"You!"
Randy Heim felt confusion on his face as he stared at the heavily armed redhead in front of him. He knew she was Paige Kendall. They had been together since the Yuzaki came, conquering their world.
Their world? Was this their world? Why was he confused? Why...
"Yeah," Paige Kendall said, "me. Miss me?"
"I--" Randy started.
Paige's rifle came up. Her eyes narrowed.
"Duck!" she snapped.
Randy fell to the ground quickly. Gunfire rang out. He turned quickly to see Paige gun down white suited men.
Randy's eyes narrowed on them. Not men. Their foreheads had ridges to them. Their faces had what looked like painted on them. They looked familiar. They were...
A shadow fell on Randy. He turned around. Paige looked at him, a scowl on her face.
"You okay?" Paige asked.
"Uh...yeah," Randy said, scratching the back of his head. "Explosion must have--"
Paige grabbed Randy's arm. "What's this? New invention?"
Randy looked at his arm. It had a long glove on it connected with wires. It was...oh, yeah...his prototype prosthetic. He had made it...why?
Paige helped him. Randy managed a smile. Paige smiled.
"You and your gizmos," Paige commented. She kissed him. "Let's get to the hatch before more Yuzaki show up."
Paige held away. Randy touched his lips. The kiss was familiar. However, he felt like there was someone else he should be...kissing?
What was going on here?

WHAT IF YOU SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? A PLACE WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON, IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

OVER SIX YEARS AGO, WE HAVE SEEN...

...A WORLD WHERE THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE NEVER TOOK PLACE...

OR

...A WORLD WHERE YOUR DREAMS OF BEING A STAR CAME TRUE...

OR

...A WORLD WITH A WAR BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT ALIEN RACES?

BUT...WHAT IF YOU COULD NEVER GET HOME?

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 7
EPISODE 10: CHECKMATE (PART 2)

A man stood over Randy. His eyes were barely visible through his stands of blond hair. One of his arms was outstretched toward Randy. Randy frowned, wondering how he was on the floor. Then he realized it.
The blond man...had a gun on him.
"No!"
The gun fired.

"No!"
"Randy!"
Randy's breath came quickly. Sweat poured off of his forehead and his chest. Paige stared at him from her side of the bed, her eyes colored with concern.
"Randy--" Paige started.
"I'm fine," Randy cut her off.
"Uh...I'm seen fine, Ran," Paige said. "That wasn't it. What's going on?"
"It's--"
"Don't you tell me nothing."
Randy grinned to spite himself. "It's just...a feeling."
Paige frowned. "A feeling?"
"I don't know," Randy continued. "Maybe...a sense. Something's off."
"Maybe you're still recovering from the explosion earlier?" Paige suggested.
Randy sat up in bed. He rubbed his forehead. Maybe Paige was right. It had been a long dangerous day and...
Randy's eyes fell on his prototype prosthetic. It laid on the drawer next to the bed, not unlike an obedient cat. He stared at it...and doubted.
A hand touched Randy's cheek. He turned to the holder. Paige smiled at him.
"Okay, it's not like the Elders doesn't give us breaks," Paige said, leaning in closer. "Let's take advantage."
Randy managed a smile. He grabbed her in his arms. He kissed her, giving into the moment.
The metal door shot open. Randy and Paige turned toward it. The light outside blinded Randy. He saw it was a man in the door. The man stepped into the room. Randy saw the face and glared.
Richard Hall stared at the two of them. Contempt was all over his face. He frowned.
"Ewww! Gross!" Richard exclaimed.
Paige glared at Richard. "And you and Ethan are pillars of the community. Puh-leaze!"
"Back off, Red," Richard said. "Penis envy looks bad on you."
"I don't do queens," Paige replied.
"Spoken like the hooker you are," Richard shot back.
Paige started to move on the bed. Randy grabbed her. Paige glared at him. Randy's eyes silently told her to calm down. Randy looked at Richard.
"What's up?" Randy asked.
"The Elders," Richard said. "They want to see you."

