Randy Heim
We had just escaped from the Kromaggs, a race of sliding conquerors. they had tracked me down on Rebecca Pryce's world, a world where people got by by conning. I'm sure they had tracked us down through Brown. He had been working with them all along.
Due to that revelation, we had missed our sliding window. So I theorized that putting in my home coordinates (which Rebecca had) and forcing open a vortex early would a)get us away from the 'Maggs and b) get us home.
Randy felt like he was being torn in two. Such was the effect of opening a vortex early. His mouth opened to scream. Nothing came out. He...unformed.
Randy Heim
Could Rebecca be trusted with so much on the line?
With his powers returned, could Brown?
And what of this Richard clone? How much of him was clone? How much was Richard? Could I trust him?
In any case...
Randy fell out of the vortex. His back hit the grass first. He twisted over, his hand releasing the timer. He looked over at it. It laid a few feet away, sparks shooting from it.
Randy Heim
...the timer was fried. That usually happened when a vortex was opened early. However, I was surprised...
Feet stepped into Randy's line of vision. There were cotton boots on the feet. Randy looked up to see who they belong to. They belonged to the last person he expected to see. A cotton-shirt and breeches wearing Ethan, a person who he encountered on various slides who loved Randy.
Randy looked to his left. Rebecca was sitting up. She looked at him. He glared.
Randy Heim
...that we were not home.
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 9: THE LINE
"You liar!"
Melissa Clark lunged at Rebecca. Richard Hall grabbed her and held on tight. She yelled and attempted to claw her way out of his arms.
Randy Heim
And that pretty much sums up everyone's reaction.
And that...was three weeks ago...
A noise got Randy's attention. He looked up from his wooden desk. Rebecca Pryce set onto the floor from the ladder which was the only way to this floor. She didn't look evil now that she was dressed in a brown cotton shirt with a long dark brown skirt. Then she frowned.
"You're writing?" Rebecca muttered. "I would think that if you really wanted to go home..."
Randy turned in his chair to face her.
"Funny you should say that," Randy said. "I recall someone...YOU...claiming to give me my home coordinates. What happened with that?"
"Simple. I lied."
"You were that willing to gamble with your life?" Randy demanded. "Starting a vortex could have caused it to collapse."
Rebecca smirked, showing her trademark cunning. "I trusted your intelligence."
"I should leave you here."
"You do...no coordinates."
"Perhaps Mr. Heim is willing to take that chance."
Randy turned around, standing. Professor Darnell Brown stepped off Randy's window ledge. Randy had taken up residence in Ethan's barn. He was on the second floor. Brown approached him like he flew through his window every day.
"You know that's freaky," Rebecca commented.
"Do not attempt to change the subject, Ms. Pryce," Brown said, staring at her. "I--"
"Actually," Randy cut in, "I agree with her."
Brown looked at Randy. Randy saw the hurt in his eyes. He did not care.
"Is she wrong?" Randy continued. "You have had your powers back for months."
"Powers," Brown said, "that the Cromagnon Kromaggs have helped me to control in a way that the Altantians never did."
"At what price?" Rebecca asked.
Brown glared at Rebecca. "You grow tiresome."
"Again, she's right," Randy said. "The...Altantian Kromaggs...put the thing in your head so you could be their super agent. It killed the nanotechs and anyone who got close. It took over and attacked us. Who is to say the Cromagnons do not have the same in mind?"
Brown stared at Randy. His eyes narrowed.
"I do," Brown said. "You remember me? Professor Darnell Brown. One of the brilliant minds at SFSU. The one with the insightful papers on quantum mechanics."
"Yeah, you look real smart with dreadlocks," Rebecca said. "Need a bong?"
"That is--"
"Enough!" Randy snapped. He headed for his ladder. "I need some air!"
"Should you not be working on the timer?" Brown asked.
Randy spun around. "It's been three weeks. I don't think it's going anywhere. Maybe you should be heading to the Line now. Don't want to be here after curfew."
"Mr. Heim!" Brown snapped.
"I'm looking for Melissa," Randy said, reaching the ladder.
"That shouldn't be too hard," Rebecca commented.
Randy paused on the first step. He looked at Rebecca. She smirked.
"If you had been caught over here--," Randy started.
"--I would have done what I do best," Rebecca replied. "Lied."
Randy's face became a glare. "Get to the Line."
Without another word, Randy descended from the ladder. He knew very well where Melissa was. What he didn't know was her mindset.
Melissa looked over at the band. The bongo drummer thumped away at his drum, his eyes on Melissa. He smiled. She smiled back. Then she turned in her wooden stool and drank the beer from her mug. She downed it in a moment. She threw the mug down on the makeshift corner, getting the bartender's attention.
