Sliders Unlimited
Unbounded Earth, Unbounded Nation
Part Two:
A Fanfic Sliders Spinoff By: Zarpell
Three people, brought together by chance flew through the shimmering red
vortex, three people by the names of John Cross, Conrad Bennish, Donna
Chan, and Ian Arturo. The new experience of feeling the rush of
streaking along the vortex gave Bennish a sudden feeling of thrillness.
The three twisted and turned around many corners, relaying the feeling of
being on a roller coaster.
“Ahhhhh!” Donna screamed covering her eyes throughout the wild ride.
Bennish tried to get to her, but couldn't. The g-forces were too much to
over come.
“I'm right here, Babe!” he yelled.
Quietness sat in an alley way, conflicting with the rattling sound a
shopping cart filled with junk made as it was being pushed by a homeless
person. Suddenly, the a loud thunderous sound dominated the conflict.
An area of space in the alley began to turn and distort, and soon formed
a brightly colored red swirl. Wind began to gust throughout the small
alley, tossing trash and other debris into the air. The three people
were suddenly thrown from the void, one after another. John was the
first to exit, followed by Bennish, who landed in a dumpster, then Ian,
and Donna who landed on top of him.
“What a ride!” Bennish said climbing from the mucky dumpster.
“Uh... excuse me,” Donna said as she opened her eyes realizing the
compromising situation she and Ian was in. She climbed up and helped
Bennish out.
Getting his bearings, John looked in Ian’s direction and noticed the
timer laying near him.
“We've got a problem, Bennish,” he said walking over and picking it up
while giving Ian a hard stare. The timer’s small square gray LCD screen
was blank. “The timer is inoperable.”
“It must have been damaged in the landing,” Bennish replied.
“What just happened?!” Ian inquired.
“That’s what I'd like to...,” Donna added but was soon interrupted.
Unexpectedly, another figure flew out of the void, landing flat on his
butt. Soon after, the vortex closed.
His long shaggy hair obscured his face; however, the person looked very
familiar to Donna.
“Who are you?” John said.
The figure stumbled into a trash can as he made his way up.
“You?” Donna said surprised.
The teenager suddenly lost consciousness, and met the ground once more.
Time passed, unfolding events that would shape these lives.
John and Ian entered the semi-crowded Academy Hotel’s lobby. John kept
his distance as Ian followed him still shocked at what he had
experienced.
“...So you're telling me that we're on another planet?” Ian questioned.
John’s face frowned as he grew annoyed. “No, same planet, different
dimension.” he grumbled as they approached the check-in desk. The two
checked in and made their way to their room. John pulled the timer from
his shirt’s pocket and set it on a table nearby.
“This is all too bizarre,” Ian mumbled under his breathe.
“Quiet, I have to think!” John replied. “You've done enough damage.”
“Damage?! You people refused to tell me what I needed to know, something
that you are still doing!”
John’s eyes locked that of Ian’s. “I've got to repair the timer.” John
sternly pointed his finger in Ian’s direction. “You stay out of my way.”
An ambulance screeched in front of Community Hospital’s front entrance.
It’s doors swung open, and two EMT’s forced a small wheeled bed, who held
an unnamed teen, out and into the hospital. They were followed by
Bennish, and a distress and confused Donna.
“Who’s that kid?” Bennish asked as he held the door opened for her.
Laying her hand across her brow as if in peril, she answered. “That’s
the kid who stole my car!”
“What? How’d he wind up with us?”
“How am I supposed to know?!”
A nurse interrupted their conversation. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I
have to ask for the boy’s name, and medical information.”
“Oh, we don’t know either,” Donna replied.
“...We just met the kid,” Bennish interjected.
The nurse looked at Bennish strangely, and spoke, “Haven’t I seen you
before?”
Bennish shrugged and gazed at the ground. “I don’t think so, lady.”
“You look awfully familiar,” the nurse said with a piercing glare.
“Anyway, the boy’s family needs to be notified. We’ll have to inform the
police to look for them.”
“You go, Bennish,” Donna said giving him a look. “I’ll stay here with
the kid.”
“Excuse me,” Bennish said to the nurse as he began to take Donna aside.
“You don’t know the story, Donna. I mean, you really don’t know the
story behind what just happened.”
“You’re right,” Donna said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “Care
to explain?” She ended with a firm look on her face.
Bennish gave a quick worried glance, and then looked at the woman he had
come to specially know. “We’re on a parallel Earth,” he boldly stated.
“What?!” Donna exerted shockingly.
