The End of the world.
Chapter 2
Chloe stood next to her father by the controls of the TARDIS. He was resting both hands on the tower. His eyes where fixed on the girl, Rose.
"So where to now?" Chloe asked. She was glad to get away from Earth. It had been quiet an adventure. But the conversations, well we all know what she thought of the conversations.
The Doctor shrugged at Chloe, then asked. "So where do you want to go. Tell me Rose Tyler, where'd you want to go. Backwards or forwards in time"
"Or sideways." Chloe added.
"Yes, or sideways. But we'll skip that for now. So Your choice, what's it gonna be"
"Forwards"
"How far?" The Doctors eyes glowed with intelligence. An almost smug look on his face. Chloe's almost reflected his.
"One hundred years"
Chloe and the Doctor set about working on the controls. It didn't take long before they stood still again.
"Easy peasy!" Chloe stated. "Twenty second century. Heard it's boring! Further, further"
Her father looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Five hundred?" He asked his daughter. Chloe nodded.
Once again they ran about the controls, punching buttons, pulling levers and randomly kicking things. They came to a holt and her father spoke.
"The year twenty-five hundred"
"Come on Dad, you can do better than that. The year twenty-five hundreds a bore. Just giant walking cactus's and dancing frogs. Who wants to see that"
So again the controls flashed, the levers where pulled until it stopped again.
"Ten Thousand years into your future." The Doctor grinned.
"The New Roman Empire," Chloe added. Her grin just as big as the Doctors.
"You to think your so impressive," Rose spoke.
"We are," the spoke in unison.
"You wish"
"Oooo," Chloe said, her face becoming mischievous. "I think she just issued us with a challenge."
"I know exactly where to go." The Doctor pulled on the levers again. Chloe joined him. Both working really intensely this time. Faster and faster. Something was building. The TARDIS working to it's full capacity. Rose shivered as it creaked with noise. She closed her eyes and then it stopped.
The Doctor and Chloe stood with triumphant faces. They looked smugly in front of her. Arms folded waiting for her to ask the question.
"When"
The Doctor and Chloe stood confidently. The Doctor raised his hand and gestured to the door. One arm still crossed over his chest.
"What's out there?" Rose looked somewhat scared, apprehensive, but she took the few paces to the door and opened it.
The room was large. It had a very yellow feel to it. It felt wooden and new. To Rose it didn't seem like much, but the Doctor and Chloe knew better. Rose gave the Doctor a look. She didn't seem impressed at all. Chloe rolled her eyes. She wondered why they'd brought her now. It was like taking a mouse to look at a view. It wouldn't understand, wouldn't care. Would just want to find food.
The Doctor wondered over to one of the computer panels. His sonic screw driver span into action. Chloe came up behind him and glanced over his shoulder.
And then slowly, the panel moved down. The once wall, now replaced by the blue overall shape. The clouds oceans, with the black void of space around it. Earth stood in all it's elegance in front of them.
A chuckle came from her father. Chloe looked up.
"You lot," he said to Rose. "You spend all your time thinking about dying. Like you're gonna get killed by eggs, or beef, or global warming or asteroids. But you never take time to imagine the impossible. That maybe you survive"
A pause filled the air. Chloe's lips rounded into a smile at her father words.
"The year five point five slash apple slash twenty six," Chloe stated.
"Exactly 5 billion years in your future," the Doctor added.
"And this is the day…" Chloe began. She leant over to look at her fathers wrist, looking for his watch. He moved it for them to both see.
"Wait for it," he said. "There! This is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world"
The sun glowed in the distance. It swelled bigger, flames escaping from it.
A voice around them echoed.
"Shuttles five and six now docking. Guests are reminded that platform One forbids the use of weapons, teleportation and religion. Earth death for 15.39, followed by drinks in the Manchester suite"
"Great," Chloe said, rubbing her hands together. Rose just stood there shocked. The same face that seemed to be making a frequent appearance.
"So, when it says guests, does that mean…people"
The Doctor looked at Rose, considering how to answer this one. "Depends what you mean by people"
"I mean people, what do you mean"
"Aliens," Chloe smiled. The Doctor did as well.
"There's aliens on board"
'Ut oh, not again. The stupid ape makes its appearance. Ok Chloe, deep breaths. She's an ape. She needs to learn. Go easier on her'
"Should be, yep. Is that ok? The Doctor looked worried for a moment. Not sure if she was ready for all this.
"Yeah, fine. What sort of aliens, what do they look like"
Chloe began to explain to Rose what was going on. "Ya see, there all here to watch the planet be destroyed. We're inside this observation deck. Bit like a spaceship, but not really. The great and the good are gathering"
"What for?" Rose
"Fun"
The Doctor was slightly ahead, whizzing his sonic screw driver at the door. It opened into a larger room.
"Now what Chloe means by the great and the good, is the rich"
"Hold on, they did this once on newsround extra. The Sun expanding, that takes hundreds of years"
"Wouldn't listen to everything you hear on TV." Chloe folded her arms stating her point.
"Millions," the Doctor said. "But there's this thing called the trust and they've been keeping it preserved. See down there, gravity satellites, holding back the sun"
"Neat!" Chloe said. Rose didn't look as pleased.
"The whole planet looks the same as ever, I thought the continents shifted and things"
"Duh! The Trust shifted them back." Chloe placed jher hands on the window, gazing out at the sight.
"But the moneys run out, and nature takes over." The Doctor sighed, slightly sad at the event. But it was nature. And nature always won.
"How long's it gonna take"
" 'Bout half an hour. Then the planet gets roasted." Chloe giggled at her father words. He said it with such enthusiasm and wit.
"Is that why we're here. I mean, is that what you two do? Jump in at the last minute and save Earth"
Chloe frowned at the girl. He hands dropping away from the glass. 2 hand prints left on the windows. She tried to wipe them of with her sleeve.
