Boogeymen - Mel Gilden [61]
“What is your opinion?” said Picard.
Dr. Crusher shook her head and said, “The tricorder has no information on ship’s crew and passengers. You’ll have to give it something to look for.”
“There are a lot of human males aboard Enterprise,” Riker said.
“Yes,” said Picard, “but I’ll wager that none of them are as agitated as Baldwin was when he left my ready room.”
“All right. With the medical attachment, then,” said Dr. Crusher as she took back the tricorder and adjusted a few settings. She handed the instrument back to Picard. “You’ll be fine as long as he’s upset. After he calms down, Baldwin will be just one more human male.”
Picard handed the tricorder to Worf, who made adjustments of his own. He cast around the room and at last aimed the tricorder at the ceiling. “He is above us,” Worf said.
“Transporters?” Riker said.
Picard nodded and said, “They are well guarded.”
“He is moving,” Worf said as he followed Baldwin with the tricorder. “Coming this way. From his speed, I would guess he is aboard a turbolift.”
“How did he do that?” Perry said.
“Friends,” said Worf. “The turbolift has stopped. He is just above us.”
“Deck eleven,” said Riker. “Holodecks.”
Picard said, “Thank you, Doctor. You stay here, Counselor. The doctor’s patients have need of you. Number One, Perry. After you, Mr. Worf.”
Worf swam ahead of Picard, Riker, and Perry down the corridor to the gangway, and they climbed one flight of stairs. Deck eleven was dim and the air was hot and dry, desertlike. But the gravity was within a few points of normal, and they were all glad of that.
According to the tricorder, Baldwin was in holodeck three and just as upset as ever. They continued to get a strong reading. As they approached the entrance, it opened to show them a jungle much like the one on Tantamon IV.
“It appears,” said Picard, “that we are being invited inside.”
Worf’s jaw worked. Perry looked to Picard for guidance. Riker said, “Worf and I will go.”
“You’re half right, Number One. You and I will go.”
“I must insist, sir—”
“Number One, this is not an away mission. For better or worse, holodeck three is part of the ship, my ship.”
Looking unhappy, Riker said, “Aye, sir.”
Picard said, “Worf, you and Perry wait out here. And stay sharp. Things that can enter a holodeck can also exit.”
“Aye, sir,” Worf and Perry said together.
Picard took a deep breath and swallowed. He did not consider himself a brave man, but he generally did what needed to be done. Still, if the thought of once more entering a holodeck under control of Boogeymen did not frighten him, at the very least it made him cautious. He studied the jungle warily.
“Sir?” said Riker.
Picard realized he had been studying the jungle for a long time. He said, “Quite right, Number One,” and stepped onto the holodeck. Riker was right behind him. The doors closed behind them and disappeared.
Chapter Thirteen
“THIS ISN’T SO BAD,” Picard said as they tramped through the steamy undergrowth and among the fuzzy alien bowls. “At least it doesn’t look like the Enterprise.” He saw Baldwin a little way ahead of them, making good time. Picard pointed, Riker nodded, and they followed him through the rising mist.
Though Baldwin started with a lot of energy, he slowed as time went on and Picard could not figure out why. It was true that because of the temperature, the uneven ground, and the vines and bowls, walking was difficult for a man who was used to civilization. But Picard was not yet fatigued, and Baldwin had more experience with this kind of terrain than he did.
His impatience, and perhaps his feeling of responsibility for Picard’s well-being, made Rikerwalk a few steps ahead. He caught up with Baldwin and spun him around by a shoulder. Riker fell back a step, and Picard stopped. The man they’d been following wasn’t Baldwin but a Boogeyman. He laughed maniacally, pushed Riker in the chest, and