Death by Glamour

Sec's mind was a blur. His head and vision were fuzzy and he barely had the strength to move his limbs. The last time he had felt like this, it had been when he had one too many to drink while they were hiding from the Family of Blood. Apparently, he didn't hold his liquor well.

As his vision cleared, so did his head. He remembered being taken into another room by Disanon to be told that he had been selected to take part in the refinement of a new beauty procedure they were developing. Apparently, he had all of the desirable qualities they were looking to test the procedure on and that by coming, he had agreed to participate.

Before Sec could ask what it was, he was suddenly seized by two Ogrons and Disanon had sprayed him with something. Some sort of knock-out formula because he didn't remember anything else.

Now, he realised why he had trouble moving his limbs. He could feel restraints around his shins and wrists as he lay flat on some kind of operating table. He was in a sterile white room, with featureless walls and ceilings. The only things that stood out were two Ogrons by the door and a trio of Glamorians stood before his table. One he recognised as Disanon.

"Ah good, you're awake!" he trilled. "About time too, you are quite the heavy sleeper you know that?"

"Where… where am I? What is this?" asked Sec groggily.

"Don't you remember? You volunteered to be a part of our revolutionary new treatment! You're selflessly giving yourself over to help make the universe a more beautiful place! You should feel very proud and relieved for yourself, honestly." He beamed brightly. "We'll have you fixed right up in no time."

"Fixed? But I… I don't need… no! No, I know what this means!" Sec tried to struggle against his restraints. "Release me at once!"

"Ah ah, no can do, darling," said Disanon, wagging his finger. "It's for your own good, I'm afraid. Besides, you wouldn't want to disappoint your captive audience."

He gestured to the side, where two other tables rested up against the wall. Restrained in them were two familiar figures who appeared to only just be coming around too.

"Doctor! Martha! What have you done to them?!"

"Oh, you know each other, do you?" asked Disanon. "Well, hasn't this all worked out splendidly? They came here, asking questions about what we were doing here and I thought to myself, why not just show them what they're in for? Honestly, you should all feel very privileged!"

"God, my head," Martha groaned. "Where are… Sec? Oh my god, Sec! Doctor? Doctor?!"

"Present, miss," muttered the Doctor, shaking his head like a dog. "Agh! Instant chemical knockout. Nothing like it to put your head in a spin. And also that sounds like a good band name, don't you think? Anyone else?" No one responded to that. "No one, just me? Right, sorry, distracted again. So, this is a familiar situation."

Disanon arched an eye ridge. "You mean you often find yourself restrained and held in place?"

"More often than you'd think, but less than you'd hope," replied the Doctor.

"My, my, don't we lead an exciting life?" laughed Disanon. "Well, don't you worry, dear Doctor! Your life is about to get infinitely more exciting in a few moments!"

"I think my life exciting enough as it is, thanks and that's without undergoing forced bodily surgery." His voice had lost its light tone. "That's what you're doing here, isn't it Disanon? Carving up innocent life forms as part of some twisted new treatment?"

The Glamorian laughed again. "Really, Doctor. You make it sound so unpleasant. I will admit it can get a little messy but as I believe a popular human saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Sacrifices must be made to achieve greatness."

"Greatness? You call this greatness?!" snarled Martha. "You've killed people, just because of the way they look? Oh yeah, what a great and advanced civilisation you are!"

"Oh but we are, Miss Jones. There are none more elegant, more refined and more breath-taking than we Glamorians and even among us, I am a unique specimen, I think you will agree." He tittered and winked. "It's just such a shame that everyone else hasn't been able to fully appreciate it. But now they can, with this!"

He clapped his hands. Something whirred beneath the table and several mechanical arms sprouted up from underneath it. Each one was fixed with some kind of surgical tool or pampering implement. An odd contrast that did nothing to dissuade the worrying appearance of the former alongside the latter.

"Quite a contraption, isn't it? The working name in progress is the Glamoriser! Size and species adjustable, so no one has to miss out. Wonderful, isn't it?"

"Disanon, you're delusional!" cried the Doctor. "You're planning on going commercial with this, after it's killed people? You're planning to sell that to your customers?!"

