The abandoned facility was a total wreck. Graffiti patching up any and all sides of the building that could even be remotely drawn on. Rotting metal and sinking ceilings were overrun by thick vegetation running up walls and over the flooring of dilapidated offices that'd been exposed to the outside elements. Chain-linked fences toppled over and those left standing looked dangerously weak enough for Karr to kick over with a simple purr of his engine. He even found scars of old tire burnouts in the back of the property with litter suggesting a late-night drag race not so long ago.
The two-toned t-top quietly maneuvered around the abandoned complex. His tires sinking in the fresh mud pools spread across the uneven gravel lot, noting the horrid condition the place was in. There were faint signs of some re-building being done after presumably the fire that had occurred the night of the accident, but all attempts seemed to have eventually been abandoned. The little progress that had been done had eventually rotted away with the remaining of the disfigured building. Machinery tossed in huge black heaps of scorched debris. Rusting metal sheets sitting over cracked cement floors inside the few warehouses that had escaped the blaze.
Karr's scanner beat profusely from side to side as he attempted to home in on any surviving evidence from the ancient accident. The interference from the decomposing dust in the air restrained his scanner, he would have to be very close to the presumed evidence otherwise he would completely miss it. He rounded the property, leaving no stone unturned so to speak as he examined the place meticulously under the protection of the dim light of early morning.
He'd been at it since early dawn, the sun rays just barely flowing through cracks in the walls of the building casting elegant silhouettes inside the darkened interiors. Karr took this time to do a better search of the inside of some of the better-standing buildings, not wanting to risk getting trapped in the more damaged ones. He peered through an entrance, taking in the quiet howl of the breeze whistling lightly through the cold and empty rooms of the decaying structure.
He beckoned his engine forward, grumbling a little as his chassis jerked from driving over the uneven ground. The smell inside wasn't any better than the appearance from outside. There was a strong odor of decomposing cardboard, rotting wood, and fumes from deteriorating chemical tanks, sending a chill down Karr's microprocessor. Rounding a corner in the huge warehouse Karr caught a glimpse of several remains of automobiles that'd been left for dead. The skeletal remains seemingly appeared like they'd been mauled by some wild, fierce metallic-eating animal. Karr hoped this wasn't the case, even though he was sure that such a creature would have no hopes of defeating him as he was nearly indestructible.
Passing the crumbling vehicles, Karr concluded that there were no hopes of finding any evidence of Knight's whereabouts or his survival. If there had been any evidence, then the rains and time had simply washed it away. There was nothing more this putrid place could tell them. Karr exited the warehouse taking in the fresh air with relief, the dirty confined place echoing eerie memories of his deactivation in the hands of Wilton Knight. The sights of the mangled vehicles were still fresh in his mind, reminding him that if he weren't careful he'd perish simply as they. Forgotten.
He made one more trip around the property, avoiding the larger mud puddles and deep potholes that had formed in the lot. He was just heading back out to the street hoping maybe there was a chance he could return to Kitt without suspicion when the sound of two chassis colliding pierced the air in a shrill cry. A black t-top C4 Corvette had struck him from the driver's side, pushing him violently aside. Having not enough time to react Karr was left dumbfounded, as another loud sound riddled the air. He kicked up loose gravel in terror, having not enough traction to release himself.
The Corvette suddenly stopped, allowing him to make a mad dash for the street but the Corvette did not keep pursuing. Assuming his molecular bonded shell had damaged the vehicle in some way, he continued hastily away, deducing that it'd been an ambush set up by their previous captors.
Dawning on him that he was going the wrong way he did a quick and messy U-turn and darted back up the street, curious enough to dare get a view of his captors. Smugly wanting to show off how he'd escaped unscathed.
He caught sight of the Corvette immediately standing alone in the lot, with a huge black rod sticking out from its rear-end quarter panel. Other than that, the Corvette did not show any obvious signs of damage.
Puzzled, Karr applied the brakes instantly, taken almost at once by complete terror as he caught sight of the faintest of glows coming from the Corvette's prow in the sun-soaked morning.
A green scanner beating from side to side in quiet contemplation.
Karr scanned over the vehicle from a safe distance noting there was no one inside and the high electrical consumption of the vehicle. It was safe to assume that this other vehicle was –
"Who are you!?" Karr spat revving his engine in a fuming manner. No way on Earth was it possible that there was another lower production model copy! He felt completely bewildered at the thought of being replaced TWICE!
