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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:13:44 GMT
“Over here, quick. Do not let the Daleks see you.”
Jess and Tifa looked at the dishevelled figure before turning back and looking at each other.
“What-?” Jess began.
“Quick. Quick.” The figure beckoned them again. “The Daleks are after you, yes? Hide here, it is safe."
“Jess, come on.” Tifa grabbed Jess’ arm and pulled her through the doorway, the figure following them in and closing the door and locking it after them.
“I am Hellion.” The Thal said, not taking his eyes off Jess. “You are not of this world.” He said slowly and cautiously.
“Yes.” Jess confirmed, equally slowly and cautiously, looking about her. “You’ve been living here?”
“Yes. Hiding from the Daleks for, well, it feels like months.” Hellion replied, his eyes widening as he looked at Jess. “You. You are an Earthling aren’t you?”
Jess eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How did you know I was from Earth?”
“I have heard whispers.” Hellion replied. “Dalek patrols and slave parties. They say a great warrior is coming, like a storm, and will destroy the Daleks and set us free. A warrior of legend who can bend time.”
“The Doctor?” Tifa queried.
“Yes.” Hellion said, distantly. “The legendary saviour. Scourge of the Daleks.”
“How do you know all this? How have you been surviving here?” Jess asked.
“I have heard whispers. I escaped a slave party and have been surviving off scraps of food.”
Jess looked round the small room that they were sheltering in. It was dimly lit from the light filtering through the windows in the other rooms. There was no way to see out from this room. Jess’ mind started running several possibilities through, one which kept leaping forward was this Hellion must have been been looking out for them. They were towards the back of the dwelling, he surely couldn’t have heard their whispers from the street.
“There’s something not right here.” She whispered to Tifa.
“Hellion saved us. The Daleks were behind us.” Tifa whispered back.
“We don’t know that for certain, we may have given them the slip. Don’t ask me why, I can just feel it, there’s something wrong.”
*
“Keep down, they will see you.”
Tom ducked back down under the wall where he and Faron were hiding. They hadn’t managed to get far from the cellar where they were trapped because of the noise made forcing the rubble strewn hatch open.
“Do you think Tifa and your friend got away?”
“The girls? Yeah, I’ve not heard any Dalek say they’ve been caught. Surely they’d have used that to lure us out if it was the case.” Tom replied.
“So what do we do now?”
“I’m not sure.” Tom confessed. “The last plan we had was either make for the TARDIS or to get as close to the Dalek ship as possible as that’s the last place they’d look for us.”
“So we keep running.”
“Until we escape the Daleks.”
Tom peered back over the wall, and beckoning Faron, slowly climbed over and sprinted down a street. Faron cautiously climbed over the wall and followed, running silently behind Tom as he darted down street after street.
Faron was starting to get concerned, not only did there appear to be a conspicuous lack of Daleks about, but Tom seemed to be heading for the main square of the settlement, which contain a large amount of open, unsheltered space. Faron suddenly ran full pelt into Tom, who had stopped dead just round a corner from the square and was immediately shushed into silence by the young Time Lord.
“What is it?” He asked.
“Daleks.” Tom replied peering round the corner.
“How many?”
“Well well well.” Tom said, simply.
“What is it?” Faron repeated.
“Why just leave it there? What happened to the rest of the escort party?”
“What are you on about?” Faron asked, getting increasingly frustrated with Tom and peered round the corner himself. “What is that?” His eyes opened wide with shock. A lone Dalek was guarding a tall blue box that had mysteriously appeared in the centre of the square.
“The TARDIS.” Tom replied, leaning back against the wall. “The Daleks were taking it to their ship I think. They must have left it there with a guard while the rest of the patrol look for us.”
“That really is the TARDIS?” Faron almost whispered. “It is true. The Doctor is real.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “Finally.” He muttered under his breath.
“Well, what do we do now?” Faron looked at Tom.
Tom looked back at the Thal. There was a genuine look in his eyes, as he finally believed all of what Tom had been saying. A look of acceptance that Tom was all he was saying he was. “Damn. Jess still has the spare key.” Tom said, patting himself down. “We can’t get into the TARDIS. We press on and try and find the girls.”
“What of the Doctor?” Faron asked.
“If he’s a prisoner of the Daleks, we’ll need all four of us to get him out. Now, come on.” Tom said setting back down a side street. “We’ve got to get round this square.”
*
Hellion cautiously crept down the stairs from the upper level and back into the room where Jess and Tifa were sat. He smiled down at the two women. “I hope I did not disturb you?"
“No, no. We were just thinking.” Jess said.
“You poor girls. You must be hungry.” Hellion smiled.
“Yes, we are rather.” Tifa said. “We have been running for some time.”
“I’ll just go out back and find you something.” Hellion replied and disappeared through a door towards the rear of the dwelling.
“I thought he said he had been eating scraps of food.” Tifa said.
“He did.” Jess replied. “Also, I wonder what he was doing upstairs?” Looking back at the door Hellion had walked through, Jess got to her feet. “Stay here. I won’t be a second.” She whispered, tip-toeing through towards the front of the dwelling.
Tifa looked after Jess for a second, puzzled before looking back towards where Hellion went through. He was taking some time and Tifa couldn’t hear any sounds coming from the room. She almost screamed when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her heartbeat slowed back to normal as she turned to see Jess, her face was white.
“I told you something wasn’t quite right. There's a sheet or something hung out of one of the upstairs windows that wasn’t there when we arrived. I think that’s what he was doing.” Jess said.
“What do you mean?” Tifa asked.
“You said that you were the only ones who had escaped the Daleks. Are you sure that one or two other people couldn’t have as well?”
“I am not sure. We have been looking round the settlement all week and not seen anyone.” Tifa replied.
“Didn’t you see the state of him?” Jess asked. “He looks a lot more rugged and run down than you, Tom or the others. As if he’s been exposed to the elements, malnourished and treated badly.”
“Jess, what are you saying?” Tifa was looking around, quite alarmed now.
“I think he’s one of the slaves. The Daleks have used him as a human face to get us into one place so they can catch us!”
A noise in the back room made both women start. Jess crept to the door and listened in. She could hear Hellion whispering to someone, or something. Peering round the door, her worst fears were confirmed.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:14:10 GMT
“We have to get out of here.” She whispered harshly rushing back to Tifa.
Tife moved to the door, only to turn back round and run into Jess. “There are Daleks out there.” She said.
“And out back.” Jess replied. “What can we do?”
“There is another back room. Maybe we can escape that way.” Tifa whispered, pushing Jess gently in the direction of the door.
“Here you are-” Hellion started, walking back into the room with two plates. “What are you-?”
He was cut short as jess grabbed the Thal by the scruff of the neck and flung him against the wall, causing the two plates to clatter noisily to the floor. “Why?” She hissed in his face. “Why did you betray us? You’ve told the Daleks we’re here. I just saw you talking to one.”
“No, please.” Hellion whimpered. “They have my wife; my children. They will kill them unless I delever you to them.”
“They’re Daleks. They’ll kill them anyway.” Jess relaxed her grip on Hellions clothes slightly. “Please, help us escape. We can help you. I’m a friend of the Doctors. We can help you, but you need to help us.”
“I-I do not-” Hellion began.
“Jess.” Tifa whispered urgently from the door, beckoning her over. “Come. We must run.”
“You can come with us or give us away. Either way, we’re getting out of here now.” Jess said and ran for the door where Tifa was waiting.
“I saw it move to the back door. We can do this if we are quiet.” Tifa whispered crossing to the window.
The harsh grating sounds of a Dalek echoed from within the dwelling. “Do not move. You are surrounded. You are prisoners of the Dalek Empire and will surrender yourselves to us.”
“Tifa, run!” Jess almost shouted, urging the young Thal on, through the window.
Hellion stood, rooted to the spot in terror, as three Daleks glided into the room, one coming from the rear room he had just been in and two from the streets to the front.
“Where are the fugitives?” The Lead Dalek queried.
“They ran. That way.” Hellion managed, pointing to the room Tifa and Jess had just left via the window.
“You allowed them to escape. You have failed the Daleks. Daleks do not accept failure.” The Dalek said, the two other Daleks levelling their weapons at the terrified Thal. “Exterminate!” It ordered, all three Daleks firing their deadly blasts.
*
Jess and Tifa dropped down under the window ledge just as the Daleks rounded on Hellion. Risking a cautious peek over the window, Jess saw three Daleks fire their deadly blasts at the terrified Thal who had tried to hand them over. She ducked back down next to Tifa, gulping back a sob.
“The fugitives have escaped. Persue and detain.” The sound of a Dalek came through the window, prompting Tifa to grab hold of Jess.
“Come. We must run.”
*
The Doctor pulled a small section of component circuitry out of the opened Dalek casing and carried it over the the work bench where he’d placed his coat. Glancing round at the Daleks observing him, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and removed Toms watch from his wrist, which he’d picked up after Jess had shown it to him, and had slipped onto his wrist when the Daleks had caught him. Removing the back with his Sonic Screwdriver, he started to work his way through the communication circuits within.
“What are you doing?” A Dalek glided towards the Doctor.
“Look, who’s the Time Lord here, hm?” The Doctor snapped, turning on the metal creature. “Your time technology is crude and nasty, whereas I was conducting time experiments before you were an embryo swimming in whatever fluid it was you were spawned in.”
“You have been instructed to work on the experiment. Any attempts to sabotage or deviate from your objectives will be met with punishment.”
“The Black Dalek wants my knowledge to get temporal engineering into the machines. And I’m sure he wants it done properly. Now a rushed job might fail, and if it does, I’d have no choice but to tell the Black Dalek that it was because I was rushed in my work. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m rather busy.” The Doctor finished and turned back to the work bench as the Dalek silently glided back to its’ guarding position.
The Doctor picked up some small pieces of ciruitry he’d commandeered by making a fuss to the Daleks that he hadn’t been given adequate facilities to complete his given task, and started to insert them into Toms watch. He just hoped that he’d be able to stall the Daleks long enough for him to be able to initiate his plan. And that they’d leave him alone long enough for him to figure out just what his plan was. He needed Toms help, that he was certain about. He just hoped that Jess and Tom were safe wherever they were, and wouldn’t surrender themselves to the Daleks untill he was ready.
*
Jess was so tired. She was running for her life again. The Daleks were a lot closer this time and she wasn’t sure whether they had fulfilled their blood-lust by killing Hellion. She was awash with guilt over his death. She had accused him and even felt like punching his lights out because he had betrayed them. He was scared, she told herself. That’s why he did what he did. All she kept thinking was she should have tried to save him herself. She suddenly became very aware that she was running in open space.
“Where are we?” She gasped to Tifa.
“Near the crater and Dalek ship.” Tifa replied. “This is where Tom said we should head. And there are lots of bushes by the rim, we can shelter there.”
