"This is just another fine mess you've gotten us into," Richard Hall said.
"Richard, shut up!" Melissa Clark said. "You're using-"
The side of the platform gave way. Randy Heim steadied himself as the platform leaned to the left. Melissa shrieked. Richard grabbed on to Randy's leg.
"Let go of my leg," Randy snapped.
"If I fall, you fall," Richard said.
"I think ink we have bigger problems, gentlemen," Darnell Brown said as he looked over the platform. "Either the lava is rising or our platform is sinking."
Randy felt it, too. The platform was ab out to fall into the lava. There was nothing they could do.
A beep sounded from his pocket. Randy smiled. He pulled out the timer and aimed down. He pushed a button and the air opened up to reveal the blue vortex.
"Brown, jump!" Randy yelled.
Brown jumped off the platform. He vanished into the vortex. Richard let go of Randy's let and fell into the vortex.
The platform creaked and fell. Randy and Melissa held on as they vanished into the vortex.
Richard hit the ground with a thuck. He looked under him to see Brown under him. He smiled.
"Thanks for the soft landing," Richard said.
"Get off me!" Brown barked.
"It could be worse."
A loud whir sounded from the wormhole. Richard looked up and gasped. The platform was heading right for him. He grabbed Brown and ran for it.
"Next time...shut up," Brown said. "Dive!"
Richard did as he was told and dived for the street. The platform barely missed them. He looked back at it to see Randy and Melissa climbing off of it.
"Are you two okay?" Melissa asked.
Police sirens sounded down the street. Richard looked around and realized something. This San Francisco was full of people. Shocked people.
The police cars came into sight. Richard looked at Randy.
"I think somebody better have a good cover story," Richard said.
WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH? YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT? MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND A WAY! NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE WAY HOME!
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 2
EPISODE 11: THE CROSSING
Melissa sat next to Brown on the bench. She stared at the police chief's office. Randy had been in there for thirty minutes now.
"I am sure that Heim is doing great," Brown said.
"How can you tell?" Melissa asked.
"He's a smart boy," Brown answered. "He'll think of something."
"He always does, huh?" Melissa commented. "Even when we don't want to see it."
Melissa looked at Brown. He frowned at her.
"I don't think I am following you," Brown said.
"Remember on Outpost World," Melissa said. "You said you wanted to see what Randy and Richard were keeping from us?"
"Yes."
Melissa looked down the hall. There was no sign of Richard. She looked back at Brown. "I think Randy was right. It's all tied up with Laura Carmichael. Richard and she were involved together."
Brown frowned. "You don't suppose she was the one blackmailing him on our world?"
"I-"
The door of the policeman's office opened. Melissa watched Randy walk out of the office. He smiled at her.
"We're free to go," Randy announced.
"Really?" Melissa asked. "How?"
"I promised him tickets to James Cameron's next movie...when we're done with it," Randy said as he grinned sheepily.
"Clever plan, Heim," Brown said as he stood up. "Let us collect Mr. Hall and get on our way."
Brown watched Randy and Melissa talking. It was a nice contrast from the last few worlds where they talked less. Maybe there was hope yet.
"Are they ever going to stop talking?" Richard complained from the other side of the table.
"You're a little too focused on them," Brown said. "Maybe you should go for a walk."
"I don't trust Egghead," Richard said. "Did you know he tried to leave me on Virus World?"
"I know you tried to leave him on Death World. Why else would you drug him?"
Richard's face went from annoyance to blank. Brown mentally kicked himself.
"So...you're with him now, Proper?" Richard asked.
"There are no sides, Hall," Brown said, "unless you make them."
Richard laughed. "Oh, I get it...just because you're not cutting it I get the blame!"
"I'm not cutting it?"
"I guess Egghead is smarter than you."
Brown felt his hands ball up. He wanted to reach across the table and grab Richard's neck. He unballed his hands though. He was not going to let Richard win this argument.
"Neither one of us have had success with getting us home," Brown admitted. "Have you forgotten we are working with a new timer? A timer created by a madwoman?"
"I know we're chasing another Egghead now," Richard spit out. "As if one wasn't enough."
"Would you prefer we tire a different idea?" Brown asked. "Maybe someone who doesn't know quantum physics? Maybe Laura Carmichael?"
Richard's face finally let out an emotion. His eyes lit up like a fireplace. His forehead wrinkled up. H is lips got thinner. Brown's fishing got an reaction: anger.
"It's obvious you're on a side," Richard said. "I'm out of here."
"Mr. Hall-" Brown started. He was too late. Richard was already heading off of the restaurant's patio. He started after him.
"Darnell? Darnell Brown?"
Brown turned to the sound of that voice. That voice was of beauty. Debra King stood behind him with a smile on her face. Brown felt one crossing his face as well.
"Hello, Debra," Brown said.
