Professor Darnell Brown grunted. His eyes flickered. For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was. Then he did. His eyes widened.
"Wait!" Brown bellowed, his eyes fixed on the figure a few feet away.
His right hand on the switch, the figure paused. His face came out of the shadows. It was a double of Randy's rival Bufford. He smirked.
"Did I not tell you?" Bufford asked. "No white shoes before Labor Day. You were caught. Now the punishment is death by electric chair."
Brown rolled his eyes. At the same time, Bufford shot through the air, curving into the ceiling. His body landed opposite the switch. Brown smiled at the fact Bufford's moves matched Brown's eye role.
Footsteps reached Brown's ears. Violent ideas from others' mind reached his ears. Brown closed his eyes. Suddenly he could see himself from a guard's perspective. Just as sudden, Brown was back in his body mentally loosening the binds. He shot from the electric chair. He threw his wrath out. Like bullets, it hit the guards. They flew into the walls and fell to the floor unconscious.
The sound of a door opening caused Brown to turn around. His rage shot out like a whip. Ben Loveland flew right out of the door, barely missing a surprised Melissa Clark, Randy Heim, and Maggie Beckett. They all stared at him, dressed in gray prison scrubs. Maggie glared at Brown.
"God, Brown," Maggie said, "you couldn't have waited?"
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 14: RUSH
The vortex shot open. The whirs cut through the air rapidly. Randy Heim shot through it. He hit a large rock. Before he could recover from the pain, Brown landed behind him. That was followed by Maggie Beckett.
"Okay, guys," Randy said. "Off."
The vortex whirred again. Melissa Clark shot out of it. She was followed by Ben Loveland. He landed on her, his Goth-clad clothes covering Melissa. Randy stared at them and glared.
The vortex whirred again. Paige Kendall fell onto the rock as the vortex closed. She was on the opposite side of Melissa and Ben. She stared at them. Then she looked at Randy. He did not know what to say.
Gunfire ran through the air. Brown shot through the air. Randy's eyes followed Brown's trail. It was unsettling, but he had no time to react as the gunfire continued. Maggie shot up from the rock, aimed her rifle, and fired into the trees. She looked down at Randy.
"Run," Maggie said. "I'll cover you."
A figure dashed past Randy. He saw it was Paige.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Paige exclaimed, heading to the opposite side of the rock.
Randy shot up after Paige. He headed after her. He turned to see Maggie fire into the trees again. Meanwhile, Melissa helped Ben up and started after him.
Suddenly, brown-clad figures jumped up from the edges of the rock. Randy made out a dozen. They quickly surrounded Melissa and Ben.
"Melissa!" Randy yelled.
"Melissa!"
Melissa saw Randy pause in his step. Suddenly, several figures closed in on them. They were dressed in brown bearskin, their faces covered in mud. Melissa paused at the sight.
"What the--" Ben started next to her.
She stood ready in a warrior pose. She knew Ben was still new to the idea of sliding. She hoped he could fight though. Judging by Ben balling his hands into fists, Melissa felt she didn't have to worry.
More gunfire rang out through the air. However, this fire caught her attackers' attention. One mud-faced men...it was a man...pointed at her. He spoke in a language she didn't understand.
Two figures to Melissa's left moved quickly. They brought bamboos to their lips. Melissa realized too later after she heard breath: dart guns.
Pain shot through her neck. She grabbed at it. When she looked at her hand, a needle was in it with fur on the end.
Her feet became rubber. Her eyes stared upward as the rest of her body fell backwards. Everything darkened.
"Melissa!" Randy yelled again as he saw Melissa collapse.
The long-haired men grabbed at her and an unconscious Ben. Randy ran for the scene. A hand pulled him back. He turned to stare at Maggie.
"Don't," Maggie ordered.
"You can't stop me," Randy said.
"No," Paige said, appearing beside Maggie, "but they probably could."
Randy followed Paige's glance. Several men emerged from Paige's side of the rock. Rifles in hand, they aimed them at the bearskinned men and fired. A fellow went down. Meanwhile several more came out of their side and fired.
Hands grabbed randy, pushing to the rock's rough edge. He turned to see Maggie. He pushed at her.
"Why are you--" Randy started.
"Will you stay down?" Maggie demanded, kneeling near him. "I'm trying to keep you alive."
"And Melissa?" Randy asked. "Ben?"
"They can take care of themselves," Maggie said. "It's you I'm worried about."
Randy frowned. What did--
A leg landed near Randy's head. He looked up. A man stood above him. His dark hair was shaggier than Randy remembered. The rolled up sleeves on the button down shirt was different...as was the tight breeches. Okay that wasn't unusual. It was a double of Ethan. He fired on the men in bearskins, sending them scattering into the woods. He looked down at Randy and Maggie.
"Randy, you two okay?" Ethan asked.
"Uh...yeah," Randy answered. He felt his forehead sweat. This double knew him. Was he like the other doubles? Was Ethan gay?
"They're getting away!"
