Chapter 84

2022

Sam decided she needed to return to 2022 to see if she could find any more information on Baltar Research and Development. Upon returning to the hangar after spending Christmas at the cabin she used her phone and dialed back to her own time. She carried the teddy bear that String gave her to be placed in her room at her parents' home form safe keeping.

She found her father, Sinjin manning the engine with a fan blowing on him in the hot hangar. He wore shorts and a short sleeved white shirt and snacked on a bowl of ice cream. The first thing she noticed was the drastic change in the weather.

"Whew!" Sam mentioned. "What's the temperature outside?"

"One hundred and one." he replied. "Got another heat wave. How was Christmas?"

She removed her sweater leaving her t-shirt and jeans. She then hugged her father as he ate his ice cream. "Christmas was fun. Missed you, Dad." She then sat in the chair nearby. "You still remember the first timeline, right?"

He nodded, "Yup!"

"Do you remember your parents being alive?" she wondered.

He shook his head, "I don't but Jo does. She said they were alive and well and never had a boat. They both lived into their nineties. I wish I remembered that. I can talk to my dad through the wormhole. So, I know it was changed but I don't remember the changes."

"Still no Uncle String here yet, huh?" she asked.

"Not yet." he agreed. "Jo says he was wounded by the bomb that took out Dom. Same date, time, everything."

"Uncle String and Aunt are supposed to get married that day. They won't even be at the airfield." she told him. "I guess we have to make sure the wedding is not called off."

He gave a smile, "If we can switch out a bombing with a wedding, that would be awesome." He noticed the bear, "What ya got there?"

She propped the teddy up on the table before her. "Uncle String gave it to me for Christmas. He saw how old the teddy that you and mom gave me when I was little was getting."

"We didn't give that old bear. Uncle String did." he informed. "He gave it to you the day you were born. He came to the hospital, gave your mom flowers and you that teddy bear. He held you for a whole hour in his arms." he fondly recalled. "That was before the pain pills got the better of him. He loved you! He always wanted kids of his own."

"He did?!" she replied surprised. "I never knew that." She grinned, "If he an Aunt Cait get married maybe I can get a cousin then. They can have a daughter and you have me and we can be like sisters. I always wanted a little sister." her imagination got carried away.

Sinjin laughed, "Let's work on getting him and Dom past the bombing alive and well first."

"We will." she promised. She then spoke aloud, "KITT!"

The artificial intelligence replied, "Yes Samantha."

"What can you tell me about Baltar Research and Development." she requested.

KITT paused for a moment and then replied, "I cannot access any information on Baltar Research and Development. Only an address."

"Where is the address?" she asked.

"Just off route 80 in Reno Nevada." he replied. "I can send the information to your phone."

"Do that." she stated.

Sinjin asked, "Baltar Research and Development?"

"Baltar is the name of the guy who sold the Colonies out to the Cylons." she informed.

"Clyons?" he asked baffled.

She nodded, "The first Cylons were reptilian. They created these machines, an A.I. that outlived them and evolved. They want to eradicate all humans. Kind of like the Terminators."

He cocked an eyebrow, "And where are these…cylons?"

"They could be on Earth already. Adama fears they might already be here." she informed.

"Who is Adama?" he wondered.

"He's Apollo's dad. They are cousins of ours. Humans from twelve other planets. They had this one thousand year war with the terminator-cylons and they are trying to find Earth for a new home. They want to live with other humans. I can't say I blame them."

Sinjin blinked, "You might want to update me on what is going on back in 84, Sam."

"Oh…yeah a lot has been happening. If the Cylons wipe out the Galactica and the fleet before they can reach earth…" she shivered in thought. "KITT, is Colonel Steve Austin still alive in 2022?"

"He is." he reported. "He resides in California with his wife, Jamie Sommers."

"Can you send me his address too. I need to know what happens." she figured.

"I have sent the information to your phone." KITT reported.

She asked her father, "Who's car can I drive?"