"Oh, but those were only the worst case scenarios, Doctor! You see, this machine has already had successful test runs on dozens of other candidates. Here are two I made earlier!" He gestured to the two Glamorians who stood at his side. "Now they look almost as glorious as me! Almost. And they're not the only ones, there are others outside Glamorians. Ones that fit better into the pre-established concepts it's been programmed with, of course."

"You mean races that best resemble you?" said Sec, not bothering to hide his disgust.

Disanon snapped his fingers. "Bingo! Yes, it works quite well on most standard humanoid species but we are still working out the kinks on some of the others. But that's where you all come in! Once we work out the bugs, we can ship this bad boy out in force!"

Martha was shaking her head. "You really think people will still use it though? You really think the truth won't get out about what you did to those other people?"

"Oh you mean like on your planet? When you were testing out makeup on animals first, to be sure it was fit for human use? Didn't stop people using them when they found out, did it?"

"And with that sentence, you've just condemned yourself," the Doctor growled. "You're comparing innocent lives like that, without any sense of remorse. Call it what you like, Disanon but this is straight up murder and the rest of you are all accomplices in it."

The two Glamorians either side of him shifted slightly at his words, but it was so slight Sec wasn't even sure it happened. Disanon certainly didn't seem moved by it.

"I really don't see why it should matter to me, Doctor." He gestured dramatically, throwing his arms apart. "The public don't care anywhere near as much about the means, so long as they benefit from the ends! Once they see the results and the media spreads it about, they'll come flocking for it and never mind the nasty rumours that may surround it! So what if a few people had to die? That's business, darling!"

"Now then," said Disanon, clapping his hands together, "let's get this show on the road! First, let's have a look at exactly what we're dealing with here."

"You had better let us go right now!" demanded Martha, doing her best to disguise the fear she felt. "We're Shadow Poclamation operatives and if anything happens to us-!"

Disanon pressed a long finger to her lips. "Oh come now, Miss Jones! You can drop that silly act. We print our special offers on psychic paper, did you honestly think that little trick would work on any of us? You're clearly just a trio of wayward wanderers with a misplaced sense of justice and righteousness. Admirable, but misplaced. I mean, you think this is bad? Imagine what the Judoon would do when they find out!"

Martha shivered and not just because his touch was weirdly cold. She looked at the Doctor but he looked like he was still trying to think of a way out himself and Sec was in no position to do anything. She wondered what had happened to Claraesia and if the Angel was somehow going to come to their aid.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a buzzing sensation pass up and down her body. Disanon was holding a device in his hand which emitted a long blue light.

"Nothing to fret about, Miss Jones. Just a deep tissue scanner so we can calibrate the machine when it's your turn." He looked at the results. "Human. How wholly unremarkable. Shame really, even you lot can look good when you really try hard enough."

"Ask me how much I care," she growled back.

"Aren't you feisty?" he tittered. He turned to the Doctor. "Hmm, now that's interesting. Two hearts, high brain capacity, fifteen degree body temperature. Not many humanoids that conforms with other than…" His eyes widened when the scanner pinged. "Well, well, well! My friends, we stand in the presence of true greatness indeed! As I live and breathe, a Time Lord!"

"And not just any Time Lord." He fixed him with a dark look. "Don't tell me you've never heard my name being bandied about. The stories they tell."

"Can't say that I have, I'm afraid. And people call me an egomaniac!" joked Disanon.

"I'm giving you one last chance, Disanon. Stop this now or I will," he said dangerously.

Disanon merely chuckled. "You're hardly in a position to be making threats, Doctor. It certainly will be interesting to use the Glamoriser on you. You might even regenerate into something better looking! Now, let's see what our main participant has in store for us."

Both the Doctor and Martha exchanged worried looks. How would Disanon react when he found out what Sec was? The hybrid struggled again as the scanner's light passed over him. It made a buzzing sound and Disanon frowned.

"How odd. The results are inconclusive. Seems you're as much of a mess on the inside as well as the outside. And they say beauty is only skin deep." He chuckled while he adjusted it. "Let's see if a more specific bandwidth can't narrow it down."

"You may not like what you find," murmured Sec.

