Remmy lay back on the bed, relaxing. It was his last proper night's sleep before he started work. He smiled as Caroline walked in.
"Hey. Work time already?" he asked.
"I'm afraid so, Rembrandt," she replied.
They were both quiet for a minute or so, lost in thought. Caroline broke the silence cautiously.
"Rembrandt? Could I ask you about something?"
"Shoot. Whatever," grinned Remmy.
"How do you know Max?"
Remmy tried to think fast, wondering whether to explain Sliding to her. He decided not, no one ever believed him anyway. "It was through Q-ball really, he had this accident a while back, and I sort of met the Professor after I got to know Quinn."
"But I thought you weren't from round here? Everyone knows Quinn and Max are from San Francisco." Caroline frowned.
"Well, uh. I met them not long before I met you, when I was visiting here. Like I said, it was an accident." Remmy paused, digesting what she'd said, "does that mean Q-ball's wanted here too? What's he supposed to have done?"
Caroline laughed, "you're so good. I could believe you in a second. But I don't have time for this just now, I have to go."
Caroline rushed out of the door, ready for work. Quinn watched her go from the kitchen. As the front door closed, he went upstairs to find Remmy.
"Remmy, I think you should be careful what you tell her," he began.
"What're you talkin' about, man?"
"Caroline. I'm not sure we can trust her," pressed Quinn.
"An why not, Q-ball? Huh? Because you don't know her? I know this lady, and she ain't gonna betray us, no matter how she reacted last night," Remmy shouted at Quinn, frustrated. "Trust me for a change. She's fine. You can hardly blame her for being surprised after all the publicity..."
"... it's not that, Remmy," interrupted Quinn.
"What then?"
"I heard her talking to someone on the phone last night, after everyone was asleep."
"So what, Q-ball? It's her house."
"I think she said my name," Quinn finished.
"That's it? You saw her use the phone late at night, and because you THINK you heard her say your name, you think we can't trust her?"
"Yeah. Isn't that enough?" Quinn yelled back.
"What else did she say, man? Sell our souls over the phone? How come no one's come looking for us if she announced our presence?"
"I don't know," replied Quinn, reluctantly. "I don't know what else she said either, I couldn't hear."
"So the only think you may have heard is your name? Would you listen to yourself, Q-ball. This is ridiculous. You must be developing one serious ego."
Wade groaned. She'd been hoping to catch up on some sleep, but with Quinn and Remmy screaming at one another down the hall, there didn't seem to be much hope of that. She considered going to find out exactly what they were arguing about, but thought better of it. Quinn just couldn't be reasoned with in that sort of mood anyway, so what was the point getting involved. She lay on the bed, waiting for the shouting to finish. Momentarily, she considered turning the radio on to try and drown them out, but then she remembered what the TV had been like and thought better of it. Obviously the only course of action was to sit and wait for it to blow over.
Maggie lay back on her bunk after an exhausting night of trying to fob Rickman off. She was relieved that soon she would be expected to return to England, at least she could get away from this propaganda creation machine then, and Rickman. After all that had happened with Rickman's double, and given the circumstances in this world, Maggie found it hard to remain civil with Rickman. She knew he outranked her, but frankly she didn't trust him at all, and she would be willing to disobey his orders in a second if she considered it necessary. Her time with the Sliders had truly changed her.
Slowly, she relaxed, trying to get rid of a persistent headache which had troubled her for the last two days. As she finally began to drift off to sleep she was barely aware of the door opening. She sat up suddenly in bed, wondering who would possibly disturb her now. At the door stood her double.
Finally Wade heard the door slam as Quinn left for work. Heaving a sigh of relief, she wandered downstairs to see if Remmy could explain what was going on.
"Hey Remmy"
"Morning sweetheart. Sleep well?" Remmy smiled.
"Sure, 'til you and Quinn started yelling at one another," replied Wade.
"You noticed that, huh?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
Remmy sighed. "Q-ball doesn't trust Caroline." He paused for a moment, then began to get worked up again. "I can't believe it, like he thinks I'm not capable of telling what sort of person she is. She's good people, she really is, Wade."
"Hey," Wade patted his arm gently. "You know what Quinn's like. He just gets these ideas sometimes. He'll get over it." Wade tried to calm Remmy down a little.
