Chapter 7
Carlee opened one eye, then the other. She ran her tongue over her teeth, and smacked her lips. Should've at least brushed my teeth last night, she thought to herself.
She had slept the sleep of the bone tired. K.I.T.T. seemed to have made it through the night without her presence, as he hadn't contacted her through the comlink.
After getting Michaela up and getting both of them some breakfast, Carlee took Michaela to Devon's office, then went back out to the garage.
Bonnie was already there, sitting at one of her computers in her work area. She had on her usual white mechanic's overalls. Her long, dark hair hung in waves around her face, which held a look of deep concentration. She looked up, though, when Carlee walked over.
"Did you sleep last night?" Carlee asked, noting the dark circles under Bonnie's eyes.
"It's overrated," Bonnie replied, stifling a yawn. "I've been researching Dr. Stalov's work. Trying to figure out what he could have done to K.I.T.T."
"And?" Carlee prompted. Bonnie glared at Carlee's nearly chipper response.
"I didn't find anything conclusive, but I have a couple of theories." Bonnie didn't elaborate any further, though. She stood and stretched, then walked over to K.I.T.T. "Pop the hood, please, K.I.T.T."
K.I.T.T. did as she asked. Bonnie then gathered up several cables that had been coiled on the floor a few feet away.
K.I.T.T.'s reaction, when Bonnie stepped toward him with the cables, was instantaneous. His engine roared to life, and his tires left black marks on the garage floor as he reversed through the closed garage door, which disintegrated on impact.
Carlee lunged after him, only to find he'd come to a halt several feet outside the ruined garage door.
"K.I.T.T.!" Carlee could see he was trembling again. "Easy!" she said, slowly approaching him. She trailed her hand over his glossy black fender, and up the windshield. "Easy!" she repeated.
Her hand dropped to the door handle, and she opened the door. She slid behind the wheel.
"K.I.T.T., who do you trust?" Carlee asked.
"You... and Bonnie," K.I.T.T. said after a slight pause.
"That's Bonnie in the garage, K.I.T.T. She wants to help you!" Carlee touched the steering wheel, caressing it comfortingly.
"The cables," K.I.T.T. shuddered.
"Don't think about the cables. Think about Bonnie and me!"
Another shudder, then K.I.T.T. shifted into drive and pulled back through the ruined door.
Bonnie stood where they had last seen her, still holding the cables.
"I'm sorry, Bonnie," K.I.T.T. said a little sheepishly.
"It's okay, K.I.T.T. I think I understand," Bonnie said, as she reached into K.I.T.T.'s exposed engine bay and attached the cables.
Carlee decided she would stay put in K.I.T.T.'s cabin, just in case he panicked again.
Bonnie returned to her computers and began running diagnostic tests on K.I.T.T.'s systems. "Just diagnostics, K.I.T.T. Things we've done thousands of times," Bonnie reassured him.
When the diagnostics were complete, Bonnie said, "Well whatever he did, there's no damage to any of your systems. Now, I'm going to take a look around and see if I can find out what he did do to you."
Bonnie began tapping keys.
Nearly two hours later, Bonnie finally found what she was looking for. "Oh, my God!"
Carlee jumped out of K.I.T.T. and ran to Bonnie's side. "What?"
"That monster!"
"What? What did he do to K.I.T.T.?"
"Those tests... He was trying to see if he could make K.I.T.T. override his base line programming."
"You mean..."
"Yes, the preservation of human life."
"And?"
"I don't think he succeeded," Bonnie sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"You don't 'think' he succeeded?" Carlee looked at Bonnie, astonished. Bonnie always had the answers. "I have to know I can trust my partner!"
Belatedly, both women realized K.I.T.T. had heard their entire conversation, as he began screaming, "Deactivate me!" over and over again.
Carlee began a litany of "No... No... I'm sorry! I'm so stupid! Never should have said that! K.I.T.T.! Please!" She ran to his side, but he refused to open the door for her.
Bonnie ran to K.I.T.T.'s other side, but he wouldn't let her in, either.
Bonnie and Carlee looked helplessly at each other across K.I.T.T.'s T-top.
"K.I.T.T., please listen to me!" Carlee begged.
The screaming finally subsided, and Carlee breathed a sigh. K.I.T.T. still wouldn't open his doors, though.
"You're right, Carlee. I can no longer be trusted. Please, deactivate me!" the anguish in his voice tore at Carlee and Bonnie.
"K.I.T.T., what is your primary function?" Carlee asked.
"The preservation of human life," K.I.T.T. replied instantly.
"Is that function something you can override?" Carlee continued.
"No, it's hardwired into my microprocessor," K.I.T.T. replied.
"So, is it possible Dr. Stalov succeeded with his tests?"
"I..." K.I.T.T. paused, uncertain.
Carlee repeated, "K.I.T.T., is it possible Dr. Stalov succeeded with his tests?"
"No," K.I.T.T. finally responded, more confident than he had been since the "tests."