A Knight with the Viper Chapter 8 It was early the following morning when the Foundation Semi pulled up to the abandoned tunnels. The rear lowered and Devon Miles and Bonnie Barstow emerged. "Are you sure this is the place?" Bonnie asked. "This is the location that Mr. Cole told me," Devon said, "At least I think it is." "Then where is he?" "We'll wait a few more minutes, then we'll try to contact Mr. Cole." Bonnie sighed and walked over to the semi. She leaned on the side. Michael and KITT had not been heard from since yesterday. Then the call from Thomas Cole came, telling them that Garth Knight had kidnapped Michael, and stolen KITT. As far as Bonnie was concerned, it was a double kidnapping. KITT was as much a person to her as Michael and Devon were. To hear that KITT had been "stolen" like some kind of everyday thing was insulting to her. While she was contemplating this, she noticed something coming up the tunnel. "Devon," Bonnie said. Devon turned around and saw what Bonnie saw. It was a golf cart. There was a young man driving it. "Devon Miles?" The driver asked. "Yes," Devon replied. "I'm Thomas Cole," Cole said and extended his hand. "Ah yes," Devon said, "I'm glad to finally meet you. I wish the circumstances were different though. How is Detective Westlake?" "She's much better now. Fortunately she didn't suffer any physical harm. She's still a bit shaken up, but she's ready to help find Michael and KITT. Hop on and we'll get going." The trip down the tunnel took longer than Devon had expected. On the way, Cole filled in all the details of the last twenty-four hours to Devon and Bonnie. Bonnie took the news the hardest. She couldn't believe that Garth was going to sell KITT. Inside Viper Complex, there was lots of activity. Technicians were surrounding the Defender. The damaged body panels had already been replaced. All that was left was the repair of the Defender's more technical systems. "Welcome to Viper Complex," Cole said as he and the others got off the cart. "A very impressive arrangement Mr. Cole," Devon said. "Yes it is," Bonnie said, "Very similar to our Foundation Labs." "Let me introduce you to the rest of the team," Cole said. The three walked over to the computer setup where Westlake, Frankie, and Allie, were surrounding some computer terminals. Each was monitoring a different aspect of the Defender's repair. Allie checked the computer systems, Frankie the mechanical, and Westlake the overall status. "Hey guys! Over here," Cole called out to them. The three Viper team members stopped what they were doing and came over to stand by Cole and his guests. Westlake seemed to have a look that said, 'Great more visitors'. "People, meet the other members of Michael Knight's team. This is Devon Miles." "Hello," Devon said and smiled. "And Dr. Bonnie Barstow," Cole said. "Hi," Bonnie said. "Hello," Frankie said, a bit dreamily. Allie elbowed Frankie in the rib. "OW! What I do?" he said. "Knock it off you two," Westlake said. "And these three are the rest of the Viper project team," Cole said, "Detective Cameron Westlake, our Metro City Police representative. "Hello," Westlake said. "Dr. Allie Farrow, our resident techno-geek." "Smart ass," she said to Cole while waving a hello to their guests. "And Frankie Waters, the Defender's chief mechanic." "I prefer to think of myself as a master automotive specialist," Frankie said. "Now that we've all been introduced," Cole said, "we can start finding a solution to the Garth Knight problem." "That's great," Frankie said, "Does anybody HAVE any ideas?" Only the sound of technicians working could be heard. Michael Knight slowly regained consciousness. He found himself in a small room with a dimly lit light bulb on the ceiling. As his head cleared he began to remember what had happened. The truck driver had given Michael a knock out drug. His handcuffs had been removed. The only other thing in the room was the small cot he was lying on. The only way out was through a door. Michael checked the door and found it to be locked. On the wall to Michael's left was a small air conditioning vent. It was too small for anyone to get through. He walked over to the vent and sniffed the air coming in. It was scent of the ocean. Michael was at, or near, the ocean. His comlink was gone. Michael knew where he was, but had no way to tell anyone. He walked back to the cot and sat down to think. KITT and KARR were in another building. When KITT was ordered to drive out of the truck, he knew right away where