Part 2: Mysteries At DrawTech.

"That thing, what was it? Why was it after you?" The Doctor asked, his voice soft but stern Laguna shrugged unsure and looked at his son, who shook his head.

"I d-don't really know," Laguna replied uneasy, "Some of my government agents were investigating a large scientific research company called Drawtech."

"Why, what's Drawtech?" Asked Martha bewildered, prompting shocked looks from everyone in the room apart from the Doctor.

"You're joking right?" Asked Squall, The Doctor and Martha shook their heads slowly,

"Drawtech came up with original device used to draw magic! You know you place your hand on a magic well and it gives you the knowledge to cast a certain spell, good for one time only!" Selphie spoke like a true salesperson.

"I don't believe in magic," Replied the Doctor, "But if I did, what's to stop people from just remembering the incantations?"

"Guardian Forces," Replied Kiros, "Guardian Forces are creatures that live in our minds and in exchange the lend us our strength, Drawtech was the company that discovered this could be mimicked on a smaller scale, leading to magic spells. How can you not know this?"

"We're, not exactly from around here." The Doctor replied, "So the part of the mind these Guardian Forces make their home in is the part were you store your memories... meaning with this "Draw" technology the incantation is stored in your memory but leaves as soon as you "summon"it and you instantly forget, keeping Drawtech in business. That's brilliant!" The Doctor corrected himself, "I mean that's terrible... but... brilliant!"

Martha smirked,

"Thought you didn't believe in magic." She teased the Doctor

"Anyway, why were your agents investigating Drawtech?" The Doctor decided to not so subtly revert the subject back to it's origin,

"Rumor has it they were experimenting in a new type of nano-technology that can break down metals and recreate them as new nanites. Effectively creating a machine that can repair itself." Kiros continued, "Unfortunately there had been several reports that the technology was still unrefined and..."

"The nanites were converting anything they could find... including people?" The Doctor interrupted guessing the end, the group minus Martha nodded.

"Right, I'm going to check out this Drawtech place," The Doctor shoved his hands in his coat pockets and began to walk away,

"Not so fast," Squall said, "I still don't trust you, Selphie go with them. I'm going to stay with President Lo... I mean, my dad in case he gets attacked again, gonna call the others too, see if they're back from their missions yet. This is bigger then we thought. We're going to need help."

The Doctor sighed and looked at the sunny girl who had a huge beaming grin on her face, she certainly didn't seem like someone who would be able to deal with them even if they did start trouble, which the Doctor never did... it wasn't his fault trouble followed him around. Still he wouldn't mind the extra company and since she was ordered to follow him, he could keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't cause any trouble or (more likely, he thought) she didn't get in to any trouble.

"Oh, alright then," The Doctor said smiling, "Allons-y!"

The Doctor quickly realized it was a good thing he'd been given a military escort (it was still hard for him to get his head around the fact a girl with such a ... sunny disposition was military for hire), as he and Martha had no idea where the Drawtech building was.

"Selphie," Asked Martha, "If Drawtech are... well, magic specialists why are they researching nano-technology?"

Selphie shrugged lightly as they approached the main Drawtech building.

"I dunno," shrugged Selphie, "They make all sorts now, from children's toys to weapons. I've heard they've even started creating artificial !"

"I'm guessing they have their own security force too," The Doctor asked Selphie, and she nodded in reply.

"A single company building an army..." The Doctor added absently as thee ascended the stairs towards the front door, two guards stood in the way.

"I'm sorry, the main building isn't open to the public at this current moment in time." One of the guards ordered, tensing a little as The Doctor reached into his coat pocket.

"John Smith, Business Trading Standards" The Doctor said hopefully, "Just a quick sweep of the premises, it's been authorized as you can see."

The Doctor began shifting the small leather wallet between the two guards so they could get a decent look at it and, although suspicious they let the three past. Once inside Martha turned to The Doctor.

"How did you know they had Business Trading Standards on this planet?" She asked in surprise, the Doctor grinned.

