Surveillance. Teams. Holding. Position.
Awaiting. Orders.
"Send them in, secure the area."
The Doctor seemed, for once, to be without an answer, which was very unusual for him. He talked eighteen to the dozen most days, so this sudden silence was not only funny for Rose but a bit worrying.
"It's alright not to know something, you know," as soon as the words were out of her mouth she knew they were a mistake. The Doctor gave a look of astonishment and through his arms up in despair.
"Haven't I taught you anything, Rose Tyler? Most of the fun that comes out of these adventures is the not knowing what the hells goings on."
"OK. But you still haven't answered my question."
"I know," the Doctor ran a hand through his hair making it stand on end and Rose had this sudden urge to flatten it.
"What we gonna do then?"
"Well, we could always go for a walk, see if we can find the Reeds."
"Or whatever did that," Rose muttered under her breath, indicating the gouges, as she set off after the Doctor at what was definitely not a walk, more like a full blown sprint.
No. Errors. In. Backup. Circuitry.
"Then what's wrong with it?"
No…
"I imagine if the computer knew that it would have told you already."
Another voice had joined the others. Where as the computer's voice had been without emotion and the one who had given he computer its orders was crackly, oily and old, no more than a whisper, this voice was clear, sharp and confident. The voice of a man who knew that he was in charge and would remain in charge.
"I'm sorry, sir," the whisper consoled. "There are two humanoids on the surface. One is a human called Rose Tyler and the other is an unknown male. With no information on his species, name or birth."
"Show him to me." A picture of the Doctor appeared on the screen. There was a moment of silence and then the sharp voice spoke again. "How did they arrive?" The computer beat the other to it and a picture of the Tardis appeared on screen. Another moment of silence, longer than the last one.
"Is something wrong, sir? Do you know that man and his ship?"
"I did, but I don't any more."
"Then if I may ask, sir, who is he?"
"He… is the Doctor!"
