Randy Heim ran around the corner. Professor Darnell Brown stood before the double doors. His eyes were focused on them like it was a bull. Before Randy could make it to him, Brown kicked in the doors. Then he headed into Rebecca Pryce's office.
  "Whoa!"
  Randy ignored Melissa Clark's comment. He ran to the entrance. He saw Rebecca Pryce. She sat on her desk, her dark hair thrown back. Her jaw was open in shock.
  Then Randy saw who she was talking to. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a gray sweater that was bigger than him. He had dark brown hair in a short ponytail. He had stubble. Randy saw the man's brown eyes and knew.
  "Oh my God!" Melissa Clark gasped.
  "It can't be," came out of Randy's mouth.
  Brown stood completely still. His jaw had also dropped. Rebecca jumped off her desk and walked over to him. Her mouth formed a smirk.
  "I believe," Rebecca said, "you all know Richard Hall."

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 3: GHOSTS

  "Richard?"
  The words left Melissa's lips. The stranger looked at her, his forehead frowning with wrinkles. His eyes searched her face. He stepped forward.
  "Melissa," he managed.
  Movement to Melissa's left caught her attention. She looked to see that Brown had Rebecca by the neck. She struggled to no avail.
  "You...bitch," Brown said.
  "Hey!" Richard yelled, running to the two of them. "Let her go."
  "Mr. Hall, you cannot be serious," Brown said, his eyes on Rebecca. "This...woman--"
  "She saved my life, buddy!" Richard said. "I...was close to death. Wreckage was all around me. Somehow...she found me."
  Brown went pale at that. He released Rebecca. She fell to the floor, coughing.
  "Now back off!" Richard yelled, standing in front of Brown. "I don't know who you are, but Rebecca saved me. I'm not letting her die. Who is this, Rebecca?"
  "You don't know who we are?" Brown asked.
  "Not a clue," Richard replied, staring at Melissa. "Yet...she...seems familiar...to me."
  Melissa was surprised. She was not around when Richard died. The Foundation had imprisoned her at their main base and replaced her with a double.
  "Well...isn't that a surprise?"
  Melissa turned around. Her eyes narrowed on Bufford. His double on this world was more suave than the original with contacts and Armani suits, but he was just as much as a weasel. He stared at Rebecca.
  "Are you okay?" Bufford asked.
  Richard helped Rebecca to her feet.
  "I'm fine," Rebecca said.
  "What a shame," Bufford said sarcastically. "Arturo wants to see you about your 12 o' clock."
  "Great," Rebecca said, rubbing her throat. "Rich, could you make sure my guests are comfortable?"
  "Are you for real?" Richard demanded.
  Rebecca placed her hand on Richard's chest. He relaxed a little. Melissa tensed up more.
  "Trust me," Rebecca said.
  Richard sighed in defeat. "Cool." He headed for the double doors. He paused and turned around. "You guys coming?"
  Melissa looked around. Brown glared at Rebecca. Randy's face was blank. Brown stormed out of the room. Melissa stared to follow. She made it to Richard before she stopped. Randy still stared at Rebecca, his face darkening by the second.
  "Randy," Melissa said firmly.
  "How could you?" Randy asked Rebecca. "A year and a half. A year and a half we thought he was...do you have no heart? A soul?"
  Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. Randy stormed out of the room. Melissa stared at Richard. He stared back at her, studying her.
  "So," Melissa said, "what do you know?"

  "Professor!" Randy yelled.
  Professor Brown continued down the hall, oblivious to the yelling. Randy ran up to him and grabbed his arm. Brown snatched it away, turning to face Randy.
  "Do not touch me," Brown hissed.
  "I'm just as upset as you are," Randy said.
  Brown put a hand on his hip. "Somehow...I doubt that."
  Randy frowned. "I was there, remember? At least I wasn't betraying us."
  "That is a matter of opinion," Brown said. "We could have been home by then, but oh, no! You had to find Miss Clark. You would not even give the coordinates to us...not unlike Miss Pryce now."
  "Is this a point you want to push?" Randy countered. "You're the one who made a deal with Mr. Stone...Not unlike your deal with the government over my sliding equipment. Couldn't do anything yourself?"
  Brown glared at Randy. "You are on thin ice, young man."
  "No, old man," Randy said, "YOU are."
  "No one wants to kill me," Brown replied. "Can you say the same?"
  "What can I say?" Randy said. "I'm important. And you are?"
  "Hey!"
  Randy turned around. Melissa headed for them. Richard was right behind.
  "I think the last thing anyone of us needs," Melissa said, "is to be at each other's throat."
  Brown crossed his arms over his chest.
  "Miss Clark, do you honestly believe that you are all right with this? You would like to go home as much as I do."
  "You would be right," Melissa said.
  "And we both know why you are not home, do we not?" Brown continued. "Because of this upstart."
  "You came looking for me," Randy shot back, his anger building. "I wanted to be left alone."
  "Poor baby."
  "Whoa!" Richard cut in. "How about you Eggheads chill?"
  Randy's anger left him. It was replaced by shock. He looked at Brown. It looked like several different emotions fought on his face. They overwhelmed him and he stormed off.
  "Okay, I'm new to this," Richard said. "What I do?"
  Randy looked at Richard. "Richard...you...used to have nicknames for us. Whenever me and Brown got into fighting, you called us Eggheads."
  Randy walked past them in the direction of Rebecca's office.
  "Where are you going?" Richard asked.
  Randy turned around. "No one wants to be here so...I think I should get us out of here as soon as possible."

