As torrential rain pelted down on the young man's face, his eyes shot open and he sat bolt upright. Where in the world was he? Fear tore at his heart as he looked at his surroundings. He was in a war-torn field with dead bodies scattered everywhere. And where were his companions? Were they among the dead?
There was a snap in the undergrowth and the young man detected movement in the trees lining the edge of the field only a short distance from where he sat. He grabbed his weapon and ran for cover. He prayed the heavy rain would prevent whoever was approaching from discovering him as he fled into the trees behind him.
The German soldiers walked cautiously into the field, checking for any signs of life among the bodies strewn across the meadow. The enemy troops didn't seem to have noticed his escape. Relieved, the young man watched for only a moment before running deeper into the forest as fast as his legs would carry him.
River scanned the long warehouse with her sensor. "I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't expect to find anything."
"Now, don't say that…there is something…," the Doctor said, puzzled. "There's something…don't know what it is…"
"What? What is it?" River asked anxiously as she followed the Doctor to the back of the long warehouse.
The Doctor opened a door which led to another room and peeked in. "Maybe you should stay out here," the Doctor suggested.
"Why? Why shouldn't I come with you?" River asked. The Doctor was being very mysterious and was freaking her out.
Stepping into the room the Doctor said. "Because, there seems to be a body." A body lay on a metal table in the center of the room covered with a white sheet. The Doctor removed the sheet away from the face. "A dead body."
River gasped, poked her head in and then stepped into the room, coming alongside the Doctor. "It's not Father Octavian. I've never seen…oh, he was so young." River said in despair.
"He's wearing a WW2 British uniform…could be one of the..."
Before the Time Lord finished speaking, six men dressed in futuristic military garb abruptly rushed in and surrounded him and River with guns pointed at them.
"Hello, Doctor," said a tall man with long red hair tied back into a ponytail. "Welcome. I'm so glad you decided to stop by."
"Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do. Are you expecting an invasion or something?"
The redheaded man chuckled. "Something like that."
The Doctor's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
"Just call me, Andrew."
"Okay...Andrew. Now, do you mind telling why you have guns pointed at us?" the Doctor asked.
"I'm glad you asked, Doctor," replied Andrew, smiling venomously.
Christian and Angelo, with guns drawn, ran to the front door of the old house. Christian peeked through a window situated to the right of the door. As far as he could tell the house was empty. Christian signaled he would go around the back. Angelo nodded as Christian left. Angelo then checked the front door to ensure it wasn't booby-trapped with explosives. The door was clean. Minutes passed and there was no sign of Christian. Angelo began to worry. He peeked through the window once again. There was still no sign that there was anyone in the house. He then walked cautiously to the back of the house to find Christian.
David was getting anxious. Christian and Angelo had been gone much too long. Father Octavian saw the worry in David's eyes. "Help me up, David."
"Sir, you shouldn't be moving."
"Christian and Angelo should have been back by now. I'm coming with you. Now help me up!" Father Octavian said firmly.
"Yes, sir."
David helped the injured priest to his feet. Father Octavian nearly fainted as dizziness and blinding pain came crashing down upon him.
"Sir, are you all right?" David asked, worried. The Bishop's face was shockingly pale.
Father Octavian didn't hear the young cleric for there was a loud ringing in his ears. Sweat poured into his eyes. He drew sharp breaths to clear his head as dark spots lined the edges of his vision.
"Sir, please, you're in no condition to…Sir, I'll go."
"David! You are under my command and all of you are my responsibility. I will not sit back and do nothing! And, I will not be left behind like a child!" Father Octavian exclaimed. Then softening his words he said. "With God's help I will see this through, and I promise I will not get in your way."
David smiled. "Yes, sir." The young cleric gingerly placed his shoulder under Father Octavian's arm and wrapped his arm around the priest's torso.
The next thing the Bishop knew he was alone, sitting with his back propped up against the wall beside the front door of the old house. He couldn't remember how he got there. He must have blacked out, he thought. And where was David now?
Somehow, Father Octavian got his feet under him and pushed his back up along the wall using it for support. His legs nearly gave way, but he managed to stay on his feet. He heard shouts coming from inside the house.
The young man walked along the outer edge of a deserted road. He had been walking for several hours now and he was tired and thirsty. He wasn't sure where he was going but he knew the road had to lead to a village or maybe even into London itself. Something had been nagging at the back of his mind, a fleeting memory perhaps. He seemed to remember a building, a warehouse, maybe. He knew or rather felt something had happened to him there. He was certain the building was in the city. If he could find the warehouse, maybe he could piece together what had taken place there, and what had happened to him and his companions. He had no idea how he was going to find the building. He knew it was a long shot, but he had to try.
