Side Story – KI3T Vs. Camaro!KITT
Chapter 2 - Mission
“Kat, we've arrived.” K.I.T.T informed her as he drove through an open gate. They were at what appeared to be a military compound. There were several low buildings and green tents.
“We definitely know the missing people ended up here?” Kat asked.
“All evidence points that way. Three of the five missing people were seen in this area, and all five were talking about new jobs before they disappeared.”
Kat drove among the buildings and tents slowly. “Looks pretty quiet. Should it be this quiet?”
“I think I've just discovered the cause.” K.I.T.T remarked as they pulled up next to a familiar black Mustang.
“...great.” Kat said. She braked and stepped out of the car. She walked over to K.I.3.T. She placed her hand on the top and peered through the Driver's window. The car was empty.
The orb on the dash came to life. “Would you mind not touching me?” The Mustang said.
“Where's your Driver at?” Kat asked. In the distance, there was the sound of gunfire. Kat sighed. “Never mind.” She took her hand off of the car top and walked back over to K.I.T.T. “Looks like I'm playing backup.” She opened the passenger's door and popped open the glove compartment. She pulled out her 9mm and a clip of plastic bullets. She put on her watch and hardened her shirt by pressing a spot on the collar.
She loaded the clip into the 9mm. “Your partner better not shoot any of the missing townsfolk.” She told K.I.3.T. “Or else I'll shoot him,”
“We are not here for missing townspeople.” K.I.3.T replied.
Kat frowned. “Then why are you here?” She asked.
“We are tracing the origins of a deadly neuro toxin that could potentially wipe out half of North America.” K.I.3.T replied.
Kat rubbed the bridge of her nose between two fingers. “Nothing is ever simple with you two, is it?”
“So it seems.”
“Okay, KITT, stay here and make sure our Mustang friend stays out of trouble.” She said.
“I should really go with you.” K.I.T.T replied. “My X-Ray scan is telling me there is quite a fight going on in there.”
“Stay here for now. If I need you, I'll call you.” Kat said.
“How about if it looks like you're in serious danger, I don't wait for you to call me?” K.I.T.T replied.
“I can't stop you, can I?” Kat asked.
“Nope.”
“Fine then, I'm going in.” Kat jogged over to the largest building, where the gunfire was coming from.
K.I.T.T opened a com link with K.I.3.T. “So we meet again...” He said.
“Indeed.”
“How come you're waiting out here? Did your Driver tell you to stay put as well?” K.I.T.T asked.
“He did not.”
“Then why aren't you backing him up?”
“He hasn't told me to.” K.I.3.T replied.
“Aren't you concerned?” K.I.T.T asked.
“Of course. I have asked Sarah if I should intervene, but she has told me to 'stay put'.”
“Is Sarah another one of your Drivers?” K.I.T.T asked.
“My only Driver is Michael.”
“Then why are you listening to her?”
“She is the Leader of FLAG.” K.I.3.T replied
“You have a FLAG now too?”
“So it would seem.”
“My Director of FLAG doesn't order me around. Pierce tries to, but I take what he says as 'suggestions'. The only person I obey is Kat.”
“The Driver does know best.” K.I.3.T agreed.
“Not always.” K.I.T.T said. “Sometimes I have knowledge that Kat doesn't. If I see that she's in danger, then I don't hesitate to help her.”
“Wouldn't that sacrifice a Mission in certain cases?” K.I.3.T pointed out.
“I suppose it would.” K.I.T.T said. “But I would rather sacrifice a Mission over sacrificing Kat.”
“Perhaps you should have more faith in your Driver.”
K.I.T.T paused. He didn't have a response for that.
********
Meanwhile, Kat entered the building. The door was already kicked in. It stood open on one hinge. “Subtle.” She whispered to herself. She moved deeper into the building, gun at the ready.
As she walked through a few short hallways, she passed several men in military fatigues. They were lying on the ground, dead. Kat didn't look at them long.
The sound of gunfire up ahead ceased suddenly. She stepped carefully forward, looking all around. She spotted Mike first, facing away from her. He was standing in the hallway, changing the clip to his own 9mm.