"I don't really much care for what I've found already. I fail to see what difference it would make." He activated the scanner again. "Hmm… ah, here we go! Let's see, presence of two different genetic strands. Human and…" He squinted at the screen. "No, but that… that can't be… you're not… no. Oh no!"

"Oh yes," returned Sec. "I told you, did I not?"

"You did," Disanon replied, real malice coming into his voice now as he loomed over Sec. "Oh, this suddenly just became a lot more fun. Let's see how you like a taste of your own medicine then!"

There was a whirr as the door opened. "E-Excuse me, sir?"

Disanon groaned. "What is it, Nevus? As you can see, we're in the middle of something here!"

"Ah, yes sorry, sir b-but I thought you might want to see this," she stammered.

"What?" He looked around. "Nevus, what in the world are you doing with that?"

Martha had to fight to keep the grin off her face. The Glamorian had just come in pushing some kind of hover trolley and rested on top of it was Claraesia, frozen in her stone form and posed like she belonged in someone's garden.

"I… thought y-you might like it, sir," she replied uneasily. "I-It just arrived."

"Well, I don't like it. Who ordered this thing anyway? It's hideous!" he declared. "Get it out of here at once!"

Martha took a look over at the Doctor who flashed her a grin and mouthed 'look away from her'. Martha nodded and kept her eyes fixed on the Doctor.

"B-But sir, you don't understand." She heard the sound of Nevus walking to her boss. "Th-This is a special statue. I-It's really something!"

"Yes, it is something and that something is completely atrocious! I can hardly stand to look at it!"

"No sir, you have to keep looking!" she begged. He must have turned away from it. "Sir, please!"

"Why should I…?" Fear crept into his voice now. "It's moved. How did it move? What's it doing with the…?" The lights began to flicker. "No… no, what have you done?! Do you know what that thing is?!"

"I know, sir and I'm sorry b-but it made me!"

"Well get it out of here, before it-!"

Suddenly, the room was plunged into darkness. A couple of screams went out and there was a sound of machinery being smashed. Disanon was shouting for someone to turn on the light. Martha felt something brush against her wrists and her restraints were gone.

When the lights came back on, she, the Doctor and Sec were up and about. The many arms that made up the Glamoriser were broken and sparking, lying scattered on the floor. Nevus and one other Glamorian were unconscious on the floor. Disanon and the other Glamorian were edging towards the door, staring fearfully at Claraesia who had frozen part way through lunging towards them.

"NO! What have you done?!" Disanon grabbed the Glamorian and threw him at Claraesia, bolting for the door. "Security! Get in here!"

Claraesia unfroze and shoved the Glamorian aside, taking off after Disanon. Martha glimpsed that snarl set on her face.

"After him!" shouted the Doctor. "Can't let him escape!"

Sec was first out of the door but before the Doctor and Martha could reach it, two burly figures lumbered in and cut them off. The Ogrons grinned at them, clearly ready and itching for a fight as they drew their guns.

"Ah," said the Doctor. "Okay, guess we're doing it like this." He bounced on the balls of his feet. "Been a while since I've done this but hopefully I'm not too rusty."

Before the Ogrons could fire, he snapped his hands out and sliced them upwards. It was too fast to see what he had done but the Ogron's weapons flew out of their grips and clattered to the floor. With a yell, the Doctor darted between them. He pressed two fingers into the throat of one and chopped the other on the back of the neck.

This didn't seem to do more than annoy the Ogrons who swiped out dumbly with their meaty fists. He ducked under one but groaned in pain when the other caught him right in the stomach and he doubled over. Martha looked around the room for something to use and went straight for one of the discarded guns.

"Hold it!" she snapped. The Ogron paused just when he was about to bring his fist on the Doctor's head. "That's right. Now, step away from him and get down on the floor, hands behind your heads." The Ogrons didn't move. "Well, go on!"

"Human not shoot," said one of them in a slurring voice. "Humans weak. Ogrons strong."

"You wanna bet, mate?" asked Martha, ignoring how much her arms were shaking, how heavy the gun felt. "You wanna know what happened to the last person who thought I wouldn't use a gun? He's a scarecrow now." She fired off a shot which hit close to their feet and they jumped back. "So go on. You wanna try me?"

