Dame Rose of TARDIS

by KiaraNightstar

What if Rose Tyler was a Time Lord? What if the Doctor was stuck in the parallel world instead of Rose? Rewrite n progress. Don't worry, it's not much, just the writing format. And other stuff.

25. Midnight

Chapter 25: Midnight

Disclaimer: I don't won Doctor Who.

---

The Vixen dragged her best friend along, literally, and Donna said, "I said no."

The Vixen whined, "Come on. A sapphire waterfall, it's a waterfall made of sapphires." Donna smiled fondly. "This enormous jewel the size of a glacier... It reaches the Cliffs of Oblivion and then shatters into sapphires at the edge. They fall 100,000 feet into a crystal ravine."

Donna said sarcastically, "I hope you don't say that to all the girls."

The passengers walked past the Vixen and Donna as they began to board. The Vixen pleaded, "Oh, come on, they're boarding now. It's no fun if I see it on my own. Four hours. That's all it'll take."

Donna argued, "No, that's four hours there and four hours back. That's like a school trip. I'd rather go sunbathing." The Vixen gave Donna her best puppy eyes. "No. You are not breaking me with that look. Stop it." But the Vixen left no mercy. "Oh fine."

The Vixen hugged her and said, grinning, "We'll be back for dinner. And we'll try that anti-gravity restaurant, with bibs."

The Vixen skipped off toward the bus and Donna called after her, "Right. But if we die saving the universe like we always have to, I'm gonna kill you."

The Vixen turned around and asked, "Taking a big space truck with a bunch of strangers across a diamond planet called Midnight? What could possibly go wrong?" Donna shook her head as the Vixen bounded off to the Crusader Vehicles.

---

The Vixen was in her seat, Donna next to her as they watched the rest of the passengers on board. The Hostess was passing out items to a woman across the aisle from the Vixen, saying, "Complimentary juice pack and complimentary peanuts."

The woman said, "Just the headphones, please."

The Hostess handed her the headphones, "There you go." She moved over to the Vixen and Donna and began to hand them items. "That's the headphones for channels 1-36, modem link for 3-D video games, complimentary earplugs, complimentary slippers, complimentary juice pack and complimentary peanuts. I must warn you, some products may contain nuts."

Donna muttered, "That'll be the peanuts."

The Hostess said, chirpily, "Enjoy your trip."

The Vixen grinned, "Oh, I can't wait. Allons-y!"

The Hostess asked, "I'm sorry?"

"It's French for "Let's go"."

Donna snorted and the Hostess said, "Fascinating." She moved on to the people behind them. The older man said, "Oh, no, thank you, not for us."

The young woman said, "Ear plugs, please."

The old man said, "They call it a sapphire waterfall, but it's no such thing. Sapphire's an aluminium oxide but the glacier is just compound silica with iron pigmentation." While the Hostess turned to the middle aged couple at the back, the old man asked, "...And the pills?"

The woman replied, "All measured out for you."

The man leant forward and introduced himself to the Vixen and Donna, "Hobbes, Professor Winfold Hobbes."

He shook their hands and the Vixen smiled, "I'm the Vixen and this is Donna. Hello. Have you been to the waterfall before?"

Hobbes said, "It's my fourteenth time."

Donna smiled and said, "Our first."

The woman stood up and said, "And I'm Dee Dee." She shook their hands. "Dee Dee Blasco."

Hobbes scolded, "Don't bother the nice women! Where's my water bottle?"

The Vixen nodded and smiled at the woman across the aisle, Sky, but she just buried her head in a book. The Hostess walked to the front of the cabin and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, welcome on board the Crusader 50. If you would fasten your seatbelts, we'll be leaving any moment. Doors." The pneumatic doors slid closed. "Shields down." Shields blocked the windows. "I'm afraid the view is shielded until we reach the Waterfall Palace. Also, a reminder: Midnight has no air so please don't touch the exterior door seals. Fire exit at the rear, and, should we need to use it, you first." She chuckled. "Now, I will hand you over to Driver Joe."

A man's voice crackled over the intercom, "Driver Joe at the wheel. There's been a diamond fall at the Winter Witch Canyon so we'll be taking a slight detour, as you'll see on the map." A map appeared on the passenger screen. "The journey covers 500 kliks to the Multifaceted Coast; duration is estimated at four hours. Thank you for travelling with us, and, as they used to say in the olden days, wagons roll!" The engines started and the shuttle began to move.

The Hostess said, "For your entertainment, we have the music channel playing retrovids of Earth Classics." She used a remote and screens lowered from the ceiling showing Raffaello Cara singing 'Do It Again'. "Also, the latest artistic installations from Ludovic Klein." She hit another button on the remote and a hologram appeared, encompassing the cabin. "Just for the youngsters, a rare treat-the Animation Archives." A black and white Betty Boop cartoon started. "Four hours of fun time. Enjoy!"

All the media blared at once, a cacophony of sound. Donna asked the Vixen, "Can't you do something about this?"

The Vixen teased, "Why? Bit loud?"

"Sorry, what? I can't hear you over the fact that you're gonna get smacked. Now you gonna do something or not?"

The Vixen flinched and replied, "Way ahead of you." She discretely took out the sonic screwdriver and used it, shutting everything down.

Hobbes sighed, "Well, that's a mercy."

Donna muttered, "Ya think?"

The Hostess said, "I do apologize, ladies and gentlemen, and variations thereupon. We seem to have had a failure of the entertainment system."

The woman at the back asked, "What do we do?"

Her husband said, "We've got four hours of this? Four hours of just...sitting here?"

The Vixen got up and looked over her seat, addressing all the passengers. She grinned cheekily and said, "Tell you what...we'll have to talk to each other instead."

Donna shrunk back in her seat and muttered, "Kill me now."

---

Sky was still reading while the Vixen and Donna were kneeling on a seat in front of Val and Biff, facing them as they related a funny story. Val said, "So Biff said, "I'm going swimming"..."

Biff said, "Oh, I was all ready, trunks and everything! Nose plug."

Val laughed, "And his little nose plug. You should have seen it."

"And I went marching up to the lifeguard, and he was a Shamboni, you know, those big foreheads..."

"Great, big forehead!"

Biff finished, "And I said, "Where's the pool" and he said..."

Val and Biff both said in unison, "'The pool is abstract'!" Their son, Jethro, mouthed the words, bored, having heard the story over and over. Everyone laughed.

