Post by Fitz Kreiner on Feb 19, 2009 21:04:47 GMT
Sergeant Thaer yawned and checked his watch. He had set it to the planet’s time before he had left the mother ship, and it was now nearly half five in the morning; dawn. He crossed to the exterior door and opened it cautiously and peered out. The first rays of sun were starting to creep round the mountain that strangely stood alone, the lush vegetation climbing its sides until it thinned to reveal the purplish rock.
Glancing round the edge of the clearing, in case any of the creatures were lurking, Thaer started to close the door when he saw the door to the living area crack open. He closed the door softly as the door to the living section fully opened. Framed in the doorway was the student who he had seen running from the forest, the one who had been attacked by the Wyvern; Camillo Piazzi.
Doctor Sauer had removed the young man’s shirt to treat the wound, but by the looks, the treatment was failing. The large gash was a sickly green, and seemed to be metamorphosing into a mottled green, gnarled, almost scaly flesh. His pupils seemed to burn a fiery yellow, ringed with black, whilst the whites of his eyes were a deep blood red. Thick, pulsing green veins seemed to pulse from the wound across his upper torso and neck onto the side of his face. He was snarling, his lips were drawn back baring his teeth, and thick strands of saliva trickled down his chin onto his bare chest.
Thaer grimaced at the sight, cautiously reaching for his pistol. The boy snarled at him, as he uh-holstered his weapon, his eyes fixed on the student. As his pistol snagged in the holster, Thaer looked down. With a roar, Piazzi launched himself at Thaer, the Sergeant looking up just as it was too late. A blow of almost superhuman strength knocked Thaer from his feet.
His head connecting sharply with the floor, Thaer cried out as he was struck by blow after blow from the crazed student. His finger squeezed around the trigger and the echoing explosion of the gunshot reverberated around the room, the bullet causing a shower of sparks from the terminal it hit. The sound of the gun shot caused Piazzi to jump to his feet, hissing and snarling like a wild animal. With a last roar at Thaer, he bolted for the door and disappeared onto the surface of the planet.
Clambering to his feet, Thaer looked round as the door to the cockpit opened, followed by the door to the living area. Olbrich, Neruda, Sauer and the young man dashed into the room, wide eyed and alert. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Mori’s face at the small window to the office cell.
“What the hell is happening out here Sergeant?” Olbrich thundered.
“What happened? What was that?”
Thaer spun round. The girl, Jess had appeared behind Sauer and Rowan.
“Sorry sir,” Thaer saluted, turning back to Olbrich. “The infected student, Piazzi; he seemed possessed. He attacked me. He seemed incredibly strong.”
Olbrich quizzically raised an eyebrow before looking over Thaer’s shoulder at Sauer, who’s eye’s had widened.
“The infection,” he said in a hushed voice. “It must have overcome the drugs and taken an effect on him, on his mind.”
“What happened to him?” Olbrich asked.
“He fled the Lander, out onto the surface.” Thaer reported.
“What about him? Can’t he help us, or tell us something?”
The marines turned to look at Jess, the source of the question. She was pointing at the office cell, wherein Mori was staring out at them.
“He won’t talk.” Olbrich said.
“When Ita is being stubborn, you’ve more luck getting blood out of a stone.” Sauer added. “There’s only one option; we go out after him.”
“Out there, with those creatures?” Neruda asked.
“It’s the only way to get Piazzi back.” Olbrich agreed. “I won’t ask for volunteers, I’m commander, I should go.”
“No. You’re the commander, you should stay.” Sauer said. “He’s one of my students, I should go.”
“No,” Olbrich retorted. “You are a civilian, Herr Doctor. It is my responsibility.”
“Oh for goodness sake! You’re grown men; a Doctor and a Commander, and you’re bickering like schoolboys!” Jess almost shouted, cutting the two men off causing them to turn to look at her, mouths agape. “You’re both right, and you’re both wrong. What if Doctor Sauer went with the Sergeant or Corporal?”
Thaer nodded. “I’ll volunteer to go, sir,” he said. “After all, it was me who prevented his escape.”
“Very well.” Olbrich nodded. “I think you should be armed as well, Herr Doctor. We do not know how many of Mori’s creatures are out there.”
Sauer nodded and followed Thaer to the weapons locker, where the Sergeant passed the doctor a rifle, taking another for himself.
