Me: OK, I admit it, I've recently gotten obsessed with the show Knight Rider. :D It's a good show! Anyway this fanfic is based on the 2008 series before Dr. Graiman's unfortunate death. Anyway I hope you all like it. Please read and review.
"Come one, people! Keep up please." Alex Torres called to the group of potential employees behind him.
The group of very different individuals scrambled to keep up with the Hispanic man. Well, all except one. She was at the back of the group clearly not paying full attention to him but managing to keep up all the same. Her strange black and white hair hung down over her right shoulder while a large hunk hung over her left eye. A single ear bud was attached to her right ear and Torres knew he had no hope of fully gaining her attention so he just left her alone. He did have a strange feeling that their next destination might get some kind of reaction out of her. Signing internally he motioned for everyone to follow him. As they walked he thought back to the conversation he'd had with Dr. Graiman several days before this.
-Flash back-
"Torres, I need to talk to you." the white haired scientist said walking up to the FBI agent.
"Yes, Dr. Graiman? What can I do for you?" Torres replied stopping and turning to look at the older man.
"It's about KITT." was all the man said.
Torres, being the skeptical man that he is feared the worst and ushered them into his office. Once there he and Dr. Graiman sat down. Once they were settled Torres took a close look at the scientist. He didn't seem too worried about the thing with KITT but that didn't stop the agent from being concerned himself.
"So, what's up with KITT?" he asked lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on top.
"KITT has told me that he is feeling lonely."
Torres just sat there staring at the man before he burst out laughing. Dr. Graiman let him laugh for a few minutes before speaking again. This time Torres let him actually talk about what was going on. Again the agent dismissed the scientist by saying that it was impossible for KITT to feel anything. At that the white haired doctor stood up and headed for the door without a single word. After that he virtually locked himself in his lab for two weeks straight. When he finally came out he glared at Torres and went straight to KITT before disappearing again.
-End Flash back-
Shaking his head the Hispanic agent refocused on the task at hand. The people behind him scrambled after him, clearly eager to learn about their potential new job. They continued touring the facility before coming to their final destination, the SSC. By now everyone in the group seemed to be practically vibrating with anticipation at seeing the place where the famous super-car, KITT, lived. The only one not moved or even remotely impressed was the white and black haired straggler. She was still with the group but was clearly distancing herself from them. Sighing for the umpteenth time today Torres stopped before the doors to the SSC.
"OK, I know today has been really exciting for you all but this is the last stop on our little tour. It's the place you've all been wanting to see. Welcome to the SSC." he said pushing open the doors as he did.
Stepping through the doors several pairs of eyes bugged out of several heads. Once again, the young woman at the back was the only one who was totally unfased. That is until they all headed for the stairs. Upon seeing KITT sitting in the gyroscope the young woman stopped. Torres felt her un-naturally red eyes flick to his back but she remained silent as the group descended the stairs. Once they were all gathered on the main floor Torres started talking again.
"This is where we perform all of our mission controls and operations. It also serves as the maintenance and storage facility for KITT, our most important field asset." he began only to be interrupted by the white and black haired woman, "Yes? You have a question?"
"Yeah. I'm not sure you can answer it but I'm gonna ask it anyway." she started propping one hand on her hip, "You wouldn't happen to know what kind of engine KITT has, would you?"
Torres stared at her for a few seconds before looking over at KITT and back to the young woman, "I actually have no idea. You'd have to ask him about it"
"OK," she said before turning to the Shelby, "If you don't mind I'd like to ask you the same question; what kind of engine are you running?"
The twin red sensor bars rolled back and forth twice before the AI replied, "The engine I am equipped with is an aluminum block 5.4 liter V8 internal combustion type."
"That's quite impressive but I'd bet money that you have some serious upgrades to go a long with it. Am I right?" the young woman said shifting her weight slightly.
"You are correct. There is also a..." KITT was cut off by Dr. Graiman coming into the room.
"What's going on, KITT?" he asked walking up beside the Mustang.
"I was merely answering this young woman's inquiries. Is there something wrong with that, Dr. Graiman?" KITT replied sounding ever so slightly confused.
"No, I just think that it would be better if I knew who this young woman was before we go telling about stuff like that." Dr. Graiman said turning to the young woman, "Hello, my name is Charles Graiman. I see you've already met KITT. Who might you be?"
"Sorry, my name is Skyler Sorasaki. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Graiman, KITT." Skyler said holding out her hand to the scientist.
