Displacement [Full Story]

[Fitz Kreiner]

Harry stood up quickly and looked at the Doctor. “How the devil do you know that?”

“Well, unless I’m mistaken.” The Doctor said. “And I’d like it if I was because it certainly can’t be a good basis for relations between humanity and these aliens if their touch can cause effects like this. However, I would like to run more tests on the fluids we took, just to be sure. It could just be a case of biological makeup that is reacting. It may just be Private Wolfe himself; a severe and specific case of anaphylactic shock. I just don’t know yet.”

“Sorry Doctor, you trailed off your point there.” Harry said. “Unless you’re mistaken?”

“Oh yes,” the Doctor rolled his eyes. “Well, unless I’m mistaken, these platelets there are rather badly damaged cells from the retina.”

Harry leant in closer to the screen. “I say, you could be right Doctor.” Harry straightened up and shrugged off his white coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves. “You think we could negotiate with these aliens? What if they are indeed hostile?”

“Well, we’ve not actually had a proper encounter with them yet.” The Doctor replied, busy preparing another slide. “But at this point, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

“I guess you could be right there too, Doctor. I remember those Vogan chaps weren’t that hostile. Well, not all of them.” Harry said running a hand through his hair.

“Quite so, quite so.” The Doctor said as though her were only half listening. “Besides, if the aliens were hostile then the chances are they would have done more damage to your Private, or killed him.”

“Or were they Vogons?” Harry muttered, questioning himself. “I don’t remember which were those ones from that Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy show. I’m terrible with names.” Harry looked over at the Doctor who was busy preparing more slides and busy humming to himself. Remembering how engrossed the Doctor could get with his work, we walked over to where Tifa was standing reading one of the posters on the wall. “How are you old thing?” He asked.

“Oh, I was not aware you were behind me.” Tifa apologised turning round to see Harry.

“That’s ok.” He smiled. “You know, I never really got the chance to speak to you that last time. Or is it you’ll not really get a chance to speak to me, when what happens, erm, happens.” Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Having travelled with the Doctor, you’d have thought it would make this easier.”

“I have not been with him long.” Tifa said, a sadness welling behind her eyes as she remembered what had happened. “The Daleks invaded my settlement; all my people were killed except myself. The Doctor says there are other Thal colonies out there. I hope that is so.”

Harrys’ eyes widened. That was another name he remembered. “Oh, I’m sure there must be. You know old girl; this day has been nothing but blasts from the past for me.” Harry sat down on a table attracting a look of confusion from Tifa. “When I used to travel with the Doctor we arrived on your planet; I don’t remember what it was called now, but we had to do something for the Time Lords. Anyway, we were there when the Daleks were first created by their scientist bloke. I think he was called Davros if I remember right. Anyway, my point is, your people survived the Dalek attack then with just a handful of them. I’m sure there are more out there.” Harry stopped, unsure of where to go from there.

“You were there?” Tifa asked, astounded. “There at the beginning of it all?”

“Well, it was the beginning of the Daleks, but the end of the war. But the Doctor did say that he’d set them back about a thousand years. I guess that was a good thing from what he made out at the time. Otherwise they’d have destroyed everything.” Harry stopped unsure of what he had said or where else to go, afraid he was making matters worse. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when the medical orderly returned carrying a tray with a single steaming mug on it.

“Your hot chocolate miss.” He said softly, looking down as Tifa picked the cup off the tray. “Would you care for anything, Sir?” He asked, turning to Harry.

“Two teas.” Harry said, casting a glance to the Doctor as the orderly scurried from the room again. Looking back towards Tifa, he spotted her staring suspiciously at the steaming, frothy brown liquid. “First time having it?” He asked.

Tifa nodded. “The aroma is interesting.”

“Well, my advice is to let it cool a little before drinking. If you don’t like it, don’t worry, just collar anyone and they’ll get you something else.”

Tifa looked over at the Doctor. “Has the Doctor found what injured your soldier?” She asked looking at Harry. “I am unsure as to what is happening.”

“Me too, if I’m honest.” Harry replied. “We still don’t know who the aliens are or what they did to Glenn. The Doctor wants to give them the benefit of the doubt as to if they’re hostile or not.”

“I hope they are not.” Tifa muttered.

“Hmm,” Harry said in agreement. “Guess we just have to wait and see.”

*


“That’s the last one.” Jess sighed putting the notebook down on a pile and leaning back in the chair.

“So, that’s locations of sightings of the aliens, ‘ghosts’, and from where people were when they saw the UFOs.” Tom said dropping the pen and rubbing his wrist.

Jess looked over at the map on the table that they had been working at and the different concentrations of markings and symbols that she and Tom had worked out and plotted. “You’d have thought they’d have done this themselves.” She said. “Although, I can kinda see why they didn’t.”

“Yes,” Tom said slowly. “Not that I’ve a problem with writing, I’m just not that used to it. It was all computerised on the station.”

“Excuses, excuses.” Jess cheekily said, sticking her tongue out at him. “I take it being a ‘high and mighty’, you noticed what I did?”

“You mean about the earlier sightings and the greatest concentration?” Tom asked.

“Yeah.” Jess replied. “How the further out you go, you get less and they’re more recent. And that will be the one we’ve got a video of, there.” Jess pointed to the last marking that Tom had made on the map.

“And if the central point is here, one second.” Tom leaned back and picked a ruler up off one of the desks that lined the opps room and placed it on the map so that the edge of the ruler was at the central point and marked off the latest sighting. Rotating the ruler, Tom turned it a full circle and then looked back up at Jess. “Yup, it’s certainly the furthest out.” He confirmed. “Which would make the epicentre here; Sutton Scarsdale.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

Stephens closed the door behind the coach driver and returned to the kitchens and servants areas, stopping on his way to check the time by the clock in the servants hall; four in the afternoon.

“Has there been any word from out American ‘guest’?” He asked as he entered the kitchen.

“Not a peep, Mr Stephens,” Mary said “Nothing from their Lord or Ladyships either, since M’Lady got back from town.” Mary looked down and shuffled her feet. “Did his lordship say anything about after the sale of the hall when you spoke to him earlier?”

“I did, Mary, Yes.” Stephens said sitting down in his chair in the corner as Mary brought him a cup of tea over. “And he said that it would be something for him to discuss with her ladyship in their own time. I would imagine that they would want to see what this American gentleman wants to do with the house.”

“Very well, Mr Stephens.” Mary said, stepping back.

“How are things prepared for tonight?” Stephens asked, taking a sip of his tea.

“We have food and drink prepared. We are currently awaiting the arrival of the musicians.” The head maid said, drying her hands on a dishrag. “The letter of confirmation we received stated that they would arrive around late afternoon or early evening today.”

“And Lord and Lady Arkwrights’ evening meal?”

“A full Sundays evening meal is prepared for six tonight. We are just awaiting their call for it.” The maid replied.

Stephens smiled and took another sip of his tea. “Well, quick cup of tea, then I’ll go and supervise the preparation of the main hall.”

*


Gregory Pope jumped and opened his eyes, sure that there had been a flash of light through the window or had he been dreaming? He didn’t know how long he had been asleep, however the lengthening shadows through the window told him that it was not late afternoon. He brought his hand up, his eyes widening when he noticed that he was not longer holding the black device. After a frenzied and rapid search of the bed, he found it concealed amongst a fold in the silk bedding. He let loose a long sigh of relief.

The diodes were flashing a blood red now. Pope nearly dropped it as the device vibrated in his hand. He stared at it for a couple of seconds, wondering what was happening until the device vibrated again. The garbled clicking noise was emitted once again. Pope looked around hurriedly until he spotted a clock on the wall. It showed the time at five minutes past four.

“Make landfall for seven hours time.” He said into the device, pressing in the two flashing diodes. “I have kept your device active as you requested. All I can do is keep it running until you make landfall here.” Pope got up and walked to the window. Leaning against the sill and looking east he could see the vast expanse of open farmland, with the village of Bolsover far on the hill, huddled round the Castle. “There is plenty of land for your ship to make stable haven.”

Pope listened to more clicking as he looked out over the fields. Two figures were making their way over the fields in the distance, passing the farm house in the distance. Pope watched them as they traversed the fields heading closer and closer. Pope squinted through the window. It had to be the first of the guests for the ball, from what he could make out, lord and servant; although why they were arriving on foot he didn’t know. He wasn’t too sure what time the ball was to start.

Pope shrugged his coat off and laid it on the bed. Looking again at the device in his hand, he lay it down on the dresser by the window as he started to unbutton his waistcoat. Glancing out of the window again, he saw the two figures were getting ever closer. Closing the curtains, Pope smiled. Tonight would be his night.

*


Lord Arkwright took another drag of his cigar and turned the page in his book. He glanced up and smiled at his wife, who was sat under the window busily engaged in her cross stitch and sighed.

“Is everything ok, dear?” She asked looking up at her husband. “You seem a little tense.”

Arkwright looked at his wife. The light coming through the window silhouetted her form and he could not make out her features properly. “Just anxious about tonight, that’s all.” He said getting to his feet. “I think I shall go see how the preparations for tonight are getting along.”

“Ok dear.” Lady Arkwright said. “I know it is still early, but shall I make the call to have the evening meal brought to us to give time for us to prepare for tonight?”

“Erm, yes, very well.” Arkwright said, before turning and leaving the room. Walking into the reception hall, Arkwright spotted Stephens, coming from the servants’ quarters and heading towards the main hall as he was.

“Ah, my Lord, I was just on my way to check on the progress of the preparations for tonight’s festivities.” Stephens said stopping as Arkwright walked towards him.

“Then allow me to accompany you, Stephens.” Arkwright said.

“Surely it should be you who would allow me to accompany you, sir.” Stephens said.

Arkwright smiled, and gestured forwards with his arm and followed his butler through to the main hall.

“Oh, Sir.” Stephens said, pausing and turning. “I feel that I should advise you that the musicians for tonight’s ball should be arriving soon.”

“Thank you.” Arkwright sighed. “I hope these musicians are better than the string quartet that they had at the Christmas Ball at Dronfield manor house.”

“I wouldn’t know sir.” Stephens said. “I was not at that event.”

“Oh, yes. Very true.” Arkwright mused, looking about the hall.

The hall had been decorated with plants and flowers and a small low stage had been erected in the far corner for the musicians to stand. Some tables and seating had been placed about the hall and a small table the opposite corner to the stage had some maids busy about it, preparing food and wine for the guests.

“Well, I must say this is all looking fantastic, very well done everyone.” Arkwright said, standing in the middle of the hall and clapping his hands, before turning back to Stephens. “I’ll leave this in your capable hands. I’m off to have my meal.”

“Very good sir.” Stephens said. “I shall make sure that it is all completed and that we have moved back into the servant area before your guests arrive.”

Arkwright smiled at his old faithful butler and walked out of the hall back to the drawing room.

*


Pope pulled on his dress coat and walked out of his room. The hall seemed rather quiet, clearly the ball had yet to start. As he neared the bottom of the stairs, his stomach growled. He remembered he hadn’t eaten since the morning and it was now late afternoon. Walking into the dining room he found Lord and Lady Arkwright entering from the drawing room.

“Ah, you must be Mr Pope.” Lady Arkwright said spotting him.

“Lady Arkwright. A pleasure to finally meet you.” Pope said walking towards her, taking her hand and kissing it. “And Lord Arkwright. Nice to see you again.”

“Mr. Pope.” Arkwright said, nodding curtly.

“Would you care to join us for a meal?” Lady Arkwright said, attracting a glare from Arkwright.

“That would be delightful, thank you my Lady.” Pope said, sitting down at a chair.

Lord and Lady Arkwright sat down also as the maids set out the plates and meal before them.

“Now, would you care to say grace, Mr. Pope?” Lady Arkwright smiled.

Before Pope could speak, there was a knock at the door and Stephens stepped into the room. “Excuse me sir, sorry to interrupt.” He said.

“That’s quite alright Stephens.” Arkwright said, “How can I help you?”

“It would seem that the first of your guests have arrived for the ball tonight.”

“How can that be?” Lady Arkwright said, confused and looking at the grandmother clock by the wall. “The invitations explicitly stated that the ball was to begin at seven, its only not half past four.”

“They state that they have been travelling and lost their invitation. They have been staying nearby and arrived by foot. Although the young gentleman has been robbed en route and is in need of new clothes for the ball.”

“My goodness then let the gentleman have some.” Lady Arkwright said, getting to her feet. “Who are they?”

“Two gentlemen,” Stephens said, “One calling himself ‘The Doctor’ and a Mr Tom Rowan.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Well, it seems to me, that this is definitely the centre of all the trouble.” The Doctor said looking at the map that Tom and Jess had pinned up on the wall of Harry’s office. “Why you and your teams didn’t concentrate around here, I don’t know.”

“Well, we knew that a lot of the early sightings occurred near and then spread out from there, but this was the easiest place to set up. We have a lot of areas to cover to stop looters, Doctor.” Harry replied.

The Doctor, Harry and Tifa had returned to Harrys office to find that Tom and Jess were already there. They had pinned a map up on the wall covered in symbols and then given a quick presentation; explaining what the symbols meant in regards to the sightings of the aliens and ghosts. “These UFOs, whether they’ve come through time, we’ve no way of knowing, yet.” Tom had said before putting the video footage of the incident in the jewellers on the portable television that Jess had set up on top of a filing cabinet.

“I also think you two were right.” The Doctor added looking at Jess and Tom. “And if I say so, I was right to give these aliens the benefit of the doubt. They certainly don’t seem hostile. The creatures’ reaction to Private Wolfe collapsing was certainly one of shock.”

“So what do we do now then?” Jess asked, downing the last drops of her can of coke and tossing the can into the bin.

