"A-hoy! A-hoy!"
  Randy Heim barely registered the captain's cry as he held onto the barge's edge. As far as the eye could see, there was water.
  California was underwater.
  "Did you hear?"
  Randy turned to see Kat Rye walked across the deck to him, her robe pulled over her body.
  "We have hit land...finally," Kat announced.

  Professor Darnell Brown was the first to make it down the plank. Because he was in a wheelchair, the crew made allowance for him. He hated it.
  His wheels hit the wooden ground of the land. He stared around. There was various huts dotting the area. there were also stands set up with all kinds of things from rugs to vases to food. Brown's nose picked up the odor of fish and frowned. Being on the boat had made him gain a dislike of fish.
  "Just in time for market day!" the captain, a tall bulky man, said as he walked past Brown. He turned to look past Brown. "I apologize about your boat."
  Randall Heim came into view. Brown glared at Randy's double. He hated him with a vengeance.
  "It is no big deal, Captain," Randall said. "My brother and I have many."
  "Yeah," Randy said, appearing on Brown's left. "Do not worry about it."
  "I think the men will especially miss the ladies," the captain said.
  Katherine Rye appeared in Brown's view along with Melissa Clark. "We will miss them, too."
  "It's nice to be back on land," Melissa said.
  "Yeah," the captain said. "It's not solid land, but it'll do."
  "What do you mean?" Randy asked.
  "The ground is all wooden, connected to the ground by..."
  A whir sounded through the air, catching Brown's attention. A green vortex had happened a few feet away. his eyes widened as a figure appeared. His jaw dropped as he saw the figure was himself. He was followed by several others who turned out to be doubles of Richard, Melissa, and Nicole. Brown's double aimed a laser at the captain and fired.
  Red light cut through the captain. He fell to the ground, dead.
  Brown narrowed his eyes. "You."
  The Other tilted his head. "Me." He aimed the laser. "You have given a merry chase, but...time is up."

I FOUND THE GATEWAY! I FOUND A WAY TO TRAVEL BETWEEN WORLDS. WHERE IT'S THE SAME TIME, SAME PLACE, DIFFERENT DIMENSION. FOR TWO YEARS, MY FRIENDS AND I SEARCHED FOR HOME. OUR ENEMIES ARE CLOSING IN...NOW THE QUESTION IS...DO WE GO HOME?

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 3
EPISODE 16: DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES

  "Professor!"
  Brown's Other aimed his laser at Brown and fired. Randy lunged at Brown, knocking him out of the way. At the same time, he knocked himself and the wheelchair to the ground. People dotted past him in loud voices. Before he could get up, Randy saw a shadow fall over him. Nicole stood over him, her laser primed.
  "Thought you were going to get away with hurting the Foundation?" Nicole asked. "Now they want you dead."
  Randy smirked. "At least I took Stone out."
  Nicole tilted her head. "You keep thinking that."
  Randy frowned. Suddenly, a fist shot at Nicole's face. She fell to the ground. Melissa stood over Randy now.
  "You staying down there all day?" Melissa said.
  Hands grabbed Melissa from behind. Richard's face appeared on Melissa's left shoulder.
  "He's staying down...permanently," the Other said.
  Melissa tilted forward. Then she shot her elbow back, catching Richard in the stomach. He groaned and fell over.
  A beep got Randy's attention. He pulled out the timer. He aimed quickly for a nearby bench. Light shot from it and hit the bench, dissolving into a blue vortex.
  "Melissa, go!" Randy yelled.
  Melissa ran quickly for the vortex and jumped. She vanished into it, a whir the only signal she went in.
  Randall vanished behind her, barely missing being hit by Melissa's Other. Kat ducked behind her and jumped into the vortex.
  Randy picked up the wheelchair. He quickly picked up Professor Brown.
  "You okay?" Randy asked.
  Professor Brown nodded.
  "Good," Randy said as he put his leg on the bar on the back of the wheelchair, "Because you're going without."
  Randy pushed the wheelchair sharply forward. He dashed forward as the wheelchair hit Melissa's Other. She fell over. Randy jumped into the vortex, barely missing a lunge by Brown's Other.

  The wormhole shot open. A whir sounded out as Melissa Clark flew out of it. With a thud, she landed in a tree. She started t to slide down, but she grabbed the branch and held on.
  Another whir sounded from the he wormhole. Randall slid out of the wormhole. He landed on the ground. Melissa looked down. Randall landed in a dirt road with trees lining it.
  Another whir sounded as Kat came out of the wormhole. She grabbed Melissa's legs as she fell to the ground. The yank caused Melissa to let go of the branch. They both fell to the ground.
  "Hey!" Melissa snapped.
  "Watch yuir tone," Kat snapped.
  A whir sounded out again. The two figures flew sharply to the ground. Melissa saw Professor Brown across from her. His face was in a glare.
  "I'm happy for the rescue, Mr. Heim," Brown said, "but you could have landed-"
  Brown's words caught in his mouth. Melissa felt surprise, too. Randy was faced down over Brown, a knife in his back.
  "Heim!" Brown exclaimed.
  "Och," Kat whispered.
  The wormhole closed in the air. Another whir sounded out though. Melissa looked up in the air to see a green vortex.
  "Saints!" Kat said.
  "Get him to a doctor," Brown said to Melissa.
  "Okay," Melissa said as he held Randy up. She stared at Randall. "A little help please!"
  "Randall, your laser," Brown said.
  "Why?" Randall asked.
  "Someone has to keep them busy."

