A Jump To Reality

By: Gerhard Naudé and Wesley Montgomery

All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Striker, Corsair, Merit, Shephard, Phoenix © Gerhard Naudé
Gerhard Naudé © Himself
Wesley Montgomery © Himself
Sylvan © D'Ocon Productions

Any question, comments, complaints, feedback or suggestions can be 
sent to gnaude_@hotmail.com.

Living Room
Naudé Residence
146 Paul Kruger Avenue
Bloemfontein
Republic of South Africa
Present Day
10:19 PM:

This is a large, spacious room with a couch and chairs that have
polished wooden frames, a small curved bar, large wooden closets
with wooden racks between them and large, heavy curtains. On the
racks are electronic devices such as a television, CD and record
player, decoder as well as dozens of books. Opposite the television
is a stand with a P4 computer on it with potted plants between it
and the windows. Behind is a smaller room where more computers
are on desks. Seated at the P4 is Gerhard Naudé. He is a male
Afrikaner of 23 years of age, has black hair and brown eyes. He
has a somewhat boyish face. Right now he has pajamas on as he sits
on a swivel chair playing an Age of Empires match.

Gerhard:"Ah ha! There is the little b****r, hiding in the corner!"

As he finally scores victory, he looks back at a wall clock shaped
like a tree trunk and sees the time. He rubs his bloodshot eyes
a bit and yawns.

Gerhard:"Quite late. My folks might not be here, but I'm rather
         tired. I'd better get some sleep if I'm to get up early
         tomorrow to chat with my online buds."

He quits the game, then begins to shut down the computer. He gets
up, picks up his cellphone and a bowl he had eaten icecream from
and waits for the computer to turn off. Once it does, he goes over
to the lamp on the bar and turns it off, leaving no light except
from the decoder, VCR and optical mouse. He goes through the door
towards the kitchen.

Hubert's Laboratory
Road Rover Mission Control
State of New Mexico
United States of America
8:03 AM:

This is Proffesor Hubert's lab which contains all kinds of laboratory
equipment, tables, beakers, computers and a huge file cabinet against
the wall. Right now the professor is here working on a large machine
that has many odd devices, wires and computerized parts to it. It
looks like some kind of huge gun. Striker comes into the laboratory
carrying his sonic rifle.

Striker:"Goeie dag, Professor."

Hubert looks up from his work at Striker, putting the wrench he has
in his paw on top of the device.

Hubert:"Good morning, Striker. And what brings you here?"

Striker:"I need you to take a look at my sonic rifle. It is not 
         reading new power cartridge I put in yesterday."

Hubert:"That so? Put on the table over there and I'll have a quick
        look at it."

Striker goes to the table Hubert had indicated and puts his rifle
down on it. Hubert gets up and puts his tools down on a tool cart,
then goes over the table. Striker steps back to let Hubert come up
and begin examining the sonic rifle. It takes a short while before
the bloodhound figures out what is wrong.

Hubert:"Ah. Here's the problem: the connectors aren't properly
        wired in. It will only take a minute, so wait around here 
        for a while."

Striker:"Very well, professor."

As Hubert begins to fix the sonic rifle, Striker goes up to the
big machine Hubert was working on. He looks it over.

Striker:"What is this you're working, professor? A new weapon?"

Hubert looks up at Striker.

Hubert:"Oh, that's not a weapon. It's a zero-point magnetic
        displacement device. Basically it causes anything or
        anyone that it targets to be teleported to a different
        place in the same area. I haven't been able to figure
        out all the bugs, yet."

Striker nods as he listens, looking the device over and moving about 
to get a better view at some of the components. This comes to the 
point where Striker is standing in front of the device. At that
moment the wrench slides off the device and lands on the keyboard
that operates the device. The device starts and begins to power up.
Striker takes a step back in surprise as Hubert snaps his head around
to look.

Striker:"Wat de..."

Suddenly the device fire electrical beams at Striker. Hubert covers
his eyes and Striker tries to jump away. The beams hit him and an
instant later the cocker spaniel dissappears. As the device powers
down, Hubert uncovers his eyes and looks around in shock.

Hubert:"Striker? Striker!"

He quickly runs up to the spot where Striker was, looking around his
lab flabbergasted.

