Disclaimer: Stargate:SG1 and Quantum Leap belong to various established creators, writers and companies, none of whom bear any resemblance to me.
Reviewers: you are all lovely wonderful people! The treat of the day is Timtams (Aussie version of Penguins), which I was ecstatic to discover in Tesco the other day :)
PS. I saw some elderly QL over the weekend (SciFi channel gooood) including "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep". This was when Sam Leapt into an archaeologist in Egypt, mentioned in a previous chapter... but based on the script it was 1999 for Al, not 1998. Doh! Apologies, but I'll be sticking with my current dates – they aren't part of the real plot but it all worked out so nicely with the Starr Report etc. Plus I'm lazy.
PPS. For the purposes of this fic, Gooshie's full name is Dr Guiseppe Fisichella. A double-coated Timtam to anyone who guesses the source of the surname!
PPPS. Based on Sam's Leaps into a couple of TV shows I figured that cameras pick up the 'physical aura' whajimmy, rather than his real body – hence Jack still looks like Sam via CCTV.
Project Quantum Leap – 25th September 1998
"What do you suggest, Ziggy?"
Gooshie was in a fix, and he hated it. Not that he didn't love working without Al's constant harassment, but it was different when the reason that Al wasn't harassing him was because some crazy Air Force Colonel was holding broken glass to his throat. That, coupled with the fact the aforementioned Colonel was the hardest Leapee to track down since... well, the first Leapee ever because they hadn't know which way to turn back then... was not helping his headache. Being the home of NORAD he'd expected Cheyenne Mountain to be a tough nut to crack, but whatever it was that O'Neill worked on in there it had as high a secrecy rating as Project Quantum Leap – if not higher.
'So much for Ziggy's speculation that he'd taken a step down since the death of his son,' he thought wryly.
Tina was a star, as usual, but Gooshie could tell that she was worried about Al too. The project's Design Engineer and the Admiral had been together for a few years now, their odd relationship continuing despite a couple of indiscretions by both parties – Gooshie himself having been Tina's. He suppressed a twinge of jealousy and turned back to his console. She'd made it very clear to him that their fling had been just that and nothing more, but he couldn't help it if she still lived in his daydreams... despite her unkind parting gift of mouthwash.
"Ziggy?"
It wasn't like the computer to hesitate with an answer, so her Head Programmer was relieved when she finally answered. Anything to take his mind off Al and the maniac in the Waiting Room.
"Doctor, based on the limited information available I do not think that Admiral Calavicci is in danger of death or serious injury at this time, however every scenario suggests that the risk involved increases proportionally with time. Should Colonel O'Neill believe himself to be in increased danger – whether through lack of information to himself, or through the Admiral's own actions – this risk could increase unpredictably."
Gooshie and Tina looked at each other in dismay. There wasn't anything else that they could tell Colonel O'Neill, since Al had already covered most of the bases and the guy hadn't believed him. Al himself was another matter. He was good with people, but they'd both heard that conversation in the Waiting Room – the pair of them were either going to be best friends or worst enemies by the time this was finished. Gooshie decided that he was going to have to talk to this guy, though the idea terrified him.
"Colonel O'Neill?" Gooshie looked toward the screen showing the Waiting Room and raised his voice, knowing that Ziggy would patch him through.
"Yes? Who is this?"
The disembodied voice was unmistakably that of the Project's creator, though all present knew that this definitely was not Sam Beckett. The tone was far too steely for that, and threatening. Sam could be determined and intractable, but never like this.
"My name is Dr Guiseppe Fisichella, Colonel, though everyone calls me Gooshie. I'm the Head Programmer here at Project Quantum Leap." Gooshie swallowed hard. "Sir, I just wanted to let you know that we will lift the lock-down as soon as possible, but that we have a long way to go first."
There was silence, and the team could see Colonel O'Neill – looking every inch like Dr Beckett, right down to his white forelock – thinking hard but not hurting Al to any great degree. Ziggy's lights and nodules flickered non-stop, monitors flicking through data faster than Gooshie could read it, but he was certain that a good portion of her activity was focussed on the current exchange nonetheless.
"Look guys," the visitor responded, finally. "I don't know what drugs you're taking over there but I'm not buying this story one bit. Your so-called Admiral here is going to stay with me until I am back with my team, is that understood? Let me out of here and everything will be fine."
