Author's Note: I'm so tired…I barely managed to write and update as promised. I had to move out of my dorm room and to the opposite side of the dormitory to get away from two mean girls/neighbors in my suite that have been blaming me for thefts that I did not do. It took all evening Friday to move and then the majority Saturday to unpack. I also have a major test on Monday for my science class that I haven't even been able to study for yet. Last night I attempted to post this but fanfiction had a lot of glitches and wouldn't let me. T.T
Warning: couple of swear words, violence, and extreme fingernail biting and heart-wrenching moments. I encourage you to read through this whole thing since a surprise awaits you at the end. NO fluff in this chapter!! Sorry…
Please remember to review since reviews make my dull, dark life a lot brighter!
Thanks to: Ayame1313, LogicPlanner, My-Friend-Kitt, Potterfan2006, LisaRosa, tropicangell, blue-eyed-wondergirl, 007chuck, and Kitarensen for reviewing!! You guys make this story possible. *big smiley face*
Chapter 9
Michael Knight had been missing for nearly three and a half months now. This did not deter or stop the FLAG team from their pursuits in finding their lost team member—until the day came at last…when their endless searching finally came to its excruciatingly long, awaited end.
"Oh, this is bad."
"I think we have a problem…"
"What is it?"
Sarah walked up behind the two technicians who stopped their furious typing to stare dumbfounded at the screens in front of them.
"Good news is…I think we found Mike," Zoe sounded cheerful.
"Bad news is—"
The second Sarah got a good look at the screen and what was on it, nearly choked on the coffee she was sipping and spilled a good deal of it when she nearly dropped the mug and its contents all over the floor. There on the monitors was footage of KARR shooting missiles and dual machine guns at a downtown hospital in a town fifty miles from their current location. Zoomed and paused on one of the monitors was the barely discernible image of Michael Knight trapped within KARR's yellow tinted cockpit.
"—our fun loving friend is back and looks angrier than ever," Billy responded with an edge of frustration. He had read up on the files on KARR's history and how many 'terminations' the evil AI had suffered. KARR was like a cockroach that just wouldn't die!! Billy just wished that he would just stay dead for once. But maybe that was too much to ask these days…
"But KARR was destroyed!!"
"Apparently not"
"How is this even possible?"
"Why don't you go ask him?"
Sarah just stared at Billy, clearly not amused with the idea. Zoe took that moment of opportunity to break the awkward staring contest.
"I think that sending KITT would be a bad idea…KARR's only goal is to destroy him. At least that was what Mike said in his official report."
"There is a problem with that, you guys."
The two techs looked at Sarah, awaiting an explanation with blank looks. Sarah rolled her eyes, feeling frustrated as the tension level in the atmosphere continued to rise.
"KITT is the only one who can stop him!"
"Oh that is so low…attacking a hospital…" Billy mumbled as he once again focused on the live video feed of the carnage.
"He's obviously trying to draw KITT out," Sarah reasonably postulated.
"You really think that KARR will be truly defeated this time around?"
"We'll just have to hope so."
"I think you guys are forgetting one other very important detail…"
Now it was Sarah and Zoe's turn to focus confused expressions on Billy.
"KITT no longer has a driver."
The three remained silent mulling the situation over in their respective minds. For two minutes it was so silent you could hear a pen drop while a chorus of crickets chirped merrily in the background outside.
"I'll go. I'm the most qualified since I've been out with KITT before in the field on one of Mike's missions," Billy volunteered first.
"Are you kidding me? That would have to make me just as qualified!" Zoe countered in her defense.
"Well I called it first! DIBS!"
"You can't call it first because I'm technically your boss!"
"Whatever, Zoe…Sarah still aces you."
Zoe completely ignored whatever Billy just said and continued as if she'd never heard him.
"As your boss…I have to say that I'll be the one to go."
While the two techs bickered amongst themselves, Sarah pulled out her cell phone and contacted KITT, distancing herself from the growing conflict behind her as Zoe and Billy actually began to throw stuff across the room as the already heated debate grew with intensity.
KITT was currently out taking Mikah for a drive since they had been cramped indoors for so long. The AI answered on her first ring.
Yes Sarah?
"KITT, I need you to get back here right away. We need you."
I am currently en-route, what is the situation?
How perceptive of him. Leave it to KITT to cut straight to the point. Sarah's mouth set in a grim line and her eyes visibly darkened when she answered.
"KARR is back…"
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Michael Knight was in pain.
No…scratch that…
Michael Knight was in agony.
