Randy Heim fell to the floor. His eyes fell to his right arm, the prosthetic he made for it sparking. His mind raced as he knew what that meant.
  "Really, Mr. Heim..."
  Randy looked up. He stood over him. Once he had been Randy's mentor. Now Professor Darnell Brown was an enemy. An enemy with great powers.
  A memory shot to the surface of Randy's mind. He remembered Cassandra and her vision. His eyes widened as he saw he was there now. It was real.
  "...what did you expect?"

SOME TIME BEFORE...

  Rembrandt Brown rounded the corner at a quick run. He turned around in time to see his comrade was right behind. Ethan looked at him, surprise on his face.
  "Why did you stop?" Ethan asked. "They're right behind us."
  "I know," Rembrandt said, his eyes looked past Ethan. "But we're going the wrong way."
  Rembrandt looked back the way they had come. There had been some kind of commotion earlier near the fountain. Ethan and he had been looking for Quinn. They was on his way to see what was going on when the dark sliders ambush them.
  Rembrandt looked around. There had to be something he could do. The others had to be warned.
  A figure made it to the corner. Rembrandt frowned. It was that Goth double of Ben Loveland again. He pointed at them.
  "Where do you think you're going?" GothBen asked.
  Rembrandt looked at Ethan. "Run."
  Then...he lunged at the double, the commotion forgotten.

  "The Emperor!"
  Melissa Clark continued to look at her bloodied hands. She had woken up to find herself in a puddle of blood. Next to her was a blond man in red and golden robes. Not all of the red was the robes. Melissa knew it was his blood. She looked at the dagger she had dropped. It was a set up.
  "She killed the Emperor!"
  Melissa managed to stand. The last thing she remembered was hanging around Brown's double and his followers. Her and...
  Melissa's eyes widened. Nearby was an unconscious Richard Hall and several dead soldiers. Melissa ran to him, ignoring the growing crowd.
  "Richard!" Melissa yelled. Melissa slapped him. Richard did not respond, making fear grip her. She aimed to slap him again. before her hand could land, Richard's hand shot up, grabbing her. His brown eyes narrowed on her.
  "Uh...no," Richard said.
  Melissa smiled. She hugged him.
  "Traitors!"
  Richard frowned. "That doesn't sound good. What--" Richard's eyes fell on the Emperor and his dead soldiers. "Oh."
  "You take one of the greatest minds in the physically known world and all you can respond with is 'oh?'"
  Melissa looked behind her. She recognized the blond haired man that approached. His name was Nathaniel. On this world where the Alexandrian Empire ruled, he was one of the many patriots. He had given her the subtlest of warnings. Now he stared at her with murder in his eyes.
  "I see you two lambs have made the choice of being led to the slaughter," Nathaniel said.
  "Nathaniel, listen," Melissa said.
  "To one with the face of a siren and the actions of a Medusa,"Nathaniel said, "I think not."
  "It was Darnell, man!" Richard yelled. "This is a set up!"
  "Liar!"
  "Defilers!"
  Melissa looked at the crowd. There were women crying. There were men with faces like stone. People yelled for blood.
  "What is the meaning of this?"
  The crowd parted, revealing the speaker. Melissa's eyes narrowed on Darnell Brown's double. He was followed by a double of Maximillion Arturo. they took in the sight with shock.
  "What have you done?" Brown's double exclaimed.
  "Us?" Richard snapped, standing up. "It was all you, buddy!"
  "You must be mistaken," Brown's double said.
  "I would agree," Arturo said. "Darnell was at my house waxing about the continuing crisis with South Alexandria."
  "You lying piece--" Richard started.
  "Enough!" Nathaniel yelled. He pointed to Melissa. "Take the murderess...and her beau."
  Melissa turned to run. She paused. They were surrounded. Before she could do anything, Melissa had hands on her arms. They dragged her away, ignoring the tears in her eyes.

  Professor Darnell Brown stared at Randy. His eyes betrayed his contempt. Randy did not care as he stood by the table where his double laid dead.
  "And look at you, Mr. Heim," Brown said. "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 asked, a challenging tone in his voice. Fear tried to grip him as he stepped forward. "You see...I came across a double of Cassandra. You remember her. She said I would die again. Even gave me a vision...showing who would kill me. It...was you."
  Randy ignored the gasp that came from beside him. He had forgotten that Rebecca was with him. His focus was on Brown.
  "So," Randy continued, "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 his arm morphed, revealing his secret weapon: his prosthetic. His eyes narrowed on Brown.
  "...to test my theory," Randy finished.


