Why hello there! Thank you for your reviews! They make the sun shine and they encourage me to update more too. Here's chapter 7. I hope you enjoy. And please tell me what you think!


Captain Coledartur sent the guard of pirates to level 4. Clara followed the flow until she could pull herself away and into an empty corridor. She pulled out the data-pack/monitor and sonic screwdriver and tried to pin point Jack. She found him running towards the mass crowd of pirates. Thinking on her feet Clara accessed the intercom and quickly spoke into the Sonic.

"Jack, level 2 corridor fifty-one, quick!"

She watched as Jack on the screen stopped and looked around with a confused expression. "Clara? Is that you?"

"Of course it is me, you are about to run into a bunch of pirates! Use the vortex manipulator, level 2 corridor fifty-one."

"Short hops are complicated."

"I don't care, I know where the Doctor has gone, get up here, quick!"

Jack gave an irritated growl as he finally listened to Clara. He slammed into the floor right behind Clara, making her turn around with a little gasp. Jack jumped to his feet and drew his pistol and pointed it at Clara. Clara only pointed to the Sonic and Jack lowered his gun.

"You make a very convincing pirate."

"That one is an insult."

"Sorry. How did you know where I was and how to contact me through the coms?"

Clara held up her tools of data-pack, monitor and the Sonic, "This stuff is super easy to hack."

"You did say that you were from the 21st century."

"I did, but a lot has happened since I met the Doctor."

"Speaking of which did you find anything out?"

"Yes lots, some alien called a Delchimsa and then a really long word that starts with an R, I can't pronounce it took him. Sold him to the pirates for fifty-million credits. She said something about a show and passed these out."

Clara dug out of her pocket the translucent card and held it up to Jack. He took it and closed his eyes with a defeated sigh.

"What's wrong, I know where they're going to be! That's good news right?"

"Yes, but the bad news is that he's been taken by Nightmare and that's very bad."

"What's Nightmare?"

Jack's eyes widened and grabbed her arm and then Clara knew why. The pounding feet of the dreaded badger pirates. "Who else heard your transmission, I wonder?"

"Probably the whole level, let's teleport to this 'Nightmare' ship and get the Doctor. They left less than ten minutes ago, they gotta be close."

Jack gave her a look. "It isn't going to be that easy, they're probably out of pirate space and in the Teinfanox galaxy by now. I can't track them with just this. We've got to think things through."

"And be sensible?"

"Yes."

"Being sensible has delayed us from helping the Doctor already. That girl, the Delchimsa, she hurt him and she enjoyed it, did it for fun. We got to get him out now."

"I'm the only one who could survive the rescue mission you're imagining. And when I did survive, I'd end up a prisoner as well. Trust me I know these people."

"You do?"

"It has been a long time for me, but yes. They are not your regular bad guys. We've got to come up with a plan."

"Planning time is running out," Clara realized as pirates suddenly came into view, surrounding them.

"Hang on!" Jack screamed.

He grabbed Clara and he activated the vortex manipulator just as the pirates fired. The green light of the lasers stopped an inch before reaching them. Then it stretched and grew and swirled over their heads. The light blurred and turned to a golden color and the pirates and corridor melted away. Wind whipped around them as if they were inside a tornado, everything spun and Clara's hair flew into her eyes. Darkness suddenly replaced the light and finally Clara relaxed. Too tired to hold onto Jack anymore.

She moaned as she finally opened her eyes. She was lying sideways on top of something. She pushed herself up and heard Jack groan. Clara blushed and quickly clambered away from him. She realized they were in a alley way as she used the brick wall to get to her feet. She looked up into the black sky littered with twinkly stars and an orange-yellow planet that loomed above. She could see space ships zooming over head. When she turned around she saw a massive city that climbed into the sky like a mountain. The spirals and buildings were speckled with lights and she could hear music playing. She looked back at Jack whom had finally made it to his feet with another growl of pain.

"Where are we?"

"Ragelsii, on Leyavaleth the fourth planet in the Teinfanox system. One month from the next showing." Jack held up the translucent card.

"One month?!" Clara shouted.

"Clara you need to listen to me and trust me. This is Nightmare we are talking about, not to mention the Lady Rlach'rnahnss'atin of Delchimsa herself."

"But what does that mean?"

"How do you expect to explain the Delchimsa to a simple 21st century human? Okay listen, we can't just break into the ship and grab him. We need to wait for the right moment and in a month they'll have a live viewing...like how do you explain in simple terms...a petting zoo. Yeah, the petting zoo is coming to town. They'll only let a select few in. So we need to establish ourselves as fanatics, go through the fan application process, so we can get it and save the Doctor."