  Darnell Brown landed on his feet. Professor Brown stared at the Other as he looked about. It appear he did not see him which was good. OtherRichard and OtherMelissa had already slid in. They stood at both ends of the dirt road, laser ready.
  "Well?" OtherBrown asked.
  "No sign," OtherMelissa answered.
  "They move real quick," OtherRichard commented.
  A whir sounded from the vortex again. Nicole landed as it vanished.
  "That won't help them," Nicole said, her eyes on OtherBrown. "Right, Darnell?"
  Brown watched the Other grin. "Yes." He held up some device. "The poison in the knife...will lead us to them."
  "Let us hope so," Nicole said. "It took us long enough to track them. Mr. Stone will not be pleased."
  Brown frowned. Stone...was alive?
  "Well, let him track them!" OtherRichard snapped. "Isn't it his job to kill him?"
  "We are the weapon," Nicole replied.
  "Besides," OtherMelissa said, "we do a good job anyway."
  Brown aimed the laser. He was sure he heard enough. His sight was on his Other. He was the most dangerous.
  He fired the laser. At the last second, the Other grabbed Richard and threw him in front of the blast. Richard caught it on his arm. He screamed as he fell to the ground. Brown's Other ignored him and Melissa as she ran to comfort him. His eyes stared in Brown's direction.
  "Remember what I said when we first met, Mr. Brown?" the Other asked. "Great minds...you are me. I am you. Why does this not surprise me?"
  Brown said nothing. If he did, he was dead.
  "Find his associates," Brown's Other instructed. "You have your orders. Stone wants Heim dead."
  Brown peeked from behind a bush. Nicole, Richard, and Melissa headed down the road.
  "I suggest you crawl, Mr. Brown," the Other suggested. "It will be your only head start."

  "How does he look?" Kat asked.
  Melissa looked behind her. Randall was right behind them. Randy was in his arms, unconscious. Melissa looked back at Kat.
  "Unconscious," Melissa said. "And judging by the dirt road? This would probably be a primitive world."
  "Let's hope nae," Kat said.
  "Yeah," Melissa said. "Also...the Foundation's head goons are here. That means fighting. Are you up to it?"
  Kat stared at Melissa. Her eyes were cold as ice.
  "I will do what I have to," Kat said. "Ye know better than anyone."
  Melissa said nothing. She thought she had managed to leave Kat stuck on that Egyptian world. She failed...meaning someone knew she wasn't the real Melissa.
  The line of trees thinned out on one side. Melissa ran ahead to see what would be waiting.
  "Well?" Kat asked, walking up behind her.
  Melissa grinned. "House. Old. Complete with barn."

  Randall put Randy down on the hay. He didn't even stir. He turned around and looked at the ladies. Kat and Melissa stood in the entrance to the horse's area. Their faces were grim.
  "He needs a doctor," Randall announced. "And I may be many things, but I am not that."
  "Then ye two will go into town," Kat said. "I will watch over 'im until ye come back."
  "No dice, kitten," Melissa said. "I'll stay."
  "I think nae," Kat said, staring stone-faced at Melissa.
  Melissa got in Kat's face. "Look. Are you willing to square off with Nicole? With Psycho Brown? Are YE ready to get yuir hands dirty?"
  "I'll get me hands dirt-"
  "Ladies," Randall hissed. The ladies paused. He wondered what was going on. A mystery for another time. "Katherine, Melissa is right. She was brainwashed by the Foundation. For better or worse she's the best fighter right now."
  Kat glared at Randall. She looked over at Melissa who had a smirk on her face.
  "'is nae over," Kat said. "And if he dies before we get back...Saints help ye."
  Kat stormed off without another word. Randall was right behind her. His mind thought back on the scene and pondered.

  The laser beam sliced through the branch. Brown grabbed it quickly. He was sure he had seconds before his Other caught up.
  He grabbed onto the side of a tree with his left hand. His right hand tightened on the two branches he cut with the laser. He pulled himself up.
  Brown growled. He really hated being so useless. He wished he could not.
  "Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!" the Other's voice cut through the air.
  Brown leaned into the tree. His right hand released one of the branches. His left hand grabbed onto it. Brown used it to push himself up. It wasn't the best way to get around, but it would have to do.
  "This will end the same way, you know," Brown's Other continued. "You. Mr. Heim and the others. You will not leave this world."
  Brown hopped among the branchy underbrush. He really wished he would shut up.
  "Look at you," the Other said. "When I last saw you, you were quite on your way. Now...you are just..."
  The Other came out from in front of a tree in front of Brown. Brown paused.
  "...dead weight," the Other said.

