Randy Heim paid the Russian cab driver. He grabbed his backpack and turned away. He saw him and frowned.
"How did you find me?" Randy demanded.
Professor Darnell brown stared back at him, his face blank. He leaned on the white wooden fence relaxed. It made Randy think of a cobra about to strike. He probably wasn't far off.
"I have my ways," Professor Darnell Brown said.
Randy's hand tightened on his backpack strap.
"Well, go away," Randy said. "I have an exam to study for and I believe you have better thins to do since you're not at the university anymore."
"Mr. Heim--" Brown started.
"Not interested," Randy said, moving past Brown.
A hand grabbed Randy's arm and tightened. Randy glared at Brown.
"I already said no," Randy said.
"It has been three months," Brown said. "It is time you brought your head out of the proverbial sand."
"You have Diana," Randy spit out. "You don't need me."
"Miss Davis's skills are admirable," Brown said, "but she has not invented the weapons you have."
Randy ed his arm away. "That's a good thing."
"Not when your government needs you," Brown said.
"I'm not interested in seeing sliding used as a weapon," Randy said. "All I want is a normal life."
"You gave that up when you took us all on your wild ride, Mr. Heim."
"You know what?" Randy said. "I need to study." He turned away.
"Heard from Miss Clark?"
Randy paused. "She doesn't talk to me. Hasn't since we got back. Ben says he hasn't even seen her on campus this semester."
"Mr. Heim, we are all sadden by what happen with--"
Randy spun around. "You were knocked out, Darnell! You have no idea. "Now...let me--"
A whir sounded through the air. A green vortex emerged into the air, causing Randy to jump. He tripped and fell to the ground as a figure appeared. It was followed by two more figures. The vortex closed behind them.
"Randy!" Maggie Beckett exclaimed. She moved forward. "Randy, are you--"
Randy threw up a hand. "Don't." His eyes fell on the other two figures. "What is she doing here?"
The jet-black hair woman smirked. It made Randy want to punch her. Rebecca Pryce was a conwoman and he did not trust her a bit.
"My idea," Rebecca Pryce announced. "Diana did a little tinkering and created a shortwave sliding machine."
Randy glared. "Good. You can slide on back."
"Sorry," Diana Davis, the third figure, said as she stepped forward. "We can't, Randy. I need your help."
"Can't help you," Randy said.
Randy started to turn. Diana grabbed him and pulled.
"Let go of--" Randy said.
"It's a matter of life and death!" Diana snapped. "Do you think you can have another death on your conscience?"
Randy stared at Diana. His mind went back to three months ago. Melissa...bleeding on the floor of the Kromagg base. A few steps away, a double of Ben's also bleed on the floor. Melissa survived. Ben did not. Ben's only mistake...leaving his world of virtual reality conformity for Melissa. He never would have met her if it wasn't for Randy.
"Well, Egghead?" Rebecca said.
WHAT IF YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR WORLD? WHAT IF YOU COULD SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? PLACES WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?
FOUR YEARS AGO, MY FRIENDS AND I DID IT. NOW WE'RE HOME. NOW WHAT?
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 5
EPISODE 1: NOW THAT YOU KNOW...(PART 1) (S5 PREMIERE)
"I see you've grown a beard."
Randy turned to look at Maggie. She walked beside him as they walked down a long white corridor. The others were ahead of them. He frowned at her.
"And you," Randy said, "have redder hair than I remember." He grinned. "Going to go all Dark Phoenix on me?"
Maggie hit Randy in the shoulder. She grinned.
"Nice to see your sense of humor is intact," Maggie replied. "So...how's Melissa?"
"Wouldn't know," flew out of Randy's mouth. He looked down. "However, it's becoming obvious that she's not talking to anyone."
"Miss Beckett. Mr. Heim."
Randy looked up. They had made it to the end of the corridor. A rectangular doorway was at the end of it. It reminded Randy of the detector one has to step through at airports. Next to it was a man dressed in an official suit sitting at a desk. 'Men in black' came to Randy's mind. Rebecca and Diana were already on the other side. Brown stared at Randy and Maggie.
"Are you two coming?" Brown asked.
"If you keep up that tone--" Randy started.
"We're coming!" Maggie cut in.
"Maggie!"
Randy watched Maggie run over to the table. She hugged Quinn Mallory. She looked like she was a schoolgirl in love.
"Quinn!" Maggie exclaimed. "God, it's been...a week?"
"Yea," Quinn said. "You just missed Remmy and Wade."
Maggie's face darkened for a moment. She recovered quickly.
"So," Randy said, stepping more into the room, "how am I helping?"
"Quite easily, Mr. Heim."
Randy looked to his left. Professor Maximillion Arturo came out of the restroom. He put a finger on his forehead.
"Something is missing, Mr. Heim," Arturo said. "It has been missing for two years and I want it back."
"And you will get it back, Professor Arturo," Rebecca said, walking over to him. She touched his shoulder and looked at Randy. "Especially now that we have Randy and Diana together. And...this."