“I’m going too.” Tom said stepping forward.
“No, Tom, not again!” Jess protested.
“It’s ok, this time.” Tom replied. “It’s for Tifa’s sake as well. Keep an eye on her.” Gently cupping Jess’s face in his hand, Tom smiled and turned to Thaer and nodded. Reciprocating, the Sergeant threw a rifle over to him. “Besides, I’ve got this, this time.” He winked, turning back and hefting the weapon.
“Good luck.” Jess said, hugging Tom and placing a kiss on his cheek. “Make sure you come back in one piece this time, please.”
Tom smiled and nodded before turning and following Thaer and Sauer out of the Lander. Watching them go, Olbrich closed the door behind them and turned back towards Neruda.
“You had better take watch now, Corporal.”
Tifa’s eyes flickered open. She could hear voices flitting through from another part of the Lander. She felt strange; almost euphoric, as though there was nothing she couldn’t do. She could even see in the dark. Not brilliantly, but she could make things out clearer than the shadowy shapes they should have been. She could even smell things clearer. It was as though her senses had been sharpened. She felt light headed and giddy, her breathing deepening. The walls almost seemed as though they were starting to close in. She would have to get out sometime soon.
“Which way do you suggest?” Sauer looked about the clearing, his rifle poised ready for action.
“This way,” Tom said starting off for the edge of the jungle.
“How do you know?” Sauer asked, spinning to face the young man.
“He’s a possessed student, not an alien creature, or marine. He’s leaving a good track.”
“He’s right.” Thaer said, swiftly walking to the front of the small group. “I think I’d best go first, after all, I’m the marine here.”
“I’ve had some training too.” Tom replied. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve come.”
“You take up the rear then, sir.” Thaer said, pushing a branch out of his way.
“Are you sure you’re up to this already?” Sauer asked, glancing back at Tom as he stepped into the thick undergrowth.
“I’ve told you, different physiognomy.” Tom replied stepping over a fallen tree.
“You certainly seem fit enough.” Sauer said ducking as a shrieking cry of an alien bird rang out. He looked up to see Thaer crouching down, his hand held out to slow him and Tom down.
“What is it?” Tom hissed, crouching down and slowly and carefully making his way through the undergrowth towards Thaer.
“I think we’ve found him.” The marine said, gently pushing a branch out of the way so that the two other men could see.
Camillo Piazzi was crouching on the banks of a fast moving river, his hair was wild and his upper body was covered in scratches and welts from the vegetation. The infection had spread even further, his skin becoming a tough and gnarled covering over his back, shoulder and neck, almost like the bark of a tree.
“What do you suggest we do now?” Tom whispered. “Shoot him?”
“Only as a last resort,” Thaer replied.
“What?” Sauer almost had to stop himself from shouting. “We can’t kill him. He’s one of my student team. What if your friend has developed a cure?”
“I never said kill him.” Tom retorted. “But stop him running off again somehow.”
“I think I can manage that,” Sauer said, slowly getting to his feet. “After all, I’m his tutor, he knows me. I’m sure I can reason with him. Get him sedated again.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Thaer said as Sauer handed him his rifle and stepped out of the jungle into the clearing by the river.
“Me too,” Sauer said swallowing hard and taking a step forwards. “Piazzi? Camillo, it’s me; Doctor Sauer.”
At the sound of Sauer’s voice, Piazzi froze and turned to look at his mentor, his eyes blazing like hot coals. Blood covered his face and dripped from his chin, feathers stuck to the blood dotting his face. The corpse of the turkey sized bird lay at his feet, ripped apart, its entrails scattered on the ground. Several thick green veins could be seen pulsing through the blood on his face, coming up from his neck.
“Camillo, please listen to me. You’re a strong man, you can fight this infection.” Sauer pleaded.
Piazzi stared at Sauer, his eyes almost burning in his skull, and roared a guttural, animalistic roar, spittle, blood and feathers spraying in the explosion of sound. For several seconds the two men stared at each other before Piazzi growled and turned and ran along the river.
Thaer was instantly on his feet and vaulting over the branches to the river back. “After him; move, move, move!” He yelled, tossing Sauer back his rifle and sprinting after the fleeing student.
Spurred into action, Tom leapt into the clearing and grabbing Sauer by the arm, had to pull the doctor into action.