“Another Earth... we’re on another Earth.” he said. “That thing we flew
through, it was a tunnel. I guess you could say a wormhole.”
Donna gave a muffled laugh. “You’re kidding?” The look on Bennish’s
face told her otherwise. “We’re on another planet?!” Donna suddenly
spoke. Various attendants and patients of the hospital gave them a quick
suspicious glance at the sudden strange outburst.
“No, same planet, different dimension.” Bennish said, as he made his way
to the entrance. “There’s more to the story, like dopplergangers and
such, but I have to go. He quickly gave Donna a short kiss and made his
way out the hospital. “I’ll be at the Academy, John’s probably trying to
repair the timer, so we can make it home.”
With that, Donna stood alone dazed and confused.
“Today’s top story, Japan’s defiance continues...” an anchorman rang
from a television set which sat in the upper corner of the bar of the
Academy Hotel. The words only seem to be lost among the bustle, as Ian
sat contemplating over a beer.
“So you’re out here, father,” he thought to himself. “Stranded
somewhere in the multi verse living your life. Just like you lived your
life when I was a child, isolated and alone.” Ian took a swig of beer as
he deeply reflected to himself.
A taxi slowed as it approached a street barricaded with a rambunctious
crowd of protesters, a scene mirrored by other vehicles. The cabby honk
powerfully on the horn, but to no response.
“Get outta the way!” he yelled.
Bennish sat in the back seat curiously looking at the crowd. “I think
I’ll walk,” he said paying the fee and climbing from the cab. He made
his way through the crowd, but was urged to stop due to a sudden voice
heard over a loud speaker.
“We cannot allow these tyrants to keep using these strong arm tactics!”
the voice which Bennish recognized as female shouted. The crowd roared
in agreement, many individuals threw up their fists and waved signs.
He trekked through the assembly, noticing a news anchorman and camera
man established nearby. Bennish gazed in the direction of the voice, and
saw a young woman standing on the steps of a building, the American
Embassy. She was somewhat petite, with short length brunette hair. “She
looks like the kind of girl I’d ask out, of course if I weren’t with
Donna, not that I don’t want to be with Donna,” Bennish thought, thinking
that the woman was beautiful. “I can’t let myself get wrapped up in this
confusion,” Bennish continued to think as he made himself around the news
crew and away from the crowd. “My priority is to get this whole thing
with the Timer straightened out and get Donna home, then find out all I
can about that Ian guy.”
John took off his glasses, slightly slung them on the table in
frustration, and rubbed his worn eyes. He crossed his arms across his
chest and leaned back in his chair. A disassembled timer sat before him
in two halves. “Bennish, you better get your tired butt back here.” He
said to himself as he climbed from his seat and made his way out of the
hotel room. “Sliding is your life’s work, not mine.”
Ian sat at the bar looking at the news report, laying aside his tension
and hostility aside.
“It’s really something ain’t it?” the bartender said approaching as he
notice where Ian’s attention was focused.
“Uh, yeah, I-I guess so.” he replied surprised at that the bartender was
the same one as before. For a split second that made him wonder if John
was wrong about being on a different Earth.
“Japs are taking the country I tell you.”
Not wanting to get into a debate about something he knew nothing about
Ian agreed.
“They’re blood suckers trying to leech the American economy.
Bloodsuckers I tell you!”
John, who caught Ian’s attention, entered the bar.
“Excuse me,” Ian said rising from his seat and meeting John. “I’m sorry
about this whole situation, John,” Ian murmured. “I thought I was so
close after being so far from my father. My impulses tore through my
body.”
John looked at him with an annoyed look and motioned for him to sit at
a table nearby. He gave out a deep sigh. “I can understand your
eagerness. I see the same thing in Bennish at times.”
“I’m glad you understand,” he replied.
“I understand, but that still doesn’t excuse you from interfering in
matters you didn’t understand.”
“Matters I didn’t understand?” Ian voiced. “I understood that you
people knew information about my father’s disappearance! I understood
that you were keeping it under wraps!”
John sighed again, “This isn’t going to get us anywhere. The timer is
our first priority.”
“Speaking of the device, can it be repaired?”
“One of the power cells and an important micro chip are damaged. Who
knows what affect it could have on the data received in Quinn’s basement,
or the timer’s ability to enable one to choose their destination and
track wormholes.”
“What does that mean for us?” Ian asked.
John hesitated before he answered. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come
to it.”
A familiar voice yelled nearby, “Criss Cross!” .
John and Ian looked in it’s direction, finding Bennish in the lobby of
the Academy.
