Final Invasion [Complete story]

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Command deck stared at the box-like TARDIS as materialised into being near the conference room door.
“The Doctor?” Bradbury asked to the command deck.
“No.” Jess said slowly. “I don’t think so. That’s not the Police Box.”
“It’s not a bomb, is it?” Ford asked tentatively.
“You saw how it appeared.” Jess said. “Like the TARDIS. But if it is the Doctor, he was quick in doing whatever he did.”
The front of the green box slip apart revealing a doorway in which a figure was framed. The command deck stared silently waiting for the figure to reveal itself. The dark silhouette could be seen to be wearing a helmet, with a cloak trailing behind and appeared to be holding a weapon in its hand. Before Ford could reach for his own weapon, the figure burst out of the TARDIS, followed by half a dozen more. They were all wearing the same uniform; red with a white trim in the form of a stripe down the front of the leggings and front to the shirt. The gloves the figures wore were red also, with a white trim to the edge. Their boots were knee high and black. A white cape flowed from their shoulders to the floor, which they were able to allow to fall behind without it tripping them. On their heads were helmets in the same red as the uniform with more white trim, a white raised stripe running from the front and down the back on the helmet. Their faces were visible and set, determined to carry out their orders. The leader of the figures was distinguished by having a golden chest plate on the front of his uniform and what seemed like feathers coming from the top of his helmet. The figures were holding hand held weapons, which held at the ready, subduing the command deck before anyone could act, pointing their weapons at Ford, Edwards and a couple of the other crew. The Command Decks shock allowed their almost immediate submission to the figures.
“Immediate area secure.” The leader of the men said aloud.
“Thank you Commander.” The voice seemed to come from nowhere.
Another set of figures then emerged from the TARDIS. The first was dressed simply in white robes with black trim, which reached to the floor, obscuring the figures feet. His hair was slicked back into a small pony tail. His face was a set picture of grim determinacy and authority. His arms were folded and his hands folded within the large sleeves of his robes. The figure that followed wore a similar robe but in a Magnolia off white. It also reached to the floor. Across the chest of the robes, there were two V-shaped crimson strips. The figure also wore a crimson skullcap obscuring whatever hair he had. These figures were followed by three more of the guards, the two at the rear carrying a large box between them.
“Who the hell are you? What are you doing on my station?” Edwards shouted at the figure in white.
The Figure walked past him, ignoring him, looking at every other person on the command deck before finally stopping in front of Jess.
“You.” He said addressing her. “You don’t conform, you don’t belong. One of the Doctors little Earth friends I assume. Is that right?”
Jess stared at the figure, somewhat taken aback.
“Yes.” She started.
“You will be returned to your own time once our operation here is completed.” The figure cut in, turning away.
“Erm, excuse me!” Jess snapped walking round in front of the figure. “I don’t know who you think you are or what you’re doing here, but I’m fed up of being treated in a rude manner by complete strangers today. I chose to travel with the Doctor, and I’m not going to leave because you say so.”
One of the guards made a move towards Jess, but was restrained by the figure in white raising his hand. Chucking softly, the figure moved to a central area of the Command deck.
“Of course, I forget you humans like to have these full introductory customs. This,” He gestured to the figure in magnolia, “is engineer Dorlin, I am co-ordinator Vansell of the Celestial Intervention Agency and we have requisitioned this station temporarily for our needs.”
“This is piracy.” Edwards said. “Earth will notice that we are not following our normal reports.”
“That has been countered, to all your superiors and even the space craft you were in conference with believe you to be running as normal. We have almost effectively taken you out of time until our business is concluded.” Vansell said.
“And what is your business?” Edwards asked.
Vansell walked over to him. “You are the commander of this station?”
“Yes, so I would like some answers from you.” Edwards replied sternly.
“You are one crew member down.” Vansell suddenly said turning round.
“I’m several down because of these Cybermen.” Edwards snapped.
“And the other. Both units are missing.” Vansell turned to look at Dorlin.
“There is no trace of TT Capsule registry signs aboard this vessel.” Dorlin replied standing beside the box the chancellery guards had carried out of Vansells’ TARDIS. They had unpacked some small arrays of instruments and controls. “There is a small register on the Bocca Scale and some traces of artron energy, not to mention time disturbance. It seems logical to assume that they have left the station.”
“So,” Vansell said holding his hand behind his back and casually strolling across the Command Deck to Jess. “You travel with the Doctor, yet when things go beyond his ability he flees leaving you here.”
“What are you talking about?” Jess asked. “He’s gone to Telos or wherever it is, with Tom to stop the Cybermen. He’s risking his life for yours you cowardly little man. If you had any power, you’d help him instead of making accusations here.”
Vansell smiled a horrible smarmy smile. “I see you’ve adapted to time travel and the whole prospect of life that the Doctor brings with remarkable ease and speed. Congratulations, you are a woman of spirit.”
“Traces suggest that the rogue TT capsule was heading to the Telosian sector of space. Traces are lost though due to excessive disturbance in the vortex.” Dorlin said.
“Look here.” Edwards snapped, stepping forward from his guard. “Just what are you doing here and who are you?”
“I have already told you.” Vansell said. “We are here at the bequest of the High council of Gallifrey and the representatives of the Celestial Intervention Agency to halt the mass disruption of the time lines. The Web of time is threatened and we must act ourselves to save it. Our unit has shown the danger it is in, despite his disappearance and the Doctor has not acted.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

“He didn’t know!” Jess shouted at him. “I’m guessing you’re the ones who made us come here.”
“The Doctor does act on our behalf at times, yes, and we foresaw trouble, and thus engineered the Doctors flight so he would land here. It is the price he pays for his freedom.”
“You mean you just send him to do the things you can’t be bothered to do?” Jess yelled back at Vansell.
The Command Deck merely watched the confrontation between the two.
“Gallifrey must not be seen to act. We have a policy of strict non-intervention.” Vansell replied.
“Then what the hell do you call this?” Jess retorted. “It looks like intervention to me.”
“Only in extreme cases where the whole of history is threatened may we involve ourselves, however in the afterwards we must not have been seen to act.”
“Oh, how convenient, you alter the rules to fit yourselves.”
“When the whole of history or the Galaxy is threatened the council have to decide whether intervention is in the best interests. Now you are hindering our work.” Vansell snapped, ending the conversation.
Jess opened her mouth to argue back, but realised it was futile. This man; Time Lord, was even more narrow minded and directional than the Cyberman.
“You may as well be the Cybermen.” She muttered quietly to herself.
“Where is our agent?” Vansell asked, turning to Edwards.
“Who?” Edwards asked.
“He would have no doubt been given a human name. His Gallifreyan name is-was Toraan.”
“Toraan. Tom Rowan.” Sanders mused.
“I would assume that Tom Rowan would be a suitable sounding name for humans.” Vansell said, sounding like he had trouble with saying Toms name and the word “human”.
“Why did you put him here? What was his mission? Sabotage or to spy?” Edwards asked.
“So many questions.” Vansell almost purred walking round the command deck. “Toraans’ role was not that of sabotage, merely an unwitting observer. His reports came back via a neural implant that we activated before implanting him in this time stream.”
“But why? The Doctor said that putting him here you were breaking many of your own laws.” Edwards asked.
“The only reason must be to spy, surely? Earth has nothing that can threaten you, we didn’t even know that there was a planet called Gallifrey or your race existed!” Sanders added.
“Admittedly it is an unusual practice for the council.” Vansell retorted. “However, in exiling Toraan and the others involved, the council decided that they should be placed in time streams that were deemed problematic. They simply provided us with further information about the events to determine whether action needs to be taken. In the case of Toraans time stream, action has been necessitated.”
Around the Command Deck, the red guards had taken up the key positions, to make sure that there was no descent from any of the command crew. Jim Ford had been disarmed and the other crew members had surrendered peacefully. Dorlin had busied himself at the array that was being constructed in the centre of the Command Deck. The array was now standing at two meters tall, with two small control consoles, one on either side. The top of the array was a glass column, about a foot in diameter. Metal pylons ran up the side of the column, with wires attaching them to the main body of the array. At the top of the column there was what appeared to be a small transmitter. The array was supported by a thick hexagonal base, the main body of the array, on which the consol panels were, was circular. Dorlin was attaching wires from some of the nearby station consoles to the array. His two guard helpers had been bringing more pieces of the technology out of the TARDIS box.
“What others?” Jess asked Vansell. “You mean there are more Time Lords around here?”
“Not quite.” Vansell said twirling round to face her. At least he had that consideration, Jess thought. “Toraan wasn’t the only academy student to have been exiled from Gallifrey at the time. The others involved were sent to different times and places and observed.” Vansell turned again to face Edwards. “So, you see, Commander Edwards, we have not exactly been spying on you, more, looking out for you, and here we are now, to help you when things are getting beyond your control.”
“Enough with the arrogant superiority.” Edwards snapped, causing one of the guards to raise their staser warningly. “We have managed for the past few years, what makes you think that we can’t win this war on our own?”
Vansell chucked lightly. “You call us arrogant?” He snorted “You humans, you think you’re the most important species in the universe. You may have had a few lucky escapes in the past; however, you can never see the full picture seeing in only three dimensions. You are dealing with an old enemy, an enemy that you may have defeated in the past. We do know about the Cyber Wars. But now, this enemy has spent centuries building strength and eliminating their weaknesses, whereas you,” Vansell paused and looked round his audience. Jess got the feeling that he was enjoying insulting them all. “You,” he started again looking at Sanders. “Are small compared to everything in the universe, but you’re adaptable. We have seen the extent of the Cybermens plans and the extent of their invasion force. They have almost destroyed two of the galaxies biggest war fleets, and you thing that a society dedicated to trying to promote peace will stop them? They are even beating the Daleks back and they are reaching the point where,” Vansell paused again, a slight emotion flickering across his stern face. “They have got to the point where they threaten even the oldest civilisations.”
Fear! Jess thought, he was scared. “You mean you, the Time Lords.” She said.
“Our temporal simulations point to the Cybermen ransacking Gallifrey, succeeding where other races fail at the first step.”
“And it’s your fault as well, isn’t it?”
The whole Command Deck stopped and looked at Jess.
“If you hadn’t put Tom, or whatever you’re now calling him, in this time stream then the Cybermen would never have captured him and got to know how to time travel.” Jess continued.
“That eventuality was unforeseen.” Vansell retorted. “Events have changed in recent times, both Toraans capture by the Cybermen and the Doctors involvement, the only change is the speed of the outcome.” Vansell stopped, angry at himself for letting a mere human challenge him and win.
“Don’t stop there.” Jess almost snarled. “Carry on with your story. Because of what you’ve done, you’ve given the Cybermen the advantage. Go on, admit it!”
“Careful Jess.” Edwards warned putting his hand on her shoulder.
Vansell glared down at the human. “Our operations are meticulously planned and carried out. Nothing is left to chance.”
Edwards put his hand on Jess’ shoulder again, to stop her from arguing back with the Time Lord. “I’d like to know what you’re doing to my station.” He demanded.
“We are implementing a solution. A final solution to the situation.” Vansell said before turning on his heel and disappearing back inside his TARDIS.
“That was quite a performance.” Sanders said standing up and moving over to Jess and Edwards, watched by the Chancellery Guards. “You really riled him, well done.”
“I never knew I had it in me!” Jess exclaimed, breathing out in almost exhaustion. “I just hope he’s not going to have me executed though!” She added, suddenly look alarmed.
Dorlin looked up from his work at the young human female and smiled. “He won’t have you executed.” He said. “The CIA can be very tetchy and pedantic at times, and Vansell is one of the worse, but he’s never ordered an execution before, he’s not the type. But the human is right, you did rile him. Never seen anyone do that before.”
“I have a name, you know.” Sanders snapped at him.
“I must apologise. This is my first mission away from Gallifrey in a planets time stream.” Dorlin apologised. “But Vansell meant it when he said that this crisis is out of your hands. What we’re doing is a total last resort, one we really don’t like having to revert to. Strategically, your station is perfectly suited, as was Toraan, until he disappeared from this timeline, so now I’ve got a slightly harder job to do.”
“What is your job?” Jess asked.
“To stop the Cybermen, at any cost.” Dorlin replied.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Doctor stood silently contemplating.
“How much of what you implanted in me was a fabrication?” Tom asked the Cyber-controller.
<ENOUGH TO CONVINCE BOTH YOU AND THE DOCTOR TO DELIVER YOURSLEVES TO US> The Controller said.
The Doctor turned round. “Controller, you are aware that if you gain full possession of time technology, in fact, even the small amount you have now is creating ripples that can be felt throughout the time vortex, and these ripples are not going unnoticed. The Time Lords will already be aware of what you are up to. Even if we die here, Gallifrey will be able to stop you. You are aware of time loops, the time scoop and the old time of Gallifrey. They have means of stopping you.”
<THEY WILL NOT STOP US. GALLIFREY WOULD NOT DARE TO DISRUPT THE WEB OF TIME TO THAT EXTENT. THE CYBER RACE IS IN EXISTENCE, GALLIFREY HAS NOT REMOVED OUR EXISTENCE FROM TIME>
“You think the Time Lords are that obvious?” The Doctor responded “They could have taken us out of time and time looped us right now. We could be in a chronic hysteresis and not even know it. I’m sure the Time Lords wouldn’t think twice about it. Even if I were in the scoop field. A small price to pay for the safety of the universe.”
“You’re bluffing, right?” Tom whispered to the Doctor.
“I hope so.” The Doctor whispered back. “It doesn’t feel like we’re in a chronic hysteresis, at least not yet.”
<THE TIME OF THE TIME LORDS OF GALLIFREY IS OVER. TIME WILL HAVE NEW LORDS. THESE LORDS WILL BE THE CYBER RACE. YOU ARE TO BECOME LIKE US. THEN YOU WILL SEE AS WE WILL SEE>
“This really is getting tiresome Controller.” The Doctor sighed. “When will you see that human faith will overcome you, as it always has?”
<FAITH IS A WEAKNESS. AN ILLUSION OF THE ORGANIC MIND. ONLY LOGIC CAN SUCCEED> The Controller boomed.
“Faith is what makes humans strong, gives them cause to live. That is how they will beat you; through faith human kind can overcome anything.” The Doctor countered.
<YOU FORGET OUR OTHER FRONTS DOCTOR> The Cyberleader said.
<WE CAN ELIMINATE THE DALEK EMPIRE. END THE SONTAR-RUTA WAR. WE WILL UNITE THE GALAXY AS ONE. WE ARE THE ULTIMATE FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE WE WILL CONVERT ALL TO OUR CAUSE; A SUPERIOR CAUSE. WE SHALL END DEATH AND DESEASE AND WAR. WE ARE THE FUTURE> The Controller said.
“That’s some of the worst propaganda I’ve ever heard.” Tom replied. “And I’ve read the works of Josef Goebbels. People won’t come to your cause because you say so. I’ve met some stupid people in my time, but they’d have to be unhinged to want to join you.”
<THEY DO. WE OFFER THEM PERFECTION> The Co-ordinator responded. <WE ARE THE FUTURE. YOU WILL BECOME THE FUTURE. YOU BELONG TO US>
“You forget,” The Doctor said turning round. “Tom and I are Time Lords. We can resist your mental processing, as Mr. Rowan here was able without realising he was a Time Lord. We can withdraw into our minds to fight.”
<WE DID NOT PROCEED WITH FULL PROGRAMMING UPON THE SUJECT TOMROWAN. OUR PELIMINARY MIND SCANS SHOWED HIM FOR WHAT HE REALLY IS. THE REPORT WAS TRANSMITTED TO TELOS. THE PLAN WAS DEVISED INSTANTLY. IT WAS KNOWN IT WOULD BRING YOU TO US> The Co-ordinator said.
The Doctor and Tom stopped, silent. The Doctor walked over to Tom and put his manacled hands on the young Time Lords shoulder.
“I think we’re in serious trouble here.” He sighed, in resigning tones
Tom nodded, not once taking his eyes off the trio of the Cyber Controller, Co-ordinator and Leader. The three Cybermen were now impassively staring at the two Time Lords in a silent stand off.
“Who makes the first move now?” Tom asked the Doctor. “It looks like we’re in checkmate.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that Mist- Tom. I’m not too sure I quite believe them on their boast of their mind processing.” The Doctor replied.
“The old fear tactic again?” Tom asked.
“Very possible.” The Doctor confirmed.
The Doctor sighed, pulled himself up to his full height and took two steps towards the Cybermen. Tom stepped in close behind him, finally stepping away from the Cyber escort that had taken him and the Doctor to the control chamber in the first place.
The Cyber Controller observed their actions. The young Time Lord, who was slightly taller than the Doctor, showed a slight tremor of fear in his actions and voice. The Controller reached out into the minds of his underlings. A mini conference took place in the trios’ Cybermind; the command group:
>CONTROLLER: THE TIME LORDS ARE CONFUSED
>LEADER: THE DOCTOR IS MORE ADAPTABLE. HE HAS CROSSED THE TIME THRESHOLD MORE TIMES. HE WILL BE THE MOST USEFUL
>CONTROLLER: THE YOUNGER IS FEARFUL. WE WILL TEACH HIM FEAR. HE WILL BEG FOR CONVERSION
>CO-ORDINATOR: THE TIME LORD RACE HAS TELEPATHIC ABILITIES. THEY WILL JOIN THE CYBERMIND
>CONTROLLER: THE TELEPATHIC ABILITIES ARE STRONGER IN THE YOUNGER TIMELORD. BY ENTERING THE MIND OF TOMROWAN BEFORE CONVERSION WE WILL BREAK HIS MIND TO OUR CAUSE
>LEADER: THE DOCTOR WILL BE TAKEN TO THE TIME CHAMBER TO PROCEED WITH THE PLAN
>CO-ORDINATOR: FEAR SHALL BE ENDUCED IN TOMROWANS BRAIN. HE WILL BECOME AS WE HAVE. THE FIRST TIME LORD TO JOIN THE CYBER RACE
>CONTROLLER: IT WILL BE DONE. DISCUSSION TERMINATED
In real time, the discussion took no time at all, the cybernetic minds of the Cybermen conversing instantly. The conference had started and finished in the time it took Tom to make his one step to behind the Doctor.
“Controller, do you really think that the Time Lords will let you have control of time?” The Doctor asked the impassive figure. “You tried that once before, remember? You tried to stop Mondas’ destruction. They won’t let you destroy the web of time. If I cannot stop you, then they will in force.”
“Is that true?” Tom asked.
“I don’t know.” The Doctor whispered back.