Gooshie looked towards Tina for support and was grateful for her encouraging smile. He was a programmer, not a negotiator, and since his experience with the military was pretty much limited to non-conformist Al he was praying that he would read this situation well enough to save the Project Director from any serious harm.
"Yes sir, I understand you completely but I am afraid that I cannot unlock the door – we're trapped in here just the same as you are. I know that you don't believe us, but I just wanted you to know that we're doing all we can from our side. Ziggy won't release the locks on anything until she believes that Al is safe you see."
Colonel O'Neill snorted. "Whatever you say, 'Gooshie'."
The nickname's owner shrugged – he'd been called that since birth because his older sister couldn't pronounce 'Giuseppe'. He caught Tina's eye and she mouthed, "Al?"
Nodding, Gooshie figured it couldn't do any harm. "Colonel, one last thing – could we have a word from Admiral Calavicci?"
"If that's your way of suggesting that this comedian might outrank me, Dr Fisichella, you've failed. What I have here is a hostage and hostage he will stay. You can have a quick word with him though, and I mean quick. You're on."
On the monitor they could see Colonel O'Neill loosen his grip on Al, who automatically reached for his throat and rubbed what must now be a tender spot, though to their relief he wasn't bleeding.
"Gooshie, Tina, I'm okay. Ziggy, keep on working those scenarios –"
Al's voice was cut short and the team saw the glass being brought up against his neck again. Tina's sharp intake of breath echoed Gooshie's own jab of fear – he might be jealous of the man, but he was still a friend as well as his boss.
"No instructions! You've said more than enough!"
The growl in Sam's voice was eerie, as was the predatory way in which the man on the screen looked around the Waiting Room, presumably searching for CCTV. Gooshie had thought it strange that Al hadn't directly at them when talking, and now he realised why.
"Ok guys," the Leapee continued. "We'll just sit down here on the bed for now and as an act of good faith, I'll keep this glass away from Al. I'm sure that will make you all happy. I'm not a patient man though, and I don't take kindly to this sort of treatment. If anyone even vaguely threatening comes through that door, I can guarantee you that Al will be dead before they can take aim. Is that understood?"
"Loud and clear, Colonel," Gooshie replied, trying not to splutter nervously. "And I promise that no one will be coming through to hurt you."
"Good. O'Neill out."
A panicked whimper escaped the Head Programmer's lips as the conversation was cut to an end.
"Tina, what are we going to do if we can't find Sam?" He asked, knowing that his eyes must really be bugging out by now.
"I don't know, Gooshie, I really don't know." Tina sounded like she was trying to maintain control too, and Gooshie was certain that the object of his affection was doing far better than he was. "Ziggy, how do you rate our chances right now?"
"If you are enquiring after the safety of Admiral Calavicci, my original probability grid remains," the computer's sultry voice replied. "The recent conversation cannot have lessened Colonel O'Neill's disbelief regarding Project Quantum Leap, however by allowing Admiral Calavicci a limited amount of freedom the Colonel is at least offering a compromise of sorts. We must endeavour to maintain this level of trust, small though it is, in order to safeguard the Admiral's well being."
"But you won't let him out now, even to save Al's life?" Tina asked, almost accusingly.
"Correct," Ziggy replied, bluntly. "To do so would endanger both yourself and Gooshie, as well as other project staff not privy to the current situation."
Gooshie found a chair and sat down, his head in his hands. His headache was getting worse, and this situation was too much! "Ok, so where are we regarding Sam? Any more clues on that little problem?"
"Yes," she replied, totally ignoring the hopeful cheers that suddenly exploded from her programmer and design engineer. "However I am still unsure of Dr Beckett's exact location."
"Come on then Ziggy," Gooshie bit his lip, wondering how accurate her calculations might be this time and wishing that she could understand why a human would not have waited until everyone was wallowing in despair before imparting that valuable snippet of information. Or perhaps her over-blown cybernetic ego simply wanted to remind him that he couldn't do without her.
"The principle function of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is to serve as a base for highly classified research, much as this research facility does." Gooshie nodded impatiently. "Without permissions or passwords available from Admiral Calavicci I am unable to access the Cheyenne Mountain central database, and I am unwilling to attempt to 'hack' in due to the possible repercussions upon Project Quantum Leap. I also advise against a full capacity search for details regarding either Colonel O'Neill or his superior General George Hammond for similar reasons."
