Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor who just Ben/Theron

Chapter 9

Army of Ghosts

The TARDIS materializes in a children's play area. Rose steps out holding a large red rucksack, which she slings onto her back. The Doctor and Ben follow, and they set off towards the flats on the Powell Estate with a spring in their step, obviously at peace with the world.

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The three of them walk up to the front Rose and Jackie's apartment and Rose said "Mum, it's us! We're ba-ack!"

Jackie, excited, hurries out to the front door, just as The Doctor, Ben, and Rose enter the flat.

Jackie then said exasperated and pleased at the same time "Oh, I don't know why you bother with that phone! You never use it!"

Rose then said grinning "Shut up, come here!" They throw their arms around each other.

Jackie Then said "Oh, I love you!"

Rose replied "I love you!"

Jackie then said "I love you so MUCH!" The Doctor pushes Ben in front and Jackie comes releases Rose and Hugs Ben.

The Doctor squeezes past them, trying to sidle off, but Jackie's spots him. grabbing him "Oh no you don't. Come here!" She pulls him towards her and plants one on him, despite his weak protests. While hugging him "Oh, you lovely big fella! Oh, you're all mine!"

The Doctor replied "Just- just- just put me down!"

Jackie then said "Yes, you are!" She kisses him again and then walks off, leaving the Doctor to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand, looking for all the world like a little boy with an over-affectionate mother. They join Rose in the sitting room.

Rose then said taking off her back her ruck sack and dumping it in Jackie's arms "I've got LOADS of washing for ya! And - I got you this!"She shows Jackie an tiny ornate bottle with a wide grin. "It's from the market on this asteroid bazaar. It's made of um..." She turns to the Doctor "what's it called?"

The Doctor is flicking through magazines which are lying on the table. "Bezoolium."

Rose then said "Bezoolium. When it gets cold, yeah, it means it's gonna rain - when it's hot, it's gonna be sunny! You can use it to tell the weather!"

Jackie then said "I've got a surprise for you and all."

Rose then said "Oh, I get her bezoolum - she doesn't even say 'thanks'."

Jackie then replied "Guess who's coming to visit? You're just in time - he'll be here at ten past! Who do you think it is?"

Rose then said "I don't know."

Jackie then said "Oh go on, guess!"

Rose then replied "No, I hate guessing. Just tell me."

Jackie then replied so pleased "It's your grandad. Grandad Prentice. He's on his way. Any minute!" Rose stares. "Right, cup of tea!" She disappears into the kitchen. Rose stares after her. The Doctor and Ben appear at her shoulder.

Rose then said stunned "She's gone mad."

The Doctor then said also staring after Jackie "Tell me something new."

Ben then said "he's dead isn't he."

Rose then said "Yeah, Grandad Prentice - that's her dad. But he died like, ten years ago. Oh my God. She's lost it." addresses Jackie "Mum?"

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Rose, Ben, and The Doctor stand in the kitchen doorway. "What you just said about grandad..."

Jackie then said "Any second now. "

Rose then said gently "But... he passed away. His heart gave out. Do you remember that?"

Jackie then said lightly "Course I do!"

Rose then asked "... Then how can he come back?"

Jackie then said "Why don't you ask him yourself?" checks her watch "Ten past. Here he comes." And right before their eyes, a figure steps out of nowhere in the middle of kitchen. It's featureless, like a shadow, but definitely humanoid. It stands beside Jackie. "Here we are, then!" The Doctor and Rose just stare, dumbstruck. Ben faking a shocked expression. "Dad... say hello to Rose. Ain't she grown? "

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The Doctor, Ben, and Rose burst out of a side-door of the block of flats at a run. They come to a halt, looking around. The Doctor said confused "They're everywhere!" Sure enough, the ghosts are everywhere, standing around just like ordinary people. No one seems to be remotely alarmed by their presence. A group of boys carry on with their ball game, just as normal. Rose turns. Rose then said "Doctor, look out!" A ghost walks right through the Doctor, causing him discomfort but no pain. Jackie then said joining them "They haven't got long. Midday shift only lasts a couple of minutes. They're about to fade."

The Doctor replied "What do you mean, SHIFT? Since when did ghosts have shifts? Since when did shifts have ghosts? What's going on?"