Randy sat up from the rock. The men still scattered in the trees. There was no sign of Melissa or Ben.
"Melissa!" Randy yelled.
"Isaac, after them!" Ethan barked. "They have hostages!"
A man with cropped red hair ran past Randy and Maggie as they stood up. He was followed by several men dressed in long sleeved shirts and breeches with boots. They ran into the woods with their rifles at the ready. Randy stared after them, hoping they wouldn't shoot Melissa. A hand grabbed his shoulder and tightened. Randy turned to see Ethan, his eyes full of concern.
"We will find her," Ethan said. "Beatrice would never forgive me."
"Beatrice?" Randy asked.
"My wife," Ethan replied.
"Your wife?"
"Well," Paige said, "I guess that answers that unasked question."
Ben grunted. His eyes flickered. It took a few moments for him to realize he was moving. All he saw was grass, leaves, and feet. Moving feet.
He remembered. They were attacked after they...what did Melissa call it...slid. He was still too new to this whole thing. He liked Melissa though so here he was...being carried off.
Gunfire ran through the woods. He wished he could see where they were going.
And just like that...a black hole appeared in the ground. The men jumped right into it. Ben screamed.
Randy did not know what to say as he watched Ethan hug a curly-haired red-haired woman. He was so used to Ethan loving...well...doubles of him. It was like something out of the 'Outer Limits.'
"Funny how a certain telepathic professor isn't around," Paige said as she sat in the back of the wagon.
Maggie, who sat next to Randy in the front of the wagon, turned and glared. Paige shrugged her shoulders.
"What?" Paige said.
"How can you say anything?" Maggie demanded. "Didn't you sell us out to Daniel Carter and a group of evil sliders?"
Paige glared at Maggie. "You defend him? Didn't he try to kill you?"
"And you haven't?" Maggie countered.
Randy stared at Paige. She said nothing...not that she could. Maggie was right. Paige had already betrayed the group on numerous occasions. The only thing that kept Randy from following the others' protests and dropping her somewhere was the fact that she had come from the future to kill him for some reason, but instead fell in love with him.
"Why are you trying to kill me?" Randy asked, his eyes on Paige. "What...or who...do I hurt and what does it have to do with Daniel Carter?"
Paige shot a look. "Shut up, Randy."
"Yeah, Randy," Maggie said. "Heaven forbid you have a point."
"Not helping."
"Not trying."
"Answer the question, Paige," Randy said. "Given all that's happen, I think it's about time we got some answers."
Paige narrowed her eyes on Randy. Randy stared back at her. There was a time...when he was Randall...that she would open up to him. He reached out and touched her shoulder.
"Paige, please," Randy said. "This is important. If you care about me at all, I need to know what I'm up against."
Paige's eyes gave up the ghost. The anger was gone, replace with surprise. Her mouth opened, lips moving to form words.
"Darnell, there you are!"
Paige's eyes narrowed again. She looked past Randy. He turned to see Brown walking down the street toward them. Judging by the beard Brown had, Randy figure it was Brown's double on this world. He approached Ethan and Beatrice and smiled.
"How goes things?" Darnell asked.
"Bad," Ethan said. "There was another attack. Injuns took some people."
"Like Melissa," Beatrice sobbed.
Darnell frowned. "Melissa? Melissa Clark? Is Randall also--"
"He's all right," Ethan said, pointing at the wagon. "A little shaken, but that is not a surprise."
"No," Darnell said, staring at Randy, "it is not." He frowned. "I guess I will have to call the militia to deal with the Injuns. You know the others are arriving tomorrow."
"Perhaps we should go back to St. Louis, Ethan," Beatrice suggested.
"Not a chance, Beatrice," Ethan said. "You know why I'm here."
"Is this really worth your life?" Beatrice demanded, stepping back from Ethan.
Ethan's eyes widened. "Are you insane?"
"Are you?" Beatrice shot back.
"We're been waiting for this moment," Ethan said. "To have the American dream. To come from nothing and strike it rich." His eyes narrowed. "I'm finding that gold."
Randy's eyes widened. He looked over at Maggie.
"Did he just say...gold?" Maggie asked.
Melissa jumped up with a start. Her memory came back just as fast. She looked about, wondering where she was.
The walls were all black around her. The only reason she knew this for sure was that the prison door was really a wall of blue light. Outside it was a black corridor. It all felt eerily familiar...right down to the floor humming.
"I see you're awake."
Melissa looked to her right. A figure emerged from the shadows. Melissa's skin crawled. Then she sighed in relief as she saw it was Ben.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
"Great," Ben answered. "You?"
"Good."
"Good. Now how about you tell me what's going on? It started off with Indians and now it's like we fell into a sci-fi movie."
Melissa looked about the room.
"I don't know," Melissa said.
"You don't know?" Ben shrieked.
Melissa grabbed Ben's hand. She squeezed. She managed a smile.
"Look," Melissa said. "I know you're new to this, but you're going to need to learn to calm down. We normally might get captured, but we beat the odds and find a way to escape. Besides...didn't you run an underground on your hometown. I thought you would be more collective."