he was. The shipping docks outside Metro City. But KITT dared not try to contact Devon and Bonnie to tell them this. He had seen Garth Knight's men carry Michael away. KITT scanned Michael while he was being carried off. He was alive. If he was to stay that way, KITT had to be careful of his actions. KARR was watching closely. They sat parked in the locked garage type building facing each other. KITT decided to speak first. "This is not like you at all KARR," KITT said. "What do you mean?" KARR replied. "It's not like you to be so cooperative. What are you planning?" "I do not make the plans," KARR said, "I mearly protect my master from harm." "That's the other thing," KITT said, "Since when did you care about the life of another?" "Garth Knight rescued me from that prison you call a storage room," KARR said, "I was completely aware of the passage of time while there, but I had no way of knowing what was happening around me. When Garth Knight gave me scanning equipment, he explained to me where I had been for so many years. He convinced me that in order to survive I would need some human assistance. Now we protect each other. I call Garth Knight master only because it amuses him." KITT thought about all this. He never figured KARR would ever understand the concept of mutual cooperation. "What are you going to do when Garth is finished with you?" KITT asked. "I am the most advanced vehicle in the world. My use to Garth Knight can never end. He would not be able to full fill his plans without me." 'That's good that you believe that,' KITT said to himself. "Are you sure that is a wise idea?" Devon asked Bonnie. He couldn't believe what Bonnie was suggesting. They were standing off to the side. The Viper Team was busy with there own business. "I'm sure the Molecular Bonded Shell would give the Defender the added defense it needs against KARR," Bonnie explained, "I just need to find out what the Defender skin is made of so I can be sure the shell will bond to it." "I'm not so certain they would be so willing give us that information," Devon said, "Their project is just as secret as KITT. If not more." "We've got nothing to lose by asking," Bonnie said. Devon thought for a moment. "Very well," Devon finally said, "Let's ask." They walked over to where Cole and his team were. "So then the only way to get cars out of Metro would be either planes, trains, or ships," Westlake was just finishing her conclusion. "And all those possibilities are either being checked or have been checked," Cole said. He crossed his arms and leaned on the nearby table before noticing Bonnie and Devon standing nearby. "What have you two been discussing?" Frankie asked having now noticed the other two. "We think we may have discovered a way to help your Defender against KARR," Devon said and turned to Bonnie. "I think I can increase the Defender's protective capabilities by applying our Molecular Bonded Shell to the Defender's skin," Bonnie said. "Molecular what?" Frankie asked. "KITT's skin is coated with a special 'finish.' It increases the holding strength of the outer skin's molecular bonds, making it virtually impossible to break them. This makes KITT virtually indestructible." "Sounds good to me," Westlake said, "What do you need from us for this?" "I need to know what the Defender's body panels are made of," Bonnie said. Allie was the first to speak up. "Wait a minute," she said, "The material of the Defender is still highly classified. Only a very select few know what it is." "I understand that," Bonnie said, "but I need to know what the Defender is so I can determine if the shell will even bond to it. There have been certain materials that the shell simply won't adhere to." "I don't suppose you can tell me how this shell is made so I can determine the effect it will have on the Defender," Allie said. "No one man knows the whole formula to the MBS," Devon said, "when our founder, Wilton Knight, developed the MBS, he broke the formula down into three parts and entrusted three men with the parts." Devon was careful not to tell the Viper team that he was one of the three men. Even though he knew that he and Bonnie must work with them, he was not prepared to let them know certain information about the Foundation. Especially the Molecular Bonded Shell. "Cole I can't allow outsiders to know that kind of information about the Viper project," Allie said, "The fact that they know where we're based might compromise our operation." "We're talking about Michael's survival," Bonnie