Author's Note: Okay so finals week is over, I've moved back home for the summer, I am in the midst of changing majors from architectural engineering to something completely different. Different major, different school, and no time to actually research very much at all. Soooooo fun. Since I'm changing majors, I had to turn in the computer I was using because it was part of a scholarship I received for said major. Until I fork up the money for a new one, (which I plan on doing as soon as possible,) I'm stuck using my old one I got seven years ago and haven't opened in two years. (It's still running Windows XP to give you an idea of what I'm working with.) Updates will likely be slow until I get a new laptop, but I'll try to maintain a schedule as much as possible. Once I have a proper laptop, I'll try to update at least weekly. Thank you so much for putting up with me.
As a side note that I should have put in chapter one, this story takes place mid-season 4, before the events of 'Silence in the Library'. I am pretty much taking what has happened up until that point and then spinning off into my own little AU. Now onto the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who. In fact I hardly own any merchandise, yet… Yet.
Chapter Two: Lussonia
On a cliff overlooking the glinting city of Tsunowa, a blue box materialized with a wheezing groan. The doors were thrown open nearly as quickly as they solidified, a man in pinstripes standing proudly in the entrance.
"Lussonia! A desolate wasteland, but rich in ore and minerals! We're here approximately… oh… 4,546 years after colonization. Down there is the sparkling capital city of Tsunowa. No, really, it sparkles! Each and every building is nothing more than metal crafted from locally mined ore and glass blown from the very crag we're standing on! The Lussonians are amongst the most technologically innovative and scientifically progressive peoples in the universe! Despite the lack of food and renewable resources, the sheer quantity of ore and chemical components found on this planet has allowed a really quite impressive scientific industry to flourish," the Doctor nattered on.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it, Spaceman," his ginger companion said, nudging the Time Lord out of the doorway so she could take in whatever it was he was going on about.
"… So?" the Doctor urged after a moment of silence.
Donna Noble rolled her eyes towards him with all the sass she could muster. "Really? You couldn't have parked us any closer?"
Her pilot let out a booming laugh at the cheek and set off at a brisk stroll towards the road leading into Tsunowa. With yet another eye roll, the ginger woman quickly followed, being sure to smack the alien on the arm.
"So one of the more fascinating things about Lussonia, well, not that all of the things about this planet aren't fascinating, I mean, it's completely dependent on outside intervention, yet totally immune to trade and legal regulations of the supplier planets and governments. Imagine that, Donna! A planet brimming with the smartest, most inventive members of dozens of species, just given free rein to build, experiment, and research as much as they wish! Beautiful! The possibilities are endless!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it, Martian boy. It's a nerd-fest."
"Oh, you have no appreciation for the shear brilliance of this place. The real festival should be starting here soon, though!" the Time Lord rambled on excitedly.
The pair had hitched a ride with a driver transporting quarried ore into the capital and were presently meandering about what passed as downtown, judging by the number of people milling about. Donna was allowing the constant babble as it let her have the opportunity to take in their surroundings at a much more leisurely pace. Just as she had seen from the TARDIS, Tsunowa was pretty much entirely built of some sort of glass and highly polished metal. Transport within the city was apparently provided by several series of moving platforms high above the heads of the pedestrians below. While the population was indeed diverse, Donna noted a fairly significant majority of the residents were humanoid with a bluish hue to their skin. Their heads were elongated and strongly reminded her of the Zora from the old Zelda games her old colleague Tyler used to play at work when she was sure no one was looking. Temping allowed plenty of opportunity to people watch.
"They're native home was Mondas*, if I remember correctly. 'Course, their ancestral cousins were reason enough to flee the planet. I can't say I blame them…" he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. Some 5,200 years later, they had evolved into what they are now. As they were the first to land with the intent to colonize Lussonia, they are credited by having adopted the name as their own," the Doctor told her, noticing Donna's staring. "Their skin reacts to different chemicals by changing color on contact. Think of it as a more informative, universal litmus test. Very convenient when experimenting with new substances. As a bonus—see the metallic claws at the tips of their fingers?—the locals apply those at birth to aid in more precise workmanship." Donna nodded in understanding.
They walked along a little further, turning down a quieter alley, before the Doctor lunged forward, yanking a poster off a nearby wall. "Lookie here! The 2,394th annual Festival of Scientific Discovery and Innovation. Oh these are amazing! Every scientific and research-based society, company, organization, and independent dabbler attends these fairs. Everyone who is anyone in the scientific community provides an exhibit at the festival to display their discoveries, innovations, or current projects. What a place," he trailed off with a pleased smile.
Donna snatched the flyer from the giddy Time Lord. "Well," she started, gesturing at the page, "you actually managed to land us somewhere on time. It starts in seven days according to this."
A passerby tapped the ginger on the shoulder. "Actually, miss, those were posted five days ago," the Lussonian interjected. "The festival starts in two days. Where have you been not to notice?" he muttered, moving on down the street.
"Weeeell that's even better then!" the Doctor spouted cheerily. "Now, my dear Donna, what a perfect place to perform nefarious deeds! While there are restrictions in the name of social wellbeing and general regulations against harmful tests, they are much easier to find a loophole in here than elsewhere. Whoever is causing whatever it was that alerted the TARDIS could be using the festival as an excuse to execute their plans in the name of science! Clever, very clever…" he murmured, stroking his jaw. "Now!" he rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Time to gather some information, don't you think?"