Before John could answer, Bennish was suddenly grabbed by three figures
dressed in black military clothing. John and Ian quickly ran towards the
scene as he was dragged outside and tossed into a black van, which sped
off. The two stood on the curb in bewilderment.
“One problem just multiplied.” Ian added.
Donna sat next to the semiconscious teenager who laid in a hospital bed.
“Urrrrrg,” he groaned in weakness.
She perked her head closer, trying to make out what he was trying to
say, if anything. “It’s ok, kiddo,” she replied wondering why she was
here consoling the thief who car jacked her only hours before. “The docs
say you only have a concussion. From what, I have know idea. I’d sure
like to know how you wound up here with us.”
“Maaa-mammm,” he mumbled.
“Sorry, I don’t know what you’re trying to say. I’m that way with most
guys,” she said trying to make a small joke. “Boy, have I a story for
you! One you’ll have to believe after the little ride you took with us!”
The van slowed speed as it gained distance to a location that was
obviously a mystery to Bennish. “What the heck do you guys think you
are?!” he yelled cowering on the floor of the vehicle.
“Shut up, you Un American!” one of the figures ordered.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but you ain’t gonna be anybody real
soon,” another added. The others laughed in agreement.
The timer sat in John’s shirt pocket as he and Ian stood at the desk to
check out.
“We’re going to have to find Bennish, but how?” Ian whispered.
“Those guys looked like the military. If they are we probably can’t
trust the cops either.”
“If all this parallel stuff is true, which I am beginning to truly
belive, maybe Bennish’s double is some sort of crook. Maybe they
mistaken him for your Bennish.”
“No, I don’t think so. What could this world’s Bennish have done to
have the military arrest him?”
The clerk approached them, interrupting their conversation. “May I help
you?”
“Yes, we’d like to check out.” Ian replied, noticing that the clerk
began to look at them strangely.
“Uh sure, would you please wait here,” she answered as she walked away
and then picked up a phone on a nearby desk.
“What do you think that’s about?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not sticking around to find out.” John said
noticing the clerk gazing at them in a worried look as she spoke on the
phone. John and Ian began to back away and soon hurriedly left the
hotel. Moments later another black van appeared in the Academy’s
vicinity. John and Ian ducked within an alley, watching as it stopped
and it’s two occupants climbed out. They were dressed in the same
military uniforms as the others.
“They’re after us.” John said. “They must have figured out from the
clerk that we’re with Bennish.”
The military men armed themselves with rifles and split up.
“We have to get out of here.” John declared.
“My thoughts precisely.” Ian agreed as they discretely left the
alleyway. They melded within the various peoples about, trying to act
casually.
“Criss Cross, eh?” Ian mumbled as they made their open escape.
“It’s a nic name.”
“Obviously.”
“It’s a long story and now’s not the time to get into it,” John said
looking over his shoulder.
“Do you see any of them?”
“No, just keep moving.”
Unaware to the duo, another van crept up along the street, one of its
occupants peered among the bustle.
“At first sight, I never expected that Bennish was such a man of
science.” Ian said trying to make conversation.
“Bennish has his own style and let’s people know that it’s there, that’s
what makes him unique, kind of like your father.”
Ian’s brow turned in curiosity. “My father, there are too many words in
the english vocabulary to describe my father.”
“Stop the vehicle. I’ve spotted them,” the occupant watching them
signaled his affiliates inside. The vehicle slowed to a stop and the back
doors opened, only the barrel of a rifle appeared from within.
Reflecting on his thoughts of his father, Ian inadvertently looked
around and caught the a glimpse of the rifle.
“John, get down!” Ian yelled as he lunged and pushed John to the ground
just as a shot from a rifle tore through the air. People scattered and
yelled as the military figures stormed out, portraying themselves to be
peacekeepers of the chaotic scene.
“Clear the area!” many of them commanded.
“These guys are serious!” Ian said.
“Let’s get out of here!” John replied as they climbed from the ground
and took off. The men soon caught sight of them and began chasing,
shooting off rounds in their direction.
John and Ian dodged behind parked cars, and around street corners; only
to find their pursuers right behind. They tore along the walkway, and
quickly dashed into the street, where they came to an abrupt halt. A car
screeched and it’s driver flung the passenger side door open.
“Get in!” the driver who was a young man ordered. “I’m a friend!”
Having no choice, the two companions climbed in and the car screeched
off.
After going out for a cup of coffee, Donna reentered the young teen’s
hospital room, surprised to see him perched up and awake.
