Knight Rider 2008 Alternate Storyline – Episode 7 – Nightmares
Chapter 4
Knight Industries Corporate Headquarters, NYC
January, 2008 – One year ago...
Pierce leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily. He rubbed his tired eyes. He had spent at least five hours of overtime trying to fix the server problem. Didn't people know not to mess with delicate systems? Especially when they didn't know what they were doing...
He reached under his desk to the silver mini fridge there. Technically, he wasn't supposed to have it. But what was his boss going to do, fire him? Again? Yeah, that worked real well in the past.
He pulled out a blue bottle and popped the cap. He downed the drink and tossed the bottle in the bin behind him. The caffeine hit him about thirty seconds later. He went back to work, typing quickly..
It was late, everyone else had left and most of the lights on this floor were out. This was a good thing, though. Less people to screw things up and make more work for him.
“Are you Pierce Caddell?”
Pierce jumped. He looked over at the man who had appeared at the entrance to his cubicle in alarm. “Where did you come from? Don't you know not to sneak up on a coder who's ODing on caffeine?”
The man arched a dark brow. “Going to attack me with your stapler?” He asked blandly.
Pierce picked up the black stapler. He turned his chair to face the man, leaning back. “Hey, this thing has some weight to it.” He studied the man over the top of his wire-frame glasses. “I know you.” He said. “What brings you all the way down to the coal mines, Vice President?”
“I'm not Vice President any longer, I'm afraid.” David said. “I've been assigned to a new project.”
“Ah, man, that's rough.” Pierce said, without a trace of sympathy in his voice. “Well, this has been a lovely chat, but I've got to get back to this.” He turned his chair back to his monitor.
“You're here awfully late.” David commented.
Pierce turned his chair back to face David. “Oh, you still want to talk. Sure, let's talk. It's not like I have... I dunno, 'work' to do or something.” He folded his hands in front of him, entwining his long fingers together. “Yes, it's late. It's very late. And I'm still here.”
“Why is that, exactly?” David asked.
Pierce gave the man a sympathetic look, as if he was slow. “Because there is still work to do.”
David looked around at the empty cubicles. “Your co-workers were the ones who crashed the server. Why are they not here helping you?”
“They went home at five O'clock.” Pierce snorted. “Good riddance. They would only create more work for me.”
“No one is here to stop you from going home yourself.” David said.
Pierce gave him a look. “If I leave the server like this, tomorrow morning half the people on this floor will be unable to access the network. Which will set our whole project behind a day. I don't mind work, I just hate 'unnecessary' work.” He turned back to his monitor and began typing at his keyboard.
David gave him a long look. “You'll do.”
Pierce arched a brow and glanced at him. “Dare I ask for what? Do I have to call Human Resources?” He reached for the phone on the desk. “Ah, they're not going to be there.” He looked back at David. “I still have my stapler.” He warned.
David was unfazed. “You misunderstood my meaning.” He said.
“Oh good, I was hoping I was.” Pierce responded. He focused back on his work.
“I told you before that I am in charge of a new project. I've come here to do some headhunting.” David explained. “It's best to start with our own people for something like this.” He paused, his expression thoughtful. “But you seem to have a problem with authority.”
“Only if I'm smarter than my boss.” Pierce said simply, still typing at his keyboard. “Which is usually the case.”
“Then, your work is not challenging enough? Perhaps you need a promotion.” David suggested.
Pierce frowned. “No thank you. I am at the highest level where I still do actual work. After me it's all suits and meetings and firing underlings. Managers don't get work done, they just make work more difficult.”
“Trust me, you'll have your work cut out for you.” David muttered.
Pierce was ignoring what he was saying. “Headhunting, huh? This late? Seems to me that you targeted me specifically.”
“Perceptive.”
“So, why? What separates me from the seething masses?” Pierce glanced at him briefly.
“I've had access to your files. Something you are working on has intrigued me.” David told him calmly.
Pierce looked disturbed now. “What files? Nothing on the network should have set off any alarms.”
“Something not on the network.”