For weeks, he had tried to break through KARR's mental shielding to discover whatever sinister plots the wicked AI was most likely hatching in that twisted, warped, processor of his but failed every time. Then one day, when Mike had decided to give up, KARR shared the secret with him.
Flashback
You have many questions, Michael Knight. I will tell you what your true purpose is. You will be the one to lure the Knight Industries Three Thousand, to me.
"I will NEVER betray KITT. He's more of a friend than you could ever wish to be, you sick bast—"
KARR took that opportunity to send a painful electrical shock through Mike's body in response, immediately silencing him.
KITT will be terminated. After that, you will have served your purpose.
"Are you threatening to kill me, KARR?"
No, Michael Knight…that was a promise.
End Flashback
Michael was tortured with nightmares ever since he learned this. Nightmares, conjured up by KARR's own psyche which was currently connected with his own. What had the man so confused was the fact that KARR would actually want to kill him. Before, KARR had simply been obsessed to have his original driver back so that they could be 'one'. Well…ever since the psychopath had gotten his wish, he had moved on to more sinister plans—namely, the destruction of KITT.
The moment Mike learned that KARR was going to use him to get to KITT…he fought KARR with all of his might. The first week, which would have been two months ago…Mike used every last ounce of energy he had, fighting the AI's control. The man had nearly been successful, causing KARR to eject him from the containment pod. Michael who was still weak from food deprivation, was unable to get very far before KARR captured him again. Once he realized that there was no escaping the abomination, he resigned to his fate. Until now…
Even now, as KARR assaulted a defenseless hospital, Michael fought him…struggling to stop KARR from his bloodthirsty and merciless attack. It caused him great agony, the harder he fought him. So much so, that he felt his body weakening further until he drifted at the edges of consciousness…but still, he did not quit. In a strange way, it was like trying to fight himself since they were both integrated together as 'one'.
"KARR…I will stop you…even if it kills me."
I think not, Michael Knight. You can't stop me and I will keep you alive until you have served your purpose.
"NO!!"
Just then, the AI's weapons became completely inoperable as Michael Knight's pale and sweat slickened face reflected the strain as he managed to stop KARR long enough for the remaining survivors to evacuate and clear the area. Mike only had a few seconds warning as he felt a static charge building up around him but was defenseless to stop it. KARR unleashed a brutal electric shock through the man, rendering him unconscious… returning full control to the AI once more.
Your attempt at self-sacrifice is admirable…but useless nonetheless.
KARR returned to his previous mission…leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in his wake.
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"Sarah, we won't let you!"
"You really want to go and face THAT," Billy gestured again at the grotesque robotic form of KARR, amidst his rampage.
Sarah remained firm and steadfast in her decision.
"I appreciate your concern…but this is something I have to do. My father built KITT and taught me everything I need to know about him. I need you two to stay here and back me up."
"What do we do about Mikah?"
"I've already discussed that with KITT on a private com-link channel."
Before Zoe or Billy could question what exactly that entailed, KITT entered the base and rolled forward into his docking port before coming to a complete stop.
Sarah went and opened the passenger door where Mikah was smiling and laughing at something the AI had said and turned to give her mother a hug.
"Hey sweetheart…mommy has to go somewhere for a little while with KITT. I'll give you five minutes to say good-bye, okay?"
"Okay"
Mikah settled into the seat as her mother closed the door, re-sealing her within KITT's interior.
"KITT…I'll miss you."
As will I, Mikah. Just for safety purposes, I think it would be wise to keep a com-link with you while I'm gone. Do you remember how it works?
"Yes…only in emergencies."
That's right.
Sarah stood outside and watched her daughter talk to KITT with a sad smile. There were so many possibilities that this mission could go horribly and utterly wrong. For Mikah's sake, she prayed that it wouldn't. She waited one more minute before issuing the order.
"KITT execute order beta-gamma-zeta-zero-five-nine."
KITT flashed his headlights to acknowledge the order.
Meanwhile, Mikah remained blissfully unaware of the grown-ups who were conspiring with each other right outside. Before she realized it, she smelled something oddly sweet but couldn't see what was causing it. It smelled kind of like strawberries…
"KITT…I smell something…funny…" her little nose wrinkled up as she tried to determine what it was. Next thing she knew, her head started to spin as she got incredibly dizzy. That was when the child knew that something was clearly wrong and she felt scared for a moment.
"KITT…I feel…sleepy…"
I am sorry, Mikah.
Her eyelids drooped as her world began to spin out of focus. She sank over, across the two seats as her body got heavy.
"KITT…"
She managed to mumble his name and barely heard his response just as everything went black.
You will be far safer here…sweet dreams, little one.
