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Chapter 7.

"I...I..I can't let you do this." Stammered the doctor holding his ground.

"Why not!" Trip groaned.

"You….you are needed for tests. And they need information."

"I kinda meant give us a good reason to stay."

"Why don't you simply let us through." Archer took charge.

"But.."

"You shoot us and you'll regret it!"

"I can't let him leave."

"Come with us." Suggested Trip getting irritated.

"What?"

"I can tell you don't like it here, this place it isn't you."

"But if we get caught."

"We won't, unless you keep us here."

"Do you really want to do this or the rest of your life? Do you think they were going to let Trip live?" said Archer.

"No. No they weren't." They realization sunk in, and hit Archer too. If he hadn't come, goodness knows what Trip would have been put through.

"Make your decision quick." Trip glanced round. "We don't have all day!"

"I don't want to do this……"

"Great so your coming with us then. Come on Cap'n lets see how much better your rescue attempt is then mine!"

"I never said I'd go with you!" He raised the gun again but this time Archer was close enough to simply hit it out of his weak grip.

"Fine, bye, hope they kill you quickly though." Trip waved a hand as they pushed past trying not to let the pain of moving show on his face.

As they had predicted a flustered Dr soon caught up with them along the corridor.

"Nice of you to join us." Archer gasped as he was once again forced to take Trip's full weight as his legs gave way under him. "Do you need to stop?"

"Nah… I can ….manage." The Commander found himself having to force the words out through gritted teeth.

Archer took the lead, supporting Trip all he could. He knew that this must be very painful for him, but he still managed to smile. That is one of the things that amazed Archer.

"So, how do we get outta here?"

"You'll see." Archer didn't want to give everything away with the Doctor close by.

"So long as it's not far, you must be getting worn out."

Archer knew Trip was covering up the fact that his leg was causing him great pain. He may not admit it, but his face was sweating and a look of pain flashed in his eyes.

"Nearly there." He said in a gentle tone, trying his best to comfort his friend. "Not long now."

"Can't we transport out of here? I know it's a risk but, we don't have much of a choice."

"There's something blocking it. It's some sort of shield." Archer shuck his head.

"Wait, but from what I can tell, this is their first contact and they haven't got much technology." He said though gasps.

"Well they have." Archer glared at Usual. "Care to explain?"

Suddenly a loud, high pitched sound could be heard.

"Oh no." Whispered Usual.

"What….." Trip didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as his head burst with pain. Forcing his hands over his ears he fell to the ground with a yell, son followed by Archer. They lay there, tossing and turned. Pushing their hands against their hands trying to block the agony. Even their screams were drowned out by the high pitch which was stabbing at them.

Dr Usual, however had been prepared. The moment he had heard the noise he had shoved special ear plugs in. All staff of that place were well prepared for this situation. He crossed over the hall to a set of controls which were imbedded in the wall, and started punching in a code.

Archer wriggled on the floor. "Please stop!" He screamed. Again and again. About to pass out when the sound slowly began to die away.

They lay there, getting their breath back, and enjoying the pain free joy.

"How?" Started Archer.

"I typed in the code to stop the alarm."

"What?" Trip croaked, he could hardly hear anything except for a constant ringing in his ears.

"An Alarm." He said louder this time. "Which means that they know you have escaped, and they will go to great lengths to get you back."

"All the more reason to get off our butts" suggested Trip.

Archer crawled over to Trip to his feet. But Trip, so relieved that the sound stopped, had forgotten about his leg and so got up a bit too quickly. He slipped out of Archer's grasp, and hit the ground with a cry of pain. He clutched his leg, his face screwed up in pain.

Archer taken by surprise, panicked slightly.

"Trip." He rushed to his friend's side.

"Sorry Cap'n." he gasped.

"We'd better hurry."

Archer heaved Trip but they could already hear the sound which struck fear. The heavy clonk of approaching footsteps from round the corner. And it sounded like they were deeply outnumbered, especially with Trip unable to walk.