CHAPTER SIX - THE FACE OF THE ENEMY
"Hello Sir, can you hear me?" The voice was faint as though it were being whispered or they were far away. "Doctor!" the voice called again.
"That's my name!" the Doctor thought. "Someone is calling to me!"
"Doctor!" the voice continued. "Do we have any medical records on this patient?"
"Sorry, Doctor, No" another voice replied. "We couldn't make a match!"
"It's that damned Empire and their laws again, I bet!" the first voice said with dis-taste.
"Please Doctor, don't curse 'them' I beg of you!" the second voice said. "Remember what happened to the last person!"
"He's regaining consciousness!" the first voice said.
The Doctor slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. The room was completely white, and he was surrounded by medical equipment."Where am I?" he asked in a drowsy tone. He lifted his head up and saw two women examining a chart.
One of the women looked up and smiled at the Doctor, she looked fairly young, with long ginger hair. "Everything is going to be alright Sir" she said. "Somebody found you lying unconscious by London Bridge, you were suffering from exhaustion!"
"I need to get out of here!" the Doctor said.
"You need to relax!" the woman said. "Your body has been through a lot and you need to get your strength back!"
The door opened slightly, and a man poked his head into the room. "Could I see you for a second?" he said.
"I'll be back in a moment!" the woman told the Doctor, and she and the other woman who had remained silent left the room.
"What is his condition?" the man asked.
"Recovering!" the ginger-haired woman replied.
"Do we know anything about him yet?"
"No, nothing!"
"Why don't we ask him then?" the man said, pushing the door open.
They walked into the room and stood in silence. The bed was empty and the window was open. The Doctor had escaped.
It was a particularly warm day, but most of the sky was covered in grey cloud and it was raining.
The Doctor was walking aimlessly around London, he wanted to get to his TARDIS, but for some reason he wasn't sure how to get to it. He'd noticed earlier, that not only was he still dressed while he was laying in the hospital bed, but he was no longer wearing the same clothes that he had worn when he had arrived on Earth. He was, in fact wearing the clothes that he had chosen for himself shortly after his regeneration from his third incarnation. The sombre burgundy and purples had been replaced by an altogether more colourful attire.
"Hey buddy, take one!" a voice boomed from nowhere. A hand was thrust in front of his face, holding a flyer. The Doctor took it and walked on.
The Doctor reached the end of the street, then he unfolded the piece of paper and began to read it to himself. "Tonight we present the greatest hunt yet! Witness the spectacular event as the contestant races through the streets of London! Watch it live on the streets or live on television, as the Guardians of the Empire hunt down a most infamous contestant!" The Doctor stopped reading and his eyes darted all around the street. He was to be the contestant in the hunt.
A hand suddenly grasped the Doctor's left shoulder, and he spun around.
"You got a light pal?" a man slurred. From the fragrant aromas coming from his mouth when he spoke, it was clear that he had consumed a vast quantity of alcohol.
"Sorry!" the Doctor replied. "Don't smoke!"
The drunk man uttered a few profanities and shuffled off the way he had come.
The Doctor shook his head and carried on walking, although this time trying to be a little less conspicuous. He walked for about half an hour before finding a place to rest. "Now where did I park my TARDIS?" he mused.
"You got a light, pal?" a familiar voice spoke.
"Look, I don't smoke!" the Doctor said turning round. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the person standing in front of him.
"The last time I saw you, you were smoking quite heavily!" the Master cackled.
"Very witty!" the Doctor said, coldly. "What is the meaning of all this?"
"It's just one reality in an infinite number of possibilities!"
"I shall no longer play your childish little game!" the Doctor fumed.
"Time may be eternal, Doctor, but my patience is not!"
"Then let's forget all of this! How about just you and me, one last time!"
"Last Time Lord standing eh Doctor?" the Master said. He pretended to think it through for a moment before continuing. "Why not!" he said with a half-smile. "Yes, just you, me and my...GUARDS!"
The Doctor noticed four men in Police uniforms.
"Just the man we're looking for!" one of them said. "We've got to get you ready for your spectacular 'performance'!"
"Are you sure it's me you're looking for?" the Doctor asked sweetly.
"Indeed you are, Doctor!" the officer replied.
"Aah!" the Doctor said. "In that case....." He turned suddenly and set off at a run, not realising in his haste that the Master had once more vanished. The Police officers began to chase the Doctor through the mirky back alleys of London. After a few twists and turns, the Doctor found himself at the back of a row of shops, and on the opposite side of the alley he saw a load of wheely bins. Fearing that he would be caught, the Doctor hurled himself into the nearest bin.
The Doctor heard hurried footsteps and muffled voices as the Police approached. Fortunately, they were in too much of a hurry to stop and look inside the bins. After a few moments of silence, the Doctor lifted the lid, and climbed out. he was pretty much un-scathed, apart from a few bits of rotten fruit and vegetables on his clothing. The Doctor brushed himself off and glanced around, furtively.
"I thought I heard a noise!" somebody called.