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 1: CONQUEROR OF WORLDS (PART 2) (S7 PREMIERE)

  Randy aimed his arm...and fired, lightning shooting from the prosthetic.
  Brown threw up a hand, sending the lightning shooting into a pillar. Randy paid little attention, already pushing a button on his prosthetic. For a second, he felt only darkness. Then he was right next to Brown. Brown's eyes widened. Randy snatched out one of his daggers, aiming for Brown's throat. the dagger stopped in midair. Randy tried to move his arm, but it would not. Brown smirked.
  "You know better, Mr. Heim," Brown said.
  Without warning, Randy's prosthetic arm shot up. Brown narrowed his eyes on the arm. His eyes widened when he saw it was still moving. Suddenly, a small blade shot out of it, getting Brown in the gut. He gasped, his eyes falling on Randy. Randy smirked.
  "Yes, Professor," Randy said, "I do."
  Brown glared. Randy flew through the air. He landed on the table with a thud. Pain shot through his back. He gripped his teeth.
  A whir sounded through the air. Randy looked up in time to see a purple door open next to Brown. Brown jumped into it, vanishing.
  "Darn it!" Randy snapped.
  "Randy!"
  Randy looked over by the entrance to his double's house. Ethan looked back at him. He sighed in relief.
  "There you are!" Ethan exclaimed. "We got trouble and--" He frowned. "Are you okay? Where's Rebecca?"
  Randy looked around. He and Rebecca Pryce had come here to find Quinn Mallory...their comrade. What they had found was Randy's double's dead boy...and a black box.
  Randy frowned. There was no sign of Rebecca...or the black box. Only the dead boy. Randy sat up.
  "Once a con..." he muttered.

  Rembrandt's eyes flickered open. He groaned. His mind immediately remembered what happened.
  "So...he's awake."
  Rembrandt turned his head. He frowned at the person leaning near the window. He had known a Ben Loveland once. together, they had tried to find Randy's group once. But this Goth double of his wasn't the same goof he knew.
  "Excellent."
  Rembrandt looked the other way. He saw he was in a den of some kind. He saw a figure behind a desk. He saw it was a double of Randy. More than likely, he was the dark slider Randall Heim.
  "Why are you even keeping him alive?"
  Rembrandt recognized the voice. it was Melissa's goth double. A moment later, another figure came into his view. He recognized the curly-haired Goth blond as Cassandra. She looked behind him.
  "Is it not obvious, Liz?" Cassandra asked, her eyes turning to Randall. "He's a bargaining chip."
  "Observant," Randall commented.
  "Someone has to be," Cassandra shot back.
  "He should die," GothBen said.
  "Agree," GothMelissa added.
  "So short-sighted," Randall said, standing up. "Have you forgotten it is a crime to cross here and that the government is looking for us?"
  Cassandra laughed. "Don't you mean you?"
  The Goths snickered. Randall ignored them. He stopped by Cassandra.
  "We all have our agendas, dear," Randall said. "None of which involves us staying here permanently." He looked at Rembrandt. "Randy will come for him. We will capture him and barter for our freedom."
  Rembrandt frowned. "Randy doesn't care about me that much."
  Randall smirked. "I'll chance it."

  Melissa looked down at the chains around her wrists. The blood had dried. She would rather have washed up. Her jailors did not feel the same way.
  She looked over at the main entrance. The guards paced, their golden armor and swords shining in the moonlight. Her eyes looked about all the brick and mortar. The windows were way too high. The bars on the window were too thin to squeeze through anyway.
  "Been there. Done that. Can't even get far without a key."
  Melissa turned around on her stone bench. Richard sat on one a few benches away. Some of the other prisoners also turned to look.
  "Do you have any better ideas?" Melissa asked.
  "Nope," Richard replied.
  "Then shut up."
  Richard's face darkened. "So...it's 'shut up, Richard?' God, I guess you are ready to get with Randy, huh?"
  Melissa frowned. Before they reacted to poisoned wine, Melissa and Richard were fighting over Randy...who had started something with Ethan. They never got to finish it.
  "Right now," Melissa said, "Randy is free. I'm sure he'll get us out."
  "Or Quinn. Rembrandt. Ethan," Richard said. "Did you forget about them?"
  Melissa turned away. She heard a snarl from behind her. Then movement.
  "We are so over," Richard said.

  Randy looked down. The guards continued to pace. He had heard from other people about the murder. And they were all too willing to give up a location.
  "Wow."
  Randy turned around. Ethan headed for him, pulling down his hood. He looked down.
  "What did you find?" Randy asked.
  "There's also two guards in the back," Ethan said.
  "Hm."
  "Looks impossible to get them out,"Ethan said. "We should find Quinn--"
  "He wasn't at my double's," Randy said. "With what you told your...I don't even think he's here." He looked down. "But first, let's get them out."
  "How?"
  Randy looked back at Ethan. "With a little cunning."

