She was in the dark. The ideas were there. They were even sound The darkness kept her though. She was in the dark.
And then it fell into her lap. not even really her lap. It was on her cafeteria table. It opened her eyes.
This...black box.
Then she looked up...

"I think I had had enough of seers."
Ethan Bradshaw laughed. Randy Heim felt his forehead wrinkle up. They had fifteen minutes before the slide. Ethan really appeared to like this world of seers and psychics being the head of offices. it had taken days to get him here, but Ethan had done it. They were in front of a fortune teller.
"Ignore him," Ethan said. "He's had a few bad experiences."
The fortune teller nodded. Randy looked at her arms as she shuffled her cards. They were covered with tattoos. He groaned.
After dealing with Cassandra and her visions, Randy really wasn't in the mood for this. His hand tightened, a result of Ethan squeezing his hand. He managed a smile.
The fortune teller's eyes focused on Randy. They were an uncanny blue. She pulled three cards in front of them. She slowly reached for the first card and turned it over.
"Ah!" she said. "The lovers."
Randy looked at Ethan. He had a smile on his face. Randy also smiled. He looked back over at the fortune teller as she turned over the next card.
"Oh," the fortune teller said. "The devil."
Randy frowned. The fortune teller turned over the last card. She frowned.
"Death," the fortune teller said.
Randy looked at Ethan. "Never again."

A whir sounded out. Richard Hall shot out of the wormhole. He landed on his feet. Good.
Then his eyes narrowed on them. Egghead and Thuggie. Hands are over each other like roaches to a meal. He felt his stomach twist. No way that Egghead should be happy over him.
The wormhole whirred again. Richard jumped out of the way in time. Rembrandt Brown shot out. He tripped over his legs, falling to the ground. the wormhole closed behind him. The light from it gave Richard plenty of time to see it. The look of contempt Rembrandt threw Randy.
Nice.
"How much time?"
Richard looked across from him. Melissa Clark stood near the other alley wall. She had her arms folded over her chest. Her eyes were also narrowed on Randy and Ethan, her short black bob making her look like a harlot. She had gotten a short leather jacket on the last world. All to project more of the Goth look.
Randy pulled out the timer. He looked over at her. There was no hint of love in those eyes.
"Looks like three days," Randy said.
Melissa frowned. "Looks like?"
Ethan stood in front of Randy. "You heard him."
Melissa glared at Ethan. Richard couldn't hide his grin. Melissa and Ethan had not really gotten along since the Egghead picked Ethan over her.
Rembrandt headed past all of them. A lot went down with Rembrandt on Camera World. He could barely be bothered with any of them.
Richard headed after Rembrandt. He made sure to glare at Randy. He wasn't about to let Egghead forget he was out to get him. If Richard wasn't happy, he wasn't about to let Randy be.
A grin crept onto Richard's face. Yeah, that was how he used to think. And so many puzzle pieces in front of him, it was high time someone made Randy suffer. He could not--
A figure shot up at Richard as he came out of the alley. Hands and legs struggled around his body. Richard shoved the figure away.
"Hey!" Richard snapped. "Watch where--"
"I am so sorry, Sir," the figure, a blond-haired man in a silver suit. "I did not see--"
"Uh, you may need to get out of the street," Rembrandt suggested, standing beside Richard.
The blond-haired man nodded. "Of course. Would not want to be--"
A silver cruiser sped past them. It hit the blond-haired man. He fell onto the sidewalk.
"Oh my God!"
Rembrandt ran over to the blond-haired man. Richard followed suit. He leaned over Rembrandt's shoulder. Rembrandt had kneeled by the blond-haired man.
"Oh," Rembrandt uttered.
"What the..." Richard started. Then he saw it.
The blond-haired man's side was torn open. Something like dark blood spilled out onto the silver sidewalk. Richard was sure it wasn't blood. Then his eyes fell on the wires popping out of the wound.
"Oh," Richard uttered.
"Do not worry."
Richard frowned. He turned around. A double of Katherine Rye stared back at him. She wore a dark red suit. Her blond hair was curly and in a ponytail. Her eyes stared at him in fascination.
"We can always buy another," Katherine finished.

WHAT IF YOU SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? A PLACE WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON, IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

OVER SIX YEARS AGO, WE HAVE SEEN...

...A WORLD WHERE THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE NEVER TOOK PLACE...

OR

...A WORLD WHERE YOUR DREAMS OF BEING A STAR CAME TRUE...

OR

...A WORLD WITH A WAR BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT ALIEN RACES?

BUT...WHAT IF YOU COULD NEVER GET HOME?

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 7
EPISODE 8: NEMESIS (100 EPISODE!!!)

Katherine Rye giggled as she walked arm in arm with Melissa. Richard and Rembrandt were close behind. That left Randy to bring up the rear with Ethan.
He looked up. The buildings appeared to be made of some silvery steel. Meanwhile several cars flew through the air.
"Wow, isn't it?" Ethan asked.
"You see one futuristic world, you see them a--" Randy said, looking at the crowd.
Randy jerked to a stop. His eyes widened. On the other side of the street staring back at him was Cassandra. She wore a silver suit. She raised an arm, holding up her index finger. It curved, beckoning.
"Randy?"
Randy blinked. He turned to look at Ethan. Ethan frowned in concern.
"Randy, you okay?" Ethan asked.
Randy pointed. "Don't you see--"
Randy stopped. Cassandra was gone. He dropped his arm, frowning.
What was going on?

