"How is it going?"
Randy Heim looked over from the bed. the goateed man stared back at him. His old buzzcut look was starting to give way to dark curls. He managed not to smile, putting the casing back on the timer.
"Hopefully, this time...it'll work," Randy said.
"First stop Quinn and Earth Prime. Next stop...my homeworld."
"Ethan--"
"I'll tell the others," Ethan said, heading out of the hotel room.
Randy sighed sadly. Ethan Bradshaw had given him the cold shoulder since he almost caught Randy kissing Melissa Clark...Randy's ex. He had not meant for that to happen. Melissa and he had a history of doing that...falling back into each other. But...he was with Ethan now. Now he had to show Ethan he wanted him.
Which was why he was purposely not homing in on Quinn's location.
The whir sounded out. Randy shot out of the blue vortex. Before he could react, a sheet of paper hit his face. He heard laughter. He frowned
"Do you mind?" Melissa Clark demanded.
"Hey!" Richard Hall bellowed. "It was funny!"
The newspaper lifted up. Randy looked to see Rembrandt Brown holding it. He stroked his chin as he glanced at the newspaper's headlines.
"Appears normal enough," Rembrandt said. His eyes widened. "We got a black president."
"You sure we're home?"
The vortex closed behind Randy. He barely noticed. His eyes were narrowed on the guy with the stubble and the ponytail. Ever since Melissa broke up with him, Richard appeared to be holding a grudge against him. Not that Randy blamed him.
"Only one way to find out," Randy said, standing up. He took in the alleyway they were in. "Shall we go?"
"Fairies first," Richard snapped.
"Richard!" Melissa hissed near him.
Randy glared at Richard as they headed for the alleyway entrance. He knew Richard well enough to know he wasn't joking. He probably wished he was...
Randy bumped into something, causing him to focus. He looked and saw it was Ethan. He manged a smile.
"Sorry," Randy said, "I--"
He looked forward. His eyes widened.
A figure had walked into the alleyway. His right hand was in front of him with some device shaped like a calculator. As he came closer to the group, the figure's face came into the light.
"Oh my God!" Quinn Mallory exclaimed, his eyes widening. "Remmy? Is that you?"
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 4: NEW ORDER
Randy trailed behind the others. He looked up, his eyes on the front. He frowned. There was no way he could have...
Yet...he did. The proof was up front, chatting with Rembrandt. He had somehow...found Quinn.
"You found Earth Prime?" Rembrandt asked.
"I thought I did," Quinn said. He looked down. "Turns out I was wrong." He looked back at Randy. "But hey! Two heads. It worked for us and Jared. I'm sure it will work again."
"That's what Randy's been trying,"Ethan said. "If it worked then...and now...well...I want to go home."
"What?" Rembrandt managed. He looked at Randy. "Randy--"
"--was kind enough to agree," Ethan cut in.
Randy looked at Ethan. Ethan stared back. His gray eyes betrayed only one emotion: hurt. Randy looked away. He saw Melissa looking, her face a mask of shock. Richard took the scene with a smirk. Meanwhile, Quinn and Rembrandt were faces of confusion. Randy managed a nod.
"Yes, I did," Randy said. He moved past Ethan. He smiled at Quinn. "So...when do we start?"
Richard smirked. As they approached the Dominion, Richard took the others in. Rembrandt, Quinn, and Randy were up front with idle chatter. Ethan was a little bit back, his eyes looking about the street. So was Melissa.
"I'm surprised," Richard said, walking alongside Melissa.
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "Richard, not now."
"What?" Richard said in mock innocence.
"I don't have time for games," Melissa said.
"Funny," Richard said. "You're good at doing them. With me. Egghead. With--"
Melissa stopped walking. She turned at Richard. Her eyes narrowed.
"Look," Melissa said. "How many times do I have to say sorry?"
"How many?" Richard asked. He leaned closer to Melissa. "Until the image of you kissing Egghead leaves my head."
Melissa glared. He laughed. He really did not care. After all the hurt she had caused him, Richard was all too willing return the favor.
"Well with Thuggie gone," Richard continued, "you can have Egghead all to yourself. Kudos."
Melissa arched an eyebrow. "Are you old enough to even be using that word?"
"Hm. Good."
"I'm not going to be turning your digs much longer," Melissa warned.
"Bring it, Sweetheart," Richard challenged. "I'm ready for ya."
Richard turned and headed for the Dominion doors. A grin crept onto his face. Looked like he was going to have a bit...
Richard looked up above the door to the Dominion. He frowned. Above the doors was a camera. It looked down on him like a warden in a prison.
"Not home after all," Richard uttered.
He walked into the Dominion.
"So...heading home?"
Rembrandt sat down on the couch in the Dominion lobby. Ethan looked up at him. He nodded.
"Yep," Ethan replied. "Guess that's what I get for following my heart."
"Better to have loved and..." Rembrandt started.
"Stop," Ethan said coldly.
Rembrandt said nothing. He turned to look at the Dominion front desk. Quinn and Randy were busy talking to Gomez Calhoun. Well...Quinn was busy. Randy...looked at Ethan. Rembrandt looked at Ethan.