  "You disappoint, Pryce."
  Randy peeked around the corner. Rebecca stood with a curly-haired blond woman. Randy could tell that Rebecca was annoyed. The woman looked oblivious.
  "And you, Carly," Rebecca said, "should get a better stylist."
  Carly glared at Rebecca. "Insult me all you want. However...I have Arturo's ear."
  Rebecca glared. "And other parts of his anatomy."
  "We all know he never wanted you in the company. You con your way in."
  Rebecca laughed. "I don't know what you--"
  "Puh-leaze!" Carly exclaimed. "Why do you think I'm here?" She got closer to her. "Arturo's on to you."
  "He's not going to find anything."
  "Really, 'Dominique?'"
  "An old rumor."
  "Really?" Carly challenged. "I hear the 'real' Dominique Brooks is back. Maybe I should talk to her about why she gave up her shares and--"
  "Don't you dare!" Rebecca snapped.
  Carly smirked. "Hit a nerve, did I? You said aligning with that group from offworld would produce profits."
  "It has."
  "Perhaps we should stay onworld?"
  "You would like that," Rebecca said slyly.
  "Anything to bring you down."
  "Better people have tried."
  "And where is that...double...that....oh, look...of Dominique Brooks going by a different name?"
  "She went offworld...and was killed by a psycho," Rebecca said.
  "Yeah...right," Carly said.
  "Rebecca," Randy said. "A moment?"
  Rebecca looked at Randy. She smiled.
  "Randy...yes," Rebecca said. She looked at Carly and smirked. "If you'll excuse us."
  "Of course," Carly said.
  Carly took a look at Randy. Then she walked away.
  "I never thought I would say this, but thank you," Rebecca said.
  "And that was?" Randy asked.
  "Carly Reynolds," Rebecca said. "A small-time con...trying to advance."
  "Looks like that shouldn't be too hard."
  "Wanta bet?"
  "No one could prove it before," Randy said. "They could now."
  Rebecca glared. "Meaning?"
  "An exchange," Randy said. "You give me my home coordinates; I'll give you my word to stay silence."
  "No deal," Rebecca replied.
  "You're willing to take that risk?"
  Rebecca smirked. "Did you forget who you're dealing with?" She tilted her head. "Besides, you get rid of me...no one's guarding you from Arturo. Carly will make sure he thinks like she thinks."
  Randy did not know what to say.
  "How about this?" Rebecca asked. "You help me make a profit on a parallel world, I'll give you the coordinates?"
  "How can I trust you?" Randy asked.
  "You can't," Rebecca said. "However...what choice do you have?"

  Richard Hall closed Melissa's door. He did not know what to say. He wished he did. Being around her felt...familiar. It was the first time since Rebecca rescued him that he felt a stirring of a memory within him. That brought him some hope.
  "So...it's Goth chicks now?"
  Richard turned around. He smiled. Then he hugged the .
  "Carly!" Richard exclaimed. "When did you get in?"
  "Not too long ago," Carly said. "I had to talk to the boss."
  "And?"
  Carly touched Richard's cheek. "I promise you...I will not harm Rebecca."
  Richard corked a smile. "Really? Why do I not believe you?"
  Carly leaned forward. Her lips connected to his. His whole body relaxed as she pulled away.
  "Convinced now?" Carly asked.
  "Uh...maybe I need a little more convincing," Richard said, smiling.
  Carly wrapped her arms around Richard's neck.
  "With pleasure," Carly said.

  Brown stepped out of the bathroom. The shower seem to be the only time he was alone nowadays. It allowed him to get a clear head.
  He paused in the doorway to the bathroom.
  "It is not easy to sneak up on me," Brown said as he headed for his drawer.
  "And we both know why that is."
  Brown turned on his lamp. Mary emerged from the shadows by the bed.
  "You disappoint us, Darnell," Mary said.
  "As do you," Brown said. "Not telling me about your mole. Taking advantage of my body."
  "All with one purpose," Mary said. "My masters want Randall Heim. He will be useful in the coming war."
  A knock sounded from the door. Brown turned to it quickly. He turned back to Mary. His eyes widened in shock. She was gone as if she had never been there.
  Someone knocked at Brown's door again. He ran to it and opened it. Melissa stood there. Her eyes went wide on the sight of a wet Brown in a towel.
  "Uh...I take it you're not ready," Melissa said.
  "Really?" Brown muttered.
  "We're going offworld," Melissa said.