"And that is going to take us a month to do?"

"Usually it takes a year, but like I said, I know these people and I have connections, we can get it done in a month."

"Okay, so what do we do first?"

"First we need to find a residency. Which means we'll need some money."

"And how are we going to do that?"

"Well lucky us, I know some people who owe me money."

Jack led Clara through the winding alley ways and streets of Ragelsii until he finally settled in a bar. They sat down in a dark corner.

"Keep your helmet on, you should be left alone for the most part and hang onto this." Jack gave her the wrist strap. "If I'm not back in an hour go back to the hub, you'll be safe there."

"Wait, I thought we were going to get money from some guy who owes you."

"Not some guy, more complicated than that."

"If you disappear on me, then you leave me to find the Doctor on my own."

"You're suggesting that you come with me."

"Yes."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'm not going to risk your life."

Clara rolled her eyes, not that Jack could see passed the helmet, "My life is already at risk. It was the moment I decided to get up this morning. I'm not leaving you."

"If you get hurt-"

"I got myself this far and I figured out where the Doctor is going to be. Stop worrying about me and lets get this done!"

Jack glared at her. "You stubborn-"

"And bossy, don't forget the bossy."

"What are you?"

"I'm a teacher, lets go get the Doctor. Or whatever it is that we have to do to get him."

"Right, follow me."

Jack and Clara once more wandered the streets. As Jack weaved through the crowds of aliens he spoke to Clara, "This sort of move is bound to get violent. And you should know, if it is a life or death moment, don't try to save me."

"What?"

"Just promise me you won't get in the way."

"If you die, then I'm on my own."

"Not for long." Before Clara could ask they climbed into a sort of lift.

"Now these guys don't like humans much. And they won't be happy to see me. But they're a coward so if they see you they might be willing to pay up without too much violence."

"So it is good that I came along."

"I don't know how well it'll go. I know that I'd be able to wrangle out the ten grand on my own...eventually. But it shouldn't hurt too much to strong arm 'em out of it. So keep your helmet on. Pirates are pretty common around here and are rather feared, believe it or not. They're like the police, no, the mafia of this part of the galaxy. You should act bored and disinterested. Like this little petty

deal is an inconvenience. Dave and Jo will assume that I promised you part of the pay.

"Dave and Jo?"

"Nicknames, easier to remember, you'll see."

The lift came to an halt and Jack led Clara to a dark and dirty corridor, on the right the view showed more of the city that spiraled downwards. Jack stopped a door that had 69 carved in the center. Clara hung back, letting her arms hang at her sides. The door opened to an humanoid alien. It was tall and a little bit bulky with two arms, two legs, tanned skin and two heads. It had two necks that nearly touched, sitting side by side. The alien, or aliens? Were in the midst of an argument. One head seemed slightly more feminine with a slightly smaller and rounded face. 'She' wore heaving make up and bright red lipstick. Her eyes were white and seemed to glow a little and her long purple hair

was braided. Some of the braids were pulled up into a bun. The other head seemed slightly more masculine was lounger and more angular. 'He' had golden eyes with the same glowing effect as the first head. He did not where make up but his face was covered with piercings and he had short spiky neon green hair with pink tips.

"I said we are staying in tonight!" the purple haired head said.

"And I agreed, I want to see what happens next too, but it is totally acceptable to open the door."

"But we might miss the next part, I have to see what happens to Ravana!"

"We won't miss the next part, we have twenty minutes before part five starts, plenty enough time to open the door."

"This better not take-," both heads immediately stopped and looked. "Quick, close the door!" the purple haired one yelled.

"Jack!" the other one practically shouted, he slapped Jack on the shoulder with the left hand. The right hand, on the side of the purple haired head, gripped the door frame, making it nearly impossible for them to move forward. "My favorite human, how's it been? Last I saw you, you were being hauled away by Hart, drunk senseless. We always wondered if you'd survived that night. I know he had plans for you."

"Davsophnossianaohtii," the other head whispered. The green haired one turned to look at the purple haired one. His expression was wide eyed and he shrugged with the arm he controlled. The purple haired one nodded towards Clara. He turned to look at Jack and then back at the purple haired one.

"What?"

"Your friend Jack has brought along a pirate."

"Aaaaw Jaaack, ruin all of the fun," the green haired head moaned.

"Now, now Dave, this is Claroen, she won't bite, as long as you're nice."

Clara folded her arms and 'Dave' gulped.

"Hey, Jo, this guy treating you right?"

"It's Josavinidsianeophatii to you!" Jo, the purple haired one spat.