"Police!" the Doctor cursed and hurriedly tried to flatten himself against the wall. He had no escape route open to him should they return. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him backwards. The Doctor turned round to see who had captured him and found himself pulled onto the other side of the alley wall via a hidden door.
"That's terribly clever!" the Doctor beamed, realising that he already knew his captor.
It was the ginger-haired woman from the hospital. "Yes, it comes in handy at times!"
"Are you going to take me back to the hospital?" the Doctor asked.
"Quite the opposite" the woman said. "My name is Doctor Sarah Croft, I am part of a resistance movement!"
"What resistance movement?" the Doctor enquired. "Resistance to who, and what's this Empire people keep harping on about?"
"All in good time!" Sarah said. "We have to get you safely to our hideout" The Doctor watched, as Sarah pulled away a few crates and boxes to reveal a metal door. After a few moments, she unlocked and opened it. "Come on!" she said. "This way!"
The Doctor silently followed her through the doorway and along a series of passages. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. "Where are we going?"
"We need to make our way to Cannon Street station, and then down into the underground main tunnel. There you will see our hideout!"
"How much further?" the Doctor asked, impatiently.
"It should be just around here" Sarah said as they turned a corner and found themselves in front of a heavy-looking iron door. She opened the door and they walked through. The door closed itself behind them.
They emerged into a small, dull ticket office. As far as technology was concerned, the place was very much behind the times. The Doctor walked around the draughty space, looking at the various leaflets, and pieces of unused fare collecting machinery.
"This way, Doctor!" Sarah said as she walked over to one of the huge, silent lifts, which would convey them to the platform below.
"Dust and decay!" the Doctor muttered, under his breath.
The Doctor strolled past a small ticket window, when all of a sudden, the shutter flew up to reveal the Master in his new guise, complete with black railwayman's cap. He sat on the opposite side of the glass, with a sly smile on his face. "Your train follows mine from platform one, Guv!" the Master said in a terrible parody of a cockney accent. Laughing, he punched a skull and crossbones marked button, and a ticket appeared. NO RETURN was printed across it. "Infinite Delays expected, Guv!" the Master laughed as he pulled the blind back down.
The Doctor walked past the ticket booth and over to the gun-metal grey doors of the lift. After a moment they creeked open and both Sarah and the Doctor entered.
"I must admit," the Dortor said looking at Sarah, "you were a little forthright in admitting your allegiance to me."
Sarah pressed a button and the lift slowly decended. "You could say we were expecting you Doctor. Our leader is very wise."
"Will I be meeting your leader?" the Doctor asked.
"All in good time Doctor," Sarah replied.
The lift slowed and then came to a stop and after a moment or two the doors creeked open.
"We need to take the westbound platform Doctor," Sarah said pointing to a nearby passageway. They walked out of the lift and over to the passage.
"Who is this Empire Sarah?" the Doctor said as he started to walk through the westbound passage.
There was no answer.
"Sarah," the Doctor said looking around. His eyes went wide as he noticed the entrance he just walked through was sealed and Sarah was nowhere to be seen.
"Sarah," the Doctor called, but she was gone.
Suddenly from somewhere overhead an intercom was activated.
"Could I have your attention," a voice echoed.
"The Master!" the Doctor uttered with distaste.
"Welcome to Master Rail Doctor," the Master chuckled. "I must admit a little arrogance, but what's life without a little fun. Anyway, the train at platform one, is yours. Get a move on Doctor." the Master laughed loudly for a few moments before the intercom switched off.
"Arrogant indeed Master," the Doctor said. He couldn't go back, and he hadn't a clue where Sarah went to he continued on his way to the platform. The Doctor walked along through the tiled passageways of the underground. The Doctor reached the end of the passage where it suddenly split into two different directions. "I could be here forever," the Doctor said looking left and right.
"Doctor," a voice called, "Doctor, it's me Sarah. Please come quickly."
The Doctor started running hurriedly down the left corridor, trying to find Sarah.
"Doctor, you're getting close. I can hear your footsteps," Sarah called.
The Doctor kept running until he finally saw Sarah. She was in the middle of a small room tied by her hands and ankles with rope.
"Glad you could make it Doctor," the Master said walking out froma shadowy corner.
"Untie her at once," the Doctor snapped.
"Be my guest," the Master simply replied.
The Doctor took a couple of steps forward before he was suddenlt stopped by some invisible wall blocking the entrance.
"What are you up to?" the Doctor asked.
"Like I say, it's survival. Nothing more, nothing less." the Master replied.
"What am I surviving from?" the Doctor asked. "I mean, my life hasn't been in threatened much."
"Then allow me to re-acquaint you with some old friends Doctor," the Master said chuckling as he moved back in to the shadows.
From both the left and right side of the room, the Doctor could hear shuffling of many feet. The Doctor tried to peer into the darkness without much luck.
"Go Doctor," Sarah said, "nothing can stop us, we can't allow it."
"I can't leave you here," the Doctor said.
The shuffling continued and suddenly the Doctor shuddered as he became face to face with an old adversary.
"My God," the Doctor uttered under his breath, "Pescatons!"