[Fitz Kreiner]

<WE HAVE ANTICIPATED HOSTILE TIME LORD ACTION. IF THAT IS THE CASE WE WILL FIGHT>
“In four dimensions?” The Doctor jibed. “You don’t have that much control over time mechanics, nor do you know that much about how to manipulate it.”
<WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE WE WILL KNOW> The Controller replied <IF THE TIME LORDS WISH TO FIGHT IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION WE WILL FIGHT A TIME WAR AGAINST THEM. WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND OUR MIGHT WE WILL TRIUMPH>
“Ah!” Came the Doctors reply. “This is assuming that we do help you.”
“You’re forgetting their threats again.” Tome whispered.
“Oh, yes.” The Doctors face fell slightly. “So, get on with it then, what is our ultimate fate? I’m sure you’re ‘excited’ and bursting to tell us!” He almost sneered.
<YOU ARE TO BECOME AS WE HAVE BECOME> The Co-ordinator said.
“Yes, we’ve got that bit.” Tom said.
<FIRST YOU WILL SEE THE EFFECT OUR FORCES HAVE ON THE GALAXY. THIS WILL DESTROY YOUR WEAK MINDS. WE WILL SAVE YOU AND ADD YOU TO OUR ELITE> The Controller started.
“There’s an elite amongst Cybermen? And I always thought they were above things like that.” The Doctor whispered to Tom.
The Cyber Controller continued unabated.
<YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED CO-ORDINATOR AND LEADER STATUS OF THE FOURTH DIMENSION. YOU WILL COMMAND OUR TIME FORCES AND LEAD THE ASSAULT UPON GALLIFREY. ALL TIME LORDS WILL COME TO OUR CAUSE OR BE ELIMINATED. WHAT WE DESIGN WILL BE CARRIED OUT. YOU BELONG TO US>
“What was that?” Tom asked the Doctor.
“He said that…“ The Doctor started.
“No.” Tom stopped him. “The whispering, can’t you hear it?” Tom strained to hear the babble of voices. Then it struck him, they were electronic voices. Voices of Cybermen.
“I can’t hear any whispering. I can hear the Controller making empty threats.” The Doctor raised his voice to bait the Cybermen again.
Tom ignored him and strained harder to hear. The voices weren’t coming from anywhere in the room. Then he realised. They were in his head. Again! He hadn’t heard them in his head since the Cyber implants had been removed. He concentrated harder. He could no longer hear the Cybermens’ planning. They were telling the truth about that then. He could hear persuasion. They were trying to get him to join them. Not just that. He could hear their victories of the past. He could hear hundreds of cyber voices, thousands. Millions even. The sound in his head was getting worse; he could feel the pain increase. He winced as yet more voices added themselves to his head. Then it went quiet. Just three voices remained, telling him he was theirs, he would join them, he belonged to them. He recognised all three; the Controller, the Co-ordinator and the Leader.
“Get out of my head!” He screamed dropping to his knees trying to clutch at his head, the restraints stopping him. “Get out of my head!”
The Doctor stopped and looked round at Tom. He turned back to glare at the Cyber Controller.
“Stop what you’re doing to him right now.” He shouted.
<FLESH IS WEAK. TOMROWAN IS LEARNING THAT. HE WILL BECOME ONE WITH US. HE WILL BE LIKE US. THE HUMAN MIND IS UNSTABLE. WE BRING STABILITY. EMOTION LEADS TO IRRATIONALITY> The Controller said.
“And irrationality leads in individuality and human life!” The Doctor shouted back, stopped by another scream of pain from Tom. “Stop it now!” He yelled back at the Controller.
<VERY WELL>
Toms scream turned to a groan, as the voices stopped. The Doctor knelt down beside him to make sure he was ok.
“I’m ok.” Tom croaked. “I could hear them. In my head. They were trying to break me, make me beg them to be converted.”
I thought as much.” The Doctor said. “It’s also because you’re slightly telepathic, all Time Lords are.” The Doctor helped Tom back to his feet. “And I think that’s just the start of it.”
<CORRECT DOCTOR> The Cyberleader said.
<THE FINAL INVASION OF THE GALAXY IS ABOUT TO COMMENCE> The Co-ordinator said.
The Doctor and Tom watched as large screens flickered to life all around Cyber control. The central screen showed the Station holding the gateway to the portals. As they watched, the Doctor and Tom saw many fleets of Cyber ships head towards the portal.
“So, where to first, Controller?” The Doctor asked.
<ALL THE POWERS WILL FALL BEFORE OUR MIGHT> The Controller said <THE DALEK EMPIRE AND SONTARAN AND RUTAN FORCES WILL FALL. THE DRACONIAN EMPIRE WILL COLLAPSE. FEAR WILL TEAR THE FEDERATION APART AND EARTH WILL BE OURS. ALL RESISTANCE WILL BE DESTROYED>
“This is not good at all.” Tom said.
“Earth has some time left. The Cybermen will want to recuperate their losses in the battles with the Daleks first. They could be quite nasty, and they wouldn’t want new recruits and converts killed in process.” The Doctor whispered. “Trust me Tom, we’ve got time.”
The Controller turned to the Cyberleader.
<IT IS TIME. TAKE THE DOCTOR>
<CONTROLLER>
The Cyberleader motioned to two Cybermen who grabbed hold of the Doctor and dragged him to the doorway, the Cyber leader following on.
“Doctor!” Tom shouted after them.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” The Doctor shouted back. “While there’s life there’s hope.” He shouted as the Cybermen carried him down the corridor.
Tom turned back to face the Cyber controller just as it started talking to him again.
<FOR YOU THERE IS NO HOPE. YOUR HOPE WILL TURN TO DESPAIR. THERE IS NOONE HERE WHO CAN SAVE YOU. YOUR LUST FOR LIFE WILL SOON FADE. YOU WILL BEG TO BECOME AS WE ARE>
“No matter how many times you say that, you won’t make it true.” Tom replied.
<OBSERVE> The Controller said, turning to a screen.
The Cyber portal had activated and a fleet of ships were flying into in, one after the other. Despite the deadly premise behind it, the sight was a spectacular one to behold. A section of one of the largest invasion fleets in the history of the universe calmly waited as it entered the portal one ship at a time. Tom watched as the fleet destined for the Sontaran Empire flew through the portal, which closed behind them. Another screen showed another fleet of ships preparing to move to the portal, ready to invade another section of the universe.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The twelfth Sontaran war fleet was orbiting the outermost planet of the Sontar system when the portals heralding the start of the Cyber invasion began opening. The first ship to emerge was racked with explosions across its hull as it flew out of the opening into a hidden, waiting minefield. The battle cruisers of the fleet moved to take up defensive positions around the perimeter of the planet, a signal being sent back deep into the solar system to forewarn other fleets to adopt battle situations. The nineteenth fleet, the first to receive the message, were approaching the Sontar system, sped up their engine drives to join the oncoming battle.
The Second Cyber ship entered the minefield and was rocked by the explosions as the anti-matter mines impacted on the hull. Upon reaching the far side of the minefield, the two Cyber ships were met with a barrage of fire from the twelfth fleets’ battle ships, the cruisers remaining in formation around the planet. The Cyber ships gently approached through the barrage of fire, explosions racking the bows of the two ships. They Cyber ships suddenly opened fire, retaliating with a devastating array of weaponry. Just as a concentrated attack from the Sontaran battle ships caused a large explosion on the first Cyber ship that emerged from the portals, one of the Sontaran ships was ripped apart by Cyber fire. With the destruction of one of their craft, the Sontaran fleet stepped up their attack on the invaders as more Cyber ships emerged from the portal in force. Six Cyber ships were now approaching the minefield scanning the area to find safe passages to join the battle and commence the invasion. The Sontaran battle ships concentrated their attack on the damaged Cyber ship, concentrating all fire on the damaged sections. The damaged Cyber ship bucked under the force of the attack, as explosions ripped the ship in two. Another Cyber ship entered the minefield only to collide with a cluster of mines, which resulted in a gaping hole in the side of the craft. The Sontaran battle ships unloaded their cargo of Sontaran fighters to engage the Cyber ships at close range, firing into the damaged sectors. The five Cyber ships on the far side of the minefield started to slowly move through the deadly sector. The first Cyber ship that emerged from the portal broke through the Sontaran cordon and made its way towards the planet, flying though the barrage of fire from the battle cruiser perimeter. More Cyber ships started emerging from the portals, as a third opened up letting even more of the Cybernetic invaders through. The Cyber ships retaliated against the Sontaran fire with a devastating force, smashing through the front lines of the Sontaran defence. Two Sontaran ships hung lifeless in space before exploding under a second barrage of fire. The surviving Sontaran ships regrouped to fight back from the rear of the advancing Cyber craft. The cyber ship that was descending into the atmosphere of the planet was followed by two Sontaran battle cruisers firing missiles on it from a higher decent path. The remaining battle cruisers broke the cordon and joined the space battle. As the portals closed behind the first wave of Cyber attack, the nineteenth Sontaran battle fleet closed in from behind to join the battle.

