The Knightlife [Blindspot]

[Cira Knight]

Cira grinned as she saw Blindspot move behind them as they shot through the alleway portion of the race. She could almost sense the AI tense up when Blindspot tailgated him, but she simply kept a calm eye on the rear view mirror and moved on through the rest of the alley ways. Emerging behind the other racers and rolling up the window, she moved KITT in a similar fashion, careful to not show off with using the aid of ski mode and turbo boost. They were already looking like they were on crack, running off a seemingly endless supply of regular ole' NOS as they maneuvered about them.

Cira would play with some of the drivers by going bumper to bumper with the car ahead of them and then playing a little chicken to move around. Some of the looks on the driver's faces as they saw the sleek Attack Mode and the twin scanners were priceless. With the window rolled up again, Cira laughed whole heartedly. She couldn't be seen, but she could see them, and she was certainly taking the time to show off a little. She loved racing almost as much as flying because of her passion for vehicles and the Autobots themselves, and in moments like these it showed. She didn't know for sure if Blindspot had concluded she was driving, but she would leave it up to him to think what he wanted of them. KITT hadn't said a word because that was his style, he had no reason to speak up yet.

Had it been a more rough off road ralley race or a race where people pulled tons of dirty tricks in general, Cira would have long since used some oil slick or smoke screen to better throw off and/or evade the drivers, but the ones in this race were very legit in her opinion.

KITT continued to observe Blindspot as they passed the racers, starting the next lap. {"It is disappointing he is a Decepticon,"} he thought to himself.

[blindspot]

Blindspot was less conscious of KITT and Cira's position at this point. He was concentrating on the other racers. His driving was not aggressive, but rather innately evasive; he didn’t pull any of the charges or close maneuvers with this rabble that he had with KITT. He was still moving incredibly fast, but he was making it look easy, almost lazy as he slid between cars.

When he did let his attention wander towards them, he felt a burst of mirth. When left to its own devices, the mystery vehicle seemed happy to continue its aggressive maneuvering. He wondered if that said something about their respective natures. Who knew? Anything seemed possible tonight. Blindspot wound his way back towards KITT, drawing up by his rival’s side and revving his engine in a challenge. The finish line was coming up, and it was time for them to tackle the home stretch.

After his challenge, he was off. He didn’t care if anyone saw him and understood that he was moving too fast for an Earth vehicle. It wasn’t as if he was planning on claiming anything if he did win the race; he was just in it for the fun. They’d opened their track to him, and he’d used it. Let them sort out the particulars of victory afterwards.

Blindspot tore for the finish line. If KITT rose to his challenge and engaged the turbo boost, it was more likely that the two cars would finish in a tie than victory either way. It was an unforgettable moment--the crowd was screaming, the wave of sound so loud that it was almost a palpable thing, the slim woman swinging the checkered flag in a graceful arc, the rush of the air, the thrum of the Mustang’s engine in the air beside him--

--and then the finish line was crossed, and it was over. Blindspot began to slow, coasting to an easy stop. The master of ceremonies for the race was wearing a baffled expression, obviously not having expected this turn of events. Some people in the crowd were pointing at him, and some were pointing at the other racers, or at the mystery car. Blindspot was privately amused. He’d stirred up a bit of trouble, it seemed. Oh, well. They’d deal with it. Who knew, it might make an interesting story some day.

He circled back, now drifting at an easy low-speed coast, and cast about for his rival. There was no way Blindspot was going to just walk away after a race like that. He was a bit leery about sending any sort of comm-link message to anyone who wasn’t a Decepticon, but if this mystery car had wanted to hurt him, he could have easily done it on the track.

The message was polite and straightforward. “<Join me?”> And, without waiting for a response, Blindspot turned and began to wind his way back into the city, leaving the confusion of the race track behind. He moved slowly enough for the other to easily catch up to him, should he decide to come along, and Blindspot rather hoped he would.

[KI3T]

KITT and Cira gunned it for the finish line, using Turbo Boost once again to give the AI an extra push. Cira shouted and had to keep herself from throwing up her arms and shouting in excitement like she was on a roller coaster. A hardstyle techno song called Here We Fucking Go by Showtek was blasting loudly in the Mustang, and others could hear the sounds from the song playing as they crossed the finish line. Oh what good timing for that one! "WAHOO!! GO GO GO!!" They completed the race going neck to neck, though it had taken considerable effort to catch up to Blindspot.

