Prompt:

Captain Martin Crieff disappears with no trace. No one at Fitton Airfield knows who he is. His van is gone. When someone goes to check his flat, it's not there either. That building never had an attic, and of course none of the students have ever heard of a pilot called Martin living in the attic they don't have, are you strange people all mad?

Martin's flight manuals are gone. His hat is gone. Captain Martin Crieff doesn't exist, and only the people at MJN know he was ever there.

Now they need to figure out how to get him back.

Whumpage deeply appreciated, and if you can do this without any "crack in the wall" Doctor Who crossover devices, you're a better plotter than I.

Carolyn frowned. Martin Crieff was late. This would not do. For one, it was entirely unprofessional, what with no warning even, and secondly, the man was never late. In fact, he was always most certainly early. His lack of presence was both annoying and a little worrying, though she would never admit it out loud. Douglas had already arrived a good fifteen minutes ago, and though he appeared uninterested, she had known him long enough to read between the lines and see his concern. They had tried ringing his mobile, but kept getting a message stating the number was not in use. They had decided to wait a bit more just in case he showed up. It was lucky they were on standby and as such, had no flying to do today, but Martin would've still shown up promptly. As the minutes ticked by, the agitation in the room grew, until it was Arthur who finally suggested they go round the student house to find him. Douglas agreed in a deceptively casual manner, but a shared glance with Carolyn revealed the similar worry of finding their Captain sick or worse. Martin was, after all, notoriously stubborn and prideful in asking for help, and also ridiculously unlucky. A truly dangerous combination all in all.

Piling into Carolyn's car, they made their way to Martin's residence, Douglas pointing out the way to go but offering no explanation as to how he knew it so well. Upon reaching the house, Douglas volunteered to go up to the door and find out what exactly was happening, citing his ability to deal with the students far better than Arthur or Carolyn. Douglas raised his fist and rapped sharply on the door, waiting patiently for an answer. After a minute or so, the sound of shuffling approached the door, and a sleep-tousled student stuck his head through the door. He blinked at Douglas, seemingly too tired to comprehend his presence.

"Hnn?"

"Apologies for disturbing your beauty sleep, but I'm looking for Martin."

"Who?"

"Martin. Martin Crieff? The pilot in the attic?"

"Attic? We don't even have an attic here."

"I beg your pardon? I realize you have just woken up, but surely you are mistaken. Martin has been living here for years."

"Look, I'm not hungover, high, or asleep, and if this is some sort of prank, it's not funny. It's just weird."

"I can assure you this is no practical joke. I'm getting to old for this."

At that moment, Carolyn appeared behind Douglas, having gotten tired of the wait.

"Something wrong, gentlemen?"

"Oh not really, just me being assured there is no Martin to be found. In fact, apparently there's no attic at all."

"I'm sorry? I've sent enough taxis here for pick-up to know that this is most definitely Martin's home."

"All you people are mad. There's no attic, no pilot living here. I've never heard of this Martin guy and I can guarantee the rest of the house will say the same, if you want to ask them."

"As a matter of fact, I think we do."

With that, Douglas and Carolyn moved past the student into the house and questioned every student they came upon. The first young man had been right in his guarantee. All the students just looked confused and stared at the two as if they had lost their mind. Douglas had even double-checked the existence of the attic, and found it simply not there.

They left the house, driving back to the airfield, sufficiently a little freaked out. They didn't mention the full strangeness of the situation to Arthur, letting him assume that Martin simply wasn't in.

"Maybe Skip will be at the airfield?"

"Perhaps. We may also find it beneficial to inquire with the ground crew."

"Really? Brilliant. ...why is that?"

"Oh simple curiosity that I wish to be indulged."

They pulled up to the airfield, piling out of the car, Arthur heading to the portacabin on Carolyn's orders while Douglas and Carolyn headed to find the ground crew. Both were frowning and deep in thought. The fact that the students not only insisted that Martin had never resided there but that the attic was completely nonexistent was a worrying situation. Figuring their chances were best in the Hose and Hydrant, they headed through the swing door. Sure enough, a good chunk of the workers were present. Spotting a few faces that they knew would be honest and had had interaction with Martin, they headed over.

"Ah the infamous MJN crew. What can we do for you?"

"Forgive us if this seems a tad strange thing to ask. But have you seen our Captain?"

"Your Captain?"

"Captain Martin Crieff? Skinny, ginger, prissy?"

The men before them just looked confused.

"'Fraid I don't know anyone like that. You sure you're not trying to pull one? I couldv'e sworn your captain was nothing like that."

"What is he like then?"

"Well he's- ...huh. I can't for the life of me remember. I just know he wasn't ginger or anything."

"Well thank you for your time then gentlemen. I imagine if I were to ask anyone else here, they would tell us much the same?"

"Probably."

"Right, Douglas, we have things to do. Good day."

The two promptly exited the bar, their apprehension only amplified. Stopping outside the portacabin, they turned to look at each other, similar expressions of worry, dread, and confusion on their faces.

"Douglas, do you have nay idea what the hell might be going on?"

"I fear you overestimate how omniscient I actually am."

"So that's a 'no' then."

"Essentially."

They lulled into silence, both wondering what on earth was going on, as all signs pointed to Martin not existing. But that was ridiculous. It would mean that all three of them had gone mad, and that couldn't be the case. The only explanation could really be that Martin had somehow vanished. So it was just a matter of getting him back.