Paige Kendall shot out of the blue wormhole. Her body hit the wall. She tuned in time to see another figure emerge from the wormhole.
Paige moved away just in time. Professor Darnell Brown landed where Paige was just at. Suddenly, Maggie Beckett shot out of the wormhole. She hit Brown in the back.
The wormhole whirred, revealing another figure. It was Melissa Clark. Her black hair flew about as she looked around.
Paige found herself studying the room. It wasn't a room at all. It was a maze...all in black.
Another whir came from the wormhole. Randy Heim emerged fro it. He balanced himself as the wormhole closed behind him.
"Is everyone okay?" Randy asked.
"Yes," Paige said quickly.
"Yes," Melissa added.
"No," Brown grunted.
"Better question," Maggie said, "where are the lights?"
As if on answer, a figure emerged from behind Maggie and Brown. Something made the figure glow red. Paige could not make out a face.
Suddenly the lights moved. They were attached to a staff. The figure swung it out, knocking Maggie away from Brown. The figure got Brown in the stomach with one end. Brown let out a scream as electricity shot from it. Maggie lunged at the figure only to meet the staff's other end. As the figure stepped back with the staff, Paige saw the figure's face. It was Melissa.
"Oh my..." Paige started.
Melissa's double lunged at her. Paige instinctly dodged away. Melissa's double knocked her down with the staff. She stood over Paige, a smirk glowing on her face.
Suddenly, she turned around. The end of her staff got Randy in the stomach. Electricity coursed outside Randy's body. He released a scream.
Paige stared at Melissa's double. The double looked like she saw a ghost.
"Oh my God," the double 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 8: THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND HER
Melissa helped Maggie out of the black maze.
"Are you sure you’re okay?" Melissa asked.
"Yeah," Maggie said. "That staff really packed a punch."
"It isn't the only thing."
Melissa turned around with Maggie. She saw Paige stumbling out of the hole. She also saw that the 'hole' had an ENTRANCE sign over it.
"Hmmm...a game world?" Maggie suggested.
"Maybe," Melissa said. "The way my double used that staff..."
"Yeah...that," Paige said. "She was a killing machine."
"You would know," Melissa said coldly.
"Nice to know you care," Paige shot back.
"I don't."
"Hey. Please...not now," Maggie said.
"At it again, are they?"
Melissa looked past Paige. Professor Brown helped Randy out of the entrance.
"Are you two--" Melissa started.
"We're fine," Randy said. "Just...no more run-ins with doubles or Kromaggs."
"I second that," Maggie said. "How about we find somewhere to rest?"
"So how much time?" Paige asked.
"A little under five days," Randy replied as they walked through a tunnel. "How are you holding up?"
Paige shrugged her left shoulder. "Good."
Just last week, Paige had an encounter with a gunshot. She was doing fine. It felt like she had healed overnight. It was too weird for her to think about.
Paige squeezed Randy's hand in hers. She looked at Randy. He managed a smile. She stared forward and smiled. At last, he was all hers.
Melissa, Maggie, and the Prof walked ahead of them. Paige stared at Melissa. She was happy the ex backed off Randy, but they were never going to be friends...especially after everything with Psycho Irish Kat.
Light shined ahead of them. As Paige walked through it, she realized they were on a catwalk. She looked down. There was something that resembled a cave below. She could even make out a 'hole' with people around it. Then she saw the EXIT sign.
Melissa's double emerged from it. Paige felt her eyes narrow on her. She did not look so tough.
People surrounded her talking. Melissa's double seem to take the talking like someone attacked by a mosquito. Paige stared through the crowd.
Her eyes widened. In the corner, there was a lady. She had her arms over her chest. She had her dark hair in a ponytail. She stared at the scene with mild interest.
"Julia?" Paige muttered.
"Wha?" Randy asked next to her.
"Uh...nothing," Paige said, looking at Randy. "How about we head to the Dominion?"
"Journal writing?"
Randy looked up from his journal. Maggie stood in the door. She smirked.
"Yeah," Randy said. "It helps me...remember things from when I was Randall."
"Yeah," Maggie said. "Professor Brown told me about that. Someone's way of hiding you from the 'Maggs."
"Rebecca didn't do it out of the kindness of her heart," Randy said. "I was just another bargaining chip."
"Well, I can see why," Maggie said. "I slid with Quinn for years. He never used sliding as a defense weapon. You're the most dangerous person in the multiverse."
