The doctor looked at Richard Hall. She smiled at him through her horn-rimmed glasses.
  "It looks like it's going to be fine, Mr. Hall," the doctor said. She frowned. "Though I still don't know how you got a staff wound from--"
  "Thank you, Doctor!" Melissa Clark explained next to Richard, grabbed his left arm. "We can take it from--"
  "Ouch!" Richard yelled.
  "Sorry," Melissa said.

  "Are you sure this is the right thing?"
  Jared Heim looked behind him. He sat in a chair in the waiting room. Ethan stood up behind him. Jared frowned at him.
  "You actually cared?" Jared asked.
  Ethan walked around the chairs. He sat down next to Jared.
  "Honestly, Boss?" Ethan said. "No. I just wanted to get home. You wrecked that...for these...people."
  "You wanted to hurt someone for no reason," Jared said.
  Ethan looked at him. "And this is different from the other times we have?"
  Jared looked at Ethan. After a moment, he stood up. Then he walked away.

  Rembrandt Brown's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
  Conrad Bennish, Jr. grinned as they stood outside the hospital.
  "I could use the down time," Bennish said. "After the armies, weird aliens, and goth chicks..." He pointed a finger over his shoulder. "Besides, Man...Kathy wants me. And bonus...people from my world...and we live on Blimp World."
  Rembrandt nodded. He looked up at the sky. While he could make out the sun, Rembrandt saw most of the sky was covered by blimps.
  "Fine," Rembrandt said, looking at Bennish. "If you're sure."
  "I'm cool," Bennish said. "I'm sure you'll see me again."
  Rembrandt smirked. "No doubt."

  Randy Heim pushed a button on the prosthetic that covered his left arm. A mini-keyboard flipped out. He began typing.
  "So is it ready?"
  Randy looked at his bedroom door. Quinn Mallory stood in the door, arms crossed over his chest. He did not seem to happy to see him.
  "I'm putting the final calculations now," Randy said.
  "Calculations you wouldn't let me make," Quinn added.
  "I trusted what I was doing."
  "Well...I don't."
  Randy narrowed his eyes. "Listen--"
  "No, you listen," Quinn said. "Things have changed. The Yuzaki. The dark sliders. Collier. New sliders. We almost got killed. How much more blood do you want on your hands?"
  "None," Randy replied. "That's why I wanted to do this alone...so there are no mistakes."
  "And there would be mistakes with me?"
  "Have you ever created a PDL?"
  "Have you?" Quinn shot back.
  "No," Randy admitted, raising his prosthetic arm, "but I create things. It should be a snap."
  "Yes," Quinn said, "if we're killing people."
  Randy glared at Quinn. Silence filled the room. After a moment, Quinn turned.
  "The others are waiting," Quinn said. "You coming?"

  Quinn Mallory shot out of the vortex. He landed on the sand roughly. He turned to look at the vortex. It looked like it was going to short out any second as it zigzagged in shape.
  His eyes narrowed. Obviously Randy did something wrong. He looked around. All he saw was sand.
  A whir got his attention. Quinn moved out of the way quickly. Rembrandt fell out of the vortex, landing on his back. He shot up quickly.
  "What in the--" Rembrandt started.
  Then the vortex vanished.

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?

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

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 6
EPISODE 10: LEFT BEHIND

  Melissa Clark landed next to a cliff. She recovered quickly to look past it. She saw what looked like the remains of the Golden gate bridge. She wondered what happened...
  A whir shot through the air. Melissa turned. Her eyes widened on the misshaped wormhole. Suddenly, Richard shot out, hitting his bad shoulder. He yelled in pain.
  "Richard!" Melissa yelled. She started to run to him.
  A whir sounded from the wormhole. It was followed by another. Then Jared shot out of the wormhole. So did Isabel. The wormhole vanished.
  "Richard, are you okay?" Melissa asked.
  Richard sat up. He made a lopsided grin.
  "Just my shoulder," Richard said. "Not my brain."
  "That's too easy," Isabel said, walking past them.
  Melissa glared at Isabel. At one point they had been friends. Now that Isabel had been with the dark sliders, she was a whole different person.
  "Uh...where are Quinn and Remmy?" Jared asked. "Didn't they slide first?"
  Melissa shot up, just noticing the vanished wormhole.
  "Randy," Melissa uttered.