“Harry, do you have an O.S. map of the area of that village and the surrounding area?” The Doctor asked looking at Harry.

“Oh, yes. I think so, somewhere.” Harry said as he started to rummage through the draws of his desk.

“What is wrong with the map there?” Tifa asked, pointing to the map Tom was stood by.

“Nothing, nothing at all. It just doesn’t have gradient lines on it so I can’t judge the altitudes of the areas. Could be quite handy to know that.” The Doctor replied.

“Here we go Doctor.” Harry said, brandishing a yellow covered Ordinance Survey map of Chesterfield and Bolsover.

“Excellent.” The Doctor grinned, spreading the map out on Harry’s desk, sending everything that was already on it flying and crashing to the floor.

“I say, steady on Doctor.” Harry protested onto the deaf ears of the Doctor who was now hunched over the map scrutinising it intensely. “What is it you’re looking for?”

Jess chuckled. “You won’t get an answer out of him when he’s in one of these moods.” She said. “I’ve seen that look on his face a lot in the past couple of weeks.”

“Aha! Yes, this is it.” The Doctor stabbed his finger at the map and looked up at Harry. “Bolsover;” He said. “It overlooks the village of Sutton Scarsdale, and Sutton Scarsdale hall appears to be the very epicentre of all these sightings. I think to make the very best of it all and to get the best readings and observations, we should move over to Bolsover Castle, which looks like it has a good view over the valley to the hall. We should be able to set up equipment and keep an eye on things.”

“Bolsover Castle?” Harry asked standing up to get a better look at the map. “We’ve never had any serious reports from there. They all pointed to heading this way.”

The Doctor shook his head. “Oh, Harry, Harry, Harry. Surely you should have thought that it doesn’t matter which way things are heading, you could have set a containment area here and a main point of command overlooking the main trouble spot. That way you could keep an eye on where no doubt things are happening that you can’t exactly see.”

“If you really think so Doctor?” Harry said, picking up the phone from the floor and placing it back on his desk.

“Well, obviously I don’t mean for you to put all your eggs in one basket. Keep some men here to keep an eye on things, stop looters and so forth, but I think a change of scenery to Bolsover Castle to over look the main problem areas will be the best move.” The Doctor replied. “I’d have thought you would have done that.”

“We all have to follow orders, Doctor, even me.” Harry protested picked up the handset and raising it to his ear dialling an internal number. “And mine were to head up the problems in Chesterfield. Hello? Sergeant Cooper? Yes, listen carefully; I’ve some new orders for you. I want you to get as many of your men as possible to gather up their gear and move on over to Bolsover, we’re relocating to the castle. Yes, that’s what I said. Not all though, leave as many behind as we can spare to keep an eye out for looters and keep a lid on things. Yes, that’s all, Sergeant. Thank you.”

“Right,” The Doctor said, turning round and looking at each of his companions in turn. “Jess, can you drive?”

“Not legally.” She replied. “I never passed my test. Those examiners have no sense of humour. Anyway, living in Lincoln, I decided I didn’t need a car.”

“Good. You can drive Tom and Tifa to Bolsover. Don’t worry about not knowing the way, there will be a lot of us going and we will be the only vehicles on the road. That ok?”

“Erm, well-” Jess began only to be cut off as the Doctor carried on talking.

“Tom; I want you to keep an eye open for any anomalous time fissures or temporal displacement or anything like that on the journey. You’re going to be more likely to spot it than anyone else. I’ll be going by air with Harry,” The Doctor paused turning to face his old companion. “I take it we can jump into one of your helicopters? Good”

“Doctor.” Harry said rather loudly, stopping the Doctor mid flow. “This will take a bit of time; we can’t all just up and leave.”

“Oh,” The Doctor said, disheartened “I was rather hoping that we could get this started straight away. Well, in that case; Jess, Tom, Tifa; I’d like you to all head off now, or as soon as possible so that we can keep an eye on things. If this rip has been getting larger recently, it means that things could spill out. Time is of the essence.” The Doctor grabbed the map off the table and folded it at speed, handing it to Tom. “If you navigate for Jess, you can be there in no time.”

“Erm, ok.” Tom said, rather taken aback at looking at the map to see that the page facing him was the page needed.

“If you head down now, Harry will ring ahead and you will have a car waiting.” The Doctor paused and looked at his three companions who all looked back, not quite sure what to make of his sudden change into urgency.

“You wish us to go alone?” Tifa asked.

“Certainly. You’re more than capable, all of you. I need people I can rely on and who will have an idea of what’s happening out there for me, and no one else fits the bill better.” The Doctor flashed a smile that almost had a pleading look to it.

“Ok, no need for the puppy dog eyes.” Jess teased. “I’m sure I’ll be able to get us there and we’ll manage for you.”

“Yeah, course.” Tom said getting to his feet from where he was sat on the floor. “We’d best get going; we don’t want to keep time waiting.”

Tom walked from the room followed by Jess and then Tifa, who gave the Doctor one last look, getting a smile in return.

The Doctor watched and waited until the trio had gotten out of earshot before turning back to Harry. “There’s something else, isn’t there? Something that you’re not telling them.” Harry said looking at the Doctors expression.

“Well, they’re young. Ok, Tom is a lot older than he looks, but in terms even of Time Lords, he’s young, and I didn’t want to worry them or put them under unnecessary pressure.”

“What do you mean Doctor?” Harry asked, concerned tones creeping into his voice.

“That judging from the pattern of sightings and dates on that map, if this rip in time isn’t sorted soon, it could tear the whole planet apart.” The Doctor replied, giving Harry a cold serious look.

“Crikey.” Harry swallowed hard. “How long do you think we have?”

“Taking into account the date of the first sighting and the frequency and speed at which they spread; I’d say less than 36 hours.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

Jess sat behind the wheel of the staff car that they had been shown to by a red capped soldier, tentatively drumming her black painted finger nails against the leather of the wheel cover.

“Are you alright?” Tifa asked from the passenger seat.

“It feels like I’ve not sat in the driver’s seat of a car in a long time.” Jess replied. The engine revved as she tested the weight of her foot against the accelerator pedal. Toms arm waved up and down out of the door where he was waiting for one of the soldiers to bring him some equipment. At seeing this, Jess smiled and revved the engine a couple more times.

Tifa looked over at Jess. “Is that the power building up?” She asked.

“No,” Jess smiled back. “The engine’s on. It’ll just annoy Tom as he’ll think we’re getting impatient with him; watch.” Jess said spotting Tom jogging towards the car in the rear view mirror. “This might be amusing.”

“Blimey, hold your horses!” Tom opened the rear door and placed a rucksack and two boxes on the back seat before climbing in beside them. “Ok, we can head off now.” He said, settling down.

“Ok.” Jess smiled into the mirror, subtly winking at Tifa, as she made a point of straightening and arranging her hair, checking it in her reflection before positioning the mirror so she was sat looking at Tom.

“Oh, ha-ha. Very witty.” He said rolling his eyes. “Hadn’t we better get moving? I’ve a feeling things are a little more serious than the Doctor is letting on.”

“Well, Mr Navigator, I’m waiting for directions. I don’t know where we’re meant to be heading.”

Toms eyes widened as he realised, causing a smirk from Jess to set Tifa giggling. Pulling the map from his pocket, Tom looked down at it. “Ok, minding the soldiers that are milling about getting ready for the off, head out of the gates and turn left, go straight over at the round-about and then just follow the round you find yourself on straight for a while.” He said, tracing the route with his finger.

Still smiling to herself, Jess slowly set the car in motion, as she got used to the feel of it before she started to pick up speed.
“I can’t get over how weird this feels still.” She said. “It’s rush hour and the roads are clear as anything. No traffic at all. We don’t even have to stop for red lights.” She grinned as she sped through a set of lights on red.

“What did you mean by saying that you think things are more serious than the Doctor is saying?” Tifa asked. “Why would he lie to us?”

“Oh, no.” Tom said, throwing his arm back along the length of the rear seats and pivoting so he could rest his feet up on the back seat. “It’s nothing malicious. I just get the feeling that he’s trying to protect us a little after what we went through last time. I don’t know what it is, but I think he wants us on lookout for a rather specific reason. The three of us have something that none of the soldiers or scientists in that station do; we’ve all travelled through time and are going to be a little more sensitive to it than them, me especially.”

“Oh, hark at you.” Jess teased.

“I think he means it is because he is one of the Doctors’ own people.” Tifa said to Jess.

“Yeah, I know.” Jess said. “I was being sarcastic. It’s a form of humour.” Jess looked over at Tifa. “Don’t worry about it. We’re an alien culture, yeah?”

“I think I still have a lot to learn about humans.” Tifa said, looking down.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re doing fine.” Jess smiled. “I’ve spotted it since we left your planet.”

Tifa smiled and then turned to look out of the window as the scenery flashed past the car. This planet; Earth, the one she’d heard about in legends since she was young, was so different from how she had imagined it. Yet now, here she was, on the legendary planet, having arrived by the legendary TARDIS and with the legendary Doctor. She could scarcely believe it was happening. The events of the past few weeks had seemed to have numbed her. She was brought out of her reverie as Jess pulled hard on the wheel as the car sped round a very steep corner.

“Sorry folks, I was miles away.” Jess said sheepishly.

“Easy girl.” Tom said from the back seat. “We want to get there in one piece.”

“Yeah, sorry.” Jess apologised again. “It’s been a while since I’ve driven.” Thinking, Jess eased her foot off the accelerator. Maybe slowing down would be a good idea.

*


“Right oh. Thanks.” Harry put the phone down and got up off his chair. The Doctor was stood with his hands in his pockets studying the map on the wall showing all the dates and locations of the sightings that had been reported. “Well, that’s the chopper organised. Should be landing in the car park of the retail park over the road in about fifteen minutes.”

“Hmm, yes, good good.” The Doctor muttered absently still staring intently at the map.

“What is it, have we missed something?” Harry asked looking at the Doctor and then to point he was staring to on the map.

The Doctor turned round, apparently noticing Harry for the first time. “Ah, Harry, what is it?”

“What? Oh, I was just asking if there was anything we’d missed. You were staring at that map rather deeply.” Harry replied.

“I was just trying to remember whether or not I knew anything about Sutton Scarsdale or the hall in particular. And to be honest, I don’t remember ever hearing of the place before today.”

“Don’t worry about it Doctor.” Harry said placing his hand on the Time Lords shoulder. “I’ll get one of my chaps onto researching the place; they can bring the info up to us at Bolsover when it’s sorted.”

“Thank you, Harry.” The Doctor smiled. “Now, what is it you were saying about the helicopter?”

“Oh, right oh Doctor. Yes, it should be landing in the car park for the shops over the road in about fifteen minutes. If we collect the stuff we need to take and make a move it won’t be long before we’re at the castle.”

“Well, I think we should make our way down and wait for the helicopter. Tom should have everything we need already there.” The Doctor checked his pocket watch before slipping it back into his pocket before gesturing to the door. “After you, Harry”

*


Jess walked along the ramparts of the tower, looking out at the town in the valley below. The castle wasn’t what she was expecting; it wasn’t the old medieval castle she had imagined, instead it seemed more 17th century manor house that had been made to look like a castle. It didn’t detract from its splendour, it just wasn’t what she had envisioned and it left her unsure how she felt.

Leaning and looking over the battlements at the court below, she could see the top of the car that she had driven her, Tom and Tifa to the castle in parked below. Army trucks and jeeps were arriving now, driving into the courtyard below and parking, disgorging troops who were unloading equipment and setting up large tents on the large lawns.

“This is normal for Earth buildings?”

Jess looked round to see Tifa had come and stood beside her. “Not really. Not anymore. This is old. Mostly these days they look like the buildings that you saw in Dronfield and that town where the army had their base.”

“Then this is an old building. Not damaged by the aliens?” Tifa asked again.

“No, I don’t think so. Just an old ruined castle. There are loads of them in England.”

“This is beautiful, Jess.” Tifa said, turning in a full circle, her arms wide open, the wind whipping her golden hair up. She still wore the white lab coat over her clothes. “I am on an alien world. An old ruin on an alien world, looking over alien countryside. There is so much more here than there was back at home. I cannot put this into words. I thought, when we were in the TARDIS, after we just left Telris that nothing would make me feel like this again. Not after the Daleks.”

Jess smiled at the young Thal. “That wasn’t easy for any of us, but I can’t begin to imagine how it was for you. You’re doing great though. We can help the Doctor sort this, then have a nice holiday.”

“That would be nice.” Tifa smiled, a tear in the corner of her eye.

“This is fascinating.” Tom said, looking up from the binoculars that seemed to have been glued to his eyes for the past fifteen minutes.

“What is it?” Jess asked walking over to the side of the tower he was leaning against.

“I have absolutely no idea what I’m looking at or looking for.” He confessed. “I’ve spotted Sutton Scarsdale Hall, over there in the distance.”

“And you see nothing that is not normal?” Tifa asked.

“Nope, all looks fine and normal to me. Albeit a bit quiet.” Tom paused and then looked back the way he had been staring. “Although, that doesn’t look very normal. Do you see that?”

Tom passed the binoculars over to Jess and pointed out the direction he’d been looking. “You mean that glowing blue light?”

“Precisely. It wasn’t there a minute ago, and it has a somewhat ominous feel to it.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

A cheer and some laughing from the grounds below made the three turn and rush to the side of the tower overlooking the large grounds. Down below a large clear area had been made. One or two soldiers were still milling about, finishing setting up tents and equipment. Another cheer went up and some more laughter followed by some shouting. A group of soldiers were kicking a football about, using two ammunition crates to mark out a goal.

“What are they doing?” Tifa asked.

“Playing football.” Jess replied. “But you’d have thought that they’d have had more urgent things to do, wouldn’t you?”