"I swear, Liz," he said. "How much can you take?"
"A lot, Thorn," Melissa said to the double of her friend. "Give me another."
Thorn grabbed the mug. "Anything for the lady."
Melissa put her elbow on the counter. She stared at Thorn. He was a far cry from her friend. He was not a Goth. His hair was shaggy sandy-blond. Instead of leather, he wore a loose cottoned tan shirt with baggy drawstring pants. She grinned as he bend over to get something.
"He does have a nice butt."
Melissa turned around. Ethan stood behind her. He sat on the stool next to her.
"So...any sign of Randy?" Ethan asked.
"Is Randy ever here?" Melissa shot back.
"Excuse me?"
"Ethan...it's been three weeks," Melissa said. "Give it up."
"Maybe what Randy needs is to see me out here," Ethan said, turning to look at the crowd. "The Dominion looks busy tonight."
Melissa turned around. There were quite a few people throwing up their hands and dancing. It was weird since the Dominion was just a really large tent. The people were not in chic attire, but in cotton tan shirts and drawstring pants and long skirts. It was like an Amish society...except everyone here were young.
"It is busy," Melissa said.
"Look," Ethan said. "There's your friend."
Melissa looked at where Ethan pointed. Richard hopped with the other people. In fact, he had two blondes swirling for him.
Melissa turned away. She saw her mug was back. She took a swig.
"Maybe tonight will be the night," Ethan said beside her.
Melissa frowned. She put down her mug. She glared at him.
"You know," Melissa said, "I'm glad that you're accepted here, but...give it up. He's not into you."
"Then...who is he into?"
Melissa took a swig. "Good question."
"Is it a question?"
Melissa frowned. Then she turned around. Randy stood behind her. The three weeks had been good to him. His brown hair, normally short, had grown shoulder length. His chest through his shirt looked nice. He was clean-shaven...for a change.
"Randy...hey!" Ethan exclaimed. "Good to see you could FINALLY make it."
Randy continued to look at Melissa. She turned away from him. She continued on her beer.
"What's going on with you, Melissa?" Randy asked.
"She's just having a good time," Ethan answered. "Everyone who comes to the Dominion expect no less."
"Took the words right out of my mouth," Melissa said.
"This isn't you," Randy said.
Melissa spun around. "As if you know me!"
"I know you," Randy said.
"Wanta bet?" Melissa challenged. "What do I want?"
"To go home."
"Wrong!" Melissa yelled. "What I want...is to have a good time. And you are wrecking it!"
"I'm--"
"Sorry? After the hell, I've been through...you should be."
Melissa stormed away. If she was going to cry, she refused to do it in front of Randy. He wasn't getting the satisfaction.
Richard's forehead wrinkled up as he felt arms wrap around his waist. His girls also frowned. One look from Melissa made them run off.
"You just don't want me to get any play, huh?" Richard asked.
Melissa swirled around to the front of Richard. She tripped, but recovered quickly. She grabbed Richard, leaning in closer.
"Well, if that is all you want...," Melissa said.
She kissed him. He gave into her tongue playing with his. Then he pulled away.
"You're drunk," Richard said.
"So? What else is new?" Melissa replied.
Richard looked over at the counter.
"Oh, I see," Richard said. "Egghead is here."
"I don't care," Melissa said. "Kiss me."
"Please...I'm not stepping into this."
"Why? Richard would."
Richard frowned. Melissa kicked herself mentally. He was still dealing with the fact that he was a clone with Richard's memories. The last thing he needed was to be reminded.
"Richard--," Melissa started.
Richard pushed her away. "No. Don't call me that name. After all...it's not like I'm him, right?"
Melissa stared at him helplessly. He glared at her.
"Three weeks," he said. "Three weeks and I still feel like a copy. Thanks."
Richard started to storm from the clearing that was the floor. At the same time, the music abruptly stopped Gasps ran through the crowd. Melissa looked where everyone was looking.
There was a woman at the entrance to the tent. She looked like she was in her early forties. She was dressed in a business suit. Her eyes looked surprised. She looked over at the bar. Thorn stormed over to her.
"Phillip?" she said. "I was worried about you. You can't just--"
Thorn pulled out a gun. Gasps sounded through the room.
"I am sorry," Thorn said. "You're under arrest for crossing the Line after curfew."
"Phillip, I'm your--"
"If you resist arrest, you will get shot."
Melissa woke up. Her hand immediately went to her head. God, she drunk way too much. She got up to head to the bathroom.
Melissa paused. Richard was asleep in a chair in the corner. the sun peeked through the curtains, hitting his face. He looked so peaceful.
She wondered if she would ever feel that peaceful again. She continued to the restroom.
"What? No hi?"