  Randy landed...among ruins. He looked around quickly. He was sure at one point they had been buildings...skyscrapers.
  He frowned. None of the others were here. That was not good.
  The vortex whirred, releasing a new figure. Randy frowned. It was...of course...Ethan.
  The vortex vanished behind him. Ethan raised a hand to his eyesight. He frowned.
  "Sand," Ethan said. "In the city. Not good. What was up with that vortex, Boss?" He looked around. "Where's everybody?"
  Randy looked around. "Good question. I--"
  Ethan shot up quickly. He rushed Randy, grabbing his throat.
  "You killed them!" Ethan yelled.
  "No," Randy managed, "I didn't. However..."
  Randy drew one of his daggers. He aimed it at Ethan's chest.
  "...if you don't let go, I'll kill you," Randy warned.
  Ethan released Randy. Randy rubbed his neck. Ethan glared at him.
  "I think," Randy started, "that they are here. I guess I underestimate the power fluctuations. I think correct that in..." He pulled out the timer. "...three days it looks like."
  "And the others?" Ethan asked.
  "Guess we get to look," Randy said, starting down the street. He paused and turned around. Ethan had not moved. "You coming?"
  Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't trust you."
  "Ha!" Randy said. "That's a difference between you and your doubles. That...and that hair."
  Ethan frowned, rubbing a hand through his crop of stringy jet-black hair. Randy started to walk again. The sound of footsteps told him that Ethan was behind him.
  "What's wrong with my hair?" Ethan asked.

  "Dammit!"
  "Q-ball!"
  Quinn sighed in frustration. They had been walking the interstate for hours. There wasn't any sign of anyone. Who knew for sure if the others were even alive. All because Randy would not let him he--
  "Sorry, Rembrandt," Quinn said as they continued to walk. "The last few weeks are just taking their toll."   "Wouldn't be the first time the timer messed up," Rembrandt commented. "Remember Lipschitz?"
  Quinn groaned. "Don't remind me."
  They both laughed.
  "I wish Maggie was still here," Quinn said. "From what you tell me, she knew how to corral him." He looked down. "Maggie. What am I going to tell Jensen?"
  Rembrandt paused. He looked at Quinn.
  "The truth," Rembrandt said. "That she died a hero. She was determined to make sure you got home to your fiancee."
  "Wade."
  Quinn felt warm inside just thinking about her...back home. She was his only reason for not giving up. He missed her so much.
  "We're getting home, Quinn," Rembrandt said.
  "Not with the way that boy's been acting," Quinn said. "And I've about had--"
  Quinn stopped himself. He listened. He smiled.
  "What--" Rembrandt started.
  "You don't hear it?" Quinn asked.
  Rembrandt paused to listen. Then he too smiled.
  "An engine," Rembrandt muttered.
  "Someone's coming!" Quinn exclaimed.
  As happy as he was, Quinn had to wonder...was it friend or foe?

  "I just wonder how it got this way," Isabel asked as she walked behind Melissa and Richard. "I mean...it's the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't you wonder..."
  "I'm not talking to you," Jared said, also from behind them.
  Melissa could tell the exes were about to argue. She turned to look at Richard. He had not said much since they slid in. She reached out to touch his hand. Richard moved over to the far right, causing her to frown.
  "Richard? What--" Melissa started.
  "That damn Egghead," Richard uttered.
  Melissa paused. So did Richard. He crossed his arms over his chest.
  "If it isn't one thing, it's another," Richard continued. "He should have let Quinn help."
  "Maybe this would have still happened," Melissa said.
  "Two heads are better than one," Richard said. "And I know you're not going to defend him. Not after what he did."
  Melissa glared.
  "What he did?" Isabel whispered.
  "Kissed her," Jared whispered. "Still not talking to you."
  "We settled this, Richard," Melissa said.
  "Doesn't mean I have to like him," Richard shot back.
  "At least get along with him."
  "I don't think so."
  "I do."
  "No way, sweetheart!"
  Melissa was about to reply. Then she saw Jared and Isabel out of the corner of her eye. They had big smirks on their faces. She exhaled.
  "You know how it can be when two people aren't getting alone...especially you two," Melissa said.
  "I'm fine," Richard replied. "Now you and Rebecca? I don't recall me punching anyone out."
  Jared started to raise his hand. Richard glared at him.
  "That didn't deserve it!" Richard snapped. "Stop defending him."
  "He's my best friend," Melissa said.
  "No," Richard said. "That would be me. Your boyfriend."
  "Don't make me choose," Melissa said.
  Richard's face darkened. "Didn't you already?"
  "I mean--"
  Richard stormed off without another word. Melissa looked after him, her mouth ajar in shock. When they were fighting the Yuzaki, Melissa had made her choice. She loved Richard. She thought this was over.
  "Well," Isabel said, walking up to Melissa, "you two have changed."
  Melissa looked at her, a weak smile on her face.
  "So have you," Melissa said. "Cuz my friends...don't make bitchy comments to me."
  Melissa stormed off after Richard.
  "And still not talking to you," Jared said, following Melissa.
  Melissa turned the corner. Her jaw was still dropped. Across the street was the Dominion Hotel...or what was left of it. Most of the neighborhood had blackened walls...what walls were left.
  Melissa stumbled forward. What had happened?

