Hey everybody! Welcome to my newest KR fic. Wait, not my... OUR. Yes, this is a collab fic with Camaroqueen9285 (check out some of her awesome KR material!). This is both of our first times writing a collab, so we don't know how long it'll be, or how often it'll be updated. But we hope you enjoy it! Leave a comment with your thoughts! Happy New Year!
~YeahScience and Camaroqueen9285
It was a boring day for FLAG. Local fiends were running on short supply, thanks to the outstanding efforts of the Foundation team. For right now, the entire Southwest was peaceful and law-abiding.
That didn't mean it was a boring day for KITT and Michael: quite the opposite, really. The pair was rocketing down a desolate desert highway at top speed. Michael had assumed manual control over his trusty steel steed and taken him out for a joy ride. Well, a joy ride for Michael. KITT, on the other hand…
"Michael," he piped up. "This sand is terrible for my undercarriage. You once told me about your unsavory experience with sand in your swimming trunks. Imagine how I feel!"
The man only chuckled and ran his fingers through his auburn hair. "That's all part of the fun, KITT." Gripping the wheel until his knuckles turned white and gritting his teeth, Michael wrenched the steering as hard as possible to the right. Sending up a tidal wave of honey-colored sand, KITT's rear tires were soon sliding tractionless-ly across the grainy terrain in tight circles. His driver laughed and whooped with joy. The computer was silent, equal parts amused and horrified. To be honest, after all his time around his companions at FLAG, the AI had yet to "figure out" human motive, let alone Michael. The man was a mystery.
After a few dizzying circles, Michael let his car skid to a stop. On his hood, KITT's scanner flashed erratically.
"What'd you think of that, pal?" Knight laughed.
"Ugh," KITT replied groggily. "My motion sensors are all out of whack. Just what do you call that atrocious maneuver?"
"Dizzy, huh?" he chortled. "That was a donut, KITT. The finest dance between man and machine. No offense," he added, not wanting to hurt the AI's feelings. He hesitated to even use the words "AI" and "feelings" in the same sentence. Aside from a few biological grey areas, KITT was what every psychologist would call a human. So what if he was mainly metal?
"None taken, Michael," he replied. A pause. "Except for the silicon dioxide particles in my engine."
Michael didn't have time for a witty response. KITT's stereo began ringing and the monitor flashed with the time.
"Michael, you asked me to set an alarm to remind you of the meeting at 3:15 PM. It is 3:00. If we want to be at least relatively on time, we should leave now." Michael nodded and switched the Trans Am into auto. The car pulled away from the disheveled sand tracks they had left and plotted the fastest course to headquarters.
Neither actually knew what the mysterious meeting was about. Devon had sent a memo requesting that all essential personnel meet in the FLAG garage for a "mandatory staff rendez-vous." Whatever that meant. If there was an emergency, Devon wouldn't have simply called a meeting. Maybe it was some administrative thing, not a new case as Michael (and KITT) were secretly hoping.
When the two partners finally arrived at the garage ("3:14 and thus technically on time," KITT had pointed out), Devon, Bonnie, and KARR were all waiting for them. Yes, KARR. Limping away from the epic battle with his older brother, KITT had scanned the wreckage and found his prototype's motherboard still very much alive. Michael grabbed the plate and took it back to Bonnie for her to either reprogram or destroy for good. With such a soft spot for mechanics, the woman had locked herself in the garage for days in an attempt to restore the older AI. Devon and Michael, while skeptical that her experiments actually salvage the once-evil AI, did not dare bother her and incur the Wrath of Bonnie. After several weeks of strange noises coming out of the garage and large packages going in, she opened the giant overhead door and let her coworkers behold her newest creation. Nobody was thrilled with what she had done: least of all KITT, who enjoyed being the center of attention.
"Say hello, KARR," Bonnie prodded. The black and silver car's menacing yellow scanner thrashed back and forth. There was a thunk as KITT locked his doors and raised his headlights as though glaring at his older brother.
"Hello," KARR grumbled. Eyes flashed from KARR to his mechanic.
"Bonnie…" Devon gulped. "What exactly did you do?"
"Well," she started confidently. "The main difference between KARR and KITT was the latter's altruistic programming. Just like what makes KITT 'KITT,' there are lines of code that make KARR 'KARR.' I kept those in, but copied from KITT the ones that make him an asset, a loyal human companion as opposed to a dangerous rogue AI. So essentially, KARR is still himself, but without, you know, the murderous rage and selfish tendencies." She switched to a whisper. "Plus a few safeguards he doesn't know about."
Everyone trusted Bonnie more than they distrusted KARR, so they reluctantly accepted him into the FLAG fleet. Bonnie was his driver exclusively, however, and the two of them spent large amounts of time together, with KARR as her faithful garage assistant. The car was every bit as headstrong as his younger brother, but Bonnie had molded him into a straight-laced young man.
In fact, KITT even parked next to him for the meeting. Their similarities brought the two Trans Ams together, rather than letting their differences drive them apart (pun intended). Michael popped open the driver's side door and hopped out, leaning against his friend's hood as Devon began to speak.
"I supposed you're all wondering why we're here," he started. And they were. A sudden summons from their boss with no context was a little unsettling. They were all so used to the last-minute telecom calls and 30 second briefings. A full sit-down was new to them.
"I don't believe I am alone in feeling that the well of criminals has been running rather dry. We have your fantastic work to thank for that." He flashed a smile at his employees. "Which, in my book, merits a reward. I was thinking… a vacation." Everyone exchanged intrigued glances. Usually, driving to their next mission was their vacation. An actual break where they could put their feet (or tires) up would be greatly appreciated.
"I've rented a place in the Hamptons. We could drive up and spend a couple days in the country, away from everything, just to recharge. Literally, in some cases." He gestured at KITT and KARR. "What do you think?"
"I, for one, think that sounds like an amazing idea. The Hamptons are supposed to be beautiful and KITT and KARR wouldn't mind a cross-country road trip."
"You'll be in our climate controlled interiors the entire time!" KARR growled. "KITT and I will have to drive you and your luggage 2,877 miles. Even at our top speeds, with traffic, that is well over an entire day straight of travel."
"Geez, Bonnie," Michael retorted. "Did you delete his sense of adventure, too?" She simply rolled her eyes.
"Can I get a show of hands?" Devon requested. "I'll need to cancel the reservation soon so I can get my deposit back."
Michael raised his. Then Bonnie. And KITT and KARR both flashed their headlights in agreement. Devon smiled broadly.
"It is decided, then. Everybody, pack your things. The FLAGtastic voyage begins at the crack of dawn on Wednesday!"