Rebecca pulled something out of her pocket. Randy's eyes widened as he saw it. He also noticed Brown stiffen up, obviously remembering his own experiences with the Foundation.
It was a small object. It was square-shaped. Randy knew what it was capable of. When it was attached to the forehead, the device destroyed brain cells…specifically the ones in the part of the brain that containing knowledge of sliding. Sometimes...in the case of Randy's arch rival Robert Bufford...it could turn a genius into a vegetable.
Randy glared. "And why do you still have Foundation technology, Rebecca? What con are you doing now?"
Rebecca held up her hands. "No cons. No tricks under my sleeves. Just trying to save the world...all of them."
"Or maybe you're trying to play both sides?" Randy suggested. "You're so transparent."
"Am I?" Rebecca challenged. "Then so are you. We all know you're heartbroken over Melissa. Or is it Paige to--"
Randy was on the other side in three steps. He grabbed Rebecca by the neck.
"You little--" Randy started.
"Mr. Heim!" Arturo snapped, grabbing Randy's hand and tightening it.
Randy yelped and released Rebecca. He grabbed his hand and fell back. Arturo stood before him, his arms over his chest. Rebecca stood behind him, her hands to her neck.
"Wow...Egghead," Rebecca spit out. "Quite...a dark...side. What a difference...four years...make."
"Rebecca Pryce has been sanctioned to help the government in our campaign against the Kromaggs," Arturo explained. "She has been quite helpful in that. You will not be hurting her in anyway."
"Then I guess I'm done here," Randy said. He started to turn to the door.
"Oh, I am sorry," Arturo continued. "Did I hurt your fragile young ego? Could it be because...WE HAVE NO TIME FOR IT, YOU BLISTERING IDIOT!!! How oblivious are you to everything going on? The Kromaggs are down, but not out and all you care about are your self-centered feelings of--"
"Hey!" Maggie cut in.
"I agree," Diana added, walking over to Randy and Arturo. "Are we done with the macho gesturing? If so, I would love to restore some brain tissue." She looked at Randy. "Are you game?"
"Well, that could have gone better," Brown said as soon as he was out the door.
"I notice you did not try to help," Rebecca said.
"Perhaps it was because you deserved it," Brown shot back.
Rebecca turned to face Brown. "We'll see what your general thinks when he gets here."
"Are you two going to fight, too?" Maggie asked from in front of them. "Cuz if so, I'm knocking you both out."
Brown stared at Rebecca. She stared back. A moment passed. Finally, she sighed.
"No," Rebecca said. "I'm heading offworld now." She headed down the corridor.
Brown stared after her. She was in too good a position. He would have to do something about it.
"I don't trust her," Maggie commented.
"You would be well advised not to," Brown said. "She is all about the con."
"Yeah, power corrupts."
Brown frowned. He turned to look at Maggie.
"Meaning?" Brown asked.
"Meaning...nothing," Maggie answered. "Even though you seem jumpy."
"Yeah," Brown said. "Just nervous about General Bennard arriving to examine...how did he call it...the Kromagg Problem? Hopefully when Mr. Mallory returns from Seer World...we will know more about what they are up to."
"Yea," Maggie said. "We can hope. Do you want to get a bite? You know the geniuses are going to be at it for a while."
"I would love to, but sadly I must decline. There is a lovely lady waiting for me at home."
Maggie smirked. "What am I?"
"A fine piece of liver."
Maggie hit him in the shoulder. "Tell Debra I said hello. I think I'll head to a Starbucks. Let me tell the others."
Maggie headed back into the room. Brown stared at her. Then he headed down the corridor. A thought hit him.
He was getting too used to lying.
Randy closed the door behind him. He tried to come to a conclusion with the others without going into a trance. Nothing came to him. He knew it would have if he went into a trance, but...
He dropped his backpack on the chair next to the desk. He shook his head.
Never again. His trances...killed a man.
"Hey! What's going on?"
Randy turned around. Ben Loveland stood in the doorway. The brown hair on his head was starting to get shaggy. He had on a black shirt and pants that sagged. It reminded Randy of the double. The double that died. He shook his head.
"Nothing," Randy replied. "Everyone found me. I have an exam to study for. Oh, and...You’re not shaving your head anytime soon, are you?"
"Uh...no," Ben said. He entered the room. "However...everyone finding you? Good, right?"
"I just want to put it behind me, Ben," Randy said.
"Sliding behind you?" Ben said. "You know I understand."
Randy nodded. When Randy and the others first started sliding, Ben tried to find them with a group of sliders. He was trying to find his roommate...and his potential friend...Melissa.
"I know that look," Ben said, interrupting Randy's thoughts. "No. Still no sign of Melissa."
Randy looked down. Ben touched his shoulder.
"Look," Ben said. "She'll pop up when she's ready. Guess my double is hard to get over." He headed for the door. "I'm heading to Open Mic Night. If Michelle calls--"
"--I'll let her know you're coming," Randy finished.
