Michael grimaced down at Karr's dark modulator as he took a quick sip from his fountain drink. Wondering what the AI was thinking and why it was bothering him so much that Bonnie had brought the computer inside with them into the restaurant rather than leave him secured in the car. While uncomfortable…it was also a little awkward. Sure Karr wasn't allowed to speak due to the presence of a rather large audience in the lively establishment but it seemed the silence from the computer was much more eerie than if it was speaking.
The last interactions between the two hadn't been the best…Michael recalling Kitt's leap of faith fearlessly as they threw themselves into the front lines and destroyed Karr nearly all the way to his core. The man wondered how'd things had gone afterwards for Karr…It was a topic worth mentioning he figured but…perhaps not the best time to discuss at the moment. He didn't want to admit it…but he was suspicious that there was trauma implicated of some sort…Michael recalled how Kitt felt when he'd been hurt gravely…wouldn't Karr have expressed such concern when Bonnie had built him clandestinely?
Continuing to examine Karr's quiet form before him, Michael pondered how it was possible for Kitt to get along with this former rebel anyways. Weren't the two polar opposites? How had it gone in the beginning and how was it that now they were supposedly "inseparable"? Michael would have been a liar if he didn't admit to a slice of jealousy roaming his thoughts.
Michael loosened his shoulder as his thoughts shifted over at the possibility of Kitt's survival. Was it even possible? Michael sure hoped so…he was missing his partner greatly already and it didn't help that Bonnie had given him Karr's comlink. Michael naturally awaited Kitt's voice to emerge at any moment and scold him playfully about something he'd done unnecessarily or respond in amusement about a surprising fact. Michael tensed whenever he thought he heard the comlink beep or vibrate, turning uncomfortably in his seat trying to settle his worries and fears while they all eagerly waited in the booth…he eventually clenched a hand over his wrist in silent surrender…carefully detaching the buckle and placing the com on top the table. An obvious crackle of static left Karr's speakers at the sudden action but neither Michael nor Bonnie questioned it…much less did Karr bring it up.
"Michael?" Bonnie asked after a while, noting Michael's stare resting over Karr's quiet form. The man attempted to shift a little in place but with the lack of full maneuverability in his legs it had proven rather difficult to scoot in his seat on his own.
"Hmm?" He asked in return glancing away from Karr's housing catching the AI's screen flickering lightly in quiet contemplation. Making the man shudder ever so lightly…He knew that gesture too well…he'd seen how Kitt often felt while housed in the portable housing and figured Karr was rather annoyed at the lack of movement and independence just as much.
"I know it's a little strange…" Bonnie agreed, aware of the man's concern. " – but he's changed from the last time you two…"
"Yeah…" Michael cut in, raising a brow the moment Karr's screen shot up in an anxious flickering gesture towards the waitress bringing them their order. "Thanks a lot." Michael quickly said to the waitress, earning himself a smile as she placed his burger down in front of him. Bonnie chuckled a little to herself in quiet regret. A little anxiety going up her spine wondering if it'd been wise on having taken Michael out from the hospital AMA. Surely Devon would voice his opinion once he was fully awake.
The moment the waitress left, however, Michael noted Karr's screen freeze, sustaining a solid color…Bonnie did too…the woman leaning closer to listen in to what Karr had to say.
'What's that?' Karr asked inaudibly, taking both humans by surprise as his screen dimmed attempting to keep his words between the two humans before him.
"It's a burger." Michael explained timidly down at the questionable not-as-dangerous AI now, astonished, picking up his dinner and taking a quick breath…admiring the craftsmanship. Relieved he would be getting to eat better much earlier than anticipated.
'It smells rather — tempting.' Karr remarked. 'How long does it last as fuel?'
Michael smiled nervously, still holding onto the burger and wondering why Karr was so amused.
"Karr I don't think…" Bonnie shushed the AI much to Karr's disappointment. The woman was very concerned over the interactions between the two.
" — Bonnie it's alright." Michael soothed, genuinely curious over the computer's remark. "Last me several hours, why?"