Much as Gooshie would have preferred her to cut straight to the chase and hack in, he could see her point. As Al had already mentioned to Colonel O'Neill, this Project was a pricey one with little measurable outcome – as least politically speaking – so a step like breaking into NORAD would wipe something like Watergate off the map. They'd be lucky if they ended their days on a speck of rock off the coast of Canada, and Ziggy would probably be disassembled and sent to various Ivy League colleges for study.
"As such I have been searching for alternative sources of information and have found a potential anomaly in the requisition lists of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Colonel O'Neill's attitudes and reactions suggest that despite his assignment to a research facility he maintains an unusual level of fitness and combat-readiness for a desk officer. This correlates most strongly with two possibilities: either Colonel O'Neill is suffering from a hostile flashback and is acting accordingly, or he is somehow part of an active duty roster based at Cheyenne Mountain. The requisition anomaly suggests the latter."
"Ziggy, what is it – please?" Tina was even edgier than Gooshie, it seemed.
"Level –28 appears to have an unusually well-stocked infirmary. Accessible base plans do show a field hospital level at Level –12 for use in case of nuclear attack, however its sole known use is as a medical station for use by the facility's staff. Requisition orders for Level –12 are consistent with supplies needed to cope with normal working injuries such as small cuts and back strain, as well as more specific emergencies such as radiation burns. There is also an obstetrics bay, presumably a linked to the complex's original design as a haven during nuclear war."
The computer paused for a moment, causing Gooshie to tap his fingers in frustration.
"The requisition orders for Level –28 are more consistent with combat injuries however, including surgical supplies and an expanded range of emergency room equipment. This suggests that Level –28 encounters injuries that are too severe to await evacuation to the surface. No plans are available to either confirm or deny the presence of an infirmary on Level –28, nor any other data regarding its function, however Level –28 also orders a significant amount of weaponry. As many projects within Cheyenne Mountain are defence or attack based I did not originally consider this to be a potential clue. Together with the medical supplies data I conclude that there is a large squad of personnel serving active duty on Level –28, and before you ask no I do not know how that could be, Dr Martinez-O'Farrell."
Ziggy's pointed barb was aimed at Tina, who shut her mouth rapidly and frowned. "So what do you suggest we do now?"
"If you're right, Ziggy," Gooshie interrupted with what he hoped was an air of authority – the last thing he wanted now was a cat fight, even if one of the participants was a bundle of flashy circuitry. "- how well insulated against transmissions do you think this Level –28 is likely to be?"
Tina looked his way anxiously, probably guessing his intent.
Ziggy, who always thought in mathematics, replied, "There is only a 54.7% probability that this scenario is correct, however it does remain the most probable at this time. Regarding the facility's insulation against brainwave transmissions I estimate that a signal could penetrate the lead shielding known to be present on upper levels, however there could be an large amount of distortion. I do not have sufficient data regarding the design of floors below Level -15 with which to run an accurate calculation, however the energy saved by sending the transmission a short time in the past and only one state away could be used to enhance and focus the signal more effectively."
"Ok," Gooshie mused out loud. "And how about an estimate on the right date to aim for? We know Sam's probably in the last 2½ weeks –"
"When was the last big order for the infirmary on Level –28, Ziggy?" Tina jumped in.
"Last known requisition order was on 21st September 1998," the computer responded promptly. "Also relevant: it is unknown whether this morning's memo referring to Colonel O'Neill's death is due to the original history or whether this history has already been changed due to Dr Beckett's presence, however the probability of such an event being an unconnected to a Leap is only 3.68%."
"Last question Ziggy – despite all the shielding, do you think you get a hologram through to Sam who isn't Al?"
Tina stared at Gooshie. "I knew it. Gooshie, we tried this before and it didn't work remember? Sam could barely see you at all. We need to concentrate on getting Al out of there."
"I know Tina, but we couldn't get hold of Al that day either could we, and Sam was left in the same situation as Jack O'Neill is now," Gooshie was torn. He could see that Tina was thinking more with her heart than her head, and it hurt him too. "We have to at least try it, don't you think? If we can find out what's going on there we could get Sam to Leap out more quickly, then Al will be free too!"
"Due to upgraded technology and data analysis following the previous attempt to transmit a hologram of Dr Fisichella to Dr Beckett, there is a 91.9% probability that would be successful at this time. This calculation is based on a normal, unshielded transmission however – the probability of a successful transmission to Level –28 of the Cheyenne Mountain complex is unknown. The presence of Dr Fisichella in the Imaging Chamber would also augment my search capabilities by 12.6% due to the pre-existing data to tune his neurons and mesons to those of Dr Beckett."