Randy flinched. He did not mean to. However it always appeared to happen whenever he stood before the Elders. Their white robes. Their formal posture. Even if their hair was now graying, their broad shoulders and big chest was the subtlest of reminders they were fighters. They commanded their side of the war. He had reason to fear as the robed salt-and-peppered hair man turned on him.
"What were you thinking?" he demanded.
"Isaac--" Paige started.
Isaac held up a hand, silencing Paige. She stopped. Her back stiffened. Randy had to resist the urge to laugh. Paige keeping her mouth shut? It must be a cold day in...
"Well?" Isaac demanded, cutting into Randy's attention. "No one told you to go into Yuzaki territory."
"I..." Randy started. He paused, looking down at his prosthetic. He looked at Isaac again. "I...I was testing."
"Again?" another man next to Isaac said. His red hair was slicked back. "Have you forgotten who you are? Where would the rebellion be if the Yuzaki got hold of you? You would be a brainless husk."
"Yes," Isaac agreed. "Let the scouts do their job, Heim."
"Maybe they are moving too slow," Randy said.
"And we haven't gotten Intel in months," Paige added, "The Yuzaki kill anyone who enters their zone. Randy's actions are sound."
The third man in the trio of Elders stepped forward. Randy frowned. He knew who it was. it was Paige's father Daniel Carter. He glared at Paige. He had never approved of them together.
"And did Heim come back with anything?" Daniel challenged.
"No," Randy managed.
Daniel looked at Paige, his glances ice. "Then his actions AREN'T sound."
Paige glared at Daniel. Randy continued to stare at Daniel. His instincts screamed. Something was very off. And he could not put his hand on...
Randy's eyes widened. An image popped into his head. It was him in Golden Gate Park. Daniel stood over him with a gun. Manta ships flew overhead, firing shots.
'What did you expect?' Daniel taunted. 'Someone else to kill you?'
"Randy!"
Randy blinked. He realized that everyone's eyes were on him. He looked at Paige. She stared at him like she had last night...with concern.
"I--" Randy started. He looked at Daniel again. "I--"
He heard the footsteps behind him. He turned to look at the figure. He frowned. It was a Goth girl. She wore a black vest with leather pants.
"Great," Paige said with sarcasm.
"Back off, Kendall," the Goth girl said.
"Make me, Clark," Paige shot back.
"In front of the Elders?" the Goth girl...Clark...said. "Wouldn't want you to lose face." She stepped forward. "Excuse me, Egghead."
Randy moved out of her way quickly. Paige glared at him.
"Why you do that?" Paige asked. "Melissa Clark is no one."
Melissa Clark. The name rang a bell in Randy's head. Where...
"Sirs," Melissa said, "there's been activity."
Isaac frowned. "Activity?"
"Manta ships," Melissa said. "Sliding out. Most importantly...sliding in. Something big is going down."

"So...do we know each other?"
Melissa Clark stiffened up. She turned to look at Randy. She frowned.
"Are you serious?" she asked. "We are scouting Yuzaki and you pick NOW to remember we went to college together?"
Randy looked down, his face warming. Of course! College! How could he forget...
"Hey!" Richard snapped from the front. "Think you two can keep it down back there? Some of us don't want to get killed."
Melissa turned to look at Richard. "Can't have that. The Missus might lose it."
"Had your change, Clark," Richard shot back. "Too late for sour grapes now."
Randy grinned. Nice to know some things never ch...
Randy paused. His forehead wrinkled up. His thought felt right, but...he didn't know Richard in college. Goodness knows he could not stand the jerk. Melissa and I went in two different directions in college. How would he know how Melissa and Richard acted?
He shook his head. He should be focusing on their location. They been trekking through the ruined city of San Francisco for an hour.
He looked up at the devastated buildings. He saw the broken windows. His eyes took in the raggedy doors, hanging on their hinges. He stared ahead at the deserted cars. It really looked like the Yuzaki had destroyed the human race.
Randy's eyes fell on Richard Hall. He was taking point of this scouting troop. His gun arm was at the ready. His hair was a buzzcut. Randy felt like that did not seem right, either. However, this whole war wasn't right.
A couple of guys also followed Richard, their guns also ready for anything. They paused every few seconds to stare about the area for anything hostile. Then they kept moving.
Melissa was beside him. She also took in the landscape. It was weird seeing her. While everyone else had on green camouflage gear, Melissa stood out of for her Goth gear. It made Randy wondered to make her so harsh. It couldn't just be the Yuzaki. What...
Randy got bumped. He turned around. A grumpy looking Paige looked back at him.
"I saw that," Paige said.
"Saw w--" Randy started.
"You looking at Clark," Paige said, cutting him off.
Randy put his hands behind his back. He looked down for a moment, feeling his face warm. He looked up again, managing a smile.
"Actually," Randy said, "I was taking in everyone." He looked up at the ruined building. "Hard to believe so much devastation took place."
Paige frowned. "Nothing you're not used to. What's up with you, Randy?"
"I told you. I--"
"Yeah," Paige cut him off. "I know what you said. But what's really up?"
Randy frowned. "Why don't you believe me?"
"Uh, I don't know. Could it be I know you? Or that we've been together for almost two years? That we share the same bed so I know you well enough that I know when something's up? Gee, Ran, why would I not beli--"
"Movement!"
Randy turned away from Paige. The others had made it quite a ways from the two of them. One of the scouts had dashed to the left in response to something. Richard was right behind him. Randy ran froward, the sound of footsteps the only sign Paige was behind him.
"What happened?" Randy asked.
"Mike saw something," Melissa answered. "Not sure--"
"Duck!"
Randy turned around to have Paige lunge at him. They both fell to the hard sidewalk. Laserfire passed them by.
Randy looked at Paige. He mouthed a quick 'thank you' to her. Then he looked past her.
Yuzaki. Two of them. They fast approached. One of them had a blue mohawk. The other had a moptop of orange hair. Like the others before, they had on white spacesuits. Their arms were outward, lasers in hand.
"Oh, sh--" Randy started.
Suddenly, they fell through the air. Randy managed to stand as the Yuzaki hit a wall by him and Paige. He saw they were out cold.
A figure landed by Randy. He gasped for a moment. His eyes focused on this new figure.
It was an older black man. His bald head had a shine in the light. He stared up at Randy. He quickly stood up, his brown eyes full of recognition.
"Mr. Heim!" the black man exclaimed. "There you are! Whatever is going on--"
A click sounded through the air. Randy turned around. Paige had stood up. She had a gun trained on the stranger.
"Don't move," Paige ordered.