  Randy sat among the crowd. There was all kinds of rumblings in the square. People were upset with Emperor Lexus's death. They wondered how the Empire would go on. How would the murderers pay...
  Randy heard footsteps. He turned to see guards entered. They surrounded Melissa and Richard as they marched to the front of the square. He watched then brought before Charlie Denny. On Earth Prime, Charlie was the college president. He looked down at Richard and Melissa, his eyes dark.
  "You were found over the body of the Emperor Lexus," Charlie declared.
  "It wasn't us!" Richard snapped.
  "Silence!" Charlie yelled. "What does the crowd say?"
  "Death!" someone near Randy yelled.
  The crowd cheered the person on. Melissa turned to look. Her eyes locked with Randy. Randy wanted to cut through the crowd and free her. He sighed helplessly.
  "A moment!"
  Randy turned. So did a lot in the crowd. A blond-haired man entered. A few people gasped. Randy turned back to the front. Charlie frowned. Melissa looked surprised. So did Richard.
  "Nathaniel--" Charlie started.
  "Charles," Nathaniel cut him off. "As most of the city knows...I am a patriot. A citizen of the Alexandrian empire. No one more than I want the murderers to pay the consequences of their actions." His eyes fell on Melissa and Richard. "That is...if they are the murderers."
  Gasps shot through the crowd. Randy made out shock, intrigue, and disgust on several citizens' faces. Charlie looked at Nathaniel with a hint of annoyance on his face.
  "Was your yell not the loudest?" Charlie asked.
  Nathaniel nodded. "It was."
  "So what has changed?"
  "Yes, Nathaniel. What has changed?"
  Randy looked at the new speaker. It was a double of Maximillion Arturo. He stared at the two men, an air of confidence about him.
  "Perhaps, Arturo," Nathaniel said, "I believe that the winds of fate could have my eyes turning a different way."
  "Or perhaps the gods are playing a trick on you," Arturo suggested.
  "Or perhaps someone would like us to consider differently,"Nathaniel said. "A guilty conscience perhaps?"
  "Hmmm..."
  "Enough, you two," Charlie said. His eyes fell on Nathaniel. "Are you suggesting a trial?"
  "There is no--" Arturo started.
  "Yes, Charles," Nathaniel said, "I am."
  Randy saw looks of horror among the crowd. Gasps echoed through the pillars. A man shot up. He pointed at Nathaniel.
  "Treason!" he yelled.
  Before Nathaniel could say anything, the man charged for him. The crowd exploded in screams. Randy headed for the door.

  Quinn.
  Rembrandt had no idea where he was at. The last time he had seen Quinn, Quinn had gone off to test a theory. Now he was nowhere. He could only hope...
  "How's your chair?"
  Rembrandt looked at the door. The curly dark-haired man smirked at him. Rembrandt managed a shrug for Peter Carmichael.
  "Could be softer," Rembrandt commented.
  "Pity that," Peter said.
  "Why? With all of your money, I would think you'll have better furniture."
  "For you and your kind...no."
  Rembrandt frowned. "My kind? All I want is to get my nephew and go home."
  "Yet, your kind mess with worlds," Peter said, leaning on the desk.
  "They see something unfair. They fix it," Rembrandt said. "Nothing wrong with that."
  "According to whom?"
  Rembrandt looked at the door again. He knew Eve Albright. She headed for Peter, giving him a hug. She glared at Rembrandt.
  "You? Randall?" Eve continued. "What is right? or wrong?"
  "And you're the moral compass?"
  "Better than you."
  "Ha!"
  "And yet," Eve said, "I'm not the one in the chair." She looked at Peter. "Where's Randall?"
  "No idea, pet," Peter said. "Maybe with Eric--"
  "No."
  Peter frowned. "Trouble?"
  "Isn't there always?" Eve asked. "Come on."
  Rembrandt watched them leave. Trouble was never a good thing. He might have to find a way out of there.

  The sound of movement caught Melissa's attention. the guards parted ways, revealing Nathaniel. He approached Melissa and Richard with a sly grin.
  "Well, Milady," Nathaniel said as he sat on the bench next to Melissa. "I believe we have opened a hornet's nest."
  "Why did you even do it?" Melissa asked. "I thought you didn't believe us."
  "It is not so much about my belief in your innocence," Nathaniel said, "and more about uncovering the enemies of the Empire."
  "Oh. So we're pawns."
  Melissa looked over at Richard. He looked back at her for a second. Then he looked at Nathaniel again.
  "I'm right, right?" Richard asked. "We're pawns."
  "Yes," Nathaniel answered, "you are."
  Melissa glared. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. If her hands weren't in chains, she would slap him.
  "So...total chaos," Melissa said.
  "And in this chaos, the serpents will reveal themselves."
  "Or a civil war could start," Richard said.
  Nathaniel looked at him. "I trust the gods won't let it come to that."
  "And I trust you are not that stupid."
  Nathaniel glared. He stood up. "The whirlwind is already in motion. Not a thing I could do." He started to leave.
  "And if we die?" Melissa asked.
  Nathaniel turned around. "Then...you die."

