She looked at her hands. Her dark eyes fell on the hand with the ring on it. he had promised...that he would return. He had promised...
  "Wade?"
  Wade Welles looked up from the couch. Had she really managed to doze off? She glanced at Diana Davis. She looked just as worn out as Wade as she walked over to the couch. She held out a hand.
  "It's late," Diana said. "Time to close out shop."
  "No change?" Wade asked.
  She knew the answer before Diana would say it. It would be no. Wade would be disappointed. Then she would go home to an empty bed.
  "No," Diana said. "Arturo just went home ten minutes ago."
  Wade stood up. She looked down at her feet, long dark hair getting in her face Quinn had promised he would get the others home. He would come back to her. And that had all been...
  "Five months," Wade said.
  "Almost," Diana corrected, leading Wade to the door. She managed a smile. "We'll find them."
  Wade looked at Diana as if she said the sky was pink. Then she stormed out the door.
  "Wade!" Diana yelled.
  Wade spun around. "How can you say that? We have no idea if they are alive or--"
  "Hey!" Diana snapped. "My husband is out there, too!" Diana's face softened. "I think we need to get some rest. we'll be at it again in the morning."
  Wade nodded. Diana's eyes widened.
  "I forgot something," Diana said. "See you tomorrow."
  "Yea," Wade said weakly.
  Wade turned to head down the hallway that led to the lab section of this building. She looked down again. Her eyes fell on the ring.
  "Quinn," she muttered.

  Okay, it was a lie. Still...Wade had been burning the midnight oil even more than Diana. Diana liked it because she was not alone. However, besides her and Professor Arturo...okay, Bennish occasionally...no one knew anything about the mechanics of sliding. Except for Quinn Mallory and Randy Heim. And they...
  Diana frowned as she opened the door. She had not turned off the light. She snapped on the light quickly.
  Diana's jaw dropped. Her eyes widened. Professor Darnell Brown stood over her desk.
  "What in the--" Diana started.
  Brown held up a hand. Diana suddenly grew light-headed. Then everything went black.

WHAT IF YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR WORLD? WHAT IF YOU COULD SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? PLACES WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

A WORLD WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS IN FULL SWING?

OR

A WORLD WHERE EVOLUTION TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN AND EVERYONE HAS POWERS?

OR

A WORLD WHERE YOU ARE A SECRET AGENT?

FIVE YEARS AGO, MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND THE GATEWAY. NOW...ALL WE WANT IS TO GO HOME.

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 6
EPISODE 1: BRAVE NEW POST-SLIDING WORLD (S6 season premiere)

  Quinn Mallory woke up. He looked around. Melissa Clark, Richard Hall, Rembrandt Brown, and Jules were unconscious, a result of Professor Brown knocking everyone out with a mental whammy. He looked over at the platform that held the slidecage's controls. Next to the rail was Rebecca Pryce. She was losing a lot of blood.
  Quinn looked up at the platform. There was a mini-sphere on top of the slidewave device Randy Heim had created. Needles shot out of it, creating spider legs for itself. It connected to the slidecage monitor. Randy had mentioned the mini-balls was set up to explode, destroying all sliding technology in the area. Quinn shot to his feet, running to get the PDL. His eyes widened.
  It...was gone. Brown must have taken it. Quinn ran up to the monitor.
  "Guys!" Quinn yelled. "Guys, wake up!"
  10...
  "What's going on?"
  9...
  Quinn looked to his left. He recognized. Thomas. Like Jules, he had stayed on the slidecage due to them having no sliding signature.
  "We need to get out of here!" Quinn yelled. "Wake the others!"
  As Thomas ran around to wake the others, Quinn snatched up the slidewave device. It was their only hope.
  "Wha--" Richard Hall muttered. He frowned at Thomas waking Melisa. "Who--"
  7...
  Quinn ran off the platform.
  6...
  Rembrandt sat up.
  "Remmy!" Quinn yelled, nodding his head. "Rebecca!"
  5...
  Rembrandt held up the injured Rebecca.
  4...
  Quinn didn't have time. He hit the switch. Orange light shot out of the spot.