  Several horses rode past Kat. Her mouth was ajaw with awe. Her father never really had time to take her for a ride. Now she could see them up close.
  "You are easily amused," Randall said from beside her.
  "And ye are all seein'?" Kat spit back.
  Randall smiled. "as best as I can."
  Kat rolled her eyes. She could not believe the others had agreed to let him join them. He could not be trusted.
  A carriage appeared at the end of the road. Kat stared at the townspeople. They barely acknowledged the carriage's presence as they moved about their cottages.
  A figure looked out. His blue eyes widened on Kat.
  "Halt!" he barked to the carriage driver.
  The carriage stopped in front of Kat. The side door opened, revealing a man dressed in blue silks. He stared between Kat and Randall, his blue eyes frowned.
  "Katherine?" the man said confused. "This is quite the surprise. When did you return from Europe?"
  "Uh...earlier today," Kat replied.
  "Caleb, dear. What is-"
  A woman stepped out of the carriage. She wore a long light blue skirt with a dark blue corset. She paused on the last step, causing her long black hair to fall into her face.
  "Katherine?" the woman said, managed a smile. "I see you have returned." Her eyes fell on Randall. "And talking to the clergy." She frowned. "Is that wise?"
  Caleb glared at Randall. "My opinion is like Olivia's. What business do you have with my fiancee?"
  Kat felt her eyes widened. She was engaged?
  "I would say that is between me and your fiancee," Randall replied.
  "You dare talk to me like that," Caleb snapped. "Your archbishop will be surprised. Usually you are more subdue."
  Randall smirked. "People change." he looked at Kat. "We will talk again."
  Kat nodded. She watched Randall head down the road. While she did not trust Randall, Kat wondered if he would be able to find her.
  "Damn clergy," Caleb said. "They think because the kind allow them to acquire land, they can do anything to us high-born."
  "Yes," Olivia agreed. "But they cannot hide behind religion forever. They will need other means to be in control."
  "The laws are our dominion," Caleb replied. "Their business is salvation." He grabbed Kat into his arms. "It is good to see you, pet. Shall we head back to your home?"
  Kat looked over his shoulder. Olivia frowned. Kat pulled away from Caleb and smiled.
  "Yes, we shall," Kat replied.

  Melissa peeked outside the barn door. Still there was no sign of the Others. She was glad since she wasn't ready to fight.
  A cough made her turn around. Melissa shut the door and headed back to where Randy laid. He was still out.
  Melissa smiled. She did not particularly feel like dealing with the Egghead. He could stay out. Still...it was good to see he was alive.
  Melissa frowned. Did she think that right? She wanted Egghead alive? There was a time she didn't' want that. Now? She had to admit...this scruffy-looking goateed boy was looking...kinda cute.
  A creak got Melissa's attention. She slowly crept over to the horse entrance door. OtherRichard and OtherMelissa had entered the barn. OtherRichard sat down on a stack of hay, his hand grabbing at his bandaged arm.
  "I can't believe he let that nut shoot me," OtherRichard commented.
  OtherMelissa kissed him on the forehead. "He'll make it up to you. Maybe he'll bring back Brownie's head as a trophy."
  OtherRichard grinned. "Cool."
  Melissa rolled her eyes. Most of the Richards she knew weren't wimps. In fact, they were hot. In any case, she could take them.
  "What are you doing?"
  Melissa peeked out the door again. A young man stood in the door. His light brown hair was shoulder length. He wore a dark brown tunic. In his hands was a pitchfork.
  "Who are you?" the man demanded.
  OtherMelissa corked her head. "Will you look at that Richard." She pulled her laser out. "Dinner."
  Melissa did not even hesitate. She dotted for them. OtherRichard saw her coming. OtherMelissa, however, did not. She turned in time for her face to meet Melissa's right foot.
  "Hey!" OtherRichard yelled.
  "Whatever," Melissa said. Then she hit OtherRichard with a right hook.
  "Are you-" Melissa started.
  The pitchfork was aimed at her face. the man glared at her with hazel eyes. Melissa raised her hands quickly.
  "Hey!" Melissa said. "Just saved your life."
  "Yes, I see," the man remarked. "However, you might be the cause of the danger. Now...who are you and why does that woman look like you?"
  "My name is Melissa," Melissa said. "The reason that woman...and I use that loosely...looks like me? She's my evil twin. Now I have a friend in trouble. Will you help me?"
  "Why should I help you?"
  "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because...I JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE!!"
  The man was silent for a second. Then he put down his pitchfork. He held out his hand.
  "My name," he said, "is Patrick."
  Melissa shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Patrick."
  Melissa walked back over to where Randy was at. He was still out of it. She frowned. Was anything going to wake him?
  "Saints preserve!"
  Melissa stared at Patrick. He looked like he had seen a ghost.
  "What?" Melissa said.
  "It's...it's Clergyman Heim," Patrick said. "Maybe there's some truth to you."
  "You think," Melissa said sarcastically.

  Brown narrowed his eyes on his Other.
  "Dead weight?" Brown muttered. "Hardly."
  "Think what you would like," the Other said absently.
  "I tell you now," Brown said, "one of us will not be leaving."
  "Agree fully," the Other said. "However that would be you."
  The Other threw out something. Brown dodged to the left, causing himself to fall. He threw his eyes to where he had been at. It was only a pebble.
  A shadow fell over him. He looked up to see the Other. Brown found himself wondering...how did he move so far?
  "Too slow," the Other said as he pulled out his laser.
  Brown threw himself up. before his Other could react, brown bit him int he thigh. The Other fell down screaming. Brown aimed his laser, but the Other swung his unbit leg out, knocking the laser away. Brown quickly grabbed one of the branches and swung it, hitting his Other across the face and sending his glasses flying.
  Brown smiled. The Other was un--un-un-knocked out. He had to get away.

