Professor Darnell Brown sat back in his chair. He looked at Melissa Clark, his jaw dead set.
"I do not get it," he said finally.
Melissa Clark sat back in her chair. She stared out at the sidewalk, watching the people walk by. She looked back at Brown.
"I don't see why not, Professor," Melissa said. "You of all people know that different worlds have different social norms."
"Agreed," Brown said, his eyes on the sidewalk again. "But this...is too vulgar for me."
Melissa laughed. "This coming from a guy who loved a world where prostitution was legal. You're one to talk about vulgarity."
"Look at them, Miss Clark."
Melissa rolled her eyes. She looked out on the sidewalk. A guy walked on it, one arm around his friend. The other hand kept touching his crotch. Another man came from the opposite end of the sidewalk. He acknowledged the couple with a nod and a crotch grab. The boyfriend of the did the same to the guy. Melissa turned back to Brown.
"So?" Melissa said.
"So?" Brown echoed.
"Different strokes..." Melissa started.
Brown glared. "Miss Clark...now you are being vulgar."
"Arguing world views?"
Melissa looked up from her seat on the patio. Randy Heim stood over them. She frowned at the rings under his eyes.
"More like social norms, Mr. Heim," Brown said. "I do not understand the need for sacking pants."
"Sagging," Melissa corrected.
"Whatever, Miss Clark."
"So," Randy said, "is this Dominion not the greatest?"
"Yeah," Melissa said. "A patio. A Starbucks affliction."
"Any improvements, Mr. Heim?" Brown asked.
Melissa glared at Brown. For days Randy had exhausted every way he could think of to get them to Paige. She had been captured by the Kromaggs. She had her issue with Paige, but being a prisoner of the Kromaggs might as well be a death sentence. For a moment, the three of them were acting as themselves. Now it was business again.
"We're going to give it a go," Randy announced.
"Try it?" Melissa said, a frown on her face.
"Whatever energy Paige gives off," Randy said, "cyberaids can tune in to it. If they can, so can we."
Randy shot out of the vortex. He quickly shot to his feet. He had to be ready for anything.
His eyes focused. He frowned. What he was not expecting was to be in a lab.
"So..."
Randy turned around. The others were staring at a console. Diana Davis managed a smile as her eyes fell on Randy.
"...what took you so long?" Diana finished.
Three years ago, my friends and I found a way to travel between worlds-
To slide to...
Worlds where you're the same person-
It's the same year...
But everything else is different-
Our Earth...
Has been overrun by the Kromaggs?-
Can we get home?...
Do we want to?
And now-
The worlds await...
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 4
EPISODE 15: PARADOX (S4 FINALE)
"Interesting group," Ben commented. He looked at Melissa. "You're right. This does take a while to get used to."
Melissa nod as she sat beside Ben on the bench. He was still getting used to sliding. Getting a crash course in slider history from her was not helping. Her mind was on other things.
Randy was down the hallway with Diana and Maggie. They looked deep in conversation. She was sure that it was all about Paige. Maybe they would be too late and...
Melissa shook her head. She knew better than to think that. Still, Paige's actions left a lot to be desired.
Melissa felt her left hand tighten up. She looked down to see Ben squeezing it. She looked up to see Ben smile.
"You okay in there?" Ben asked.
Melissa managed a smile. "Uh...yeah...sure."
"What?" Randy said.
"You heard me right," Diana said. "I used the PDL to analyze Paige's energy. I was able to pinpoint where she is. She's on Earth Prime."
Randy did not know what to say. His face broke out into a smile.
"Good," Randy said. "I have the coordinates."
"What?" Maggie said. "When?"
"When we confronted the dark sliders," Randy said, "I got it back. It was just a matter of crashing Randall's code. I did it this morning. So...I guess we're going home."
"Uh...no," Diana said. "Maggie and Mallory can go for Paige."
"I don't think so, Diana," Randy said. "I--"
"She's right, Randy," Maggie cut him off. "The 'Maggs just made a grab for you. I'm not going to give them a chance again."
"Neither am I," Randy said. "I'm going to settle this once and for all."
Maggie frowned. "And how are you going to do that?"
"First, we'll go in and save Paige," Randy said. "Then--"
"It might be too late," Diana said.
Randy looked at Diana. Her eyes were blank.
"What are you talking about, Diana?" Randy asked.
"I think Paige has been compromised," Diana answered.
"You don't know Paige."
"I know she is from some future point in the space-time continuum," Diana shot back. "As a result, she is untapped potential energy that in the wrong hands could alter time as we know it. Why do you think the cyberaid captured her?"
Randy's eyes widened. The pieces of his puzzle fell in place before him. What he saw...scared him.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
Randy looked past Diana and Maggie. Melissa stared at the three of them, her arms crossed in front of her.
"Let's go get her then," Melissa announced.
"What did you expect, Terran?"
Paige Kendall fell to the floor. She looked up at the cloaked figure. The helmet over her head did not hide General Kesh's snarl as she glared at Paige.
"Your mind is soft," Kesh said, "while mine is a knife."
"My mind is good enough to keep you out," Paige said. She smirked. "Not much of a knife."
Pain shot through every part of Paige's body. She screamed and grabbed her stomach. It felt like she was being torn apart.
"We shall see," Kesh said.
"Yes...we shall."
