"The Fire Within"

Episode 120 - Part 1
(aired the week of 5/3/1997)
Case # 99-4124

Log line: The O.S.I.R. is needed to solve a case of what appears to be spontaneous human combustion.

Synopsis: At his weekly poker game with four friends, all tough and weathered Montana ranchers, whiskey-chugging George Leeds begins to get hot under the collar. Not feeling well and rummaging for ice in the kitchen, he actually begins to smolder. Then - for no apparent cause - he literally bursts into flames. After setting loose a horrific scream and blinding flash, he disintegrates into a heap of ashes and a couple of charred body parts.

The O.S.I.R. takes on one of its most unusual cases ever, since humans aren't listed among the items prone to spontaneous ignition. The investigation heats up when O.S.I.R. analysis of the ashes indicates no combustible materials residue and that George's health was fine. Investigator Peter Axon points to one possible theory linked to the x-particle: a highly-unlikely but blindingly-fast atomic chain reaction, possibly triggered by alcohol. While the O.S.I.R. conducts hidden monitoring of George's house, they overhear his mourning friends discussing some vague "plan" - and adding more fuel to the fire, the remaining quartet have peculiar access to quantities of gasoline and explosive devices. But their talks are cut short when mourner Dean Mathews' arm unexpectedly bursts into flames and he's rushed to the hospital.

Searching for a link between these cases, the O.S.I.R.'s blood analysis on the five men turns up nanites, microscopic robots that take apart and rebuild a person's molecular structure, causing chemical reactions in their wake. Their scientific discovery turns to fact again when, under O.S.I.R. surveillance in the hospital, a recuperating Mathews combusts in a blaze of fire and white light, leaving only a pile of ashes behind. Simultaneously, the blood samples in the O.S.I.R. lab explode and disintegrate.

Since the O.S.I.R.'s research into the blood turned up one surviving member of the group with nanites in his blood, they rush to warn rancher Martin Shaw. Rather than cooperating, he attempts to run away. Caught and interrogated by investigator Connor Doyle, Shaw claims to be an undercover government anti-terrorist agent infiltrating - and attempting to murder - a militia group headed by the ranchers. Doyle questions the veracity of Shaw's claims...and shocks the man with the news that he, too, has nanites in his blood. The O.S.I.R. is surprised, in turn, with Shaw's request that they contact their own Supervisor Elsinger for confirmation of his assignment. Elsinger denies any connection with Shaw or even any knowledge that the ranchers are terrorists...yet he orders that the case be closed. Suspecting that his team was a pawn in a larger government conspiracy, Doyle ignores Elsinger's command and sets out to uncover the truth about (and from) Shaw before their last link to the case goes up in smoke.

Starring:
Connor Doyle - Paul Miller
Peter Axon - Barclay Hope
Lindsay Donner - Nancy Anne Sakovich
Frank Elsinger - Nigel Bennett

Guest Stars:
George Leeds - Philip Craig
Dean Mathews - Tom Bishop
Martin Shaw - James Kidnie

Written by: Richard Oleksiak
Directed by: Aaron Schuster

"Fate"

Episode 120 - Part 2
Case # 23-2148

Log line: A teen with psychic powers struggles to understand events leading to his best friend's death.

Synopsis: At the funeral of 16-year-old Alex Harper, the O.S.I.R. retraces the events of the past two months leading up to the tragic end of his young life - and the reach of his killer's psychic powers.

The story starts two months before the funeral. Excluded by the cool crowd, outgoing Alex and shy Corey Stillman hang out together. Corey suffers from mounting headaches, but he is also building a strange talent: mind-reading. First, Corey's psychic ability helps Alex, regularly a C-student, score As on exams.

When the trick works, Harper's fast improvement is noted - with equal amounts of curiosity and suspicion, but without true understanding - by teachers and classmates alike. Chandler, the school bully, takes a special interest in Corey's inexplicable talent in boosting grades and, under the threat of physical harm or worse, coerces him into working an equally-successful academic miracle.

As the tension in the school builds, the O.S.I.R. has already set up a covert surveillance there with investigators Connor Doyle, Peter Axon and Lindsay Donner to monitor Corey and Harper. Disguised as a janitor, Axon watches as Corey appears to have some sort of vision. In fact, it is the worst possible image: Alex, lying dead on the ground with his blood flowing.

Although Corey rebuffs the O.S.I.R.'s official attempt to help him control his psychic powers, he continues having vivid, disturbing premonitions. He keeps them a secret from Alex, however, in fear of upsetting his best friend or, worse, losing his friendship. Instead, he decides to use his visions to alter Alex's future and keep him alive...and turns to the O.S.I.R. for help. Conducting a DEP test, the O.S.I.R. finds Corey has both telepathy and pre-cognition powers, which reinforce each other.

Corey sets out to find - and save - Alex, with the O.S.I.R. in pursuit. Corey locates his friend in an alley near the school, being beaten senseless by Chandler and his accomplices. They'll stop if Corey lets them profit from his mind-reading skills. In the ensuing melee, the gun carried by one of the thugs is nabbed by Corey, who now has control. But the sudden appearance of the O.S.I.R. and Chandler's subsequent attempt to regain the gun causes Corey to accidentally shoot Alex. The scene that tormented Corey's mind has come true. Haunted by the loss of his friend and his own tragic future, Corey submits to a debriefing by the O.S.I.R. To his surprise, he learns secrets about his past and finds an opportunity to improve both his powers and his life.

Starring:
Connor Doyle - Paul Miller
Lindsay Donner - Nancy Anne Sakovich
Dr. Anton Hendricks - Colin Fox

Guest Stars:
Corey Stillman - Amos Crawley
Alex Harper - Adam Bonneau
Chandler Leif Anderson

Written by: Damian Kindler
Directed by: Aaron Schuster