The Corvette darted in his direction without warning, Karr instinctively jerking back but the other vehicle stopped a little ways from him, abruptly drifting to its side just as another perforating sound was made. The chassis of the other vehicle shuddered, another long rod perturbing from its side. Karr, taking in this strange behavior worriedly, attempted to pinpoint where the marksmen were.
"Good grief! Run! For crying out loud!" A feminine voice came from the vehicle, with a loud angry hum of her green beating scanner.
Karr jerked in reverse, the voice taking him by surprise. He speedily turned around but stopped midway as he made a frightening discovery.
The Corvette had a molecular bonded shell.
He glanced over the pained expression of the green scanner pulsating in distress. That could have been him! The Corvette had saved him!
Feeling he was being foolhardy by not following the other vehicle's warning he shouted in her direction.
"RUN!" Taking off, expecting the Corvette to follow after but it did not. It stood there, immobile…hopeless…in the middle of the empty street. Vanishing from view as he turned a corner. For the first time in his whole life, he felt…guilt…heavy guilt…He'd just been saved by a complete stranger who'd literally had put their life between him and lethal damage, and he couldn't thank them.
What's more, he felt guilty that he'd simply left the other vehicle there to die. A shiver ran down his processor at the thought. Silently hoping the vehicle had run off one way or another.
He continued up the street in pursuit mode hoping to arrive with Kitt soon, as he expected his captors would not be too far behind.
Liam walked up to the hurt vehicle, shaking his head in complete disapproval. The marksmen approached him from their armored van with a round symbol of a Crawdad (or crayfish whichever you prefer) shielding a small round nugget of gold with its long and sturdy claws. The Letters N.A.G laid circularly around it. The men exited and regarded him in annoyance.
"What in the world is wrong with the car?!" One of the men jumped out, in complete frustration. "We had the Pontiac aligned, the first blow would have wasted the CPU!" The men stood just a ways from Liam as he ran his fingers over the punctured holes on Oriel's chassis, brushing his hand over the still warm rods. The thought of her being struck in such a delicate spot alarmed him.
"Oriel," His voice was low, hurt. "I told you…"
"It isn't fair." She retorted. "I don't approve of this lynching." She put the words strongly.
Liam turned to the men, who had their brows up in expectation awaiting his retribution. He shuddered a little, he could never bring himself to do that to Oriel.
"Oriel, the Knight Automated Roving Robot is dangerous! What about that do you not understand?" He jerked the driver's door handle, but it was tightly locked. "Oriel?" He questioned worriedly.
" – I understand his background isn't the most spotless but I don't approve of doing away with him without giving him a chance, or an explanation." The Corvette's scanner picked up its pace as it wildly flashed at her driver.
"Oriel, we don't need consent about…"
" – Killing him?! What in the world is wrong with you Liam!?" The vehicle's voice stumbling at the logic of her own driver. "How insensitive can you be?"
The Corvette pulled out forward heading in the direction that Karr had taken. Liam jumped in front of the car's prow, the marksmen watching at a distance flinching over the action. Oriel of course came to a quick stop, purring her engine in exasperation.
"Where are you going?" Liam asked, his dark eyes taking in the faint green glow of her pulsating scanner.
"I'm going to speak to Karr," She boldly put. "You can deactivate me if you wish when I do return…but I won't allow you to take a life without first attempting to save it."
The comment took him back, he gazed down at her.
"Oriel you're meant to save human lives, not…"
"Are you implying that Karr isn't a person?" The vehicle challenged. "Am I not a person either? Is that it? I'm just property and utility…that's all, huh?" She growled her engine softly, not wanting to scare her driver entirely. She couldn't bring herself to do that to Liam. She just wanted him to understand how she felt about coldly killing off one of her own, or anyone for that matter. Ever since she'd become aware of what had happened to the prototype before her, she held empathy for any rejected AI that might come her way…
She recalled the memory faintly. The agency had mercilessly pulled the plug on the initial prototype when the AI had displayed too many errors during late development and had been put down "humanely" as all the scientists had put it. She was well aware they hadn't been so compassionate about the destruction of the other AI. She knew this because the agency was in such dire need of money that they hadn't bothered to wipe some of the memory banks that had belonged to the deceased AI. If truth be told, some of Oriel's code still echoed that of the one they'd put down. They had simply recycled the first to make her, and she was aware that a third was coming out of production rather soon, she didn't expect to be treated any differently than mock-up alpha v1.0.0. In all honesty…she knew her name wasn't in effect Oriel…that had been the one before her…She was Kipp, Knight Industries Preliminary Prototype, but everyone had simply kept that under lock and key. As she'd later become aware they'd passed her on as the original to the board. Perhaps they probably would have treated her differently if they knew she wasn't the first. However cold the thought, she was aware that alpha AI's were rarely treated fairly.