Ben left. Randy hit the button on his answering machine. Then he headed for his closet. It was nice to see Ben with a normal life. Now, him...
"Randy, it's your mother. We haven't seen you in weeks, honey. Me, Dad, and Jenna are going to be at Los Manos Bien at eight. Put in an appearance."
Randy grinned. Before he left, he had hired a detective to find his birth parents. He found out his father was into physics, his mother was a lawyer, and on this world he had a sister.
"Heim, it's Kims! Let's get together on that quantum mechanics project. Should be great without Bufford around."
BEEP!
"Beware. Your death is at hand, Terran."
BEEP!
The blue vortex formed in front of Maggie. She looked at Conrad Bennish, Jr. who was in charge of the console. All of Randy's old equipment had been set up here. Since Bennish was the one who used it most when everyone was gone, the government kept him.
"Wow!" Bennish exclaimed. "That never gets uncool!"
Maggie rolled her eyes. She wondered about this government.
Mallory emerged from the blue wormhole. His hair was still as spiky as ever. However, he now had stubble on his face. The wormhole closed behind him.
"What's up, man?" Bennish asked.
"Crazy," Mallory said. He hugged Maggie. "Where's Di?"
"Hello to you, too, Mallory," Maggie said.
Maggie grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Maggie. Hi. How are you? Where's Di?"
"Fine thank you," Maggie replied. "Diana's running over some ideas to restore Arturo and Quinn's knowledge of sliding."
"Great," Mallory said. "We'll be needing that soon."
Mallory started to work past her. Maggie grabbed his arm.
"What do you mean?" Maggie demanded.
Mallory looked at her, his face full of worry.
"It's the Kromaggs," Mallory said. "They packed up and left. Took everything to parts unknown. I tried to stop them, but you know those cyberaids."
Maggie nodded. She knew all too well.
"Let's get the others," Maggie said.
Brown entered the hotel room without incident. He reached for the light switch.
"That will not be necessary, Darnell."
Brown paused. He swung around. He could make out four figures in the shadows of the room. One of them was smaller than the rest. It stepped closer into the door's light. It was the Asian woman he had come to know as Mary.
"You may close the door now," Mary said.
Brown closed the door. "I see we are not alone."
"The situation has changed to such an extent that..." Mary looked over her shoulder, into the shadows. She stared at Brown again. "Things have changed to the extent that my masters have to...intervene directly."
"Or they will trust that I now what I'm doing," Brown said.
Mary looked over her shoulder.
"They do not speak in your tongue," Mary said after a moment.
"Nice to see that these Kromaggs also read minds," Brown said.
"They find your tongue crude," Mary said, "and beneath them. However, they are pleased you managed to involve Randall Heim. He is the key to the conflict to come."
Brown frowned. Mary looked over her shoulder. Then she looked at him.
"Do not worry, Darnell," Mary said. "Your Earth will be safe."
"I know." He looked past Mary. "Give me more time."
Brown felt a tingling in his head. Whatever it was...was alien. Somehow his mind translated the unknown languages into two words:
24 HOURS.
Randy stared at the paper in front of him. He looked to the right of him to se Miashuyhi Kims working on the exam. Her pigtails made her look like something out of an Anime cartoon. Randy looked to the left of him to see Charles Baron working on the exam. His dark forehead wrinkled up. He was like some gangsta out of a hiphop video. Both students were oblivious. They were normal.
Randy shook his head. He had to forget the phone message. He had an exam to take.
He frowned at the paper. He could not figure out the equation. Something was missing.
His pen touched the paper. Then it started to flow across the page. One equation led to the next. One door opened another.
A whir sounded through the room, causing Randy to come out of his trance. A red vortex formed where the chalkboard was. The leader sat at his desk. He shot up.
"What the--!" the teacher said.
Two figures shot out the red vortex. Randy glared at them. They were Humaggs, soldiers of the Kromagg Dynasty. He saw they were a man and woman with lasers. The man swung his rifle, knocking the teacher out with the laser handle. The woman stared at him, her black hair tied in a ponytail.
"Very effective, Karlus," the woman said.
"Surprised, Kerra?" Karlus asked.
Kerra smirked. "No."
Two figures emerged from the vortex. He was all in black like the other Humaggs. He had red hair and an air of authority to him. A woman with short red hair and dressed in an orange suit, stood behind him. Wires popped up all over her body, revealing her as a cyberaid. Their eyes fell on Randy.
"Well, if it isn't the Heim Prime," the man said, his hands behind his back. His eyes narrowed. "Karlus. Kerra."
The vortex closed. At the same time, Karlus and Kerra aimed their lasers. Screams ran out. Then they opened fire.
Randy lunged to the floor, barely missing laserfire. He saw Miashuyhi Kims. She still sat in her seat while the other students ran for the door. Her jaw was dropped. Her eyes widened. Her body shook.
"Kims!" Randy yelled.
He looked up. Kerra aimed at them.
"Stupid, Terran," Kerra said.
