Randy Heim fell to the ground. Sweat covered his forehead. He wiped at it, relaxing his body enough to look at his opponent.
Ethan Bradshaw fell to the ground, too. He wiped at his forehead. Then he let his hand run through his wet curly dark hair. He looked over at Randy, managing a smile.
"Good workout," Ethan said.
Randy managed a smile. "Thanks."
A silence fell over them. Randy kept staring at Ethan. It was the closest they had been since Ethan broke up with him. He wished it could stay like this. Randy leaned forward.
"I--" Randy started.
Ethan shot up quickly. "Uh...thanks. It'll come in handy if we run into Mr. Stone again."
Randy frowned at the abruptness. He slowly got to his feet.
"With him after me...and Richard," Randy said, "that's a definite."
Ethan's forehead wrinkled up. "I hear that tone."
"Well, I don't like Richard," Randy said. "You know that." He glared at Ethan. "So why are you always around him? He sold you out."
"Nothing over my head now," Ethan replied.
"He's a death sentence!" Randy snapped.
"So are you."
Randy turned around. He saw Richard Hall in the door to the gym. His eyes refocused on him.
"Yes, I said it," Richard said. He gave Randy a lopsided grin. "What you gotta do about it?"
"You didn't have to piss him off."
Richard Hall looked over at Ethan. They were a few feet away from the others as they headed for the Dominion roof. He stopped, looking at Ethan with a cocked eyebrow.
"Really?" Richard asked. "Then why you hanging with me, Thuggie?"
"Maybe I'm cool with you," Ethan said. "And you...could use a friend."
"Really?"
"You two coming?"
Richard looked up the stairs. Melissa Clark stood at the roof's entrance. She had her arms over her chest, her jet-black hair in a ponytail. Her bangs did a terrible job of hiding the concern of her eyes.
"Yes, 'Mom,'" Richard said.
A whir sounded through the air. Richard stepped out...in a field with a lot of high grass. He moved around quickly, bit all his eyes saw was high grass.
"What in--" Richard started.
Then the explosion went off.
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 17: PIECES
The explosions came from everywhere. Randy quickly fell to the ground. He hoped the extremely tall grass hid him well.
Randy looked at his right arm. He saw a shimmer across it as the prosthetic appeared on it. He managed a smile.
Then...he felt his body vanish. For a second, there was nothing. Then Randy teleported back into being. He looked to see...he was next to a cannon on wheels.
Randy's eyes widened. "Oh."
He also took in the people around the cannon. They were dressed in white colonial hats, bright red jackets, and white trousers. The nearest one looked at Randy and frowned.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded. He looked Randy up and down. "And what are you wearing?"
Melissa Clark looked around as the cart pulled into town. She sat in the back and watched as people went about their day. The people were dressed in vests, loose long sleeves shirt, breeches, long dresses, and high stockings. It was still a busy San Francisco day. It reminded Melissa of the American Revolution era she always saw on television.
"It looks like another earlier era world."
Melissa turned. Rembrandt Brown sat beside her. He looked around like she was.
"Maybe that's a good thing," Melissa said.
"Maybe. So how are you holding up?"
Melissa frowned. "Holding up? What do you mean?"
"I just--"
"I'm okay, Remmy," Melissa said. She looked over at the sidewalk. "I only wish I could have helped Manuel more."
"Maybe it's a good thing," Rembrandt said.
"I don't think so," Melissa replied. "What's the point of us sliding from world to world if we're not making a difference?"
"Keeping us alive," Rembrandt replied.
"As if it happens all the time."
Rembrandt frowned at her. "Doesn't it?"
"Remmy--"
"Look, Melissa," Rembrandt said, cutting Melissa off. "Let's see if we can lie low for a change."
Melissa stared at Rembrandt. They had this talk a few weeks ago. Rembrandt felt that the group should be laying low as Randy continued to that...was when. When would Randy get them home? What if he didn't? It was about time they at least made a difference.
Melissa managed a smile. "Maybe."
Rembrandt looked at her. She saw the skepticism on his face. She wondered if he suspected.
Nah!
Richard stared at his hand.
He stared...and remembered.
Mr. Stone...the psychopath that tortured him. He stepped on Richard's hand. He had new masters due to the fact Richard was a success experiment in cloning. They wanted to repeat the experiment so they need Richard alive. Not that that would stop Stone from torturing Richard.
So...Richard sent Stone flying through the air into a wall, surprising Stone. And himself.
Stone was a cyborg who had his consciousness downloaded into another clone body of Richard. That body had enhanced abilities.
Stone's words continued to pop into Richard's head.
'You were the only successful clone of Ms. Pryce and my experiments. Besides this body, of course.'
Richard stared at his hand. He stared at his hand and wondered. Had Rebecca made his body enhanced, too?
"Okay. Ready."
Richard looked up from his chair. The cart they had been in brought them here. The Lamplighter Inn. They managed to get several rooms. Ethan was with Richard...and from what he could see...dressed like everyone else in a long-sleeved cloth shirt with breeches.
"Yeah," Richard said, standing up dressed the same. "Let's see what this world has to offer."
