"Do hurry, Mr. Heim."
Randy Heim looked up from the device he was fiddling with. Professor Darnell brown was hurrying down the street with the others. At the moment, the streets were deserted. They knew it wouldn't last. It had not since they slid here days ago.
"I just...need...to make this one adjustment," Randy said.
"No time," the voice of Maggie Beckett filled the air. "Look."
Randy looked down the street. Several figures had emerged from around the corner. Randy looked across the street. A couple walked out of the townhouse.
Their eyes focused on the sliders.
"Oh, dear," Brown said.
"What now?" Melissa Clark asked next to Professor Brown.
"Run!" Randy said as the couple's eyes glowed red.
The vortex spit out Randy quickly. He felt a chill and realized it was because he was surrounded by trees covered with snow. There were no buildings anywhere.
The vortex whirred. Melissa Clark fell out of it. The wind blew her long black hair about. She stared at the snow.
"Oh," Melissa managed.
The vortex whirred again. Paige fell out of it, barely missing Melissa. Melissa glared at her.
"It's not like I did it on purpose," Paige snapped.
Melissa rolled her eyes. Randy did not know what to say. They really did not like each other due to their feelings for him. However...he was with Paige. He did not feel safe with Melissa anymore.
The vortex whirred again. Maggie Beckett fell next to the two ladies. She took in everything.
"That's it," Maggie said, "I have to get a new gun."
The vortex whirred again. It was quickly followed by another whir. Randy knew what that meant.
"Move!" Randy yelled.
The three women barely had time to move as the couple emerged from the vortex. Their eyes still glowed red. Their arms were now glowing red as well.
"You humans give a good chase," the man said. "You cannot resist. You will be--"
The vortex whirred again. Brown shot out. His eyes narrowed on the couple as he landed. The vortex closed behind him.
"Bye," Brown said.
Then the couple exploded. Smoke filled the air. Wires also shot out from where the two robots had been. As the smoke cleared, Randy could make out Professor Brown. He did not have a scratch on him.
Randy looked around. Maggie, Melissa, and Paige held the same look. He had it as well. Brown usually used body gestures when he used his telekinetics. Now...he could think it. Another sign that he continued to grow powerful. Was that the plan?
A snap sounded through the air. Maggie turned to it, her body posed for an attack.
"What--" Randy started.
"Someone's here," Maggie said.
"Suddenly, figures emerged from the trees. As they entered the moonlight, Randy could see they were Native Americans. He also saw they armed with bows and arrows. They aimed them at them.
"Oh, great," Randy muttered.
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 10: PURCHASE
A sound like an owl whooing cut through the air. The Indians paused. Randy looked at Maggie.
"What's going on?" Randy asked.
"Beats me," Maggie said.
"It would appear," Brown said as he approached the two of them, "that someone told them to stay their hand."
The Native Americans lowered their weapons. A few of them parted ways. A figure emerged. It was a black woman with her hair in braids. She was covered up in a bearskin cloak. Randy thought she looked very familiar.
"Dru?" Brown muttered.
The double of one of Brown's flings smiled. She walked to Brown and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips brushed him. She pulled away, still smiling. Brown stared at her shocked.
"Why so shocked?" Dru asked. "I know how you can get...when you need space." She touched noses with his. "No harm done." She stared at Randy. "However...this is a surprise. Could it be the great Randy Heim actually feels comfortable enough to join us out here? What will the townsfolk say?"
"Uh..." Randy said. He paused. "I...just was wandering about. I got lost and..."
"Darnell decided to help," Dru said. She smiled at Brown. "Maybe there is a kind sir in there after all."
Dru turned to the Native Americans. She made a series of sounds. They nodded and headed into the trees.
"You four must stay with us tonight," Dru said. "We can lead you back into town tomorrow."
"Of course," Maggie said.
Dru led Brown into the trees. Randy stared at Maggie. She shrugged her shoulders and followed Dru and Brown.
"You know he's becoming a danger, right?"
Randy turned around. Paige stared at him, her arms crossed over her chest.
"He just saved us, Paige," Randy said.
"That time," Paige said. "I know you notice he's getting more powerful."
"He's our friend," Melissa said, coming from behind Paige. "We know we can trust him."
Paige glared at Melissa. "Maybe you can."
"I agree with Melissa," Randy said. "We have to trust he has it under control."
"And if he doesn't?" Paige asked.
"Maybe your people have a plan for that," Melissa said.