protested, "Are your secrets more important than a man's life?" "If you feel that way, why are you so hesitant to tell us what your protective shell is made from?" Allie asked. Bonnie was silent. "My point exactly," Allie said, "The people who fund this project would reconsider if they learned we jeopardized national security secrets for the survival of one man." Devon could only nod his head in agreement. Everything he was hearing reminded him of why Wilton Knight didn't want the government involved in Foundation activities. Devon and his long dead friend Wilton always believed that human life was the most important thing there was. That's why the Foundation existed. However, Devon had a small dilemma of his own. And that was giving the secret of the Molecular Bonded Shell to outsiders. Devon wasn't even sure if Michael would agree to such and exchange even if it were for his own life. "Devon," Bonnie began to say. But Devon raised his hand and cut off Bonnie. "Mr. Cole," Devon said, "We need to come to an decision about this." "Agreed," Cole said, "But there's no way we can agree to telling you what the Defender's skin is made of." "As we cannot tell you the formula of the MBS," Devon said. "What would be the conditions for letting you apply your shell to our car?" Cole asked. "Bonnie must do it herself, to prevent anyone from discovering any secrets about the shell," Devon said. "She can apply the shell herself," Cole said. "Cole!" Allie began to protest but Cole continued his condition. "But I'll have to insist that one of our people observe her." "I'll do that!" Allie said. "No, Frankie will," Cole said. "Why?" "Maintenance of the Defender is his job," Cole said. "Besides," Westlake said, "Frankie's less likely to remember anything about the shell." "HEY!" Frankie said. Devon thought for a moment. It seemed like the best answer. "Agreed," he said, and Devon and Cole shook hands, "Bonnie, return to the semi and make the necessary contacts to create the shell." "Frankie, prepare the Defender for application." "Right," Frankie turned and paused, "Uh, how do I do that?" Everyone turned to Bonnie. "Just make sure the surface is clean," She said. "Wash and wax job, got it," Frankie said. Westlake and Allie walked off complaining about the entire situation. Frankie walked off to make sure the Defender was clean. Cole and Devon were left standing alone. Devon had a worried look on his face. Cole spoke first. "You're worried about Michael aren't you," he said. "I'm worried about a lot things Mr. Cole," Devon said, "I'm worried about Michael, about KITT, Garth Knight, KARR, and this plan of ours." "You don't think it will work?" "With all of the secrets just between us, I have my doubts." Cole looked around the complex. "Me too," he said. Early next morning, The door to Michael's prison opened. Michael stood up and Garth Knight entered. These face to face encounters were still unnerving to Michael. "Hello again my brother," Garth said in a mocking voice, "I trust the accommodations are not to unpleasant." "Not as bad as that African style prison you had me in last time." "Yes, unfortunately I didn't have the time to build you another." "Let's forget the small talk Garth. What do you want." "I just wanted to let you know about the big event today." "And that is?" "The sale of the Knight 2000 and Knight Roving Robot, the end of your precious Foundation, and my favorite part, your funeral." Michael said nothing. He took a deep breath and tried to stand straighter. "Always the brave warrior," Garth said, "No matter, the world never remembers men who don't exist." That thought had never occurred to Michael before. The world remembered Michael Long, the Las Vegas detective who was killed in the line of duty. Who would remember Michael Knight after the Foundation was gone. No, that wasn't important. What the Foundation stood for was more important than any one man's life. Even his own. "One question Garth. How could you kill your own mother?" "I wondered if you'd figure that out," Garth snorted, "Mother apparently lost interest in our quest to destroy the Foundation. Old age I suppose. But for me, revenge is all I have left. SO after arranging for her car to fall off a cliff, I collected what was rightfully mine and began my final quest to destroy you." Michael was about to speak again, but Garth raised his hand and cut him off. "Anything else you may have to say I am not interested in," Garth said, "Prepare yourself my brother. Today is your last