A Knight with the Viper Chapter 7 The site of two speeding sports cars coming out of an abandoned subway tunnel would surprise anyone on any given day. But, no one was ever at these old tunnels; they were too far away from everywhere anybody would want to be. That's why it was the perfect location for the Viper Complex. The Viper Defender was the first to exit the tunnel. It's driver, Thomas Cole, headed for the northern part of Metro City. The Knight Industries Two Thousand was the second car to leave. It's long time driver, Michael Knight, and reluctant passenger, Frankie Waters, headed towards the south east of the city. "Michael," KITT said, "Thomas Cole is calling us." Michael pushed some buttons on the overhead console and Cole's face appeared on KITT's screen. "We hear ya Cole," Michael said. "Just wanted to wish you guys luck," Cole said, "We should both contact Allie at the Complex in one hour." "Okay. It might be a good idea to maintain radio silence just incase Garth is monitoring our channels." "Good idea. Good hunting," Cole's image disappeared from the screen, and Michael was left with Frankie. "Okay," Michael finally said, "Where too?" Frankie was about to speak when KITT chimed in. "The fastest route is on my screen Michael." "Thanks buddy," Michael said. Frankie just sat back and folded his arms. "I don't even know why I bothered coming, you obviously don't need me here," he snorted. Michael could feel the tension growing thicker. "So, what can you tell me about this old factory?" "Well, it's big, it's old, and it's suppose to be empty," Frankie said with a sarcastic tone to his voice. That was it for Michael, he slammed on the brakes. KITT came to a sudden stop. Frankie was just barely able to stop himself from hitting the dashboard. "What the hell!" Frankie shouted. "I've had just about enough of you pal," Michael said rather sternly, "Ever since Westlake was captured you've been a pain in the ass. Now unless you've got something to say that can help us, I suggest you keep your mouth shut." For a moment it seemed that Frankie was going to hit Michael. But Michael gave Frankie that "don't even think about it" look. Frankie could tell Michael was serious and backed down. "All right," Frankie said and turned to look out the window. Michael sighed and continued driving towards the factory. Cole arrived at the old warehouse. He noticed the old Comtron sign. "This is the place," he said to himself. A quick glance around gave Cole the impression that there was nothing here. But Cole knew that not everything was what it seemed. Slowly he drove the Defender closer to the building. He decided to park by an open section of the old fence that surrounded the old warehouse. Gun drawn, he slowly approached a door. There wasn't a sound to be heard. That made Cole feel even tenser. He arrived at the door and tried to turn the knob. It rotated but nothing happened. The bolt was broken. He pushed at the door. The hinges were rusted shut, but it would give. The glass on the door was too dirty to see what was inside. Another push at the door and it gave way. Cole slowly pushed the door open. There was very little light. Cole took a small flashlight out of his pocket. He was in a hallway. After quick consideration, Cole chose a direction and began walking. This was a big building, but if Cole had to he'd check every square inch of it until he found Westlake. Assuming she was here at all. "There it is," Frankie said. Michael saw the old shoe factory. It was so run down, it didn't look like it should even be standing. "Okay KITT," Michael said, "Silent Mode." Michael pushed one of the buttons on the pod next to the wheel. The turbine noise disappeared, not that it was very loud to begin with. Frankie noticed and was surprised, but said nothing. He was concentrating on the old building in front of them. Michael turned to Frankie, "Is there an entrance big enough for a car?" "Um, yeah around back," Frankie said, "Go around that way." Frankie indicated a direction and Michael drove off. "Should I begin scanning Michael?" KITT asked. "Not yet," Michael said, "If KARR's in there he might detect you." Slowly, Michael drove KITT around to the back of the old factory. There was a large door. It looked like it was rusted shut, but it was the only door big enough for KARR to enter. KITT stopped and Michael got out. Frankie got out too. "What now?" Frankie asked. "Let's take a look in those windows." Michael slowly moved to a set of windows to the left of the door, Frankie to the right. They both looked through the broken glass and tried to see as much as they could. "I don't see anything," Frankie said. "Me neither," Michael said and backed away. He looked at as much of the building as he could see, then walked back to KITT. Frankie followed and they both stopped in front of KITT and looked at the building again. "Well, if you ask me," Frankie said, "I think you should let 'Wheely' here take a look." "'Wheely?'" KITT said. Michael paid no attention to the tone of Frankie's remark, but agreed with the idea. "I think you're right," Michael said, "KITT, scan the building for any power usage." The scan didn't take