Chapter 11

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Cara drove for nearly an hour, deep in thought, trying to recover her memory. She was also thinking of other questions she could ask Star. Like what her real name was, where was her family. She could have kicked herself for not asking those things. And what did Star mean by 'punish'? What could she have possibly done to be punished for? For some reason, she didn't think she wanted to know the answer to that question.

"I wish you wouldn't do that." Kitt said once they got back into the city.

"Do what?"

"You are trying too hard to recover your memory. If Star's right, I don't want you having a relapse."

"I won't. This is just too weird. Why was I at CompuTech in the first place? Why would they want 'me' as Star's pilot?" She then thought about what the other car had said. "Kitt, despite what this Harrison guy wants, I want you to know I would never hurt you, or the Foundation."

"I know, Cara. I trust you."

"Thanks, Kitt. Here, take over for a sec." She pressed the auto cruise button, then took off her necklace and put in the analyzer. "What can you tell me about my necklace?"

"You mean other than the fact that it's a highly advanced piece of equipment?" he asked.

"Like what kind of jewel is that for starters."

A graphic came up on the screen and Kitt zoomed in on the jewel. A reading in small print came up. "It's known as a 'Blue Moon Diamond'. Named after the 'Blue Moon Rose'. Both are extremely rare." Small lines went across the star on the graphic. "There are many microchips and wires inside, and the star is made of pure silver."

"Must be worth a lot." said Cara.

"The worth of the diamond alone is…" More readings came up. "roughly nine million dollars."

Cara whistled as she picked up the necklace and looked it over. "Whoa. I've been wearing that much around my neck? Someone must have really liked me enough to give it to me."

"And do anything to get it back." said Kitt.

"That's what worries me."

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The man following them in his black van picked up his radio. "Headquarters, come in."

"Headquarters. What do you have for me, Smitz?" asked Dedra.

"I haven't found Brusner, but I've located the girl in the black car. Awaiting further instructions."

"Good. Kill them both."

"But Miss Vale, Mr. Harrison gave me specific instructions not to harm the girl."

"I know very well what Mr. Harrison ordered you to do. Now I'm telling you to kill them. He wants that car out of the way, and that girl's been a thorn in my side since day one. Now, go." She hung up.

"Whatever you say." said the hit man, putting his radio aside.

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"Cara," said Kitt, "that van has been following us for the past twenty minutes."

"Anything suspicious about it?" she asked him.

"It has the CompuTech logo on it's license plate. It's increasing speed as we speak."

Cara turned a corner quickly as the van did the same. It moved in closer as they passed another car. The van then hit Kitt from behind.

"What's this new obsession with my back end all of a sudden?" he asked, annoyed.

"I don't think it's you, Kitt." said Cara. "Someone back at CompuTech must want 'my' butt out of the way."

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Jonathan was resting in his truck when he saw the Knight 2000 drive by. He sat up when he noticed Cara behind the wheel. He also saw that they were being followed by one of Dedra's men.

"Oh man!" he said. "Dedra just doesn't know when to give up." He started the truck and went after them.

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The man in the van was getting more aggressive. "We gotta shake 'em, Kitt." said Cara, trying to get away. She looked into the rear view mirror and took notice of something. "Do you see what I see back there?"

"It appears to be the man who stole the formula last night."

"What's he doing?" They watched as the rusty truck tried to ram the van.

The hit man called out his window. "Brusner, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Leave her alone, ya hear me? Leave her alone!"

"You're nuts. I'm following orders." He swerved to hit the truck.

"Vale's orders, I bet!" He swerved back.

Cara made a turn. "Cara, be careful." Kitt warned. "The street gets narrow up here." They stopped in between to buildings. It was a dead end. They turned around. The van and truck were coming right at them. Cara stepped on the gas and pressed ski mode, sending Kitt onto his right, narrowly missing both vehicles. Both the truck and the van were sent flying into the metal fence, the van hitting a garbage disposal.

"Is the guy in the truck okay?" Cara asked.

"Yes, Cara. His vitals are normal under the circumstances. Why do you ask?"

"Just a feeling." she said, speeding away. "Let's get back to FLAG before we get anymore surprises."

Smitz tumbled out of the van and made his way over to the pickup. He opened the door and grabbed Jonathan. "Well, Brusner, so, you workin' for FLAG now like she is?"

"No. I just don't want to see Carrie hurt."

"Uh huh." Smitz pulled out a gun. "You're comin' back to CompuTech with me. I'm sure Harrison's gonna love to hear you talk your way outta this one." He pulled Jonathan out of the truck and threw him into his van.

