Professor Darnell Brown looked around. Something was off. He...could sense it. the buildings looked ordinary enough. The people walking the sidewalk looked all right...right down to a couple arguing on the San Francisco trolley. The wind in the air was San Francisco's normal cold. However...something was off and causing a mild buzz in the back of his head.
  "Professor Brown?"
  Brown looked to his left. Melissa Clark stared at him. Even if Clark's' dark eyes did not betray her concern, Brown would be able to sense it with his telepathic powers...a result of the Kromaggs.
  He turned those powers on the man next to Melissa. Richard Hall may be acting and dressing laid back with the hippie clothes and ponytail, but brown sensed his thoughts. He was worried for Melissa...and weary of Brown.
  "I...am fine," Brown said. He stared at another trolley passing. "It is...I sense something is not quite right."
  "Sez the Kromagg agent."
  Brown looked at the dark-haired beauty next to him. Even now, she pulled her black trenchcoat around her. It was a move that the short-haired man next to her mimicked.
  Brown frowned. He could sense the hostility from Rebecca Pryce. He expected it. He sensed nothing from Randy Heim, a result of a neural cloaker he had implanted in his body. He expected that feeling. It was still eerie to see the two of them doing something similar.
  "I would think you are one to be casing stones," Brown said to Pryce. "How many times have you betray--"
  "Professor...enough," Randy said, stepping forward. "Do you sense anything or not?"
  Brown glared. Was he just defending the conwoman that got them into this?
  "Yes," Brown replied, "...and no. It is like..."
  Suddenly, it hit him. It was like many hands tightening on his brain all at once. Then they pulled.
  Brown let loose an ear-piercing scream. His feet gave way. His body spazzed.

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?

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

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 5
EPISODE 12: BETWEEN TWO EVILS

  Randy Heim looked in on Professor Brown. He was still out in his hospital bed. Whatever had hit him...hit him hard.
  "So what do you think it is, Egghead?"
  Randy turned. Richard stared at him, Melissa holding onto his arm. She looked upset.
  "I...don't know," Randy said.
  "Don't you?"
  Melissa and Richard turned. Melissa glared at Rebecca. Rebecca ignored her, keeping her glance on Randy.
  "Looks like the Kromaggs are finally doing their endgame," Rebecca said. "We should up and leave. How much time do we have?"
  Randy pulled out the timer. "A little over two days."
  "If he isn't up--"
  "Wait!" Melissa snapped. "When did she start dictating things?"
  "Get a clue, Clark," Rebecca said. "I'm sure we're all thinking it. The Kromaggs have had no problem...when they need to...taking over his body to do their bidding. Here's our chance to get rid of baggage."
  "I know I have my issues with Brown," Melissa said, "But he is still a human being. We can't just leave him."
  "Richard, could you talk some sense to your lady?"
  Randy frowned. So did Melissa. Rebecca looked at both of them. The look on Randy's face made her frown.
  "As if I'm wrong," Rebecca said. "Who's room have you been spending time in?"
  Melissa glared. "At least I stay in one. Where do you vanish off to--"
  "Let's stay on topic," Randy cut in, focusing on Rebecca.
  Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes burned into Randy.
  "Yeah," she said. "Let's."
  "He stays," Randy said.
  "Why?" Rebecca snapped. " Because you trust him? You told me--"
  "I trust myself," Randy said.
  He looked over at Richard and Melissa. Melissa had an eyebrow arched. He moved past them.
  "I need coffee."

  Melissa's eyes narrowed on Rebecca.
  "What's going on with you two?" Melissa demanded.
  Rebecca looked at Melissa. "Excuse me?"
  "You heard me."
  Rebecca released a sarcastic laugh. "That's cute. Why don't you ask Randy?"
  "I'm asking you."
  "And I'm telling you nothing. You don't trust me, remember?"
  "Geez, I wonder why?"
  "Because you're an insecure little--"
  "Hey!" Richard said, stepping between the two women. "No fighting."
  Rebecca looked at Richard. "I don't see what you see in her. She's just a whiny little baby. When you were with me--"
  Richard's head snapped at her. "Well, I'm not anymore!"
  "Well when you were, you were a weak little fool," Rebecca snapped. She looked at Melissa. "I pity you. She just takes the fun out of--"
  Melissa lunged at Rebecca. Richard grabbed her arm and swung her backwards. Rebecca laughed, making Melissa want to hit her more.
  "Too easy," Rebecca said. "I'm going to find Randy."
  Melissa started to follow, but she got jerked back. She turned to look at Richard. He looked at her in confusion.
  "Are you okay?" Richard asked. "Seriously? Because you're acting like you lost your marbles."
  Melissa snatched her arm away from Richard. "I'm fine. She's up to something."
  "Wouldn't surprise me at all," Richard commented.
  "How can you be so calm?"
  "How can you be so upset?"
  Melissa's jaw dropped. Richard leaned forward and touched it. She grinned.
  "Now," Richard said, "what's really going on?"
  Melissa turned away. She looked down, crossing her arms over her chest. A moment later, arms wrapped around her waist.
  "Come on," Richard urged. "What?"
  "He confides in her," Melissa said. "No reason to, but...he does."
  "Well," Richard said, nosing her ear, "we always have a need to connect. And who will Egghead connect to? You're not talking to him. Proper's too shady. I don't care for him. She's the only one left."
  Melissa said nothing. She could understand what Richard was saying. But it made her wonder. If he confide in her about his feelings, what else was Randy saying they didn't know about?