  "You okay?"
  Randy looked over at Ethan as they walked down the street. He did not expect that. Maybe he was like most of his doubles...Randy shook his head.
  "Just thought someone would be at the Dominion," Randy said.
  "Your meet up place, right?" Ethan asked.
  "Yeah," Randy said. "Never know what might happen if you slide into a world. Get separated."
  "Word!" Ethan agreed. "Dru, Kims, and I had a few moments like that since the end of the 'Maggs. Have this bar we meet up at. On our world, it was our flat."
  "Flat?"
  "Bedplace. You should get out."
  "I get out."
  "Mr. Dagger Man? I don't think so."
  Randy chuckled. So did Ethan. They both frowned.
  "You know I don't like you, right?" Ethan asked.
  "Ditto," Randy said.
  "Good," Ethan said, resuming their walk. "What do you think causing that neighborhood to be like that? Looks like a bomb hit it."
  "I have no idea," Randy said.
  "You should."
  Randy turned. A figure in brown robes came out of hiding. A gun was trained on him. Meanwhile the figure worn a scarf to cover their face. They removed it. Randy's eyes widened.
  "You caused it," Jenna Heim said.

  "Hello, big brother," Jenna said. "Remember me?"
  "This is your...sister?" Ethan asked, looking about at the other robed people surrounding them.
  Randy looked at the dark-haired girl. He was still getting to know his sister...his whole family in fact...before he got sucked back into this world. And the sister he knew...was not angry like this one.
  "Cat got your tongue, Brother?" Jenna challenged. "Doesn't surprise me at all. You were always into your little gizmos...inventions. Getting things...creating bigger. Dad thought you were just playing. Then...this? How could you even show your face?"
  "Uh....sorry?" Randy uttered.
  "Sorry doesn't bring Dad or Jared back," Jenna said.
  "Neither does killing me," Randy replied.
  "Maybe," said one of the robed people.
  "Yeah," added another.
  "Uh...Ran," Ethan said, looking around. "They're on the move."
  Randy continued to stare at Jenna. Then he turned to look at Ethan. Ethan stared at him confused.
  "Don't worry," Randy said. "She won't shoot me."
  "Why do you think that?" Jenna asked.
  Randy turned to look at her. "Because you'll not the one who kills me."
  In a flash, Randy flipped Jenna's eyes widened at the quickness. He knocked the gun out of her hand. She screamed, running down the street.
  Randy turned quickly, pulling out his two daggers. He paused. Ethan had a leg holding one of the robed man down. The other one was unconscious.
  "You move fast," Randy commented.
  "Only on the crappy stuff," Ethan said.
  "Let's head," Randy said.
  Ethan kicked the robed man in the face, knocking him unconscious.
  "Yeah," Ethan said. "Let's."

  Rembrandt looked in the back of the Jeep. Quinn looked back at him, frowning. They both looked at the driver. Quinn was sure Rembrandt noted the irony.
  "I still can't believe it," Conrad Bennish, Jr. Said as he drove on the road. "Great to know there are people in this section of the world."
  "This section of...?" Rembrandt muttered.
  "Yeah, Man," Bennish said. "This...was worldwide. I decided...why not road trip? See if I can discover survivors."
  "Have there been?" Quinn asked.
  "A few," Bennish said. "Loved the O'leans chicks. Nice to know the storm didn't take out everyone in its wake."
  "Storm?" Quinn uttered.
  Bennish looked back at him. "Yeah. Randy Heim's slide storm. Tore this world a sunder and all that." He frowned. "You didn't know?"

  Melissa huffed in frustration. She threw the dusty remains of the newspaper against a library shelf. Isabel came out from a shelf, shaking her head.
  "I agree with your better half," Isabel said. "This is one of the few buildings that looks somewhat intact. Surely there's something here that explains what happened."
  "Have you found anything?" Melissa asked.
  "No."
  "Then there's nothing here."
  "Great brain though."
  Melissa stood up. "Don't start."
  Isabel frowned in confusion. "I...don't--"
  "God, Izzie!" Melissa exclaimed. "At least get your own materials. What wannabe femme fatale, are you? Rebecca? Eve?"
  Isabel frowned. "I'm...me."
  "Uh...no," Melissa shot back. "Isabel was Jared's happy-go-lucky girlfriend. Who are you?"
  Isabel looked down for a moment. Then she looked up again, a crazed look on her face. Melissa stepped back.
  "Yes...I was that," Isabel said. "I was shown a different way. A way where I could have a bit of fun. I could want I want." She stood in front of Melissa. "Is that a crime?"
  "It is when you leave people to die."
  Melissa looked behind Isabel. Isabel turned to look as well. Jared emerged from the shelves, glaring at her.
  "We were together four months," Jared said, his temper rising judging by his tone. "Four months, Isabel. Together in our hate of the 'Maggs. Our love of...you know. Was it all a dream? Was I dreaming?"
  "No, Jared, it wasn't," Isabel said. "It...things changed."
  "Apparently. You left me on a sidewalk on a world where the homeless are used for spare limbs."
  Isabel glared at Jared. "I'm sorry about that."
  "Really? Then show it," Jared challenged.
  Melissa looked at Isabel. Isabel honestly looked unsure of what she should say. Meanwhile, Jared glared at her, arms over his chest.
  "Are you guys done?"
  Melissa looked past Jared. Richard stood behind him. He stared at the scene, his eyes revealing nothing.
  "I found something," Richard said, "and I don't think it's good."

