XI
A new storm
Parallel World
North Iceland
Krafla
The Doctor and Rose sit on the rocky surface at the top of the Krafla looking out south. The Doctor brings out a long tatted, thick blanket from the Tardis, where they snuggle under as they drink hot chocolate and look out at the horizon over the parallel Iceland.
They can tell that the cold weather really has picked up in the northern parts of the planet, and the Doctor dreads to think of how cold it will be when they return back to London.
The last instant message the Doctor received from April worries him immensely but he can't tell what is wrong. At first she was worried about the Colonel's health and then the next she is asking the Doctor for help because she 'can't do this any more'. A week has past since and April has not replied to any of his instant messages or emails which has only increased his anxiety.
The Doctor and Rose have stayed in Iceland for a couple of days for a Tardis fuel stop before they plan to head back to London. Rose makes her best efforts to calm the Doctor, saying that maybe Will is looking after her and that everything is going to be okay.
"I know you're really quite jumpy, Doctor," Rose says softly as she plays with the collar of his coat, the afternoon they sit on top of Krafla. "But maybe it's time for you to start taking it easy. I mean as soon as you are calm, you're suddenly on edge about something else a moment later."
The Doctor sighs. "I know. But surely April would've told us by now if she was okay. Or someone from UNIT would have contacted us. April wouldn't have asked for help unless it's serious."
"Maybe they've lost power," Rose suggests. "Martha did say that North England was cut off from power and that there was a potential blizzard in the New Year."
The Doctor fixes his eyes forward.
"It's mid-January now." Rose continues softly.
"There's something in the south." The Doctor mutters as he slowly crawls forward towards the edge of the Krafla.
"Doctor." Rose sighs, but the Doctor lightly takes hold of her face and tilts it to where he is looking.
And then Rose can see it.
Far south is what looks like a large smoke cloud coming out from the ground, but after a longer look, Rose can see that it is in fact a dark storm cloud heading north.
The sky around them starts to get a little darker and the wind becomes harsher. They stare at the sky for a while before the Doctor jumps to his feet and picks up the blanket.
"A storm's approaching, Rose Tyler. I think the holiday is over." The Doctor says darkly before disappearing into the Tardis.
Rose stands by and watches the clouds and the way they slowly move in the sky, blocking out the sunlight. She then turns, picks up the blanket and follows the Doctor into the Tardis.
The Doctor is already dancing around the console, pressing buttons and flicking switches as Rose enters and closes the door behind her, shutting out the upcoming storm. She watches the way he moves just like he used to whenever they are going to fly somewhere, but his face is full of concentration rather than excitement.
"Where do you think the storm is coming from?" Rose asks as she jumps up next to the Doctor to look down at the console screen.
"I'm not sure exactly. Somewhere south."
"Doctor," Rose says calmly. "What is happening?"
The Doctor stops what he is doing for a moment to look at her. "I don't know." He then presses a few buttons and then the Colonel's email flashes on the screen.
From: Colonel Brimikawood
To: The Doctor
Subject: COME BACK TO LONDON
The holiday is over, Doctor and there is work to do. April is lucky to still be alive.
The Doctor reads and re-reads the email a few times. He holds onto his breath.
"Lucky to be alive?" Rose says. "What the hell does he mean by that?"
"She better not have done!" The Doctor mutters darkly before he turns around and out of anger, kicks the chair behind him.
Rose jumps away from the Doctor, surprised by this; yet his reaction only scares her. "Doctor, what is it? What does the Colonel mean?"
The Doctor looks at Rose. "April was calling for help and everyone was saying that she doesn't seem okay. The Colonel has said that she is lucky to be alive."
Rose's heart skips a beat. "You don't think she's attempted again?"
The Doctor doesn't say anything for a while, his face grave. And then continuing on with the silence, he flips the switch at the side of the console screen to turn it off, wanting the email to disappear. But instead of the screen going black like it is supposed to do, it fuzzes over and an image starts to appear on the screen.
"Here we go." The Doctor mutters moodily as he puts on his glasses, ready to see whatever it is that is about to appear.
"What is that?" Rose narrows her eyes, leaning over the Doctor's shoulder.
The image starts to show a close up of what looks like thick black material, and every so often, the image changes from the material to three hooded figures and then back to the material. The image changes so quickly it is hard for the Doctor and Rose to tell what exactly the hooded figures look like.
The screen eventually stays in focus and the Doctor and Rose find themselves looking at three black hooded figures. Their faces are obscured by the hoods of their black robes, but they get the feeling that these figures are staring right back at them through the screen.
Then a deep voice speaks from the screen. "We are Nobody, and he has given us the power!" There is a roar of laughter before the screen goes completely black.
Rose and the Doctor look at each other wearily.
"He?" Rose manages to say after a long silence in confused thought. "Are they referring to the 'he' in the verse Morgarn told us?"
The Doctor nods. "It can't be because that verse was about what was going on under the ice and that battle is over."
"Another alien invasion?" Rose suggests.
The Doctor shakes his head. "It's doesn't make any sense!" He then storms angrily to the other side of the console. "That message better not has been seen by everyone!" He then pulls down a leaver roughly and the Tardis starts to travel. Rose grips onto the side of the console to keep her balance as she watches the Doctor's worrisome face.
But just to the Doctor's fear, the message from the hooded figures has been broadcast live across the world.