Knight Rider
Remember The Knight
Part II
By Ldydeb
Over the next few weeks Devon and Selena continued the re-organization of The FLAG's business systems. Everything from budget procedures to the filing systems were studied and modified to make it more efficient. Devon waited for an opportune moment to bring up Michael's Training program. As the month drew to a close so did the project. Selena's cast had finally been removed. Her leg now just needed to rebuild the muscle and to wean herself from the cane. As she worked to become less dependent on it, she began driving her car again. She was anxious to move back into her home, to bring her sisters back.
Selena experienced her first successful investigation when the information and photographs she provided to the Foundation uncovered a baby-selling/forced prostitution racket. Devon had to acquire the help of a female police officer to work with Michael and KITT to finish the investigation Selena started. It was not long before Michael had enough evidence to present to the police who were able to arrest the people responsible including a top official at the Port Authority and a Vice President of one of Los Angeles' largest banks. Michael was forced to admit that if it not had been for Selena's initial instincts and research, he'd still be trying to fit the pieces together. Selena only had a few moment of glory before Michael was sent off on another important assignment for Devon.
Selena smiled satisfactorily. She was enjoying the beautiful afternoon as she drove her golf-style cart with Devon beside her over the grounds of FLAG. She pulled the cart into a space next to the large compound that held FLAG's main garage, science and forensics laboratories. Devon was quickly to her side, lifting her cane from the back. Selena held her tongue and took Devon's hand. She positioned the cane; "I can't wait until I don't need this thing anymore!"
The pair made their way inside, Selena only leaning on the cane a few times. Bonnie smiled the moment she noticed Devon and Selena enter. Bonnie handed Devon an envelope and then one to Selena. She informed, "I've got great news. My staff and I finally finished weeding through all those old cases. Everything has been cataloged, discarded, stored the way you suggested and Look!" She turned her computer monitor towards them, punched up a name. Immediately several windows opened on the computer screen. "No paper trail! And everything has been backed up with copies sent to different places. We have master disks stored inside a fire proof, almost indestructible container made of the same material as KITT's frame and body."
Selena smiled. She had again repaid The Foundation's trust and assistance to her. She was useful. She asked, "And the other matter we discussed?"
Bonnie nodded, "Done. We are now completely linked with several law enforcement, government, and military computers. There are several we are still awaiting approval on, but that should not take long. We will no longer be at the mercy of some file clerk or bureaucratic figurehead to get vital information. I've also given KITT the ability to get past most security programs within a system, yet remain protected from virus and other hacker programs. If anyone tries to get into KITT without clearance or proper passwords, the invading system will be directed to a special computer here."
Bonnie walked over to a large computer tower standing next to a flat 20" monitor and a large keyboard. Speakers and a LCD display of red, yellow, and green lights lined the wall behind it. She continued, "This system will let the hacker believe he is making progress while it traces the invading system and then sends two warnings. The first goes to KITT and the second to this machine. The speakers will send out an alarm while the lights will flash yellow for someone making the attempt and red for infiltration and caught into the trap. KITT and the computers on the Knight mobile until will be warned and the trace will begin."
Selena sat down at the station. She input her screen name into the system and a different password. Around them a pleasant feminine voice was heard, "Attention. Intruder access to system, security protocol initiated..." The lights overhead turned to yellow. The voice warned, "Incorrect password, please input correct information or you will be terminated."
Selena asked, "This is what will happen if someone tries to get in through our screen names?"
Bonnie nodded, "There's more. If you continue to try to guess the password, the system will let you in, then direct you into the maze of the false program. Everything about Knight Industries, FLAG, employees, KITT will all be available for the hacker to find, but the data will be falsified. If they are after money and try to redirect funds, the system will record everything they do but not proceed with the transfers. Instead the data will be transmitted to KITT and the proper authorities. KITT will be able to trace the information back to the hacker's computer including location."
Devon asked, "What happens if the intruder is working from inside the lab here?"
Bonnie replied, "They will hear the warnings as we just did. But there are built in protocols that will begin once the system verifies the intruder is here. The verbal warnings will cease and return to "normal" status while still running the fake programs.