Randy stared at Melissa. Now she had her arms over her chest. Her eyes were firmly on Paige. Paige meanwhile glared at Melissa.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Paige demanded.
"That maybe Professor Brown isn't the one we should be mistrusting," Melissa said. She walked over to Randy. Her eyes were on him. Then she vanished into the trees.
Randy looked at Paige. Paige frowned still, but she looked pale. Randy crossed his arms over his chest.
"What is she talking about?" Randy asked.
Paige stormed past Randy. "Nothing."
Randy watched Paige vanish into the trees. For the first time, he felt doubt. What did he really know about her?
Paige opened her eyes. She turned over in the bed. Her eyes fell on an empty mattress.
Paige sat up. She knew she was too used to Randall being there. She was glad to still have a warm body there after Randall became Randy. This was the first time he was not in bed at all.
She grabbed a bearskin cloak and shot out of the bed. The last thing Paige needed was for Randy to distrust her. It upset her plans.
Paige turned the doorknob. She started to open the door, but voices were on the other side. She paused.
"It is like I explained, Mr. Heim," Brown's voice said from the other side. "I do not remember anything from when I attempted to open Miss Kendall's mind."
"Think it will come back?" Randy's voice asked from the other side of the door.
"I honestly do not feel that it will," Brown admitted.
Paige smiled. Good for her.
"I do not find that a sign of positive reinforcement," Brown said.
Paige frowned. She will so have to get rid of him.
"I don't find your attempt to open her mind very good enforcement either, Professor," Randy said. "What were you thinking?"
"That you and I have regained our respective memories while she has not," Brown said. "Or has she?"
"If Paige had gotten her memory back, she would tell me."
"Would she?"
"I do not like your tone, Professor."
"Perhaps it is time you face the truth, Mr. Heim. Miss Kendall's behavior has changed, growing more and more antagonistic. What is her secret?"
"What is your secret?"
"Currently, I have none."
"Yeah...currently."
"Mr. Heim."
"I'm sorry, Professor, but...Paige's behavior isn't the only person's behavior that's different."
"Different or not, you have known me for years. Can you say the same for her?"
"I don't want to hear it, Professor. The Professor I know would not be manipulating people around him with an enemy's powers."
"Funny. The Randy I know would not be putting Melissa Clark through this hell."
"What do you--"
"Surely you are not that oblivious."
"Back off, Professor."
"Are you blind?"
"We are friends, Professor."
"You two can never be friends. Too much water under the bridge. Too much sacrifice on both of your parts. You will work through this ordeal like all the--"
"It wasn't her!" Randy exploded. "Do you remember? Artist World. Egyptian World. World War III World. Medieval World. I tired to get to her. I finally grew close to her...but it wasn't her. It wasn't her at all."
Paige stepped away from the door in shock. She tripped over a shoe. She stumbled.
Randy turned toward the door. It was opened a crack.
"Did you hear that?" Randy asked.
Randy walked toward the door. He slowly opened it.
Paige laid in the bed. She looked completely peaceful as she was under the cover. He shut the door.
"Everything all right?" Brown asked.
"Yeah, I thought..." Randy started.
"Who is to say that you were wrong?" Brown challenged. "There is very little we know about Miss Kendall."
Randy felt his face go warm. His back stiffened. First, Melissa. Now, it was Professor Brown. Enough was enough.
"There's very little we know about what the Kromaggs did to you," Randy said. "If I was you, I wouldn't toss any stones."
"Mr. Heim--"
"Stop!" Randy snapped. "Prove something to me and we'll talk. Otherwise, I'm going to bed."
Randy turned toward the door. He grabbed the doorknob.
"You put all of us in danger," Brown commented.
Randy looked at Brown. "I'm not the only one."
Randy opened the door and walked in. He shut it behind him and leaned against the door. A small smile was on his face.
The prototype worked. He managed to have a whole conversation with Professor Brown while he thought about his doubts over Professor Brown. Brown did not mention a thing. His thoughts were successfully cloaked.
Randy stared at Paige. She was still sleep. It was time for him to invent something for that problem as well...
"So...doing okay?"
Melissa looked over at Maggie. She sat across from Melissa in the wagon. Like Melissa, she was covered up in fur. She stared in concern at her.
"Yeah," Melissa said. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"It's nothing," Maggie said simply.
"No, it's something," Melissa said. "What?"
"Randy and Paige," Maggie said. "It's hitting you hard."
Melissa shook her head. "It's not that. I don't trust her."
