"Watch out!" Randy Heim yelled.
Randy Heim hit the rocky ground. He bounced back into the air. He looked down to find he was about to fall off a cliff. His body fell as gravity kicked in. A hand jerked his arm to the left. Randy's face stung as it touched the hard edge.
"Do not worry, Mr. Heim," Professor Darnell Brown said. "I got you."
Brown grabbed Randy's other arm. He lifted Randy up with no trouble. Randy grinned.
"Thanks," Randy said.
"Well, I could not allow my best student to fall to a deadly demise, could I?" Brown said.
"That's an interesting way of phrasing it, Proper."
Randy looked past Brown. Richard Hall stood behind Brown. His arms crossed his chests. His eyes shot holes through Brown.
"Mr. Hall-" Brown started.
"I'm sorry," Richard said. "I guess you have to be a brainac to be saved around here."
"Richard, stop!" Randy barked.
"I haven't even started yet, Egghead!" Richard yelled.
The vortex whirred as Melissa Clark shot out of it. She landed on her feet. She stood up as the vortex closed behind her.
"Did I miss something?" Melissa asked as she stared at Richard and Brown.
"No...you didn't," Randy said. He looked down at the timer. "We have a few minutes. I think we can get along that long."
"Or not," Richard added.
"Richard-" Melissa started.
"Did you die?" Richard asked. "Then shut up."
"Since I am not going to be forgiven anytime soon," Brown said as he walked past Richard, "I am going to look at the manta ship."
"What?" Randy said.
He saw it. Behind Richard was a mountain. A manta ship was crashed in the side. He followed behind Brown like a dog after a bone.
"Guys, do you think it's a good idea?" Melissa asked. "The last time we encountered manta ships, we almost died."
"I don't see any Humaggs around, Melissa," Randy said. "Maybe we can figure out how it works and get a beat on Quinn."
"Or you could get killed," Richard suggested. "Works for me. Go for it."
Brown found an opening in the top. He jumped in.
Randy was right behind him. He wished Richard would find a way to not blame Brown for Nicole's death. He had been so bitter since than that it made sliding almost unbearable.
Randy's feet landed on the metal ground. His eyes adjusted to the darkness. He stood in a corridor. Professor Brown was nowhere in sight.
"Professor," Randy whispered.
He got no reply. He walked down the corridor. As he did, he saw other halls connect to it. Humaggs laid on the floor...dead.
Randy made it to the end of the corridor. He stood in the doorway to the pilot room of the ship. The door had been bent. He wondered what had the power to do that.
Brown stood next to the pilot seat. He stared at the pilot in surprise.
"There you are," Randy started. "I was worried that-"
"She was trying to escape," Brown said. He grabbed the pilot's head. "It is obvious that this ship has been here for some time. Yet...she is still alive."
"She?" Randy managed.
Randy looked at the pilot seat. Her face was turned away. Her black hair kept him from seeing who she was. Her hand was human even though the black suit was Kromagg.
"Do you not recognize her?" Brown asked.
"Should I?" Randy asked. "Let's see if the computer is-"
Brown turned the pilot's face to show Randy. Randy's sentence caught in his throat.
"It is Wade Welles," Brown said, "and she is alive."
WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH? YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT? MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND A WAY! NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE WAY HOME!
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 2
EPISODE 17: MEMORIES
Richard made it to his feet as the wormhole closed. He looked around. Egghead and Proper helped their new traveling companion. She had still not opened her eyes yet.
"Are you okay?"
Richard turned to look at Melissa. She managed a smile.
"Do I look okay, Melissa?" Richard spit out.
Melissa's smile left her face. "I'm sorry. I thought-"
"No, you didn't think," Richard cut Melissa off. "Leave me alone." He headed for the alleyway.
He made onto the sidewalk. Two figures stood starting at the entrance. They both wore turban robes. The only thing Richard could make out was their eyes. They stared at each other now. One held out his hand to the other.
"You see!" he said. "My vision was correct. Pay up."
His friend pulled out some coins and gave them to him. They walked away without another word.
"Okay, what was that about?" Randy asked as he stood beside Richard.
"I have no idea, Egghead," Richard replied.
"They had a vision of you coming to our world."
Richard turned to his right. A figure in a blue turban robe approached the group. Her curves suggested that this figure was a female. Richard could only see her eyes since her face was completely covered.
"As did I," the woman continued. She walked over to Brown who held Wade in his arms. She turned Wade's forehead and smiled. "She is still among the living. Good."
"Who are you?" Randy asked.
The woman removed her scarf that covered her face. Richard stared at Melissa. They both stared at each other in shock.
"Come along," Melissa's double said. "We have to make sure your friend is taken care of."
"So what do you make of everything?" Melissa asked.
Randy looked up from his seat of big pillows. Melissa leaned against the wall. The door she stood next to had no actual door. Instead, lines of beads formed an entrance.
"Interesting," Randy said. "A world where India is in control. We Americans are barely allow to keep our language because of some deal."
"What about Wade?" Melissa asked. "They have been in there for a while."
"I'm wondering how she got where she was," Randy said. "It was no coincidence that she was in a manta ship. Remember what we read in Quinn's journal?"
Melissa nodded. "Yeah, I remember. He said she died."