  WHAT ELSE WAS HE TELLING HER?
  Brown stirred. He recognized that thought. It came from Miss Clark, worrying about Randy's growing closeness to Rebecca Pryce.
  It was warranted.
  "Is...it?"
  Brown's eyes snapped open. He turned over in his bed. A figure emerged from the shadows. He was a black man. He was dressed in black. His eyes looked at Brown like an animal studying prey.
  "Who...," Brown started, reaching out with his mind. His eyes widened.
  "You will already have found that you cannot read my mind, Mr. Brown," the black man said. "Yes, we know your name. We all do. You need to be away from here."
  "I will be nowhere until I have a name," Brown said.
  "Bishop," the man replied. "You will find that most people here have one name."
  "Really? Why is that?"
  Bishop displayed a smile. "You have no idea where you have slid into. Yes...I said slid. I know of your group's ability to travel between parallel Earths."
  Brown sat up. "I would think that would make you an enemy."
  "Not necessarily, Mr. Brown. However, your enemies...are coming here. So you will need to get out. Take special care with Richard Hall and Randall Heim."
  "Special..."

  "Oh...they're after them, too."   Brown frowned. Bishop shrunk into the shadows. Brown stormed to the wall. There was no one there.
  Then the buzzing began...

  "Hm."
  Melissa looked at Richard. He frowned. She turned.
  "What?" Melissa asked.
  "Is it just me, or is everyone just a little color coded for a hospital?" Richard asked.
  Melissa looked around. People just milled around in hospital scrubs. There were just three colors...gray, light-blue, and black. There were not a lot of blacks and plenty of grays. Melissa and Richard were the only ones who had on clothes that hinted at other colors. Judging by the looks of the black-clad people, it was noticed.
  "Granted I'm still new to the whole sliding thing," Richard said, "But I know when something is wrong."
  "You would be right," Melissa said. "I think we should get Professor Brown and the--"
  "I would agree."
  Melissa looked behind Richard. Brown stormed over to them, putting on his brown trenchcoat. He looked around.
  "Where is Mr. Heim and Miss Pryce?" Brown asked.
  "Coffee," Richard said. "They should be--"
  "No time," Brown said. He stormed past them.
  "Uh...did I miss something?" Richard asked Melissa.
  Melissa shrugged her shoulders. Then she followed behind Brown. He headed down the hall, looking left and right. He looked like he was searching...or scanning for something. Every few moments he paused next to a black-clad person, frowned, and walked on.
  "What are you--" Melissa started.
  "No time to explain," Brown said. "We're in danger. And I can't sense Miss--"
  Brown abruptly stopped. His eyes widened. "Oh."
  "What?" Melissa asked.
  "I found them," Brown said. "Come on."
  "What was--"
  "Hello! No time."

  Randy quickly pulled up his pants. He looked over at Rebecca as she rearranged her black turtleneck by the restroom mirror. He walked out of the stall.
  "We shouldn't have--" Randy started.
  "Funny," Rebecca said as she put on her trenchcoat. "You weren't saying that when you--"
  "Shut up," Randy said.
  Rebecca stared at Randy through the mirror. "Make me."
  Randy said nothing. Rebecca walked over to him. She reached out and touched his cheek.
  "You geniuses are so funny," Rebecca said. "So busy on your inventions that you have no social life. But bed one of you...and all that built-up tension...wow!"
  "This...is just sex," Randy said.
  "Duh," Rebecca said. Then she headed for the door.
  Randy stared after Rebecca. He frowned. If Melissa ever found out...
  Randy headed for the door. Did it really matter to him now? Melissa was with Richard. Randy was forgotten.
  Randy looked at Rebeca's back as they entered the hospital cafeteria. It was a nice back. Maybe if he could trust her...no. Rebecca was good for one thing. Nothing...
  Suddenly, a vortex shot open in front of Rebecca, catching her by surprise. Randy's eyes widened. It was a red vortex.
  A figure jumped out of it. The figure lunged at Rebecca, knocking her to the floor. Randy recognized the Humagg soldier Kerra. She quickly took out a knife and held it up to stab Rebecca.
  "No!" Randy yelled.
  Kerra paused, her inhuman eyes falling on Randy. She snarled.
  "The Heim Prime," she hissed.

