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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:27:40 GMT
The TARDIS has brought a world weary Doctor to the battle-scarred planet of Ovarge IV. A corporate conflict has escalated and casualties are rising on each side.
However something is very wrong, with a peaceful world transformed into a bleak landscape phantom interference is eclipsing all communications on the battlefield.
The members of Genesis Inc believe it to be the work of STORE Corp, attempting to make a counterstrike but the Doctor isn't so sure because bodies are vanishing... fallen soldiers from either side are being taken away into the darkness!
With little hope of survival on the frontline things are getting worse as more bodies are taken, being harvested by a new breed of ghoul...
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:28:03 GMT
Episode one
The Sky was screaming once again. Hellish cries of pain echoed around the bleak, grey rubble-strewn ground. He lay in the dirt watching. A slit projected from the hide, his rifle extended before him while the rest of him remained perfectly still.
He rested the rifle against his cheek, the infra red sightings picked through the vast curtain of darkness across the sky enshrouding everything.
He focussed on a thin veil of wire then slowly he glanced across, spying movement. Three of them.
They were soldiers, not wearing his regiment's uniform, though it was impossible to tell from this angle and the red hue surrounding them didn't help either.
He then glanced harder at their breast pockets, no gleaming registration plate shone back. It was them, his targets.
He licked his dry lips and ignored the trail of sweat that emerged from under his hot tin helmet and started to course down his face. He felt uncomfortable lying there for God knows how many hours.
They were on the move now and now their fate was in his hands, he had to do it. They were the enemy; this was an important junction in the Corp lines. As they hurried onwards, guns at the ready, gas-asks covering their faces, the lead tripped the wire.
There was a brief flash and jet of black smoke erupted, he could hear from his place brief cries, see bodies twisting in confusion when he pulled the trigger.
BANG! One soldier fell to the hard ground and quickly he fired again, spying another fall backwards clutching at its chest, the smoke omitting his view.
He waited patiently for what must have been a lifetime while behind him loud footsteps were heard. His relief, he though as he scanned the area thoroughly. No sign of the third.
Suddenly the hide he was in started to shake violently, dust fell from the grass-covered roof as it fell apart.
Glancing up, he pulled at his rifle but stopped, his eyes widening at the terror above him, he fired point blank, the round hit the tall figure over him squarely in the chest.
It could have been charred but the figure simply bent the rifle as though it were string and flung it aside to the dirt beside the wrecked hide roof.
The huge figure reached for the sniper, who cowered back, fingers digging into mud as the figure pulled him free and in the Sniper's ears, distantly he could hear the sky screaming again.
The lone soldier pulled itself free from the cloud of smoke, digging deep gloves into the thick clay bank; it moved swiftly, no longer caring for its colleagues.
Pulling itself up behind a low bank, it was panting hard through its gas mask. No it was panicking so much that it failed to notice the eerily close screams of terror.
Tearing off grey covered black rubber gloves to reveal, pale slim hands. These were shaking slowly as they reached up to the helmet and then finally the mask.
She was breathing deep, breathing fast as she glanced around at the darkness around her. Bleak, dark landscape surrounded her.
Reaching down to her inner pocket, she plucked free a small black radio with miniature antennae. Pressing the control at the side, she brought it cautiously to the side of her face and talked quickly and quietly.
'Control-COM, Control-Com, this is Green star to base. Green star has fallen, strong Sniper position, the area is wired. Do you connect?' she said in a panicky voice. Across the radio there came a busy sounding pompous voice.
'Control-Com to Green Star. Report your status? Over' the superior replied.
'My Force is down, both troopers down. I am caged in by Sniper fire; repeat caged in by Sniper fire. I require reinforcements' the woman said.
'Green Star, you will hold your position. We are attempting to mid-flank the Sniper section now, a squad will attempt to recover your person' the Commander replied.
'Well hurry it up then? Corp agents must be everywhere by now, I have low ammunition and need help?' she said quickly.
'Hold your position Green Star. Soon we shall annex this region. A Cease-fire will be declared when that has occurred. Control-Com, over and out' reported the Commander.
'Great!' she spat and lowered her radio but as she did there came a strange warbling distortion across the radio, quickly she flicked off the machine and tucked it into her jacket.
Flattening herself against the mud she could just make out a tall, powerful figure stalk out of the darkness, dragging someone with them. It silently, relentlessly carried on, fading from sight.
Deep footsteps echoed loudly across the landscape, slowly they faded away to nothing.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:28:34 GMT
As the TARDIS rumbled into existence, the Doctor gave a well rested yawn, stretching him arms and for a brief moment he considered walking to the console to check the co-ordinates but instead he remembered that he had wanted for adventure and intrigue in his lives.
'Now then TARDIS where have you brought me? Somewhere quiet perhaps out of the way of death, destruction, decay and doom?' he asked as he pulled himself free from the armchair, putting down the book he was reading onto the side table.
Since no one answered him, he crossed over towards the well-lit door and breathed deep, before grasping the door and stepping out.
'Ah, I was wrong. Up to your old tricks eh old girl? I know I said I was being more cautious but to dump me here in this bleak place?' the Doctor retorted as he gazed out across the grey landscape before him.
It was dark but above him there sat a solitary moon shining down at him but before he could acknowledge it with a smile he was suddenly knocked to the ground by someone.
'Get down you fool!' replied a tough-sounding voice of a woman.
'Hello there, there was no real need for this?' the Doctor replied when suddenly a heavy blast impacted hard with the side of the TARDIS.
'Well apparently there was and I seem to be in the middle of trouble yet again and in a pile of mud?' he said looking down at the mess beneath him but still the woman clung on to him.
'Keep your head down and your mouth shut! There are Sniper's everywhere!' she snapped.
'Oh I see and we are pegged down by them, well now you see this Blue Box that I stepped out of, if we get into this we'll be quite safe?' he said but she shook her head.
'Are you mad? That's what they're aiming at! We'll be cut down in seconds! Who are you? Your clothes?' she said and the Doctor smiled.
'Yes they are and were quite fashionable before being covered in mud. I'm the Doctor... Miss?' he said and for once could see her face, she was no more than a teenager?
'I'm Green Star and you say you're a medic? Good, we need plenty of those, now keep low, see that mound over there, crawl for it, I'll cover you!' the woman ordered as another round hit the TARDIS loudly.
'Now look I'm really not that sort of....?' he tried but seeing her going for a pistol he started to crawl hand and knees towards the low dune ahead of him.
As bullets and explosives of all shapes and sizes whizzed over his head the Doctor crawled there muttering to himself, trying very hard not to spread the mud further along his clothes.
'Always the same. No matter where I go in all the universe within minutes of arriving there's always someone shooting at me! I wonder if I carry some sort of curse or magnet for trouble on me?' he pondered and cautiously turned to see the woman firing her gun into the darkness.
'Impossible, how can she see where she's firing that? I bet the enemy can't?' he added when a chunk of mud exploded to the right of him just inches from his body.
'All right Doctor, you are going to crawl very slowly towards that dune and to shelter provided that no one is behind that dune I'll be just fine?' he muttered to himself through gritted teeth.
Pulling himself over the lip of the dune, he almost tumbled over the lip and into a shallow crater full of ammunition deposits and a man with a high-powered rifle.
'Oh, good evening there?' the Doctor exclaimed and quickly the Sniper looked to his right to see the Doctor mud stained sitting there grinning back at him.
With one fluid movement he went for his rifle and found also the Doctor sitting in the same crater facing him.
'Don't mind me but I'm pretty sure that you need to take the safety catch off before you fire that?' the Doctor said quite calmly and swiftly the Sniper pressed the switch and the Doctor smiled more so.
'Were you the one aiming at that blue box over there with, high explosive rounds?' the Doctor asked noting the grenades sitting exposed in the crates beside him.
'Shut up! Who are you?' the Sniper snapped coldly.
'I'm the MO, a neutral member in this war and as you can see quite harmless' the Doctor said quickly.
'MO eh? You dress like a colonist- who do you support?' the man snapped.
'Your side of course, STORE corps?' he said noting the badge on the Sniper's uniform.
'Good, cause I can see quite a few Gens out there now' the Sniper hissed.
'Gens?' the Doctor asked looking confused.
'Gens, Genesis Inc. I'll get them! Get them all!' he laughed and the Doctor nodded slowly not having a clue what the man was on about?
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:29:09 GMT
'Quite. So do you require any medical attention, any at all. I have a degree in psychology I think?' the Doctor said quickly and almost instantly the man stopped laughing.
'How do I know you're a STORE supporter or even an MO for that matter?' he snapped, his finger tightened on the trigger.
'Well I... I am the Doctor and I got ambushed by a few Genesis supporters, they killed my team and I alone managed to escape' the Doctor said quickly and noted the Sniper's tin hat, reminiscent of the First World War. Even the rifle he held was very old looking but the camouflage material he was wearing was definitely new.
'Sounds too convenient for you, Doctor! How about you show me some ID- now!' the Sniper yelled and shoved the rifle muzzle hard against the Doctor's cheek.
'All right, no need to get so excited. I'm just going to reach inside my jacket pocket for my identification papers' the Doctor answered and noted that the man was shaking, he was nervous, malnourished, very agitated. This was war; he also appeared to be quite young too, in his early twenties.
