Side Story – KI3T Vs. Camaro!KITT
Chapter 4 - The Teams
Sarah led Mike over to K.I.3.T and sat him down on the hood. K.I.3.T began scanning him for any trace of the neuro-toxin. Kat frowned. It was understandable that they wouldn't trust her and her F.L.A.G implicitly, but the distrust still stung.
David walked over to Mike and Sarah. “What's your name?” His dark eyes were filled with suspicion.
“Michael Knight.” Mike said, unfazed by David's dislike.
Charles looked at Mike sharply. “Did you just say Michael Knight?” He asked, walking over. He gave Mike a once over. “You're far too young...”
Mike frowned. “You're thinking of my dad. He was Michael Knight before me.”
“I had no idea Michael had a son...” Charles said. He began pacing slowly. “It's certainly possible.” He mused to himself. “Knowing the man's reputation...”
“What? Was my dad popular or something?” Mike asked.
Charles raised both eyebrows. “Something like that.” He went back to his musing,
Sarah looked over at Kat. “What about you? What's your name?” Her expression was chilly.
“Katherine Knight.” Kat answered.
“Is Michael Knight your dad too?” She asked.
Kat's eyebrows shot up. “My father was an accountant.”
“So... we're not related, then?” Mike asked. There was a hint of interest in his eyes as he looked her over. Sarah frowned at him.
“Better not take any chances.” Kat said, retreating backwards.
Mike glanced at Sarah. “I didn't mean...” He began.
Off to the side, Billy and Zoe stood side by side, apart from the rest of the group. “Ten bucks says Sarah punches her in the face.” Zoe whispered to Billy.
“I think that that other KITT's Driver will lose it first, and she'll probably punch Mike.” He looked down at Zoe. “So, you're on.”
Ian walked over behind them. “Hey.” He said quietly. “I wouldn't be whispering amongst yourselves with David around.” They both half-turned to look at him. “It might look a little suspicious. Just a warning. Oh, and I got ten on Kat to wipe the floor with your buddy Mike over there.” He grinned. “Gotta have some home Team support.”
Billy and Ian sized each other up. Billy was the taller one by a fair bit. There was something that they recognized in each other. A similarity that went deep to the bone. Zoe rolled her eyes and sighed. “Great, another gamer.”
“I have a level 50 Burg.” Ian said, as if Billy was supposed to be highly impressed.
“Level 50?” Billy rolled his eyes. “My Pally hit 70 ages ago.”
Ian looked confused. “70? Pally? Wait, do you mean Paladin?” He looked horrified. “Ew, man, you play Warcrack?”
Now it was Billy's turn to look confused. “Of course, what do you play? What's a Burg?”
“A Burglar.” Ian said.
“Burglar?” Billy thought for a moment, then it dawned on him. “Aw, dude, you're a LOTRO geek? Warcraft has a much huger fan base. LOTRO just copied our interface.”
“Hey, LOTRO is old school.” Ian said defensively. “Tolkien inspired D&D, without which we wouldn't have MMOs at all.” Ian jerked a thumb over at K.I.T.T. “KITT here is a level 59 Mini.”
“Correction Ian, my Minstrel hit level 60 last night.” K.I.T.T called over to him.
Ian turned to K.I.T.T. “No way, now I know you're hacking.”
Billy grabbed Ian by the shoulder. “Wait, your KITT games?”
Ian looked back at Billy. “Duh, why wouldn't he? He's got an Internet connection better than mine and his graphics card is 'experimental'.” He grinned. “We have to test it out as thoroughly as possible.” He shrugged Billy's hand off of his shoulder. “Besides, KITT's good with a Healer Class. He doesn't slack off.”
Billy turned to K.I.3.T. “That's it, we're rolling you a Shaman as soon as we get back.” He declared.
Kat looked over at Mike. “Do you understand what they're saying?” She asked him.
“Not... a... word...” Mike said slowly.
K.I.3.T finished scanning him. “The neuro-toxin has been neutralized.” He announced. “But, Michael will need rest for several days before he is fully recovered.”
Mike stood up and stretched his shoulders. “Nah. I'm fine, KITT.” He said confidently.
“Mike, you should listen to KITT and get some rest.” Sarah admonished him. She turned to David. “I'm assuming that there will be some place set aside for us to rest if you plan on keeping us here?”
“We have a couple of rooms open.” David said. His eyes narrowed. “There is the holding cell as well, if anyone steps out of line.”
“I don't need to rest.” Mike insisted.
“Seriously, you look like you're going to fall over.” Kat told him frankly.
He scowled. He walked right up to her, giving her a narrow look. “I'm fine.” He stressed the word. “And I can prove it.”
Kat didn't like his attitude. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh yeah? How?”
********
“Are you sure about this?” Kat asked dubiously.
“Yes.” Mike answered firmly.
They stood facing each other across the blue mat. They were in the gym.
F.L.A.G's gym was huge and came fully equipped. Living underground gave few opportunities for a morning jog, and it was required that all employees be able to pass a basic physical exam.
“Well, I gave you fair warning.” Kat shrugged.