  Randy turned at the sound of the footsteps. Maximillion Arturo entered, his servants flocked him. He approached Randy, grabbing his hands in guiding.
  "Randall!" Arturo exclaimed. "What a pleasure. To what do I owe this visit?"
  "The Emperor," Randy replied.
  Arturo's face darkened. "Yes. That. It was quite the tragedy."
  "I created a lot for the Empire," Randy said. "It is a waste for it."
  "Perhaps not."
  "Oh."
  Arturo put a hand on Randy's shoulder. "Like I mentioned, the end of an ear is always a tragedy. However...without an heir to the throne...there is a need for order. The Empire needs trustworthy patriots to continue its good way."
  "I agree," Randy said.
  "Splendid. That is why some of us have started a committee to govern affairs." Arturo smiled. "And we agree that with the Emperor's death that the situation with South Alexandria will only worsen. Even more reason to have Lexus's favorite inventor on our side."
  Randy managed a smile. "Anything to help." He frowned. "But first...the Emperor's murderers have to pay for their crimes."
  "I agree."
  "And what of Nathaniel's claims?"
  "They are only claims."
  "But what if he is right?" Randy continued. "If those two people did not murder the emperor, then his real murderer...s are afoot."
  "Just more reason to have an united front," Arturo replied.
  "Or to consolidate power under one person," Randy said, putting his hand on Arturo's shoulder. "A person with intelligence and the best win of the people at heart."
  Arturo gave a giant smile. Randy did the same. His seed had been planted. He hoped that at that moment Ethan was doing the same.

  Darnell Brown sat down. A woman quickly brought two goblets to the table. Ethan took one.
  "Can you believe Nathaniel?" Darnell asked. "Everyone saw them. They saw them with the body. It is a closed case."
  Ethan drank from the goblet. "Perhaps."
  Darnell cocked an eyebrow. "Perhaps?"
  Ethan sat back. "What if Nathaniel is right?"
  "He is not," Darnell said. "The murderers are captured. We should be focused on the power vacuum."
  "The power vacuum?" Ethan uttered.
  "Yes," Darnell continued. "With the Empire gone, someone has to stand up to lead us. Especially with the situation in South Alexandria about to grow worse. The citizens need someone to look to."
  "Like who?"
  Darnell grinned. "Like...me."
  "Oh," Ethan commented. "You? But what if others think differently?"
  Darnell's face darkened. "I do not think that will be a problem."

  Randy entered the house again. The halls were shaded in shadows. Randy headed for his double's lab.
  He turned the corner. He paused. There was a figure over the table. He headed for him.
  "What are--" Randy started.
  The figure turned around. Randy found himself staring...at himself. Randy glared.
  "Randall," Randy said.
  "So you live," Randall said. He looked down at the body. "Pity."
  "It wasn't from lack of trying."
  "No doubt."
  "Why are you here, Randall?"
  Randall smirked. "For my own agenda. Speaking of which...how's Rembrandt?"
  Randy glared. Randall approached him, a sly smile on his face.
  "You have something I want," Randall said. "And I...have something you want. So...let's make a deal."
  "What in the wo--"
  Randy turned around. Ethan's double stood in the doorway. His eyes widened on the sight.
  "Two...Randalls?" the double muttered.
  Before Randy could say anything, the double fainted.

  Melissa turned on her bench. She couldn't sleep. Her mind was too haunted about what was going on.
  "Restless?"
  Melissa turned around. Richard looked back at her. He laid on his bench. She managed a smile.
  "A bit," Melissa admitted. "I have no idea if we are going to live or die."
  Richard sat up. "Assuming that we're gonna get a fair trial seriously."
  "Really?"
  "Think about it," Richard continued. "The longer we're alive, the more chance the real killers will be found. Darnell can't have that." He looked about the prison. "Okay. Now that I think that, I think we should get out of here."
  Melissa looked up at the windows...which were too far.
  "How?" Melissa asked.
  "We do what we do best," Richard said, also looking around. "We beat the odds."
  A groan shot through the air. Melissa looked at the entrance to the prison. One of the guards had fallen. He was quickly followed by the other.
  Melissa's eyes widened. Someone was killing the guards. And...they were heading for them.

  Darnell smiled at Ethan. "I am extremely impressed that the Empire's master inventor will be on my side in getting South Alexandria."
  Ethan managed a smile as the two of them walked down the corridor. "He will be very happy to support you in this pursuit."
  Darnell stopped in the entryway to a room. Ethan frowned. it was not due to the entry way having no door. All houses on this world had no doors. He wondered what he was about to see.
  Darnell gestured. Ethan stepped forward. He could not make out the darkness.
  "I hope that this will inspire you two," Darnell said.
  Ethan's eyes adjusted to the light. They widened. There on the bed were two men, blood coming out of their mouth. Ethan could make out goblets on the marble floor.
  Suddenly, everything went black.