Jackie then said "Oh, he's not happy when I know more than him, is he?"

The Doctor replied completely baffled "But no one's running or screaming or freaking out or—"

Jackie then replied "Why should we?" checks her watch "Here we go. Twelve minutes past." Jackie smiles at Rose, biting her lip with antipation.

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The ghosts disappear. The Doctor glances around, looking even more confused than he did before. The four of them head back to the flats.

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The Doctor and Ben are sitting on the floor in front of Jackie's television. Jackie is sitting on the sofa and Rose is perched on the arm. They're all watching a programme called 'Ghostwatch'. Presenter said "On today's Ghostwatch, claims that some of the ghosts are starting to talk, and there seems to be a regular formation gathering around Westminster Bridge." Cut to footage of the ghosts milling around Westminster Bridge. "It's almost like a military display..."

The Doctor then said brow furrowed "What the hell's going on?" He changes channel to what would appear to be a weather report - but instead of weather symbols, there are little pictures of ghosts on the map of the UK.

The weather man said "And tonight we're expecting very strong ghosts. From London, through the North and up into Scotland."

Turn over to the Trisha Goddard chat show. The caption at the bottom of the screen proclaims "I married a dead man!" Trisha said "So basically, Eileen, what you're telling me is, that you are in love with a ghost." Eileen is sat in front of the studio audience with a ghost hovering around by the other chair.

Eileen then said tearfully "He's MY ghost and I love him, 24/7!" Encouraging round of applause from the audience. Change channel.

Derek Acorah then said "Well, no one needs me anymore!"

Change channel. This time, it's a cheesy advert - a housewife in a flowery apron addresses the camera in her kitchen while a sad-looking animated ghost hovers around above the worktop. The housewife said "My ghost was pale and grey until I discovered... Ectoshine!"With an expression of complete bewilderment, the Doctor turns over. Now we're on a French news channel. French Newsreader said "Et le President d'aujourd'hui, quelle est—" Cut to footage of the ghosts wandering around the Eiffel Tower. Change channel - an Indian news report. Ghosts are milling around the Taj Mahal. Change channel to an enthusiastic Japanese Newsreader. The Doctor puts his head in his hands.

Jackie then said "Oh, yes!" T.V Cuts to footage of three excited Japanese girls, all screeching wildly and showing off their ghost t-shirts.

The Doctor then said changing channel "It's all over the world."

An episode of Eastenders. Peggy Mitchell is behind the bar of the Vic, having a go at a ghost. Peggy then said "Listen to me, Denn Watts. I don't care if you HAVE come back from the grave. Get out of my pub! The only spirits I'm serving in this place are gin, whisky and vodka. So, you heard me - GET OUT!"

The Doctor's had enough. He switches off the TV and turns to Jackie and asked "When did it start?"

Jackie then said "Well first of all, Peggy heard this noise in the cellar, so she goes down—"

The Doctor replied "No, I mean worldwide." Rose smirks.

Jackie then said "Oh! That was about two months ago. Just happened. Woke up one morning, and there they all were - ghosts, everywhere. We all ran round screaming and that, whole planet was panicking... no sign of YOU, thank you very much... then it sort of sank in. Took us time to realise that... we're lucky."

Rose then asked "What makes you think it's grandad?"

Jackie then said "Just feels like him. There's that smell, those old cigarettes. Can't you smell it?"

Rose then said gently "I wish I could, mum, but I can't."

Jackie then said "You've got to make an effort. You've got to WANT it, sweetheart."

The Doctor then asked "The more you want it, the stronger it gets?"

Jackie then replied "Sort of, yeah."

The Doctor responded "Like a psychic link. Course you want your old dad to be alive, but you're wishing him into existence. The ghosts are using that to pull themselves in."

Jackie then said "You're spoiling it."

The Doctor then said "I'm sorry, Jackie, but there's no smell, there's no cigarettes. Just a memory."

Rose then asked "But if they're not ghosts, what are they, then?."

Jackie then said " Yeah, but they're human! You can see them - they LOOK human!"

Rose then said "She's got a point. I mean, they're all sort of blurred, but they're definitely people."