Melissa had not know how to react. Randy had let the rest of them to this restaurant. They gotten some food. Then he asked to talk to her slone. She agreed even though she was scared that he was going to bash Richard some more. Instead he put her hands in his own.
"I think we need to talk," Randy said, "about us."
Melissa was a little shocked. She knew it was coming though since Virus World.
"You broke up with me because I changed," Randy said. "I was getting insecure and putting pressure on you. I'm still changing though."
"Yeah, I noticed. You were about to leave Richard to die," Melissa said.
"I know. I wish I could say it was all because of the virus," Randy said. He looked her straight in the eyes. "I can't though. I wanted Richard dead."
Melissa took her hands out of his hands.
"I...know I'm not all fun," Randy said. "Put a gizmo in front of me, and I'll be in awe for hours. Put me in public, and I might freeze up." Randy put Melissa's hands back in his own. "I'm willing to do that though...for you. All the worlds we're been to there's been one constant...my love for you. I miss you. I want you back in my life."
Melissa stared into Randy's eyes and saw their warmth. There he was...baring his soul for her. All she had to do was go with it. Still, there was a thought nagging at her mind. IF they were going to get back together...
"What about Richard?" Melissa asked.
Randy frowned. "What about him?"
"You and him have a grudge with each other," Melissa continued. "Are you saying that if we get together again, that's not going to be an issue?"
"Randy looked down at his feet. His hair fell into his eyes. Melissa smiled at that. It reminded her of the old Randy. She pushed the hair out of his eyes. He blushed.
"Just like the old days," Randy said.
"Yeah," Melissa said.
Randy grinned for a second. Then it left his face. "I'm sorry, but Richard...I already told you...we have unfinished business."
"Randy, let it go."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Melissa...I can't. This...everything we've gone through is a result of Richard's attempted theft. I deserve the truth. Why did he do it? I think Laura Carmichael is the key to finding that out."
Melissa looked away from Randy. She saw Richard storming down the street. "I think so, too."
There was a pause. Melissa looked at Randy again. He stared at her in shock.
"Why the shock?" Melissa asked. "I'm not totally stupid."
Randy smiled.
"Besides...Dylan was talking about Laura and Richard freaked...kinda," Melissa admitted. "Then on that world with Mr. Stone...Richard acted like he knew her. Then there was that future world where we met Sarah's sliders. Peter wanted him dead."
Randy's smiled got wider. "You remember a lot."
"Well," Melissa said with a smile, "you're always absent-minded. Someone was going to have to remember all of Quinn's journal entries. Any idea on how Logan's tracking us?"
Randy started to list some reasons. Melissa decided to just grin and nod. She loved this moment between them. She loved this togetherness. She did not want it to end.
Richard stormed down the street. As the sun continued to set, he realized how fast the cars were going by. He also noticed that more and more people were riding by him on bikes.
Richard grabbed the nearest rider. "What's with all the bikes?"
The rider snatched her arm away from Richard. "Freak."
"Are you going to answer my question?"
The rider glared. "What are you? One of the indylites? Everyone knows to switch from their cares to their bikes."
"Why? Is gas expensive?"
The rider rolled her eyes. "okay...you are an indylite! Listen, pal...and I use that loosely...your kind need to take your polluting ideas and go. Embrace solar energy."
Before Richard could say anything else, the rider was gone.
Richard turned back around. He would tell the others what he heard. Then he would go about his business.
Two figures came out of a building a block away. Richard froze in his tracks. One of the figures was Peter Carmichael.
Peter Carmichael. The name left a bad taste in his mouth. He wanted Richard dead.
Richard looked at the blond man he was walking with. He was Eric Price. It was too much of a coincidence for them to be together. They had to be Sarah Weisschester-Carroll's sliders.
The two men walked into an alley. Richard managed to run over. He looked into the alley to find the two men pacing.
"Where is she?" Eric asked.
"She'll be here," Peter remarked.
"Maybe it wasn't a good idea to let her go off alone."
Peter looked at Eric. "Now. Now. Sarah has been making excellent progress in therapy. the last two crosses the Randall of those worlds still lived."
Eric frowned. "You sound like you're on her side. You do remember she put us in danger."
"I thought you loved danger?"
"Of course!" Eric exclaimed. "As long as I'm not shot at...and I always get money."
"Like this project you're working on?"
Eric smiled. "Yes. This world could use a good jolt."
"Excuse me."
Richard turned around. A woman with red hair smiled at him.
"I don't think anyone invited you to the party...slider," Sarah Weisschester-Carroll said.
"I am so glad you made it back," Debra King said as she lifted her glass. Brown followed suit. "When I heard you would be backpacking through Europe, I was...disappointed. Here's to second chances."
"Yes...second chances," Brown said. He loved the wine that Debra had chosen.
"Professor?"
Brown looked up from his table. Randy and Melissa stood there.
