Chapter 2: Pit Stop
"Aaaand Cardiff," flicking a switch and peering at the monitor, the Doctor added, "2010."
He turned to Martha and grinned. "Top off the old girl then we're off, what d'ya fancy next? There's a star going super nova in the Plixan galaxy oooor," he spun around and began to enter coordinates, "I know! Ceritenax VI! Best ice cream in the universe. Weeell I say best in the universe but it might be more accurate to say best in the –"His mouth snapped shut as the TARDIS began rocking wildly, the lights flickering in counterpoint to the ship's gyrations.
The Doctor raced around the console and began making adjustments, ignoring Martha's shrieks as she careened around the room. The Doctor banged on the console and tweaked several dials, muttering "What? That's not supposed to happen!"
"What's going on?" Martha stumbled to his side, jerking on his arm when he didn't immediately reply. "Doctor! What is wrong?"
Frowning, he shook her off and continued to dance around the console talking to himself. "What is it old girl? Can't be the vortex stabilizers, they aren't engaged – maybe the subsequence manipulators? Had to bypass the spatial recognition manifold a few weeks ago to fix the problem with the zone calibration circuit but that shouldn't have … Oh! Ha!" He slammed his hand down on the intake modulator. "That should do it –"the TARDIS ceased rocking as the control room went dark and the engine's hum faltered in its steady rhythm. "Ooor maybe not …"
"Doctor?" Martha queried. "Wha, what happened?"
He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck. "No idee –"
His mouth fell open as golden light erupted from the far side of the console and sparks began to fall from the ceiling. He averted his gaze, shouting for Martha to do the same.
"What? Why? What's that –"Martha grunted as the Doctor jerked her to the floor. "Don't argue! Just keep your eyes closed!"
They huddled by the jump seat as the blinding light pulsed to a haunting melody the Doctor had only heard the TARDIS sing once before. He shivered and tried to force his memories of Rose and Satellite Five from his mind instead focusing his thoughts on what was causing his TARDIS to react in such an extraordinary manner.
Could be something alien coming through the rift? Perhaps a clog in the –
His thoughts trailed off as the TARDIS quieted and the light diminished, leaving the control room bathed in the greenish hue of the time rotor. He tugged Martha to her feet then whipped out his glasses and peered at the monitor. He made several adjustments to various regulators to no avail.
Tapping his sonic screwdriver against his teeth he peered at the console and queried the TARDIS for answers. The silence from her was even more worrying than the previous pyrotechnics. "What is your problem, hmmm? Bad energy from the rift? Nah, that's preposter—"
"DOCTOR!"
"Not now Martha. This doesn't make any sense, why aren't you talking to me old girl? Your power cells are a bit low and one of your converter couplings has come loose but that shouldn't render you speechless—"
"Doctor! Come over here—"
"Martha Jones! There is nothing that can possibly be more important than—"
"Doctor there's a woman passed out on the floor!"
"Except that!"
