The Night of the Nazgul Ring

[giant_among_men]

Miguelito Loveless had spent days studying the Nazgul ring that he had retained after Dumbledore had stolen the One Ring i_am_shiny away from him. Indignation over that incident still burned him, but Loveless was a patient man. He would have his revenge, even if it took weeks, months, or even years. In fact, through his decades' long study of alchemy,

Comments

[ki2k]

That's exactly what I'd rather he not know just now, thank you.

Oh? Why? Do you have something to hide?

My name is Artemus Gordon. I'm an agent for the U.S. Secret Service. I want to help you!

Something about the badge flips a switch in KITT's mind... a badge... law enforcement officers carried badges... right? And weren't law enforcement officers generally dedicated to - upholding the law? If Artie was in a cage, and he was a law enforcement officer, did that mean...? No. Not Loveless. Loveless would never do anything like that, would he? KITT was suddenly very confused, and he felt as though a haze was being lifted from his CPU. He scanned Artie again. The man's vitals were slightly elevated, but not abnormally so, and he appeared calm. There was nothing to indicate that he was not telling the truth. He radiated sincerity. If this man was saying that he wanted to help KITT... did that mean that he was in trouble?? Suddenly distressed, he once again spoke to the man standing before him, much more softly now.You're a

[artemus_gordon]

Startled, Artie runs to try and catch Loveless but he is not in time. The concealed doorway snicks closed and becomes virtually invisible again. He pounds on the wall, then tries to find the edges of the door with his fingers --

And suddenly finds himself being bodily lifted off his feet as an unsteady, groggy, but still conscious Voltaire throws his arms around him from behind and lifts. Artie gives a started cry, his feet literally several inches off the floor, as Voltaire begins to try and squeeze the life out of him.

*gasp* A little . . . help . . . KITT?

[ki2k]

KITT pulls up behind Voltaire, in silent mode, bumping into him with enough force to knock the huge man off-balance, causing him to lose his grip on Artie. He immediately flings open his door and pulls up alongside Artie, who is sprawled in a heap on the floor.

*hisses*

Hurry! Get in before he gets up again!

[artemus_gordon]

Gasping for breath, Artie is not about to argue. Using KITT's frame for leverage, he drags himself up and in, falling into the driver's seat.

I think . . . we've . . . overstayed our . . . welcome.

[etherreality]

Suddenly and without warning, the rear wall of the laboratory ... tears open - ?

[artemus_gordon]

Artie stares, flabergasted, as the wall opens up and tears as if by invisible hands. He's beginning to wonder if maybe he isn't actually unconscious on the floor after all . . .

[ki2k]

*boggles*

[artemus_gordon]

KITT's frame begins to shake as suddenly Voltaire's face appears in the rear window. He has grabbed KITT's bumper and is trying to lift the car off the ground.

Leaving . . . might be a good idea . . . about now!

[ki2k]

Tires scrabble for purchase, barely touching the ground as the big man lifts him through sheer force of will. Smoke begins to belch forth from the undercarriage as the tires spin uselessly, when suddenly from to his left a bolt of energy streaks over him and hits the large man squarely in the chest, knocking him down. Without warning, all four tires are back on the ground, and he shoots forward before catching himself after several breathless feet...

[timeshadow]

Rakj'a steps through the gap with Arusha at her flank and a strange looking gun in her hand. She sees KITT but looks past him, scanning the room;

KITT? Status!

[ki2k]

To my right! Voltaire!

[timeshadow]

Without blinking, she aims and fires. There is a flash and Voltaire, struck squarely in the chest, flies backwards and hits the nearest wall, sliding down unconscious.

Time to go!

[etherreality]

Arusha calls from nearer the exit - "Let's go, guys - I can't hold this thing forever!"

[ki2k]

Sees Rush at the exit, holding on to the edges of a hole - the 'tear' in what could only be thought of as... 'Reality'...? KITT was still boggling over the whole thing, even as Rush's words stirred him to action, and he flew forward, aiming directly for it, scooting through it as if all the demons of hell were on his tail, with no desire to look back...

[timeshadow]

Rak waits until KITT has driven by with Artemus, then backs quickly toward the exit. She steps outside -

Check. Go.

[etherreality]

Arusha also backs to the exit, focusing her energy on holding the opening for the last few seconds. As her feet touch the ground outside, she turns and runs clear, 'reality' snapping back into place behind her.