Doctor P.O.V.
The Doctor said determinedly as he and Nasreen wandered through the city's passages: "This place is enormous and deserted. The majority of the race are probably still asleep. We need to find Lily and Amy. Looking for heat signature anomalies."
He lifted his sonic and pointed it about as Nasreen asked in awe: "But Doctor, how can all this be here? I mean, these plants."
She indicated the various plant-life that were scattered around and the Doctor replied as they walked through another tunnel-like passage: "Must be getting closer to the centre of the city."
"You're sure this is the best way to enter?" Nasreen asked unsurely and the Doctor replied confidently: "Front door approach. Definitely. Always the best way."
Suddenly a computer called: "Hostile life forms detected area seventeen."
An alarm began to blare and Nasreen turned to look at the Doctor. He added without missing a beat: "Apart from the back door approach. That's also good. Sometimes better."
"Hostile life forms detected area seventeen." The computer repeated and the Doctor muttered: "Mm, I can see what Lily meant that I need to think through my entrances sometimes…"
"Doctor." Nasreen said with forced calm and he turned to see armed Silurian warriors approaching them from the front.
He glanced back to see more warriors coming from behind and as they came closer he lifted his hands in surrender as he said quickly: "We're not hostile. We're not armed. We're here in peace."
Nasreen's eyes were wide as one warrior lifted its gun and sprayed a gas at them, making them cough and fall to the ground unconscious.
Lily P.O.V.
Lily woke up slowly, groggily. She opened her eyes blearily and shrieked as a lizard-like man dressed in a lab coat stood before her, looking at her curiously. She tugged on her arms, but found herself unable to move as she was strapped to a standing gurney-like structure.
"From her clothes, it appears my diagnosis is right and that female apes are more resistant to the cold than the males." The man commented and Lily sighed.
"I dressed for Rio." She muttered before it suddenly hit her what he meant.
"Wait, say that again. Was there another human girl? Have you seen her? Amy?" She asked urgently.
The scientist looked at her in surprise, when a female warrior snapped from across the lab: "Malohkeh, get on with it. I want the scans on the new prisoners complete."
He nodded, moving far away to a machine control and Lily cried: "Wait, no, what about Amy? And who are the new prisoners?"
"Lily?" A voice asked groggily and she turned her head to see the Doctor strapped into a gurney beside her.
"Doctor?" She gasped and he smiled in relief as he said: "Oh, good, you're alright. I'm here to rescue you."
Lily glanced around at the laboratory they were in, and commented sarcastically: "Yes, I can see that. Good job."
"Working on it, would appreciate less of the sass." The Doctor retorted as the machine beeped and came to life.
"Beginning scan." A computer said as a green scanner light appeared on the Doctor.
"Argh!" The Doctor began to scream in pain, and Lily cried in a panic: "Doctor?"
"Ah!" He yelled and Lily screamed: "Doctor!"
He began to twist and turn violently, and Lily suddenly winced as something dislodged in her mind. She heard a man screaming in agonizing pain, and as she closed her eyes against the pain of the memory, an image flashed in her mind. A tall man with dark brown hair, screaming in pain as he clutched a metal helmet on his head.
Lily wasn't sure why, but the memory made her heart break and a tear fall before she gasped and she was back in the present as the Doctor cried out in pain.
"Doctor!" She gasped, focusing back on him as the scan completed. He couldn't reply as he sagged a little, panting as he tried to shake off the pain.
What was that? She wondered as she briefly remembered her memory. Or is it a memory? Who is that man that keeps appearing?
She broke out of her thoughts as the scientist called: "I'm decontaminating now."
Lily blinked as the Doctor's eyes flew open and he repeated in horror: "Decontamination? No. No!"
Lily saw the scientist look up at him, confused as the Doctor cried: "No-!"
He broke off as he began to scream in pain.
"Doctor!" Lily screamed.
"Agh!" He cried, twitching and jerking violently.
"Stop it, stop it now!" Lily screamed at the scientist, writhing in her restraints.
"So emotional. Disgusting." The female warrior said dismissively as she paced over, stopping before the Doctor and watching him twist in pain.
"Argh!" The Doctor cried and Lily shouted desperately: "Let him go!"
The scientist, Malohkeh, said soothingly: "It's alright, it won't harm you. I'm only neutralising all your ape bacteria."
Lily's eyes widened as she realized what was probably causing the problem, and sure enough the Doctor said frantically: "I'm not an ape. Look at the scans. Two hearts. Totally different. Totally not ape!"
He screamed again in pain as Malohkeh looked up in surprise. The scientist peered down to his scans, verifying the Doctor's words as the Doctor continued frantically: "Remove all human germs, you remove half the things keeping me alive."
He cried out in pain again.