The Doctor then said

THE DOCTOR thoughtfully "Maybe not. They're pressing themselves into the surface of the world. But a footprint doesn't look like a boot." And with that, he stands.

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Rose, holding a newspaper, strides into the TARDIS where the Doctor is as usual, wedged under the console. Ben is just staying out of The Doctor's way. Rose then said "According to the paper, they've elected a ghost as MP for Leeds." she peers down at him "Now don't tell me you're gonna sit back and do nothing." The Doctor suddenly pops up from underneath the grilling, bopping insanely and accompanied by the tune of Ghostbusters. He's holding an odd looking device in one hand and wearing a rucksack.

The Doctor then said "Who're you gonna call?"

Rose and Ben said simultaneously "Ghostbusters!"

The Doctor replied "I ain't afraid of no ghosts."

He leaves the TARDIS, Rose following him and giggling. Ben coming out right after them. Jackie's waiting for them outside. The Doctor arranges three cone devices in a triangle shape. The Doctor to Jackie said "When's the next shift?"

Jackie checks watch and said "Quarter to. But don't go causing trouble. What's that lot do?"

The Doctor then said "Triangulates their point of origin."

Rose then said thoughtfully "I don't suppose it's the Gelth?"

The Doctor replied "Nah." Rose shakes her head as though this was the answer she was expecting. "They were just coming through one little rift. This lot are transposing themselves over the whole planet. Like tracing paper."

Jackie then said crossly "You're always doing this. Reducing it to science. Why can't it be real?" The Doctor ignores her. "Just think of it, though... all the people we've lost - our families coming back home. Don't you think it's beautiful?"

The Doctor pauses in his work, meeting her eyes for the first time and said "I think it's horrific." Jackie looks mildly shocked. The Doctor back at work "Rose, Theron, give us a hand."

He starts unwinding a cable, leading it though into the TARDIS, Rose and Ben following.

Now inside the TARDIS he plugs it into the console. Jackie steps inside and closes the door behind her. The Doctor explaining at break-neck speed "As soon as it becomes activated, if that line goes into the red, press that button there. If it doesn't stop..." He brandishes the sonic screwdriver under Rose's nose, who goes cross-eyed trying to focus on it. "Setting 15B, hold it against the port, eight seconds and stop.

Rose then said "15B, eight seconds."

The Doctor then replied "If it goes into the blue, activate the deep scan on the left."

Rose then said "Hang on a minute, I know..."She leans over the console, pointing out a button. "It's that one."

The Doctor then said "Mm, close."

Rose points to another "That one?"

The Doctor replied "Nnnnow you've just killed us." Rose giggles. Neither of them notice the way Jackie's looking at them.

Ben then said "It's this one."

The Doctor then said "Yeah! Now, what've we got? Two minutes to go?"

He looks over at Jackie, who checks her watch.

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Rose plunges the sonic screwdriver into a port on the console.

At the same moment, outside the doors, the Doctor presses the device he was holding earlier onto one of the cones. He proceeds to do the same to the other two, shouting through the open doors to Rose. "What's the line doing?"

Rose yelling back " It's all right, it's holding!"

Jackie who has been contemplating Rose said "You even look like him?"

Rose then said "How d'you mean?" she smiles "I s'pose I do, yeah."

Jackie then said "You've changed so much."

Rose then said "For the better..."

Jackie whispers "I s'pose."

Rose turning to her "Mum, I used to work in a SHOP."

Jackie then said defensively "I've worked in shops. What's wrong with that?"

Rose replied "No, I didn't mean that."

Jackie then said "I know what you meant. What happens when I'm gone?"

Rose then said shocked "Don't talk like that!"

Jackie then said seriously "No, but really. When I'm dead and buried, you won't have any reason to come back home. What happens then?"

Rose then said quietly "I don't know."

Jackie then said "Do you think you'll ever settle down?"

Rose then replied "The Doctor never will, so I can't. I'll just keep on travelling."

Jackie then said "And you'll keep on changing. And in forty years time, fifty, there'll be this woman - this strange woman... walking through the marketplace on some planet a billion miles from Earth. She's not Rose Tyler. Not anymore. She's not even human..." The Doctor's voice breaks the moment.