Biff said, "It was a concept."

Donna asked, "And you were wearing a nose plug?"

Biff laughed and pinched his nose, "Oh, it was like this. Where's the pool?" As the others laughed,

Donna said dryly, "Splendid." The Vixen gave her a look and elbowed her in the ribs. Only to be elbowed back, much harder.

---

The Vixen and Donna were standing in the galley, chatting with Dee Dee, who said, "I'm just a second-year student, but I wrote a paper on the Lost Moon of Poosh. Professor Hobbes read it, liked it, took me on as researcher, just for the holidays. I say "researcher", most of the time he's got me fetching and carrying, but it's all good experience."

Donna asked, "And did they ever find it?"

Dee Dee asked, "Find what?"

The Vixen replied, "The Lost Moon of Poosh."

Dee Dee laughed, "No, not yet."

The Vixen smiled kindly, "Well, maybe that'll be your great discovery one day." She lifted her cup, "Here's to Poosh."

Dee Dee and Donna raised their cups, "ToPoosh."

---

The Vixen was sitting next to Sky as they prepared to eat. Donna was at the back with Jethro. The Vixen said, "No, no. Donna and me. We're just friends. More like sisters actually. You?"

Sky replied, "No, it's just me."

The Vixen grinned, "I've done plenty of that, travelling on my own. I loved it. Do what you want, go anywhere."

Sky said, "I'm still getting used to it. I found myself single rather recently, not by choice."

The Vixen asked sympathetically, "I'm sorry. What happened?"

Sky sighed, "Oh, the usual. She needed her own space, as they say. A different galaxy, in fact. I reckon that's enough space, don't you?"

The Vixen said sadly, "Yeah. I had a friend who went to a different universe."

Sky looked at her food and asked, skilfully changing the subject, "Oh. What's this? Chicken or beef?"

The Vixen replied, carefully looking at the food, "I think it's both."

---

Hobbes gave a lecture on the planet's background and everyone was listening. Well, almost everyone. Donna had fallen asleep on the Vixen's shoulder. Hobbes said, "So, this is Midnight, d'you see? Bombarded by the sun-Xtonic rays, raw galvanic radiation. Dee Dee, next slide!" Dee Dee swapped the slides quickly. "It's my pet project. Actually, I'm the first person to research this. Because, you see...this history is fascinating...because there is no history! There's no life in this entire system! There couldn't be. Before the Leisure Palace Company moved in. no one had come here in all eternity! No. Living. Thing."

Jethro asked, "But how do you know? I mean, if no one can go outside?"

Val tutted, "Oh, his imagination. Here we go."

The Vixen said, "He's got a point, though."

Hobbes said, "Exactly! We look upon this world through glass. Safe inside our metal box. Even the Leisure Palace was lowered down from orbit. And here we are now, crossing Midnight... but never touching it." There was a banging and whirring and the engines went silent.

The Vixen shook Donna's arm, who awoke with a jolt as Val said, "We've stopped. Have we stopped?"

Biff asked, "Are we there?"

Dee Dee said, "We can't be. It's too soon."

Hobbes said, "They don't stop. Crusader vehicles never stop."

The Hostess said, "If you could just return to your seats. It's just a small delay." She headed to the intercom.

Biff said, "Maybe it's just a pit stop."

Hobbes scoffed, "There's no pit to stop in. I've been on this expedition fourteen times. They never stop."

Sky said, "Well, evidently we have stopped, so there's no point in denying it."

Jethro laughed, "We've broken down."

Val said, "Thanks, Jethro."

"In the middle of nowhere."

Biff scolded his son, "That's enough, now stop it."

The Hostess announced, "Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, we're just experiencing a short...delay. The driver needs to stabilize the engine feeds. It's perfectly routine. So if you could just stay in your seats,"

The Vixen whispered to Donna, "Stay here. Back in a minute."

She approached the door to the cockpit and the Hostess said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I,"

The Vixen showed her the psychic paper and said, "There you go. Engine expert. Two ticks." She opened the door and entered.

The Hostess said, "Sorry, miss, if you could just sit down! You're not supposed to be in there..."

The Vixen closed the door and rested her arms on the backs of the seats occupied by two men. One of them said, "Sorry, if you could return to your seat, miss."

The Vixen flashed the psychic paper at him and said, "Company insurance. Let's see if we can get an early assessment. So, what's the problem, Driver Joe?"

Driver Joe replied, "We're stabilizing the engine feeds. Won't take long."

The Vixen said, "Um, no, 'cos that's the engine feed, that line there, and it's fine. And it's a micro-petrol engine, so stabilizing doesn't really make sense, does it?" The men looked at her in shock. "Sorry! I'm the Vixen, I'm very clever. And crafty, I'm also very crafty. Hence the name Vixen. So, what's wrong?"

The other man said, "We just stopped. Look, all systems fine, everything's working, but we're not moving."

The Vixen checked the panels with her sonic and said, "You're right. No faults. And who are you?"

"I'm Claude. I'm the mechanic. Trainee."

The Vixen grinned, "Nice to meet you."

Driver Joe said, "I've sent a distress signal. They should dispatch a rescue truck, top speed."

The Vixen asked, "How long till they get here?"

"About an hour."

The Vixen said, "Well, since we're waiting, shall we take a look outside?" Driver Joe hesitated. "Just...lift the screens a bit?"

Driver Joe said, "It's 100% Xtonic out there. We'd be vaporised."

The Vixen replied, "Nope, those windows are Finitoglass. They'd give you a couple minutes. Go on. Live a little."

Driver Joe said, "Well..." He raised the shields and they all laughed in amazement at the sight in front of them, crystals glittering in the sun.

The Vixen breathed, "That's beautiful."

Mechanic Claude said, "Look at all those diamonds! Poisoned by the sun-no one can ever touch 'em."

The Vixen said, "Joe, you said we took a detour."

Driver Joe replied, "Just about 40 kliks to the west."

"Is that a recognized path?"

"No, it's a new one. The computer worked it out on automatic."

The Vixen laughed, "So we're the first. This piece of ground, no one's ever been here before...not in the whole of recorded history."

Claude looked out the window as if he saw something and asked, "Did you just-"

The Vixen turned to him and asked, serious, "What?"

Claude said, "No, sorry, it's nothing."

"What did you see?"

Claude pointed and said, "Just there, that ridge. Like-like a shadow. Just for a second."

