Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 14:27:41 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Slide Before You Leap - Part 10 Message-ID: Slide Before You Leap A Quantum Leap/Sliders Crossover by Kat Freymuth Part 10 Al and Tina found Sam where they expected to find him - on the tenth level laboratory, buried in the work of his dream (or rather his nightmare). He had been working on perfecting Alpha and the retrieval program for months with no success. It looked as if his dream of travelling through time would never come true. "Sam," Al said plainly, grabbing Sam's attention. "Al!" Sam said excitedly. "You're here! What about the others?" Al took a breath. "They're waiting upstairs." Sam hurriedly stood up. "Let's go then!" Al gave Tina a look that said "See what I mean?" before speaking again. "Sam, we have to talk." Sam stopped. He knew what was on Al's mind. "Al, they're not a security problem." "You don't know that," Al said firmly. "And don't tell me you do know 'cause that would mean that you can read minds, which I know youn can't." He walked closer to Sam. "We have to set some ground rules, Sam." "What ground rules?" Sam asked, looking into Al's eyes. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what Al had to say. "First of all," Al told him, "they only get limited access." "We already agreed to that," Sam told him. "Yes, but we didn't establish what 'limited' meant." "So, what does 'limited' mean?" "It means that they're allowed in their assigned quarters, the cafeteria, and Staff Lounge 2A, where they are now. Nowhere else." "Oh, come on, Al!" Sam exclaimed. "How can we get any work done when we're limited like that?" Al glared into Sam's eyes, giving him his best look of intimidation. "We can't risk them learning anything about the Project until we know a little more about them." He paused. "I have a bad feeling about all of this, Sam." Sam sighed. "What do you mean?" "I mean that I have a bad feeling about all of this," Al repeated with emphasis. "Something's goona happen and it isn't going to be pleasant." Sam smiled, walking towards the door. "Okay, Al. They're limited to those three places. But what could possibly go wrong?" Al shook his head and followed. "I wish he hadn't said that," he muttered to Tina as they left. ************************************ "Next on the agenda: Project Quantum Leap," the Senator said. "We have a problme with this one, ladies and gentlemen. The government is paying $2.1 billion a year to keep this project running and has been for the past five years. As yet, we have no results, no proof that Dr. Beckett's theories have any validity." "Do you have a suggestion, Senator Weitzman?" Senator Harlow asked with curiosity. "I don't hink we have much of a choice with this," Weitzman told her. "I don't think Dr. Beckett can prove his time travel theory before the end of the month." "And yet, you were his most avid supporter when he started," Harlow pointed out. "That was five years ago. Things change." A gentleman sitting across the way from Weitzman and Harlow took a breath. "I think the point is that Dr. Beckett's project has become a burden to the government's budget," he stated firmly. "It may have been a good risk five years ago but now...." "Senator Cline has a point," spoke an African-American man. "We seriously have to consider that, even if Dr. Beckett does prove his theory, the cost to fund this project is great." "We at least have to give him a chance, Roberts," Harlow told him. "See for ourselves how far he has progressed before making such an important decision." "I agree," Weitzman told the rest. "I suggest we inspect the Project Quantum Leap Complex first. Anyone in disagreement?" He received shakes of heads in response. "It's settled then. I'll arrange a date with Admiral Calavicci and will inform you as soon as possible. Thank you, Senators." With that, the group broke apart and went on to their respective offices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorry this one came out so late. I've been trying to post at least a part a week but the 4th of July holiday prevented me from getting to my email account. At least another 3 parts following so stay tuned. Kat Freymuth "In 1954, the world was not ready for Sonny and Cher. As a matter of fact the world was never ready for Sonny and Cher." -- Al Calavicci "Memphis Melody"