SECRETS AND LIES
Parking on the far side of the road from the big three story house Rani checked herself in the car mirror; she licked her cherry red lips did they need a touch more gloss? The shadow around her eyes emphasized their size and colour and her thick hair had a slight wave to it now.
At twenty she was older by 4 years since she'd last been on Bannerman Road, she wasn't that gawky, chatty kid anymore she was a woman of the world. Taking out a small bottle of scent she sprayed some behind her ears, on her wrists and opened a button on her blouse she added a squirm between her breasts.
A journalist now she had her own flat and even a boyfriend, although she intended to dump him when she moved on to a national daily something that was going to happen sooner rather than later, especially if everything went to plan today.
"Bring me something mind-blowing," her contact had demanded, "Something alien," he'd added with a chuckle, "and I can promise you a top job with your own by-line."
The prospect thrilled her beyond words, at her age it was more than she could have hoped for and she knew she wanted it by any means fair or foul.
Studying number 13 she couldn't see a car in the drive way, good she had timed it perfectly, with any luck she'd been done and out of the creepy old dump before the owner got home.
Exiting her car she moved down her navy skirt suit with its arrestingly short skirt and matching tights. The ensemble was slick and figure hugging; the effect was sexy and sophisticated which was just what she was aiming for in fact her plan relied on it.
Striding up the stony driveway to the arched portico she rang the bell, fluffing up her hair and opening another button on her blouse, plastering a smile on her lips she watched a dark blur approach through the glass and felt a kick of nerves n her stomach.
Stay cool girl you're in control here, a successful professional who is going places in this world.
"Luke," she beamed as the door opened thinking he hadn't changed a bit, still a kid really in a green t-shirt and torn slacks, the student look she'd left behind ages ago when she grew up.
At first he blinked in astonishment like he couldn't believe it was her. For a guy with a big brain he really could be amazingly goofy and naive.
"Going to invite me in then," she stepped across the threshold anyway, rubbing against him deliberately to give him a noseful of her perfume. It had the desired effect if he flushing cheeks and bulging pants were any indicators and they usually were, guys were so predictable.
She let him close the door before making her move, pinning him to the door with hands and hips she gave him a smooch kiss full of those perfect lips and ran fingers through the thick brown hair, now a bit shorter she noticed. Startled and in no way prepared he swallowed, clearly enjoying the kiss.
"I've missed you," she lied because she hadn't missed any of them then running a finger down his ear and cheek she added in a huskier voice, "I've always fancied you Luke."
Face now bright red and eyes wide he didn't try to stop the next kiss, joining in with an ardour that impressed her; his erection now a solid throbbing knot of desire.
Gasping as they parted he tried in vain to compose himself as awkward as any virgin and she was sure he had no experience with girls despite being a genius.
"Are you alone," she asked already knowing.
"Well yes," he gasped as she ruffled his hair and gave him a peck on the cheek before her other hand strayed to his crotch and toyed with it hungrily, boy he was big very big maybe the rumours were true.
Luke wasn't human not fully human he'd been grown not born but if her research was correct this was an advantage because he wasn't just mentally superior, he was a super athlete in every sense of the word.
Taking her small shoulder bag off she let it fall to the floor, she didn't need it just yet, "Let's go upstairs Luke," she purred making her meaning only too obvious.
Panic raced across those baby blue eyes of his, they were so sexy she thought how did the girls resist him?
"What," he stammered, "Now wait a second?"
But Rani hadn't come here to wait she was on a schedule and the clock was ticking. She had 90 minutes to get what she'd come for and her contact wouldn't wait. In the world she now occupied everything was a deadline and a smart girl didn't miss them.
She virtually dragged him to the stairs, they needed privacy and the big bay windows down here let in too much light, they were visible from the street. "Come on Luke," she sighed, "I know you want it as much as I do."
Hesitation made him hold back, "Hang on Rani this isn't like you, we're friends."
How boringly predictable, "Kids are friends Luke but we aren't children anymore," she eyed his erection, "I'm a grown woman and you are so obviously a grown man."
His blushed turned bright crimson at that, "But why are you doing this, don't you want to speak to my mum."