She beckoned the chassis forward maneuvering around Liam. Her rear back tire shuddered from the hurt suspension. The man glanced over her sadly. He placed a hand over the windshield, Oriel stopping in place.
"Oriel, he could hurt you." Came his weak reply, giving her an empathetic look. He glanced over at the molecular penetrating rods sticking like dark quills from her destroyed rear quarter panels. He clenched his jaw. "I'm sorry." He ran his hand in a circular motion over the sheen of the windshield. Feeling awful that he'd allowed her to get injured when he could have called off the attack on Karr.
"What about Karr?" She squeaked. "He needs someone, just like I have you."
Liam let out a sigh.
"Oriel, he's still a menace…" the man would not falter on this decision. Karr simply was a threat and unpredictable. Sure the vehicle had not caused significant damage or danger as of late but they could not be sure how long this grace period would endure. It was best if Karr was caught and disabled before anything. As for Kitt, NAG did not see the need to recover him. Given his clean background and well-known civil behavior. Of course, they intended to return the car without directly letting Kitt know, or anyone for that matter. If anything Karr's recapture would allow Kitt to return home. A Karr for a car.
Oriel pulled away from Liam almost instantly, dashing madly down the street unevenly as Liam shouted at her to stop but she would not abide. Not this time.
She rounded a corner and vanished, Liam, yelling into the comlink to have her return but she simply had ceased to listen. The man turned to the marksmen, they seemed alarmed that the Corvette had defied his authority. Liam watched as one of them shook their head in bitter disapproval.
"Well, Liam, fix this up or it will be two computers we dispatch today."
Karr slowed down on the road, hearing an all too similar hum of a turbine behind him. The other vehicle struggled to keep up with a misaligned suspension. He dismissed the thought of fighting off the other vehicle as it slowly neared him. Although he didn't want to give it all his trust, he was grateful to the other computer. He was glad that he'd get a chance to give her his many thanks. In the off chance that the other vehicle did attack, he knew it wouldn't stand much of a chance given the damage it had taken. For what it was worth, he found consolation in its injury even though he felt pity for it. He pulled over to the side of the road, preparing his systems in the off case he needed to retreat to safety.
The black C4 Corvette came to a gentle stop just beside him. Sparkling in the morning light alongside him. The threatening dark rods painfully stuck up from her quarter panels, her backlights flickering weakly. The chassis dented horribly and splintered, something unnatural given the properties of the Molecular bonded shell. He didn't like it, the sinister black rods ruining the other cars' appearance. A shiver ran down his CPU, however, at the thought of those lacerating into him instead and marking his demise.
"Hi." He offered. Feeling the guilt washed away, replaced with relief that the vehicle had indeed escaped. "Thank you." He added faintly, surprised how easy it was to say these words...
"Hello." She replied meekly, the light feather hum of her scanner a telltale greeting that Karr greatly understood, solidifying the notion he'd found another of his kind.
However, he couldn't help and felt awkward. It was the first time he'd met an AI that was a she. Not to mention, he didn't expect there to be any more computers similar to him and Kitt.
"Why did you do it?" Karr asked intrigued. Letting his anxiety take the back seat.
The other vehicle slowly traced its scanner. Lighting one light at a time in silent thought.
"They wanted to kill you." Came her quiet reply.
Karr angrily revved his engine, surprised when the Corvette joined in too.
"Did they capture you as well?" Was Karr's next question. Where did she fit in all this?
"No. Not exactly." She remarked nervously. "I'm the National Agency of Government's field car, but I was opposed to your termination."
"Oh." Karr couldn't find words to thank her further or words to describe how touched he was with her sentiment. Karr pulled forward on the open road in silent goodbye but the Corvette followed him submissively. He wondered what he'd tell Kitt when he'd explained to him that he'd found another AI like them, and felt the slight ping of excitement that he'd found a rebel just like him.
The two drove quietly over the desert highway idly for the longest time before it occurred to Karr that the other AI probably had insight on their captors.