“My personal files?” Pierce stopped his work and turned to David. “How did you access those? They're encrypted.”
“Indeed, gave Charles a good bit of trouble too. He was impressed. Can you imagine what he found?”
Pierce narrowed his blue eyes. “I can guess.”
“You've been developing a new Operating System, without Knight Industries knowledge or permission.” David's expression was still calm.
“That's something I've been developing on my own time.” Pierce said heatedly.
“That may be so, but your contract clearly states that Knight Industries owns all derivative works. Anything you make belongs to this company while you are here, as you well know. What was your plan? Go get yourself fired, again, then start your own company?”
“Knight Industries isn't interested in marketing a new OS, why does it matter?” Pierce asked.
“If no one is interested, I wonder why I'm here then.” David mused. He gave Pierce a steady look. “There are two ways that this could go. One, you get fired, I get the OS and use it however I like. Or two, you and the OS come with me. You get a nice promotion and a healthy pile of work for the next five years.”
Pierce looked intrigued. “This is for the project you mentioned earlier? What is it?”
“Charles Graiman is creating a learning AI.” David said.
Pierce's eyes widened. “That's the Charles you mentioned earlier? That man's still alive?”
“Very much so, he's quite stubborn about that.”
Pierce mused to himself. “A learning AI? That's impossible. It's just a theory... ” He focused his attention back on David. “A program that can learn and develop on it's own. Something artificial that can grow... If anyone can do it, it would be Dr. Graiman. It would revolutionize the way we develop programs. What are you going to do with it? Just curious.”
David's face was deadpan. “We're going to put it into a car.”
Pierce gave him a long look, as if expecting to hear the rest of the joke. His glasses slipped down his nose. “A car?”
“Yes.”
A small giggle escaped Pierce's lips. He covered his mouth with his hand. “Oh, that's great. You really had me going for a second there.”
“I am very serious, Mr. Caddell.” David said.
Pierce's chest shook with suppressed laughter. “You're going to create the most powerful AI in the world and, what? Put it in a Buick?”
“We haven't decided which car we're going to use yet. Charles is partial to Trans Ams, but they stopped making those years ago.” Even now, David was absolutely serious.
“This just gets better and better.” Pierce said.
“Does this mean that you are not interested?” David asked.
Pierce shrugged. “If you're serious, then I'll join up. Would be something to see, at the very least. What floor are you guys on?”
“The lab will not be located here.” David said. “An underground facility is being built in New Mexico as we speak.”
“New Mexico. Underground.” Pierce nodded. “Okay, I'm out.”
“The location is a problem.” David guessed.
“Well, considering it's across the country from everything I know and love, yes, I would consider that a problem.”
“You're unmarried, no girlfriend. You still live at home, don't you? With you mother?” David arched a brow.
“My mother requires a certain amount of 'looking after'.” Pierce said evasively.
“Really?” David looked confused. “I got the impression she was a rather capable woman.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I'll go call her and ask her opinion.”
Pierce's eyebrows pushed together. “How do you know my mother?”
His question fell on deaf ears as David dialed a number and put the phone to his ear. The other end picked up right away. “Mrs. Caddell? My apologies for calling you so late.” He listened for a second. “My name is David Marks. The reason I'm calling is-” He paused, listening. “Thank you, I don't believe a woman has ever said that to me based on a phone conversation before.” Pause. “Divorced.”
Pierce buried his face in his hands.
David continued with his conversation, taking no notice of Pierce. “Now, to the reason that I am calling. I am here with your son. I've just offered him a promotion.” He paused. “Of course there is a raise.” He turned to Pierce. “How much are you making now? Forty... forty-five thousand?” He asked.
Pierce rolled his eyes. “Thirty-two thousand a year.” He answered.
“I can easily double that.” David said into the phone. “The only problem is, he would have to move to New Mexico for the next five years.” He listened for a bit more. “All right then, I'll tell him. Good bye.”
David closed his phone and pocketed it. “You mother says your stuff will be packed up outside in an hour.” He told Pierce.
