Knight Rider 2008 Alternate Storyline – Episode 6 – Mission de Sauvetage
Chapter 1
F.L.A.G Underground Facility
Pierce and Charles sat side by side, in front of separate computers. They worked rapidly, typing at their keyboards. They didn't speak a word to each other, but anyone looking at them could tell that they worked in sync.
Kat watched from the side. She glanced over at K.I.T.T every now and then. Her expression was a little apprehensive.
Ian, who should have been working, was also watching Charles and Pierce. He drifted over to them, his eyes darting back and forth between their monitors.
As one, both men sat back in their chairs and sighed heavily.
“Done.” Charles announced.
“Installing now.” Pierce said, hitting a key.
They both pulled their arms behind their backs and stretched. They glanced at each other and laughed.
“So, what does the new programming do?” Kat asked anxiously. She glanced over at K.I.T.T again. The red light on his hood flowed back and forth rapidly as the new programming was installed. “Is KITT still himself?”
Charles stood up and walked over to her. “Relax Katherine. We didn't touch KITT's AI.” He put his hands on her shoulders, his expression was soothing.
Kat still looked doubtful. She looked over at Pierce.
“Charles is right.” Pierce assured her. “What we did was just tighten the parameters of his existing programming. Added new rules and protocols. Restricted the actions he takes on his own.”
“Like a cage?” Kat asked pointedly.
Pierce snorted. “More like a net trying to hold in a whale.” He ruffled the hair on the back of his head.
“KITT's AI has grown faster than we predicted.” Charles told her gravely. “It's too fast. He's learning too much at once, it's made him reckless and unpredictable. We're doing this to help him, not hinder him. His AI will grow at a safer pace. At a pace that he can also gain experience and wisdom.”
Kat's brows knit together worriedly. “How did you do it?” She asked. “How did you restrict something as powerful as KITT?”
Charles dropped his hands from her shoulders. “They only way we could.” He answered. “We bound him closer to his Driver.” Kat looked at him sharply. “There is very little now that he can do without your permission. Should cut down on the recklessness.”
She walked over to K.I.T.T, who was still in his truck body. She placed a hand on his hood. He didn't respond to the touch, as his new programming was still installing.
“He saved my life with that recklessness.” Kat said quietly. “Andrew Corlan's as well.”
“So many things could have gone horribly wrong.” Pierce told her seriously. “There had to be a better way of doing things.”
Kat nodded, not looking at him. “Maybe.”
“Installation complete.” K.I.T.T announced.
“How do you feel?” Kat asked him.
K.I.T.T was silent for a second. “Strange.”
“Restricted?”
“Yes, it's not a comfortable feeling. It's very inhibiting.”
“KITT, you drove out of the top floor of a skyscraper. You need some inhibitions.” Kat said gently.
“You're right, of course.” K.I.T.T answered.
“It makes you more human, if that helps.” Kat offered. “Humans have all kinds of inhibitions.” She thought for a moment. “Most of them anyway.”
“Why would I ever want to be more human?” K.I.T.T asked, sounding vaguely horrified.
Kat raised an eyebrow. “Is that an insult?” She couldn't help but smile a little.
“Of course not. I just like being me.”
“Me too.” Kat said. “I'm glad that you're still you.”
Pierce stretched again in his chair. “Ugh, back to work. We still have to find out what happened to David.”
Charles turned to Kai and Rei. “No word?” He asked.
They shook their heads. “We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.” Rei assured him.
“Boss.” Kai smiled.
Charles gave him a slightly exasperated look. “I am only acting Director until David returns.” He said firmly.
Kai turned to his sister. “Better enjoy it while it lasts.” He said.
Something on Rei's computer beeped. “Looks like we have some information.” She said. “The forensics analysis of David's jacket came back.” She brought the results up to the big screen. Everyone focused their attention on it.
A 3D rendering of David's jacket was on the screen. “The jacket was tested with Luminol, revealing two small drops of blood that had been cleaned off of the collar.” Rei highlighted the spot on the jacket and switched to a close up view, showing two bright green drops.
“Were you able to do a DNA Test?” Charles asked quickly.
“The sample was very small, and the Luminol diluted it further, but they were able to do a Mitochondrial analysis.” Rei answered. “It's not David's.”
Charles nodded. He stared at the big screen intently. Kat could just imagine that brilliant mind, firing on all cylinders, calculating every angle.
Rei continued. “We also found gun powder residue on his sleeve.”
“He did shoot out an elevator panel.” Pierce offered.
“The amount of gunpowder and the pattern of the residue suggest that he fired his gun on more than one occasion.” Rei said.
Pierce nodded. “So, there was a conflict. It's definite that he didn't disappear under his own power.”
“It's not something David would do, anyway.” Charles said. “David's not the type to just run off.”
“You don't think one of the assassins...” Pierce looked troubled.
Kat shook her head. “His body wasn't at the building. An assassin wouldn't have bothered taking it with them, especially with the building blowing up.”
“So, we're looking at a possible capture.” Charles said.
