Prologue

She stumbled listlessly along the dark corridor, holding the alien half of her face as if it were an injury. Her reptilian eye rolled in its socket.

Akiko let go of the handrail and skipped up the last two steps of the subway escalator and onto the busy Harajuku street. She glanced at the watch on her slim wrist - it was almost eleven. Akiko frowned - she didn't want to be late and Jingu Bridge was almost a ten minute walk away, even in the slightly lighter crowds of a Sunday morning. Akiko caught sight of her reflection in a shop window and smiled. The gothic leather jacket and skirt suited her petite frame and her hair was sprayed so much that the breeze from the traffic would not even turn a hair. She paused despite her lateness and checked the perfection of her dark eye make-up that had taken her almost an hour to get right. She imagined the disapproving gaze of her father, almost as if he was standing behind her, but just shrugged. He was worth it.

Akiko reached the small ladder in the side of the tunnel and put her hands on the rails. Her right hand was now just a three fingered claw that ended in sharp talons, its skin a mottled, leathery orange. She stared at it for a moment before climbing down the ladder.

He held her tightly as she stared down at the city below them. The wind was bitingly cold on top of the skyscraper and she trembled in his arms. But it wasn't the wind that was making her shiver - it was a mixture of elation...and fear.

"You are perfection, Akiko," he whispered, close to her ear.

She turned to face him, looking up into his glittering, hypnotic green eyes. How long had she known him - a week? It seemed a lifetime. Akiko reached up and softly caressed his cheek. "Lucius..."

He grinned and then opened his mouth wide.

Akiko stared as his handsome face changed – morphing into a terrifying alien creature. She screamed...

She dropped from the ladder into the lower tunnel and hurried along it. She could hear the now-familiar sound of triumphant screeches ahead of her and her eyes flashed hungrily.

The flask shattered, spraying the viscous, yellow oil over her face and arm. Akiko cried out in agony as the acid burnt at her flesh.

Lucius stood next to her in the laboratory – half fascinated and half terrified – as Akiko's skin began to bubble and change. "Incredible..." he whispered. Then he picked up the still screaming Akiko, stepped over the prone body of the old man and rushed from the laboratory before he was caught.

Akiko almost ran along the tunnel, hoping to satisfy the gnawing hunger in her before it was all over. As she ran, she splashed through a puddle at the base of a leaky pipe.

The reflection of Akiko Osato was very different from what it was that day at Harajuku.

1.

The sound of the gun exploded in the underground corridor. Demora screamed in agony and clutched at her shoulder as blood seeped between her fingers and onto her shirt.

The Doctor threw off the guards that had been holding him and rushed over to kneel beside her. "It's going to be okay," he said, whipping a handkerchief from his pocket and pushing it over her wound. But Demora's face was contorted in pain, her teeth gritted, whilst sweat poured from her brow. The Doctor knew the injury could well be fatal – although no major organs had been hit, she could easily die from blood loss. "Why?" he snarled, turning back to Danvier, "Why did you have to do this? She used to work for you!"

Danvier raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile on her lips. "Really – is that what she told you?"

The Doctor paused, his mouth open. He frowned, looking down at Demora.

"Miss Naki was involved in a very profitable piece of industrial espionage Doctor. By your expression, she fooled you too. I'll admit our security was initially a bit lax, but we found out soon enough. Now this stops here." Danvier raised the still-smoking automatic pistol again.

The Doctor's mind worked overtime. Demora had lied to him, but that didn't mean he could let her die. He put himself between her and Danvier. "I don't care – you can't just kill her."

"Oh Doctor," purred Danvier, "but that's what makes this whole encounter so delicious – I can do anything I want!"

"Just because she took your Krillitane oil?"

Danvier paused. "How much do you know?"

The Doctor smiled coldly. "I know enough to figure out you're trying to adapt the molecular structure."

"What are you?"

"A Time Lord."

"Ah," Danvier nodded, "the dusty, ancient race of bureaucrats from Gallifrey. I thought they had all been destroyed?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I'm still here..."