So.Much.Fun! KITT couldn't recall when he last had this much fun with another Cybertronian. He didn't mind that Cira was with him of course, he was so used to having a driver around, and he really liked Cira, and perhaps he had more of a liking to her than her step father.

<"Happy to oblige."> he replied in his usual calm voice as Cira had him slow down as well with an equally steady deceleration. She began to follow at a leisurely pace within the speed limit and when the coast was fairly clear. He wondered where Blindspot would go. He hoped it wouldn't take him to a fight but at this point both he and Cira were doubting that.

[Cira Knight]

Cira sat back and relaxed in her seat as she followed Blindspot with another 'whoop!' of relief. "Holy shnikey that was EPIC!! Great work KITT." Cira cheered and patted the steering wheel appreciatively as they rolled along. "Pretty successful race for a first-time race with a Cybertronian I daresay! Let's do that again sometime!" she rambled as she turned down the music a bit. "I'm kinda surprised ya wanna follow though, guess there's no harm in it though since he hasn't caused any trouble ta us or anyone around us." she wasn't sure where they were going but she hoped she wouldn't get tired and fall asleep before they were all done. She didn't want to have to be dropped off just yet, she at least wanted to meet this Decepticon before she went back to her room.

[blindspot]

As far as first exchanges went, it wasn’t a bad start. Blindspot wasn’t sure what they were meant to do with the human, but decided that it was up to the mystery vehicle to decide where it--no, where he wanted to put his pet. They would need a place where the three of them could speak in relative privacy. Blindspot wasn’t sure whether he wanted to shift out of alt-mode or not, but it wouldn’t hurt to have that option.

He led the way in silence, skirting the wide neon sprawl of the heart of the city and hitting one of the exterior highways. The desert would be a good neutral ground, he figured--if anything went wrong, there was plenty of room for him to run. He didn’t feel immediately threatened, though, so hopefully his caution would be as unnecessary as he felt it would be.

His overheated frame ticked and cooled as he drove, helped in no small part by the night air. He was aware that he probably shouldn’t have been so reckless and indulged in all of that nonsense, but he still couldn’t bring himself to regret it--and he kind of wanted to do it again sometime. On the heels of this thought, they finally came to a highway where they could drive side-by-side, and he obligingly fell into pace with KITT. It was much more peaceful out here, and the roads were quiet. There was nothing but the road, swallowed by darkness behind and before them.

“<First and foremost, allow me to thank you. That was the most fun I’ve had in… the most fun I’ve ever had, I believe.”> Blindspot laughed quietly to himself. It sounded like steel wool against aluminum foil. <“And now I must ask--who are you? How long have you been on Earth?”> He did nothing to hide his open curiosity, or how clearly impressed he was. It was also obvious that Blindspot had no idea that his rival wasn’t Cybertronian.

[KI3T]

KITT lightened up the tint of the windows and his nanoskin shifted in the moonlight a little after having transformed back into his "default mode". <"I am the Knight Industries Three Thousand, called by KITT among the humans. I have been on Earth since I was created, actually. My driver's step mother's father created me, he was a very intelligent man. Though I will not deny his daughter is certainly smart as well."> KITT replied honestly, thinking of Interceptor as he explained his creation history. <"I know it is hard to believe, but I speak the truth, I am this woman's partner, her duties were inherited by her step father now that her step parents want to settle down. I don't know if you are familiar with how human families work, but such is the case here. She is my driver, loyal friend, and partner. We look after each other. I want to give you a fair warning before I say anything else, that we are contracted with the Autobots, liaison and security. Judge me if you will, but I wanted to inform you before we continued on."> KITT paused briefly before continuing, debating about giving him the warning that he was RECORDING EVERYTHING, and that anything he said would be documented used against him if something happened later -- if he learned more about KITT and the information got out, sooner or later, KITT WOULD find out. But, it wasn't like he would let Blindspot inspect him or anything, so it was likely he wouldn't have to worry about it. Besides the Decepticons already knew about him because of KARR, any news regarding KITT wouldn't be that surprising most likely. Regardless, KITT thought about it because that was simply how he worked, and it was a precautionary behavior.

He then resumed speaking after the brief pause. <"On a different note, I too enjoyed the race, as Cira - (the human driving) and I never had a chance to race one before. I just hope my telling you all this does not disappoint or even perhaps intimidate you. I have no reason to attack unless you try to harm me or use information against me."> it was a subtle warning, one made out of caution. KITT rather liked Blindspot up to this point, but how he behaved the remainder of their visit also said a lot about how dangerous the Con might be.