“What’s that?” Jess awoke with a start. She’d nodded off sat on a stool in the lab, her head resting on her arms which were folded before her on the desk.
Neruda looked around. There had been a clanging and clunking sound coming from the hull of the Lander. “It sounded like it could be a travel pod arriving.” She said, drawing her pistol from her holster.
“What if it’s not?” Jess asked as the door to the cockpit opened and Olbrich emerged. He had his pistol drawn as well. “It could be those Wyvern thing on the roof.”
“Sir?” Neruda asked turning to Olbrich.
“We’ve had no reports of a travel pod leaving the mother ship.” He said cautiously edging past the exterior door.
The creaking and clanging on the hull continued, and was fallowed up by a long, low wail from somewhere outside. Olbrich and Neruda glanced at each other, and with a nod from Olbrich, Neruda slipped off the safety catch on her pistol.
“I’d stay back if I were you.” Olbrich warned glancing towards Jess. “Back to the far wall,” he added, glancing over Jess’s shoulder.
Noticing where the Commander was looking, Jess turned. The door to the living area was opening, revealing Tifa. She had a wild look in her eyes, her lips were drawn back over her clenched teeth and her breathing was deep and laborious. Her eyes darted around the three occupants of the room, her nostrils flared as she took a deep sniff of the surroundings.
“Like the other. She’s posessed.” Neruda said softly, levelling her gun towards Tifa.
“No!” Jess almost screamed. “You can’t shoot her. She’s not done anything. We’ve got to talk to her. Let me try.”
“You’re quite right, but let me. I might have a trick or two up my sleeve that will be a lot more useful.”
All four occupants of the Lander spun at the sound of the voice. A figure was sillohetted in the outside door of the Lander; the main distinguishing feature of the figure being the long wavey hair cascading from out underneith a panama hat.
“Lovely morning, isn’t it?” The Doctor smiled as he stepped into the Lander, smiling. He took a quick look around before taking several slow and deliberate steps towards Tifa. Casually and deliberately he removed his pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket and unclipped it from his buttonhole.
“Doctor, what are you-?” Jess started before being silence by the Doctor holding his hand out.
Holding his hand up, he let the watch dangle on its chain and slowly swing back and forth.
“Look at the watch, Tifa.” He said softly. “Look at how the light catches and dances off it.”
Stopping in her tracks, Tifa cocked her head and looked intently at the watch. Jess watched on amazed, glancing at Olbrich and Neruda. The two marines were also watching on amazed. Jess couldn’t believe it. She’d always thought of swinging watches as a form of hypnosis to be nothing but the invent of film and televison. Then, to her amazement, the Doctor started to sing.
“Kokleda partha mennin clatch. Aroon aroon aroon. Kokleda sheena teerinatch. Aroon aroon aroon. Aroon aroon aroo-oon. Aroon aroon aroon..." he sang softly and remarkably in time with the swinging watch, gently swaying back and forth himself.
Jess found herself yawning as she watched the event and the soothing voice of the Doctor and the strange alien lyrics flittered through her head. She shook her head and looked over at Olbrich and Neruda. The Doctor’s strange song seemed to be affecting them the same way. Looking back at the Doctor, Jess saw that Tifa’s eyes were drooping and the Doctor was subtly beckoning her over.
“Get ready to catch her.” He whispered to Jess.
Jess opened her mouth to reply when she saw Tifa’s legs start to buckle. She leapt forwards and grabbed the young Thal as she crumpled to the floor. “What did you do?” She asked as she laid the other girl out.
“Venusian Lullaby,” the Doctor replied as though that explained everything.
Turning back, the Doctor reached over to a small pack that he had laid down near the door and drew it across to him. Flipping the top open, he rummaged inside it and drew out a small syringe with a pale blue liquid inside, a small bottle of surgical alcohol and a ball of cotton wool. Gripping the top of the alcohol in his teeth, he ripped it off and then, placing the cotton wool over the top, briefly tipped it over before righting it.
“Take this.” He said, handing the small bottle to Jess and then straightening Tifa’s arm.
Rubbing her wrist with the alcohol covered ball, he then tossed it aside and picked up the syringe. Removing the needle covering with his teeth, he gently slid the needle into Tifa’s vein and depressed the plunger. Jess watched as the blue liquid disappeared and the Doctor drew the needle out. Quick as a flash, he reached back and produced another cotton wool ball from the pack and held it over the needle prick on Tifa’s wrist.