"Do what you gotta do then," Rembrandt said. "But from where I sit...Genius is crazy about you."
Ethan laughed. Rembrandt heard the bitterness in his voice.
"Yes, he does," Ethan said, "until Melissa walks into the room."
"Well, they have a his--"
"Where was that history when your nephew killed him?" Ethan snapped. "Better yet...where has she been? Since I've been around, she was all around Richard...her boyfriend. She wouldn't talk to Randy. Wouldn't have his back. Nothing. I did that. She just could not stand that maybe Randy could have a life with someone not her."
"Can he?" Rembrandt asked. "I mean...you're leaving. I guess not."
Ethan smirked. "Clever."
Rembrandt shrugged. "I have my moments."
"Why do you care? You hate Randy."
"Well...he found Quinn. That counts for something."
"And his vendetta against your nephew?"
Rembrandt frowned. It was no secret the boiling hatred between Randy and his mentor. Not even the fact that Darnell was his nephew changed that. He managed a smile.
"How about we cross that bridge...if you're staying?" Rembrandt challenged.
Ethan frowned. Rembrandt suppressed a giggle. He was about to say something when the Dominion doors open. He looked to see it was Melissa. She stormed to the counter, a frown on her face. A moment later, Richard entered. He walked slow, his eyes taking in the room.
"You okay, Richard?" Rembrandt asked.
"Yeeea," Richard managed, heading to the couch. "Do you notice the camera seem to be really following us?"
"What camera in a hotel doesn't?" Rembrandt asked.
"I mean...seriously...watching."
"Sounds like paranoia to me," Ethan commented.
"Bite me," Richard snapped.
"Promises, promises," Ethan said, trying not to laugh.
"Shouldn't you be leaving?"
"Guys! We're set!"
Rembrandt looked up. Quinn, Randy, and Melissa approached. He noticed that Randy and Melissa were side by side. He looked over at Rembrandt. Yep, that did not sit well with Ethan at all.
"Have you guys noticed--" Richard started.
Ethan shot up. "Don't mind him! Paranoid! Can we go?"
The group headed for the elevator. Richard managed a glare at Ethan before he followed. Rembrandt was right behind him.
CLICK.
Rembrandt paused. It had been low. Still he heard it. He stared about the lobby. Except for Calhoun, there was no one there. Calhoun had not even looked up.
Rembrandt's eyes fell on the wall. Near the ceiling...was a camera. He narrowed his eyes on it.
No, this did not sit well with him at all.
Randy paused. He looked over at the bedroom door. There was no noise coming from it. He could only assume Ethan was sleep. Then again, Ethan wasn't an early sleeper...
"So how does it look?"
Randy looked back at Quinn. They sat on the couch. For the last few hours, the two of them hashed out equations, trying to reproduce how to create a vortex that would lead to Earth Prime. Randy took the paper from Quinn and took in the equations.
"Honestly," Randy said, putting the paper, "I'm beat. How about we call it a night and go at it again?"
Quinn frowned. "Do you know how long it's been since we got separated? What I had to go through? Who I miss?"
Randy frowned. "Yes, I know. Must get home to the fiancee."
Quinn glared at him. "What is your problem? We all miss someone. Don't you? Or is it all about Ethan to you now?"
Randy glared back at him. "just shows what you know." He stood up. "He's not even talking to him."
Randy walked over to the window. He looked out of it, his mind on the last few weeks. he heard movement, but he didn't turn around.
"So...what happened?" Quinn asked.
"Melissa," Randy said.
"Isn't she with--"
"Not anymore," Randy cut him off.
"Ah!" Quinn said. "I see."
"Now...he wants to go home."
"And you don't want him to?"
Randy looked at Quinn. He had stood up. He looked at Randy, his eyes full of concern.
"No," Randy said. "No, I--"
Suddenly, the door exploded. Quinn fell to the floor. Randy quickly dashed for Ethan's door. His eyes stared at the door, it covered with smoke. As it cleared, men shot through dressed in black armor and rifles at the ready. One aimed at Randy.
"Stop!" the man yelled.
Randy lunged for the door. It opened. He closed it in time as the rifle went off. He fell to the floor. The door exploded.
Ethan was by the window. His eyes widened. Randy shot up quickly.
"Jump!" Randy yelled.
Richard opened the door. The main hotel door exploded. His eyes widened.
"I knew it!" Richard exclaimed.
"What's going on?" Rembrandt asked behind him.
Richard looked at him. "Trouble."
"Quinn!"
"Rembrandt, wait!"
Rembrandt moved Richard out of the way. He ran out of the door. He stopped, his eyes widening.
Quinn kneeled on the floor. He had his hands held up. Several black armored men charged into the room. One of them had a rifle trained on Quinn.
"Quinn!" Rembrandt yelled.
"What's going--"
The man with the rifle looked past Quinn. He aimed at the speaker. Quinn dropped his arms. Before the black-armored man could react, Quinn threw up the coffee table. The black-armored man fell back. He turned.