"Now just because--"
"I saw an image in my head," Melissa said. "It came from Brown's head. I...I was him. Paige stood over me with a piece of glass in her hand, readying to stab me dead. And she said 'her people' had planned for things like Kromagg telepathy. It happened when I held Brown on Obese World."
"Maybe it was a trick of his," Maggie suggested.
"Do you distrust Brown that much?" Melissa demanded.
"Don't you?" Maggie challenged.
"I know Brown," Melissa said with an edge. "I don't know her."
"Do you even know him now?" Maggie said, her eyes bearing into Melissa. "You have no idea what's been done to him or how he's changing."
"Doesn't matter," Melissa said. "At the end of the day...I trust him more than her."
Maggie crossed her arms over her chest. "Suit yourself."
Melissa looked out the back of the wagon. All she saw was tall trees covered in snow. She had originally been uneasy about Brown's abilities. Now...with so much changing...he was becoming the most familiar.
"What if he stabs you in the back?" Maggie asked.
Melissa looked at Maggie. Her eyes narrowed on her.
"He won't," Melissa said. "Can you see Paige won't?"
Maggie corked an eyebrow. Then her eyes widened. She pointed past Melissa.
Melissa turned to look outside the wagon. Her eyes also widened. The trees had also given away to cottages. A woman was setting up wet clothes on a line on one side. On the other side, two children ran around a nice yard.
Melissa smiled. They were in civilization at last.
Paige stared at the people running around the village. The sight of them made her think back over when she was younger. It was a nice happy...but brief...time before the war. The image of manta ships cutting down people caused Paige to glare.
A hand tightened in her hand. Paige came out of her thoughts. She turned to look beside here. Randy looked at her.
"You okay?" Randy asked.
"Uh...yeah," Paige lied. "It just...it looks so peaceful." She tightened her hand in his hand. "Made me think of when we were on Paranoia World. Me with the store. You...tinkling. Peaceful times."
Randy's face darkened. Paige found herself frowning.
"Dru's wagon appears to be heading to that fort ahead," Brown said as he held the ropes attached to the horses pulling their wagon.
"Must be the main hall," Randy said, looking at Brown. "I wonder what we'll find there."
"Nothing, but trouble I surmise," Brown said.
Paige frowned again. Last night the Prof and Randy were arguing. Now they were like bosom buddies. It was crazy.
"Well, you are being uncharacteristically quiet, Miss Kendall," Brown said. "Has the proverbial cat gotten your tongue?"
Paige glared. "You wish."
It was official: Brown was gone.
Randy gasped. It was the only way he was able to breathe. Too many people hugging him all at once. It was insane. He stared over the children and at his host.
On Earth Prime, Ben Loveland would be Randy's disorganized roommate. Here he appeared to be in some form of control. At the moment, he grinned at Randy.
"What gift do you have this time, Inventor?" Ben asked. "The kids would like to know."
"Yes!" one of the kids, a with pigtails. "I want surprise!"
"Yeah!" a boy added. "What gift do you have for me?"
More kids joined in on the begging. Randy looked down at them, a loss for words. Ben moved toward him.
"Now, now children," Ben said. "There will be time for that later. Now run along to the tent. Schoolmaster Welles has a surprise for you."
The kids were gone in a flash. Randy watched them go. It reminded him of the world where he was a lead singer of a band. To be wanted...was scary.
"I'm surprised at you, Randall," Ben said behind him. "You always stay in your labs...sending the lovely Miss Clark to fetch things. Speaking of..."
Ben walked past Randy. Randy turned to see Ben approach Melissa. He briefly kneeled. Then he kissed Melissa's hand. She stared in surprise.
"This...new look...suits you," Ben said. "It is more...in tune...with what I see you as."
Melissa stared over at Maggie and Brown. She looked down at Ben.
"Oh, really?" Melissa said. "And what is that?"
"More than the shy bookworm you appear to be," Ben replied.
"Loveland, enough," Dru snapped. "Darnell is finally back. What is this news you have to report?"
"Why...the fact that England is expanding again," Ben announced standing up again. "Their expansion threatens to cause conflict with the Northern Tribes. I need you and Darnell to mediate."
"Why even let the Brits expand?" Dru demanded. "It is just their attempt to continue their plans for continental conquest. The tribes will have none of it."
"We are all friends here, Drucilla," Ben said. "The treaty we have in place has been a benefit for everyone. Now..."
"Treaty?" Brown asked.
"Oh, Darnell," Dru said with a smile. "So forgetful. The Jeffersonian Treaty of Louisiana. The treaty Thomas Jefferson signed with Emperor Napoleon to keep England out of the Indians' land."
