Knight Rider 2008 Alternate Storyline – Episode 5 – Countdown
Chapter 1
Knight Industries Corporate Headquarters, NYC, New York
David checked his watch. It was nearly one. The meeting would be over soon, and he had not yet had a chance to speak. He frowned darkly.
His dark eyes went back to the CEO of Knight Industries, Andrew Corlan. He had been talking for over an hour already. Didn't he ever run out of air? David had heard everything he was saying before. He tuned it out now. He knew how much trouble they were in without a constant reminder.
Finally, Mr. Corlan stopped speaking. David's attention returned. He waited. “Eric, your report.” Corlan said, looking down the long table.
David felt his teeth clench. Of course Eric Dwaling got to speak before him. There was another hour of his life he would never get back.
To his surprise, Dwaling kept it short. “ROOC is nailing us.” He said simply, shaking his head. “They have been picking up numerous government contracts, underselling us each time. Their projects are inferior in design and in execution, but with the failing economy, the federal government has decided not to be 'picky'.” He retook his seat.
Mr. Corlan turned his gaze to David. “David? How goes Project KITT?”
Every eye in the boardroom was turned to him. Finally. He stood up, squaring his shoulders. “Project Knight Industries Three Thousand exceeds all of our expectations.” He said, failing miserably to keep the smugness out of his voice. “We have a dedicated and hardworking team, and an extremely capable Driver. The technologies we are testing with Three Thousand have all been spectacular successes. In ten months, we will be able to develop them for military and commercial use.”
A murmur of approval went through the room. David's voice was clear and compelling. This is what he lived for. Moments like this. “We're pushing the envelope every day, gentlemen.” He said, pride in his voice.
Corlan looked impressed. “Ten months.” He nodded. “All right. We'll just have to stay afloat until then.” He said. David smiled.
********
“And to think, a year ago, how disappointed you were by your 'demotion'.” Corlan chuckled to himself. David was walking with him down to the older man's car.
David smiled faintly. It was a humorless smile. “Vice President was hard to let go of.”
“Director of FLAG has a noble ring to it.” Corlan said.
“I suppose it does.” David assented, grudgingly.
The pair exited the front doors of the building. A shiny black limousine was waiting for the CEO. David walked with him as the driver got out and opened the back door.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. A strange feeling washed over him. Like he was being watched...
Over the top of the limousine, he saw a dark green van across the street. A small window on the side was open, a long dark barrel sticking out.
Instinct took over. He tackled Corlan to the ground as the shot was fired. There was no loud bang, just a tiny ping! of air being forced out of the silencer. The bullet went right through both back windows of the limousine, hitting David in the shoulder on his way to the ground. The impact was so strong it whipped his body around and he fell on his back.
As he lay there, bleeding on the sidewalk, he heard screams. The screams of frightened people in the area, running for their lives. The scream of tires as the green van sped away. David rolled over, staring after it intently, ignoring the searing pain that was developing in his shoulder.
He reached into his jacket pocket while still on the ground and pulled out his cellphone. He pressed a button on it and put it to his ear. It picked up right away. “Hello?” The voice on the other end asked.
“Pierce. Track down this license plate for me.” He relayed the information. Then he said. “Have Katherine and Three Thousand on standby for the time being. I have a feeling I will be sending them out soon.”
********
F.L.A.G Underground Facility Angela walked into her quarters and encountered an odd sight. Kat was sitting cross-legged in her chair, facing the TV. She wore a tank top and pajama bottoms. There was a controller in her hands.
“I'm telling you that it's not here.” Kat was saying, seemingly to herself. “Well, check the walkthrough again. The key isn't here.” She tapped a few buttons on the controller. “Wait, it was under the vase.”
Angela raised an eyebrow and just watched her.
“Look, you didn't tell me it was under the vase, you just told me it was in the room. How was I supposed to know it was hidden under the vase? Do people still hide keys under vases?” She paused. “What do you mean 'when have they ever'?”
“Am I interrupting something?” Angela asked in amusement.
Kat leaned her head back in her chair until she was looking at Angela upside down. Her long, dark hair poured down the back of the chair. “Hi, Angela. No, you're not interrupting anything. I'm just heading to the final boss now.” An annoyed expression crossed her face. “Yes, five health potions are enough.”
Angela covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle. “That never gets old.” She commented.
“What?” Kat asked her. “KITT making me look like a loon?”
“What else?”
Kat frowned. “No, I didn't pick up the rocket launcher.” She said to K.I.T.T. “Because someone didn't tell me that it was hidden in the angel statue.”
“Bored?” Angela guessed.
Kat turned her attention back to her roommate. “Oh god, yes. Help me.” She pleaded. “I haven't seen the sky in three weeks. Three weeks.”
“Welcome to life for the rest of us.” Angela told her.
Kat groaned miserably. “How can you stand it? I need to get out of here before I go insane.”
“Sweetie...” Angela began gently. “You're arguing with a talking car about a video game. A talking car that's not even in this room, I might add. That ship has sailed.”
Kat turned her attention back to the TV, grumbling to herself.
There was a rapid knock on the door just then. Angela answered it. Pierce hurried in. “Katherine, David just called. He wants you and KITT to head to New York.”
Kat grimaced. As much as she wanted to be outside, she disliked being at David's beck and call. “New York? Why is David sending us there?” She asked as she continued playing. “I thought I was supposed to be on medical leave for another five weeks.”
