Ch 31

2022

Saint John Hawke looked at the men and women who had just slipped through the wormhole for a briefing about the altered timeline. He had a full house with Airwolf's first crew consisting of String, Dom and Caitlin. His wife, Jo Santini-Hawke. Young Michael Knight, older Bonnie Bestow, Ralph Hinkley, Bill Maxell, Archangel and Marella.

He muttered, "We're gonna need a bigger table."

KITT housed in the hangar could communicate with the group via wireless speaker that set up in the center of the table. "I have been surfing the web," he began.

Michael Knight asked, "Surfing the web?"

"Yes, that what they call it, Michael. Accessing the internet and scanning through information." he clarified as the A.I. tried to sound hip. "I have compared events from the archived timeline to the new timeline and made a list of alterations."

Sam asked, "What has changed?"

"Very little I'm afraid." he replied. "Major events such as 9/11 and the resulting wars still occur. George Bush Senior did get elected as Mondale's term in office was stricken with low approval ratings and many of the population did not believe he was actually elected. I have concluded he was not lawfully elected but it made little difference and the military turned a blind eye along with all courts, media and elected officials. No one wanted to create a constitutional crises by challenging the election and thus, Walter Mondale remained in office for one full term. The timeline seemed to have self corrected after the event as George Bush Senior was elected. Only difference it the Presidential numbers are ahead by one."

She asked, "So it made no real difference if they steal an election?"

"That is correct Samantha." he reported.

She figured, "So really doesn't matter who you vote for? That's kind of depressing."

"After doing an extensive analysis I have concluded that the best way to alter a timeline that in meaningful is on a personal lever rather than a large scale." KITT reported. "Changing smaller things are more effective than large events."

Michael asked, "How did you come to that conclusion, KITT?"

He explained, "I have determined Sam's classmates all benefited from her being in the class. For example, Tony became interested in the coins and thus that affected his future as he is a successful businessman and collector today."

Sam asked, "So…I changed Tony's life for the better?"

"Thus far." KITT concluded. "The timeline is fluid and can chanced more readily for individuals than for a population. Walter Mondale did become President but it did not change the course of history but it did change Walter Mondale's life."

Sinjin figured, "We can save Dom and prevent String from being injured and it won't affect anything on a large scale."

"That is correct." KITT agreed. "I have concluded that after we pass the date of which the bomb was planted and we successfully prevent the tragedy, then I calculate that there is a 99% chance that an older version of Stringfellow Hawke should not only be alive and well but also working with the project."

Sinjin stated, "That won't happen for a year and half though."

"Correct, the timeline would change for the individual at that point. Until then, a younger version of your brother can assist. After the change, it is advised he avoid meeting his older self." KITT determined.

String asked, "Why? I won't melt or anything."

"For mental health reasons." he explained. "Upon observing young Michael's reaction to seeing videos of his older self, I determined it would be best to not meet yourself to preserve one's mental health."

Michael asked, "So I don't get to tell old and fat me to lose a few pounds?"

"That is correct." KITT confirmed.

String stated, "I ended up miserable and alone in a wheelchair. If I can be here, able to walk and help Sam out…I will be happy."

"Agreed." KITT replied.

Ralph asked, "What about older me? I go nuts after the aliens take the suit and wipe everyone's memory clean."

KITT concluded, "That outcome is already subject to change as now you have established allies with those around you. Prior to Sam going back with Dominic, no one had any idea who you were or where the suit came from. The memories can now be restored. I do not know how to reverse what the aliens did but it serves logic that is a memory can be altered artificially then it can be restored as well."

Bill figured, "And KITT can't be altered, right?"

"I am buffered from the timeline changes." he informed.

"So we have a record of it." Sam stated. "Even if aliens wipe all our memories of it away, KITT has the information. You have proof regardless."

He gave a sigh of relief, "A appreciate you guys trying to help me."

Sinjin grinned, "Now what should we do?" He looked to Jo and Sam and then to Ralph, "Have Ralph take a quick flight around in 2022. I bet that might get the alien's attention. Maybe even jar a few memories."