“Hold that there,” he said to Jess. “It should counter the alien infection in her system and kill it off.”
“She’s going to be ok?” Jess asked, looking up at the Doctor. It seemed like ages since she’d seen him. She suddenly realised she hadn’t even said hello because of the drama in the Lander. She was about to rectify that when the Doctor jumped sprightly to his feet.
“Right, now for that other poor student,” he said, looking around before the realisation suddenly dawned on him. “Commander Olbrich, where’s Tom?”
Olbrich uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding the Time Lords eyes for several seconds before he looked at him. “Camillo Piazzi, the student who was infected, he ran from the Lander. Sergeant Thaer, doctor Sauer and your companion, Rowan, went after him.”
“How long?” the Doctor asked, suddenly seeming very urgent.
“Not half an hour before you arrived.” Corporal Neruda replied. “You barely missed him.”
“Thaer has his communicator with him, we can always contact them.” Olbrich said reaching down to his belt and removing his own communicator.
“Oh would you?” the Doctor asked, an almost pleading look on his face. “That would be absolutely fantastic, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Olbrich stammered, not quite sure what else to say as the Doctor turned away seemingly disinterested now.
Crossing to where Jess was crouched near Tifa, he knelt down and checked the young Thal’s pulse. “She’ll be fine,” he smiled at Jess, scooping her up in his arms.
“You’re sure?” Jess asked, getting to her feet and following the Doctor into the sleeping berths.
“Trust me, I’m a doctor.” The Time Lord winked back. “Her pulse has slowed and is strong and the discolouration is fading. I just hope that Tom and the others can find this student and bring him back unharmed.”
He could run, faster and harder than he ever could before. The sounds and smells of the jungle were almost euphoric and lifted his senses even higher. The sound of the river running beside him almost filled his ears. However, there was another sound behind him making him run faster. Piazzi could hear his pursuers as they crashed through the jungle behind him, well two of them. One of them crashed through the undergrowth very loudly, the second was less loud, as though he had been trained to make as little noise as possible. As for the third, Piazzi could smell him, the adrenaline and other things he couldn’t identify. He smelled so different to his other two pursuers.
It didn’t matter what they smelled like, all Piazzi knew was they had a hostile intent and outnumbered him. Running was the only option. He was sure that he was faster than his pursuers and had more stamina to run longer than them. He could hear their breathing getting more and more laboured.
Suddenly a new sound filled Piazzi’s ears. A roaring sound that felt almost primeval, the sound of falling and churning water; a waterfall. And his pursuers were chasing him towards it.
“How long is he going to keep running?” Sauer panted as he ran along the river bank. His heart was pounding and he could hear it loudly in his ears. His lungs brunt from the pure exertion.
“Can’t be much further,” Tom panted back. “At least not in this direction.”
“What makes you say that?” Sauer replied stumbling over a fallen branch.
“Can’t you hear it?” Tom shouted. “We’re heading towards a waterfall.”
Thaer skidded to a halt, almost tripping over in the mud of the river bank, and readied his rifle. “Sod this,” he panted as he slipped the safety off. Aiming above Piazzi’s head, he squeezed the trigger and loosed off a round. The gun shot had the desired effect as Piazzi stopped.
“Nice one.” Tom breathed as he came up beside Thaer, taking the safety catch off his own rifle.
“As a last resort, remember.” Sauer managed as he staggered up behind the two other men. They really made him feel out of shape, his lungs felt as though they were on fire. “Piazzi, we can help you.” He said after several seconds, regaining his composure.
Piazzi was stood, legs bent, almost poised to launch himself at the group. Thick, bloody strands of saliva dripped from his mouth as he breathed deeply. His head cocked to one side as a bleep sounded from the communicator on Thaer’s belt.
“Thaer,” the marine said breathlessly as he pulled the communicator to his lips.
“Thaer, this is Olbrich. The Doctor is back and he has a cure for this infection. What’s your status?” Olbrich’s tinny voice came from the tiny speaker.
Piazzi cocked his head the other way before looking around him, his eyes darting back and forth, as if trying to locate the source of the voice.
“We’ve cornered him by a cliff edge.” Thaer said, taking a step back and speaking softly. “He seems spooked and more animal than man now.”
“No!”
