Diana picked up the hot cup of coffee that sat motionlessly on the desk, taking a sip. The dark brown liquid slowly trickled down the back of her throat, warming her up inside. Placing the cup down onto the coaster, she turned her attention back to the computer screen, its blue tint reflecting in her eyes. A thin wire led from the computer and to the timer, allowing the transfer of data, and several pieces of paper lay scattered on the desk, the notes from Claire�s lab.
Letting out a small yawn, she slowly stretched her arms. The blinds of the nearby window were open, revealing the dazzling stars that shone in the dark night sky, and only a few clouds interrupted the perfect view. She took a moment to let her gaze wonder, and continued to look around the spacious suite. Rembrandt and Mallory were sitting alone on the couch, watching a movie on the television set, while she could see the steam slip from underneath the bathroom door, indicating that Maggie was in the middle of a hot bath.
As she finally finished off the great tasting coffee, a beeping sound came from the computer, signalling the end of the download. On the last world that they had slid into, she had discovered that the Kromagg timer had more than just co-ordinates stored into it ... it also held some information. However that earth did not have the necessary equipment to download the stored information, so she had been forced to wait until they arrived here, to find out what was it was.
�Guys.� Diana called. �The download's completed.�
�Great.� Said Mallory, getting up. �Now we can find out what was stored inside.�
Rembrandt joined the others by the computer screen, looking on silently as Diana typed in a few key strokes. It was not long before the screen finally changed, and lots of strange images and text appeared. It did not take long for him to recognise some of the symbols. �That writing, it looks like the Kromagg language.�
Diana nodded. She continued to wait until the computer processed the pictures and made them clearer. �There's also images of other earths here...� A dark red symbol appeared next to some of the images, while others were noted with a blue.
�Worlds conquered by the Kromaggs?� Suggested Mallory. �And the blue ones are those that have just been scouted out.�
�Could be.� Said Rembrandt. �If so then that�s a hell of a lot of worlds.�
Diana thought for a moment. �It has been almost thirteen months since the Slidology world was freed from the Kromaggs, si we can take this as being a little out of date.� The computer screen continued to stretch as more worlds were added to it.
As Rembrandt sighed, Mallory placed his hands on his shoulder. �Don�t worry. We�ll find a way to free all of them."
�It will take ages to go through all of this.� Stated Diana, switching off the computer and unhooking the timer. �I'll have to purchase a digital assistant on the next world, so that we can go through it at our leisure.�
�Right. Let�s keep moving.� Smiled Mallory. �I don�t like being in one place for too long.�
�Why is that?�
�The hotel bill would be through the roof.�
Rembrandt looked at Diana and they both chuckled. �Ok then, we�ll slide in the morning.�
Mallory, Rembrandt, Diana, and Maggie stood together in a dark alleyway as they prepared for the slide. Diana typed in a set of destination co-ordinates for their journey, and then activated the timer. The stream of energy quickly shot out, and a small circle of light began to form. But just as the gateway was in the midst of forming, the vortex began to flicker, before slowly shrinking back down, and then fading from sight.
"What in the world?" Mallory turned to Diana.
�What happened?� Asked Maggie.
Diana carefully looked over the timer. Finding nothing to indicate that something was wrong, she banged the side of it hard, and the stream of energy shot out once again. The vortex began to form, but very slowly, the normal howling wind reduced to an almost silent whimper. It took some time, but it soon fully formed.
�That can�t be good. I�ll check it out on the next world.� Nodded Diana.
One by one the Sliders jumped into the vortex in a flash of light. As Diana jumped in, she did not notice the timer's display flashing on and off�
What if you could slide into a thousand different worlds?
Where it�s the same year
And you�re the same person
But everything else is different
And what if you can�t find your way home�
Starring: Cleavent Derricks as Rembrandt Brown
Kari Wuhrer as Maggie Beckett
Robert Floyd as Mallory
And Tembi Locke as Diana Davis
� Sliders!
�Thanks.� Said Maggie, pushing herself onto her own two feet.
�That has to be one of the roughest rides we�ve been on.� He said smiling.
�Definitely.�
Another flash ensued, and soon Diana appeared. The two of them rushed forward and helped to catch hold of her.
�Agghh!� Rembrandt�s voice could be heard before he was even seen. He was thrown clear from the vortex, and landed hard on the ground ahead of the group.
�You ok Remmy?� Smiled Mallory, making his way over to help him up.
�Just great.� He said, patting the dust off. �We just got a new timer and it�s already on the fritz.�
Diana looked up as the vortex closed, and then around at their surroundings. She discovered that they were in some kind of dark corridor, with strange metallic plating welded against the sides of the walls, and in complete darkness except for the faint slits of light. Lifting up her hands to look at the timer, a shocked and worried expression suddenly came over her, as she she attempted to switching it on and off, but found that there was no change.
