Chapter 27

2022

KITT was now housed in a mainframe in the rear office of the hangar but with network capabilities the Artificial Intelligence could be anywhere and everywhere through any mobile device or computer and could communicate with any device as well as remotely turn on speakers. Bonnie had placed a number of wireless speakers about the facility along with small cameras with microphones so KITT could see, hear and speak in any area of the hangar.

More folding tables were brought into the hangar to make more computer stations for research and development. Airwolf had also been brought back for upgrades and the old hangar would be the new base of operations. In 2022, Airwolf was an air show helicopter and thus, the cover used would be entertainment.

Sam had used the computer driven mill and lathe to make another engine with upgrades from KITT and her uncle's input. Her intent for the second engine was to use Airwolf in her time as a mobile platform to test it. She also hoped it would get the attention of whatever alien being was present and manipulating the people of Earth with mass amnesia.

Bonnie Barstow returned to the hangar to assist KITT in running test on Ralph's suit in 2022. She set up a station with a mannequin to model the suit and wire leads attached to computers. The suit was placed on the form of a male mannequin and placed before an array of sensitive cameras and sensors.

Ralph and Bill had returned to the future with the suit to observe the test and finally get some answers themselves. Ralph stood with his hands crossed wearing blue jeans and a tan blazer over a yellow dress shirt. Bill stood in his classic brown three piece suit with an open collar of the white and red pin stripped shirt absent any tie. The vest was open exposing his shirt and the crumbs from the dog biscuit he munched upon.

String, Caitlin and Dom came to observe as well.

Sam sat at the computer as Bonnie conducted the test on the suit. She worked with KITT on gathering and digesting the information. She mentioned, "Seems to be nano technology in the threads."

KITT's voice came over a nearby wireless speaker. "That correct, Samantha. I am detecting highly advanced nano technology embedded in the fibers. The nanites in the suit have anti gravity capabilities using magnetic properties and are energy emitting. I believe it's the nano-bots that allow for flight for the wearer."

Bill asked as he swept away the crumbs, "Nano-bots. What's that?"

Bonnie explained, "They are robots! Microscopic robots. The fibers of the suit are full of them. The robots make it so the suit can fly." She asked, "KITT, what other properties does the suit have?"

"It is bullet resistant for the wearer, can be coded to the wearer's DNA. Can allow for enhanced vision and hearing as the nanites would also connect and likely invade the host blood stream." he replied.

Ralph came to attention, "Wait! What?"

KITT explained, "In order for the suit to work the nanites would have to connect to a host organism. That would be you."

"I have tiny robots in me?" he gulped.

"Most likely. I could analyze a blood sample to find out." KITT suggested.

Sam agreed, "Nano-technology would make sense. On the surface the suit looks like regular cloth. Obviously, it's not. I saw Mr. H. fly in it. Nano-technology would make all the things I read about in the papers possible. Fire proof, bullet proof, Superman like qualities. In order to make that happen those nanites would have to be in Mr. H."

Ralph gulped, "I've got alien robots in my body."

KITT confirmed, "It would appear so. We would need to run more test to confirm."

He ran his fingers through his curly hair, "I never thought it would be inside me too. I thought it was just the suit. It was all the suit. I wore it and the suit did it all."

Bill reminded him, "They said it would only work for you, Ralph. That would explain how that is possible. Ity bity robots."

"But inside me too." he gasped shocked.

Sam pondered allowed, "I wonder if giving someone advanced technology, not fully disclosing that nanites would invade their blood stream is some kind of universal violation."

String squinted, "What are you talking about?"

She explained, "If you have a civilization that is so advanced they have nanites, space ships and all that then there would be more than one civilization like that and they would likely have treaties. Just like we do on Earth. There would have to be some kind of body of laws in place. Like intergalactic law. Something that says if you go to another planet you must act a certain way or be in violation. I'm assuming there would be some kind of regulation or law on giving advanced technology to a lower class civilization and the people."

Sinjin suggested, "Like a U.N. for space."

"Yeah!" she nodded. "Maybe they got caught and wiped everyone memory to cover their little green asses?"

Sinjin suggested, "Or gray asses. The grays are big in the UFO channels."

Bonnie could not help but wonder, "What if there are more than one alien civilization that is screwing with us?"

Sinjin shrugged, "Could be."

Ralph reminded them, "They gave me an instruction manual. It was in English but I didn't get to read it."

KITT suggested, "Most likely the instruction manual is giving off the same energy signature as the suit. I can connect with satellites and scan for the energy signature. Perhaps, I can locate it."

Bonnie ordered, "Let's do that KITT."

KITT complied and gained access to the satellites in orbit. He replied, "I have located the manual."

Ralph asked, "Already?"

Bonnie assured, "Satellites have come a long way since 1984. Where is it, KITT?"

"It's located in Groom Lake facility. Area 51." he informed. "I believe it is underground by the strength of the energy reading."

Dom puffed out his cheeks, "The military has it."

Ralph figured, "I'm obviously not getting it back."

Bonnie and Sam traded glances. The pair grinned at one another. Bonnie stated, "Maybe you don't need it back. We can use KITT and the information we are gathering to figure out the commands. It's a computer that run the suit, Ralph. It takes commands. Motion and words."