  Quinn sat back in his chair. On the table in front of him was left of the slidewave device after that fateful day. It had landed them on another world. It also landed them in LA. Then it shorted out. Five months later, it might as well be useless.
  "So this is how you spend your days?"
  Quinn looked up. He had not realized someone had entered their room at the Chandler Hotel. Rebecca Pryce stood in the door. She slammed the door behind her.
  "I'm tried as hard as I could," Quinn said. "Bypassing. Creating. Fixing. This thing is shot."
  "Try harder," Rebecca said. "Randy is out there and--"
  "Well, my fiancee is back waiting!" Quinn snapped, shooting up. "I want this fixed even more than you. Besides...once it's fixed I don't even think we should go and find Randy."
  Rebecca's eyes narrowed. "What?"
  "He committed genocide with a whole race," Quinn said. "Maybe he got what--"
  "Excuse me?" Rebecca cut in. "Are you God? Are you even an Egghead?"
  "You may not have a choice in the matter," Quinn said.
  Rebecca stormed over to Quinn. She got in his face.
  "Neither...will you," Rebecca said.
  The door opened. Quinn looked over at it. Melissa Clark walked through the door, her hands full of bags.   "I just found this nice eatery and--"
  Melissa looked at them, her light brown hair tossing back. She took one look at the scene. She frowned.
  "Okay," Melissa said. "What just happened?"

  Rembrandt Brown looked over at Jules and Thomas. They were beside him, but a few steps ahead. They looked at the construction workers deep at work repairing the damaged building.
  Rembrandt frowned. It had been damaged by Kromagg manta ships. Five months in and this world was just now getting around to starting again.
  "Mr. Brown?"
  Rembrandt came out of his thoughts. Thomas and Jules had stopped walking. Their eyes were on him.
  "Yea, Thomas?" Rembrandt said.
  Thomas put his hands in his pockets.
  "Well...I'm sure your friend...Miss Beckett," Thomas said, "told you...I'm not into crowds. People. And with the slidecage destroyed...well..."
  Jules put a hand on Thomas's shoulder. He looked at Rembrandt. With the exception of a mustache, he still looked like the kid Rembrandt had befriended in the slidecage years ago.
  "Rembrandt," Jules said, "what Thomas is trying to say is...do you think Quinn might actually have his device made? If so...he would rather stay here."
  Rembrandt looked at Thomas. Thomas nodded. Rembrandt managed a grin.
  "I don't see why not," Rembrandt said. He looked at Jules. "What about you?"
  Jules opened his mouth to say something, but a loud sound echoed through the air. it grew longer Suddenly, motorcycles shot pat them. Thomas ran for a post office box. Rembrandt however looked at the riders. His eyes narrowed on them.
  "Looks like someone remembers gasoline," Jules commented. He frowned at Rembrandt. "What?"
  "Someone," Rembrandt said, "was Richard."

  Richard Hall did a wild yell. He had discovered the motorcycle a few months back. He got a waiter job and raised money for it...and the gas. Not many people had cars, the Kromaggs knocking the world back to riding horses. He loved riding it, his long brown hair blowing in the wind.
  He looked behind him. The other rider was gaining. Richard smirked. Then he pushed the throttle, speeding around the corner.
  Richard did a U-turn and charged back around the corner. The rider passed by him, his eyes widened in shock. Richard smirked as he passed by.
  Richard sped away. He was sure he would hear about it...later. Right now, he was the one with the bike.

  Richard pulled up outside the Chandler. He waited a moment. His fellow rider stopped next to him, pulling off his helmet.
  "You cheated!" the rider exclaimed.
  Richard looked at him. He knew him as Jared Heim, Randy's brother on most parallel worlds. Richard shrugged his shoulders.
  "If you can't hang with the big dogs...," Richard started.
  Jared stroked the stubble on his chin. "I know big boys, Boy Scout. You ain't it."
  "Well, you don't know me," Richard said.
  "From what you tell me," Jared said, "neither do you."
  Richard frowned. He was still getting used to...being himself. And the Richard Hall he knew...would have frowned. He laughed.
  "Well," Richard said, "you tell me you had a gang on another world. Separated when 'Maggs took over. Think they would disown you for losing."
  Jared smirked. "True. I have to find them first. Think your buds will have a prob with that?"
  "None."
  "Good," Jared said, starting his bike. "So Izzie and me will be at the usual place. You and Liz coming?"
  "Always."
  "Later then."
  The two of them knocked knuckles. Then Jared drove off. Richard watched him leave. He was definitely going to have to convince the others. given they had extra baggage anyway, how hard could it be?