Behind him, the soft chime of the lift sounded as the doors opened and Teru Osato, flanked by two more guards, strode down the corridor. "What is happening here?"

"Just clearing up some of your mess Teru," said Danvier haughtily. "You said this one," she gestured to Demora with her pistol, "had already been killed."

Osato looked down at the wounded girl and then averted his eyes in a mixture of shame and distaste. "I was assured she was." He glanced at the Doctor. "Who is this – her accomplice?"

"I don't think so," replied Danvier. "He's something far more...interesting..." Her eyes bored into the Doctors' before she seemed to reach a decision. "Take them away."

2.

Amy held her hands over her ears, trying in vain to keep out the terrifying screech of the Krillitane horde that surrounded her. Her heart was like ice – she knew she was already dead. But she was determined not to beg. She bit her lip defiantly and squeezed her eyes shut. A memory of her playing in the warm summer garden when she was six flashed through her mind. Her Mum and Dad watching her with the puppy they had just bought her. Her older sister Debbie was reading – as always – in a deckchair nearby. Amy swallowed as the memory consumed her. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

The Krillitane that had been Lucius leaned over and grabbed her arm with a spindly claw.

Amy tensed. She could feel the rancid breath on her face. This was it.

But the expected end never came.

"Why do you smell so different?" The voice was a low croak, but there was still the hint of arrogance as the Krillitane instead hauled Amy to her feet.

Amy opened her eyes and flinched at the closeness of the creature's ugly maw and sharp teeth. "I…I don't know," she stammered.

The creature's beady yellow eyes examined her as its nostrils twitched. "No," it croaked after a moment. "No, it's not you. Who was the man you were with?"

"A friend."

The Krillitane twisted Amy's arm viciously and she cried out in pain. "Don't play games human or I'll let my brothers here have you for sport!"

"He's called the Doctor," Amy gasped, as she heard the other Krillitanes around her howl and screech with cruel glee at the prospect of tearing her apart.

"And what is he?" Amy didn't answer and the Krillitane immediately grabbed her hair and forced her head back to expose her bare neck. "Tell me!"

"He travels in time," Amy whispered. "He said he's a Time Lord." As soon as the words had left her mouth, Amy felt sick for at her betrayal, but Lucius immediately let her go and cackled with glee.

"A Time Lord of Gallifrey! Perfect!" The Krillitane's eyes shone with avarice and he spun around to address the others. "If we consume him my brothers– we travel the Vortex!"

The Krillitane screech began again as the creatures flapped their bat-wings in excitement and anticipation of assimilating yet another race into their genes.

Lucius watched them with a cruel smile on his long snout as he raised his spindly claws. "All Time and Space can be our hunting ground!"

3.

Amy rubbed her wrist where the Krillitane's claws had left ugly, red welts in the skin. She felt numb; oddly detached from her fate. But the creatures wanted the Doctor. Perhaps she could use that? She would certainly have to play her cards carefully...

Lucius spun back around to look at Amy. "Where is the Doctor now?"

Amy hesitated and the Krillitane snarled with impatience. "Okay, okay. He went to investigate some chemical company."

Lucius' snout twitched. "Why?"

Amy immediately noticed the change in his croaky voice. She tried to not give too much away – she had to remain valuable. "We found a chemical sample. He said it was alien." Amy risked a question. "It's something to do with you isn't it?"

To her surprise, Lucius just nodded, the beady yellow eyes gleaming with what could only be mirth. "Indeed. The name of the company is Osato?"

"I think so..."

Lucius roared with hoarse laughter. "Then no doubt he is now a prisoner of Sister Danvier!"

Amy's face fell as the Krillitanes erupted into more screeching.

But suddenly, the screeching fell silent as another figure walked into the underground chamber. Amy watched in fascinated horror as the half-human, half Krillitane girl approached. It was possibly the most disgusting thing she had ever seen, much worse than even the zombies she had encountered in the Louisiana bayous. It was the tragedy of the hybrid that made it so horrific. The Japanese girl's beauty that merged with the patches of disgusting, leathery skin of the Krillitane made it appear as if she was the result of some terrifying experiment. Amy's throat went suddenly dry – was this to be her fate?

