The last few weeks has been � has been an experience once again. Sliding from world to world, we continue to do what we can, and try to find a way to separate Quinn from Mallory. I have really gotten to know him these past few slides, and have found that he really makes me laugh, is ready to stand up for any of us, and is someone that I can now rely on, and count as a real close friend.
But it has not all been so good. We have come across some really terrible places, ones that I do not want to return to, or remember, reminding us of the dark side of human nature, and also the dangers of sliding. There was even a time when I wanted to go home, to go back to Earth Prime and search for my family, and see if they were ok. But I can�t leave the group now. We have to see this all the way through to the end. And who knows what awaits us at the end of each slide? But at least we can all see it through � together.
Wade
A soft wind passed through the dark alley, lightly pushing at the litter, and at the garbage that lay on the ground. It soon vanished as quickly as it had arrived, and all was still once more. The only light came from the faint dull glow of the moon, as nothing else stirred at this time of night. The wind suddenly returned, this time with increased force, causing paper and cans to be blown away. A bright circle of silver-blue light appeared in the air, swirling fast, and howling fiercely. An old beggar was awoken by the wind that hit against his cardboard home, pulling the torn blanket over his head, and taking a quick glance back.
He gasped in shock at the bright light shining before him, finding himself stunned for words, as he witnessed the vortex, seeing something so beautiful, and yet so powerful, about it. A faint noise could be heard carried along with the wind, and soon there was a bright flash of light, the beggar getting up onto his feet in fright, and screaming as he ran down the alleyway.
Diana and Rembrandt were the first to be thrown from the vortex, seated inside a single blue bumper car, which skidded hard against the concrete ground, sending faint sparks across the pavement, and finally stopping as it hit the side of the far wall. Their laughter ran through the night air, fusing with the sound of their gasps for breath.
�I � I can�t believe we just did that!� Laughed Diana.
Rembrandt grinned in joy. �I can't remember the last time that I've had so much fun!�
�Aaghh! ��
The two suddenly turned towards the vortex, as they saw the next flash of light that erupted, watching as Maggie and Wade soon appeared, strapped tight inside another bumper car, and screaming loudly. The two suddenly burst into a fit of laughter, as they collided with the side of the other car. The next sound was distinctly unmistakable, as Mallory came through the gateway last, crashing into Wade and Maggie�s car, whilst laughing hysterically. With a final howl and a flash, the vortex faded away from sight, and the wind finally died down.
�Next time you guys get any ideas ... leave me out of it!� Smiled Maggie, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes.
Mallory continued to laugh. �That has to be more fun than any roller coaster!�
�Yeah, but it was also a lot more scarier.� Added Wade.
The group soon undid their seat belts, and finally climbed out of their bumper cars. They continued to laugh and smile as they catched their breath, before finally taking a look at their surroundings. It was the dead of night, and they found that no one else was in sight. Diana took the timer out from her pocket, and checked the readout's display. �Looks like we�re only here for a couple of hours.�
�Well, I don�t know about you guys, but I�m beat.� Said Maggie, stretching and looking around. �The hotel shouldn�t be too far away from here. We can get a suite.�
Gathering what things they had, the Sliders left the dark alleyway, and headed out into the main street, out towards the hotel...
A few minutes later, in the same dark alleyway, a bright flash of red light suddenly appeared, shimmering fiercely, as a new vortex started to open. Six Kromagg officers soon emerged from the gateway, and they quickly checked their surroundings.
�Commander!� One of the Kromagg officers turned towards one with an air of authority around him, and who wore more stars on his uniform�s neck. �We�ve identified this world as Earth 214. The tracking device located inside the trans-dimensional facilitator, indicates that the renegade Sliders are around the immediate vicinity."
The commander nodded sharply. �Good. I want a perimeter search on the double now! Take Lotha and Kulis with you and pan out.�
�Yes sir!� The officer turned, and nodding to two others nearby, they quickly ran down the alleyway, weapons drawn and readied.
�Kelthor��
�I'm almost ready, sir.� A Kromagg officer had taken off his backpack, and had started to set up a strange device on the ground. �... All set.� Pressing a sequence of buttons on the device, a blue pulse of intense energy shot out, and quickly spread through the entire area, before finally disappearing from sight.