  Melissa's eyes narrowed on Quinn.
  "How can you say that?" Melissa demanded.
  "Melissa--" Quinn started.
  "When you were in exile...when we needed help...Randy was there for you," Melissa said. "If he hadn't, you might not have even gotten close to Wade. Or worse, you would be dead due to Logan St. Clair."
  "Tell him," Rebecca said, next to Melissa.
  Melissa frowned at her. It was too weird being on the same side as Rebecca. She looked back at Quinn.
  "Besides," Melissa continued, "the Kromaggs were coming after him any way. It was him or them. You know it."
  "Maybe he's just jealous," Rebecca added.
  "Look, you two," Quinn said. "His actions almost got both of you killed. In fact, his actions are what started the Foundation. It's what caused me to lose my knowledge--"
  "Which Randy managed to get back for you," Melissa shot back.
  "Tell him," Rebecca cheered.
  "I'm not going to get him," Quinn said.
  "You owe him," Melissa said.
  "I owe him nothing," Quinn said. "What I do owe...is to get everyone home."
  "Don't you mean you need to get home to precious Wade?" Rebecca challenged.
  Quinn stared at Rebecca. His eyes narrowed.
  "That's a low blow," Quinn said.
  Melissa tilted her head. "Is she wrong?"
  The door flew open. Melissa turned. It was Richard. He looked around.
  "Okay," he said, "what's up?"

  Richard leaned back against the wall. Rembrandt sat on the couch with Jules and Thomas. Quinn was on one side of the room. Melissa and Rebecca were on the others. To Richard, it looked like a world war was about to start.
  "So what's going on, Q-ball?" Rembrandt asked.
  "What's going on," Quinn started, "is that a decision has to be made. The slidewave device is busted. I think we will have to break into the compound."
  "Whoa, whoa!" Thomas said, shooting up. "Break-in?"
  "If we are going to get the parts needed," Quinn said. "We'll need to get Kromagg equipment. After that..."
  "Yes, Quinn," Rebecca cut in, "what happens after that?"
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes narrowed on Quinn. Quinn glared at both of them.
  "Melissa and Rebecca would like to search for Randy," Quinn said. "I would like to find Earth Prime first."
  "Don't you mean get back to Wade?" Rebecca replied.
  "Now, Rebecca--" Rembrandt started.
  "Yes!" Quinn snapped. "I have no problem admitting I want to see my fiancee!"
  "And I want to see Randy," Rebecca said.
  "You must really love him," Jules commented.
  Richard frowned. Rebecca...love? She was mostly out for herself.
  "Rebecca is a conwoman, Jules," Quinn said. "She doesn't know what love is."
  "You piece of--" Rebecca started, moving forward.
  "Rebecca," Melissa said, grabbing Rebecca. She held Rebecca firm. Her eyes turned to Quinn. Remmy, Arturo...Wade...was out there, wouldn't you search for them?
  "None of them killed a race," Quinn replied.
  "He did what needed to be done!" Melissa snapped.
  "The Kromaggs could have been defeated without genocide!" Quinn snapped back.
  "I...find myself agreeing with Quinn," Thomas said. "I...the slidecage...it was dog-eat-dog. I watched...and I was happy just be doing that...until Miss Beckett..."
  "Yes...Maggie. Mallory," Quinn said. "I think we also owe it to Steve and Diana to tell them...they're gone."
  Richard pushed his anger down. Maggie and Mallory had both been killed by Mr. Stone wearing Richard's face. Stone had escaped from the Kromaggs' last stand. Now he was...who knew where.
  "Am I allowed to tell them?" Quinn demanded. "Or is this vetoed?"
  Melissa looked down. Richard could tell she was troubled.
  "Well, how are you breaking in?" Rebecca asked. "Sounds like you'll need major help. Have anyone with experience?"
  "We're helped each other out of jams before," Rembrandt said.
  "For Maggie...I can try," Thomas said.
  "I'll help where I can," Jules added.
  "Well, I guess that's decided," Quinn said.
  Rebecca glared at Quinn. Then she stormed out of the door. Richard stared after her. Then he headed over to Melissa. He reached her and started to put his arm around her. Melissa moved forward. She put her hands on her hips.
  "You don't have the right to do this," Melissa said. "Randy doesn't do anything without thinking. His destroying the 'Maggs versus how many people being enslaved has no weight. Look at this world! The Kromaggs had conquered it. Now they are free. Thanks to Randy. He deserves to see the good he did. Come on, Richard."
  Melissa stormed over to the door. Richard shrugged his shoulders. Then he followed.