Kesh turned to her left. Paige turned to see Kersh and two Humaggs enter her cell.
"The machine is ready, Commander," Kersh said. His eyes fell on Paige. "All I need is the battery."
"Take her," Kesh said. "This has bored me." She took one last look at Paige. "Your time...is...up."
Paige flew through the air. She hit the wall and fell to the floor. She blinked and passed out.
Randy shot through the vortex. He landed easily enough.
"Di, can you hear me?"
Randy looked around the alleyway. Mallory was a fraternal double of Quinn Mallory. At the moment, he scratched his beard with one hand and spoke into a receiver. Brown stared at the alleyway entrance, a gun in his hand. Two soldiers and Maggie stood on each side of him. Meanwhile Ben helped Melissa up.
Randy barely registered the vortex closing. His eyes were on Melissa. All this time she had wanted to get home. Now...here they were.
"It would appear we are in Kromagg territory," Brown announced.
"Why would you say that?" Maggie asked.
As if in answer, a shadow fell across the alleyway. Randy looked up and saw it. A manta ship flew overhead. Randy stared over at Melissa and Ben. Melissa had a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in fear. Ben's jaw was dropped, his eyes wide in awe. He looked up again to see the manta ship passed by. He looked over at Brown and Maggie. Brown glared at Maggie. She shrugged her shoulder.
"So, Mallory," Maggie said, "has Diana pinpoint--"
A whir sounded through the air. It was quickly followed by two whirs. Before anyone could react, three red vortexes formed. One was by Maggie. The second was behind Melissa and Ben. The last was where the blue vortex had been. Randy ran for Melissa and Ben. He turned to see a figure emerge from the vortex. It was a female cyberaid.
"Targets found," the cyberaid hissed.
Whirs sounded through the air. Humagg soldiers shot out of the two vortexes. One soldier lunged at Melissa. Maggie fired on the Humaggs in the vortex near her.
"Melissa!" Randy yelled.
Ben punched the Humagg soldier. He grabbed the laser and aimed at Randy.
"Duck!" Ben yelled.
Randy ducked in time as Ben fired on the cyberaid. The cyberaid jumped into the air.
"Come on," Melissa said, running past Randy. "She'll be back any second."
"What about your friends?" Ben asked.
"It's Maggie," Melissa said. "They'll be fine while we find Paige."
Randy shot up and followed Melissa. She was right. Right now, they needed to get to Paige. He was sure Maggie and the others could take care of themselves.
"Mr. Mallory...duck!"
Mallory ducked. Brown shot his right leg up. It caught the Humagg soldier in the stomach. The soldier kneeled over. Brown punched him in the face.
Brown looked past the attack. Randy, Melissa, and Ben ran off in the other direction. Brown stared after them. A figure jumped out at him. The cyberaid's eyes narrowed on him.
"Darnell Brown," the cyberaid said. "Such a waste."
Brown felt his body tense up as if someone had grabbed him. He flew through the air, hitting a wall. Pain shot through his body as he fell to the ground.
He looked up to see Humagg soldiers attack Mallory and his men. Three of the soldiers surround Maggie.
Brown stared helplessly. Once he would have taken them out without a sweat. He gave up his powers. As the cyberaid approached Mallory, Brown slid back up the wall. He had to do something, but...
A screech came from Brown's left. He turned to see a jeep in the alleyway entrance. Brown's eyes widened on the figure that jumped out of the jeep.
Rembrandt Brown aimed a laser at the crowd and fired. Laserfire cut through two of the Humagg soldiers around Maggie. The cyberaid glared. Then she waved a hand, causing a red vortex to form. She jumped in. The other Humaggs followed her, the vortex vanishing behind them.
Rembrandt's eyes fell on Brown. His eyes widened.
"Darnell?" Rembrandt said.
"Uncle Rembrandt?" Brown muttered.
"Remmy?"
Maggie felt her whole body shake. The last time she saw Rembrandt he had jumped through a wormhole that may or may not result in his death. That had been years ago.
Her feet moved in jarring steps. Then her body jogged. Seconds later, she ran and grabbed him in a giant hug, letting the tears flow freely.
"Oh my God! Rem!" Maggie exclaimed.
"Hey, ," Rembrandt said, his voice full of emotion. "It's been a long time."
"Too long," Mallory said behind Maggie.
Maggie felt Rembrandt move a little.
"Mallory? That you?" Rembrandt said. "Look at you. Almost respectable."
"It's Diana's doing," Mallory replied.
"Diana? Is she--"
"Remmy!"
Maggie looked past Rembrandt. Her jaw dropped. Wade Welles sat in the driver seat of the jeep.
"Wade?" Maggie uttered. "What is a Wade doing here?"
"Not a Wade," Rembrandt said. "It's Wade."
Maggie glared at him. "Wade died."
"I got better," Wade said. "We need to move. It's not like I have powers anymore."
Maggie looked at Rembrandt again. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Long story," he said.
"Hey, 'Magg!"
The Humagg only had time to turn around. Ben punched him in the jaw. He fell to the ground unconscious. Ben rubbed his fist and opened the door. He turned to look at Melissa.
"Now that," Ben said, "I'm used to."
"Show off later," Randy said, moving past Melissa and Ben.
Ben stared at Randy. "Okay, Genius. Any idea how we're suppose to find Paige?"
"Stop!"