The two of them gave one another a fearful look before doing as she asked. She kept the gun trained on them while the Doctor got to his feet. He looked carefully at the two Ogrons, then pinched the backs of their necks. They stiffened for a moment and then fell in a heap on the floor.

"There we go. Nerve cluster at the back of the neck, that's how you deal with them. You can put that down now, by the way," he added.

"Yeah, thanks," said Martha, tossing it away. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." He rubbed his stomach. "Blimey, that lot can throw a punch. Nice work, Martha."

"Thanks." She took a moment to feel a sense of pride and a rising heat to her cheeks. "Did you seriously just do karate?" asked Martha incredulously.

"Venusian Akkido, to be precise," answered the Doctor. "Forgot that it doesn't work well against Ogrons but it gets the job done."

"You really are just full of surprises, aren't you?" she said.

"Oh yes!" He grinned but it was wiped off in an instant. "Right, I think we can let Sec and Clare catch Disanon. In the meantime, it's time to do what any sensible person in this situation would do."

"Call the police?" ventured Martha.

"Exactly!"

Sec set off in pursuit of Disanon. The Glamorian had a lot to answer for and Sec wasn't about to let him escape. He shoved past confused and bewildered Glamorians, determined not to lose his quarry.

Both Disanon and Claraesia had a sizable lead on him, thanks to the former's long legs and the latter's natural speed. She might not be as fast as other Angels, but Sec was still only catching glimpses of her before she disappeared around a corner.

The fearsome snarl on her face she had when she gave chase and the relentlessness with which she chased him… it was quite an unnerving change from the gentle, timid creature he had been getting to know. He didn't want to think that she would do anything to hurt him but a small part of him that said otherwise pushed him onward.

He could neither see him nor Claraesia anymore but it was still evident where they'd gone. He simply followed the trail of dazed Glamorians and shattered beauty products. Finally, he burst through the door to his office…

…coming face to face with the barrel of a gun.

"That's quite close enough, I think," he hissed. "You just stay right there and don't try anything. This blaster can punch through Judoon armour like it's paper and I really don't want to make a mess of my office."

Sec slowly raised his arms. He saw Claraesia, frozen in the middle of the room. She was mid-lunge against what appeared to be another one of herself, projected from a silvery orb floating above the ground.

"Omniservant admirer!" proclaimed Disanon proudly. "One of my race's finest technological achievements. It allows the user to look at themselves from every single possible angle to help achieve maximum appeal. It also has certain other practical uses." He glanced over at her. "You're not going anywhere, darling and neither are you."

"It's over, Disanon," insisted Sec. "This is pointless. The evidence against you and your employees is overwhelming."

"It's not going to be much good if they can't catch me." He gestured to a cubicle in the corner of the room. "I had myself a personal transmat installed for just such a situation as this. It'll take me from here and straight to my ship before any of the Shadow Proclamation's thugs show up."

Sec looked over at Clare, still petrified. Why wasn't she moving? This shouldn't be a hindrance for her. Was she not willing to risk that Disanon might get a shot off before she could stop him? For now, Sec resolved to keep him talking until a solution presented itself.

"What is the point in running? The Judoon will find you in the end," argued Sec. "It would be easier if you give yourself up now and face up to what you have done."

"Tempting but I'd rather vote for a stay of execution. Besides, you're one to talk about facing up to what you've done, Dalek!" He grinned at Sec's reaction. "Oh yes, it took a while for the scanner to pinpoint your DNA but it got there. Trying to mingle it with some poor human's to disguise yourself, is that it?"

"No, I… I am not like the others," insisted Sec.

"Oh, so there are different variants now? So you're not one of the same Daleks that have laid waste to countless worlds and people, including this one? You think you have the right to pass judgement on me, after all you've done?" He gripped the gun a little tighter. "I'll admit you're different from the others. Because we can all see on the outside just how disgusting and hideous you really are! To say nothing of this… monstrosity!"

Disanon looked back over at Claraesia, wearing that sneering veil of contempt as he did.