"No, we're not. It's times up. This is what's meant to happen. And it's happening. No stopping it, no changing it." The Doctor then stopped Chloe, and just looked at her as if to say 'leave It'
"But what about the people, you have to save them?" Rose looked terrified.
"Look! There aren't any. They've all left. All gone." Chloe was getting annoyed again by the girl. Her father gave her a sideways glance. Causing her to role her eyes.
"Just me then." Rose's eye dropped to the ground. But a sharp noise came from behind them, breaking them out of the moment.
"Who the hell are you"
A blue figure came up. He carries an electronic notepad.
"Oh, that's nice, thanks," the Doctor said, slightly annoyed at the unpleasant greeting.
"But how did you get in? This is a maximum hospitality zone the guests have disembarked, they're on their way, any second now"
"No, that's us. Guests, here an invitation." He held out his psychic paper.
Chloe smiled inwardly. "Yeah, meanie. Be polite to guest. I'm sure the people above you would love to know the way you treated us." She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.
The Blue man studied the paper for a moment before The Doctor decided to add a little more to convince him.
"Look, it's fine, there, you see? The Doctor plus two. I'm The Doctor, this is Chloe my daughter and this is Rose Tyler, there my plus two, that makes three, is that all right"
He grinned folding away the psychic paper.
"Well, obviously. Apologies, ectera"
"I Should think so," Chloe stated, arms still folded. The Steward gave her a small nod accopnied by an apologetic smile.
"Right, if you're on board, we'd better get started . Enjoy"
The Steward hurried off, followed by Chloe's lingering stare.
"What was that paper stuff?" Rose asked pointing to the pocket The Doctor had put it in. He retrieved it again and showed her.
"The Paper is slightly psychic, it shows them whatever I want them to see. Saves a lot of time"
"Sure does, I remember once were about to be arrested by two large feathery creatures…"
"Chloe, I don't think this is the time for that story," her father warned. She shrugged with a smile.
"He's blue…" Rose stated.
'Stupid Ape.' The Doctor glared at her. Chloe wondered if he could hear her thoughts. She gave a 'What?' look back.
"He is blue," he then spoke to Rose.
"Okay"
The Steward was now stood at a small podium type thing. The three turned to look at the door as the Steward began to speak.
"Thank you, broadcasting to all quarters, here we go then. Right"
He took a deep breath. Chloe smirked at this.
"We have in attendance the Doctor, Chloe and Rose Tyler, thank you, all staff to positions"
They watched as smaller blue people ruffled around. Helmets covering their face.
Chloe was watching the Doctor, who in turn was watching Rose. He was smiling at her reactions to what was happening.
"Thank you quick as we can," the Steward voiced ringed through the room. "And now, might I introduce the next honoured guests. Representing the Forest of Cheem, we have trees, namely Jabe, Lute and Coffa"
Some large doors drew apart, revealing three tree aliens. Almost human, but with many tree like features.
"Thank you," the Steward said as the three entered the room. "There will be an exchange of gifts to represent peace, it you could please keep the room circulating, thank you. Next, from the solicitors Jolco and Jolco, we have the Moxx of Balhoon"
A blue chubby little creature appeared sitting on a cushion next.
"Might I remind you, the Moxx of Balhoon carries the standard health warning. Next, from Financial Family Seven, the Adherents of the Repeated Meme"
"Try saying that when your drunk," the Doctor said from the side of his mouth, keeping it to a low whisper.
Hooded figures appeared in the door. Chloe saw Rose wince. The Doctor and Chloe standing firm. Not showing any emotion.
"Guests should take note that the Adherents will be reciting the meme at thirty-minute intervals"
'Great!' Thought Chloe sarcastically. She looked around, getting rather bored of the situation. She swayed slightly He father giving her a warning glance to be patient. She sighed and looked back at the door.
"And next, of course the sponsor of the main event, our friend from the silver devastation please welcome, the Face of Boe"
The large face in a tank appeared.
"Next, I bid welcome to the ambassadors from the city sare of binding light, please note that oxygen levels must be strictly monitored in the ambassadors presence.
And so on it went for about 10 minutes. More an more aliens filling the room. Chloe felt right at home. Rose didn't seem so happy though.
More aliens entered, Jabe the tree came over.
"The gift of peace, I bring you a cutting of my grandfather." Chloe watched as her father took the twig and passed it to Chloe.
"Thank you, yes, gifts, um." He began patting his pockets wondering what to give Jabe. He looked over at Chloe for help but she just shrugged. He then looked back at Jabe and smiled.
"I bring you in return…Air from my lungs"
The Doctor breathed on Jabe, Chloe had to spin around to hide the smirk on her face.
"How intimate," Jabe said, her eyes tracing the Doctors face.
"There's more where that came from," the Doctor said, flirting slightly. Chloe smirked again.
"Is she alright?" Jabe asked.
"Um, yes. Actually, no, bad disease, awful, can't be helped. Can never be cured"
Chloe frowned and turned back round.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Jabe said.
"I know, we all have to suffer," the Doctor replied placing and arm round Chloe's shoulder. Chloe just frowned more and shrugged his arm off.
Once Jabe had moved on the Moxx of Balhoon made his way over.
"The Moxx of Balhoon, I bring you the gift of air from my lungs"
Once again the Doctor breathed out onto the stubby blue creature.
"My felicitations upon this historical happenstance, I bring you the gift of bodily saliva"
He then proceed to spit a gob of salvia right onto Rose's face. Chloe smirked again, but got a tap on the shoulder from her father.
"Say thank you Chloe"
"Thank…" Giggle "…you"
Next to come over was one of the Adherent's of the repeated Meme."
"The Adeherents of the Repeated Meme, I bring you air from my lungs." Chloe said stealing her fathers line. She breathed out like her father. It was her fathers turn to smirk, so she took the opportunity and nudged him in the side. A whisper came from the dark creature.