The light that was in the room slowly grew dim until the Doctor could no longer see either the Pescatons or Sarah. There was a few seconds silence then the attack came. The Doctor listened, helpless as the Pescatons viciously attacked Sarah, then just as quickly silence returned.
"I would run if I were you Doctor," the Master's voice booomed through the tunnel. "Pescatons are not particularly fussy with their food."
The Doctor could hear the shuffling feet of the Pescatons and so the Doctor had no choice but to turn and run before he was caught.
"Doctor," a voice whispered, "quickly, we gotta go."
The Doctor knew that voice from somewhere, and so listening to the voice he carried on down the passageway.
"Doctor," the voice spoke again.
The Doctor reached the end of the passage and found himself on a train platform.
"Hurry Doctor," the voice said.
The Doctor hesitated slightly. "It could be the Master playing tricks again," the Doctor thought.
"Doctor," the voice said again.
The Doctor decided to chance it, he took two quick steps forward and jumped through the doors as they began closing. There was a hissing noise as all the carriage doors closed and the train moved away from the station.
After a couple of seconds the Doctor looked up with a slightly embarrassed look on his face as the passengers looked down at the Doctor on the floor.
"Glad you could make it," the voice said.
A hand appeared in front of the Doctor's face, and the Doctor got to his feet. He looked at the person who was calling his name and a big smile came across his lips.
"Sarah Jane," the Doctor said beaming, then he embraced her in a warm hug. "It's good to see you again."
"Like wise Doctor," Sarah Jane replied. "This is Rebecca," she continued as she held out her left hand. A small girl took hold of it and smiled up at the Doctor.
"Hello young lady," the Doctor said kneeling, "are you a friend of Sarah Jane."
"Yeah," she shyly replied.
"Yeah, me and Rebecca are friends," Sarah Jane said as the Doctor stood up. "We haven't much time left," she whispered in the Doctor's ear. "We have to get you to our hideout to formulate a resistance plan."
The lights in the carriage began to flicker and they suddenly went out, up and down the carriage people became aggitated and began screaming.
"Rebecca?" Sarah Jane called.
"I'm here," she said taking Sarah Janes' hand.
The lights came back on and the Doctor quickly looked around the carriage. He looked over Sarah Janes' shoulder and stopped as he spotted the Master at the other end.
The Master looked at him and gave him a menacing sneer, but his moment was being distracted by a small child crying. He looked at the child and pointed at him. "Stop that whailing or I'll have you tied to the tracks!" then he turned his attention to the Doctor with equal anger. "And as for you, get outta my sight before I change the rules!" The Master hesitated for a moment and a faint smile came across his lips. "On second thoughts, why should I care. Rules are meant to be broken, even if I am the one who makes the rules." The master snapped his fingers and the carriage was once again plunged into darkness.
"What's going on Doctor?" Sarah Jane asked.
"He's testing me," the Doctor replied.
The lights came back on and both the Doctor and Sarah Jane looked around.
"Where is everyone," Sarah Jane said.
They looked around the carriage but the only people there were the Doctor, Sarah Jane and little Rebecca.
"Who was that man?" Sarah Jane asked.
"That man is the Master," the Doctor said.
"Is he a Time Lord like you?"
"Unfortunately," the Doctor said with distaste.
"You know Doctor," the Master's voice echoed over the PA system, "you're right in saying I've made this just a little too easy for you so far. So how would you feel about sharing a train with a hundred Pescatons?" The Master laughed loudly as the Doctor and Sarah Jane ran to the end of the carriage. Both the Doctor and Sarah Jane gasped as they saw wave after wave of Pescatons shuffling towards the carriage door.
"What do we do Doctor?" Sarah Jane asked.
"We got to get off this train," the Doctor said looing over his shoulder.
"Can this get any worse," Sarah Jane said.
"If I can uncouple our carriage," the Doctor said, "we can leave them behind."
"Be careful Doctor," Sarah Jane said putting a hand softly on his shoulder.
"What," the Doctor said a little surprised, "you're not going to argue with me?"
"I learnt a long time ago, never argue with you Doctor." Sarah Jane said smiling.
"We'll make it," the Doctor said, he smiled and walked through the carriage door. The Doctor steadied himself as he knelt down and began trying to uncouple the connection to the other carriages. He could hear several neavy thumping noises as the Pescatons attempted to break out of the carriage.
Suddenly there was a clicking noise as the door behind him locked, then a siren noise began to sound through the carriages.
"Warning, warning," the Master's voice echoed, "a self-destruct system has been activated, each train carriage will explode sequentially. I repeat a self-destruct system has been activated, each train carriage will explode sequentially."
"A self-destruct!" the Doctor exclaimed slowly standing up.
"Oh Lord!" Sarah Jane sighed. She rushed to the drivers compartment to try and open the door, but it was locked.
"Sarah Jane," the Doctor called, "stop the train!"
"I can't," she replied, "the door to the driver's room is locked."
"What!" the Doctor exclaimed as the door behind him was forced open.
"Sarah Jane, what's going on?" Rebecca asked.
"Stay back," Sarah Jane replied.
