A Sliders Fan Script
by Ashe P. Kirk
Episode 9 of my "Season 6 in the 2020s" series
Completed: 12 August 2022
Wade
Quinn Squad?
Bravo
We're a military sanctioned sliding facility staffed by various Quinns. --
-- Will you be our Quinn Echo?
Diana
What do you know about Project Hyacinth?
Quinn
If this thing is ever used, it could be catastrophic and destroy multiple Earths.
Bravo
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.
Alfa
So you saw the city, then. Where I first met Bravo.
Quinn Double
Oh, you're a newbie? Welcome to Quinn Francisco!
Mallory Receptionist
Listen, there's a note on your record here. It's got an address you're suggested to go visit.
Quinn
You know the place?
Cabbie Maggie
You don't? It's where your birth Dad lives.
Quinn
Oh my god.
Bravo
Track him and his friends down before he has a chance to blend into the crowd.
Delta
Yessir.
Michael
So, it's been a long time, hasn't it? --
-- That bastard Bravo used to run this place. We banished him.
Diana
We have a military base incursion to plan. Who's in?
Quinn
Primary objectives are getting Colin back and disabling that machine.
Colin
I thought you said you worked here. Why are you trapped in this room with me?
Charlie
Because I backstabbed everyone who trusted me and helped your brother escape.
Quinn
You're a Quinn too, you know.
Mallory
I bet we're treated like an underclass and made to work all the menial jobs, right?
Cole
Uh-uh. Drop it.
Maggie
We'll need to search him. Thoroughly.
Mayor Mallory
Gentlemen, take a seat. --
-- If this communiqué I just got from the Quinn Squad is authentic, I think you're all in something of a pickle.
Wearing only underwear, Delta sits uncomfortably in a solid oak armchair, one arm handcuffed to the leg of the chair. Maggie and Cole stand at a safe distance, pointing their firearms toward him.
On the sofa sits Wade, Arturo, and Rembrandt.
Rembrandt
So. What's Bravo's plan?
Delta just looks him in the eye, silent.
Maggie
This is useless. It'll take a lot more to get info out of the guy than chitchat.
Arturo
(to Delta)
Just what do you think you're doing taking orders from that pompous windbag Bravo?
(wheeze)
Here's a novel concept for you: some bloody critical thinking for a change!
Delta withers before the Professor, despite Arturo's frail state.
Rembrandt and Wade make amused eye contact.
Arturo
You want an order so bad? I order you to grow a blasted spine and make your own decisions!
Delta seems to seriously consider these words.
Rembrandt
Man, you know the guy's power tripping. Why feed into that?
Delta
(smirking)
You don't know much about the military, do you?
Rembrandt
I'm a Navy vet, so I know a thing or two. I know that your superiors are fallible human bein's and easily corrupted.
Maggie
Sometimes you need to keep an eye on your superiors. Sometimes they come unhinged and start stealing brain fluid from innocent people. It's a whole thing.
Delta looks at her with an eyebrow raised.
Rembrandt
When I was sliding with Q-ball, we'd always look to him for answers, plans, decisions. But that didn't mean we didn't think for ourselves.
We challenged him all the time, and he valued our input, least most of the time. That's what bein' a team is about.
Delta stares at his feet for a moment, before stiffening.
Delta
You really think you're going to turn me to your side or something? While I'm sitting at gunpoint in my underpants?
Arturo
Ha. Don't pretend you didn't already surrender your dignity long ago.
Wade leans towards him.
Wade
Listen, Delta, I owe you an apology. I knew Alfa was going to be there waiting for you on the jungle world, but I swear I didn't know he was going to hurt you.
Delta laughs, but there's no joy in it.
Delta
He made the right choice. Both he and I know that was his only chance.
Diana appears at the entrance of the room, looking at Delta.
Diana
Do you even know why he was being held captive?
Delta
(thinking)
Tried to steal tech and run away with it.
Wade and Diana glance at one another.
Wade
You really got the CliffsNotes version, didn't you?
As we left off last time, Mayor Mallory stands holding a sheet of paper, before a bewildered Quinn and Mallory, with a less bewildered Alfa and Michael Mallory also present in the room.
Mayor Mallory
I'm glad you've come to see me.
He looks at Quinn.
Mayor Mallory
First of all, welcome to our city, Quinn One-Eight, and Quinn One-Four-Seven-One... the two of you who... apparently have combined, somehow. I expect you're happy to have finally found your father.
Quinn leans over, taking his father's hand.
Quinn
You could say that.
Mayor Mallory
(to Mallory)
And you, Quinn One-Four-Seven-Two, our sensors picked up traces of Quinn One-Eight's signature inside you as well. I expect that's a fun story.