The Vixen asked, "What sort of shadow?"

An alarm sounded and Driver Joe said, "Xtonic rising. Shields down. The shields begin to lower."

Claude cried out, "Look! Look! There it is! Look there!"

The Vixen asked, "Where?" The shields closed. "What was it?"

Claude stammered, "Like, just something shifting, something sort of dark, like it was...running."

The Vixen asked quietly, "Running which way?"

"Towards us."

Silence, then Driver Joe said, "Right, Vixen, back to your seat and not a word,rescue's on its way. If you could close the door, thank you." The Vixen nodded and left the cockpit.

---

Sky asked the Vixen the moment she entered, "What did they say? Did they tell you? What is it? What's wrong?"

The Vixen replied, "Just stabilizing. Happens all the time."

Sky said, "I don't need this. I'm on a schedule. This is completely unnecessary!"

The Hostess said, "Back to your seats, thank you." She entered the cockpit and the Vixen and Sky resumed their seats.

Donna asked, "What happened?"

Before the Vixen could answer, Dee Dee leant forward and asked, "Excuse me, Vixen. They're micro-petrol engines, aren't they?"

Hobbes scolded, "Don't bother the man."

Dee Dee said, "My father was a mechanic. Micro-petrol doesn't stabilize. What does "stabilize" mean?"

The Vixen replied, "Bit of a problem. Don't worry, they're sorting it out."

Hobbes asked, "So it's not the engine?"

The Vixen said, "It's just a little pause, that's all."

Hobbes asked, "How much air have we got?"

The Vixen put her hand on his reassuringly, "Professor, it's fine."

Val asked, "What did he say?"

The Vixen replied quickly, "Nothing."

Val asked, "Are we running out of air?"

Hobbes said, "I was just speculating."

The Hostess returned to be bombarded with questions. "Is that right, miss? Are we running out of air?"

"Is that what the captain said?"

The Hostess said, "If you could all just remain calm."

Val asked, "How much air have we got?"

Jethro said, "Mum, just stop it."

The Hostess said, "I assure you, everything is under control."

Biff scoffed, "Well, doesn't look like it to me." Everyone began talking at once.

The Vixen stood up and said, "Everyone... shhh, shhh, shhh..."

They ignored her and she turned to Donna, who shouted, "Oi! Quiet!"

They all stopped and looked at them. The Vixen took a deep breath. "Thank you, Donna. Now, if you'd care to listen to my good friend Dee Dee..."

She nodded to her and Dee Dee stood up and said, "Oh. Um, it's just that, well, the air's on a circular filter, so we could stay breathing for ten years if need came be."

The Vixen said gently, "There. You see? And I've spoken to the captain, I can guarantee you everything's fine."

There was a loud metallic double knock. Everyone looked around trying to find the source. Val asked, "What was that?"

Hobbes replied, "Must be the metal. We're cooling down. It's just settling."

Dee Dee offered, "Rocks. Could be rocks falling."

Biff said, "What I want to know is how long do we have to sit here?"

There was a second double knock and Sky asked, "What is that?"

Val said, "There's something out there."

Hobbes said, "Don't be ridiculous." Val gave him a half-hearted glare.

Dee Dee suggested, "Like I said, it could be rocks."

The Hostess said, "We're out in the open. Nothing could fall against the sides."

There was another double knock and the Vixen said softly, "Knock knock."

Jethro joked, "Who's there?"

Sky asked, "Is there something out there? Well? Anyone?" The knocking was repeated. "What the hell is making that noise?"

Hobbes said, "I'm sorry, but the light out there is Xtonic, that means it would destroy any living thing in a split second. It is impossible for someone to be outside." Two more knocks from yet another section of the truck sounded.

Sky asked, "So what is that, then?"

The Vixen went to the wall and pulled out her stethoscope. The Hostess said, "Miss, you should really get back to your seat!"

Donna snapped, "Oi! She'll do whatever the bloody hell she likes!"

The Vixen looked up and said, "Thanks Donna, I think that's enough." She put the stethoscope against the wall and listened. "Hello..."

The banging came from the back of the cabin. Jethro said, "It's moving." The Vixen walked towards the back as there was a clattering sound.

Val pointed at the door with a trembling hand. "It's trying the door!"

Hobbes said, "There is no "it". There's nothing out there. Can't be." The mysterious "thing" tried the door again then went onto the roof and to the side door where it knocked again.

Val said, "That's the entrance. Can it get in?"

Dee Dee replied, "No, that door's on 200-weight hydraulics."

Hobbes snapped, "Stop it! Don't encourage them."

Dee Dee asked, "What do you think it is?"

Biff approached the door. Val said, "Biff, don't!"

Biff said, "It's cast iron, that door." He knocked three times. Three knocks were repeated and Biff jumped back.

Val gasped, "Three times. Did you hear that? It did it three times!"

Jethro said, "It answered."

"It did it three times!"

The Vixen said, "All right, all right, all right, everyone, calm down."

Sky shrieked, "No, but it answered, it...answered. Don't tell me that thing's not alive. It answered him!"

There were three more knocks and the Hostess said, "I must insist you get back to your seats!"

Sky snapped, "No! Don't just stand there telling us the rules! You're the hostess! You're supposed to do something!" The Vixen knocked four times on the door and it was repeated back. Sky panicked. "What the hell's making that noise? She said she'd get me. Stop it. Make it stop. Somebody make it stop. Don't just stand there looking at me! It's not my fault! He started it with his stories..." She looked to the professor, accusing him.

Dee Dee said, "Calm down!"

Sky screeched, "...and she made it worse..."

Val cried out, "You're not helping!"

Sky asked, "...Why couldn't you leave it alone? Stop staring at me! Just tell me what the hell it is!"

Dee Dee said, "Calm down!"

The knocking became continuous and Sky backed away towards the cockpit door and screamed, "It's-it's coming for me. Oh, it's coming for me. It's coming for me! It's coming for me! It's coming for me! Oh! Oh!"

The Vixen rushed to her and said, "Get out of there!"

---

The truck was thrown about, the lights went out and sparks fell from the ceiling as everyone was knocked off their feet. It stopped just as suddenly as it began and everyone caught their breath. The Vixen clambered up and panted, "Arms, legs, neck, head, nose. I'm fine. Donna?" The Vixen stumbled over and helped her up as Donna nodded, startled but intact. "Everyone else?"