'Look here, I'm not your enemy. I'm just an off-worlder. I mean you little/ no harm at all' the Doctor said quickly and raised his hands.
The Sniper grinned a crazed smile showing all his teeth to the air.
'So no ID then. You could be a spy or a colonist or an MO but you don't fool me- Gen! You've lost the right to this world, it's ours! At last I have the pleasure of looking you lot in the eye- a big-shot watching your terror as I pull this trigger!' the Sniper hissed coldly and pulled the trigger.
A sharp click rang out but no bang!
'What have you done? Sabotage!' the Sniper snapped then suddenly he fell forward, his rifle travelling before him as he hit the mud hard.
'Are you all right?' the woman hissed as she crept over the lip of the crater.
'Very much thank you, only you needn't have bothered, he'd flicked on the safety- which means he wasn't very experienced with rifles, just out of college by the look of him?' the Doctor retorted.
'College? No, a STORE education facility. Him and his lot are responsible for many innocent deaths, well now it's payback!' the woman said as she raised her pistol towards his body.
'What on Earth do you think you're doing? Put that gun down!' the Doctor snapped but the women's gun remained stationary on his body.
'This man is a killer. You don't know how many innocents have dies by his hand?' the Woman snapped.
'True, I don't but that gives you no reason to kill him, look at him. He's nothing more than a young man, a whole life ahead of him, it's not his fault that he's been brain-washed into serving a rival faction/ cult or whatever!' the Doctor retorted.
'You don't understand do you? Unless you're one of them?' the Woman said and raised her pistol until was level with the Doctor's forehead.
'Are you serious? He was about to shoot me dead because he believed that I was the enemy, on your side and now you're wondering if I was on his side? Do you know how silly that sounds?' the Doctor asked and noted the woman's hands shaking.
'Who are you? An off-worlder or a spy?' she snapped and the Doctor shook his head.
'Shall we restart this conversation, I'm the Doctor and you are a Genesis Incorporated employed soldier serving them?' the Doctor replied.
'I am Group leader Emily Durant of the Special Green Star Squad, they are dead now killed by him or his kind!' she snapped pointing to the unmoving Sniper at her feet.
'Genesis Incorporated. So this is a Corporate War caused by further aggravated debate. How's Technical Co-ordinator Mandrake these days?' the Doctor asked and recognised the glint in her eyes.
'How could you know his position, it's only just been given to him?' Emily snapped.
'Ah, well just forget the bit about- these days. I'm an old acquaintance of his and I've known how open the STORE Corporation is. Might I inquire as to what this debate was about?' the Doctor asked.
'Everyone knows that answer, the cost in telecommunication across the Galaxnet. Genesis believes it can be done cheaper while STORE wants it to remain here. This world is a marking beacon of the old frequency, we have to change it' Emily replied.
'Is that all? A war, the most dreadful action any race can bestow, countless sufferings on either side, death, decay and depression and all because you want to twiddle a control on a radio set?' the Doctor retorted trying not to smirk but Emily's face was grim.
'It's nothing to joke about. I've lost too many good people to these STORE supporters. They just won't stop following orders, so much more easier if they just give up?' Emily hissed looking at the man's body.
'That does not give you the right to condone this man's murder. He made a choice in life to follow the other side either through force or because he didn't expect his world to be under attack?' the Doctor almost yelled.
Close by there came an explosion at the other side of the dune.
'They're getting closer, these trigger-happy troops. Are they on your side or his?' the Doctor asked crouching down as another volley of mortars impacted close by.
'I don't know but we are exposed here. We should try and get under cover; there's a trench not far from here, just over that rise. We'll be safe there' Emily ordered and made a move but stopped as she saw the Doctor grasping at the man's shoulders.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?' she squawked.
'I won't leave this man, he may be guilty in your eyes but that's no excuse to leave here to die. Consider him a POW if you like?' the Doctor replied as he heaved the man to his feet and started to haul him along.
Emily stared down at the Doctor but then realised that a prisoner could aid them? When the cease-fire would be drawn he would answer her questions!
'All right Doctor, hurry it up!' she ordered and turned and hurried on, the Doctor behind her squinted through the darkness looking for a sign of her but nothing met his eyes.
A mortar exploded out behind them and another hit the crater casting a great explosion into his ears sending him down onto the hard ground.
The Sniper started cough and moan and as the Doctor climbed to his feet the man snapped into attention, grappling with the Doctor.
'This way! Come on, I'm getting you to safety' the Doctor cried as he fought off the man's hands.
Without warning, he lashed out, catching the man's cheek and the man fell back. Hurriedly the Doctor grabbed him by the arms and dragged him on.
'Sorry about that?' he said quickly as he dashed on and finally he fell, tired as a hail of machine gun bullets swam overhead.
Suddenly a hand appeared out of nowhere and dragged him over the edge into a deep trench about five feet deep.
'Sorry, got lost up there' the Doctor replied as he pulled himself to his feet.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:29:48 GMT
'Get your head down!' Emily cried and yanked the Doctor into a crouching position.
'Sorry, I keep doing that. I really should give up before it becomes a habit? So this is the trench you spoke of? Excellent or is it?' the Doctor asked.
'It will have to do for our sake. Those are STORE Snipers gunning at us now. They got us trapped in here, perhaps if we used him as bait, they might consider letting us go?' she said.
The Doctor looked horrified and then at her face, he felt like smacking her. Someone who revelled in carnage and death. War meant suffering.
'No, I very much doubt that would work. They're more than likely to shoot him to stop information getting out!' the Doctor retorted.
'Pity' Emily said looking down at the unconscious man.
'What are you doing here then? I've explained my predicament but you've left out certain details. A special squad with special privileges no doubt?' the Doctor asked.
Emily eyed him carefully, he wasn't a spy not by the way he acted, very compassionate about everyone. Had he seen war before, was this an off worlder who knew the futility of war?
'That information is classified to everyone outside Control-Command' she snapped.
'What about friends to your great employer?' the Doctor asked quickly.
Rats! Emily thought and drew her gun on him.
'I am from Green Star Squad, an elite investigations unit deployed out here to study interference blockades' she said.
'Radio interference?' the Doctor asked.
'Phantom signals blocking communication, threatening our every move, the work of STORE sabotage. It's like a blanket, blocks out everything for hours at a time' Emily replied.
'Interesting. How long have these patches been occurring for, do they follow a random pattern?' the Doctor asked.
'Are you a scientist as well as a War futiliser?' Emily asked.
'Futiliser? What sort of a word is that? English is a perfectly good language and there's no need to invent words for things- the word exists, you just have to look it up' the Doctor replied politely.
That settles it; he is a futiliser and a scientist as well. Would he prove a danger to her? Or would she have to kill him now?
'What happened?' the Sniper asked as he came to in a dark gleaming room. He tried to move but around his midriff he could feel a thick metallic band. It was smooth but also sharp.
Trying to raise his hands to pull the band free, he found that he was fixed down lying vertical. Unable to move he resorted to a panicky action.
'Hello? Hello who's there?' he cried but he was surprised when he heard his voice echo around him then a chill drove through him as multiple replies answered him.
Horrible moans and groans, some whimpered while others gasped. Both men and women he guessed?
'Hello? Who's there? Please answer me?' he cried again but yet again the moan, the tortured cried answered him.
Stretching his eyes to the side he glanced to see someone else lying not to far away in a similar band-like construct while a desperate moan echoed from his right, turning he gasped as his eyes met horror.
A woman, or what had been a woman lay there in metallic bands, her face, fractured. Beauty corrupted into yellowing gangrenous wounds. Her battle-dress was torn and bloodied and what horrible moans erupted from the gaping hole of her mouth.
A stream of light suddenly slid into the room catching at something suspended above his head, a collection of sharp blades.
At his ears, he could hear the dull echoing of the conflict outside and then hear the heavy thud of footsteps, so familiar to his mind.
'No, please? Release me? Please, I am Group Commander Seng of the STORE imperial Sniper division' the man cried but the footsteps ignored him.
The room lit up, vast and circular but then the footsteps were coming closer to him, at last his words were bringing sense to his captor but the figure stepped from the shadows and Seng looking up screamed, his eyes widened in horror.
'Oh, no not you! Not you!' he screamed as the blades above him and the others started to revolve, going faster and faster.
Seng was almost out of breath when the blades started to descend... The figure remained.... watching this.
'Interesting. Ten minutes we've been here and they haven't stopped firing their guns at us?' the Doctor noted.
'Of course they haven't. They're trying to hit at us-remember that we are the enemy' Emily retorted.
'Then why haven't they tried to use any high explosive on us? And why fire rather pointlessly on this trench rather then wait for us to make an appearance?' the Doctor asked.
'How should I know? Perhaps it's a bluff? Using blanks against us to lull us out?' Emily retorted.
'Well if that's the case why not feign silence or a few rounds of 'We Surrender? No this is not aimed at us but rather aimed at someone else?' the Doctor replied and slowly he rose up much to Emily's annoyance.
Was he brave or an idiot? Oh well time would tell as his corpse would crash down into the mud, a few well placed bullet holes in his body and head.