"This means that passwords will now have to assigned by the computer, choosing a combination of numbers and letters at random. I figure everyone will get a different password each week with his or her paychecks. That password will let the individual into the programs they have clearance for and no more. Like Mary, FLAG's Head of the household staff, she only needs the computer to order supplies, pay her staff. She doesn't need nor has clearance for the investigative, the financial information, KITT's programs. Her password will make sure she doesn't venture out – even accidentally. If she did, we will know and want to know why."
Thinking over the information Bonnie gave them, Selena suggested, "The whole staff does not need to have new passwords every week or to know about the security programs. As a matter of fact, I think it would be a good idea to keep this system from the people at Knight Industries headquarters and the Board of Directors for FLAG."
Devon agreed, "Selena, can you arrange for them to choose a password? You'll need to log them so they can be stored in one of the safes."
Selena nodded, "Before the week is over."
Bonnie added, "then only Devon, You – Selena, Michael, me, and two others on KITT's team that have full security clearance will be told and only KITT will have to issue us new passwords each week."
Selena grinned, "That will irritate Michael. He hates having to use the computer. Luckily KITT responds to voices."
Laughter filled the room until overhead a voice announced, "Knight Industries Two Thousand entering garage by #5." Bonnie suggested, "Let's go him now," eliciting more giggles with Selena.
The two women walked arm-in-arm a head of Devon discussing new plans for the crime laboratory on the other side of the building. Bonnie entered a few numbers into a keypad, then each ran a magnetic-striped card through the lock near a set of very tall, wide gray metal doors. Automatically the doors opened. Selena entered the next room still in awe, even though she'd been there several times in her month as an employee. Her eyes scanned the warehouse-sized room where on one end sat FLAG's semi-truck; two customed-taylored limozines each with a computer, combination printer/copier/scanner/fax machine; Selena's own maroon convertible; Bonnie's little red mustang; Several golf-carts for getting around the property; and a space for KITT.
Selena's smile brightened. KITT was making himself at home in that sot. Attendants quickly appeared to check his systems, clean him up, and "feed him". Michael barely escaped as he emerged from inside the glistening, hard black T-top. He looked up and returned Selena's smile. She felt her heart beat increase by a beat or two, her body heating up. Then Michael looked away from her and at Devon, a question on his face. Selena turned to see Devon nod, Bonnie trying hard not to laugh. She heard Devon announce, "We have a surprise for you, Selena."
Selena was puzzled. She offered, overwhelmed with Devon's generosity, "What? Devon, you have done so much…what? Movement out of the corner of her eye found Michael approaching one of the limozines. Immediately Selena began to descend the metal stairs down to the main floor of the warehouse. She had thrown her cane to Devon and used the railing as support. But as everyone witnessed, she found herself able to almost run down. By the time she reached the bottom, a pair of young arms were thrown around her neck, kisses coming to her cheeks. Her tears moistened the head of the child she now held. "MY Baby Tina! My Dolly!" She whispered, tears straining her own voice. Her arms crushed her sister to her like an unstuffed teddy bear.
Tina did not respond, afraid to speak, afraid to break the spell. Then her own tears fell silently, her head buried against her big sister's chest. Selena cooed to the child, caressing her hair, her back. She whispered how much she loved her "Dolly" and that she was there. Her eyes lifted into the deep pools of Jasmine, the same feelings, worries held in check. Selena held out her arm and coaxed, "Jazz." The duo then became a trio.
Around them time stopped. Michael held the door of the limo, helping an older, heavyset woman from inside. Devon smile in pleasure, feeling grateful that he gave in to Bonnie's suggestion that it was time to reunite the Kirk sisters even if only for a day or two before Michael took Selena away for training.
Selena felt Tina's grip ease and her tears subsiding a bit. Jasmine stood away watching Selena continue to reassure and comfort Tina. Selena reached out Jasmine's hand as she announced, "Look!" Selena stood a little to the side, showing off her leg, "The cast is gone! I'm almost as good as new."
Squeezing her sister's hand, Tina asked, "Can we go home now?"