Dr. Graiman smiled and took the young woman's hand. They shook firmly before the scientist started talking softly to the young woman. He lead her over to a couple empty chairs. Once they were both seated their conversation dropped so low in volume and pitch that only people who were practically breathing down their necks could hear them. Torres turned to the rest of the group and found them all glaring at Skyler. All she did was ask one simple question and suddenly she was talking to the man who designed and built the very thing they all wanted the chance to talk to. Needless to say they were all more than a little angry. Supresing a shiver from the killing intent of the group behind him Torres spoke up.
"Sarah? Can you do a full systems check with KITT? It's just to show these guys how it's done." he said turning slightly to look over at Sarah Graiman.
"Sure, Alex. No problem," Sarah replied with a smile before turning to KITT, "KITT, start your engine. I want to start with that first."
"Of course, Sarah." the AI replied.
The steady rumble of the Shelby's engine filled the room and Skyler stopped mid-sentence. Dr. Graiman looked at her, confused, and was about to say something when she held up her hand. Closing her eyes she tilted her head to the side a bit, listening to something. Sarah was oblivious to this and was about to tell KITT that he was good to shut down when Skyler stood up. The brunette looked at the white and black haired woman with surprise as she walked up to KITT. Opening her mouth to tell her to back off Sarah caught a look from her father telling her to just let it go.
"Hey, KITT, this is going to sound a little odd especially considering coming from someone you don't know at all but can you pop the hood please? Something sounds a little off here." Skyler said looking at the sleek black car.
"I do not believe that is a good idea because, as you said, I do not know you at all." KITT replied and Skyler smiled softly.
She was about to say something else when Dr. Graiman spoke up, " KITT, it wouldn't hurt to just let her take a look would it? It may just be that something is caught but the scanners can't find it."
"Very well." the car replied after a few seconds of silence.
Skyler nodded at the scientist and leaned over the Shelby. Forcing her thoughts past the giddy happiness of being this close to one her dream cars the young woman's red eyes scanned the engine block. Apparently what KITT had been going to tell her about what else he had was that there was a Whipple super charger and what looked like a piece of Knight Industries tech of unknown purpose. Shaking her head the woman whistled softly as she continued with the task at hand.
Now that she had un-impeded access she could hear a slight grinding sound coming from where she thought the timing belt was. Propping one hand on the exterior of the car she pulled out her cell with the other. Torres started to protest but Dr. Graiman grabbed his arm and shook his head. With a dark look on his face the agent stepped back as the young woman clicked into something on the small device. Holding it over the target part of the engine she clicked the small button on the screen. Several seconds later the device beeped and she pulled back. Looking at the image provided she smirked.
"It's what I thought it was. Cool. Now to see if he'll follow my advice..." Skyler thought putting her phone back into her pocket. "KITT, if you don't mind, could you tighten the timing belt by two... no two and a half percent please?"
At first nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the sound changed. It went from sounding a little high pitched and scratchy to deep and full. Pulling back she shut the hood with a satisfied smirk. Sarah stared at her for a few seconds before running another check of the engine. As the results poured in her blue eyes widened until they were the size of dinner plates. Dr. Gaiman walked over and peered over his daughter's shoulder. He also took a minute to stare at the two tests side by side before he also looked up at Skyler. She was leaning against the edge of the gyro, a small smirk still in place.
"You... how... The readings are stronger than normal! How did you do that?" he asked dumbfounded.
"I have a thing for cars. I can tell just by listening to the engine if something is wrong." Skyler replied with a smile.
"Are you a mechanic?" this time it was Sarah who spoke.
"Yes and no. I'm a former street racer and I had to know how to maintain and fully repair my cars."
"Why would you need to fully repair them? Did you loose a lot and they ended up damaged?" Sarah asked setting her tablet aside.
"Actually, no. I do more winning than loosing. I just push them too hard and burn them out. Just about every car I own has been burned out at least three times." the white and black haired young woman said with a smile, "I have yet to find a car that can stand up to the way I drive without burning out."
At that Dr. Graiman started slightly. Perhaps this was what he was looking for; a person who drives like Mike but needs a little help. Glancing over at KITT he decided to make a bit of a gamble. If it payed off he had found what he was looking for and if not then they would have some serious problems. Sighing softly and knowing that KITT was watching him he typed out a message in binary code on the desk. It was a few seconds before the car replied via Sarah's tablet and it made the older man smile.
"Skyler, I have a question for you." he said pushing away from the desk he was leaning against.
"What is it, Dr. Graiman?" the young woman asked also standing up straight.
"How would you like to give KITT a test drive?"