Randy threw open the door. He turned to look at Ben.
"That yelling," Randy said, "should be a start."
Randy dotted into the hall. Ben looked at Melissa.
"Don't you think we should go back for the others?" Ben asked. "Three against an army would be cool if we were Han, Luke, and Leia, but--"
Melissa kneeled down next to the unconscious Humagg soldier, causing Ben to stop talking. She picked up his laser and stood up. She headed for the door.
"Well," Melissa said, "this Leia isn't losing her gun."
Melissa entered the base. Ben stared after her, a frown on his face.
He knew they used to have a thing. Did Melissa still want to be with Randy? Was this her way of getting brownie points?
Ben shook the doubts away. This was no time to be Insecure Male. There was a damsel in distress.
Besides, he could be a good Han Solo.
Kesh's face formed a smirk. She turned to Kersh. Kersh stared back at her as he typed at a console.
"Do you sense it, Kersh?" Kesh asked.
"Yes, General Kesh," Kersh answered. "Her mind has been delicately modified to withstand Kromagg probing."
"You bet it has," Paige spit out as she struggling on the wall she was...magnetized...to across from the two.
Kersh stared at Paige, his look calm.
"Do you think your kind clever?" Kersh asked. "If you were so clever, you would not be here. Now...I think it is time for a test run."
"You have the date?" Kesh asked.
"I am about to, General," Kersh said.
A red vortex opened next to them. Two cyberaids entered into the room. Before Paige could react, they reached for her with their minds. Paige's eyes widened as they reached through her mental blocks like scissors through paper.
Sydney...
The Elders...
Her years of training...
Her mind laid before the cyberaids like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. She could feel them staring at her past like detached s. She hated it and screamed.
"Target date found for testing," the male cyberaid said.
"Excellent," Kersh said.
Paige saw him push a button on the console. Her skin heated up as if it had caught on fire. She had time to look past Kesh and Kersh. Randy entered the room. Then light flashed right off her skin. It blinded her.
Randy hesitated. Paige stood on a metal slate against a wall. Wires were around her head in a helmet. He took in the rest of the wall, his mind immediately analyzing the wall and what its function was.
The Humagg soldier sprung up at him. Randy's jaw dropped in surprise, his mind coming back to reality. A laser beam took the Humagg out, causing randy to turn around. Melissa had a laser. She aimed at the console where Kesh and Kersh stood.
"Melissa, wait!" Randy yelled.
Light exploded into the air. Randy gasped as he covered his eyes. He moved his arm to see that he was not in the Kromagg base anymore.
The land in front of him was barren. There was no grass. There was no trees. There was only rock.
"Where are we?" Ben asked.
"My time."
Randy turned around. Paige stood next to Melissa. He approached her.
"How--" Randy started. Then he stopped. "Never mind. I get it."
"Well, I sure don't," Ben commented.
"The Kromaggs constructed a time machine," Randy said. "They're using Paige as they key to their goals. Chances are they are here, too. They will need her to get back."
"Then we best get going," Paige said. "We need to get to our base."
"Just like that?" Melissa asked. "Isn't this crazy?"
Paige headed away from the group.
"Trust me," Paige said.
"Randy?" Melissa said.
Randy stared after Paige. She was making it pretty far. He looked at Melissa.
"You heard what she said," Randy said.
"Randy--" Melissa started.
Randy grabbed Melissa by the shoulders. He looked her in the eye.
"Melissa, I know you don't trust her," Randy said. "At least, trust me."
Melissa looked down. She said nothing. After a moment, she looked up again, her eyes full of determination.
"Okay," Melissa said.
Rembrandt opened the door. Maggie walked through it. Her breath caught in her throat.
Quinn Mallory sat at a table. He scribbled on a pad with one hand. The other hand held open a book. Across from him was Maximillion Arturo. He also appeared to have his nose in a book. Maggie looked past them to a chalkboard. It had the starts of an equation that she recognized from her husband's scribblings. It was the equation for sliding.
Suddenly, Quinn shot out of his chair. He threw the book across the room.
"Dammit!" Quinn yelled. "I can't do it!"
Arturo looked up. "Mr. Mallory, I do believe that I am the one with the tendency toward verbal explosions...not you."
"Almost two year, Professor," Quinn said. "Almost two years and we have nothing! Those chips they put on our foreheads...took everything. Everything!"
"Maybe it's time for a pick-me-up," Maggie said.
Quinn looked at the door. His eyes widened in surprise. Maggie felt her heart thump as her eyes fell on him, memories from their lifetime in that bubble universe coming back to her. Quinn was alive. When he left after Diana separated him and Mallory, she never thought she would see him again. Without thinking, she ran to Quinn. Her arms wrapped around his neck. She kissed him.
Quinn pulled away. "Maggie..."
"Hey! What's going--"
Maggie turned around. Wade stood in the doorway next to Rembrandt. She looked at Maggie in shock. Maggie stared at Quinn. His eyes said it all. Maggie pulled away.
"Oh," Maggie said. She cleared her throat. "So...what's going on?"
Melissa stared at Randy.
"She could be leading us into a trap, you know," Melissa said.
"Maybe," Randy said, staring at Melissa. "I'm sure you have my back."
Melissa grinned and touched Randy's shoulder. For a second, she felt warm. She ignored it.