Randy looked down. "I did what I had to."
"For the best of the multiverse, can you do it again?"
Randy looked up at Maggie. "Did Professor Brown tell you we found Quinn?"
Maggie blushed. "And Remmy. It's bittersweet to know they're home...but so are the Kromaggs."
"Between them, Wade, and Professor Arturo, I'm sure they'll give them hell until we get there," Randy said.
"Wade," Maggie said, looking off into space.
"Yeah...alive and telekinetic," Randy said.
Maggie approached the window. "When I first joined, Wade and I use to get in so many fights. I'm surprised Quinn never left us somewhere." She looked at Randy. "Those two are going to tear each other apart, you know."
Randy frowned. "Huh?"
"Paige and Melissa," Maggie said. "They're both spirited and liking the same man. And they're in close quarters all the time. Trust me. It's not going to end well." She headed to the door. "Just a warning."
Randy watched Maggie. He wondered if she was right. He was friends with Melissa now. Surely she would eventually accept Paige.
"Who's Julia?"
Paige wiped the towel around her head. She saw Melissa in the mirror. Her eyes were on Paige. Paige turned to look at Melissa.
"Julia?" Paige muttered. "What are you talking about?"
"You muttered it at that place," Melissa said. "A friend?"
"Me? Friends?" Paige said. "You're kidding, right?"
Paige walked past Melissa. She could still feel Melissa's eyes on her. She turned to glare.
"What?" Paige snapped.
"You went white as a sheet whoever you saw," Melissa said. "What's the deal?"
"No deal," Paige said. "Well...with me anyway. Your double though? She was scared when she saw Randy. Why is that? Maybe she lost him to another woman like you."
"You a woman? That's a laugh."
"Would you like me to take off the towel?"
"You're not supposed to remember your past, right?" Melissa asked. "Maybe you're lying after all."
"Accept it, Melissa," Paige said evenly. "He's gone and he's not coming back."
"Who's Julia?" Melissa demanded.
Paige crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm going to find out," Melissa said, heading to the door. She slammed it behind her.
Paige sighed in relief. How could she answer that question when she didn't know? Julia...wasn't even her name. She used it to get close to Paige on that Nerd World. Then she completely vanished. If she's here now...
Paige did not even want to think about it. What she wanted was a nice dinner...with her man.
Brown headed down the street. He saw the Dominion Hotel across the street. Interestingly, there was a bookstore around the block. He was able to get the information he needed. He could not wait to tell the others.
"Did you see her today?"
Brown looked ahead of him. Three figures headed his way. They were all in brown jumpsuits. The suits reminded him of fighter pilots. The one in the center Brown realized as Charlie Denny who was the campus student president on Earth Prime. He did not know the guy on Charlie's left. The one on the right made Brown's jaw drop. It was Richard Hall...well, a double of the former slider and comrade.
"She wiped the floor with Bufford," Charlie said.
"About time," the guy said on Charlie's left. "You ask me, Bufford had it coming."
"Good thing no one asked you, Jason," Richard said on Charlie's right.
"Ha, ha, Hall," Jason said. "Shut up."
"So tell us, Hall," Charlie said. "You dated Melissa. Is she as fierce in bed as in combat?"
"Hey, old man!" Richard yelled at Brown. "Stop being nosy...if you know what's good for you."
Brown looked at his feet. He tried to look humble.
"My apologizes," Brown said. He looked up. "I just--"
Richard, Charlie, and Jason stared wide-eyed.
"What?" Brown asked.
"They are speechless because their superior is here and they fear him."
Brown turned around. A black man stood behind Brown. He wore a black tuxedo with a dark brown trenchcoat. He has short curly hair and a thin mustache. He looked at the three men, slowly approaching them. His eyes were evenly set.
"As they should," the black man said.
The three men ran past the black man. Then he turned to Brown. He smiled at Brown. It made Brown scared.
"You really didn't think they were scared of you, did you, Cousin?" the black man asked. He smirked. "No one is scared of you. Let us go see Father."
Paige stared at Randy across the table. They had been here for fifteen minutes. This version of the Dominion Hotel had a dine-in restaurant instead of a bar. Paige thought that was good. So far Randy just picked at his appetizers.
"What?" Paige finally demanded.
"Huh?" Randy said, looking at her.