“Nice to see you wide eyed.” Donna greeted.
“No disrespect, but you the hell are you?” the teenager replied. “The
last thing I remember....” He stopped as certain scenes flashed in his
mind.
“What do you remember?” Donna said with a smirk.
“You?”
“Remember how you stole my car?”
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m gett’n outta here!”
the teen said trying to climb out of bed.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Donna stated blocking him from doing so.
“How soon are the cops going to be here, lady?”
“Cops? If this were any other situation, I would’ve called the cops with
the quickness, but this isn’t just any situation.”
“No cops? What’s going on? What’s the catch?”
Donna sat in the chair beside the bed once more; her face grew serious.
“You really don’t remember do you?”
“Duhh!”
“Have an open mind...” Donna said then paused trying to coax a name from
the teen. “What should I call you?”
“Why should I tell you my name?”
“Trust me, I’m ticked off at the fact that you jacked me, but that’s not
on the top of my list of problems at the moment. If it were, don’t you
think the cops would be here by now?”
The teenager looked suspicious, thinking if he could really take her
word. “Tylo, the name’s Tylo Thomas.”
“My name’s Donna. Ok Tylo, have an open mind.” Donna hesitated then
continued. “I can’t sugar coat this, so I’ll just say it. We’re on
another Earth.”
Tylo began to snicker.
“Sure, another Earth, whatever.”
“Believe me. Somehow, some hole opened up and sucked us to a parallel
Earth. This is Earth but not our Earth. We’re in another dimension. My
boyfriend, the long haired guy, if you remember, can explain it all to
you better than I.”
“I still must be....” Tylo was soon interrupted by another flash back.
Images of hiding in the cabinet and witnessing the spectacle of the
swirling red mass, as well as being sucked into the void pierced his
mind. “I’d be crazy if I believe you; however I think I do.”
Since his capture, Bennish sat in the confines of a small dreary cell,
contemplating his dilemma.
“One moment I’m breaking into the Mallory house, next thing I’m sucked
into another dimension. Was that what it was like for you, Quinn? You’re
life changed in an instant.” he thought to himself. “Something’s telling
me that it was.”
The drip of a small rusty sink gave Bennish a rhythm to relax to. The
clanging of doors down the corridor and the shuffle of people broke his
train of thought.
“Judgement day!” one of the guards said rattling the cell bars with his
night stick.
One of the others opened the cell and grabbed Bennish.
“Hey what do you think you’re doing?!” Bennish protested. A large pair
of shackles were thrown across his wrists and he was taken out from the
holding area without another word.
John and Ian were taken to what appeared to be an abandoned building.
The car stopped and all climbed out.
“Thanks for the help, but I don’t see how we’re your friends, since
we’ve never met you,” Ian said. “At least I know I have never met you.”
“You’re not a friend to me personally, but I think you people are a
friend to a cause that we have in common.” the man said leading them into
the building.
Ian looked at John perplexed. He replied with a shrugged.
“By the way, my name is Richard. You can call me Rich.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m John, this is my friend Ian.” John replied. “So,
you know anything about those guys who were after us?”
“Who doesn’t?” Rich answered. “You guys don’t know about the NWO?”
He led them towards a group of people, who were handling weapons and
working on various computers.
“I’ve brought back a couple of friends.” Rich explained to the
suspicious looking group.
“Who are these NWO?” Ian questioned.
“Where are you guys from?” Rich asked surprised that they were so
clueless.
John hesitated, “Canada.”
“Far north up in Canada,” Ian added.
“Oh that explains it, well the New World Order is an organization,
government terrorists more like it.”
“Terrorists?” John said shocked.
“A couple of years back when an asteroid was gonna hit and everyone
thought the world was going to end, Conrad Bennish Jr. somehow invented
the A-bomb and blowed the darn thing up!”
“On this worl...” John caught his words realizing how he was about to
phrase his response. “Bennish invented the A-bomb?!”
“Yeah, soon after that the government set up this organization led by
him to use the bomb as a strong arm weapon. If a country did something
the US didn’t like or didn’t cooperate with us, they would use it to make
them fall to our beckoning.”
“The United States actually used the Atomic Bomb as a method to threaten
other countries?”
“You better believe it, not only to threaten, but to conquer. They have
taken over at least seventy percent of you own country Canada, most of
South and Central America and also Africa. They are in bitter conflict
with Europe, and Asia at the moment, specifically Japan. This isn’t the
United States, not the one I know, haven’t you heard of the United States
Empire?”
A figure of a woman appeared before them nearby and walked towards them.