Oh god the mum their leader in the good old days, "No I don't, I came here for you Luke and to have some fun," the last thing she wanted was to chew the fat with Sarah-Jane that silly old bag.
Tamely like a puppy he began to follow her up the stairs, eyes fixed on her long darkly clad legs and swaying ass, Rani knew she was blessed in both departments, great legs, awesome ass and Luke was getting the benefit of both.
First floor would do, his bedroom was three doors along, a double bed these days oh how perfect she smiled lots of room to manoeuvre, she led him to it like a horse to water, his reluctance still there but weakening as desire overcame caution.
She removed her jacket on the threshold and shook her hair loose, an old trick but they always worked, "Come on Luke," she undid his pants belt and unzipped him, good grief he was huge.
"We shouldn't be doing this," a weak response the last vestiges of resistance leaking away.
"Of course we should, we're both consenting adults," she had him now she knew that he was her plaything.
"But mum," he bleated still a mummy's boy after all this time it was pathetic.
"She's out Luke and what she doesn't know won't hurt her."
Kissing him again she pulled him into the bedroom, undid her small skirt and let it fall away, "I want you all to myself," she cooed noticing he was breathing heavily and sweating as lust overcame all objections.
Entering via the back door Sarah sighed irritably, another dead end another time waster it was all she needed. Putting the kettle on she moved into the hall and that was when she saw the bag, small, glossy black, designer label and feminine.
It hadn't been there before she was sure of it and sniffing she inhaled a strong sexy perfume, definitely not one of hers so Luke had a visitor.
Insatiably curious she went over to the bag, wondering why it had just been dumped inside the door. She found the press pass almost at once, NUJ it declared Ruth Sterling but it was the face that made her heart skip a beat – it was older, the cheekbones more prominent, clever make up accentuated the dark eyes and the hair had a curl but there was no doubting who Ruth Sterling actually was.
Following the scent of the perfume Sarah crept upstairs, on the landing she could hear the sounds of lovemaking, deep male grunts and sharp female gasps coming from Luke's bedroom, bed springs creaking.
With a sinking sense of dismay she silently approached the open door knowing she shouldn't be spying on her own son, he was after all an adult now and this really wasn't any of her business even if this was her home.
A thick cream duvet with coloured planets woven into it undulated rhythmically, Luke's head and shoulders were visible as was the girl under him, her smooth coffee coloured skin bore a gleam of perspiration. Head moving from side to side she cast her long black hair across the lilac pillow in tangled waves eyes squeezed shut.
Moaning with pleasure, nails digging into Luke's back she cried out her long legs kicking at the duvet as she gasped half words in the throes of desire.
A lump in her throat Sarah withdrew her cheeks on fire, she was no voyeur and it was only a matter of time before Luke took a lover, she just hadn't expected it to be a face from the past.
Back in the hall she took out her sonic lipstick, some instinct making her twist its base, at once the orange tip turned bright blue and began to flash. That was odd very odd, an alien reading from inside the bag. She decided to have a forage to see what she could find.
Rani was coming she could feel it the storm of heat in her belly circling upwards, Luke was amazing better than she could have imagined he was so big and so powerful. Ecstasy tore through her and her cries grew shriller. Finally the heat burst through her throat and erupted as a loud shriek as she climaxed.
Oh god it was amazing nobody had made her come like this not Rob her boyfriend, not Eric the guy who'd interviewed her for her job and not Trev her first who had been, frankly, useless.
Luke didn't stop and she climaxed again kicking the duvet right off the bed, he was driving her wild.
As she came a third time she tore at his back raking the flesh then flung her arms sideways, one hitting the dresser which she clutched like a drowning woman, drowning in orgasms.
"Oh god Luke," she panted and he blinked at her not even out of breath, no sweat on his brow did he have limitless stamina?
"Are you okay," he asked and she thought 'okay, I'm more than bloody okay can't you tell'? Just nodding she fought for breath her insides on fire. Gathering her wits with an effort, heart pounding in her throat she blinked sweat from both eyes and grabbed the object on the dresser her signet ring. Oh boy she wanted more of this, she never wanted it to stop but she was on a schedule and time was short her contact wouldn't wait forever, 6 on the dot he'd insisted and don't be late.