Naudé Residence
146 Paul Kruger Avenue
10:47 PM:

All the lights in the house have been turned off, the doors locked and
the curtains drawn. In the bedroom to the right side of the house
Gerhard has gotten into his bed and is dozing off towards deep sleep.
In the living room everything is still silent. Suddenly there is a
bright glow in the centre of the room, followed by a shower of
electrical bolts. The next moment there is a bright flash, then it
is dark again. But this time there is someone here.

Voice:"Eina...ouch..."

The figure gets up and looks around, but his eyes are not adjusted to
the darkness. All he can see are the small light sources from the
electronic devices.

Voice:"Wat de? Where am I?"

The figure walks about slowly, trying to find a light switch. He yelps
when walks into a chair. He walks on, feeling out in front of him for
any more objects. Finally he finds a switch and flicks it. The main
light in the living room comes on, illuminating the room and the
figure. It is Striker, but he clearly stands out against the reality
of the room. He looks around, astonished.

Striker:"Oh no. Where am I?"

Striker takes a few steps forward, still looking around the room. Just
then Gerhard rushes in and swings a brass candle stick at Striker. He
yelps and falls to the ground, holding his head in pain. Gerhard runs
up and puts his foot down on Striker's back.

Gerhard:"Think you can break in here, you b*****n! You're going to rot
         in prison!"

Striker rolls out from under Gerhard, causing Gerhard to stumble back
onto the floor. The two immediately sit up and grab each other by the
necks. When they are face to face their eyes widen.

Striker, Gerhard:"Ai yai yai!"

They immediately let go of each other.

Gerhard:"Striker! But you're just a fantasy character! A creation of
         my imagination that lives only in text and picture files on
         my computer! How can you even be here?!"

Striker:"But I am real! I really exist!"

Gerhard:"Impossible!"

Striker:"Then how did you manage to hit me on the head?"

Gerhard tries to respons, but is still speechless. He then shakes his
head and stands up.

Gerhard:"Look, Striker... er... let's go into the kitchen and get some
         coffee. Then you can tell me how you got into my house."

Striker nods and gets up. Gerhard then leads Striker to the kitchen.

Hubert's Laboratory
8:25 AM:

Hubert is frantically working on the device and trying to figure out
where Striker has gone. He is typing on the device's keyboard and
looking at the screen.

Hubert:"Where is he? Where has been teleported to?"

Just then Corsair, Merit and Shephard come into the laboratory. Hubert
quickly looks up and turns away from the control panel.

Corsair:"Hi there, Hubert!"

Merit:"Salutations, professor."

Shephard:"Morning, prof. Got a snack?"

Hubert:"Oh! Er... yes, yes. Morning."

Corsair:"Have you seen the boss? He said he would come here to have his
         sonic rifle fixed."

Hubert:"Well, yes... he was here, but he let since then."

Merit then notices the sonic rifle lying on the table.

Merit:"It is unusual that Striker would leave his sonic rifle here."

Hubert gasps a bit, then tries to recover.

Hubert:"Yes! He let it here for me to fix it."

Merit:"According to my sensor readouts the sonic rifle is fully
       functional and repaired."

Hubert gulps and pulls the collar of his shirt. Corsair raises a
questioning eyebrow.

Corsair:"Hubert, what's going on here? Where's the boss?"

Hubert:"I... I can't say, really..."

Merit:"His tone of voice and current body posture indicates that he
       is suffering from severe nerviousness and is not entirely
       certain of his response."

Shephard frowns.

Shephard:"Are you hiding information, professor? Where's Striker!"

Hubert gulps again, then tries to smile while tapping his fingers
together.

Hubert:"Oh, there's nothing wrong. Really!"

Shephard immediately marches up to Hubert and grabs him by the collar,
lifting the bloodhound up from the floor.

Shephard:"Are you working for the enemy?"

Hubert:"No! No! Let me explain: it was not my fault!"

Corsair:"Not your fault? What the heck happened?"

Hubert very quickly tells them what had happened to Striker. Shephard
puts Hubert back down as Corsair whistles and shakes his head.

Corsair:"Man, Hubert. If Phoenix finds out what you did to Striker, she
         will set you and your lab on fire."

Shephard:"Or change into the phoenix and burn the entire HQ down."

Corsair:"That too."

Hubert:"Look, I am trying to figure out where Striker and how to bring
        him right now."