Ethan headed for the door. Richard was right behind him. He might not admit it, but he was getting used to having a friend again. That used to be Proper...Brown. Now, he was up Egghead's b--
The door opened. Ethan paused. Richard stopped, leaning to the right to see what stopped him. He glared.
It was Egghead.
Randy stared back at the scene in front of him. Ethan looked at him, his jaw ajar in surprise. He, like Randy, had managed to dress for this colonial world. He looked...good.
A head popped out from Ethan's right side. Randy saw it and glared. Richard did the same.
"What do you want?" Richard demanded.
"Nothing from you," Randy said. He looked at Ethan. "We have four days here."
"Good to know," Ethan said.
"Where are you going?" Randy asked.
"As if you're his keeper," Richard said.
"And you are?" Randy shot back. "I thought you didn't...'swing that way?'"
"And why does it have to be man on man?" Richard challenged. "Afraid I could do it better?"
"As if."
"No complaints from the lady folk."
"And yet you don't have any."
"I'm not alone on that," Richard shot back. He wrapped his arm around Ethan's neck. "But at least I...WE...can do something about that. Let's head, Thuggie."
Randy felt his jaw set. He would like nothing more than to sock Richard in the face. Richard smirked.
Ethan headed away with Richard. As they walked past, Randy saw Richard's smirk in his head. Suddenly, he was by Ethan's side. He wrapped his arm around Ethan's neck, too. Ethan paused, frowning. Meanwhile, Richard paused, glaring.
"What are you doing?" Ethan asked.
"Good question," Richard added.
"I," Randy said, "am coming with you."
Professor Darnell Brown threw out his hand. Nothing happened. He dropped his arm. Then he did it again. Still nothing happened.
So far Darnell had created three transdimensional portals. When he was a Kromagg agent, he was able to create them at will. He even managed to access earth Prime. And now...the ability had returned again. So far it flared up suddenly. It wasn't in his control whatsoever.
He frowned. His thought worried about one thing. What would happen when he attained that control?
"Still no luck?"
Brown turned around. Rembrandt Brown stood behind him. While everyone else had gone ahead and checked into their rooms. Brown had stayed in the small lobby. It wasn't quite the Dominion Hotel, but it was adequate enough for Brown to test his ability to manifest portals.
Brown shook his head. Rembrandt sighed sadly. Then he saw down next to Brown, his eyes staying on Brown. Brown frowned.
"Yes, Uncle?" Brown asked.
"Reading my mind?" Rembrandt asked.
"I do not have to," Brown said. "I see it in front of my eyes."
"Maybe this is not the best idea," Rembrandt said.
"Oh?"
"Don't get me wrong," Rembrandt protested. "I want to get home and I want to use every trick we can to make that happen. But I'm not risking your life."
Brown gave a weak smile. "And if getting home means sacrificing me?"
"Then it isn't worth it."
"Uncle--"
"Listen to me," Rembrandt said. "I am sick and tired of losing people around me. Not anymore. I don't think I can take another hit."
"Given how the rivalry between Mr. Heim and Mr. Hall is...escalating, that might be happening very soon."
"Oh."
"You really, really have not seen the two of them at their worst," Brown said. "If they continue to antagonize each other, someone could wind up dead."
Rembrandt looked past Brown. He frowned. Brown turned around. He saw Mr. Hall, Mr. Bradshaw, and Mr. Heim heading for the door. The looks craved on Mr. Heim and Mr. Hall's face said it all.
"Oh, dear," Brown uttered.
Laughter filled the bar.
"I really do not see why we should do anything."
"Of course you do not. After all, you are employed by dear ole Great Britain."
More laughter filled the air. Randy barely noticed it. He sat at the bar with his mug of beer, his eyes...on Ethan.
Ethan had been talking up some tall guy for a while at the bar. He was right there next to Randy, ignoring him. Randy tried not to let his blood boil.
"Nice, isn't it?"
Randy rolled his eyes. He turned sideways. Richard was there...smirking.
"I thought you left," Randy said.
"And miss your discomfort?" Richard asked. "Hell no."
Randy glared at Richard. "Why don't you walk away?"
"Why don't you?" Richard shot back. "No one wants you here."
Randy crossed his arms over his chest. "And people want to be around you?"
"Your ex does," Richard said. He smirked. "And you don't like that, do you? Rembrandt and Melissa aren't really saying anything to you, either. And Proper? Just a matter of time. It usually is."
"You're right," Randy said. "It is a matter of time. People see right through you...to the son of a bitch you are. Someone who couldn't even save his dad."
Richard's face darkened. "You need to watch your mouth."
"Or what?" Randy challenged. "I'm not scared."
"You really should be," Richard said. "I might have cards you haven't seen yet."
"Oh, really?" Randy asked. "Then hit me with your best shot."
Richard smirked, his hand balling into a fist. "What plea--"
"Ethan?"
Richard paused. Randy looked over at Ethan. He turned in his bar seat. His eyes widened. Randy looked past Richard...and saw it was Caleb, Ethan's first love. This double had short dark hair with a hint of a ponytail. His clothes made him look like a noble patient. Randy looked at Ethan and saw it.