Lifting the ring she turned it over and jabbed Luke's bicep with the small needle, he reacted at once, "Hey," grasping the small bubble of blood he pulled away from her, "What are you..." eyes roiling up he fell sideways out cold.
Rani had to squirm and wrestle herself free of him, he was still inside her and still erect; god he was huge and with an impressed smile she touched the vast penis, my god no wonder she'd had multiple orgasms.
Pulling herself together and feeling a stab of remorse, just a small one, she left Luke where he was and grabbed her clothes. No time to shower she had to get her skates on, the drug was strong but with Luke's alien metabolism it might not keep him under for too long.
Back in her smart suit she descended the stairs. She'd ruled out the attic because of Mr Smith, she didn't want him recording her presence or asking difficult questions, he might even lock her in and call Sarah. What she needed was in the lounge, in that pine bureau she'd seen it before.
Looking up the hall she couldn't see or hear anything, her bag was where she'd left it – good. The lounge was musty as usual, curtains half-drawn. Trying the bureau she found unlocked and was soon running her red painted nails over the contents.
She found it in a small lacquered box, it was a pen drive, pink and labelled 'alien craft', this would do. Years ago, when she was part of the gang who followed Sarah around like puppies, Rani had seen several alien spaceships – Sontaran, Slitheen even dalek.
Who knew what Sarah had seen and filmed since; it was proof all the proof her contact needed to blow the lid off this story. She felt a slight nag of shame just a slight one, she was after all betraying her former friends but this was her career and she'd sacrifice anything and anyone to get to the top.
Ambition takes no prisoners, her contact had said, you either want this or you don't babe. Well she did want it she wanted it all to be a big-time reporter like Sarah only bigger and better known. Luke would get over it, Sarah too in time it was just business after all nothing personal, well apart from the sex.
"Ahem," the clearing throat almost made her drop the pen drive, almost and there stood Sarah-Jane looking a bit older and a bit smaller. Stomach lurching Rani almost panicked but pulled herself together, she had to remember why she was here and how important this was.
"Hello Sarah," she said coldly, "I thought you were out."
"Obviously," reply also clipped the older woman eyed the pen drive, "That belongs to me I think."
Deliberately and provocatively Rani lifted her hemline and secured the small drive to a garter around her right thigh, "Not anymore," she said seeing Sarah's face darken, "I'm taking it with me."
"You've changed," the tone was disappointed.
"I grew up," Rani almost boasted, "I'm not a child now."
"I know," Sarah said meaningfully and Rani felt her cheeks burn had this old bag been watching her and Luke.
"Enjoy the show did you," she said sourly feeling oddly cheap?
"Not much," Sarah snapped.
"Luke's very good by the way an amazing lover."
Features drawn Sarah made a low disgusted noise in her throat, "She used him."
"I needed him he was my ticket to this, to the big time," patting her thigh Rani wondered why she was explaining herself like this she didn't need to.
"Like a cheap tart," the words made her stiffen with rage how dare this old cow judge her, call her names?
"Shut up," she spat badly rattled.
"Just calling it as I see it Rani, oh sorry I mean Ruth will that be the name on your by-line?"
"Yes it will," Rani bit her tongue time was passing and Luke might wake up at any time; she didn't want to see him or him to see her.
"Worth it, is it," Sarah asked, "Whoring yourself?"
How dare she say that or even think it, after all she'd been a reporter hadn't she taken risks and cut corners?
Infuriated Rani headed for the door but found her way barred, "I can't let you take that pen drive."
"Let me," Rani sneered did this pensioner think she could do anything about it, "I'm 20 and fit, what are you?"
Sarah extended a hand, instinctively Rani brushed it aside grabbed two fistfuls of hair and swung the older woman around slamming her into the bureau with a loud crunch seeing pain etch itself across the gaunt face.
"I've got an appointment and I don't intend to miss it, now keep out of my way," she shouted turning to the door. An odd buzzing noise filled the air and the door closed on its own its lock clicking.