"Okay," Paige started, gun still on the stranger. "Who are you and how do you know this guy here?"
Randy looked at the stranger again. He glared at Paige.
"Miss Kendall, what are you doing alive?" the stranger asked. "Did you not--"
"Answer her!" Randy snapped.
The stranger looked at Randy. His eyes studied Randy. He finally sighed.
"I am Professor Darnell Brown," he answered. "And this is obviously not my Randall Heim."
"Oh?" Paige said. "Explain."
Professor Brown crossed his arms over his chest. "You will excuse me if I choose not to. The last Miss Kendall I had the pleasure of encountering betrayed my whole group."
"I don't understand a thing you're saying," Paige said.
"That is not a shocking development," Brown commented.
"Then I'm sure me shooting you won't be either," Paige said.
"Paige!" Randy yelled.
"What's going on here?"
Randy looked past Paige. Melissa and the other scout headed for them. Melissa stared at the scene in confusion.
"Oh," Paige said. "Clark."
"Miss Clark," Brown said. He stared her down. "Well...it would appear that some things are constant."
Melissa frowned. "Huh?"
"Ignore him, Clark," Paige said. "He's obviously some spy."
"Spy?" Brown uttered. "I am not a spy."
"Really?" Paige challenged. "How do you know who we are?"
"Well, Professor Brown was the professor at our university," Melissa said. "Right, Randy?"
Paige glared at Melissa. Melissa rolled her eyes. Randy only frowned, his mind lost in thought.
Professor Darnell Brown. Yes, Randy knew the Professor. He had several classes with him. His papers on quantum physics were...
"Randy!"
Randy shook his head. Paige glared at him now. Melissa also glared at Randy. They both had her arms crossed over their chests.
"Care to enlighten us?" Paige asked.
"Wow. Big words," Melissa said.
Randy stared at them. The two of them together being catty. It reminded Randy of something, but he could not put his finger on it. What...
Suddenly...Randy was on a floor. A few steps away was an unconscious Paige. A little away in the opposite direction was Melissa. She was long-haired and crying over a bloodied man. He frowned. Why was this...
A foot blocked Randy from the girls. Randy looked up. A blond-haired man had a gun trained on him. No. Daniel Carter.
'I'll let one of the girls live. The other one...dies.'
Randy gasped. He jumped back. His foot caught on something, causing him to fall. Paige ran over to him. She reached for him. he pushed her arm away, standing up quickly.
"I'm okay," Randy snapped.
"Are you, Mr. Heim?"
Randy looked over at Professor Brown. He studied Randy. Randy stared at him, his mind wondering what he was thinking.
Brown grinned.
I'LL LET ONE OF THE GIRLS LIVE. THE OTHER ONE...DIES.
Randy's eyes widened. He said that...in Randy's mind. But how...
"What are you guys doing?"
Randy looked away. Richard and the other scout ran for them. He frowned on the whole scene.
"We have a job to do," Richard said.
"We have a spy," Paige said.
"We don't know that for sure," Melissa added.
"You willing to bet our lives on it?" Paige shot back.
"I don't believe in crucifying people," Melissa said.
"Look!" Richard snapped. "No time for this! Goth, let's go. Red, either get going or stand guard! Mike, watch the suspect. We'll figure it out once we see what's up."
Richard stormed away, the other scout right behind him. The scout left behind aimed his gun at Professor Brown. Brown stared at Randy for another moment. Then he sighed sadly and sat down on the ground.
"Coming, Egghead?" Melissa asked.
Randy watched Melissa go. He headed after her. His eyes fell on Paige. She stared at him in anger.
Randy kept walking. It would have to wait.

Questions.
Professor Brown had talked to Randy. He had talked to him within his mind. Obviously, something was going on.
"I expect you to have my back."
Randy frowned. He tilted his head forward, standing straighter from the wall he leaned against. Paige glared at him.
"What is going on with you?" Paige demanded. "Ever since that explosion you have been out of it. I don't like it."
"I don't like attacking half-cocked," Randy replied.
"Isn't that what we've always done?" Paige shot back. "The Yuzaki swooped into our Earth and made it hell on Earth. No time to recover. Us hiding underground. Surviving."
Randy frowned. Again he wondered why his mind kept having a bad reaction every time history was mentioned. Then again he noticed it was the same way when he saw people from his past.
Randy held up his right arm. He stared at it, causing Paige to frown. He wondered if any of this was real. He had to know. Maybe he should go into a trance. He tilted his head back...
The slap came quickly. Randy fell to the ground. His left cheek burned with pain. He looked up at Paige. Her eyes burned with hurt.
"How could you?" Paige hissed. "You know better."
Randy rubbed his cheek. "What are--"
"You told me never to let you go into a trance," Paige said. "The last time you went into one...your mother died. Yuzaki attack. Sorry."
Randy started to stand. His eyes watered. His mother. They did not have the easiest relationship. But...he never...
"Everything okay?"
Randy looked past Paige. Melissa dashed for them. She stopped as her eyes took in the scene.
Paige looked at her. "Nothing, Clark. What's up?"
"Lee found a way in," Melissa said. "We got to hurry. Come on."
Melissa headed away. Paige stared at Randy. Then she followed.
Randy's feet moved as well. His mind was a mixture. Part of him nagged at him. He really did not know what to say. It was a gut feeling that something was off.
But what?

