A Sliders Fan Script
by Ashe P. Kirk
Episode 7 of my "Season 6 in the 2020s" series
Completed: 5 August 2022
Arturo
I don't get much recognition since the government cover-up forced me into obscurity. -- It pains me to think of what they could have been doing with that technology all this time.
Quinn
New timer.
Arturo
We got caught up in a pandemic on another Earth. I've come here to recuperate.
Soldier #2
Please hand over the timer, sir.
Diana
Quinn's in trouble. The military just seized the basement.
Bravo
Ha! Should've guessed who I'd find here. -- Maybe you should see our facility. --
Quinn
Oh, goody, the grand tour, huh?
Charlie
Ah! Hey guys, glad you're safe.
Diana
Quinn, why are you disassembling the timer?
Cole
He's... not our Quinn...
Charlie
Good catch.
Wade
Who the hell are you?!
Charlie
(as if it's obvious)
I'm Quinn Mallory. -- Red Vine?
Bravo
We could use another Quinn on the team, just puttin' it out there. -- Think about it. You might be surprised at the good we're doing.
Title: Four Days Ago
We open on a clean, white corridor with a number of doors that require keycodes to open. There are military people passing by, some entering and leaving rooms.
Quinn Bravo strides confidently down the hall, giving the occasional nod to the people he passes.
Quinn walks just behind Bravo, looking nervous as he studies everything he sees.
Bravo
I don't know why most Quinns just try to run around the multiverse without any safety net, you know? You could easily end up in mortal danger, and I've seen my fair share of dead Quinns.
Quinn lingers his gaze on someone entering a number into a keypad.
Bravo
Here, we do everything carefully. We send through a probe that tells us if the air is breathable, the temperature isn't gonna fry or freeze us, all while downloading information about the world, if there's an available wireless network.
Bravo touches his earpiece.
Bravo
Charlie, this is Bravo. Could you reset the key code for room seven thirty-two?
(meeting Quinn's eye and winking)
I noticed.
Quinn doesn't like this one bit. Now he knows how people feel around him.
They stop at a large double door.
Bravo
In here's the research lab. Charlie spends a lot of time in there, tinkering. Charlie's another Quinn, by the way. Head of the Tech division. Nice guy. Bit of a man child.
Quinn takes this in, with seeming understanding.
Bravo
I'm sure you want to see the big toy, though, don't you?
He leads Quinn further along, and they approach a large window looking upon a cavernous room from above.
On the outside rim of the room are a host of control panels and machinery, though the middle and far wall of the room are completely empty and clear, with yellow and black striped tape marking out an exclusion area.
Personnel in military fatigues hurry back and forth, with some stationed at control panels, waiting.
Quinn gives a low whistle; he's suitably impressed.
Bravo
See what the right resources can get you?
Delta's due back in a minute, so keep watching.
Quinn leans on a handrail as he looks down into the room.
A red light starts flashing.
Bravo (O.S.)
That light means our equipment has detected an incoming vortex. It's been going haywire since you and your friends started sliding all over the place lately.
A vortex bursts to life in the exclusion area - it's enormous.
Through the gateway comes a military Jeep being driven by yet another Quinn double. He drives it slowly towards the window and disappears into a tunnel underneath their feet.
Quinn
Just how many Quinns work here?
Bravo
Currently? Just three. But we're worth our weight in gold 'round here.
Let's go see him.
A pinball machine, an old Donkey Kong cabinet, basketball hoop, and several chess tables are set up in this room that seems starkly different to the rest.
Quinn and Bravo enter, and Quinn looks, surprised, at this stuff.
Bravo
Charlie picked out all this stuff, in case you hadn't guessed.
An elevator on the other side of the room opens, and Quinn Delta is there, dressed in camo gear.
His face is serious until he sees the Quinns, then he grins, though his posture is still soldier-like. He salutes Bravo.
Delta
This the new Quinn, sir?
Bravo
Yes. At ease, soldier.
Delta's salute lowers, and his posture softens, but not dramatically so.
Quinn
Hi...
Delta
I suppose he's been making the pitch to you?
Quinn
(wryly)
Yeah. Really laying it on thick.
Delta
For what it's worth, I've never felt more at home than I do here, and we're doing great work.
Bravo
Delta leads all our off-world exploration. He's not as book smart as the two of us, but he's the bravest guy I know.
Bravo pats Delta on the arm.
Bravo
(quietly)
He's been known to beat me at chess once in a while, so don't underestimate him just because he never went to college.
Quinn
(to Delta)
Good to meet you.
Bravo
Alright, one final thing to show you before we take you back to your quarters...
Quinn
You mean my cell?
Bravo
Tomayto, tomahto. Come on.
The room is like a small lecture theatre, and Quinn sits on a seat somewhere in the middle, looking nervous.
A projector screen is set up, and the lights are dimmed.
Bravo stands in the front, holding a small remote. He clicks it, and his presentation starts.
It's a cheesy corporate PowerPoint.
On Screen:
Welcome Quinn
Bravo
Well, you've seen the facility, now it's time to see the pitch.