�Is it me or is it very cold in here?� Shivered Maggie, glancing over at the others. �... Diana?" She started towards her. "Diana, what is it?� She looked down as Diana presented the timer, watching as it's display continued to flash erratically. "Guys ... we've got a problem."
Diana shook her head. �Something must be interfering with the timer.�
�So we can�t slide?� Asked Rembrandt, rubbing his hands together from the cold.
�I don�t think we can.� Continued Diana as she retrieved the timer. �For some reason the timer had just managed to lock onto this world�s co-ordinates, and struggled to establish a gateway. Sliding out might not be possible until we can find out why.�
�Well, I guess we should start looking around." The group turned to Mallory, to see that he was already half way down the corridor, pumping his legs against the ground for warmth. The others followed soon followed behind. �Why is it so cold?� He said, echoing Maggie's words. "Did they forget to pay the heating or something?"
�I�m not sure.� Diana answered half heartedly, still looking at the timer.
Rembrandt sighed, lost deep in thought. �What about a field of some kind? A defence to stop sliding into this world?�
�It's possible. But then the timer should not be able to break through or establish a gateway in the first place."
The Sliders soon fell silent, continuing on down the dark corridor, until they could make out the outline of a large set of doors looming up ahead. They group attempted to push against it, but found that it would not budge.
Maggie knocked loudly. �Hey! Is there anybody in there?!�
Silence answered her. She was about to shout again, when a sudden slit in the door moved to one side, and a small face appeared, quickly looking them over, before it vanished as fast as it had arrived. They stood waited in hesitation, before the door creaked open just wide enough for them to enter in single file. The group headed in, finding themselves immediately confronted with the end of a double-barrelled shotgun, and the young woman who owned it, her long dark brown hair covering half of her features.
�Who are you?� She demanded.
�We're friends� Stated Maggie, holding her hands up into the air.
"Friends?" She replied, looked the intruders carefully over. She suddenly noticed their clothing. �You ... you�ve come from outside?�
�Erm � yes.� Answered Mallory.
�Then where is your protective gear?� She saw the puzzled expressions that were met with her question. �Your radiation suits, headsets, oxygen apparatus?� More bewildered looks. �How did you even get here?�
�Listen lady.� Said Rembrandt. �We�ll tell you everything you need to know. Just put down the gun and tell us where we are and what in the world's going on?�
�Over there.� She pointed with her guns towards some metal boxes. The group slowly walked over and sat down next to them. They watched as she called someone to her side, and they began to talk silently, her eyes never taken off of the Sliders.
�Radiation?� Asked Mallory. �No wonder she asked us about all that protective gear.�
�Could that be what is disrupting the timer?� Thought Maggie.
Diana paused. �No normal rate of radiation could disrupt the field that is generated from the gateway. If it was then it would have to be a dangerously high amount.� She slowly looked around to see the people who were walking around the large room. Apart from their heads, they were dressed in thick protective clothing. She then looked up as the woman with the shotgun approached.
�We � were involved in an accident.� Lied Mallory. �It happened just as we arrived here. Our heads are all foggy and we can hardly remember anything.�
The woman watched his expression for signs that he was being sincere. �You mean you don�t remember how you got here? What has happened? Or why you don�t have the right gear?� They all nodded 'no'. �� If so then you are lucky to be alive and indoors.� Feeling a little secure, she slowly lowered her gun.
�What has happened here?� Rembrandt asked again.
A boy with burns on his face then came into view, walking over to them, whilst carrying some supplies. He gave each of them a blanket to warm them their bodies, and some glasses filled with a strange dark green liquid.
�What is this stuff?� Inquired Diana.
�It is a special mix that helps to reduce the effects from the radiation.� They watched as the woman took a sip and then slowly followed suit.
Mallory continued to watch her face, and then taking a sudden step forward, he brushed away the hair that covered the side of her face. She quickly pushed his hands away, covering it back, whilst overting her gaze to the ground. �Radiation burns?� He asked.
She slowly nodded her head. �Almost everyone has them.� She looked back up at them. �Though you four seem to be ok.�
�Please er��
�Vanessa.�
�Vanessa� what has happened here? It might help to jog our memories.�
Taking a long sigh, Vanessa took a deep breath before starting. �Two years ago several Japanese hackers hacked into the Central Computer Database and proceeded to launch the unused nuclear warheads from the previous world war. Our own experts tried to stop the launch but they had released a computer virus which stopped all of our attempts. We finally managed to severe their connection, but not before a single warhead had been launched. Soaring high into the air it turned and landed right back down onto our soil.�
She stopped and watched the expressions on each of their faces. This really was a shock, and something new to them. �The result � well, what you see before you. The nuclear cloud blotted out the sun, vegetation and crops soon died, and radiation storms rage all around. We can barely protect ourselves from it.�
�So that is why this place is lined with metallic compounds - to help shield from the radiation.� Noted Diana.