  A whir sounded from the red vortex. Another figure emerged. His inhuman eyes locked on Randy. He quickly held up a small laser.
  "Look at what we have here, Kerra," the Humagg said
.   "I see, Karlus," Kerra said, her eyes on Randy. "The Heim Prime...on this world? Saves us some trouble."
  "Yes," Karlus said, aiming his laser as the vortex closed, "it does."
  Suddenly, Karlus shot into the air. He hit the stylophone in the ceiling. He tore a hole through.
  Brown shot into the room. His telekinetic powers shot him toward the scene like a rocket. Kerra looked surprised for a moment. Then she shot up, kicking Brown in the face. He fell to the floor.
  "Professor!" Randy yelled.
  Kerra's head snapped in his direction.
  "Worry more for yourself, Heim Prime," Kerra said. "You are the one masked for death."
  "Randy!"
  Randy looked at the cafeteria door. Melissa ran in. She saw Kerra, her eyes widening.
  "No!" Melissa yelled. Then she dashed for Randy.
  Kerra lunged at Randy. Her knife was held high. Suddenly, a figure tackled Kerra. Randy's eyes widened. It was Rebecca.
  "I don't like being manhandled by a...what are you again?" Rebecca said.
  Kerra elbowed Rebecca out of the way. "Cur!"
  Randy looked at Melissa. She looked surprised.
  Suddenly, Karlus jumped out from the ceiling next to her. Melissa gasped. Just as sudden a new figure tackled Karlus. It was Richard.
  Randy stepped forward to help the fight. Suddenly, the room spun in his sight. He stumbled and his face met the floor.

  "Randy?" Melissa uttered.
  Randy was out on the floor. She started toward him. Kerra shot up in her way. She swung a punch. Melissa dodged backward. Kerra tried to punch her again, but Melissa ducked. Kerra snarled.
  "You may assume you're my better, Terran, but you will be proven wrong," Kerra said.
  Melissa balled her hands into fists.
  "Not the first to say that," Melissa replied. "I'm sure you won't be the last."
  Melissa's eyes dotted past Kerra. Brown was airborne. That was good.
  Melissa frowned. He wasn't heading for her. He landed next to Randy, grabbed him up, and floated back, into the air.
  Then...he flew out of the cafeteria door.
  He had left them behind.

  "Melissa!"
  Melissa looked in Richard's direction. Then she looked forward as Kerra lunged at her.
  "Too bad."
  Richard looked forward as Karlus caught him in the jaw. Richard fell to the floor.
  "While our mission here wasn't to exterminate the Heim Prime," Karlus said, holding up his laser again, "it is a pleasure we do for the Dyn--"
  A fist caught Karlus in the face. Richard shot up off the ground. Then he punched Karlus in the jaw...hard. He stared at his distractor.
  "Thanks," Richard said.
  "He was trying to kill me," Rebecca replied. "He had it coming."
  Richard managed a smile. Just when he thought he knew Rebecca...
  "Ah!"
  Richard looked at Melissa. His eyes widened. Kerra had a knife to Melissa's throat. She pushed down with both hands now, inching the knife closer to Melissa's throat. Melissa had Kerra by her wrists, but she didn't see it stopping Kerra.
  Richard was on Kerra in moments. He grabbed her black shirt and dragged her away from Melissa. He ran for the wall and knocked her into it. Kerra grunted and fell down unconscious.
  "Okay, let's get out," Richard said. He looked around. "Where's Proper and--"
  "Uh...where were you?" Rebecca asked.
  "Let's see...fighting for my life," Richard shot back.
  "Brown took him," Melissa said. "He just up and flew off with him."
  "I said he couldn't be trusted," Rebecca said.
  "As if you're a saint," Melissa said.
  Rebecca glared at Melissa. "You were just almost killed. I know you're not defending him."
  "Do you think we could get out of here before--" Richard started.
  Then it hit him. Vertigo. He swayed to the left. Melissa to the right. Then everything went black.