Thaer looked up at Sauer’s cry. Paizzi had turned and was sprinting towards the cliff edge. Sauer was starting forwards and Tom was already running, but it was too late. Piazzi reached the precipice and launched himself off into the air.
Glancing round the edge of the clearing, in case any of the creatures were lurking, Thaer started to close the door when he saw the door to the living area crack open. He closed the door softly as the door to the living section fully opened. Framed in the doorway was the student who he had seen running from the forest, the one who had been attacked by the Wyvern; Camillo Piazzi.
Doctor Sauer had removed the young man’s shirt to treat the wound, but by the looks, the treatment was failing. The large gash was a sickly green, and seemed to be metamorphosing into a mottled green, gnarled, almost scaly flesh. His pupils seemed to burn a fiery yellow, ringed with black, whilst the whites of his eyes were a deep blood red. Thick, pulsing green veins seemed to pulse from the wound across his upper torso and neck onto the side of his face. He was snarling, his lips were drawn back baring his teeth, and thick strands of saliva trickled down his chin onto his bare chest.
Thaer grimaced at the sight, cautiously reaching for his pistol. The boy snarled at him, as he uh-holstered his weapon, his eyes fixed on the student. As his pistol snagged in the holster, Thaer looked down. With a roar, Piazzi launched himself at Thaer, the Sergeant looking up just as it was too late. A blow of almost superhuman strength knocked Thaer from his feet.
His head connecting sharply with the floor, Thaer cried out as he was struck by blow after blow from the crazed student. His finger squeezed around the trigger and the echoing explosion of the gunshot reverberated around the room, the bullet causing a shower of sparks from the terminal it hit. The sound of the gun shot caused Piazzi to jump to his feet, hissing and snarling like a wild animal. With a last roar at Thaer, he bolted for the door and disappeared onto the surface of the planet.
Clambering to his feet, Thaer looked round as the door to the cockpit opened, followed by the door to the living area. Olbrich, Neruda, Sauer and the young man dashed into the room, wide eyed and alert. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Mori’s face at the small window to the office cell.
“What the hell is happening out here Sergeant?” Olbrich thundered.
“What happened? What was that?”
Thaer spun round. The girl, Jess had appeared behind Sauer and Rowan.
“Sorry sir,” Thaer saluted, turning back to Olbrich. “The infected student, Piazzi; he seemed possessed. He attacked me. He seemed incredibly strong.”
Olbrich quizzically raised an eyebrow before looking over Thaer’s shoulder at Sauer, who’s eye’s had widened.
“The infection,” he said in a hushed voice. “It must have overcome the drugs and taken an effect on him, on his mind.”
“What happened to him?” Olbrich asked.
“He fled the Lander, out onto the surface.” Thaer reported.
“What about him? Can’t he help us, or tell us something?”
The marines turned to look at Jess, the source of the question. She was pointing at the office cell, wherein Mori was staring out at them.
“He won’t talk.” Olbrich said.
“When Ita is being stubborn, you’ve more luck getting blood out of a stone.” Sauer added. “There’s only one option; we go out after him.”
“Out there, with those creatures?” Neruda asked.
“It’s the only way to get Piazzi back.” Olbrich agreed. “I won’t ask for volunteers, I’m commander, I should go.”
“No. You’re the commander, you should stay.” Sauer said. “He’s one of my students, I should go.”
“No,” Olbrich retorted. “You are a civilian, Herr Doctor. It is my responsibility.”
“Oh for goodness sake! You’re grown men; a Doctor and a Commander, and you’re bickering like schoolboys!” Jess almost shouted, cutting the two men off causing them to turn to look at her, mouths agape. “You’re both right, and you’re both wrong. What if Doctor Sauer went with the Sergeant or Corporal?”
Thaer nodded. “I’ll volunteer to go, sir,” he said. “After all, it was me who prevented his escape.”
“Very well.” Olbrich nodded. “I think you should be armed as well, Herr Doctor. We do not know how many of Mori’s creatures are out there.”
Sauer nodded and followed Thaer to the weapons locker, where the Sergeant passed the doctor a rifle, taking another for himself.
“I’m going too.” Tom said stepping forward.
“No, Tom, not again!” Jess protested.