“Who are our friends, Rich?” she asked.
“This is John and Ian, they’re friends to the cause; however, a little
deprived of information.”
“I’m May, May Randolph.”
“Nice to meet you.” Ian said.
“So, who are you guys, a defense against this NWO?”
“We’re a defense against the NWO and the tyranny claiming to be the
United States.” May said. “We’re a loose nit group known as the Freedom
Fighters.”
Ian took John aside. “Maybe we can ask these people for help to get to
your friend?”
“We don’t know anything about these...” John was irrupted by May.
“Help? You need our help?” May said over hearing.
Ian eagerly looked at John.
“Our friend was kidnapped by this NWO,” John explained. “We couldn’t
stop them.”
“I see. They must have had some reason to believe that he was part of
the rebellion against the government. If so, it is certain that they
will execute him.”
“That can’t happen. It is important that we get to him.”
“We can help you try to get your friend back in exchange for your help
in breaking into the NWO’s stronghold.” May continued. “There are vital
A-bomb schematics, launch locations and points of impact that need to be
destroyed. Contacts have informed us that they will soon bomb Hiroshima
for Japan’s defiance.”
“Hiroshima?” Ian said. “Again?”
“What do you mean again?”
Hesitant, John added more. “I don’t know, May. We just want to get to
our friend, that’s all.”
“We can’t allow this government to kill millions of innocents. We need
as much man power we can muster up.”
John thought for a while, knowing maybe he could help those innocents
and make a change before he and his companions left. He also
contemplated about interfering in the affairs of a society he knew
nothing about. “We’ll do what we can, May.”
“I’m glad I could convince you,” she said checking various charts
nearby.
“If at all possible we need to secure components, specifically a power
unit of some kind for a device of the utmost importance.” Ian said.
“A device?” May inquired.
“A vital communications device.” Ian lied. “You must understand that it
is rather unique.” John gave Ian a stern look.
“I understand, well, their stronghold is also their research facility,
they construct A-bombs for the government there. Lately I’ve heard rumors
of them making small nuclear isotopes, a way to compact large amounts of
energy.”
John looked at Ian with the thought of powering the timer with nuclear
energy.
“I don’t know about nuclear energy, what about the radiation?” Ian
claimed.
“From what I hear, the isotopes are encased in lead, but they are still
experimental.” Rich stated.
“Come with me.” May said leading them. “Let’s get started.”
Bennish was dragged into a courtroom and made to stand before a judge
with guards on opposite sides of him. His arms and legs were shackled;
and clanged throughout the courtroom.
“Court is now in session!” a bailiff said. “The honorable Judge Nasa
preceding.” A middle aged man wearing a long black robe entered and sat
before the confused Bennish.
“The defendant is charge with treason, a serious charge!” Judge Nasa
boasted.
“Your honor, I plead innocent!” Bennish yelled. “I don;’t know what the
heck this is all about!”
“Order!” the judge commanded pounding his gavel. “Order!”
One of the guards punched Bennish in the stomach and he immediately
quieted after giving a groan.
“You took on the identity of Conrad Bennish. You are a Freedom Fighter
spy trying to infiltrate the United States government.”
“I’m not a spy.” Bennish said.
“The evidence is clear. You were seen attending a rebellion
demonstration the same time the real Conrad Bennish Jr was elsewhere.”
“I’m going on trial because I look like someone who works for your
government?”
“...You must have surgically altered your appearance and intended to
carry out your plan. The court will show leancy if you name your
accomplices.”
“I didn’t do anything!” Bennish blurted.
“This court has no choice than to sentence you to die!” the judge
declared. “Execution will be carried out as soon as possible! Get this
vermin out of my sight!” the judge ended walking out of the courtroom.
Bennish was dragged back out, as he yelled in protest.
Tylo eased from his bed and looked out the window. “So we’re suck here
on this Earth?”
“At the moment I guess you could say that.” Donna replied. “My
boyfriend and his friend are trying to repair the timer.”
“This all sounds like something outta a sci-fi plot, but worst things
have happened I guess.”
“Like Invasion.” Donna said.
Tylo frowned and continued. “That was a hard time for everyone. Either
you kill or you got killed, not that I didn’t kill anyone. I would’ve
liked to get my hands on one of those Maggots, though.”
Donna was shocked to see so much bitterness in this young man and
wondered what could he had experience to have it.
“When do I get out of here?”
“You can put your clothes on right now, they said that you could be
discharged.” Donna reported.
