Prologue
"Keep calm! Nothing to worry about!"
The TARDIS shook violently, her passengers being thrust against the railings. What was normally a smooth journey through space and time had become a roller-coaster.
"Doctor! What's happening?! Clara yelled over the rumblings of the ship, clinging to the rails in an attempt to stabilise herself.
"Ah! Though you might ask that. Slight complication, nothing major. Easy to fix!"
No sooner had the words left the Doctor's mouth, the TARDIS gave a sudden jolt, flinging her 'Thief' over her controls. He gave a yelp as sparks flew from the console, jumping back and frantically patting his bow tie, which had become singed at the edges.
"Doctor, do something!" screamed Clara, who had managed to stagger from the rails to the console.
"I'm trying!" he yelled back, his hands almost a blur as he desperately began pressing buttons and pulling levers. "Come on, old girl, calm down..." he tried to soothe his beloved TARDIS. She always listened to him – well, almost always.
Clara jumped as the Doctor screamed, grasping his messy flop of hair in his shaking hands.
"Something's wrong! I can't work her!"
"What do you mean?" replied Clara, panic rising in her voice. "You've had her for...years! Of course you can work her!"
"No, you don't understand! She won't respond, won't listen! I can't do anything!" He leaned against the console with his head down, almost as if he had given up. Clara stamped her feet and looked up at the TARDIS.
"Oh, for God's sake, just STOP, you old cow!"
The TARDIS gave a final jolt, knocking Clara and the Doctor to the floor.
And then everything was still.