  Randy flew out of the green vortex. He landed on something soft as the vortex closed. He looked down to see that he had landed on Richard.
  "Get off me," Richard said.
  "Well, history does repeat itself."
  Randy looked around. Brown smirked at them. Meanwhile Melissa had a hand over her mouth, failing to suppress her giggle.
  "Hello!" Richard yelled. "Oxygen's getting sacred!"
  Randy shot up. "Sorry."
  "Now that that trip down memory land is over...," Brown said. Then he headed down the alley.
  "Why are we here anyway?" Melissa asked.
  "We're helping Rebecca," Richard said.
  "Uh...what?" Melissa said.
  "He's...right," Randy said. "Rebecca needs to turn a quick profit in order to keep going offworld. We don't find anything here...we can forget about those home coordinates."
  "Excuse me what?" Brown muttered as he turned around. "Wait a moment. Are you saying we are here...as Miss Pryce's lapdogs?"
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest.
  "Come on, guys!" Richard exclaimed. "It's an adventure! Get with it."
  "I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation, Mr. Hall," Brown said.
  "Is this what we've come to?" Melissa demanded.
  "This would not be happening if I had--" Brown started.
  "Well, Proper, you didn't," Richard said, heading out of the alley. "Moving on."
  Randy stared after Richard as he headed out of the alley. For someone who did not remember much of his life, his ability to be Richard was uncanny. Randy looked over at Brown and Melissa. They both looked unnerved.
  "Well, you heard the man," Randy said, heading out of the alley.
  Brown's head snapped in Randy's direction. "Do you think this is some kind of game? We're not home, Mr. Heim. We're on some more than likely dangerous version of home. Mr. Hall is somewhat safe now, but who is to say who will die next?"
  "Rebecca said--"
  "And you trust her word?"
  "What choice do I have?"
  Brown's face darkened. "More than you are willing to admit."
  Randy frowned. "What is that suppose to mean?"
  "I will go along with this," Brown said, "but if you do not find a situation I will."
  Brown stormed off. Randy stared after him. He had never been so much at odds with Professor Brown.
  He looked over at Melissa. She stared at him, arms crossed over her chest. There was a time she would offer him some kind of encouragement. It was not coming from this pixie black-haired Goth chick in front of him.
  "We best be going," Melissa said, heading out of the alley.
  Randy followed Melissa out of the alley. His eyes were on her the whole time. She looked like she did not noticed. He wondered how she could have changed so much in three months.
  Randy emerged out of the alley. The streets of San Francisco were crowded this afternoon. Randy could barely make it to Brown and Richard on the sidewalk since floods of people moved between them. Most of the people had giant purses or big backpacks or even huge bags.
  "Everyone appears to be fascinated with enormous items," Brown commented.
  "Could be just tourists," Richard added. "Look at the backpack."
  Melissa looked around as she made it to Brown and Richard. She studied the passersbys, a blank look on her face. Finally, she made it to Brown and Richard, Randy fast behind her.
  "They don't speak English," Melissa said.
  Brown frowned. "What?"
  "I picked up some Spanish...a little French," Melissa explained. "Even Latin. But not any English." She frowned. "I think Richard's right. These people...this world...is full of tourists."

  Melissa sat on the motel bed. She frowned at the television. She was watching the news...which was in Spanish. She did well in that class so she sat and studied.
  "Wow! You're really intense over that screen."
  Melissa looked up. Richard sat down beside her.
  "Yeah," Melissa said. "Gotta get the lay of the land while the geniuses are at the library."
  "So...those two always arguing?"
  "Not as bad as you and Randy used to be."
  Richard frowned. "That bad?"
  "Quite a few worlds where you two tried to kill the other."
  "Oh," Richard said, putting his hands in his lap. "I'm sure we got along, but...did we really get along?"
  Melissa stared at Richard. He reminded her of a goofy bum. She looked down and grinned. She was one to talk. She had cut her trademark long jet-black hair for an extreme short cut. She dressed in black. She was cold and reckless. Neither of them were the same as they were.
  "Okay...what's funny?" Richard asked.
  "Nothing," Melissa said. "It's just...we are quite the pair right now." She looked at Richard. "We were then, too. We did date for six months. You were a jerk."
  "Geez, thanks."
  Melissa touched Richard's stubble. " You got better...eventually. You were going to do the right thing before you..." She pulled away from him, staring at the TV. "I'm glad you're still alive."
  Richard looked down. "Why like this? A few images. Words. Names. Nothing else. On TV, this would be a bad sign."
  Melissa looked at the television. She leaned back on the bed.
  "Or not," Melissa said.
  "Or not," Richard said, leaning back on the bed.