"I sure hope so. That boy can be so annoying sometimes," groaned Remmy.
Wade laughed, "and don't we know it."
Remmy smiled again. "What're you up to today, girl, anyway?"
"Well," said Wade sheepishly, "I was thinking I might do some digging, see if I can find anything out. Like maybe how to contact the underground."
"You sure about that, girl? You could be walking into a whole heap of trouble." Remmy looked concerned.
"I can take care of myself," frowned Wade.
"So says that shiner," chuckled Remmy, gesturing at her face.
"Well, someone has to go looking, and you have to work," Wade responded indignantly, "and Maggie's busy. Any ideas where to start?"
"There's always the traditional talk to a priest method," suggested Remmy. "I know just the man..."
Wade stepped into the San Francisco community church feeling slightly apprehensive. In these circumstances it would be so easy to say the wrong thing and end up in trouble, even with a priest. Nonetheless, she continued. Initially there were a number of people milling about, so Wade went and lit a candle for Max, praying that he wasn't in any immediate danger, not before they could find him. Then there seemed to be a slight lull, and Wade took her opportunity.
"Reverend? May I speak with you privately?"
"Certainly child," smiled the Reverend, "step over here." He led her to a small confession booth in the corner.
"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned," began Wade, uncertain how to approach the topic of Max.
"What troubles you, child?" asked the Reverend.
My friend is in trouble an I don't know how to help him," blurted out Wade.
"If you seek to help him, then he will appreciate you efforts."
"But he's been wrongly imprisoned, and I have no idea how to see him. I don't even understand what he's done."
Hush child, we shouldn't even be speaking of these things. Are you speaking of a political prisoner?"
Wade gulped, this could be the moment of truth. She decided to have faith in Remmy. "Yes," she replied.
"Then there is only one group of people who can help you," answered the Reverend. He scribbled an address on a scrap of paper. "Go to this address. If anyone can help you, it is them. But be warned, they do not take to strangers easily. They must be convinced of your cause before they will help you. Are you sure you wouldn't rather be serving the community from which your friend has, temporarily I'm sure, been taken? In preparation for his return."
"I'm sure, Reverend. Thank you," said Wade gratefully. She rushed out of the church before the Reverend could say another word.
The Reverend sighed and turned to another woman who had just entered the church. Under his breath he muttered, "a shame, one so young."
Maggie shot to her feet, her tiredness from being awake all night instantly gone. For a few moments they circled one another, ready to strike, then her double spoke.
"Who are you? What're you doing here?"
"This is going to sound a little improbable," replied Maggie, "but I'm you."
"Sure," sneered Maggie's double. "What do you want?"
"Nothing," insisted Maggie. "I came here by accident."
"Which is why you just so happen to be in my quarters, accidentally sleeping in my bed, I assume?"
"I can explain..."
"...I'm sure you can. To Rickman, spy." Maggie's double finally stopped circling and pounced.
The two of them struggled against one another for several minutes, each of them getting the occasional punch in, finally Maggie's double drew her gun.
"Well if you're not going to go quietly..."
Maggie closed her eyes momentarily as her double pulled the trigger and the gun misfired. Her double instantly went for her secondary gun, which she wore on her ankle. As she did so Maggie dived at her, pushing her back into the wall. The double hit her head on the wall and slumped to the floor unconscious.
Maggie herself sighed and wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth, the fun was on just beginning. Now she had to figure out how to get out of this mess without getting caught. With Max already in trouble, the others were going to need her help. She began to tie her double firmly to the chair.
Quinn glanced at the headed notepaper in his hand, hopefully giving him the address of Caroline's work place. He had about half an hour before he had to get to work himself, and this address was only a couple of blocks out of his way. Quinn began to run. He wasn't too sure what he expected to find, something to persuade Remmy perhaps. He knew that Remmy would never believe him without some proof, not this time. Ignoring the stares he attracted from strangers on the street, Quinn found the building and ran in.
As he entered, he was confronted by a security guard and some sort of receptionist. He absentmindely ran his hand through his hair, trying to look more presentable, then approached her as confidently as possible.
"I'm, err, looking for Caroline Fontaine?"
The receptionist smiled and pointed to the lift. "Fifth floor, sir."