Rose shouting to him "The scanner's working - it says "delta one six".

The Doctor stands, facing the centre of the triangle and said "Come on you beauty!" He cackles, positively jiggling with anticipation.

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As The Doctor watches the triangle, a ghost materialises in its centre. As it does so, the cones are connected with blue electricity, which in turn connects over the top of the ghost, encompassing it in a kind of electric blue pyramid.

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Ben, Jackie and Rose watch the happenings outside the TARDIS on the monitor with amazement.

The Doctor puts on a pair of what looks like 3D spectacles and watches the ghost. He then bends down and adjusts a setting on his equipment - a green light blips, which seems to cause -

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The Doctor continues to adjust the knob. The ghost shudders and groans. Then he laughs and said "Don't like that much, do you?" Then under his breath said "Who are you? Where are you coming from? WHOA!" He has just received what seems like an electric shock from the ghost, and he stumbles backwards . He continued speaking now triumphantly "That's more like it! Not so friendly NOW, are you?"

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The ghost continues to shudder and jerk within the Doctor's triangle.

The ghost disappears. The Doctor immediately darts forward and begins gathering up his equipment.

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The Doctor dashes to the railing inside the TARDIS, throwing his coat over it and said excitedly "I said so! Those ghosts have been FORCED into existence for one specific point! And I can track down the source. Allons-Y!" He pulls down a lever. The TARDIS shudders and he and Rose fall backwards onto the chair. The rotor rises and falls.

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The Doctor twiddles knobs on the console, nattering away to himself "I like that. 'Allons-y'. I should say 'allons-y' more often. 'Allons-y'. Watch out, Rose Tyler! Allons-y! And THEN, it would be really brilliant if I met someone called Allonzo. Because then I could say, 'allons-y, Allonzo'! Every time! You're staring at me."

Ben then mutters "you might."

Rose has been listening to the Doctor rattle off with a strange smile on her face. Rose then said quietly, so her mom doesn't hear "My mum's still on board." Sure enough, Jackie's sitting up in the gantries, legs dangling.

Jackie then said "If we end up on Mars, I'm gonna kill you." She folds her arms. The Doctor stares at her, horrified. Rose smirks.

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The Doctor, Ben, Rose and Jackie observe this on the monitor. The Doctor then said "Oh, well there goes the advantage of surprise. Still! Cuts to the chase. Stay in here, look after Jackie." He makes towards the doors. Ben follows him Rose trailing after them "I'm not looking after my mum!"

The Doctor replied "Well, you brought her!"

Jackie then said indignantly "I was kidnapped!"

Rose pushes past The Doctor and Ben and blocks the doorway so they can't get past.

Rose then said warningly "Doctor, they've got guns."

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There all looking at the sphere and Jackie said "But I can see it!"

Rajesh then replied "Fascinating, isn't it? It upsets people because it gives off... nothing. It is... absent."

Yvonne then said "Well, Doctor?"

The Doctor then said "This is a Void Ship."

Yvonne then said "And what is that?"

The Doctor folding away his specs, sounding worried "Well, it's impossible for starters. I always thought it was just a theory, but... it's a vessel designed to exist outside time and space. Travelling through the Void." He sits down on the bottom step, Yvonne and Rajesh crowding him.

Rajesh then said " And what's 'the Void'?"

Ben then said "think of someone that died imaging they didn't and this world actual exists, but you can't just travel to it. To get to it you need to go through a special tunnel which is the Void."

The Doctor then said "Containing absolutely nothing. Imagine that - nothing. No light, no dark, no up, no down. No life. No time. Without end. My people called it the Void, the Eternals call it the Howling. But some people call it Hell."

Rajesh then said "But someone built the sphere. What for? Why go there?"

The Doctor replied "To explore. To escape. You could sit inside that thing and eternity would pass you by. The Big Bang... end of the universe, start of the next, wouldn't even touch the sides. You'd exist outside the whole of creation."

Yvonne then said smugly "You see, we were right. There is something inside it."

The Doctor then said looking at her "Oh yes." She is caught by his tone.

Rajesh then said "So how do we get in there."

The Doctor suddenly standing "We don't! We send that thing back into Hell. How did it get here in the first place?"