"He could have been wrong," Randy said. "His tales after the whole merging are very inconsistent. He never saw a body anyway. How can he be sure she died?"
"He can't."
Randy looked over at the balcony. Brown walked over to them.
"You're slipping, Brown," Melissa said jokily. "I believe that was a contraction."
Brown smiled sheepily. "I guess I will have to improve then, Miss Clark." He looked at Randy. "How can you even be sure those journals are accurate, Mr. Heim? Mr. Mallory was not himself when he was in...Mr. Mallory's body."
"My instinct says the entries will help us in finding Quinn," Randy said. "We keep running into his friends. It's only a matter of time before we run into him."
"Either that or we turn up dead," a bitter voice said.
Randy looked at the corner. Richard had not said much since they brought Wade to Melissa's double's house. He laid in the corner (which had pillows) and stared at the ceiling. Now he sat up and glared at the three of them.
"Why don't you accept that you can't get us home?" Richard asked. "We're all going to die."
"How can you say that?" Melissa challenged. "We've been close."
"Has Egghead ever gotten the coordinates out of the timer?" Richard shot back. "No!"
"Maybe you should have more faith in Mr. Heim's ability," Brown suggested.
"Maybe you should shut up," Richard said. "I don't care for your opinion."
"Mr. Hall-"
"Shut up!" Richard snapped.
"You have much pain in you."
Randy had not even heard the beads move. Melissa's double stood in the room now. She looked at Richard like a mother to a hurt son.
"Your loved one would not wish you to live in such a way." Melissa's double continued. "That way only leads to self-destruction. Embrace the light, Mr. Hall...not the darkness."
"Enough of the mumbo-jumbo!" Richard yelled as he shot up from the floor. "None of you knew Nicole! How would you know what she thought?"
Randy said nothing. The whole room seem to follow suit. Richard continued to glare at everyone, daring them to speak. Finally, he stormed for the door.
"Richard, wait!" Melissa cried.
"Forget you!" Richard yelled. He opened the door and slammed it behind him.
"I hope your friend will find his way," Melissa's double said.
"Maybe it's good that he has some time to cool down," Randy said. "How's Wade?"
"She still has not awaken yet," Melissa's double said. "I need to go get some salts. Perhaps two of you can come with me while one of you stay in case she awakens."
"Sounds like a plan," Melissa said.
"It itches," Randy commented about his brown robe.
"Mr. Heim, could you act more like the scholar that you are?" Brown snapped.
"Here we are," Melissa's double said as she approached a store. Randy looked through the window. Several people sat at tables. Their palms were in the hands of palm readers. A few others looked at book shelves.
"Your world seems to be very into the spiritual," Brown commented. "Does science not play a role in this world?"
"To a lesser degree," Melissa's double answered. "We tend to embrace many things though the basic beliefs stay the same: through Allah one finds self. To be without him is to be adrift into sin. We do not like sin here."
"How do you define sin?" Randy asked.
"Not dressing right...for one," Melissa's double replied. "Not following Allah for another. It is He who allows us to glance into the future."
"The visions, you mean?" Brown asked. "I find that quite unsettling."
Melissa's double produced a witty smile. Randy had seen it on Melissa many times when she was about to make a point.
"And science is not, Mr. Brown?" Melissa's double challenged.
"Science has dangers, yes," Brown said. "Mankind can control it though."
Melissa's double laughed bitterly. "Many a man has said that. They were as far as attempting to prove Allah did not exist. They died."
Melissa's face became all smiles again. "I have to get those salts for your friend. Perhaps you can look around and observe our great culture."
"We will," Randy said. He watched her go into the store before he smiled at Brown. "She is so much like Melissa."
Brown frowned. "I would not go that far. Miss Clark is a lot more agreeable than that little beast."
"You're just mad she put you in your place."
"Of course."
"Want to look around?"
"Yes, please."
Richard looked over at what should have been Golden Gate Bridge. It was a bridge all right. It looked like someone took a lot of rocks and threw them together.
'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard looked over the cliff. The water rushed by like bullets from a gun.
'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard could not ignore the voice in his head that time. Nicole's voice. It ran through his head and accused.
'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard asked himself the same thing. He was there. Rebecca was not that powerful. He should have been quicker. He should have had her in his arms.
The wind blew at Richard's hair. He let it. He thought of Proper. He should have gotten to Nicole, too. What did he do though? He was busy playing with Rebecca. Nicole died because of that.
Richard closed his eyes. That was not totally true. Nicole said she and some others of Egghead's friends had been looking for them. She came looking for him. Her death was his fault.
'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard kept his eyes shut. He held his arms out.
Without a word, he stepped toward the cliff.
'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard could almost see...no, he saw Nicole back in the cage over the acid. Her face was stained with tears. Her eyes had frustrated anger at him. He stepped closer to the edge.
'Why, Richard?' Nicole spit at him. 'Why couldn't you help me?'
Richard took another step. That was followed by one that touched air.
"Perhaps you should step away from the edge."
Richard stopped. That voice did not come form his mind. It was behind him. It could not be...
He stepped away from the edge. He turned around. A figure stood behind him. She took her scarf off. It was Nicole.
"Do not be afraid," Nicole said. "I was in meditation and saw you. In pain. Without hope. You...you are all right?"
Richard laughed. It had taken almost two years. He had lost his mind.