  Brown stared at Randy. He was still out at the moment. He was sure he would be upset if he knew that it was Brown who had knocked him unconscious.
  They were in a motel room. He was not sure how long they had. The clerk had given them weird glances...a result of Brown being in brown and Heim being in blue, green, and black. Apparently, people were designated by either all blues, grays, or blacks. It made him wonder what kind of world had they slid into this time.
  Brown frowned. He heard it again. It was slight, but the same.
  The buzzing.
  "That...was you."
  Brown looked at Randy. He sat up on the bed. He stared at Brown, accusing.
  "It was for your own good, Mr. Heim," Brown said.
  "Bull!"
  "On the contrary, it was," Brown said, leaning forward in the chair he had next to the desk. "I was warned that--"
  "Warned?" Randy said. "By whom?"
  "I...don't know," Brown said. "His name is Bishop. He is an...inhabitant of this world whom mind I can't read. He knew about us."
  "That is not a good thing."
  "Agreed. He said they would be after you, Mr. Hall, and I."
  Randy frowned. "They?"
  "I do not know who 'they' is yet," Brown admitted, "but I do not like them." He stood up. "Now that you are up, I will go retrieve the others."
  Randy glared. "Why leave the others?"
  "In the grand scheme of things you are more important."
  "Wow! Sounding more like a 'Magg by the day."
  "Excuse me?"
  "You heard me."
  "I think you would be the last one to throw stones right now."
  "Why is that?"
  "In order to find you, I had to read Miss Pryce's mind. Do you really wan want me to repeat her thoughts?"
  Randy's face darkened. "Let's go find the others."
  "No, you stay here," Brown said. "I will find the others."
  "You are not--"
  "How could you sleep with her? Her...of all people?"
  Randy stood up. He crossed his arms over his chest. "How could you sleep with Eve?"
  Brown flinched. The mention of his ex-lover was completely unexpected. Eve Albright was a dark slider bent on making the sliders pay for their interference in other worlds.
  "To get revenge," Brown said. "Why are you sleeping with Miss Pryce? It surely cannot be her charm."
  "I...wanted to feel connected," Randy said. "It's not like I connect to anyone in this group anymore."
  "Perhaps if you talked--"
  "To who? There's no one to trust."
  Brown frowned. Randy shook his head.
  "No," Randy said. "You are not going to frown at me as if I'm wrong. I'm not. Melissa...is with Richard. Yeah, it's partly my fault, but...we're not getting back together. Richard...well...just reminds me of the loss. And you...haven't been the same since your Kromagg bug cured those nanotechs Mr. Stone put in you. Now...I don't even know who's side you're on."
  Brown stared at Randy. He let the words sink in. Then he headed for the door.
  "Where are you going?" Randy asked.
  Brown paused at the door. He turned to look at Randy.
  "Like I said," Brown said, "to find the others. If you are as brilliant as you say you are, you will stay here."
  Brown shut the door behind. He noticed that the buzzing had increased. He hoped he could lead it away.

  Richard opened his eyes. He blinked, giving his mind moments to adjust. He got up quickly.
  "I don't think so."
  Suddenly, Richard shot through the air. He hit the wall back first. He tried to move, but found he couldn't. It was as if invisible hands held him upright against the wall.
  Suddenly, a light turned on from above. He could make out a figure next to him. He could also see figures in the darkness in front of him.
  "Richard?" muttered the voice of Melissa.
  "Yeah," Richard said, "it's me. Rebecca?"
  "I'm here," Rebecca said.
  "Too bad for you guys."
  Richard frowned. He knew that voice.
  "I think he recognizes you," a new voice said.
  "And I recognize your voice, Carly!" Rebecca snapped. "No way!"
  A figure stepped forward. Richard saw it was Rebecca's rival Carly Reynolds. Her long blonde hair was in a ponytail. She wore a blue suit like the other people on this world.
  "Yes, Rebecca," Carly said. "You're not the only one who made it out of the building when the Kromaggs blew it up. You were just lucky. Shame about Arturo though."
  "I'm sure your heart bleeds," Rebecca shot back.
  "As do yours," Carly said. "Anyway we are glad you're here. Maybe now we can get out of here."
  "Oh...I'm sure we can."
  That voice! Who...
  Another figure moved. It came into the light. Richard felt a gasp escape his lips. It was his Other.
  "Yes, clone," Richard's Other said, "it's me. Melissa and I made it out, too."
  "Are you sure they can help?" Carly asked.
  "Yeah," the Other said. "From what you told me...the 'Maggs would be interested in Clone Boy here. He's the bargaining chip. Tell Bufford to get in contact with Will. It's time we got out of here."

  Brown stood outside the building. It was a black skyscraper. People came in and out of it. The people were all in black who entered and left. this must be the headquarters.
  "You would be right."
  Brown turned around. Bishop stared at him.
  "You will have to stop that," Brown said.
  "I apologize," Bishop said. "Stealth is very important here."
  "What is here?" Brown asked.
  "Surely you know," Bishop replied. "You of all people hear a buzzing in your ear. You know it's coming from here."
  "Yes."
  "Other telepaths. The masters. The Kromaggs."
  Bishop stepped forward. "This world...is where they train their conquered. This is where we are brainwashed. If we want to leave...we must be true, take on the black suit, and enter. They will know if it is a lie. This...is hell."
  Bishop looked at Brown. "And...they know Randall Heim is here."

