A Knight with the Viper Chapter 2 "K-N-I-G-H-T," Westlake spelled out the letters on the black Trans Am she had seen earlier. Allie entered the license plate into the California Department of Motor Vehicles computer and waited. "Here it is," she said. "Michael Knight. We've got a P.O. box number but not much else." "Well the name is all we need. See what you can find on this guy." Westlake joined Cole and Frankie by the Viper. "How goes it?" "Well," Frankie began, "I boosted the power to the electro-pulse guns. Not by much but it may help a bit. If I increase the power any more one shot'll drain the Defender's batteries. "What about speed?" Cole asked. "Hey, this baby is at its peak. If I could get any more out of her I would." Cole turned to Westlake, "What'd you find on our mystery snooper?" "We got a name. Michael Knight. Allie's trying to dig up some info on him." "I got something," Allie called from her terminals. They all joined her. "What you got?" Cole asked. "Not very much. There are a couple arrest records for minor offensives. Trespassing, disturbing the peace, Breaking and entering. They all got overturned. And there are some credit card records dating back to 1982. In fact, I can't find anything about this Michael Knight before '82." "What's that mean?" Frankie asked. "From what I can tell, he didn't exist before then." Cole frowned. He didn't like mysteries. " I think it's time we had a little talk with Mr. Knight." Cole and Westlake jumped into the Viper and drove off. Michael Knight returned to the jewelry store. The owner was inside, trying to clean up as best he could. He stood up when he saw Michael enter the store. "I'm sorry sir but we're closed. Probably for good," Michael could tell that he was upset. Who wouldn't be, he thought. "That's okay, I just wanted to ask you a few questions if it's okay." "I already told the police everything." "I'm not with the police. My name's Michael Knight I`m with the Foundation for Law and Government. We heard about the break in and thought that maybe I could be of assistance." "I hope you can," the owner replied, "the police haven't been able to come up with anything. And let's not talk about the hell my insurance company is giving me." Michael grinned, "I know what you mean. Did you see anyone suspicious looking around before the robbery?" The owner shook his head, "No one that I can recall. The only thing I find odd is the fact that a car smashed through my wall like it was paper. What kind of car could do such a thing?" Michael didn't answer. He had an idea but didn't want to think of it. "I'm sorry I can't be of any more help," the owner said. "That's okay," Michael said handing him a card, "if you think of anything later you can reach me at this number." Michael turned to leave. "Oh, I remember know," the owner suddenly said, "I'm afraid that diamond you were looking at last week was stolen with the others." Michael turned quickly, "What?" "The $2000 one you were asking me about last week. That was you, wasn't it? I'm afraid that with all that's happened I must've forgotten." Michael approached the owner. "Was it someone who looked like me but he had a moustache?" "Yes. Is he your brother?" Michael didn't answer but ran out of the store. He jumped into KITT and drove off quickly. "KITT, get me Devon." The screen came to life. Devon was in the Mobile Unit. "Ah, Michael, I was just about to contact you. We have a serious problem. It seems the KARR CPU is missing." Michael was now feeling worse. "How the hell did that happen?" "We don't know. After you and KITT had beaten KARR, we collected the parts and put the CPU in a vault at the Foundation Museum. Whoever stole it was able to completely erase any evidence that he or she was ever here. Which means we have no idea how long the CPU has been missing. It is possible however that the mystery vehicle is KARR." Michael felt his stomach turn. "It gets worse than that." "What do you mean?" "Devon, Garth Knight may be in town." Now Devon was worried. "Are you certain of that?" "The jewelry store owner said that somebody who looked like me but with a moustache was in his store last week. Unless my face is popular with plastic surgeons I'm pretty certain." "But how could he have survived falling into the ocean with Goliath?" "I don't know. When are you and Bonnie gonna arrive?" "We should be there in about 3 hours. Michael, try to avoid contact with KARR and Garth until Bonnie can upgrade KITT's defenses." "Okay. We'll see you later." The screen shut down. KITT finally spoke up, "KARR and Garth. Michael, separately each of them is a serious threat. But together." "I know buddy. Part of me hopes it isn't true. But my guts tell me it is. Go to full surveillance. If KARR's in the area I want to know about it." The Viper went speeding down the highway back towards the city. "Where do you want to start looking?" Westlake asked. "At the jewelry store. You said he had an interest in the place so maybe he's gone back. Maybe the owner has seen him." "As good a place to start as any." The Viper pulled up to an intersection and made a turn towards the city at the exact moment a black Trans Am went by in the opposite direction. Cole didn't pay it any mind, but Westlake immediately recognized it. "Cole, that was him!" Cole looked in the rearview mirror. "Hang on!" Cole spun the Viper around and gave chase. He pressed a hidden button. Body panels began to move and unfold as the Viper morphed to become the Defender. If this Trans Am had anything to do with the Camaro, then Cole wasn't going to take any chances. He sped up and tailed the Trans Am. KITT suddenly noticed it. "Michael, we're being followed. Rather closely I might add." Michael looked in the mirror at the strange silver car. "Where the hell did that come from?" "Unknown. But I don't like the looks of it." "Me neither. Let's see what it is. Give me a scan." Michael pressed the accelerator. The silver car kept up. Michael had no intention of losing it until KITT could tell him what it was. "It has some weapons. Machine-guns, rockets, and some kind of electricity weapon. It also has a protective surface. It is similar to my molecular bonded shell. It does have the strength to break through solid walls. I don't think it's KARR though. I don't scan the CPU." "How `bout it Allie?" Westlake had opened the link to the base. "Definitely similar to the Camaro. 120 degree operating temperature, same protective coating. One difference, though. This car just scanned you." "Scanned us?" Cole asked surprised. "What with?" "I don't know. It definitely came from that car." "It's keeping up with us Michael." "I noticed. Let's try to stop him. Micro jam the engine." Michael pressed the button marked Micro Jam. The screen showed the energy waves make contact with the strange car. The Defender's engine began to sputter. "What the hell's happening?" Cole shouted. "The Trans Am is emitting some kind of energy wave. It's having an effect on the electrical system," Allie replied. Frankie was worried, "Can you do anything about it?" "I think so." Allie began to type frantically at the keyboard. Moments later the Defender's engine came back to life. Cole hit the gas to catch up to the Trans Am. "Michael, the car has regained engine control," KITT reported. "Really. This gets more interesting by the minute." "He's going to pass us." "Let him. I want to see who our friend is." KITT was already traveling at 160 MPH, but the silver car was gaining rapidly. Soon they were right next to each other. Michael gave a quick glance at the car. He immediately recognized the woman in the passenger seat. It was the woman who chased him off the crime scene. "Michael," KITT said, "there's a construction site ahead." Michael looked at the screen. "Can we make it?" "Absolutely." Michael floored the accelerator. The green lights shot up the side and the Knight 2000 sped away from its mysterious pursuer. "What the hell's he doing?" Westlake said. "He's gonna hit those construction workers!" There was nothing Cole could do. The Trans Am was out racing the Defender. Just like the Camaro had. It was just a few feet from hitting, when the Trans Am suddenly launched itself into the air. Cole stopped the Defender before it rammed into the construction site. They got out and watched the Trans Am speed away. Westlake walked over by Cole. "What the hell are we dealing with?" "I don't know. Let's get back and figure out our next move." They climbed back into the Defender and sped off. "We lost them, Michael." "Good job buddy. Plot me an intercept course with the semi. We've got to plan our next move." To be continued..