Voyage of the Damned
Once the shock of finding the life preserver wore off, The Doctor and I snapped into action. We moved the TARDIS away from the ship and watched as the TARDIS started to repair herself. Mom went to go check on my brothers and sister.
"Teddy," asked Dad, "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure yet…" I said as I pressed some buttons.
"Have we gone back in time?"
The Doctor and I looked at each other, "I'm not sure…"
"What do you mean you're not sure?"
"Well… We were entering the Time Vortex when the crash happened," said The Doctor, "Now, neither Teddy nor I had a chance to set the coordinates yet. So The TARDIS was in what you could call auto pilot."
Mom came back in the console room, "How are Charlie and the boys?" I asked.
"They are just fine," said Mom, "I told them to stay in library for now. Was that really The Titanic?"
"No… I don't think so…" I said.
"We weren't in the Vortex long enough to go back that far," said the Doctor.
"So what was that?" asked Mom.
"Only one way to find out," said my uncle with a smile. I smiled back and we materialized the TARDIS onboard what ever ship we just crashed into.
"OK," I said, "The Doctor and I are going to check things out. You guys just stay here we'll be back in a moment."
The Doctor and I stepped out and looked around. We landed in a supply closet. He closed the door to the TARDIS and walked out of the room. We found ourselves in a wood-paneled room decorated with potted palms and Christmas decorations, "OK… So are 100% not on the real Titanic." I said.
"Good thing for that," I said as I looked around. The people dressed in early 20th century style. The passengers were milling about as waiters handed out hors d'oeuvres and champagne. The band was playing a sedate version of "Jingle Bells." We walked up to two large golden angels dressed in white. "They're robots," I said.
We walked to the window and looks out, my eyes got big and The Doctor said, "Right…" We were high above earth in a spaceship modeled after the Titanic.
Then a man made an announcement over the PA system, "Attention all passengers. The Titanic is now in orbit above Sol 3, also known as Earth. Population: Human. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Christmas."
The Doctor and I looked at each other and headed back to the TARDIS. We walked back into the console room and Mom asked us, "So? Where are we?"
The Doctor and I looked at each other, and The Doctor spoke up, "Well, from best we can tell we are currently on a spaceship modeled after the Titanic."
"So are we in the future?" asked Mom.
I walked up to the monitor and looked at the readings, "Not as far as you'd think… It's December 24th"
"But, that's 6 months in our future!" said Dad, "How can there be a spaceship modeled after the Titanic?"
"It's obviously an alien ship," said The Doctor. The Doctor looked at me, "Looked like a pretty nice party out there…"
I smiled, "It sure did…" I turned to Mom and Dad, "What do you think, wanna party crash?"
Mom and Dad looked at each other. They were a bit reluctant at first. They were sure that P.J. and Gabe would get into some kind of trouble onboard. But, when I told them that I could make sure that the TARDIS kept them occupied and inside, Mom and Dad deiced that it might be fun to check out an alien Christmas party. So, I told the TARDIS that once the four of us left, P.J. and Gabe were not aloud in the console room until we got back. The TARDIS hummed in acknowledgement. Then, The Doctor and I took Mom and Dad to the wardrobe.
We found Dad a nice tuxedo and Mom a very nice green ankle length dress. The Doctor put his tux and I put on a purple ankle length dress. Mom wanted to wear a pair of heels with her dress but I convinced her to wear flats… Just in case…
We walked out of the TARDIS and into the reception area, we stopped at a screen that showed a logo of 'Max Capricorn Cruiseliners.' then the picture changed to show bald man with a pencil thin mustache, sitting behind a desk, "Max Capricorn Cruiseliners - the fastest, the farthest, the best. And I should know because my name is Max." then his gold tooth glints. Then the screen went back to the cruise line logo. "What a charming fellow…" said Mom.
"Yeah… Reminds me of a used car salesman from the 70s," said Dad.
We could hear the band starting to play 'Winter Wonderland.' as we started toward the ballroom.
"Merry Christmas, sirs, miss, madam." said on off the Stewards.
"Merry Christmas," we all replied.
As we walked in the ballroom, we passed a man talking on his cell phone, "It's not a holiday for me, not while I've still got my vone. Now do as I say and sell." He walked off
We walked up to one of the robot angels, "Good Evening," I said, "We are Passengers 57, 58, 22, and 23. I have a terrible memory. Remind us. Uh, you would be…"
"Information: Heavenly Host supplying tourist information." said the angel.
"Good, so, um... tell me - 'cause I'm an idiot," I laughed a little when he said that. The Doctor glared at me and continued, "where are we from?"
"Information: the Titanic is en route from the planet Sto in the Cassavalian Belt. The purpose of the cruise is to experience primitive cultures."
"So, who thought of the name Titanic?" asked Mom.
"Information: it was chosen as the most famous vessel of the planet Earth." said the host.
"Did they tell you why it was famous?" asked Dad.
"Information: all designations are chosen by Mr. Max Capricorn, president of Max - Max - Max…" The host keep repeating Max with the pitch becoming higher each time.
"Ooh, bit of a glitch," said The Doctor as he reached into his pocket to get his sonic screwdriver.
But just as he was about to the Chief Steward came over, "Sir, we can handle this." he waved for assistance, two other stewards came over, turned off the host and took it way, "Software problem, that's all. Leave it with us, sir. Merry Christmas." he said with a nod, he turned and rushed off.
"All right," said The Doctor to Mom and Dad, "You two, go mingle, and enjoy yourself… See you in about an hour?"
"OK…" said Mom.
Mom and Dad walked off and then we heard the sound of glass breaking, we turned and saw the man who was talking on his cell phone earlier, glaring down at a young blond woman in a waitress uniform. There was a tray and broken glasses on the floor. "For Tov's sake, look where you're going!" said the man, "This jacket's a genuine Earth antique."
"I'm sorry, sir," said the waitress, as she got down to pick up broken glass.
"You'll be sorry when it comes off your wages, sweetheart. Staffed by idiots. No wonder Max Capricorn is going down the drain." Then the man stormed off.
The four of us walked over to help the waitress, pick up the glasses, "Careful," said The Doctor, "There we go."
"Thank you, I can manage," said the waitress.
"I never said you couldn't. I'm the Doctor, by the way. This is my niece, Teddy.
"I'm Astrid," said the waitress, "Astrid Peth."
"Nice to meet you, Astrid Peth, Merry Christmas."
I could tell Astrid was a bit surprised by my uncle's kindness, "Merry Christmas, sir."
"Just 'Doctor,' not 'sir.'"
"You enjoying the cruise?"
"Oh yes," I said, "We've had a bit of a stressful year… So, we thought a cruse would help us get back to normal." The five of us stood up and I asked her, "What about you? You're a long way from your home, Planet Sto."
"Doesn't feel that different. I spent three years working at the spaceport diner, traveled all the way here...and I'm still waiting on tables." Then she walked away.
We followed after her, "No shore leave?" asked The Doctor.
Astrid started to clear a table near the window, "We're not allowed. They can't afford the insurance. I just wanted to try it, just once. I used to watch the ships heading off to the stars and I always dreamt of...It sounds daft."
