Glenn Harper heard a tapping. Repeatedly, it came in twos. Before Glenn recognized the tapping as footsteps, she was upon him. Her arms leaned on the desk. Her long red hair was in a ponytail. Her green eyes narrowed on him as he sat in his chair. The other attendents made no move to help him. Glenn was on his own...again.
"No hi, Glenn?" the red-haired woman said sarcastically. A grin crossed her face. "Is that any way to act to a friend?"
"Miss Kendall-" Glenn started in a voice of authority.
"Call me Paige. You always did when-"
"Paige," Glenn hissed, abandoning his voice of authority.
The smile left Paige's face.
"Fine," Paige said. "You give me what I want...I won't tell your bosses about our nightly visits."
"Keep it down," Glenn whispered.
"Then tell me," Paige demanded, "where is he?"
Paige opened the door. She felt her eyes light up. She should have known he would be here. In this room. Attending to this man.
Paige closed the door slowly. As she approached him, Paige's eyes fell on the figure in the bed. Monitors were next to the bed, reminding everyone that the man was alive...coma or not. His black hair had grown to a mini-Afro. His black face had a beard. No ID had been on him so to her he was John Doe.
She stood beside him now...the other survivor from that night of fires. He sat beside John Doe. His hands held one of John Doe's hands. She rolled her eyes at his sympathy. Paige put her hand on his right shoulder. He gasped at her touch.
"Randall," Paige said, "you endanger us."
Randall Heim turned to look at her. His brown eyes narrowed behind the black glasses he wore. With the beard, the look made Paige think of a stern schoolteacher. She could not remember from where...like the rest of them.
"I had to check, Paige," Randall said. "This man...he looks familiar...to me."
"And more power to you," Paige said. "He may be the key...to everything." She frowned. "However, the SFI are only letting Mallory have a short leash with us. Vanishing like-"
"I need to remember!" Randall yelled.
"Talking to the choir, hon," Paige shot back. "Neither of us remember...before...you know..."
Randall nodded. He remembered the night of fires.
"We'll remember," Randall said.
"When? It's been months! How-"
"We will!" Randall snapped. "Now-"
It was quick. John shot up. His hand grabbed Randall's hand. He only had time to gasp as John Doe snarled at him.
"'What did you expect?'" John Doe hissed. "'Someone else to kill you?'"
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 1: IF I NEVER KNEW YOU (S4 Premiere)
"So are you okay?"
Randall Heim stared over at his red-haired companion. Paige stared back at him with green eyes full of concern. It reminded him of someone else. The feeling was weird to him especially as they sat in the hospital cafeteria waiting.
"I'm fine, Paige," Randall said. "As fine as someone with no memories can be." He balled his hands into fist. "If I could only remember..."
"Well, we can't," Paige said as she leaned back in her chair. "We might as well make our lives here."
"As what?" Randall snapped. "Lab rats?"
"As oppose to what?" Paige challenged. "Property of Great Britain? You know the situation. Mallory said-"
"You have so much faith in him," Randall said. He frowned. "Why is that?"
Paige's eyes looked away. It made Randall wonder if she was having sex with Mallory as well as Glenn.
"There you two are."
Randall looked away. Quinn Mallory approached the two of them. He appeared to be all smiles.
"How could you miss us?" Randall asked. He held up his arm to reveal a black mechanical bracelet. "you should be able to find us anywhere...without the bodyguards."
"Randall," Paige cautioned.
"It's okay, Paige," Mallory said. "I'm sure it's very frustrating not remembering where you come from...or how you got here. I would be pissed to."
"I wouldn't say 'pissed' is the word I would use for this," Randall said. "I would use 'pissed' to describe this." He held up his arm again.
"I've explain that, Randall."
"It's bull!" Randall snapped. "Spies everywhere. Paranoia. Are we that important?"
"Yes," Mallory replied. "You came through some kind of...vortex. What if the information to creted another vortex is in your head and the Brits get ahold of you. Americans lose out in the Science race. The President is not having that."
"Then we should try to remember to get him off our backs," Randall suggested.
"Or...we can prove we know nothing," Paige suggested. "It's not like either of us remember anything. Unless...the John Doe is up."
Mallory shook his head. "Outburst aside, he is back out."
"But...his words..." Randall muttered.
The words came back to him. The look in the John Doe's eyes. What did he mean?
"It was obvious he was out of it, Ran," Paige said. "He doesn't know any more than we do."
"Fine!" Randy snapped as he shot up. "You want to stay here...then stay. Me? I'm going to find the truth."
Randall stormed out of the cafeteria. He could take no more of this. He might not remember anything about himself, but he was sure he was normally not worthless.
Randall turned the corner. At the end of the hall was a figure. She wore a red sweater with blue jeans. Her long black hair was in a ponytail. She turned toward him. Their eyes locked. She smiled at him. He smiled back. It felt so familiar to him yet-
A hand touched his shoulder. Randy turned to see Paige. She managed a smile.
"You're not too mad, are you?" Paige asked.
Randall looked back down the hall. The woman was gone.
"Randall?" Paige said in a questioning tone.
Randall's eyes dotted around the hall. The woman was nowhere around. He looked back at Paige.
"Uh...I need to go," Randall said.
Paige entered the bookstore. Randall said that he needed time alone. So she agreed to let him have his time.
"Paige! Good to see you! Give me a hug!"