'Nothing to worry about Miss Emily, it's all quiet and clear. Gives me a chance to stretch my legs' the Doctor replied and slowly Emily rose to her feet, gun raised as she slowly appeared to see a brigade of men and woman in a temporary bunker. Dressed in Camouflage fatigues and gas-masks.
'There you are' the Doctor replied and immediately a man whirled round on them, rifle in hands.
'Raise your hands! Move!' he cried and as this alerted his colleagues the Doctor raised his hands and climbed free of the trench.
'No, need for that old chap unless of course you're on STORE's side then what can I say?' he replied.
'STORE? Then you're not on their side?' the soldier asked pausing with his rifle.
'No and neither are you lot I take it? I'm the Doctor and this is Group leader Emily' the Doctor replied.
As Emily came free from the trench she dropped her pistol onto the ground and flicked out her ID to the soldier.
'I am Group Leader Emily Durant of Green Star Squad, are you the reinforcements I requested from Control-Command?' she asked in an authoritative tone.
'Major?' called the soldier and immediately a tall, thin man in his thirties walked forward to address them.
'I am Major Roderick Wills, your report was received on time and this region has been annexed. Who is this?' he asked.
'How do you do? I'm the Doctor' the Doctor replied offering his hand.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:30:45 GMT
Commander Hel sat in the deep trench surveying the atmosphere around her. Her Infra-green binocular cut through the vast mass of darkness.
Alerted to the mass loss of communications from all trooper units in this sector, Hel had been dispatched to investigate this region. This path through the minefield, the only safe path unguarded.
Hel knelt by the remains of the hide, now lying by the side of a few pieces of rubble and then a shining silver lance poked out from the curtain of shadows.
Crawling slowly and almost silently down the slope she paused as a few pebbles came loose.
If this sector had been annexed then it would be crawling with Gens. This made her spine chill to the marrow. To be caught like this, in the open would not only prove embarrassing but also to be caught, she would be easy pickings!
She pulled free the lance, it was Sniper Seng's rifle, still loaded but of Seng, there was no sign?
Pulling free her radio, she pressed the call button and waited.
'Go ahead?' came the reply.
'This is Commander Hel, Investigation Service. I am at co-ordinates nine-four. Safe pass to mine-crossover' she said in a tough-sounding voice.
'Store central standing by?' came the reply and Hel continued.
'Sniper Seng’s rifle is present but he is not present, his hide has been wrecked. Suspected capture. Awaiting further instructions?' Hel reported and there was a pause...
Across the radio there seemed to come a strange rattling, it was getting louder and louder so quickly she turned down the volume. Through the audible snow came the reply.
'Seng to be terminated on sight, information too important to fall into enemy hands' came the reply.
'Orders received, Hel over and out' she replied as there came deep plodding footsteps through the darkness.
Suddenly a powerful gleaming arm struck Hel to the ground, she gripped her arm sensing it was broken but another blow knocked her out to the ground.
Seng surveyed her for a moment then he reached down and pulled Hel up to his waist and advanced into the darkness.
This was no act of vengeance. This was duty. Seng was no longer human; he was better than humans. Much better!
'A medic? I thought you said that all members of your team had been taken out for STORE forces?' Wills asked.
'He isn't part of my team. I found him wandering around in a war-zone; I think he's a futiliser?' Emily retorted staring at the Doctor.
'Again you use that word? Might I be privileged to know what I am being accused of in good old-fashioned English?' the Doctor asked looking from both Wills to Emily, their expressions were similar.
Wills started to stalk around the Doctor but as he tried to turn Emily suddenly moved, distracting his attention long enough to let Wills snap out his combat pistol and bring it to bear on the Doctor's neck.
'Who do you work for? What faction?' Wills demanded gruffly shoving the pistol muzzle deeply against the Doctor's neck.
'Faction? Oh you mean Genesis or STORE? Well I'm on the side lines there' the Doctor replied but then he heard Wills click the barrel back.
'Futiliser!' he spat but the Doctor just looked confused.
'Is there something wrong about being on the side lines in war? You want to help but if you get mixed up they can't tell you from opposition or support?' the Doctor said quickly.
'No, you are a futiliser. A group of pacifists that realise that the corporate destiny of Genesis is pathetic and doesn't want more to suffer so make sabotage to stop us dead in our tracks' Emily explained.
'Oh. Well that's a new one on me but I'm not one of those? I mean search me if you have to but you'll find no such weapon on me?' the Doctor said and immediately he was pitched forward, his face hitting the rough ground.
Emily grabbed his arms while Wills applied a search of his pockets, after a moment he stood up.
'He's clean. So, not a futiliser then?' he said scratching his head.
Suddenly across the speaker of a nearby com-link came a vicious warbling, distorting everything into a deafening howl. As everyone gripped their ears, the Doctor climbed to his feet and hurried over to the speakers.
Pulling free the partially discarded headphones he started to listen.
Only then when the sound faded he became aware of how many rifles were aimed at him!
Two figures partly distant from the group stood there on a ridge overseeing the camp below them. They did not fear exposing themselves like this weapons fire; their vision cut through the darkness easily pin-pointing everyone in that trench.
'Estimated subject material compatible with our systems. Seventy-three percent' said the first figure.
'What of the remainder present?' asked the second.
'They are not required. They will be terminated' the first figure replied.
'There is one among them. Its bio scan does not register in the life form matrix' the second replied.
'Secondary cardio-vascular system, carbon-based biped, Caucasian male. Analysis complete. This being is unknown to us. It is not human and therefore a possible danger' the first reported.
'What action should be taken?' the second asked.
'Deploy a Spikter. We will learn everything about the unknown. These beings are not aware of our presence on this world' the first one replied.
'Understood' the second one said and raised a hand to a strange metal orb along its chest. Pulling it free, it was the size of a cricket ball and suddenly without notice the figure threw the 'ball' down into the trench.
That done, the two figures stalked off in different directions into the darkness.
The 'ball bounced once, twice before landing with a heavy thump in a pool of light. There it lay before there came a click and in the light it started to unfold.
As its transformation completed it sensed that its presence was in close detection, like a crab it scuttled quickly to the side, darting this way and that around the tent and into careful shadows.
It settled on the image of a man sitting at a communications console, twin red eyes glinted at this figure.
It understood its orders and started its recording. As the Doctor turned he raised his hands slowly in a gesture of good faith.
'Major, I'm not armed?' he said but the rifles remained.
'Get away from our COMS, trying to stop us receiving info. Is that how you futilisers act?' Wills demanded.
'On the contrary, how could I? It started when I was still on the ground. I was trying to triangulate its position?' the Doctor replied but Wills raised his gun.
'Move away from there, slowly!' he barked and slowly the Doctor rose, hands raised.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:31:19 GMT
'You there, check the equipment over. Now you Doctor over there. I want answers from you and they better be good ones?' Wills ordered and slowly the Doctor stepped aside to allow the operator to check the machinery over.
'Very well Major, I am the Doctor, an off worlder and arrived here very recently and was saved from being seriously hurt by your ally Miss Durant' the Doctor replied, his hands still raised.
'Is that the best you can come up with?' Wills demanded, clicking back the barrel but the Doctor was not perturbed by this.
'It's the truth Major, hard as close minds will accept it. I am no one's enemy. That interference affected you all but not me. It was triggered at the frequencies that all humans hear by' the Doctor replied.
'Then why weren't you affected?' Emily asked and the Doctor simply gave her a look of bemusement.
'Probably because I'm not of human origin or aside from external appearances I'm quite different from humans. Whoever triggered off that device obviously meant that it should affect humans only. Incapacitating the subjects for thirty seconds?' the Doctor replied.
Wills lowered his pistol and placed back in its holster.
'Fascinating, then you're a scientist?' he asked and the Doctor nodded.
'Of a sort and interested in helping you. I am not an enemy agent though, believe me, you've searched me for weapons and found nothing!' the Doctor replied.
'Very well, resume normal operations' Wills ordered and immediately the soldiers around him stood down, relaxing now.
'But Sir he stopped me from executing a sniper?' Emily said quickly.
'Is this true Doctor?' Wills asked, his hand moving to his holster.
'Yes it's true, not for Miss Durant to murder him in cold blood rather than take prisoner. I'm sure he would stand in a proper trial then allow for Miss Durant’s trigger-happy enthusiasm?' the Doctor countered.
'Where is he then?' Wills asked.
'Probably still in the trench where we were, though I did restrain him, slightly?' the Doctor replied and immediately Emily hurried over looking down over the ridge.
'He's gone! He's not there anymore' she said.
'Only slightly? Great! He knows our position and now he's going to crawl out there and tell his friends!' Wills snapped loudly.
'Ah. Well don't blame me? A moment ago you were threatening me? Or will your paranoid ego suggest that I allowed for him to escape which is quite impossible since I was being interrogated by you people here' the Doctor said quickly.
'You do talk a lot, don't you?' Wills hissed angrily.
'Yes I do, only when I'm nervous. Though relax Major, I do believe that he will remain here, so just wait and then he'll come' the Doctor replied.
Wills fixed him with a vicious frown.
'Are you mad? He's gone and soon we'll all be taken out by rapid sniper fire!' Wills yelled.