Lee...the other scout...quickly put down his binocular.
"They are changing guards," he whispered. "Move."
Richard dashed across the front. Melissa and Paige followed. Randy was right behind them. Still he looked up at the building. It was shaped like a pyramid. It had been constructed with earthquake proof architecture. It was definitely money well spent since it was the first building Randy had seen that was not ruined.
Randy abruptly stopped in the building's side. He grabbed at his head, his frustration growing. Surely he had seen other buildings before to--
"Randy!"
Randy dashed forward into the side of the building. Paige glared at him. He looked down.
"Sorry," Randy said.
"Okay," Richard said. "Split up. Meet back here in ten." He reached for a black waistband on his arm. "Teleblocks on now."
Melissa and Paige followed suit. Randy looked at his left arm. Like the others he had a waistband. He frowned anyway. He was right handed. Why was it on his left--
"Problem, Egghead?"
Randy glared at Richard. He reached for his waistband. He pushed a button.
"Happy now?" Randy asked.
Richard smirked. "You got some balls on you after all." He rolled his eyes. "Clark, you with me. We got the east wing. Kendall, take the brain trust and get the south wing."
Richard and Melissa headed away. Paige stared after them. She stated to reload her gun.
"If I didn't know better," Paige said, "I would say he was flirting with you. Shall we go?"

Randy continued to stare at his right arm. The mystery of the waistband almost devoured his mind. It was a good thing. Paige was there to remind him when to hide when she heard footsteps.
Paige turned a corner. Randy was right behind her. He looked down at his right arm, his mind continued to wonder if maybe something was there.
Suddenly, his right arm shimmered. His prosthetic appeared on his arm. Just as suddenly, it vanished.
That could not be right. Randy was sure he had left the prosthetic at the base. So why was he...
Randy bumped into something. He frowned. Then he realized that it was Paige. She had stopped.
"What's going--" Randy started.
The words died in his mouth. His eyes widened.
The walls were clear...transparent. All around them were tubes. tubes that had large wiring tied to them. Tubes that held...people.
Randy's eyes narrowed on the tubes. No. Not people. At least...not human people.
"What in the world--" Randy started.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from behind one of the tubes. Yuzaki. One of them had blue hair. It went perfectly with the blue markings on the right side of his face, making Randy think of tribal symbols. The other person was a woman with purple hair, markings on her left. Their dress reminded Randy of a futuristic version of Greek clothing.
Something in Randy's mind kept staring at the woman Yuzaki. She appeared familiar to him. But who could...
"Isis," Randy uttered.
"What?" Paige asked.
Randy stared at Isis. His eyes widened. He knew this Yuzaki. His mind had questions exploded at him. All questions asked the same thing...how did he know this...Yuzaki.
"Halt!"
Isis and her fellow Yuzaki looked at them. Her eyes narrowed on him. They were full of hatred.
"Randy, behind us!"
Randy turned quickly. Two Yuzaki ran at them. Paige aimed and fired at the nearest one. Laserfire cut him down. The other one lunged at Paige. Paige swung around, getting the other Yuzaki in the jaw with a right kick. She threw up her arm, the black waistband to her lips.
"Hall," Paige said, "we've been made. Head out. Now!" She turned to Randy. "If we make it out of here, we need to talk."
Paige dashed down the hall. Randy followed. He frowned, what Paige said jogged a memory. A similar situation.
"Melissa," Randy said, stopping around the corner.
"What?" Paige demanded, turned around. "What about Clark?"
Randy said nothing. His mind's eyes threatened to overwhelm him. He...had wanted to talk to Melissa about something. He barely knew her though since they parted ways in college.
Then his mind asked it.
Or did he?
"Randy!"
Hands grabbed Randy. He turned around quickly. A Yuzaki with green hair had him. He swung out with a punch. The Yuzaki dodged easily. Before Randy could react, the Yuzaki swung out. Randy saw a flash of silver. He threw up his right arm.
Light shot out, blinding everyone. Randy blinked, trying to adjust his eyes as quickly as possible. He looked at his right arm and saw it.
The prosthetic. It was on his arm again. Every few seconds a current went across it.
Randy frowned. It was damaged. Not good.
"Randy, watch out!"
Randy came out of his thoughts. The Yuzaki was upon him. He wrapped his hands around Randy's throat. "Impressive, Terran," he said. "However..."
The Yuzaki quickly released his right hand. He swung backwards, getting Paige across the face. Then he was on Randy again with both hands.
"...not good enough," the Yuzaki continued.
I COMPLETELY AGREE, YUZAKI.
Randy was sure the surprised look on his face matched the Yuzaki. The voice had been in his head. Suddenly, the Yuzaki's eyes rolled back in his head. He fell to the floor.
Professor Darnell Brown stood behind the Yuzaki. He looked down and shook his head. He frowned.
"Hm," Professor Brown said. "They surely do not make them like they used to." He looked at Randy. "Shall we go?"

