Randy Heim looked up at the sky quickly. The fireball came right at him. His eyes widened.
Suddenly, Randy felt a large frame knock him out of the way. Randy fell to the ground. His eyes dotted to where he was just standing. there was nothing
but fire and rubble. Then Randy looked at his savior.
Ethan Bradshaw learned over him. When Ethan pushed Randy out of the way, he had fallen with Randy. Now he was over Randy. His curly black hair blew a little bit in the wind. His stubble looked smooth. He was so close to Randy. Randy could kiss...
WHIM!!!
Randy's eyes widened again. So did Ethan's. They both looked up. Another fireball rocketed through the air. It shot out at them like crazy.
Then...it stopped int he air. Just as quickly, it shot away from them. Randy watched it hit the ground.
"So..."
Randy looked up. Professor Darnell Brown stared at the two of them, his stare blank. It was...unnerving.
"...shall we go, lovebirds?" Brown finished.
Randy shot out of the blue vortex. He turned to find...the barrel of a gun in his face. He looked back...at himself.
"Who are you and what made you think you could slide into the United States of America?" Randy's double demanded.
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 18: MANIFESTO
Professor Darnell Brown was bored.
They had not even been on this world for a minute...and there were weapons in his face. He stood with his arms over his chest, looking in the scene unfolding before him.
Heim had a gun trained on his face...by his double on this world. He was dressed in a turtleneck, his dark hair was slicked back. His coldness matched Darnell's own.
Darnell continued looking. Melissa Clark and Rembrandt Brown were by each other. Both had guns on them by men had worn black policemen suits.
He looked at the other side of Randy. Ethan and Richard Hall were there. Ethan looked like he was about to attack the man who had a gun on this. Meanwhile, Richard looked at the scene with a smirk on his face.
Darnell looked in front of him. He had a policeman in front of him as well. He tilted his head.
"Sleep," he hissed.
The policeman in front of him stiffened up. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. He fell to the floor without a word.
Darnell looked past the unconscious policeman. A smile crept onto his face.
The other policeman including Randy's double were unconscious on the floor. That was splendid.
He frowned. He turned his eyes to the others. They frowned.
"What?" Brown asked. "I could have done worse. Much worse."
"What were you thinking?"
Darnell looked at Rembrandt Brown. His uncle kept pace with him as they walked rapidly down the sidewalk. They bought up the back of the group.
"I thought, Uncle," Darnell said, "that we were in yet another disastrous situation, and that I was bored with it I had an ability that allowed me the advantage. I used it."
"That could lead to even more trouble," Rembrandt said.
"We were already in trouble," Darnell replied. "I simply removed it...for now." He looked forward. "The truth is...this world knows about sliding. That makes this...a very dangerous world to be on."
Randy walked quickly down the sidewalk. He looked among the passersbys. No one appeared to be paying attention to them. He noted mentally on the word 'appeared.'
"They know."
Randy looked at Ethan. He was right beside him. He also appeared to be watching the crowd. For a moment, Randy felt safe.
"Sliding," Ethan continued. "This world knows."
"Yeah," Randy said. He frowned. "But is it because of my double? A Quinn double? We need to know."
"We also need to probably get off this street," Ethan said.
"I agree."
"Bet they had backup."
"No doubt."
Ethan grinned. Randy felt a grin on his face. He was sure Ethan thought the same thing. They were totally in sync.
It felt good.
"Don't even start."
Richard looked at Melissa. She looked right back at him. Even with her jet-black bangs, he could see her eyes. There was anger there.
"I didn't say anything," Richard said.
"You didn't have to," Melissa replied.
Richard tilted his head. "Oh. You mean Egghead and Thuggie?" He flashed a lopsided grin. "Don't they look adorable though?"
Melissa rolled her eyes. "Oh, lord."
"What? Not my fault you are moving too slow."
Melissa's eyes flashed. "Too slow?"
"Yeah," Richard continued, relishing Melissa's annoyance. "it's been a couple of weeks. Randy and Ethan still apart. That makes it easy for you to slip in and make a move. Or...is it more fun when they're together? Your way of marking your territory?"
"Shut up."
"Truth hurts, huh, Sweetheart?"
"You know...I was there for you when you were dealing with your father," Melissa said. "You're losing a lot of sympathy points."
"Well, you lost thoses when you messed around with Egghead when you were with me."
Melissa paused. Her eyes said it all. Richard felt a tinge of guilt for what he said. She really had been there during the ordeal of his father and Mr. Stone.
Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone who killed his dad. Double or not, the man was his dad. He...was dead. Something he wouldn't have to deal with or even seen if it wasn't for Egghead. And Egghead...had to pay.