"I didn't." He admitted casually before adding, "Good thing that worked, eh? Now, let's see if we can find the R&D Department!"

As the Doctor began to talk to the secretary Selphie turned to Martha.

"So... you guys are with Trading Standards?" She asked bewildered, Martha laughed a little and shook her head.

"No, that's just what the Doctor does," She explains, "He uses that psychic paper stuff to get us in places, I don't know how it works."

"You said 'this planet'," Selphie continued cautiously, "What did you mean, are you guys like... aliens?"

Martha was about to say no, but then she realized that since she was on a different planet that technically she was an alien and the Doctor definitely was.

"I guess so," Martha replied somewhat nervously

"BOOYAKA!" Exclaimed Selphie suddenly, "That is so cool! And you and the Doctor, are you two, you know... together?"

"No!" Martha replied a little too quickly, "No we're just... friends"

Selphie giggled,

"Oh, so you like him?" The cheery girl replied, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed!" then pretended to zip her lips shut. Martha embarrassed at her own transparency, laughed as the Doctor walked back to them.

"Research and Development, this way!" He told them, pointing down the hallway then turning and marching off in the direction he'd previously gestured too.

Squall was worried, maybe it hadn't been a good idea to send Selphie off alone with those two strangers, emphasis on strange. He knew she could handle herself and neither of them had looked like they could put up a fight but splitting up? What had he been thinking? Especially since he hadn't been able to contact Zell or the others.

"Selphie can handle herself, son." Laguna said as he raised his feet and placed them on his desk, "besides we can't let the President of Drawtech know we're investigating him, right? So like, we'll just say you're here visiting family!"

Once again before Squall could speak their was a knock at the door and after Laguna summoned them in, a self-important looking man burst in and bowed to Laguna.

"Mister President," the red faced man said, forcing a calm tone. He had a look of clear disdain for Laguna on his face.

"Mister Herred, please sit down." Laguna said as he noticed Herred eye Squall cautiously,

"With respect sir, I'd rather stand. I've a company to get back to running."

"And I've got a country to run," Laguna retorted calmly, "so, sit. Do you want a soda or anything?"

"What's this about, sir?" Herred said getting more and more irritated by the moment.

"You're company is creating a new kind of nano-technology right?"

"Yes."

"I'd like to see the results if at all possible."

"Well unfortunately sir, it's not quite ready for public display we've had some budget cuts in that department but believe me... you'll be seeing exactly what my technology can do very soon. Now if you'll excuse me, sir. I've got an appointment with one of my scientists."

"A Doctor?" Asked Squall to gauge his reaction,

"Most of them usually are." Countered Herred "Good day, sir." As Herred turned to leave, Laguna glared. The man was hiding something, he was sure of it.

"Son, I want you to follow him."

Squall's head span to look at his father, his eyes showing shock on his otherwise expressionless face.

"But Laguna..."

"I'm you're client, Commander Leonheart. I'm giving you an order."

Squall instantly scowled, he knew he shouldn't have come on this mission but with Irvine and Zell on a mission in Galbadia and Quistis overseeing the orphanage reconstruction project, there was only himself and Selphie that he trusted with a mission this important.

That's a lie, He told himself, Xu could have handled this easy, you just wanted to see Laguna. Why? You knew you'd be working as his client and that you'd have to follow his orders. Unless he tries to send you to your room.

"Relax son," Laguna said, his expression softing, "I've got these two watching my back and I still remember how to use my machine gun."

"..." Said Ward

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

The Doctor had told Selphie and Martha to keep an eye out for him while he 'fixed' (or as Selphie had called it, 'operated') on an infopanel. What he'd discovered was that the nanotechnology project had been shelved up until recently that the former head of the company, a Doctor Highwind had deemed the technology to unstable to be used safely and put it on hold indefinitely. What he found that was interesting was Dr. Herred, lead researcher of the nanotechnology project had recently been made head of the company when Doctor Highwind mysteriously disappeared.

"Well that's it then!" Martha said proudly, "We've solved it, Herred used his nano-wotsits to kill that Doctor Highwind out of revenge for shelving his project."