"Remmy! Melissa! Run!" Quinn yelled.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Rembrandt yelled, running to Melissa's room.
Richard shut the door again. He wished he was in Melissa's room. Her room...and Ethan's...had the fire escape. He ran to his window. All it had was the ledge.
"Oh, crap," Richard mumbled.
Randy dropped to the ground. He looked up. Ethan stood over him.
"You okay?" Randy asked.
"Yeah," Ethan said. He looked up. "The others?"
"We'll see about them as soon as we see we're safe," Randy said, standing up. "Let's--"
Figures shot out of the shadows. Randy recognized them. They were more of the black-armored men. They aimed rifles at him and Ethan. Ethan backed into him. Randy held him in place.
"Oh, great," Randy said.
"Guess we go down fighting," Ethan said, hands balling into fists.
"Or not."
The black-armored men turned. Shouts rained out. Randy's eyes widened as he saw it was laserfire. It cut down the black-armored men. Randy turned to look at their saviors.
"There you are!"
Randy's eyes widened. It was Jared Heim. On this Earth, he had shoulder-length hair in a ponytail. He was dressed in a green trenchcoat and military clothes. He stared at the twosome.
"And you're with my brother?" Jared asked. "Okay."
"Heim! Come on!"
Randy looked past Jared. He recognized the black woman with the curly hair as Dru Preston. Next to her was Miashuyhi Kim. She had braids in her hair and looked down at some device in her hand. Dru stormed over to Jared.
"Mia can only jam the cameras for so long before the Council override," Dru said. "We can't be seen." Her eyes fell on Ethan. "Do you know what we had to go through to find you? Your ball and chain will be pleased."
"Your ball and chain?" Randy uttered, his eyes falling on a pale looking Ethan.
"Yep. Me."
Dru looked behind her. So did Randy. A figure was next to Miashuyhi Kim. The man headed for them. He had spiky dark hair. His clothes was the same as the others, his eyes on Ethan. Randy looked at Ethan. Ethan looked like he had seen a ghost. The man grabbed Ethan in a hug.
"Caleb?" Ethan uttered.
The man smiled. "Who else would it be?"
Then...he kissed Ethan.
Rembrandt walked quickly. Thankfully, a crowd had gathered outside the Dominion. It allowed him, Quinn, and Melissa to stare as they saw the black van.
"What do you think it is?" one of the crowd...a short black man asked.
"Probably another drug crackdown," another person...an older plump woman said.
"You get many of those?" Melissa asked.
The woman looked at her, pushing her glasses back to the tip of her nose.
"Only since the President decided to have a war on drugs," the woman replied.
"Assuming this is the FBI," another person in the crowd...a white shaggy-haired guy who looked Melissa's age said.
"Who else would it be?" the short black man asked.
"The Council," the shaggy-haired guy said.
Rembrandt saw the black man and the woman frown. He wondered what the Council was.
"Don't mind him," the woman said to Melissa.
"Urban legend," the black man added.
"Are you two nuts?" the guy demanded.
"No," the black man answered. "But I think you are."
"There is no Council," the woman said.
"You two really need to wake up," the guy replied. "There's a whole other world out there. A shadow world most people know little about."
"Riiiiight," the black man commented.
"Like I said," the woman said, touching Melissa's shoulder, "it's a drug crackdown."
The guy threw up his arms. "Whatever! I'm out."
Rembrandt watched the guy walk down the street. He looked over at Quinn. Quinn frowned at him. He wondered what was up.
"They're coming out," the black man announced.
Rembrandt looked at the Dominion doors. The black-armored men exited the hotel. Several people were in-between them, their hands behind their backs. Rembrandt was sure they were handcuffed. His eyes widened as he saw one of the prisoners in the back. It was Richard.
"No," Rembrandt muttered.
The prisoners were put in the back of the van. Richard hesitated at the back, his eyes dotting through the crowd. His eyes fell on Rembrandt. They widened before one of the black-armored men shoved him into the van. It drove off.
"Richard," Melissa muttered.
"We need to move," Quinn said.
"What about Richard?" Melissa asked.
Rembrandt looked at them. "I think...we should follow the guy."
Richard frowned. His arms were hurting. It had been hours since he got int the van. And all he got...was the van moving. Maybe he was better off staying on that one world...
He stopped thinking it. He had tried. He tried to stay on a world. All it got him was trouble and despair. Now he slid aimlessly. And that wasn't cakewalk either...
Richard jerked forward, coming out of his thoughts. The van had stopped. He looked around. The other prisoners looked around as well.
"Oh, great," said one...a scruffy-looking man.
"Not good I take it," Richard said.
The man frowned. "Where you been?"
"Canada," Richard said.
"So? Dead is dead."
"Don't expect to be dead, Bro," Richard said.
"I'm not Bro," the man said. "Name's Ryan."
"Richard."
Suddenly, the van's doors flew open. Black-armored men shot into the van. Before Richard could say anything, the black-armored men grabbed him. He pushed backwards, but the men dragged him out of the van.
