Randy Heim swung her around. She giggled at his light foot. He smiled at how her long hair swung around. He held her in his arms. She stared into his eyes.
  "You dance well," she said.
  Randy frowned a bit, tilting his head. "Do I?"
  "You have for a while now," she said.
  She frowned. He touched her chin.
  "Now, now," Randy said. "There is plenty of time."
  She looked up at him. "Is there?" She looked past him. "Because I think...it's almost you." Her face darkened. "So, tell me...Randy...have you lived?"

  "Ah!"
  Randy Heim exhaled rapidly. Another dream with Cassandra. They were coming more regularly. He couldn't say he liked them.

  He answered on the second knock. His dark black hair was a mess as he leaned on the door to his bedroom. He looked at Randy and smiled.
  "Again?" Ethan asked.
  "Again," Randy said. "Can I--"
  Ethan stepped back, gesturing.
  "Be my guest," Ethan said.
  Randy saw Ethan's grew eyes. His time betrayed something more. Randy ignored it. He trusted Ethan and walked into the room.

  She peeked out of her door. When she heard a sound, she trusted her instinct. She was glad she did. Randy had gotten up, dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants...looking quite nice. When she saw the Ethan double open his door....in black boxers and a nice muscular hairy chest, her lips curled up at this interesting development. She was gone...how long. And Randy looked like he was playing for another team. Yes...interesting.
  "Hmmmm," Rebecca Pryce said, the wheels in her head spinning.

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 13: CONQUEROR OF WORLDS (S6 FINALE)

  Quinn Mallory fell out of the vortex. He hit the wall hard. A groan escaped his lips as he slid to the ground. The vortex closed behind him.
  He picked himself up, his mind on the fact he really was getting too old for this. He looked at the timer. He looked around.
  Randy and Ethan were getting to their feet. Nearby, Melissa Clark got to hers, her eyes on a close Richard Hall. Then his eyes fell on her and they narrowed.
  Rebecca Pryce was a conwoman. Randy's group had encountered her a lot over the years. She was even part of it for a while...until she disappeared. now she was back...and judging by the look she was giving Randy and Ethan up to no good again.
  "So how long, Q-ball?"
  Quinn looked behind him. Rembrandt Brown approached him. He looked a little ragged, too. Maybe they were both getting too old for this.
  "A week," Quinn said. He managed a smile. "So...maybe some down time for a chance."
  Rembrandt also managed a smile. "Maybe. Until we're home."
  Quinn looked at the wall he crashed into. He let his hand run along. It was solid dark gray marble.
  "I don't think so," Quinn said.

  Melissa Clark's eyes widened.
  All around them was buildings made of marble. The architecture was very Ancient Greek looking with arches and pillars. Men were dressed in long white robes and togas. Women chattered in their short togas. Horses drew chariots behind them, their masters running along to errands.
  "Wow," Melissa uttered.
  "You've seen one. You've seen them all."
  Melissa frowned. She turned to look at Richard Hall. His arms were over his chest, his long dark brown hair blowing in the wind. He stared at her with such coldness. She did not like it at all.
  "Excuse me," Melissa said. "Maybe you're been to a world like it, but I haven't. Let me have my fun."
  Rebecca stepped up beside Richard. She frowned at Melissa.
  "You know how to have fun?" Rebecca asked. "I find that hard to believe."
  "I find it hard to believe anything that comes out of your mouth," Melissa said. "Guess we're on the same page."
  Rebecca looked past Melissa. She looked at her again. She smirked.
  "Guess we're not the only ones," Rebecca commented.
  Melissa turned around. Randy and Ethan chattered about something. She looked back at Rebecca.
  "They're friends," Melissa said. "What's wrong? Mad Randy isn't in your bed anymore?"
  Rebecca laughed. "Puh-leaze! Besides...looks like he already found a new bedmate. Only judging from last night, of course. I mean--"
  "Shut up, Rebecca," Melissa snapped.
  "Why do you care?" Richard demanded.
  Melissa looked at Richard. Her eyes widened. Richard didn't notice.
  "I mean," Richard continued, "I'm your boyfriend. Not Egghead. So why care?"
  "He's my friend," Melissa said, getting a giggle out of Rebecca. She glared at Rebecca, causing Rebecca to shut up and walk away. "As for boyfriend, are you? You haven't been a boyfriend for weeks now. Not since...Isabel."
  Richard's face darkened. She didn't care. She was sick of him punishing both of them for someone she once called friend.
  "You're just looking for any excuse to get back with--"
  "This has nothing to do with Randy," Melissa said, touching Richard's cheek. "Do you remember Kromagg Prime? I picked you. You're the one I want to be with. Stop pushing me away."
  Richard's face looked conflicted. She grabbed his hand. She managed a smile.
  "Now...how about we enjoy this world?" Melissa asked.   "Melissa--" Richard started.
  Melissa kissed him. She let her lips linger. Then she pulled back. Richard looked much happier.
  "Sssh," Melissa said. "Just be happy."