Hope. Hope for something better. He used to have that look in is eyes...for Randy.
"Hm," Richard said. "Saved by competition. Sucks to be you."
"Find anything interesting?"
Melissa gasped, jumping in her seat. She turned around to see Rembrandt looking back at her, leaning against the book shelves. She frowned at him.
"You scared me," Melissa said.
"So did you," Rembrandt said, moving to a chair near Melissa. "You scared me by sneaking off this morning. Thank God I saw you came to the library."
"Had to get the lay of the land," Melissa said. "I'm sure you understand."
"Of course," Rembrandt said. "Usually, I did it by newspaper."
Melissa looked back at the table in front of her. It was large bound black books upon large bound black books She had been looking through the library archives for a few hours.
"Yea," Melissa said. "Well, after world upon world of the internet, it's weird to be back to...papers."
"But useful."
"Yea, because I need to do that."
"Melissa!"
"I'm okay," Melissa said. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Oh?"
"I found the difference in this world," Melissa said.
"What is it this time? Extinction of a bug? Someone made a wrong turn? Wrong man got elected?"
"None of the above...kind of."
"Kind of?"
"We lost," Melissa replied. "The founding fathers had their war...the American Revolution...and lost. They had the French backing near the end on our world. Here...not so much. So while the Americans did chase the British to Yorktown there was no French fleet to stop the British commanders from escaping. They came back with reinforcements. By then, inner strife made the rebels easy pickings."
"Shame," Rembrandt commented. "It looks like the British kept them real nice about here."
"How so?"
"While you were here, I walked around," Rembrandt said.
Melissa smirked. "That's NEVER a good thing."
"Ha, ha. Anyway, people really don't have much of anything in the way we're used to things around him."
"We're used to this though."
Rembrandt frowned. "Just something in my gut keeps telling me something's off." He looked down. "I wanted to check on you before I got that answer."
"Aww."
Rembrandt grinned. "Had to be sure you wasn't causing trouble."
"That would be Richard."
Rembrandt chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?"
Melissa said nothing. She looked away for a moment. Her mind thought about the last few weeks. She though about losing Randy to Ethan. She thought about nearly getting raped. Her hands immediately covered her body.
"Did I say--" Rembrandt started.
"It's nothing," Melissa said. "Just..." She looked at Rembrandt. "If we're not going to find home...why stay at all?"
Randy came down the stairs in a huff. His first thought was he wished they had elevators on this world. His second thought was on Ethan.
Ethan who had not come home last night.
Randy made it out the door. He doubted that bar was still open. Still maybe someone could tell him...
"You're up late."
Randy paused. He looked at the speaker. His eyes narrowed on Richard. Richard looked back at him as he sat on the sidewalk.
"I mean," Richard said, "Melissa was off at dawn. I think Rembrandt was fast behind her. I didn't see Proper, either. And Ethan...well, you know. Seeing that lost love...hmm...who knows where he end--"
"God!" Randy exclaimed. "Could you shut up?"
Richard's forehead wrinkled up as if he was really thinking about what Randy said. Then he shook his head. He gave Randy a lopsided grin.
"For you?" Richard uttered. "Never." He stopped grinning. "And why should I? You came between Melissa and me. We were happy. Then you had to go all gay."
"Are you serious?" Randy uttered. "You pushed her away after Isobel died. You went self-destructive. That's on you."
Richard shot up. "Wanta bet? It wouldn't have happened. None of it would have happened if you never invented that machine."
Randy glared. "Is that what we have gotten back to?"
"Isn't that what it's always been about?" Richard challenged. "The fact that you were too smart for your won good. And the rest of us paying for your knowledge."
"Bull!" Randy shot back. "If I had not invented it, someone else would have. Besides, my machine worked fine...before you tried to steal it. Or are you going to use the 'I'm a clone now so it doesn't count' excuse? Face it. Anything that happened to you was your own fault."
"Then I guess what's going to happen to you will be your fault," Richard said.
"For your sake, nothing better happen to me."
"Why? Think anyone's going to miss you? It's a matter of time before Proper gets those portals mastered. We know Remmy and you aren't bosom buddies. Ethan...that ain't happening again. Looks like same with Melissa. Who would miss you if you were to...vanish?"
Randy walked up to Richard. "Vanish?"
Richard smirked. "Never know what could 'accidentally' happen."
"I agree," Randy said.
Randy did it without thinking. His right arm shot up. As it moved, the prosthetic morphed out of its cloaked mode. A blade shot out of it, stopping at the edge of Richard's neck. Richard stiffened.
"'Accidents' do happen," Randy said, feeling a smirk coming on.
"They sure can," Richard said.
Then...Richard stepped back. He turned for a second. Suddenly, he swung back around, his palm connecting with Randy's face. Randy shot through the air. He hit the ground by the Lamplighter Inn door. Pain shot through his back. He rolled over and looked up at Richard. Richard looked back at him, a triumphant grin on his face.
"You might need to be careful, Egghead," Richard said. "Or next time it might not be a pimp slap."