"A gift of peace. In all good faith." Then the hooded figure handed Chloe a silver ball like object. Chloe studied it for a moment, then tossed it from hand to hand. She passed it to Rose to have a look.
The Stewards voice then echoed round the room again.
"And last but not least, our very special guests. Ladies and gentlemen and trees and multiform. Consider the Earth, below. Its countless empires risen and fallen and risen again. In memory of this dying world, we call forth… the last human. The only remaining member of her species. I bring you the final representative of humanity itself, the lady Cassandra O'Brien dot delta seventeen"
Once again the doors opened again. This time revealing a frame work with what seemed to be like skin stretched over it. A face is visible on it.. Two eyes and a mouth. No real visible nose. Two people in white coasts stand either side.
"Oh now don't stare." Cassandra's voice echoed through the room.
"I know, I know, it's shocking, isn't it. I've had my chin completely taken away, and look at the difference, look how thin I am! Thin and dainty. I don't look a day over two thousand - moisture me! Moisture me!" the two what would be presumed as surgeons then proceeded to spray sort of liquid onto her.
"You're all too kind. And all of you. Gathered here . For me"
Chloe folded her arms. She studied the peace of skin. Working it out.
"Truly I am the last human. My father was a Texan, my mother was from the Arctic Desert. They were born on the Earth, and they were the last to be buried in its soil. I have come to honour them, and say goodbye. No tears, no tears"
One of the surgeons dabbed her eye with a tissue.
"I'm sorry excuse me." Her features then turned into a smile.
"But I bring gifts. Behold! From Earth itself the last remaining ostrich egg"
One of the surgeons carried the ostrich egg and placed it in a display case.
"The Ostrich was made extinct in the great bird flu of 2051. Legend says it had a wing-span of fifty feet, and blew fire from its nostrils. Or was that my third husband? Oh, no, don't laugh, I'll get laughter lines, stop! Oh! Mercy! And here! Another rarity, some old Earth entertainment"
Some of the smaller blue creatures wheeled in a 1050's jukebox.
"According to the archives, this was called an I-pod"
"And according to the archives, humans weren't meant to look like trampolines," Chloe muttered to her father and Rose. Rose made a slight snorting sound, but her farther gave her a warning look. She smiled and shrugged at him.
"Can't help it, bad disease remember. Can't blame me"
"The I-pod stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers. Play on"
Music began to ring through the room. It was 'Tainted love,' by Soft Cell. The Doctor began to boogie to the music. Chloe felt rather embarrassed. She turned a funny shade of red.
"Daaaaaaaddd"
"What"
"Just-don't-do -that"
"Refreshments will now be served," the Steward announced. "Earth death in thirty minutes time"
"Doctor," came a voice form behind. Both the Doctor and Chloe swivelled to find Jabe standing behind them.
Jabe held up a small device. It flashed like a camera.
"Thank you," she said then headed off again.
Chloe studied the room before she noticed something was missing. "Where's Rose"
Her father then looked around for a moment before saying " I don't know"
Another tune came on the Jukebox. This time playing a McFly song. Once again the Doctor began to do a little dance. He did a little bit of air guitar too. Chloe had had enough. She sighed and walked off muttering. "Your so embarssing. You thought someone who was 900 years old would know how to dance"
She lent against it, waiting for something interesting to happen. Even something small would be good. Someone spontaneously combusting or how about space pirates coming aboard and trying to steal the engine. But nothing exciting was really happening. It was a boring old party. A while later the Stewards voice came over the speakers.
Would the owner of the blue box In Private Gallery Fifteen, please report to the Steward's office." Chloe ears pricked up and she searched the room for her father. He was currently chatting to some creatures that sort of resembled birds. But had you seen them, flying about in your garden, you would probably have a heart attack. She wondered over to her father, who had also got the message, the computer voice kept talking.
"Guests are reminded that the use of teleportation devices is strictly forbidden under the peace treaty of five-point-four-slash-cup-slash-sixteen, thank you"
"Better go see these Stewards then." Her father said swaying in the souls of his feet. A bright grin on his face.
"Yep, better do. Better then sitting in the corner any longer. Is anything interesting going to happen. I'm getting a tad bored"
The Doctor smirked.
"Chip off the old block"
"Yep you betcha"
They wondered out into the hallway. Heading in what they hoped was the direction they should be. They found some of the small blue creatures wheeling the TARDIS down the hallway. It was slanted on it's side.
"Oy, you lot be careful with that. No stretches. Park it carefully please"
Chloe gritted her teeth as the TARDIS was lowered to the ground. Her eyes where shut firm. Imagine the TARDIS being damaged. Being stuck here, on some tiny little ship. Watching some planet being BBQ'd.
She watched as one of the stewards shoved some sort of card in his hand.
"We'd betetr find Rose. Make sure she's not causing any trouble"
"Do you know what"
"What!" The Doctor asked. Intrigued by his daughters last sentence.
"I would actually be happier if she was causing trouble. It might actually make this place less dull.
"Come on trouble." He tugged at her hand to follow him down a hallway. They arrived at some doors, the sonic screw driver had given them good directions. When they opened the Rose sat to the right (Doctor's and Chloe's POV) a few steps in the middle. The Doctor sat on the left, while Chloe sat in the middle on the steps.
"What d'you think, then?" the Doctor asked peering over at Rose.
"Great, yeah. Fine. Once you get past the slightly psychic paper"
Chloe wondered if Rose was speaking the truth. There was almost a sadness running throughout her body, The way Rose sat, the way she talked.
"They're just so…alien! The aliens are so alien, you look at them, and they're…alien."
"Duh!" Chloe blurted out.
"Chloe!" The Doctor said in a low warning voice.
"Sorry"
"Good thing we didn't take her to the deep south"
Chloe giggle at the prospect. Now that would be funny.