  "As we celebrate another year living under the Alexandrian Empire be sure to give thanks to the gods!"
  "Alexandrian?" Rembrandt uttered as he looked at the speaker in front of the fountain. "As in Alexander?"
  Randy stared at the speaker...an old man. He had several teenagers gathered around him, their eyes full of awe. He looked at Rembrandt.
  "It looks that way," Randy said.
  "So," Ethan said, grabbing Randy's hand, "who's Alexand--"
  Randy frowned. He moved a bit away from Ethan. Ethan looked back at him, hurt etched in his eyes.
  "Alexander was a man who conquered most of his mind a long time ago," Randy said. He frowned. "He died young."
  Cassandra came to mind again. Her question in his mind. Had he lived?
  Randy looked behind him. Richard and Melissa were kissing. She looked happy with him. Meanwhile, Randy was...alone.
  Randy looked at Ethan. He glared at Randy. Nothing was said.
  "How about we go find some native clothes?" Quinn asked behind Randy. "I think we're getting--"
  "Randall! Ethan! Good to see you out."
  Randy looked past Ethan. A group of men approached them. He recognized Charlie Denny, college president on Earth Prime. He was hand-in-hand with a person Randy recognized as Alex Winters. The other couple he didn't recognize.
  "Many of us were angry," Charlie said.
  "And look at them!" Alex exclaimed. "Is that the latest from Vera Wang. Perhaps we should visit Lonxander as well."
  "We...we're okay," Randy said, smiling. He reached for Ethan's hand. "In f--"
  "Actually," Ethan said, snapping his hand away, "I think I'm gonna help out our friends. Remmy!"
  Ethan walked away. Randy watched him go, unsure how he should feel.

  Quinn stared at himself in the floor mirror. He looked over at Rembrandt who was also looking at his white robe in a floor mirror.
  "So what do you think that was about?" Quinn asked.
  "What?" Rembrandt asked.
  "Randy and Ethan," Quinn said. "Have they been acting--"
  "None of my business, Q-ball," Rembrandt said, fiddling with the bottom of his robe. "What is my business...is being sure you geniuses get time to work."
  With the task of getting Jared Heim home now done, it was time for Randy and him to work on getting the rest of them home. They still had threats out there. The Yuzaki came to mind. One thing at a time however...
  "Are you okay?" Quinn asked.
  Rembrandt looked at Quinn, frowning. "Yea. Why do you ask?"
  "It's been a week since...Max."
  Rembrandt's face immediately darkened. Last week they had been on a world where race positions were different due to Reconstruction ending differently. He had met his alternate son Max...who was a racist, learned from Rembrandt's double. He might have killed Rembrandt...if Randy had not killed Max first.
  Rembrandt shook his head. "I'm fine. It's just...you think about a son. You have expectations. Dreams. Hopes. Didn't think my son would be..."
  "I know," Quinn said "Maybe...when we get home and...Wade and I..."
  Quinn's voice cracked. Wade. Had it really been a year since he laid eyes on her? Had proposed to her? Would...
  A hand touched his shoulder, bringing Quinn back down to earth. It was Rembrandt.
  "Don't worry," he said. "You're get back to her." He smiled. "Let's find the others."

  Melissa laughed. The foundation was alive...with music. A trio of robe-clad men played. One had a flute. Another a harp. The last had a guitar. They were in perfect harmony. Several girls danced to the music, spinning around. She found it intoxicating in its fun.
  Arms wrapped around her from behind. She felt a noose in her ear. She turned her head to look. Richard smiled back at her. He looked good in his toga, his long hair tied in a ponytail.
  "It's good to see you smile," Melissa said.
  "You, too," Richard said.
  He kissed Melissa Melissa leaned back into it, loving it...loving him. Maybe now they could get back to nor...
  Melissa pulled back. She looked around the crowd. She frowned.
  "What's up, sweetheart?" Richard asked.
  "What's up," Melissa said, looking around, "is that we didn't come alone. Where's Rebecca?"

  Rebecca walked down the walkway. She fixed her hair in a nice bun while she was at it, her toga flowing behind her. with the gold bracelets along her arms, Rebecca looked and felt like a goddess.
  She left Richard and Melissa started to kiss. She thought she was about to be sick. If she had to put up with them much longer...
  "Do you really have to look for me that much?"
  Rebecca looked around her. There was no one on the walkway. She crossed her arms over her chest.
  "Well, if someone would show himself...," Rebecca commented.
  "As if you thought I was not here, Ms. Pryce."
  Rebecca turned around. Dressed in a brown robe was Professor Darnell Brown. His arms were over his chest.
  "As you know," Brown said, "where you go, I go."

