Teaser: KARR races down the desert in a purple sunset
"This car is fantastic Wilton, when will I be able to drive it?"(Johnathan)
K.A.R.R. slow down, K.A.R.R. don't turbo boost!(Johnathan speaking to KARR)
"The car has to be dismantled Devon, its a danger to itself"(Wilton)
First Knight
written by Richie Levine
Dedicated to Gustavo, a true Knight Rider fan
Chapter 1
In a remote California desert, WIlton Knight, self-made millionare and Devon Miles, trusted associate watch as the scientists put a car to the test. The turbine engine blazes at 200 mph and it leaps 50 feet in the air and lands softly on the ground. Out comes Johnathan Knight, Wilton's nephew all excited and ready to do it again.
"Uncle, that car is fantastic, what did you say was that jump thing called," Johnathan asks Wilton,
"A turbo boost Johnathan. Its still not ready yet, so please be careful when testing it," Wilton said urgently.
"So when will the Knight Automated Roving Robot be ready for further testing Devon?" Wilton wondered.
"We are almost done Wilton, we just need to find the perfect driver for the vehicle," Devon states.
"I volunteer Uncle, I think we can be a good team," Johnathan says.
"If Benjamin says its ok, then I am ok with it. Just keep in mind that car is not completely accustomed to you yet." Wilton states.
Benjamin Knight comes to meet Wilton at his estate as Wilton and Devon discuss Ken Franklin, a recent applicant who wanted to secure the job of being KARR's first driver. Wilton gave Devon the file and told him to hold onto it, but Franklin was on assignment by the LAPD and was not to be found. Wilton decided that family loyalty would be the best way to go.
"Ah brother, it is good to see you, how is Garthe and Jennifer doing," Benjamin asked with a hint of remorse.
"Garthe is in an african prison serving 3 life sentences for killing an African zulu leader. Jennifer just finished college and will be on the president's advisory counsel. I am so proud of her," Wilton said and then paused. "Don't bring Garthe up again though."
Benjamin Knight was Wilton's younger brother who was CEO of Knight Industries, a company that Wilton had incorporated into the Knight Foundation's resources. Benjamin had actually come over to discuss another topic with WIlton and Devon, one carrying more urgency.
Chapter 2
Benjamin Knight sat in the old wicker chair right near the Knight Foundation pool and seemed uneasy as he broke the bad news to Wilton. It was not that chilly of an early Feburary morning and Wilton and Devon both seemed to be happy about the recent progress of KARR and high on Johnathan who was excited to be KARR's new driver.
"Tonya Walker has managed to infiltrate our secrets Wilton, but I have managed to prevent her from knowing about the Knight Automated Roving Robot. Cameron Zachary has been snooping around and asking questions about KARR and I have been avoiding the issue with him. We should have kept this more secret. If Tonya finds out about that memory chip that makes KARR what KARR is then we may have to fight off another pack of wolves," Benjamin said in a lush tone of voice.
Benjamin was a scientist himself, one of the founders of the techonology and the one who suggested that the MBS be trusted to 3 different people, all of whom pledged their ability to never reveal the formula. KARR was a marvel on wheels and was Benjamin's shinning achievement. KARR was being programmed with all the data Benjamin's group could find, but Benjamin was not pleased with how KARR's personality was coming along.
"Wilton I have made some modifications to KARR that will allow him to think his decisions out and I have developed an emergency shut down in case this does not work," Benjamin stated before Johnathan came in his 1982 Toyota.
"Enough talk we shall test the Knight Automated Roving Robot soon enough. Devon, get back to Ken Franklin if he is not on assignment and tell him that if we need him, we will call," Wilton stated and went to bed early.
Wilton's health was not getting any better and the doctors told him he would not make it past September. The urgency to finish the pilot program took on great importance now that Tonya Walker wanted Knight Industries all for herself. The sun set and KARR continued to be worked on all through the night.
Chapter 3
"Devon, hand me that file," Wilton said as he watched the work being done on KARR's memory banks.
"How much do you like this Bonnie Barstowe? April Curtis is just as good a candidate," Wilton added.
Devon hesitated and said, "Bonnie is more qualified and would be a good influence but she is unavailable to at least May and April is on assignment somewhere in Europe."
KARR's voice was activated and for the first time KARR spoke his own words, "I am the Knight Automated Roving Robot, how may I serve you?"
Devon quickly answered, "I am Devon and this is Wilton, your creator."
KARR responded by saying, "Where is the boy who drove me earlier."
Wilton said, "that is Johnathan" and pointed him out to KARR.
"This driver is unacceptable Mr. Knight and I will not allow him to drive me," KARR said in a monotone voice.
The group of Wilton's scientists continued their work as Wilton felt sick and went to bed to lay down.
Chapter 4
Several days later Wilton and Devon arranged for Ken Franklin to test drive KARR and see if he was the right fit. Ken was the best qualified candidate but Wilton seemed hesitant to hire him.
"I still think Michael Long is the better choice Devon," Wilton said confidently.
Devon replied, "Michael Long is too risque Wilton, he works with a partner named Muntzy. We can't afford to take the risk that one man and one car---our entire pilot program---will work with a cop behind the wheel."
Wilton lashed out and responded, "Devon I am giving Ken Franklin a chance to prove himself. Michael Long is getting married this October to a girl named Stephanie Mason. Ken Franklin is our only choice."
Devon invited Ken in and Wilton told him he had the job and gave him his first mission to find C.J. Jockson, a dangerous man who had tried to steal the Foundation's top secrets while an employee for Comtron.