  There was a knock on the door. Kat looked away from her vanity mirror.
  "Come in," Kat said.
  The door opened. Kat resisted the urge to gasp. It was her father and her mother. It had been so long since she had seen each of th em. For her mother, it had been since Kat had been a little girl. For her father, it had been almost a year. They rushed to her and grabbed her into a hug. The warmth was nice...and scary. They were doubles...not her real parents.
  "It is good to have you back, daughter," Kat's mother said. "I was starting to wonder if you ever would."
  "Yes," Mr. Rye agreed. "I know you wanted to get some travel experience before you married Caleb, but it is so...not like a lady...to just run off without a good-bye."
  Kat bowed her head. She fought back her tears. She understood way too well. On her world, a girl who did that against her father's will would be tossed out.
  "I apologize," Kat said.
  Mrs. Rye hugged Kat again. "It is all right, dear. Now we can plan your wedding again."
  Kat smiled. "I would like that."
  "Let us just hope the church will allow it," Mr. Rye said. "Your certificate might be forfeit now."
  "I am sure you can talk them into turning the other cheek, honey," Mrs. Rye said.
  "Unlikely," Mr. Rye commented. "With the archbishop and Lord Mallory at each other's throat. We might all suffer."
  Kat frowned. Lord Mallory?
  "Katherine, why are you frowning?"
  Kat stared at her mother. "Uh...I think I am still...recovering from the journey."
  "Or maybe...it is wedding jitters."
  Kat looked at the door. It was Olivia.
  "Mr. and Mrs. Rye," Olivia said with a nod.
  "We will talk later," Mr. Rye said to Kat.
  Mrs. Rye hugged Kat again. "It is good to have you back."
  Kat hugged her mother tight. She barely remembered her so having her so close...Kat found her tears again. She could not deny it...doubles or not...these were her parents.
  Olivia smiled at the Ryes. As soon as they were out of the door, Olivia's smile turned to a frown.
  "What are you doing back?" Olivia demanded. "Do you realize what you have done?"

  Randall sat down at the bar. He threw his eyes across the inn. There were a lot of working class grunts in here, drinking their beer and laughing. Randall noted that no one from the ruling class was in the inn. That did not surprise him in the least.
  "Clergyman Heim, what are you doing here?"
  Randall turned around. The dark-haired man stood in front of him. He wore a long brown robe. He glared at him.
  "I...am...hanging out," Randall said. "Getting to know...the lesser people."
  "But that is forbidden," the man remarked.
  Randall corked an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
  "Felix! There you are!"
  Randall turned away from the man. A red-haired girl headed toward them. She moved past Randall and hugged the man.
  "Oh, dear brother," the girl said. "It has been too long. Lord Mallory rarely lets anyone out of the house since his argument with the Archbishop."
  "It is the same with the Archbishop, Tara," Felix said. "It is almost like they think we are a danger."
  "Can you blame Lord Mallory?" Tara asked. "The Archbishop continued to buy up land, decreasing Lord Mallory's ability to rent it out and thus his power One would think the Archbishop wants power for himself."
  Felix nodded past Tara. She turned to glare at Randall.
  "I care not for the clergyman," Tara remarked. "Lord Mallory will protect me."
  Randall smirked. "But for how long if his power is slipping?"
  Tara smirked. "If worse comes to worse...he has ways."
  "Sister, are you mad?" Felix asked.
  Tara looked at Felix. "Are you?"
  "How about you two tell me what the secret is?" Randall asked. "Or am I going to have to have you arrested for doing the...forbidden?"

  Brown found himself smirking. It had ta-ta-it took him some time, but he had made it. He saw the outline of cottages, signaling a town. He could only hope the others had made it.
  A sound like a tweed breaking caught Brown's attention. He looked behind him, but saw nothing in the darkness. He had took until after sunset for him to make it here without an attack by his Other. He only hoped the Other was still knocked out.
  A hand grabbed brown by the neck. Before he could react, it tightened for a second. Then it pushed him forward, causing him to fall.
  Brown managed to look up in time to see his Other. A grin was on his face. His laser fired. The fire from it splintered the branches he used as canes.
  "I apologize," the Other mocked, "were you using those?"
  Brown glared at him. He opened his mouth to speak.
  No words came out.
  His Other laughed. "It would appear the nanotechs have gotten to your vocal cords at last. Pity. I would prefer to hear you scream."
  "You there!"
  The Other looked at the sound of the voice. He dodged quickly as an arrow shot past where his head had been. It was followed by another arrow, barely missing his right shoulder. The Other jumped into a large group of bushes. Brown stared at his savior.
  He had torch holders on each side of him. To Brown, they resembled knaves out of "Alice in Wonderland." The man they followed was Quinn Mallory. His hair was darker. Brown could make out a mustache in the dim light. He was dressed like a noble, but he was Quinn Mallory.
  "You are obviously new," Quinn said. "What be your name?"
  Brown opened his mouth to speak. Then he remembered.
  He couldn't speak...again.
  What now?

