Predominance by H. I. Defaz

an action potential—in other words, they can't fire.”
    “Why not?” I asked, intrigued.
    “Well… they never have before,” Dr. Walker carried on with his explanation. “But that doesn't mean they're not trying. This conflict is producing an excessive amount of cranial pressure—and you already know what that leads to.”
    “All right,” Damian said. “So, you've found the source of the problem. What's the solution?”
    “We help them fire,” Dr. Walker answered simply.
    “How…?” Yvette asked, her brows creased with wonder.
    “I've developed a serum,” Dr. Walker explained. “It's called RC-1000. Once injected into the patient's bloodstream, it reaches the brain in a matter of seconds. From there, we monitor the attachment and penetration of the half-awakened cells by the serum. That helps us pinpoint their exact location. They will then be kindled by a predetermine amount of radiation, which in turn will generate enough action potential for them to fire.”
    “I'm sorry, but what does that mean?” young Billie asked, scratching his head.
    Tom smiled and patted Billie's back. “It means, a cure, son—a cure!” Billie and Yvette began to smile and celebrate with Tom, while Damian, Barbara, and I remained serious and skeptical. Dr. Walker scrutinized everybody's faces.
    “I'm sorry,” Damian said suddenly, shaking his head. “I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, but we haven't heard the downside of the procedure yet—and I'm sure it has one.”
    “Yeah, man. What's the catch?” Barbara sneered.
    Dr. Walker addressed Damian and ignored Barbara. “I'm sorry, but I don't understand exactly what you mean.”
    Damian twined his fingers and rested his elbows on the table. “I'm no doctor, but I do understand that every cell in the brain has a function, even if we don't know what that function is. What are the consequences of awaking these dormant cells that have never fired before? Aren't they dormant for a reason?”
    “We believe these cells have some sort of… regenerative properties. Once awakened, they might enhance your ability to heal, that's all.”
    “You believe…?” Damian repeated with a quizzical look on his face.
    Dr. Walker forced a smile that soon disappeared. “I was under the impression that you ladies and gentlemen understood that this is an experimental trial. We don't have all the answers yet, because there are no precedents. Hence the reason you're here. And though the results are promising, I have to remind you that there are no guarantees.”
    “So we are going to be the first ones to try this serum?” I asked.
    “Yes,” Dr. Walker answered curtly, seeming almost offended by our skepticism. “Now, I want all of you to understand this: Although you have been carefully selected for this procedure, up until this point you can still turn it down and walk away. If you decide to stay, however, you must do so with the understanding that my instructions are to be followed diligently and without question.” His eyes circled the table with a stern look. “If you are willing to accept these terms, I can schedule your procedures for as soon as tomorrow. If you're not, I urge you to speak now. Either way, I need a head count.” He stood at the long end of the table with his hands behind his back and waited.
    “I just want to get better,” Billie said forcefully, staring blankly at the table. “I'm staying.”
    Tom patted Billie on the back again and turned to Dr. Walker. “I'm in.”
    Barbara let out a long, put-upon sigh and answered, “Sure, man… whatever!”
    “I'm in, Doctor.” Yvette said confidently.
    Damian met Dr. Walker's stern gaze and considered for a moment. “Very well, then. Count me in.”
    “Victor?” Dr. Walker called.
    I couldn't help but smile tentatively. “Well, I didn't travel thirty-five hundred miles just to turn back, now did I? So I guess I'm staying, too.”
    And just like that, we all made the irrevocably decision to put our