"Where are you two from"
At this Chloe's eyes contacted with the floor. She left it to her father to answer.
"All over the place"
Good answer she thought.
"They all speak English"
Nah, you just hear English. TARDIS doesn't just travel in time and stuff. It has a telepathic field, gets into your brain and kinda translates." Chloe said.
"…It's inside my brain"
"That's what I just said wasn't it"
"In a good way though Rose"
"Your machine gets inside my head? It gets inside and changes my mind and you didn't even ask"
The Doctor scratched his head, slightly thrown by the answer.
"I never thought of it like that"
"Oh don't be such a worrier. You would be more freaked out if you couldn't understand them"
It was Rose's turn to give her a look.
"You too are to busy thinking up cheap shots about the Deep south. Who are you, then, Doctor, what are you called, what sort of aliens are you two"
"I'm just the Doctor, she's just Chloe. And we're just travellers through space"
"From what planet"
"Like you'd know where it is anyway." Chloe said folding her arms getting slightly annoyed.
"Where are you from"
"Why does it matter?" the Doctor asked. He was slightly ticked off too.
"Tell me who you are"
He stood up from anger. "This is who I am, right here, right now, alright"
Chloe was taken aback by the sudden burst of anger.
"All that counts is here and now, and this is me"
Rose stood up matching him. Chloe was left sat in the middle of the two. Glancing from one to another.
"Yes, and I'm here too, 'cos you brought me here, so tell me"
The Doctor walked off angry down the steps. He walked right up to the window, where he stood still. Not even turning round.
Chloe bit her lip and stood up. She slowly walked towards her father. Once close enough, she slipped her hands into his, giving him a reassuring squeeze. He looked down at his daughter, giving her a smile. Rose began to speak in the background.
"Okay. As my mate says, don't argue with the designated driver"
Chloe watched as the Doctors lips curved at the ends. Smiling more now, but there was still some amount of anger in him. Rose slowly came to stand next to the two.
"I can't even exactly phone for a taxi." She then got her mobile out of her pocket.
"No signal. We're out of range. Just a bit"
This time the Doctor's smile was real. No anger, just happiness. He takes the phone from her.
"Tell you what - with a little bit of jiggery-pokery"
"Is that a technical term, jiggery-pokery?" Rose asked with a large grin.
"Yes, I came first in jiggery-pokery"
"Me too." Chloe gloated. "How about you Rose"
"No, I failed hullabaloo"
The Doctor then gave Rose back her phone.
"You're kidding"
Chloe and the Doctor smiled. Rose began to ring a number
"…Mum? Nothing. You all right though? What day is it? Yeah, look, um. I was just phoning 'cos… I might be late home. No, I'm fine. Top the World. See ya"
And she the call finished. Rose seemed gob smacked. This made Chloe and the Doctor smile even more.
"Think that's amazing, wait till you see the bill," the Doctor joked.
"That was five million years ago. So.. She's dead now. Five billion years later, my mother's dead"
"Bundle of laughs, you are," the Doctor replied.
"Yeah, where do you get them from Dad"
The ship lurched and a weird noise filled the room. The sound of engines.
"That's not suppose to happen." Chloe shook her head at her father. Her father was just about to move when a voice came over the speakers.
"Honoured guests are reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence, thank you"
Chloe and the Doctors ears pricked up. Once glass was all that was needed before both dashed out of the door. Rose was shocked but followed, unsure of what was happening.
Chloe began to talk. "That wasn't"
"I know," replied the Doctor.
"Gravity pockets don't feel like that"
"I know," he said again.
Chloe, the Doctor and Rose ran down the corridor, back to the 'Manchester suite' they thought they could find out more there. The Doctor came to be beside Jabe.
"What do you think Jabe? Listen to the engines, they've pitched up about thirty hertz, is that dodgy"
"Definitely, at least that." Chloe added.
"It's the sound of metal, it doesn't make any sense to me"
Chloe shrugged.
"Where's the engine room," her father asked Jabe"
"I don't know." She took a few paces towards him. Getting more intimate to the Doctor.
"But the maintenance duct is just behind our guest suite, I could show you, your daughter and wife"
"She's not my wife." The Doctor said, once again flirting. Chloe scowled.
"Partner"
"No"
"Concubine"
"Nope"
"Well then who's the mother of your daughter"
"No of your birillian toads!" Chloe shouted, her eyes full of anger.
"Whatever I am, it must be invisible, d'you mind? Tell me what, you two go pollinate, I'll stay with Chloe. We'll go catch up with the family. Quick word with Michael Jackson"
"No way am I leaving him, with her." Chloe scowled.
"I'll take Chloe, don't start a fight with her." He pointed to Cassandra.
The Doctor grabbed Chloe's hand, unaware she was now in rather fowl mood and followed Jabe.
"Earth death in fifteen minutes," the computed voice ringed.
They went down a few corridors until doors slide open, revealing a hallway. Wires hung from the walls, it looked very technical. Chloe rubbed her hands together, getting excited, forgetting that she was angry.
"This is more like it." She said in unison with her father. They exchanged a look and laughed. Together they stepped forward into the hallway.
"Now then, Doctor, that's far enough, you know full well that we're not allowed inside." Her words still rather flirtatious. Chloe scowled. She was ready to turn round and give her a peace of her mind.
"You're the one who brought us here!" He pulled Chloe along.
"Only to look. It specifically says in the guides, guests are supposed to stay inside the luxury quarters"
Chloe huffed, who ever stuck to rules was a boring old Perfiffion tagert.
"We'll where going, see ya." Chloe tried to drag her father along.
"Wait Chloe. Come on." He then turned and spoke to Jabe. "Break a few rules."
"I'm a royal branch of the forest, I have a reputation to maintain"
Chloe was now getting really fumed up. She span around and spat out. "I wouldn't care if you where the President of Timbucktoo, we're going, see ya"
Her father scowled. Pulling her behind him, then turning to Jabe.