He clicks the remote.
On Screen:
Five Great Reasons to Join Our Team
Quinn can barely believe what he's seeing. He's embarrassed to be here.
Bravo
I've compiled a shortlist of the reasons why you, Quinn, belong here at the facility, working with us. Number one.
Click.
On Screen:
Reason #1
You're Quinn Mallory
Quinn raises an eyebrow.
Bravo
We both know a Quinn is a cut above the rest. You've spent your whole life being the smartest guy in the room.
Well, here, you'll be working with your intellectual peers. You'll be challenged to be your best, and you'll accomplish things you never thought possible.
He shrugs.
Bravo
I know it, you know it: we're awesome.
Quinn
(deadpan)
I sure hope I don't come off this egotistical.
Bravo
(smirking)
Ego's only a problem if you can't live up to it. Next slide.
Click.
On Screen:
Reason #2
Resources
Bravo
There's no need to be sliding around on a wing and a prayer, Quinn. We have staff. We have limitless parts and equipment. We have military funding. If you run into trouble, there'll be a team ready to rescue you.
Click.
On Screen:
Reason #3
Opportunities Abound
Bravo
Do you know how much new tech we've gotten our hands on these past twenty years? Every world has it's own new discoveries and we get to absorb it all. Wouldn't you love to dig around?
Click.
On Screen:
Reason #4
We're Doing Great Work
Bravo
I'll tell you more if you join us, but do you know why the Kromagg Dynasty never invaded this Earth? It's because of us.
Quinn looks sceptical, but intrigued.
Bravo
It was through our diplomacy that they agreed to leave us, and all our outposts, alone.
(grinning)
And thanks to this team, they see a Quinn face and run the other way. You probably haven't seen any in years, right?
Quinn thinks about this.
Bravo
But after all this, here's the best reason to join my team.
On Screen:
Reason #5
Sweet Perks
Bravo
You saw the rec room. Well, more than that, you should see our pay and benefits. Personal chauffeur. Full health care. Gym and spa on site. All the lattes you can drink. The works.
Quinn
That... hasn't really been an issue for me in a long time.
Bravo
Well, regardless, it's a salary package that suits the importance of the job.
He clicks again.
On Screen:
We await your answer.
Bravo
So ultimately, the question is: Will you be our Quinn Echo?
We're gonna give you 'til we bring in your friend to decide.
Quinn
And what makes you think you'll get a hold of her?
Bravo
She's gonna come back sooner or later, and when she does, Quinn Mallory will be waiting to welcome her.
Quinn blanches at this.
Bravo
Any questions before you head back?
Quinn
Yeah. Who do you answer to?
Bravo
Quinn, I'm just a humble link in the chain of command. I ultimately answer to the Commander in Chief.
Quinn
So this is a legit military branch?
Bravo
Yeah... just don't try to get 'em to admit to it. Top Secret.
Quinn
How many Quinns have you given this exact presentation to, anyway?
Bravo
Including you?
(thinking)
Somewhere around seventy or eighty.
Quinn
And yet, there's only three of you?
Bravo
Yeah, we Quinns are a temperamental bunch.
Quinn
But you keep trying, huh?
Bravo
I already told you: we're awesome.
Fade Out
Title: Present Day
It's a basic holding cell, though it's hardly used so it's in excellent condition; very clean and sterile.
Quinn, with several days of stubble, and greasy hair, sits back on his bed, which is overlaid with a thin foam mattress. He wears a prisoner jumpsuit.
He seems to be trying to zone out, having nothing to do but think.
The cell door makes a noise, bringing Quinn out of his dissociation.
It opens, and another Quinn double stands in the doorway, a huge smile on his face. This isn't Bravo - he's far too casual. He's wearing an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt over a t-shirt, and knee-length shorts. He's got a lollipop sticking out of his mouth. It's Quinn Charlie.
Charlie
(taking out the lollipop and waving it around)
Hey, man! I've really been lookin' forward to meeting you.
Your timer was a joy to study; never considered linking the relativity matrix with the overload sensor to prevent unanchoring events. Genius.
A brief look of bashfulness flickers over Quinn's face, before he corrects himself.
Charlie
Listen, your friends are safe, and they're ready to see you. Come on.
Quinn
(sitting up, alert)
My friends? Which ones? Where? And you must be Charlie, right?
Charlie
(chuffed)
My reputation precedes me.
Follow me, okay?
He beckons, and heads out into the corridor for a moment before peeking back in.
Charlie
Listen, Quinn. No monkey business, alright? We're all friends here. At least, I like to think so.
In the front row, four seats are occupied by Maggie, Diana, Wade, and Cole. They have guns trained on them by some soldiers, and Bravo enters the room from the back.
Bravo
So, Quinn's got a few lady friends I see.
Hearing the familiar voice, they all turn to see, and are immediately tipped off that this isn't Quinn. They regard him with disdain.
He heads to the front of the room, as their gaze follows.
Maggie
Where is he? Our Quinn?
Bravo nods towards the back of the room again, where Charlie and Quinn have just appeared.
The four spin back around.