"I don't even recognize you anymore," Melissa said.
"Look to your Egghead for that," Richard said. "We should have long been home by now. Maybe you should think about that."
Melissa made a gasp. Then she frowned. Finally, she relaxed.
"What makes you think I haven't?" Melissa asked.
Darnell looked out the window. The Dominion had been available. However, he had been unnerved that all guests had had to be checked in by credit card which was also used as an ID card on this world. He had to take over the front desk clerk's mind. Now he was in a nice suite along with Rembrandt, Mr. Hall, and Melissa. Meanwhile, Mr. Heim and Mr. Bradshaw had headed to the library to figure out how things worked here. Now he looked out the window, watching people pass by. You looked...this world looked so normal. What worm was in this apple, he wondered.
He frowned. A stray thought had passed through his mind. He turned slightly.
"Yes, Mr. Hall?" Darnell uttered.
"Hm," Richard said. "You're getting good at that, Proper."
"One has to use all the skills at his disposal," Darnell said. "Surely you know that."
"Of course," Richard said.
Darnell turned around. Mr. Hall stood by the couch, his arms over his chest. Darnell cocked an eyebrow.
"Which is why you are here," Darnell said. "To sway me to...'step it up.'"
Richard grinned. "Mine reading."
"When people think as loud as you do, it cannot be helped," Darnell said.
"Can't it?" Richard challenged. "I mean...you are in control, right? Or is it a mask?"
Darnell felt his forehead wrinkle up. Something within what Mr. Hall said struck a nerve. For a moment, Darnell saw himself back on another world sitting outside of another Dominion Hotel, watching for some British officials to search it for people working for one of his doubles. He used his abilities to send them by. And then...
Was there a then?
Darnell shook his head. The memory faded back into the folds of his mind. He...would keep his focus.
"I am always in control, Mr. Hall," Darnell said.
"I don't know, Proper," Richard said. "Looks like Egghead holds all the cards to me."
"Have a care, Mr. Hall."
"Am I wrong?
"No. Only transparent."
Richard chuckled. Darnell crossed his arms over his chest. He stared Mr. Hall down.
"Nice try," Darnell said. "I know you would love anything for Mr. Heim to be replaced from the chessboard. However....he is too valuable. Accept it."
"Accept this. Egghead is totally replaceable. After all, someone ELSE created a slider storm. Remmy's gone to countless worlds looking for a Randy or Quinn double with abilities to slide so he can say buh-bye to him. We still can."
"I do think we really should not bring any more people into this than we have to."
"Uh...people are already in this. How many people are chasing us down? More reason to have someone focused on the mission statement, not soap opera."
Darnell felt himself frown again. Was Mr. Hall not correct? How long had this group attempted to slide back to Earth Prime? They had made more enemies than made it to Earth Prime.
Earth Prime. Something poked around within Darnell's head. Something about Earth Prime. What...
Darnell shook his head again. The idea...or memory?...made it back down into his subconscious. He focused in on Richard.
"You are one to talk about theatrics," Darnell said. He tilted his head. "Were you not the one who locked Mr. Heim and Ms. Clark in that wine cellar?"
"What's wrong?"
Randy looked up from the library computer. Ethan looked over at him from his computer.
"Uh...nothing," Randy said.
"Randy," Ethan started.
"It's just..." Randy started. Then he stopped. He looked down. "This...this is nice. Us."
Randy looked up again. Ethan's face had darkened. Randy quickly looked away.
"You know what?" Randy uttered. "Never mind. We have some research to--"
"It's nice."
Randy paused. He looked up again. Ethan looked back at him, his eyes full of warmth.
"I...think this is nice, too," Ethan said. "It's nice to be...getting back to...I guess normal."
Randy grinned. "Yeah."
"Uh...I guess...back to work,"Ethan said, looking back at his computer screen.
"I miss you," Randy said.
Silence. Ethan slowly turned. He stared at Randy. Then he grinned.
"I miss you, too," Ethan said.
Randy smiled. It was nice to see things were starting to go his way. Finally.
Richard tipped his finger on the table. He looked around the coffeeshop. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary. At the same time, he didn't see who he was waiting for.
He was annoyed. Proper had him over a barrel. Rembrandt wasn't on his side anymore. Thuggie was slowly, but surely, forgiving Egghead. Melissa wasn't working out. It was time to bring in some big guns.
"I am going to kill you."
A figure moved past Richard. They sat quickly. Richard looked at the jet-black haired woman. He smirked.
"Hello to you, too, Rebecca," Richard said.
Rebecca Pryce looked back with a glare.
"Do you know how hard it was to slide in here?" Rebecca asked.