  Randy shot up off the bed. "Who's here?"
  At first there was nothing. Then the shadows shifted. A figure stepped into the light. Randy's eyes narrowed on Mary, one of the human representative of the Cromagnon Kromaggs.
  "Randy Heim," Mary said. "I see you have made your choice. My masters...are pleased."
  "What are you talking about?" Randy demanded.
  "Why...the reason you are here."
  "I slid here randomly."
  Mary frowned. "Oh. That is unpleasant. Still. you are here."
  "And I'm leaving," Randy said.
  "Wrong."
  Randy looked to the shadows. Another figure came out of them. It was John, another representative who had pose as a member of the military on Earth Prime. His brown hair was longer than Randy remember, but he still looked like a determined attendant.
  "You can't stop me," Randy said.
  "Just watch--" John started.
  "John," Mary said, her eyes on him. "No violence."
  John frowned. randy meanwhile inched toward the door. Mary looked back at him. He paused on step.
  "We will try reason," Mary said.
  "You tried that before," Randy said. "It didn't work."
  "Things have changed, Randy Heim," Mary said. "That Atlantians have gone on the defense."
  "And they weren't before?" Randy said sarcastically.
  "We stayed hidden until we thought they were at their weakest point," Mary said. "We hoped to overtake them. Unfortunately it is not turning to our advantage."
  "Pity for you."
  "Can it with the sarcasm," John said. "if the Cromagnons fall, the Atlantians will not stop until they conquer the multiverse. Can you live with that many lives on your conscience?"
  Randy frowned. Paige Kendall came to mind. She had come from a time in the future where the Atlantians had actually conquer the multiverse. The land that was left was barren and dismal. What little of humanity that was left was living underground. He would hate to see that again. However, the Cromagnons had not proven they were any better.
  "And you're telling me you're not going to try to conquer the multiverse?" Randy challenged. "I was once on a world that was an outpost for sliders. I know Quinn Mallory encountered your kind. He didn't leave out the face your kind left a world desolated. You hate humans...or your masters do."
  "Desperate times...," John said.
  "Go find Quinn Mallory," Randy said. "I'm out."
  "Mallory is...unavailable," Mary said. "It is up to you."
  "Not leaving," Randy replied.
  "That settles it," John said. He stepped forward.

  "You are mad."
  Brown stared at Bishop.
  "Am I?" Brown challenged, arching an eyebrow. "If I am so infected with madness, why are you telling me this? Why help me at all? What is your game, Bishop?"
  "My game?" Bishop uttered. "My game...is that I...as well as quite a few humans on this world...and several others...want Randall Heim to succeed. Maybe then...we will be free. Is that a game to you?"
  Brown said nothing. Instead he turned back to the tall black skyscrapers. His eyes focused on a black van in the front. Three figures stepped out of it. It was Richard, Melissa., and Rebecca. They were in handcuffs. Two more figures stepped out of the van while two got out of the front. Brown's eyes widened. It was Carly Reynolds, Richard's Other, Melissa's Other, and Bufford's double.
  Brown stared to head across the street. He felt a hand on his arm. He looked back at Bishop.
  "I would not recommend it," Bishop said.
  "Well, you are not me," Brown said.
  "Even with your abilities...you will not make it out of there alive."
  "Watch me." Brown paused. "Or...you could help."
  Bishop released Brown's arm. "We...do little things here and there...but...to directly interfere...no."
  "Do you really want to be free?"
  "Yes."
  "Well, sometimes...you have to take matters into your own hands. Now...get me a dark suit."

  Richard stared at the Asian man in the black suit at the door of the black building. He threw up a hand to block Carly's way. His face formed a frown.
  "You cannot pass," the Asian man said.
  "As if I don't know that, Will," Carly said, gesturing to the blue suit she had on.
  "Then why appear here?" Will demanded. "Are you ready to serve the Kromagg Dynasty unquestioningly? I think not. So go back to your cage."
  "Hey!" Melissa's Other exclaimed. "I don't see you trying to slide to other places. You're in as much of a 'cage' as any of us."
  "At least I have a black suit," Will said. "What is your excuse?"
  "I'll give you an excuse, you--"
  "Liz," Richard's Other said, turning to look at her, "chill. We got this."
  "You have nothing," Will replied. "Now please get off the stairs before I summon reinforcements."
  "No need," Carly said. "We are here to do the masters' bidding."
  Will looked at Carly, his eyes skeptic. "I do not believe you."
  "Do you not know who we are?" Carly demanded.
  "Apparently not," Rebecca said sarcastically.
  "We came from the world where your masters discovered that destroyed cloning technology. You know...the one with that lone clone in a tube."
  Richard's eyes widened. He remembered well. When he discovered the truth...that he was a clone of Richard Hall with implanted memories...he proceeded in destroying all the test tubes his 'brothers' were in...except for one. The idea that he was an experiment was too much to think of. He was just now adjusting...thanks to Melissa. He hated thinking of it now.
  Carly pointed at Richard. "He's the prototype. The only one left. I'm sure your masters will love to get their hands on him. And as an added bonus...having him will bring Randy Heim here...the real one they want."
  Will's eyes widened. Richard backed away. The idea of the Kromaggs probing him...scared him.
  He felt a hand on his back.
  "Nah uh," his Other whispered in his ear. "You ain't going anywhere. Maybe...if you had toughen up before now. Not anymore."
  Richard turned to look at his Other.
  "I will never be like you," he said.
  The Other smirked. "We'll see."
  Will opened the door. "Proceed. Mary will be with you shortly."
  The Other pushed Richard forward.
  "Let's go, Clone," he said.