"You dreamt of another sky. New sun, new air, new life. A whole universe teeming with life. Why stand still when there're all that life out there?"
"So...you travel a lot?"
"All the time. Just for fun," said The Doctor.
"Well, that's the plan," I said, "Never quite works out that way though."
"Must be rich, though," said Astrid.
"Haven't got a penny," said The Doctor, then he whispered, "Stowaways."
"Kidding."
"Seriously."
"No!"
"Oh, yeah," I said
"How did you get on board?" asked Astrid.
"Accident," said The Doctor, "We've got this, sort of, ship thing. I was just rebuilding her. Left the defenses down, bumped into the Titanic. Here we are. Bit of a party, I thought "Why not?""
"I should report you."
"Go on then."
"I'll get you some drinks…" then she whispered, "on the house."
When she walked away and we saw a group of passengers laughing at a heavyset couple, dressed in purple satin cowboy outfits sitting at a table and eating.
"Just ignore 'em," said the black man
The Doctor and I walked over to their table and sat down, "Something's tickled them." he said.
"They told us it was fancy dress," said the white woman, "Very funny, I'm sure."
"They're just pickin' on us because we haven't paid. We won our tickets in a competition," said the man.
"I had to name the five husbands of Joofie Crystalle in "By the Light of the Asteroid". Did you ever watch?"
"Is that the one with the twins?" asked the Doctor.
"That's it. Oh, it's marvelous," said the woman.
"Probably not good enough for that lot," said the man as he motioned to the laughing table, "They think we should be in steerage."
I reached into the pocket of my dress and got out my sonic screwdriver. Ever since our adventure with Donna, I made sure every dress I wore had a pocket in it. If Jack and I ever got married, I was going to make sure it had a pocket for my sonic and my cell phone… Just in case.. "We can't have that, can we?" I held it at my side and aimed it behind me. Then the champagne on the table popped its cork and sprayed all over the people who were laughing at my new friends.
"Did - Did you do that?" asked the woman.
"Maybe," I said as I slipped my sonic back in my pocket.
"We like you," said the woman.
"We do," said the man as he reached out his hand to me, "I'm Morvin van Hoff." I shook his hand, "This is my good woman, Foon."
"I'm Teddy, this is my uncle, The Doctor."
The Doctor shook hands with Morvin and Foon, "Ooh, I'm gonna need a Doctor by the time I'm finished with this buffet," said Foon, "Have a buffalo wing. They must be enormous, these buffalo, so many wings."
The Doctor and I each took a buffalo wing. I smiled I didn't have the heart to tell her buffalo wings were really chicken wings. Just then there was announcement, "Attention please. Shore leave tickets Red 6-7 now activated. Red 6-7.
Foon took out a ticket, "Red 6-7. That's us." Then she stood, "Are you Red 6-7?"
The Doctor and I looked at each other, "Might as well be." He said.
"Come on," said Morvin as he stood up and put his arm around Food, "We're going to Earth."
"Should we get Mom and Dad?" I asked The Doctor as we walked. We looked and saw Mom and Dad dancing and having a good time.
"Nah…" he said, "But there is someone I'd like to take." He smiled, I knew exactly who he was talking about.
We continued to follow Morvin and Foon across the room, where an older man in a tweed suit was holding up a red sign that red, "6-7"
"Red 6-7. Red 6-7. This way, fast as you can," Said the man.
"I got you those drinks," said Astrid as she came to us.
"And I got you a treat. Come on," said The Doctor as he took the tray from her and set it on a table.
"Red 6-7 departing shortly," said the man.
The Doctor took out the psychic paper, "3 Red 6-7s" he said.
"Uh, quickly, sir, and please take three teleport bracelets if you would," said the man as he handed the bracelets to us.
"I'll get the sack," whispered Astrid.
"Brand new sky," I whispered and handed one. She smiled and put it on her wrist.
The Doctor and I followed suit while the man started to talk, "To repeat, I am Mr Copper, the ship's historian, and I shall be taking you to old London town in the country of U.K. ruled over by good King Wenceslas. Now human beings worshipped the great god Santa, a creature with fearsome claws, and his wife Mary. And every Christmas Eve the people of U.K. go to war with the country of Turkey. They then eat the Turkey people for Christmas dinner... like savages."
I raised my hand, "Um, Excuse me, I'm sorry, but, um...where did you here all of that?"
"Well, I have a first class degree in Earthonomics. Now stand by…" said Mr. Copper.
Just then we heard a high pitched voice call out, "And me! And me! Red 6-7!" I looked down and saw the voice belong to a small red-skinned alien with short spikes all over his face.
"Well, take a bracelet, sir?" said Mr. Copper as he handed him a bracelet.
"Uh, but, um, hold on, hold on. What was your name?" asked The Doctor.
"Bannakaffalatta." said the alien.
"OK, Bannakaffalatta. But it's Christmas Eve down there. Late-night shopping, tons of people. He's like a walking conker. No offence, but you'll cause a riot 'cause the streets are going to be packed with shoppers and parties…" Then in a flash we were teleported to Earth and landed on an empty street. The Doctor and I looked around, "Oh."
"Now, spending money," said Mr. Copper, "I have a credit card in Earth currency if you want to by trinkets or, uh, stockings or the local delicacy, which is known as 'beef' but don't stray too far, it could be dangerous. Any day now they start boxing."
"Where is everybody?" I asked, "This is Christmas Eve. This street should be full of people. Something's wrong."
"But it's beautiful.," said Astrid.
"Really?" said The Doctor, "Do you think so? It's just a street. The pyramids are beautiful, and New Zealand…"
"But it's a different planet. I'm standing on a different planet. Th-there's concrete...and shops, alien shops, real alien shops! Look, no stars in the sky. And it smells…" She took a deep breath, "It stinks!" Astrid gasped, "This is amazing! Thank you!"
She hugged both The Doctor and I, "Yeah? Come on then, let's have a look." he said. We saw a newsstand across the street. We walked up and saw it was being manned by an older man, who looked a little familiar, "Hello there! Sorry, uh, obvious question, but where's everybody gone?" asked my uncle.
"Oh-ho, scared!" said the man.
"Right, yes. Scared of what?"
"Where have you been living? London at Christmas? Not safe, is it?
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, it's them, up above," said the man as he pointed to the sky, "Look, Christmas before last we had that big bloody spaceship, everyone standing on a roof," he pointed at his small TV that was showing a news clip, "And then last year, that Christmas Star electrocuting all over the place, draining the Thames."
"This place is amazing," said Astrid.
"And this year, Lord knows what. So everybody's scampered, gone to the country. All except me...and Her Majesty." He stood proudly and looked at his TV.
"Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that she will be staying in Buckingham Palace throughout the festive season to show the people of London, and the world, that there's nothing to fear," said the reporter on the TV.
"God bless her!" then the man saluted, "We stand vigil."
"Well, between you and me, I think her Majesty's got it right. Far as I know, this year, nothing to worry about." said The Doctor. Then we were back on the ship, "I was in mid-sentence!" said The Doctor annoyed.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that. A bit of a problem. If I could have your bracelets -" said Mr. Copper.
The Chief Steward walked to us, "Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, we seem to have suffered a slight power fluctuation. If you'd like to return to the festivities. And on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruiseliners, free drinks will be provided."