Mallory
(eyes locked with Quinn)
Yes. "Fun."
Mayor Mallory
(amused)
You seemed surprised to see one of our faces in charge around here.
Mallory
Yeah, I guess so. I always thought of myself as the Quinn consolation prize. I'm not nearly as smart as him, and everyone treats me like I don't add anything to the team. They don't even call me my name, because to them, he's Quinn.
Quinn
Okay man, we need to have a chat later.
Mayor Mallory
Don't be so hard on yourself. You and me have lots of good qualities. You don't have to be a super genius to have value.
There was a reason I was elected Mayor and it's not because I understand how a car can fly. That's all I'm sayin'.
Mallory considers his words.
Mayor Mallory
(looking down at the paper in his hands)
So it says here that Quinn Squad Bravo wants Alfa and... Echo? Turned over.
Quinn
I don't know why he still insists I have that code name. I'm not part of his crew.
Mallory
(scanning the page)
By the looks of things, neither is Alfa.
Alfa
(nodding)
Got that right. Not anymore.
Mayor Mallory
He says he has something you want, and that there's an incentive for us to turn you over, but he doesn't say what that is.
(beat)
Do you know?
Quinn looks at Alfa.
Alfa
Yes. Have you ever heard of... spaghettification?
Mayor Mallory
What...?
Alfa
When an object falls into a black hole, it gets stretched out like a noodle as it reaches the event horizon, before disappearing into the infinitely dense point.
Now imagine that happening to you, then the world, then the solar system, then the galaxy--
Mayor Mallory looks at him with a crinkled nose, having no idea where this is going.
Mallory
Dude, stop, you're just confusing the guy.
(taking charge)
Here's what I understand: they built a machine that can destroy a whole Earth, and take other Earths with it if there's portals open. It's really, really dangerous.
Quinn
Especially in a place like this, which constantly has open connections to other worlds. For him to even threaten to use it just over the two of us is frankly terrifying.
Mallory
The guy's out of his mind.
Mayor Mallory
(thoughtful)
Bravo's been a thorn in our side for a long time, but this?
He crosses his arms, thinking.
Alfa
We have a possible plan, but...
He looks at the other three.
Quinn
It's risky, but it's the only way I can see that has a chance to actually stop Bravo and this weapon. But...
Michael
You'll need to evacuate the city. Immediately, and completely.
The Mayor looks at them gravely.
Mayor Mallory
I see.
Well then, you'd better explain this plan to me.
Delta continues to sit in his underwear, handcuffed and guarded by Maggie and Cole. Still in the room sits Wade and Rembrandt.
Rembrandt's phone buzzes, and he checks it.
Rembrandt
Looks like the plan's on, folks.
Wade
The Mayor agreed? That's great!
Maggie
Okay. Then I guess we get to find out if my place is a suitable prison for this guy.
Rembrandt
(reading phone)
They're headin' back here while the city's notified of the evac and the bit players get called up to join the fun.
As if on cue, a bell somewhere outside starts ringing. Cole nods at Wade.
Wade
Looks like it's starting.
Delta
What are you people planning?!
Cole
(proudly)
Oh, it's so cool. Unfortunately we're going to miss the best part, but I've got a special mission, so I'm not complainin'.
The sound of a door slamming.
Mallory (O.S.)
We're back!
Quinn, Mallory, Michael, and Alfa have arrived. Wade comes to greet them, and kisses Quinn.
Wade
Welcome back.
(to Alfa)
Right. Let's get you changed.
Both Alfa and Delta are now stripped to their underwear. Wade starts throwing Delta's clothes towards Alfa.
Wade
Déjà vu, huh?
Alfa
(cheekily)
Starting to think you just want to see a bunch of Quinns without their clothes on.
Wade
(grinning)
That's the dream.
Delta
(quietly)
Alfa, I...
Alfa
(pulling on clothes)
Sorry I cracked your head open.
Delta
Sorry I didn't ask for the full story about why you were imprisoned.
Alfa
Sorry I ever recruited Bravo in the first place.
Delta sighs.
Quinn wanders into the room, and flushes when he sees the states of undress, while Wade, Cole, and Maggie are all in the room watching.
Quinn
Should I... come back?
Cole, who is doing their best to ignore the subtext, simply gives him a pleading look.
Quinn
(shaking his head, looking away)
When you're all ready, meet us in the courtyard and we'll slide.
(to Cole)
Remember what you've got to do and be quick, okay? It'll take time to warm up, but it may be less time than we think.
Cole nods vigorously.
A bell rings in the distance.
As various Quinn doubles walk by, they all start receiving notifications on their phones and timers. Their expressions turn serious.
