"We're approaching the city," Karr's voice resonated. Knight was concerned to hear the apparent weakness behind the car's usually powerful voice –"Karr are you ok?"
"My power reserves are fading," the AI replied. Knight straightened in his seat –"Anything I can do?"
"We're approaching the city limits. Reducing velocity and exiting super pursuit mode will extend my power reserves, beyond that, nothing. Not until I can recharge."
"I hear you," Knight replied, and pressed the illuminated button –"let's close up."
Once again, the light above it rippled, and the car's exterior altered form, the air intake and raised rear end sinking back into the car as panels and airfoils closed and retracted. The scanner mount sank, rejoining the nose of the car as it pulled back to the main shell, until finally the car appeared to be a typical Trans-am again. Minutes later, they passed a "welcome to Los Angeles" sign. Knight activated the mobile line –"Michael, we're arriving in town now, we'll be at Flag in about…"
"Ten minutes," Karr supplied. Michael looked surprised –"We're not expecting you for another day."
"Karr miscalculated," Knight replied –"We're here, and early."
"Makes a change," the older man replied with a grin, his blue eyes twinkling. Knight shook his head –"I walked into that."
"Technically we drove into it," Karr offered. Knight hid a smirk with his hand, waiting till it passed –"Karr needs a recharge soon. He's almost out of power."
"The bay will be standing by. We can prepare him for your next assignment while he recharges."
"What do you mean prepare me?" Karr asked, his tone steely. Michael frowned slightly –"not over the comm. line, its too high profile. You'll be briefed when you arrive."
"See you soon," Knight answered as Michael's image blinked off screen. There was silence for a second before Karr asked –"What does he mean by prepare?"
"I didn't know I could read minds," Knight replied dryly. The car made a distinctly unhappy noise and he laughed in response –"We'll find out when we get there."
The car didn't respond and Knight sighed. He'd long since learned that Karr tended towards ignoring him when it was annoyed with him –"You have a touchy motor you know that?"
"There is nothing wrong with my engine," Karr replied archly. Knight grinned and didn't respond, deciding it was best to not further antagonise the car, and settled in his seat as they sped into town.
The car pulled to a stop at the main gateway, as Knight displayed his pass card. The guard on duty looked at it, then at him –"Welcome home Mr Knight…" the guard seemed lost for a moment, and Knight struggled to suppress a grin, knowing full well the source of the guards confusion –"Michael's waiting for me right?"
"He's left instructions for you to head to building three," the guard glowered slightly to hide his embarrassment –"It's at the rear of the main house."
"Thanks," Knight answered, turning his attention back to the road, then leaned back out –"By the way…this isn't home," then slid the car forward beneath the now open gate as Karr spoke –"The guard's behaviour indicated some hostility to you. May I ask why?"
"It wasn't me specifically Karr. It was his momentary confusion."
"About what?"
"Ok, there are two 'Mr Knights' here aren't there?"
"Ahh," the car replied, comprehending, and falling silent as they rounded a bend. This Foundation headquarters was a large facility, and it had to be, especially when the first team's mobile headquarters was around. Knight eyed the huge airplane as Karr drove past it. Sky One was big, accommodating the five vehicles belonging to the other team, quarters for all of them, and the support staff, not to mention the flight crew as well, equipment for repairs and maintenance to the vehicles and spare part stores. The huge turbines were rotated towards the ground, ready for lift off. Like a Harrier, the plane was capable of vertical take offs and landings, again out of necessity. Knight was glad he wasn't part of the other team, he didn't like flying at the best of times. Karr turned down a ramp way, into a brightly lit underground bay. An old light blue '57 Chevy was parked over against the left side wall, Michael's hobby. Next to it, another two cars covered over with protective sheets, their forms disguised. Both his, although one had belonged to an old friend. He pulled Karr over besides a long black truck as a tech stepped out –"Bonnie's waiting for you and Karr. End bay."
Knight nodded, and slowly drove the car down the extent of the underground hanger, now seeing that the right side was divided up by partitions. The largest was the end bay, and he understood why as he pulled in, seeing the sleek black form of the other Trans-am parked there. He swung Karr in, the machines sleek black and silver form curving in alongside the other vehicle, and he climbed out –"Bonnie?"
There was a scraping sound, roller wheels across a floor, then Bonnie pulled herself up from under the other car –"How's that Kitt?"
"Much better, thank you Bonnie."
She patted the car's surface gently then looked at Knight –"Your back."
"Look's like," Knight answered. Bonnie nodded –"How was your first real assignment?"