"Hey!" Ben said. "I wasn't jumping through wormholes that could take me anywhere with no idea on where I was going. Takes a guy a while to get used to."
"You could always go home," Melissa suggested.
Ben smiled for a moment, looking down. Then he looked up again, his brown eyes full of sincerity. He touched Melissa's right cheek. She felt it get warm.
"Not without you," Ben said.
Melissa's mouth opened. No words came out. She closed it again.
"You know I need to go home," Melissa said. "Now more than ever."
Ben nodded. Then he hugged her.
"Then we go together," Ben said. "I'm sure your mom is cool."
Melissa smiled. She didn't say what she thought. She wondered if her mother was still alive.
There was only one way to find out.
Paige's eyes ed open. She jumped up instantly, expecting to see some assassin attack. She relaxed as she saw it was Randy. He sat in a chair in the corner of her room. Moonlight peeked in through the window, making him actually look menacing.
"How long have you been there?" Paige asked as she sat up in her bed.
"Not long," Randy replied.
"Mind telling me what's going on?"
"What would I say?"
"Oh, I don't know," Paige said. "The truth."
Randy laughed. "That's funny coming from you, Paige. Haven't you been lying since the beginning?"
"Not since the beginning--"
"That's a lie!" Randy snapped, his upper body leaning forward. "From the moment you jumped back in time, you knew what you were doing. Getting close to me in the Kromagg ship. Knowing enough to help in an escape. Were you planning on killing me when we escaped?"
Paige stared at Randy. "Yes...actually."
She saw Randy's body tense. She regretted seeing him upset. She looked down at the covers.
"I didn't expect a feedback that would wipe out our memories," Paige said. She looked up. "I didn't expect us to get to know each other I didn't expect to fall in..."
Paige looked away. She knew her face would give it away. If the Elders...or even her father...saw her now, they would disapprove. All that mattered was the mission.
When did the mission become so complicated?
A hand on Paige's hand brought her out of her thoughts. Randy now kneeled next to the bed, his brown eyes full of sadness.
"I know," Randy said. "When my memory finally returned, I didn't realize that my feelings for you...would remind. I pushed along because it was a nice escape. But now..."
Paige felt her eyes water. No way was this happening. She was not Melissa.
"This is a complex puzzle," Randy said. "There has got to be a way out of it."
"The future is written," Paige said, her eyes on him. "You will meet your enemy. You will fight. You will die...with great injury to him."
Randy frowned. "But the future hasn't been written. In fact, none of what you're saying has happened yet. Who's to say it can't be changed?"
"You can't escape fate," Paige said simply.
"Maybe," Randy said. "I refuse to not try to change it...especially after that virtual reality world."
Paige turned around to look at the moonlight. What could she say? That was the world where she had betrayed him to the dark sliders.
"I've been hoping my problems would just go away," Randy admitted. "Instead, things have gotten worse. I can't do that anymore."
Randy grabbed Paige's hands.
"Paige, I love you," Randy said. "We can get through this together, but I need all of the information. Who is this enemy? How does Daniel fit into this?"
Paige looked into Randy's eyes. They pleaded with her to open up. Her mouth widened.
"I..." Paige started.
"Interrupting, I hope."
From the shadows emerged a new player...Professor Darnell Brown. He was dressed like the townspeople. That didn't stop Paige from immediately balling her hands into fists.
"And how long have you been there?" Paige demanded.
Brown stared at her, his eyes unusually alien-looking.
"Long enough, Miss Kendall," Brown said.
"Wow. So comforting," Paige said sarcastically.
"Sorry to disappoint you."
"Sorry ab--"
"Can you two put away the verbal daggers?" Randy asked. "It's been a long day and we only have two to find Melissa and Ben before--"
Brown raised a hand. Paige raised her hands to her throat. It felt like hands choked her, but none were there. She knew for sure it was Brown's doing when she looked down to see her body not on the bed, but above it.
Brown began to pace. Paige dotted her eyes to Randy. He had shot up, his eyes burning holes into Brown.
"What are you doing?" Randy demanded.
Brown turned. "What needs to be done. You...obviously...cannot."
"And you can?" Randy challenged.
Brown grinned. "If not hindered."
"Meaning?"
Brown stared at Randy. "You fear my powers."
"With good reason," Randy said. "How many times have you almost killed me?"
"How many times has she?" Brown countered.
"Let her down, Professor?"
"How long before she--"
"Let her down!"
Brown turned this back to the two of them. Paige released a gasp. Brown made it to the window.
"Fine," Brown finally said.
Paige felt like she was in freefall. Then she hit the bed like a rock hitting a deep pond. Air entered her lungs again. She let it in, her eyes narrowing on Brown.
"I...will...kill you," Paige spit out.
"With my powers and abilities constantly increasing?" Brown said, turning to look at Paige. "You wish."
"Maybe she has a point."
Brown turned to look at Randy. So did Paige. They both looked shocked.