"Hey no need for rudeness. You haven't even invited us in. Can you believe this?" Jack looked over to Clara and she sighed loudly. Both 'Jo and Dave' looked nervous. They glanced at each other and then finally slowly backed through the door.

"Come on in," Dave replied, his voice wavering.

Jack nodded to Clara and they both entered the 42nd Ragelsii flat. Clara was disappointed to see that it looked like any other flat. The lighting was dark and there was a blank section of wall that projected a series of advertisements.

"Have a seat, would like eitta, or a vroshnr?"

"No, I'm not giving you the chance to spike our drinks," Jack told Dave as Jack sat down. Clara stood by the closed door, giving that active somewhat threatening appearance.

"So, what can we-"

"You," Jo spat.

"What can I do for you?" Dave very quickly amended.

"Well, surely you remember. You owe me some money."

"Oh Jack, can't you come back later?"

"'Fraid not."

"Why now? You know I don't get paid until next week."

"I need it now."

"You're a time agent, they pay well, why can't you just let it go."

The glare Jack gave to Dave sent him into a stammer.

"We'll give you whatever you want, can't you just shut up for an hour, please," Jo suddenly begged.

"What? Why?"

"Nightmare of course! We're on part five, Ravana. She's been corned by the Shadow Proclamation and is awaiting public execution. I think she'll survive, but who knows, this is Nightmare after all?"

Jo swapped her attention from Jack to the project, it was running a recap. Jo held a controller in her hand and her finger twitched to up the volume. Jack glanced over at Clara, then back at Jo.

"Fine get a chair for Claroen, I'm sure she won't mind one episode. But you better pay up as soon as this is over."

"Deal!" Both Jo and Dave said at once. They quickly stood up and gestured to a padded chair in the corner. Clara slowly walked over and sat down. Dave and Jo jumped back to the couch and upped the volume.

~"You are sentenced to death by acid, any last words before your timely execution?" a tall pale skin woman asked Ravana, an humanoid alien that seemed to be female. She had a spiked fringe that seemed to defy gravity and the rest of its hair hung down to its knees.

"This is a mistake!" Ravana shouted. She stood at the edge of a plank surrounded by boiling yellow liquid. "It wasn't me I didn't possess anyone."

"Your statement will have no effect to your sentence, goodbye Ravana of the Astretheniatoent."

"No!" Ravana shouted as she was shoved forward.~

"Nooooo!" screamed Jo.

~Ravana fell into the acid and tried to keep to the top of the pool, despite her skin quickly melting. Suddenly lasers and a light show showered onto the proclamation and they ran for cover.

"Ravana!" screamed a mans voice and he reached into the acid and pulled Ravana out. He ignored his own wounds the acid created on his arms and hands and lifted Ravana out. He quickly gathered her in his arms and yelled into a communication device, "Get us out of here!" and they disappeared into a blue light.~

Clara sat quietly, watching the projection. She didn't know what to make of it. She did suppose that if she was watching this on the telly at home it would be rather interesting. She might have enjoyed it. But Jo had mentioned Nightmare and that was where the Doctor was. Clara glanced at Jack, to try and gauge his expression; to see what he thought of it all. Jack only gave an half interested attention to the projection. Unlike Jo, whom was fixated. Dave seemed more relaxed, but gave nervous glances towards Clara every now and then. The show was rather easy to make sense of. Ravana was the main character and in love with Rohhier. She took the blame for his actions against the shadow proclamation. Rohhier saved her at the last moment and was begging a doctor to save her.

~"She is an Astretheniatoent. To save her would be a crime worse than death," the doctor told Rohhier.

"I am in charge here, you will save her!" Rohhier commanded.~

Clara glanced at Jo when she began to mutter. The screen went dark and then blurred as they were seeing from Ravana's point of view.

~It's okay," Rohhier told her soothingly from her bedside.

Ravana gasped as her eyesight cleared. She looked down at her body and half of it was replaced in metal.

"No! Rohhier, what have you done?" her voice was wrong and synthesized.

"I saved you," Rohhier told her as he kissed her robotic hand.

"How am I supposed to get to Shambala now? Cyborgs aren't allowed, you know that, I told you that!"

"You don't have to worry about Shamabala, you can stay with me."~

Clara turned to Jo as she suddenly began to sob, "Irreversible, completely irreversible. How could they, how dare they? And how could they not?"

~I trusted you!" Ravana screamed as she began pulling wires and bits from her body. She began convulsing after one too many vital wires were ripped free. Rohhier called for help.

"You should have let me die," Ravana whispered before the drugs took her under.

"How could I let you go?" Rohhier asked her as he stroked her cheek.