"Always," Melissa said. "You would do the same."
"Look at them."
Ben stared back at Randy and Melissa. The sight of the two of them together made Paige's blood boiled. Melissa had gone out of her way to point out her flaws. He better not get back with her.
"I'm sure he's stressed," Ben said.
Paige looked away. "You...tell yourself that."
"What are you trying to say?" Ben asked.
"That it's a matter of time before Melissa worms her way back into Randy's heart," Paige said. "Gee...I wonder where that leaves you?"
"Get real, Paige," Ben said. "Melissa loves me. That...is in the past."
"Is it?"
Ben stared back at the two of them. Paige smirked and walked on. She had planted a seed of doubt. Good.
She paused. Ahead of her was what was left of a tree stump. To her left was a circular rock. She knew this spot which meant...
Suddenly, three holes popped out of the ground. Figures hopped out of them. They wore white suits and held staffs. They quickly surrounded the quartet. The main figure held his staff in front of Paige, his blue eyes full of fury.
"Who goes?" he demanded.
"Not a 'Magg," Paige said. "Hello, Gabriel."
"This is a trick!" Gabriel snapped.
Paige held up her right arm, her black waistband wrapped around it.
"We both know that our bands were created to shock a Kromagg's nervous system, killing them if they try to pretend to be one of us," Paige said.
Gabriel frowned. Then he dropped his staff. He ran forward and grabbed Paige in a big hug.
"Thank the Elders!" Gabriel exclaimed. "When Sydney and Jacob did not come back, we worried you..." He stared at Paige. Then he kissed her.
Paige pulled back. She stared back at Randy. He glared at Gabriel. Paige turned to look at Gabriel and smiled Good that he was jealous.
"Leave the way to the Elders," Paige instructed.
Brown stared out of the window. All he saw was ruined buildings and flying manta ships. It was a lifeless world. He had dreamed of returning home. But this?
For a moment, he wondered about Debra, his ex-wife. Was she still alive? A grin crept to his face. Chances are she was giving the 'Maggs hell. He could not wait to see her...and hopefully patch things up.
The door closed behind Brown. He jumped in surprise. There was a time when that was impossible...sneaking up on him. His powers guarded him completely.
Brown turned around. His eyes narrowed on the new figure.
"What are you doing here?" Brown demanded.
Daniel Carter stood at the door. He smirked at Brown.
"You know Rebecca Pryce," Daniel said. "Nothing hides from that ." He pulled out the laser. "Now...where is he?"
"Oh my..."
The man with the white hair paused. He studied Randy. The look in his eye was as if he was meeting a favorite star. He approached Randy slowly. He reached out and felt his face. His eyes grew wider.
"He's...real," the old man said.
Murmurs came from behind him. Randy did not know what to say. Like Gabriel, all the men wore white suits. They were much older. They also had the same look of awe.
Paige popped up next to him. She smiled.
"Yes," Paige said, "he's real."
"Did you make it back to the temporal point?" the man asked.
"Just today," Paige remarked.
"What?" Randy asked, his eyes on her. "I just rescued you. Are you saying...what happens to me...happens on my world?"
The old man frowned. "You were captured."
"Yes," Paige said.
"Did they--"
"Elder...they do not have any trace of our technology."
"Good."
"Wait," Randy cut in. "I die on my world? Why didn't you--"
"The least you knew about her intentions, Savior," the Elder said, "the better the timeline was maintained. Even you being here might affect the timeline."
"Unlikely," another Elder said. "Especially if he is returned at the point of entry."
"But it would still be before the temporal point," another of the Elders said. "Is that wise?"
"We must take our chances," the first Elders said.
"Yeah," Randy said. "We need to find the Kromaggs from our time first."
"What?" the Elder said angrily. He glared at Paige. "You allowed them here?"
"Not allowed," Paige said. "They used my...meness...to power a time machine."
Gasps shot through the elders. He heard movement behind him. He turned to see Gabriel grab Paige.
"What were you thinking?" Gabriel demanded.
"Hey!" Randy said. "Back off! She had no choice!"
"No choice?" Gabriel said, his eyes on Randy as if he was dumb. "What if--"
A red vortex shot open right next to the three of them. Randy lunged at Paige. He fell to the ground with her as a whir sounded from the vortex. The female cyberaid emerged. She observed her rocky surroundings, a smirk on her face.
"Experiment a success," the cyberaid said. "Awaiting instructions?"
General Kesh emerged from the vortex. She was followed by the male cyberaid and several Humaggs. Randy looked up just as Gabriel swung his staff out, knocking over one soldier. He swung it to his right, getting another soldier in the stomach.
"Are you all right?" Randy asked.
"Yeah," Paige said. "How did they--"
Randy only had a second to feel the tension. Then he shot through the air. He hit the cavern wall and fell to the dusting ground. He looked up to see the cyberaids corner Paige. They parted, letting Kesh and Kersh through.
"Impressive, Human," Kesh said. "You manager to bring a roomful of people to your time...which is the future." She looked at Kersh. "However can she take us to the target time?"
"If she can bring us to the far future, General," Kersh said, "I am sure she can take us to the distant past...and the weak point in our history."
Randy frowned. Weak point in their history? A sign of weakness could be good.
Kesh pointed. "Take her."
"What's going on?"