"It didn't take me long to figure out what you were. A statue that only moves when unseen. I know the stories, who doesn't? But I never thought I would have a chance to personally reduce one of them to dust!" He quickly whirled the gun around and fired, taking a large chip off her shoulder. "I knew it was a good idea to spend extra on the energy output!" He laughed. "What a pair the two of you make. The destroyer of worlds and the stealer of lives. Both of you, just as ugly as each other to boot! It makes me sick!" Another shot took off a part of her knee.

"Stop it! Leave her alone, she's done nothing to you!" cried Sec.

He aimed the gun back at Sec. "She ruined everything! Both of you and your friends! This was supposed to be one step closer to making the universe a more beautiful place but now you've both gone and ended that dream!"

"Looks. Everything is all about looks with you." Sec glared at Disanon. "You are willing to kill and maim whatever you have to, to make everyone conform to your idea of beauty. At heart, you yourself seem very… Dal-ek!"

"Is that what you think?" In two strides, he had the barrel of the blaster against Clare's head. "Then how about you watch as I reduce this gargoyle here to rubble!"

Sec started forward, knowing he was too late. Disanon's finger was on the trigger. A blast at that range would surely do serious damage, if not kill her.

But the shot never fired. The gun was no longer in his hand. Claraesia was no longer stone. She raised her own hand which had the blaster in it and tossed it away like it was rubbish.

"Ah." Disanon looked from Sec to Clare. "Now, l-let's not be too-"

He attempted to run but Claraesia grabbed his wrist, yanking him back. She brought it up to his face, held it there for a moment and twisted. There was a crack and a piercing screech from Disanon as the bones in his wrist shattered, bringing him to his knees. The screech was cut off when Claraesia clamped her hand around his neck.

Her snarl returned and she forced Disanon to look her right in the eye. Her fangs were bared, her talons digging into his skin and the Glamorian stared up at her in utter horror.

"Clare, stop!" Sec crossed over to her, firmly planting a hand on her arm. "You have him, there is no need for-"

She whipped around to face him, that snarl still present. He flinched and removed his hand. Then, it faded, returning to her normal visage. She stared at him reproachfully, then back at Disanon. She saw her hand on his wrist and her mouth opened in a silent scream.

She released it, stepping away from the snivelling Glamorian and pressed her back against the wall. She slumped against it, sliding down until she reached the floor, staring at her hand like it was on fire. She was shaking her head over and over.

Disanon looked from one to the other, then tried to make another run for it. By that time, Sec had already reached him, scooped up the blaster and used it to crack him around the head, rendering him unconscious. With him dealt with, he turned his attention to Clare.

"Clare?" She didn't respond, still sat there. "Claraesia, it… it is over." He reached out to her. "Please, we have him…"

But she swiped away at his hand, fixing him with a look that screamed 'keep away from me'. Real tears began to flow down her cheeks and she buried her head in her knees, turning to stone as she did.

Sec had no idea what to do. He could only stand and watch while she wept, now and again alternating back to flesh. They both remained there until the Judoon arrived.

The response time of the Judoon was just like their motto: swift. With their leader subdued and the hired muscle out for the count, the other Glamorians swiftly surrendered. They were beauticians, not fighters. Some of them cried, some of them pleaded innocence but all were arrested and taken into custody. Telron was all for executing them on the spot but the Doctor immediately intervened.

"No! No executions, not on my watch!" he said fiercely, standing between him and a Glamorian who looked as if she might faint.

"They are guilty of kidnap, murder and unethical experimentation. Sentence should be execution," he rumbled but the Doctor wasn't moved.

"And how do you think that's gonna look, eh? Over thirty employees, plus ten hired Ogrons? Do you really think people are gonna stand for that many people at once being executed? There has to be due process. Let them stand trial."

The Commander wasn't best pleased. "Trials are slow. Justice should be swift."

"No. Justice should be fair. Either you make sure everyone here is given a fair trial or this go on my report. How do you think the higher ranking Architects are gonna react when they read it, eh?" He looked the Judoon square in the eye. "Go on. Make my day."

If he wanted to, Telron could have easily moved the Doctor aside and carried on as he saw fit. But remarkably, the Commander put away his blaster and motioned for the others to do the same.

"Very well, Doctor. Trial shall be granted. But be sure to also note this in your report," he added.

"Shall do." He grinned. "I'll put you a commendation for proper upholding of procedure."

