I had some very good nice feedback from you guys so thank you. Obviously it's 'hopefully' going to get better due to the episode finally kicking in. So here's chapter 2.
"I've sent a distress signal," Driver Joe assures, pressing some more buttons. "They should dispatch a rescue truck, top speed."
"How long until they get here?" River asks, leaning her elbow on the driver's seat, the last thing she wants is to be stuck on a ship for hours on end.
"About an hour," the man replies with a sigh. The Doctor turned quite bored, now that there's nothing much to discuss, so he thinks of an idiotic, crazy idea.
"Well, since we're waiting, should we take a look outside? Can't resist resist-y things," he stated smiling at the two pilots, who looks back at him with a 'you're totally insane' type face. River rolls her eyes,
"You can't be serious," said cautiously, placing her hand on her hip.
"Ah," he exclaims, jumping driver Joe, he turns round to point at River. "I'd thought you would have learnt by now River," he accuses while smiling at her, "Rule twenty seven and four hundred and eight." Is all he says, bopping her in the nose with his finger. He looks back at driver Joe, who seems completely baffled by this psychotic man.
"Lift the screen a bit." The Doctor suggests to him. Joe looks at Claude for help; looking at him pleadingly.
"It's one hundred per cent extonic out there. We'd be vaporised," Joe panics, debating with the Doctor.
"You can't be serious. It'd be stupidly dangerous to open them," he adds on with false laughs. River rolls her eyes, 'he just had to say that didn't he?' She thought to herself.
"Stupidly dangerous is my middle name," he replies back with high enthusiasm. "Anyway, never knowingly be serious, right River," he turns to look at her, but she just rolls her eyes again. He turns back to driver Joe,
"Anyway, those windows are Finitoglass. They'll give you a couple of minutes. C'mon," he says shaking their chairs,
"Live the excitement!" he says with a smirk. Driver Joe just laughs hoarsely, and nods his head- a sign of defeat and nervously presses down a button. The metal around the window slides up, revealing a blinding light. The view was tremendous. Crystals, the size of skyscrapers towering the ship, making them feel belittled and unsecure in their tiny little whimsy ship.
"It's beautiful," River comments, looking at the scenery with awe, the Doctor takes hold of her hand, squeezing it slightly. Pilot Joe's jaw was dropped and Claude's eyes were open to the maximum, obviously neither of them had seen amazing sceneries before.
"Look at all those diamonds, poisoned by the sun, no one can ever touch them," he informs with astonishment, his voice falters when he says he can't touch them, they were so stunning, they would hypnotise anybody.
"Joe, you said we took a detour," The Doctor mutters, still looking through the window. Joe doesn't even bother to turn around to look at him, he is also hypnotised by this beauty.
"Just about forty clicks to the west," he assures with a chuckle.
"Is that a recognised path?" River asks worriedly, knowing why the Doctor's face faltered. Joe shakes his head,
"No, it's a new one. The computer worked it out on automatic," he replies with a sly grin. River looks away from the view; somehow it unnerves her, like she's being watched. She hears the Doctor behind her,
"So we're the first," he acknowledges with an impressed tone, clapping his hands together in delight. He turns to look at River with a smile, but then realises she isn't looking and is sitting down against the wall. He moves down towards her, an etched look on his face.
"River?" He says her name worryingly, stroking her arm for comfort. She looks at him, a set expression on her face.
"It's nothing," she claims, shaking her head nervously. "I just feel a bit sick." He looks at her up and down; she does look a little pale, but nothing that he would have observed on without her say. He nods his head.
"Did you just…" Claude yells unexpectedly, shock appearing on his face, while he points at the window. The Doctor rushes over to him, looking in the direction of his arms, alerted.
"What is it?" The Doctor asks urgently, his eyes dilate.
"No, sorry. It was nothing," Claude replies, yet his eyes say different.
"What did you see?" He questions, begging for an answer. After all, this is new territory, what's to say they didn't walk in on somebody's land.
"Just there, that ridge. Like a shadow, just for a second." He explains, Joe just hits him playfully.
"Diamonds are just messing with you pal." The Doctor doesn't even take into consideration that Joe just spoke, still alerted by Claude's uneasy 'discovery'.
"What sort of shadow?" He asks, trying as hard as he can to seek out his sighting. Then the alarms go off, rapidly making a high pitched noise. River rises to her feet, still keeping I contact away from the window.