"Information? Are you not here for the festival?" a soft, youthful voice called out from behind the pair.
Turning, Donna and the Doctor saw a young Lussonian silhouetted in the entry of the alleyway. In his small, clawed hands was a leash connected to some kind of six-legged creature that Donna could only guess was the local version of a dog. The beast seemed to glow faintly with an aqua light from the patches of skin not covered by slithering lines of short black fur. Its blue-violet eyes lacked any kind of pupil, and seemed to stare blankly at the time travelers with an intensity that put the redhead on edge.
"Is that a Quaniki? Oh, she's gorgeous!" the Doctor exclaimed, stepping forward to get a closer look at the dog-thing. He halted at the growl which spewed forth, sounding for all the world like vibrating church bells. "Ah, right, Quaniki are fiercely protective and territorial of their owners, especially the much larger females. Sorry about that."
"She is called Kora, strange man, and I am her friend, not owner. Who are you, who knows so much about this new being?" the child asked with suspicion.
Donna stepped forward as the Doctor opened his mouth. "Sorry about him. My name is Donna and he's the Doctor. What's your name?" she enquired, offering her hand.
Something in the boy's dark eyes flickered as he touched her skin lightly with a single finger. "Donna… you are so very far from home… So sure of your own unimportance, yet so entwined with what is to come…" Kora's eyes flashed a deep gold for just a moment, Donna was unsure if she had imagined it, and nudged the boy's outstretched arm. Shaking his head, he pulled back. "Sorry, that was rude of me. My name is Tarinoccaopthulmu, but you, Donna and the Doctor, may call me Tarin. Are you here for the festival?"
The Doctor eyed the boy with curious eyes, shooting his companion a pointed look. "Yes… I suppose we are." He resumed his usual cheery tone. "So, Tarin, have you noticed anything out of the usual these past few days?"
Tarin turned his gaze to the man in pinstripes. "No, not in the past few days." Turning on his heel, Tarin left the alley, trailed closely by Kora.
"Hey! Hold on a minute!" Donna made to follow the pair, but was stopped by the Doctor's hand on her elbow. "What? You're just going to let them leave? You can't be serious."
"Let them go, Donna. He gave more information than you realize," the Doctor said, contemplation clear on his face. "Let's go." Together, the pair strode out of the alleyway and down the street. After nearly ten minutes of walking, the Time Lord finally answered his friend's pointed glances. "Tarin is a true rarity amongst the Lussonians. They are a species bound by logic, practicality, and scientific truths. However, historically speaking, about .2% of the race are less ruled by the truths of scientific and mathematical certainty and are born with the ability to know beyond what can be proven. Call it the 'sight' for simplicity's sake. Now, naturally, just as on your planet, those who claim the ability to see the future or just 'know' things are ridiculed and shunned as crazy. Such a practice is also prevalent here. From birth, those who reveal this disposition are trained to suppress and control that part of them at all costs. For Tarin to openly speak without any hesitation at his age, he is either severely uneducated, or his 'sight' is extremely strong. As I'm sure you've gathered, it is clearly not the first case."
"But, why did you let him go then, if he was so important?"
"Simple," the Doctor blurted, stopping in front of the door to a smaller building. He winked. "I didn't." Knocking thrice, the metal door opened to reveal the object of their conversation. "Hello again, Tarin."
"What do you want?" the boy asked resignedly.
"To amend my earlier question. Have you noticed anything out of the usual in the past few months?"
Tarin gave a small, knowing smirk and stepped out of the entranceway. "Come on in, then."
"Sir?"
"Yes, Ferrin. What news have you of our latest project?"
"W-well, Sir," Ferrin stuttered, "the patient actually lost consciousness. It seems the increase in the experiments' intensities caused an adverse reaction in the subject. Still, though, their regenerative systems are preforming at the usual accelerated rates."
"I see," he trailed off, clearly displeased.
"Oh! But that is not all, Sir! Aside from the loss of consciousness, there was another development," Ferrin blurted out, hoping to please his superior. "When the Keepers approached the patient to return it to its room, a glowing, yellow projection of a quadrupedal beast was released from the patient's chest cavity. The beast began circling the patient as if it were protecting it. I t-thought it best to recall the Keepers and keep all personnel away from the patient until we can determine what that thing is and what it may do."
His superior sat back in the plush chair behind the desk that separated them. "I see…" He trailed off contemplatively. "Well, Ferrin," he tented his fingers on the desktop, "the festival is in two days. This is a start, but is far from enough. Remember, progress is top priority, Ferrin. You would do well to remember that." Standing, he spoke again. "That will be all for today, Ferrin. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir."
Author's Note: Again, please review to let me know how I did and if I kept your interest. As I stated earlier, I will try to keep to some sort of a schedule to have consistent updates. As always, let me know what you think and feel free to give me opinions and ideas for how I can improve either the story or the characterization. Thank you!
Carmen
*Bonus points to anyone who can tell me the significance of this planet