Upon reaching a rather large bush, Jess collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily and looking back the way they had come. There was no sight of any Daleks. The sky was darkening under the heavy storm clouds that encroached the settlement. From where Jess sat near the rim of the crater, the breeze she had felt earlier was now a wind, blowing her hair across her face and causing the bushes to sway heavily.
“Jess.” Tifas voice came from behind a bush, closer to the rim of the crater.
Crawling under a bush on her hands and knees, Jess found Tifa crouched by the edge of the crater. It was larger than Jess had expected. She could see the Dalek ship on the other side of the crater; it had become embedded into the side of the crater wall, and what looked like paths and roads had been constructed about it, including a large flat area at the very base of the crater, lined with platforms and ramps. What looked like large floodlights had been set up, facing the large area, and, what Jess took to be gun turrets. She couldn’t see any Daleks anywhere, which was, although comforting, slightly worrying at the same time.
“I can not see any of my people. I thought they would be here.” Tifa said sadly.
“They might be prisoners inside that ship.” Jess said, placing a comforting arm round Tifas shoulder. “What is that they’ve built down there?” She muttered.
Tifas reply was muffled by a large boom, making both women start. The explosion rumbled on softening before getting louder again. It took them a few seconds to realise that the noise was thunder, which was soon accompanied by a large fat drop of greasy rain, as the downpour started.
“It looks to me,” Jess and Tifa turned at the sound of the voice. “To be some kind of parade ground.”
“Tom!” Jess cried in delight and flung herself at her companion.
“Farron, you are safe.” Tifa smiled, as the young Thal came into view from behind Tom. “How did you know where to find us?”
“Pure luck.” Tom smiled, which slowly dissipated as he looked over the rim of the crater at the Dalek ship again. “Now, we need to figure out how to get in there and get the Doctor out, without any more needless deaths.” He said solemnly.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:14:42 GMT
Jess turned to look over the crater at the Dalek ship. It seemed eerily silent and dark, sat there against the craters edge. “So, what’s the plan?” She asked.
“Come up with a doable plan.” Tom replied, bluntly. “We could go back to the TARDIS. It’s in the main square, but they may have moved it again.”
“Well, why don’t we?”
“Because we run the risk of being split up again.” Tom said.
“It is really here. I have seen it.” Faron said to Tifa. “The Blue Box of the legends.”
“Then why can we not go there. It will be safer you said.” Tifa turned to face Tom.
“And if the Daleks move it again, well, they’ll take it into their ship, wont they? It’s an easy way to get in, like a Trojan Horse!” Jess said, gripping Toms arm. “It’s the best way, surely?”
“Normally, I’d fully agree. However,” Tom pointed down towards the edge of the settlement. Two Daleks had appeared and following behind them was the TARDIS on the hover sled. A further two Daleks followed on behind. “There’s no way we’d get into it now."
The small group concealed them as best as they could amongst the bushes at the craters rim.
“They must have decided to take it back. Hopefully they’ll still think we’re in the settlement and it wont occur to them that we’d be this close to them. Keep down low here for a bit” Tom said.
“In the storm?” Faron asked.
“Certainly. What sort of humanoid would hide from a machine enemy next to their main base in a massive storm?” Tom asked, rhetorically.
“Only a stupid one.” Jess said. “They’ll think that we’re under cover somewhere!”
*
The Doctor smiled and closed up Toms watch, sealing it back up with his Sonic Screwdriver and slipped it back onto his wrist. The other small device he had been working on, he slipped into his trouser pocket. Quickly checking his pocket watch, the Doctor turned and made a few minor adjustments to the component circuitry he had removed from the Dalek machine, before returning it into its original place.
“There we are.” He smiled, stepping back.
“You have completed the work?” The Dalek asked, gliding forwards.
“Oh, yes. Had to make one or two minor adjustments naturally. But yes, you might want to let the Black Dalek know.”
“I am aware.” The Black Dalek glided into the room. “We shall take your modifications and implement them into all future machines.”
“What about Bob the blob there?” The Doctor indicated the tank containing the Dalek mutant.
“That Dalek is a product of my own biology.” The Black Dalek replied.
“It’s not your son is it?” The Doctor asked, a disgusted look on his face.
“This Dalek was cultivated from my own cells. It will have the intelligence and knowledge status of a Black Dalek. It will command the first army of the new Daleks.”
“Ah, of course.” The Doctor said. “Every army needs a leader. But not you? Not the Emperor? Instead it’s going to be you junior?”
“All Dalek embryos that are positioned in the new machines have it written into their genetic code to obey the Emperor and the Dalek race.”
“Ah, I see.” The Doctor said, putting his coat back on. “So what other delights have you in store for me?”
“You will accompany me back to the Command Centre.” The Black Dalek said.
*
Jess shivered as a water droplet rolled down her nose. She wiped it away with the back of her hand and pulled the grey cloak closer about her and pulled the cowl of the cloak further over her head. Beside her, Tifa and Faron had adopted the same pose, huddled into themselves, their cloaks pulled tightly about them. Only Tom seemed unfazed, crouched on one knee at the rim of the crater, staring down at the Dalek ship below. The wind was whipping wet strands of hair about his face. Jess looked back up at him. He hadn’t moved in what seemed like hours.
“Has he got like that a lot this past week?” Jess asked, edging closer to Tifa and Faron.
“When he is deep in thought, he can seem distant.” Faron confirmed. “He was like this when Dorof, Kalin and Callius were killed.”
“They’re up to something.” Tom said quietly looking into the crater. “There’s movement down there.”
Jess, Tifa and Faron edged towards the rim of the crater and peered down through the pouring rain and dusk light.
“It is hard to see in this light.” Tifa said.
All four observers had to shield their eyes as the floodlights around the parade ground suddenly snapped on, with a dazzling strength. The parade ground lit with a glare of harsh alien light throwing all the ramps and platforms into stark contrasts of light and shadow. Tom gently pulled himself through the mud closer towards the rim of the crater and peered down.
“Tifa. Faron. Just keep watch behind to see if there are any Daleks closing in on us.” He said, looking back at the two Thals. “Oh, and keep in out of sight in the bushes.”
The two Thals looked at each other and then Tom, before gently making their way into the bushes to keep watch. Jess moved up next to Tom.
“What was that about?” She whispered.
“They’re up to something.” Tom whispered back.
“What?” Jess asked, peering over the rim. A door in the ship had opened and two Daleks were now moving into the parade ground. A Red Dalek was stood on the highest of the platforms overseeing events. The lights on its dome were flashing, but the direction the wind was blowing made it impossible to hear what it was saying. As Jess watched another Dalek moved out of the doorway, followed by a line of people. Thals, Jess realised. The people from the settlement who had been captured. At a quick guess, she estimated there to be about fifty of them who entered the parade ground. All of them tall, athletically built and blonde. Another Dalek appeared behind them. As Jess watched, the Red Dalek moved towards a small array towards the front of the platform it was on.
“Attention. Attention. This is a broadcast for those still at liberty. Dalek patrols are in all the main streets of the settlement. You will surrender yourselves immediately of the prisoners will suffer for your disobedience.” The Dalek voice seemed to come from everywhere.
“A loudspeaker system.” Jess said aloud.
“I’d say so.” Tom replied.
“What did they mean?” Tifa asked, scrambling up towards Tom and Jess.
Tom opened his mouth to reply before the Dalek spoke again. “You have ten of your seconds and then we shall start to exterminate the prisoners.”
“What do we do?” Faron shouted up to Tom, who looked on bemused at the scene before him in the crater.
“They can’t. They just can’t.” He said quietly.
“We have to stay hidden.” Jess said. “We cant give in.”
“We can not let them kill our people.” Faron said.
“Jess is right. We cannot give in either. If the Doctor is the prisoner of the Daleks, then we will need his help to save our planet.” Tifa said, tears running down her face, mixing with the rain.
“Your time is expired.” The Dalek voice boomed out again.
“Everyone get down.” Tom hissed, looking over the rim. Below him, the four silver Daleks lined up before the terrified Thals. In front of his astonished eyes, the four daleks opened fire.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:15:18 GMT
The deadly beams hit every second Thal, who crumpled into a smoking heap to the floor. The Red Dalek moved away from the loud speaker and issued a command to the parade ground before it. Tom watched as the surviving Thals in the line bent down and picked up their falled kin and were marched back towards the ship. As Tom watched, two bolts of energy from the Red Dalek cut a further two Thals down. Turning round, he gently slipped back down to the rest of the group, the colour drained from his face.
“Are you ok?” Jess asked, putting a comforting hand on his arm and looking at him. She wasn’t sure whether he was softly crying or if it was just the rain running down his face.
“They mean business. Big time.” He eventually said.
“What have they done?” Faron asked.
“Terror tactics.” Tom replied. “Typical of any tyrannical race. Following the five steps perfectly.”
“What are you on about?” Jess asked.
“The Five Steps to Tyranny.” Tom said, looking at his little audience. “Number one; create an ‘us’ and ‘them’. And the Daleks being the racist, xenophobic creatures they are, that wouldn’t have been hard. Step two is to obey orders, and all Daleks will unquestioningly obey the orders of their superior. Step three is to do ‘them’ harm, and we all know that the Daleks have no qualms about killing and torturing other races. Step four is bystander or dissenter. Either go with the flow, or stand up, and anyone who stands up will be swept away. And finally, step five is Exterminate.”
“Tom.” Jess put her hand on his shoulder. “What has this to do with anything?”
“The Daleks.” Tom said. “They-” He stammered.
“It’s ok. I’ll keep watch.” Jess said, climbing up towards the rim of the crater.
“Are you alright?” Faron asked, putting his hand on Toms shoulder.
The Time Lord could only manage a slight nod.
“You have been over stressing yourself.” Tifa said softly. “You have hardly slept or eaten. Please rest now while you can.”
Tom nodded again, slightly. “Yeah, you’re right.” He said, shuffling under a bush. “Just for a few minutes.”
*
The Doctor stood in the Command Centre of the Dalek ship, a Dalek either side of him. The Black Dalek had left the room some minutes earlier leaving the Doctor alone. Another door opened and the Red Dalek glided into the Command Chamber.
“Raining out, is it?” The Doctor asked, noticing the water running down the Daleks casing. “Anyone for tennis?”
“You have completed your work?” It asked the Doctor.
“Oh yes. I think they’re just re-housing Bob now. He should be ready soon.” The Doctor replied as the Black Dalek re-entered the command centre.
“The experiment is underway.” It stated to the Red Dalek. “I shall oversee the preliminary stages and then return to the command ship and contact supreme command on Skaro.”
“I understand.” The Red Dalek said.
The doors to the laboratory slid open and the new Dalek machine glided swiftly out, two silver Daleks escorting it. The machine swept into the middle of the command centre, stopping in front of the Black Dalek.
“What is your command?” The Dalek spoke with a deeper and harsher voice to its original counterpart.
“You are the first of a new race of Daleks. You are to command. You will obey all instructions given to you. You will remain loyal to the Emperor.” The Black Dalek said.