  Randy felt his back tense up as his eyes fell on Eve Albright. It had been a while since he'd seen her. She stared back at him, her jet-black hair tied in a ponytail. She was dressed in a purple business suit. For her, that was modest.
  "Hello, Randall," Eve said.
  "Eve," Randy said.
  "It's Randy, Eve," Randall said, joining Eve. He reached for Eve. She pushed him away, causing Randall to frown. He recovered quickly. "He has agreed to do it."
  Eve studied Randy's face. "Really? After all of these years?"
  "What choice do I have?" Randy asked, looking about the corridor they were. He wondered whom mansion they were in. He looked at Randall. "Where's Rembrandt?"
  Randall crossed his arms over his chest.
  "You first," Randall said.
  Randy glared. He hated doing this. He raised his arm. Suddenly, the air around his arm morphed, revealing the prosthetic. He ignored Eve's gasps and pulled it off. He handled it to Randall.
  "Once you take it apart," Randy said, "you will find a miniature PDL inside. It'll have the information you want."
  Randall grinned. "Good."
  "Now...where's Rembrandt?"
  Randall looked at him. He stared at him as if he was seeing Randy for the first time. He smiled.
  "Oh, yeah," Randall said. "That."
  Suddenly, Randall swung out. The prosthetic got Randy across the face. Randy fell back, pain shooting through his face. He fell to the floor, darkness claiming him.

  Melissa slowly stepped down the stairs. She did not know what to say. Every thing had happened so fast.
  Their savior had made it to the bottom of the stairs. She stared at him. She wasn't surprised to see a Ben double here. She even found him cut in his toga, shaggy brown hair cropped. Ben turned a corner. She followed suit. She paused.
  There were quite a few people in a clearing ahead of them. Quite a few of them turned to look at them. They cheered.
  Melissa frowned. Her mind raced. What was going on?
  Ben looked at her. He smiled.
  "You are among friends, Milady," Ben said.
  "Well," Richard said, stepping up beside Melissa, "we've heard that before."
  "But...you are among friends."
  Melissa looked past Ben. She almost gasped. She recognized the older woman as Teresa Heim...Randy's mother. She smiled.
  "The champions who helped the citizens of South Alexandria are, of course, friends of ours," Teresa said.
  "Yes, South Alexandria."
  The man behind Teresa looked ordinary enough. His beard was black with sprinkles of white. His robe was lined with yellow. He held himself well. He looked at Teresa and Ben.
  "We have to be sure the citizens are represented," the man said. "We cannot allow them to be discarded." His eyes fell on Melissa. "And it is excellent to see my loins had a hand in that."
  Melissa frowned. She turned to look at Richard for the very first time. Her eyes widened. He was pale. His eyes fell on the man.
  "Hello to you, too...Dad," Richard said.

  Rembrandt said nothing as he walked up the stairs. Behind him was GothBen and GothMelissa. In front of him was Randall, Peter, and Cassandra. Next to him was Randy.
  "I would have prefer that Eve was here," Peter commented.
  "Well, she is not," Randall said coldly.
  "Hm. Trouble I see."
  "Shut up, Peter."
  Rembrandt grinned. It was good to see tension among the dark sliders. Now if only...
  "Enough, you two," Cassandra said. "We know why Eve is not here. Later."
  The group made it to the top of the stairs. Everyone went through. Rembrandt saw they were on a roof. He looked over at Randy, wondering if he had any ideas.
  A whir sounded through the air. A green wormhole appeared in front of them. Several figures ran out. they wore black shirts and cargo pants. he recognized them as...
  The wormhole whirred again. Two figures emerged. Rembrandt saw the Richard double and knew it was Mr. Stone. The goateed older man he did not know. He stared at the group, his eyes full of awe.
  "So...this is the Heim that has caused so much trouble," the man said, looking back between Randall and Randy.
  Randy looked at him. "And who are you? Where is Miles?"
  The man nodded. "Of course, we never did meet...Yuzaki and all that. I am Edward Albright."
  "Albright?"
  "Yes," Randall added. "Eve's husband."
  "And as for Collier," Edward said. "He met an untimely death due to an encounter with the alien race the Yuzaki." He managed a smile. "I believe you will be helping us with that problem as well as the continuing problem with trandimensional intelopers."
  "Come again?" Rembrandt managed.
  "He meant people like yourself, Mr. Brown," Stone-in-Hall said. "People who do not belong on this world. Trespassing into other people's lives, endangering it."
  "Now look here--"
  "And why is he here, Randall?" Edward asked. "Where is Mallory and Hall?"
  "Somewhere you will not find them," Randall replied. "For now at least. This is your first piece of knowledge: the great Randy Heim with his wormhole weapons."
  "Not impressed," Edward said coldly.
  "Eve was," Randy shot back.
  Edward's face darkened. Rembrandt smirked. He was not so high and mighty now.
  "Well, it's been fun," Randy said. "Now that I know my enemy's face...I really must be going. Plan Alpha three Four One!!"
  Suddenly, light shot through the air. Rembrandt threw his hands up to cover his eyes. He tried to see what was going on.
  Hands grabbed him. Rembrandt struggled.
  "Rembrandt, it's me!"
  Rembrandt opened his eyes. Randy had ahold of him. He also had on his prosthetic. Suddenly, everything stopped.