Behind the Vixen, the video still played on the screen. For a moment, there was static then a man in brown pinstripes appeared, calling for her mutely, then it was gone. The Vixen asked, "How are we? Everyone all right?" Everyone nodded their safety.

Hobbes said, "Earthquake. Must be."

Dee Dee replied, "That's impossible. The ground is fixed. It's solid."

The Hostess said, "We've got torches. Everyone take a torch. They're in the back of the seats."

Everyone took a torch and Jethro walked towards the front of the cabin. Val crooned, "Oh, Jethro. Sweetheart, come here."

Jethro said, "Never mind me. What about her?"

Sky sat on the floor, her back to them, head between her hands. Val asked, "What happened to the seats?"

Biff asked, "Who did that?"

"They've been ripped up."

The Vixen spoke soothingly to Sky, "It's all right. It's all right. It's over. We're still alive. The wall's still intact. D'you see?"

The Hostess spoke into the intercom, "Joe? Claude?"

The Vixen said again, "We're safe."

The Hostess asked, "Driver Joe, can you hear me? I'm not getting any response. The intercom must be down." She opened the door to the cockpit and a blinding white light was all that there was on the other side.

Everyone screamed and she quickly closed the door. Val asked, "What happened? What was that?"

Biff asked, "Have we lost the driver?"

The Vixen knelt by a panel in the wall as the Hostess said, "The cabin's gone."

Hobbes scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous. It can't be gone. How can it be gone?"

Dee Dee said, "Well, you saw it."

The Hostess said, "There's nothing there...like it was ripped away."

Biff pointed his torch at the Vixen and asked, "What are you doing?"

The Vixen muttered, "That's better. Little bit of light." She used the sonic on the panel. "Thank you."

Val asked, "Do you know what you're doing?"

Biff snapped, "The cabin's gone, you better leave that wall alone!"

Hobbes said, "The cabin can't be gone!"

The Vixen said, "No, it's safe. Any rupture would automatically seal itself." She removed the panel to expose its inner workings. "Unless something sliced it off. You're right, the cabin's gone."

The Hostess said, "But if it gets separated..."

The Vixen stood up and finished, sympathetic, "It loses integrity. I'm sorry, they've been reduced to dust... The driver and the mechanic. They sent a distress signal. Help is on the way. They saved our lives. We are gonna get out of here, I promise. We're still alive, and they're gonna find us."

Donna started, "Vixen-"

Jethro looked at Sky and said, "Vixen, look at her."

The Vixen saw Sky hadn't moved and said, "Right, yeah, sorry. Have we got a medical kit?"

Jethro asked, "Why won't she turn around?"

Hobbes asked, "What's her name?"

The Hostess replied, "Silvestry. Mrs Sky Silvestry."

The Vixen stood behind Sky and said gently, "Sky? Can you hear me?" She crouched down. "Are you all right? Can you move, Sky? Just look at me."

Jethro said, "That noise from outside...it's stopped."

Val said, "Well, that God for that!"

Jethro asked, "But what if it's not outside anymore? What if it's inside?"

Val asked, "Inside? Where?"

Donna looked at Sky as Jethro replied, "It was heading for her."

The Vixen shared a look with Donna and said, "Sky...it's all right, Sky. I just want you to turn around, face me." Sky slowly lowered her hands and turned around, eyes wide, and stares at the Vixen. She jerked her head, animal-like, to observe the others. The Vixen knelt beside her and she faced her. She tilted her head to the left and Sky mirrored her. Vixen went to the right and Sky mirrored her again. The Vixen asked, "Sky?"

Sky repeated, "Sky?"

The Vixen asked, "Are you all right?"

Sky repeated, "Are you all right?"

"Are you hurt?"

"Are you hurt?"

The Vixen said quietly, "You don't have to talk."

Sky repeated in as a quiet voice, "You don't have to talk."

The Vixen said, "I'm trying to help."

Sky said, "I'm trying to help."

The Vixen said, "My name's the Vixen."

Sky repeated, "My name's the Vixen."

The Vixen asked, uncomfortable, "OK, can you stop?"

Sky asked, "OK, can you stop?"

The Vixen said, "I'd like you to stop."

Sky said, "I'd like you to stop."

Hobbes asked, "Why's she doing that?"

Sky turned to Hobbes and repeated, "Why's she doing that?"

Biff said, "She's gone mad."

"She's gone mad."

Val snapped, "Stop it." "Stop it." Val shrieked, "I said stop it!" Sky repeated, "I said stop it!"

Dee Dee said, "I don't think she can."

Sky said, "I don't think she can."

Hobbes said, "All right, now stop it, this isn't funny."

"All right, now stop it, this isn't funny."

The Vixen said, "Sh, sh, sh, all of you."

Sky repeated, "Sh, sh, sh, all of you."

Jethro said, "My name's Jethro!"

"My name's Jethro!"

Donna smacked his head, "Jethro, leave it, just shut up!"

Sky repeated, "Jethro, leave it, just shut up!"

Vixen asked, "Why are you repeating?"

"Why are you repeating?"

Vixen asked, "What is that, learning?"

Sky repeated, "What is that, learning?"

Vixen asked, "Copying?"

"Copying?"

The Vixen questioned, "Absorbing?"

Sky said, "Absorbing?"

The Vixen set her jaw and said, "The square root of pi is 1.77245385090551602729816748..."

Sky repeated, "The square root of pi is 1.77245385090551602729816748..."

The Vixen finished, "...3341. Wow!"

Sky repeated, "...3341. Wow!"

Hobbes gasped, "But that's impossible."

"But that's impossible."

Dee Dee gaped at the two, "She couldn't repeat all that."

"She couldn't repeat all that."

Donna swallowed, "Vixen, what's going on?"

The Vixen gave Donna an assuring look as Sky repeated, "Vixen, what's going on?"

Val said, "Tell her to stop!"

"Tell her to stop!"

Val said, "She's driving me mad."

Sky said, "She's driving me mad."

Val snapped, "Just make her stop!"

"Just make her stop!" Everyone began talking at once but Sky still mimicked them, right down to tone and rhythm.

The lights in the cabin came back on with a hum and everyone stopped talking. The Hostess sighed in relief, "Oh! That's the backup system."

Biff said, "Well, that's a bit better."

Val asked, "What about the rescue? How long's it gonna take?"

The Hostess replied, "About sixty minutes, that's all..."