"If your powers are not going to help us in any kind of constructive way," Randy said, "then what is the point of you having there?"
"It keeps you safe," Brown replied.
"No," Randy said with a shake of his head. "I...and Shotgun Maggie...keep me safe. You...are a hinder. And I think it is time we dealt with that."
Brown crossed his arms over his chest. Meanwhile, Paige sat up in the bed.
"What are you saying, Randy?" Paige asked.
"What I'm saying," Randy said, "is that we should neutralize the chip in his head."
Paige felt a grin crept onto her face.
"No," Brown said flatly.
"Professor--" Randy started.
"I said no!" Brown snapped "I refuse to be converted into a vegetable."
"Maybe there's a way around that," Randy said.
"Going by your double's words, there is a fifty/fifty chance I will make it," Brown said. "I do not like those odds."
"What choice do you have?" Paige asked.
Brown looked at her. "I keep my abilities. I will not be helpless like I was with the nanotechs. Never again."
"That is not going to happen," Randy said.
"Those powers have got to go," Paige said.
Brown glared at her. Then he grinned.
"Very well," Brown said. "I will go through with it...when Miss Kendall is neutralized as a threat."
Paige's eyes widened. "What?"
"Two days, Mr. Heim," Brown said, sitting on the window sill. "Think you are up to the challenge?"
Brown flew out of the window. Paige ran to the window. There was no sign of him. His words still ed.
"Paige."
Paige turned to look at Randy. His eyes were how they were before the interruption. However there was something else. Her eyes narrowed on him.
"Get out," Paige said.
"Paige--" Randy started.
"I can see it," Paige said. "Your eyes. You are so taking him up on it! You're already looking at me like I'm one of your experiments."
"But--"
"I don't think so, Randy," Paige said, moving back to her bed. "Get out."
She jumped into the bed without another word. She threw the covers over her head. She hoped he left. The sound of a click, the sound of a closing door, greeted her.
Left alone, Paige cried.
Maggie swung the hammer. It connected with the rocks, causing pieces to fall into the small stream she was in. She smiled as she saw orangish yellow chunks dot through the water. She quickly grabbed her metal pan and dipped it into the water.
A smile crept onto Maggie's face. The chunks of orange yellow were gold. She could believe she was in a world where there was actually gold and she had...
"First, Maggie?"
Maggie turned behind her. A black woman stood on the banks. She was dressed in suspenders and a long-sleeved shirt. Maggie managed a smile.
"Ready to get your hands dirty?" Maggie asked.
"Just blending in," the woman replied.
Maggie approached the banks. "So...how long you been here, Diana?"
Diana Davis crossed her arms over her chest.
"Not long," Diana replied. "I've been here long enough to get a lay of the land. How's Randy Heim?"
"Alive," Maggie said.
"And you left him along with the other two? Is that wise given their agendas?"
"I don't see Darnell or Paige pulling anything," Maggie said, climbing onto the bank. "They keep each other in check. So Heim is safe."
"For now," Diana said.
"Any news?" Maggie asked.
"Mallory did a raid last night," Diana said. "The 'Maggs do not appear to have pinpointed you yet. But that can change with those cyberaids."
"Yeah," Maggie agreed. "We had to deal with one. Randy and I barely got rid of it last time."
"Well...it's time that changed," Diana said.
Maggie frowned. "Meaning?"
"While I was here, I took the liberty to use the PDL to study Miss Kendall," Diana said. "I think it is definitely time to bring Randy into the loop. However...Kendall...and especially Brown...are expendable."
Maggie did not know what to say. Diana touched her shoulder. Her eyes were full of sadness.
"I know," Diana said as if she read Maggie's mind. "Sadly, this is war. And what did you use to tell me? It's them or us."
Maggie laughed bitterly. "That's easy for you to say. You know Brown will see me coming a mile away."
Diana reached into her pocket. She held up an object in her hand that resembled a small ear receiver. She grinned at Maggie.
"Not with this," Diana replied.
Brown frowned as he watched the various settlers mining the pond for gold. He remembered reading about the Gold Rush in US History. This was a beautiful recreation of it. There was nothing like greed.
"Well, I'm surprised."
Brown turned around. Dressed like one of the boys was Paige. She glared at him.
"I thought you would be pushing Randy to hurry up and take care of me," Paige said.
"In due time, little ."
"Wow! Big talk."
"I am not the one who is scared," Brown replied. "You are the one who is on borrowed time."
Paige arched an eyebrow. "Am I?"
"Mr. Heim will uncover all of your secrets, my dear," Brown said. He focused on her. "And if not..."
It was like aiming a gun and firing. Brown grabbed Paige's mind with his own. Paige only had time to gasp as Brown tore at the defenses of Paige's mind.
"You...can't!" Paige gasped.
"At the time...I could not," Brown said, feeling warm all over. "I've become much more powerful...and as a consequence..."
It was a light over her mind. Brown went through it. He gasped in surprise.