  Melissa entered the room silently. there was no reason to wait any of the monks. She was just checking on the Egghead.
  Randy was still out. However he looked more stable as he laid on the bed. A bandage and cloth wrapped around this right shoulder and across his stomach. It left his naked chest completely uncovered, raising and falling as he slept.
  "Are you ever going to wake up?" Melissa said to no one in particular. She looked down at Randy's chest. "Not that I mind your chest, Egghead. It's like the rest of you now. Cute."
  Melissa sat down on the stool next to Randy's bed. She put her face in her hands. This was crazy. She wasn't even his Melissa. He was a nerd. As a policy, she hated nerds.
  Melissa stared at Randy. His brown hair had grown curlier in the last few weeks...since that world with the gay artist. His face looked rougher. The goatee he wore was even rougher. Manly. Like that non-nerdish chest.
  Melissa leaned in to stroke Randy's hair out of his face. Definitely not a geek. Melissa stroked the hair away from Randy's face. For a second, she stood over him. Then she leaned in closer, planting a kiss on his lips.

  "Hm?" Randy mumbled.
  One second he was out. The next second his eyes were open...and Melissa was kissing him. He thought he might have been dreaming. However, this felt too real. He went with it, encircling his arms around her.
  Melissa pushed away from the bed quickly. randy reached out and grabbed Melissa's arm. Pain shot through his back. he released. Melissa and grabbed his back.
  "What?" Randy started.
  "You got stabbed by an Other," Melissa said. "Your double is a priest here so I had a farmer bring you up. You would think you were royalty or-"
  "Where are the others?"
  "Don't know yet," Melissa replied. "Right now...worried about you."
  Randy grinned. "I saw."
  Melissa rolled her eyes. She headed for the door. "Just like everyone else."
  "Hey!" Randy yelled. "I'm one of a kind."
  "Geek."
  Before Randy could react, Melissa was out the door.

  Kat slowly shut the door to her room. The hallway was silent. Torches lined the wall. Kat started to head down.
  Olivia's words were still in Kat's head. She did not know what to do. Now she knew she had to get out of here.
  Kat turned the corner. A figure shot up at her. Kat gasped, but a hand covered her mouth.
  "Shhh!" Randall whispered.
  "How did you get in?" Kat asked as soon as Randall's hand was removed.
  "I have a friend among the nobility," Randall said. "it appears to be a good thing. There's some struggle between the church and nobility...very reminiscent of the feudalism system."
  "Aye," Kat said. "'Tis a landholdin' system...wi' a chance of advancement."
  "'Aye,'" Randall said, grabbing Kat's hand and leading her down. "In normal time, the middle class would raise up and lessen the power of the nobles and the church. I have explored all day. There does not seem to be a middle class. Just the rich...and poor."
  Kat nodded. "That is nae the only thin'. My double seem to be playin' a wee bit of a game wi' both sides. She-"
  They turned another cover. Several guards stood in their way. Mr. Rye and Caleb were along with them.
  "Daughter, what is this?" Mr. Rye demanded.
  Caleb glared. "The clergyman? Again? What is going on, Katherine?"
  Kat looked back and forth between the two men. Her natural instinct was to tell her father the truth...she was leaving. That this Randall was a double from another Earth. She had always told her father everything. She had always obeyed men in charge like other women of her world. This Katherine was radically different.
  "The clergyman and I," Kat said, letting go of Randall's hand, "are just talking."
  "Really?" Caleb asked. "He knows no member of the church should be in a noble's house after dark. Lord Mallory has decreed it."
  "And here I thought the Archbishop ran everything," Randall commented.
  "Silence!" Caleb snapped.
  "Or what?" Randall challenged. "You touch me, you think your fate won't be excommunication? Accept it. Your power is weakening."
  "How dare you talk to us like that!" Mr. Rye snapped. He gestured to the guards. "Take him."
  Guards headed toward Kat and Randall. Kat stood in the way.
  "No!" Kat protested.
  Caleb's eyes widened in shock. "Katherine. Stand away."
  "Stand away, honey," Mr. Rye said. "he's evil. He wants to destroy our way of life."
  "Father, it is not like that at all," Kat protested.
  "What is it like then, Katherine?" Caleb asked. "You and Clergyman Heim? Is this like your relationship with the Archbishop? Your relationship with Lord Mallory?"
  Kat frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
  "You did vanish quite quickly, daughter," Mr. Rye said. "At the time there was the start of a quarrel between Lord Mallory and the Archbishop...both of whom were seen around you. It would not be the first time two men fought over a woman."
  "Again...it is nae...not like that," Kat said, walking over to Caleb and touching his chest. "I hate to spoil it, but...I was planning a wedding surprise with Clergyman Heim and..."
  Caleb stared down at Kat. His eyes looked conflicted. For a second, he looked like he believed her. The next...he looked like his mind was on something else...maybe the past Olivia warned her about? A past full of dangerous liaisons, resulting in her double fleeing.
  "Well...I..." Caleb started.
  "You do trust me, right?" Kat asked, letting her hands touch his shoulder. "What is a marriage without it, Caleb?"
  "But...Lord Mallory..." Caleb started.
  "My daughter has a great many admirers, Caleb," Mr. Rye said. His eyes focused on Randall. "Some of whom should know better."
  "I think I know my rights," Randall said.
  "Randall...be silent," Kat said, glaring at him before running her eyes to Caleb's face. "Well, my love?"
  Caleb smiled. "I think...it was very sweet...of you two."
  "Then I believe I...will take my leave," Randall said, heading past the group. "We will talk later."
  "Why even come out of your room to talk, my daughter?" Mr. Rye asked.
  "I," Kat said, turning to her father, "did not want anyone to walk in and question my intentions...like now. I do, after all, have a great deal of admirers."
  Mr. Rye smiled. "That you do." He kissed Kat on the forehead. "I am happy to see that you have picked one at last. I will see you tomorrow."
  Kat felt the kiss on her forehead as her father headed down the hall. It was something her real father used to do to her. it hurt her inside to be deceiving him. It made her wonder how far she will have to go to continue this charade. Beyond that, she wonder how much she had changed when now she could pull this off?