Corsair:"I think Merit and I should help you with that. It won't be long
         before Phoenix finds out what has happened to Striker."

Hubert sighs.

Hubert:"I know."

Corsair:"Let's get cracking."

Shephard:"I'll stay by the door and keep an eye out for Phoenix."

Hubert, Corsair and Merit go up to the device while Shephard goes out of
the laboratory to stand guard outside.

Kitchen
Naudé Residence
11:06 PM:

The kitchen are is a compact area with three doors leading out to the
dining room, central hallway and washing room. There many wooden cubboards
(with glass sliding doors), closets, a metal washing basin, two friges,
a stove and microwave. There is a counter with an attached table with
bar stools. There is a cordless kettle filled with water. The single light
above ligths up the entire kitchen. Striker and Gerhard are seated at
the table with cups of drank coffee.

Striker:"... and when I turned the light on I was here."

Gerhard:"Be glad my parents are not here. They would have called the
         police and you would have been in serious trouble."

Striker:"I cannot believe that the world I know is nothing but an animation
         program that existed only on television."

Gerhard:"Be glad that it isn't. Your world has heroes. Mine only seems to
         have scumbags. You only need to look in neighbouring Zimbabwe and
         at its leader, Robert Mugabe. At least you were not a burglar
         as I had feared."

Striker:"I suppose. You created me in your world, so you would know how to
         deal with me."

Gerhard:"Ja. But I cannot keep you here forever. Phoenix might be worried
         sick about you. And I won't be able to explain away the reason
         why you are here when my parents return."

Striker:"Ja."

Striker sighs.

Striker:"I miss Phoenix. I hope I can see her again."

Gerhard:"You will see her again, Striker. That is if we can get you back to
         your own dimension."

Striker:"How will we do that?"

Gerhard thinks for a moment.

Gerhard:"Do you use instant messengers in your world?"

Striker nods.

Striker:"Ja. Why?"

Gerhard:"It is a long shot, but maybe we can use my messengers to get hold
         of your friends by using one of their user names. Does Hubert have
         a messenger?"

Striker:"Ja, he does. It is not the standard commercial messenger, but it
         is compatible with all of them."

Gerhard:"Goed. Let's go and see if we can get you home."

Gerhard shakes his head and chuckles.

Gerhard:"I cannot believe I am talking to the creation of my imagination."

Striker smiles and nods.

Striker:"And I cannot believe I am talking to my creator."

Gerhard:"Ja. Come on."

The two of them get up and head out of the kitchen for the living room.

Montgomery Residence
Sammamish 
Washington State 
United States of America
2:06 PM

This is a large room. On the right wall there is a large book shelf with 
lots of books and a TV in the middle of the bookcase. On the wall facing 
the door is a desk. On the desk is a Sony VAIO computer. Seated at the 
computer is 17-Year old Wesley Montgomery. He has dark blond hair and 
blue-gray eyes. He has a light beard on his face due to him not shaving 
for the last few days. He is currently playing His Stargate SG-1 season 
6 Volume 5 DVD in his computer’s DVD-Rom Drive. He focuses on the movie 
until a MSN messenger window pops up. It’s StrikerSA (Gerhard Naude’s 
screen name). Wesley begins to type into the window.

Wesley(typing):"Hey there, Striker!"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Salutations!"

Wesley(typing):"How are you?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Mind boggled. You have no idea who just appeared in
         my house just a short while ago."

Wesley(typing):"Who is it? A burglar?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"It's my fan character, Striker the cocker spaniel."

Wesley(typing):"You're kidding, right?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"I wish I was kidding. That and drunk. But he really
         is here, standing right next to me."

Wesley(typing):"What! No Way! Really!? Can I talk to him?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Sure."

There is a brief pause before a new message appears.

StrikerSA(on screen):"This is Striker here. You're Wesley, reg?"

Wesley(typing):"Yeah. Are you really Striker?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Ja, I am. At least, in my universe I am. Here in your
         universe I seem to be nothing more than a fan creation for a tele-
         vision series of the Road Rovers."

Wesley(typing):"Wow. What are you doing here? On a mission? Where is the
      rest of your team?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"I'm not a mission, Wesley. I am here because of some
         kind of accident in Professor Hubert's laboratory."

A good amount of text messages appear explaining how Striker ended up in the
real world. After having read it all, Wesley responds.