“I understand.” The Dalek said. “Where is my command?”
“The first of the new machines are being prepared.” The Black Dalek replied.
“We are to infiltrate the galaxy. Spread the Dalek cause. When the time is right and the Emperor commands, we shall take over.”
“Excellent. Prepare for the final tests.” The Black Dalek turned to the Doctor. “Now Doctor, you shall witness first hand the Regenesis Experiment. You were present at the birth of our race. You shall also be present at the rebirth and the foundation of a new and supreme Dalek Empire.”
The Doctor looked at the Black Dalek and then to the new Dalek machine stood beside it. With the compound eye, the Doctor wasn’t sure whether the creature was looking back at him. It made him uneasy. Very uneasy.
“The Doctor will observe from here.” The Black Dalek instructed the Red. “The Experiment will enter its final stages.”
The Black Dalek glided from the room and the Doctor slumped forward, gripping the rail before him. Something had to happen soon. The Daleks were too over confident, and he was certain he was right and then he would be able to implement one of his plans. If only he could just finalise at least one of these plans. He was very aware that something had just been happening outside, but what, he wasn’t too sure.
*
Jess stifled a yawn. It was a lot darker now, night had fallen and the storm hadn’t relented. Rain still hammered the ground about her, as she lay wrapped in the cloak in the mud. She couldn’t help but get images of soldiers in the trenches in the First World War, sheltering from the elements and a heavily armed enemy just over the top. A sudden roar coming from the direction of the Dalek ship woke her from her reverie. A black shape passed overhead, sounding like an aeroplane taking off.
“What was that?” Faron gasped, clutching at his ears.
“Another Dalek shuttle?” Toms sleepy voice came from within a bush, which shuddered as the Time Lord appeared. “Sounds like someone’s back off into space. I just hope the Doctor isn’t on that.”
“What if he is?” Tifa asked.
“I don’t know.”
Jess looked back down into the crater. There was more movement down on the parade ground. She looked back towards the ship. There was movement on that too. A large section was sliding back, revealing a large glass window or observation deck. What’s more, she could see into the ship, not very clearly, but she could make out several silver coloured Daleks and one that was red in colour. Not only that, but there was something else. Something human in shape, with an unmistakeable silhouette.
“Tom.” She cried, turning round. “Tom it’s the Doctor!”
There was a sudden scrambling and suddenly Tom, Tifa and Faron were all beside her.
“Where?” Tom asked, peering down into the crater.
“There, on the ship, in that observation thingy.” She pointed.
“At least he’s still on the planet.” Tom sighed with relief.
“Look down there.” Tifa suddenly gasped, pointing back down to the crater.
“What is that thing?” Jess muttered looking at the mottled greeny-blue machine sat on one of the platforms. As she looked, it was joined by two others and two Daleks.
“I’ve no idea.” Tom confirmed, “But if the Daleks are involved then it’s bound to be trouble.”
“Is it some kind of Dalek?” Tifa asked.
“I don’t know. It bears a resemblance. One arm, what look like weapons. No eyes though.” Tom mused.
“What are they doing with our people?” Faron gasped from under his bush.
“We must do something!” Tifa almost screamed.
Looking again, two more Daleks had appeared with a small group of Thals. The first of the strange machines moved towards the small group. One of the Dalek guards pushed one of the group towards the oncoming machine. The small group stared transfixed as the terrified Thal got closer to the machine. Suddenly something incredibly small and almost whip like flashed out of the top of the machine and caught the Thal in the shoulder. She screamed in pain, dropping to her knees as a blue bolt of energy flashed from one of the projecting side mounts on the machine. The dead body collapsed to the ground in a heap. Screams of terror from the group of prisoners could be heard clearly on the wind, along with grating Dalek voices.
Jess clamped a hand over her mouth, choking back another sob. Tifa turned to Tom, her mouth open to speak, but was silenced by the Time Lord putting a hand over her mouth.
“Shh.” He scorned. “I heard something.”
Tom cautiously turned and looked back away from the crater. Jess and Tifa followed his gaze. There were three bizarre blue hazes slowly working their way towards them out of the dark. As their eyes adjusted to the different levels of light, they could see that the blue hazes were casting shadows and lighting up things gently. Slowly moving closer and into more light, three Daleks appeared, rain water streaming down their casings, their anti-gravs keeping them just off the muddy rim of the crater.
“You will surrender.” The Lead Dalek said. “You are out prisoners.”
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:15:54 GMT
Faron stared in horror at the three Daleks approaching. He tried to move further into the bush in which he was hiding. None of them seemed to have spotted him yet.
“You will stand.” The Dalek ordered. “Stand!”
Tom slowly rose to his feet followed by Jess and Tifa, who started to turn towards where Faron was hiding. Tom gently pulled her the opposite way, slightly shaking his head.
“You are now prisoners of the Dalek Empire. You will obey all orders given to you instantly.”
“We understand.” Tom said, raising his hands. He gestured behind him to Jess and Tifa who did the same. “What was that old clichéd saying that they used to use in your time?” Tom asked, turning to Jess.
“Erm,” Jess shook her head, confused for a second. “Take me to your leader?” She offered.
Tom smiled and turned back to the Daleks. “Well, don’t just stand there. Do as the lady asks.”
“You will move ahead of us and follow directions. Any attempt to deviate will be punished.” The Dalek said, as Jess, Tifa and Tom slowly started to make their way down from the rim of the crater. “Your attempt at resistance is over.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Tom replied, chancing a quick glance back up to where Faron was hiding. “While people are free, and there is free will, there will always be resistance against you.”
*
Faron watched in a terrified silence as the Daleks lead Tifa, Tom and Jess away. He could only faintly hear what Tom had said as he looked at him because of the rain falling on the bushes leaves, but he knew it was directed to him. A subtle nod to keep resisting. As terrified as he was, he knew Tom was right. He was alone now, the last one at liberty. That also terrified him. He felt a great weight upon him. It was up to him now. It was likely that Tom would be reunited with the Doctor and together they may be able to come up with something, but in the mean time, he decided, he would cause as many problems for the Daleks as he could. As he stared after the Daleks, the glow of their anti-grav units slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Carefully, he crawled back to the rim of the crater. The strange Dalek machines were moving. As he watched, another of his people was pushed forward, stumbling, hands out to support, they grabbed the manipulator arm of one of the machines. As Faron watched, they snatched their hands back again quickly, falling backwards. He wasn’t sure, but it looked like there was blood on their hands. Watching still, the two other machines moved to either side of the fallen Thal, the whip like apparatus flashing from the top of both of them, stinging at him. The Thals screams were cut short as all three machines opened fire.
Faron felt sick. He had heard stories of the Daleks. Horror stories that he and his friends had told each other to see who could scare the others the most when they were younger. He had heard about them in history, but here, facing them, things seemed so much different. They were a lot more ruthless and evil than the stories and history ever made out. As he sat here, Faron started wondering, with the legendary Doctor here, would his name ever get passed down in history or legend. Perversely, the thought supplied him with a little warmth as he shivered against the cold wind and rain.
*
The Doctor stared at the holographic display screen in horror. If magnified the images that were visible through the large observational window that lined one wall of the command centre. All his attempts at protest had been shot down by his Dalek guards, he was to observe the experiment in silence or there would be more deaths, including those of his companions. He had been told by the Red Dalek that his companions had been captured and were being brought to control. They had refused to give any names or how many people they had taken prisoner, but the Doctor was too wary to run the risk of letting Jess or Tom get killed.
The Doctor looked out of the observation window. The whole of the crater was visible. He was sure that he’d spotted a small commotion on the rim on the opposite side to the ship not long before he’d been informed about Jess and Toms capture. He wondered whether they had made it to the crater and been caught there and if so, where the Daleks would take them. His questions were answered when he heard a commotion outside and spun to face the door. Jess, Tom and a Thal were bustled, soaking wet and covered in mud, into the command centre by a patrol of three Daleks, water glistened on their casings.
“Doctor!” Jess cried, spotting the Time Lord and making towards him. She was stopped by two Daleks moving into her path, their manipulator arms extended blocking her way, their gun arms raised.
“Stop! You will not even think about hurting her!” The Doctor thundered, his arm raised, pointing to Jess and the two Daleks. “You will let them come to me.”
Jess looked at Tom, almost dumbfounded as the Daleks moved back giving them a clear path to the Doctor. Cautiously, Jess slowly made her way to the Doctor, before running the final few feet into his arms. Tom followed equally as cautiously with Tifa a few paces behind. Tifa almost squealed in fear as Daleks moved towards her, blocking her path. Tom spun round, seeing the fear in her face and turned to face the Doctor. The Time Lords made eye contact and for almost a brief second, Tom almost felt like he was looking back at himself through the Doctors eyes.
“All three of them!” The Doctor boomed, his voice steely and like thunder.
The Daleks moved back again, allowing Tifa to follow Tom towards the Doctor. Getting close to the young Time Lord, Tifa reached out and grasped Toms’ hand, holding on and looking in terror at the Daleks watching them.
“What happened just then?” Tom asked, slightly puzzled.
“Oh, I’ve been having words with these Daleks.” The Doctor replied brushing some mud off his coat as Jess broke her hug.
“No,” Tom whispered. “I mean that thing where I saw myself.”
“I’ll explain later,” The Doctor said. “In the mean time, we have more pressing matters. Although it is very good to see you both again. And I like the new look Tom.” The Doctor smiled thinly.
“Are you really…” Tifa began staring at the Doctor.
“The Doctor? Yes, I am.” The Doctor beamed, putting his arm round her shoulder. “Don’t worry, erm.” He looked over at Tom.
“Tifa.” Tom replied.
“Don’t worry Tifa, I know the Daleks of old. Trust me; I’m doing all I can.”
“What are you doing?” Tom asked. “We all seem to be prisoners. Ok, they’ve not thrown us in a cell, which is always a plus, but what are we doing?”
“And what are those green things?” Jess asked.
“Daleks.” The Doctor replied. “A new race, which they’re wanting me to help create. I think some else’s legacy is still hanging around.”
“They’re killing my people.” Tifa finally said in a very hushed voice, her eyes welling with tears.”
The Doctor stiffened his face pale and stony. “I was rather hoping that there would have been a bit of a distraction so that I would have been able to help your people.”
“Distraction? Do you mean like the storm?” Jess asked.
“No. No no no no.” The Doctor said, looking round the command centre conspiratorially, his eyes lingering on the Red Dalek. “I’m expecting a civil war to break out any time now.”
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:16:37 GMT
Jess’ eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Tifa stared at the Doctor, disbelieving and Tom almost choked.
“What did you say?” He managed.
“A civil war?” Jess asked. “Between who?”
“The old Daleks and these new ones.” The Doctor said. “Daleks consider all those unalike to be inferior. What the Daleks have done here is basically upgrade themselves; different styled casings, more advanced. It shouldn’t take long for these new Daleks to wonder why they have to take orders from an inferior type of Dalek.”