  "So...you have a sister?"
  Randy looked over at Ethan. They walked around the campus lawn. He nodded.
  "Yeah," Randy said. "On my world, my parents gave me up for adoption. Too young. And Jared...didn't exist on that world."
  "You two don't seem really close," Ethan commented.
  Randy frowned. Still...he had to agree. He and Jared were not close. When the sliders found him, Randy's mind was on finding Professor Brown and killing him. There was no time to get to know the others...even if he wanted to. Now, he would do anything to not focus on the seer Cassandra's vision...
  "I guess you're right," Randy said.
  "Still," Ethan said, staring at some of the ruined buildings, "it must be nice to have family. I was an only child with an alcoholic father. I always had to scrap for what I can. Jared and the others made up for it...but still...wished for a family."
  Randy grinned. "Yeah. That's how I was. I hired a private eye to find my family. The day I was suppose to find out...I started sliding. I was so disappointed. All my life I wished for a family...and then..."
  "It's completely snatched away," Ethan said. "Bummer." He smiled. "But I get it."
  Randy smiled. It had been a while since he felt connected. And with Melissa back with Richard...it's nice to have a friend.
  "So why didn't we just stay at the hotel?" Ethan asked.
  "Who knows if my sister is a good tracker," Randy said. "Besides...maybe I can fix the timer problem."
  "And then?" Ethan asked.
  "Then? We find the others."

  Bennish's eyes widened. Quinn was just as surprised to see the Golden Gate Bridge in ruin. He looked over at Rembrandt. He also looked shocked.
  "Randy's machine did all that?" Rembrandt asked.
  "Not just this," Quinn said. "The whole world. How could he?"
  "Q-ball--"
  "How could he, Remmy? Don't any of his doubles think?"
  "You and your doubles have had your moments," Rembrandt said. "I seem to recall one of your doubles sliding a whole world to another Earth."
  "Hey!"
  "Dudes?"
  Quinn looked over at Bennish. He stared at them in total confusion. He managed a smile.
  "Old acid trip," Quinn said.
  "Ah!" Bennish said, smiling. "Cool."
  Quinn definitely did not want yet another person knowing about sliding. There were already too many people running around knowing about sliding. He intended on keeping it that way.
  "So...where to now?" Bennish asked, turning to look at them. "Don't you have--" His eyes widened. "What the--"
  Quinn turned around. Gas shot into his face. He coughed and passed out.

  Melissa looked over at Richard. He sat on the stairs that were the entrance to the remains of the Dominion. A grimace was on his face.
  "Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
  Richard glared at her. "No, Melissa. I am not okay."
  "It was a double--"
  "Don't," Richard hissed. "He wiped out a world. A world, Melissa! A race of alien conquerors I can understand. Them or us. But a world full of unsuspecting people. No wonder everyone wants to kill him."
  Melissa gasped. Richard frowned.
  "What?" Richard uttered.
  "How can you blame Randy for one of his doubles?" Melissa asked.
  "Isn't it essentially him?" Richard challenged. "Give or take a flaw?"
  "That's like saying all your doubles should be responsible for Laura Carmichael's death."
  Melissa saw Richard's face darken. She walked toward him. He held up a hand.
  "You're going to sit here and defend him over your boyfriend?" Richard asked. "Then you don't get to touch me."
  "Richard--" Melissa started.
  "It wasn't too long ago that you hated him, too," Richard said. "He got your boyfriend killed."
  Melissa stepped back as if she had been shot. The image of a Ben Loveland bleeding on a floor flashed through her mind. She had lost her way after that...shaving her head...going Goth....doing self-destructive things. Thankfully, Richard....who had lost his identity at the time...had helped her through her time. Now they were both okay...or not. She backed away.
  "You don't get to use Ben's death," Melissa said. "You were--"
  "Dead?" Richard finished. "Something that could have been avoided if Egghead led us home to begin with. And oh, yeah...he used a slide storm there...taking out a building!"
  Melissa turned to walk away. Richard jumped up. In moments, he was in her face.
  "No," Richard said. "You don't get to walk off on this one. I didn't slight you. You slighted me. I got this."
  Richard stormed away. Melissa turned away. Isabel sat on the stairs, grinning.
  "You two sure didn't fight this much on my world," Isabel commented.
  "Don't start," Melissa warned, heading past her.
  Isabel jumped in her face. "Randy seems to be so important to everyone. Would be a real shame if something happened to him."
  "You better not lay a hand on him."
  "Why not? Everyone else wants to. It would spoil it all if I...took care of him."
  "I'm not playing, Isabel."
  "I'm not scared of you...Liz."
  Melissa's hands balled into fists. Suddenly, the Dominion doors opened. Jared frowned at them.
  "Everything okay?" Jared asked.
  "Great," Isabel said.
  Melissa looked at Jared. "Richard ran off. I'm going to look for him. Watch her."
  Melissa headed off. She hoped Richard had not gotten far.