Glancing back furiously Rani saw the sonic lipstick glowing soft orange. Damn she'd forgotten about that. Retracing her steps she made to snatch it but Sarah was faster, holding it out of reach.
Now the roles were reversed, the younger woman wanted something, "Give that to me now Sarah," she demanded adding steel to her voice. With a shake of the head Sarah edged away but Rani grabbed her, seizing her wrist with one hand and her throat with the other giving a squeeze with both.
Gasping and choking Sarah wriggled to free herself, when she found she couldn't she lifted her right knee but Rani jumped back having seen that trick. The old bitch, she was really asking for it.
Rani's slap was bang on target, her smooth palm connecting with a wrinkled cheek turning Sarah's head around, the flesh turning crimson.
"Don't make me hurt you anymore; this is my career on the line."
Tears in her eyes Sarah remained defiant her lips a compressed line against the pain, she shook her head once.
Enraged as this was wasting even more time Rani lunged forwards to grasp the sonic, she didn't see the fist that smacked into her stomach hard but she felt it. Doubling over with a cry she gripped herself, never had she been hit so hard, how could an old lady generate such power?
Trying desperately to suck in air she found she couldn't, she was paralysed with pain her vision blurring over as she gazed down at her own knees long hair hanging like a black waterfall, her breasts jerking spasmodically.
Something touched her skirt then the garter, the pen drive was deftly removed and held up by thumb and forefinger. She couldn't do anything about it she couldn't move; the pain in her stomach was intense.
Then Sarah spoke, "I'm sorry Rani but this is too important." Rani felt her hair snatched and pulled, her tear-stained face lifted. Sarah was a misty blur before her, "You wanted to play by big girl's rules, so be it."
At that moment the door clicked and opened and there was Luke, oh god no her humiliation was complete. He looked at her gulping and writhing in agony beaten by a woman in her sixties, just one tap in the guts was all it had taken.
A girl who went to the gym 3 times a week Rani wanted to die.
"Mum," Luke questioned, "Rani drugged me," he frowned, "What's going on?"
"Give us a moment will you Luke," Sarah's tone was soft but firm, "Girl-talk," she said by way of explanation. With one last look at Rani, Luke sighed and left reluctantly.
"Right," all business now Sarah circled her beaten opponent, "You have an appointment with someone who placed an alien homing device in your bag; did you know that? Oh sorry, tummy still sore is it, well let me do the talking," still now eyes hard Sarah gazed at Rani.
"You're going to keep your appointment only this time you'll have company," the pen drive was raised, "This will be the bait in the trap; somebody clearly wants it very badly."
Moving closer until she was right beside Rani Sarah added, "I intend to deal with this mysterious figure you sold yourself to, and afterwards I never want to see you again is that clear, we're finished?"
All Rani could do was nod she couldn't speak; what could she say anyway, I blew it and you beat me; she'd been completely outmanoeuvred.
Rani sat in the back of the car still holding herself but breathing normally now, stomach sore and face flushed, she had wiped her eye shadow and mascara both of which had run.
Luke sat up front with his mum, when he turned to look at her she averted her gaze in shame.
Car in gear Sarah drove off, her sonic paying over Rani's bag picking up the alien homing signal. They were cutting it fine but the rendezvous wasn't too far away, a lock-up garage belonging to the school Rani and Luke had attended when Sarah first met the girl.
Rani had replaced Maria in the old gang and for a time Sarah had seen her as a loyal friend, the daughter she'd never had but those days were over. Rani had grown up and made different choices, she was a person Sarah didn't recognise now.
Luke was still angry and upset, "How could you betray us to a hostile alien; after all we've been through," he complained.
Sat in stony silence looking out of the car window Rani offered no reply. Luke was such a child, despite his sexual prowess he hadn't really grown up all that much and she felt she'd left him behind, him and his mum.
"Leave it Luke," Sarah advised.
"But she's a traitor," the boy bleated.
"Rani is a young woman now making her own way in the world," the reply was generous in the extreme.