"Professor?" Debra said in shock. "Well...that would explain your clothes."
Brown felt his face warm. Obviously, his double here was more...lay back. He looked at Debra and smiled.
"Debra...these are some of my students Randall Heim and Melissa Clark," Brown said as he gestured to them. "I have made their acquaintance while I was aboard."
"It's nice to meet you," Debra said. "We used to think Darnell would never find direction in college, but now..."
"Yes, Professor Brown is brilliant," Randy commented. He looked at brown. "We will have to...discuss quantum theory tomorrow. We are retiring to the Dominion."
Brown smiled. It looked like Heim was picking up the lingo after all. He was impressed.
"It was nice meeting you," Melissa said to Debra. "Hopefully we will meet again before we leave town."
Debra's face clouded over for a second. Then she was all smiles again. "Ye...hopefully." After the two sliders left, she stared at Brown with sadness in her eyes. "So...you're going to leave again?"
Brown put his hands over Debra's hands. "I have learned...to let thins happen as they may. Maybe I will. Maybe I will not."
Debra smiled. "Okay, Darnell. I'll play your game."
Brown smiled. "Good...because I would not play it with anyone else."
Randy just glared. It did not help at all. He could barely make out the words in the newspaper.
"I can't believe it!" Melissa exclaimed.
Randy looked up. Melissa stood by the window. Her face in the candlelight was like a child.
"What's wrong?" Randy asked.
Melissa looked over at Randy. "Absolutely nothing. We finally landed on a world where people care about how they affect the environment. I just can't believe it. The bikes. The food.."
"Yeah...most of the world seems to be vegetarian," Randy said, throwing the newspaper on the coffeetable. "I'm just not getting anything out of the newspaper. I'll be glad when the TV works in the morning."
"All work again, Mr. Heim?" Melissa mocked. "Hw about you just come by the window and enjoy the view?"
Randy walked over to the window. He held Melissa in his arms and looked outside. The night sky was full of many stars.
"It's like being in Paris," Melissa commented.
Randy grinned. "You never been to Paris."
"Well, it's how it would be on TV."
Randy made no comment. He had been hoping for so long to hold Melissa in his arms again. To have her in his arms now...it was heaven.
"You're being very quiet," Melissa commented.
"Just...enjoying the moment," Randy said. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Is that what you want?"
"What I want," Randy said as he turned Melissa to face him, "is this."
He did not hesitate. He just did it. He leaned in and kissed Melissa. Melissa's hands were on the side of his face. They pulled him closer. He never felt happier.
As Richard was thrown into the wall, he had never felt so angry. He looked up to see a baseball bat hit his face. He fell to the ground. The only thing holding him up was his chained-up hands.
"Have I mentioned how much I love these things?" Peter asked as he looked at his bat. "On this world, baseball never caught on. Eventually, it just faded away." He looked at Richard and smiled. "Good to know it could have been useful."
Richard glared at Peter. "Yea...good. You son of a-"
The bat caught him in the jaw.
"You shut up!" Peter barked. "I was not the one who decided to get drunk and go driving!" He held the bat up for another swing,. "You're the son of a-"
"Peter!"
Richard looked up to see a woman with short black hair enter the room. He remembered Eve well. Her black leather gave her away.
"Eve, what is it?" Peter asked.
"We are getting ready to cross again," Eve said. "Sarah insisted you come along."
Peter smiled. "You can tell Sarah that I have what I wanted and thanks for the assistance."
"Shouldn't you be thanking that St. Clair girl Sarah encountered a few worlds back?" Eve asked. "She's the one who taught her how to track sliders." Richard looked up to see Eve approaching him. She kneeled before him. "Besides...I grow weary of being your errand girl."
"Perhaps you should check on your husband," Peter suggested.
Eve put Richard's face in her hands. "Maybe I like it here better."
"What are you doing?"
Richard watched Eve's eyes light up. "Having a little fun?"
"How can you think of sex with him?"
Eve looked away from Richard. "What's wrong, Peter? Jealous?" She looked back at Richard. "You should be."
Richard saw movement. Eve was moved away from him. He saw Peter had grabbed her.
"I warned you!" Peter said. "Do not even think of playing games. I will not let you rob me of my revenge."
Eve touched Peter's shoulder. "Would never dream of it."
Peter let go of Eve's arm. "Good."
The door opened again. Richard looked up to see Eric standing in the door.
"Are we ready?" Eric asked.
"Well someone's ready for his game to play out," Eve commented.
"I've been planning it for weeks," Eric said. "Give the Indylites something to follow and this world will burn. I just cannot believe they do not use nuclear or geothermal energy at all. What was President Gore thinking?"
"He probably wasn't," Peter said. "Let's go."
Richard watched the three sliders leave. He could do nothing about it. All he wanted was to get out of there.