Kerra fired on them. Randy shot up and grabbed Kims. He pushed them away.
"Kims, move!" Randy barked.
Kims's legs moved for the door. Randy looked behind him. Kerra fired on them, her aim getting closer. Karlus moved diagonally across the room, zooming in on the door.
"Come on, Mia!" Randy yelled.
Karlus closed in on the door. Kims made it to the door and lunged out. Randy made it to the door. There was a fire extinguisher next to the door. He grabbed it.
Karlus lunged at it. Randy swung the extinguisher and hit Karlus in the face. Karlus fell over a table.
Randy turned to the door. His feet touched the sill. Suddenly, invisible hands tightened on Randy's body. He flew across the room as if he was a balloon in the wind. Abruptly, he stopped midair, his face inches from the head Humagg and the cyberaid.
"Good work, Aid," he said. He glared at Kerra and Karlus. "Much more effective than others."
Kerra bowed her head. "Sorry, Koranus."
Karlus made it back to Koranus.
"Sorry, Koranus," Karlus said.
"You're not taking me alive," Randy said.
"So cliche," Koranus said, pulling out a small laser. "So true."
"What?" Randy managed. "Your Dynasty wants me alive."
"Not anymore," Koranus said.
A whir sounded through the air. A blue vortex formed to the left of the group. A figure jumped out quickly. Maggie landed on her feet. She aimed her rifle.
"I knew it!" Maggie exclaimed.
Maggie opened fire. Kerra and Karlus ducked for cover. The cyberaid was hit, causing her to stumble. At the same time, Randy fell to the floor.
"Randy, come out!" Maggie yelled.
Randy stared at the vortex. Two figures emerged from it. Rembrandt Brown saw Koranus and fired on him. Mallory aimed his rifle at the cyberaid. He fired.
"Randy, come on!" Maggie yelled. "Di only has the wormhole open for a few more moments!"
Randy stared at the vortex. He found himself to his feet. Seeing it in front of him made him think of his past life. He shook his head.
"No," Randy said. He ran for the door.
"Randy!"
Randy ignored Maggie's yell. He had to get away. He had to hide. Where could he go?
Wade Welles tilted her head. "That's not good."
"Yeah," Quinn Mallory said, sitting down next to Wade at the table. "If it was that easy for the Kromaggs to track Randy down, they'll do it again...soon."
"It's those damn cyberaids," Maggie said. "Once they're locked on you, there's no way to lose them without destroy--"
"Maggie."
Maggie looked at Rembrandt Brown. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His face reminded Maggie of her father when he was displeased with her.
He nodded. She turned. Wade looked pale.
"Oh," Maggie said. "Wade...sorry. I forgot--"
"It's okay," Wade said. "It's not like I got powers anymore."
"God, I hate the Kromaggots," Rembrandt said. "I'm surprised the virus I had didn't finished them off."
"I am sure, Mr. Brown, it was not from lack of trying," Arturo said.
"Well, the rest of you can wait to see the General," Maggie said. "I'm heading back out."
"I'm heading with you," Rembrandt said.
"Maggie, wait," Quinn said. "You can't just--"
Maggie glared at Quinn. "You’re never seen a cyberaid in action. I HAVE. I need to--"
The door opened. Brown entered the room. Behind him was a group of people. Maggie instantly recognized Diana and Mallory. There was also an older man dressed in a green Army suit. He looked to be in his late forties. From pictures, Maggie knew it was General Bennard. He was planked by three attendants in lab coats. One of the attendants caught Maggie's eyes. She unexpectedly stepped forward, her jaw dropped.
Steven Jensen. Well...it was a double of her husband. He looked at her, no sign of recognition on his face. He frowned.
"Are you okay, Ma'am?" Steven asked. "You look like you've seen--"
"I...I’m fine," Maggie said. "Just...I need some air."
Maggie walked out of the room. She barely noticed bumping into anyone. She leaned against a wall, fighting the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
Randy entered the club. Apparently it was free to get in. He saw a couple dressed in black walk in before him. He wondered if it was a Goth club.
What would Melissa be doing here?
Randy turned the corner. His eyes widened.
Techno lights shot left and right from the ceiling. Strobe lights were attacked to the walls. Booths were scattered among the room, the ceiling lights suggesting they were beige. He made out several little cliques dressed in different styles of black. At the back of the room was a dance floor where Goths danced to the latest industrial dance. The bar was to the left.
"Well, it looks like someone's lost."
Randy turned around. A guy his age stared back at him. He had on a black tanktop with black cargo pants. His lips were black, his hair unruly. A tattoo on an ankh was on his right arm. He studied Randy like he was some experiment.
"Not lost," Randy said. "Just looking for someone. I don't think she's here."
Randy started to move past the guy. The guy put a hand on Randy's chest.
"She?" the guy muttered. "Maybe I can help."
"I don't talk to strangers."
"I'm Thorn," the guy said, "And you are?"
Randy glared. "Randy."