  Randy's eyes took the slick black walls in. What really amazed him was that there were green vines at the top that came down halfway yet the walls looked perfectly clean.
  "We are glad that you came," John said. Then he added. "Willingly."
  "Why is there plant life on the walls?" Randy asked.
  "It reminds our masters of the their homeworld," Mary replied on the right side of Randy. "While the Atlantians and the humans constructed their futuristic devices on their side of the world, our masters prefer to not...succumb their environment, but to embrace it by building among the giant trees on their side of the world."
  "Hmmm...big world."
  "A world they intend to reclaim from the humans there."
  Randy frowned as they turned a corner. "From what I read in Quinn's journal, there was a...slidecage built that was set up to bounce anyone away from it. You would need a powerful cyberaid to by-pass it."
  "We found that the cyberaids...for all their powers...can't even by-pass the slidecage," John said. "For them to even get past it, they would have to track someone who got through...we believe."
  "Shame you can't find anyone," Randy said.
  "Perhaps when we slide to the homeworld--"
  Randy paused. "This isn't it?"
  "Just a base to get new members from the conquered," John said. "We're heading to our masters now."
  Randy turned a corner. Two more humans in black suits walked past them. Randy frowned. He paused in his step, causing Mary and John to frown.
  "What?" John asked.
  "Is something wrong?" Mary added.
  Randy watched the two humans as they walked behind a corner. He stared for a moment more Then he looked at Mary.
  "It's...nothing," Randy said. "Just...deja vu, I guess. Let's go."

  Brown could feel it all around him. The buzzing was so deafening that it was like being trapped in a tidal wave. It was taking all he had in him to block it out as well as shield...
  "They can sense you."
  Brown looked at Bishop. "How do you--"
  "I know," Bishop said as he walked down the hall. "I didn't get this black suit because I was stupid. I just know."
  They turned a corner. Two humans in black suits headed their way. Brown ignored them.
  "If it helps any," Bishop said, "they cannot seem to pinpoint you. There seems to be...static."
  "I wonder what that could...," Brown started.
  The two humans walked past them. Brown's head was hit with a wave of thoughts. The humans walked on, but Brown stopped, his eyes on them.
  "...be," he finished.

  Will let them into the dark room. He bowed at the three people sitting on makeshift thrones, shroud in shadows. Then he vanished.
  "Greetings," Carly said. "As you see...we have brought the prototype. And..."
  "Will has already explained everything."
  A figure emerged from the shadows. It was an Asian woman. She stared at the group, her eyes blank.
  "This is him?" the Asian woman asked.
  "Yes, Mary," Carly said. "This is the clone."
  Mutters came from the shadows. Richard got chills. He could only assume that it was the Kromaggs.
  "And the person responsible is here as well?" Mary asked.
  Carly grinned. "Yes. Her name is Rebecca Pryce."
  "Now, now," Rebecca said stepping forward. "I cannot take all of the blame. There is Mr. Stone...Diana Davis..."
  "Silence!" Carly hissed.
  "Enough."
  Silence fell across the room. Mary looked to the shadows. Richard looked at Melissa. She stared back, a frown on her face. He turned back to find Mary looking at him.
  "My masters...have spoken," Mary said. "They agree that your helpfulness will allow you to move up two levels. From there, you will work with one of them...as they see fit."
  Richard and Melissa's Others cheered. Carly turned and glared at them. They closed their mouths quickly.
  "Richard Hall comes with us," Mary said. "Along with Rebecca Pryce. Melissa Clark...is...expendable."
  "No!"
  Mary turned to the shadows. A figure shot out of them. A gasp escaped Melissa's lips. Richard felt his jaw drop.
  "If she doesn't go," Randy Heim said, "then I don't go."