Tom watched the screen blank from the space battle as the portal closed.
“Two large Sontaran fleets against your smaller invasion fleet?” he asked turning to the Controller. “Aren’t you outnumbered? Not to mention all the smaller fighter craft. That might take some time to get rid of, if they don’t get rid of you first.”
<THEY WILL FALL. OUR CRAFT ARE STRONGER WITH SUPERIOR FIRE POWER> The Controller said.
“I’m guessing you didn’t account for that minefield though?” Tom smiled at the Cybermen. “A bit of a shocker coming out straight into that, eh? It’s destroyed a couple of your ships.”
<THE FIRST WAVE OF ATTACK IS A BOMBING RAID. CYBERTROOPS WILL INVADE IN THE SECOND WAVE> The Co-ordinator confirmed.
“So, is that why everything’s gone blank? You’ve cut off the portal? Or do you just want me to guess what’s happening there now?”
<THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ALL SYSTEMS OF THE GALEXY. THEY WILL FALL TO OUR MIGHT> The Controller said.
Tom rolled his eyes, the same predictable response he was getting accustomed to.
“You don’t give much away when the Doctor isn’t here, do you?” He asked.
<OBSERVE> The Controller stated, gesturing Tom to another screen.
Another screen was showing another space battle, this one more fierce that the Sontaran campaign. Tome recognised the defending craft as Dalek ships. Swarms of pin pricks of light dodged the main Cyber weapons firing at any spots of damage on the attacking Cyber ship. Tom guessed they were individual Daleks; Hoverbouts, possibly with Special Weapons Daleks as pilots. There were flashes of light all over the screen as the Hoverbouts were caught in fire, or explosions racked either Dalek or Cyber ship. Despite the fact that this was a pitched battle for survival at a terrible cost of life, whether it be Dalek or not, the sight was breathtaking as the two vast fleets were locked together in combat.
“This looks like it’s a difficult battle for you.” Tom said. “Daleks are more logical than the Sontarans. Careful you don’t get caught in a stalemate.” He taunted.
<OUR FORCES->
”Are superior. We will triumph. I know.” Tom sighed “I notice that you haven’t gone straight for Skaro. Surely that would cripple the Daleks more?”
<THE DALEK FORCES WILL BE DRIVEN BACK TO ONE POINT. THEN THAT POINT WILL BE OBLITERATED. NO DALEK WILL SURVIVE> The Controller said.
“Oh, a battle secret.” Tom jibed. “Are you sure you want to be telling me this?”
<IT IS HOW WE WILL DEFEAT THE FEDERATION AND GALLIFREY. THEY WILL BE FORCED TO ONE POSITION WHERE WE CAN ENSURE OUR VICTORY>
Tom turned away and looked back at the screen. As much as he loathed to admit it, the Controller had a point; to concentrate a force made the target much smaller than seeking out stragglers from an attack at the heart of an empire. It also left little chance of regrouping for a last ditched assault as the surviving forces would be almost decimated.
“And after you’ve dealt with the Daleks and Sontarans, it will be Earths turn?”
<CORRECT. ALL HUMANOID RACES WILL BECOME AS WE HAVE>
Tom swallowed hard. He could feel the fear building up within him again. Separated from the Doctor, who knew what to do, he felt he had little hope of survival. . “While there’s life there’s hope.” The Doctor had said to him. It didn’t leave him much comfort. He chanced a glance about him. There was little hope of escape. Despite the fact he was now flanked by the Controller and the Co-ordinator, the room was full of Cybermen, all armed with the head mounted weapon. There were also six Cybermen stood in the room, two of which were at the door, who had hand held weapons too. It was clear he wouldn’t make six steps without getting shot by a minimum of six Cyber guns.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Doctor was herded along a corridor, the Cyberleader in front of him, two Cybermen behind. The two Cybermen behind him had their weapons trained on his back. Following the Cyberleader, the Doctor weighed up the recent events in his head. The Cybermen had played him, used him, Jess, Tom and all the other crew members of EST3. Running the events though his mind, the Doctor wasn’t too sure of what to do next. He knew he had to escape, rescue Tom and stop the Cybermen. He wasn’t sure what the Time Lords plans were for the Cybermen, he found that he had doubts about them coming to his aid, they may take Tom and him out of time, although he also found that unlikely, it could only mean that there would be serious action taken against the Cybermen, and he doubted that even the CIA would go to those lengths. Thinking, the Doctor concluded that the only way that he could contrive to escape would be to find out where he was being taken. Taking a few quicker strides, the Doctor was soon walking alongside the Cyberleader.
“You haven’t actually told me what you’re going to do with me; I know that you aren’t going to convert me straight off, otherwise, both Tom and I would be taking this walk, therefore there must be some ulterior motive behind where you’re taking me. May I ask where?” The Doctor said.
<YOU ARE TO BE TAKEN TO THE TEMPORAL CHAMBER. THERE YOU WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO TEMPORAL TECHNOLOGY>
“Ah.” The Doctor mused “Why is that? You do realise how dangerous it will be?” He asked turning to face the Cyberman. He found that he had to side step quite quickly to keep up with the silver giant. “I mean, plugging a Time Lord into something that gives him temporal control?” The Doctor tutted the Cyberman as if scolding a small child. “Still, I suppose you are new to time travel and all its little quirks.”
<YOU WILL FOLLOW A PROGRAMME. YOU WILLUNDERTAKE OUR BIDDING>
“And what if I don’t?”
<WE HAVE WAYS OF ENSURING YOUR CO-OPERATION>
The Doctor was about to respond, when he remembered Tom was still in Cyber command and Jess was still on EST3. The Doctor withdrew back into his thoughts and fell behind the Cyberleader again. He was thrust on by the two Cybermen behind him causing him to stumble. The two Cybermen lifted him back to his feet and forced him forwards. The Doctor was still deep in thought. So, he was to be integrated into temporal technology. There had to be some way that he could twist the situation into his own advantage; create temporal waves, or maybe small, localised time loops or time eddies. He had to be careful though. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly the Cybermen were going to try to make him part of and he was only half sure that he’d be able to use it to his advantage. The Doctor was so deep into his thoughts, he didn’t realise that the procession had reached their destination. Looking up, the Doctor noticed that the Temporal Chamber had changed since he had last been there. The Cybermen had been busy. There was a new array arranged in the room, centralised in which was a small alcove, none too dissimilar from that from a conversion chamber. The Doctor noted that it didn’t have the usual appendages for replacement of bodily organs, but one thing did grab his attention. A small ring attached to wires that looked vaguely familiar to the Doctor, then it struck him, it reminded him of the Coronet of Rassilon, the small crown that connected the President of the High Council to the Matrix. They must have taken the design from Toms mind, and he concluded that it would be though this that they would integrate him to the machinery.
“You aren’t going to put me in that old lash up are you?” He asked the Cyberleader.
<CORRECT DOCTOR> The Cyberleader said. It motioned to the two Cybermen guarding the Doctor, who unfastened his manacles and escorted him into the alcove.
“Easy, easy, easy.” The Doctor warned as the two Cybermen removed his coat and fastened him into the alcove. His wrists were fastened at clamps that were at level with his shoulders, and his ankles fastened to two clamps too. The Doctor stood there impassively as the two Cybermen worked, he could feel small needles and sensors on the insides of the wrist clamps, the needles gently burrowing into his wrist. A quick deduction swiftly concluded that this would become part of the integration process as finally the circlet was lowered onto his head. The metal of the circlet was colder and harsher than that of the Coronet he had once worn. The Doctor could feel more small sensors on the inside of the circlet, he prepared himself for the mental attack that would undoubtedly come soon and tried to reach out with his mind to make preliminary contact with the equipment.
<ALL IS PREPARED> One of the Cybermen reported, stepping back from the alcove.
“Thank you Jeeves.” The Doctor replied cheerfully.
<YOU STILL HAVE FLIPPANCY TOWARDS US DOCTOR> The Cyberleader noted.
“Oh, you had noticed?” The Doctor smiled. “I do try and stay on good terms with people, even when they’re trying to kill me, although for you lot, I just know that you cannot win and I will defeat you.” The Doctor realised what he said as soon as he said it, but immediately dismissed it, the Cybermen wouldn’t really pay much attention to blind arrogance. He just hoped that he was right.
<YOU WILL SOON DISCOVER THE TRUTH DOCTOR> The Cyberleader said, activating a control.
The Doctor winced and convulsed in the chamber as the machinery activated and the waves of energy surged through him and the world went black.