The sound of something falling got Brown to open his eyes. He shot up to see Debra sitting on the side of the bed. She was putting on her shoes.
"Trying to sneak out?" Brown asked as he sat up.
"I didn't want to wake up," Debra said. She smiled. "There's this meeting that I have to go to. Part of my role as CEO."
"What is it about?"
"That's classified."
"Oh."
Debra walked over to his side of the bed and kissed him. "Last night was great. I hope you'll still be here when I get back."
"Don't worry," Brown said. "I'm not going anywhere."
Debra kissed him again. "Then I will see you tonight."
Brown watched Debra leave the bedroom. Then he laid back and looked at the ceiling. He had never felt so alive as he felt then. He did not want it to end.
"What?" Randy said.
"I have decided...to stay on this world," Brown said.
"What about finding Quinn?" Randy asked. "What about this new timer? I-"
Brown smiled at Randy. "Mr. Heim, calm down. People are staring-
"Is there a problem?"
Randy looked at the waiter. He glared at them.
"We're fine," Melissa said. "Our friend...just found out something interesting."
The waiter just walked away. Randy looked at Melissa. She just shrugged her shoulders.
"Mr. Heim, you are a brilliant man," Brown said. "That is no doubt that you will figure out the answers to those questions. You do not need me for that."
Randy did not know what to say. A few worlds ago, he had given up being the decision-maker. Now he was it again.
"I am happy and content here," Brown said. "Why risk it if I don't have to?"
"What about home though?" Randy asked. "What if your double shows up?"
"Highly unlikely," Brown said as he stood up. "I must go and see if Debra is back yet. How about we meet at that cafe up the street tonight?"
"Is seven thirty okay?" Melissa asked as she stood up.
Randy was lost in thought. All he knew was that his mentor was leaving him. After so long being around each other it seem unreal.
"Randy?"
Randy looked up from his seat. Melissa looked down at him.
"Yeah...I'm sorry," Randy said. "I was...distracted."
"I understand," Melissa said. "I'm going to miss him, too. It's his choice though. We can't stop him."
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite crossers!"
Randy turned around. Eve grinned at him.
"Is there a-" the waiter from earlier started.
Eve hissed at him. The waiter tripped over himself as he ran back into the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Randy asked.
"Saving your butt I believe," Eve said.
"I find that hard to believe," Melissa said.
"You're in danger," Eve said, ignoring Melissa. "It might be a good idea if you crossed. You might be safer."
"I'm not going anywhere," Randy said.
"Besides why would you help us?" Melissa asked.
Eve smiled. "Oh, I have my reasons." She looked at Randy. "I don't think Sarah has given up her vendetta. In fact, she has been helping Peter with his."
Randy heard Melissa gasp. He looked at her. She was looking at him with worry.
"What?" Randy asked.
"Richard," Melissa said. "Peter's after Richard. We got to-"
"Too late," Eve said. "He's got him."
"We got to-"
"What exactly does he have against Richard?" Randy asked.
Randy knew that Melissa's eyes were on him. He did not care. he realized it when Melissa said that Peter was out to get Richard.
"Randy-" Melissa started.
"I have a theory," Randy said to her. He looked back at Eve. "Why does Peter hate Richard when they are from different worlds? It has something to do with your slide there."
Eve nodded. "Yes, it does. Richard got behind the wheel while he was drunk. Laura...she's Peter's sister...she never knew what...hit..."
Eve looked away from Randy. He could make out the tears forming. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked back at him, a fade smile on her face.
"I'm sorry," Eve apologized. "Laura was my closest friend among our group. Her death...was tragic."
"I understand," Randy said.
"Peter was crushed," Eve continued. "Of course he wanted to cross early, but...at the time our technology was not that advance. He had to watch his sister die. He swore vengeance. Over the next month, I know he crossed back to your world. He searched for all kinds of information on Richard. He wants him dead."
"Is he-" Melissa started.
"He's safe...for now," Eve said. She started to leave the restaurant. "If you can cross, now's a great time."
"We can't," Randy said. "Besides, you have something we want."
Eve stopped. She corked an eyebrow. "Really? What's that?"
Randy walked over to Eve. He grabbed her arm. "Our home coordinates."
"As you can see," Debra King said as she gestured to the jet, "the designs Randall gave us were on target. If what you say is true the Price Corporation will have a new mode of travel: using actual fuel as oppose to solar energy."
Peter was the first to clap. Sarah watched Eric and Randall follow suit. She did as well.
"And the test flight?" Eric asked.
"It has already made it to our London branch and will return at the time you wanted, Mr. Price," Debra said. "When President Gore sees the Price jets in action, perhaps he will lean to the Indylites' cause."
"Especially if we continued to sway public opinion," Eric commented, "I do believe that concludes our business."
Sarah folded her arms. "What if public opinion isn't swayed?"