Paige smiled as she appraoched the counter. She came behind it and hugged the plump brunette woman that sat behind it. The woman hugged her back. Then she pulled away. Her eyes stared past Paige.
"And I see you brought the boyfriends," the woman commented.
Paige stared behind her at the two green-suited men. They attempted to look through the bookshelves, like they were normal people. The other customers, some who were regulars, knew better. Paige rolled her eyes.
"You know the drill, Dom," Paige said. "To not be shipped to some secret lab by Uncle Sam, I have to have all of my life watched." She grinned. "It's Real World-Lite."
Dom nodded. "I'm surprised they even let you have the job."
Paige tapped the counter. "Well...I have my ways."
"I bet. Have all the men wrapped arond your finger?"
Paige looked down. "Yeah. Only way to truth them."
Dom picked up a book. "And do you have Randy wrapped around your finger?"
Paige stared at Dom. She turned the page in her book. She looked oblivious to Paige's stare.
"Touch a nerve?" Dom asked, still leafing through the book.
Paige's jaw stiffen. "Things will swing my way."
"I would think you would help him remember," Dom commented.
"Well, maybe I think it's a bad thing," Paige said.
"Get him to stop then."
Paige snatched Dom's book. "And how, wise one, do I do that?"
Dom shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe you can convince him it's a bad idea...by using the John Doe."
Paige corked an eyebrow.
Now that was an idea.
Randall let the water run through his brown hair. He wished he could sink away as they did down the drain. He turned off the water and stepped out of the white shower.
Randall grabbed the nearest towel. He started shaking it through his hair. As he did, Randall stared about the bathroom. It was completely white. The lack of other colors made it look cold. It made it look soulless. That was the government like on this world.
Randall's forehead wrinkled up. This world? Why had he thought that?
A bump got Randall's attention. Paige must be back from work. He was not lookingforward to seeing her after his outburst. He also did not like the fact that the guards were outside now. He wanted his own life. He was sick of the government being around, deciding whether they could help in their competition against the British.
Randall opened the bathroom door. "So how was-"
It was not Paige. It was the dark-haired woman again. She stared at Randall, her eyes full of sadness. Then she went into his bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
Randall frowned. Then he stormed to his door. He threw it open. She was nowhere in sight. Randall looked at his window. It was open, allowing the wind to blow the green curtains. She had escaped how he had escaped earlier.
Randall's thoughts raced. Who was this woman? Why was she after him? What was his connection to her?
Randall pushed the thoughts away. He was so tired of this. Enough was enough. He grabbed at some clothes in the closet. He needed to get to the bottom of this.
Paige leaned into John Doe. She sat next to his bed.
"Come on, Mr. Doe," Paige said. "Wake up."
Paige frowned. Was it really a good idea to have him awake? Paige shook the question away.
"Look you," Paige said. "You need to wake up. There are people--well, one--who wants to remember. I want you to prove I'm right. There's no point. You hear me...there's no--"
"Paige?"
Paige turned around. Randall stood in the door, his arms over his chest. His face was confused.
"Paige, what are you doing?" Randall asked.
Paige turned to face John Doe again. "Just chatting with him. Talking seem to get him to snap out of it last time. Thought it would work again."
Randall joined Paige next to the bed. "And?"
Paige frowned. "Still out."
Randall held his head. Paige shot out of the seat. She touched his cheek.
"Hey," Paige said softly. "No brooding. You're get to the truth."
"I guess."
"I know."
Paige leaned in and kissed Randall. It took a moment. Then Randall responded to the kiss. Paige kept going . Suddenly, Randall pulled away. Paige frowned.
"What?" Paige demanded.
"I...can't do this right now," Randall said.
"Turn gay, have you?"
Randall frowned. "Hardly."
Paige smirked. Her hand landed on Randall's right shoulder. "Then...go with it."
"But John-"
Paige placed her other hand on Randall's shoulder. "He's out of it. Just...let him."
"But-"
"Shh! Let me...help...you."
Paige kissed Randall again. He grabbed her in his arms. His kisses were passionate and furious. Paige fought the moan about to come out of her mouth.
"Melissa...Miss Clark...your hair?"
Paige pulled back. She turned around to look at the John Doe. He stared back at her, his eyes widened in shock.
"You're not...who are you?" he muttered.
"Yeah...that's exactly the point," Paige said. "Who are we?"
"Melissa," Randall mumbled.
Paige turned to look at Randall. There was something in his brown eyes. They were different somehow. That name...must be familiar to him. Paige did not think she liked that.
"Who are you anyway?" Paige demanded. "Did you-"
John Doe tilted his head. His eyes narrowed on her and Randall. His mouth formed a snarl.
"You alive again? That canot be. Kersh will be pleased."
"Who is Ke-" Paige started.
Without warning, John Doe lunged at the two of them. Paige went flying into the hospital wall. Pain shot through her shoulder as she slid to the floor. She turned to see John grab Randall by the throat.
"This time," John Doe said, "you will help us."
The door shot open. The bodyguards pulled out their guns and aimed. John tared for a second. Then he waved a hand in a dismissive way. The bodyguards flew into the walls. Guns fell to the floor.
Paige frowned. What a worthless lot.
"Get your hands...off me," Randall muttered.
Randall punched John Doe. John Doe seem to be surprised. His eyes widened in shock.