“It’s ok, this time.” Tom replied. “It’s for Tifa’s sake as well. Keep an eye on her.” Gently cupping Jess’s face in his hand, Tom smiled and turned to Thaer and nodded. Reciprocating, the Sergeant threw a rifle over to him. “Besides, I’ve got this, this time.” He winked, turning back and hefting the weapon.
“Good luck.” Jess said, hugging Tom and placing a kiss on his cheek. “Make sure you come back in one piece this time, please.”
Tom smiled and nodded before turning and following Thaer and Sauer out of the Lander. Watching them go, Olbrich closed the door behind them and turned back towards Neruda.
“You had better take watch now, Corporal.”
*
Tifa’s eyes flickered open. She could hear voices flitting through from another part of the Lander. She felt strange; almost euphoric, as though there was nothing she couldn’t do. She could even see in the dark. Not brilliantly, but she could make things out clearer than the shadowy shapes they should have been. She could even smell things clearer. It was as though her senses had been sharpened. She felt light headed and giddy, her breathing deepening. The walls almost seemed as though they were starting to close in. She would have to get out sometime soon.
*
“Which way do you suggest?” Sauer looked about the clearing, his rifle poised ready for action.
“This way,” Tom said starting off for the edge of the jungle.
“How do you know?” Sauer asked, spinning to face the young man.
“He’s a possessed student, not an alien creature, or marine. He’s leaving a good track.”
“He’s right.” Thaer said, swiftly walking to the front of the small group. “I think I’d best go first, after all, I’m the marine here.”
“I’ve had some training too.” Tom replied. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve come.”
“You take up the rear then, sir.” Thaer said, pushing a branch out of his way.
“Are you sure you’re up to this already?” Sauer asked, glancing back at Tom as he stepped into the thick undergrowth.
“I’ve told you, different physiognomy.” Tom replied stepping over a fallen tree.
“You certainly seem fit enough.” Sauer said ducking as a shrieking cry of an alien bird rang out. He looked up to see Thaer crouching down, his hand held out to slow him and Tom down.
“What is it?” Tom hissed, crouching down and slowly and carefully making his way through the undergrowth towards Thaer.
“I think we’ve found him.” The marine said, gently pushing a branch out of the way so that the two other men could see.
Camillo Piazzi was crouching on the banks of a fast moving river, his hair was wild and his upper body was covered in scratches and welts from the vegetation. The infection had spread even further, his skin becoming a tough and gnarled covering over his back, shoulder and neck, almost like the bark of a tree.
“What do you suggest we do now?” Tom whispered. “Shoot him?”
“Only as a last resort,” Thaer replied.
“What?” Sauer almost had to stop himself from shouting. “We can’t kill him. He’s one of my student team. What if your friend has developed a cure?”
“I never said kill him.” Tom retorted. “But stop him running off again somehow.”
“I think I can manage that,” Sauer said, slowly getting to his feet. “After all, I’m his tutor, he knows me. I’m sure I can reason with him. Get him sedated again.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Thaer said as Sauer handed him his rifle and stepped out of the jungle into the clearing by the river.
“Me too,” Sauer said swallowing hard and taking a step forwards. “Piazzi? Camillo, it’s me; Doctor Sauer.”
At the sound of Sauer’s voice, Piazzi froze and turned to look at his mentor, his eyes blazing like hot coals. Blood covered his face and dripped from his chin, feathers stuck to the blood dotting his face. The corpse of the turkey sized bird lay at his feet, ripped apart, its entrails scattered on the ground. Several thick green veins could be seen pulsing through the blood on his face, coming up from his neck.
“Camillo, please listen to me. You’re a strong man, you can fight this infection.” Sauer pleaded.
Piazzi stared at Sauer, his eyes almost burning in his skull, and roared a guttural, animalistic roar, spittle, blood and feathers spraying in the explosion of sound. For several seconds the two men stared at each other before Piazzi growled and turned and ran along the river.
Thaer was instantly on his feet and vaulting over the branches to the river back. “After him; move, move, move!” He yelled, tossing Sauer back his rifle and sprinting after the fleeing student.
Spurred into action, Tom leapt into the clearing and grabbing Sauer by the arm, had to pull the doctor into action.
*
“What’s that?” Jess awoke with a start. She’d nodded off sat on a stool in the lab, her head resting on her arms which were folded before her on the desk.
Neruda looked around. There had been a clanging and clunking sound coming from the hull of the Lander. “It sounded like it could be a travel pod arriving.” She said, drawing her pistol from her holster.