Rebecca moved back towards the driver's door not knowing what was going on. Suddenly Rebecca screamed as the Pescatons began smashing their door, trying to get in. As they looked through the window they could see the Pescatons as they smashed relentlessly against the door, trying to get in. The door began to creek under the preasure before, as if hit by an almighty force of the door was blown out of the frame and crashed to the floor.
"This is not good," Sarah Jane uttered as she backed up towards the driver's door. "Doctor," she cried, "where are you?"
The Doctor heard Sarah Jane cry out but he too was in an acqward situation. Holding on for dear life the Doctor was slowly inching along the top of the carriage in an attempt to reach the Driver's room. "This must surely be the badiest idea in the whole history of bad ideas," the Doctor uttered through clentched teeth.
Back in the carraige, Sarah Jane was desparately looking for a way out when she heard a metal clanking noise. She looked behind her and saw Rebecca crawling through a now uncovered vent hole.
"Rebecca, what are you doing?" she said.
"We have to stop this train right," Rebecca replied. "I'm the only one who can do it." With that she slid smoothly through the hatch.
Sarah Jane looked again then she found what she was looking for, a maintenance hatch.
The Pescatons were slowly advancing. They had reached half way along the carriage and getting nearer. The train continued to speed along at a fierce pace as Rebecca looked at the controls.
"Hmm," she said looking, "which one's the right switch. Maybe this one?" Rebecca jumped as she saw the Doctor hanging onto the front of the train.
"Rebecca," the Doctor called.
"Doctor," Rebecca said as she was suddenly thrown to the floow as the train rocked from side to side.
"I can't hold on for long," Sarah Jane said through clentched teech. She had found refuge from the Pescatons underneath the carriage and she was holding on for dear life to a metal pipe.
"Pull the lever in front of me," the Doctor said.
"Got it," she replied. She grabbed the lever and pulled it down with all her might.
The brakes came on and the train quickly began to slow down. Rebecca and the Doctor could hear the banging of the Pescatons as they tried to enter the driver's cab as the train came to a stop. Rebecca opened the driver's door and got out and the Doctor jumped off his perch and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally," the Doctor said. "Are you alright?" he asked Rebecca as she came towards him.
"I'm okay," she replied smiling.
"Where's Sarah Jane," the Doctor said. "Sarah Jane?"
"I'm right here," she said as she approached the Doctor and Rebecca.
"Sarah Jane," both the Doctor and Rebecca said looking at her.
"I guess we all made it," Sarah Jane said.
The noise from the carriage intensified and there was a loud bang as the door was forced from it's hinges.
"They just won't quit!" the Doctor said. "Come on, we've got to get out of here. Run!"
All three started running as the Pescatons shuffled into the cabin. They looked around silently wondering why it was empty. The siren which had been going all the while had halted abruptly.
"So Doctor, you're not as smart as you thought," the voice of the Master echoed. Clearly the Master was unaware of their escape of it was merely a recorded message. "Time's up Doctor," the voice continued, "thank you for dying on Master Rail." There was a long loud chuckle before silence.
Running along in the almost pitch black tunnel, Sarah Jane saw a blue light hanging against the side of one of the walls.
"Over there," Sarah Jane said.
They reached the light and the Doctor quickly looked behind to see if they were being chased. "I got a bad feeling," he said. "Everyone get down."
Suddenly the carriages were enveloped with a brilliant light as the train exploded sending an emense ball of fire in both directions. After what seemed like forever, the fires calmed down. The Doctor looked up from the ground to see the remains of the train burning fiercely.
"Is everyone alright?" the Doctor asked looking at Sarah Jane and Rebecca.
"Yes Doctor," they replied as all three stood up, and brushed themselves off.
"We'd better get moving." Sarah Jane said. As they approached the blue light the Doctor could make out a small tunnel leading away from the track.
"Where are we?" the Doctor asked as they walked through the tunnel.
"One in a series of underground tunnels that make a maze," Sarah Jane said. "If you know where you're going, you could get to us easily, otherwise you could be here for quite some time. This way." Sarah Jane turned left and carried on walked with the Doctor and Rebecca close behind.
"Why is the Master doing this?" Sarah Jane asked as she briefly looked back at the Doctor.
"He's calling it a little test of survival," the Doctor said. "Apparently, he's got my lives in his hands, and he's using me like some toy thing."
"We're here," Sarah Jane said. She gently tapped on a nearby wall a few times and waited for a couple of seconds. There was a dull sound of a latch being released, and the wall moved a little way revealing an entrance. The Doctor, Sarah Jane and Rebecca walked through and the wall was moved back into place.
The Doctor found himself in a large semi-circular room that had a high domed ceiling. Around him must of stood about two or perhaps three dozen people, talking, resting or making plans for some kind.
"Over here Doctor," Sarah Jane said. The Doctor looked around and started to follow Sarah.
"This is the leader or the resistance movement," Sarah Jane said pointing to a tall figure.
"Welcome to the resistance Doctor," the figure said turning around. "I'm glad you arrived in one piece."
The Doctor stared wide eyed at the leader of the resistance. "Adric!" he gasped.
