From:		Lonacher
Date:		02 July 1996 18:02
To:		U.S.S. Lafayette
Subject:		RE: Slater Planet

<McRae, in Medical Facility>

Having completed her message to Beata, McRae hears Lectron call to her:

"Lt. McRae, could you come over here and look at this.  I think we have found our culprit."

She moves over to see what he has found, and picks up on his thoughts.  Hmm, she thinks, I wonder if he remembers that I'm part Betazoid.  I'll have to subtly remind him of the inappropriateness of such thoughts in a situation like this.  An aloof expression  on her face, McRae takes a close look at the sub-cellular scan.  

{Assuming Lectron explains his thoughts on the virus}

"Interesting, Lectron.  You suspect this virus is responsible for the DNA alteration in the Sliders.  So, while my treatment can restore the original DNA configuration, it is only temporary; the virus will continue to modify it. In that case, continued administration of the treatment would be needed, and the virus would eventually develop an immunity; then we'd be back at square one. My treatment is, in effect, a short-term bandaid, which would serve only to buy us some time.  

"From a medical viewpoint, the virus, then, must be eradicated to prevent the disease from recurring in the patient..  And this virus doesn't match anything in our records; so there are two questions:  how do we remove the virus from the Sliders' systems, and where did it come from in the first place?"

She considers for a moment; a third question, unspoken, crosses her mind.  And since this virus is unknown to us, will we be susceptible to infection also?  She decides that Beata needs to know this latest turn of events.  She activates the comm badge.

"McRae to Beata:  Sir, there's been a turn of events.  To summarize, Lectron has discovered a virus which appears responsible for the DNA alteration in the Sliders.  The treatment we've developed will restore the original DNA configuration temporarily, but so long as the virus exists in the patient, it will continue to modify the patterns.  It is the virus we have to address, not just the DNA alteration.  I'd recommend that we proceed with distribution of the treatment as planned; it will at least buy the Sliders some time.  Unfortunately,  this virus is new to us; it doesn't match anything in our records.  Lectron and I will continue to work on identifying it and finding a permanent solution."  She pauses a moment, then continues:  "Sir, I'd also recommend extreme caution on the part of the AT; we're not sure what we're dealing with here, or if it can affect us also."

While awaiting Beata's response, McRae looks at Lectron.  "All right. We've got our work cut out for us.  Let's get to it."