Romano finished with the lock and walked over to the group "That one is good Hooker. Are you and the new guys OK over here ?"
Kirk waved a hand, in a dismissive manner. "of course. We're just, erm, watching what you're doing..."
Romano nodded. "Are you sure you're OK Hooker ? There's something slightly off with you today. You should get the doctor to check you out..."
Kirk and McCoy exchanged a quick glance before he smiled and said "I'm sure he'll say I'm OK. Please, continue with what you're doing."
Romano nodded for a second time and moved away, walking alone back down the corridor and deeper into the shopping mall.
"This Romano seems certain he knows you Captain. This would fit with my alternate dimension theory. " Spock spoke up once Romano had departed.
"I think you're right Mr. Spock. I do believe that he thinks that he knows me. Let's just follow him now...Maybe we will find out what's going on" Kirk replied. "Spock, keep working on your theory and more importantly work out how to get back to our own universe."
All of the away team sped up to catch up to Romano, who was now jogging past a shut down escalator. As they were catching up, each of them took in more of the scene around them. Posters in the store windows showed images of products none of them recognised. They passed under more hanging banners, each proclaiming huges savings and other advertisements.
After passing by several stores Kirk noticed a pattern emerging on their conditions. The shops that had their doors forced open and windows broken were usually food outlets or outdoor goods stores. The others that remained closed looked as though they had just shut for the day and would be reopened tomorrow.
"Romano", Kirk said as they finally caught up. "Where are all the people ?"
Romano turned to face him, with a look of concern in his eyes, "You haven't been bitten, have you Sarg?"
Kirk smiled, "Just humour me"
Romano continued on towards another already bolted door "as per your instructions the majority of the survivors here are holed up in the EZ-Mart." He looked up through the nearest skylight, "Judging by the sunlight I dare say by now the search parties will be returning to the group after searching the last few food outlets we haven't gone through here yet..."
Romano stopped at another door and tried to push it a couple of times.
"No. That's not what I meant...I meant where..." Kirk started to ask again, but he stopped when Spock grabbed his arm.
He looked at Spock who simply shook his head. Kirk caught his meaning and didn't finish his question.
Romano turned back to the group having missed the exchange between the two starfleet officers. "This ones secure" he said "come on let's get back to the group - see if they found anything, and you never know today might be the day that we find there's been news from outside this place."
