Act V, Scene 1

Bonnie was horrified when she found Kitt. Or rather the wreckage the Juggernaut had left behind. To her complete surprise, Michael was still alive. She helped him get out. He was clearly in shock, but Bonnie was able to keep him upright.

Michael confidently stated that Bonnie would fix Kitt, because she always had before. And then he saw his partner's condition.

Act V, Scene 2

The Home Office was parked in a lot near the building where the Cernium 116 was being kept secure. Bonnie and Michael had managed to get Kitt – or what was left of him – into the trailer. Michael next called Devon and was surprised when the man had actually answered.

Devon – or rather the imposter that Michael and Bonnie believed to be their boss and friend – arrived at the Home Office to get a look at the ruined Trans-Am that had once housed Kitt. Bonnie was scanning Kitt's systems, trying to assess the extent of the damage.

"Michael, I don't understand how this is possible," said the imposter.

"Take a look."

Michael pointed at a microscope. The man sat down and looked through the eyepiece.

"It appears to be a paint chip with hairline splits."

"Someone figured out how to neutralize the MBS coating. I even know when it happened and where. And one of the key players involved."

"Who?"

"Doctor Quinlin's doe-eyed little assistant."

"Marta Simmons? Michael, you can't be serious!" The man looked over at Bonnie. "Are any of KITT's internal systems intact?"

"I'm afraid we have an enormous job ahead of us."

"What you're saying is, that for all intents and purposes, KITT is dead."

Melissa, who had arrived just in time to hear the pronouncement, was shocked. "Uncle Devon!"

"I'm afraid we have no choice. Bonnie, I want you to return to The Foundation with KITT and await further instructions. Michael, you are getting a month off, free and clear."

Melissa wailed, "No, Uncle Devon! You can't mean that."

"We don't have the resources – "

"But – "

"You are an adult now, sweetie. You need to learn to face facts. Bonnie will return to the Foundation offices in California. Michael will take a well-earned vacation. And you will return to school."

Melissa whined, "I can help Bonnie fix Kitt. You know what Dad always said about me."

"I said no," was the firm reply. "You are not a toddler. Stop acting like one."

Melissa continued to plead her case, "You know Dad's nickname for me. Which means – "

"Sweetie, I know you are upset about this. But I need to focus on the Cernium 116 right now. And there's nothing any of us can do about KITT. That's my final decision."

They all stared at him in disbelief as the man started to leave.

"Devon! What's going on here? You can't just throw Kitt away like a toaster or a TV! And what about the assignment? What about The Foundation's responsibility to provide security for the Cernium 116?" Michael demanded.

"As far as security is concerned, I'm satisfied it's more than adequate. As far as KITT is concerned, just look." He pointed at the pile of ruined metal. "Face the facts. KITT's dead. I'm sorry, but that's my decision. Michael, send me a postcard or two."

And then the imposter left.

Act V, Scene 3

Michael wondered if he had taken a stronger blow to the head in the encounter with that thing than he realized. Devon was distant and uncaring. Melissa was whiny and childish. The world was just not making sense.

And then Melissa turned to him and Bonnie and stated flatly, "That Man is not Devon Miles."

"Melissa, Devon's been under a lot of pressure –" Bonnie began.

"Are you familiar with Occam's Razor?"

"Well, of course. But –"

"Then I suggest you start using it," Melissa said sharply, rapping the floor with her cane.

While Dr. Wesley had worked wonders with his surgery on Melissa's fractured hip, she still needed a cane for support. Particularly when she was tired or stressed. She used Wilton's cane, the one he had used in his last illness. And right now, she was very stressed, as evidenced by the white-knuckled grip she had on the cane.

Michael was concerned. Melissa hadn't been this highly strung since she learned that her mother had poisoned Devon to get the MBS formula. He needed to get her calmed down. Then they could discuss why she thought they were dealing with an imposter.

"Occam's Razor?"

Via his commlink, Karr explained. "Occam's Razor states that the simplest explanation is usually correct."

"In other words, stop making excuses for why That Man's behavior is out of character for Uncle Devon –"

"And start from the assumption that he isn't." Michael mulled over the idea.

"Exactly. Not only did he write off Kitt without a second thought, That Man doesn't know my nickname."

"That's just –"

"Bonnie, I have the same face as Garthe, which is not the one I was born with. And Garthe once replaced a scientist with an imposter. But why would someone replace Devon with an imposter?"

"Cernium 116," replied Melissa. "That Man called me sweetie, not dear child. And he said I should return to school instead of to university."

