The Emergency Braking System was never as much needed as it was this time, KITT came from over 200 mph to a full stop before FLAG Headquarters. Michael pushed the transmission to Neutral and stopped to see the most shocking thing he has ever seen: the main gate was simply ripped apart, like a tank crashed right through it.
„Michael, I certainly hope we have not travelled at these extremely dangerous speeds to stop right in front of the gate, or whatever is left of it", exclaimed KITT.
„I think we should check inside", agreed RC3.
Michael didn't say a word, didn't even ask KITT to analyze the damage on the gates as he normally would in these cases. He just pulled the transmission to Drive and stepped lightly on the gas pedal, slowly taking KITT closer to the Foundation building.
The vision was now even more shocking than it was before at the gate. The old European styled building was in complete ruins. The manor grounds, where usually KITT parked alone, were now full of police cars and fire trucks, trying to investigate the attack and put out the smaller fires that kept burning inside the building. Some paramedics were carrying bodies into ambulance cars, others were taking care of those for whom they could do nothing. This, actually, seemed very much odd to Michael: there were way too many people wounded or dead, more than normally even work in the Foundation building at this time. This sudden realization knocked Michael out of his shock and raised a bit of suspicion in him.
„Michael, what could have possibly happened here? The building is completely destroyed. Who could have executed an attack of such magnitude?", asked KITT in a tone full of worry.
„I don't know, pal, I don't know, but we're going to find out very soon", answered Michael.
„It looks like a terrorist attack... maybe we should ask the cops", added RC3.
However, the police seemed to be one step ahead, as a man in a uniform spotted the black sports car despite the craziness on the manor grounds; KITT automatically rolled down his front left window to make it possible for the officer and Michael to talk.
„This is Sergeant Rendine from the LAPD, this area is now closed for police activity. Please identify yourselves", said the policeman in a neutral but authoritative voice, showing his badge.
„I'm Michael Knight and this is my partner Reginald Cornelius, we are FLAG operatives on duty", Michael and RC3 also showed their identifications but could not show any evidence they were working for FLAG, as Devon previously suggested it wouldn't be wise for covert agents to have such documents with themselves that could also go to the wrong hands. If there were any legal issues, a phone call to Devon would be enough to confirm that Michael and RC3 are FLAG employees and they are rightfully taking action in the name of the organization. However, that was most likely impossible now and they could have been easily suspected as criminals, with no means to prove the opposite. Luckily, the sergeant didn't go further into the topic and nodded to the IDs. „Can you tell us what happened here? This place looks like a war zone", Michael continued.
„We're not entirely sure yet", admitted the officer, „but it looks like there was some kind of terrorist attack against this Foundation of yours. From what we know from the survivors, it seems that armed men raided the building and abducted two people. They seemed to have no intention to kill the other residents of the building, but also didn't hesitate to use firearms against anyone not cooperating, including security guards and resisting employees. However, from the thirteen dead we found, only three were working for FLAG, the rest are commandos, wearing no special identifications and no insignia. We have been unable to confirm their identities."
Abducted two people... this kept ringing in Michael's ears. KITT's voice box glowed red for a moment, but Michael raised his hand; KITT understood the sign and stayed silent.
„Thank you, Sergeant, we will let the authorities work for now", said Michael and put KITT in reverse. They slowly backed off from the manor grounds and parked on the side of the road near the destroyed gate.
„Michael, I wished to imply...", started KITT, but his driver interrupted.
„I know, KITT, the two people abducted..."
„...could be Devon and Bonnie", RC3 finished the sentence.
„Why did you...", KITT was interrupted again.
„I didn't want us to get into more trouble than we already are in. Remember, without Devon, we don't have much behind us except for ourselves."
„Could you please stop interrupting my sentences, Michael? Thank you. Also, I would like to share with you the fact that the Mobile Unit is also missing."
„Do you think it's possible that they somehow escaped their abductors and made a run for it with the semi?", theorized Michael. He would have found the idea of Bonnie and Devon being all right very comforting.
„I say we should find out", suggested RC3, „KITT, can we locate them somehow?"
„As you surely remember, the semi was once hijacked; since then, its homing beacon has been secured with a really complex algorithm and cannot be turned off. Only I can intercept the signal, which should only be inactive if either the Mobile Unit is destroyed or my systems are malfunctioning..."
„So?", asked Michael and RC3 in the same time.
„...if you continued to listen, I would have already shown you this", said KITT annoyed and activated his screen, showing a graphic of the semi cruising at a relatively low speed on Interstate 15. „I was thinking proactively and have been tracking the semi ever since we started heading back from White Rock."
„And why exactly did you forget to mention this before?", asked Michael, taking his turn in annoyance now.
„I was going to, but you seemed adamant at coming to Foundation Headquarters, even to the point when you switched off Auto Cruise without even bothering to tell me what we were planning to do."
Michael understood that he was so occupied with the situation that he may have hurt his friend.
„I'm sorry, buddy... I'm just worried about our boss and your mechanic, I'm sorry if I was rude to you or hurt your feelings."
KITT eased up a bit. „Michael, you know as well as I do that I do not have feelings that could be hurt. However, I appreciate that you apologized. And now, I would suggest intercepting the Mobile Unit."
Michael was glad KITT didn't hold any grudges against him. It could have just been just the hardest time for the Foundation for Law and Government ever since its existence, and he wanted to make sure that there are no differences between them. This wasn't the time for unnecessary conflicts; they needed each other more than ever before.
„Super Pursuit Mode?", asked Michael with half a smile. RC3 seemed to be approve right away.
„The semi, according to my calculations, is heading for Las Vegas at a relatively low speed. It would raise unnecessary attention on us to use SPM on the Interstate." Michael nodded, as to show he understands, but he actually didn't. If Devon and Bonnie managed to escape in the semi, why are they going so slow? What happened to their attackers? Or – and Michael found this thought very uncomfortable – if it's not their friends and colleagues travelling in the semi, then who are they? There was a blind spot everywhere in the case. The only possible way to crack it was to go after the semi and find out what's going on.
„Michael, my sensors indicate an incoming FBI van is approaching the site in two minutes. You may have avoided Sergeant Rendine's questions, but I suggest we leave immediately", reported KITT.
„The FBI, great. I agree, pal, let's get the hell out of here!" Michael turned KITT around and stepped on the gas, turning on Pursuit mode, leaving the sleek black car in its original form, but still giving more power to the turbine engines. The engine roared and they left the site, going unnoticed by the black Cadillac van just heading for the Foundation building.