Richard leaned back in his chair. His eyes stayed on Rebecca. He smirked.
"I have an idea," Richard said. "Gun in face?"
"Yes," Rebecca said. "And I was cloaked. Or so I thought."
"Those are the breaks."
"But still very much alive," Rebecca said. She leaned forward. "Speaking of which...how's Randy?"
Richard's face must have darkened. Rebecca giggled. She brought her hands together.
"I take it happy then," Rebecca said. "Revenge not working for you?"
"It was...for a while," Richard said "Now it's spinning his way."
"And you can't have that."
"No, I can't," Richard said.
"So you sued the wristband I gave you," Rebecca said. She grinned. "Really to join me?"
"Not before Egghead gets what's coming to him," Richard said.
Rebecca leaned back in his chair.
"Hm," she said. "And that's why I'm here?" She smirked. "Fine. Watch and learn."
Darnell smiled. He did not see or sense any hint of the group from earlier when they slid in. That was an extremely excellent development. He...
SOMETIMES I HATE THESE CARDS.
Darnell groaned. His hand reached for his forehead. It had really began to throb. That was not good.
why won't people fall in line? the government is doing what is best for all of us. especially after the sliding incident.
Darnell's eyes widened. He heard it. Someone had thought about a sliding situation. It made him wonder what sliding incident occurred on this world.
WHY DOES THE U.S. EVEN NEED OT KNOW EVERYWHERE I...
stupid idiots. get themselves killed with...
TaRgEt AqUiReD. mOvInG iN.
Darnell turned around quickly. His head was on fire. He could barely focus in front of him. All he saw was normal people. Still, he had to concentrate. He knew he heard it.
Trouble.
However...he could not focus on it.
THIS IS SILLY. I WANT MY OWN...
LoAd AnD lOcKeD.
it is our belief that gets us...
Darnell could not fight off the pain. He fell to the ground. A scream shot out of his mouth.
Randy watched Ethan's face wrinkled up. He looked at Randy in confusion. He headed for Randy's computer.
"Manifest Destiny?" Ethan uttered.
"Yeah," Randy said. "On my world, it was...a doctrine. Belief. That the United States should expand as far as the eye could see. In that case, go west, young man. Here it looks like the whole world."
"I got that much," Ethan said. "They really don't play about security here. I.D. cards came into play when someone slid in."
Randy cocked an eyebrow. "Slid?"
Ethan grinned. "Yes. Slid." He sat down by Randy. "Someone slid in. they just as quickly slid out, but..."
"The damage was already done?" Randy asked. "They were seen. they wanted to know how it was done. Or worse...they wanted to stop it."
"Far from it."
Randy swung around quickly. A figure came out of the library stacks. It was Melissa Clark. She was bald, a scar over her right eye. She was dressed similar to Randy's double, all black and turtleneck and black jeans. She looked at Randy and Ethan, a smirk on her face.
"We want to keep you out...and conquer," Melissa's double said. She looked behind her. "Over here!"
Richard walked into the Dominion bar. He paused. His eyes fell on the bar itself. A smirk crept onto his face.
Melissa sat at the bar. Her eyes were on the TV screen. He looked at it. On the screen, a news reporter stared into the camera. The headline PARALLEL INTRUDERS ON THE LOOSE. He headed over to her.
"Nice movie you're watching," Richard said.
Melissa looked up. She glared. Richard paid her no mind, sitting dow next to her any way.
"I didn't say you could sit," Melissa said.
Richard grinned. "Which is why I didn't ask."
Melissa continued to glare. Richard looked up at the TV screen. He gestured.
"Look at us," Richard said. "Always causing trouble."
Melissa stopped glaring. She looked up at the screen.
"Sometimes...it can't be helped," Melissa said.
"Who you trying to convince?" Richard asked, looking at Melissa. "Me? Or yourself?"
Melissa frowned. She took a sip from her beer mug in front of her. A moment passed as Richard stared at her, Melissa's face lost in thought.
"Myself," Melissa finally said. "You. Us. I don't know anymore."
Melissa looked at Richard. "Yeah." She took another sip. "I'm probably going to regret this, but yes. It has crossed my mind lately that maybe we would be better off if we stayed on a peaceful world rather than sliding on to another world. Wondering if we're ever going to get home. Or if one of us will die before we get there."
"Hal!" Richard yelled. "I'll take what she's having!"
Melissa managed a grin. "Never was one for tact."
Richard found himself grinning. "I thought that's what you used to like about me."
They both laughed. Richard stopped.
"I apologize for earlier," Richard said. "You...were there for me, Stone, and my dad. That...I will be grateful for."
Melissa looked taken aback. Confusion was all over her face. Hall dropped off Richard's beer. he grabbed it up for a quick swig. Then he grinned at her.