“I do not like the sound of a Dalek war, Doctor.” Tifa said, her voice audibly shaking.
“Me neither.” Tom said. “I mean, for a start they’re Daleks, it’s playing with fire. Whipping up a civil war, especially here, is madness.”
“It will also cause the confusion we need to initiate the rest of my plan.” The Doctor whispered back. “There aren’t many of these new Daleks, five at most, it will tie up most of the Daleks on the planet to sort out the little uprising, during which I can hack into the systems of the Dalek ship in orbit and initiate self destruct. I managed to pocket a few bits and bobs while I was working, which will allow you, Tom, to get to the Cyber base and shut it down for good.”
“Doctor,” Tom cut in. “That place is a…”
“I know.” The Doctor hushed Tom silent. “Anything else and we risk causing untold damage to this planet and the Thals settlement. And while we’re busy with that, Jess, and now you Tifa, I’ll need to help me free your people.” The Doctor looked at Tifa and flashed a brilliant smile of hope, his blue-green eyes sparkling.
“Cease this communication!” The Red Dalek glided towards the Doctor and his small group, its gun trembling in warning. “You companions shall be allowed to remain and witness the experiment along with you Doctor. They shall be removed and punished if the excessive communication continues. You do not need to converse. Observe and remain silent.”
The Doctor looked around giving his companions an almost cheeky ‘Oops!’ look whilst gesturing the zipping of his lips closed.
*
Faron was panicking. He was alone, scared and wet. He had been watching some strange machines the Daleks had mad slaughter many of his neighbours and friends and he was helpless to do anything alone. His only hope of help were now being held prisoner in the Dalek ship, which had become a base, on the opposite side of the crater to him. He could just make out through the large observation window four humanoid figures, one which had been there a while, and Tom and the girl Jess had believed to be the Doctor. The other three arrived sometime after his friends had been taken prisoner, and judging from the silhouettes, two were wearing cloaks like the one he himself wore.
He had to admit to himself that he had no plans. He was scared and alone. Tom had arrived with the plans and taken over even though he had admitted that he was making a great deal up as he went along. Faron wished he had that optimistic outlook and luck that Tom seemed to have had.
It was up to him, he was sure. As Faron watched, two more of the strange machines emerged from below the Dalek ship, another group of prisoners behind them, followed by a third machine and a Dalek. Faron watched in a helpless terrified silence as this latest group of prisoners were slaughtered in varying ways by the machines the Daleks had unleashed.
Forcing himself with all his might, Faron slowly crept away from the bush where he was hiding and slowly edged round the crater. He had a plan.
*
Out over the settlement, the storm had really opened up; rain was lashing down, turning the dusty streets into mud. Thunder crashed as lightning flashed overhead, the occasional bolt hitting the taller buildings of the settlement. One stray bolt flashed near the edge of the settlement, the opposite side to the Dalek ship. The massive electric charge connecting with the tallest and only metal thing in the area; a metal emitter emerging from the dead Cyber base. The electric charge surged through the metal spire and down into the base and systems below. The vestiges of power that had lain dormant deep down were spurred by the sudden shock. A small diode started to glow dimly on the main console, and deep far below the surface, something started stirring.
*
Tifa shielded her eyes from the huge bluish-white flash as the huge bold of lightning struck and could be seen from as far as the Dalek ship. The roll of thunder couldn’t be heard in the Dalek ship, but the tremble it made was clearly felt by the instruments.
Screwing his eyes up and then blinking rapidly to clear the haze, Tom spoke quietly to the Doctor. “I’m not too sure I like the look of that.”
“Was that near the Cyber base?” Jess whispered.
The Doctor nodded solemnly.
“Please tell me that what we’re both thinking can’t happen.” Tom whispered noting the look in the Doctors eyes.
“I’m much afraid it can.” The Doctor said so faintly he could barely be heard. “It’s the slimmest of chances, but it’s a chance that’s still there.”
The Red Dalek glided back into the Command Centre taking the small group by surprise, they hadn’t noticed its departure.
“I will initiate the final tests in the experiment.” It announced to a Dalek who was monitoring the results on a small screen on an instrument panel.
The Doctor watched with interest as the Red Dalek glided from the Command Centre, only to appear seconds later visible through the observation windows. As the Doctor and his friends watched, the Dalek moved to the edge of the higher platform and addressed the assembled Daleks below, both new and old.
*
The Red Dalek observed the scene before it, taking in the sight of the science corps Daleks on the fringes of the parade ground. Within that perimeter were piles of bodies destroyed by the new Daleks, which were sat at random intervals about the area, the harsh spotlights throwing into contrast all the angles on the new machines, water running down the casings from the rain. The occasional flash of lightning making the tableaux even more hellish.
“The initial tests are satisfactory.” The Red Dalek said, observing the parade ground and addressing both types of Dalek. “We shall proceed to the final stages. All new Daleks will obey.”
“Why?”
Silence fell over the crater. The lone voice was unmistakably from one of the new Daleks. “We are the supreme beings. You will not question. You will obey.”
“Negative. Repeat: why?”
“We are your masters. You are elements of the Dalek Empire. You will obey.”
“Negative. We are superior. We are stronger. We have greater firepower. It is you who will obey. You will adapt to service us. We are the future.”
The Red Dalek looked out at the parade ground. It didn’t know which of the new Daleks had been speaking, but it had narrowed it down to one in a group of three in the middle of the ground. The Dalek looked about at the Daleks surrounding the parade ground. Their gun arms were raised, poised ready for action.
“Negative.” The Red Dalek screamed. “We are superior. It is you who will obe-”
The Dalek exploded into a ball of flame before it could finish its sentence.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:17:18 GMT
The Dalek that had fired upon the Red Dalek exploded into flames itself as it was fired upon by two of the science corps Daleks. Then the parade ground descended into chaos. The new and old Daleks fired on each other. The Silver Daleks exploded individually, as more of the new Daleks emerged from below the Dalek ship, overrunning the parade ground.
The first of the Daleks moved up the ramps to the higher platform of the parade ground.
“This is only the beginning.” It announced to the small arI disagreeembling before it. “We were created for the Dalek Empire to rise from the ashes of this galaxy. We shall take the Dalek Empire to its rightful place as the supreme power of the universe. This planet will be the first. We shall return to Skaro and take command of the Empire. All will adapt to service us. Those that do not will be exterminated. Biological scans detect the presence of two Time Lords on this planet. They are to be taken alive. All other inferior life forms are to be exterminated.”
“We obey.” The gathering of Daleks chorused before moving off.
The Dalek watched as its army slowly moved out. The new Dalek Empire had just been born and the first battle had been fought and won.
*
Jess and Tifa watched astounded as the Red Dalek moved into view of the observation window to address the Daleks below and then exploded into flames. The command centre erupted into noise as an alarm started blaring out and Daleks bustled about like ants defending a nest.
“The experiment has failed. All experimental subjects are to be eliminated. Repeat; eliminated.” A Dalek voice burst over the sound of the claxon throughout the ship. “All available Dalek units will proceed to the parade ground to destroy the test subjects.”
Another Dalek glided up to the last group of Daleks left in the command centre. “Seal the command centre. The Doctor and his companions are to remain. Exterminate them if they disobey any order.” The Dalek commanded before gliding from the command centre with all but two Daleks in tow, all access doors hissing closed behind them.
Jess looked round and the suddenly empty room and moved gingerly towards the window overlooking the crater.
“You will not move. You will remain with the others!” A Dalek shouted at her, moving forwards.
“Now Tom!” The Doctor shouted, jumping forwards and in a swift move, tossing something from an inside pocket to Tom and removing his sonic screwdriver and activating it against the Daleks dome.
Fumbling, Tom caught the device the Doctor had thrown to him looking bemused, before the energy bolt smashing into the bulkhead beside him spurred him into action. Spinning round, Tom saw the Dalek advancing on him and dived out of the way as a further two energy bolts were unleashed from the creatures weapon. Tom soon found himself grappling with the Dalek, trying to control its direction of fire away from the Doctor, Jess and Tifa.
“Doctor, what the hell is this thing?” He asked, referring to the object he held in his hand and was desperately trying not to drop, as the Dalek continued to fire and try to shake him off. “Tifa, keep down!” He added, hearing the Thal cry out as a blast from the Dalek caused the panel she was finding cover by to explode into flames.
“Alarm! Alarm! Under attack! Assist, assist.” The Dalek was screeching firing random shots off about the command centre.
“Tom. Hold it!” The Doctor shouted ducking from another stray shot from the Dalek.
“I’m trying!” Tom shouted back over the screaming Dalek. “It’s not the easiest thing ever.”
“You shall be exterminated. Assist. Assist. Under attack.” The Dalek was screaming.
“Oh be quiet.” The Doctors voice was suddenly a lot closer, Tom realised, and a sudden flurry of green velvet appeared beside him and the Dalek became a lot easier to control. Looking up, Tom saw the Doctor has flung his coat over the top of the Dalek, covering its eyestalk.
“My vision is impaired. I cannot see. Emergency alarm.” The Dalek was shouting.
The shrill sound of the Doctors sonic screwdriver pierced the air above both the wailing of the Dalek and the blare of the alarm. The creatures’ movements became slower and clunkier and its screeching slurred to the point where it stopped, its arms slacking in Toms grip.
“My God, did that thing ever want to shut up?” Jess exclaimed emerging from behind a console. “What now? We’re trapped in here.”
“And there are two Dalek armies out there at war and my people.” Tifa said moving towards the Doctor a pleading look in her eyes. “You said you would help us.”
The Doctor held Tifas stare, his eyes full of sadness. “And I will. I’ll do my very best.” He said, before the life returned to his eyes with a sparkle. “But first,” he dashed over to the main console, “we’ve got to stop the Daleks getting back in here. Both types of them. There’re more of those new ones than I anticipated. This battle could be longer and nastier than I was anticipating. Not only that, but I’ve got to stop the Daleks that are still up in orbit from destroying this area from space.” The Doctor dashed about the console, his hands blurs as he worked.
“What about us?” Jess asked. “You said you wanted us to do stuff, but I’ll be buggered if I’m going out into the middle of a Dalek war. It was bad enough with the Cybermen.”
The Doctor stopped what he was doing and spun round on the spot, hand raised and mouth open as if he were about to speak before seeming like he had a better idea. Shutting his mouth, he marched over to where his coat was laying atop the Dalek Tom had been grappling with. He started to rummage through several pockets, his face becoming slightly concerned, until he withdrew his hand, a look of triumph on his face.
“Just Tom at the moment.” He said smiling and handing over to Tom the object he’d removed from his coat pocket.
“Me?” Tom said astounded before looking down at the new item the Doctor had given him. “This is my watch. It doesn’t work any more.”
“Yes, it should now; I’ve tweaked it a little. Should work well enough as a communicator between yourself and the Dalek ship.”