"Are you coming along, Mr. Heim?" Professor Brown asked.
"I don't even know you," Randy said.
"You know me. You only do not remember me." Brown held out a hand. "I believe it is long past time we correct that overs--"
Professor Brown swung around. He threw a hand up. Paige halted in midair.
"I do not think so, Miss Kendall," Brown said. "You will not be betraying us again."
Paige's face bunched up. "Again?"
Randy made it to his feet. "What are you talking about? I trust Paige."
Professor Brown looked at Randy. "Mr. Heim, I have been in your mind. I know you have doubts about this reality as well. Do yo not remember what happened before now?"
Randy frowned. He thought about the images that had been popping into his head the last few hours. He thought about the names and thoughts that did not match up with what his gut instinct thought. He looked down at his damaged prosthetic.
"Yes," Professor Brown said, "you created one of those before to create an advantage in battle for yourself. You need to do so again. If only you could re--" He looked to the left. "We need to be away. They are coming."
"Care to let me down?" Paige asked.
Brown glared at her. "No."
"Let her down," Randy demanded.
"Mr. Heim--"
"I trust her," Randy said. "You want my help? That better be good enough."
Professor Brown stared at Randy. It allowed Randy to study his face. He wondered what was going through the man's head.
Suddenly, Paige fell to the floor. Randy ran to her quickly. He helped her up.
"Are you okay?" Randy asked.
"Just fine," Paige said. "Can we go?"
A whir cut through the air. Randy turned around. A purple rectangular portal the size of a door had appeared by Professor Brown. He looked at them with a smirk.
"Coming?" Brown asked.

Randy's eyes widened. "Chains?"
"What did you expect, Egghead?" Melissa shot back.
"I agree with Clark on this one," Paige added.
"Shocking...not," Richard said.
Randy looked through the cell's bars. Professor Brown was against the wall. His hands were in chains. He glared at the group in front of them like an annoyed animal in a zoo.
"Now stop with the glaring, Proper," Richard said. "You appear out of a wormhole to save us and think that makes you cool? Wrong."
"I believe the emphasis should be on the word 'save,'" Brown said.
Richard glared. "And I believe the emphasis should be on the word 'wrong.'"
"It is excellent to arrive at the conclusion that some things never change," Brown commented.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Richard demanded.
Brown looked to Randy. "Mr. Heim--"
"Back off, Spy," Paige said, cutting him off.
"We still don't k--" Melissa started.
"You still believe that?" Paige demanded. "After what we saw?"
"Benefit of the doubt, Kendall," Melissa said back.
"Okay! Time to report to the Elders," Richard announced.
Randy watched Richard head out of the dark cells. Melissa was right behind him. He looked over at Paige. She looked back, her eyes left no room for argument. She headed away. He followed suit.
"It is all wrong, Mr. Heim."
Randy paused. He looked at Brown. Brown looked back. He frowned.
"Games," Randy said.
"For once, Mr. Heim, there is no game of oneupmanship between us," Brown said.
Oneupmanship? Randy had graduated college without any conflict from professors. It was mostly from students like Bufford, Kim, and...
"Your prosthetic prototype," Brown said. "It is the cause of this situation."
Randy frowned. "What?"
"This world is not real," Brown continued. "There was an accident."
"Randy. The Elders," Paige said sharply.
"On our world," Brown continued, ignoring Paige, "there are only three Yuzaki. Time lost due to you exterminating their predecessors the Kromaggs. They attempted to remake their reality using a device detailed from the notes of Oberon Geiger. You intervened with my assistance. However something went awry. We have to--"
"You have to do nothing," Paige said. "Except rot in there until the Elders decide what to do with you. Randy, let's go."
Paige stormed away. Randy started to follow.
"Mr. Heim, follow your instincts. You are much..."
Randy walked faster. He drowned out the professor's words. He guessed the Yuzaki Invasion had driven him insane. Why else would he talk nonsense?"
His eyes fell on his right arm. His mind on the prototype. How did Professor Brown know about that?
Could he be right? Was this real?

Isaac's eyes widened. "You saw what?"
"Clones, Sir," Paige said. "It appeared like the Yuzaki was doing some rapid aging on them."
"Impossible," Isaac uttered.
"It would explain the need for the back and forth off world," Richard said. "Supplies."
"Then that means we have to go in and handle it once and for all," Daniel said.
"Handle it?" the red-haired Elder uttered.
"Exterminate them," Daniel said.
"We do not have enough people for that, Daniel."
"However, Paul, we have a genius," Daniel said to the red-haired man, his eyes falling on Randy. "Surely he can create something to give our side the advantage."
Randy felt his back stiffen. He did not like Daniel putting him in this kind of situation. Even now he could feel the eyes of everyone on him. They would look to him to solve everything.
"So you think you can give us another miracle, Heim?" Paul asked.
"Of course, he can, Paul," Daniel said, his eyes burning on Randy. "He has no choice."
"Dad--" Paige started.
Isaac stepped forward, his hand held up. Paige quieted down. Isaac's eyes fell on Randy. There was a sadness in them. Randy turned away.
"Daniel's point is an accurate one," Isaac said. "The Yuzaki appear to be very firm on wiping us out. And we...are the last of the human race. That cannot be allowed to happen. Randall Heim...is our only hope."
Randy looked at Isaac again. He hesitated for a moment. He knew how everyone would react to what he was about to say. He knew it would hurt Paige. He also knew what his gut instinct said.
"There," Randy said, "might be another way."