"Yes, I can be nice, you know," he said.
"But have you been lately? Pardon me if I wonder if you have something under your sleeve?"
Richard took a drink from his beer mug.
What would she do if she knew she was right?
Randy looked over at Ethan. He looked at Randy. He saw Ethan thought the same thing.
Then...they acted.
Ethan dashed one way. Randy ran the other way. He quickly knocked over a book shelf. It hit another one. A domino effect started, several book shelves falling in succession. Screams rang out Randy smiled, hoping some of those screams were other troops.
A figure shot up in front of him. Randy jumped back. It was his double glaring at him.
"And where are you running off to?" his double asked.
"Far away from you," Randy said.
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you slide to this world," his double shouted back.
"As if I had a choice," Randy said.
His double narrowed his eyes on him. "There's always a choice. Maybe you should have thought of that before you even invented it."
Randy frowned. "And you didn't."
"I was R.O.T.C., not Physics."
"Oh," Randy said. His right arm morphed as the prosthetic appeared. "Good to know."
Before his double could react, Randy's arm touched his double's chest. An electric current fired through him. His double did not even scream as he fell to the floor unconscious.
Randy looked down, frowning. His mind now had a question to ponder. He ran for the nearest exit.
If his double had not invented sliding on this world, then who did?
Darnell's eyes flickered. He slowly opened his eyes. His head hurt. He started to move his arm to rub his temple.
Darnell quickly shot awake. His hands were not moving. He looked down and saw why.
He was in a bed, his hands and feet bounded. He looked to his left. There was an I.V. here, a line attached into his arm. He suddenly felt a mood similar to nausea hit him.
"Ah! He is finally awake."
Darnell looked at the door. A figure stood by the door, his face shrouded in shadows. He started to approach the bed, the light hitting his face.
It..was Quinn Mallory. He looked at Darnell through a pair of black glasses, his eyes studying him like a scientist. He had long hair which he had held back with a ponytail. He had on a long white lab coat with a black turtleneck and jeans underneath. Darnell really did not like how Quinn looked at him at all.
"So...welcome to Earth Prime," Quinn announced. Darnell must have gotten a look on his face because Quinn laughed. "Oh, I am sure you call your own world Earth Prime. We human beings can be self-centered that way." He stopped at the foot of the bed. He grabbed the baseboard. "How do you like the bed?"
"I..." Darnell started.
"It really doesn't matter," Quinn continued. "All I need from you...are your associates' location."
Darnell looked back at Quinn. "And why...would I..."
"Having trouble thinking?" Quinn asked. "I am sure the sedative is quite strong. From what I could surmise, one of your number has the ability to control another person's mind. Judging from you falling to the sidewalk, I believe that person...is you."
Darnell looked at the I.V. If he could only...
"No, no," Quinn said. "It stays where it is. Your kind will not endanger our world. You will tell me where your associates are..."
Quinn reached into his white lab coat. He pulled out a knife. His eyes stayed on Darnell.
"...or you will die," Quinn finished.
Rembrandt walked into the Dominion. He found the fear growing inside of him. He calmed down.
He had not seen Darnell in hours. Darnell had been acting weird since they landed on this world. He knew he shouldn't have left him alone.
Rembrandt pushed the elevator button. The doors opened instantly. He walked through. He hoped that Darnell had made it back. The last thing they needed was tro--
"Hold that door!"
Rembrandt pushed the open button. The doors shot back open. A red-haired woman stepped in dressed in a party dress.
"Why...helllllo," she said, looking him over.
Rembrandt managed a grin. "Hello. Going to a party."
"Yes," she replied. "Would you like to...come?"
"Uh..." Rembrandt said. He smiled. "Sure. Sure...Miss..."
"Ivy," she said with a smile.
Richard laughed. So did Melissa. They grabbed their drinks up quickly. They drank at the same time. The mugs hit the counter at the same time.
"Hal!" Richard yelled. "Two more!"
"You know," Melissa said, "if I...didn't know better, I would say you were trying to get me drunk."
Richard looked back at her, a smirk on his face. "It working?"
Melissa narrowed his eyes on him.
"Come on!" Richard exclaimed. "Joke!"
Melissa laughed. "Well..wasn't it? Aren't you always?"
Melissa stopped laughing. She stared at Richard. No words came out of her mouth, causing Richard to frown.
"What?" Richard asked. "Is there something on your face? Or--"
"No, no, no," Melissa said. "It's just...you're right." Hal dropped off new beer. She took a swig. Richard did the same.
"Right?" Richard asked.
"Remember when this was fun?" Melissa asked. "You. Me. Randy. The Professor. New worlds. New adventures. We trusted Randy would get us home."