Melissa turned around. Richard tilted his head in the chair. A smirk crossed his face.
"Hi," Melissa said.
"Are we hungover enough?" Richard asked.
"You tell me."
"I'm fine."
"Good."
"Great."
"Fine."
Richard leaned forward. "Then tell me. How long is this grudge going to go on between you and Egghead?"
"Me? Grudge?" Melissa said sarcastically. "No. Never. I hate him."
"Why?"
Melissa frowned. "What?"
Richard sat back. "Why do you hate him? He is trying to get you home."
"Which he wouldn't have to if he had left me alone."
"Could you have let him? He was like...your best friend?" Richard managed. "You couldn't leave him hanging."
Melissa glared. "How would you know?"
Richard stood up. "Because that's what I've been doing with you. How do you think you got home?"
Melissa frowned. Now that Richard mentioned it, Melissa did not remember. Richard nodded his head.
"That's right," Richard said. "It was me. And given what you said last night--"
"I'm sorry," Melissa said. "I didn't mean--"
"It's okay," Richard said. "I would be the same way if you were a copy of my ex."
Melissa must have had the weirdest look on her face because Richard smiled. He stood next to her and touched her shoulder.
"I have the memories, but not the emotions," Richard said, "so don't worry. I'm not him."
Richard headed for her door. Melissa stared around her in confusion. She turned her head.
"Then...who are you?" Melissa asked.
Richard turned to face her.
"Honestly?" Richard said. "I don't know."
Randy had woken up around six that morning. It had been a practice of his to wake up and work on the timer. This world was divided by a wall called the Line. And safely Randy was not of an age to be on that side. He was on the side that did not have a lot of technological advances. So repairing the timer was feeling like accomplishing one of Hercules's tasks.
To distract himself sometimes Randy had gone back to tinkering again. A makeshift flashlight here. A radio receiver there. Sometimes he could lose himself in creating things.
Randy blinked as he sat at his desk. He looked down. The timer was on the left near the edge of the desk. Meanwhile there were sheets of papers in front of him. He looked at his right hand. He had picked up a pencil and not noticed. Not good.
"So what's that?"
Randy nearly jumped off of the stool. Ethan stared at the drawings and equations Randy created. His forehead wrinkled up as he tried to take the equations in.
"I don't get it," Ethan said. "But that picture...is it a gun or a spaceship?"
"It," Randy said, grabbing up the papers and moving off the stool, "is a little project I'm working on." He made it to his drawer and put the papers under his clothes. "Nothing important."
"You know who you remind me of?" Ethan asked. "Quinn Mallory. My brother always told me he was creating little things before he crossed the Line." Ethan looked out of the barn's window. "I wonder how he's doing on that side."
Randy looked out of the barn's window. He made out forest-green and some cottage as well as the road. On the horizon was a dark wall. It was a wall people on this side crossed over to when they hit 30. Most never came back.
A hand on Randy's shoulder brought him back to reality. Ethan smiled at him.
"It's been great having you here," Ethan said.
"Thanks," Randy managed. "I..."
Ethan leaned in on Randy. Randy quickly moved away. He made it to his desk before he turned around. Ethan frowned.
"Randy--," Ethan started.
"Ethan...I'm not like that," Randy said, the words reminding him of other times he had to say it to Ethan's doubles.
"Are you with anyone?"
"No, but--"
"Then why not?" Ethan challenged. "We're men. Men have needs...you have a problem, let me solve it for you."
Ethan approached Randy.
"Ethan--"
"Randy...we're human. We...have a need to connect." He stood before Randy. "Don't you? When was the last time you did?"
Randy could remember instantly. It was with Paige Kendall. While he thought he was someone else when he developed feelings, Randy still had feelings for her when he realized who he was. He still had feelings for her when he realized she had come from the future to kill him before he killed her father his archenemy. He still had feelings even though he also loved Melissa. That fact nearly destroyed Melissa and caused her to turn to a double of Ben. And it had been months since he had connection to anyone as close as Ethan meant.
"Let me in," Ethan whispered. "you don't have to be strong alone."
Randy opened his mouth to speak. Ethan's lips silenced him. He pecked at his upper lip before he went to the lower one. Then he kissed both. He pulled back, leaving Randy feeling surprised. He...didn't know what to think.
"Uh...I hate to interrupt..."
Randy stepped back from Ethan. Richard stood on the ladder.
"...but that woman from last night...Melissa's friend's mother...is about to be hung," Richard said.
Melissa looked among the crowd in the town square. A few guys threw their hands up as a cart pulled into the square. They looked like spectators at a football game. It turned Melissa's stomach.
Melissa made it to the front of the crowd. They surrounded a raised platform with two men on it. One man's face was covered with a black hood. The other man was a blond who barely looked twenty-one.
