Knight Of The Falcons
Chapter Three
The FLAG semi mobile unit cruised gently along the narrow and dry country roads. It's destination was the Nevada state boarder. Inside the office at the computer terminals, Bonnie printed out all the information that the Foundation had on Thomas Dallas. The records were extensive which suggested the theory that the man had a colourful background. Meanwhile, Michael relaxed in front of KITT with a cup of coffee. He felt exhausted from the previous night. He didn't get much sleep. Assignments such as this one often bothered him.
Bonnie swung round on her chair, reading out the information. "Thomas Dallas. Served in the Military for Fifteen years but was discharged after a failed Psychiatric exam. He was diagnosed with Bi-Polar which meant that he had to leave the XK-8 project. Since then, he's been wanted by the police on several breaking and entering charges as well as three charges for murder, kidnapping and 4 charges of theft of Intelligence documents. He's evaded police authorities in four different states."
"Most likely not to get caught and have his plan exposed." Michael replied. "Sounds like this guy is hard to catch.
"Not to mention an extremely dangerous one." Devon added as he sat comfortably in his seat. "I've just pulled up his record of finances. Just last month, he purchased a small deserted air strip Ten miles East of Las Vegas. Patrol units have reported suspicious activity coming from that same area but on each occasion were unable to obtain a warrant to search the premises."
Michael snapped his fingers. "Let me guess, he has a rich and powerful lawyer?"
"Don't all gun wielding nut jobs possess such a top ranking lawyer?" KITT asked, speaking up.
"They sure do KITT. How far are we away from the Nevada state line?"
Devon checked his watch. "About Five hours. Michael, I suggest you rest up before you go out there. We need to make sure that there isn't a trap set for you."
"What do you mean?"
"It's possible that Dallas is now aware of you after your little off road chase last night. I suggest you should wait until we all arrive at the location."
"Devon, I appreciate your concern, but KITT and I can handle this. We saved Bonnie from a desert hangar during a hostage situation, we saved an army official from a Sherman tank on a firing range. I'm sure this will be a cinch."
"How sure are you willing to bet?"
Michael smiled. "My recent Poker winnings."
"Always so eager." KITT said. "After four years, I doubt if I will ever understand human behaviour."
"Sometimes Pal that's for the best." Michael replied. He knelt down beside Bonnie, who was installing a new modification. "How's it going?"
"Just fine." She replied, sitting upright in the drivers cabin. "I've increased KITT's X-Ray mode scanners so they can now penetrate Lead easier than before. I've also finished fitting a brand new conduit which will give KITT the ability to activate multiple modes at once. So you can Turbo Boost, Ski and be in Super Pursuit Mode all at once. Don't try to abuse it."
"I'll be on my best behaviour." Michael assured here with sarcasm.
Devon always worried about his best employee. He always felt that he had to remind Michael of his mortality.
"Michael, please..." He said as he watched Michael start up the engine.
"Yes I know, I know. Be careful. I got you." Michael replied as he cut of the Englishman's sentence.
Devon displayed a look of annoyance. He never liked being interrupted. Deep down, he knew that Michael's ego was going to get him into trouble. The question was when?. Michael reversed out of the Semi and down the ramp. With still only Five hours left on the road, They raced ahead into the dry wastelands of the American country. The sound of silence was upon them. They had passed the state boarder line, entering the heart of the Nevada Desert. There was not other vehicle in sight. It was perfect. As the hours passed by, Michael and KITT indulged in their usual conversations.
KITT began the conversion. "Michael."
"Yeah KITT was is it?" Michael replied in his relaxed state.
"Is your ego becoming the better of you?"
"Now What the hell does that suppose to mean?"
"I noticed how you blatantly ignored Devon's request to stay inside the Semi. I understand after four years you've challenged some of the most complex of crimes, but it doesn't mean your are immortal."
"KITT, sometimes when you face the unknown, you have to face it with determination and confidence. Most of the time I do get nervous, but you have to get the job either way. I like to show I can do almost anything."