Sarah sighed with relief when she saw Mikah pass out from the anesthetic and went to retrieve her. The anesthetic was strong enough to last a full 24 hours without any damaging repercussions.
Once the child's limp body was safely in her arms, she sighed and with a heavy heart, took Mikah back to her living quarters. The last thing she wanted her daughter to witness…was the destruction and bloodshed that was happening on the monitors. Not to mention, whatever was about to happen once she and KITT went to confront the monstrosity. Mikah was still only four years old…and violence of this magnitude was something that everyone wanted to shelter her from. No child should have to see the horrors KARR wreaked upon their fellow man. It was in all reality, a living nightmare unfolding right in front of their eyes.
Once Mikah was tucked comfortably in bed, Sarah returned to the KITT cave and wished Billy and Zoe farewell before climbing into the driver's seat.
KITT revved his engine eagerly and prepared for launch sequence, more than ready to get his driver back. Defeating KARR should be relatively easy since he had their last encounter to draw back on, pulling up those memory files.
They launched, KITT driving at top speed while Sarah mentally prepared herself for the encounter. Zoe text messaged her and she opened the message on her touch screen.
/Latest death toll: 227 and rising./
Sarah frowned narrowing her eyes with barely contained fury and put the phone away. She gripped the steering wheel looking at the road ahead.
"We have to stop him, KITT."
We will Sarah. Even if it terminates me
She quirked an eyebrow as the shadow of a smile crossed her face.
"You sound just like Mike."
I hardly doubt that Michael would use the word 'terminate'…but yes, it was used in the same context.
"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
Both car and driver traveled ever closer to the decisive battle that would finally end it, once and for all. Or so they hoped…
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Michael Knight awoke with a pained moan and struggled to get up but found he didn't have the strength. He cracked his eyes open and barely noticed that he was no longer inside of KARR. Rubble was strewn all around him, the smell of burning rubber and gasoline filled the air. For a moment, he feared that KITT had been destroyed but noticed through his peripheral vision that the debris scattered in the area was from the decimated hospital behind him.
He noticed that KARR was no longer anywhere near him and struggled to breathe when a cloud of putrid smoke wafted over him from the charred remains of one of the victims some yards away, triggering his gag reflex. Mike dry heaved a moment until the wind blew it in another direction. He tried to lick his cracked lips but found that his tongue was just as parched and found himself wishing for a cold glass of water…
Mike weakly called out for help until fogged over memories returned and he immediately shut up when he realized why he was even here amidst the remains of carnage left over from KARR's wrath. If he called out for help…KITT would come to save him and then KARR would show up and destroy them both. He couldn't let that happen!
Mike began to weakly crawl towards a nearby crater in the ground, created from one of KARR's many missiles. He fell in head first and landed on his backside with a groan and lay there breathing heavily. He only crawled…what…five feet? And he was exhausted…
He shivered as both dehydration, food deprivation, and psychological trauma assaulted his every sense. Michael Knight had been in combat many times and had been through some scary shit in his day…but this…this experience had to top them all. He felt as if he had literally been to hell and back.
The man closed his eyes against the harsh, unforgiving sun and silently begged his friend not to come for him.
Please KITT…save your-self... Don't come for me…please don't come for me.
As if in answer to his silent plea, he heard the all too familiar, tell-tale signs of a most familiar engine roaring steadily closer, KITT currently in attack mode. He half laughed and half cried, as he felt a myriad of mixed emotions. The nearly delirious man spoke in a rough, hoarse voice as if KITT were already there with him.
"KITT… you stupid mustang… I told you to stay away! Yet you just had to come to my rescue, you stupid dumb animal … Please turn around and leave… save yourself…I'll love you all the more for it…"
He made odd, jerky shooing motions with his arms as if trying to get rid of a stubborn, loyal horse that wouldn't leave his injured rider.
Just then a small cloud of dust was kicked over the crater he was currently taking refuge in, casting a shadow over him, lending protection from the scalding sun and he actually began to cry when KITT screeched to a stop right next to him.
"Whatever happened to 'no man gets left behind'?"
His blood froze in his veins...that voice...he knew that sweet, angelic voice.
Mike screamed bloody murder then, in sob filled, heartbroken agony when he recognized Sarah and saw that his wife had fallen into KARR's trap too.
"NOOOOO! OH PLEASE GOD...NO! NO!!!"
Tears squeezed out of his eyes and ran down his thin, pale face.
"SARAH, KITT…GET OUT OF HERE…IT'S A TRAP! JUST LEAVE ME!!"