Melissa sat next to Wade. She was still asleep.
Melissa looked over at the door. The others still had not return yet. She debated whether she should go look for Richard. Someone had to watch Wade though.
Melissa looked at Wade. She wondered if she was the same way when she was in a coma. Wade looked peaceful at least. Not a care in the world.
This year had definitely been a dangerous one. First, they had been separated from Brown and Richard. Then they found them only to find them changed. This world was probably the first time in months, they were all getting along. That was a stretch in itself given Nicole's death and Eve's betrayal.
She had been looking for them. Her and...other people. People knew they were missing back home. Melissa thought that was good. Now all they had to do was get home.
Getting home was having too many twists. First, they had the coordinates. Then they lost them. Then they got them again only to lose them because of coding from Sarah Weisschester-Carroll. Then they lost them permanently because of Logan St. Clair erased them.
Their only hope was finding the only person from their world who had more knowledge of sliding than Randy: Quinn Mallory. He might hold the key to get them home. However, he had been missing for years.
"Quinn..."
Melissa came out of her thoughts. Wade tossed and turned in the bed.
"Quinn..." Wade mumbled.
"Wade," Melissa said as she shook her. "Wade, wake up."
"Quinn!"
Wade's eyes shot open. They narrowed on Melissa.
"Quinn."
Melissa flew away from the bed. She hit the wall. Her back felt like bricks have fallen on it. She fell to the floor.
Melissa struggled to her feet. She stared at the bed. Wade struggled to stand.
"Wade..." Melissa started.
"Stay back!" Wade hissed. "I don't know who you are but I will hurt you."
Melissa stayed down. She looked over at the door. She hoped the others would show up...now.
"Where is he?" Wade demanded.
"He?" Melissa managed.
"Quinn," Wade said. "I was on my way to him when...oh my god!"
Wade's eyes widened in shock. "Where am I? How did I get here? I thought-"
Wade fell to the ground. Melissa ran over to her. She felt her pulse. Wade was out, but alive.
Melissa wondered why she freaked out though.
"So you just flew across the room?" Brown managed with a shake of his head. "Impossible!"
Melissa looked up from her pillow seat. "We've seen stranger things, Brown."
"Now do not start with me," Brown warned.
"Hey!" Randy said as he stood between them. He looked down at Melissa. "You'll have to excuse him. Your double is too much like you. Are you sure I shouldn't get you to a hospital?"
"I'm fine, Randy," Melissa said.
A sound like marbles dropping caught Randy's ears. He turned to see Melissa's double coming out of her room.
"She is resting again," Melissa double's announced. She stared at Melissa. "Perhaps we should get you to a healer. They can do wonders for your back."
"I'm fine...ready," Melissa said. "Any idea on whether she's going to go off again when she wakes up?"
"None," her double answered.
Randy reached out a hand to Melissa. "Until she does, I think we should take a walk."
Melissa's forehead wrinkled up. "A walk? I said I was fine. Besides I want to be here when Wade wakes up."
"I will attend to her in your absence," Melissa's double said. "I am sure Mr. Brown and I can think of many things to discuss."
Brown crossed his arms over his chest. "I believe so."
Melissa's double smiled. "Perhaps you will believe more after they have returned."
"I sense a debate brewing," Melissa said.
"Come on," Randy said as he grabbed Melissa's arm.
Richard opened his eyes. Ceiling met his sight. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"I see you have awaken."
Richard sat up. He laid on a black quilt. The room was aglow with candles that smelled like roses. Nicole stood in the door with a tray. She slowly approached. Richard took it in and laughed.
"Why do you continue with this unsettling laughter?" Nicole asked as she approached.
"Are you real?" Richard asked.
"As real as the sky is blue," Nicole said.
Richard laughed again. Nicole kneeled next to him. He stopped laughing. Her brown eyes took him in with a questioning glance. He wanted to make her feel like the princess she was. He raised up a hand. It shook as it reached for her cheek. It was warm on his fingertips.
"You...you're real," Richard muttered.
Nicole smiled. "Well...I did say I was." She closed her eyes and leaned into his fingers. "I am no illusion."
His hand held her cheek as she turned her face. Richard wanted to kiss her so bad.
'Why didn't you help me?'
Richard's eyes widened. He jumped up quickly. He could not turn back time. This Nicole was not his. His Nicole was dead.
"Look," Richard said as he looked down at her. "I appreciate you being there...here. I'm fine now."
Nicole arched an eyebrow. "My instinct tells me otherwise."
"Ignore your instinct. It will only get you killed. Believe me...I know."
Nicole stood up. She walked toward him. Richard backed away from her. She only smiled.
"Do not be afraid," Nicole said. "I trust Allah, and he enlightens me. I have seen...different places...different times. The ending is the same."
Richard's back hit the wall. Nicole stood face to face with Richard. She smelled of the freshness of a summer day. She touched his cheek.
"We are always together," Nicole said. "You are my soulmate as I am yours. I will not run from my destiny."
Nicole leaned in on Richard. She kissed him. He held her in his arms.
"So your absent friend? He is mad at you, yes?"
Melissa's double asked. "I can sense his anger through the air."
Brown stared at Melissa's double. She sat on pillows in the yoga position. Her eyes were closed.
"If you know then why ask?" Brown asked.