He took in his surroundings. They were outside a black building. It looked like a fortress to Richard. Not a good thing. His eyes looked about. He made out a few more black buildings. They were a few meters away from the one they were in front of.
The black-armored men dragged him to the building. The side made a click sound. Then a set of double doors opened. They entered with him and the other prisoners. Richard wondered what he would find in the building.
"Today the police had a crackdown at the Dominion Hotel. The suspects..."
"Riiiiight," Miashuyhi Kim said.
Dru put an arm over Kim's arm. "What's wrong, KitKat? Don't you believe the TV?"
Kim glared at Dru. "You do?"
Randy watched the two women laugh. He stayed close to them as they walked down the street. He looked past them. Jared, Caleb, and Ethan were upfront. His eyes focused on Caleb and Ethan. He had Ethan in a hug. Ethan giggled. Randy frowned.
"So...what was that?" Randy asked. "Who were those men?"
Jared looked back at Randy. "Better question: why were you at the Dominion? I thought you were off to New York for that battle of the bands?"
"God, J!" Dru exclaimed. "Just tell him already."
Jared glared at Dru. Caleb stopped with Ethan. They turned around. Randy looked at Ethan. Ethan stared back, his face unreadable.
"You know what? Fine!" Jared said. "Mia, turn on the jammer."
"Is that--" Kim started.
"Just do it," Jared cut her off.
"Whatever," Kim said, with a roll of the eyes. She put out the device she had earlier. She pushed a button, her forehead wrinkling up. Finally, she looked up. "Done. Hope it's worth it."
"Think the Council can track us?" Dru asked.
"No," Kim said. She smirked. "Just the dead spots."
"Council?" Randy uttered.
"I should have told you before you left," Jared said, approaching Randy. He touched his shoulder. "I only just recently realized this. Everything we know...it's a lie. There's a conspiracy that is going on right under the general public's nose. It's a conspiracy to take away everything's liberties...and piracy. Worse...people will never know it."
"Okay...how?" Randy asked.
"The Council," Jared said. "You notice the cameras all around?"
Randy looked around. He frowned. On the stoplights there were cameras. That was nothing new...the better to catch people running a red light. He stared about the stores around the group. The television store had cameras in their display. He also saw them on the outside of the store. In fact, as Randy kept looking up and down the block, every building seem to have some camera system. He looked back at Jared.
"Well, yeah," Randy said.
"Due to...a very dark day in our history...the government decided to install cameras everywhere," Jared said. "For better protection within our boundaries they said. The government created a council to monitor activities within the United States. Never want another terrorist incident like...anyway the Council monitors more than that. They can get ahold of anyone's records. ATM transactions. Credit card usage. video. Internet outlets. Thankfully, Ethan's name popped up on Mia's database."
"Cuz my hacking rocks, don't you know," Kim said.
"Hush," Dru said.
"How does he...you...fit into this?" Randy asked.
Jared looked behind him. "Caleb. He showed me...showed us the way. By an encrypted email. We followed it...and our eyes were opened."
"Yeah," Caleb said, hugging Ethan a little tighter. "The Council are obviously planning something. They might be on to us if they tried to snatch Ethan."
"Just more reason to keep walking," Kim said.
"Hush," Dru said.
"I agree with Dru," Caleb said, kissing Ethan on the cheek. "We have to report anyway. All those black-armored goons...obviously, something big."
Randy watched Caleb with Ethan. They had turned and headed down the street. He felt a knob in his stomach. He also felt the need to punch Caleb in the face.
Jared popped into his view. Dru and Kim were on each side of him. He managed a smile.
"You with me, Brother?" Jared asked.
Rembrandt walked away from the ATM machine with a smirk on his face. No matter what world he was on, he was happy to see his doubles thought alike. Great minds.
Melissa and Quinn stood on the sidewalk. Their eyes were across the street. The guy they saw at the Dominion had walked into a coffeehouse. Rembrandt stood next to Quinn.
"He still in there?" Rembrandt asked.
"Yeah," Quinn said.
They crossed the street. Rembrandt noticed the camera along the entrance. He got a chill. Hopefully, Richard was all right.
Richard screamed. Electricity coursed through his body. Too much of it. He jerked int he chair, but his arms were bond to it. All he could do...was scream.
And then...nothing. Richard's head fell forward. Sweat wet his forehead. He breathed quickly. His mind wondered if he would get out of here.
"Who do you work for?" a robotic voice asked.
Richard looked up. All around him was darkness. It reminded him of when he first met Mr. Stone on that Big Brother world. It was scary.
"Myself," Richard answered.
"Wrong answer," the robotic voice shot back.
Then...his body came alive with electricity. Richard jerked in the chair. He screamed.
Then...it was gone again. Richard fell forward again. The sweat fell into his lap.
"Who do you work for?" the robotic voice asked.
"I don't know what you want me to say!" Richard yelled.
"You were picked up at the Dominion Hotel," the robotic voice said. "But one can not be two places at once, Mr. Hall. So...who do you work for?"
