Chapter 7
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Michael pulled up a stool from behind him to sit down. "It's great to hear from ya, Devon." He had just spent some time sailing on the lake, reminiscing about his former life. "How are you? How's Kitt, Bonnie, and RC?"
"They're all fine, Michael. Bonnie's still our top technician, and RC has moved back to Chicago to prevent crime in his old neighborhood."
"Not the whole Street Avenger gig again."
Devon laughed. "Nothing quite that drastic. He's employed by the police department there."
"And Kitt?" asked Michael.
"He's doing remarkably well." Devon had to smile to himself after finding him with Cara that morning.
"And yourself?" Michael thought Devon sounded tired to him. He could tell, but he knew he would never admit it.
"As well as can be expected." said Devon. "I've called you because I need a favor."
"Oh, Devon, come on. We've been through this. I'm happy where I am now, quiet sunrises, fishing, making a living off something I've always wanted to do..."
"Michael, the last thing I want to do is disrupt your life, but I must speak with you. I have to see you back at FLAG Headquarters."
"Devon…" Michael started to say.
"Please, Michael, I'm not asking as a former employer, but as a friend."
Michael sighed. He couldn't refuse him when he put it like that. He grabbed his pocket planner. "Okay, Devon. When you put it that way. Is two days soon enough for you?"
"Yes, that will be perfect. I'll see you then. Goodbye, Michael."
"Bye, Devon. See ya then." He hung up the phone and sat there for a while, smiling to himself. He couldn't wait to see his friends again, especially Kitt, but sometimes it was painful to remember. He also wondered what the favor was that Devon was going to ask.
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(A couple days later.)
Jonathan sat at Harrison's desk. "What is taking you so damn long to get her back?" he asked him, pacing around.
"It's easier said than done, Alex. That car…he's very protective of her. He watches her like a hawk."
"He?" scoffed Harrison. "Come on, Brusner. You and I both know that car's an 'it' a mere computer in a vehicle, incapable of emotions."
"But what about 'Project S'?" asked the younger man. "Didn't she and the experiment form a close friendship as well?" He had heard the girl talking to 'Project S' at night, and it seemed to him that both the Knight 2000 and the experiment were capable of having feelings.
"A technicality, I assure you. 'S' will do as it's told. Which why I asked you here. Forget the girl for now. There's something I need before the project is ready for activation."
"What's that?"
"I need for you to sneak into Mile's office and get the formula for the molecular bonded shell. He keeps it in his safe. I'll go with you and be waiting outside with the truck."
"Alright." said Jonathan, getting up. "Is that all?"
"See if you can get the activation device off her."
"But what if I can't?" asked Jonathan. He didn't want to bring her back to CompuTech just so Alex could get his hands on some stupid necklace.
"Figure out a way. Even if you have to hurt her to do it."
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Cara was driving Kitt as fast as she could back to the Foundation. "We better hurry if I want to get dinner ready in time."
"What are you preparing?"
"Italian pasta, salad, and a homemade pie."
"Sounds wonderful. Too bad you can't put it in car oil."
She laughed. "Devon said he'll let me cook because we're having a guest tonight. Any ideas on who it is?"
"None." said Kitt. "He's been acting odd these past few days. He insisted that I hurry to bring you back to the Foundation while you were shopping."
"Hmm. Wonder what he's up to." They made their way up the long drive to the mansion. Just as Kitt pulled up, they noticed Devon was walking over to a man in a red '57 Chevy that had just arrived.
Devon opened the door for Michael, who got out of the car and hugged him. "Ah, Devon. It's good to see ya."
"Likewise, Michael. We've all missed you."
Just then Bonnie appeared in the doorway. "Devon, what are you up…to…?" Michael let go of Devon and turned to her. 'Some things never change.' he thought. 'She's as beautiful as the day we met.'
Bonnie couldn't believe it. 'Michael?' After all these years. "Michael, is it really…."
"Hello, Bonnie." Michael smiled.
Bonnie then ran into his arms, hugging him. She let go. "How are you?"
"Good, Bonnie. I've been real good. And you're still a knock-out." She playfully swatted his arm. "See?" They laughed.
Cara got out and began to unload her groceries. Kitt noticed the man Devon and Bonnie were talking to. His systems almost did a double take when he realized who it was. "Michael?" he gasped. He started to roll over to the small group of people.
Cara started after him. "Kitt, wait! The groceries!" But he didn't hear her.
Michael saw the Pontiac come towards him. For the both of them, it was as though the years had faded away. It was like they were back on a long stretch of highway, looking for another adventure. Butch and Sundance.
Michael was the first to speak. "Hey, pal. I missed ya." He put his arms out.
"Hold it right there."
Michael put his arms down. "What?"
"How do I know you're not some manifestation of my circuitry going haywire?" he asked him.
