(Alice’s POV: )

Later, we took the car to Baskerville, Sherlock still driving, and John and I in the same position as before. As we approached the complex, we (Sherlock and I, not so much John) observed that there were very many military personnel guarding the place, walking the perimeter and almost everywhere else there was to be guarded. He drove up to the gates and a military security guard holding a rifle raised a hand. As Sherlock stopped the jeep, the man walked around to the driver’s window.

“Pass, please.” He asked, quickly glancing at John and I’s position. I ignored his strange look and acted as if we were sitting normally. Sherlock glanced at us and quickly flashed a smirk before reaching into his coat pocket and handing him a pass.

“Thank you.” The guard said, walking away with the pass. At the front of the vehicle, another security man encouraged a sniffer dog to check the jeep, presumably for explosives.

“You’ve got ID for Baskerville. How?” John asked quietly, leaning in front of me a bit.

“It’s not specific to this place. It’s my brother’s. Access all areas. I, um...” He began quietly. He cleared his throat “...acquired it ages ago, just in case.” I smiled, almost proudly and chuckled. The security guard swiped Sherlock’s pass through a reader at the gate room. The screen showed a fairly small photograph of Mycroft and named the card holder as Mycroft Holmes, giving him Unlimited Access and showing his security status as ‘Secure (No Threat)’.

“Brilliant!” John exclaimed, but seemed unsure.

“What’s the matter?” Sherlock asked.

“We’ll get caught.” I said, looking at John and silently confirming with him that that was what he was going to say.

“No we won’t – well, not just yet.” Sherlock assured.

“Caught in five minutes. ‘Oh, hi, we just thought we’d come and have a wander round your top secret weapons base.’ ‘Really? Great! Come in – kettle’s just boiled. That’s if we don’t get shot.” John played out sarcastically. I smiled and laughed softly.

“I bl**dy love your sarcasm.” I giggled. John wasn’t sure how to react, so he stayed silent. Sherlock smiled as the gates began to slide open and the security guard came back over to the car.

“Clear.” The dog handler announced.

“Thank you very much, sir.” The guard thanked, handing Sherlock his pass.

“Thank you.” Sherlock replied politely. He put the car in gear and eased the vehicle forward.

“Straight through, sir.” The guard instructed.

“Mycroft’s name literally opens doors!” John announced happily.

“I’ve told you – he practically is the British government.” Sherlock began. He started to continue, but I cut him off, feeling like I hadn’t done much in the way of annoying him today.

“I figure we’ve got about twenty minutes before they realise something’s wrong.” I finished. Sherlock kept looking ahead, not saying anything about my interruption.

 Sherlock drove up to the main complex at Baskerville, parked the car and we got out. Another soldier led us through barriers and towards an entrance to the main building. As we walked, Sherlock looked around at all the military men patrolling the area, many of them armed. Even the scientists in lab coats were being escorted. As we approached the entrance, a military jeep pulled up and a young corporal got out.

“What is it? Are we in trouble?” He asked urgently.

“Are we in trouble, sir?” Sherlock replied sternly.

“Yes, sir, sorry, sir.” He answered sheepishly. Nevertheless, he stepped in front of us and held out his hands to prevent them getting nearer to the entrance.

“You were expecting us?” Sherlock asked. I stood straighter, my military instincts kicking in.

“Your ID showed up straight away, Mr. Holmes. Corporal Lyons, security. Is there something wrong, sir?” Lyons replied.

“Well, I hope not, Corporal, I hope not.” Sherlock said proudly.

“It’s just we don’t get inspected here, you see, sir. It just doesn’t happen.” Lyons informed, slightly suspicious.

“Ever heard of a spot check?” John asked. He took a small wallet from his pocket and showed the ID inside to the corporal. “Captain John Watson, Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers.” He listed. Even before he had finished speaking, the corporal came to attention and saluted. John crisply returned the salute.

“Captain Alice White, formerly of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, or 4 SCOTS.” Sherlock introduced. I turned extremely red at the lengthy introduction, and saluted as custom dictated. Lyons saluted back, with as much respect as he had John.

“Sir. Major Barrymore won’t be pleased, sir. He’ll want to see you all.” He informed.

