ReGenesis s04e06 Episode Script
Race Fever
The treatment that almost killed Wes, it's working.
I knew you could do it.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established medical treatment.
There's evidence that it can help with intracranial abscess, an increase of pus in the brain.
- That's what you've got? - I think so.
Bob, sorry about what happened on the roof.
Get better, Wes, okay? What's in Sweden? They're using RNAi to stop the hep-C virus.
Can I get into those trials? You're in! Well, I'm on my bike like five nights a week, I thought it might be fun to go for a ride after work together some time.
I hear you're off to Sweden, great.
Everywhere you look, you can think of me.
Here you go.
You're not quitting, Wes.
- Yes I am.
- You'll be back.
What do you mean they haven't stopped the race? No, listen, over two dozen people with lung infections is not an isolated incident.
That is what we call an outbreak.
I don't give a shit about your sponsors.
Alright, listen to me.
The Tour Cyclo Quebec is over.
Oh yeah? Watch me.
Maudits Québécois.
This directive is from Ottawa? - It's pretty official, don't you think? - Not in Quebec.
Let's not go there.
- Mr.
Sandstorm - Sandstrà m.
Martin Riopel.
I've been directing this race for 14 years.
Riders have been sick from flu, colds, dehydration, we've had snow.
It's all part of the challenge.
- What if it's another SARS outbreak? - Is it? - That's what we'll figure out.
- I'm not canceling the race.
I just want to put it on hold till we know what's going on.
- Nothing is going on.
- Oh really? Mayko! Nine riders, absent, failed to appear for the race.
have been admitted to hospital.
They're just too sick to ride.
I'd say something was going on.
What do you think, Mayko? I'd say there's something going on.
- Ceci est ridicule ! - You said it, Martin.
Oh boy ReGenesis Team NorBAC Bbsiocnarf, Dapitch666, Enelea Linwelin, Michvanilly, MiKL Transcript Version NoTag 1.
0 Just relax, Bob.
I'm very relaxed, Dr.
Petras.
Let your mind go.
I know you did some wonderful things for Mayko.
With her phantom limb.
I appreciate you seeing me.
But this isn't working.
That's okay.
Some individuals simply don't respond to hypnosis.
It's my Asperger's, isn't it? Well, we might want to consider your memory loss as an internal, neurological block.
The MRI didn't show any brain damage.
That's what I've been told.
I consulted with your neurologist.
Did he also tell you that an MRI doesn't show if the synapses have stopped communicating with one another.
He did.
He believes that your neural pathways aren't functioning as they used to.
I won't have surgery again.
I can't do it.
- I just can't go through with - Okay.
Okay.
I understand.
Carlos, these are my notes on David's report on that drug, Lefelin.
He wanted you to have a read, and check the literature.
When does he go in front of the FDA? Next week.
- I'll get on it tonight.
- Hopefully it doesn't put you to sleep.
Rachel? Have you heard from Wes? No, not yet.
But he should be landing in Stockholm any minute so Please, give him my best.
I never had a chance to say goodbye.
Yeah, well, you can You can say "hello" when he gets back.
True.
- Hello.
- Hey, Carlos.
David.
How's it going out there? Well, we're not the most popular scientists on the block.
Je te remercie infiniment, mon ostie de niaiseux.
Merci beaucoup.
I've been called an "asshole" in about ten different languages so far.
- Have you been to the hospital yet? - No, we're still checking the riders.
We should get there this afternoon.
I'll be bringing some samples back to the lab tonight.
Das ist das Arschloch, daà das Rennen gestoppt hat.
Danke schà n.
Make that "asshole" in eleven different languages.
Okay, adios cabron.
There, now you have twelve.
Here, here's a list of symptoms.
If you have any questions You're welcome.
Just trying to stop an epidemic.
- You don't think that's a good idea? - Milo.
What are you doing here? Well, the sexy outfit here doesn't give it away? It's nice to see you, how are you? I'm good, I'm better.
- Yeah? - And you? What happened to Israel and Palestine and saving the world? I had to put that on hold for a while.
Yeah.
I've been training for this for 3 months now.
You don't think we should shut down the race? You're the pro from NorBAC, you tell me.
It's got a lot of people worried, this thing.
Especially with these SARS-like symptoms.
- They think it's SARS? - No no, SARS-like symptoms.
We've still got a bunch of tests to run and people to check out.
- How are you feeling? - Rock and roll, you know.
Wow.
Great.
That's like That's, what? That puts you in the top third? Sorry, no I mean, you know, the race is young.
Once we figure this out you've got plenty of time to take that yellow jersey.
Especially if these other guys keep dropping out.
I should probably give this to you.
We've set up an emergency checkup station in Hibbard.
I'm fine.
- No, you should get checked out.
- I'm fine.
Just to be safe, Milo.
- Okay, Doc.
- Just take it.
It's, it's nice seeing you.
Is there any chance of having that be like a personal exam? - Yeah, I can arrange that.
- Mayko! - We gotta get to the hospital.
- Dr.
Sandstrà m, how are you? Milo Cohen.
I used to come by NorBAC, I was a bike courier.
Actually, I came to your house once for dinner.
The guy Mayko dumped 'cause you wanted to run off and join the Peace Corps? It was good to see you.
Call about that check-up.
- Let's go.
- Different guy? I hate uncertainty.
Without memory of your past, there will be uncertainty about who you really are.
But really we're just talking about a 3 month period in your life.
A period perhaps of some extreme physical and mental distress.
I don't know.
Well, from what you told me, you've already blacked out, hearing loss, you've experienced sensations of falling.
So, what do you suggest? We've already tried imipramine, hypnosis, cognitive behavior experiments.
- And if surgery is off the table.
- It is.
Then, to be honest, you're just gonna have to give it time.
But there's something I don't have the time.
I have to Let nature take its course, if you want, we can continue to meet weekly.
What do you think about hyperbaric chambers? Could they be helpful? Where did that come from? What do you think? Well, I guess it's harmless.
Although, breathing high-pressure oxygen for an extended period of time probably isn't a good idea.
But the therapy has been approved for some specific conditions: embolisms, carbon monoxide poisoning, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic problems where blood flow is reduced or cut off.
- Sounds like you know more than I do.
- If I have an infection, high oxygen level may kill the bacteria, decrease the swelling in my brain, and may improve my memory.