[Cira Knight]

Cira rolled down the windows, letting some cool air in. She couldn't help but wonder if Blindspot believed KITT about her driving him, but oh well, it didn't matter much in the end. She also wondered if they were talking at the moment, because they seemed pretty quiet. "Nice racing, haven't raced a Cybertronian before." Cira commented. As long as Blindspot didn't do anything suspicious, Cira was confident she could get along with this one.

[blindspot]

The Decepticon went utterly silent after KITT spoke, save for the characteristic rattling noise coming from under his hood. He was more or less prepared to be dealing with either a neutral or an Autobot, but he was still a bit disappointed that he hadn’t encountered some sort of rogue Decepticon. The presence of the human should have tipped him off, though. Still, he wasn’t getting shot at, and KITT’s addendum further soothed any raised hackles the admission might have provoked.

But in truth he was more stunned by the revelation that this vehicle was apparently not Cybertronian. Even though KITT had said it himself, Blindspot was still doubtful. It was no secret that most of human technology was owed to the capture and study of Blindspot’s Lord, but the prospect of a non-Cybertronian intelligent machine--an actual alien--was as hard to swallow as it was fascinating. The prospect that KITT might have even been considered a member of some human family unit was even more interesting. Blindspot didn’t really know much about families, human or Cybertronian. He’d been created artificially as a disposable soldier; he didn’t have a family.

Part of that creation process had been about hard-wiring some instincts into him, instincts that ran deep. He knew he shouldn’t say too much to this fellow, but the vehicle had already shared quite a bit of info with him. He did not come out and say that he was a Decepticon because he knew KITT had already surmised that. “<I will not attack you,>” he finally answered, “<I kindle sparks, not snuff them. I normally function as a field medic.>” It wouldn’t hurt to let that bit of information slip to the Autobots. They were honorable, even if they were foolishly misguided, and a few of them might think twice before targeting a noncombatant. He wouldn’t hold his intakes, though.

KITT had introduced himself, so now it was Blindspot's turn to return the courtesy. “<I am called Blindspot.>” he finally replied, “<If you would like to communicate verbally, we would need to stop somewhere. I cannot speak very loud.>”

He hoped KITT would take him up on his offer. He was now even more interested than before in the pair. KITT proclaimed himself to be a hitherto-unknown form of life, a human-created artificial intelligence, and this woman, despite being unfortunate enough to be a human, seemed to have enough redeeming qualities to have earned the affections of her machine counterpart.

Aside from that, driver or no, she didn’t look any worse for the wear after that wild race, so he had to give her credit there.

“<I would understand if you are uncomfortable,>” Blindspot added, “<but I admit that I am quite curious about the pair of you.>” There was no harm, he felt, in being direct.

[KI3T]

(as discussed, you're welcome to fix your post since I edited mine.)

<"I would not mind stopping. I appreciate your understanding primarily for the sake of Cira. It is nice to meet your acquaintance, Blindspot. I would like to talk, as I have only recently begun to interact with Cybertronians more."> Though KITT had a feeling any minute now, Cira would start talking about being hungry again and demand some fast food or a trip to a local grocery store, at least there were rations in the trunk already available to her disposal so she could snack when they stopped if she got hungry. {"A medic, seems the Decepticons have more than we do."}

"His name is Blindspot, Cira." KITT told Cira. "May I assume control? He wants to stop and chat."

[Cira Knight]

Cira glanced at the voice box and smiled, pleased to see that KITT was interacting with a Cybertronian off duty and genuinely seemed interested. Of course she wouldn't mind KITT taking control. She liked to drive or fly things but when it came to KITT she, like the rest at FLAG, treated KITT like he was a person. When Cira had been learning to fly, she sometimes pretended that KITT's auto pilot unit was the instructor sitting in the left seat. They would routinely establish who had control of the helicopter verbally. She was more relaxed about it with KITT because she was so in tune with him, but sometimes she still established it verbally. "I dun mind at all buddy, you got 'em." she said to KITT, and since one of the windows were down, Blindspot would likely hear KITT speak to her. Cira wondered why Blindspot couldn't speak to her directly, but she shrugged it off for now. Perhaps they were just waiting until they stopped.