Paige's eyes glared at Randy for a moment. Then she was back to pacing the bedroom floor. Randy sat back and watched her. She had been that way for a while.
Paige turned on him.
"How could you?" Paige snapped. "How could you!"
"I trust my gut," Randy said.
"He's a spy!" Paige yelled.
"That's what you think," Randy replied.
Paige's eyes widened. For a moment, Randy thought they were about to fall out of her sockets.
"What I think?" Paige uttered. "What about what you think? You honestly think this man's talks? That there's another reality out there? That we're not real?"
"It would explain why he seems to know people who don't know him," Randy said.
"A spy could know that," Paige shot back.
"Which means we have a traitor almost us," Randy said.
Paige's eyes narrowed on Randy. "You didn't use to be this way."
Randy stood up. He stared at her, his eyes watering. Paige glared at him.
"Don't," Paige hissed.
"What if he's right, Paige?" Randy asked. "What if all of this...is not suppose to be this way? And it's my fault? I have to change it."
"Maybe you want to believe this fairy tale," Paige said. "This world? To real to me."
Randy walked over to Paige. He reached for Paige. She backed away. Randy frowned. Paige tossed her red hair, crossing her arms over her chest. Randy sighed sadly, dropping his arms. He headed for the bedroom door.
"Where are you going?" Paige demanded.
"Walk," Randy said, not looking back.

Randy wrapped his arms around himself. Professor Brown's words were in his head. Just like the Elders, his mind thought about what Brown said. The question was would they believe it?
"You done with that?"
Randy blinked. He had forgotten he was in front of a punching bag. After his walk, he had not wanted to see Paige's glare again. He stumbled onto the base's gym. He hit it a bit. Then he got lost in thought.
Randy looked at the newcomer. He was a guy with curly dark hair dressed in a black wife-beater and gym shorts. He stared at Randy with a frown.
"Oh, sorry," Randy managed.
"Oh," the stranger said. "You're him."
Randy frowned. "Him?"
"Richard tells me you have the Elders considering some crazy man's idea," he said.
"He could be right," Randy said.
"How can you be sure?"
"A feeling. Just a gut instinct I have."
The stranger cocked an eyebrow. "And if it's wrong?"
Randy continued to look at the stranger. "The truth? I'm starting to think it isn't."
The stranger moved to the punching bag. He grabbed it. His eyes focused on Randy.
"Then what the rest of us says...doesn't matter," the stranger said. "You should follow your gut."
Randy smiled. It felt much better to see someone agree with him. It felt good.
"Well...if it isn't the Egghead writer!"
Randy rolled his eyes and turned around. Richard headed into the room. He made it to the two of them, frowning at the two of them.
"What are you doing with him?" Richard asked.
"He was here before I got here," the stranger said.
"Really?" Richard asked. He looked at Randy. "Kendall must have booted you out, huh?"
The stranger blocked Randy's view. He stared into Richard's eyes.
"Back off," he said.
"But--" Richard started.
"Sssh!" he whispered. He wrapped his arms around his waist. Then he kissed Richard.
"Uh...I...you two be safe," Randy managed.
"Yeah," the stranger said.
"Ethan..." Richard managed.
"How about we spar?" the stranger...Ethan...asked.
"Cool," Richard said.
"Remember, Randy," Ethan said. "Trust your gut."
Randy smiled. "Thanks...Ethan."
Randy headed away. His mind lingered on that name. Ethan. His mind latched onto it, the sound of the name feeling familiar.
Randy made it to the door. He paused and turned around. Ethan and Richard wrestled. It looked familiar to him.
Randy walked out of the gym. He thought of Ethan's words. In these words, he knew what he wanted...had to do.
He headed for the cells.

Randy was sure that he had made no sound. Brown was still standing. His head looked away as if he was in another world. Then he turned, his eyes squarely on Randy.
"I see you have made a decision," Brown said.
Randy stood in front of the cell. He managed a smile.
"I am willing to take a leap of faith," Randy said.
"You could be wrong."
Randy frowned. "Do you want me to believe you or not?"
Brown grinned. "Mr. Heim, I only want you to be prepared. I also want you at the top of your game."
"I'm always at the top."
"Are you?"
"Don't know what you mean."
"Because you do not remember."
"Maybe it's time I did."
Randy's right arm shimmered. The prosthetic appeared. Randy could not help, but smile. It responded to his thoughts. He should be able to do--
An alarm sounded off. Randy looked away. A red light blinked on and off by the door. Several people ran by. Randy looked at Professor Brown.
"I'll be back," Randy said.
"Mr. Heim--" Brown said.
"Hold on," Randy said, cutting him off.
Randy headed out of the cells. The alarm rang even louder out in this hall. Randy ran. He wondered why the alarm was going off.
Randy dashed around the corner. He made it halfway down the hall before Melissa came out of a side door. Randy tripped over one of her legs and stumbled.
"Watch where you're going!" Melissa yelled. She saw him. "Oh, Egghead."
Randy caught the wall. He looked back at her.
"What's going on?" Randy asked.
"I don't know how," Melissa said, "But the Yuzaki found us."