“I’m afraid we won’t have time for that. We’ll need the full tour right away. Carry on.” I said, taking advantage of my captain ranking and getting over my short-lived embarrassment. The corporal hesitated.

“That’s an order, Corporal. You heard the lady.” John said instantly.

“Yes, sirs.” Lyons confirmed. He spun around and walked towards the entrance. Sherlock glanced across to John and me with a proud smile on his face as we followed. I moved next to Sherlock, ready to confront him when we had time.

 At the entrance, which was marked AUTOMATIC SECURITY DOOR, Lyons swiped his pass through a reader, and then waited for Sherlock to walk over and do the same with his own pass. The message ‘ACCESS GRANTED’ appeared on the reader. Lyons then pressed a button and the locks on the door disengaged. Sherlock checked his watch. The door swung open and Lyons led us inside, taking off his beret as he went. As he leads us towards the next security door, we talked quietly.

“Nice touch.” Sherlock complimented.

“Haven’t pulled rank in ages.” John commented, looking at me and smiling.

“Enjoy it?” Sherlock asked.

“Oh yeah.” John nodded. As we neared another door and Sherlock stepped forward again, John leaned next to me and whispered. “I didn’t know you were a captain, or in the Scottish Division.”

“Shut up.” I said crankily. John chuckled softly as Sherlock came back. The doors slid open and revealed an elevator on the other side. Lyons led us inside and Sherlock looked at the wall panel. The lift, now on the ground floor, only went downwards to five floors marked -1, -2, -3, -4 and B. Lyons pressed the -1 button and the doors closed, opening shortly afterwards on the next floor down. Lyons led us out into a brightly lit and white tiled laboratory. As we walked forward, various scientific staff dressed either in white coveralls including full breathing masks, or lab coats and face masks walked around the lab. There were large cages to the right of the elevator and as Lyons led the way past them, a monkey screamed and hurled itself at the bars towards them. I jumped slightly, but no one saw. Sherlock spun on his heel as he passed the cage, looking at the monkey and the chain around its neck.

“How many animals do you keep down here?” Sherlock asked.

“Lots, sir.” The corporal replied. At the far end of the lab, a scientist wearing coveralls and a breathing mask came out of another room and took his mask off. Another scientist walked across the lab with a beagle on a lead.

“Any ever escape?” He questioned.

“They’d have to know how to use that lift, sir. We’re not breeding them that clever.” Lyons explained.

“Unless they have help.” I said dryly. The man who just took his mask off came over to us.

“Ah, and you are?” He asked, looking prepared to shake hands.

“Sorry, Doctor Frankland. I’m just showing these gentlemen and lady around.” Lyons explained.

“Ah, new faces, huh? Nice. Careful you don’t get stuck here, though. I only came to fix a tap!” Frankland joked. John chuckled politely as Frankland walked towards the lift, and then turned to Lyons.

“How far down does that lift go?” He asked.

“Quite a way, sir.”

“Mmm-hmm. And what’s down there?”  I asked, standing next to Sherlock and leaning on him a bit as I did.

“Well, we have to keep the bins somewhere, sir. This way please, gentlemen.” Lyons lied. Sherlock was watching Frankland as he reached the elevator. Frankland in turn looked around to gaze with interest at the new arrivals. As Lyons led John and I away, Sherlock walked backwards for a couple of paces before turning to follow. As he caught up to me I looked at him, but he just smiled down at me. I rolled my eyes and looked back ahead.

“So what exactly is it that you do here?” John asked, beginning a new subject.

“I thought you’d know, sir, this being an inspection.” Lyons said. I couldn’t decide if he sounded suspicious or not, so I just kept my judgement at bay. Sherlock was looking at the various scientists around the room: A couple looking at a rat in a glass cage, another one doing something to the leg of a monkey on a leash, which was sitting on a metal table. Nearby, another scientist picked up what looked ominously like a glass container of serum.

“Well, I’m not an expert, am I?” John replied a bit arrogantly.

“Everything from stem cell research to trying to cure the common cold, sir.” Lyons said.

“But mostly weaponry?” I asked dryly.