"It is obvious you want to talk. Also I sense the conflict in you. It falls off you like rain from a cloud."
"Sense again," Brown said. "Your mystical lingo does not impress me."
"Perhaps that is because you are a man who forges his own destiny rather than trust faith to hand it to you. Perhaps that is why you hate Mr. Heim. He took your control again?"
Brown laughed. "Your eavesdropping skills are quite impressive."
"I do not need to eavesdrop. All one needs to do is observe and trust in Allah."
"Bull!"
Melissa's eyes shot open. They focused on Brown.
"Do not ever say that about Allah again," Melissa's double warned. "You are here because I care. Do not make me regret it."
Brown glared. "Then I suggest you stop psychoanalyzing me. I promise you...you do not want to get on my bad side."
Melissa's double smirked. "I am sure I have witness darker things."
"Yes, Mr. Hall is angry at me," Brown said as he sat next to Melissa's double. "He holds me responsible for the death of his love."
"Why?"
"I...I might have prevented the whole situation if I had not allowed my rage over my own lover's death blind me to the influence of another."
"One of your companions?"
"She is no longer with us."
"Dead?"
"Home."
"I see."
Brown stood up again. He glared down at her.
"You see nothing," Brown said.
"I see enough," Melissa's double said defiantly. "I see your friend needs help. I saw you come. I saw you with the friend who will lead you to the one who will lead you home."
"Rembrandt."
Brown looked toward the beaded door. He ran for it as he heard a crash. He pushed the beads away. Purple chunks of glass laid at Wade's naked feet as she sat on the side of the bed. She stared at Brown.
"Remmy?" Wade said unsure.
"I-" Brown started.
Wade jumped off the bed and lunged at Brown. Before Brown could stop her, Wade wrapped her arms around him. Her head leaned into his chest.
"Remmy," Wade said. "I'm real! Please believe me. Remmy!"
"Wade...Miss Welles," Brown said. Her arms tightened around him. He grabbed them and pulled. She looked at him in surprise.
"Remmy..." Wade started.
"Miss Welles, what is the last thing you remember?" Brown asked.
Wade stared at Brown. She stepped away from him.
"The camps," Wade said bitterly. "Then...my mind...I see fire...death...and rebirth." She looked away. "You...you're not Remmy, are you?"
"No, Miss Welles," Brown said. "I am Rembrandt's nephew...Darnell."
"Nephew?" Wade said. A small smile crossed her face. "Rembrandt has a nephew? Wow!"
"Is everything all right?"
Brown turned to see Melissa's double standing in the door. She looked from him to Wade and back. She knew not how to act.
"Yes," Brown said. "Wade...Miss Welles is just experiencing some memory loss."
"I can get some healing salts for that," Melissa's double said as she approached Wade. "Come. I can show them to you and let you judge for yourself."
"Thank you," Wade said.
"Wow," Randy exclaimed.
Randy felt a sharp pain in his rib. He gritted his teeth to keep the pain in. He looked over at Melissa.
"What did you expect?" Melissa asked. She pointed to the exotic dancer who flashed a lot of skin to the various table sitters around the stage.
"I expected you to see that I was commenting on the world...not the woman," Randy said, still rubbing his ribs. "I'm not Richard."
Melissa's face clouded over.
"I'm sorry," Randy said quickly. "We're suppose to not be thinking of that."
"How can we not?" Melissa asked. "There are too many questions to ask. How did Peter find Nicole? How does Richard really feel? How long were Brown and Eve...I can't even say it."
"Yeah...THAT took me by surprise," Randy commented.
"Because Eve loved you?"
"Not what I mean."
"What did you mean?"
"Melissa," Randy looked at her. "What's really bugging you? There must be a reason you're trying to pick a fight with me."
Melissa looked down at her lap for a few seconds. Finally, she looked back at Randy. Fear colored her eyes.
"Richard is bugging me," Melissa said.
"Richard is always bugging you," Randy said. "What else?"
"Ben."
Randy frowned. "Ben?" He had not heard his roommate's name in a while.
"Eric said that Nicole wasn't alone. She was sliding with our friends. You don't think Ben would try to find us? Find me?"
Randy watched to touch his hand to Melissa's naked cheek. He wanted to comfort her, but her double warned him about touching in public. He could not risk it.
"What if Ben is looking?" Randy asked. "I know he's interested in you, but...the feeling isn't mutual anymore...is it?"
"No," Melissa spit out.
"Well, then. Nothing to worry about."
"He doesn't know we're together yet."
"If he's with the group searching for us, we'll deal with it when it happens."
Melissa managed a smile. "You always know what to say. I thought you were anti-social."
"Me?" Randy said jokily.
Melissa looked ready to elbow him again. Her face went from laughter to shock. She gasped.
"Oh my God," Melissa mumbled.
Randy stared at the door. He barely registered his gasp.
Nicole led Richard into the chanting hall. Judging by his expression, Richard did not want to be there. Randy frowned at the sight.
"What does he think he's doing?" Randy asked. "I'm going to-"
"No," Melissa said firmly.
Randy looked away from Richard to stare at Melissa. Her eyes revealed nothing.
"Why?" Randy asked.
"He has enough pain right now."
"So I'm a pain now?"