'No, Major. You shouting like that will attract them. He has abandoned his post. His side will no longer acknowledge him. They'll kill him to stop him talking. He'll come back to us; he has no other choice' the Doctor said politely and calmly returning Wills' stare.
'He's right Sir, I'd hate to say it but that's what he'll do' Emily added.
'And if this area is free from STORE forces then no Snipers will be around either. Sound logic, never fails' the Doctor replied.
Wills sighed before turning and clicking his fingers.
'All right everyone; we have an escaped prisoner in this region. He is not armed but vital to the success of this mission. If you have visual; wing him!' Wills barked and immediately six soldiers scattered in all directions.
'Sir, I've checked the Com thoroughly, there's nothing wrong with it. He hasn't affected it' the operator called.
'Now do you believe me Major?' the Doctor asked and slowly almost reluctantly Wills nodded.
'Yes Doctor I do but with a prisoner on the run, it isn't good for us' he retorted.
'What's our next stratagem?' Emily asked as she walked forward to him.
'We move on in three hours to the co-ordinates. Control-Command has received reports about loss of figures' Wills replied and quickly the Doctor raised a hand.
'Figures? Forgive me Major but are figures?' he asked.
'Casualties of war, all Gen. Reports of Store agents abducting still living casualties. Interrogating them!' Wills retorted grimly.
'Body-snatching and interference fields. Why does that feel so familiar to me?' the Doctor muttered out of earshot.
Behind him, at ground level something scuttled into the shadows. Red Eyes burning.
The former Sniper was crawling slowly through the darkness; not caring as the mud dragged itself over his dark clothes.
He stopped, freezing in mid crawl as he saw a torch-beam hover over the area before him before going away with its owner.
Hurriedly he crawled on; ridge over ridge until he breathed a sigh that he had shaken them. It was then that he caught sight of a figure standing in the darkness close by.
'What are you? Friend or foe?' he gasped with breath but the figure only looked at him. Analysing his form but then the man was up walking over to this silent figure.
'They're looking for me, hunting me! I have vital info on their position and strength. Can you hear me?' he asked but as the figure stepped into the light, the Man stared in horror.
The ghastly blank face stared back at him; he tried to say something but the figure gripped his arm. Bones cracked as the pressure increased, the man cried out pulling himself out of its grip.
He tumbled back over a ridge and kept rolling, his screams cut across the bleak landscape.
'What the hell was that?' Wills asked looking over his shoulder.
'Trouble, come on!' the Doctor cried and without warning he hurried off followed by Emily and Wills.
The man lay there in the dirt cradling his arm; he was breathing deep when the Doctor reached him.
'Easy old chap, no need to move?' he said and noted the man appeared to be in agony, his arm was the cause?
'Don't move! You try that again and you're dead!' Emily snapped levelling her gun at him.
'Creature! Creature!' the man moaned.
'He's delirious. It won't work!' Emily yelled.
'His arm's broken. Did you see what did this to you?' the Doctor asked and the man nodded.
'Creature! Evil thing, it did this to me!' he yelled.
'So what? He got it from the fall I bet' Emily snapped.
'No, the bone is broken, splintered as much as I can make out? Whatever did that was very strong, very determined and clearly not human!' the Doctor retorted.
'They come for us.... Silver devil, burning eyes!' the man babbled.
'Silver devil?' the Doctor found himself saying.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:32:10 GMT
'Get him down to the camp and have him watched, Durant!' Wills ordered and saluted, she returned the salute and hauled him to his feet and shoved him on.
'Be careful with him, I might have to ask him a few questions later?' the Doctor called.
'Get in line with everyone else Doctor, I have other questions I'd like to put to him myself?' Wills snapped but the noticed the Doctor staring into space.
'Tell me a few things, if you could Major. Firstly what is this planet's name?' the Doctor asked.
'Ovarge Four. Why what's the matter?' Wills asked.
'Tell me about these interference blocks, when they first occurred?' the Doctor asked.
***
Hel struggled into consciousness, her eyes hurt from the bright light shining down on her. She was no longer clothed but naked and metallic bands were stretched over her body.
She was trapped where she was and unable to move.
'Hey? What is this? What's going on here?' she called but was surprised to hear her voice echoing around the room.
As an eerie hum filled her ears she looked up to see a vast array of sharp blades and surgical instruments descend towards her.
'What's going on here? What is this? I order you to release me at once!' she yelled but instead the hum increased in pitch and volume filling her ears.
Finally there came two sets of footsteps towards her 'bed' and for a moment she felt relieved until the two figures stepped into the light.
'Begin the process' ordered the first 'creature' tall powerful machine-like and silver.
'What's going on here? What is this?' Hel cried and watched as one of the silver creatures crossed over to behind her frame.
Immediately the blades above her started to spin, Hel was panicking now, breathing quickly, her body sweating as the one figure remained.
Those burning red eyes fixed on her; it was then she could see other people strapped to similar frames either side of her.
The 'bed' suddenly rose from horizontal to vertical as the blades descended, she was screaming.
Powerful, silver creatures, humanoid burning red eyes staring back.
'God! Oh God! What are you?' she screamed.
'We are the future. You will be like us' replied the figure in a metallic rasp and with that the blades suddenly dropped, plummeted into her...
'Report your progress?' asked a tall, powerful man dressed in a long, dark army coat, despite it keeping him warm it wasn't cold around him in the shadows of the tent.
'We have captured and contained many live subjects, they are being altered now' came a metallic rasp across the air.
The man smiled, his face charming to behold glanced at the holo-dish in his left-gloved hand and at the green swirling image of his 'ally'.
'Excellent. You have done well. However your movements have attracted unwanted notice of the investigation units. They will report their findings if you continue to take live hosts' the man retorted.
'These beings are irrelevant. One outpost of viable subject has been contained, analysis remains unclear but we will take it. One subject will remain under our control and returned to their sections' came the reply.
'Analysis unclear? Please clarify your statement?' the man asked and immediately the reply came.
'The biological data within one of the life forms is alien to our recognition parameters' came the reply.
The man smiled; across his shoulder he bore the symbols of three stars- a general.
'One who is immune to your scanning, I find that hard to believe?' the General replied.
'Transferring visual data record from Spikter unit' came the reply and immediately the image changed to a man dressed in strange clothes but the face was all too familiar to him.
'Ah... him. Yes I know him. He will be trouble, he must be taken care of or else everything will be wasted. You must kill this man, he is an enemy to us both!' the General retorted and he looked away briefly.
'I must go now. We will discuss matters later' he said and closed the holo-disc and placed into the thick coat as a soldier approached him and saluted.
'Sir, all checks have been completed, we have located the source of transmissions within held territory, we await the order to strike?' the soldier replied but the General shook his head.
'No, cancel the order. I have.... I am sure that that matter will be taken care of? I am after all the WarGeneral. Carry out your orders!' he replied.
'Yes WarGeneral Philanimous' the soldier replied, saluting before he marched off.
Philainmous smiled, looking out towards the darkness of the tent. tilting his up, he expressed a slight smile before it dissipated into the cold atmosphere about him.
' You might be around now but you've arrived too late as usual, Doctor!' he murmured coldly.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:32:59 GMT
Episode Two
The Doctor stood by a table, a lamp glowing down onto a map as Major Wills stood opposite him, pointing out the various positions marked with green icons.
'Green Star was stationed to enter this region, to cut across this large scattered minefield. We've made many attempts in our time between these two ridge but the area is full' Wills replied.
The Doctor scratched his chin as he reached out his hand to a black mass to the left of him on the edges of the map.
'What's this area? I notice that you have no icons anywhere near it?' he asked and Wills paused before answering.
'Off limits. They're the wreck yards. When we started to take this world there were battles above, most of the ships crashed in that region. We don't go near them' Wills replied.
'Any particular reason? Bad memories?' the Doctor hazarded but Wills' face was grim.
'Cracked, unexploded reactor drives. The area is flooded with gamma-five radiation. A death trap and the perfect cover these STORE agents use against us' Wills replied.
'Oh, sorry' the Doctor said and pointed to several red icons in a line.
'Are these sniper positions?' he asked and Wills nodded.
'They were but they have fallen since then. Beyond the minefield is a short ridge from there are three fortified bases and beyond those is the transmitter!' Wills replied and the Doctor nodded.
'Ah, so close but also so far away? And these radio interference fields started in which areas?' the Doctor asked.
'The blue icons, the first were one hundred and seventy metres to us to the North. The next appeared eight-six metres to the East, this one lasted for thirty-four days and the recent one, less than five hours ago happened twenty-five metres from here' Wills replied.
'Interesting. And how long did this recent one last for?' the Doctor asked.
'A minute, Durant was the one to come into contact and now recently that blip on the speakers' Wills added.
'Yes, yes very interesting. I think it's time I spoke with that prisoner of yours? He could be quite helpful I imagine?' the Doctor said walking away from the table and out of the tent followed shortly after by Wills.
The Prisoner sat against the communications; he nursed his broken arm while Emily stood defiant before him, her pistol drawn.
'You can't do this to me! Gen, you have to give me medic attention. It's in the war constituent' the man cried but Emily just shook her head.
