52 Tales of 2017 - Mysteries of the Defiant Alt Hour 24

[fardell24]

Twenty-fourth Hour
Wade Welles (Sliders)
Wade awoke. She looked around. The last thing she remembered, was that she and her friends had just arrived on yet another Earth. She looked around for them. “Quinn? Professor? Rembrandt?” There was no response. The corridor looked like it would be on some kind of ship from the version of Star Trek: The Next Generation she was most familiar with (that is, from Earth Prime) and those of a few other Earths. She looked again, her friends were nowhere to be seen. A little concerning, given that she didn't have the Timer.

She didn't want to get stuck on whichever Earth this was so she started walking down the corridor.


“Intruder Alert! Deck 2, Section 4,” the computer said on the Bridge.

Sisko turned to the Mutant, who was at the weapons station. “Magneto, you and Weatherwax shall meet the newcomer and bring her to the Bridge,” he directed.

“Understood, Captain,” the Mutant said.

Wade knew that she had gone around in circles. Wheever it was, it was small. “Maybe I should try to open one of the doors,” she considered.

“Hello?” it was an older man. Much older than the Professor, at any rate.

Wade turned and saw two older people. “Hi, have you seen three men, come this way?”

“Three men?” the man asked, “I'm afraid that the three people you may be looking for aren't here.”

“Why not?” Wade asked.

“It will take some time to explain,” the older woman said. There was something about her that put Wade on edge.

“Why is that?” she asked.

“Let's just say that you are in a completely different place than you were before,” the man said.

“That's what usually been happening,” Wade stated. “You wouldn't believe what my friends and I have been up to?”

“Try me,” the man said.

“Sure,” Wade said as the walked along. “It started when my friend, Quinn, wanted to develop artificial gravity.”

“That's interesting,” the man interrupted.


They entered the Mess Hall. Wade was trying to take in what this 'Magneto' had said. Even though she had recognised the name from when she had read X-Men when she was younger, she wasn't sure she wanted to believe that she was on a ship where people from various pieces of fiction were appearing. 'Does this mean that there would be a comic book about us,' she thought. She didn't think the concept of interdimensional travellers would be a popular concept for a television show. She looked around.

She was surprised when she saw a skeleton. It reminded her (in a way) of the Skeleton from SuperTed but more buff. “This is Wade,” Magento said. “She has been travelling with her friends from alternate Earth to alternate Earth trying to find a way home.”


After he had asked Magneto and Granny to meet the new arrival, Sisko had left Helia in command of the bridge and had gone to the mess hall. He saw Magneto give his introduction of Wade. He was curious as to what sort of adventures she might have had. “Magneto has explained the situation?” he asked her.

“Yes, although it is hard to believe that people would find our story interesting,” Wade said.

“It would depend on what worlds the fiction would focus on.”

“I suppose so.”

“There may be a way to find out.”

“Is there?”

“Yes,” the Captain answered. “Computer, identify character Wade Welles.”

“Affirmative. Wade Welles, one of the original characters of the television series, Sliders,” the computer answered.

“Sliders,” Wade considered. “Appropriate. That was what we call what we do. 'Slide' through the interdimensional wormholes as we travel.” She then burst into tears. “Quinn, the Professor and Remmy, must be worried sick!”

Sisko took her into his arms. “Wade. Ms. Welles. I will everything in my power to ensure that everyone aboard this ship will return to where they were. Once we get to Earth, we're going to get to the bottom of what is happening here.” He then let go.

“Thanks, Captain,” Wade said.


In the sickbay, Trump had made a decision. He turned to Dukat. “You know, I think that the Captain is right about you.”