What if you found a portal to a parallel universe? What if you could slide into a thousand different dimensions. Where it's the same year and you're the same person, but everything else is different? What if that portal took everything you've ever held dear? And what if the nightmare never ends?
Starring:
"The Gathering: Beginnings"
-Quinn, Bennish nd Mary ran to Autumn's side. Nimbus spoke, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to startle you Miss Chandellor." "Who?" Quinn replied. "Meggan Chandellor. That is your companions name, is it not?" Autumn looked at this "thing" standing in front of her and spoke, "No. My name is Autumn Rahne Mallory." Nimbus's eyes widened. "Amazing! She looks exactly like Meggan. She must be an alternate, but what would have caused so great a divergence?" "Uhm . . .excuse me, but who are you?" Autumn asked. Nimbus removed his hat, bowed and spoke, "Nimbus Da' Trall at your service my lady." Quinn replied, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were with the Draconians." "As well you should, Mr. Mallory." Quinn's mind flashed with those words. Nimbus's accent, he sounded so much like the Professor. Conrad Bennish Jr. spoke, "Why are you here, Mr. . . . Nimbus?" "Simple. To overthrow the Draconian Empire."
-Andrew Summers paced about upon the "deck" of his traveller unit DALIUS. "What is taking him so long?" {Andrew. Calm yourself. Nimbus will return soon. And he will be bringing guests.} "That's what worries me, DALIUS. . . . that's what worries me."
-"I am sorry. I had the opportunity to meet with you a few months back, but due to circumstances I will not go into, I was unable to approach you." "Why do you need me?" Quinn asked. "Simple Mr. Mallory. You are one of many pieces that must fall into place to bring about the downfall of the Empire. That is why you were singled out. From the moment they encountered you and your friends they knew you were a threat to them." "Why should I believe you?" Quinn asked. He wasn't sure how to take this "man". For all he knew, he could be with the Draconians. He certainly fit the motif. Nimbus spoke, "What if I told you, that your friends are safe? " Quinn's eyes widened, "How would you know?" Nimbus replied, "Why would I not? After all, I helped them escape."
-Quinn, Autumn, Bennish and Mary listened attentively to Nimbus's tale. The specifics of how he had come to be incarcerated by The Draconians and how he had helped Wade, Rembrandt and Arturo escape. For the first time in months Quinn felt relieved. His wife and friends were safe. "Where are they now?" Mary asked. Nimbus spoke, "That I am not sure of. There is the possibility they are back on what you refer to as Earth Prime. On the other hand, they may still be traveling through the multiverse." Quinn was quick to respond, "We have to find them!" "We will, Quinn," Autumn replied. She placed her hand on his shoulder. The tears began to well up in Quinn's eyes. He looked at Autumn and spoke, "I'm sorry . . .oh God . . .what have I become?" "It's okay Quinn. We understand," Autumn said. "It's just . . .it's so hard to think . . .I've been so frustrated. We've been looking for Wade and the others for months and all this time I've taken it out on you three. If only I could think clearly." Nimbus cocked an eyebrow . . . something about Quinn's words . . . had he not heard Cyrus speak of something they had done to Quinn? "I hate to interrupt your moment, but I would like to ask all of you to accompany me back to DALIUS." Mary responded, "What is a DALIUS?" Nimbus replied, "A Traveller unit. Please, come with me, all will be explained." Bennish and Mary looked to Quinn and Autumn. Quinn spoke, "He can help us. Let's go." Nimbus raised his wrist-com and spoke, "DALIUS. Lock onto the five signatures in this room and transport to the deck." The mechanized voice of DALIUS spoke from the wrist-com, {Nimbus, Andrew has become somewhat agitated since your departure. . . . I only hope he is prepared for this.} "As do I , DALIUS."
-The five figures appeared on the deck of the Traveller unit DALIUS. A mechanized voice spoke, {Welcome sliders. I am DALIUS. Let me know if I can assist you in any way.} "Thanks," Bennish said. "DALIUS is the Traveller unit?" Autumn asked. "Yes, he is completely sentient. Artificial intelligence to the next step. Although my HEBZABA unit was much more advanced." {AHEM. Would you please refrain from comparing me to your HEBZABA unit. It is somewhat disheartening.} "Sorry. I did not mean to offend." The doors to the deck slid open and Andrew Summers walked in. He was probably in his early twenties. Tall, brown hair, glasses. Yet, he looked as if he had seen more than any man ever. HE spoke, "What is with all of the secrecy Nimbus I thought . . . ." Andrew's eyes turned to Autumn. "Meggan? Oh my God. . . . " Andrew stepped towards Autumn, but Nimbus stopped him. "She is not Meggan Andrew. Meggan is dead. She is an alternate. Her name is Autumn Mallory." Andrew stopped and looked at Autumn. "But . . . " Nimbus placed his hand on Andrew's shoulder and spoke, "This is why I did not tell you. I knew what your reaction would be. We need their help. Please, Andrew, you must look beyond this. There is much to do." Andrew dropped his head and spoke, "I understand. Excuse me, I need some time to myself." Andrew left the deck and Autumn spoke, "What was that all about?" "It is a very long story but I will fill you in as best I can."
-"Meggan Chandellor was the only woman Andrew ever loved. The two were engaged, shortly after their engagement, Andrew was chosen to become a Traveller. Meggan encouraged him to do this. When Andrew returned from his training, he found his entire World had been destroyed. A comet had smashed into his world during his absence and destroyed everything. Meggan was dead . . . and with her a piece of Andrew's soul died. As far as I can tell, Autumn is an alternate of Meggan. Which would mean that the Chandellor's were alternate Mallory's perhaps." "No wonder he couldn't look at me. Is it a good idea for us to be here?" Nimbus replied, "Andrew will survive, he always does. He has a very strong spirit. He understands we have much work to do." "And that would be?" Quinn asked. "There are several others we must bring together to bring about the downfall of the Draconians. You four were only the beginning. Let the Gathering begin!"