  Diana sat back in her chair. She continued to slave away at her project. In the back of her mind, she had a nagging feeling she was forgetting something. Something important wanted to boil to the surface and for the life of her she could not think of it. It would get close and then...
  Diana shook her head. It would have to come later. She had to work. That...was what mattered.

  Professor Brown knocked on the door. He threw his thoughts out. A smile crept onto his face. Diana was still busy on the problem. Good.
  The door flew open. The black woman's eyes widened. She pulled her red robe closer, one of her hands instantly straightening her hair.
  "Darnell?" she uttered. She reached out her hand, trembling. "Is it really you?"
  Brown reached for her hand. She flinched, jerking her hand away. Brown grabbed it quickly. Before she could scream, Brown put the hand next to his cheek. She gasped. He smiled.
  "Yes, Debra," Brown said. "It's me. I am home."

  "So he won that race!" Jared exclaimed, looking at the redhead next to him. "They'll be other races."
  The redhead laughed at Jared. She leaned in and kissed him. "Oh, Jared! You live so dangerously."
  Jared leaned closer to her on their side of the table. He smirked.
  "But that's how you like me," Jared said. Then he kissed her.
  Richard watched the two of them from his side of the table. He thought it was cute considering Jared was not from this Earth. Still, he had found love with a native.
  He looked next to him. Melissa sat still, arms crossed over her. She had not even touched her beer. She looked like she had been kidnapped, compared to the three of them. He reached out to touch her hand.
  "You didn't say anything," Melissa commented without looking.
  Richard reached for his beer mug. "You...already made your point."
  He looked over at Melissa. She glared at him.
  "Do you feel the same way Quinn does?" Melissa demanded.
  "I think," Richard said, "I'm not the most unbias person here."
  Melissa frowned. Richard took her hand and squeezed it.
  "Oh, no you don't," Richard said. "Don't you dare play the 'But You're A Clone' card. I'm Richard. Really. Before that...I was going to kill Randy for denying Proper the coordinates so he could die with his wife next to him."
  Melissa looked away. He knew she had not been there when Mr. Stone killed him. It was her double. Still...
  "I wonder where he is," Melissa said.
  Richard frowned. "Randy?"
  Melissa looked at him again. "Brown."
  Richard said nothing. Telekinetic or not, he would strangle Brown if he saw him. He left them to die. He...had a problem with that.
  "So any word?"
  Richard looked over at the redhead, Isabel. Her hands wrapped around Jared's waist.
  "On what?" Richard asked.
  "What do you mean on what?" Isabel asked.
  "Now, Izzie--" Jared started.
  "But, Jared," Isabel said, "I've never taken a spin around the multiverse like the three of you." She looked at Melissa. "So...is sliding really better than sex?"
  Melissa's head snapped in Richard's direction. He grinned sheepishly. She...did not.

  Rembrandt turned left in the van. He took a look at Quinn in the passenger seat. He looked lost in his own little world.
  "You know," Rembrandt started, "we could have waited for the others."
  "With them so against it," Quinn said. "No need to put them in danger."
  "And if we get through?" Rembrandt asked. "You still have a fight on your hands."
  "We're not going after him, Remmy!" Quinn snapped.
  "If I didn't know better," Rembrandt said, turning another corner, "I would call scientific jealousy."
  "What?" Quinn shrieked.
  "Not that I don't head home," Rembrandt said, "but...how long have we been at this? How long have we fought Kromaggots? You went from Golden Boy to Backup Singer."
  "It was genocide, Remmy."
  "When...Maggie...and Colin was around, we were looking for the Kromagg weapon. It was flawed, Q-ball. Still I wouldn't have hesitated to use it."
  "Remmy!"
  "To save our world? To save your mother? Wade?"
  Quinn's face darkened. Rembrandt made a right turn and parked. He looked over at Quinn.
  "None of us have the moral high ground," Rembrandt said, opening the door. "And...we don't leave our own if we don't have to."
  Quinn opened his door.
  "What are you saying?" Quinn asked.
  Rembrandt headed toward the back of the van. Quinn appeared on the other side.
  "I'm saying," Rembrandt said, "I'm too old for this...but...my nephew is out there somewhere. You can go home. Me? I'm going with the kids cuz the Cryin Man don't cancel no concert over a little rain. And if you're not going, I'm gonna need an Egghead." He grabbed the back door. "And Randy's it."
  Rembrandt pulled the back doors open. Thomas and Jules stared in surprised. Thomas had a fist in an open palm. Jules had a hand balled into a fist with his thumb up in the air.
  "Rock, Paper, Scissors?" Quinn asked.
  "You ready?" Rembrandt asked.

