Chapter 29: Here We Go Again…
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" The four Daleks screamed as they faced the group, eye stalks surveying the room.
"DALEKS!" Jack yelled at them, trying to become the Doctor. "YOU'RE DALEKS! Think about it a human who knows about the Daleks and the Time War." He trod lightly knowing that what happened last time he challenged them. Jack had no desire to die again.
"How is that possible?" The Black Dalek (A/N: I nicknamed it Steve) rasped out.
"If you wanna know how, then keep us alive."
"Yea Daleks, Time War me too." Mickey joined in; he vaguely remembered Rose talking about the Time War and Daleks.
"And me." Rajesh inputted.
"You will be necessary. Report, what is the status of the Genesis Ark?" Jack stared at them.
"Status - hibernation."
"Commence awakening. The Genesis Ark must be protected above everything else."
"The Daleks, Rose said they were all dead." Mickey whispered.
"She said they were. Some must have escaped. No matter what you do some always survive.
"What the hell's the Genesis Ark?" Mickey asked.
"I have no idea."
"You're supposed to be time traveller."
"And that immediately makes me know everything?"
"The Doctor does."
"He's a Time Lord. He's supposed to know everything." Jack turned away, and then muttered, "Well he says he does."
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"Jack's down there Theta!" Rose panicked.
"I know; I will get him out." Theta turned as Rose began to sob, the Doctor gathered Rose up in his arms, Jack was the closest thing Rose had top a brother. "I'll find him, I promise." Theta looked round the room then back at Rose, "I promise you I give you my word." His own eyes became watery. "He's not getting off babysitting that easily." His words had the desired effect as Rose laughed slightly. "He's family to me to, as much as you, Tala, and unfortunately, your mother are." He sighed
"Can't you connect with Jack like you did with 'her'?" He smirked. 'Her' had become a codename for Madam De Pompadour. Last time he had mentioned it she almost made him wash his mouth out with soap last time. What actually made him worry was the day after she had stocked up on bars of soap.
"No, I have to actually touch him to do that, he's not Time Lord, love." The Doctor wished he could communicate with Jack to find out what was going on, but he had a feeling he knew. Deep down he felt coldness within him, a coldness that only ever occurred when he face one of his old enemies. A cold, dark pit that only surfaced when dealing with Daleks.
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The Dalek spun round and faced Jack.
"Which of the humans is the least important."
"No human is of least importance!" The Daleks valued him for some reason.
"Which of you…" The Dalek repeated the question.
"No we don't work like that." Mickey watched as he former time agent became more like the Doctor.
"Designate the least important!"
"This is my responsibility," Rajesh told him and Mickey.
"You have no idea what they are, what they will do." Rajesh ignored him. "I've dealt with them before I know what they're like!"
"I represent the Torchwood Institute anything you need you come through me, leave these two alone."
"You will kneel."
"What?"
"Kneel." Rajesh did as they instructed. "The Daleks need information about current Earth history." They moved their suckers closer to Rajesh's head, Jack winced.
"When this is over." He told them in a controlled turn. "I will ask which one of you is of least importance and you better have an answer."
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"Identify yourselves." The Doctor looked up suddenly, instantly recognising the voice, or rather the creature.
"You will identify first."
"State your identity."
"You will identify first." The Cybermen looked pathetic next to one Dalek, who looked more advance than them.
"Identify." Rose looked at the screen, transfixed.
"Why can't they just leave us alone?" Rose whispered.
"It's in their nature to survive." Rose shook her head.
"I just didn't think she'd have to face them as she grew up. I thought she'd be safe from them."
"I promise you I will try to do what I can…" He trailed off as he looked back at the screen.
"…Illogical you will modify."
"Daleks do not take orders."
"Oh look a battle of retorts." The Doctor mumbled.
"You have identified as Daleks." If the Cybermen had emotions they would have sounded incredibly smug.
"Outline resembles the inferior species known as Cybermen." Rose suddenly had an idea.
"Have you got my phone?"
"What?"
"My phone? The one you won't let me break?" He nodded; he went through his pockets pulling out random items. "Why do you have to have pockets that are bigger on the inside?" She groaned, he wisely chose not to comment; she handed him Tala, as she took it off him.
"Scan's confirm signs of crude cybernetic construction." Rose began to dial Jack's number.
"He's answered. Theta he's alive!" The Doctor sighed in relief. "Why haven't they killed him?" Rose sounded shocked.
"They must need her for something."
"We must protect the Genesis Ark."
"Genesis Ark?" Theta was confused.
