"So...what should we toast to?"
  Randy Heim frowned a bit, his glass of champagne dangling in his right hand. He looked away from it. Melissa Clark stared back with a smile on her face, her curly dark hair glittering. She wore pearls and a sleeveless black dress.
  "Hm...don't know," Randy said.
  "How about," Melissa said, "life and death?"
  Randy grinned. "Someone's morbid."
  "Well, I was a Goth," Melissa replied. She frowned. "I mean...how many times have you died or almost died?"
  Randy frowned. That was a good question.
  "There was the time you were stabbed by that one Richard," Melissa started. "The time Daniel Carter shot you dead. Then Professor Brown and the cliff. I'm surprised you are still alive."
  "What can I say?" Randy said, leaning into her. "Your love keeps me alive."
  "Hmmm."
  They kissed. Randy fell into her so completely. He did not want to stop.
  Eventually...Randy pulled back. His eyes widened. Cassandra stared back at him.
  "No matter how you cloak it," Cassandra said, "you cant' escape it. I t will come for you...and devour you."

  "Ah!"
  Randy shot up. He wasn't at a table with Melissa. He laid on a cold steel floor.
  "So...you finally wake up."
  Randy stared up at the cell door. Isabel stared back at him. He sat up a bit.
  "Isabel," Randy said.
  "Randall will be pleased," Isabel said. She started to turn.
  "They were helping you," Randy said.
  Isabel paused. She turned around.
  "Richard and Melissa," Randy continued. "Quinn. Rembrandt. They were helping you and Jared. This is how you repay them?"
  Isabel frowned. "We were also given a choice. I made mine. Peter offered me the world. I took it."
  "And Jared?"
  "I guess it wasn't love after all. Maybe you should focus on yourself though."
  Isabel walked away without another word. Randy watched her. He hoped the others were okay.

  Quinn Mallory did not know what to say as the woman stepped out of the tube. She took in the room easily, her purple-streaked hair still damp.
  "Where is the Heim Prime?" she asked.
  Quinn frowned. "The Heim Prime?"
  She focused on him. She took a step forward. "Yes, human. I believe you would know him as Randall Heim."
  "Who are you?"
  Quinn looked over at the trio that stood in between the alien woman and him. It was made up of a black woman, an Asian woman, and a white guy. It looked like she was the leader. Jared Heim ran over to her.
  "Dru, not a good time," Jared said.
  "I'm not afraid of her," Dru said. "I want--"
  Suddenly, Dru started to cough. Then she lifted into the air. She struggled to breathe, reaching for her neck. The alien woman looked oblivious as she continued to head toward Quinn.
  "I am Isis," the woman said. "Cyrus, Horus, and I are members of the Yuzaki. In our time the Kromaggs conquered the mulitverse. We are evolved from the beings you would call Humaggs."
  "Well...neither of those now."
  Quinn looked down. Richard Hall sat on the floor, still recovering from Mr. Stone's attack just a few moments before. He looked at Isis.
  "What?" Isis said, her rigged forehead frowning.
  "Randy took them all out months ago," Richard continued, standing up. "You should--"
  Isis screamed.

WHAT IF YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR WORLD? WHAT IF YOU COULD SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? PLACES WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

A WORLD WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS IN FULL SWING?

OR

A WORLD WHERE EVOLUTION TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN AND EVERYONE HAS POWERS?

OR

A WORLD WHERE YOU ARE A SECRET AGENT?

FIVE YEARS AGO, MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND THE GATEWAY. NOW...ALL WE WANT IS TO GO HOME.

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 6
EPISODE 9: ELEVATED TENSIONS

  Miles Collier covered his ears. A few feet away the alien woman unleashed an earth shattering scream. This was a little too much.
  "Grant!" Miles yelled into an earpiece. "Exit strategy! Now!"
  A whir sounded through the room. A green vortex opened next to miles and his companion...Edward Albright. Edward glared at him now, contempt oh so obvious on his face.
  "What about Mallory, Hall, and Heim?" Edward demanded.
  "They're not going anywhere," Miles said.
  Edward glared at him for a moment. Then he jumped into the vortex. He vanished.
  Miles looked over at Hall. He was still unconscious on the floor. He smirked. Too bad.
  He jumped into the vortex and vanished.

  Richard Hall shot up. He looked at Quinn.
  "Run?" Richard asked over the screaming.
  "Run," Quinn said.
  Richard took the lead. He turned a corner. He paused.
  Melissa Clark was on the floor. She had penned someone down. She looked up, her eyes widening.
  "Richard?!" Melissa managed. "You're alive."
  "Yea," Richard said. "Just long enough to get us killed."
  "Huh?"
  Richard ran to her. He quickly kneeled down.
  "Pissed off aliens," Richard said, pulling her up. "We--Eve?"
  "What's going on--"
  Richard turned around. Quinn, Rembrandt, and Bennish had paused. Bennish grinned.
  "Hey!" Bennish said. "Hot chick."
  "Eve," Quinn said, glaring.
  Suddenly, the ship started to shake. More footsteps caused Richard to look past the group. Jared popped around the corner. A few moments later he was joined by Dru, a Maishuyhi Kim, and a Ethan double. Dru looked over at Jared.
  "Well, Fearless Leader?" Dru asked.
  Richard cocked an eyebrow. So...they knew each other? Interesting.
  A new figure ran around the corner. She paused before bumping into anyone. It was the girl that Randy had called...Cassandra. She looked like she was from that military world from months ago.
  She stared at him for a moment. Then she dashed past him. He watched her, noticing Bennish.
  "Gotta agree with the goth chick," Bennish said.