Maybe Or make it worse.
They all have fever, shallow breath, chest pain, and coughs.
- Mucus? - Some rust-colored, others green.
- Did you get the PCR? - 13 different bacteria - from 13 different riders.
- Really? And it's not contagious? The underlying cause could be, the bacteria could be secondary.
- You're thinking that it's viral? - That's how we're treating it.
- Are the antivirals working? - Not yet.
- And it's just in the cyclists? - So far no locals have been infected.
Alright let's take a look.
Greg Fitzimmons, 24.
- Admitted this morning.
- Hey, Greg, how you doing? Feels like I got a ton of bricks on my chest.
We have him on 200 milligrams of Amantadine.
Intravenous fluids.
That's about all we can do.
It's not helping.
Were you sick before the race? I never get sick.
Have you tested for steroids? I never use that shit.
- I just can't breathe.
- Alright.
Une tente à oxygène pour le patient.
- Tout de suite.
- We'll get you an oxygen tent, it should make it easier on you.
You're staying here tonight.
I want everybody logged.
Symptoms, treatments, medical histories, if anything new comes in, let me know.
- When are you gonna be back? - As soon as I've got something.
Hi.
I'm Bob.
This is my first time in a hyperbaric chamber.
Alright, we're at pressure.
- Everybody okay? - Okay.
You okay? Hi, Maya.
Was it fun having a friend today? You're a real trooper.
Mommy is so proud of you.
Hi, I'm Bob Melnikov.
This is my first day here.
Erica Browne.
This is our third year at the foundation.
Maya's on her 80th dive.
She's pretty used to it.
- That's why she's so comfortable.
- She had an oxygen deficiency at birth.
Cerebral palsy? We're doing great, aren't we? How bout you? Yes.
Fine.
I hope the oxygen therapy will improve some of the memory loss that I'm having.
- It's pretty amazing, isn't it? - I hope so.
It's my first day, I don't know yet.
But it certainly works for some things.
That's why we keep coming back.
And you're seeing improvement? I mean, hoping for a miracle and not seeing the results you expected.
What makes you think that we're not seeing results? Oh, well I'm a scientist and I've studied the clinical trial data that indicate that hyperbaric treatment has no effect on CP patients.
I don't need a clinical trial to tell me that my daughter is improving.
Sorry, I've done quite a bit of research.
So have I, Mr.
Melnikov.
I realize it's difficult to understand all the conflicting opinions.
- You're angry.
I didn't mean - Please don't tell me how I feel.
- I'm sorry.
- I've seen her - getting better.
- Of course Your daughter is at an age when she should be improving anyway.
That's what happens when CP kids are 6 or 7.
She's getting better every day.
Aren't you? Let's go away.
Bye, Maya.
I just confirmed it with Dr.
Chenard.
You got his case history? Manuel Danelon.
Italian.
Admitted after race day three.
Died at 6:02 PM of respiratory failure.
Shit.
Any new patients? Two.
And one's been in and out of a coma since he was admitted.
- I'm doing the best I can.
- Okay.
I'll shoot you what we got as soon as we get something.
Yeah, the sooner the better.
If you aren't too busy, I was wondering if there's still time for that physical? Get in here died at 6:02 PM of respiratory failure.
Shit.
Any new patients? Two.
And one's been in and out of a coma since he was admitted.
I'll shoot you what we got as soon as we get something.
The sooner the better.
- We all set? - Just waiting for you.
Compare these samples to all known lung infections: CAP, Eosinophilic pneumonia, everything.
I want to go viral too.
That's where the local doctor's heading.
Initial reports I've been getting show enterobacter and serratia in the cyclists' lungs.
- Nosocomial infection? In the hospital? - No, coming with them.
Getting hospital infection while racing? How's that happening? This is sounding like opportunistic bacteria taking advantage of weakened immune systems maybe damaged lungs.
But the riders aren't old, and they're certainly healthy.
Maybe their metabolisms are compromised.
Maybe they're getting a pre-race, at a meeting or something? Or it's doping? It's not likely.
Most doping drugs actually boost the immune system.
The point is, our cyclist's immune systems are getting weakened, an opportunistic bacteria is ripping apart their lungs.
Talking about it isn't gonna get us anywhere, let's get to work.
I think your mom is upset with me.
I didn't want her to think that she'd made a mistake.
It's just that That was a very good dive, Maya.
How do you feel? A little better? I'm glad you're here, Maya.
I'd be bored all by myself.
Say good-bye now.
See you tomorrow.
Actually, no.
This is our last treatment for a while.
Was it something I said? I'm sorry, I We'll be back as soon as we can.
Are you okay? I know you don't understand, but I really do believe the treatments work.
But they're expensive.
I know.
Please don't tell me I'm throwing my money away.
Erica, I didn't mean any disrespect yesterday.
I just didn't want you to have false hopes about Maya.
Try living with CP, see where you end up looking for hope.
I have a friend at McMaster University, he's leading a study on regenerating Good luck! Let's go, Maya.
What? Where the hell are you? At the Adele Seward Foundation.
Bob, not that fucking hyperbaric chamber shit.
It's not shit.
I just wanted to let you know where I am.
Everything's fine.
- We could really use you back here.
- I have four more dives scheduled What are you, Jacques Cousteau? David, this is very important to me.
Please understand.
Getting your memory back is important to me too, but if something comes up - I'll be wherever you want me.
- I don't want you there.
Good-bye, David.
Got a minute? Find Olivier Roth? I need to spin the death of Marianne Wiley.
Spin it? As far as the media is concerned, we're to blame.
That's bullshit.
I got better things to do with my time than spinning.
I don't want us to look bad.
She died and NorBAC, well, - we made the call on which drug to use.
- Alright, here it is.
We had 3 choices.
All three drugs had similar mechanisms for action, the Questlogic drug had less toxicity.
It was the least likely to cause harm.
So you're suggesting we blame Questlogic.
Nobody's to blame, it was an experimental drug, it was Marianne Wiley's only hope.
And it didn't work.
If anything, we were asked for our opinion too late.
So, you want to blame somebody, you can blame the Marines or that Hilliard guy for sticking his head in the sand.
Alright.
I can give that a try.
It's the truth, Carl.
I know that's hard for you to put out there, but gee, it just might work.
How's the book tour going? Terrific.
Flying off the shelves.