The whole team has assembled: Quinn, Michael, Alfa (now decked out in Delta's gear), Arturo, Rembrandt, Wade, Mallory, Cole, Maggie, and Diana. Delta stands, still at gunpoint, in underwear and handcuffs. He looks defeated.
Quinn moves in front of the crowd, carrying a box full of timers. They each possess a touch screen, and a mini keyboard is attached.
Quinn
(handing out the timers to everyone)
Okay, everyone, listen up.
The Mayor graciously allowed me access to these timers. You'll each get one to take with you: some very clever version of me has modified them to allow for multiple slide windows.
You have twenty opportunities to slide, from anywhere you are, over the course of twelve hours.
They've been pre-programmed with the coordinates you'll need to get you where you have to go, and there's text comms built in.
Just remember, do not open a wormhole back here until the all-clear. And when those twelve hours run out, they'll be paperweights.
Alfa steps forward and nods at Quinn. He turns around to face everyone.
Alfa
Good luck everyone. I deeply appreciate your help, and I'm sorry that it's come to this.
Quinn
Now, go.
Alfa looks at Delta's wrist device, which he's now wearing. He taps the screen and the timer display appears, counting down to 1900 hours; there's four minutes to go.
Maggie is the first to make a move. She pushes the button on her timer, pointing it to an empty space. The vortex opens, and she grabs Delta.
Maggie
Let's go.
She nods at Quinn, then Mallory, then pulls Delta into the vortex with her, with Cole following behind, gun raised.
Wade steps forward to Quinn.
Wade
Don't get yourself killed. We have a wedding to plan.
Quinn
Oh?
Wade kisses him on the lips gently.
Wade
Your Mom deserves to see you happy before she goes. I mean, the Mom that's sick. But also the other one, and your birth Dad.
(beat)
Your family is complicated. Anyway, I'm up for it if you're still up for it.
He laughs, and gives her a hug.
Quinn
Of course I am, I never stopped being up for it.
(beat)
And we're gonna make it, okay? Now, get going.
Wade nods, and opens her own wormhole, waving as she jumps in.
Throughout the courtyard, our heroes are saying goodbye and stepping through their gateways.
Until finally, only Alfa and Quinn remain.
They turn to each other.
Quinn
Ready?
Alfa
I hate impersonating him, but I'll do whatever it takes.
Quinn turns, placing his hands behind his back. Alfa places cuffs loosely on his wrists, loose enough for him to easily slip out of them.
Then Alfa checks his wrist device once more.
Alfa
1900 hours in three, two...
He presses the button and the vortex opens up.
He grabs Quinn by the wrist, and they jump in.
From above, we see that throughout the city, wormholes are opening and closing as the city clears of inhabitants.
The ringing bell is now accompanied by a blaring alarm sound and the voice of the Mayor:
Mayor Mallory
You now have sixty minutes to evacuate. Volunteers for the operation are instructed to slide immediately.
Some whole cars fly into the portals, while Quinns, Mallorys, Rembrandts, Maggies, Dianas, Wades, Arturos, and some various offspring of all of them, disappear into their own, with hastily packed suitcases.
Many of the Quinns, notably, are carrying gadgets and machinery, while some carry weapons.
Mayor Mallory sits alone at his desk, speaking into his intercom, a continuation of the previous scene's speech.
Mayor Mallory
All sliding must be ceased at twenty hundred hours; or eight PM. It is vitally important. Anyone remaining after that time will need to shelter in place, but I strongly recommend leaving.
(beat)
Godspeed, everyone.
Mayor Mallory turns off the intercom, and sighs, knowing this is as much as he can do now.
A knock comes on his door, and it opens slightly. Quinn-943 steps in.
Mayor Mallory
Nine-Four-Three, what can I do for you?
Quinn-943
(flat, as always)
Will you be evacuating, sir?
Mayor Mallory
No. If this city gets... spaghettified, I'm going with it. It'll be my punishment for making the wrong call.
Quinn-943 stares at him for a moment.
Quinn-943
Alright. I'll make coffee.
Mayor Mallory
You're staying?
Quinn-943
(leaving the room)
Being stretched into pasta and then compressed into infinitely dense matter cannot be worse than my present existence.
Mayor Mallory
(cringing)
Man that guy's a downer.
The sensor light flashes in the portal room. A number of soldiers ready themselves.
Towards the back of the room stands the uncovered Project Hyacinth machine, with Bravo leaning on it, arms crossed.
The machine is a steel behemoth, a number of large coils rising from the top, and a control panel at the front.
Bravo rises from his lean, and stands alert as the vortex opens in the exclusion zone.
Bravo
Look sharp, everyone.
The soldiers draw their weapons.