Randy saw Melissa and Ben enter the cavern. Kesh turned to look at them. Randy shot up and ran for Paige. He lunged for her as Kersh reached out for her.
"No!" Randy yelled.
Light flashed through the cavern. Randy was blind for a second. Then he fell to the ground. He blinked. Grass was all around him. He frowned since he was in a dusty cavern before.
They jumped in time again.
He also realized that he was not alone. Two feet were in front of him. He stared up to see that Professor Brown stood over him. He glared down at Randy.
"What in the world!"
Randy looked to his left. His jaw dropped. Two doubles looked back at him, his eyes full of shock.
Then it hit him.
He was back on Earth Prime...before his death. One of the doubles...was himself.
Randy shot up. "Oh, boy!"
That meant he had seconds to live.
Laserfire cut through the Humagg soldiers. They screamed and fell to the floor. That made twenty by Brown's count. He still could not help, but feel like a sitting duck as Daniel cut his path of destruction through the Kromagg base. All to get to Randy Heim. A flash of anger crossed Brown's mind.
Is this how things will be for him now that he's powerless? As Daniel paused in front of a door that hummed, Brown could not help, but feel that this new doubt was one he did not like.
"Hmmm...humming?" Daniel commented. "What could Randy be up to now?"
"Have you forgotten that we are in the headquarters of a race...I repeat...RACE...of advanced technology having aliens?" Brown asked. "Why assume that that door has anything to do with Mr. Heim?"
Daniel grabbed the doorknob. "Because it always does. And if given the chance, I will end it once and for all."
Brown heard something behind them. He turned to see several Humagg soldiers storming around the corner. They saw the two humans. Their eyes narrowed on them.
"Oh, great," Brown muttered.
The soldiers aimed at them. Daniel aimed at them and fired. He released the arm he used to hold Brown. For a second, Brown felt the relief of freedom.
Daniel aimed the laser at Brown. "Open the door."
"But--" Brown started.
"Now!" Daniel barked.
Brown grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. Light shot out of the room, blinding him. Brown screamed as he covered his eyes.
He waited a moment. Then Brown opened his eyes. He was in Golden Gate Park. In front of him was three Randy Heims, two Melissa Clarks (one of whom was unconscious), and one possessed Darnell Brown. He stood over the Randall Heims.
Brown's eyes widened. Good Lord. He was back in the time when he changed and betrayed everyone.
The possessed Brown looked up. His blank eyes fell on Brown. They stared in shock.
"This...is not...poss--" started the possessed Brown.
A green vortex opened near him. A figure shot out. He quickly tore through the Humagg soldiers, the cyberaid, and the possessed Brown. Daniel Carter's other self's eyes fell on the Randall Heims.
"You," the Randy in the middle said.
Randy stared at the whole scene. It was too surreal for him.
"What did you expect?" the Daniel said. "Someone else to kill you?"
"The Heim Prime will not die today."
Randy looked up in time to see Kesh wave a hand sending Daniel's past self flying through the air. She glared at Kersh.
"This is not the event I wished to see," Kesh said. "We were to hit where Rembrandt Brown gained that virus. How is this possible?"
Kersh turned. "Her."
Randy turned as well. Paige pulled herself off the ground. She glared defiantly at the two of them.
"Yea," Paige said. "Me. You may be using my...ability, but guess what? I control the destination."
"That will not last for long," Kesh threatened.
"Try me," Paige spit out.
"I think I will."
Randy felt his back tense. He knew that voice. he made it to his feet quickly. His eyes fell on the edge on their circle as Professor Brown and Daniel Carter approached. Daniel had a laser near Brown's temple.
"Professor!" Melissa cried as she shot up from the ground.
"My, my," Randall said from his seat on the ground.
"What is going on?" Randy's past self said from his seat on the ground.
"What's going on?" Daniel said, "is that we are from the future with different agendas." His eyes fell on Paige. "You said you came back in time for revenge, Paige. He hurt me, your father. Guess that means nothing."
Randy stared at Paige. "What?"
"My God," Brown exclaimed.
"You're..." Randy could not even say it.
"We care not of this," Kersh said.
"Yes," Kesh said. "The Heim Prime will not be harmed."
"Really?" Daniel asked. "Watch this."
Daniel aimed at Randy's past self. He fired.
"No!"
Randy lunged...only to get pushed out of the way...by Melissa. She gasped and fell over him.
Randy heard a scream. He looked to see Brown punch Daniel. He stared at Melissa in his arms.
"Melissa?" Randy managed.
"I...don't feel a thing," Melissa said.
"Melissa!"
Ben grabbed Melissa. He held her to him and sobbed. Randy fell back in shock. Melissa was right there...dying. This was not what he...
A hand grabbed him. Randy shot up. Paige looked at him. He pushed her away.
"Don't touch me," Randy said.
"We can change this," Paige said. "Come on."
Light flashed across Randy's face. He blinked. Then he gasped at the sight in front of him.
Crystal. That was the best to describe it. All around Randy was a room made of transparent glass.
He frowned.
He was not alone. Besides, Paige, he saw Professor Brown, Ben, and Daniel was with him.
"You !" Randy snapped.
Before anyone could stop him, Randy lunged at Daniel. He punched Daniel in the jaw. He swung out again, only to have Daniel grab his arm and swung him into a wall.
"You killed her," Randy said.
"Her own fault," Daniel said.