Selena replied, "Not just yet, Dolly. The workmen are still doing the remodeling and you know that until the trial for that bad man, you both need to stay with Aunt Dawn." If truth were to be told Selena didn't know if she ever wanted to go home. She had tried to drive over to check on the progress of the remodeling, pick out the colors for the carpeting, paint, etc. but never got further than her driveway. Great waves of nausea, headaches sent pain coursing through the rest of her body. Her hands shook uncontrollably until she drove away. Devon had been furious with her for going by herself. He wanted her to stay within the confines of FLAG property where she now lived in a large gatehouse. It was close enough to stay within their protection, yet far enough away to give her privacy. Selena knew Devon was trying to keep her safe, out of reach from the man she couldn't remember. He had not been found yet, seeming to have vanished from the face of the earth.
Jasmine offered, "Don't worry, Selena. Aunt Dawn and Uncle Chris are great!"
Selena looked over to find Michael helping a second woman, al almost exact duplicate of herself from the limo. The woman was in her mid-thirties, only about ten years older than Selena. Selena had worshiped her as a child. Selena escorted her sisters over to the limo and was again smothered in a circle of hugs.
Selena laid her head against the heavy-set woman. She felt more tears, "Aunt Marie! Thank You!"
Aunt Marie sniffled away her tears, desperately trying to keep herself from choking her niece with love. She had sat by Selena's bed in the hospital. The first few days Marie listened to her niece's ramblings, details of her horrific ordeal. It was she who stood by helpless when Selena's heart stopped and the medical team worked to bring her back. Then she watched and prayed over Selena's motionless body as it lay in a coma. Selena remembered none of it. Marie wondered if she had kept her nieces instead of sending them back when she became ill that week if things would have been different. Until Selena regained her memory, if she did, Marie would never know. In that moment, she brushed Selena's hair back and didn't respond.
Devon waited for the group of women to finish greeting each other. He, Bonnie, and Michael stood back allowing them privacy. Devon walked Michael over to KITT. He asked, "Any problems?"
Michael smiled, "None. And everything has been set up in the mountains."
Devon smiled, "Good."
Their conversation was interrupted when Michael noticed the woman he had come to know as Mrs. Dawn Herrera separated from Selena's group and walk to them. He nodded in her direction, "Devon, I'd like you to meet another of Selena's Aunts. Dawn Herrera, this is CEO of The Foundation for Law and Government Devon Miles."
Dawn greeted, her voice a deep rich alto, "Good to finally meet you in person, Mr. Miles."
Devon replied, "The same to you, Dawn. Please, as I've insisted over the telephone, it is Devon to you."
"Very well, Devon," she replied, "I was pleased when this wonderful young man of yours showed up as escort for the car that brought us down here. My nieces were very excited to see him."
Devon added, "I'm pleased you could make the trip. How are Tina and Jasmine?"
Dawn replied, "Doing well. Being able to have the freedom my home offers them has helped to bring them some healing. Tina still has nightmares; Jasmine vents herself in her paintings. I've brought some for you to see, they might just squash the defenses assertion that the girls were not kidnapped. Selena allowed that monster to keep them on that boat to help him."
Devon replied, "I'll make sure they are brought to my office. How are they adjusting to their doctors?"
Dawn reported, "Very well. Jasmine's lets her pain while they talk. Tina's has done miracles in getting her to open up and speak calmly about what happened. Now I have a few questions of my own. Has this Judson person been found yet?"
Michael spoke, "KITT and I just spent another week following a lead we received from a contact in Mexico, Dawn, but it turned out to be bogus."
Devon replied, "Like I have explained, we will let you know the moment we have him in jail. I promise to keep you family guarded until them."
Dawn asked, "How son will my nieces have to go to trial, testify?"
Devon remarked, irritation coming into his tone, "Hopefully in six weeks or so, if the defense doesn't apply for another continuance."
"Well, I still want my objection to Tina having to testify noted for the record. She has been through enough." Without waiting for a reply, the woman kissed Michael's cheek, thanked him again for making the trip to San Francisco, and then went back over to join the women.
Devon remarked, amused and admiring, "A very formidable woman."
Michael laughed, "You don't know the half of it, Devon. I only wish Judson had to face her! We could put her on the stand."