Chapter 2
The Doctor looked at Clara and back at the clerk "I just, I just want to talk. That's all, I mean you no harm."
The taller man with the long black hair stepped into the dim candle light "And why would some outsider want to know about Karta?" the man stepped closer to the Doctor "Some poacher, some thief. Did the tales of the great treasure trickle down the grape vine to your ears, while you were sucking on some poison at a dirty bar in the waste?" the man's face was riddled with anger and hatred "Or are you some curious explorer, interested in legends and nightmares that await you on Karta! Which are you Doctor!"
The Doctor straightened his posture, staring the half blind man in the face "I suppose there's nothing wrong with a little curiosity." He looked around the room his face twisted disgust "Like why for instance are there three life supporting planets in this solar system but only two have booming populations. When just 300 hundred years ago the great planet of Karta was teeming with life and now it has been reduced to nothing but a hep of ash! Tell me, I'm just dieing to now, because it seems that all the citizens have forgotten the history of Karta!" the Doctor's eyes were cold and serious as he stared down the taller man standing next to the clerk
The store owner sighed "That is enough," he made a waving motion with his hands for the guard holding Clara to release her "I suppose there is no stopping curiosity." The expression on his face showed the great sadness in his heart "Archer, show them to the back."
Archer scowled "But Henri!" but the expression on the store owner's face showed that he would not budge.
Clara and the Doctor followed closely behind Archer.
The Doctor looked over to Clara "You alright?" he said with the greatest concern
She nodded "Yeah," the two walked behind Archer until they reached an archway leading them into a make shift underground space port.
The space port was teeming with scruffy looking people and aliens of all different types. The creatures were unloading and loading unmarked boxes and cargo containers. Some of the residents had guns, others just personal items in bags and sacks. The place was thick with smug and steam clouds and the floors were wet from the constant dropping from the surface. Archer, followed by Henri, the Doctor, and Clara were led to a single stone stairwell. The stone stairwell looked very old and was built into the surrounding wall. They continue to ascend the imbedded stairwell until they reached a wooden door. Which Archer opened with great displeasure.
"Enter," the half blind man grunted, holding out his hand to hold the door.
The Doctor and Clara entered the room. It looked like it could have been someone's room at some point. There was a tinge of nostalgia coming off the walls and if you looked close enough you might have spotted a faded finger painting or two. Now, however the small room was filled with papers and scrolls. The back walls were lined with mounds of books and artifacts. In front of the books was a large chest that served as a desk and five wooden chairs around it. The clerk took his seat behind the chest desk and waved for the Doctor and his friend to have a seat as well. Archer stood in the back eying the couple with his one good eye.
"I'm so sorry about my actions before," the clerk slumped into his lightly cushioned chair "But as of late, there has been a resurgence of the Karta legend. And while usually I am more selective of whom I tell it's story too, I have found that it is-" he paused glancing at a picture of his family he kept on his desk "More easyier to let the persons asking find out themselves." there was no emotion behind his gaze.
The Doctor leaned in closer, resting his arms on his thighs "Please, Henri, tell me the story."
There was a sense of sincerity behind his brown eyes that made Henri feel for a second that perhaps this one was different. Henri sighed staring off into the corner at Archer, who returned his gaze. However Henri knew that know matter how he felt that this would be nothing new, a couple of explores interested in the stories behind Karta and Mary showing up and asking questions. Only to die in the firey hell that is now overtaking the planet. Henri didn't want any more part in it.
Archer sensed his discomfort and took at seat next to the wary shop owner.
Henri spoke "First let me start off by asking again." he paused "Why are you so interested in the story behind Mary, behind Karta?"
The Doctor stared right into the man's eyes "Because a child's cries must never go unanswered into the night."
The expression on Archer's and Henri's face were compassionate. Archer relaxed back into his wooden chair "You sound like my sister," he actually smiled "She wants so greatly to go to Karta and take our planet back. She's a smart girl, but her dreams are far beyond her reach."
"Hmp" a tall thin, lavender skinned woman appeared at the door "Is that what you think of my dreams brother." she laughed, kicking herself off of the door frame
"Zoei, it's nice to see you." Henri smiled "How's your mother?"
"Ok I guess," the woman dressed in a short off white dress and off white pants walked over to the desk
Archer sighed
Zoei looked over at the Doctor and his companion "Who are the stiffs?"
The Doctor turned to her "Oy, we're hardly 'stiffs'"
Zoei laughed "With that bow-tie, right!"
Clara laughed, while the Doctor pouted muttered something about how bow-ties were cool.
Henri cleared his throat "Zoei, this is the Doctor and Miss Clara. They are interested in traveling to Karta."
Silence fell in the room as Zoei stared at the two of them "You don't say." she squinted her eyes "And what do a bunch of outsiders know about Karta."
"They know about Mary." Henri face went cold again
Zoei scoffed "Probably of bunch of poachers then!"
Archer looked at his sister "They're interested in saving the child."
Zoei slammed her hands on the desk "Help that monster! Not a chance, he can burn with the rest of the scum traveling to Karta! Listen Doctor, travel to Karta or not, but you try and get in my way of taking my planet back I wont hesitate putting two bullets in your head!" she stormed out of the room
Henri shook his head "Are you sure you're alright with letting your only remaining sibling parish in the horrors of Karta?" he addressed Archer
"There was never any hope for Densi," Archer shook his head "And I can't stop Zoei from making the same mistake." The room remained silent for several minutes
The Doctor clapped his hands together in an attempt to break the silence "Lets not bring down the mood shall we, Henri, Archer, where do we board?" the two men stared blankly at the Doctor for a minute.
On the take off platform workers were busy loading the intra-planet ship for departure. It looks like there was going to be a small crew. The Doctor and Clara watched the the crew members converse and load things on board. He looked at each and every one of their faces, paying special attention to the lavender woman shouting orders at every one.
Clara stared blankly off into the distance before bringing her focus back on the Doctor next to her "You do know what you're getting yourself into?"
He clenched his jaw "Nope," he looked at Clara with the same wild look of excitement that he had every time they were about to do something stupid.
Clara nodded feeling the excitement built inside her, raising the tiny hairs on her neck "So business as usual?" she smiled
The Doctor laughed, "Business as usual!"
The two laughed, unaware of the dangers yet to come.