  Randy leaned back against the book shelf. He stared over at Brown. Brown typed away, taking moments to read the French in front of him. Apparently, no one wrote in English on the internet. Randy found it unsettling.
  "Do you not find it weird that we are the only ones who speak English?" Randy asked.
  "Different worlds, different dialect," Brown said. "Of course you know that."
  "So you will continue to play tic for tac?"
  "Whatever gets you in the game."
  "Aren't you the one who said this isn't a game?"
  "Touche, Mr. Heim."
  "Find anything, Professor Brown?"
  "Yes, I have," Brown said, turning to face Randy. "It makes me think you should keep the English to a minimum."
  Randy approached Brown. "That bad."
  "I agree with Mr. Hall and Miss Clark," Brown said, turning back to the screen. "This is a world of tourists. Actually the United States is treated how we Americans are treated traveling to Europe."
  "So lots of foreigners," Randy said.
  "No...we are the foreigners," Brown said. "Most English speakers live over in Europe. The few that are here...aren't treated nicely."
  "Right now the government is debating what to do with the English speakers."
  "What will they do?" Randy asked. "Kick them out of country?"
  "Does the word 'Hitler' mean anything to you?"
  Randy looked at Brown to see if he was serious. There was no smile on his face.
  "Then I guess we should get out--" Randy started.
  "Bonjour!"

  Melissa rode the escalator. Behind her, Richard stared around. She reached out and squeezed his hand. He looked at her and smiled.
  She knew he knew what she was trying to do. On the news, she saw about the government were in the middle of a debate over what to do with English speakers...a minority in this world with surprising pull. One senator was even talking of putting them in some kind of camp.
  It made her sick.
  Now she had Richard in the mall. He could not speak another language to save his life. They were working on a silent code. This was the test.
  Melissa got off the escalator, pulling Richard behind her. To the outside world, they were a happy couple on vacation. She was not sure how she liked the idea of posing. As far as Rebecca's world knew her name was Dominique Brooks. If they knew otherwise Rebecca would be dead since it was a crime on her world to pretend to be anyone else.
  A jerk brought Melissa out of her thoughts. Melissa turned to look at Richard. He pointed to his left at the arcade. Melissa smirked, shaking her head He nodded. She laughed and did the same.
  Someone bumped into them, cutting Melissa off from Richard. She looked to see it was a man that was Richard's height with auburn hair. He was dressed in a brown sweater and slacks. He was focused on Richard, yelling in French. Richard stared over her, his eyes pleading.
  Melissa stepped in, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. Since she did not speak French, she worked with Spanish. The man gave her a glance. Then he went back to yelling at Richard. She pulled the man back to her side. Suddenly, he knocked her away.
  "Hey!" Richard yelled, shoving the man away from the two of them.
  The man paused. Them he smirked. Suddenly, he started to yell.
  Melissa looked around. They were definitely picking up eyeprints. That was the last thing they needed. She saw several security guards in the distance, adding to the drama. She grabbed Richard.
  "Vamos!" she snapped.
  Melissa started to run. Richard was fast behind. She turned to see that security had started a run.
  Richard turned around, too.
  "That's not good," Richard said.
  They hit a flight of stairs. It went down to the next several levels of the mall. It was barely crowded. Melissa jumped down them two steps at a time. Richard attempted three at a time.
  Melissa looked up the stairs. There was no sign of security yet. Still she heard footsteps.
  A figure jumped out at them. He was a tall guy with stringy dark hair. He had a pair of camouflage shorts and a black T-shirt.
  "English speakers, hey," the guy said. "I'm Travis. Need a hand?"
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "How do we know we can trust you?"
  "Hello! I speak English," Travis said.
  "Your point?"
  "Melissa, we don't have time for this," Richard said.
  Melissa looked at Richard. She looked up at the top of the stairs. The footsteps sounded closer. She looked at Travis.
  "Lead the way," Melissa said.

  Eric Stark walked the security guards give chase to the English speakers. His forehead wrinkled up at the very thought that they thought they could come to the mall and be around decent people. He could only hope that Gabriel Mann's proposition went through and then...
  "Do you think they'll catch them?"
  "Our security is the best at what they do," Eric said in French, turning to face the French speaker. He smiled. "Oh...it's you! It is good to see you again...and thank you for being a citizen and doing the right thing. What was your name again?"
  "Carly," the blonde woman smirked, "and it was my pleasure."

  "Hola!"
  Randy looked up from the officer's desk.
  The officer quickly stood. The dark-haired woman was not flattered. She started to talk harshly in Spanish. Minutes passed. She finally walked over to Randy.
  "Randy Heim?" she asked.
  "Yes," Randy said.
  "Let me apologize," she continued. "Regardless of what a certain senator says, it is not a crime to speak English...yet. You and Professor Darnell Brown are coming with me."
  "And you are?"
  The woman blushed again. "I apologize again." She held out a hand. "My name is Veronica Lopez. I'll be your court-appointed lawyer."