"Our species are similar, though your design is in element."
"Daleks have no concept of elegance."
"This is obvious, but consider our technologies are compatible, Cybermen plus Daleks together we could upgrade the universe."
"You propose an alliance."
"This is correct."
"Request denied." The Cybermen accessed their weapons. The Doctor felt like laughing at the Cybermen, they really didn't know what they were up against; hopefully one side would decimate the other and make his job a lot easier.
"Hostile elements will be deleted." The Cybermen began to fire at the Dalek.
"EXTERMINATE!" With that the Cybermen collapsed easily. Theta was brought back to what was happening in the room when the screen suddenly switched and he could se his wife.
"You have declared war upon the Cybermen."
"It is not war. It is pest control."
"I actually agree with a Dalek, me, agreeing with a Dalek!" Theta couldn't believe how his mind worked sometimes, Rose grabbed his one hand.
"Me too, if that helps."
"We have five million Cybermen How may are you?"
"Four."
"You would destroy the Cybermen with four Daleks?"
"No we would destroy the Cybermen with just one Dalek." The Dalek seemed to pause for a few moments. "You are superior in one respect?"
"What is that?"
"You are better at dying, raise communications barrier."
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Jack smiled when he realised that they were alive and well, unfortunately the Daleks had noticed them as well.
"Wait rewind the image by nine rells." One of the bronze Daleks screeched. The Black Dalek seemed to be the one that did all the talking. "Identify print 7 gamma flame." The picture rewound to show Rose on the phone." This female registers as the enemy."
"You know her. Identify her."
"If you really want to know. That woman is the wife of 'THE DOCTOR'." The Daleks moved back quickly. "Five million Cybermen? Easy. One mention of the Doctor? Now you're afraid." The Daleks moved towards the ark.
"Where is the third Time Lord?" They asked her.
"There are only two Time Lords." Jack tried. "The Doctor and the Bad Wolf."
"Sensors indicate the Bad Wolf has given birth. Where is the child?"
"I have no idea!"
"We will find her." The Daleks moved even closer to the ark.
"Why haven't they killed us?" Mickey asked him.
"Count your blessings." Mickey looked at him. Jack simply nodded. "They haven't finished with us yet, not by a long shot."
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The Doctor was close to tears when he realised what he had to do. The job became so much worse as he realised that he needed to protect his family more so than ever. He passed his daughter back to Rose as the Cyber leader approached him.
"You are proof."
"Of what?" The Cyberman saw that the Doctor looked broken.
"That emotions destroy you."
"Yeah I am. Ming you I quite like love, and hope, hope's a good emotion…" His attention was drawn elsewhere he could feel something was coming, "And here it comes." A groups of people emerged in the centre of the room knocking the Cybermen out quickly, one took off his mask and was revealed to be no other than Jake. "You just can't hop from one world to another, you just can't." He said quickly.
"We did with these." He handed the Doctor a medallion with a big yellow button in the centre.
"That's impossible." The group moved to put one over Rose and Tala. "Don't! Tala's too young to go through the Void!" They stopped approaching Rose and Tala but that didn't stop them transporting the Doctor through the Void.
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Mickey had just explained to Jack about the button, he didn't seem to be that bothered there were bigger problems to deal with.
"You'll follow her anywhere." He groaned. "What did she do to you all those years ago?"
"Guess I'm just stupid."
"No comment." Jack turned back to face the Daleks, before remembering something. "You do know she's married now."
"Married?!" Mickey looked slightly defeated. "Mrs Doctor. I didn't think he had it in him."
"Neither did we. It happened a few months ago, just before Tala was born. Well its not Mrs Doctor, its Mrs Sigma."
"Tala?" Mickey was confused he missed out of so much.
"Their daughter, she's already taking after her father." Rose smiled at the thought of his goddaughter. "She's a pure blood Time Lord thanks to the TARDIS." Mickey nodded.
"Is Rose happy Jack?" Mickey had to ask the question, he felt the disappointment at learning that Rose was married with a daughter, he always thought she would somehow come back to him.
"I have never known her to be more happy."
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"Hope you don't mind, but I've got something to do first." He told them as he dodged off towards the office as soon as he materialised into this universe and kissed his wife hello, she eagerly responded meeting his tongue, allowing him entry.
"Rose Marian Tyler Sigma." He told Pete smugly.
"She's not my daughter."
"I'm glad I didn't bring your mother." He told Rose. "He'd have a hell of a slap on his hands." Theta left Pete to consider what he said for a moment, dashing out of the room.
