Chapter 83

Once again Sam woke up on the Galactica. She sat up and found she was in uniform and an image of Ralph was standing in the red suit beside the bed in the cadet's quarters. She asked, "You awake, Mr. H?"

"I am." he nodded. He looked about and could see the audience in the hangar. "Can you see anyone but me, Sam?"

"Just you." she shook her head. She could not hear or see the audience back on Earth.

None of the observers could see the Galactica. They only saw Ralph holding Sam's hand as she seemed to be in some kind of deep trance.

String asked, "Can you see the ship, Ralph?"

He nodded, "I can see it. We're in a room. Very…" he search for a word to describe the area, "Seventies!" He could only compare it to the style of the former decade.

Caitlin grinned, "That's the Galactica. Very last decade in interior design."

Dr. Wells advised, "I monitoring Dr. Hawke's vitals and brainwaves. She is in a deep altered state. Do not let go of her hand while she is in this state, Mr. Hinkley. I don't know what the affects will be if you do."

Ralph grasped her hand tighter, "I won't." he promised. "We're moving. Sam just walked out the door. We're in a hallway. There is a man up ahead." He cocked his head, "He looks just like Lieutenant Peck."

"That's Starbuck." Caitlin told him. "I bet they have a common ancestor."

On the ship Starbuck walked down the hallway and spied Sam up ahead walking with a man in a red suit. He noticed the symbol, "Peacekeeper!" he blinked surprised to see Ralph.

Ralph reported, "I think he can see me."

Starbuck gave a funny look, "Of course I can see you. You and Sam. Both Peacekeepers are on the Galactica! What's the urgency?" he asked.

Sam spoke, "This is Ralph Hinkley. He's the other Peacekeeper on Earth. We think Baltar is already on Earth and has embedded himself into our Government. We think he's been here about a year and a half, maybe more. Not sure about any Cylon fleets yet. Can you tell us what you know about Baltar? Apollo wants to know the last sighting."

"He betrayed the Cylon Imperious Leader. Last intel was he had a small group of Cylons and a basestar at his disposal. He just disappeared. Nothing on him in yahren. I think that what you call a 'year'." he reported. He asked, "Is Apollo there with you on Earth? I would really like to see him again."

Ralph pondered, "I'll see what I can do." He held out his other hand for Apollo to grasp. "Apollo…grab my hand."

Apollo stepped closer and grabbed his hand. Instantly he could see the Galactica and Starbuck before him. He noted, "With two peacekeepers working together they can bridge the gap without being asleep. I can see the Galactica and Starbuck."

Starbuck grinned at his friend, "Apollo! Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes. Missed you, buddy." He then noticed Apollo was dressed much differently. "What are you wearing there?" he motioned. "What does that undershirt say? Interesting picture on it."

"It says Star Wars." Apollo grinned amused.

"Them blue trousers. They look different. Not exactly in uniform there, Apollo." Starbuck noted.

"Blue jeans." he told him. "Shoes are called 'sneakers.' When you get here, you will have to dress more like this. Colonial clothing will look too different. You will also have to choose a name for yourself. They use a two name system here. It will be based on your father's name. Thrace. You will have to choose an earth sounding first name."

"My name is Starbuck." he countered a bit confused.

"Just giving you a heads up." he assured him. "We need to see my father. I don't know how much Sam can take of this sleep state she has to be in to connect us. I don't want to stress her mentally."

"Let's go!" he motioned.

Though those in the hangar stood still they appeared to be walking down the hallway with Starbuck on the Galactica. They rounded a corner and Apollo spied a familiar face in the hallway walking towards them in a cadet uniform. His step-son, Boxy.

Boxy appeared a bit taller than the last time Apollo saw the young man. He was now fourteen and learning to fly a Viper. He gasped, "Father!"

Apollo smiled, "Boxy! I'm a hologram right now but you will see me real soon." he promised. "I'm on Earth."

He stood before his step father and wiped away a tear. "I thought you were dead."

Starbuck placed a hand on his shoulder, "Your father is alive and well. He's with Peacekeepers and he helping us get to Earth. Your grandfather decided to wait until we found Earth before telling you. We didn't want to get your hopes up if this failed." He strained, "Sorry about that."

Apollo stood beside himself, "You are nearly as tall as me. You are in Cadet training?"

"I am." he replied.

Sam wondered, "You think he is ready for combat because we don't know what kind of resistance the Galactica will encounter once you guys get to Earth." She offered, "I mean…there could be Clyons hiding on the moon or some shit like that."

Starbuck asked, "Is that another earth curse word?"

He blushed slightly, "It is!"

He asked, "Do I want to know what that one means?"

"You don't but it's used a lot. You will figure it our when you get here." he told him.