Lucius turned as he heard the girl approach and suddenly the air around the creature shimmered as he returned to his human form. "Akiko, my love..."

The girl ignored him as she suddenly caught sight of Amy. Her eyes blazed with a jealous fury and with a hiss, she threw herself towards the other girl.

Amy stumbled backwards, but Lucius caught hold of Akiko and pulled her to him, holding her in a tight embrace.

"Who is she?" spat Akiko, her human eye looking imploringly at Lucius. "What are you doing with her? Is she to feed us?" Akiko's part-Krillitane jaw slavered in anticipation.

But Lucius shook his head. "No, my love – not yet, anyway. She is just a toy for a much bigger feast."

Akiko's manner suddenly changed and she nuzzled Lucius like a small child.

"What happened to her?" Amy managed to whisper.

Lucius looked up from where he had been stroking Akiko's long dark hair. "This is what happens when a human is exposed to Krillitane oil."

4.

"Well?"

Miss Danvier stood next to Dr. Kau as he examined the slides they had retrieved from the Doctor's pockets.

Kau looked up from the microscope. "He's done a very thorough analysis."

"Would he be able to guess the purpose of the oil?"

Kau considered for a moment. "Some of the tests he did were complex and used advanced bonding techniques. He certainly knows the organic structure."

"But would he know?" Danvier snapped impatiently.

"This man's clearly a brilliant chemist," shrugged Kau. "I'm sure he could work it out."

Danvier nodded and tapped her lips in thought.

"He's dangerous Sister," Kau continued. "He should be destroyed."

Danvier glared at Kau for using her proper title yet again and shook her head. "No, not yet. If he's that brilliant, we can use him."

******************

In the small storage room where they had been confined, the Doctor finished strapping the white pad across Demora's wounded shoulder. "There you go – best I can do I'm afraid."

Demora struggled into a sitting position, grimacing as the pain shot across her chest. "Thank you."

The Doctor squatted next to her, his expression cold. "It's more than you deserve."

Demora glanced away. "I know – I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you tell us the truth?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's a lot easier to get someone to help you if you claim to be a helpless victim Doctor. Would you have been so keen if you knew I was an industrial spy out to make some easy yen?"

The Doctor sighed and straightened up. "No, I suppose not." He glanced around the storeroom. To his delight he spied a small vent high up on the wall. He reached into his coat pocket. Fortunately, and unlike Kayn's gang on the 'Solar Queen', they hadn't taken his sonic screwdriver when they had searched him. It only took a short burst from the screwdriver before the vent cover fell to the floor.

But the Doctor's triumphant grin was wiped from his face as he saw the size of the shaft beyond. He stuck an arm inside, but it was left than a foot wide. "They don't make 'em like they used to," he sighed and then turned back to a puzzled Demora. "Can you move okay? We have to get out of here and find Amy." A sudden thought struck him. "I don't suppose you still have your phone?"

Demora shook her head. "They took it from me when they caught me." She paused. "Doctor..."

"What?" He could hear the guilt in her tone.

"Amy phoned me twice before I came in to the Osato building."

"What did she say?"

Demora looked down. "I don't know – I switched it off."

"What!"The Doctor glared at her before running his hand through his hair. "Amy..."

Suddenly there was a click as the lock was released and the door opened to reveal three security guards. One pointed a pistol at the Doctor. "Miss Danvier wants you."

5.

Amy watched as Lucius – still in his human form – opened the laptop and powered it up. "One of the best things about Japan," he grinned, "is that the technology is the best on the planet."

Amy said nothing, only glanced over at Akiko. The half-human girl stood next to Lucius, brushing at her long dark hair that hung down one side of her head as if hadn't a care in the world.

The other Krillitanes had nearly all returned to their human guises, and two dozen or so Japanese youths dressed in dark, hooded tops and ripped denim jeans now lined the rim of the underground chamber.

