Post by Fitz Kreiner on Dec 9, 2009 23:53:11 GMT
13
That Was Just Your Life
That Was Just Your Life
The whole of the Gravitron control was stood in shocked and stunned silence at the casualness in the way the Cyber leader had picked up, and crushed the life out of Miles, before dropping him on a desk, breaking his neck. Christina Miles could only watch in horror, from the Doctor’s arms, as her husband was brutally killed, the Time Lord stopping her from rushing over to his broken body. The rest of the Moonbase crew were being held by the crew of the science department, who were stood in a trance-like state.
Only five Cybermen were in the dome, but the presence of the science crew and four controlled humans swelled their numbers drastically. Christina couldn’t take all this in, burying her head in the Doctor’s chest. She was only vaguely aware of the softness of his velvet jacket on her face. She felt nauseous, distant and light headed; she could hardly believe what she had just seen. She was a doctor and had seen death before, but never in her worst nightmare had she even contemplated such an alien and brutal murder, of her own husband right before her eyes. There was a part of her that wanted to rush to his side, to help him in any way she could, another part of her didn’t want to believe it had happened and yet another just wanted to curl up and cry until the hurt went away, which she could see lasting forever.
Turning from where it stood in the centre of the control room, the Cyber leader gestured to the two Cybermen flanking the three controlled base personnel and Jess. The Cyberman on the left of the small group was holding a complex device inset into a metal framework. Reaching round the small device, it activated a control and the four controlled humans stepped forwards. Staring straight ahead, they, along with several members of the science team, walked towards the key desks in the weather control section, taking places at the consoles.
The silence of the base descended into awkwardness as everyone stared dumbstruck at the bizarre tableau which was unfolding before them. Surveying the scene, the Cyber leader strode towards the Doctor, who did his best to pull himself up to a full height, which was still a head shorter than the silver creature.
“You do not conform,” the creature said.
“Oh, how kind of you to notice,” the Doctor replied, the levity in his voice barely masking his true feeling.
The Cyberman turned to look down at the sobbing Christina, reaching out towards her. Keeping his arms round the distraught woman, the Doctor turned, positioning himself between her and the metal giant.
“I think you’ve caused her quite enough grief right now, don’t you think?” He asked, looking up at the blank eyes, which were staring down at him.
“Explain,”
“That man you so casually killed just then was this poor woman’s husband. And if you think that I’m going to be trouble to you, then you clearly haven’t heard the expression; ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’.” The Doctor continued to stare into the blank holes, his face set, mouth a stern line.
“She is in emotional pain?” The Cyberman stopped and straightened, staring over the Doctor at the Cyberman behind him.
The Doctor turned his head to see what was happening only too late. The Cyberman behind him grabbed him roughly by the arms, pulling him away from Christina and holding his arms behind his back. The Cyber leader reached out, and grabbing Christina by the collar of her white coat, pulled her away from the Doctor. She turned her head round, her tearful eyes falling on the metal creature which held her. With a stream of screamed obscenities, she lashed out as the Cyberman held her firmly, impassive to the blows and kicks she unleashed upon it. Opening its fist, the Cyber leader let her drop to the floor, where she fell in a sobbing crumpled heap. Starting to look up, Christina’s tear-filled eyes fell onto the legs of her husband’s corpse, the rest hidden behind the desk where he fell, before continuing to look up at the creature which killed him, stood over her looking down at her.
“You are in pain,” it said. It was a statement rather than a question.
Christina stared up at the creature. She wasn’t able to answer it, still choked with tears which were blurring her vision. Her face was wet where she had been sobbing into the Doctor’s chest. Was the Cyberman holding its hand out to her or was it how her tears were affecting her vision?
“We will eliminate pain.” The Cyberman said. “We will remove fear and grief and sorrow. You will become strong.”
Christina continued to look up at the Cybermen, her eyes filled with hatred and fury. All she wanted to do was rip the metal creature’s head off, attack it with whatever she could get her hands on. Her eyes fell on the tubes and piping that lined the creature’s limbs and snaked over the flexible metal that covered its body. Several of them seemed to connect to the chest unit. What would happen if she pulled one of them out? Would it kill the Cyberman? As a doctor, she had always been trying to save and preserve life, yet here she was now, thinking of ways to kill the metal bastard who had killed her Patrick. Could she do it? Would she be killed by another Cyberman as soon as she killed this one, reuniting her with Patrick?
“You belong to us.” It said, looking down at her. “You will be like us.”
As the Cyberman loomed over her, Christina seized her chance. Mustering all the strength she could, she scrambled to her feet reaching out for one of the black pipes that snaked round from the back of the Cyberman’s head towards the top of its chest unit. She hadn’t even fully gotten to her feet when a powerful sweet of the Cyberman’s arm sent her reeling back across the room and over a desk.
