Authors Note: Usual disclaimers apply. I still don't own Knight Rider, or Fast and the Furious. Thanks to Tempest-Races for beta-ing and fixing my mistakes, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 21: I'm gonna show her my sleek, mean machine.

"You may remove your hands from the wheel," Karr said quietly as the Trans-am roared across the suburb streets. "You are quite safe. I am quite capable of driving myself. In fact, I am capable of driving at high speeds much more safely than any human driver."

"Right," Letty replied, a little unsteadily, slowly lowering her hands from the wheel, relaxing as the wheel turned smoothly of its own accord. "And you've never crashed?"

"Not accidentally."

"You've crashed on purpose!?"

"My molecular bonded shell renders me virtually indestructible."

"The word 'virtually' in that sentence bothers me," Letty observed.

"My shell is completely indestructible," Karr clarified. "However, my systems can still be damaged, although it would require a significant amount of effort. I do however try to avoid undue risk of that."

"Why? If it's so hard to do, why try to avoid it?"

"It is a...." Karr struggled to find the words to explain. "It is a personality quirk."

"I don't know much about computers, but it seems odd to program in personality quirks."

"It is a remnant of my original programming," Karr replied. "My original program was self preservation. It was believed that as such, I would seek to avoid collisions thus protecting human life."

"So why did they change it?"

"Because they were wrong."

"That's not very comforting."

"Any occupants would have been safe. In testing, I had a choice. Crash into a wall, or crash into a mannequin simulating a human being. The mannequin was less likely to cause damage. On impact, it shattered quite satisfactorily. This disturbed my creators and they de-activated me, before creating a new improved car with a different AI."

"So why did they reactivate you?"

"There is a significant amount of history between those events and the present. I was originally a third generation Trans-am, not the fourth generation you are currently seated in."

"So they built you a new body, and re-activated you?"

"Essentially yes. While they were unable to completely alter my programming, they were able to introduce a new primary program, to preserve human life, as with my two successors." The AI paused for a second, before adding proudly "Fortunately, my personality was not affected. In my own opinion, it is distinctly different from those of my successors."

"I'll take your word for it," Letty replied, relaxing slightly. "Alright Karr, show me what you can do."

Wordlessly, the Trans-am increased its velocity, the dashboard lighting switching to pursuit mode, weaving in and out of traffic before finally reaching clear road, accelerating faster. Letty held her breath as she was pushed back in the seat, her eyes widening. "Karr, stop sign!"

The Trans-am blasted through the intersection with reckless abandon, clearing the intersection just before two other cars made it across. "Madre de Dios! What happened to the preservation of human life!? Or self preservation?!"

"I had adequately timed the crossing. There was no danger of collision."

Letty couldn't help but laugh. "Hijo de tu chingada! You're my kind of car, Karr."

"Thank you," Karr replied, almost smugly. "But you haven't seen anything yet."

The Trans-am headed into the Hollywood hills at speed, tearing around curves and bends at breakneck speeds. Letty unconsciously grabbed the sides of the seat tightly as Karr hurtled through twists and turns, weaving in and out of traffic effortlessly, proudly stating "As you may have noticed, my performance is not hampered by terrain," the Trans-am slid around a hairpin perilously close to the edge as Karr continued "I was designed to operate in virtually any conditions," the AI paused. "Except snow. I do not like snow."

"We don't get much of that in LA," Letty smiled. "Can we pull over?"

Karr didn't reply, although he did slow down, pulling over to the side of the road, overlooking the city.

The engine purred softly as the car idled, before the engine finally shut off. Letty studied the dash intently for a few moments. "What do all these buttons do?"

"They provide a manual interface for my additional systems. Although I am perfectly capable of activating them myself."

"I see," Letty said quietly. She was silent for a few moments, before asking a question Karr found surprising. "Karr, what do you feel when you have someone in the drivers seat?"

"Pressure on my seats."

Letty laughed. "That's not exactly what I meant Karr."

"I'm not sure I understand the question," Karr stated. "What do you feel when situated behind the wheel?"

Letty's eyes widened slightly. "I've never really considered it. I guess it depends what I'm doing. Enjoyment mostly when I'm driving. When I race, it's exhilarating."

"What do you feel behind my wheel?"

"Impressed. And a little bit of fear."

"Why?"

Letty almost thought the Trans-am sounded hurt. "Its not fear of you. It's the lack of control. I'm in the driver's seat, but I wasn't driving. I had no control. If you span out of control and crashed, I wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. Even though I knew you wouldn't. But that's exciting in its own way."