"Mr. Heim, are you mad?" John Doe asked. "Why are you attacking me?"
"I think someone's a little mad," Paige said.
John looked at Paige. He frowned. "And who are you?"
Randall swung at John. His fist kncoked John to the floor. He was out again.
Paige stood up. "Just what we need...another coma."
Randall looked at Paige. "You okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Thinking...you were right."
Paige smiled. She liked those words.
"Maybe we should leave this alone," Randall said. "Especially if that happened."
Paige nodded. However, one thought bugged her.
Who was Melissa?
"Randall...you haven't touched your wine."
Randall looked across the table at Quinn Mallory's wife. Her eyes were full of curiosity. She held her hands together. Her long black hair fell around her like a mane.
"Uh...I'm fine," Randall said. "A little shaken, but fine."
"Yeah," Paige said, sitting next to him. She placed a hand over his own. "So let's not talk about it, Wade."
"Of course," Wade said.
"I suggest a toast then," Quinn said, sitting next to Wade. He held his glass up. "To the future...and moving forward."
Wade nodded. "Yes."
Paige also nodded her head. "Couldn't have said it better."
Randall held up his glass. He also nod his head. He drank the wine. QUinn was right. There was obviously danger in the past. He should leave it alone.
He pulled the glass from his lips. He stared at the other people at the table. A movement beyond Quinn's head caught his attention. The figure caught his eye, casuing them to widen. His hands also widened, causing Randall to release the glass. It fell onto the table. Wine flew everywhere.
"Randall!" Paige shrieked.
Quinn shot up. "Are you okay?"
Randall shot up. "Sorry...I...I need to head to the restroom."
Before anyone could stop him, Randall moved from the table. He navigated through the tables with other customers. His eyes was on one person: the dark-haired woman. Even now, she made around a corner. Randall was right behind her.
He turned the corner in time to see someone move out of a glass door onto the balcony. He followed behind.
The balcony was empty. Randall frowned. He was sure he saw someone come out here.
"Looking for someone?"
Randall turned back to the door. The dark-haired woman stood in the door. Her hair was in curls. She wore a black no-sleeved evening dress. She closed the door behine her.
"You," Randall muttered.
"Randy," the dark-haired woman said.
"Randall," Randall corrected. "Who are you?"
The dark-haired woman approached Randall slowly. Randall felt his butt hit the rail. He looked behind himself and down at the busy San Francisco street. He had not realized that she had backed him to the rail.
A hand on his cheek turned Randall forward again. He met brown eyes in front of him. They were full of concern...and...something familiar.
"We don't have much time," the dark-haired woman said.
"So I do know you?" Randall asked.
"My name," the dark-haired woman said, "is Melissa Clark."
Paige frowned. She had been idly chattering with Wade. At the same time, she stared at a table several feet away.
Three men sat at it. One of the men was an older man. He had white on the edges of his curly brown hair. He chatted with a younger man wiht thick glasses next to him. Thick Glasses had dark hair and kept staring at Paige as if he never had seen a woman. They were joined by one other: another older man. He practically drooled looking at her. They had been looking at her for a while now. She got the feeling something was up.
"Excuse me," Paige said, standing up. "I better see if Randall's all right."
Paige stared at the three men again. Then she was heading to the door. Most of the customers gave her no stare. She looked out of the corner of her eye. She did have an admirer though. She smiled as she turned the corner.
The statue of Abraham Lincoln was big enough to hide Paige. She saw Thick Glasses walk by. He paused, his face a mask of confusion. Paige grabbed him. His back hit the wall. Her hand tightened on his throat. Paige smiled at the idea that the statue also hid her admirer.
"Stop! Don't hurt me!" Thick Glasses said.
"Give me a reason not to," Paige shot back.
"You can't trust Mallory," Thick Glasses. "He's using you."
Paige tilted her head. "Oh, really? And I believe you, Mr. No-Name, because-"
"Bufford," Thick Glasses said. "My name is Bufford."
"Well, Bufford," Paige said. "At the moment, Mallory isn't drooling over me like America's Next Top Model. What's the deal? And stalking?"
"Unhand me," Bufford said.
"Still waiting for a reason."
"Your bodyguards...hired by Mallory. As far as the government knows...your 'fire-in-the-sky' appearance...special effects for the next 'Star Wars' movie."
Paige frowned. "What?"
"You don't exist," Bufford explained. "Mallory covered it up."
Paige released Bufford. Her hands fell on her hips.
"What?" Paige managed. "Why?"
"To see if you know anything about his sliding projects," Bufford replied. "That's his ticket into the big leagues. He didn't need competition."
"Well, we don't know anything," Paige said.
Bufford frowned. "Too bad for you."
"Meaning?"
Bufford stared past Paige. He looked at her again. His eyes were full of worry.
"We don't have much time," Bufford said. "I believe you have a John Doe?"
Paige frowned. "Yeah, but-"
"Wake him," Bufford said. "Get him to remember. That might be the only way to save you."
"Save me?"
"Yeah. My associates can get you out of the States," Bufford explained.
"As if I really trust you," Paige replied.
"Okay," Bufford said. "Check the records. They will back up your appearance here. Then meet me at the Dominion in two days."
"Fine. Whatever."
"I'm telling the truth," Bufford protested. "You'll see."
Bufford walked away. Paige stared after him. His accusations rang in her ear. Something else rang in her ears, too.
