Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 20:50:34 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - Part 25 Message-ID: Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Part 25 "Ziggy," Al said as he entered the Control Room, "I want to run some hypothetical scenarios." "Hello, Admiral," Ziggy acknowledged his presence. "We have all been concerned about you since you left the complex last night. I trust everything is okay?" Al smiled slightly, thankful that the Control Room was usually dim in lighting. He had a heck of a time walking to the Control Room without a headache reminding him of last night. "Everything is fine, Ziggy," he replied. "May I ask what kind of scenarios you wish to run?" Al stood just in front of Ziggy's console, facing it. "I want to theorize what would have happened if Sam had not leaped four days ago." "May I ask why, Admiral?" Ziggy asked, concern in her voice. "Because I have a burning question that needs to be answered," Al told her. "What question is that, Admiral?" she asked with curiosity. Al's eyes narrowed slightly. "The question is why." He took a breath. "Ziggy, postulate what would have happened if Sam hadn't leaped four days ago," he repeated the request. There was a moment of silence. "Admiral, are you attempting to discover why Dr. Beckett leaped?" Al glared at the large sphere that hung over the console. "Just do it, Ziggy," he ordered. There was another moment of silence. "There is an eight-nine point ninety-seven percent chance that Dr. Elesee, Dr. Hathorn, and Dr. Anders would have died in the explosion which occurred six days ago. Also, the explosion would have left you blind and crippled, Admiral. It is most likely that Dr. Beckett would have assisted you in adjusting to your situation and would have leaped again sometime in the future. However, because your involvement with the project would be discontinued due to your condition, I do not believe that the project would continue after Dr. Beckett's leap. On the other hand, this is pure speculation and there is only a seventy-two percent chance that this scenario would have happened. There are an infinite number of other possible scenarios." "But this is the most likely," Al concluded. "That is correct, Admiral," Ziggy replied. Al nodded. "Okay. Now, using the scenario you've just described, assume that Sam was killed in the retrieval we made in October and create a scenario based on such." There was a pause. "Admiral, I fail to understand why you are running these scenarios. They do not seem to be leading to any answer." Al exhaled. "Maybe not for you, but they are for me. Please, give me the most probably scenario." A moment passed. "If Dr. Beckett had been killed due to a failed retrieval attempt, it is most likely that you, Dr. Fuller, Dr. Conelf Captain Strickler, Dr. Hathorn, and Dr. Anders would have decided to attempt a leap to prevent Dr. Beckett's death. However, since an attempt would have required a refitting of the electrical system in the complex, there would have been a power surge in the wall of Lab 8G, where you, Dr. Fuller, Cpt. Strickler, Dr. Hathorn, Dr. Conelf, and Dr. Anders would have been planning the leap. The explosion would probably have occurred as it did in this timeline, killing all in the lab." Al exhaled. It all seemed to fit into place. What was more, Al thought he could remember that timeline in an odd way. The events didn't really come back like memories but rather like vague impressions -- like the way a person feels when they know something is true because they believe vehemently in it. *So, the complex WAS plagued by disasters*, Al realized. *And Alia leaped into Sammy Jo to set a chain of events in motion which would prevent the disasters from ever occurring. In a way, Alia not only saved Sam's life but also the lives of everyone who had died in that explosion, including myself.* Al sighed. "Now you know the whole truth," a voice said from behind Al. Al turned around to look at the speaker. Genine stood by the door, a knowing smile on her face. Al frowned at her. "Genine, you knew?" She nodded slightly, gently. "I knew." Al looked at her carefully, feeling that something was different about her. He exhaled with realization. "I see," he finally said. "Why did you return?" Genine walked up to him slowly. "I returned to help you, Al." Al frowned. "Help me?" Genine nodded. She looked at Ziggy before returning her gaze at Al. "Could we discuss this some place a little more private?" Al nodded slowly. "Let's go to my office." --------------------------- I think you can guess what Genine is up to. But why does she need to help Al? Find out in Part 26. Katherine