Have you ever been driving and taken the wrong offramp? You might drive for miles before you even realize you're on the wrong road. Even when you do realize it, you might go for still more miles before you even have a chance to get back on track.
For a certain quantum Leaper, The roads he travels are unimaginably twisted, and will go through some very strange landscapes...
I, Reploid
June 27, 20xx
The blue light faded into a city street. Skyscrapers stretched over Sam Beckett's head, and concrete streets into the distance.
Am I in New York? Sam thought.
At that moment, Sam heard a shout from behind him. "X, hit the deck!!", just as a chunk of building exploded next to his head.
Am I in Beirut? "Oh, boy..." he sighed.
Chapter 1
Leaping through time, I'm run into some hairy situations. But I don't usually land in a war zone right away...
Sam Beckett tore like hell away from the building that had been providing cover. Judging from the large craters pocking the surface, it wasn't going to be performing that function very well much longer. Dashing across the street, his head whipped around, trying to see where the explosions were coming from. What he saw instead made him think, Oh yeah, I've finally lost it.
Bizarre armored figures were battling in the streets. Their weaponry was even stranger; lasers, energy blasts, flamethrowers. Some of the weird beings were slashing away with glowing swords, of all things.
Trying to pay attention to everything makes it certain that you aren't paying attention to anything. Sam's foot caught a loose chunk of concrete, sending him clattering to the ground. Clatter? And why do I have such huge feet? One of the armored guys saw a chance and advanced on him, sword blazing and an evil gleam in his eye.
The Maverick raised his yellow sword over Sam, ready to cleave him in two. "I can't believe it. I get to be the one to waste the great (that word dripped with sarcasm) Mega Man X." The blade swung downwards.
Sam was saved by an ignoble death by another blade, this one blazing green, interdicting the swing in a blaze of sparks. Sam looked up to see a face, male, this one in red armor. The man parried the other's swing, sending him stumbling back. Sam scrambled to his feet as the red guy and his attacker dueled.
As his rescuer was engrossed in his own battle (and boy, does he seem to be enjoying it, Sam thought), he didn't see another combatant pointing his arm at the red guy. Sam had no idea when/where he was, or what weapons were being used, but he recognized taking aim when he saw it.
Taking three huge steps, Sam leaped into the air, delivering an oversized foot in the gun-wielder's chest. Landing, he followed up with two rapid punches to the head. The red swordsman dispatched his foe and turned to see Sam deliver a spinning kick that threw the Maverick into a wall. "You know, X" said he, "I love a good throwdown, but using your X-Buster might work better." Sam ran forward and threw a left hook that made the Maverick slump to the ground, insensate. "Uh, never mind."
Sam turned and looked at the one who, as far as he could tell, was on Sam's side. The man smiled. "Saved your butt again, X!"
"Seems like the butt-saving was mutual." The attackers seemed to be routed; they were dashing away as fast as their legs could carry them, disappearing down side streets, and vanishing in beams of colored light.
The man in red smiled at Sam. "Those Mavs always leave when the party's just getting good. Oh well, race you home!" He turned and dashed down the street. Sam trailed behind; he had to, since this was the only way he'd find out where the hell he lived!
+++ There you have it. The first chapter. R&R and I'll post more.