Sliding projects?
Melissa put her hands on the rail. She stared down at the street. Her face was one of sadness.
"You invented it," Melissa started. "The ability to slide between two parallel worlds. Worlds where history took different paths. Worlds where norms are different." Her eyes darkened. "Worlds where people wear the faces of your friends and loved ones...but are different."
Randall frowned. It sounded far-fetched. He knew his appearance here was...crazy at the least. However, the idea of parallel worlds...still he stared at Melissa. Something in him told him to trust her.
"My time here is almost up," Melissa said. "I came here to find you guys, but...your security...kinda hard to shake."
Randall nodded. "Don't I know it?" He smiled. "Okay...I'll bite. What do you want mne to do?"
Melissa looked at Randall. "Rmemeber. All of you. Even Darnell."
"Darnell?" Randall muttered.
"Your John Doe is Professor Darnell Brown," Melissa said. "He's your friend and mentor."
"Okay," Randall said. "Now this is getting a little much."
"Sorry for the crush course," Melissa said as she approached the door. "Fi you odn't remember soon and they track me...we're all dead."
"They?" Randall muttered again. "Who?"
Melissa opened the door. She paused.
"The Kromaggs," she replied.
Paige put on her tank top. She turned to stare at Baldwin. He laid on his stomach at the moment, a smile on his face. Paige felt a smile on her own face. Yes, she was good.
Paige got up from the motel bed. She pulled up her skirt. A stray red hair fell over her face. She pushed it back and thought about the info Baldwin gave her.
He did not work for the government. That immediately made Paige wonder who he worked for. She did not want to tip her hand though.
Paige walked out of the door. Bufford's words haunted her. She had to check on one more thing.
Randall put the book down on the long rectangular table. He had been at the library for hours. The books stood before him. The theories did not escape him. He understood them which made him smile. It also made him wonder what else he knew.
The theories definitely were familiar for him. From where he still did not know. Randall stood up from the table. An idea was forming within him.
Randall headed to the door. A stray brown hair fell across his eye. He pushed it away. It was so simple. It was always simple.
He was going home.
A whir sounded through the air. Randall turned around to find himself blinded by light. He covered his eyes. A whir sounded again. Then there was silence from the bookshelves.
Something told him that it was important that he found out what it was that had happened. That sound...the whir...was familiar to him.
Randall headed out of the libarary. He was sure his idea was the way to go.
Paige felt her eyes widen.
There it was in black and white. There was even a picture next to the newpaper heading. A red...wormhole was in the sky. A figure shot form it. The heading read 'STAR WARS SECRET SCENE?'
Paige stood up from her seat at the library table. The realization hit her like a wall. Bufford had been right.
Sliding projects.
Paige headed for the elevator. Bufford had mentioned that Mallory had his own sliding projects going on. They would probably be at the hospital. She had to see them with her own eyes.
Paige past through the aisle. A figure lunged out of the book shelves at her. Paige did not have time to scream as the figure knocked her ot the floor. Paige's eyes stared at the figure. Her eyes grew wide again.
He...if Paige could go that far...had red hair. His face was not human at all. His forehead was wrinkled up. He grinned a mouth full of pointy teeth. In his black-gloved hand was a warped kind of knife. He wore a black shirt with black army pants.
"Found you," he snarled.
"And you are?" Paige managed.
The figure raised the knife. "You are not the Heim, nor Project 54. So I am...your killer."
Paige opened her mouth to scream. Nothing came out. The figure lunged with the knife.
Paige narrowed her eyes. She threw her legs up. The figure hit them. She pushed him away. He fell onto the floor.
Paige scrambled to her feet. She ran into the bookshelves. Her mind raced. What was that thing? Obviously, it wanted Randall and John Doe. Not good.
Paige shot through more shelves. She heard footsteps behind her. She was obviously expendible. She did not like that idea at all.
Paige could make out the elevator. A smile crept onto her face. She was almost out of there.
She made it to the end of the shelf nearest the elevator. The figure shot up from the other side. he swung his knife at her. Paige ducked.
"Die, Terran," the figure hissed.
Paige ran back behind her. Paige made it to the other side of the shelf. She turned to face the wannabe killer.
"Eat book, Ugly," Paige said.
Paige grabbed the book shelf and pushed it down. The shelf...along with many books...fell on the figure.
Paige did not wait to see the aftermath. She ran to the elevator. She punched the button and smiled as the elevator doors opened instantly.
She got in and let the doors close. She had to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Then she had to find Randall.
"Damn!" Randall yelled.
The only answer Randall got was the slow hum of the machines attached to John Doe. Randall corrected himself. His name was Darnell Brown. Randall wondered if he was a good person or an evil person.
Randall shook his head in frustration. He was sure he would know soon enough. He raised the calculator-like device up to his line of sight. He had worked feveriously on it for the last few hours. The bodyguards had left him alone to his own devices.
Randall frowned. It was missing something. He could not think of what it was.
"...radius..."
Randall looked at Brown. His eyes flittered under his eyelids. His body shook.
"Uh...Darnell," Randall muttered, leaning closer. "Darnell...can you hear me?"
Brown's eyes flittered more.
"Professor..." Randall said.
Brown's eyes snapped open. He grabbed Randall's hand with the device with one hand. His other hand touched Randall's head. Randall's forehead felt like air as his eyes focused on Brown's own eyes. His mouth opened. The word was a whisper, but Randall could make it out.