"You're not touching your food," Paige said. "I know we're spending the Prof's money, but..."
"Sorry," Randy said. "I just have a lot going through my mind."
"Being around the Magster too much, huh?" Paige asked.
"One act," Randy said. "I did one thing to save someone. Now I'm the most wanted person in the multiverse." He tilted his head. "Of course over the years it occurred to me to wonder if sliding could be use defensively, but...I just never..."
Paige looked over Randy's shoulder. 'Julia' was in the restaurant. She headed for the restroom.
"Excuse me one moment," Paige said, standing up. "Woman stuff calling."
Paige quickly headed for the restroom door. She stormed in. No one was at the mirror. She leaned down to look for feet in the stalls. There were none.
Paige pushed open the stall doors. No one was in them. She looked about for a window out, but there was none.
Paige frowned.
What was going on? Why was this starting to seem...familiar?
Melissa lowered the black beret over her head as she watched the touraurment. She thought the last thing the crowd she sat in...or she...needed was to see two Melissa. She was there to watch.
Melissa's double swung the staff at an opponent. The opponent...some woman with jet-black hair in a bun...ducked to the floor. Then she quickly swung her foot out, tripping Melissa's double. A series of gasps escaped the lips of the crowd.
"That's not like her," one of the observers said.
"Not at the top of her game," another said.
"Not since Randy Heim," the first observer said.
Melissa frowned. She had been right. No wonder her double had freaked out when she saw Randy. Something had happened to him and now...she was messed up.
The opponent looked down at Melissa's double. A smile was on her face as she brought her staff up. She drove it down at Melissa's double.
Melissa watched her. She looked like she was somewhere else. Suddenly, she rolled over. The staff the opponent had hit the spot where Melissa's double had been. Melissa's double shot up, her staff in hand. She swung it at her opponent's face. The opponent jumped back.
"Whoa...lethal blow," the first observer commented.
"Now that's more like her," the other one said.
Melissa stared at them. Was her double really this...deadly?
The opponent's eyes were full of fear. Her hand reached for her throat. The staff flew from her other hand. She passed out. Melissa saw the hand she had to her throat. It now had red on it.
The crowd cheered. Melissa looked at them like they were insane. She should have been helping the bleeding woman. It was like watching the Super Bowl with the cheering.
"Maxim Brown will so select her," the observer said.
"Definitely," the other added.
Melissa moved through the bleachers she was on. She had seen enough. So many thoughts ran through her head. Was this what would happen now that Randy was not with her? Is that what she wanted? How weird was this world?
"Father," Maxim Brown said as he approached the table.
Brown watched Rembrandt Brown stand up from the table. Apparently, the Dominion restaurant was very popular. brown noticed most of the customers here had on the same jumpsuit as the other group he saw earlier. Maxim hugged Rembrandt. Then he turned to look at Brown.
"Look who I found outside, Father," Maxim said.
"Your cousin," Rembrandt said, his eyes looking uncharacteristically dead.
"Hello, Uncle," Brown said.
Rembrandt stared at Maxim. "Why did you bring him?"
"My apologizes," Brown said. "He thought it would be a pleasant idea."
Maxim laughed. "Hardly. I thought we could use a good laugh. Speaking of which, how is your father?"
Brown felt his back tense. He never did like his own father. He much preferred Rembrandt as that.
"I...would not know," Brown said.
"Well, hellholes run in your family," Maxim said. "maybe you should drop dead. Then we would know where your father is for sure."
"I am getting the impression I should not be here," Brown said.
"You would be right," Rembrandt said.
"Did what I do cause this much tension?"
"Of course," Rembrandt said. "The Browns are firm supporters of the Program. Someone has to show those Russkins who's smarter...especially when we beat them to the moon."
"Now, Father," Maxim said. "I do not pick candidates for the flight until tomorrow."
"Don't matter," Rembrandt said. "All of the Browns have their uniforms. All of them train. All of them...except for my no-account dead brother and this waste of space."
Brown felt his jaw drop. This was a side to Rembrandt that he had never seen. He felt his knees get weak.
"I...I should leave," Brown managed.
"Yes," Maxim said, "YOU should."
"Disgrace," Rembrandt muttered.
Rembrandt sat back at his table. Maxim joined him. Then they started to talk about candidates. They did not even appear to even see him.
Brown turned around. He did not know how he made it to the door. He only knew his eyes watered.