Pierce's face was pretty grim. “He's been shot.”
“OK then, let me just beat this boss...” Kat said dully, her eyes on the television.
“Is he going to be all right?” Angela asked.
“He'll be in a sling for a bit. Apparently, he saved Andrew Corlan's life.”
Angela's eyebrows raised. “Our David?” Pierce nodded.
“I want to unlock the hidden chapter...” Kat said from her chair. After a moment, she tossed the controller aside. “All right, I'm going, stop bugging me.” She turned her chair around, waving her hands. “Okay, everyone out. I need to get changed.”
Pierce stared at her for a moment. He seemed to realize that she wasn't really dressed for outdoors. He cleared his throat and looked away. “Right, excuse me.” He hurried out the door.
“See you in a bit. I'm heading to my studio.” Angela said. “If David wants you aboveground, we'll have to get you properly disguised. We're not taking any more chances with those guys out there still after you.”
“As long as you don't make me into an old lady, or a guy.” Kat said as she rifled through the small dresser next to her desk.
Angela smiled. “I'll take good care of you.” She followed Pierce outside, closing the door behind her.
Kat pulled a shirt and jeans out of the dresser. Then she took a moment to remove her contact lenses. She placed them in a covered vial filled with a clear solution. “You do know that seeing you nude doesn't affect me in any way, don't you?” K.I.T.T asked.
“While that may be true, you still record everything you see. I don't need a video of me getting undressed being discovered when Pierce goes through your hard drives.”
“There is that.” K.I.T.T assented.
“I'm finally going to get to see you.” Kat said as she changed her shirt. “I want to see what Carmen refitted you as. Why have been so secretive about it?”
“It's nothing special.” K.I.T.T replied. “I miss my old body, if you must know.”
“How bad can it be?” Kat asked as she pulled on her jeans. A large, white bandage was taped to her thigh.
“You'll see.” K.I.T.T told her.
“After I go see Angela. We're both going to have new faces for this mission. Let's hope we still recognize each other.” Kat smiled.
********
“Blond?” Kat asked dubiously. “Why blond?” She was sitting in a chair in front of a sink. Like the ones at Beauty Salons.
“I think you would make a good blond.” Angela said defensively.
“That's the only reason? Why not red?”
“We can do red next time, if you like.” Angela offered. “But blond first.”
“I suppose.” Kat said reluctantly.
“Yay.” Angela said cheerfully. She pulled on a pair of clear plastic gloves. “Lean your head back.”
When they were done with her hair, Angela put her in front of a mirror. “I want to show you a cool trick. I've worked this one out with KITT and Pierce. Are you wearing your contacts?”
Kat nodded. “Yeah.”
“Okay, tell KITT 'blue'.”
“KITT?” Kat asked. “Uh... blue.”
As she watched, her eyes changed to a clear baby blue. She peered at herself closely in the mirror. “Wow... that is cool. Can you do green?” She watched as her eyes changed again, this time to emerald. Then he changed them back to blue.
“Geez, blond hair and blue eyes. I really look like Sam now.” Kat said, still scrutinizing her reflection. She looked over at Angela. “What's next?”
“I dye your eyebrows, then I'll show you how to apply your makeup. You might be out in the field for a few days, so you'll need to be able to fix up your disguise every now and then.” Angela replied.
“Okay, let's get this finished. I still have to go downstairs and check out the new KITT.”
********
“Well KITT, you're... uh... bigger.” Kat walked around him a few times, checking him out from all angles.
“That is the only positive point about the whole refitting. I'm taller than you now.” K.I.T.T said dully.
“Hey, don't you get smart with me.” Kat warned.
“'Get' smart? I was smarter than you when I was only three months old.”
Kat kicked at his rear bumper. “Watch your modulator, don't make me get Carmen to put you in a motorcycle.”
“You wouldn't dare.”
Kat raised an eyebrow. “Is that a fact?” K.I.T.T was silent. “That's better.” She turned to Carmen. “Okay, I know you want to go into the whole car-jargon deal. Tell me, what am I looking at?”
Carmen smiled cheerfully. “This is the 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10. Night Runner Special Edition.” She warmed to her subject quickly. “Painted in Brilliant Black exterior paint, comes with Dark Nickel Pearl finish 22-inch wheels, black chrome grill inserts, unique Night Runner Badging, and a black center stack and center console bezel overlay. Only 400 were produced, and I got one to use for parts.” She grinned, showing off some very white teeth.
Kat whistled appreciatively. She had barely understood what Carmen had said, but she knew to pay proper respect. “What kind of budget does David give you?”
Carmen put a hand on K.I.T.T's passenger door. “The man is pure evil, but he's got good taste.”
“Should you be calling him evil? He might hear you. Pierce told me he has bugs everywhere.”
Carmen waved a hand dismissively. “Nah, he would take it as a compliment.” The two women giggled.
“Yeah, he would.” Kat said. She walked over to the Driver's door. She pulled the door open and stepped up inside of the cab. “At least the interior is still familiar.” She said. She looked behind her. “Well, minus the backseat.”
“Ah, you don't need it anyway.” Carmen said.
“Thanks.” Kat said, feeling a little miffed. “Ready to go to New York, KITT?”
“As ready as I'll ever be. David will brief us on the way.”
Kat grimaced. “And here I was hoping for a pleasant ride.”