Wesley(typing):"Sounds like you got transported between the multiverses."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Multiverses? What do you mean?"

Wesley(typing):"Okay, you want to know how there can be alternate universes. 
      Well, I'll tell you. Some astrophysicists think that our 'Universe' is 
      only one out of an infinite number of universes. Any sequence of historical 
      events is possible and most of the time in a universe there is a double of 
      yourself in that universe. The space in which all universes are contained 
      is called the 'Multiverse'."

Striker(on screen):"But how it is then that me and my fellow Rovers can exist
       in our universe when in yours it is just a television show?"

Wesley(typing):"Well, that's a little concept called 'pantheistic solipsism', 
      meaning the mere act of writing or making either a TV or Movie series about 
      a fictional universe actually created it."

Wesley(typing):"The thing is that there is a barrier separating those universes. 
      A way to break that barrier is to either create a wormhole to the universe 
      you want to go to, but you'd need very advanced technology in order to 
      safely track and control wormholes so that plan is out. Did Hubert install 
      a return mechanism on his device?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"I certainly hope so. The device he built is supposed to
         displace objects to a different position in the area around it. He
         might have such a mechanism installed."

Wesley(typing):"That's great. All we need to do is give our universe's coordinates 
      to Hubert and you'll be on your way home!"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Gerhard here. Before we can even do that we first need to
         try and get hold of Hubert. Striker and I am going to try using the
         messenger service and hope we get lucky."

Wesley(typing):"Okay. Tell me if you guys through."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Sure will. ;)"

Hubert's Laboratory
8:41 AM:

Hubert is back at work with the device, this time with some help. Merit is
plugged into the machine, while Corsair is plugged into him with his laptop.
All three are working together to get Striker back. As they work, Merit then
turns to look at Hubert.

Merit:"Professor, you have an incoming instant message."

Hubert nods, paying more attention to the machine.

Hubert:"Take a message."

Merit:"Confirmed."

Merit begins to take the message, then turns back to Hubert.

Merit:"Professor, you have an urgent incoming instant message."

Hubert sighs, then looks up at Merit.

Hubert:"Who is it from?"

Merit:"It is from Gerhard Naudé."

Hubert(confused):"I don't know that person. What does he want?"

Merit relays the message. Moments later he gets a response that he relays 
back to Hubert.

Merit:"His response is that Striker is at his present location."

Hubert and Corsair immediately turn all their attention to Merit.

Corsair:"The boss is there with him?"

Merit:"Correct."

Hubert:"How is he communicating?"

Merit:"He is using an instant messenger computer program."

Hubert goes over to one of his computers, takes a cable and goes to
connect his computer with Merit. He then goes back to his computer and
turns it on. Once fully loaded, Hubet activates the messenger program. He
looks back at Merit.

Hubert:"Tell this person to send a new message."

Merit:"Executing command."

Merit starts to relay the message. Hubert turns back to his computer,
while Corsair comes and leans over to look as well. After a minute or so
a messenger window appears with the name "StrikerS" in it.

StrikerSA(on screen):"Hello? Professor Hubert?"

Hubert(typing):"Yes, this is Professor Hubert. Who are you? And do you
      have Striker with you?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"This is Gerhard Naudé here. And yes, Striker is here.
         I cannot believe this is going on. I am actually talking with a
         character from a cartoon show."

Both Hubert and Corsair looks confused at each other, then they look back
at the screen.

Hubert(typing):"What are you talking about?"

Gerhard then begins to send a number of messages that explains what is
going on. The more Hubert and Corsair read the messages, the more surprised
they become.

Hubert:"A universe where we are nothing but cartoon characters?"

Corsair:"Dude, if Phoenix finds out Striker got zapped to another universe
         she is gonna kill you. And that's being optimistic."

Hubert(typing):"Do you two have an idea on how to get Striker back?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"I got no idea. Neither does Striker. Let me quickly
         ask Wesley, a friend of mine."

Hubert(typing):"All right."

Hubert and Corsair look at each other again.

Corsair:"Do you have an idea on how to bring Striker back, professor?"

Hubert:"I'm not sure of that yet, my boy. I first need to figure out how to
        use the technology of our friend in the other universe to bring him
        back."

Just then the door to the laboratory opens and Shephard pokes his head into
the room.

