Chapter 1

"That! That over there!" The Doctor frantically waggled his hand in the direction of the controls as he leapt around the console, trainers skidding on the grating.

"This!" Martha grabbed on to a lever with a purple handle.

"No! To the left! LEFT!"

"Alright! Alright!" She retorted, switching to the other purple handled lever. It took both hands to keep it steady, no easy feat while the entire Tardis was rocketing back and forth. Around them lights flashed chaotically and sparks flew off the central columns as they shuttled back and forth with increasing speed. In the background, nearly smothered by the shrieking machinery, a bell solemnly tolled.

"What's happening?" Martha yelled above the din. The shuddering was growing more violent and she was only just clinging to the lever.

The Doctor let out a howl of protest and frustration as he stabbed at buttons with one hand and tried to keep a grip on the console with the other. "She's not responding! I can't control her!"

"Are we crashing?"

The Doctor had worked his way over to the monitor and was glaring at it incredulously. "No…I'm not controlling the Tardis…someone else is!"

Martha shrieked as part of the console burst open and flames leapt towards her. A particularly violent jerk knocked her to the side and suddenly…it was all over. The flames died, the erratic movement stopped and apart from a faint hissing and sizzling of cooling machinery, complete silence reigned. The Doctor and Martha held their crash positions in shock for a moment before cautiously straightening.

"Phew." Martha breathed, straightening her jacket and smoothing hair out of her face. "That's going to hurt later. Still, nothing broken." she muttered, patting herself down.

"You alright?" She looked up at the Doctor but he was clearly not listening. Frowning with worry, he was looking up at the stilled columns and gently stroking the console.

"Is the Tardis alright?" Martha asked quietly as she looked around. There were no obvious signs of damage, but the golden glow that usually lit the interior was gone and in its place a cooling gloom had set in.

The Doctor let out a big sigh and ran his hands through his already mussed hair. "Yeah, I think so. She's shut down for now though… or something has shut her down." he added quietly, worry lines creasing again.

"But the real question is… where are we?" The Doctor announced, bounding back to the monitor and pulling out his glasses.

"Not to mention when!" Martha smiled wryly, coming to join him.

The Doctor tapped at the screen, eventually eliciting a response. He stared at the symbols curling on the monitor. Slowly his eyebrows drew together and his mouth hardened into a firm line.

"So." Martha nudged him with her elbow "Feel like sharing? Where are we?"

The Doctor took off his glasses, and slumped back against the worn seating, arms folded almost protectively across his chest. He was still staring at the monitor but his breathing had quickened and the fingers gripping his elbows showed white knuckles.

"Doctor?" Martha asked uncertainly. She had never seen such an expression on his face before. Anger, yes she had seen that but this, this was cold fury mixed with heartbreaking sadness.

"Doc- "

"Rilophrius." he rasped. He twisted his mouth as if the name had a bad taste. He cleared his throat but continued to stare at the monitor. Martha waited for him to continue but he seemed lost in thought. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he continued in a low, tight voice.

"They were a twin planet with Gallifrey. The planets were similar and we shared a lot of biological traits with the Rilophrians. For thousands of years they had been our closest friends and allies." He paused, glowering at events light years away. "But during the Time War, we asked them to help… and they refused." His expression hardened again, the sadness draining, leaving only bitterness and anger.

"And now someone on this planet has had the gall to bring the Tardis here." He pushed off the seats and strode to the door.

"But how could they just do that, drag the Tardis here?" Martha said following him.

The Doctor snorted as he pulled on his coat, "Believe me they have the technology." And with that he threw open the door.

...

Outside, a breathtaking vista appeared. Two suns rode low on the horizon, glittering off snow capped mountains that shone blue in the distance. Valleys ran down from the mountains but instead of green trees, as Martha would have expected, the vegetation appeared as a dull brownish grey that shifted to silver as it waved in the breeze. Stretching below the hill on which the Tardis stood was a city built of white stone. Domes and arches appeared to be the dominant architectural feature and the setting suns shone off green plated roofs. The hill on which they stood was landscaped with the same white stone, the polished flagstones leading to garden beds with iridescent flowers that appeared to be spun of glass.

The Doctor was immune to all of this beauty, his attention completely focused on the trio of figures arranged in front of the Tardis. The group, a woman flanked by two men, were dressed in white robes that flapped in the gentle breeze. Gold and red ribbon trimmed the edges of the fabric as it wound around their forms before draping over their heads. The men did not look at The Doctor but instead stared at the ground, their hands clasped in front of them. The woman's long black hair was traced with silver as it coiled to her waist. In one hand she held a golden staff, topped by an opaque blue stone. She did not advert her gaze and but instead met the Doctor's infuriated eye head on.

"Doctor. Welcome." She said evenly, tipping her head slightly in greeting. She ignored Martha.

"Are you responsible for this?" The Doctor demanded. Martha could practically see him vibrate he was so angry.

"Bringing you here? Yes we are."

The Doctor shoved his balled fists into his coat pockets. "You've a lot of nerve." He said tightly.

"It was not without reason. You are needed." The Doctor's eyebrows shot up and he snorted loudly.

"You are needed now." The woman repeated. "I am First Attendant Roylant. I will escort you to the Oracle."

"No. You. Will. Not." The Doctor bit out the words. "If you think I'm going to go see the Oracle or any other bloody person on this planet you are much mistaken. Release my Tardis."

A tense silence fell over the garden, no birds or insects could be heard in the purple and silver leaved trees.

"We will not release your Tardis until you agree to attend the Oracle. Matters have gone too far for niceties Doctor. You will comply." The first hint of emotion was visible on the women's face, a hardening of the eyes as she frowned, creasing her smooth skin.

The Doctor stared back, challenging her. "What "matters"? Don't test me First Attendant. You won't like where this leads."

"And neither will you Doctor." The woman snapped back. "I am sure you know that holding your Tardis is the least of what we can do." For a brief moment it seemed to Martha that an orange fire flickered to life in the woman's eyes.

"Is that a threat?" He said it flatly, more of a statement then a question.

"Yes. Doctor. I am afraid it is."

The silence stretched again. Finally Roylant's gaze left the Doctor's face, flicking to Martha. "I see the stories are true – a human companion." she observed her voice tinged with contempt.

The Doctor glared at the woman with loathing. "Leave her out of this."

"Time is wasting Doctor. The Oracle awaits." The woman spun on her heel and began to walk, her robes sweeping out behind her. The two men took places behind the Doctor and Martha to herd them forward. The Doctor stood stock still for a moment with his eyes closed, calming his breathing.

"Doctor ?" Martha asked uncertainly. He opened his eyes and turned to her, summoning up a small smile.

"It's okay Martha. It will be okay. Let's go see what all the fuss is about." He held out his arm and she took it gratefully.