Richard turned and walked away. Randy stayed on the ground, his mind still in shock. Then a question came to mind.
What was Richard becoming?
Brown walked among the people. As he did, he allowed his mind to wander into their own. Some of the people were either annoyed or excited to begin another day. Some people's mind appeared to be on the fact that they wished things could be as excellent as it appeared to be across the pond in London. He even picked out a man thinking about proposing to his girlfriend later than evening.
How nice it must be to be so ignorant. Brown wished he could be that way again. He longed for being able to be back at the university grading psychic papers again.
"Of course, it would probably not be the same."
Brown frowned. He turned around. One of the people, a man who had been unloading a cart, looked at him. Then he continued his unloading. Still...he had said what Darnell had thought.
"After all, Mr. Bufford is no longer among my students."
Brown turned. It had come from across the street. Sure enough, a mother holding her child looked back at him. Again, it had been Darnell's thought.
"And let us not forget about Ms. Kim."
"Ah! Ms. Kim."
"She had been a delight."
Brown looked around. It...was everyone. The men unloading the cart for the store. Kids running along the walkway, playing tag. A couple kissing on a bench near Darnell. They were saying what he was thinking. They...were in his sway. It seemed familiar.
Then he knew...causing his eyes to widen.
Mr. Heim had told him once about his first encounter with Chad Owens. He was a boy who was a Kromagg experiment. He was their own sliding telepathic teke bomb. He had been used to wipe out whole worlds the Kromaggs' revenge on humans for existing and Rembrandt Brown's success at introducing a virus into various worlds by airborne. Chad Owens had been able to take over people's minds, the people speaking his thoughts and memories.
Fear slowly began to grip Darnell.
Was it time?
Was it time for him to burn out?
"Or perhaps, it is time for you to embrace your fate, Project 54."
Darnell quickly turned. He brought his right hand up, slowly gripping his hand into a fist. The woman speaking in Kersh's voice did not know what hit her, choking under Darnell's power.
Melissa looked over at Rembrandt. He stared ahead.
"You are being very quiet," Melissa said.
"Hm," Rembrandt uttered, coming out of his thoughts.
"You. Quiet," Melissa said. "Still thinking about what I said?"
"It's a lot to think about," Rembrandt said. "You saying you don't trust Randy to get home."
Melissa looked down at her feet for a moment. Out of everyone, she had been Randy's biggest supporter. No matter what happened or whether she was talking to him, Melissa was the one who always kept the faith.
"This is about Ethan, isn't it?"
Melissa looked at Rembrandt. He looked back at her, his brown eyes looking right through her. Melissa felt her jaw set.
"No," Melissa said. "It's about me."
"Is it?" Rembrandt challenged.
"Remmy."
"I'm serious, Melissa. Would we be having this talk if Randy had started up back with you?"
"Honestly? Maybe."
Rembrandt's eyes betrayed surprised. Melissa sighed.
"Is it really worth it now?" Melissa continued. "How many good worlds have we gone through? Worlds we could have and should have stayed on? Especially with death or worse all around?"
"Death's everywhere, Girl. Whether we're sliding or not." His eyes became steely. "Besides...I couldn't live with myself being home wondering if Quinn's alive or not. I won't break Wade's heart like that. I won't give up."
"So it's worth it?"
"Isn't it?" Rembrandt shot back. "I don't know what's up with you, but--"
Then they heard it. Melissa frowned. She saw Rembrandt had the same look. They looked up and saw it, shock washing over them.
It...was a jet.
Randy walked out of the library. He could tell the frown was still on his face.
Melissa and Rembrandt had not been there. He thought they might have been there. After his argument with Richard, he definitely waned to see if Rembrandt knew what was up. The last thing they needed was a Richard with secrets.
"Liberty!"
Randy heard it. He turned the corner. There was a bit of a crowd on the side of the library. They were gathered around a man standing on a cart, a bodyguard on each side of him. Randy's eyes widened as he saw the man with the guards...was Darnell Brown.
"We all know of the past attempts," Brown's double continued. "Yorktown at the start. Again at Chicago. The battle of Vegas. But they all had a fatal flaw: they used the weapons at their disposal...which are primitive by British standards...which is the way they want it. I said...it is time we evolve."
The crowd cheered. Randy made it along the edge, his eyes on Brown's double. He had a small afro and was dressed in a light brown long coat. His eyes looked intense, but not evil.
"It is as Darwin said," Brown said. "Survival of the fittest. Thanks to my tenure at the university, I have connections. Connections that have revealed...a shipment will be passing through early morning. This shipment has enough weaponry to start a little war. And as a bonus, this shipment will be guarded by none other than the King's son."
Gasps shot through the crowd. Randy looked through the crowd at the various expressions. His eyes stopped on one person...who did not see him.
Ethan.
Richard saw the expression on Randy's face as he saw Ethan in the crowd...right with Caleb. He smirked. There was no doubt that Randy would feel hurt.
Oh, well.
Richard looked at the double of Proper. He looked pretty badass. Cool.