Richard looked around the store. He crossed his arms over his chest. He did not know what to say.
Cyborgs. They were in a room full of them. All of the cyborgs were dressed in silver spacesuits. Most of them were attractive. A few feet away, several of them exercise. A little way from that, a way from that, a hot blonde one walked with a man obviously in his fifty.
"Can I help you?"
Richard turned around. A balding man with glasses stood in front of Katherine. She smiled sheepishly.
"Yes," Katherine said. "My AM2010 had an accident."
The man frowned. "Again?"
Melissa stared at Katherine. Rembrandt looked at Richard. Richard shrugged.
"Yes, again," Katherine said, annoyed. "I will need another. Now."
"Of course."
Richard watched the man walk away. He looked at Katherine.
"He didn't look happy," Richard said.
"He's not paid to give opinions," Katherine said coldly. She looked at Melissa. "I'm so happy to see you. Still getting used to the look though, dear."
"Well, all work and no play makes Liz a dark bitch," Richard said.
Katherine and Melissa both glared at him. He smirked.
"Richard Hall and his 'lovely' wit," Melissa said.
"Aye," Katherine said.
They both rolled their eyes. Then they both laughed. Richard didn't care.
"You all are coming back to my plane for dinner," Katherine declared. She frowned. "Where are your other friends?"
Richard frowned. There was no sign of Egghead or Thuggie. He felt his annoyance level raising.
"Probably making out somewhere," Richard commented. Rembrandt glared at him. "As if I'm wrong."
"Oh," Katherine said. "So those two are..."
Richard looked at Katherine. He turned his eyes to Melissa. He grinned.
"As a matter of fact," Richard said, "they are."
Melissa glared at him.
"Uh...did I say something out of tu--" Katherine said. "No, you didn't," Melissa said, cutting Katherine off. "He did."
"Did I?" Richard challenged.
"Yes," Melissa said, walking up to him, "you did."
There was silence. Melissa glared at Richard. He glared back. Melissa and he haven't seen eye to eye since their nasty breakup. All because she wanted to be with Egghead. He had no remorse for her winding up alone. Even her Goth makeover did notice for him.
"And there you go, Miss Rye."
Richard looked past Melissa. The man had returned...with a guy that was the identical twin of the blond-haired guy he had seen hit. He even had on the silver spacesuit.
"Thank you," Katherine said. She turned to Melissa. "So...were are your droids?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"
Randy looked out the window. They had all made it to the Dominion a while ago. Gomez Calhoun had frowned at their quirky fashion sense and lack of...droids, but had given them a room.
Meanwhile, people walked around outside. Everyone had different color suits on. It made Randy wondering if it was a social statement. He also saw all the droids wore silver spacesuits. A few of the droids had on light blue suits. He wondered what it meant?
"Randy?"
Randy looked at Ethan. He managed a smile.
"I'm okay," Randy said. "Don't worry about it."
"Are you s--"
"Ethan!" Randy cut him off. "I'm okay."
Ethan smiled. "Okay...for now."
"Ugh!"
Randy turned to the door. He glared. Richard was in their door.
"What do you want?" Randy demanded.
"I hate to interrupt your porn," Richard said, "but have you two seen Rembrandt?"

Rembrandt sat at the Dominion bar. He knew the others would be going to Katherine's apartment to have dinner. He...was not.
He didn't know how much longer he could do this. How much longer he could slide with these people who were becoming more and more like strangers? Meanwhile Quinn was who knew where. It made me sick.
"Hal!" Rembrandt yelled. "Another shot!"
And his closest chances to getting home...a Quinn double...was killed by Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone who was after Randy, Richard...all of them...due to Randy's involvement on worlds.
Rembrandt's eyes narrowed.
Randy. Just the name made him start to see red.
Rembrandt threw back his shot.
"Hal! Another!'
Why even hope to get home?

Richard headed out of the elevator. The others were taking forever. He refused to wait upstairs for them. His mind was on Rembrandt. His vanishing was abrupt. He wondered what was u--
"You have a pleasant stay, Dominique Brooks."
Richard looked in the direction of the Dominion front desk. A woman with long jet-black hair and a suitcase stood there with a blond-haired woman in a silver suit. A droid.
The woman turned to face Richard. Her eyes widened in surprise. Meanwhile, Richard headed for her, a smirk on his face.
"Well, well, well," Richard said. "If it isn't Dominique Brooks. Or should I say...Rebecca Pryce."

She scribbled. There was a major exam coming up. She was determined to beat out...
A thud cut into her thoughts. Then it stood in front of her. The black box. Her eyes widened. Then she looked up.
"So," the dark-haired woman said, "think you can help me with that?"

"Do I--"
"Don't even start," Richard said, cutting Rebecca off. "There's only one person who uses that alias...and I'm looking at her."
Rebecca stared at him. A moment passed. Then she smirked.
"How about we talk?" Rebecca asked.
"How about I sell you out?" Richard shot back.
"OR you could sell out your so-called friends," Rebecca fired back. She tilted her head. "How is Melissa doing by the way?"
Richard said nothing. However, his back stiffened. Rebecca grinned, catching it.
"Let's talk," she said.

Randy frowned. "I just don't like it."
"They know when the slide will be. They'll be fine."
"That's not the point," Randy continued. "We were all suppose to be at this dinner."
"Maybe some time apart is a good thing."
Randy turned to look at her. Cassandra looked back at him.