Boxy asked, "What is Earth like?"

"It's a lot like home, Boxy." he assured him.

"I can't wait to see it." he told him in near tears.

Starbuck stated, "Come on! The peacekeepers need to deliver a message to your grandfather."

Soon they arrived at the bridge. It was the most awkward sight to see Apollo step onto the bridge out of uniform, walking beside a man in a loud red suit.

All eyes fell on Apollo and Ralph. Adama came to attention, "Apollo!" His then recognized the symbol on Ralph's suit. "Peacekeeper." he addressed.

Apollo stated, "We can't stay long. It's taking two peacekeepers to let me talk to you while I am awake and can talk with people from Earth at the same time. We think Baltar is already on Earth. We will be investigating it on this end. There is a possibility he has a rogue basestar somewhere near Earth. You could encounter resistance once you enter the solar system."

Adama stated, "We will enter the solar system from beyond the asteroid belt and make our way slowly. I will send scout ships ahead to look for signs of any Cylons." He then came to his son and stood proudly before him, "Baltar will not escape his crimes, not even on Earth."

Apollo stated, "I wish I had your confidence on that one, Father. At least you are up to date on the situation on Earth."

"Thank you, my son." he noticed the clothing. "What are you wearing?"

"Earth clothes." he cheered. "Don't worry! They have lots of different styles to choose from. You don't have to wear t shirts and jeans."

"I am grateful for that information." he told him.

Starbuck added "Apparently, we all have to pick Earth names when we get there to blend in."

"I am aware." he agreed. He looked at Ralph, "Do you have a name, Peacekeeper?"

"I'm Ralph Hinkley." he told him.

"It's an honor to meet you." he assured.

Sam stated, "Hey guys! We need to make this short."

Ralph asked concerned, "Is it getting to be too much on you, Sam."

"I have to go pee." she told him. "I had coffee right before going under."

Apollo assured, "The Peacekeepers about to lose the connection. I will see you soon, Father." At that moment they were gone.

Boxy stood beside himself, "My step father is alive and the Peacekeepers are real."

Adama agreed, "Indeed." He let out a heavy sigh, "Just hope two peacekeepers are enough to keep the Cylons from attacking Earth."

In the hangar, Sam suddenly woke up from the trance. She released Ralph's hand and quickly scrambled out of bed.

String asked, "What's wrong?"

"I have to go pee!" she announced. She rose to her feet and fast walked to the nearest bathroom in a near comical fashion.

"Why didn't you go before?" he hollered.

She slammed the door behind her and did not answer.

Ralph mentioned, "I notice as a teacher that girls cannot hold it as long as boys." He glanced at Tony who stood chuckling to himself and shaking his head.

Dom laughed, "It was the three cups of coffee she had this morning."

Caitlin agreed "She does drink a lot of coffee."

He countered, "But she doesn't drink any booze. Just coffee and some tea."

String stated, "She's addicted to caffeine."

Caitlin added, "And cinnamon rolls…And chocolate."

Dom rebutted, "But she doesn't smoke or drink. That's a plus!"

"Not if you have to go pee every five minutes." String told him. He then looked to Apollo and Ralph, "Did Commander Adama get the message?"

Apollo stated, "He did! They will approach with caution." He then looked to his friends, "We have to find Baltar."

String assured him, "We will."

Christmas Day - Cabin

As the FIRM searched for more information on Baltar Research and Development, Stringfellow Hawke decided to attempt to enjoy Christmas Day with Caitlin, Dom and his family.

Sam found herself enjoying Christmas though it was summer in 2022. She sat cross legged on the floor near the large tree her grandparents had set up at the cabin and simply enjoyed the season.

Dom sat on the couch with Caitlin and String. Gifts were exchanged as a ham baked in the oven. John Hawke sat in the big leather chair and Maggie was perched on the arm of the chair beside him.

John held the wrapped package in his hand. He looked at who it was from. "To: Maggie and John, From: Dom and Sam." he glanced up at the pair. "Let me guess. Cheese and sausage."

Sam laughed, "We even bought ourselves some."

"What else is a Santini to give?" Dom asked.

Maggie stated, "Open that up, honey. I'll can cut it up to go with dinner." She then reached under the tree and retrieved a package. She read the name, "To Sam, from Cait." She handed Sam a flat clothing box.

She squinted to Caitlin knowing it would likely be something in her least favorite color. "Is it pink?" she asked suspicious.

Caitlin teased, "Now…would I do that to you?"

"You would." she nodded. She cautiously opened the box to find a pink scarf and mittens. She knew she was being teased and puckered as she looked at Caitlin's amused face.

