Part 9 Decelerate

Faster...faster...faster! KARR had the need for speed, some burning desire to keep moving. He just wanted to MOVE. To eliminate all POTENTIAL dangers that could interfere with him. He wanted them to know he was out there. KARR was in a seemingly unstoppable, reckless move.

A two tone black TransAm could be seen speeding down the high ways just a few miles outside from Cira's school. One policeman watching from his own sports car in a half full parking lot of a local Target store could be seen in a cluster of cars parked about the center of the parking lot. The policeman just caught KARR zoom by right in front of him. He saw a couple cars and trucks skid to a stop in mid panic as the TransAm sped without hesitation through a red right.

"Whoa!" the policeman reached for his keys to turn on the ignition. He was off duty for now, but then he realized, maybe he'd better still call in. He had a radio on, and apparently several moments later someone already got to him. So he relaxed, sat back, and continued to read.

KARR swerved into a different highway from a merging zone, and suddenly farther down the highway at the intersection before that, KARR heard sirens. Great. Maybe he shouldn't be doing this. KARR sped up and swerved around other vehicles, barely giving anyone time to act. One truck rolled over because KARR accidentally hit its left side and in turn, made the driver yank the wheel away harder than intended.

Cira, Alex and Drake sat quietly for a bit as Devon pulled out of the school parking lot.

"Are you three okay?" Devon asked, glancing at Cira.

"Yeah." Cira replied.

"Surprised, but, yeah." Alex added.

Drake just sat quietly, nodding, then gazed out the window. He started to direct Devon to his house.

"KARR drove off with Cira's backpack, you know." Alex said.

"Well, depending on when we get KARR back, that may be a funny excuse to use in school on Monday." Devon said.

"Yeah." Cira smirked. "Alex, Drake and I were talking about that earlier after car drove off."

"No teacher would believe it unless they saw it." Drake grinned.

"I can't believe it. KARR almost ran over Cira."

"He just sped out of the parking lot?"

"Yeah. That's what I told dad. He didn't respond to my calls or anything before I came to him. He was re-charging while we had been practicing, I guess." Cira replied.

"I thought for sure that would fix his old program. I guess it's coming back now."

"Like a cold." Drake growled. "That doesn't sound good."

"Not at all." Devon agreed. "When we get KARR back, and inspect his system, we'll try to figure out what caused it and if we can update Project Restoration."

Cira sighed. "I hope KARR doesn't turn into his old self again."

"Yeah. Somehow he must have been able to find a way to over-run the system April put in him." Devon said.

"Most likely. Hopefully he won't be too hard to tame again."

"KARR sounds very unpredictable. Are you sure he's safe?" Drake asked.

"We tried making him like KITT. But for some reason it never worked. KITT seems to be too original."

"KITT? Who's that? Is he like KARR?"

"Similar model, but with a system that's nothing like KARR." Cira said.

Drake got back on track and made sure between their small talk Devon knew where to turn. Soon enough they arrived at Drake's house. He was right, it didn't take all that long.

"Thanks for the ride, Devon." Drake said.

"No problem." Devon said with a smile. Drake grabbed his back pack, waved at the three of them, and walked up the few steps that led to his quiet house.

Devon drove off.

"So Alex, what grade are you in?" Devon asked.

"A Junior."

"Ah. Two years older than Cira."

"Yep."

"Will I get to see KITT?" Alex asked.

"You're staying here for dinner and such, I don't see why not." Cira said, glancing at Devon in question.

"He's met the good and bad side of KARR, I presume, I think he'll like to see KITT." Devon replied. "Especially since you didn't expect him to see the problem-side of KARR, Cira. Are you sure you're okay?" Devon asked, not bringing up her past and Nana dying.

"Yes, I'm sure," Cira said, giving him an appreciative wink and smile, a wink that Alex didn't really catch from his seat.

"I look forward to meeting everyone." Alex said in a cheerful tone.

"Though keep in mind, I don't really have a mom...April is sort of like the mom I never had. I think you'll like her, and Michael."

"After meeting Devon, I'm sure I will." Alex said, sitting back in his seat.

Meanwhile, and some several seconds later, the policeman were still on KARR's tail. KARR suddenly noticed she left her backpack in the passenger seat. That triggered a memory of the time he asked for forgiveness when she was much younger. Probably during the first year she got adopted.

Did he want that to happen again, and be locked away? Because they thought he was a failure of some sort? KARR seemed smarter than that now. He was smart enough to realize maybe he should stop trying to be so reckless even though he craved the odd sense of adrenaline and entertainment he found in speeding and scaring other vehicles. Normal behaviors began to regain control over his system, as though trying to fight off a virus. KARR was insanely confused for who knew how long as he sped down the road joy riding with no one telling him to stop, fighting his temptations. He wasn't causing too much damage, so there was no police helicopter after him...yet. KARR didn't want that, though he could have taken out or avoided the chopper if he needed to.