"No reason, I simply wanted to ask." Karr replied, rather impressed humans had found a multitude of combinations of using even the simplest form of vegetation on the earth to power themselves…it was a marvelous ability. One he wished he possessed. Wouldn't it be neat if he could be powered on virtually anything? Sure combustibles were nifty but sometimes were something rather difficult to retrieve…while food…it was on every block…corner…street across the country!
Bonnie shook her head in disbelief poking at her fries silently while Michael nodded down to the computer before taking a huge bite out of his burger.
"Glad Devon's is going to be alright." He eventually said after chowing down a little on his burger. Attempting to lighten the mood with the good news RC had shared from the hospital a few hours ago. The team had hardly gotten any sleep, having spent the night awaiting news on Devon's condition. The doctors taking their time on figuring out the sudden coma-like state the man was in.
They were greatly sleep deprived.
"Yes I know." Bonnie gloomily responded. "I'm just puzzled about why Margo would have decided to tranquilize him with those rather strange projectiles..."
"They were warning shots…" Karr expressed his unease, flickering his screen promptly before submitting it to darkness.
Michael nodded, reaching for a napkin and wiping off the mayonnaise dripping down over his arm. Karr watched with confusion. The white gel-like liquid smelled strange…
"How long did the doctors say the effect will last?" Michael asked, his weary mind numbing the answer into oblivion.
"The substance is still unknown…so Devon might be knocked out for a few days depending on the dosage Margo used…Doctors aren't sure about side effects though…"
Michael clenched his jaw, a thought coming from his daze.
"I think they were meant to slow us down on Kitt's search…"
Bonnie glanced away from Michael clasping her hands in her lap as she stared out the booths' big windows into the brightening parking lot.
"Yeah, I was thinking that too…"
'Stop denying my brother's survival.' Karr cut in. 'It's obvious they have him and want neither us nor the government to figure that Kitt is still out there…Bonnie please — Kitt isn't dead…he needs us.'
Bonnie shrugged, placing a hand over Karr's housing attempting to quiet the bothered AI. Karr's screen jerked a little at the sudden touch, going completely silent after a while.
Michael leaned back in the booth seat, placing his burger down. Wondering what they were to do now. Karr's chassis was gone…that had been confirmed by a quick private phone call down to FLAG's offices. Kathy had answered unnerved about the feds poking around the garage bay in such a careless matter…
Now they didn't have much going for them if they wished to counterattack the enemy…and the board wasn't going to willingly help with this endeavor either or so Michael assumed.
"So…about Karr's chassis…." Michael pressed on. Silently trying to move his legs under the table, trying to strengthen his weakened muscles…it didn't help that he hadn't gotten a proper quota of sleep the night before.
Bonnie glimpsed back out the window.
"I can't get a hold of much materials since I have limited access to resources by board orders…While I was going to fix Karr's chassis I at least had something to work from but now with nothing — it's not possible to start from scratch given the extent of the limitations…"
"Technically speaking —" Michael smiled mischievously. "Can't we stick him into something else?"
Bonnie glanced up at the ceiling, taping Karr's housing as she felt a faint shudder pass the housing.
"Yes, it would have very limited functionality though…"
"The bonded shell…could you at least get the bonded shell?"
Bonnie smiled gingerly, feeling rather tired at the early hour.
"Yes, that wouldn't be a problem, but other functions might not be easily feasible to complete."
Michael nodded slowly, able to see the woman's weary eyes under the bright fluorescent light.
"When would you start?"
"Later today…I will start later…" The woman yawned, amused over Michael's persistence even against the odds. Leaning back in the booth seat and propping her head with her elbow she decided to ponder if they could at all catch up on sleep before they started the tedious job at hand. In all honesty she felt defeated. Frankly going on and hunting the kidnappers sounded questionable given Kitt was legally dead. Phineas Roth however had acted sketchy in their last meeting and Karr was convinced the man had connections with Margo. There wasn't any solid evidence…but she couldn't deny the possibility.
'Will it be a Trans-Am?' Karr cautiously remarked, bouncing Bonnie out of her thoughts…aware of the implications of having a reduced access to FLAG's inventory.
Bonnie shook her head…making Michael straighten in his seat urgently.
"You're kidding!? Is it that bad?"