Mr. Hall. The phrase ran shivers down Richard's back. It couldn't be...
"Richard Hall is currently in Europe according to our database," the robotic voice continued. "However, our database has concluded you are Richard Hall. A Richard Hall with dangerous company."
A door opened. The light blinded Richard. When his eyes adjusted, Richard saw a figure in front of him. His eyes widened.
"And that," the older man said, "is not a good thing."
"Dad?" Richard uttered.
Randy looked at the timer. It was still countdowning. They had a day and a half. Not really enough time to find the others. Still...
"Don't worry."
Randy looked up. Ethan was in the doorway. Jared had brought them to a two-story townhouse that Randy realized was the one Ben and he shared on Earth Prime. At the moment, he was in his room. Ethan walked into the room and leaned over the bed.
"They got Quinn," Ethan continued.
"But no timer," Randy said. "We have to find them."
"You heard what Boss said," Ethan said. "You'll likely draw attention to yourself."
"Maybe."
"No maybe."
Randy shot up. "Maybe you want to cuddle with Caleb. You do that. I...am going to find the others."
Randy headed for the door. A hand encircled his arm. He snatched his arm away, causing him to be unbalanced. He turned, facing Ethan.
"You're actually jealous?" Ethan challenged.
Randy crossed his arms over his chest. Ethan continued to stared, his gray eyes betrayed only amazement. Randy frowned.
"Who's Caleb?" Randy asked.
Ethan's forehead wrinkled up. He looked surprised that Randy had asked. After a moment, Ethan sighed.
"On my Earth," Ethan explained, "Caleb...we...before the Kromaggs. He was someone in my neighborhood. I had a crush before I dropped out of school...had Jared, Mia, and Dru to guard my back. We...I wasn't strong enough...comfortable enough with myself. Too afraid of losing face with Jared. Caleb...wasn't scared. They...didn't like that. Then...the Kromaggs arrived before...anything was resolved."
"Hm," Randy muttered.
"'Hm?'" Ethan repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Looks resolved to me."
"Screw you, Randy. It's not like you care."
Randy glared at him. "You staying here?"
Ethan glared back. "Maybe."
"No maybe."
Ethan started to storm to the door. Randy was right behind him. He grabbed Ethan's arm. Ethan stopped, but did not turn around.
"Look," Randy said. "I'm new at this. All I know...is that I miss you. I miss talking to you. I miss the sparring. I miss waking up next to you."
"No, you d--"
"Yes, I do!" Randy snapped. He sighed. "That's why I purposely sabotaged the timer."
Ethan's back stiffened. Slowly, he turned around. He looked at Randy wide-eyed.
"What?" Ethan mumbled.
"You heard me," Randy said, stepping forward. "I really don't even know how I found Quinn. In fact...I shouldn't have." He stood in front of Ethan now. "I wanted you to stay as long as possible.' He cupped Ethan's face in his hands. "I wanted you. Not Melissa. You."
"Randy--" Ethan started.
Randy did not let him finish. He leaned in and kissed him. Ethan stiffened at lips on his lips. Then he gave in to it.
Rembrandt saw the shaggy-haired guy look up, a result of three people's shadows standing in is light. He frowned.
"Can I help you?" the shaggy-haired guy asked.
"Yeah," Rembrandt said, "you could. We met earlier."
"Did we?"
"At the Dominion Hotel. During the drug crackdown."
The shaggy-haired guy scowled. "That was no crackdown. That's what the Council wants you to think."
"We believe you," Melissa said.
"We were the ones in the room," Quinn added.
"Drug-free," Rembrandt said.
The shaggy-haired guy's eyes widened. "No way."
"Scout's honor," Rembrandt said.
The shaggy-haired guy looked around the coffeehouse. Rembrandt followed suit. Nothing seem out of the ordinary. People sat around at various tables chatting and drinking. He looked back at the shaggy-haired guy.
"We were hoping you could help us," Rembrandt said. "We don't know what the Council is...and they have our friend. We need to get him back."
The shaggy-haired guy leaned back in his chair. He scratched his chin. His forehead wrinkled up.
"I'll do it," the guy said, "but you gotta help me, too."
"Guys."
Rembrandt looked at Quinn. Quinn gestured with his head. Rembrandt turned around. In the window, a black van like what they saw earlier...slowly drove past. The shaggy-haired guy stood up.
"Did one of you use an ATM?" he asked.
Rembrandt looked down. He slowly raised his hand. The guy rolled his eyes.
"Okay...time to go," he said. "By the way...I'm Jeremy. Just think of me as your guardian angel."
Rembrandt grinned. How things were looking, they could use one.
Richard stretched. He did not know how long he had been in that electric chair. His legs definitely felt like it had been years.
"You really do not have much time."
Richard turned to look at his torturer/savior. His father stood by the door. He was in a black-armored suit like the goons that had grabbed him. He also had a ponytail and a stud in one ear...something Richard could not imagine his father back home having. However, the frown on his dad's face was something Richard could see his dad on Earth Prime having.
"What would you like me to say?" Richard asked.
