Timer countdown: 24 minutes remaining�
Quinn taped furiously away at the control panel, ignoring the sparks of electricity that jolted from the other ones around him, as he tried to access the encrypted Kromagg files. He chanced a quick look to his side, and glanced at the timer's display. There was less than 24 minutes remaining until the slide. Tearing his gaze away from the readout, he attempted to focus on the task at hand, but it seemed nearly impossible. As soon as the base had been infiltrated, a virus had been unleashed into the computer system, and it was deleting all important data piece by piece, before he even had a chance to access them.
�Quinn?�
His attention was overted, as he heard Diana�s voice through the crackling signal of the radio, that was lying motinlessly on the table. Every second that had was crucial, so he could not afford to waste it, by picking up the set. Instead, Quinn quickly called out to Maggie, who rushed in from having kept watched outside, clutching her rifle tightly in her hands. Hearing the static of the radio, she ran over and picked it up.
�Diana? Mallory? Please tell me you guys have got good news!�
Diana�s voice came through the earpiece �I�ve been trying to disable the inter-dimensional beacon from the Security Control Room, but I�m being continually locked out of the system!�
�It�s the firewall that their systems have.� Stated Quinn, still trying to decrypt the files. �It has been happening here also, but I�ve managed to find a way through it, and am trying to decode the files now. Diana, you�ve got to find a way to turn the signal off, before the Kromagg gliders can get here!�
She fell silent for a moment. �How much time?�
�We�ve got just under 20 minutes! Where�s Rembrandt and Wade?�
There was another slight pause. �They haven�t met up with us yet. We�ve tried to contact them, but their radio must be damaged. I�ll try to do my best, but I�m not sure if I can gain access. Diana out��
Quinn quickly shifted his gaze to Maggie. �Where could they be?�
�They�ll be here, Quinn. Just concentrate on getting into the files.�
�Wait�� Quinn soon fell silent. �That�s it. I�m in!�
The screen on the monitor suddenly flashed as the encryption codes were uncoded, and full access to the files was granted. As fast as his hands could type, Quinn browsed through the mass of files, in search for the one that held the co-ordinates of different parallel worlds. But as fast as he was sorting through them, the virus was in the process of deleting them.
Maggie froze as the sound of multiple wormholes opening could be heard faintly in the distance. �It�s too late! Diana, Mallory get to the roof now! We�ll meet you there!� She rushed over to check the timer. �You�ve got 17 minutes!� She turned suddenly once more, as a noise came from the corridor. Raising the rifle cautiosly, she slowly walked forward, disappearing from view.
�I�ve found it!� Quinn exclaimed in joy. Quickly retrieving the timer on the table, he hooked up a data cable from the console to it's core, and began the data transfer. The screen soon began to flicker, as the virus began to corrupt the current file. Quinn hurried to reach out to the timer, in an attempt to disconnect it from the transfer before the virus could spread to it's systems, crying out in pain as a jolt shot up his arm.
�Quinn!� Maggie quickly ran back into the room, ignoring the sound that she had heard before, and rushed over to his side. She saw that he was in extreme pain, turning over his hand to witness the burnt flesh that the shock had done to his hand. As she ripped off a piece of her clothing to bandage the wound, footsteps came up from behind�
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:
Jerry O� Connell as Quinn Mallory
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!
A swirling silver-blue orb of bright light, suddenly ripped through the dimensional fabric between worlds, and slowly began to form. The gateway howled fiercely as it stabilised, blowing papers off of the desk, and casting a strange eerie glow over the room, like the rippling waves of an ocean. As a bright flash of light erupted, Quinn emerged from the depths of the vortex, falling quickly onto the ground. Pushing himself up onto his feet, he moved out of the way, as the others appeared next.
Mallory came through last, falling straight onto the nearby couch, and causing it to fall over with him by the force of the exit. The gateway stayed open for a moment longer, before finally closing its portals, and the room returned to its normal state.