All eyes fell on her. Eric looked like he had been slapped. Randall looked at her in a questioning tone. Peter looked shocked.
"The public goes for what is fast and quick, Sarah," Peter said. "I'm sure we have nothing to worry about."
"Of course not," Debra said. "Everything will go as planned. Now if you'll follow me..."
Debra started to head out of the hangar. Eric was right behind her. Sarah started after her. A hand grabbed her wrist. She turned to glare at Randall. He smiled.
"Bad form, Sarah," Randall Heim said. "You played your hand too soon."
Sarah grinned at Randall. "I play no game, Randall. However, it looks like you do. What do you have up your sleeves?"
"Enough!" Peter barked. "The last thing we need is to be at each other's throats. Let's go."
Randall released his grip on Sarah's hand. He headed out of the hangar. Sarah looked at Peter.
"Thank you," Sarah said.
"He's getting close," Peter said.
"You didn't tell Eve?"
"No."
"Then he'll never know," Sarah said. "After tomorrow it won't even matter. He won't even exist."
"They're late," Melissa said as she paced outside the cafe.
"I am sure that the Professor will be here," Randy said as he leaned against the door.
"Nice to know you're sure."
She had not even looked at him. Randy walked over to Melissa. She turned from him.
"Okay...what?" Randy asked.
Melissa turned to face Randy. He looked into her eyes. There was anger and hurt in those eyes.
"You just could not leave it alone, could you?" Melissa asked. "You had to get to the truth."
"Yes! Yes, I did!" Randy yelled. "And now we know."
"Well, you know."
"Why are you angry?" Randy asked. "I thought you believed me when I said Richard was hiding something."
"I do," Melissa shot back. "I just...I didn't expect this. No wonder he didn't want to talk about it."
"Well, we know what he was hiding," Randy said. "Now I want to know who he was working for."
Melissa sighed in frustration. "Enough, Randy! I am so sick of this."
Randy walked over to Melissa and held her. "So am I. Once I have the whole truth maybe I can move on. I did with my parents. I can with this."
"Did we miss anything?"
Randy looked away from Melissa. Brown was approaching arm in arm with Debra. He looked at the two of them and paused.
"What's wrong?" Brown asked.
"Nothing," Randy said.
"Except the world just fell apart," Melissa muttered.
"What?" Brown said.
"Yes...we have been traveling with a murderer," Randy said as he sat at the table.
"Randy...I am sure that it was an accident," Melissa said.
"He didn't have to get behind that wheel, Melissa!" Randy yelled.
"Ssh!" Debra said. "You two are causing a scene."
"I have to agree," Brown said. "I know this...revelation is a hard one. I have gotten very close to Mr. Hall. That does not excuse his actions. He must be brought to justice. Where is he?"
Brown got no answer. Melissa looked at Randy. He looked at her.
"Well?" Brown said. "Is someone going to tell me?"
"Well..." Melissa started. She looked at Randy unsure. Finally, she looked at Brown again. "He's...hanging...with Peter and Eve."
"You don't mean Peter Carmichael and Eve Albright, do you?"
Brown felt the spoon drop out of his hand. He turned to look at Debra. She looked surprised.
"What?" Debra asked.
"How do you know those two?" Brown asked.
"Honey...do you not keep up with NewsWeek anymore at all?" Debra asked.
"When you backpack through Europe..." Brown started.
"All right! All right!" Debra said. "I forgot. I am CEO for the Price Corporation."
"Price?" Melissa muttered. "As in...Eric Price?"
"The same," Debra answered. She corked an eyebrow at Brown. "See. She watches the recyclable paper."
Brown wiped his mouth and put the napkin on his plate. He put Debra's hands in his hands. He searched her face for any sign of deception. Of course, he found none.
"Do you happen to know where he is staying?" Brown asked. He managed a smile. "I would like to give him my regards."
"How about I take you to-"
"No!" Brown snapped. He composed himself again. "You really do not have to. If Richard is there, I am sure Eric remembers me. Don't you have a meeting in the morning anyway?"
"Yes," Debra replied. "The big press conference." She looked at Randy and Melissa. "You two are invited, of course."
"Of course," Randy said.
"I think we should go," Brown announced. He felt Debra's eyes on him, but he ignored her. "We have an early day tomorrow."
"And some of us have to head home," Randy said.
He looked over at Randy. He wished they had time to get more information on how Richard was captured. He also wished he had more time with them. It would all have to wait until tomorrow.
Eve put on her game face. It was a face she had gotten used to all of these years. If she did not have it, Edward would know what she's been up to. She could not have that.
She smiled at her fellow crossers. "Don't get in too much trouble."
"Maybe we should say the same for you," Sarah said as she put on her red leather jacket. "Mr. Hall is still alive, right."
"What are you saying?" Eve demanded.
"You know you can't keep yourself from a man," Sarah said.
