Harper couldn't help his audible intake of breath and Bastien seized the moment to plunge on with his pitch.

"I see you have heard the rumors about it, they have been doing trials in the prison systems for years. But it's time to bring this dirty secret of medical science out into the light. I intend to be the one who makes it an honest and respectable treatment."

"Who could possibly be desperate enough to volunteer for this study, Bastien? I'm hardly surprised the ethics board tried to turn you down, the mortality risk is huge and the success rate suspect at best."

Bastien quieted for a moment, his next words were solemn and lacked his previous charisma.

"We have a group of volunteers, they are all prone to intense chronic seizures. Many of them will die within the year due to the increasing severity of the seizures... in fact one woman, my current patient, may not survive this week. Her seizures have become so frequent and so violent that, well, let's just say this therapy is the only thing left. She understands the risks, but without this therapy she will die. I know I can save her, Harper, I can save her and so many others..."

After a moment, Harper's face softened and he conceded.

"I'm sure you will, Bastien, I have never met anyone as maddeningly optimistic and driven as you."