In fact before they're all gone, here's a little going away present.
Now go away.
Thank you.
I feel lucky.
I look forward to reading it.
Hello.
You're ringing.
Your phone.
Hello? Yeah, it's me.
What? Okay.
When? When? What time? - What's going on? - Okay, yeah, I'll be there.
The race is back on.
- What? - We're going again at ten.
No, Milo, you can't go back there again.
Mayko, I sacrificed a hell of a lot to get here.
If they say it's okay No, but they don't know what we're dealing with.
- Look, I'll be fine.
I gotta go.
- Milo, you I'll be fine, okay? Don't go Wish me luck.
Shit.
Yeah, David.
Shit.
Chenard, who said it was okay to race again? There was a committee, they met with Jean Charest.
- Wanna look at the X-rays? - Yeah.
- Welcome back.
- Anything new? Not yet.
Textbook.
All pneumonia.
All different bacteria.
- Something wrong with your machine? - Why? What's this? And here? Looks like your machine is leaking light.
Well, it's new.
Could be the film or the developer? I've never seen this before.
Maybe it's in their lungs.
Maybe something metallic? Something radioactive? That would definitely weaken the immune system.
But we'd see other signs.
But still, it's probably a good idea to get a full body X-ray.
Okay.
So, something airborne, maybe radioactive, got into their lungs? It could have got there through their bloodstream.
So we can't rule out it was something they ingested.
All food and drink tests are negative for toxins.
We can re-test for radioactivity.
What about other sources of radiation? Take a look at nuclear power plants, see if anything could have drifted here.
- Also, check for metals.
- Okay, we gotta track down an Mobile Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, perhaps? Yeah.
Hi.
- Your buddy with the Mobile Mass Spec? - Stephen Hattman? You think you can get it up here to Hibbard? - Sure.
I - Just get here right now, Bob.
Alright.
I'll call Stephen today.
Erica? Hi, Maya.
This is for you.
This is a list of the most promising CP therapy trials.
Supported by scientific evidence.
I love that word.
"Scientific".
Coffee is bad for you, then suddenly it's good for diabete and heart disease.
Echinacea does nothing, now they say it makes your cold shorter.
Wine is good.
No it isn't.
Is it good again? I can't remember.
Red wine is linked to cancer prevention and the antioxidants may offer modest protection against heart disease.
Do you have some kind of on-off button, where you can sound like a human being with emotion? Or are you permanently programmed in scientist mode? Look, science is difficult and it's often misinterpreted, and we change our minds when new evidence is discovered.
Please.
I have hopes of my own.
But I have to balance those hopes with faith, faith in evidence because that's the best way to uncover knowledge.
That's why I brought these.
For you.
For Maya.
Good-bye, Maya.
Good-bye.
Everything's fine.
Yeah, everyone is gone.
We just have to remove the specimens and then we're done.
Yeah, we'll talk after I talk to David, after I leave NorBAC.
I'm very excited too.
I can't wait to see you.
Okay, bye.
Look, start ventilating SCID mice with each of the different bacterium.
- Let me know when we get any symptoms.
- You think it might be airborne? Nothing else is adding up.
Okay Look, we know that people are getting sick with different bacteria at different times, right? Maybe they're all cycling through the same thing.
Like some kind of poisonous cloud? Maybe Look, here's what I'm thinking.
Different bacterium have different growth rates, right? You get sick after 12 hours from bacterium X and you get sick after 18 hours with bacterium Y, etc.
- Right, so you want growth times.
- Yeah.
We work our way backwards, maybe we'll find a common spot on the course where this whole fucking thing started.
Let's find out where it lives, maybe we can find out what it is.
Let's hope.
I understand you're trying to shut us down again? I said I would tell you when you were good to go again.
Vous réagissez de façon excessive.
- Same to you, Marty.
- No, I said you're overreacting.
I'm told it's not even contagious! - We haven't ruled that out.
- Well, do you have anything? No, this time, the race will not stop.
NorBAC has jurisdiction here.
Not in Quebec.
Nor does Ottawa.
I have the piece of paper this time.
The government of Quebec says the race will continue.
I don't give a shit what the government of He's one of the race officials.
Oh my God, Milo! No no no, wait wait wait! Hold on! Hold on! You wanna help him, you help me, alright? - Yeah.
- Okay, let's get back to work.
Okay.
Prelim analysis of the bacteria.
I'll call Hibbard.
I got an e-mail from Wes.
Yeah, he passed his physical.
He's strong enough to start the RNAi treatment.
- That's terrific.
- Yeah.
Fingers crossed, huh? I'm sure it's going to be fine.
You can always change your mind.
About what? Carlos has the detailed analysis of the bacterial growth curve from the first 18 cyclists, and I'm working on the others.
Thanks, Rachel.
So, have you managed to shut down the race yet? No, I'm having some problems with the race director.
We're gonna have to do this with the science.
Okay, first case, Alain Dubois.
Growth time, 12 hours.
Okay, what was his average speed per day of race? About 35 kilometers an hour, You head out to sleep, you start at 7, puts him back at kilometer 360.
- Okay, 360.
- Next.
- Christian Buzek - Oh, hang on a second.
Okay, this is it.
You keep working on graphing this with Mayko.
- Okay, Chrisian Buzek.
- Hello.
Oui.
Mon nom est David Sandstrà m.
Avec NorBAC.
NorBAC.
Oui je veux parler avec de ministre du Santé Madame Beaudoitte, Beaudette! Slow down.
S'il vous plaît ! You know what? I know you speak English better than I speak French so could youcut me some slack here? kilometer 355.
Don't give me attitude.
just tell the Madame to cancel the race, okay? The Tour Cyclo Quebec! Shut it down! Where's Wes when you need him? Wes couldn't speak French either.
Yeah but Wes knows you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Kilometer 380, 60, 61 Next? Look at the 42nd cyclist, Milo Cohen.
I figure him at about kilometer 420.
Okay, what are the numbers on the dead cyclist? Gabriel extrapolated onset of symptoms about 30 hours.
Okay, so that's two 6-hour cycling days.
Averaging 40 kilometers an hour, that's 480.
Putting him at first contact at kilometer 380.
Which means the point of infection is approximately Tuesday, five-ish Kilometer 396.
Yeah, but there's nothing really there.
Well, let's go look at nothing.
So when's it done? It's sampling the air all the time.