  Brown felt Bishop's panic. However, he was sure he would be fine. He had other things to figure out.
  He turned the corner. He quickly jumped back. The two humans from earlier approached an Asian man and a white man. The Asian man stopped them.
  "The masters will not be disturbed," the Asian man said.
  "That," said one of the humans...a man, "is too bad. They don't control us."
  "Who are--" the white man started.
  Suddenly, the two humans morphed. They turned into Karlus and Kerra. Karlus attacked the Asian man as Kerra punched the white man.
  "Koranus, now!" Kerra barked.
  Suddenly, a red vortex opened. A man in an orange suit stepped out. His body was full of wires. Brown's eyes widened. A cyberaid.
  He waved a hand, sending the Asian and white man flying through the doors.
  Another figure emerged from the vortex. It was Koranus. He was followed by several Humagg soldiers.
  "Good work, you two," Koranus said. Then he stared into the room. "And you...have something that is ours."

  "And you...have something that is ours."
  Randy stared at the dead bodies on the floor. Koranus stood in the door. A cyberaid stood ready, its cybernetic eyes targeting Randy.
  "Target found," the cyberaid said.
  Koranus looked at Randy. "Take him."
  The cyberaid shot through the air. It was halfway shot through the air. It was halfway to Randy in seconds. Then...it stopped in mid-air. Its eyes betrayed its surprise.
  "This is illogical," the cyberaid said.
  "You are at a disadvantage, robot," Mary said. "My masters are stronger than you."
  "But not us," Koranus said. "Attack!"
  The Humagg soldiers stormed into the room, Lasers blazing. Randy made a run for it. His eyes were on Melissa. He had to get to...
  Then the cyberaid jerked. A scream escaped its lips. It jerked again and exploded.

  Richard fell to the floor. The breath had been knocked out of him. He ignored the laserfire and looked to his left. There was a piece of wire on the floor. It was attached to an arm that still flinched.
  He jumped up. His mind was on one thing: Melissa. He looked around to get a fist in the face.
  "You!" Bufford's double yelled. "It's your fault!"
  "Before Richard could stop him, Bufford lunged at him.

  Randy pushed himself off the floor. A few Humagg soldiers had shot up. They fired on the Cromagnon Kromaggs. One of the soldiers flew into a wall, a result of one of the Cromagnon Kromaggs using his powers on him.
  Randy looked around. He saw bits and pieces of the cyberaid on the floor. He ignored them to look past it...to an unconscious Melissa. He headed to her.
  A figure shot up in front of Randy. Blood fell out of the cut on his forehead. Randy could almost see him as a human. As Karlus pulled out a dagger, Randy remember that the important word was almost.
  "We have lost the element of surprise," Karlus said. "But I am sure General Kolitar will be pleased at your death."
  Karlus lunged at Randy. He fell back, barely missing the dagger getting him in the throat. Randy dashed forward, getting Karlus in the jaw with an uppercut punch. Karlus stumbled back.
  Suddenly, randy flew through the air. He hit the wall face first. Pain shot through his right cheek as he slip to the floor. A shadow fell over him causing him to look up.
  "You hurt Karlus," Kerra said, holding up a laser. "You must die."

  Brown landed outside the door. It was then that the buzzing increased completely. His eyes fell on the shadows at the back wall. The Cromagnon Kromaggs were in the shadows. They saw him. He could feel their eyes focus on him.
  Then...everything went black.

  Melissa grunted. She opened her eyes, ignoring the throbbing in the back of her head. She started to sit up. Hands wrapped around her neck, tightening.
  "I always did hate you," Melissa's Other hissed. "In the confusion, I don't think anyone will notice me snapping your neck."

  Bufford threw Richard up against the wall. He had Richard by the throat.
  "This is all your fault!" Bufford yelled. "All of it! If your group had never showed up...if you had never won that card game....I actually might be home! Not on this--"
  Richard shoved Bufford. Bufford held on to his throat. Richard took a moment. Then he spit a big hoagie at him. Bufford screamed, releasing Richard to get it off him. Richard punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious.
  "You were worthless any--" Richard started.
  His eyes widened. He was in a long hallway. Randy had just finishing fighting who he thought was Melissa. Richard had a bigger bone to pick: Randy had lied about having their home coordinates. he had them, but simple refused to use them until he had found Melissa...even though it was Proper's dying wished to die on Earth:
***
'Proper was dying though. You could have thought about him. I would even have come here with you to get Melissa.'
Randy stared over at Melissa. He didn't know what to say. He headed for her.
'No!' Richard said, blocking Randy's way. 'You...Randall...have done enough to us.'
'Me?' Randy said. 'You're the one who started this by killing Laura.'
'I'm not taking that burden anymore from you,' Richard said. 'Everything...us...the different worlds...even me being blackmailed...was set in motion when you invented that machine. What has it gotten you? Melissa got brainwashed. Proper's dying. I lost Nicole. And you don't give a damn...even when all these people want us dead.'
Richard stormed over to Melissa. He managed to pick her up. He glared at Randy.
'The truth?' Richard said. 'This...ALL OF IT...is on your head...not mine.'
***
  "Oh my God," Richard muttered.
  He not only remembered the memory. He remembered...the emotions behind it.
  What was happening?