"Remember."
It was like a click...inside his mind. Once where there was darkness was all kinds of images. Randall with the other sliders. Randall dealing with the Foundation. Manta ships vortexing onto Earth Prime. Melissa Clark fighting with her double. Daniel Carter. The barrel of his gun.
Daniel Carter.
The barrel of the gun.
"Ah!" Randall screamed. He fell back and onto the floor. He stared up to see Brown raise from his bed.
"Halt!"
Randall turned around. The bodyguards had entered. Their guns were at the ready. They aimed at Brown.
Randall looked at Brown. He studied the bodyguards with the look of a child. His head tilted.
"Put your hand up!" one of the bodyguards said.
"Away," Brown said, turning his head to the wall while waving his hand.
The bodyguards flew into the wall. Randall ignored the sound of ribs breaking. His eyes were on Brown. Another memory had shot to the surface.
Brown's eyes blinked. He took in the surroundings. His eyes finally fell on Randall.
"Mr. Heim," Brown said. He smiled. "I say! You are alive!" He approached Randall. "I never thought-"
Randall shot up. "Back off!"
Brown frowned. "Mr. Heim?"
Randall's eyes narrowed on Brown. A trace of a smirk crossed his face.
"Wrong Heim," Randall said.
Paige hurried down the hall. Randall had not been in the motel room. She figured he was here at the hospital. More than likely, he was with the John Doe.
Hands grabbed Paige from behind. Before she could stop it, Paige felt herself flying. She hit something hard. Paige opened her closed eyes to find the hard thing was a rail. She turned around.
It was a man. He was dressed in hospital scrubs and a white doctor coat. His dark hair was slick back. His eyes narrowed on her.
"Good hunt...Terran," he said.
Paige felt her eyes widen. "No way! You were knocked out."
The man grinned. His lips stretched out, revealing pointy teeth. His face completely dissolved. Paige felt her jaw drop as he turned into the inhuman attacker from earlier.
"God!" Paige exclaimed. "What is it going to take to get rid of you?"
"More than you have, Terran," the thing said.
The door behind the thing opened. An intern stared at the scene. His eyes widened.
"What in the--" the intern started.
The thing reacted. Paige barely saw it raised a dagger. However, she saw the dagger find its target: the intern's stomach. He gasped.
Paige hurried down the stairs. The thing blocked her way to Randall. She would have to settle for the next best thing.
Randall saw Brown narrow his eyes.
"Randall," Brown said coldly.
Randall smirked. "Professor Brown. Or should I say...Darnell?"
"Neither," Brown replied. "And I wonder...can the other dark sliders be far behind?"
"Sadly...yes," Randall said, standing up. "While you have been in Comaland, I've been without my memory...until..."
Randall's eyes widened. More memories came to the surface. The Foundation. They were a group of people who hated people from parallel worlds interfering in their worlds. Their agenda had been to stop interference by erasing part of the person's brain iwth nanotechs...or killing them. Randall had helped his double finally defeat them before going to his double's world. There they were attacked by the Kromaggs. And then...
Brown frowned. "This isn't Earth Prime." He glared at Randall. "You're behind this!"
Randall glared. "No! You are! You're an agent of the Kromaggs."
"No!" Brown snapped.
"Yes!" Randall said. "It is through you that they got to your Earth. It is through you that yor friends are dead!"
Brown waved a hand. Randall flew through the air. His back hit the wall. Pain shot through his back like fire on his legs. He fell to the floor. He stared up at Brown. Brown glared at him.
"My friends aren't dead!" Brown snapped. "And I'm not a spy!"
Randall narrowed his eyes on Brown. "Then explain the new telekinetic powers you have. Or better yet...explain away the image of your dear Randy Heim with a barrel in his face?"
Brown's eyes widened. "I...do...not...remember."
Randall attempted to stand. Brown looked lost in another place.
"No need to frown," Randall said. "You were knocked out so you do not remember." He smiled. "My double...was killed."
Brown's eyes betrayed his shock. Randall made it up. He moved away from the wall. His hand felt in his pocket for the device. It felt intact.
"Now," Randall started, "we do not have much time. Melissa said-"
"Melissa?" Brown managed. "The real one? Is she-"
"Yes, she's alive," Randall said, "and no, she's not here now."
"We have to find her," Brown said. "As well as Miss Rye."
"Then we should go," Randall said, heading toward the door. "She said the Kromaggs were closing in."
Randall felt a tightening on his arm. He turned to find the stern stare of Brown on him.
"You are not in charge here," Brown said.
Randall glared. "Really? I'm the one with a workable timer...and a means to track down Melissa and Miss Rye. So...I am the one in charge, Professor. So...let go."
Brown continued to glare at Radnall. After a moment, Randall saw the hand release from around his arm. Randall smiled.
"I hate you," Brown said.
"I hate you," Randall said, opening the door. "Are you in or not?"
"Mallory," Paige said entering Quinn's office, "we have a prob-"
Paige paused. Quinn was nowhere in theoffice. Paige brought her hands up to her head, pushing her hair back in frustration. She did not have much time if she believed that...thing. She wondered if Quinn would be back any second.
Paige moved to his desk. Her hands found the handles of the drawer. She opened one of the drawer. Maybe she would find a gun. This was a world full of paranoia.