The Commander didn't reply to this, merely nodded and motioned for his troopers to round up the Glamorians. He gave the Doctor one last look before marching away. Another Judoon came up to them and gave him a salute.

"You did well, Doctor," Dahko said admirably.

"Thank you and no salutes, please," he added. "Not really into that."

"I shall salute you, Doctor for you have earned. As have you, Miss Jones." He added one to Martha. Then he turned to Sec and Clare, pointing to each one in turn. "You acted first to discover them and you went to great pains to rescue them. You all have great honour and merit. We thank you for your help."

"Our pleasure," murmured Sec.

Martha looked a little flustered but she beamed. Claraesia meanwhile seemed to recoil from the praise, hugging her arms close to her body and turning away.

"She's not okay, is she?" asked Martha quietly to Sec.

"No. No, she is not. I'm not really sure what I should do," he replied.

"I think it might be best to leave her for a bit. My sister Tish used to get like this when she was in a state. She'd clam up and not talk to anyone about it until she was ready. She'll come to you when she's ready, just don't try and force it out of her," advised Martha.

"I understand. Wait," he said, "why do you say that she will come to me?"

Martha shrugged. "Just a feeling."

"Right, we're all done here then. Come on, time we were off," said the Doctor. "Clare, you'll need to go into the Zero Room when we get back, see about healing that damage you took."

She only nodded and fell into step behind them. Sec lingered for a moment, disappointed somewhat that they hadn't had the chance to find Larn and thank her, at the very least say goodbye. But in the end, he trailed after them. People came and went from this place all of the time. She would understand.

"Bit of a shame they weren't able to bag Alkero too," said Martha as they came back into the space port area. "Would have been nice to see her get her comeuppance."

The Doctor nodded. "It is, yeah. Although…" He gave them a sly grin. "When I was going through their records, I might have left a little programme in there that's set to transmit some details of some of their less than legal transactions to the Judoon HQ. At the very least, it'll make their dealings a little more difficult."

"Why am I not surprised?" grinned Martha.

The Doctor laughed until they neared the TARDIS and his grin faded.

"Oh what is this?!" The Doctor cried indignantly, ripping off something that had been posted on the TARDIS. "A two hundred credit fine for illegal parking?!"

"Well, this is a space port, Doctor and we are not exactly in a designated area," pointed out Sec.

"Yeah but still! It's the principle!" He sighed. "Oh well, it's not exactly the first one I've gotten."

"And why do I get the feeling you haven't paid off a single one of them?" asked Martha.

"Oi! It's not my fault I haven't got much use for money!"

"I think we should be lucky they didn't catch us out for anything more serious," remarked Sec.

Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, a loud voice boomed across the area, accompanied with thundering boots.

"HALT! Remain where you are!" Commander Telron was sprinting towards them with a squad of Judoon in tow, their blasters drawn. "You are under arrest for impersonation of Shadow Proclamation operatives!"

The four of them took one look at each other, silently came to the same conclusion of the best course of action and piled inside the TARDIS in time to avoid the beams of heat that hit the sides. They didn't even so much as scorch it.

"Exit the vehicle at once!" ordered Telron, firing off more shots.

But all the Judoon could do was rage and shout as the TARDIS dematerialised into the time vortex once more.

I'm sorry, Marblehornettes isn't here right now. You lot are stuck with me.

Hey everyone! Due to being away somewhere that may or may not have wifi, my partner has entrusted her login details and the duty of uploading today's chapter to me!

AlphatheGriffin17, main writer of the content you see before you, at your service.

We've been having a lot of fun with writing and planning this particular little serial. It was nice to be able to veer away from Series 3 and begin to include some of our own material. It's been very heartening to see you all take so well to the way we present the characters established in the show, along with our new ones. I'm personally very pleased to see Claraesia has been accepted so well.

Thank you all, your reviews really keep us going. Shoutout especially to GingerFury, Andrey258 and The Dalek's Advocate. We always look forward to reading what you think as some of our regulars.

Anyway, back into the dark crevice I call home. So nice to be able to step out of the shadows and write this to you. If you want to read some more content made by me, just punch my username into the search engine and you'll find me there.

Be strong, be swift, be just.

Alpha.