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>> Forknowledge Cristopher DeFilippis Summary from Backcover: A LETHAL LEAP It's 1976, and Sam Leaps out of a woman named Ann-Marie Renerie. But Ann-Marie is not pleased with her changed life. She's left with a plea-bargained jail sentence she doesn't remember agreeing to, and a hazy memory of the name of the man she thinks is responsible for her imprisonment. 1988: Ann-Marie's sentence is over, and now she is dedicated to the single, obsessive purpose that got her through twelve years in prison. Death to Dr. Sam Beckett! Meanwhile, Sam, on his messiest mission yet - as a female mud wrestler - must work on his own. He can't be told that Al and the rest of the Project are frantically struggling to stop a madwoman before she stops Sam Beckett - forever! ISBN: #0-425-16487-X (USA) Copyright: 1998 by Universal Studios Publishing Rights Printing History: Berkley edition/March 1998 Pages: 242 Cover Art: Stephen Gardner Excerpt: Sebastian inhaled loudly through clenched teeth. "I think I just heard a few more of our esteemed elected officials run screaming into the night. They hate you more than our colleagues smiling away over in Stratton." "They keep expressing interest in my theories," Sam said. "Weitzman, especially. Laugen, too. It's just tough to get them to make a commitment." "Well, don't expect them to roll over for you now that you have a Nobel tucked under your belt. If anything, it will make them more obtuse. The only way they can still feel they have the upper hand is by proving to you that they're the ones with the power to make or break you." "To hell with that. It's not my fault they don't understand the mathematical foundations. If I try to explain it intelligently, I get blank stares. If I dumb it down, they look at me like it's the most ridiculous thing they've ever heard. I'm getting tired of it. I'll go corporate if I have to. That's where the money is, anyway." "To hell with that," Sebastian replied. "Do you really think they'll let you go your own way? None of them understands what in the world you're talking about, but it's for precisely that reason they'll keep stringing you along." He raised his hands. "No pun intended. Politics dissolved to the base, pure and simple. They'll doubt your sanity, they'll even doubt their own judgment for letting you present theories time and again, but not one will wash their hands of you if there's even an off chance that you've stumbled upon the greatest discovery mankind has ever known." "A bit melodramatic, don't you think? I mean, I wouldn't go that far." "But anyone else would. You may have cracked time travel, for God's sake. The scientific community is spinning on it's proverbial ear, my friend. You've got the unified field theory in a stranglehold, and that was only a by-product of reaching the greater goal. Never mind science, either. The government is salivating, thinking of the military applications. I told Tom, and I'll tell you again; you have the kind of brain that comes along only once in a generation. Don't try and shrug it off like it's no big deal. Uncle Sam won't." Sam paced, draining his glass and loosening his bow tie. "Okay, point taken. The false starts are just getting frustrating. I didn't expect them after the work I did on Project Starbright. Still, I think the tide might turn soon. I've finally got someone to help me ..." "What? Who?" Sam remained silent, mentally cursing himself. This was the one direction in which he didn't want the conversation to go, and he'd steered it there himself. Damn champagne! "Oh no," LoNigro exclaimed. "Tell me it's not Calavicci." "Sibby, he knows what he's doing..." "The only thing he knows is how to get smashed," the professor said. "What the hell are you thinking? He'll bring you down in flames." Sam turned, annoyed. "He knows how to avoid the pitfalls. He's spend his life dealing with these people, and he's not afraid to stand up to them when he has to. I need him." "I know he's had a distinguished career, Sam, but it's over. They're only waiting for an excuse to bounce him. You're just taking on a baggage you don't need because of friendship." "That's not true. He managed Starbright just fine. He's hit a rough patch, I admit, but he just needs something to focus on to get back on track." Sam sight. "I know it's a gamble, but it'll pay off. Just spend a few minutes alone with him and you'll see what a terrific guy he is. Not even the booze can hide that." LoNigro shook his head. "You're making a big mistake, Sam." There was a rap on the door, and the professor moved to answer. "Party calling..." "Well, for once I'll prove you wrong. In fact, I'll bet on it." Sam put his glass on the desk, studying it absently. "What do you say, Sibby?" Sam looked up and saw his friend backing into the office, hands raised. |