Richard took a swig. "Vaguely."
Melissa gave him a look.
"Okay!" Richard exclaimed. "Fine! Yes!"
"You wanted me to live it up," Melissa said.
"Remember when you stepped into your double's life and she was a singer?" Richard asked.
"And I can't sing!" Melissa exclaimed. She giggled. "Or Mob World."
"Rave World," Richard said.
Melissa leaned forward. "Randy has a band World."
Richard leaned forward. "VR World."
"Indust--"
"Oh, screw it!"
Before Melissa could say anything, Richard planted a kiss on her.
Randy entered the alley. He had been keeping to the shadows since he left the library. He had seen no sign of Ethan. Hopefully, he would be back at the Dominion and they could...
A figure stepped out from behind a dumpster. Randy stopped. The figure kept heading for him. Light shining on the figure. Randy's eyes widened.
"Zoe," Randy uttered.
"Hello, Randy."
Randy's eyes narrowed on her.
Zoe. She...he strongly suspected...was a female version of himself. Like he, Zoe was a tinkerer. Like him, she slid between worlds. Also like him...and what made her dangerous...was she was the only other person who could created a slide storm and did so without moral restraints.
"Zoe," Randy said again.
"Surely, you didn't think you wouldn't see me again,"Zoe said.
"I knew better," Randy replied. "maybe you stopped making slidestorms."
"Once the genie is taken out of the bottle, it cannot simply be placed back in," Zoe said. "Things have to run their course."
"I will stop you," Randy said.
Zoe grinned. "Really? Look around you, Randy. You obviously have run afoul of this world's police. they don't know how someone like you would think...but I do."
"And why is that?" Randy challenged.
"I assumed that it was because I was smarter," Zoe replied.
"Or maybe you know how I think," Randy said, "because you...are me."
Zoe frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Randy continued, taking advantage of Zoe's surprise. "All those smarts and it never occurred to you. It did for me."
"Limited thinking," Zoe said.
"I'm been sliding longer than you," Randy said. "I've encountered many doubles. None who could do slidestorms. And some of my doubles were brilliant. No one...before you."
"Reaching th--"
"Have you encountered any doubles yet?" Randy shot back. "You've been around long enough to have mistaken identity."
"Well...no," Zoe admitted, "but--"
"And your partner? Eve? Peter? Eric? Rebecca?"
Zoe's face betrayed a hint of surprise. Randy grinned.
"So your partner is Rebecca," Randy said. "I wonder how she conned you."
"I wasn't conned," Zoe said.
"Really?"
"Will you stop saying that?!" Zoe snapped. "We are in control of this."
"Or she is
"Trust me," Randy said. "She knew who you were before she 'met' you. She was on the run and needed help."
Zoe's eyes narrowed on Randy. "I will not let you confuse me."
"What's confusing about it?" Randy asked. "Research it. After all, you are smarter than me."
Zoe glared at Randy. Randy kept grinning. Last time she had him on the ropes. He was more than willing to return the favor.
"And I must be..." Randy started, his prosthetic morphing into sight. before Zoe could do anything, he vanished. Just as quickly, he appeared at the end of the alley. He turned to look back at her.
"...going," Randy finished.
He dashed away. His mind raced.
As if they did not have enough trouble. Now Rebecca Pryce was here. He had to warn the others.
Was it too late?
The door shot open quickly, causing Richard to jump up. Melissa fell to the right. He saw the shock on her face as she grabbed the cover. Richard looked at the door. Part of him wanted to smirk. Instead, he glared.
"Hey, Thuggie!" Richard yelled. "Think you could knock?"
"Uh..." Ethan managed.
"Really!" Richard exclaimed. "I'm kind of b--"
A door slammed behind Ethan. A moment later, Randy was in the door. He took in the scene, his eyes widening. Richard looked over at Melissa, her face total deer in the headlights. He looked back at Randy and smirked.
"Can I help you, Egghead?" Richard asked.
"Uh..." Randy managed. He shook his head quickly. "Rebecca and Zoe are here."
"Wait. What?" Melissa asked.
"What she said," Ethan said. "Zoe is with Rebecca?"
"Yeah," Randy said, looking at Ethan. Richard saw he stopped looking at Melissa. "Rebecca was...is her partner. We need to move."
Randy turned to Richard. His eyes said it all. Richard saw his anger and rage.
"Get dressed," Randy said, his voice like ice.
Randy shut the door behind him. He headed for the couch. He sat down quickly, running his hands through his dark hair.
Richard. Melissa. In bed. Naked.
There were no words. Melissa was having sex with Richard. Richard who was out to get him. What was she think--
"You okay?"