Melissa sighed in frustration. "I'm not saying that. I'm saying...let Richard be happy right now. He really needs it."
Randy looked over at Richard. He sat with Nicole now. They stared at the dancer and whispered back and forth. Randy could see the hint of a smile on his face.
"Okay," Randy decided. "I'll leave him alone. Let's go."
"Where are we going?" Melissa asked.
"It's a surprise," Randy said with a smile.
Brown watched Wade as she walked down the street. She took in the sights and sounds with wide eyes. He smiled at her childlike behavior.
"She is an enchanting woman," Melissa's double said.
"Yes, she is," Brown agreed.
"Was your lover that way?"
Brown looked over at Melissa's double. "I grow weary of your probing."
"Why?" Melissa challenged. "What are you hiding, Mr. Brown?"
"I told you enough."
"I disagree," Melissa's double said. "I said that there is a great conflict within you. When you were...in rage...did you...hurt people?"
"Just people who deserved it," Brown replied.
"Did you like hurting them?"
"No!" Brown spit out.
"A little defensive, aren't we?"
Brown looked down at his feet. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to Melissa's double.
"It is all right to give into rage," Melissa's double said. "We are human after all. Just do not let it run you for the rest of your life."
Brown smiled. "I...will try."
"Quinn!"
Brown looked ahead of himself. Wade was on the ground. She rolled side to side.
"Miss Welles!" Brown yelled as he ran to her. He kneeled beside her and shook her. "Miss Welles, can you hear me? Miss Welles!"
Wade glared at Brown. "Back off!"
Brown felt his body being gripped. He shot through the air and into a wall. He heard several gasps around him. He ignored them and stood up. Melissa's double was helping Wade up.
"I'm sorry," Wade said. "Are you okay?"
"I am fine, Miss Welles," Brown said. "I am concerned about you though. You obviously seem to remember Quinn Mallory."
Wade's eyes teared up. "Quinn...I...I remember...we were on this island with those animals and Rickman. Quinn pushed me and Remmy into the wormhole and..." She shook her head. "It's all a blur."
Melissa's double hugged Wade. "I am sure you will remember, little one...in time."
Wade nodded. "I...yes. In time."
Brown looked around the street. While most of the robe-clad people walked about their business, a few lingered the street. Their eyes focused on the three of them. A couple stared at Wade with real interest.
"I think we should get off the street," Brown suggested. "After Miss Welles'...little display, it might not be safe."
"Agreed," Melissa's double said. She smiled at Wade. "Let us explore the beauty of Transparent Gate Park."
Wade frowned. "Transparent Gate?"
Melissa's double nodded. "Yes. It was built in the 1800s to represent our strong, unshakeable faith in Allah."
Melissa led Wade down the street. Brown brought up the end of the group. He stared among the crowd. Everyone had returned to their chatter.
He hoped they would just forget it happened.
"Did you not see that?"
Cortez glared at his robed comrade. "Of course, I saw you idiot! It is her."
"Then we should follow them," his comrade insisted.
"I have to agree with Esteban, Cortez."
Cortez looked at the woman among them. Her blue eyes stared him. He knew they wanted him to make a choice.
"We have to be careful, Rosa," Cortez said. "We should not even be in the city. If we are discovered-"
"We will not be," Rosa cut him off. She walked over to Esteban. She touched his broad shoulders. "This is what we have waited for. What our visions have pointed to. She is the one. She is the vessel."
"Yes," Esteban said with a big grin. He took a step forward. "We should be after her and-"
Cortez held up a hand. "Careful, my friends."
"Allah will protect us," Esteban said.
"We should trust our own free will," Cortez said.
"Your ponytail is really tight, Cortez," Rosa said. "This is our opportunity. As our leader, you must decided now."
Cortez stroked his goatee. "Let us follow. Be careful...the dark one was watching."
"Of course, Cortez," Esteban and Rosa said in unite.
"It's...it's beautiful," Melissa said in response.
The grass grew over the cliff like moss to the base of a tree. Down below was where the Golden Gate Bridge would be. The difference was that there was a stone bridge. Every few moments the moon would peck out fo the clouds. Then another bridge would appear down from it. It was like magic.
Melissa leaned by into Randy's arms. He kissed her cheek. He felt so warm and close now.
"Melissa...your double told me about it today," Randy said. "I thought you would like to see it."
"I love it," Melissa said.
"I know."
She turned to look at Randy. "That's how I feel about you, too."
"Oh, really?"
Melissa wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, really." She leaned in on his face. "I think it's about time I showed how much I love you."
Melissa leaned in to kiss Randy. He kissed her back. She backed into the nearest tree and kept kissing Randy. She stopped for a second. Randy stared at Melissa in surprise.
"Why did you stop?" Randy asked.
Melissa gave him a lopsided smile. "There's this little problem I'm having."
Randy smiled slyly. "Oh, really? What's the problem?"
Melissa kissed Randy again. Then she touched his chest.
"You have your clothes on," Melissa said. "They are such a distraction and I want to see all of your lovely bod."
Melissa kept at Randy's robe. Hands on her own signaled her to look up. Randy looked at her. He looked confused.
"What's wrong?" Melissa asked.
"I...I...can't do this," Randy said.
"What?" Melissa said. "What did I do?"
"Nothing," Randy said as he backed off of the tree.