"But she could have put this world in deadly danger," Luke went on. Sarah made no comment to this focusing on the journey, which was mercifully soon over. Rani wasn't sure she could listen to more of Luke's prattling.
The school gate was locked and barred but a quick blast from the sonic lipstick soon dealt with this problem and they drove through into a narrow forecourt with a row of lock-ups directly ahead.
Rani saw a black Kia parked over on the left but said nothing, she knew Sarah had noticed it as her sonic rose to give the other car a short blast then she said, "More alien technology," before asking, "What's your contact's name?"
Rani almost didn't answer then reluctantly said, "Bob."
"What else do you know about him?"
The answer was not much Bob was a talent scout for the major London dailies, he'd been a journalist himself once or so he'd said now he was a consultant.
"He's just a guy I met at a party," this had been thrown by her paper a media thrash one of many and the first she'd been invited to a real honour.
"Bed him to did you," Luke was scowling.
"Oh grow up," Rani threw back then tugging open her door she got out needing some fresh air. Sarah joined her a little flushed.
"Didn't you check Bob out," she asked, "I thought I trained you better than that?"
Rani just threw the woman a tolerant look, there hadn't been much to check Bob was an elusive guy, "He said he could help me into the big time," she said wistfully aware what a cliché this was and how easily she'd fallen for it.
"Where you lovers," Sarah asked intrusively?
"No; I think he wanted it but I'm not a tart whatever you might think," face hot Rani looked away.
"Okay," Sarah ran her sonic over the lock-up doors it pinged on the third one, pink door badly faded, "Here we go more alien signals," nothing too powerful though, "What were you supposed to do just go over and knock?"
Wearily Rani took out her cell phone typed in a code and aimed the phone at the door, with a creak the door began to rise revealing a murky interior much bigger than a mere lock-up. The shadowy darkness seemed to stretch way back, much further than seemed possible it was wide to.
"Oh my god," Sarah gasped as her son joined them it was he who said the obvious.
"It's bigger on the inside," eyes wide with shock and awe Luke took a step closer, "Oh my god it's a tardis," he cried.
"Careful," Sarah warned not ready to take anything for granted, her gaze swung to Rani, "Did you know about this?"
But Rani's features answered for her, she was dumbstruck having never suspected Bob of anything like this. Yeah he was smarmy and a bit of a creep, but a time lord?
"Is it a tardis," she asked genuinely perplexed?
"I think we should find out," Sarah waved Luke back and strode up to the garage entrance alone running her sonic through the air.
The flash of light, brilliant and blinding was accompanied by a deep piercing base sound and the next thing Rani knew she was lying on hard ground, a dark roof over her head, a low hum around her and footsteps approaching, one pair a man she guessed.
Was she inside the garage, she wasn't in the forecourt anymore as it was daylight outside? Sarah lay about two meters away on her side eyes closed, Luke was a little further distant also unconscious.
Then light blinded her, a torch and a familiar voice said, "How disappointing," it was Bob still smarmy and full of himself.
"Bob, what's going on," her throat was so dry and when she sat up the world spun madly around her?
"You were supposed to come alone with the pen drive Rani, I didn't want Ms Smith or her brat," no longer so genial or welcoming Bob sounded cold and all business, the friendly chat a thing of the past.
As he moved into the light she saw the smooth gleam of his bald pate, he had no hair not even tufts or eyebrows, which she'd thought odd at the time. Slight of build with short arms and wide hips he was an odd little man creepy and unusual, something didn't quite add up about him or his promises to help her.
"You're a disappointment," he told her, "A let down after all that enthusiasm."
She had to explain, "I was overpowered," she began but he cut in sharply.
"Overpowered, by an old woman and a slim boy," head shaking he canted his head to one side as if listening to someone or something else, it was then she noticed the sound bud in his left ear.
"Who are you listening to," she asked but was waved quiet.
"Yes I see," said Bob but not to her, "Yes very well," he sighed, "You may get up now," and she found she could that her muscles would respond.
"What about Sarah and Luke," she wasn't sure why she cared but she did, they looked so helpless and vulnerable her former friends in many an adventure?
"What about them," Bob seemed to have lost interest?
"We can't just leave them lying on the floor," Rani worried.