Unable to know if this is their real Quinn, they hesitate.
Quinn starts to dash towards them.
Quinn
Oh my god, am I glad to see you guys are okay.
He moves to hug Wade, but she doesn't reciprocate.
Wade
Are you really my Quinn?
Quinn looks at the faces of each of the sliders, then at the other two Quinns.
Quinn
Yeah, I guess it might be a little hard to tell right now.
He points at Cole.
Quinn
Cole, your Dad's jealous of your intelligence and he's sure you got it from me.
Cole smiles in relief, blushing. He points at Wade.
Quinn
Wade, remember that world with the spores that turned people into slave zombies with mushrooms growing out of their ears?
Wade's expression makes it clear she does remember such a world.
He points at Maggie.
Quinn
Maggie, Colin may not have liked the cookies you baked while you were stoned, but your baking got a lot better over the years.
Maggie cringes, thinking about that long buried memory.
Finally he points to Diana.
Quinn
Diana, we haven't finished our work helping Colin.
Diana looks down with guilt at this remark.
Wade stands and plants a kiss on Quinn's mouth.
Wade
You didn't have to air everyone's dirty laundry like that, but thank you for proving it's you.
Bravo
Well, that's all very touching.
Anyway...
By now, Charlie has joined Bravo at the front of the room, and is twirling his lollipop in his mouth.
Bravo
We've brought you in here so I can explain what's going to happen next.
Cole
(raising a hand)
Maybe you can explain what's happening right now, first?
Bravo
(rolling his eyes)
We're a military sanctioned sliding facility staffed by various Quinns. What's not to get?
Cole
Sorry I asked.
Bravo
Look, it's hard to find good non-Quinn talent, and he seems to trust you all, so you might find a place here. I want to offer you all trial positions here at our facility. We'll put you in departments based on your individual skillsets.
Wade looks at Maggie, who shakes her head.
Maggie
What happens if we refuse?
Charlie
I'll send you to any world you wanna go to other than this one, but it's gonna have to be without your timer.
Wade
So that's it? Work for you or never slide again?
Cole
That's a terrible choice.
Bravo
It's the only choice.
He looks at the soldiers who have been guarding the group.
Bravo
Take them all to a cell, let 'em talk it over.
(looking back at them)
When you have your answer, call out for us.
The guards come to the group.
Guard #1
Move it.
The room, much like Quinn's previous cell, is neat and clean. It's got two sets of bunk beds - still one bed short for the five of them.
Quinn, Wade, Cole, Maggie, and Diana sit in various places, looking rattled.
As the conversation below happens, Diana is partly distracted, looking out the window of the cell door, where a strangely refracted light keeps flashing against the wall. She can't stop staring at it.
Cole
So, I don't understand why you guys never had some code word to make sure you were talking to each other instead of doubles.
Quinn
That... would have been smart.
Cole
We could come up with one now?
Maggie
(eying the ceiling)
They're probably listening to us. Some other time.
Diana
Where did these Quinns come from?
Quinn
Whoever originally took my equipment must have replicated my machine and come across them on other Earths.
Wade
Maybe they were looking for the one who built it, and just gained some help along the way.
Maggie
Who cares? They're all jerks. Let's just all go back to the mansion and build a new machine. Everyone else is already there.
Wade
This world is my home! I don't want to just... get evicted from it.
Quinn
With the basement under their control, they have all the data we've collected. We'll lose all our progress on finding Colin if we just go now. I can't let him slip through my fingers again.
He holds his head in his hands.
Quinn
Maybe if I work with them, we'll be able to bring him here.
(glancing up)
You all should go back. I'll stay, and maybe I'll be able to get the timer back and return to you some day.
Wade
I'm not leaving you here alone, Quinn. Even if it means being stuck working for these army freaks.
Cole
I don't want to lose you again either... Dad.
Maggie
Cole, no. You have a Dad at home.
Diana
(still staring out the window)
If Quinn's staying, so am I. I promised Colin I'd save him.
Maggie
(incredulous)
What, so everyone's staying now? To work for the smarmiest Quinn in all existence? I can't believe you people.
She stands.
Maggie
Cole, you have a degree to finish, and a life to live back home.
Cole
But...
Maggie
Think about it. Do you never want to see your friends again? Anna?
Cole
Of course I do...
Maggie
So let's go back.
(swallowing)
We can be a happy family again.
Cole just gives her a sceptical look.
Quinn puts a hand on Cole's arm.
Quinn
I'm sorry, Cole. I would have loved to bond with you some more, but I guess it wasn't to be.
I can never thank you enough for all the help you've given me. You go back, and give your Dad some of your wonderful attention. I get the feeling he needs it right now.
Cole tears up, and nods.
Quinn looks to Maggie now.
Quinn
It's been strange and wonderful living two long lives with you in very different ways. But I guess this is goodbye.
Maggie
(quietly)
Once upon a time, I told Remy that you were my world, and that I couldn't go on without you.
But, I guess I'll have to learn to live with just that.
She hugs him.
Wade looks uncomfortable, and as soon as Maggie lets Quinn go, she grabs his hand for security.