Hobbes said, "Then I suggest we all calm down. This panic isn't helping." Sky was now simultaneously speaking with everyone but no one noticed. "That poor woman is evidently in a state of self-induced hysteria. We should leave her alone."

Jethro called, noticing the pattern of speech, "Vixen."

The Vixen said, her mouth set in a firm and grim line, "I know."

Hobbes said, "Vixen, now, step back... I think you should leave her, alone. What is she doing?"

Val and Sky asked, "How can she do that? She's talking with you...and with me. Oh, my God! Biff, what's she doing?"

Jethro and Sky said, "She's repeating...at exactly the same time."

Dee Dee gasped, "That's impossible."

Hobbes and Sky said, "There's not even a delay."

Jethro said in unison with Sky, "Oh, man, that is weird."

The Vixen said softly, with Sky repeating at the same time, "I think you should all be very, very quiet. Have you got that?"

Val asked, "How's she doing it?"

Donna snapped, "Didn't you hear her? Be quiet."

Val asked, ignoring Donna, "How can she do that? She's got my voice! She's got my words!"

Biff said, "Sweetheart, be quiet. Hush now. Hush. She's doing it to me."

The Vixen snapped, "Just stop it. All of you, stop it, please!" She crouched face-to-face with Sky. "Now then, Sky, are you Sky? Is Sky still in there? Mrs Silvestry? You know exactly what I'm going to say. How are you doing that?" She pulled away a bit and so did Sky. "Roast beef. Chocolate. The Medusa Cascade." They both leant forward. "Bang!" The Vixen said quickly, "Sarah Jane Smith, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, TARDIS! Shamble, bobble, dibble, dooble. Oh Vixen, you're so beautiful. Yes, I am, thank you. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O-" She smiled knowingly and stood up, facing the others. "First she repeats then she catches up. What's the next stage?"

Dee Dee asked, "Next stage of what?"

Jethro said, "That's not her, is it? That's not Mrs Silvestry anymore."

Sky turned her head from Jethro to the Vixen, who replied, "I don't think so, no." Val sobbed and Biff comforted her. "I think...the more we talk, the more she learns. Now, I'm all for education, but in this case... Maybe not. Let's just move back. Come on, come with me." She ushered everyone to the back of the cabin. "Everyone, get back, all of you, as far as you can."

Val pleaded, "Vixen, make her stop."

The Vixen said, "Val, come with me, come to the back. Stop looking at her. Come on. Jethro, you too. Everyone, come on. You too, Donna. Fifty minutes, that's all we need. Fifty minutes till the rescue arrives. And," She glanced quickly at Sky. "…she's not exactly strong. Look at her. All she's got is our voices."

Val said, "I can't look at her. It's those eyes."

Donna said, "She's got a point, Vixen. There's something about them. They just feel… wrong." The Vixen took her hand in hers and stroked it with her thumb comfortingly as Donna smiled at her.

Dee Dee said, "'We must not look at goblin men.'"

Everyone looked at her and Biff asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

The Vixen replied, "It's a poem, Christina Rossetti."

Donna said, "I think I read that once. In school, dead boring, really."

Dee Dee recited, "'We must not look at goblin men. We must not buy their fruit. Who knows upon what soil they fed, their hungry thirsty roots.'"

The Vixen said as everyone fell silent, "Yeah, Dee Dee, I don't think that's helping."

Hobbes scolded, "She's not a goblin or a monster. She's just a very sick woman."

Jethro pointed out, "Maybe that's why it went for her."

Hobbes said, "There is no "it"."

Jethro said, "Think about it, though. That knocking, it went all the way around the bus until it found her. And she was the most scared out of all of us. Maybe that's what it needed... That's how it got in."

Donna asked, "Is that possible? Vixen? Is it-"

Hobbes cut her off, "For the last time...nothing can live on the surface of Midnight!"

The Vixen snarled, "Professor, I'm glad you've got your own absolute definition of life in the universe, but perhaps the universe has got ideas of its own. Now, trust me. I think there might well be some… consciousness inside Mrs Silvestry. But maybe she's still in there, and it's our job to help her."

Biff said, "Look, you can help. I'm not going near."

The Vixen said, "No, I've gotta stay back, 'cause if she's copying us, maybe the final stage is becoming us. I don't want her becoming me, or things could go a whole lot worse."

Val sneered, "Like you're so special."

The Vixen snapped, "As it happens, yeah, I am. So, that's decided. We stay back and we wait. When the rescue ship comes, we can get her to hospital."

"We should throw her out." The Hostess said suddenly, much to the horror of Donna and the Vixen.

Hobbes said, shocked, "I beg your pardon."

Val asked, "Could we do that?"

Donna barked, "Don't be ridiculous."

The Hostess said, "That thing, whatever it is, killed the driver and the mechanic. And I don't think she's finished yet."

The Vixen growled, Bad Wolf becoming more apparent each passing second, "She can't even move."

The Hostess said, "Look at her eyes! She killed Joe and she killed Claude and we're next!"

Biff said, "She's still doing it." He moved forward. "Just stop it! Stop talking! Stop it!"

Val said, "Biff, don't sweetheart!"

Biff said, "But she won't stop! We can't throw her out, though. We can't even open the doors."

The Vixen growled, "No one is getting thrown out." She glared at Biff until he backed down.

Dee Dee said suddenly, "Yes, we can. 'Cause there's an air pressure seal. Like when you opened the cabin door, you weren't pulled out-you have a couple of seconds. 'Cause it takes the pressure wall about six seconds to collapse. Well, six seconds exactly. That's enough time to throw someone out."

Donna said sarcastically, "Thanks, Dee Dee. Just what we needed."

Val asked, "Would it kill her? Outside?"

Dee Dee replied, "I don't know. But she's got a body now, it would certainly kill the physical form-"

The Vixen snapped, "No one is killing anyone!"

The Hostess said, "I wouldn't risk the cabin door twice, but we've got that one." She pointed to the door at the back. "All we need to do is grab hold of her and throw her out."

The Vixen said, "Now listen, all of you. For all we know, that's a brand-new lifeform over there, and if it's come inside to discover us, then what's it found? This little bunch of humans... What do you amount to? Murder? 'Cause this is where you decide. You decide who you are. Could you actually murder her? Any of you? Really? Or are you better than that?" Donna smiled admiringly at her and they all looked at each other.

The Hostess said grimly, "I'd do it."