“Tell me Cyber leader, you are a Cyber leader aren’t you? Tell me, why? What are you doing here?”
The Cyberman swung round to look at the Doctor before advancing towards him. “That information will not be disclosed to Humans. We are in command.” The Cyberman replied.
“Oh, go on, please? Please, please, please?” The Doctor asked, sounding like a child trying to persuade a parent to take them to the park. “Indulge me. You can kill me after if you want; it’s just that I won’t be able to rest peacefully if you kill me before I know what you’re doing. Oh, and incidentally, I do hope you didn’t hurt my friend Jess there when you put that control cap on her, because if you have, well, I can guarantee that I will be less that pleased, as will my other friend, Tom, when he wakes up and finds out. And believe me, you’re already on his bad side, and you don’t want to get on it even more.”
“Any hostile action will be eliminated.”
“And what are you going to do with the crew?” the Doctor countered, not paying attention to the Cyber leader’s threats. “Just keep them being held there while your controlled humans do some work? You do know how badly your last attempt to devastate the earth with the Gravitron ended? I take it you’re left over from that assault, how many, half a dozen of you? Isn’t the Earth a little too big for you?”
“You are misinformed. Others are coming.” The Cyber leader said towering over the Doctor.
“Oh, well, we may have a problem then,” the Doctor said looking down and awkwardly shuffling his feet before looking up into the Cyber leader’s eyes. “I don’t think there’s enough tea to go around. Tell you what, why don’t you get your chum behind me to let me go so I can pop to the shops and get some?”
“I do not understand,” the Cyber leader said.
“Tea,” the Doctor said, “a refreshing brew. It would help everyone relax and make this thing an awful lot jollier.”
“If you don’t mind, Doctor,” Ulrich shouted from where Fritzel was holding him by the far wall. “How about getting them to let us go? What are we supposed to be doing here?”
The Cyber leader turned as Ulrich spoke and crossed the dome to stand before him. “You are in charge?” it asked.
Shifting uncomfortably as best as he could, Ulrich looked down at Miles’s body before looking over to where Christina was curled under the desk where the Cyber leader had knocked her, holding her arm awkwardly. Van Weesenbeek was still not present, he had no idea whether she was keeping out of the way or had been killed. As far as he knew, he was now the senior ranking crewman of the base.
“Yes.” He said eventually, trying to hold back the fear he felt at being confronted by the tall creature.
“Your position is redundant. You will service us. Any deviation will be eliminated. You belong to us,” the Cyberman said.
“What do you mean?” Ulrich asked, looking across at the scared and confused faces of the crew.
“You will begin to work under our guidance.” The Cyber leader said. “You will prepare the Gravitron to dissipate the winds from the weather fronts around the globe.”
Ulrich opened his mouth to argue before almost choking on his words. “What? Why?” he finally managed.
“That does not concern you,” the Cyber leader replied, turning away.
“That’s your grand plan? A slight breeze?” the Doctor voiced from across the dome. “Forgive me, but isn’t that rather under dramatic? Unless you’re planning to blow people’s hats off; that can be rather annoying.”
Ignoring the Doctor, the Cyber leader strode over to where Professor Wolfe was now stood in the centre and to the front of the science team on her own. “How long before your program reaches its conclusion?” it asked.
The terminals are being set up on Earth now for their first test.” Wolfe replied, her voice flat and monotonous.
“Tests are irrelevant,” the Cyber leader said. “Phase four will commence in two hours.”
“This all seems rather rushed,” the Doctor said again. “You weren’t expecting to have to implement your plans this early, where you leader?”
“And what plans are they?” Ulrich asked, looking past the Cyberman at the Doctor, who looked round the Cyber leader to answer the scientist.
“Well, I would assume that it would have something to do with the dissipation of the storm fronts and the T-Mat that the science department have been working on, isn’t that right leader?”
“You know our ways,” the Cyber leader said, turning to face the Doctor.
“Some sort of nerve agent, I’m guessing,” the Doctor continued, turning his attention back to the Cyberman. “Using this base as your testing ground, I imagine you would then inflict it upon Armstrong, and then sneak in and convert the populace to build up your army for when you unleash it on the Earth. I imagine that you would have used those ‘medical’ marvels that you had Professor Wolfe work on as controlling devices for another wave of attack so that when you move, the resistance isn’t there.”
“You really think that people are stupid enough to fall for that?” Ulrich asked, feeling more confident.
