and operated 'Junior.'
"The monster's detected us!" KITT said. "Or rather, Deacon has."
"You know what to do, Kitt."
"Yes, Michael."
Knight gently squeezed his wheel. "I'm with you all the way, Buddy."
"Thank you, Michael, I've calibrated the laser."
KITT fired at 'Junior'.
"Direct hit!" Michael called, excitedly.
The car swerved. " Yes,
but use a cliché, we're not out of the water yet."
"I
can't immobilize that damned car!" Trey spat.
"Just shoot the thing!" Deacon yelled.
"I'm tryin'!"
A blast erupted, narrowly missing KITT as it
slammed into the desert, sending rocks, sand and dust into the air as it
hit. KITT and Michael felt the
shockwave.
"That was too close
..." Michael said.
"You're telling me!" KITT avoided the next blast, but only by a
hair. "The thing's definitely a lot
more manoeuvrable since last we met."
KITT fired again, another direct hit.
"Good one, Buddy!"
The sleek black Trans-Am swerved again and
fired.
'Junior' fired off two more rounds, the last
blast searing KITT's side.
"KITT!!"
"I'm all right, Michael, just a flesh wound so to speak."
The Trans-Am swerved and fired off two more
shots in quick succession.
"I
only have enough energy for one more blast, Michael."
"Make it count, Buddy."
"I
intend to."
'Junior' fired again. KITT reversed full, throttle then fired as
the ugly tank rolled toward him, the blast burning into 'Junior's' turret,
blowing the thing to kingdom come.
Michael shielded his eyes as 'Junior' exploded
in a blinding flash. Debris hurled toward
KITT, his molecular bondage shell protecting both him and Michael.
"Good one, Buddy, how about an encore?"
"No thanks."
Knight laughed.
"Let's get the bastards! To the Bunker, Robin!"
"You don't have to tell me twice."
KITT chuckled and headed for it, full speed
ahead.
"DAMN
IT TO HELL!!" Deacon screamed, his face blood
red.
He threw the closest thing to him, which
happened to be his mobile phone onto the floor and stomped on it crushing it
until all that was left were a pile of circuits and a mangled face. "KILL THEM YOU IDIOT!!”
"I'm doing my best," Trey hissed. "
That little bastard’s fast!"
"It's not bloody good enough!" Deacon screamed. "Your grandmother would be a better
shot!"
Trey had finally had enough. He stood, grabbed a gun from the top drawer
and held it at Deacon's head.
The blood that had rushed to Creed's head in
anger drained away. He edged toward his
desk.
"Uh uh," Trey said with a smile. "I hid your piece. I've had a gutful of you, Deacon. Ya think I didn't know you were plannin' to
bump me off after we'd gotten rid of FLAG?
Like you'd share your dosh with anyone?
You'd sell your sister if you had one and you killed your own mother, so
what makes you think I trusted you?"
Trey laughed. "That FLAG
bitch sure played you."
Deacon hid his anger. Almost an impossible feat
for him. "Trey... I'm willing to split with you ..."
The other laughed. "Only because I'm
holdin’ the gun. Forget it
Deak. You ain't gonna give me shit and
you know it."
"Trey ..."
The other shot him pointblank in the head and
emptied the rest of the magazine into his chest. Deacon fell with a thud over Castaway. Trey looked down and smiled.
"You two look good together.
Sweet Nightmares. Don't forget to write ...and tell me how hot
Hell is..."
Trey rushed back to the computer, and
transferred all of Deacon's funds to his own account.
KITT crashed through the bunker wall. Trey pretended to look afraid as he held the
gun, shaking as Knight exited KITT.
"They ... they were going to kill me and I ... had no choice...
I"
"Michael, he's full of excrement," KITT said.
"That's what I thought."
Trey held the gun at him.
"Michael it's not load-"
"Shut up!" Trey yelled.
"My you are a brute," KITT said.
"You were better as a broad."
KITT sniffed.
"I see you're not a lover of fine vehicles."
Michael realised KITT was trying to get Trey
off guard, and he took the advantage and attacked. He grabbed the man and punched him. Trey twisted himself free and ran, to be stopped
by KITT's door slamming into him.
"That's for making me use kitty litter."
Trey scowled as Michael apprehended him. They did not have to wait long for the police
to arrive,
"Anex ... been a long time," the cop said, as he forced Trey
out, forcefully bumping his head on the bunker door and thumped him one real
good when they were outside.
"That's police brutality, Michael," KITT said.
"You gonna report him?"
"Like hell."
Michael laughed.
He and KITT began to head back home.
"It feels great to be a car again, Michael, though I'd be lying if
I said being a human wans't fun at all."
"Glad you enjoyed it. Guess
it would be kind of fun being a car."
"Trust me, you'd loooove Turbo Boosting
and Super Pursuit Mode."
Knight smiled.
"I'm sure I would ... and how about being a kitty cat, Kitt?"
"Meow ... Well it did have its merits."
"Biting my hands and clawing me?"
"Hey, I was playing!"
Michael chuckled. "I know."
"And It was nice to be petted ... I can see why cats like it so much."
Michael stroked KITT's voice box. KITT hissed.
Michael laughed.
"Stop it," KITT chuckled.
"That tickles."
Michael treated KITT to an old fashioned car
wash, removing all the dust, sand and dirt from his body.
"Thank you, Michael, I feel like I haven't had a proper bath in
ages."
Knight smiled as he climbed into the shiny car.
KITT cruised down the road, back to the FLAG
Mobile Unit, on the move again, the cloudless sky becoming darker, until all
the stars twinkled against KITT's impeccable sleek black body as he cruised
into the night.
Bonnie hugged KITT as best she could when he
returned.
"Hey, what about me?"
The Technician shook her head, smiled and then
hugged Michael too. "I was so
worried."
"About me or him?" Michael asked, pointing to
KITT.
"About both of you," Bonnie said with a smile.
"Congratulations,"
"Thank you,
Bonnie gently patted the black Trans-Am.
And KITT purred.
*
Acknowledgements!
I don't usually put these on my fanfic, but
this one's an exception!
*** Many tanks to Barstow Tourism
Marketing Council for all the cool info on
Yes, folks,
I found
Coincidence? Well as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
from the Star prequels Wars says: "Nothing happens by accident..." :)
Doing the research was fun!! And I really *did* watch some of those
movies! :D
~~~~~~~~
Please See
below for pictures of KITT as a human. (Well it's a lookalike doll, but you get
the idea!)
~~~~~~~~
Received 4 votes for "Funniest scene" in the Edward Awards - where KITT takes his/her clothes off and Michael sees. - 2001
Received 1 vote in the Edward Awards
for "Best Longtimer Story" - 2003