Mike brought both hands up. He gestured for her to come at him. “Bring it.”
“You asked for it.” Kat took a step in and swung at Mike. He blocked her easily. She brought up her other fist to his stomach. He twisted out of the way and made a grab for her arm.
His hand closed around her upper arm. Kat turned, using his body weight to push him away.
“Sidestep to the right.” K.I.T.T said in her ear. Half a second later Mike aimed a kick on her left side. Kat quickly dodged.
“KITT, I'm not cheating.” She mumbled as she aimed her own kick.
“His KITT is helping him.” K.I.T.T told her. “I can detect the signal to his ear piece. Now aim to the upper left.”
“Dodge to the right.” K.I.3.T told Mike. Mike dodged quickly. Kat's fist grazed his cheek.
“Duck.” K.I.T.T told Kat as Mike aimed a counterattack. Kat dropped down. “Sweep kick.” Kat swung one leg around, trying to catch Mike's legs, but he jumped back just in time.
They were perfectly match, neither one had landed a blow yet. Both K.I.T.T's instructed their Driver's more fervently.
“Hard right.” K.I.3.T told Mike.
“Sidestep.” K.I.T.T warned.
“Kick to the left.”
“Step in, half step to the right.”
“Punch to the stomach.”
“Grab right wrist, then knee to the groin.” K.I.T.T said triumphantly.
Kat followed through without thinking, and soon Mike was wheezing on the mat. “KITT!” Kat exclaimed. “That wasn't nice. This was just a sparring match.”
“My apologies, Kat.” K.I.T.T said in a tone that was not in the least apologetic. “I'll try to remember for the future.” Off to the side, Billy and Zoe paid Ian.
Kat held her hand out to Mike. “Sorry about that. KITT's just trying to one up your KITT.”
“I'm gonna need a minute.” Mike told her. He was curled up on the mat.
Kat withdrew her hand. “Oh, sorry again.”
“No.” Mike said, a little hoarsely. “It's fine. Just tell your KITT that I'll remember this.”
“Duly noted.” K.I.T.T said in Kat's ear. He had read Mike's lips.
Sarah walked over to Zoe and Billy. Ian quickly retreated with his winnings. “I've had KITT scan around this place. It's fairly sophisticated.” She couldn't help looking impressed. Then her expression turned indifferent. “Nothing like the old SSC, but not bad. They have a fair bit of money and personnel at their disposal.”
“Ian said something about this KITT having two Drivers.” Billy said.
Sarah frowned. “Well, how does that work?” She asked. Billy shrugged. “What else?”
“Have you seen this KITT's mechanic? Ian said her name was Carmen.” Billy whistled low.
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Please. When did you start becoming attracted to engine grease?” She leaned in close to Sarah, who was watching Mike and Kat. “Forget the girls anyway, have you taken a good look at some of the guys around here? Especially David.” She looked thoughtful. “I wonder if he's single...”
“Enrique seems like the pretty boy around here.” Billy said stiffly.
“Who needs pretty boys?” Zoe asked. “Did you see that Rolex David was wearing? And I bet you anything that was an Armani suit.”
“He seems to have temper issues. KITT mentioned something to me earlier, that happened before we arrived.” Billy cut in quickly.
“Oh?” Zoe asked.
Billy nodded. “Yeah, apparently David got in Katherine's face about coming back with another KITT.” Billy described the scene to her.
Zoe looked intrigued. “I'll bet you that he wasn't worried so much about compromising security as he was upset with Katherine bringing home a hot guy who had his own KITT.” She grinned devilishly. “Having the hots for your own employee, that's just so wrong.”
“Not everyone thinks the way you do.” Billy told her.
“Of course they do. I'm the only one who admits it.” She told him. “It's the classic story of two people who will never make each other happy because they are too stubborn to admit how they feel about each other.” She said simply. She turned to Billy. “Where have we seen that before?”
Billy gave her a long look. She frowned at him. “You know...” She glanced pointedly at Sarah.
Billy blinked, startled. “Oh... yeah. I was totally thinking the same thing.” He said quickly. Zoe gave him a skeptical look.
Sarah turned and frowned at the both of them. “Have you two found out anything that might be 'useful'?” She asked.
“This stuff is useful.” Zoe said. “If we figure out the team dynamics, then we can see it's weak points.”
“She has a point.” Billy admitted.
“Let's just try to keep the gossip to a minimum.” Sarah said. “We're in potential enemy territory. We need to stay focused.”
“Hey, if you want to know your enemies, listen to the gossip.” Zoe defended herself. “You should lighten up, Sarah. We'll be fine. We've got KITT.”
“Have you noticed that they have a KITT, too?” Sarah asked her.
“Yeah, but our KITT is waaay better.” Zoe said at once.
“Oh? You have it's schematics?” Sarah asked.
“No.” Zoe said. “But seriously, how can it be better than our KITT? You worry too much.”
Sarah frowned. Zoe was right. She was worrying. But someone had to. She was going to worry about her Team until she knew that they weren't in any danger. “We'll see.” She murmured softly.
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