  Stone's eyes flickered. He opened them, sitting up at the same time. Pain shot through his head, an aftereffect of the healing...and Mr. Mallory hitting him with a pipe. He would have to repay him...
  "What is this one?"
  Stone turned. Another of the aliens had stepped out of his tube. Just like the woman, he had a rigged forehead. He also had symbols on one hand on his face, the blue matching his hair. He studied Stone. So did the woman.
  "Only human, Cyrus," the woman replied.
  "Then he is of no use to us, Isis," Cyrus said.
  Stone leaned forward. "Only human? Then perhaps you should look closer, my dear. I am what the Kromaggs made me. Not even in my own body."
  That gave the aliens pause. They looked between each other. Stone studied their facial expressions. Obviously, they were using telepathy.
  "Who is this?"
  Stone looked past them. A third alien had emerged from the last tube. This one was red-haired with the symbols.
  "Horus," Isis said. "He is--"
  "Someone who was there when the Kromaggs were defeated," Stone said, cutting Isis off. "Someone who knows who did it. Someone that has the tools for you to get your revenge...if you are interested."

  Professor Darnell Brown threw out his mind. He wrapped it around Wade Welles's mind. He hesitated for a moment, but he knew he had to do it. He turned off her mind.
  It was a knee-jerk reaction. Wade gasped, tensing up. Then she threw his mind right back at him. Before brown could react, Wade waved a hand, throwing telekinetic energy his way. He was hit, shooting through the air. His back hit the stairs, pain burning through it.
  "Interesting," Brown commented. "Very interesting."
  He quickly opened one of his purple vortex door. He slid through.
  Wade fell to her knees. She stared at her hands. A second ago, she had weaved powerful energy...and she did not know how.
  Her powers had been gone since her fight with Logan St. Clair years ago, a result of one of the Foundation's microchips. Slowly in the last few days though, she had gotten hints it was still there. Were they coming back fully?
  A cough got her attention. She looked over at Professor Maximillion Arturo. He moved on the couch a bit.
  "Professor?" Wade uttered, moving to the couch. She shook him. "Professor, are you--"
  "Just grumpy, Miss Welles," Arturo answered, opening his eyes. He blinked. "What happened?"
  Wade looked over at where Brown had landed. Where did she start?
  "Miss Welles?"
  "I...I don't know where to begin," Wade said.

  Randy took in his new cell, ignoring the fact in the last twenty four hours he had been in another one. He still smirked. He had escaped that one as well. All he did was...
  "Oh, no you don't."
  Randy turned to his cell door. Randall stared at him.
  "You are not going to 'trance' your way out of this," Randall said.
  "Jealous, are you?" Randy challenged.
  "I have my moments. Do not worry."
  "I'm not."
  "I did not say not to worry about yourself," Randall said.
  "You're just like everyone else," Randy said. "You won't kill me until you get my knowledge. And I'm not telling."
  "Even if your silence causes someone's death?" Randall asked.
  Randy's face went blank. "There isn't anyone you could use."
  "Yet."
  "Hm."
  "You see," Randall said, "I keep hearing about how bad and cold you are now from Eve. However, I think deep down you still give a care."
  "All I care about is finding Professor Brown," Randy snapped, "and repaying him for what he did. You can ask anyone...including Eve."
  Randall smirked. "Protesting too much, aren't we?"
  "You're right!" Randy exclaimed. He walked to the cell door. "Once I get out of here, I think I will gut you as well."
  Randall laughed. He stepped away from the cell.
  "That is so funny!" Randall exclaimed. "I thought the same thing about you when I found out about Eve." His eyes narrowed. "And I definitely felt it the day you erased all of my date. Now, I got it all back."
  Randy frowned, causing Randall to smirk.
  "You didn't think Eve really loved you, did you?" Randall asked. "The government took all of my equipment. I know Eve hid some of it. I also know you used tit to make your new timer...which I believe you have hidden in your little prosthetic." He pulled out a remote. "I want both...now."
  Randall pushed the remote. Randy's neck felt warm for a moment. Then he screamed as his whole body exploded with pain.

  Miles looked up at the sound of his door opening. He was expecting it so he was not surprised to see Edward. Edward glared at him.
  "Your failures are compounding, Collier," Edward said.
  "None of us could have known what was on that ship, sir," Miles said.
  "A threat to our world, Collier," Edward said. "More reason for us to get our hands on Heim, Mallory, and Hall. I want them now. Bring Rich and Eve back as well."
  "Sir?"
  "Yes?"
  "Why Rich?"
  "He has resources that are useful to me," Edward replied. "And what is useful to me...is useful to the government."
  "He is a loose cannon!"
  Edward laughed. "That is quite funny. He has said the same about you." He stopped laughing, narrowing his eyes. "However, he has backupped his comment with proof."
  Miles frowned. "Proof?"
  "Even now you act ignorant of your actions? Fine. Cameras shooting you conversing with my wife and her various associates."
  Miles felt fear creeping into him. He kept a blank face. If Edward saw it, he would surely tell Hall. He was not going to give Hall that satisfaction.
  "You are on thin ice, Collier," Edward warned. "I am the one who found you. Backed you with the government after...what happened with Susan. If there was anyone who was by the book, it would be you. So...to head up a task force that cracked down on sliding terrorist...would make a hero of you. If you disobey me...in favor of my devious wife...well...I can put you back where I found you."
  Miles's back was tense as an upset muscle. He nodded.
  "Yes, sir," he finally said.
  "It is good to see that we have come to an understanding," Edward said. "Now...any news of my wife?"