  "A fine? A fine?!"
  Veronica looked at Brown as they walked out of the police station.
  "I'm sorry," Veronica said, "but I didn't know you preferred jail."
  "I do not."
  "Then be grateful and shut up. Or better yet swear in a different language. That language has done enough."
  Randy grinned. He was starting to like this woman.
  The three of them approached a black Lexus. Randy looked over at Brown. He glared at him. Randy looked away. He was probably thinking it was Randy's fault anyway.
  Veronica started to put her key in the car lock She paused. A frown crept on her face. She looked around.
  "Not one reporter...anywhere," Veronica said.
  "So?" Brown said.
  Veronica stepped back from the car. She headed around it.
  "Walk with me," Veronica instructed.
  "Why?" Brown asked.
  "Are you going to fight her on every detail?" Randy snapped.
  Brown glared at him. Randy rolled his eyes and followed behind Veronica. A few moments he heard footsteps proving Brown was doing the same.
  Veronica made it back over to the police station's door. She turned around and held up her car keys. She clicked the anti-lock button.
  The black Lexus tore apart right in front of their eyes. It exploded, long trails of fire shooting out. People scattered from the debris.
  Brown looked at Veronica. She had pulled out her cell.

  "How--" Brown started.   "Work hazard," Veronica cut Brown off. "Darryl, hey! They did it again. Set up another rental. Tell them I'll pay double of last time's price."
  Randy heard a fire truck in the distance. He looked at Veronica She managed a smile.
  "So...who wants to flag down a taxi?" Veronica asked.

  Richard sat down in a chair. He crossed his arms over his chest. Then he looked over at Melissa.
  "Not even a day with you guys and I'm already in trouble," Richard commented.
  Melissa said nothing. She just laid on the bed. The clock said it had been several hours since Travis dropped them off in this new motel.
  "Maybe we should--" Richard started.
  "You wanted to trust him, so we're trusting him," Melissa said.
  "And if he doesn't find the Eggheads?"
  "Be careful. It sounds like you actually care."
  Richard shrugged his shoulders. "They never did me harm...I think."
  Melissa sighed. Richard frowned.
  "What?" Richard asked.
  "Sometimes I forgot you don't remember anything," Melissa answered. "It's just too weird. You act so...you."
  "Well...thank you."
  "You're welcome."
  Richard leaned back in his chair. "I don't think we're going to find anything for Rebecca to use. I guess that means you're not getting home."
  "I'm getting home," Melissa snapped.
  Richard held up his hands. "I surrender."
  Melissa looked away from him.
  "Can I ask you a question?" Richard asked.
  "Sure," Melissa said.
  "Why?"
  Melissa frowned. "I don't follow."
  Richard leaned forward. "Why go home?"
  "Are you serious?" Melissa said, tension in her voice.
  "I'm not meaning that in a mean way," Richard said, "But...why? I used to wonder why Rebecca was always leaving, but now...why stop? Every day is an adventure. Every day is a new discovery. Every day--"
  "--could be your last," Melissa finished. "Sliding...was...fun at first. It definitely had all of that. Now...I've seen too much. Stalkers. Psychos. Killer aliens. Dead friends. Guys who died...their only crime...loving me."
  Melissa felt her eyes water. She looked away. She did not want him to see her like this.
  She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see it was Richard. He sat beside her.
  "Hey! Richard said. "It's okay. You can cry if you want. I won't tell anyone."
  Melissa managed a smile. Richard smiled in return.
  "Is that a smile?" Richard asked.
  "Stop trying to cheer me up," Melissa said.
  "Is it working?"
  "No," Melissa said. She immediately saw it was a lie. "You're so him."
  "Well...duh."
  Melissa laughed. She was still laughing when Richard kissed her.
  The door flew open. Melissa looked up. Travis was in the door...with Brown and Randy.
  "Look who I found!" Travis exclaimed.
  "And we are lucky you found us," Brown said. "The last thing I wanted was another exploding car."
  Richard frowned. "Exploding car?" He sat up from the bed. "What happened?"
  Melissa looked at her feet. She can't believe that happened. She did not know how to feel.
  She looked up. Randy stared right at her. His eyes narrowed.

