A transparent distortion of energy gradually began to appear in the very air, shimmering intensely as it continued to slowly form, and grew into a swirling silver-blue vortex. A faint sound came from the depths of the gateway, combining with the fierce howl of the wind, and with a flash of light, Mallory was thrown clear, landing onto the pavement.
Instinctively, he rolled over to his left, and Diana and Rembrandt soon appeared, falling onto the place where he was a moment ago. The next flash of light, signalled Wade and Maggie's appearance, who emerged in quick succession, before the vortex finally closed.
�I don�t ever want to go through that again.� Said Maggie, as she slowly stood up.
Mallory shrugged his shoulders. �Well, if you and Wade had only played along��
�You've got to be kidding me.� Stated Wade. �You wanted us to just blend in! With a world that was stuck in the dark ages, and treated it's women like slaves!�
�Hey, I�m not saying that I agreed with their ways, but like you�re always telling me, �we can�t change every world that we land on�. I�m only saying that it would have been so much easier if you guys had acted the part. Instead, all we got was a lot of trouble."
Rembrandt laughed. �The look on that man�s face when Maggie talked up to him ... It was priceless.�
Maggie snorted. �He would have preferred it if I had a dog collar around my neck, and with a leash leading to his hand. I sure set him straight."
Diana smiled, reaching into her pocket, to retrieve the timer. �Just over 17 hours here.� Putting the timer back into it's place, she finally took the chance to have a good look around. �� Where are we?�
Looking around at their surroundings, the Sliders found themselves in some kind of park. Soft grass lay not far from the pavement where they stood, large trees lined the cobbled path, and a small pond with an elegant fountain, could be seen flowing in the distance. But what had caught their eyes, was the see-through dome that seemed to encompass the entire area.
�Is this some kind of nature preserve?� Suggested Wade.
�Looks like it.� Answered Mallory, gazing upwards. �And I�m guessing as no-one else is around, that means we shouldn�t be here.�
�Well we better take a look around, and find a way out of here.� Nodded Maggie.
Following the laid out path before them, it led the group through the centre of the garden, and towards the back. As they continued to walk in silence, gazing at the beauty around them, they then noticed that the dome was getting lower, indicating that they must be nearing it's edge, and so the exit. As if on cue with their thoughts, a door soon came into view, sliding open as they approached it, and allowing them to leave. It was only once they had stepped outside, did they suddenly stop and turn to one another.
Diana was the first to speak, placing her hand over her mouth. �This is � this is amazing!� Turning to the others, she saw that her shocked, amazed, and awe-struck expression, was being echoed by the others.
Ahead of them loomed an incredable, and vast futuristic city. Buildings made out of a strange blue glass, towered upwards towards the sky, a network of inter-linked pathways made its way upwards and outwards into every possible direction, and strange robotic devices flew through the air, drifting in and out of sight. In the background of it all, was a faint mechanical hum, that slowly came to their ears. They could only imagine the level of technology that this world could possess.
�Wow.� Whispered Wade, speechless.
�It�s so advanced!� Said Mallory, his gaze wandering. �Looks like we�ve found the world that we�ve been looking for.�
�... Guys.�
The group suddenly turned as Rembrandt called to them, and pointed out towards a strange structure that was only a few feet away. They discovered that it was some kind of raised platform, made out of a shiny silver alloy, with a control panel to one side of it. The reason for Remmy's observation, was that the platform had begun to glow faintly, which was followed by a sudden flash of light, and a man dressed completely in white, stepped forward.
Maggie took a step back. �W-who are you?�
�How�� Diana looked on in amazement.
�Please, there is no cause for worry.� He reassured them. �My name is Lang, Dr Kevin Lang. I am here to welcome you, sliders.� The group suddenly turned to each other. �I humbly welcome you to our earth.��
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!
�They must have already discovered sliding.� Offered Diana, thinking back to the high levels of technology that they had only just glimpsed.
�That's correct.� He smiled. �For the past two decades, my society has been rapidly advancing technologically. Professor Michael Orion, first made the journey into parallel earths, becoming the envy of the scientific community." He took a brief moment to pause and look around the group. "When we first picked up the energy matter of a vortex not long ago, we knew that some travellers must be passing through. So, I was sent here to greet you as a guide, and show you around our world.�
�Show us around?� Asked Wade, still in a state of shock and amazement.