Yvonne then replied "Well, that's how it all started. The sphere came through into this world, and the ghosts followed in its wake."

The Doctor then said "Show me." He strides off and Ben follows him. Yvonne exchanges a look with Rajesh, and follows. The Doctor and Ben exit and turn left.

Yvonne then said "No, Doctor." He turns right Ben and Yvonne follow him.

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Yvonne shows The Doctor and Ben the white expanse of wall from which the white light emits during ghost shift.

Yvonne said "The sphere came through here. A hole in the world." The Doctor runs his hand over the smooth white wall. "Not active at the moment. But when we fire particle engines at that exact spot, the breech opens up."

The Doctor then said "How did you even find it?"

Yvonne then said "Well, we were getting warning signs for years. A radar black-spot. So we built this place. Torchwood Tower. The breech was six hundred foot above sea level. It was on the only way to reach it.

The Doctor putting his 3D specs on "You built a skyscraper just to reach a spatial disturbance? How much money have you got?"

Yvonne then said "Enough." She walks away. The Doctor removes his specs, and folds his arms, still contemplating the wall. Jackie is looking out of the window in Yvonne's office.

"Hold on a minute... we're in Canary Wharf! Must be! This building, it's Canary Wharf. " The view from the window would certainly suggest so.

Yvonne then replied "Well, that is the public name for it. But to those in the know, it's Torchwood."

The Doctor joining them said "So, you find the breech, probe it, the sphere comes through. Six hundred feet above London, bam. It leaves a hole in the fabric of reality. And that hole, you think, "oh, shall we leave it alone? Shall we back off? Shall we play it safe?" Nah, you think "let's make it BIGGER! "

Yvonne then said "It's a massive source of energy. If we can harness that power, we need never depend on the Middle East again. Britain will become truly independent. Look, you can see for yourself. Next Ghost Shift's in two minutes." She leaves the office and enters the main area.

The Doctor then said "Cancel it."

Yvonne then said "I don't think so."

The Doctor then said angrily "I'm warning you, cancel it."

Yvonne turning to him "Oh, exactly as the legends would have it. The Doctor, lording it over us. Assuming alien authority over the rights of Man."

The Doctor then "Let me show you." He takes his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and stands on the other side of the glass partition between Yvonne's office and the main area. "Sphere comes through." He points his sonic screwdriver at the glass and activates it. The glass splinters and the crack extends outwards, continuing to do so as the Doctor speaks. "But when it made the hole, it cracked the world around it. The entire surface of this dimension, splintered. And that's how the ghosts get through. That's how they get everywhere. They're bleeding through the fault lines. Walking from their world, across the Void, and into yours. With the Human Race hoping and wishing and helping them along! But too many ghosts, and..."He place the lightest fingertip on the glass and the whole thing shatters, falling from the frame.

Yvonne then replied "Well, in that case we'll have to be more careful." addresses staff "Positions! Ghost Shift in one minute."

The Doctor then said pursuing her "Ms Hartman, I am asking you - please, don't do it."

Yvonne then responded "We have done this a thousand times."

The Doctor said furiously "Then stop at a thousand!"

Yvonne then "We are in control of the ghosts. The levers can open the breech, but equally they can CLOSE it." They stare at each other for a few moments, a battle of wills, until –

The Doctor said lightly "Okay." He walks off into Yvonne's office to grab a chair.

Yvonne then said "Sorry?!"

The Doctor replied "Never mind! As you were."

Yvonne then said "What, is that it?"

The Doctor then said settling down in the chair "No! Fair enough. Said my bit. Don't mind me. Any chance of a cup of tea?"

Adeola then said "Ghost Shift in twenty seconds."

The Doctor "Mm! Can't WAIT to see it!"

Yvonne said suspiciously "You can't stop us, Doctor."

The Doctor then said " No, absolutely not!" to Jackie and Ben

"Pull up a chair, Rose! Theron! Come and watch the fireworks.

Jackie goes to stand behind the Doctor's chair.

Ben then "I wouldn't mind some popcorn for this show." Ben then stands next to Jackie."

Adeola "Ghost Shift in ten seconds. Nine... eight..."

Yvonne is uneasy. She stares at the Doctor. he raises his eyebrows at her, just daring her to go through with it.

