Part 6
The four adventurers landed softly on a field of grass. Rembrandt didn't waste time landing on the Professor again, plowing into the hapless Englishman. Wade and, eventually, Quinn tumbled out of the vortex as well.
"I can understand your affinity for soft landings, Mr. Brown, but kindly avoid slamming into me quite so hard next time!!" Arturo bellowed.
Rembrandt had a hard time keeping a straight face, but in his typical style, said, "Sorry about that, Professor. I just couldn't see where I was headed."
As the Professor continued his usual complaining, the other sliders took a look at their surroundings. "What is this? Some kind of nature park?" Quinn asked with a tone of amazement in his voice. There were no words to describe the wonder of what he was seeing. If there was anything to compare it to, it would be the Garden of Eden. Beautiful green pastures stretched as far as the eye could see as Alpine mountains loomed beyond the horizon. A picturesque river flowed a few hundred yards in front of them. Trees grew everywhere, each bearing bountiful fruit.
"If it is, it's the most beautiful one I've ever seen," Wade replied to Quinn. "It doesn't even seem like we could be in California."
"Yes, this whole area resembles Switzerland more than San Francisco." The Professor seemed just as pleased as the others.
"Yeah, it looks like another world of beautiful scenery and no danger in sight. That I could handle." Rembrandt gave out a small chuckle.
Quinn couldn't help but let some skepticism through. "I wouldn't count on this place being paradise yet, guys. Check out the main house. Somebody lives here, and they may not be too friendly."
"Some house. More like a mansion." Wade was still in awe of this place and wasn't about to let Quinn spoil her fun.
As if on cue from Quinn's words, a grizzled old man exited the house. "Who goes there?" he called out, in a voice reminiscent of Walter Brennan's.
"Excuse me, sir," the Professor started. "We were not aware we were trespassing."
"Trespassing?" The old man laughed. "Trust me, if you're here, you're not trespassing. But I'm getting ahead of myself, we haven't even been properly introduced. I'm Theodosius Barnes."
The Professor shook his hand. "I am Professor Maximilian Arturo and these are my companions: Miss Wade Wells, Mister Rembrandt Brown and..."
"Quinn Mallory," Theodosius interrupted. Getting odd looks from the foursome, he continued, "I've met you before, Mister Mallory. Many times."
Quinn still had that perplexed look on his face. "Do you...own all of this?"
"Own? Nobody owns the Haven. I'm just the caretaker here." He broke into a wide grin that showed he had a few teeth missing.
"The Haven?" Rembrandt asked. "What's that?"
"It's a resting place," Mr. Barnes explained. "for people like you."
"People like us?" the Professor said. "You mean.."
"Sliders." Theodosius finished for him. "Don't act so surprised. You've clearly encountered others who possessed that ability throughout your journey. Yes, sir, after sliding randomly for as long as you have, you four need a nice, relaxing vacation."
All four of the sliders had puzzled expressions on their faces. They had never encountered something quite like this before. Rembrandt recovered enough to ask, "How long are we here, Q-ball?"
Quinn looked down at the timer in shock. No number display lit up to tell them how long until the next slide. "What is this???" Quinn exclaimed, holding the timer up so that Thedosius could see it.
"A blank check, if you will," he responded. "It allows you to leave this world anytime you desire. A window of opportunity is always open."
Quinn didn't think his face could register this many levels of stunned, but it seemed to be managing just fine. He shared a look with Rembrandt that showed similar shades of despair and hope. Both looked over the pleasant expressions of their new companions and knew the trouble they were in.
End Part 6