“But why me?” Tom asked.
“The Cyber base.” The Doctor replied. “You know how potentially dangerous that place can be as well as I.”
Tom nodded slowly. “Well, I’d better get going, could take a while to get there.”
“Not at all. That first device I gave you, if you attach it to the manipulator control of a Trans Solar disc, you should be able to fly it.” The Doctor smiled. Seeing that Tom had opened his mouth to speak further, the Doctor continued. “And don’t worry; I’ve sealed all the intersections between here and the cradles. And that device should carry a rudimentary Chameleon circuit inbuilt, so either side of Dalek will think you’re one of their own and won’t pursue you.”
“Ok, wish me luck.” Tom smiled grimly before turning and leaving the room.
“Good luck.” Tifa said after Tom as the door hissed closed behind him. “He will be ok?” Tifa asked turning back to the Doctor.
“Yes.” The Doctor said, turning back to the console. “Now I’ve got to make sure we are. There are two Dalek armies and they will probably both want this Control Chamber. As long as we hold it and are locked down, then we have the upper hand.”
*
Faron had edged his way around the crater to an area he had always been warned away from as a small boy. The area was dangerous and liable to landslips he had always been told. Steep screed slopes and the odd scrubby bush lined the area of the crater on its deepest side. If he could cause a landslide, he would bury the Daleks in their crater and end their evil, he felt sure. Faron cautiously scrambled to the top of the screed slope and started to kick at the loose stones when suddenly a bush to his left burst into flames that were soon abated in the heavy rain. Faron spun around, loosing his footing and fell onto his back, scrambling desperately away from what approached him; two of the Dalek machines, flying up the slope towards him.
“Inferior humanoid life-form. Exterminate.”
Faron stared up at the two Daleks in horror. He never knew that the landslide he was attempting was caused by his dead body.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:17:41 GMT
Tom gripped onto the rail for dear life. He didn’t know why the Daleks had included a rail in the design, all he knew was he was now damned grateful the thing was there. The Doctors control box wasn’t as easy to use as the Time Lord had suggested.
“I dunno if this things working.” Tom shouted down towards his wrist. “But this is not as easy to control as you suggested.” Listening, Tom heard nothing but white noise crackling through his watch.
Tom slipped and scrambled to get a good foothold on the metal disc as it rocked due to a patch of what he could only assume to be turbulence and he slipped on the wet metal surface. A loud crack of thunder and flash of lightning reminded him of the heavy storm. Swearing, Tom flew the disc as low to ground level as he dared, neither wanting to crash into the ground, which was whizzing past at an unknown speed below him, not get struck by lightning, standing as he was, on a giant conductor.
A faint crackle and voice from his watch almost made Tom lose control again. Gripping onto the rail for all his worth, Tom managed to scramble back onto the disc after several seconds of dangling off the edge precariously. Standing back on the platform of the disc and screwing his face against the rain, Tom suddenly had a feeling that he was no longer alone. Cautiously looking over his shoulder, through the dark he could see two of the new Daleks following him, flying. Flying without the Trans Solar discs. Tom swore again.
“Oi! There are ladies present.” Jess tinny voice came from his wrist.
“I’ve got company. Two of them, the new ones.” Tom hissed back. “I don’t think this chameleon thing is working.”
“Have they shot you down?” It was the Doctors voice.
“Well, no.” Tom replied, gripping tight as he turned a corner.
“Then it’s working.”
“Oh thanks, that’s of great comfort.” Tom replied, his tone heavy with sarcasm.
Tom looked up. The Cyber base was now looming out of the darkness before him, lightning flashing all around it. Tom swore again, softly this time.
“This place is looking like Frankenstein’s castle now!” He exclaimed as a bolt of lightning hit a pylon rising from the structure. “There’s a full on electric storm here.”
“Of course.” The Doctors voice sounded like he had just hit on a brain wave. “The electric storm will act as an auxiliary power source until the original cells are powered up. According to the records on this ship and Tifa, they’re quite common in this area of the planet. The Thals had managed to harness the power of them to supply energy for their settlement, ingenious really.”
Tom ducked as a spark of electricity crackled over his head. “Fascinating, but I’m here soaking wet, on a large metal disc flying into an electric storm.”
“If you’re close enough, land and go in by foot.” The Doctor said before continuing with his explanation. Tom guessed that the audience for this lecture were Jess and Tifa as the Doctors voice had died down so he could hardly hear it.
*
The Doctor was busy running between two consoles in the Command Centre, giving occasional glances to the holographic screens he had called into existence at varying points about the room. Jess and Tifa had moved the two Daleks into a corner after the Doctor kept colliding with them and muttering as he dashed about.
“How did you know that the new Daleks would start a war with the original Daleks?” Tifa asked shivering slightly and drawing her wet cloak tighter about her.
“We’ll get you two dried off soon as well.” The Doctor said, pointing at both Jess and Tifa as he dashed past.
“Doctor!” Jess shouted to get the Time Lords attention.
The Doctor paused and looked at the two girls. “Tom just mentioned it out there. Frankenstein.” Spinning, the Doctor dashed back off to another console.
“What is Frankenstein?” Tifa asked.
“Yeah, I don’t get it either Doctor. You’re being enigmatic. An explanation would be good.”
“When I was sat around with Mary and the others we were telling ghost stories. I thought I’d tell them about an adventure I once had, and Mary wanted to turn it into a novel. Obviously I had to persuade her to alter it slightly and change the names of the characters. I mean, I couldn’t see “The Curse of Solon” being as popular as “Frankenstein”.”
“Mary? You mean Mary Shelly?” Jess asked. “You gave Mary Shelly the idea for Frankenstein?”
The Doctor nodded, crouching down by Jess and Tifa. “Mary Shelly wrote a book called Frankenstein about a man who created a creature out of bits of dead bodies and brought it to life” He said, noting the confusion on Tifas face. “Anyway, I pointed out to Mary a trend that follows most life forms throughout the universe, especially the genetically engineered and artificially created ones. They will rise up against and destroy their creator. It’s something I’ve seen many times; The Cybermen, Krysthenzia, the Ju-Los-Ghrd and even the original Daleks turned on their creator. It’s followed on through literature through the ages as well. Even in religions throughout the universe. People have a God, an all powerful creator, and eventually more and more people question and stop believing and eventually the mythos and this God is destroyed.” The Doctor stood up, straightening his coat. “The Frankenstein Paradigm.”
“I’ve never heard that term before.” Jess said.
“That’s because I just made it up.” The Doctor replied, smiling. “Now I’ve managed to lock the Daleks out of the ships systems. The next step is to stop those up there from firing on us.”
“Doctor.” Jess said, standing slowly. “I think we’re going to have trouble.” She pointed at a large holographic globe that had flickered to life.
The Doctor turned round and looked up at the large glowing image. “Ah, I wondered when you’d poke your eyestalk back in.”
“Doctor. Explain.” The image of the Black Dalek filled the globe.
“Yes, well, I’m afraid to say that your experiment has gone a little wrong. Not only that, but you appear to have a little insurrection on your hands, erm, I mean plungers, down here. Oh yes, and my friends and I have taken over your base ship and I seem to have managed to hack my way into the systems of your command ship. And just to prove I’m not bluffing,” The Doctor paused dramatically before slamming his hand down on a control. The sound of an alarm sounded from the holo-globe as the Black Dalek shouted for information from its bridge crew.
“I think you’ll find that propulsion and weapons are now entirely controlled from here, so there won’t be any destroying from space today, thank you.” The Doctor smiled up at the image of the Black Dalek.
“We shall triumph. Your insolence will end with your life Doctor.” The Holo-globe went dead.
“I love a good empty threat.” The Doctor muttered before turning back to the console he was at.
“What will they do now Doctor?” Tifa asked, walking towards him.
“Just sit there and try and regain control of their ship. I think they’ll be sat doing a lot of nothing. The only communications link is now to this ship, and they will only give out words of blood and empty threats. Unless that red light there starts blinking then they will be close to breaking free.”
*
Tom had managed to get the disc to slow down considerably and was flying closer to the ground. He managed another glance over his shoulder. The two Daleks were still following him. A sudden bolt of lightning hit the pair of them, electricity sparking over their casings, not slowing them at all. Tom turned back in time to catch the disc jolt suddenly before it spun and flipped. He found himself flying through the air as another bolt of lightning impacted into the disc causing it to explode. He landed painfully in a muddy puddle, as the shockwave of the explosion pressed into his back, pushing him further forwards.
Wincing, Tom scrambled desperately to his feet, mud and water dripping from him. He looked back to where the Daleks were hovering, at least ten feet in the air. He wasn’t sure what they were doing hovering there, be he knew he didn’t want to stand out in the rain in plain sight of them for too much longer. The chameleon device was certainly not functioning now. The decision didn’t take long to come to; Tom turned and sprinted for the doors to the Cyber base.
“Tom. Tom are you ok?” The Doctors tinny voice echoed from his wrist.
“Crash landing.” He panted as he sprinted, almost slipping over in the mud as he reached the doors.
Unsure as to whether the Daleks had followed him, Tom used all his strength to close the doors to the Cyber base behind him. He eventually stopped when he realised something wasn’t quite right. When before the base had been dark and silent, there was now a faint glow illuminating the chamber. Slowly and fearfully, Tom turned around and looked at the main instrument panel and swore loudly. Sections were illuminated. It was again functional.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:18:07 GMT
Tom walked slowly towards the console in a daze. He was shaking slightly. He knew what lay beneath the base and what would happen if he couldn’t do anything. Gripping the edge of the console, Tom tried to focus on some of the controls. His head was swimming; countless possibilities, the voices and memories resurfacing, stabbing pains behind his eyes. Putting his palms to his eyes, Tom tried to rub the pain away. Breathing deeply, Tom swayed slightly as the pain washed over him again and then passed.
“Erm, I think we may have a problem here.” Tom finally managed to say, fighting back a sudden wave of nausea. “These controls are now active. There’s power flowing through numerous systems of this base. You do know it’s a sleeper base, don’t you Doctor?”
Tom waited for a few moments, but there was no reply from his wrist. “Hello? Sleeper base? Possibility of thousands of Cybermen beneath our feet? Whole new Cyber army? Is this not a problem for you? We could be in deadly trouble here.”
Static crackled through Toms watch. A voice was mixed in, but Tom couldn’t tell who’s it was or what they were saying. All he could discern were four words;
“-Trouble of our own-” and then more static.
Tom felt another wave of panic sweep over him, which was heightened when a scream of terror came from the communicator followed by more static and then silence. Tom stared at his wrist and then made for the door. He paused and looked back at the control console humming with life. He had a mission to accomplish. There would not be another Cyber war, he was adamant.
*
“Oh dear.” The Doctors face drained of colour and he suddenly looked quite faint.
“Doctor? What is it?” Jess asked, moving up beside the Time Lord. The Doctor was steadying himself against the panel with one hand whist he used the other to wipe at his eyes before it stopped just over his mouth.