It certainly was a bizarre scene thought Amy. "What are you going to do?" she asked eventually as she saw the laptop spring to life and the light from the screen appear reflected on Lucius' face.

Lucius just grinned. "Oh, we're going to send a message to the family..."

*******************

The two security guards stepped outside the double doors and closed them as they went, leaving the Doctor alone with Miss Danvier in the huge, plush office.

The Doctor wandered across to the enormous window and looked out onto Tokyo. "Brilliant view you've got. I bet the rent is a bit pricey?"

Danvier just smiled and sat back in the huge leather chair behind the curved mahogany desk. "Let's just say I have an 'arrangement' with the company."

The Doctor nodded and the joviality left his face. "What are the Krillitane doing in Tokyo?" he asked, still staring out of the window.

"Why should I tell you?" countered Danvier coolly. "What is a Time Lord doing in Tokyo?"

"Me? Oh, I'm just a tourist. Your turn."

But Danvier ignored the prompt. "You have encountered the Krillitane before, Doctor?"

"Once, a year or two ago – hardly a pleasure. They were trying to unlock the Skasis Paradigm. I stopped them then, I'll stop you now."

"Ah, the late Brother Lassar." Danvier smiled. I heard he came to a... sticky end. That was you? I am impressed."

"Thank you."

Danvier got to her feet and walked towards the Doctor, her arms folded across her chest. "I have been in Tokyo for almost a year working on ways to utilise our secreted oil so that instead of it being deadly, it becomes useful."

The Doctor's mind raced as he thought back to the analysis he run in the lab. "You've certainly changed the organic structure – but what for?"

"Oh, the advances we have made here are incredible. In fact, the latest oil synthesis is ready to begin."

There was a sudden knock on the double doors and they flew open to reveal Dr Kau.

Danvier rounded on him furiously. "How dare you disturb us!"

Kau's face was flushed. "I am sorry Sister – but we have had a communication from Brother Lucius!"

6.

Teru Osato paced up and down the office, his usually impassive face creased with worry. He dared not look at the frozen image on the monitor screen that sat on the large mahogany desk.

The doors to the office suddenly flew open and Danvier strode in, Dr Kau at her heels. A few steps behind them came the Doctor, and unlike Osato, his eyes blazed with curiosity and interest. As before, the armed security guard that was behind him stepped back out of the office and closed the doors.

"Show me!" ordered Danvier.

Kau nodded and sat at the desk before tapping quickly at the keyboard beneath the monitor.

The Doctor glanced at Osato. Although they hadn't been officially introduced, he had immediately guessed the identity of the old Japanese businessman and wondered what hold Danvier had on him.

The computer screen came to life as Kau reset the video playback.

The Doctor quickly put on his glasses to see a young man with dark hair, piercing green eyes and an arrogant smile, appear on the screen.

"Lucius…" murmured Danvier, her expression as cold as ice.

"Just thought I'd check in on the home team," grinned Lucius. "I'm disappointed, Sister Danvier. I thought you'd have found me by now – especially with the help of old Osato."

The Doctor saw Osato's jaw clench, but the Japanese man said nothing.

"Anyway," Lucius continued, "I think you've got a new player on the team – a man called the Doctor."

The Doctor's eyes widened in surprise - how would Lucius know about him?

"He seems a great guy to meet - I've got his friend as my guest." On the screen, Lucius reached sideways and pulled a struggling figure into view, twisting her wrist viciously.

"Oh no!" whispered the Doctor. "Amy."

"So I'm offering a trade – the Doctor for the data disc." He held up a silver CD. "I know you can't complete the experiment without it." Lucius released Amy and pushed her away as another figure draped herself across his shoulder. It was a terrifying hybrid of Krillitane and human. Lucius stroked her arm gently as she purred like a kitten. "Oh, and tell Osato I'm taking good care of the lovely Akiko."

The Doctor leant forwards in fascination as Osato looked away in grief.

Lucius' expression hardened. "I'll give you twelve hours – until midnight tonight – to give him to me. Otherwise I destroy the disc and use his friend as a bedtime snack. Keep in touch!" The screen went black.