"But you always seem so smug about it?"
"That's because I always have an untouchable winning streak on my side, buddy. One that will never die."
"You mean me. Michael, without me you would have more unsettling experiences. You wouldn't be so smug."
Michael smiled at that KITT's statement. "KITT, you're right but it's okay to be like that. It's in human Nature to revel in a sense of accomplishment. It makes you feel good you know?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm just a computer made up of complex systems. All I can do is smell. It's motor oil most of the time. I really envy you."
"You know something Pal. I actually envy you. Sometimes I think life would be simpler if I was an AI machine. It's more a unique way of living."
"Why thank you."
"Your welcome."
Their conversation continued into the following hours. They eventually arrived in the town of "Ely". Exhausted and in need of a rest, they pulled up in the parking lot of the local hotel. Michael exited the car, switching on KITT's surveillance mode. He walked down the main street when he spotted a familiar car. The small compact's plate's stuck out in his mind. He had seen this car before. He slowly returned to KITT with a small request.
"KITT, could you run a plate for me?" he asked him, aiming his wrist watch at the plate.
KITT scanned the plate in question. "The vehicle belongs to a "Janice Davis." Michael that was the girl who helped us back in California!"
Michael's suspicions had been confirmed. "I thought so. I saw the car in the parking lot when I picked her up lastnight. Okay pal keep a lookout."
"Will do." KITT complied.
Michael proceeded into the hotel in a casual manner. He approached the receptionist with one of his usual tricks. The middle aged, brunette female receptionist stared up at him and reached for the checking in register. Michael greeted the lady with a friendly smile.
"Can I help you sir? She asked him.
"Uh yeah. My names Michael, I'm a friend of Janice Davis. She told me she was staying here and I was wondering if you could tell me what room she was staying in?"
"Certainly." The Receptionist smiled as she checked the register. "She's staying in Room 40 on the third floor."
"Thank you." Michael replied, heading up the stair case.
It hadn't been long since Janice checked into the hotel herself. She spent most of her time unpacking her belongings. Her mind wandered into a sea of negative thoughts. She couldn't sleep too. The trip she took the previous night had stirred up her anxiety. She returned to the reality of her room by a light knock at her door.
"Who is it?" She asked, the level of fear began to rise.
"It's room service."
Janice removed the gold lock chain and opened the door. She was startled to see Michael standing there on the other side.
"Michael! What are you doing here?" she asked him.
Michael let himself in. "I was going to ask the same question. I'm not going to pretend to know what you are doing out here. I remembered what you said. Do you realise what it is your getting into?"
Janice shut the door behind her. The level frustration appeared in her voice. "I do. I want to make a difference too. I made the blueprints for the XK-8 and I felt responsible, so I thought I would try and help out and put this to bed."
"No can do. It's too dangerous." Michael denied although he did like the girl's dedication to the case. "Dallas is a very dangerous man, you could get yourself hurt!"
Janice countered his point. "So? I can handle myself. I've taken self defence classes."
"Yeah? Well it's going to take a lot more than Karate to take a man like Dallas down. I've done the research. He's very dangerous and very smart. Tell me why you are doing this?"
"I'm doing it for my if that's what your thinking." Janice answered. "Who am I kidding. I'm doing it for Joel Cox."
"The Professor? Why?"
"Because I felt bad. Did you see the look on his face when we left his house the other night? He felt responsible and he felt ashamed. That man has suffered enough since his heart attack. I couldn't let this incident drag him down even more."
Michael began to realise that there was more to the Professor than he was told. He took a step forward towards Janice and sat upon the bed spread.
"You really care about him don't you?"