Cole notices this, and pipes up to change the subject.
Cole
So, um, what's the deal with the mushroom zombies?
Wade and Quinn exchange an amused look.
Wade
My Quinn and I came across that world during our travels. It was so creepy.
Quinn
Inhale the spores, and the fungus starts eating you from the inside out, and eventually reaches your brain, at which point you start doing the organism's bidding, spreading its spores around and eating whatever flesh you can find. By that point you're already dead.
Wade
We both inhaled the spores shortly after we arrived, but we were lucky to find a cure before it killed us. Terrifying experience.
Cole looks, wide-eyed, at them.
Cole
Maybe... maybe I'm not cut out to be a slider after all.
Quinn, Diana, and Wade stand to one side, with Bravo and Charlie on the other.
Delta stands in the middle, in front of Maggie and Cole. He points his timer, which is a small device built into a wristband, at the empty space.
As the vortex opens, Maggie and Cole hold hands. They look, teary-eyed, over at those staying.
Maggie
Don't you dare forget about us.
Cole
You'll come back again some day, right?
Wade nods back, looking up at Quinn.
Wade
I'll see to it.
Delta
Go.
Maggie and Cole walk tearfully into the vortex.
Quinn watches them, not so sure he really will see them again.
Fade to:
The room is a large lab with a series of partitioned areas, each with their own different shapes and looks, lined with computers and control panels. In the centre is an octagonal space about 20 feet in diameter, with an array of electronic pieces spread out.
In the centre of it all, Charlie sits cross-legged on the floor, with a large, flat, round metal device. It's the magnetic field generator Quinn and Diana had been working on.
Charlie is holding a spanner and is tinkering with some part of it. He leans over beside himself and grabs a chip from a bowl on the floor, and shovels it into his mouth.
Quinn wanders into the room, carrying a cup of coffee, and trains his eyes on Charlie. He heads over to him.
Charlie
Mornin'!
Quinn
(eyes narrowing)
I hope you're not taking that apart like you did my timer.
Charlie grins up at him.
Charlie
No way! I wanna get this thing up and running. Maybe your bro can join the team too, even if he's stuck in a magnetic field.
His eyes shine with excitement.
Charlie
Besides, it's an excellent chance to study and understand how he works.
Quinn
Where's Diana?
Diana (O.S.)
Just over here, Quinn.
Quinn follows the voice to another part of the room, from which Diana is emerging, holding some print-outs of data.
Diana
I've been here since six.
She blushes.
Diana
I guess I was excited to be in a big research lab again.
(to Charlie)
You'd better not be getting salt in those components.
In response, Charlie licks his fingers sheepishly, then wipes them on his shirt.
She turns back to Quinn.
Diana
The guy's brain works a mile a minute, but he's kind of a trash goblin.
Quinn can't help but laugh.
Quinn
Not so different to me when I was... eighteen or so. Though all those snacks can't be good for his long term health.
Charlie
(amused)
I can hear you, you know! And for your information, my finely tuned brain requires calories to run.
Diana just rolls her eyes.
Diana
What's Wade doing?
Quinn
Not positive. Delta lead her off towards the portal room. They might be heading off-world somewhere.
Charlie
Ooh, he's gonna give her "The Tour."
Diana and Quinn look at Charlie, who's giving them a look that says "well, are you gonna ask me to elaborate?"
Quinn
Fine, I'll bite. What is--
Charlie
(interrupting excitedly)
Tour Mode is a system protocol that opens a gateway to all our coolest outposts in five minute intervals.
You jump from one to the next, getting a quick overview of each one as you go. Whole process takes about an hour and you don't even need to use a timer 'cause it's automatic.
I programmed it, of course.
Quinn ponders this for a moment.
Quinn
You can open a gateway automatically based on preset coordinates? Can I see the code?
Charlie looks at him like he just found a new best friend.
Charlie
Hell yeah you can! Come on!
He jumps up and bounds over to a computer.
Seeing the Quinns distracted, Diana's expression becomes serious as she slips away.
Diana heads, acting as nonchalantly as she can, towards the holding cell area entrance. Once she gets near it, she tries to look like she's studying a fire escape procedure sign on the wall.
Soon enough, a soldier carrying a tray of food enters a code into the keypad and enters the door.
Diana isn't able to see the code, so she waits a little longer. After a moment, the soldier comes back out, without the tray.
As he moves away, paying her no mind, she slips her foot in the door before it shuts. She goes inside.
Diana studies the wall, trying to conceptualise the source of the light flashes she'd seen earlier. Finally, she sees a cell door with a small square window, which she feels might be the source.
She peers into the window.
Inside, another Quinn double can be seen sitting on the bed, eating listlessly from the tray that was recently given to him - Quinn Alfa. He's got a beard and shaggy hair, and doesn't look like he's seen the outside in a while.
Catching her presence, his head whips up to her, eyes wide and wild.
In the window, Diana looks like she's about to speak, but Alfa puts a finger to his lips, and uses his other finger to point to the ceiling, then to his ear, then back to the ceiling.