“David's been kidnapped.” Kat agreed.
“I wish I could say 'good riddance'.” A female voice came from above them.
Everyone looked up to the walkway. A woman with strawberry-blond hair and turquoise eyes was looking down at everyone. She was frowning ruefully.
“Karen!” Charles exclaimed. He climbed the stairs quickly. “There is no need to worry, we'll find him as soon as possible.” He reassured her quietly when he reached her.
“Oh I know.” Karen said bitterly, leaning her forearms on the railing. She glanced over at Charles. “But, do you have to?” She pouted a little.
Charles sighed. “We need David here.” He said. “There's a reason he's in charge. I can't run FLAG. I'm just a scientist.”
Karen arched a perfect reddish-blond brow. “Just?” She nodded down at K.I.T.T. “Not many scientists create something like that.” She frowned darkly.
“You don't like KITT.” Charles said knowingly.
Karen shuddered. “Definitely not. I've seen it in action, and the videos. That thing is a monster on wheels.” She shook her head. “I hope you know what you're doing.”
“KITT is perfectly safe.” Charles assured her confidently.
Karen Summers gave him a steady look. “I'll pray that you're right. You know better than anyone what happens when an AI goes wrong.”
Charles' expression was wary. “What are you saying? Where are you getting your information?”
“The FBI keeps it's own records, Charles. I didn't have to do very much digging.” Karen told him.
“KITT's different.” Charles told her firmly. “His Primary Directive isn't self-preservation. It's the protection of human life.”
Karen's expression was calculating. “We'll see.” She said.
********
“Once again it seems that out FBI liaison has ties with David.” Kat mused. She glanced over at K.I.T.T.
“I'm still not authorized to give you any information on David.” He told her. “My apologies.”
Kat's eyes narrowed. “No worries, I have other sources of information.” She walked over to Carmen's workstation. Carmen was gathering various parts and ordering her mechanics around. “What are you up to?” Kat asked.
“KITT begged me to change him back to the Camaro.” Carmen said. “I'm getting the parts ready now.”
“So, no more disguising?” Kat asked.
“Like being the truck helped! They kidnapped David this time!” Carmen exclaimed.
“You think it's the same guys then?” Kat asked.
“Who else would it be?” Carmen looked Kat up and down. “What about you? What brings you over here?”
“Karen Summers and David. I want information.” Kat said smoothly.
Carmen gave her a shrewd look. “What's in it for me?” She asked.
“I'll trade dinner duties for a night.” Kat offered.
Carmen thought it over. “Deal.” She gestured for Kat to come closer. Kat bent her head down. Carmen pointed up to the walkway where Karen and Charles were talking quietly. She dropped her voice to a low murmur. “That woman there is the former Mrs. David Marks.”
Kat's mouth fell open. “Get out of here!” She smacked Carmen's arm. Carmen grinned. “David was married?”
“Once upon a time.” Carmen sighed dramatically. “Years ago, back-in-college kind of thing. Before Karen became Agent Summers.”
“Where did you get this?” Kat asked.
“I don't divulge my sources. Just be assured that they are very accurate.” Carmen answered.
“Wow.” Kat said, her expression disbelieving. “David was married. Married.” She shivered. “Ugh.”
Carmen gave her a look. “Is that so hard to believe?” She asked. “He's not bad looking, and he must have had feelings at some point.”
Kat thought about it for a moment. “I guess he's attractive enough, but that goes to zero when you consider how he jettisoned his heart in exchange for that black hole in his chest.”
Carmen snickered. “I have to remember that one.” She turned to Enrique. “Enri, are we ready?” She called.
“Si, Tia.” Enrique called back. “All ready for the refitting.” He walked over to the two women. His face broke out into a charming smile when he saw Kat. “Want to watch?” He asked.
Kat was confused. “I thought I wasn't allowed to watch.” She said. “David doesn't want me knowing anything about KITT's engine.”
Enrique winked at her. “David's not here, is he?”
“It's not like you'll understand anything you'll see.” Carmen shrugged. “Come on.”
Kat's eyes were on Enrique's face. “All right.” She said.
“Come on, KITT!” Carmen called to him. “We're ready.”
K.I.T.T rolled silently off of his circle. He drove slowly towards one of the rooms that led off from the Main Lab. “Did you get the information you wanted from Carmen?” He asked in Kat's ear.
“Yep, maybe a bit more than I expected.” Kat answered. She walked beside him.
“Then why did you smack her on the arm?”
“That sometimes happens during girl talk.” Kat said. “It's dangerous like that. Kind of like how men get in locker rooms.”
“Girl talk isn't something I see you engage in often.” K.I.T.T remarked.
Kat shrugged. “Eh, once a month or so.”
“Is it at regular intervals, as part of your menstrual cycle?” He asked.
“KITT, shut up!” Kat exclaimed.
Carmen, Enrique, and the other mechanics looked at her strangely. Kat ducked her head. “Thank god you didn't say that out loud.” She muttered.
