Fourteen

*Picard*

January 7, 2005

The hallways of the hospital were twisted and menacing, despite the cream coloured walls. Lisa Cuddy was our guide towards the depth of basement, where the Romulans were suspected to be hiding. It was interesting to observe how doctors worked long before hyposprays and tricorders were invented. At least Beverly continued the tradition of lab coats.

Will recovered not long after the phaser shot, though I swore I saw glimpses of contempt in his face. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't worry," Will assured me. "Damn good shot, sir."

I was about to keep insisting I apologise when Cuddy shushed us. We had reached the end of the hallway. She pressed one of the elevator buttons. "Don't draw attention to yourselves. We're almost there."

The doors opened and we filed inside, squeezing tightly between the shiny metal walls. It was similar to a turbolift, but was nowhere as sophisticated. Cuddy still had to press things in order to make the lift move. Primitive technology, but standard for them.

"What exactly is in the basement?" Deanna inquired.

"The morgue," Cuddy replied. "Some more imaging machines. I suspect these..aliens of yours have picked the morgue. It's full of weapons and corpses to use."

I saw Will grin faintly. A bell chimed and the doors opened, revealing a dim white hallway. A handful of doors littered the halls, but an eerie atmosphere was still present.

Cuddy immediately moved forward, but I gripped her back. "We could be ambushed."

She shook my hand off her shoulder. "Suggestions?"

"Let my crew go first," I said. "We've dealt with these people before and know how to handle them. They will kill you, regardless of the consequences."

Cuddy sighed. "Fine. I just want those..things out of my hospital and my employee back."

My crew seemed to know my commands before I did. Riker and Beverly drew their phasers, each backing up against the adjacent walls. I threw off my jacket and tossed it into the hall in front, watching as phaser fire disintegrated it instantly. A glance around told me the doctors were blown away.

Deanna's eyes narrowed as she sensed the area. "There is lots of anger present. I can't tell who it's coming from, but there is an ounce of fear," She looked puzzled. "Also some..amusement.."

Cameron and Forman exchanged glances. They obviously didn't believe their friend would be afraid, but that he would find it funny. Unusual at most.

I removed a phaser from my belt and changed it to a high stun setting. Riker moved first, shifting forward and letting loose a series of shots. They disappeared in a flash with retaliated shots. I caught a glimpse of a sleeve retreating into the darkness. "They're here."

Riker fired another shot into the abyss, this time successful. A cry preceded the appearance of a Romulan male, slumping unconscious onto the floor. He was dressed in casual human clothes, which confirmed my suspicions of attempted conformity. The hoodie also looked hideous on him.

I nodded to my crew, who silently moved past me down the hall. We paused, waiting for any sounds of life or further attacks. A glance over at Deanna told me she couldn't sense anything different.

Beverly rushed forward, checking the Romulan's pulse. With a nod I gave the others the all-clear and we continued to proceed. Our footsteps delicately bounced off of the metallic floor; I noticed Cuddy winced at the sound of her high heels piercing the air around us. "Sorry," she mouthed.

It was then I noticed a steady pounding from behind one of the nearby doors. Faint muffled groans were only just audible, along with some scraping sounds.

My crew glanced at each other. It had to be House.

We shuffled along the wall until Deanna's face lit up; she could sense the person's identity. Her voice was but a faint whisp in the air. "It's him."

Beverly ran her tricorder along the outside of the door. "He's not injured as far as I can tell-"

"Let's just get him out of there." Wilson pushed past the doctor and gently opened the door, leaning hesitantly inside. "House?"

A series of aggressive mumbles appeared, as did a surprised expression on Wilson's face. He stood aside and let the door completely swing open.

Cuddy sighed. "Anyone got a camera?"