SWISS!
Maggie shot up in her bed. She stared at her door. She saw redish light under it. She leaned over her bed and reached under for the rifle she bought today.
Maggie stepped off the bed. She headed for the door, hoping that it wasn't what she thought. She threw open the door.
The cyberaid's eyes locked on Maggie. Maggie quickly made out Kerus next to the closing vortex.
"Target locked," the cyberaid said.
"Good," Kerus said.
The elevator door opened. Randy came out, holding Paige's hand. He turned around, spinning her around as if they were on a ballroom floor. Paige laughed.
"Nice to see you beyond brooding," Paige said.
"Good to be there," Randy said,
"You realize that as Randall you smiled more, and you were more smug?" Paige asked.
Randy frowned. "Really?"
"I like this you more," Paige said. "Your modesty is kinda a turn on."
"Me? A turn on?"
Paige smiled as they approached the door. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He stared at her with such warmth.
"Yes, you," Paige said. "You're cute."
Randy grinned. "I think I like this."
Paige kissed him. "And this?"
"Better," Randy said. Then he kissed her.
Maggie's eyes widened as she heard the laughter. Someone was outside. She then saw footprints under the door. It could be Randy. She couldn't let the 'Maggs get him.
"I'm not coming with you," Maggie said.
Kerus snarled. "We don't need you alive."
"You kill me?" Maggie said. "You can try, 'Magg."
"Or...this can," Kerus said.
Maggie stared at the cyberaid. Her eyes glowed, electrical cyberwires running through our eyes. She knew what was coming. She slammed her bedroom door.
"Or not!" Maggie yelled. Then she ran for her window.
She quickly got out of it. She had never been so happy to get the room with the fire escape. It was also the window that had the trash dumpster under it. She did not hesitate. She jumped off the fire escape, aiming for the dumpster.
It was well-timed as the wall to her hotel room exploded. metal from the fire escape shot out along with brick, wood, and furniture. Maggie landed in the dumpster. She quickly shot up, grabbed the top door, and closed the door shut.
Pounding hit the door. Maggie sighed, happy nothing cut through the plastic door. Then she took a few moments to breathe.
The robot and the 'Magg should come after her. She was hoping this 'Magg's anger was like other Humaggs. If so, she did not have much time.
Maggie pushed the side door open. She climbed over debris. Then she ran out of the alley.
Randy opened their hotel door hurrily. Paige watched him open it and walk in. She followed him.
"What in the--" Paige started.
The words stayed in her mouth. Where Maggie's room had been there was now a giant hole. Everything else appeared intact.
"Uh...whoa," Paige finally managed.
"I think the Kromaggs have found us again," Randy said.
"Great," Paige said. "And how?"
"That cyberaid must be able to track us," Randy said. "I'll have to deal with that."
Paige stared at the room. They really have not seen the 'Maggs since Mexican World. Besides, if 'Julia' can simply vanish into thin air, who can say she isn't behind this?
"Think Maggie is okay?" Paige asked.
"From what I read about her at Outpost World," Randy said, "she's tough."
"How about you check on her while I go and find the others?" Paige asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Randy said.
Paige stared for the door. She jerked back, the result of Randy pulling her back. She looked at him.
"Be careful," Randy said.
"That's...cute," Paige said. Then she kissed him. "I will."
Paige headed for the elevator. She had to start using her brain. It was time to find 'Julia' and take care of her...once and for all. Where could she be?
The elevator doors opened instantly. Paige grinned. The seeds of an idea started to form. She knew what to do.
She had seen him from a few feet away. It was weird to her. She was not there when he actually died. Professor Brown had said he was attacked, but before that he had changed from the flirty con he was. She saw none of that in this double.
"Richard...hey," Melissa said.
Richard's double looked at her. He immediately threw his arms up.
"Don't hurt me!" Richard exclaimed, catching the eye of several people in the hallway.
Melissa grabbed his arm. "Will you stop that? I just wanted to talk."
"Oh?" Richard said, crossing his arms over his chest. "In that case...what's up?"
Melissa looked around. Most of the people in the hall watched them. What shocked Melissa was that she saw fear in their eyes.
"Can we go somewhere?" Melissa asked.
"Sure," Richard said.
"And can you put on normal clothes?" Melissa asked.