'Why do they want to hurt me?' He asked suddenly after requesting a connection to a private channel with the t-top Corvette.
'They consider you dangerous, Karr.'
There was nothing new in that statement but Karr slowed significantly at the sound of his name.
'What's your name?'
There was hesitation on behalf of her. As if she was deciding whether or not they could certainly be friends. It was strange to ask someone their name, given he'd never asked Kitt, he'd simply known. Kitt had also never asked.
'Kipp.' She murmured sheepishly into the channel.
'What's it stand for?' Karr asked, curious.
'What makes you believe it stands for anything?' She asked, mystified by his logic. Her statement, however, lacked malice or spit. Karr proudly understood that she was surprised by his good comprehension of acronyms.
Karr internally smirked.
'Don't they all stand for something?' He smugly replied.
'Knight Industries Preliminary Prototype.' She remarked.
Karr took in the acronym carefully.
'Did Wilton Knight…?' He sounded jealous…
'No. In layman's terms, I'm reverse-engineered from Kitt and you.' She explained promptly. 'I wasn't around when Wilton Knight was and technically speaking I'm not affiliated to Knight Industries either.' She admitted.
'Oh.' Karr let out an inaudible breath of relief. 'So Kipp,' he began. 'You won't destroy us?' He dared.
'Course not.' She chuckled lightly into the channel making Karr jump internally and swerve a little on the road. Kipp adjusted her speed so as to not bump into him.
'What in the world was that?!' Karr questioned loudly after he'd gotten ahold of his bearings.
'Sorry.' She apologized. 'Even though we are similar, I'm rather different from you two.'
'Don't you think that's strange?' Karr put delicately, slowing down. Not wanting to attract unwanted attention from incoming traffic. Taking note of bark chips scattered over the lonely highway dropped by a hurried truck, driving carefully over them.
'What? Being different?' She playfully cooed.
'No, laughter. You can produce laughter. Surely, you find that strange. Whatever purpose does that have?'
'Well…' She happily replied, catching Karr off guard. 'It's a glitch. There is no purpose, it's simply there.'
'Doesn't that worry you?'
'Not the slightest, no.' Karr could almost see her smile.
'What might your purpose be if you're – distinct?' Karr cringed internally, the moment the words were uttered into the channel. A heavy silence befell them. He shouldn't have asked…
'Karr, does that bother you?' Kipp inquired gingerly. Knowing well that he wasn't entirely referring to herself.
He flinched, driving over the speed limit a notch or two.
'Karr, I understand if that bothers you…' she was backtracking.
'Being distinct does not bother me!' He hissed, fuming. Gunning his engine loudly on the open road.
'Well if it's worth any consolation, as I mentioned before, being distinct doesn't bother me either. You were discarded, anyone who's been discarded would wonder what their purpose is, especially if one doesn't perform as expected. I was indirectly discarded too,' she replied comfortingly.
'You were?' Karr's voice had changed; he didn't sound upset anymore, or jealous for that matter. He found it hard to believe that Kipp would have been discarded at all, given she'd made it to field car status at all. Something Karr hadn't even remotely reached in his lifetime. He had always been classified as rouge and indecent. He felt...strangely enough...understood. It felt good to be understood. He'd trusted Kitt dearly but regarding his deactivation and how he felt about that, he wasn't ready to open up just yet. However, in the presence of another computer who'd been discarded just as he was, this was different…
'Tell me –' his voice wavered. 'About what happened to you…'
'Gladly.'
Karr internally smiled because he could genuinely hear the smile in her voice.
Bonnie and RC were deeply asleep. Kitt was also, in the sense that he was charging his power packs in a state of downtime. The night had been very pleasant and quiet. The highway received little to no traffic at all up to early morning. Then the loud swoosh of passing cars had started to awaken the sleepy occupants and by extension the "sleepy" AI. Bonnie gently stretched out in her seat, gazing over the morning sky slowly casting bright rays of light over the scorched desert. She turned to RC who had leaned the chair so far back it looked that at any given moment it would snap in two. She giggled, glancing over Kitt's idle dash. She was happy to be in the company of her dear friends, a small frown forming on her brow as she recalled the person who'd been meant to sit in Kitt's driver's seat. She glanced down at her lap, painfully remembering the times she and Michael had spent together in this cabin. Moments she'd come to believe had been too few. She was brought back to reality however as her gaze strayed onto Kitt's side mirror.