Disregarding the police cars, which kept following him, KARR slowed down by a good five or ten miles an hour, and exited the highway. After an initial move off the highway, one police car was right behind him. The policeman was surprised to find no one driving the TransAm. But then he'd remembered the local police had said something about encountering this car in the past, and never being able to catch it. So with out hesitation, he kept speeding after it, not attempting to corner it or stop it, that would actually be a bad idea. This car was acting like it did have a driver, and if it was smart enough, it would keep acting on its own and it might very well be able to avoid him and the other cops on his own. The cop named Officer David Blackmon radioed in to the rest of his team behind him and told him what he was thinking. They listened and kept following him and the black sports car.

Now just a few minutes left from FLAG as they drove, a voice from Cira's watch suddenly spoke.

"Cira?" It was KARR!

Cira's heart leapt.

"KARR! Where the hell are you?"

"I don't know what came over me, Cira. Some...wild...instinct, as you humans call it. Or a desire. Tell April and Devon I'm...really sorry." Cira swore she heard sadness. Alex's eyes widened, surprised at the sound of KARR's voice and the way he spoke to Cira and Devon. "Something is wrong. I've scared several policeman. Something makes me just want to be...to be reckless. To cause a mess. It's ADDICTING, Cira. It keeps...coming back to me." KARR was silent for a moment.

"KARR?" Cira said as Devon pulled into the garage at FLAG's base. "It's okay. Michael and KITT will be on their way to get you."

Meanwhile, again, one of the other cops moved up beside Blackmon's vehicle. He radioed in Blackmon.

"Should we try shooting at the tires? My partner is with me."

Blackmon on the other hand, was alone.

"Sure. Get Lexus to shoot the rear left tire."

He saw the female cop out of the corner of his eye aim and shoot. This seemed to happen slower than normal for some reason. Blackmon swore he saw the bullet BOUNCE off the tire, instead of piercing it. He had time to think: no, it can't be possible!

But it was. The bullet ricocheted off the tire, and flew into the left corner of Blackmon's bumper, who was almost directly behind it.

"Sorry sir." Lexus said.

Blackmon exhaled sharply.

"No problem. Keep following this damn vehicle. I want to see if we can find out who made this thing and why its out and about." Blackmon replied.

As KARR sped along, KARR replied to Cira.

"No. I'm getting closer to flag as we speak. Cira, I'm sorry. Please don't have them lock me away."

"KARR, that's the last thing we want to do. We want to try and help you."

Cira sighed. She swore KARR was just like a child. She was relieved KARR didn't get into trouble.

"You didn't cause any deaths, did you KARR?"

"No...just some scares and skids. It got so addicting I wanted to...Cira, I wanted to. Why?"

How could KARR be questioning himself like this? Even Devon was surprised.

"I guess the program we tried to install in you didn't over-ride your old system completely. Because it kept freezing and couldn't operate to it's full capacity, I guess your old personality eventually took over." Cira said. "That's what we've all included, KARR. We'll see what we can do once Devon, Alex and I get to FLAG."

"FLAG?" Alex asked. "What's that?"

"Foundation for Law and Government. It helps solve tougher crimes, and sometimes take care of the criminals no one can touch. And FLAG also likes putting it's latest technological advancements to the test. KITT is the number one best car they've made so far."

"Ah, so it's sort of like a secret government, one that likes to keep a low profile, but is actually pretty big." Alex replied.

"Yep."

A handful of minutes later after exiting from a high way, Devon began to approach FLAG's main property. Alex's eyes went wide. "Wow, this place is huge."

"Yeah, I was just as amazed when I came here." Cira said.

"You haven't always been here?" Alex asked.

"I have. But not since I was born. I'll tell you more later."

"Okay." He'd been itching to talk to Cira about her and KARR almost all day it seemed. Even more so now with what happened to KARR.

Devon pulled into the spacious parking lot. After meeting April and Michael, and changing out of their uniforms into civilian clothes, Cira got another call in from KARR. Michael was glad to hear KARR at least had some sense still in him. It seemed the program managed to over-rule his childish behavior most of the time.

"Cira, I'm approaching FLAG now. But...two police cars are following me."

Cira sighed. "Very well. Alex and I are going to run out and meet you." She grabbed Alex's arm and smiled. "Let's go!"

Michael and April watched her leave. At least she wasn't afraid of KARR now. They had been afraid she would be after KARR suddenly starting to behave like he did.

When she knew Alex was following her with interest, Cira let go of his wrist in a matter of seconds as she darted back outside into the warm spring heat. The sun shone down on them, and Cira could see steam rise from the vast parking lot here and there. They ran into the middle of it, where they waited for KARR. However, KARR wasn't alone. Two police cars were following him.

Only just a minute or so later, KARR turned into the lot, his yellow scanner moving back and forth in that hypnotic manner that mystified Cira so much. She walked forward slowly to KARR's left as he moved slowly, barely going ten miles an hour as he approached them.