  "Well?" Brown asked.
  "What is there to say?" Rebecca asked. "You know they would be weary of me. Besides they're way too busy with their own dramas to give me much mind...except for Melissa. I can handle her though."
  "Do not hurt Miss Clark," Brown said.
  "You're a little late to be caring, Brownie," Rebecca replied. "Left her in a slidecage remember. You left all of us to die."
  "I needed to cloak my escape," Brown said.
  "Small comfort," Rebecca replied.
  "All right," Brown said, his face darkening. "How about this?"
  Rebecca's whole body tensed up. She gasped for breath. It felt like she was sucking in solid water. Brown paid her no mind, putting his hands behind his back.
  "I left you in a confined space," Brown said. "A confined space that I can easily return you to if you even think of doublecrossing me. Focus on that."
  Rebecca gasped loudly, her legs giving out. She fell to the ground. She let her breath come slowly. She looked up to see Brown was gone. She also saw Melissa.
  "Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
  Rebecca picked herself up.
  "I'm fine," Rebecca said. "I didn't think you cared."
  "I don't," Melissa said.
  "Then why look for me?"
  "I don't trust you."
  "I'm a lot more trustworthy than...say...Randy right now," Rebecca said. "Sneaking into Ethan's room night after n--"
  "If you want to talk to Randy," Melissa said, cutting her off, "go and talk to him. You don't have to worry about me."
  "Really?" Rebecca challenged. "I remember getting a shiner when you first found out Randy and me were screwing. Not the reaction a 'friend' would have."
  Melissa glared at Rebecca. "It's--"
  "Water under the bridge?" Rebecca countered. "Find that hard to believe."
  "Believe it."
  "I think if you really want Egghead...you better move quick. I think someone's gonna beat you to it."
  Melissa scowled. "Randy would never take you back."
  Rebecca laughed. "Nice try." She narrowed her eyes on Melissa. "You know I don't mean me." She shrugged her shoulders. "Randy is such a leader at times...all solitude and guilt. Makes it hard to connect...especially if no one wants to talk to him. It's just a matter of time before he...connects."
  Rebecca walked away from Melissa, a big smirk on her face.

  "Go over there."
  Randy looked up. Quinn sat down next to him. He frowned.
  "What are you talking about?" Randy asked.
  "You want to play dumb?" Quinn asked. "Fine." He pointed. "There."
  Randy looked, pretty sure of where Quinn was pointing. Sure enough, Quinn had pointed to the other side of the fountain. Ethan was sitting with Richard and Rembrandt as they watched the group playing. Randy glared at Quinn.
  "What are you saying?" Randy asked.
  "Talk to him," Quinn said. "You been looking at him most of the time you been here. Or if not, come and hang out."
  "Nah," Randy said. "I don't want to ruin anyone's fun."
  "Live a little," Quinn said. "You..."
  The dream came to Randy again. Cassandra's vision of him...him dying. And he had seen the face of his killer. He had known for a while. He didn't knew when it would be. But...knowing made him abandon his thirst for revenge against Professor Brown. He gave him back who he was...a big old geek. Who could like that?
  Randy looked across the fountain. Ethan laughed at something Rembrandt said. Then he looked right at Randy. They locked eyes for a moment. Then Randy shot up.
  "Randy--" Quinn said.
  "I got to go," Randy said. "We'll talk Earth Prime tomorrow."

  "Well, look at Egghead go," Richard commented. "Guess he got ants in his pants."
  Rembrandt watched the other side of the fountain. Randy stormed away. Quinn looked over at him, shrugged his shoulders. He wondered what it was about.
  "I'll be back," Ethan announced, standing up. Then he was gone.
  "They're just dropping like flies," Richard said.
  Rembrandt frowned. Yeah. They were just dropping like flies. He looked at Richard.
  "Where's Rebecca and Melissa?" Rembrandt asked.
  "Rebecca vanished," Richard revealed. "Melissa went to look for her."
  "That a good thing?"
  Richard frowned. "Rebecca vanishing or Melissa looking?"
  "Both."
  "It's kewl," Richard said. "Melissa can hold her own."

  "Randy!"
  Randy turned around. Ethan headed for him, a rocket in flight. He turned around again.
  "Randy!" Ethan yelled again.
  "Ethan, could you just leave me alone?" Randy asked, turned around to face him.
  "Haven't you been alone enough?" Ethan asked.
  "My choice."
  "Don't you mean Melissa's."
  Randy glared at Ethan. Ethan reached to touch Randy's arm. Randy threw his arms up.
  "What is it with you and the touching?" Randy snapped.
  "I'm just comforting you," Ethan said.
  "I don't need comforting."
  "Could have fooled me. Am I losing it or have you been coming to my room at night and staying? Was it just me or did I hear you say you think you might die? Did I see a smile...passion...as you explain your purpose for the prosthetic arm? Maybe I have dementia?"
  "No," Randy said, "that's not it."
  "Then what is it?" Ethan snapped. "What are we?"
  "Friends."
  Ethan's face darkened. "Well...good. Happy to see you going back to brooding over something you can't have."
  "That's not--"
  "She's not leaving him," Ethan said. "You think you're going to die. Don't you think you would want to be with someone who cares before that happens. Or actually live rather than this half-life you do. If you weren't lonely, you wouldn't even talk to me."
  "Then why talk to me?"
  "For the same reason all my doubles do. And I don't think we're any different."
  Ethan started to storm away. Randy grabbed his arm. Ethan swung around, anger on his face.
  "What now?" Ethan exclaimed. "What do you--"
  Randy jerked Ethan to him. He quickly grabbed his head. Then he kissed him.