Pierce groaned loudly, leaning back in his chair. Then he shrugged. “All right, let's go.” He got up out of his seat and grabbed his coat.
“You're all ready?” David asked. He nodded to Pierce's computer. “What about the server?”
Pierce waved his hand dismissively. “Let them deal with it, I'm tired.”
David popped open his briefcase and pulled out a contract. “Sign here.” He handed Pierce his pen.
Pierce signed with a flourish. David took the contract and pen back, then handed Pierce a sheaf of papers. “These are yours, welcome to FLAG.”
Pierce looked over the papers as they walked to the elevators. “The Foundation for Law and Government...
********
“And here I am.” Pierce said, spreading out his hands.
Kat held both hands over her mouth. “That's it?” She asked, her voice muffled.
“That's it.” Pierce nodded. He shot her a warning look. “Remember, you promised not to laugh.”
“I know.” Kat said. Her shoulders were starting to tremble. “I just have to go... check on something.” She said, walking over to K.I.T.T. “In KITT.” She opened the door and slipped into the Driver's seat. Once the door was closed, she collapsed on the front seat.
“She's laughing, I know it.” Pierce said. Carmen chuckled. “Hey!” He said to her.
“I promised nothing.” Carmen said, laughing.
It was then that K.I.T.T's defragging completed. “Is there something wrong with Kat?” He asked. “She seems to be in hysterics. She's not responding to anything I say.”
“I knew it.” Pierce said.
“Pierce told her a funny story.” Carmen explained.
“It wasn't that funny.” Pierce grumbled.
“Yes it was.” Carmen giggled. Pierce narrowed his eyes at her. She smiled sweetly back at him.
“Now, that's just scary.” Pierce said, turning back to his monitor.
“What funny story?” Ian asked, coming down the stairs. “I wanna hear funny stories too.”
“Too late.” Kat said as she stepped out of K.I.T.T. “You missed it.” She looked a lot more calmer now.
“I always miss the good stuff.” Ian scowled. “I was just with Charles in Building B. Still nothing on David.”
Quiet settled over the Main Lab. Kat clasped her hands together and stared at them. She leaned her hip against K.I.T.T's hood.
“It's because of David.” She said softly. She looked around the lab. “He's a horrible bastard, but if it wasn't for him, none of us would be here.”
Carmen nodded. “You're right.” Pierce said.
“As much as I hate to admit it, we do need him here.” Kat said.
“He does a good job running the place.” Pierce said thoughtfully. “He's ruthless and a cutthroat, but he's efficient.”
“He's sneaky, and evil, but he's fair.” Carmen grimaced.
“He's a liar, and a manipulator.” Kat said. “But, he does what's best for the group.” She placed one hand next to her on K.I.T.T's hood. “We're going to find him, and bring him back.” Everyone in the Main Lab nodded.
Kat's attention was caught by movement above her. She watched Charles walk along the upper walkway, to his office. He looked extremely weary, his face drawn.
Kat patted K.I.T.T's hood. “I'll be back in a bit.” She said quietly.
“I'll be here.” K.I.T.T replied in her ear.
Kat headed up the metal staircase. She knocked lightly on the clear glass door to Charles' office.
Charles sat at his desk. Pieces of circuitry were laid out in front of him. At her knock he looked up and gestured for her to come in. She opened the door and stepped inside. “Ian said there was no news about David.” She said.
“Whomever took him just vanished.” Charles said gravely. “It's been four days now. What if they don't contact us for a ransom? What if they already have what they want? The thought keeps me up at night.”
“There has to be more to this whole plan. I can't see them getting too much out of David.” Kat said.
“David has always been stubborn to a fault.” Charles agreed. “Ever since the day I met him.”
Kat sat in the chair across from Charles'. “I smell another David story.” She said.
“Have the others been sharing?” Charles asked. “I suppose the situation makes them sentimental.”
“It might help.” Kat suggested. “Get your mind off of the current situation for a bit.”
“Oh, I would love that.” Charles said, taking off his reading glasses and setting them on his desk. “Let's see... It was just after Christmas '07...”