"Thrill seeking," Karr said quietly, thoughtfully. "I'm beginning to understand."

"So what do you feel when someone's in the driver's seat?"

"I have not previously considered it," Karr stated, "the best answer I can give is that it varies. With the technicians at home, I can only attribute the feeling humans refer to as tense, although normally they refrain from my driver's seat. With the exception of Ms Barstow. She makes me feel looked after. With you I can only describe it as unusual. I am not used to anyone other than Ms Barstow or Knight sitting in the driver's seat"

"And with Knight?"

Karr was quiet for several moments before answering. "Safe. And complete."

"Interesting answer." Letty quirked an eyebrow. "Why?"

"We're a team. We compliment each other. Without him, I am somehow less than I am with him, despite my diagnostics indicating otherwise. Just as without me, he is less than he is. And he stands up for me when no-one else will. He listens to me and defends me, without question. He didn't pick me; he let me choose to work with him."

When Letty was silent for several minutes, Karr added. "It is a complicated story. There are elements of my past that, as humans say, I am not proud of. I have been judged negatively as a result, and many are wary of me. With the exception of Knight. He listened to me, and drew his own conclusions. Where others blamed me for my choices, he did not."

Letty narrowed her eyes slightly. "Do you trust his judgement?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I do not know. As I understand it, is that not part of trust?"

"I guess so," Letty answered. "I guess it depends on how you look at it."

"I see. Then it is to do with perspective. My partner's perspective is often unique, but in this case, with the data available, his belief that you and your friends are innocent seems to be well placed."

Letty was silent for several minutes before speaking quietly. "Karr, we pulled heists like this a few years ago."

"I see."

"Does that change things?"

Now it was Karr that was silent for several minutes. Letty absently brushed her fingers over the lettering on the steering wheel before Karr finally spoke. "No. It doesn't change things. The original heists stopped for a reason. Presumably that reason was a good one, and one that hasn't changed. That you have volunteered that you were performing the original heists suggests that you aren't performing them now."

"That's it?"

"Should there be more?"

Letty blinked in confusion. "I mean, it's that simple, because I've told you we pulled heists previously, it suggests that we're not now, and that's enough for you?"

"If you were behind these heists, you would not be telling me you had done previously, you would be trying to conceal it and divert suspicion, not attract it," Karr replied, his tone bordering on irritation for a moment, before softening. "If it would make you feel better, you can tell me flat out that your family is not behind these heists. I will know if you're lying or not."

"Like a lie detector?" Letty was surprised. "You can do that?"

"Yes."

"Karr, you're incredible."

"Thank you. Just wait until you see my Turbo Boost."

Letty shook her head slightly. "What on earth is turbo boost?"

"Classified," Karr replied. The Trans-am's growled as the engine started, the in-screen HUD lighting up as the Trans-am reversed rapidly, spinning around in a J-turn, sand and dust kicking up from under the wheels as the car shot back down the mountain.

Toretto House

"I know what you're about to say Dominic, and I don't need any help."

The large Italian-American folded his arms across his chest. "Alright, so tell me what you know. Everything."

Knight frowned. "Someone's been jacking trucks in transit and the FBI thinks it's you. And they're fairly sure they can nail you this time. From reading the original file, it was a lack of evidence and Brian's testimony that meant they had to drop it last time, though I'll admit I started off on the assumption you guys did it, and Brian got you to stop without going to jail. I've been over the witness statements, the MO's always the same, three Honda Civics, precision driving. Two pull alongside the cab, the passengers pop out the sun roof aiming machine guns at the driver, the third pulls in front, its passenger pops up, uses a spear gun to smash the window, a second to throw a line into the cab and climb in. they knock out the driver, and take the truck somewhere to unload."

"Wait a second," Leon interrupted. "We never used machine guns to keep the drivers from trying anything."

"That's it," Knight realised suddenly. "That's what's been bothering me. I remember the case notes from the original heist, the vics always said that precision driving was used to herd the truck, keep em straight while someone pulled out the front window, and then someone else jumped on. With this one, they used guns, but the previous hijackings didn't. I knew something wasn't right when Karr showed me a re-creation."

"But it doesn't help," Brian observed. "Because if you used that as evidence, the team could still go down for the last heists. And I will for perjury and obstruction of justice."

"Like I said then," Dom commented. "Maybe we should have paid for it then."