  Randy smiled. His timer chirped along. He believed he solved the problem of the stabilizer versus energy uptake now that he was giving the capabilities of a PDL. That way...
  "Any news?"
  Randy looked over at Ethan. His smile must have been contagious because Ethan smiled.
  "I think I got the timer problem solved," Randy said. "Now all we have to do...is find the others."
  "Good," Ethan said, leaning against a bookshelves, "because I was getting bored messing with myself."
  Randy frowned.
  "That didn't sound right, did it?" Ethan asked.
  Randy shook his head. "No."
  They laughed. Then...Randy heard it. Footsteps.
  "What--" Ethan started.
  "Sssh," Randy said. He slowly stood up, pulling out a dagger.
  A shadow flashed across the bookshelves of the dark library. Randy slowly moved among the stacks. Could his sister have tracked him so easily?
  Randy popped out of the stacks. All he saw around him was an empty library. He turned around...
  ...the sword came quickly. Randy ducked. He tripped his attacker. They fell onto the floor, dropping the sword.
  Randy lunged for the sword. The attacker moved quickly, swinging at Randy. His fist connected with Randy's jaw. Pain shot all over Randy's face as he fell back. The attacker snatched up his sword. It was over Randy's head.
  "Hey!"
  The attacker turned, meeting a storm of books. Before the attacker could recover, Ethan tackled them. He punched the attacker. The attacker fell unconscious. Ethan looked over at Randy.
  "Are you okay?" Ethan asked.
  Randy rubbed his jaw. "Yeah."
  "Good. Now let's see--oh."
  Randy looked at the attacker. His eyes widened. It...was his double.

  Randy sat down in the chair in front of his double. The double was still unconscious, tied to a chair. He looked at him. He did not look too different than him. Obviously, he had a tough skin, too.
  "So he's responsible for this world."
  Randy looked behind him. Ethan stood in the door, leaning against the side. He studied the double with a kind of awe on his face.
  Randy stared at his double. "Yes...he is."
  "And you have an idea of what he did?" Ethan asked.
  "I do," Randy said. "I've invented quite a few."
  Ethan cocked an eyebrow. "Really? Kill anyone?"
  Randy looked at him. "You're out of the Kromagg camp, aren't you?"

  Quinn opened his eyes. His mind was a bit fuzzy. He tried to move to find he could not.
  "I think he's waking up," whispered a voice nearby.
  "Good for him," said another voice.
  "What now?" a third asked.
  Quinn's sight came into focus. He was in a dimly lit room...more than likely a basement judging from the low ceiling. He saw the shapes of people hovering nearby, watching him.
  One of the people stepped closer. Her figure revealed her as woman. One of her hands held something.
  "Now," she said, "we see what he knows."

  Melissa made it back to the Dominion. She could feel her frustration building. She had not seen Richard at all. He completely vanished on her. As she walked up the stairs, she hoped he had come back.
  Melissa threw open the door. On what was left of the couch in the Dominion lobby, Isabel shot up her eyes wide. A second later, Jared shot up, holding Isabel from the back. She sat on his lap. Melissa arched an eyebrow.
  "Gee, Jared," Melissa said. "For someone who doesn't like Isabel, you two sure look comfy."
  "I--" Jared started.
  "Whatever," Melissa cut in. "Either of you see Richard?"
  Isabel frowned. "Weren't you looking for him?"
  "Didn't find him."
  "Pity," Isabel said, leaning down to kiss Jared. "No kiss and make up for you."
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. She narrowed her eyes. They were on Jared.
  "I expected better of you," Melissa said.
  Isabel glared. "At least he's not kissing someone when he has someone else."
  Melissa's eyes widened on Jared. Jared did not even look shocked by Isabel's statement. He looked smug in fact at the fact he aired Melissa's dirty laundry.
  "You two were made for each other," Melissa said sarcastically. "Cute."
  Melissa stormed away. She was heading to bed. Richard...would have to wait.