�Yes. Meeting new people from parallel worlds is a priority of ours. We love to indulge in an exchange of both information and knowledge, in an attempt to better ourselves, and develop even further. So..." He stepped back onto the platform, indicating for them to join him. "... If you would be so kind.�
Diana was the first to react, walking over to the platform, and studying it with an intrigued gaze. �Some kind of transportation device?� She asked.
�It is called a Trans-locator. It can transport physical matter over a manner of distances, and reassembles them once arrived at the appointed destination.�
�Now just hold on, Diana.� Cautioned Maggie as she stepped forward. �You�re not going to just jump on this strange machine, and get your molecules ripped apart piece by piece are you?!"
Rembrandt nodded. "Maggie's right. I mean, we don�t even know anything about this guy.�
Lang slowly sighed. "It is true that we do not know much about each other, yet, but this is the whole objective of a cultural exchange.� Stepping back off of the platform he turned to face them. �Then perhaps you will be more comfortable in walking for the moment, at least, until a level of trust can be gained.�
Maggie nodded her agreement. �Sorry, it�s just that we�ve been fooled by a lot of things in the past. We�ve got to be careful.�
�No need to say anymore, I completely understand. This way please...�
Mallory simply shrugged his shoulders, following after Lang and Diana as they started to walk away, Rembrandt and Wade soon after, but Maggie remained cautious, staying towards the back of the group, so that she could keep an eye on him.
But despite her reservations, Maggie soon found herself echoing the other's emotions, hardly containing her awe and excitement, as her eyes met with the wonderous sights all around them. The streets were smooth and clean, void of any car or vehicle, whilst strange devices could be seen held by children and adults, and robotic machines could be seen in the distance. Turning to look ahead of her, she watched as Diana began to bombard Lang with a thousand and more questions.
�In order to map and break down a subject's basic molecular structure, a device would need a really precise sub atomic analyser, at least a hundred times more precise than a high powered mircroscope."
�We do." Lang smiled. "It took our top scientists several years to be able to develop the necessary technology, but we finally succeeded in creating a Trans-locator that was able to both map out, and break down, the complex molecular structure of the human frame.� He suddenly stopped after his sentence ended, turning to the group. �May I ask a question?�
�Sure.� Nodded Diana.
�We noticed something rather peculiar upon your arrival. Our sensors detected four solid quantum signatures, however the fifth seemed to be somewhat meshed and integrated, into a sixth. I can't tell you the level of speculation and thought that spread from this discovery, as we have never encountered something so intriguing like this before.�
Mallory lifted up his hand. �And that would be me.�
�Well, we were actually hoping that you could assist us in our problem.� Said Diana.
Lang smiled. �We would be more then happy to help. Encountering, and solving new problems, is what we simply thrive on. We will be more than happy to assist you in any way that is possible. Ah, we�re here.� Pressing his thumb against a side panel, the large double doors to the building opened, and the group slowly followed him inside.
�Diana.� Diana paused as she was about to enter, and turned as Maggie motioned to her. Whilst the others entered the building, she took her to one side. �Are you sure that we can trust him? Maybe I'm being a little too suspicious, but we have to be careful here.�
�We�ve got to trust others at some point, Maggie.� Diana replied. �And this world seems to have both the technology and the minds to help us separate Quinn from Mallory.�
�I know, but that's no excuse to just place our full trust in him." She said, sighing. "I just want you to be careful, ok?�
Diana nodded her head, before turning to catch up with the others, leaving Maggie by the doorway. Maybe she really was being too suspicious, but on the other hand someone had to keep a level head here. And it looked like Diana was too caught up in both Lang and his advanced world, to be that someone.
Wade silently watched Mallory, as he looked out of the nearby window. It had been several hours since they had arrived here, and while the rest of them waited in a side room, Diana was off with Lang discussing all that had happened, and her theory to unfuse the Quinns. Not being able to do anything but wait for her return, Rembrandt was snoring softly in a chair, whilst Maggie was trying to find her way around a computer terminal.
