After long years of research and gaining the nickname Mad Scientist, he hit a wall in his lifelong achievement, the human mind and body‘s limitations. However, he would not give up and kept looking for different methods of testing, eliminating risks and side effects.

This long and consuming research was taking a toll on him. Some of his colleagues were worried, especially Professor Frank Lindberg, Steve’s closest friend. He decided to take Steve to a party, where he introduced him to some of the most prominent women in the medical field. Among them was a gorgeous nurse named Nelle. It was love at first sight when he saw her. Steve broke away from his research and made Nelle his new priority. They were married seven months later, and about two years into their marriage, Merrill was born. Seven months after Merrill was born Steve resumed his obsession.

Professor Lindberg, who always preferred to be called by Frank, his first name, knew what Steve was working on and although he didn’t agree with him, he stood by him. While Steve was working and Nelle was preparing for the baby, Frank had traveled to Italy, where he met an astrophysics expert who told him a fascinating story about a mysterious mechanism found in The Empty Quarter. Of course, Frank dismissed the story as a joke.

When he retuned to the states, he went to visit Steve. He brought some toys for Merrill, since he had been informed of her birth and was happy for them. When he arrived, Steve and Nelle welcomed him with open arms. They talked a little before Frank was shown to the bedroom where Merrill was sleeping. Then they moved to the backyard, where Frank told Steve the wonders of his trip to Italy, including meeting Feliche, the Italian astrophysics expert.

Frank was hesitant to tell Steve about the mechanism Feliche had told him about. He knew if he told him, Steve was not going to think of it as a joke, but rather something he was going to pursue to see if it was true or not. He decided to make no mention of it, but eventually he would. Frank resumed his assignments at the university. He also covered for Steve for a few months, since Steve had taken a short leave of absence to spend more time with Nelle and Merrill.

Steve later went home and told Nelle of the emergency trip he was taking to Italy. Not knowing what was really going on, Nelle was happy for Steve and wished him the best. The night before Steve was to depart to Italy, he spent as much time with Merrill as possible, since he didn't know when he would see her again. Once he put Merrill to sleep, Steve spent the rest of the night with his beloved Nelle.

The following morning, while the two persons he loved the most were asleep, Steve left his home, not knowing when he would return. Frank picked him up to take him to the airport. On the way, Frank gave Steve Feliche’s contact information in Italy.

However, Feliche still kept some information about the project from Steve. At the end of the day, Feliche took Steve to a prestigious hotel where he was going to be staying before the project began. The following day, Steve called Nelle and told her about the flight and the wonders of Italy. Nelle was very happy for him. Afterwards, Steve called Frank and told him how everything was going. Frank was happy, and thought of asking Steve about the project, but then realized that it was too early to be asking questions related to the project.

The next morning, Feliche took Steve to a testing lab, to see if he was as proficient as Frank had claimed. Steve proved to be much better than Frank had described, and was ready within days, instead of the usual two-month testing period. Feliche noticed that Steve was highly capable and quick to learn, he wondered if perhaps Frank had been modest in his description of Steve.

Afterwards, as usual, Feliche took Steve back to his hotel. Before leaving, Feliche told Steve that he was going to introduce him to the scientist leading the special project, but he needed to confirm it. Steve now stood on the side walk in front of the hotel, while looking on as Feliche's vehicle drove off.

Steve then went back to his hotel room, excited about meeting the scientist who could hold the answers to many of his questions. He was so trilled about the project, that he was not noticing the course in which he was heading. A course which one day leads him to make a hard decision that would permanently change the life of his only child, Merrill.