  Melissa entered the meal hall of the church. Various men dressed in brown robes with white coatlets over them sat and ate. She had went by Randy's room that morning and found it empty. She figured after being out he would be somewhere eating.
  Her eyes fell on him. She felt her arms cross over her chest and a glare form on her face. He was there eating all right. He was sitting on a heightened platform with a long rectangular table on it. He, like the other people on it, were dressed in robes like the other clergymen. However their robes were red with the white coverlet. They sat in chairs which backs reached to near the middle of the ceiling. Randy was chatting with a man dressed in red robes with yellow lining and a white hat with yellow lining shaped like a crown. Melissa frowned. He looked like...yeah...it was. Arturo.
  Melissa's eyes widened. She looked around her. She was not in the church anymore. She was...somewhere else. Somewhere...dark.
  Three figures stood in the shadows. Her brown eyes narrowed to see them, but she could not make them out.
  "You have awakened. Good."
  She looked up. Mr. Stone stood over her.
  "What's going on?" she demanded. "I thought-"
  Mr. Stone smiled. He leaned in and stroked the hair off her forehead. For something so gentle, it felt cold.
  "You did say when I found you you wanted revenge, yes?"
  "Yes, but-"
  "And you will have it," Mr. Stone said. "Just...there will be a little assistance."
  "Mr. Stone."
  Melissa looked past Mr. Stone. A black woman had stepped into the light. She glared at him.
  "What is the point of this?" she demanded. "We are losing precious time while you flirt."
  "This is far from flirting, Mrs. Davis," Mr. Stone replied. "It helps the patient to have a little...compassion...before something as traumatic as what we are about to attempt."
  "Still..." a slim, but old dark-haired Englishman said, "...our other projects have succeeded beautifully. The memory erasers. The tazers. Our transdimenisonal devices. This is the next step and I am sure it too will succeed."
  The black woman glared. "Franks, you're blowing smoke up my-"
  "Enough!"
  Then he stepped forward. The large, but regal Englishman. He stared the other two down.
  "Let Mr. Stone proceed," he instructed. "Everything moves according to our designs...thanks in large part to Mr. Stone's machinations. I think we can trust him."
  "Thank you...Master Arturo," Mr. Stone said.
  Arturo frowned. "Proceed."

  "Hey!"
  Melissa jumped. She looked to see that Patrick stood next to her. She breathed in relief.
  "Patrick," Melissa managed.
  "Are you all right?" Patrick asked.
  "Yeah," Melissa said. "I mean...yes. You just surprised me."
  "I came by to be sure Clergyman Heim was all right," Patrick said. "I would hate to see him make it all the way back from Mexico to die."
  Melissa stared at Randy. He was still chatting up the Archbishop. His eyes looked so animated...and cute. Melissa shook the thought out of her head.
  "I also wanted to see my brother," Patrick continued. "He's a clergyman here and it has been much too long since I have seen him. Since I am not a noble, they have no problem letting me in."
  "Good for you," Melissa commented. "So...are the nobles and the church that bad here?"
  "Yes," Patrick answered. "It has gotten to the point that someone needs to do something."
  "As long as there's no bloodshed," Melissa commented.
  "Yes. No bloodshed." Patrick frowned.
  "Okay...I've been around too many men to not know the 'd'oh' look. What's wrong?"
  "Your attackers," Patrick said.
  "What about them?"
  "They escaped."