Paige fell down. Sweat moved into his eyes to burn. He stared over at Paige. She gasped repeatedly. Her eyes fixed on him and narrowed.
"Accept it, Mr. Brown," Paige said. "This will...always be a...stalemate."
"What is going on?"
Brown sat up as Maggie came through the woods. Her pants were wet. She held a pan in her hands. Still it did not stop her from glaring at them.
"Have you both lost your mind?" Maggie asked.
Paige laughed as she sat up on the ground.
"Don't you know?" Paige asked. "We're all on a time limit. Randy can't 'take care of me'...Brown gets to keep his powers that he sue to violate others."
"What?" Maggie said.
"You have to agree, Miss Beckett, that Miss Kendall is a dangerous liability to our reaching Earth Prime."
Maggie put one of her hands on her hips. "So are you."
Brown glared.
"Look...your double should be getting word from the militia," Maggie said. "How about you take my pan and see if any of this gold is real while Paige and I join them in the search for Melissa and Ben?"
"No way," Paige protested.
"You know what?" Maggie said, handing the pan to Brown. Then she faced Paige. "I could leave brown to finish what he started."
"You wouldn't?"
"Would I? Time's ticking. Anything to help a cause. This is a war after all."
Paige glared at Maggie. Then she stormed away. Brown stared at Maggie. She still had not said anything.
"Do not even read my mind," Maggie said. "Just do what you're told."
Maggie stormed away in the direction Paige took. Brown stared after her. He felt his forehead wrinkle up.
Speaking of liability, it would appear there was another he had not seen. Perhaps it would be in his best interest to take care of it before Heim finish...
Brown shook his head. His eyes widened as he realized what he considered just then. He stared after Maggie again.
Were the others right? Was he still Darnell Brown?
Randy grunted. He tried one more time, but the screw would not go back into the socket. He screamed and threw the device at he door. It missed and hit the wall, shattering into pieces. Randy gasped as he saw Ethan leaning in the door.
"I am happy you missed," Ethan said.
"Ethan...hey," Randy managed. "I didn't hear you come in." He looked down. "Sometimes...with my invention..."
Ethan leaned down on the wooden floors. He started picking up the pieces.
"No need," Ethan said. "I know how you can get when you get into an invention. It's like the whole world falls away." He stood up. "I got used to it years ago. Melissa thought..."
Ethan put the piece on the table Randy sat at. Randy stared at the pieces. Nothing was going right. It was to be a kind of brain reducer, a way to allow access to Paige's mind. This was the wrong world to create one. And with his mind on Melissa and Ben...
Melissa...
A hand on Randy's shoulder brought him back to reality. He saw Ethan's grey eyes in front of him. He now kneeled in front of him.
"We will find her," Ethan said. "I promise. The militia should be almost here." He managed a smile and leaned forward. "However...I would be lying if I did not admit...I hope it takes a while." He was so close to Randy that Randy could feel his breath. "It has been a while since we had some time to ourselves."
Randy felt his jaw drop. At the same time, Ethan's lips touched his.
A click sounded through the cabin. Ethan jumped back. Randy turned to look at the door.
Paige stood in the door. Her arms were crossed over her chest. Her eyes were narrowed on Randy.
"I just thought you would like to know," Paige said icily, "the militia is here. Maggie and I...even Beatrice...are going to be part of the search. I thought you might want to as well." Her eyes fall on Ethan. "I see your mind is elsewhere."
Randy looked at Ethan. He managed a smile.
"I guess I better go and meet--" Ethan started.
"Don't bother," Paige said. "I got it."
Randy shot up. "Paige--"
Paige swung around. "No explanation, Randall. I get it. I have myself. Big surprise."
Paige stormed out of the door. Randy stared for a moment. Ethan headed for the door.
"We will find Melissa," Ethan said.
Ethan was gone. As the door shut, Randy stared after it. It was like a man in quicksand. He felt helpless.
"Well...this is a surprise."
Melissa grunted. Then she opened her eyes. One of the mud-faced men stood outside the door. His face was shrouded in shadows. His posture looked weirdly familiar so Melissa sat up.
"So...you people speak English?" Melissa asked.
"Just I, Miss Clark," the man replied.
Melissa frowned. "How do you know my last name?"
"Simple, Miss Clark," the man said. "I know Melissa Clark...well, the Melissa Clark and Randy Heim of this dimension...because I killed them."
The posture of the man changed. Melissa thought she could make out something close to eyes. They glared at her from the shadows. She frantically searched for Ben. He was too far away, asleep.
"That means two things," the man said "One...you are a slider. Two...Professor Darnell Brown is among your ranks." The man stepped forward. "Where is he?"
"Yup! That's real gold!"
Brown managed a smile. He never did like doubles of Conrad Bennish, Jr. They were too eccentric fro his taste. However seeing the bearded well-dressed man in front of him gave him hope that there were other well-behaved doubles out there.
Brown waited as Bennish turned away to the safe behind him. He opened it, revealing large rolls of what could only be money. As Bennish counted out change, brown monitored his mind. There was nothing hostile there. His eyes widened in surprise. A thought caught his attention.