"The truth," Richard's Dad replied.
"Or...you could let me go," Richard said.
"I do that, we're both dead," Richard's Dad said. "The hallways...like most rooms...are monitored. Lucky for you...I have a jammer in this room."
"Yay! Lucky me!"
"Can I get serious from you for once?" Richard's Dad snapped. "Am I asking for too much?"
"That's the pot calling the kettle black!" Richard snapped back.
Richard's Dad stormed over to him. "If you were my son..."
"But didn't you just say I wasn't?" Richard challenged.
"You gotta be," Richard's Dad said. "No one else would be suck a dick."
Richard smirked.
"So...explain the riddle," Richard's Dad said. "Two Richards in two different places. Go."
Richard crossed his arms over his chest. No matter what world he was on, his dad was still overbearing. What was the point of even answering his questions? Nothing would be good enough for him.
"The Council's head tech believes that the reason there are two of you...is because one of you...is from a parallel Earth," Richard's Dad said. "And that makes you...or one of your associates...very careful."
"All I know is that I was sleep in my bed. Next thing I know...stormtroopers are banging down my door. What's up, Pops?"
"One) our cameras got film of people entering this world in some kind of...wormhole," Richard's Dad said. "And two) the cameras did a data run and one of the people was in our database as a person of interest. THAT'S what's up."
Richard frowned. "And I'm stuck in the middle."
"No," his dad said, "you're...in Europe."
"What in--"
Richard's Dad stepped back. Then he swung out, knocking Richard's backwards. Richard fell to the floor, his face throbbing.
"The Council wants this...wormhole weapon," Richard's Dad said, "And all the information you have on one Ethan Bradshaw. If I have to beat the information out of you...so be it."
Richard's Dad lunged at him. Richard's last thought as he threw up his arms was a memory. The memory of Mr. Stone and how much torture he put him through.
Not again.
Randy opened his eyes. He felt cold. He turned to quickly grab the cover. His eyes widened.
Ethan was gone.
Randy sat up, a frown on his face. The sun peeked in through the window. He finally felt like he made progress with Ethan. He even recalled feeling his warm body next to him last night. Now he was gone.
A knock came from the door. Randy looked over at it. Jared stared back at him.
"You okay, Brother?" Jared asked.
Randy managed a smile. Given what Ethan had told Randy of his life on his homeworld. Randy did not think it was a good idea to say what happened. Besides, he had no way of knowing if his double was gay on this world.
"I'm good," Randy said.
"Mia still has seen no sign of your friends," Jared said. "The Council can really hide their tracks."
Randy stood up. "Maybe it's about time they were outsmarted."
Jared frowned. "Meaning?"
"Well...the general public doesn't know about them, right?"
"Right."
Randy grinned. "Maybe it's about time they did."
Rembrandt snipped his coffee. His mind was on Jeremy. Jeremy had headed out hours ago to put out feelers on Randy and Ethan's whereabouts. He also was trying to see if he could find where Richard was held. Until then, Rembrandt sat here at the table...staring at a familiar face.
Wade Welles stared back. Like him, Wade also had a cup of coffee. She also had a cigarette in one hand and a pencil in the other. A notepad was on the table. She took a drag from the cigarette.
"So," Wade continued, tossing back her long black hair, "you really can't think of anything you might have done, Cry'n Man?"
Rembrandt grinned. "'Cry'n Man?'"
"Yeah," Wade said. She paused to take a sip from her coffee cup. "I love the oldies."
Rembrandt frowned. He was not sure if that was a complient or not. Wade grinned.
"Sorry. Continue."
"I can't think of a thing," Rembrandt continued.
"A celebrity like you?" Wade pushed.
"I didn't say I was a saint," Rembrandt said. "I just said that I didn't do anything that required armored goons."
"Point taken," Wade said. She wrote down something in the notepad. She took a drag from her cigarette. Then she grinned. "Now I think we have something."
"How so?"
"One person came be disproved," Wade said. "maybe even two. But three? Nah! Now I need footage."
"Good luck on that."
Rembrandt looked over at the door. Quinn leaned in the door. He grinned at Wade. She frowned at him.
"You'll be surprised at what I can do," Wade replied. "Or to be more specific, what my sources can do. Got the Council right where I want them. I smell Nobel."
Wade walked over to the counter for more coffee. Quinn sat down next to Rembrandt. His eyes lingered on Wade's backside. Rembrandt grinned and elbowed him.
"Quit it," Rembrandt said with a low voice.
"What?" Quinn said. "Just enjoying the view."
"What would your fiancee say?"
"Maggie's had her moments."
Rembrandt frowned. He looked over at Quinn. He felt like someone had punched him in the gut. He got up.
"Could you excuse me for a moment?" Rembrandt asked.
He didn't wait. He made it out of the kitchen. His mind was on the bathroom and vomiting.
Melissa popped into his view. She frowned.
"Remmy," Melissa said, "are you--"
"It's the wrong Quinn," Rembrandt spit out. "Lord help me, it's the wrong Quinn."