Melissa turned the corner. She dashed down it, grabbing out her laser. Randy looked at his prosthetic. He was sure it was ready.
"But how?" Randy asked.
"No idea how," Melissa said, "but they came through the East Tunnel. I really want to know how. the tunnel is hidden completely well."
Melissa turned another corner. Randy turned the corner in time to see Melissa fire on two Yuzaki. She got one of them. The other one's laser flew out of his hands. Melissa aimed again. The Yuzaki waved a hand, sending Melissa flying into a wall.
Randy looked at her. It looked like she was unconscious. He looked up at the dark-haired Yuzaki. He snarled.
"Hmmm...Heim Prime," the Yuzaki said. "Isis will be pleased."
Randy narrowed his eyes. "Or not."
Randy held out his right arm. His prosthetic released a high-pitch sound like a siren. The Yuzaki screamed and fell to the floor unconscious.
"That was good."
Randy turned around. Melissa was finishing up using the wall to stand. She moved over to the Yuzaki. She aimed her laser and fired.
"Except you forgot that," Melissa sad.
Randy managed a smile. "Thanks."
"Anytime, Egghead."
"Hm. Charming."
Randy looked behind him. Paige stopped by them, laser at the ready. She stared at the two of them.
"You two flirting or fighting?" Paige asked.
"Bite me, Kendall," Melissa said.
"Later, Yuzaki to kill," Paige said. "Coming, Clark?"
Before Melissa could answer, Paige dashed away. Melissa narrowed her eyes, her face a glare. Then she followed.
Randy dashed after the two of them. He was sorry to hurt Paige. However, it was something that would have to be resolved later.
Randy barely had time to duck. The laserfire shot past his head. He was sure he felt the heat from them.
Melissa crawled next to Ethan. He and a few other men had formed a blockade of items in one hall. Every few seconds, one of the men looked out past it and fired shots. Then he ducked down quickly, barely missing Yuzaki laserfire. Randy dashed back to make it behind Melissa. Paige was next to him.
"How's it going?" Melissa asked.
"We got a group pinned down here," Ethan said. "That's not stopping other groups from finding their way around. I sent Richard to get the Elders out." Ethan looked around. His eyes fell on Randy. He looked back at Melissa. "You might want to get him out of here, too."
"Good plan," Paige agreed. "Come on, Randy."
"What about Professor Brown?" Randy asked.
"I got a few other things to worry about at the moment," Ethan answered. "Like you. Kendall, take him."
"I'm not leaving without the Professor," Randy said.
"Randy--" Paige started.
"You heard me," Randy cut her off. "He could be the key. Besides any of these Yuzaki know how to teleport like he does."
"But can he be trusted?" Paige challenged.
"I'm with Egghead," Melissa said, shooting off a few rounds. "Trust him. Speaking of which, Ethan, any idea how the Yuzaki got in?"
Ethan fired at the Yuzaki. "None. Smells like a traitor to me."
"You have no idea."
Randy's eyes widened. He knew that voice. He turned around to see laserfire shoot past him. He heard Paige scream.
Ethan shot up. "Richard?"
"Sorry, lover," Richard said, aiming at Ethan. "I'm not believing no nonsense about other realities. I'll take my chances with the Yuzaki if that's the only choice."
"Richard--" Ethan started.
Randy barely heard the laserfire. His eyes fell on Paige's body. Blood came from it. His eyes fell on her and then moved to Richard. Then...he tilted his head.
Richard became less a person. It was a problem. An equation to be solved. And Randy...knew how to do that.
He moved like a ballerina. He swung around in a circle. Richard started to aim. Randy lowered to the floor in front of Richard, throwing out his leg. It connected to Richard's left knee, making him stumble. Richard leaned forward. Randy punched him in the jaw. Richard fell to the floor.
Randy blinked. Coming out of his trance, Randy looked down at the unconscious Richard. He smiled, knowing Paige got a bit of payback now.
Then...he broke out in a run.

Brown's eyes were on the door when Randy came back. He managed a smile.
"It took a long time," Professor Brown said.
Randy walked up to the cell door. He opened it. Then he headed for the chains and worked on them.
"The Yuzaki are attacking the base," Randy explained. "We were betrayed from within." He backed away from the free Professor Brown. "I trust you are right and this isn't real. That the other world is better."
Professor Brown rubbed his hands. "It is indeed better, Mr. Heim. All you need to do is..." Brown's face darkened. "...remember."
Suddenly, Brown grabbed Randy's head with both of his hands. Randy's eyes widened in surprise. Then images hit his head.

Richard and Randy falling through a blue vortex. Randy kissing Melissa on a futuristic world. Randy lunging at Daniel Carter, manta ships flying overhead. Randy kissing Paige on a world where Mexico and the United States were at odds. Professor Brown throwing Randy off a cliff after the Kromaggs' defeat. Randy leaning against a tree, Ethan's head in his lap looking at the world around them. Isis and the Yuzaki attacking him and Brown. Randy reaching for the Geiger device, his prosthetic shooting off an electric current to take it out.
Randy's eyes widened as he picked up some of Brown's thoughts as well.

Brown barely had time to react. Randy threw up his arms. Brown fell back. Randy aimed his prosthetic.
"So," Randy began, "you kept tabs on us? Rembrandt. Richard. Ethan. Melissa. They were all captured and you did nothing?"
Brown crossed his arms over his chest. He stared Randy down. Randy glared back.
"Welcome back, Mr. Heim," Brown said. He arched an eyebrow. "Or are you?"
"What is that sup--" Randy started.
"You know exactly what I mean!" Brown snapped. "I left you dead. And yet you stand before me in a constructed universe. Before that, all of your associates were in danger of arriving on Death's door. You are a failure of a leader."
"I'm not a failure."
"Really, Mr. Heim?" Brown challenged. "Then...prove it."
Randy stumbled out of the purple transdimensional portal. He had never been awaken when he has gone through Professor Brown's portal. It was like watching through a doorway actually.
Randy looked around. Judging from the see-through walls, he was back in the Yuzaki base. There was no sign of tubes so Randy knew he wasn't on the same floor as before.
Brown emerged from the portal. It closed behind him. Randy glared at him.
"You know what to do?" Randy asked.
"Yes, Mr. Heim," Brown said. "My memory is not impaired."
"Neither is mine."
Brown grinned. "Nice to have you back in the game, Mr. Heim."
Brown frowned. Randy watched Brown look around the hall. He looked back at Randy.
"The Yuzaki are coming," Brown said.
Randy balled up his fist. "Let's go."