  Brown was helped into the wheelchair.
  "It is very primitive," the servant helping him said, "but it is the only one around. Lord Mallory...in his free time...is always creating some little odd and end."
  Brown sat down in the wheelchair. That definitely sounded like the Quinn Mallory he knew. Always inventing. Always helping others.
  "I must go to my duties now," the servant said. "Lord Mallory said you have complete will to wander."
  And with that, the servant was gone. Brown started to wheel around the little bedroom. It worked...better, big surprise there...than the wheelchair he had.
  He wandered into the hall. As he did, Brown brought his hand up to his throat. His voice had not yet returned. In fact, Brown was sure it was gone.
  "Well, she is back, my liege. She has been seen about with Clergyman Heim. There has been...whispers."
  Brown paused at the curtained entrance. He had been told it led out into the garden. At the moment, he could peek out. There was a stone bench nearby. Quinn Mallory sat on it with a dark-haired woman.
  "Are you sure?" Quinn asked.
  "I know servants, my liege," the woman said. "They talk."
  "Is not Katherine engaged to Caleb Loyly?"
  "She has been for a while...but...when has that ever stopped her? You would know after all."
  At that comment, Quinn's back stiffened up.
  "We...do not talk about that," Quinn said simply.
  "My liege, I do understand," the woman said, putting a hand on Quinn's shoulder. "But...you were bethroed to her...once upon a time. You...kind, gentle, intelligent, strong. And who did she keep company with? The fat, old clergyman archbishop? Surely-"
  Quinn shot up, grabbing the woman's arm. She came up with him. Brown finally saw her face. It had mock surprise on it.
  "Olivia, we talk of this no more," Quinn said firmly.
  Olivia frowned. "Can you honestly stand by and let history repeat itself? Would you let Caleb's heart be broken like yours was?" She tilted her head and smiled. Brown frowned at the manipulator. "Even now...Archbishop Arturo gains more lands to give to the poor, causing your power to slip. Pretty soon...you will have none." She looked down. "I only wanted to warn you, my liege."
  Quinn pulled out a little bag and gave it to her.
  "Here," Quinn said. He frowned. "Are you sure she-"
  Olivia looked up and nod. "I have talked to her. These fighting men are weakening her spirit again. She wishes to be away." She curtsied. "You do the right thing...as you always do."
  Brown had heard enough. He backed away from the curtains...and into his Other's hands.
  "Look what you found, Darnell," Nicole said.
  "I must be lucky," OtherBrown said.

  Randall smiled. He had checked by the church, managing not to be seen. He had seen Patrick talking to Melissa. It had been easy to sneak back to Patrick's farm and break into the basement. Now he stood in front of the thing and he had to be honest: given that Patrick was illiterate, Randall was impressed.
  Felix and Tara had given him the keys to the kingdom. He normally worked in the societies he crossed to. Always blending in, but not changing it. This was a first.
  Randall hit the switch.

  "Are you sure you can walk?" Melissa asked as they headed down the dirt road.
  "Yes," Randy said. A little smile crossed his face.
  "What?" Melissa asked.
  "Glad you care," Randy replied.
  Melissa stopped and smirked. "Is that a crime?"
  Randy stopped. He stared at Melissa. "Maybe."
  "You do know you can't take me, right?" Melissa challenged.
  Randy took a step toward Melissa, causing him to be right in front of her. He stared at her intensely. Melissa stared back at him firmly.
  "Maybe I can," Randy said, almost a whisper.
  "I seem to recall a stab in the chest," Melissa said. "And..."
  "Things change," Randy whispered, leaning closer.
  "Shouldn't we find Kat first?" Melissa said. "We're almost..."
  Randy leaned closer. Melissa could see it. He was going to kiss. And she...wasn't going to stop him.
  Suddenly, Melissa was jerked to her left. She went flying into the wall of the building they were next to. She flew to the ground. A second later, Randy was next to her. She looked at him. He growled...for a second, but he was okay. She turned to look at the attackers.
  "Oh...you," she said.
  "'Oh...you?'" her Other said. "Can you please act like you were a little intimidated?"
  "I wish I could, but...speaking for doubles everywhere...your Richard is a wimp," Melissa said sarcastically.
  "Hey!" OtherRichard said, holding up his laser. "Not a wimp. Besides...who's the one holding the gun?"
  "And on a girl?" Randy joined in. "How manly."
  "I could take you, geek!" OtherRichard snapped.
  "You do know this wouldn't have happened if you haven't stopped us," Melissa commented to Randy.
  "Me?" Randy said innocently.
  "Fine," Melissa said, sitting up. "Here's your chance to fight me."

  Kat took the bag from Olivia. "Really?"
  Olivia smiled. "Yes. My carriage will be here in a little bit. A ship will be waiting to take you away."
  Kat hugged Olivia. "Thank you, Olivia...for everything. These rumors and Caleb...it was taking a lot out of me."
  "I know," Olivia said. "That is why I helped last time. Men may be the weaker sex, but all of this intrigue and adventure can be quite taxing on our slender form."
  Kat frowned. "Men--weaker sex?"
  Olivia laughed. "They can be so gullible, my dear. You yourself once said we women were like a whole other species. Faster. Smarter. Deadlier."
  "Yes...of course," Kat agreed.
  Again Kat found herself wondering what kind of person her double was. Could she turn into a person like that?
  "Now," Olivia instructed, "wait at the window. I will go distract your parents."
  Olivia left without another word. Kat walked over to the window. Her thoughts felt so conflicted. She wished she could stay actually. Her father...so much like her own. This society...a little like what she was used to.
  Kat shook her head. She was not the same fragile girl she was when she first slid. For better or worse, she was different. This was the past. Randy. Professor Brown. Melissa. They were her family.
  Melissa.
  Kat frowned. When this was over, she would have to deal with her.

