The white and pink clad rider hugged her bike, pouring on the speed. She had never felt so alive in her life. The total freedom of the open road and the thrill of speed all the while out in the open as if she were flying. She got it. This was why so many people took to the open road. She drank in the scenery as it wiped pass her. She was alone with her thoughts and her bike. To Ranma it was like a soothing kata that cleansed the mind and soul.
"Ranko." A female voice said in her helmets speakers, interrupting the rider's moment of solitude.
"What is it KATT?" Ranma said with a smile for her new partner of three months.
"There is a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction at a very high rate of speed. Do you think we should pull them over?" KATT's voice showed concerned for her perceived duties.
Ranma laughed as she checked out the speedometer of the bike in her helmets displays. They themselves were racing along in excessive of 160mph. "KATT I think we are in no position to complain. Plus we don't have time to waste we are expected in Dallas tomorrow evening." She was still smiling as the black mustang, screamed pass them. "Hey partner, do a quick scan, of that stang will you?"
Ranma's grin widened as she what could be considered a computer equivalent of a gasp. "Ranko that was my brother that passed us! Can we please go after them?"
Ranma's smile slipped. She knew her partner knew their mission, but she also knew the need for family. KATT's only had two known "Relatives" her father KITT sr. and her brother KITT Jr. Where she had limited contact with her father, her brother did not even know he had a sister or father. Ranma had also felt that need for family. Whereas Kasumi, the only member of either Ranma's or Nabiki's families that bothered to keep in touch with them, after being away for four years. Nabiki, KATT, Bonnie and Michael sr. had now become Ranma's family and she was not going to let them down like she did her own. "Sorry KATT." Ranma said as she poured on more speed. "You know we can't do that. Maybe one day we will but not now."
"I understand Ranko." KATT said in a small voice. "Ranko, Nabiki and Bonnie are calling."
"Put them on please." Ranma said politely. After living with Nabiki for four years now Ranma had become less obnoxious, Nabiki wouldn't put up with the name calling that Akane did.
"Hi there, Wild Rose." A cheerful voice sang. "How are my girls? Haven't crashed or anything?" Ranma and KATT groaned at the image of the young woman for different reasons.
"Nabiki we have not "crashed" into anything since the first day of training. So please stop bringing that up." KATT said with a huff causing Nabiki and Bonnie to laugh. The mood of the two women changed to be more serious. "Just want to give you two a heads up. There is nothing to worry about, but a member of the main F.L.A.G. team stumbled onto some of KATT's early design concept plans. Known as, the 'Knight Industries Twelve Thousand Interceptor' or K.I.T.T.I.. Kitty was to be a military production model with more armour and weapons. We are not too concerned because most of the vital documents were moved to KATT"S file with no direct connections."
"So what does this mean? Is KATT in danger? Whoever hacked the system will be looking for more info." Even though they were on the same team their deep cover would be blown if they found KATT's files.
"No," Said Bonnie. "We have completely severed all ties to F.L.A.G. and started a new organization, with independent off the grid computers. We will still be Flags support group. The new organization will be called 'Protection Of Law Enforcement.'"
Ranma blinked her eyes. Did she just hear what she thought she heard? "Let me get this straight. We are to support Flag and we are called P.O.L.E.?" She shoked her head as she geared down to leaned into a curve. Pulling out of the bend Ranma turn the throttle to give KATT more gas.
Nabiki shook her head in the helmet's display with a look of exasperation. "The name is not important. Let's get on with your briefing, shall we? We got a call from a woman in Nevada about some missing members of her bike club."
"Actually she called F.L.A.G. but we intercepted it." Bonnie's image stated from the other side of Ranma's display screen.
"Right," said Nabiki. "It seems that the police are not too interested in investigating as no family members have reported these women missing, and as they are members of a Quote motorcycle gang Unquote. The policed figure it is just a turf war." Nabiki's disgust was all too evident on her face.
"Is this a turf war between gangs?" KATT asked. KATT knew that many gang members ride bikes but there were more regular every day people that had motorcycle social clubs as well.
"No KATT," Bonnie answered. "They are just a bunch of woman that likes to ride together. They call themselves 'Desert Flowers.' Ranma you are to meet with their club president tomorrow at 1:00pm in the Gold and Silver pawn shop. Ask for Rick and tell him you are Wild Rose. He will set the meeting up."
Ranma nodded a response the two women on the other end of the conversation could not see. Ranma then wiped the remains of the bug that got splattered on her face plate before saying. "So that is why I am going as a girl. I am to join their group and see if I can dig up any signs of foul play." This was going to be Ranma's first mission as a woman and only her third since joining FLAG or was it POLE now. "Can you send me any and all data that we have on this case? I would like to see the police reports as well. Also send KATT the make, models and V.I.N (vehicle identification number) of the missing bikes. She can keep her eyes peeled for them on the streets."
"Good thinking." Nabiki replied. "I will send what we have, but I am afraid we don't really have much to go on until you meet with your contact. KATT has your reservations for you motel you can look over the data in the morning before going to Gold and Silver. It is getting late and you should be paying attention to the road now. We will talk after your meeting."
"Good night then Nabs, and you too Bonnie." Ranma said
"You be careful Wild Rose and come home to me. KATT if she gets to tired make sure you take over."
Ranma grinned as KATT said that she would do just that. After a final good night from all parties the images of both women disappeared and were replaced with the helmets night vision view of the desert.