"Yeah," Eve agreed. "Robert thought highly of me."
Sarah glared at Eve. Eve smiled back at her.
"Is everyone ready?" Eric asked as he entered the crossing room.
"One of these days..." Sarah warned.
"Bring it on," Eve whispered. She turned to Eric, Randall, and Peter. "She's ready. Have fun."
Eve started to head out of the room. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face Randall.
"Be careful," Randall said. "Richard may be chained up, but he is still dangerous."
"Don't worry," Eve said. "I know."
"Time to cross!" Eric announced. He aimed the timer at a wall. Eve watched a red vortex form in front of her. As Eric jumped in, the vortex simmered.
The others followed suit. The vortex closed. Eve sighed in relief.
It was time. She had planned it perfectly. Now she could take care of two people with a single stroke.
Brown opened the hotel room a crack. Four figures moved pass it. He recognized Sarah and Eric quickly. He also knew Randall. He assumed the fourth member was Peter. They made it into the elevator. It closed behind them.
"Let's go," Brown instructed.
Brown walked into the hall. Randy was right behind him.
"I still can't believe you made a deal with one of them," Brown commented.
"Eve didn't try to kill me," Randy replied.
"Still..."
"Hey! I'm getting us home."
"And Mr. Hall?"
"He's getting what's coming to him."
Brown pulled out a safety pin. "Yes, he is." He started to work on the lock.
"Interesting idea."
"I got it from Mr. Hall. He was a...loyal comrade."
"Yet he never told you he killed someone."
Brown heard a click. He looked up at Randy. "No...he didn't."
Brown walked into the hotel room. It looked deserted. He looked at his watch. It was about time for the press conference to start.
"Oh..." Randy mumbled.
Brown saw Randy move pass him. He saw it on the coffee table. A circular object was next to a calculator. randy picked up the circular object.
"It's in here," Randy said.
"The way home," Brown mumbled.
"This is Tricia Eastwood live from outside the Price Corporation building where-"
"Film just ran out!" Joel announced.
"What?" Daniel Peckin shrieked from his seat. "Go get a new roll!"
"Well, if a certain producer wouldn't be so cheap..." Joel mumbled.
"What was that, Joel?" Peckin demanded.
"He said you're cheap, Peckin!" Tricia yelled. "I have to agree with him. What's with these electric packs? Why don't you get solar packs?"
"In hell!" Peckin said. "Joel, hurry up!"
Melissa just rolled her eyes. Daniel Peckin was a jerk on every world she saw him. Didn't his doubles ever change?
"Okay...it's back on!" Joel announced.
"Here they come!" Peckin yelled. He looked at Tricia. "Unbutton a few buttons and start."
Tricia rolled her eyes. Then she unbuttoned a few buttons on her shirt and smiled. "This is Tricia Eastwood live from outside the Price Corporation building. The owner, Eric Price, has called a press conference. Here's Eric now..."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Eric said. "Ever since the introduction of Price Corporation into the world, we have strived for excellence and ways to make life easier and more efficient for you. I am happy to say that Price has found a new way to accomplish this goal. It should be here in...5...4...3...2...1...now!"
Melissa heard it. It was the first time she had heard it on this world. It was an engine. It was heading from above. She looked up to see five jets screeching through the skies. Gasps filled the audience as one sped pass the crowd.
"Wow!" Joel said.
"Oh, God!" Peckin muttered.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce Price's secret weapon...Randall Heim," Eric said as he moved away from the podium.
Melissa watched Randall walk to the podium.
"So, Mr. Heim, what's your secret fro these jets?" A reporter asked.
"Will they replace the balloons?" another reporter asked.
"What is President Gore's reaction?" one more reporter asked.
"Is solar energy the cause of their speed?" Tricia asked.
"These jets not only travel by day," Randall said. "They also can travel by night...over the seas. They travel without the use of solar energy." The crowd oohed. "It's all done with gasoline."
"And how does one get ahold of this...gasoline?" Tricia asked.
Randall smiled. "It's just a matter of..."
A loud explosion cut off Randall's words. Melissa looked up at the sky. The blue sky was filling with a redish orange. One of the jets was now falling debris.
Melissa's eyes narrowed on the sight. Something was not right. The sky was forming into a wave of light. The wave was heading right for them.
People pushed Melissa out of the way. She looked to see the crowd was running for their cars. Some of them were stepping over people who fell. Melissa ran down the aisle.
Randall's eyes was focused on the wave. It looked like he was analyzing it. His mouth finally fell open. He looked at Sarah.
"You!" Randall said. "This is your doing!"
Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "I did no such thing."
"Liar-"
Melissa covered her eyes as the wave hit their location. Randall's words were lost to it. A few seconds passed before she opened her eyes.
It was an ordinary day in San Francisco. The podium was gone. Peckin and his workers were gone. The crowd was gone.