Everyone started to walk way. Astrid looked at us, "That was the best, the best!" She handed us back her teleport bracelet. Then, she walked away.
We walked up to the Chief Steward, "What sort of power fluctuation?" asked The Doctor.
"No need to worry, sir," said the Chief Steward, "Just a minor problem with the electrical system." Then he walked away.
"Something's not right," said The Doctor, "Come on…"
We walked over to one of the framed screens showing a video loop of Max Capricorn. The Doctor puts his glassed on, took out his screwdriver and used it on the frame. The frame opened and he changed some setting and the screen changed to show the Titanic and her immediate surroundings. On the bottom of the screen, there was a warning that the shields were offline. I looked out the window and saw that their were meteors heading toward the ship. The Doctor then activated the comm. connected to the screen, "Is that the bridge? I need to talk to the captain. You've got a meteoroid storm coming in West 0 by North 2."
"Who is this?" asked the man who answered.
"Never mind that," I said, "Your shields are down. Check your scanners, Captain. You've got meteoroids coming in and no shields!
"You have no authorization. You will clear the comms at once." said the man.
"Yeah? Just look starboard!" said The Doctor.
Then, the Chief Steward and two stewards came to escort us out of reception, "Come with me, sir, miss."
I rolled my eye, "You've got a rock storm heading for this ship and the shields are down!" I shouted.
The Doctor got away from the stewards and ran for the stage. Once he got up there he grabed the mic from the singer, "Everyone, listen to me! This is an emergency! Get to the lifeb -" A host covered my uncle's mouth and pulled him away.
Mom and Dad saw him on stage and then looked over at me and came over to me, "Teddy, what's going on…"
"Mom, get to the TARDIS…" But before I could give her my key, The Doctor and I were taken away by the stewards.
"Look out the windows!" Shouted the Doctor.
As we were being led out, Astrid, the Van Hoffs, Bannakaffalatta, Mom and Dad were all following us, "If you don't believe me, check the shields yourself!" I said.
"Sir, I can vouch for them!" said Astrid
"Look, Steward, he's just had a bit too much to drink." said Morvin.
As we were walking past him, Mr. Copper said, "Sir, something seems to have gone wrong. All the teleports are down."
"Not now!" said the Chief Steward.
Mr. Copper joined the small group, as the Chief Steward took The Doctor and I through the maintenance corridors. "The shields are down, we are going to get hit." Said The Doctor.
Then the man who was rude to Astrid, walked into the corridor, "Oi! Steward! I'm telling you the shields are down!"
"Listen to him! Listen to him!" I said.
The Chief Steward stopped suddenly and spun around to face us, ready to yell at us, when we were thrown violently to the floor as the meteoroids started to hit the ship. There was chaos all around us. Things were sparking, fires rising, lights going out, and people screaming.
Once things seemed to calm down, The Doctor got to his feet and said, "Shh!" he paused, "It's stopping."
I got to my feet and helped Mom and Dad up, "You guys okay?" I asked.
"Yeah," said Mom.
"I think so," said Dad.
The Doctor helped Astrid up, "You all right?"
"I think so," said.
"Bad name for a ship. Either that or this suit is really unlucky."
"Both," I said.
The Doctor examined one of the stewards but it was to late for him. Then, the Chief Steward spoke up, "Ev-everyone... Ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, I must apologize on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruiseliners. We seem to have had a small collision."
"Small?" asked Morvin, indignantly.
"You know how much I paid for my ticket?" asked the rude man.
"If I could have silence, ladies, gentlemen…" said the Chief Steward but everyone was ignoring him and arguing with each other, "Quiet!" he shouted, then everyone stopped, "Thank you. I-I'm sure Max Capricorn Cruiseliners will be able to reimburse you for any inconvenience. But first I would point out that we are very much alive. She is, after all, a fine, sturdy ship," said the Chief Steward, as he started to walk away from the group. "If you could all stay here while I ascertain the exact nature of the - the situation."
I turned and saw him getting ready to open a hatch, "Don't open it!" I shouted. The hatch opened but unfortunately the section of the ship that was behind the hatch was gone and he was sucked out into space. We all grabbed on to something while The Doctor went over to the comm panel and he used his sonic to put up the shield. "Oxygen shield stabilized."
"Everyone all right?" asked the Doctor, "Teddy? Amy? Bob?" we all nodded, too out of breath from screaming to answer, "Astrid?"
"Yeah." she replied panting.
"Foon? Morvin? Mr Copper? Bannakaffalatta?"
"Yes," said the little red alien while the others just nodded.
Then, The Doctor looked at the rude man, "You, What was your name?"
"Ah, Rickston Slade." he said.
"You all right?"
"No thanks to that idiot."
"The steward just died!" shouted my Mom.
"Then he's a dead idiot," said Rickston.
Mom gasped and took a step toward him but Dad held her back and The Doctor said, "All right, calm down. Just stay still, all of you. Hold on."
The Doctor walked up to the open hatch and Astrid, Mom, Dad, and I followed.
"What happened? How come the shields were down?" asked Mom.
"I don't think it was an accident," I said.
The Doctor nodded in agreement. We looked out into space a saw bodies among the flotsam and jetsam floating above Earth.
"How many dead?" asked Astrid.
"We're alive, just focus on that," said The Doctor, "We will get you out of here, Astrid. I promise. Look at me. I promise." She nodded, and he started to look around, "Good. Now, if we can get to Reception, I've got a spaceship tucked away. We can all get on board…"
While I was looking outside a familiar blue box came into view, "Doctor…" I said.
"Oh." He said.
"What is it? What's wrong?" asked Mom.
"That's my spaceship over there."
"Where?" asked Astrid.
"There, that box. That little blue box." said The Doctor.
"That's a spaceship?"
"Oi, don't knock it."
"It's a bit small."
"Doctor, what about the kids?" asked Dad, "Are they OK?"
"Oh yeah, perfectly fine. Might be a bit shaken up but they are fine," said my uncle, "Trouble is, once it's set adrift, it's programmed to lock onto the nearest center of gravity and that would be...the Earth."
As we watched as the TARDIS headed to Earth, The Doctor went over to a comm spoke into the microphone, "Deck 22 to the bridge. Deck 22 to the bridge. Is there anyone there?"
"This is the bridge," said a man on other end. It was much younger sounding.
"Oh hello, sailor. Good to hear you. What's the situation up there?"
"We've got air. The oxygen field is holding. But the captain... He's dead. He did it." the sailor's voice broke as he talked, "I watched while he took down the shields. There was nothing I could do. I tried. I did try."
"All right. Just stay calm," I said, "Tell us your name. What's your name?"
"Midshipman Frame."
"Nice to meet you, sir," said my uncle, "I'm The Doctor and the lady you were just talking to was my niece, Teddy, What's the state of the engines?"
"They're um... Hold on…" then Midshipman Frame groaned.
"Have you been injured?" asked The Doctor
"I'm all right. Oh my vot. They're cycling down."
"That's a nuclear storm drive, yes?"
"Yeah."
"The moment the engines fail, we lose orbit," I said.
"The planet." said Mr. Frame.