"Oh!" Maggie exclaimed. "You mean, the Louisiana Purchase! But wasn't that signed with the United States?"
Ben and Dru stared at Maggie as if she said pigs could fly. Randy laughed.
"Maggie hit her head," Randy said.
"Oh," Ben said.
"That explains it," Dru added.
Maggie glared at Randy.
"In any case, the embassy from England will be here by nightfall," Ben said. "The Emperor would like everyone on his and her best behavior."
"So you speak for the Emperor?" Dru challenged.
"No. I do."
Randy looked behind him. As soon as he saw the figure in the door, Randy looked at Brown. His face had gone white as a ghost.
"Debra?" Brown muttered.
Debra King walked into the cottage. Unlike everyone else, she was dressed in silks and lace. She had a regal look to her as her eyes fell on Brown and Dru.
"Yes, Darnell," Debra said. "Me."
"And who are you?" Maggie asked.
"I second that question," Paige added.
"Debra is Brown's wife," Randy said.
"Ex-wife," Debra said. "I have not been 'wife' since he abandoned everything...everyone...to run off into the wild with this...whore."
Dru's eyes widened. "Whore? Why, you--"
Debra held up a finger. "Not a word. I have the Emperor on my side."
"Really?" Dru challenged. "Because I have the ears of the tribes...and your husband's. Wanta test me? You lose everything."
"Ladies," Ben cautioned.
"I agree, Debra said. "The embassy will be here by nightfall. Let us talk strategy."
Melissa watched Randy's eyes widen like a kid in a candy store. She looked over at Ben. He stood in front of them gesturing to the room behind him. It was full of odds and ends. Beakers. Stoves. Melissa could make out what appeared to be a set of wings.
"I know how you hate to leave your lab so...a lab away from home," Ben explained.
"Thanks," Randy said, walking over to him. His eyes studied the room. "This...will definitely come in handy."
Ben smiled. "I hope so." He walked over to Melissa. "Now if you don't mind, I would like to take your lovely assistant for a walk."
Randy turned to face them. "Actually--"
"I would love to," Melissa said. She looked at Randy. "You keep busy."
Melissa turned and allowed Ben to lead her out. A small smile filled her face. It was nice to see someone focus on her for a change.
Melissa turned to look at Randy. He stared after the two of them. Was that a twist of jealousy on his face?
Brown watched Debra. She discussed what the Emperor wanted with a businesswoman air to her. Her attendants Jacob and Titus stood next to her, nodding to every word she said. Brown would rather sit and talk to Debra and see how she was.
Brown felt his right arm tighten up. He looked at it. Dru's arm was wrapped around it, a small smile on it.
"Seems so boring, doesn't it?" she whispered.
"Yes," Brown whispered back, "it does."
"The tribes will not like the Brits so close."
"We will have to convince them otherwise."
"How?"
"Show that there is an advantage to having your enemies close."
"Are you two even paying attention?"
Brown looked away from Dru. Debra glared at him. It was a glare that was matched by Jacob and Titus.
"Dru...was just telling me what our chances of getting the tribes behind this new treaty were," Brown said.
"I would think that Ms. Elise did not have the ability to read minds," Debra remarked.
Dru wrapped her arms around Brown's waist. She tilted her head into his chest. It felt so good, but he knew what the point was. Dru was not long in giving it.
"Well...we do seem to share a psychic rapport," Dru said. "Almost like husband and wife."
Debra's face darkened. "We are done for the day. I will rest until the embassy arrives."
Brown moved toward Debra. He grabbed her arm. His eyes widened as images flashed through his mind. Debra crying as Brown left her to join the Indians in the wild. Brown coming back as a savage. Debra's reaction to Brown leaving not with her, but Dru...someone he just met. Debra leaving to find a new direction in her life.
Debra pulled her arm away from Brown. Her eyes were full of hatred.
"Do not attempt that again," Debra snapped.
Debra left the room. Jacob and Titus were fast behind her. As they passed by him, Brown could feel their thoughts. Titus felt insulted. Jacob felt...
Brown's eyes widened. Jacob's mind was a black wall to him. It was exactly like Paige's mind.
Brown felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around. Dru looked at him with a frown on her face.
"What was that about?" Dru asked.
Brown looked back at the door.
Good question.
Paige headed toward the conference room door. They had been in there for hours. She wanted to know what was going on.
Debra shot out of the door. She tripped over Paige. They both fell to the floor.