Vanessa nodded. �We managed to put together protective gear so that we can travel outside and scout for any food that we can find. But the situation is getting dire, and supplies are running out due to the Stormers who keep stealing what we get.�
�Stormers?�
�A group of thugs who ride around in the radiation storms, waiting for any unprotected convoy to approach. They are easily recognised from the intense disfigurement of their bodies, from being outside for so long.�
The group fell silent. �Would you mind giving us a minute?� Asked Diana.
�� Sure, go ahead.� Vanessa stood up and walked over to some others.
Diana waited until she was out of earshot. �The radiation from the nuclear blast must be what is disrupting the vortex��
�So we just need to find somewhere with enough cover to slide?� Suggested Maggie.
�Easier said than done. Looks like the radiation is integrated into the atmosphere.�
�So what can we do?�.
Diana looked around. �If it is dangerous to travel on the surface because of the storms, I�m guessing that they must have tunnels to lead them down into the earth, providing a source of heat if anything else.�
�That�s right.� Nodded Rembrandt. "It should be warmer towards the earth's core."
�And hopefully it will be far enough from the radiation to allow a slide.�
�Vanessa?!� Mallory called out to her. �Do you have any tunnels that go deep below the surface?�
�Of course.� She answered.
�What is the deepest ones that you have?� Diana spoke up.
Vanessa thought for a moment. �The main complex a couple of miles from here have ones that go very deep below the surface. Why?�
Maggie sighed. �Because we need your help.�
Mallory silently zipped up the protective suit, before putting on the headgear. Flipping a switch on the side of the suit's device unit, the small canister on his back opened up, allowing the air inside to circulate towards his head, and then recycle itself as he breathed out. He then turned to look to the others, who were just finishing putting on their equipment.
�Ok. We go hard and fast.� Said Vanessa. �The RV is parked just ahead, and I don�t want to be in the storm longer than I have to.� They all nodded. �Ok, let�s go.� Pressing a switch on the side of the large doors, the group watched as they slowly opened, and the storm quickly blew inside, blowing them back by it's force.
�God, I can already feel my brain cells frying!� Quipped Mallory.
�It�s not your brain cells that you should be worrying about.� Smiled Maggie, indicating his groin.
Mallory flinched in mock pain. �Let�s pick up the pace!�
The group quickly reached the off road RV, and piled inside of it, slamming the door shut tight. Vanessa then started up the engines, and the vehicle roared to life, squinting her eyes as she struggled to see through the storm.
�So, do you have any family?� Asked Mallory, attempting to start up some conversation.
�My parents died a long time ago ... before all this.�
�It must be hard being alone.�
�It can be, sometimes, but I�m not alone. The friends who I've made in the complex are my family now."
Maggie stared out of the reinforced window, and into the devastation that the warhead had done. The storm raged on all around, covering the entire area in a thick blanket of dust. Looking up, she could just about make out the sky; a large thick black cloud was all that could be seen - the sun no where in sight. It was almost half an hour later when they pulled up at a large complex. The group quickly exited the RV, running out into the storm, and into the safety of the building. They did not see the several RV's that were slowly trailing after them.
�Much better.� Smiled Rembrandt, as he took off the heavy gear. �Fresh air� well kind of.�
Vanessa waited for the group to take off most of the protective gear, before leading the way into the Complex. They soon came to a door similar to the one back at the other site, and she knocked hard onto it. They were then led inside, as they recognized Vanessa, the door closing shut behind them.
�Vanessa.� Came a voice. The five of them turned to see a man with radiation burns on his arm walk up to them. �It�s been a while. How's your health?�
She smiled back as she hugged him. �I've been alright. We're all still surviving.�
�And who are these?� He asked, catching glimpse of the others.
�Rick, this is Maggie, Mallory, Diana, and Rembrandt.� She said, introducing them. �Is it alright if we go down into the tunnels to warm up?�
�By all means.�
Vanessa started to lead the group through the large room and towards a side corridor, when a sudden lout noise sounded from behind them, and they all turned to see the entrance doors to the complex burst open wide. It was not long before a group of men in heavy clad clothing and weapons in their arms, ran forward.
�Stormers!� Someone shouted.
�Come on!� Vanessa called to them, leading them quickly into the tunnels.