Shephard:"Sirs, we have a problem."

Hubert:"What is it?"

Shephard:"Phoenix is coming, sirs."

Hubert's eyes widen in shock.

Hubert:"Keep her out of the lab!"

Corsair:"Yeah, I don't want my face burnt off."

Shephard:"Yes, sirs!"

Shephard goes back outside and closes the door. Just then there is a new
message alert. The two of them turn back to read it.

StrikerSA(on screen):"Wesley just told me of a possible idea. I have a digital
         camera that can hook up to my computer. He says that if we were to
         create a direct connection between my computer and that device of
         yours, you could 'take a picture' of Striker, then materialize him on
         your side with the machine. What do you think, professor?"

Hubert rubs his chin, thinking the idea over in his mind.

Hubert:"It might work. We haven't made any calibrations to the original 
        settings of the machine, so if I were to reverse the cycle and set the
        targeting system to that of your camera, we can bring Striker home."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Good idea. I'll go and get the camera. It's not mine, it
         belongs to the company I work for, but I don't use it really."

Hubert then gets up and goes over to the machine and begins to work on it. A 
moment later a new message appears on the screen.

StrikerSA(on screen):"Striker here. How is Phoenix?"

Corsair sits in Hubert's chair and begins to type a response.

Corsair(typing):"Corsair here, boss. Right now she is outside the laboratory
       door. Shephard is keeping her out, because we worry she might singe
       the professor's fur if she found out you were teleported out of our
       universe."

StrikerSA(on screen):"You do not need to do that, Corsair. Firefly is a strong
         lady. I'm certain she would not harm Hubert, especially since Hubert
         would be the only one to know how to bring me back."

Corsair(typing):"Good point. So should I bring her in?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"It might be best if you do. She can get really angry if
         she is kept in the dark."

Corsair(typing):"Like that time over the wedding ring? ;)"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Go get her, Corsair!"

Corsair chuckles, gets up and goes to the laboratory door. He opens it and
peers outside. He talks to Shephard on the other side.

Corsair:"Yeah, better let her in. Boss said so."

Corsair steps back as the door comes open wider. Phoenix comes walking with
Shephard behind her. Hubert looks up and gulps, then quickly goes back to
work. Phoenix looks around at them.

Phoenix:"All right, what is going on? I come here after hearing Striker came
         here to have his rifle fixed. Then I find Shephard standing outside
         the laboratory door blocking entry. And since I don't see Striker in
         here..."

Hubert:"Er... Corsair, you explain to her."

Corsair quickly looks at Hubert.

Corsair:"What! Me?"

Phoenix frowns, folding her arms accross her chest.

Phoenix:"Explain what?"

Corsair looks back at Phoenix, then takes hold of her arm.

Corsair:"Come here and I'll show you."

He takes her over to the computer and makes her sit down in front of it. He
points at the messenger window.

Corsair:"Here's the boss."

Phoenix(typing):"Strikie? You there?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Here I am, my Firefly."

Phoenix looks a bit relieved when she reads the message.

Phoenix(typing):"Ah, there you are Strikie. I was worried something had happened
       to you."

StrikerSA(on screen):"I'm reg, Phoenix. Do not worry about me."

Phoenix(typing):"Where are you? What happened?"

Striker sends a number of messages to Phoenix, who reads them intently. Once he
is done she types.

Phoenix(typing):"I cannot believe you are actually with your creator. And mine.
       It feels so weird."

StrikerSA(on screen):"I know. I personally though would feel better if I could 
         feel you next to me."

Phoenix smiles a little bit.

Phoenix(typing):"Me too. *kiss*"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Mmmmurr. *kisskisskiss*"

Phoenix begins to murr softly, tail wagging.

Phoenix(typing):"Oh, Strikie...*licks and hugs*"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Gerhard here. You two enjoying yourselves? :P"

Phoenix snaps back to reality, blushing furiously.

Phoenix(typing):"Oh! So sorry! We didn't mean anything bad or the like."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Nah, it's nothing. I know how you two feel about
         each other. I created you two, after all."

Phoenix giggles a little bit. The next moment a window appears asking for
a live video feed to be established. Phoenix clicks on the "Yes" button. A
window appears showing a video streaming of the living in the Naudé
residence. Gerhard is seated in front of the computer with Striker standing
next to him. Phoenix stares at the video she is recieving, noting the
differences in realities between Gerhard and Striker. He turns to Hubert.