"Sorry about her, look I bet your life must get boring, all the more reason to come with us"
"Are you trying to make me a law-breaker"
Chloe went to speak, but her father rapped his hand over her mouth.
"You must've been a sapling once. Blowing in the breeze, sneaking outside the orchard, hanging out with the bad flowers, remember what it was like? Let's have a bit of fun. Or, you can stay here and vegetate. Go on prove Chloe wrong. Come along. What d'you think"
Jabe's lips curled, The Doctor exchanged a smile. Chloe just scowled. He pulled her along and Jabe followed them along the corridor.
It was cramped, so Chloe walked up ahead, the Doctor behind her, and Jabe behind the Doctor. Chloe kept glancing round to make sure nothing was going on behind her. Keeping her eye on the pair.
"Who's in charge of platform one, has it got a captain or what"
"There's just the Steward and the staff. All the rest is controlled by the metal mind," Jabe replied.
"What d'you mean the computer? And who controls that"
"The corporation. They move platform one from one artistic event to another"
"But there's no one from the corporation on board"
"They're not needed. This facility is purely automatic, it's the height of the Aplha Class, nothing can go wrong"
"Unsinkable"
"If you like. The nautical metaphor is appropriate"
"We knew a ship like that," Chloe stated. "I ended up with a nasty cold after. We clung to an iceberg for a week"
The Doctor nodded, then began to laugh.
"You kept sneezing every 15 seconds. You sounded like a Slitheen." Chloe gave him a glare but her kept snorting with laugh.
"Anyway," he said after his laughter calmed down.
"So, if anything goes wrong, if we're in trouble, there's no one to help us"
"I'm afraid not."
Chloe and the Doctor's faces became alight with a grin.
"Fantastic!" The Doctor said.
"Yeah!" Chloe added, she almost danced around the hallway, had it been big enough.
"I don't understand, in what way is that… 'fantastic'?" Jabe asked peering at the two ahead.
"Oh, I'm not one for swanning round with delegates and cocktails. Bit of trouble, just our thing hey Chloe"
"Yep. That's us always looking for trouble"
"And I thought parents discourage their children from looking for trouble"
"Why stop them, they always find it, if your with them, you can make sure they don't get hurt"
"That's a strange attitude"
"I'm a strange man. Tell me, Jabe, what's a tree like you doing in a place like this"
"rSspect for the Earth"
"Oh come on, everyone gathered on this Platform is worth zillions"
"Yeah, not really respect, respect is when people gather, no matter who they are, what species they are, old young, poor rich." Chloe sighed, something on her mind. She felt her fathers hand on her shoulder.
"Well. Perhaps it's a case of having to be seen at the right occasion"
"That's more like it." Chloe stated.
"In case your share prices drop- I know your lot, you've got massive forests, roots all over the place. And there's always money in land"
"All the same, we respect the Earth, as family. So many species evolved from that place, mankind is just one. I'm another. My ancestors were transplanted from the planet down below, I'm a direct descendant of the tropical rainforest"
Chloe let her lips turn into a smile. Earth was beauty, shame it had to die. Oh we'll, plenty more planets in the universe.
"Hold on, stop there Chloe." The Doctor called out. A door stood in front of her. The Doctor came to stand next to her. Acquiring his sonic screw driver from his pocket. He moves it to the panel and begin to work on it.
"And what about your ancestry, Doctor? Perhaps you could tell a story or two"
Chloe froze, she felt her father still next to her.
"Perhaps a man only enjoys trouble, when… there's nothing else left"
Chloe just stared at the fall. She sensed her father doing the same.
"I scanned you two earlier. The metal machine had trouble identifying your specs. It refused to admit your existence. And even when it named you, I wouldn't believe it. But it was right"
Chloe's mind went back to the time. Her body screamed in pain again. The eyes of the ones she loved, she saw their faces. The pain. The faces now dimming, harder to remember, but still clear enough to hurt.
Jabe was moving closer to the Doctor.
"Forgive me for intruding. But it's remarkable that you even exist. I just wanted to say"
A pause, Chloe held her breath, she couldn't breath. It was just as if time was frozen.
"How sorry I am"
The Doctor ducked his head, before turning it ever so slightly towards Chloe, she could just see his teary eyes, he then turned towards Jabe, smiling accepting her sympathy. And then a ping was herd. The father and daughter snapped out of their memories. And the Doctor opened the door. He's his old self again. So was Chloe, her memories gone. Hidden in the back of her mind.
Ahead four identical blades spun. 4 fans spinning over a small walk way. The blades almost scrapping the walk way.
"Is it me or is it a nippy?" the Doctor asked form his position.
He walked over to another control panel.
"Chloe go to that other one. You know what to do"
Chloe nodded and moved to a panel close by. She began to rewire it. Ok so her hands weren't as good as a sonic screw driver, but she knew what to do. She knew how not to get herself fried.
"This is a great bit of air-con'. Sort of nice and old-fashioned. I bet they call it retro. Gotcha. You done Chloe"
"Yep," she replied, pulling out one last wire.
"What the hell is that…?" Chloe asked looking up at a small creature which was scampering over the wall.
"Is it part of the 'retro"
Chloe shook her head.
"Hold on." the Doctor said, pointing his sonic screw driver at it.
Jabe pulled her arm back then whipped her wrist throwing it her hand forward, ling vines sprang out, reaching up 15ft or so whipping the spied creature, which falls into the Doctors hands.
"Hey, Nice liana"
Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Thank you"
"Now then, who's brought the pets on board"
"Wasn't me," Chloe said, putting her hands up in deffence. Then she snatched it from his hand. She admired it for a bit. Taking it all in.
"What does it do?" Jabe asked.
"Sabotage," the Doctor said.
"Earth death in ten minutes , Earth death in ten minutes." The computer announced in it's usual monotone voice.