long. "None Michael," KITT said. "Is anyone even in there?" Frankie asked. Another quick scan from KITT. "I am detecting lots of rodents and birds, but no humans. Michael, I've scanned the building structure. It is not safe to be used at all." "In other words, there hasn't been anyone here in a long time," Michael said. "I hope Cole is having better luck then we are," Frankie said. Cole found another door. This one was different than all the other doors in the building. It looked new. And it was unlocked. Cole opened the door. It led to the center of the warehouse and it was huge. There was very little light getting in. Most of the windows were boarded up, but there was enough light to see. Cole looked around. "It doesn't look like anyone's been here for..." Cole said to himself and interrupted himself. He could just barely see it. A human form tied to a chair. "Westlake!" Cole said, and ran to her. She heard him and tried to look in his direction. "Cole?" she asked. "Yeah it's me," he said, "Where are you keys?" "Over there on Garth's table. And be quiet so you don't wake him." "Who?" he asked. Westlake looked in "his" direction. "Oh," Cole said. He hadn't notice KARR parked off to the side. He was very well hidden in the shadows. Cole had no idea if KARR could be awakened by sound, so he moved as quietly as he could. He found the keys on Garth's worktable and took quick notice of the computer and maps. He quietly returned to Westlake and unlocked the handcuffs. "Where's Garth Knight?" Cole asked Westlake. "I don't know. I've no idea how long ago he left." "Let's get out of here and call Michael Knight. He and Frankie are at the old shoe factory at the other end of town." Quickly and Quietly, Cole and Westlake hurried as best they could towards the door Cole had come in. Outside the warehouse, a Mercedes was approaching. Garth Knight was returning. He stopped his car when he saw the Viper Defender parked by the opening in the fence. But he didn't see his "brother" anywhere. "Very foolish of you to come alone my friends," he said. He pressed a button on his watch and smiled. Cole and Westlake were almost at the door when the sound of a turbine nearly made them jump out of their skin. They both turned to see KARR's scanner lights flashing and his headlights on full. "STOP WHERE YOU ARE!" KARR's voice boomed in the warehouse. No need to be careful now, Cole and Westlake turned and ran out the door. The sound of squealing tires could be heard. KARR sped towards his prey. He would not let them escape. Cole and Westlake finally made it outside. Westlake followed Cole towards where the Defender was parked. Suddenly there was the sound of rocket engines firing. Cole and Westlake turned to see KARR come smashing through the solid brick wall of the warehouse and speed towards them. They reached the Defender and got in. Cole quickly started up and sped off. KARR came crashing through the fence and was in pursuit. As Cole attempted to get away, he saw a Mercedes heading towards them blocking the road. "That's Garth," Westlake said. Cole turned the wheel to the left and just barely avoided a collision with Garth. He was able to recover the Defender from fishtailing, and start to drive over the field. CRUNCH! "What the hell was that?" Westlake asked. "KARR just rammed us!" Cole said. Cole could not see, but KARR rammed the Defender in the left rear panel just behind the wheel. The Defender's skin had buckled from the crash leaving a large dent. KARR was undamaged. Cole tried his best to maintain control of the Defender. SHKOOM! A laser blast hit the Defender at the right front fender. The blast left two holes. One in the fender, the other in the hood. KARR did not hit the engine. Not yet. "Call Michael Knight!" Westlake pushed the buttons on the radio and tried to make contact. Michael and Frankie were still looking around the old shoe factory. Michael had to be absolutely sure that Garth Knight had not been there. He walked around one direction. Frankie looked in another. KITT continued to run scans of the area to make sure that he missed nothing. BEEP BEEP. "What's is it KITT?" Michael asked. "The Defender is calling us," KITT replied. "I'll be right there. FRANKIE!" Frankie heard Michael call him and ran back towards KITT. He arrived just a few seconds behind Michael. Michael was in the driver's seat pushing buttons, and Frankie looked in through the open window. "Michael, it's Westlake," Westlake's voice came over the speaker. "Westlake, are you okay?" Frankie asked. "Not completely. Cole and I are being attacked by KARR. I don't know how much longer..." CRASH The speaker went dead. All that could be heard was static. "KITT what happened?" Michael asked. "I've lost contact with the Defender," KITT said. "Get in," Michael said to Frankie. He didn't have to be told twice. He ran around to the passenger side and got in. KITT's turbine came to life and they sped off. "Well never get there in time!" Frankie shouted. "Yes we will," Michael said, "KITT, time for Super Pursuit Mode." "Super what?" Frankie asked. A panel on KITT's dash opened up and Michael pressed one of the buttons that were now visible. Frankie could here the sound of a power up. Then he noticed some of KITT's body panels moving. The hood bulge raised up. He could just barely see the nosepiece extend. He looked back to see the rear raise up and noticed fins extend from the fenders. "What the..." Frankie could not finish his statement. The Knight Two Thousand took of like a bullet. The G-Forces pushed Frankie into the seat. He looked over at Michael. He sat there concentrating on the road ahead. Frankie looked at the speedometer. 