"Please, he really isn't human, please stop it, you're hurting him!" Lily begged as she watched the Doctor scream. Malohkeh turned off the decontamination and Lily sighed in relief as the Doctor's screams died down and he sagged in his restraints, breathing heavily.
"No, complete the process." The female warrior snarled, but Malohkeh didn't respond as he walked slowly towards their general direction.
The Doctor said to the male scientist gratefully: "Oh, that's much better, thanks. Not got any celery, have you?"
The female warrior took a step forward, glaring at him menacingly. Lily shifted uncomfortably as the Doctor rambled: "No. No, not really the climate. Tomatoes, though. You'd do a roaring trade in those. I'm the Doctor. This is Lily."
He jerked his head at Lily, who smiled tightly. The Doctor glanced to his other side where Malohkeh was headed and he added breathlessly: "Oh, and there's Nasreen. Good."
Lily glanced over, peering across the Doctor to see it was indeed Nasreen, also strapped in her spot. She woke up as Malohkeh reversed the gases effect and Lily smiled as Nasreen blinked and said flatly: "Oh, a green man."
The Doctor meanwhile was staring at the warrior and he said in a friendly tone: "Hello. Who are you?"
"Restac," The warrior replied shortly. "Military commander."
"Oh dear, really?" The Doctor replied. "There's always a military, isn't there?"
He turned to Lily who smiled, albeit a little grimly. Nasreen was also smiling a little, but it dropped as Malohkeh told them sharply: "Your weapon was attacking the oxygen pockets above our city."
The Doctor glanced at Nasreen meaningfully, but he said appreciatively: "Oxygen pockets, lovely. Oooh," he added with a wince, "but not so good with an impending drill. Now it makes sense."
Lily nodded with a sigh and Malohkeh looked at them curiously. Restac strode up and demanded of the Doctor: "Where is the rest of your invasion force?"
"Invasion force?" The Doctor repeated with raised brows and a small smile.
"Me and lovely Nasreen?" He nodded at the woman. "No. We came for the humans you took."
He jerked his head at Lily to make his point clear before he continued: "And," he looked between the two Silurians pointedly, "to offer the safe return of Alaya."
Restac twitched and the Doctor breathed as he realized: "Oh wait, you and she, what is it, same genetic source?"
Restac's face remained stoic, but the Doctor knew he was right.
"Of course you're worried, but don't be, she's safe." He assured the female warrior, and Restac replied coldly: "You claim to come in peace, but you hold one of us hostage."
She turned, and waved her hands in an order. Her troops began to move and Lily watched with terror as they approached and the Doctor called hastily: "Wait, wait, we all want the same thing here."
Restac snapped: "I don't negotiate with apes."
"Doctor." Lily murmured, fear gripping her as the troops surrounded each of them.
Restac said darkly to Malohkeh: "I'm going to send a clear message to those on the surface."
"What's that?" The Doctor asked and the pair turned to him.
"Your execution." Restac snarled and Nasreen's head snapped to the Doctor in fear.
"You had to ask." Lily moaned as she stared at the armed soldiers that surrounded them in terror.
"Yes." The Doctor sighed as he glanced at Nasreen and Lily as the three were hauled out of their restraints, only to have their hands cuffed behind their backs. They were also kept under heavy guard as Restac led them away. Lily glanced around the city as they were escorted through several tunnels and corridors. She was surprised to see thick vegetation as they walked closer towards what she assumed as the heart of the city.
As they walked, the Doctor mused quietly: "These must be the only ones awake. The others must still be in hibernation."
Nasreen whispered back: "So, why did they go into hibernation in the first place?"
"The Great Extinction?" Lily suggested, but the Doctor shook his head.
He explained: "Their astronomers predicted the planet heading to Earth on a crash course. They a built life underground and put themselves to sleep for millennia in order to avert what they thought was the apocalypse, when in reality it was the moon coming into alignment with the Earth."
Restac suddenly stopped, turning to them sharply to glare at the Doctor. Malohkeh asked incredulously from behind them: "How can you know that?"
The Doctor realized what he'd said and glanced at Restac warily before replying to Malohkeh: "Long time ago, I met another tribe of Homo Reptilia. Similar, but not identical."
"Others of our species have survived?" Restac asked while Lily looked at him in surprise. But her heart sank as she watched the Doctor lower his eyes, his head bowing a little in sorrow.
"The humans attacked them." He said softly. "They died. I'm sorry."
"What?" Lily gasped but she quickly shut her mouth as Restac snarled, beginning to shake a little in anger. The Doctor shifted slightly so that he was standing in front of Lily as they watched Restac apprehensively.
"A vermin race." The warrior spat furiously. She turned and began to stride forward once more as Nasreen looked after he sadly and Lily glanced up at the Doctor.