  Melissa's eyes widened. There they were in front of her. Randy and Ethan. Kissing. Randy's hands cupped Ethan's face. Their eyes closed as they gave into the moment.
  Melissa's eyes watered. She ran off.

  Quinn sat down next to Rembrandt. Rembrandt looked at him.
  "Well?" Rembrandt asked.
  Quinn shrugged his shoulders. What could he say? He tried.
  "I guess we should sit back and enjoy," Quinn said.
  A figure shot past them. Quinn looked and saw it was Melissa. She sat on Richard's lap. She grabbed him in a big kiss. Richard pulled back surprised.
  "Whoa there!" Richard exclaimed.
  Melissa shot up, pulling Richard up as well.
  "Come on," Melissa said.
  Richard grabbed Melissa in his arms. He managed a smile.
  "You okay?" Richard asked.
  "I'm just," Melissa said, leaning in to kiss Richard, "in the mood."
  Melissa dragged Richard. Quinn watched the two of them. He looked over at Rembrandt.
  "Now what was that about?" Quinn asked.
  "Maybe she's just feeling this place," Rembrandt said.
  "I do not find it a very wise thing."
  "What would you preferred? That Lexus allow the border of...the whole continent of South Alexandria be separated from the rest of the Empire. Because we both know that will not happen."
  "So...it is war then?"
  Quinn turned around. A crowd of older men had stopped behind them. His eyes widened as he saw that one of them was a double of Maximillion Arturo, dressed in a long robe and a wreath in his hair. He talked to a double of Darnell Brown. He looked over at Rembrandt whom expression matched his own.
  "War?" Arturo uttered. "Hardly. Lexus would simply send the army to rave the city to the ground. End of argument."
  "Then he would have to be absolutely sure that he killed all the conspirators," Darnell replied. "Lest, the problem grow again like a weed in a beautiful garden." He grinned. "In any case, you could debate the options with him when he arrives."
  Arturo's eyes widened. "The Emperor is coming here?"
  Darnell smirked. "How else will he be able to crunch any resistance unless he provide a more...hands-on...approach? Then...you can make your move."
  Quinn looked away. His forehead wrinkled up.
  His move?

  Randy turned over in bed. Last night was...different. Just holding each other. Being wanted...which was good. He wanted to see if Ethan was u--
  Cassandra stared back at him. She held the cover to her breast. She giggled.
  "Only in the twilight do you now try to change," she said.
  "What can I say?" Randy challenged. "I was always one to do what needed to be done."
  "Really?" Cassandra asked, her eyes narrowing. "Do you think you could do the bravest thing of all?"
  "And what would that be?"
  He barely heard it.
  "Death."
  "I make my own choices."
  "Or so you think? You try to escape that which has been destined. And like all the other times...you...will...fail."
  "And yet," Randy said, "I live. I breathe. I...make out. I don't have much faith in your fate. I'm getting my friends home. Then I'm living a good long life and there's nothing you can say or do to stop me."
  "However...I do believe I can."
  Randy rolled over in the bed. The figure lunged out of the shadows. He gasped as he saw it was...himself.

  "Ah!"
  Randy shot up. He looked beside him. Ethan was sleep, laying on his stomach. Randy got up and left him to it.
  Melissa looked up, the sound of footsteps getting her attention. Randy stood in the doorway, his toga a little disheveled. He looked at Melissa surprised.
  "I'm surprised you're still up," Randy said.
  "I...couldn't sleep," Melissa said.
  "What's wrong?" Randy asked. "It's not Rebecca is--"
  Melissa shook her head. "No. No, it's not." She stood up. "You know what? Don't worry about it."
  She started to head back into her room.
  "You know I don't like to see you hurt," Randy said.
  Melissa's back stiffened. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She turned to look at him.
  "Really?" Melissa said. "Because I usually expect Rebecca to play games with me. But this time...she was right."
  Randy frowned. "What--"
  "If you had a problem, you know you can talk to me," Melissa said. "But you been turning to Ethan. And thought you were friends. Until I saw the two of you kissing."
  Randy's face darkened. "Back off."
  "That's all you have to say?"
  "I could say more, but don't want to hurt your virgin ears. Oh, wait. You picked Richard and we know he loves sex."
  Melissa glared. "Good to know that one...out of a thousand Ethans can't be wrong."
  Randy glared. "You made your choice. You wanted Richard. Live with it. Butt out of my life."
  Randy stormed away. Melissa glared at his back. She so wanted to slap him.

  Richard stood in the shadows of his doorway. He saw the scene unfold before him. Heard it. Part of him was happy that Randy would be...occupied. What he did not like...was Melissa's reaction.
  He didn't like it at all.

  Rebecca stood in another doorway. She saw and heard it all as well. She smirked.