"If we hit the planet, the nuclear storm explodes and wipes out life on Earth."
"Midshipman, I need you to fire up the engine containment field and feed it back into the core," said my uncle.
"This is never going to work," said Mr. Frame,
"Trust me, it'll keep the engines going until I can get to the bridge."
The Doctor switched off the comm and faced us.
"We're going to die!" shouted Foon.
"Are you saying someone's done this on purpose?" asked Mr. Copper.
"We're just a cruise ship!" said Astrid.
"Okay, okay. Tch, tch." said The Doctor as he tried to restore order, "First things first. One: we're going to climb through this ship. B"
"Two," I said with a smile.
"Right. Two: we're going to reach the bridge. Three…"
"or C…"
"We're going to save the Titanic. And, coming in a very low Four or D or that little "iv" in brackets they use in footnotes...why. Right then, follow me."
Mom, Dad, and I started to follow my uncle when Rickston spoke up, "Hang on a minute. Who put you in charge and who the hell are you anyway?"
"I'm the Doctor, this is my niece, Teddy. We're Time Lords. We're from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and she's 194..."
"And we're the ones who are gonna save your lives and all six billion of the people on the planet below. You got a problem with that?" I asked.
"No."
"In that case, Allons-y!"
"That's my line…" said The Doctor.
A short time later we reached a door, The Doctor pushed it open and saw a stairwell littered with debris and sparking cables. "Careful. Follow me." Said The Doctor. He went first, to clear a path for the rest of us. Astrid when next, Then, Me, Mom and Dad, Mr. Copper, Rickston, and finally the Van Hoffs.
"Rather ironic when this is very much in the spirit of Christmas," Said Mr. Copper," It's a festival of violence. They say that human beings only survive depending on whether they've been good or bad. It's barbaric."
"Actually, that's not true. Christmas is a time of - of peace and thanksgiving and...what am I on about? My Christmases are always like this." said The Doctor. I rolled my eyes. Then the Doctor uncovered a inactive Host, "We've got a Host. Strength of ten. If we can mend it, we can use it to fix the rubble."
"We can do robotics, both of us," said Morvin.
"We worked on the milk market back on Sto," said Foon, "It's all robot staff."
"See if you can get it working," I said as we pushed forward.
"Let's have a look," said The Doctor to Astrid. We reached the top of the stairwell and found the pat blocked by wreckage.
"It's blocked," said Astrid.
"So what do we do?" asked The Doctor.
"We shift it," said Astrid.
"That's the attitude. Teddy, Rickston, Mr. Copper, Bob, Amy and you, Bannakaffalatta... look, can I just call you Banna? It's gonna save a lot of time."
"No! Bannakaffalatta!" replyed the red alien.
"All right then, Bannakaffalatta, there's a gap in the middle. See if you can get through."
"Easy. Good."
He squeezed through opening. Then, the ship lurched again sending loose debris falling onto us.
"This whole thing could come crashing down any minute!" said Rickson.
"Oh, Rickston," asked Mom, "I forgot. Did you get that message?"
"No. What message?"
"Shut up!"
"Bannakaffalatta made it," said the alien.
"I'm small enough, I can get through." said Astrid, as she started to make her way though the hole.
"Careful," said The Doctor.
"I'm fine."
"I'll go next…" I said as I followed Astrid.
Astrid and I made it through and I said, "We can clear it from this side. Just tell us if it starts moving."
Just then we saw Bannakaffalatta lying down, a few feet away, we rushed over to him, "Bannakaffalatta, what's wrong?" asked Astrid.
"Sshhh." he said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Can't say."
Astrid moved to his side, "Are you hurt?"
"Ashamed." he said.
"Of what?" I asked.
"Poor Bannakaffalatta." Then, he lifted his shirt to reveal cybernetic components, in his chest.
"You're a cyborg."
"Had accident long ago. Secret.
"No, but everything's changed now. Cyborgs are getting equal rights. They passed a law back on Sto. You can even get married," said Astrid.
"Marry you?" he said as he looked at the blond.
She smiled, "Well, you can buy me a drink first. Come on. Let's recharge you," she pressed a button on his torso, "Just stay there for a bit."
Then, she and I went back to clearing the debris.
"Tell no one," said Bannakaffalatta.
"I promise," said Astrid.
"Your secret's safe with us," I said.
"What's going on up there?!" Shouted The Doctor.
"I think Bannakaffalatta and Astrid just got engaged." I shouted back. I looked at her and she smiled, then I looked at Bannakaffalatta and he smiled as well.
We worked at clearing a path for the others, Mom came through next and Dad help Mr. Copper and when all of the sudden I could hear my uncle shouting. Then, Rickston came all most running out of the hole in the rubble. Then Mr. Cooper came out. "What's going on I asked him?"
"I'm not sure, something to do with the Hosts…" he replied.
Then we saw Foon try to make her way through, Astrid and I tried to help her through, "No, I'm stuck!"
"Come on, you can do it!" said Astrid.
Then a large I-beam shifted and tried to block the path, but it was stopped by a pipe, Mr. Copper pushed upward on the pipe to keep it open for the others, "It's going to collapse!" he shouted. Foon made it through then he looked at Rickston, "Rickston, vot damn it, help me!"
"No... way," said Rickson. I looked at him and shook my head
"Morvin, get through!" shouted The Doctor from the other side.
"Doctor, he's stuck!" shouted Mom.
"Mr. Van Hoff, I know only just met us but you'll have to excuse us," said The Doctor. The Doctor and my dad shoved Morvin from the rear and he made it through.
"That's it. We've got you," said Astrid.
Then, my dad came through, "Dad, help Mr. Copper keep that pipe up." I said.
"You've got it," he said. Then he went over to Mr. Copper and help him hold the I-beam up.
"Doctor, come on, get through," said Astrid.
Just then I saw the Host right behind my uncle, "Information override!" said The Doctor, "You will tell me the point of origin of your command structure!"
"Information: Deck 31" said The Host
"Thank you.," then my uncle ran through the hole, "Let go!"
Dad and Mr. Copper released the pole and the beam crashed onto the Host's head. We all took a moment to collect our breaths before we moved on. We walked into the next room and found ourselves in one of the kitchens.
"Morvin, look, food," said Foon, as she spotted some leftovers on a table.
"Oh great. Someone's happy," said Rickston, sarcastically.
"Don't have any then." said Morvin
I so wanted to smack Rickston upside the head, but we need a statis update I headed over to the comm. link and pressed a button, "Mr. Frame, you still there?" I asked.
"Yes, ma'am, but I've got Host outside. I sealed the door." he replied.
The Doctor walked over to me, "They've been programmed to kill. Why would anyone do that?
"That's not the only problem, Doctor. I had to use a maximum deadlock on the door, which means... No one can get in. I'm sealed off. Even if you can fix the Titanic, you can't get to the bridge."
"Yeah, right, fine. One problem at a time. What's on Deck 31?"
"Um, that's down below. It's nothing. It's just the Host storage deck. That's where we keep the robots."
I looked at the scanner on the comm. link, "Well, what's that?" I asked as I put on my glasses, "See that panel? Black. It's registering nothing. No power, no heat, no light."