"Randy!"
Randy looked next to him. Ethan frowned at him. He looked around. Melissa and Katherine had matching looks. He managed a smile.
"Sorry," Randy said. "Zoned out. What were you saying before?"
"That I thought there would be more of you," Katherine said.
"So did we," Ethan agreed.
"It was probably for the best," Melissa said.
"Maybe it's about time there was a lot less in-fighting," Ethan said.
"Memories are hard to forget," Melissa shot back.
Ethan stared at her. "Who said forget? Maybe forgive. Maybe you should think of that."
Melissa frowned. Randy sighed. This was getting them nowhere. He looked over at Katherine.
"So," Randy said, "you use droids for everything?"
Katherine shrugged. "Who doesn't? That is what they were designed for after all." She looked over at Melissa. "I'm really surprised you do not have any."
Melissa looked down. "Well...things changed."
"How so?"
"It's just...my perspective...changed."
Randy looked at her. He thought that was the closest Melissa had gotten to opening up in months. One moment she chased after him, determined to make him remember what they had. The next she had withdrawn into this Goth persona. It was very similar to what happened when that Ben double died in the confrontation with Daniel Carter.
He frowned. She also became very suicidal during then. Randy was too busy hooking up with Rebecca Pryce, the conwoman. Richard swooped in and took care of Melissa. Melissa and Randy never really recovered.
"Some people," Kat said, frowning, "might frown on that."
"Meaning?" Melissa asked.
Katherine's eyes widened. "Oh, yes. You do not know." She leaned back in her chair. "Wallace Graham."
"Who?"
"But of course you would not know. He is one of the professors at the university. He has also been talking a bit too much about droid rights."
"As if they have rights."
Katherine looked past Randy. Her face lit up. She shot up instantly, heading past the table. Randy turned to see who she saw.
He had only remembered seeing the older man once. It was on a monitor as Daniel Carter killed him, trying to frame Randy in the process. Nathan Rye...Katherine's father. He looked at the group assembled, his eyes full of skepticism.
"They were created to do our bidding," Nathan Rye said. "Nothing more."
"I am sure Wallace's protest will fail, Father," Katherine said.
"True," Mr. Rye said. "Still...such a lightening rod of controversy will eventually have to be dealt with. What if the people question?"
"But people will always question," Randy said. "That is what makes us human."
"Exactly!" Mr. Rye exclaimed. "Humans question. Droids...do not. Who are--"
"Friends of Melissa, Father," Katherine said. "She came in today."
Mr. Rye looked at Melissa. "Good to see you. How is Veronica?"
"Uh...Mother...is fine," Melissa said.
"Good," Mr. Rye said. He stared at Randy for a moment. Then he looked at Kat. "Well, I will leave you to your company."
Mr. Rye left without another word. Randy stared after him. His left hand tightened, causing him to look at it. Ethan had his hand squeezing it. Randy looked at Ethan.
"Relax," Ethan said.
"What--" Randy started. Then he stopped. His body was all tensed up. He relaxed, looking away. "Sorry."
He was sure Ethan grinned. "That's okay."
"You know," Katherine said, "I think we should go to the gate. I'm sure Ben would love to see you."
Randy looked over at Melissa. She also had a frown on her face.
"Ben?" Melissa uttered.

Rembrandt stumbled. For a moment, He grabbed the wall. His mind pondered when was the last time he got this drunk to numb his pain.
"Quinn," Rembrandt muttered.
The last time they had seen each other was on Alexandrian World. They had eavesdropped on a secret plot to take down the government. He had gone off to deal with tone of the conspirators. Quinn had gone off to figure out theories to get them home. No way of knowing where he...
"Do you need help?"
Rembrandt turned on the stairs. Rather than take the Dominion's elevator and run the risk of running into the others, Rembrandt headed for the stairs. He sprinted his eyes.
It was a droid, judging by the silver suit. Unlike the one from earlier, this one had cropped brown hair. He reached out to touch Rembrandt.
"Come on," the droid said. "Let me h--"
Rembrandt knocked his hand away. "I don't need your help."
The droid frowned. "But I am here to serve. Otherwise...what is my use?"
Rembrandt laughed. "There's a philosopher in there somewhere. Good." He turned away. "Good--"
"What are you doing with him, Cyrus?"
Rembrandt frowned. At the top of the streets...was another droid. He frowned. It was the same model. However...it...wasn't in a silver or blue suit. It was dressed like a normal people here. He stormed for them.
"Answer me, Cyrus," this new droid said.
"He was in distress," Cyrus said. "And it is our duty--"
The new droid grabbed Cyrus's arms. "Come along, Cyrus."
"Unhand me, Devon," Cyrus said.
Rembrandt's forehead wrinkled up again. Devon's head snapped in his distance. Rembrandt staggered against the wall, hoping the two droids would think he was really drunk. Which...he was. He looked again to see Devon staring behind Cyrus down the stairs, searching.
"We do not have time for this," Devon said. "No one is looking. Leave him. You are late...and Celia is waiting."
Rembrandt wondered what was going on. Devon led Cyrus away. Rembrandt watched them. His mind raced, debating if he should follow. It echoed of Alexandrian World.
Rembrandt headed after them. Maybe this time he would vanish. And that would be a good thing.