Richard screamed. Electricity shot through his body again. Maybe he could have taken it...before the beating. Now...all of it was too much. He screamed like he never screamed before.
Then...it stopped. Richard's head fell forward. He was sure this time it was not just sweat falling off his forehead.
"Where are your associates?" the robotic voice asked.
Richard glared into the darkness. He may have his issues with Egghead, but after that beating there was no way he was going to sell him out. Especially to his dad.
"Bite...me," Richard managed.
Then...he heard a whir. He frowned. Suddenly, the room lit up. A red wormhole appeared in the room.
Red. Not good.
Figures emerged from it. Richard recognized them immediately. It was a Goth version of Melissa and Ben Loveland. In the middle of them was a blond-haired woman. Her name was Cassandra. That could only mean trouble.
"Not who I was looking for," Cassandra said. She smirked. "But you'll do."
Richard turned the corner. He was hurting bad. He didn't care. Anywhere was better than here. He looked behind him to see. GothMelissa and GothBen stop at the corner. They pulled out lasers and opened fire. He grinned, thinking of his dad getting hit. Serve him right.
Richard looked in front of him. Cassandra was dead ahead. She looked back at him.
"You better be right," Cassandra hissed.
"If I'm here, Egghead's still here," Richard said. "Trust. Get me out of here...he's all yours."
"Fine," Cassandra said.
Richard caught up to her. He was sure if she thought he was lying, she would say so. After all, she was a psychic.
They turned another corner. Richard grinned. He recognized the door as the entrance.
"Yeees!!!" Richard yelled. "Time to roll out--"
A door opened in the wall. His dad came out of it, rifle in hand. Richard stopped grinning.
"Or not," Richard muttered.
Miashuyhi Kim typed along on her keyboard. She paused, turning to look at Randy. She grinned.
"It's brilliant," Kim said. "And post-modern." She turned and continued typing. "All I have to do is hack through the Dominion's security system."
Jared stood over Kim's chair. "Are you sure you can?"
Kim glared at him. "Duh."
Randy grinned. He looked over at the front door. It had opened. Caleb walked in, hand-in-hand with Ethan.
Randy glared at the scene. Jared and Kim were forgotten as he stood by them. His eyes narrowed on Caleb and Ethan. They giggled together. Caleb whispered something, getting more giggles from Ethan. Ethan looked into the living room, seeing Randy. His face went white.
"I'm in!" Kim exclaimed.
Randy looked back at Kim. A frown formed on her face. Jared noticed.
"What's wrong?" Jared asked.
"There's...nothing there," Kim said. "Their security system is completely wiped."
"Impossible," Jared said.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Kim snapped.
"Then you got to break into the Council's system," Randy said.
"What?" Kim asked, her eyes on him. "Even if I could find it--"
"Are you a master hacker or not?" Randy challenged.
Kim glared at him. The Kim Randy knew on Earth Prime was extremely smart...but shy. If he played his cards right...
"Screw it," Kim said, turning to her laptop. "I'll take that as a challenge."
"Everything okay in here?" Caleb asked.
Randy looked over at the living room entrance. Caleb and Ethan stood there. Randy noticed that Ethan wasn't as close as he was to Caleb. He grinned.
"It's nothing," Jared said. "Mia's just trying to bring the Council down. Nothing at all."
"No way!" Caleb exclaimed. "Go, Mia!"
Suddenly, the front door opened. It was Dru. She panted.
"Guys, we been made!" Dru yelled. "We--"
Suddenly, the front doors shot open. Black-armored men stormed in, lasers blasting. One got Dru in the back.
"Duck!" Randy yelled.
Rembrandt sat outside the office and waited. Wade was done with her last minute editing. Now she waited to hear from her editor.
"Where's Quinn?"
Rembrandt looked over at Melissa. She stood in the office door, her hands in her trenchcoat pockets. She walked over to him.
"Not my Quinn," Rembrandt said.
"Remmy--" Melissa said.
"You know...this is just like that time Quinn, Wade, the Professor, and I thought we did it," Rembrandt said. "We thought finally...we made it home...only to find that one difference. One. And all our hope...was dashed."
Melissa sat next to him. She grabbed him in a hug. Rembrandt let her, his eyes watering.
"It's just...too much," Rembrandt said. "Darnell's gone. Maggie...gone. Mallory...gone! And Quinn..."
"Sssh," Melissa said. "Just let it out."
"I can't!" Rembrandt yelled, shooting up out of the chair. "No time." He wiped his eyes. "Any news?"
"Still waiting," Melissa replied.
"Quinn decided to wait at Jeremy's," Rembrandt said.
"Hopefully, Jeremy will have good news," Melissa said.
"Yeah."
There was silence. Rembrandt really did not know what to say. He didn't know what to do. He wished he was home. With Quinn...the Professor...and--
"Done!"
Rembrandt looked at the office door. Wade grinned at them. Melissa stood up.
"So...Evening Edition?" Melissa asked.
"Even better," Wade said. "Internet Breaking News."
"Get down on the ground...now!" Richard's Dad barked.