�Good.� The commander smiled, showing his pointed teeth. �With the Slide Field in place, they will not be able to leave until we find them! The Sliders will soon be in our grasp!��
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
Sabrina Lloyd as Wade Welles
Kari Wuhrer as Maggie Beckett
Robert Floyd as Mallory
And Tembi Locke as Diana Davis
� Sliders!
�When is it going to get here?� Asked Maggie.
�They said in another ten minutes.� Answered Mallory, a packet of crisps in his hands.
�Well, that�s way too long.� She replied, picking up the remote and turning on the television set. "It feels like I haven't eaten in days."
�... There�s not much interest in the papers.� Said Rembrandt, folding it in half and laying it down onto the table. �Just the usual political feuds and gossip. Seems like another dull and boring world.�
�You say it like it�s a bad thing, Remmy.� Smiled Wade.
�No way, Wade. I�ll take dull and boring over running for our lives anytime.�
Wade continued to smile, before her gaze wondered over to Diana, seeing the dull red light that began to glow from inside her pocket. �Diana?��
Diana looked up and slowly followed her gaze, reaching into her pocket to take out the timer, seeing the dark red light that was flashing around the display. �... It�s never done that before.�
Maggie stepped forward. �Did you press anything?�
�No. Nothing.� She checked the timer over. �It seems operational, but the light is flashing, and I don�t know what it could mean.�
�Maybe it has something to do with the power." Suggested Mallory. "For all we know it could be running out..." Seeing the concerned looks that arose from his words, Mallory fell silent.
�Well he does have a point.� Added Rembrandt. �We don�t know much, if anything, about this Kromagg timer, except for the bits and pieces that Claire�s researchers had found out. For all we know, it could be signalling just that.�
�I just hope that there is something about it in these notes.� Diana reached out her hand to grab hold of her backpack that was resting against the table, taking out the translated notes that they had taken from Claire's lab on the timer. Nodding, the others headed over to help, leafing through the notes, for anything that looked slightly relevant. This new development was starting to cause some concern...
The Kromagg commander lifted up a device that he had retrieved from his backpack, a small and lightweight console, that allowed him to search for all information that they hadin their database, on Earth 214. After browsing through the files for a moment, he soon put the device away, and walked over to an officer who was called Kelthor. �How large is the radius for the Slide Field?�
�The Slide Field should hold for up to a 250 mile radius. Anything outside that perimeter, and the timer should be able to allow them to slide out. But, we don't need to worry�� He held up a scanning device. �The resonance of a wormhole has been picked up in our vicinity. They should be around her somewhere..�
�Good.� He then turned to another officer. �Set up the trans-dimensional communications unit. Our superiors will be very eager to hear a report of our progress.�
The commander waited and watched in patient silence, as the officer carried out the orders that he was given, setting up the semi-portable device. The communications unit was somewhat large and bulky, only capable of vocal speech, through the use of generating a tiny wormhole that carried the signal to the connected world. Activating the unit, it was not long before the voice of his superiors soon came through.
�You must know how very important this mission is, commander.� Hissed the responding voice.
He slowly nodded. �I do. Do not worry, we will find and detain the Sliders.�
�You had better!� The voice rose in tone. �Rembrandt Brown can not be allowed to continue carrying the virus to other conquered worlds. At any costs, he must be stopped. And the same goes for Quinn Mallory as well! It will not take him his mind long, before he has finally figured out a way to return to the homeworld, and finds a way to stop the Dynasty once and for all!� It took a moment to pause. �As for the others, we will break them, and obtain all the information that they carry. Though Wade Welles is not to be harmed, as we wish for her to be returned in tact, for analysis."
�I understand.� The commander finally relaxed, as the voice soon vanished, and the transmission turned into static.
An officer nearby then moved forward. �Awaiting your orders, sir.�
�We wait until the scouts have returned, and then we press forward...�
�Guys, I think I�ve found it.� The group stopped what they were doing, and turned to glance over at Wade. �This writing doesn't say much, but it does mention something here about the red light around the display, showing that the timer can not be activated for some reason.�
�Can�t be activated?� Inquired Diana.
Wade handed the files to her, and then turned back to the group. �It also mentions that it's possible usage could be as a warning device, that a vortex can not be opened.