She nodded in response, closing her eyes.
"Okay no Trans-Am for now so then what will Karr be housed in…?"
The woman responded with a quick shake of her hand and an extended finger pointing into the dark dim lighting of the parking lot where the means of transportation they'd been relying on in the past hours was parked.
'When we find this Margo, remind me to give her a piece of my mind…' Karr piped up.
Michael couldn't agree more.
Bonnie had obtained two rooms…one for her and one for Michael. A morning nap at Michael's request, even though the woman had been skeptical at first…she'd asked for a room downstairs given Michael still needed to use his wheelchair as his legs hadn't gained enough strength to hold him up.
What was also strange was the man's request to take Karr with him…
Bonnie had given the man a suspicious side glance, while she'd held onto Karr's portable housing…wondering if it was a wise choice or if she'd regret having to leave Karr under Michael's supervision. The man had a bad habit of hurting his equipment and she wasn't sure Karr would be as forgiving as Kitt had been on this matter.
Still holding Karr under her arm and gazing over Michael with his extended hands ready to receive the infant like AI (at least given the circumstances) she slowly passed the rectangular housing to the man and let go when it was secured in his tight grip.
"Michael –"
"It'll be fine…you get some rest. I can handle babysitting Karr for a few hours on my own, Bonnie."
"Michael Knight, with all do respect…I'm NOT a baby…" Karr grumbled, flashing his light green modulator at Michael in utter frustration. The computer itself not too keen on staying alone with Michael Knight either…even if it was for a light snooze.
The man only chuckled, placing Karr in his lap before wheeling his chair around and entering his room.
"Night Bon…"
"Night." The woman meekly responded with a chuckle, worry spelled across her face.
He cheerfully waved, comforting Bonnie just enough to stroll toward her own room as he closed the door and wheeled toward the bed. He placed Karr's housing ontop the bedsheets and crossing his arms Michael raised a brow. The AI taking in the unleveled material with a buzz from his cooling fans.
"How did you treat Kitt?"
Karr nearly crashed…His fans increased RPM's as the man's eyes pinned him down.
"I'm not in the mood to answer your question." Karr mumbled nervously. "Michael Knight resting would be…"
"Look Karr, if we are going to work together there needs to be mutual honesty between ourselves…I'll let you start first…"
"Work together? Aren't we already —?"
Michael put a hand up silencing the AI.
"Bonnie is going to place you in a vehicle eventually and I recall you mentioning you'd go after Kitt without us…"
"Yes I said that…I don't want any of you to interfere with mere logic when the time comes for me to recover Kitt…"
"That won't fly here…" Michael cocked his head. "We're a team…and I'm the driver so I get a say…"
"Driver?" Karr asked, confused. "I won't do any of this 'driver' business. I'm the driver Knight — I'm aware you are Kitt's driver but you aren't mine…therefore please understand that you have no authority over the wheel." Karr put sternly.
"Karr I can't let Bonnie willingly put a defiant AI manding an entire vehicle that could potentially hurt people..."
"I haven't hurt anyone." Karr meekly responded avoiding raising his voice, picking up on the conversation arising. In the past he'd been close to severely hurting people…thankfully he'd never gotten that far. Without a word he watched the man lightly flex his shaky leg in an attempt to stand. The AI watching the tired wrinkles form on Michael's face from the dim bedside lamp in uneven shadows of the curtained drawn room.
"Karr — look…"
"What do you want from me? I understand there is this mistrust between you and I but can't we set it aside for Kitt's sake?"
"I can't trust a partner that could backstab me, Karr. Can't you understand that?" Michael glared down at Karr sternly.
"I don't need a driver." Karr remarked.
"Karr believe it or not…"
"Frankly — do understand that I am an individual Michael…I'm different…just because Kitt took you in as his driver does not necessarily mean I will too. I've been taken advantage of time and time again by said "drivers" and while I trust you I am not ready to take a driver now or ever in the foreseeable future."
"Then this won't work." Michael countered, leaning forward defiantly.
"I thought I could count on you."
Michael gazed thoughtfully over Karr, the ex-vehicle's hurt voice striking a cord somewhere.