  "Uh...I've never really done this," Thomas commented.
  "I think we can do this," Jules said as they approached the guard post. He looked down. "Start stumbling."
  Thomas started to sway uneasily left to right. Jules walked like he had a limp. With their ragged clothes, he was sure the guard would think they were a couple of bums.
  "I still don't think--" Thomas started.
  "You watched enough TV at the hotel," Jules said, reaching into his pocket. "I know you can do this."
  Thomas frowned. "What are you getting out of your--"
  Jules pulled out the bottle of whiskey. He pulled off the top and splashed. Thomas with it. He quickly threw up his hands.
  "What--" Thomas stared.
  Jules shoved him. Then he lunged at him, his hands around his throat.
  "You lying punk!" Jules yelled.
  "Hey!" Thomas shouted.
  "Stop right there!" the guard yelled, running for them.

  As the guard ran toward Jules and Thomas, Rembrandt ran to the door that led to the Kromagg tech. Quinn was right behind him. He took a look at Jules and Thomas. The guard was completely focused on them. Quinn ran through the door.
  "They're good," Quinn said as they entered a deserted hallway.
  Rembrandt grinned. "That's my boy."
  Quinn grinned. "Always gotta put someone under your wing?"
  "That's how they learn."
  "So...is Richard going to be your next buddy?"
  Rembrandt frowned. "Maybe. Depends on your plans."
  "Remmy...Wade--"
  "Would understand," Rembrandt finished. "You don't leave a friend. She wouldn't."
  Quinn walked faster. This was just a dead end conversation. They should focus on find--
  Quinn turned the corner. Several guards met him, guns aimed. A figure stepped from behind them. Quinn glared at her. He heard a gasp from behind him letting him know that Rembrandt saw her...Rebecca Pryce.
  "So," Rebecca said, holding up a small circular chip, "looking for this?"

  Brown jerked up. His forehead was sweaty. He looked to his left. Debra was sound asleep. His eyes narrowed on her. He looked away and near the bedroom door. If she had not waken him that meant someone else had...
  A figure stood in the door. Brown couldn't make their face out.
  "Who are you?" Brown demanded.
  "You should know," the figure said, stumbling into the light. It was a bloody Randy Heim. Fresh red fell down the side of his head. "You killed me."

  "Ah!"
  Brown jerked out of the sleep. His chest heaved sharp breaths. A hand touched his shoulder, causing him to jerk. His eyes narrowed, his stance really to attack. Then he saw it was Debra. He paused. Debra frowned.
  "Darnell, are you okay?" Debra asked.
  Brown managed a smile. "Uh...yes. I am...fine. Bed dream. You can go back to sleep."

  Richard watched Melissa shoot through the door He was quick to follow, shutting the door behind him. Melissa just as quick span around, her eyes full of fury.

  "How could you?" Melissa demanded.   "How could I?" Richard asked. "Jared is my friend. Besides...he's not from this Earth. The 'Maggs captured him. Am I wrong to want to help him get home?"
  "But Isabel--" Melissa started.
  "--wants to be with him," Richard finished.
  "Great!" Melissa exclaimed. "Just what we need! More people in danger!"
  "Jared knows the risk," Richard said evenly.
  "Does Isabel?"
  "She's willing to go where Jared goes," Richard said, approaching Melissa. He held Melissa's shoulders. "She loves him."
  Melissa looked down at the floor.
  "Am I wrong to help someone who wants to go home?" Richard asked. "It's not his fault the Kromaggs captured him. Surely you know how it feels to not be home?"
  Melissa said nothing. She only nodded. Richard smiled.
  "Good," Richard said. "Now if the others will go for it--"
  "Quinn won't," Melissa said, looking up.
  Richard smirked. "I guess I'll have to make him."
  "He won't even go get Randy."
  "Should he?"
  "Richard!"
  "All I'm saying--"
  Melissa glared at Richard. He shut up. She stepped away from him, turning around.
  "He did the best he could," Melissa said. "All things--"
  Melissa paused. Her eyes had fallen on the coffee table. There was a note there. She picked it up, scanning it. Her face darkened.
  "What is it?" Richard asked.
  Melissa looked up, her long black hair making her look like a mad Jean Grey.
  "Quinn," Melissa said. "They went ahead and went after the parts for the slidewave device."