“What do you mean?” Tifa asked.

“Don’t they know there’s an alien invasion?”

“Maybe you should ask the corporal.” Tom said.

“What do you mean?” Jess asked turning to face Tom, who merely nodded towards the part of the roof they had climbed through having set the ladder up.

Standing in the corner of the tower was a female soldier, with corporal stripes on her sleeve. She was hard faced with emerald green eyes which gave her a friendlier facade. Her red hair was tied up under her red cap.

“Corporal Lovatt, Sir, miss.” She said, smiling.

“Enough with the Siring and Missing.” Tom said. “I’m Tom, this is Jess and Tifa. You’ll find we’re rather informal, so don’t stand on ceremony.”

Corporal Lovatt walked forwards until she was standing between Tom and the girls and looked down into the courtyard below at the soldiers kicking the ball about. “They’ve heard that the Doctor is here. They’ve heard the rumours that he can sort out a screwy situation in a matter of hours using stuff that no one else would have thought of using.”

“That’s about right, if he can find it in time.” Jess muttered quietly.

“Sergeant Cooper didn’t mind some of the lads having a kick about. They’re also having a Barbie soon for a bit of food, as it’s a nice evening.”

“What is a ‘bardie’?” Tifa asked, confused looking at Tom and then Jess. Tom gave a blank look in reply, not knowing either.

“A barbeque,” Jess answered. “Outdoor cooking. Always good for some fun food and beers.”

“Well, there’s no alcohol on camp.” Lovatt said, “But yeah, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chops and stuff I’d guess.”

“I’m not sure now is quite the time for a party.” Tom muttered grumpily turning back and looking out towards Sutton Scarsdale with the binoculars Jess had left on the wall. “I’m surprised that this glowing can’t be seen with the naked eye.” He muttered to himself.

“Oh, don’t worry about him.” Jess said, smiling at Corporal Lovatt. “He’s a Time Lord.” She added, as if that explained everything.

Lovatt turned back to the two girls who were still looking out over the courtyard. The low thumping of a helicopter could be heard in the distance and the chirp of summer evening birds just peeking above the laughter and shouts from the soldiers below.

“What is it he’s looking for?” Lovatt asked.

“The centre of all this trouble is an old hall over that way. There’s a strange blue glow coming from inside it. We think that could be the cause of the trouble. What it is, we won’t know ‘til the doctor gets here.” Jess said, summarising briefly for Lovatt.

“Then maybe we all need a rest before we move in?” Lovatt suggested, shrugging her shoulders.

“Move in?” Jess asked.

“Well, go up there and sort things out in person.”

“Will that be the best option? I am sure the Doctor will have a better idea.” Tifa said.

“Well, we’ll see when he gets here with the Commander.” Lovatt said.

Jess opened her mouth to reply when there was a bright blue flash coming from the direction of Sutton Scarsdale. Tom cried, falling back and dropping the binoculars as he put his hands to his eyes. Jess and Tifa rushed over to him to see if he was ok. Lovatt walked slowly towards the wall, staring across the valley towards the Hall. Down in the courtyards below, all the soldiers had walked to the wall overlooking the valley too.

“I, I’m ok.” Tom stammered rubbing his eyes. “Just flash blinded. I’ll be fine. Flash at the Hall.”

Jess and Tifa looked up to see Lovatt staring out towards the Hall. Looking down the valley they saw it; a large light absorbing black craft had materialised out of thin air and was circling the area.

*


The helicopter thumped low over the streets heading away from chesterfield and heading out towards Sutton Scarsdale. The Doctor sat in the front, next to the pilot, leaning almost dangerously out of the side of the aircraft, the wind causing his hair to wave about wildly. Harry was sat in the back, directly behind the Doctor, looking at his old friend, somewhat concerned about how far he was leaning out of the helicopter.

“Doctor.” Harry shouted through the headpiece over the sound of the rotor blades and the rushing wind.

“Yes? This is quite exhilarating really, isn’t it?” The Time Lord shouted back through his headpiece.

“Yes, are you sure you should be leaning out that far?” Harry shouted back.

The Doctor spun in his seat so he could see Harry properly. “Don’t worry Harry, I’m wearing my seat belt.” The Doctor flashed a smile.
“Yes, ok.” Harry said flattening out the map he was holding. “We’re going to want to be heading round to Sutton Scarsdale Hall, just fly round that a couple of times before heading up to Bolsover.”

“Roger.” The pilot said nodding.

“I think once I’ve had a chance to have a look at the Hall, I should be able to set up a triangulation from the Castle. It will be rather a narrow triangle but I should be able to get some readings from it. What time is it now?” The Doctor asked.

Harry checked his watch. “I make it about four forty five.” He replied. “No wait! Four oh five.” Harry looked up at the Doctor. “My watch has gone crazy!”

The Doctor was reaching for his pocket watch when suddenly the helicopter gave a sudden lurch. Looking over, they could see the pilot struggling with the joystick.

“Something’s affecting the instruments, I’ve lost control. The Dials are going wild.” The pilot screamed as the helicopter weaved crazily through the sky gaining and losing altitude randomly.

The Doctor spun back round to face the front and brought his leg up and kicked hard repeatedly at the panel before him.

“Doctor, what are you-?” Harry started, stopping when a section of the panel dropped down.

“Yes!” The Doctor exclaimed as he leant forward brandishing his sonic screwdriver. Leaning with one hand pressed firmly against the roof of the cabin to support him, he plunged the sonic screwdriver into the opening. The shrill sound of the screwdriver penetrated the noise of the flailing helicopter. Gradually the helicopter regained stability and the dials returned to normal operation.

“Well done sir.” The Pilot shouted over the noise of the rotor blades as he regained control.

“What the devil was all that about?” Harry shouted.

“The displacement of time.” The Doctor replied. “It was the same on the video surveillance Tom and Jess showed us.

“So what does that mean, we’ve more aliens about somewhere?” Harry asked.

Before the Doctor could reply the helicopter was bathed in a bright blue flash that caused all three occupants to shield their eyes. The glare faded and the pilot cried out in alarm and pull harshly at the joystick, causing the helicopter to bank sharply to the right. Flying towards them was an ominous black craft that seemed to absorb all light.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Good grief!” Harry exclaimed, looking to his left as the hull of the craft passed within feet of the helicopter.

Maintaining control the pilot steadied the helicopter and turned it about so that the occupants could see the craft as it banked and rounded back, circling the Hall that they were now near.

“Do you recognise it, Doctor?” Harry asked.

“I’m afraid not, Harry.” The Doctor shouted back over his shoulder, “I’ve seen many over the years, but not this. And I don’t have a copy of ‘Jane’s Spaceships of the Universe’ on me to check it against.” The Doctor half turned in his seat so he could look back at Harry. “Have you noted how black the hull is, and the shape and design of the craft. It would be invisible against the backdrop of space visibly. And the shape of it, it’s designed for total stealth.”

“I thought you said that they were peaceful?” Harry replied. “You said that what happened to Private Wolfe was accidental. Stealth is designed mostly for surprise attacks and whatnot”

“Not necessarily Harry.” The Doctor said. “If stealth is for hiding, they could well be on the run, refugees.”

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but shut it again as the helicopter gave another lurch. The dials before the pilot started to spin crazily once again and the helicopter began to spin at a terrifying speed. Gripping on for dear life, Harry watched the pilot struggle hard against the spin of the aircraft as the Doctor rammed his sonic screwdriver back into the opening on the panel before him. Slowly the spinning stopped as the black craft vanished in a second flash of blue, leaving an eerie blue shimmer coming from the ruined hall.

Recovering control, the pilot circled the helicopter round the ruins. “There you go, sir. That’s your ruin.” He said.

The Doctor steadied himself before leaning out of the open door again and staring down into the open rooms. The hall was now stripped bare, merely walls. Yet from within these empty rooms there was a glowing blue haze that seemed to have no discernable source.

“Can you lower us down a little closer?” He shouted back up to the pilot.

“I can sir; how far down do you want to go?” The pilot replied over the headset checking his instruments.

“As close to the top of the building as you can manage would be perfect.”

“I can try sir; just don’t want to get caught up in that disturbance thing.” The pilot said, lowering the helicopter.

“I say Doctor, is this totally safe?” Harry shouted leaning forwards.

“Probably not, but you can never tell.” The Doctor smiled back reaching inside his coat. Rummaging inside a pocket he pulled out a yoyo and held his hand out of the open door.

“That’s as far down as I’m willing to take her, sir.” The pilot shouted.

The Doctor opened his hand allowing the body of the yoyo to fall down towards the blue haze. Reaching the end of the string, the plastic disc worked its way back up to the Doctors hand. Frowning at that failure, the Doctor stowed the yoyo in another pocket and rummaged around again until he pulled out a brown paper bag. Unfurling the top, he opened it up and pulled out a small selection of Jelly Babies. Looking down in his hand, he picked out the three red sweets and popped them one by one into his mouth. Taking the yellow and green sweets that were in his hand, he gently dropped them out of the door of the helicopter. The Doctor watched as they hit the blue haze, causing it to swirl about as they disappeared.

“Fascinating.” The Doctor mused. Reaching into another pocket, the Time Lord pulled out a small electrical device. Leaning out of the helicopter again, the Doctor squeezed it gently causing a green glow to emanate from it and then dropped it into the haze.

“Doctor, what was that?” Harry shouted.

“I’ll explain later. In the mean time, I think it would be best if we headed to the castle, rather quickly.” The Doctor said sitting back inside the helicopter. Below him, the blue haze swirled violently before slowly expanding and then stopping.

Acting quickly, the pilot pulled the helicopter higher and then flew it at speed towards the castle at the top of the hill.

*


The large black object that was a spacecraft hung silently in space, waiting. It hung in a high orbit of the planet Earth, gently dropping its orbit until it was just on the outside of the atmosphere. A smaller craft left the main ship from a black opening. The smaller ship took up the low orbit of the original large ship as it headed back up into a higher orbit, between the Earth and its moon. Homing in on a silent signal, the smaller craft arranged itself into a geostationary orbit in the northern hemisphere of the planet.

*


Jess tilted the angle of the small dish on the device that the doctor had given her. It was positioned on farthest point of the wall of the castle overlooking the valley and Sutton Scarsdale Hall. She looked up at the tower, where Tom was positioning a second and then glanced back at the tent where the Doctor, Harry and Tifa were, the Doctor hunched over some complex equipment conversing with Jess and Tom via radio.

“How’s that?” She asked, picking up the radio and speaking into it. Looking up, she saw a soldier walking to her with a plate of food from the barbeque and a cup.

“There you go, bit of food for you, Miss.” He said setting it down beside her.

“Thanks.” Jess smiled up at the soldier who took up a position standing near her on the wall.

“Jess?” The Doctors voice crackled through the radio. “Jess, can you angle your dish another two degrees up and three degrees clockwise?”

“You got a protractor on you?” Jess asked the soldier.

“Sorry, Miss.” He shook his head

Shrugging, Jess cautiously and gently moved the dish on the device very slightly up and to the left.

“That’s it! Perfect!” The Doctors voice cracked, almost excited. “Thank you, well done Jess.

Sitting on the wall by the device, Jess picked up the plate and started to eat, it felt like ages since she’d last eaten.

*


Tom was gently altering the dish on his device according to the Doctors instructions, a burger clamped between his teeth. Corporal Lovatt was stood against the wall, sipping from a steaming cup of tea.

“Tom?” The Doctors voice crackled through the radio.

“Gmph.” Tom muttered taking the burger out of his mouth and swallowing the meat he was chewing. “Here.”

“Can you raise your dish another three centimetres?”

*


Sitting in the largest of the tents, in a closed off section, the Doctor was sat over a monitor, that was showing an outline of Sutton Scarsdale Hall. Below the computer image was a purple spike that flickered as the numbers on a second screen beside it changed.

“That’s it, keep it there.” The Doctor said, putting the radio back down on the desk. “There, see that? The energy is spiking.” The Doctor pointed to the screen, indicating to Tifa and Harry who were stood near him.

“What kind of energy?” Harry asked.

“Its definitely temporal energy.” The Doctor replied. “But it’s not emanating from the Hall, well, the Hall from this time zone. I’m going to have to try and trace and track it back to its original source-point.”

“When do you think it’s coming from?” Harry asked.

“Well, judging from the picture you showed me, I’d say the 18th or 19th century.”

“But how long ago is that?” Tifa asked.

“About three hundred to one hundred and fifty years.” The Doctor replied. “And somehow, Tom is going to end up getting stuck back there.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

“You are certain that it is Tom and he gets stuck in the past?” Tifa pulled out a chair beside the Doctor and sat down looking at the screens that the Doctor was staring at.

“Without a shadow of a doubt. How, though, I have no idea.” The Doctor replied typing furiously at the keyboard and glancing at a third monitor.

“I say,” Harry said, stepping forwards. “You don’t think that temporal energy stuff could be a sort of time tunnel, portal thing do you?”

The Doctors tapping at the keyboard stopped and he froze before slowly turning and facing Harry, a look of astonishment on his face. “Harry!” He cried jumping up and grabbing Harrys’ shoulders. “That’s brilliant, of course.” The Doctor slapped the palm of his hand against his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He cried, sitting back down and started to type away like mad. The images on the screens changed and facts and figures scrolled across them.

“I think you were right.” Tifa said looking at Harry who still looked bemused from the Doctors outburst.

“I think I might have been.” Harry said scratching his head. “You, erm, do you want something else to eat?” He asked noticing Tifas’ empty plate.

“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.” She smiled.

Harry looked towards the Doctors plate and cup, it was untouched. “Right oh, old girl. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He said turning and walking from the closed off section.

“Do you really think that Tom will be stuck in the past?” Tifa asked the Doctor.