'You should have thought about that when you joined Store's ranks? You and your kind have killed too many of my friends, why shouldn't you feel some of my pain?' she snapped coldly.
'Probably because he needs the medication or else this wound will turn septic' the Doctor replied as he emerged from the tent.
'I wondered if you might turn up again Doctor. Had any more crazy theories?' Emily asked the Doctor knelt down by the side of the prisoner.
'I'm just as anxious as you Miss Durant to discover what the source of these problems is? After all, all you have to do is get to that transmitter, the thing that crushed his arm is out there still' the Doctor replied.
The Prisoner stared the Doctor in the eye, vicious, cold bordering on something else?
'You think you've got a chance? You Gens are finished here! We'll stop you all!' the man snapped.
'Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that' Emily snapped but then there came a low cough.
'Excuse me Miss Durant, if I may? Now then, perhaps you could help answer some questions?' the Doctor said but received nothing but an ugly spit in the face.
'As I said you'll get nothing from me!' the prisoner hissed but the Doctor simply wiped the mess from his face and continued.
'No, this is not about your war but tell me about this creature that you saw? The creature that did this to you?' the Doctor asked.
'You mean the silver devil? Burning eyes staring at me in that darkness, it broke my arm!' the Prisoner mumbled.
'Silver devil, you mentioned that before? This thing what did it look like?' he asked.
'Is this important? He's a STORE agent, probably got his brain hooked on their drugs, that's what makes them mad' Emily hissed but the Doctor shot her a look for silence.
'Please? Go on' the Doctor said and slowly the Prisoner started to talk.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:33:38 GMT
Re: Fallen Soldiers
« Reply #12 on Sept 6, 2005, 1:26am »
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There came a low rapping in the side of the tightly drawn tent and immediately the attention of the General was alerted.
Flicking through the various papers and maps. He dropped them on to desk and called: 'Come'
A young solder entered the tent and saluted the man sitting down at the collapsible desk; the lamp's light glowing brightly.
'Message from the front Sir' the soldier said passing a faded white scroll from her tunic. The General in turn returned the salute and rose from the table.
'Thank you. Have there been any further reports from units around the transmitter array?' the General asked.
'Negative General, parameter reports no external movement beyond sensor grid' replied the soldier politely.
'Excellent, inform all units to be on the constant look out enemy troops' the General ordered.
'Yes Sir' the Soldier replied and saluted.
'No what does the front have to say? This scroll bears the seal of Special Investigation...' the General replied as he opened the scroll up and looked hard at the writing before him, his eyes moving quickly across them.
'Ah. It seems that Gen agents have brought down a sniper outpost guarding the way. We will use this against them. They will come down the pass and we will be there to stop them!' the General replied.
'Yes Sir but forgive me Sir, shall I send a letter to his family?' she asked but cruelly the General shook his head.
'This is War, casualties are expected, he knew the risks when he signed, that will be all' he said and slowly the soldier saluted and left the tent.
The General looked down at the collection of paper that lay on the desk and at the map that appeared from beneath the reports.
Pulling it free, he scrutinised the map greatly and smiled.
'That's the way to London town. Across the ridge and down the slope and the plain. This is the way to London town! Doctor, you will fall and in such a way too!' Phillips replied and stabbed a gloved finger at a region.
'There you Doctor and there you will die, a common casualty, after all. War is hell!' Philanimous added staring to the spot on the map.
'It was dark up there then this man or whatever it was suddenly there. I called out to it, tried to make it listen to me but then it just stepped out into the light...' the Prisoner replied.
'He's babbling, shock from the wound. Must have torn up his mind?' Wills muttered.
'I'm serious Gen scum!' the Prisoner hissed and spat a trail of white saliva at Wills catching his left army boot.
'Why you!' Wills cried but Emily restrained him.
'No Sir, let the Doctor to his work then, remember. It's our turn!' she whispered and immediately Wills stopped struggling and smiled.
'This figure. Can you try and describe it to me?' the Doctor asked.
'Course I can... it wasn't human. It was like a ghost!' the Prisoner snapped.
'Ghost my eye, he's crazy!' Emily hissed but the Doctor shook his head.
'No. No he isn't. In shock perhaps but he's not babbling' the Doctor retorted.
'The voice of experience no doubt?' Emily murmured sarcastically.
'As a matter of fact yes. I've met many madmen in my time, probably more than you've had drinks of water. Now this figure what did it look like?' the Doctor asked.
From under the edge of the tent there it scuttled, glancing across the large clearing, it estimated the probability of it being sighted was very high.
Glancing up to the side of the tent, it suddenly pounced some six foot into the air and grasped the edges of the tent.
Pulling itself up to the top of the tent, it focussed its red eyes on its target.
'Tall, strong and powerful. Silent and cold' the Prisoner began.
'Cold, icy cold when it touched your arm... When it broke your arm?' the Doctor asked.
'Yes. Burning eyes, red eyes burning into mine. Hate. What was it? Do you know?' the Prisoner asked, eyes staring wildly at the Doctor.
'I'm not sure but it could be one of many possibilities? Thank you Major Wills but leave him alone, I may have to talk with him again?' the Doctor said as he stood up.
'Doctor, where are you going?' Emily asked.
'For a walk, can I do that?' he asked looking quizzically.
'You go with him Durant, watch him. He may know more then he's letting on, watching that performance back there that he gave' Wills muttered and Emily slowly nodded.
'Not to worry Sir, I've got my gun. If he tries anything I'll wing him and find out the answers we need!' she retorted carefully before walking towards the Doctor.
'I'll escort you Doctor, there are still active mines in this area' she said quickly.
'Really? As well as snipers and creatures stronger than humans who can crush a man's arm as though it were balsa wood. Let us not forget those either?' he said and gestured for her to go on but Emily just stood there looking confused.
'After you' he said but Emily drew her pistol from her holster.
'Oh no Doctor I've seen that trick too many times, you're walking first! Walk!' she ordered and the Doctor sighed before raising his hands and off they walked.
The moment they turned away from the camp Wills savagely kicked the Prisoner in the chest, knocking the wind out of him before pulling him to his feet.
Before the Prisoner knew what was happening, he was suddenly punched savagely in the chest, again and again and then slowly the blows travelled upwards.
'You'll tell me everything I need to know! Their security codes, their infantry numbers. Everything I need to take the transmitter!' Wills hissed and threw the Prisoner to the grey, dry ground.
'Genesis scum! I'll never talk!' the Prisoner spat, blood trickling from the corner of his lips but then Wills raised his boot and pressed it down onto the man's arm and immediately the man screamed.
'Think you can last long? Pain will get to you or did they burn out such a concept? Well permit me to introduce you to the concept of pain!' Wills spat and he shuffled his boot deeper across the man's arm.
'Talk! You know you have to? If not I can make it much worse for you and see these people about me? They lost family and friends to you and your kind- I could take off the leash, watch them tear you apart! No tell me!' Wills hissed and spat onto the man's face.
'No, no I won't!' cried the man through gritted teeth as the pain lanced viciously through his body!
'Talk!' barked Wills, his eyes burning as he stared down the crying dog by his feet.
'Sergeant, get the platoon? Let the Dogs have their rabbit!' Wills hissed.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:34:21 GMT
'I thought this was supposed to be a casual stroll, not a prisoner escort. What do you think I'm going to do to you?' the Doctor replied as he quickened his pace.
'Don't move! You will slow down Doctor or I will shoot you, mark my words!' Emily retorted.
'Oh I'm sure you will Miss Durant, sorry Group leader Durant of Green Star. But you are forgetting something. I am not part of your team and I'm no traitor or indeed the enemy' he replied and made a move to lower his hands but Emily clicked the gun once more.
'You know this is get tiresome. How long before you realise that I am no harm to you, that I couldn't inflict harm on you even if I wanted to, which I cannot?' the Doctor replied.
'Just keep walking Doctor. You are an unwanted element in this. You claim not to be in league with STORE agents yet you defend one? You claim to know our chairman yet you know the futility of war? That spells trouble in my book!' Emily snapped.
They had reached the edge of a ridge, behind them light poured out onto the little outpost while the wind's howls were blotted out by the distant screams of agony.
'Trouble? You think that I'm trouble aimed squarely at your contingent? Merely because I follow my beliefs? The Major mentioned something about brainwashing? It's what all corporations do to the populace of ant country or planet! Genesis has corrupted your mind just as much as that Prisoner of yours!' the Doctor retorted.
Emily raised her pistol, flicking on the laser sightings until a red dot flickered over the back of the Doctor's head.
'Only a traitor would say such things about something he does not readily know? I'm going to give you five seconds to retract those words or I shoot you down for treason!' she yelled.
The Doctor simply turned around, facing her, looking her in the eye.
'You might as well get on with it then because what I have said is the truth! War means suffering and death and people are the corporations' instruments! Genesis is nothing more than a re-vamp of an old idea. Apocalypse Incorporated, they made weapons, horrible weapons, polluting worlds, killing thousands of innocents and then- they re-modelled themselves into Genesis- terraforming the future: All of it a pack of lies!' the Doctor retorted.
Emily stared coldly at him, pressing free the safety.
'One last chance Doctor!' she warned.