“I’m rather afraid it could happen, and it’s a very clever plan,” the Doctor said. “The Cybermen sit up here waiting, while the world becomes depressed. Judging from what’s been happening on the base, the level of mental anguish would make the offered removal of the emotions too tempting an invite for some people. After all, it’s how our silver friends here came about in the first place, isn’t that right leader?”
“You know our ways,” the Cyber leader repeated.
“Yes, but the presence of myself and my friends here caused your plans to be pushed forwards didn’t it? You must have spotted us arrive on the surface, and when you kidnapped Jess, you put her in for mind analysis I’m guessing, and realised the threat that I pose to you.”
“Correct,” the Cyber leader replied.
“And having probed Jess’s mind, you’ll know that if you harm as much as one hair on her head, then the threat that I’ll pose to you will become something you cannot even conceive of.” The Doctor finished, his eyes darkening with his demeanour.
“She will be held to ensure your cooperation,” the Cyber leader said. “If you act against us, a pulse will be sent through the headpiece destroying her mind.”
“Well, let’s be honest here, leader,” the Doctor said, nodding his head to the Cyberman which held him. “I can’t really do much with Fred here holding me like he is.”
Turning away from the Doctor, the Cyber leader turned back to Ulrich. “You will commission a team of six humans to work the Gravitron,” it said. “The rest of your crew will be held. If you dissent, they will be eliminated.”
“I’d agree if I were you, Lars,” the Doctor said. “You’ve a duty to your people, and you’ve got two large storm cells building threatening America and central Europe.”
“Very well,” Ulrich, nodded eventually, just noting a wink from the Doctor before he looked away.
Ruefully, and feeling as though he was betraying Miles, Christina and the entire Earth, Ulrich rubbing his wrists as the zombie-like scientist let him go, the blood returning to his hands. Looking at the still scared and confused faces, Ulrich picked the six people he thought would work best under the circumstances. No sooner had he picked his team then the controlled science team herded the remaining crewmen out of the doors and towards the mess deck. Four of the science team held back as a Cyberman removed some stubby tube-like weapons from a small crate and handed them over. The four armed men then followed the group from the room.
Turning back to the control section, Ulrich noticed that Christina was now sat at the desk she had been knocked over, her hands at her cheeks. Her eyes were red and there were black streaks where she had been crying. She was staring at the prone body of Miles, completely detached from the events unfolding around her. She had probably missed everything the Doctor had said about the Cybermen’s plans.
Looking up, he saw the Doctor, his eyes flickering between himself and Christina. Ulrich looked confused for several seconds before getting the hint, the Doctor wanted him to get Christina to look at him, and as she was looking in the direction Ulrich was, it was up to him. Looking back at Christina, he stepped into her line of sight, and looked at her until he knew she had spotted him. Nodding subtly, he indicated the Doctor before his arm was grabbed roughly by a Cyberman and he was dragged to his workstation.
Christina looked round at the Doctor. He was looking at her, his eyes filled with sympathy and warmth. She could tell from the one look how sorry he was at Patrick’s death. There was anguish in his eyes as well. One of his companions was being controlled by the Cybermen and used by them to ensure his cooperation. She didn’t know what the relationship between them was like but there was certainly a strong bond between them, between the three of them. It was that reminder about Tom, lying unconscious in the sick bay that brought Christina out of her train of thought and realised what the Doctor was mouthing to her, one word; “Tom”. It took her several seconds to realise what he meant, go to the sick bay and check on Tom. She wondered why, considering the state he was in when he was brought into the sick bay earlier in the night. As she looked at the Doctor, she saw him wink slowly before mouthing again; ‘trust me’. Christina hoped she had her best questioning face on, wondering what the Doctor was on about, but was aware that it was probably a distraught mess. She was about to ask what he was on about when he turned away.
“Erm, excuse me, leader?” he called out.
Christina watched, finally paying attention to what was happening in the dome after what felt like hours of pain and agony. She still had the gut wrenching horror of what she had seen happen to Patrick eating away at her. She felt a pang of guilt when she realised that she’d seemingly forgotten that she’d seen Carlo shot down by the Cybermen as well, but felt nothing about it.
The Cyber leader was striding across the dome towards the Doctor. “You are aware of the base personnel and their places I take it?” the Doctor said looking over at Christina. “Because, Christina there is the head of the medical team here and there are patients who need to be treated. Her place is in the sick bay.”
The Cyber leader looked at the Doctor before slowly turning to look at Christina. With slow deliberate steps, it walked over to her, and grasped her chin in its large metal fist causing her to gasp slightly. Christina got to her feet as the Cyberman raised its hand and seemed to look into her eyes making her feel hugely uncomfortable.
“Agreed,” the Cybermen said after what seemed like hours. “You will be accompanied by a Cyberman. If you attempt to disrupt our plans you will be punished.”