“It’s already happened. He ends up there, we’ve seen the proof.” The Doctor replied, pausing in his work and turning to face Tifa. “But don’t worry; I’m sure we’ll find a way to get him back. Don’t forget, we have the TARDIS.”

*


Whilst the Doctor working into the night and Harry sat in a makeshift office working to organise the soldiers who were milling about the castle court, Jess, Tom and Tifa were sat atop the tower of the castle.

“It really is peaceful here.” Tifa said, taking a sip of hot chocolate. “And I really do like this hot chocolate drink.”

“Yeah, I’m more a tea guy.” Tom muttered, laying back, resting his arms behind his head.

Jess hushed Tom and turned back to Tifa. “I guess we should appreciate the quiet, ‘cause if the Doctor’s right, it could all blow up into chaos soon.” Jess shuddered under the cool night and wrapped the blanket that one of the soldiers had brought up closer about her shoulders.

“I wonder which of those stars is Phragios?” Tifa said, dreamily laying back like Tom and looking into the night sky.

“I have no idea.” Tom said “It was all different when I was last on Earth. In fact, I’d never heard of Phragios or Telris before we met.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know the constellations that well, or even where your sun is.” Jess said stifling a yawn. “What time is it?”

“Probably late considering it’s been dark a while and its summer.” Tom said sitting up and leaning by the lantern to look at his watch. “Yeah, one fifteen.”

A noise at the hatchway to the tower roof made them turn as Corporal Lovatt climbed to the roof. She was out of uniform and into civilian clothing now. “Don’t know whether you’re ready, but we’ve set up an area for you two to sleep.” She said to Jess and Tifa.

“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Jess said. “Tifa?”
“I am rather tired.” Tifa admitted.

“It’s a separate room in the tower that we’ve set some beds up in. I’ll be joining you in sleeping there too.” Lovatt said.

“Ah, the good old women’s dorm.” Tom mocked, getting to his feet and walking to the wall. The diodes on the Doctors dish were blinking steadily and looking over towards Sutton Scarsdale, Tom saw that the glow from the Hall was brighter and it seemed as though its area was increasing. Stopped, he rested his elbows on the wall and leant on his hands staring at the distant blue haze.

“So, where is this room?” Jess asked, playfully hitting Tom on the arm.

“Two floors down. We’ve marked it, don’t worry, so none of the guys come crashing in during the night looking for the loo.” Lovatt said.

“Thank you.” Tifa said, as she followed Jess down through the hatch.

Lovatt watched the two girls climb down the ladder and then breathed a heavy sigh. Opening her jacket pocket, she took out a packet of cigarettes and took one out, placing it in her mouth. Noticing Tom watching her, she offered the pack to him. “Sorry, you want one?”

Tom stared at the pack for a while and then looked up at Lovatt. “Now, this might sound crazy, but what are they?”

Lovatt was taken aback by Toms’ question. “You are joking, yeah?” She asked.

“The last time I was on earth, it was the 41st century, and my memory had been altered by the Time Lords. I’m not the man I was. I’m a little out of place in this time, if I’m honest.” He replied, turning round and half leaning, half sitting against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

“Cigarette.” Lovatt said, not sure where else to go with the explanation. Lighting it, she took a drag and held it out to Tom. “Have a drag, see what you think?” She said, exhaling the greyish blue smoke out of the side of her mouth.

Tom cautiously took the cigarette and placed the filter end in his mouth and took a drag, spluttering almost instantly. “You guys do that for fun?” He asked, looking round for his tea.

Lovatt took the cigarette back chuckling. “Guess that’s not something you people are in to, eh? Who are you anyway, you’re not human are you?”

“Wasn’t aware I stuck out that much.” Tom said downing the contents of his cup. “Didn’t have a problem passing for human in the future.”

“Just things you’ve let slip, and Jess said something about you being a ‘Time Lord’?”

“Yeah, from the planet Gallifrey. Same race as the Doctor.” Tom said. “Although in terms of time being relative, I’m not too sure if I’m from your past, future or present. I think future, as the Time Lords placed me in the 41st century.” Tom paused and muttered to himself. “Sorry, rambling. Having noticed the Doctor, I think that’s a common theme in Time Lords.”

“You’re a Time Lord but you don’t know what your race is like.” Lovatt asked.

“Hey, they messed with my memory.” Tom protested. “I’m still getting my old life back. But I do know that I’m a lot older than I look. How old would you say I am?”

Lovatt looked Tom up and down. “I dunno, mid twenties, twenty four, twenty five?” She shrugged.

“Try one hundred and thirty two.” Tom replied, getting a slack jawed response from Lovatt.

“You are kidding me this time?” She asked.

“Two hearts, good metabolic rate, Time Lords age differently to humans.”

Lovatt finished her cigarette and threw the butt over the wall. Picking up the cups that had been left she moved over to Tom, collecting his cup. “Well, you’re looking good on it.” She said picking up the lantern. “But I’m now gonna join your friends and turn in for the night.”

Tom nodded. “Ok, sleep well. Oh and before you go, just try to be a little more subtle about the fact that you’re there to look out for them, yeah?” The young Time Lord winked at her.

“How did you-?” Lovatt began.

Tom merely winked and turned to look back out across the valley at the Hall.

*


“How are things going up there, Tom?” The Doctor asked picking up the radio and rubbing his eyes. He was starting to tire from nearly seven hours non-stop work in front of three monitors. He was aware that Jess and Tifa had joined Tom, who was keeping a personal observation, at the top of the tower and had now headed to bed.

“Quiet, boring, lonely and I’m out of tea.” Toms voice crackled, slightly distorted through the radio. “Can’t see any change other than that haze has just covered the whole hall now. You got any good readings? Or TV channels?”

“A few spikes indicating temporal growth.” The Doctor replied picking up the cup beside him and downing the contents in a swift gulp grimacing, the tea was cold. He glanced at the plate of food beside him, almost certainly cold too. Standing the Doctor walked to where Harry had set up a small temporary office. Harry was sat at the table, his head resting on his folded arms fast asleep. The Doctor was just stepping out of the large tent when he was started by the sound of a terrified scream and then three gunshots coming from the castles tower. Without a second thought, he ran towards the noise.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“A few spikes indicating temporal growth.” The Doctors voice crackled through the radio.

Tom muttered to himself. Jess and Tifa had gone to bed just over an hour ago and he was starting to bore of standing watching the glow coming from the Hall. The blue haze had enveloped the whole Hall since he had first sighted it ten hours ago.

Tom sighed and stopped pacing and leant against the wall again, tapping his fingers against the cool stone. “God, something happen, please.” He sighed, unsure of which deity he was muttering to.
As if answering his plea, he was startled by a loud scream coming from below him, making for the hatch; he heard three gunshots ring out, making him quicken his pace.

*


Tifa stirred in her sleep. The beds that the soldiers had set up were nowhere near as comfortable as the beds in the TARDIS. In fact, they were collapsible, easily collapsible as Jess had discovered when her bed collapsed in the middle when she sat on it. Tifa rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. She could feel something; a presence.

Turning her head to the left, she could see the sleeping form of Jess. She heard Lovatt move round in her bunk somewhere below the foot of her bed. Maybe she had been imagining it. Turning onto her left hand side, she pulled the blanket up over her shoulder. She suddenly realised that there was someone stood in the corner of the room, with their back to her. A faint light was coming through the window and falling on the figures shoulders.

Tifa looked again, the light wasn’t falling on the figure, it was falling though the figure, causing it to glow eerily. The figure stepped out of the light from the window and the glow faded, allowing Tifa to see that it was wearing a full length cloak with a hood. As she watched the figure reached up and pulled back its hoot and let the cloak drop to the floor. The figure turned around to face her. She leaned up on her elbow as she recognised the figures profile; she’d seen its picture in Harrys office.

The ghostly image of Tom completed his turn until he was staring directly at her. Instead of the full features Tifa expected, his face was almost skeletal, with shards of flesh hanging from it, a large grinning mouth with vestiges of a beard and wide staring eyes; one just a blank socket. Going to back away in terror, Tifa fell from the side of her camp bed, turning it on its side and falling into Jess who awoke with a start. Jess sat bolt upright and tried to focus on the advancing ghoulish image as Tifa gripped hold of Jess’ arm and screamed in terror.

Corporal Lovatt was awake and alert immediately; jumping on her feet and pointing a gun at arm’s length at the figure stood over Jess and Tifa.

“Freeze!” She shouted.

The image of Tom spun round immediately to face Lovatt, his arm outstretched, a flintlock pistol aimed at Lovatt, who instantly fired three shots in quick succession. The bullets passed straight through the apparition, hitting the far wall. Stopping, the image blinked and put the pistol away inside its long black coat and stood looking from Jess and Tifa, who were huddled together between their two disturbed beds, and Lovatt who was still aiming her gun.

The door to the room was flung open, crashing into the wall loudly and Tom skidded in stopping dead at the sight of his own ghostly image.

“What the hell-?” Tom began, his eyes firmly locked onto the sight before him. He was vaguely aware of the Doctor arriving behind him as he stepped forwards towards his doppelganger. Blinking, Tom became aware of the shrill sound of the Doctors sonic screwdriver in his ear as he watched the ghostly image of himself step back, stumble and disappear.

“What the hell was all that about?” Lovatt asked, lowering her raised gun.

“Another example of the temporal disturbance about the area.” The Doctor said putting his sonic screwdriver back in his pocket.

“That thing was, was-” Lovatt found herself tripping over her words.

“That ‘thing’ was me, yeah.” Tom said, looking round and spotting Tifa and Jess. “Are you two ok?” He asked dashing over to them.

“Just a little shaken.” Jess gasped.

“It unnerved me,” Tifa said. “I was not expecting it, I mean, you, well, that ghost to look like that.”

“Don’t worry. That wasn’t me; it was an image of me.” Tom said putting his arm round Tifa and Jess and looking back up to the Doctor. “Where did I, well, that image of me come from?”

“Well, if it was another fluctuation from the Hall, it will be recorded on the system I set up.” The Doctor said, straitening up one of the beds. “If you’d come back to check the readings with me Tom.”

Tom nodded getting back to his feet as Jess turned to face the Doctor and started to get to her feet too. “What about us?” She asked. “You need us for anything?”

“No, no. Just straighten this place up and get some more sleep. If my calculations are right, you’ll need the rest.” The Doctor said turning to leave as Jess opened her mouth to argue causing the Doctor to pause. “Don’t worry, without trying to patronise, Tom and I are Time Lords, we don’t need as much sleep as humans.” The Doctor then turned and walked from the room.

Looking after him, and then turning back to Jess and Tifa, Tom shrugged. “Well, I guess we can lay safe knowing lightning doesn’t strike twice, eh?” He said.

“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Jess yawned.

“We were not harmed.” Tifa said. “It was you; we know you will not hurt us.” Tifa smiled standing. “I was foolish to scream, it just took me by surprise.”

“Aw, I wouldn’t have called you foolish.” Jess said, putting her hand on Tifa’s shoulder.

“Tom!” The Doctors voice echoed back down the corridors of the tower.

“Erp, best get going!” He said, turning and rushing from the room.

Lovatt followed Tom to the door and light a lamp in the light from the corridor before shutting the door. “Well, let’s make the most of the rest of the night, shall we?” She said.

*


Tom finally walked into the Doctors cordoned off section of the tent. He’d had to fight he way through Soldiers grouped outside the doors to the tower of the castle. The Doctor had been talking to Harry, the other side of the massed soldiers who were jostling and trying to get passed Tom and through the door. Eventually, Harry had stood on an ammunition crate and spoken to the soldiers, dismissing them back to either their duties or rest.

“Well, they said skeletal elements, but it never prepares you for staring at what looks like your own corpse.” Tom said.

“It wasn’t a corpse.” The Doctor said, sat at the computer screens again. “The distortion of the temporal fields and bucks would have made it appear like that. I would imagine that to you, the other you, we looked like that too.”

“So, it’s a definite, I’m going back in time then. Any idea when this will happen?”

“Well, from the readings I’ve gotten from the little device I dropped into the time field, you’re going to be going on a journey back to 1809. Although when it will happen I couldn’t tell you.” The Doctor turned in his chair so he was facing Tom and Harry again. “In the mean time, I suggest that Harry, you get some rest. I think come morning, we should investigate that time field close up.”

“Right you are, Doctor.” Harry said. “We can discuss who’s going in the morning.”

“You mean, go up to Sutton Scarsdale and look at it?” Tom asked.

“Yes. We’re both Time Lords. I should imagine that any adverse effects it may have wouldn’t do much harm to the pair of us. Jess, Tifa or anyone else here, I wouldn’t like to contemplate.”

“Erm, I say Doctor. Do you think that could be the cause of Tom getting stuck in the past? Should it not be better if he stays here? I thought we’d already decided it was some sort of time tunnel.”

“Hey, that’s a point.” Tom said, his face brightening. “If that time field is gonna drag me back, then surely I’m a lot safer off back here where it can’t get to me.”

“Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom.” The Doctor said, almost despairing as he got to his feet and put his hands on the young Time Lords shoulders. “It’s already happened. We and you know you end up back in 1809. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck there. For all we know, staying here could be the cause, or coming with me could be. But I will tell you this; if you don’t end up in the past, it could tear a hole in the fabric of time and we both know how devastating that can be, not just to this planet, but to the galaxy.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Aren’t you being a little melodramatic? Surely the picture of me would just replace with someone else and-?” Tom silenced himself with a look into the Doctors eyes. The Time Lord was deadly serious. “Ok. Once more unto the breach. Why does it always seem like it’s me who’s being flung about through time?” He muttered.

