chapter nine

The drive had been long and tedious, despite the constant conversation between Michael and Kitt. The AI was worried for his driver, and that came through loud and clear through the neurolink. Michael worked that much harder to assure Kitt that he was fine, and there was nothing to worry about. Not that Kitt believed him, but if Michael was trying to brush everything off, then things weren't quite as bad as they seemed. Either that or they were worse than they seemed, and Michael was just conscious enough to realize it and deliberately downplay the events. Still, it was an assurance for Kitt.

Michael was speaking in complete sentences now. That had to mean improvement, despite the fever that even now was rising. Michael may not have been put in the hospital by the attack, but he was going to work his way there at the rate he was going.

Nothing Kitt said was going to stop him, though. And Kitt knew the same would hold true if their roles were reversed.

Michael parked the car he had taken from the Foundation about six miles outside of Deland and took a bus the rest of the way. Luckily for him, the bus was still full despite the late hour, and he kept his head down to avoid eye contact with the driver. His recent encounters with the law were still fresh in his mind. Hopefully he could do this without having to kill anyone, but past experience had shown a side of him he hadn't been aware existed.

He would kill for Kitt. There was simply no question about it, not anymore. Once, there had been doubt. After all, Kitt could be repaired and rebuilt, like the acid pit had proven. But the acid pit had also proven something else. The fiery hate that burned through Michael when he saw Kitt fall, when he realized he couldn't protect his best friend, revealed so much more than Michael had ever anticipated. So the question was no longer valid. It was a fact.

The moon was rising over the busy city streets as Michael set to work. There were no security cameras, and for that he was glad. One less obstacle to worry about. He found a side door and easily picked the lock, despite the fact that his hands were starting to shake. Ignoring the trembling, he opened the door and slid into the shadows.

Kitt had been right. This place was a renovated aircraft hangar. The outside hallway that Michael was currently standing in had several office doors off to the left, and the right was simply bare wall. He snuck quietly along, trying to find a doorway on the right hand side. If he was right, then that door would open up into the hangar area itself, and that was where Kitt would be.

Before he did that, there was something else to take care of. /Kitt, do you know which office Mandy is being held in?/ he asked.

Kitt seemed to think that one over, and Michael recognized the silence as Kitt's scanners went to work. /She's three doors in front of you./ he said quietly. /Michael, my medical scanners -/

/Don't worry about it./ Michael reassured him. /Once I get to you, you can take over, and I'll get some rest. I promise./

/You'd better./

Kitt's silence wasn't promising. He wasn't going to get out of this one without a severe lecture. Michael almost smiled at the thought.

He reached the door in question and quickly picked the lock. His hands were starting to steady themselves, and he recognized the strength his own power of will was giving him. He would not abandon Kitt. He could not. Slowly, he opened the door and peeked inside.

Mandy was sitting by the far wall, her head resting on her knees as she stared forlornly at him. "I don't know you." she whispered.

Michael nodded. "But I know you." he whispered back. "And I know Ashley. Tell her Michael's got you now. You're safe." He saw Mandy's eyes brighten, and he knew he had earned her trust. She willingly went to him, and he picked her up and let her latch onto his back, arms around his neck and legs wrapped around his waist. Monkey-style, his dad always called it. Michael used to do that with his dad a long time ago.

He shook the thoughts away. /Is there a doorway leading from this hallway to the hangar?/

A pause. /Yes, but it's guarded. There are two men, but neither are armed. As far as they're aware, only Mandy is down there./

Michael smiled tightly. /Now Mandy is with me./ he assured his partner. /And we'll be with you in just a moment./

/Please be careful./ Kitt meant to make it a command, but it sounded more like a plea. Michael sent comfort and reassurance through the link, and in turn Kitt sent his affection and trust.

Michael got to the door and gently set Mandy down. "All right. I am going to open this door and knock down the guards on the other side." he told her quietly. She nodded. "As soon as I open the door, I want you to run across the room to the black car and get in the passenger's side. The door will open for you. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." she whispered. "What if there's more than one black car?"

"Kitt will flash his lights at you."

Mandy tilted her head to the side. "His name's Kitt?"

Michael couldn't help but grin. "Yeah. On the count of three, okay?" Once again she nodded, and Michael placed his hand on the knob. He was starting to shake again, and he could only hope that he would have the strength for this. "One – two – three!"

On three he slammed the door open, catching the first guard in the side of the head. He staggered back against the wall, and Mandy shot forward as fast as her small legs could carry her. Kitt flashed his headlights at her, and she quickly changed course and almost barreled into his fender. Michael charged the other guard before he could bring his gun to bear on the small child, grabbing the barrel and pulling it down towards the ground. The weapon exploded in his hands, but Michael didn't let go. He slammed his elbow into the side of the man's head, and he dropped like a stone.

The other guard had recovered enough to fire off a few rounds at Mandy just as she got into the car. Kitt slammed the door shut and the bullets bounced harmlessly off his shell. Michael kicked him in the ribs, dropping the man to his knees. Another well placed blow to the head, and both guards were neutralized.

Michael didn't have the chance to race for safety. There was the sound of a gun being cocked, and Michael slowly turned towards it.

On the other side of Kitt, but safely out of his range, was the last man Michael had ever expected to see again. He smiled unpleasantly. "I see Lauren failed. You are a hard man to kill, Michael Knight."

His eyes narrowing in anger, Michael spat out his response. "Still using women to do your dirty work. You haven't changed at all, Cameron Zachary."