“Great, a little privacy if you don’t mind.” Ian said as he reached in a
nearby closet and retrieved his clothes.
Donna stepped out into the hall, finding the same nurse as before.
“The police were unlucky in finding the boy’s parents.” the nurse
stated.
“Oh, hmmm, they don’t live in San Francisco,” Donna lied. “They’re in
New York. His parents sent him to live here with his brother, my
boyfriend.”
“But I thought you said you guys just met him?” The nurse inquired.
“Yeah, we did. We just met him at the airport. We were walking across
the street to catch a cab, when this car came out of nowhere and
sideswiped him.” Donna ended hoping she would believe it.
“I see.” the nurse said, looking up at a TV hanging from a corner on the
wall.
A news report was on screen, and a two pictures of Bennish flashed on
screen. “An unknown man was apprehended today for the attempted
infiltration of the United States government. It appears that he had
surgically altered his appearance to that of Conrad Bennish Jr., inventor
of the A-bomb.” the anchorman said.
“Oh my God!” Donna thought.
The nurse turned back to Donna with a suspicious look. “I knew he
looked...” Before the she could finish, Donna yelled for Tylo, and they
shot through the corridor s of the hospital.
“Stop them! Security!” the nurse yelled.
“What is this all about?!” Tylo asked as they continued to run.
“Just run!” Donna said. “I’ll tell you later!” They ran towards the
front desk, Donna surprised to see Ian talking with one of the nurses.
He suddenly broke away and motioned outside, following them to make soon
after. He lead them to a dark colored jeep, around the corner and they
jump in. The wheels shrieked signally to security guards who just
arrived, that it had taken off.
“What going on?” Donna asked.
“Your boyfriend’s been arrested.” Ian explained. “John and me are going
to get back, and get back home, though.”
“Who are these people?” Donna said looking over the wheel at the driver
and to her sides.
“Friends, generous enough to help.”
May stood before a lighted blue print of a complex. John and Rich
listened as she explained it.
“If we don’t intercept the Prisoner Transport and your friend will be
taken here,” May said pointing to a position on the map.
“We have to intercept that transport then. Our chances of breaking in
that holding complex will be slim.” John reasoned.
“You’re right,” security will be tight.
May set up another map. “The transport will be journeying this route.”
she said pointing to another location of the map. “They like to change
their routes; however we have notice a pattern to their transports. We
are going to be here, here, and right here.” She continued pointing out
various areas.
“An ambush, I like it?” Rich said.
“It’s the only way.” May replied.
“How do you suppose we get into the strong hold?” John inquired.
Again, she establish another map. “The stronghold has a secret entrance
in this area. It is slightly guarded due to it’s location. We should be
able to easily enter and accomplish our goal.”
“Sounds like you do your job well.” John said.
“I do what I can.”
Ian and the others entered.
“Donna.” John said. “I would’ve told you sooner, but I was, how can you
say it, occupied.”
“I understand.”
John looked over her shoulder and noticed Tylo. “Our unexpected
passenger?”
“Hey,” Tylo answered.
“I’d like to hear your story, but there are more important things at
hand at the moment.” He looked back in Donna’s direction. “We’re going to
go and get Bennish back, and then we’re going to get you home.”
“I trust you, but I want to go also, Bennish needs me.” Donna said.
“I can’t let you do that. It’s too dangerous.” John armed himself with
a pistol and walked off with the rest of the Freedom Fighters.
“We’ll be back,” Ian said to Donna and Tylo, as he followed.
Bennish sat shackled in the prisoner transport vehicle. He knew that
John had to be out looking for him, but wondered if he would get to him
in time. He thought of Donna and how he would miss her. “Maybe it’s
better that I die,” Bennish thought. “I couldn’t live with myself knowing
that I’m responsible for Donna being stranded here.” He then thought of
John. “Maybe John will get her home.”
Two guards sat nearby holding rifles and grinning at Bennish. “You
Freedom Fighters think you’re awfully clever don’t you?” one of them
said.
“I don’t know anything about the Freedom Fighters, but I they’d
obviously have to be clever than what I see in front of me.” Bennish
thought.
The transport climbed up an unpaved rocky road. Dust and sand flew into
the air as it did.
“So mind telling me what the deal is with Japan, Rich?” Ian said as they
drove towards their destination.
“You guys must be behind the times huh?” he replied. “Well, years back
Japan’s stock market crashed, and to help rebuild it’s economy the
country looked towards the U.S.. They began to flood this country with
their cheap imports, which attracted people’s attention from buying
American. The US outlawed Japanese imports, but a black market revolving
around them soon formed. Before long, a cold war erupted, which led to
outbreaks between the US and Japan over seas, which many believe will
lead to a Japanese/American war in the coming months or perhaps sooner
than that if we don’t stop the US from launching an A-bomb.”