Janice turned away to face out the window. She believed that her tears wouldn't help the situation. "Yes. Michael I was married once. His name was Daniel and he was wonderful man. He died when his troop were caught in a freak explosion. It was over The Gulf of Mexico. His body was never recovered, even the funeral held an empty coffin. Joel Cox was his father. Shortly afterwards, We lost contact as he slipped into a great depression. I started my transfer job at the Intelligence centre the same time he began his work on the XK-8. Ever since his heart attack, he's become vulnerable. He began to lose memories of me, who I was and how close I was to him. The doctors ruled out Dementia chalking it up to Post Traumatic Stress disorder. He's my father in law and I love him very much."
Michael's stomach dropped. "Janice, I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"I know it's dangerous but I just want you to understand." Janice continued as she turned to face Michael once more. "I'd gracefully put my own life at risk just to see that he doesn't suffer any more. Daniel wouldn't approve of this but he'd want his father to rest peacefully. Please understand this?"
Michael knew what to do in the moment. It had become his talent. He stood up and reached out, holding Janice comfortably in his arms.
"I understand." Michael assured her. "I want to help him as much as you do, but my main priority is capturing Dallas and retrieving the stolen jet."
"Will you let me help? Please?" Janice begged him.
Michael thought hard against his bitter. Judgement.
"Okay you help, but you stay with me and KITT at all times." He said, agreeing to Janice request.
Janice nodded. "Right. Your talking car."
Michael left the room shortly afterwards, leaving Janice to attend to her stuff. Here headed back down to the reception desk in order to book a room. As he waited for his room key, He thought back to something that KITT had told him earlier on. He was mortal, but it wasn't his ego that was getting the better of him. It was his heart.
Deep within the Nevada wastelands sat a small desert air strip. It consisted of only 3 small hangars and a huge aircraft hangar that was opposite. Next to the huge hangar were two small rounded helicopter pads and a fuel depot. The small wooden control tower sat next to the smaller hangars. The XK-8 Falcon sat in the large hangar, hidden from view. Thomas Dallas exited the small wooden control tower and headed down the small metal stair case. He entered the neighbouring hangar where one of his men was spray painting the flat bed truck that they had travelled in. Dallas had become paranoid where prying eyes were concerned. He kept his work to himself, revealing his plans on a need to know basis. He casually walked over to the man with his hands nestled in his pockets.
"How's she coming?" He asked him.
"Fine. I'm nearly finished." The henchman replied." All the bullet proof plating has been fixed. Nothing should be able to penetrate it."
Dallas smiled with smugness. "Good. Hopefully the complex is still unarmed after all these years. This job should a piece of cake."
The henchman switched off the paint machine. "Are you sure the Intel is right? The Navy could have easily changed the location and files?"
Dallas scowled at the man. "Look, "Iron Valley" holds the remaining the XK-8 Falcons. I know, I was there and I tested them. I have kept those planes within my sight for many years. If they were removed or even destroyed, I would know about it. The facility is still there and we're are now within arms reach of those jets!"
"How far do we have to travel?"
"Follow me?" Dallas replied, gesturing the man to follow him.
Dallas led the man into the control tower, prompting him to look an area map. He marked their position and that of their target with a marker pen.
"Here's our position. Here is where Iron Valley is based." He explained in detail. "It is not on any of the public maps, but I know where it is from memory. It should take an hour to drive there and back with the XK-8's. The flat bed is equipped to withstand the remaining 5 of them. When the time comes, we'll break into that base and take what's ours. I can guarantee you that by the end of this, we will be the most powerful men in the United States of America. Are you as excited as I am?"
Henchman didn't know how to reply. His system was shot was nerves.
"I...I don't know." He stuttered as he tried to think. "I'm just paranoid that the guy with the black car will turn up. You know the one that Josh and Denny had trouble getting rid of."
"He won't show up here." Dallas sneered. "If he does, I'll kill him. I'll rip his head off with my bear hands. Nothing will get in my way. No man dares to."
Dallas expressed his confidence with an unsettling laugh. The moment made the henchman's muscles tense up. His employer was a maniac. He questioned if his life was even worth the risk.