"And the temperatures about to rocket… come on ." The Doctor grabbed both Jabe and Chloe's hand. They raced back the way they came. Chloe was careful not get caught, or fall over anything. They eventually got out of the maintenance area.
"Earth death in nine minutes, Earth death in nine minutes"
They found themselves outside the stewards corridor. Three of the small stewards where hoping about. Obviously panicked.
"Get everyone out of the way," the Doctor muttered to Chloe. Who then proceeded to shoo the small people back.
"Hurry, come on move." the Doctor was working quickly away at a panel.
"Sun filter rising, sun filter rising," the Computer ringed.
The Doors opened to a destroyed room.
"Was the Steward in there?" Jabe asked.
Chloe looked at her father, who glanced back.
"You can smell him." Her father said, not taking his eyes off her. The small stewards wailed. Chloe patted one on the back, reassuring him that everything would be ok.
"Hold on. There's another sun filter. Programmed to descend." The headed to where it was descending. The Doctor quickly pulling out his sonic screw driver.
"Anyone in there?" Chloe called out, listening up against the door"
"Get me out"
"Oh, man it's here. It has to be you doesn't it"
"Open the door," Rose cried.
"My dads working on it, but he isn't good under stress. So just relax, stop creaming. Be calm"
"How can I be calm? I'm doing to die if the Doctor doesn't stop the sun filter"
"Oh great, that's going to help. Boost his confidence, go on"
"Shush Chloe," her father said.
"Sun filter rising. Sun filter rising"
"Nice going dad"
"Sun filter descending. Sun filter descending"
"What did you do?" Chloe asked.
"I don't know. Oh no, just what we need, the computers getting clever." The Doctor panicked slightly.
"Stop mucking around," Rose screamed from inside the room"
"He's not. The Computers fighting back. Now stop being a stupid ape, and be patient"
"Computer can't fight back"
"Wanna bet"
The Doctor had his teeth gritted together now, working furiously at the panel.
"Sun filter rising. sun filter rising." Her let out a breath and Chloe grinned at him
"The whole thing's jammed, I can' open the door- stay there Rose, don't move"
Then Chloe and the Doctor ran off on there next objective.
"You could get her out couldn't you Dad. Just locked her in so we don't have her in the way." She gave him an evil grin.
"Would I do something like that"
"Yes. Remember when you told me that their where seats in the back room of the TARDIS. What you forgot to tell me was there is no back room of the TARDIS, is their dad"
"We'll, I ment… Forget it, we have to save this place. And anyway I didn't lock her in on purpose. Right next on the agenda"
"Find who was guilty of all that was going on"
"Still got the spider?" he asked Chloe as they walked at a quick pace down the hallway.
"Yep," she pulled it out of her pocket.
He gave her a nod and she opened it up. Fiddling with the wires.
"Clever girl." He rubbed her hair with affection as they entered the Manchester suite.
"How's that possible? Our private rooms are protected by a code wall - moisturise me, moisturise me!"
Cassandra was talking when they came in. They were all deciding what was going on. Jabe seemed to have informed them.
"Summon the Steward!" the Moxx of Balhoon ordered.
"I'm afraid the Steward is dead." Jabe said.
The Staff children begin to wail again. Chloe glanced over at them, she found them really cute. Maybe she could keep one.
"Oh, shut them up, someone!" Chloe glared at Cassandra. How could she be so heartless. We'll if you looked at her, you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a place for it to go.
"Who killed him!" the Moxx asked.
"The whole event was sponsored by the face of Boe, he invited us. Talk to the face, talk to the face." Cassandra ordered.
The Doctor took this moment to speak up.
"Easy way offending out. Someone brought their little pet on board. Let's send it back to master. Chloe?"
"Done!" She said placing the creature on the ground. It scuttled forward, it glanced around at the people, then made it way to the adherents of the repeated meme. Chloe folded hr arms.
"The Adherents of the Repeated Meme! J'accuse"
"Nut uh!" Chloe said. Her father grinned at her.
"A repeated meme is just an idea, and that's al they are, an idea -" Her father walked forward and pulled the arm off one of them.
"Remote control droids, nice little cover for the real trouble maker"
The Doctor nudged the spider with his shoe.
"Go on, Jimbo. Go home." This time it scuttled over to Cassandra. Chloe grinned in success,
"I bet you were the school swot and never got kissed"
Cassandra scowled.
"Wanna bet. Look I have a kid to prove the women were all over me"
Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"At arms." She shouted at the surgeons moved forward, armed with their moisturising sticks.
"What you gonna do, moisturise us?" Chloe giggled at her fathers comment.
"With acid. You're too late anyway, my spiders have control of the mainframe. Ohh, you all carried them as gifts, at-free past every code well, 'm not just a pretty face"
"We'll if your such a pretty face, why destroy the platform, while your-still-init!" Chloe pointed out.
"I'd hoped to manufacture a hostage situation. With myself as one of the victims, the compensation would have been enormous"
"Five billions years, and it still comes down to money"
"Humans!" Chloe and her father stated together.
"D'you two think it's that cheap, looking like this? I'm the last Human, Doctor…me, not that freaky little lady you brought with you. Flatness costs a fortune, I need a complete skin transplant. I'm growing clones in my cellar, they're just waiting to be peeled"
"Arrest her! The infidel!" The Moxx shouted. But it was in vain. She had control now.
"Oh shut it, pixie, I've still got my final option"
"Earth death in three minutes, earthiest in three minutes"
"And here it comes. You're just as useful dead, all of you. I've got shares in rival companies, they'll triple in price as soon as you're gone. My spiders are primed and ready to destroy the safety systems. How does that Old song go? Burn bay, burn"
"So we're having pork crackling then, when you get roasted with us." Chloe stated.
"We'll yes except… Ohh I'm sorry, I know the use of teleportation is strictly forbidden but"
Cassandra and the two surgeons glow with a blue light.