Gaze cold Bob lifted a fob and the lock-up door (or was it tardis door) began to rattle shut, "I've no intention of just leaving them," he said, "They should prove most useful?"
Why was that surely all he needed was the pen drive, going over to Sarah Rani took this from her bag, "Here this is what you wanted, why not just let them go."
Eyeing the drive greedily Bob's mouth twisted into a cruel rictus and in that moment she knew he meant them no good that he was going to harm them or take them to someone else who would, "You mustn't hurt them," she said and his eyes widened.
"Conscience Rani; bit late for that now my girl."
Was it too late had she burned those bridges, "Who are you," she finally demanded closing her fist around the drive when he reached for it, "I mean who and what are you really," alien tech, an interest in alien ships they didn't say talent scout to her.
A voice from the floor still groggy but growing in strength added its weight to hers, "Yes I think we'd all like to know," eyes open Sarah rose onto an elbow, frowning and blinking she looked older than Rani remembered and fragile.
"I'm sure you would," moving away to a crate Bob reached down and more light began to filter into the huge room.
"This is a tardis isn't it," Rani challenged, "I've seen one before."
"I know you have," Bob snorted, "Why else do you think I picked you out; it wasn't for your journalistic ability."
Stung by this rebuke, pride hurt Rani took a deep breath, okay she could get over that much a sit hurt, much as she knew she'd been duped big time.
"Are you a time lord," she asked and Bob moved around the squat humming crate, which was some kind of masked alien console?
"No he isn't," said Sarah with surprising confidence and Rani blinked at her.
"How do you know that," she asked?
"Because," said Bob, "She used to travel with one didn't you Ms Smith," he chuckled, "I do my homework; it pays to know your enemy."
Picking herself up and dusting herself down Sarah moved closer to Rani, "This is a tardis," she whispered, "But it's not his."
Lights flashed in the ceiling and the hum deepened as the craft began to dematerialise, Bob glowered at the two women, "It is mine," he snapped, "Well it is now."
"You stole it," Sarah snorted.
"I swapped my own craft for it actually."
"Oh so you're a pirate is that it, a freeloader," the journalist seemed quite at home thought Rani back to her old self and she felt a stab of nostalgia this was just like the old days.
"I sell information if you must know," he sounded rattled now his pride stung.
"A spy then," she was goading him it was a technique Rani had seen her use before on various alien bad guys.
"But why spaceships," she asked out loud?
"I think I can guess," said Sarah, "His clients, whoever they are, want to know what kinds of ships failed to avoid detection so they won't make the same mistake. I'm right, aren't I Bob?"
The glint in his eyes and the set of his lips confirmed it and moving towards the reporter he revealed his weapon, a small compact blaster, blue skinned and snub-nosed, "I think I preferred you unconscious Ms Smith."
"Now Luke," Sarah cried and Luke scissor kicked the alien spy chopping his legs away, he fell with a cry losing his gun which Rani reached first, scooping it up to aim it at first Sarah then Bob.
"Help me," the fallen alien cried rubbing his sore knee.
Well said Sarah's probing look, whose side are you on Luke to seemed keen to know as he stood over Bob.
Rani wavered, so whose side was she on; it was time to choose and with a grin she re-aimed her weapon, "The right one," she said.
Remote, industrial, somewhat rundown the trading station on Vega 5 had seen better days, it belonged to a federation fallen on hard times so there was dust and grime everywhere, fallen crates, lifeless cranes and half the running lights were off.
The sky was a muddy grey with a small orange sun providing weak light and not much warmth.
Bob's contact was waiting for him in the tower, the tallest structure and he had to send a signal using his fob, stood next to him Rani watched him do this. Moments later a returning signal made the fob glow soft gold.
"We're to go straight up," Bob told her.
"He wants to see me," she was surprised?
"He may have questions, you were with Smith for some time you've seen a lot."
Plenty she mused as they drifted away from the lock-up and entered the towel via a narrow airlock, Bob going first and she following still holding the blaster.
Using his eye print Bob activated the lift and Rani felt a sensation of rising, "How much are we getting for this information," she asked?