It separates every airborne molecule and tells us almost instantly what they are by measuring mass and charge.
Cool.
Ouh, see this? Silica particle, specific to the Sahara desert.
Picked it up just now.
- Here? But that's - 6,000 kilometers away.
Wow, that's crazy.
Yeah, but I doubt people are getting sick from inhaling sand.
Coal dust, some iron and minerals common to smelting.
There's also sodium, potassium, pollen, and some metallic particles in high concentrations.
Mostly an aluminum alloy.
And radioactive particles.
Minute traces.
Okay, so that's negative on all nuclear power plants.
The Americans have nothing to report and AEC says all CANDU reactors are clean.
The rest of the world's reactors equally pleased with themselves? Monitoring turned up nothing.
So maybe radiation got us looking the other way, and aluminum particles snuck in.
But how? From where? Aluminum chloride is used to manufacture compact fluorescent lamps, industrial glass, water treatment chemicals, filters, fire retardant, smoke suppressant, ceramics, hip replacements - What isn't it used for? - That's an even longer list.
We're in the middle of nowhere! It's got to be coming in from somewhere.
So I've sent you electron microscope images of the lung biopsy.
The dead cyclist had significant amounts of aluminum chloride in his lungs.
The microparticles can cause deep tissue damage.
This could easily allow a portal for the bacteria, it would affect the immune system.
We've got location and time.
We still haven't found the source.
- Industrial pollution? - There's not much up here.
But we did find traces of radioactivity though.
So what has aluminum chloride and is radioactive? I'll call you back.
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority reports no industrial or military leaks, explosions, you name it, they don't know about it.
DARPA's got an upper atmosphere bacteria detection program, but they don't use aluminum chloride.
Where the hell is it coming from? I've got something.
Actually three "somethings".
First, a dating on the aluminum.
It's approximately 40 years old.
- How do you know that? - Production of aluminum chloride has improved over the decades.
Impurities are the key.
The aluminum particles that we found had an impurity ratio of 7 to 1, consistent with the production in the mid 1960s.
Okay.
40-year-old aluminum.
What else? A dusting of sodium and potassium but I'm not sure what's the correlation.
Your third "something"? Elemental analysis shows that aluminum was impregnated with carbon.
So the aluminum may have been through a fire.
I looked into any chemical plants that may have gone up in flames, nothing.
But get this: The carbon with the aluminum chloride particles that we found was 78 % carbon-12 and 22 % carbon-13.
Meaning? Carbon with that ratio is never seen here on Earth.
Little green men in space ships? No, David.
But based on the carbon ratio, it had to have come from somewhere else.
There was that meteor that went down in Peru.
Yes! No They got sick from stuff that was kicked up by impact.
And meteors aren't made out of 40-year-old aluminum chloride.
Shit Of course.
So obvious.
- Hey Rachel, you there? - Yeah, I'm still here.
I'm on hold with one of Wes' NASA contacts.
- It's a little weird.
- What? Well, I'm in his office and it seems awfully empty.
Buy a plant.
What does NASA have to say? When are you gonna hire a replacement? I don't know.
What does NASA have to say? It's a long shot, but they're checking.
Although they do admit that there's over 4 million pounds of space junk orbiting Earth, so The US tracks more than 10,000 pieces of debris, anything four inches wide or larger.
Everything from nuts and bolts to an old telescope.
Let's say we're dealing with a 10,000 pound satellite, flying around for 40 years, bombarded by millions of small particles from meteorites and other space shit.
Those particles get fused to the satellite's aluminum.
- Nice.
- So, the satellite loses orbit, enters the atmosphere, burns up, and releases aluminum chloride, speckled with cosmic carbon.
Right.
The cyclists hit kilometer 396 and they pass right through that cloud.
They would have been breathing heavy from the climb.
Particles get into their lungs, cause tissue damage, lower their immune systems and open the door to opportunistic bacteria.
Hang on, David.
Yes? Really? Yes I will, thank you.
David? What do you got? So NASA did track a satellite that went down north of Nitchequon, at kilometer 396.
And when did it come down? The night before the second stage of the race.
When did it go up? - In 1966.
- There you go.
God, and NASA didn't think to warn anybody? - Is it one of their satellites? - They're still looking into it.
Shouldn't be too difficult, on average there's only two coming down every week.
Have Carlos call the local docs, let them know what we got: they must clean out the cyclists' lungs.
That should work over time.
Then call Parks Canada, have them close down the area till we can confirm aluminum chloride is dissipated.
See you soon.
You mind if I stick around another day? I'd like to know about the guy I dumped.
Take a couple.
Thanks.
Hey, babe.
- Am I too sick to kiss? - Definitely.
Otherwise you'd be all over me, right? No problem there.
So, where do you think you wanna go? What? You're gonna be out of here in a day or two, I thought you might want a bit more time to convalesce.
Yeah.
I know a great place in the Eastern Townships.
- Is there a bed? - Yeah.
And a floor.
- A kitchen table.
- Nice.
A porch, a bathtub.
A lot of places we can convalesce.
Sounds sweet.
You smell delicious.
Careful! What's in that? - Sea salt, flakes of red pepper - That's not what I taste.
Wanna taste again? Oh, that's my secret: Tequila! There's something else.
- Get taste, taste, taste.
- Wanna taste again? Okay, give me my finger back.
Now I know what I taste.
You! Well I always add a touch of Nina.
Nina Dr.
Melnikov? Nina.
We're gonna lower the pressure for you.
I know her name! Nina! Dr.
Melnikov, just hang on! We're gonna get you out of there! - Yeah, I'll be right there.
- What's wrong? Bob had a seizure last night.
You went into the chamber, ten minutes later, you're on the floor drooling.
David, I need to examine a real heart.
It's been embalmed.
I can't do anything with this! Wes wrote up an entire protocol on organ recovery.
- Why you want to do his job? - I don't want to do his job.
- I don't want anybody to screw it up.
- So you did.
Listen, that was fun the other night, we should get together.
You feel like flying up for the weekend? Lefelin was designed to lower the immune response in people who suffer from autoimmune diseases.
But, for an unknown reason, it raises the likelihood of congestive heart failure.
Another death in a Lefelin patient.
What if that's just the tip of the iceberg and next year it's 6,000? - Lefelin will remain on the market.