"Oh, I am so sorry," Paige said.
"You should be, twit," Debra said.
"Fine," Paige said. "I'm not sorry."
Paige got to her feet. She glared at Debra as her attendants helped her up. One of them...Jacob...got his sleeve caught in Debra's long silk. It pulled at his sleeve causing it to fall back.
Paige's jaw dropped.
Jacob had a black waistband on his wrist...just like Paige.
Maggie nodded to the servant. "Thank you, good sir."
The servant nodded. Then he headed down the hall, leaving Maggie in front of the door. She stared at it and opened it.
A smell like rotten eggs greeted her nose, causing her to frown. She pushed open the door. Randy sat at the table near a series of beakers that boiled over little fires. He had a tweezer in one hand and a little pocketknife in the other. He slaved over some circular object.
"It's not going to destroy the world, is it?" Maggie asked.
Randy said nothing. He continued to work away on the device. He released the knife and picked up a second set of tweezers. He continued on his device.
"Randy?" Maggie muttered.
Randy said nothing. She looked into his eyes. They looked listless as he continued on his device.
"Randy!" Maggie yelled.
Randy blinked. The spell broken, the tweezers fell form his hands. He stared at Maggie as if it was the first time he saw her.
"Uh...hey," Randy uttered.
"Where were you just now?" Maggie asked. "It was like you were in a trance."
"Yeah...sometimes I get like that," Randy said. "I get...tunnel-visioned on something."
"Yeah," Maggie said, looking down on the device. "Have a doomsday device there, do you?"
Randy smiled. "No. Just a solution to a minor problem."
"Really?" Maggie said. "Does it involve everyone's favorite telepath?"
"It started from the Professor," Randy admitted. "I think he had a point."
"About?"
Randy looked down at his feet. He looked down.
"What do you think about Paige?" Randy asked.
"Tough ."
"Do you trust her?"
Maggie studied Randy's face. "Well...I think there is a lot we don't know about her. So far...she has my respect."
"Do you think...do you think...she has her memory back?"
Maggie frowned. "I don't know. The rest of you have...so why not?"
"That's what Professor Brown is saying."
"He should talk."
"He isn't alone. Melissa feels the same way."
Maggie approached the table.
"And do you believe her?" Maggie asked.
Randy looked at Maggie. He looked like a little boy who had been told there was no Santa Claus.
"I...don't know," Randy replied.
Paige grabbed at her chest as if someone had stabbed her. She leaned against the way to keep herself from falling.
She frowned. Why was she acting so weak? So Randy had doubts about her? That would not stop her from killing him.
Paige stood up. She headed away from Randy's opened door.
There were only two people who knew about her. She needed to get rid of them...now.
Melissa closed the door to her bedroom. A smile crept up on her face. She wondered if it really had been that long since she had one.
Ben had been wonderful on their walk. He talked about his life as a trader and what it was like to communicate with the Indians and the French. He asked about her life...well...the life of her double. What was it like to be an assistant to an eccentric genius like Randy Heim? Was she in love?
That last question had caught Melissa off guard. Was she still in love with Randy? She had told Ben no. Still the question bugged her.
Ben was interested in Melissa. Most of Ben's doubles seem to be. In fact, when Melissa had first begun sliding she always encountered worlds where Ben and she were together.
She smiled. With Randy and Paige, maybe it was completely possible. It would be nice to have someone focus on her.
Melissa opened her closet. A cloak shot out at her. Melissa barely had time to react as hands pushed her to the ground.
Melissa turned over on her stomach quickly. She turned, but all she saw was feet running out of her bedroom door.
"What in the--" Melissa muttered.
Randy entered the bedroom door. Melissa sat on the bed. Brown held on one of her hands. Ben held the other hand. Randy frowned.
"Is everything okay?" Randy asked.
"Nothing to concern you, Randall," Ben said. "Probably a British thief. They ran too frequently from their border here. Attacked poor Melissa and ran."
"Or," Debra said from the corner, "it was an assassin."
"Surely not," Ben said.
"Can you say for sure?" Debra challenged.
"Must you start?" Dru asked.
"Now, now," Maggie warned.
"Of course, YOU would have no problem with an assassin," Debra said.
"If there was an assassin..." Dru said.
"Am I interrupting?"
Randy turned around. He felt like someone had sucker punched him. Then he realized that Brown...with two loves here...would feel even worse.
Eve Albright stood in the door. She stood before them in a black-laced corset and long white dress. Her black hair was like a cloak about her. In her right hand was a whip that she tipped into her left hand.