“What if it’s not?” Jess asked as the door to the cockpit opened and Olbrich emerged. He had his pistol drawn as well. “It could be those Wyvern thing on the roof.”
“Sir?” Neruda asked turning to Olbrich.
“We’ve had no reports of a travel pod leaving the mother ship.” He said cautiously edging past the exterior door.
The creaking and clanging on the hull continued, and was fallowed up by a long, low wail from somewhere outside. Olbrich and Neruda glanced at each other, and with a nod from Olbrich, Neruda slipped off the safety catch on her pistol.
“I’d stay back if I were you.” Olbrich warned glancing towards Jess. “Back to the far wall,” he added, glancing over Jess’s shoulder.
Noticing where the Commander was looking, Jess turned. The door to the living area was opening, revealing Tifa. She had a wild look in her eyes, her lips were drawn back over her clenched teeth and her breathing was deep and laborious. Her eyes darted around the three occupants of the room, her nostrils flared as she took a deep sniff of the surroundings.
“Like the other. She’s posessed.” Neruda said softly, levelling her gun towards Tifa.
“No!” Jess almost screamed. “You can’t shoot her. She’s not done anything. We’ve got to talk to her. Let me try.”
“You’re quite right, but let me. I might have a trick or two up my sleeve that will be a lot more useful.”
All four occupants of the Lander spun at the sound of the voice. A figure was sillohetted in the outside door of the Lander; the main distinguishing feature of the figure being the long wavey hair cascading from out underneith a panama hat.
“Lovely morning, isn’t it?” The Doctor smiled as he stepped into the Lander, smiling. He took a quick look around before taking several slow and deliberate steps towards Tifa. Casually and deliberately he removed his pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket and unclipped it from his buttonhole.
“Doctor, what are you-?” Jess started before being silence by the Doctor holding his hand out.
Holding his hand up, he let the watch dangle on its chain and slowly swing back and forth.
“Look at the watch, Tifa.” He said softly. “Look at how the light catches and dances off it.”
Stopping in her tracks, Tifa cocked her head and looked intently at the watch. Jess watched on amazed, glancing at Olbrich and Neruda. The two marines were also watching on amazed. Jess couldn’t believe it. She’d always thought of swinging watches as a form of hypnosis to be nothing but the invent of film and televison. Then, to her amazement, the Doctor started to sing.
“Kokleda partha mennin clatch. Aroon aroon aroon. Kokleda sheena teerinatch. Aroon aroon aroon. Aroon aroon aroo-oon. Aroon aroon aroon..." he sang softly and remarkably in time with the swinging watch, gently swaying back and forth himself.
Jess found herself yawning as she watched the event and the soothing voice of the Doctor and the strange alien lyrics flittered through her head. She shook her head and looked over at Olbrich and Neruda. The Doctor’s strange song seemed to be affecting them the same way. Looking back at the Doctor, Jess saw that Tifa’s eyes were drooping and the Doctor was subtly beckoning her over.
“Get ready to catch her.” He whispered to Jess.
Jess opened her mouth to reply when she saw Tifa’s legs start to buckle. She leapt forwards and grabbed the young Thal as she crumpled to the floor. “What did you do?” She asked as she laid the other girl out.
“Venusian Lullaby,” the Doctor replied as though that explained everything.
Turning back, the Doctor reached over to a small pack that he had laid down near the door and drew it across to him. Flipping the top open, he rummaged inside it and drew out a small syringe with a pale blue liquid inside, a small bottle of surgical alcohol and a ball of cotton wool. Gripping the top of the alcohol in his teeth, he ripped it off and then, placing the cotton wool over the top, briefly tipped it over before righting it.
“Take this.” He said, handing the small bottle to Jess and then straightening Tifa’s arm.
Rubbing her wrist with the alcohol covered ball, he then tossed it aside and picked up the syringe. Removing the needle covering with his teeth, he gently slid the needle into Tifa’s vein and depressed the plunger. Jess watched as the blue liquid disappeared and the Doctor drew the needle out. Quick as a flash, he reached back and produced another cotton wool ball from the pack and held it over the needle prick on Tifa’s wrist.
“Hold that there,” he said to Jess. “It should counter the alien infection in her system and kill it off.”