Through the wormhole appears Quinn and Alfa, posing as Delta. Bravo walks toward them.
Bravo
(to Quinn)
Echo, you made the right choice.
Quinn
Don't call me that.
The portal closes, but the light doesn't stop flashing.
Bravo
(to Delta)
Delta, I haven't had a report from you in several hours.
(narrowing eyes)
If that's really you.
Alfa stands to attention and salutes.
Alfa
Yes sir. Comms were confiscated while I was in City Hall to retrieve Echo, sir.
Bravo isn't convinced.
Bravo
Soldier, quote to me your most recent clearance code.
Alfa hesitates, then his rigid posture melts into slumped shoulders.
Alfa
You got me.
He punches Bravo in the jaw. Bravo recoils, but doesn't fall.
Bravo
(irritated)
Ow!
(beat)
Jeez, weak performance, Alfa. Was this really the best you could do?
He gestures to the soldiers to take them into custody.
Quinn pulls his hands out of his cuffs.
Quinn
(shrugging)
No.
He looks up at the flashing light, pointedly.
Bravo follows his gaze, and his brow furrows.
A new portal opens where the last one was.
Then another beside it. And another, and another.
Throughout the room, at least 12 different portals open all at once. From each of them appears a Quinn double. The soldiers aim their guns and pull their triggers, but the guns all jam.
We see that one of the Quinns is pointing a glowing yellow gadget at them that's somehow suppressing their use. This Quinn smiles as a couple of other Quinns come up behind them, pressing a different device to the backs of their necks. There's a flash and a metallic noise from each as they're activated, and the soldiers collapse to the floor, unconscious.
Bravo steps back in surprise. Then he catches himself, and pulls a remote control out of his jacket pocket. He points it at the Project Hyacinth machine, and activates it.
Bravo
(staring daggers at Quinn)
You just doomed Quinn Francisco, Echo. Hope you get everyone out.
It's the last thing he says before he too is rendered unconscious.
On the control panel screen of the Hyacinth machine, the countdown reads 05:59:40, and ticks down from there.
Seeing this, Quinn pulls out his timer, and types into the comms:
Quinn
(as text)
5 hr 59 min. Hurry.
The room is dark, except for the blue light of the magnetic field. Colin is sitting uncomfortably on the floor, looking painfully bored.
Just outside the field, Charlie lies, having a nap.
The loud sound of the door being unbarred causes Charlie to snap awake.
Charlie squints as a sliver of light hits his face.
Charlie can just barely make out Quinn's face in the silhouette.
Charlie
(assuming it's Bravo)
What now? Come to taunt me some more?
Quinn ignores Charlie and walks up to the magnetic field, making relieved eye contact with Colin.
Quinn
You're really here.
The lights of the room flicker on, illuminating Quinn fully. In the doorway is Alfa, hand on the light switch.
Charlie eyes the two Quinns, questioning.
Colin stands and gets as close to Quinn as he can.
Colin
Are you...?
Quinn moves to hug his brother, but the magnetic field gives him a mild shock, repelling him.
Quinn
Ow. Yeah, it's me. Bravo's in a cell.
Colin grins.
Colin
Knew you'd figure out some way.
Charlie
What?!
He looks at Alfa, who's still in Delta's clothes.
Alfa looks back, with sad eyes and a distinctly slumped posture.
Charlie
Alfa...?
Alfa
Yeah. Good to see you again, Charlie.
He walks further into the room.
Alfa
I'm sure you want to know how we managed this, but that'll have to wait. Bravo's activated Hyacinth.
Charlie's eyes widen.
Charlie
He didn't...
He starts pacing, agitated.
Charlie
There's no way to shut that thing off without the deactivation code!
Alfa
We need your help and we need it now.
Charlie
Look, I want to help, but I'm barred out of the computers, and Bravo's the only one who'll know the code.
Quinn
It's okay. We have a plan.
(checking his timer anxiously)
Come on, Cole.
Bravo awakens with a start.
He sits up, and sees that he's wearing one of the prisoner jumpsuits that Quinn and Alfa had once worn.
He fixes his hair, and wanders to the door of the cell, looking out the window with a self-satisfied grin.
Bravo
(calling out)
Hello? Anyone around?
(beat)
How long was I out? Has Quinn Francisco been destroyed yet? Sucks if I missed it.
He doesn't appear concerned at all, as he knocks on the window.
Quinn's face appears at the window, and smiles back at Bravo. He puts a finger to his ear, touching an earpiece.
Quinn
(through speakers)
How you doing in there? Nice and cosy?
Bravo
Me? I'm great. I'm the only one with the deactivation code.
Quinn
I know. But that's okay. There's plenty of time to pry it out of you.
Bravo laughs.