Steven Jenkins looked up to the sky. Flashes of light showed explosions just above and in the atmosphere. Debris was raining down just beyond the work group where he was enslaved. He had heard rumours of a great space fleet fighting back at the oppressors. The rest of the slave group had heard it too, and the belief was that their liberation was close at hand. Most of the guard units had left to defend the city that lay over the ridge and join in the battle above the atmosphere. The sudden sonic boom of a large spacecraft entering the atmosphere caused all the slaves in the group to drop their tools and grab at their ears. The order from the guard units to pick up their tools and continue working went ignored as the battle cruiser could be seen entering the atmosphere. The slaves turned to see the atmospheric disturbance as the ship glided swiftly from the horizon towards the city. It was followed by a cortege of defending fighter craft firing at the rear. The fighter craft kept exploding as fire from the cruiser hit them and they dropped from the sky in burning wrecks to the ground. The noise was almost deafening and the guard units’ orders to continue working carried on being ignored. The ship disappeared over the ridge, firing on the city causing more explosions. Steven Jenkins didn’t know whether it was attacking the control, communications or Slave housing sectors. The noise died down and the background sounds of small weapons fire could be heard as Steven could only assume the ships crew had emerge and were fighting the slavers. Excited adulation rose rapidly as more guard units left to defend the city. Steven only half heard to order to continue working. Only when the two people to his left were shot down with the electronic fire did Steven and the other workers stop and turn to face their guard units. When the order came for the third time the work gang complied. A second deafening roar filled the sky as a second ship, smaller, but the undoubtedly the same design as the first, flew overhead and landed near the city. Picking up his shovel, Steven looked up and saw a line of figures marching in ranks down to their position. The guard units saw them too; defence units started firing at the troops making their way across the plain towards the work party. Steven watched amazed as none of the troops marching towards them fell under the heavy fire. Steven saw, as the troops were getting closer, that they were wearing some kind of amour, all over their bodies. The guard units at the perimeter of the work area glided to a new defensive position, the works party commandant giving the order.
“All enemy units are to be exterminated.” The red Dalek grated before turning to the guard units still watching over the slaves. “If the perimeter is breached, the prisoners are to be exterminated.”
The words caused the work party to stop what they were doing immediately. They watched as the first of the attackers fell to the floor under combined fire from the Dalek defenders. A high wining filled the air, as Dalek backup in the form of Special Weapons Daleks in hoverbouts flew over the ridge from the city firing upon the attackers.
“All prisoners will return to work immediately.” The red Dalek ordered.
Steven suddenly felt terrified. Even more terrified than when the Daleks first took him prisoner. The feeling of terror could be felt throughout the works party as the attackers seemed to be winning. The hoverbouts had all been shot out of the sky, rather quickly. The attacking troops spread out and started to encircle the work party.
“Exterminate the pri-" The Red Dalek began before exploding in a ball of flame.
The slaves started to panic as the Daleks turning in to kill them. The Daleks opened fire only to be destroyed swiftly. Twelve of the work party lay dead on the floor as the slaves turned to face their liberators with joyous relief. Steven looked up at the liberators, immaculate and impassive in their silver body armour. Steven suddenly felt a sense of dread. The liberators weren’t saying or doing anything; they were stood impassively staring at them, their weapons trained on them still. The sound of cheering from the group died down as they all stopped and turned to look at their liberators. The troops around the work party fired. Steven felt as if someone had punched him between his collar bones and he collapsed to the ground. Staring up, he found he couldn’t move. He saw the silver figures move towards the group, who were now all paralyzed. The lead figure looked down at him.
<YOU BELONG TO US. YOU WILL BE LIKE US>

[Fitz Kreiner]

Jess, Edwards, Sanders and Bradbury were stood in a small group on the Command Deck, Jim Ford stood at the security console, a Chancellery guard stood beside him, armed. More Chancellery guard were stood around the Command Deck, each was armed; however, these guards had their weapons holstered.
“What do you suppose he’s doing in there?” Edwards whispered to the small group.
“Anything.” Jess replied. “They’re much bigger than you expect on the inside.”
“We’ve gathered that much in the past few days.” Bradbury said.
“I want to know what that thing is they’re integrating into our systems.” Edwards said looking over at the array that Dorlin was working at. The Time Lord was silently carrying out his work, no longer paying any attention to the humans stood around the room.
The door to the TARDIS opened and Vansell strode purposefully out, his hands folded within his robes, heading directly towards Dorlin.
“You will send a recall signal to this TT Capsule code.” He said, handing the technician a small data cube.
“Recall a TARDIS?” Dorlins’ response was surprise. “Sir that can only be done through express instruction from the High Council. It is my duty to check the legitimacy of this instruction.”
“Is it not the High Councils’ wish that this mission has been undertaken?” Vansell snapped back. “This is coded to the Doctors TARDIS. The High Council don’t want it on Telos at the present time with the current crisis. They don’t want Gallifreyan technology falling into Cyber hands. The Doctors TARDIS is to be brought to this station, to this deck in fact.”
“What about the Doctor?” Jess asked, cutting into the conversation. “Are you going to leave him there? What if he’s not in the TARDIS?”
“Unimportant. The High Council has decreed that no Gallifreyan technology must risk falling into Cyber hands. It is for the safety of the galaxy.” Vansell replied, giving Jess a look that meant he was ending the conversation.
Jess walked over to Dorlin. “Please,” She whispered, “Can you fix it so that this recall thing doesn’t work until the Doctor and Tom are back in the TARDIS?”
“I can’t do that. I must recall the TARDIS.” Dorlin replied.
“Please.” Jess pleaded with him “Please? The Doctor and Tom are my friends, they’re people; you can’t abandon them over there. Please, leave it until they are back in the TARDIS.”
Dorlin sighed. “I can implement a time to the automatic recall.” He said. “That’s the best I can do. Give them a window to get back.” Dorlin plugged the data cube into a console on the array. “Look,” he said turning to Jess, “I’m not as heartless as Vansell, I just have to follow his orders. I’m only a junior technician, and this is my first away trip from Gallifrey. For the High Council to be this worried, there is a serious problem, and the Recall of TARDISes doesn’t happen very often at all.”
“I’m sorry.” Jess said. “I’m not angry with you, it’s him.” She nodded her head towards Vansell, who was talking to the Captain of the Chancellery Guard. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Edwards stood behind her.
“I think its best we left this man alone to complete his work.” Edwards said.
Jess looked up and nodded and followed Edwards back to where Sanders was stood.
“I don’t know what they’re doing.” Edwards said. “But I think the sooner they finish it the sooner they’ll head off back to Galilee or wherever it was.”
“I don’t think they trust Jim either.” Sanders said with some amusement. “And I don’t think he’s too happy about that.”
Jess and Edwards turned to look at Ford who looked like a sulking child, next to the Chancellery guard. Even his moustache seemed to be drooping.
“Well, at least they’ve not proved to be hostile to us.” Edwards said turning back into the little group. “What is that thing they’ve got there?” He added addressing Jess.
“Something to bring the TARDIS here.” Jess replied.
“They want the Doctor back?” Sanders asked. “Well, I can’t say I blame them. He seems to know what’s going on.”
“No. they don’t.” Jess said. “Well, that Vansell person doesn’t. they just don’t want the Cybermen to have the TARDIS.”
“Are they on our side then?” Edwards asked.
“I think they’re on their own side by the sound of it!” Bradbury said. “I personally wouldn’t trust them as backup.”
“Let’s hope we don’t have to.” Jess said. “The sooner the Doctor gets back, the happier I’ll be.”
“But are they friends of his?” Edwards asked, regarding Vansell suspiciously. “They clearly know him, but leaving him stranded on Telos?”
“And Tom.” Sanders added. “Even if they escape, it would be a long flight back to federation space.”
“They won’t need to worry about that.” Jess started. Edwards and Sanders looked at her quizzically. “I spoke to Dorlin,” She explained, “He’s going to put the recall on a timer. It should give the Doctor and Tom time to get back to the TARDIS before it’s brought back here.”
A shout from Dorlin interrupted the conversation.
“Sir!” He shouted towards Vansell. “I’m getting a temporal trace, heading to this location.”
Vansell hurried over the array and looked over at the panel that Dorlin was working at.
“The trace matches the Doctors TARDIS, excellent!” Vansell glanced at Dorlin. “I shall return soon. I must make my report. When the Doctor arrives, hold him here.” Vansell turned and disappeared into his TARDIS. Dorlin looked after him, as to say that he had more to say, but Vansell disappeared through the door.
“He promised he was going to wait.” Jess said, astounded that she had been blatantly lied too.
“Perhaps the Doctor and Tom were already on their way back?” Sanders offered.
“You said you were going to put a timer on the recall.” Jess shouted at Dorlin.
“I did.” Dorlin protested. “The recall signal is still going out.”
As Dorlin finished the sentence, a now all too familiar wheezing and groaning noise could be heard, softly at first, but gradually getting louder and a square shape began to materialise next to Vansells’ TARDIS.

The Doctor opened his eyes and found himself in the midst of a swirling maelstrom of psychedelic colour. Every time he looked around he saw the colours swirl and move faster, not hypnotically, but sickeningly. He lifted his hands and was almost surprised that he could move. Looking down at his hands he was even more surprised; they were not his hands, but the hands of an old man. He looked down at himself and found he was no longer wearing his usual clothes. His dark green frock coat had been replaced by a black one; his normal grey trousers were replaced with yellow checked trousers. He watched in amazement as the trousers changed into blue, larger checks that were far too big for him. His black frock coat was now also baggy with tails. He looked at his hands again to see frills coming out of the sleeves of a smoking jacket. The frills at the front of his shirt were now prominent until they were replaced by a long scarf that was kicking up in the maelstrom and his hat was whipped from his head. He reached out to catch it and popped the cricket ball back into his pale striped trousers and pulled down his cricket sweater. By now the Doctor wasn’t in the least surprised as he tugged at the lapels of his multi-colour coat, pulling it back onto his shoulders and looked down at the colourful waistcoat he was wearing, which morphed seamlessly into a pullover covered in question marks. Dropping his red handled umbrella, he wondered to himself what have ever possessed him to wear clothes like that as he looked back down at his normal clothes.
“What are you doing here?” He found himself asking. “You’re making me giddy!” The Doctor was even more surprised to find himself asking for his shoes, when looking down he could see that he was clearly wearing them.
‘No!’ he thought to himself. ‘I mustn’t let it take me. I am in control of this.’ He knew where he was, somewhere in the workings of the Cyber technology that had connected him to the vortex. He suddenly knew what the machine was meant to do and his role. He was to reach into the vortex and twist it, use it for the Cybermens’ needs. He realised that as soon as they started the conversion process he would not think twice about obeying the Cybermen and manipulating the vortex for them, allowing them free access to all of time and space.
“You must stop them my boy.” The voice came from everywhere and nowhere.
“For all of us, my friend.”
“You can do it old chap.”
“Refuse these abominations, these tin soldiers.”
“Don’t forget your emotions, they enhance life.”
“We’ve done it before, the Cyber Controller.”
“The Cyber fleet. Lay your plans now.”
The Doctor realised. It was himself. He was talking to his past; or rather his past was talking to him. He was drawn within himself. Encouraging him to fight on. And he was right, he had fought the Cybermen before, defeated them before, set them back on their plans for conquest before. Use the power that he had with him. The Doctor let himself feel the power that he had access too. It wasn’t very strong. Obviously the Cybermen were being cautious, not letting him have full control of the power. He had to concentrate, use the limited power that was available to him. He withdrew into himself further; weighed up the options and power available to him.

[Fitz Kreiner]

Tom stood in the middle of Cyber control looking at the screens around him. Each one was showing a different part of the galaxy, different races, different battle fronts, conference chambers, control rooms or many different races. The carnage and devastation that the main screen showed was making Tom sick. He was powerless to do anything but watch the devastation happen before his eyes. He knew what the Cybermen were hoping to happen, hoping that the events would emotionally destroy him. He was determined not to let that happen. There was only one way he could escape, and that was to get out of control.
“Are you proud of all this?” He asked the Cyber Controller. “Do you enjoy it, is that why you have a telenews link to all your war fronts? Something to watch to make eternity all the more enjoyable?”
<SILENCE> The Controller boomed.
“All I was doing was wondering why you were making me watch this. In fact, how did you get these images? Do you have camera crews on your ships?”
<YOUR INSOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED>
“I was just curious how you got the images.” Tom said.
<WE HAVE CYBERMATS IN KEY POSITIONS THAT RELAY INFORMATION> The Co-ordinator replied.
“Ah, spies.” Tom nodded. “I should have guessed.”
<WE ARE AWARE OF ALL PLANS LAID OUT BY THOSE THAT OPPOSE THE CYBER RACE AND CAN OVERCOME THEM>
“What of the Time Lords?” Tom retorted. “I find it highly dubious that you’ll have spies on Gallifrey.” As soon as he said that, Tom hoped that it wasn’t true. As much as he didn’t like it, he had to admit that possibly the galaxies only hope of salvation lay in the hands of people who were meant to have a stance of non-intervention and who had erased his memory and placed him in this timeline.
<WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY AWARE OF THE TIME LORDS PLANS> The Controller admitted <WHEN YOU ARE AS WE ARE YOU WILL LEAD THE ASSAULT ON GALLIFREY AND DESTROY THE TIME LORDS AND END ANY POSSIBLE ACTION THEY CAN TAKE AGAINST US. NOTHING WILL STAND IN OUR WAY>
“Feeling a bit arrogant, are we?” Tom mocked the Controller
<ARROGANCE IS A HUMAN WEAKNESS. WE ARE STATING FACTS> The Co-ordinator said.
The facts as they are known to you, Tom thought to himself. He was still no nearer to escaping; he couldn’t count on the Doctor as there was now knowing what trouble he was in. Tom thought the options he had through; get out of control, escape, find the Doctor, stop the Cybermen, escape Telos. Easier said than done, he thought. The Cybermen seemed to have no interest in converting him again.
“Facts, eh?” Tom queried.
<AS YOU WILL DISCOVER> The Co-ordinator said, before turning to two Cybermen. <TAKE HIM TO THE CONVERSION CHAMBER>
At lasts! Tom thought. There had to be a way, either that or soon he wouldn’t care about escaping, but he stood more of a chance with only two Cybermen, he concluded as he was escorted from control.