�She�s right.� Said Diana, checking over at the papers. �It says here that the red light signals that a Slide Field has been erected. Opening a vortex now within the field radius would be near impossible.�
�But that can't be right, it doesn't look like this world has sliding technology.� Stated Rembrandt. "And we managed to get in ok."
�Then that means that someone else has activated the field.� Maggie concluded.
The group suddenly turned towards the door as they heard several footsteps.
�It's about time.� Sighed Mallory. �Must be our food.�
Getting up onto his feet, he then walked over to the door, suddenly being thrown back by the force, and the doors burst open wide. The group gasped in complete shock, as they witnessed the six armed Kromaggs rush into the room.
Wade stepped back in shock. �Kromaggs!� She screamed.
Maggie quickly got up from off the chair, preparing to defend herself, but quickly thought better of it, as a Kromagg weapon was aimed at her. She finally turned around to glimpse the others, seeing that they were all in a similar situation. They were all trapped. Looking forward, she saw what looked like the commander of the Kromagg unit, who had begun to laugh and walk slowly towards them. �... Who are you? And what do you want from us?!� She demanded.
The commander simply smiled, turning to her. �Ah, Maggie Beckett, a pleasure to finally meet you.� She quickly fell silent. He turned his gaze once more, glancing at the others. �Wade Welles, and Rembrandt Brown�� He finally stopped when his eyes fell on the last two. �And it seems you have some new travelling companions. We don�t know much about you two � yet.�
�The name�s Mallory.�
�Ssh!� Cautioned Maggie.
Taking the hint, he quickly bit his tongue.
�Mallory?� The commander looked perplexed. �As in Quinn and Colin Mallory?� A wide smile began to spread across his lips. �Interesting.�
Mallory wished that he had never spoken.
�The Slide Field � so it was you.� Stated Diana.
He suddenly laughed. �Where are my manners? My name is Chronun. I am the commander in charge of this Seeker unit.� He motioned to his men, as they pushed the Sliders back down into their seats. �We have been tracking your progress ever since you reactivated the trans-dimensional facilitator that you acquired.�
Diana glanced over to the table, and at the Kromagg timer that was still silently resting on it. One of the officers followed her gaze, and went to retrieve the device, handing it over to the commander. �Of course.� She said silently, shaking her head. �I should have known that you would be able to track your own technology.�
�You Sliders have been a thorn in the Dynasty�s side for far too long.� Chronun's smile soon faded as he quickly turned angry. �Now, where is Quinn Mallory? And where is his brother?� The group fell silent, hesitating. �I will not ask you again: Where is Quinn Mallory?!�
�I�� Mallory began to speak, but Wade quickly cut him off.
�He�s dead.� She said with determination, watching the expression that came over the commander's features, as she tried to force tears into her eyes. �Both Quinn and Colin died a few worlds back.�
He silently digested this information. �Hmm, I see, how very unfortunate." A grin soon returned to his face. "Though of course we�ll have more than enough time to discover if what you tell me is the truth. Especially when we take you back to our camps and pry the information directly out of you!�
�No!� Wade screamed. �You � you can�t!�
�Do not worry Miss Welles � my superiors have other plans for you.� He relished the sensation as her face slowly turned pale. �And as for you�� He turned to Rembrandt. �Carrying around in your bloodstream a highly deadly anti-Kromagg virus! We have heard of what you did, driving us from your world. Did you think that we can afford to let you live? And be utterly assured, that Quinn Mallory, wherever he is, will eventually be found � and executed!� He let the words slowly sink in, turning back to face them as he moved to leave. �We slide out in the morning. I advise that you get some rest.�
Turning to leave the room with two of his men, the others present kept a watchful gaze on the Sliders, and all hope seemed to be lost...
�What are we going to do?� Whispered Wade. �We�ve got to think of a way to get out of here!�
�It�s ok, Wade.� Said Maggie. �We�ll think of something. There�s no way that we�re gonna let them take us to one of their camps!�
�Well, our numbers are almost the same. But they have the advantage.� Stated Mallory. �Not to mention the fact that they have weapons and we don�t.�
�I think it's best that should wait until morning, as it doesn't look like there is much that we can do now. We might have a better chance of escape, if we wait until the last possible moment." Maggie turned back to face Wade. �I know that this is hard, no, maybe I won�t ever be able to truly understand all that you have been through. But this is the only option that I can think of.�
Wade slowly nodded in understanding.