Adeloa "Seven... six... five... four... three... two..."

Yvonne breaks. "Stop the shift. I said stop."

The Doctor said gratefully "Thank you."

Yvonne then said "I suppose it makes sense to get as much intelligence as possible. But the program will recommence, as soon as you've explained everything."

The Doctor then said "I'm glad to be of help."

Yvonne then said to the room at large "And someone clear up this glass." to the Doctor "They did warn me, Doctor. They said you like to make a mess." She disappears into her office.

INT. TORCHWOOD, CORRIDOR

Rose walks down a corridor, still following the man from a distance. She breaks into a jog as he rounds a corner, hearing the sound of a door opening and closing. She peers cautiously around the corner and then approaches the door. She surmises it for a moment, and then kisses the psychic paper before pressing it against the lock as Yvonne did. The door slides open.

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Yvonne is sitting at her desk with a laptop in front of her and said "So these ghosts, whatever they are - did they build the sphere?"Her eyes linger on the Doctor's feet which are crossed on the desk, but she decides to let it pass. He's thrown himself in a chair, looking completely relaxed.

The Doctor replied "Must have. Aimed it at this dimension like a canon ball."

Rajesh

RAJESH through webcam "Yvonne? I think you should see this. We've got a visitor. We don't know who she is, but funnily enough, she arrived at the same time as the Doctor." The Doctor's face twitches. Yvonne turns the laptop around so the Doctor can see Rose and Rajesh on the screen. Rose is peering comically into the camera.

Yvonne then said "She one of yours?"

The Doctor shaking his head said "Never seen her before in my life."

Yvonne then said "Good! Then we can have her shot."

The Doctor sitting up replied "Oh all right then, it'll be worth a try. That's... that's Rose Tyler."

Rose then said "Sorry" and waves "Hello". The Doctor waves back.

Yvonne then said "Well, if that's Rose Tyler, who's SHE?"

Jackie then said "I'm her mother."

Yvonne then said "Oh, you travel with her mother?"

Jackie then said " He kidnapped me."

Ben then said "you took our ride of course we would lie we needed the element of surprise."

The Doctor then said "Please, when Torchwood comes to write my complete history, don't tell people I travelled through time and space with her mother..."

Jackie then responded "Charming."

The Doctor then replied "I've got a reputation to uphold!" The sound of the ghost shift engines starting up is heard. Yvonne stands and addresses the staff.

Yvonne then said "Excuse me? Everyone? I thought I said stop the ghost shift." They ignore her, staring straight ahead. "Who started the program? But- I ordered you to stop! Who's doing that?!" She points to the lever which is rising upwards of its own accord. "Step away from the monitors, everyone." No one does - they continue typing. Yvonne panicking "Gareth, Addy - stop what you're doing, RIGHT NOW. Matt. Step away from your desk. That's an order! Stop the levers!" Two scientists rush over to the levers and struggle to push them down. "Stop the levers!"

The Doctor and Ben going to Adeola and The Doctor said "What's SHE doing?"

Yvonne following them "Addy? Step away from the desk." The Doctor stares at her and clicks his fingers in front of her face, but Adeola does not react. "Listen to me. Step away from the desk."

The Doctor then said "She can't hear you" observes computer screen "They're overriding the system."

The Doctor, Jackie and Yvonne stare anxiously at the blank expanse of wall. Ben bracing himself for what he knows is happening. "We're going into Ghost Shift.

The light brightens.

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Ben then said "Doctor her ear." The Doctor is staring at Adeola's ear- piece.

The Doctor said "It's the ear-piece controlling them. I've seen this before." He takes his sonic screwdriver from his pocket and stands behind her. He continued sincerely "Sorry. I'm so sorry." He holds the sonic screwdriver to the ear-piece, deactivating it. Adeola screams with pain and slumps over the desk, dead. Matt and Gareth do the same as though all the ear-pieces were connected.

Yvonne then asked "What happened? What did you just do?"

The Doctor then said "They're dead."

Jackie then said "You killed them."

The Doctor turning to the computer "Oh someone else did that long before I got here."

Jackie then responded "But you killed them!"

The Doctor then said angrily "Jackie, I haven't got time for this."