  Quinn knocked on the side of the entryway. His mind wondered if today would be the day Rembrandt and Richard made any headway in their search for when Lexus the Emperor would arrive. It had been three days since he overheard the conversation. In the meantime, he decided to do something without Randy. It was just a theory.
  Quinn walked into the building. He was definitely not used to buildings without doors. He entered a long hallway.
  "Can I help you?"
  Quinn looked to his left. Ethan stood there. Well, it was a double of Ethan. Where Ethan had cropped black hair, his double had slicked back shoulder length. He was dressed in a grayish robe. His eyes were full of suspicion.
  "Uh...yes," Quinn said, managing a smile. "I'm here to see Randy. Randy Heim. I'm a fan of his work."   Ethan's double gave him a sarcastic grin. "Yes. I bet you are."
  "No," Quinn said quickly. "I really am."
  Ethan's double put his hands behind his back. He glared at Quinn. Then...he walked past him. As Quinn watched him walk away, he wondered what had happened between this world's Randy and Ethan.
  "Are you coming?"
  Quinn realized that he was being glared at. He blushed. Ethan's double only looked ever more annoyed.
  "Sorry," Quinn said.

  "He is such a two-faced monster."
  Melissa turned around. The blond haired guy stared back at her. She looked away, focusing back on Brown's double waxing poetics on the Alexandrian Empire.
  "You do not ask why?"
  Melissa looked at the blond-haired guy again. She shrugged her shoulders.
  "Who am I to question another's opinion?" Melissa asked.
  "Why? You are Woman. Pearl of the gods' eye. Creator and destroyer of worlds." He reached out and touched her hand, encircling it in his own. He kissed it, his blue eyes on her surprised face the whole time. "Man's natural foil."
  Melissa smirked. "You have a way with words...uh..."
  "Nathaniel," the guy replied.
  "Nice to meet you, Nathaniel." She gestured to Brown's double. "Now...what is this about a two-faced monster?"
  "Why...The Count of Evil, of course," Nathaniel said. "Everyone knows if it was a choice between the Empire and his self-interests, Darnell would surely do what was in his self-interests."
  "Really?" Melissa said. "Then why are you here?"
  "Someone has to open the eyes of the lambs," Nathaniel replied. He looked at Darnell. "Some of us suspect that he will do something when the Emperor arrives. And we are watching. When he makes his slip, we will slit his throat. His...and anyone with him. Good day, fellow patriot."
  Nathaniel stood up and walked away.
  "You okay?"
  Melissa looked up at Richard. She looked back at where Nathaniel had been heading. He was already gone.
  "I think," Melissa said, "that I was just threatened."

  "Are you sure this is wise?"
  Rembrandt stopped pacing in the marble hall and looked. Rebecca sat on a marble bench one leg crossed over the other. She stared at him with the hint of a smirk.
  "What you talking about, Gal?" Rembrandt asked.
  "You really have no idea what 'his move' is," Rebecca said. "It could be a party. A concert. Who's to say it's anything deadly?"
  "With our luck, it could only bad."
  "With OUR luck, we should be dead." Rebecca giggled. "Besides who are you to do anything? It's not your world. Your politics. The Emperor...might actually be evil."
  "You don't know that."
  "Neither do you. It's this interference that got you in trouble you're in."
  "Don't talk to me about interference!" Rembrandt snapped.
  "Oooooh, look at you," Rebecca said, standing up. "I touched a nerve."
  Yes...he had. It wasn't too long ago Rembrandt saw a son he never knew killed in front of him. He was a racist, but he was still his son. He would give anything to have not seen that.
  "And why are you even here?" Rembrandt demanded. "Last we saw of you, you took the money and ran. Still messing with worlds?"
  "I don't mess with worlds," Rebecca said. "I blend into them. I do believe that's something you and Quinn are trying to do. Shame you bow down to Egghead."
  "I don't bow down," Rembrandt said. "However, I like having a clear conscience."
  "Rembrandt Brown! The gods have surely blessed me."
  Rembrandt turned around. Arturo approached him, arms wide open and a smile on his face. Rembrandt did the same.
  "It has been a very long time since you have visited the city," Arturo said. "I wonder what brings you."
  "Ohh...I think you know," Rembrandt said.
  Arturo stiffened up. "You....know?"
  "Why...the city is abuzz with it," Rembrandt said.
  Arturo managed a laugh. "True. Have you had the time to visit with Dar--"
  "Not as of yet," Rembrandt said quickly.
  Arturo frowned.
  "Intriguing," he commented.
  "He...can keep," Rembrandt said. "It is you. I wanted to talk to Me...and my lovely associate Rebecca."
  Rebecca did a courtesy. Rembrandt noticed she bent a little too low showing off her breasts. Rembrandt took a peek at Arturo and saw that he too noticed. Arturo grinned extremely wide.
  "It is a pleasure," Rebecca said in a meek voice.
  Arturo walked up to Rebecca. He grabbed one of her hands and kissed it.
  "The pleasure," Arturo said, "is all mine."