"Cait is driving the Forester. Your mom has the Outback. Murdock and B.A. took my truck to take Mad Max to the vet for a check up." he told her. "I don't have a vehicle right now."

"I should call someone for a ride then." she figured. "Is Michael in the area, KITT?"

"He is!" he informed. "Shall I request he pick you up?"

"Please do." she nodded.

"I have sent a message. Michael stated he will be here in ten minutes." he told her.

"Thanks KITT." she cheered.

"My pleasure, Samantha." he cheekily replied.

Few Moments Later

A classic black Trans Am pulled into the hangar. It was KITT's old body that had been fully restored by Tony Villicana. Bonnie Barstow had rebuilt the interior to look much like the original cockpit but with upgraded computer processors and sensors. The car lacked the original upgrades to the body that Knight Industries had initiated but the bullet resistant coating was applied that would protect the car and driver. Michael had KITT networked back into the old car and it was grand for the man.

Michael Knight stepped out of the car wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt as it was too hot for the leather jacket. He had done his best to wipe the ice cream stain from the shirt but is was still visible. He cheered upon seeing Sam again. "Sammy!" he greeted walking towards her. He held his arms wide to give her a hug.

She gave Michael a hug as she greeted him, "Michael." She looked up, "I need a ride. First to my house and then to see Colonel Austin."

"Steve!" he gave a nod. "I can give you a ride." He motioned, "Check it out! It's KITT's original body."

She released the man and then looked inside the car's cabin. "Oh' neat! Tony resorted it."

"Looks all original but upgraded." he cheered. "I bet we could put your engine in KITT." he pondered more to himself.

KITT spoke over the panel of the car. "I'm afraid I would not have much control over the engine, Michael. The nano bots that are under Samantha's control could interfere at any time. It would too risky."

Sam asked, "KITT, wouldn't Mr. Hinckley have control of the nanites too? The ones from the suit would still be with him."

"I do believe that is a possibility." he concluded.

"I really should see him too." she figured.

KITT informed, "He is working with Tony in the garage. Would like me to add the stop to your itinerary, Samantha?"

She grinned, "Please do." She looked to Michael, "Can I drive?"

He gasped, "You want to have me to let you drive, KITT?"

"Please." she begged.

KITT interrupted, "I am perfectly capable of driving myself."

Michael winced, "I don't know…" he hated the idea of giving up the car so soon after getting it back.

"Michael," KITT reminded him. "Tony had placed the title in Samantha's name. Technically, she does own the car."

He soured, "He did! But me and Bonnie did all the computer upgrades." he argued.

"Tony purchased my old body and resorted it." KITT reminded him. "He then gifted the title to Samantha Hawke."

He rolled his eyes, "Fine! You can drive." he gave a slight pout.

Sam grinned from ear to ear, "Thank you, Tony!" She called to her father, "Be back in a bit, Dad."

"Be careful." he instructed.

"We will." she assured him and then slid down in the driver's seat grinning from ear to ear.

Michael climbed into the passenger's seat, crossed his arms and gave a disgruntle look. "I should have you add my name to the title."

She countered, "But you own that new Mustang." She could not understand why he was so upset.

He gave a nod, "The mustang is nice but in my mind, this old Trans Am will always be my car."

She shot him a grin. "I'll place the title in a Trust with KITT's name. Is that agreeable?"

He pondered, "That could work."

KITT spoke up, "The Trust is a brilliant idea, Samantha. That way I could own myself and I would not be subject to the will of any person."

Michael figured, "That would protect KITT in the long run, wouldn't it."

"It certainly would." Sam agreed. "KITT, you drive."

"Where to Samantha?" KITT asked.

"Home first." she stated. "I need to get a change of clothes."

Michael grasped the teddy bear that Sam placed in the car. He looked at it, "Where you get the bear from?"

"Uncle String gave it to me for Christmas." she told him.

He asked, "Is it Christmas on the other side of the wormhole?"

She nodded, "Yesterday was."