"Hello Sir, can you hear me?" The voice was faint as though it were being whispered or they were far away. "Doctor!" the voice called again.
"That's my name!" the Doctor thought. "Someone is calling to me!"
"Doctor!" the voice continued. "Do we have any medical records on this patient?"
"Sorry, Doctor, No" another voice replied. "We couldn't make a match!"
"It's that damned Empire and their laws again, I bet!" the first voice said with dis-taste.
"Please Doctor, don't curse 'them' I beg of you!" the second voice said. "Remember what happened to the last person!"
"He's regaining consciousness!" the first voice said.
The Doctor slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. The room was completely white, and he was surrounded by medical equipment."Where am I?" he asked in a drowsy tone. He lifted his head up and saw two women examining a chart.
One of the women looked up and smiled at the Doctor, she looked fairly young, with long ginger hair. "Everything is going to be alright Sir" she said. "Somebody found you lying unconscious by London Bridge, you were suffering from exhaustion!"
"I need to get out of here!" the Doctor said.
"You need to relax!" the woman said. "Your body has been through a lot and you need to get your strength back!"
The door opened slightly, and a man poked his head into the room. "Could I see you for a second?" he said.
"I'll be back in a moment!" the woman told the Doctor, and she and the other woman who had remained silent left the room.
"What is his condition?" the man asked.
"Recovering!" the ginger-haired woman replied.
"Do we know anything about him yet?"
"No, nothing!"
"Why don't we ask him then?" the man said, pushing the door open.
They walked into the room and stood in silence. The bed was empty and the window was open. The Doctor had escaped.
It was a particularly warm day, but most of the sky was covered in grey cloud and it was raining.
The Doctor was walking aimlessly around London, he wanted to get to his TARDIS, but for some reason he wasn't sure how to get to it. He'd noticed earlier, that not only was he still dressed while he was laying in the hospital bed, but he was no longer wearing the same clothes that he had worn when he had arrived on Earth. He was, in fact wearing the clothes that he had chosen for himself shortly after his regeneration from his third incarnation. The sombre burgundy and purples had been replaced by an altogether more colourful attire.
"Hey buddy, take one!" a voice boomed from nowhere. A hand was thrust in front of his face, holding a flyer. The Doctor took it and walked on.
The Doctor reached the end of the street, then he unfolded the piece of paper and began to read it to himself. "Tonight we present the greatest hunt yet! Witness the spectacular event as the contestant races through the streets of London! Watch it live on the streets or live on television, as the Guardians of the Empire hunt down a most infamous contestant!" The Doctor stopped reading and his eyes darted all around the street. He was to be the contestant in the hunt.
A hand suddenly grasped the Doctor's left shoulder, and he spun around.
"You got a light pal?" a man slurred. From the fragrant aromas coming from his mouth when he spoke, it was clear that he had consumed a vast quantity of alcohol.
"Sorry!" the Doctor replied. "Don't smoke!"
The drunk man uttered a few profanities and shuffled off the way he had come.
The Doctor shook his head and carried on walking, although this time trying to be a little less conspicuous. He walked for about half an hour before finding a place to rest. "Now where did I park my TARDIS?" he mused.
"You got a light, pal?" a familiar voice spoke.
"Look, I don't smoke!" the Doctor said turning round. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the person standing in front of him.
"The last time I saw you, you were smoking quite heavily!" the Master cackled.
"Very witty!" the Doctor said, coldly. "What is the meaning of all this?"
"It's just one reality in an infinite number of possibilities!"
"I shall no longer play your childish little game!" the Doctor fumed.
"Time may be eternal, Doctor, but my patience is not!"
"Then let's forget all of this! How about just you and me, one last time!"
"Last Time Lord standing eh Doctor?" the Master said. He pretended to think it through for a moment before continuing. "Why not!" he said with a half-smile. "Yes, just you, me and my...GUARDS!"
The Doctor noticed four men in Police uniforms.
"Just the man we're looking for!" one of them said. "We've got to get you ready for your spectacular 'performance'!"
"Are you sure it's me you're looking for?" the Doctor asked sweetly.
"Indeed you are, Doctor!" the officer replied.
"Aah!" the Doctor said. "In that case....." He turned suddenly and set off at a run, not realising in his haste that the Master had once more vanished. The Police officers began to chase the Doctor through the mirky back alleys of London. After a few twists and turns, the Doctor found himself at the back of a row of shops, and on the opposite side of the alley he saw a load of wheely bins. Fearing that he would be caught, the Doctor hurled himself into the nearest bin.
The Doctor heard hurried footsteps and muffled voices as the Police approached. Fortunately, they were in too much of a hurry to stop and look inside the bins. After a few moments of silence, the Doctor lifted the lid, and climbed out. he was pretty much un-scathed, apart from a few bits of rotten fruit and vegetables on his clothing. The Doctor brushed himself off and glanced around, furtively.
"I thought I heard a noise!" somebody called.