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"Your hand print will open the ark."
"I'm not doing it." Jack told the Daleks defiantly.
"Obey or the he will die."
"Jack don't…" Mickey began.
"Open the casket." The black Dalek ordered pointing his gun at Mickey.
"You're going to kill us anyway." Jack realised that he needed to stall the Daleks for a few minutes. "If you…erm…escaped the Time War don't you wanna know what happened?"
"Place your hand…" The Dalek began again.
"What happened to the emperor?"
"The emperor survived?"
"Till he met the Bad Wolf. She met the emperor and took the time vortex and poured it into his head and turned him to dust. Do you get that? The God of all Daleks and she destroyed him. Better yet I was a part of it."
"YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!"
"Now hold on, wait a minute!" A new voice filled the room, everyone/thing turned to face the newcomer.
"ALERT! ALERT! YOU ARE THE DOCTOR!" The Daleks cried together. Theta pulled off his 3D glasses.
" Sensors report the Doctor is unarmed." The Bronze Dalek informed them.
"That's me always."
"You are powerless!"
"Not me, never. How are you Jack?"
"Fine, what took so long?"
"Next time I'll let you come up with a plan."
"Mickey'd-e-Mick-Mickey. Nice to see ya!"
"And you too boss." Mickey told him genuinely.
"Social interaction will cease. How did you survive the Time War?" The Dalek asked him.
"By fighting, in the front line, I was there at the Fall of Arcadia." Mickey looked shocked, but Jack only saw the revelation as a confirmation of what he already suspected, the Doctor had been a soldier. "Some day I might even come to terms with that. But you lot ran away!"
"We had to survive."
"The last four Daleks in existence what's so special about you?"
"Doctor, Daleks don't have names do they? But one of them said…"
"I am Dalek They." The bronze Dalek informed them.
"Dalek Sec." The black Dalek introduced himself.
"Dalek Jast." Rose winced again as the high-pitched screech reached her ears.
"Dalek Caan." Replied the last bronze Dalek.
"At last, the cult of Skaro! I though you were just a legend."
"Who are they?" Jack asked him.
"A secret order, above and beyond the Emperor himself, their job was to imagine, think as the enemy thinks, even dared to have names or to find new ways of killing."
"But that thing, they said it was yours, Time Lords." Mickey corrected himself, bringing the conversation back on track. "They built it, what does it do?"
"I don't know, never seen it before."
"But it's Time Lord." Mickey told him again.
"Both sides have secrets in a normal war what makes you think a Time War would be any different?" Jack told Mickey in a baby tone.
"What is it? What have you done?"
"Time Lord science will restore Dalek supremacy."
"What does that mean, what sort of Time Lord science?"
"They said one touch from a Time Traveller will wake it up." Jack told him.
"Technology using the one thing a Dalek can't do – touch."
"The Doctor will open the Ark!"
"The Doctor will not!" Theta laughed at their orders.
"You have no way of resisting."
"Well you have got me there, although there is always this." Theta pulled out his sonic screwdriver and held it in the tips of his fingers.
"A sonic probe."
"That's screwdriver."
"It is harmless."
"Oh yes, harmless is just the word. That's why I like it; doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim. I tell you what it does do; it is very good at opening doors!" The whole scene then erupted into chaos.
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"We've got to see what its doing, we've got to get back up, come on all of you the top floor."
"Stairs?" Jack groaned. "I hate stairs." He protested as they ran.
"We can always used the lift," Jake told them stepping out of the lift, as they ran past it. The group immediately clambered into it.
They whizzed up to the top floor and Rose suddenly felt lost when Theta darted out of the lift. They all followed him to the windows.
"Time Lord science," They watched the Ark open and Daleks pour out. "It's bigger on the inside."
"The Time Lords put those Daleks in there? What for?"
"It's a prison ship." He'd heard rumours of these but couldn't believe that the Time Lords would do anything as stupid to keep Daleks around.
"How many Daleks?" He looked to Rose,
"Millions."
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Rose watched as the Doctor ran round accessing all the computers.
"Equipments right here, thank you TORCHWOOD, switch it off – close both universes."
"We can't just leave. What about the Daleks and the Cybermen."
"They're part of the problem and that makes them part of the solution." He smiled widely at her, but Rose noticed the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Oh yes! Well isn't anyone gonna ask 'what's with the glasses'?"
"What is it with the glasses?" Rose decided to bite.