�Find anything interesting?�
�Not much.� Maggie sighed. She finally turned off the console, and joined Wade by the couch. �Seems that this world is pretty much how Lang described it.�
�Did you think he was lying?"
�Well, I don�t really know Wade. It�s just that everything seems so perfect somehow, too perfect. I�m just waiting for something to go wrong.�
�We've got to stay positive, because if this all really does work out, then we'll finally be getting Quinn back.�
Mallory turned his gaze away from the magnificent view, joining in with the conversation. �It would be good to finally have my own body and mind back to myself.�
Wade nodded. �It must be a really weird feeling. To know that you might get to see someone for the very first time, even though you have already shared his thoughts and memories.�
�It is. And in a way it freaks me out a little.�
As the door suddenly opened, Wade, Maggie, and Mallory turned to see Diana enter the room with Lang. A smile had appeared on their faces as they arrived, but slowly faded, as they saw the expression that was on both of ther faces.
�Diana, what is it?� Asked Maggie, concerned.
�With Lang�s help I was able to finalise my theory. Using a modified version of a Trans-locator, and their sub molecular analysers, we should be able to lock on to both Quinn distinct quantum signatures, in order to differentiate their sub molecular structures, and reassemble them both back into their normal bodies."
�But, then that's great news!" Smiled Wade. "So why the long face?�
Diana fell silent. �With Lang's help, I've been analysing and re-analysing the data over and over but again, but it still points to the same conclusion. With all honesty, we simply can not safely predict that Mallory will survive the separation.� She slowly turned to face him. �If we attempt to bring Quinn back, then Mallory will die.�
�I-I�ll die?� Said Mallory, the news causing him to sit back down into a chair.
Maggie turned to face away from the group, quickly hiding the tear that slid down her cheeks, sadness rising within her. She hated herself, hated her gut instincts for always being right, as everything was turning out like she had feared...
�So, what do we now?� Said Mallory, slowly.
�What do you mean do?� Asked Rembrandt. �We�re not going to do anything."
�But Quinn � this could be your last chance to get him back.�
Diana shook her head. �If you go through with this, the chances are that you will die.�
�Well it�s a risk that I'm willing to take." He answered, determination in his eyes. "I�ve taken his life. I�ve taken all that he was. Now it�s time for me to give it back, and if this is the only way, then I�ll do it.�
Wade opened her mouth in shock, not believing what she was even hearing. �Mallory?!�
�I promised you guys, I promised that I would slide with you so that you could get him back. Now we have a chance to do just that."
�Stop it!� Wade suddenly reached out and slapped Mallory across the face, a stunned silence descending onto all. �Just stop this! How can you say such a thing? I, as much as anyone, want Quinn back. But I would never � ever � exchange your life for his.�
�Wade ... I��
Maggie stepped forward.�You are a part of us Mallory. This may have all started because of a promise that you made, but its more than that now. Your life means more than that to us, and it should to you too.�
�I�m�� Mallory was lost for words.
�We just have to except that he is gone.� Sighed Remmy. �But we have gained a valuable friend. That�s you Mallory. Don�t ever just throw your life away like it means nothing, because it means everything to us.�
Speechless, Mallory slowly gazed into the eyes of all his friends, feeling overwhelmed, humbled, and sensing the deep compassion in their voices. There had always been a part inside of him, a constant nagging feeling, that they had never truly accepted him, that he could never even think to replace Quinn. But he finally began to realise, that that wasn't the point any more, that he really did mean something to them, and he truly hated himself, for not realising sooner...
�I can�t believe it. After getting so close, the chance to finally get Quinn back, leads to a path that we can�t take. If Mallory went through with the procedure, then he would die. It has hit us all hard. Diana is frantic in going over her research and searching for another solution, Maggie and Rembrandt have been silent: lost in old memories of Quinn, and Mallory � Mallory isn't sure of what to say or even do. And neither am I. But at the same time, it has only strengthened our resolve to get him back. We�ll find another way � I�m just sure of it.'