"Kitt and I were relying on you…I rely on you now." Karr continued sheepishly. "If I can't rely on you —" Karr's voice shuddered. "I have no place to turn to Michael…understand that I do this for Kitt — not you."
Michael leaned back in his chair resting his hands on the armrest.
"Karr, I have to be the driver."
"That's where you're wrong…" Karr interjected. "You don't have to be…I however will allow you to be my driver when the time comes…but don't expect this to be a permanent arrangement. I plan to bust out of here once we get Kitt back. FLAG disowned me the moment I was put into mothballs…I don't plan to stay for very long."
Michael crossed his arms.
"Karr you're not proving to me that you will be a loyal partner. You're just using me, you know that?"
Karr went silent.
"I need your help—"
"Yeah, but busting away after recieving help isn't grateful."
Karr continued to stay silent. The AI wondered how the man was expertly threading up his reality into a cobwebbed mess. He WAS grateful and he'd always have Bonnie, Michael and RC in mind…they were becoming his friends…family even in a sense. He'd never dream to hurt them EVER now. Staying in one place was simply not part of his nature…he'd come back if they needed help of any sort but he couldn't under any circumstance stay with FLAG on the long run. The board was dangerous and unforgiving…hadn't Kitt's scheduled degaussing proved that?
Michael's defiance and urge to maintain the once rebel AI under his control however was not very considerate despite it being a natural reaction. Karr understood the man's need to keep him in line but it was an unnecessary precaution — for he was no longer that Karr.
"I'm afraid." Karr admitted into the still air. "I've been hurt – and you're more than capable of hurting me just as much again." Karr confessed. The man was capable of even doing so at the very moment…disposing of him and going about this rescue on his own. Michael didn't need him entirely. He'd fared well on his own in the past. If the man chose to, Karr could be sent back to storage without having to consent to anyone and that would be that.
Michael tensed in his seat, confused.
"Karr I wouldn't —"
"They've treated me unfairly and I haven't fully recovered…understand Knight that I can't come to trust you over me like this — you must earn it and I will allow you too…but please understand that friendship is one of the harder things I'm still coming to terms with. Kitt was different, he genuinely needed me in the beginning but during our time together we became good friends. I wasn't protecting him simply out of duty anymore but because we ARE great friends — …for this I gave it my all and I was told that I was a good friend in turn…however though I don't invest my friendship fully anywhere so please forgive me but you can't be my driver…"
Michael ran a hand through his thick hair.
"Alright —" He sighed. "I can – I can live with that." They'd have to figure this out sooner or later.
"Good." Karr replied. "Rest assured I don't plan to betray you and I place trust in this partnership…but simply put for now…we aren't close friends…" Karr put forth gingerly. "Now rest while you can, today will be a hard day…"
Michael nodded, still going over Karr's surprising thoughts in his head. The man inching his chair closer to the bed and hauling himself on top. Karr watching so painfully, unable to aid the man in any way. After the arduous work of simply getting onto the bed was done, Michael rested his head over his arms on a pillow. Staring into the bright room for a while until he clicked the lights off.
"Goodnight." Karr's modulator lit up the room lightly.
"Night."
Bonnie had borrowed a space in a local garage shop that was affiliated with Knight Industries some time that morning. The place was a resupplying point if they ever needed anything onboard the mobile HQ. Though they rarely used it as a resource, today had finally been the day they'd make good use of it.
Karr's "new" chassis had been loaded on top of a lift shortly after being brought to the site and Bonnie had gotten working busily away quickly. She'd awakened the man by accident when she'd gone to collect Karr sometime at noon for the installation and ever since Michael had insisted on joining her at the site even if he couldn't directly contribute.
He had mostly stayed in the lobby, coming in and out of sleep in his rather stiff chair until he gave up. Eventually wheeling his way toward the work bay with a coffee in hand.
That morning's conversation was still echoing like water dripping down an uneven cave ceiling repeatedly. It was hard to accept but Karr was right. He wasn't Kitt and therefore he couldn't do as he pleased when it came to handling Karr. He'd have to adapt and be self conscious of his every move within the cab. While Kitt had been programmed to accept Michael as his driver and had done so out of flourished fondness Karr hadn't – actually Karr hadn't ever had a proper driver before.