"Thorn, why are you blocking the--"
Thorn turned to face the speaker. Randy looked as well. It was a . She was dressed in a black T-shirt with a black vest. She had on black stockings with her black skirt along with army boots. Her jet-black hair was cut so short that if the barber had cut any lower she would be bald. It wasn't until Randy looked her in the face that he saw who it was.
"Melissa?" Randy muttered.
Melissa's eyes narrowed on him. Thorn looked back and forth between them.
"Liz, you know this lost duckling?" Thorn asked.
Melisa stared at Randy. "I did...once." She managed a smile. "Hello, Randy."
"Been a long time," Randy said.
Melissa's smile died. "Not long enough."
"Maggie...you okay?"
Maggie wiped her cheeks. Her nose sneered. She turned around to find Rembrandt Brown with eyes full of concern.
"We have a crazy life, Rem," Maggie said.
Rembrandt grinned. "Tell me about it."
"Well, at least you got home."
"The truth?" Rembrandt said. "Not on the first try."
Maggie frowned. "Really? But the Seer--"
"I made it here eventually," Rembrandt revealed. "I even came across a world where...it was like an outpost for sliders."
"Hm...maybe that was a good thing."
"Way I figure it...the virus I stuck myself with...was contagious. Everyone who came in contact with me got it. They come in contact with the 'Maggs. Dead maggots."
"And what that outpost world...who knows how many worlds got the virus."
"We know," Rembrandt said. "You beat the Kromaggs back to one world."
Maggie looked down. "Yeah, I did." She looked up. "And that's the problem. I've been fighting 'Maggs almost since my world was destroyed by pulsars. It's been years and what do I have to show for it? Nothing. Then I see Quinn and Wade...they're so happy."
"As they should be," Rembrandt said.
"Am I the only one that remembers Quinn and I shared a lifetime in a bubble universe?"
"No," Rembrandt said. "Things change."
"And some things don't," Maggie said, her eyes watering. "Steven still looks handsome."
"Then maybe you should stop pining over a taken man," Rembrandt advised, "and see about one who isn't."
"What makes you--" Maggie started.
"Is everything okay?"
Maggie looked over at the door. Quinn stood in it. She managed a smile.
"Yeah," Maggie said. "You keep with the meeting. We'll find Randy."
"I just hope we get to him before the 'Maggs do," Rembrandt said.
Melissa sat back in the booth. Randy did not know what to say. Melissa looked out onto the dance floor.
"So are you going to stop any time soon?" Melissa asked, not looking at him.
Randy frowned. "What?"
Melissa looked at him. "Looking at me like you're having a heart attack."
"If I went goth or vampire-y, wouldn't you be shocked?" Randy asked.
"I wouldn't care," Melissa said icily.
Randy reached for Melissa's hand. She pulled it away before he could. She glared at him.
"Why are you here, Randy?" Melissa asked.
Randy stared at her. "They're back."
Melissa corked an eyebrow. "They?"
"The Kromaggs."
"And you came to me for help? I'm...flattered."
"Not for help. I came to hide. I don’t want anything to do with sliding."
"That makes two of us."
"When did you get so cold?"
"When you killed Ben...and almost killed me."
"I said I was sorry."
"Sorry doesn't bring Ben back."
Randy looked away. "I know. The image of him on the floor bleeding--"
"He shouldn't have been there at all!" Melissa snapped. "He should have been on his world!"
"Agreed," Randy said. "It was his choice."
Melissa smirked. "And he paid for it. So have I. Now that we're had this forced march down memory lane...get out. You're not welcome here."
Melissa stood up from the booth. She headed to the dance floor. Randy shot up.
"Melissa, wait!" Randy said.
"No," Melissa said over her shoulder.
"You're not going to help me?"
"No. I don't want to get dragged into this."
"Is that how you are?"
"That's how you made me."
"Then I guess you're not my friend...or the woman I loved."
Melissa's back tensed up. She turned to face him, her face dark. A light flickered across her face. Her eyes reminded Randy of a who got stood up on a date. He stepped back.
"Your love kills," Melissa said. "Remember Paige?"
Randy's back stiffened up. He was about to reply when he heard it.
A whir.
He looked out onto the dance floor. In the middle of the dance floor, the air became shimmering. It dissolved in a whirring circle of red. The dancers stopped dancing, her eyes full of awe.
Melissa turned to look at it. Randy saw the horror in her eyes.
"No," she uttered.
Suddenly, people went flying through the air. Before Randy could react, he was knocked to the floor by a couple. He heard whirs. He struggled beneath the arms and legs around him. Screams cut through the music. So did laserfire.
Randy crawled to a booth. He shot up quickly. A hand shot out at him, tightening around his neck as he was lifted up.
"Target found," the cyberaid announced.
General Bennard frowned. "So...there has been no process beyond what we already know?"
"I wouldn't say that, General," Diana said. "Thanks to Ms. Pryce's assistance, I have managed to create a shortwave transdimensional device. And hopefully with Mr. Heim's help--"
"Yes," Steven Jensen said next to Bennard, "Mr. Heim."
