Chapter 5: You Just Got Hustled For A Wad of Cash Man, Whatcha Gonna Do, Act A Fool

"Nice car," Knight offered as he approached the red head perched on the hood of the RX-7. "Love the paint job. Very elaborate, very unique."

"Thanks," the girl replied warmly. "Took a long time to do."

"I'll bet," Knight replied, offering his hand. "I'm Knight."

The girl shook his hand. "Tempest."

"Goes with the car then," Knight grinned. "Unique car, unique name."

"That's right," she grinned. "Your name's quite unusual too. Is it just Knight?"

Knight just smiled in response, without answering

"Knight it is then," she replied. "Which is your car?"

"The Trans-am."

Her face fell slightly. "Doesn't look much, although those pulsating lights combined with the black and silver paint job does give it a menacing air."

"You have no idea," Knight laughed, thinking how well she'd just summed up Karr. "It might not look much, but it can certainly shift."

"I hope so," Tempest replied. "It'll have to if your going to beat the cars here, and you'll need to do that to earn respect. Especially for a domestic."

"Any suggestions?"

"Much as I hate to admit it," Tempest replied, looking around cautiously. "Beat one of the Toretto team. Quickest way to gain respect here."

"I don't think Jesse would be too much of a problem, so I'm guessing you meant someone else," Knight grinned.

Tempest laughed. "Jesse is quite sweet. Don't spend much time with him though. My team tends not to mix with the Toretto's. History, you know how it is," she shrugged.

Knight nodded. "Yeah I know. I suspect it's going to be Vince that I race."

Tempest gave him a curious look and he grinned widely. "History."

"You know Vince?"

"Not really," Knight answered. "But we did have a slugging match earlier. He has a score to settle."

"Well, I'd hope Nyssa's around if I were you. His tempers a bit more restrained when she's around."

"Thanks for the advice," Knight replied, then glanced back at Karr, to see two guys looking at the vehicle. "Who are those two?"

"Hector and Edwin," Tempest replied. "I'd head over if I were you. I'll keep an eye out for your race."

Knight smiled. "Maybe catch you afterwards."

"I look forward to it," she replied with a wink.

Knight chuckled, and headed back towards Karr, the comm. link chirping in his ear as he did so and he checked it surreptitiously. "What is it Karr?"

"We have vehicles approaching. Your friends from earlier."

"Alright, I guess its show time," Knight replied. "I'll be right with you," he answered, before drawing Hector and Edwin's attention. "Like the car guys?"

"It's a domestic. And it's plain," Edwin replied. Knight raised an eyebrow. "It's what's under the hood that matters."

"What you got under the hood?" Hector asked. Knight grinned in response. "Only one way you're gonna find out."

Hector rolled his eyes –"Just like the other white boy."

"Damn straight," Knight replied. "probably in a few minutes."

"Toretto ain't here…" Edwin trailed off as he heard the cars approach. "Alright here he is, its on," he almost squeaked as the team's cars pulled up, led by a red RX-7 R1 and with a blue R34 Skyline in the middle of the pack, the cars pulling to a halt as the RX-7 glided forward, engine roaring right into the high rev's.

Knight shook his head slightly as Dom got out of the car, the rest of the team getting out of their cars, a dark haired girl getting out of Vince's. Knight guessed this was Nyssa. Leon headed over to the blonde with the black skyline and embraced her, which jogged something in his memory, although he didn't know why, turning his attention back to Dom as he slapped hands with Hector and Edwin. "How you doin guys?"

"Doin good man," Edwin said. "How we running tonight?"

"Same as usual, two g buy in," Dom said, then noticed Knight. "Might be on for a few races tonight, cops allowing. Hector, you racing tonight?"

"Plan on doing, been too long man," Hector answered.

Dom nodded. "Alright. Mia's gonna hold the money. Let's see who we can get in the first four tonight."

Brian nodded to Knight as he joined them. "You up? I wanna see what your Trans-am can do."

"I'll bet," Knight grinned. "You gonna run against me?"

"Sure, why not?" Brian asked. "Dom, I'll run."

"Count me in," Knight added.

Dom glanced at him. "You got the money?"

"Pink slip tonight," Knight said, holding it up.

Dom laughed. "You really want to lose your car?"

"I'll be keeping it. And the money too," Knight replied, his tone challenging.