The man trembled slightly at the thought of being ejected from an angered Karr. He dismissed the thought, aware the vehicle was up ahead and completely functional…not wanting Karr to pick up on his rather teetering vitals.
As expected, the minute he got near Karr's new chassis…the vehicle's scanner flickered to life in a bright amber glow.
"Coffee?" Karr asked, picking up the aroma with ease.
Michael nodded, reaching forward and running his fingers across the round prow cautiously. Feeling the light pur emitted by the scanner vibrate the front just ever so lightly.
"Sedan?" Michael tightened his lips hoping the AI was accustomed to humor.
"Yes," Karr replied confidently. " — but you'd be wrong to assume its limitations."
"What –?" Michael raised a brow.
"It isn't an ordinary 'stock' Buick Century." Bonnie mused coming from the tool box set aside, smiling thoughtfully. "I've heavily modified it and thankfully the team managed to mount the turbine this morning while we took a nap and —" The woman's smile grew.
"Do we have turbo boost?" Michael asked excitedly. Pivoting his chair.
" — better." Karr chimed in. "It's bonded. We will sustain no damage in combat."
"Great!" Michael smiled.
" — bad news…" Bonnie trailed off catching Michael off guard. Karr let out a light "snort" from his scanner. "The dash isn't completely ready…and won't be until perhaps tomorrow…"
"Bonnie that's too much —"
"I know…so I condensed the inputs on the dash and Karr can access a multitude of them without you inputting it directly into him, but will need your vocal confirmation." Bonnie explained putting away her tools and strolling toward the controls to lower the vehicle.
Michael nodded, wheeling his chair around Karr's ordinary appearance.
"Won't be too bad…" He thought, feeling Karr's stare over him. The change from physical dash controls to verbal would allow Karr more control he figured and he wasn't sure he felt all too comfortable having to let the AI take all the shots that way. Then again…that had been their agreement that morning. He wasn't to suppress Karr's ability to choose for himself. He needed to trust him…
Still going over his thoughts he mildly noted that Karr was a dark blue with a silver half rather than a jet black.
"What's with the change in color?" Michael asked, watching as Karr was gingerly lowered.
"It's just for now." Bonnie replied, exhausted. "They won't expect Karr to be a sedan and it'll help that he isn't in his signature black too."
Michael nodded.
"Keys?" He finally asked, turning to Bonnie. The woman sighed, picking out a set of black keys and tossing them to Michael wheeling his way to the driver's side of the car.
"Understand I put this together in short notice Michael." Bonnie finally confessed. "Karr isn't up to full strength but it's something." She frowned. "Where are you going anyways?"
"Pay a visit to Phineas Roth's office."
"Michael!"
"Bonnie, I think he knows where Kitt is…and Karr thinks so too…"
Bonnie shook her head.
"Michael I'm coming with you." She walked over to Michael, giving him a hand as he struggled to get inside Karr's cabin and tossed the wheelchair into the back seat.
The man grinned, turning on the ignition and jumping in his seat at the roar of the V8.
"Sporty."
"Unfortunately only from the inside…" Karr cut in partly gleefully. Michael taking in the ordinary looking instrument panel with a grain of salt. Instead of a voice modulator the entire dash flickered in tune with Karr's voice. "I look awfully like a daily commuter."
Michael laughed.
"That's no mystery."
"It was necessary,'' Bonnie replied. "We're not going to risk losing him…" She locked glances with Michael before inputting a combination of keys into the normal looking radio. Michael watched as the entire panel housing rotated to reveal a small screen and a set of buttons meant to access and operate Karr's abilities.
"Neat!"
"I designed it with stealth in mind." Bonnie added. "At simple glance Karr is simply part of the bunch…no different than any other sedan on the market…this is purposely done so that we won't be suspected of housing him here."
"A necessary precaution." Karr's tachometer lit up in unison with his voice along with the rest of the gauges.
Michael nodded, placing his hands on the round steering wheel…feeling the smooth surface of the treated leather.
He was just about applying the brake to get Karr moving when he felt the engine jitter.