- That's insane! My wife is dying because of Lefelin! I want that drug's withdrawal.
I knew you could do it.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established medical treatment.
There's evidence that it can help with intracranial abscess, an increase of pus in the brain.
- That's what you've got? - I think so.
Bob, sorry about what happened on the roof.
Get better, Wes, okay? What's in Sweden? They're using RNAi to stop the hep-C virus.
Can I get into those trials? You're in! Well, I'm on my bike like five nights a week, I thought it might be fun to go for a ride after work together some time.
I hear you're off to Sweden, great.
Everywhere you look, you can think of me.
Here you go.
You're not quitting, Wes.
- Yes I am.
- You'll be back.
What do you mean they haven't stopped the race? No, listen, over two dozen people with lung infections is not an isolated incident.
That is what we call an outbreak.
I don't give a shit about your sponsors.
Alright, listen to me.
The Tour Cyclo Quebec is over.
Oh yeah? Watch me.
Maudits Québécois.
This directive is from Ottawa? - It's pretty official, don't you think? - Not in Quebec.
Let's not go there.
- Mr.
Sandstorm - Sandstrà m.
Martin Riopel.
I've been directing this race for 14 years.
Riders have been sick from flu, colds, dehydration, we've had snow.
It's all part of the challenge.
- What if it's another SARS outbreak? - Is it? - That's what we'll figure out.
- I'm not canceling the race.
I just want to put it on hold till we know what's going on.
- Nothing is going on.
- Oh really? Mayko! Nine riders, absent, failed to appear for the race.
have been admitted to hospital.
They're just too sick to ride.
I'd say something was going on.
What do you think, Mayko? I'd say there's something going on.
- Ceci est ridicule ! - You said it, Martin.
Oh boy ReGenesis Team NorBAC Bbsiocnarf, Dapitch666, Enelea Linwelin, Michvanilly, MiKL Transcript Version NoTag 1.
0 Just relax, Bob.
I'm very relaxed, Dr.
Petras.
Let your mind go.
I know you did some wonderful things for Mayko.
With her phantom limb.
I appreciate you seeing me.
But this isn't working.
That's okay.
Some individuals simply don't respond to hypnosis.
It's my Asperger's, isn't it? Well, we might want to consider your memory loss as an internal, neurological block.
The MRI didn't show any brain damage.
That's what I've been told.
I consulted with your neurologist.
Did he also tell you that an MRI doesn't show if the synapses have stopped communicating with one another.
He did.
He believes that your neural pathways aren't functioning as they used to.
I won't have surgery again.
I can't do it.
- I just can't go through with - Okay.
Okay.
I understand.
Carlos, these are my notes on David's report on that drug, Lefelin.
He wanted you to have a read, and check the literature.
When does he go in front of the FDA? Next week.
- I'll get on it tonight.
- Hopefully it doesn't put you to sleep.
Rachel? Have you heard from Wes? No, not yet.
But he should be landing in Stockholm any minute so Please, give him my best.
I never had a chance to say goodbye.
Yeah, well, you can You can say "hello" when he gets back.
True.
- Hello.
- Hey, Carlos.
David.
How's it going out there? Well, we're not the most popular scientists on the block.
Je te remercie infiniment, mon ostie de niaiseux.
Merci beaucoup.
I've been called an "asshole" in about ten different languages so far.
- Have you been to the hospital yet? - No, we're still checking the riders.
We should get there this afternoon.
I'll be bringing some samples back to the lab tonight.
Das ist das Arschloch, daà das Rennen gestoppt hat.
Danke schà n.
Make that "asshole" in eleven different languages.
Okay, adios cabron.
There, now you have twelve.
Here, here's a list of symptoms.
If you have any questions You're welcome.
Just trying to stop an epidemic.
- You don't think that's a good idea? - Milo.
What are you doing here? Well, the sexy outfit here doesn't give it away? It's nice to see you, how are you? I'm good, I'm better.
- Yeah? - And you? What happened to Israel and Palestine and saving the world? I had to put that on hold for a while.
Yeah.
I've been training for this for 3 months now.
You don't think we should shut down the race? You're the pro from NorBAC, you tell me.
It's got a lot of people worried, this thing.
Especially with these SARS-like symptoms.
- They think it's SARS? - No no, SARS-like symptoms.
We've still got a bunch of tests to run and people to check out.
- How are you feeling? - Rock and roll, you know.
Wow.
Great.
That's like That's, what? That puts you in the top third? Sorry, no I mean, you know, the race is young.
Once we figure this out you've got plenty of time to take that yellow jersey.
Especially if these other guys keep dropping out.
I should probably give this to you.
We've set up an emergency checkup station in Hibbard.
I'm fine.
- No, you should get checked out.
- I'm fine.
Just to be safe, Milo.
- Okay, Doc.
- Just take it.
It's, it's nice seeing you.
Is there any chance of having that be like a personal exam? - Yeah, I can arrange that.
- Mayko! - We gotta get to the hospital.
- Dr.
Sandstrà m, how are you? Milo Cohen.
I used to come by NorBAC, I was a bike courier.
Actually, I came to your house once for dinner.
The guy Mayko dumped 'cause you wanted to run off and join the Peace Corps? It was good to see you.
Call about that check-up.
- Let's go.
- Different guy? I hate uncertainty.
Without memory of your past, there will be uncertainty about who you really are.
But really we're just talking about a 3 month period in your life.
A period perhaps of some extreme physical and mental distress.
I don't know.
Well, from what you told me, you've already blacked out, hearing loss, you've experienced sensations of falling.
So, what do you suggest? We've already tried imipramine, hypnosis, cognitive behavior experiments.
- And if surgery is off the table.
- It is.
Then, to be honest, you're just gonna have to give it time.
But there's something I don't have the time.
I have to Let nature take its course, if you want, we can continue to meet weekly.
What do you think about hyperbaric chambers? Could they be helpful? Where did that come from? What do you think? Well, I guess it's harmless.
Although, breathing high-pressure oxygen for an extended period of time probably isn't a good idea.
But the therapy has been approved for some specific conditions: embolisms, carbon monoxide poisoning, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic problems where blood flow is reduced or cut off.
- Sounds like you know more than I do.
- If I have an infection, high oxygen level may kill the bacteria, decrease the swelling in my brain, and may improve my memory.
Maybe Or make it worse.