Two drawers in, Paige felt more frustration kick in. She kneeled down to look into the last drawer. Her eyes fell on more papers. She pushed them away. A gasp escaped her lips.
It was shaped like a remote control. At the moment, numbers were on its screen. They counted up. Paige picked up the...timer and stared at it. She stared at it and remembered...Earth Prime.
They were in...that thing...its masters' camp. She dressed down as...a man in order to...
Paige frowned. Something was missing. Something of great importance to her. It was more than escape for her and Randall. Much more.
A growl escaped her lips. She had no time to pull a Randall now. He could start this timer and--
Paige felt her jaw drop. There it was again. That word. Timer. The very word brough a memory back.
Paige shot up.
"My God!" Paige muttered.
"Find something. A memory perhaps?"
Paige looked over at the speaker who stood in the door. It was Mallory. He stared at her with a blank look on his face. His hands were in the pockets of his labcoat. It made Paige think of a shy nerd.
"You have no idea," Paige said, holding up the timer. "Let me guess...ours?"
Quinn nodded. "Yeah. When you vortexed in, it was with you. I figured it told off the next vortex out to a parallel world. You missed the window already."
"I'm sure Randall could figure out how to get us out," Paige said.
"In a way that does not appear public?" Quinn challenged. "I don't think so."
"You'll be surprised."
Paige looked past Quinn. Randall walked into the room. He was followed by the John Doe. Paige ran to Randall and kissed him.
"Thank God!" Paige exclaimed.
"A very apt comparsion," Randall said.
Paige stared at the John Doe. "And I see the John Doe is walking."
"My name is Darnell Brown," the John Doe said. "And you...are not Melissa."
Paige frowned. "Melissa?"
"My friend," Brown replied.
"Yeah," Randall added. "We will be finding her and a Katherine Rye."
"No," Quinn said from the door.
Paige looked at Quinn. She saw that Randall and Darnell also stared at him.
"Why?" Paige challenged. "You afraid we'll crack the code to sliding before you can cash in to the government?"
Randall frowned. "What?"
"Yeah," Paige replied. "He's been snowballing us since we crashed here. The bodyguards...work for him. Our crash...covered up. The government does not even know about us." She pointed at Quinn. "He's been keeping us around so we can give him hints...assuming we remember."
"Nice try, Mr. Mallory," Randall commented.
Quinn stared at Randall with a blank stare. "In my position, Mr. Heim, I am sure you would do the same."
"I think not," Randall said. "I would have been smarter...quicker for answers."
"As much as I would like to listen to the debate of two evil men," Darnell commented, "I would like to find my friends. Heim, can you find them?"
Randall stared at Paige. "You have the timer?"
Paige smiled. "Of course."
Randall looked at Darnell. "Then...yes. I just need to incorperate some of the basis-"
"Do you not understand how much I've sacrificed?" Quinn cut Randall off.
"I do not care, sir," Darnell replied. "I want to find my friends and go home."
"Good," Paige replied. "I have a friend Bufford-"
"Bufford?" Quinn muttered.
"Yeah," Paige said. "He and his associates are willing to help us...since you can't be trusted."
"And he can?" Quinn shot back. "He obviously works for the Brits."
"And you're so much trustworthy?" Paige shot back. She turned to Randall and grabbed his hand. "Listen...he said to meet him. I think-"
A click sounded through the room. Paige looked at the door. Quinn now had his right hand out of his labcoat pocket. There was a .24 calibur in it. There was a long tube on the edge.
"I see you have outlived your usefulness," Quinn said. "Pity. I-"
A sound reached Paige's ear. It was like a balloon bursting. A moment later, red appearing on Quinn's shirt. So did a flash of light...like silver. Paige realized it was a knife. It vanished quickly. Quinn gasped, falling to the floor. A figure stood behind him. Paige recognized the figure. It was the thing.
"A Humagg."
Paige looked at Brown. "You know this thing."
"Yes," Brown said, his eyes on the Humagg. "My memory...is fuzzy. However...I begin we all do."
"You assume correctly, Project 54," the Humagg said. "I am Kerus of the Kromagg Dynasty. Kersh calls for your services again...as well as the Heim."
"I decline," Brown said.
"And Heim," Randall said, "is dead."
Paige frowned. Heim? He was...she did not understand. What was all of this?
Kerus snarled. "You assume you have a choice, Project 54."
Paige stared at Brown. His eyes were closed. Suddenly, his eyes opened. They were completely black.
"You assume correctly, Humagg," Brown said coldly.
Brown waved his right arm like he threw something. Kerus flew into the wall. His body hit it like it was an avail hitting the ground. He fell to the floor unconscious.
Paige felt her body shake. "What are you?"
Brown blinked. He opened his eyes again. They were back to normal.
"Better question," Randall said, walking over to Paige.. "Can we trust you?"
Brown narrowed his eyes. "You do not have a choice."
"We have plenty, Buster!" Paige snapped. "We have the timer. We can just leave you here."
"You would not even make it out the door, Miss," Brown replied.
"The name's Paige, Prof!" Paige shot back.
"Happy now?" Brown countered. "Now that the little girl has had her outburst., we best be away." He walked over to Quinn's dead body. "Given the situation, People will assume you did this."
"Then we can go back to the motel," Paige said.