Bravo
You think you can just get me to talk? Really?
Quinn
I have my methods.
Bravo
You could just take your brother's machine and leave. Forget about all this. The city's done for.
Quinn
Nice try, but I don't abandon people who need me.
He touches his earpiece again, turning off the audio, and Bravo watches him turn, say something inaudible, and walk off.
A moment later, the door swings open, and two Quinn doubles come in. Quinn Double #1 carries one of the guns that the soldiers had been wielding.
Quinn Double #1
(a little unhinged)
Hey there Bravo. I've been waiting six years to push the barrel of a gun into your back.
Bravo
That's cool. I have no idea who you are.
Quinn Double #1
Yeah, I know. Someone with as many enemies as you would certainly have trouble keeping track.
Quinn Double #2
Just get up.
Bravo
What are you gonna do, shoot the only guy with the code? You need me too much.
Quinn Double #2 rolls his eyes, and, from a pocket, produces the device from before, that caused Bravo to pass out.
Quinn Double #2
Would you rather just wake up somewhere else again?
Bravo
(suddenly cooperative)
Okay, okay, I'll go. Don't use that thing again, it hurts.
The room has been reworked to house the neuroscience equipment last seen in "Identical Quinns." The large screen has been mounted on the wall, and various pieces of equipment are scattered around the edges of the room linked by a series of cables.
Cole stands at the head of the room, proudly surveying the set-up.
Behind them, Charlie enters, staring intently at an EMF meter.
Charlie
Colin's EMF field is playing havoc, but this room seems to be the most protected. We just need to keep out transmitting electronics while using your equipment, and keep the doors shut.
Cole
Thanks. You are, by far, the most helpful one of this squad.
Charlie
(doubtful)
I hope this works.
Quinn (O.S.)
(from behind the door)
Ready?
Quinn enters the room and sits on the long desk, which has been adapted to fit the neural ring devices.
Cole
You bet.
Quinn
Bring him in!
Charlie retreats to the other side of the room, as the Quinn doubles push Bravo into the room.
Quinn
(to Quinn Double #2)
Keep that stunner at the ready.
Quinn Double #2 nods, and holds it up. Bravo grimaces.
Bravo
(hurt)
What the hell have you done to my ops room?
Quinn begins having sensors attached to his head.
Quinn
When I said I would pry out the code from your brain, I meant that more literally than you may have thought.
Bravo
What, you gonna try pulling some tricks on my mind like the Kromaggs?
(scoffing)
Good luck. Spent years training against that kind of thing.
Cole starts placing sensors on him.
Cole
(confident)
Yeah, well, if anyone can do it, it's him.
Cole finishes rigging up Bravo.
Cole
Lie on the table, head inside the ring. Don't make us stun you again.
Bravo narrows his eyes, and joins Quinn in lying on the table.
Quinn
Can't wait to see what kind of past could turn someone like me into someone like you.
Bravo
I bet it's less than you'd like to think.
Cole pushes a button, and the machine comes to life.
Bravo opens his eyes. He's on the floor of the old 1995 basement. As he pulls himself up, he sees Quinn sitting in the armchair, legs crossed up on the footrest, hands resting behind his head.
Quinn
Welcome to history.
Bravo
Oh. This place.
Quinn
Hey, let's see what's on TV.
He produces the remote control and switches it on.
Begin fuzzy TV screen memory scene, in Bravo's P.O.V.:
In the corner of the screen shows a pixelated date, such as seen in datestamps on camcorder recordings:
05-20-1992
A teenage girl, Maddy, sits on his bed, staring at him. She's crying.
Young Bravo (V.O.)
But we used condoms!
Maddy
It's okay, Quinn. You can still go to MIT. Go become a famous scientist.
(sniffling)
I'll take care of our baby.
Young Bravo (V.O.)
Can't you... you know...
(whispering)
Get rid of it?
Maddy bursts into a new round of tears.
Maddy
Are you kidding me? You fancy seeing me swinging on a public gallows, Quinn?
Young Bravo (V.O.)
No... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have--
The screen turns to static.
End TV scene.
Quinn reacts to the static with surprise. He turns to Bravo, who's looking at him with fury.
Bravo
(severe)
That's quite enough of that.
Quinn
(bewildered)
You weren't supposed to be able to do that.
Bravo
Guess you weren't expecting a mind as strong as mine.
And now that I've figured out how to shut you out, there's no chance you're getting that code. I can hold out long enough.
Quinn frowns, and points the remote at the TV again, flicking through the channels.
Just static.
Quinn
No... no, no...
Bravo
I told you. The Kromaggs tried this crap all the time. We had to train rigorously to beat their tricks. Guess you're just not good enough, champ.