Phoenix:"Professor! We got a live video feed from where Striker is."

Hubert, Corsair and Shephard go over to where Phoenix and look at the
video feed window. The sight brings about a few raised eyebrows.

Shephard:"Is that how our creator's world looks like?"

Corsair:"Man, I don't want to live there. The colours all look way too
         dull."

Hubert reaches for the keyboard and begins typing.

Hubert(typing):"Is everything right on your side?"

On the video window they can see Gerhard typing on his keyboard and then
sending the message.

StrikerSA(on screen):"Yes, the camera is ready."

Hubert(typing):"Good. Have Striker stand against a bare wall with the
      camera pointed at him so we can try and get him back."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Okay, professor."

Hubert nods and looks at Corsair.

Hubert:"Help me get the machine ready. You can set up a connection between
        it and the computer so I can make use of the video feed."

Corsair:"Gotcha, professor."

The two of them turn their attention to the machine and begins to get it
ready. Phoenix, meanwhile, watches on the video feed how Gerhard is helping
Striker get ready.

Living Room
Naudé Residence
11:37 PM:

Gerhard and Striker are busy moving some of the furniture by a wall to make
room for the teleportation as well as setting up the camera. Striker looks
at Gerhard.

Striker:"Do you think this will work, Gerhard?"

Gerhard:"I hope so. In fact, it had better. When my parents come home I
         don't want to explain to them how you are and how you got here."

Striker:"I know, but I meant will this work so that I can return back home
         safely?"

Gerhard:"Well, given the fact that I am your creator, I would say that the
         chances of you turning home safely are almost guaranteed."

Striker:"Almost?"

Gerhard:"There is the chance of the cliché incorrect teleportation idea.
         The part where Hubert will end up teleporting someone else from
         another universe."

Striker:"Oh. Wel, I hope I get home eventually."

Gerhard:"You will, my friend."

Striker nods and smiles a little. Just then there is a beep at the computer
indicating a new message. Gerhard goes over and sees it is from Wesley.

Wesley(on screen):"Has Striker already been sent back home?"

Gerhard(typing):"No, but are about to. We've just finished setting up on
       our side. Now it is up to Hubert and the others in their universe to
       get Striker back."

Wesley(on screen):"Ah, okay. Can I speak to Striker quickly?"

Gerhard(typing):"Okay. Hold on..."

Gerhard gets up and turns to look at Striker.

Gerhard:"Striker, my friend Wesley wants to talk to you for a moment."

Striker:"Reg, I'm coming."

Gerhard goes and checks to make sure everything is set up properly. Striker
comes and sits down in the chair and begins typing.

Striker(typing):"Wesley Montgomery, reg? This is Striker. How do you do?"

Wesley(on screen):"I'm doing well. Wow. I can't believe that I'm actually
      talking to someone from another universe. I'm honoured. :)"

Striker(typing):"It is a pleasure, Wesley."

Wesley(on screen):"Umm, Striker. Could I have a word with you for a moment?"

Striker(typing):"You have my ears. Or eyes, rather."

Wesley(on screen):"If Hurbert does get the device working properly, could it 
      be possbile to take me and Gerhard to the Road Rovers Headquarters? Don't 
      worry about us revealing it to others. I don't think anyone would believe 
      us anyway."

Striker chuckles a little, then types.

Striker(typing):"I have no guarantees of that being possible, Wesley. There
       chances of it working correctly are very low, and the chances of being 
       able to do it again are even less. I don't think we can risk your lives.
       Very jammer."

Wesley(on screen):"Oh well, I guess you can't always have your dreams fullfilled. 
      Good luck with your trip home, Striker. ;) Tell the others I say hello."

Striker(typing):"I will, Wesley. ;) Tot later!"

Wesley(on screen):"Bye, Striker. :)"

Striker steps away from the computer and turns to Gerhard. Gerhard has just
finished the final check-up. Striker speaks to him in Afrikaans.

Striker(Afrikaans):"How does it look?"

Gerhard looks up, wiping his hands off on his night gown.

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"Everything looks all right. It's up to Hubert and the
       others."

Striker(Afrikaans):"So, I guess this is the moment of truth."

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"Yes, it is. So I suppose we should say our goodbyes."