"Karr's gone!" She shouted sitting up, startling RC in his seat.
"What? What did you say?!" He panicked, rubbing madly at his eyes and turning to glance behind Kitt.
"He isn't far," Kitt reassured, having realized as well several hours ago but sounding far calmer than Bonnie and RC. "I'm picking up on him a couple of miles up the highway. He probably decided to get a headstart on the search." He sounded pleased.
Bonnie shrugged.
"I'd feel a whole lot better if we didn't leave him unsupervised." Bonnie urged.
"I understand," Kitt replied meekly, running his starting sequence, the dash lighting up instantly as he noisily pulled out from the gravel curb beneath, speeding up the road.
"I'll call him," Kitt added over RC's heavy yawns and arm stretching.
"Sure, call up your trouble-making double." RC grinned. Kitt tracing his scanner from side to side in an "eye-roll" expression.
'Karr?' Kitt called into the private channel.
'Kitt?' Karr shouted anxiously, having been engrossed in Kipp's story.
'Is that who I think it is?' She joined in, sounding thrilled to hear the other AI's voice.
Karr internally cringed. He'd accidentally linked the broadcast into his and Kipp's private one.
'Karr, who – !?' Kitt shouted, alarmed at the peculiar voice.
'That's of unimportance to you right now, I will let you know when I've arrived at your location.' Karr groaned, clearly annoyed, unlinking the two communication channels.
' – But Karr!' Kitt protested.
'Kitt, I will explain once I've arrived near you.' Karr swooshed his scanner, taking Kitt's location. 'Based on your current speed, we will meet in approximately ten minutes. I'd like to request you to go slow as I have an important matter to discuss with – someone…'
'So there is someone with you!' Kitt exclaimed once more.
'Kitt for the last time! I will explain later! Have some patience.' Karr remarked amusedly. 'Word of advice, ensure your windshield wipers are at their finest.' Karr teased, terminating the connection before Kitt could have time to question the reason, and brought his attention back to Kipp trailing steadily behind him on the open road.
'Where were we?' He asked, motioning electronically for her to continue the conversation…
Kitt pulled over to the side of the highway, sluggishly. Bonnie arguing about why they shouldn't have left Karr unattended so recklessly. Everyone contributing a grain of salt to who or what might be with Karr.
Kitt had his hopes running high. With what he'd learned last night, he was hoping Karr had found someone who knew more about Michael's whereabouts.
Kitt transitioned his attention to RC who was explaining how there was a possibility that maybe Karr had given someone a lift or…the least desirable conclusion, kidnapped someone. Bonnie made it clear she was going to take Karr apart with her bare hands if that was the case. Kitt internally shuddered at the thought of Karr breaking his promise, hoping Karr would show up rather soon to explain what was going on.
He tuned in on the radio attempting to calm the two passengers actively arguing about whose fault it was for not having kept an eye on Karr.
"I'd say it was mine." Kitt piped up, clearly annoyed with the two.
This line of reasoning quickly made them awkwardly stop. Before Bonnie could rebuke this answer Kitt added…
"Despite what all you might think, I genuinely trust Karr. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be here." Kitt put it diplomatically.
He was just about to bust out his skillful analysis expertise when Karr passed them doing a quick U-turn and parking alongside Kitt on a wide stretch of road meant for emergencies.
"Karr, what took you so long – ?"
He may as well have been dreaming as a sleek black Corvette parked facing him, a slow elegant glowing lime green scanner rippling majestically from side to side.
"Karr who's –?"
"Hello..." Came a playful voice from the black C4 Corvette, followed by a light giggle.
"What!? It's a girl!?" Kitt shouted in utter surprise as Bonnie and RC gaped back at the unusual sight. The two passengers were completely left speechless, craning their necks to get a better glimpse. Never crossing their minds that Karr could have found another car.
Karr internally laughed as he purred his engine in satisfaction over the meeting of the two.
"Kitt, I didn't think you'd be so 'surprised'…" Karr teased.
"No…I'm… it's just…who…who are you?!" Kitt jerked forward, wanting to assume some control over the unusual situation. Bonnie and RC were startled by the sudden gesture. Knowing full well that at the moment he was failing to hide his dismay.
The Corvette however did not coward down but rather pipped her engine in greeting.
"I'm Kipp. As you can see I'm much like you and Karr, but different…for one I'm not a Trans-Am as you handsome gentlemen are." She acclaimed the two, with a cheerful tune.
