Unto the Universe
Chapter Two: New Earth: Cassandra
By Lumendea
AN: Thank you for all the great comments! The excitement you have the new season is fantastic! I have a family thing this weekend so I'm posting earlier. I hope everyone has a good weekend.
…..
When the doors of the lift opened, Rose glared into the dim space ahead. At first, it was due to her discomfort with the wash and rinse cycle that she'd unexpectantly gone through, but then it was because she realized that she was not where she was supposed to be. It wasn't dark, but it was a big change from the clean light of the upper floors. She knew that this wasn't Ward 26 and wondered how long it would take the boys to freak out and start ripping the hospital apart. That probably depended on how quickly the Doctor found who had called them.
Then a man stepped forward. Well, not so much as stepped forward, but tentatively approached, almost hunched over. They were humanoid and dressed in what almost looked like scrubs. Judging from the facial structure, Rose was inclined to think of them as male but cautioned herself that this far in the future, it was likely much more complex than that. The being had strange markings on its face and was watching her with eager eyes.
"The human child is clean."
"I think I'm in the wrong place," Rose said. She glanced at the piles of discarded equipment near the lift's entrance. "I'm looking for Ward 26."
"This way, Rose Tyler," the being said.
"How do you know my name?"
They didn't answer. They turned and started walking. Rose rubbed her bracelet before slowly following. As strange as this was, she might have found who was looking for them. After all, there was nothing saying that they were still in Ward 26. The hike had taken time, and this person knew her name. That odd feeling that something was wrong was still hounding Rose, and she kept a close eye on her surroundings, ready to react if she needed to.
…
In all honesty, this hospital was a bit of a letdown as far as the Doctor was concerned. This far in the future, he had been expecting better privacy conditions instead of the small cubicle situation that he and Jack found. He supposed that it was some kind of new treatment system that allowed the patients to socialize more, but he could easily overhear everything the nurse was saying to a patient a few cubicles down. As a Time Lord, he knew better than to have expectations about the development of technology and best practices, but he supposed that his time with humans was rubbing some of their bad habits off on him.
"What now?" Jack asked softly. "I was hoping to be greeted."
"We look around," the Doctor answered.
The Doctor took a step towards one of the patient cubicles. Inside of it was a heavyset being dressed in finery for the time with skin that was darker and rougher than it should be. A woman beside him had the air of a personal assistant with teeth. Wailing was leaving the man as he stared at his hand, and the Doctor fought back a grimace.
"Excuse me! Members of the public may only gaze upon the Duke of Manhattan with written permission from the Senate of New New York."
"Petrifold Regression, correct?" the Doctor asked. He nodded at the man's hand.
"I'm dying, sir. A lifetime of charity and abstinence, and it ends like this," the Duke groaned.
"Any statements made by the Duke of Manhattan may not be made public without official clearance," the assistant barked.
"Frau Clovis! I'm so weak," the Duke cried.
One of the nuns walked over and glanced at the Doctor. "Sister Jatt. A little privacy, please."
The Doctor almost snorted. If they wanted privacy, then they should look at the early 21st century and their rules regarding private rooms. Curtains didn't cut it in Rose's time. None the less, he drew back, and the younger cat nun pulled a curtain across to block their view of the man.
"He'll be up and about in no time," the nun promised with a smile.
"With Petrifold Regression?" the Doctor asked with disbelief. "He's turning to stone."
"Yikes," Jack hissed. "Can they cure it?"
"Not for another thousand years," the Doctor replied.
"Have faith in the Sisterhood," Jatt said calmly. "But who is that you are here to see? It's rather unusual to visit without knowing the patient."
"He's here to see me," a voice said behind them. "Apologizes, Sister Jatt. I was delayed."
The Doctor knew that voice. He'd been trying to sort out who in this time would know them, but for some reason, the man hadn't occurred to him. Turning around, the Doctor found Lord Adam Tyler standing a few feet away from them with a practiced smile in place.
Lord Adam Tyler looked the same as he had on Platform One. His handsome face was framed by wavy brown hair with just the tiniest hint of red. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the Doctor a touch envious. The man was even wearing a similar suit to the one he'd worn at the Death of the Earth Event though the tie was different, and it was a touch darker. He appeared to the world as an attractive businessman, the sort of man who would be Chairman of the Earth Trust until the end of the planet. But the Doctor remembered the other title the man had been introduced with.
Mal Lupa Consortium. The Doctor remembered that part of the man's title as well. Unease churned in his gut. Bad Wolf again. While he was starting to accept, really accept, that Bad Wolf was a positive thing like Rose had always said, it still grated on the Time Lord. Her message was across all of the space and time of the universe, which only served as a reminder of the great danger Rose had put herself in. Was this man's title just another part of that or something else? This was their first trip since the Bad Wolf's confrontation with the Daleks.