210 260 290 320 Frankie could not believe it. And for the first time in his life he was speechless. He couldn't even imagine the Defender going this fast. KITT raced like a rocket down the road. The Viper Defender couldn't take much more. The body was smashed in several places. There were multiple holes from the laser fire. One tire was flat and shredding off the rim. "This looks like it," Westlake said. "We're not finished yet," Cole said, "Michael will get here." "How can he make it in time from the other end of... Cole look!" Cole looked where Westlake pointed. "It's KITT!" Cole shouted. "It is?" Westlake said somewhat confused. Cole looked again. It looked like KITT, but the body configuration had changed. Garth saw KITT approaching too. At first he wasn't sure if it was KITT. But who else could it be. He raised his watch commlink to his mouth. "Stand ready KARR." The three flaps that make up KITT's Emergency Brake System extended and KITT came to a halt. After stopping, the extended body panels retracted and KITT returned to his normal appearance. Frankie noticed the Defender. "Oh my God! My baby!" "Calm down," Michael said, "We'll help them." Michael pushed the button for the PA system. "Garth! Let them go! It's me you want!" Garth walked over to KARR and activated KARR's PA. "Not entirely accurate, but mostly true. You will surrender yourself and your car to me immediately or..." Another laser shot out from KARR. This time it hit dead center on the Defender's windshield and came out the back window. It scared Westlake and Cole half to death. But they were not hurt. "What do you want Garth?" Michael said. "Let your passenger out," Garth said, "then drive slowly to me. If you try anything, I will destroy your friends. "What are we going to do?" Frankie asked. "First, you're getting out," Michael said. "What?" "We don't have any choice. We have to do what he says." "This is crazy Michael!" "Look, either you get out or I have KITT eject you out." Frankie looked at Michael. He was serious. And he was right. There was no choice. Frankie got out, but before he closed the door, "I'm sorry for being a jerk before." "Forget about it." Frankie closed the door and Michael slowly drove over to Garth. "Welcome my dear brother," Garth said, "Kindly step out of your car please. And do not try anything. KARR's laser is aimed at your friend's engine. One shot and it's bye-bye." "KITT?" Michael asked. "He's telling the truth Michael. KARR has a dead lock on the Defender's engine." "What happens now?" Michael asked Garth. "It is time for us to go. And here comes our ride. Right on time," Garth pointed behind Michael. Michael turned to see a large truck approaching them. He looked back at Garth. Garth could see a look on Michael's face that said, "it's not possible." Garth laughed out loud. "Don't worry brother. Unfortunately, that is not Goliath. There was no time to build another. This time it is a simple truck for a simple transport. "Transport of what?" Michael asked. "Why you, me, and all of my acquired merchandise," Garth said while indicating KITT and KARR. "What?" "Do you have any idea what I am receiving for the sale of the Knight Roving Robot and the Knight Two Thousand? I will finally be able to retire, and never have to worry about you or your foolish Foundation ever again." The truck pulled up and the rear door lowered. "KITT," Garth said, "you will drive into the truck and not cause any trouble. Do as I say or else." He pulled a gun out and pointed it at Michael. Michael tensed up. "He'll kill me anyway KITT." "I know Michael, but you know my programming will not allow any harm to come to you," KITT said. "I know pal." "As do I," Garth said, "now move." KITT's engine came to life, and he drove forward into the trailer. "Now if you will turn around please," Garth said to Michael. Michael did as he was told, and Garth handcuffed Michael. "This way." Garth led Michael to the truck. He opened the door. Michael got in and Garth followed. Cole and Westlake started to get out of the Defender, when another laser shot struck the Defender. But it only grazed the hood. They took the hint and stayed with the Defender. Frankie stood behind the Defender and watched what was happening. Garth spoke into his commlink again. "Let's go KARR." KARR backed himself into the trailer. The door closed and the truck pulled away. Cole, Westlake, and Frankie moved to the front of the Defender and watched the truck leave. "What the hell is going on here?" Frankie asked. Westlake remembered what Garth had told her. "He's got what he came for," she said. "What?" Cole asked. "Garth is going to sell KITT and KARR to the highest bidder." To be continued...