"How are things going with him?" John, Bennard's other attendant, asked. "Mr. Brown told us you recently tracked him down and got his input on the Arturo/Mallory situation."
Brown looked at Diana. She looked over at him with a disapproving frown. She looked at Bennard again.
"It goes well," Diana said, "if slow."
Bennard frowned. "That is not good." He looked over at Brown. "I expected more of you, Mr. Brown. With the Kromagg threat ever looming, the President would like faster results."
"So would we...sire," Mallory said as he sat in a chair next to Brown. "Just hate those 'Maggs...sir."
Bennard glared at Mallory. Diana gave him a look.
"Mal...honey...not helping," Diana said.
"What about the wormhole technology?" Steven asked. "Aside from his original device here, has he tried to duplicate it?"
"No," Diana answered.
"Has he tried to create any weapons?" John asked. "In Brown's reports, he mentioned how he used a wormhole to destroy large bases...buildings...suck in energy..."
"None of it," Diana said.
"This continues to disappoint," Bennard said. "I think it is about time Randall Heim was brought more into the loop."
"That could be dif--" Diana started.
"No problem, General," Brown quickly said.
Diana glared at him.
"I detect a difference in opinion," Bennard said.
Arturo stood up from his seat next to Quinn and Wade.
"It is nothing to worry about, General," Arturo said.
Bennard looked at Brown. "I hope not. The President wants results sooner rather than later."
"I find that hard to believe," Mallory said.
"Something to add, Mr. Mallory?" Bennard demanded.
"He adds nothing, sir," Quinn said.
"In that case, I will retire to the hotel," Bennard said. "We will be in touch."
Bennard, Steven, John, and Diana headed out of the door. Quinn got off the couch, walked over to Mallory, and hit him upside his head.
"Are you trying to get us in trouble?" Quinn asked.
"Hey!" Mallory said. "It's not like I'm the only one who thinks that. Have you seen the news lately?"
"You pay attention to the news?" Arturo asked. "THAT...I find hard to believe."
Mallory glared. "Ha. Ha. Prof."
Brown ignored the banter and headed out the door. If the government was about to crack down on them, he had to do everything in his power to get Heim into the game.
And there was only one person who could do that.
Brown grinned as he walked out of the door. He guessed it was time for a reunion.
The cyberaid's hand tightened around Randy's neck. He coughed as spots formed around his vision.
"Hey, tin can!"
The cyberaid looked to her left. Her face met the end of a microphone stand, sending her flying. Randy fell to the floor. He looked up at his savior. Melissa stood with the stand in her hands, holding it like a staff.
"Can you stand?" Melissa asked.
Randy coughed. "Yea."
"Let's go."
"Going somewhere?"
Melissa turned around to get a fist in the jaw. Kerra smirked as she watched Melissa fall to the floor. Karlus stood beside her, studying Melissa.
"Impressive," Karlus said.
"Well, she's only Terran," Kerra said. "I am a mighty sword of the Dynasty."
"You--" Randy started.
Hands grabbed Randy from behind. Before he could react, Randy felt a cold blade at his throat. Koranus's lips were by Randy's ear.
"You gave a good hunt, Heim Prime," Koranus said. "I see why Kerus had a hard time with you." He tightened the blade. "Now you're--"
A whir sounded through the air. Suddenly, a green vortex formed out of a wall. A figure emerged from it.
Koranus paused. Randy took a breath and elbowed him in the stomach. The blade fell to the floor. Randy glared at Rebecca.
"How did you--" Randy started.
"Really? Did you think after finding you I would risk losing you?" Rebecca asked. She pulled out a laser. "Idiot."
Rebecca fired her laser, hitting Kerra. Karlus aimed his laser at her. Suddenly, a leg shot up from the floor, getting Karlus in the crotch. He screamed and fell to the floor. Melissa stood up.
"Hm," Melissa said. "I guess they are more human than they think."
"Melissa?" Rebecca exclaimed.
Melissa glared at Rebecca. Rebecca put her hands on her hips.
"Well, this is a surprise," Rebecca said. "I never thought you would cut your hair willingly."
"Don't test me," Melissa warned.
"See...that's the thing, 'Liz,'" Rebecca said, holding up her laser. "I'm the one holding the gun. Now...move."
"With you? No."
"Hello! Gun!"
"Hey!" Randy exclaimed. "They're down...not dead."
Rebecca aimed at Koranus who was standing. "Not for long."
Suddenly, Rebecca flew into the wall. She screamed and fell to the floor. Randy and Melissa looked to their right. The cyberaid glared at them.
"Ants," the cyberaid said.
She waved a hand. Invisible hands tightened around Randy's body. Then he shot through the air. His back hit a wall. Pain shot all through it. He fell to the floor.
"Finish them," Koranus said.
"Of course," the cyberaid said.
Randy felt the invisible hands again. They tightened on his arms and legs. This time they kept squeezing.