“Talk about wanting your people to buy American,” John said.
“We’re here,” May said as the driver pulled the vehicle to a stop out of
view. All climbed out and hid in their designated spots, armed with
rifles and hand held guns.
The prisoner transport inched up, and around the winding road. May
peered from her spot.
“There it is. Everyone get ready,” she said holding out her rifle.
John gripped his pistol and looked over at Ian, who nodded that he was
ready.
Suddenly one of the Freedom Fighters ran out in front of the transport
with weapons drawn. The vehicle jolted to a halt.
“Get out!” May said as she ran up to the drivers side and pointed to
driver with her weapon.
The doors to the vehicle opened and out came the guards, the driver, and
Bennish, collectively.
“Oh my God!” May said surprised. She pointed the gun in Bennish’s
direction. “If I knew your friend was him, I’d never agreed to help you
people!”
“He isn’t who you think he is!” John interjected.
“Like hell is!”
“Why would he be shackled and taken to be executed?!” John said.
“I don’t know who you people are, but my friends are right,” Bennish
said.
“I know you just met us, but you have to believe us!” Ian said.
May paused, thinking for a moment. “Unshackle him!” she ordered the
others, who took the keys from the guards and did what she told.
“You better not be playing people!” she ended as they shackled the
guards to trees nearby, and climbed into their vehicle and sped off.
“Thanks guys,” Bennish said. “I really thought you wouldn’t make it for
a moment.”
“No problem,” John responded.
“Where’s Donna?”
“She’s safe along with our unexpected companion.”
“The kid?”
“Yeah.”
Bennish looked over at May, who was eye balling him suspiciously. “I
know you,” he said.
May perked an eyebrow.
“You were speaking at that rally.”
“Yes, I was.” May answered. “You were there?”
“Kinda.”
“So, how does your friend here look so much like or famous Conrad
Bennish Jr., care to explain?” Rich said.
“Long story,” John retorted.
“Don’t they say that everyone has a doppleganger?” Ian said. “Well, I
guess you can say he is Bennish’s.”
Sometime later, the vehicle reached the Freedom Fighters headquarters.
Donna and Tylo sat outside waiting for them to arrive. Bennish and the
others climbed out and, Donna ran towards Bennish, giving him a huge hug.
“I was worried,” she said.
“I know, babe.”
“When are we going to get outta here?”
“Soon,” John solemnly answered for Bennish, who looked over Donna’s
shoulder at Tylo.
“You’re the kid who...” Bennish began.
“Not now, there are more important things that we have to deal with,”
Donna claimed. “Beside’s I’m coming this time. I have to make sure
you’re alright.”
John took Bennish and Ian aside. “You might want her and the kid to go
this time. We may need to slide from the stronghold when we get the new
power supply,” he whispered.
“You’re right, Cross,” Bennish agreed. “Who knows how much time will be
on the timer when it’s reactivated.”
“You’re girlfriend’s has a point!” May interjected putting a gun away in
a holster.
The New World Order’s military’s stronghold stood atop an isolated hill.
Guards stood at each exit and entryway, with weapons in hand.
Donna and Ian sat in a vehicle hidden nearby as May and the others crept
through an isolated field nearby, and into a small thicket.
“The entrance should be nearby,” May said leading John, Bennish and the
others.
From a distance, they could see two guards standing over a steel door
built within the ground.
“You weren’t kidding about the security,” Ian noticed.
Unexpectedly more of the Freedom Fighters stormed and overpowered the
guards
May and the others quickly lifted the heavy rusty door, and one by one
entered the blackness inside.
Tylo laid back in the car seat, flicking the door lock up and down to
make use of the passing time. “I don’t think you boyfriend likes me,”
he said.
“Oh, what gives you that idea?” Donna replied jokingly.
A sudden pause captured the atmosphere.
“Look, I’m sorry about the thing with your car.” Tylo spoke.
Donna looked at Tylo and notice a hint of sorrow behind his angered
exterior.
“Forget about it, for now at least,” Donna added. “Just kidding.
Whatever happened to my car anyway?”
Tylo hesitated, thinking whether it would be better to tell the truth or
a lie.
“Oh, the cops should be unwrapping it from around a telephone about
now,” he replied.
“What? My baby is totaled?”
“I’m new to this truth thing, so don’t make it any harder for me.”