The Doctor opened his eyes. His view was blurred, but his eyes fell on the tall silver figure stood in front of him. His eyes slowly focussed on the image of the Cyber leader.
<YOU HAVE FELT A PROPORTION OF OUR POWER DOCTOR. ONCE YOU ARE AS WE ARE YOU WILL CONTROL IT ALL>
“You know, someone once said; all power corrupts.” The Doctor wryly responded. “You cannot have total power. Not of time, not of space, not of anything.”
<YOU ARE MISTAKEN DOCTOR>
”No, you are mistaken Cyberleader.” The Doctor responded, “And I’ll tell you why; you’ve just given me a power to control for you, which I have no intention of using for you, rather I will use it against you.”
<YOU HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN FULL ACCESS TO OUR POWER. THEREFORE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT YOU CAN USE IT TO DESTROY US.>
“Oh, yes, you’re right that I’ve not had full access to it, but you forget, it’s a temporal energy, and I am a Time Lord and I can manipulate this energy in any way I wish.”
<YOU WILL NOT FIND THAT POSSIBLE> The Cyberleader said before turning to the other Cybermen in the room. <COMMENCE THE FULL INTEGRATION>
Acknowledging, the Cybermen started to set up instrument panels and prime equipment.
“So, what are you up to now?” The Doctor asked, expecting the answer that he got.
<YOU ARE TO BECOME FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE TEMPORAL MACHENARY; CO-ORDINATING OUR TIME DRIVES AND GIVING US FULL ACCESS TO TIME MECHANICS.>
“Ah, I see.” The Doctor replied. “So, what if I do this?”
The Doctors eyes closed and he slumped in the chamber against his restrains. The Cybermen responded, checking all instruments and life support systems.
<THE DOCTOR IS STILL ALIVE> One reported.
<EXPLAIN HIS BEHAVIOUR> The Cyberleader ordered. <REVIVE HIM AT ONCE>
Suddenly, the Doctors eyes snapped open and he stood tall and alert. His eyes were ablaze with colour and light.
“You have made a mistake; a grave error.” His voice boomed almost unrecognisable as his normal voice. “You have given me power over temporal energies, something that you could never control because you don’t have the biology for it, you don’t have any biology.”
The Doctors body started to tremble slightly before convulsing. He opened his mouth and screamed. Not a scream of sound; a scream of temporal energy, channelled through from the vortex through the Doctors body. It was a wave of all the pure temporal energy that he had been given access too.
“You shall not have access to time travel.” He bellowed.
The Doctor forced the wave out into the room with a catastrophic effect. The wave expanded and filled the room hitting all of the Cybermen. The effect caused them to stagger back, before they screamed an electronic howl, collapsing to the floor as smoking charred wrecks. Fluid seemed from cracks that were forming in their chest units and joints. Sparks sporadically spurted from them. The temporal machinery that had been constructed in the room started to spark and explosions wracked the consoles, acrid smoke pouring from them. Glass cracked then shattered, plastic controls and links disintegrated and metal buckled and rusted. The mercury in the fluid links boiled, causing them to shatter and the mercury dripped to the floor. Electric components fizzed before exploding. Foam and fluids dripped from pipes and tubes, bubbling and steaming. Small fires started in the panels before burning themselves out. The fire in the Doctors eyes died as the wave dissipated and cleared, leaving the Doctor still strapped into the chamber in the array, surrounded by the wreckage. Breathing heavily, the Doctor felt exhausted, the channelling of the wave had taken a much heavier effect on him that he had expected. Hoping that Tom would be able to make an escape too and find him, the Doctor felt consciousness slipping from him again.
“Hurry Tom.” He managed to whisper before the world returned to blackness.

[Fitz Kreiner]

Tom was being marched along a corridor, two Cybermen behind him, guarding him. He hadn’t realised how big the Cyber control on Telos was. According to the Doctor, the TARDIS sensors had indicated that Telos was now almost just a mechanical planet, covered in metal structures and buildings, which reached high into the atmosphere and deep into the planet. Remembering this stuck a sudden, and rather depressing, thought into Toms mind; even if he could escape the Cybermen, how long would it take for him to find the Doctor? Would he even find the Doctor? He didn’t know where the Cybermen had taken him. Thinking about the possibilities of where he could be sent Tom into deep thoughts. Minutes passed and Tom realised that if he had to escape he had to do it soon. There was no doubt in his mind that they would soon be reaching the conversion chamber. Tom slowed down his pace, thinking again, planning his escape. The Cybermen behind him pushed him onwards.
“Steady.” He said. “We organic life forms tire you know.” Tom said, half in truth. The exertion he had put himself through since only recently having recovered from the Cyber conversion was catching up with him. Spotting a Cybermat, Tom seized his chance. An improvised escape was better than no escape. He slowed himself again so that the Cybermen had to push him harder to get him walking. The push was harder than Tom expected, but welcomed as it helped him stumble. Tom half fell, half threw himself to the floor, landing on the Cybermat. Grabbing it with his manacled hands, Tom tried to control it until the perfect time, trying to use his body to stop the chirping sound.
<STAND> One of the Cybermen ordered. <STAND NOW>
Breathing heavily, Tom threw himself onto his side, flinging the Cybermat upwards as he did. He continued rolling until he was at the other side of the corridor to avoid the blasts from the Cybermens’ guns. Tom’s throw hit home as the Cybermat caught one of the Cybermen on the side of the head as it fired with both its head mounted weapon and hand gun. One of the stray shots hit the second Cyberman, causing it to fall, spouting sparks. Tom looked up in time to see one Cyberman fall to the floor and the other shook by a small explosion on the side of its head. The surviving Cyberman turned back, and Tom could see that almost half the right side of the creatures head had been blown away and was sparking and leaking a viscous green liquid and its right arm was hanging loose, more sparks and liquid spouting from the damaged shoulder. The Cyberman was emitting a high pitched screeching scream as Tom grappled to try to pick up the fallen cyber weapon. Twisting his wrists as much as the manacles allowed Tom finally managed to pick the weapon up, although he found that aiming and firing it was another matter. He looked up again to see that the Cyberman was staggering and dropping to its knees. The screech was dying out as the creature fell forwards to the floor, its arm skidding across the floor after the impact.
Tom breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He’d rid himself of his two cyber guards, but he was still at a disadvantage with his hands clasped together and he was yet to find the Doctor, stop the Cybermen and get back to the TARDIS. Tom knew that staying in this one place would make it easier for the Cybermen to pick him up again, yet he had no choice until he could release his hands. He studied the cyber gun thoroughly; the last time he’d held one he’d been under cyber control. It took him a few moments to figure out its operations. Operating a non lethal beam, that caused a small sparking explosion on the wall, Tom set about attempting to cut the manacles off his wrists. Adjusting the setting higher after the first attempt didn’t work, started the slow progress, which resulted in a few minor burns to his wrists.
Five long minutes later, Tom stood up, leaving the bindings on the floor behind his as he set off cautiously down the corridor.
“Time chamber, time chamber, time chamber.” He muttered to himself, deducing that that would be the best place to start looking for the Doctor.
Tom carefully made off down the corridor, glancing behind him at the two destroyed Cybermen. He knew it wouldn’t be too long before it was noticed that he’d escaped, especially as he’d been in the one place for a length of time. Tom was far from surprised when an alarm sounded when he was about twenty yards down the corridor. Keeping himself pressed to the walls, Tom edged his way down the corridor back the way he had come. He had to find the time chamber. Clutching the Cyber gun, he scanned all corridor intersections.
“You know, a picture here or there wouldn’t go amiss.” He said to the air “That’s the problem with this samey décor, it’s all the same! Easy to get lost.”

<HAS THE TIME LORD BEEN FOUND?> Boomed the Cyber controller, his voice echoing round the control like thunder.
<NEGATIVE. HE IS STILL AT LIBERTY> A Cyberman reported.
<HE MUST BE FOUND IMMEDIATELY. INCREASE PARTOLS> The Controller ordered. <INSTRUCT THE CYBERLEADER TO COMMENCE THE FULL INTEGRATION OF THE DOCTOR. WE WILL BEGIN AT ONCE>
The Cyberman turned to another console. <THE CYBERLEADER DOES NOT RESPOND CONTROLLER>
<EXPLAIN>
<THERE IS NO SIGNAL. THE CYBERLEADER IS NOT SIGNALLING>
<SHOW ME THE TIME CHAMBER>
The screen flickered but did not show any signs of coming to life or showing the chamber.
<EXPLAIN THE FAULT> The Co-ordinator said.
<INEXPLICABLE. NO MONITOR LINK CAN BE ESTABLISHED>
The controller spun so that he was facing the Co-ordinator. <GO TO THE TIME CHAMBER AND INSTURCT THE CYBERLEADER>
<CONTROLLER> The Co-ordinator acknowledged.
The Controller turned back to the Cyberman. <INVESTIGATE THE FAULT. WE WILL NOT BE DELAYED>

“You did well my boy, hmm.”
The Doctor opened his eyes. He found he was back in the swirling vortex; only this time it wasn’t the swirling vortex. The colours were dull and dark; there were even some greys amidst the colour, which this time wasn’t swirling. The whole place, if the word place could be used to describe it, was darker.
“You stopped their time experiments.”
“Come on old chap, we can get out of this, remember Hutchinson, no, that wasn’t it; Houdini!”
“It’s not that simple.” The Doctor said to himself.
“Put our mind to it, we can achieve it.”
“If not for us, then people like Adric.”
“No. No, be quiet, please!” The Doctor said “I know I’m trying to help me, but it’s not helping.”
“There’s gratitude for us.”
“I think we should respect us, if we need to think, let us think.”
”Very wise young man, lets have some quiet, hmm?”
“If that wouldn’t be too much to ask?” The Doctor said. ‘They’re right,’ he thought ‘I am incorrigibly meddlesome.’ Before the realm started to darken once again ‘I hope I’ve thought of something!’

