Knight Of The Falcons
Chapter Two
Their route took them out of the city and into the dark countryside. Janice had explained to Michael that the Professor owned a place out there where he could not be disturbed. In light of the information, Michael ordered KITT to activate his surveillance mode so they could scan the area around them. In an area so isolated and cut off, anything could happen. The journey was long with nothing but the sound of silence to accompany them. Michael decided that he wanted to know more about his passenger. After all, they did have the time to kill.
"I must admit, you sure are trusting. Most girls I pick up these days, ask if I have a criminal record." He joked, cracking a smile at the young officer.
Janice didn't find it amusing. "Is that suppose to be a joke?"
"A bad one, yes." Michael replied. "I'm just breaking the ice. You haven't said a word to me since we left the city."
Janice nodded. "I understand. I constantly feel as if we're being watched. Are you sure we're not being followed?"
"I'm pretty sure but let's find out." Michael assured her. The thought had his own conscience. "KITT scan the area around us for say...Ten Miles each direction. Is there anyone following us?"
"Who are you talking to? Who is KITT?" Janice asked with sudden confusion.
KITT then spoke up, taking Janice by surprise with his gentle and reverberating voice. "My scanners do not detect any suspicious vehicles following us. It appears that we are in the clear."
"You're car just spoke. You're car just spoke back to you!" Janice said in disbelief, her jaw hung open.
Michael smiled at her reaction. "Yeah. It does that."
"Excuse me. It? I am not an It!?" KITT corrected him, annoyed by the term of phrase.
"Sorry buddy." Michael apologised.
Just as when the journey seemed to be a simple one, KITT's scanners began to detect trouble. Two vehicles appeared on his radar screens. The blunt diagrams flashed their colours on the monitor.
"Michael, I'm picking up two Jeeps that are closing in on us. They fit the description of the Jeep that was used in the robbery."
Michael sighed in frustration. "I thought it was too quiet out here. How far away are they from us?"
"Approximately half a mile."
"What are you going to do? There's no turn off around for miles?" Janice asked as she felt her anxiety levels rise.
"That's Okay. We've got the country on our side. KITT, activate your off road mode." Michael replied with a sly smile.
The Jeeps approached the black trans am. They moved into position in an attempt to box them in. Both passengers, rolled down their windows. One of them brandished an automatic rifle and opened fire. Bullets constantly bounce and skim along KITT's Molecular Bonded Shell. The driver of the first Jeep got the message. Bullets were not going to stop them.
"This is starting to get boring." KITT said. His data banks were full of events that displayed a similar tactic.
"I know. Let's make this interesting." Michael agreed as he came up with an idea. Hang on Janice!"
Suddenly, Michael rammed KITT into the left jeep, forcing it to tumble across the dirt embankment. Once the Jeep impacted with the side of the embankment, KITT skidded into 90 degree turn. They headed up the side of a steep grass hill at full speed. KITT's off road tyres provided powerful traction, enabling Michael to propel themselves right to the top of the hill. The second Jeep followed close behind them. The driver kept his eyes fixed on KITT. Aware of this, Michael swung KITT into a hard right turn, heading across the rocky terrain. As they headed for the woods, Michael activated KITT's smoke screen to block the chaser's view. It worked for a few moments, but it wasn't long until the chaser had them in his sights.
"He's spotted us again." KITT reported, stating the obvious like he often did.
"Hold on KITT. We need to dump this guy somewhere." Michael replied. "Got any ideas?"
KITT scanned the immediate area. "There are two locations. There is a small Lagoon approximately 2 miles from our location. The other is a deep embankment."
"Perfect. Let's go for the second option."
"You've got to be crazy!" Janice cried in disbelief.
"Oh yeah? Well you've just witnessed a talking car." Michael stated. "You'll get use to crazy. Okay hold on. Let's punch it up."
KITT headed straight for the embankment at 100mph speeds. The Jeep followed, forcing the driver to battle for control. The decline became steeper when KITT passed the mid way point. As they approached the bottom, Michael hit the Turbo Boost, launching KITT up and over the deep embankment. They hit the other side safely and skid to a stop. Michael caught his breath and checked on Janice, watching on as the Jeep careened out of control, smacking the base of the embankment head on.
Before they could continue, Michael had to put his job first. "KITT are there any casualties inside the Jeep?"
KITT scanned the wreckage. "Both the driver and the passenger are alive with only a few concussions and bruises."
"Good. That should hold them off." Michael sighed as he looked over to Janice. "Are you okay?"
Janice took deep breaths to calm her anxiety. "I'm fine. That was unbelievable!"
"Well it's not over yet. Where's the main road from here, KITT?"
"There's a dirt path, one mile to the south of us. It'll take us back to the main road." KITT replied.
After taking a moment to process what had happened, they returned to the road and continued with their journey.
It was now 9pm when they eventually arrived at the gates of the Professor's estate. They could see that it was isolated and out in the sticks for a reason. Janice spoke into the computer comm, stating their presence. The gates opened upon request, allowing Michael to drive up into the courtyard. They pull up right outside the main entrance. Their eyes scanned the entire property, impressed by the fine garden decorations and neatly trimmed hedges.