  Randy leaned against the wall. His double was still unconscious. He thought about the world he was on what his double had did.
  He couldn't really condemn him. Haven't Randy also created inventions that had unforeseen consequences? for all he knew, the missing people were on an alternate Earth...and not dead as his sister seem to think.
  "Sorry," Randy said aloud.
  "What's that?"
  Randy looked up at the room's door. Ethan walked in, his hands were full of covers and blankets. He moved to Randy's side, dropping them.
  "That's all I could find that looked clean," Ethan said, kneeling beside him. "What were you talking about?"
  "Nothing," Randy said. "Just...thinking aloud."
  "Okay," Ethan said. He looked over at Randy's double and frowned. "He still out?"
  "Yeah," Randy said. "I guess you punched him real good."
  "Well," Ethan said, making a fist, "that's what happens when you live on the streets."
  Randy looked down at his feet. "So...Jared knew no one either...in our family I mean."
  "Not that Mia, Dru, and me knew of," Ethan said. "Mother was usually Dru's job...until the camps. Then she changed. but...who wouldn't? We were lucky to be on the same planet."
  Randy nodded. He had not really talked to his alternate brother since Quinn first found him on Dark Slider World. He loved the irony of the fact they were both alone as they were growing up.
  A hand on his shoulder brought Randy out of his thoughts. He automatically knocked the hand off his shoulder. Ethan threw up his hands.
  "Whoa!" Ethan exclaimed. "Time out!"
  Randy calmed down. "Sorry. Your doubles are usually too...touchy-feely for my taste."
  "My doubles?" Ethan uttered. He managed a smile. "Yeah...you mentioned them when we first met. You seem to know an alternate me. What was I like?"
  Randy inched away from him. "Uh...passionate."
  "Great!" Ethan exclaimed. "Jared was right! You think I'm gay."
  "Are you?" Randy countered.
  A cough interrupted the talk. Randy looked over at his double. He coughed again...before turning to the left, still unconscious. Randy looked over at Ethan, jaw dropped.
  "Wow!" Randy exclaimed. "You really do--"
  "Sweet," Ethan cut him off, grabbing a blanket. He moved to the other side of the room. "Busy day tomorrow. We get to find our friends."
  Without another word, Ethan covered himself with the blanket. He turned away from Randy. Randy stared at him for a moment. Then he grabbed his blanket and turned away.

  Quinn's head throbbed. He knew what it was from. There was just so much beating he could take...and he was about ready to be a stool-pigeon.
  "So you honestly think he came back with an army?" a voice asked out of the darkness.
  Quinn flickered open a bruised eye. The basement was brighter than it was earlier...a sign it was morning. A young dark-haired girl sat in a ragged chair, cleaning a gun. Across from her was a guy with blond hair that was completely disheveled. He looked at her, awaiting an answer.
  "Seeing him yesterday," the girl said. "And all of these others after years of no one? Can't just be a coincidence."
  "Well, if you're right, Jenna," the guy said, "could you do it?"
  Jenna frowned. "I saw my parents blink out of existence, Riley. Gone before I could...and to get a phone call from my brother...telling me it was his fault?" Jenna's face darkened. She aimed her gun at a wall. "if he was right there...he would be dead. Bang!"
  Quinn had to agree. If he saw Randy again, he was sure he was going to give him a piece of his mind. There were going to be changes. He had just had it with being people's hostage and--
  "Look at whom's fetching."
  Quinn's hair was grabbed. His head jerked back. The cold steel of a knife touched his throat. His eyes dotted to his left. Ryan Styles glared at him.
  "Think you two could pay attention," Ryan said.
  "He was out, Ryan," Riley said, standing up.
  "Looks like it's time to begin again," Jenna said, also standing up. "Bring the other two in." She stared at Quinn. "You're about to become God."

  Melissa was in a mood. When she woke up, she found there was no sign of Richard. She also saw Jared and Isabel on the couch, cuddling. It was enough to make her sick.
  She paused next to the destroyed Abe Lincoln statue in Golden Gate Park. She heard movement. She walked around it, her eyes widening.
  "Richard!" Melissa yelped.
  Richard rolled over. His eyes flickered up. He frowned.
  "What are you doing here?" Richard asked.
  "Me?" Melissa said. "What are YOU doing here?"
  Richard sat up. "Taking a break."
  "Do you think you could have done that at the Dominion?"
  Richard frowned. "Defeats the purpose of a break." He stood up. "Any sign of anyone?"
  "No," Melissa said. "And Jared and Isabel hooked up."
  Richard gasped. "No way! Really? Horndogs." He started to walk away. "Let's see..."
  "Richard, what about us?"
  Richard paused, his back to Melissa. Melissa stared at his back. After a moment, he turned around.
  "What about us?" Richard asked. "You defend your 'best friend' more than your boyfriend." He bowed. "Good act."
  "Richard--" Melissa started.
  "Don't," Richard said. "You know Quinn didn't want to go after Randy. Thought we should head home. Really...only Rebecca and you wanted to find him. And we know why she did."
  "Because she was sleeping with him," Melissa said with a roll of her eyes.
  "So what does that say about you?"
  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest.
  "You know...the Richard I know wouldn't be this insecure," Melissa said. She walked to Richard and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You have me. Why wreck it?"
  Richard grinned. "Hmmm...that's cute." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "But do I have you?"
  Melissa leaned in and kissed him. His lips gave him. She could feel his smile.