Kitt dropped dead on the spot, the compliment catching him by surprise.
"Oh,…thank you?"
Karr gently drove up to Kitt's side. Finding it very amusing that Kitt was making a fuss about the newcomer. Even he hadn't been that awkward.
"The compliment is very appreciated." Karr put it politely. "I'd like to note that you are a very aesthetically pleasing automobile just as much." Karr smugly swayed his scanner knowing the argument he'd just about let loose.
Kitt revved his engine, pulling forward anxiously yet again.
"I – I was about to say that…" He put in hastily. "I find…that…uh…you're...fetching…" He couldn't think straight…It was his first time meeting with a female AI that could for once, think on her own. He'd had his share of conversations with other computers, most all (other than Karr) had greeted him with information and statistics but he'd not ever met one that had complimented him on his appearance.
"Putting that aside." Karr pulled Kitt from his daze, knowing that their time was limited. He'd have time later to poke fun at his brother. " – Kitt, NAG is the agency behind your and my kidnapping and your destruction. They are after me. Kipp here has chosen to help." He promptly explained.
Bonnie interrupted the conversing vehicles, opening the passenger window and sticking her head partially out.
"Who?" She inquired.
"The National Agency of Government, NAG for short Miss Barstow." Kipp politely explained.
Bonnie nodded feeling a bit strange in the presence of not two but three AIs!
"We must find cover and protection for Karr since the agency has decided to decommission him. As for you Kitt – "
Kitt flinched at the mention of his name, still recovering from his initial astonishment.
"NAG does not see you as any potential threat and you will likely be walking away from this unscathed, however, in helping Karr you might be putting your life at risk. I will not allow that and have decided that I will take full responsibility for any actions taken against either of you."
" – Hold on. What do you mean by –?" Kitt asked intrigued.
He froze as Karr shared an unpleasant memory with him via their private communication channel. He watched in horror as the vehicle before him was struck by an unidentified alloy that tore the Molecular bonded shell like butter. He scanned over Kipp catching a glimpse of her wounded shell, feeling panic seep into him at the thought of Karr being heavily hurt. Shoken by the notion that someone had made an equal contender for the molecular bonded shell he felt bothered that these people knew so much about them.
Kitt turned his attention to Karr suddenly.
"So what's your plan?"
Karr flashed his amber scanner in complete happiness.
"Well, logically, we're all going into hiding."
Bonnie and RC exchanged skeptical glances. Bonnie spoke up first.
"I think we should talk to Devon first. He probably has contacts that could – "
"Hold on a second, Karr." Kitt interrupted, making Bonnie wring her hands in anxiety. "What about Michael?"
"I went to the burnt facility, there isn't anything that could suggest Michael is alive. Sorry, but It's the truth." Karr explained hastily, wanting to get on his way. Humming his engine anxiously.
"Well," Kitt hesitated. "I have concrete proof that he isn't dead." Kitt cheerfully chimed. The humans and Karr gazed over Kitt as if he'd finally hit rock bottom. Kipp, the only one to still see him sane.
"Kitt," Karr tried to reason. "Michael Knight is no longer – "
"The program! Do you remember the program that gave me the headache? Well, it's taking me to Michael and I must reach him soon because I have a feeling…" The excitement wiggled free from Kitt's CPU.
"Kitt, that's ridiculous!" Karr turned in the small space alongside the highway, taking a spot next to Kipp quietly facing Kitt. "There isn't anything you can do for him, now. Get it through your RAM." He gingerly replied.
"Karr," Kitt went on with a hurt voice. "It's important to me…"
"I understand, but my life…YOUR life is under threat, so don't you think – ?"
"That's all you ever care about…" Kitt put forth, regretting the instant the words came out.
Karr's chassis trembled violently as he revved forward in threat towards Kitt.
"What do you mean by that!?" He challenged, his amber scanner flashing furiously.
"Nothing, I don't mean nothing…It just sounds to me like you DON'T care what happens to Michael or not…" Kitt revved his engine in frustration, beckoning the chassis forward until the two Trans Am's were glaring prow to prow.
"Kitt!" Bonnie hollered, raising her voice in alarm.
" – But what would I expect from a driverless prototype!" Kitt cruelly pointed out.
Karr's fuse went off, launching himself in blind anger towards Kitt. He didn't get a chance to wipe Kitt's grin off however as Kipp was quick to intervene. Having expected the confrontation ahead of time she pushed him away just as Kitt pulled forward, colliding with her instead and sending her skidding into the ditch. Both Trans Am's were unhurt, glaring madly at one another and aware of the implications for the humans witnessing the ordeal.