"But I want everyone to know I'm in the Program," Richard said. "I get discounts." He frowned. "Speaking of, why are you out of uniform? So not like--"
"Are we going to talk?" Melissa snapped.
That got fear into Richard's eyes. For a moment, Melissa was afraid he would run off. Richard managed a smile, setting her anxiety at rest.
"Uh...yeah. Sure," Richard said. "Just let me...change clothes."
Paige opened the door to the Dominion's roof. She walked over to the ledge. She looked down.
"It took you long enough."
Paige turned around just in time to see the door close. The woman she knew as Julia stood behind it. She was still in the jumpsuit Paige remembered her in from Science World.
"Who are you?" Paige demanded.
"Still don't know?" the woman shot back. She reached into her jumpsuit and pulled out a black wristband. "Maybe this will help. Catch."
The woman threw it at Paige. Paige caught it. Her eyes studied her.
"What is it?" Paige asked.
"Your line to the past," she said.
"Oh, great!" Paige said. "Riddles. That helps."
"Will you wake up?" the woman exclaimed. "You have no memory, yet you move like a supertrooper. I know you must be wondering what's up with that?"
"As a matter of fact, 'Julia,' I have."
"The name is Sydney," she said.
"Okay, Sid," Paige shot back, "where did I get the moves from?"
"Not where," Sydney said. "WHEN."
Brown entered the Program office. Various candidates wandered around, getting ready to be judged on whether they would be part of the trip to the moon. Brown did not care.
He made it back to the Dominion last night. There was a big hole where Maggie's room had been. There was also no sign of anyone else. He had looked around, but found nothing. There could only be one place where he might find someone.
"Milling around again?"
Brown turned around. Maxim stood behind him. He was in a jumpsuit like the candidates. His hands were behind his back. He stared at Brown like he was a freak science project.
"Maybe you want to see a demonstration of how exquisitely I train our soldiers?" Maxim suggested.
"Not really, no," Brown said, focusing on Maxim. "If they are as cold and calculating as yourself, it would be a dull demonstration."
Maxim frowned. "Did you just use a big word?"
"Why are you such a pompous little twit?"
"Have a care, Darnell," Maxim said. "You may be my cousin, but--"
"But what?" Brown said, standing in Maxim's face. "You will insult my deadbeat father again? Ooohhh...I am sooo scared."
"No," Maxim said. "I might just do this."
Maxim shot out from behind him. Brown's eyes widened as he saw the electrical pole. There was only one group he could have gotten it from. It connected to Brown's chest. Electricity coasted through his body. He fell to the floor, his body shook like a fish. Meanwhile people walked past him as if nothing happened. Maxim looked down at Brown, a big smirk on his face.
"I think I taught them well," Maxim said. "They do not help non-soldiers like yourself. They want us to beat the Soviets to the moon. To do that, one must be focused. Feelings cannot get in the way."
"Where...did...you get that?" Brown managed.
Maxim looked at the electrical pole. "Now you become in weaponry. How ironic. An interesting businesswoman sold them to all sections of the United States: Dominique Brooks."
Brown managed to stand up. He knew the name.
"If you would like more information, she will be--"
"No," Brown said. He hopped away. His mind was on one thing. He really needed to get to the others.
Maggie walked onto the catwalk. For a moment, she sat down. All night, it was hit-and-runs. Now she had to think of a way to get rid of them...especially the cyberaid.
A hand grabbed Maggie's shoulder. She snapped around, her fist ready. She paused. Her eyes widened.
"Randy?" Maggie muttered. She hit him on the shoulder. "God, you scared me!"
"You give a good chase," Randy said. "Kromaggs?"
"Yes," Maggie said. "Their cyberaid is able to track us."
"I figured," Randy said. "Are the cyberaids of one mind a la Borg?"
"No."
Randy smiled. "Good. That means we get rid of the cyberaid; they can't track us."
"Any ideas?" Maggie asked.
"None," Randy said. He looked away from her.
"You shouldn't be here," Maggie said. "If the Kromaggs get their hands on--"
"They won't," Randy said.
"You don't know that," Maggie said. "You--"
"--have an idea," Randy said.
Melissa entered the locker room. Thanks to the Richard double, she had an understanding of her double. She turned the corner and saw her double. She was zipping up her seat.
"You really loved him," Melissa said.
The double stared in Melissa's direction. Her eyes widened for a moment. Then her face went blank.