Laserfire shot through the air. It got the cyberaid across the chest. She screamed and fell to the floor.
"Stay down," Rebecca said, standing up from the corner with her laser in hand.
Koranus aimed his laser. "You should do the same, Terran."
Koranus fired on Rebecca. She ducked behind a booth.
Randy looked around. He lunged for the bar. Moments later, laserfire shot above him, shattering mirrors, bottles, and glasses.
"You can't hide, Heim Prime," Koranus yelled. "You will die."
Randy looked over at the cash register. He saw it. His eyes widened. For a moment, he hesitated.
"Heim!"
Randy grabbed it. He was done hiding. He stood up and aimed the small pistol.
"Think fast!" Randy yelled.
Then he fired on Koranus, sending him into a booth. He looked around. Melissa looked at him, her jaw dropped. Rebecca smiled.
"Good job," Rebecca said. "Now we get to hide you."
"Done hiding," Randy said.
"Well, I'm not," Rebecca said. "And everyone needs you alive."
"With a cyberaid on his tail, that's going to be hard," Melissa said. "How are you going to hide us?"
Rebecca grinned. "By hiding you in the last place they would expect you to be."
Randy frowned. "Huh?"
Maggie growled in frustration. She hoped Remmy had better luck. She had found no sign of Randy.
She leaned back on the stool. She released a sigh as the patrons of the Dominion passed by around her. This seem to be a running theme with...
"Mind if I sit down?"
Maggie opened her eyes. She turned to see her speaker. She almost lost breath at the sight of Steven. He managed a grin and sat down.
"You, Miss Beckett, are an enigma," Steven commented.
"And you, Mr. Jensen, do not have permission to sit here," Maggie said.
"Never could let a beautiful woman sit by her lonesome," Steven said.
Maggie stared at him. "Wow! You are such a gentleman. I never knew--"
Maggie paused. Memories of Steven...her Steven...flashed before her eyes. She looked away to keep him from seeing her fight tears. A hand touched her chin, pulling her head back toward him. She opened her eyes to see his blue eyes.
"Hey," Steven said, his voice low. "It's going to be okay. We will lick those aliens good." He managed a smile. "Besides, anyone want to kill you, they'll have to get through me."
Maggie felt the smile creep up on her face. She looked down. She looked up again.
"Such a gentleman," Maggie said.
Steven grinned. "I try."
Maggie grinned and leaned closer. "I bet you do."
"Oh! Crush and burn!" Steven exclaimed.
Maggie touched his shoulder. "Then I guess I have to kiss it and make it better."
Then she did it. She planted a kiss on Steven. His lips responded. In fact, they responded like Steven's...nice and slow at the start. Then passion shot and he devoured her. She didn't care. Her fingers started to run through his dark hair.
"Uh...Maggie?"
Maggie pulled away. She felt her cheeks warm as she looked at Rembrandt. Steven blushed as well. He shot up instantly.
"Mr. Brown," Steven said.
"Mr. Jensen," Rembrandt said. "How is General Bennard?"
"Just awaiting word from you about Randall Heim," Steven said. "Did you find him? Will he help his country?"
"I'm sure he will," Rembrandt said, "But I have to find him first." He sat down next to Maggie. "It's like he jumped into a wormhole and left."
Steven sat down again. "I guess there's really no way of knowing."
"Yea," Maggie agreed. "I guess--" She paused as her eyes fell on Rembrandt. "Remmy? Rem, why do you have that look on--"
Rembrandt shot up. "We got to find Diana...now."
The door closed, causing Randy to come out of his trance. Normally...it would take a lot to get him out. Now it was so rare he was in it. He was rusty. He turned away from his project to see who his visitor was.
Melissa stood by the door. Her arms were over her chest. Her eyes glared.
"Trances again?" Melissa commented. "Never end well for anyone."
Randy leaned back in his chair. "A guy got to do what a guy's got to do."
"Meaning?"
Randy felt his forehead wrinkle. Now he glared.
"I'm not hiding anymore," Randy said.
"So you're going to kill more people?"
Randy stood up. "Well more people will die if I do nothing. You know the Kromaggs will stop at nothing to get to me."
"The Kromaggs aren't the only ones," Melissa replied. "Dark sliders. The Foundation. Logan St. Clair. Daniel Carter."
Randy's back tensed up. The stress must have shown on his face because Melissa paused. Then she stepped forward.
"You're like a walking bull’s-eye," Melissa said. "I was glad to be rid of you."
"Really?" Randy challenged. "Then why are you here?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm going to stay in a club full of Kromaggs."
"You could have run out with your friend Thorn," Randy said, his face in front of hers. "Me being a walking bull’s-eye and all."
Melissa glared at Randy. He glared back.
"Miss me?" Randy asked. "Or were you hoping to meet Ben in the hereafter?"
Melissa's face darkened. "Screw you."
She turned to leave the room. Randy grabbed her arm. She turned to look at him. Her eyes were full of pain.