  Randy woke up. He looked across the room. Ethan looked back at him. He shot up quickly...to see his double stirring. Then...his eyes opened.
  "So," Randy said, "you're awake."
  "And you," Randy's double said, "are me." He tilted his head. "And since I know I do not have a twin...hmm...you are from an alternate Earth."
  "Hm," Randy said. "Good observation."
  "Not good," the double said. "I am quite sure most of my doubles on alternate worlds are excellent inventors...scientists. We are great tinkers." He turned to Ethan. "And great pickers of mates. Hey, handsome. Nice punch."
  "Uh," Ethan said, sitting up, "thanks."
  "So what did you do?" Randy asked.
  The double looked at Randy. His eyes were full of skepticism. Finally, he sighed.
  "It was just an experiment," Randy's double started. "I figured there was a way to travel dimensions. All I had to do was find a way." He smirked. "All I could get was anti-gravity...and being able to turn a coffee machine filter into a weapon. One night I went to bed frustrated. The next day, I just knew it. The equation.
  "I started small. A ball. My pet squirrel. Finally I knew...that I would have to do something bigger."
  "You mean...you?" Randy asked.
  "Yes," Randy's double said, "but I made a mistake. A wrong calculation...plus too much power." He smiled bitterly. "My sister said I wiped my parents out. I guess I'm glad since the amount of power plus the vacuum created by such a large vortex destroyed a lot of buildings. OF course, you know that."
  "Did you even bother to try to find out if they are alive?" Randy asked.
  The double stared at Randy. He said nothing. Randy knew the look though. It remind him of a few years ago when Melissa and he had been separated from Professor Brown and Richard. He knew. His double had attempted to look. But the truth was there...with the mass of power he had used, changes were really good that everyone was...
  Randy stood up. He walked out without another word.

  Quinn headed movement. he tried to turn, but he was tied firmly in the chair. Jenna sat in a chair. She managed a smile.
  "So, Ryan," Jenna said, "it's a game of God?"
  A big shape moved past Quinn's left. It came into view. It was Ryan. He dragged a tied-up Rembrandt with him. He looked at Jenna and smiled.
  "Yeah, Jenna," Ryan said, throwing Rembrandt onto the couch. "I think it's time for a game of God."
  Another big shape moved past Quinn, this time on his right. Riley dragged a tied-up Bennish over to the couch. He tossed him onto the couch next to Rembrandt.
  "I agree with Ryan," Riley said. "Might give him some perspective."
  "Are you all crazy?" Rembrandt asked.
  "I think you answered your own question," Bennish said.
  "Guys!" Quinn yelled. "Not funny."
  Jenna pulled out a gun. She aimed it at him. "No...it's not."
  "Hey!" Rembrandt yelled.
  Jenna looked at Rembrandt.
  "Don't worry," Ryan said. "It's not him she's gonna shoot."
  Jenna aimed her gun at the couch. Quinn's eyes widened, realizing what a 'game of God' was. He looked over at Riley. Riley smirked at him.
  "Two guys. One shot," Riley said. "And guess who gets to pick?"
  "What?" Bennish shrieked. "No way, man!" He looked at Rembrandt. "Is he serious?"
  "Dead," Jenna deadpanned.
  "Who dies?" Ryan asked, his eyes on Quinn.
  Quinn shook his head. He couldn't do this. He wouldn't do this.
  "No," Quinn uttered, looking away. "You can't make me do--"
  A hand grabbed his chin, forcing Quinn to look forward. He stared into Ryan's eyes. He stared at a man looking at him full of contempt.
  "'No' isn't an option," Ryan spit out. "Who is it going to be? The hippie or the black man."
  "No, I--" Quinn started.
  "One...," Ryan cut him off.
  "What?"
  "...two..."
  Quinn shook his head, his eyes watering. "You can't make me..."
  "...three!" Ryan yelled.
  The gun went off.
  "No!" Quinn shouted.

  Melissa opened the Dominion doors slowly, unsure of what would be on the other side. Richard squeezed her hand, pushing the doors open.
  Isabel threw on her shirt. Meanwhile, Jared quickly worked on snapping on his belt buckle. Melissa felt her eyes narrow. She looked over at Richard. He stared at the scene wide-eyed.
  "Wow!" Richard exclaimed. "You two sure don't waste time."
  Isabel gave a small grin. "Jealous?"
  "Ha! Funny!" Richard said. He looked at Jared. "What happened to 'not talking to you?'"
  Jared frowned. "What happened to you two fighting?"
  Richard wrapped an arm around Melissa's waist. She leaned into him, smiling. She was sure he was smiling as well.
  "Things change," Richard said.
  Jared walked up behind Isabel. He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning down to kiss her neck. She giggled, smirking.
  "Exactly," Jared said.
  Melissa heard it. Footsteps. She turned around.
  Ethan walked through the doors. He looked around the room, a smile creeping onto his face. His eyes settled on Jared.
  "Boss!" Ethan exclaimed. "You're alive!"
  "Yeah," Jared said. "Where have you been?"
  "Wondering where you'd been," Ethan said. "Randy thought he made some miscalculation so we all land--"
  Melissa stepped away from Richard. "Randy's alive?"
  Ethan looked at her. "Yeah. He vanished hours ago. I thought he might have already come here to look again. Guess not."
  He turned and headed out the door. Melissa frowned.
  "Where are you going?" Melissa asked.
  "To look for him," Ethan said. "His sister is out there...all too willing to shoot him for what his double did."
  Melissa's eyes widened. "You know?"
  "Yeah. We ran into the double."
  Ethan headed down the stairs. Melissa followed.
  "Wait!" Melissa yelled. "I'm coming, too."