He was exchanging a thoughtful look with Malohkeh warily, but he glanced at her when he felt her gaze. His eyes were gentle as he took in her sorrowful eyes, and he took her hand gently as they followed Restac once more.
As they were led into a magnificent courtroom, Malohkeh hissed at Restac quietly: "You're not authorised to do this."
Lily glanced at the pair in surprise as Restac snapped: "I am authorised to protect the safety of our species while they sleep."
"Oh, lovely place." The Doctor commented as they walked further into the room. "Very gleaming."
Lily had to admit he had a point- it was a beautiful room with a grand mahogany table in the center. But she couldn't really admire the view when things were starting to look more than a little dire.
As she thought that, Restac replied: "This is our court and our place of execution."
I knew it. She thought wryly as the Doctor just leveled a look at Restac. Nasreen glanced at the Doctor, looking a little afraid.
"Let them go."
Lily blinked in surprise as Amy suddenly walked determinedly into the room, pointing one of the Silurian guns at Restac. The Doctor beamed as he said cheerily: "Amy Pond. There's a girl to rely on." He added towards Nasreen and Lily retorted: "Hey."
Nasreen smiled while the Doctor looked at Lily guiltily, muttering: "Oops, sorry."
Amy just grinned at them but said to Restac firmly: "You're covered both ways, so don't try anything clever, buster."
Lily glanced back in surprise and saw a man standing in the doorway, also pointing a Silurian gun at the guards.
"Mo." Nasreen said in relief, and Lily looked between their rescuers as Amy demanded: "Now let them go, or I shoot."
Restac just hissed as she stepped closer to Amy, who looked unnerved. Lily watched in alarm as Amy tried to stay confident, saying: "I'm warning you."
Restac just reached out and disarmed Amy, shoving the girl to the floor as Lily cried: "Amy!"
"Don't you touch her!" The Doctor ordered sharply at the same time, but Restac just spun towards them, now pointing the gun at the group as she growled at Mo: "And you."
Mo grit his teeth but there was nothing he could do as Restac's troops took his gun. Malohkeh said in exasperation: "Alright, Restac, you've made your point."
He looked at her sternly, but Restac just stalked over to him and said flatly: "This is now a military tribunal. Go back to your laboratory, Malohkeh."
He hissed at her but she simply snarled back. He glanced at Amy and then at Lily, before he said to Restac softly: "This isn't the way."
Restac just continued to level a stare at him and he turned away with a sigh, leaving them as Restac ordered the guards: "Prepare them for execution."
Lily sighed but was terrified as they were each led to a pillar on the far side of the court and shoved to stand against them. Amy called over to Lily and the Doctor as they were chained into place, trying to sound brave but her voice was shaking badly as she said: "Okay, sorry. As rescues go, didn't live up to its potential."
"It was a better attempt than him." Lily replied, trying to joke but she was also terrified as she was locked into place beside the Doctor.
The Doctor glanced at her and just managed to take her hand, trying to tell silently that it would okay as he called back to Amy: "I'm glad you're okay, Amy."
The redhead replied: "Me too. Lizard men, though." She added in a mix of wonder and horror, and the Doctor corrected: "Homo Reptilia. They occupied the planet before humans. Now they want it back."
"After they've wiped out the human race." Nareen added, somewhat lightly as she tried to alleviate the tension.
Amy retorted: "Right. Preferred it when I didn't know, to be honest."
They stood apprehensively as the Silurians stood armed and at the ready, pointing their guns at them. Lily swallowed in terror, waiting but none of them move. Nasreen asked confusedly: "Why are they waiting? What do you think they're going to do with us?"
The Doctor frowned, watching them confusedly as well. Their question was answered as a holographic screen popped up on the table as Restac stood before it. She glared at the blank screen menacingly as she called: "Who is the ape leader? Who speaks for the apes?"
Lily could just make out Rory, Tony and Ambrose in the far corner of the room, and she watched terrified as Rory walked over slowly, saying slowly: "I speak for the… humans."
Lily was proud that he refused to call them all apes, although she grimaced as Rory added less confidently: "Some of us, anyway."
"Do you understand who we are?" Restac snarled.
Lily sighed, despite the circumstances as Rory replied: "Sort of. A bit. Not really." He finally admitted, and both Amy and Lily rolled their eyes.
"We have ape hostages." Restac said menacingly.
Lily realized Rory must've not been able to see them until now, because he suddenly leapt forward, closer to the screen as he called to them anxiously: "Doctor! Amy! Lily!"
Ambrose and Tony also darted forward, Ambrose calling desperately: "Mo! Mo, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, love." Mo called back bravely. "I've found Elliot. I'm bringing him home."
Lily glanced at him, startled but glad the boy was safe. Rory was saying in relief: "Amy, I thought I'd lost you."
"What, cause I was sucked into the ground?" Amy replied jokingly. "You're so clingy."