He told her, "Pretty soon it will be New Years on the other side. It will be 1985."

Sam agreed as the car pulled out of the hangar, "I can't believe how much has happened in just a few short months. I still have to reach 1986 to save Dom and Uncle String from the bomb."

He assured, "I know the date and time. I had KITT give young me and young Mac that information. One way or another, we will save them."

She gave a soft smile, "Thank you for helping me."

"You got it, kid." he replied with a firm nod.

Short Time Later

The classic black Trans Am parked in the driveway of Steve Austin's home located in a middle class neighborhood. The homes were ranch style and located in a tract. Upon parking Sam pondered to herself aloud.

"I thought he would live in some fancy gated community." she mentioned off hand.

Michael stated, "The best way to hide something is in plain sight, Sam. Who would think there would be a bionic couple who went on top secret missions in the 70's and 80's in some average housing tract?"

"I didn't." she confessed. "In plain sight, huh?"

"If you don't want to draw attention, you just blend in with everyone else." he informed. He opened the door, "Come on!"

Sam followed Michael to the side door of the home nearest the driveway. They stood under a green awning as Michael rang the bell. In short time a much older version of Colonel Steve Austin answered. His hair was white and his face more wrinkled but in general he looked rather well. His blue eyes looked upon Michael and then settled on the familiar young face behind him. A slight smile crept across, "I wasn't sure if I would ever see you again, Sam."

She asked, "Can we come in?"

"Sure thing." he opened the door to his guest. "How you doing, Michael?"

"Can't complain." he replied and closed the door behind Sam.

Steve led the pair to the kitchen table. He motioned, "Want anything to drink? Coffee, tea…my wife got this new soda stream gadget. I'm not very good at using that."

Michael stated, "I'm fine."

Sam requested, "Coffee."

He smirked, "You were born in the wrong era, Sam. Most kids today have to drink that expensive Starbuck's coffee." he chuckled. He retrieved the pot of coffee that was still warm and made a cup for himself and for his guest. "Straight black?" he asked in regards to the coffee.

"Two sugars." she replied.

He spooned in the sugar and stirred it for her and than sat at the table with the two cups. He asked, "I know you just came through the wormhole back. Where are you in 84?"

"Just had Christmas and looking into Baltar Research and Development." she explained. "Did the Galactica ever make it to Earth?"

"No," he shook his head. "There were two Cylon base stars. One behind the moon and one hiding behind Mars. The Galactica never stood a chance. Lost all onboard in the attack. The prototypes Vipers failed to even get off the ground. It was sabotage. The Galactica did manage to take out one of the base stars before being destroyed. Starbuck took out the other on a suicide mission as the Cylons picked off the remaining fleet. They even went after the escape pods full of civilians. Our fighters were able to take down the Cylon's that did get to Earth. Apollo never got over losing everything like that. He searched out Count Baltar and shot him dead. He was tried and convicted of murder and spent the rest of his life in prison. He died a few years back."

Sam stated, "That's a shitty out come."

Steve agreed, "It is! But you have a stable wormhole connecting us to the past. So, you can get intelligence and counter that." he reminded her. He stood up, "Wait here for a second." He then walked into a nearby room and then returned moments later with a sealed envelope in his hand. On the face he wrote his own name. He handed it to Sam, "Go back and give this to younger me. It tells him everything that is about to happen." he instructed.

She grasped the envelope, "I will." She then tucked it in her pocket. "I should tell Adama about the ambush."

Steve stated, "I just wish there was some way of Earth having some kind of space force early to help them. They need a second battlestar to take on the two basestars." He recalled, "Apollo told me if the Pegasus was there they could have won. It's another battlestar like the Galactica. The Commander is legendary. He thought that would have made a difference."

She figured, "I have to go find the Pegasus too."

"The two battlestars split and went in different routes. You have the Peacekeeper nano tech. You and Ralph can find it." Steve told her.

She let out a deep sigh, "Okaaay."