�Oww�� Mallory rubbed his aching side. �Ok, it's been several slides that I've been meaning to mention this now, but I think that you�ve put a little too much power into the vortex, Quinn!�
�Sorry Mallory." Quinn smiled. "But the power output needs to stay the same, so that the vortex can accommodate all six of us safely.�
He turned to Diana sourly, who simply smiled, nodding her head as there was no other way.
�Talk about door-to-door service.� Smiled Rembrandt, looking around at their surroundings. �We�ve slid right into a suite in the Chandler Hotel. It's been a while since we�ve landed somewhere other than the back of a side alley.� He observed.
�So how long do we have here?� Asked Wade.
Quinn checked the timer. �3 hours and change.�
Maggie walked over to the other side of the room, and lifted up the blinds to let some light in. She suddenly froze in shock, and turned back to face them. �Guys � we�ve got company!�
The others quickly rushed over to the window, following Maggie�s gaze, and there, marching in tight formation in the middle of the street, were Kromagg soldiers. They marched silently side by side, each carrying their strange weapons ahead of them, as they went about rounding up the fleeing humans, that attempted to escape in all directions.
�Aim!� Shouted the Kromagg Commander. �And fire!�
The Kromagg soldiers stopped marching, lifting up their weapons, before moving into position to fire. A fluid stream of blue energy shot out from the strange devices, hitting many of the humans in their backs, bringing them down harmlessly to the ground. The sliders slowly closed the blinds, and moved back away from sight.
Rembrandt punched his fist into his other hand, growing more angry with the passing seconds. �Damn Maggs! They�re everywhere!�
�They must be in the process of trying to take over this world.� Stated Diana.
Maggie sighed as she looked over at Quinn. �So much for that quality time we were gonna spend together.�
He nodded his head solemnly, placing his arm protectively around her.
�So what do we do?� Asked Mallory. �Shall we lay low, or try to take them out. I mean we do have the virus.�
�I�m all for that.� Echoed Remmy.
�But we�ve only got just over three hours here.� Argued Wade. �All that we can do is start to release some of it into the atmosphere.�
Quinn thought for a moment as everyone turned to him to make the decision. �I think that we can do a little bit more than that. The Kromaggs must have some kind of base here from which to direct their operations. If we could infiltrate their base, then we could not only disable their control centre, but also hack into their systems.�
Diana nodded as she smiled, understanding what Quinn was getting at. �And uncover the co-ordinates to Kromagg Prime.�
�It�s going to risky.� Maggie replied, her mind already stratagising. �And we�re against the countdown of the timer. But if we plan this all properly then � then we might just pull it off.�
�Then it�s settled.� Nodded Rembrandt. �We're gonna raid the Magg base!�
2 hours and 43 minutes remaining�
Maggie slowly pushed the little dial on the binoculars that she held, causing the lens to begin to zoom in, the image she witnessed becoming more distinct. She slowly viewed the length of the Kromagg base into the distance, detailing its form. The base was a high-levelled building, that had been turned into their base of operations, guards stood to attention at all known entrances, and various devices were being brought in from the nearby gliders. The only place that was relatively unguarded, was the roof entrance.
�Looks like we have to go in through the roof.� Said Maggie, handing the binoculars over to Mallory who was by her side. �Everywhere else is too heavily guarded.�
�Yeah, it looks that way." He thought for a moment, before finally finding what he was searching for. "I might be wrong, but those look a little like ventilation shafts..."
Maggie nodded her head.�You know I think you're right." She paused as she took a look. "Come on, let�s get back to the others.�
Moving from their vantage point, Maggie and Mallory left the roof of the hotel, and made their way back to the suite where the others were waiting. When they arrived back at their room, they saw that they had already begun preparations. Quinn and Diana were extracting samples from Rembrandt�s blood, and placing them into containers, while Wade had gathered some radios, and even a rifle that she had found under the bar. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look up, as they saw the two enter the room.