The policeman got out and revealed themselves. There were three of them. However, after they asked Cira to fetch Devon and Michael, they had a long talk with the two men. They explained why KARR was the way he was and that they were still trying to fix his program. They only gave the policeman the information that they really needed to hear. The rest they set aside, for it wasn't worth mentioning the important details about how KARR came about, and what it can do.

Because KARR caused a crash, but no one was injured, and because no one was actually driving KARR at the time, they gave FLAG a small fine. It annoyed Devon and Michael some, but they accepted it and moved on. That was that.

"Sorry for all the trouble. Do you all forgive me?"

There it was again. KARR wasn't sure he deserved such a thing. He had been lucky to receive Cira's forgiveness.

"Yes KARR, I do." Cira said. "We did not expect it, as did you. Something's definitely wrong with your system, and it's not your fault. April is going to take a look at you momentarily. We all need to enjoy ourselves for a bit."

"Yes, we're a bit annoyed this is happening, but we were also prepared for the potential risk at the same time." Devon said. The look on his face hid a bit more concern than that, however.

"I trust you won't do that again to me?" Cira asked, briefly glancing down at KARR from the side.

"I won't." KARR knew from that point forward he would do as much as he could to keep himself from putting them in danger.

"April is waiting to see you, so she'll be out in a few moments. Go to the garage where KITT is resting and she'll get started in looking over your system." Devon said.

"Okay."

They walked with KARR until he parked himself in the garage where KITT was. Alex caught a glimpse of the second car, with its red scanner and sleek body, but more interested in Cira, kept following her into the back of the main building.

"Hey dad?" Cira asked Michael, who was following April towards the back door where they had entered.

"Yes?"

"Can I show Alex around and go for a while?" she asked.

"Yes. Alex, treat her well." Michael said, giving him a teasing wink.

Alex grinned, catching the small hint. "I will."

"So, I want to hear more about you, if you don't mind."

"And I you," Cira said with a smile as they walked away once Michael closed the door.

They walked all over the main site of FLAG.

"So, who wants to start?"

"I don't really care?" Alex said with a shrug.

They walked on in a silence, unsure of how much they really wanted to start off with their explanations or not.

Cira sighed. "Rock paper scissors?"

"Heh. Sure."

Alex won with a rock, Cira with scissors.

"Damn." Cira said, snapping a finger briskly. "I'll keep it as to the point as possible. My dad that you met, really isn't my dad. I'm not related to Devon or April. They adopted me."

"Why?"

"I was a pretty lonesome child. My family wasn't the best, you see. My relatives either couldn't afford to take care of me or the ones that might have been willing were already deceased. My parents died in a plane accident. Neither of my parents are pilots though. It was one of my uncles who was flying the plane."

"Why did he crash, do you know?"

"It takes a more detailed explanation, I'll explain that in a bit if you like. I'm not quite done yet."

"That's kind of obvious." Alex said with a shrug.

"For several years one of my aunts took care of me. She was the one who could afford to support me through schooling and whatnot. She did the best she could. As much as I remember hating her death and fearing KARR while I was out in the hospital, those days seem like they were meant to happen." Cira said. "God must have known I would have someone that would take care of me, that he did not plan for me to die. The rollover was severe, and despite seat belts and airbags, the car was bent and smashed pretty darned well. It was all because others just could not stop in time, and in turn, they caused damage of their own. A chain reaction. So somehow I survived, and later Michael adopted me. Well, apparently he hadn't thought of it, but Devon sure did, because at the time they were tracking down KARR and attempting to capture him."

"Why was KARR out and about if he wasn't safe?" Alex asked.

"That's...a long story. One that Michael could tell you better than me. I'd rather save my breath and not have to explain all that. Some idiots, burglars, woke him up. And they tried to stop KARR, but he somehow got restored again. Later on, and eventually we got him back. But like I said, ask Michael about that, not me, if you really want to know however soon."

"Ah, it's fine. At least for now." Alex said with a small smile.

After that Alex briefly explained to her how her dad was in the military, he wanted to be a pilot, and that he didn't know where he planned to go for college yet after he finished with JROTC at her school.

"Dad wants me to join, but I'd rather stay here and learn to fly locally, to stay with all the friends I've made these past couple of years."

"I've never had to worry about that."

"Really?"

"Haven't you noticed I'm the quiet one?"

"Not...really." Alex said.

"Well, it's true."

"Not so much now it seems."

"Maybe." Cira said with a shrug.

"But hey, it doesn't matter. I've grown to like you." Alex replied with a smile.

"As I've grown to like you over these past couple of weeks. This has been an interesting year for me."

"I bet. And I hope they can fix KARR."

"For some reason, I doubt it. I'll just have to be careful with KARR and put a lot of trust in him...something I still have to get used to. Since my accident this is the first year I've been around him a lot. I've visited with KITT and taken rides in him, but KARR is different." Cira said. "I can't stop thinking about him either. Kind of like you."

That was something Alex didn't expect. He was quiet at first. He walked a bit closer to her, but did nothing else. "You know," he said in a calm voice. "It's been like that for me lately as well..."