I WONDER IF I'LL STRIKE IT RICH AT THE PONE AND BE LIKE MR. BROWN.
"You might," Brown said.
Bennish turned. His forehead wrinkled up as his face frowned.
"Huh?" Bennish said.
"You...you just have that look," Brown said. "Gee, I wish I was like him."
Bennish closed the safe. He fingered through the dollar bills in his hands.
"Who doesn't want to be like you, Mr. Brown?" Bennish asked. "You researched the area. You befriended the natives...even learned their language. You tricked them into it well. They showed you the gold. You wired St. Louis and we all on our way...wanted to forefill the American dream."
Bennish put the money down on the counter. Brown felt his eyes widen. The rolls of bills were fifty dollar bills...not the one dollars he thought they were. He looked at Bennish. Bennish grinned at him. The look reminded Brown of a lunatic.
"You are what we all strive to be, Mr. Brown," Bennish said.
"Uh...thank you, Mr. Bennish," Brown managed. "I best be on my way. The militia awaits."
Brown turned quickly. His feet made him it to the door and out rapid enough. His mind was haunted by Bennish's crazed eyes. Perhaps he was no different than other Bennish doubles after all. It made him think of the dark sliders' world.
Brown rubbed the back of his neck. The Kromaggs had planted a small device at the base of his skull. Shaped like a pebble, the device gave Brown extraordinary abilities that made a deadly agent of theirs. People who tried to remove it found out the hard way.
At first, Brown was amazed at the abilities. After dying, it was the perfect balance to go from being powerless to being powerful. He could do anything.
And as Melissa pointed out on the dark sliders' world...power corrupts. Brown thought he was better than that. He was wrong.
Now...for the sake of the others...should he give up his powers? Give them up before his stubborn pride gets them in trouble?
Maggie walked through the bushes slowly. Her hands gripped the rifle tight. Nearby Ethan did the same.
"I can't believe you have me out here."
Maggie turned around to look at Paige.
"I can't have you two killing each other," Maggie said, turning back around. "There are more important things to think about now."
"To leave Randy along back there though with him?" Paige said with a hint of disbelief in her voice. "What if Brown goes Agent of the Kromagg Dynasty on Randy?"
"He won't."
"How do you--"
"Hey!" Ethan hissed. "We found something."
Maggie paused. Ahead of her, two of the settlers stood over a solitary bush. One of them kneeled. He took the wooden back of his rifle and brought it down hard. Maggie heard a cling. Her eyes narrowed.
"Metal," Maggie muttered.
"Metal?" Paige said, standing next to her. "If these natives are primitive, how--"
Suddenly, a sound rang through the air. She recognized it instantly. A scream rang through the air. Maggie looked to her right as Beatrice went down.
"Beatrice!" Ethan yelled.
"Everyone, down!" Maggie yelled. "Before--"
Too late. More laser fire shot out of the trees in front of her. She ducked it easily. Screams behind her told Maggie some of the settlers weren’t as lucky.
"What in the world?" Paige said beside her on the ground. "How do they have lasers?"
Maggie looked at Paige. Paige must have recognized the look. Her eyes widened.
"No," Paige muttered. "Randy."
Randy blinked. He had had little success with the device he needed for Paige. He could not say the same for this one. It looked like a mini-staff. Now if he could get close enough to Brown...
"Impressive."
Randy turned away from the table. A man stood in the door. As the man came into the light, Randy saw it was one of the mud-faced man. He stood up quickly.
"You speak English," Randy said.
The man snarled at Randy. Randy frowned. That snarl was all too familiar. The man grinned.
"You recognize me," the man said. "Good." The man's form morphed before Randy's eyes. It turned into the form of Kerus. He pulled out a knife.
"Don't make this easy, Terran," Kerus said. "Any excuse to kill you."
"Are you okay?" Ben asked.
Melissa looked over at Ben. Her eyes said it all. Ben crawled to her quickly and hugged her.
"Don't you go weak on me," Ben said. "You told me to be strong. You do the same."
Melissa did not know what to say. That man...the danger they were all in. She was worried about Randy.
Maggie shot up. She fired instantly, causing fire to cease from the trees.
"Fire back!" Maggie barked.
Several of the settlers opened fire on the trees. A few quick yelps let her know they found their targets.
Laserfire shot out from the trees. Maggie ducked again. She turned to where Paige had been...to find her gone.
Would she go to help Randy...or kill him?
Laserfire shot over her head again. Maggie looked to her left. Ethan cried over his wife. She crawled over to the nearest tree, slid upward, and swung around. She fired on the trees again, her eyes on the solitary bush. She hoped it was a door because she was about to make a run for it.
DO NOT WORRY, MISS BECKETT. I HAVE THIS WELL IN HAND.
Maggie only had enough time to frown. The bush exploded. The metal door flew off into some bushes. A shadow flew over her head. Maggie looked up in time to see it was Brown. He landed in the hole.