  Randy smiled. They were back in his double's lab. He looked at Rembrandt.
  "You okay?" Randy asked.
  Rembrandt looked back at Randy. "What do you think?"
  "I think..."
  Randy frowned. He turned toward the door to the lab. A figure was in shadows. The figure stepped froward, revealing it was Darnell. He looked at the two of them.
  "...that I am confused over what you are doing with my uncle," Darnell said. "Then again...he is not really my uncle, is he? At least...not on this world."
  Randy ignored the glare he was sure Rembrandt was giving him. He stood up, keeping himself relaxed.
  "What do you--" Randy started.
  "Do not insult my intelligence," Darnell said, cutting him off. "My associate was kind enough to remove the body. And I have someone...I mean something that belongs to you."
  "Something?" Randy asked.
  "I think you should focus on the 'someone,' Genius," Rembrandt said, standing up. He frowned. "Quinn?"
  Darnell frowned. It was obviously not Quinn. Then Randy thought of what he had planned...and knew.
  "Ethan," Randy said.
  Darnell smirked. "Which one?"

  "You okay?"
  Richard had been sitting on a bench. His eyes were lost in thought. After earlier, Richard had closed down completely. They made it to Ben's house all right. The whole way Richard was not himself.
  "Richard!"
  Richard jumped. He looked up at her. She saw sadness in his eyes.
  "Yea?" Richard managed.
  "What's going on?" Melissa asked.
  "Is this how you felt?" Richard asked.
  Melissa frowned. Richard turned to face her. He kept his hands together.
  "All those years ago," Richard started to explain. "When we were on that Earth with the fast axis...and you saw your mom and your sister. I never understood what it could be like. Lovers...yea. But family..." His face darkened. "Wouldn't wish it on anyone."
  Melissa reached out to touch Richard's shoulder. Richard shot up. He retreated to a corner. She stared at him, surprised.
  "Well, it looks like there will be a community meeting tomorrow and--"
  "What are we?" Richard asked.
  Melissa frowned. "What do--"
  Richard turned to look at her. "You heard me? What are we?"
  "Richard, I don't think now is the time--"
  "Why?" Richard challenged. "Because we're on the run? When are we not? Now...we have all of this time."
  Melissa sat down on the bench. She crossed her legs in her gown. Her eyes focused on Richard.
  "Okay, Richard," Melissa said. "Shoot."
  "Before we were poisoned," Richard said, "I asked you a question. A question you didn't answer."
  Melissa remembered all too well. They had been fighting about Randy. Randy and the fact that he appeared to...be seeing Ethan. After all of the pining Randy had done over her, Melissa did not know how to adjust to that. Especially since Randy had always shied away from Ethan doubles.
  "And you are not going to answer it now either," Richard said.
  "What would you like me to say?" Melissa asked.
  "The truth maybe?"
  "The truth?" Melissa uttered, standing up. "I love you."
  Richard shook his head. "Not enough. Not like you do Egghead."
  "Richard--"
  "It's the truth!" Richard snapped. "I guess I can see why. You two were together...until Stone ripped you apart. Then Paige stepped in. Then Rebecca. You guys just can't catch a break. And rebecca was right. No matter what. You find your way back to each other. Damn everyone else."
  "Richard--"
  "Let me--"
  "Enough!" Melissa snapped. "Why are you so determined to tear us apart?"
  Richard glared. "Me? Am I stealing kissed from Eggheads? No! That's all you."
  Melissa glared. "That's a cheap shot."
  "But a true one," Richard shot back. "Egghead was free for a while. Where were you?"
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. She said nothing. Richard laughed bitterly.
  "You know," Richard continued, "I think it's good. The only thing that happens to people who get around me...they die."
  "Seriously, Richard--"
  "One word: Isabel."
  "It was an accident. And she was trying to kill us,"Melissa said. "You know this. So stop it."
  "But--"
  Melissa walked up to Richard. She kissed him. "You have gone through a lot to get to this point. Don't backtrack. I'm here for you."
  Richard stared down at Melissa. He managed a smile. Melissa felt her eyes water.
  "But," Richard said, slowly pushing her away, "you're not. It's always gonna be Egghead. And I...am done."
  "And how are my guests?"
  Melissa turned away from the door. She wiped her eyes quickly. She could hardly believe this was happening.
  "We...we're fine, Ben," Richard said. "Any sign of our allies?"
  "Actually," Ben said, "that is what I would like to talk about."

  Randy stared around the lab. He hoped for a moment, but...
  No. He saw shadows and knew. Darnell's guards were still around the lab. Probably the house. Darnell wanted a big display for the meeting.
  'Conqueror of worlds?'
  Randy sat at his double's work station. Ethan's words were in his mind. He thought back to the day they were sitting under the tree. They were so happy. So safe.
  'The danger isn't so much what if people learned about sliding...the danger is what people will do with the knowledge...or how they will use it.'
  Randy frowned. He knew how Darnell would use it. With the Emperor out of the way, there was nothing to stop him taking over. All he needed was the people's support. And Randy's inventions could do that. it was the rallying point. He could not let that happen.
  Randy paused for a moment. He was pulling everyone in danger. Rembrandt. Richard. Quinn. Melissa. Ethan.
  "Screw it," Randy declared.
  Randy looked at his right arm. He flexed. the prosthetic started to morph on his arm. Suddenly, it exploded. Randy fell to the floor.
  He looked at his right arm. The prosthetic was there. It sparked. Randy knew that wasn't good. It meant...
  "Really, Mr. Heim..."
  Randy looked up. Professor Brown stood over him. Randy's eyes widened as he knew the truth.
  Cassandra's vision was coming true.
  "...what did you expect?" Professor Brown finished.