  Quinn let the tears flow. His shoulders were hurled over. It just wasn't right. All he wanted twas to find the missing people, stop the Kromaggs, and get home to Wade so they could marry. What he didn't want...was another life on his head or blood on his hands.
  Rembrandt's eyes were wide on the couch. His back was to the back of the couch. He did not move. After a long silence, Rembrandt...blinked.
  Quinn looked beside Rembrandt. Bennish's eyes were also wide on the couch. His back laid back to the back of the couch. Like Rembrandt, Bennish did not move. After a long silence, Bennish...his shirt went red. And the red grew.
  Quinn looked at Ryan, his eyes full of disbelief. He turned to Jenna, her gun still smoking. Her face was blank as she looked at the corpse. Riley nodded.
  "I didn't like him, either," Riley said.
  "Oh, God," Rembrandt uttered. "You people have been along so long, you've lost it."
  "Have we?" Jenna countered. She aimed the gun at Rembrandt. "I guess that means I won't feel anything shooting another of my brother's soldiers."
  "We have nothing to do with Randy Heim!" Quinn yelled. "Can't you see that?"
  Suddenly...a loud sound echoed through the room. Ryan looked past Quinn. So did Jenna. She aimed her gun at someone. A flash passed Quinn on his right. A figure knocked Jenna backwards. Just as quickly, the figure turned, throwing a dagger at Ryan, stabbing him in the neck. He coughed back and fell to the floor.
  "Oh, no you don't!" Riley snapped, pulling out a gun.
  "Guess again!"
  Rembrandt rammed Riley...right into Randy's fist. Randy walked over to Quinn and started to untie Quinn.
  "Are you okay?" Randy asked.
  Quinn looked at Randy like he was just seeing him for the first time. Randy frowned. Still, he untied Quinn's hands.
  "How about--" Randy started.
  "Randy!" Rembrandt yelled.
  Randy whipped around. His dagger shot through the air. It got Jenna in the stomach. She gasped, dropping her gun. Randy stared at her, his face shocked for a moment. Then his face went blank.
  "Like I said," Randy said, "you're not the one who kills me."
  Jenna gasped. Then she fell to the floor. Randy looked at her for a moment. Then he faced Quinn.
  "It's good to see you're alive," Randy said. "That means the others are here and--"
  Quinn swung out, punching Randy in the jaw. Randy fell back, unconscious.

  "Ah!"
  Ethan snatched the ice bag from Randy. He glared at him.
  "You're lucky there was a refrigerator with ice working," Ethan said.
  Randy grabbed the ice bag back. He put it on his right eye. He managed a smile.
  "Thanks, Ethan," Randy said. He hopped off the Dominion front desk counter.
  Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. "I still don't trust you."
  Randy smirked. "I don't trust you either. But...you're cool."
  Ethan smiled. "You, too." He frowned. "Except for that hair."
  Randy frowned. "What's wrong with my hair?"
  The two of them laughed. Randy saw movement from the corner of his eye. He turned quickly. He stood face to face with Quinn. Quinn held up the timer.
  "Well?" Randy asked.
  "I did the corrections," Quinn said. "If you took care of the power uptake, we're good to go."
  "Did it yesterday," Randy said.
  "Good," Quinn said, starting to turn.
  "I guess this is the start of a beautiful friendship," Randy said.
  Quinn paused. He turned, glaring at Randy.
  "No," Quinn said, "we're not. I can't be friends with someone with revenge on his mind."
  "That won't be an issue anymore," Randy said.
  "I only have your word on that. Your word means nothing. From here on out, I'm keeping the timer."
  Randy frowned. "What?"
  "You heard me," Quinn said. "Someone was shot. Someone who wouldn't have if you had left it all alone. If you had trusted me. No more. Too many people are relying on me. Someone's gotta keep us focused. You have a minute."
  Quinn walked over to the others who had gathered in the lobby. Randy frowned. Richard approached.
  "Did it hurt?" Richard asked.
  "Yeah," Ethan said. "Obviously."
  "Good," Richard said. "I'll do worse if you do anything with Melissa. Got me?"
  Randy glared. "Don't worry. She made her choice."
  "Yes," Richard said with a smile, "she did."
  Richard walked off. Randy glared at him as Richard walked back over to Melissa. If he really threw his hat in...Randy shook his head.
  A hand touched his shoulder. This time, Randy did not jump. He turned and looked at Ethan.
  "You going to be okay?" Ethan asked.
  "Yes," Randy said, "I will."

THE-END


 

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