"We," Bob turned with surprise?
"Of course; I did all the work I even brought two hostages," being humiliated in the process she mused sourly.
"I'm not used to sharing my bounty," he looked cagey.
"Oh don't be greedy, I think we make a good team and anyway if I'm not going to get a plum job in London out of this I think you owe me something."
Smile mirthless Bob regarded her thoughtfully like he was seeing her in a new light, "You're smarter than I thought".
Yes she thought I am, gazing up she saw the video eye watching them from the top right hand corner of the lift, no doubt someone could overhear them as well.
When they emerged it was into a long room half of which was lit, the rest in darkness. The light half, which was still gloomy, held some chairs, a low table and some streamlined tech Rani didn't recognise lightweight and silvery with touch screens.
Her gaze jumped to the murky half of the room, she couldn't see or hear anything in the shadows but sensed that they weren't alone; someone or something was watching them.
She eyed Bob, "Well he's your contact," she said.
Lifting the pen drive Bob cleared his throat, "I have what you wanted," there was a slight tremor to his voice and Rani realised that Bob was scared, whoever they had come to meet terrified him, "This girl is my...partner," he added with reluctance.
"Show yourself," there was no mileage in being timid so Rani spoke up projecting her voice across the room. Bob threw her a cautionary look but this was no time for servility, they had come to collect a payment, this was a business deal.
Movement within the dark, the swish of robes or maybe a skirt, could the alien be a woman, a low metallic click and Rani tensed thinking of a weapon.
The darkness was lessening by degrees thrown back by a glow, one that surrounded a tall figure with a veil masking the face. Various shades of blue and green the flowing clothes worn by the stranger had a gossamer quality.
"Who are you," Rani demanded, Bob didn't know or didn't want to say, "Can't we see your face," the blaster was in her jacket pocket but she wasn't taking it out not yet.
Hands rose and the veil was edged back to reveal a smiling, bright eyed face with high cheekbones. Rani's heart almost stopped, "You," she croaked as the eyes fixed on her partly amused, partly angry.
"I told you to come alone," a voice crackling with disapproval cut into Bob.
"I'm sorry but she insisted and she was a great deal of help; just as you said."
"What I said," the figure responded tartly, "Was that I deal with you and you alone."
Seeming to shrink inside his clothes Bob took a step back but he wasn't fast enough, a hand rose the ring on it bore a fierce red gem, light from this pulsed outwards in a blazing stream and with a cry Bob was engulfed by crimson flames.
Before Rani's gaze he shrank and melted leaving not a stain behind just a faint odour of burning.
"A fool," said the figure, "And I don't suffer them gladly."
"You destroyed the pen drive," Rani could barely contain her shock.
"It was never about spaceships my dear, I rarely use one when matter transmission is so readily available."
So what was it about? Rani swallowed, "You knew I come along, it's me you want."
A smile greeted this clinical and cold, "You child, you're just a means to an end," an ear was touched, "Ah yes here she comes," with a groaning wheezing trumpet a new door appeared in the far way a garage door and when it rolled up Sarah and Luke emerged, Sarah gazing at the alien woman.
"Mrs Wormwood, I should have known we hadn't seen the last of you."
Holding up her sonic lipstick Sarah spoke into this, "Good piloting K9," she couldn't fly a tardis but the Doctor's computerised dog could and through her device she was always connected to him.
Features disdainful Mrs Wormwood made a low tutting sound, "The Doctor's mechanical pet."
"Very useful," Sarah agreed holding the other woman's gaze, "I see you killed your freelance friend, usefulness over was it?"
Not displaying an iota of compassion or interest Wormwood caressed her lethal red gem, "As is Rani's," she purred, "It's you I want Ms Smith," now the eyes darkened with rage.
"Revenge," Sarah demanded, "I didn't push you down that wormhole your Sontaran friend did that."
Yes thought Rani doing us all a big favour; pity he wasn't here now to do it again. Carefully she removed her blaster; Wormwood was roughly between her and Sarah-Jane. The light from that gem stone was hypnotic, bright crimson shot through with veins of gold it was like a mini-universe.