Biff said, "So would I."

Val said, "And me."

Dee Dee said, "I think we should."

The Vixen and Donna exclaimed together, "What?!"

Dee Dee said pleadingly, "I want her out."

The Vixen snapped, "You can't say that!"

Dee Dee said, "I'm sorry, but you said it yourself, Vixen, she's growing in strength!"

Donna barked, "That's not what she said!"

"I want to go home. I'm sorry. I want to be safe."

The Vixen said desperately, "You'll be safe any minute now. The rescue truck is on its way."

The Hostess asked, "But what happens then, Vixen? If it takes that thing back to the Leisure Palace, if that thing reaches civilization-what if it spreads?"

The Vixen replied, "Cos when we get back to the base, I'll be there to contain it."

Val snapped, "You haven't done much so far!"

Biff said, "You're just standing in the back with the rest of us."

The Hostess said, "She's dangerous. It's my job to see that this vessel is safe. And we should get rid of her." The Vixen and Donna stared at everyone open-mouthed.

Hobbes said, "Now hang on. I think perhaps we're all going a little bit too far."

The Vixen sighed in relief, "At last. Thank you."

The Hostess said, "Two people are dead!"

Donna snarled, "Don't make it a third!"

The Vixen asked gently, "Jethro, what do you say?"

Jethro nodded, "I'm not killing anyone."

"Thank you."

Val said, "He's just a boy."

Jethro asked, "What? So I don't get a vote?"

The Vixen snapped, "There isn't a vote! It isn't happening! Ever! If you try to throw her out that door, you'll have to get past me first."

She looked at them challengingly and the Hostess said, "Okay."

Biff agreed, "Fine by me."

Donna gasped and the Vixen said, "Oh, now you're just being stupid! Just think about it, could you actually take hold of someone and throw them out that door?"

Biff asked accusingly, "Calling me a coward?"

Val asked, "Who put you in charge anyway?"

The Hostess said, "They weren't even booked in. The rest of you, tickets in advance. They just turned up out of the blue."

Dee Dee asked, "Where from?"

Donna said, "We're just...travelling. We're travellers, that's all."

Val asked, "Like an immigrant?"

The Hostess said, "You two were talking to each other. Before you got on board, you were talking."

The Vixen said, "It's just Donna. Just my friend."

Biff asked, "And what were you saying to her?"

"I was just asking her to come along, to have fun on vacation." The Vixen replied, losing the fight quickly. She pulled Donna behind her, because she'd rather die a thousand times than letting anything happen to her best friend.

Val accused her, not even listening, "She hasn't even told us her proper name."

Jethro said, "Thing is, though, Vixen, you've been loving this."

The Vixen groaned, "Oh, Jethro, not you."

Jethro went on, "Ever since all this trouble started, you've been loving it. Not your friend, she looks terrified, but you."

Hobbes said, "It has to be said, you do seem to have a certain...glee."

The Vixen admitted, "All right, I'm interested. Yes. I can't help it, cos whatever's inside her, it's brand-new and that's fascinating. Come on, Professor, you're a scientist, you must know the rush, the high, when you find out something new." Hobbes looked at her, not wanting to admit the very true words.

Val asked before Hobbes could say anything, "What, you wanted this to happen?"

"No!"

Biff said, "And you were talking to her. All on your own, before all the trouble, right at the front, you were talking to that Sky woman. The two of you together. I saw you!"

Val said, "We all did!"

The Hostess said, "And you went into the cabin!"

Biff asked, "What were you saying to her?"

Donna snapped, "She was just talking!"

Biff asked, "Saying what?"

Jethro said suddenly, "You called us "humans", like you're not one of us."

Val nodded and said, "She did! That's what she said! I bet she and her friend are aliens."

The Vixen snarled, "You leave Donna out of this." Donna put a hand on her friend's arm, keeping her from exploding.

Dee Dee said, "And the wiring. She went into that panel and opened up the wiring!"

The Vixen said, "That was after!"

Biff asked, "How did you know what to do?"

The Vixen snapped, "Because I know stuff! I'm clever!" There was silence at this declaration.

Hobbes said, "I see. Well, that makes things clear."

Biff asked, "And what are we, then? Idiots?"

The Vixen assured, "That's not what I meant."

Dee Dee said, "If you're clever, then what are we?"

Val sneered, "You've been looking down on us from the moment we walked in."

The Hostess said, "Even if she goes, she's practically volunteered."

Donna gasped and the Vixen pleaded, "Oh, come on! Just listen to yourselves, please!"

Biff asked, "Do you mean...we throw her out as well?"

The Vixen and Donna looked at them, stunned, as the Hostess replied, "If we have to."

The Vixen said, "Look, just, right, sorry, yes. Hold on. Just, I know you're scared. And so am I. Look at me, I am. But we have all got to calm down and cool off and think!"

Hobbes said, "Perhaps you could tell us your name."

The Vixen asked, "What does it matter?"

The Hostess said, "Then tell us."

Donna replied, quickly coming to the Vixen's defence, "Rose Smith. She's Rose Smith and I'm Donna Noble."

Val scoffed, "Oh!"

Hobbes said, "Your real name."

Biff said, "She's lying, look at her face."

Val said, "Her eyes are the same as hers."

Jethro asked, "Why won't you tell us?"

They all began to talk at once. When Donna tried to interfere, Biff knocked her out and lay her on the seats.

To say the Vixen was angry about that would be an understatement. She hissed and grabbed Biff by his collar, shoving him against the wall. Biff looked at her in fright as she growled, "You do not do that. If you value your continued existence as a human, I suggest you keep your filthy hands off my best friend." She tightened her grip on his collar as everyone stared at them in shock and terror, not daring to interfere. "You beat me, you stab me, you kill me, I don't care. But you do not, you do not, touch Donna Noble and walk away unscathed." She leant in so they were eye to eye. "Is that clear?"

Biff nodded timidly and squeaked, "Crystal."

The Vixen let him go and turned to the others. "Listen to me right now, because you need me! All of you! If we are gonna get out of this, then you need me!"

Hobbes spoke alone, "So you keep saying. You've been repeating yourself more than her."

Val spoke alone as well, "If anyone's in charge, it should be the professor! He's the expert!"

Jethro noticed that everyone was speaking alone and said, "Mum, stop. Just look."

Val said, "You keep out of this, Jethro!"

