Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who. This story is based on the Doctor Who characters and universe.

Science Assassin: Chapter one

Wanda Great stared at her sharp reflection in the perfectly polished mirror. She straightened one of the many black braids dangling from her head, and smoothed her well-brushed red suit. She glanced at her watch. Only 7 minutes and 25 seconds until the guests started arriving, if they were on time. Wanda took one last look at herself, making sure everything was in place, and then walked to the front doors of the hotel, her tall black stilettos treading lightly on the plush red carpet. Outside it was raining. She would need an umbrella.

Wanda shook open her black umbrella and stepped outside into the wind and rain. She was careful not to let a single drop of water touch her precious suit or dark skin. For the 100th time she checked the metal clipboard in her hands. 10 guests were due to arrive. How long now? Only 5 minutes and 13 seconds. She wondered if they would be on time. Of course, her watch was timed to the exact second. She stood up straight, looking out onto the road where bubble cars flew past, about 50cm off the ground. In the distance she could see a slightly bigger black shape moving quickly along the road. There was the taxi.

Wanda sighed with relief, looking at her watch again. They would be almost precisely on time. A few seconds late, but she had allowed room for lateness in her busy schedule. Nothing would be upset. She watched the black taxi fly up to the front door. The car doors slid open automatically, and ten important looking men stepped out, wearing pressed suits and carrying umbrellas. They ranged in age from about 25 to late 50s. Wanda took a deep breath and stepped forward, beginning her well-rehearsed greeting.

"Greetings gentlemen!" Wanda smiled cheerfully. "Welcome to the hotel Noble! I am Wanda Great and I will be your tour guide, informer and supervisor." She liked the word supervisor. It sounded important. "Now, if you will please line up, I will mark off your names one by one."

The men looked at each other in surprise, and then obediently stood in a straight line. Wanda smiled. She was enjoying this. She began asking the men their names and ticked them off on her list, as well as handing out check-in cards and gift vouchers. Everything was going to plan so far.

Suddenly, there was a loud whirring noise. Wanda looked up in surprise. This wasn't part of her schedule. Suddenly a dark blue police box materialised in front of her, a light flashing on top. Wanda stared at it in surprise, her mouth hanging open for a split second before she quickly composed herself. She must remain calm and cool.

The doors to the police box swung open, and a skinny, brown haired man stepped out, grinning broadly. He was followed by a brown-haired, middle aged woman.

"Where are we this time?" asked the woman, looking around her. "Oh, my, gosh! Flying cars? I don't believe it!"

The man grinned even more. "I don't know exactly where we are. I put the TARDIS on a random setting, but my guess is it's about 50 years after your time."

"Wow!" The woman called Donna looked around in amazement. Wanda didn't understand what she was so fascinated about. Who were these people? What were they doing? She stepped forward.

"Good morning," she began. She looked behind her. The guests were chatting and exchanging vouchers, oblivious to the two strangers. That was a relief. Wanda turned back to the newcomers. "May I help you?"

"Um, yes." The man put on a serious face. "We're travellers, new to this place. Could you tell us where we are?"

Strange, thought Wanda. "You are in the middle of London, England," she announced proudly. "May I ask what you are doing? Are you part of the International science committee?" She gestured to the group of men, who were making their way to the hotel foyer.

"Science committee," mused the man. "Sounds interesting. What do you think, Donna?"

"I dunno, you're the science geek," responded the woman named Donna.

Science geek? Strange language. Wanda ignored their strange comments. "Are you from earth or mars?" She may as well do the full interview if they were going to join the group.

"Mars?" Donna burst out laughing. "That's ridiculous! No one comes from Mars."

Wanda ignored her and turned to the man, who seemed more controlled. "Well?"

"Um..." the man hummed stupidly. "Let me see. Humans come from the earth, but you share your planet with..."

"Motroids." Answered Wanda coldly. "From Mars. Are you or are you not a motroid?"

"Motroid what?" Donna began laughing again.

"I take it you're not." Wanda took a clean piece of paper on her clipboard and wrote down some notes. "Age?"

"About 900." Replied the man.

Wanda sighed. Now they were playing stupid. "Real age please?"

"That is my real age," replied the man.

Wanda decided to skip that question. "Name? Full name please. Real name please."

"I'm the Doctor, and this is Donna Noble."

"Noble? You have the same name as the person who founded this hotel, the hotel Noble." Wanda carefully wrote down Donna's name.

"I guess it's a common name." Donna shrugged her shoulders.

"Now, Doctor...Doctor who?" asked Wanda.

"Just the Doctor," replied the Doctor. Now, could we please have two check-in cards?"

Wanda looked up sharply. "So, you are part of the science committee? A student perhaps? Is one of the scientists your tutor? You didn't book in advance like everyone else."

"Um, I forgot," said the Doctor. "But I'm here now!" He held out his hand for a check-in card but Wanda ignored him.

"Is this your...personal ship?" Her eyes moved over the TARDIS.

"Yep," the Doctor grinned proudly. "That's the TARDIS. Takes me anywhere in time and space."

"I see." This man must have something wrong with him. Wanda tucked her clipboard under her arm. "You'll have to park it in the hotel's temporary parking spaces. They're around the corner. And since you didn't book ahead, there is no spot reserved for you. You shall have to pay the full fee of 100 units an hour."

She couldn't help but smile at the Doctor's goggled eyes. He groaned. "But, isn't there a porter or someone? Or even valet parking?"

Wanda shook her head.

The Doctor sighed. "Fine! I'll go move it. Donna, check us in will you? I'll catch up later." He strode into his TARDIS, muttering angrily to himself. The whirring noise filled the air again and the TARDIS quickly disappeared.

Wanda turned to Donna. "So, which scientist is your tutor or mentor?"

"Ummm, Donna glanced at the clipboard and spoke the first name she saw. "Mr...Lewis Klyne."

Wanda checked her clipboard. "He seems to be in room 59, next to laboratory 150. There are no spare rooms so I'll have to put you on the next floor up. Your friend can be the next level up."

"Thanks," said Donna.

Wanda turned around. "Come on, we'll have to check you in." She waved to a pale faced porter lounging by the doors to the hotel. "You, please take this woman's luggage." She turned back to Donna. "Where did you leave your luggage?"

"Um...it's in the TARDIS." Donna tried to think up a quick excuse. "The Doctor will bring it when he comes back."

"Very well." Wanda went through the doors of the hotel Noble and they automatically swung shut behind her, leaving a stunned Donna standing in the cold rain.

More to come...

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