Randi's part was almost simpler than she had expected. She was expected to leave, so no one thought much of seeing her pack her things, and they didn't notice the smaller, lighter bundle that she got together in addition to the rest of her items. Stealing some food wasn't a problem, either; the cooks were apparently blind. Vinh helped with that, as well, somehow smuggling a whole case of water bottles into his room. The most difficult thing Randi had to do that whole first day was to keep her excitement under wraps, which she thought she did fairly well, though two of her instructors gave her odd looks.
She also helped Vinh by stealing some odds and ends that he wanted to use for his explosives, which he was already starting to put together and plant in strategic areas around the compound, all connected back to a single remote device. And KITT tapped into the Black Rings' security systems and selected the most efficient route for their escape, as well as locating the best systems to manipulate as they did so. Everyone did their part.
That night, Randi made several trips back and forth between the dorms and the warehouse, packing food, water, blankets, clothes, a medical kit, and a number of other random items into KITT's trunk and back seat. After that, she cleared the warehouse floor as best she could, making it possible for KITT to break directly out of the warehouse. Then she returned to her room and went to bed. She spent most of the night tossing and turning.
Randi tried to act normal the next morning, but she had a hard time. Knowing that it was her last day at the compound, and that she had no regrets in leaving, made for an interesting set of feelings. The thought of what they were so close to doing was both exciting and scary. The unknown lay before them, and Randi looked forward to exploring it.
The arrival of night only made Randi's feelings even more jumbled, caught between optimism and apprehension. She switched into jeans, a dark green shirt, and a black jacket, and then lay in her bed, counting the minutes until it was time, drumming her fingers on the coverlets. Finally, the time came. For the eleventh time, Randi checked to make sure she had everything--lockpicks, flashlight, penknife--and then climbed out the window and down to the ground, heading straight for the warehouse.
Naturally, KITT was waiting for her, his engine humming softly in what Randi imagined could be anticipation. Before she climbed in, however, she opened the cabinet once more and pulled out all the plans, the ones that KITT had confirmed had been stolen from FLAG. Then she got into the driver's seat.
Two long minutes passed by. Randi drummed her fingers on KITT's steering wheel, trying and failing not to twitch. Finally, she asked, "How much longer?"
"Mr. Quong will alert us when it is time," KITT responded. His voice seemed calm, somehow, if that was possible for a machine. Not just a machine, though, Randi thought. KITT is far more than that.
"Remember, driving me is no different from driving any other vehicle," KITT reminded her. "Except I do not get damaged. You can relax, Randi."
Randi felt her stomach tightening. "I don't think that's gonna happen, KITT."
Silence fell in KITT's cabin, until Randi could hear not only her own heart, but the low hum of KITT's engine, and the whirring of his scanner.
Randi jumped as Vinh's voice was suddenly heard. "Randi, KITT, are you ready?"
"Affirmative, Mr. Quong," KITT responded. "Is all in order?"
"That it is. Meet me on the south side...now."
The sky through the windows suddenly brightened momentarily, and there was a roar. Another explosion followed the first.
"Go, Randi!" KITT urged. Randi slammed her foot down on the accelerator, and KITT sprang forward. Almost immediately, they were smashing through the side of warehouse and shooting down towards the south end of the compound, while numerous small explosions rocked the buildings around them. Randi clutched the wheel, guiding KITT towards the shed where they had planned to meet Vinh.
As they approached the shed, however, Randi realized something was wrong. "KITT, where's Vinh?"
"He should be here," KITT said. "I'm scanning for him now...Randi, he's injured!"
Randi hit the brakes, barely pausing long enough to put KITT in park before springing out and running towards Vinh, who was just stumbling around the corner of the shed. She reached and caught him as he fell.
Randi gasped as she felt something wet and sticky on her hands. Vinh's breathing was labored, and he clutched weakly at her arm. "R-Randalyn..."
"Vinh!" Randi tensed as she heard shouts drawing closer. "Vinh, come on! We have to get out of here!"
"No...t-too late..." Vinh fumbled with something and pressed a small object into her hand. "D-drive contains...informa--" He cut off with a cough. Randi held him, eyes wide in horror as she saw that he was coughing up blood.
"Vinh, come on. We have to get you to a hospital!"
"G-go, Randi...bring...justice..." Vinh's voice trailed off on the last word, and he slumped in her arms.
"Vinh!" Randi's chest tightened. Her friend made no response.
"Randi!" KITT's voice projected from the car. "There are armed men approaching, and I can't move on my own. You need to get out of there."
Her vision blurring, Randi set Vinh down, got up, and ran for KITT, Vinh's flashdrive clutched in her hand. She ran back around to the driver's side, ducking as she heard the crack of gunfire. Several bullets ricocheted off KITT's body as she dove back inside and slammed the door shut.
"The gate is ahead and to the left," KITT told her as she shifted back to drive. "Hurry, Randi!"
Her foot came down on the accelerator, and the car sprang forward again. Randi quickly blinked her eyes clear of tears, turning the wheel so that they were aimed directly at the gate, less than a hundred yards away. Less than a hundred yards to freedom. With Vinh left behind.
They crashed through the gate, metal twisting and squealing, and shot off down the road, winding steeply through the forest. Randi didn't dare slow down, clutching the wheel until her knuckles turned white. She drove like a maniac, hardly aware of KITT's warnings and words of advice, taking the first turn onto a another road that they encountered, and then making another turn soon after. She simply drove, going as fast as she dared, trying to put as much distance as possible between them and the Black Rings. Between them and Vinh...
Eventually, Randi slowed. She realized that she was shaking, and the tears were threatening to come again. She wasn't sure if she could hold them back.
"I'm picking up an unpaved side road to the right," KITT informed her. "It's mostly obscured by trees. You can park there."
Distantly, she saw the road KITT indicated and turned onto it, managing to find a stony patch of ground overhung by tree branches. KITT turned off the engine himself and said, "Get some rest, Randi. I'll keep watch."
Randi curled up on the seat, which KITT was adjusting to a more comfortable position for rest. This time, no longer driving, she did not try to stop the tears. Shaking, she wrapped her arms around her body and allowed herself to cry.