KITT slowed down and scanned the dusty, quiet landscape for a place to pull off. He doubted Blindspot had additional forms like he did so he would avoid transforming into his 4x4 mode to access rougher terrain to avoid the roadside unless he established he didn't mind. Eventually there was a wide, shallow bed near the very edge of one of the mountains. KITT moved ahead a bit and signaled right before going to a stop on the other side of the ridge. The fairly level ground shouldn't be too hard for their low frames to handle, as there were only some shrubs and rocks to worry about. She then turned her head towards Blindspot. "So, Blindspot. How ya like Vegas?" Cira asked with a light smirk once they stopped. She popped open the door and stretched her legs before going into a hand stand.

She almost toppled over from the remnants of the adrenaline rush as the blood went to her head. She fell on her feet and butt, though, lightly. {"Woah, hello inertia. Should have waited a bit."}

[blindspot]

(GAH WHOOPS. Okay, fixed! :3)

Blindspot obediently fell behind KITT, willing to let the other lead the way. A tiny voice at the back of his mind nagged at him that he could very well be driving into an ambush. This was an Autobot, after all. He reasoned that if he did turn out to be in danger, he would simply run away. KITT was fast, and he could hold his own on the race track, but Blindspot still had the advantage as far as raw speed went.

More than that, though, the voice was simply drowned out by the force of Blindspot’s mounting curiosity. Common sense didn’t even have a chance, under the circumstances.

He rolled in behind KITT and paused, uncertain if he should shift to alt mode, or stay as he was, out of politeness’ sake. If KITT wasn’t Cybertronian, then he wouldn’t have a ‘bot mode. He decided to stick with alt mode for now, circling KITT as the Mustang came to a stop. He came to rest facing KITT at an angle, and watched as Cira stepped out of the car, stretching and wobbling. Before he could answer her question, she had fallen on her behind.

Blindspot watched her with quiet amusement. What should he say to the human? He’d never really spoken with one before, not like this. Perhaps he thought to himself, I should just tell her the truth.

“I have never seen anything quite like it,” he admitted, and that was a hefty statement coming from a robot from another planet. It was clear now why he didn’t speak on the road. His voice was a relatively quiet rasp undercut with the occasional pop of static. It didn’t sound intentional; clearly the Decepticon had been damaged at one point. “I have been in human cities before, but not one like that. There is so much…” He paused thoughtfully. “There is just so much.” he concluded.

He turned his attention back to KITT. He would be polite to the human pet unless she gave him reason not to be, for now. Cira had earned a rare measure of respect from Blindspot for her active participation in the race. The polite thing to do would probably be to attempt to keep the conversation going with her, but Blindspot still had a lot to learn as far as human etiquette went. He was interested in speaking to the vehicle, not the driver. “If you don’t mind, may I ask you--did I hear you correctly? You stated that you were created by humans?” The soft, scraping rasp of his voice did not always convey emotion well, but incredulity was plain to hear this time. “You are absolutely certain?” he added, as if KITT might someone be mistaken as to his own origins.

[KI3T]

"Yes. I do not kid. What about your creation history?" Well, when he was truly being serious anyway. KITT liked to make some sarcastic/snarky jokes now and then, but most of the time, he was concise and direct, just like an Air Traffic Controller had to be when separating and directing traffic. Now that Charles was deceased, Sarah was the only one that could activate or deactivate KITT forcefully. She could literally do so by the palm of her hand.

Cira stood up again and stretched before sitting on the ground properly. In a jolly good mood and relaxed now that the excitement had passed, she decided to give the two Bots some room to talk and laid down on the ground. She crossed her legs and put her hands behind the back of her head, realizing then just how clear the sky really was. But at least she understood why he hadn't spoken to her directly before. What made his voice like that? Both AI and human were wondering the same thing.

{"This is nice, I kinda wish Jazz was here...but with a Con here...in my flippin' dreams..."}

[blindspot]

Blindspot mulled it over thoughtfully. If KITT had been created by humans, then… then he had no Spark. He rolled a little closer, just inches, turning his attention to the other’s chassis for a moment. The beat of Blindspot’s Spark was palpable--when Cira had passed by him, she probably would have felt it on her exposed skin, and certainly KITT would be able to sense it. It was not a typical Sparkbeat--instead of a robust, regular rhythm, Blindspot’s pulse was erratic, but it was still relatively strong.