The grandmother on the other hand loved pink. "Oh' that's adorable." She told Sam. She lifted the scarf out of the box and wrapped it around Sam's neck. "You look so good in pink."

Sam looked to Caitlin who shot a wicked grin at Sam. She casually asked, "Do you have a least favorite color, Cait?"

"I like all colors." she replied as she knew if she told Sam that she didn't like rainbow patterns on clothing there would certainly be a war breaking out between the pair.

String didn't think much of it and mentioned, "I thought you said you didn't like rainbows on clothing."

"Shh." she hushed him.

Maggie asked, "Why don't you like rainbows on clothing, honey?

Caitlin explained, "It's something for kids. Kids clothing has rainbows on them. I just never cared for it."

Sam grinned mischievously, "Rainbows!"

Maggie grasped another gift, "To Cait, from me and dad." She handed the box to Caitlin.

She graciously took the offer. "Thank you." She had not yet gotten used to calling String's parents 'mom and dad' as of yet. She opened the box and discovered a Walkman. "A Walkman!" she stated pleasantly surprised.

John stated, "I saw how popular those little radios are now. You can play your music in it." He motioned towards Maggie to continue.

Maggie retrieved another package and handed it to Sam, "This is from me and grandpa. I'm so glad you decided to have Christmas with us."

Sam graciously accepted the package. She opened it wondering what they could have possible gotten her. She found a walkman as well. She puckered in thought, "What do I do with this?"

"You kids listen to music on it." her grandfather told her.

String asked sarcastically, "You wanted a new phone?"

"I've heard of them and they were in all those 80's movies, just I never actually had one before." she explained. She found batteries were already installed. She tuned it on, "Oh, it's like a transistor radio. Those were kind of neat."

"You play cassette tapes in it of that new music you kids like." John added.

She noted, "I don't think my music is available on cassette."

Dom stated, "They have a lot of Glenn Miller and my music on cassette. You can listen to that."

String stated, "Just take a blank cassette and put it in a recorder by a radio in your time, record it off the radio and bring it back with you."

"They have cassette recorders?" she asked bewildered.

Dom laughed, "Should have gotten her a rotary phone and really confused her."

She rebutted, "I did figure out how to work one." She tinkered with the headphones, "Wires!" she noted a bit confused.

John looked to String a bit bewildered himself.

He explained, "In 2022 the technology is so advanced they don't need wires anymore. They have these small devices called ear buds. It's like a very small hearing aid that connects to their phones." He looked amused upon Sam as she tried to figure out the radio. "When old school becomes new again…" he noted to himself.

Maggie then handed a box to String, "From me and dad, honey."

He took the box and opened it. He found a nice thick brown sweater inside. "Thanks Mom! Dad!" he smiled pleased for the cabin could get cold at night.

Caitlin stated to Sam who was still fiddling with the radio. "Now you can bring it to school and pretend to be one of the cool kids."

She glanced up, "This is a transistor radio. Our phones don't have transistor capabilities. You need an app for radio and that eats up data. It's all streamed." She then realized, "They found a way to charge you to listen to the radio."

String figured, "You are impressed by the transistor radio in it."

"You just don't find many." she nodded.

Dom laughed, "Heck! Let's get you a CB radio too."

"I am a licensed HAM radio operator." she told him. "I do know how to work a radio."

Caitlin teased, "But not a Walkman."

"I already figured it out." she assured her. She placed the headphone around her neck, "This is how the kids were cool looking back in the 80's, huh?" she laughed.

Maggie looked under the tree and found another gift, "Oh…this one is for you too, Sam." She handed her the bag. "It's from String."

She grasped the bag wondering what he got her. She peeked inside and found a brand new teddy bear. Her eyes softened and she melted, "Aw, it's new teddy." She grasped the toy bear and pulled it from the bag. It was very similar to the old bear she had from her childhood. "He looks just like Teddy!"

"I figured teddy needed to be retired soon." he told her.

"Aw…thank you, Uncle String." she blushed as she found the bear was her favorite. She recalled, "When I was a kid mom and dad would bring me to Build a Bear for my birthday and holidays. That was fun."

Maggie asked, "What is Build a Bear?"

"It's a store where you pick out the shell, they staff stuff it, you can add little voice boxes and pick out outfits. It's a big deal to make a bear." she explained. "It was real popular when I was a kid. Before all the toy stores closed down. I think it's still around. I haven't been to a mall in my time in a while."

Her grandmother stated, "That sounds like fun. You and I should go there in your time."

Sam blinked, "Have you been through the wormhole to my time?"

"No! I haven't! I want to go." she told her.

John stated, "I want to go too."

"We will have to go then." she figured.

String winced as he imagined his parents in the future on a shopping trip to a mall. "Later." he miffed.