  Melissa headed up the walkway. Ethan was way ahead of her though.
  "So let me get this straight," Richard said behind Melissa, "Randy was suppose to butter up Arturo. You told on Proper and he doublecrossed you?"
  "Yep," Ethan said without looking back. "He's the one behind the assassination. He even took out the killers. I just don't know how you found me and my double."
  "Ben," Melissa revealed. "He has men in Darnell's house. They found them. He's going to make sure everything falls into the right hands."
  "I just hope Randy's okay," Ethan said.
  Melissa followed him into Randy's doubles' house. Her mind raced as she also hoped Randy was okay. For all she knew...
  "Oh my--"
  Melissa came out of her thoughts. Ethan had paused in front of her. She followed him. She gasped.
  She recognized the men as guards. They were out on the floor. There was no blood on them. There was also no sign of a fight. Ethan kneeled near one. He checked the pulse. He turned to look at her, his face pale.
  "They're dead," Ethan said. His eyes widened. "But how?"
  Melissa turned to look at Richard. He looked at her. His eyes said the same thing.
  "Okay, what?" Ethan asked.
  Richard looked at him. "Brown. It's Proper's doing."
  Ethan's eyes widened. He shot up. Then he ran for it.
  "Ethan!" Richard yelled.
  Melissa didn't wait. She dashed after him. He was quick. Melissa caught up. He had stopped between two pillars. She made it to his side. The sight that greeted her made her pause.
  Randy was on the floor. No sign of a struggle...just like the guards. No blood.
  "Nooo!" Melissa screamed, falling to the floor.

  Rembrandt only stared at Darnell. He really did not know what to say. He had always been trying to save his nephew. But every time he saw Darnell or one of his doubles, he saw how evil he had become.
  "Stop it," Darnell said.
  "What?" Rembrandt said.
  "That look," Darnell said. "His look. My uncle Rembrandt." He turned to look at him. "You are not him."
  "And yet," Rembrandt said, "I am. I remember you trying to be strong. Your father was a never-do-right. Then there was Uncle Remmy."
  "I said," Darnell said icily, "stop it."
  "Why, D?" Rembrandt challenged. "Am I touching a nerve?"
  "My father came from nothing," Darnell said. "He died nothing. If it was not for you...I mean, my uncle...I have no idea where I would be."
  Rembrandt nodded. "While each world is different...some things are constants."
  Darnell paused. Rembrandt did as well. He saw Darnell had gone pale. Rembrandt followed his glance.
  There was a large crowd outside of Darnell's house. Darnell stormed forward. Rembrandt realized his mind was no longer on Rembrandt. He headed forward.
  "What is the meaning of this?" Darnell demanded.
  The crowd turned. Rembrandt's eyes went wide on the Ethan double. He stood near a curly-haired blond man.
  "The meaning, Darnell," the main said, "is that our citizen Ethan has told us a very detailed account of your dealings."
  Darnell laughed. "Detailed account? Whatever do you--"
  "Why...the dead bodies found in your house...Darnell."
  Rembrandt knew that voice. He looked at Darnell. He looked like he did as well. He snapped around. So did Rembrandt. They faced Arturo and his entourage.
  "I was very distressed when one of your servants discovered them," Arturo continued. "Of course, he had to confine in a good citizen...such as myself. And I confined in Nathaniel. It would appear Ethan felt the same way."
  "I do," Ethan's double said. "Those bodies could only be the assassins of our Emperor."
  Nathaniel glared at Darnell. "And we are all in agreement."
  "No!" Darnell snapped. "Can you not see the snake in your midst is Arturo? Those are--"
  "Oh my!" Arturo exclaimed. "Poor Darnell has grown mad. Take him away."
  Arturo's entourage grabbed Darnell. He struggled to no avail. Rembrandt watched the fight. He realized that if the Ethan double was here, maybe Ethan was free. He needed--
  A hand grabbed his arm.
  "Rembrandt," Arturo said, "a word."

  Randy stared at her. She stared back at him. Her smirk was proof that the surprise was on his face.
  "Who else did you expect?" she asked.
  "Not you," Randy replied.
  She leaned back in the chair. She cocked an eyebrow.
  "Really?" she challenged.
  Randy frowned. He leaned forward in his chair. He placed his elbows on the table.
  "Hmm," Randy said. "you do have a point. 'Can't escape fate' and all that."
  "Nooo!"
  Randy turned. All he saw was darkness. However, he knew that voice. Who...
  He looked forward. She was gone. No. She was beside him. She was next to his ear.
  "You know what time it is," she whispered.
  Randy looked at her.
  "Yes, Cassandra," Randy said, "I do."