"Go ahead and analyze me if you want to, Kitt. You'll see it's me." Michael offered.
"And you reek of fish!" said Kitt.
"Hey, you try running a bait and trade shop and come out smelling like a bed of roses."
"Anything would be an improvement." Kitt's tone then became softer. "I missed you too, Michael. It's good to see you again." He opened his door and Michael got in. Bonnie and Devon walked over, all four of them chatting and reminiscing.
Cara started to back away. She was confused by the way the two former partners spoke to each other. She also felt out of place at this small reunion, so she grabbed what bags she could.
It was then that Michael noticed the pretty redhead nearby. He got out of the car. "And who is this?"
"Michael, say hello to Miss Cara Bennett. She's in training to be our new operative. Cara, this is Mike Baily, formerly known as Michael Knight." Devon said.
They shook hands. "You can call me Michael." He looked her over. This woman? She had such a small frame. What was Devon thinking? But he saw something in her eyes that told him she was a fighter deep down. He also got a feeling of déjà vu looking at her. He had seen those eyes before from somewhere. But then again he had met a lot of people in his former life.
"It's nice to meet you, Michael." said Cara. "Kitt's told me a lot about you."
"All good I hope."
"I'm not a miracle worker, Michael." said Kitt. Everyone laughed.
"I hope you're hungry." said Devon. "Cara here is going to prepare quite feast for us. Bonnie, help her with her things, will you?"
"Sure." she said. Michael reached out and grabbed Bonnie's hand for a second. They both smiled at each other. She then grabbed a grocery bag and headed in.
Cara walked over to Kitt to get the last bag, never taking her eyes off Michael. "I'll see you later, Kitt." She was feeling unwanted suddenly. Why would Devon invite Michael back after all this time?
"I'll be waiting here, Cara." Kitt said. She gently patted his hood, then went inside. Michael noticed the way Kitt spoke to her and watched the girl with interest.
He turned his attention to Devon. "So, what did you ask me here for? You've got a new agent and everyone seems to be doing okay."
"Let's discuss it in my office, shall we?" said Devon.
"Sure." He spoke to the car before heading in. "Don't run off with any other cars until I get back, buddy. You and I have a lot of things to talk about."
"Such as your new tastes in clothes and automobiles?" asked Kitt, referring to his plaid shirt and Chevy.
"Boy have I missed you." said Michael. Both men laughed as they headed upstairs.
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They went up to Devon's office and sat down. "Okay, Devon, what's this 'big favor' you want from me?" asked Michael.
"Now, Michael, let me finish before you say yes or no." Michael gave him his full attention. Devon sighed and began. "As you know, I've been getting on in years and I'm not the man I used to be."
"Devon, you sounded tired on the phone. You been feeling alright?"
"Please," he continued, "I want to make sure all FLAG business in order. When Wilton became ill, he left me in charge. I'm afraid to say the time has come for me to do the same."
It became clear to Michael what Devon was going to ask him. "Devon, no. I can't. I couldn't…can't someone else do this? How about Bonnie? I can't take over FLAG." He got up and began to pace around.
Devon walked over to him. "Michael, Wilton picked you to carry on his legacy, his dream. It's my last and final duty to see that dream doesn't die with me." Michael looked away. He was torn. He loved the life he was currently living, but his missed his old life, his old family. "Please, Michael. I need to know someone will take care of the others when I'm gone. You're the only man I trust enough in the world that can do that."
Michael looked at his mentor. It was a big responsibility. But how could he deny him when he spoke like that? How could he deny Devon his last wish? And second chances didn't come around everyday.
"Well," he said finally, after some thought, "I suppose it's time I did hand the bait shop over to Mel anyway. Besides, I do kinda miss this place." He smiled.
Devon shook his hand. "Welcome home, my boy. Welcome home."
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Downstairs, Cara was preparing their dinner. She chopped the vegetables madly, not caring if she even cut off a finger. Why would Devon ask Michael back? Maybe he wanted him to return to his old post. Maybe Kitt would want to work with him instead. Maybe there was no place for her here.
Michael came down into the kitchen and saw what she was doing. He came up from behind her. She heard footsteps. She turned around with the knife in her hand. Cara saw a brief memory for a moment, one of another man in front of a knife. But the image quickly faded.
Michael jumped. "Hey, whoa!" he said. "Remind me never to sneak up on you."
"Michael! You scared me. You shouldn't scare people like that."
"Sorry. Old habits are hard to break." She went back to cutting the food. "You know, Bonnie's allergic to onions."
"Don't worry. I made her a special batch."
"That's nice of you. You okay? You looked kind of upset when I came in here."
"I'm fine, it's just the onions."
"Uh-huh. I heard that one before. Come on. What is it?"
