KNOCK KNOCK
I woke to Kiara striking the door.
A thought pierced through me.
I had overlooked it.
Now it was the only thing I could see.
If that possibility existed—
"I can help Alicia."
Kiara stepped closer.
"How?"
"I developed CogniSynth.
A nanoprototype that interfaces directly with the hippocampus.
If she responds, there's a chance for full regression of Alzheimer's."
Liana entered, eyes bright.
"That's real? How?"
"Takashi," I called.
"Analyze Alicia's medical history.
Cross-reference with Project Jaburu's outcomes.
Calculate compatibility probability."
Seconds passed.
"Compatibility rate: eighty-seven percent."
A wide smile escaped me.
Two variables determined success:
Blood type.
Residual natural memory.
In advanced stages, CogniSynth maintained safety above eighty percent.
Below that, results destabilized.
And if it fails?
No.
It won't.
I trust what I built.
"Takashi, Liana — begin preparation."
I handed the nanochip to Liana.
Her expression carried fragile hope.
"Preparation requires one day.
Initial probing, two to three."
Kiara folded her arms.
"You're the physician here. I'll follow your lead.
But I accessed Takashi's nanosystem.
Your research stands at final-phase trials.
There's instability.
If something goes wrong — what happens to Alicia?"
"She remains stable.
CogniSynth stimulates neurogenesis.
Alzheimer's destroys hippocampal neurons.
At her stage, degeneration already plateaued."
Kiara held my gaze.
Measured.
I held it back.
She lifted her hand, dismissing tension.
"Fine. If you say so.
If it goes wrong, you explain to Alicia.
I'll be around."