Kat looked down the hall. There were two bodies slumped against the wall. “Any survivors?” She asked.
Mike jumped. He whirled around, pointing his gun at her. He lifted the barrel to the ceiling immediately. “It's you.” He said, looking somehow both relieved and annoyed.
“My name's Katherine, remember?” Kat asked as she walked over to him.
“What are you doing here?” Mike asked her as he continued down the hallway. He kept his gun ready.
“I was here to investigate five missing persons. But looking at this, I'm wondering if they're still alive.” Kat gave Mike a sour look.
“They're dead.” Mike said.
“Thanks.” Kat said. “I can't wait to notify their families.”
“I didn't kill them.” Mike said. He knelt down next to one of the bodies. “These guys did. They were used as test subjects for the neuro toxin.”
“Where are they keeping it?” Kat asked.
“I don't know.” Mike went through the dead man's pockets.
“Well, we can't ask him.” Kat said pointedly.
“He doesn't need to talk.” Mike said. He pulled a keycard out of the man's pocket. He turned it over in his hand. “Let's see what this goes to.” He looked up at her.
********
A few minutes later...
Kat stood in a large space. Part of it was taken up by a lab, the ether part was much larger and empty. There were drains set into the floor. It was probably used for testing. She was looking down at Mike's unconscious body. She sighed heavily. “KITT, I need some backup.”
A section of wall across from her caved in as K.I.T.T drive through it. K.I.3.T was right behind him. They both braked on either side of her. “Have you touched him?” K.I.T.T asked anxiously.
“No, I made sure not to.” Kat answered. The neuro toxin was highly concentrated. It could be absorbed easily into the skin.
“I estimate four hours and twenty-seven minutes until his heart fails.” K.I.3.T said.
“That's pretty precise for an estimate.” K.I.T.T remarked. “My own estimations don't give him that long.”
“Sarah is over five hours away. I will not be able to get Michael back to her before he dies.” K.I.3.T said.
Kat sighed again. “FLAG is only an hour away, looks like he's coming with us.” She held up a covered vial. “Who wants to analyze the toxin so we can send the data to Dustin? He can come up with some way to keep Mike alive while we travel.”
“You'd have to pour it directly on my hood.” K.I.T.T told her. “So, I guess I'm out.”
“Press the vial against my hood. Unopened.” K.I.3.T said.
“You can scan a chemical through glass?” Kat asked as she walked over to K.I.3.T. “That's pretty useful.” She pressed the vial against his hood.
“I suppose in a handful of situations that can come in handy.” K.I.T.T said stiffly.
Kat looked over at him. “Are you getting jealous?” She asked as K.I.3.T scanned the vial.
“Me? Jealous of that brick on wheels?” K.I.T.T asked indignantly. “Of course not.”
Kat gave him a sidelong glance. “I see...”
“Scanning complete.” K.I.3.T announced. “I've broken the data down and analyzed the toxin's components.”
“Good, send the info to KITT. He can send it to Dustin, our Medic.” Kat walked over to K.I.T.T's trunk. She popped the lid and pulled out a large, clear tarp.
“You wish to take Michael to your FLAG base, that is correct?” K.I.3.T asked.
“Yeah, you can take him to yours if you like. But if you want him alive, then he'll have to come with us.” Kat covered Mike with the tarp, then rolled him up in it, making sure to leave his face uncovered. She then hefted him up and walked over to K.I.T.T.
K.I.3.T opened his door. “I'll take him.” He said firmly.
“Fine by me.” Kat said. She carried Mike over to K.I.3.T. “Tell your Driver to eat better and get more exercise.” She said after she had laid Mike in the front seat. “He weighs a ton. He's lucky I know how to carry heavy weights.”
“I remind him regularly of his bad eating habits.” K.I.3.T replied.
“Try reminding him a bit more forcefully.” Kat said. “I'm not hauling his butt out of another situation again.” She walked over to K.I.T.T. He had his door open, waiting for her. “Let's hurry, or you'll have to turn into a hearse.”