"Extonic rising. Sheild down." Joe confirms, pressing a big blue button. Just before the shield slides all the way down, Claude jumps,
"Look, look, there it is! There it is!" He yells desperately, his face terrified. The Doctor looks up at the window again, searching.
"Where!" Then the shield closes again. The Doctor sighs with frustration, slamming his fist on the soft chair.
"What was it?" He asks again, the agitation of not seeing or knowing trying him crazy.
"Just something shifting, something sort of dark, like it was running," and that's all that needs being said. His hearts starts to beat faster and he begins to breathe just that tiny bit quicker.
"The question is 'where is it running to'," River whispers, her voice a little crackly, she was obviously nervous to. Normally the Doctor wouldn't find it so threatening, somebody seeing a shadow, but it's the shadows that scare the Doctor the most, he could confront thousands of Daleks and feel fine, confident almost, but when it's a shadow…Then he's in trouble. After all, the Vashtra Nerada, a swarm that hides in shadows, was the cause of River's death. Yet River is one of the strongest people he knows. Then the Doctor really gets nervous when Claude answers River's question.
"T-Toward us!" He exclaims, grabbing onto the arms of the chairs tightly.
"Right, Doctor, Doctor River Song. Back to your seats," Joe commands them, pointing the way out. "And, uh, not a word. Rescue's on its way. If you could close the door, thank you." He turns around slowly, still gazing at the closed window, and grabs River's hand, she obliges and walks them into the main room again. As soon as they enter the room Skye, the blonde woman who sat at the front, confronts them with questions.
"What did they say? Did they tell you? What is it? What's wrong?" The Doctor steps back a little, personal space abit too cramped for his liking.
"Ah, nothing to worry about, I promise, scouts honour," He replies back with a smile, making the scouts movement.
"Scouts? What do you mean? Is that code?" She questions, her voice trembling. The Doctor giggles, then realises the situation.
"No, no it's not code. Well, I don't think it is anyway. They're just stabilising, happens all the time," he lies, trying to keep her under control. She shakes her head,
"I don't need this. I'm on schedule. This is completely unnecessary," she complains, not liking this news. River places an arm on her,
"Don't worry, we'll be back-"
"Don't give me that rubbish," she remarks back coldly, moving her arm away from her hand. The air hostess comes running in,
"Back to your seats. Thank you." She states, pushing their back to their seats. Skye sighs grumpily and vigorously walks back to her seat at the front. The Doctor and River to the same. As soon as they sit down Dee Dee puts her head round his chair,
"Excuse me, Doctor," she greets him politely, tapping him in his arm, he turns around to look at her.
"They're micropetrol engines, aren't they?" She informs him with information he already knows. Mr Hobbes breakes in again,
"Now, don't bother the man." River looks in between the crack of hers and the Doctor chair, giving him a deathly look, he soon looks down.
"My father was a mechanic," Dee Dee points out confidently. "Micropetrol doesn't stabilise. What does stabilise mean?" River can see the passenger's heads now turning into their direction, obviously wanted to keep informed also.
"Well it's all a bit of shenangagins really," she says making Dee Dee furrow her eyebrows. "Don't worry they're sorting it out. Mr Hobbes rises from his chair slowly looking at the Doctor to,
"So it's not the engine then?" He asks suspiciously.
He turns around on his chair even more, making sure to look at his face while his talking.
"Just a little pause, that's all."
"How much air have we got?" Hobbes says a little too loudly, making people stare.
"Professor, it's fine." He says again more firmly this time.
"What did he say?" Val speaks loudly from the other end of the ship.
"Nothing," he declared.
"Are we running out of air?" She beings to panic. Mr Hobbes turns to look at her,
"I was just speculating."
"Fat lot of good that did," River whispers loud enough for him to hear. The air hostess returns from the control room,
"Is that right, miss?" Jeff asks, "Are we running out of air?"
"Is that what the captain said?" Val asks quickly. The woman raises her hands,
"If you could all just remain calm.."
"How much air have we got!" She demands to be answered, her temper rising. Jethro rises from his chair and looks at him mom,
"Mum, just stop it," he orders. While the air hostess begins to reassure them everything is fine.
"It doesn't look like it," Jeff snaps.