"I'm such a naughty thing. Spiders activate. Force-fields gone, with the planet about to explode. At least it'll be quick. Just like my fifth husband. Oh shame on me. Bye-bye darlings. Bye-bye." And with that she disappeared.
"Heat levels rising. Heat levels rising"
"Reset the computer!" the Moxx of Balhoon shouted, rather agitated.
"Only the Steward would know how "
"No, no, no," Chloe shouted. " We can do out by hand. Some sort of system restore switch. Right dad"
"Good girl, Jabe come with us. Rest of you…. Uh?" He looked at Chloe.
"…Chill," she said with a grin.
They headed back to the small narrow hallway with the walls lined with wires. They where heading back to the room they had been
"Earth death in two minutes."
"Come on hurry," the Doctor screamed.
"I'm hurrying, but my legs are shorter than yours remember. And we have a walking plank with us. Not exactly formula 1"
"Chloe!" He warned.
"Warning! Platform One Unsafe. Warning! Platform One unsafe"
As they reached the door again, the doors opened easily. No need for a sonic screw driver this time. As they walked in, there was a shocking difference. The fans where spinning much faster. They where going for pelt.
"Oh, and guess where the switch is?" The Doctor said, his voice full of sarcasm.
At the end stood the switch.
"Exterior breach. Exterior breach"
"Why does it always say things twice. It's not a parrot. We get it the first time." Chloe shouted up to the ceiling as if the computer was listening.
The Doctor repaired of a panel on the wall. He then struggled to hold down the lever. The fans began to slow a little just a small bit. HE steps forward and the lever sprang up. The blade begin to spin faster agin. Jabe then stepped forward and held the lever down.
"You can't, the heat's going to vent through this place"
"I know," said Jabe. Chloe stared in awe at what she was doing. Chloe knew she wasn't strong enough to hold down the lever. All 3 of them knew it. Jabe was the only one who could do it.
"Jabe. You're made of wood"
"Then stop wasting time. Time Lord"
All 3 smiled. A mutual trust between them. An almost silent thank you.
"Safety systems failing, safety systems failing."
"Chloe wait here"
She shook her head. If he was going so was she.
"Fine! " He didn't have time to argue.
He took off his jacket and walked up to the first spinning blade. Chloe joined him. They both stared up at the tall fan. Watching waiting. They knew when to go. When the other would go. They knew each other to well.
And they stepped. They're through. They made it. They both let out a sigh and advanced to the next blade. Chloe could hear the noises around her. It was definitely getting hotter. The heat was almost unbearable. But she concentrated hard and took the next step. Once again they made it.
The third one, no time to spare. A single step and they where through. The Doctor looked back. Chloe turned to looking at where he was. Jabe was beginning to smoke. The crackle of burning wood. She was struggling to hold the lever. Then they heard a dying cry escape her lips. She was burning away, but they where to far now. They couldn't get back. Jabe collapses, her body dying. He body now ash.
Chloe turned to her father. She can see the fear In his face. Something she didn't see very often.
"wait here. It's to dangerous." The fan up ahead was spinning impossible fast. She could barely believe her father could do it. She bit her lip and stood back. He nodded at her. He went to take a step forward but then leapt back. The fan almost tearing into his arm. She can see him now very frightened, so she took his hand and walked forward.
"Earth death imminent. Planet explodes in ten, nine eight…" Chloe closed her eyes, connecting with her father on a subconscious lever. And she listen, together they listened. "Severn, six, five-" his hand tightens on hers. Concentrating so hard, "Four" Only the noise of the blades, nothing else not the computer, not anything just the blades. Both completely in control, and together they step, through the blades onto the other side. They open their eyes and their eyes connect. A small smile on both faces. Then they run forward to the control panel. Her father grabbed the massive lever, Chloe helped pull it down and it slams down with a satisfactory thud!
"Raise shields!" the Doctor ordered.
""Three, two, one. Exoglass repair. Exoglass repair"
Then fans had returned to their normal speed. The Doctor placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
"Thank you," he said. She knows what for, and so no more words and used. The conversation ended. They stepped back through the blades with ease. They reached the door again to see the smoke rising from the ash of Jabe. They stood for a moment, almost a tribute to her. No spoken words, just thoughts. Then the headed back down the wiry corridor again. The place becoming very familiar after the amount of times they've been down it.
They head back to the Manchester suite calmly. They didn't speak the whole way, both collecting their thoughts. When they reached the room. Chloe had noticed the Doctor becoming more and more agitated from the maintenance area. His anger running through his body. Chloe felt a similar way.
Chloe followed as the Doctor headed for the two remaining trees.
"I'm so sorry," he says. The Trees stare at him. Unsure of what he is saying.
"Jabe died saving this platform. I," he looked at Chloe, " we ow her our lives." Chloe reached out a hand and held one of the trees hands. She felt the rough surface. But through that hard out shell. Lay something with so much life. Something emotion, the ability to love and care. The Doctor did the same. And then they walked to Rose.
"…Alright?" Rose asked. Worried about the pair.
"We will be." She gave the Doctor a look. And that was all that was needed.
"Oh, I'm full of ideas. Bristling with 'em? Idea number one: teleportation through five thousand degrees needs sne sort of feed." He walked over to the two gifts Cassandra had left.
"Idea number two." Chloe said. "This feed must be hidden nearby." And she watched as he picks up the ostrich egg, and smashes it with ease in his hand. A metal device inside.
"Idea number 3," his turn to speak. "If you're as clever as me, then teleportation Feed can be reversed"
And with that he flicked something on the metal device. Cassandra reappeared.
"Ohh, you should have seen their little alien faces, all helpless and bleating and…" She said mid-sentence.
Then she realised where she was.
"Oh"
"The Last Human," the Doctor stated.
"So. You passed my little test," she said, rather scared and unsure of what to do.