Maggie reached into her pocket. She pulled out Diana's device.
It was time.
"Did you think you could run from me forever, Human?" Kerus demanded.
"Wasn't running," Randy said.
Kerus approached. "I owe you blood. After the Dynasty s your mind for the weapon you created on that world, I will have it."
Randy stared in the corner. There was a single rifle. He looked at Kerus.
"I'm not giving your anything, 'Magg," Randy said. "In fact...I might just take. Didn't you use to have a cyberaid?"
A whir sounded through the room. A red vortex opened across Randy's path to the gun. A figure emerged. It looked like a man with an orange jumpsuit, but wires popped out all over it. His eyes had no sockets as they stared at Randy with no emotion.
"His aid has since been replaced, Heim Prime," the cyber aid said. "Your attempt for the weapon is transparent."
The cyberaid threw up a hand. Randy felt invisible arms grab him. Then he flew through the air, hitting the wall. He screamed as pain shot through his back. He fell to the floor. Randy grunted and looked up. The cyberaid had his eyes on Kerus.
"Kersh wants this one immediately," the cyberaid said. "The Agent has been captured."
"I do not follow Kersh's every order," Kerus snapped.
"But you follow General Kesh," the cyberaid replied. He waved a hand, causing another red vortex to appear. "We leave."
The door shot open. Before Kerus could react, Paige was on him. She rolled on the floor, swinging her leg out at the last moment. Like a wooden staff, it caught Kerus. He tripped and fell. Paige's eyes fell on the cyberaid...whom own eyes widened.
"Oh my...your energy!" the cyberaid exclaimed. "It spikes. Kersh will want to see that as well."
Paige lunged at the cyberaid. They fell into the vortex.
"Paige!" Randy yelled.
Randy shot up. He ran for the vortex. A hand grabbed him by the throat.
"Guess who's next?" Kerus hissed.
MISS CLARK?
Melissa shot up in Ben's arms. He stared down at her.
"Melissa?" Ben muttered.
GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR.
"Move," Melissa said as she ran for the farthest wall.
"But--" Ben started.
"Ben!" Melissa snapped.
"Coming!" Ben yelled, running after her.
Ben was almost to Melissa when the door exploded in a blast of blue light. He flew through the air, hitting the wall. He slid to the floor. She ran to him.
"Ben?" Melissa said.
Ben stared at her. "Rebel or not, I don't remember these many surprises pre-you."
Melissa smiled. "Get used to it."
ARE YOU TWO COMING?
Ben's eyes widened. "'Curiouser and curiouser...'"
Melissa grabbed his arm. "Come on, goofball."
Ben shot up. Melissa headed for the door. They made it outside the cell. She took one look at the layout and knew where she was.
"You recognize it as well?"
Melissa turned to her left. Brown leaned against the wall, his arms over his chest. he stopped and approached.
"Yes," Melissa said. "I know where we are."
"Well, could someone tell me?" Ben asked.
Brown and Melissa turned around.
"In the multiverse, there are a race of sliders...an offshoot of humanity...called the Kromaggs. This is one of their ships."
"They're dangerous, Ben," Melissa said. "They're the ones who conquered our world."
Suddenly, the hall rumbled. Melissa lost her balance. A hand grabbed her and jerked. She turned to see that it was Brown.
"I think we best be away," Brown said.
Melissa nodded. She turned with Brown. They both paused. A figure stood in the entrance of the hallway.
"Leave?" the figure said. "How can you leave, Darnell? You just arrived."
Melissa looked at Brown. He frowned at the figure.
"Who..." Brown started.
The figure started to walk forward.
"Your savior...indirectly of course," the figure said. "I was the one who planted the device that grants you your abilities."
Brown glared. Suddenly, he threw up his arms. The floor in front of the figure exploded. Melissa covered her face from the blast of light. She took a peek. The Kromagg known as Dr. Kersh stood unharmed. He smirked.
"Do you really think I would make you one of our agents without safeguards?" Kersh demanded. "Have you forgotten Colin already?"
The hall rumbled again.
"What's going on?" Melissa demanded.
"We are leaving," Kersh said. "The Heim Prime is ours."
"No!" Brown snapped.
Figures entered the doorway of the hallway. Melissa felt her eyes widen. It was Kerus. He had a knife to Randy's throat.
"I believe so," Kersh said. "And with the Heim Prime, the worlds are ours. Now...it is time for you to choose. You see...your usefulness is done. Stay with the Dynasty and you can keep your abilities. Refuse...and your powers...as well as your friends' lives are forfeit."
"Are you nuts?" Ben asked.
Melissa looked at Brown. His face was blank, lost in thought.
"We should kill him," Kerus said.
"Not your choice, Kerus," Kersh said. His eyes fell on Brown. "Well, Darnell?"
Brown looked down. His mind raced. Randy was in their hands. His foolishness had allowed this to happen. If he had only trusted Heim's judgment.
Maybe he could use his powers for a good cause...instead of letting it consume him.