Bonnie applied Occam's razor. Melissa was 100 percent correct: No matter how much pressure Devon was under, he would never have made those mistakes, especially not in his word choice. But an imposter forced to go off script by Melissa's unexpected arrival might.

"We're going to need a body shop big enough for the Home Office and skilled enough to fix Kitt's body," she said thoughtfully.

"And without any budget," Michael reminded her. "The Board froze it."

As Bonnie and Michael tried to figure out their options, Melissa said suddenly, "TC!"

"Yes, Miss Knight," agreed Karr. "That is a good idea."

"I'll go call him now."

Melissa went into the breakroom to use the phone. Bonnie and Michael looked at each other. And then Karr's voice came over the speaker that Kitt normally used when calling the Home Office.

"Kitt agrees that That Man is not Devon."

"You've spoken with Kitt?" Michael and Bonnie asked together.

"Kitt and I share a private communication channel. We can talk with each other. However, I cannot connect that channel to an outside one, only relay messages to and from him."

"How's Kitt doing?" Michael asked soberly.

Karr paused before answering. "He is not alone, which makes his current situation . . . bearable. I will continue to monitor him. And Miss Knight."

"We have to get Kitt fixed," said Bonnie.

"And stop That Man," added Michael.

"Kitt suggests that Devon was likely replaced after he left you to speak with Dr. Quinlin."

"Pretty good guess."

Melissa came back from making her phone calls as the Home Office began moving.

"All set."

"Give me the address," said Michael.

"But –"

"I need to check a couple of things out."

"You should take Karr . . ."

Michael shook his head. "Karr can talk with Kitt. So you and Bonnie need him more than I do right now.

Michael could tell that Melissa was barely holding herself together. Working with Bonnie on Kitt would help. And Karr needed to remain close enough to monitor her. He went over and gave her a tight hug, which she returned.

"Uncle Devon . . ." she whispered.

"Is alive. They need him for something."

Bonnie asked, "How -?"

"Gut feel."

"And it would be inconvenient for That Man and his allies if Devon were found dead."

"Karr!" said Bonnie sharply.

"No, Karr's right," said Melissa, as she reluctantly let go of Michael. "Let the driver know where to drop you off."

Michael gave Melissa one final squeeze as he exchanged glances with Bonnie. Then he went to the cab to talk with the driver. He was going to find Devon. The real one, this time.

Act V, Scene 4

It was nighttime when Michael arrived by cab in a rundown area of Chicago. The cab driver dropped Michael off some distance from the address he had been given, refusing to go any further because of how dangerous the neighborhood was.

Michael wasn't entirely sure where he was going. He even tried asking a passing wino, who just left without a word. Michael finally figured out where he needed to go. As he turned down an alley, he became aware of several men approaching him. One asked him for money, and Michael turned down his request. The men advanced on him, pulling out various weapons. Suddenly, the Street Avenger showed up, scaring off the gang members.

And then the Street Avenger greeted Michael by name.

Act V, Scene 5

After leaving the Home Office, the imposter returned to Thortex, to report to Nordstrom. He shared the news that Kitt was destroyed, and that the Foundation team had been broken up. The imposter did mention the presence of Melissa Knight. But both he and Nordstrom agreed that a mere child was no obstacle to their plans.

Devon could have told them otherwise, if they had asked him. And if he had any interest in helping Nordstrom. Instead, he took comfort in the fact that Melissa was in Chicago and the knowledge (born of personal experience) that she would most definitely be working with Bonnie to repair Kitt. Regardless of what the imposter – or Nordstrom – thought.

Act V, Scene 6

The Street Avenger led Michael down the alley and through a door. Inside was a large and serviceable auto shop. The Home Office was inside, along one side. The Trans-Am had been pulled out, looking even worse than Michael remembered.

Michael sized up his rescuer, who returned the stare and then held out his hand.

"You look familiar . . ."

"We crossed paths the other day. Different alley, similar circumstances."

Remembering, the Street Avenger grinned and nodded. "Reginald Cornelius III, RC3 for short."

"Michael Knight. Thanks for the help."

"Ain't no big thing." RC3 tossed the rifle aside and it bounced. Noticing Michael's reaction, he added, "It's rubber."

RC3 took off his shades, hat and coat. Michael was surprised to see a black man, a little younger than him. RC3 continued his explanation.