He grins that self-assured grin once again.
Quinn moves to stand.
Flashcut to:
Quinn sits up from the table, groaning in frustration.
Beside him, Bravo opens his eyes, and starts pulling the wires off himself.
Bravo
(nonchalant)
Well, you tried your best. It was a bold gambit, I'll give you that.
(beat)
Now, why don't you call off this incursion, give me back my facility, and hand yourself and Alfa over, and I might consider shutting the machine down. Maybe.
Quinn
Yeah, that's not going to happen.
Quinn looks to the Quinn doubles.
Quinn
You guys take him back to the cell. I'll keep thinking. We'll figure something out, I know it.
The Quinn doubles grab Bravo and escort him out of the room.
Quinn remains, and you can see the terror in his eyes as he wracks his brain for a new plan.
As Bravo is escorted by the Quinns past the large window overlooking the portal room, he catches sight of Wade standing there in the room, alone.
He looks from one Quinn double to the other, studying them as they walk.
Then he takes his chance.
He elbows Quinn Double #2 in the ribs, loosening his grip on the stunner, enough for him to grab it, and press it to the back of Quinn Double #1's neck, and pull the trigger.
The gun-toting Quinn slumps to the floor as Quinn Double #2 jumps on Bravo. Bravo rolls with the attack, using the momentum to kick Quinn Double #2 off him.
He jumps to his feet, and knees his opponent in the face as he attempts to get up. He finishes by using the stunner on his neck.
Bravo straightens and fixes his hair.
Bravo
Amateurs.
He grabs a hold of Quinn Double #1 and drags him to a door. He enters the keycode, and opens the door, pulling the double in with him.
Wade checks her phone. It looks like she's waiting for something.
The countdown on the machine is now down to 00:58:20 and counting.
At the sound of a door, she looks up.
Bravo enters, wearing Quinn Double #1's clothing. He strides towards her.
Bravo
(mildly menacing)
Hello, Wade.
Wade doesn't know which Quinn this is.
Wade
(studying)
Unless my Quinn changed clothes, you're not him.
Bravo
Yeah, I'm not.
By now, Bravo is close enough. He grabs her by the shoulder, spins her into him, and holds a blade to her neck.
Wade cries out.
Wade
Whoa, what the hell--
Bravo
Shh, shh, shh.
Easy now. I'm not going to hurt you unless you make me mad, Wade. Okay?
Wade
(cautious, anxious)
Oh, it's you. What do you want with me?
Bravo
Well first off, you can use that phone of yours to tell Quinn to come here. Just how many bargaining chips do I need to convince him, anyway?
Wade brings her phone up to her eyeline, and starts typing.
Bravo
Thank you, Wade. Nice to see someone actually cooperating with me for once.
Wade
You and your threats. You know that's the only thing keeping anyone loyal to you.
Bravo
(laughing)
Yes, it's the only thing that keeps most people in line.
And that's why I despise principled people like Echo. They're willing to run a wrecking ball through perfectly good systems, and even put people in harm's way just to stay true to their personal moral code.
Wade
Harm's way?! You're the one with a knife to someone's throat and about to blow up an Earth.
Bravo
And none of that would be the case if Echo would have just joined the team. We could've all gotten along. Gone out to karaoke.
Wade rolls her eyes as Quinn bursts through the door.
Quinn
Bravo, what are you doing? Wasn't it enough just to activate that machine?!
Bravo
Apparently not. I gave you every reason to back down, and still you didn't. So, now your girlfriend gets to be the next reason.
Wade
That's fiancée, jerk.
Quinn, don't worry about me. You can't let him get away with this.
Quinn stares, mind racing. He trembles.
Bravo
Why don't you go lock the doors, Quinn? Let's wait out the countdown without any more surprises. Tick tock!
Quinn hesitates a moment, before going to each door and barring it.
Bravo
I suppose now, the real negotiation begins. Let's talk.
But as he finishes the sentence, he's tackled to the ground.
It's Charlie, who has been hiding behind a control panel all this time.
The tackle leaves a three-deep pile on the floor, with Wade on the bottom.
Charlie pulls Bravo off her, and tries to keep him down, without success. Bravo turns the tables and punches him hard in the face.
Charlie is incapacitated long enough for Bravo to pull out the stunner he'd taken from his double and put him to sleep.
Bravo stands, brushing himself off, and then blanches as he sees Quinn cradling Wade, with blood everywhere.
Quinn
Wade, stay with me, okay?
Wade can't speak as the blood gushes from her neck. Quinn tries in vain to stem the bleeding, but it's severed a major artery. She stares, fearful, into Quinn's eyes.
Bravo mouths a curse, and kicks Charlie in the stomach.