"I...cannot harm you," Brown said, staring up at Kersh. He sounded calm. "however...you cannot say the same for others."
Brown's eyes narrowed on Kerus. A scream escaped the Humagg's lips. His body muscles tensed, causing Kerus to drop the night. Randy ran for the group.
"No!" Kerus snapped.
Randy's body halted in mid-air as if someone grabbed him. He grunted as if someone squeezed.
"Randy!" Melissa cried.
"Your move, Darnell," Kersh said. "Release Kerus or I will exterminate the Heim Prime."
"I think not," Brown said. "You need him."
A red vortex opened next to Kersh. Two figures emerged. Brown recognized Paige and what appeared to be a cyberaid. He had dealt with one before. Not again. He focused on Kerus. Then...he pulled.
"What are you--" Kerus started.
Kerus exploded.
Randy dropped to the floor. He had time to see Kersh fly into the wall, his body covered with Kerus's blood. He turned to Brown.
"What did you--" Randy started.
"Wow!" Ben exclaimed. "That was...wow!"
Randy stared back. Paige was knocked out on the floor. So was the cyberaid.
"Paige!" Randy cried.
He ran to her. He hoped the explosion of flesh and blood had not hurt her.
"Mr. Heim!" Brown yelled.
Randy turned to face Brown. He glared at Paige.
"You better hope that explosion didn't hurt her," Randy warned.
Brown's eyes widened as he stared at Randy. Melissa stared at randy as if he lost his mind. Brown’s eyes narrowed.
"I see," Brown said coldly. "Have you completely forgotten everything I taught you?"
Randy felt his hands ball up. "This is not a classroom, Professor."
"Is it?"
"Guys!" Melissa cut in. "Ship getting ready to take off. You can argue later."
"How do we get out anyway?" Ben asked.
"I know the way," Brown said.
"And he should trust you why?"
Randy turned to face the entrance to the hallway. Maggie stood in the door. Her eyes were not on Randy. They looked at Brown.
"Miss Beckett," Brown said dryly.
"Answer the question, Darnell," Maggie continued.
"Guys--"
"Answer the question!" Maggie snapped.
Brown stared at Maggie. "You...are blank. Why is that?"
"That would be because Diana finally made contact," Maggie explained.
"What?" Randy said, his eyes turning on Maggie.
"Diana's alive?" Melissa asked.
Maggie nodded. "We just need to get off this ship. But...we need to be sure if Brown's on the level."
"I am," Brown said.
Maggie pulled a device out of her pocket. It looked like a receiver that you put in the ear.
"Okay," Maggie said. "Prove it."
"What is--" Brown started.
"You know what it is already," Maggie said. "Diana wanted me to...it's your choice, Brown. Live normal...or not."
"Or not at all."
The cyberaid shot up. Before Maggie could react, she flew into the wall. Randy's eyes widened as the cyberaid tuned into him, a hand raised.
The destroyed floor in front of Randy exploded again. He covered his face. When he dared to look, Randy saw there was a hole. Grass was there...grass that was quickly becoming smaller.
JUMP.
Randy looked at Brown. He was suddenly beside him. Before Randy could react, Brown pushed him out.
"Miss Beckett."
Maggie opened her eyes. She was in Brown's arms. He headed for a hole in the floor.
"Where's--" Maggie started.
"On the ground," Brown explained. "I need to drop you and get Miss Ken--"
Maggie pulled out a small gun. "Can't let you. Did you--"
Brown stared at Maggie. "Can you not tell?" He turned his head, hoping she saw the blood from the base of his skull. He turned to look at her. "Now we--"
"Such a waste."
Brown turned to see Kersh. He waved a hand, sending Brown and Maggie through the hole.
"Are you okay?"
Randy blinked. Ethan stood over him. He looked away.
"Isaac, bring the stretcher!" Ethan yelled.
"I'm okay," Randy said.
Ethan looked into the sky. The manta ship was hitting sky fast. "What was--"
Two figures hit the ground. Randy recognized Maggie as she got off of Brown. He ran over quickly and grabbed Brown.
"Isaac, stretcher!" Ethan barked.
"Where's Paige?" Randy demanded.
"Spiked energy studied and analyzed," the cyberaid's voice sounded through Paige's mind.
Paige blinked. She saw white ceiling. She shot up to find she was tied to a table. Inhuman men in black stood over her.
Her eyes narrowed. Humaggs.
"I see...you have awakened."
Paige looked to her right. She saw a Kromagg in a suit. She recognized the Kromagg as a female and the suit as a result of Rembrandt Brown's own revenge: airborne virus. Little would he know that years later the virus would die out allowing the Kromaggs to rise again.
"She is full of what you expected, General Kesh," the cyberaid said to the Kromagg female.
"Good," Kesh said. "We may have lost the Heim Prime, but it appears we might have found a way to wipe out the human race after all." Her eyes fell on Paige. "So...tell me about your traveling capabilities...time-traveler?"
THE-END
Back to Season 4