For several seconds no one said anything, the three men just stared at the image of the silvery particles. Jung Sim then shut off the electron beam and turned to the investigators saying, “Gentlemen, I think we have found something very significant. We should capture this image for analysis. Excuse me, I will be right back.”

He promptly returned with a film cartridge which he inserted into a slot next to the transmission column. The beam was turned back on and the image focused to crystal clarity. Jung Sim pushed a lighted button and the image disappeared for a moment as the film was exposed. He increased the magnification several more times and documented even more detail of the affected area. When the film cartridge was spent he withdrew it and shut down the scope.

“Gentlemen, perhaps you should wait in the lounge while I develop these plates. The darkroom is very small and there is not enough room for us all. Don’t worry; this should not take very long. I will join you when I have finished.”

Once again the investigators found themselves seated in the lounge down the hall. This time, however, there was only the occasional visitor as Quinn and Berkman sat alone quietly immersed in thought. Before too long Berkman began tapping his fingers obsessively, then rubbing his chin and finally fidgeting in his chair. Quinn was just about to tell Berkman to stop it before he went completely insane when Jung Sim entered the lounge.

“Gentlemen, I have finally finished with the micrographs!” Jung Sim said with excitement as he brandished a manila envelope. “These prints turned out marvelously…I have also arranged a consultation with our Neurology expert to help us interpret them. Please follow me, her office is not far.”

Quinn and Berkman quickly followed Jung Sim from the lounge. After a short walk through the hallway and down a flight of stairs the trio arrived at a door labeled “Neurology Department, Karen Woods”. Jung Sim knocked on the door before opening it. The office was about the same size as Jung Sim’s but the decor was not so Spartan even though it consisted primarily of photos and piles of research data. Behind the desk was a very attractive woman with long auburn hair pulled back into a cute little bun.

“Good morning Ms. Woods, this is Agent Quinn and his associate Mr. Berkman.” Jung Sim said as Karen Woods looked up from here paperwork with a smile.

“Hi Jung Sim, how are you? How do you do gentlemen, my name is Karen Woods.” Karen said as she stood to shake hands with the investigators. “Please, have a seat if you can find some room among these piles!”

Berkman was committing his usual objectification of women by staring intently at Karen’s buxom curves. Quinn immediately noticed Berkman’s faux pas and purposely stepped on his foot as he greeted Karen.

“Nice to meet you Ms. Woods.” Quinn said as he shook her dainty hand and gave Berk a sharp look.

When his inappropriate gaze was so rudely interrupted, Berkman had to stifle the urge to cry out. He greeted Karen pleasantly even though his foot throbbed with pain: “Very nice to make your acquaintance Ms. Woods.”

The trio sat down with Karen and laid out the story concerning the unknown particles. She listened intently as Quinn illustrated the case history accompanied by interjections from both Berkman and Jung Sim. The manila envelope was opened and the glossy 8x10 photographs of the sections were displayed. Karen carefully examined each photo with growing disbelief. She had never seen anything quite like this before.

“These particles are positioned in and around receptor sites on the dendrites. I wish I could tell you how they got into this man’s brain, but I don’t have the slightest notion. I also haven’t a clue why they are positioned on the receptor sites, but it is very possible they could be interrupting the transmission of nerve impulses between the cells.” Karen said with disdain.

Quinn asked Karen, “Do you mean that these particles could have been interfering with brain function? Perhaps able to alter reasoning ability or motor skills? How exactly would they be able to do that?”

“Well, when metal comes in contact with a nerve cell it can disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses. The only problem is that to alter someone’s fine motor skills, control of hand eye coordination for example, you would need to disrupt or control specific areas of the brain. With the particles distributed as you have described from your MRI data, that scenario would be virtually impossible. That might disrupt total brain function which could kill the individual...unless there was some way to selectively control certain groups of the particles.”

Jung Sim broke in with a suggestion; “Perhaps these particles are capable of directly manipulating nerve impulses. This might enable selective control of certain brain functions. This could also further explain the erratic behavior of the pilot in question.”

“Hey I think Jung Sim is on to something! All the information we have gathered about this airline disaster to date makes almost no sense. If the pilot’s brain could be controlled it would provide an ability to crash the plane! The only remaining conundrum is how do the particles get into the brain…and how are they controlled?” said Berkman with devious twinkle in his eye.

“Hmmmm…” mumbled Jung Sim as his brow furrowed. “For this scenario to work there should be some sort of activation or control signal. Unfortunately I am not an expert in electronics, but we have staff that can help. Perhaps John Logan, our NSA communications specialist could assist us with this issue. Karen, would you allow me to use your telephone for a moment please?”

“Here you are…” Karen said as she handed Jung Sim the black telephone. He quickly dialed an extension number and waited for an answer.

“Hello, John? Jung Sim here, how are you today? Oh, I am fine also. It has been a long time, yes! Is your schedule tight today? Well, I have some gentlemen here who are investigating the American Air crash. Yes, from back in April. We need your expert opinion. O.K., sure, we can meet after lunch then. Yes, thank you John, good bye.”

“Gentlemen, we have an appointment after lunch with John Logan. Since you were so kind and provided lunch yesterday, please let me return the favor and take you to lunch in our cafeteria! Karen, would you like to join us?” Jung Sim offered most graciously.

“I am sorry Jung Sim. I would love to accept your offer, but I already have a lunch appointment…maybe next time o.k.?” Karen replied apologetically with a slight smile.

“Very well, perhaps next time?” Jung Sim replied. “Gentlemen, if we are finished we should try to beat the lunch hour rush.”

The investigators gathered up their photos and thanked Karen for her assistance. As they made their way through the hallways toward the cafeteria, there was no idle chitchat. Quinn and Berkman were both focused on the sinister implications of this investigation. It seemed that the Q.E.D Syndicate was not just a bunch of amateur crackpots after all.

End Part 10

Go to Part 11 of the Osiris Enigma.