"No," Randall said, grabbing Paige's hand. "Too risky. I need a quiet place to work on this timer."
Paige smiled. "I know a place."
Randall continued to reconnect his device together. He stared over at the remains of the other timer. If he remembered correctly, it had been created by a female double of Quinn...Logan St. Clair. The possibilities behind it were now lost to him...including his way home. He frowned at the idea of never getting back to Price Carmichael...Eve.
A sound like a book hiting the floor cut through Randall's thoughts. He looked away from his desk and across the living room. Bufford and Franks also stared at the other side of the room from the couch. Paige glared at Peckin, her hands on her hips. Peckin rubbed his cheek.
"If you touch my-" Paige started.
"I didn't touch it!" Peckin protested. "I rubbed it...that's all."
"Why, you-" Paige started.
"You know you'd like it, Toots," Peckin shot back.
"Peckin," Bufford protested, "do not antagonize her. "You'll regret it."
"Already do," Peckin commented. "I'm getting ice."
Peckin headed out the door. Franks watched the scene with mild amusement. When he went back to his cell phone. Paige looked at Randall. He looked back at her and smiled. Then he turned back to his desk.
Paige. The idea of her. Randall wondered now if maybe he was better off as a genius with no memory. He was happy. Paige were happy. They were fairly out of danger. Now...
Randall put the last piece into his device. He put a button and a console on the device lit up. He threw his thoughts away and smiled. He was still good. The smile left. If she had never knew him...
Randall turned around in his chair. He stared at Brown who stood in front of the window. He was able to decide on a possible sliding signature attached to Brown. With it, he could track Brown's old allies. That will hopefully allow him to find a way back to Eve. The idea of Eve meeting Brown again was not on his 'Things He Wanted to See' List, but it was a risk.
"Done," Randall announced.
Brown turned from the window. "And?"
"There is only one way to find out for sure," Randall said. "We slide...cross in a few minutes."
Paige smiled. "Genius. Then we get away."
Bufford stood up. He aimed a gun at Randall. "I have to disagree."
Brown turned around completely. "What in-"
Franks aimed his cell phone. A dart shot out of the top, hitting Brown in the neck. Brown fell back against the wall.
"We got them," Franks said into his cell phone. "Extract immediately."
"But you said-" Paige started.
"And I was right!" Bufford exclaimed. "Mallory hid you! We found you! And now...Great Britain will make leaps in the wa with the United States."
Paige balled up her fist. "When I'm done with you..."
Franks aimed his cell phone. "Dear, do not even take a step. I will tran you."
Randall felt like his feel would not move. Bufford focused the gun on Randall. Randall's eyes focused on the barrel of the gun. The idea...the possibility of death...triggered something in his mind. Everything went dark.
Paige stared at the cell phone aimed at her. She felt annoyed by the bizarreness of the situation. She looked over at Brown. He was still out. If there was a way...
"Ah!"
Both Franks and Paige turned. Bufford also looked shocked as Randall lunged at him. Bufford had no time to react. Randall ducked and shot back up, knocking Bufford off balance with his right fist. His left hand knocked Bufford's gun hand away. Randall then knocked Bufford out with a sock to the jaw.
"Uh...wow," Paige muttered. "Okay."
Randall stared at Frnaks. Franks glared. He also kept his cell phone on Paige.
"Do not even move," Frnaks ordered. "I do think you do not want any harm to come to her."
"Randall..." Paige started.
"Silence!" Franks barked.
"Oh, please!" Paige exclaimed. "You shoot me; Randall kicks you. Kinda defeats the purpose."
"Will you cease?" Franks demanded.
"No," Paige said.
"Fine. Good-"
The door swung open. Peckin stood in the door. A tube of ice was in his arm. He stared about the scene, his eyes widening.
"Uh..." Peckin muttered.
"Don't just stand there," Franks said. "Shoot him! Shoot him!"
Peckin reached into his shirt. Paige stared back and forth between Peckin and Randall. She had to think fast. Otherwise, she was as good as-
Peckin pulled out a laser. He fired on Franks. Franks gasped and fell to the floor. Something hit Paige's leg. She looked down to see the cell phone next to her foot. It was stained with something dark.
"Uh...okay," Paige managed. "I guess-"
The air filled with the sound of something melting. Paige stared at Peckin. His whole body dissolved, revealing Kerus.
"I guess we're still screwed," Paige said.
Randall watched Peckin dissolve. He turned into Kerus. He aimed his laser at Paige. He stared at the scene and felt anger boiling within himself. It made him thinki of a memory. An image. The barrel. It made him...
A beep caught Randall's ears. He looked at he device...the timer. It flashed zero at him. He aimed it near Brown and hit the switch. The window melted away. Its form turned into a circle of blue light. The wind picked up in the room. Randall ran for it.
"Halt, Heim!" Kerus snapped.
Randall only had time to duck as laserfire scarred the wall next to the vortex. Randall lost his footing. The floor met his face. He barely had time to turn over before a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Kerus snarl at him.
"You are going no-" Kerus started.
SNAP. SNAP. SNAP.
Three darts stood in Kerus's neck. He fell onto the floor. Paige stood behind him with the cell phone in her hand. A smirk crept over her face.
"Guess someone forgot about little ole me!" Paige yelled.
Randall crawled to Brown. He picked him up.
"We have to go!" Randall yelled. "Now!"