Bonnie eyed the dash nervously.
"I don't —" Karr answered, sounding at the edge of panic.
Michael released the pedal.
"Go ahead," He replied, gripping the steering wheel lightly.
Karr beckoning the vehicle smoothly forward, Bonnie secured in her seat with her seatbelt tightly fastened. She raised her brows at the dash noting Karr had completely forgotten to remind the driver of this feature as the AI tugged along.
"Ahem." Karr remarked clearly embarrassed, catching the woman's displeasure. He'd been so uneasy with Michael in the driver's seat he'd forgotten about this important safety feature. "Seatbelts — the laser restraints — I'm afraid — were far too complicated to rig up in here on such a short notice."
Michael nodded hastily putting them on, while Karr came to a subtle stop.
"Let's see what you got." He grinned mischievously finally, hanging onto the wheel just to keep appearances when Karr sent the vehicle darting into traffic.
Karr internally smiled at the sensation of finally being mobile and nimble on his tires once again. Freed from the temporary housing and its limited awareness he now had a scanner at his disposal.
He Ignored his passengers momentarily as he traveled down the road, getting a grip over the chassis…the weight, the handling. Unfortunately he didn't look as sporty as he felt or sounded…but as he'd said, the feeling made up for the appearance. He lacked pop ups but that was alright, least he could drive and leap in a single bound he had little to no complaints for now. He also had no t-top but he'd make good use of the sunroof for sure…
While heading toward the Federal offices Bonnie and Michael conversed about their next move all the while Karr attempted to get in touch with Kitt but the link was still greatly severed. Simultaneously keeping himself busy at driving and poking around the many channels he made use of the emergency one…wondering if there was a chance he could get something through…
"Karr?" Michael asked as the sedan came to a stop along the curb.
"Yes?" The whole dash flickered, making Michael flinch.
"Stay here with Bonnie. I'll talk with Phineas."
"Michael," Bonnie bagan to interject.
"Bonnie, it's best if you stay. Roth has been around you enough that he might pick up on your suspicion. I hardly know him and he hardly knows me. It'll be best if I converse with him for now." Michael reached across and held her hand, squeezing it just enough for comfort. "We'll find Kitt."
The woman let go of a single tear wiping it away promptly before letting go of Michael's hand and exiting the vehicle to help him with his chair.
"You sure?" She asked once he was seated and rolling up the sidewalk toward the entrance on his own.
"Don't worry, Karr's got my back." He raised his wrist showing off the dark of the comlink secured tightly.
"I most definitely do." Karr responded. Bonnie sighed, taking a seat inside Karr once more. The AI tinted the cabin as Michael departed inside.
"Scan for Margo." Bonnie clenched the steering wheel.
"I already have. She isn't here."
Bonnie let out a breath of relief.
"My thoughts exactly." Karr reciprocated.
The staff had been very helpful and while they'd been a little unreceptive about letting Michael wheel his way to Roth's office on his own…he'd managed to convince them with his unhindered edge. Was a mystery anyhow on how he'd been asleep so long and yet so sparked with life even more.
His thoughts sidetracked to Kitt for a moment, worrying about his pal ever more…the hours were ticking and the longer they took…Kitt's chances went down. He couldn't allow them to hurt Kitt. Kitt wouldn't have allowed for such to happen to Michael either had their roles been reversed. Being good friends meant that at the moment the two were probably suffering just as much from all this.
Wheeling his way towards Roth's office, and entering the rather medium sized door with some difficulty he found the man busily at his desk reading over paperwork over the hustle of an old radio tuning in to the local ball game.
The man quickly glanced up from his desk, panic momentarily striking him before washing it away into a much more welcoming facade — but Michael had registered it nevertheless.
"Michael Knight!" The man stood reaching across the cluttered desk with a warm smile. "I hadn't had the honor to meet you yet," both men shook hands, Roth's hands sweaty to the touch. Michael gave the man a faint smile as well, deeply feeling a distaste for Kitt's killer and fighting the urge to punch him in the face there and now.
"Yeah, I heard you're quite a character."
He remarked between partially gritted teeth.