"Thanks," replied Quinn, glancing at the security guard, who just ignored him.
Quinn emerged from the lift cautiously on the fourth floor, and found some stairs to the fifth floor. Already this world's paranoia was catching up with him. He quietly wandered down the corridor, trying to work out where Caroline's office might be. Suddenly he heard her voice behind him.
"Why, Quinn. What're you doing here? Can I help you?"
Quinn spun round, a little embarrassed. "I, err. I just wanted to thank you for last night, and I wondered if there was anything you wanted us to do for you. During the day," he stammered. "While you're at work."
"Well, thank you, Quinn. That was very nice of you, but I'm fine. I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a hurry now though, I'll see you later." Caroline walked off quickly.
Quinn turned and tried to work out where she had come from, finally finding her office. It was locked. He sighed and began searching through his pockets for anything he might be able to use to pick the lock with, but he was short of time and the corridor was too busy. He knew he had to concede for the moment. Maybe there would be something back at the house, he hoped.
Wade glanced down at the scrap of paper the Reverend had given her. She was sure, this was the place. Looking round suspiciously for any observers, she approached the house and knocked boldly on the door. As the door opened, she realised she had absolutely no idea what to say.
The door was opened by a tall, muscular man, who was instantly familiar to her.
"Wilkins," she gasped, remembering the leader of the American uprising, who she had come to admire on one of the first worlds they had visited.
Wilkins looked down at the complete stranger who knew his name. He roughly pulled her inside the house before she could signal anyone who might be with her, then he hit her, knocking her out. As Wade fell to the floor, Wilkins picked her up using a fireman's lift, and carried her into the next room. The others in the room stared at them intently.
"Who's she?" asked Rothwell as he lent back in his chair, smoking.
"How should I know?" snapped Wilkins.
"But she knew you?" asked Moody, the only female among the little band.
"Yeah. Can't figure that out at all, not unless we've been found out. Better start moving out guys, unless you want to be lookin' at the world through bars for a long time to come. Come on, this house is about done for recruitment anyway, we should get back under."
"There is no danger," argued Stoica, a large, portly man. "They wouldn't send just her."
"I said we're movin' out. I don't like to waste men for no good reason," snarled Wilkins.
"There is no danger," repeated Stoica.
Wilkins looked about ready to hit Stoica, but despite his regular insubordination he knew that Stoica was really a good man, and he didn't want to waste any offer of help. So he held himself back, and simply fired back, "which part of that didn't you understand, Private?" As the group was momentarily silent there was another knock at the door.
Mick answered, bringing the Reverend through into the room with him a few moments later.
"So you met her," observed the Reverend. "She was a threat? I couldn't decide, that's why I sent her here. She said she was looking for a wrongly imprisoned friend."
"That doesn't necessarily make her rebellion material, you know that. Besides, she knew me by name," replied Wilkins.
"Hmm, now that is a puzzle. Surely if she'd been sent by troops they would've been here already. They usually act very quickly on such a lead."
"True," conceded Wilkins. "I think we should relocate just in case though, no sense in being caught like this."
"Quite," smiled the Reverend. "Still, I'd go a bit easier on her, so much simpler to find out what's going on if you let her remain conscious."
"I'll do things my own way, thank you," retorted Wilkins politely, but firmly.
"Certainly, my son," nodded the Reverend. "Anyhow, I must be going, leave you to decide what to do."
"I'll let you out," offered Mick amicably.
Wilkins stared silently at the unconscious form of Wade, unable to imagine how she could know him yet not bring any of Bennish's soldiers. Strange.
"Q-ball? That you?" called Remmy as he heard the door open.
"Yeah, it's me," mumbled Quinn.
"You seen Wade at all today?"
"No," replied Quinn, glancing at his watch, instantly worried. "She went out?"
"This morning, just after you," answered Remmy.
"How long til curfew?" asked Quinn.
"'Bout half an hour. I gotta go to work soon though, man."
"We've got to look for her," said Quinn, already halfway out of the door.
"I'm with you, Q-ball." Remmy followed him out.
Side by side, they ran back towards the centre of San Francisco, all arguments forgotten.
"I know where to start," gasped Remmy, "the church. She was going there this morning."
"The church?" Quinn looked surprised.