“Wh-what about Patrick?” Christina managed to say as she got to her feet.
“Ah yes,” the Doctor said, looking at the Cyber leader. “Would you be able to get your Cyber chum who goes through with Christina to take Patrick’s body through? I think she would want to be able to say goodbye in private.”
“That is not logical.” The Cyber leader replied.
“Logical or not,” the Doctor said. “It’s important to her. It’s a human ritual. If you want them compliant, then they need these rituals.”
The Cyber leader turned to the Cyberman which had approached. “Remove the body to the sick bay. Make sure the human does not deviate from her work.”
“Understood,” the Cyberman said, walking over to where Miles’ body lay and reached down and effortlessly lifted it. Turning, the Cyberman walked back to Christina and grabbed her by the arm, bodily moving her forwards before it.
“Now it’s just the two of us, Cyber leader,” the Doctor said, looking back at the Cyberman. “Why don’t you get your friend here to let me go, and then we can have a cup of tea and good chat about this?”
“Discussion is irrelevant,” the Cyberman replied. “You will not interfere.”
“Now, I never said I would, did I?” the Doctor replied, looking over at where Jess was sat at a desk, staring unblinking at the computer terminal. “Besides, I’m far, far too worried about Jess over there. What is it you’ve done to her?”
“She has been altered,” the Cyberman replied. “Her mind is under our control.”
“I see it’s not the same sort of control as our science department friends and Professor Wolfe,” the Doctor said, looking round the room, his eyes falling on the Cyberman holding the control device. “Controlled by Bob over there I guess.”
“You will explain how well you know our ways.” The Cyber leader said.
“Well, let’s just say I’ve met your species one or two times in my lives.” The Doctor replied, looking round the dome and purposefully ignoring the Cyber leader.
“You own the time ship discovered on the lunar surface.”
The mention of the TARDIS made the Doctor’s head snap round to look at the Cyberman. “What?”
“You will explain its secrets.”
“I somehow doubt that will happen,” the Doctor replied. “Not even I know them all myself. You’re barking completely up the wrong tree here, leader. My ship won’t help you in your plans. It won’t even work for you, so just forget it, hmn?”
“You will comply,” the Cyber leader said, turning away.
The Doctor watched the Cyber leader walk over to the Cyberman who had given the members of the science department the weapons. The crate the Cyberman was carrying was placed on the nearest desk and the Cyber leader reached into it. The Doctor tried to peer round the Cyberman to see what it was taking out, but the Cyberman holding him started to move him towards the far wall of the control room.
Finding his arms being freed, the Doctor threw them up as the Cyberman pushed him forwards and he collided painfully with the metal wall. Straightening himself up, the Doctor smoothed down his rumpled coat sleeves before rubbing his sore arms. His Cyber guard had removed its weapon from beneath its chest unit and was pointing at him, blocking his exit from the corner he was now in.
Reaching into his pocket, the Doctor’s hand closed on the plastic disc of his yoyo and he pulled it from his pocket. Smiling at the Cyberman, he held the toy up to prove it wasn’t a weapon before fumbling around the central slot for the string. Frowning, he looked down at the golden plastic disc for the string, before remembering; he’d pulled the string out to help repair the Gravitron parallax coils. Rolling his eyes at his memory, the Doctor slipped the yoyo back into his pocket, pulling out a Jelly Baby instead. He would have to get a new paper bag for them before they went all sticky in his pocket and attracted fluff.
“There’s nothing worse than fluffy Jelly Babies,” he muttered to himself, looking up and seeing the Cyber leader returning, carrying a brutal and intricate looking headpiece, not too dissimilar to the devices that Jess and the base crew wore. “Except maybe this,” he added eyeing the device with evident concern.
Three Cybermen were now surrounding him; the Cyber leader, Fred, his guard and the one who had been holding the box. Backed into the corner, the Doctor couldn’t resist as the two Cybermen grabbed his arms and pulled him towards the Cyber leader. Holding the skullcap in both hands, the Cyber leader reached out and placed it on the Doctor’s head, the extended sensors digging small needles into his temples, just below his eyes and the back of his head causing him to grit his teeth.
Reaching up, the Cyber leader removed one of the cables that ran from its chest unit from the back of its neck. Stepping towards the Doctor, it raised its arm and attached the cable to the top of the skull cap. Instantly the green diodes placed over the device started to pulsate.
“What is this?” the Doctor asked, staring out at the Cyberman through the thin metal prongs and wires.
Ignoring the Doctor’s question, the Cyberman reached to its chest unit and pressed a button on the left side panel, causing the green diodes to pulse to a deep red and the Doctor screamed.