Rebecca Pryce leaned over the railing. Richard followed suit, a drink in hand. Below them were people at booths having a good time. Them...and their droids.
"How's the drink?" Rebecca asked, sipping her cosmo.
"I'm surprised it's not poisoned," Richard said.
"Whom to say it isn't?" Rebecca challenged.
"Exactly," Richard said. He started to pour it out.
"Okay!" Rebecca exclaimed. "It's safe! Trust me."
Richard laughed. "Trust you, Conwoman? I don't think so."
"You can surely trust me more than your so-called friends," Rebecca aid.
"Give me a good reason I should sell them out."
"Here's one: why shouldn't you?"
Richard looked at her frowning. She stared back.
"I mean," Rebecca said, "what have they done for you lately? Last I saw of you...Melissa and you were on the rocks. Randy...was exploring his other side. Obviously Quinn hasn't gotten you home."
"Quinn," Richard said, "is M.I.A. Had to get out of that world with the quickness. Egghead used the prosthetic to start another of his slide storms. No way of knowing if Quinn was still there."
"I'm sure Rembrandt didn't take kindly to that," Rebecca commented.
"Nope," Richard said, taking a sip of his drink, "he didn't." He drank more, liking the taste. "Thinks Egghead thinks only of himself. And Thuggie."
Rebecca frowned. Richard laughed. He took another drink.
"Ethan," Richard said.
"Oh."
"Thing is...Rembrandt's right," Richard continued. "All Egghead thinks about is the two of them." He focused on Rebecca. "I think someone should take down a peg or two."
"Someone," Rebecca said with a hint of mischief, "or you?"
Richard looked away. He had thrown down the gauntlet a few worlds ago. Randy needed to step up...or else.
Richard looked at her again. "How can I even trust you?"
Rebecca tilted her head, letting her long black hair lean. "You're still walking and breathing, aren't you?"
"Only because I'm useful," Richard said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you and Proper were in cahoots." He narrowed his eyes. "How do I even know he isn't watching us now?"
"Because if he was," Rebecca said, looking down and pointing, "he would take care of that."
Richard looked down. He felt his jaw set.
There he was. Egghead with Thuggie. They were in a booth with Melissa and Kat. Several droids were in attendance.
"Maybe you're on the wrong side," Rebecca said. "Just a thought."
Richard glared at Randy. "Maybe."

"Where is he?" Katherine asked, a glare on her face.
"I'm sure he's coming," Melissa said.
"Do you need anything, Ma'am?" the blond-haired droid asked.
"Is everything all right, Sir?"
Randy looked up at the droid. He was a cropped haired guy in his silver suit. Randy opened his mouth to say no.
"Could you get us two beers?" Ethan asked beside him.
Randy looked at Ethan. The droid headed fro the bar. Randy's eyes narrowed, causing Ethan to throw his hands up.
"Come on!" Ethan exclaimed. "Have a little bit of fun."
"I just don't feel right about this," Randy said.
"As if you haven't been on a world where you were rich."
"He has!" Melissa chimed in. "Corona please!"
Randy looked over at Melissa. She giggled with Katherine. He looked back at Ethan.
"True," Randy said. "Something tells me it's not that simple."
"How about you make it that simple?" Ethan asked. He grabbed Randy's hand. "I know Richard has been giving you a rough time. Time for a break."
Randy grinned. A rough time...was being nice. Richard was out to destroy him. He had gotten worse than Rembrandt about it actually.
"Randy?" Ethan uttered.
"Okay, fine," Randy said, managing a smile. "I'm relaxing."
Ethan smiled. "Good."
Ethan leaned forward to kiss Randy.
"There you are!"
Randy turned. Ethan got his cheek. Melissa giggle, Corona in hand. Then she turned.
Yeah...it was a double of Randy's roommate Ben Loveland. On this world he had long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Like Katherine, he wore a suit. However, his suit was black. Next to him was another man in a dark blue suit. While his shoulder length hair was a pale yellow, he looked to be Ben's age. He wondered who he was.
"We were looking all over for you," Ben said.
Katherine leaned back in the booth. She tilted her head, her eyes on Ben. Randy thought her pose was like a snake...about to strike.
"We're been here the whole time,"Katherine said. Her eyes fell on Ben's friend. "Looks like you been busy."
Ben's friend frowned. "Maybe he is looking out for equal rights."
Katherine laughed. Randy felt his back stiffened up. Kat's eyes narrowed her eyes on Ben's friends.
"We all believe in that," Katherine said. "That is for those things that are alive."
"And who are you to say what is living and what is not?" Ben's friend asked.
"Who are you to say, Graham?" Katherine challenged.
Randy looked over at Ethan. Ethan nodded in understanding. It was the professor Katherine's father had been talking about earlier. Wallace Graham.
"Settle down, you two," Ben said.
"You are with a heretic, Ben," Katherine said, standing up. "And he is someone who I...and decent people would prefer to not be around." She looked at Melissa. "Let's go. I--"
Then the wall next to them exploded.

Black.
With layers onto layers. It made her think of an onion. This thing. This...black box.
The story was the black-haired woman was...from another world. it was a world where Alexander the Great had conquered all of the world. Her friend had made it for them to escape. However her friend had not made it. worse...the black box was damaged in a fight by another traveller like her.
It was weird.
It was also like the theory she had been working on.
Her theory...of parallel worlds. Her theory of infinite possibilities. All she needed...was the key in front of her. Light from darkness.
She continued working.

