NEW INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED
FIND TIME LORD MALE AND HUMAN FEMALE. DESTROY.
INSTRUCTIONS UNDERSTOOD. SEEK LOCATE DESTROY.
The Cybermen coldly and assuredly marched through the corridors of the palace. They were single-minded: Seek Locate Destroy.
PROBABLE LOCATION OF HUMANOIDS: LOWER LEVELS. LOCATE THERE
The squadron headed for the stairs down. Soon they were in the dark and vast cellars, scanning every inch to find their targets.
TARGETS SPOTTED. DEAD AHEAD. DESTROY
The Cybermen raised their wrist blasters – the two targets dived for cover.
FIRE
White light blazed across the cellars, smashing into the end of the hallway with loud cracks.
ADVANCE AND DESTROY
The Cybermen advanced towards the targets' cover. They no longer detected any movement. If a Cyberman could be curious, then they would be – but of course they could not.
The Cybermen arrived at the cover. The lead Cyberman turned to see one of the humanoids sitting with a familiar metal tube in his hand. And then suddenly – nothing
(-)
"What did you do?" asked Anastasia, getting to her feet, and she suspected, getting ready to run.
"Cyber-master key," said the Doctor. "Has a wireless signal to allow controller units to control drones like this. Useful for part-converted units like the Tsar who aren't fully connected to the Cyber-network." He smirked. "And for me of course. Let's go."
They headed up the corridor. "Where are we heading?" she asked.
"Wish I knew," he said as they started up the stairs. "I need to try and find a master computer terminal so I can locate the TARDIS. Only problem is I have no idea where to find one."
They headed out into the corridor of the palace proper. It looked deserted but Cyber-marching sounded close. "That way," said the Doctor, pointing to their left. "They're coming from the right."
She nodded and they headed off again. "But I think there's a better chance of finding one up here," he continued. "Looks like there were no high-level computers down there."
"But how are you planning to get into those computers – watch out!" she cried, as they turned a t-junction to see Cybermen marching towards them.
"That way!" yelled the Doctor as they headed down the other way. "With the master-key, of course."
They had managed to escape the view of the Cybermen for now. But there would certainly be more – both kept their wits about them.
"But what," panted Anastasia as they kept running down. "If they deactivate it?"
The Doctor grimaced. "I had thought of that. Unfortunately, I don't have a solution yet. I'm working on it."
"Still making it up as you go along then," she half-laughed.
"Oh, yes," he said. "I'd get used to it if I were you."
"Doctor!" she hissed, pulling him to stop running. "Look!"
She pointed towards a room that she could see was filled with computer banks, churning away at whatever calculations the Cybermen needed.
"Aha. Quite possibly, Anastasia. Quick in." He pulled her inside, slammed the door shut and locked it with his sonic screwdriver. "Any Cybermen in here?"
"I don't think so," she said. She looked around the room more thoroughly for a few seconds. "Nope. Definitely not."
"Good," he said. "Now, let's have a look." He went up to the monitor and tapped away at the keyboard.
"This will do. Let's hope they haven't deactivated this yet." With that, he plugged the master-key into the system.
Anastasia looked around the room. "What is all this for? I thought the Cybermen had a collective mind."
"They do," said the Doctor, staring intently at the screen. "But non-Cybermen or those partially converted can't use it, at least not to the same effect. Plus they need to be able to make calculations that the individual Cybermen don't really need to be making on a moment by moment basis. Aha," he said, brightening up.
"Good news?" she asked, walking up to look at the monitor herself.
"I think so," he said, tapping away. "Yep I'm in. Unfortunately, that does mean we'll only have a few minutes before the Cybermen get here. Now..." He stared intently as he tapped away.
"The TARDIS is located... engineering dome. Large metal and glass building at the back of the palace. A new Cyber-installation. Perfect." He yanked the master-key out. "Might as well keep this. Never know when it might come in handy. Ready?"
Anastasia nodded.
"Then let's go." They both turned and then stopped in shock.
"Indeed, Doctor," said the young woman standing in the doorway, weapon in hand. "You never do know."
(-)
"A master computer?" snapped the Tsar. "What do you mean?"
"Actually," he said, before the Cyberman standing in front of him could answer. "Don't bother. I know what you mean. Is he still there?"
"The units have not yet arrived," it answered.
"Well then make them hurry up!" he yelled angrily. "And double the guard on his TARDIS. That's obviously what he's trying to locate."
"I obey," it said coldly and left.
The Tsar tapped his desk angrily. He could feel the Doctor was going to get away. All of that planning undone. Of course, the Associate had smugly told him to not worry – they already had all they needed. But to let someone of that much intelligence and power to go free, with the most important woman in the universe under his arm... well, it did not sit right with him to put it mildly.
They had to find him. They had to.
The Doctor could not escape.
(-)
"You..." said Anastasia. "What are you doing here?"
"You know her?" asked the Doctor.
"Not personally. But I recognise her," she said. "That's his daughter."
"Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, at your service, Doctor," she said.
"At my service?" he said puzzled. "What do you mean at my service? What are you doing here?"
"Oh come on, Doctor," she said. "You're supposed to be one of the smartest beings alive and we don't have much time. You can work it out."
"Work it out?" he said, clearly not in the mood for her game. "Work out what? Look, we don't have very long before a bunch of Cybermen start knocking that door down."
"Come on, Doctor. Who do you think reactivated your master-key," she smiled, before bringing the weapon down by her side.
"You're on our side?" Anastasia asked almost in disbelief.
"My father used to be someone I respected. He was far from a perfect man but I looked up to him and believed in him. But he was been turned insane by this lust for power, by what the Cybermen have done to him... what they've done to me," Olga said almost mournfully. "I can't countenance this any more. There's been too much suffering already. If I can help end it, help make sure there isn't any more... then I will do that."
"And you've decided to let us escape," said the Doctor.
She nodded. "He's scared of you. He thinks you have what it takes to stop him." She looked to the door. "You don't have long. I've reactivated your master-key and hopefully they won't find out until its too late."
"What if they get suspicious?" asked Anastasia.
"Of the Tsar's daughter? Somehow I think not. I covered my tracks, believe me. Now get out of here," she said.
"Thank you," replied the Doctor. "Let's go," he said to Anastasia.
"Miss Viatov," said Olga. "I'm afraid I don't know what makes you important – it is a closely guarded secret. But believe me, you are. You need to get out alive."
"He already has her biodata," said the Doctor, now almost at the door.
"There's more to her than that. That much I'm sure of."
"Thank you," said Anastasia. "And good luck."
"Oh, don't worry," said Olga. "I'm not the one who needs that."
The Doctor and Anastasia went through the door and began to run.