“Hang on a mo, Doctor. Is it just you and Tom who’re going up to the hall?” Harry asked, stepping forwards. “Because I don’t think that would be a wise idea. What if another spaceship appears or some of those alien chaps? I think it would be best if I came with you, and a couple of hand -picked troops. Just in case.”

“And unless we keep it secret from the girls, they’ll probably want to come too.” Tom said.

The Doctor looked at his two friends. Harry was steely eyed and determined and he could see that Tom was quite correct. Jess was headstrong and Tifa would be bound to be curious too. That was an affliction the four of them all shared.

“Yes, ok.” The Doctor relented. “But only Tom and I should approach the time field, and that is an explicit instruction. It could tear a normal human being apart, or age them to death, or regress them to an embryo in milliseconds.”

“That bad, eh?” Harry asked.

“Unstable. That’s what I’ve clearly deduced from this time field. Although I’m still no clearer or closer to knowing what’s actually causing it. That’s what I’m hoping tomorrow will achieve.”

“Not so much tomorrow, as a couple of hours.” Tom said looking at his watch. “Anyway, what if I find out what’s causing it, and leave you a message somewhere where I know you’ll find it. But somewhere you’ll find it after I’ve gone back so that we don’t make a paradox?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” The Doctor said. “Personally, I don’t think that will be quite necessary. Don’t ask me why, it’s just a feeling I’m getting.”

“But Doctor-” Tom began to be hushed into silence by the Doctor who was sat back staring at the computer screens before him. He looked at Harry, who merely shrugged.

“Another cuppa old chap?” Harry asked Tom leading him out of the tent.

“Was he this difficult when you knew him?” Tom asked, accepting the offer.

“Oh, invariably.” Harry replied, thinking back. “The old boy could get rather grumpy at times, mostly if things didn’t go his way, or with the Brigadier. Still, he always knew his stuff and I’ve seen him save the world many times.”

“Yeah,” Tom smiled. “He’s rather good at that.”

*


Corporal Lovatt stepped out of the staff car and shielded her eyes from the bright morning August sun. Taking some sunglasses from her pocket and putting them on, she opened the back door and Jess and Tifa stepped out. A pair of land rovers pulled up behind the staff car and Sergeant Cooper and several soldiers jumped out. Lovatt saluted as Cooper walked towards the car.

“What’s the situation, Corporal?” Cooper asked as he got close.

“Had a couple of sightings yesterday, one spaceship and one ghost.” Lovatt said.

As Lovatt gave a report to Cooper, Jess looked round and spotted the Doctor and Harry by one of the dish arrays that the Doctor had asked her to set up on the castle walls last night. After the appearance of ‘The Ghost of Tom’, as Jess had christened the apparition remembering an old rhyme from school, her and Tifa’s night had been quiet if not restless.

Tifa came and stood beside Jess as she looked out towards where the Doctor was clearly busy instructing Harry about the instruction of the devices. They were pointing towards the Hall, which was now engulfed in the pulsing, glowing blue haze that had grown excessively in size. A small monitor and keypad was set up nearby, on what looked like a rickety framework. Quickly dashing back and tapping furiously at the keypad, the Doctor proved that the framework wasn’t as rickety as it looked.

Tom was stood about ten yards in front of the Doctor and Harry, motionless with his hands planted firmly in his pockets. The light summer morning breeze was gently rippling his shirt and loose strands of hair. Gently nudging Tifa to follow her, Jess made her way up to where Tom was stood.

“It’s almost time.” He said as the two girls got closer.

“What do you mean?” Tifa asked.

“That time field has engulfed the village of Sutton Scarsdale, not just the hall. The chopper did a once over this morning. It couldn’t get too close as the field was affecting its instruments. That’s why we’re still so far away from the Hall. Any closer and things could be dangerous for you, Jess and any other non time sensitive here.”

“We’ve travelled through time, would it really affect us as much as it would someone who hasn’t?” Jess asked.

“I can feel it in every atom and fibre in my body and being. I can feel the pull already. This is when and where it will happen.” Tom replied enigmatically. “I can feel it in my hearts. I can almost see the disruptions in local space. The reaches of the field extend beyond that old ruined farmhouse.” Tom pointed to the remains of a building about five hundred feet away.

“How come I can’t feel anything?” Jess asked.

“You’re human.” Tom replied simply. “I’m a Time Lord. You’re probably too close to the anomaly at the moment. The Doctor and Harry are setting up the monitor equipment at a safe distance.”

“Then why are you ahead of them?” Tifa asked putting her arm through Toms and standing closer to him.

“Because this is where it happens, I can feel it. I know it. A deep sense of foreboding. I can’t see the future, but I know it’s going to happen.”

“Where what happens?” Tifa held Toms arm closer to herself.

“This is where and how I get taken back through time. It’s this field that does it.” Tom replied.

Jess looked up towards the ruined farmhouse. At this distance the building seemed like a perfectly normal ruin. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary other than the pulsing blue haze beyond the trench carved through the landscape where the motorway lay. If she had turned her back on it, it would have seemed like any normal summers day.

“You can see this is going to happen?” She asked. “What does it look like?”

“I can’t really describe it in a way that you’d understand.” Tom said quietly. He still hadn’t moved from when Jess and Tifa had arrived. He hadn’t even looked at either of them.

Jess moved round so that she was facing him. “Try. Please?” She pleaded. “We’re desperately worried. We have been since we saw that picture in Harry’s office.”

“The Doctor and I are going up there shortly. That’s when it will happen. But don’t worry. We’re both Time Lords, that’s why it’s us going, no one else.” Tom said. “We’ve proof I survive the transference. And again, being a Time Lord, if I am marooned back there, it’s only one hundred and ninety years until I catch you up. That’s not exactly going to do much to me, I’m still young. Think of it as you ending up six months in the past and having to re-live them to catch your life back up. The Doctor is nearly ten times as old as I am, but you wouldn’t believe it to look at him.”

Jess swallowed hard. She didn’t want to admit that she was scared. Scared of what would happen, scared for Tom, scared for herself and Tifa, scared for the Doctor. What would happen? Would the Doctor and Tom walk off into the haze and then reappear soon after looking not much older but having been waiting on Earth for nearly two centuries? Scenario after scenario flashed through her mind.

“We can always get you in the TARDIS.” Tifa said, bringing Jess out of her reverie. “If the Doctor is still here, he can go and get you and you won’t have long to wait.”

Tom smiled and turned to look at Tifa. “You contracted.” He said causing confusion from both her and Jess. “You contracted your words. Two weeks since we met and that’s the first time I’ve heard you do that.” Tom turned to look at Jess.

“Tom.” The Doctor called from where he was stood with Harry.

“Well, this is it.” Tom said to Jess and Tifa before walking to the Doctor.

“What did he mean?” Tifa asked Jess, confused as they followed Tom.

“I think he’s pointing out you’re adopting human traits, I think.” Jess said after a moment’s thought. “I wouldn’t worry; I don’t think he meant it was a bad thing.”

Arriving to stand beside Tom, the Doctor was already half way through giving instructions to both Harry and Tom. Sergeant Cooper and Corporal Lovatt were stood close behind, the soldiers stood around forming a loose perimeter to the group, none going past the three arrays the Doctor had set up.

“Jess, Tifa, whatever happens, I don’t want either of you rushing in after us. Stay back here where we know it’s safe. I don’t know what the temporal energy may do to you if you get too close. It could be nothing but it’s a lot better to be safe.” The Doctor said looking at the two girls before turning to face Tom. “Ok, are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” Tom said, rather reluctantly.

“But Doctor, what if-?” Jess began taking a step forward as Harry reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry old girl. We’ve been here planning and setting this up all night.” Harry said. “The Doctor’s found out that the field won’t hurt either him or Tom.”

The Doctor turned back and smiled. “He’s quite right. Hopefully we won’t be gone more than two hours at the most.”

“Wish us luck.” Tom said, causing Jess to fling herself at him and hug him tightly.

“And be careful. Don’t forget to bring yourself back.” She said quietly to him as she kissed him on the cheek.

“I am going to need Tom to come with me, if you’d care to release him.” The Doctor said to Jess, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.
Jess let go of Tom and then hugged the Doctor. “Don’t get either of you killed. I know what you’re like for attracting trouble.” She said.

“Take care, and good luck.” Tifa said, unsure whether to hug Tom and the Doctor or not. “Hurry back so we can take our holiday, yes?” She smiled.

The Doctor smiled as he put his hand on Toms shoulder and turned to walk towards the Hall.

“Oh well, destiny a-waits.” Tom smiled as he turned and jogged to catch up with the Doctor who was now some distance away.

“They’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Harry said, looking at the monitor screen. “I’ve known the Doctor get out of worse scrapes. Fancy a cup-?” Harry was moving towards where Cooper and Lovatt were stood when the area was bathed in a bright blue flash that caused the two soldiers to stagger back, shielding their eyes.

Harry, Jess and Tifa turned to look the way that Tom and the Doctor had walked off to see nothing but empty fields. The two Time Lords had disappeared.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Was it just me, or was there just a flash?” Tom asked, stopping and looking at the Doctor. “I’m not having funny turns am I? We’ve just leapt through time.”

“Yes, you’re quite right.” The Doctor confirmed sniffing the air. “Backwards. To 1809 if my calculations last night were accurate. And judging by the position of the sun and the smell in the air, a late afternoon in spring.”

Tom looked about him. The landscape was different but recognisable. The Castle on the hill behind them was now completely restored and the reach of the town of Bolsover had diminished. The ruined farmhouse was now restored and lights from within indicated that it was occupied. The Hall in the distance was full restored with gardens and clear signs that it was tended and fully occupied.

“Well, all reports and our own deductions indicate that the Hall was the source of the time displacement.” Tom said looking up towards the Hall. “What do you say we start there?”

“Couldn’t have suggested anything better myself.” The Doctor said setting off up to the hall at a brisk pace. Tom found himself almost jogging to keep up. “I wonder what happens to this farm by the twentieth century?” The Doctor mused out loud.

“Abandonment and decay?” Tom suggested. “Destroyed by the aliens?”

“It’s possible.” The Doctor said pulling a device out of his pocket that he had been working on during the night. Gently tapping his finger at the small screen, he looked at it for a few seconds before returning it to his pocket. “No, no temporal activity at the moment. But that’s not to say that there hasn’t been any recently.”

“Then the Hall is still our best bet.” Tom said. “Start from there, have a talk to whoever’s about?”

“Yes, subtly though.” The Doctor said. “We’ll no doubt be dealing with the landed gentry. Neither of us knows much about the area, so we’ll have to be careful.”

“How much are we going to be standing out then?” Tom asked stumbling over some rough ground. “I mean clothes wise. Where are we going to get new clothes?”

The Doctor was striding, head held high, towards the Hall. “Don’t worry. I’ve got some ideas.” He said stopping and turning, seeing how Tom was walking as though he were on an afternoon stroll, hands in pockets. “And take your hands out of your pockets. We’re approaching the Gentry. If we want to be accepted, we have to look the part.”

“Hmm, I hardly look the part dressed in these clothes.” Tom muttered to himself. “If you say so.” He said to the Doctor who was still a couple of yards ahead, walking speedily and with purpose. By the time Tom caught up to be walking beside the Doctor, they were close enough to the hall to be able to make out things through the windows.

“It looks like they’re preparing something in that room there.” The Doctor said pointing to some windows as they walked. “Looks like it could be a party or ball maybe.” Stopping, the Doctor turned to face Tom. “I think we’ve found our way in.” He beamed.

“Ah, a ball. Fantastic!” Tom threw his hands in the air. “Unless you’ve not noticed, I’m not exactly wearing clothes fit for a ball. Now unless you’ve a fairy godmother hidden in one of your pockets, Cinder-Tom isn’t going to this ball.”

“Now, now. Don’t be facetious Tom.” The Doctor scorned. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Just follow my lead; I’ve been doing this for centuries.” The Doctor winked as he walked boldly up to the main door and knocked.

Tom walked along the driveway to join the Doctor. It felt weird being so close to the hall now, especially as it was nearly two hundred years in the future when he saw it last. Footsteps could be heard from within and then slowly the door opened. A figure stood in the doorway. He was in shirt sleeves, which were baggy with a lace trim over the cuff. He was wearing a long cream waistcoat in a brocade pattern, black breeches with white tall socks and black shoes with a large brass buckle. He was wearing a white wig and the crows feet about his eyes and his jowls hinted that he was in his late forties. Tom realised he was the butler of the house.

“May I help you, sir?” Stephens said. “Sirs.” He added spotting Tom.

“Ah yes, hello. We’re here for the Ball tonight, Mr?” The Doctor said.

“Stephens, Sir. But his Lord and Lady Arkwright are about to dine, the Ball is not due to start for a further two and a half hours.”

“Yes, we do apologise about that.” The Doctor said, smiling. “We’ve been travelling, you see, and have lost our invitation. And to make matters worse, my companion here was held up by a highwayman as he rode to catch me up earlier today who took nearly all he had, including his clothes for tonight. We’ve walked quite a way to get here.”

“Sir, I do apologise.” Stephens almost bowed as he stood back from the doorway. “Please do come in sirs.”

“Thank you Mr Stephens.” The Doctor said as he indicated for Tom to enter the Hall.

“May I take your names so that I can inform His Lordship that you are arrived?” Stephens said.

“Of course. My name is Tom Rowan, and this is the Doctor.” Tom said feeling a little left out of the Doctors monopolising of the conversation.

“Doctor, who sir?” Stephens asked, as the Doctor walked into the entrance hall and closed the door behind him.

“Just ‘The Doctor’ will do, thank you.” The Doctor smiled.

“Very good sir.” Stephens said turning and walking through a door.