  Melissa opened her mouth. No words came out. Only sobs. She barely noticed Ethan attempting CPR on Randy. She only cried.
  "What in--" Richard started, but stopped. "Oh."
  "Come on, Randy!" Ethan yelled. "Come on!" He kept doing CPR. "Dammit!"
  Melissa's eyes watered. After all this time...Professor Brown had succeeded. He had killed Randy Heim. He had killed him before he could get anyone home. He had killed him before she could...before she could...
  "Come on, Randy!" Ethan yelled, his voice breaking. "Conqueror of worlds, remember? You were..."
  Richard touched Ethan's shoulder. "Dude....he's--"
  Ethan shot up. "Keep doing the CPR."
  Melissa stopped sobbing. She looked at Richard. He probably looked as dumbfounded as she did.
  "What did--" Richard started.
  Ethan started looking around the lab. "Just do it."   "Dude--"
  "Dammit!" Ethan snapped, looking at Richard. "Seriously, Randy's doubles are usually inventors. How much you want to bet he invented..."
  Ethan paused next to a pillar. He was still for a moment. Then he shot back over with what appeared to be a turtle. As Ethan got closer, Melissa saw it was solid black. Ethan kneeled next to Randy and Richard, his eyes on Richard.
  "Move," Ethan said.
  Richard moved out of the way. Ethan ripped open Randy's toga and placed the turtle-like object on Randy's chest. He rubbed what looked like its head. Melissa heard a click. Then suddenly, Randy's body jerked as electricity shot through his body. Then the body stopped. Ethan rubbed the device again. A moment later, electricity shot through Randy's body.
  "Ah!" Randy yelled, shooting up off the floor, his chest heaving heavily. He looked around. "What--"
  His eyes fell on Melissa. Melissa wiped her eyes, staring back at him. Randy frowned a little.
  "What--" Randy started.
  Ethan blocked Melissa, grabbing Randy in a bear hug. Melissa looked away. Her eyes fell on Richard who stood near Randy and Richard. He shook his head at her.
  "Thank God!" Ethan exclaimed. "You...all of your yous...are geniuses."
  Randy blushed. "Well...thanks. What--" His eyes narrowed. "Brown."
  "You rang."
  Melissa turned around. Rembrandt was behind her. She started to smile. Then she saw Arturo was behind him. She shot up and moved over to the others.
  "My apologies," Arturo continued. "Darnell is currently being lynched for his treason against the Emperor. I do hope Mr. Brown here will do..."
  Melissa heard movement to her left. She could make out armor in the shadows. It could only be Arturo's men. She looked at him. He smirked.
  "...because he will be the last Brown any of you see," Arturo finished.
  "What?" Richards uttered.
  "My biggest competition was my 'dear friend' Darnell," Arturo said. "Thanks to you, I will be able to run the committee however I wish. Everyone will bow down to my superiority. Especially...with Heim's weaponry."
  Randy glared at Arturo. "I don't think so."
  "You do not have a choice."
  "Oh...but I do," Randy declared.
  The prosthetic slipped off Randy's hand. Melissa saw what looked like a small Motorla in his hand. He grinned at Arturo.
  "Sorry," Randy said. "I must be going."
  The prosthetic sparked. Lightning shot from it, hitting the floor. The floor started to dissolve.
  "Guys!" Randy yelled. "Leaving now!"
  Randy ran for Arturo. He shoved him aside. Melissa ran for it. She had made it down the hall before she turned around.
  The walls exploded. What came after them...was a rapidly moving orange vortex.
  Melissa turned around. She stopped. Randy stopped, aiming the remote at a wall. Lightning shot from it, hitting a pillar. the pillar dissolved into a circle of blue light.
  "Jump!" Randy yelled.

  The vortex whirred. Rembrandt landed with a thud. He looked around. He moved over to Melissa.
  "You okay, girl?" Rembrandt asked.
  Melissa hugged him. When Melissa pulled away, Rembrandt saw something in her eyes. It was fear.
  "What...was that?" Melissa asked.
  "We've seen it before."
  Rembrandt looked over at Richard. He was by a trash can. His face was unreadable.
  "It's the slidecage all over again," Richard said.
  The vortex whirred again. Ethan shot out of it. It whirred again, Randy fell out of it. It closed behind him.
  Richard glared at Randy. Rembrandt frowned. That wasn't good.
  "I also remember when Egghead made one to take out a Foundation base," Richard said, his words with venom. "I died there."
  "So...Arturo...his men...?" Rembrandt muttered.
  "Are there was no set range on it was there, Egghead?" Richard asked.
  Randy looked down. Then Rembrandt knew. His jaw dropped.
  "Randy..." Rembrandt uttered.
  "Randy, what have you done?" Melissa asked.

THE-END


 

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