  "You have company."
  Quinn watched the figure bend at the table look up. Like the Ethan double, he also had shoulder-length hair. Stubble formed on his face. And his glare matched Ethan's perfectly.
  "And you were kind enough to bring them to the lab," Randy's double said. "Some might think you c--"
  "In your dreams," Ethan's double shot back. "I wanted to be sure you would not immediately tear each other's robes off."
  "Uh...I do not do that," Quinn said.
  Ethan's double's head snapped in Quinn's direction.
  "Because I really believe y--"
  "Enough, Ethan!" Randy's double yelled.
  "No, Randall," Ethan said, turning to face Randy's double, "not nearly. If he is still here when I return, someone will be missing a part of his anatomy."
  Ethan stormed away without another word. Quinn looked over at Randy's double.
  "Is he serious?" Quinn asked.
  Randy's double leaned back over the table. "No. Only melodramatic. Part of the reason I love him. So...how can I help you?"
  Quinn approached the table. Randy's double leaned over the table, working on what appeared to be a black box with wires.
  "I heard...you were an inventor of sorts," Quinn said.
  "You could say that," Randy's double said. "Where would the Empire be without my invention of gunpowder? Or my invention of radio waves?"
  "Sounds like you have a busy life."
  "Yes. It drives Ethan very mad. However...I am a patriot."
  "So what is the black box?"
  "Oh...this," Randy's double said, grabbing the box in his arms. He rubbed the surface, causing a popping sound to emerge. "Something the Emperor wanted me to work on. His thirst for conquest is quite ravenous."
  An antenna emerged out of the top of the box. Suddenly, lightning crackled from it. It shot out at Quinn. He dodged just in time. It hit a pillar. The pillar dissolved before his eyes, forming a blue vortex.
  "Oh...my...," Quinn uttered over the wind.
  "Yes!" Randy's double said. "The Emperor will be conqueror of worlds!"

  Randy looked down. Ethan's head was in his lap as he sat against a tree. He watched Ethan frown at Randy's statement.
  "Conqueror of worlds?" Ethan uttered.
  "Yeah," Randy said. "The danger isn't so much what if people learned about sliding. I've seen too many of my doubles who discover it to very little reaction. The danger is what people will do with the knowledge. Or how they will use it."
  Ethan stretched out, the frown still on his face. He sat up on his knees, turning to look at Randy.
  "How can it be used?" Ethan asked. "All I've ever seen is how it's used as a portal to somewhere else."
  Randy reached out and rubbed Ethan's hair.
  "You're lucky," Randy said.
  Ethan grinned. "I think we both are."
  Randy found they were leaning into each other. He smiled a little. Ethan did as well. He didn't know what to say, but it was good to feel happy. That was something he had Ethan to thank for that. He kissed him. He pulled back from Ethan and looked sideways...to find himself looking at Ethan's double.
  "You really think a shave and haircut is going to hide you from me?" Ethan's double asked, annoyed. "I knew you would screw with--"
  Ethan turned to look at who was talking. His double's face went pale. Then...he fainted in front of them. Ethan looked back at Randy.
  "Oops," Ethan uttered.

  Melissa watched Richard shake hands with Darnell. He had been chatting him up for a while. All she did was nod and smile at the right moments. Being the girlfriend.
  Girlfriend. That brought to mind her fight with Randy a few days ago. She could not believe it. Randy...was with Ethan. After multiple worlds and denials, he upped and did what many of his doubles had did before him. Did I make her a...smokescreen?
  "Melissa?"
  Melissa came out of her thoughts. She turned to see Richard staring at her. She saw Darnell and some of his followers were heading off.
  "Brown invited us along," Richard said. "Now's our chance. You coming?"
  "Uh...yeah," Melissa said.

  Quinn did not know what to say. It had been hours since Randy's double had revealed his discovery. Since then the two of them had been discussing. Quinn managed to claim he had also did such a discovery...and was trying to find a particular world. Randy's double's eyes lit up with jealousy. It was similar to the other Randy. Naturally, Randy wanted to see if he could refine that world.
  "I just do not think you will," Quinn said as he sat on the bench.
  Randy's double was over his bench, fiddling.
  "You keep saying that," Randy's double replied "I am not one to fail...especially when I am working for the Emperor."
  Quinn looked around. "Your lover isn't coming in here soon, is he?"
  "I am surprised he has not yet," the double said, pausing. For a moment, a look flashed across the face. It was like a look of longing. He shook it away. "I am sure he is probably busy with Charlie and the others."
  "Maybe he would like to be busy...with you."
  Randy's double laughed. Then he went back to working on the black box. "Who has time to...get busy...when one works for the Empire?"
  Quinn frowned. He wondered what Ethan's double saw in Randy's double. He seem completely into his work.
  "Done!"
  Randy's double held up the black box. The antenna popped out again, lightning threatening to shot out. Then it did, hitting a nearby pillar. The pillar dissolved into a blue vortex. Randy's double walked over to it, pausing to look at Quinn.
  "You are coming along, correct?" the double challenged.