"All true patriots can listen later on at the UpEnd as we discuss strategy," Brown said. "Until then...In America We Trust."
Brown hit his chest with his fist. Then the crowd started to falter. Richard watched Randy. Sure enough, he made a beeline for Ethan. Good for him.
It was time. Randy was so distracted by what Ethan's next move would be he wouldn't see Richard coming for his pound of flesh. Richard grinned as he moved through the crowd outside of Randy's line of sight. Finally, he was before Brown's bodyguards. Brown turned toward him as he saw his bodyguards move to block Richard's way. Richard threw up an arm.
"Sir," Richard said, "a word."
Ethan was deep in talk with Caleb. He didn't seem to notice Randy approaching. Neither did Caleb, a smile on his face. Randy felt his blood boiling. Then he made it to them.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Randy said.
Ethan and Caleb looked up. Ethan looked surprised. Meanwhile, Caleb looked pleased. He smiled.
"One of your friends made it," Caleb said. "Is not the Professor awe-inspiring?"
"Yes," Randy said. "I might have been here sooner if someone had told me."
Ethan glared at Randy. Randy glared back. Caleb took in the scene.
"Did I miss something? Caleb asked.
"No," Ethan answered.
"I think he did," Randy said.
"He really didn't," Ethan shot back.
"Ethan--"
"How we head to this UpEnd?" Ethan asked Caleb.
Caleb stared at Randy, confusion etched on his face. He looked at Ethan for a moment. Then he nodded.
"Okay. I...can do that," Caleb said.
Caleb headed away. Ethan started to follow. Randy felt like he had been punched in the stomach.
"Ethan--" Randy started.
Ethan swung around. "Don't. You made your choice. Live with it."
Ethan stormed away. Randy looked after him. Him...with Caleb. He ran his hands through his hair. His mind raced as he wondered how he could get Ethan to forgive him. How?
"Good. You are still here."
Randy turned around. Brown's double looked back at him. Randy was taken aback. However, something about Brown's stance caused Randy's back to stiffen up.
"Can I help you?" Randy asked.
"Apparently not...traitor." Brown gestured to his bodyguards. "Timothy. Ryan. Take him."
Darnell walked into the Lamplighter, his mind an exquisite dance of thoughts. A smile crept onto his face as he realized it. He had complete and utter control over it. In fact, he could enter and exit thoughts at will.
Darnell paused in his step. He brought his hand up to his chin. His mind pondered what else he could do if only he would allow himself.
His eyes widened for a moment. Then his head shot to the left. He focused on the wall. Then he heard it. He smiled.
Suddenly, a transdimensional portal formed in the wall. Darnell took it in for a moment. Then...he walked through.
The portal closed behind him.
Melissa sat down with Rembrandt. They had arrived at the UpEnd for a drink. Again, Rembrandt had not said much.
"So what do you think?" Melissa asked.
Rembrandt looked up at her, his forehead wrinkled up.
"Obviously, this world isn't as technology deprived as we thought," Rembrandt replied.
"Maybe it's just America," Melissa said. "Punishment for rebelling against great Britain."
"Maybe," Rembrandt said. "Still...that means there's a chance."
"A chance for what?"
Melissa looked up. Richard hopped into the booth next to Rembrandt. Her eyes narrowed on him.
"Well, this is a surprise," Melissa said.
"Is it?" Richard asked. "Me and bars go together perfectly."
"We haven't seen you here."
Richard huffed. "As if you've been here."
Melissa leaned forward. "Fine. Where have you been?"
"Me?" Richard shrugged. "Hanging with Thuggie and a double." He pointed. "See."
Melissa looked over at where Richard pointed. Ethan was at the bar, laughing it up with a double of Caleb who on Ethan's world was a might-have-been. She looked down the bar.
"Where's Randy?" Rembrandt asked, taking the question right out of Melissa's mouth.
"What do you mean?" Richard asked, all innocent.
"It was the three of you," Rembrandt said.
"Oh. I guess he wandered off," Richard said. "Probably had one of his trances." He looked between the two of them. "Now...what was this about a chance."
"We were just saying that now might be a good idea to look for a double who has sliding gear," Rembrandt said.
Richard frowned. "Uh...have you two looked around?"
"As if there haven't been a few doubles who STILL have sliding tech," Melissa said. "Besides...we have reason to believe things are more...advanced than we thought."
"Oh?"
"We saw a jet fly over earlier," Rembrandt said. "Figured it must be Britain punishing their colonies for rebelling."
Richard's eyes widened. "Oh?" He smiled. "Then let's find a double."
Melissa looked over at Ethan again. He looked so happy with Caleb. It made her think of that she had been talking about with Rembrandt.
Who knew when they would get home? If you found something...or someone...that made you happy on a world...why not stay on it?
What else was there?
Randy's eyes flickered. As he moved about, he felt pain shoot through his body. The memory of his attack came back quickly, causing him to wake up fully.
Brown's double had had his bodyguards grab him. From there, he had been kicked, punched, and finally knocked out. Finally, he was here. And here was...
Randy felt a bump. It was a sign he was in the back of a cart. He moved a bit and felt a jerk. that was a sign his hands were tied.