The Prisoner coughed up a heavy bout of blood as he crashed forward to the ground but no sooner had he landed then a strong pair of hands pulled him free from its embrace and back up to face his captors.
'Enough. He will talk! He has to or else it will just get worse for him! Now tell us everything!' Wills snapped towards the Prisoner.
The Prisoner coughed, gagging something before spurting a mixture of blood and dirt across the front of Wills' uniform, whether it was intentional or not was besides the point.
Wills roughly and viciously kicked him in the chest and the Prisoner toppled to the ground.
'Sir, perhaps we should...?' one of the soldiers started to say but he received only an angry look from his commander.
'Get him up off the ground, get a syringe of morphine and plug him with it. The injuries we'll give him will be so severe that the pain will drive the truth to his lips!' Wills snapped.
Unable to argue with him, the other soldiers pulled the coughing man to his weak battered legs. Holding him there, they gripped his broken arm that hung viciously distorted.
'This is your last chance STORE scum, tell us now and you'll live out the war in a cell rotting away before your trial and eventual execution! Now speak!' Wills yelled to his face, which was cut and bloodied coated in dirt, his eyes spun in their sockets.
'Sir, I think we've damaged his teeth? It might be hard for him to talk?' the soldier said again.
'Then he'll have to speak to stop us from hurting him further. Don't get cold feet yet lads; this pile of filth is holding all the keys. We want to go home don't we?' Wills asked looking around his colleagues to see them nodding.
'This thing has killed too many of our folks and he's not going to get away with it! Now tell us, you worm! Tell us!' Wills yelled but the Prisoner's head swung drunkenly back and forth.
The hidden observer noted a humanoid approaching carrying a tool containing an unknown chemical.
These humanoids were compatible with all systems. It glanced around them all and transmitted the signal for recovery.
'What's the matter Miss Emily? Are you going to shoot me or not? I have spoken treason against a conglomerate, who has stolen away, who you are. Look into yourself and see that you're not truly like this?' the Doctor tried but instead Emily smirked.
'You're not just a fool you're crazy as well! Genesis is the way forward and STORE scum get in the way of progress. Will you retract your words Doctor or do I have to keep shooting you until you comply?' Emily retorted fiercely.
The Doctor shrugged but did nothing else, it wasn't his answer.
'What will happen when this corporate war is over and you have won? What will you do?' the Doctor asked.
'Shut up!' Emily spat but the Doctor continued.
'Will you remain in the forces serving your beloved corporation while there is no one to fight or will Genesis declare war on some other business and force them into another war? War for all its negativity is the best commercial place to gain wealth out of human suffering! Will you become nothing more than a puppet or will you look me in the eye and tell me that this isn't you but a heartless corporation lackey?' the Doctor tried.
Emily smiled weakly before it fell away, her finger pressed tightly on the trigger but then she stopped and nodded.
'I can see what you're trying to do? You're trying to break my pledge to Genesis to join your futiiser quest! But it won't wash with me!' Emily snapped bringing her gun to bear.
'Then tell me this, before you shoot me: Where did you grow up?' he suddenly said confusing Emily.
'What?' she spat and the Doctor smiled.
'Where were you brought up? You see if I'm not much mistaken your name Durant has always served in the military and in science on the colony world of Arzen. Am I right?' the Doctor asked and slowly Emily nodded.
'How did you know that?' she demanded.
'I've been there many times, the serpent grass grows thick, the Blande trees rock slowly in the wind while golden rays of sun warm the golden seas' the Doctor replied noting the look across Emily's face.
'It's a very nice world, a nice home to live in. I've met Admiral and Brigadier Durants and they all come from that world, this isn't like you follow a corporation blindly?' the Doctor breathed.
The General emerged from his tent breathing deep the cool night air and immediately became set upon a series of soldiers saluting him.
Returning their salutes he marched past them and onwards towards the vast conical structure of the transmitter.
Along either side of the building there stood two armed guards covered in the toughest body armour and wearing gas-masks.
As soon as he approached the door they both stood to attention, he smiled grimly feeling both enthralled but also annoyed by this constant charade of honour.
Pushing open the door he stepped inside into a well-lit control centre, admiring the many consoles on display to him and immediately he was set upon by another.
Here stood a woman dressed in a white smock of a scientist; her dark hair was tied back with a single red bow.
'Good evening WarGeneral' she said in a clean, precise voice and immediately he bowed.
'Good evening Director Vorden, I trust all is well?' he asked politely.
'Everything is working perfectly, thank you General as long as you can keep these Gens from the tower it will continue to function properly' Vorden replied.
'Excellent. I have received word that another noble supporter has met with a tragic accident created by them. We will be perhaps expecting visitors? A warning to you Director' he said and she bowed.
'Thank you General. I trust though that you will be able to prevent them?' Vorden asked.
'Be assured as you are beautiful that we will triumph, that these fools that dare challenge STORE's authority will be punished' Phillips replied.
'I feel better, hearing it from you WarGeneral. I have faith now that we will succeed. However across the range of sensors we have here I detected a strange energy fluctuation lasting for up to thirty seconds?' Vorden replied and Philanimous noticeably looked worried before shrugging it off.
'It is I believe a weapon that Genesis has been toying with, as you have seen it is not very effective. Nothing for you to concern yourself with Director?' Philanimous replied and smiled.
'Good for a moment or so I had believed it be coming from the Wreckyards? I was considering dispatching a drone to investigate?' Vorden added.
'No need Director, the problem is being sorted out as we speak!' Philanimous purred, his eyes forever changing colour in the warm glow of the room.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:35:06 GMT
The gun in Emily's grasp shook gently as the Doctor stepped towards her, his eyes still fixed on hers.
'You don't have to kill me if you don't want to, you could- say knock me to ground or shout at me? I'm trying to go so fast that your conditioning will take over, just being ever so relaxing towards you?' the Doctor replied.
'What do you know of Arzen? And the world I left behind? Trying to get under my skin. Trying to find a weak point in my psychological structure so you can strike? Well it won't wash with me!' Emily snapped but the Doctor seemed unconcerned by her outburst.
'You've used that phrase a lot, you know. Can it be something you picked up from home? Home life before Genesis burrowed its roots into your brain. Think clearer and deeper onto something important to you, something that they have not managed to purge from your mind?' the Doctor tried and saw the gun waver violently in her hand.
This was more dangerous, he realised, trying to stop her from shooting him and the conditioning could just as viciously force her to do it and at such a range could mean certain death to him. No regenerations could repair the damage made to him!
'I remember life at the ranch, life walking through the fields of barley and corn. No, I remember what they said about telepaths trying to get inside my head? Is that you? Is that why you're making my head hurt?' she replied weakly.
'Not at all Miss Emily, that's your own brain attempting to free itself from the confines of Genesis conditioning. Fight it! Fight that barrier and free yourself, war makes dark characters of us all but there's no reason to become exactly that?' the Doctor cried.
Finally the gun fell from Emily's hand to fall onto the hard ground as she gripped her head tightly, her face creased with anger as she tried to fight the feel of irritation.
'My head! My head, it hurts so much!' she cried weakly and almost fell to the ground had the Doctor not caught her in time.
'Easy there, easy. Now close your eyes and sleep' he said soothingly but a second later there came a vast explosion from close by.
'What a way to get a wake up call!' the Doctor breathed as he glanced down the ridge to spy great flames dancing around the perimeter of the camp!
'What's going on?' Wills roared as he glanced away from the Prisoner towards the edges of the camp where fire had now appeared, sprouting like grass through the soil, flames that grew from the tents.
'Don't just stand there you fools! Get something to put those flames out!' Wills snapped and immediately the soldiers broke formation and started to stamp out the fire with their foots, pulling their jackets free and swatting at the flames.
'Stop that you fools! It's STORE attacking. Get your guns ready!' Wills bawled and immediately the soldiers left the barrier of the fire and picked free their rifles.
Desperately Wills plucked free his gun from its holster and levelled it towards the flames.
Suddenly from the mass of flames there walked figures, shining silver figures. Not the mask wearing body armour clad soldiers they had expected.
'Everybody fire!' Wills yelled and immediately a hail of bullets echoed across the outpost but the figures advanced relentlessly towards the soldiers.
Neither the bullets nor indeed were the flames surrounding them seemed to be stopping them? Instead one of them raised its powerful metal arm and blue spark shot from its tip towards the nearest soldier.
He crumpled hard to the ground and as Wills turned at the sound of deep footsteps, metallic rasps behind him he could see further figures stepping out of the shadows.
'In God's name! What are you freaks?' Wills yelled as he pressed the trigger but the bullets rebounded off the nearest creature's silver form.
It stared down at him, its red eyes seemed to burn as it ran an analysis scan on him but Wills quickly reacted and raised a hand but the creature effortlessly crushed Wills' gun and hand forcing him to the ground, screaming.
As his body fell with the others, the silver creatures observed the bodies for a moment.
'All humanoids will be used. Take them to control for alteration' ordered the leader.
'Understood' echoed the others, who picked free the fallen bodies and carried them off into the shadows.
'Leader, one humanoid subject detected. Its injuries are extreme. Predicted life span will cease within five minutes' replied one of them.
'It is unimportant to our cause. Terminate it' ordered the leader and the Prisoner could only pant as the towering creature released it from its torture!