Randy blinked. He mentally kicked himself. He forgot that Ethan was with him. He saw how Randy probably looked. How would he feel?
Ethan sat down next to Randy. Randy looked at him. He saw the hurt in Ethan's gray eyes. It cut him deep.
"Ethan--" Randy started.
"We're cool," Ethan said. "Don't even worry about it."
"I know you saw that," Randy said. "Don't act like it isn't a big issue."
"It isn't. Unless you think it is. Do you?"
Randy started to open his mouth. A squeak caused him to stop. He turned. Melissa came out of Richard's room, her head down. She looked up, her eyes locking with Randy's eyes.
Richard stepped up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her. While Melissa looked uncomfortable with him doing that, she let him. Randy glared.
"So where's Remmy?" Richard asked. "And Proper?"
"I thought you might know," Randy said.
"Nope," Richard said. "Sorry."
"That's not good," Ethan said. "We got ambushed at the library."
"What?" Melissa muttered.
"It was a double of you," Ethan continued. "Like Randy's double, she policed the area."
"My double was there, too," Randy said, looking at Ethan.
"Together," Richard said. "Wow. What a shock."
"I don't get it," Randy said. "How did they find us so quickly?" He looked at Richard. "Almost like someone had tipped them off."
"Wasn't me," Richard said.
"I've heard that before," Randy said.
"Back off, Randy," Melissa said. "Now's not the time."
Randy stood up. "Well, when is a good time. Face facts. Richard just tried to get rid of me a few worlds ago. You think he would just stop?" He narrowed his eyes on Richard. "He also appeared to be becoming Stone."
Richard laughed. "Really?"
"You have super-strength now," Randy declared. "And you're healing fast. Just like he does. Your clone advantages kicking in?"
"He's crazy," Richard said.
Randy threw up his right arm. His prosthetic appeared immediately. Just as quickly, the blade popped out of it.
"We can always find out," Randy said, approaching Richard and Melissa.
"I don't think so," Richard said. He looked at Melissa. "I think he's lost it."
"I believe him," Ethan said.
Randy grinned. At least, Ethan had his back. He kept heading for Richard. Melissa moved out of Richard's arm.
"No," Melissa said.
"Move, Melissa," Randy demanded.
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "I said no. You do that. You know this won't end well. One of you will probably end up dead."
"Not me!" Richard exclaimed.
"Never say never," Randy shot back. He looked at Melissa. "Melissa, trust me. Richard's up to something."
"Please!" Richard exclaimed. "Look. Face facts yourself. I just got with our mutual ex. You're hating. Back off. Better yet, how about we go and find Remmy and Proper? Who knows what happened to them?"
"Probably something you did," Randy said.
"Randy!" Melissa snapped.
"I think we should find Brown," Randy said. He kept his eyes on Richard as the blade went back into his prosthetic. "And then he can read your mind."
"Excuse me?" Richard asked, frowning.
"What? Go deaf?" Randy asked.
A hand touched Randy's shoulder. It was Ethan warning him to calm down. Randy relaxed.
"Sounds like a good idea," Ethan commented.
"You would say that," Richard snapped.
"Do you think we could go?" Melissa demanded. She headed for the door. She started to open it. "The sooner we do this--"
The door flew open. Melissa stumbled back as policemen stormed in, guns aimed. Randy's double aimed right at him.
"Do not even fl--" his double started.
Before he had even finished, Randy vanished.
"I am very disappointed in you."
Darnell managed a grin for Quinn. His lips hurt from the bruises. Still..he had accomplished his goal.
"I aim...to please," Darnell managed.
"I highly doubt that," Quinn said, looking down at him. "Otherwise, I would not have to rely on an anonymous tip to locate your associates."
"I guess you are not as clever as you...think."
"Hmmm...perhaps. Still...I must be pretty clever if I can bring in sacrificial lambs."
The door shot open. Two policemen walked in. In-between them was a beaten and bruised Rembrandt. Darnell felt surprise wash all over his face.
He was not talking, either," Quinn continued. "Brown. Brown. I think it is safe to assume that you two are related. Which...of course...means it would matter if something happened to him."
"Something?" Darnell uttered.
Quinn held out his hand to one of the policeman.
"He's an illegal alien from a parallel Earth," Quinn said. "Now give me the gun."
The policeman gave the gun to Quinn quickly. Darnell stared at Rembrandt. He had started to move. He looked up, seeing Darnell. Darnell started to struggle with his binds.
CLICK!!
Darnell stopped struggling. His eyes fell on Quinn. He stood by Darnell. The guy was aimed at Rembrandt. Quinn looked at Darnell.