Kitt trembled looking over Karr in affliction, realizing what he'd almost done. What he'd almost done a second time…
"I'm sorry – I didn't – I didn't mean it." He apologized promptly, knowing just how much he'd probably hurt the other AI's feelings if not his entire trust.
Karr pulled away from the curb in reverse, not wanting to hear it. He felt ashamed of what he'd almost come to do just as much…He was a hopeless case…Why couldn't he do things right for once? What Kitt had said was justified…what did one expect from an error-riddled prototype anyways? The AI before Kipp had also been plagued with bad programming and this had led to its destruction, Kipp had risen from the ashes of this one just like Kitt had from Karr in a sense. The scientists had learned from their mistakes but sadly had never been considerate enough to mend Karr's programming too. It was all his fault...that this argument had arisen anyway…were all early prototypes doomed to fail?
"I'm sorry too." Karr croaked quietly, he was sorry that he was forever stuck this way. An unreliable computer for anyone who dared put trust in him.
This statement caught everyone off guard. Kitt the most, not having expected Karr to regret anything. Bonnie had gone pale, motioning for RC to get Kitt into motion but it seemed the Firebird had another agenda in order.
"Pardon the interruption." Kipp remarked from the ditch blanketed in lite dust, trembling still from the hard impact. " – But we must go, NAG agents have been dispatched to find Karr." She beat her scanner in concern towards the two. "I'd suggest we find a spot to regroup and figure out what our next move will be." Addressing Kitt she added. "Probably seeing to it that we find Mr. Knight along the way." She offered.
"But he's dead!" Karr argued once more. He felt his CPU shudder from helpless fear.
"No he isn't!" Kitt retorted. "He needs me!"
" – How about me? Your brother? I need you!" Karr stood still, done with hiding this from view any longer. He'd never come to understand but he'd admit that he had always wished for companionship. From the moment he'd been shunned from Wilton's presence, he'd desired to find someone…someone to understand…a friend…a driver…anyone to simply help him learn. To help him grow and get away from all this betrayal.
Kitt let out a low hum, sounding a lot like an aching cough.
"Karr," He internally sighed. "Tell me why you're this way?"
Karr, surprised over Kitt's empathy, looked over the other pained t-top.
"Well – I deduced you'd leave me…"
"Karr, why in the world would I do that?" Kitt beckoned his chassis forward ignoring Bonnie's warnings. Wanting to piece together what had just been fractured in just an instant.
"Because…you have no space for me."
Kitt's scanner froze taking in the sad thought of his brother. The comment made RC and Bonnie silent, allowing time for Kitt to respond. Perhaps they'd judged Karr too hard.
" – Karr, you could have told me. I wouldn't leave you…you're…family."
He could tell Bonnie and RC were having second thoughts about letting Karr in as "family", however, but Kitt knew deep down that Karr WAS his family…just a misunderstood individual trying to navigate the ups and downs of a difficult life, and programming by extension. They shouldn't have left him for dead in the old laboratory. They should have seen to it that he was mended…They should have –
There was no going back, but that didn't mean that Karr couldn't change now.
"Pardon the second interruption," Kipp remarked with a fragile voice, struggling to get out of the ditch on her own, picking up dust and making a small murky cloud. "May we sort this out someplace less…public?" She gestured with her faint green glow for them to leave. Noting that passing traffic was watching them skeptically. "I hope you all understand my concern." She added, sounding worried over the serious discussion on hand and unsettled about being intrusive to the personal conversation.
Both Trans Am's beat their scanners in agreement, aware that she was very much right.
Authors Note: Sorry for the delay but would you believe me when I say there were four different outcomes written out and completed for chapter 7 alone? It was difficult to figure out where I wanted to go and this is where it all ended up. I'm actually happy with this one since it was the least confusing. Fun fact: the beginning was always the same for all the outcomes but changed when Karr was greeted by someone at the end of his investigation. He was always going to be attacked suddenly though (although not all plots included Oriel/Kipp in them)...Hope this chapter was satisfying and hope I can continue this adventure! Once I do finish this story I will include a short area with some of my favorite cut content or quotes that didn't make it to the final product. (Disclaimer: There is a short chance I will come back to add to this chapter but until then) Happy reading and writing!