The cart approached the back of the platform. Thorn's mother was in the back, her hands tied in front of her. Her business suit was dirtied as the two men standing with her dragged her out of the cart. The blond man turned to the crowd. It cheered.
"Welcome, everyone," the blond man began. "As you know, we don't have time for reminders of old people and their conservative ways. That is why the Line was created. They want to tell people what to do...then they can...there. We will do what we want, when we want." He turned to Thorn's mother. "And what we want...is blood. A warning for the other 'adults' to remind them...stay on your side of the Line. The night is ours."
The crowd cheered up like a choir from hell. Melissa looked to her left. She stood next to Thorn. His face looked haunted.
The blond man held Thorn's mother's face in his hand. "And you as a mother know better than to be on this side after dark. Especially since you never let us on your side ever."
The crowd agreed. Thorn's mother looked like she was about to faint. The men dragged her over to the nook in the center of the platform.
Melissa felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around. It was Richard. Randy and Ethan stood next to him.
"We have to do something," Melissa said.
"Uh...huh?" Richard managed.
"We can't--," Randy started.
"Not talking to you," Melissa snapped.
"Randy is still right," Ethan said. "Do you realize what will happen if we do something? This is law."
Melissa looked back at the platform. The crowd cheered as one of the guards put the nook around Thorn's mother's neck. The men stood back. The man with the black hood approached the level. Meanwhile, the leader turned to the crowd.
"Are we ready?" he asked.
In response, the crowd cheered.
"Then, let's--"
Melissa heard it. A click. A whir. Then the leader jerked, a result of the arrow in his chest. He coughed, blood spitting out. He tumbled into the crowd.
As gasps exploded from among the crowd, the man with the black hood grabbed Thorn's mother. He picked her up and jumped into the cart. It took off.
"What in the world!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Someone's doing the right thing," Melissa said. "Come on!"
Randy looked back into the crowd as Melissa ran away. In a window, he saw a figure. He ran for the house.
"Wait!" Ethan yelled.
Randy ignored him. He pushed through the panicking crowd. Finally he made it to the house. He kicked in the door.
A figure jumped off the stairs. His hand tightened on his bow. Randy looked at his face. A ponytailed Quinn Mallory stared back. He frowned.
"Randy?" Quinn managed. "What are you doing here? Jared told me you went aboard with Jenna."
"Uh...Jenna is still aboard," Randy lied. "I came back. What are you doing, Quinn?"
"Quinn?" Ethan managed from behind him. "As in Quinn Mallory?"
Quinn nodded. "The same. But now..."
Randy felt a jerk. He turned around to find several men pushing him and Ethan into the house. They entered as well. One of them closed the door. It was Wade Welles. She turned to look at Quinn.
"Good job," Wade said, approaching Quinn. She kissed him. "It's total chaos out there."
Quinn grinned. "What did you expect? They're only kids."
"Okay...what is going on?" Randy asked.
"Good question," Ethan said, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's obvious you are not suppose to be here."
"According to your 'laws,'" Quinn said, "we can come and visit until sunset. A 'law' created for mothers...like the one you were about to hang...who miss the children they gave away. And guess what? If a mother wants to see her child, it's her right to do it any time she wants!"
"Tell that to the Council!" Ethan shot back.
"I would...if I thought it was anything other than a Kangaroo Court that was only interested in power," Quinn said. "Which is why you will always be on this side...until you grow up anyway."
"Quinn...," Wade warned.
"Of course, my love," Quinn said.
Randy watched Quinn pull out a remote. He frowned.
"A bomb?" Randy demanded.
"No," Quinn said.
Then he aimed the remote behind him. Light shot from it. It hit the stairs and deformed the area. When it reformed, a circle of orange light emerged. Randy's eyes widened.
"A vortex," Randy managed.
"No," Quinn replied. "A way to cross worlds."
Melissa stormed into the Dominion.
"Thorn, have you--"
Melissa paused. Thorn was behind the counter...with his mother. There was also another figure: Ben Loveland. Melissa's chest tightened.
Ben frowned at him. "You know we can't have interlopers."
"Melissa, what--"
Melissa turned around. Richard stared at the scene. His eyes widened.
"Oh," Richard muttered.
"Liz, what are you doing?" Thorn demanded. "You can't--"
"You were in on this?" Melissa asked.
"I wasn't about to let my mother die," Thorn said.
"Phillip," Thorn's mother said. "how are you going to get us out of here?"
"Our ride should be on the way," Ben said.
Several men appeared from a hole in the tent at the back. Melissa recognized one of them as the driver of the cart. He walked over to Ben.
"I'm getting a beep," he said. "Mal must be on his way." He saw Melissa and Richard. He frowned. "Who is this?"