  Rembrandt sat back with some wine. Meanwhile, Arturo laughed...a tipsy Rebecca by his side. they had been chatting for hours. Still, no information on the Emperor. Rembrandt stood up.
  "I believe it is time we took our leave," Rembrandt said. "I would like to pick Darnell's brain on the Emperor's arrival."
  Rebecca looked at Rembrandt. "Why do such a thing when we have..." She reached out, touching Arturo's chin, "...a better brain to pick."
  Arturo grinned very wide. "One would think you are buttering me up for another purpose."
  "Well, it would be awe-striking to meet the Emperor," Rebecca said. "Do you not think so?"
  Arturo scowled. "Our Emperor is a great many things...one of them being a fool."
  "Heretic!" Rebecca exclaimed with mock shock.
  "I think that he should have foreseen this possible split with South Alexandria," Arturo said. "He allowed that region too much liberties and now the whole Empire could pay the price."
  "Does it surely have more liberties than...well...us?" Rebecca asked, a hint of a taunt to her words.
  Arturo laughed, his laughter echoing through the halls. He looked at Rebecca.
  "He stresses equality," Arturo said, "yet they are allowed their slaves. He talks of productivity, but everyone knows South Alexandria as a pleasure country. Some of us even say that maybe all of the Empire's power shouldn't be in the hands of one."
  "Ahh," Rembrandt joined in. "But to do something about it...wouldn't that be treason?"
  Arturo looked at Rembrandt, a frown on his face.
  "Is it treason if you want to better your society?" Arturo challenged.
  "Perhaps you could," Rebecca said, touching Arturo's shoulder, "discuss it with him."
  "To criticize the Emperor is to court death," Arturo said. He stood up. "Perhaps it is best that you stay here tonight."
  "It would be nice," Rembrandt said, "but I would like a word with Darnell and..."
  "I believe you will find him...occupied," Arturo said.
  Rembrandt frowned. "What do you mean 'occupied?'"

  "You're a million miles away."
  Melissa came out of her thoughts. Richard sat next to her on a bench. He looked at the goblet in her hand.
  "Have you even tried the wine?" Richard asked.
  "Yeah," Melissa said. "Love it."
  "Then...think you can mingle?"
  Melissa looked around at the other people in Rembrandt's marble home. They all have their drinks. They chatted. At the moment, a few of them surrounded Darnell. Their faces showed they took in every word he said. It made her think of a cult leader. She shivered, turning to look at Richard.
  "I think you are mingling well enough for both of us," Melissa said. "Any idea on when the Emperor will get here?"
  "None."
  Richard looked at Darnell. So did Melissa. He looked at the two of them, raising his goblet in salute. They did the same, taking drinks.
  "If I didn't know better," Richard said, "I would say he's playing with us."
  "Well," Melissa said, snipped her wine, "all Darnells are clever and devious. Look at ours."
  Richard frowned. "Not a pleasant thought." He looked at her. "Neither is the idea of you hung up on Egghead."
  Melissa almost choke on her wine. She looked at him. No words came out of her mouth.
  "You know these buildings don't have doors," Richard said, "so yes I heard you fighting with Egghead. And it's none of your business."
  Melissa glared at him. "And if it's a danger--"
  "It's not a danger," Richard said, cutting her off. "If he wants to swing that way, more power to him."
  "What's wrong?" Melissa asked. "Afraid if he's unattached, he'll make a play. Get me back?"
  Richard stared at him. "If he does, would you?"
  Melissa said nothing. Richard glared at her. Melissa glared back.
  "You two are keeping to yourselves."
  Melissa looked up. Darnell stood over both of them. He snipped his wine.
  "By all means," Darnell said, "talk to my acolytes. You will see they see things....my way."
  "I am sure they do," Richard said, managing a smile. "Is that not why we are all here? Shared opinions."
  "We...are here for that," Darnell said. "You? You are the scapegoats."
  Richard frowned. "Scapegoats? What..."
  Melissa felt shaky. She was getting hot. She looked at her goblet...and knew. She fell to the floor unconscious.

  "Quinn!"
  All their living area gave Rembrandt was echoing silence. He moved over to the bedroom area. He paused in the door to find another empty room.
  "Obviously, he's not here."
  Rembrandt turned to look at Rebecca. She looked back at him, standing by Randy's bedroom door.
  "Could you give me something helpful?" Rembrandt snapped.
  "I see Randy and Ethan aren't here, either," Rebecca said. "How's that for good--"
  "Anyone here!"
  Rembrandt looked at the entry arch. Randy and Ethan entered. Randy looked at him. He frowned.
  "What's wrong?" Randy asked.
  "Oh, while you were doing Brokeback Mountain, Richard and Melissa got snatched up in an assassination scheme," Rebecca said.
  Rembrandt glared at her. Rebecca looked at him. Her face was full of mock innocence.
  "What?" Rebecca asked. "Maybe if we weren't getting knee-deep in another world's affairs..."
  "So let a man die?" Rembrandt asked.
  "Maybe he deserves to die," Rebecca countered.
  "You know what?" Randy said, stepping in. "That doesn't matter. What matters is--"
  "--finding the saint Melissa!" Rebecca exclaimed, throwing her hands up to the heavens. She looked at Ethan. "I pity you. Always going to be second best."
  "Don't mind her," Randy said to Ethan. "We haven't fed her today."
  "Hey!" Rembrandt yelled. "We don't have time for this. I have no idea where Quinn is. I think he mentioned going to see Randy's double and--"
  "Uh oh," Ethan uttered.
  Rembrandt looked at him. "'Uh oh?'"
  "We were there just now," Randy said. "Dropping off Ethan's double. There was no sign of my double...or Quinn."