Bravo
(to Charlie)
You stupid bastard.
Fade out
Fade in:
The countdown has reached 00:03:24 and counting.
Quinn sits on the floor next to Wade's pale body. A huge blood puddle underneath her. He's shivering and silent.
Charlie is still out cold.
Bravo stands by the machine, arms crossed, staring at the countdown.
Bravo
Quinn Francisco is going to be wiped out in a few minutes. Last chance to save it, Echo.
Quinn
Stop calling me that.
Bravo
So, you're really not going to back down? Are you sure the city's empty? What if some people didn't get the message? You gonna let 'em die?
Quinn
Why do you pretend to care about anyone else when it's obvious you don't?
Bravo
We're both Quinns, Echo. You have just as much capacity for this as I do. And, in fact, you're proving it right now.
You should have surrendered right off the bat, but you chose to push your luck. Because you're selfish, and you think you can control everything.
Quinn
You're right. I should be ashamed.
He glances at the countdown: 00:01:19.
Quinn
I should be ashamed, but I'm not. Maybe I'm no different to you after all.
Bravo grins.
The countdown reaches 00:00:59.
Quinn reaches into his pocket and pulls out his timer. He opens a vortex.
Quinn
So anyway, this wormhole leads straight back to Quinn Francisco, and I'm sure you know about the recursion effect.
You can either shut down the machine now, or we all die in thirty seconds.
Bravo stares at him for a moment, and bursts into laughter.
Bravo
Oh my god, that's ruthless!
Still laughing, he runs over to the machine and enters the code.
The machine shuts down.
Bravo looks back at Quinn, impressed.
Bravo
I admit, I was absolutely not expecting that from you.
He looks Quinn up and down.
Bravo
I guess I underestimated your ability to use threats. You really aren't so different to me, are you?
Just out of focus, we can see an unusual anachronism behind Quinn. An old tripod with a 1990s camcorder.
Quinn
(calmly, smiling)
Thanks for the code.
He moves backwards to the camera, and looks into it. Bravo gawks at him, not quite comprehending what's happening.
Quinn
You guys get that? Don't worry, I did. Here.
He taps on the buttons on the side of the camera.
Quinn and Bravo lie on the table. On the wall is the monitor, which shows a feed of the camera.
Quinn has typed the deactivation code into the camera's built-in title function, and it displays the code in a white-on-black box on the screen:
2203-AR-9L-3V1K
Charlie writes it down, and hands it to one of the Quinn Doubles, who hurries off with it.
Bravo finally catches up to what's happening, and looks down to where Wade's body was. She's not there. Charlie is gone, too.
He gives a slow clap to Quinn.
Bravo
Should have guessed it was a trick after Charlie tried to act all heroic.
Bravo chuckles bitterly.
Quinn
I'd never put all those people in such imminent danger, because I'm not like you at all.
Bravo
Guess not.
(beat)
All the trickery and mind games? You're more like a Kromagg.
Quinn moves in on him.
Quinn
No, I'm nothing like them.
(beat)
I'm much worse.
Cut to:
Quinn's eyes pop open, and he sits up. Bravo doesn't stir yet.
Quinn has a forlorn look. He's just done something he hopes he won't live to regret.
Cole looks at him, smiling.
Cole
You did it! I knew you would.
He looks at Cole without smiling.
Cole
What's wrong...?
Quinn
Bravo shouldn't give us any more trouble, at least for now.
Cole, brow furrowed, looks down at Bravo.
Cole
Wha-what did you do to him?
Quinn grabs Cole's wrist and leads them towards the door. He looks at Charlie as he walks.
Quinn
Charlie, you seem best equipped to handle a version of us who thinks they're still twenty-one, right?
Last thing he remembers was sliding for the first time.
Charlie's jaw falls.
Charlie
Wha... hey, wait.
But it's too late, Quinn's already left, and closed the door.
Charlie's head turns to Bravo, there on the table.
Bravo's eyes flutter open, and glance around in confusion.
Bravo
...Where am I?
Charlie stares for a moment, trying to think of a story to tell him.
Bravo sits up, bashing his head on the machine as he does, and starts frantically pulling sensors off. All the charm and confidence is gone. He's just a frightened, confused young guy now.
Charlie
(improvising)
Hey, so... long... story.
Bravo
Is this a parallel dimension...?
(looking at Charlie)
Wait, you look a lot like...
Charlie
(idea forming)
An older version of you. Yes, and that's because, um, that portal was actually to... the future.
(more confident)
I'm you in the future.
Bravo takes a moment to process this information.
Bravo
I didn't think time travel could happen.
Charlie
Well, time travel backwards is a whole thing, but forwards? We do that all the time, right?
