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Uploading a bit early this time. We're nearing the end of the story I'm afraid. I thank you all so much for reading. I hope you enjoy the new chapter.
Italics = telepathy
Rose looked around herself and realized that they weren't standing in the lab at Torchwood anymore. Instead she and the Doctor were surrounded by sterile, white walls and closed doors. The ground also felt rather strange beneath her feet, as though they were moving.
"We on the ship?" she whispered.
The Doctor was standing slightly to her left and he nodded and put his finger to his lips telling her to quiet down. They both as one removed the disks and placed them in their pockets before taking each other's hands and walking down the long corridor. The Doctor attempted to open a few doors along the way but everything was locked.
"Remind me Rose that my next project once we get back is to start on a new sonic," he said after another failed door attempt.
"I'll personally find the supplies myself if I have to," she said back after trying a door herself.
The Doctor looked at her and smiled, giving her hand an extra hard squeeze before coming to another door. This one was surprisingly unlocked. The Doctor poked his head inside before motioning for Rose to follow him within. There weren't any lights on, but there was definitely the sound of people breathing.
"Is there a switch in here somewhere?" the Doctor asked.
Just as those words were uttered a light from above did in fact switch on. Rose gasped as the Doctor moved forward. Lying out on tables throughout the room were women. All of them had their eyes closed as though in deep slumber with wires connecting them to monitors that were watching their brainwaves. When the Doctor placed a hand upon one of their faces, they didn't so much as twitch a muscle.
"It's all right Rose, you can come closer. I don't think they'll hurt you."
"What's wrong with them?" Rose asked while walking forward.
"Well, without a proper tool to examine them with, I'd have to say some sort of coma perhaps?"
You would be correct Doctor, a voice to the far left said.
The Doctor and Rose turned to see a young girl, no older than ten and dressed like the other Epitheca L't people standing beside one of the sleeping women.
"And who are you?" the Doctor asked kindly.
Maura, she said, also kindly.
"That's a pretty name. Are your parents nearby?" he asked.
Yes, my father is just next door and I should warn you that I don't think they'll take kindly to your woman, Maura said pointing to Rose.
"Me?" Rose asked after a moment of shock.
The Doctor thought about it for a moment before looking to Maura again. "Do the women of your society have very many rights Maura?"
Oh yes of course! We are the life bringers; there is no greater honor.
The Doctor nodded to her and turned to Rose, bringing her slightly far away to speak in private.
"Backwards society much?" Rose asked shrewdly.
"Well not everyone can be as socially advanced as Earth," the Doctor said with a shrug.
Rose gave him a shove before he realized what he said and continued.
"Be that as it may, I think it's obvious what happened to our captured women. The question remains how we convince them to not only let them free but their own women as well. No one should have to live like this."
Rose looked at Maura and the girl stared back at her. "Are you allowed to be here?" Rose asked.
Maura looked ashamed and shook her head. I snuck out of lessons. Please don't tell anyone. They could have me exiled.
"What, at such a young age?" the Doctor asked.
Before she could answer, the door began to swing open and everyone hid as quickly as they could behind the tables. A man walked into the room, gave it a quick look over and left again.
"Rose, we'd better-" the Doctor said but got no further as the door opened again and two of the male guards were there with rather sharp, spear-like weapons in their hands.
"This not the loo?" the Doctor asked, sticking his thumb out behind him.
He quickly grabbed Rose's hand and made a run for it. Rose trailed slightly behind him before finally catching her bearings and catching up. Shortly afterwards though they were stopped by something that Rose would call an invisible wall. Their attempt in reverse resulted in the same conclusion.
"Damn," the Doctor murmured.
Many of the Epitheca L't men converged on them and the Doctor, while sighing in defeat, put his hands into his pockets and held onto his jumper device. Rose already held onto hers, more out of fear than anything else.
You two are to be brought to the Highest Power to face judgment, one said.
The Doctor let go of the jumper. "Judgment you say? Never really been a big fan of the 'big stuff.' A quiet conversation maybe asking why you've got your women in comas and placed our own people under said coma as well might be a time better spent, eh?"
The invisible walls were lowered and the Doctor and Rose walked forwards.
"Excellent, I've still got it" the Doctor said to Rose in a self-congratulatory manner.
When they arrived in the room of the Highest Power, both Rose and the Doctor were shocked to discover that this great leader was in fact a woman herself. She sat upon a throne and looked to the two travelers impassively.
You will avert your gazes, one of the head guards said and immediately Rose and the Doctor looked to the ground.
"Hang on a mo," the Doctor said looking to the Lady sitting on a throne-like gold seat, "no offense but why are you allowed to be here while others like yourself are placed into a never ending sleep-cycle? Seems sort of hypocritical of you."
No one said a word for several moments afterward. The Doctor looked around, slightly nervously before looking back to the Highest Power with his eyebrows raised simply waiting for an answer.
It has been the tradition of our people dating back many millennia to be placed far within the deepest reaches our minds; a sort of dream-like state if you will. They are the source of our power running this vessel. We are the most psychically aware of our species and in our younger years until we reach mothering age we voluntarily go under. We are then awakened for a time and then brought under again.
Rose began to shake her head right away. "No, but that still doesn't explain what you did to our women."
Your women? the Lady asked, unsure.
"The ones that were brought aboard your ship. And the men; me included," the Doctor said putting his hands in his pockets.
I don't quite know what you're-
"Doctor, behind you!" Rose shouted.
Immediately the Doctor grabbed the arm of one of the males who was holding a spear, about to shove it into the back of the Doctor's head. The Doctor immediately spun the man over his head so the guard landed on the ground. Almost right after that, the other male guards began to try and attack as well. The Lady stood, closed her eyes and raised her hand. A green protection field appeared around Rose and the Doctor saving them from those attacking.
What have you been doing? the Lady asked in a steely tone.
When no one said anything, she raised her hand again and several of the men fell to the ground as though they were in pain.
We do not trust the judgment of woman-folk, one of the man practically spat.
The Doctor whistled. "You really shouldn't have said that one. I know that from experience," he said with a tiny bit of sympathy.
I will deal with all of you in a moment, she said before turning to the Doctor and Rose still under her protection, you two I shall return to your home.
"Oh, we can do that ourselves thanks," the Doctor said removing the jumper disk from his pocket.
Rose smiled and did likewise before giving the Lady a short bow of respect.
"Ciao," the Doctor said to the men and he and Rose vanished.
Just a bit of an epilogue is left. Thanks once again for reading. Please review to let me know what you think. Hope everyone has a nice week. :)