"Is this a test?" her double asked, her glass eyes studying Melissa. "Did Maxim send you here to see if I am easily rattled? Is this the same as seeing Randy?"
"Not a test," Melissa said, slowly approaching her double. "I'm...it's a long story. I have a Randy, too. I...lost him."
The double's eyes flashed fire. "My Randy...was an idiot. He thought he had to compete...with Richard...for me. I told him it didn't matter." The double's eyes watered up. "It took a while to get him to even notice me. He was in the Science unit. But when he did...still...he had to try out for the Program." A smile crept onto her wet face. "That feels...good to say...even if it's to a spy."
"I'm not a--"
The double swung at her. Melissa ducked. Her double's arm hit the locker. Melissa dotted for the door.
Melissa threw the door open. She turned to see a group of men approach her. One of them was an older black man.
"Melissa Clark, good to see you before we start," the black man said. "I would like you to meet someone. Melissa Clark, this is Dominique Brooks. Dom--"
"Dominique Brooks?" Melissa muttered. Then her eyes fell on her. Her eyes narrowed. "You."
Paige opened her eyes. For a moment, she thought she was back at the Dominion. Thinking of the Dominion made her remember last night. Paige sat up in bed. She had to find Randy.
Sydney sat in a chair across from her. She was against the motel window. She smiled at Paige.
"How did you sleep?" Sydney asked.
"Not well," Paige said as she put her feet on the floor. "Someone wouldn't give me answers to my questions."
"I did give you answers to your questions. The main one anyway. Then you got to ponder it."
"You said when," Paige said. "When I got my fighting moves. That means nothing to me."
"Yes, it does. It means everything."
"Again with the riddles," Paige said, standing up. "I'm starting to believe you know nothing. I’m going to find my friends and--"
"Don't you mean your target?" Sydney shot back.
"Target? I don't think so."
"Fine," Sydney said, standing upright. "You want me to spell it out. Okay. Here goes: you're not from anywhere around here."
Paige crossed her arms over her chest. "Obviously."
"Cute," Sydney said, "except what I mean by 'not from anywhere around here,' I mean you haven't even been born yet."
"What?"
"Yeah. You won't be born for another fifteen years."
Paige headed for the door. "Okay. You are crazy. I'm so--"
A hand hit the door. Paige turned to see Sydney was right next to her. Paige did not even see her move.
"How--" Paige started.
"Everyone among us was engineered to be trained warriors," Sydney said. "They did it so well that if something was to happen...like amnesia, for example...our training would act like a self-preservation device. It keeps us alive if we should be captured by Kromaggs. Well, that and a higher tolerance for pain."
"You know the Kromaggs?" Paige asked.
"Yeah," Sydney said. "You do, too. The Kromaggs have almost wiped the human race out. That's why you're here. Randy Heim is our only hope. You have to protect him until the big day."
Paige frowned. "Big Day?"
"The day will...is coming," Sydney said. "One of his greatest enemies will realize he is alive and come after him. On that day...the day they cross paths...Randy Heim...will die."
"Are you okay?" Maggie asked in the darkness.
Randy continued to feel the wall.
"Yeah," Randy said. "Hear anything?"
"Nothing."
"Think they're still following us?"
"Sure of it."
Suddenly, a red vortex shot open. A figure shot out of it. It was Kerus. He quickly lunged at Randy, a knife in his hand. Randy jumped toward the vortex, barely missing the knife in Kerus's hand.
"Thought you could lose us?" Kerus yelled.
"It was worth a try!" Maggie said, aiming her rifle. "We have other ways of losing you."
Kerus lunged at Maggie. She fired her rifle at him. He dodged the shot. Maggie aimed again, but he was on her.
Randy shot up. Suddenly, hands grabbed his arms. He turned to see the cyberaid.
"And where are you going?" the cyberaid asked.
Brown stared through the crowd. They were focused on the two candidates that fought. He saw no sign of the others. That wasn't good.
'You.'
Pain shot through Brown's head. He brought his hand to his head. That voice...was Melissa’s. He heard her...in his head. She felt really shocked...and angry.
Brown ran for the door. He ignored the voice in his head asking about this new development in his power. It had been there wondering what he was becoming because the Kromaggs altered him. It would have to keep wondering.
"Do I know you?"
Melissa stared at the woman with the electrical pole attached to her belt. She stared at Melissa in confusion. Melissa did not care. She recognized the weapon the Foundation created. And she recognized the alias. It was the alias Rebecca Pryce used when they first met.