  Quinn kneeled down in front of Eve. She was tied up and sat on the grass. She looked at him defiantly.
  "You're going to help us," Quinn said.
  "That's not going to work on Ice Lady."
  Quinn turned around. Richard stood behind him, his arms over his chest. He glared at her. She gave it right back to him.
  "Funny," Eve said. "Death still hasn't mellowed you."
  "Yeah," Richard said. "Right back at you."
  "At least you have Melissa," Eve said, tilting her head. "Or do you?"
  Richard's face darkened. Quinn took a step between them. He did not feel like having to worry over a dead body.
  Richard stared at Quinn. "You can't trust her. She will stab you in the back wh--"
  "That is the pot calling the kettle black," Eve cut in. "I have more loyalty to your Randall than you ever did. It's just a matter of time really...you look so dull. And we both know Melissa likes them d--"
  "Shut up!" Richard snapped.
  "Is he always like this?"
  Quinn looked at the other prisoner tied to Eve. Cassandra looked over at him, frowning.
  "It is a pity if he is," Cassandra said. "Different worlds and all the same...Randy and Melissa always wind up together. Time and again. You can't fight it. You can only accept--"
  "No, really...I don't," Richard shot back.
  "Can we focus?" Quinn asked. "The Yuzaki have the ship. Randy has the timer, but Randall has him. Eve, surely you have your coordinates. We just need a timer. Will you help?"
  "What's in it for me?" Eve asked.
  "Your freedom," Quinn said.
  Eve laughed. "All I have to do is wait. Randall will come for me."
  "Time we don't have," Richard said. He walked over to Eve and kneeled in front of her. H e narrowed his eyes on her. "Let me talk to her. I'm sure--"
  "No," Quinn said. "We're just going to have to go to the Cromagnon Kromaggs' base. Maybe she'll change her mind."
  Richard glared at him. "And if she doesn't? OR what if there's nothing there?"
  Quinn said nothing. Too many questions. Not a lot of time. And he had no idea what the Yuzaki were doing. He only knew he had to get them out of there. But how?

  Richard felt annoyed. This was a waste of time. He knew it. They would be better off just forcefully getting the information out of Ice Lady. If only...
  "Stressing?"
  Richard turned around from the tree he leaned on. Melissa walked up behind him. He frowned for a moment, the image of her and Egghead threatening to surface. He softened.
  "You're not?" Richard asked. "Who knows what the Yuzaki are doing with Stone?"
  "They could be killing him?" Melissa suggested.
  "You really think we'd get that lucky? Really?"
  "Good point," Melissa said, leaning against a tree across from him. "So we could die."
  "Maybe."
  "Does that mean you forgive me?"
  Richard glared at her. Melissa continued to look at him. Again he softened.
  "I'm starting to think Cassandra and Rebecca are right," Richard admitted. "You and the Egghead...you're inevitable. Why fight it?"
  "And you know how I feel about free will," Melissa said.
  Richard faced her. "Really? Why did you kiss him then?"
  "The first time he kissed me."
  "And the second?"
  Melissa looked away. Richard shook his head. He started to walk away.
  "I love you."
  Richard paused. He turned to look at her. She approached him.
  "I admit," Melissa started, "that I've been...confused. I'm not. I'm with who I want to be with."
  Melissa leaned into his body. He tried to turn away, but she grabbed his cheek. He turned and saw her eyes full of sincerity.
  "I want you," Melissa said.
  "Ditto," Richard said.
  He leaned in to kiss her.
  "Ahhh! That's cute!"
  Richard turned to see several figures watching them. It was Dru...along with Jared, Kims, and Ethan. Dru smirked.
  "It's nice to know that the world could end and you two can find time to neck," Dru said.
  "Jealous?" Melissa shot back.
  "Don't make me--" Dru started.
  "Not impressed so far," Melissa cut her off.
  "Hey, Jared," Richard said. "Think you can control your people?"
  Jared's eyes widened. So did Dru's.
  "Yea, I said it," Richard said. "Who are they?"
  "You're that Dru from the No Affirmative Action World, aren't you?" Melissa asked. "The one who kidnapped Remmy, Quinn, Randy, and me. Said that we all served our purpose."
  "Yea," Kims said, wrapping her arms around Jared. "That was her. All we wanted was to find our friend. Now...we can go home."
  "It's not like you have a workable tim--" Melissa started. She stopped, her eyes narrowing. "Wait. You have a timer?" She stood up straight. "You have a timer, and haven't said a th--"
  "Not our business," Dru said, cutting her off. "Once it finishes its countdown, we morph."
  Richard glared at Jared. "You mean slide. And you...this is the group you were so eager to get back to? The one you almost left me on a world for?"
  Melissa looked at Richard. "Left you on a wo--"
  Richard gave her a glance. "Later okay?"
  "Who are you?" Kims asked. "Did you land on our world? Did you see it? Did you have to do the Kromagg camps?"
  "'Maggs are dead, hon," Richard said. He looked at Dru. "And what have you been doing? Mind games? Lame."
  "Back off," Jared said.
  "What, Jared?" Richard asked. "I couldn't hear you under all the ass kissing--"
  "Enough!" Dru yelled. "Let's head."
  Dru stormed off. Ethan followed. Kims walked away as well. Jared stared at Richard a moment longer. Then he followed.
  Richard watched them go. All the trouble they went through and Jared just walked off. Whatever. He turned to look at Melissa. He frowned.
  "What?" Richard asked.
  "Ironically," Melissa said, "they gave me an idea." She grabbed Richard. "We got to find Quinn and Di."