"Police!" the Doctor cursed and hurriedly tried to flatten himself against the wall. He had no escape route open to him should they return. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him backwards. The Doctor turned round to see who had captured him and found himself pulled onto the other side of the alley wall via a hidden door.
"That's terribly clever!" the Doctor beamed, realising that he already knew his captor.
It was the ginger-haired woman from the hospital. "Yes, it comes in handy at times!"
"Are you going to take me back to the hospital?" the Doctor asked.
"Quite the opposite" the woman said. "My name is Doctor Sarah Croft, I am part of a resistance movement!"
"What resistance movement?" the Doctor enquired. "Resistance to who, and what's this Empire people keep harping on about?"
"All in good time!" Sarah said. "We have to get you safely to our hideout" The Doctor watched, as Sarah pulled away a few crates and boxes to reveal a metal door. After a few moments, she unlocked and opened it. "Come on!" she said. "This way!"
The Doctor silently followed her through the doorway and along a series of passages. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. "Where are we going?"
"We need to make our way to Cannon Street station, and then down into the underground main tunnel. There you will see our hideout!"
"How much further?" the Doctor asked, impatiently.
"It should be just around here" Sarah said as they turned a corner and found themselves in front of a heavy-looking iron door. She opened the door and they walked through. The door closed itself behind them.
They emerged into a small, dull ticket office. As far as technology was concerned, the place was very much behind the times. The Doctor walked around the draughty space, looking at the various leaflets, and pieces of unused fare collecting machinery.
"This way, Doctor!" Sarah said as she walked over to one of the huge, silent lifts, which would convey them to the platform below.
"Dust and decay!" the Doctor muttered, under his breath.
The Doctor strolled past a small ticket window, when all of a sudden, the shutter flew up to reveal the Master in his new guise, complete with black railwayman's cap. He sat on the opposite side of the glass, with a sly smile on his face. "Your train follows mine from platform one, Guv!" the Master said in a terrible parody of a cockney accent. Laughing, he punched a skull and crossbones marked button, and a ticket appeared. NO RETURN was printed across it. "Infinite Delays expected, Guv!" the Master laughed as he pulled the blind back down.
The Doctor walked past the ticket booth and over to the gun-metal grey doors of the lift. After a moment they creeked open and both Sarah and the Doctor entered.
"I must admit," the Dortor said looking at Sarah, "you were a little forthright in admitting your allegiance to me."
Sarah pressed a button and the lift slowly decended. "You could say we were expecting you Doctor. Our leader is very wise."
"Will I be meeting your leader?" the Doctor asked.
"All in good time Doctor," Sarah replied.
The lift slowed and then came to a stop and after a moment or two the doors creeked open.
"We need to take the westbound platform Doctor," Sarah said pointing to a nearby passageway. They walked out of the lift and over to the passage.
"Who is this Empire Sarah?" the Doctor said as he started to walk through the westbound passage.
There was no answer.
"Sarah," the Doctor said looking around. His eyes went wide as he noticed the entrance he just walked through was sealed and Sarah was nowhere to be seen.
"Sarah," the Doctor called, but she was gone.
Suddenly from somewhere overhead an intercom was activated.
"Could I have your attention," a voice echoed.
"The Master!" the Doctor uttered with distaste.
"Welcome to Master Rail Doctor," the Master chuckled. "I must admit a little arrogance, but what's life without a little fun. Anyway, the train at platform one, is yours. Get a move on Doctor." the Master laughed loudly for a few moments before the intercom switched off.
"Arrogant indeed Master," the Doctor said. He couldn't go back, and he hadn't a clue where Sarah went to he continued on his way to the platform. The Doctor walked along through the tiled passageways of the underground. The Doctor reached the end of the passage where it suddenly split into two different directions. "I could be here forever," the Doctor said looking left and right.
"Doctor," a voice called, "Doctor, it's me Sarah. Please come quickly."
The Doctor started running hurriedly down the left corridor, trying to find Sarah.
"Doctor, you're getting close. I can hear your footsteps," Sarah called.
The Doctor kept running until he finally saw Sarah. She was in the middle of a small room tied by her hands and ankles with rope.
"Glad you could make it Doctor," the Master said walking out froma shadowy corner.
"Untie her at once," the Doctor snapped.
"Be my guest," the Master simply replied.
The Doctor took a couple of steps forward before he was suddenlt stopped by some invisible wall blocking the entrance.
"What are you up to?" the Doctor asked.
"Like I say, it's survival. Nothing more, nothing less." the Master replied.
"What am I surviving from?" the Doctor asked. "I mean, my life hasn't been in threatened much."
"Then allow me to re-acquaint you with some old friends Doctor," the Master said chuckling as he moved back in to the shadows.
From both the left and right side of the room, the Doctor could hear shuffling of many feet. The Doctor tried to peer into the darkness without much luck.
"Go Doctor," Sarah said, "nothing can stop us, we can't allow it."
"I can't leave you here," the Doctor said.
The shuffling continued and suddenly the Doctor shuddered as he became face to face with an old adversary.
"My God," the Doctor uttered under his breath, "Pescatons!"