Gerhard puts out his hand to Striker. Striker takes Gerhard's hand in his paw
and the two firmly shake.

Striker, Gerhard(Afrikaans):"Take care and till later!"

The two of them stare at each other, then burst out laughing. When they finish
they are grinning at each other.

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"You are definitely my character."

Striker(Afrikaans):"And you are definitely my creator."

Gerhard suddenly realizes something.

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"Hey! What did you let the two of us speak English the
       whole time when we could have talked in Afrikaans?"

Striker shrugs his shoulders.

Striker(Afrikaans):"Habit, I guess. Everyone else at headquarters speak English
       so I don't tend to speak Afrikaans much."

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"I should remember that for next time."

Striker(Afrikaans):"Next time?"

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"You never know. Some kind of experiment might go wrong in
       your universe and send you here again."

Striker chuckles as Gerhard grins and winks.

Striker(Afrikaans):"I might never know."

Gerhard(Afrikaans):"Wel, let's get into position before Phoenix starts flooding
       my inbox with e-mails."

Striker smiles and nods, then goes up against the wall and faces the camera.
Gerhard goes and sits in his chair and begins to type in a message to send to
the professor.

Hubert's Laboratory
9:29 AM:

Everything is now set and ready. The device is pointed at an empty part of the
floor. Merit is still plugged into the device, with wires running from him to
Corsair's laptop. Corsair is seated next to Hubert, both of them are working on
their computers. Phoenix and Shephard are standing next to them. Phoenix has a
concerned look on her face.

Phoenix:"Are you sure this will work?"

Hubert looks at Phoenix and nods.

Hubert:"I'm pretty sure it will. I just word from Gerhard. Striker is in
        position and ready for us to teleport him."

Hubert then looks at Corsair.

Hubert:"Everything ready?"

Corsair gives the thumbs up.

Corsair:"All set and ready to fire."

Hubert:"Good. Start it up."

Corsair nods and pushes the enter key on his laptop. The device hums and 
starts up. Electrical sparks fly from the tip. The device then fires a
series of electrical beams to the centre of the floor that form a kind of
globe. Seconds later there is a bright flash that makes everyone cover their
eyes. When the flash fades everyone open their eyes and look. To their
surprise, Striker is not standing there. Instead there is an anthro
canine with orange fur, light orange fur around his eyes, down his neck,
and the tip of his tail, while the fur around his muzzle is very light
orange. Her a wine-red doublet with golden linings, black straps, grey
hose, brown shoes and a wine-red cap. He has a sword strapped to his back.
This is Sylvan. Sylvan quickly pulls out his sword and looks around.

Sylvan:"What is going? One moment I'm in the woods with Diana and Linmer,
        the next I'm here."

Shephard goes up, his M-249 aimed at Sylvan. Sylvan sees him and puts
his sword tip against Shephard's neck. Shephard keeps his finger on the
trigger and the gun barrel aimed at Sylvan.

Shephard:"I'll blow you away before you can stab me with that big kitchen
          knife of yours."

Sylvan smirks.

Sylvan:"Really? And will your stick do?"

Corsair:"Oh boy. That's not Striker."

Hubert:"Certainly not! What went wrong?"

Merit responds with an answer.

Merit:"According to my analysis, the source targeting code was set to
       a random location rather than the Naudé Residence."

Corsair groans and shakes his head.

Corsair:"Why did you not tell us this in the first place?"

Merit:"Because I could only detect the error once the process had been
       completed."

Corsair:"Oh."

Hubert also turns to Merit.

Hubert:"Can we send this fellow back?"

Merit:"Correct. Just reverse the cycle."

Hubert:"Let's get this fellow back home."

Hubert and Corsair quickly turn back to their computers. Phoenix goes
up to Shephard and Sylvan. She makes Shephard lower his rifle while
looking at Sylvan.

Phoenix:"Terribly sorry. We did not mean to bring you here. We will
         send you back now, mister..."

Sylvan puts his sword back, smiles and bows.

Sylvan:"Sylvan, son of the forest. At your service, mi'lady."

Phoenix smiles.

Phoenix:"Sylvan. I'm Phoenix."

Corsair turns to Phoenix.

Corsair:"Hey, Phoenix. We're to send... Sylvan back home."

