John trailed after Mycroft through the warren of corridors that opened to the high, vaulted ceiling. Looking up, John could see a system of catwalks overhead, interlaced with cables that extended in every direction.
"Is there a map?" John asked. "It'll take me weeks to figure out where everything is."
Mycroft smiled slightly. "Everyone says that. It's surprisingly simple. Your clinic is at the end of this corridor."
"I'm sorry? My what?"
Mycroft looked over his shoulder. "Your clinic. Doctor, you are here for a reason. Do try to remember that. We're currently looking for a competent nurse for you as well. Anthea has volunteered to assist you in the interim, at least when you attend to our female employees. This is the topmost level. Below us are the training rooms, the gymnasium, the laboratory, and the Hub. That is where we're going right now."
"And that would be?" John asked, following Mycroft into another elevator.
"What it sounds like. The hub of activity. It is a combination social space, conference room, and anything else that people need a large space for," Mycroft answered. He frowned, then rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket. To John's surprise, he pulled out what looked like an ordinary Bluetooth headset, which he inserted into his right ear. "I do dislike this blasted thing. But our head of security insists on having all of the upper echelon in immediate contact. We'll have to have one prepared for you."
"You have reception down here?" John asked.
"Oh, no. This is internal only." The door opened, revealing something that looked like a large, natural cavern. There were tables and chairs set up, and several people sitting or standing around them, shuffling papers and talking in low tones.
"Mycroft, this isn't..." John's voice trailed off as he stepped out of the elevator and looked up. "This can't be part of the Chislehurst caves!"
"Can't it? Come now, Doctor. You don't think they show you everything on that tour?"
John considered that, then nodded. Then he grinned and looked at Mycroft. "How close are we to where they filmed Doctor Who?"
From the tables, there was a bark of laughter, and an older man rose to his feet. He smiled as he approached, and John almost immediately classified him as "Elder Statesman." Then the man got close enough that John could see his eyes, and the "Elder Statesman" turned into "Dangerous Hunter." The smile faded slightly as the man stopped; he looked at John, then at Mycroft. When he looked back at John, the smile returned.
"Well, you've found a live one, Mycroft," he said, his voice gravelly. From age or smoking, John couldn't tell.
"Indeed," Mycroft agreed. "You'll be working with him, Uncle. Oh, and you've already a connection to our good doctor. He's Mark Slate's nephew."
The other man laughed again, holding out one hand. "It's a pleasure, Doctor. Your uncle was an old friend of mine."
John smiled and shook the older man's hand, realizing who it was he was speaking to. "The pleasure is mine, Mister Solo."
Napoleon Solo nodded once, looking very satisfied. "I'm not sure if I should be worried that you know about me, or flattered."
"Uncle Mark thought very highly of you, sir," John said. "And your partner-"
"Speaking of, just where is your partner, Uncle?" Mycroft asked.
"In the laboratory, last I saw him," Solo answered. "Probably blowing something up. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to the web."
"Send Olivia up when she's available," Mycroft answered. Solo nodded at John and turned away, heading out of the cavern.
"Can't wait to meet him," John murmured. "Living legends, the both of them. He's not really your uncle, is he?"
"Oh, no," Mycroft answered. "No, someone started calling him that years back. It amuses him."
John nodded, then asked, "What does he do here?"
"Technologist," Mycroft said. "By his own choice. He refused any higher role. Now, let's get started, shall we?" That last was directed to the rest of the room, and people put down their coffee cups and rose, coming towards Mycroft and John. Anthea was there, and a young man with curly brown hair who grinned happily as he came closer. Following them was a tall, lanky blond man that John thought looked oddly familiar.
"This is everyone who could be here, Sir," the blond said, his voice betraying his American background. "'Cept for Livvy..." he paused and touched the headset in his own ear. "She's on her way."
"Very good. Everyone, this is Doctor John Watson. He'll be our attending physician and consultant on medical matters. Anthea will be setting up a schedule for each of you to have an initial examination and interview. This is mandatory. Now, if you'll all introduce yourselves?"
"Do I get real names?" John asked, looking at Anthea. She dimpled and stepped forward.
"Actually, it is Anthea," she said. "Anthea Paulos."
"An' I'm Tobe," the young man offered in a thick brogue, stepping forward to offer his hand and tripping over his own feet. "Tobias Hunter, sir," he finished as he caught himself and stood up straighter. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too," John said with a smile as he shook Tobe's hand. "What do you do here, hm?"
"Hardware, sir," Tobe answered. "I get to play with all the new tech. I'll be helping you set up the scanners in your clinic, teaching you how they all work and stuff."
"Scanners?" John repeated. "I think I'm familiar with most scanning devices that you'd find in a clinic, Tobe."
Tobe just beamed. "Not these, sir. These came from Cardiff."
Apparently, John was just supposed to know why having things come from Cardiff was important. He filed it for later, tagged "something to ask Sherlock," and turned towards the tall blond, who saluted.
"Captain, I don't think you remember me. My unit served with yours in Afghanistan, for a few weeks. You patched me up once."
"Did I?" John asked, blinking. "Sorry, I don't remember... wait, that American unit... from Texas, was it? Outside Kandahar?"
"That was us!" the blond answered with a laugh. "I didn't think you'd remember."
"I'm afraid I don't remember you," John admitted.
"Wasn't expecting you to. Name's Moran. Sebastian Moran. Everybody here calls me Baz. I'm the security guy."
"Nice to meet you again, Baz," John said. "I hope I'm not going to be patching you up again any time soon."
Baz laughed and clapped John on the shoulder. "Not this time. I'll get you a headset once you're settled. Everyone stays in contact, understand?"
"Of course," John said, nodding. Movement caught his eye, and he turned to see a tall young woman hurrying into the cavern. Out of the corner of his eye, John saw Tobe look away, and head towards the tables. Baz simply smiled.
"I'm sorry I'm late," the woman said as she came towards them. "We're having a time of it, getting the cameras ready for the Olympics." She held her hand out to John and continued, "It's so nice to finally meet you, Doctor. I'm Olivia. But please, call me Livvy. The only person who calls me Olivia is my father," Olivia said. She smiled, and John's jaw dropped. High cheekbones, dark hair, pale gray eyes...
Mycroft cleared his throat, "Doctor, this is my daughter, Olivia."