Diana nods in understanding.
He then starts communicating in sign language to her.
Alfa
(in American Sign Language)
You saw my Morse Code? Do you understand A.S.L?
Diana nods in reply, unable to use sign language herself due to her face only being visible to Alfa.
Alfa
(in American Sign Language)
Thank god. I need your help.
On Diana's face as Alfa signs her a message that we don't see. We merely see her eyes getting wider.
In a remote canyon, populated by a small military camp, a vortex opens.
Delta walks calmly through, followed by Wade.
Delta
And here's the world furthest from our own, co-ordinates wise. There's not a lot here; just some plant life, insects, and microbes. We suspected something catastrophic happened a long time ago that destroyed most of the life here. But it seems completely fine to live here now. You won't find fresher air.
Wade
It's so quiet.
Delta
We considered using this place as some kind of emergency world in case something happened to ours, but there's just not enough biodiversity to sustain a large human population. Even this camp has to get regular supply shipments.
And thus concludes our tour. The final gateway should be opening up in a few minutes. 'Til then, take some deep, cleansing breaths.
Wade
You really like this life, don't you?
Delta
Ma'am, it's the only one I know.
Wade
What made you become a soldier?
Delta
(shrugging)
Both my parents died when I was a teen, and I had no direction. Military gave me structure.
Wade
Doesn't it feel weird to take orders from another you?
Delta
He looks like me, but he's got all kinds of knowledge and skills I don't. I don't have to worry about the details like he does, I just head off to other dimensions and explore. It's fine by me.
The vortex opens beside them.
Delta
Time to go. Watch your step.
He jumps in, and, after a final look at the desolate, lonely environment, Wade follows him.
Diana stands by a microwave in the kitchenette, waiting for a meal to cook. She looks troubled.
Charlie enters, giving her a nod before stopping at the Donkey Kong cabinet to play a round.
Diana goes to him, visibly nervous.
Charlie
One of these days I'm gonna hit that kill screen, I know it.
Is there a reason you're distracting me?
Diana
Sorry. I just wanted to ask you something.
Charlie
(eyes fixed on the screen)
Shoot.
Diana
What kind of surveillance do they have on us here?
Charlie
Your standard cams that I'm sure you've seen around the place, plus audio in some places.
Why...? You up to no good?
Diana
It's... it's not that, I just feel so watched. Is there anywhere I can get a moment to myself? Our rooms, maybe?
Charlie is silent for a moment, weighing up whether or not he trusts her.
Then he moves his hand to the side of the cabinet where he's rigged in a volume wheel, and flicks it upward, making the video game sounds loud and abrasive.
While he keeps his gaze on the video game, his expression is nervous.
Charlie
Your quarters don't have cams except on the outside, but they're probably bugged.
Listen, there's a secure booth in the northeast corner of the research lab that's soundproof and in a blind spot. Just try not to talk about stuff like this in the open, okay?
He lowers the volume again, but in his distraction, he loses the game.
Charlie
Dammit.
Diana whispers in his ear.
Diana
Thank you.
The microwave beeps, finishing its cooking.
Quinn's at the field generator, tinkering with it and pressing a button, which makes a blue ring around the device light up. He seems pleased with this development.
Diana appears in front of him, and he glances up towards her.
Diana
Quinn, I need to show you something over there.
She gestures broadly towards one side of the room.
Quinn's brow furrows at this, and she looks at him pointedly, her eyes wide.
She gestures for him to follow, and he does so, looking alarmed.
The booth, which Charlie had spoken of, is indeed in the corner. It's small, but with enough room for two people to stand.
Diana opens the door, and steps in, gesturing for Quinn to join her. They close the door.
Diana
Charlie told me this was the most private place around. We should be able to talk here.
Quinn
You trust him?
Diana
No, but he seems to be the only one here who's been open with us. At least, after we figured out he wasn't you.
Quinn
Yeah, he doesn't seem to have much in the way of facades. But what's on your mind?
Diana's gaze lowers.
Diana
There's another Quinn in the holding cells. I first noticed when we were in there, he was flashing an SOS on the wall using a spoon reflection or something.
Quinn looks surprised, and impressed.
Diana
So I snuck in to see him. We couldn't talk because of the audio bugs, but he used sign language.
Quinn
Wait, you went in there? You must have been caught on camera.
Diana
I probably was, which is why we need to work fast.
The Quinn said he was code name "Alfa" - the first Quinn at this facility. He says that Bravo's planning something terrible, and that he's captive because he tried to expose him.
Quinn
I knew Bravo was hiding a lot, but can we trust this Alfa guy?
Diana
I don't know, but he said whole worlds are at stake.
Quinn processes this with horror.
Quinn
Don't suppose he gave us any way to confirm what he told you?
Diana
Maybe. He left me with a series of letters and numbers, but I don't know what it means.
She hands him a slip of paper, where she wrote down the code. He looks at it, and his mouth curls into a smile.
WLGYLUTCA2MAB
Quinn
It's a password. Used to be the one I used for my computer science class.
"When life gives you lemons, use the citric acid to make a battery."