The nun's eyes widened, and she smiled, giving Adam Tyler a nod. "Of course, Lord Tyler. I'll see to my patients then."
"Thank you, Sister," Adam replied with a charming smile that didn't reach his eyes. He turned to the Doctor and nodded. "Hello, Doctor. It's good to see you again."
"Jack, this is Adam Tyler," the Doctor introduced. He kept his eyes on the man, unsure of what to think about the summons. "Rose and I met him a while ago at an event on Platform One. The event that Rose told you about. Lord Tyler, this is Jack Harkness."
"A pleasure to meet you," Adam said. He held out his hand for a handshake and gave Jack a small smile.
"The pleasure is-" Jack started to say.
"Please," Lord Tyler groaned. He honestly looked pained. "Don't. Just, don't." The Doctor wasn't sure what to make of the man's expression. He didn't seem surprised but truly seemed pained by Jack's aborted attempt to flirt. Adam quickly turned his attention back to the Doctor. "Thank you for coming, Doctor, but let's talk somewhere more private."
"Course," the Doctor replied. But then he frowned and looked towards the lifts. "Rose should have been here by now."
"Maybe she went to the wrong floor," Jack suggested.
A soft sigh escaped Adam. "Likely." He looked like he had more to say but then thought better of it. "The situation is complicated. I'm here inspecting the hospital for potential funding."
"You're a philanthropist?" Jack asked. He started to smile.
"Please don't flirt with me," Adam said calmly. "Trust me on that, Jack Harkness. You will be happier in your future if you know that you didn't flirt with me."
That got both Jack and the Doctor's attention. The Doctor's eyes narrowed on Adam, who shrugged and gestured to a corridor leading out of the room. "As I said, let's talk somewhere privately." His eyes moved back to the lift doors. "I'm sure that Rose will be able to find you. She always does."
The way the young man said that last part made the Doctor's time senses flare. They rang of truth and rolled down his spine, heavy and warm. That didn't happen often, but something about the statement reverberated through time itself. Adam smiled slightly at him, and the Doctor had the odd feeling that the young man knew what had just happened. Narrowing his eyes, the Doctor considered trying to scan the man.
"I'm a hybrid, Doctor," Adam said as if reading the Doctor's mind. "You'd have a hard time getting a clear result."
"You're not in my head," the Doctor said. He was confident in his shields.
"No, I just guessed. I am part Verlan," he offered. "A relative of Eve's, to be exact." He gestured for them to follow. "This way, come on."
"He's got to be a time traveler," Jack whispered as they followed. "How well do you know him?"
"I barely know him," the Doctor replied. "Stay on guard."
The Doctor felt a bit bad even saying that. Adam Tyler on Platform One had been pleasant, helpful, and concerned about the lives of the staff. If he was related to Eve, then it might explain some things, though the relationship was either beyond distant or he was a time traveler like Jack said. And now the Doctor had to wonder about his last name: Tyler. Was it his real last name or a reference to Rose due to her friendship with Eve?
….
A reel to reel projector was running in the dim space. Rose stared at it in stunned silence as she inched forward. The video was projecting on a nearby wall. There was a blonde woman in the midst of a party, surrounded by others and smiling widely.
"I mean, you never know what your life is going to be like, ever," the woman laughed. Her voice was familiar. "I'm bored with this drink. Anyway. Oh, hello, darling! Now, don't. Stop it," she teased another partygoer.
"I know that voice… that's-"
The lights brightened, making Rose jump. She turned and found the very same trampoline of flesh in her frame a few feet away.
"Peekaboo!" Cassandra greeted.
"Don't you come anywhere near me, Cassandra," Rose ordered.
"Why? What do you think I'm going to do? Flap you to death?"
"You're intelligent and vicious," Rose retorted. "I'm not going to underestimate you." Then she glanced at the strange little man kneeling near Cassandra. "Not to mention, Gollum there."
"Oh, that's just Chip. He's my pet," Cassandra replied, a hint of fondness in her voice.
"I worship the mistress," Chip breathed. His tone made Rose believe that he did just that.
"Moisturise me, moisturise me," Cassandra ordered. Chip immediately did as he was told, spraying some solution on the skin. "He's not even a proper life form. He's a force grown clone. I modelled him on my favourite pattern. But he's so faithful. Chip sees to my physical needs."
"I hope that means food," Rose sighed. But at least both of them were in view. "You were imprisoned," Rose said. Part of her wasn't surprised that Cassandra had escaped. The… being was harsh and pragmatic. "Please tell me that you weren't released for good behavior or any nonsense like that."
"After you threw me in prison."
"You were imprisoned for your crimes on Platform One. Need I remind you that the Steward died, and you planned the deaths of many more. That's something called a consequence, Cassandra."
"And you think that the prison provided proper medical support for me! You think that they gave me sensitive, precious skin the care it needed?"
Rose hated the flicker of compassion she felt at those words. "I'm sure they did their best."