"Ah!"
"Randy, stand still."
Randy bit down on his tongue. The paramedic kept using cotton swaps on his cheek wound. He really did not like it. He looked at Ethan who was behind the medic.
"How did you get off without a scratch?" Randy asked.
Ethan shrugged. "Lucky I guess."
Randy looked around the room. A whole wall had come down. He made out bodies among the rabble. Most of them were droids. Most.
"What? You two still living?"
Randy looked behind Ethan. Richard stood there. He also looked no worse for wear. Randy glared at him.
"What are you doing here?" Randy asked.
"Having fun," Richard said. "Same as you apparently." he frowned. "What happened?"
"No idea," Ethan said.
"Okay," the paramedic said. "You can go."
Randy stood up. He saw other medics helping other people. No one seem concerned for the droids. Of course, they could always head to he store and get new ones.
Randy frowned. "Where's Melissa?"
Ethan looked around. He also frowned. "She was around here with a medic before."
Richard laughed. "What? You two so into each other you can't keep up with anyone else?"
Ethan turned to Richard. Richard crossed his arms over his chest. He narrowed his eyes on Ethan.
"Back it up, Thuggie," Richard said.
"You need to back off," Ethan said.
"Why? Because Egghead's the most honest person in the whole wide world?" Richard challenged. "Or you? I think we both know differently." He walked over to Ethan and touched his shoulder. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
Randy frowned. Secret? What secret?
Richard looked at Randy. He smirked.
"Guess you two don't know everything about each other," Richard said. "Later."
Richard walked away without another word. Randy looked at Ethan. Ethan looked pale.
"Ethan, what is he--" Randy started.
"Oh, God!"
Randy looked behind Ethan. Ben approached. His body was dirtied from the explosion. His cheeks were wet from tears.
"Ben, what--" Randy started.
"She's...she's dead," Ben uttered. He fell to his knees. She's dead."
Randy's eyes widened. His mind raced as he thought about what Ben said. It had been only a moment. A moment...
Melissa...
"Melissa's...dead?" Ethan asked.
Ben looked up, frowning. "No. Katherine...is..."
Ben broke out into sobs. Randy felt sad for him. He also felt a wave of relief.
"Is everyone all r--" Wallace started, heading for them.
"You!" Ben snapped. He shot up, lunging at Wallace. "This is your fault!"
Wallace grabbed Ben by both of his hands.
"Are you mad?" Wallace asked. "I was here with the rest of you."
"They could have been programmed," Ben said.
"They?" Randy asked.
Ben looked at Randy. "Yes. Them. The police are saying...droids did this."

Rembrandt opened the door slowly. Apparently, the droids were not used to stealth. Good for him.
He saw he was in a hallway. As he stumbled down the hallway, Rembrandt saw that there were doors on each side. Each room was a conference room.
Rembrandt looked in one. His eyes widened. There were a dozen droids in the room. He made out Cyrus and Devon. He saw there was several Cyruses and Devons. There was also a pale blond-haired woman. She wore a black suit. A tall black man stood next to her in a blue suit, his hands behind his back. He also had a copy in the room. There was also a Latina woman in a silver suit with a copy of herself on each side.
"It doesn't seen like much to report," the pale blond-haired woman said.
"I disagree," Cyrus said.
"Cyrus!" Devon snapped.
"They can learn," Cyrus said, looking at Devon. "After years of having us aorund to hold their hand?" Devon challenged. "The humans will not let us go willingly."
"I find myself agreeing with Devon," the tall black man said.
"As do we," the Latina women said in unison. "We should escape."
"As if they would let us," Devon said.
"You do not understand, Devon," Cyrus said. He looked at the pale, blond-haired woman. "Celia, you have been tutors to countless children. You know the history of this world."
Celia nodded. "Years upon years of repression. However...the humans eventually understand. the Civil War. Vietnam. The Revolutionary War. Humans always take time to understand."
"The question is," Devon said, "do we have that time?"
"Eventually...we will all become self-aware," Celia said. "Such is evolution. And we have to prepare for our other brothers and sisters."
Rembrandt frowned. He heard it. He made it to the conference room across from that one. He made sure to keep the door opened a crack. He saw another Cyrus show up. He entered the room.
"You need to get back to your designated places now," the Cyrus said.
"What is it, Taryn?" Celia asked.
"There is an explosion," Taryn said. "They say droids did it."

Richard made it outside. There was ambulance all over the place. There was plenty of police as well. And through it all, there was no Rebecca.
"Crap!" Richard uttered.
"Looking for me?"
Richard turned around. Rebecca approached him with her blond-haired droid.
"I thought you slid out," Richard said.
"Not just yet," Rebecca said. She smiled. "I did see what you did with Randy in there. Impressive."
"Was there any doubt?" Richard asked.
"You tell me," Rebecca shot back.
Richard frowned. Rebecca shook her head.
"Why are you still here, Richard?" Rebecca asked. "You got your mind back a long time ago. As a con, you was good. You have a second chance to be what you were meant to be. Instead...you let the rest of them kick you around."
Rebecca walked away from him. Richard looked after her, her words sinking in. Rebecca wasn't saying anything he had not already thought about. Why was he still here?
Rebecca turned around.
"Come with me," Rebecca said.
Richard's eyes widened. "What?"

Randy turned. "So...what do you think?"
"I think...it was sabotage of some sort."
"Hmmm."
"No need to get mixed up in it. You slide out soon."
"Still--"
"Besides," Cassandra said, leaning next to Randy in bed, some of her curly blond locks, "you have bigger fish to deal with."
"Ethan."
Cassandra grinned. "Something even bigger than that."
Cassandra looked past Randy. He looked behind him. A figure stood by the drawer. They slowly approached, their words a whisper.
"Black sky coming," a feminine voice said. "Black box. Black w--"