Ben then said "didn't you listen he said someone else killed them and probably using their bodies as puppets. I do sometimes get why you Doctor call us stupid Apes."

Yvonne then said "What're those ear-pieces?"

The Doctor replied "Don't."

Yvonne then responded " But they're standard comms. devices - how does it control them?"

The Doctor going to Matt's computer said "Trust me, leave them alone."

Yvonne then said "But what are they?" She takes hold of one of Adeola's ear-pieces and pulls it - right out of her head. A trail of brain tissue is attached to it. Revolted "Urgh! Oh, God! It goes inside their brain!" She drops it.

The Doctor then asked "What about the Ghost Shift?"

Yvonne then said " Ninety percent there. It's still running. Can't you stop it?"

The Doctor then said "They're still controlling it. They've hi-jacked the system."

Yvonne then asked "Who's THEY?"

The Doctor takes his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and holds it flat on the palm of his hand, turning slowly and said "It might be a remote transmitter but it's gotta be close by. I can trace it." He darts off, evidently receiving some kind of signal from the sonic screwdriver. "Jackie, stay here!" Ben then goes right after him.

Yvonne follows them.

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The Doctor walks down a corridor, letting his sonic screwdriver guide him. Ben and Yvonne follow. She stops two passing soldiers. Yvonne then said "You two - you come with us."

Soldier then said "Yes, ma'am. "

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The Doctor, Ben, and Yvonne and the two soldiers have reached the curtained area. The Doctor then asked "What's down here?"

Yvonne then replied "I don't... I dunno, I think it's building work. It's just renovations."

Ben and The Doctor starting forward "You should go back."

Yvonne then said "Think again." She follows him, gesturing for the soldiers to do the same. The Doctor stops pushing the curtains aside as he sonic screwdriver bleeps. He stares at it. "What is it? What's down here?"

The Doctor brow furrowed "Ear-pieces, ear-pods, this world is colliding with another. And I think I know which one." All of a sudden, the shadows of Cybermen standing behind the curtains surround them, getting into position.

Yvonne in a hushed tone "What are they?"

The Doctor then said "They came through first." The Cybermen slit the curtains with their hands. "The advance guard." The Cybermen step through the curtains and begin to march towards them.

Ben and The Doctor said together "Cybermen."

The two soldiers fire their bullets at the Cybermen, with no effect whatsoever. The Doctor and Yvonne try to escape another way, but they are surrounded.

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW The Cybermen lead Yvonne and The Doctor and Ben , who have their hands behind their head, back to the rift chamber.

The Doctor then said "Get away from the machines - do what they say, don't fight them!" The Cybermen reveal their weapons and shoot one of the scientists dead.

Then Jackie asked terrified "What are they?"

Cyberman said "We are the Cybermen. The Ghost Shift will be increased to one hundred percent."

The Cyberman clamps a fist to its chest and the lever rises once more, beginning the Ghost Shift."

Computer "Online."

The Doctor as the light brightens "Here come the ghosts."

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW Jackie then said "These Zybermen - what've they got to do with the ghosts?"

The Doctor then said "Do you never listen? A footprint doesn't look like a boot!"

Cyberman then said "Achieving full transfer."

Ben then said "All the ghosts are cybermen." The Cybermen continue to march from the light, slowly becoming more defined.

The Doctor then said "Millions of them. Right across the world. "

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW Hundreds of Cybermen stand in the light, ready for war.

Yvonne then said "They're invading the whole planet."

The Doctor replied "It's not an invasion, it's too late for that. It's a victory." They look round at the laptop as it starts bleeping.

Computer then said "Sphere activated. Sphere activated. Sphere activated. Sphere activated." The Doctor looks at it, brow furrowed.

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW The Doctor to a nearby Cybermen "What I don't understand is Cybermen don't have the technology to build the Void Ship, that's WAY beyond you. How did you create that sphere?"

Cyberman then said "The sphere is not ours."

The Doctor stunned "... What?"

Cyberman then said "The sphere broke down the barriers between worlds. We only followed. Its origin is unknown."

The Doctor then replied "Then what's inside it...?"

Jackie fearful "Rose is down there."

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Author's Note: one chapter to go to finish this season.