Side Story – KI3T Vs. Camaro!KITT
Chapter 3 - F.L.A.G
“Okay, Katherine is heading back.” Pierce said. “She and KITT will reach the Tunnel momentarily. She says that she's bringing a 'friend' in who needs medical attention, so get Dustin on standby.”
“Dustin's already on standby.” Ian said. “He said KITT communicated with him about an hour ago.”
Pierce brought up the Tunnel cams on the big screen. “They should be here any-” Two black blurs flashed across the cameras one by one. Surprise ran through the Main Lab.
“Okay, is it just me, or did two KITTs just enter the tunnel?” Ian asked.
“We're about to find out...” Pierce said as the large circle in the center of the room lowered into the floor.
When it came back up, two glossy black cars with red scan bars were sitting side by side on it. They looked completely different otherwise.
Kat opened her door and ran around to K.I.3.T's passenger door. The door opened automatically for her. Dustin and Eric hurried over with a stretcher. She loaded Mike, still covered in the plastic, up onto the stretcher. Then he was wheeled quickly away.
“Katherine...” Pierce called to her. “What is that?” He pointed at the Mustang.
Kat looked at him a little guiltily. Before she could answer, Ian walked over to K.I.3.T. “I think a better question to ask is: Who are you?”
I am the Knight Industries Three Thousand.” K.I.3.T replied. “The most highly advanced AI powered Supercar in the world today.”
“Someone is looking for a fight...” K.I.T.T remarked irritably.
“I believe the correct reply in this situation would be: Bring it on.” K.I.3.T replied.
“Hey, whoa.” Kat held her hands out to both cars. “No fighting, all right?” She turned to K.I.3.T. “You're not exactly on your home turf here.” She told him. “Try to be nice while we fix up your Driver. Speaking of whom, I'm going to go check up on him.” She walked over to the Med Room.
“So, there are two KITTs?” Ian asked. “Sweet!”
Pierce picked up his phone and pressed a button on it. “Charles, I think you better get down here.” He said, then hung up. He looked over at Carmen. “Did you have something to do with this?” He asked her, indicating K.I.3.T.
Carmen held up her hands. “Hey, I only built one KITT.” She gave K.I.3.T an appraising look. “Yeah, the Mustang's got history, but where's the flash?” Her expression turned to one of interest. “Though I wouldn't mind seeing what's under the hood...”
“Down, Carmen.” Pierce told her. “You'll scare him off.” He walked over to K.I.3.T. “So, who built you?” He asked.
“Dr. Charles Graiman.” K.I.3.T replied.
Pierce's eyebrows shot up. “What? By himself?” He asked.
“He was assisted by a team of highly trained computer and nanotech engineers.”
“What were their names?” Pierce asked.
“Their names are not in my files.” K.I.3.T replied. Pierce glanced at Carmen, she looked just as surprised as he did.
“I don't think our Charles is the same as his Dr. Graiman.” K.I.T.T said.
“Really? Can you show us a picture of your Dr. Graiman?” Pierce asked K.I.3.T.
A hologram appeared over K.I.3.T's hood. It showed an elderly man's face. Underneath letters formed his name: Dr. Charles Graiman.
“That's definitely not our Charles.” Carmen said. “His hair's not that perfect.”
“They do look a little similar, but definitely not the same person.” Pierce agreed. “Perhaps they're brothers?” He offered.
“I have my own theories.” K.I.T.T said.
“Oh, really? Let's here them.” Pierce said.
“I am thinking that these two came from an alternate dimension OR the Mustang is my evil twin.” K.I.T.T said.
Pierce buried his face in his palm. “You've been spending too much time with Ian.” He muttered.
“How are you so sure that I'm the evil twin?” K.I.3.T asked.
“Well, those two neon bars over your grill look like an evil mustache.” K.I.T.T said, his voice a little taunting.
“That is my cylon eye, not a mustache. And it's a bit more high tech than that outdated LED light on your hood.” K.I.3.T countered
“Hey, my scan bar has class.”
Pierce held up his hands. “Katherine said no fighting, remember?”
“But he's asking for it, Pierce. Can't I just shoot him a little?” K.I.T.T begged.
“Katherine said no.” Pierce told him sternly.
The light on K.I.T.T's hood flowed back and forth irritably, but he stayed quiet.
It was then that David and Charles appeared at the metal railing above them. “Who authorized an unknown, and possibly dangerous vehicle to enter the facility?” David asked, frowning darkly. He didn't yell, but there was an edge to his voice that cut to the bone.
Everyone in the Main Lab looked guilty. “Uh...” Pierce began.
“I did.” Kat said. She walked quickly out of the Med Room.
“I should have known.” David said. He headed down the stairs.
“The Mustang's driver was poisoned.” Kat told him. “We had to get him back to Dustin.”
He walked over to Kat, putting his face right in hers. “I don't care if he was dying.” He said. “You do not endanger yourself or any of my employees like this again. Do you understand?”
