The Doctor stepped off the platform, deliberately allow Barret to lead the way. Something about the large man made her nervous, she knew he had good intentions about saving the planet but his methodology went against everything she stood for. Still, he would be a useful temporary ally even it is was for clearing a path through the slums.
Outside Seventh Heaven, people were beginning to slowly congregate outside their homes. The sounds of gunfire was intensifying and the Time Lord could see a helicopter approaching from the distance. She could hear Barret bellowing for people to clear out of the Sector as quickly as possible. The Doctor knew there would be no one official to help evacuate, Shinra rarely interfered in the slums unless it suited their interests.
Remembering her arrival into Sector 7, she called out to Barret, "How many ways out are there?"
"Main gate," he began, "there's a side gate over there which leads to the wastelands but other than the Train Graveyard that's about it." Just three exits, all easily blocked and easy to defend for Shinra troops. Something about this was beginning to feel ominous, like someone didn't want anyone to escape, "Biggs mentioned there as a secret tunnel to Sector 6," Barret continued, "hopefully Shinra don't know about that."
Before long, the pair reached the pillar just as a large group dressed in beige camouflage arrived, "AVALANCHE reenforcements," Barret commented, "head office must've seen what's goin' down".
"I thought you were AVALANCHE," the Doctor asked out of curiosity.
"Nah, we've got cells all over the planet," Barret replied, "we had a falling out not too long ago, they thought our ideas were too extreme."
"Bunch of heavy armed people with military grade equipment thought you were too extreme," the Doctor snorted sarcastically, "pot calling the kettle black that one."
The AVALANCHE team cut through the fence and began pouring into the plaza and the Doctor could see he was itching to join them, "You comin'?" the large man asked.
"Like I said, I'm allergic to guns," the Time Lord shook her head, "you go off and shoot things and I'll go over there and pretend I don't know what you're about to do."
The Doctor couldn't read Barret's expression, it was somewhere between a smile and a grimace, "You're not to get far without a weapon Doctor," he stated whilst loading his gun arm.
"I've survived for several centuries with a weapon", she replied, "I'm sure I've got a few more left in me." Barret wasn't sure how to respond to that, he snorted, shook his head and charged up the stairs.
Now by herself, the Time Lord took a few moments to get her bearings. If this was a Shinra inside job, the main gate would be heavily protected and very difficult to breach. The Train Graveyard didn't sound overly appealing either, it conjured up images of rusty trains and carriages, very difficult to move in a hurry. This secret tunnel that Barret mentioned, she wouldn't even begin to know where to start looking. She had to hope that a few others in the Sector knew about the passageway and could lead people away.
That just left the gate to the wastelands which she had passed moments ago. She had only seen a couple of guards, it was the best option available. Others in the Sector clearly had the same idea as a crowd was beginning to gather. She pushed her way towards the front, ignoring the indignant cries from those she bumped into. Finally, she reached the front of the group and with the biggest smile she could muster, introduced herself, "Hello there, I'm the Doctor."
"I don't care what position you hold," the red clad soldier began, "no one is getting through this gate."
"Bit rude that," the Doctor frowned, "I didn't even say I wanted to come through but if you don't mind me asking, why can't we go through."
She guessed the one in red was the superior officer as he didn't give his colleague a chance to answer, "Orders," he replied simply.
"Bloody military," the Time Lord muttered to herself, "can't think for themselves." She slowly reached into her coat, drawing the attention of the soldiers, "Easy," she said when they aimed their rifles in her direction, "I've got my own orders that I need to follow." Pulling out the psychic paper, she flashed it in their direction and hoped it would be enough for them.
The soldier in blue had seen enough and reached for the gate controls, "Don't open that gate," the red in red replied, turning his back to the Doctor, "this gate stays closed and only Heidegger can override that command."
The Doctor groaned, she didn't have time to argue with a closed-minded soldier who only knew how to follow orders. His subordinate looked more willing to help the civilians out so she decided to take a chance. Cracking her knuckles, she did something she hadn't done in a while. The Doctor gripped the commanding soldier hard just where his shoulder muscle met his neck. The effect was almost instant as he collapsed unconscious to the ground, "Venusian Aikido," she grinned, "I do hope I didn't hurt you." Turning her attention to the soldier in blue, she added, "Now about this gate."