  "What's wrong, Darnell?" his Other asked as he stood over him. "Can't talk?"
  Brown glared at him. They were still on Mallory's estate. His Other had sent Nicole to kill the others. He had to get out of here.
  "Good," the Other said, walking around Brown. "I do not need you to talk."
  There was a pause. Then Pain shot to Brown's head. He fell over from his Other's blow to the head.
  "All I need you to do," the Other continued, "is listen. I remember you on my world. Thinking...being shocked, I could be this way. You...the one who was really out of control."
  Pain shot through Brown's back as his Other's foot landed in it. Brown's face hit the floor. For a moment, he wished he couldn't feel in his face.
  "You, my friend, are already dead," the Other said, coming into Brown's view. he kneeled down into Brown's face. "This? It is borrowed time...given to you by someone who you feel is an out-of-control savage."
  Brown saw a flash. The knife came down quickly, getting him in the left shoulder. His mouth opened to scream, but his mouth couldn't.
  "Did you think that perhaps if your kind had stayed on their world...there would be no Foundation? Or groups wanting me to weed you out?"
  The Other raised up the knife again.
  "Then...an intelligent thought for you to ponder in the afterlife," the Other said. "Farewell."
  Brown had to do it. People were in danger. Move past the pain.
  The Other raised his knife higher, readying to drive the knife down. Brown pushed his body up with his hands. Before the Other could react, he bit him in the crotch. The Other screamed and lunged forward. Brown swung with his right fist, hitting the Other back. He was off-balance though and fell on his back.
  He looked to his left. There it was. His target. The knife.
  He grabbed it in time. The Other lunged at him, murder in his eyes. Brown stared back at him, calmness etched on his face, and lunged the knife forward. the Other fell to the right...a knife in his heart.
  Brown fell back, his breath escaping into the air. he was alive! He had to find the others, but first he had to breathe.

  Kat made it down the stairs. The carriage was a good distance away. There was no one around. Nothing around, but trees. Kat would take it out of town, but return and find the others.
  Kat stepped forward. A figure emerged from a tree. Kat recognized that it was Nicole.
  "Well," Nicole said, "did you think you would escape?" She pulled out her laser. "Sorry, princess. I think...not."
  "Did you hear about-"
  Nicole aimed and fired...hitting Mr. Rye.
  "No!" Kat screamed.
  Mr. Rye paused and fell to the ground. She ran to him. She held him, hoping he would be okay. She thought that he was suppose to be with her mother and Olivia.
  A shadow fell over Kat and Mr. Rye. She looked up, tears falling down her face. She did not care. She glared at Nicole.
  "Good night," Nicole said.
  A leg to her head knocked Nicole out. Kat stared at Melissa. Then she looked at Nicole's unconscious body.
  "Good night," she said simply.

  Randall gave out the flyers to Felix and Tara.
  "You know what to do?" Randall asked.
  "Yes," Felix answered.
  "Then we vanished back to our sides and act ignorant," Tara said.
  "Good," Randall said. "Go."
  The two of them ran out of the basement without another word. Randall turned to look at Patrick. He had shown up earlier in shock. Now he was helping.
  "You do well, clergyman," Patrick said.
  "And you have a good brother and sister, Patrick," Randall said. "I think they will go far...as will your machine."
  Patrick nodded. "Yes. But what will I call it?"
  Randall smiled. "How about...printing press?"

  Melissa wondered through the town. Kat was with her with a hood on. She was suppose to be gone so the last thing they needed was attention.
  "Are you going to be okay?" Melissa asked.
  "Aye," Kat muttered.
  "Look at them," Melissa said, gesturing to the townspeople.
  Since two days ago, the flyers had gotten out. All of the townspeople among the poor class had one. The ones who could read it smiled. The ones who couldn't...got help from the ones who could. They saw the clergymen or nobles and glared.
  Melissa smiled. The middle class were on the way. With a printing press made, all the knowledge kept from them...could now be read. And it appeared like it was a lot.
  "Ye saved me," Kat said, cutting through Melissa's thoughts.
  "Reflex," Melissa commented.
  "Yuir secret is safe," Kat said.
  Before Melissa could comment, she saw Professor Brown, Randy, and Randall. The Randys also had to wear a hood to not draw attention.
  "Mission done," Randall said.
  "I knew you had it in you," Randy commented.
  "Still no sign of the Others?" Melissa asked.
  "None," Randy replied. "Nicole might be in jail, but the Gruesome Twosome ran for it. And Brown...found dead at Lord Mallory's. No one knows how." He held up the timer. "In any case, no time. Let's find an alley."
  "Any change, Professor?" Kat asked.
  Brown shook his head.
  Melissa did not know what to say. It had finally happened. Brown had lost his voice.
  What would be next?

  Olivia stared at the flyer in the moonlight.
  "So it says that?"
  Olivia turned away from the window. She walked over to the bed and sat down with Caleb. She smiled.
  "You put on such a good show, but sometimes, Caleb, I wish you could read," Olivia said.
  "Read it again," Caleb said.
  Olivia smiled. All that work. Now she had did it. She had a nice, strong noble...wrapped around her finger. Then again...men were the weaker sex.
  " 'In the beginning, God created...'" Olivia began.

THE-END


 

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