Kat took half a step back and nodded, almost meekly. She had never seen David this angry before. “The Mustang isn't a threat.” She told him. “Knight Industries built it.”
David turned to the Mustang sitting on K.I.T.T's circle. “It says it's the Knight Industries Three Thousand, and that it was built by Charles Graiman.” Pierce told him as David walked over.
Charles headed down the stairs quickly. “What in the world...?” He asked. “Who are you?” He demanded of K.I.3.T.
“Who are you?” K.I.3.T asked in return.
“I'm Charles Graiman.” Charles said, taken aback.
“You are not Charles Graiman.” K.I.3.T told him.
Charles pulled out his wallet and checked his driver's license. Then he snapped it closed and re-pocketed it. “Just checking.” He said. “I'm still Charles Graiman,”
“My 'Alternate Dimension' theory is sounding more plausible by the second.” K.I.T.T said.
“No, it's not.” Pierce reprimanded him. “Though maybe it's not you who has the evil twin.” He looked over at Charles.
“Something strange is certainly going on here.” Charles said. He looked over at David. “I propose that we keep this Mustang and his Driver here for observation.”
David had his arms crossed over his chest. “Agreed.” He looked over at Pierce. “If the Mustang causes any trouble whatsoever, have Three Thousand incapacitate it.”
“Gladly.” K.I.T.T said.
“Now, let's have a look at the Driver.” David said.
“He's still unconscious.” Kat told him. “You won't get much. Dustin is still working on an antidote. He's managed to pump him full of stabilizers, but at this point he's barely hanging on.”
K.I.3.T spoke then. “I've sent the neuro-toxin's data to Sarah. She has crafted an antidote from my data. I've also sent her the coordinates for this location. She should be here soon.”
“Who is Sarah?” David asked Kat.
“Their FLAG's Leader.” Kat explained.
David's eyebrows shot up. “They have a FLAG as well?” He turned to K.I.3.T. “How many members are currently in your FLAG?” He asked.
“Four, including myself.”
David thought for a moment. “If this Sarah is smart, she won't come alone. When they get here have Security let them in, but they must be kept under constant surveillance.” He looked around at everyone. “I'll be in my office, inform me when they arrive.”
Pierce's phone rang just then. He picked it up. He listened for a moment, then looked over at David. “They're here.”
“What, already?” Kat asked.
“Apparently they took a jet.” Pierce said. “It's parked on the airstrip now. They must have a pretty good budget for only three people. Head of Security is escorting them down now.”
David headed up the metal staircase. He reached the stairs leading up to the Residential area just as a man and two women were heading down.
David immediately picked out the Leader. The woman in the front with the determined look in her eyes had to be Sarah.
Sarah stopped in front of David. “I wish to speak with the Boss around here.” She said firmly.
“I am the Director of FLAG.” David told her coolly.
They sized each other up. “As this is your turf, I request permission to save my Operative's life.” She said stiffly. “We have the antidote to the neuro-toxin he was poisoned with.” The shorter, dark-haired woman next to her held up a small, metal case. The tall man in the back just stood there, trying to look tough. He was failing miserably.
David gave Sarah a long, calculating look. “You have my permission. I am warning you now though, that you will be watched at all times, and you are not permitted to leave unless you have my permission.” He said.
“Fine.” Sarah said shortly. “Where is he?”
David stepped to the side, gesturing for the three people to pass. “Katherine, take Sarah and her associates to the Medical Lab.” He told Kat.
Kat nodded. “It's this way.” She said as the trio made their way down the steps.
********
Mike opened his eyes and groaned loudly. “Oh, my head is pounding...” He said as he sat up. “What happened last night? I don't remember a thing.”
“You've only been out for five hours.” Kat told him. “It's not even night yet.”
Mike looked over at her. His vision went from blurred slowly back to normal. “I remember you.” He said.
“Yeah, I saved your life.” Kat said. “Why did you have to go messing with those beakers anyway?” She asked.
Memory returned to him. “I was looking for the neuro-toxin.”
“Well, you found it.”
He smiled at her. “So, you saved my life?” He asked.
“Well, I helped. Sarah was the one who came up with the antidote.” Kat said, pointing behind her.
Mike looked behind Kat. Sarah stood there, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at him. “Oh, hey Sarah. I didn't see you there...” A stab of pain went through his skull and he winced.
Sarah sighed heavily. “I'm just glad you're alive. Billy and Zoe and waiting outside. Let's get you out there so KITT can have a look at you.”
Kat moved to help Mike to his feet, but Sarah pushed past her roughly. Kat backed off quickly when Sarah glanced at her. It wasn't a kind look.
Sarah helped Mike into the Main Lab. Mike looked around, feeling a little dazed. His eyes traveled up to the giant screen dominating one wall, then to the circular metal walkway surrounding the Main Lab, then down to the Main Lab itself, with Carmen's workstation and Pierce's desks opposite a raised circular platform on which both K.I.T.Ts sat. “Where are we?” He asked.
“This is FLAG.” Kat said simply as she trailed along behind them.