Dom seemed to weigh that up. "Brian vouched for you earlier, so I guess I'll give you a shot."

"Count me in too brother," Vince growled, glaring at Knight.

Dom looked at him. "Vince, Brian's already…"

"We can both run," Vince replied, his tone slightly angry.

Dom shrugged. "Alright. One more."

While they waited for Dom to find another driver, Brian leaned over slightly. "So, how'd you know that Vince was gonna hit you before?"

"I figured it was a safe bet, going by the look of him."

"That doesn't explain how you dodged."

Knight grinned, and tapped Karr's side lightly –"Saw his reflection in the window. And later, he's gonna see his reflection in Karr's back end."

"Karr?"

Knight cursed inwardly. "It's my cars name."

"You named it?" Brian asked. "You never did that with your M Three."

Knight shrugged and pointed. "Looks like Dom found another racer," he said, changing the subject.

Brian gave him a look that suggested he knew exactly what Knight had just done as Dom waved them over. "Alright, we have another driver. You're new here, so let me explain how it works. Simple straight up drag race over a quarter mile strip. Follow Brian when we move out, and line up ready. Assuming the cops don't show up, we meet back here after sorting prize money, to sort out the next race. Better to keep moving as you probably know. Understand?"

Knight ignored the condescending tone from the bigger man and nodded. It seemed the right thing to do as Dom returned the nod. "Alright, everyone move out!"

The cars peeled out of the street heading towards the strip they'd be racing on. Knight climbed back into Karr and started the engine, and headed after Brian.

**************************************************

Knight grinned slightly to himself as two blondes sprayed paint across the road, the cars pulling to a stop behind it, Karr between Vince's Maxima and Brian's Skyline, the fourth driver in a brand new Impreza WRX that looked to be extensively kitted out. Knight smirked to himself. "I don't think we have any real problems here. Or at least, not with you being one of the most advanced machines on the road today."

"I can assume we're not throwing this race then," Karr replied with usual cold steely tones. Knight laughed. "No, we ain't. Like I'm losing you in a race. Besides, I really want to see Vince's face when he loses to you."

"After his earlier comments, I want to beat him too. I could humiliate him," Karr suggested. "My micro-jammer could immobilise his car."

"Fun as that sounds, I think we'll just stick to the plan. Beat them, but not as fast as we really can."

"As you wish," Karr replied with a cold purr.

Knight grinned, and got ready, letting Karr's engine roar alongside the other cars, knowing that the dual scanner was rippling back and forth. For some reason, the image seemed malevolent for Karr, but with the original Kitt, it was more re-assuring. In some respects, Karr's seemed re-assuring too, but for very different reasons. He shrugged mentally. "Ready?"

"Of course," the cold steely voice replied.

Knight glanced out of the windshield, watching as Dom lifted Letty slightly. Knight knew that the race was about to start, watching as she raised her arms, the engines of all four cars roaring with anticipation. Letty dropped her arms, and with a squeal of tires, the race began. Brian was first off the mark, the Skyline quickly gaining the advantage, although it didn't last long as the super-charged Trans-am caught up quickly, the Maxima slightly behind as the cars streaked along, the Impreza already lagging behind. Knight grinned to himself, and pressed the gas pedal down further, the light under the cars voice modulator switching from normal cruise, to pursuit mode, the black and silver Trans-am streaking into the lead.

The car's monitor came to life, displaying a graphic of the other 3 cars as they engaged nitrous, the Subaru drawing level as the Skyline and Maxima passed the Trans-am. Knight laughed. "Oh we can't have that can we," and hit the turbo. Karr shot forward, flashing past the Skyline and the Maxima in an instant, streaking away from the other three cars with a tremendous amount of speed, hurtling across the finish line 2 car lengths in front of both the Skyline and Maxima which were both ahead of the Subaru by a car length.

Karr gave a humourless chuckle, "piece of cake."

Knight just grinned. "Let's go get our winnings shall we?"

"And my 'pink slip' as you called it," Karr confirmed. "You are not putting me up as a prize again."

"Yes boss," Knight replied, rewarded by a snarling noise from the car as he skidded it round, and headed back to the start line.

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"You got some fair speed out of that machine," Dom said as Knight got out of the car.

Knight grinned. "I told you."