He stared about. Brown must have been on his way to intercede the shipment. He had thought Randy was some kind of spy. Why would he think that?
Then it hit him. His eyes narrowed.
Richard.
Darnell stepped out of the trans dimensional portal. He let the smile grow on his face. He was full of awe to have the ability back again.
He felt his forehead wrinkle up as he looked around. Questions filled his head as he took in his surroundings at Golden Gate Park. Did he really have control of the portals again or was it all just a ruse?
Darnell stared at the space in front of him. His eyes narrowed on it. Then...a transdimensional portal opened before his eyes.
"Very good," Darnell said aloud, a smile on his face.
Then...he stepped into the portal door.
Melissa knocked on the door. She tapped her foot as she waited outside the hotel room. Finally, the door opened. Melissa immediately frowned. Ethan looked back at her, also frowning.
"Yes?" Ethan asked.
"I...is Richard not here?" Melissa asked.
"Vanished before I woke up," Ethan replied.
"Have you seen Randy?"
Ethan's frown went to a full-on glare. "Don't you keep up with him more than I do?"
"It's not like that."
"Isn't it?"
"Look," Melissa said, crossing her arms over her chest, "no one seems to have seen Randy since he was with you and Richard. I'm worried."
"I bet."
"Enough, Ethan."
"Not nearly."
"Randy and you aren't together," Melissa said. "Yet...you don't see him with me, do you? Get a clue."
"That's funny," Ethan said. "Every time I turn around, he's kissing you."
"He was confused when you met him," Melissa said. "Not to mention lonely. Still...he's not with me."
"Not from your lack of trying."
"That's a two-way street."
"That's it!" Ethan exclaimed, starting to close the door.
Melissa elbowed the door. "Do you love Randy or not?"
Ethan paused. His gray eyes filled with anger. He looked like he was about to stab her.
"A hell of a lot more than you," Ethan hissed. "I went with him rather than my own world."
"Then...let's go find him," Melissa said.
Richard felt it a few blocks back. Once he was around where Brown's double was supposed to have that attack, he knew for sure. He quickly made a sharp right among a crowd of field workers. He cut back through a building. Then he was behind his target, a glare on his face.
"Need some help, Remmy?" Richard asked.
Rembrandt turned around quickly. Richard barely saw the blush.
"Not at all," Rembrandt said.
"Really?" Richard asked. "Then why you following me?"
"Me? Follow you?" Rembrandt asked, all innocent.
"Don't play with me," Richard said. "You've been back there for a while."
"Fine," Rembrandt said. "Where's Genius?"
Richard frowned. "When did I become Egghead's keeper?"
"Darnell gave me the 411 on how vicious you two can be," Rembrandt said. "He's been MIA for a while. Given he has a timer, you're usually a little more concerned."
Richard crossed his arms over his chest. "Nice try. I know the timer's with you." He shook his head. "I'm disappointed in you, Rem. I thought we wanted the same thing."
"Yes," Rembrandt said. "To get home."
"No," Richard said. "To make that Egghead pay. Or does someone else have to die for you to get it. He's a menace."
"So are you," Rembrandt said.
Richard took a step back as if he had been punched.
"Et tu, Rembrandt?" Richard uttered.
"Maybe it's been for everybody if we all buried the hatchet," Rembrandt said.
"Traitor."
"You need to let it go, C-Boy," Rembrandt said. "This isn't about whether Randy makes unwise choices or not." His eyes narrowed on Richard. "It's about the fact that Melissa left you for him."
"So?" Richard snapped. "He still deserves to pay."
"Enough, Richard," Rembrandt said.
"Not nearly, Rem," Richard said. "Fine. You not with me? That means you're against me. I...can live with that."
"Where is he, Richard?"
"Don't know."
Richard started to turn. Suddenly, hands grabbed his arms. Next thing he knew, Richard was against the nearest wall. Rembrandt looked at Richard with steeled determination in his eyes.
"I said," Rembrandt said, "where is he?"
Movement caught Randy's attention. He turned in the cart to see the front flap part. Brown's double looked at him.
"You are awake," the double said. "Splendid." He grabbed Randy up. "After all, you are the bait."
Randy frowned. "Bait?"
The double dragged Randy to the front of the cart. The light blinded Randy for a moment. Then...he saw.
The cart they were in was fast approaching an intersection in the street. As people milled about in front of buildings, Randy could make out one of the next streets. Other carts headed down it at a rapid pace. They appeared normal enough, but the fact the carts were lined one after the other told Randy it was probably the shipment.
"I think it's poetic justice," Brown's double said. "Your talking would have endangered the plan. Now your silence will ensure it. Farewell, traitor."
With that, Brown's double tossed Randy off of the cart. Pain shot through Randy as he hit the street. He had almost no time to react. The shipment cart bared down on him.
A scream rang out.
It was not stopping. Randy saw it. One of the several carts that had shipments of weapons barreled down on him. His eyes widened, dotting around to see if anyone could help him.
Then he saw him.