"You bet you know me," Melissa said. "What con are you doing now?"
Rebecca smiled. She turned to look at the black man. "Maxim, could you give us a moment?"
The black man nodded. "Of course." He turned to look at Melissa. "After this, Clark, suit up. You need to be ready for your tryout."
Maxim and the other men headed down the hall. Melissa watched them enter a door. Then she turned to face Rebecca. Rebecca smirked.
"Well...it's the real Melissa," Rebecca said.
"And Rebecca," Melissa said. "I should have known you would survive the Foundation's destruction."
Rebecca dusted off her black business suit. Then she smoothed out her black hair which was in a bun. "Well...I always did look out for number one."
"I remember."
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in a breeder camp?"
"What are you doing here? Selling old Foundation tech?"
Rebecca smiled. "It does turn a fine profit."
Melissa frowned. "You're sick."
"At least I'm not trying to 'save' a world," Rebecca shot back.
"No. You're such a humanitarian. Bring back the dead so you can have a trump card against the Kromaggs."
Rebecca's eyes widened. "You're here with Randy?"
"Thanks to you he's screwed up," Melissa said.
"My heard bleeds."
"You--"
Rebecca pulled her electrical pole out. She stabbed Melissa with it. Electricity shot through her body. Melissa screamed and fell to the floor. She managed to look up. Rebecca stood over her. She kneeled down.
"I didn't like your double setting him free," Rebecca said. "I lost a lot of face."
"Not...enough," Melissa said.
Rebecca grabbed Melissa by her shoulder. She pulled her up, putting the electrical pole.
"Here's a thought," Rebecca said. "How about you tell me where Randy is and I won't kill you?"
"Die?" Paige muttered. "He's already died."
"This time," Sydney said, leaning up against the motel door, "it'll be permanent."
"Why should I believe you?" Paige asked. "Half of what you say is lies."
Sydney pointed at the wristband that was still in Paige's hand. "That...will help. It's encoded to your DNA. Everything you need to know is there."
Paige stared at the waistband. If Sydney was right, she could be like everyone else. She could have her memory back.
Paige looked at Sydney. She only had pieces. She did not know if she wanted the rest.
She shook her head. She wasn't afraid so screw it. She put the band on.
"See?" Paige said. "No--"
Images shot through Paige's mind. A hand touching her cheek. Her training hand-to-hand with her best friend Sydney. Most of all she remembered her mission.
"Oh...my...God," Paige muttered.
Randy elbowed the cyberaid. Surprisingly, the cyberaid groaned and fell over. Randy ran around the corner, the red vortex allowing him to see where it was at. His eyes fell on the shelf. He knew there would be one.
Another red vortex shot open. Randy knew he had a few seconds. He grabbed the electrical staff. Red balls of light approached on the tips just as a from emerged from the vortex. It was the cyberaid. She lunged at him.
Randy jabbed one of the staff's end right into the cyberaid's chest. She screamed. Then she caught on fire.
Randy stared at the burning body. He smiled. One of his goals was accomplished. He headed back around the corner.
"Mag--" Randy started.
Kerus slapped Randy across his face. He flew through the air, hitting the black wall. He fell to the group in a heap.
"You cur!" Kerus yelled. "You have stranded us here!"
"No," Randy said, standing up. "Only you."
Kerus pulled out his knife. "I think not, Terran. You will take me to your sliding device and we will leave."
"Over my dead body."
Kerus grinned, his needle teeth showing. "If I have to. Slow death can be just as fun."
"Hey!"
Kerus turned just in time to get a rifle handle in the jaw. He fell back. Maggie came into Randy's sight. She glared at Kerus.
"I'm not finished with you," Maggie said.
Kerus screamed. "Will you never die?"
"Not for a 'Magg," Maggie said, her rifle held up with the end cut off. "Besides you killed my rifle. You have to die."
"You can try."
Kerus lunged at Maggie. She managed to dodge his knife. Randy saw a pained look on her face. He knew she must be injured. Kerus zigzagged his knife at Maggie, getting her in her right arm. She fell to the floor, grunting. Kerus aimed his knife at Maggie.
"This time, Terran," Kerus said, "die."
Randy dashed around the corner. He grabbed another staff from the weapon shelf. He ran back around the corner. Kerus had kneeled beside Maggie.