"The servants were kind enough to show me where everyone was," Eve said. Her eyes fell on Brown. "Hello, Darnell." Her eyes narrowed on Melissa. "Is this the new one?"
"New what?" Dru asked.
Eve looked at Dru. "Now, really...you don't think you're the only one in the room who has had the pleasure of Darnell's bed." She smiled. "Oh! You do? That...is very sweet."
"These talks are treaty," Dru declared.
"Not your decision," Eve said.
"You really think that?" Dru challenged.
"You want to try me?" Eve shot back.
"Hey, ladies!" Maggie yelled. "Back to your corners! Or better yet...your beds!"
"I agree, old one," Eve said. "Where are you sleeping, Darnell?"
"Darnell?" Dru shrieked.
"Old one?" Maggie said.
Randy rolled his eyes. He looked at the bed. Brown got up to separate the women. Melissa stared at the scene. She rolled her eyes.
Randy headed out the door. He noticed that one person was missing from this scene.
Paige.
"Hello...Jacob."
Jacob turned around. Paige closed the door behind her. He smiled at her.
"Paige Kendall," Jacob said. "I must admit surprise. You vanished months ago. The Elders grew worried when Sydney shared your fate."
Paige spun around. She smiled.
"As you can see," Paige said, "I am very much alive."
Jacob frowned. "Which begs the question: where have you been?"
"Long story," Paige said, touching Jacob's chest. "Why are you here?"
Jacob stared down at Paige. "Searching for Sydney. See if she has made contact with the target. I see him with you so...where is Sydney?"
"I don't know," Paige said, leaning in. "Perhaps we can find her at...first light. Until then..."
Hands grabbed Paige's hands. Before Paige could react, Jacob tossed her into a wall.
"Have you been among these others so long that you have forgotten what is at stake?" Jacob asked.
Paige held on to the wall, steadying herself.
"I haven't forgotten," Paige said, releasing the wall. "I just don't care."
Before Jacob could react, Paige lunged at him.
Randy opened his eyes. He turned over. Maggie laid next to him. He shrieked and fell out of the bed. He looked up to find Maggie glaring down at him.
"Okay, I'm not that ugly," Maggie said.
"Where's Melissa?" Randy asked.
Maggie shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. She was sleep between the two of us."
Randy nodded. After he had not found Paige, he had returned to Melissa's room. They all agreed to sleep in the same room. Dru was not happy with Brown, but she understood.
Randy stood up. "Well, I'm going to find her. Who knows if--"
Maggie gasped. "Oh."
Randy looked at where she was looking. In the corner was Brown. His eyes were closed and he sat Indian-style. He also hanged upside-down like a bat.
"Now tell me that's not creepy," Maggie said.
"We'll talk about that later," Randy said. "Let's find Melissa."
Brown's eyes shot open.
"Good idea," Brown said. Then he started to right himself.
"Like I said," Maggie said, "creepy."
Melissa walked the path quickly. She did not know what she was going to say. How she was gong to explain, but she trusted that Randy would believe her.
She turned the corner of the rock. A figure fell out at her. Melissa grabbed him and fell to the snowy ground.
It was a bloody man. His hair was blond. His chest had a large wound in it. He grabbed Melissa's cheek.
"Help...me," he muttered.
"Wait," Melissa said. "Who are you?"
"Jacob," he said. "Not...much time." He coughed. "Listen...I...am...not of this world. From a...different time. Kromaggs...taken over. Came back...in time...to stop them."
"What?" Melissa muttered.
"Must...protect Randy Heim from...his great enemy," Jacob said. "If he dies...we all do."
"Randy's in danger?" Melissa said. "I have to--"
"Paige...is from our...my...timeline," Jacob said. "Thought here to help, but she wants...to kill him. You must warn..."
A shadow fell across them. Melissa looked up. It was a red-haired woman with a sword in her hand.
"Oh," she said, "two birds with one stone."
Melissa's eyes widened. Paige smiled. Then she drove the sword through both of them. She aimed just right. They gasped for a moment and fell motionless.
Paige smirked. At last, no one was alive to know her secret. She needed to get back to Randy and...
Paige turned around. The smile died on her face.
Melissa stood across from her. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Melissa."
Melissa took a step back from the scene. It felt like a dream, but it was not. Paige stood over one of Debra's attendants...and a double of Melissa.
Paige looked shocked. Melissa looked at her. Then she looked at the bodies. It suddenly made sense.