"What happened is a couple of months ago it was getting real nasty around here. So I figured I would do something about it. Got my hands on an AK47 and used it to make a rubber dummy. Dressed up like this and ran around calling myself the Street Avenger. No big deal."

Michael laughed, taking an immediate liking to RC3. "You do this often?"

"Not much anymore. I'm in semiretirement. Helping my dad with this place."

"Don't tell me: RC2."

Melissa came out of the Home Office, her cane clicking on the ramp as she approached the two men. "Michael! Karr said you were here. Any luck?"

Michael shook his head, and Melissa's face fell. "Marta's gone. She took all she needed: her clothes and her dog."

Bonnie came out of the Home Office in time to hear Michael's terse report. Michael saw a weariness on her face he hadn't seen before.

"How's Kitt coming?"

"I think we've . . . bitten off more than we can chew."

Michael was puzzled. "I thought the Home Office had all the equipment you needed.

"To a point. Melissa and I, we can recreate Kitt's systems and technology. But Michael, I had no idea how much structural damage was done when we last spoke. Now that I know how bad it is. Well, to repair that we'd need a fully equipped machine shop and skilled technicians.

Michael, Bonnie, and Melissa shared a look, as the enormity of what they faced sank in. RC3, on the other hand, never lost his smile. Instead, he walked to door that clearly led to the outside.

"I took the liberty of making a few calls."

RC3 swung open the door, whistled, then stepped aside. A unique group of young men all in their twenties and thirties entered. They were all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. And everyone one of them had tools clutched in their hands. One even wheeled in an electric welder.

Bonnie was stunned. "What . . . what is this?"

RC3 made introductions. "Bonnie, say hello to your new pit crew. Guys, this is the boss lady, Bonnie. The tall one's Michael. And the short one's Melissa. I answer to the boss lady; you answer to me." RC3 indicated the Trans-Am. "That there is the patient. Okay, let's go to work."

While the new arrivals got themselves – and their tools and equipment settled – RC3 turned back to his three guests. "Hey, you think just 'cause this is the ghetto there's no talent down here? Don't let how they look fool ya. These guys are great."

Michael smiled a genuine smile, his first since he and Kitt had faced off against the Juggernaut. "Looks like we have the crew we need for this job."

Act V, Scene 7

Michael was by the door to the breakroom, dozing. Bonnie had passed out on the couch. Kitt's CPU was on a rack by the desk. And Melissa was curled up on the floor, near Michael. All three humans had blankets, courtesy of RC3. Who ambled over and calmly regarded the group.

Without opening his eyes, Michael asked, "You need something, RC3?"

"Just call me RC. I was curious about the backstory here. If you're okay sharing, that is."

Michael sighed. Melissa stirred in her sleep, not waking up but clearly distressed. Michael reached over and rubbed her shoulders until she settled back down. Then Michael stood up and ushered RC back towards the bay where Karr sat in the spot where his partner ought to have been parked, pulling the breakroom door mostly shut behind him.

"I work for the Foundation for Law and Government, which was created by Wilton Knight. The Executive Director is Devon Miles."

"With you so far."

"Devon's . . . gone missing. I had a few leads, but nothing's panned out. Yet." He sighed again. "Devon's my boss. And Melissa's godfather."

"At least she's got you."

"Which reminds me: how did you meet my kid sister? And I thought she was calling someone named TC."

RC chuckled softly. "TC's my cousin. Dad's the oldest of five. TC – Theo Cornelius – is Dad's youngest brother's son. He's about Melissa's age. Smart as a whip, too. He's studying engineering at Purdue."

Michael nodded his understanding. "So he and Melissa know each other from school."

"Yup. He must of mentioned the garage to her. When she needed a place, she called TC. He called me, and I agreed to help out."

"Much appreciated."

"Ain't no big thing, man. TC seems to like Melissa."

"Umm . . ."

RC's eyes narrowed. "That a problem?"

"She's got a boyfriend. Unless they broke up, and she didn't think to mention it. Hate to think she's stringing TC along."

RC relaxed again. "TC's got a girlfriend. So I'm pretty sure my kid cousin and your kid sister really are just friends."

"Well, you let me know if I have to talk to her."

"Will do."

Both men heard excited voices from the direction of Kitt.

"Guess I'd better go play referee some more."

"And I could use a bit more sleep."

RC walked off. Michael heard his voice talking and the excited voices calmed down once more. Michael went back to his post, checking on Melissa, Bonnie, and his partner. Once he was sure all was calm at his end, he sat down, pulled a blanket over himself, and went back to sleep.