  Randy came out of the restroom. Richard was asleep in one of the beds. Brown was nowhere in sight. Randy did not mind it one bit.
  He walked to the door. He opened it, revealing a Melissa leaning on the motel ledge. She turned to look before she went back to staring off into space. He walked over and leaned on the ledge.
  "I didn't say you could lean next to me," Melissa whispered.
  "Why are we whispering?" Randy asked in a low tone.
  "Have you forgotten what world we're on?"
  "Oh," Randy whispered. "Have you forgotten why we're here?"
  "Of course not," Melissa whispered. "We're Rebecca's lapdogs."
  "We're not just helping her, you know? We're also helping ourselves."
  "At what price, Randy?"
  "We get the coordinates."
  Melissa looked at him. "Do you really believe that? Do you really?" She frowned. "When did you get naive?"
  Randy frowned. "I'm not the one making kissyface."
  Melissa's face went blank. "Knew that was coming."
  "How do we even know he's the real deal? This is Rebecca we're talking about. She had me thinking I was my double Randall for months."
  "It's funny how convenient your brain kicks in when you're jealous."
  "Should I be?"
  "No. I'm not your girlfriend."
  Randy moved away from the ledge.
  "I'm going for a walk," Randy announced.
  "Is that wise?" Melissa asked in a whisper.
  Randy turned and smirked. "It's funny how you care when I ignore you."
  Randy headed down the stairs. While some of Randy's original dislike for Richard stringed from Richard's attempt theft of Randy's sliding machine, the dislike turned to hate when Richard tried to get with Melissa. He would hate to see history repeat itself.
  As Randy made it down the stairs, he thought about the situation. More and more as he had begun sliding again, Randy has found himself getting in touch with his inner self. He had allowed himself to go into trances again. He knew how dangerous it was...Ben's double died due to it. What was he to do?
  Randy ran across the street. He ignored the city lights. His mind was on the problem. The problem was an equation.
  Randy Heim knew equations. He let himself go into a trance.

  Brown still kneeled behind the trash dumpster. He had been there, waiting. He was sure he was right. All he had to do was...
  A green vortex emerged from thin air. A figure jumped out of it. Brown knew who it was. The group had run into her before they slid out. Carly Reynolds.
  The green vortex closed behind her. She turned to look at where it had been. Then she headed toward the dumpster...which was near the exit from the alley.   Brown stepped out from the dumpster.
  "Well look at what the cat dragged in," Brown commented.
  Carly gasped. "How..."
  "You have much to learn about sliding, Miss Reynolds," Brown said. "Things are never quite what they seem. Also while this group has its shares of trouble...usually it is not on purpose." He put his hands behind his head. "I guess it does take a genius to figure it out. Thankfully, I fill that capacity."
  Carly walked up to Brown. She started to rub his chest through his button-down shirt.
  "That you are," Carly commented.
  "I love my wife, Miss Reynolds," Brown said, looking down at her, "so your charms? Lost on me."
  "Oh," Carly said, all smiles. Then her eyes narrowed. "Good."
  Carly pulled back. She held up her hands quickly, bending all, but the middle fingers. She poked them into the sides of Brown's sides. Pain shot through his whole body, reminding him of having a body part cut off. He fell to the ground screaming. He looked up to see Carly smirking.
  "Pressure points," Carly said. "Now...I must be going. Gotta put Rebecca out of commission."
  "How...did you...know how to..." Brown struggled for the words.
  "What did you call it...sliding?" Carly said. "It's as you said...not everything is as it seems. I got an inside man...or two. Ta-ta."
  Brown reached out and grabbed her leg. Carly looked back and watched Brown stand with a struggle. Her eyes widened.
  "You shouldn't be able to move at all," Carly said. "How..."
  Brown tilted his head. "Like I said, nothing is as it seems...especially me." He glared and tightened a hand around her neck. "Pity for you."
  "Professor?"
  Brown looked at the alley entrance. Randy stood there. He approached the two of them. His jaw was dropped. His eyes looked like he was barely there.
  "What's going on?" Randy asked. "What--"
  Carly let loose with an ear-piercing scream.

  Randy sat down next to Brown on the prison bench.
  "You take me to the most interesting places," Randy said sarcastically.
  "Well, if you had not interfered, I--" Brown started.
  "What?" Randy challenged. "What would you have done?"
  Brown looked at Randy. "I don't think I like your tone."
  Randy's eyes narrowed on him. "You shouldn't. Why were you there?"
  "After talking to Mr. Hall, it occurred to me that perhaps someone was after us. Since none of us had done anything intently...for a change...it figured someone knew about us. And who gains the most from exterminating us? Of course it was Miss Reynolds." He leaned back on the bench. "Your turn?"
  "I went into a trance."
  "Oh."
  "It led me to the same conclusion as you."
  "That...is chilling."
  Randy focused on Brown. "Not nearly as chilling as the fact of you not answering the question."
  "Excuse me?"
  "What were you about to do to Carly when I show up?"
  "It does not--"
  "Why did you want me involve with the project back home?" Randy asked. "You're just as intelligent as me." He felt his forehead wrinkle up. "Except for when it comes to my ability to use sliding vortices as weapons. That's what you really wanted? You thought I would produce another of my whirlpool vortices?"
  "One way or another you would have been dragged into this conflict," Brown said. "It was in your best interests to help the winning side."
  Randy tilted his head. "Do you even know which side that is?"
  Brown looked at Randy. He looked at him long and hard.
  "You know I no longer have powers, Mr. Heim."
  Randy arched an eyebrow. "Do I?"
  "Do you two ever get along?"
  Randy looked at the prison cell door. Veronica stood in the entrance. She just shook her head. Randy headed over.
  "Well?" Randy said.
  "It's a no-go," Veronica said. "This...Carly...is good. She already set up a good rep for herself earlier by 'outing' your friends. Even has a witness singing high heave. You don't have one except for English speakers. Nothing I can do."
  Brown stood next to randy. "What are you saying?"
  "In Layman's terms?" Veronica said. "Senator Mann's interference...is keeping you in here. You won't last a day. I’m sorry. You're dead."