"It's a long story, I'll explain later," replied Remmy.
The church was in complete darkness, so they ran round it, frantically searching anywhere they could think of. But with curfew fast approaching, they had very little time, and they ha no idea where else to look.
"What was she doing at the church anyway, Remmy?" Quinn looked Remmy in the eye. "You suggested it, didn't you?"
Remmy nodded silently.
"Supposing she found something?" shouted Quinn, "Or something found her."
"I don't know. She just wanted to do something for Max, and I was trying to help her out. I thought it'd be safer this way," sighed Remmy.
Quinn glared at him, but said nothing, trying to restrain himself from starting another argument and wasting valuable time.
"Hi guys!" The two of them turned to see Caroline pull up to the pavement beside them. "Want a ride home, Quinn?"
"How come you're out now?" asked Quinn, instantly suspicious.
"Late night at the office," replied Caroline casually. "I could ask the same of you. You don't want to get caught out here."
Quinn and Remmy exchanged glances, and Quinn nodded very slightly. Despite his misgivings, Caroline seemed to be their only hope of finding Wade quickly. Remmy had seen her at the church before, he just had to hope that was a good sign, rather than a bad one.
"We've lost Wade," explained Remmy concisely.
"Get in," Caroline ordered Quinn, "quickly."
Quinn glared at her. "Didn't you hear me? We have to look for Wade."
"Not now, get in." Caroline saw the look on Quinn's face an added, "I can help you out, but we have to go now!"
"Go on, man. No sense getting yourself into trouble too. How will you help her of Max then?" Remmy gave Quinn a push.
Quinn turned and locked his eyes onto Remmy's, his look saying everything. Then he got into the car and Caroline sped away.
Remmy walked the remaining block to work quickly, praying that he was right about Caroline. If he was wrong it seemed the others would pay the price.
Max paced his small cell, bored and annoyed. He could see no way out. It seemed he would be forced to rely on the others. Not a tempting prospect however competent they were. He had never been one to rely on anyone, and to be trapped with no hope of escaping without help was probably one of the most frustrating experiences he had encountered. The boredom was only compounding the problem.
Finally, Max decided that his best approach would be to occupy himself usefully. He could do some work on the theories behind Sliding, possibly even make some advances, maybe get them home. He smiled broadly, the others may have to rescue him, but perhaps he could rescue them in return. Al he needed was pen and paper. He called to the guard at the end on the row of cells.
"Guard!"
The guard turned, obviously annoyed. "What is it now, Max?"
"I wonder if you would be so kind as to furnish me with a pen and some paper?" asked Max in the friendliest manner possible, given his situation.
"Why?" asked the guard.
"To occupy myself while I'm incarcerated here," replied Max.
"Doing what?"
"I thought I'd write my memoirs, what do you think, you blistering idiot! I want to do some work, keep my mind occupied," roared Max, losing patience more quickly then he had intended.
"Whoa. No way are you getting to do any work. I know what sort of work you do. If you did something like that while you're here, I'd get shot. You'll just have to be bored."
"What sort of trouble can I possibly cause with a pen and a few pieces of paper, boy?" Max glared at the guard's back as he moved away. "Imbecile."
Too proud to attempt any further persuasion, Max laid back on his hard bed, trying to amuse himself. But all he could think of was escape. His brain began to imagine holes appearing in the walls, or the bars unlocking unexpectedly.
Initially, he didn't notice when the door opened for real. He thought it was simply his mind continuing to play tricks on him. Then he realised that someone had stepped through.
"Bennish?" Max smiled.
"Max," replied Bennish.
A loud noise suddenly brought Wade back to full consciousness just as she had begun to stir. There were voices all around and she heard a shot fire. The people around her all began frantically loading weapons and obviously panicking a little. Wade wondered where she was, she didn't recognise any of them. Then she heard a familiar voice call.
"Mick's dead, and they're right on top of us. Run!"
The strangers all obeyed instantly, probably more out of instinct than
anything. Wade tried to follow them, not wanting to find out who was
shooting at them. It was only then that she realised she was stuck.
Her hands were tightly bound behind her and secured to a pipe which ran across
the bottom of the wall. She struggled violently, but there was no hope of
escape. Apprehensively, she awaited the arrival of their
aggressors.
On to part 4