Cassandra kneeled quickly. Richard looked at her. He stared at his father. He took a step forward.
"I said--" Richard's Dad started.
"What you going to do, Dad?" Richard challenged, still walking forward. "Shoot me. Go ahead. I already lost everything that mattered. My world. My girl. Might as well lose my life. Worthless now anyway."
Richard's Dad aimed at Richard's head. "I will."
"Do it already!" Richard yelled. "Best favor you could do me."
Richard's Dad lowered his rifle. Richard frowned. He stood in front of him, shaking his head.
"Just like my Dad," Richard said. "Always disappointing me."
Richard turned...and punched his Dad. He fell to the floor unconscious. Richard looked at Cassandra.
"Can we go?" he demanded.
Randy headed up the stairs behind Jared. He took a moment to look behind him. Ethan was still behind him. He grabbed Ethan's hand and squeezed. He looked at his brother.
"Jared, you good?" Randy asked.
Jared made it to the top of the stairs. He shook his head. Randy saw tears in Jared's eyes.
"Dru..." Jared managed. He looked at Randy, tears on his cheeks. "I don't even know if the others..."
Randy was beside him. He touched Jared's shoulder.
"You said if this happened, they know to come here," Randy said. "You got to be strong. You're the leader."
Jared nodded. Then he opened the door and walked in. Randy looked at Ethan.
"You okay?" Randy asked.
"Yeah," Ethan said. "Randy...about earlier--"
A scream rang out. Randy ran into the apartment quickly. There was no sign of Jared in the living room. Randy stormed forward. He saw Jared in what appeared to be the kitchen. He walked in and gasped.
Quinn was at the table with some shaggy-haired guy. Both had holes through their shirts. Blood covered the floor.
"Oh," Ethan said behind him.
Randy took a step back. Ethan held him from the back. Randy did not know what to say. Quinn gone after finding him.
"Jeremy!"
Randy looked behind Ethan. It was Rembrandt. Melissa was with him along with a Wade double. Their eyes widened when they saw each other. Melissa ran to Randy and hugged him.
"Thank God!" Melissa exclaimed. "We were worried."
"Quinn's dead," Ethan said.
"Not our Quinn," Rembrandt said.
Randy's eyes widened. "What?"
Cassandra awoke to shaking. Her eyes flickered before she realized it was Liz. She also realized her forehead hurt. She reached for it. When she pulled back her hand, she saw it. Blood.
She frowned. The last thing she remembered was getting out of the black building. Richard had found a van. She let him drive...and he crashed them when they got into the city.
"We better get heading," Ben said. "I'm sure those goons aren't far behind."
"Guess we'll lying loose until we can leave," Liz added. She looked at Cassandra. "Another try some other time?"
Cassandra got out of the passenger seat. She felt nasuea, but she fought it. She nodded.
"Yes," Cassandra said. "My visions are never wrong. One way or another...we will get to Randy Heim. The future depends on it."
"Hmm...the scene of the 'crime.'"
Randy closed the timer. He looked up. Ethan sat down with him. Randy looked across the street at the Dominion.
"If we ever been separated," Randy said, "We always come back here. I only hope the Council doesn't think that way."
"Even if they don't," Ethan said, looking around, "the cameras aren't helping."
"Yeah...thoses."
"Rembrandt said the Wade double has a write-up," Ethan said. "One way or another...the Council will be outed. Let the people live their life."
Randy looked at Ethan. "And us?"
Ethan looked away. Randy reached out and tried to grab Ethan's hand. Ethan pulled away. Randy looked away.
"It's because I'm not Caleb, isn't it?" Randy asked.
"It's not about Caleb."
"Isn't it?"
"He's comfortable with himself. I like that. And you...I just don't know."
Randy looked at Ethan. Ethan still sat beside him. His cheeks were wet.
"And last night?" Randy asked.
Ethan looked at him. "Was last night. It was beautiful. It was all I expected it to be...and more. But...it was last night."
"Why won't you let me live my life?"
"Because I love you too much. And I don't want to be hurt because you're not sure what you want."
Randy did not reply. He let Ethan's words sink in. He loved Randy. He...
"Ethan..." Randy started.
"Richard!"
Randy looked up the street. Rembrandt and Melissa headed for him, fresh from the cybercafe. No sign of Richard. Randy looked the other way. Richard approached. He looked beaten up. They all made it to Randy and Ethan at the same time.
"What happened to you?" Rembrandt asked.
"Long story," Richard said. "But I hope the timer is ready. Cassandra's here."
"What?" Randy said, standing up.
She was the one who gave him the visions of him dying. He realized it was Professor Brown that killed him...which he did. Ethan revived him.
Randy looked at Ethan.
He revived him.
Randy looked at Richard. "Why is she here?"
Cassandra sat at the cybercafe. Obviously, they slid into something crazy. But what...
She looked at the headline news. Her eyes widened on one headline.
'BREAKING NEWS PROVEN TO BE FRAUD.'
"Hm," Cassandra uttered.
Then she continued to research government.
THE-END
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