Jethro said, "Look at her!" They all turned to face Sky, still sitting on the floor.

Dee Dee said, "She's stopped."

The Vixen and Sky asked, "When did she… No, she hasn't. She's still doing it."

Val said, "She looks the same to me... No, she's stopped! Look, I'm talking, and she's not!"

The Vixen walked towards Sky and Biff said, "But what about me? Is she-? Look! Look at that! She's not doing me! She let me go!"

The Hostess said, "Mrs Silvestry? Nor me."

The Vixen and Sky asked, "Sky? What are you doing?"

Dee Dee said in shock, "She's still doing her."

Hobbes said, "Vixen, it's you. She's only copying you."

The Vixen and Sky asked, "Why me? Why are you doing this?"

Dee Dee said, "She won't leave her alone. Do you see?"

Val asked, "Do you see? I said so. She's with her!"

Biff said, "They're together."

Hobbes asked, "How do you explain it, Vixen? If you're so clever!"

The Vixen and Sky shouted, "I don't know! Sky, stop it. I said, stop it. Just stop it!"

Val said, "Look at the two of them!"

The Vixen crouched in front of Sky, once more face-to-face. The Vixen and Sky said in unison, "Mrs Silvestry, I'm trying to understand. You captured my speech, what for? What do you need? You need my voice in particular, the cleverest voice in the room. Why? 'Cause I'm the only one who can help? Oh. I'd love that to be true, but your eyes...they're saying something else. Listen to me, whatever you want, of it's life or form or consciousness or voice, you don't have to steal it. You can find it without hurting anyone. And I'll help you, that's a promise. So, what do you think?"

Sky asked, "Do we have a deal?"

The Vixen repeated, "Do we have a deal?"

The others stared, astonished at what had happened. Dee Dee said, "Hold on. Did she just-"

Jethro said, "She spoke first."

Val said, "But she can't have."

Hobbes said, "She did."

Jethro said again, "She spoke first."

The Vixen was staring straight ahead, unable to move. Sky said, "Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you."

The Vixen repeated, trembling slightly, "Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you."

Hobbes asked, "Did you see? She spoke before the Vixen did, definitely!"

Jethro said, "She's copying her."

Hobbes asked, "Vixen, what's happening?" Sky said, "I think it's moved."

The Vixen repeated, "I think it's moved."

Sky said, "I think it's letting me go." "I think it's letting me go." Dee Dee asked, "What do you mean? Letting you go from what?" Biff said, "She's repeating now. She's the one doing it. It's her." Jethro said, "They're separating." Hobbes asked, "Mrs Silvestry, is that you?"

Sky replied, "Yes, yes, it's me." Vixen repeated, "Yes, yes, it's me." Sky said, "I'm coming back." "I'm coming back." Sky said, "Listen...it's me!" Vixen repeated, "Listen...it's me!" Sky slowly began to move her head and arms. Jethro said, "It's passed into the Vixen. It's transferred. Whatever it is, it's gone inside her." Dee Dee argued, "No, that's not what happened." Val said, "But look at her!" Sky said, "Look at me. I can move."

Vixen repeated, "Look at me. I can move." Sky said, "I can feel again." Vixen said, "I can feel again." Sky went on, "I'm coming back to life." "I'm coming back to life."

Sky said, "And look at her. She can't move." Vixen repeated, "And look at her. She can't move."

Sky looked to others and pleaded, "Help me."

"Help me."

Sky said, "Professor..."

The Vixen repeated, "Professor..."

Sky said, "Get me away from her."

"Get me away from her."

Sky begged, "Please."

The Vixen repeated, but the voice sounding like hers, if only for a second, "Please."

Hobbes walked over and cautiously took Sky's outstretched hands, helping her to stand. Sky sighed in relief, "Oh, thank you."

The Vixen repeated, "Oh, thank you."

Jethro said, "They've completely separated."

Biff said, "It's in her, d'you see? I said it was her all the time."

Val said, "She's free! She's been saved!" Sky said, "Oh, it was so cold."

The Vixen repeated, "Oh, it was so cold."

Sky said, "I couldn't breathe."

"I couldn't breathe."

Sky went on, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I must have scared you so much."

The Vixen repeated, "I must have scared you so much."

Val hugged Sky and said, "No, it's all right. I've got you. There you are, my love. It's gone. Everything's all right."

Dee Dee warned, "I wouldn't touch her."

Biff said, "But it's gone. She's clean. It passed into her."

Dee Dee said, "That's not what happened!"

Hobbes said, "Thank you for your opinion, Dee. But clearly, Mrs Silvestry has been released."

"No!"

Val snapped, "Just leave her alone. She's safe, isn't she? Jethro, it's let her go, hasn't it?"

Jethro replied, "I think so, yeah. Looks like it. Professor?"

Hobbes observed, "I'd say, from observation...the Vixen can't move, and when she was possessed, she couldn't move, so-"

Biff said, "Well, there we are, then. Now the only problem we've got is this Vixen."

Sky said, "It's inside her head."

The Vixen repeated, "It's inside her head."

Sky said, "It killed the driver..."

"It killed the driver..."

"...And the mechanic..."

The Vixen repeated, "...And the mechanic..."

Sky said, "...And now it wants us."

The Vixen repeated, "...And now it wants us."

The Hostess said, "I said so."

Sky continued, "He's waited so long..."

The Vixen said, "He's waited so long..."

"...In the dark..."

"...In the dark..." The Vixen repeated.

"...And the cold..."

"...And the cold..."

Sky said, "...And the diamonds..."

The Vixen repeated, "...And the diamonds..."

Sky said, "...Until you came."

The Vixen said, "...Until you came."

"Bodies so hot..."

The Vixen repeated, "Bodies so hot..."

"...With blood..."

"...With blood..."

Sky said, "...And pain..."

The Vixen said, "...And pain..."

Val screeched, "Stop! Oh, my God, make her stop! Someone make her stop!"

Dee Dee argued, "But she's saying it!"

Val snapped, "And you can shut up!"

Dee Dee said, "But it's not the Vixen, it's her! She's just repeating!"

Biff said, "But that's what they thing does. It repeats!"

The Hostess said, "Just let her talk."

Biff asked, "What do you know? Fat lot of good you've been!"

The Hostess said, "Just let her explain!"

Dee Dee said, "Well, I think, I mean, from what I've seen...it repeats, then it synchronizes, then it goes on to the next stage and that's exactly what the Vixen said would happen!"

