Date: 26 Apr 1993 14:32:21 -0400 (EDT) From: Brian Willard Message-Id: <01GXGY0J9X2Q984R6L@UNCA.EDU> Organization: University of North Carolina at Asheville Storm Brewing Part IV by Brian Willard As dusk began to approach form the east, Sam watched the rolling South Texan plains from the back of Al's jeep, with the warm wind blowing all around him. He sat silently, trying to figure out why Al was "real", yet not a hologram. Suddenly the _other hologram_ appeared beside him. "You'll never guess what Alpha's found out, sir!" St. John exclaimed enthusiastically, "It turns out the man driving this jeep is also the very man you were talking about earlier, Admiral Albert Calavicci!" "I know Al's driving the jeep!" Sam interrupted. "No, but there's more sir. Alpha calculates that there is a 95% chance that it is Admiral Calavicci and his wife who disappear with you on that flight. Apparently enough of Darren's mind remained behind that you were able to recall his name," replied St.John. "Well, has Alpha found any more info on how the plane disappeared?" Sam snapped back. He just wanted to make sure that his best friend was not going to die. "And why didn't Al die the first time?" "In the original history Darren was killed, remember? After his death, their plans, that is Darren's and Al's, to make the flight were cancelled and the flight was completed successfully by another team. But now that Darren is alive, he and Al, as well as the Admiral's wife, disappear without a trace at approximately 4 PM on August 18, 1983. Alpha's still working on several other scenarios, but right now it appears as if you'll have to attempt the flight," replied St. John. "That's just great! Why is Al going on a hurricane reconaissance flight?" asked Sam, "Isn't he an astronaut?" "Well, he also happens to be an ace pilot, and since he's a good friend of Darren's, it's only natural that Darren would ask him to fly the plane," the hologram said, beginning to sense some impatience in Dr. Beckett, who seemed to be taking the whole situation rather personally. "As for why his wife went along...well, we haven't been able to find any information on that. Apparently Marci was very attached to her husband...at the time. I'm going to go see if I can help Alpha with those other scenarios." "St. John, uh, how long have we been friends...I mean you and I? I... can't...seem to remember." "For a long time, sir," replied St. John, smiling, "since I was your assistant at project Starbright." He vanished into the rapid approaching darkness. The jeep rolled into the driveway of a small trailer about ten minutes later, and it was nearly pitch black then. The door of the trailer opened, and a very attractive woman of about age twenty-five came out. "I was getting worried about you boys," she called, "it's past dinner time, Al. Don't blame me if it's cold." (I apologize for any possible similarities this dialogue may bring up to the sitcom _Married With Children_. Trust me, it was not intended, though it may sound frighteningly so. BW) "It's not my fault either, Marci. Why don't you take Darren inside and take care of him while I run Billy home," replied Al. "Okay," she said disappointedly, "but don't be gone long, you hear! Come on Darren, I've got a casserole waiting in the oven that has your name on it." Sam suddenly forgot about all of his troubles, realizing how hungry he was. He leaped out of the back of the jeep and ran toward the trailer. Marci came out to meet him, waving to the jeep as it pulled out of the driveway. They went into the trailer, where Sam got his first good look at his best friend's third wife. She was about Al's height, with long auburn hair and a remarkable resemblance to somebody he knew. Al had left her after hearing a false rumor about her and a former war pal of his. In fact, she was one of the two wives Al actually felt guilty about leaving. The other was his first wife, whose name he was unable to remember, perhaps because of the wonderful smell of Marci's casserole. To be continued... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian Willard | "Revenge is mine, thus sayeth the hologram!" UNC-Asheville | Sam Beckett, "The Leap Back" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------