They all have fever, shallow breath, chest pain, and coughs.
- Mucus? - Some rust-colored, others green.
- Did you get the PCR? - 13 different bacteria - from 13 different riders.
- Really? And it's not contagious? The underlying cause could be, the bacteria could be secondary.
- You're thinking that it's viral? - That's how we're treating it.
- Are the antivirals working? - Not yet.
- And it's just in the cyclists? - So far no locals have been infected.
Alright let's take a look.
Greg Fitzimmons, 24.
- Admitted this morning.
- Hey, Greg, how you doing? Feels like I got a ton of bricks on my chest.
We have him on 200 milligrams of Amantadine.
Intravenous fluids.
That's about all we can do.
It's not helping.
Were you sick before the race? I never get sick.
Have you tested for steroids? I never use that shit.
- I just can't breathe.
- Alright.
Une tente à oxygène pour le patient.
- Tout de suite.
- We'll get you an oxygen tent, it should make it easier on you.
You're staying here tonight.
I want everybody logged.
Symptoms, treatments, medical histories, if anything new comes in, let me know.
- When are you gonna be back? - As soon as I've got something.
Hi.
I'm Bob.
This is my first time in a hyperbaric chamber.
Alright, we're at pressure.
- Everybody okay? - Okay.
You okay? Hi, Maya.
Was it fun having a friend today? You're a real trooper.
Mommy is so proud of you.
Hi, I'm Bob Melnikov.
This is my first day here.
Erica Browne.
This is our third year at the foundation.
Maya's on her 80th dive.
She's pretty used to it.
- That's why she's so comfortable.
- She had an oxygen deficiency at birth.
Cerebral palsy? We're doing great, aren't we? How bout you? Yes.
Fine.
I hope the oxygen therapy will improve some of the memory loss that I'm having.
- It's pretty amazing, isn't it? - I hope so.
It's my first day, I don't know yet.
But it certainly works for some things.
That's why we keep coming back.
And you're seeing improvement? I mean, hoping for a miracle and not seeing the results you expected.
What makes you think that we're not seeing results? Oh, well I'm a scientist and I've studied the clinical trial data that indicate that hyperbaric treatment has no effect on CP patients.
I don't need a clinical trial to tell me that my daughter is improving.
Sorry, I've done quite a bit of research.
So have I, Mr.
Melnikov.
I realize it's difficult to understand all the conflicting opinions.
- You're angry.
I didn't mean - Please don't tell me how I feel.
- I'm sorry.
- I've seen her - getting better.
- Of course Your daughter is at an age when she should be improving anyway.
That's what happens when CP kids are 6 or 7.
She's getting better every day.
Aren't you? Let's go away.
Bye, Maya.
I just confirmed it with Dr.
Chenard.
You got his case history? Manuel Danelon.
Italian.
Admitted after race day three.
Died at 6:02 PM of respiratory failure.
Shit.
Any new patients? Two.
And one's been in and out of a coma since he was admitted.
- I'm doing the best I can.
- Okay.
I'll shoot you what we got as soon as we get something.
Yeah, the sooner the better.
If you aren't too busy, I was wondering if there's still time for that physical? Get in here died at 6:02 PM of respiratory failure.
Shit.
Any new patients? Two.
And one's been in and out of a coma since he was admitted.
I'll shoot you what we got as soon as we get something.
The sooner the better.
- We all set? - Just waiting for you.
Compare these samples to all known lung infections: CAP, Eosinophilic pneumonia, everything.
I want to go viral too.
That's where the local doctor's heading.
Initial reports I've been getting show enterobacter and serratia in the cyclists' lungs.
- Nosocomial infection? In the hospital? - No, coming with them.
Getting hospital infection while racing? How's that happening? This is sounding like opportunistic bacteria taking advantage of weakened immune systems maybe damaged lungs.
But the riders aren't old, and they're certainly healthy.
Maybe their metabolisms are compromised.
Maybe they're getting a pre-race, at a meeting or something? Or it's doping? It's not likely.
Most doping drugs actually boost the immune system.
The point is, our cyclist's immune systems are getting weakened, an opportunistic bacteria is ripping apart their lungs.
Talking about it isn't gonna get us anywhere, let's get to work.
I think your mom is upset with me.
I didn't want her to think that she'd made a mistake.
It's just that That was a very good dive, Maya.
How do you feel? A little better? I'm glad you're here, Maya.
I'd be bored all by myself.
Say good-bye now.
See you tomorrow.
Actually, no.
This is our last treatment for a while.
Was it something I said? I'm sorry, I We'll be back as soon as we can.
Are you okay? I know you don't understand, but I really do believe the treatments work.
But they're expensive.
I know.
Please don't tell me I'm throwing my money away.
Erica, I didn't mean any disrespect yesterday.
I just didn't want you to have false hopes about Maya.
Try living with CP, see where you end up looking for hope.
I have a friend at McMaster University, he's leading a study on regenerating Good luck! Let's go, Maya.
What? Where the hell are you? At the Adele Seward Foundation.
Bob, not that fucking hyperbaric chamber shit.
It's not shit.
I just wanted to let you know where I am.
Everything's fine.
- We could really use you back here.
- I have four more dives scheduled What are you, Jacques Cousteau? David, this is very important to me.
Please understand.
Getting your memory back is important to me too, but if something comes up - I'll be wherever you want me.
- I don't want you there.
Good-bye, David.
Got a minute? Find Olivier Roth? I need to spin the death of Marianne Wiley.
Spin it? As far as the media is concerned, we're to blame.
That's bullshit.
I got better things to do with my time than spinning.
I don't want us to look bad.
She died and NorBAC, well, - we made the call on which drug to use.
- Alright, here it is.
We had 3 choices.
All three drugs had similar mechanisms for action, the Questlogic drug had less toxicity.
It was the least likely to cause harm.
So you're suggesting we blame Questlogic.
Nobody's to blame, it was an experimental drug, it was Marianne Wiley's only hope.
And it didn't work.
If anything, we were asked for our opinion too late.
So, you want to blame somebody, you can blame the Marines or that Hilliard guy for sticking his head in the sand.
Alright.
I can give that a try.
It's the truth, Carl.
I know that's hard for you to put out there, but gee, it just might work.
How's the book tour going? Terrific.
Flying off the shelves.
In fact before they're all gone, here's a little going away present.
Now go away.