"Answer the question and he lives," Quinn said. "How many?"
Darnell frowned. "How...many?"
"How many more of you are coming?" Quinn asked. "How many other people from your world are out there sliding?"
Richard felt the eyes on him. He looked up. Across from him in the van was Ethan. He glared at Richard. Richard frowned back at him.
"You got something to say, Thuggie?" Richard asked.
"I do," Ethan said. "How it feel to be caught in your own trap?"
Richard chuckled. "You know...I'm a little tired of the gays accusing me of betrayal."
"Maybe if you didn't tip them off..."
"Hey!" Richard exclaimed. "I tipped no one off."
"You sure?" Ethan asked.
Richard glared. "Crystal."
"Then where you get that black waistband from?"
"What?"
Richard looked at Melissa. She sat next to him in the van. She looked back at him, her eyes full of surprise.
"What waistband?" Melissa continued.
"It's a black waistband he's had for a while," Ethan said. "He never wears it, but keeps it around."
"Not that it's any of your business, Thuggie," Richard snapped, "but...it was my Dad's."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Keep your catty comments to yourself. Or better yet...use them on Egghead. Must really get him hot."
Ethan glared at him. Richard threw him a smirk. Good save on his part. He had no intention of showing his hand.
Still...this was definitely a curveball. He assumed Rebecca was behind tipping off this world's police. They probably had Proper. Maybe even Remmy. It might be in his interest to keep Proper missing. He knew too much after all.
The van jerked to a stop. The double doors flew open. Richard looked out. His eyes took a moment to adjust. Then...they widened.
A few steps away, he saw a redhead. She was really focused on the van. He recognized her from Depression World.
"Ivy?" Ethan uttered.
Okay...so did Ethan. Not good.
"Out!" A policeman barked, gun trained on them.
Randy appeared. He looked around quickly. He had successfully made it to the alley. He headed for the alley entrance. did he make it to...
Yeeesss! There it was.
It was the van. The policemen were already getting Melissa out of the van. Ethan and Richard would be next. He only had to pull a distraction and...
"Don't think so, Randy."
Randy turned around. Rebecca Pryce stood behind him. She was dressed in a policeman suit, her jet-black hair in a ponytail. Before the shock of seeing her could wear off, Randy saw her spin around. She got his jaw with her boot.
"Over here!"
He barely heard her yell as he fell to the ground. He also heard footsteps coming. He managed to look. He saw Randy's double coming. Rebecca looked at him.
"I told you," she told the double. "He would try to save his friends."
Randy's double looked down at him.
"Sorry for him," the double said.
TICK, TOCK.
i can't believe he's doing this.
DaRnElL.
Darnell felt the sedative trying to kick in. He fought it with all of his formidable will. Uncle Rembrandt needed him. And he...needed his abilities."
"Hello," Quinn said, cutting into his thoughts. "Hello, can you hear me? I am sure the sedative is making it quite difficult for you to focus. So...listen to the sound of my voice."
Darnell moved his head. Quinn looked back at him, his gun still trained on Rembrandt. Darnell narrowed his eyes on Quinn. He had had enough of his double's confidence.
"How many..." Quinn started.
Darnell closed his eyes.
WHAT THE DEVIL IS HE DOING?
these are human beings. we really should not be doing this.
DaRnElL, cAn YoU hEaR mE? aRe Y...
Darnell did not wait. He threw open his eyes. As he did so, he threw out a small telepathic blast. Quinn's eyes widened. As did the policemen. As his binds came undone by his telekinetic abilities, Darnell made sure Rembrandt's mind had been shielded from that blast.
Darnell got off the bed, a smile on his face. Rembrandt stood alone. Confusion was obviously on his face. Darnell looked at Quinn. He was on the floor, convulsing like a man having a seizure. Darnell walked over, standing over him.
"I am more clever than you," Darnell said. "Perhaps if you regain your ability to think, you will remember that." He looked away. "Uncle, are you--"
Darnell paused. Rembrandt looked at him. His confusion had given way to shock.
"Do you realize what you have become?" Rembrandt asked.
Darnell stepped back as if he had been slapped across the face. He looked away, allowing his uncle's words to sink in. He understood the meaning behind the words all too well.
Darnell looked back at Rembrandt.
"Yes, I do," Darnell said. "I...am Chad Owens now."
YES, YOU ARE.
Darnell looked about the room. I twas only Rembrandt and him. Everyone else was still shaking on the floor.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL FIND USEFUL...SOON.
"Darnell, what--" Rembrandt started.
Then Rembrandt shot through the air. Darnell gasped as he saw him hit the wall. He headed for him.
NO.
Darnell's head turn sharply to the left. It was like a fist to his face. He fell to the floor, blackness filling his mind.
