Knight by Day
By Jenny Peters
Exclusive to the Port Alexander Times
Port Alexander is blessed with gracious homes, beautiful views, and,
even more, exciting protectors. In addition to Fervor,
interviewed recently in these pages, there
is The White Knight.
I had a change to talk to the Knight earlier this week in Avigne Park,
by the fountain. The armoured mystery man explained the reasons behind some
of the mystery, "I go by the name of The White Knight, as in the chess piece.
Obviously, that isn't my real name but a pseudonym I use to protect my
friends and family. After all, if a villain wanted to distract me from
thwarting their evil plot, it would be all to easy for them to abduct
someone dear to my heart and lead me away from their true plans. It is safer
for all if I retain my cover in such a way."
Dear to my heart? Sounds romantic! Is there a Mrs. White Knight back
at the castle, I wondered. The White Knight put me straight.
"I'm single Jenny. I am basically 'on-call' 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. It's hard to be a Hero at 3am. It would be even harder if I had a
partner, and family responsibilities. Still, I'm fairly new to this game,
and hopefully, once I get more used to managing my time and resources, I
will have time to socialise."
We talked a bit more, and I learned that the hero is a Port Alexander
native. After discussing the Dutchmen for a few minutes, we talked
about powers. The White Knight was not very forthcoming about his armored
bag of tricks, saying just that it is bullet-proof and enhances his
strength. But he was passionate about what makes a man dress up in
a funny outfit and put his life on the line.
"I realise some people may see me as a self-appointed vigilante doing it for
the ego-trip, but I want to assure your readers that I take my role as a
'Superhero' very seriously. I have no more legal right to do what I do than
any other citizen. I just exercise my rights to their limit, but no
further. You and I have exactly the same right to perform a citizen's arrest
on someone in the act of committing a crime, and you can exercise reasonable
force to do so. However, I can do so with rather greater personal safety
than you. Obviously, against ordinary criminals, I use my powers passively,
to prevent harm to my self and to restrain rather than injure. Against
enhanced villains, or 'Supervillains' if you will, I can be more proactive,
as it is reasonable to use more force against a stronger opponent."
"I originally decided to become The White Knight when some people whom I
cared for were suffering at the hands of Organised Crime. To protect both
them and myself from retribution, I had to find a way to work anonymously,
and this Suit seemed to be the solution. I had earlier worked on the design
and construction of a pair of powered leg-braces, after a friend who was
injured in a serious accident a few years ago decided to confound the
doctors who said he would never walk again. My suit is a refinement of that
technology, with the addition of bullet-proof armour and a few other
gadgets."
"Once I had successfully helped my friends with their troubles, I had a
choice to make: return to my normal life, or continue as The White Knight
and use my abilities to help those that cannot help themselves. I chose the
latter, and I hope history will record it to be the correct choice."
The Knight's mention of supervillians brought us to the subject of the
fight at Proust Aerospace a few weeks ago, in which he took an active part.
I asked him what he could tell us about the situation.
"Not too much I'm afraid. I happened to be in the area when it happened, and
I arrived pretty much in the middle of the fight. I believe that the
creature with the mace was not involve with anything criminal, but was there
by accident. Of the actual criminals, two escaped, and two are now in
custody. The apparent leader was the woman, Skylark I believe she is called,
the others were apparently hired muscle. I presume that Skylark intended to
raid Proust Aerospace either to obtain high tech items personal use or for
sale to the highest bidder, or was involved in some kind of industrial
espionage or sabotage for a competitor."
Also at the fight were Fervor and the mysterious woman Glory. I assured
him that Port Alexander wanted to know about the working relationship
between its Super-Powered Protectors.
"We first me at the Proust Incident,"
the Knight told me, "but we have remained in touch and have
worked together since then. I hope that we can further integrate our
activities in a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. I think they are both a
credit to Port Alexander and I hope we can continue to work together to make
this the best and safest city to live in in the world."
Also at Proust, were a number of men in black jumpsuits who bundled off
the villians and tried to muzzle the free press in the person of this
reporter, does the White Knight know anything about them, I asked?
"I understand that they are an official organisation, sponsored by many
goverments around the world to form an international organisation to counter
the activities of so-called 'Supervillains'. Obviously, I can't reveal much
more. In fact I don't know much more."
"They exist to track, and apprehend 'Supervillains', and provide suitably
secure detention and rehabilitation facilities."
How closely are you working together with this "agency?"
"Other than the fact that we are now aware of each other, not much. We have
exchanged some limited information, and the means to contact each other if
the need arises, and I can call on their support if needed. Think of them as
the 'SuperPolice' and myself as a private 'SuperSecurity' firm. I am not
part of their organisation, but we cooperate with each other."
The Knight had to go soon after, "Someone, somewhere needs me," he said.
If ever you or your readers need me, then call 1-800-WHITEKNIGHT*. You can
publish that number if you wish."
And so I have.