Thank you.
I feel lucky.
I look forward to reading it.
Hello.
You're ringing.
Your phone.
Hello? Yeah, it's me.
What? Okay.
When? When? What time? - What's going on? - Okay, yeah, I'll be there.
The race is back on.
- What? - We're going again at ten.
No, Milo, you can't go back there again.
Mayko, I sacrificed a hell of a lot to get here.
If they say it's okay No, but they don't know what we're dealing with.
- Look, I'll be fine.
I gotta go.
- Milo, you I'll be fine, okay? Don't go Wish me luck.
Shit.
Yeah, David.
Shit.
Chenard, who said it was okay to race again? There was a committee, they met with Jean Charest.
- Wanna look at the X-rays? - Yeah.
- Welcome back.
- Anything new? Not yet.
Textbook.
All pneumonia.
All different bacteria.
- Something wrong with your machine? - Why? What's this? And here? Looks like your machine is leaking light.
Well, it's new.
Could be the film or the developer? I've never seen this before.
Maybe it's in their lungs.
Maybe something metallic? Something radioactive? That would definitely weaken the immune system.
But we'd see other signs.
But still, it's probably a good idea to get a full body X-ray.
Okay.
So, something airborne, maybe radioactive, got into their lungs? It could have got there through their bloodstream.
So we can't rule out it was something they ingested.
All food and drink tests are negative for toxins.
We can re-test for radioactivity.
What about other sources of radiation? Take a look at nuclear power plants, see if anything could have drifted here.
- Also, check for metals.
- Okay, we gotta track down an Mobile Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, perhaps? Yeah.
Hi.
- Your buddy with the Mobile Mass Spec? - Stephen Hattman? You think you can get it up here to Hibbard? - Sure.
I - Just get here right now, Bob.
Alright.
I'll call Stephen today.
Erica? Hi, Maya.
This is for you.
This is a list of the most promising CP therapy trials.
Supported by scientific evidence.
I love that word.
"Scientific".
Coffee is bad for you, then suddenly it's good for diabete and heart disease.
Echinacea does nothing, now they say it makes your cold shorter.
Wine is good.
No it isn't.
Is it good again? I can't remember.
Red wine is linked to cancer prevention and the antioxidants may offer modest protection against heart disease.
Do you have some kind of on-off button, where you can sound like a human being with emotion? Or are you permanently programmed in scientist mode? Look, science is difficult and it's often misinterpreted, and we change our minds when new evidence is discovered.
Please.
I have hopes of my own.
But I have to balance those hopes with faith, faith in evidence because that's the best way to uncover knowledge.
That's why I brought these.
For you.
For Maya.
Good-bye, Maya.
Good-bye.
Everything's fine.
Yeah, everyone is gone.
We just have to remove the specimens and then we're done.
Yeah, we'll talk after I talk to David, after I leave NorBAC.
I'm very excited too.
I can't wait to see you.
Okay, bye.
Look, start ventilating SCID mice with each of the different bacterium.
- Let me know when we get any symptoms.
- You think it might be airborne? Nothing else is adding up.
Okay Look, we know that people are getting sick with different bacteria at different times, right? Maybe they're all cycling through the same thing.
Like some kind of poisonous cloud? Maybe Look, here's what I'm thinking.
Different bacterium have different growth rates, right? You get sick after 12 hours from bacterium X and you get sick after 18 hours with bacterium Y, etc.
- Right, so you want growth times.
- Yeah.
We work our way backwards, maybe we'll find a common spot on the course where this whole fucking thing started.
Let's find out where it lives, maybe we can find out what it is.
Let's hope.
I understand you're trying to shut us down again? I said I would tell you when you were good to go again.
Vous réagissez de façon excessive.
- Same to you, Marty.
- No, I said you're overreacting.
I'm told it's not even contagious! - We haven't ruled that out.
- Well, do you have anything? No, this time, the race will not stop.
NorBAC has jurisdiction here.
Not in Quebec.
Nor does Ottawa.
I have the piece of paper this time.
The government of Quebec says the race will continue.
I don't give a shit what the government of He's one of the race officials.
Oh my God, Milo! No no no, wait wait wait! Hold on! Hold on! You wanna help him, you help me, alright? - Yeah.
- Okay, let's get back to work.
Okay.
Prelim analysis of the bacteria.
I'll call Hibbard.
I got an e-mail from Wes.
Yeah, he passed his physical.
He's strong enough to start the RNAi treatment.
- That's terrific.
- Yeah.
Fingers crossed, huh? I'm sure it's going to be fine.
You can always change your mind.
About what? Carlos has the detailed analysis of the bacterial growth curve from the first 18 cyclists, and I'm working on the others.
Thanks, Rachel.
So, have you managed to shut down the race yet? No, I'm having some problems with the race director.
We're gonna have to do this with the science.
Okay, first case, Alain Dubois.
Growth time, 12 hours.
Okay, what was his average speed per day of race? About 35 kilometers an hour, You head out to sleep, you start at 7, puts him back at kilometer 360.
- Okay, 360.
- Next.
- Christian Buzek - Oh, hang on a second.
Okay, this is it.
You keep working on graphing this with Mayko.
- Okay, Chrisian Buzek.
- Hello.
Oui.
Mon nom est David Sandstrà m.
Avec NorBAC.
NorBAC.
Oui je veux parler avec de ministre du Santé Madame Beaudoitte, Beaudette! Slow down.
S'il vous plaît ! You know what? I know you speak English better than I speak French so could youcut me some slack here? kilometer 355.
Don't give me attitude.
just tell the Madame to cancel the race, okay? The Tour Cyclo Quebec! Shut it down! Where's Wes when you need him? Wes couldn't speak French either.
Yeah but Wes knows you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Kilometer 380, 60, 61 Next? Look at the 42nd cyclist, Milo Cohen.
I figure him at about kilometer 420.
Okay, what are the numbers on the dead cyclist? Gabriel extrapolated onset of symptoms about 30 hours.
Okay, so that's two 6-hour cycling days.
Averaging 40 kilometers an hour, that's 480.
Putting him at first contact at kilometer 380.
Which means the point of infection is approximately Tuesday, five-ish Kilometer 396.
Yeah, but there's nothing really there.
Well, let's go look at nothing.
So when's it done? It's sampling the air all the time.