day on this earth." He turned to leave and then stopped. "Oh yes, one more thing." Garth Knight connected a left cross to Michael's face. "Now I feel a little better." The door slammed shut and was locked, and Michael was alone again. He got up from the floor and sat back on the cot. "That went well," he said, and lay down to think some more. Back in the garage, KITT and KARR still sat and waited. KARR had all his scanners locked on KITT. There was no way for KITT to do anything. Or was there? "Don't you have anything better to do then stare at me?" KITT asked. KARR was silent. "I must admire you for your new found trust in someone KARR," he continued, "with all your scanners locked on me it would be impossible for you to see an attack until it was to late." That got KARR's attention. KARR took his scanners off of KITT and began to sweep the entire interior of the garage and then the outside. There was nothing there. KITT, meanwhile, had already calculated how long it would take KARR to perform those scans, sent a signal to the Semi, and deactivated it before KARR returned his scanners on him. 'I can't believe he fell for that,' KITT said to himself. Now all KITT could do was hope was that Bonnie was monitoring for his signal. Meanwhile, at Viper complex, Bonnie was giving the Defender a final once over. The 24 hours needed for the Molecular Bonded Shell had passed. Frankie was standing nearby. The application process was usually a painless process. But having Frankie Waters making bad passes at Bonnie during the entire process was a very nauseating experiencing for Bonnie. But that had passed without Bonnie having to hurt Frankie. "So how's it going?" Frankie asked. "So far it looks like the shell is holding," Bonnie said, "Let's see what the computers say." Bonnie walked over to where Allie was sitting. There was a slight feeling of uneasiness. "Ready?" Allie asked. "Yup," Bonnie replied. Allie punched a few commands on her computer. A computer-generated image of the Defender, viewed from the top, appeared. "So, what am I looking at?" Allie asked. "This picture represents the Molecular Bonded Shell on the Defender. We use this to make sure the shell holds up." "And what do we do if the shell doesn't hold up in a fight?" Bonnie said nothing. Allie knew what that meant. "Great," she said. A beeping noise came from the pocket on Bonnie's jumpsuit. "What's that? You getting a page?" "That's not really a pager," Bonnie said, "It's a remote unit that connects to the computers on the Semi. And there's only one reason it would be going off. Devon!" Devon was sitting off to the side waiting when he heard Bonnie. In fact, everybody in the complex heard Bonnie. "What?" Devon said, "What is it?" "The Semi's getting a signal from KITT." "Let's go." Bonnie and Devon returned to Semi, while the Viper team made final preparations. Bonnie tried to raise KITT but couldn't. "What's wrong?" Devon asked. "KITT's signal has been shut down. There's no transmission at all. Wait a second," Bonnie said and typed a few more inquiries. "There's no signal coming in but there is a message from KITT." "What does it say?" After more typing a single word appeared in the message window, "docks". Devon and Bonnie looked at each other and quickly returned to the Complex. "The docks?" Westlake said, "Are you sure?" "It was the only word we received from KITT," Devon said, "And it can only mean one thing. Michael and KITT are at the Metro City Dock Yards." "That's impossible," Westlake said. "Why?" Bonnie said. "The police have already gone to the docks and the guard hasn't seen anyone there fitting any description we gave him." "If KITT says he's at the docks then he's at the docks. The guard is obviously lying," Bonnie said. "Why would he lie?" Frankie asked, "Could he be working for Garth?" "Maybe," Cole said, "Maybe, he was just paid off to keep quite." "So when do we leave?" Westlake asked. "Right now," Cole said and turned to Bonnie, "I hope that shell of yours is as good as you say it is." Bonnie was about to say something but Devon shook his head no. He knew that Bonnie took some offense to what Cole had just said. Never question the "Word of Bonnie" he thought to himself. Cole and Westlake hurried toward the Defender, got in, and took off. All the others silently wished them good luck. Allie, Bonnie, Devon, and Frankie hurried towards the computers to watch the battle that was to come. The battle that would decide the fate of Michael Knight and KITT. To be concluded...