"Never seen it before," said Mr. Frame.
"It's 100% shielded. What's down there?"
"I'll try intensifying the scanner."
"Let us know if you find anything." I said as I took off my glasses.
"And keep those engines going!" said The Doctor as he turned off the comm.
Then, Mom and Astrid brought us some food, "Saved you some," said Astrid, "You might be a Time King and Queen from Gaddabee but you need to eat."
"Thank you," I said, as I took some.
"Yeah, thanks," said The Doctor. We all took a seat on the floor
"So, you look good for 903 and 194," said Astrid.
"I moisturize." I said with a smile.
"You should see me in the mornings," said my uncle with a mouth full of food.
"Okay," said Astrid. The Doctor and I smiled. We were starting to like Astrid. She had the makings of a very good companion for The Doctor and I.
"I would think about that," said Mom, "I've seen him in the morning… Not a pretty sight…"
We all chucked a little and then Dad and Mr. Copper joined us.
"Doctor," said Mr. Copper, "it must be well past midnight, Earth time. Christmas Day."
"So it is. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Amy," said Dad.
"Merry Christmas, Bob," said Mom.
Then they kiss and I smiled.
"This Christmas thing, what's it all about?" asked Astrid.
"Long story," I said.
" I should know, I was there. I got the last room," said The Doctor.
"What?" said Mom and Dad together.
"But if the planet's waking up, can't we signal them?" asked Mr. Copper, "They can send up a rocket or something."
"They don't have spaceships," I said.
"No, I read about it. They have shuffles, space shuffles."
"Mr. Copper, this degree in Earthonomics,... where's it from?" I asked.
"Honestly?"
"Just between us," said The Doctor.
"Mrs. Golightly's Happy Travelling University and Dry Cleaners," said Mr. Copper as he mopped his brow with his hankie and sat down.
"You - you lied to the company... to get the job?" asked Astrid.
"I- I wasted my life on Sto. I was a traveling salesman, always on the road and I reached retirement with nothing to show for it. Not even a home. And Earth sounded so exotic."
"Hm, I suppose it is, yeah," I said.
"How come you know it so well?"
The Doctor and I looked at each other and then he said, "We were sort of...a few years ago, was sorta made... well, sort of homeless, and, um there was the Earth."
"Thing is, if we survive this, there will be police and all sorts of investigations," said Mr. Copper, "Now the minimum penalty for space-age fraud is ten years in jail. I'm an old man. Well, I won't survive ten years."
Then there was a banging on the door, we looked at saw a dent starting to form, "A Host! Move! Come on!" shouted my uncle as we ran for the other side of the room. I used my sonic to open the door and we found ourselves in a space that ran the height of the ship. The only way across was a makeshift bridge, created by a fallen strut, below us was the engines.
"Is that the only way across?" said Rickston.
"On the other hand, it is a way across," said The Doctor.
"The engines are open," said Astrid.
"Nuclear storm drive. Soon as it stops, the Titanic falls."
"But that thing, it'll never take our weight," said Morvin.
"You're going last, mate." said Rickston.
"It's nitrofine metal. It's stronger than it looks." said The Doctor.
"All the same, Rickston's righ," said Morvin, "Me and Foon should -" he stepped on a weak piece of metal near the edge, the raling gave way and Morvin fell into the fire of the engines below us.
"Morvin!" cried Foon, as Astrid rushed to her side to hold her back from the edge.
I walked over to my Dad and gave him a hug and mom did the same, "I told you! I told you!" shouted Rickston.
"Just shut up! Shut up!" said Dad.
"How about you care for someone other than yourself for a change?" asked Mom.
Foon fell to her knees and The Doctor went over to her, "Bring him back! Can't you bring him back? Bring him back, Doctor!"
"I'm sorry, I can't," he said.
"You promised me!"
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Doctor, I rather think those things have got our scent," said Mr. Copper.
"I'm not waiting," said Rickson as he started across the beam.
"Careful! Take it slowly!" I said.
The was a rumble as the ship rocked and Rickston fell onto the beam, "Vot help me."
"You're okay," said The Doctor, "One step at a time. Come on, you can do it."
"They're getting nearer!" said Mr. Copper.
"Seal us in," said The Doctor, as he used his sonic to do it.
"Leaving us trapped, wouldn't you say?" asked Dad.
"Never say trapped, just inconveniently circumstanced," said my uncle.
"Oh."
"I'm okay!" said Rickston when he got halfway across.
"Mom," I said. "You go ahead and go and be careful."
She nodded, "I'm glad you talked me into wearing flats." I laughed as she started to make her way across.
"Maybe he's all right," said Foon to Astrid, "Maybe - Maybe there's a gravity curve down there or something. I don't know. Maybe he's unconscious."
"I'm sorry, Foon. He's gone," said Astrid, as she hugged the woman.
Foon started to cry, "What am I going to do without him?"
"Yes! Oh yes! Who's good?!" cheered Rickston when he made it to the other side.
"Bannakaffalatta, you go next," said The Doctor.
"Bannakaffalatta, small," he replied.
"Slowly!"
The there was a pounding on the door, "They've found us!" shouted Mr. Copper.
"Astrid, get across right now." said The Doctor.
"What about you?" she asked.
"Just do it. Go on." said my uncle. Then Astrid started across.
"Dad, Mr. Copper, we can't wait. Don't argue," I said. Then, Mr. Copper head out on the beam with my dad behind him.
"Foon, you've got to get across right now." said The Doctor.
"What for? What am I gonna do without him?" she asked.
"Doctor! The door's locked!" said Mom once she made it across.
"Just think... what would he want?" I asked.
"He don't want nothing, he's dead!" she sobbed.
"Doctor, I can't open the door. We need the whirring key thing of yours!" said Rickston.
"We can't leave her!" I shouted.
"She'll get us all killed if we can't get out!"
"Mrs. Van Hoff, I am coming back for you, all right?" asked The Doctor. Foon nodded then I headed out on the beam with my uncle right behind. The metal started to creak at the weight of the six of us.
"Too many people!" said Bannakaffalatta.
"Oi! Don't get spiky with me! Keep going!" said The Doctor.
"It's gonna fall!" said Astrid.
"It's just settling! Keep going!" I shouted. Then, the pounding stopped.
"They've stopped," said Dad.
"Gone away?" said Bannakaffalatta.
"Why would they give up?" I asked.
"Never mind that. Keep coming!" said Rickston.
"Where have they gone? Where are the Host?" asked The Doctor.
Mr. Copper looked up, "I'm afraid...we forgot the tradition of Christmas - that angels have wings!"
I looked up and then 5 Hosts glided down from above and encircled us, "Information: kill." said one of the Hosts and they reached for their halos.
"Arm yourselves! All of you!" said The Doctor. We all reached for pieces of pipe to defend ourselves as the Hosts threw their halos at us. We kept batting them awa. One grazed The Doctor's arm and another hit Mr. Coppers leg.
Astrid fell to her knees, "I can't."
Then, Bannakaffalatta, "Bannakaffalatta stop! Bannakaffalatta proud! Bannakaffalatta, cyborg!" He lifted his shirt and discharged a energy pulse that disabled the Hosts and all but one fell toward the engines. The other one fell onto the strut behind my uncle.