"Bravo! This makes you eligible to join, um, the Human Club"
"People have died, Cassandra. You murdered them." The Doctors face was full of anger.
"It depends on your definition of people. And that's enough of a technicality to keep your lawyers dizzy for centuries. Take me to court then. Doctor, witness the effects of beauty upon the legal system. Oh, I will dazzle them! Charm the sternest jury. Seduce the stiffest Judge. You stand in court and watch me smile and cry and flutter"
Chloe stood still, but then she herd some. "An creak?" she said.
"And what"
"I think you'll find she said creak. You're creaking.
"What"
Chloe could hear the creaking of Cassandra's skin as it dries. It's stretching to much for it to control.
"I'm drying out! Oh sweet heavens, moisturise me, moisturise me! Where are my surgeons, my lovely boys. It's too hot"
"You put the heaters on!" Chloe stated, moving to stand next to her father. Both had their arms folded watching as she stretched, getting thinner and thinner.
"Stretch marks are so not nice." Chloe added.
"Oh dear God, have pity! Moisturise me! I'm too dry oh Doctor - I'll do anything, I'm sorry"
Rose stepped along side the pair.
"Help her," she begged slightly, feeling pity for the peace of skin.
"Everything has its time," the Doctor started,
"Everything dies," Chloe finished.
"I'm too young," Cassandra screamed. "I'm too young"
Cassandra screamed and wailed as she stretched beyond what she should. Her skin snaps and tears. It flings off around the room .Chloe winced as the flesh covered the walls.
The Doctor and Chloe just moved away, leaving Rose slightly horrified.
"Shuttles four and six departing. This unit now closing down for maintenance. Closing down"
The Doctor and Chloe walked quietly down the hallway.
"Dad"
"Yes."
"Do you think, we should have let her died"
"You said it yourself. Everything dies"
"But do we have a right to choose when"
"No, but she changed herself. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have died. And 4000 is a good age"
Chloe shrugged and carried on.
"Where's Rose?" Chloe asked.
"I think I know where she'll be." They walked back into the Manchester suite after the short chat. Rose stood glancing out the window at the mains of the Earth. Rock floating around, backlit by the expanding sun. They walk forward to join Rose. All standing still, until Rose decided to break the silence. Her mind crying out to speak. For someone to know her feelings.
"The end of the Earth. It's gone. And we were to busy saving ourselves. No one saw it go. All these years, all that history, and no one was looking. It's just"
She paused, not sure on how to finish. The Doctor just put out his hand.
"Come with me"
And she takes his hand. The Doctor taking Chloe's as the walk back to the TARDIS. He opened the doors and let Rose step inside. Before he close the door just as Chloe was about to step inside.
"Hey!" she protested.
"Give it to me"
"Give you what?" she asked innocently.
"In your pocket"
She sighed and slowly revealed one of the spider. It was totally disabled.
"It's jimbo, I was gonna rewire him and keep him"
The Doctor sighed.
"Fine, but if he causes any damage, your grounded for 8 years"
"Yes dad"
"Good, now lets get going." He patted her on the shoulder and headed inside. Rose just stood at the edge of the main room. Self hugging herself. Comforting herself. The Doctor and Chloe worked hard. Chloe knew where they were going, so did the Doctor. Rose needed this. Almost reassurance that everything was Ok.
Once they stopped, the Doctor gestured to the door. Rose looked at him, unsure. But he nodded and she took slow tentative steps towards it. When she opened it she was amazed to see the crowds. The normal hustle and bustle of London. It's 2005, an ordinary day on Earth.
Chloe followed as her father left the TARDIS. They came to stand next to.
"You think it's going to last forever, people and cars and concrete. But it's won't. One day, it's gone. Even the sky"
Chloe almost sensed what was next. What the Doctor had to say next. She squeezed his hand.
"Our planets gone. It's dead. It burnt like the Earth, it's just rocks and dust. Before it's time"
"What happened?" Rose asked in a soft voice. Chloe felt the same feelings seep through her body. But letting Rose know what happened almost felt like a relief. Almost letting something out.
"There was a War. And we lost"
"A war with who"
But this time the Doctor couldn't answer. Chloe couldn't even. To painful to remember. Better to forget. To live here and now.
"What about your people"
"We're Time Lords. We're the last of the Time Lords. They're all gone. There's just us"
"Just us." Chloe repeated. The words almost untrue.
"We're the only survivors, so we're left travelling on our own, 'cos there's no nothing else. "
"There's me"
"you've seen how dangerous it is. D'you want to go home"
Both the Doctor and Chloe looked at her with serious eyes. She could go, be safe in her little life. Or she could leave with him again.
"I Don't know. I want"
She stopped for a moment looking around.
"Can you smell chips"
"yes." the Doctor said with a slight laugh.
"What are chips?" Chloe asked intrigued., she looked up at her father for an answer
"You don't know what chips are?" Rose asked in a over the top shock.
"We're going to have to change that. I want chips"
"Me too." the Doctor said.
"Right! Before you get me back in that box, chips it is, and you can pay"
"Like he carries earth money with him"
"What sort of date is he? Come on tightwad. Chips are on me"
Chloe giggled. She was looking forward to experiencing these 'chips.
"We've only got five billions years till the shops close"
Rose said. And they headed off for chips!
An: At last I have finished another chapter. I'm going to rather out of ten how hard they are to write. I'd give this one a seven. I got writers block a bit. I know I have the story to base it on, but sometimes I'm not sure what to do with the character. But I love Chloe she's so fun to write for. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed chapter 2. And do you know what would make me really really, really, really, really x a billion. Reviews :D Because I like to here what you think. Makes me do a little dance, and write more, quicker, 'cos I tell you what my fingers get sore from writing so much. They aren't sort as you can see. Anyway thank you for readying. Hope you enjoyed it. Now I randomly have an idea for a chapter so I better go and write it before it goes.