Biff asked, "What, and you're on her side?"

Dee Dee said, "No!"

Jethro said, "The voice is the thing!"

Dee Dee said, "And she's the voice! She stole it! Look at her! It's not possessing the Vixen, it's draining her!"

The Hostess said softly, "She's got her voice."

Val said, "But that's not true 'cause it can't be. I saw it pass into her. I saw it with my own eyes!"

Biff agreed, "So did I!"

Dee Dee argued, "You didn't!"

Val said, "It went from her to the Vixen." She looked at Jethro. "You saw it, didn't you?"

Jethro stammered, "I don't know."

Val said, "Oh, don't be stupid, Jethro! Of course you did!"

Jethro said, agreeing unwillingly with his mother, "I suppose. She was right next to her-"

Biff said, "Everyone saw it! Everyone!"

Dee Dee accused, "You didn't. You're just making it up! I know what I saw! And I saw her stealing the Vixen's voice!"

Val snarled, "She's as bad as her. Someone shut her up!"

Hobbes said embarrassedly, "I think you should be quiet, Dee."

Dee Dee said, "Well, I'm only saying..."

Hobbes snapped, "And that's an order! You're making a fool of yourself pretending you're an expert in mechanics and hydraulics when I can tell you, you are nothing more than average, at best! Now shut up!"

No one noticed the self-satisfied smirk on Sky's face as she said, "That's how she does it."

The Vixen repeated, "That's how she does it."

Sky said, "She makes you fight..."

"She makes you fight..."

Sky said, "...Creeps into your head..."

The Vixen repeated, "...Creeps into your head..."

Sky said, "...And whispers..."

"...And whispers..."

Sky said, "...Listen. Just listen."

"...Listen. Just listen."

Sky said, "That's her..."

The Vixen repeated, "That's her..." "...Inside."

The Vixen said, "...Inside."

Biff shouted, "Throw her out!"

Val shrieked, "Get her out of my head!"

Donna came to with a huge, pounding headache and Biff saying, "Yeah, we should throw her out!"

She shot up as Val said, "Well, don't just talk about it! Just-you're useless! Do something!"

Biff said, "I will! You watch me! I'm gonna throw her out!"

Sky said, "Yes!"

The Vixen repeated, "Yes!"

Sky said, "Throw her out!"

"Throw her out!"

Sky said, "Get rid of her!"

The Vixen repeated, "Get rid of her!"

"Now!"

"Now!"

Biff grabbed the Vixen around the waist and began to drag her towards the rear door. Donna tried to get him to stop. The Vixen's eyes showed both her fear and her rapidly losing fight against the thing possessing her. Dee Dee said, "Don't!"

Val spat, "It'll be you next!"

The Hostess said quietly, "I don't think we should do this!"

Biff said, "It was your idea! Professor, help me."

Hobbes said, "I can't. I'm not-"

Biff asked, "What sort of a man are you? Come on!"

Val said, "Throw her out!"

Biff said, "Come on!"

Val shouted, "Just do it! Throw her out!"

Donna snapped, "And you can shut up."

Biff said, "Professor, help me!" One of the Vixen's shoes caught on one of the overturned chairs.

Val screamed, "Get her out!"

Biff said to Hobbes, "Grab hold of her!" Hobbes grabbed the Vixen's arm. "Not like that! Are you stupid?!"

Sky said, "Cast her out!"

The Vixen repeated, "Cast her out!"

Sky said, "Into the sun..."

"Into the sun..."

Val screamed, "I want her out!"

Donna tried to stop everyone as Sky said, "And the night..."

The Vixen repeated, "And the night..."

Hobbes and Biff argued while Donna snapped at all of them, crying as Val shouted at the men. Biff asked, "What sort of a man are you? Come on!"

Jethro was on the verge of tears. Val screamed again, "Get her out!"

Sky hissed, "Do it."

The Vixen repeated, tears falling down her face, "Do it." Sky said, "Do it now!" "Do it now!"

Sky said, "Faster!"

The Vixen repeated, "Faster!"

Val shoved Donna into a chair and screamed, "Just do it!"

Sky said, "That's the way."

"That's the way." The Vixen repeated, tears flowing heavily now.

Sky said, "You can do it."

"You can do it." Jethro joined Biff and Hobbes as they moved the Vixen.

Sky said, "Molto bene."

The Vixen repeated, "Molto bene."

Val shrieked, "Throw her out!"

Sky said, "Allons-y..."

The Vixen repeated, "Allons-y..."

The Hostess remembered the Vixen saying that when she first boarded and said in shock, "That's her voice."

Sky said, "The starlight waits."

The Hostess said, "It's taken the Vixen's voice!"

The Vixen repeated, "The starlight waits."

Sky said, "The emptiness..."

"The emptiness..."

Val shouted, "Get her out!"

Sky said, "The Midnight sky!"

The Vixen repeated, "The Midnight sky!"

The Hostess said, "It's her. She's taken her voice!" The Hostess grabbed Sky and hit the emergency button, opening the door. The blinding light streamed in causing everyone to scream. The Hostess counted, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6." The Hostess and Sky were sucked out and the door slid shut.

The men let go and the Vixen fell to the floor and darted away to the corner, panting and sobbing. "I want Jack… Mickey… I want Theta. Please. Donna…"

Donna got up and glared at everyone, shouting, "You were about murder a child!" Everyone flinched as the Vixen sobbed softly. "Look at her! How old does she look? 20 at the most. She is much older but her heart and soul is still trying to stay innocent and childlike. She is in despair because she has lost so much and she's trying, just trying, not giving up. And you were about to murder her!"

The Vixen's tearful voice came from across the vehicle, "Donna… Please… I wanna go home. Just… take me home."

Donna rushed across to her and held her, muttering soothing words in her ear. All the while glaring at everyone while they sat alone, realizing what they almost did, and what finally happened. The Vixen curled into Donna, still sobbing heavily. Shrinking back away from the world.

Val spoke up, "I said it was her." Donna could only look at her in disgust.

---

The Vixen had stopped crying by the time a female voice came on the radio, "Repeat, Crusader 50, rescue vehicle coming alongside in three minutes. Door seals set to automatic. Prepare for boarding. Repeat, prepare for boarding."

The Vixen asked, stoic, "The Hostess...what was her name?" They all just shook their heads, embarrassed.

Hobbes said, "I don't know."