Transhuman by Ben Bova Read Free Book Online Page B

telomerase inhibitors right away. By the time we get to Oregon I expect her to be showing signs of improvement.”
    â€œBut the side effects…”
    â€œHer physician is coming along with us.”
    McAllister stood up, his youthful face deadly serious. “Prof, telomerase inhibitors? You know what that could do to the kid?”
    Luke nodded, tight-lipped.
    â€œYou’re running the risk of progeria, for God’s sake.”
    â€œI know. But once we’ve killed the cancer we can reverse the progeria symptoms.”
    â€œYou hope.”
    â€œI’m going to start taking telomerase inducers,” Luke said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m too old to be running across country like this. I need to be younger. Stronger.”
    â€œYou’re not a lab mouse, for God’s sake!”
    Forcing a grin, Luke said, “Anything those mice can do, I can do.”
    â€œThat’s crazy! You can’t—”
    Luke pushed himself to his feet. “Van, I can and I will. We’re talking about my granddaughter’s life. I’ll do whatever I have to do to save her.”
    â€œIncluding putting your own life on the line?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYour telomerase experiments aren’t ready for a human trial. No way!”
    â€œI’m volunteering.”
    â€œAnd you expect me to help you?”
    â€œNobody needs to know you’re involved, Van. This’ll be just between you and me.”
    â€œWe’ll have to sign the kid into the hospital.”
    â€œNo. We’ll take care of her in the motel.”
    â€œIn the motel?”
    â€œListen to me, Van,” Luke coaxed. “We’re not talking about surgery or radiation treatment. We don’t need big facilities. Just the proper enzymes and a little time. Angie’s comfortable at the motel, and her physician is keeping watch over her.” With some heat he added, “Hell, they wanted to hand her over to Hospice, for God’s sake. Do you think they’d do anything more for Angie than we will?”
    McAllister shook his head. “I could get fired for this. You know that.”
    â€œI know it. But will you do it?”
    The younger man turned away and walked down the aisle between lab benches. Luke stood there, watching, waiting. He saw through the lab’s windows that the last clouds from the previous night’s snowstorm were blowing away. The sky outside was turning a brilliant blue.
    â€œNobody else will be involved?” McAllister asked, his back still to Luke.
    â€œAll I need is the enzymes, and you can get them without any trouble.”
    â€œThey’re steroids.”
    â€œBut they’re not on a restricted list. It’s not like we’re going to be doping athletes.”
    Turning back to face Luke, McAllister said, “I’d be sticking my neck out. Way out.”
    â€œI know. I appreciate it.”
    McAllister heaved a big sigh. “For you, Prof. I’ll do it for you.”
    Before Luke could thank him the phone rang.
    McAllister went to his desk, at the end of the lab bench. “Hello,” he said into the phone.
    Holding a hand over the mouthpiece, he said to Luke, “Department secretary. Probably giving me a tally of who’s coming in, who’s going to be late.”
    Then his eyes widened with surprise. “The FBI? Yes, okay, put him on.”
    Luke sank back onto the lab stool, his heart suddenly racing.
    â€œAgent Hightower,” McAllister said. “Yes, this is Professor McAllister. Assistant professor, actually.”
    McAllister listened, his eyes focusing on Luke.
    â€œYou say there’s no criminal charges? Then what’s the FBI—”
    He fell silent again. At last he nodded and said, “Yes, I understand. Yes, certainly. Good-bye.”
    McAllister hung up the phone and leaned on it with both his hands. At last he straightened up and turned to face Luke.
    â€œThat was an FBI