  "I do not want to hear it, Dr. Davis."
  Wade watched Diana Davis narrow her eyes on General Bennard. He stared back at her, his arms crossed over his chest.
  "As far as the government is concerned," General Bennard said, "the Kromaggs were successfully defeated. There is no longer any reason to continue our transdimensional research."
  "What about my fiance?" Wade countered. "Not to mention Diana's husband?"
  "Casualties of war," Bennard said.
  "And what of Professor Brown?" Arturo asked, standing next to Wade. "Or is his treachery going to be ignored? Speaking of which, how do we eve believe his testimony in light of recent events?"
  Diana frowned. "Such an opportunity. I find it hard to believe the government would just let it go. Do you have--"
  "You are barking up the wrong tree, Dr. Davis," Bennard replied. "Now unless any of you have any concrete proof that this research should continue, we are done." He looked over past Wade. "Jensen, get them out of here. And I better not see them again."
  "Oh, you will," Diana shot out. "Count on it."
  Diana stormed past Wade. Wade continued to stare at Bennard, her eyes focusing. What she would not give to peek into his mind and...
  "Now, Miss Welles..."
  Wade felt the hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked at Professor Arturo.
  "I know you have various assets," Arturo continued, "However, the ability to turn gentlemen into stone is not one yet. Come along."
  "Well...what now?" Wade asked as they left the office.
  "I don't know," Diana said, "but I'm not giving up. I doubt Darnell is gone forever. He'll be back. He have to find a way to trap him."
  "Trap him?" Arturo echoed. "That would suggest that he would be containable. From what Miss Welles tells us, he has unlimited abilities at his disposal. What do we have?"
  Diana looked over at Wade. Wade paused.
  "What?" Wade asked.
  "We have the same," Diana said.
  "Uh...no," Wade said. "It's been popping up in fits and starts. Nothing's concrete. I'm not betting Quinn's life on it."
  "Do you want to see him or not?" Diana snapped.
  "I do!" Wade snapped.
  "Ladies!" Arturo yelled over them. "We are in a military facility, not an episode of 'Jerry Springer.' Voices down."
  Wade looked down as they continued to walk down the hall. After a few moments, she looked at Diana.
  "I'm sorry," Wade said, "but there's got to be a better way."
  "None I can think of," Diana replied.
  "Perhaps we should go for the obvious."
  Wade looked over at Arturo. His face had become unreadable. She frowned.
  "What do you mean, Professor?" Wade asked.
  Arturo looked at her, studying her. He looked at Diana as well. Then he stopped walking.
  "You two will do anything for the ones you love," Arturo said. "Whom to say he would not doing the same?"
  "Meaning--" Diana said.
  "I think you know what I am suggesting, Dr. Davis," Arturo said. "Miss Welles, do you understand?"
  Wade knew. "I know."
  "Good. Shall we go?"

  Randall had taken a break from zapping Randy. It was as good a time as any to peek at him, Isabel thought. Randy was out cold on the floor.
  "Liking what you're seeing?"
  Isabel turned from the cell door. She smiled at the tall goateed man approaching her. They kissed. She pulled away.
  "Just hearing so much from Melissa...Randall...everyone," Isabel said, turning to look at Randy. "I just don't see the deal. I keep expecting him to pull a rabbit out and dazzle me."
  Arms wrapped around her waist. Lips kissed her right ear.
  "You would be surprised," he whispered.
  "Oh, stop it, Peter," Isabel said. "When do we get to have our fun?"
  "The last I heard from our associate," Peter Carmichael said, "soon."
  "Hmmm...good. Do you think he will deliver Richard?"
  Peter's arms tightened a bit around her waist. She knew he really did not like Richard. It turned out that Richard had killed his sister Laura. He wanted Richard dead.
  "Yes," Peter said. "He hates Richard as much as I do." He turned her. "Now...if he can't...can you do your part?"
  Isabel grinned. "Yes."

  Randall glared at Miles.
  "You displease me," Randall said.
  "You should talk," Miles said. "My boss is watching my every move. You have me on a tightrope. Deliver...or else."
  Randall tilted his head. "Is that a threat?"
  "Take it any way you like," Miles replied. "I need results now."
  A beep echoed through the room. Randall grinned as a red vortex opened next to him. Miles still was in awe of the whole wormhole. A figure emerged from it. She fell to the floor as another figure emerged. He recognized the unconscious figure as Melissa Clark. He also knew the figure still standing. It was Eve Albright. Randall grinned at her.
  "Any trouble?" Randall asked.
  "A little," Eve replied. "I had help."
  More whirs came from the red vortex. More figures emerged. He saw that one of the figures was the goth chick he saw back at the manta ship. She had with her a gothed out Melissa Clark and some Goth guy with her. The vortex closed behind them.
  "In fact," Eve said, "Cassandra is all too willing to help."