"Was ok, why?"
"Hope you have a bit better than that for Michael," Bonnie answered –"If he gives you any grief, tell him I said I'd tell a few tales if he doesn't lay off," then laughed lightly –"How was Karr?"
"Couldn't have done it without him. Speaking of, he needs a recharge."
Bonnie frowned –"Karr, have you run a diagnostic? You shouldn't need a recharge so soon."
The car's scanner rippled –"I didn't think to do so."
Now Knight frowned –"ok, that's twice now Karr."
"Twice?" Bonnie asked –"pop your hood Karr."
The vehicles hood opened in response as Knight enlightened her –"First he miscalculated journey time, forgetting to take into account super pursuit mode, and then failed to run a diagnostic, even after that lapse."
Bonnie hooked some cables up to Karr –"Well, I'll see if I can find the problem. You'll have plenty of time before your next assignment, we have to get Karr ready for it. Michael's in his office, complaining about needing an office, he'll be waiting for you there."
"Alright," Knight replied, and patted his car's roof –"Behave yourself Karr."
The vehicles scanner rippled, but there was no vocal acknowledgement as Knight headed up the steel stairs at the rear of the hanger, to the building above, wondering what Bonnie meant as she called over some other technicians –"Alright, we'll start with the repairs…"
Knight rapped on the door twice, then headed in –"What's up Michael?" before realising Michael wasn't alone –"Hey Jenny."
"Ian," the former marine replied, a little too formally for his liking. Knight raised an eyebrow as he tossed his leather jacket over a chair –"I've only just walked in, how have I managed to offend you?"
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Jenny replied, her lips curving slightly, and then turned to Michael –"I'll see you later. Kyle has some last minute preparations he wants running before we head out."
"Alright, be careful Jenny," Michael said, then stopped her a second –"If your still around later, I'd like your help with a few tests. Well, you and Domino."
"Alright, shout when you need," the gorgeous brunette replied, and headed out of Michael's office. Knight watched her go with a low whistle –"nice."
"That's my daughter you're checking out," Michael said warningly. Knight held up his hands placatingly and smiled –"Then you should take pride knowing you have an incredibly beautiful daughter."
"Just don't get any ideas," Michael replied, gesturing for him to sit down in one of the casual chairs, then crashed down in another, scorning the desk –"Never thought I'd end up working in this office," he muttered, then turned to business –"How was your last assignment?"
"Relatively easy. We didn't have any problem with it."
"If that was the case, why does the report take note of a lot of damages, including property destruction?"
"We made it as simple as possible, no body got hurt and the bad guys are gonna be behind bars for a long time."
Michael sighed and shook his head slightly –"I suppose I can't really criticise. In my day, I got the same question from Devon on more than a few occasions."
"I guess that's what Bonnie meant," Knight responded. Michael's blue eyes twinkled –"She mentioned that?"
"Nah, she just said she'd tell me a few tales if you balled me out," Knight answered. Michael shook his head –"Same old Bonnie."
Knight shrugged, not really knowing what to say. Michael caught it, and grinned –"Anyway. Your not here to listen to me reminisce."
"You mentioned my next assignment. Sounded big."
"That's one way of putting it," Michael said, getting a file from his desk –"How in practice are you with the street racing?"
"I'm not answering that without a lawyer present," Knight grinned. Michael raised an eyebrow –"Misuse of foundation equipment?"
"There a reason you're asking?"
"Your next assignment," Michael said, tossing the file to him –"You hear about the truck heists that have been going on here?"
"I heard that a truck had been stolen, no details were given though," Knight frowned –"What does that have to do with street racing?"
"Read the file," Michael said –"In brief, the trucks were raided in transit. 3 unmarked black Honda Civics, green neon under glow from the chassis, precision driving. Tire tracks are consistent with a favourite brand of street racers."
"You think someone in the street racing world is pulling off the heists?"
"We're sure of it," Michael replied –"The LAPD had a case about a year ago. Same method of hijacking trucks. No arrests, no convictions and the heists stopped."
"So where do I start?" Knight asked. Michael smiled –"I didn't think you'd turn this down. I'd like you to check the scene of the last hijacking. Local PD may have missed something. Then it's up to you. We don't know where the racers meet up to organise…"
"That's usual. If you're serious about racing, you find out, it's kind of a test," Knight supplied. Michael raised an eyebrow but didn't question it –"We don't know where they meet. But we do know parts suppliers. We've given you a list of places you can start."
