“As good as we can hope for. I just came from the computer lab. Before that, I was in the infirmary observing the autopsy. The first assessment was correct – Miller suffered a seizure during the experiment. During the seizure, the IV catheter that supplies the SF016 was ripped out of her arm. A mix of blood and SF016 leaked out and ran off onto the mattress. Because of the anticoagulant we have in the formula, she bled a bit more than usual. It leaked through the door and directly into the power supply for the life support systems. It shorted out and started a fire.”

Cowan paused to make sure Matt was following the chain of events and when he saw the man nod his head, he continued. “The main computers for the chamber detected the heat and cut power to the capsule, including the computer. Then the fire burned itself out. With the power out to the capsule, the SF016 pump stopped. With the life support off Miller died quickly,” concluded Cowan.

“So, why the seizure?” asked the Colonel. “They all had physicals, and I re-checked her medical history after our meeting this morning. There was no history of seizures.” Anxiety was evident in the Colonel's voice and Cowan could understand why, if the seizure was a result of something to do with the Sleep Process, it could be disastrous for the entire project.

“When the infirmary notified her next of kin, they spoke to her mother. Apparently, she experienced a seizure three days before the experiment. The first seizure she'd ever had. Rhonda didn't say anything to us, because she didn't want to get kicked out of the program. During the autopsy, they removed a golf ball size mass from her brain,” Cowan explained.

Matt lifted an eyebrow. “A brain tumor? So if she hadn't had this tumor, she'd still be alive?”

“There are no indications of malfunctions or failures in the system which led to this problem. The only system failure occurred after her IV was ripped out and her blood and the SF016 shorted out the computer. I already have the team working on a redesign of the interior access door to the electronics bay, to prevent things from leaking into the electronics. This is something we never anticipated. A leak in a urinary catheter could lead to the same thing,” explained Cowan.

“All right,” Fitch said. “I feel better now that I understand the details. With this information in mind, how would you rate the outcome of this experiment?”

“In all honesty, it was a huge success. We expected minor issues would need to be addressed, and that's what we have,” Cowan said.

“Even though we have a fatality?”

“Absolutely!” Cowan said defensively. “Miller failed to disclose that there was a medical issue. The experiment didn't worsen her situation! You can't blame the sleep project because she screwed up. The drugs and the hardware performed as designed.”