The Doctor glanced down, squinting through the darkness to spy fire spreading; all ready it had claimed many of the tents. Soon it would burn itself out of fuel but distant forms passing out of the inferno filled him with relief however as he looked closer, the figures were not hurrying. They were walking calmly, devoid of any signs of panic?
'Well, well they finally show their true colours' the Doctor breathed as he crouched over the ridge.
Behind him, lying on the rough hard ground, Emily's eyelids fluttered open. On the sound of further explosions, she sat up quickly and silently and with one glance she saw the Doctor crouching away from her.
'What's going on here? What's up?' she asked no longer in a tough, cold tone.
'You're awake are you? I apologise for pre-awakening you? Right now your headache must be great? I'd offer you an aspirin but I never carry any' the Doctor replied not looking at her but at the figures as they turned away into the shadows.
'That's all right. What's been going on? Those explosions?' Emily asked.
'They're from your base camp I believe? Something has just raided it' the Doctor replied and quickly Emily crawled to the edge looking down.
'Are you sure it wasn't STORE agents?' she asked and the Doctor shook his head.
'No, it's not them but something else. I've just seen them go off and they were human, even from this distance you can tell. Anyone seeing a fire, panics and runs. These people I saw walked away casually and calmly as though the fire wasn't there?' the Doctor replied.
'You saw them? Then we should get after them! Stop them!' Emily retorted started to crawl over the edge but the Doctor stopped her.
'And what will exposing yourself do? Whatever went out of that camp is still around, I have a feeling in my hearts!' the Doctor replied.
'Hearts? You're not human then?' she asked and he nodded.
'I told you I was an off worlder. We'll go down there in a moment or so, when the light is at its brightest. If they track by thermal then it will be harder to identify us' the Doctor replied.
'Them?' Emily asked and the Doctor nodded.
'Yes, best if you bring your gun. We should prepare ourselves for anything' the Doctor added as he glanced at the fire.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:35:54 GMT
As the flames licked higher, this gave the signal towards the Doctor, who started down the slope quickly.
Hunching down as he went he reached the bottom of a trench and glanced up to Emily, who came after him.
'Flatten yourself against the slope, we don't want them picking us up as a random image' the Doctor called and immediately Emily dropped down.
'Sorry. Didn't know we were being watched?' she said as she joined him.
'We might not be but it pays to be cautious. Come on!' he said, still hunched over as he hurried down another ridge to the ground level with the camp, turning around he gestured for her to hurry down.
Pushing a mixture of dirt and stones from her boots down the slope she joined him.
Walking upright, the Doctor approaches the outskirts of the camp and immediately crouched down examining something. Footprints, large and powerful pressed deep into the ground.
'Found anything?' Emily asked as she arrived, gun in hand.
'A few things, be careful though? There might still be trouble around so stay inside the ring of flames. It will shield you from their monitoring' the Doctor replied as he felt the footprint.
Emily nodded, wondering who or what could have done this? Why was this Doctor obscuring the facts from her?
Looking about her, feeling the hot, vicious heat against her face. She glanced around trying not to faint from the heat wash around her but it became all too apparent. There was no one remaining!
'Doctor? My platoon, they've gone!' she cried and the Doctor simply nodded, almost callously.
'I know. They came for them, the same force that has been collecting your dead has now acquired a taste for living prey' the Doctor replied and then raised a hand to his nose and sniffed.
'Cobalt emissions, the result of being spiked. It was them then!' the Doctor said in a grim tone.
'Doctor, over here I found someone?' Emily called and immediately the Doctor hurried over to her. She stood over the now bloodied and battered body of the prisoner, who head lay at an unnatural angle.
'Too extensive, these injuries. No doubt the work of trigger-happy Wills, too badly hurt for use. They killed him' the Doctor replied gravely.
'Yes but who?' Emily asked.
The huge silver, curved door slid open in the side of the ruined craft. Its size and shape were greatly uncharacteristic of conventional human ships, too dark and streamlined with a very cold feeling.
Into the 'hull' stepped a series of silver figures, each carrying a person; one powerful arm locked around the waist while the figure unconcerned about the weight still walked upright.
Before them was a vast chamber containing over a hundred frames and selecting the nearest vacant ones the creatures dumped their 'cargo' into these frames. Immediately the tight metallic bands locked tightly and figures stepped to the side awaiting further orders.
A creature came forward carrying the unconscious figure of Wills and noting all frames were full it waited patiently. Noting this, another creature approached it.
'Bas-relief seventy-one will be complete within two minutes. You will proceed there and await completion of alteration process' ordered the newcomer.
'Understood Leader' replied the silver creature and suddenly it walked off towards a distant looking bas-relief.
It was different somehow, like a some great silver sarcophagus but the creature halted awaiting its use.
'Leader. We have received confirmation from Spikter survey unit. The human military post has been invaded. Two humanoid life signs detected' reported another silver creature from the side of a console that covered quarter of the room, here other creatures were observing and activating processes.
'Report conversion scan from Spikter unit?' the leader replied.
'Reading indicates one human, Caucasian female. Bio scan reveals compatibility. Other life sign does not register as compatible. Reading’s irregulars' reported the other creature.
'Order the spikter to continue monitoring, this life form is known to us. We should know its strengths and weaknesses before we contain it' the leader replied.
Wills' eyes fluttered open as he could hear screams racking his ears, an eerie hum, no many hums of machinery and as the machine finished, a new silver creature stepped free.
'Bas-relief seventy-one clear' 'his' captor replied and all of a sudden he was thrust hard against the frame, metal bands clicking over his form.
'What?' he managed but that was all as he stared in horror at the scene before him and then he knew no more. As a human that is.
Philanimous smiled as he glanced around the chamber; he had a feeling that things were improving. He had slipped into a mental wander, allowing an aspect of his mind to investigate the Doctor's predicament further. He was alone now and easy pickings for his allies!
Almost by fate's touch, the control disc in his pockets started to warble and quickly he snatched it free.
'Report your progress?' he ordered and immediately a holographic simulation of the leader's face appeared before him.
'The human offensive has fallen. They are now being altered' it said in its metallic rasp.
'Good, no trouble?' Philanimous asked but the answer was as much irrelevant as was the question.
'What of the unknown life form?' Philanimous asked knowing perfectly well what it was going to say.
'We have detected its bio scan within the remains of the human base. It was not present when we contained the others for alteration' replied the leader.
'You are an idiot leader, that man is as much a danger to you so far away as he is close up. He'll work it out and when he does he'll know what to do, how to act against you!' Philanimouss retorted angrily.
'This life form will be stopped. Our race will survive. We are superior to them. We will survive' the leader replied but Phillips merely smirked.
'Do you forget yourself leader? Your race is dead and is dying out fast. This is your chance to seize control of this world. Instead you consider this man to be just a man, if you held emotion you would be frightened of his very name: Doctor!' Philanimous snapped.
'The life form 'Doctor' is recorded in our history files. He is a known factor against our cause' the leader replied in its emotionless rasp.
'Now you know what you're dealing with, deal with him I cannot allow him to stop this conflict. I won't allow him!' Philanimous snapped.
With that Philanimous pressed the control and the image faded away, stuffing the disc back into his pocket he crossed to the communications desk and pressed the control.
'Now hear this, this is WarGeneral Philanimous to all units. The Genesis faction has fallen in the captured the sector but a dangerous double-agent remains. I am ordering sections one to six to recover this man and return him to this station for interrogation. That is all' Philanimous replied and switched the machine off.
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 8, 2005 20:36:28 GMT
'You know what did this didn't you? Then why do you hide it from me?' Emily demanded but the Doctor looked sheepish.
'I'm not sure if it is them, that's why? There are a few races that uses use technology like this, who might act in this way- the Phase, Wirrin and Gondlefs among them' the Doctor replied.
Behind him something scuttled across the gravel and quickly the Doctor turned to see but nothing remained.
'Did you hear that?' he said and knelt down examining the area before him.
'I heard nothing. But looking at this place now, would STORE agents really do this? No they wouldn't so tell me Doctor what did this?' Emily asked.
'You have an inquisitive mind Miss Emily? Good but for the moment I can be only brief as to my suspicions. Tall and powerful, strong against all conventional weapons, ruthless, emotionless creatures' the Doctor replied.
The Spikter glanced up at the Doctor from its hiding place and then looked to the female. Direct action would have to be taken if it was to discover what this being was.
Beneath its belly there now slid free twin gleaming spikes, quickly it hurried silently away into the shadows.
'Please Doctor? I need to know what took away my... colleagues. What has been taking ove... ‘She stopped feeling something hit her back.
'Are you all right?' the Doctor asked still rooting about in the shadows.
On Emily's back the Spikter crawled, its sensors focussing on the clean, exposed piece of flesh of her neck.
'I'm fine Doctor just....Aaarrgghhh!' she suddenly screamed as the Spikter leapt upon her neck, the spikes started to cut the through the flesh!
The Doctor turned, spying the culprit; it looked like some sort of spider on her neck but then noticed metal gleams. Grabbing old of it he tugged hard on it but its legs rolled around Emily's neck.
He tugged harder and harder, knowing that it had to come free. It had to. The creature warbled as it came free and with a great throw he chucked it to the ground.