"Oh please, I'm just as good as the next man. Here uh allow me too…" He stood up moving a chair that was preventing Michael's wheelchair from smoothly standing in front of the desk. Michael nodded politely. "Well, umm, I imagine you're as equally as worried about who shot Devon last night as I am. We've been on it…turns out they hijacked my car around when Devon went out to greet me. Looks like a Benit Harp might be the man we're looking for —"
"Oh — Any motives on why…?"
"Motives?" Roth took a seat, scooting his chair and setting aside his reading glasses. "Some men don't need motives to shoot another, Mr. Knight. I'm sure you know that already given you are in a similar line of work." The man chuckled nervously.
Michael clenched his jaw.
"A witness described a long wavy haired woman who was at the wheel of the vehicle…what can you tell me about her?"
Phineas gave Michael a shaking smile before clasping his hands and fiddling with his thumbs.
"Frankly I wasn't told there'd been a woman involved, much less a witness. Security footage didn't capture —"
"Speaking of capturing, Phineas…" Michael adjusted his wheelchair, gesturing with his hand that he had something else in mind. "I actually came to ask about the Roving Robot's chassis. Bonnie left some tools in the wreckage and looks like your boys didn't bother to take it out!"
Phineas leaned back in his chair slightly relieved looking over Michael's worned features.
"It's under government custody at one of our impounds. I assure you it's well safeguarded. I can have one of the boys go in and get what you need right now and call you up when it arrives." The man gave Michael a faint smile, yet again picking up his glasses and securing them on. "Don't mean to push you around Mr. Knight but I do have arrangements and I am, you know, a busy man."
Michael nodded, giving a mischievous smile.
"As I am, it was not entirely a pleasure meeting you…" Michael tensed gazing away from the man, unable to stand his presence any longer, the image of Kitt being degaussed while the computer pleaded for its life made his stomach turn. "But I have a feeling we'll speak soon…maybe then we can settle our differences."
Phineas gave Michael a faint smile. The man looked a little dazed.
"Yeah sure…sure…I umm, well personally I think it was a pleasure even if you came by for a business related visit. Some time we should talk and uh…share what's been going around the block. You know? Yeah uh see you later Mr. Knight." Phineas rose from his seat guiding Michael out the door before closing it lightly. Michael speedily wheeled down the hall. He instinctively began to speak through his comlink.
"Karr, there should be an outgoing —"
"Shhh…" Karr hissed.
Michael frowned down at the watch before glancing over his shoulder as a woman in a huge floppy beach hat knocked on the door and was let into Phineas's office. The woman's red heels clicked on the linoleum followed by the creak of the door and the muffled voice of Roth.
Michael bit down on his lip as he thought over what to do next. He was just wheeling back toward the door when —
"For the record there is no need for you eavesdropping from the door. I'm making good use of the phone services and as a reminder…Phineas is armed — you ARE not even remotely built to take said projectiles without severe consequences, so I suggest you come back or I will take the appropriate action to get you out." Karr explained without second thought.
Michael shrugged, quick to roll himself out the building and toward the sun roofed sedan.
"Well?" He asked, as he neared the curb.
Karr lowered the window allowing Bonnie to answer his question herself.
"It wasn't Margo but he asked the woman to go out to the impound and search for the tools."
"It worked."
"Yes," Karr answered this time with a weak flicker from his dash. "I have the strangest feeling they've stolen them anyways, chances are I probably don't even have a speedo anymore…Kitt seems to always have a rough time in the impounds from what I remember."
Michael nodded glancing at the sedan door for a moment wondering where his pal could be.
"Michael, I have a handle on the woman's vehicle — she's leaving at the moment…" Karr replied worriedly. "I also seem to recall Kitt was effectively stubborn and I doubt he will go down without a fight…" He added trying to enlighten the man. "I'd suggest we get a move on Knight. No use in crying now."
Bonnie gazed over Michael's hurting face, wondering if Karr understood the meaning of tactfulness, she'd probably have to get him up to speed on just how much this was hurting Michael.
"Thanks…" He finally responded, Karr clicking the passenger door open for the disheartened man. Bonnie hurriedly helped him get in as the dark blue sedan took to the street after the secretaries red mini cooper.