“Of one sort or another, yes ma’am.” He swiped his card through the reader of the door at the end of the lab, then stepped aside for Sherlock to do likewise.

“Biological, chemical...?” John asked. I rolled my eyes.

“One war ends, another begins, sir. New enemies to fight. We have to be prepared.” Lyons explained. As the door released, Sherlock checked his watch quickly before Lyons led us through the doors and into another lab. A monkey stood up on its back legs with one hand high in the air and shrieked before sitting down again on a high metal table. A female scientist looked at it and then turned to her colleague.

“Okay, Michael, let’s try Harlow Three next time.” She said. As she walked away from the table, Lyons approached her.

“Doctor Stapleton.” Lyons said respectfully.

“Stapleton.” Sherlock greeted thoughtfully.

“Yes?” She looked at Sherlock and John, avoiding me for some reason. “Who’s this?” She asked.

“Priority Ultra, ma’am. Orders from on high. An inspection.” Lyons informed.

“Really?” the scientist asked, disbelieving.

“We’re to be accorded every courtesy, Doctor Stapleton.” Sherlock began.

“What’s your role at Baskerville?” I finished. John gave me an annoyed look and I tried not to giggle. Stapleton looked at us and snorted with disbelieving laughter.

“Er, accorded every courtesy, isn’t that the idea?” John interrupted.

“I’m not free to say. Official secrets.” Stapleton said suspiciously.

“Oh, you most certainly are free...” Sherlock began, smiling at her. His smile faded and his voice became ominous. “...and I suggest you remain that way.” She looked at him for a moment.

“I have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies. I like to mix things up – genes, mostly; now and again actual fingers.” Sherlock had a lightbulb moment when she had said the words ‘genes’ and reached into his pocket before she even finished the sentence.

“Stapleton. I knew I knew your name.” He said, a bit happily.

“I doubt it.” She replied tiredly.

“People say there’s no such thing as coincidence.” I said sarcastically.

“What dull lives they must lead.” Sherlock finished. He held up his notebook to her, on which he had written a single large word: ‘BLUEBELL’. She stared at it in amazement as Sherlock watched her face closely. I smiled a bit and shifted my weight, brushing against Sherlock, earning a suggestive look from John. I ignored it.

“Have you been talking to my daughter?” Stapleton asked.

“Why did Bluebell have to die, Doctor Stapleton?” I asked as Sherlock put away his notebook.

“The rabbit?” John asked, bewildered.

“Disappeared from inside a locked hutch, which was always suggestive.” Sherlock said to Stapleton, as she stared at him blankly.

“The rabbit?” John repeated, this time looking to me.

“Clearly an inside job.” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, you reckon?” Stapleton asked, turning to me.

“Why?” Sherlock began.

“Because it glowed in the dark.” We said together, me quieter than Sherlock.

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. Who are you?” Stapleton said, sounding a bit panicky. As she spoke Sherlock checked his watch again, having checked his mental timer. Sherlock lowered his arm and turned to Lyons.

“Well, I think we’ve seen enough for now, Corporal. Thank you so much.” Sherlock said suddenly.

“That’s it?” Lyons asked, surprised.

“That’s it.” I confirmed as Sherlock turned and headed briskly back towards the door, dragging me by the arm behind him. John was following behind me and Lyons trailing after him.

“It’s this way, isn’t it?” Sherlock asked unnecessarily.

“Just a minute!” Stapleton shouted. John caught up to us and spoke quietly so that Lyons couldn’t overhear him. His tone suggested that he was not pleased.

“Did we just break into a military base to investigate a rabbit?” He hissed. Sherlock reached the door and swiped his card, then waited for Lyons to catch up to them and do the same with his own card. Sherlock walked swiftly through the security doors and headed for the lift as his phone trilled a text alert. Mine did the same and I sighed, knowing exactly who it was and why. Sherlock took out his phone without stopping and read the message.

“What are you doing?

M”

He laughed sarcastically and I smiled worriedly.

“Twenty-three minutes. Mycroft’s getting slow.” He said cheerfully. Reaching the lift doors, he swiped his card and Lyons did the same. The doors opened, revealing Doctor Frankland standing inside as if he had been waiting there for us ever since we met. He smiled at us.