“It’s ok. It just came to me as a shock.”
Tylo gazed out of the window, suddenly opened the car door and climbed
out.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Donna asked.
“They might need some help,” Tylo said disappearing into the thicket.
“Hey! Bennish and the guys told us to stay here!”
Tylo didn’t reappear, and Donna soon went after him.
The entrance lead May and the others into a dark corridor, which they
followed and met a thick steel door.
John looked down at its lock.
May simply told everyone to “Back off!”, pulled out her gun, and shot
the lock off. John pushed the door opened and they all fled in, meeting
a flight of stairs which they hastily flew up. Every guard or person of
threat they came across was quickly over powered.
“We should be coming up on Ops,” May said as they scurried around a
corner.
Tylo climbed into the opening, soon followed by Donna. “Let’s get back
to the car,” she said.
“You go ahead, I gotta check this out,” Tylo persisted, as they made
their way through the corridor.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Donna spoke.
May lead them into a large computerized room, many people, science and
military personal hovered over computer consoles and studied maps that
hung throughout the room.
“Who are you people?!” one of them yelled.
Before they expected a reply, May’s forces quickly subdued the people.
“Take our friends to what they seek, Rich,” May said pointing a gun one
of the military officials. “I’ve got this under control.”
Rich led Bennish and the others out. John took a last look at the scene
and wondered if he had done the right thing.
“This government has been a dictator too long!” May said going over to a
computer and accessing it while her men continued to hold the others
prisoners. “Now it comes to an end.”
Unknowingly one of the military personale took hold of a weapon and
quickly shot off a shot at a member of May’s forces. The shot triggered
a continuos round of gun battle and hand to hand combat.
Rich led them down a flight of stairs and around various corners to an
isolated room.
Bennish quickly searched the room for anything he could use to help
repair the timer. John as well took out the timer opened it up and laid
it nearby.
“Thanks for you’re help,” Ian said.
“I think I found what we have been looking for,” Bennish said holding a
heavy metallic box. He began to pound at it’s lock until it broke away.
Without warning a group of guards swarmed in. John Ian and Rich fended
them off as Bennish sat nearby hurriedly trying to repair the timer. John
subdued two of the officers, while Ian took out another. Just at the
point when one of the guards were about to shoot Ian from behind, Rich
noticed, and jumped in the path of the bullet, which killed him.
“Rich!” Ian hollered, while John took out the last of the guards.
“He’s dead,” John said.
May fired off many rounds, killing many of the officers.
“You sons of bitches!” she proclaimed, before she was shot and killed
herself. Her before she hit the floor, her hand hit a console and her
fingers, as if they had life, entered a series of strokes on one of the
computer.
Red lights began flashing, and a loud siren began sounding off
throughput the complex.
“What’s that!?” Donna cried as she and Tylo made their way around
various corners.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Let’s just find your friends.”
Bennish took one of the instruments he had found and took out one of the
small isotopes that lay in the box. He slipped it into the timer and
connected various small wires to it.
“What’s going on?!” Ian asked.
“Don’t know, but it can’t be good!” John said.
Bennish reassembled the timer, and it suddenly began beeping. He looked
at the LCD screen which flashed “10 secs”.
“The timer’s on-line! But we only have 10 seconds! I’m not leaving
Donna!”
A moment after, she and Tylo appeared. Bennish ran over and hugged her,
shocked to see her.
“You’re cutting it pretty close!” he said.
“How much time?” Donna said.
Bennish held the timer out. “Three, two, one!” he counted off. A red
whirlpool pierced the space before them, and stirred the air into a gusty
wind.
“Go! Slide!” Bennish ordered. Donna hesitantly jumped through, followed
by Tylo. Ian quickly approached, looked at Bennish and soon vaulted into
the void.
“The micro chip still needs to be repaired!,” John acknowledged as he
approached the swirling mass.
“Now’s not the time to discuss, now is it?” Bennish claimed. “We’ll
worry about that later!” The two friends then instantaneously jumped
into the distortion. It disappeared soon after, returning space to
normal.
Suddenly seconds later the entire complex blew into a fire ball. A
destructive mass which spread through the city of San Francisco, reducing
it to ashes.
Sometime in the near future, somewhere in Japan a military unit meets.
“The American city of San Francisco has just been obliterated by one of
it’s own A-Bombs, which was set to go off by one of our own spies, May
Randolph. Before it’s destruction she had completed her mission and sent
us the schematics to the weapon,” a Japanese military commander informed
the unit.
<The End>