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When Kitt and Cara returned to the Foundation, they found Michael and Bonnie looking over Star in the garage. Bonnie went over her, using many of the instruments she used on Kitt for maintenance.

"Hey guys." said Cara, getting out.

"Hey." Michael said. "Have a nice ride?"

"Well, we did. Until a van from CompuTech showed up." She went on to tell them about the chase and how 'Joel' had showed up.

"They're getting more determined, Michael." Kitt said.

"Sure looks that way, buddy." Michael then directed his attention to the new AI. "They aren't going to give up, are they, Star?"

"No, Michael. Mr. Harrison is a very impatient man. He won't stop until he has me and Carrie back."

"By that you mean any means necessary?"

"Yes."

"Well, that settles it." said Michael, walking over to Cara. "I don't want you or Star leaving the Foundation until further notice."

"Oh please." said Cara. "I can handle this."

"Don't be too sure. These guys went through all this trouble of building Star to destroy Kitt. Who knows what they have planned to get to you."

"Stop trying to act like my father, Michael. I'm the agent and this is my case."

"That may be, but I'm in charge now, remember?" Michael retorted.

"Not yet, you're not. I take my orders from Devon, not you!" She turned and walked out of the garage.

"That went well." said Bonnie.

Star moved forward. "Let me talk to her." She began to make her way out.

"Not without me, you're not." said Kitt.

"You still don't trust me, do you?"

"No."

"Fine, we'll go together then." Michael and Bonnie watched as the two cars slowly took off down the road. The guards watched Star carefully.

"They really care about her." Bonnie said. She looked at Michael. "I'm sure she didn't mean it. Don't be too upset at her, Michael."

"Ah. I'm alright. Ya know, it's funny."

"What?"

"I forgot how frustrating this job can be." said Michael.

"Yeah," she said, chuckling, "but you're forgetting something else."

"Huh?"

"That somehow it always turns out alright in the end." He chuckled and helped her clean up.

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Cara stomped over to a bench and plopped down. How dare he order her around? She was the new operative now and this was her case. And somehow, CompuTech was the key to who she was. She wasn't about to let Michael get in the way.

She heard two turbine engines behind her. "Cara.."

"Kitt, look. I'm real sorry I talked to your friend like that. But he can't expect me to just sit here and wait around."

"Michael means well." he said. "He's only trying to help."

"Save your breath, Kitt." Star said. "She's always been headstrong. Someone tells her not to do something, then, she does it."

"Sounds just like Michael."

Cara got up from the bench and faced them. "Star, what can you tell me about myself?"

"Just about anything. What would you like to know? I know everything from your favorite food, movies, music…"

"Music's a good start." said Cara.

"Okay, music. You have a lot of tastes. You especially enjoy Sheryl Crow."

"What?" said Kitt. "What about classical?"

"She likes Debussy, if you consider him classical." Cara smiled. "What?" asked Star.

"It's not important." said Cara. "So, what's my real name?"

"I can only tell you your first name, Carrie."

"You can't even tell me my own name?"

"No. Most of what you remember must be on your own. I won't do anything to compromise your health and safety, either physical or otherwise."

Kitt was impressed at how Star wanted to protect her. That definitely made her different from Karr. "How old is she?" he asked.

"Twenty-two. Date of birth, June 29, 1982." said Star.

"Cancer." Cara said, though she didn't know why.

"Yes. You're very good with those kinds of things. Astrology, meditation and the like. You get that from your adopted…" Star trailed off. She had said too much.

"My…what?" asked Cara. The car didn't answer. "Star?"

"Your…adopted mother." was the answer.

"Where is she?"

"She passed away six years ago."

"What about her biological parents?" Kitt asked.

Star didn't want to answer. Jonathan should have been the one to say it. "Go on, Star. It's okay." said Cara. "I mean I gotta have parents somewhere, right?"

"Carrie…I'm sorry, but…they both passed away a long time ago."

"What?" asked Cara. "You mean even if I regain my memory, I still won't remember them?"

"Yes, sadly." said Star.

"How did they die?"

"Please understand. There are some things I cannot share with you. I can't risk a relapse. I'm sorry, Carrie. I know this must be frustrating, but…"

"It's okay, Star." she said. "I just needed to know."

"Are you okay?" asked Kitt. He felt sorry for her, her memory gone, some mad scientist was out to get her, and now, she didn't even have a family to go home to if she recovered.

She got into the car and sat back. "Let's just go back okay?" The past twenty-four hours had taken a lot out of her.

"Allow me. You must be drained." He started back for the garage. "Come along, Star. Although I'm still not sure I want you as a roommate."

"As long as you don't snore." said Star, following him.

"Parish the thought." Cara laughed at his comment.

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