  The door flew open, causing Quinn to look up. It was Rebecca. She smirked as she approached where he was tied up to a chair. She kneeled in front of Quinn.
  "You should have listened to me," Rebecca said.
  "When I get out of here--" Quinn started.
  "But you won't," Rebecca said. "At least...not without my help."
  "Say what?"
  Quinn turned his head left. In the corner of his eye was a dark figure. He moved a bit, revealing he was tied up.
  "Remmy?" Quinn said.
  "Girl has lost her mind," Rembrandt said from behind him.
  "Have I, Remmy?" Rebecca challenged, standing. "I don't think so. We all know why you had to break in. After the death of the Kromaggs, this world didn't want no one just...sliding in. No one. So...coming here to take staff is rewarded with one thing: death. However...I might be able to free you...if you fix the slidewave device and find to where Randy is."
  "No," Quinn said.
  Rebecca glared.
  "Uh...don't wanta die!" Thomas piped up from somewhere Quinn could not see.
  "Gotta agree, Q-ball," Rembrandt said. "Help her."
  "No, Remmy," Quinn said.
  "Why?" Jules asked from somewhere.
  "Do you have a better idea?" Rembrandt asked. "Besides...we don't leave our own."
  "Randy," Quinn said, "is not my own."
  Rebecca's hand came quick. It hit Quinn's cheek hard. He felt it go warm.
  "Oh...but Maggie Beckett is okay?" Rebecca asked. "And Mallory?"
  Quinn glared at Rebecca. Maggie and Mallory had been with them when they took on the Kromaggs. They were killed by one of their agents.
  "Then again," Rebecca said, "you didn't care for them, did you?"
  "More than you,' Rembrandt cried.
  Quinn heard a sob. Rebecca looked away. Then she looked at Quinn.
  "Two hours," Rebecca said. "Then...it won't be pretty."

  Melissa shook her head. Richard shrugged his shoulders as he sat on his motorcycle.
  "You're insane," Melissa said.
  "That's how you like me," Richard said, producing a lopsided grin.
  Melissa rolled her eyes.
  "Come on!" Richard exclaimed. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
  Melissa made a weak smile. Her sense of adventure had left a long time ago. It was probably when she had been kidnapped and replaced with a double with implanted memories. It could have been when Randy had implanted memories, resulting in him forgetting his love for her. It could have been when that Ben double died. There were so many things that had happened over the last few years.
  The sound of an approaching motorcycle jerked Melissa out of her thoughts. She turned to see Jared pull up on his motorcycle, Isabel holding onto him for dear life.
  "We ready?" Jared asked.
  Melissa looked at Richard. "I guess you're not breaking the news to the others easy."
  "What news?" Jared asked.
  Richard looked at Jared. "That you're coming with us."

  Harold smiled. In fifteen minutes, his replacement showed up. Then he could get home and catch 'The Hills.' He hated his friend for getting him hooked on yet another reality show, but it was highly addictive and who knew if LC would hook up with that one guy with the...
  A light hit Harold's face, blinding him. He threw a hand up to see what it was. Then he realized...it was a motorcycle. He also realized...it was a motorcycle. He also realized it was closing in on him fast. it was aimed at the guard post. Harold lunged out of the way. As the motorcycle hit, causing the post to explode he only had one thought.
  He was going to miss this show.

  Richard turned around. His eyes were on his precious motorcycle. It was covered in flames as sparks shot from the guard post. He looked away to see a guard lunging for him.
  "You son of--" he started.
  A fist to his face shut him up. Richard looked up. Melissa looked down at him.
  "Are you done playing Commando?" she asked.

