Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 15:41:54 -0700 (MST) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Choices - Chapter 17 Message-ID: Quantum Leap Choices by Katherine R. Freymuth Copyright 1998 Chapter 17 The small conference in Al's office lasted about an hour and a half. The Leapers and the Observers all agreed on one major thing - letting Alex commit suicide was not an option, especially when his suicide might also cause the deaths of Donna Elesee and Susan Anders and the crippling of Al. It was a little difficult to acknowledge that problem with Al standing beside Genine, as fit as ever. They also all agreed that there wasn't much they could do until they knew how Alex was. He was the center to these leaps. He was the answer to both leaps. "Admiral Calavicci? Dr. Beckett?" Ziggy questioned, interrupting the four-way conversation. "Yes, Ziggy?" the three men chimed simultaneously, causing Genine to laugh quietly. "Dr. Beeks and Admiral Kalarco are trying to contact you. I believe it is something concerning Dr. Hathorn." The two Sams looked at their respective Observers who both shrugged with lack of knowledge. Dr. Beckett looked up at the ceiling. "Tell them we're on our way." "Yes, Dr. Beckett," Ziggy replied as the two Sams stood up. A few minutes later, all four were in the infirmary beside Verbina, Janet, and the Chief. "What's up?" Sam the elder asked. There was a long pause before Janet spoke. "The Chief found the reason for Alex's migraines and for the CAT scan malfunction." All looked at the Chief. He took a breath. "X-rays showed a small object in Dr. Hathorn's brain. It's attached to his hypocampus." "The memory centers of his brain," Dr. Beckett said for clarification to everyone in the room. The Chief nodded. Sam tilted his head. "Do you know what the object is?" The Chief hesitated with thought. "Well, it looks like... a microchip." All frowned. "A microchip?" Verbina questioned. "Why would anyone put a microchip into a person's brain?" Genine questioned before consulting her handlink. "There's more," the Chief said on the tail of Genine's question. He beckoned all to follow him. He then displayed Alex's x-rays to them. "What is that?" Sam questioned, pointing out an odd object in Alex's eye socket. The Chief shook his head. "I don't know. Whatever it is, it's inside his eye." Everyone looked at him in shock. "What did he say?" Al asked in a frighteningly quiet voice. Sam looked at Al from the corner of his eye. He could tell the ex-Admiral had grave concerns. "In his eye?" Janet questioned. The Chief nodded. "I think it's obvious that Dr. Beckett is correct in his diagnosis that Dr. Hathorn has been operated upon." Al was staring at the x-ray with concentration. "Sam," he said slowly. "I think that could be a RAM chip." The concern in his voice was growing. "A RAM chip?" Sam questioned. Janet looked at Sam. "What is it, Al?" Sam quickly looked at Al, Genine, and Dr. Beckett. His younger self was obviously unaware of what Al meant as him. Genine had a thoughtful look on her face. Al was nodding at Sam, indicating that, with every passing moment, he was more certain of his assessment. Sam nodded and pointed at the x-ray. "That microchip in Alex's brain. It's more likely a RAM chip." "A RAM chip? As in Random Access Memory?" Janet asked for confirmation. Sam nodded again. Janet looked at the x-rays in the same manner Al had. She then looked at Sam with wide eyes. "You think it could be a DTME?" Al exhaled. "I hope not." "DTME?" Verbina questioned. "Data Transfer Memory Enhancer," Janet told her. Remembrance crossed Dr. Beckett's and Sam's faces. "It's still in the experimental stages," Dr. Beckett explained. "At its very basics, it's supposed to enhance memory skills in some mentally handicapped people. Dr. Stephan Charles developed it. Images received by the eye are converted, by an implant in the cornea, into data which then travels to the RAM chip via the brain's natural synapses." "And that's what's in Alex's brain?" Verbina questioned. Al nodded. "I'm almost positive." Sam repeated his words and actions. "So, what so we do about it?" Verbina asked. "Get it out of him," Al said firmly. "Now." He fiddled with his handlink. "Al," Janet put in with thought while looking at Sam, "DTMEs are still experimental. No one's even sure if they can work in a human being. Why would anyone place a potentially dangerous experiment into Alex's brain?" "Potentially dangerous?" the Chief questioned. "There are some concerns that DTMEs could cause damage to the brain's memory functions rather than improving them," Janet explained. "Sam, get the damn thing out of him!" Al said forcefully. "Well, I'd be concerned too," the Chief said at the same time. "We're talking about experimenting with the brain, after all." Sam took a breath. "We'll have to get it out." The Chief, Janet, and Verbina looked at Sam. "Trying to remove it could make it worse," the Chief pointed out. Al exhaled slowly, almost painfully. "What's one man's sanity for the project's security?" Sam, Dr. Beckett, and Genine looked at him with shock. Fortunately, Al stood between the two Sams, making it seem as if they were looking at each other. Verbina looked from one Sam to the other. "You two are beginning to scare me. You're beginning to act alike." Dr. Beckett took a deep breath. "I think Al and I need to discuss in private. "Sam nodded. "I agree." Al took a breath. "Fine. Meet me outside." With that, he disappeared at the touch of a button. "Excuse us," Sam told the others as he and Dr. Beckett left the infirmary. Janet frowned and looked at Verbina. "What was that all about?" Verbina shrugged, equally confused about Sam's and Al's behavior.