Tom couldn’t believe his luck. He’d made his way along several corridors and successfully dodged a couple of patrols; out looking for him no doubt. Finally, after what had felt like an age, he’d found a corridor that looked vaguely familiar. Edging his way down the corridor, he was relieved to see a door with a glass panel in it, an unusual feature for Cyber control. Peeking through, he saw a sight of devastation. The time console was completely destroyed and decayed. The Cybermen were mere smouldering wrecks on the floor of the chamber. Tom couldn’t see the Doctor, although there was an alcove connected to a damaged array that wasn’t badly damaged; that had to be the best spot. Opening the door, Tom crept cautiously into the chamber, a slight crunching sound coming from underfoot. Looking down, Tom saw he was walking on rust and ash. Getting round to the front of the alcove, Tom was not surprised to see the Doctor inside; however the state of the Doctor was not anticipated. The Doctor was slumped in his restraints, unconscious.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Come on Doctor, wake up.” Tom hissed glancing at the door.
“Tom?” Tom turned back to the Doctor; he opened his eyes and groggily lifted his head. “I knew you’d make it.”
“It’s ok, Doctor, I’ll get you out of this thing.” Tom said standing back levelling the cyber gun.
“No, Tom, don’t.” The Doctor was suddenly alert. “My sonic screwdriver, it’s in my coat pocket.” The Doctor nodded to his coat, still good as new lying over a charred console. Rummaging through it, Tom quickly found the Sonic Screwdriver and hurried back to the Doctor.
“Ok, what do I do?” he asked.
“Set it to the Alpha-epsilon setting and operate it on the restraints.” The Doctor instructed.
Tense minutes passed as Tom worked at removing the restraints from the Doctors wrists and ankles. The Doctor reached up and ripped the circlet off his head, the small pins leaving a few trickles of blood on his forehead.
“So, what happened here then?” Tom asked.
“I told them they were making a mistake integrating me into the time technology, they gave me access to power stronger than they imagined. Unfortunately it was only a limited supply, enough to fill this room with a temporal wave that I manipulated to destroy their time technology.” The Doctor explained.
“Well, it looks like it worked.” Tom replied. “What now?”
“We have to get out of here; it’s too dangerous at the moment, even if it’s just to the TARDIS.”
“If only you could get back into that thing and use the energy or whatever it was against all the Cybermen.”
<THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN>
The two Time Lords spun to the doorway. The Cyber Co-ordinator was stood there, covering them both with a gun.
<YOU HAVE NOT DEFEATED US DOCTOR. WE CAN REBUILD OUR TEMPORAL MACHINERY. IT WILL BE QUICKER ONCE YOU HAVE BECOME AS WE HAVE>
“That old chestnut again?” The Doctor asked.
“Just the one of you is going to do this?” Tom asked, putting his hands behind his back, trying to subtly reach for the Cyber gun.
“Well, he is the Co-ordinator, Tom.” The Doctor replied “He’s stronger, bigger and more powerful than the ordinary Cybermen.”
“Is that right?” Tom asked, pulling the gun from behind and fired diving to his left as he did.
The co-ordinator was caught by the blast in its right arm, drawing its aim into a wrecked bank of instruments. The Doctor dived out of the way also as the Co-ordinator fired wildly, its damaged arm not giving aim stability. Tom fired back, hitting the Co-ordinator in the chest. Screaming, the Co-ordinator collapsed backwards into some damaged equipment. Breaking his cover, Tom walked towards the Co-ordinator, firing repeatedly at its chest unit, which exploded into flames.
“Ok, Tom. I think you got him.” The Doctor said.
“Sorry.” Tom apologised. “But that’s the Co-ordinator dealt with.”
”And the Cyber Leader.” The Doctor pointed at one of the charred wrecks that was a Cyberman.”
“What now?” Tom asked again.
“The TARDIS I think.” The Doctor said. “Having destroyed the Cyber Leader and Co-ordinator, I don’t think we will be the Cybermen’s favourite people.”
Leading the way from the room, the Doctor pulled his coat back on and walked confidently down the corridor to the Cybermat store where the TARDIS was.
“You sure this is the one?” Tom asked.
“Perfectly.” The Doctor said opening the door revealing the blue Police Box.
Upon entering, Tom noticed the two red sensors on one of the Cybermats begin to light up.
“I’d open that door quickly if I were you!” Tom said.
“Why?” The doctor looked round to see several of the Cybermats start to come to life. “Oh dear.” He said rapidly pushing the door open. Tom followed him in as the Doctor slammed his hand down on the door control closing it. looking up at the scanner screen, Tom could see several Cybermats grouping up outside the TARDIS, their sensors glowing a deep red.
“No, no, no, no, no, no!” The Doctor was saying, darting round the console. “No, not right now. You can’t.”
“What is it?” Tom asked.
The Doctor pointed to a glowing light on the console that was pulsing gently and emitting a soft heartbeat like beeping. “The recall circuit. They sent me here, now they’re pulling me back.”
“Who?”
“The Time Lords. They can’t do this.” The Doctor was checking the controls.
“What are you going to do?”
“Try and stop the recall before they take us back to-" The Doctor stopped and checked the readings, Tom came round a looked over his shoulder. “These aren’t Gallifreys’ coordinates.”
“That’s the station.” Tom said surprised.
“That’s where the recall is being directed from.” The Doctor was confused. “Unless… No, they can’t have.” The Doctor looked up at Toms’ confused look. “The Time Lords have sent a party to the station, they’ve involved themselves. Something must have happened that we are not aware of and they’re scared; scared enough for them to involve themselves.”
“The Cyber assault on Gallifrey maybe?” Tom asked.
“It’s very possible.” The Doctor said, looking back at the screen. “This signal has been sending some time, twenty minutes maybe. It must be on a time delay or until we get back to the TARDIS. I think we should dematerialise then plan our next move.” He added, operating the controls and the time rotor started its rhythmic rising and falling.

<CONTROLLER. INSTRUMENTS ARE REGISTERING TIME DISTPRTION> A Cyberman reported.
<THE TIME LORDS HAVE ESCAPED> The Controller boomed
<AFFIRMATIVE> The Cyberman replied. <THE CO-ORDINATOR HAS CEASED SIGNALLING. REPAIR TEAMS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE TIME CHAMBER HAS BEEN DESTROYED>
<REINFORCE OUR FRONTS ON THE DALEK AND SONTARAN CAMPAIGNS THEN BEGIN THE INVASION OF THE FEDERATION, EARTH AND DRACONIA. WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED>
<CONTROLELR> the Cyberman acknowledged
<RECOVER THE REMAINS OF THE CYBER LEADER AND CO-ORDINATOR AND BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CYBER LEADER AND CO-ORDINATOR PROGRAMMES>
<CONTROLLER> Another Cyberman acknowledged and turned and left the room.
<WE WILL SURVIVE. GALLIFREY WILL NOT STOP US NOW>

“I can’t exactly see myself being in the CIA’s’ good books when we get back.” The Doctor muttered.
“What do you mean?” Tom asked.
“How would you like to mess the Time Lords about? Bend a few laws of time?” The Doctor grinned.
“What do you mean?”
“The Time Lords want the TARDIS back, obviously. So, if I aim to materialise just after they sent the recall signal, it will really annoy them as the recall signal will still be being sent out.”
“Ah!” Tome smiled catching on. “They won’t like that.”
“Not at all, although it will only be minor compared to the trouble the Cybermen must be giving them.” The Doctor replied, setting the controls. “But why they mainly wont like it is because-“
“We’ll still be on Telos in real time?” Tom finished off.
“That’s right. Two of us in the same time zone.” The Doctor tutted and smacked himself on the back of the hand to simulate being scolded.
Tom smiled. “What do you want me to do?”
“The horizontal gain.” The Doctor said indicating a panel. “I’m almost doubling back on our own time streams, which the TARDIS won’t like very much, so I’ll need you to regulate that for me.”
Tom nodded, heading to the panel the Doctor had indicated. “The CIA?” he asked.
“Celestial Intervention Agency.” The Doctor responded whilst manipulating the temporal coordinates. “Not the nicest people on Gallifrey. They deal with things that are out of place mainly, deal with non-Gallifreyan details. Probably the people who put you on EST3.” The Doctor added looking up at Tom.
Unimpressed, Tom looked down at the Horizontal gain. “We’d best get back. Gain steady and locked.” He reported.
“This should annoy them.” The Doctor grinned again, commencing the materialisation.
Tom turned to the scanner. An image of the Command Deck was slowly fading into being. An array had been constructed in the centre of the Deck, drawing power from the stations systems. There was a strange man in magnolia robes who looked like he was involved in an argument with Jess. There were also what looked like troops in a red and white uniform standing about with one guarding Jim Ford.
“Looks like we’ve got a welcoming party.” Tom said.
“That’s the Chancellery Guard.” The Doctor said, before staring at the figure in Magnolia, Jess was arguing with. “Although, on the other hand…” The Doctor operated the door control. “Come on.”

