Knight Of The Falcons
Chapter Four
The heat was unbearable as the sun cast its rays on the desert. KITT cruised along the dry and narrow roads. Michael and Janice studied the geographical maps of Nevada while KITT took over the driving in his "Auto Mode." They had left "Ely" at daybreak, hoping to cover a lot of ground in just a day. They mainly focused on the locating the desert air field, hoping it would house the stolen XK8. So far, their work had been based on nothing but assumption. Just like the Iron Valley facility itself, the air strip wasn't marked on the map. KITT continued to scan at a rapid pace. They weren't prepared to call it a day.
"Iron Valley has to be in the region." Michael deducted. "It's the only spot that isn't marked in this area. KITT, how far are we away from Las Vegas?"
"We are about 30 miles away from the city limits, Michael." KITT responded. "Shall I scan for any unmarked dirt roads?"
"Yeah buddy, that would be a helpful start. If I wanted to hide a secret testing facility then this is how I would do it."
"What about Dallas's air strip?" Janice asked.
KITT eventually provided an answer. "I detect four small dis-used air strips in the area. Only two have been purchased by private investors."
"Maybe we could use them as pinpoints." Michael suggested. "If Dallas was going to use his airfield to carry out the job, he would have to be pretty close and within driving distance."
"That is true." Janice agreed, as she understood where Michael was coming from. "He wouldn't want to make a long trip at the risk of being detected by the officials."
Michael wanted to test this idea. "How far would you think he would be willing to travel?"
"If it were me, then I'd see three hours maximum for both journeys."
"Okay. So let's say that both those airfields were close to Iron Valley, how long would it take to get to the middle of that area?"
KITT scanned the map segment. "Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the centre of that are."
"Is that equal distance?"
"Yes, Michael."
"Are there any dirt roads in that area?"
"Only one and it is heavily covered by the elements. However, I have information on the two owners of the separate airfields."
"Okay let's hear them?"
KITT provided a list of names, displaying them on the monitor. "The first one was brought by "Damien Grindhouse" back in February 1981. He is a registered Aeronautical repair engineer. The second is by...Michael! It's our man! It's Thomas Dallas!"
Michael felt smug by this point. "Bingo. KITT, switch to Manual. We're going to do some snooping."
Janice rubbed her face. "It was a pretty stupid move for a criminal to put his name on the lease."
"Don't be so sure. He wanted us to find him. I think he wants to brag about his fantasy."
They turned off the main road, following the co-ordinates that KITT had provided. With still over an hour left, Michael decided that he wanted to know a bit more about his travel companion. Janice returned back into her quiet state as she gazed out of the window, staring into the empty desert.
"You know, you never did tell me a lot about yourself." Michael said. "How did a pretty girl like you end up with a job drawing up blueprints?"
Janice turned and looked at him. "It wasn't meant to happen this way. I signed up to the Navy cadets at the age of 17. I studied hard, I trained hard but it never seemed to be enough to both my superior officer and my father. I always wanted to actually serve in the forces. Serve aboard an air craft carrier. I wanted to travel the world and make a difference. By the time I turned 21, things went in another direction."
"What happened?" Michael asked her, treading onto tender ground.
"I lost all train of thought." Janice replied. "I lost my confidence and my self esteem. That drill sergeant really took the wind out of me. He was a sexist pig who didn't believe that a woman could serve in the Navy among the finest seamen. Of course I began to doubt if I could ever achieve that goal so by the time I finished training, I took up a degree in design. I passed with flying colours and took up a job designing blue prints for various aircraft and Naval ships. It's not the best job in the world, but it pays well and I can live off it."
"I hear you." Michael smiled. "I'm guessing that's when you met your husband and your father in law."
"That's right." Janice nodded. "Those four years were the happiest days of my life. After he died, I thought I would never cope."
"Well look at you now." Michael said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're out here travelling with friends and investigating. After this, you could get a promotion."
"You think so?" Janice smiled.