But the moment it landed, it reared up at him, scuttling about like a crab, red eyes burning!
As Emily collapsed to her knees, the Doctor froze; his eyes fixed on those of the metallic spider in his midst.
Then slowly strafing this way and that the creature followed his movements.
'So you're the reason they came here. Something your Masters dropped off did they?' the Doctor breathed when suddenly the creature sprang forth, a jump of about four feet into the air, such was it such a surprise, the Doctor fell back and hurriedly the thing advanced.
'A bit of help please? Miss Emily?' the Doctor cried as with another pounce it landed on his chest, burning eyes fixed on his.
'Miss Emily?' he cried but Emily was still grasping at her neck, feeling the scythe-like pain present from the wounds.
As the sharp legs advanced further, the Doctor grappled with its body but the creature's determination pushed it on.
Emily finally clearing her eyes glanced over to see something... something definitely not right. A metal spider on the Doctor's chest.
'Hold still' she replied but the Doctor was shaking this way and that.
'I'm afraid that would be out of the question? If I stop it will I imagine kill me?' the Doctor cried.
Raising her pistol, she steadied her aim and fired, bullets shot through the air cutting at the creature.
Finally a bullet impacted with one of its 'eyes and there the damage was done, it warbled and fell over, giving the Doctor time to back away but instead he picked up the creature.
'Are you mad? That thing tried to kill me!' Emily cried.
'Yes but what was it doing here? This creature was sent by them. Obviously on some kind of investigation task... hello there?' the Doctor replied.
'What is it?' Emily asked and the Doctor pointed to the holes present in the shell, through the twisted holes present there seemed to be a mass of wires and some sort of fluid but closer still Emily could make out what looked like feathers...
'Leader. Signals from the spikter have ceased' reported the first creature and immediately the leader strode over to the communications section.
'This being known as Doctor has incapacitated its function. He is dangerous and hostile. Continue full alteration of all units' the leader ordered.
'Understood' replied the first creature.
The leader turned towards the communications screen.
'Activate the screen' the leader ordered.
'Understood leader' replied the nearest technician and the screen flickered into action as the face of the man half in shadow from a lamp by his side replied.
'Yes, what progress have you made now?' Phillips asked.
'We require more information about humanoid positions. We need more conversion subjects' replied the leader and Phillips smiled.
'You are nothing more than a spoilt child, leader. I have given you many sector co-ordinates and yet you want more? You will have to wait then. As for this Doctor, you will recall your troops from the field. I will deal with the Doctor' Phillips retorted.
'You will surrender the Doctor to us and the humans stationed with you' the leader ordered.
'You are definitely getting above your position. What will you do if I refuse, march right in here and take them off me? Try to convert me? No! You will wait unless of course you want me to signal the Human fleet. They can destroy you from orbit, if I so wish!' Phillips countered.
'This is my War not yours, my game and I roll the dice. You do not. You will wait until I give you confirmation to attack. You will have this base and the Doctor but only when I am finished!' Phillips snapped and immediately the screen fizzled away to static.
'Continue alteration process. Order all scouts to advance further but remain concealed. They will not act yet. Anyone they locate will be returned here for full alteration' the leader replied.
'Understood leader' replied the other creatures in unison while behind them hideous screams of strangled agony became drowned out by the eerie hum of the alteration process.
The leader surveyed these weak creatures. Soon they would be superior like him, like the others. They were the future. It was certain of this.
'It's a bird. That thing was a bird?' Emily breathed.
'I imagine that here on Ovarge Four, a colony world there are crows and other carrion feeders about? This was simply adapted but it remains the same. Scavengers!' the Doctor said grimly.
'But why? What is this thing?' Emily asked and the Doctor continued to poke about inside before there came a hiss and the creature split apart.
' So this is what the next generation of Cybermats look like, here, I was right' the Doctor replied gesturing to a grey looking creature sitting in a nest of cables, a once moving beak now grey like its body was smothered in wires, disappearing into the skin.
Emily felt sick by the sight of and sensing this, the Doctor closed the shell.
'A cybermat? What's that?' she asked trying keep the bile down in her stomach.
'A creature augmented with cybernetics, a computer subverting instinct into blind obedience. And these spikes suggest direct brain control' the Doctor replied pointing to the points below its belly.
'You mean it was trying to drill into my brain?' Emily asked looking suitably horrified.
'No, I imagine it was trying to hijack the nerves to your brain via the spinal cord. If it had succeeded your mind would be a book to them, capable of downloading anything! They have come along way!' the Doctor hissed with anger.
'What did this Doctor?' Emily cried impatiently and turned to look at her.
'Cybermen! This world is at war, the perfect cover. After all who is going to miss a few hundred casualties?' the Doctor replied coldly.
The word hit Emily like a sharp knife into her heart; she remembered that name, ancient history.
'Cybermen but they're dead aren't they?' she asked.
'You've heard of them? No they're not dead. They made this and others like it and they are here on this world, somewhere!' the Doctor replied.
Suddenly a shot rang out and as they looked around, through the remains of the dying out flames black clad soldiers appeared, rifles bearing down on them!
'Halt! You are our prisoners, you will comply with our orders or you will be shot!' barked the leader.
'Oh no, I take it, these are STORE agents you spoke of?' the Doctor muttered but as the Leader caught sight of the battered body and the uniform he rounded on the Doctor.
'You’re dead right, genesis scum!' he roared and raised his rifle, the laser sight pointing at the Doctor's head!
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Post by Tumble Lord on Nov 18, 2005 21:05:52 GMT
Episode Three
'Now look here, I had nothing to do with that man's death' the Doctor replied.
'It's true. He's telling you the truth!' Emily added but she received nothing more than a cold stare from the leader.
'Shut up you Genesis scum! Your word's as good as a dog's!' he spat viciously from behind the gas-mask.
'But some dogs can speak, well the ones I've met can speak but I believe you were talking about conventional ones you have on Earth?' The Doctor asked when suddenly he clubbed to the ground.
'Prisoners of war will remain silent unless answering direct questions supervised by the WarGeneral!' the leader bellowed.
The Doctor rubbed the side of his head, the pain he felt still throbbed across the skin.
'Oh I see? Your word is the law I take it?' the Doctor muttered but received a savage kick to the ribs.
'I said silence! You will obey my orders, Genesis scum! You have tortured and killed a noble crusader against your evil force. That will go on your record. When we have ascertained the truth, you will be shot as a spy and torturer. To determine the truth, you better have loose lips or else see that body. That will be normality compared to what you will be like. Do I make myself clear?' the leader yelled.
'Crystal' the Doctor coughed as he slowly climbed to his feet.
Emily became surrounded by soldiers, each of them darting out of the shadows, forced to drop her gun she raised her hands slowly.
'You will keep within the escort section. Failure to comply with orders will mean immediate discipline and punishment will be given. Do you understand?' the leader bawled.
'Again, I do, perfectly' the Doctor coughed and a second later he was shoved forward into a block next to Emily.
The leader glanced about him, looking at the remaining pieces of technology unaffected. Raising his rifle he fired a few clips and the radio exploded.
'Prisoner escort, attention! Quick March' he yelled and immediately the black clad guard forced them on into the darkness beyond.
The remains of the cybermat/ spikter lay there amidst the burning ash. The wind toppled it over once and there it lay, silent.
'Are you all right Doctor?' Emily whispered and saw the Doctor managing a weak nod as the soldiers forced them along the ground. Though they were being forced along, the ground beneath them was dark and they tripped or stumbled as they were marched steadily unable to rest or recuperate.
'I'm just a little battered but I'll mend' the Doctor replied as he scanned the horizon about him.
'Looking out for something, Doctor? Cybermen?' she whispered but he shook his head.
'No, was trying to work out our current position from the camp besides the Cybermen won't attack yet, it’s too soon, right now they’re acting with stealth, it would be illogical to break that' the Doctor replied but unfortunately he was heard and knocked savagely to the ground by a soldier.
As the Doctor crashed to the hard ground, he felt more pain enter his head; something trickled down the side of his head.
'Get up you or I'll shoot you where you lie!' bellowed the soldier, clicking off the safety-catch, aiming the gun at the Doctor he moved the aim to an inch away and fired.
'Get up genesis scum!' roared the soldier and the Doctor slowly, weakly climbed to his knees but then again he received another hefty club.
'And that is for talking, now get up and move!' yelled the leader and reluctantly the Doctor climbed to weak feet and carried on.
Emily, spying this tried to help him but she received a hard slap across her face.
'You'll get another if you try to help him!' the leader hissed and spat in her face before pushing her on.
The Doctor glanced down at his hands, bloodied with cuts, his body wracked with many bruises as he carried on weak, tired feet.
He looked onward through a blurred vision knowing all too well that when they arrived at wherever that was, the real interrogation would begin and these lackeys were doing nothing to him.
They were victims of the Corporations, he coughed hard tasting blood on his lips but still they advanced further across the bleak no man's land.
From behind them up a high ridge there stood a single silver figure looking down on the procession. Its conversion net analysed each of the beings in turn. Noting the unknown readings it transmitted the details back to the ship.
It received its instruction to remain where it was. The time would soon come.
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