�Try and get some rest Wade.� SuggestedMallory. �Everything will be alright.�
Taking another look at the Kromaggs that were guarding the door, Wade then tried to get comfortable in the chair where she sat. An ice cold fear wrapped around her heart, fear of being taken away by the Kromaggs, fear of being taken away from her friends, fear of losing everything once again. She might have escaped once � but she could not see that happening, a second time...
Rembrandt slowly opened his eyes, gradually moving his body, to feel the painfull cramp that resonated throughout his aching joints. He soon realised that it was still quite early in the morning, and on hearing a cough, turned to see the two Kromagg officers, who continued to stand guard by the door. Looking around the at the faces by the table, he saw that the others were still fast asleep, all except for Wade.
�Couldn't sleep much either huh?�
Hearing his faint whisper, Wade turned to his direction. �Remmy. I-I just keep thinking back to when we were held together in that cell.�
�Yeah, me too.�
�I just don�t know if ... I don�t know if I will be able to survive in there again!"
Rembrandt moved to sit close to her. �Sshh. It's ok, Wade, 'coz you're not going to find out, as I won't let that happen! No matter how things turn out today, I�m never gonna let them take you away again! Never.�
Groaning slightly, the others gradually awoke, and soon remembered the dire situation that they were contained in. Once fully awake, they then tried to figure out a course of action to take.
�Well, the first thing is getting out of this room.� Stated Maggie. �Then we need to get our timer back, and disable the Kromagg Slide Field generator. Looks like that part is up to you, Diana." She paused, thinking for a moment. "Do you remember how much time we had left?�
Diana thought back hard, and then turned to look at her watch. �It will be a bit of a guess, but I�d say that we have around 35 minutes till the window.�
�Then that doesn�t give us much time. Taking out those two Kromaggs over there is going to be the hardest part.�
�So we need some kind of a distraction.� Offered Wade.
�And I think I�ve got just the thing...�
Lotha nodded to his companion, as he witnessed Mallory and Rembrandt leaving the group at the table, and turning to walk towards them. He cautiously lifted up his weapon, moving his body from off of the wall that he was leaning against. �What do you want, human?� He said in disgust, stressing the last words before smiling. �Offering me your eyes on a platter?� His companion laughed.
�Actually, we have some information that might interest the commander.� Whispered Remmy. �Like on Quinn Mallory�s real whereabouts.�
�I'm willing to make a deal with him, and tell him all that he wants to know, but only in exchange for letting me go.� Mallory spoke up.
�What?!� Shouted Rembrandt in shock. �I thought that you and me were in this together!�
�Sorry Remmy, but they would have killed you anyway.�
�Why you selfish, back stabbing�?!� Rembrandt suddenly lunged forward, and began to fight roughly with Mallory.
�Stop that!� Shouted Lotha, seeing that it was quickly getting out of hand. Realising that he was not be listened to, he handed moved forward to hit their sides with the base of his weapon, in an attempt to break them apart. �That�s enough -� His words were suddenly cut short, as both Rembrandt and Mallory stopped fighting, turninf to face Lotha, and punching him back.
The other officer attempted to raise his weapon, but he had not seen Maggie who had been sneaking up from the side. She knocked the weapon out of his hand with the thrust of a direct kick, and then quickly knocked him unconscious.
�That went better than I thought.� Smiled Mallory.
�No time to celebrate just yet.� Said Maggie, taking one of the weapons, and handing Rembrandt the other. �We still have to get the timer back.�
The group made a move to rush out of the room, but stopped in their tracks as they stepped out onto the staircase, seeing the commander and three of his men waiting down in the foyah. The commander�s expression was one of pure shock when he saw the Sliders. �Stop them!� He shouted. �Shoot to kill if you have to! Just make sure to leave one of them alive!�
Maggie quickly led the team to the nearby banister, which provided excellent cover from the fire of the Kromagg energy weapons, quickly ducking low to reaccess the situation. It did not take Maggie long before she found out what the trigger mechanism was from the weapon she carried, and began returning fire on the Kromaggs.
�Maggie, we don�t have a lot of time!� Shouted Diana over the noise of weapon�s fire.
