Chapter 1
The Message
Captain Jack opened his eyes. The rain beat a steady pat-patter-pat on the roof.
"Jack," said a voice. "You fell asleep."
Jack lifted his head from the floor. Amy stood by the computer screen. She was dressed in the same skirt she had been wearing the night before.
"Jack, the TARDIS computer's on. Something important is about to happen. I can feel it. Take a look."
Jack groaned and pushed himself to his feet. He didn't want to wake up. He had been dreaming. It had been a good dream, with Rose in it. He walked over to where Amy was standing.
The screen was flickering. Suddenly, an image of a man with floppy hair and a bow tie came into view. He seemed to be mouthing the words "Come now". The screen flickered a few more times. A photo of Big Ben appeared through the black and white static, and a few seconds later the number 1,974.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Amy.
Jack thought for a minute. "Well, Big Ben is in London, and 1,974 could be the year nineteen seventy-four."
"We have to go find the Doctor," said Amy. "I bet that is where he is."
"You're right," said Jack. He pointed to the computer screen. "I wish we could go there." Amy pulled a handle.
The wind started to blow.
The TARDIS started to spin.
It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still.