  Quinn looked up from the table. Di leaned over it, her jaw open and yes full of awe. She grinned.
  "Wow," she said, "you really know what you're doing."
  Quinn grinned. "I just...have an idea. You...you're definitely more adapt. I've never made a PDL."
  "And yet...you're repairing it when I could not," Di said. "That is just awesome."
  "Thanks...I think," Quinn said. Then he frowned. "Okay...good news or bad news first?"
  The door shot open. Quinn turned to look at it. A Ben double had opened it, Richard walked in behind him.
  "Eve and Sandy's gone!" Richard exclaimed. "And they got Melissa!"

  Randy sensed it. He threw his eyes open. Randall stood at the cell door.
  "So," Randall began, "have you found time to recover well?"
  Randy sat up. He stared at Randall, hoping his contempt showed clearly.
  "I'm going to make you pay," Randy said.
  Randall smirked. "In order to do that, I would have to have a heart. And yours..."
  Figures moved in the shadows behind Randall. It was Peter Carmichael and Isabel. They held an unconscious Melissa in between them. Randy felt his body shake with growing rage. Randall did not seem to notice.
  "...is right here," Randall finished. "Your choices are simple. Tell me what I want to know...or watch Melissa die."
  "You wouldn't," Randy said.
  "We dropped Nicole Harris...Richard's sweetheart...in a vial of acid," Peter said. "I think we would. Your choice."
  Randy felt his jaw set. It was Melissa. He would not sacrifice her. It was Daniel Carter all over again.
  "Well?" Randall asked, pulling out a dagger.
  Randy glared at him for a moment. Then his eyes rolled by into his heads. His equations came to the surface quickly. Then he turned away from the dark sliders. He picked up a marker that Randall had left earlier...
  ...and started to write on the walls.

  Eve grinned. She was glad her part of the scheme to get Randy's secrets worked. Now all she had to do was wait and...
  Eve opened the door to her den. Her eyes widened. Then she frowned.
  "Eric?" Eve said. "Edward."
  Eric Price grinned as he sipped a glass of wine. Next to him was her husband Edward. He also sipped his wine. His face was blank.
  "Eric, what are you doing here?" Eve asked.
  "Oh, just talking business," Eric said. "Nothing you would be concerned with."
  Eve crossed her arms over her chest. "Try me."
  "Eve--" Edward started.
  "What's going on?" Eve demanded.
  "Like your friend said," Edward said, putting down his wineglass, "we are just talking business." He turned to Eric. "And it was a nice deal in fact. I...will keep in touch."
  Eve glared at Eric as he shook Edward's hand. Through all of their crossings, she had always considered Eric loyal even through his ambition. Eric walked past her without a glance. Some friend. Then again, all of the dark sliders were about their games. She stared at Edward now.
  "What are you up to?" Eve asked.
  "I could ask you the same thing," Edward said. "I was quite surprised to learn your activities, dear."
  "Well, anything to relieve the boredom, hon," Eve said, entering the den. "Didn't you teach me that with all of your affairs?"
  "As if you are the Mother Teresa?"
  "And you are surely not the Pope."
  Edward was on her in a second. Eve stopped his hand from wrapping around her throat. He frowned.
  "And where is the Eve who was a shrinking violet?" he challenged.
  "You killed her," Eve shot back.
  Edward grinned. "Good."
  Before Eve could react, Edward grabbed her arms and spun her around. Suddenly, her arms were behind her back. She was...helpless.
  "Then it won't be a problem to kill you...if you cross me again," Edward hissed into her ear. "You are putting me in a very dangerous position."
  Eve laughed, struggling with Edward at her back.
  "Well...you are not much fun if you're not close to death," Eve replied. "And we are not more alive than we're about to die."
  Edward tensed up. Then he started to kiss her. She tilted her head back and smirked.

  Debra King was in a huff. Darnell should have come to get her yesterday. Instead, she had to cope with her mother. She loved her mother, but after a day she could get trying.
  Debra swung the door open.
  "Darnell!" Debra yelled, heading into the living room. "You better be in here. Cuz you and me? We're gonna have wor--"
  Debra paused. Wade Welles sat on her couch. Meanwhile, Diana Davis stood by the window. She turned to face Debra. Debra immediately took a step back.
  "What in the world--" Debra started.
  "We're sorry," Wade said, standing up.
  "We have no choice," Diana said. "We need answers, and there is only one weakness we know of where it comes to Professor Brown: you."
  "Have you gone mad?" Debra demanded. "What have you done with Darnell?"
  "He fled," Diana said. "We need him back."
  "You're not using me to do it," Debra snapped.
  She turned quickly. She ran back around the corner. She ran right into Professor Arturo's hands.
  "Let me go!" Debra yelled.
  "There are several lives in jeopardy, Mrs. Brown," Arturo said. "You can either help willingly or not. However, we will find out about our friends. Choose."