"Hey, Kerus!" Randy yelled.
Kerus turned around in time to get a staff's electrical end in the face. He fell to the floor out. Randy dropped the staff. He held Maggie in his arms.
"He falls for that every time," Randy said.
Maggie laughed. Then she groaned. "How about we find a hospital?"
Randy picked Maggie up. "Sounds like a plan."
"Where is he?" Rebecca demanded.
Melissa stared at the electrical pole in her face. Even if she knew where he was at, she wouldn't tell Rebecca. She looked at Rebecca.
"Happily away from you," Melissa said.
AGREED.
Rebecca's eyes widened. She was not alone. Before either of the women could say anything, Rebecca flew across the room. She hit a wall hard. There was a gasp from her. Then she fell to the floor unconscious.
Melissa stared after her in shock. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to find Brown smiling down at her.
"I do hope that hurts," Brown commented. He helped Melissa up. "Are you okay?"
"Uh...aftereffects from the jolt," Melissa said. "Other than that, I'm fine. That...was you then, wasn't it? You talked in our heads."
Brown lost the smile. "Yes."
Melissa did not say what they were thinking. If Brown's powers were developing more, what was he becoming? Was it part of a Kromagg plan? Was he still a sleeper agent?
"You have a lot of questions," Brown said.
Melissa held Brown by the shoulder. "Okay. That was scary."
"Guys."
Melissa looked past Brown. Randy jogged toward them. In his arms was a beaten-up Maggie. She was glad that he appeared somewhat okay.
"Miss Beckett?" Brown muttered.
"What happened?" Melissa asked.
"The Kromaggs," Randy said. "They were tracking us by that cyberaid. She's dead now, but Maggie...we need a hospital."
"Then let us go," Brown said.
"Has either of you seen Paige?" Randy asked.
Melissa heard the question. For once, it did not bug her that he was focused on her. Whether she liked it or not, she had to move on. Otherwise, she might be as hollow as her double. In fact...she almost did.
"Miss Clark?"
"No," Melissa said, looking at Randy, "I haven't seen her."
A hand touching Paige's cheek. It was her father's hand. One of the few mobile parts of him since that day...
Paige punched Sydney. Sydney fell to the floor. She shot her right leg out, tripping Paige...
Paige stood before the Elders...
Her father looked at her. Sadness in his eyes...
Paige fell to the floor. Her back was attacked by several shots of pain...
Paige saluted the Elders. They stood around their computerized map...
'I heard their plan,' Paige's father said, his wrinkled face looking even older...
'Accept it,' Sydney said. 'I'm going...'
'Information has fallen in our lap,' one of the Elders said. 'We can send you back...to the moment when everything was set in motion. Stay next to Randy Heim...'
'Yes, get close to him,' Paige's father said...
'I'm the best,' Sydney said...
'The day will come...,' the Elder continued...
'...when he will face his greatest enemy and perish, crippling his enemy...me,' Paige's father spit out from the bed...
Paige aimed her leg up, getting Sydney in the chest. Sydney fell forward. Paige kicked her in the face...
The Elder gave Paige her waistband. 'You must save him that day, or we are all doomed...'
'Now the damage will kill me,' her father said...
'This mission...is mine,' Paige said, looking down at Sydney...
'It is up to you,' the Elder said. 'Change the future...'
'Save your father...'
'I will be the one...' Paige said to Sydney...
'...that will resolve our conflict...' Paige said to the Elders...
'...by killing Randy Heim,' She said to her father. 'He will pay for what he did to you, Father. I promise...'
Sydney backed away from her...
The Elders shook her hand...
Her father touched her cheek...
'It's up to me now,' Paige said...
'The worlds revolve around you now," the Elder said...
'Be careful,' her father said.
Paige blinked her eyes. She was in the motel room again. Sydney stared at her, her face in a frown.
"Well?" Sydney asked.
Paige grinned. "Thank you."
Then Paige reached out and snapped Sydney's neck. She fell to the floor dead. Paige looked down at the dead body.
"I remember everything now," Paige said, looking down, "so I know I told you to back off. Should have listened."
Paige headed for the door. She paused. Then she looked at the body. A thought came to mind.
Katherine Rye had been right all along.
"Oh, well," Paige said sarcastically.
Then she vanished out the motel door. Her mind was on her target. And when she found him...
THE-END
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