Jo nodded in thought, "It might."

Sam exclaimed, "That would blow up the internet!"

"Sure would." Jo had to agree. She grinned, "I like it." She stated, "I still don't remember and neither does our Cait. They even erased newspaper articles right off the page. You take a trip around town and it will be all over the internet instantly. The aliens would have a real hard time taking that down."

Sinjin agreed, "They would. They would have to pull down the whole internet to get it all and if they do that…"

KITT interrupted, "If they pull down the whole internet I can pinpoint the position. Pulling down the entire internet would give them away."

Bill suggested, "Take a spin around out there, Ralph. Let's see this internet blows up."

KITT suggested, "I do suggest you take off and land from an undisclosed location, Mr. Hinkley. We do want to bring attention to the airfield."

"You think I should?" he looked at his friends.

Archangel determined, "It would certainly draw attention. We could use it as bait."

Sam suggested, "Fly low enough so everyone can record you on their phones but high enough to not get ID'ed."

"Right." he agreed. "Where would be good location to take this flight?"

"Around L.A." Sinjin suggested.

KITT added, "I can blur satellite observation to help conceal Ralph Hinkley's whereabouts. I suggest using a residential area as the authorities would be less likely to respond in full SWAT mode for such a sighting."

String suggested, "Have him take off in one neighborhood and land in another. That way it won't be a perfect circle."

Ralph asked, "You all think I should do this? Go out there and fly around so people can see me?"

Sinjin grinned, "Why not? I would love to see how the news reacts to it."

"It will go viral." Sam nodded.

Bill cheered, "Let's blow up this internet thing, Ralph." He then placed a dog biscuit in his mouth and took a bite.

Sinjin soured, "We do have better ways to quit smoking, Bill."

He shrugged, "I like my method."

Short Time Later

Sinjin Hawke drove Ralph to a nearby neighborhood. He didn't wish to go to his house in fear the authorities could connect the sighting to his home. Sinjin parked the truck near a small park.

He told Ralph, "I will meet you at your old high school. School will be getting out. Kids all have phone so be careful they don't get a good picture of your face. The busses and extra vehicles should help conceal my truck and hopefully KITT can blur the satellite images."

Ralph had his suit on and was ready to fly. "Hope this works." He feared what would happen if he got caught and what the justice system would look like in the future after hearing about Patriot Act and the threat of domestic terrorism. Of course at the same time he also figured is he saved people, assisted citizens in accidents then maybe he would not be seen as a threat. In the back of his mind he believed the citizens of the future could use a super hero just as much as the citizens in how own time.

Sinjin reminded him, "Don't screw around out there, Ralph. We just want to see if the aliens will respond and how. We want to see if anyone can remember. Maybe it can help reverse what the aliens did."

"Maybe." he gave a half smile unsure.

He assured him, "The cell phone I gave you is a burner phone. It will be harder for them to get a lock on you with it. Call me if you get in trouble." He handed him a piece of paper, "Here's my phone number. You just dial like a regular phone and hit send."

"I got it." He stated and took the paper. He glanced out the window and spied geese walking towards a pond in the park. He had to smile, "Still got geese in parks."

Sinjin nodded, "And geese poop. Watch your step."

"I will." he had to laugh. He then emerged from the truck. He looked around to ensure no one saw him take off. He took a few running steps and a leap and then in a near comical fashion he was airborne.

Sinjin watched him take off. He winced, "Superman made that look so easy."

Meanwhile - Hangar

Sam sat before the computer screen back in the hangar and waited for reports of Ralph's flight to start to stream. It didn't take long when the first clips of Ralph flying through the air popped up on social media live streams. The group gathered around her and watched in real time as eyewitnesses recorded and posted Ralph's flight around the city.

Bill Maxwell stated, "This is like a thousand eyewitness all at once." He grinned, "I think we might just use this internet thing to our advantage."