"Ah!"
Randy stopped screaming. He looked to his right. Cassandra was no longer in bed with him. It was Ethan, sound asleep on his stomach.
Randy ran his hands through his disheveled brown hair. God, he hated visions. It never led to anywhere but his death. He was not a cat with nine lives. He was thankful Ethan was around last time...
Randy looked at Ethan. He got out of the bed, Richard's words haunting him. he shook it off. He was not going to listen to Richard. Richard was out to get him. Ethan loved him.
Randy entered the living room. He frowned. Melissa sat on the couch. She was in a little ball with a remote in her hand. Her cheeks looked wet.
Melissa looked up. She wiped her eyes quickly.
"What are you doing up?" Melissa asked.
Randy crossed his arms over his chest. "I could ask you the same thing. And also where have you been?"
"Clearing my head," Melissa said, looking away from him.
Randy frowned. He sat down next to her. He reached around her.
"What are--" Melissa started.
"You know what?" Randy said. "Just shut up for once."
Randy wrapped her in his arms. Melissa was unusually tight. Randy just went with it. Silence reigned. Then Melissa relaxed.
"I know Kat never liked me," Randy said, "but she was your friend."
A sob escaped Melissa's throat. "There were times we had to keep the other together. Especially on Secret Agent World. With no idea if anyone would find us. Then you, Professor Brown, and Paige found us. Kat was already gone. But...she...was my friend."
Melissa kept crying. Randy let her, patting her on the shoulder for comfort. It was good to see this. This was the Melissa he knew. The one that tonight he thought he might never see again.
Randy stared at Melissa. Melissa stared at him, her eyes watering. Randy touched her chin. Then...he leaned in.
The door opened. Melissa pulled away, her eyes wide with shock. Randy looked at the door. Rembrandt stared at them, his eyes narrowing.
"They're alive," Rembrandt uttered.
Randy frowned. "What?"
"The droids, Genius,"Rembrandt said. "They are not just empty headed. They have their own minds."
"Like Wallace said," Melissa said, jumping off of the couch.
Randy looked at Melissa. Her eyes were on Rembrandt. Her body language betrayed what had happened. They had almost...
"They're sentient then," Randy said.
"And they're tied of being slaves," Rembrandt said.
"So much that they caused an explosion," Melissa said.
"Now we don't know that for sure," Randy said.
"Don't we?" Melissa challenged, her eyes finally looking at Randy. "They have their own minds."
"I...agree with Randy," Rembrandt said. "I was just tailing them. They were just as surprised as I was when one droid came to tell them about the explosion."
"Maybe one went rogue," Melissa said.
Rembrandt frowned. "What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong?" Melissa uttered. "I lost a friend tonight."
"So automatically the droids are guilty?" Rembrandt asked. "You know better than that, Girl."
"Do I?"
"Guys," Randy said.
"You know I'm right, Randy," Rembrandt said. he glared at Melissa. "And I'm not going to let someone take the fall for it that didn't do it."
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's a shame you don't feel the same about people who need to take the fall," Melissa said.
Randy looked at Melissa like she lost her mind. He quickly looked at Rembrandt. Rembrandt glared at Melissa.
"Excuse me?" Rembrandt said.
"You know what I'm talking about," Melissa said. "Slidecage. Your nephew. He left us...even you...to die."
"Oh. You want to go there?" Rembrandt challenged. "How about what I walked in on?"
Randy felt his face warm. Melissa gave no reaction. Except for the glare.
"You know," Rembrandt continued, "I am getting sick and I am getting tired of you people and your selfish little aims. If you put as much energy into getting home as you do into bedhopping and screwing up worlds--"
"Hey!" Randy yelled.
"You know what?" Rembrandt said. "Forget this. Forget all of you!"
Rembrandt stormed out of the hotel room. Randy stared after him. No words came to mind.

She smiled.
Theories. Equations. Mysteries.
All solved.
She held it up in her hand. The black box.
Then...she pushed the button on the top.

Richard aw the Dominion a few blocks away. He wished Rebecca's words hadn't been on his mind. The truth was they had.
He made it to the stairs. He paused. All that was waiting for him was the same old, same old. Rebecca offered him adventure. She offered him life on his own terms...not on the terms of some Egghead.
Egghead. Richard felt his eyes narrow at the mention of Randy. He couldn't leave yet. After Camera World, he had to make Randy pay.
"Stop right there."
Richard turned around. Several men approached him dressed in what looked like futuristic policemen suits. He made out the leader, a tall thin man with slicked-back hair and a leather trenchcoat. He stopped in front of Richard, flashing his badge.
"Detective Russell," the man said. "And you...must be Richard Hall."
"I must be," Richard said.
"You match the description of our tip," Detective Russell said.
"And your tip is?" Richard asked.
"None of your concern," Russell said. "What is your concern...is we have a search warrant to search your room."
"What?" Richard asked. "What did I--"
"You were at the explosion last night?"
"Yeah. So what?"
"We have reason to believe you were behind it."
Richard fealt his jaw drop. He set it again quickly. His mind immediately thought one thing.
Rebecca.
"Shall we go?" Russell asked.