"You!"
Richard turned in time to get a body shooting at him. Ethan's momentum sent them falling out of the van. Richard's back shot full of pain as he hit the concrete. Ethan didn't notice. His hands were around Richard's neck.
"Randy was right!" Ethan yelled.
"Get...your hands off!" Richard yelled.
CLICK!
"I would agree."
Richard and Ethan looked up. The policeman had a gun trained on them.
"Now," the policeman started. "I think you have rights. And right now, you have--"
"Hey!"
The policeman turned. A fist got him in the face. He fell to the sidewalk unconscious. Melissa grabbed up his gun. She looked at the two of them.
"Get off him, Ethan," Melissa said.
"But--" Ethan started.
Melissa aimed the gun at him. "Now!"
Ethan shot up quickly. Richard sighed in relief. He started to get up.
"Uh uh," Melissa said. "Stay right there."
"What--" Richard started.
"Is Ethan right?" Melissa asked. "Is Randy? If I fire this gun, would you heal from it?"
"Now, let's not do anything crazy," Richard said.
"Really?" Melissa uttered. "I think it's a little too convenient that we...get together while someone was taking out our friends."
"Not you, to--" Richard started.
"Don't move!"
Richard stopped moving. His forehead started to sweat.
"What in the world!"
Richard looked past Melissa. Rembrandt had appeared. He rubbed the back of his head, staring at the scene in surprise.
"Rebecca is here," Ethan said.
"Yeah, I know," Rembrandt said. "I ran into one of her new friends. Redhead."
"That would be Ivy," Ethan said. "Richard and I met her on Depression World."
Rembrandt frowned. "Met?"
"She was the girl whom friend Stone killed."
"Why she here?"
Ethan looked at Richard. "Good question."
"I didn't know," Richard said.
"But you know something," Melissa said. "From what I remember...there was one group who had waistbands. The Foundation, Rebecca worked for the Foundation. You are working with her, aren't you?"
Richard stared at Melissa. He sighed. "You know what?" Richard uttered. "Yes. Yes, I--"
Melissa fired the gun.
Randy's eyes flickered open. He groaned, bring his hand to his jaw. He remembered Rebecca kicking him in the jaw.
"Are you coming or not?"
Randy frowned.
That was Zoe's voice.
"They will. Don't worry. I'm sure he got the signal as soon as we slid in."
Randy's eyes widened. He looked around to see he was in a warehouse. His hands were tied for the moment. He managed to stand quietly.
Rebecca had taken him to another world. He would have to ask her how she managed to do this without his double noticing. He had been placed by some big crates. He peeled around the corner.
Zoe stood with her arms crossed over her chest. She stared at Rebecca with a bit of distrust. Randy grinned, thinking that maybe his words sunk in.
"In that case, I'm going to check on something," Zoe said.
"Oh?" Rebecca uttered.
"You don't really trust Ivy that well, do you?" Zoe asked. "I suspect Richard did his job too well on that one world."
Rebecca grinned. "Well, he is a charmer."
Randy and Zoe rolled their eyes.
"Fine. Go," Rebecca said. "I'm sure I can handle this."
"Besides," Zoe said, pulling out a remote and aiming it, "you know how to contact me."
Lightning shot from the remote. It hit a wall of crates. They dissolved into a purple vortex. Zoe hopped into it, vanishing. It closed behind her.
Randy started to move. Then he heard it.
A simmer.
Suddenly, a red vortex shot open in front of Rebecca. Two figures shot out of it, leaving the sound of a simmer behind them. Randy knew them well.
Dark sliders.
The red vortex closed behind them. Peter Carmichael and Randall Heim stood before Rebecca.
"Rebecca," Randall said.
"Randall," Rebecca said. "It's been quite a while."
"It's not as easy to get around as it used to be," Randall said.
"It that not true?" Peter added. "Edward and the government watching every move we make."
Rebecca put her hands on her hips. "And that's why I'm here. Do you think it's about time you changed that?"
"I don't see how," Peter said.
"However, our presence here should show the answer is yes," Randall added.
"And your bargaining chip is here," Rebecca said. She smiled. "I have Randy Heim."
Peter's eyes widened. "What?"
"Where is he?" Randall demanded.
"Don't think so," Randy whispered.
He felt his prosthetic appeared on his right arm. The blade shot out, cutting his binds. He quickly vanished.
Randy appeared. He looked around to see he was on a loading dock. It was night time. Good. He could get around quickly. He ran around a corner.
He stopped. Zoe was there, a gun aimed at his face. She stared at him, a look of curiosity on her face.
"And where," Zoe asked, "do you think you are going?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
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