Randi was starting to feel good about their trip. After a full night of driving, KITT had gotten them all the way to Arizona, meaning that they only had another twelve hours or so before they finally reached FLAG headquarters in San Francisco--provided FLAG was still there. It has to be, she told herself, unwilling to let doubts drag her down. She'd had too much dragging her down the past few days. Far too much. No, don't go there. She had since whittled the twelve hours down to three, getting them inside the California state border.

Another plus was that KITT had not picked up any Black Rings communications nearby during that time. It could have been that they were just lying low, but it could also mean that they had lost the trail. Randi told herself that it had to be the latter. Either way, it looked like they were going to reach San Francisco safely.

"...but Garthe's arrogance would not let him turn, and when Michael and I got out of the way, they went right over the cliff. And that was that for Goliath," KITT finished.

"That Garthe sounds like a real jerk," Randi commented. "I'm glad he's gone."

"So am I," KITT agreed.

They passed a sign for another town, and Randi changed lanes. "Let's stop and get gas, and then you can tell me another story. Did you guys ever run into KARR again?"

"We certainly did! I take it I'm not boring you?"

"Boring me? Of course not!" Randi flicked the turn signal and moved onto the off-ramp. "These stories are amazing, KITT, and you have such a wonderful way of telling them."

"Thank you, Randi," he said. "That's very kind of you to say so."

Randi smiled. "It's nothing but the truth. Do you see a gas station around here that does cash payment?"

KITT quickly located one, and Randi soon had his tank filled up. His mileage was incredible, but apparently lower than it was supposed to be. Probably a result of having been in storage for so long, she thought. Then she went into the store to pay, and decided to get a cup of coffee while she was at it.

She was coming out of the store, coffee cup in one hand when a black car pulled into the gas station at a high speed, tires squealing. KITT exclaimed, "Randi, they're here!" and she was galvanized into action. As she started to run for KITT, someone sprang out of the other car, throwing something at her. Randi barely had enough time to duck and keep running, but then something caught her leg. She went down with a grunt.

Randi didn't stop to look and instead scrambled to her feet. Someone, the person who had been in the car, was running at her. She had nothing on hand to--wait, the coffee! Tearing off the top of the cup still clutched in her hand, Randi tossed the entire thing at her masked attaker. She followed that with a punch that jarred her arm and threw the attacker back into the gas pump.

She took one step towards KITT, pulling out of his place behind the pump, and turned at the sudden screech of tires. She barely had time to register that the other car was headed straight for her, and that KITT was sounding a warning before she threw herself back, trying to avoid the collision.

She wasn't quite fast enough. She felt pain stab through her leg as it was struck by the front end of the car, spinning her around. Then her head hit something hard.

Randi realized that she was lying on the ground. Her head was throbbing, and it was hard to see. She moved her hands, trying to lift herself up, and felt pain. Glass. There was broken glass on the ground. And--why was her face wet? What happened? Where was--

"KITT?" she managed, the name slurred. "Wher're you? ...KITT?" She tried to lift her head, and the world spun. Why couldn't she see straight?

"Randi!" There was KITT. He sounded as if he had been calling for a while. Was he worried? Where was he? "Randi, get in!"

There. Beside her, with his door open. What was that screeching and shouting? Didn't they know she had a headache? "KITT?"

"Randi, get in quickly! Randi, just get up!" She wanted to rest, to sleep. "Randi, no! Get up!" She raised her hand towards KITT. "That's it! Get up! Hurry!"

She grabbed the seatbelt and pulled herself into a half-sitting position. "That's it, Randi, now get in quickly! Pull!"

Everything was blurry. Just a little nap. Was that water in her eyes? No, it was blood. Vinh.

"Randi, get in!"

"Vinh..."

"What-- Yes, Vinh wants you to get in. Quickly!" KITT. He was here to protect her. To help... Randi pulled, dragging herself into the vehicle. They were moving. Where were they going? Why did her head hurt so much? "Hold on, Randi. Stay with me." The voice was distant, fading. She felt warm, comfortable. Tired, too. So tired...

"Randi!"

The world went dark.