  "Does it hurt?"
  Randy turned to look at Rebecca. She walked alongside him. She looked forward as they approached Randy's double's entryway arch. He frowned at her, wondering what game she was playing now.
  "Does what hurt?" Randy asked.
  "Why," Rebecca said, looking at him, "being separated from your honey."
  Randy walked through the entry arch. Everything was shroud in shadows. He turned to see Rebecca behind him.
  "He's more to me than you'll ever be," Randy said.
  "And yet not as important as Melissa," Rebecca said. She smirked. "That's gonna leave a mark when you break his heart."
  "You don't know anything," Randy said.
  Rebecca kept forward.
  "I know you and Melissa. That's a love...that has endure separation, evil doubles, implants, and a chick from the future. Not to mention moi. You'll never let yourself be truly happy without her. He...will do for now."
  "Again, you know nothing. I'm living."
  Rebecca looked at him. "Are you now? Seems like you're grabbing onto whatever's handy. Trying to connect. If you were really living...Richard would be dust because you would be doing everything in your power to get back with Melissa. Not doing something anyone with a brain can see through." She turned away. "But what do I know?"
  Rebecca continued down the hallway. Randy watched her walk away, her words washing over him. When he had first reunited with Melissa on Dark Slider World, it was obvious to him and Melissa there was still feelings. He tried to pull her away from Richard. Got pretty close. She picked Richard. End of story. But how she was acting about Ethan...
  They entered the lab area. Randy saw little nicknacks. It brought a smile to his face, knowing another of his doubles loved to invent. His eyes fell on a black box on a table. He walked over to it, his feet paused. On the other side of the table was a dead Randy Heim, laying in his own blood.
  "Where you go..."
  Randy spun around. His eyes widened on the familiar voice. It was him! Professor Darnell Brown, his eyes on Rebecca. Then he saw Randy.
  "...I go," Brown finished.

  Melissa woke up...to screaming. She turned, hitting something warm. Her eyes opened. She gasped as she saw she laid in red blood. It was all over her robe. It was on her arms. She paused. It was on the dagger in her hand.
  "Oh..." Melissa uttered, dropping it.
  "Oh, the gods!"
  Melissa turned. Her eyes widened on an unconscious Richard. Near his bloodied body were soldiers...and a man in a red and gold robe. A blond woman brought her hands to her mouth to cover her sobs.
  Melissa managed to stand. She sat she was near the fountain.
  "The Emperor!"
  Melissa turned. A man stared at her. She saw other people approaching. He pointed at her.
  "She killed the Emperor!" he yelled.

  "Why did I have to do this?" Ethan complained.
  Rembrandt looked at him as he headed down the walkway.
  "Do you know anything about sliding technology?" Rembrandt asked. "No, you don't. You can help me...and Randy...by helping me find--"
  Then Rembrandt heard it. A scream echoed through the area. He heard footsteps.
  "I think we found them," Ethan commented.
  People started to come out of buildings. Rembrandt watched them. They all appeared to be heading to the fountain. He started to follow as well when he heard it.
  A whir.
  He turned in time to see a red vortex. A figure emerged. It was quickly followed by another. That was followed by several more. Rembrandt saw it was Eve Albright. She stood next to Cassandra. They were backed by Peter Carmichael, GothMelissa, and GothBen. Eve smirked at him.
  "Miss us?" Eve asked.
  "Take them," Peter commanded.
  GothBen lunged at Rembrandt.

  "Ah!"
  Quinn's breath came quickly. He rubbed the back of his head, a supervinear of Randy's double. He had knocked him as soon as his back was...
  "Quinn? Quinn! You're up!"
  Quinn realized he was in a bed. Judging by the high square windows he was in a basement. It was also very dark. His eyes were finding it hard to see the figure as it approached him. It touched one of his hands. Then Quinn's eyes adjusted.
  "Wade?" Quinn uttered. He reached out to touch her chin. "Is this real? Am I..."
  Wade held up her other hand. He saw it. It was the ring he gave her when he proposed. He saw her eyes water.
  "I was scared...I wouldn't...," Wade tried to find the words. Finally, she grabbed him in a hug. He hugged her back.
  He was home. He was back on Earth Prime.

  Randy watched Rebecca glare at Brown.
  "You knew?" Randy asked.
  "What can I say?" Rebecca said with a smirk. She stepped away. "We had a deal."
  "Yes," Brown said, "we did." He stared at Randy. "And look at you, Mr. Heim. You had gone all savage the last I saw of you. For a moment, it looked like you were still living up to the potential you displayed in the slidecage." He shook his head. "What a waste."
  "Is it?" Randy challenged, finding the fear he felt as he stepped forward. "You see...I came across a double of Cassandra. You remember. She said I would die again. Even gave me a vision...showing who would kill me. It...was you. So I worked. I practiced. I slaved over how to prevent it. And...I even avoided it. But now...I think it's time..."
  Randy threw up his right arm. Suddenly, the air around it morphed, revealing his prosthetic arm. He narrowed his eyes.
  "...to test my theory," Randy finished.

TO BE CONTINUED...


 

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