The light that was in the room slowly grew dim until the Doctor could no longer see either the Pescatons or Sarah. There was a few seconds silence then the attack came. The Doctor listened, helpless as the Pescatons viciously attacked Sarah, then just as quickly silence returned.
"I would run if I were you Doctor," the Master's voice booomed through the tunnel. "Pescatons are not particularly fussy with their food."
The Doctor could hear the shuffling feet of the Pescatons and so the Doctor had no choice but to turn and run before he was caught.
"Doctor," a voice whispered, "quickly, we gotta go."
The Doctor knew that voice from somewhere, and so listening to the voice he carried on down the passageway.
"Doctor," the voice spoke again.
The Doctor reached the end of the passage and found himself on a train platform.
"Hurry Doctor," the voice said.
The Doctor hesitated slightly. "It could be the Master playing tricks again," the Doctor thought.
"Doctor," the voice said again.
The Doctor decided to chance it, he took two quick steps forward and jumped through the doors as they began closing. There was a hissing noise as all the carriage doors closed and the train moved away from the station.
After a couple of seconds the Doctor looked up with a slightly embarrassed look on his face as the passengers looked down at the Doctor on the floor.
"Glad you could make it," the voice said.
A hand appeared in front of the Doctor's face, and the Doctor got to his feet. He looked at the person who was calling his name and a big smile came across his lips.
"Sarah Jane," the Doctor said beaming, then he embraced her in a warm hug. "It's good to see you again."
"Like wise Doctor," Sarah Jane replied. "This is Rebecca," she continued as she held out her left hand. A small girl took hold of it and smiled up at the Doctor.
"Hello young lady," the Doctor said kneeling, "are you a friend of Sarah Jane."
"Yeah," she shyly replied.
"Yeah, me and Rebecca are friends," Sarah Jane said as the Doctor stood up. "We haven't much time left," she whispered in the Doctor's ear. "We have to get you to our hideout to formulate a resistance plan."
The lights in the carriage began to flicker and they suddenly went out, up and down the carriage people became aggitated and began screaming.
"Rebecca?" Sarah Jane called.
"I'm here," she said taking Sarah Janes' hand.
The lights came back on and the Doctor quickly looked around the carriage. He looked over Sarah Janes' shoulder and stopped as he spotted the Master at the other end.
The Master looked at him and gave him a menacing sneer, but his moment was being distracted by a small child crying. He looked at the child and pointed at him. "Stop that whailing or I'll have you tied to the tracks!" then he turned his attention to the Doctor with equal anger. "And as for you, get outta my sight before I change the rules!" The Master hesitated for a moment and a faint smile came across his lips. "On second thoughts, why should I care. Rules are meant to be broken, even if I am the one who makes the rules." The master snapped his fingers and the carriage was once again plunged into darkness.
"What's going on Doctor?" Sarah Jane asked.
"He's testing me," the Doctor replied.
The lights came back on and both the Doctor and Sarah Jane looked around.
"Where is everyone," Sarah Jane said.
They looked around the carriage but the only people there were the Doctor, Sarah Jane and little Rebecca.
"Who was that man?" Sarah Jane asked.
"That man is the Master," the Doctor said.
"Is he a Time Lord like you?"
"Unfortunately," the Doctor said with distaste.
"You know Doctor," the Master's voice echoed over the PA system, "you're right in saying I've made this just a little too easy for you so far. So how would you feel about sharing a train with a hundred Pescatons?" The Master laughed loudly as the Doctor and Sarah Jane ran to the end of the carriage. Both the Doctor and Sarah Jane gasped as they saw wave after wave of Pescatons shuffling towards the carriage door.
"What do we do Doctor?" Sarah Jane asked.
"We got to get off this train," the Doctor said looing over his shoulder.
"Can this get any worse," Sarah Jane said.
"If I can uncouple our carriage," the Doctor said, "we can leave them behind."
"Be careful Doctor," Sarah Jane said putting a hand softly on his shoulder.
"What," the Doctor said a little surprised, "you're not going to argue with me?"
"I learnt a long time ago, never argue with you Doctor." Sarah Jane said smiling.
"We'll make it," the Doctor said, he smiled and walked through the carriage door. The Doctor steadied himself as he knelt down and began trying to uncouple the connection to the other carriages. He could hear several neavy thumping noises as the Pescatons attempted to break out of the carriage.
Suddenly there was a clicking noise as the door behind him locked, then a siren noise began to sound through the carriages.
"Warning, warning," the Master's voice echoed, "a self-destruct system has been activated, each train carriage will explode sequentially. I repeat a self-destruct system has been activated, each train carriage will explode sequentially."
"A self-destruct!" the Doctor exclaimed slowly standing up.
"Oh Lord!" Sarah Jane sighed. She rushed to the drivers compartment to try and open the door, but it was locked.
"Sarah Jane," the Doctor called, "stop the train!"
"I can't," she replied, "the door to the driver's room is locked."
"What!" the Doctor exclaimed as the door behind him was forced open.
"Sarah Jane, what's going on?" Rebecca asked.
"Stay back," Sarah Jane replied.