The Doctor watched him go and then walked round the main entrance hall to the house. “Well, I must say, this is beautiful. Much better than the ruin that remains in two hundred years time.” He said, looking at the decor.

“Well, they’ve certainly got a fair bit of cash. Grand decor and a ball tonight.” Tom paused and looked at the Doctor. “You think they’re likely to buy the highwayman story? Won’t they ask why we didn’t go to the police?”

“Sir Robert Peel won’t set up the metropolitan police for another twenty years. All that exists now is the night watchmen. Don’t worry; it’s a little lie that will get you some clothes for tonight.” The Doctor said crossing over to where Tom stood.

“Well, I just hope this works.” Tom said.

“Don’t worry yourself Tom.” The Doctor said, stiffening. “We can ask nicely to get you some clothes, have a good night at the Ball tonight and get on with work later.”

“Eh?” Tom started, confused.

The Doctor turned as Stephens stood by the door with the frame of a large and powerfully built man was silhouetted in the doorway.

“Ah, Lord Arkwright. Such a pleasure.” The Doctor smiled holding out his hand.

Arkwright stepped from the doorway. He was at least fifty five, his hair steel-grey to match his steel grey stare. He stood six foot five tall with a stony face, tight lips and handsomely craggy features. He wore a rich blue coat over a crisp white shirt and blue and gold waistcoat.

“You must be the Doctor.” He said in a deep booming voice walking forwards and shaking the Doctors hand and then looking over his shoulder. “Mr Rowan, I presume.”

“Your Lordship.” Tom said.

“I hope you don’t think I’m being rude,” Arkwright said, “but who the devil are you? And how do we know each other?”

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Ah, yes.” The Doctor said looking intently at Arkwright. “We met at that last ball, don’t you remember?”

“Oh, yes, erm. I do apologise, Doctor. How remiss of me.” Arkwright said after a couple of seconds pause.

“Oh, you poor sir!” A female voice cried out from the direction of the doorway. Lady Arkwright rushed out towards Tom, her skirts making a whooshing noise as she dashed across the floor her raven black hair flailing behind her. Lady Arkwright’s petit frame arrived at Tom and she looked him up and down, sympathetically. “Left you all but a shirt and boots. Those rough trousers Mr Rowan, did you have to get them from a scarecrow?”

“You’ll have to excuse my wife, Mr Rowan. Sometimes she says things that lack decorum.” Arkwright said causing Tom’s jaw to slacken.

“Th-Thats alright your Lordship.” Tom stammered.

“Stephens, would you please take Mr Rowan to a guest suit and find him some clothes.” Lady Arkwright said, turning to Stephens who nodded and walked to the stairs.

“If you would care to follow me, Sir.” He said, starting up the stairs, followed by Tom.

I’ll catch up with you later Tom.” The Doctor called after him before turning back to Arkwright. “I see we’re not the first guests to arrive.”

Arkwright turned to see Pope stood in the doorway. “Oh, Doctor, allow me to introduce Mr. Gregory Pope. Mr. Pope will be purchasing Sutton Scarsdale Hall within the next few days.”

“If all goes well, it will be mine by morning.” Pope said, stepping forwards and shaking the Doctors hand. “Of course, I won’t be evicting Lord and Lady Arkwright.”

“I should bally well hope not.” Arkwright blustered before regaining his composure. “I mean, we shall be moving from the Hall at some point in the near future. Anyway, I do hope you will excuse us Doctor, we were just about to sit down to a meal when you arrived.”

“Oh, no of course.” The Doctor said. “I should really go and check on my companion.”

“You won’t join us?” Lady Arkwright asked.

“No, thank you for the offer.” The Doctor smiled taking Lady Arkwright’s hand. “I haven’t yet had the chance to check up on my companion properly since he joined me.”

“Of course, Doctor.” Arkwright said. “Your companion will be in one of the guest suits upstairs, Stephens will show you which one.”

“Well, goodbye for now, Doctor. I look forward to talking to you at the Ball tonight.” Pope said, a watery smile on his face as he turned and walked back to the dining room.

“Hmm, quite.” The Doctor mused loudly looking after the American before turning back to Arkwright. “Up here, is it?”

“Erm, yes, that’s right.” Arkwright said, as the Doctor nimbly dashed up the stairs and out of sight. “What a peculiar fellow.” He said to his wife, putting his arm about her shoulder and leading her back to the dining room.

“How do you know him?” Lady Arkwright asked.

“I really don’t remember. Apparently it was at the Christmas Ball over in Dronfield. Most curious fellow though, and that Mr Rowan-” Arkwright trailed off, as if getting lost in thought.

“What is it, dear?” Lady Arkwright asked.

“I’m not sure, dear.” Arkwright replied. “I’ve got a feeling about tonight. A weird feeling in my guts; a sort of anxiety.”

Lady Arkwright chuckled, slipping her arm through her husband’s. “You’re just hungry dear.” She smiled, leading him back into the dining room.

*


The Doctor was sat on the edge of the bed in the spare guest suit, his pocket watch sitting open on his knee. He had a jeweller’s eye glass in his eye and had removed the back of his device and was tinkering with the workings inside with a small jeweller’s screwdriver. Some small electrical components were scattered on the bed beside him.

“That, erm, that Lady Arkwright,” Toms voice came from a small dressing room section off from the main guest suit. “She’s quite a woman.”

“She’s also a married woman. A pregnant married woman at that.” The Doctor replied, not looking up.

“Pregnant?” Tom’s voice took an astounded tone. “How the hell did you get that, she doesn’t look it.”

“Not two months yet, I’d say. I’ll doubt she even knows herself yet.” The Doctor said. “Trust me, I’m a Doctor. Pregnant women give off a certain glow. Although she does seem to have taken a shine to you, so watch out tonight.”

“What, you think she’s gonna get drunk and try it on? Didn’t think they were like that in this time?” Tom laughed.

“Don’t be so sure.” The Doctor replied, focussing closer on his work, letting the conversation slip to an end.

“Ok, I’m coming out now, but you’ve got to promise not to laugh, ok?” Tom said after several minutes’ silence.

“Hmm, yes, yes.” The Doctor said, still not tearing himself away from his work.

Tom walked into the guest suit; he’d changed into a loose fitting white shirt with baggy sleeves and frilled cuffs trimmed in lace with a white cravat, fastened with an ornate silver pin with deep red stone, round a high collar. Atop that he was wearing a black waistcoat with ornate silver stitched trim and silver Fleur de Lys motifs and velvet trousers. He’d pulled his boots on over the bottoms of his trousers.
“Well, do I pass?” He asked.

“Hmm, yes. Very good.” The Doctor muttered, still not looking up.

“That would mean so much if I knew you meant it.” Tom said raising an eyebrow at the Time Lord.

The Doctor looked round at Tom. “Yes, that should do you. You’re going to put a coat on over that as well?”

Tom smiled wryly and picked up a black velvet frock coat he’d placed over the back of a chair and slipped his arms through the red silk lining of the sleeves. “I must say, the aristocracy of this time certainly know how to dress, eh?” He said, pulling the frills of the shirt cuff out of the end of the sleeves.

“You are aware of what will be happening here tonight?” The Doctor asked turning back to his work.

“Happening tonight?” Tom sat down on the second bed in the room. “Oh, you mean the aliens will be arriving tonight?” He said lying back onto the bed.

“Someone here tonight will bring them.” The Doctor replied.

“Lord Arkwright?” Tom sat up facing the Doctor. “You don’t think that he’s organising this ball to get loads of other land owners together and use the aliens to kill them so he can take control of their land and take over the British Empire?”

The Doctor chucked lightly. “I don’t quite think Lord Arkwright’s ambitions stretch that far. I’d say at the moment, he’s more concerned about selling the Hall to Mr. Pope and stopping his wife find out about his affair.”

Tom double took, looking at the Doctor. “How the devil did you know that?” He asked slowly.

“It’s all about his body language. In this time, marriage wasn’t always necessarily about love. I would imagine that his marriage to Lady Arkwright was due to family.” The Doctor said stopping and turning to look at Tom. “No, I think it’s more likely that one of the guests of tonight’s ball is in league with them. But whom and for what means, I don’t know yet.”

“You don’t think its world domination, then?” Tom asked. “I mean, we’ve deduced that these aliens aren’t hostile.”

“Oh, indeed.” The Doctor paused as he clipped the back of the device he was tinkering with back into place. “It’s something that will happen tonight that sets it off. Whether whoever is in league with them is trying to use their power. I wouldn’t put it past a power mad human. But I think I’ve a top runner in the list of suspects; Gregory Pope.”

“Never heard of him.” Tom shook his head.

“Oh, no of course. You’d already come here before he made himself known.” The Doctor explained. “He’s a buying this hall from the Arkwrights’, tomorrow he said.”

“He’s not American is he?” Tom asked, his interest peaked.

“How did you know that?”

“In the details on the hall, all page on it, that I read back in the twentieth century, the hall was bought by an American, but not until 1920 or thereabouts.” Tom said. The Doctor sat stock still, mulling the information over as Tom carried on. “The house used to be owned by Lord Scarsdale, who died back in the mid 1700s when the Arkwright family bought it. They owned it to the twentieth century.” Tom trailed off noting the look on the Doctors face. “What are you thinking?”

“You say the Hall is owned by the Arkwright family until the twentieth century? Then this Gregory Pope won’t buy the Hall tomorrow. There must be an ulterior motive then.” The Doctor paused, thinking. “That, and there’s the way he acted. He didn’t seem like the Arkwrights, or Mr Stephens. It’s as if he’s hiding something.”

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Doctor paused, thinking. “That, and there’s the way he acted. He didn’t seem like the Arkwrights, or Mr Stephens. It’s as if he’s hiding something.”

“Do you think he’s a time traveller?” Tom asked. “Or an alien himself or somethi-” Tom paused, his eyes widening. “You don’t think he’s, y’know?”

“He’s what?”

“You don’t think he’s one of us, a Time Lord.” Toms eyes widened even more. “He’s not the Master is he?”

The Doctor laughed softly. “Calm down Tom. You’re getting over excited. He’s not a Time Lord. When we get back, I’ll show you a trick or two for spotting another Time Lord.” The Doctor closed his pocket watch and put it back in his waistcoat pocket as he got to his feet. “No, he’s very human, but he has a hidden agenda.”

“You can tell Lord Arkwright is having an affair and Lady Arkwright is pregnant on first meeting them, but you don’t know what this guy is up to?”

The Doctor hooked his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets and leant against a wooden dresser. “He’s using very curt body language, but by the way he talks, he clearly has a second agenda. Trust me on this, Tom.”

Tom opened his mouth to reply, when a knock at the door stopped him in his tracks. The Doctor lightly jumped forwards from the dresser and bounded to the door before flinging it open slightly over enthusiastically causing the maid outside to jump.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The Doctor said.

“No, don’t worry, Sir.” Mary said. “Mr Stephens just sent me to ask you if you’d both care for some tea or other refreshments.”

“Thank you, we’re quite alright.” The Doctor started.

“Speak for yourself!” Tom interrupted, getting to his feet. “Tea would be great, thank you.”

“Very well, Sir.” Mary said, turning and walking back to the main stairs.

“What? I don’t know about you, but I’m parched.” Tom protested, looking at the Doctor.

“Well, I was hoping that we’d be able to formulate a plan of action without further interruptions. Or the possibility of people listening in.” The Doctor closed the door and walked towards Tom. “Don’t forget, we’re unofficial guests. We can’t get too complacent or just take over the place, Lord Arkwright wouldn’t stand for it and we’d be out before you can say Rassilon’s Rod.”

“So, I’m guessing we can’t just march in and confront Pope about our theories?” Tom asked.

“Of course not.” The Doctor said. “Imagine if I were wrong! No, I think we should attend the ball tonight, try talking to people, get some different perspectives, find the lay of the land, as it were. Obviously, depending on our findings, we can change our plans.”
Tom nodded. “See if other people know about him and his plans or what he’s like?”

*


Gregory Pope reached the top of the stairs. He glanced back down as Lord Arkwright disappeared into the main hall to check on the final stages of preparation. The Musicians had arrived, so no doubt they would be setting up soon.

Pope cursed quietly under his breath. He just knew the English musicians would be pretentious and totally not his taste, probably playing Mozart. Still, it wouldn’t matter for long. It was now only a matter of hours until he could initiate his plans. However, these two newcomers might be a potential problem. He hadn’t seen the younger man as the butler had taken him to a guest suite before he had got to the door. The older man, the Doctor, Pope hadn’t caught his full name, was most intriguing. He had gotten an odd feeling that he couldn’t quite describe from him when he had shaken his hand.

As he approached the door to his room he heard voices. One was the Doctors voice, and the other, he assumed, was Mr. Rowans. He approached the door and leaned in to hear the voices better.

“See if other people know about him and his plans or what he’s like?” Said the voice he took to be Mr. Rowan.

“Exactly. But subtle don’t forget, remember where we are.” The Doctor was saying.

“Yeah, I know. Y’know, it was a hell of a lot easier back on the station.”

Pope stood away from the door. He had no idea who or what they were talking about. The young man had a most peculiar way of talking. Were they here to investigate someone or here to make a business deal with someone? He really wasn’t sure. The sound of someone coming to the top of the stairs made him start, and he dashed to his door. Looking down the corridor, he saw the young maid walking up. Opening his door, he slipped inside.

*


Mary knocked on the door, and was pleased when the younger of the two guests answered the door.

“Your tea, Sir.” She said, looking down to the tray.

“Thanks, erm, what’s your name?” Tom asked.

“Mary, Sir.” Mary said, shying away.

“Thanks Mary.” Tom smiled, watching as the young maid backed away down the hall towards the stairs.

Mary looked up as she turned around and walked to the stairs. She could tell her cheeks were red. There was something about the young gentleman’s eyes that enthralled her. The older gentleman had a somewhat similar effect too, she had noticed.