"Mia, give the man his winnings," Dom said then asked. "What you got under the hood?"

Knight just grinned. "Maybe after we race."

"I'll hold you to that," Dom replied as Brian and Vince joined them. Jesse was stood behind them, looking slightly disappointed that he wasn't going to see under Karr's hood. Vince looked pissed, although his mood seemed to lighten as Nyssa wrapped her arms around him.

Brian grinned as he shook hands with Knight. "Not bad."

"You certainly took it better this time," Knight laughed.

Brian raised an eyebrow at him. "You ever heard of being a gracious winner cuz?"

Knight just smirked in response and took his prize from Mia. "Thanks Mia."

"Alright, everyone back to the market," Dom said. "We'll set up for the next race."

Knight watched as the cars started to peal out, then climbed back into Karr. "Alright, you heard him."

Karr's engine rumbled to life as the car headed after the other vehicles.

**************************************************

Knight noted with interest that the Mustang was no longer present as he pulled into the market. Dom was already setting up for the next race as he got out of the car as Tempest approached. "Nice race. You got some speed out of that Trans-am."

"Thanks," Knight replied. Tempest's smile took on a challenging edge. "Of course, you won't beat my Rex."

"That a challenge?"

Tempest spread her arms slightly. "Take it how you will."

"I think me and you are gonna have to take this to the blacktop."

"I was hoping you'd say that," she replied with a laugh. "But not tonight. My friend's already left, and it isn't much fun on your own."

"Know that feeling," Knight replied, face clouding slightly.

Tempest raised a slender eyebrow but sensed it was better not to ask. "Perhaps tomorrow night?"

"You're on," Knight grinned, the cloud disappearing from his expression.

Tempest grinned and gave a slight nod. "Well alright. I'll see you tomorrow then. Be ready for a beating," she winked, and then headed to her car.

Knight shook his head slightly, amused, then looked around. Brian waved him over. "Knight, got two more people for you to meet."

Knight nodded and headed over to where Brian was gathered with Leon, Nyssa and the blond haired girl with the Skyline, who was cosied up to Leon. "What's up Leon?"

The other man nodded. "You didn't do too bad before. Vince is pissed that he lost to you."

"Obviously you remember Leon," Brian interrupted. "This is Nyssa," he said gesturing to the dark haired girl Knight had seen with Vince, "and this is Kat. If you remember, she was at the Edge earlier."

"So that's where I knew the face from," Knight said, shaking hands with both girls. "I mean I saw you and your skyline in a magazine, but I knew it wasn't just that."

Kat just smiled. "I've got that a lot since then. Nyssa has one too, although she doesn't race as much as I do."

"I'll have to race you some night."

Nyssa laughed. "Your Trans-am ran pretty well tonight, don't get me wrong, but Kat's a lot better in her Skyline than Brian is."

"Maybe we'll find out some time," Knight responded.

She gave him a doubtful look. "Nice meeting you…?"

"Knight."

"I guess I'd better go calm Vince down."

"Only you can Nys," Leon laughed. "Ole Coyote becomes big marshmallow when you're around. Not that I said that of course."

"He didn't hear it from me," Nyssa winked, slapping Leon's shoulder playfully. "Catch you later Kat, guys."

"I'm going to have to say my goodbyes too," Kat said, straightening up. "Going to see how much I can take Dom for tonight," then kissed Leon's cheek and headed off. Leon brushed his hand over his face gently. "I should go play peace keeper."

"Alright man, catch you later," Brian said, then waited till Leon had broke off, and leaned on the hood of the Skyline. "So, how'd you like the team?"

"They're pretty cool I guess," Knight replied. "Although I get the feeling that I have you to thank for the fact they aren't openly hostile."

"Apart from Vince," Brian grinned.

Knight shook his head slightly. "Apart from Vince. And Dom."

"Nah, Dom's cool bro," Brian replied. "He'll come down on you a bit for a while, till he knows you, but when he does, he'll be cool with you. Just don't piss him off cuz."

Knight laughed –"That could be a problem."

Brian laughed as well –"Knowing you, your right."

"Hey, I'm not that bad, really," Knight protested.

Brian laughed, and gave him a slip of paper with an address. "Swing by after the races. Dom always throws a party afterwards." He looked up. "Guess we're ready for the next race. See you at the house."

End of Chapter 5…