�How�s the security?� Asked Rembrandt, as soon as they sat down.
�Tight.� Answered Mallory. �The best place to enter would be from the roof. We also spotted some ventilation shafts.�
�That�s great.� Smiled Diana. �We can heat up the virus and sypher the gas into the shafts, circulating it through the entire building.�
�We�ll have to move fast.� Added Quinn. �So here�s the plan. There must be some kind of emergency ladder to the side of the building, which we'll use to gain access to the roof. Once there, we�ll begin to gas the building with the virus, and once the majority of Kromaggs have been killed, we�ll enter. That is where we split up. Diana, Mallory, you two have to get to the Security Control Room, it will be the place where they have all the monitors and system warnings. There must be some kind of countermeasure that will shut us out of the mainframe, or even call Kromagg reinforcements. You guys need to disable those.�
�And we�re heading straight to the Main Control Room right?� Asked Maggie.
�Right. Once Diana and Mallory have gained us access to the mainframe, I�ll thenstart to decrypt the encryption codes on the various files.�
Wade turned to Rembrandt, before looking up.�What about Remmy and I?�
�You guys need to free any prisoners that are held on the base. Get them to safety if you have to, but remember to stay in constant radio contact. On a world that is just being taken over, Kromagg reinforcements can�t be far behind.�
Wade nodded. �We�ll do our best.� She stated, picking up the radios and giving each of the groups one. �I think you�d put better use to this than me, Maggie.� She smiled, handing her the rifle.
�Thanks Wade.� Maggie took a moment to check the rifle over, finding that there was ample ammo stored inside.
�We can do this guys!� Smiled Mallory. �We have to. Not only will we save this world by clearing out the Maggs, but we�ll also get the co-ordinates to Quinn�s home world!�
Rembrandt pressed a tissue against his arm, from the place where the needle was just taken out of his skin. �We better make a move. Time�s against us��
2 hours and 24 minutes remaining�
Quinn, Maggie, Rembrandt, Wade, Mallory and Diana slowly made their way through the dirty streets. Several times they had come across a squad of Kromagg troops, but each time they had kept to the shadows, waiting until they passed by. They soon arrived into an alleyway which overlooking the Kromagg Base, waiting until the guards had turned their backs, and ran, keeping as low as they possibly could, until they made it into the opposite alleyway.
Mallory silently lowered the emergency ladder, and one by one, they all climbed up it, being as quiet as they could. As soon as they had gotten to the roof, they went straight to work. Quinn and Diana took out the lighters that they carried, and began to heat up the containers with the virus over the ventilation shafts. It was not long before a gaseous form began to spew from the containers, and made its way down the ventilation shaft.
�Ok, you all know what you have to do?� Asked Quinn.
They all nodded their heads.
�We�ll keep the virus heated up until it has a chance to circulate.� Said Rembrandt. �Then we�ll free the prisoners.�
�Alright, but be careful Remmy, Wade.�
�Always are, Q-Ball.�
Nodding, Quinn turned and followed the others, as they headed over to the door that led into the building, while Rembrandt and Wade continued to heat up the virus. As they moved stealthly onto the first floor, they said a few quick words of good luck, and then separated into their two groups. Maggie could already hear the screams of the dying Kromaggs, and smell the faint aroma of the heated virus, as it billowed almost invisibly down the corridor.
Rifle at the ready, she led the way as they descended deeper into the Kromagg base, and searched for the Main Control Room. Time seemed to quickly pass by, as they moved past the many dead Kromagg bodies, and finally found the room they were looking for. Quinn instantly spotted the electronic keypad device, that was hooked up beside the door. He began trying to input a few random codes, but found it was to no success.
�I�m going to have to try and override it.�
Quinn pried open the panel and stared at the complicated electronics. His methodical quick working mind worked out the easiest way to shortage the panel, and soon he pulled out two separate wires, fusing them together. The door soon creaked open a fraction, allowing him together with Maggie, pull it open wide enough for them to enter.
