From: aa811@cleveland.freenet.edu (Terri M. Librande)
Newsgroups: alt.ql.creative
Subject: No Escape From Reality Part 7
Date: 2 Apr 1993 22:52:06 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Lines: 108
Message-Id: <1pig2m$7rk@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Nntp-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


Part 7

Sam gave into the tears that fought for prominence and felt somewhat
better afterwards.  He silently thanked the others for leaving him alone
with his emotions, giving him a gracious amount of time to sort through
the many facats of this new Leap.  Well, he was himself, for once.  His
reflection frowned back at him.  You look a little older, he thought to
himself, and a lot confused and unhappy.  Taking a deep breath, he settled
on the bed, biting his lower lip.  Okay, he was here, not home, and he had to 
think practical thoughts, about how he could return to the Project, and
get more information about this Guardian that had seemingly dragged him
here in the first place.

"Dr. Beckett?"

His head came up as the one named Data, formerlly called 'Yellow Eyes',
entered the room.

"I hope you do not mind, but I thought you needed the company."  He sat
down by the bed, his face reflecting his own sorrow.  "I am sorry about 
not being able to give you instant answers.  Councelor Troi said you
seemed to like to spend time with me, and I will do everything in my
power to help you feel comfortable here."

"Thank you, but what I really want is to figure out how to get me home."

"We are using our computer to analyze the tricorder recordings from the
Guardian.  We need more information about possible changes that may
incur should we send you back at an incorrect time.  It is not just
a doorway, but a fast moving one.  We may be able to calculate the precise
moment you arrived, but if we send you through then you may find yourself
in a place you do not belong.  Can you tell me how you travelled, what
means you used?  Was it a mechanical contrivance?"

Sam knew his silenc about his Project was only complicating matters.  
"Initially, I used a device called the Quantum Accelerator."  He sighed,
trying with great difficulty to remember the details of his own experiment.
"Everything's a little fuzzy.  I wish Al was here to explain things, 
but..."

"We know of Admiral Calavicci. He made his place in history also."

"He was ... my partner.  We built the Project together.  Was there
any reference to it in your records?"

"No, none at all.  It seems it was so deeply classified that even three
hundred years later there are no signs that it even existed."

"It was a government project.  Quantum Leap. I used the accelerator, or
so I'm told, because funding was about to be cut.  I had to prove my
theories or lose everything."  He thought back on everything Al had ever
told him of the past, those days before he Leaped.  "When I used the
Accelerator, I lost my memory, couldn't even remember my name.  Al had to
remind me--he was in the form of a hologram, tuned to my maisons and neurons.
He's back at the Project in a place we called the Imaging Chamber.  As a
hologram he appears to me and guides me along when I need information."

"You initially leaped then..."  Data frowned.  "You said that an
omnipotent being is propelling you through time?"

"I don't know howto explain this, Data."  Sam started to smile.  How could
he tell anyone besides Al and Gooshie this strange theory?  "We figured
God is moving me around, so I can change things, set right wrongs."  For
an android Data was very animated, exactly human.  He continued, giving
his companion examples; his very first look in a mirror after leaping into
Tom Stratton, citing situations he'd found himself in.  "My whole theory
is centered around me leaping within my own lifetime.  I don't know how
I ended up here except that something interrupted my Leap and tossed me
into your time.  All I do know is that I want to get back, and it seems
that..."

"I'm sorry, Dr. Beckett.  We will do the best we can to return you to your 
time, but I can't make promises.  I am learning from each new experience, 
as you are, and I still do not quite understand how 'God' could be 
propelling you through Time.  _You_ are not in control?"

"Sorry to interrupt this conversation."  Beverly entered, glancing from one
sober face to the other.  "I just wanted to let Dr. Beckett know that 
Captain Picard has allowed him limited access to ship facilities. You're
probably sick to death of Sickbay by now, and we've had quarters prepared
for you, and a change of clothes.  You have to make me a promise, though."


"Which is?"

"If those headaches worsen, you'll let me know."

The pain was almost gone, just a dull ache now.  Whatever medication she'd
given him had done the trick, and without nasty side effects. "I appreciate
your concern, but I could really use some quiet time alone."

"I think that can be arranged," Crusher said.  "Counselor Troi would like 
to speak to you again, if it's not a problem."

"No offense," Sam said quickly. "I'd rather not.  She makes me...uneasy
and a little nervous.  Frankly, if I need to talk to anyone, I'll talk
to myself...or Data, here."  His smile was tight, eyes small, thinking
of Al, and longing really to talk only to him.  "Sometimes that's the
only way I can get through things," he continued.  "Alone."

Part 8 to come


-- 
"Girls who have glasses have lots & lots of energy!" Al--Single Drop of Rain
Terri Librande aa811@cleveland.Freenet.edu--Assistant Sysop
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Sig--Go SCIFI