"And it was not good enough. Thankfully, they allowed the creation of Chip."
"I helped Mistress escape," Chip said proudly. "Chip secreted m'lady into the hospital."
"So they don't know you're lurking in the basement?"
"Chip steals medicine," Cassandra attendant said. "Helps m'lady. Soothes her, strokes her."
"And that's enough detail, Chip," Rose sighed.
"But I'm so alone, hidden down here," Cassandra sighed dramatically. "The last Human in existence."
"Don't start that again, Cassandra," Rose groaned. She hated the disdain in the… skin's voice. "They've called this planet New Earth."
"A vegetable patch."
"And there's millions of Humans out there. Millions of them," Rose insisted.
"Mutant stock," Cassandra scoffed.
"They evolved, Cassandra. They just evolved, like they should," Rose said. "Just as all life does. You chose to stay still and stew in your own xenophobic disdain. You turned yourself in a flap of skin! What did all of it get you? Prison and now a hidey-hole in the basement of a hospital."
Cassandra's eyes moved to look back at the wall with the projection. She acted like she hadn't even heard Rose. "Oh, I remember that night. Drinks for the Ambassador of Thrace," Cassandra sighed. "It was a wonderful night. People fawning over me, but…after that, it all became such hard work."
"Well, you've got a knack for survival, I'll give you that," Rose muttered. "But I'm not hanging around for your nostalgia trip."
She started to turn to leave, already trying to decide if she should find the Doctor first or grab the nearest nun. There had to be some sort of security here or at least over the city. Rose couldn't see Chip putting up much of a fight.
"But I've not been idle, Rose, tucked away underneath this hospital. I've been listening," Cassandra cooed behind her. "The Sisters are hiding something."
"Preserving patient privacy, I'm sure." Against her better judgment, Rose turned around and glared at Cassandra.
"Oh, don't be so simple, Rose," Cassandra laughed. "These cats have secrets. Hush, let me whisper. Come close.
"I'm not coming anywhere near you."
Then a shock rolled up Rose's arm; she tried to summon her sword and twist away. Cassandra shouted something to chip. Something slammed into her telepathic shields as light surrounded her. Around her wrist, the sword started to transform, but a jolt up her arm caused Rose to convulse. The sound of electricity and the hum of energy filled her ears. Her wrist felt bare, but she wasn't holding her sword. There was a metallic clink as the bracelet hit the ground.
"Cassandra! Stop! What are you doing?" Rose's shields shattered.
"The lady's moving on. It's goodbye trampoline, and hello blondie."
The thrum of energy increased. Rose pulled against the restraints, panic in her movement, but she couldn't escape. She tried to muster the focus to reach towards the Doctor. They'd only discussed it in theory, never in practice, but her efforts amounted to nothing. There was too much. Her head-
Rose collapsed to the ground. The energy cut off, and the room dimmed once again. Her soft breathing was the only sign of movement for a long moment. Chip crept forward nervously, reaching a tentative hand towards her.
"Mistress?"
"Moisturize me," she groaned. But then the figure stirred. "How bizarre. Arms, fingers, hair!" Cassandra looked at her stolen body in awe. Chip helped her to her feet. "Let me see! Let me see!" She pushed Chip away and turned to the mirror. "Oh my God. I'm a chav!"
Cassandra studied the reflection with a glare. "Look at me. From class to brass." She turned slightly and ran a hand over Rose's hip. "Although, oh, curves." Laughing, she jumped and watched the way the stolen body moved. "Oh, baby, it's like living inside a bouncy castle!"
"The mistress is beautiful," Chip added.
"Absolutement!" Cassandra cheered. But in looking away from the mirror, she caught sight of the equipment. "Oh, but look." She pointed to the equipment that had held her skin. The equipment that had been keeping her skin alive was smoking and the tank with her brain had gone dark. Cassandra supposed that she should have felt something at the sight, but she didn't. She had survived.
"Oh, the brain lead expired. My old mistress is gone," Chip said sadly.
"But safe and sound in here." Cassandra tapped Rose's temple with a smile.
"But what of the Rose child's mind?" Chip asked.
"Oh, tucked away," Cassandra said. "I can just about access the surface memory." Her brown furrowed slightly as she thought. "And she's…" Cassandra trailed off. "Romantically entangled with that awful Doctor! Disgraceful, a pure human, and she's thrown herself at an alien." Cassandra scowled before realizing what she was doing. Exhaling she relaxed her features and raised a hand to Rose's face. "I must be careful. New skin. It wouldn't do to wrinkle it already. Well, not more than the Chav already has. Honestly, doesn't this girl know how to take care of herself?"
"Mistress is beautiful," Chip repeated.
"Well, I can work with it at least. Needs a bit of work, but there will be time for that later," Cassandra agreed, allowing herself a small smile. "But I think I'll start with what those nuns are hiding. New body, new life, and I have standards."