"You're dead."
"You first."
An arm wrapped around Daniel's neck. Ben tilted his head to the side.
"As far as I'm concerned," Ben said, "you're both dead."
"Pardon my interrupting," Brown said, "But where are we? And if we showed up here...where is Miss Clark? Not to mention the Kromaggs?"
"Melissa is dead and therefore her...essence does not translate to here," Paige explained. "I thought that I could get back to the Elders and get back to before this. This is the right time, but..."
Ben turned. "Do you not watch time travel movies? You can't just jump back to your time. When Melissa...vanished, time split off, creating some kind of...unrealized reality."
Randy stared at Ben. "Now you're going into Farscape territory."
"But he is correct."
Randy looked past the group. A figure stood in the door. She wore a white dress with no sleeves. Her purple hair was in Indian braids. On her forehead was rigged skin, revealing she was not human. Half of her face was painted in purple symbols. Her hands fell behind her back as she approached the group.
"Greetings," the woman said. "I am Isis. And you are...property of the Yuzaki."
Daniel knocked Ben out of the way. He aimed at Isis and fired. She held up a hand. The laser blast stopped in the air and dotted to the left and into a wall of crystal. It hummed and vanished, leaving the wall stainless.
"Interesting," Brown said.
"Yes," Isis said. "The Yuzaki are. And you...stand no chance against us."
Then everything went black.
Brown pounded the glass wall. He might as well be punching steel. Not even a scratch.
"No use."
Brown turned around. Randy sat up from the smooth floor.
"Thank you, Mr. Heim," Brown said, "for stating the obvious."
Randy stood up. He rubbed the wall.
"It's...impressive," Randy said.
"It is excellent that you can admire the divine while your associate is among the deceased."
Randy's face darkened. Brown looked away.
"I am sorry, Mr.--"
"You don't think I know Melissa is dead?" Randy snapped. "You think I'm callous. You know better than anyone how I feel about Melissa. Before her...there was nothing. I loved her."
"Hm."
Brown looked up. Ben and Paige were awaken on the floor. Paige's face looked pained. Ben, on the other hand, glared at Randy.
"Love?" Ben said, standing. "What do you know about love?"
"You can't be serious?" Randy snapped. "You're know Melissa for weeks. I've known her for years."
"You apparently don't KNOW her enough!" Ben shot back.
"Back off," Randy said.
"Or what? It's your fault she's dead! You and your ."
"Hey!" Paige snapped.
"Think I'm wrong?" Ben asked. "What do you think, Mr. Brown?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Brown. He looked away again.
"I think," Brown said, "that we need to focus on a way to escape."
"That is not an answer, Professor," Randy said.
Brown stared at Randy. He stared back at him, his eyes pained.
"Then you do not get one," Brown said. "How about you use that intelligent mind of yours and find us a way out. Since it is your fault my abilities are gone."
"As if they did us any good," Paige commented.
"Much better than yours, Ms. Misplaced," Brown said.
"Uh...fellows," Ben cut in. "Look."
Brown looked away from Paige. Randy had sunken to the floor, sitting Indian-style. He stared off into space, his eyes blank.
Brown frowned. No. Randy Heim was entranced.
"So," Daniel said next to Paige, "was it worth it?"
Paige looked up. She looked over at Daniel.
"Dad, shut up," Paige said.
"So you admit it now?"
Paige looked across the glass room. Brown sat against the wall, his eyes on her. Paige glared.
"Shut up," Paige said.
"Why?" Brown counted. "This was all your fault anyway. Your time jumping has endangered us all."
"As if you never wanted to off Randy," Paige said. "Pul-leaze."
Perhaps it is for the best that Randy Heim is terminated."
Paige looked up to see Isis. Before Paige could react, Isis held up a hand. Tension shot through Paige's body. She shot up and headed through the air to Isis.
"My ancestors...the Kromaggs tell me you are the source through which they arrived here," Isis said. "Exhuming you...as well as Randall Heim...exterminates any chance that time will be altered again and cause the Yuzaki to de-evolve."
"De-evolve?" Brown asked.
Isis eased up the tension on Paige. Paige breathed in relief.
"Yes," Isis said. "The Kromagg Dynasty...in this reality...went on to conquer the multiverse. Until two things occurred to alter that. One was the evolution of the species called the Humaggs. Human DNA spliced by the Kromagg DNA eventually caused new properties in offspring. The other was the...reemergenance of a...different race of Kromaggs. More...Cro-Magnon. More...it is not important. What is...are these two's death."
"Death. Think again."
Then a sound shot through the air. It was a high-pitched shriek. Paige fell to the ground. She looked up to see Isis with her hands over her ear.
Suddenly, the glass walls shattered. Paige covered her face.
Randy blinked. He stared down at the reconfigured timer. He smiled and looked at Brown.
"Happy now?" Randy asked.
Randy headed for the cell's entrance. Isis laid unconscious on the floor. Paige was just staring to stand.
"We need to get back," Randy said.
"So...you're talking to me?" Paige asked.
"We need to undo this," Randy said, starting to walk past Paige.
A hand grabbed his arm. Randy turned to see Paige. She glared at him.
"No," Paige said. "Not for her."
"You said--" Randy started.
"I changed my mind!" Paige snapped. "Let the witch stay dead."