"Nothing?" Melissa said in mock surprise. "I wanted to show you how much I love you."
"I know you do."
"Why won't you let me then? I didn't come across as a slut, did I?"
Randy shook his head. "No! It's not that! I love you, Melissa. Really. I want you a lot, but..."
Melissa studied Randy's face. "But what?"
"I can't go into it right now."
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "You do not doubt our love. I was tore apart when you stopped existing. I know you was upset when I was in a coma. We're finally together. No obstacles. Why can't you do this?"
"I...I'll explain later," Randy said.
Before Melissa could say anything, Randy was heading down the cliff again. Melissa felt the moonlight on her back. She wondered what she did wrong.
"I...I..."
"Come on, Mr. Heim," Brown said as he sat across from him.
Randy scratched his head. "I...I don't know how to say this. I..."
"Spit it out!" Brown yelled.
"Melissa wants to...you know," Randy said.
Brown's forehead wrinkled up. "I know? Mr. Heim, I really have no clue what it is you are talking about and-"
"Sex!" Randy spit out.
Randy stared around the patio. Talking had stopped. Various people stared at the two of them.
"Surely you people have had this discussion with your children," Brown said to the crowd.
Randy stared at Brown. His glance at the crowd was unchanged. Randy looked back at the crowd. They started talking again.
"Thanks," Randy said sheepily.
"What else are teachers for?" Brown asked. "Now my advice...do not stress over it. You two have been working toward this for a while. Let it happen."
Randy looked down at his hands. They shook like leaves in the wind. He looked up again.
"I love Melissa," Randy said. "I want no one else. It's just..."
Brown's forehead wrinkled up again. "Mr. Heim, you are a grown man. Could you please say what you mean?"
"I'm a virgin."
Brown nodded. "Not so hard, was it?"
"That's easy for you to say," Randy said. "I was always busy with inventing...working. I didn't have much time for dating."
"And now you have this beautiful woman who has seen it all," Brown said. "I do not see Miss Clark comparing you to her past lovers."
"What if she does?" Randy shrieked. "What if I do bad? What if I do not...you know...get it up?"
Randy felt the eyes of the crowd on him again. Brown stood up and patted Randy on the shoulder.
"Mr. Heim...just relax," Brown said. "Everything will work out."
Richard turned over on the bed. His arm hit the mattress. His eyes opened. Nicole was not in bed with him anymore.
Richard sat up. He heard voices from the other room. He walked over to the door.
He saw several figures through the black beads that covered the door. Nicole seem to be arguing with two black robed figures.
"I am occupied at the moment," Nicole said. "He is in pain. I wish to help him."
"You have bought into Allah too much, Nicole," one of the figures said. "Have you forgotten the newer teachings?"
Nicole glared. "No, Rosa. I have not."
"Perhaps like Cortez here, your determination has wavered."
"I am still devoted," Cortez, the other figure, said.
"Good," Rosa said. "The vessel has finally appeared. It is time to collect it."
"Do the others stand ready?" Nicole asked.
"Yes," Cortez said. "They will meet us on the way."
"Go on," Nicole said. "I have a few loose ends to finish."
"That is not how it works, Nicole," Rosa said.
"Yes," Cortez added. "We go together. We all made the pledge."
Richard pushed through the beads. "Lady said she had stuff to do. Leave her alone."
Nicole turned to look at him. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Richard...you can...go back to sleep," Nicole said. "I will be in in a moment."
One of the robed figure's eyes narrowed on Richard. They were full of contempt.
"Richard?" Rosa said in surprise. "THE Richard? The soulmate. No wonder you are backing out of your pledge."
"I am not backing out of the pledge," Nicole snapped.
"Then come along," Cortez said. "We are on a time schedule." He glared at Nicole. "You know this."
"Nicole, what are they talking about?" Richard said as he walked over to hold her.
Nicole walked away from Richard. She stood next to Cortez and Rosa. Her eyes looked sad.
"I am truly sorry about your pain," Nicole said. "I hope you find your happiness."
"I found it," Richard said.
"No...you have not. Good day."
Nicole turned to the door. Richard grabbed Nicole's arm. She turned back in surprise.
"Now who's running from destiny?" Richard spit out.
Nicole's eyes lit up. "How dare you?"
"Hit a nerve?" Richard kept on. "Good. How about-"
Rosa stood next to Richard in an instant. She blew into her hand. Smoke shot into Richard's face. All of his muscles tensed up. He fell to the floor like a bowling ball pin after a strike.
The three of them stood over him now. Richard could stare up at them. He could not move his body though.
"That will not hold him long," Rosa said. "Let us go."
Rosa left his line of vision. Cortez followed.
Nicole stared for a moment. Then she vanished.
Melissa walked into the bedroom. Wade was by the window. Her eyes looked like it was somewhere else.
"Wade...are you okay?" Melissa asked.
For a few seconds, Wade said nothing. Her eyes blinked. Then she looked at Melissa.
"I remember...on my world...the bridge was called the Golden Gate Bridge," Wade said. A small smile crept onto her face. "Your double said I will probably remember more in time."
"I'm sure you will," Melissa said. "Every Wade that I met have been strong women. Since you're the original it seems...I'm sure the same applies to you."
Wade looked back out the window. "Do you think your friends will return soon?"
"Yes," Melissa said.