  "So what is the television saying? Richard asked.
  "They're in jail," Melissa said as she sat on the bed. "There's no way to get them out." She stood up. "There was some incident with a woman in the alley we slid in from. It seems it was the same woman..." Melissa frowned. "...the woman at the mall? Someone set us up?"
  "Oh," Richard muttered.
  "And because she's a con who's good at languages, they actually think she's from here. They're taking her side. And..."
  Melissa's eyes widened. She headed for the door.
  "Whoa!" Richard said. "Where are you going?"
  "Well, someone's got to save them," Melissa said.
  Melissa headed to the motel door. She opened the door. She jumped in shock. Carly stood in the door with several policemen. She pointed at Melissa, bellowing in French.
  They aimed their guns.

  "It don't have to be this way."
  Richard sat in the chair in the corner of the police station. His hands were handcuffed in front of him. Carly stood in front of him. She leaned down so she could whisper.
  "You know I can easily pick that lock," Carly whispered.
  "Yes," Richard whispered. "I remember that particular con we did."
  Carly tilted her head. "And this isn't one?"
  "True. I wanted Rebecca all to myself so I wanted to sabotage this mission."
  "Really?"
  Carly's eyes widened. She quickly turned around. Richard looked to see the new speaker. Rebecca Pryce glared back at him. She turned to Carly.
  "How dare you," Rebecca hissed.

  The prisoner next to Randy said something he could not understand. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulder. The prisoner glared and pushed him.
  "Hey!" Randy barked.
  The prisoner yelled again. On the other side of the cell, several prisoners started to start up. The first prisoner yelled to them.
  Brown jumped in front of Randy. He spoke. The prisoner snapped at him. Randy grabbed Brown's arm.
  "What is he saying?" Randy demanded.
  Brown looked at Randy. "You shouldn't have spoken English."
  "What's wrong with English?" Randy demanded. "And what difference does it make? This is insane."
  "In any event, we will still have to fight for our existence," Brown said, backing into the prison cell door.
  "Great," Randy said sarcastically.

  Carly grinned. "Rebecca...how--"
  "Don't," Rebecca said. "I've set too much in motion to let some pissant with bad hair choices stop me."
  Carly crossed her arms over her chest. "Really? I guess we're about to find out."
  Richard looked in the direction that Carly was looking. The policemen were bringing Melissa back, her hands in handcuffs. They took one look at Rebecca in a business suit and frowned. She grinned and immediately started in with Spanish. One of the policemen brought Melissa over to Richard.
  "You okay?" Richard asked.
  "Yeah," Melissa answered. Her eyes were on Rebecca and the officers.
  "What's going on?" Richard asked.
  "She says she's from FBI," Melissa said. "We...along with Randy and Brown...are part of an investigation. She has come to collected us."
  Carly snapped.
  "Carly just called her a liar," Melissa said.
  Rebecca ignored Carly. She held up some papers. One of the officers studied them. He looked at Carly and spoke. Carly gasped.
  Rebecca continued to speak. One of the officers led her away. Another officer uncuffed Richard. He looked over at Melissa.
  "Wow, what a woman!" Richard exclaimed. Melissa glared. "What?"