It separates every airborne molecule and tells us almost instantly what they are by measuring mass and charge.
Cool.
Ouh, see this? Silica particle, specific to the Sahara desert.
Picked it up just now.
- Here? But that's - 6,000 kilometers away.
Wow, that's crazy.
Yeah, but I doubt people are getting sick from inhaling sand.
Coal dust, some iron and minerals common to smelting.
There's also sodium, potassium, pollen, and some metallic particles in high concentrations.
Mostly an aluminum alloy.
And radioactive particles.
Minute traces.
Okay, so that's negative on all nuclear power plants.
The Americans have nothing to report and AEC says all CANDU reactors are clean.
The rest of the world's reactors equally pleased with themselves? Monitoring turned up nothing.
So maybe radiation got us looking the other way, and aluminum particles snuck in.
But how? From where? Aluminum chloride is used to manufacture compact fluorescent lamps, industrial glass, water treatment chemicals, filters, fire retardant, smoke suppressant, ceramics, hip replacements - What isn't it used for? - That's an even longer list.
We're in the middle of nowhere! It's got to be coming in from somewhere.
So I've sent you electron microscope images of the lung biopsy.
The dead cyclist had significant amounts of aluminum chloride in his lungs.
The microparticles can cause deep tissue damage.
This could easily allow a portal for the bacteria, it would affect the immune system.
We've got location and time.
We still haven't found the source.
- Industrial pollution? - There's not much up here.
But we did find traces of radioactivity though.
So what has aluminum chloride and is radioactive? I'll call you back.
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority reports no industrial or military leaks, explosions, you name it, they don't know about it.
DARPA's got an upper atmosphere bacteria detection program, but they don't use aluminum chloride.
Where the hell is it coming from? I've got something.
Actually three "somethings".
First, a dating on the aluminum.
It's approximately 40 years old.
- How do you know that? - Production of aluminum chloride has improved over the decades.
Impurities are the key.
The aluminum particles that we found had an impurity ratio of 7 to 1, consistent with the production in the mid 1960s.
Okay.
40-year-old aluminum.
What else? A dusting of sodium and potassium but I'm not sure what's the correlation.
Your third "something"? Elemental analysis shows that aluminum was impregnated with carbon.
So the aluminum may have been through a fire.
I looked into any chemical plants that may have gone up in flames, nothing.
But get this: The carbon with the aluminum chloride particles that we found was 78 % carbon-12 and 22 % carbon-13.
Meaning? Carbon with that ratio is never seen here on Earth.
Little green men in space ships? No, David.
But based on the carbon ratio, it had to have come from somewhere else.
There was that meteor that went down in Peru.
Yes! No They got sick from stuff that was kicked up by impact.
And meteors aren't made out of 40-year-old aluminum chloride.
Shit Of course.
So obvious.
- Hey Rachel, you there? - Yeah, I'm still here.
I'm on hold with one of Wes' NASA contacts.
- It's a little weird.
- What? Well, I'm in his office and it seems awfully empty.
Buy a plant.
What does NASA have to say? When are you gonna hire a replacement? I don't know.
What does NASA have to say? It's a long shot, but they're checking.
Although they do admit that there's over 4 million pounds of space junk orbiting Earth, so The US tracks more than 10,000 pieces of debris, anything four inches wide or larger.
Everything from nuts and bolts to an old telescope.
Let's say we're dealing with a 10,000 pound satellite, flying around for 40 years, bombarded by millions of small particles from meteorites and other space shit.
Those particles get fused to the satellite's aluminum.
- Nice.
- So, the satellite loses orbit, enters the atmosphere, burns up, and releases aluminum chloride, speckled with cosmic carbon.
Right.
The cyclists hit kilometer 396 and they pass right through that cloud.
They would have been breathing heavy from the climb.
Particles get into their lungs, cause tissue damage, lower their immune systems and open the door to opportunistic bacteria.
Hang on, David.
Yes? Really? Yes I will, thank you.
David? What do you got? So NASA did track a satellite that went down north of Nitchequon, at kilometer 396.
And when did it come down? The night before the second stage of the race.
When did it go up? - In 1966.
- There you go.
God, and NASA didn't think to warn anybody? - Is it one of their satellites? - They're still looking into it.
Shouldn't be too difficult, on average there's only two coming down every week.
Have Carlos call the local docs, let them know what we got: they must clean out the cyclists' lungs.
That should work over time.
Then call Parks Canada, have them close down the area till we can confirm aluminum chloride is dissipated.
See you soon.
You mind if I stick around another day? I'd like to know about the guy I dumped.
Take a couple.
Thanks.
Hey, babe.
- Am I too sick to kiss? - Definitely.
Otherwise you'd be all over me, right? No problem there.
So, where do you think you wanna go? What? You're gonna be out of here in a day or two, I thought you might want a bit more time to convalesce.
Yeah.
I know a great place in the Eastern Townships.
- Is there a bed? - Yeah.
And a floor.
- A kitchen table.
- Nice.
A porch, a bathtub.
A lot of places we can convalesce.
Sounds sweet.
You smell delicious.
Careful! What's in that? - Sea salt, flakes of red pepper - That's not what I taste.
Wanna taste again? Oh, that's my secret: Tequila! There's something else.
- Get taste, taste, taste.
- Wanna taste again? Okay, give me my finger back.
Now I know what I taste.
You! Well I always add a touch of Nina.
Nina Dr.
Melnikov? Nina.
We're gonna lower the pressure for you.
I know her name! Nina! Dr.
Melnikov, just hang on! We're gonna get you out of there! - Yeah, I'll be right there.
- What's wrong? Bob had a seizure last night.
You went into the chamber, ten minutes later, you're on the floor drooling.
David, I need to examine a real heart.
It's been embalmed.
I can't do anything with this! Wes wrote up an entire protocol on organ recovery.
- Why you want to do his job? - I don't want to do his job.
- I don't want anybody to screw it up.
- So you did.
Listen, that was fun the other night, we should get together.
You feel like flying up for the weekend? Lefelin was designed to lower the immune response in people who suffer from autoimmune diseases.
But, for an unknown reason, it raises the likelihood of congestive heart failure.
Another death in a Lefelin patient.
What if that's just the tip of the iceberg and next year it's 6,000? - Lefelin will remain on the market.
- That's insane! My wife is dying because of Lefelin! I want that drug's withdrawal.