"We can decode it." Sam told him.

Bill perked up, "You can decode it and get the commands so we don't need the manual after all?"

Bonnie assured, "With KITT…I'm sure we can."

Bill grinned, "Now that sounds like a plan."

A black mustang then pulled up and into the hangar. It was older Michael Knight returning to base. He parked just outside the hangar door and emerged from the car wearing a leather jacket, jeans and a white dress shirt. He sauntered into the hangar to give his report to Bonnie. He flashed a smile and greeted everyone.

"Everybody!" he acknowledged. He spied the suit, "That's the suit, huh? Not exactly Iron Man."

At that moment Sam was taking a sip of coffee. The joke made her chock. She started coughing as she laughed for she found it funny.

Michael motioned to her, "You okay, kid?"

She nodded turning red and catching her breath. "You are funny." she admitted.

"Iron Man?" Caitlin looked on wondering what so funny. "Like the comic book?"

Bonnie explained, "They made a bunch of hit movies recently. Iron Man was a huge hit. He was played by Robert Downey Jr. Fans ate it up." She motioned, "Sam's generation would get the joke better than anyone."

Michael reported, "The new KITT network is working fine. I had KITT all over the city with me and he was able to give me updates on the suit and the nano-bots." He admitted, "I wish we had this in the 80's." He was energized and nearly bouncing on his heels as he felt like he was back in action once more. "Just wish KITT could drive the mustang." he admitted.

Ralph admitted, "You know what really amazes me? I'm just a teacher. I got kind of sucked into all this spy stuff. The fact that I'm standing in a hangar in the year 2022, the suit is being examined and decoded by an Artificial Intelligence that we had in my time, there is a helicopter sitting in the hanger that goes to air shows that can reach mach one and now, that same A.I., KITT…can be in this network that allows it to be everywhere at all times…and I'm standing watching all this…just blows my mind." He couldn't help but asked, "Why did these aliens pick me of all people to give that suit to? They could have chosen anyone else. Any of you." He looked to Sam, "Why didn't they choose you, Sam? You invented a warp drive engine. I could never do that."

She shrugged unsure how to answer.

Sinjin answered, "I can tell you why they didn't choose, Sam. She would tell them to stick their suit where the sun don't shine." He then admitted, "I would tell them the same thing."

String admitted, "I would take the suit and use it to get you out of the POW camp, Sinjin. Then I would tell them to stick it."

Dom confessed, "I wouldn't even put that thing on. I wouldn't trust it."

Caitlin pondered, "If the gave it to me, I would hand it over to the lab. I would be suspicious even with an FBI agent with me."

Sam countered, "Actually Dad…I would hold the suit hostage like Uncle String did with Airwolf. They want me to do shit with the suit, then they need to show me their engines and answer questions."

Michael admitted, "I'm not sure I would accept that suit to be honest. I wonder what strings are attached."

Bonnie confessed, "I would take it an bring it to a lab. Reverse engineer it. I wouldn't help bust criminals with it."

String figured, "They gave the suit to you, Ralph because you are a man of honor. You would use it for good. That's a rare quality."

He glanced around unsure, "You think so?"

Dom agreed, "You're a boy scout. They won't give that suit to just anyone."

"I'm supposed I'm honored in a way." he pondered the implication.

Bill agreed, "You're a good man, Ralph. That's why they chose you. Just be careful, good men are often taken advantage of." He then asked, "So…" he looked at the audience, "when do I get a tour of 2022? I figured I'm dead by now. I don't need to see my grave. Just want to see what's like off the airfield."

Ralph stated, "It's probably not a good idea for us to see anymore of what is in the future than what we have been shown. I already know I go crazy."

"But I want a tour." he rebutted. "They all got a tour." he motioned to Airwolf's crew.

Sam stated to herself, "Rule number six in the Explorer's Guild to Time Travel. Tours of the future should consist of a trip to McDonald's for coffee and a cinnamon roll." She gave a pleading look to her father.

Bill asked surprised, "McDonald's has cinnamon rolls?"

String countered, "I want to try Panera Bread."

Sinjin added, "They have coffee and cinnamon rolls too, Sam."

"That will do in a pinch." she agreed.

Caitlin asked, "Anyone got a menu?"

String handed her a pamphlet. "Looks good to me."

"They got soup." she cheered.

Dom volunteered, "I'll get a pen and paper for our order." He found he loved trying new food in the future.

Ralph asked Sam, "Is rule number seven in the Explorer's Guild to Time Travel having menus for on hand for places you never heard of and likely don't exist in your own time?"

She nodded in agreement, "Always get menus and check out the local restaurants. You are exploring after all."

Bill wandered over to Caitlin and looked over her shoulder, "This place looks neat, Ralph. Should get some to go to bring back home."

He joked, "And for my class." The whole notions seemed like a dream to Ralph. Ever since he got the suit his life seemed like a dream. He could not believe what had happened to him. Yet, he did feel like a tourist in a strange new place at the same time.

Dom chuckled, "Now that's giving them a taste of the future."

Ralph gave in, "I guess I will take a look at that menu."