"Electromagnetic pulse took out the robotics," said The Doctor, "Oh, Bannakaffalatta, that was brilliant!"
We turned and saw Bannakaffalatta fall to the beam, Astrid went to him, "He's used all his power!" she said.
"Did good?" he asked, as he looked up at her.
"You saved our lives," she said.
"Bannakaffalatta happy."
"We can recharge you, get you to a power point and just plug you in!"
"Too late."
"No, but...you gotta get me that drink, remember?"
"Pretty girl," then Bannakaffalatta closed his eyes for the last time.
Astrid went to button his shirt up when Mr. Copper reached for his power source, "I'm sorry. Forgive me." he said.
"Leave him alone," said Astrid.
"It's the EMP transmitter. He - he'd want us to use it," the Mr. Copper removed the transmitter from the cyborg's chest, "I used to sell these things. They'd always give me a bed for the night in the cyborg caravans. They're good people. But if we can recharge it, we can reuse it as a weapon against the rest of the Host. Bannakaffalatta might have saved us all."
"Do you think? Try telling him that," said Rickston, as he pointed behind us.
I turned and saw the Host that landed on the beam start to move, "Information: reboot," it said, as it stood.
"Use the EMP!"
"It's dead!" said Mr. Copper.
"It's gotta have emergency…" said Astrid as she took the EMP from Mr. Copper and tried to start it up
The Doctor turned and confronted the host, "No, no, no. Hold on. Override loophole security protocol... 10! 666! Oh. 21, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Um, I dunno, 42! Uh, 1!"
The Host stopped and took a passive stance, "Information: state request."
I took a sigh of relief as The Doctor spoke, "Good...right. You've been ordered to kill the survivors, but why?"
"Information: no witnesses."
"But this ship's gonna fall on the Earth and kill everyone. The human race has nothing to do with the Titanic so that contravenes your orders, doesn't it?" I asked.
"Information: incorrect."
"But why do you want to destroy the Earth?" asked The Doctor.
"Information: it is the plan."
"What plan?" what plan I asked,
"Information: protocol grants you only three questions. These three questions have been used."
"Well, you could have warned us," I said irritated.
"Information: now you will die," said the Host, as it prepared to throw its halo at my uncle. Just then a lasso was thrown over its head and tightened around its body by Foon.
"You're coming with me," she said, then she closed her eyes and jumped over the side pulling the Host with her.
"Nooooo!" shouted The Doctor and I together.
I turned away from the sight of Foon falling into the engines below us. Then, I heard my uncle in a determined voice, "No more."
The rest of us made it across the beam and then I unlocked the door with my sonic. We found ourselves in another set of maintenance hallways. Then, The Doctor and I look at our group, "Right. Get up to Reception One," said my uncle, "Once you're there, Mr Copper. You've got staff access to the computer. Try and find a way of transmitting an SOS. Astrid, you're in charge of this," He handed her the EMP, "Once it's powered up, it'll take out Hosts within fifty yards but then it needs sixty seconds to recharge. Got it? Rickston, take this," he handed him his sonic, "I've preset it. Just hold down that button. It'll open doors. Do not lose it! You got that? Now go and open the next door. Go on! Go!"
"All right!" said Rickston, as he took off.
The Doctor found a First Aid kit and handed it to Mom, "Amy, I need Mr. Cooper fighting fit. Mr Copper, I need you fighting fit. Astrid, where's the power point?"
"Under the comms." said Astrid.
We ran over to the power point and The Doctor showed her how to recharge it, "When it's ready, that blue light comes on there."
"You're talking as if you're not coming with us."
"There's something down on Deck 31," I said, "We're gonna find out what it is."
"What if you meet a Host?"
"Well, then We'll just...have some fun, eh?" said The Doctor.
"Sounds like you two do this kind of thing all the time."
"Not by chance. All we do is travel. That's what we am, just travelers. Imagine it. No tax, no bills, no boss, just the open sky."
"I'm sort of...unemployed now and I was thinking the blue box is kinda small, but I could kinda squeeze in. Like a stowaway."
"It's not always safe," I said.
"I've got no one back on Sto, no family, just me. So what do you think? Can I come with you?" asked Astrid.
The Doctor and I smiled, "Yeah, I'd like that. Yes." he said.
"Me too," I said Then the ship lurched again. I stood up and spoke into the comm. "Mr. Frame, you still with us?"
"It's the engines, ma'am," said Mr. Frame, "Final phase. There's nothing more I can do. We've got only eight minutes left!"
"Don't worry, We'll get there."
"The bridge is sealed off!"
The Doctor then stood up and replyed, "Yeah, yeah, working on it. We'll get there, Mr Frame, somehow." Then, the EMP beeped, he looked down at Astrid, "All charged up?" She nodded, then he helped her up, "Mr Copper, look after Astrid. Astrid, look after Mr. Copper. Bob, look after Amy. Amy, look after Bob. Rickston, um...look after yourself. And we'll see you again, promise."
We started to leave when Astrid said, "Hold on! There's an old tradition on Planet Sto…"
"We've really got to go," said my uncle.
"Just wait a minute!"
She grabbed the First Aid kit from Mom, sets it on the floor in front of my uncle, stood on it and kissed him. He smiled, "Yeah, that's a very old tradition, yeah."
They he ran back over to me and we head off, "See you later!" she called back.
"Oh, yes!" said The Doctor as he stopped and turned around.
We ran into a small kitchen, as was soon surrounded by four hosts. We each grabbed a pot by the handle, and got ready to use it if necessary. "Wait, wait, wait, wait!" shouted The Doctor, "Security protocol one! Do you hear me? One! One!" The Hosts stopped advancing toward us, "Okay, that gives us three questions. Three questions to save our life, am I right?
"Information: correct," said one of the Hosts.
"No, that wasn't one of them. I didn't mean it. That's not fair. Can I start again?"
"Information: no."
"No, no! No, no, no. That wasn't one either."
I sighed and put my hand to my head and shook my head, Then I looked up, "You better leave this to me," I stepped forward, "Okay. One question left. One question. So, you've been given orders to kill the survivors but survivors must therefore be passengers or staff, but not us," I said as I pointed to myself and The Doctor, "We're not passengers. We're not staff. Go on, scan us. You must have bio records. No such persons on board. We don't exist therefore...you can't kill us. Therefore, We're stowaways and stowaways should be arrested and taken to the nearest figure of authority. And I believe the nearest figure of authority is on Deck 31. Final question: am I right?"
"Information: correct."
"Brilliant," said The Doctor, as we dropped our pans, "Take us to your leader." Then he looked at me and smiled, "I've always wanted to say that." I rolled my eyes.
The Hosts took us to the Host storage facility on Deck 31. There was a lot of structural damage as well as small fires burning all round us.
"Now this is what you call a fixer-upper," I said, as we walked in, "So, Hosts, where and who is this ultimate authority of yours?"
Then we heard some doors behind us and I was a little surprised by what I saw, "Ooh, that's clever," said The Doctor, "That's an omnistate impact chamber. Indestructible. You can survive anything in that, eh?" Then a small vehicle started to come out.