  "So...this is it?"
  Jared looked up. Rembrandt and Bennish approached him from out of one of the damaged trees. They said at one point one of the Kromagg groups were housed here...before Randy took them out. He stood up.
  "Yeah," Jared said. "My group found me so...this is it."
  Bennish grabbed Jared in a big hug.
  "God, man!" Bennish exclaimed. "Can't believe you're out as all hell is breaking loose. But hey! Home's home."
  Jared managed to hug Bennish back.
  "Yeah," Jared said. "That's true."
  "And just leave the rest of us hanging."
  Jared pulled back from Bennish. Rembrandt turned to look behind him. Richard glared at the scene.
  "I bet you're sooo happy!" Richard snapped. "Richard's finally suffering so I can leave on a high!"
  "Hold on, Richard," Rembrandt said. "It's not his fault. Besides, Q-ball's got a plan. We're getting Melissa back."
  "Whatever, Rem!" Richard said. "He's still walking off. Some friend."
  "What do you mean 'some friend?'" Jared snapped back. "You knew what this was all about? My friends have the gateway. I'm going home."
  "And screw the people who had to put up with you?" Richard asked. "Like I said...some friend."
  "Richard, walk it off," Rembrandt said. "Now."
  Richard glared at Jared for a moment longer. Then he stormed off. Jared watched him go. Now that he was on his way out, he felt sad that he was leaving. Especially, given everything going on.
  "Then don't."
  Jared looked over at Rembrandt, frowning.
  "What?" Jared uttered.
  "If you feel conflicted, don't go," Rembrandt said.
  "Come on, Rembrandt," Jared said. "I've been wanting this since go. Why would I not go?"
  Rembrandt frowned. "That is the question, isn't it?"
  "Whether you stay or not," Bennish said, "stay cool."
  Bennish walked away. Rembrandt walked up to Jared and held out a hand. Jared reached out and shook it.
  "What Bennish said," Rembrandt said. "No matter where you go...you're one of us. Remember that."
  "Can't say I like that."
  Jared turned around. Dru came out of the shadows. He glared at her.
  "You're watching me?" Jared asked, fighting the anger in his voice.
  Dru smirked. "And I'm not alone."
  Suddenly, Ethan and Kims popped up behind Rembrandt. Before he could react, he was held down. Jared stared at Dru.
  "You never did make your choice," Dru said. "So...them...or us?"

  Wade looked down at Debra. She was tied up and sat down near a wall. She looked down, fighting tears. Wade leaned against the wall and sat next to her. Debra did not even flinch.
  "I am so sorry," Wade said.
  "I am so tired of people saying that to me," Debra muttered without looking at her. "It doesn't make this any easier."
  "Do you think I want to do this?" Wade asked. "Obviously, something happened out there."
  "Yes," Debra said, looking at her. "He's dying."
  "What?"
  "And all he wanted...was to die with some dignity."
  Wade frowned. "So to hell with everyone else?"
  "He was--"
  "I'm sorry that he's dying, Debra," Wade said, feeling her eyes water. "But the man I love is out there. So is Diana's husband. So are a lot of our friends. Why couldn't he be considerate of our worries, too? What happen to--"
  A whir shot to Wade's ear. She stood up. It had come from the hallway. She ran for it. Her jaw dropped.
  Professor Arturo and Diana were both in the hall. They were both unconscious again. Also again Professor Brown stood over him, his eyes narrowed on Wade.

  Randy opened his eyes. He felt the sun on his face, warming it nicely. He leaned back in the lounge chair, doing the one thing he rarely got to do: relax.
  "But you will never get that, you know."
  Randy turned to his left. Sitting in the lounge chair next to him was Cassandra. She wore a black bikini and shades. She looked over at him and smiled.
  "I'm sorry," Cassandra said. "Were you expecting Melissa? She's busy at the moment. I guess I will have to do."
  Randy glared. "Where is she?"
  "I think you know."
  Randy said nothing. She was right. He did know. That was the point of him being here.
  Cassandra leaned back in her lounge chair.
  "Never allow to rest," Cassandra said. "People to get home. Enemies to stop. Revenge to get. Busy boy."
  "I don't like being patronized."
  "Why else am I here?"
  Randy sat up in his lounge chair. He turned to look at her.
  "I want," Randy said, "to rest."
  "Hmmm," Cassandra said. Then she sat up in her chair, turning to face him. She removed her shades, her eyes dead. She leaned closer to him.
  "You'll only rest," Cassandra said, "in death." She looked past him. "Speaking of..."
  Randy turned around. Suddenly, he was back in the vision, on his knees. The prosthetic sparked. He looked up at the person who was going to kill him. His eyes widened.
  "Run all you want," Cassandra whispered in his ear. "He will find you in the end."

  "Ah!"
  Randy backed away from the cell wall. His mind was full of what he saw. It was complete. He now knew who would kill him and...
  He frowned. The wall was full of equations. His eyes took in what he saw in front of him. He stepped back. It was the equation he followed to lead him to creating a 'slide storm,' a vortex that sucked up everything in its path like a vacuum. He had used it on a Foundation base years ago. He also used it to defeat the Kromaggs.
  "So...you there?"
  Randy turned around. Isabel stood behind him. In one hand she had the cell door open. The other hand held his proshectic arm.
  "Good," Isabel said, seeing that he was aware. "Now if your arm is okay, why the propshectic?"
  "I have my reasons," Randy said, approaching her. "Why are you doing this?"
  "Oh, I have my reasons," Isabel said. "Now let's get out of here before--"
  Suddenly, the building shook, knocking Randy to the floor. He saw Isabel fall to the floor, dropping the prosthetic at the cell door. She looked at him.
  "What was that?" Isabel asked.
  Suddenly, a red vortex sprung to life out of Randy's cell bed. A figure emerged from it. He kneeled as the vortex closed.
  "That," Stone said, narrowing his eyes on Randy, "would be a manta ship."

  Eve shot out of her den. The building shook again. She ran down the hall and turned a corner, nearly knocking Randall.
  "Eve?" Randall uttered.
  "Randall, what is going--" Eve started.
  The building shook again, causing Eve to fall to the floor. She looked out the nearest window and saw it.
  "Oh, no," Eve uttered at the sight of the manta ship.