She looked at him. She wanted to be mad at him, but she couldn't. It wasn't his fault she wasn't wanted. "What's there to be upset about? Devon obviously wants you back to take my place. That's all there is to it." She went back to cooking.
Michael stopped her. "Hey. Is that what you think? Cara, you're not being replaced. Just the opposite. Devon wants me to head up FLAG in the future." He smiled at her. "That means we'll be working together, too, so don't worry about a thing okay?"
He then got a better look into her eyes. They had small flecks of green in them and went perfectly with her red hair. They also reminded him of someone he once knew a long time ago. But he brushed the memory away.
"Alright." said Cara. "Sorry, Michael. I'm not usually like this."
"Think nothing of it. We all get upset sometimes." He noticed the necklace she was wearing. It was odd and beautiful at the same time. "Wait." He held the pendant in his hand. "That's pretty. Where'd you get it?"
"I had itthe night Kitt and Devon found me."
"Come again?" asked Michael. "Start at the beginning." Cara proceeded to tell him about the night Kitt found her and how she had no memory about herself. "So you don't remember 'anything' from your old life."
"No. Just flashbacks every now and then, but nothing that tells me who I am."
"Wow." He got up from the stool. "So, mind if I help you with dinner here?"
"Sure." said Cara. "But we aren't having cheeseburgers if that's what you're wondering."
"Oh, you've definitely been spending too much time with Kitt." teased Michael.
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At dinner, Devon made it official to Bonnie and Cara, Michael would be returning to the Foundation. Bonnie could hardly contain herself. Cara put on her best face, although she was still unsure about all of this. They both congratulated Michael. Later on, she hurried outside to Kitt.
"How was dinner?" he asked.
"Great. Boy, Michael sure can eat. Good thing I made a second pot of that stuff. Hope he realizes that's gonna hurt once it's digested."
"I'll remember that when he comes out here and I'm downwind." said Kitt.
She laughed. "Kitt, I was wondering."
"Yes?"
She pulled out a sketch pad and pencil. "Can I draw your portrait?"
"I'd be honored." Cara sat on a nearby bench. "Be sure to get my good side." he said. She chuckled and worked carefully, making sure she got Kitt just right.
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Michael watched from Devon's window. They were going over the specifications of Cara's first case. He noticed the way she observed Kitt while drawing him.
"Michael? Are you listening to a word I'm saying?" asked Devon.
"Huh? Oh yeah, Devon. So, any ideas on what this Harrison guy's working on?"
"None whatsoever. However, we did manage to learn he received a very large shipment a few weeks ago." He got up and stood next to Michael, smiling at what had his attention.
"Devon, what do you think of that?" asked Michael.
"Ah yes. I must say Kitt is rather smitten with the young lady." He sat down. "He makes quite a fuss over her. Even had Jacob change her diet which improved her health a great deal."
"And this doesn't bother you?"
"Not really. I've told Kitt to be careful because they must be able to work together. But it is not my place to say what he can and cannot feel. He's grown since he was first activated, Michael. You know that as well as I."
"Yeah, I know. I'll take care of him, Devon. I'll take care of both of them."
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Devon and Michael weren't the only ones watching Cara and Kitt. The pickup truck silently pulled up, out of view. The driver was watching the woman closely.
Alex watched the girl with jealous eyes. How dare she give her warmth and attention to a car? A machine? It took all he could not to run over to her, throw her into the truck, and drive back to CompuTech. But there'd be time to get her later. They were here on business.
"Why couldn't we bring your car?" asked Jonathan.
"Because you're the one posing as the groundskeeper. They won't suspect you…yet."
"Maybe you should get someone else. I don't want anyone to get hurt, especially her." He started to get out of the truck.
"Hey!" Alex grabbed him and pulled him back in. "It's 'your' fault she's even here in the first place! You don't want to see her hurt? Then I suggest you follow my orders."
Alex held him so tight, Jonathan swore he heard a cracking sensation . "Remember what I did to Sharon? She didn't look so good after three broken bones and four cracked ribs, did she? And they never did find out what I did with the body."
Jonathan shuttered. No. But he knew. Alex had thrown the woman into CompuTech's nuclear reactor. That's what Alex did to all his animal experiments when he was done with them. "Alright, Alex. I'll do it. Just leave her alone." He wondered why he let it get this far. Why did he even bring her to CompuTech in the first place?
"Good. Now, once it's dark you're going to sneak up to Mile's office." Alex handed him a device. "Use this to open the safe. Climb down the balcony once you have the formula and I'll pull up." Jonathan got out of the truck.
"Oh and 'Joel'," said Alex, using his alias. "Don't fail me. It'd be a shame for her to go through another tragedy. She has enough guilt to deal with as it is."
Jonathan nodded and walked towards the house. Alex was right. She could 'never' find out what had happened.
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