Owen watched from his medical area as Jack entered the hub, followed by the mystery man in uniform. Who was he? He glanced down at Toshiko, crouched next to the stairs, out of sight of the rest of the hub. When Ianto had come into the hub, and said that Jack and the stranger were following, Owen had grabbed Tosh and her laptop, and had led her down to the medical bay, with strict instructions to find out who the stranger was.

He crouched down next to her. "Any luck?"

"Hmm."

"Tosh?" Jack called out from the hub. Toshiko jumped up, thrusting her laptop into Owen's hands, and started up the stairs.

Owen bit his lip, holding Tosh's laptop like it would fall apart if he so much as looked at it. Hesitantly reaching out, he tapped the enter key. A picture of the stranger appeared on the screen, scrolling down to reveal rows and rows of information.

Owen narrowed his eyes, reading about the man's UNIT past. He paused, hovering the mouse pointer over a file marked 'Top Secret', then clicked downwards.

His eyes widened slightly.

The Doctor, with his arms crossed above his head, attempting to shield himself from the giant paw, was tore from his crouched position on the floor, and pulled up into the air. He could feel the claws cutting through his overcoat and suit, drawing blood from his back. He yelped again, unfurling automatically, coming face to face with the wolf, which looked decidedly less appetizing up close. And it hadn't been bananas before!

The wolf was nearly as tall as he would be standing up. It had three dark yellow lines running down its back, submerging into its tail, which was a shade brighter. The tiny eyes that were staring at him looked artificial, as if someone had stuck two buttons on in their place. It had a coat of what looked like silk; the Doctor wasn't about to reach out and touch it after all. Its jaws were open, showing rows of huge teeth, which seemed to be terribly blunt, which would lead to rather a painful end, thought the Doctor.

The wolf gave a deep, shuddering growl, which reminded the Doctor somewhat of the sound a stomach would make if it was hungry.

He tried to charm the wolf again. "Hello there! I would rather like to be put down, only your claws are--"

The wolf roared, and dropped the Doctor, turning away.

"Oof," said the Doctor.

The wolf looking back at him, its tongue hanging from its mouth. It faced forward again, reached back with its right back leg, and swept the Doctor up again. Looking at the strange angle the leg was now contorted at, the Doctor felt he had to say something.

"Don't hurt yourself on my account, really. I'd be quite happy to talk this out with you."

The wolf growled again, before setting off at a lopping pace on three legs down the corridor.

"Wait!" The Doctor turned, grabbing hold of the door handle. The wolf turned and growled again. "No!" the Doctor told it. "I am not letting go. Not when the only other of my species is dependant on me being here!"

The wolf seemed to consider, before trying to tug him away from the door. The Doctor hung on for dear life or, to be more precise, the Master's life. He was going to have serious words with the TARDIS later. Look at the mess she'd got them into!

The Master's POV:

I tense again as there's a threatening growl from beyond the door. I can hear the Doctor talking, but he sounds muffled. Knowing him, he's probably trying to sweet talk the monster. I then hear a roar. Right! I've had enough.

I move quickly, barrelling into the larger of the two men, sending him crashing to the ground, his gun skittering away uselessly into a corner. Human's reaction times are pathetic, and I manage to grab the other man's gun before he's had time to blink. I throw in a punch for good measure, shoving him across the room towards his compatriot.

I then turn back to the door. Another inspection and my original assessment is proved correct. There doesn't seem to be a door handle, or anything that could be described as a lock.

I hear more scuffles from beyond the door, and the Doctor shouts. "Wait!"

I tut, before raising the gun, aiming it at the door, and pulling the trigger. Nothing happens. I look down at the gun, hearing a snigger from behind me. I turn.

"You think the Judoon keep guns just lying around?" The two men, still lying where I left them, laugh. I have the sudden urge to kill one of them. I would too, except that I can't reach them without going out of range. I settle for throwing the gun in my hands at them really hard. It bounces off the head of the man who had spoken, knocking him out. There you go, I tell myself, I feel better already.

I'm now sorely aware of the predicament I'm in. I have nothing to protect myself with, two men who are probably going to try and kill me soon, I'm separated from the Doctor, and if he moves away from the door I'm going to be toast. This is all the Doctor's fault!

"Master!"

I keep my eyes fixed on the two men, but call out. "Yeah?"

"Ow! Get off… Take the bracelet off!"

I now have an urge to kill the Doctor. "I can't, you moron!"

I hear claws scrabbling for purchase, then the Doctor again. "What's it been? Twenty minutes since we left the TARDIS?"

"My point," I answer dryly, as the still conscious man rises to his feet. "Travelling with you is dangerous."

"I meant… Arh!" There was a pause. "I meant haven't you tried to get it off yet?"

I narrow my eyes at the man, feeling cornered. What the hell is the Doctor talking about? Of course I haven't touched something that could possibly fry me!

The Doctor, however, doesn't wait for my answer, instead shouting, "Press the blue button. It'll come off."

I look down at my wrist, reaching up with my free hand, and slowly pressing the blue button. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if it activates. But somehow I don't think the Doctor would kill me merely to get away himself. His self-preservation instinct must be the lowest in the Universe!

There are no sparks though. It simply unlatches and falls to the ground.

I whip round to the door, and give it a kick. "I'm going to bloody kill you!"

I'm almost as stupid as one of the Doctor's humans, I realise, as I turn back to the room a second too late, and the conscious man's fist connects sharply with the side of my face.

The Doctor grins at the Master's indignant shout, finally releasing the door handle and allowing himself to be picked up again. Well… 'allow' is such a strong word. He doesn't really have any choice, but likes to think he does.

"Out of interest," the Doctor continues. "How are you meant to run on three legs?"

The wolf looks back at him, seemingly raising an eyebrow, and begins to run.

"Ow," says the Doctor, as the wolf's fourth leg, which was the one holding him, comes down, and he's banged unceremoniously into the floor, only to be lifted up again a second later. The process repeats itself.

This would never have happened if I'd gone with my original plan, the Doctor thinks crossly, and handcuffed the Master to me.