Mallory turned to her. �What about your friends?�
�They'll be fine. The stormers will simply force them to hand over their supplies. If they don�t, then they will be killed.� She slowly shook her head. �I just don�t understand why they are attacking!�
�Maybe they think that you brought some precious cargo with you?� Offered Maggie.
�Of course! That�s what they must think! Why else would an unescorted RV travel through the storm!�
They made continued to make their way through the dimly lit corridors, on towards a framed arch that was located onto the ground, the entrance to the tunnels. Vanessa grabbed a few flashlights that were on a shelf to one side of the tunnel's entrance, before passing them to the Sliders.
�Vanessa?� Asked Mallory.
�Go on.� She said to him. �I can�t leave my friends.�
"We can help." Spoke up Rembrandt.
"No, go on. We'll be alright." She managed to smile slightly.
The group hesitated before they turned as more shouts came from down the corridor.
�Thank you for all that you have done for us.� Said Maggie.
�Good luck.� Whispered Vanessa. Handing over her shotgun to Maggie, she then ran back down the way that they had come.
Mallory watched her disappear for a moment longer, before Rembrandt pulled him into the tunnels, and the group descended into its depth. All sense of time was lost down below the surface. All they knew was that they needed to keep going down, down, further towards the earth's core, there was no other alternative. Seconds merged into minutes, minutes into hours, and the longer they kept going, the more rougher the tunnels became.
�The area up ahead looks unstable.� Warned Diana. �But we still need to keep going.�
After a brief rest against the rock face, Maggie, Mallory, Diana, and Rembrandt continued on. They had already begun to feel warmer the deeper they descended, and it was now reaching boiling point. Soon the tunnel sharply ended.
�Diana?� Asked Rembrandt in hope..
Diana looked at the timer once more, discovering that it was still flashing eratically. �Ok, cross your fingers�� Pressing a button, she activated the timer. The stream of energy that shot out proceeded to flicker on and off as it struggled to become stable. Diana continued to watch it for a while. �I�ll try boosting the power.�
Upping the power outage, the stream slowly managed to become stable. A wind blew all around them as the vortex slowly formed, but it stopped as it grew to half its normal height, flickering inbetween expanding and retracting.
�Oh no.� Said Mallory shaking his head. �We�re trapped here!�
Diana would not give up, rerouting as much power as the timer could muster, she began to activated it once more, her voice letting out a sharp scream as she dropped the device, electrical sparks running up her fingers.
�Diana! Are you alright?� Asked Rembrandt, rushing over to her.
She managed to slowly smile. �I think I put in a little too much power.�
Picking up the timer once more, Diana attempted to crouch down low onto the ground, and keep the timer as low as possible before reactivating it. The stream of energy that shot out fluctuated as before, but finally managed to establish into a steady flow. The vortex soon opened up on the ground beneath them their feet. It still flickered worryingly, but seemed to stay somewhat intact.
�Way to go Diana!� Smiled Mallory. But his smile soon faded as shouts from the Stormers came closer.
�Let�s not waste any time!� Shouted Maggie above the noise of the wind.
�I�m with that!� Rembrandt stepped forward, dropping into the vortex in a flash of light. Mallory watched Diana jump in next, and then quickly followed afterwards. Once everyone else was safely in, Maggie jumped in last, the wind slowly fading as the vortex closed.
The journey through the gateway started off as rough as before, but it seemed to calm down as they approached the exit. Maggie finally emerged out from the vortex, landing onto her feet. Looking around, she spotted the others nearby, having all landed inside a grassy field. The blades of grass swayed violently in the breeze from the vortex, before they regained their normal rate, as the portal began to fade.
�That was close." Smiled Rembrandt. "But we made it."
�Better hope that everything is intact.� Joked Maggie, looking at the two guys.
�It better be.� Retorted Mallory. He then turned to Diana. �So how�s the timer?�
Diana turned around to face the others, and lifted up the device. They all gasped audibly as they saw the numbers that were ticking down.
Maggie sighed. �Please don�t tell me that�s what I think it is?�
�� Having to open the gateway that many times, and add to that the jolt that passed through the timer, it must have disrupted the internal circuitry.� She sighed also. �We're back to square one, sliding on a countdown."
Mallory looked around at their forlorn glances, smiling broadly. "Come on guys! I mean, easy come, easy go. No use dwelling on it, right?" He turned to check the timer. "3 hours and 23 minutes huh? Not very long, but I'm sure it should be enough to scope out this world.� Without another word, he began to walk off.
Rembrandt shook his head in resignation. �Wish I had his attitude.�
Maggie laughed, tapping her elbow lightly into his side.�You�re perfect just the way you are, Remmy.�
Diana joined their sides, and together, the three of them followed after Mallory. Eager to find out what this new world would hold in store.
End.