"He said it!" Yells the woman looking at Professor Hobbes. The air hostess doing all she can to prevent panic, but they were all shouting now. Everyone just lashing out at one and other: Dee Dee and Hobbes shouting at Jeff and Val and Jethro shouting at his parents to calm down, while Skye demands to know what's happening to the air hostess. The Doctor rises from his chair, his index finger in the air. Telling everyone to shush, but they're not taking any notice; they're still bawling and shouting across the ship, very uncivilised. That's when River has enough, she knows nobody will listen to the Doctor, he even said it himself, 'I just have one of those faces nobody listens to'. So she grabs her bag from under her chair and searches for a specific object. Once she retrieves the object she points it into the air and pulls it. Bang! Everyone goes silent, The Doctor automatically turning round to look at her, his hands touching his head. 'No, it's okay, I wasn't wearing a hat.' He thinks quickly. Then he smiles,
"River!" He exclaims through a laugh. "Was that a party popper!"
"Well, I don't think using my gun would be very civilised, unless you prefer-"
"No, no, no, no, no, no." He shrieks, stopping her hand from reaching her utility belt, she just winks at him. He claps his hands, hoping nobody just witnessed that little.. Incident..
"Now, if you care to listen to my good friend Dee Dee…" He speaks to everyone, nodding his head to Dee Dee.
"Oh, um," she mumbles, it obvious she doesn't like being put on the spot, she pushes her glasses up her nose.
"It's just that, well, the air's on a circular filter, so we could stay breathing for ten years." She informs the whole group.
"There you go," River spoke, looking at them all reassuringly.
"And I've spoken to the captain. I can guarantee you, everything's fine." The Doctor promises. Pound! A sound is made at the back of the ship, like a hard solid just hit the outside of the ship; everybody stares, totally freaked out.
"What was that?" Val whispers to everyone.
"It must be the metal. We're cooling down. It's just settling." Mr Hobbes informs her, thinking his Mr-know-it-all.
"Rocks. Could be rocks falling," Dee Dee dictates. Everyone seems to act normal again, except River and The Doctor, who carry on looking at the back off the ship.
"What I want to know is how long do we have to sit here?" Jeff complains out loud. Pound, pound! The exact same noise was heard again, this time closer to Jethro, he jumps out of his skin.
"What is that?" Skye asks panicking.
"There's someone out there." Val declares, holding onto her husband's hand.
"Don't be ridiculous," Hobbes croaks, looking at the pair.
"Like I said it could be rocks," Dee Dee interrupted. River shook her head, moving past her chair so as she was still in the middle.
"As much as I wish it were rocks Dee Dee, that noise most definitely wasn't the sound of rock falling, I trained to be an archaeologist, if anyone knows about rocks it's me." River states, she didn't want the group to be positive on false hope, may aswell tell them the truth.
"And besides, we're out in the open. Nothing could fall against the sides," the air hostess explains, the Doctor was shocked, even the air hostess was begging to freak out. Pound, pound! The noise echoed through the machine again, half the group gasps, moving that inches further away from the noise.
"Knock, knock." The Doctor mutters, looking at the walls.
"Who's there?" Jethro finish's off, smiling like an idiot. There was eerie silence, nobody dear speaks.
"Is there something out there? Well, anyone?" Skye asked everyone, expecting an answer. Pound, Pound! The noise has moved to the other side of the ship.
"What the hell is making that noise?" She yells very scared.
"I'm sorry, but the light out there is extonic. That means it would destroy any living thing in a split second," Mr Hobbes enunciates. "It is impossible for someone to be outside." The Doctor walks in the middle, moving closer to River, they both look around the ship. Pound, pound! The noise has moved once again, and is increasing in volume.
"Fine then, Mr Hobbes, tell me, what is making that noise?" River questions him; she doesn't even have to turn around to know he was speechless. Pound! This time the Doctor runs towards the sound and takes out his sonic screwdriver.
"Sir, you really should get back to your seat." The air hostess warns him, not wanting to go over to him in the slightest. River walks over to him,
"Doctor," but he doesn't reply, instead he gets out a stethoscope to hear what's outside properly.
"Hello," he greets whatever-it-is-outside. Pound, pound! The sound is further down the ship again, coming from the fire exit at the rear.
"It's moving," Jethro states the obvious. River walks slowly toward the door, the Doctor right behind her. The door rattles, loud noises coming from the door.
"It's trying the door," Val yells pointing to the door. Mr Hobbes leans over his chair,
"There is no 'it'. There's nothing out there. Can't be," he argues, denying the reality. The door makes noises again, only this time there a lot more louder, the sounds, clanging and banging, like someone it trying to get in. Bang, bang! Everybody jumps, the banging coming from the ceiling.. There was a pause, a very long pause, everyone just staring at the ceiling as if waiting for something to happen. Pound, pound! The noise reaches the main door, Val gasps loudly, moving away from the door, dragging her husband with her.