As Quinn pulled a dead Kromagg soldier, off of a console hooked up to the mainframe, Maggie picked up the radio she carried, and contacted Mallory and Diana. �Where are you guys?�
�� We've managed to make it to the Security Control Room a few minutes ago.� Answered Mallory, catching his breath. �Diana is trying to work out the different systems and controls now.�
�I can�t gain access.� Sighed Quinn, shaking his head. �Tell Diana that she has to unlock access to the Main Control Room.�
�I�m on it.� Came Diana�s reply...
1 hour and 39 minutes remaining�
�Are you sure we�re going the right way?� Asked Rembrandt, suddenly.
�It is.� Replied Wade. �The file that I found in that other room reported that the prisoners were being held in the basement.�
Wade physically shuddered as she stepped over a dead Kromagg body.Shifting her gaze away from the corpse, she continued down the long dark corridor. The lighting on the entire level, for some reason had been completely disabled, and they could hardly see what was in front of them. They soon came to a door towards the end of the corrido, and turning the handle slowly, they emerged into a large room. Wade and Rembrandt immediately turned to their left, on seeing the blue electrical barrier that had several prisoners entrapped.
�Who? �� A prisoner stood up in shock.
�Don�t worry, we�re gonna get you out of here!� Said Wade.
�No � no � they�ll be here! Run!� He shouted, gesturing wildly.
�Hey man, it�s ok.� Assured Rembrandt. �We�ve taken care of the Maggs. Now do you know where the controls for this thing is?�
Hesitating slightly, the man pointed to a large device standing towards the corner of their cell. Slowly, the other prisoners began to stir, as the prospect of being set free was becoming more a reality by the second.
�Which one?� Rembrandt shouted, starinh at the multitude of Kromagg buttons that were on the device.
Wade shook her head in confusion. �The red one?�
�Worth a try.� He said, pressinh the button. For a few seconds nothing seemed to happen, but then suddenly the blue barrier began to slow, and then finally faded from sight. The prisoners were freed.
�T-Thank you!� They all shouted in joy.
�Come on, we�ll lead you out of here.�
Turning, Rembrandt and Wade quickly led the group of prisoners out from the basement...
1 hour and 7 minutes remaining�
�Oh no!�
Mallory turned sharply from his gaze into the corridor, and ran over to Diana. �What do you mean: �oh no�?�
Diana silently pointed to the flashing red light that was toone side of the screen. �From as far as I can tell, it looks like some kind of alert signal.�
�Signal to what?�
��� Diana pressed a few buttons, bringing up a sub-menu. �The system has some kind of back-up countermeasures if the base has been infiltrated. It looks like an inter-dimensional beacon that is contacting other Kromagg gliders!�
�I�d better tell the others.� Mallory picked up the radio, relaying the information to Quinn.
�... There�s more bad news.� Came Quinn�s voice from the receiver. �A computer virus has been let loose into the system. It is erasing all of the information stored on the mainframe!�
�Can you still gain access to the files?� Asked Diana.
�... No, they are encoded in some kind of Kromagg encryption code. 'm trying to decode them now.�
�Maybe there is something here that I can�� Diana jumped back slightly as the screen suddenly turned blank.
�... What happened?�
Mallory stared at the blank screen, before picking up the radio. �Er, it seems that we're having ... we're having a little technical difficulty!"
�We�ve been locked out of the system!� Said Diana, shaking her head.
�... You guys have got to turn that beacon off!� Noted Quinn. �Otherwise a hoard of Kromagg gliders are going to slide into here before we have a chance to gain access to the files!�
�We�ll try, Quinn. Mallory out.� Mallory changed the channel. �Rembrandt, Wade, do you read me?�
�� Mallory? We read you.� Came Wade�s voice.