�Ok. Remmy, cover me!� Maggie quickly stood up, making a dash for the stairs. The Kromaggs below followed her movements, allowing Rembrandt a chance to pick two of them off, and Maggie took out the remainder. Keeping her weapon aimed on the commander, she hastened to descend the stairs, retrieving the timer from out of his pocket. �Looks like you lose Chronus. Now, tell us where the device is that you are using to generate the Slide Field?�
He grinned in laughter. �Fools. I will never tell you."
Diana checked the silver timer as Maggie handed it over to her. �We have less time than I initially thought! We�ve got just under 16 minutes left!�
�Where is it?� Maggie insisted, pressing the weapon against his skin. But Chronus was not intimidated, refusing to say a word.
�Wait.� She then turned as Diana spoke again. �One of them should have some kind of remote device which will turn off the Slide Field. It makes sense that they would carry one, so that they could deactivate it from a distance, when they were ready to slide out!�
Wade and Mallory quickly began to check the three dead Kromagg officers. �Is this it?� Asked Mallory, holding up a strange device.
�I-I think it is!� Pressing a button on the device, she then turned to glance at the timer's display. �That did it! The Slide Field has been deactivated!�
�You do know that will not get away with this!� Hissed Chronus.
�Oh no?� Grinned Maggie, as she stepped forward to whack the weapon over his face, causing the Magg to fall unconsciously to the ground.. �Come on, let�s go guys!�...
The group ran as fast as they could, away from the hotel, and through the busy city streets. It was only when Diana mentioned that they needed to stop, did they finally slow and find a nearby empty alleyway. Rembrandt silently watched as she proceeded to quick retrieve the tools from inside her backpack and began to take the timer apart. �Diana?!�
�From what the commander had told, us their tracking device isn�t like the one that we have. They don�t seem to track the wormhole, but the actual timer itself. So there must be some kind of tracking chip embedded inside ... I�ve got to find it.�
�But should you be doing that so close to the slide?�
�We don�t have much choice, Remmy.� Agreed Wade. �They could easily just track us to the next world.�
Maggie and Mallory kept guard by the end of the alleyway. �You guys better hurry! We�ve got company!�
Increasing her pace, Diana soon uncovered the cover of the timer, and spotted the small blinking device that was located inside the delicate electronics, moving to disconnect it from its source. She then began putting the timer back together, quickly checking the display. �Just in time!� She shouted, waiting for a small moment more, before activating the timer.
The stream of exotic energy shot out and began to form into a vortex, creating a fierce and intense wind that began to blow all around. Rembrandt waited until the silver-blue gateway had fully formed, and then jumped through with Wade at his side. Diana turned, calling out to the others, and as they got nearer, went through herself.
�Ready Maggie?� Asked Mallory.
�Ready!�
The two ran forward as quick as they could, and one after the othe,r jumped into the swirling vortex, disappearing in a bright flash of light. The journey between worlds was as rough as always, with many complicated twists and turns in its frame, but eventually, the familiar bright white light appeared from up ahead, signalling the end of the slide. Maggie fell through the vortex last, luckily landing onto a soft patch of grass. Gazing upwards, she found that they had slid into some kind of field.
�Looks like Diana saves the day again.� Rembrandt said finally, smiling. �Thanks to you, they won�t be able to track us anymore.�
Diana slowly smiled. �I�m just glad that I was able to take it apart and removed the tracking device, before the timer hit zero.�
Maggie walked over to a relieved Wade, placing her arm around her shoulders. �You ok?�
�Yeah, I will be.�
�Well. I�m not surprised that we�ve landed in the middle of nowhere.� Stated Mallory, looking around at the hills and mountains. �Since for the last few slides we�ve been right in the middle of the city. Do you think there is even any civilisation out here?�
�Who knows.� Said Rembrandt. �But I�m sure that we�ll soon find out.�
Mallory smiled. �Why Remmy, do I detect a hint of an explorer in you?�
Laughing, the others watched as Rembrandt stretched his limps, and breathed in the clean mountain air...
�Kulis!� Shouted the commander. �The Sliders! Have you pinpointed their location?!�
�Commander I � I just don�t understand it. According to my readings they should still be here!�
Puzzled, Chronus began to look around, finally pausing, as he suddenly spotted the small tracking device that was blinking quietly on the ground. Picking it up in his rough hands, he crushed within his clenched fists. His superiors were not going to be pleased.
End.