Knight flipped down the list, read the relevant information for each one, and checked out the surveillance photos –"I think I'll start at the Racer's Edge."
"A good choice. Can I ask why?"
"According to this, a former LAPD officer works there, Brian O'Conner. He quit shortly after investigating this case. Besides, I know Brian from Miami."
Michael nodded –"Karr's having some modifications made. We're installing nitrous, although you probably won't need it, fine tuning his engine. According to Bonnie you already made some unauthorised adjustments."
Knight looked down slightly but didn't deny it as Michael carried on –"The additions will take a while, plus with the problems you've already reported…you have time to get some rest, read the file. Take a shower. I remember from my days that sometimes you spend days in the car away from civilisation. We'll give you a call when Karr's ready."
"Gotcha," Knight replied, getting to his feet –"Can I ask one thing?"
"Shoot."
"Do we think the same people are responsible this time?"
"Local PD does. I'm not so sure," Michael admitted –"They must have stopped for a reason before, and I doubt it's because they had all they wanted. I don't think they'd start again, but that's what you're going to have to determine. They are the prime suspects though. If it isn't them, you'll have your work cut out for you."
"Nothing new there," Knight shrugged –"Thanks Michael."
The comm. link awoke Knight from his sleep, and he tiredly rubbed sleep sand from his eyes, and reached for it –"Knight."
"Ian, its Michael. Can you get down to the bay please? We're having a few problems with Karr."
"I'll be right there," Knight groaned, getting to his feet as the comm. shut off. He'd only intended to have a short snooze, but the ache in his muscles told him he'd been asleep on the sofa for a long time. He grabbed his jacket from the chair back, and headed downstairs.
Knight rubbed his eyes, and blinked twice, not believing what he was seeing as he stood beside Michael –"What's going on?"
"Karr is not behaving." Michael replied testily. The vehicle was manoeuvring slowly, lurching backwards as if it were repeatedly tapping the gas pedal, backing away from the technicians trying to gain access to the machine. Knight sighed, knowing full well the car didn't trust the technicians, hadn't since Wilton Knight had deactivated him years ago, before his program had been repaired –"Karr, come here."
With a squeal of tires, the car moved forward, smoothly and quickly driving around the technicians and halting inches away from its driver –"I will not allow it."
"Allow what?" Knight asked. Michael supplied the answer –"Karr was being prepared for your assignment. The repairs have been made. We were going to alter Karr's appearance so that he'd blend in, and enhance his engine."
"I am quite happy with my appearance as it is," Karr replied coldly –"I will not allow them to alter it."
"It's for the good of the mission Karr," Michael informed it sternly, his usual humour drained from his tone. Karr's scanner rippled –"I will not allow my appearance to be altered. The body parts serve no useful function."
Knight held up a hand –"We may not need to be arguing about this. I can run Karr as a sleeper."
"A sleeper?" Michael asked. Knight shrugged –"It's a car that appears to be basic stock. In reality, it's highly tuned. I don't know the LA scene well, but it should be ok."
"Well, I guess we'll have to do that then, since Karr doesn't want his appearance altered," Michael sighed –"Bonnie, how long till you finish with the extra parts?"
"Provided Karr co-operates, I can do it alone if I pull an all nighter."
"Why alone?" Michael asked, frowning. Knight pulled a face –"Karr doesn't trust the other technicians."
Michael looked distinctly unpleased and gave the vehicle a sharp look, but didn't say anything. Karr sat there quietly, scanner rippling in a challenging manner before Michael finally spoke –"Alright, go to work," and headed upstairs. Knight crouched down by Karr –"You know how to push your luck with him don't you?"
He wasn't surprised when Karr didn't respond, and sighed –"Alright, fine, have one of your moods. Just behave for Bonnie alright?"
"As you wish," the car replied in smooth cold tones, then backed into the bay. Knight took a deep breath then looked at Bonnie –"Sorry."
"It's no problem. I can catch up on my sleep after I've finished."
"He'll behave for you now," Knight replied, and then added –"I think. Want a hand?"
"From what I'm told, you're going to be busy. You'd best get some sleep while you can. Me and Karr will get along fine, won't we Karr?"
The cars scanner rippled once in acknowledgement, but it didn't speak, and Knight knew the machine was sulking, despite having got its way. The knowledge made him grin slightly –"Alright, I'll see you both in the morning. Night Bonnie. Goodnight Karr."
"Goodnight," the car intoned back at him. Bonnie gave him a smile –"sleep well."
End of Chapter 2…