"Do you and the other guy love each other?"
Melissa gasped. "Of course."
"Quinn and I did once. On a world where we thought we would die, we admitted it. That was so..."
Wade's eyes lit up. "THAT...was a memory! It just popped out." She looked over at Melissa. "I remember Quinn! I remember!!"
She ran over to Melissa and hugged her. Melissa could not suppress her smile. It was a step in the right direction.
"What is happening?"
Melissa pulled away from Wade to smile at her double. "Wade just remembered something."
Melissa's double smiled. "That is good indeed."
"I hope to remember more, too," Wade said. "I want to know how I got on that ship."
"You will," Melissa said encouragingly. "We're going to be here to help you every step of the way."
A loud bang shot through the house. Melissa looked at her double. She looked as confused as she did. The loud noise came from the next room again.
"I will see who it is," Melissa's double said. "It is echoing from the front door. Stay here."
Melissa's double pushed through the beads without another word. Melissa stared at Wade. She looked a little shaken.
"It's okay," Melissa said as she put a hand on Wade's shoulder. "Im sure it's nothing."
"What is the meaning of this? You cannot just-"
Melissa heard a thump and a gasp. Then she heard the sound of a body falling and hitting the ground.
"Search the house," a man's voice said. "Find the vessel."
"Come on," Melissa whispered to Wade.
"Where are we going?" Wade whispered back.
Melissa made it to the window. She opened it up and climbed through it. She looked back at Wade.
"Come on," Melissa said as she held out her hand.
Wade grabbed Melissa's hand. Her feet hit the ground softly.
"Let's go before-" Melissa started as she turned away from Wade. Her sentence caught in her throat.
A dozen robed figures stood before the two of them. The lead one was a giant next to them. His eyes narrowed on them.
"Where do you think you are going with the vessel, woman?" the man demanded.
"She's no one's vessel," Melissa said. "And we are leaving."
"I think not."
Melissa looked at the corner of the house. Three figures headed toward them now. Melissa recognized Nicole. Her mind immediately shot to Richard and wondered if he was okay.
"Good work, Esteban," the man with Nicole said. "Now that we have the vessel we can leave."
"Who are you people anyway?" Melissa asked, hoping to stall. "Why do you want my friend?"
"She is the one," a woman said as she took off her vale. Her dark hair blew in the wind. "We were born here and we embrace some of the our world's beliefs...we do not really believe in following Allah. That belief...not believing...is punishable by death."
"Yes," the man with the woman continued. "We hid outside the city...binding our time. The signs quickly approaching." He walked to Wade and bowed his head. "And you have come. You are the one who will take us to a better world."
"Me?" Wade said in surprise. "What can I do?"
"More than you know, Miss Welles."
Melissa saw confusion cross over the man and woman's faces. They stared at Esteban. He smirked at Wade now.
"Esteban...how do you know the vessels' name?" the man demanded.
Esteban glared at the man. "Cortez...Rosa...you two have been helpful in finding this escaped experiment, but you are idiots."
Esteban held out a hand. Cortez and Rosa flew into the wall. Melissa saw Nicole gasp in surprise.
"Well...it looks like I will have two to bring home to the Dynasty," Esteban said as he approached Melissa and Wade.
"Dynasty?" Wade said in confusion.
"Yes," Melissa said, the anger growing in her voice. "The Kromagg Dynasty."
"So you remember, human," Esteban said with a grin that revealed pointy white teeth. "Good."
Esteban's body shrank before Melissa's eyes. The shape it took was one she knew. It was Kresh. Behind him, two of the robed figures morphed into Humaggs. The other followers ran off in fright.
"Well, Miss Welles," Kresh said as he continued to approach, "it is a pleasure to see you again. Commander Kesh would love to see her pet project again since the rebels destroyed much of the research."
"Kesh?" Wade muttered.
Melissa blocked Wade from Kresh's reach. "You're not taking her."
"And who is going to stop me?" Kresh challenged.
Melissa felt Wade at her back. They could back away no farther. He had them.
"No! You will not take the vessel from us!"
A shadow moved. Nicole was on Kresh. Her fists caused Kresh to stumble.
"Wade, run," Melissa said.
She looked at Wade. Wade's eyes were not on the scene at all. They were on another place. Another time. She looked at Melissa with eyes that had technolines to them now.
"I remember now," Wade said. "The Kromagg camps. The project. Remmy finding me. What I had become. A cyberaid...able to cut through worlds. All I have to do is think it and I was there. I remember my death." Her eyes narrowed. "And my rebirth."
Melissa heard a gasp. She looked in time to see Nicole fly through the air. She hit the wall and landed beside Cortez and Rosa.
"Now I..." Kresh started.
The air came to life as a rectangular portal opened up behind the Humaggs. Melissa looked at it and gasped. Her hair was on ends.
A shadow moved beside Melissa. She turned to see Wade walking toward Kresh. Her eyes were full of fury.
"All I wanted was to get home," Wade said. "To be with my friends. When I was a cyberaid, I had time to create a new body. Kesh found out I wasn't under her complete control so I was drugged to forget. It was a surprise to destroy that Kromagg base only to open my eyes on another world controlled by Kromaggs. I escaped you. Hid myself well. Then I sensed a presence that I had not felt in a long time...Quinn Mallory."