"I can see! That's what, because we've got two separate worlds. We've got the void that's where the Daleks were hiding, and the Cybermen travelled through the void to get here and you lot, one world to another via the void. Oh I like that via the void. Look!" He shoved the glasses onto Rose's face not too gently, making her laugh. "I've been through it, see?"
"What is it?" Through the glasses Rose could see little flecks of red and green flitting around him, she reached out a hand to touch him.
"Void stuff."
"Like background radiation?"
"That's it. Now look at the others, the only one who hasn't been through the void is Jack." He lowered his voice. "First time he's looked normal in his life."
"Hey!" Theta ran down towards the wall, Rose followed close behind.
"The Daleks, Cybermen, they're just bristling with it. Just open the void and it'll burst and they'll get sucked in."
"Pulling them all in." Rose clarified, and he had to copy her.
"Pulling them all in."
"Sorry what is the void?"
"Is that a sensible question from Mickey?" Jack asked. Rose's arms began to ache from holding Tala. She silently asked Jack to hold her; he took Tala from her without hesitation. Rose flexed her arms trying to get the blood circulating properly.
"The dead space, some people call it hell."
"You're sending the Daleks and Cybermen to hell? Man I told you he was good!" Mickey told Jake.
"But its like you said we've all got void stuff, me too, because we went to that parallel world. We're all contaminated, we'll get pulled in."
"Rose is coming back with me!" Pete interrupted suddenly.
"WHAT?" Rose was beyond angry. "You didn't want to know me and now you want to take me from my husband and daughter? No way!"
"Rose..." Pete tried.
"I want to stay with my husband." Rose told him stubbornly. "Once it closes, it'll be sealed off forever!" Rose told him. "I'm not going to take the risk of never seeing my family again."
"At least you'll be safe…"
"I don't care." Jack moved towards her prepared to give Tala back to her when suddenly a medallion slipped over her head taking her through the Void.
"ROSE!!"
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"Give her a few seconds." Jack moved over to him. He mentally counted down, five, four, three, two, one…a flash made the Doctor look up and stride over to the centre of the room.
"NICE TRY!" Rose yelled at her now invisible father. Theta grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Take Tala back to the TARDIS…" Jack nodded and began to leave the room. "Jack actually bring the TARDIS in here."
"Sure."
"I made my choice a long time ago and I'm not going to leave you." Rose told him softly. Theta screwed his eyes up; tears began to make their way down his cheeks at her confession. Rose pressed her lips to his; he clutched her tightly in his grip. Tongues met as the kiss deepened. The kiss was gentle but passionate. "A promise that it's not the end." Theta nodded. She grinned at him. "So what can I do to help?" She watched him visibly switch back into the Doctor mode.
"Those coordinates over there, set them all at six and hurry up!"
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Rose had just managed to set the coordinates when the TARDIS materialised into the room.
"The Cybermen are on their way." Jack yelled from the TARDIS doorway.
"Right get into the TARDIS!" The Doctor told her.
"What are you…"
"Just get in the TARDIS."
"You're not going to do this on your own."
"I'm not just please get in the TARDIS."
"You're not are you? That's brilliant!" Jack screamed.
"Do what?" Rose looked between the men confused.
"A temporal shirt! The TARDIS will become escape the Void." Rose looked confused.
"Anything that's been through that Void will get sucked in so the only way for the TARDIS to escape would be to temporal shift just while the Void closes." The Doctor told her, she grinned.
"Well you'll need me to activate one of the levers." The Doctor nodded at Rose.
"Here they are!" Jack screamed as Daleks approached the building.
"Lets do it." Together they pulled the levers towards the open position, as soon as they clicked in place the pair ran towards the TARDIS, gathering around the screen.
"Beginning temporal shift," Jack informed them.
"The breach is open, into the void. HAH!" Suddenly a Dalek hit one of the levers and causing it to fall. "Jack move the TARDIS towards that lever." The TARDIS slowly moved towards the lever.
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The Doctor carefully leaned out of the TARDIS towards the lever.
He couldn't reach.
He leaned further out, he felt a hand take his and he leaned to reach it, he was almost there.
Suddenly the TARDIS lurched.
Something had hit it. Another Dalek?
The Doctor was lost his grip on Rose's hand, causing him to fly out of the TARDIS.
He reached out and grabbed onto the lever.
"HOLD ON!" Rose screamed as he pushed it upright once more. "HOLD ON!!" Her fears grew as she saw his grip slip. "DOCTOR!" She screamed. "DOCTOR!!"
She reached out towards him again, to her dismay her hands were growing transparent.
It was too late, the TARDIS was already dematerialising.
TBC