"You thought it was me," Melissa said.
Paige said nothing. In that moment, Melissa knew.
"You make me sick," Melissa said. "All this time...you picked on Kat for having a taste for killing. You're exactly the same."
"No," Paige said. "I'm not."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You have a reason."
"More than she did."
"Really?" Melissa challenged. "Why?"
"Too complicated to explain."
"Then why kill Jacob?" Melissa asked. "Why could he had--"
Melissa's eyes widened. "He knows. He knows that...he knows about you. He knew the truth."
Melissa started to head away. Paige moved with her, blocking her way.
"Oh, no you don't," Paige said.
"You can't stop me, Paige," Melissa said.
Paige grabbed Melissa by the throat.
"Watch me," Paige said. "I didn't come all this way to be stopped by you."
Melissa groaned. Then she brought her knee up, getting Paige in the stomach. Paige groaned and released her hold on Melissa's throat. Melissa swung, nailing Paige in the jaw.
Melissa dotted away. She had to find the others, before...
"You hit like a ."
Melissa stopped and turned around. Paige rubbed her jaw. She also headed back to her sword.
Melissa did not wait. She broke out in a run.
Randy frowned. There was no sign of Melissa anywhere in the fort. That could only mean that she was outside among the people in the village.
A figure dotted up to Randy. He turned to see that it was Maggie.
"Any sign of her?" Randy asked.
"None," Maggie answered.
Another figure lunged at them. Randy jumped only to realize it was Brown. He landed next to the two of them. He had been levitating.
"I do not sense her in the fort," Brown reported.
"Are you trying to get us in trouble?" Maggie snapped.
"I thought it would be more efficient if I did a sweep of the area," Brown said.
"Or maybe you are getting too used to your powers," Maggie said.
"I do not think I like your tone, Miss Beckett."
Maggie stood up to Brown. "Well, get used to it, Professor."
"Darnell, there you are!"
Randy looked past the two sliders. Dru ran over to them. She frowned at the three of them.
"Is something wrong?" Dru asked.
"No," Brown said.
"Then why are you at the fort wall thick as thieves?" Dru demanded.
Brown stared at Dru. He held her hands in his. He managed a smile.
"Trust me," Brown said. "It is for our benefit."
"Good," Dru said. She pulled at Brown. "The others are waiting to start."
"But--" Brown started, looking at Randy.
"Don't worry," Randy said. "We'll be fine."
Randy watched Brown and Dru head back into the main building. He looked at Maggie.
"You don't pull punches," Randy commented.
"He's becoming a danger and--" Maggie started.
"Please, not another lecture," Randy said.
"Will you take this seriously!" Maggie snapped.
Randy smiled slyly. "What makes you think I'm not?" He walked away. Let's go find Melissa."
Melissa gasped for breath as she held herself up by the tree. She turned around. There was no sign of Paige.
Melissa turned around. Paige stood before her. She swung the sword at Melissa's head. Melissa ducked, causing the sword to hit the tree and get stuck in it.
Melissa kicked Paige in the stomach. Then she ran past her. She tripped over one of Paige's legs.
"Not so tough now," Paige said.
Paige lunged at Melissa. Melissa rolled over. She crawled to her feet and ran.
She ran past a rock. Then she paused. She was back where she started.
"Oh, great," Melissa muttered.
Maggie headed for the main building. She had looked and saw no sign of Melissa. She could only hope that Melissa made it back to the meeting.
Maggie opened the door.
"They say they will not agree with the move," Dru said.
"Well, they better," Eve said.
"Now, everyone," Ben said. "We are all s here. Jefferson set the treaty pup with Emperor Napoleon for a reason. Let us do our best to maintain the peace."
"I agree," Debra said. "If a few acres of land will settle this, I say let us get on with it."
"And you would say that," Dru said. "It does not affect you."
"All worried, are you?" Debra asked.
"All jealous, are you?" Dru shot back.
"Now, now," Eve warned. "Neither of you were good anyway."
All eyes fell on Eve. She smirked. Debra and Dru glared. Ben looked beside himself. The chiefs of the tribes looked confused over what was going on. Brown sat in a chair with a frown on his face. Ben stared at Brown.
"Darnell, could you voice an opinion on this matter?" Ben asked. "Surely the chiefs will value your thoughts."
"I think," Brown said, leaning forward, "that I am quite bored."
And with that, everyone's body stiffened as if someone had grabbed them with chains. Suddenly, the chiefs took up pens. One by one, they signed the treaty. Maggie saw that their eyes were listless. It was the same as Debra and Eve approached the treaty and signed. It was like they were not there at all.