"Ha!" Gooshie laughed shortly. "Thank heavens for the 12.6% eh? Might even get us to Sam before Jack gets fed up with Al." Catching Tina's stricken look he caught himself and reached over to give her a hug. "I'm sorry Tina, I'm just terrified – but if we try this now it might help us get more information on wherever it is that Sam's at, ok?"
Tina nodded. "Just get on with it could you?" She reached into a drawer and pulled out the spare hand device – the original being trapped in the Waiting Room with Al.
Gooshie's response was to grin nervously. He had no qualms about helping out to find Sam, but Ziggy's description of Level –28 in Cheyenne Mountain sounded a little more hostile that anything he was used to. Weapons and combat injuries, hundreds of meters underground in Colorado? It almost sounded as crazy as a time-travel project in the New Mexico desert.
"Thanks Tina, really. Keep an eye on our guest in there ok, and if they want any food or more Simpsons re-runs just get it."
Their hands brushed as she handed him the device and he savoured the moment, then put on a brave face and turned to Ziggy's main console.
"You haven't said whether you agree that this is a good idea yet Ziggy – what do you think?"
The lights flashed some more before displaying a photograph of Colonel Jack O'Neill. "When a link is established, this is the man you will be looking for. I calculate a lengthy period of analysis will be required prior to the actual transmission of a neurological hologram however, and suggest that you take a bottle of water with you, Gooshie."
The Head Programmer was touched, despite the fact that it was a computer that was expressing some degree of concern for his welfare. This didn't help the fact that no matter how often he saw Al go in there and help Sam out, stepping into the Imaging Chamber was still a massive undertaking for him – he was a computer geek, not an explorer, and he'd already been playing negotiation games this morning. Then again, given the effectiveness of the rush job Ziggy had patched together the last time they'd been without Al (thanks to the escaped murderer who'd also brought about the current lock-down procedure), he didn't fancy their chances of patching Tina through to Sam in a hurry. At least with him they were already halfway there.
"Ok girls, wish me luck."
The chamber itself was huge, built within an enormous natural cavern. Its dimensions enabled the Observer – normally Al – to see as much as possible of Sam's environment when 'visiting', though anyone else in the chamber would see only the walls and floor. This was only the second time that Gooshie had been an Observer, and the first time that he'd been what he could only describe as a signal booster.
"Please let this work, please let this work..." he whispered, then heard Ziggy's voice around him.
"Dr Fisichella, I will begin searching now. The search will focus solely on Level –28 of the Cheyenne Mountain complex at this time, working backwards from yesterday's date. You may feel some mild discomfort."
"Just remember not to fry my brain cells, ok Ziggy? You still need them just as much as we need you!"
"Of course, Dr Fisichella."
Gooshie tried to decide whether the computer's tone of voice was contemptuous or not, but was suddenly distracted by a faint buzzing sensation between his ears. Was this Ziggy's doing? Or had his headache just moved up a gear? If so it wasn't that painful, but the thought of Ziggy generating something by way of his neurons was freaky. Well ok, she did with Al all the time – but that was different, he signed up to be an Observer, and they hardly ever had to search for Sam like this...
On and on, Gooshie's thoughts flowed randomly from one topic to the next. He was hardly aware of the Imaging Chamber any more, just daydreaming in spirals worthy of a fractal. Some of it was even in programming code, writing a new sub-routine for Ziggy to enhance her empathy, but Ziggy herself had no misgivings when interrupting this pleasant state of affairs to report her findings and focus her programmer's mind on the next part of the job – literally.
"Dr Fisichella," she began, causing Gooshie's head to jerk as if waking up from a catnap. "I have located what appears to be Dr Beckett on Level –28 of Cheyenne Mountain. His presence appears to be limited from the evening of Saturday September 19th to Thursday September 24th. Interference is high, as suspected, however a focussed signal has a 79.4% probability of reaching him as a visual hologram – audio will have to be determined during transmission."
"Good work, Ziggy!" This was Tina's voice, patched through from the Control Room.