Bravo
I... guess so...
Charlie
So anyway, you should know before you go looking in a mirror that the, uh--
(pulling random words)
-- space-time relativity matrix caused you to age at the same rate, so don't freak out that you also look the same age as me.
Bravo catches sight of his reflection in the now-blank monitor. He looks in shock, and approaches it, touching his face.
Bravo
I'm melted...
Charlie places a hand on his shoulder.
Charlie
Don't sweat it, man. Fifty's the new thirty.
(beat)
Come with me to the rec room, I've got Red Vines and a Donkey Kong arcade cabinet.
Bravo
Really? I love that game!
Charlie
(leading him to the door)
I know.
Cole, Quinn, and Alfa stand around by Colin's enclosure.
Cole
You really erased all his memories? Since the mid-nineties?
Quinn
Not erased, exactly. I blocked them off with a big wall of sorts. Those memories might hold valuable information, so I couldn't destroy them.
He sighs, visibly struggling with this decision. Colin sees this.
Colin
I think you did the right thing. He gets a second chance.
Cole
Yeah, what was going to happen otherwise? He spends his life in Quinn Francisco's version of Alcatraz?
Quinn nods, the decision still weighing on him.
Quinn
Still, we'll have to keep a close eye on him. That wall may fall some day and he'll be gunning for me big time.
Colin
What will you do with him?
Quinn
I... think he has a kid. Only, they'd be almost thirty now.
Cole looks shocked.
Alfa
Bravo used to lead Quinn Francisco, briefly.
We should ask the Mayor if there are any records of his home world. Maybe we can reunite him with his family.
Charlie enters the room, looking sweaty.
Charlie
(at Quinn)
Hey, thanks for leaving me to improvise. Jeez.
Quinn
Where is he?
Charlie
Right now, quite absorbed in saving a princess from a gorilla.
(beat)
So he thinks he time travelled, and I think that's the easiest to swallow explanation for all this.
Alfa
What did you tell him about all of his doubles?
Charlie
Told him some junk about time travel paradox duplication. It's flimsy, but he's placated for now.
He turns to Quinn.
Charlie
Listen, I spent my captivity drawing up some plans you might want. It should make Colin's existence a little less... horrible.
Colin
I'd appreciate that.
Charlie crosses to some rolled up papers on one of the desks, and hands it to Quinn.
Quinn opens it up and looks it over. As he reads it, he grins.
Quinn
Charlie, you're amazing.
Cole
(to Charlie and Alfa)
I guess one of you has to take over this operation now.
The two men exchange looks.
Alfa
Yeah, I guess so.
(at Quinn)
You wouldn't be interested in helping to rebuild this place? Make it a little more welcoming?
Charlie
Assuming we can get the go-ahead from the military after all this.
Quinn looks thoughtful for a moment.
Quinn
I'll consider it. But for now, I've got a wedding to plan.
Cole and Colin grin at one another.
Fade Out
Montage of Reunions, cut to music:
Rembrandt, Mallory, Michael, Diana, Maggie, Wade, Arturo, the two Missus Mallorys, and Anna all stand in anticipation. On the stairs, Delta is handcuffed to the banister, and sitting uncomfortably. He's wearing a bathrobe over his underwear.
A vortex opens, and Quinn steps through. Wade runs to him, and embraces him.
Cole is next to appear, and is greeted by Anna, Mallory, and Maggie. Maggie looks bursting with pride. Anna looks completely manic with excitement.
Alfa and Charlie come through now, and Diana greets them. The three look up the stairs at Delta, who regards them with an uncertain look. Alfa walks up to him and sits beside him.
Rembrandt and Arturo approach Wade and Quinn. Arturo gives Quinn's hand a vigorous shake. Rembrandt sees this and scoops both of them into a hug. Arturo looks annoyed about this, but eventually smiles.
When this hug is done, Quinn approaches his two mothers, and Michael, and hugs each of them one after the other.
Charlie stands with Bravo, who looks terrified, facing towards a dollar store.
Maddy, now in her late forties, exits the store accompanied by a 29-year-old woman: Riley, the daughter of Bravo and Maddy. Both carry some shopping bags.
Charlie pushes Bravo forward, whose eyes are turning red and moist. He reaches them, and says something.
Maddy drops her shopping bags in shock, and immediately bursts into tears, drawing him into a hug.
Charlie scratches his head nervously, and approaches them.
Fade out
End of montage.
Post-credits:
In a dark room, sitting at a desk, is Quinn-943. His cheek rests on his hand as he stares blankly into the distance.
He sighs deeply, the only one left who laments this outcome.
Quinn-943
And still I toil.
He sips from a coffee mug.
Cut to Black