The soldier hesitated for a moment, enough for the Doctor to wonder if she's need to use her Sonic Screwdriver. To her relief and surprise, the soldier pulled the switch, "Everyone keep going in a straight line and you'll reach Sector 6," he commanded, "don't stray too far otherwise you'll be out in the Badlands."
The crowd didn't need a second invitation and charged through the gate, almost running the Doctor and soldier over. The Time Lord looked over at the man and could just about make out his downcast expression. This piece of insubordination had saved hundreds of lives but probably at the cost of his own, "Thank you," she called out, "piece of advice, ditch the uniform and join them. If you can slip into the crowd, maybe Shinra won't be able to find you."
The soldier didn't look convinced but took the Doctor's advice and once the bulk of the crowd were through, he shouldered his weapon and joined them. Knowing there wasn't much more she could do, the Time Lord jogged back towards Seventh Heaven. She would pick up Yaz and return to the TARDIS through the gate. Depending on how quickly events move, they could do more to help once they were back on board. Reaching the bar, she bounced up the wooden stairs and slipped through the open door.
Approaching the pinball machine, the Doctor realised she didn't know how to active the secret platform. Pulling out the Sonic Screwdriver, she overrode the mechanical lock and the platform began to descend, "Yaz, let's get out of here," she called out, "I've found a side gate that will lead out of Sector 6." The Doctor twisted on the platform and was surprised to see the secret base was empty, "What part about don't wonder off do humans not understand," she groaned.
The Time Lord took a quick look around to see if Yaz had left any clue to her whereabouts. Hopefully Jessie had led her out the Sector and to safety. She jumped onto the platform and it began to rise again and at the same time, she pulled out a mobile phone and began to call Yaz. After several rings, it went to voicemail, "Yaz when you get this, head back to Seventh Heaven, I've found a way to safety."
"She already left," a small voice called out from behind the bar, "with Jessie a few minutes ago."
The Doctor ended her call and moved towards the voice, looking over the bar she spotted Barret's young child, "Now, what are you doing down here?" the Time Lord asked, "if I recall, you're Marlene right?" The youngster nodded her head in confirmation, "Well Marlene, this place is dangerous so why don't we go somewhere safe?"
The child looked hesitant to go anywhere with the Doctor, unfortunately the Doctor was proven correct about the danger moments later. A large explosion rocked the building, blowing out the windows and showering the floor with glass. The Doctor ducked and shielded herself as best as she could. Once she was confident there wouldn't be another blast, she jumped over the bar to where Marlene had taken shelter, "Come on, I think that's our cue to leave."
This time, Marlene didn't hesitate and grasped the Time Lord's outstretched hand. Pushing the dividing gate between the bar and main seating area, the Doctor led the young girl towards the exit. To the left of the building, she could see the burning remains of large vehicle, most likely a helicopter. Cursing that the main path towards the gate was now blocked, the Doctor was beginning to think of a backup plan when the main door opened.
Stepping protectively in front of Marlene, the Doctor waited as their guest squeezed through the opening. The Doctor was surprised, it was the brunette woman in the pink dress and red jacket that she had spotted in the Sector 6 park. When the new arrival spotted the Doctor, she stopped in surprise, "It's you," she gasped, "the one from the park."
"Good memory," the Doctor greeted, "next question, are you friend or foe?"
"Well I like to think I'm pretty friendly," the woman smiled, "I'm Aerith, Tifa sent me to rescue Marlene but it looks like you've beaten me to it."
The Doctor hadn't met Tifa but her name had been mentioned a few times by the rest of AVALANCHE. Deciding Aerith could be trusted, she introduced herself, "I'm the Doctor, I assume you know what's going on up there?"
Aerith nodded, "Shinra want to drop the plate on to the Sector 7 slums," she paused and looked at the Time Lord curiously, "the Doctor," she continued, "Doctor Who?"