Randy jumped out of the portal quickly. He looked around. Several Yuzaki were at a console. They turned quickly. Their eyes narrowed on him.
Brown jumped out the portal. It closed behind him. Meanwhile, a new portal opened in front of Randy.
"Jump!" Brown barked.
Randy jumped into the portal.

Randy landed on the floor. He jumped up fast, his eyes looking around the room. His eyes widened.
All around Randy was manta ships. They were in a large dock.
"Terran!"
Randy turned around. A Yuzaki aimed a laser at him. Randy threw his prosthetic arm up, unleashing a high-pitch screech. Yuzaki all over the dock screamed.
"Mr. Heim!" Brown yelled, forming a new portal.
"Coming!" Randy yelled.
Randy ran for the portal. He ran into it...

...and into Isis's hand. Randy gasped as Isis's hand tightened around his throat. She lifted him into the air.
"And what do you think you are doing?" Isis challenged.
"The Heim Prime."
Randy could see over Isis's shoulder. Horus glared at him. He stood by a device shaped like a giant egg.
Brown walked out of the portal. He lunged at Isis. Isis knocked him away with her free hand. Her inhuman eyes stayed focused on Randy.
"You led a merry chase, Heim Prime," Isis said. "Did you think you could completely upset our plans? Think again."
"I see...you make...same mis...take as your...Kromaggs," Randy managed.
"Oh?" Isis asked, tightening her grip and bringing him closer to her face. "And what is that?"
Randy stared at Isis. "You...underestimate me."
Suddenly, a high pitch screech ran through the white room. Isis's eyes widened. She fell to the floor screaming. Randy stood over her. He looked at the device. Horus was on the floor screaming. He headed for the device.
"Checkmate," Randy said.
Randy looked at his prosthetic. He would only have a moment before Isis and Horus would recover. His prosthetic sparked with its electric current. He turned to look at Brown.
"Remember," Randy said.
Then...he punched his prosthetic arm through the device. Light shot out from it.

"Halt!"
Melissa Clark ignored herself. She had just been given a distraction. She was taking it. She ran faster down the sidewalk.
She turned a bit. when she turned back around, she gasped. Before she could stop herself, Melissa ran into a purple door. She shimmered.

Rembrandt Brown stared at the people aiming guns at him, Richard Hall, and Ethan Bradshaw. He could not believe this was how it was going to end. All because of Randy Heim.
"Hold up!" Richard exclaimed.
"God, shut up!" Ethan yelled.
"Maybe you are ready to die, Thuggie!" Richard yelled. "I'm not!"
"You stupid--"
"Who are you call--"
Ethan and Richard lunged at each other. Rembrandt saw they were close to the cell door. He also saw a figure appeared near the gunman. His eyes widened as he made out Randy.
Suddenly, Ethan and Richard fell into the cell door. Their bodies knocked the gun hand of the person in charge of this world's police...Kate.
"What the--" Kate started.
Then her gun went off. Rembrandt groaned, pain shooting through his body. Then he fell to the floor.

"Wow."
Randy looked over at them. Ethan stared over at him. In the seat next to him was Melissa, her expression the same as Ethan. Shocked. Randy leaned against the wall, his arms over his chest.
"I can't believe they did that," Ethan said. "That...they could do that."
"I'm surprised you could remember," Melissa said. "Not to mention Brown could."
"When I confronted Isis before," Randy said, "I figured the only reason she and the others were around because they had some form of temporal anchors. So...I made myself one before any of this started. As for Brown, I'm sure Kersh made his mind in such a way he could notice the difference."
"So are they dead?" Ethan asked.
Randy frowned. He would like to be sure. He looked at them.
"I don't know," he said.

Professor Darnell Brown leaned forward in the chair. Rembrandt was in the hospital bed. He had not awaken yet. That worried Darnell.
"You're a little late to worry about him, don't you think?"
Brown looked over at the door. Richard leaned against it. He smirked. Brown frowned.
"I mean," Richard continued, "you did leave him in the slidecage after all."
"I trusted my uncle's intellect enough to know he would figure a way out of it," Brown said. "I cannot understand how you made it."
"Maybe it's cuz I'm smarter than you think," Richard said.
"Or very lucky," Brown replied.
"Watch it, Proper," Richard warned. "You don't want to bite off more than you can chew."
Brown stood up. "I highly doubt that. However I do believe it is time I took my leave."
"No."
Brown looked past Richard. Richard turned around as well. Randy walked into the room. Brown sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I do believe I have better things to do with my time than argue with Mr. Hall," Brown said.
"I agree," Randy said. "You do. So...stay."
"What?!" Richard shrieked.
"You wanted me to step up my game," Randy continued, ignoring Richard. "Now...it's your turn." He narrowed his eyes. "Think you're man enough?"

THE-END

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