  Melissa elbowed her Other in the face. She turned around and kicked her in the stomach. She stood up.
  "Okay, the picking on Melissa Clark," Melissa said, "stops now. I have a good right hook and I'm not afraid to use it."
  "You wish," the Other said.
  Melissa leaned forward. "At least I never hit like a girl."
  The Other lunged at Melissa. Melissa ducked the lunge. The Other turned around...and met Melissa's right hook. She fell to the floor unconscious.
  "You fall for that every--" Melissa started.
  Suddenly, she was knocked to the floor, a result of Humagg bodies flying through the air. She looked up and saw Brown weeding through them. His eyes were blank. Her eyes widened.
  "Uh oh," she uttered.
  Then she looked at a wall. Kerra was over Randy with a laser. She was about to fire on Randy.
  "Ran--" Melissa started.

  "Hey, girlfriend."
  Kerra turned. Rebecca punched her in the jaw.
  "No one touches my--" Rebecca started.
  "Ran--"
  Randy looked over Rebecca's shoulder. Melissa stared at the scene, shock on her face. She stepped forward.
  Another Humagg body shot through the air. Randy looked at the source. It was Brown. He was gone again.
  "Did you really think he could not be controlled?"
  Randy looked over Rebecca's shoulder. Mary stood behind her. She stared at Randy.
  "He belongs to the masters," Mary said, "and will be sued as needed."
  Suddenly, several red vortexes opened in various parts of the room. Cromagnons shot out of them, lasers at the ready. They attacked the Altantians.
  "You can end this," Mary continued. "All you need is to come to the homeworld."
  Randy heard a beep. His eyes narrowed on Mary.
  "I don't think so," Randy said.
  Randy snatched out the timer. He aimed it at the floor. Mary jumped back as lightning shot form it, hitting the floor where she stood. The floor dissolved, swirling into a blue circle of light.
  An inhuman yell sounded through the room. It was followed by another. Randy knew it was Mary's masters.
  Randy was knocked to the floor. He looked in time to see Richard's Other with Melissa's Other in his arms. He jumped into the blue vortex.
  "Oh, great," Randy muttered as he got to his feet. He would have to deal with them later.
  Carly dashed for the vortex. Rebecca shot up in her path. She knocked Carly unconscious.
  "Oh, no," Rebecca said. "I don't think so." She looked at Randy. "Come on."
  "I'm right behind you," Randy said.
  Rebecca frowned. "What are--"
  "Go!" Randy snapped.
  Rebecca ran for the vortex. She jumped in. It whirred as she vanished.
  "Richard! Melissa!"
  Randy saw Melissa was already running for the vortex. He frowned. Richard was out of it. The Cromagnon soldiers were getting over their shock. He needed to move.
  "Richard!" Randy yelled.
  Richard snapped out of it. He looked around him. His eyes widened.
  "Oh, snap!" Richard exclaimed. He dashed for the vortex.
  Melissa jumped into it. She vanished.
  Randy turned. He was face to face with Brown. He looked normal again if a little haunted.
  "Are you okay?" Randy demanded.
  "Ask later! Jump now!" Richard yelled. Then he jumped into the vortex.
  "No later," Brown said.
  Randy frowned. "What--"
  Brown pushed Randy into the vortex.

  "No!"
  Brown looked over at John. Then he looked down at the blue vortex. It shrunk until it had vanished completely. He smirked at John.
  "I am sorry," Brown said. "I guess that means I win."   "Or," Mary said, glaring, "you lose."
  Suddenly, a red vortex shot open. Brown looked at Mary.
  "Or not," Brown said.

  Dr. Kersh stood, his hands behind his back. When General Kolitar had told him he had lost contact with Cyberaid 57, he knew something was wrong. As he waited for anyone to emerge from the red vortex, he looked at Kolitar. He wondered what his next move would be.
  A figure shot out of the vortex. It was Koranus. He looked at Kolitar.
  "General," Koranus said.
  "Koranus, what happened?" Kolitar demanded. "I didn't--"
  "Randy Heim happened, General."
  Two more figures shot out of the vortex. It was Karlus and Kerra. Karlus was bruised and held Kerra up. Kersh frowned at the affection they showed. If General Kesh was still alive...
  Another figure stepped right out of the vortex. The three Humaggs turned, surprise on their face. Kolitar snarled. The vortex closed.
  "Greetings, Kersh," Professor Brown said. "I need something...extracted."

THE-END


 

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