  Randy stared at Stone for a moment. Then he flipped backward, landing near his prosthetic. He reached for it.
  Stone rammed into him. They both fell outside of the cell and onto the floor. Stone moved quickly, kicking Randy in the face.
  "What's wrong, Mr. Heim?" Stone challenged. "You cannot take on someone with your bare hands."
  Randy shot up to his feet quickly. Stone tripped him. Randy fell down with a thud.
  "Lucky for you," Stone said, "the Yuzaki want you alive."

  Dru arched an eyebrow. "Well?"
  Jared said nothing. It was Rembrandt. Out of everyone here, he had been the most understanding when he lost Isabel. He had been decent to him. However, this was Jared's crew. They had been to hell and back.
  "J, this is a no-brainer," Kims said. "What's up?"
  "Yeah," Ethan added. "Waste him."
  "He's never done nothing to me," Jared said, "but be a good friend."
  Ethan frowned. "What are friends beside your crew?"
  "Your words," Kims said.
  He heard her tone, causing his eyes to fall on her. Her hurt was so obvious to him.
  "Mia--" Jared started.
  "Don't," Kims said. "Act."
  "Hey, Remmy! We--"
  Jared looked to the left. Richard stood in shock at the scene. Rembrandt punched Ethan. Jared ran for Kims, tackling her. They struggled.
  "Time to go!" Dru yelled.
  Suddenly, a green wormhole opened. She jumped in quickly. Jared looked over in shock. Then he felt pain in his side, courtesy of Kim's knee. Before he could stop her, Kims jumped into the wormhole. She vanished. It closed behind her.
  "Those sneaks," Richard said. "Come on. Time to test the paddle."
  Rembrandt looked down at the unconscious Ethan. "What about him?"
  "Leave him."
  "No," Jared said, stepping forward.
  Richard and Rembrandt frowned.

  The green vortex opened. Miles popped out. Randall had reported that he had made progress. There was no reason why he could not double check.
  Suddenly, the building shook.
  "What in the world?" he asked.
  His eyes turned to the nearest window. They widened as he saw the ship in the air. It was definitely not U.S. Class. That could only mean trouble.
  "What is going on?"
  Miles walked up to the corner and peeked. It was Eric Price, Peter Carmichael, Eve Albright, and Randall Heim. They were coming down the stairs to the main floor.
  "You tell us," Eve said to Eric.
  "That's a Kromagg ship," Peter said. "Were they not defeated?"
  "Maybe not all of them," Randall said. "All the more reason to get our spoils. Regroup at Price Corporation."
  "I don't think that's a good idea," Eve said.
  "Why?"
  Eve glared at Eric. "Someone's been making side deals."
  "What?" Randall said, looking at Eric.
  Eric crossed his arms over his chest. "Now, now...I'm not the only one. Right, Peter?"
  Everyone turned to Peter. He laughed.
  "Whatever do you--"
  The building shook again. Then suddenly, a red vortex opened in front of them. A figure emerged. Miles recognized Isis.
  "Where is the Heim Prime?" Isis demanded.

  Randy swung his leg out, getting Stone in the face. He rolled over quickly. He saw he was a few feet from the prosthetic. He lunged for it. Stone was on him again. Before he could react, Randy sailed through the air. His back hit some bars, causing him to scream. He fell to the floor. When he looked up, Stone was over him.
  "Now, now," Stone said. "Do not make me--"
  Stone frowned. He turned in time to get the prosthetic knocked into his face. He fell into the bars next to Randy. Randy looked up to see Isabel standing over him.
  "You know I'm very tired of all this danger," Isabel said. "Think we can go?"

  The building shook again. Melissa felt fear grip her back. What was going on?
  Shadows danced along the wall. She turned to the right, just in time to see Randy come into view. His eyes fell on her. She smiled.
  "You're alive!" Melissa exclaimed.
  "Yeah," Randy said. "Are you--"
  "Fine," Melissa said. "Have you--"
  "No time for this!"
  Melissa looked past Randy. Isabel walked to the cell door and opened it. Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. Isabel glared.
  "Are you coming?" Isabel asked.
  "And I should trust you why?" Melissa countered.
  "Melissa," Randy said, stepping in between both of them, "we can discuss that later."
  Melissa stared at Isabel. He looked back at Randy. She sighed.
  "Okay," Melissa said. "Later. Have you seen the others? They were going to try to use the Di double's PDL to get here."
  "No idea," Randy said. "Isabel--"
  "Oh, stop right there!"
  Melissa looked to the left. A man aimed a gun at them. No...he aimed at Randy.
  "Miles," Randy said, frowning.
  "There is no way you are escaping again," Melissa said, slowly approaching. "Everyone wants you. My life has been turned upside down because of you. Why couldn't you have stayed on your world?"
  Miles pulled the handle. "Good-bye--"
  Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He gasped, falling to the floor. The gun slid across the floor.
  Melissa started to move toward him. Then she saw why he passed out. Isis stood behind him. Her eyes narrowed on Randy.
  "You," Isis hissed.