Ken went in to find KARR. Ken tried to open the door and KARR responded, "You are not authorized to access me."
Wilton followed behind and said, "It is ok KARR this is your new driver."
KARR let Ken in and Ken could not believe the spread in the KARR. Devon got in and began instructing Ken as to how things operated.
One of the basic problems that KARR had that Wilton's team could not solve was KARR's inability to function without voice commands. KARR was reluctant to initiate turbo boost or the passive laser restraint system. He felt that these were things that should be handled by the driver and Wilton's team could not erase that part of KARR's programming without damaging the entire CPU.
Ken set out with KARR into the night to track down Charles James Johnson and find him before it was to late.
Chapter 5
"The truck you seek is 2.8 kilometers ahead of us Mr. Franklin," KARR stated urgently.
The chase had led Ken into the desert area and Ken was about to end it.
"Press Turbo Boost," KARR said as they needed to jump over Jackson's vehicle.
The sound of the turbo boost, the first one off of the car was exhilerating to Ken.
Ken got out and got CJ Jackson on the ground. "KARR scan him for any...."
A Shot rang out and Ken fell to the floor. KARR just did a quick vitals check and did nothing. KARR could not handle the situation as Ken bled to death and CJ escaped only to be caught by the police later.
Back at the foundation, the car was deactivated and ordered to be disassembled for parts.
"The car did nothing Devon," Wilton said in the nastiest voice you ever heard.
"The car could have saved his life but it just sat there," Devon said
"A total ignorance of human life. This is unexceptable," Wilton said as tears rolled down his face.
"I have turned it off and had it sent to be dismantled," Devon said.
"No Devon with this Tonya threat and Ken dead, I'm shutting down the Foundation for good, Wilton said as his face turned red.
"Wilton you..," Devon said and saw Wilton collapse.
Devon rushed for Dr. Albert and got Wilton into his bed.
The foundation was closed, the pilot program had no driver and no car and Wilton could not fight off Tonya Walker's advances much longer. The future was looking bleak at best.
Chapter 6
The foundation was closed and all efforts were stopped.
Fast foward 3 months......July 1982
With Ken Franklin dead and KARR dismantled Devon saw to it that a new car with the same stock parts was built. Looking identical to KARR, Devon insisted that the car be able to function without the pilot and be able to think and act in the best interests of the mission and the driver.
Devon realized that KARR's voice was stern and unfeeling and set out to correct that. Having an affinity for Boston speech, Devon christined the new car the Knight Industries 2000 and upgraded several new features into KITT. Bonnie Barstowe was finally free and she joined the group of mechanics who would program KITT. Bonnie took a special interest in making KITT more human and as KITT developed she gave the car her fears and her joy and KITT appeared to develop a personality that KARR never could.
Wilton disliked April Curtis but told Devon to keep her file just in case. Bonnie grew quite fond of Devon and both knew that KITT would have to be maintained and Wilton gave his approval to keep her on permanently. Wilton had finally managed to track down Tonya Walker and fool Cameron Zachary into thinking that KITT was not being built.
WIlton had found out that Michael Long was undercover against Tonya and her cohorts and Wilton was hesitant to interfere with their investigation.
"Devon, our only choice is Michael Long," Wilton sighed.
"Then this time we have to program the car to respond to him," Devon stated.
"This time I don't want to fail...I might not have that much more time," Wilton said.
Devon and Wilton both retreated to a game of chess.
Chapter 7
Fast foward to August 8, 1982 at 6pm
Wilton recieves a phone call.....
"Hello Benjamin, how are u?" Wilton asks.
"Not good, I have found out Cameron Zachary has ordered a hit on Michael Long..." Benjamin urgently states.
"Its almost night fall, we must get him out of there," Wilton urgently says.
"Good Luck Wilton," Benjamin says and hangs up the phone.
Outside Mr. Grey one of Tonya's henchman sneaks in and knocks Benjamin unconsicous and shoots him in the head. He traces the call back to the foundation.
He rings Tonya who is paged at the casino.
"What is it?" Tonya asks.
"Kill Long, the foundation knows you are going to get rid of him tonight," Grey orders.
"Will you send Lonnie to get the microchip designs Grey?" Tonya urges.
"Lonnie will be there around 8:30" and Grey hangs up the phone.
Wilton leaves on his helicopter against Dr. Albert's advice. He knows it is a race against time to save Long's life. Devon learns of Benjamin's death minutes after Wilton leaves and agrees with Dr. Albert to shield the truth if Michael Long dies. It would be too much for Wilton to handle.
Chapter 8
Michael Long calls home to his finacee Stevie. "I miss you honey, how are u?"
Stevie goes, "I'm okay how is your first night in your new job?"
Michael hesistates, "It's going okay--we should wrap this up tonight"
Stevie wishes Michael luck and hangs up the phone.
Michael then dials a mysterious young female who answers the phone...
"How is Jenny doing?" Michael asks.
"Just fine Michael, when are you coming to see her for her 4th birthday?" she asks.
"As soon as I finish this case up. I don't want her to have the last name of Long anymore, is that okay with you?" Michael insists.
"No problem, I'll have her take my name of Andrews," the mysterious women answers.
"I got to go, I will see you soon." Michael says.
The phone hangs up and Michael proceeds to take his position as Muntzy pretends to be a technicial.
Lonnie walks by Micheal down the hallway and goes into the room.
"Be careful Muntzy," Michael says
Thus begins Knight of the Phoenix.....
