TKR: Force of Fear

Part 1

By: Deanna Jordon

"Trek! Where are you going? You do know that Kyle has scheduled a briefing in 30 minutes, don't you?" The speaker was not a human, but a gleaming silver Ford Explorer. By now Trek had gotten used to the car, Dante, speaking to him like a stuffy old British college professor. While he didn't actually care for the car's tone of voice, he did have to admit that Dante was the most logical of the 4-wheeled members of Team Knight Rider.

The other vehicles of TKR included Attack Beast, a burly, pure black Ford truck, Domino, a fiery red and white Mustang, and Kat and Plato, a pair of silver and red motorcycles who could pair up into a single hybrid vehicle or separate into two conventional motorbikes. The cars were the extension of the artificial intelligence system first installed into KITT, the Knight Industries Two Thousand, the world's only car with a completely autonomous artificial intelligence system and a distinct personality. The black Trans Am had made history with his driver, Michael Knight. Together the two had made the Foundation for Law and Government the respected institution it was today. Now, ten years later, the job Michael and KITT had started was being carried on by a team of 5 highly trained individuals and 5 extraordinary vehicles.

The team member currently under Dante's scrutiny was Trek Sanders, a 20-something year old computer genius. He had graduated from MIT at the age of 12 and had made his first million by age 14. In the last 5 years or so he had made his fortune in his own company and then sold out. His other team members were never sure of just how many millions Trek had, and they truly didn't care. Most of what they saw was a punk kid in ragged clothes with a passion for old science fiction movies.

Trek turned to Dante with an exasperated look on his face. "I just have to run down to Jason's book store. The new Shadowmen comic is due out today and I don't want to miss getting it. Jason says he even managed to get an autographed copy for me. I'll be back before Kyle even knows I'm gone." With that Trek put on his helmet and mounted his bike, Plato.

"You will be sure and let me read it too won't you?" The silver and red motorcycle asked. "I love the Shadowmen."

"Of course. Would I dare leave you out?" Trek finished buckling on his helmet and eased the bike out of the garage of the immense aircraft, Sky One, that served as their mobile headquarters.

Dante couldn't resist a parting shot. "Twenty-eight minutes and counting!" he called after the departing pair.

#

Fifteen minutes later Trek pulled up in front of his favorite bookstore. He took off his helmet and hung it off the handlebar. "Just wait here a minute Plato. We're going to have to hurry to get back on time. Dante's going to kill me if we're so much as 5 seconds late." With that Trek went into the store, paying no attention to the brown van parked at the corner.

As Trek exited the store with his purchase, he saw a man dressed in brown slacks and jacket standing beside Plato. The man looked up then began walking towards Trek.

"Excuse me, but aren't you Trek Sanders?"

"Yes I'm Trek. How can I help you?"

"My name's Dave White and I've been trying to get in touch with you for a couple of days now, but you are a hard man to find. Your friend inside said you were on your way here and might be interested in some back issues of old comic books I'm trying to get rid of." He began to walk towards the van and turned so that Trek was facing away from the street.

"What have you got?"

"Here comes my friend with a couple." With that the side door on the van slid open and a second man with long red hair jumped out. He grabbed Trek from behind and held a wet cloth over his nose and mouth. Trek struggled for a few moments before slumping over in the man's arms. The attacker motioned for White to grab Trek's legs and together the two loaded Trek's unconscious body into the van. As the van took off, the owner of the bookstore came running out into the street to see what was going on. Sensing trouble, he ran back in and dialed 911.

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