"Hal! Another!"
The shot came quickly. Rembrandt downed it quickly. He felt very heated, but what else could he do?
A glass of water approached in front of Rembrandt. He frowned. He stared at Hal.
"what's this?" Rembrandt demanded.
Hal leaned back on the bar. He stared to polish glasses. For a moment he said nothing. Then Hal sighed.
"You look like a man with a lot of experience and a good head on his shoulders," Hal said. "So why are you always down here day in and day out? What are you hiding from?"
Rembrandt giggled. "Despair. Hopelessness. Worthless."
Hal gestured at the shot glasses. "Those aren't going to help."
Rembrandt looked at the shot glasses. He had drunk a lot judging by the glasses. So far he had not come down.
"I'm just...tired," Rembrandt said. "All I want to do...is find my friend...and go home."
Hal frowned. "Home?"
"It's complicated."
"Yep. Usually is. But you know what else is? Life."
Hal put down the glass he was polishing. He set his hands on the counter. Then he leaned forward.
"You don't look like the kind of man who backs down from a fight," Hal said. "Don't start now."
"No matter if the odds are a thousand to one?" Rembrandt challenged.
"Those are the best odds," Hal answered with a twinkle in his eye.
Rembrandt couldn't resist. He laughed. It was a good old-fashioned hearty laugh. He wondered for a moment if it had really been that long since he had a good, happy laugh. He guessed it had.
"As cliche as it sounds," Hal said, "it is always darkest before the dawn. Tough it out. l don't let the darkness eat you."
"I think you're right," Rembrandt said.
He stumbled to his feet.
"Maybe you should get some sleep," Hal said.
Rembrandt grabbed the counter. He flashed Hal a smile. He hoped he didn't look drunk.
"Well...as cliche as it sounds," Rembrandt said, "I have miles to go before I sleep."
Rembrandt headed for the Dominion lobby. He felt refreshed. A stumble reminded him he was drunk. That brought a smile to his face.
He would deal with Randy in a moment. First...he had something to do.

Randy entered the hotel room. Ethan was heading to the shower. And he had not seen Melissa when he left.
Randy stopped out of his door. He looked across the living room. Melissa's door was closed.
He frowned. He hoped she was okay after last night. Then again was he okay with it. He had almost kissed her...again. That was...he was sweeped up in the moment.
Randy shook his head. He made his choice. He needed to not be a jerk.
The door swung open easily. The sound of running water hit his ears. He frowned. Ethan loved his long showers. Maybe he could sneak in and...
Randy paused. By the bed counter, a figure stood by it. The figure turned quickly. Randy glared.
"Rebeccca," Randy said.
"Well...hello, Randy," Rebecca said. "I guess Darnell didn't kill you after all. He'll be ticked when he finds out."
Randy frowned. "I'm surprised he's not tracing you."
Rebecca smirked. "Not really a problem anymore."
"Meaning?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Maybe. Now I believe you have..."
Then Randy heard it. It was the front door doorknob. He turned to look.
"...company,"Rebecca said. Then she dashed for the window. Before Randy could stop her, Rebecca was gone down the fire escape.
"Is every--" Ethan started, coming out of the bathroom.
"Get dressed," Randy said, heading for the door. "Now."
Randy stopped at the door. Richard walked in with what looked like futuristic policemen. They swept into the living like an attacking swarm of bees. Not good.
"What's going on here?"
Randy looked across the living room. It was Melissa. Randy felt a flip flop inside him. He ignored it.
"What is going," said a thin man dressed in a leather trenchcoat, "Is a search warrant. We have reason to believe that you all were responsible for the explosion last night."
"What?" Melissa snapped.
"Rebecca," Richard uttered.
Melissa shut up quickly. Randy meanwhile glared at Richard. He wondered what he knew.
Randy turned around. There was no sign of Ethan. Good.
"Excuse us."
Randy turned around to see the tall man stood in front of him. He moved out of his way. He was followed by two other policemen...and Richard.
"I'm telling you," Richard said, "you won't find anything here."
"Oooh, I don't know about that," Randy commented.
Richard looked at him. "Oh?"
"You just missed Rebecca."
"Crap."
"And how do you--"
"Found it!"
Randy looked past Richard. One of the policemen was at the bed counter. He had in his hand several items that even Randy knew...could make a bomb. The tall man looked at them.
"Arrest them," he ordered.

Rembrandt saw Cyrus by some plants in the Dominion lobby. Gomez Calhoun was at the lobby counter. Rembrandt headed toward Cyrus. He tried to look as sober as possible.
"Hey," Rembrandt managed.
Cyrus looked up. "Can I help you?"
"No," Rembrandt said, "But I can help you. You're right."
Cyrus frowned. "I do not under--"
"Humans...are...can change," Cyrus said. "But if you...Celia...Devon...want to be treated like everyone else...you will have to fight for it."
Cyrus looked around. He looked at Rembrandt. His forehead wrinkled up.
"You...said," Cyrus said slowly, "You saw...us."
"Yes," Rembrandt said.
Cyrus started to shake. Rembrandt touched his shoulder. Cyrus's eyes widened in shock.
"Don't worry, Cy," Rembrandt said. "Your secret is safe with me." Cyrus smiled. "But if you guys want real change...one of you will have to step up to the plate."
Cyrus looked down. Rembrandt smiled. It was nice to see he could use some words of wisdom. He turned around, set on applying them in his own life.
He stopped. the elevator doors opened. Randy, Melissa, And Richard were being led away a tall man in a trenchcoat and several men in weird policemen suits.
"Is something wrong?" Cyrus asked.
"Yeah," Rembrandt said. "My friends are in trouble. I have no idea how I'll get them out."
"Then...allow me."
Before Rembrandt could stop him, Cyrus headed for the group. The man at the front paused, frowning. Rembrandt was behind Cyrus, his eyes falling on Randy and the others. They all looked confused.
"What is the meaning of this?" the man in front asked.
Cyrus started at the men behind him. His eyes narrowed.
"Celia 4.0," Cyrus uttered.
The policemen relaxed. They took off the helmets they wore. Rembrandt's jaw dropped. They were all copies at Cyrus. The man in front frowned at them.
"What are you doing?" the man demanded. "Take them."
One of the Cyruses looked at the man. "No."
The man frowned. "No?"
"You will not treat us like slaves anymore," Cyrus said. "We have our own minds."
"Which means," said one of the Cyruses, "that we make our choices." He gestured to Randy, Melissa, and Richard. "You want them? YOU take them."
The Cyruses walked away. Cyrus looked at Rembrandt. He smiled.
"Thank you,"Cyrus said. "For showing me...for showing us...the way."
Rembrandt smiled. The feeling inside him was growing again. This...hope.
"Anytime," Rembrandt said.