Randy turned around. He reached out and touched Paige's cheek. She flinched.
"You know more than anyone," Randy said, "the depths a person will go through for love. You said you loved me. Then prove it."
Paige's face darkened. "I should have known...you did like her better than..."
"We had our time, but..." Randy said. He stared at her. "Paige...please."
"So they love each other a lot?"
Brown turned to look at Ben. They were in the back of the group, walking down a glass hall. Ben's face was unreadable.
"Miss Clark and Mr. Heim?" Brown said. "At one time. Things however change. He has Miss Kendall. Miss Clark has you."
"Looks like Randy and Paige are tanked," Ben said. "If...we get Melissa back...what are the odds he'll want her back?"
Brown said nothing. Since he had known randy Heim, there was one constant: his love for Melissa. No matter what separated them, randy always found a way back to her. Even now, he was determined to save her...his love for Paige a thing of the past.
"Yea," Ben said, cutting into Brown's thought, "I thought so."
"Mr. Loveland--" Brown started.
"I'm okay," Ben cut him off. "I'm going to keep an eye on Daniel."
Ben stormed ahead. Brown stared after him. Frustration was all over him. He felt helpless without his powers. No. He felt worthless.
His eyes focused on Randy and Paige. They were in front along with Daniel. They turned a corner. Brown glared.
"I can't believe you have me doing," Paige commented.
"If you are the battery," Randy said, "the cyberaids are the plug. You should be able to sense them."
Paige turned the corner. "I wonder would you do the same for me."
"Doubt it," Daniel said.
Randy turned the corner. "Back off, Daniel."
"I should gut you for hurting her," Daniel shot back.
Randy turned around.
"A year ago, you...killed me," Randy said. "It will not go down like that again."
Daniel crossed his arms over his chest.
Paige turned another corner. Suddenly, a scream rang out. Randy ran around the corner in time to see Paige fly through the air. Two of the Yuzaki were in front of a wall. Randy aimed the timer. A high-pitched shriek sounded from it. The wall behind the Yuzaki crashed. Then it shattered. The two of them fell to the floor unconscious, to the shock of Kesh and her soldiers.
"Impressive, Terran," Kesh said.
"We will have to duplicate this weapon as well," Kersh commented beside her.
"No," Randy said. "If you want out of here, you're doing what I say."
Light flashed. Randy blinked. He looked around. Melissa was in Ben's arms. He stared at her in shock.
"You're alive!" Ben exclaimed.
"It would appear your idea worked, Mr. Heim," Brown said. He stared at the cyberaids. "I guess you can pinpoint coordinates down to the letter."
"So instead of me taking us to your world when the Kromaggs invaded," Paige said, "we come back to here...the lab?"
"What's going on?" Melissa asked. "One minute we're in the future. Now--"
A fist hit Ben in the face. Daniel grabbed Melissa, putting a laser to her chest. His eyes fell on Randy.
"You may have these Kromaggs scared of you," Daniel said. "I know your weakness!"
"Scared?" Kesh said. "No one is--"
Daniel fired on Kesh. Her helmet shattered.
"General!" Kersh yelled.
Kesh fell to the floor. Randy stared in shock as blisters popped up all over her body. She shook all over before stopping...dead.
"I guess Rembrandt's virus is still airborne," Brown said, staring at Kersh.
Daniel aimed at Randy. "Guess who's next?"
Randy stared at Daniel. For a moment, he was back in Golden Gate Park. Daniel was over him, a reminder of the consequences of his actions.
Suddenly, the door opened. Randy turned to see Professor Brown walk in, a gun-holding Daniel behind him. Ben gasped.
"I thought you cyberaids fix--" Ben started.
Randy did not wait. He lunged at Daniel. Along with Melissa, they fell to the floor.
Brown saw it. He just did not believe it.
A whir sounded through the room. He turned in time to see Kersh and the Humaggs vanish into a red vortex. One of the cyberaids vanished. The other one headed for the vortex.
"No, you don't!" Brown yelled.
He jumped the cyberaid. She grabbed his arm. Before the cyberaid could struggle, Brown shoved her into the wall where Paige had been imprisoned. Electricity shot through him. He screamed.
Paige saw the past self of Brown and her father. She knew what would be on her father's mind. She flipped over to the door. She kicked Past Brown in the face, knocking him out of the way. Then she punched Past Daniel in the jaw.
He fired off his laser.
Melissa turned in time to see Randy and Daniel tumble to the floor. She made it to her feet. She turned again to see Randy punch Daniel.
"Melissa!"
Melissa turned. Ben ran toward her. She ran toward him.
Then a laser blast sounded off. Melissa ducked. She looked up, her eyes widened.
Ben gasped, a hand holding his chest.
"Ben!" Melissa cried.
"Ben!"
Randy looked up. Ben had a hand over his chest. His shirt was quickly turning red. He fell to the floor. Melissa headed for him.
"Aw! How sweet!"
Randy turned around in time to meet a fist. He fell over. He looked up to see a leg get him in the stomach.
"Look at them," Daniel said. "Your family. Just like mine on that World War III world. Worried. Scared. Unknowing of what awaits them."
A leg got Randy in the stomach again. He screamed. Tears came to his eyes as he looked about the room. Brown was unconscious with the cyberaid. Melissa cried over Ben, unaware of anyone else. Paige...ran toward them. He looked up at Daniel. Daniel smirked.