  Wade felt claws inside her mind. Images hit her that she did not recognize. She saw this room that looked technological. She saw different Kromaggs fighting each other She made out cyberaids. Vortexes.
  Her eyes widened. She saw Quinn near a vortex. Then she saw a Humagg soldier fighting Randy. He was killed...by Brown.
  Then she watched him betray them all, knocking them out once the Kromaggs were dead. He left them with a bomb. He threw Randy off a cliff...
  Wade came back to reality. She had fallen to the floor. Brown stood over her, a sullen look on his face.
  "Now you know," Brown said. "It is kind of liberating to share that with someone. Sadly, that put you in the category of knowing too much."
  She felt Brown's claws in her mind again. They snaked around to the part of her brain that controlled her ability to live. He reached out to turn it off.
  Suddenly, Wade's body came to life. Her mind came to life with tentacles of her own. They knocked them away. Then she...was in his mind.
  LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE BEING PLAYED WITH.
  They both heard it. She snapped at the place where he lived. She reached out to turn it off.
  "No!" Brown yelled.
  He dropped a thought into her head. Wade gasped. She hesitated. Brown took advantage and punched her in the face.
  Wade fell back. She had time to see him dash away. Then blackness clouded her mind. Her last thought?
  What was she becoming?

  Brown saw her against the wall. She hadn't moved at all. So like Debra. Defiant to the last.
  Brown made it to her. He reached for her binds.
  "Are you--" Brown started.
  "Don't touch me," Debra said.
  "Debra--"
  "You heard me, Darnell!" Debra snapped, her eyes fell on him. "I was just so happy to see you...alive...well. Until you told me you were dying from...some virus. I never bothered to worry about the others. Being selfish. Now it's all I'm thinking about."
  "They're well," Brown said.
  Debra glared. "And how do you know, Darnell?" Brown said nothing, causing Debra to release a little chuckle. "You know something you're not telling me, don't you? You know where they are? You left them out? Why?"
  Brown stood up. "For the only reason I have left to live. Revenge."
  Before Debra could say anything, Brown flinched. She fell to the floor, unconscious. He kneeled down and touched her cheek. So many happy memories with her. He hoped to be with her forever. Thanks to Randy...and these others...
  Brown stood up. His eyes narrowed. Randy Heim. The bane of his existence. It was time to deal him some considerable blows.
  A transdimensional purple door opened behind Brown. He looked down at Debra again. Then he stepped into it, vanishing.

  Isis advanced on Randy. He could felt his neck feeling a bit tight. He could only assume that Isis was wrapping her power around him. She gave no hint as she moved closer.
  "You," Isis said again. "We came back to stop you from destroying the timeline that allow us to come into being. Our presence allowed for it."
  "Doesn't allow for why you are here now," Randy said. "Unless..." He frowned. "You have temporal stabilizers like Paige had when she was here." He focused on her. "Destroy them...and you fall out of existence."
  Isis waved a hand. The air grabbed Randy up. He could not breathe.
  "I will not give you that chance, human," Isis said.
  A gunshot rang out. Isis and Randy fell to the floor. Randy rubbed his neck, looking over at Isis. Her arm bleed. He looked past her at Melissa. Melissa stood, holding a smoking gun.
  "Thanks," Randy said.
  "You're welcome," Melissa said.
  "She's not the one who kills me though."
  "Oh."
  Suddenly, a vortex shot open next to him. A figure popped out. Richard Hall stared at the whole scene.
  "Uh...okay," Richard said.

  Edward Albright started at the inhuman blood on his floor. He looked over at Hall.
  "No sign of them at all?" Edward asked.
  "Plenty of vortex activity," Hall said. "However...Mallory, Heim, and Hall have escaped. So has his duplicate. And...the Yuzaki."
  An alien race with a warship. That was not good. Not for him. Not for their world.
  "I see Collier is dead," Hall commented.
  "I guess that means I have a spot to fill," Edward said. "Are you interested?"
  Hall smiled. "I would gladly accept."
  "Good," Edward said. "Now do not fail me."
  "Consider them caught...Sir."

  Randy glared at Quinn. "You let her just walk off with the PDL?"
  Quinn glared at Randy. "Well, it was HER PDL. Besides...she snuck off when my back was turned."
  "Hey!"
  Quinn looked away. Rembrandt looked at the two of them. He glared as well.
  "While arguing is all good," Rembrandt said, "do you think we could do it when we're not IN A FREAKING BATTLEFIELD!!"
  "I'll tell you one thing..."
  Quinn looked past Rembrandt. Ben's double glared at him. Kathy stood next to him.
  "...after the next world, I'm done!" Ben's double yelled. "Every time I run into you guys, I wind up in trouble."
  "Ditto," Kathy said. She glared at Richard. "Any bright ideas?"
  Richard smirked as he held Melissa. "Yeah. How long on the timer, Q-ball?"
  Quinn looked at the timer. "Five minutes."
  Melissa looked behind her. She looked over at Quinn.
  "I don't think we have that long," Melissa said.
  "So what now, J?" Ethan asked Jared.
  "Good question," Jared said.
  Randy pulled out a dagger. "Obviously, we fight."
  "Fight?" Bennish uttered.
  Quinn sighed. He looked around. They were in the middle of a battlefield. On one side was a large group of well-dresses men with guns. On the other were men dressed in chain-mail.
  "They're advancing!" Kathy yelled.
  Quinn frowned. He wished that Di had not left him with several new sliders. He glared at Randy. Just another thing he had to worry about.
  "Oh, God!" Melissa exclaimed. "The other guys running!"
  "Okay then!" Quinn yelled, his eyes falling in a dead body nearby. "Fight...it is."

THE-END


 

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