Maggie frowned. The only one who looked normal was Brown. He leaned back with a smirk on his face.
Maggie backed away from the door. She walked away quickly. That...was creepy.
Melissa moved rapidly across the path. The two figures stood still on the ground. The red dried on their clothes. Melissa started to turn away, but stopped.
There on Jacob's wrist was a black wristband. Melissa recalled seeing one on Paige's wrist. At the time she thought it was cool with its ethereal vibe...not that she would admit it was cool to Paige. It being on Jacob's wrist could not be a coincidence.
'My people planned for things like Kromagg telepathy.'
Melissa's eyes widened as the words hit home. Jacob came from wherever Paige came from. And for that, she killed him.
"Oh, my God," Melissa muttered.
Melissa's double coughed. She opened her eyes and grunted.
"You're...alive," Melissa said.
The double tired to push Jacob's body off of her. She screamed and fell back. Melissa ran to her and pushed Jacob's dead body off.
"Yeah...alive...hard to kill," the double said. She looked at Melissa. "You know...that."
Melissa started back at the double. Recognition hit Melissa. Her eyes narrowed.
"You're her," Melissa said. "The double that was with Logan St. Clair. The one who...you stole a year of my life!"
The double coughed again. She pushed herself up.
"Look," the double said. "I’m sorry. I didn't know that was what Mr. Stone had in mind when he sprung me from Outpost World. If I...had...trust me...I wouldn't have done it."
"As if you haven't impersonated me before."
"Well, I must have did a great job!" the double snapped. "Neither your friends...or me...knew I was a double."
Melissa managed a weak smile. "Well, now...I'm the double."
"Not...much time," the double said. "Came here...to see how Randy was...Rebecca's looking for him...bad due to moi. I was the one....in your closet. Thought...if he was with anyone...it would be you.
"That...this guy," Melissa's double continued, "is from a different time. So is Paige. He came to protect Randy from some...great enemy that's coming so...he can be the great white hope...against the Kromaggs. Paige...is here to kill him."
"Maybe it's because he deserves to die."
Melissa turned around in time to get an elbow in the face. She fell on Jacob. She looked up to find Paige, standing over them. She glared at the double.
"As for you..." Paige said.
"No," the double said. "I've been through too--"
"Shut up," Paige said.
The last time Melissa saw before she lost consciousness was Paige swinging her sword at Melissa's double's neck.
Randy heard the scream. It was cut off abruptly. He ran in the general direction. He passed a series of giant rocks and stopped.
"Paige?" Randy managed.
Paige turned to look at her. Her eyes widened in surprise. She ran to him.
"Thank God," Paige said, hugging him. "One of Debra's attendants attacked us. I had found Melissa. I found him off, but--"
"And how did you do that?" Randy asked.
"You know I don't remember how I have these fighting skills," Paige said. "We have to--"
Randy put a finger to Paige's lips. With his other hand, he pulled out a device from his pocket.
"Now," Randy said, "you can."
Before Paige could react, Randy shoved the round device onto her head. It made a sound. Then nothing.
"What--" Paige started.
"The Foundation had little chips that when put on the forehead could erase some parts of the brain," Randy explained. "I created a device that should be able to electrocute the cells in your body that are responsible for memories. There should be an electric shock...and they come back." His eyes narrowed on Paige. "If it does not, that means the damaged cells in question...have been repaired."
Randy grabbed Paige by the throat.
"You lied to me," Randy said.
"Randy..." Paige started.
"Your memory is back!" Randy snapped. "Everyone was right! Who are you?"
"Randy..." Paige started.
Pain shot into Randy's stomach. He released Paige and fell to the ground, holding his stomach due to Paige's kneeing it. He looked up to see Paige holding the sword over him.
"Night, night, murderer," Paige said.
The moment was here. Paige had Randy right where she wanted him. She held up the sword.
"Night, night murderer," Paige said.
Randy stared at her. His brown eyes were wide like an deer. It made Paige think of the times she had spun with him. He was not Randall anymore, but...she was liking Randy.
"If you're going to kill me, do it," Randy said.
"And I will for what you've done," Paige said.
"Then do it!" Randy yelled. "If it is what you want."
Paige raised her sword again. Her eyes widened. She dropped the sword.
"I...can't," Paige said.
"Good."
Randy looked over Paige's shoulder. She turned around just in time to get knocked out by Melissa's right cross.
THE-END
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