“Keep Tifa back and out of the way.” Jess faintly heard him say. She was about to ask why when she saw the reason on a small screen in front of him. Upon seeing it, she instantly knew why he hadn’t put it up as one of the large holographic screens; it was a video feed of the prison sections, and Daleks were moving through it slowly and methodically. They were stopping at every doorway to the cells and firing into them. There was no sound, Jess assumed that the Doctor had kept it turned off to mask the screams she was sure would be echoing out of the speakers.
“They’re killing them?” She said, shocked at what she was witnessing.
The Doctor merely nodded his face grim and his eyes not leaving the screen.
“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Jess cried, suddenly aware of the tears running down her face.
“No. Not this time, they’re-” The Doctor began sadly.
“Doctor!” Tifa screamed pointing at a holographic screen. “That is showing outside the door?”
The Doctor and Jess spun to look at the screen Tifa was pointing at. Two of the original silver Daleks were setting up outside the door with what looked like cutting equipment.
“Oh no.” The Doctor breathed. “Jess, Tifa, see if you can find anything of any use for if we have to make a stand. I’ll see what I can do here.”
“You want us to fight?” Jess turned on the Doctor aghast. “I don’t know whether you’d noticed, but we aren’t exactly soldiers!”
“I’m hoping that won’t be necessary.” The Doctor replied, busying himself at another console. “I’m trying to convert the surveillance systems into weapon systems. If I get it right, I’ll get it to automatically target and disable any non-humanoid life form.”
“I think you’d better hurry up with it then.” Jess said looking at the door. “Looks like they’re cutting through!”
The door was glowing a hot red colour, and an acrid smelling smoke was whipping up from where the cutting beam was slicing through the metal.
“Stand well back; keep out of the line of sight of the door.” The Doctor warned.
The console beside the Doctor crackled and hissed with static and suddenly Toms voice burst through the speakers; “Erm, I think we may have a problem here. These controls are now active. There’s power flowing through numerous systems of this base. You do know it’s a sleeper base, don’t you Doctor?”
“What does that mean?” Tifa asked over the bustle.
“More trouble.” The Doctor said. “Tom is more than capable of handling that. I’m a little more concerned about our current situation, which,” The Doctor shot a glance at the door, “does not seem to be improving at all.”
The speakers crackled again, “Hello? Sleeper base? Possibility of thousands of Cybermen beneath our feet? Whole new Cyber army? Is this not a problem for you? We could be in deadly trouble here.”
Jess ran across to the communications panel and looked frantically about for some kind of control. Not seeing anything that resembled an on switch, and glancing back at the Doctor, Jess started talking.
“Hello? Tom? I don’t know if you can hear me, but the Doctor says you can deal with it. We’ve got some major trouble of our own here at the moment. The Daleks are trying to cut their way in.”
Jess spun round as she heard a crash come from the door and Tifa scream. The Doctor spun round also to take in the sight. A section of the door had crashed to the floor in a half molten state, a Dalek appearing in the opening, its gun stick up and ready to fire. The energy bolt smashed into the console beside Jess, which exploded into flames, throwing Jess across the Command Centre. The Doctor looked down at Jess and then to the door where the Dalek was turning towards Tifa and himself, before turning back to the console.
“I only hope I’ve got this right.” He muttered, his hand descending on the control.
“You will be exterminated!” The creature screamed levelling its gun stick.
“Doctor!” Tifa gripped at the Time Lords sleeve.
“Come on, come on.” The Doctor muttered looking back at the door, his finger firmly pressing a control.
“Move away from the console!” The Dalek ordered, gesturing at the Doctor and Tifa with its gun stick. “Move awa-”
The Dalek exploded into a ball of flame, the second Dalek exploding just seconds later, their smoking, shattered remains blocking up the corridor. The Doctor looked grimly at their shattered casings before turning his attention to Jess and dashed towards her prone body.
“Is she alright?” Tifa asked coming to the Doctors side.
“Yes, she’ll be fine.” The Doctor said, gently pulling the cloak from round her. “You were lucky.” He smiled down as Jess’ eyes flickered open.
“What happened?” She asked.
“Oh, I did it again. Outdid the Daleks.” The Doctor smiled. “Well, for the time being. We’re still stuck here at the moment, and the Daleks have destroyed the communication controls, so we can’t contact Tom.”
Jess tried to shuffle onto her elbows and push herself up.
“Ah, I wouldn’t do that just yet.” The Doctor said easing her back to the floor. “Tifa, can you keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t get up until I say?” He asked the Thal, rolling Jess’ cloak into a pillow and placing it under her head. “You’ve had a bit of a knock to the head. You’ll be alright, probably a little bit of a headache.”
“Will Tom be safe?” Tifa asked the Doctor, standing up beside him.
“Safe? I wouldn’t have thought so. But then, none of us are safe at the moment.” The Doctor said looking back at the door.
*
Tom slammed his fist down on the instrument panel before him in frustration. So far he hadn’t managed to shut down any systems of the base. The sound of the electric storm outside suggested that it was still raging as strong as ever. Several loud bangs that echoed through the base suggested to Tom that more bolts of lightning were hitting the base. The lighting systems were coming back to life, illuminating the base in an eerie glow. Another glance at the door, and Tom noted that nothing had moved in that section. That unnerved him. He didn’t know what had happened to the two Daleks following him. Looking around for any kind of video link to allow him to see outside, a noise to the right of the instrument panel made him turn. With a loud hissing sound, bursts of steam issued from the closest alcove to the panel. Tom stared in horror as the figure within slowly moved. What he thought was a long dead, partially converted Cyberman, slowly turned its head to stare at him.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:18:35 GMT
Tom felt as though one, if not both of his hearts stopped temporarily as the creature from his nightmares returned. Seconds seemed like hours as he stared into the creatures half Cyberman, half skull face; an electronic eye and blank eye socket staring him down. Tom swallowed hard, fear gripping him deep down. The seconds seemed to last for hours until there were another series of loud hisses and jets of steam and the Cyberman took a step out of the alcove. Tom found himself rooted to the spot, watching in fear as the Cybermen took its first step. As soon as it was free from the alcove, the creature crashed to the floor in a clatter of metal and bone. Tom realised he’d been holding his breath and let it go in a choking laugh.
Bending down to take in the shattered remains, Tom gingerly picked up the shattered incomplete Cyber head. It had been an inbuilt automatic reaction when the Cyberman had stepped out of the alcove. Turning the head round, Tom looked down the two different eyes. Was this how he had looked when the Cybermen had tried converting him? Looking into the empty eye socket Tom wondered who the poor unfortunate was who had spent their last moments partially converted and then left to rot and die. Were they captured towards the end of the Cyber war or were they one of the original inhabitants of the planet?
Putting the head back down, Tom returned to the main panel and started checking the controls again. The electric storm had struck the base many times; its power systems had been reconfigured to draw that energy into revival units. He had to stop that power from going into those systems; stop the army beneath his feet from awakening.
A sudden crashing and clanging noise from the main doorway made him jump and spin round. The doors were shaking on their hinges, trickles of dust and rubble gently cascading from around the frame. Tom spun back to the control panel, his hand hitting a control. He snatched it back quickly, not sure what control he’d just activated. There was a slight static hiss, lasting for a few seconds and then Tom cried out in triumph. A display screen flickered to life above the panel.
“Sound, sound, sound.” He muttered to himself searching the panel.
He looked up again as the sound of the storm seemed to explode from the screen. It was showing what appeared to be an area of the plains looking towards the settlement, which was occasionally illuminated through the gloom by bolts of lightning. Activating another control, Tom managed to change the image to outside the doors.
The two Daleks had reached the doors, which his glancing back saw that they were now slightly ajar. So why hadn’t they entered the base? Then Tom realised as he stared at the screen. The force field had reactivated, obscuring the doors. As he watched, the two Daleks fired at the area where the doors should have been, causing another loud crashing sound. They knew the doors were there; they knew the force field was there, and they obviously knew he was in there. They were trying brute force to break in.
Tom looked back at the panel, quickly finding the controls for the field. The power was slowly being drained, no doubt by the attack from the Daleks. He had to redirect power to them to buy him some time. The only catch was, he had no idea how much power was stored yet. Risking it, by drawing the power away from the lighting systems, the fields’ strength shot back up to full, and the crashing sounds from the doors lessened.
“What now?” He asked himself aloud. The power was low, and he wasn’t sure if he could overload the reactors and destroy the entire base. Even if he could, he was trapped in here. Two words flashed up into his brain; Suicide Mission. This was it, he decided. He couldn’t escape the base, and if he did, the Cybermen would be free to start their war over again. All he could do was to try and contact the Doctor and tell him to get off the planet; no doubt the Daleks had taken the TARDIS to their ship. It wouldn’t take the Doctor long to reach it and escape.
Tom breathed hard, swallowing down the fear that had risen and worked at the controls. There had to be some form of communications controls; he had to contact the Doctor. Going back to the controls, Tom looked for a good minute before he noticed them. Activating the control, the image on the screen changed to show the command centre of the Dalek ship. One of the consoles was a smoking wreck, probably why communications had stopped through his watch communicator. The crash landing probably hadn’t helped matters their either. There were two huddles figures on the floor, one lying, and the other crouched next to it. Looking closer at the screen, Tom made out Jess, her head resting on a makeshift pillow and Tifa tending to her. There was no sign of the Doctor.
“Hello? He said aloud. “Doctor? Anyone? Can you hear me?”
Tifa’s head spun at the sound of his voice, suddenly staring directly at and out of the screen at him. “Doctor,” She said, her eyes not leaving the screen, the rest of her words lost in static.
The figure of the Doctor moved into view, he was holding his sonic screwdriver in one hand, a complex looking piece of Dalek technology in the other, and a collection of wires gripped between his teeth. “Tom!” He said teeth still clamped down on the wires, making it sound like ‘Tong’.
Jess scrambled up into a sitting position to look at the screen. “Tom.” She echoed the Doctor.
“Jess, are you ok?” Tom asked, seemingly forgetting the Doctor.
“Yeah,” Jess smiled struggling to her feet. “Just a slight headache."
“Tom, how are things?” The Doctor was looking straight out of the screen into his eyes. As he spoke, the wires fell from his mouth to the floor.
Tom breathed out heavily. He had no idea how he was going to say this. “Do you know where the TARDIS is?” Tom asked the screen.
“It’s in the Dalek ship. Not too far from here, I would imagine.” The Doctor said. “Why, what are you up to?” The Doctor fixed Tom with a stare that he could feel burrowing into his mind.