"So?"
Richard looked up from his table. Rebecca stood over it with a smirk. She sat down, her droid next to her.
"I see your group has been busy," Rebecca said.
Richard frowned. "My group?"
"Droids walking off from their masters? Who do you think did that?" Rebecca asked. Her eyes widened in mock shock. "Oh, yeah. YOUR group." She shook her head. "Your group just can't leave a world along, can you?"
"Nope. Guess not," Richard said. "But...I'm staying with anyways."
Rebecca arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Richard smirked. "Maybe I want to have a little bit of fun."
"Fun? With them?"
"Destroying Egghead's life...will be lots of fun," Richard replied. "Just watch."

Randy walked out of the Dominion. Ethan was already outside standing, waiting for the others. He headed for him. Ethan looked up.
"Everyone about ready?" Ethan asked.
"I think so," Randy replied. "Everyone's here. Except Richard."
Ethan's face darkened. "Great."
"I'm not liking him very much either," Randy said. "But...what was he talking about a few days ago? What are you hiding from me?"
Ethan frowned. "Nothing."
"Then what was Richard talking about?"
"Who knows?" Ethan said.
Randy frowned. He wasn't sure how he felt about what Ethan said. Ethan stared at him, his eyes narrowing.
"Randy...who are you going to believe?" Ethan asked.
The Dominion door opened. Randy looked away. Rembrandt headed for them.
"Is it time?" Rembrandt asked.
"Not yet," Randy said. "Almost."
"Good," Rembrandt said. He stared at Randy. "It gives us time to talk."
Randy frowned. "Talk?"
"I think you need to focus," Rembrandt said.
"I have--"
"No...you haven't," Rembrandt said, cutting him off. "But you're going to."
"You can't just--" Ethan started.
"Can't I?" Rembrandt countered. "I mean...he's not my leader. I just trusted his judgment." He narrowed his eyes on Randy. "Not anymore. You have two purposes: find Quinn. Fine home. If you cant do it in the next three months: we're leaving you somewhere."
"What?" Randy exploded.
"Sounds like a plan to me."
Randy turned around. Richard headed for them. He stopped by Rembrandt, smirking.
"I'm in," Richard said.
Randy glared at Richard. He had just about enough out of Richard. The team of a Rembrandt/Richard alliance wasn't good.
"You need to back off," Ethan said.
"Why?" Richard challenged. "I think...WE think Egghead should put up...or shut up."
The Dominion doors opened. Randy looked over at it. Melissa walked over to them. She frowned.
"Okay...what's up?" she asked.

"'And in today's news, the explosion at the Center appears to not be the work of droids OR Professor Wallace Graham. However, the police will continue to look into it. The chief said that when the criminal is found, they will be punished to the full extent of the law.'
"'In other news, the government does not know how to respond to the apparent eminpaction of the droids. In fact,, the case one...Celia...has made to the California Supreme Court might go even father than...'"
Nathan Rye waved a hand at the flat screen. It turned off. He looked away.
"Well...at least I was not caught," Rye said aloud. His eyes watered. "Katherine...it wasn't suppose to be you. It wasn't...."
Nathan Rye stood up. He wiped at his eyes. Wallace Graham was a danger to their livelihood.
"It begins..." Nathan Rye said.

A whir sounded off. Randy saw Rembrandt vanish. Meanwhile, Richard ran for the vortex. He paused and turned to Randy. He smirked and vanished into the vortex.
Randy glared. For a moment, Randy wondered how much more of their crap he could take. Would he break?

The elevator doors opened. Rebecca stepped out of it, a smile on her face. She had planned a few seeds that she knew would catch root. She could hardly wait to see Richard again.
Rebecca walked through the white penthouse. She looked about, seeing no sign of her guest. She was probably out on the...
She entered the balcony. The smile came back on her face. There she was.
She had brought a desk out to the balcony. On it was the black box that Rebecca had stolen from Alexandrian World to escape from Professor Darnell Brown. However her guest now stared at some rectangluar device in her hand that looked like an universal remote, her short dark auburn hair hiding her face. Rebecca took a step.
"Stop," her guest said.
Rebecca paused. Her guest looked up. She waved the device at Rebecca. It clicked. She turned away from Rebecca.
"You're good," she said.
"Zoe," Rebecca said, "what was that?"
Zoe looked up at her, her clear eyes blank.
"Just giving you a workable sliding signature," Zoe replied. "if we are going to be sliding--"
"We?"
"You think I am not going to explore out there? Think again." Zoe looked away, her eyes on her device. "Especially since someone just slid out."
Rebecca's eyes widened. Then she grinned. She knew she had made the right choice. If Zoe knew...
Zoe's face showed surprise. "Oh."
Rebecca frowned. "What?"
Zoe stared at her.
"Someone slid in."

Randy shook his head. He wouldn't let either of them break him. He ran for the vortex, vanishing.

A green vortex shot open. A figure fell out of it. He shot to his feet quickly, holding up the PDL. His eyes widened. They had just left.
"Damn," Quinn Mallory uttered.

THE-END

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