  The door flew open again. Quinn looked up again. This time Rebecca wasn't alone. She had two guards. she stood in the middle of them, her arms over her chest. They stood in front of Quinn. One of the guards, a black man, looked at her.
  "So...this is the leader?" the black man asked.
  "Yes," Rebecca said.
  "Doesn't look like much," the guard said.
  "Still," the other guard, a lanky man, said, "if he knew what he was doing...we would all be in danger."
  "Of what?" Quinn demanded. "It's not like you're using it."
  "Yet," the black man said. "Besides who knows who else is out there, ready to mess with our world."
  "Never again," the other guard said.
  "Of course," Rebecca said. "Can't have that." She looked at Quinn. "Any last words?"
  The guards aimed their guns. Quinn looked from one to the other. He thought about Rembrandt, Thomas, and Jules. He thought about his promise to Wade. His promise to come home to marry her. He narrowed his eyes on Rebecca.
  "You win," Quinn said.
  Rebecca smirked. "Good."
  "Wha--" the black guard started.
  Rebecca swung to her left, knocking the black guard in the nose with her elbow. She swung out her right arm, knocking the tall guard in the stomach. She span around, punching the black guard in the face. Then she kicked the tall guard in the face. The guards fell to the floor unconscious. Rebecca looked at Quinn. She frowned.
  "Why so surprised?" she asked.

  Isabel drove the motorcycle down the hall. Behind her, Jared had a baseball bat. He was using it to knock out every guard he saw.
  Isabel could not hide her smile. She loved this. After so long under Kromagg rule, it was excellent to be having fun. She couldn't wait to see what other worlds were out there.
  Maybe they could find Jared's world...later.

  Melissa shot around the corner, gun aimed forward. Richard dotted behind her. He took one look at her pose and laughed. Melissa glared at him.
  "What?" she demanded.
  "Uh...you do realize this isn't Resident Evil or a cop show, right?" Richard asked.
  "Do you want to find Quinn?"
  "Duh!"
  Melissa headed forward. "Then stop joking."
  Richard saluted. "Yes, sir!"
  Melissa ignored him, heading down the hall quick. Richard followed. He thought she might lighten up. Guess not.
  Melissa turned another corner. She gasped, causing Richard to run down the hall quickly. He smiled.
  Quinn frowned back at the two of them. Rebecca was next to him, a smirk on her face. Thomas and Jules were behind them. Rembrandt brought up the rear, a gun at the ready.
  "Are you insane?" Quinn demanded.
  Melissa smirked at Richard. He shrugged his shoulders.
  "Hey!" Richard exclaimed. "We thought you were in trouble."
  "They were," Rebecca said.
  Quinn glared at Rebecca.
  "Uh," Thomas said, raising a hand, "do you think we can run before more people show up?"
  "Siding with Thomas on that one," Rembrandt said. "Never know who..."
  Then Richard heard it. A motor...and it was closing fast. Suddenly, a motorcycle sped into view on the opposite side of the hallway. Rembrandt took aim.
  "Hey!" Richard yelled. "One of ours!"
  Rebecca arched an eyebrow. Quinn frowned. The motorcycle screeched to a stop near Rembrandt. Isabel laughed.
  "Damn!" Isabel exclaimed, tossing her red hair. "That was hot!"
  "Is this everyone?" Jared asked.
  "Yea," Richard said.
  "So when do we leave?" Isabel asked.
  "We?" Quinn uttered.
  "Who are you?" Rembrandt added.