"Thank you, Doctor." Ziggy's tone of voice suddenly made Gooshie realise that an empathy sub-routine might only make her more sarcastic. "There is also a large gap between the morning of Monday 21st and the afternoon of Tuesday 22nd when he is not detectable at all, however I cannot locate him within 100km of the complex's surface entrance during this time. Calculations suggest that Dr Beckett would most likely be found elsewhere within Cheyenne Mountain during this time."
"Ok Ziggy," Gooshie replied, rubbing the back of his head and still certain that had been going on in there that had nothing to do with his headache. "Just beam me in whenever you can and tweak as much as you need to."
"Beginning transmission now."
Gooshie's first experience of the Imaging Chamber in action had been even more rushed and panicky than this one – although at least that time they'd already known when and where Sam was. This was completely different: a dizzying blur that seem to crackle around him like a blizzard, or perhaps a badly tuned television set. Sounds were garbled, and he could almost imagine Ziggy twiddling the knobs on a ham radio set trying to get a lock.
"Ungh..."
The moan of 'see'-sickness escaped him and he decided to look down towards his feet in an attempt to avoid throwing up, holding on to the hand device as if it was a brightly coloured yet particularly insecure lifeline.
Just as he began to wonder what use all of Ziggy's circuitry was, he heard a word spoken in a male voice –
"Gooshie?!"
Looking up he saw the man known as Jack O'Neill, but who had to be Sam Beckett. The background was now relatively static, showing a room full of books and strange artefacts, but the man was still blurry – close enough to recognise though.
Gooshie grinned weakly and waved, trying to stand up straight again. "Hey, Sam!"
"Gooshie?" Sam repeated, also waving and walking closer towards him. "Is ... you?"
"Can you hear me Sam? Sam?" Gooshie blinked a few more times, slowly centring his thoughts away from his breakfast – he wasn't used to this weird hologram nonsense. "Ziggy, what's going on?"
"I am working on focussing the signal Dr Fisichella, please be patient." For once Ziggy sounded a little strained.
"Yeh, well I'm about to throw up so you can imagine how glad I am to know that I really am a badly tuned brainwave at the moment," he cracked, swallowing uneasily.
"Gooshie ... flickering so I don't ... much ... can see ... hear – but ... really good ... you ..."
Sam's voice was as distorted as his visual signal, but it sounded to Ziggy as if he was also whispering which didn't help. Then again, of course he didn't want to look like a madman and Gooshie couldn't tell if there was anyone else around or not.
"... Al? ... don't ans... this place ... O'Neill's ... handful. Ok ... nodding ... search ... gate ... crazy ... right ..."
It looked like Sam was trying to find a pen and paper – "Oh! He must have meant write..." Gooshie finally realised, walking closer to the desk where Sam was crouching.
"Ziggy, are you getting this?" The programmer yelled.
"Gooshie, just read back whatever you can," Tina said anxiously. "Ziggy's being jammed from someplace in the base there and the signal's getting weaker. We might lose him in a minute."
"Ok, there are a few words but they're really indistinct." Gooshie replied, seeing the paper through an ever-fluctuating signal. Oooh – headache bad, bellyache worse. "It looks like... Stargate?? All one word. Also nak, um, I'll spell it – N-A-Q-U-A-D-A-H. The last two lines seem to be names."
He glanced at Sam/Jack before moving in closer to get a better look. It had been years since he'd seen his friend properly, but now clearly wasn't the time for a reunion.
"Right, the names are Dr Daniel Jackson... and... Samantha Carter... she's got a question mark next to her, ah! It says 'Dr' with a question mark... Oh!"
Suddenly Gooshie realised that he couldn't hold it back any more and sat down hard. The imagery was fading rapidly and yellow lights were swimming in front of his eyes. His headache had quadrupled in pain, and he could taste bile... this wasn't good, and Gooshie didn't feel like he could handle a full conversation even if Sam came into focus and offered him a nice hot drink.
"...shie?" was the last he heard from Sam before the Imaging Chamber walls and floor appeared.
Lying flat on his back on the cold hard floor, Gooshie breathed in and out slowly in a desperate attempt to calm his body functions. The lack of distorted sounds and visual images was bliss. He heard the chamber door slide open and Tina ran in, sitting down close by and gently lifting his head into her lap.
"Gooshie? There's a nurse coming, ok?" She said softly.
The temporary Observer sighed, a mix of happiness and sorrow. Why did it take a crisis to convince Tina to fuss over him?
Next chapter: Stargate Command