Knight Rider: Genesis
(Knight Rider is ©1982-1986; 2008 Universal Studios & NBC Studios. Trinity Jean Knight is my character but her powers are ©2001-2011 CW Network & DC Comics. Any and all Smallville references are ©2001-2011 WB/CW Network & DC Comics)
Chapter I: Prologue
Michael Long stared at the news he had just heard. The team of thieves had struck again. The Cyber task force he had been assigned to had been trying to stop this recent slew of sensitive data that was stolen from various computer firms and a woman he had previously had a relationship with was the ringleader of the cyber gang he was trying to stop. The woman's name was Tanya Walker. The next company that was to be hit, Knight Industries Technology had hired Lieutenant Long and his team to stop Tanya and her team of cyber thugs but the CEO of Knight Industries, Wilton Knight had only requested Michael Long and his partner Samantha Hughes to set up a command center at Knight Industries where Wilton Knight had just completed work on the world's first vehicle that was completely controlled by an Artificial Intelligence that Wilton had titled The Knight Automated Roving Robot, a 2010 Ford Mustang that was virtually indestructible. But the prototype had been miss programmed by his partner Lionel Luthor's top technician. The vehicle had been deactivated and placed in a lab near where Michael Long's team had been setting up shop.
"Are we all set up?" Michael asked his partner. Samantha, a rookie Cop who was a part of Las Vegas' Cyber crimes unit had 5 years as a computer tech that was also made tougher by her 3 years as a thief who would steal important Federal documents and sell them to the highest bidder, but she had been caught and given a minimum sentence of 18 months, and she had been encouraged to become a cop. She had given in and now 3 years later had been paired with Lt. Long as a part of the Las Vegas Police Department's Cybercrimes division. The woman was 29, 3 years younger than Michael but had knowledge her partner couldn't have due to her early years as a hacker.
"Yep, but I'm getting strange signals, Lt," She said, pointing to the computer's wave form analyzer that was picking up some odd signals that, unknown to the both of them was The Knight Automated Roving Robot, or KARR's systems semi-active.
"Do you know where it's coming from?" Michael asked. She shook her head. She then saw an alert from the bug one of her teammates who had infiltrated Tanya's team had placed.
"nope, but Tanya's team was supposed to be stealing a million-dollar prototype for some buyer overseas, and apparently their hacker locked onto the strange signal we're picking up here," Samantha said. He sat down at the laptop and looked at the signal that Samantha had first pointed to.
"Is it active?" Michael asked as he paced back and forth. She nodded.
"There's a lab right nearby, about a couple of blocks away, owned by Charles Graiman and Wilton Knight under the company of Knight Industries. The lab nearby is owned by Knight Industries Technology which is the parent company of Knight Industries. I realize it's owned by one Trinity Jean Knight, the sole daughter of Mr. Knight. I learned who she was a year ago when she was studying at Stanford," Samantha said. She had heard that Knight Industries was one of the leading companies in the technology industries. The Knight Industries family of companies was involved in everything from computers to security software. Michael had briefly met Wilton Knight during their set up. The elderly gentleman had given them the access codes to virtually every warehouse or laboratory Knight Industries owned or any of its parent companies.
"Lt. Long, we have a situation," came over the radio. Michael grabbed his gun and his stun weapon and smiled at her.
"I'll be on frequency b. I'm going to the lab where the signal's coming from. Radio me if there's a problem," Michael said. He broke away and broke into a run.
Knight Industries Technology Lab #3-Michael Long pulled out his badge. Although he was a plain-clothes cop, he would put his badge in his shirt pocket so no one would know he was a cop but the security guard had requested any ID.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant," The security guard said, and Michael walked up to the remote keypad and inputted the security code Wilton Knight had given him. Michael walked into the lab to see a black 2010 Ford Mustang.
"What the hell," Michael said as he stared at the state-of-the-art vehicle not realizing what it was. He then heard the voice of both Wilton Knight & his new partner Charles Graiman.
"This is the assignment you're supposed to be doing, Mr. Long," Wilton said. Michael stared at the prototype.
"Mr. Long, this is the most expensive vehicle ever designed with state-of-the-art defenses but with one slight problem," Charles said.
"What does Tanya want with this car? What does it do?" Michael asked. Wilton smiled.
"My former partner had a technician who miss programmed the car and now a team of terrorists want it overseas to use it as a weapon. Another prototype is being designed while we try to re-program this one. In the meantime, I'm pairing you with this prototype until the Knight 3000 is complete. I'd like to introduce you to your new partner, my daughter Trinity Jean Knight," Wilton said. The young woman physically fit who looked like she was in her 20s or 30s walked up and shook Michael Long's hand.
"I'd like to introduce you to The Knight Automated Roving Robot, the first vehicle that was designed with Artificial Intelligence and created indestructible and you're going to drive it Mr. Long," Trinity said. He then walked around it and reached for the door.