He found the strength to scream, tearing up his already raw and bleeding throat just as KARR exploded from a pile of rubble he had been concealing himself under half a mile away. The mustang with the yellow scanner transformed into the robotic nightmare that was KARR, speeding full tilt straight for them.
"MIKE! I'm NOT leaving you!"
Sarah got down in the hole and was struggling to pull him up with her but he refused to budge.
The man shook his head, turning tear filled, pleading eyes on her. He managed to wheeze out one word, pointing one shaky finger at KITT's open door.
"Go!"
Michael, please…I implore you. GET IN
He managed a weak chuckle and shook his head in the negative when he heard KITT's firm, almost threatening order.
Michael already knew after his prolonged exposure and excessive integration with KARR that he could not be saved. If KARR finished him off now, it would be doing him a mercy. He remembered what Graiman said years before when he had been KARR's experimental driver. If he was merged with KARR for too prolonged a time, his body would eventually become too dependent on the machine to give him life, which meant that if Michael Knight did not merge with KARR again soon…he was going to die. Either way, the man viewed death right now as a mercy, so long as the ones he loved made it to safety.
Michael pulled a crumpled up envelope out from his pants pocket and shakily offered it up to her. Their eyes met and Sarah knew. She knew.
"Tell Mikah...I love her...I'm so sorry Sarah."
Sarah took the envelope as tears cascaded down her face, feeling as if her heart was going to shatter. She got it back in gear, diving back into KITT's interior just in time for the AI to dodge KARR's first lunge.
The man raised his face up through the soft, smoky haze and gazed up at the deep blue sky deciding to make his peace with God there and now…his time was running out…he could feel it.
As the battle between the two AI's raged around him, his eyes closed and he released a deep breath. For the first time in three months, his face relaxed into that of absolute peace as Michael Knight breathed his last...
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The battle was long…
And at last, KARR damaged KITT enough in order to make a hasty retreat, gingerly scooping up his original driver in one hand before transforming and racing off with Michael Knight's body.
Sarah screamed and begged KITT to chase after him but knew that he was unable to after sustaining such heavy damage. KARR had been ruthless, targeting KITT's nano-repair module first before unleashing the worst of the damage.
Sarah and KITT returned to their base of operations, mourning the loss of Michael Knight with Zoe and Billy while Mikah remained blissfully unaware of the world around her as she continued to sleep on.
The evil AI had learned much after his latest 'termination'. His intelligence evolved, enabling him to survive this latest encounter…nearly off-lining KITT permanently. He had been so close but KARR learned not to underestimate his opponent in this last fight with KITT. He would have his revenge…if not today…then perhaps tomorrow.
KARR repaired himself before focusing his full attention on the legally dead man before him. This was what he was programmed to handle in the event his driver was mortally wounded or in this case, dead.
The AI gently…and almost tenderly placed Michael Knight back into his cockpit and fully merged with his driver using special equipment that the human was never aware that he even possessed to completely and fully connect with him. Thanks to the top secret, miracle drug he injected Mike with before battling KITT, his death was quite temporary…bringing the human to the brink of death but not to the point that he could not be revived. The setback was that KARR…and only KARR had the power to revive him thanks to the fact that they had to merge and become one again in order for it to work.
Michael groaned and his breath hitched in his throat when an electrical shock restarted his heart. Barely conscious…he was hardly aware of what was happening around him. KARR spoke to him with all the tenderness he could manage.
When I said I would terminate you…I was truthful. But I would never dispose of you Michael Knight. You are my driver and I will protect you. You are safe with me now.
He nodded his head in reply before passing out again…most likely believing that it was KITT who was talking to him.
Regardless…KARR was now going to rejuvenate his driver. The AI was not as 'heartless' as he first led Knight to believe. A cable from within the cockpit snaked down and a needle injected into Michael's arm. The man didn't even twitch. KARR began to run an IV line, rehydrating him while also giving him nutrients through another feed injected into his other arm.
Keeping him half-starved, dehydrated, and half delirious was the only way Michael Knight could play the convincing role of the perfect bait so he could lure KITT out completely.
We have now achieved the highest level of integration… Now you will willingly help me.
A few modifications to the man's central memory core combined with the revival process would permanently alter his loyalty. KARR was well aware, how much Michael Knight meant to KITT. Why not make his arch nemesis suffer a little before his final termination? KARR's ultimate revenge was nigh.
Next time they met…the Knight Industries Three Thousand was in for a delightful surprise…
TO BE CONTINUED!!
Like it…hate it? Please review and let me know what you think! Isn't KARR just sinister? *evil laugh*
