One Down, Another Up
The girls had barely enough warning to get out of the way before KITT plowed through the wall, KARR in hot pursuit. KITT slammed on the brakes, spinning in a tight circle. He was trying to get KARR away from the hole he had created, trying to maneuver the other vehicle into a more favorable position. Heather and Jess split to one side, Raven to the other, as KITT and KARR went nose-to-nose.
KARR's engine roared in angry protest, but KITT was fueled by more than just revenge. Slowly, he began to back KARR into the corner.
"We have to help him!" Heather shouted over the squealing tires. KITT was gaining ground, but slowly, oh so slowly. KARR was putting up more of a fight than she thought he would.
"How?" Raven called back. "I think they pretty much have everything under control."
There was the sudden sound of a groan from behind them, and Jess sprang into action. "Raven, take care of Travis. Me and Heather will help KITT!" she ordered. Raven grinned, the look on her face positively evil.
"With pleasure." She stalked towards Travis, murder in her eyes. Heather and Jess searched for something to use against KARR. Raven found a fragmented bowling pin and hefted it, gripping the neck with both hands. Heather discovered a strip of metal that could substitute as a crowbar.
Everything was happening quickly now. Travis was back on his feet and angry, KARR was revving his engine for another go at KITT. There was no time for fear. Instinct took over.
KARR shot forward, his front bumper slamming into KITT's. There was an angry panic in KARR's actions. He knew he was in trouble. He hadn't anticipated KITT's fire – that he would protect these girls as fiercely as he protected his first partner. But things were already moving too fast. There was no time to back out and save himself. KARR had to follow through.
KITT slammed on the gas, struggling to push KARR back. The Firebird's front fender was bending under the pressure. Jess and Heather attacked KARR from the left, shoving the makeshift crowbar under the lip of the hood and using their combined strength to push.
Travis glared at Raven, clearly recovered from the earlier fight. Raven doubted he was feeling any pain now. He was probably in shock from blood loss anyway. She raised her makeshift club. He charged, slamming his shoulder into her stomach just as she brought the pin down on top of his head. They collapsed to the ground and lay there, still. Raven gasped in pain, trying to catch her breath.
Suddenly, KARR's engine died. The hood finally popped open. Everything fell silent. The only sound was the familiar wine of KITT's engine. Heather leaned against the hood, breathing hard. Jess was trembling as Raven slowly pushed herself to her feet. "Is it over?" she asked. Jess shrugged.
"I think so." she said. "Are you all right?"
Raven shook her head. "I'll be fine." she assured her. "It's just a bruise."
"More like a few fractured ribs." KITT muttered. "Jess, help her get in." He swung his passenger door open.
"I am not an invalid!" Raven snapped. Jess ignored her and helped her into the car. Raven continued to mutter under her breath, and Jess and KITT laughed at something she said.
Heather turned her focus to KARR. She pushed his hood up and started poking around. KITT's scanners abruptly switched from Raven and Jess, who were now safe inside his cab, to Heather. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "KARR's still dangerous."
"I know." Heather grunted. "I'm looking for something." Suddenly she reached inside the engine, struggled with something for a moment, and straightened up. A small black box, about five inches by ten inches, was cradled gently in her arms. "Is this KARR?"
KITT seemed to shudder. "Yes."
"Good." Heather slid into the driver's seat and closed her eyes. "Let's get back to the garage. Borden and Drake are probably scared out of their minds."
"We're taking KARR with us?" Raven asked, an odd note in her voice.
Heather nodded tightly. "Would you rather leave him for someone else to find?"
"Point." Jess sighed. "Let's just go home. I want a nap." KITT chuckled as he guided them out of the bowling alley and back to freedom.
/---/
Borden stared at KITT as the AI finished his account of the fight. "So Travis is still alive?" he demanded.
"He has a 20% probability of surviving his injuries." KITT said, sounding oddly subdued. Borden hissed in anger.
"I'll take care of that." he muttered. Louder, he added, "What do you want to do with KARR?"
"The girls and I have decided not to kill him." KITT confirmed. "He's defenseless in his current state. I believe Raven asked Drake to find a way to hook him up into Raven's computer so we can communicate with him. Who knows? They might hit it off."
"KARR tried to kill you before." Borden reminded him.
"KARR is not my enemy." KITT said tiredly. "I am no longer with FLAG. I don't want to fight him anymore."
Borden considered it, then nodded. "Just KITT now. Not Knight Industries Two Thousand." he murmured.
"Exactly."
"You're hoping to say the same about KARR."
"Something like that."
Once again, they fell silent. Suddenly, Borden smiled. "Don't worry about it. If anyone can bring KARR over to the Dark Side, it's these girls."
"KARR already is on the Dark Side." KITT protested.
"Not our Dark Side." Borden said with a grin.
KITT laughed. Someone entered the front part of the garage, the reception area where Heather, Jess, Raven, and Drake were relaxing and indulging themselves with sweet tea. KITT tuned in.
"We're closed." Heather said cheerfully. She eyed the man standing in front of her. He looked familiar – blond hair and blue eyes – but that could be anyone. Although she could only think of one person in particular who would want to dress in a way that screamed federal agent. "You can come back tomorrow."
"Ever sarcastic." the man sighed. "Heather Jones and Jess and Raven McDell. I never thought our paths would cross again." His eyes flickered over to Drake and focused again on Heather. Drake ignored him.
Jess's fists tightened in fury. "Paul Travers." she hissed. "Will wonders never cease? What do you want?"
"I'm here on official business." Paul said stiffly.
"We have done nothing to incur the wrath of the Men In Black, Agent Zero." Heather quipped. Raven snickered.
"I represent the Foundation of Law and Government." Paul snapped. "We would like our technology back."
Raven tilted her head to the side. "What technology? We're just here to visit Borden."
"You remember him." Jess said. Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "Six foot four, incredibly strong – in fact, I think he kicked your sorry hide once or twice."
"Should have skinned it for what you did to Heather." Raven growled. Heather shot them warning looks. They ignored her.
Now Drake was showing an interest. "What did you do to Heather?" he demanded, his voice dropping a few notes in his anger.
Once again, Paul ignored them all. "You have the Knight Industries Two Thousand. FLAG wants it back."
"We'll think about it." Heather said smoothly.
Paul nodded. "You have two days." With that he was gone.