He was used to sensing it from his comrades, so used to it that he barely even registered any longer. There was nothing, however, coming from KITT. Just stillness in the air around him. It was such a different feeling, so strange, so alien. It didn’t unsettle or repulse him. It just intrigued him. Unless he was interacting with a clever simulation, this car was most definitely alive, and somehow humans had done that without the use of a Spark. It was fascinating. He wondered what sort of mind was produced by a life like that.

Well, he mused as he shook himself out of his half-trance, I suppose I am on the road to finding out. “I was manufactured at the end of the Cybertronian civil war--I am sure your comrades have told you about it.” He was also willing to bet that they had pumped KITT full of Autobot propaganda, but he held his proverbial tongue. “The planet was dead, and the fighting itself limited to minor skirmishes. I was to serve as a scout and soldier to aid those searching for my Lord.” He didn’t think he had to say which Lord. KITT could probably figure it out.

“I do not think my creators expected me to outlive my intended function.” He said this practically, without a shred of self-pity. It seemed Blindspot was eager to suspect the Autobots of brainwashing, but didn’t question the authority of his leaders, even to the point where he only valued his life as much as they did, which was clearly not much. “So, since the rescue of my Lord, I have found my own function.”

Blindspot was undoubtedly curious about KITT, but his tendency to ramble apparently overrode his tendency to bluntly and somewhat rudely pepper others with questions.

[KI3T]

The Mustang's nanoskin seemed to bristle and darken a little in tension as Blindspot inched closer. He had never been near a Cybertronian for so long and so close, in Bot form or alternate mode. It wasn't the fact that Blindspot was a Decepticon - well maybe a little, but KITT was generally not used to other vehicles being "nose to nose" with him.

KITT bravely refrained from scooting back when he heard the name Megatron. "I see...Well, that is good. I suppose I should refrain from saying what I wish to say regarding your creators 'underestimating' you." it was obvious Blindspot didn't really care about that anyway, but KITT did since he was technically an Autobot though he was only aligned by contract with the humans. Otherwise he was a neutral entity, serving to protect his driver, other humans and now Autobots as well from the more viscious Decepticons. "But everyone has the freedom to do what they will, they only have to have the calling to reach new decisions." he would have shrugged if he could.

He just couldn't understand why Blindspot, or any Decepticon respected Megatron so much, and neither could Cira. He heard plenty of rumors about how he ate Decepticon or Autobot Sparks when he got ravenous for Energon and power. When he thought about that, THEN he started backing up. "Perhaps we should not be exchanging words. I have heard of what your "Lord" does when he is ravenous for power, he feeds off of Sparks, regardless of the faction. I do not wish to have that happen to you...A month ago I would have not been concerned about myself, but that would not change what I have said. It is true, no matter which side you are on, that is scary to just about anyone who knows who Megatron is..." this statement thus implied KITT had recently attained a robotic form but he was still used to using his default mode.

[blindspot]

Blindspot would have cocked his head curiously at KITT’s initial words. He seemed somehow… upset, disappointed, or affronted. Instantly the medic began to wonder if he’d done something wrong. Had he offended KITT somehow? Had he said something wrong? He didn’t know that KITT was simply expressing his displeasure over Blindspot’s circumstances. He was silent, then. Blindspot was not used to socializing, and he didn’t want to mess anything up.

Oh, dear, but he had, hadn’t he? Because KITT was rolling away. He wasn’t able to surmise, from KITT’s words, that he had already acquired another form. He just assumed that KITT was afraid of his Lord. The part that struck him the most, however, was KITT's concern over his fate. That was... an odd and novel sensation, to know that someone didn't want you to die. It felt kind of nice.

At first all Blindspot could say in response to that was, “Oh.” He had heard of his Lord’s hunger. “I have never been particularly afraid of such a fate,” he admitted, “I do not think he would see my Spark as worthy. Even if he did, I was created to serve him in whatever manner he sees fit. I would not turn you over to him; I can hardly expect you to feel the way I do. You are an alien, after all.” Blindspot was not afraid of death. It wasn’t because he was especially brave. It was very simply because he didn’t have much to live for except serving his cause, and if he died while serving his cause, well, that was fine by him.

Whether or not he realized it, however, something had started this night. He had gotten a taste of a broader world, a broader existence, and it wouldn’t be long before life as an obedient drone wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him. There was much more to this strange planet he found himself on, this living world, full of equally strange living creatures.

All this in time, though.

“I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.” There was a slight tinge of genuine chagrin in Blindspot’s rasping voice. Spot began to back away uncertainly. “I am sorry; if you wish for me to leave, then I will.”