Selphie eagerly nodded her agreement.

"No, there's more to it then that..." The Doctor replied absently, "If he was just after revenge, it would have been over before we arrived, but for some reason he's targeted your friend's father, the President of Esthar. That wouldn't get him promoted, what's he up too?"

"Maybe he's planning on taking over the world!" Selphie exclaimed

"Maybe..." The Doctor half agreed, then his voice suddenly became chipper, "Not going to figure it out standing around here. Doctor Steon was promoted to head of R&R when Herred became boss, let's go meet her!"

The three glanced briefly at the picture of a young woman, black hair with glasses and pale skin, a stern and professional air about her, before moving to find the woman.

"So why are we going to see this Doctor Steon?" Asked Selphie, "If we think it's Herred, shouldn't we go after him and clobber him?"

"Direct," The Doctor replied looking down at the short brunette, "Not very subtle, but direct. I... I think we should run now."

"Why?" The girls asked together, The Doctor simply pointed down the hall in response.

"MOVE!"

Walking towards them was a silver, featureless figure, that shimmered as it crossed under the bright lights of the long corridor, The Doctor turned on his heel and pushed Selphie and Martha to do the same, as the metallic monster broke out into a run of it's own.

The corridor was a blur as The Doctor, Martha and Selphie ran for their lives, Martha making the mistake of looking back, as she did she saw the 'creature', walk into and then through a trolly Selphie had pushed in the way of it, What was left of the trolly, the edges and the wheel collapsed to the floor and Martha thought she saw the figure gain toes.

"In here!" The Doctor cried, and slid into a door on the right hand side of the hall. Leading them straight into a closet.

"Oh no, we're trapped!" Cried Selphie

"Let me guess," Martha said dryly, "You meant to do that?"

"Well..." The Doctor started and trailed off, still looking around the small room. "Not so much, no."

The Doctor had gotten them cornered, he looked around frantically, no vents, no secret doors no other way out. Selphie for a minute thought they might have lead her in her on purpose, to get rid of her but one look at the face of panicked anger on her alien companion's face instantly dismissed that.

Suddenly there was a bang on the door. THUD.

THUD...

The trio froze up.

THUD...

And then nothing. For awhile no one moved, waiting to see if the Shimmering Man would continue his pounding. Eventually Selphie let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding in.

"Doesn't make any sense..." The Doctor spoke absently, "If that creature was created by nanites; nanites that can convert raw material and reassemble it as more nanites then why not just convert the door. Why not just come after us? Unless..."

"What, Doctor?" Asked Martha,

"Unless... no, YES!" The Doctor continued, voice becoming more excited, "Of course!"

"Someone's controlling it," Selphie piped up, suddenly catching on "And whoever's controlling it didn't want any more people going missing. It'd be too suspicious!"

"They wanted to scare us off the trail!" Martha added

The Doctor smiled proudly,

"Exactly what I was going to say," He told the girls, "Come on, we best go see Steon."

The lights were dimmed in Steon's lab and the woman had her back to the door. She didn't turn, didn't even acknowledge anyone's entrance which in the Doctor's experience probably meant something had happened to her, something she wanted to do her best to forget.

"Doctor Steon?" He asked carefully, taking a step forward.

"Yes..." A withered voice came back

"I'm The Doctor, these are my friends, Martha and Selphie. Can we ask you a couple of questions."

"Very well but do make it quick, I haven't the energy for..." The woman sighed heavily, as if talking tired her, "well very much of anything, anymore. I'm not as young as I used to be."

Steon turned to face the trio, moving into the light from the open door ever so slightly.

"Oh my god..." Whispered Martha

"Sudden and rapid aging caused by massive energy burn out." The Doctor explained darkly.

The woman before them was Doctor Steon but she was not the young scientist they had seen on the infopanel, her smooth black hair was now a tattered gray, her frame was practically skeletal, large dark bags hung under her tired eyes and Selphie recoiled as the woman gave a scowl, causing her lips to turn white.

"Tell me how this happened to you..."

To Be Continued.