Rebecca moved back towards the driver's door not knowing what was going on. Suddenly Rebecca screamed as the Pescatons began smashing their door, trying to get in. As they looked through the window they could see the Pescatons as they smashed relentlessly against the door, trying to get in. The door began to creek under the preasure before, as if hit by an almighty force of the door was blown out of the frame and crashed to the floor.
"This is not good," Sarah Jane uttered as she backed up towards the driver's door. "Doctor," she cried, "where are you?"
The Doctor heard Sarah Jane cry out but he too was in an acqward situation. Holding on for dear life the Doctor was slowly inching along the top of the carriage in an attempt to reach the Driver's room. "This must surely be the badiest idea in the whole history of bad ideas," the Doctor uttered through clentched teeth.
Back in the carraige, Sarah Jane was desparately looking for a way out when she heard a metal clanking noise. She looked behind her and saw Rebecca crawling through a now uncovered vent hole.
"Rebecca, what are you doing?" she said.
"We have to stop this train right," Rebecca replied. "I'm the only one who can do it." With that she slid smoothly through the hatch.
Sarah Jane looked again then she found what she was looking for, a maintenance hatch.
The Pescatons were slowly advancing. They had reached half way along the carriage and getting nearer. The train continued to speed along at a fierce pace as Rebecca looked at the controls.
"Hmm," she said looking, "which one's the right switch. Maybe this one?" Rebecca jumped as she saw the Doctor hanging onto the front of the train.
"Rebecca," the Doctor called.
"Doctor," Rebecca said as she was suddenly thrown to the floow as the train rocked from side to side.
"I can't hold on for long," Sarah Jane said through clentched teech. She had found refuge from the Pescatons underneath the carriage and she was holding on for dear life to a metal pipe.
"Pull the lever in front of me," the Doctor said.
"Got it," she replied. She grabbed the lever and pulled it down with all her might.
The brakes came on and the train quickly began to slow down. Rebecca and the Doctor could hear the banging of the Pescatons as they tried to enter the driver's cab as the train came to a stop. Rebecca opened the driver's door and got out and the Doctor jumped off his perch and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally," the Doctor said. "Are you alright?" he asked Rebecca as she came towards him.
"I'm okay," she replied smiling.
"Where's Sarah Jane," the Doctor said. "Sarah Jane?"
"I'm right here," she said as she approached the Doctor and Rebecca.
"Sarah Jane," both the Doctor and Rebecca said looking at her.
"I guess we all made it," Sarah Jane said.
The noise from the carriage intensified and there was a loud bang as the door was forced from it's hinges.
"They just won't quit!" the Doctor said. "Come on, we've got to get out of here. Run!"
All three started running as the Pescatons shuffled into the cabin. They looked around silently wondering why it was empty. The siren which had been going all the while had halted abruptly.
"So Doctor, you're not as smart as you thought," the voice of the Master echoed. Clearly the Master was unaware of their escape of it was merely a recorded message. "Time's up Doctor," the voice continued, "thank you for dying on Master Rail." There was a long loud chuckle before silence.
Running along in the almost pitch black tunnel, Sarah Jane saw a blue light hanging against the side of one of the walls.
"Over there," Sarah Jane said.
They reached the light and the Doctor quickly looked behind to see if they were being chased. "I got a bad feeling," he said. "Everyone get down."
Suddenly the carriages were enveloped with a brilliant light as the train exploded sending an emense ball of fire in both directions. After what seemed like forever, the fires calmed down. The Doctor looked up from the ground to see the remains of the train burning fiercely.
"Is everyone alright?" the Doctor asked looking at Sarah Jane and Rebecca.
"Yes Doctor," they replied as all three stood up, and brushed themselves off.
"We'd better get moving." Sarah Jane said. As they approached the blue light the Doctor could make out a small tunnel leading away from the track.
"Where are we?" the Doctor asked as they walked through the tunnel.
"One in a series of underground tunnels that make a maze," Sarah Jane said. "If you know where you're going, you could get to us easily, otherwise you could be here for quite some time. This way." Sarah Jane turned left and carried on walked with the Doctor and Rebecca close behind.
"Why is the Master doing this?" Sarah Jane asked as she briefly looked back at the Doctor.
"He's calling it a little test of survival," the Doctor said. "Apparently, he's got my lives in his hands, and he's using me like some toy thing."
"We're here," Sarah Jane said. She gently tapped on a nearby wall a few times and waited for a couple of seconds. There was a dull sound of a latch being released, and the wall moved a little way revealing an entrance. The Doctor, Sarah Jane and Rebecca walked through and the wall was moved back into place.
The Doctor found himself in a large semi-circular room that had a high domed ceiling. Around him must of stood about two or perhaps three dozen people, talking, resting or making plans for some kind.
"Over here Doctor," Sarah Jane said. The Doctor looked around and started to follow Sarah.
"This is the leader or the resistance movement," Sarah Jane said pointing to a tall figure.
"Welcome to the resistance Doctor," the figure said turning around. "I'm glad you arrived in one piece."
The Doctor stared wide eyed at the leader of the resistance. "Adric!" he gasped.