"Yes Revenge," Wormwood was saying, "Why not, you tricked me abandoned me," she was raving probably unbalanced, a one-time Bane leader now an outcast forced to trade with petty thieves and spies; how degrading.
Sonic lipstick held firmly Sarah didn't bat an eyelid, she had nerves of steel and a cool clever mind, "You're outgunned Mrs Wormwood what are you going to do now; I can't see any mindless lackeys?"
Brilliant ring held high the blond woman's face was painted scarlet, "This is more than a mere toy Ms Smith with it I can activate a powerful TRANSMAT device; it's how I escaped the wormhole and how I can send you tumbling into it."
Rani felt a rush of excitement she hadn't known this hadn't realised the woman had a TRANSMAT and for her it was a game changer. As Wormwood took aim at Sarah and Sarah's sonic buzzed angrily; Rani crept closer. Nobody was paying her any attention except maybe…yes Luke had noticed what she was doing but before he could say anything she made her move.
A beam shot from the ring, it was deflected by a wall of sonic energy, a second stronger beam got closer to its target but was dissipated in the same way. Before Wormwood could fire again Rani shot her in the arm and the ring went down, quickly the young girl yanked it from the Bane woman's finger and put it on her own.
"Well done Rani," Sarah gushed but her excitement was short-lived as Rani used her blaster to quickly shoot Luke in the left leg, dropping him where he stood.
Face stricken with horror Sarah went to her son who was lying on his side groaning in agony, a flesh wound nothing more he wouldn't die from it but he would need urgent medical treatment. No doubt Mr Smith would know what to do.
"Are you insane," Sarah and Wormwood said the same thing at the same time, their voices creating a strident chorus of disapproval.
No thought Rani not insane but nor am I a blind follower anymore, some dippy teenage girl who did as she was told.
Trying to snatch the ring back Wormwood cried out as Rani fired a shot above her head, but not too far above it. When Sarah raised her sonic Rani grabbed Wormwood to use as a living shield.
"I wouldn't if I were you," she said aware of Wormwood trembling with shock and indignation, her little trap turned against her. If the gem stone was linked to a TRANSMAT then she could use that to return to earth.
"What are you doing," Sarah demanded but Luke knew and despite his pain he was able to string a sentence together.
"With a gem like that becoming a top journalist shouldn't be too difficult."
Clever boy thought Rani maybe not such a loser after all. He was right of course, she had all she needed now to realise her ambition of becoming a leading London reporter maybe even an editor.
"How do I programme the TRANSMAT for earth," she grunted in Wormwood's ear, able to see the Bane woman thinking rapidly.
"Why go there, it can take you anywhere in the universe?"
Maybe but earth was where she wanted to go, "Just tell me."
"But I'd be stranded," Wormwood was bleating now close to tears.
"Oh I think you'll fit in to London professional life quite well," said Rani drunk with visions of her own success, "I could use a personal maid," she said with cruel satisfaction, "Now tell me how to use the ring."
"It works by telepathy, whatever you picture strongly in your mind it will do."
Sarah and Luke watched goggle eyed as Rani and her prisoner simply melted away in a burst of golden sparkles. Wincing with pain, his whole leg burning and throbbing, the boy wonder rested on his elbows.
"She got away and we're stuck here."
"Not quite K9 can steer this tardis back to earth," Sarah said distractedly wondering how she was going to track the two renegades down, with that ring Rani was a force to be reckoned with. It would have to be recovered and then there was Mrs Wormwood, she couldn't just be left to wander the earth getting up to any old mischief.
Some weeks later, a Kensington hotel room.
Rani sat on the side of a king sized bed gazing at the small object in her hands, unable to believe what it was telling her. This was impossible just impossible, it was going to ruin all her carefully laid plans.
Mrs Wormwood had disposed of the hotel manager and taken his job so Rani didn't have to pay board and lodging, but she hadn't seen this coming.
She had just started a well paid job with a leading national daily; her career taking off at last and no sign of Sarah-Jane.
Luke she thought bitterly, damn him. Hot angry tears prickled her eyes as she stared at the blue line on the pregnancy tester.