  Randy balled up his fist as the prisoners approached Brown and him. It made him think about the past. He wondered when he was last in a brawl...and actually felt experienced.
  Memories of Daniel Carter came to mind. That last battle that changed everything for Randy. He shook his head. This fight would not go down like that.
  Brown stepped forward. The lead prisoner grinned, his goatee making him look crazed. Brown held up his palm and beckoned.
  The lead prisoner leaped forward. Brown took a step back. Then he roundhouse kicked the prisoner in the jaw. The prisoner fell to the floor, his mouth bruised.
  "Anyone else?" Brown demanded.
  The prisoners looked down at the injured one. Their faces betrayed uncertainty. After a few moments, they faced Brown and Randy, a new determination on their faces.
  "Oh, dear," Brown said, tightening his fist. "I do hope you remember all of the lesson I bestow on you when we wanted to free Miss Clark from the Foundation."
  "How could I forget?" Randy asked.
  "Your tone isn't actually pleasant," Brown said, glaring at the prisoners.
  "Wow," Randy said, "you used a contraction."
  Brown stared at Randy. "Why, you--"
  A fist knocked him in the face. He fell to the floor unconscious. Randy stared at him as one of the prisoners approached Randy.
  Randy quickly lunged at the prisoner. The prisoner caught him and tossed him in the prison cell door. Pain shot into his back as he slid to the floor.
  Laughter rang through the jail cell. Randy looked up. The prisoner advanced even more. He may not die, but he was about to be sever beaten.
  Randy's eyes narrowed as he leaned his back against the cell door to allow himself energy to rise. He refused to allow this to happen. Whether it was his fault or not he didn't get back into sliding for this.
  "Bring it on," Randy hissed.
  "Hm. That almost sounded convincing."
  Randy turned around. Rebecca Pryce stood outside. She spoke to the guards in their language. They opened the door. Randy headed out of the door He paused.
  "What about--" Randy started, turning around.
  A figure lunged up among the prisoners. It was Brown. He knocked up the man who knocked him unconscious. He headed for the door.
  "I am perfectly fine now," Brown said as he walked past Randy.
  Randy followed behind Brown. He saw Melissa and Richard were also outside. He frowned.
  "It is a long story, Agent Heim, "Rebecca said. "It will be explained--"
  "No!"
  At the end of the hallway, more policemen ran in, their guns trained on them. Carly was right behind them, yelling.
  "Oh, great," Rebecca said.
  She swiftly elbowed one of the guards. Brown took out the other one. They fell to the floor unconscious.
  "What now?" Randy asked.
  Rebecca pulled out her timer. She aimed at the floor. It beeped.
  "Plan B," she announced.
  Lightning shot form the timer. It hit the floor, causing it to dissolve. It became a green vortex that sucked all of them in, including the unconscious guards.

  Melissa opened the door. She glared at Richard. She started to shut the door. At the last moment, it jerked back toward her, a result of Richard’s foot being in the door.
  "We need to talk," Richard announced.
  "No, Richard, we don't," Melissa said. "Memory or no memory, you're still the same."
  Richard tilted his head and gave her a lopsided smile. "Is that so bad?"
  Melissa growled in frustration and walked away from the door. Richard shut the door behind him.
  "Look...I don't really even remember you guys," Richard said. "All I remember...all I knew...was Rebecca. And all she did was slide. All I wanted was for her to stay. Carly said she would help me with that. I could have Rebecca all to myself."
  "Assuming Carly didn't get her killed," Melissa said. She turned around. "Are...and thinking with your--"
  "Hey!"
  "So you didn't sleep with Carly?"
  "I didn't say that."
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes.
  "Look! I'm sorry!" Richard exclaimed. "I will make it up to you."
  "Really? How?"
  Richard walked over to Melissa's bed and sat down. He scratched his head.
  "I don’t know," Richard said. "maybe I can buy you a beret like Egghead did that one time and--"
  Melissa's eyes widened. She stared at Richard. He looked just as surprised.
  "How..." Melissa started.
  "A...," Richard uttered, trying to find the words. "A...a memory." He stared at her. "You got me to have a memory."

  "Okay."
  Randy looked at the door to Rebecca's office. Rebecca approached him with a smile like an used car salesman. He frowned.
  "Okay?" Randy said.
  "The guards are back on their English-speaker persecuting world," Rebecca said. "Happy now?"
  "No," Randy said, "I'm not."
  Rebecca stood in front of him. She touched his chest.
  "How can we--" Rebecca started.
  Randy moved away from her. "Get me...get all of us...home."
  "No can do."
  Randy turned to face her. "You mean won't."
  Rebecca started at him. "Did you find me anything of profit."
  "No."
  "Then our deal stands...assuming Arturo will let me continue--"
  Randy glared. "You can't force me to stay here."
  Rebecca glared. "Watch me."
  Randy tilted his head. "I wouldn't use that tone with me. We know the truth about you. One word and..."
  "...the program I started gets shut down and no way home for you," Rebecca said. She smirked. "Looks like a stalemate to me."
  "For now," Randy said.
  Randy headed to the door. He slammed it behind him.
  He headed for his room. One way or the another, he would get the others home. If he could not persuade Rebecca to help, he would continue to work on the device in his bedroom. He just hoped he had time to finish it.

  Brown stormed into the office without knocking. Maximillion Arturo stared at him. He quickly got over it as his eyes narrowed.
  "Darnell Brown, what is the meaning of this?" Arturo demanded. "What--"
  "I apologize," Brown said. "I am sure you were expecting Ms. Reynolds. However, we need to talk."
  "About?"
  "Mrs. Pryce's program and how it should continue."
  Arturo laughed. "This is quite funny, Mr. Brown."
  Brown glared. "I am serious, Mr. Arturo."
  Arturo stopped laughing.
  "So am I," Arturo said. "The project...is over."
  "I don't think so," Brown said.
  Brown shut the door to the office...and locked both of them in.

THE-END


 

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