"I'm sorry," Randy said. "I didn't mean--"
Melissa ed her arm away. "Yes...you did."
"So...you're not going to forgive me?"
Melissa looked at Randy as if he just said the world was flat. "You made your choice. You picked a murderer over me. It killed Ben. It almost killed me. Never again."
"Then why are you here?"
"Good question."
Randy looked away from Melissa. Rebecca stood in the doorway. She stared at them like a kid about to dissect a frog. Randy frowned.
"It's not like we need you," Rebecca said.
Melissa glared at Rebecca. "Maybe someone needs to protect Randy from you."
"Please," Rebecca said. "He's in better hands than you think."
"I think big."
"And I think far bigger," Rebecca said, turning to Randy. "Well? Did you finish them?"
Randy managed a smile. "Actually...yes."
Randy walked back to the table. He picked up the two microchip-shaped devices.
"Are those what I think they are?" Melissa asked.
"Yes," Randy said, "and no. The ones you know of erase the part of the brain that can understand the concept of sliding. These...will systematically restore that part of the brain. Bit by bit nanotechs will restore it back."
Rebecca grinned. "Brilliant."
"And will be...when we go home," Randy said. "We need to go...now."
"Of course," Rebecca said. Then she headed out the door.
Randy started to follow. He paused and looked at Melissa.
"Guess you don't have to put up with me for much longer."
"Good," Melissa spit out.
Diana typed away at the computer. Rembrandt paced the floor. Meanwhile, Maggie sat next to Brown. He frowned.
"Worried?" he asked.
Maggie frowned. "Aren't you?"
"I have found Mr. Heim quite capable of taking care of himself under the most dire of situations."
"Well, nephew," Rembrandt said. "No offense, but I would rather know where he's at."
"We all would," Maggie said.
Rembrandt grinned. "Then maybe you could get back to Mr. Jensen."
Brown stared at Maggie. "Mr. Jensen?"
"Remmy," Maggie hissed.
"He's a double of Maggie's husband," Rembrandt said. He smirked. "Maybe he's just what she needs."
"Oh, really?" Maggie said. "When are you going to settle down?"
"The Cryin' Man...settle down?" Rembrandt said.
"Yeah."
"I keep my options open."
"I bet."
"I have good news and bad news," Diana said from her computer.
"What's the good news?" Maggie asked.
"I found Randy," Diana said.
"That's great," Rembrandt said.
"So what's the bad news?" Brown asked.
Diana turned from her computer to face the others.
"Thanks to the satellites I used," Diana said, "I can say...Randy is not on this Earth."
Randy could feel Bufford's bitsy eyes on him. He hated all doubles of his old rival by principle. They could never be trusted. And on a world where people got by on pulling elaborate cons, he was sure this double was dangerous.
"You're just going to go back?" Bufford demanded. "What if those alien freaks follow you back?"
"They haven't so far," Rebecca said. "Besides most of the Foundations' resources help prevent that. Their cloaking device, for example."
"You take too many risks," Bufford said.
"Which is why I run Arturo's corporation," Rebecca said.
"That won't always be so."
Rebecca stared at Bufford. She smirked.
"Is that a challenge, little man?" Rebecca asked. "After all these years, are you finally ready to make your move? Have you forgotten about Melissa Clark already?"
"Hey!" Melissa yelled. "Can we go?"
"Yes, Goth Princess," Rebecca said, walking over to Randy. "How you put up with her is beyond me."
"She was different," Randy said.
Randy ignored Melissa's glare. She wanted to be the way she was. Fine. He wouldn't care either.
Rebecca held up a device shaped like a universal remote control.
"Time to go," she announced.
"Your time is up...Darnell."
Brown did not know what to say. Mary looked over her shoulder at her Kromagg masters. He stepped forward. Mary's head snapped back at him.
"I did not expect the other Kromaggs to be so...effective," Brown said.
"We did," Mary said. "That is why it is important to get Randall Heim under our wing. The Atlantian Kromaggs have us at a disadvantage. That...must be remedied."
"And it will be," Brown said.
Mary turned to look at her masters again. She turned back to Brown.
"Yes," Mary said, her eyes full of sadness, "it...will be."
Brown blinked. The room was getting darker in seconds. Before he could stop himself, Brown passed out.
Randy flew out of the green vortex. He rolled across the grass. He bumped into something. That something pushed him.
"Get off me!" Melissa yelled.
"Sorry!" Randy yelled.
A whir sounded from the green vortex. Rebecca flew out of it. She landed on her feet. The vortex closed behind her.
Randy stood up. He saw they were in Golden Gate Park. He looked down at Melissa.
"You okay?" Randy asked.
"Great," Melissa said, standing up.
"I guess this is good-bye," Randy said.
Melissa looked past Randy. Her eyes narrowed.
"Or not," Melissa said. She pointed. "Look."
Randy turned around. On any given day, there was a statue of Abraham Lincoln in the park. That was not the case today. There was a statue of George Bush where Abe should be.
"We slid to the wrong world," Randy muttered.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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