The next scene consisted of Rohhier trying to make it up to Ravana. By the end of it he gave up and locked her in a room with a straitjacket on so she couldn't damage herself any further. After struggling and failing, Ravana gave up and laid herself down onto the floor.

She cried out, "Ast, Reth, En! Forgive me! I didn't mean for this to happen, I didn't choose this! Please, let me come home!"

She closed her eyes and the screen went black. Slowly light crept in bringing a stone hall into view. Seated on three high stone thrones sat three creatures that resembled a dragon, phoenix and a sphinx. Ravana bowed before them.

"Ast, Reth, En," Ravana whispered their names in respect.

The Dragon's head lifted up to reveal an humanoid shaped mouth on its throat, "Give my name."

Ravana lifted her head and spoke, "Ast."

The Phoenix also lifted its head to reveal a humanoid mouth on the throat and spoke, "Give me my name."

"Reth," Ravana answered.

Finally the Spinx spoke with her natural mouth, "And mine."

"En," Ravana answered.

"You have denied," spoke Ast.

"Yourself. Given over to," continued Reth.

"An alien," completed En.

The three creatures, Ast, Reth and En continued to speak in this strange break up of words.

"Of poor quality," said Ast.

"He ruined you and," said Reth

"Tricked you," said En

"For his faults," said Ast

"You took his blame," said Reth.

"Your sacrifice," said En

"Is wasted. Your," said Ast

"Trust is misplaced and," said Reth

"Your home," said En.

"Is lost. The," said Ast.

"Key is gone. How," said Reth.

"Can our," said En.

"Daughter return to," said Ast.

"To us? But to," said Reth.

"Remove your," said En.

"Sins and you," said Ast.

"May enter our hall," said Reth.

"As our," said En.

"Daughter. To enter this," said Ast

"Sacred place, filthy as," said Reth.

"As you," said En.

"Are now will," said Ast.

"End in your death," said Reth.

"Goodbye, Daughter," completed En.

The hall faded and cut to Ravana lying on the floor. She snapped her eyes open. The screen darkened with a white text.

TO BE CONTINUED...~

"Noooo!" Jo cried again, she gasped, "She can't undo it she'll die!"

"But if she managed to undo it she would go to Shambala," argued Dave.

"And the show would end! You can't record the experiences of the disembodied consciousness of Ravana Astretheniatoent returning to the Astrethen!"

"I can't but maybe Nightmare can." Dave suggested.

"Alright, Jo, Dave. Show's over, ten grand...now!"

Clara took that as her cue to stand up and look though she really just wanted to sleep. Jo/Dave stood up and started rummaging around the flat. They delivered eight-thousand and five-hundred to Jack.

"Where's the rest of it?"

"I'll get it to you next week."

"No, that's no good for me."

Clara stepped forward and Jo/Dave paled to a sickly green.

"We don't have it now, please give us a chance."

"Don't make me use the pirate," Jack warned.

"Wait!" Jo cried. Her hand pulled out a data-pack from under the couch and handed it to Jack.

"What's this?"

"Its a FNAP. I'm Club leader for Flnogiotr this side of Ragelsii. That pack is worth a thousand credits, at least. I'm sure a man of your expertise could get it easily up to three grand! And next week we'll get you the fifteen-hundred credits. I swear."

"Really, you think this is worth three-thousand credits?"

"As club leader I get them for eight-hundred." Jo half shrugged.

"Alright, fine." Jack took the data-pack and then smiled, "Good seeing you Dave, Jo. And who knows maybe Ravana will like being a cyborg."

"As if! You get out of here!" Jo giggled. Clara relaxed as the tension broke apart.

"Later!" Jack said with a sincere smile. He turned to Clara and nodded, they let themselves out.

As soon as they were out and headed back down the lift, Clara turned to Jack and asked, "So eight thousand credits is enough to get us started, right?"

"Oh Clara, my dear Clara, it is much better than that."

"How?"

Jack fished the FNAP data-pack and showed it to Clara, "Do you know what this is?"

"The FNAP thingy that Jo gave you."

"Do you know what FNAP stands for?"

"No."

"Fans Nightmare Application Pack. It is what we need to establish our membership."

"So we can get in to get the Doctor."

"Exactly."

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That they were fans of Nightmare?"

"I told you I have connections."

"Yeah, but earlier you were worried that you might die. I would have been less worried about you if I had known what Dave and Jo were like."

"There was always the chance of Felice being in, He's Dave's boyfriend and very overprotective over both of them. He'd put up a fight."

"Right so we've got money."

"Yep."

"And the applications."

"Yep."

"Now what do we do?"

"Now we pose as a married couple who want are desperate to be writers for Nightmare."

"Married couple?"