INTRO: Watching "1969" for the umpteenth time, I was reminded again of how it bothers me that we never found out what happened to Michael. Since the show wasn't going to tell us, I decided to write the ending myself.

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Jack took a beer out of the fridge and wandered over to his desk. He paused to stretch, trying to work a kink out of his back. It had been a long, weird day, capped by a long and detailed de-briefing. Turning on the computer, he stared at the screen for a moment before typing in the search request.

MICHAEL ZAHARA

He took a deep swig from the cold bottle as the internet searched for answers. Startled at the number of possibilities that popped up on the screen, Jack thought for a moment, subtracting dates in his head.

BORN 1950, he added.

That cut the number of answers considerably. Heartened by the progress, he sat back and began to read.

"Yes!" There was no-one there to hear his triumphant shout, but Jack didn't care.

"Michael Robert Zahara, born July 15, 1950. Although drafted in 1969, he registered as a conscientious objector and served in a Stateside clerical position for his commitment. Married in 1970 to Jennifer Rothwell. Twin sons born in 1975, named Jack and Samuel. Jack stopped to laugh at that. Obtained a degree in astronomy from the University of Arizona. Jack paused again, wondering if that decision had been affected by the events of 1969. Professor of astronomy at University of Arizona 1978 - 1999. Helped establish and currently serves on Board of Directors for the Arizona Astronomy and Nature Retreat."

The description included a list of several awards and accomplishments and ended with a current address and phone number.

Jack smiled, picked up the phone and began to dial…

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NOTES: Alex Zahara played Michael and Amber Rothwell played Jenny, so I used their last names for the characters. Conscientious objectors did have the option to serve their commitment in a non-combatant capacity. The Arizona Astronomy and Nature Retreat does exist and it seemed like something Michael might do. This is, however, all VERY fictional.