Phoenix nods and motions to Shephard to step back. Shephard nods
and steps back to where he stood. Phoenix looks at Sylvan.

Phoenix:"Just stand there and let us do there rest."

Sylvan:"Very well, Phoenix. I put my fate in your paws."

Phoenix smiles and goes to stand next to Shephard. Hubert gives the
nods to Corsair. Corsair pushes the enter key and the device starts
up again. After a moment the device fires the electrical beams at
Sylvan. Sylvan flinches as the beams engulf him. The next instant
he disappears in a bright flash. Everyone looks away until the
flash is gone. Everyone looks to where he was. Merit then makes a
report.

Merit:"Analysis indicates that the subject Sylvan has a made a
       successful return to his point of origin."

Corsair:"Well, at least now the machine works."

A beep on Hubert's computer makes the bloodhound look at his screen.
He reads the new instant message.

StrikerSA(on screen):"Are you having difficulty?"

Hubert(typing):"Just a slight delay, but nothing serious. Tell
      Striker to stay where he is."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Okay."

Hubert then turns to Corsair, who has just finished typing.

Hubert:"Is the problem corrected now?"

Corsair turns around and nods.

Corsair:"Yup. The source target is now locked on Striker this time."

Hubert:"Good. Fire away, my boy."

Corsair presses the enter key. One again the device starts up, fires
the beams and creates another flash. Everyone look away, then look
back. This time Striker is standing in the spot. Phoenix immediately
runs up and hugs him tightly.

Phoenix:"Strikie! You're back!"

Striker smiles and hugs back.

Striker:"Goed to see you too, my Firefly."

Phoenix immediately gives him a big kiss, which he gladly returns.
Once they break the kiss, Shephard comes up and salutes.

Shephard:"Welcome back, sir!"

Striker:"Dankie, Shephard."

Corsair grins.

Corsair:"Had a good trip, boss?"

Striker then remembers something. He goes over to Hubert's computer
and types a message.

Striker(typing):"Gerhard?"

StrikerSA(on screen):"Striker? Did you come through?"

Striker(typing):"Well, Phoenix gave me a kiss, so the answer is ja."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Wonderful! Glad it worked. I was a little
         worried when all those eletrical bolts came out of the
         camera."

Striker(typing):"I should thank you for helping me, Gerhard."

StrikerSA(on screen):"Nah, no need to. Seeing you in the flesh is
         all the thanks I need. ;) Listen, I got to go. You and
         Phoenix take care and Till later! ;)"

Striker(typing):"Till later! :)"

On the messenger program one can see Gerhard logging off. Suddenly
a large of amounts of sparks fly from the device, startling everybody.
Once the sparks die down, small whisps of smoke eminate from it. Merit
makes a scan.

Merit:"Apparently excessive use of this device caused the central
       processing unit to overheat and melt."

Corsair:"What a cliché. It just had to happen."

Hubert sighs.

Hubert:"Back to the drawing board."

Phoenix comes to Striker, putting her arms around him.

Phoenix:"How about we go and get something to drink? Then you can tell
         me what you saw, Strikie."

Striker puts his arm around Phoenix and nods.

Striker:"Goeie idea, Firefly."

The couple smile at each other and head for the door. Shephard comes
after them.

Shephard:"I'm coming along, sir. I'm thirsty too."

Corsair gets up, unplugs his laptop and joins the trio.

Corsair:"Me too. I want to hear the story too."

Merit unplugs itself from the device and closes up the toolbox. He
walks over to join the group.

Merit:"I would also want input on this alternative universe. Such
       information must not be wasted."

Striker:"Reg. Let's go to the kitchen, then."

Striker and Phoenix lead the way out the door. They all head out, but
Corsair stops and looks at Hubert.

Corsair:"Coming, Hubert?"

Hubert shakes his head, looking at the device and scratching his chin.

Hubert:"No, thank you. You go on ahead."

Corsair:"Suit yourself."

Corsair heads out, leaving Hubert to ponder and sigh over the still-smoking 
device.

Living Room
Naudé Residence
At That Moment:

Gerhard has turned his computer off and gotten up. He is standing by the
doorway with his hand on the light switch. He looks at the spot where
Striker stood, then smiles and shakes his head.

Gerhard:"Ai yai yai."

He chuckles and turns the light off, then goes to the kitchen to turn the
light off there before going to bed.


THE END