He thinks for a moment.
Quinn
Charlie doesn't seem to have grown up much. Maybe he still uses it for his password here. Could be an opening. Thanks Diana.
Diana nods.
Diana
I hope you can find what you need before someone starts asking about why I went in there.
Wade sits alone at a table, flipping through some papers.
Quinn enters the room, carrying two coffee cups.
Wade
Oh thank god, I was beginning to think they were hiding you.
Quinn
No, no. It's just been a busy day for all of us. How's this place been treating you?
Wade
Okay, I guess. Delta's a total stiff, though. I'm glad you were the Quinn I met, and not any of these other guys.
Quinn hands her a coffee cup. Surprised, she takes it.
Wade
Oh, thanks.
Then she notices the note that he passed to her with the cup. They make meaningful eye contact for a moment, and she pockets the note.
Quinn
You been told anything about this Kromagg truce that these guys supposedly brokered?
Wade
Delta told me a little about it. Kind of unnerving. Reminds me of a cold war situation. "Mutually assured destruction" kind of thing.
Quinn
So they have the means to wipe out the Kromaggs?
Wade
They have a stockpile of the virus spread out over a lot of Earths. They ended up exchanging lists of coordinates to Earths that either side is not allowed to ever go to.
Of course, that also means each side has exactly the right list of targets to strike if war ever breaks out.
Quinn
Sounds tenuous.
Bravo (O.S.)
Maybe so, but it's prevented a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.
They turn to see Bravo, who's just entered the room and is opening the kitchenette fridge.
He pulls out a salad, and moves to join the others at the table.
Bravo
And it's why we have to stay on top of every new tech we can find. Sooner or later, the stalemate is gonna end, and I'd rather we have the advantage when that time comes.
He sits.
Bravo
Wouldn't you?
The mood at the table now spoiled, Wade and Quinn just exchange uncomfortable looks.
Bravo
Look, I know you don't trust me, but you don't have to clam up every time I'm around.
Wade
(wryly)
That'll happen when you basically threaten us into staying.
Bravo looks hurt.
Bravo
Once we've learned to trust each other, then you get the freedom to leave the facility at any time.
Quinn
Under surveillance, I'm sure.
Bravo
(digging at his salad with a fork)
Trust is hard-earned, I'll give you that. And betrayal of that trust can have some unfortunate consequences. But that comes with the territory of having Top Secret clearance.
Bravo shovels salad into his mouth. He chews, and swallows. Then he takes the remainder of his salad, and stands.
Bravo
Pass that message on to Diana, will you?
He winks at Quinn, and heads out of the room.
Quinn sits at a computer in a corner of the room, furiously typing.
Diana looks at him, and then towards the door as Charlie enters. She heads over to him.
Diana
Charlie, can I pick your brain about the field generator?
Charlie looks happy to be wanted.
Charlie
Absolutely.
She leads him to the device, as Quinn continues tapping away.
The assistants in the room work busily, as Delta and Wade stand just outside the exclusion zone.
Delta
You ready for your first real mission?
Wade
You bet! Where are we headed?
Delta
Almost entirely unexplored territory. We have probe readings, and some supplies have been sent through. But other than that, pure virgin land.
Wade
Fingers crossed for no fungus zombies.
Delta regards this with a confused smirk.
Delta
(shouting)
Opening portal now!
He holds out his arm and presses the button on his wrist.
Nothing happens.
Delta looks perplexed.
Quinn continues working at the computer, hands moving quickly at the keyboard.
On the screen, he's got up blueprints for the facility, and in another window, he's typing commands.
Alfa is surprised by a vortex opening right there in his cell. He doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and jumps right in.
Immediately, it closes.
Just as Delta is about to touch his earpiece, the vortex opens. He looks at Wade in confusion. She shrugs.
Wade
On the fritz?
Delta just shakes his head, looking at the wristband.
Delta
I dunno, but it's open now. And the readings are normal. So I guess we're okay. Charlie'll fix things if something goes bad. Let's go.
Wade follows him into the vortex, with a ghost of a smile on her face.
A vast jungle expanse greets Wade and Delta. By a tree nearby is a pallet loaded up with supplies.
Delta
Alright, let's secure the area, and--
He's cut off by a blow to the head. He falls to the forest floor, revealing Alfa with a big stick.
Alfa
I'm sorry, man.
Wade rushes to Delta's side and checks his wound.
Wade
Jeez, I thought you were going to reason with him. He could be really hurt!
Alfa looks at her forlornly.
Alfa
My apologies. I'll tend to his wound. But I know him better than you; he's not really one for independent thought. Lets Bravo do the thinking for both of them.
Help me switch clothes.
Wade
You're not going to fool anyone with the beard.
Alfa points to the pallet.
Alfa
Should be shaving supplies in there. I'll deal with that after we've tied up Delta.
Diana and Charlie work at the generator together.
Charlie
This thing should be up and running in no time. You said the data for Colin is on the computers at the basement, right?
Diana nods.
Diana
Yeah. Should have everything we need to activate his chip and draw him here.
Listen, that thing you said before.