�Where are you guys?�
�We�ve just helped the prisoners get clear of the building. We�re making our way up to you guys now.�
�Ok then. See you two soon. Mallory out...�
40 minutes remaining (Off world)�
�Commander!� The Kromagg officer addressed his superior. �The gliders are powered and ready to go!�
�Excellent. Is the inter-dimensional beacon still in operation?�
�Yes sir. We have tracked the signal to Earth 114. It is one of the worlds that we are currently invading.�
�Good. Gather the troops. We�ll teach those human scum to rise up against us! We leave now!�
20 minutes remaining�
�... We�ve got just under 20 minutes! Where�s Rembrandt and Wade?�
There was another slight pause. �They haven�t met up with us yet. We�ve tried to contact them, but their radio must be damaged. I�ll try to do my best, but I�m not sure if I can gain access. Diana out��
Quinn quickly shifted his gaze to Maggie. �Where could they be?�
�They�ll be here, Quinn. Just concentrate on getting into the files.�
�Wait�� Quinn soon fell silent. �That�s it. I�m in!�
The screen on the monitor suddenly flashed as the encryption codes were uncoded, and full access to the files was granted. As fast as his hands could type, Quinn browsed through the mass of files, in search for the one that held the co-ordinates of different parallel worlds. But as fast as he was sorting through them, the virus was in the process of deleting them.
Maggie froze as the sound of multiple wormholes opening could be heard faintly in the distance. �It�s too late! Diana, Mallory get to the roof now! We�ll meet you there!� She rushed over to check the timer. �You�ve got 17 minutes!� She turned suddenly once more, as a noise came from the corridor. Raising the rifle cautiosly, she slowly walked forward, disappearing from view.
�I�ve found it!� Quinn exclaimed in joy. Quickly retrieving the timer on the table, he hooked up a data cable from the console to it's core, and began the data transfer. The screen soon began to flicker, as the virus began to corrupt the current file. Quinn hurried to reach out to the timer, in an attempt to disconnect it from the transfer before the virus could spread to it's systems, crying out in pain as a jolt shot up his arm.
�Quinn!� Maggie quickly ran back into the room, ignoring the sound that she had heard before, and rushed over to his side. She saw that he was in extreme pain, turning over his hand to witness the burnt flesh that the shock had done to his hand. As she ripped off a piece of her clothing to bandage the wound, footsteps came up from behind.
�Quinn? Maggie?�
Maggie turned and smiled as Rembrandt and Wade came into view. �Where have you two been?! You were supposed to meet up with the others a long time ago!�
�We got side tracked.� Answered Wade. She turned and saw Quinn�s hand, suddenly becoming concerned.�You ok, Quinn?�
�Yeah, just got burnt a little.� Getting up he retrieved the timer from off of the table, and disconnected it from the mainframe. �Come on, we�ve got to get to the roof!�
Rushing out of the main control room, the group ran as fast as they could through the dimly lit corridor, and up the several sets of stairs towards the roof. They emerged out into fresh air to see Diana and Mallory crouching behind part of the building, as Kromagg gliders were circling overhead.
�Guys!� Smiled Mallory. "Talk about cutting it close!�
�Did you get the co-ordinates?� Asked Diana.
�I think so.� Quinn replied. �Gonna have to check it out on the next world!� Quickly pressing the button, he activated the timer, and the stream of energy shot out. A strong wind blew all around them, as the vortex slowly began to form. �Go! Go!� He shouted.
As the vortex fully formed, the group ran a few feet ahead, and jumped one by one into the gateway. The glider�s weapons fire harmlessly hit the ground where they had been a moment before. They had escaped.
Maggie stood, her arms resting around Quinn�s shoulders, as he sat down by the table, studying the co-ordinates that he had downloaded from the Kromagg mainframe.
�Luckily, I disconnected the timer before the virus had a chance to disrupt its systems.� Said Quinn, smiling as he placed his hands into hers. �And Maggie, it�s the co-ordinates to Kromagg Prime!" He turned to look into her eyes. "I�m finally going home!�
End.