Heavy Metal (S05E14)

The Sliders land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are rescued by a merchant vessel. Diana (Tembi Locke) is disturbed. The timer has been programmed so that they are only supposed to slide onto dry land in a 400-mile radius of Southern California, yet her readings show that they are headed for Hawaii. She worries that the timer is malfunctioning and wonders what will happen when they slide again. They must get back to the mainland before the next slide or they could end up even farther off course. The captain tells them that he can't turn around, and is baffled when they suggest calling for a helicopter. In the ship's library, Diana learns why the captain was confused. Light metal was never developed on this world, so transportation is restricted to heavy craft like ships and land vehicles. Helicopters and other light aircraft have never been invented. Suddenly gunshots erupt on deck, and they discover the ship is being boarded by a band of pirates, led by Paxton (Robert Cuccioli). (iTunes)