"Passengers," Ben said.
"Mal won't be pleased."
"I don't care," Ben said, his eyes on Melissa. "I don't kill innocents."
Melissa stared back at Ben. Every time she saw one of his doubles it brought back all the memories of his death. Tears fought to come out.
"Okay," Richard said, cutting into Melissa's thoughts, "if we're passengers, what train are we on?"
A whir shot through the air. An orange wormhole emerged out of thin air. Figures shot out of it instantly. Melissa was surprised to see Randy and Ethan. Then the last two figures appeared out of the orange wormhole. It closed behind him.
"Mallory?" Melissa muttered.
"Oh," Richard said. "That train."
There was a pause. Randy opened his eyes. He looked up from his chair at the makeup artist. Maggie Beckett glared over at Quinn and Wade, her piercings making her look like she was about to attack wrestlers.
"Beggars can't be choosers," the double snapped. "You wanted me to make him look older. I am. Get off my back."
Quinn stood up off the stool he was on at the kitchen counter. Wade leaned back on hers. He approached Maggie.
"You're called the best in Hollywood," Quinn said, standing face-to-face with Maggie. "Prove it. This is my best friend's brother. I won't let him die."
"They kill over here?" Randy asked.
Quinn looked at Randy. He frowned.
"Did you hit your head aboard, Randy?" Quinn asked.
"Yeah," Wade said, leaning forward. "If the youngsters saw what was on the other side of the wall, they wouldn't rest until it was theirs. Older people would be put in homes again like they used to be when people send them off. Youth over experience...like the old days."
"But look at what you got," Randy said. "They live in cottages and old clothes. You have suits, skyscrapers, cars, sidewalks. Is it right to keep it from them?"
Wade frowned at him. Quinn turned to look at Wade.
"He's right," Quinn said. He looked at Randy. "However, we...are a small bunch. What can we do?"
"You're already began," Randy said. "You're saving lives. Take it a step farther and--"
A door opened. Randy looked over at it. Melissa stepped out of the bathroom. She came down the hall and entered the large living room they were in.
Randy's jaw dropped. Melissa's jet-black hair was long again. She was dressed in a purple business suit...and heels. Maggie gave a whistle.
"Nice," Maggie said, tossing her blond-streaked hair. "Though I prefer the goth look so much better. Seeing anyone?"
"I think I'm ready to be done," Randy said before Melissa could say anything.
"Fine," Maggie said.
Richard leaned his head against the wall. He stood outside the apartment in a nicely-tailored black suit. He was adjusting to the fake beard. Beckett did an excellent job. It even itched.
Richard frowned. It was still a fake beard however...like his life. For months, he thought he was real. Then weeks ago, he discovered the truth. He was one in a series of clones of Richard Hall...part of an experiment to see if clones could retain implanted memories from the host body. Richard was dead. He...was just a copy.
Where did he go from here? His life was not his own, but someone else's. A few times the memories he had would have a genuine emotional attachment...hinting at...what?
If the memories feel completely real...like memories, would that make him Richard? Was that the reason Rebecca created him? So she used him to get to Melissa and the others?
A beep cut through his thoughts. He looked down the hall. The elevator had opened, revealing Ben, Brown, and Rebecca. Brown and Rebecca looked at Richard. Brown smiled. Rebecca smirked.
"Someone cleans up real well," Rebecca commented.
"How is everything, Mr. Hall?" Brown asked.
Richard frowned. Brown frowned as well. He reached for Richard, but Richard pushed his hand away.
"I'm fine," Richard said. "Really. How about you go check on Egghead and Melissa?"
Ben opened the apartment door and walked in. Brown sated at Richard for another moment. Then he followed Ben. Rebecca headed for the door. She closed it.
"Now," Rebecca said, "what's really going on?"
Randy sat in the taxi. He looked out of the window. Several cars passed by. People walked the street like they would back home. They looked oblivious to the fact there was a wall with kids outside.
"So what are you thinking?"
Randy turned to look at Brown. "Can't you just read my mind?"
"No," Brown said. "You put in a mind blocker...which I suspect is still active since it is like no one is sitting next to me. Besides...I am trying to stay out of others' minds."
"You can do that?"
"Of course. The Cromagnons did give me control."
Randy narrowed his eyes on Brown. "But what else did they give you?"
Brown glared. "I am growing tired of you accusing--"
"What all have you done since you got...control?"
Brown frowned as he thought about the question. "Let us see...made sure to be abreast of General Bennard's thoughts...destroyed a cyberaid...convince Rebecca's Arturo to prolong her projects so we could slide...took an army of frat boys out on that one world...tracked down Carly on that other world..."