"I do. Look, you've come a long way since then, Janice. You should be proud of yourself." Michael continued as he issued his advice. "These things might have set you back, but you can't let them hold you back. Of course just be speaking to you, I can say you've already got things sorted out."
"It's a case of having to." Janice agreed. "What about you?"
"Well let's see. I use to be a cop before I was given this wonderful job. KITT and I are the best of friends. We travel the country, stop the bad guys and head home with the sense that we've made a difference to a family or an organisation."
"Is that it?"
"Well there isn't really more I can say."
They followed the road into the hills. The landscaped seemed to provide the message that they shouldn't have been out there. At that moment' Michael's instincts kicked in. He activated KITT's silent mode before proceeding. They arrived at a rusted up chain link fence. Beyond it sat a deserted dusty runway. Dallas's hangars and control tower sat at the other end of the strip. Rolling up outside the fence, KITT entered his surveillance mode. Michael cautiously exited the vehicle. Janice got out as well, assuming that she was going to follow him onto the strip. Unfortunately for her, Michael wasn't prepared to risk her safety. His whole perspective on the situation had changed within minutes. These places always emitted a sinister aura. It always made Michael shudder. He turned to stop Janice from taking another step.
"No! you stay here with KITT." he told her.
"Not a chance. You can't check the place out by yourself." Janice replied as shook her head.
"But?" Michael tried to reply.
"No buts!" she insisted. "I said I'm coming with you."
Michael huffed. He wasn't going to get his point across. "Fine, but you stay with me."
They proceeded to climb the chain link fence. So far, they didn't attract detection, creeping onto the air strip. They used the old piles of metal scrap as cover, avoiding further detection. They spotted the familiar shape of a plane, as it's sleek shapes rippled amongst the heat waves. The heat waves were intense, dancing along the bone dry air strip. They looked at each other with amazement. They had found The XK-8 Falcon. However, what really had them on alert was the eerie fact that it was deserted. They couldn't see or hear anyone. Perhaps it was a trap? Perhaps it was all apart of Dallas's plan. He didn't want to take any more risks, but he wanted to check out the Jet.
"Stay here. I'm going to try and get close to that plane." he said, prompting Janice to stay out of sight.
Janice didn't approve. "Don't be a fool! You'll get caught."
"Just stay here. If I don't make it back in say." Michael calmly instructed her as checked his watch. "If I don't return here in say...5 minutes then you get back to KITT okay?"
"But Michael.?"
"5 minutes."
Michael headed out across the air strip with his guard up. He managed to approach the small hangar where the XK-8 sat. He knew that it had been deliberately placed there to lure him into a trap, but he had to make sure that it had not been modified or damaged. He gently felt the side of the plane. Someone had recently painted over it's registration markings in an attempt to cover it. Meanwhile, Janice clung to the metal structures and took deep breaths. Her body froze with fear, when she felt a hand tightly clamp over her mouth. Another arm wrapped around her waist. She fought the assailants brute strength long enough to scream out. Michael heard her up ahead, forcing him to take action. He rushed out onto the strip, speaking into his watch.
"KITT what's going on?"
KITT replied through his wrist watch receiver. "Two armed men have grabbed Ms Davis and are taking her to a small wooden building east of your position."
In that instance, Michael felt like a fool. "I knew it was a trap. Okay pal sit tight. I may need you."
Michael quickly located the small wooden building by following the footsteps of the mysterious assailant. The building was no more the size of a small garage. He approached the rear window in silence to see if he could find Janice. He was about to look inside when he heard the sound of a gun click behind him. He turned slowly around. He met straight in the eyes. The mad man stood there and aimed a 44 Magnum Revolver at his head. He couldn't try anything. At least not yet. Michael threw his arms up in the air, gesturing his surrender.
"Thomas Dallas I presume." He said, moving away from the window.
Dallas greeted him with an evil grin. "Welcome to Nevada, Mr Knight. We have been expecting you."