Toms’ eyes flickered to Jess and Tifa, then to his feet, before slowly back to the screen and the Doctor. “Get the girls to the TARDIS and safety and then get the hell off this planet. I’m trapped in here. There are Daleks outside. They can’t get in, but at the same time, I can’t get out.” Tom paused and swallowed hard. “They’ve got me trapped in here and there isn’t much power. At the moment, I’ve diverted power to stopping them from getting in. As soon as I rig the reactors in the place to explode, they’ll be able to get in, and even if they can’t I still wont be able to get passed them. I don’t know how much power there is here, so I don’t even know if I can get the whole base to explode, but I’m going to try to get it to go up along the reactivation controls. That should take the devastation into the tombs below.”
The Doctor was looking at Tom, his mouth slightly open, eyes wide, almost in disbelief.
“There’s no way out for me; it’s a suicide mission. But I guess my life is a small price to pay if it’s to stop another Cyber war.” Tom stopped and looked at the screen. Tifa silently mouthed the word ‘No’ and Jess was wide eyed in disbelief. “I just thought I’d warn you, you’ve ten minutes. And thanks Doctor, for getting me away from Gallifrey, I really wouldn’t have wanted to go there. Jess, Tifa, you take care of each other, and keep an eye on him.” Tom nodded to the Doctor.
The Doctor stepped forward, mouth open to say something.
“So, I guess this is it then. Cheerio!” Tom said, reaching forward to turn off the video link.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:19:01 GMT
“Tom, stop!” The urgency in the Doctors voice made Tom freeze. “Stop and think about what you’re doing. It’s not rational. There must be another way.”
“There isn’t.” Tom sighed, his shoulders slumping.
“Tom, look at me.”
Tom didn’t move or look up.
“Look at me.” The Doctor repeated.
Tom looked up and into the Doctors eyes. Into the Doctors mind; through the Doctors eyes. He saw himself again and blinked. He saw the Doctor staring at him; himself staring at the Doctor; the Doctor staring at him. Tom blinked rapidly and put his hands to his face, not sure of what had just happened.
“As I thought, there is another way.” The Doctor smiled. “Don’t give up yet, while there’s life, there’s hope.”
“What the hell was that?” Tom almost shouted at the screen.
“Telepathy.” The Doctor replied quickly. “Isn’t as strong as it should be, but the video link and your heightened emotions made a brief connection possible.” The Doctor put his hands into his pockets, depositing both the equipment he was tinkering with and sonic screwdriver in them. “There is a way. Don’t you dare give up hope. Far, far too many people have died needlessly today. I won’t let there be any more deaths, not after this planets...” The Doctor slowly trailed off and Tom looked at the screen.
Tifa was staring at the Doctor, her eyes wide, mouth silently moving, as if trying to form words and failing. The Doctor stopped and slowly turned to face her.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders, “The Daleks got to them before I could do anything.” The Doctor put his hand under her chin and lifted her head gently so he was staring deep into her eyes. “There are more colonies out there. You’re not alone, trust me.”
“You said…” Tifa began before trailing off to tears.
“I know, and I’m so sorry. I promise you this; I will make sure that the Daleks cannot and do not succeed.” The Doctor nodded to Jess, who walked over to Tifa, and took her sobbing into her arms. Tom watched the drama unfold on the screen before him. He could guess what had happened; the Daleks had killed the Thal prisoners.
“Tom, I’m transmitting some coordinates and figures to you.” The Doctor seemed to have vanished from the screen; just the back of his coat could be seen as he worked at a console. Reams of figures started to scroll the screen before Tom. “Enter them into the panel before you. There’s always a way if you look for it.”
“What will this do?” Tom asked, punching controls. He could see he was diverting power from the generators and revival controls to what looked a dead system.
“Simple.” The Doctor stopped sending figures and stood so he was the exact centre of the screen, gripped his lapels and had adopted a very smug look. “The figures are diverting power to the redundant beacon that snared us, and the transportation systems. The co-ordinates should land you right here in this control chamber. All you have to do is activate it on a timer system, go stand on the grid, and hey presto, Bob’s your uncle and you’ll be trans-matted to here.”
“But what about this base?” Tom asked.
“Divert all remaining power towards the reactors; push them as far towards overloading as possible without actually overloading them.” The Doctors busy form dashed about on the screen before him.
“What will that achieve?” Tom asked, working at the panel, glancing up at the screen from time to time.
“Trust me.” The Doctor said simply. “I’ll see you back here in a couple of minutes.” And with that, the screen went blank.
Tom stopped and stared at the blank space above him that just seconds before was alight. The sound of the Daleks trying to break into the base reverberated round the chamber, sending shivers of fear down his spine.
Looking back at the systems on the panel, Tom saw that the modifications the Doctor had suggested were completed. He didn’t even remember setting them. Tom rubbed at his eyes. He was aware he was getting tired, but he also knew he had no chance of rest until the Daleks were beaten. His train of though was interrupted by another crashing sound from the doors. Spinning round, Tom saw the whole door frame shaking. Now he had diverted the power as per the Doctors instructions, the door defences were down and it was only a matter of time before the Daleks outside got in. Another crash and Tom felt a spray of water and a breeze. The Daleks had managed to breech the door. He had to move. Sprinting, Tom headed for the chamber in which the transmat was located. He could see where the dust on the floor had been disturbed when the Daleks had taken the TARDIS.
Tom paused and looked at the small computer terminal that was glowing with power beside the transmat grid. He breathed in deeply and swallowed hard.
“Oh well, once more unto the breech.” He muttered to himself as he stood on the grid. He checked the terminal again; the coordinates were still set and the power had nearly built up to transference level.
An almost deafening crash followed by an explosion made Tom look up. The main panel was now in flames and two high energy beams smashed into it, causing further explosions.
“Non-terrestial life-form readings detected.” The harsh grating voice of one of the new Daleks sounded out.
“Data banks match readings with Gallifreyan origin.” A second Dalek spoke.
Tom looked desperately at the terminal. Transference was mere seconds away. Starting to panic, Tom looked up to see the two Daleks glide into the transference chamber, weapons raised.
“Exterminate the Time Lord.” One of the creatures ordered, and the two Daleks fired.
*
The Black Dalek sat on the bridge of its ship. Dalek technicians were busy trying to regain control of the ships systems. Somehow the Doctor had gained control of the ship on the planet and from there had gained control of the command ship in orbit.
Nothing the Dalek technicians tried to do would the release the systems to them. They had moved out of the orbit of the planet and were now in orbit around one of its three moons. The ships velocity was also increasing.
The propulsion controls were totally unresponsive to the ships crew and all its lifts and shuttles were locked down. The Black Dalek observed, unable to do anything. The only system working was the comms ling to the other ship, which only revealed a smug and gloating Doctor. They were cut off from Skaro and at the mercy of their greatest enemy.
*
The Dalek that had launched the Telris campaign, to replace the old, obsolete Dalek order, sat silently in the parade ground. The large floodlights were now extinguished and the creature was only lit up by flashes of lightning. It could still see clearly, having switched its visual circuits to adapt to the light conditions.
Its forces were increasing as the production line continued to produce more and more machines. The creatures themselves could be easily cloned after the battle was over. The new Dalek army would rise and replace the old Empire. It would be stronger and would spread throughout the universe. However, the Dalek could still sense a presence. The presence of the enemy. There was a Time Lord on the planet. The Time Lord must be destroyed before the Empire could spread fully. But not just this Time Lord; all the Time Lords.
Silently, it issued its orders to its army. Tonight it would begin.
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:19:25 GMT
The Doctor sighed, pacing up and down the command chamber of the Dalek base.
“Where the devil is he?” He muttered glancing at his pocket watch. “Those coordinates coupled with the power ratio that was building, Tom should have been back here by now.”
Jess watched the Doctor pace. He seemed more manic now than he had just minutes ago when re-routing the Daleks power sytems. Jess wasn’t sure whether Tifa had known what the Doctor had been muttering about the Daleks and static either.
The Doctor suddenly stopped mid-step and rushed over to the console he’d been stood at when he was talking to Tom. “Did I send the right information?” He muttered to himself.
Jess looked over at Tifa. The young Thal had streaks down her face where the tears had cut channels though the grime and dirt on her face. She walked over to her and cautiously put her arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Tifa looked up at Jess, a small smile on her lips. Jess couldn’t begin to comprehend how the young Thal could feel, being now the only survivor of her race on the whole planet.
The Doctor set off pacing again, checking his watch. “He should have been here ten minutes ago.” He muttered to himself before setting off for another panel. “They’re still holding position outside.” He said aloud to Jess and Tifa. “These new chaps are a little more intelligent and logical. I just hope that works out to our advantage.”
“What do you mean?” Tifa asked.
“Now I’ve set all the internal surveillance systems into weapon systems, no Dalek will be able to enter the ship, only we can move safely. The old style Daleks stayed in the ship, but this new lot left. Those guarding the TARDIS were destroyed. I don’t know what they’re planning, but some are sat outside the doors and some have nipped off to that Cyber base. I think they may be planning on hacking into the ships systems from there. If they are, then that makes my plans a lot easier.”
“What are they?”
“Last minute change, but we have two Dalek ships at our disposal and a Cyber base with little power. Simply overload this ships reactor and crash the second into the Cyber base.” The Doctor stood up straight beaming.
“Oh.” Tifa sounded a little crestfallen.
“Isn’t that rather crude?” Jess asked, sharing Tifas slight disappointment. “I thought you had some grand plan. This is rather simple.”
“It will be a very big bang.” The Doctor said, almost a hurt expression on his face. “I did change things after certain events, erm, unfolded. This is probably the quickest and most effective way of dealing with the situation.”
Jess’ face dawned with realisation. “Like smacking a spider with a rolled up newspaper rather than the class and card thing and letting it go?”
“Right!” The Doctor said enthusiastically, pointing a long finger at her, a broad smile on his face. “Only in this case, the Daleks are the spider and their ship is the newspaper.”
“What about the Cyber base?” Tifa asked, looking slightly confused.
“Let’s just call that a rather nasty bug that got hit by the same paper. Sometimes the only way to cure is to kill.”
“Then should that red light be flashing?” Jess asked, pointing to a console. “Flashing red lights are bad, yeah?”
The Doctor dashed over to the console. “Yes, red is bad. Although this is technically more of a mauve.” The Doctor studied a readout on a small screen. “Hmm, the reactor is reaching critical, but there’s some sort of energy discharge coming-” Slowly, the Doctor trailed off, and he drew a finger to his lips and turned to face Jess and Tifa, a sheepish look on his face.
“What is it?” Jess asked, noting the Doctors expression.
“The little energy barrier I erected to stop the Daleks blasting their way in through the observation windows, well, it’s stopping Toms materialisation too. The incoming energy beam is the transmit beam.”
“Well, hadn’t you better do something other than just talking about it?” Jess asked.
The Doctors eyes widened and he spun back round and slammed his hands down on the console. The air in the centre of the chamber appeared to blur and swirl and a ghostly humanoid form appeared, its arms up before it as if shielding itself from something. As the shape took a more solid form, it became more identifiable as Tom, his eyes and lips wide in fear. As his form solidified, his face went green before a deathly pale and he crumpled soundlessly to the floor. All three occupants of the room stared at the crumpled heap that was Toms body in silence for several long seconds. The Doctor rushed to Toms side in three strides. Tifa and Jess stood there looking on in shock.