Randy must have had a a disapproving look because Brown stopped.
"You've been a busy boy, Mr. Brown," Randy said.
"Just pushing you in the right direction, Mr. Heim," Brown shot back.
"Which would be what way exactly?"
"Mr. Heim--"
"Are you telling me in all of this time, you're been in complete control?" Randy demanded.
"Yes."
"No lost time like when--"
Brown's face darkened. Randy turned away.
"I thought so," Randy said.
The taxi abruptly stopped.
"Thank you, Pavel," Brown said.
The taxi driver turned around, a frown on his face.
"How...you know...name?" he asked in broken English.
Randy grabbed the door and opened it.
"Yea, control," Randy said sarcastically.
"You look nice."
Melissa looked over at Richard. While Randy, Brown, Ethan, and Quinn headed to his lab to work on the timer, she had gone with Richard to a restaurant. Rebecca had decided to tac along.
"Extensions," Melissa said.
Richard frowned. "Huh?"
"It's extensions," Melissa said. "That Maggie double did an excellent job. Didn't like her hitting on me though."
"To each his own," Richard said. "If Randy and Ethan can make out--"
"What?"
Richard stopped. Then he took on the appearance of the kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He started looking around the room.
"Where is Rebec--"
"Don't change the subject," Melissa cut him off. "Randy and Ethan kissed? When?"
"Yesterday," Richard said. "Why?"
"I just...I just..."
Words would not come to Melissa. The idea of Randy and Ethan kissing...bugged her. Why did it bug her?
"Still love him, huh?"
Melissa glared at him. "I almost die because of him. Someone did. I wouldn't call my feelings love."
"And yet him getting a little play would get to you."
"No, it wouldn't."
"Really? What if they were to get together? You wouldn't be bugged?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
Melissa was starting to get annoyed. Randy could do whatever he wanted. She had no say.
"Excuse me? May we see your IDs?"
Melissa looked up. A dark-haired man who looked like a manger stood over them. Along with him were two policemen.
"Is there a problem?" Melissa asked.
"There won't be if the tip was wrong," the manager said. "IDs please."
Melissa reached into a purse she had with her. Richard pulled out a wallet. They handed over their IDs. The manager studied them. Melissa tried to remain calm. The manager looked at them and gave the IDs back.
"Thank you," Melissa said.
"No, thank you," the manager said. He looked at the policemen. "Take them."
Quinn crossed his arms over his chest. Randy was right next to him. His eyes was on the equation that was all over the chalkboard.
"Yeah," Quinn said. "I tried for years. However, I can only seem to created doorways to other parts of this world...not outside it. So I use it to help people."
"Maybe it could help people more if they knew about it."
"Perhaps."
"It starts with one person."
The door shot open. Randy turned. Ben ran past them for a television that was in the corner.
"You have to see this," Ben said, turning on the television.
Randy stared at the screen. A reporter was talking. Randy did not register her. In the background, Melissa and Richard were being led out of a restaurant in handcuffs.
"Turn it up," Quinn ordered.
"We heard--," Ethan started, entering with Brown and Wade.
"Sh," Randy said.
"This is a first in our history, folks," the reporter said. "Never have there been an appearance by any of the Under-30s...punishable by law here with death. We have the manger here with..."
Ben turned off the television. "We have to do something."
"Ben, it's the police," Quinn said. "Are you crazy?"
"Those are my friends, Quinn," Randy said.
"How did they even get dis--," Brown started.
The door flew open. Policemen shot in quickly and surrounded the others.
Rebecca entered, a smirk on her face.
"Oh," Brown said. "Never mind."
A new figure walked into the room. Randy recognized William Franks. He could feel Brown tense up all the way on his side of the room. Brown's academic rival looked about the room. He looked at Rebecca.
"Are you sure?" Franks asked.
"Yes," Rebecca replied. She pointed at Randy and Quinn. "It is those two who can give you what you need."
"Ms. Pryce!" Brown snapped.
"She is just doing her job as a citizen, sir," Franks said. He stared at Quinn. "As for you, Mr. Mallory, you should be ashamed. You know better than to bring Under-30s here...show them what we have created. The judges will surely throw the book at you."
Quinn narrowed his eyes. "Or not."
Quinn threw up his hand. He aimed his remote. Light shot out of it, hitting the air in front of Franks. An orange vortex shot open. He dashed for it.
Policemen aimed their guns. Brown waved an arm. Policemen flew into the walls. Quinn vanished into the vortex.
Randy ran for the vortex. A policeman jumped in his way. He dodged to the left...and ran for the doorway. He ignored the noises behind him.
Randy fell as he made it to the door. He turned to find a policeman. He punched him. The policeman fell to the floor dead.