“Hello... again.” Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, Sherlock walked into the lift with the others. He looked down at me, looking like he was concentrating very hard. I looked back up at him, raising an eyebrow.

“You have a text.” He said quietly. I checked it as he looked ahead of himself again.

“Naughty, naughty.” It read. It was from an anonymous number. I put my phone away, dismissing it as yet another wrong number. Very shortly afterwards, one floor up, the doors opened again and revealed a bearded man in military uniform waiting for them. He did not look happy.

“Er, um, Major...” Lyons began sheepishly.

“This is bl**dy outrageous. Why wasn’t I told?” The supposed Major near-shouted.

“Major Barrymore, is it?” John began, stepping out of the lift towards him. “Yes, well, good. Very good.” He offered him his hand to shake. “We’re very impressed, aren’t we, Mr. Holmes? Captain White?” He finished, looking to Sherlock and I. Barrymore refused to take John’s hand. Sherlock’s phone sounded another text alert and he reached into his pocket for it again.

“Deeply; hugely.” Sherlock emphasized as he walked past Barrymore and looked at his text message which read, 

“What’s going on, Sherlock?

M”

The major followed along behind us as Sherlock hurried towards the exit door.

“The whole point of Baskerville was to eliminate this kind of bureaucratic nonsense...” Barrymore complained.

“I’m so sorry, Major.” I said respectfully, him being a rank above me. Sherlock looked at me sarcastically.

“Inspections?!” He emphasized.

“New policy. Can’t remain unmonitored forever. Goodness knows what you’d get up to.” Sherlock lied. “Keep walking.” He added, urgently and quietly to John and I. Lyons had briefly ducked into a side room but now hurried out again.

“Sir!” Lyons called. He slapped an alarm button on the wall. Alarms started to blare, red lights flashed and the automated security door locked itself. I groaned and we turned back to him. “ID unauthorised, sir.” Lyons said. I groaned again.

“What?” Barrymore shouted.

“I’ve just had the call.” Lyons revealed.

“Is that right?” The Major asked, turning to us. “Who are you?” He demanded.

“Look, there’s obviously been some kind of mistake.” John said confidently. A little further back, Frankland was slowly walking towards us, looking thoughtful. Barrymore held out his hand for Sherlock’s ID card, which he gave to him. He looked at the card and then up at Sherlock.

“Clearly not Mycroft Holmes.” Barrymore said dryly.

“Computer error, Major. It’ll all have to go in the report.” John dismissed, getting out his notebook and beginning to write.

“What the h*ll’s going on?!” Barrymore shouted.

“It’s all right, Major. I know exactly who these people are." Doctor Frankland said, coming from out of nowhere.

“You do?” The Major asked.

“Yeah. I’m getting a little slow on faces but Mr. Holmes here isn’t someone I expected to show up in this place.” Frankland confirmed.

“Ah, well...” Barrymore began.

“Good to see you again, Mycroft.” Frankland greeted, shaking Sherlock’s hand. John tried to mask his surprise, and failing in my book. I needed to teach him some basic acting. I made a mental note.

Smiling falsely, Sherlock shook Frankland’s hand.

“I had the honour of meeting Mr. Holmes at the W.H.O. conference in…” Frankland pretended to think. “...Brussels, was it?”

“Vienna.” I corrected.

“Vienna, that’s it.” Frankland exclaimed, looking at me curiously but still smiling. He looked at Barrymore.

“This is Mr. Mycroft Holmes, Major. There’s obviously been a mistake.” Frankland reiterated. Barrymore turned and nodded to Lyons, who went back to the alarm switch and turned it off. The lights stopped flashing and the alarm fell silent. A moment later the entrance door’s lock disengaged noisily.

“On your head be it, Doctor Frankland.” The Major warned, turning back to the doctor.

“I’ll show them out, Corporal.” Frankland said, laughing as he looked at the approaching Corporal Lyons.

“Very well, sir.” Lyons said, still a bit suspicious. Sherlock spun on his heel and walked towards the now open entrance door, grabbing my arm again. I yanked it out in annoyance. The detective looked down at me and grabbed my limb again defiantly. I sighed and let my arm fall limp in his grip.