  "I can't believe you! I can't believe you!" Quinn exclaimed as he slaved over the slidewave device.
  "A little more fixing, a lot less yelling."
  Melissa looked over at Rebecca. She stood next to the window, looking out for any police. Meanwhile, Quinn was sitting at the couch working on the slidewave device. Richard stood in front of him, his arms over his chest. His stare was defiant.
  "I no yell," Quinn said, glaring at Rebecca, "me no fix."
  Rebecca glared at Quinn. Quinn did not care. His glaze fell back on Richard.
  "I can't--" Quinn started.
  "Yea," Richard cut him off, "we heard. Guess what? I don't care! You may leave your friends. I don't. I would rather fight with Egghead than deal with you."
  "And if Isabel or Jared die?" Quinn challenged.
  "They made their choice."
  "Their blood is on your hands if they die."
  Richard's face darkened. His lips were a thin line. His eyes bored holes into Quinn.
  "Wouldn't be the first time," Richard said evenly.
  Melissa's back stiffened. She knew what he meant. The reason Richard had stared sliding was because a rival of Randy's blackmailed him. Bufford, Randy's rival, had seen him responsible for a drunken hit-and-run. He had worked hard to make amends...until he died.
  The door opened. Melissa turned in her chair. It was Rembrandt. He paused, taking in the scene. He shut the door.
  "So...any decisions?" Rembrandt asked.
  "Just one," Rebecca said. "We are going to get Randy...if these two ever start arguing."
  "We're done," Richard said.
  "I don't think so," Quinn said.
  "Jared, Isabel, and Jules are on look out," Rembrandt said. "For the record, I think they should come with."
  Quinn's eyes widened. "Remmy!"
  "Q-ball, he's just trying to get home," Rembrandt said. "Surely you understand that."
  "And if he never finds it?" Quinn asked.
  "We did."
  "At what price? Maggie. Colin. Mallory."
  "Uh...wasn't Colin just a Kromagg spy?" Richard joined in. "Why does he even get a mention?"
  "Shut up," Quinn said. He looked at Rembrandt. "After their deaths, can you really live with more?"
  Melissa saw Rembrandt frown. She could understand. She could even think of other people who had died since she began sliding. Nicole Harris, Richard's ex. Bufford. Katherine Rye, another member. Paige Kendall. A double of Ben Loveland, Randy's roommate. And Maggie and Mallory had died fighting the Kromaggs, victims of psychopath Mr. Stone. If they had stayed on Earth Prime, they would be happy with their respective loves. They did not want to leave a member out in the multiverse.
  Rembrandt stared at Quinn. "After Maggie's sacrifice...how can you not? She wanted everyone to get home. EVERYONE, Q-ball."
  The door shot open. Melissa looked up. It was Jules, followed by Jared and Isabel.
  "We have trouble," Jules announced.

  Quinn stared at the slidewave device. After five months, he felt it was ready. He had no idea if aiming the sliding signature to anyone akin to the slidecage would work, but it was the best bet to pinpoint either Randy or Earth Prime.
  He leaned back on the couch. After all this time they were about to do it. They were about slide into a new world with no Kromaggs wanting conquest. He wasn't sure he was ready for that.
  Quinn looked at the others. "Here goes."
  Then he flipped the switch. The device lit up. And with a loud whir, everyone vanished in orange light.

  The first thing Richard did was blinked. The second was touch his chest, being sure he was all there. Then he looked around.
  They were on a roof. Richard smiled as he realized that everyone had made it. Quinn quickly kneeled down, checking the slidewave device to be sure it was okay. Rembrandt stared down at him, a smile on his face. Thomas, Jules, and Rebecca looked around at their surroundings. Melissa looked back at him, reaching out to squeeze his hand. She smiled.
  "Do you realize it?" she asked.
  Richard frowned. "Huh?"
  "We're not in LA anymore," Melissa said. "It's San Francisco...again."
  "Oh my God!"
  Richard looked past Melissa. Isabel looked over the edge. She quickly turned to face Jared who was over by Rebecca.
  "That," Isabel said, "was better than sex."
  Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest, looked at Jared, and smirked.
  "Guess someone isn't doing it right," he said.
  Jared and Isabel glared at Rebecca. Rebecca turned. Her eyes narrowed on Quinn.
  "So any signs of Randy?" Rebecca asked.
  Quinn looked up at her. "Does this look like a PDL to you?"
  "No...I would have to say it does not...Mr. Mallory."
  Richard's back stiffened up. He could pick up his jaw. He knew that voice. He looked to the door of the roof to see...himself.
  The months had treated this Richard well. He had short brown hair slicked back while Richard had long shaggy hair in a ponytail. He wore a black shirt and cargo pants. He approached the group with his hands behind his back, his stance the movements of a much older man. Of course, Richard would have expected no less of the psychopath.
  "Wow!" Isabel exclaimed.
  "Richard, he looks just like you!" Jared added.
  "Each parallel world has doubles of all of us on them," Melissa explained.
  "Except this isn't a double," Richard said evenly. "It's a clone with the implanted memories of a killer."
  "Now, now," the clone Richard known as Mr. Stone said. "I think you are one to take the moral high ground, Mr. Hall."
  "Who are you?" Quinn asked, standing.
  "Why, Mr. Mallory," Mr. Stone said. "I am part of the new sliding order."
  Suddenly, five vortexes snapped open. Men shot out of them, all dressed like Mr. Stone. The vortexes closed. The soldiers aimed lasers on all of them. Mr. Stone smirked.
  "Hmmm," he said, "brave new world."

THE-END

 

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