"We need to go," Ethan said, helping Randy up.
"Yeah," Randy said.
Randy made it out of the building's sliding door. He looked left and right. There were police cars on the curb. What few policemen were in their cars did not seem to recognize them.
"Okay. Walk normal," Randy said.
"What?" Ethan said. "How can you be calm? How--"
Randy grabbed Ethan, his hands on both sides of Ethan's face. He stopped talking. His eyes focused on Randy.
"Listen," Randy said. "They don't recognize us. So calm down and walk normal. If you have to...focus on me. Focus on how I walk. Focus on how I look. Okay?"
Ethan nodded. Randy reached down and grabbed Ethan's hand. Ethan's eyes widened.
"Come on," Randy said.
"So where are we going?" Ethan asked as they walked. "Quinn's gone."
"Only one place he could go," Randy said.
The door flew open. Maggie's eyes widened. Then she started to shut the door. Randy put his foot in the door.
"No, you don't," Randy said.
Maggie frowned. "What do you mean 'no, you don't?' Your friend compromised everything. I'm jetting."
Randy stormed into the apartment. Ethan followed him, shutting the door behind him. Randy made it to the living room. He turned to face Maggie.
"Get out," Maggie demanded.
"We have nowhere to go," Randy said.
"Not my problem," Maggie said.
"Then maybe you know where Quinn is," Ethan said, moving from behind Maggie.
"None."
"Really?" Randy challenged. "Then how do you know our friend compromised Quinn's lab? It hasn't been long enough for the news to report that?"
Maggie frowned. "I don't--"
"He's right, Mags."
Randy looked over at the bathroom door. Quinn stood in the bathroom door. He looked like his mother had died.
"Quinn--" Maggie started.
"They have Wade, Maggie," Quinn said, his yes on Randy. "They're going to kill her. I'm done playing games."
"Okay, Mr. Waterloo," Maggie said. "Any ideas?"
"Actually," Randy said, "I have a few."
"What are you looking at me?"
Melissa kicked herself. She had not realized she was staring at Ben. She looked away.
"Sorry," Melissa muttered.
Melissa felt a thud on the prison bench she was on. She turned and saw it was Richard.
"So," Richard said low enough so Ben couldn't heard, "why were you looking?"
"I think you know what," Melissa said.
"He's not going to die," Richard said.
"And how do you know that?"
Richard made a lopsided grin. "I just know."
Melissa looked at him. For a clone, he sure was acting like the real deal. Richard frowned.
"What?" Richard asked.
"Nothing," Melissa said quickly. "I just don't want anything to happen to him."
Richard stood up. "Then...nothing won't."
Before Melissa could stop him, Richard walked to Ben. He stared up a discussion with him. Again Melissa found herself wondering how close this being was to Richard. Was it wrong to consider him just a copy?
"Well, isn't this nice?"
Melissa stared over at the door. Rebecca smirked at them. Melissa almost lunged at the bars. She didn't have to. Wade did it for her. Rebecca jumped back before Wade's hands could wrap around her neck.
"Quinn was trying to help you!" Wade snapped. "How could you do this to us?"
Melissa stood up. "For the same reason Rebecca does anything...profit." she walked over to the bars. "It's all about the money for her."
"Not all," Rebecca said. "Just enough. They want a deal for Randy and Quinn making sliding tech. I said I could do it."
"How?" Wade demanded. "They both escaped."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes on Wade and Melissa. "Why do you think you're not dead, Wade?" We know those Eggheads will do anything for the two of you." Her eyes moved past them. "It's a shame I can't say the same for you two. Guards!"
The door flew open. Policemen stormed into the cell. They grabbed Richard and Ben. Richard looked over at Rebecca.
"You can't do this!" Richard exclaimed.
"Watch me," Rebecca said. "Take them."
Melissa could not move. Her eyes widened on the policemen taking Ben away. Ben struggled to no avail.
Melissa fell to her legs. No matter where she went. It kept happening. Over and over, Ben died. It was just too much.
"Melissa?" Richard yelled.
Melissa did not answer as she fell to her knees. Her eyes glossed over. He could figure out why.
"What a wimp," Rebecca commented.
Richard glared at her as the policemen dragged him out of the cell. He couldn't believe he had ever hook up with such a cold-hearted bitch. Rebecca's eyes widened. She turned to look at Richard. He know he haven't said that aloud, but Rebecca looked at him as if he had. She pulled out a radio.
"Franks," Rebecca said, "check on Brown. I think--"
Suddenly, an orange wormhole opened in front of Richard. It closed, revealing Randy. Just as suddenly, another orange wormhole opened behind Rebecca.
"We need to talk," Randy said.
Then he grabbed Rebecca and threw her into the wormhole. She vanished with a whir. Randy jumped in after her.
