Disclaimer: Wish i did own Knight Rider... hehe but i dont.. Song: You'll Be In My Heart is by Phil Collins. And i dont own that either :P
Sorry for leaving the last chapter the way i did. Funny thing is i had most of the story mapped out in my mind but i couldnt figure out a suitable test for them. I finally decided on this one.
Knight of Truth
Chapter 4: Beyond Programming
Michael put every ounce of power he could find in trying to break free of what ever was holding him.
Fighting it will not get you anywhere... you must trust in your partners ability to free you. And trust in your own ability to free him. The voice was still quiet, and yet deadly serious.
He growled in frusteration, and wished with all his heart that Kitt was alright. Calming slightly, he took the time to look around. There wasnt anything holding him in place. He sat upon a small hillside near a dirt road. He sifted through programs, some of which, would not grant him access. Finally finding the program he was looking for he set about running a complete systems check. What he found, scared him. System after system was shutting down, yet he could not find a reason for it. There were no viruses. No damage that he could find. And yet major systems were shutting down. As more and more systems went down, he tried to fight it. It was no use though. He began to shut down systems he didnt need to conserve energy.
Kitt had covered alot of ground in a couple of hours, but had found no trace of Michael. Exhausted he sank on to a fallen log, folding his arms across his knees he buried his head against them.
The voice he had heard before came again, just as soft and quiet as before. Ready to give up? I would have thought you werestronger then that.
Kitt lookedaround tiredly. "What is it that you want from me? Why dont you just take me to Michael?"
If i was to take you there it would prove nothing, except that you dont care... dont trust...
Kitt sighed and stood up, moving tiredly on. He wasnt used to this body still. Wasnt used to the way it could feel pain or get wore out. He could still feel the presence of the being that had caused this, could feel it hovering at the edges of his mind.
Michael shifted idly through stuff inside the cpu, he was bored and had no idea what he could do to find Kitt as most of the cars systems had already dhut down. Wincing as he came across a file obviously containing what Kitt liked in music, he started to push it aside until one song kept seperate from the others caught his attention. Wondering why it was in a seperate file he started to play it.
Come stop your crying, it will be all right
Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here don't you cry
Kitt jumped as he heard the soft lyrics coming from the presence that still hovered in his mind. Recognising them he closed his eyes and simply listened, letting his feet lead him in the direction he could feel they were coming from.
For one so small,you seem so strong
My arms will hold you keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
Why can't they understand the way we feel
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
Don't listen to them, cause what do they know
We need each other, to have and to hold
They'll see in time, I know
When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I may not be with you, but you gotta hold on
They'll see in time, I know
We'll show them together cuz...
You'll be in my heart
I believe, you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart always
Always...
I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always
As the song died away the entity pulled itself out of Kitts reach. As he felt the presense vanish he open his eyes and looked around him. He was near a dirt road that lead down a small hill. His eyes slowly rested on the top of the hill and his heart jumped as he saw the black car sitting there. He was off and running before he even realised it.
Michael was stunned at the power behind the song, its simple lyrics expressing so much. Suddenly hearing running feet he tried to activate his scanner but realised it was one of the many systems no longer working. His door opened a second later and someone slid in.
"Michael...? Michael? Are you ok?" Kitts voice was anxious as he noticed all the lights that would normally be lit up were dark.
"Kitt! You cant know how good it is to hear your voice." His own voice was getting quieter as he talked sounding tired and distant.
"Whats wrong? You sound so tired..."
"The cars systems are shutting down... I cant even see anymore... I dont know what to do..." Michaels voice was continueing to soften.
"Michael... perhaps..." Kitts voice was trembling with worry.
"What Kitt?"
"No... I dont think i can do it... It goes against everything..." He dropped his head to press his forehead against the steering wheel.
"Out with it Kitt!"
"If we shut down all the systems... Theres a chance that Bonnie can bring you back... But theres also the chance that it could kill you... That we wouldnt be able to bring the systems back online.
Michael groaned softly. "Theres no other way, Kitt. Do it."
"I cant... I cant take a life... and theres the definate possiblity that it wouldnt work... You'd die... Im supposed to protect you." Kitt could feel a wetness under his eyes and he lifted a finger to wipe it away, stunned.
"Kitt, there are times ive seen you go beyond your programming... youve done it from the day i met you. Please Kitt... If im your friend... if you trust me..."
"I trust you Michael, I always have..." Kitt was openly crying now, sliding a trembling hand to the pad of buttons below the gear shift, he hesitated. "I swear we will do everything in our power to bring you back..."
"I know Kitt... but i want you to know im glad to have known you... to have had a friend like you..."Michaels voiced had died to the point of near inaudiblity.
"Goodbye Michael... I'm sorry..." Tears slid freely down Kitts cheeks as he pressed the first two buttons in the sequence to start the shut down.
"Dont be... sorry... good...bye...buddy..." Michaels voice died away completely.
Kitt closed his eyes and swallowed hard as he pressed the last two buttons. As his finger pushed the last one, the world around them disapeared in a blinding white light.The light died away to a world that was completely dark, yet he wasnt alone. He could feel the presence of the one responcible for all this near by. And with a stunned surprise he realised he could feel Michaels presence as well.
Im impressed... you both have passed the test.
Michaels voice rose, full of anger. "You had no right to hold us, to test us!"
Didnt i? It was something that had to be done... You were finally able to trust Kitt completely...Believe that he would do the right thing. And Kitt was able to bypass his very programming to do what he trusted was the right thing to do.
"You used us!"
Have i? In any case you both haveearned the rightto continue... think about what you have learned this night.
The voice died away despite Michael and Kitts protests. Once again there was the blinding white light, then complete darkness.
KITT: Thanks for the advice, and while i attempted to make an improvement on this one i will do much better on the next one. :P