“She’s going to be ok?” Jess asked, looking up at the Doctor. It seemed like ages since she’d seen him. She suddenly realised she hadn’t even said hello because of the drama in the Lander. She was about to rectify that when the Doctor jumped sprightly to his feet.
“Right, now for that other poor student,” he said, looking around before the realisation suddenly dawned on him. “Commander Olbrich, where’s Tom?”
Olbrich uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding the Time Lords eyes for several seconds before he looked at him. “Camillo Piazzi, the student who was infected, he ran from the Lander. Sergeant Thaer, doctor Sauer and your companion, Rowan, went after him.”
“How long?” the Doctor asked, suddenly seeming very urgent.
“Not half an hour before you arrived.” Corporal Neruda replied. “You barely missed him.”
“Thaer has his communicator with him, we can always contact them.” Olbrich said reaching down to his belt and removing his own communicator.
“Oh would you?” the Doctor asked, an almost pleading look on his face. “That would be absolutely fantastic, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Olbrich stammered, not quite sure what else to say as the Doctor turned away seemingly disinterested now.
Crossing to where Jess was crouched near Tifa, he knelt down and checked the young Thal’s pulse. “She’ll be fine,” he smiled at Jess, scooping her up in his arms.
“You’re sure?” Jess asked, getting to her feet and following the Doctor into the sleeping berths.
“Trust me, I’m a doctor.” The Time Lord winked back. “Her pulse has slowed and is strong and the discolouration is fading. I just hope that Tom and the others can find this student and bring him back unharmed.”
*
He could run, faster and harder than he ever could before. The sounds and smells of the jungle were almost euphoric and lifted his senses even higher. The sound of the river running beside him almost filled his ears. However, there was another sound behind him making him run faster. Piazzi could hear his pursuers as they crashed through the jungle behind him, well two of them. One of them crashed through the undergrowth very loudly, the second was less loud, as though he had been trained to make as little noise as possible. As for the third, Piazzi could smell him, the adrenaline and other things he couldn’t identify. He smelled so different to his other two pursuers.
It didn’t matter what they smelled like, all Piazzi knew was they had a hostile intent and outnumbered him. Running was the only option. He was sure that he was faster than his pursuers and had more stamina to run longer than them. He could hear their breathing getting more and more laboured.
Suddenly a new sound filled Piazzi’s ears. A roaring sound that felt almost primeval, the sound of falling and churning water; a waterfall. And his pursuers were chasing him towards it.
*
“How long is he going to keep running?” Sauer panted as he ran along the river bank. His heart was pounding and he could hear it loudly in his ears. His lungs brunt from the pure exertion.
“Can’t be much further,” Tom panted back. “At least not in this direction.”
“What makes you say that?” Sauer replied stumbling over a fallen branch.
“Can’t you hear it?” Tom shouted. “We’re heading towards a waterfall.”
Thaer skidded to a halt, almost tripping over in the mud of the river bank, and readied his rifle. “Sod this,” he panted as he slipped the safety off. Aiming above Piazzi’s head, he squeezed the trigger and loosed off a round. The gun shot had the desired effect as Piazzi stopped.
“Nice one.” Tom breathed as he came up beside Thaer, taking the safety catch off his own rifle.
“As a last resort, remember.” Sauer managed as he staggered up behind the two other men. They really made him feel out of shape, his lungs felt as though they were on fire. “Piazzi, we can help you.” He said after several seconds, regaining his composure.
Piazzi was stood, legs bent, almost poised to launch himself at the group. Thick, bloody strands of saliva dripped from his mouth as he breathed deeply. His head cocked to one side as a bleep sounded from the communicator on Thaer’s belt.
“Thaer,” the marine said breathlessly as he pulled the communicator to his lips.
“Thaer, this is Olbrich. The Doctor is back and he has a cure for this infection. What’s your status?” Olbrich’s tinny voice came from the tiny speaker.
Piazzi cocked his head the other way before looking around him, his eyes darting back and forth, as if trying to locate the source of the voice.
“We’ve cornered him by a cliff edge.” Thaer said, taking a step back and speaking softly. “He seems spooked and more animal than man now.”
“No!”
Thaer looked up at Sauer’s cry. Paizzi had turned and was sprinting towards the cliff edge. Sauer was starting forwards and Tom was already running, but it was too late. Piazzi reached the precipice and launched himself off into the air.