The Time Lord resisted the urge to grin, "Just the Doctor,c there'll be plenty of time to talk once we're out of here."
Their conversation was interrupted by a bright search light and the unmistakable sound of a helicopter coming into land. Standing in the door of the helicopter was a man with long black hair in an equally dark suit. The Doctor noticed Aerith stiffen at the site of the man, "Not a friend of yours I take it?" she asked the brunette.
"Not in the slightest," Aerith didn't say anymore and slowly exited the bar. Something told the Time Lord that she needed to follow the woman. Carefully she led Marlene out the bar just as Aerith was speaking with the man, "Perhaps we can make a deal?"
The man spotted the new arrival and his military guards aimed their weapons in the Doctor's direction, "Is that the way you people start a conversation," she asked irritably, "you'd get more out of people if you didn't shoot them."
To her surprise, the man laughed gently and waived the guards off, "Unfortunately there is no intelligence test to join the army these days." He paused before continuing, "Forgive me but we were having a conversation and I'm on a tight schedule."
"Don't mind me," the Doctor smiled, "but can I ask, why the interest in my friend over here."
The dark haired man sighed irritably but Aerith answered for him, "Because I'm the last descendant of the Cetra," she began, "and Tseng here is going to take me to Shinra Headquarters."
The Doctor gaped at the brunette, "No way," she beamed, "forgive my fangirling but it's an absolute honour to meet you-"
"Perhaps we could move this along," Tseng interrupted the Time Lord, "you're wasting precious time."
The Doctor turned and shot the man a harsh glare, "Bit too close to the fire for you," she spat, "tell you what, how about we all just walk away? Even my hearts are pounding knowing that thing," she pointed at the plate, "could drop at any moment."
"Aerith knows I can't do that," Tseng replied and the grim look on the brunette told it's own story. The leader of the Turks eyed the Doctor curiously, "Interesting that you said hearts Doctor," he continued, "slip of the tongue or do you really have two hearts?"
"Bit of a personal question," the Doctor began, "but if you must know, yes I have two hearts."
A cold smile crossed Tseng's face, "Fascinating", he began slowly, "Hojo will be interested to know that we found a matching specimen."
The Doctor froze, was this man suggesting that Shinra had another Time Lord in their possession. There weren't many species with binary vascular system, outside the Time Lords she could only think of handful of others. It could explain why the TARDIS was pulled off course on arrival, the old girl could've sensed another Time Lord nearby. But after the Master destroyed Gallifrey, the possibility seemed remote, "Impossible", she eventually replied, "to my knowledge only one other of my kind is still alive and I know you can't have captured him."
"And why is that?" Tseng asked.
"Because you're still alive," the Doctor replied simply, she wouldn't put it passed the Master to team up with Shinra but being captured by a group of humans would bruise his ego, making it highly likely that he would lash out with extreme prejudice. Whoever this 'specimen' was, she had to get into Shinra Tower, either to save them or if this individual was the Master, protect the humans from his wrath. She turned to Aerith and asked, "What deal were you about to propose?"
For a few seconds Aerith didn't respond, perhaps she was still processing this new information, "I'll go with you willingly," she began slowly, "but you take Marlene to Sector 5 where it's safe."
"Then I'm coming too," the Doctor added, "think of this as a two for one special on endangered civilisations."
The Time Lord watched as Tseng considered the offer, his glance periodically flicking to the plate overhead. The Doctor resisted grinned, she knew his options were limited. Aerith clearly needed to be taken alive, otherwise she would've been forced into the helicopter by now. Reluctantly, Tseng nodded, "Get in," he grunted.
Smirking a little, the Doctor slowly ushered Marlene forward and the young girl climbed into the helicopter gingerly. Aerith was next, all the time her gaze wasn't too far away from the Time Lord. She wanted to protest but the Doctor merely shook her head, there would be time to talk later. Glancing over to the pillar, the Doctor had to hope that Yaz had escaped safely. She wanted to search but with all access from Seventh Heaven blocked, she had limited options. As the helicopter took to the air, she put her faith in Yaz to find a way out safely.