She nods toward the booth.
Diana
I wouldn't mind us having a chat.
Charlie looks troubled at this.
Charlie
Sh... Sure.
They both head over there, and get inside the booth.
Charlie looks slightly terrified.
Charlie
Look, we can't make a habit--
Diana
I'm sorry. I just really need to ask you something, and it's important.
Charlie
(sighing)
What?
Diana
What do you know about Project Hyacinth?
Charlie's eyes bulge.
Charlie
How do you know about that?
(stressed, running fingers through hair)
Oh my god, you are up to no good!
Diana
I met Alfa.
Charlie
Oh god, oh god...
Diana
Don't you know what Bravo has planned? Aren't you horrified?
Charlie
Look, big time political stuff isn't my wheelhouse, okay? I'm the tech guy. I'm just here for the cool science, you know?!
Diana
Well, that's a cute way to pretend this doesn't affect you, but how can you look at that thing you've helped build and pretend it's not going to destroy entire universes?
Charlie
(frantic, stuttering)
It's never gonna be used, it's just a deterrent.
Diana
That's not what Alfa seems to think.
Charlie
I'm just the tech guy...
Diana
I know you're not a bad person, Quinn. Please don't prove me wrong by telling anyone about this chat.
Charlie
Diana, I...
(swallowing)
I just want to build cool gadgets, that's all I've ever wanted.
I won't say anything, but please don't expect any heroics from me, okay? I'm not cut out for all the crazy swashbuckling stuff I've heard other Quinns have done.
Diana
(sincerely)
Thank you.
The two exit the booth, and Charlie, with a grave expression, wanders over to another secluded corner of the room and pockets a small object.
This room is small, with primarily a large table lined with chairs. Some maps are up on the walls.
Alfa, disguised as Delta, sits at a table, next to Wade and across from Bravo.
Alfa
We tracked a perimeter of a mile around the entry point, and there was vegetation as far as the eye could see.
No sign of human activity, and as far as wildlife, we spotted only birds, insects, spiders, and snakes.
Recommend alternative entry point GPS location for the next excursion, sir.
Wade
(offering little to the report)
It was beautiful, though.
Bravo
(to Alfa)
And how was Wade? She make herself useful?
Alfa
Yes sir, spotted a snake before I stepped on it. Has her wits about her.
Bravo
Glad to hear it. Maybe you'll fit in here after all.
Wade doesn't crack a smile, opting simply to meet Bravo's eye with a less-than-cheerful expression.
Wade
Are we finally done for the day? I'm beat.
Bravo
Absolutely. You're both dismissed. See you back here at 9am tomorrow.
Alfa and Wade glance at one another. Alfa nods.
The exit to the facility is a ground level foyer with a high security gate guarded by armed security guards. It seems to be a regular office building, perhaps a front organisation of some kind.
A set of elevators open, and Alfa comes out, still in disguise. He produces an ID card, and the guards allow him to leave.
He's visibly sweating.
Quinn opens the doors of the lab, to find Wade waiting.
Wade
Hey... just knocked off.
(slowly)
Delta's gone... uh, home.
Quinn nods, but is still trying to work out what she means.
Charlie, by the field generator, is slowly packing up his tools. Diana helps him, but has her gaze fixed on Quinn and Wade.
Wade leans in to kiss Quinn, and slips him a note as they hold hands.
Wade
(with heavy undertext)
Okay, I'll just wait around here for you to finish up. Don't be long, okay?
She looks at Charlie and Diana.
Wade
How's it coming along?
Quinn immediately heads over to the computers, and sits at one, glancing down at the note in his palm a couple of times as he types.
On the screen, he brings up the various schematics of the Project Hyacinth machine, using the passcodes slipped to him by Wade.
One by one, he deletes them from the system. He then checks the building blueprints once more and uses the other side of the notepad to write:
Level UG2, Storage Room 8.
He types in a few commands and the computer responds with the message:
Door UG02-S08 Unlocked.
He then closes out of the windows and jumps up out of his chair.
He almost walks straight into Charlie, who's looking at him with immense nervousness.
Quinn
... You okay, man?
Charlie, shaking, reaches into his pocket and pulls out the object we saw him grab earlier.
Charlie
Here. In case things go south.
Quinn looks down at it, and recognises what it is.
Quinn
Your contingency?
Charlie nods sadly.
Charlie
Just take it.
Quinn looks at him with a new respect, and gives him a short but genuine hug, before, joining Wade and Diana, who are both waiting at the door.
Quinn
We won't forget this.
And they leave. Charlie smiles grimly at them as they go. He's done it now.
A military vehicle is in the driveway, and a soldier is posted at the entrance.
A car pulls up to the side of the road, and we see what appears to be Charlie emerge. But it's not Charlie.
Alfa
Hey man, I forgot a memory stick in the basement. D'you mind? Kind of important.
The soldier looks at him with some suspicion.
Soldier
Sir, under the circumstances, we'll need to hear your code phrase to confirm your identity.
Alfa cringes a little, and then holds up his arms like he's holding a sword aloft.