"That's the entrance. Can it get in?" She asks desperately, her hands shaking with horror. Dee Dee shakes her head,
"no. That door's on two hundred weight hydronics." Dee Dee informs calmly.
"Stop it. Don't encourage them," Mr Hobbes accuses her with an angry face. She turns to him,
"Well, what do you think it is?" She replies sharply. Biff walks over to the door, placing his hands on it
"Biff, don't!" Val warns him. The Doctor takes a step towards him,
"Mr Kane, better not." The Doctor agrees with Val, he doesn't pay attention.
"Nah, it's cast iron, that door." He acknowledges still standing with he hands on it; he bangs it three times, as if to show evidence to how strong it is. Pound, pound, pound! The sound copying Biff's. Everyone stands back, Skye raises her hands to her mouth, and Dee Dee falls back into her chair.
"Three times! Did you hear that? It did it three times!" Val shrieks, stuttering and shaking all over the place.
"All right, all right, everyone calm down." The Doctor speaks, moving toward the door and facing them all.
"Yeah, but it answered. It answered." Skye barks, herself shaking also. "Don't tell me that thing's not alive. It answered him." Pound, pound, pound! The noise echoes again. The Doctor turns around looking at the door.
"I really must insist you get back to your seats!" The air hostess orders, yet again. Skye turns around to look at her, her glare deathly,
"No, don't just stand there telling us the rules!" She yells at her, her anger raging through. "You're the hostess! You're supposed to do something!" River walks into the middle of them both.
"Just shut up! You're not making this any easier by shouting at one and other," River bellows, looking at the two women disgustingly.
"Thank you River," The Doctor thanks her, while banging on the door. He knocks four times. There was silence again, the silence creeps the Doctor and River out the most, in all honesty. Pound, pound, pound, pound! The sound replayed back to them.
"What the hell's making that noise?" Skye asks again. Really you'd think that everyone knew everything.
"She said she's get me. Stop it! Make it stop! Make it stop!" She shrieks, covering her head with her hands. The air hostess runs to the phone.
"Don't just stand there looking at me. It's not my fault, He started it with.." Skye accuses, talking very fast,
"Calm down!" Dee Dee yells at the woman, but she doesn't listen, she keeps rambling, talking very fast, as if she were about to have a fit.
"-He made it worse!" Then Val clenches her fists,
"Why wouldn't you leave it alone? Stop staring at me!" She carries on talking. The Doctor walks in the middle of them all Skye on one end and everyone else the other end.
"The rescues coming!" Somebody shouts.
"It was his fault!" Skye shouts, flailing her arms about.
"Calm down!" Dee Dee yells again at the woman. The pounding starts on the ceiling again, everybody looks up. Skye backs up, the sound following her, increases it's pace and volume.
"It's coming for me," she acknowledges, her back now against the wall. "Oh, it's coming for me. It's coming for me!" The banging still heading toward her.
"Ahhh! AHHH! AHHHHHH!" She screams in horror, turning into a ball on the floor. River leaps forward towards her,
"River!" The Doctor yells after her, holding her back, she struggles against him, but he's stronger than he looks.
"Get out of there!" River and The Doctor both yell in unison. The wall dents inwards, the lights go off and the whole ship rumbles, making everyone topple over, losing their balance. Electricity sparks flying everywhere. They move back and forth across the ship, the ships tipping over by something on the outside. The lights finally go off properly, leaving them in complete darkness. The ship stops moving. Everybody groans, slowly getting up from their rumpled positions. Biff and Val hug each other, making sure they're both alright. The Doctor moves over to River, who was thrown against the food trolley, she hit down with a big force. She doesn't seem to be moving, he lifts her, placing her on one of the chairs. He sonics her and looks at the results, he sighs. Jethro runs over to her aswell, he looks at the Doctor.
"Will she be alright?" He asks urgently, a hand on her knee, the Doctor nods.
"Yeah, she'll be up in any minute…. Oh, oh," he sighs, River started flickering her eyes, getting used to the dark room. She moves her head, groining because of the pain.
"You'll be fine," he smiles up at her, kissing her on the forehead. He stands up to look at everyone else.
"Is everyone alright?" He questions, everybody nods, everybody but one person.