"You are not permitted to access this vehicle," a voice that emanated from the car said.
"This thing can talk?" Michael said incredibly surprised. She nodded. "It's okay KARR. This man will be driving you for the foreseeable future. KARR, meet Michael Long, your driver for this mission," Trinity said. The car then backed up, and Michael saw a red scanner track back and forth as it scanned both Trinity and Michael.
"My company was responsible for the prototype's AI protocols teaching this car how to do what it can do and about human beings," Trinity told Michael.
"KARR, it's okay. He's going to help keep you away from the people that want to use you for other reasons than what you were created for," Charles said, trying to calm the vehicle's fears.
"As you wish, Mr. Graiman. When will the other vehicle be completed, Mr. Knight?" KARR asked. Both Michael and Trinity stared at each other.
"When my team finishes with its primary programming, KARR," Trinity said. The vehicle's two doors opened and Michael Long and Trinity Jean Knight climbed in. Michael stared at the computerized dashboard and the touch screen windshield.
"This vehicle was designed to be used in the war on terror but was refused when the car killed a soldier during a test. The Military refused to buy it so we're trying to keep its software and weaponry out of any enemy hands, but Tanya Walker's team of cyber thugs found out about it and we don't want them getting their hands on him," Trinity said.
"Him? It's a machine," Michael replied. They then heard KARR speak.
"Incoming call from Miss Samantha Hughes to your cell phone, Mr. Long. I can reroute the call to come through the vehicle's speakers," KARR said, "And I have a personality just as you do. I am just not as warm and sociable as you are, Mr. Long," KARR continued.
"Patch it through, KARR," Michael finally said.
"Michael, you didn't check in, what's going on," Samantha's voice said coming through the speakers.
"I found the signal and will be bringing it to our command center. Under no circumstances are we to let the Department know what it is. Is that understood, Sam," Michael said. She hesitated.
"We have a problem, Michael. Tanya's team discovered our command center, and has instructed me to turn over whatever's transmitting that signal, or I will be killed. There's a gun aimed at my head. Do you follow what I'm saying, Lt," Samantha said.
"Oh my God! Are you okay?" Michael said, alarmed. He stared at the vehicle's dashboard.
"Michael, I want you to drive this vehicle back to your command center. But under no circumstances are you to hand it over to them," Trinity said. Michael grabbed the shifter and shifted the vehicle from Park to Reverse and he aimed the vehicle toward the hanger style doors and the car crashed through the door, although the car was undamaged.
"What the hell?" Michael said staring at the car's hood as it was completely undamaged.
"This vehicle has the capability to 'heal' itself, Mr. Long. It has nano technology to instantly repair any damage as you can see. We need to get going," Trinity said. Michael stepped on the gas and they were cruising. Michael then pressed the Auto Cruise button and stared in awe as the car guided itself on the road.
"What else can this vehicle do?" Michael asked. Trinity smiled and stared at him and her father's creation.
"It's completely fuel efficient and armed to the teeth with the latest weaponry provided by both my company and my father's. Machine guns, laser systems which can lock onto any target and a computer system capable of hacking into any computer system in the world. The only issue with this car is its primary programming which we are working out," Trinity said as the vehicle turned toward the warehouse that Michael's team was operating out of.
"Any chance we can scan the interior of the location without driving in?" Michael asked. Trinity moved her hand down to a series of buttons down near the shifter and inputted an access code and up on the Heads-up display on the windshield holographic images were shown of both the warehouse and the individuals in the building.
"I detect 4 humans in the building. 3 male, one female. What are we going to do," KARR asked.
"Simple, just drive KARR in there, bargain with them but not give them KARR. Do you have a gun?" Michael asked. She smiled and removed from a hidden compartment near the series of buttons she pressed a pistol. She checked it for ammo and placed it in the back of her pants covered by her jacket. Michael removed his and also checked its ammo.
"What are our options, Michael? How do we protect the human from harm?" KARR asked.
"We activate your laser targeting systems, but under no circumstances are you to harm anyone except the humans holding the female hostage," Trinity said. KARR gave them an affirmative. One of the men pointed his gun at the car. "Looks like the vehicle came to us," The man said. Michael climbed out of the car slowly.
"What do you want?" Michael asked. The other man gestured to KARR.
"Our boss has buyers across the world who wants that prototype. Give us the car, and nothing will happen to the woman," The other man said, his gun pointed at Michael Long's partner.
"The Knight 2000 is not for sale and not for anyone to use, except for me right now. So no, is your answer. We'll give you anything else you want but not the car. Am I clear?" Michael said. The other man stared at the first one.
"Yeah, perfectly, Mr. Long," The man said as he pointed the gun at Michael Long and shot point-blank at Michael's face. Michael fell face first onto the hood of the Knight Automated Roving Robot, blood spattering all over the hood…
To be Continued….