Mary reached the bottom of the stairs and made straight to the stairs to the servants level. She was looking forward to the Ball tonight, a chance to serve and mingle amongst the aristocracy and maybe bump into the two Gentlemen who were now staying.

*


Tom closed the door behind him and set the tray of tea down on the table in the middle of the room. Looking up he saw that the Doctor was looking at him. “What now?” Tom asked, exasperated.

“First Lady Arkwright and now the Maid. You’re doing a good job of getting acquainted with the women here. You want to watch that.”

“What do you mean?” Tom asked, genuinely confused.

“You’re managing to charm the ladies.” The Doctor said. “The last thing you want to do is to get a husband jealous. And neither would it be a good idea to fraternise too much with the servants, not in this time. That could cause more problems.”

“Ah, I get you. Tread careful and try not to woo the women.” Tom winked.

“Tread carefully” The Doctor agreed. “Don’t forget, this time disturbance is liable to rip this planet apart, both now and in the twentieth century, which will be cataclysmic for the web of time and the rest of the universe.”

*


Closing the door behind him, Pope walked into his room and made immediately for the cabinet where he had left the device. The Doctor and Mr Rowan were clearly the two figures he’d seen walking towards the house earlier. The two diodes were still blinking a blood red colour; however, the speed of the blinking had increased since he had last seen the device.

Pope picked up one of his cases and laid it on the bed. Opening it, he reached inside and pulled out a flintlock pistol. Checking that the firing pan was full of powder and the shot was loaded, he slipped it into an inside pocket of his coat. Pope then reached back into his case and removed another pistol, almost identical to the first.
Pope ran his fingers slowly along the side of the gun. Instead of the feel of the wood that it appeared to be, the cool smooth feel of a substance he could not identify greeted him. The metal of the lock and barrel, he knew was not the steel that it appeared to be. Pope walked over to the widow so that the light was behind him and turned the pistol so he could look directly down the barrel. Almost out of sight, a glint of what looked like glass greeted him. Checking the lock of the pistol, Pope slipped it into another inside pocket of the other side if his coat.

Pope walked back over to his case, and picking up the device, he placed it in an inside pocket of the case, before closing the lid and placing the case under the bed. Pope walked back to the window and looked out at the countryside with the castle up on the hill in the distance. Right now, Lord and Lady Cavendish, who owned the Castle, would be heading towards the house for the ball.

Pope removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He found it hard to believe that in a mere matter of hours, the landscape would be changed beyond all recognition and the future would belong to him.
The sound of a carriage arriving to the front of the house caused a smile to spread on his face. The guests for the ball were starting to arrive. It hit him that his time was drawing ever closer. Come midnight, he would have all the local Lords, Ladies and other important people in his power. Pope allowed a small sblack person to become a chuckle. He stopped himself from laughing too much. He had to maintain control and keep his dignity. He didn’t want to let his facade slip.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Reverend Jonathan Brown stepped out of his carriage and straightened his coat as he stood to his full height and walked towards the doors of Sutton Scarsdale Hall. As he approached the door, it was opened and Stephens stepped out, followed by Lady Arkwright, who approached the Reverend.

“Reverend Brown.” She said, stopping just before him. “How good of you to come.”

“Of course not, my Lady. You know I would not have turned this offer down.”

Lady Arkwright smiled and laid her hand on Reverend Browns arm. “Oh Jonathan,” she smiled. “You know full well that you don’t have to call me Lady.”

“Of course, Elizabeth. Your husband won’t mind?” Brown asked.

“How long have we known each other Jonathan?” Lady Arkwright said leading him up into the Hall.

“At least thirty years, Elizabeth.” Jonathan said, smiling and nodding at Stephens as he walked into the Hall.

“Exactly. You and my brother were great friends and I’ve known you nearly all your life, so enough of this ‘my Lady’.” Lady Arkwright smiled.

“Will James be joining us tonight?” Brown asked.

“No, I’m afraid not. He’s down in Cambridge visiting Robert.” Lady Arkwright replied.

“Ah, and how is your son?”

“His studies are going very well, thank you Reverend.”

“Ah, Lord Arkwright.” Reverend Brown looked up and spotted Arkwright standing in the doorway to the main Hall. “How do you do?”

“How do you do?” Arkwright replied shaking the Reverends hand. “Tell me Reverend,” Arkwright said putting his arm around the clerics shoulders, “What do you know about demons and exorcisms?”

Lady Arkwright smiled, shaking her head as her husband led Reverend Brown into the drawing room, talking about the dream he had whilst napping during the day. A noise and two voices from the top of the stairs made Lady Arkwright turn. The Doctor and Mr Rowan were walking from their guest suit deep in conversation. The Doctor hadn’t changed his clothes, but Mr Rowan now looked splendidly dressed in a velvet frock coat and silken waistcoat. Stopping, Lady Arkwright waited at the foot of the stairs for the two gentlemen.

“Mr. Rowan, Doctor. I trust you are both rested and refreshed for tonight?” She said as they approached her.

“Very much so, thank you my Lady.” The Doctor said taking and kissing her hand.

“I hope we’re still not the only guests here yet.” Tom said looking around.”

“No, Mr Pope is upstairs and Reverend Brown is currently talking to my husband in the drawing room. Others should be arriving very soon.” Lady Arkwright said looking at the grandfather clock in the middle of the back wall of the entrance hall. It was nearly seven. “Perhaps you would care to accompany me to the main Hall and we can start the festivities.” She said, leading the way.

“When did this Mr. Pope arrive, may I ask?” The Doctor said as he and Tom followed Lady Arkwright to the main hall.

“Oh, sometime early this afternoon, so my husband says. I was out in Chesterfield most of the day, I went to the market and then to church.”

“Sunday service?” The Doctor asked.

“No, it’s Saturday; market day, Doctor.” Lady Arkwright stopped and looked at the Time Lord.

“You’ll have to excuse us; we’ve been travelling a lot. It makes it easier to lose track of days.” Tom said, stepping forwards.

“Oh, yes, sorry.” Lady Arkwright turned and took a step to a table that contained a crystal decanter and several crystal glasses. “Would you care for a drink?”

“Yes, please.” The Doctor smiled. As soon as Lady Arkwright had turned her back to pour the wine from the decanter, the Doctor leaned over to Tom. “As soon as there are some more people here, I want you to try to slip out at search Gregory Pope’s room.”

“What am I looking for?” Tom whispered back.

“I don’t know yet, but you’ll know it as soon as you see it.” The Doctor replied.

“Oh, one of those jobs. No worries.” Tom nodded.

“Here you go gentlemen.” Lady Arkwright smiled as she turned round and presented the Doctor and Tom a drink each, before picking up a third for herself.

“Erm, are you sure you should be doing that?” Tom asked, nodding to the glass of wine Lady Arkwright held.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“I think Tom, I mean, Mr. Rowan is wondering why you are pouring us drinks as opposed to say Mr Stephens or a servant.” The Doctor cut in, gently pressing his foot down on Toms to caution him. “Not that we are not grateful for you pouring the drinks for us.”

Lady Arkwright chuckled softly. “Oh, I swear you are two of the kindest and sweetest gentlemen I have met in a long time.” She said, laying her hand on the Doctors arm. “No, Stephens will be up later when the Ball really begins. In the meantime, you have my undivided attention.”

“Ah, Doctor.” The Doctor and Tom turned at the sound of Lord Arkwright’s voice. “Mr Rowan. I see you are rested and changed, I trust you are well now.”

It took Tom a couple of seconds before he realised that Arkwright was talking to him. “Oh, very well thank you my Lord.”

“Excellent, excellent.” Arkwright smiled before turning to face the Doctor. “Doctor, may I talk to you sir?”

“Certainly Lord Arkwright.” The Doctor turned to Tom. “Now, remember what I said, and do be careful.”

Tom nodded. “I get the gist, now don’t fuss.” He said, patting the Doctor on the shoulder as the Time Lord walked over towards Lord Arkwright.

“May I ask what he meant by ‘be careful’?” Lady Arkwright asked, looking after the Doctor and then back to Tom.

Tom looked back at Lady Arkwright, he eyes wide in panic as he desperately thought for a cover story. “It doesn’t matter.” Tom said, trying to brush the Doctors remark aside. “I hear that you’re selling the Hall to a Mr. Pope tomorrow.”

“Mmm, indeed.” Lady Arkwright confirmed, taking a sip of her wine. “Mr. Pope and my husband are to arrange things tomorrow and once we have found a suitable house in Chesterfield, we shall move there and Mr. Pope is to take over Sutton Hall.”

“Ah, I see.” Tom said, sipping his wine before smiling and looking Lady Arkwright in the eye. “Do you know what he plans to do with the place when you leave?”

*


The Doctor walked over to Lord Arkwright who was stood with a younger man with blonde hair. He was wearing the long black coat of a Reverend. “Lord Arkwright.” The Doctor smiled.

“Doctor, this is Reverend Brown. Reverend, the Doctor.” Arkwright introduced the two men.

“Doctor.” Reverend Brown shook the Time Lords hand. “Doctor, what was it sorry?”

“Just the Doctor.” The Doctor smiled.

Arkwright cleared his throat. “We were wondering, what is it you are a doctor of?” He interjected.

“Pretty much everything.” The Doctor smiled, straightening up and pulling himself to his full height. “Although, if you want me to write you a prescription, you’re probably better off with your regular doctor.”

“Uhm, quite.” Arkwright said, confused.

“What we were wondering, Doctor, is what do you know of ghosts and demons?” Reverend Brown asked.

“Ghosts and demons?” The Doctor asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, Lord Arkwright has been telling me he believes Sutton Hall to be haunted, yet his descriptions match no ghost or demon I have ever heard of.”

“Oh? Do tell, Lord Arkwright.” The Doctor placed his wineglass down on the side and turned to Arkwright, enthralled.

“Well, I’m sure I saw these ghostly figures of soldiers.” Arkwright explained, somewhat uncomfortably at having to disclose such information to a stranger. “But they weren’t the soldiers or militia that exist now, I can’t explain it. They were soldiers or troopers of some variety, yet their uniforms or weapons were bizarre.”

“How so?” The Doctor asked.

“They weren’t wearing red coats, and their weapons were small and black, all metal. They had ridiculously short hair, from what I could see. And their faces,” Arkwright paused. “Their faces were grotesque; skeletal, ghoulish.”

The Doctors eyes widened. “It sounds to me, as though you’ve had a rather vivid dream.” He bluffed. “We’re all three educated, reasonable and mature men. We all know what the soldiers of the king look like.”

“You don’t believe them to be demons?” Reverend Brown asked.

“But, their faces, man! You didn’t see them.” Arkwright protested.

“Believe me, my Lord; dreams can have a very strong impact, if you’ll allow me?” The Doctor replied stepping forwards and gently taking Lord Arkwright’s head in his hands and looked deeply into his eyes. “I do not believe that they were demons, merely a result of an over stressed mind. Remember that you’re selling your home, Lord Arkwright. Allow me to suggest, as a doctor, that you forget all about it tonight and enjoy the ball, try to relax. These dreams and visions will pass.” The Doctor smiled and stepped back.

“Thank you Doctor.” Arkwright said. “My wife said I was over-stressed also.”

“Well, here you go. This is a starter.” The Doctor picked up his wine glass and handed it to Arkwright. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Lord Arkwright, I shall go and get myself another drink.”

“Oh, of course.” Arkwright patted the Doctor on the shoulder. “We shall talk later.”

The Doctor smiled and turned back to where Tom was talking to Lady Arkwright. Musicians were starting to set up their instruments on a small stage and the sound of horses from outside signalled that more guests were arriving. The Doctors smile faded into a worried frown. Ghostly images from the future were making it back here, and within a couple of hours, the hall would be full of distinguished guests who, along with himself and Tom would be facing alien intervention causing a catastrophic temporal incident.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“What the hell was that?” Lovatt stammered, getting steadily to her feet.

“The Doctor and Tom, they’re gone!” Tifa exclaimed, pointing in the direction that the two Time Lords had just walked.

Harry dashed over to the monitor that the Doctor had set up. “This monitor thing should give some answers.” He muttered tapping at the keys.

Jess looked up towards the Hall. The blue haze seemed to be fading; it was no longer as bright as she remembered. As she watched, she was sure that it was starting to flicker. “What’s that thing doing?” She asked, walking up to Harry. “Does that thing tell you?”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked, looking up at Jess.

“That glowing thing, look at it.” Jess pointed at the Hall.

Tifa rushed over to where Jess and Harry were stood near the monitor. “What is happening with that glow?” She asked as Harry looked up to the Hall.

The blue glow was pulsing from an electric blue to a dull blue haze that was becoming ever more translucent. At its most translucent, the hall could be seen as an outline through the swirling haze.

“It’s getting smaller isn’t it?” Jess asked, looking at Harry. “It’s taken the Doctor and Tom back in time and is getting smaller.”

“It certainly looks that way old thing.” Harry said. “I’m not an expert on this system. The Doctor set it up and knows it all.”

“What is that flashing?” Tifa asked, pointing to a small red diode blinking on the array.

“Oh.” Harry said, clearly disheartened. “That, erm, that’s a time monitor, thing” Harry shrugged, unsure of exactly what the device was called. “I think it means that the temporal disturbance is increasing.”

“If it’s increasing, then why is that getting smaller?” Jess asked, pointing to the haze.

It had receded back until it now just encompassed the hall in the distance. As the three watched, Sergeant Cooper and Corporal Lovatt walked towards them and watched. The glow pulsed briefly before blinking out of existence altogether.

“I don’t understand.” Harry said, scratching his head as Jess and Tifa looked closer at the screen.