Melissa realized that people were driving their cars and smoke was coming out of engines. She also realized she was on a sidewalk with Eric, Peter, and Sarah. Randall was nowhere in sight.
"Looks like we got ourselves another crosser," Peter said as he laid his eyes on Melissa.
"What did you do?" Melissa demanded.
"Yes...what happened?" Eric asked. He looked at Sarah. "Randall was right. You did this."
Sarah looked at Eric. "Yes...yes, I did. Interesting little equations I got from the notes of Oberon Geiger. It can allow a person to meld universes...creating one to my liking."
"What?" Peter said. "With that much power, anything is possible."
Sarah smiled. "Yes. A world where Randall Heim does not exist, for example."
"Randall...you killed him?"
"No," Sarah said to Eric. "He never existed...in a few worlds." She held up a rectangular remote. "Just an infinite number to go."
"Wait!" Melissa yelled. "If you keep doing that..nothing will exist."
"As long as Randall Heim does not, nothing else matters," Sarah said.
"Now wait a minute..." Eric started.
Sarah pushed a button. Another jet headed for them. It exploded. A wave shot out from it. Melissa shut her eyes again.
Something exploded. Melissa opened her eyes to see that the jets were being chased...by manta ships.
"Terrans!"
Melissa looked at the street. The cars were no longer there. There were black piles on it. Several inhuman men aimed lasers at her, Peter, Eric, and Sarah.
"Well, if it isn't a Humagg," Peter said. "We haven't seen one of them in a couple of worlds. Still trying to restore the Kromagg Dynasty after..."
"Silence, Terran!" the Humagg barked.
"Sarah, what at have you done?" Eric demanded.
"I...I had no idea this would happen!" Sarah spit out.
"Can't say I like this turnaround at all," Eric said. He pulled out a gun. "Listen...I don't' care about vendettas. I just lost a lot of money and I demand-"
The sky lit up again. One of the manta ships had destroyed a jet. melissa saw the Humaggs look away. She broke off in a run. She had to find Randy and Brown.
"Halt, Terran!" someone yelled.
"Fire!"
The vortex spun open in front of Randy. He looked away from the timer to see two figures emerge. Eve was holding Richard.
"You're in danger!" Eve said. "Come on."
"What?" Randy said.
"What is the meaning of this?" Brown started.
The room shook as if there was an earthquake. Eve grabbed Randy. She pulled him into the vortex.
For a second, Randy felt nothing. Then he opened his eyes. He was in a dark room.
"Why did you even save him?" Richard snapped. "I thought you were helping me?"
"You're free, aren't you?" Eve shot back. She looked at Randy. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah...uh...thanks," Randy said.
A simmer came from the vortex. Brown fell to the ground. He looked up and saw Eve.
"What are you doing?" Brown demanded.
"I'm saving Randall's life," Eve explained. "I figured out Sarah's little game. I can't believe Peter...a few weeks ago, we were on a world with two suns. While we were there we encountered a woman named Logan St. Clair. I guess she taught Sarah how to track you guys. Sarah used it to find Richard here for Peter. Peter, in turn, gathered information for her."
Brown frowned. "What kind of information?"
"Various equations on crossing," Eve answered. "Peter could gather it for her over...who knows how long he's been doing it. Sarah has just started crossing again a few weeks ago. She plans on using this."
Eve pulled out a sheet of paper. Randy grabbed it and looked over the sheet. The equation that was on it. He had thought about it once when he was creating his machine. If it was possible to slide to a parallel world...surely there was a way to create one with an equation that suited your own purpose. He thought it was madness though since people would think differently as a result of merging worlds or even come undone from a world.
Randy stared at the equation again. If Sarah was using this...
"Oh my God," Randy mumbled.
"What is it, Mr. Heim?" Brown asked.
He looked at Brown. "That earthquake we heard...that was Sarah collapsing universes. Millions of people vanishing in an instant...so she can get rid of one man."
"Randall!"
Randy looked over at Eve. A tear was forming. He never thought she was able to feel anything for anyone.
"Eve, listen to me," Randy said as he walked over to her. "We have to go back."
"No!" Eve yelled. "If Sarah uses her device again, you will vanish."
"The result will be the same if her device reaches this world and merges it," Randy said.
"Heim, I will not have you risking your life," Brown said. "Richard and I will go back and-"
"Uh...Richard isn't going anywhere," Richard joined in.
"Oh...yes you are," Brown said as he headed over to him and Eve. "You put this all in motion when you let whoever blackmail you. You should have went to the police when you hit Laura."
Richard's face went pale. He looked over at Randy. He lunged at him.
"This is your fault!" Richard yelled.
Randy grabbed Richard by the throat. "No, it's not! I'm not taking your excuse anymore! This is ALL YOUR FAULT!" Randy pushed Richard away from him. Before Richard could react, Randy swung at Richard. Richard fell back and landed on the floor unconscious.