"Tony Mack!" Nasreen called, and Lily realized with a start that the woman loved the old man. Tony grinned as he called back in relief: "Having fun down there?"
Nasreen grinned and the Doctor finally piped up: "Not to interrupt, but just a quick reminder to stay calm."
"Show me Alaya." Restac snarled at that moment.
Lily frowned a little as she saw Ambrose's eyes widen in what looked like alarm… and fear. Oh, please no. Lily thought desperately as Restac ordered: "Show me, and release her immediately unharmed, or we kill your friends one by one."
The group were all anxious by this point, and Lily furrowed her brows worriedly as Ambrose snarled: "No."
"Ambrose." Rory warned as the Doctor called, trying to calm them: "Steady now, everyone."
"Ambrose, stop it." Tony ordered, pulling the woman back sharply, and Lily was extremely concerned as the woman wrenched herself out of his grip, hissing: "Get off me, Dad."
The Doctor was already concerned now, as Ambrose turned back to the screen and shouted, her face scrunched with pain and sorrow: "We didn't start this."
"Let Rory deal with this, Ambrose, eh?" The Doctor called, trying to save the situation.
But Ambrose snarled into the screen: "We are not doing what you say any more. Now, give me back my family." She ordered, and Lily closed her eyes, turning her face to the Doctor while the others stared wide-eyed in fear.
"No." Restac replied flatly, as expected. Ambrose's face fell.
"Execute the girl." Restac ordered. She indicated Amy and Lily's eyes widened in fear.
"No!" She cried as Rory shouted desperately: "No! No, wait!"
"Rory!" Amy cried in fear as the Silurian soldiers marched over to grab her, and Lily cried: "No, stop! Take me first, leave her alone!"
"Lily!" The Doctor ordered her to stay silent as Restac glared at them and Rory cried desperately: "She's not speaking for us."
The Doctor addressed Restac urgently: "There's no need for this."
"Get the other girl as well." Restac ordered flatly, and the Doctor snapped: "Restac!"
"Doctor!" Lily called as she was grabbed too, and Rory called desperately: "Listen, listen."
Amy was shoved into the center and she stood in wide-eyed terror as Lily was hauled over too. The Doctor struggled desperately against his chains as Rory shouted: "Whatever you want, we'll do it!"
"Aim." Restac said flatly, Rory shouted: "Amy!"
"Rory!" Amy shouted at the same time Lily cried desperately: "Doctor!"
"Don't do this!" The Doctor shouted as he fought against his chains frantically. The girls squeezed their eyes shut, Lily reaching out to grab Amy's hand tightly as they faced their fate.
"No!" Rory and the Doctor yelled and Restac shouted: "Fire!"
"Stop!" A powerful called from the doorway. Lily peeked out to see a Silurian man walking into the court, wearing a decorated robe that clearly indicated he was the tribe leader. Behind him stood Malohkeh.
Lily and the Doctor watched the man's approach warily as Amy also opened her eyes. The leader asked: "You want to start a war while the rest of us sleep, Restac?"
"The apes are attacking us." Restac replied defensively.
The leader returned firmly: "You're our protector, not our commander, Restac. Unchain them."
"I do not recognise your authority at this time, Eldane." Restac hissed angrily, but Eldane replied coolly: "Well then, you must shoot me."
Restac hissed and Eldane waited with raised brows. She snarled and stormed over to Malohkeh, saying furiously: "You woke him to undermine me."
"We're not monsters." Malohkeh replied softly. His eyes flickered to the group, landing on Lily and then the Doctor as he added calmly: "And neither are they."
"What is it about apes you love so much, hmm?" Restac asked condescendingly and Malohkeh replied gently: "While you slept, they've evolved. I've seen it for myself."
Restac scoffed as she snarled: "We used to hunt apes for sport. When we came underground, they bred and polluted this planet."
"Shush now, Restac." Eldane ordered quietly.
Malohkeh moved to free the group as Eldane dismissed her: "Go and play soldiers. I'll let you know if I need you."
She glared at him and retorted flatly: "You'll need me, then we'll see."
She stalked out, taking her troops with her as Malohkeh freed the Doctor. He hurried quickly over to Lily as the girl stood still, frozen from the after-shock of having narrowly avoided death.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He asked frantically as he looked over her, his hands flailing wildly in his concern. She slowly turned her head to focus on him, and he breathed in relief as she slowly nodded. Lily released a shaky breath and the Doctor reached out to pull her into his arms.
"Don't ever scare me like that again." He sighed as he kissed the top of her head.
"Mm, I'll try. Not a fan of being almost executed either." She replied half-joking as she finally managed to shake herself out of her fear-induced trance. But her voice cracked just a little at the end and the Doctor hugged her tightly as she breathed deeply, slowly bringing her heart rate down as they clung together, both relieved to be alive.