Richard stared at the wormhole as it closed. Suddenly, he heard a whir and turned around. Several wormholes opened up. People grabbed Quinn's men. Then they jumped into an adjanct wormhole, it closing behind them.
A wormhole opened by Ben. Ethan jumped out and attack one of the policeman holding Ben. Ben struggled with the other policeman. The policeman threw Ben into the bars.
Richard punched one of his guards. Then he elbowed the other. He ran for the policeman as he aimed a gun at Ben.
"No!" Richard yelled.
Randy emerged from the vortex. Rebecca fell to the floor of his bedroom in the barn. As the vortex closed, a figure came from behind it. He already knew who it was. Rebecca meanwhile looked surprised.
"How..." she started.
"Your sedates were not strong enough I am afraid," Brown said next to Randy. He smirked. "And guess who he decided to save first?"
"Bad news for you," Randy said. "Because the Professor doesn't care for you much."
Rebecca stood up. "What is this? Good cop/Bad cop? Because--"
Rebecca suddenly flew through the air. She stopped outside the window. She looked down to see she was suspended in thin air.
"No," Randy said. "It's more...you have outlived your usefulness. And after four years, you know we're not saints."
"You have already endangered us once by not revealing our coordinates," Brown said. "After Mr. Heim and I discussed it, we decided to go it alone."
"I still know them!" Rebecca exclaimed.
"You would do anything to save your skin now," Randy said.
"However could we trust you, Ms. Pryce?" Brown asked. "Any last words?"
"Do you really think I don't know them?" Rebecca asked.
"That has crossed our minds, yes," Brown said.
"What makes you think I had gone back since you were with me?" Rebecca asked. "I can tell you whether Quinn and Arturo got their minds back."
Randy frowned. he had invented chips to jog their memories. he had left them with Diana Davis. If they had...
"Have they?" Randy asked.
"Yes," Rebecca shrieked.
"Let her go," Randy said.
Brown looked at Randy. "What? Surely--"
"Now," Randy snapped.
Rebecca shot through the air. She hit Randy's stool. They both fell over. Randy glared at Brown. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Oops," Brown said.
"You...will so...pay," Rebecca managed.
Randy kneeled down next to Rebecca. "You do anything else, we will leave you somewhere you don't like. Understand?"
"You can't trust--" Rebecca started.
"I trust Professor Brown more than you," Randy said.
Randy looked at Brown. Brown smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Heim," Brown said.
"You--"
An orange vortex opened near them. A figure emerged. It was Quinn. He had Ethan in his arms...a bloodied Ethan.
"I'm sorry," Quinn said. "He's dead."
Randy felt the shadow long before it fell upon his body. It is fell on his body. He looked up from the grave. It was Richard.
"The messenger of death is here," Richard said.
Randy frowned. Richard kneeled next to him, his eyes on the grave that Randy was in front of.
"You know...you guys are the most morbid group I've ever met," Richard said.
Randy stared at him, his jaw open. He set it.
"Give it time," Randy said. "Better yet...lose someone you care about. Let's see how fun-loving you are."
"That's the thing," Richard said. "I have. I lost Nicole. I lost Kat. I lost...me."
"Someone else's memories," Randy spit out. "Not yours."
Richard glared. "Well...we see where you stand. Dangerous Brown is forgiven...and me-as-a-blank-slate doesn't get a free pass?"
"Excuse me. Didn't you try to con Rebecca with her rival?"
Richard shot up. "Alrighty! Time to go!"
Randy stood up. He guessed old wounds died hard.
He took one last look at the grave. He thought about Ethan. Innocent Ethan and his crime was only loving him.
Randy Heim
We had a connection. I don't know what that means. I just know that he was right. It had been a while since someone tried to come in. Actually tried to.
"What?" Melissa demanded.
Randy narrowed his eyes on her. "Nothing."
Rebecca stared at the two of them. "Did it just get chilly?"
Melissa glared at Rebecca. "Shut up."
"Or--"
"Shut up, Rebecca," Randy said.
"Shutting up," Rebecca said.
Randy ignored the shocked look on Melissa's face. He aimed the timer.
"Do you think Mr. Mallory's research worked?" Brown asked.
Randy Heim
This was the first year we had been so splintered. Was it going to continue? Was I going to let it?
Quinn decided that our visit was a sign. He, along with Wade and Ben, were going to find a way to bridge the gap between young and old. As for me...
Light shot from the timer. It hit a tree, deforming it. What emerged from the deformation was a blue circle that morphed into a vortex. Randy turned to Brown and smiled.
"Yes," Randy said.
Randy Heim
...I was getting us home.
Hm...little did I know what lay in wait.
THE-END
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