From: marshall@exg106.rh.psu.edu (Marshall Maresca)
Newsgroups: alt.ql.creative
Subject: Doctor's Orders, Part One
Date: 29 Jan 1994 05:48:51 GMT
Organization: Pennsylvania State University Residence Halls Network
Message-Id: <2ictc3$7ht@genesis.ait.psu.edu>

	Here it is, the story behind the leap-in at the end of TimeStorm.
Well, the first part, anyway.  The leap-in part is being re-written for memory
so there may be minor differences between it and the original leap-in.  
But, without further ado...


				Doctor's Orders
				    Part One


	When Sam's vision cleared he found himself standing on a busy street
corner.  People were bussling about, and the sounds of cars and crowds filled
the air.  Definitely a major city, though Sam.  It looked somewhat... familiar 
to him.
	Out of the corner of his eye Sam saw a young girl, about eighteen or 
nineteen, dash across the street.  He also saw a large vehicle coming down on
her.  She didn't see it.  It would not be able to stop in time.
	Instinct took Sam over.  He ran out into the street and knocked the 
girl out of the way of the car.  Before he could react again, he was struck,
and as he hit the pavement all went black.

	The paramedics burst through the emergency room doors.
	"Car accident!" one yelled, "Multiple fractures, lacerations and 
severe head trauma!"  The doctor on duty came running over.
	"Get him on the table!  Has he lost a lot of blood?"
	"We think so," said the paramedic as he moved the body over, "There
was a lot on the pavement from the head wound."
	"Oh boy," said the doctor, "Nurse, I need some assistance here!"
	"Coming, Doctor Beckett."

			***************

	"We're having difficulty getting a lock, Admiral." said Gooshie.
	"What's wrong now?" asked Al.
	"Ziggy isn't cooperating."
	"That's nothing new," said Al, "What's she doing?"
	"She's converting all the information into binary.  We're having a 
hell of a time reading it."
	"Just get me in there," said Al, "Sam leaped in over an hour ago."
	"A few more minutes, Admiral," said Gooshie, "Just a few more 
minutes."

			***************

	"You all right, kid?" asked Doctor Conklin when Dr. Sam Beckett came
out of the E/R.
	"Yeah," said Dr. Beckett, "It was touch and go for a while, but I 
think the kid is going to make it."
	"That KID is at best a year or two younger than you," said Conklin.
	"Well, I feel older," said Beckett.
	"That's because you push yourself too hard," said Conklin, "Two 
doctorates and a masters at 22.  It's insane."  Beckett looked at Conklin
through half closed eyes.  He was in his thirties, with light hair that was
starting to grey at the sides.  Since he had started his residency, Conklin
had taken Beckett under his wing, much like Professor LoNigro did at MIT.
	"If I didn't that guy would be dead now," said Beckett.
	"Maybe," said Conklin, "Maybe not.  You can't save the world, Sam."
	"Why not?"
	"It can't be done.  Just make your world better, and the rest will
come.  Someday."
	"I suppose.  I'll go make sure the kid is moved to ICU all right."
	"Then go home and get some rest.  Don't come back for at least ten
hours."
	"OK, OK.  'Night."
	"Night, kid," said Conklin.
	Beckett walked over to the E/R.  In front of him was a short man in 
his sixties, with dark hair and a red jacket on.
	"Hi, Sam, sorry it took so long to get here, Ziggy was having problems
locking in," he said.
	"Do I know you?" asked Beckett.
	"Sam?  You okay?"
	"Can I help you?"
	"Sam, cut it out!"
	"Did Doctor Conklin put you up to this?" asked Beckett, "I'm going to
go home, so don't worry."  Beckett kept walking to E/R.  The man walked 
after him.
	"Sam, do you really not know who I am?"
	"Not a clue," said Dr. Beckett.  He went over to an orderly.  "Could 
you help me with the patient in 2?"
	"Sure, doc," said the orderly.
	"Sam!" yelled Al.
	"I don't have time for these games!" said Beckett.
	"I'm coming, doc," said the orderly, "Geez."  They went into the E/R
cubicle.   
	Al followed cautiously behind them both.  Lying on the cot in the
cubicle was a badly injured person, unconscious.  Al's eyes almost popped 
out when he saw who it was.
	"Sam!"
	"What is it?" said Dr. Beckett.
	"Who you talking to, doc?" asked the orderly.
	"That man there!" he said, but when he turned, the man in the red coat
was gone.  "One of Doctor Conklin's jokes.  Let's move the patient."  The
two of them moved the man onto a gurney and wheeled him away.
	Al stepped out through the wall.
	"Gooshie," he called through the handlink, "You better kick Ziggy into 
gear, because we've got trouble.  Big time."


					To be continued...
						Marshall Ryan Maresca