Alfa
(doing his best Charlie)
By the power of Grayskull!
The soldier chuckles.
Soldier
Okay sir, come on in.
Alfa enters the room, closes the door, and starts hyperventilating. He's not the most stable Quinn around.
After a moment trying to calm himself, he hurries over to find Quinn's timer in pieces, laid out carefully as Charlie had been studying it.
He quickly sets to work, trying to put it back together.
He's frantic and it doesn't help him with these tiny components.
The elevator doors open onto a dimly lit corridor that's deserted, but anxiety-inducing nonetheless.
Wade, Quinn, and Diana hurry in the direction of Storage Room 8, at the far end of the corridor.
Quinn
Project Hyacinth should be in that room over there. We just need to take out the stabilisation coil and maybe a few of the flux torus pieces, then take a bat to the processing unit.
Wade
What did you say it could do?
Quinn
It opens a series of unstable wormholes in a world all on top of one another, which creates a chain reaction that collapses it into a singularity and takes everything with it.
Diana
In layman's terms, the portal turns into a black hole, and everything is wiped out.
Quinn
What's worse is that if there's an unrelated vortex open on that world at the same time as this is happening, there's a recursion event that will take with it whatever other world that vortex is linked to.
They reach the door, and Quinn grabs hold of the door handle, and looks back at them.
Quinn
If this thing is ever used, it could be catastrophic and destroy multiple Earths.
He opens the door.
Quinn flips the light on as he and the other two enter, and the room lights up to reveal a room full of boxes and crates, and one large object in the middle covered by a cloth.
But they're not alone in the room.
Between them and what's presumably the machine, stands Bravo and a wounded Delta.
Bravo
Damn, that was the fastest a Quinn has ever found this machine. Speed run champ over here.
Alfa closes up the back of the timer; he's managed to get it together.
A knock on the door. Alfa freezes.
Soldier (O.S.)
(muffled)
Hey! Open up!
With no other option, Alfa points the timer, and opens a vortex. But because he put the timer together in such a hurry, it's unstable and doesn't look normal.
He gulps hard, and jumps in, right as the soldier busts into the room. The vortex fizzles out immediately after his jump.
The vortex opens wildly, and Alfa is flung out of it at high speed. He hits his head as he lands, and is out cold, as the timer hits the ground heavily, and falls to bits once more.
Mallory, hearing the commotion, comes out of the hall. He's wearing pajamas and slippers. As soon as he sees Alfa, he rushes over.
Mallory
Oh my god! Quinn?!
Back in the storage room, Bravo and Quinn stare one another down.
Bravo
I'm gonna give you one final chance to turn around and forget about this. We can go back to normal, and you can keep working with us.
Believe me, this is the best offer you're going to get, so I suggest you take it.
Wade makes eye contact with Delta, who looks utterly betrayed.
Quinn
(still staring at Bravo)
What do you think, guys? Stay in this totalitarian hellscape?
Diana
I'd rather not.
Wade
Rather die.
Quinn
(gesturing)
Guess we're not interested.
Bravo
Then you realise we're going to have to send you off to a random Earth, for good.
Quinn
I was afraid you might say that.
He reaches into his pocket and brings out the object Charlie had given him.
It's a miniature timer.
He presses the button on it, and a vortex opens between them and Bravo.
The three jump in.
Delta makes a move to follow, but Bravo grabs his arm.
Delta
Sir, they're getting away.
Bravo
It's alright. We've secured Project Hyacinth, which is what we came here to do.
Anyway, I think I know where they've gone.
He smirks.
Bravo
But most importantly, they're going to need to come back here once they realise what they left behind.
Delta nods in understanding as the vortex closes.
It's dark, but some occasional bright lights expose silhouettes of people walking past, all roughly the same height and build.
The vortex opens in the middle of the street, depositing Quinn, Wade, and Diana into a puddle.
Quinn gazes up at the tall buildings around him.
Diana and Wade watch the portal until it closes, worried about being followed.
Finally, they turn around to see Quinn a little ahead, looking out of sorts.
Wade
Where do you think this thing took us?
Diana
I'm not sure, but if it was Charlie it's surely gotta be some place with a lot of tech.
Wade
(looking up)
I'll say.
Diana follows her gaze. Flying cars zoom overhead.
We follow one past a billboard, which has a familiar face on it: Quinn.
Quinn
(dumbstruck)
Hey... Wade... Diana...
They catch up with him, and finally see that he's been studying the passers-by.
Every one of them is a Quinn.
Diana and Wade come up on either side of him, jaws hanging open. Quinn looks to each of them, unable to form words.
Charlie stands in darkness, a soft blue glow on his face. We don't see where it's coming from.
Charlie
Hey man. I'm so sorry.
I screwed up big time. But don't worry, I'm sure they'll come back to help. I mean, how can they not, with you here?
I just need you to know that it wasn't my choice, so please don't blame me.
We now see who he's talking to.
The octagon in the lab now has a blue field around it, and inside sits Colin Mallory.
Colin
I'm going to guess that you're not my brother.
Charlie
(sadly)
Good catch.
Cut to Black.