"There will be doubters." Sam warned. "Many will say it's a hoax. Be prepared for that."

"There are doubters in 84 too, Sammy." he assured her.

The social media went wild with eye witness reports and people asking what they just saw. More and more video clips of Ralph's journey began to surface. Police scrambled a helicopter and Military was placed on alert as no one knew if it was friend or foe.

KITT successfully scrambled satellites to help cover Ralph's tracks which put the military into DEFCON. He warned, "The military has just gone to DEFCON 3. I'm afraid my interference with the satellites in orbit have trigged an alert."

String stated, "Just keep up posted. Ralph should be back before they can even get off the ground."

"The military is now at DEFCON 2." he advices. "15 minutes and they will have jets in the air."

He slowly nodded, "Finish your run Ralph."

Meanwhile

Ralph was flying through the air. He noticed he got much attention and many cell phones were pointed towards him and thus he knew he was being recorded as planned.

He then came across something unexpected as a number of small drones were launched by enthusiast to get a closer look at Ralph and the red suit. One such toy was right in front of him instantly which threw him off course. He soon crashed to the ground in a business area. He scrambled to his feet and did not recognize the new plaza. He tried to remember which direction the school would be but found he was disoriented slightly. He looked up and spotted a number of small drones flying about looking for him. No one told him of the drone in civilians hands. He wasn't sure if it was military or not. He also couldn't be identified even in the future out of fear of losing the suit sooner than before.

He ran through a back alleyway and soon found himself crashing through brush and then emerged in a back lot of an auto repair shop. He found a stack of tires to hide behind as he tried to get his sense of directions back. He then heard a familiar voice behind.

"Mr. H?" the voice called out.

Ralph turned around and found himself looking at a much older version of Tony. He gasped, "Tony!" He looked well, a bit heavier and wore blue mechanics uniform.

"I knew it was you." he grinned. "I couldn't believe it when I saw the notices on my phone." He walked over to him. "You look just like I remember in school."

"It's complicated, Tony. I need to get back to the high school. I don't recognize this plaza and I'm not sure which direction it is." he explained.

"I'll take you there." he promised. He then stated, "Follow me. People will see you in that suit."

Ralph followed Tony into the auto shop. He was then handed a pair of cover alls.

"Put this on, Mr. H." Tony instructed. He couldn't believe his old teacher was in his shop, still had the suit and looked so young.

Ralph put the coveralls on over the suit. Only part that showed was the red boots. Tony handed him a pair of muck boots, "Better cover those too." he instructed.

Ralph complied, "I can't thank you enough for this, Tony."

"Just what are you doing here?" he wondered. "I thought you were living in the desert and chasing UFO's."

"I'm from 84." he told him. "There are two versions of me here. Crazy old me and me…me…" he replied trying to not sound insane.

Tony called to an employee, "Watch the shop, Bob. I'll be out for a little."

A man's arm raised from under a hood of a car, "Got it, Tony."

Tony led Ralph to his pickup truck. It was an old style Chevy truck from the 70's with a bench seat and burnt orange in color. Ralph opened the door and slid onto the seat. He was relived to see the older vehicle, "This is little more like what I am used too." he admitted.

Tony climbed in and turned the engine. "New ones are too expensive and lack any style." he told him. He asked, "You sure you want to go to the old high school? Everyone will see you there."

Ralph's phone than rang. He answered the flip phone, "Sinjin?"

"Where are you?" Sinjin asked concerned.

"I'm with Tony. My old student. He gave me some coveralls and can drive me. What are those little things flying in the sky? One nearly hit me."

"They are drones." he explained. "Hobbyist have them. They are flying cameras. I forgot to warn about it. Have Tony bring you to the hangar. You blew up the internet faster than I thought you would." he admitted.

"Got it." He hung up the phone. "Remember Santini Air?"

He nodded, "I sure do."

"Bring me there." he instructed.

Tony gave a smirk, "By any chance is Sam there?"

"She is." he nodded.

He had to asked, "Does she have a time machine?"

"Close." he told him.