“Quiet! Quiet everyone.” Cooper barked, holding his hand up.

A tearing and ripping sound could be heard, coming from all around them gradually getting louder.

“Up there!” Jess shouted pointing up into the sky.

The blue of the summer sky seemed to be filling with what looked like cracks, which were splitting and tearing revealing a darkening, dull grey sky behind.

“Sarg, what do we do?” Lovatt asked, looking up at the approaching grey and gloom.

“I don’t know.” Cooper said looking up into the sky.

Harry looked from the monitor to the hall and then to the sky and opened his mouth to speak.

“Well, I think we should get all this stuff up to the hall, that’s where the centre of it is, and that’s where the Doctor would want to be.” Jess said, cutting in before Harry had the chance.

“I say, you’re not telepathic are you?” Harry asked looking at Jess and getting a puzzled look in reply. “Right oh, Sergeant, Corporal; get your men together and let’s get these dish things and computer down and get it all up to the Hall over there.”

“Sir!” Cooper and Lovatt said in unison, snapping to attention before turning and issuing orders to the soldiers stood nearby.

“What about us?” Tifa asked Harry.

“Well, if you two want to jump in my car I can drive us up to the hall, the others can follow on once theyve packed this stuff away.” Harry said, looking at Jess and Tifa.

“Ooh, bags shotgun!” Jess shouted, putting her hand in the air, getting confused looks from both Tifa and Harry. “Um, I’ll sit up front.” She said, quieter and somewhat down beat.

“Right oh.” Harry said, clapping his hands together. “You two hop in, and I’ll go and let Sergeant Cooper know of the plan.”

“What do you think is happening?” Tifa asked Jess, looking from the departing Harry to the cracks and tears that were appearing in the sky. “That is not normal for Earth?”

“I’ve no idea. I’ve never seen anything like that before. It’s almost as if the sky is changing. And then there’s that smell.” Jess added as she opened the car door. “It smells like, I don’t know, I’m sure I’ve smelt something like it before, but I don’t remember what or where.”

Tifa closed the car door as she took the seat behind Jess. “I haven’t noticed any smell.” She said.

“I guess it’s only faint, and you’d have to know what Earth smelt like normally.” She said, running her hands through her hair. “Shame they didn’t have a shower at the camp.”

The driver’s door opened and Harry got into the car. “Right oh, off we go then!” He said starting up the engine.

*


Jess and Tifa were sat on the grass just outside the ruins of Sutton Scarsdale Hall, looking towards the fast approaching tears in the sky as the army land rovers bounced over the pot holes in the small lane leading to the Hall. Harry walked out of the ruins and to the first of the two land rovers as it drew up in the small car park next to Harry’s car. Sergeant Cooper jumped out of the cab and walked up to talk to Harry.

The second land rover pulled up and Lovatt Jumped out and went straight round to the back as the soldiers started unloading the Doctors equipment.

“Right oh, chaps.” Harry said, walking over to the soldiers. “Let’s set the stuff up at three points round the outside of the hall, those dish things pointing inwards. I’ll try and get this computer terminal set up here.”

The soldiers nodded and picked up the dishes before setting off to set them up in a triangular shape about the ruins of the Hall.

Jess got to her feet, and indicating Tifa to follow her, walked over to Harry. “You think you can get it working?” She asked.

“Hopefully.” He said, holding a cable in his hand and looking for the socket in which to plug it. “Although, to be honest old girl, I don’t quite know what I’m hoping it will do. I just hope it will tell me when I load it up.”

“Do you think it will tell us what is happening with the sky?” Tifa asked, looking back towards the tears.

“I don’t know.” Harry said. “But I’d say it was something to do with the blue glow somehow.”

*


Private James Burns was setting up a dish array on the lawns outside the ruins of the Hall. He wasn’t too sure what was happening. Last night there was an ominous glow from the Hall, and this morning, the glow disappeared after the Doctor and the young man went through it and then the sky started to rip.

Although Jimmy didn’t know what was happening, he knew where he wished he was, back in bed, somewhere safe. Looking up and through one of the windows of the Hall, Burns stepped back and squinted against the bright sunlight. Someone was moving inside one of the rooms of the Hall. Someone who wasn’t one of his comrades, or Commander Sullivan or those two rather good looking girls.

Burns un-shouldered his rifle and crept slowly across the law closer to the window. There was definitely someone in there, some joker in fancy dress. Burns looked again. It looked like they were trying to be Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. The only problem with the figure was its face. It was skeletal and grotesque, shards of flesh hanging from the bone structure.

“Sarg!” He shouted out aiming his rifle at the figure in the room.
Within seconds the rest of the small platoon were about him looking at the ghostly figure staring back at them.

“How long ago did you spot it?” Cooper asked, standing next to Burns.

“About a minute ago, sarg.” Burns replied.

Cooper looked up and saw Harry appear at the corner of the Hall, with Jess and Tifa by his side. Un-holstering his pistol, Cooper took a couple of steps forwards, knowing that no ricochet would hit anyone the other side of the Hall. Raising his arm, he loosed four shots at the figure, each bullet passing straight through the image, after which it faded out of being.

“Didn’t do anything, did it?” Jess asked, as she approached with Harry and Tifa.

Cooper shook his head, about to reply before he was cut short by a bleeping coming from the computer terminal on the opposite side of the Hall.

“I say, I don’t think that’s good.” Harry said, dashing through the ruins to the terminal, swiftly followed by the rest of the group.
All the diodes on the terminal were blinking at an alarming rate and the red warning diode was blinking even faster, an alarm sounding.
“What is the matter with it?” Tifa asked.

About to reply, Harry was cut short as the tearing sound from the sky recommenced, at an almost deafening volume and the terminal exploded in a shower of flames and sparks, knocking him from his feet. Pitch darkness followed as the group stumbled about, trying to block their ears from the sound. As the light returned the lack of noise, even birdsong became unbearably conspicuous.

“What just happened?” Jess asked looking around.

It was no longer a bright, warm, summer’s day. The sky had gone from a bright blue to a dull grey. Ominous dark clouds hung heavy and there was an almost choking acrid smell which lingered almost stifling in the air. The village behind the Hall had been reduced to a smouldering ruin, even more dilapidated as the Hall. Wisps of grey smoke coming from the ruined houses mixed in with the low clouds.

“Something has destroyed everything.” Tifa choked, pointing over the where Bolsover was situated on the opposing hill. The town was also in as much a state of ruin as Sutton Scarsdale village.

[Fitz Kreiner]

“Something has destroyed everything.” Tifa choked, pointing over the where Bolsover was situated on the opposing hill. The town was also in as much a state of ruin as Sutton Scarsdale village.

“If it’s destroyed everything, how are we still here?” Cooper asked, looking bemused at the ruins about him.

“Something to do with time, clearly.” Jess said. “Everything was centred here, that might be why we’re still here.”

“Could also have had something to do with that computer thing as well.” Harry said, getting to his feet. “I’m alright by the way, everyone.”

“What should we do?” Tifa asked.

“The computer has gone west. I say we group back to command and try and figure this out.” Harry suggested.

“Erm, if all this is ruins, won’t the town be as well?” Jess asked, a horrible feeling of realisation rising through her. “And what is that smell?”

“Sulpher.” Harry said. “Rotten eggs. That I know. Where it’s coming from, I don’t know.”

“Sulpher? As in volcanoes?” Cooper looked up concerned. “I didn’t think we had a volcano in England.”

“We don’t.” Harry replied. “And I think it’s high time we all regrouped back at command. Whatever we do, we can’t do anything here. We can decide what we need to do when we’re back.”

*


The journey back to Chesterfield from Sutton Scarsdale revealed that it wasn’t just Bolsover and Sutton that had been reduced to ruins. Jess and Tifa sat silently in the car with Harry staring out of the windows at the blackened, crumbling houses and churches. The few cars that had lined the roads left from the evacuation were blackened and burnt out, their tires either burnt away or melted to the road, which was all cracked and potholed.

The state of the roads made the journey a slow one. The two Land Rovers followed slowly, the remains of the Doctors equipment in the back of the rear vehicle. As the car approached the hospital, thick black smoke belched out of one of the ruined buildings, the bottom of the plume illuminated an eerie orange due to uncontrolled chemical flames.

“What the hell has happened?” Jess asked looking through the windows, which were becoming caked with dust.

Harry flicked on the windscreen wipers and the headlights as the sky darkened. “I really don’t know old thing.” He replied. “I remember the Doctor telling me about Krakatau, and other volcanic eruptions he’s seen, and this dust and the darkness and sulphurous smell all match, but there aren’t any volcanoes in England. And I doubt it would account for all this devastation.”

“You don’t think this was a volcano?” Tifa asked. “This smell is getting stronger.”

The car turned the corner, reaching the top of the hill that overlooked Chesterfield and Harry applied the brakes, stopping the car. The town below was in total ruins. The medieval church which had made Chesterfield famous with its crooked spire lay in ruins; the wood making the spire had either fallen in totally or was in flames. Flames could be seen licking from several buildings. The railway bridge and the bridge that carried the main bypass road had fallen in, blocking the road up to the centre of the town. Several plumes of smoke joined the dull grey of the sky. The fires burning in the town seemed to suggest that the catastrophe had only recently occurred.

The first of the Land Rovers pulled up and the window wound down and Corporal Lovatt leaned out. Harry wound down his own window and stuck his head out.

“What do you suggest we do, sir?” She asked. “The town’s in ruins and the road is blocked.”

“There’s a ramp from the bypass that comes to this road we’ll have to try that and come back up from the back.” Harry replied. “If we can find at least some shelter to regroup and come up with a new plan; that would be a start.” Harry withdrew himself into the car and wound the window back up.

“Does anyone have an idea?” Jess asked, wrinkling her nose at the smell. “Is it me, or is there another smell in the air?”

“Without the Doctor, we’re down to our own guesses.” Harry said, restarting the car and slowly driving off.

“What about the TARDIS?” Tifa asked. “Jess, do you still have a key?”
“I should have.” Jess said, frantically feeling about her person for the small metal object.

“I say, the TARDIS. I didn’t think!” Harry exclaimed as he turned the car up the damaged road.

“Got it!” Jess exclaimed, pulling the TARDIS key from under her shirt, swearing softly to herself as the silver chain got tangled with her tie.

“What was that?” Tifa asked, leaning forwards and pointing out of the windscreen as Harry braked sharply. “Did you see it?”

“I think I did.” Harry said, staring through the grimy windscreen into the ruins of a building before glancing back to see where the Land Rovers were. “Hmm, they’re not here yet.” He muttered. “I say, shall we hop out and take a look?”

“Are you sure that’s safe?” Jess asked. “I mean, that doesn’t look like England, 1999 out there. It looks more like the Blitz meets nuclear winter.”

“I know what you mean, but don’t worry.” Harry winked. Unfastening his seatbelt, he moved his jacket to one side to reveal a hidden pistol in its holster, over his turtleneck sweater. “Now, what do you say, time for a quick recce?”

“A ‘recce’?” Tifa asked.

“A quick look about, see what that thing was.” Harry said opening the car door and stepping out. Putting his hand to his mouth, Harry choked on the foul smelling air. He now recognised the other smell that was mixed in with the sulphurous odour, that of ammonia.

“Bloody hell, it’s stronger here.” Jess said, covering her mouth and nose, almost gagging on the smell. “What is it?”

“Ammonia and sulphur.” Harry said. “I really don’t know where it’s coming from, the ammonia seems to be in the atmosphere and the sulphur, I don’t know.”

“I don’t know these things.” Tifa said as she got out of the car. “And I don’t think I want to, they do smell an awful lot. It makes you choke.”

The sound of brickwork crumbling and falling behind the wall of a ruined building made the three turn in time to see a shadow move across a ruined wall as a sheet of glass fell from its frame and shattered into splinters on the rubble.

Harry placed his hand inside his jacket, his fingers touching the butt of his pistol as he took a step towards the now open front of the building. Shadows flickered on the wall as a fire burnt within. Looking over his shoulder as he stepped over some bricks strewn over the road, he saw Tifa walk round the car after him. Glancing back to Jess he saw her slowly making her way to the corner of the building, pausing to bend down and pick a twisted piece of pipe from the tarmac.

Brandishing the pipe before her, Jess nodded to Harry as she approached the building. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hand disappear into his jacket as he no doubt was readying himself to draw his gun at a moment’s notice. Jess could feel her heart pounding and hear the blood rushing in her ears. The adrenaline was flowing through her and she felt anxious and fearful. She had no idea what the shadow had been, whether it had been a survivor of the unknown catastrophe or, she daren’t think of the alternative.

Rounding the corner, she saw that the side wall of the building was now merely a pile of rubble strewn across the pavement. Scrambling up it, she looked into the ruins of the shop. She could see Harry and Tifa through the gaping hole in the shop front. Jess looked again into the ruins of the shop; it had been a car repair shop and car parts littered the floor, stacks of tires belching black smoke as they burnt. Shrugging, Jess looked down to Tifa and Harry, the latter of whom, slowly withdrew his hand from his gun. As Jess looked at the rubble for a way down, she heard Tifa shout to her.

“Jess, behind you!”

As Jess tried to spin to see what Tifa was warning her about, one of her feet slipped from under her and she felt herself falling. Jess found herself falling back into the rubble and against something she was sure wasn’t there a second ago. It was then she noticed the sinewy and strong arm about her throat. She instantly threw her hands up to it and felt the strange material beneath them. Looking down as best as she could, she caught a glimpse of a mottled greenish brown skin, with a texture like sandpaper. She was vaguely aware of Harry shouting something up to her, or the alien behind her, as she heard an incoherent clicking noise and felt something hard and cold pressed into her temple that she could only assume was some kind of gun.