“Jess, calm down. Maybe the Doctor was on his way back already.” Edwards said, putting his hands on her shoulders. Dorlin was looking confused and a little hurt from Jess’ onslaught. Jess turned her head to reply to Edwards as the door of the TARDIS opened. Jess bounded over to the TARDIS as the Doctor emerged and threw her arms round him.
“Doctor!” She cried. “Are you ok?!”
“Just.” The Doctor said, glaring round at the Chancellery guard. “I see you’ve met the Chancellery Guard and,” The Doctor broke off Jess’ hug and walked over to Dorlin. “My old friend Dorlin.” He said grabbing Dorins’ hand and pumping it up and down furiously. Jess looked on bemused, as Tom came to the TARDIS door, only for him to then get a hug from Jess.
“Doctor-“ Dorlin began.
“Yes, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it my friend.” The Doctor said, cutting him off. “Leading an away mission from Gallifrey; you must be, what, a Cardinal or Co-ordinator by now?”
“Doctor, I’m not in charge.” Dorlin said. “And the fact that you’re now here, and the all is still going out, means you’ve doubled back on your time stream.”
“Oh, never mind about that, I thought it must be important to recalled, so here I am.” The Doctor replied stepping back and opening his arms, theatrically. “So, who is in charge this operation then?” He asked.
“I am, Doctor.” Came a voice from beside Tom.
The Command Deck turned to face Vansell at the door to his TARDIS; the Doctors face was a picture of anger and annoyance.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Vansell.” He said.
Vansell strode across the deck to the Doctor
“It’s good to see you too, ‘old friend’.” He purred.
“You can drop the friend act.” The Doctor said.
“You hurt me Doctor.” Vansell said, not sounding like he meant it. “Although I am glad to see that both you and your TARDIS escaped the Cybermen. And you very kindly returned Toraan to us.” He added, turning to face Tom.
“Toraan?” The Doctor queried before quickly realising.
“Me?” Tom asked. “That’s my name?” he sounded shocked.
Vansell took a few steps towards Tom and removed one of his hands from the folds of his robes. He was holding a small device, with two prongs at one end that held a green glowing orb between them.
“We need your information.” He said stepping forwards and placing the orb of the device on Toms’ forehead. “I feel I should warn you, there will be momentary discomfort.” He added.
Tom cried out and staggered backwards into the side of the TARDIS, sliding down in to the floor clutching his head in his hands.
“Excellent.” Vansell said turning back to the array. A small electronic chip was floating inside the orb, of which the glowing had died. Stepping up to the array, he placed the device on a holder and moved it into position, so the orb connected to a terminal and started to glow red. “Feed that data into the system.” He instructed Dorlin.
The Doctor had stepped over to Tom, where Jess was crouched beside him.
“What have you done to him?” Edwards shouted at Vansell.
“We’ve merely removed the memory observation chip from his head, it contains all the information we need to implement the solution faster.”
“You know, these days, after seeing your actions, I’m glad that I left Gallifrey.” The Doctor said stepping towards Vansell.
“Oh, Doctor-“ Vansell began before he was cut off.
“You.” Tom said getting to his feet and walking towards Vansell. “You’re the one who put me here.” He snarled.
Toms punch knocked Vansell to the floor before he could respond. The Chancellery Guard immediately turned their weapons on Tom, the Doctor making to stand in the way.
“No, it’s alright.” Vansell said to the guards, picking himself off the floor. A small trickle of blood ran from his nose and a small split on the corner of his lip. “But next time, give him the highest level of stun.” He added, wiping the blood away, glaring at Tom. “But there will be an inquiry when we get you back to Gallifrey.”
Jess went up to the side of Tom and put her arm round him to comfort him and try to calm him down.
The Doctor walked up to the side of Dorlin and looked at the screen.
“What does tha-“ He started before looking at the screen more closely. “That’s a time loop.” He said.
“Yes, Doctor. We’re dealing with the Cybermen. It is the High Councils bequest.” Dorlin replied.
“A final solution, Doctor.” Vansell added. “The Cybermen have been deemed a danger to all time and space; they must be dealt with.”
“I’ve heard many people say that about other races; The Romans, Nazis, Daleks, Sontarans. But never did I expect to hear a Time Lord say it!” The Doctor shot Vansell a disgusted look.
“You know as well as we do Doctor, that they endanger the whole web of time.” Vansell countered. “Other time faring races, even the Daleks, abide by the laws of time enough not to cause much damage with causality or to destroy the future. Even these humans aren’t that reckless.” Vansell swept his arm around the assembled crew of the Command Deck. “The High Council decreed that the Cybermen must be dealt with. You know the damage they could cause.”
The Doctor bowed his head in defeat. He knew that Vansell was right. “There has to be another way.” He said. “I know that the Cybermen won’t stop until they are stopped, but to take them completely out of time and time loop them? You know as well as I do that all life in the universe serves a function, whether they be Cybermen, Daleks or the Time Lords.”
“Let us have no more of this talk, Doctor. There is a job to be done and your help would be appreciated.” Vansell replied. “If you wouldn’t mind.” He added, gesturing to beside Dorlin. The Doctor sighed and moving into position beside Dorlin. “I’m still not too happy about this.” He said to Dorlin, “Even if they are Cybermen.”
As the Doctor joined Dorlin at work, Vansell turned on his heel and made his way back to his TARDIS, glaring at Tom and Jess as he passed them.
“I don’t think he likes us.” Jess said, looking up at Tom.
“Well, I think I know why he doesn’t like me, but why you?” Tom replied.
“I grilled him quite a bit while you were away. Gave him a piece of my mind.” She winked. “What happened on Telos?”
“Oh, the Cybermen told us they would convert us, gave us an outline of how they planned to conquer the galaxy.” Tom briefly explained.
“How are you feeling?” She asked him.
“Fine.” He replied instantly, before sounding calmer “How about you, pre first contact girl? Seen quite a lot of alien life style in the past few days.”
Jess smiled at the young Time Lord. “I think this is normal for the Doctor, but it’s been quite an adventure. I said before I met him I wanted to travel, in fact I was going to. He’s just offering me more than the Earth to explore.”
“It’s dangerous out here, you’ve seen that.” Tom replied.
“It’s dangerous on Earth in my time.” Jess countered.
Tom smiled. “At least you’re going to see more of it.”
“What do you mean?” Jess replied.
“Well, apparently I have to go back to Gallifrey, and from what I now remember since that thing has been removed from my head, I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.”
Jess opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped before she could start by Dorlin stepping back from the array.
“I think that’s it.” He said.
The Doctor bowed his head, breathed heavily then looked up, steadying himself with both his arms on the panel. “Yes, we’re about to violate article seven.” He replied. “But needs must when the devil drives. I suppose seeing the back of the Cybermen will make the Galaxy safe for a while.”
“Article seven has never stopped you before, Doctor.” Vansell said returning to the Command deck.
“I take it that this means that you’re nearly done.” Edwards said. “So why don’t you do it and leave my station.”
“Patience.” Vansell snapped. “You have no idea what we are conducting here, it’s not something we can rush.”
“You underestimate this lot.”
Vansell turned at the voice to face Tom, stood behind him, his fists clenched at his sides. The chancellery guard stood alert, readying their weapons in anticipation of Tom attacking Vansell again.
“They’re cleverer than you give them credit.”
“Toraan, your role here is now over. Humanity is no longer your concern.” Vansell snapped turning back to the array and Dorlin and the Doctor. “The High Council has given the go-ahead. We are to proceed immediately.”
“Before you do.” Vansell sighed and turned again, this time facing Jess. “Why are you doing this here? Why not on Gallifrey or wherever?”
“Think about it.” Tom said. “Gallifrey doesn’t want to be seen to act, so where’s the best place to do this, somewhere else, and well, the Doctor’s here, so they will probably erase the fact that they did this from their history and it will all be the Doctors’ doing.”
Vansell smiled. “I can see why there was much debate over your exile.” He said. “We are not blaming the Doctor, as you implied, but you are correct as to the means. The High Council felt more comfortable this mission being completed away from Gallifrey. As both you and the Doctor were here, we already had the temporal trace and this station is ideally situated far enough away from Telos yet in the centre of action so to speak.”
“The time loop has been programmed to take the Cybermen out of time by slipping time back as it happens. Those few moments will make up the loop.” The Doctor replied.
“What about us?” Sanders asked.
“Your memories of this event will be wiped.” Vansell said flatly. “Effectively, we will never been here and the war will be over, throughout the galaxy.”
Vansell was cut off by an alarm on the array that caused the main Stations screen to flicker to life. Dorlin checked another screen, and then looked up, a sombre look on his face.
“The Cybermen have started the invasion of the Federation and Earth space.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Cyber Controller was sat in the centre of Cyber Control. The order for the full invasion of the Galaxy had gone out. Reports from human agents had hinted that there were secret plans being drawn. The Doctor and the other Time Lord had escaped and destroyed his Co-ordinator and Cyber Leader in the process. It was also suspected that the Time Lords were preparing an assault on the Cyber race. The Controller had concluded that the complete invasion of Earth and Mars had to be achieved if the Time Lords were to show their hand. The Doctor had made threats of actions that records showed the Time Lords were reluctant to use. New Cyber Leaders and Co-ordinators were nearing completion. The old Cyber Lieutenant had almost completely uploaded the Co-ordinator programme and was awaiting the physical modifications.
<SHOW ME EARTH> The Controller ordered.
The main control screen flickered and an image of Earth could be seen, including the station where the Doctor had first been identified.
<FOCUS ON THE STATION>
The screen zoomed in so that the image of EST filled the screen. To human eyes, the image would have seemed perfectly normal. The screen however showed the station as being out of focus.
<EXPLAIN THE ANOMOLY ON SCREEN> The Controller boomed.
<THE STATION IS NOT REGISTERING AS BEING IN SPACE/TIME> A Cyberman reported.
<THE TIME LORDS ARE INITIATING HOSTILE ACTION. EARTH MUST BE INVADED NOW. DESTROY THAT STATION> The Controller spun to another Cyberman. <THE EARTH/MARS INVASION FORCE WILL BE EXPANDED. THE PLANETS WILL FALL TO US>

Captain Sheridan checked the readings on his personal computer. Spatial anomalies were opening all round his ship. The Theseus was patrolling the outer regions of Earths reaches into space, when spatial portals opened all around it.
“Send a warning message to Earth and the federation!” Sheridan shouted. “The Cybermen are invading in force.” Helplessly he found his surroundings change and he was strapped inside a metal alcove, a tall silver humanoid figure standing over him, and blackness enveloped him.
With all the human occupants of the Theseus transported to the main Cyber Conversion ship, the other three Cyber ships fired on the empty shell of the ship, destroying it. Joined by more ships emerging from the portals, the expanding Cyber fleet headed off, deeper into Earth space.

“I’m receiving scattered reports from throughout this sector of space.” Dorlin reported.
“Of what?” Edwards asked.
“The Cybermen?” Doctor followed on.
“They’ve started the invasion.” Dorlin replied to both questions at once before returning to his instruments. “My readings say that they’re encroaching on Sol 3 and 4.”
The Majority of the Command deck looked to the Doctor for an explanation.
“Are you sure?” He asked Dorlin ignoring the staring eyes. Dorlin nodded. “Earth and Mars.” The Doctor sighed. “How long until this contraption of yours is operational?”
“In Earth time; less than a minute.” Dorlin replied.
“What’s happening?” Jess asked, turning to Tom.
“Unless the Time Lords plan works, were dead.” He replied.
Jess looked across at the worried faces of Edwards, Bradbury, Sanders and Ford and the rest of the people on the Command Deck, including the Doctor and Tom.
“Cyber spatial portals opening in close proximity to Earth, the Station and Mars.” Doctor said.
“Now!” Vansell shouted. “Activate now.”
Dorlin slammed his hand home on a lever on the array, causing the glass column to light up, and glow; first red, through purple, blue, green, yellow, orange then back to red, before pulsing a strong red colour.

In orbit around the planet Earth, station EST3 pulsed and flickered before a wave emerged from its centre, expanding rapidly, closing the portals that were opening around the planet. The Cyber ships that were positioned about the planet reversed their paths before fading out of existence. The wave expanded out from EST3 rapidly, moving out past Mars within a matter of seconds, all Cyber ships caught in its wake were reversed in their actions before disappearing from all time and space.

The Cyber Controller sat on Telos observing the date that reeled in on screens around control. The invasion was failing. It was impossible. The ships that had been sent to invade Earth and Mars no longer existed; never existed. A destructive temporal wave had been emitted from the station and was expanding at an incredible rate. Too late the Controller realise that the invasion was commenced too late; the Time Lords had already acted.
<ACTIVATE CONTINGENCY PLAN ALPHA-EPSILON FOUR> The Controller ordered. It would be the last order that the Controller would give to ensure the survival of the Cyber race. All Controller could do now was watch the contingency plan operate as the temporal wave rapidly encroached on Telos and the Cyber empire. He watched the data report that Cyber bases, ships and colonies ceased to exist then had never existed. The Cyber race was being taken out of time.
<CONTINGENCY ALPHA-EPSILON FOURACTIVATED> A Cyberman reported.
<WE WILL SURVIVE> The Controller enforced. <WE WILL SURVIVE>
The temporal wave swept trough the Telos system, ripping any Cyber Technology up in its path, leaving a trail of barren planets behind it. The Wave circled the planet Telos and closed in upon its main target.

The Command Deck of EST3 held its breath; human and Gallifreyan alike, until the glass column of the array started to pulsate with a green light.
“What now?” Ford asked
“The operation is almost complete.” Dorlin replied. “The scoop has taken the Cybermen out of time and is now working on repairing the time lines, smoothing the ripples and looping the Cybermen.”
“This is the end of the Cybermen then?” Sanders queried.
The Doctor grimly nodded his head. “The Time Lords have just erased the Cybermen from the Galaxy.” He confirmed, walking over to Jess and Tom.
“Are you ok, Doctor?” Jess asked. “I thought you were going to try and stop the Cybermen yourself?”
“Not this way Jess.” The Doctor replied.
“I don’t know who’s worse, the Cybermen or the Time Lords.” Tom spat.
“How are you shaping up?” The Doctor asked Tom. “How are your memories now they’ve taken that chip out of your head?”
“A lot of things in there I don’t want.” Tom sighed. “I’ve been used by my own people. If they are people.” He glared at Vansell.
“Don’t worry about Vansell.” The Doctor said. “He’s not in charge back on Gallifrey.”
“I’d rather stay here, Doctor.” Tom replied.
“Vansell won’t allow that.” The Doctor replied.
“Can’t he come with us?” Jess asked.
The Doctor stopped and looked down at Jess, then across at Tom.
“Well, I’m not the most popular person on Gallifrey, but I think we can slip away quickly.” Turning to face the rest of the Command Deck, the Doctor reached behind him and pushed open the TARDIS door. “Slip in quickly.” He whispered. “Shut the door behind you.”
Tom slipped into the TARDIS, shutting the door behind him.
“You’re quite fond of him aren’t you?” The Doctor whispered to Jess.
“After what he’s been through the past few days, he doesn’t deserve that.” Jess said.
“Everyone’s been through a lot recently.” The Doctor added. “But I can empathise with him for most of it.”
“You don’t mind?”
The Doctor smiled down at Jess, who smiled back. The Doctor turned and walked up to the array where Dorlin and Vansell were stood, glanced at a screen then walked over to Edwards, Sanders and Bradbury. “So, are you happy that you’ve completely destroyed the Cybermen?” He asked clutching his lapels.
“What had to be done is done.” Vansell replied
“Not quite.” Dorlin said, looking at a screen. A small red light was flashing next to it. “I’m detecting two anomalous signals with Cyber traces.” He reported