Wade
Wade quickly put down her pen, looking up as the door suddenly opened, and turned to see Lang enter with several scientists along side of him, a growing smile on his features. �Well, I think that we have seen and heard enough.� The group looked around, puzzled by his words. �I am so sorry that we have had to do this to you Diana, but like Maggie has said, we also have had to be careful.�
�I � I don�t understand.� She replied, trying to comprehend his words. �You mean this was all some kind of test?�
�I'm afraid it was. You see, we long ago agreed to freely share our knowledge and technology to all those who needed it, but only if those people would use it wisely and for good purposes.�
Maggie slowly began to piece it all together. �So you manipulated the data somehow, making Diana believe that by bringing Quinn back, Mallory would die!"
�Yes. And if you had decided that you could take Mallory�s life in exchange for another, then we would not have helped you. How could you be good people, if you were willing to do such a thing to one of your own...�
�Then ... you mean...� Mallory stood up. �It can be done?"
Lang nodded his head. �It can, and with a relatively high rate of success. I just hope that you can all find it in yourself to forgive us, but this countermeasure has been necessary in the past. We want to share our technology, but not with those who will easily misuse it.�
Mallory grinend as he turned to all the others. �Then what are we waiting for? Let�s do this!�
Glancing around at each other, they all suddenly moved back into motion, following Lang, as he led the group towards the lab...
With Lang's help, Diana checked over every single piece of equipment, every wire, every connection, before she would give the go ahead for the separation. Expert technicians were putting the final touches to the two Trans-locators, placing them into the centre of the room, both with the modified sub-molecular analysers. Finally satisfied with the way things looked, she then turned to Mallory. �I think we�re ready.�
�Then, I guess I'll see you all in a few.� He smiled, turning as they all wished him good luck. Stepping onto one of the Trans-locators, he took a final look back at them, before nodding that he was ready. "Ok ... do it!"
Lang sat down by the computer console, tapping in a few key sequences on the keyboard, and started the separation procedure. The platform soon hummed with a faint low toned sound, before a bright light flashed from it's core, as the scanning sequence was set into motion. It only took a few moments before a detailed atomic map of Mallory�s body was displayed up on the screen, and Diana joined Lang by the console. Together they then started the second scan, whiched picked up the genes that belonged to Quinn�s distinctive quantum signature.
�Got it.� She said, turning with a smile on her features, she caught Lang�s puzzled look as he spotted something, answering his unspoken question. �Remember the skin grafts that I told you about? Professor Geiger used the procedure to take grafts off parallel Quinn�s in order to help Mallory walk again.�
Nodding his understanding, he turned his attention back to the task at hand. �Now comes the really delicate part.� Seeing that the technicians were on standby, Lang began the next phase, locking onto Mallory, and then reading to Trans-locate his body. But instead of moving his actual body, he created a second lock-on to all of Quinn�s molecular structure, and attempted to reassemble him onto the other platform.
�Quinn!� Wade shouted, looking on as she began to see an out of phased body appear. The apparition was beginning to become clearer by the second, and its form was undoubtedly Quinn's.
�Come on Diana.� Whispered Rembrandt. �You can do this!�
Diana shook her head as she studied the screen. �Some of Mallory�s own genes are being pulled along with Quinn�s.�
�I�m trying to enhance the visual lock on his signature now.� Said Lang, his hands blurring as they raced across the keyboard. �I think that�s got it! Now Diana, bring his body into phase.�
Diana quickly pressed a few buttons on her console, and then turned to look back at the platform. Both Quinn and Mallory slowly began to come into phase, their bodies solidifying, until they suddenly collapsed, and fell onto the ground.
�Mallory! Quinn!� The sliders shouted, rushing forward.
�Hold on!� Shouted Lang, holding his hands up to stop them. �Their bodies are simply adjusting to being separate again, especially after being intertwined for so long. They need time to stabilise, and getting into contact with them at this time will only make things worse!�
Diana came to his side. �He�s right. But they should be fine ... just give them some time for their bodies to adjust.�
Maggie turned and watched as Quinn lowered his head, vomiting over the base of the platform. He then turned to lay on his back and closed his eyes, trying to shut out the pain. Mallory was mirroring his moves, holding his stomach tight. He finally looked up at them all, smiling.
�I � I did it.� He then passed out into unconsciousness...