"Then we either don't use it or bring it in as a difference in witness statements. I know you aren't pulling the heists this time; I was with the team the whole time. I can see that you've changed since then. Besides, way I see it, I'm not here to solve the previous hijackings, just the new ones,"

"Alright, so what else have you accomplished so far?" Dom asked.

"Well, I have you guys in the clear. I've been through Harry's computer records, and been through Hectors garage... and yours." Knight paused, waiting for the inevitable fall-out from that revelation. "Found nothing to link your family to the heists. Hector was less clear cut, he's got three Civics that could easily be mistaken for those involved at a glance, but closer investigation shows they aren't a match. Though the differences could be down to a quick tire change. Can't rule him out completely."

"What does the FBI think?" Brian asked quietly.

"They think it's you guys popping trucks. They still think you guys were responsible last time around, despite Brian's testimony otherwise. They couldn't prove it then, and Brian's little stint in Miami to help out Bilkin's just got them to stop looking at you closely. With the trucks heists starting again though, all bets are apparently off. Until now anyway when I can back up that you have nothing to do with it," Knight answered, leaving off an unspoken 'this time'.

Dom held up a hand. "Alright. What else? You looked at Tran?"

"He's on my list. Problem is, on some of those occasions, I've been with Jade, while a heist took place."

"But she might not be involved, or they're doing some of the jobs without her," Brian interjected.

"Or she's being used as a distraction," Dom said slowly. "Influencing you."

"She doesn't know who I am, or why I'm really here," Knight replied. "I haven't told her."

"Maybe not," Dom dragging a hand over his head, "but you're not looking at the Tran's coz she's part of his team. You don't want her to be part of the heists. Or you like her enough to not want to put her friends in jail."

Knight's jaw tightened. "Can't deny Tempest has the driving skills and the attitude. Not to mention the balls to try a stunt like that. Proved that winning that sprint race. Fairly."

"She beat you?" Dom asked. "Guess you aren't that good after all."

"She won because I haven't done any sprint races since I lived in Miami," Knight replied tightly. "And because I've only done sprint races through traffic twice previously."

"Through traffic?" Dom's brow rose. "Girls got more skills than I gave her credit for, give her that. But she beat you fairly with her rex, means I can beat you."

"Wouldn't count on it," Knight smirked. "Certainly not with Karr anyway. What else? Oh yeah, apparently there's some gang around, the Tigers? Need to check them out too."

"It isn't them," Kat interjected vehemently, her first input into the conversation. "I'd know. Sean and Connor could never keep something like that from me."

Dom raised an eyebrow. "It's probably worth looking into. You'd have to see what Brian thinks. He's the cop after all."

"Former cop," Brian reminded.

"You have any ideas?" Knight glanced between them. "I'm open to suggestions."

It was Dom's turn to frown. "Race wars."

"What about them?"

"It's probably your best chance to find out whose jacking trucks," Dom replied. "Brian didn't know for sure it was us till Race Wars. It should help you. And if Karr is really as impressive as he seems…"

"He is."

"Then he should be able to watch over your suspects at all times," Brian finished for the other man. Knight sighed. "How far away are they?"

"Starts this weekend. Tonight's the teams last night of races, so we can prep for wars," Dom answered.

Knight nodded. "But I can't just do nothing for the next few days."

"Investigate Ricky Tran," Dom told him. "You have a hunch its Hector, but you haven't really got anything to back it up, except a few cars that could or couldn't match up. And on Tran you have a bit more. You have evidence he has money, probable cause…"

"How so?" Knight asked. Dom shrugged in response. "If he found out somehow that the team pulled the heists—well, Brian killed his relative. And it isn't a secret anymore that Brian used to be a cop. If you add that up, or Tran adds that up—"

"Then he could figure that it was you behind the heists, and be trying to frame you guys for it again," Knight muttered, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.

"Bit of a leap Dom," Brian offered. "But it's possible."

"He's been flashing the cash recently," Leon observed.

Brian shook his head. "Family ties. PD looked into last time."

"The SWAT raid," Dom glared at Brian. The blond shrugged helplessly. "Wasn't my call Dom."

"I've heard rumours of a gang connection." Vince scowled.

"Not rumours, he has his own gang, he took it over from Johnny," Dom replied. Vince snorted. "I'm not talking his crew Dom. From what I hear, he's well connected."

"And where'd you hear that?" Dom asked. Vince met his gaze evenly. "I may not get involved in that stuff anymore, but I still know people. I keep my ears open."

"We need to have a talk about this." Dom glared. "But later. We have more important things to worry about."

Knight frowned. "And I have somewhere new to look."

End of Chapter 21...