 John and Frankland followed us while Barrymore glared after us unhappily. We went outside, John grimacing anxiously with an “Oh g*ds, I really hope we’re going to get away with this!” expression on his face. Frankland trotted after us.

“Thank you.” Sherlock said politely.

“This is about Henry Knight, isn’t it?” Frankland asked. We didn’t answer him but he took our silence as agreement. “I thought so. I knew he wanted help but I didn’t realise he was going to contact Sherlock Holmes!” He exclaimed. Sherlock grimaced. “Oh, don’t worry. I know who you really are. I’m never off your website. Thought you’d be wearing the hat, though.” Frankland said, sounding like -no, being an over-zealous fanboy.

“That wasn’t my hat.” Sherlock said dryly.

“I hardly recognise him without the hat!” Frankland added, speaking to John and I. John tried unsuccessfully to bite back a smile while I full-on grinned, unashamed.

“It wasn’t my hat.” Sherlock repeated tetchily, sounding the ‘t’s loudly.

“I love the blog too, Doctor Watson.” Frankland hushed.

“Oh, cheers!” John said sarcastically.

“And Miss White, your hair is hard to forget, along with your skills.” I kept myself from rolling my eyes.

“Captain White, Doctor.” I corrected crankily. He was not discouraged and kept on.

“The, er, the Pink thing...” He began.

“Mmm-hmm.” John half-moaned.

“...and that one about the aluminium crutch!” That one was my favourite, but I didn’t want to encourage him.

“Yes.” John droned.

“You know Henry Knight?” I interrupted, stopping and turning to him as Sherlock did.

“Well, I knew his dad better. He had all sorts of mad theories about this place. Still, he was a good friend.” Frankland said fondly. He looked back the way we came and saw Major Barrymore was some distance away and watching us. He turned back to Sherlock and I. “Listen, I can’t really talk now.” He took a card from his coat pocket and handed it over. “Here’s my, er, cell number. If I could help with Henry, give me a call.”

“I never did ask, Doctor Frankland. What exactly is it that you do here?” Sherlock said, sounding bored and tired.

“Oh, Mr. Holmes, I would love to tell you – but then, of course, I’d have to kill you!” He laughed cheerfully.

“That would be tremendously ambitious of you.” Sherlock said, straight-faced. I hid a smile while Frankland’s smile faded and he shrugged in embarrassment.

“Tell us about Doctor Stapleton.” I ordered.

“Never speak ill of a colleague.” Frankland said sternly.

“Yet you’d speak well of one, which you’re clearly omitting to do.” Sherlock noticed.

“I do seem to be, don’t I?” He shrugged.

“We’ll be in touch.” Sherlock said, raising the card that Frankland just gave him.

“Any time.” Frankland said politely. We walked away from him and headed towards our Land Rover.

“So?” John began suddenly.

“So?” Sherlock and I said simultaneously.

“What was all that about the rabbit?” John questioned. Smiling briefly, Sherlock pulled his coat tighter around him, flipping the collar up and finally letting go of my arm just as we reached the car. John rolled his eyes and turned to him.  “Oh, please, can we not do this, this time?” John asked.

“Do what?” Sherlock asked innocently, earning a smile from me.

“You being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning your coat collar up so you look cool.” John said, gesturing with his hands. As he turned to go to the car door, Sherlock opened his mouth to speak but was apparently so disconcerted that for a moment he couldn’t find the words. I laughed and looked at Sherlock, smirking.

“... I don’t do that.” Sherlock almost whined.

“Yeah you do.” John and I said simultaneously. We got in without another word.

I FINALLY AM UPDATING!!! I HAVE BEEN TYPING FO YO PEOPLES! Sorry it took so long... I had to travel, then I helped out in a VBS and now I have lice Dx nasty stuff... Anyway, onto less gross stuff: This is no longer on hold, though Life still is. One project at a time is definitely best. So yeah.... It may still be a while inbetween updates but I will be updating now. Yay! =)

Vote, comment, and enjoy fun peoples! =D