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Vansell.” He said.
Vansell strode across the deck to the Doctor
“It’s good to see you too, ‘old friend’.” He purred.
“You can drop the friend act.” The Doctor said.
“You hurt me Doctor.” Vansell said, not sounding like he meant it. “Although I am glad to see that both you and your TARDIS escaped the Cybermen. And you very kindly returned Toraan to us.” He added, turning to face Tom.
“Toraan?” The Doctor queried before quickly realising.
“Me?” Tom asked. “That’s my name?” he sounded shocked.
Vansell took a few steps towards Tom and removed one of his hands from the folds of his robes. He was holding a small device, with two prongs at one end that held a green glowing orb between them.
“We need your information.” He said stepping forwards and placing the orb of the device on Toms’ forehead. “I feel I should warn you, there will be momentary discomfort.” He added.
Tom cried out and staggered backwards into the side of the TARDIS, sliding down in to the floor clutching his head in his hands.
“Excellent.” Vansell said turning back to the array. A small electronic chip was floating inside the orb, of which the glowing had died. Stepping up to the array, he placed the device on a holder and moved it into position, so the orb connected to a terminal and started to glow red. “Feed that data into the system.” He instructed Dorlin.
The Doctor had stepped over to Tom, where Jess was crouched beside him.
“What have you done to him?” Edwards shouted at Vansell.
“We’ve merely removed the memory observation chip from his head, it contains all the information we need to implement the solution faster.”
“You know, these days, after seeing your actions, I’m glad that I left Gallifrey.” The Doctor said stepping towards Vansell.
“Oh, Doctor-“ Vansell began before he was cut off.
“You.” Tom said getting to his feet and walking towards Vansell. “You’re the one who put me here.” He snarled.
Toms punch knocked Vansell to the floor before he could respond. The Chancellery Guard immediately turned their weapons on Tom, the Doctor making to stand in the way.
“No, it’s alright.” Vansell said to the guards, picking himself off the floor. A small trickle of blood ran from his nose and a small split on the corner of his lip. “But next time, give him the highest level of stun.” He added, wiping the blood away, glaring at Tom. “But there will be an inquiry when we get you back to Gallifrey.”
Jess went up to the side of Tom and put her arm round him to comfort him and try to calm him down.
The Doctor walked up to the side of Dorlin and looked at the screen.
“What does tha-“ He started before looking at the screen more closely. “That’s a time loop.” He said.
“Yes, Doctor. We’re dealing with the Cybermen. It is the High Councils bequest.” Dorlin replied.
“A final solution, Doctor.” Vansell added. “The Cybermen have been deemed a danger to all time and space; they must be dealt with.”
“I’ve heard many people say that about other races; The Romans, Nazis, Daleks, Sontarans. But never did I expect to hear a Time Lord say it!” The Doctor shot Vansell a disgusted look.
“You know as well as we do Doctor, that they endanger the whole web of time.” Vansell countered. “Other time faring races, even the Daleks, abide by the laws of time enough not to cause much damage with causality or to destroy the future. Even these humans aren’t that reckless.” Vansell swept his arm around the assembled crew of the Command Deck. “The High Council decreed that the Cybermen must be dealt with. You know the damage they could cause.”
The Doctor bowed his head in defeat. He knew that Vansell was right. “There has to be another way.” He said. “I know that the Cybermen won’t stop until they are stopped, but to take them completely out of time and time loop them? You know as well as I do that all life in the universe serves a function, whether they be Cybermen, Daleks or the Time Lords.”
“Let us have no more of this talk, Doctor. There is a job to be done and your help would be appreciated.” Vansell replied. “If you wouldn’t mind.” He added, gesturing to beside Dorlin. The Doctor sighed and moving into position beside Dorlin. “I’m still not too happy about this.” He said to Dorlin, “Even if they are Cybermen.”
As the Doctor joined Dorlin at work, Vansell turned on his heel and made his way back to his TARDIS, glaring at Tom and Jess as he passed them.
“I don’t think he likes us.” Jess said, looking up at Tom.
“Well, I think I know why he doesn’t like me, but why you?” Tom replied.
“I grilled him quite a bit while you were away. Gave him a piece of my mind.” She winked. “What happened on Telos?”
“Oh, the Cybermen told us they would convert us, gave us an outline of how they planned to conquer the galaxy.” Tom briefly explained.
“How are you feeling?” She asked him.
“Fine.” He replied instantly, before sounding calmer “How about you, pre first contact girl? Seen quite a lot of alien life style in the past few days.”
Jess smiled at the young Time Lord. “I think this is normal for the Doctor, but it’s been quite an adventure. I said before I met him I wanted to travel, in fact I was going to. He’s just offering me more than the Earth to explore.”
“It’s dangerous out here, you’ve seen that.” Tom replied.
“It’s dangerous on Earth in my time.” Jess countered.
Tom smiled. “At least you’re going to see more of it.”
“What do you mean?” Jess replied.
“Well, apparently I have to go back to Gallifrey, and from what I now remember since that thing has been removed from my head, I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.”
Jess opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped before she could start by Dorlin stepping back from the array.
“I think that’s it.” He said.
The Doctor bowed his head, breathed heavily then looked up, steadying himself with both his arms on the panel. “Yes, we’re about to violate article seven.” He replied. “But needs must when the devil drives. I suppose seeing the back of the Cybermen will make the Galaxy safe for a while.”
“Article seven has never stopped you before, Doctor.” Vansell said returning to the Command deck.
“I take it that this means that you’re nearly done.” Edwards said. “So why don’t you do it and leave my station.”
“Patience.” Vansell snapped. “You have no idea what we are conducting here, it’s not something we can rush.”
“You underestimate this lot.”
Vansell turned at the voice to face Tom, stood behind him, his fists clenched at his sides. The chancellery guard stood alert, readying their weapons in anticipation of Tom attacking Vansell again.
“They’re cleverer than you give them credit.”
“Toraan, your role here is now over. Humanity is no longer your concern.” Vansell snapped turning back to the array and Dorlin and the Doctor. “The High Council has given the go-ahead. We are to proceed immediately.”
“Before you do.” Vansell sighed and turned again, this time facing Jess. “Why are you doing this here? Why not on Gallifrey or wherever?”
“Think about it.” Tom said. “Gallifrey doesn’t want to be seen to act, so where’s the best place to do this, somewhere else, and well, the Doctor’s here, so they will probably erase the fact that they did this from their history and it will all be the Doctors’ doing.”
Vansell smiled. “I can see why there was much debate over your exile.” He said. “We are not blaming the Doctor, as you implied, but you are correct as to the means. The High Council felt more comfortable this mission being completed away from Gallifrey. As both you and the Doctor were here, we already had the temporal trace and this station is ideally situated far enough away from Telos yet in the centre of action so to speak.”
“The time loop has been programmed to take the Cybermen out of time by slipping time back as it happens. Those few moments will make up the loop.” The Doctor replied.
“What about us?” Sanders asked.
“Your memories of this event will be wiped.” Vansell said flatly. “Effectively, we will never been here and the war will be over, throughout the galaxy.”
Vansell was cut off by an alarm on the array that caused the main Stations screen to flicker to life. Dorlin checked another screen, and then looked up, a sombre look on his face.
“The Cybermen have started the invasion of the Federation and Earth space.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

Vansell twirled round, pushed Dorlin out of the way and glared at the screen. “How did the scoop miss those two traces?”
“I don’t know.” Dorlin was confused.
“They’re only small traces.” The Doctor said, suddenly springing to the array and checking the data. “Tell you what,” He said in a cheery voice, jumping up straight and looking directly at Vansell. “I’ll take the data core and track them down in the TARDIS. It would save you the trouble.”
“Why Doctor, how suspiciously magnanimous of you.” Vansell replied.
“Well, I’m guessing you would have asked me to do it anyway.” The Doctor replied in a monotone.
“In honesty, it is likely that we would have sent you to do this.” Vansell confirmed.
“Honesty’s a new policy for you isn’t it? Ok, I’ll do it. Only on one condition.” The Doctor said firmly
“Name it.” Vansell said, squaring up to the Doctor.
“After the second trace has been lost, you leave me alone. Me and my TARDIS. You don’t alter its flight path or stop me anywhere in vortex.”
“Very well Doctor. Take the data core and make your way.” Vansell agreed after a few seconds thought.
“We’re going after the Cybermen?” Jess asked, walking up beside the Doctor.
“Don’t worry, it won’t be like this.” The Doctor reassured her, taking a data core from the array. “Well, nice to have met you Commander.” The Doctor said offering Edwards his hand.
“Likewise Doctor.” Edwards replied shaking the Doctors hand. “I only wish it had been under happier circumstances.”
The Doctor smiled and said goodbye to Sanders, Ford and Bradbury.
“So, what happens now then?” Bradbury asked him.
“The Time Lords will erase you’re memory of this and you’ll carry on as normal.” The Doctor replied.
“Bye.” Jess said, shaking Bradbury’s’ hand in turn as she had following the Doctor round the room, before heading over to the TARDIS.
“Goodbye Dorlin. Good to have seen you again, brief though it was.” The Doctor said, shaking the Dorlins hand, less furiously this time. “And try to stay out of my life in future, and past.” He added looking to Vansell. The Doctor turned and walked to the TARDIS.
“Not really any point to that, but polite anyway.” He muttered.
“What do you mean?” Jess asked him.
“When the Time Lords wipe their memories, the crew will have no recollection of ever having met us. We’ll be like a briefly remembered dream, then forgotten.
“Oh,” Jess looked down. “That’s sad.”
The Doctor patted her reassuringly on the back as she entered the TARDIS, took a quick look over his shoulder, and then followed her in, the door shutting behind him.
The Command Deck watched as the TARDIS disappeared from the Deck. Vansell turned to Dorlin.
“Disconnect the equipment and start repacking it. We’re finished here.”
“What of Toraan?” Dorlin asked, looking about the command deck.
Vansell spun round. The young Time Lord was nowhere to be seen. “Did anyone leave this level?” He shouted to the Guard by the lift.
“No sir.” The Guard replied firmly.
“The Doctor.” Vansell mused. “He’s gone with the Doctor.”
“Do you want me to pull the TARDIS back?” Dorlin asked.
“No.” Vansell replied rubbing his jaw, a purple bruise was starting develop where Tom had hit him. “He’s chosen the life of a renegade, like the Doctor. Our mission is completed, we will just be returning to Gallifrey one less than expected.” Vansell replied heading to his TARDIS.
“Tom’s gone then.” Sanders said, stunned.
Edwards sighed. “Why?” he mused. “I’m going to have to fill out an AWOL file now.”
“I think he probably didn’t want to go back with them.” Bradbury said, gesturing the Time Lords. “I can’t say I blame him.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Edwards said realising. “They said they were taking him back. I remember now.”
“We’ll have a drink for him tonight. After the shift?” Sanders suggested.
“To Tom.” Edwards and Bradbury smiled, watching Dorlin and the Chancellery Guard dismantle the array in the centre of the Command deck, and packing it away.
“It’ll be good to get back to normal.” Sanders said.
“What’s normal?” Bradbury said. “It’s been so long I can hardly remember a ‘normal’ day’s work.”
Vansell re-emerged from his TARDIS just as the last pieces of the array were being packed away.
“Could we have our station back now?” Edwards asked him.
“Certainly. There is, however, one last thing before we leave.” Vansell said

Commander Daniel Edwards walked out of his office onto the Command Deck. He felt groggy; he’d nodded off at his desk. He was over doing it, he decided.
“Everything running normal, Sir.” Dave Bradbury reported.
“The Doctors plan worked then?” Edwards asked. The Command Deck stopped and looked at him.
“’Doctor’?” Sanders asked him. “Are you feeling ok?”
Edwards rubbed his eyes. “Sorry, I fell asleep at my desk.” He admitted. “I must have been dreaming. I had the weirdest dream. Whole squads of troops flying about in small boxes.”
“You’ve been over doing it, sir.” SCo Ford Laughed. “Whole squads of men small boxes? He chuckled again
“Yes, thank you To-Jim, sorry.” Edwards corrected himself shaking his head. “I think I’d better take that time off I’ve got saved.” Edwards walked to the lift and requested the Medical bay. He’d already forgotten his dream.

“Will they remember Tom too?” Jess asked the Doctor.
”No, I’m afraid not.” He replied, hunched over the console. “There!” He said smiling standing up.
“What have you done?” Tom asked.
“Made sure the Time Lords can’t track us.” The Doctor said, proud with himself.
“We’ve only just left the station.” Jess said. “Will they realise that quick?”
“We’re in the vortex now, they could reach in and grab out. Although to be safe, I also have this.” He pulled a small circuit out of his pocket. “They won’t be able to track us without this.”
I didn’t see you take that.” Jess said.
“No one did.” The Doctor said proudly “Slight of hand. I’ve still got it.”
“Are we away from the Time Lords then?” Tom asked.
“Yes.” The Doctor smiled.
Jess grinned and jumped at Tom, flinging her arms round him and hugging him, taking him by surprise.
“Your name?” The Doctor asked.
“What about it?” Tom asked over Jess.
“Which are you going to use? I don’t want to call out ‘Look out Tom’ if you’re calling yourself Toraan.” The Doctor replied.
Don’t worry there.” Tom said as Jess released him from the hug. “I’m not taking back my Gallifreyan name, not now I’ve almost got my memories back. “I’m sticking with Tom.”
Jess smiled up at Tom. “No offence, but I prefer that one.” She whispered to him.
“Very well.” The Doctor said also smiling and offering his hand. “Welcome aboard the TARDIS, Tom.”

[John Darnacan]

Thanks Beowulf for posting the entire story. I'm going to reread it all because I missed some bits along the way.

Thanks again.