A hand touched Randy's shoulder. He looked to see Eve staring at his hand. "Are you-"
"It was a long time coming," Randy said.
The room lit up. Randy looked away from Eve to see Brown jumping into a vortex.
"Professor!"
Randy started for the vortex, but it shut behind him. He turned to Eve.
"Can you form another vortex without a timer?" Randy asked.
"The equipment is here," Eve answered.
"Good," Randy said. "I'm going back."
The red vortex opened. Brown fell out of it and landed among large rocks. The vortex closed behind it.
Brown stood up and observed the rocks. They looked like they had been melted down. He looked up to see they had fallen from the building next to him.
A manta ship shot pass. Brown hid behind the rocks again. The manta ship had not seen him.
A figure ran by. Brown ran after it.
"Eric?"
Eric turned around. Brown threw him against the wall.
"Do you mind?" Eric asked. "I was trying to run for my life."
"Where's Miss Clark?" Brown demanded.
The laserfire was getting closer now. Melissa made it around the corner. She stopped for a second. Sarah and Peter turned the corner. Peter grabbed Sarah.
"Try it again!" Peter barked.
"I have no energy to amplify it!" Sarah yelled. "The manta ships took out all the jets!"
"Why did I even listen to you?" Peter asked aloud.
"You wanted what I wanted," Sarah said. "Revenge."
"You two are both sick," Melissa said.
A wind picked up suddenly. The wall next to Melissa started to deform. She backed into Peter and Sarah. The vortex formed in the wall. It simmered as a figure emerged from it.
"Good timing, Eve," Peter said.
Eve glared at Peter. "I didn't come here for you." She looked at Sarah. "Bitch." She lunged at Sarah.
The vortex simmered again. Randy and Richard jumped out of the vortex. melissa smiled and ran to hug him after the vortex closed.
"You're okay," Melissa said.
"Eve saved me," Randy said.
Melissa turned back to Eve. She snatched the remote from Sarah. She threw it at Randy.
"Eve, what are you doing?" Peter asked.
"Fixing your mess," Eve replied. She looked at Randy. "Can you fix it?"
Randy looked at Eve. "If I can attach it to the timer and use its battery...yes."
"No!"
Melissa looked at Eve. Sarah's hand swung at Eve's face. Eve was knocked off her.
"Terrans!"
Melissa looked at her left. The Humaggs had caught up to them.
"Randy...what are..."
Melissa turned to her right. Brown and Eric were heading for them.
"What in the-"
Melissa looked at the building they were in front of. Debra was walking out of the building.
"No," Melissa mumbled.
Melissa ran for Randy. Sarah was almost there. She lunged at her and knocked her to the ground.
Laser fire shot pass Melissa's head. She heard a scream.
"Duck!" Randy yelled out.
Laser fire was soon joined by gunfire.
Ben Loveland fell out of the wormhole. He landed on Robert Bufford. The wormhole closed behind him.
"Get off of me!" Bufford yelled.
Ben got off of him quickly. He looked around. They had landed in Golden Gate Park. He saw Nicole Harris sitting up from a bush.
"So...any signatures of the others?" Nicole asked Bufford.
He looked at the gizmo. He shook his head. "Still can't seem to get a beat on them."
"Some genius you are," Ben said.
"How about you try to fix it?" Bufford challenged. "Oh...I forgot you had the IQ of a pea."
"Could somebody give me a hand?"
Ben looked around. It sounded like Rembrandt, but he was nowhere in sight.
"Up here."
Ben looked up. Rembrandt Brown was sitting on the top of the Abraham Lincoln statue. Ben ran over and helped him down.
"So...how long do we have here, Goof?" Rembrandt asked.
Ben looked over at Bufford.
"A day and a half," Bufford said.
"Doesn't give us much time," Nicole said.
"Maybe Bufford will be able to fix the timer and find Randy's trail again," Ben said.
"Oh, I will," Bufford said as he looked over the gizmo. "We geniuses are good at fixing things."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Ben said flatly.
"What was that?" Bufford asked.
"Remmy...what's wrong?" Nicole asked.
Ben looked away from Bufford. Rembrandt was staring off into space. Ben walked over to him. He touched his shoulder.
"Rembrandt!" Ben said. "What's up?"
"I just...don't believe it," Rembrandt said.
"Believe what?"
"Goof, look."
Rembrandt pointed. Ben looked at where he pointed. He gasped.
The Golden Gate Bridge could be seen from the park. It was not golden though. It was azure.
"Good lord!"
Ben looked at Rembrandt. He was looking back over at the statue. His face had gone pale.
Ben turned around as well. A single man stood near the statue. His expression was one of shock.
"Mr. Brown, is it really you?" Professor Maxillian Arturo asked.
THE-END
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