"Sit through a supernova or a shipwreck," I said, "Only one person can have the power and the money to hide themselves onboard like this and I should know, because…"
The vehicle was a giant life support system and Max Capricorn's head was attached to the top of it. "My name… is Max," he said, then his gold tooth glinted.
"It really does that?" I said, surprised.
"Who the hell is this?"
"I'm the Doctor," said my uncle, "This is my niece, Teddy…"
"Hello."
"Information: stowaways." said a Host.
"Well…" said The Doctor.
"Kill them," said Max.
"Oh, no, no! Wait, but you can't. Not now. Come on, Max...You've given me so much good material like...How to get ahead in business. See "head"? "Head in business"? No?"
Crossed my arms across my chest, put my right hand to my forehead, and sighed.
"Oh, ho ho, the office joker. I like a funny man. No one's been funny with me for years."
"Figures he'd like it," I muttered under my breath.
"I can't think why," said The Doctor.
"176 years of running the company have taken their toll." said Max.
"Yeah, but...nice wheels."
"No, a life-support system in a society that despises cyborgs. I've had to hide away for years. Running the company by hologram. Host, situation report."
"Information: Titanic is still in orbit." replied a Host.
"Let me see." said Max, as he moved forward. The Doctor and I moved out if his way, "We should have crashed by now. What's gone wrong?" he said as he went to the edge and looked down at the engines, "The engines are still running! They should have stopped!"
"When they do, the Earth gets roasted. I don't understand. What's the Earth got to do with it?" I asked.
"This interview is terminated." Said Max.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" said The Doctor, "Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! I can work it out. It's like a task. I'm your apprentice. Just watch me. So... Business is failing and you wreck the ship so that makes things even worse. Oh yes! No. Yes. The business isn't failing, it's failed. Past tense."
"My own board voted me out. Stabbed me in the back."
"If you had a back. So…" said The Doctor, "You scupper the ship, wipe out any survivors in case anyone's rumbled you and the board find their shares halved in value."
"But that's not enough," I said, "Because if a Max Capricorn ship hits Earth, it destroys an entire planet. There is outrage back home. Scandal! The business is wiped out."
"And... the whole board thrown in jail for mass murder." said Max.
"While you sit there, safe inside the impact chamber," said The Doctor.
"I have men waiting to retrieve me from the ruins and enough off-world accounts to retire me to the beaches of Pentaxico Two where the ladies, so I'm told, are very fond of...metal."
"So that's the plan," I said, indignantly, "A retirement plan. 2000 on this ship, 6 billion underneath us, all of them slaughtered. And why? Because Max Capricorn is a loser."
"I never lose," said Max.
"You can't even sink the Titanic."
"Oh, but I can, Teddy. I can cancel the engines from here." said Max then alarms started going off.
"You can't do this!" said the Doctor.
"Host, hold them."
Hosts came next to The Doctor and I, grabbed our arms and started to pull us away. "Not so clever now, Doctor," said Max, "A shame we couldn't work together. You're rather good. All that banter yet not a word wasted. Time for me to retire. The Titanic is falling. The sky will burn. Let the Christmas inferno commence. Oh! Oh, Host! Kill them."
One of the Hosts that wasn't holding our arms, removed its halo, and prepared to throw it at just. Just then someone called out, "Mr Capricorn! I resign." I turned in the direction of the voice and saw Astrid sitting in a forklift. Then she started it up and started driving it toward Max.
"Astrid, don't!" shouted The Doctor.
Astrid lifted the front of Max's life support just enough make his tires spin. The Host that was going to kill us threw his halo at Astrid but missed it it something else. "He's cut the break line!" I shouted.
Astrid looked at us and my uncle shouted, "No!" Then, she turned back to Max. She raised the fork higher, lifting Max fully off the ground and stepped on the gas. Without any breaks, Astrid couldn't stop when she reached the edge that overlooked the engines, so the both went over.
"Astrid!" shouted The Doctor and I, as we ran to the edge and saw Astrid falling toward the engines. We didn't have anytime to morn the lost of Astrid, we had to get to the bridge. The Hosts walked up to the Hosts and we held our arms out and a Host stood on either side of us. The Doctor snapped his fingers and the Hosts held onto our arms and started to fly us upwards, gaining speed as we got higher. With their arms raised they broke through the floor of the bridge.
"Deadlock broken," announced the computer.
The Doctor and I climbed through the hole, we dusted ourselves off, "Ah, Midshipman Frame at last!" said The Doctor.
"Uh, but-but the Host!" said Mr. Frame as he pointed at them.
"With their controller dead they divert to the next highest authority and that's him." I said as I pointed at my uncle.
"There's nothing we can do. There's no power. The ship's gonna fall."
"Titanic falling," announced the computer.
The Doctor took the wheel, "What's your first name?"
"Alonzo," said Mr. Frame.
The Doctor and I looked at him with surprise, "You're kidding me." I said.
"What?" asked Alonzo"
"That's something else I've always wanted to say," said The Doctor, he looked at me and smiled, "Care to join me?"
"You bet!" I said.
Then we looked at Alonzo and said together, " Allons-y Alonzo!"
Then, The Doctor spun the ship's wheel hard to port and turned us right toward Earth. The alarms started to sound as I went to check the computer. It showed that we were heading right for London. More specifically Buckingham Palace. I rolled my eyes, "Of course…" I picked up a comm and started to dial, "Hello, yes, um...could you get me Buckingham Palace?… Hello, You need to evacuate immediately!… Listen to me! This is Teddy Duncan, niece of The Doctor! By the authority vested in me by UNIT and Torchwood, I'm activating Security Code 771! Now get out of there!"
I watched out the window in front of us as the roof of Buckingham Palace got closer and closer.
"Engine active. Engine active," announced the computer.
The Doctor pulled back on the wheel. I held onto the control panel and watched as the Palace slowly started to slide out of view. From what I could tellthat we just missed hitting it by just the slimmest of margins.
Once we knew we were out of danger The Doctor and I looked at each other and laughed. Alonzo ran over to the ship's bell and rang it, "Whoo-hoo!" he called out.
"Whoo-hoo-hoo!" said The Doctor and I together.
Once we were back in orbit, I turned and saw Alonzo sitting on the floor. The Doctor and I sat down on the floor next to him, "Used the heat of re-entry to fire up the secondary storm drive. Unsinkable, that's me." said my uncle.
"We made it," said Alonzo.
"Not all of us," I said.
Then all of the sudden my uncle shouted, "Teleport!" Then he shot up, "She was wearing a teleport bracelet!"
Then I shot up, "Of course! Let go!" then we ran out the door, "I'm so glad I wore flats!"
We reached Reception and saw Rickson, Mr. Cooper, Mom and Dad, "Rickston! Sonic!" Shouted my uncle. Rickston threw it at my uncle and he caught it.
"Mr. Copper, do the teleports have emergency settings?" I asked.
"I don't know. They should have."
Mom and Dad ran over to us, "Teddy what's going on?" she asked.
"Astrid fell into the engines and she helped save us all." I said.
"What's the emergency code?" asked The Doctor.
"Uh, let me see…" said Mr. Copper as he entered the cold into the controls.
"What the hell are you doing?" asked Alonzo.