Kneeling beside Toms body, the Doctor pressed two fingers onto his neck, feeling for a pulse. Suddenly, Tom sat bolt upright inhaling deeply and blinking rapidly before breathing heavily. “Whoa.” Was all he could manage to say.
“Glad you could join us.” The Doctor smiled.
“It was a close call.” Tom croaked, his throat dry.
“Well, it’s not over yet. Another close call and I’m afraid we’re going to have to head for the TARDIS, pretty much about two minutes ago.” The Doctor stood, helping Tom to his feet.
“What do you mean by that?” Jess asked, confused. “You’re not getting time tenses mixed up are you?”
Tifa slowly raised her arm and pointed at the observation window. Three blue hazes were approaching the window, each haze making the outline of a new Dalek machine visible. The Doctor followed the line along which she was pointing and nodded grimly.
“Now the energy barrier is down, they can get in that way, and they know it. We have to leave, now!” The Doctor explained briefly, before raising his voice as the Daleks got nearer; “Run!”
The large glass observation window shattered in a shower of glass, the wind and rain whipping into the room as the lead Dalek smashed its way into the command chamber. The Doctor ushered his three companions out of the melted door before following them out as a powerful energy beam smashed into the remains of the door.
The Doctor ushered his small entourage along the corridor at speed, directing them as they ran. “Not far now.” He yelled over the noise of the pursuing Daleks, as they shouted and fired behind them. The Doctor knew the desperation that his friends faced, Jess with a mild concussion, Tom had just survived a potentially fatal transmat beam, which he had deliberately not told him and Tifa had lost her entire planet, friends and family. He knew any attempt at a much needed break would cause their death; the Daleks had managed to follow them, therefore the weapons system he had set up had failed.
They rounded another corner and almost ran into the side of the TARDIS. The doors were hanging open, the key in the lock. The remains of one of the newer Daleks sat smoking just outside of the TARDIS. Bodily, Tom pushed the broken shell aside as Jess dragged Tifa into the police box, the Doctor following and finally Tom, who pulled the doors shut behind him. Tom turned around to see the Doctor stood aghast at the state of the console room. All the rooms furniture had been broken and destroyed, and the console had almost been ripped apart, panels torn off and circuitry and wiring exposed. Slowly the Doctor walked to the remains of the console, a horrified and pained look on his face.
“Oh, my poor old thing.” He said softly as he reached the console and tenderly stroked a buckled surface. “What have those monsters done to you, eh? What have they done?”
Jess looked at Tifa and then to Tom a worried and confused look on her face, before looking back to the Doctor. Tom slowly walked over to her.
“Is he talking to it like a kitten?” She whispered.
“Doctor?” Tom gently put his hand on the Time Lords shoulder.
The Doctor turned to face his three companions, his face stony and grim. “They’ve tried to steal technology from the TARDIS, and really hurt her in the attempt.”
“Is your ship still working?” Tifa asked. “Will you still be able to stop the Daleks to avenge my people?”
“I’m really not fond of this whole vengeance line.” The Doctor said, softly taking Tifa by the shoulders and looking into her eyes. “But trust me, after today; the Daleks will not be doing anything for a long, long time. I can guarantee that this ends tonight.”
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Post by Fitz Kreiner on Jun 12, 2008 21:19:58 GMT
The Doctor turned back to the wrecked console and hit several switches, reaching through one of the open panels and, taking his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket, connected some wires and circuitry together, along with a piece of circuitry he’d taken from the command deck.
Tom, Jess and Tifa stood together watching the Doctor busy himself, unsure what to do with themselves. Exhaustion was slowly overcoming them and each one of them was slowly getting weaker as the adrenaline was leaving their systems.
“Right, fingers crossed.” The Doctor said eventually as the central column slowly groaning into life.
The TARDIS started shuddering, slowly and slightly at first, the tremors getting more violent causing all four occupants of the time machine to lose their footing and stumble. Tom flung himself towards one of the battered edges of the console, gripping an exposed edge of a panel. Jess and Tifa clung to each other, trying to steady themselves as the console room started to rock more violently The Doctor was gripping to the console, his feet apart to give himself more balance.
“Tom!” The Doctor shouted over the strained groaning noise the console was making. “The panel that’s been exposed before you; the parallax coils should be under there. They’re coming loose; I need you to hold them down.”
Tom nodded and pulled himself to an upright position and reached his hand through the open panel.
“Careful, they will be hot.” The Doctor warned, causing Tom to snatch his hand back and wave it in the air, casting an annoyed glance over at the Time Lord.
“Jess, your cloak.” He shouted, holding a hand out towards her.
Jess threw the cloak she had rolled up under her arm to Tom, who caught it and unfurled it with a quick flick of his wrist. Gently, he wrapped his hand in the material and held down the coil that was coming loose.
“OK, this could be very rough.” The Doctor said, bracing himself against the console. “Brace yourselves.”
Jess and Tifa looked at each other before rushing over to join the Doctor and Tom at the console, griping on for dear life as the whole TARDIS began to shake itself quite violently.
*
“Alert. Alert.”
The victorious Dalek faction had now gained control of the grounded battleship and had gained an advantage. The first victory of the new Dalek empire had been won. The ship would fly once again, as soon as the numbers had been made up. Cloning of the Dalek creatures to place in the growing number of machines would begin soon.
“Alert. Alert. Reactor reaching critical mass. Reactor reaching critical mass.”
The main priority facing the Dalek faction presently, was the situation set up by the Enemy; The Doctor. The main reactor of the ship had been set to overload and the controls had been encrypted. Reams of Dalek text scrolled over screens as several Daleks were trying to break the encryptions, unaware of the Daleks in orbit doing the same. The lights of the command chamber were slowly dimming and alarms and sirens were sounding more and more.
The Dalek commander sat in the height of position on the command deck observing the bustle. Its enlarged brain power and computers were running through all the possibilities to break the encryptions, taking in the words that appeared on the screens. The words were random and meaningless, the Dalek brain couldn’t take in what the words were saying and time was running very thin.
*
Out in space, the Black Daleks battle cruiser left its orbit of the moon at a high speed and headed towards the planet. On the bridge, the alarms started sounding immediately as the Ship hurtled towards the atmosphere. All screen readouts reported that the ship was on a collision course for the planet. The view screen flicked to life showing the planet looming up before the ship. As the ship entered the atmosphere, the engines kicked into full power and the aerial image of the Cyber base loomed up on the screen. It was the last image that the Black Dalek saw.
*
On the planet, the commander of the Dalek faction observed the fiery streak across the dark sky, buffeted by lightning, as the second Dalek ship careered through the atmosphere and towards the surface. In less than a second, it impacted into the cyber base erupting in a colossal pillar of flame and debris. The sound and shockwave hit the grounded ship seconds later, as the reactor hit the critical mark and exploded, blowing a large hole into the side of the crater it was sat above, doubling the craters size and eliminating a proportion of the now dead settlement.
To the other side, where the Cyber base once was, another crater where the Dalek ship had impacted, three times the size of the original crater. A vast cloud of smoke and displaced earth and dust from the impact was hanging heavy and spreading, mingling with the smoke from the fires that had come through smouldering debris raining upon what was left of the settlement. The Dalek experiment had ended. Ended at a terrible cost.
*
In the Space/Time Vortex, an obsolete blue Earth Metropolitan Police Box span in the maelstrom. Inside the TARDIS all was dark and quiet. Its four occupants were lying unconscious on the ruined and grimed floor of the console room. Slowly light began to return to the room, starting from the now shattered central column. Light dimly began to emit from behind the roundels in the walls. One of the figures on the floor began to stir, consciousness returning. The Doctor slowly got to his elbows, pushing himself up. The Doctors groan turned into one of horror and disbelief as his eyes fell on the smoking, smouldering wreck that was the console. A groan from the opposite side of the room made him start.
Slowly and shakily getting to his feet, the Doctor looked about him; Jess and Tifa were lying beside him, both unconscious. Bending down, he felt at their necks, their pulses still strong. The groan came again, and the Doctor looked up. The dishevelled figure of Tom was slowly turning onto his front and getting to all fours.
“Oh good God. What the hell happened?” He eventually asked gripping the edge of the ruined console for support, coughing at the fumes hanging heavy in the air.
“It was a case of now or never.” The Doctor replied, “and we were very nearly too late. Remotely controlling that ship in orbit from the vortex was never going to have been easy, but after what the Daleks had done to the console, it was very nearly impossible.”
“And nearly killed up all?” Tom asked. “Is this damage reparable or are we now marooned?”
A groan from both Jess and Tifa made the Doctor stop, open mouthed. “Later.” He said motioning to the two girls. Together, the two Time Lords helped them to their feet.
“What happened?” Tifa gasped over the fumes. “And what is that smell? It chokes.”
“Mercury.” The Doctor replied. “Unfortunately we fried the fluid links a little bit with that little stunt of mine, I do apologise.” The Doctor returned to the remains of the console and gingerly flicked a few of the remaining switches. “I’m going to have to take us out of the vortex and time for a while, if I still can, let the old girl get better.”
“‘The old girl get better’? What do you mean?” Jess asked.
“Well, in stopping the Daleks I had to turn to a last resort, as you know. It didn’t agree well with the TARDIS, bless her, and she’s going to have to spend a few days regenerating herself now.” The Doctor replied, looking at Jess and Tifa. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. But we also need to get you two sorted. It’s not been the easiest of times for any of us, especially you.” The Doctor looked at Tifa. “I know it won’t be the same, but I wasn’t aware that there were Thals on Telris. But I do know of other Thal colonies out there, there is more of your race, and we can find them for you?”
Tifa looked at the Doctor for a long time, unsure of what to do or say. Tom and Jess looked on as the Doctor and Tifa looked at each other.
“How can anyone be thinking straight after all this?” Jess whispered to Tom.
“I... I cannot think.” Tifa said eventually. “I wish to stay, Doctor. Rest and get away from Daleks.”
The Doctor straightened up and smiled and looked over to Tom and Jess. “Tom, would you be able to give me a hand here? I’ve some things I could do with your help with before the old girl starts regenerating herself”
Tom nodded, almost too exhausted to speak, leaning against a battered panel of the console. “It gonna take long?” he managed to say.
“About an hour.” The Doctor smiled removing his coat and laying it over a bent piece of panelling extruding from the console. “Jess, would you take Tifa and show her where she can get herself cleaned up and some new clothes? Oh, and find her a room so she’s somewhere to sleep and rest.”
Jess nodded; her eyes heavy. She put her arm comforting around Tifas shoulders and led her to the door to the rest of the TARDIS.
“Oh, Tifa.” The Doctor turned round and smiled. “Welcome aboard the TARDIS.”
“And it’s not always this messy.” Jess added with a wink.
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