Paige stared at the blue vortex for a second. Then she ran for it and jumped. A whir sounded off.
Randall jumped into the vortex with Brown. His last thought as he entered it startled him.
What about Melissa Clark? Would he see her again?
Melissa Clark smiled as she exited the elevator. According to Bufford, the trio had exited that paranoid world hours ago. A second vortex had also been discovered, meaning her leak to the 'Maggs had also worked.
Melissa opened the door to her apartment. She had gotten one of the bet due to her expertise in sliding. It felt weird to be part of the establisment since she was not exactly known for that back home.
She turned on the light. Her eyes widened on what greeted her. Then she managed a smile and shut the door.
"Hello, Rebecca," Melissa said. "What brings you this late in the night?"
Rebecca Pryce stood up from the couch.
"You know very well why I'm here," Rebecca said, her eyes narrowing. 'You can play coy with Bufford. I'm smarter."
Melissa crossed her arms over the sweater she had on. "Really? Why then...is everyone relying on me more? Oh...yeah...I know a thing or two about conning."
Rebecca laughed. "You? All you really knew how to do was con Randy Heim and his friends. And that...you had help with."
"Miss the Foundation, do you?"
"As the only defense against the Kromaggs, yes."
Melissa laughed. "And you get to profit by manufacturing sliding tech for the Auturo Foundation." She sat on the couch. "What a bonus!"
"Don't mock me."
"Don't make yourself an easy target."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes on Melissa.
"I know you are behind Heim and his friends getting their memories back," Rebecca said. "I also know you're the one who led the Kromaggs right to them."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Melissa said in innocence.
"I'm a better lair so don't," Rebecca shot back.
"Well...prove it."
Rebecca glared. Melissa grinned.
"You can't, can you?" Melissa challenged. "Well then...good night."
"You just let our trump card walk out."
"As if you'll use him," Melissa replied. 'The Kromaggs have been overrunning worlds for three months now. It's only a matter of time before they get here. You use them like a bargaining chip."
"I know you were behind it," Rebecca accused.
Melissa stood up. "Again, prove it or get out."
Rebecca walked to the door. She paused before opening it. She turned back to face Melissa.
"If it wasn't for me," Rebecca said, "Daniel Carter would not have been on that Earth. He would not have...attacked during the Kromagg attack. You...would probably be in a breeding camp." She stared Melissa down. "Assuming 'Maggs go for that kind of body."
Melissa frowned. "What do you mean?"
Rebecca rolled her eyes. Then she glared.
"Don't cross me," Rebecca said. "You may have left me with damage, but I promise you...that's going to be your only hit." She smiled. "I wonder what the real Melissa would do if she knew what you did. Maybe another sock to the jaw-"
"Get out!" Melissa snapped.
Rebecca left without another word. Melissa stared at the closed door. She did not know where the others were at, but she hoped. If anyone could stop the 'Maggs, they were it.
Out there. Somewhere.
The vortex snapped open. A whir sounded from it. Paige shot out of the vortex. She landed on steel floor.
Another whir came from the vortex. Randall emerged with Brown in his arms. The vortex closed behind them.
Randall looked around. They appeared to be in the hall of a corporation building. There were doors lining the walls down to the elevator. At the moment, they stood in front of a set of double doors. Randall looked at Paige. Paige looked back at Randall with a look of relief in her face.
"You're alive," Paige said.
"Of course," Randall said. He smiled. "I am hard to kill."
Paige hugged Randall. "Glad to hear it."
Randall felt lips on his lips. He gave into Paige's kiss.
"Excuse me."
Randall pulled back from Paige. Brown glared at him. Randall placed Brown down. Brown continued to glare at him.
"Think you could find my friends before you two engage in a game of tonsil hockey?" Brown asked.
"Why can't we do both?" Paige said.
"Don't test me, woman," Brown warned.
"Back off, Brown," Randall said, standing between Paige and Brown.
Suddenly, the double doors opened. Randall turned to look at the doors. The man in the door wore a dark brown Armani suit. His brown hair was slicked back. He wore no glasses. He was still Bufford.
"There you are!" Bufford exclaimed.
"What in the world-" Paige shrieked.
"Still new, huh?" Brown said. "Different worlds, same people...in a way."
Bufford frowned. "Who are your friends, Randall?"
"No one important," Randall replied.
Bufford grabbed Randall's arm. "Good. Time to start."
Before Randall could protest, Bufford led him into the room. It was a large conference room. Randall looked at the far wall. It was all glass. A long rectangluar table was next to it. So were other people.
"Don't get nervous," Bufford said. "Just focus on the goal."
Bufford led Randall over to the table. Randall frowned at the rectangled-shaped box on it. There was another one at the other end of the table.
"The goal?" Randall asked.
"Why...Loveland stock for the company," Bufford said. "Arturo will be pleased."
"Loveland?" Randall said, a nagging feeling entering his mind.
"We are ready."
Randall stared at the other end of the table. He first saw Melissa Clark. The sight of her triggered a lot of conflicting feelings. Randall did not have time to anaylze the feelings since his eyes fell on the person next to her: Ben Loveland. His eyes were icy as he stood over his rectangled-shaped box. He opened it and reached in. He pulled out a katana.
"Oh," Randall said as Ben posed in an attack mode.
"Well," Paige said with a smirk, "this should be fun."
THE-END
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