"Impossible," Kresh said.
Wade waved a hand. Kresh's Humagg soldiers flew through the portal. It sizzled.
"So was that," Wade said. "I felt Quinn. After all these years I did." Her eyes narrowed. "You took that away from me. You found me and was taking me back when your boys ran into some sliders....someone who knew their timer could short out your ship's control. I only wished that when I got to the bridge, I could have controlled the ship."
"You belong to the Dynasty," Kresh hissed.
"For the first time in a long time," Wade said, "I belong to myself. Remember that."
Wade waved her hand. Kresh shot through the portal. It vanished after him with a sizzle.
Melissa slowly approached Wade. "Wade...are you okay?"
Wade looked at Melissa. Her eyes were one of shock.
"I know where Quinn is," Wade announced.
Richard sat on the doorstep. He watched Wade slide out a lot of people from the step of the cult's base. There was forest all around so the town was none the wiser. Now there was one member left.
"Leave me alone," Richard said simply.
Nicole sat down next to him. Her sweet perfume intoxicated his nose He moved away from her.
"I apologize," Nicole said.
"You are nothing like my Nicole," Richard said coldly.
A hand touched his cheek.
"And yet I am," Nicole replied. "We both follow our beliefs."
"I thought your belief was that we were soulmates."
Richard felt the hand on his cheek grab ahold of it. His face turned to face Nicole. Her eyes were a window.
"My beliefs are many," Nicole said sadly.
"That is why I must leave. I believe that this world is not for me. I believe that long before you came into my visions."
Richard stood up. He stared down the street at a couple of deer. They were close to each other, embracing it seem.
"Also I believe that we will meet again," Nicole said. "It is destined. That is why every farewell is not an ending."
Richard said nothing. Nicole said nothing as well. Richard's ears shot up. He turned around to see that Wade had opened a portal. Nicole jumped into it. It closed behind her.
A hand touched Richard's shoulder. Richard turned around. Brown stood there.
"I am deeply sorry, Mr. Hall," Brown said.
"Why?" Richard asked. "I thought you would say I was getting what was coming to me. I'm alone and it's killing me."
"You are not alone."
Richard knocked Brown's hand away. "Leave me alone! We're not friends. We never were!"
"Mr. Hall-"
"Exactly!" Richard cut Brown off. "Friends actually use first names. You act like I'm your student. I'm not Egghead! I never will be! I'm just a loser who gets people killed!"
"Is everything okay?" Wade asked as she walked up.
"It's just fine!" Richard yelled.
He felt his feet run across the field. He just let them. He wanted to be away from these people. He needed to be away from them.
'Why couldn't you save me?' Nicole's voice accused Richard.
"Because I'm a loser," Richard whispered to the voice.
"So are you ready?"
Randy looked away from the window. Melissa stared back at him as she came out of the bedroom.
"Honestly?" Randy said. "I'm nervous."
"After all these months of searching, we're about to find the first guy who invented sliding," Melissa said. "Why be nervous?"
"A lot of things," Randy said. "Who knows how Quinn is. What if he does not know anything? What if he knows more? What if I come across as stupid? What if Logan still is following us somehow? What if-"
Melissa crossed the room quickly. Her lips closed off Randy's mouth. He let them seduce his worries away.
"God, I really want you," Melissa purred.
"I...I want you, too," Randy said. "I'm worried though."
"Why?"
"I never...I'd never did that before."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Randy pulled away from Melissa. He glared at her double. She stood in the door with a mild smile on her face.
"That confession was not meant for your ears," Randy said to her.
"I was just saying that you have great self-control," she replied.
"So is everyone ready outside?" Melissa cut in. Randy silently thank her.
"Richard should be back in a moment," her double said. "He took Nicole's leaving very hard. After he adjusts, you may leave."
"And then...next stop...home!" Melissa shrieked.
Randy smiled. It was finally about to happen. After almost two years, they were about to make it home. Nothing could stop them now.
Robert Bufford sat at the Dominion's bar. He had been there for thirty minutes now. He started to feel like an idiot. He hated feeling like an idiot. He was a genius after all.
A figure sat next to Bufford. He paid it no mind.
"I see you got my note, Mr. Bufford."
Bufford turned to his right. A tall bald man sat next to him. He stared forward with his glasses. His black business suit made him look like a mortician.
"Are you quite done staring?" the man asked.
Bufford stared forward. "I assume you are Mr. Stone."
"You assume right. Did you bring your group's timer?"
"Yes, I brought the gizmo," Bufford replied. "Now when do I get fame for inventing this?"
"In time," Mr. Stone said. "I need you to do me an...errand first."
"An errand?" Bufford shrieked. "What do I look like an errand boy? I am the greatest at my university and-"
"A great mind that is about to be an excellent one. What is one small errand if it results in getting rid of more of your friends?"
"More?"
"Yes, I know that your 'friend' Nicole Harris got kidnapped. Sorry little affair I am afraid."
"Who are you?"
Mr. Stone finally smiled. Bufford felt his spine grow cold.
"Think of me, Mr. Bufford, as the best friend you will ever have." Mr. Stone stopped smiling. "So is it a deal?"
Bufford smiled. To get credit over Randy Heim. To be famous...
"Yes," Bufford said, "it's a deal."
THE-END
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