Richard was on the sidewalk. Rembrandt was with him. Rembrandt had not seen him. However, Richard had. He looked at Randy with a smirk.
Randy's eyes narrowed. He refused to let that thief win. No way.
He felt his prosthetic morph into sight on his arm. He released an electric current, burning the rope holding him.
Then he vanished, ignoring the screaming.
The screaming immediately got Rembrandt's attention. Richard had already seen Randy flying through the air, landing in front of an incoming cart. Egghead was about to buy it. It was reason enough for the smirk on his face.
Then...Randy vanished.
Rembrandt frowned. "Was that Randy?"
Richard's jaw was dropped. His mind wondered how. Then he knew...the prosthetic.
Suddenly, Randy appeared right by them. His eyes fell on Richard.
"Randy, where you--" Rembrandt started.
"You!" Randy snapped.
He grabbed Richard by the shirt. Richard struggled for a moment. Then everything went black.
Darnell stpped out of the transdimensional door. It quickly closed behind him. He looked around to see he was still in Golden Gate Park. He started to smile...
...Then he saw her.
She sat on a park bench. She appeared to be lost in thought. Her curly dark hair was longer than when he had seen her last. It was all cruel irony he thought that subconsciously his mind had been on him.
Before Darnell could vanish again, she looked up. Her eyes widened as she saw him. She quickly shot up, her eyes full of fear.
"Oh, God!" she exclaimed. "Not again!"
"Debra," Darnell said, the name of his ex-wife falling off his lips like a delicious kiss.
"Stay away from me," Debra said.
"Debra," Darnell said, "You know I would never hurt you."
"That's not what happened when Wade came to our house," Debra said. "You...and those powers."
Darnell did not know what to say.
He...was home.
Melissa headed back to the Lamplighter. She had looked everywhere for Randy. Still there was no sign of him anywhere. She only hoped the others had found him.
There was also something else. She had gotten the sense that something went down today. From what whispers she heard, a robbery had gone down. What appeared to be able food might have been something else completely. People were getting scared. She had to say she felt the same. Suddenly, it was about time to...
She saw Ethan coming from the other way. She had hoped to see Rembrandt. Maybe even Richard. From the look on Ethan's face, he felt the same way.
"You got anything?" Melissa asked.
"Not a thing," Ethan replied.
"Great."
"Just a strong vibe."
Melissa's eyes widened. "That something happened."
Ethan looked at her, surprised. "Yeah."
"Me, too."
"Something happened all right."
Melissa looked past Ethan. Rembrandt ran toward them, fear all over his face.
"Remmy--" Melissa started.
"Not...much time," Rembrandt said. "Think quick. Where would Randy take Richard if he wanted to kill him?"
"What?" Melissa uttered.
As soon as Randy appeared on the roof of the Lamplighter, he tossed Richard. Richard landed hard on the surface, giving a yell of pain. Randy didn't care. He deserved much worse.
"What the h--" Richard started.
Randy didn't wait. He dashed froward. Then he kicked Richard in the face. Richard fell back, something dark splashing off his face that wasn't sweat.
"You set me up," Randy said. "You were at the gathering outside the library along with Ethan. Saw me. Saw a chance to get rid of me. You should plan better. Old You would have."
Richard stood up slowly. His nose bleed. He wiped at it, his eyes still on Randy.
"So I underestimated...your doohickey," Richard said. "I just need to aim...better next time."
Randy narrowed his eyes on Richard. "What makes you think there will be a next time."
The prosthetic pulsed. Then Randy felt only darkness. Then he appeared next to Richard, ready to grab him. He looked. Then his eyes widened.
Richard was gone.
"Yeah, Egghead."
Randy turned around. Richard was behind him. He smirked at Randy's surprise.
"Predictable," Richard uttered.
Then Richard swung his arm out. It connected, hitting Randy across the face. The slap sent Randy flying across the roof. His back shot through with pain.
Stupid. He was so stupid. He was normally better than this. In his trances, Randy normally saw everything like equations. That way he saw all possibilities. And yet...he never saw this.
A shadow fell over Randy. He looked up to see Richard looking down at him. His arms were crossed over his chest. He narrowed his eyes on Randy.
"Welcome to next time," Richard said.
"I," Darnell managed, "I...I am back on Earth Prime."
Debra looked back at him. Her eyes were full of hesitation. He did not need his abilities to know what she was thinking.
"Debra, please," Darnell said. "At the time I was full of anger at Mr. Heim for keeping me away from you. A lot has occurred since last we met."
Debra crossed her arms over her chest. She set her eyes on Darnell. Darnell resisted the urge to smile since it was something Debra would do.
"How would I know that?" Debra asked. "Didn't you just appear?"
"Well, yes, I--" Darnell started.
"And were you not trying to kill everyone in sight when I saw you last?" Debra continued, cutting him off.
"I did. However--"
"So, Darnell," Debra said sharply, "how can I even trust you now? How, Darnell? Please tell me."
Darnell felt his eyes watered. He did not know he could convene to her that circumstances had changed considerably. Was there a way that she would actually believe?