"You actually look scared," Daniel said. "Good."
Daniel suddenly swung around, hitting Paige in the face. She fell to the floor. Her eyes were closed. Daniel looked down at Randy again.
"Okay...I'll give you a choice," Daniel said. "I'll let one of the s live. The other one...dies."
"No," Randy said.
"Yes," Daniel said. "Five seconds."
Randy stared at Paige. She was out. She could not do anything.
"Four seconds," Daniel said.
Randy stared at Melissa. She had not heard anything. She cried over Ben's still body.
"3...2..."
Randy stared at Daniel. He thought about the two women. He thought of Daniel. He thought of the past. He took it all and thought of it as an equation.
"Time's up," Daniel said. "What will it be?"
Randy stayed calm.
"Melissa," Randy said.
Daniel looked shocked...for a moment. He turned to aim. Randy stared at Melissa. She finally looked up, her eyes on the two.
"Good-bye, Melissa," Daniel said.
Daniel pulled the trigger at the same time Randy swung his leg out tripping him. The laser went off. Randy barely noticed. He lunged at Daniel. Daniel glared and punched Randy in the face. Randy fell back. His eyes dotted past Daniel. The laser laid behind him. Daniel turned to look. randy jumped up, running for it. He felt hands around his legs. He fell.
"No, you--" Daniel started.
"Shut up!" Randy said. He swung around, getting Daniel in the jaw.
Randy turned back to the laser. Hands grabbed his head. Daniel shoved Randy's head into the floor. Pain shot through his head. Randy looked up to see Daniel a few inches away, holding the laser.
"I will so enjoy this," Daniel said.
He fired. A figure got in the way. Randy's eyes widened as he saw it was Paige. She fell to the floor.
"No!" Daniel yelled. He ran over to Paige. He grabbed her up, dropping the laser. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
He never saw it coming. Randy suddenly realized he had the laser to Daniel's head.
"Wha--" Daniel started.
Randy fired. Blood hit him, but he barely felt it. He grabbed up Paige.
"You...saved me?" Randy said.
Paige managed a smile. "Well...I know...what a person will do for...person you...love. Speaking of...go to her. I...no longer...exist. No...father."
Then Paige vanished.
Randy turned to look behind him.
"No!" he cried.
Melissa's body was over Ben's. She was covered with blood.
"They completely backed off?"
Brown nodded as he sat at the bar. "No weapons. No cyberaids...except for the one. They held up their end of the bargain."
"For now."
Brown drank his beer. "It does not matter. I am finished."
"How can you say that, Son?"
Brown looked at Rembrandt. He glared.
"You are not going to give me the speech Miss Beckett did are you, Uncle Rembrandt?" Brown demanded.
"You have a duty--"
"The only duty I have," Brown said, finishing his beer, "is to Debra. She will be in town in two days. This has been a long time coming."
Brown stood up. A hand grabbed his arm.
"They are out there, Nephew," Rembrandt said. "It is only a matter of time before they regroup. We need all the Eggheads we can get."
"Definitely."
Brown turned around. His blood went cold at the new figure.
"Rebecca Pryce," he said icily.
"Hello, Darnell," Rebecca said. "So...how do you feel about joining the Foundation?"
Randy knocked on the door. There was no answer. he knocked again. Movement sounded from the house. Then the door opened.
"Hello," Randy said shyly.
Melissa Clark stared at him. Her eyes were empty of any emotion. She stood in front of him in a long black sweater and skirt.
"Honey!" a voice from inside yelled.
"Got it, Mom!" Melissa yelled without looking back.
"So...you're with your mom," Randy said. "That's--"
"No thanks to you," Melissa said coldly.
"I knew you would move out of the way," Randy said. "Paige was uncon--"
"I have a healing wound that says differently."
Randy moved forward. "Melissa--"
"Touch me and die," Melissa said.
Randy looked down. "I'm sorry. I know you're hurt. We both lost..."
"He trusted me."
Randy looked up. Melissa looked at him, her eyes watered.
"He loved me," Melissa said. "He loved me so much he left his own world. His own world, Randy. Can you understand that? he wasn't trying to kill anyone. His only crime? Trusting me. Trusting...you."
"Melissa...it's been two weeks."
"Oh. There's some time limit on mourning?"
"No, but--"
"Go and screw up someone else's life."
Melissa started to shut the door.
"I love you."
Melissa paused. Her eyes stared at Randy.
"I'm not strong enough for your love," Melissa said icily. "Ask Paige."
"Hey!"
Melissa slammed the door in his face.
Brown opened the door to his hotel room. He hated working with Rebecca. However if that will keep the Kromaggs away...
He turned on the light. He gasped. An older Oriental woman sat on the bed. She stood up and bowed.
"Mr. Brown," she said.
"How did you--" Brown started.
"First, shut the door," the woman said.
Brown frowned. "I think--"
"You can trust me, Mr. Brown," the woman said. "We have a mutual enemy...the Kromaggs...the Atlantian kind?"
Brown shut the door. "Atlantian kind?"
The woman bowed again. "My name is Mary and I represent...the real Kromagg Dynasty."
Brown felt his jaw drop. Then he thought about Isis's words. For the second time that day, his blood went cold.
"Shall we begin?" Mary asked.
THE-END
Back to Main Page