"KITT, go into Surveillance mode. Let me know if we were followed up here." Michael said, walking around to the passenger side to let Janice out. "I can see why the Professor doesn't like to be disturbed up here. Are you sure he'll talk to us?"
Janice nodded, certain that she heard the message correctly. "He should be expecting us."
Without hesitation, Michael proceeded to knock on the door. They waited until the door opened. A Man in his late Sixties appeared on the other side of the door.
"Professor Joel Cox?" Michael asked him for a formal greeting.
"Who are you?" The Professor asked with suspicion. The look of fear was painfully clear in his eyes.
Michael calmly introduced himself. "I'm Michael Knight from the Foundation for Law and Government. My friend Janice here spoke to you on the phone earlier."
Professor Cox breathed a slight sigh of relief, removing the lock chain. "Ah yes. Come on in. I am wondering why this meeting had to be so urgent."
The Professor led them through the main hallway. It was well lit. There were paintings hung along the Peach coloured walls, Old antique furniture in the hallway and the kitchen had a wooden frame entrance instead of a door. The whole house resembled the Professors age. The pair were gestured to take a seat in his lounge. The Professor sat down comfortably in his padded green armchair, ready to discuss their business.
"Now do me, what is this I hear about the XK-8?" He began with a simple question. "I was told over the phone that you needed urgent information involving the plane."
Janice was the first to answer. "That's right Professor." She said. "We were wondering if you could tell us what is so valuable about the aircraft if it were to fall into enemy hands?"
"I- I'm afraid I don't understand." Cox replied with confusion.
"One of your XK-8's were stolen earlier this morning." Michael explained in detail. "They broke into the China Basin Naval storage facility and carted it off on a flat bed truck. We don't know where they went."
"And you think that they could possibly be after more?" Cox asked. Concern grew in his tone of voice.
"If they intend to do what we think they are doing then yes."
"The Foundation believe that they plan to steal them, respray them and even sell them onto black market investors." Janice continued. "It's essential that we know of the other locations, that's if they are any."
Professor Cox could only think back. The situation stirred memories of his previous job. He couldn't do much to find the thieves, but he knew he could provide a lead for them to follow. He took a deep breath and started his story.
"When I designed the XK-8, I had to travel out to an isolated secret facility in the Nevada Desert. Like the Groom Lake and Red Bluff testing facilities, it was to be kept top secret. Well we built and tested a few of these XK-8's out at a base we called "Iron Valley." When the tests ended and the XK-8 was given the go ahead for shipment, my superiors were told send one to the Navy. I was told to leave and to never reveal the location under strict orders. I remained faithful, but there was one other man who fantasised about selling them overseas to terrorists. All he wanted was the money. He never cared about war, people. Only himself. His name was Thomas Dallas."
Michael and Janice processed the professor's account. They knew that this lead could have possibly opened up a treasure trove of secrets. This man knew not to share the secrets of his work. Perhaps he had had enough of that.
"Thomas Dallas. Where do you think he is today? Do you know?" Michael asked. The name instantly stuck in his head.
Cox shook his head. "No. I never heard from him since I retired. I wouldn't be surprised if he was out there living his fantasy."
Janice looked over at Michael. "Do you think this is the guy?" she asked him.
"We'll soon find out." Michael replied, shaking the Professor by the hand. "Thank you for your time Professor. We really appreciate it."
"Whatever happens, you didn't hear from me, understood? I don't want them finding me up here. I came up here to get away and live the rest of my days in peace." Cox said, extending his goodbyes with a warning.
"We promise to keep you out of this." Michael assured him.
"Good, because if this is Thomas is doing then you don't know what you are in for. He is a very dangerous man."
"I'll keep that mind. Thank you."
They returned to KITT without saying a word. Michael replayed the conversation over in his head. The name "Thomas Dallas" echoed through his thoughts. They headed out of the driveway and cruised off into the pitch black country side. Michael decided to take Janice home. He needed to investigate this further without endangering her life as well. However, Janice's curiosity had gotten the better of her. She wanted to know what he was going to do.
"I want you to call me when you get a lead on this guy." she told him.
"Oh whys that?" Michael asked with a hasty reaction.
"I just think you could use some help." Janice replied bluntly.
Michael smiled as he cottoned on to her ulterior motive. "You do realise that this is dangerous and that we're going to Nevada in light of this new info?"
Janice nodded with a smile. "I'm aware of that. Hey I can't take of myself. You just keep in touch."
"Okay then. Well I'll swing by yours as soon as I get the go ahead from my boss. Until then, you lock your doors and windows and you don't talk to anyone, is that understood?"
"Yeah understood."
Michael smiled, returning his eyes to the road. "good."
Meanwhile. The driver of the first Jeep limped down the empty road. He clutched his rib cage in agony. He wasn't sure if he had broken anything or not, but he was determined to report the incident to his boss. He found a small pay phone, fumbling for his loose change that he always kept in his pocket. He dialled a number, anticipating what his boss was going to say to him. The dialling tone ended abruptly when a dark voice replaced the sound. The henchman explained the situation in full detail.
"Hey it's me. Just giving you a heads up. I think Knight knows. I think he's going to head to Nevada. He's all yours."
Putting the phone down, he pushed himself away from the Phone booth. He returned to his slow and agonising walk into the night.