"Debra, look at me," Darnell said. "As long you have known me, I may...volunteer to withhold the truth from you...however have you known me to flat out lie to you? Truthfully?"
Debra looked away for a moment. Darnell allowed Debra her moment to think. Finally, she looked back at him, her eyes watery.
"No," Debra said. "No, you have not."
"Then look at me," Darnell said. "Look into my eyes. Trust me. Things have changed. Is this Earth Prime?"
A tear ran down Debra's cheek.
"Yes," she said.
"You know," Richard said, "I was trying for some guile, but you know what? I like you knowing I DID IT."
Randy looked up at Richard. "No...you didn't."
Randy grabbed Richard's leg. Then without hesitating...he shot an electric current through him. Richard screamed, falling to the ground.
Randy slowly got to his feet. Richard shook on the floor. Interesting. Most people would be out.
"I was a fool," Randy said. "I should have suspected that when Stone and Rebecca experimented with cloning, given that the body Stone was in was enhanced there was a good chance so was yours."
"What...can I...say?" Richard managed.
Randy's eyes widened. Richard's nose wound appeared to be healing quickly. And if he could do that...
"Oops!" Richard snapped.
Then he shot up and lunged at Randy.
The transdimensional portal door closed as Darnell stepped through it. He took in the roof and...
His eyes widened. It was Mr. Heim and Mr. Hall. Heim's prosthetic was visible, electricity crackling along it. Meanwhile, Hall was on the ground. Then he lunged.
Darnell thought it. He narrowed his eyes. That sent the two of them flying to different sides of the roof.
"Would anyone like to explain what I missed?" Darnell asked.
A creak got Darnell's attention. He looked over at the roof door. He sighed in relief as he saw it was Melissa, Mr. Bradshaw, and his Uncle Rembrandt. He smiled.
"Excellent," Darnell said. "Could one of you ex--"
Darnell shot back around quickly. He threw up a hand. Mr. Hall and Mr. Heim were in his invisible grip. The stray thoughts from both of them were not pleasant ones.
"Sleep," Darnell said.
They gasped for a second. Then they stumbled to the ground. Darnell looked at them and smiled. Both were asleep. He turned to the others. He paused, their looks surprising him. He frowned.
"What?" Darnell asked.
Randy did not turn around as he heard the door open. He was trusting it was not Richard. Otherwise...
"Hey."
Randy's eyes widened. He turned around. It was Ethan. He managed a grin.
"Hey," Randy said.
"You just about ready?" Ethan asked. "I think the British are about to start searching this block. I doubt Brown's double is even still in the city. Too clever for that."
"True," Randy said. "I'm almost ready."
"Maybe you can keep from killing," Ethan said, smiling.
The look on Randy's face must have told the tale because Ethan stopped smiling.
"It was a joke," Ethan said.
"Richard isn't," Randy said.
"I really didn't think you two hated each other so much," Ethan said.
"You have no idea," Randy said. "He has an endgame. I want to know what it is."
"Then I guess we should find out what it is."
Randy frowned. "We?"
"Did I stutter?" Ethan asked.
Randy smiled. "No."
Richard made it to the last flight of stairs. He was happy to be gone from this world. It started good, but it went to hell quickly. Maybe on the next one...
"Don't even think it."
Richard paused. Rembrandt was standing on the bottom step. He glared at him.
"I'm not--" Richard started.
"You almost got Egghead killed," Rembrandt said.
"As if you care about the person who killed your son. Puh-leaze."
"Are you crazy?"
"No," Richard replied. "I trust other people to get us home other than that Egghead. Maybe it's overdue to find Quinn. Don't you--"
"That's not going to work anymore," Rembrandt said, cutting Richard off. "And if you keep pushing this, you might find yourself left on some world."
Richard frowned. "Oh?"
"I'm done covering you."
Rembrandt left without another word.
"As if I need you!" Richard yelled after him.
Fine. Rembrandt could be a coward. Richard looked around. There was no one else on the stairs. Good.
He reached into his pocket. Then he pulled out the black waistband. He thought about when Rebecca Pryce had given it to him on that Clone World.
He smirked.
Maybe it was time to bring in the big guns.
Darnell did not know what to do as he watched the street for any of the British.
His double had appeared to completely vanish out of San Francisco with a shipment of weapons. Surely, the government had not heard the last of him. If he was like the other doubles Darnell had encountered, he was sure he was dangerous.
Then again...so was Darnell.
The others had taken to treating him differently since Mr. Heim and Mr. Hall's fight. They had really seen him use his abilities defensively to overtake people. He knew they were worried that meant he was a step away from being a Kromagg agent again.
"Hands where we can see them!"
Darnell came out of his thoughts. Several men in red business suits stood in front of him, their rifles aimed at him. He narrowed his eyes at them. Then he thought it.
HE'S GONE.
The Brits continued on their way.
Darnell watched them go. As he did, Darnell thought about Earth Prime. He had found it as well as his control over his portals. The others would be proud.
"However..."
Darnell's eyes widened. He turned around. Kersh snarled at him.
"...who says you get to tell them?" Kersh hissed.
Then...everything went black.
THE-END
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