"We can bring her back," said The Doctor as he knelt down by the teleport controls and started to get to work.
"But, if Astrid fell into the engines how can she be saved?" asked Dad.
"If a passenger has an accident on shore leave and they're still wearing their teleport," explained Mr. Copper, "Their molecules are automatically suspended and held in stasis so that we can just trigger the shift."
"There!" said the Doctor as he finished his work. We turned around and saw a glowing, transparent Astrid.
"I'm falling." she said.
"Only halfway there. Come on." he said then he went back to work on the teleport controls.
"I keep falling."
"Feed back the molecule grid," I said, "boost it with the restoration matrix."
Then the teleport sparked, "No, no, no, no! Need more phase containment." said my uncle.
But I knew it was a lost cause, "Doctor…" I said.
"No! If I can just link up the surface suspension…"
"Doctor, she's gone," said Mr. Copper.
"I just need to override the safety. I can do it," said my uncle.
"Doctor, let her go," I said.
He turned to face Astrid's ghost-like figure. Then, he kicked the teleport in frustration, "I can do anything!" he shouted.
"Stop me falling," said Astrid.
The Doctor and Mr. Copper walked up to her. I just stood with my mom and dad. "There's not enough left," said Mr. Copper, "The system was too badly damaged. She's just atoms, Doctor. An echo with the ghost of consciousness. She's stardust."
The Doctor walked closer to and said, "Astrid Peth... citizen of Sto... the woman who looked at the stars and dreamt of traveling. There's an old tradition." he leaned down and kissed her, "Now you can travel forever." He opened a window behind her with his sonic screwdriver and she turned into motes of light. "You're not falling, Astrid, you're flying." then the lights flew out of the window.
A short time later, Alonzo walked up to Mr. Copper, who was standing by the bar near the teleport controls where The Doctor, Mom, Dad, and I were standing. "The engines have stabilized," he said, "We're holding steady till we get help and I've sent the SOS. A rescue ship should be here within twenty minutes. And they're digging out the records of Max Capricorn. It should be quite a story."
"They'll want to talk to all of us, I suppose," said Mr. Copper.
"I'd have thought so, yeah," said Alonzo.
Mr. Copper walked over to us. I looked at my uncle, he was staring straight ahead, his face was expressionless. I could tell that his hearts were broken again, "I think, uh, one or two inconvenient truths might come to light," said Mr. Copper, "Still, it's my own fault, and then years in jail is better than dying."
"Doctor... Teddy… I never said...thank you," said Rickston, as he came up to us and gave us each a hug, "The funny thing is...I said Max Capricorn was falling apart. Just before the crash, I ...sold all my shares, transferred them to his rivals. It's made me rich. What do you think of that?"
I smiled, "I tell you what I think…" I slapped him hard across his face. "How can you still be thinking of money after what just happened?"
Before he could answer his phone rang, "Salvain? Those shares, I want them triple-bonded and locked." Then he walked away.
"Of all the people to survive, he's not the one you would have chosen, is he?" asked Mr. Copper, "But if you could decide who lives and who dies…" he shrugged, "that would make you a monster."
The Doctor looked at Mr. Copper and sighed, "Mr. Copper…" he turned to the teleport and grabbed a couple of teleport bracelets, "I think you deserve one of these." Mr. Copper smiled and put the bracelet.
I grabbed a few for myself, Mom, and Dad. Mr. Copper chuckled and The Doctor started the machine. Before we disappeared Alonzo saluted us. The Doctor and I saluted back and we were gone.
Fortunately, it wasn't a long a very long walk to the TARDIS from where we landed. The ground was covered in a thin layer of what looked like snow. As we walked, Mr. Copper said, "So, Great Britain is part of, uh, "Europee" and just across the British Channel you've got Great France and Great Germany."
"No, no, it's just - it's just France and Germany," I said.
"Only Britain is great." said The Doctor.
"Oh, and they're all at war with the continent of Ham-erica?" asked Mr. Copper.
"No, well...not yet, uh...could argue that one."
We arrived at the TARDIS, I smiled, "There she is." I patted her, "Survive anything."
I put my key in the lock and opened the door only to be greet by an angry sound coming from the inside. The Doctor laughed, "Oh boy… She is mad at you…"
"Me? Why would she be mad at me? You're the one who set her adrift"
"That was an accident… Completely not my fault…"
Dad walked over to us and said, "You however made her play babysitter to your brother, Gabe…"
"Good point…" I said.
Mr. Copper looked up, "You know, I don't even thing this snow is real. I think this is the ballast from the Titanic's salvage entering the atmosphere."
"Yeah. One of these days it might snow for real," said The Doctor.
"So, I - I suppose you'll be off."
"The open sky," I said, "But we got to drop my folks off back at their proper point in time first."
"And, uh, what about me?" asked Mr. Copper, "What - what am I supposed to do?"
"Give me that credit card," said the Doctor.
Mr. Copper handed it over and said, "Well, it's just petty cash, spending money. It's all done by computer. I - I didn't really know the currency so I thought a million might cover it."
"A million?" I asked, "Pounds?"
"That enough for trinkets?"
"Mr. Copper, a million pounds is worth 50 million credits," said The Doctor.
"How much?" asked Mr. Copper
I did some quick math in my head, "50 million and 56."
"I - I've got money!"
"Yes, you have." said my uncle as he handed the card back.
"Oh my word. Oh my vot! Oh my goodness me! I – Ya-ha!" cheered Mr. Copper.
"It's all yours - Planet Earth," I said, "Now that's a retirement plan. But just you be careful, though."
"I will. I will. Oh, I will."
"No interfering. I don't want any trouble. Just...just have a nice life," said The Doctor.
"But I can have a house, a proper house, with a garden, and - and a door, and...Oh, Doctor, I will made you proud," said Mr. Copper, then he hugged my uncle, "And - and I can have a kitchen with chairs," he hugged me, "and windows," he hugged my mom, "and lace…" he hugged my dad then he skipped off.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
Mr. Copper chucked, "Why, I have no idea!"
I thought of something and I rushed over to him, "Mr. Copper…" I took a card out of my pocket, "If you need help with getting settled on Earth. That's the number for my boyfriend, Jack. Tell them that Teddy gave it to you and he'll be more than willing to help you…"
"Thank you…" he said and gave me a hug, "Merry Christmas, Teddy."
I smiled, "Merry Christmas, Mr. Copper…"
Then I went back to the TARDIS, Mom and Dad had all ready gone in and The Doctor was waiting for me, "Doctor... I won't forget her." shouted Mr. Copper.
The Doctor nodded and we looked up in the sky and saw a blue streak of light zigzag across. He looked back at Mr. Copper skipping away from us, "Merry Christmas, Mr. Copper." Then we stepped inside the TARDIS and headed to our next adventure…
A/V: OMG… I'm still reeling over watching The Time of The Doctor. I wish we didn't have to wait until Autumn for new episodes. I can't wait to get started on the next episode, Donna is back! As always, feel free to send me a comment of any kind it keeps me motivated… I mean the favorites and follows are nice but I want to know what you guys think of this thing. Also, I would like to hear your thoughts on Teddy regenerating at some point in the future…