Wade took a deep breath, hovering just outside of the room, as she toyed with her emotions, unsure is she could gain the courage to enter. Deciding that she would, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, and then finally entered the room. A smile instantly appeared on her features, as she saw his form sitting up on the hospital bed, with a doctor checking him over.
Seeing that his patient had a visitor, the doctor put away his tests, and left the two to be alone. They stood, staring at each other for a long time, like the sensation of seeing a long lost friend after so many years, but are not sure if it is them. Suddenly the tension lifted, and they both stepped forward as one, embracing into a tight hug.
�Quinn!� Cried Wade.
�Wade, I can�t believe it�s you!�
�I�� She slowly pulled away from him, trying to cover her arms, that showed the scars running down them.
�It�s ok, Wade. I remember.� She looked up at him. �Even though I was in a dormant type state, I remember bits and pieces � fragments really � of Mallory�s own memory.� He continued to look into her eyes. �It�s just so good to see you again. We thought we had lost you for good!�
She wiped the tears from her eyes. �And we thought that we had lost you too.�
They hugged again, both needing that sense of familiarity, and closenes that the months of being apart had taken from them. They then slowly looked up, seeing the others standing silently by the door.
�Q-ball!� Shouted Rembrandt. Without another word he rushed forward, hugging his friend in a tight bear hug. �Aha ha! It�s good to have you back, man!"
�Glad I am back, Remmy.� Smiled Quinn. �And it looks like you kept it all together��
Rembrandt nodded and smiled. �Even got back home and kicked the Magg�s butts. But there�s time for all that later.�
He moved out of the way to let Diana step forward. �It�s good to finally meet you Quinn.�
�You too Diana.� Quinn then looked up to see Mallory standing in the corner. �... Thank you.�
�No need to say anything.� He answered, smiling. �I would not give up until I got you out of me. And it feels good to have my own body back."
There was a cough at the door and they turned to see Maggie enter. Rembrandt motioned to the others, and after saying that they would catch up with Quinn later, they then left the room. Soon the room had emptied, and there was only the two of them left.
�Hi Maggie.�
�Quinn.�
Both seemed highly nervous, and unsure of what to say to one another. After a long moment of intense silence, Quinn finally held out his hand, and she slowly took it. Burying her head into his chest, Maggie began to cry, her tears one of happiness. Quinn moved to wrap his arms around her, holding her in close.
�Maggie, I � I could never truly express what I felt before.�
She slowly looked up into his eyes. �Words aren�t everything Quinn.�
Digesting her words, Quinn gradually leaned closer, until she could almost feel the warm touch of his breath on her skin, their lips lightly touching, sending sparks of the long concealed feelings between them, until they lost themselves in the kiss...
�What�s this?� Lang continued to gaze at the small container that Diana had given him.
�It is a blood sample from Remmy. It contains a virus that once heated into the atmosphere, will protect your world from the Kromaggs if they ever invade.�
�This is � this is remarkable.� He smiled. �Thank you, Diana.�
�It�s the least that we can do, especially after all your help.�
Finishing her goodbye, Diana then left the building, and joined the others outside.
�Now just look at that. He's only just come back, and he�s already messing with the timer.� Joked Rembrandt, smiling, causing Wade and Maggie to join him in his laughter.
�Just a little tinkering Remmy.� Smiled Quinn. �I need to adjust the power flow, so that the wormhole is stable enough to hold all six of us." He continued to finish the adjustments, before replacing the cover back onto the timer. "There, it�s done.�
�We�ve accomplished so much.� Smiled Mallory, looking around at the others. �So what�s left?�
�All that�s left is to find Quinn�s home-world, and a way to take out the Kromaggs once and for all.� Stated Maggie.
Quinn closed his eyes at the mention of home. Memories from Mallory of Colin� death, slowly came back to him. As the display reached zero, he activated the timer, and the vortex gradually formed. Holding out his hand to Maggie, the two jumped together into the swirling silver-blue vortex, and disappeared in a flash of light. The others then ran forward, and followed closely behind, disappearing into the gateway. As the wind slowly began to die down, the vortex began to fade, and then finally disappeared from sight.
End.